Game Scoop! Episode 830 Summary

Episode Title: Our Favorite Nintendo Switch Games
Original Release: October 22, 2025
Host: Damon Hatfield
Panel: Sam Claiborne, Justin Davis, Mark Medina
Main Theme: A celebration of the Nintendo Switch era—debating the best Switch titles, charting their legacy, and sharing current game obsessions.

Episode Overview

This episode is a lively roundtable featuring IGN’s seasoned crew as they discuss their absolute favorite Nintendo Switch games, explore some of the most impactful indie titles, share new recommendations (including their current game obsessions), and reflect on the unique legacy of standout Nintendo franchises. With a blend of nostalgia, passionate debate, and sharp analysis, the hosts offer listeners an essential guide to the Switch’s defining experiences and the latest can't-miss games.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Game of the Century: Nintendo Switch Era

(03:59) Damon: The episode kicks off with Damon ushering in the “Game of the Century Watch” for the Switch, reflecting on top picks for the greatest games of this console generation.

Super Mario Odyssey

• (04:34-11:01)
  • Justin: Calls Odyssey “the culmination of the adventure puzzle style of Mario,” praising its “surprise and delight scale” and the depth of its puzzles.

    “You could take some of those puzzle rooms and they’d make Zelda shrines... The surprise and delight scale is just absolutely off the charts.” (05:15, Justin)

  • Mark: Highlights the nuanced movement and the game’s reward for player experimentation.

    “The game goes, ‘Here, have some coins. We knew you would try to get here.’” (06:22, Mark)

  • All: Agree Odyssey stands on its own, often overshadowed by Zelda but deserving top honors for its creativity, accessibility, and ingenuity.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild & Tears of the Kingdom

• (11:01-15:58)
  • Panel: Intense debate about whether both deserve to be in a "top 25 of the century" list, with consensus that both have a place, but Tears of the Kingdom edges out for innovation and sheer scale.
  • Mark: “Tears just... has three maps. That’s nuts. No loading screens in between the three... man, what a game.” (14:06)
  • Justin: “Every single other element is just an upgrade over Breath of the Wild. The storytelling is more interesting, the dungeons are absolutely superior.” (12:14)

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

• (18:41-21:22)
  • Damon: Nominates it as “the best Mario Kart game ever. Best looking game, perfect package.”
  • Justin: Praises the “jazzy soundtrack” and long-term stickiness.

    “The more I played World, the more I kind of missed the horns and the jazz of Mario Kart 8.” (19:11, Justin)

  • Mark: Points out the challenge future entries face in surpassing its completeness, likening it to the “everyone’s here” feeling of Smash Ultimate.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

• (21:23-23:39)
  • Justin: Labels it a tier below Zelda and Mario but essential for its “everyone is here” industry moment.
  • Delight in Campaign & Versatility: Justin enjoys casual play, collecting stickers, and the endless variety.

Pikmin 4

• (23:47-25:59)
  • Sam: Declares it the “best Pikmin yet,” lauding its accessibility, fun post-game challenges, and refined mechanics.

    “It just looks and feels so good; I want to play it all the time. I can’t believe how good they made the fourth Pikmin game.” (23:48, Sam)

  • Panel: Endorses Pikmin 4 both for new players and series veterans.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

• (26:22-31:09)
  • Mark: Recalls its unique “cultural moment” during the pandemic—“everybody was playing this game because it was the one thing we knew everybody was doing.”
  • Sam: Attributes rise of ‘cozy games’ subgenre to Animal Crossing’s massive appeal.
  • Justin: Highlights its open sandbox and clever writing, calling it a “4-quadrant” game spanning all demographics.

Switch Indie & Third-Party Gems

(31:13-35:31)

• Hades: Applauded for storytelling and replay loop.
• Dead Cells: Noted for pixel art and addictive Metroidvania design.
• Balatro & Ball Pit: Discussed as new indie time sinks, perfect “podcast games” for their satisfying, repeatable gameplay and quick progression.
• Minecraft: While not released initially for Switch, the team agrees it’s an essential in the “top 25” for its foundational impact on gaming and creative expression.

Current Game Obsessions & New Recommendations

Ghost of Yote

(39:23-44:54, 42:15 Memorable Segment)

• Sam: Recently completed it, hails it as a “remarkable masterpiece” and a must-play for fans of Japanese historical action.

  “I got no qualms passing on this game as an essential must-play for people. It’s great.” (42:15, Sam)

• Combat & World: Praises stance and parry systems, seasonal regional design, and atmosphere.
• Mark: “Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Ghost of Yote are my desert island games.” (42:37)

Ball Pit & Megabunk

(45:07-54:38)

• Mark: Details obsession with these indie breakout hits—fun, addictive roguelike gameplay, creative build/fusion systems, and dynamic dopamine hits.
• Justin: Calls Ball Pit clever—“lets you break the game and encourages you to.”
• Mark (on Megabunk): Applauds the trend of one-person dev teams making massive hits, drawing parallels to Vampire Survivors and Stardew Valley.

Game Industry & Indie Development

• (54:38-56:43)
  • Discussion on the challenges and joys of single-person indie game development, the importance of supporting fresh ideas, and potential models for publishers to nurture independent creativity.

Against the Storm

• (58:01-60:36)
  • Justin: Shouts out this “roguelike city builder” as his latest obsession—calls it “dangerous for me,” expertly scratching the simulation itch without the genre’s typical late-game drag.

Memorable Quotes

• Justin (on Mario Odyssey):

  “You could take some of those puzzle rooms and make them Zelda shrines… The surprise and delight scale is just absolutely off the charts.” (05:15)

• Sam (on Pikmin 4):

  “It just looks and feels so good, and I just want to play it all the time… I can't believe how good they made the fourth Pikmin game.” (23:48)

• Mark (on Animal Crossing):

  “Animal Crossing New Horizons was absolutely a cultural moment for 2020… the game will always have that special moment.” (26:31)

• Justin (on Hades):

  “Some of the best writing and the most clever way of doling out story and lore over a roguelike.” (31:43)

Notable Debates & Fun Moments

• Mario’s Nipples & Humanity: Digression on the weirdness of Mario’s design in Odyssey and New Donk City. (08:33–09:03)
• The challenge of following up perfect ‘platform’ games: The struggle for new Mario Kart and Smash entries to surpass their Switch predecessors. (18:54–19:21)
• “Podcast Games”: Mark and Justin coin Ball Pit and Megabunk as perfect games to play while double-tasking with media intake. (52:00–52:37)
• Indie Dev Aspirations: The group jokes about what single-developer mega-hits should do next—grow teams or fund new indie dreams. (54:58–56:43)

Quickfire Recommendations from the Crew (Timestamps)

• Super Mario Odyssey — 04:34
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild / Tears of the Kingdom — 11:01
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — 18:41
• Smash Bros. Ultimate — 21:23
• Pikmin 4 — 23:47
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons — 26:22
• Hades — 31:13
• Dead Cells — 32:22
• Minecraft — 33:46
• Balatro & Ball Pit — 33:29, 45:14
• Megabunk — 45:45
• Against the Storm — 58:01

Segment: Video Game 20 Questions – Dark Souls

(60:54–73:47)

• This week’s game: Dark Souls (Remastered; Switch port)
• Lots of fun deduction and inside jokes about genre conventions, the definition of “starting as a human,” and the legacy of the Souls series.

Additional Tidbits & Banter

• (03:10) Typing Gremlin Jokery: Ongoing in-joke about technical mishaps, referencing Gremlins and Maniac Mansion.
• Show & Tell: Sam showcases the new Metroid Prime 1-3 art book, offering retro and behind-the-scenes perspectives. (61:04–63:18)
• Handheld Mania: Mark confesses newfound love for Steam Deck and handheld gaming, despite a PS5 at home.
• Parenting in the Digital Age: Justin’s anecdote about his daughter “triple-screening” Zelda, YouTube, and Netflix at once. (52:44–53:19)
• Old Console Nostalgia: Mark recalls growing up playing PS2 games on a black-and-white TV, missing out on movies like Terminator.

Final Thoughts

For listeners seeking the definitive word on Nintendo Switch's best games, a pulse on the most satisfying new releases, and infectious camaraderie from experienced IGN editors, this episode is a can't-miss.

Glossary of Main Hosts:

• Damon Hatfield (A / Host)
• Sam Claiborne (B)
• Justin Davis (C)
• Mark Medina (D)

(Speaker attributions and timestamps match content as referenced in summary.)