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Episode 138: Super Mario Galaxy

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Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross cram-jam Super Mario Galaxy.

3D Mario is a tricky thing. Though Mario 64 forged a path, it arrived at a different feeling and flow than we were used to in our 2D Mario games. Over a couple of iterations, it feels like Nintendo finally arrived at the apotheosis of SM64-style play... and then they promptly abandoned it. So, let's take a close look at this weirdo entry in gaming's most established series.

Episode 138: Starflight / Toe Jam & Earl


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Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross blast off and crash down with Starflight and Toe Jam & Earl.

This is the "Genesis Games that Want to be PC Games" special, as we look at two bizarre console titles from the early 90s. Starflight is the prototypical galaxy exploration simulator, with a wide world and tons of character. Meanwhile, Toe Jam & Earl is an early take on a rogue-lite whose style doesn't quite make up for its mechanical shortcomings.

Episode 137: Team Fortress 2

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross gang up to talk about Team Fortress 2.

For our fifth anniversary show, we wanted to do something special. We wanted to play a classic game with our community, and it turns out choosing Team Fortress 2 was a great move. Team Fortress goes way back, but Valve has taken the formula and engineered and iterated it to the point where it's a joy to play. Huge thanks to everyone who played with us!

Episode 136: Phantasy Star IV (Part 2)

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross launch through the latter portion of Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium.

It's now time to leave Motavia and head to Dezolis, because the Algo solar system is in peril. Can we fix the systems, retrieve the data, and conquer the Darkness?

Episode 135: Phantasy Star IV (Part 1)

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross soar through Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium.

We're guilty of focusing on Final Fantasy games when we talk about JRPGs because that's mostly what we grew up with. However, concurrently, there was a whole big, important series living and thriving on Sega systems, doing amazing forward looking things before it died an unceremonious death. Phantasy Star IV is considered to be the best, most friendly iteration of the main series, and you should join us to hear about how prescient it was in terms of design.

Episode 134: Elite Beat Agents / Rhythm Heaven

Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross groove to Elite Beat Agents and Rhythm Heaven.

This summer, we decided to let our listeners decide which rhythm games we should play. The resounding winners were to non-peripheral Nintendo DS rhythm games that couldn't be any more different. Elite Beat Agents is soaking in charm, but we find a lot of problems with it mechanically and musically. Meanwhile, Rhythm Heaven is drenched in charm, and manages to be in the upper echelon of games we've played for the show.