Game Scoop! Episode 818 Summary: Nintendo Switch 2's First 10/10
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Host: Damon Hatfield
Guests: Nick Limone & Sam Claiborne
Network: IGN & Geek Media
1. Exciting News: IGN's First 10/10 for Donkey Kong Bonanza
The episode kicks off with Damon Hatfield sharing thrilling news about IGN awarding a perfect score to Donkey Kong Bonanza. This marks the first 10/10 review from IGN since Shadow of the Erdtree a year prior.
Notable Quote:
Damon Hatfield [03:09]: "Logan did it and he liked it so much. Gave it a 10 out of 10."
Nick Limone expresses his excitement, highlighting the rarity and significance of this score:
Nick Limone [03:10]: "Oh, my God."
Sam Claiborne adds context by recalling previous 10/10 scores:
Sam Claiborne [03:32]: "It was the Resident Evil 4 remake."
2. Deep Dive into Donkey Kong Bonanza
The hosts discuss Donkey Kong Bonanza as a bold successor to Super Mario Odyssey. They commend Nintendo's decision to center the Switch 2's first 3D platform game around Donkey Kong instead of Mario, which they believe proves to be an excellent choice.
Notable Quote:
Logan's Review Blurb [04:00]: "A brilliant successor to Super Mario Odyssey in a smashing return for a classic Nintendo character."
Sam shares his initial skepticism but acknowledges the game's potential:
Sam Claiborne [05:07]: "Logan just proved his mettle with Mario Kart… and he said I’m excited because I love a core Nintendo game that gets a 10."
3. Exploring Claire Obscure: Expedition 33
Damon provides an overview of Claire Obscure: Expedition 33, sharing his early impressions after playing the prologue. The game presents a unique premise where society faces a countdown leading to the demise of those reaching a certain age, spurring expeditions to defeat mysterious painters causing these deaths.
Notable Quote:
Damon Hatfield [18:00]: "Shujinko is a turn-based dungeon crawler that also teaches you Japanese."
The discussion delves into the game's storytelling, art style, and the emotional impact of the prologue, highlighting questions about the game's world-building that will unfold as players progress.
4. Insights on Death Stranding 2
Nick and Sam discuss Death Stranding 2, focusing on its gameplay mechanics like the collection of BTs (Beached Things) and optional boss encounters. While Sam appreciates the game's narrative depth and character development, he voices concerns about repetitive areas and prolonged battles that could hinder exploration.
Notable Quote:
Sam Claiborne [25:33]: "If you really want to do tough battles… it just sucks that my timing's a little bit off."
Nick enjoys the rhythm-based combat and finds satisfaction in mastering the game's mechanics:
Nick Limone [27:04]: "The timing-based input stuff to me feels like a rhythm game. So I kind of dig it."
5. Tony Hawk 3 and 4 Remastered: A Nostalgic Ride
Damon shares his enjoyment of the remastered versions of Tony Hawk 3 and Tony Hawk 4. He reminisces about the original gameplay, particularly the iconic airport level, and appreciates the enhanced graphics and nostalgia-driven design.
Notable Quote:
Damon Hatfield [30:15]: "It's so fun just trying to get the high scores. Just, like, grinding rails, like, all over the levels."
Sam, who played earlier titles, expresses interest in diving into the remastered versions despite not having foundational muscle memory:
Sam Claiborne [28:43]: "I actually might give that a go."
6. Breath of the Wild vs. Tears of the Kingdom
Nick and Damon compare The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom. While Nick praises the sequel's complexity, he favors the original's crafted and atmospheric experience.
Notable Quote:
Nick Limone [34:46]: "Breath of the Wild is just a better authored experience… I'm a sucker for atmosphere and environment."
Sam highlights the expansive open world of Breath of the Wild and commends its dungeon designs:
Sam Claiborne [36:31]: "The Hyrule Castle is the best dungeon of the whole series in that game."
7. Listener Mail: Video Game 20 Questions
The hosts engage with listener Scott from Southern California, who poses a question about why Damon hasn't played Shining Force 3. Recognizing the game's legacy, Damon acknowledges his limited experience but expresses willingness to explore it based on Scott's recommendation.
Notable Quote:
Damon Hatfield [85:00]: "I had never played scenarios two and three, but I can do that on your recommendation."
8. Community and Personal Stories: Arcade Adventures
Sam recounts a visit to the Redemption Arcade at Stones at Stonestown Mall in San Francisco, marveling at the vibrant arcade scene reminiscent of Tokyo's arcades. He describes the variety of redemption games and the unique atmosphere, highlighting the contrast with the declining mall culture in the U.S.
Notable Quote:
Sam Claiborne [53:43]: "This just came out of nowhere. Nobody told me about this."
9. Movie Discussions: Superman and Predator Franchises
Sam shares his enthusiasm for the newly released Superman movie directed by James Gunn, praising its character development and action sequences. The hosts also discuss Predator: Killer of Killers, lauding its animation quality and expansion of the Predator lore.
Notable Quotes:
Sam Claiborne [57:52]: "I loved it through and through."
Damon Hatfield [67:21]: "Predator, Killer of Killers. It has my highest recommendation."
10. Upcoming Events: Comic Con Coverage
Damon announces that the team will be attending Comic Con in San Diego, where they will provide live coverage. Nick and Sam express their excitement for the event, teasing discussions on upcoming titles like Predator: Badlands, Alien Earth, and Twisted Metal.
Notable Quote:
Damon Hatfield [85:34]: "We're all going down to San Diego. So hopefully on tomorrow night, Wednesday night this week, I can play some Donkey Kong Bonanza."
11. Conclusion and Future Episodes
The episode wraps up with final thoughts on the rich lineup of games discussed and a sneak peek into future content, including a second episode featuring Mark Medina. The hosts encourage listeners to engage via email and promote their live shows and affiliated content.
Notable Quote:
Damon Hatfield [89:03]: "This episode of Game Scoop was produced by yours truly, Damon Hatfield…"
Key Takeaways:
- Donkey Kong Bonanza receives a rare 10/10 from IGN, sparking discussions on its place alongside Mario platformers.
- Claire Obscure: Expedition 33 impresses with its unique narrative and art but raises questions about its world-building.
- Death Stranding 2 offers compelling mechanics but suffers from repetitive gameplay elements.
- Remastered classics like Tony Hawk 3 and 4 evoke nostalgia while enhancing modern gameplay experiences.
- The Legend of Zelda series continues to excel, with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom receiving high praise for different reasons.
- Listener engagement and community stories enrich the episode, fostering a deeper connection with the audience.
- Upcoming events like Comic Con promise exciting content and live interactions.
This comprehensive summary captures the essence of Episode 818, providing insights and highlights for both longtime fans and new listeners.