Game Scoop! 825: Virtual Insanity
Date: September 17, 2025
Host: Damon Hatfield
Panel: Sam Claiborne, Justin Davis, Mark Medina
(Ad breaks, intros/outros, and non-content sections omitted)
Episode Overview
This episode of Game Scoop dives into the aftershocks of a major Nintendo Direct, with the crew unpacking a wave of Nintendo news, retro gaming nostalgia, and the debut of Borderlands 4. They debate pricing controversies, reminisce about Mario Galaxy, speculate on the new Mario movie, dissect Metroid Prime 4’s polarizing reveal, and spotlight the quirky Virtual Boy revival. As always, the group rounds things out with a lively round of Video Game 20 Questions.
Main Topics & Deep Dives
1. Mario Galaxy Returns—Game and Movie
[03:02–08:59]
Switch Re-Releases and Pricing
- Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 are coming to Switch 2, and also to original Switch.
- Confusion around the packaging and pricing: previously, All-Star Collection set was 3 games for $60, now it’s 2 games for $70—one of which was already previously included.
- Damon Hatfield: "That's why people are a little annoyed at this announcement." [03:35]
- Ala carte options are $40 each [03:50]
Nostalgia & Gameplay
- Damon is excited to experience Galaxy 2 for the first time and introduce them to his son.
- Justin makes the case for Galaxy 2 as possibly the greatest 3D platformer ever:
- “There’s a strong argument that Mario Galaxy 2 is the best 3D platformer of all time. I might be in that camp.” [04:25]
- The crew discusses gameplay differences between Galaxy 1 (more exploratory) and 2 (streamlined/goal-based), Luigi’s mechanics, and the benefit of a replay.
Mario Galaxy Movie Announcement
- Movie sequel confirmed: Super Mario Galaxy coming next spring.
- Justin: "I can't believe they're going directly to Galaxy instead of Super Mario World in between." [07:51]
- Some wish Nintendo would spend more time in Mario World’s classic settings before going cosmic.
Movie Cast Theorizing
- Discussion of possible voice actors for Rosalina, notably Ariana Grande rumored, acknowledged for her “spacey” affect in Wicked [11:07–11:24].
- Sam notes the contrast in casting strategy between Mario and Zelda projects.
Side Commentaries
- Minecraft movie's quality lamented: “I think the [Minecraft] movie just looks terrible.” – Damon [09:24]
- Nostalgia for Yoshi, Bowser as perennial villain, and Nintendo’s approach to anniversaries and series milestones.
2. Nintendo Content & DLC Pricing Woes
[12:09–14:49]
Donkey Kong Bonanza DLC
- Sam previewed the DK DLC, enjoyed its completionist vibe, especially Emerald Rush mode with destruction-based skill runs.
- "I think running around the game and getting all the bananas…wasn't that much fun…but this [Emerald Rush] is really cool." – Sam [17:10]
- Online sentiment is largely negative, focused on the $20 price following multiple expensive Nintendo announcements.
DLC, Value, and Perceived Cut Content
- Discussion of whether post-launch DLC (especially so soon) feels like withheld content.
- Justin: "I don't think this content's cut, but I do think [DK Island] was probably once meant to be part of the main game." [13:36]
- Comparison to Pokémon and the ongoing “Silksong” content pricing discourse.
3. Metroid Prime 4 Reaction
[20:59–28:50]
Release Date & Impressions
- Metroid Prime 4 confirmed for December 4th.
- Reception to footage is mixed-to-skeptical, especially concerning visuals and marketing presentation.
- Justin: “I think Metroid looks so stupid. I think the bike looks so stupid.” [21:27]
- Sam: “If you put [Metroid Prime 4 and Star Wars Outlaws] side by side, it ain’t looking great for Metroid.” [22:30]
- Mark: “[Nintendo fans] don’t care that Breath of the Wild ran at 30fps…but wild looked good.” [23:00]
Game Reveal Discourse
- Panelists emphasize Nintendo’s history of games previewing poorly but delivering at release (e.g., Mario Wonder).
- Sam: “At some point, we’re gonna see 30 minutes of... gameplay…and I hope that looks good.” [24:16]
- Internal debate about trailers, “bullshot” demos, and what actually excites fans versus what’s shown in sizzle reels.
Marketing and Critical Perspective
- Sam underscores the importance of evaluating gameplay over marketing, providing critical perspective for the audience:
- “Whatever marketing is trying to tell you…as a critic you need to drop that and say, is it fun?” [28:52]
4. Fire Emblem: Fortunes Weave Announcement
[31:01–33:36]
- Next mainline Fire Emblem (2026) is previewed.
- Justin: “I have mixed feelings – I really like Fire Emblem, but I’m mad they took over Advance Wars.”
- Series is praised for “rock-paper-scissors” core mechanics, and constant refinement.
- Permadeath is now an option rather than a default, which some panelists miss.
5. Virtual Boy Returns (?!?): Nostalgia & Hardware Skepticism
[33:36–40:56]
Virtual Boy Games on Switch Online (Expansion Pack)
- Nintendo is launching Virtual Boy games for Switch, available as part of NSO+.
- Two device options: a $100 plastic dock (for Switch 2) and a $25 cardboard "Labo" version.
- Sam: “It’s just like any of these cardboard things…your phone into. They basically are separating your eyes and…each eye sees a different screen.” [34:25]
- The team expresses skepticism and amusement about the red lens design, physical comfort, and probable lack of use.
- Sam: “It is the greatest system ever made…and has the best library of any console ever. But the red is a little harsh.” (jokingly; [35:47])
Library, Exclusivity, and Functionality
- Launch includes 14 games; more to come, including some Japan-only titles (e.g., “the horror game”).
- Games can be played without the hardware, albeit without 3D effects.
- Sam is buying both just to keep unopened, for posterity.
Cultural Whimsy
- Reactions range from bewilderment to joy ("this is insane, but I’m glad it’s happening" – Damon [38:23]).
- Panel references the “Bernstein Bears paradox” as reality gets stranger.
6. Borderlands 4: Early Impressions and PC Drama
[41:37–57:31]
Mark’s Review-in-Progress
- Borderlands 4 is out, and Mark’s played extensively on both PC and PS5 Pro.
- PC launch was a mess: “everything everybody’s saying about the PC launch is correct. It runs like absolute garbage…I played on a 3090 Ti and it runs terrible” [41:48].
- PS5 version: “I think it’s great…super fun…this is a Mark game: just shoot things and they die, and there’s tons of numbers.” [42:24]
- Gameplay loop is fun, with inventive new guns (e.g., Rainbow Vomit shotgun).
Story, Humor, and Structure
- Story feels “more grounded” but is still silly; humor remains intact, especially with Claptrap.
- Open world is more “actual open world” but not without some navigational quirks.
- Mission dialogue now switches to radio if you walk away—a very appreciated QoL feature. [46:12]
Level Scaling & Legacy Issues
- Enemies scale with player, which splits the panel: some dislike always-leveled content, preferring to be overpowered through grinding. [47:20]
- Co-op scaling and loot is robust and flexible.
Randy Pitchford’s Twitter Antics
- Mark, Justin, and Damon discuss Gearbox boss*'s* online persona:
- Justin: “He’s out there mixing it up with gamers…he’s just bad at it. Just don’t.” [51:11]
- Panel laments this unfiltered, sometimes confrontational PR approach, especially in light of technical problems.
DLSS Controversies
- Extended discussion on DLSS (AI upscaling) skepticism, its impact on performance, and how it is perceived to shift optimization responsibility.
- Some worry devs might use DLSS as a crutch, instead of optimizing. [56:16]
- Sam: “This is all so imminently fixable over time, too. ...Come on, it’s going to be fine, but you don’t need to inflame everybody.” [57:31]
7. Silksong Progress
[58:18–61:07]
- Sam is deep into Silksong, highlighting its difficulty and metroidvania structure, but admits he’ll lose the thread if he stops for even a week.
- Mark reiterates he’s "too old for Metroidvanias—especially hard ones," to the group's amusement.
8. Video Game 20 Questions: BurgerTime
[64:57–73:37]
- This week’s game is BurgerTime (1982, Data East).
- Panel quickly narrows it down through clever questions: era, geo-origin, NES port, and lack of jumping.
- Notable moment: “Does this game have a pepper button?” (Sam [70:34])
- Fun facts on the arcade cabinet and franchise deep cuts round out the segment.
Notable Quotes & Soundbites
-
On Mario Galaxy 2:
”There’s a strong argument that Mario Galaxy 2 is the best 3D platformer of all time ever made.”
– Justin Davis [04:25] -
On the Mario Movie Choices:
”It took Fast and Furious nine movies to go to space—only two for Mario.”
– Mark Medina [08:30] -
On Nintendo’s Pricing:
”There was a lot of positivity about what’s coming out for Nintendo, but then a lot of, like…what is going on with these prices? Jerry Seinfeld style!”
– Sam Claiborne [12:26] -
On Metroid Prime 4 Reveal:
”I think Metroid looks so stupid. I think the bike looks so stupid.”
– Justin Davis [21:27]“If you put [Metroid Prime 4] and Star Wars Outlaws side by side, it ain’t looking great for Metroid.”
– Sam Claiborne [22:30] -
On Criticism and Marketing:
“Whatever marketing is trying to tell you…as a critic, you need to drop that and say, is it fun? That’s the main question you answer as a reviewer.”
– Sam Claiborne [28:52] -
On Virtual Boy Revival:
“It is the greatest system ever made, and it has the best library of any console ever. But the red is a little harsh.”
– Sam Claiborne (sarcastic) [35:47]”This is insane, but I’m glad it’s happening.”
– Damon Hatfield [38:23] -
On Borderlands 4 Technical Issues:
”It runs like absolute garbage…I played on the computer in the background there…it runs terrible…that’s Unreal Engine 5 for you. I’ve said it before on the show: Unreal Engine 5—the worst. It’s just the worst.”
– Mark Medina [41:48] -
On Level Scaling:
”What’s the point of the numbers if they all just equal zero all the time?”
– Sam Claiborne [47:27]”I put in the time. My reward is I’m OP.”
– Damon Hatfield [47:40]
Key Timestamps
- 03:02 – Mario Galaxy (Switch re-releases and pricing)
- 07:43 – Super Mario Galaxy Movie
- 12:09 – Donkey Kong Bonanza DLC & pricing controversies
- 20:59 – Metroid Prime 4 release and reveal reactions
- 31:01 – Fire Emblem announcement & thoughts
- 33:36 – Virtual Boy games/hardware reveal for Switch
- 41:37 – Borderlands 4 reactions & PC performance woes
- 49:15 – The Randy Pitchford social media saga
- 58:18 – Silksong gameplay frustrations & progression
- 64:57 – Video Game 20 Questions (BurgerTime solution at 70:37)
Episode Tone & Vibe
True to Game Scoop! form, the crew keeps things witty, self-aware, and passionate, with frequent side-banter and playful jabs. They collectively value healthy skepticism, critical distance from marketing spin, and an appreciation for gaming history—while also never taking anything too seriously.
End Note
Episode 825 exemplifies Game Scoop!’s expert blend of news, analysis, and retro-flavored camaraderie. For Nintendo fans, retro enthusiasts, or those looking to navigate the latest hype cycles with a grain of salt, it’s a must-listen (or read).