Nintendo Cartridge Society

Patrick and Mark punch their way through the recent ARMS Direct, and in so doing have to redefine “waifu.” Everyone’s going nuts for Twintelle! Plus there’s a new Fire Emblem game out (yes: again; no: it’s not on Switch) - is it a welcome throwback or a creaky antique? This episode is brought to you by MackWeldon.com. Enter promo code NINTENDO for 20% off.

Patrick and Mark have soured on the experience! Your hosts lament the challenge DKC2 insists on presenting in every level. Plus, no one knows how to use coins or farm for lives. That’s okay: a helpful angler fish uses his bioluminescent powers for good and helps these monkeys find their monkey friend!

Patrick and Mark have both defeated Ganon in Breath of the Wild, and you know what that means: time to definitively rank all of the Legend of Zelda console games! Which ones rule and which ones drool? Plus, Nintendo’s E3 plans, Mark freestyle raps new Switch announcements, and rumors of Zelda on mobile. This episode is brought to you by MackWeldon.com. Visit MackWeldon.com and enter promo code NINTENDO to receive 20% off your order.

This week Patrick and Mark shine a spotlight on one of Nintendo’s lesser known development partners: Good-Feel, makers of Wario Land: Shake It!, Kirby’s Epic Yarn, and Yoshi’s Woolly World. Plus, Retro rumors, Fire Emblem DLC, and a Reader Listener question has them debating what is (and isn't) Mario canon.

Patrick and Mark are fussin’ about names and stressin’ about collectables as they begin their discussion of Donkey Kong Country 2 in earnest. So far, it’s fun, but your hosts are already worried about difficulty… Plus probably too many comparisons to the original DKC!

Patrick and Mark get into gear and auto-accelerate into a discussion of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe! Plus, new 2DS hardware? Puyo Puyo Tetris?? A room full of sweaty football players??? Finally, a Listener Reader™ question prompts a discussion on the hardware benefits of a hypothetical Nintendo 64 Classic.

This week, Patrick and Mark are joined by Emmy nominated writer, actor, comedian, and gamer Heather Anne Campbell for a free-wheeling discussion of all things Nintendo. Plus, rumors of an SNES Classic Edition, a limited time Mario Kart 8 Deluxe promotion at Target, and how Over Top is not, in fact, “Over the Top” starring Sylvester Stallone. (Subscribe to AOK on YouTube!)

Your hosts are big Donkey Kong Country fans, but are they persistent enough to actually make it through one of the classic titles they never played as kids? Plus, they’ve got problems with Dixie Kong’s curly blonde hair (she’s like a frog with a mustache!) and debate how to play this game with two-people.

Holy cow, there were a lot of announcements in last week’s Nintendo Direct and Patrick and Mark carry the yoke of breaking it all down! Plus, the untimely demise of the NES Classic Edition and the outrageous Breath of the Wild attach rate. And can anyone explain to these losers what Tumbleseed is and why they should care about it? That’s an honest question, btw, they genuinely can’t wrap their heads around it.

In their ongoing quest to play Wii U games orphaned on the system, Patrick and Mark take a shot at Star Fox Zero (and point a gun-camera at Star Fox Guard). With sales of the franchise flagging, they ponder the future for Fox McCloud and his merry band of animal friends. Plus, a round-up of this week’s news and -- of course -- some Breath of the Wild talk.

Lick your enemies’ blood of your hands and rip the triforce out of Ganon’s guts: we just beat The Legend of Zelda! Also: what would drive Patrick to yell at Mark? (Hint: The recorder is involved.) Get all the answers at 1-800-Nintendo.com… or in the podcast.

Patrick and Mark reflect on the first month of the Nintendo Switch’s life, and -- surprise -- they’re still mostly telling stories about Breath of the Wild. Plus, an in-depth discussion of the cute but punishing kinda-platformer Snake Pass. Live by the snake, die by the snake.

Is that wind or a ghost? It’s the Splatoon 2 Testfire! Patrick and Mark discuss the news of the day, including some frustrating delays, before turning their attention to Nintendo’s unique method of demoing Splatoon 2. Is it a stress-test or just an excuse to get excited? (‘Cause we're excited.)

With a little less frustration and little less timeliness, Patrick and Mark chat about the second third of the Legend of Zelda. Your hosts realize it’s easier to play this game like it’s Breath of the Wild than like it’s Bloodborne. Maybe chess is the better is the better analogy… Plus, sometimes you collect 100 rupees, and sometimes you have to pay 30 rupees to fix a strange man’s bush-door.

There are lots of great games on the Wii U that will probably be orphaned on the system forever, and Patrick and Mark want to play them! This week they dive into Retro’s Donkey Kong Country Returns Tropical Freeze, which in turn sparks a lively conversation about the game’s excellent soundtrack. Plus, Breath of the Wild impressions, some fighting game love inspired by King of Fighters ‘94, and a furtive plea for help understanding Sonic the Hedgehog.

Patrick’s parents are in town, so he’s putting them on mic! Lyle and Jeanne go hands on with the Switch and give their impressions. Plus, Patrick and Mark are slowly making their way through Breath of the Wild (no spoilers, duh) and totally missed that six Neo Geo games came to the Switch last week. They’re dumb! (But you already knew that.) This episode is brought to you by MackWeldon.com - enter promo code “NINTENDO” at checkout to get 20% off your order.

Don’t smoke in front of the Dodongo! Turns out those first three levels don’t take quite as long to finish as we originally thought. How are the original Legend of Zelda and Breath of the Wild similar? Well, we die a lot - that’s for sure. With a lack of olfactory clues, Patrick and Mark refer to a map to find all the heart containers! (Also, look, we know we said we’re beating the game next time: really we’re just playing through Level 6.)

At long last, both Switch and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are in our lives, and Patrick and Mark can't wait to talk about it. Plus, high praise for Snipperclips and Shovel Knight: Spectre of Torment (notice the absence of 1-2 Switch), and a breakdown of the Nindie Showcase.

Patrick and Mark are joined by comedian and podcaster Ryan Mogge for a flashback to 1989’s “The Wizard.” It’s not just a feature length Nintendo commercial! Plus, the Switch comes out on Friday and there's a deluge of new releases. What a time to be alive! (Check out Ryan’s excellent Buffy the Vampire Slayer podcast “Hellmouthy” on the Nerdist School Network.)

Your hosts are making up for their past mistakes and picking a game that they actually want to play! (So long, Metroid: Other M!) Before they get started, the boys talk about the place this series holds in their collective heart(piece)s. Parenthetical jokes aside, prepare to join your NCS hosts as they play the OG Zelda!