Kinda Funny Games Daily Podcast Summary

Episode: Nintendo Direct Announced For Tomorrow! - Kinda Funny Games Daily 08.18.25
Date: August 18, 2025
Hosts: Tim Gettys and Blessing Adeoye Jr (Bear and Roger cameo)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into breaking gaming news, speculation, and industry rumors, with a special spotlight on the just-announced Nintendo Direct focused on Kirby Air Riders. The hosts, Tim and Blessing, dissect the validity of a rumored Cory Barlog new IP at Sony Santa Monica, run down all the Pokémon World Championships announcements, and share candid thoughts on trending topics like the Splinter Cell remake, Street Fighter movie casting, and upcoming indie releases.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cory Barlog and Sony Santa Monica’s Alleged New IP

[09:21 - 17:41]

• The Rumor: Game Informer and other outlets picked up a supposed Cory Barlog (God of War director) Facebook post hinting at a technically ambitious new IP from Sony Santa Monica.
• Validity Under Question: Blessing leads a deep-dive, revealing the source Facebook account is likely fake. Game Informer issues a retraction:

  "It became apparent that the account in question is more than likely intentionally inauthentic." – Tim Gettys [10:27]

• Discussion of Details: Even if the rumor were real, the idea of Sony Santa Monica (possibly Barlog’s team) working on a new IP remains a huge interest point. Contrasts emerge with Jason Schreier’s reporting, which said the studio’s next game “isn’t a new IP, but might feel like one, and isn’t sci-fi.”
• Quote:

  “Cory Barlog doesn’t use emojis.” – Roger via Tim Gettys, poking fun at the nature of social media sleuthing [11:57]

• Final Take: Greg Miller gets involved via text, further muddying the waters on authenticity, but finds multiple mutuals with the FB account, sowing more confusion.

2. Nintendo Direct Announced: Kirby Air Riders

[19:44 – 27:04]

• Announcement:

  “A brand new Nintendo Direct focused on Kirby Air Riders will land tomorrow ... promised [are] 45 minutes of information about the upcoming Switch 2 game.” [19:44]

• Sakurai’s Involvement: It’s the first big new game from Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai in years, hyping up fans.
• Speculation & Expectations:
  • Blessing is shocked Kirby Air Riders is arriving before Metroid Prime 4.
  • Tim expects it to be a smaller, $70 title, which feels more like a $40 game but with Nintendo’s “premium” pricing.
  • They clarify what the game is:

    “City Trial. It was fun. Multiplayer experience... single button game.” – Tim Gettys [22:35]
    “You're in an open zone... it's like Tony Hawk kinda.” – Blessing, after Tim’s muddled explanation [26:37]

• Sakurai’s Directs: The hosts look forward to Sakurai’s signature deep dives, even if, as Blessing jokes, “do we need that for Kirby Air Riders?” [21:43]

3. All Pokémon World Championships Announcements

[31:58 – 41:50]

• Major Reveals:
  • Pokémon GO: Eternatus, massive legendary, coming to Go Fest with 100-person raids.
  • Pokémon TCG Pocket: New Mega Evolution cards (Altaria, Gyarados, Blaziken) getting fans (especially Bear) hyped.
  • Pokémon Unite: Several new characters inbound, including Empoleon and Vaporeon.
  • Mainline Games: Pokémon Champions will be the focus for World Championships 2026, it will be free-to-play, with enhanced cross-platform/cross-progression features.
• Notable Reactions:

  “I feel like there’s 10 barriers, man… just try to follow along with the finals… They’re so advanced.” – Tim Gettys, on Pokémon competitive battles [40:04]

  • Blessing celebrates Greg assuming the role of Kinda Funny’s Pokémon guy after attending the event.
• Community Events: Next championship and a "Pokémon XP" fan convention announced for San Francisco/Chase Center in August 2026.

4. Splinter Cell Remake Spotted?

[44:44 - 48:15]

• RUMOR: Redditor claims to have seen Sam Fisher actor Michael Ironside at the airport, possibly headed to Gamescom.
• Hosts' Attitude: Amused but skeptical (“the source is just some dude at the Denver airport…” – Tim Gettys [47:35]).
• Acknowledgement: It’s noted that Splinter Cell Remake is alive and has not been canceled, so hope persists for a reveal soon.

5. Street Fighter Movie – Cody Rhodes as Guile

[48:15 - 50:56]

• Excitement Over Teaser:

  “It’s just right. And this is the perfect tease…” – Blessing [48:49]

• Casting Speculation: Jokes/serious speculation about various castings (50 Cent as Balrog, Momoa as Blanka).
• Notable Moment:

  “I painted the picture for you last week, Bless. You see the vision.” – Tim Gettys [50:44]

6. 'WE News' Round-Up

[51:07 – 56:07] A rapid-fire wrap-up of smaller headlines:

• Sword of the Sea: Impressive indie, solid reviews (“movement, meaning and mindfulness combined… a game of free form, expression and flow.” — Eurogamer [51:22])
• Tales of Remastered to be announced
• Skate 4: Quarterly Battle Passes and soundtrack updates
• Shinobi Art of Vengeance: Dr. Eggman and other Sega guest villains coming

7. Listener Superchats, Corrections, and Birthday Wishes

[56:07 – End]

• Light-hearted advice for listeners turning 30 or 50:

  “Stretch, stretch, stretch, stretch is the greatest advice you can possibly get.” – Tim Gettys [56:25]

• Pokémon name pronunciation debate (“Rayquaza” vs “Rayquaza”) sparks laughs:

  “This is one of those ones where I draw the line. I don’t care if I’m wrong… I don't like you saying that like that.” – Blessing [43:09]

• Clarification: “Turtle Power” is by Partners in Kryme, not MC Hammer [61:20]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Barlog rumor:

  “Investigative journalism at the Kinda Funny level is… does Greg have Cory Barlog’s number and can we bother him?” [12:25]

• On Sakurai's Presentation Style:

  “When you watch his breakdowns about Smash Bros. characters… it’s a history lesson more than it’s anything. And I fucking am obsessed with it.” – Tim Gettys [21:35]

• Describing Kirby Air Riders:

  “You're in an open zone... you're driving around at a high speed, you're picking up collectibles, and you're racing a clock. So it's like Tony Hawk kinda.” – Blessing [26:37]

• Pokémon Fandom:

  “I hate [Greg] so damn much. I hate him too… but shout out to Greg for representing.” – Blessing [32:18]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Cory Barlog/Sony Santa Monica Rumor: 09:21 – 17:41
• Nintendo Direct/Kirby Air Riders: 19:44 – 27:04
• Pokémon Championships Announcements: 31:58 – 41:50
• Splinter Cell Remake Rumor: 44:44 – 48:15
• Street Fighter Movie Talk: 48:15 – 50:56
• WE News & Indie Roundup: 51:07 – 56:07
• Listener Q&A & Corrections: 56:07 – End

Tone & Style

Consistently energetic, irreverent, and heavy on industry in-jokes and banter. The hosts blend detailed analysis with playful speculation, embodying a "hype but skeptical" approach throughout the episode.

Conclusion

This episode serves as a fast-paced, candid snapshot of gaming’s latest news and rumors heading into Gamescom 2025. From the tease of a new Nintendo Direct to wild internet rumors and legendary franchises, Kinda Funny’s coverage delivers both the big headlines and the small, weird moments that make up daily video game chatter.