Kirby Conversations | Exploring Kirby, Nintendo, and More

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Gigi

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

Liking Kirby Conversations? Then you may also enjoy another retro gaming podcast we recommend, Flashback 64: https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Revisiting the Original Kirby's Return to Dream Land (with Flashback 64) Oct 16, 2024

For this episode, we're flashing back to the original Kirby's Return to Dream Land on Wii with Gooey and McKenna of the Nintendo 64 podcast Flashback 64. Even with the KRtDL remake out on Switch, the original still holds up with its distinct art style, motion controls, and even some unique content. And for fans of retro Kirby games, it may come the closest of any of them to capturing that spirit of the lost GameCube game once shown in trailers so many years ago.

Some of us from Kirby Conversations recently appeared on Flashback 64 to discuss Kirby's Dream Land, so it was a pleasure to have Gooey and McKenna join us on our show, too. Check out their website https://flashback64.neocities.org/ and give them a follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

Have a question or comment for the show? Reach out at mail@kirbyconversations.com, and we may read your letter on a future episode.

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Gigi

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd be so grateful if you could click the ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in your podcast app.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How the Kirby Star Allies DLC Pushed the Switch to Its Limits Oct 02, 2024

Gigi has been translating Japanese developer interviews from the Kirby Star Allies artbook, and with it she's discovered some intriguing new insights about the history of KSA's extensive DLC. So for this episode, we're talking all about KSA's final DLC mode Heroes in Another Dimension and all the character additions the game received throughout 2018. How do we feel about DLC in Kirby games, and how did the developers' plans change (drastically) from what they originally had in mind? And what do we make of the complex, inspired, and sometimes technologically boundary-pushing challenges of Another Dimension? Listen as we set off in search of 120 Friend Hearts and new trivia on this unique celebration of Kirby history.

Have a question or comment for the show? Reach out at mail@kirbyconversations.com, and we may read your letter on a future episode.

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Gigi

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd be so grateful if you could click the ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in your podcast app.

And lastly, we hope you'll check out another gaming podcast we recommend, Flashback 64: https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Non-Kirby Games We Think Kirby Fans Would Love Sep 18, 2024

In this episode, Bridget, Ky, Sean, and our new team member Gigi share their picks for other games we think Kirby fans would like. From games that involve copying enemy abilities to inclusive platformers with similar vibes and themes, we cover more than a dozen games in this episode—including some pretty deep cuts you may not have heard of before.

What unexpected or lesser-known non-Kirby games would you recommend to a Kirby fan? Let us know at mail@kirbyconversations.com and we may read your letter on a future episode.

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd be so grateful if you could click the ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in your podcast app.

Games mentioned in this episode:

Brave Fencer Musashi

Einhänder

Shin Megami Tensei V

Magical Tarurūto-kun

DoReMi Fantasy: Milon's DokiDoki Adventure

Avenging Spirit

Cotton series

A Hat in Time

BoxBoy series

Toontown Online

Klonoa series

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Several of Koji Igarashi's Castlevania games

Gimmick!

Super Mario Odyssey

Spyro series

Persona series

Smushi Come Home

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Gigi

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

Liking Kirby Conversations? Then you may also enjoy another retro gaming podcast we recommend, Flashback 64: https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some Exciting News and Updates from Kirby Conversations Sep 04, 2024

Hi everyone. There's no regular episode this week, but we've got a few updates about the show to share. Most importantly, we are happy to announce that we will now be joined by Gigi, WiKirby Editor-in-Chief and avid translator of non-English Kirby content, as a new official member of the Kirby Conversations team! Welcome Gigi!

And among other news, we also have a new giveaway running, where you can win a $50 Nintendo eShop gift card! You can enter at this Gleam giveaway page. We hope everyone who listens to this show can throw their name into the hat, and good luck to everyone that enters.

After a short break, we will be back with the next new episode of Kirby Conversations on 9/17. See you again soon!

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Gigi: Carrd link

Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Liking Kirby Conversations? Then you may also enjoy another retro gaming podcast we recommend, Flashback 64: https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Interview with Gigi, the Prolific Kirby Translator and Editor-in-Chief of WiKirby Aug 28, 2024

If you've ever read an English translation of a Kirby article or developer interview that was originally published in Japanese, chances are you've encountered the work of Gigi. We've cited her work several times on this podcast in the past and also refer frequently to WiKirby, the massive Kirby wiki for which she serves as editor-in-chief. So it's an honor to have her join us on this episode for a wide-ranging interview, where we cover topics like how she become such a prolific Kirby translator, the most surprising Kirby facts she's ever unearthed in Japan-only content, and what Kirby culture is like in Brazil, her home country. We learned so much in just an hour with her, and chances are you'll walk away from this episode having learned about more than a few pieces of Kirby content, from novels to board games, that you never even knew existed.

We encourage listeners to give Gigi a follow on Bluesky at @gigi9714.bsky.social you can follow this Carrd link to her many projects and communities.

Got a question or comment for the show? You can reach us at mail@kirbyconversations.com, and we may share your letter on a future episode.

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd be so grateful if you could leave us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in your podcast app.

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Liking Kirby Conversations? Then you may also enjoy another retro gaming podcast we recommend, Flashback 64: https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Magolor Epilogue is a Playground of Gameplay Possibilities Aug 20, 2024

There are so many ways to approach the Magolor Epilogue in Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe. Along with completing the story, you can earn medals, speedrun it, or even take advantage of its brilliant combo system to go for amazing, triple-digit runs through each level. So for this episode, Sean and Bridget are breaking down all the gameplay possibilities for this ambitious subgame. Sean played through it the traditional way, maxing out Magolor's skills to earn platinum metals, but Bridget has her own "weird" (her words) way of playing through it to bring even more challenge. And of course, they also dig into some history and trivia behind the game, including surprising regional changes across its different translations.

Have you played the Magolor Epilogue, and how did you feel about its unique systems and mechanics? Tell us your thoughts at mail@kirbyconversations.com and we may share them on a future episode.

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part Time Lover: How Part Time UFO Gets Mobile Gaming Right Aug 14, 2024

Part Time UFO arrived in 2017 as the first game from HAL Laboratory's new mobile gaming brand HAL Egg. Clever, funny, and full of inventive crane game-inspired puzzles, it's an easy recommendation for anyone interested in what other recent games have come from Kirby's longtime developer. So for this episode, we're discussing the history, gameplay, and some of our favorite animal-balancing, cheerleader-stacking moments from Part Time UFO, across the mobile version and its expanded Switch port.

Have you played Part Time UFO? And how do you feel about mobile games versus traditional console experiences? Tell us your thoughts at mail@kirbyconversations.com and we may share them on a future episode.

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kirby in Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition and at Evo Aug 07, 2024

Today we're talking about Kirby in esports new and old. In Act 1, Bridget tells us about the Kirby's Adventure speedrunning challenges in Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. Then for Act 2, Sean is back from Evo, the major Las Vegas fighting game tournament and convention, to talk about the surprising presence of Kirby at an event partially owned by Sony.

What are your thoughts on Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition? And are there any games, just in general, that you enjoy speedrunning? Let us know at mail@kirbyconversations.com.

If you'd like a monthly bonus episode, along with merchandise and other rewards, we hope you'll check out our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations. August's monthly bonus episode is about lesser-known games that we'd recommend to Kirby fans, and you won't want to miss it!

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flashback 64: Mischief Makers (With merritt k) Aug 02, 2024

Happy Friday! Here's a podcast recommendation for your weekend: an episode of Flashback 64 about Treasure's cult classic Mischief Makers. If you liked Kirby 64, we think you'll really dig Mischief Makers, a 2.5D platformer that follows robot maid Marina on an adventure to rescue the kidnapped Prof. Theo. Marina can grab, throw, and shake most of the enemies and objects she encounters, so if you enjoy the way Kirby games let you use enemies' weapons and projectiles against them, you'll find similarly interactive combat and puzzle-solving in Mischief Makers. Plus, it's full of great music, funny dialogue, and the elaborate boss fights Treasure is famous for.

Flashback 64 is a terrific retro gaming podcast where Gooey and McKenna chronologically explore the library of the Nintendo 64 and other 90s and 2000s-era culture. This episode also features writer merritt k as a guest panelist.

We hope you'll check out other episodes of Flashback 64 and give them a follow in whichever podcast player you're using right now. You can also find them at https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/. Below is the original text from their show notes.

------------

We welcome merritt k to the show and SHAKE SHAKE it up with Treasure's cult classic Mischief Makers!

Check out LAN Party at your local bookstore as well as https://www.amazon.com/LAN-Party-Inside-Multiplayer-Revolution/dp/0500026955

merritt k on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/merrittk

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/merrittk.com

1900HOTDOG: https://1900hotdog.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Flashback64

Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Flashback64

Discord: https://discord.gg/2ckdah6VTC

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/flashback64pod

McKenna: https://linktr.ee/mckliz

Gooey: https://www.youtube.com/c/gooeyfame

Artwork by Corey Richmond: https://twitter.com/coreyrichmond

Music by Nico Silvian: https://linktr.ee/Nicotendo64

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/flashback64.bsky.social

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Flashback64Pod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flashback64pod

Email: flashback64pod@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lost Characters and Power Combos of Kirby 64 Jul 31, 2024

Exploding shurikens. Fireworks. A...refrigerator. The Power Combo system in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards lets you combine Kirby's copy abilities with dozens of inspired and hilarious results. So in this episode, we're looking back at some of our favorite abilities from Kirby's Nintendo 64 outing, while also exploring some abilities and originally playable characters that didn't make the final cut of the game. Then for Act 2, we play a game where take abilities that weren't in Kirby 64 and make up some Power Combos of our own.

Do you have any stories or favorite memories from Kirby 64? And what are your favorite Power Combos? Let us know at mail@kirbyconversations.com.

If you'd like a monthly bonus episode, along with merchandise and other rewards, we hope you'll check out our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations. July's monthly bonus episode is all about busting Kirby myths and misconceptions, and you won't want to miss it!

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Developers of Grand Theft Auto Almost Made a Kirby Game? Jul 24, 2024

Today we're discussing Kid Kirby, a canceled Kirby title from the 90s developed by DMA Design Limited, the Scottish company that would go on to become Rock Star North of Grand Theft Auto fame. While Kid Kirby was never finished, many assets from this unique Angry Birds-esque platformer can still be found, and they show a strikingly different take on Kirby from anything you might've seen in his official released games. After digging through Kid Kirby's history for Act 1, we then check in with Ky for Act 2 about her time at Anime Expo, her new plans in the works with Good Smile, and what games she's playing this summer.

If you'd like a monthly bonus episode, along with merchandise and other rewards, we hope you'll check out our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations. July's monthly bonus episode will be all about busting Kirby myths and misconceptions, and you won't want to miss it!

Questions or comments about the show? Email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com.

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

City Trials and Tribulations: Kirby Air Ride Community Interview Part 2 Jul 16, 2024

Over the past two episodes, we've been covering the thriving competitive scene around Kirby Air Ride's City Trial mode--a community of over 11,000 members. This episode is part two of our two-part interview series, and Sean and Bridget continue to speak with our guests drcKARGaming, one of the top Kirby Air Ride players, and Protag, a community leader and developer on updates to the game's competitive mod.

In Act 1, drcKARGaming shares a sort of oral history of the Air Ride community. It's a tale full of classic sports tropes, rivalries, and sometimes dramatic tournament results, so we put it in an act all of its own. Then for Act 2, Protag is back for more talk on the future of competitive Air Ride. As this is part two of a series, if you haven't listened to part one yet, you may want to listen to our previous episode before giving this one a listen.

If you'd like a monthly bonus episode, along with merchandise and other rewards, we hope you'll check out our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations. July's monthly bonus episode will be all about busting Kirby myths and misconceptions, and you won't want to miss it!

Questions or comments about the show? Email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com.

For more from our guests:

Kirby Air Ride Online YouTube channel: @KirbyAirRideOnline

drcKarGaming

X: @drcKarGaming

YouTube: @drcKarGaming

And here is his guide to the Kirby Air Ride competitive meta.

Protag

X: @Th3_Protagonist

YouTube: @Protagulous

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Dedicated Fans Turned Kirby Air Ride Into a Thriving Esport Jul 10, 2024

Over the past few years, a loyal group of players have built a thriving competitive scene around Kirby Air Ride's City Trial mode. Featuring regular tournaments for significant cash prizes and a Discord with over 11,000 members, it's a prime example of how dedicated fans can revive a classic game for a modern audience. So for a two-episode interview series, we're speaking with master Air Ride competitor drcKarGaming and community leader Protag to get an inside look at Kirby Air Ride netplay.

We learned so much from this interview, from the game's unique programming ties to Super Smash Bros. Melee to its often-overlooked strategic depth, and were impressed to hear all the modern updates (including a potential new map!) the team has brought to the base version of the game. As Bridget said at one point, it felt like we were learning a part of Kirby history. Part 2, further elaborating on the history of competitive Air Ride, will post next week.

If you'd like a monthly bonus episode, along with merchandise, shout-outs, and more, we hope you'll check out our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations. July's monthly bonus episode will be all about busting Kirby myths and misconceptions, and you won't want to miss it!

Questions or comments about the show? Email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com.

For more from our guests:

drcKarGaming

X: @drcKarGaming

YouTube: @drcKarGaming

And here is his guide to the Kirby Air Ride competitive meta.

Protag

X: @Th3_Protagonist

YouTube: @Protagulous

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would Masahiro Sakurai Ever Make Another Kirby Game? Jul 03, 2024

Delivery Waddle Dee has just dropped off a fresh stack of listener mail, so for this episode we're responding to your comments and questions. We cover a range of topics, from Kirby's 3D future to whether Masahiro Sakurai, Kirby's creator, would ever return to direct a new game for the series. (Apparently this could be a slightly controversial topic, so for what it's worth Kirby Conversations is a big fan of both Sakurai's games and Shinya Kumazaki's current work on the series, so this isn't meant as a comparison between the two. It's just a fun thought experiment.) Then for Act 2, we discuss the games we're looking forward to playing this summer, from Animal Well to Tekken 8 and more.

If you'd like a monthly bonus episode, along with merchandise, shout-outs, and more, we hope you'll check out our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations. We really appreciate your support, and we offer a free trial, so you can start listening to a long library of bonus audio today at no cost to you.

Thank you to SuperNindado, Krysta Yang, and Kit Ellis, who submitted questions for this episode. For some of our favorite expert commentary on the gaming landscape from former Nintendo employees, be sure to check out Kit and Krysta's YouTube channel and other links at https://www.youtube.com/@kitandkrysta.

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the Scenes of Nintendo's Merchandise Photography Jun 18, 2024

So Nintendo's hired you for a merchandise shoot and they've sent you a big plush Kirby. Now what? In this episode, Ky takes us inside her work as a photographer for Nintendo, going behind the scenes of some of our favorite photos involving Kirby, Zelda, and more. Then for Act 2, we're playing a game where we imagine new photo assignments for Ky by combining random themes, moods, and game series, with absurd and hilarious results.

For Act 3, found only on Patreon, we're going inside more photoshoots with Ky, this time focusing on what happens when multiple companies get involved. Check out our Patreon for other rewards too, including access to our Community Chats and physical prints of Ky's photos. https://www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations

Want to reach out? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com. We're particularly interested in any questions you might have for future Q&A segments on the show.

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2001, People Waited 90 Minutes to Play This Canceled Kirby Game Jun 05, 2024

At Space World 2001, Shigeru Miyamoto presented a showcase for Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble 2, a cutting-edge Kirby title that demonstrated the power of the upcoming GameCube and its connectivity with the Game Boy Advance. Crowds flocked to the play the game at the convention, press covered it widely alongside other key GameCube fixtures like Luigi's Mansion or Super Smash Bros. Melee, and then it...never got released. What happened to the mysterious Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble 2? That's the main subject for our episode today, as Sean and Bridget dig into the history of this canceled game and reflect on the GameCube Kirby that might have been. Then for Act 2, we've brought some questions for each other, with a Q&A segment on the games that brought us emotional experiences, our favorite "bad" games, and more.

For Act 3, found only on Patreon, we're looking back at the other announcements from Space World 2001 through the lens of Nintendo Power issue 149, among other sources. It was a time of peak GameCube anticipation, Wind Waker controversies, and...Donkey Kong Racing? Watch for our Act 3 segments to regularly post a few days after the initial episode. Check out our Patreon for other rewards too, including tickets to our monthly livestreams and physical prints of Captain Dangerous's photos. https://www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations

Want to reach out? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com. We're particularly interested in any questions you might have for future Q&A segments on the show.

Lastly, congratulations to Luis Beltran-Valera, winner of our $500 Nintendo Switch shopping spree giveaway! Thank you to all who entered, and we hope you enjoy your games Luis!

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tumbler Account: Our Thoughts on Playing Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble in 2024 May 22, 2024

Today we're looking back at Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble, a groundbreaking game that was the first handheld console software to include an accelerometer. While moving Kirby by tilting the Game Boy Color was novel at the time, we consider how it holds up in 2024 and which of the many methods to play it today works best. (If you're a speedrunner, that might even be the GameCube?!) As usual, we also cover history and trivia for the game, and Ky shares her unique childhood strategy for keeping the non-backlit Game Boy Color screen illuminated. For Act 2, we explore the gaming landscape Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble was released into by looking back at issue 143 (April 2001) of Nintendo Power. (You can follow along here: https://archive.org/details/nintendo-power-issue-143-april-2001_202307/mode/2up?view=theater.)

For Act 3, found only on Patreon, we're discussing more trivia for Kirby's Dream Land 2 (including one risqué reference the map designers must've slipped passed Iwata and Miyamoto) and talking about our other favorite games with motion controls, from deep cuts to popular entries that helped define many aspects of motion controls today. Watch for our Act 3 segments to regularly post a few days after the initial episode. https://www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations

Want to support the show and potentially win a huge collection of new Switch games? Kirby Conversations is giving away a $500 Nintendo Switch Shopping Spree to one lucky listener! See all the ways to enter here: https://gleam.io/HFrXY/win-a-500-nintendo-switch-shopping-spree.

For a speedrun of Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble using the GameCube, you can watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4ItUH9Tcto.

Want to reach out? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com. We're particularly interested in any questions you might have for future Q&A segments on the show.

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Be Kine, Rewind: A Look Back at Kirby's Dream Land 2 May 08, 2024

In this episode of Kirby Conversations, we're getting nostalgic with Kirby's Dream Land 2—or at least Sean and Bridget are, as Ky's playing this one for the first time. We consider how well this nearly 30-year-old title holds up today, from its introduction of Kirby's animal friends Rick, Kine, and Coo to its satisfying (and challenging) puzzle design. KDL2 was also a game designed for the Super Game Boy, a 1994 peripheral that used the Super Nintendo to bring Game Boy games to your TV with enhanced visuals, sound, and other features. So for Act 2 we look at the history of that device and discuss our other favorite experiences with peripherals that attach to games and consoles, including Ky's promotional work for Nintendo on Nintendo Labo.

For Act 3, found only on Patreon, we're staying with the retro theme of this episode to ask, "What is retro?" We also consider how you can enjoy retro games without spending a fortune, and Sean shares a recent favorite video game experience fighting a cow.

Want to reach out? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com. We're particularly interested in any questions you might have for future Q&A segments on the show.

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Button Masher Turned His Love of Kirby Into a Grammy Apr 24, 2024

In 2022, Jake "Button Masher" Silverman and Charlie Rosen won the Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella. Their song was a new arrangement, performed by Button Masher and Rosen's 8-Bit Big Bang, of "Meta Knight's Revenge" from Kirby Super Star. In our episode today, Button Masher joins us to reflect on how this update of a classic Kirby song—the only Grammy-winning video game cover ever—came together, his experiences at the Grammys, and the technical brilliance of composer Jun Ishikawa's work. Then for Act 2, we discuss Button Masher's work on Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore, a new game inspired by the classic Zelda CD-i titles, and his plans for exciting new live shows that blend music with ROM hacks.

For our Patreon-only 3rd Act posting later this week, join us for an additional segment where Jake discusses his childhood and early musical experiences and Ky shares her father's unique background playing with Guns N' Roses before they were Guns N' Roses (like, for real—it's a wild story): www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations.

Follow Button Masher's work on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@_buttonmasher or on Instagram. Hear the Grammy-winning arrangement of "Meta Knight's Revenge" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIP3HdFl-JM

Want to reach out? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com. We're particularly interested in any questions you might have for future Q&A segments on the show.

Lastly, Kirby Conversations is giving away a $500 Nintendo Switch Shopping Spree to one lucky listener! See all the ways to enter here: https://gleam.io/HFrXY/win-a-500-nintendo-switch-shopping-spree

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are Kirby Games Too Easy? Apr 10, 2024

The Kirby series often strives to be accessible for children and newcomers to video games. But are they too easy for everyone else? In this episode, Sean and Bridget discuss this classic question of Kirby difficulty and consider the intentional layers and inclusivity that Masahiro Sakurai and Shinya Kumazaki bring to the games they design. Then for Act 2, it's time for a funny and insightful reflection on difficulty in a different light with our new game Retirement Party, where Bridget has to guess which game each round had the higher retirement rate (percentage of players quit on it) based on data from howlongtobeat.com)

For Act 3, the conversation on difficulty continues as Sean and Bridget share stories on some of their favorite video game accomplishments from childhood and adulthood. Act 3 is available only on Patreon, along with other rewards including bonus episodes, merchandise, live events and more. There's also a free tier, and you can sign up at www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations.

Want to reach out? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com. We'd love to hear your questions or comments and might share them in a future Q&A segment on the show.

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside the Competitive Scene of Kirby Fighters 2—With Lucy "Winters" Hayes Mar 27, 2024

Kirby Fighters 2 had humble beginnings as a lower-priced Kirby title released in the middle of a pandemic. But a community of dedicated players have embraced the game, continuing to hold tournaments, explore its deep meta, and even refine the game in a new Community Edition. One of those players is Lucy "Winters" Hayes, a co-owner of the Kirby Fighters 2 Discord, and in this episode she sits down with Sean and Bridget to describe the game's current competitive scene, how new players of all ability levels can get involved, and the surprising ways fans have continued to update and chart a future for the game. Then for the 2nd Act, we hear some of Lucy's other game recommendations, like Octopath Traveler 2 and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes.

You can join the Kirby Fighters 2 Discord at https://discord.gg/vup8ysT and find Lucy's Twitch and X accounts at https://www.start.gg/user/0e0ecd15/details.

For our Patreon-only 3rd Act posting later this week, join us for an additional segment with Lucy, where she discusses speedrunning Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Subspace Emissary, how to get started speedrunning your own favorite games, and more: www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations.

Want to reach out? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com. We're particularly interested in any questions you might have for future Q&A segments on the show.

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HAL Has Dozens of Unused Ideas for Kirby Abilities Mar 14, 2024

For this episode, we take a look at Kirby's newest abilities: Ranger, Drill, Jelly, Mecha, and Sand. These abilities bring exciting new dimensions to Kirby's most recent games, and we consider how they may also help us predict what new abilities Kirby could have next. We also reflect on the bright future for Kirby games—especially given the over fifty unused ability ideas HAL has said they had for Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe. Then for Act 2, Ky tells us how she's been vibin' with Animal Crossing Lego, Sean describes his experiences with Final Fantasy VII Remake, and Ky shares what Final Fantasy VII characters she thinks we'd all be.

For our Patreon-only 3rd Act posting later this week, we have a medley of deleted scenes, a visit from one of Ky's cats, and further discussion of the ideas from this episode at www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations.

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Our other handles:

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Threads: @_smdouglass_

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kirby: Planet Robobot and the History of Japanese Mecha Feb 28, 2024

For this episode of Kirby Conversations, we're looking at the influence popular mecha series had on Kirby: Planet Robobot. To start, it's Mecha History 101, as Bridget and Ky teach Sean about the rich history of Japanese mecha films and TV shows like Mobile Suit Gundam, Gurren Lagann, and more. Then we consider how Shinya Kumazaki seems to have drawn on his personal interest in mecha shows when creating the design and gameplay for Kirby's mechs (including one particularly familiar-looking drill). We also share our experiences with Planet Robobot before turning to Act 2, where Ky and Bridget discuss their love of Gundam model kits, and we all reflect on the joys of playing Kirby as adults in or approaching our thirties.

Starting with this episode, we're now also offering extended three-act versions of every show to our Patreon supporters! To get the full, mecha-sized version of this episode later this week, and also receive digital events, prints of Captain Dangerous's photographs, video game download codes, and more, visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations.

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Our other handles:

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Threads: @_smdouglass_

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sweet Revenge: Why Revenge of Meta Knight Still Soars 28 Years Later Feb 14, 2024

In this episode of Kirby Conversations, Sean and Bridget take to the skies for a look back at Revenge of Meta Knight, one of several games within 1996's Kirby Super Star. From its expertly-paced action to its engaging story, we consider all the things that make this adventure such a terrific example of short-form game design. We also explore some lesser-known aspects of its development, its influences from Japanese history and other media, and how a new arrangement of its theme song even won a Grammy in 2022. Then for Act 2, we look beyond the Halberd to discuss our other favorite video game airships, from Super Mario Bros. 3 to Final Fantasy VII. (Note that our conversation about Revenge of Meta Knight does include spoilers, and from about 25:15 to 27:20 we talk about some Halberd moments from Kirby: Squeak Squad and Kirby: Planet Robobot that could be considered spoilers for those games as well.)

You can support this show on Patreon to receive bonus content, digital events, prints of Captain Dangerous's photographs, video game download codes, and more! Check out all the reward tiers, and even join for free, at: www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Our other handles:

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Threads: @_smdouglass_

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From IG to E3: Captain Dangerous on Life as a Professional Merchandise Photographer Jan 30, 2024

This is a preview for a Patreon-only episode, where Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker describes how she became a professional merchandise photographer with Nintendo, Good Smile, Critical Role, and others. From her first invitation to E3, to an emotional experience at the Good Smile headquarters, this episode is full of stories you won't want to miss. We also speak with Bridget about her incredible collection of Kirby memorabilia, including one very rare Kirby plush worth hundreds of dollars. It's a fun and funny look behind the scenes of how video games get promoted and the popularity of miniature art around the world—from fake food to film sets.

For the full episode, you can join us on Patreon, where you can also receive other bonus content, digital events, physical prints of Ky's photos, and more! We also offer a Video Game Subscription and Video Game Subscription Deluxe, where you'll receive regular video games, from mainline Nintendo titles to exciting indie games, just for supporting the show. You can check out all the reward tiers, and even join for free, at: www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Our other handles:

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Bridget

Threads: @no1kirbyfan

Sean Douglass

Threads: @_smdouglass_

Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).

Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A New Podcasting Adventure—With Kirby's Adventure Jan 30, 2024

Welcome to Kirby Conversations! For our first episode, we dig into the history of Kirby's 1993 outing Kirby's Adventure—Masahiro Sakurai's sophisticated NES title that not only introduced Kirby's copy ability but also helped save HAL Laboratory during a time of financial crisis. We'll explore the background of its development, its timeless pixel art, Sakurai's unique ability concepts that he never included in the final game, and the sometimes surprising reactions the game got from initial press and reviews. During our 2nd Act, we discuss the things we're looking forward to in 2024, from Princess Peach: Showtime! to Tekken 8, Ky's plan to 3D-print Wind Waker's The King of Red Lions, how the pandemic led to Pokémon card parking lot brawls. (Note that at around 30:37, Bridget does talk about the later levels of Kirby's Adventure and some things that might be considered spoilers.)

0:00: Intro and Welcome

3:05: Kirby's Adventure Discussion

35:13: 2nd Act on what we're looking forward to in 2024

You can support this show on Patreon to receive bonus content, digital events, prints of Captain Dangerous's photographs, and more! You can also join our Video Game Subscription and Video Game Subscription Deluxe tiers--where we'll send you regular video games, from mainline Nintendo titles to exciting indie games, throughout the year. You can check out all the reward tiers, and even join for free, at: www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations

Kirby Conversations

Threads: @kirbyconversations

Our other handles:

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker

Bridget