31 - Banjo-Tooie

Look, all I’m saying is that we were all sitting around, minding our own business, playin’ a nice friendly game of poker. Then BOOM. A witch blows up our house, does that seem fair to you? Really should’ve paid extra for that witch insurance… also probably should have taken out a life insurance policy on Bottles. Hindsight is 20/20, I guess. Today’s episode is about Smashterpiece #31: Banjo-Tooie, our final game developed by the legendary Rare and the second outing for the famous bear and bird trio! Our friend Pat joins us to discuss the adventure through the Isle O’ Hags in order to collect shiny golden puzzle pieces. Why do we think this game generally does not hold up as well as the first entry? What’s our favorite and least favorite levels? What problems arose specifically due to us playing the XBox 360 remaster? And why are the levels so damn big? All this and more in today’s episode!

Join us next time as we swap blocks and regret all the decisions that brought us to this point in Smashterpiece #32: Pokémon Puzzle League

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie and Joe stream these games here.

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia.

2020 Wrap-Up

The conclusion of our Bear & Bird adventure is coming soon, but for now it’s New Year’s Eve and it seems fitting to take this opportunity to look back and then look forward. We released episodes on ten games from our list this year, starting with Game & Watch Gallery and ending out on Majora’s Mask. What are our main takeaways from these experiences? How do we feel about the four bonus episodes we released as well? Finally, what does our next stretch potentially look like, as we leave the Nintendo 64 and enter the realm of the almighty Gamecube? Let’s also not forget that a new game has been added to our list since last we spoke, so we go ahead and discuss that a little too.

We’ll be back in a week or so with our episode on Banjo-Tooie, but for now have a Happy New Year and we’ll see you in 2021!

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie and Joe stream these games here.

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia. This episode was edited by Joe.

BONUS - Metroid Fusion

It’s time to take a brief detour from our witch hunting adventures and head back up into space real quick. We hear there’s some parasites that are just no good! Today’s bonus episode is on the 2002 Game Boy Advance title Metroid Fusion, where we join Samus on her journey to defeat the X Parasites. How do we think this game compares to Super Metroid? Why are all the bosses so absurdly difficult? How’s the soundtrack stack up? And why did this game come out the exact same year as Metroid Prime? All this and more in today’s episode!

We’ll be back soon with Banjo-Tooie!

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie and Joe stream these games here.

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia. This episode was edited by Melanie.

30 - The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

The clock tower bell chimes, the shadow of the moon looms close. A sense of despair fills the air. Surely this couldn’t actually happen, right? The sad truth is that it can, and it is. We have three days. Today’s episode is to discuss a game close to both of our hearts, Smashterpiece #30: The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. Why is it that we love this game so much? Is this potentially the best game on our entire list? Why is the world of Termina so impactful? What about that sweet sweet music? All this and more in today’s episode, including our plans for the latest character release.

Join us next time as we set off on an adventure through the Isle O’ Hags in Smashterpiece #31: Banjo-Tooie

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie and Joe stream these games here.

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia.

BONUS - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

We may be done with Castlevania on our main lineup, but it’s impossible to ignore the fact that we haven’t touched one of its most iconic entries. This bonus episode features our discussion on one of the most famous genre shifts in gaming history, establishing itself as the second half of an entire genre title. It’s really too bad that we’re both just sorta lukewarm on the whole thing. Today on Smashterpieces we’re talking about Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, the first of the franchise to be classified as “Igavania” and the second half of the “Metroidvania” name. How do we feel about comparing this game to the other half, Super Metroid? Why do we feel like this game has such a poor sense of progression? And what are our thoughts on the Inverted Castle? All this and more in today’s bonus episode!

We’ll hopefully be back in a few weeks with our episode on Smashterpiece #30: The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, stay tuned!

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie and Joe stream these games here.

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia. This episode was edited by Melanie.

29 - Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

A shower of beautiful prismatic shards falls down all around us, raining from the heavens in a sparkling display of splendor. Looking around at this wonder of nature, only one thought crosses my mind… We better get under shelter, those things are probably falling at terminal velocity. While we’re there, let’s talk about Kirby! It’s time for Smashterpiece #29: Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, a game where you can turn Kirby into a refrigerator. This fact makes it the greatest game of all time, this is not up for debate. We’re joined by Neal Ronaghan of Nintendo World Report to provide his further knowledge of the Kirby universe and provide a direct comparison to Kirby 64’s predecessor Kirby’s Dream Land 3. What do we think of the copy ability merging powers that this game gives Kirby? What are some of our favorite combos? How good is this game’s soundtrack? Gundam? All that and more in today’s episode!

Join us next time when we’re met with a terrible fate in a doomed world in Smashterpiece #30: The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask!

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia.

28 - Donkey Kong 64

We have collected, collected some more, and then collected all over again. The collecting has worked to forge us into higher beings, made powerful by the immense potassium we have ingested that would kill any lesser ape were they to devour the bananas we have endured. Now, in our gluttonous sleep, there is only one question left to ask: how the hell is this one of Joe’s favorite games of all time? That’s right, we’re back with our episode on the infamous Smashterpiece #28: Donkey Kong 64. What are the host’s differing views on this controversial game that ends our time in the 90’s? Why exactly does Joe like this game so much? How are the bosses and the dynamic soundtrack? All this and more in today’s episode!

Join us next time when we take off for the stars to collect some shards in Smashterpiece #29: Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards!

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia.

BONUS - Final Fantasy VII Remake

Back in the olden days of 2019 we spent about three months both playing Final Fantasy VII, one of the most iconic and influential JRPGs ever made, for the first time. As luck would have it this was done just in time for Square Enix to release the first part of their heavily requested and highly anticipated remake. So how did it turn out? Is it comparable to the original in terms of quality, or should Square not have bothered? What do we think of some of the changes they made? How is everybody’s characterization in comparison to the original? Did the soundtrack meet our high expectations? How about that ending? All that and more in this very special bonus episode!

We’ll be back in a few weeks with our regular episode on Donkey Kong 64, see you then!

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia. This episode was edited by Matt.

27 - Pokémon Snap

Pull out your camera, grab a handful of apples, and tune up your poke flute, we’re going on a safari! We’ve finally hit our first trip into the biggest media franchise in existence, even if it happens to be through a spinoff game. It’s time for Smashterpiece #27: Pokémon Snap, a strange little rail shooter where your only real goal is to get the best shot (or a lot of times any shot at all). What do our hosts remember about growing up during the height of Pokémania? Why is this such a bizarre game and where did it even come from? How do they feel about having summoned a sequel after 20 years through their words alone? All that and more in today’s episode!

Join us next time when we collect… a lot… of things in Smashterpiece #28: Donkey Kong 64

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia

SPECIAL - Super Smash Bros (64)

It’s taken almost two years, but we’ve finally made it into a time period where the reason for the season exists. It’s time for a very special episode about the original Super Smash Bros, the game that started it all. We talk way too long about this game, from its humble 12 character roster, to the lack of side specials, to our fun with the side modes like Break the Targets and Board the Platforms. Not to mention the origin story of the franchise, our favorite stages, the most forgotten original music in the franchise’s 20 year history, we leave no stone unturned!

Join us next time as we raise our cameras and try to get the perfect shot in Smashterpiece #27: Pokémon Snap

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia

26 - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

We’ve finally arrived, riding into Hyrule Castle with naught but a fairy at our side and an ocarina in our pocket. We’ve got a job to do. It’s time for Smashterpiece #26, one of the most famously influential games of all time, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time! This time we’re joined by Sol, the designer of our lovely logo, to talk about the game that wrote the book on how to make a 3D action adventure game. What are some of the most interesting things that can be learned from taking a closer look at this game? What are our favorite and least favorite dungeons to traverse? How was our experience going through a randomized version of the game after the fact? All this and more in today’s episode!

Join us next time for a special episode where we discuss the first reason for the season (or in this case podcast): Super Smash Bros!

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia

25 - Metal Gear Solid

Who’s footprints are these…? AHA! HQ, we have located a new episode of Smashterpieces! Send reinforcements! Meanwhile we’ll get our sneaking gear ready and head off into the Alaskan wilderness. It’s time for Smashterpiece #25: Metal Gear Solid! For the first and possibly only time both hosts played two quite different versions of the game, giving them a chance to compare and contrast the pros and cons of each one. Will Melanie, representing the original PlayStation classic, be able to top Joe, representing the controversial GameCube remake, in a battle of video game comparison? What was the cultural impact of this game back in 1998? What are our experiences with the rest of the Metal Gear series as well? And what do we think of our first truly vocal song? All that and more in today’s episode!

Join us next time as we travel back and forth through time to save Hyrule in Smashterpiece #26: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia

AF20 - Dragon Ball FighterZ

Hey you! Would you like to see what it’s like to go… even further… BEYOND? No? Well, that’s too bad, because it’s time to focus your ki and transform into a Super Saiyan! Today’s episode is discussing the game representing Son Goku himself, 2018’s Dragon Ball FighterZ. How does this game feel even to those who aren’t going pro any time soon? What should this game mean to long time Dragon Ball fans? And why is most of this episode just Joe gushing about Dragon Ball lore? All this and more in this very special episode of Smashterpieces!

Join us next time as we tell you that Geno probably isn’t going to ever be in Smash.

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia. This episode in particular was edited by Matt Zawodniak.

West City Stage [Epic Metal Cover] by LittleVMills

24 - The King of Fighters 95

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s finally time! Tighten up your gi, grab your fan, and put on your… Freddy Krueger gloves? (Why???) It’s time to find out who truly is the King of Fighters! That’s right, it’s time for our episode on the game representing the Legendary Wolf, Terry Bogard, Smashterpiece #24: The King of Fighters ‘95. As our second fighting game for the show, how does it compare to our last one, Street Fighter II? What characters did we tend to gravitate towards? Is Joe still really bad at fighting games? Just what is Days of Memories, and why do we have to play it immediately? All that and more in today’s episode!

Join us next time as we delve into some tactical espionage action for Smashterpiece #25: Metal Gear Solid

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia

23 - Yoshi's Story

It seems we have at last arrived in a world of arts and crafts, a pop up book with denim skies and cardboard cliffs. It’s finally time to turn the page and talk about Smashterpiece #23: Yoshi’s Story. Being our first game featuring Totaka’s Song to being the first instance of Yoshi having the voice we’ve all grown accustomed to hearing, this perfectly normal platformer is exactly what we expected- wait, what? It’s a score attack game? … Huh. Do we think the score attack format hurts or helps the game overall? Why is it kind of weird that this 2D sprite based platformer released on a home console in 1997? What’s the most important piece of the soundtrack and why is it Yo Yo Yoshi? All this and more in today’s episode!

Join us next time as we build our teams and fight our way to the top in Smashterpiece #24: The King of Fighters ‘95

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia

22 - Star Fox 64

Head out into the hangar, hop in your Arwing, check your G-Diffuser, and strap in! We’re off to Venom, and nothing is going to stop us! That’s right, it’s time for us to take a journey into space in Smashterpiece #22: Star Fox 64. Miles Allen (AKA Solharath) joins us as we discuss one of the Nintendo 64’s most iconic rail shooters. How does playing on modern hardware (the Wii U or 3DS) compare to playing on the original console? How does the more arcade score attack style gameplay really benefit the game overall? And what about the Landmaster? All this and more in today’s episode!

Join us next time as we go on a journey to restore happiness and eat fruit in Smashterpiece #23: Yoshi’s Story

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia

21 - Game & Watch Gallery

HARK! What’s that in the distance? A beep? Perhaps a boop? A buzz, even? Whatever you call it, the answer is that it’s a blast from the past! That’s right, it’s time to talk about Smashterpiece #21: Game & Watch Gallery, a Game Boy title released in 1997 pretending to be a handheld device released in 1980. What’s the history of the Game & Watch itself? What were our feelings when comparing this title’s Classic and Modern versions of the available games? Is there even any music worth talking about here? All this and more in today’s episode!

Join us next time when we jump into an Arwing and take off into space for Smashterpiece #22: Star Fox 64

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia

20.5 - Final Fantasy VII (Part 5)

We have arrived at the end of this journey, as Meteor approaches and the roar of Weapon can be heard in the distance. At long last our trip through Final Fantasy VII has come to a close, the planet is saved. Ultimately what did we think of a game often called one of the greatest JRPGs ever made? How do we feel about the final sequences, the trip down to Sephiroth, and the final battle with the one winged angel himself? What did Melanie learn about the mess of a localization this game received in 1997? All this and more in today’s finale!

Join us in 2020 when we take a trip back to a world of LCD with Smashterpiece #21: Game & Watch Gallery

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia

20.4 - Final Fantasy VII (Part 4)

The end is in sight, but we still have a few loose ends left to tie up. As we journey, grieving and broken, it’s time to learn about who we really are and gear ourselves up to save the planet. This is our penultimate discussion on Smashterpiece #20: Final Fantasy VII, in which we finally take to the skies and then try to throw a rocket at a giant ball of magical energy in space. You know, your average every day stuff. How do we feel about the revelation of who Cloud really is? What did we think about what seemed to be Cid’s redemption arc? And who the hell is Reeve? All that and more in today’s episode!

Join us next time as we finally finish our journey, fighting one of the most famous final bosses in video game history.

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia

20.3 - Final Fantasy VII (Part 3)

Prep your tears and fuel up your broken airplanes, cause we’re back on the road and continuing our adventure through Smashterpiece #20: Final Fantasy VII! Today’s discussion takes us all the way to the end of disc one, featuring our final two party members, a ninja village, a romantic date, and one of the most famous deaths in all of gaming history. Who did we woo into going on a date through the Golden Saucer? Why couldn’t they have delayed Cid’s launch? What the hell is up with Cait Sith 2? How did the death of a party member make us feel? All that and more in today’s episode!

Join us next time as we seek revenge on Sephiroth, and attempt to stop the incoming apocalypse!

Our list of games can be found here!

You can watch Melanie stream these games and more here, and you can watch Joe stream here!

Smashterpieces is brought to you by Anonymous Dinosaur and Nintendo World Report, editing assistance is provided by Peter Spezia