Ep. 9: Balloon Kid (1990)

The Daydreamcast returns with all the fighting game talk you never would have expected! We fight pesky connections as we learn about the netcode saviour called 'rollback' and fight the power as we condemn their modern DLC practices. We mash on the buttons and smash on the Dolphin, and despite how it sounds, we consider neither dirty. Right at the heart of it, an epic full of twist and turns, a ballad about the cruel irony of Kickstarter. Finally, we lift off with our game of the week, the often overlooked Game Boy gem Balloon Kid. A natural and creative iteration on and evolution of the Balloon Fight formula, it represents the best in early bite-sized handheld gaming with its charm and thrills. And remember: it might blow up but it won't go "pop!". Timestamps: Whatcha Playing 00:00 Street Fighter V (2016) and the problem with modern fighting games 14:00 Battle Princess Madelyn (2018) or A tale of Kickstarter 33:25 Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001) on Dolphin 38:07 itch.io Minute: Secret Little Haven (2018); Lyne (2014) Featured Game 46:14 Balloon Kid