Episode 232: Mochas and MOBAs

The free-to-play thirst is real. In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we discuss The Pokemon Company’s latest forays into the freemium market with impressions of Pokemon Cafe Mix and thoughts on the upcoming Pokemon Unite, including the game itself, the fan reaction, and the rise of Tencent. We also share impressions of Ninjala, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s new Min Min DLC, and revisit Luigi’s Mansion 3. Plus, Nintendo’s move away from mobile, the design philosophy of sequels, and the always messy naming schemes of Square Enix games.

Which free-to-play titles are you hooked on? Let us know in the comments. If you enjoyed the show, be sure to subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. You can also follow us on Twitter @RandomNintendo.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:00:58 — 55.8MB)

News

• [0:03] Pokemon Co. announces Pokemon Cafe x Pokemon Cafe Mix collab (GoNintendo)
• [0:15] Ninjala Season 2 And 3 To Add New Stages, Weapons, Spectator Mode And More (Nintendo Life)
• [0:28] Splatoon: Squid Kids Comedy Show Manga Coming This Summer (Nintendojo)
• [0:30] Splatoon 2 Turf War July 2020 Tournament inked for July 18th (Nintendo Wire)
• [0:34] Pokemon Presents | 6.24.2020 (YouTube)
• [0:40] Pokemon Unite Reveal Becomes The Pokemon Company’s Most Disliked Video on YouTube (IGN)
• [0:43] Tencent to create mobile versions of famous Japanese games such as Street Fighter, Metal Slug (South China Morning Post)
• [0:51] Nintendo Chills Mobile Ambitions After Animal Crossing Success (Bloomberg)
• [1:00] Min Min from ARMS dishes out spicy punches and kicks in Super Smash Bros Ultimate (Nintendo.com)
• [1:15] Nintendo comments on their online networks getting bogged down (GoNintendo)
• [1:24] Nintendo president apologizes for Joy-Con drift (Polygon)
• [1:37] Paper Mario: The Origami King Folds Familiar Elements Into An All-New Adventure (Game Informer)
• [1:51] Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory Is a Rhythm Game Coming to Switch, PS4 and Xbox One (IGN)

Games

• [0:03] Pokemon Cafe Mix (Official Site)
• [0:15] Ninjala (Official Site)
• [0:28] Splatoon 2 (Official Site)
• [0:38] Pokemon Unite (Pokemon.com Game Page)
• [1:00] Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Official Site)
• [1:28] Luigi’s Mansion 3 (Official Site)
• [1:37] Paper Mario: The Origami King (Official Site)
• [1:51] Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory (Official Site)