Episode 176: The Puzzling and the Promising

News: sometime it’s good, sometimes it’s bad. In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, some of it is downright puzzling as we break down the confirmed features of Nintendo Switch Online and the surprise 14-month-late release of Monster Hunter on Switch. We cover plenty of good news too, including what the Smash Bros. Invitational’s player roster may mean for the game as whole, Nintendo’s new all-in approach to mobile, and a bevy of third-party announcements. Plus, we share our impressions of crazy Switch physics platformer Clustertruck and discuss how difficulty can make or break a game like Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.

What do you think of Nintendo’s plans for the Switch Online service? Let us know in the comments below, and we may feature your thoughts in our next episode. If you enjoyed the show, be sure to subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or your podcasting app of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter @RandomNintendo.

As always, we’ve included links below for more information on the news and games discussed in this episode. Each link also lists a time stamp to easily locate the segments that interest you. Enjoy!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:56:23 — 53.7MB)

News

• [0:01] Nintendo shares new details about its Nintendo Switch Online service coming in September (Nintendo.com)
• [0:25] Virtual Console Is Not Coming To Switch, Nintendo Says (Kotaku)
• [0:30] Nintendo’s $20 charging stand finally fixes the Switch’s kickstand problem (TechCrunch)
• [0:38] Splatoon news coming in June will ‘shock the world’ (Destructoid)
• [0:42] Super Smash Bros. E3 Invitational Lineup Includes Top Smash 4 & Melee Players (Shacknews)
• [0:50] Financial Results Briefing for Fiscal Year Ended March 2018 – Q&A (Nintendo Investor Relations)
• [0:55] Nintendo’s new chief sees $1B future in mobile gaming (CNET)
• [0:56] How Pokemon Go Fest 2018 Will Avoid the Problems of Last Year (IGN)
• [1:04] ‘Monster Hunter: Generations Ultimate’ arrives on Switch August 28th (Engadget)
• [1:10] Crossover fighting game Blade Strangers will bring together Binding of Isaac, Cave Story and more (Polygon)
• [1:12] Nicalis announces crossover puzzle fighting game Crystal Crisis for Switch (Gematsu)
• [1:16] Ikaruga is coming to Nintendo Switch with vertical scrolling support (VG247)
• [1:20] Disco Dodgeball Remix for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PS4 (Polygon)
• [1:23] Battlezone Gold Edition Brings Glorious Tank Warfare To Switch This Summer (Nintendo Life)
• [1:26] Minecraft for the Switch is getting cross-play with PC, Xbox One, and smartphones on June 21st (The Verge)

Games

• [0:42] Super Smash Bros. Switch (Official Site)
• [0:56] Pokemon Go (Official Site)
• [1:04] Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (Official Site)
• [1:10] Blade Strangers (Official Site)
• [1:12] Crystal Crisis (Giant Bomb Game Page)
• [1:16] Ikaruga (Nintendo.com Game Page)
• [1:20] Disco Dodgeball Remix (Official Site)
• [1:23] Battlezone: Gold Edition (Official Site)
• [1:26] Minecraft (Official Site)
• [1:30] Clustertruck (Official Site)
• [1:40] Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Official Site)