Game 14 - Super Meat Boy 3D
I’m a big fan of the original SMB, and this game has flashes of what made that one special. The difficulty will still kick your butt, and the music rocks. Adapting the game to 3D works, but I had enough frustrating moments with the camera to hold it back from greatness.
That’s right. Pack your bags, Mario!
IT’S HAPPENING
Game 13 - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
This is and always will be one of my all-time favorites. It’s showing some age, but it’s still magnificent. Some of the best expression of what Nintendo does best: art, music, incredible game feel, and a meticulous attention to detail!
Handheld Mode Boost on Switch 2 is huge!
The community has wanted this feature since launch but I didn’t think Nintendo would go there. Really excited to play some super crispy Metroid Dread on this thing!
Pokemon LeafGreen Key Art
My LeafGreen Hall of Fame team. Charizard, Jolteon, Snorlax, Nidoking, Lapras, and Exeggutor
Game 12 - Pokemon LeafGreen
The original Kanto games are where I got my introduction to Pokemon, and I’ve always loved the way these remakes improved them in every way while retaining that special magic. Revisiting them 20 years later and seeing how far the series has come since was a trip!
Resident Evil Requiem Key Art
Game 11 - Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil is back at home on Nintendo, and it couldn’t have made a better come back. This game strikes the perfect balance between all things RE, and does so while delivering a (shockingly) solid technical experience on Switch 2. Easily a GOTY contender!
Game 10 - Ducktales
Many great NES games are on Switch, but there’s always been one glaring omission. But this classic is now available there (along with the rest of the Disney Afternoon Collection) and, as one of my favorite games of that era, I had to play through it first! Still so much fun!
Game 9 - FUR Squadron Phoenix
This game is a wonderful homage to Star Fox 64 that experiments with some fun elements I hope Nintendo considers when working on their next entry in the series.
Excited to give a full review on next week’s @podwithpower.bsky.social!
I really gotta replay ALBW, because my initial read on that game was WAY off from how highly regarded it is today. Great list!
My Zelda all-timers:
- Wind Waker
- Link’s Awakening
- Tears of the Kingom
- Ocarina of Time
- Majora’s Mask
My Zelda all-timers:
- Wind Waker
- Link’s Awakening
- Tears of the Kingom
- Ocarina of Time
- Majora’s Mask
10 years ago, Zachary and Jordan launched (the first iteration of) Podcasting With Power under the Secret Stage banner! A lot has changed since then. But the core of our podcast, two childhood friends talking about our favorite hobby and our favorite brand, is stronger than ever. Happy to be back!
Game 8 - Mario Tennis Fever
I am so pleasantly surprised with this game. It doesn’t hit all of the highs of the best this series has to offer, but there is a great mix of content here at a wide range of difficulty. I’ve done so much already, but there is still so much to see and unlock!
I snagged this deal hoping a Switch 2 update would come. Who knew it would be so soon?!
Game 7 - Escape From Ever After
I love Paper Mario, and this game does such a fantastic job of capturing the spirit of Thousand Year Door. This game manages to stand on its own with a fun story, memorable characters, and a unique sense of humor. Perfect if you’re looking for a lighthearted RPG!
Some great deals on Switch games at various retailers! Highly recommend Super Mario RPG and Link’s Awakening!
Game 6 - Dispatch
Easily one of my favorites in the genre. The writing, performances, and pacing are excellent, and the actual dispatching gameplay gives you a lot of ways to develop your team your way! Can’t wait to play through again with completely different choices!
Game 5 - Terminator 2D: No Fate
T2 is one of my favorite movies, and the arcade-style take does such a good job of adapting that energy into an action-packed (and challenging) hour or so of retro gaming. Gotta try those alternate paths now!
Game 4 - Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
After loving the first game, I had to play this before it left Game Pass. It’s a familiar but distinct experience than the first, but I really enjoyed everything this one had to offer. Still well written, still full of choice, and still tense as hell!
A screenshot of Escape From Ever After
Was going to pick up and play FF7 Remake on Switch ahead of the impending deep freeze we’re about to experience all weekend.
Instead picked up Escape From Ever After, a Paper Mario-like that came out today! Played the intro and I think I made the right choice! @escapeeverafter.bsky.social
Wow! This feels like it came out of nowhere! A very welcome surprise. Keep it up, Nintendo!
(And please do Tropical Freeze!)
Hey! He really is!
The Ozzy and Keats podcast has reached 100,000 streams!
Congratulations to Ozzy and Keats on 100,000 streams and downloads across podcast services everywhere! Podcast Nation is proud to have provided production along the way! Here's to the next 100K 🎉
Do YOU have something to say? Schedule a FREE consultation for your podcast! podcastnation.com/contact
Key art for Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Game 3 - Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Ahead of the 3.0 update and Switch 2 Edition, I decided I finally needed to give this game some real attention and get my island ready for K.K. Slider to perform. I’ve officially caught the AC bug and I’m excited to check out everything I had missed!
Game 2 - and Roger
I *thought* I could use a good palette cleanser after how difficult the last bit of Silksong was. What I got was an absolutely beautifully assembled emotional experience that had me bawling throughout. Please play this game. All it takes is $5 and an hour of you time.
Game 1 - Hollow Knight: Silksong
I called this as my 2025 GotY early into Act 2 and I stand by it. I found this game to be incredibly difficult (much more than HK), but overcoming every challenge felt so much more rewarding. This game is masterpiece from top to bottom, and well worth the wait.
As always, I’ll be tracking the games and expansions I beat throughout 2026! This thread will turn into a little time capsule of my quick thoughts as I roll credits on each of these:
