Nintendo Therapy

Kevin DeCristofano

A weekly discussion of the things we love about Nintendo as well as what the future may hold. News and Rumors and reviews too!

  1. JAN 17

    154: LEGO Pokémon Prices, Switch Stats & Mario Land Classics

    Welcome to Episode 154 of Nintendo Therapy — a weekly show where we break down the latest Nintendo news, rumors, and reflections on the games we can’t stop thinking about. This week, Kevin is joined by Harrison and Shawn to dig into Nintendo Switch end-of-year stats, new LEGO Pokémon sets, and some very honest thoughts about Animal Crossing burnout. We talk about how much time there really is in a year, how thousands of gaming hours somehow coexist with jobs, books, podcasts, and writing projects, and why Nintendo fans love to panic every time stock prices dip. Topics include: Nintendo Switch 2025 playtime stats and reflections LEGO Pokémon sets revealed (Eevee, Pikachu, Poké Ball, and the $650 starter set) Why LEGO pricing isn’t as outrageous as it looks Nintendo stock dropping 33% — should fans be worried? Initial reactions to recent Animal Crossing updates Ecco the Dolphin revival rumors Quest 64 getting the recomp treatment Spotlight discussions on Super Mario Land and Super Mario Land 2: The 6 Golden Coins Ranking, history, and why Wario looks absolutely unhinged Plus, we wrap up with personal gaming highlights, backlog goals, and a reminder that maybe the real secret to 1,000 hours of gaming… is not having kids (yet). 🎮 Nintendo Therapy Podcast is part of the Sidepanel Network🎙️ Check out Harrison’s weekly show, Harrison Talks Pod, now live📌 More Sidepanel content coming soon Thanks for listening, and as always — take a deep breath… it’s Nintendo Therapy.

    1h 10m
  2. JAN 10

    152: Backlogs, Brawlers, and Nintendo’s Next Era

    Welcome to Episode 152 of Nintendo Therapy, a show about the latest Nintendo news, rumors, and a celebration of all things Nintendo.This week, we kick off Year of the Backlog with Kevin finally completing Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater from the Metal Gear Solid Collection Vol. 1. Rather than immediately moving on, the conversation turns into a deep appreciation of why Snake Eater still stands as one of the greatest games ever made. We talk about its tight but content-rich design, incredible immersion, unforgettable boss fights, and the emotional weight of Snake and The Boss. It’s a masterclass in prequel storytelling, showing how Big Boss’s transformation feels earned in a way few franchises ever pull off.On the Nintendo front, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance joins the GameCube Classics lineup, giving fans another reason to revisit (or finally experience) one of the most beloved entries in the series. We also run through the biggest January 2026 Switch and Switch 2 releases, including major updates, new editions, and long-awaited ports.Harrison leads a discussion on the recent spike in Nintendo 3DS prices, exploring why interest in the system is rising again and how renewed demand for dual-screen experiences could influence Nintendo’s future hardware decisions. That leads into a fascinating conversation about voice recognition on Switch 2, sparked by new software from Hitachi. We imagine how voice mechanics could be used in classic Nintendo games and remakes, from Hey You, Pikachu and Nintendogs to Animal Crossing, Brain Age, Luigi’s Mansion, and more.The episode’s Spotlight focuses on Streets of Rage (#50) and Streets of Rage 2 (#49). We break down why Sega’s gritty beat ’em up series still holds up decades later, how it stacks up against Final Fight, and why Streets of Rage 2 is often considered the high point of the genre. From iconic characters and co-op chaos to Yuzo Koshiro’s legendary soundtracks, this spotlight is a full-on love letter to one of the most influential brawler series of the ’90s.All that and more in Episode 152 of Nintendo Therapy.

    1h 15m
  3. 12/27/2025

    150: Nintendo's 2025 reviewed and 2026 Predictions

    Welcome to Episode 150 of Nintendo Therapy! Kevin is joined by Harrison to clear the calendar and ask the big end-of-year question: was 2025 a true Power Star year for Nintendo, or did it slip on a banana peel? We break down Nintendo’s surprisingly stacked release schedule—from Donkey Kong Country Returns HD and Mario Kart World to the long-awaited Metroid Prime 4: Beyond—and talk through what landed, what didn’t, and what defined the year. Kevin shares personal highlights and stats from a massive year of completions, including deep dives into classics, long-overdue backlog victories, favorite Nintendo Classics additions, and why 2025 felt like a year of collections, closures, and finally finishing what was started. Harrison brings a wider lens with a full Nintendo Classics 2025 retrospective, unpacking Nintendo’s shift from expansion to consolidation, the strategic importance of GameCube on Switch 2, and how slower, deliberate rollouts shaped the service. The episode wraps with end-of-year awards, surprises, disappointments, and a bold prediction board for 2026–2027 covering Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Animal Crossing, Switch Online, and future hardware. Plus, we reflect on finally getting our hands on the Switch 2—the system this podcast was practically built waiting for. Nintendo Therapy is part of the Sidepanel Network, and don’t forget to check out this week’s episode of Harrison Talks Pod, with more coming soon.

    1h 37m
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

A weekly discussion of the things we love about Nintendo as well as what the future may hold. News and Rumors and reviews too!