Zelda Universe Podcast

ZUCast – The Zelda Universe Podcast Episode 30: Echoes of Wisdom Roundtable Aug 03, 2024

In an announcement taking the entire Zelda community by surprise, Nintendo has announced the release of the next mainline Zelda game to be released in two months! The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. The most notable feature of this game is that for the first time ever, this game is letting Princess Zelda herself take center stage. Connor, Shona, and Jeff take some time to discuss what this means for players, the Zelda franchise, and what we expect for this game. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom comes to the Nintendo Switch on Sept. 26 2024

Introduction 0:00 - 3:43
Zelda's the Main Character! 3:43 - 7:27
Playable Zelda, Past and Present 7:27 - 13:45
The Echo mechanic and open-world gameplay 13:45 - 22:33
The game's plot 22:33 - 39.02
Realizing the game was about Zelda 39:02 - 43:24
Who's our Big Bad? 43:24 - 48:33
Final Thoughts 48:33 - 59:22

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda– and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

ZUCast – The Zelda Universe Podcast Episode 29: Zelda Through Music Jun 13, 2024

Sitting in the background of every Zelda title in nearly every scene and event is the emotional driver of every action we view or take; a vital component of what motivates us on our adventures regardless of whether we are aware of it. The musical tunes of the Zelda franchise has been with us from the moment we turned on the very first game, and continue to inspire us in our gameplay, our creative works, and in our everyday lives. Today, we look at those Zelda pieces that have meant the most to us, how that music is used, and in a measure, why.

Podcast Hosts: Connor and Cayden
Welcome: Crafting Videogame Music 0:00 - 10:29
Segment 1: Favorite Zelda Music 10:29 - 30:47
Segment 1 Follow-up 30:48 - 42:53
Segment 2: Zelda's epic music vs. BotW's ambiance 42:53 - 1:04:50
Segment 2: Follow-up 1:04:50 - 1:19:05

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda– and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

ZUCast – The Zelda Universe Podcast Episode 28: The Zelda Movie Roundtable Mar 13, 2024

It's official! The Legend of Zelda is finally coming to the big screen. Though the movie itself is likely months, or even years away, that's not going to stop us from discussing, predicting, and sweating over what is likely to come. With such a big topic, we've gathered some of ZU's varied perspectives into the worlds of Zelda, movie-making, and beyond to talk about what we hope for, what we fear, and what is likely to come in Zelda's first theatrical release.

Podcast Participants: Connor, Jodie, Amanda, and Cayden
Intro 0:00 - 2:26
Zelda's Getting a Movie! 2:27 - 12:41
What the Zelda movie "needs" 12:42 - 20:47
Concerns about adapting Zelda 20:48 - 28:52
What goes into Zelda's plot? 28:53 - 30:37
The Soundtrack 30:38 - 37:08
References we hope they make 37:09 - 38:47
Portraying the Princess 38:48 - 48:44
Unseen events put to screen 48:45 - 53:30
Crazy Predictions 53:31 - 1:03:24
See ya! 1:03:25 - 1:04:29

ZUCast – The Zelda Universe Podcast Episode 27: Hyrule for the Holidays Dec 22, 2023

The end of the year comes the annual celebrations and gift giving that bring friends and families together. For this festive season the Zelda Universe Podcast looks to the real world and appreciate the many Zelda-themed gifts we've received over the years. Then, we turn to the winter months and examine the snowy environments in Zelda.

Podcast Hosts: Connor and Matthew
Welcome: Hyrule's Environment & Weather 0:00 - 8:54
Segment 1: Zelda Gifts 8:54 - 33:30
Segment 1 Follow-up
33:30 - 43:42
Segment 2: Winter in Hyrule 43:42 - 1:00:02
Segment 2 Follow-up 1:00:02 - 1:08:35

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda– and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

ZUCast: The Zelda Universe Podcast Episode 26: Zelda Monsters in Real Life Oct 27, 2023

Happy Halloween! In a time where the spooky and the dangerous are celebrated, we turn our attention away from the heroes and villains that dominate the Zelda story and focus more on the legions of baddies that haunt our every step. By the time we've slain our thousandth keese, they seem pretty uneventful, but what would happen if they were in our world? Could you handle swarms of chuchus? What about a Gohma? Today, our Zelda experts look at what it would mean if Zelda monsters were a part of our real lives.

Podcast hosts: Connor and Zara
Welcome: What Zelda Monsters Do You Like/Hate? 0:00 - 8:27
Segment 1: What Zelda Boss Could You Defeat Yourself? - Jason and Zach 8:28 - 28:05
Segment 1 Follow-up 28:06 - 37:09
Segment 2: Zelda Monsters in our Everyday Lives - Shona and David 37:09 - 52:50
Segment 2 Follow-Up 52:50 - 1:04:13

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda– and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

ZUCast: The Zelda Universe Podcast Episode 25: Tears of the Kingdom Plot and Timeline Aug 31, 2023

A happy end of August to you all and happy returns to ZUCast! Our focus on "Tears of the Kingdom" continues with a stronger focus on how its story relates to our other adventures in Hyrule. Our first segment looks at how well the game fulfilled its role as a true "sequel" to a previous Zelda game, while the second looks at its overall placement in the Zelda Timeline. A lot of questions to be asked, and a lot answers that may or may not be given (or make sense). We'd love to hear your theories. SPOILER WARNING: Major and minor gameplay and plot details for "Tears of the Kingdom" are discussed and referenced throughout this episode.

Podcast hosts: Connor and Amanda
Welcome: How was "Tears of the Kingdom's" Story? 0:00 - 10:52
Segment 1: How well did "Tears of the Kingdom" carry over from "Breath of the Wild?" - Jory and Jason 10:52 - 31:08
Segment 1 Follow-up 31:09 - 43:39
Segment 2: The State of the Zelda Timeline - Mary and Elias 43:40 - 1:04:42
Segment 2 Follow-Up 1:04:43 - 1:17:19

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda– and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

ZUCast Episode 24: Tears of the Kingdom Gameplay Roundtable Jun 09, 2023

Happy Tears of the Kingdom release! With the game just reaching a month's time in our hands we wanted to discuss what we've enjoyed about the game and what fascinating directions it has taken our adventures. Instead of breaking it up into specific segments and hosts, our contributors instead gathered around our mics for a roundtable discussion. We specifically avoided all plot-relevant discussions, so no spoilers beyond the most general locations and activities you can expect in this game.

Participants - Connor, Cody, Elias, Josh
Howdy! 0:00 - 3:44
What's it like returning to this Hyrule? 3:45 - 10:07
What general area have you enjoyed exploring the most? 10:08 - 18:31
"Hand"-y new abilities 18:32 - 19:57
A side discussion about death and dying 19:58 - 23:10
Fusion 23:11 - 27:10
Ultrahand and Ridiculous Builds 27:11 - 33:07
Puzzles and Encounters 33:08 - 39:00
Recall 39:01 - 42:32
Ascend 42:33 - 45:27
Exploration 45:28 - 48:36
Shrines 48:37 - 51:16
Thanks for Listening! 51:17 - 53:02

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda– and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

ZUCast 23: Links Across Multiple Games Apr 16, 2023

Welcome back to ZUCast! Now back and ready for a new format filled with discussions, banter, and plenty of opinions. We're happy to have you along with us.

With this setup we're going to dive into themes and topics that will look at the Zelda franchise in new and interesting angles; creating a forum for our hosts to explore new facets of Hyrule. Each episode will surround a theme, with the segments exploring a question based on that theme. Our segment hosts will discuss and debate while the podcast hosts will tie them all together.

Our first foray into this adventure involves multiple adventures. Specifically the times our fearless hero gets himself a sequel. Not every Link simply rides off into the sunset after his adventure is over, and what Nintendo does with those second installments is something we hope to explore.

Hosts - Connor and Zach
Segment 1: What would you add to Phantom Hourglass to make it feel more like Wind Waker? - Jory and Joshua 6:35 - 23:56
Segment 2: Which single adventure Link deserves another adventure? - Amanda and Elias 36:57 - 53:14

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda– and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

ZUCast 22: Celebrating Five Years of Breath of the Wild! Jun 06, 2022

We're back, with our probably-highly-anticipated Breath of the Wild anniversary episode!

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda- and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

Real life tried to stop us, but much like Link when he was drawing the Master Sword, we pushed through the bad times to get this episode to your ears! (Yeah, I got Zelda simile game.) We pulled longtime ZUBCer Peyton, a.k.a. EmperorP, out of the Shrine of Resurrection and gave him a microphone, headphones, and a computer so that he could co-host this episode with everyone's favorite Amanda, Amanda VanHiel. We've also got two glowing appraisals of different aspects of BotW, plus a more critical discussion with the hosts and special guest Cody Davies, our Consulting Producer, ZU Webmaster, and perennial shoveler! To top it all off, a few members of our forum community shared their favorite memories of the game with us, which we are excited to share with you!

So! Grab your Sheikah Slate and prepare to immerse yourself in the following Memories of Breath of the Wild: (Timestamps to come…)

Why BotW is the Best Open-World Game Ever Presented by Randy [timestamp coming soon]
Piece of Heart: The Trial of the Sword Presented by Connor [timestamp coming soon]
BotW roundtable discussion Presented by your hosts (Amanda and Peyton) and Cody [timestamp coming soon]
スタッフロール (Staff credits) Presented by Eden [timestamp coming soon]
"Fortnite memories?" (Bloopers) [timestamp coming soon]

You can find Zelda Universe on Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok (@ZeldaUniverse), and Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch (@ZeldaUniverseTV). We also have a website, zeldauniverse.net, where you'll find game guides, news, feature articles, and more. You can leave feedback about the ZUCast on ZU's social media, or by email at podcast@zeldauniverse.net or on the Zelda Universe Forums, which you should join so you can be a part of our ongoing complaining session regarding the BotW sequel delay. 😎

Look for another episode from us soon! Hopefully sooner than four months from now…

ZUCast 21: Dawn of a New Year! Feb 21, 2022

My computer did not want me to release this episode to you, but I gave it what for!

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda- and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

It's 2022, and we're ringing in the year with a fantastic episode of the ZUCast! Fan-favorite duo Alex and Amanda have returned to host, Shona wraps up her year-long franchise retrospective, and we've even got someone new behind the mic! (Well, I say, "new," but he's actually been around behind the scenes for the podcast's entire current run. And we've heard from him before.) And that's not all, so take a look below to get the full rundown:

Zelda History, Part 7 (Finale): 2016-2020 Presented by Shona 0:02:21-0:10:39
The Best Zelda(like) Games of 2021! Presented by Randy 0:14:23-0:23:56
Piece of Heart: Ocarina of Time Randomizer Presented by Connor 0:32:26-0:40:01
The Waterfall of Wishing: Trading Sequences Presented by Joshua 0:42:29-0:50:03
ZUBC Credits Club Presented by Eden 0:54:28-0:58:10
Amanda and Alex discuss the Cats movie again (Bloopers) 0:58:11-1:00:22

You can find Zelda Universe on Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok (@ZeldaUniverse), and Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch (@ZeldaUniverseTV). We also have a website, zeldauniverse.net, where you'll find game guides, news, feature articles, and more. You can leave feedback about the ZUCast on ZU's social media, or by email at podcast@zeldauniverse.net or on the Zelda Universe Forums, which you should join because I said so.

The BotW sequel is prooooooooobably going to hit the Switch later this year, and Nintendo's probably got some other surprises in store for us. So whether you're a first-time listener or you've been listening to our podcast since 2008, we hope you'll stick with us for the ride that will be 2022!

ZUCast XX: Celebrating What Was, What Could Have Been, and What Could Still Be! Dec 30, 2021

Hey, Zelda fans! 2021 has been a rough year for many of you—this has been, like, the longest year for me—and the general lack of Zelda stuff has not made it any easier. Hopefully, the five episodes we put out before this one this year have made it just a little bit more tolerable!

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda- and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

This is actually our twentieth episode since we returned from the dead in 2018! While I had wanted to do a little more for it than what we ended up doing, I did get to co-host this episode with my friend and yours, Elias Thompson, and had a great time doing it. Plus, we have a slate of thought-provoking content, including the return of a segment that we haven't had in a while, as well as a guest segment from former Zelda Universe and Zelda Wiki "tech guy" Justin! So, without further ado, here's the rundown for this episode:

Zelda History, Part 6: 2011-2015 Presented by Shona 0:05:49-0:15:46
Hey Listen!: Reflecting on the 35th Anniversary Presented by Brian 0:21:36-0:29:53
An Introduction to Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland Presented by Justin Folvarcik, former ZU DevOps head 0:33:25-0:43:50
What If Zelda Was…an Unpacking Game? Presented by Randy 0:48:56-0:56:13
Episode credits Presented by Eden 1:03:10-1:06:56
Oops! I Crapped My Pants (Bloopers) 1:06:58-1:11:09

Zelda Universe also has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok (@ZeldaUniverse), and Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch (@ZeldaUniverseTV). We also have a website, zeldauniverse.net, which is older than any of those social media sites. You can leave feedback about the ZUCast on said social media sites, in our email inbox at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on the Zelda Universe Forums, which again, has been around longer than those social media sites. We're old, is what I think I'm getting at.

With the Breath of the Wild sequel (probably) out next year, you can look forward to some particularly awesome episodes from us coming in the near future! As to what else awaits all of us, only time will tell. In the meantime, thanks to all of you for sticking with us for all this time, whether you started with our first episode in 2018 or this one! Happy new year!

Special thanks to Joshua Lindquist for putting together the static graphics for this episode!

ZUCast 19: When Life Happens, We Still Make Podcasts! Nov 11, 2021

Good news, everyone! The ZUBC is still alive! We've been away for a bit on account of I started my career back in August like an adult, but we're back in the nick of time or something or whatever. Anyway, cue the shenanigans!

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda- and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

You waited with bated breath for the next installment of ZUCast, and we're here to deliver. We've got Amanda and Cody back in the studio-we-definitely-have to host this shindig, plus the fifth part of Shona's Zelda History retrospective, a Piece of Heart-warming ode to the online Zelda community, a nostalgic look back at Cody's shovel% run at Oracle of Ages during this year's ZUthon charity event, a Dreadful picture of what a Zelda Metroidvania could look like, and of course, your absolute favorite part of every episode, the credits!

It's a short but fun-dense episode, and in case you don't like reading paragraphs, here's the rundown in list form:

Zelda History, Part 5: 2006-2010 Presented by Shona 02:46-12:30
Piece of Heart: ZUthon and Community Presented by Connor 14:35-22:09
What If Zelda Was…a Metroidvania? Presented by Randy 25:09-34:04
Episode credits Presented by Eden 39:05
Bloopers…

In addition to the podcast world, you'll also find Zelda Universe elsewhere on teh interwebs: on Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok (@ZeldaUniverse), and Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch (@ZeldaUniverseTV). We also have a website, zeldauniverse.net, where this all began. You can leave feedback about the ZUCast on our social media, in our email inbox at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on the Zelda Universe Forums. "Please do not swear."

We're already putting together our 20th episode! So far, I can promise some new and long-lost voices! As for anything else, you'll just have to wait. You're very good at waiting. Because you're a Zelda fan. And you listen to us. 😎 TTFN!

ZUCast: Looking Back at E3 2021! Aug 08, 2021

We're back with our first episode since this year's E3, and we've dedicated a significant portion of it to dissecting Nintendo's E3 Direct and all the juicy stuff we saw! I know it's been a hot minute since then, but some of us are still riding high from that hour or so, so please suck it up! d===(￣▽￣*)b

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda- and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

As mentioned, this month, we've got a lot of stuff related to E3: Randy's finally returned to us to break down and offer his personal opinions on everything we saw during the E3 Direct, Realm and Ann tell us their predictions for the Breath of the Wild sequel based on the E3 teaser trailer, and episode hosts Peyton and Andrew have their own E3 opinions, as well. (So many opinions…) Plus, Shona presents the fourth part of her ongoing franchise history segment, covering the years in which people got excited for a GameCube Zelda, became enraged at what they were actually getting, and then realized that they had overreacted. (Basically, the best time to be a Zelda fan!) And to top it all off, Connor details, rather convincingly, why he believes that no game has yet treated the Master Sword as well as A Link to the Past did. This episode is sure to make your day Zeldarific, which, incidentally, should be a dictionary word.

Here's the full rundown for the episode:

Zelda History, Part 4: 2001-2005 Presented by Shona 0:02:36-0:13:07
Hosty discussion: The early oughts in Zelda Presented by your hosts, Andrew and Peyton 0:13:08-0:25:19
A Review of Nintendo's E3 Direct Presented by Randy 0:25:23-0:39:42
Hosty discussion: Nintendo's Zelda 35th anniversary "celebrations" Presented by your hosts 0:39:45-0:46:46
TheZeldaRealm: Deconstructing the 2021 BotW Sequel Trailer Presented by Realm and TheZeldaAnn 0:46:47-1:06:15
Hosty discussion: Possibilities for the BotW sequel Presented by your hosts 1:06:16-1:15:37
Piece of Heart: The Master Sword of A Link to the Past Presented by Connor 1:15:39-1:24:00
Hosty discussion: Peyton isn't an ALttP fan Presented by your hosts 1:24:02-1:32:58
Episode credits Presented by Eden 1:35:00-1:38:27
Shenaninanigans (Bloopers) 1:38:29-1:43:05

If you like what you hear today, you're welcome to check out our other media, both social and otherwise: on Facebook and Twitter (@ZeldaUniverse), and Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch (@ZeldaUniverseTV). And it was bound to happen eventually, but we're also officially on TikTok now (@zeldauniverse). LOL! Please also send us feedback. You can do so on our social media, in our email inbox at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on the Zelda Universe Forums. Please feed our delicate yet ravenous egos!

We also post these things on YouTube, but up until now, the visual component has basically amounted to an hour-long view of our logo, with the occasional visual gag courtesy of our very own Kelly the Editor. I am happy to announce that we are in the process, starting with this episode, of spicing up our YouTube releases a bit! On that note, please join me in giving a warm welcome to the ZUBC's new "graphics peeps," Cayden and Alexandria, who are already working with Kelly to make our YouTube releases easier on the eyes!

Finally, it has come to my attention that our presence on Stitcher has been kind of wonky for several months, with new episodes not making it to that service for some unknown reason. We'll try our best to fix this ASAP, but in the meantime, please subscribe elsewhere so you don't miss out!

Listen to the episode on YouTube! (coming soon!)

ZUCast: Gearing Up for E3 2021! Jun 10, 2021

This year's virtual E3 conference is just around the corner, and we're all really excited for whatever Nintendo has in store for us on Tuesday! (If you're listening to this after the Direct, feel free to laugh at our ignorance.) We even brought in a couple of very special guests to talk E3 hype and other stuff, so you'll definitely want to check out this episode of the ZUCast!

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda- and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

Cody and Elias are back to host our pre-E3 ("prE3"?) episode, and because Cody is involved, you can safely expect some shenanigans! Besides shenanigans, Shona continues her ongoing Zelda History segment, looking at what are probably the five most legendary years in the franchise's 35-year history, 1996-2000; Elias trolls all of the timeline theorists with his latest Fake Zelda History factoid; Ann and Realm return to talk about what they want to see in the sequel to Breath of the Wild, particularly with regard to dungeons; and as I alluded to before, the hosts chat with a couple of their kindred spirits about Zelda podcasting, E3, and more!

Was all of that in order? No, it was not, but you can see the proper rundown below:

Zelda History, Part 3: 1996-2000 Presented by Shona 0:05:48-0:13:38
Interview/Roundtable: Andy and Alasyn from Zelda Dungeon's Champions' Cast Presented by the hosts 0:16:51-0:41:36
TheZeldaRealm: Dungeons in the Breath of the Wild Sequel Presented by TheZeldaAnn and Realm 0:45:42-1:05:51
Fake Zelda History: Where the Zelda Timeline Really Begins Presented by Elias 1:09:58-1:11:26
Episode credits Presented by Eden 1:16:01-1:20:22
Everyone Makes Mistakes (Bloopers) 1:20:23-1:21:32

Don't forget to follow Zelda Universe on social media for all of the breaking E3 news! You'll find us on Facebook and Twitter (@ZeldaUniverse), as well as Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch (@ZeldaUniverseTV). And while you're at it, please leave us feedback; without your feedback, we can't tell if we're bringing you good vibes or if we're making your ears bleed! If social media doesn't appeal to you, you can also send us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net or in our thread on the ZU Forums. In the words of a greedy raccoon right after you give him your precious gold, "thanks much!"

Listen to the episode on YouTube!

ZUCast: More History, More BotW 2 Predictions, and More Skyward Sword! Apr 26, 2021

A Wild ZUCast appeared! Ready for more of everything you loved from our last episode? We've got that! Ready to meet a new addition to our roster of talent? We've got that, too! Welcome to the sixteenth episode of the modern ZUCast!

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda- and Nintendo-related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

You can find the detailed lineup below, but here's a taster of what you have to look forward to in this episode. First off, Shona continues her look back at the history of the Zelda franchise, focusing this time on a five-year period in which Link and Zelda blasted out of the NES and onto other consoles and even beyond gaming. Realm and TheZeldaAnn sit down to discuss their predictions and desires for the hotly anticipated Breath of the Wild sequel, in their newly titled "TheZeldaRealm" segment. Finally, Connor returns with a passionate piece about Skyward Sword's immersive story. And it's all tied together and supplemented by this episode's hosts, veteran host Alex and ZUCast newcomer Andrew Fick (a.k.a. LaughingboyLP)!

Here's the detailed skedge:

Zelda History, Part 2: 1991-1995 Presented by Shona 0:02:35-0:12:57
Hosty discussion: Reflecting on early-90s Zelda Presented by the hosts 0:12:59-0:35:48
TheZeldaRealm: Predictions for the Breath of the Wild Sequel Presented by Realm and TheZeldaAnn 0:35:49-0:55:21
Hosty discussion: Talking sequels Presented by the hosts 0:55:26-1:06:57
Piece of Heart: Skyward Sword's Immersive Story Presented by Connor 1:07:01-1:16:28
Hosty discussion: Remembering (and remaking) Skyward Sword Presented by the hosts 1:16:30-1:37:02
Episode credits Presented by Eden 1:40:55-1:45:11
Uh… (Bloopers) 1:45:23-1:52:41

If you feel like it, please let us know what you think of this episode or the podcast in general! Leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, all of which are @ZeldaUniverseTV.

Don't forget to subscribe to ZUCast so you don't miss out on our next episode!

Listen to the episode on YouTube! (coming soon!)

ZUCast: Kicking Off a Year of Anniversaries! Mar 24, 2021

The ZUCast is back for 2021, kicking off a year of anniversary celebrations both for the Legend of Zelda series we all love and for Zelda Universe itself! In case you were unaware, the original Famicom game launched on February 21, 1986, and just shy of fifteen years later, on February 20, 2001, a Norwegian named Lars launched Zelda Universe. So all year long, we're going to be interspersing our regular juicy podcast content with some super-special retrospective content!

If you found us through Apple/Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch, or join our large, welcoming forum community!

We actually have three new faces—er, voices—on our humble podcast team, and you'll hear one of them this episode: Connor Schultz, a Features Writer here on Zelda Universe and a born podcaster! Welcome to the ZUBC, Connor! Oh, and Shona, TheZeldaAnn, and Realm are back, as well as Peyton (who co-hosts the episode with Amanda), so if you've been wondering what happened to any of them, wonder no more!

Anyway, here's what you have to look forward in this, the 15th episode of NuZUCast™:

Zelda History, Part 1: 1986-1990 Presented by Shona 0:01:46-0:12:31
Piece of Heart: The Music of Zelda I and II Presented by Connor 0:16:45-0:25:28
Opinion Corner: The Zelda Timeline Presented by TheZeldaAnn and Realm 0:27:39-1:08:17
Episode credits Presented by Eden 1:16:56-1:21:10
"Nope!" (Bloopers) 1:21:14-1:23:00

If you're feeling generous, please let us know what you think of this episode or the podcast in general! Leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, all of which are @ZeldaUniverseTV.

Don't miss another episode of the ZUCast! Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcatcher!

Listen to the episode on YouTube! (coming soon!)

ZUCast: The Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Special! Dec 31, 2020

Surprise! The ZUBC is bringing a little light to the end of a dark, dark year with our second episode release in a single month! And it’s a super special episode, to boot!

If you found us through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

Yes, as promised, this is our special Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity episode! We know that many of you have only just gotten your hands on the game, so we stuck by a strict code of only covering content available before Chapter 5 (roughly the first half of the game). That means that Chapter 5 and onward was off-limits to us, and Lynels were standing by to dole out punishment to anyone who mentioned anything from the latter half of the game.

This episode is a little different from past episodes: the hosts have more air time than usual, and we only have two regular segments. Do not fret, however; your hosts, Media Man Alex and yours truly (Eden) have a lot to discuss! (I kid you not: I think I’ve put more hours into the original Hyrule Warriors game among all three releases than I have into any other video game ever throughout time. I was destined to play it. And yes, I’ve already pumped almost 100 hours into Age of Calamity. Because it’s awesome. Must. Contain. Excitement!)

Our other content this episode includes another edition of “What If Zelda Was…?” by Randy, in which he breaks down what sets each Hyrule Warriors game apart from the other; a bitingly timey-wimey installment of “Fake Zelda History” from Elias; and a special roundtable discussion featuring Kelly (the Editor)!

A lot of love went into this episode—at the very least, from me lol—and we’re pretty sure you’ll feel it, too. Thanks for sticking with us this year, and we’ll see you again in 2021! (We have some super special things planned for some super special anniversaries….)

Here’s what you can expect to hear this episode:

Intro Presented by the hosts 0:00:00-0:07:29
What If Zelda Was…a Dynasty Warriors Game…That’s a Zelda Game? Presented by Randy 0:07:33-0:15:38
Hosty discussion: Different experiences of Age of Calamity Presented by the hosts 0:15:43-0:26:47
Roundtable Discussion: What the First Hyrule Warriors Did Wrong (and Right) Presented by the hosts + Kelly 0:26:48-0:54:02
Fake Zelda History: Timelines Presented by Elias 0:54:34-0:56:14
Outro Presented by the hosts 0:56:18-1:03:50
Episode credits Presented by Eden 1:03:53-1:07:14
Kelly’s dog, Texas, makes her ZUCast debut (Bloopers) 1:07:19-1:10:44

You can let us know what you think of this episode or the podcast in general! Leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, all of which are @ZeldaUniverseTV.

Don’t miss another episode of the ZUCast! Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcatcher!

Listen to the episode on YouTube! (coming soon!)

The post ZUCast: The Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Special! first appeared on Zelda Universe.

ZUCast: Zoras, Age of Calamity Hype, and WOMAN POWER! Dec 06, 2020

Hey, did you notice that a prequel to Breath of the Wild came out a couple weeks ago? It’s pretty neat!

If you found us through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

This episode of the ZUCast has been in the works for a couple months, so just consider this our pre-AoC episode. Hey, don’t be disappointed! We’ve still got some great, fascinating content for you this time!

Brian T. starts us off by hyping you up for Age of Calamity so that you cross your fingers that you get it for the holidays. Shona continues her “Zelda Enemies” series with a look at the fascinating evolution of the Zola race. Er, Zora. (Did you know they were evil at first‽) Randy is back with an idea for a different kind of Zelda spinoff game, and Elias presents another well-researched, extremely peaceful, bite-sized behind-the-scenes look at our beloved series’ origins. Plus, Ann and Realm do the Community News!

But best of all, your hosts this episode are both female! Amanda’s the one with the thick Southern accent, while Kelly is the one with the thick Minnesotan accent. Huh? They don’t have thick accents? Well, I’m sure you’ll be able to tell them apart! (Disclaimer: I’m just riffing on a joke they themselves make in the first minute of the episode; I swear I’m not a raging misogynist lol.)

Enjoy another hour with your favorite Zelda nerds, won’t you?

Here’s the schedge for this episode:

Hey Listen!: Age of Calamity Hype! Presented by Brian T. 2:15-7:57
Zelda Enemies: Zoras Presented by Shona 12:51-19:56
What If Zelda Were a Mobile Game? Presented by Randy 23:41-29:07
ZU Community News Presented by Realm and TheZeldaAnn 30:49-40:27
Fake Zelda History: Time Travel Presented by Elias 43:01-44:07
Eden adlibs while playing Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition (Staff credits) Presented by Eden 51:23-56:19
The credits took way too many takes to get right (Bloopers) 56:21-59:18

Special thanks to Realm, who started helping me out as my Assistant Producer with this episode! I accidentally left him out of the credits as such, which was a bad thing for me to do. It won’t happen again.

If you ever find yourself fancying the idea of doing so, you can send us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, all of which are @ZeldaUniverseTV.

If you like what you hear here—hehe—you should subscribe to the podcast! In the coming weeks, we’ll be releasing our full, half-spoilery, AoC-related episode, and you won’t miss out on it if you subscribe! Oh, and you can now listen to us through Amazon Music; just ask Alexa to play the podcast “ZUCast”!

Listen to the episode on YouTube! (coming soon!)

The post ZUCast: Zoras, Age of Calamity Hype, and WOMAN POWER! first appeared on Zelda Universe.

ZUCast: Celebrating Twenty Years of Majora’s Mask! Sep 16, 2020

The fine people of the ZUBC are back to celebrate two decades of one of the most unique and divisive games in the Zelda franchise: The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask! Join us, won’t you?

If you found us through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

Yes, it’s been twenty long years since Majora’s Mask graced our N64s, pulling us into a world more alive than any in gaming before it. I mean, the world was about to be very much not alive, but that’s what Link is for!

Anyway, this episode, we’re celebrating this spoopy game with lots of MM content! Brian T. has a special edition of “Hey Listen!” about his hate-love journey with the game over the years, Shona examines a few of the many odd things in and about the game, Kelly the Editor makes her segment debut with a mind-blowing theory about the Happy Mask Salesman, and ZU’s Twitch Director, Mr. Elias Thompson, pops in to reveal some little-known “facts” about how the game came to be! Plus, Realm and Ann are finally back to cover some of the Zelda Universe Forum news from the past few months! And it’s all tied together by your hosts, Cody and Peyton, who were born before and after the release of Majora’s Mask, respectively!

So what are you waiting for? Press play! (Oh, and if you play the Inverted Song of Time on an Ocarina, this episode will playback at half-speed, while playing the Song of Double Time will make it playback at double speed. I’ve tried both, and they definitely, totally work.)

Here’s the Bombers’ Notebook for this episode:

Hey Listen!: Brian’s Relationship with Majora’s Mask Presented by Brian T. 0:02:22-0:09:34
Five Oddities in Majora’s Mask Presented by Shona 0:15:48-0:26:35
ZU Community News Presented by TheZeldaAnn and Realm 0:31:59-0:49:54
An Eerie Happy Mask Salesman Theory Presented by Kelly 0:52:58-0:58:32
Fake Zelda History: Majora’s Mask Presented by Elias Thompson 1:00:28-1:01:34
Staff credits, a.k.a. The Segment That Always Has the MM Credits Music Presented by Eden 1:03:53-1:08:52
…In Which ZUBCers Meet with Terrible Fates (bloopers) 1:08:52-1:15:15

We’ve given up hope on receiving feedback, but you can restore that hope to us by sending us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, which you’ll find @ZeldaUniverseTV.

Oh, yeah! Remember how a new Zelda game was announced recently? Subscribe to Zelda Universe, wherever you like to subscribe to things, to keep up with the latest Age of Calamity deets! As for us, we’ll have our first Age of Calamity-related content in our next episode, so look out for that, too!

Listen to the episode on YouTube!

The post ZUCast: Celebrating Twenty Years of Majora’s Mask! first appeared on Zelda Universe.

ZUCast: Monsters, Master Swords, Merch, and More! Jul 06, 2020

The Master Sword didn’t believe we were ready to wield it yet, so we’ve been sleeping for a few months. Did you miss us?

If you found us through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

We’re back with your favorite Legend of Zelda-related content! Brian Thomas’s “Hey Listen!” is back with a look at the history of that Evil’s Bane-iest of blades. Shona’s “Creature Features” is back to profile three of the toughest monsters in the series. And Randy’s “Hyrule Away from Hyrule” is back for one last hurrah. Plus, we’re proud to present our newest recurring segment, “Inventory Inquisition,” in which our newest ZUBCer, Brian Pope, takes a look at some drool-worthy LoZ merch!

Here’s what you’ve been waiting for:

Hey Listen!: Evolution of the Master Sword Presented by Brian T. 01:56-13:45
Creature Features: Lynels and Wizzrobes and Darknuts, Oh My! Presented by Shona 15:31-23:03
Inventory Inquisition: Introductory Items Presented by Brian P. 27:32-35:36
Hyrule Away from Hyrule: Back to Hyrule Presented by Randy 39:08-44:15
Staff credits, a.k.a. The Best Segment Presented by Eden 47:19-50:47
“Did I dooo thaaaaat?” (bloopers) 50:48-56:46

We haven’t gotten any feedback to read on air in a year or so, and that makes us sad. You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, which you’ll find @ZeldaUniverseTV.

Our next episode is already in post-production, so you’ll hear us again soon! Until then, prepare for moonfall…!

Listen to the episode on YouTube!

The post ZUCast: Monsters, Master Swords, Merch, and More! first appeared on Zelda Universe.

ZUCast: Elias and the Ilia Deathmatch! Jan 12, 2020

It’s the episode you may or may not have been waiting for: we finally “settle” the Ilia debate!

If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

It’s been a hot minute, but we’re back with the ear candy you crave! Kicking off the new year is beloved/tortured Host Kelly the Editor, with very special guest Host Elias Thompson; we’ve been crediting the latter on here for months for doing nothing, but now he’s finally back to do something! Plus, your favorite contributors like Shona, Randy, RealmWings, and TheZeldaAnn have cooked up some great stuff for this episode! And it all leads up to the long-awaited deathmatch debate between Elias and Amanda: is Ilia a good character or a bad one?

Here’s all of the stuff in this episode:

Creature Features: ReDeads Presented by Shona 0:02:56-0:10:40
Hyrule Away from Hyrule: Zelda-like(Like)s Presented by Randy 0:13:17-0:26:17
Community News Presented by TheZeldaAnn and RealmWings 0:28:58-0:44:47
The Great Ilia Deathmatch! Moderated by Alex, featuring Amanda and Elias 0:48:17-1:06:07
Staff credits, a.k.a. Your Favorite Segment Presented by Eden 1:11:52-1:16:10
Examples of How Not to Record a Podcast (bloopers) 1:16:11-1:19:04

We still haven’t gotten any feedback to read on air in months! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, on in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, which you’ll find @ZeldaUniverseTV.

Don’t let the Like Likes glomp! (…or do; it’s fun!)

Listen to the episode on YouTube! [coming soon]

The post ZUCast: Elias and the Ilia Deathmatch! first appeared on Zelda Universe.

ZUCast: Celebrating the Animated Series! Oct 31, 2019

Well, excuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me, Princess!

If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

This episode has been a couple of months in the making, so we’re celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the Legend of Zelda animated series a little late, but you know what? It’s always a good time to pay homage to the trainwreck and/or masterpiece that is this extremely important part of the LoZ legacy! To guide us on this journey, the terrifying pair of Alex and Peyton has stepped into the recording booth we totally have. Spooky! In addition to animated-series stuff, we have some Link’s Awakening stuff and an exclusive discussion on Breath of the Wild and its upcoming sequel, featuring YouTuber HMK!

Here’s all of the stuff in this episode:

An Introduction to the Animated Series w/ Shona Presented by your hosts (Alex and Peyton) and Shona 0:03:04–0:14:21
A Case for the Animated Series Presented by Shona 0:14:29–0:22:04
Hey Listen!: A Review of the Animated Series Presented by Brian 0:22:29–0:28:58
Community News Presented by RealmWings and TheZeldaAnn 0:29:17–0:40:43
Hyrule Away from Hyrule: Videos Without the Games Presented by Randy 0:42:45–0:48:52
Tingle’s Jingles: Classic Link’s Awakening Presented by Gibran 0:49:56–0:59:15
Roundtable Discussion: The Breath of the Wild Sequel Presented by Peyton, featuring special guest HMK 1:00:03–1:39:31
Staff credits, a.k.a. Cody’s Favorite Segment Presented by Eden 1:42:43–1:46:58
Seven Minutes of Screw-ups (bloopers) 1:47:01–1:54:18

You may have noticed that there’s no feedback segment in this episode; please let us know what you thought of this episode so we can have some feedback to read on air next time! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, on in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, which you’ll find @ZeldaUniverseTV.

Thanks for your patience, everyone, and we’ll be back soon!

Listen to the episode on YouTube!

The post ZUCast: Celebrating the Animated Series! first appeared on Zelda Universe.

ZUCast: Warning! Breath of the Wild Sequel Approaching! Aug 28, 2019

In case you're a Korok who's been hiding under a rock, Nintendo announced a sequel to Breath of the Wild during this years E3 Nintendo Direct, and the nerds of the ZUBC are finally here to give you their angles on the über-anticipated game! This…is the ZUCast!

If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

In addition to our first BotW2 content, we have some exciting stuff in store for you this episode, including a look at the franchise's presence in the Super Smash Bros. series, a relaxing tour of the game's water themes, news from the ZU Forums, and even an impromptu rant about Ilia, for some reason! Plus, a look back at ZUthon 2019, during which a certain podcast host—guess who—spent hours digging virtual holes in an effort to extort donations from viewers (lol).

Here's the episode breakdown:

What Shona Wants to See in the BotW Sequel Presented by Shona 0:01:42-0:08:19
Hey! Listen!: What Brian Doesn't Want to See in the BotW Sequel Presented by Brian 0:09:28-0:16:46
Community News Presented by TheZeldaAnn and RealmWings 0:17:55-0:30:47
Tingle's Jingles: Water Themes Presented by Gibran 0:34:53-0:40:48
Hyrule Away from Hyrule: Zelda in Super Smash Bros. Presented by Randy 0:42:00-0:57:01
Your Feedback Presented by your Hosts, Amanda and Cody 1:01:47-1:05:02
Staff credits Presented by Eden 1:07:10-1:12:01
"Did I do that?" (bloopers) 1:12:03-1:13:55

Feedback fuels this Master Cycle Zero and it's running on empty, so please let us know what you thought of this episode! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, on in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, which you'll find @ZeldaUniverseTV.

Check out the credits for a hint about the next episode! (Hey, I gotta get you listen to them somehow!)

Listen to the episode on YouTube [coming soon!]

ZUCast: Sometimes It’s Great to Be Late! Jul 01, 2019

Sorry for the wait, folks, but we figured we should wait until E3 was over so we could include at least mentions of the epic announcements. It was probably worth it!

If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

This episode exists in two different timelines: one in which E3 didn’t happen (yet) and another in which it did. Most of the segments were recorded before E3, but everything else was recorded afterward. So if your favorite Segment Host doesn’t mention Chamber Dungeons or a certain teaser trailer that had you and everyone else screaming, then you know which timeline that segment is from. See? Isn’t podcast timeline theorizing fun? (Also, back by popular demand: Kelly the Editor/Host! #SaveKelly)

Here’s what you have to look forward to this month:

Hyrule Away from Hyrule: Tabletop Adventures Presented by Randy 0:08:37-0:16:14
Community News Presented by TheZeldaAnn and RealmWings 0:18:54-0:32:33
Why Zelda II Deserves a Remake Presented by Shona, ZU’s Special Projects Director and our newest Segment Host! 0:35:14-0:44:50
Realm’s Realm: Give Us Other Genre Crossovers! Presented by RealmWings 0:46:14-0:59:23
Staff credits Presented by Eden, probably 1:05:56-1:10:06
Whoopsies-daisy (bloopers) 1:10:08-1:19:20

Feedback fuels us and we’re running on empty, so please let us know what you thought of this episode! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, on in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, which you’ll find @ZeldaUniverseTV.

We should be back on track, so we’ll see you in August, when we’ll have more content related to the new Zelda stuff on the horizon! And also look out for an extra goody or two from us in the near future…!

Listen to the episode on YouTube [coming soon!]

The post ZUCast: Sometimes It’s Great to Be Late! first appeared on Zelda Universe.

ZUCast: Hyrule Warriors, Laurence Manning, and the Forum Admins! May 17, 2019

We’re only two weeks late, so the joke’s on you! (What?)

If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

It’s finally time for another episode of the ZUCast! This one’s got mainstays like Randy’s Hyrule Away from Hyrule and Realm’s Realm’s Realm(‘s Realm’s), plus some extra special content in the way of exclusive interviews with pianist Laurence Manning and ZU’s own forum admins, Pietro and Ty! It’s chock full of greatness! So great, in fact, that the extra two-week wait was totally worth it!

Here’s the breakdown:

Hyrule Away from Hyrule: Hyrule Warriors Presented by Randy 0:04:48-0:14:11
Tingle’s Jingles: Interview with Laurence Manning Presented by Gibran, featuring special guest Laurence Manning 0:19:15-0:32:51
Community News Presented by TheZeldaAnn and RealmWings 0:34:30-0:43:58
An Interview with the ZU Forums’ Administrators Presented by Eden, featuring special guests Ty. and Pietro(?) 0:46:48-1:08:38
Realm’s Realm: Overworlds and Hubs, Pt. 2 Presented by RealmWings 1:13:29-1:23:17
Your Feedback Presented by your hosts, Amanda and Eden 1:25:10-1:28:23
Staff credits Presented by Eden, again—I get around 1:30:36-1:35:06
Extreme derp-herping (bloopers) 1:35:07-1:40:04

Help us bring Feedback Back! Let us know what you thought of what you heard here! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, on in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. We also have an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Twitch channel, which you’ll find @ZeldaUniverseTV.

Catch you in June!

Listen to the episode on YouTube [coming soon!]

The post ZUCast: Hyrule Warriors, Laurence Manning, and the Forum Admins! first appeared on Zelda Universe.

ZUCast: Musical Easter Eggs, Hyrule, and ProtonJon! Apr 02, 2019

You’d better prepare yourselves because it’s about to get groovy in here!

If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

Hot on the heels of the surprise announcement of Cadence of Hyrule, a Zelda spinoff and crossover with my personal favorite rhythm game, Crypt of the NecroDancer, we’ve got a new episode of the ZUCast for you, less than a month after the last one! This episode has it all: jokes, music, news, travel audio-brochures (for Hyrule), and yes, one Cody Davies!

Hold onto your breeches, folks, because this one’s a doozy! Here’s what’s in store for you:

Tingle’s Jingles: Musical Easter Eggs Presented by Gibran 0:08:16-0:15:58
Hey! Listen!: Most Wanted Returning Items Presented by Brian 0:17:47-0:24:05
Community News Presented by TheZeldaAnn and RealmWings 0:26:14-0:37:21
Hyrule away from Hyrule: Hyrule away from Zelda Presented by Randy 0:39:50-0:53:14
Realm’s Realm: Overworlds and Hubs, Pt. 1 Presented by RealmWings 0:55:29-1:10:17
The Cody Zone: Interview with ProtonJon Presented by Cody, featuring special guest ProtonJon 1:13:06-1:31:30
Your Feedback Presented by your hosts, Alex and Cody 1:32:52-1:39:49
Staff credits, a fan-favorite Presented by yours truly 1:44:17-1:48:16
Gooper Bloopers 1:48:20-1:51:15

Once you’re all tired out from all that dancing, take a breather and let us know what you thought of what you heard here! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, on in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse.

See you in a couple weeks for our next roundtable discussion! Well, not see you, but…

Listen to the episode on YouTube [coming soon!]

Spotify

The post ZUCast: Musical Easter Eggs, Hyrule, and ProtonJon! first appeared on Zelda Universe.

The ZUCast Roundtable: Combat Mechanics in Zelda Mar 19, 2019

It's like we never left! No, we haven't streamlined our production process so much that we can release new podcast episodes every two weeks (yet). Instead, our Roundtable Moderator, Peyton, has crowded into a tiny studio with three very special panelists for a feature-length discussion on a central aspect of the Zelda franchise: combat!

If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

That's right: the ZUCast Roundtable is now a separate release on the same channels as the main podcast. We figured that Peyton and his guests could use more of a free-range environment in which to…graze…or, you know, discuss things, and it's tough to do that in a main ZUCast episode without stretching the whole thing to several hours in length. Was this a good decision? I don't know! Let us know in the comments! Or one of our many other feedback avenues!

Anyway, as I mentioned, this month's roundtable is all about combat in the Zelda series: controls, style, balance, etc. If it's combat-related, you'll probably hear about it in this discussion!

Special thanks to this month's panelists (of whom you might lose track occasionally because they apparently like trolling listeners):

Cody Davies, Zelda Universe's Community Manager and Most Enigmatic Human™
Elias Thompson, ZU Twitch Director and award-winner of Most Mentioned on the ZUCast
Jesse McCarty, a.k.a. GameOverJesse, YouTuber and former ZU writer

As usual, Peyton Garrett (a.k.a. EmperorP) serves as discussion moderator.

Enjoy the roundtable, and look out for our next standard-format episode at the beginning of April!

Please give us feedback! You can do so directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, on in our thread on the ZU Forums, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse.

Listen to the roundtable on YouTube

ZUCast: Link’s Awakening Switch, Zelda Fashion, & Chuggaaconroy! Mar 03, 2019

*Gasp!* A new Zelda game was announced! ZUBC, mobilize!

If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

That’s right: in a recent Nintendo Direct, Nintendo announced a remake of Link’s Awakening for Switch. Unfortunately, they haven’t given us many details yet, so we’re going to leave the deep analysis and opinions for later in the year. That doesn’t mean that Brian can’t talk about what he hopes for the remake, and that’s just what he does in this episode of the ZUCast! We also got Randy back into the recording booth for another “Hyrule away from Hyrule,” and Community News reporter RealmWings tries his hand—his voice?— at a Zelda-related segment, singing the praises of the controversial DS outing Spirit Tracks! Speaking of controversy, controversial ZUCast Host Cody Davies recently sat down with Let’s Player Chuggaaconroy to discuss his relationship with the Zelda franchise, and you can hear the whole interview in this episode!

Thanks for checking out this episode of The Resistance, much more officially known as the ZUCast! #SaveKelly

Here’s this month’s lineup:

Brian’s Hopes for Link’s Awakening Switch Presented by Brian 0:05:39-0:13:56
ZU Updates Presented by TheZeldaAnn 0:15:59-0:17:31
Hyrule away from Hyrule: Zelda Haute Couture Presented by Randy 0:21:02-0:33:51
Community News Presented by RealmWings 0:36:36-0:43:23
Interview with Chuggaaconroy Presented by Cody, featuring special guest Chuggaaconroy 0:44:03-1:03:07
Riding the Rails of Spirit Tracks Presented by RealmWings 1:05:38-1:21:38
Staff credits Presented by yours truly 1:25:03-1:29:01
Bleeps and bloopers 1:29:05-1:38:16

Wake up, and let us know what you thought of what you heard here! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. Audio feedback is also welcome!

Look out for a full-length, combat-related roundtable discussion right here in a couple of weeks! Until then!

Listen to the episode on YouTube

The post ZUCast: Link’s Awakening Switch, Zelda Fashion, & Chuggaaconroy! first appeared on Zelda Universe.

20 Years of Ocarina of Time: The Unabridged Roundtable Discussion (ZUCast) Jan 30, 2019

For our most recent podcast episode, we dedicated over an hour and a half to celebrating one of the greatest video games ever, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. As part of that celebration, our Roundtable Moderator, Peyton, gathered four panelists for an epic discussion the likes of which the ZUBC had never before produced! Unfortunately, it was too epic to fit into our regular episode without being cut down drastically; almost forty minutes is missing from that cut.

Have no fear, though, for this is your opportunity to hear the full, hour-long discussion, with all of the yelling and shenanigans that you missed out on in the main podcast episode!

Thanks to the panelists:

Amanda VanHiel, host of the ZUCast and Zelda News on ZU
Alex Rosenberg, host of the ZUCast and ZU's Media Director
Joshua Lindquist, ZU's Content & Technology Director and actual fan of Zelda II
MasaeAnela, Let's Player and Twitch streamer

Peyton Garrett (a.k.a. EmperorP) serves as moderator for this roundtable discussion.

(NOTE: If you already listened to the preview in the podcast episode, the new stuff starts at 15:41.)

This is an official side-release of the ZUCast, the audio podcast of Zelda Universe, and was produced by the ZUBC. If you don't know what the ZUCast is, you can find subscription links below, or you can find us on zeldauniverse.net.

Feel free to us know what you thought of what you heard here! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse.

Listen to the roundtable on YouTube

ZUCast: Two Decades of Ocarina of Time – A (Belated) Celebration! Jan 30, 2019

Ohai! Here’s that Ocarina of Time episode we promised!

If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

November was Ocarina of Time‘s 20th birthday! Unfortunately, we were still getting our act together at that time, so this is the earliest we could pump out something to honor what many nerd-folk consider one of the finest video games of all time.

Aside from our usual Community News segment, which is still worth listening to if you have any interest in the Zelda Universe community, everything in this episode is related to Ocarina of Time! Two returning segments cover highs and lows from the classic game, plus we’ve got two special guest segments: one from longtime ZU writer and professional game designer Max Nichols, who takes a look at a few of the challenges the developers faced transitioning the franchise into 3D; and a short and very sweet tribute to the game from none other than the legendary Chuggaaconroy! Finally, we got a group of nerds together to yell at each other about Ocarina of Time for almost an hour in a roundtable discussion, and you can hear the first quarter or so of that in this episode! (You can listen to the complete roundtable as a separate release on our podcast feed, website, or YouTube channel.)

So grab your dopey, green sock-hat and your Kokiri Sword, and get ready to celebrate two decades of a timeless classic…two months late!

And for the discerning among you, here’s the complete lineup:

Community News Presented by RealmWings 0:03:19-0:11:18
Mitchie’s Corner: The Best and Worst Dungeons of OoT Presented by Mitch 0:11:33-0:24:22
The Fundamental Challenges of 3D Presented by guest Max Nichols 0:29:09-0:39:13
Ranking the Most Useless Items in OoT Presented by Brian 0:46:31-0:51:30
Ocarina of Love: A Tribute to Ocarina of Time Presented by guest Chuggaaconroy 0:55:49-0:57:57
Roundtable Discussion: 20 Years of Ocarina of Time [ABRIDGED] Presented by Peyton, featuring Amanda, Alex, ZU Content & Technology Director Joshua, and special guest MasaeAnela 1:02:24-1:18:37
Your Feedback Presented by your hosts, Amanda and Alex 1:19:04-1:26:36
Staff credits Presented by yours truly 1:30:26-1:35:30
lulz 1:35:31-1:42:20

Hey! Listen! Let us know what you thought of what you heard here! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. Audio feedback is also welcome!

We’ll see you again soon…using our Lens of Truth!

Listen to the episode on YouTube

The post ZUCast: Two Decades of Ocarina of Time – A (Belated) Celebration! first appeared on Zelda Universe.

ZUCast: Theorizing, Music, and a Great Debate! Dec 08, 2018

It took a little bit longer than we expected, but we managed to finish a new episode of the ZUCast, just for you!

If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

We got a little carried away this time around, so this is our longest episode ever! Unfortunately, because there was so much to edit, post-production took extra time, so some of the time-sensitive stuff, particularly within the Community News, may be a tad out of date. Our sincerest apologies! *bows*

Now that the "bad" news is out of the way, let's talk about what amazing stuff you can expect to hear in this feature-length episode! The highlight for me, as the Original Raving ZUCast Fanperson™, is a special, ~20-minute segment on the current state of Zelda Theorizing by ZUBC alumni and veteran Theorists Hombre de Mundo and Humulos! There are also two segments relating to the music of the Legend of Zelda series, which I can totally get behind; a new segment highlighting some of the latest content on Zelda Universe and its various media outlets; an epic roundtable discussion/debate about one of my favorite Zelda games, Twilight Princess; and of course, some ZU Community News…from, er, the first half of November…!

So we hope you'll sit down and enjoy another fabulous episode of the ZUCast while you Super Smash it up! Happy listening!

Here's a breakdown of the episode, in case you lose your place among the 2 hours of audio:

Zelda Theorizing: Where We Are NowPresented by guests Hombre de Mundo and Humulos0:03:36-0:24:27
ZU Updates (news about new content on ZU and beyond)Presented by TheZeldaAnn0:26:57-0:30:13
Celebrating the Clock Town themePresented by Amanda0:33:18-0:37:09
Ranking Zelda boss battle themesPresented by Gibran0:41:40-0:48:53
ZU Forums Community NewsPresented by RealmWings0:53:18-0:58:32
"Zelda Universe by the Numbers" survey resultsPresented by your hosts, Alex and myself0:59:34-1:07:41
Roundtable Discussion: Is Twilight Princess a good game?Presented by Peyton, featuring Randy and ZU Twitch Director Elias1:08:39-1:29:59
FeedbackPresented by your hosts, Alex and myself1:36:23-1:40:10
Staff creditsPresented by TheZeldaAnn1:43:55-1:47:56
???1:47:57-1:52:42

Okay, so I know you're busy beating up gaming's finest in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but we'd really appreciate it if you were to put down your JoyCon for a few minutes to let us know what you thought of what you heard here! You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse. Audio feedback is also welcome!

We're celebrating Ocarina of Time's 20th anniversary in the next episode! Sure, it's a little late, but…it's Ocarina of Time, so can you really complain?

Listen to the episode on YouTube

The New ZUCast: Resurrection Oct 13, 2018

“Open your eyes…”

We’ve been asleep for a hundred years—give or take 95 years—but the Zelda Universe Podcast, better known simply as the ZUCast, is finally back!

If you found us through iTunes, Google Play, or some other podcatcher, then I encourage you to check out our website, zeldauniverse.net; we publish Legend of Zelda and Nintendo related news, exclusive editorial content and features, game guides, and more. You can also subscribe to ZeldaUniverseTV on YouTube and Twitch or join our large, welcoming forum community!

ZU’s homegrown audio podcast originally ran from 2008 through 2011, with an attempted reboot in early 2013, and a total of almost 40 episodes was produced in that time. Unfortunately, we had to go away for a while, but given the unprecedented popularity that the podcast medium is currently experiencing, it was high time to turn our microphones back on for some Zelda-related discussion and shenanigans!

Whether you are a veteran listener who has been wishing really hard for this day to come, or you have never heard of the ZUCast before today, we here at the ZUBC (Zelda Universe Broadcasting Corporation) are confident that you are in for a treat! We’ve worked hard over the past couple of months to put this show together, so we sincerely hope that you enjoy it!

Here is what’s in store for you in this episode, including times for the discerning among you:

Ranking the champions of Breath of the Wild Presented by Brian 0:09:18-0:16:46
The first “ZU by the Numbers” survey results Presented by our hosts, Cody and Amanda 0:18:46-0:23:53
Hyrule Away from Hyrule: World of Warcraft Presented by Mitch 0:23:58-0:30:47
ZU Forums community news Presented by TheZeldaAnn 0:42:50-0:50:20
Celebrating 30 years of The Adventure of Link and its music Presented by Gibran 0:52:36-1:03:51
Staff credits Presented by Me, EzloSp…I mean, Eden 1:07:26-1:10:17

We’re back, baby! Once you’ve come down from your nostalgia high, why not take some time to let us know what you thought of this episode? You can leave us feedback directly at podcast@zeldauniverse.net, or on our Facebook or Twitter, @ZeldaUniverse.

Before you ask, yes, we’ve already started working on the next episode of the ZUCast! I cannot promise anything, but we hope to have the next one available within a month or so.

Listen to the episode on YouTube

Special thanks to Joshua Lindquist for all his help getting this release to work technologically!

The post The New ZUCast: Resurrection first appeared on Zelda Universe.

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