Game Scoop! 834: Primed and Ready

Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Damon Hatfield
Panel: Sam Claiborne, Justin Davis, Logan Plant (from Nintendo Voice Chat)
Main Focus: Hands-on preview of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, U.S. gaming holiday shopping trends, and the current state of Ubisoft.

Episode Overview

The 834th episode of Game Scoop! dives deep into three main topics:

• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Preview impressions from Logan Plant, including a detailed look at visuals, performance, new features, and concerns around a chatty new companion.
• Holiday Gaming Spending – Surprising new ESA data about what American gamers (adults and children) want and will spend on this holiday season.
• Ubisoft's Industry Blues – Analysis and debate over Ubisoft's claim that "players are turning away from traditional games," and what that means for the future.

Throughout, the IGN crew blends sharp analysis with nostalgia, lively banter, and their trademark trivia and listener Q&A.

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Preview Impressions

Starts at 04:11

First Hands-On:

• Platform & Visuals:

  • Logan Plant played the first 90 minutes on Switch 2 (“Nobody's seen this running on Switch 1 yet”).
  • He calls the visuals possibly the "best looking Nintendo game ever" in places.
    • “There are times I was playing it where I thought this might be the best looking Nintendo game ever in parts ... the art direction, the graphics, it just. This is amazing.” – Logan Plant, [04:33]

• Performance:

  • Permits either 4K60 or 1080/120 in handheld.
    • “I played in 120fps on the Switch 2 screen and wow. Super smooth.” – Logan Plant, [07:19]

Control Schemes:

• Three schemes: Mouse mode, twin Joy-Con motion controls (like Trilogy), and Pro Controller.
• Consensus: Most will use Pro Controller.
  • “Pro Controller ... my favorite controller now. There's no other way I'd rather play it.” – Logan Plant, [08:37]
  • Mouse mode works but is awkward given Metroid's reliance on multiple buttons.

The New Companion: Miles McKenzie

• First 15–20 minutes feature sidekick Miles, a Galactic Federation trooper, who provides hints and constant banter.

  • “This is the way they set this up ... you're walking through this very atmospheric, dark tunnel … then you see this galactic ship that's crash landed ... Miles delivers a monologue about how, well, at least I'm not sitting next to Phil in that cubicle anymore.” – Logan Plant, [09:54]
  • The humor is MCU-like (“the worst sides of the MCU”), and, for Logan at least, “kind of cringey.”

• Concern: Will the handholding and banter persist throughout? The companion splits off after the tutorial, but preview and trailers suggest more tag-along segments.

  • “If Prime 4 doesn’t know when to leave you alone, I think that’s going to be a big problem, especially if they're giving out hints like Atreus in God of War or Aloy in Horizon. That is the last thing I want from a Metroid game.” – Logan Plant, [11:32]

• Group weighs pros/cons, comparing to games like Halo (Cortana as positive), God of War or Horizon (negative: excessive hints).

  • “Execution matters, right? ... It opens up this fear of, does Retro still understand what makes a Metroid game Metroid? They're about isolation ... relying on your wits ... do the developers view what makes a Metroid game a Metroid game in the same way I do?” – Justin Davis, [13:33]

Metroid Formula Fatigue?

• Sam: Wonders if the “Metroid formula” is losing freshness (“How many more times can I lose all my equipment?”).

  • “This could be a remake of a remake of a remake. Metroid Prime 1, 2, 3, and 4 don’t seem that different from each other. That kind of freaks me out.” – Sam Claiborne, [15:52]

• Justin: Some defense—there’s an implicit “contract” between developer and player about Metroid’s structure, but references Batman Arkham’s approach as a possible evolution (keep old powers, add new ones).

• Logan: Prime 4 attempts a middle path—Samus doesn’t lose absolutely everything; keeps morph ball and double jump (novel for a series start), introduced new psychic powers tied to the story.

Excitement Level

• Sam: “No world in which even if this got the worst scores I wouldn’t play it. This is my favorite series and I love it.” [20:19]
• Justin: More cautious; dislikes the companion and motorcycle, but still “wants to play it.”
• Metroid/Alien parallels: Panel would love to see the series try new protagonists.

Notable Anecdotes

• Nintendo’s odd embargo: “That Metroid Prime art book … was there and they’re like, you can flip through it, but please don’t tell anyone you’ve seen it until the embargo lifts … It’s been out for three weeks!” – Logan Plant, [23:18]
• Logan plugs a Nintendo Voice Chat episode next week revisiting the Prime Trilogy. [23:40]

2. U.S. Holiday Gaming Spending – ESA Data Breakdown

Starts at 25:00

Surprising Survey Results

• ESA study surveyed ~2,000 gamers (ages 5–65).
• Findings:
  • Video games are fourth in gift popularity among adults (after toys/games, gift cards, clothes).
  • 1 in 3 adults plan to buy a video game–related gift.
  • Adults favor buying digital games/DLC for themselves; “in-game currency” (e.g., Robux, V-Bucks) is now the top requested gift among kids aged 5–12.
• Average Gaming Gifts Spend:
  • Total average per gaming-purchasing household: $555
  • Among parents: $737
  • Panel marvels at the numbers. (“I’m not going to spend anywhere near $700 on [my son’s] Christmas presents.” – Damon, [30:19])

Other Data

• Kids' top gifts: In-game currency (#1) and gaming accessories (like VR) for older kids.
• 71% of parents check ESRB ratings; 66% use some parental controls (panel skeptical of those numbers).
• Reflection on how gifts have shifted over generations; toys/LEGO catalogs now competed with digital games and currencies.
• “What was even the point of Christmas before video games?” – Favorite tweet paraphrased by Damon. [34:29]

3. Ubisoft Industry Self-Reflection

Starts at 40:14

Ubisoft’s Statement:

• Ubisoft claims new games struggle as “players turn away from traditional releases” towards subscriptions, live service, or free-to-play.
• The panel is critical, suggesting Ubisoft is evading accountability for their missteps:
  • “Is this them in the hot dog suit saying, ‘We’re all looking for the guy who did this?’” – Justin Davis, [41:01]

Context:

• Ubisoft’s reliable annual output dried up post-2020.
• Series like Assassin’s Creed, Star Wars, and Avatar have all underperformed recently:
  • “Avatar would have been the biggest game on the planet like eight years ago. ... The floor moved out from under Ubisoft sort of without them really figuring it out or keeping up.” – Justin, [41:22]

Debate:

• Some nuance: external cultural/political backlash hurt high-profile games (e.g., Star Wars, Assassin’s Creed), but the real issue is Ubisoft’s own stagnation.
• Ubisoft’s quote critiqued as tone-deaf given resurgence of successful single-player games (Hades 2, etc.), many of which Ubisoft could have published.

Key Quotes:

• “Ubisoft … ushered in the era [of live service] and is still … one of the best to ever have done it. ... It becomes kind of self-reinforcing after a while.” – Justin Davis, [47:01]
• Sam: “Would people have liked [an indie hit] as much if Ubisoft had published it, because people are down on Ubisoft as a brand?” [45:50]

4. Listener Questions & Gaming Philosophy

Starts at 47:54

Is it Okay to Love Games You Aren’t Good At?

• Matt Jones admits he's “bad at games that require you to be smart,” but loves video games.
• Panel universally affirms: The joy of games transcends mastery.
  • “Games are a combination of so many disciplines … You could bump the difficulty down ... but you might be enjoying the art, story, music, performances, world building … It doesn’t always have to be ‘I want a challenge right now.’” – Damon, [49:32]

Arcade Difficulty History

• John from the UK asks: When did arcade games become “credit munchers”?
• Arcade design has always balanced challenge and profit (cf. pinball); quick average play sessions maximized revenue.
  • “It has to grip you and be challenging enough to think you can keep going.” – Sam Claiborne, [58:59]
• Notable shift with beat-‘em-ups and continue mechanics (e.g., Double Dragon, Simpsons Arcade).
• Modern arcades: less skill, more ticket/score-based games (“just Pong” at scale).

Retro Fighting Games

• The “Easter eggs” culture of the original Mortal Kombat discussed, including secret moves and the Toasty animation.
  • “Just the moves were a secret ... how do you even play Sub Zero without the freeze attack? ... They just let people figure it out.” – Sam Claiborne, [64:34]

5. Game Scoop! 20 Questions

Starts at 68:05

• This week’s game: Jungle Strike (Mega Drive/SNES, EA, High Score Productions).
  • Panel uses logical deduction, eventually narrowing genre, gameplay, and developer to land on the correct answer.
  • “It’s like an isometric Choplifter.” – Damon, [76:35]

Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

• "My band is playing a bunch of shows in Tokyo is probably one of the coolest sentences that’s ever been uttered on Scoop." – Justin Davis, [03:42]
• "If Prime 4 doesn’t know when to leave you alone, I think that’s going to be a big problem, especially if they're giving out hints ... that is the last thing I want from a Metroid game." – Logan Plant, [11:32]
• "What was even the point of Christmas before video games?" – Damon, [34:29]
• "Is this them in the hot dog suit saying, ‘We’re all looking for the guy who did this?’" – Justin Davis, [41:01]
• "This could be a remake of a remake of a remake. Metroid Prime 1, 2, 3, and 4 don't seem that different from each other. That kind of freaks me out." – Sam Claiborne, [15:52]
• "It's crazy, right? I'm just about as big a gamer as you can find and I have a six year old son who loves video games. I’m not going to spend anywhere near 700 bucks on his Christmas presents." – Damon, [30:19]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Metroid Prime 4 Preview: 04:11 – 23:47
• ESA Holiday Gaming Study: 25:00 – 36:30
• Ubisoft Segment: 40:14 – 47:48
• Listener Questions: 47:54 – 68:05
• Game Scoop! 20 Questions: 68:05 – 77:23

Takeaway

This episode is a “must-listen” for Switch fans eager for Metroid Prime news, parents thinking about holiday gaming gifts, or anyone enjoying the ever-changing face of the industry and reminiscing about arcade classics. The IGN crew’s honest, informed, and humorous discussion ensures there’s value for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Next Week:
No regular Game Scoop! – instead, expect a special 100 Questions Gauntlet and a brand new show pilot.