Episode 63: Bombs Away

Whether bombs are being lobbed in CastleStorm or bombshell announcements of new Nintendo platforms and mascot makeovers are being made, sometimes the video game industry can be rather explosive. In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we’re focusing on exactly that as we analyze all the big news straight from Nintendo’s investor meeting, including major strategy shifts and the company’s new interest in a Quality of Life platform. We then turn our attention to the games themselves, including a roundup of upcoming eShop titles and our thoughts on the surprising Sonic makeover, Sonic Boom. The episode concludes with impressions of both Wii U eShop title CastleStorm and the 3DS’s long-awaited Pokemon Bank. We want to hear what you think, too! Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts on Nintendo’s new strategies, Sonic Boom, or any of this episode’s other topics. Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and follow us on Twitter @RandomNintendo to stay in the loop on future episodes and site updates. As always, you can learn more about the news and games discussed in this episode using the links below. Each link also lists a time stamp so you can easily find the segments that most interest you. Enjoy! News [0:01] Nintendo makes profit on 1.95 million Wii U sales, but predicts dire final quarter (The Verge) [0:06] These Are Nintendo’s Lifetime Hardware and Software Numbers (IGN) [0:12 – 1:14] Corporate Management Policy Briefing/ Third Quarter Financial Results Briefing for Fiscal Year Ending March 2014 and Q&A (Nintendo IR Site) [0:15] Extra: Nintendo’s Mobile Calling [0:59] ‘Mario Kart 8’ worldwide release confirmed for May on Wii U (Examiner.com) [1:00] Pac-Man Museum cancelled on Wii U, 3DS (Nintendo Everything) [1:02] Batman: Arkham Origins story campaign DLC canceled on Wii U (Joystiq) [1:05] DS games coming to Wii U Virtual console (CVG) [1:10] Nintendo Shares Decline on Concern Revival Plan Falls Short (Bloomberg) [1:14] All Of These Indie Games Are Coming To Wii U Or 3DS (Kotaku) [1:23] Art of Balance Announced for Wii U (IGN) [1:26] Shovel Knight uses StreetPass and Miiverse for competition and cooperation (Polygon) [1:30] Watercolor JRPG Child of Light tells its story on April 30 (Joystiq) [1:32] Sonic Boom Brings a Brand-New Sonic to Wii U, 3DS and TV (USgamer) [1:50] Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate headed to 3DS in early 2015 (Polygon) [1:53] Capcom Has Their Sights On Bringing Monster Hunter Frontier G Outside Japan (Siliconera) [1:57] Pokemon Lucario returning to Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS (GameSpot) [2:01] Super Smash Bros. will include Legend of Zelda’s beetle item (VG247) [2:02] Mother Brain Revealed As An Enormous Super Smash Bros. Assist Trophy (Nintendo Life) Games [2:04] CastleStorm (Official Site) [2:12] Pokemon Bank (Official Site) [0:59] Mario Kart 8 (IGN Game Page) [1:02] Batman: Arkham Origins (Official Site) [1:23] Art of Balance (Official Site) [1:26] Shovel Knight (Official Site) [1:30] Child of Light (Official Site) [1:32] Sonic Boom (Official Site) [1:50] Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (IGN Game Page) [1:54] Monster Hunter Frontier G (Giant Bomb Game Page) [1:56] Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS (Official Site)