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Episode 261: Dat New Bitness

by James Jones, Greg Leahy, Jon Lindemann, and Jonathan Metts - October 2, 2011, 9:09 am EDT
Total comments: 24

In this episode, we talk about brand new games, and Jon pays tribute to the Queen in his own special way.

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Greg kicks off this episode with his own take on Xenoblade Chronicles, specifically the British voice-acting from the same crew who brought you Dragon Quest VIII on PS2. He also has first impressions of Aliens: Infestation from Sega and WayForward, which is out in Europe a bit ahead of America. Jon finally catches up with Shadow Complex, the superb 2D action game for XBLA directly inspired by Super Metroid. Jonny returns to the long-neglected Dragon Quest VI and also checks out the just-released free version of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition on 3DS (and DSi). Finally, James initiates review season with his thoughts on Bit.Trip Saga, the 3DS collection of Gaijin Games' WiiWare series.

In Listener Mail, Greg responds to numerous inquiries about his Buffalo Bills challenge from a few weeks ago, whose deadline passed much faster than anyone could have expected. A friend in Japan provides another data point on the piracy vs. used debate, although you could easily miss the content of his letter thanks to Jon's mangling of it. Next is yet another discussion of the impact of smartphone gaming on Nintendo's plans for 3DS and whether there might be space for them to successfully coexist. Last up is a question about Wii U prospects for Ni no Kuni, the gorgeous RPG collaboration between Level 5 and Studio Ghibli.

But wait, there's more! We also announced nominees for RetroActive #20. Do your duty as a fan by voting in the poll -- it's quick and easy! If you're not sure which game to pick, read through the forum thread to hear what other people are saying about these games. We'd also love to hear from you via email; you can use this handy contact form.

This podcast was edited by Greg Leahy.

Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can purchase their newest album, Done with the Devil, directly from the record label, Amazon (CD) (MP3), or iTunes, or call your local record store and ask for it!

Additional music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is copyrighted to Nintendo, and is included under fair use protection.

Talkback

PlugabugzOctober 03, 2011

Jon Lindemann. WTF.

oksodaScott Thompson, Associate EditorOctober 03, 2011

Thanks for the Connectivity shout out, fellas!

I was trying to remember how Jon mangled the letter, then I saw the talkback. All the suppressed memories came flooding back.

KDR_11kOctober 03, 2011

I think Shadow Complex would be less interesting if it was a Metroid game. One part of its appeal is that it's a new setting with unknown conventions. Most of the items in Metroid games are repeats, stuff you already know and expect. The unknown is one of the appealing aspects of Super Metroid, when you play it for the first time you have no idea what's going to happen and how your abilities will change. The first game in any series you play gets that unknown bonus, later games in the same series become more predictable.

The comment about counterfeit DS cartridges made me wonder:

I bought a copy of Dragon Quest IX back when Johnny was raving about the game on the podcast, and I believe it may be a counterfeit (I was unaware of this, but I realize now that when I put the game in my old DS, it gave an icon of a soccer game, but when I started the game it loaded DQIX). 

...Anyone know if this will brick my 3DS if I try to run it in that?  I no longer have my regular DS, and I wanted to give that game a second chance to grab my attention, but I don't want to be DS-less.

CericOctober 03, 2011

Probably not lolmonade but it may have the wrong region code since the Pre-DSi DSes are region free.

It is clearly counterfeit though.


UB actually wrote a guide in detecting counterfeit games for us.

I would be more interested in Shadow Complex if it WASN'T FIFTEEN DOLLARS.

broodwarsOctober 03, 2011

Quote from: Halbred

I would be more interested in Shadow Complex if it WASN'T FIFTEEN DOLLARS.

I bought the game for $5 when it was on sale, which coincidentally happened the first day I hooked up my 360.  Meh, I didn't really care for it.  There was something just not engaging about the game IMO, and I never finished it out of boredom.

Quote from: Crimm

It is clearly counterfeit though.


UB actually wrote a guide in detecting counterfeit games for us.

You're right.  I tried to launch it twice and it said an error occurred.  Well, that's the last time I buy used DS games for my 3DS :-/

I paid full price for Shadow Complex and would gladly do it again. There are many XBLA/PSN games I don't think are worth that now-standard price point, but Shadow Complex totally is. It's more substantive than most Metroid games, and those all launched for at least 2-3 times the price.

SundoulosOctober 03, 2011

I wish Shadow Complex was available via Steam (or otherwise) on PC.  I'd like to play it, but I'm unwilling to invest in an Xbox 360 this late in the gen.

shinyray01October 04, 2011

Finally a Retro active that i can truly participate in. but would have preferred Custom Robo on the GC. close enough though.


also just a thought but couldn't the American people download the European itunes and rate RFN so that we can sooner hear Greg sing in all his glory.

Chocobo_RiderOctober 04, 2011

Another thoroughly enjoyable episode, fellas.  RFN is the highlight of my game-media week.

rrrrrrrrresponses....

1. Go effin' Bills!! Too bad about the Bengals game.  ah well, if you had to lose one game out of the first 4 weeks, that's probably the best choice.

2a. DQ8 had amazing voice work.  So, that's good news!
2b. Was that Jonny on the "Cor Blimey"? Regardless, well played, sir. =P

3. I don't want to start yet another endless debate but my 2 cents is that I loved Other M and I'm so glad Nintendo had the guts to actually flesh out one of its flagship characters.  They stuck their neck out and gamers quickly slit their throats for it! ... and then promptly went back to complaining about how Skyward Sword and Mario games don't look "different" enough.

Was the choice of dialogue good? No, absolutely not.  Is the choice of dialogue in most voiced games (I'm lookin' at you Metal Gear franchise) good? No.  But since games like MGS did it from the start, people weren't shocked by it... and the double standards reigned supreme.

4. Jonny, I don't think you're missing much having not played DQ7.  All DQ games are good, but DQ7 is certainly the weakest/most boring in my opinion.

5. "Ups to Nintendo for free FourSwords"! Kudos, Jonny! It takes guys these days to praise companies for giving things away for free instead of charging for digital content.  Also, somehow I didn't even know I could DL it for my DSi... I should friggin' grab that!

6. Love "new bitness"... classic Lindy comedy gold.  FYI, I've looked for Bit.Trip Complete in two GameStops in my area.  It wasn't not on the shelves and this is by far not the first time a Wii game wasn't on display after its release so I asked the employees about it... they had never even heard of the game.  They saw it in their computer but had no idea where it was.  Just awful.  This has happened so many times to 3rd party Wii games.  It's truly a vicious cycle.  People assume they won't sell, they put no effort into selling them, they don't sell, and their assumptions grow even bleaker ....

7. What is the name of that piano-based song that happens during the show's intermission? It sounds familiar... and awesome.

8. As someone who lives in Buffalo, I love hearing about the Bills on a national if not international level!! I am a Giants fan, but you can't live here and not automatically become one of those "die hards" Greg spoke about.

Greg, if the Bills win the SuperBowl I'll hunt down some local-only merch and send it your way - my treat!
... of course, this seems like an easy promise to make given the current Vegas odds of that happening but, hey, I'm a man of my word!

9. Bows to Lindy's voice acting. He IS an artist. ... I'm just not completely sure what the medium is =P

10. James, not sure how you're defining "maturity," but NWR really is one of the top gaming communities on the net.  For serious.  Even if it's not perfect, be grateful for what you got! (which I'm sure you are... I'm sure you were just half-joking... but still....).

Quote from: NinSage

7. What is the name of that piano-based song that happens during the show's intermission? It sounds familiar... and awesome.


It's a track from Kirby's Epic Yarn.

Quote from: NinSage

10. James, not sure how you're defining "maturity," but NWR really is one of the top gaming communities on the net.  For serious.  Even if it's not perfect, be grateful for what you got! (which I'm sure you are... I'm sure you were just half-joking... but still....).


Clearly you haven't ran across the "Smite-Sobbing" thread.

Chocobo_RiderOctober 04, 2011

ah Epic Yarn... that would explain it. Excellent choice, RFN.

That smite-sobbing thread is still 1000x more intelligent a discussion that the cesspool taking place daily at Kotaku or G4.

tokimaru12October 05, 2011

I was wondering what that song was as well! though i never got to play epic yarn, i am a HUGE kirby fan. I am also (though not the stereopype) a sonic fan. i dont complain when there arent a shitload of characters, and up until colors, the voice acting was HORRID. so, im on both sides i guess.

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)October 05, 2011

Lindy, just heard back from the Queen:


Just heard episode 261 of RFN, and as per your request, Mr Lindemann's Commonwealth status has been completely revoked, as has his family's and their ancestors dating back 12 generations.
One hopes that it is fair enough punishment for you.

All the best,

Q

You realize my father, God rest his soul, was born in Germany right?  So I have the Fatherland as my Plan B.

Somehow I always knew it would come to this.

FOR THE KAISER!

Quote from: NWR_Lindy

You realize my father, God rest his soul, was born in Germany right?  So I have the Fatherland as my Plan B.

Somehow I always knew it would come to this.

FOR THE KAISER!

We're on code orange now.


Potential for thread to get offensive is very high.

CericOctober 06, 2011

Quote from: Crimm

Quote from: NWR_Lindy

You realize my father, God rest his soul, was born in Germany right?  So I have the Fatherland as my Plan B.

Somehow I always knew it would come to this.

FOR THE KAISER!

We're on code orange now.


Potential for thread to get offensive is very high.

That's anti-German sentiment there.  I'm starting to feel offended already.  Wait till are full German is here.

Actually my primary concern is that Jon is posting.


I'm already offended by that.

LittleIrvesOctober 09, 2011

This is a late post, but I appreciate y'all reading and discussing my email (re: the validity of iOS games, etc.). And if you have an iDevice and love rhythm games such as Elite Beat Agents or Rhythm Heaven, I highly recommend Groove Coaster. Especially if you enjoyed Space Invaders Extreme on DS, as it's from the same people and includes some tracks from the game.
(Greg, I understand your football fandom woes and recent highs. I'm from Detroit. Go Lions.)

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