Episode 200: Looking To The Future

We celebrate a milestone episode with a look at where gaming's going next, from services to reports of new Switch models to Nintendo's new VR ambitions. Plus, an eShop credit giveaway!

There are now as many episodes of the Random Nintendo Podcast as there are microgames in the original WarioWare. And how are we celebrating this fittingly random Nintendo milestone? By discussing the future of gaming, duh! We dive deep into what cloud- and subscription-based services mean for gaming and Nintendo, as well as discuss Nintendo’s own Switch ambitious with reports of multiple new models and their plans for Labo VR. Plus, we share impressions of asymmetric Switch game Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes and speculate about what’s to come in this month’s Smash Bros. 3.0 update.

We also want to get you in on our 200th episode celebration, so we’re hosting a giveaway to win one of two $20 eShop gift cards! Since there are now as many episodes of the show as WarioWare has microgames, we want to know: what’s your favorite WarioWare microgame? Tell us in the comments below, be it a full description or just the one-word command, to enter. We’ll announce the randomly chosen winners in our next episode on April 28, so make sure you don’t miss it by following us on Twitter @RandomNintendo and subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play Music, YouTube, or your podcasting app of choice.

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 locate the segments that most interest you. Enjoy!

News

[0:03] Discussion: Subscription Game Services
[0:17] GameStop posts $673m full-year loss (GamesIndustry.biz)
[0:19] WayForward announces Shantae 5 for Nintendo Switch, Apple Arcade (Nintendo Enthusiast)
[0:24] Google announces Stadia, a new game streaming platform (Polygon)
[0:38] Disney Plus Wants a Home on the Nintendo Switch (Digital Trends)
[0:40] Bloomberg: Apple’s ‘Netflix for games’ service will payout to developers based on time spent playing each title (9to5Mac)
[0:42] Prince Harry says Fortnite “shouldn’t be allowed,” complains of the game’s addictive nature (GoNintendo)
[0:56] Discussion: What do Stadia and Apple Arcade Mean for Switch?
[0:57] Sony and Nintendo shares tumble following Google Stadia announcement (CNBC)
[0:59] February 2019 NPD: Anthem and Jump Force top software sales (VentureBeat)
[1:03] Nintendo to Launch Two New Switch Models (Wall Street Journal)
[1:16] Rumour: Persona 5, Metroid Prime Trilogy And A Link To The Past Are Switch-Bound According To Best Buy (Nintendo Life)
[1:20] Mike Tyson Seems to Think Nintendo is Making a New Punch-Out!! and He’s Apparently Mad that He’s Not Involved (DualShockers)
[1:24] Super Smash Bros. Ultimate ad leaks Stage Builder mode (Polygon)
[1:28] Switch Getting Labo VR Support For Super Mario Odyssey And Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (GameSpot)
[1:45] Discussion: 200 Episodes!

Games

[0:19] Shantae 5 (Giant Bomb Game Page)
[0:45] Brawl Stars (Official Site)
[1:24] Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Official Site)
[1:28] Nintendo Labo (Official Site)
[1:40] Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes (Official Site)

Official Contest Rules: All registrants must be age 13 or older. The contest begins on April 14, 2019 at 12:00 AM PDT and ends on April 26, 2019 at 11:59 PM PDT. Visitors may only enter the contest once by leaving a comment below. Any additional entries that a given visitor makes will be disqualified. Two (2) commenters will be chosen at random and receive one (1) digital code each redeemable for $20 in credit on the US Nintendo eShop. Random Nintendo staff members may not participate in this contest. Random Nintendo reserves the right to disqualify any entry for any reason. The winner will be chosen at random on April 27, 2019, announced in Episode 201 of the Random Nintendo Podcast, and then notified via email.