Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast

Episode: Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 Development in Final Push
Date: February 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode, hosted by Blessing Adeoye Jr., SnowBike Mike, and Barrett, dives into the latest updates on Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3, rumors about the Mario Galaxy movie's possible Star Fox cameo, delays in anticipated indie titles, industry drama (such as Tencent's backing of High Guard), and more. The hosts break down major news stories with their trademark banter, community questions, and genuinely nerdy deep-dives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3: Development Update

Main Story (09:41–14:53)

• Director Naoki Hamaguchi shared that Part 3’s development is "progressing very smoothly and we're almost exactly on schedule with the milestones we set at the beginning of the project" (10:19).
• Importantly, the game is already in a playable state:

  "The game is already in a playable state and right now we're in the final push phase, refining and building up the experience. We're at the stage where the quality improves day by day. And each time we play it, the scenery feels different. So it's genuinely exciting." – (11:16, quote from Hamaguchi via GamesRadar)

• Porting to Switch 2 and Xbox Series X for Rebirth are separate teams, not impacting Part 3’s progress.

Release Speculation (11:32–14:53):

• The hosts debate likely reveal and release windows:
  • Blessing predicts a trailer this winter at The Game Awards and a release in 2028.
  • Others see a possibility of a 2027 release if the pipeline is as smooth as stated.
  • Barrett: "We got FF7 Remake Part 1 in 2020, Rebirth—way bigger—four years later. That’s pretty impressive." (15:16)
  • Various community theories via superchats consider the 30th Anniversary (January 2027) as a possible target date.

Notable Quotes:

• “When you hear it's in a playable state…as much as they might be forward, they’re going to have a lot of bugs to fix. There’s going to be a lot of polish. This is a big title—the end of it all.” – Blessing (13:33)
• “They’ve hit every single milestone; I want to shout out how efficient the FF7 Remake team is.” – Barrett (15:16)

2. Super Mario Galaxy Movie Rumors: Star Fox Cameo!?

Segment (03:05–07:27)

• A viewer superchat asks about Fox McCloud’s appearance in the new Mario Galaxy movie trailer.
• The hosts analyze possible "evidence"—scrutinizing a shadowy figure and considering wild Nintendo movie crossovers.
• Fun debate ensues:
  • Barrett: "I wouldn't want Fox to be like a character in a Mario movie. I think that's fucking bizarre." (06:48)
  • If a crossover is happening, they theorize it'd be a fleeting cameo to set up a possible Smash Bros. cinematic universe.

Memorable Exchange:

• Blessing: “You don't want Fox riding Yoshi here in the next scene?” (07:19)
• Barrett: “First of all, no. I will walk out the movie theater if I see Fox riding Yoshi!” (07:23)

3. Final Fantasy Series: Future Remakes and Spin-offs?

Segment (19:51–21:00)

• After dissecting the current Remake trilogy, the group speculates about future Final Fantasy projects.
• Blessing wants a prequel to Final Fantasy X, while others discuss rumors of remakes for FF8 or FF9.
• Barrett: “[FF7 Remake] is the biggest one. Unless…maybe FF6…but that's tough.” (20:37)
• Hosts agree: nothing will likely match the scope and excitement of the FF7 Remake project.

4. Breaking News: Kristen Bell Cast as Amy Rose in Sonic 4 Movie

Segment (21:22–22:47)

• Barrett reveals live that Kristen Bell has been cast as Amy Rose in Sonic 4.
• Reaction highlights:
  • “I like it. Kristen Bell—I loved her in The Good Place.” – Mike (21:32)
  • “You wouldn't put these two together, but it makes sense.” – Blessing (21:44)
  • Quick recap of Bell’s career and voice acting credentials.

5. High Guard Studio: Tencent’s Secret Backing Revealed

Segment (23:23–25:43)

• Game File reports that Tencent was the unseen financial backer of High Guard’s studio, Wildlight Entertainment.
• Tencent’s involvement clarifies confusion on how the start-up was so well-funded.
• The hosts reflect on the odd PR and marketing rollercoaster for High Guard, including its muted TGA launch and subsequent layoffs.

6. Replaced Delayed (Again) Before Launch

Segment (31:36–33:40)

• 2.5D cyberpunk indie platformer Replaced is delayed from March 12 to April 14, citing feedback from the Steam demo and the need for final polish.
• Quoting developer Sadcat:

  "While the game is technically finished, reaching this final stretch has shown us that we need just a few more weeks to ensure the experience is exactly what you deserve." (32:04)

• The hosts are supportive: “A delayed game is better than a game that you didn’t delay. That came out bad.” – Barrett, Michael Jordan callback (32:47)

7. Chrono Trigger Remake Rumors

Segment (33:42–37:14)

• Insider John Harker claims a Chrono Trigger remake is actively in development.
• The group discusses desired art styles (HD-2D, “doll style,” keeping Toriyama art elements).
• Barrett: “This would be what would get me to play through Chrono Trigger.” (36:44)

8. Nintendo Sues Pokemon Card Store After Armed Robbery

Segment (38:21–40:59)

• A Brooklyn store, "Poke Court," held at gunpoint and robbed, now faces a legal complaint from Nintendo about its name and logo.
• Hosts are amused and exasperated:
  • Blessing: “Nintendo, maybe they're gonna help 'em out…Nope!" (39:13)
  • “Nintendo does not care. 'Wait, they got robbed? A hundred thousand dollars? …They're named what? Yo, get 'em.'” — Barrett (40:01)

9. AI-Generated Code Flooding Godot (Go-DOE) Development

Segment (42:06–44:58)

• Discussion of a PC Gamer article: Open source game engine Godot is inundated with AI-generated “slop code” pull requests, burdening maintainers with reviewing poor or dubious code.
• Conversation includes Godot’s significance (Slay the Spire 2, Brotato, Sonic Colors Ultimate), the dangers of unchecked AI in open source, and burnout among open source maintainers.

10. Quickfire News & Chat Highlights

Segments (45:18–end)

• Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund now Take Two’s second-biggest shareholder after transferring stock to its gaming subsidiary.
• King of Tokyo launches May 21, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss April 16 (45:47).
• Community Q&A includes debates on Magic: The Gathering deck building, Portland's status as “strip club city,” Yoshi’s animal classification and ethics of riding him, and more.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On FF7 Remake Part 3’s efficiency:
  "The fact that we got Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 1 in 2020 and we got Rebirth—a massive, open-world, content-packed game—just four years later? That’s really impressive." – Barrett (15:16)
• On Mario/Star Fox movie crossovers:
  "No. I will walk out the movie theater if I see Fox riding Yoshi." – Barrett (07:23)
• On Nintendo’s legal timing:
  "Nintendo does not care…'They're named what? Send them—get them. Change your name, bro.'" – Barrett (40:01)
• On indie delays:
  "A delayed game is better than a game that you didn’t delay. That came out bad." – Barrett, paraphrasing Shigeru Miyamoto/Michael Jordan (32:47)
• On Yoshi’s standing in the Mushroom Kingdom:
  "Yoshi's more than a chocobo. Yoshi's a friend that you ride—a friend with riding benefits." – Barrett (30:29)
• Community Q&A:
  "Logan Paul got into One Piece [card game], and now all the prices are skyrocketing…Go to the local card shop, every pack from the beginning of time is $45 plus." – Blessing (53:34)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• FFVII Remake Part 3 Development Update: 09:41–14:53
• Mario Galaxy/Star Fox Movie Crossover Rumors: 03:05–07:27
• Discussion of FF Series Remakes/Future: 19:51–21:00
• Kristen Bell Sonic 4 Casting (Breaking News): 21:22–22:47
• High Guard/Tencent Backing: 23:23–25:43
• Replaced Delay Discussion: 31:36–33:40
• Chrono Trigger Remake Rumors: 33:42–37:14
• Nintendo Sues Poke Court Store: 38:21–40:59
• AI Code in Godot: 42:06–44:58
• Quickfire News & Chat/Community Q&A: 45:18–end

Tone & Style

The tone is lively, humorous, and typically conversational, blending hot takes, heartfelt nostalgia, wild speculation, and authentic enthusiasm for games and industry news. The hosts’ camaraderie shines through friendly debates and community engagement.

Final Thoughts

This episode offered substantial updates on some of gaming’s biggest franchises while spotlighting weirder, industry-specific news, and indulging in classic Kinda Funny tangents. The big takeaway: FFVII Remake Part 3 is deep into development and, for now, fans can breathe easy—it’s progressing well. Plus, keep an eye out for crossovers in the Nintendo cinematic universe and brace for more AI headaches in open source game development.