Summary of "Nintendo Direct Predictions! - Kinda Funny Games Daily 07.30.25"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast
• Host/Authors: Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Tim Gettys, Blessing Adeoye Jr., and Mike Minati
• Episode: Nintendo Direct Predictions! - Kinda Funny Games Daily 07.30.25
• Release Date: July 30, 2025

Introduction and Lighthearted Banter [00:00 – 05:00]

The episode opens with Greg Miller welcoming listeners to Kinda Funny Games Daily, setting the stage for discussions on the upcoming Nintendo Direct partner showcase, EA's stance on $80 games, Pokémon TCG controversies, and more.

Greg Miller [00:00]: "We'll evolve this and more because this is Kinda Funny Games Daily."

Mike Minati joins in, leading to a playful exchange about his shoes and first-time experience in the studio.

Mike Minati [00:41]: "Hello. Hello. You can't see, but I am in fact wearing shoes right now."

Their camaraderie sets a relaxed and engaging tone for the episode.

Predictions for the Upcoming Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase [10:24 – 25:00]

Greg and Mike delve into the much-anticipated Nintendo Direct partner showcase scheduled for July 31st at 6:00 AM Pacific Time. They speculate on potential announcements, focusing on third-party titles that might make their way to the Nintendo Switch 2.

Mike Minati [11:21]: "Partner showcases usually aren't that interesting but because we are still early on in this Switch 2 era, there are still so many big third-party games that we are hoping are going to come to the Switch."

Key titles discussed include:

• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Hades 2
• Elden Ring
• Other AAA Titles like Forza Horizon and Starfield

Mike expresses excitement over the possibility of these games bringing substantial content to the Switch 2 platform.

Mike Minati [13:57]: "I think they're still looking into a Switch 2 version like crazy."

EA CEO Confirms No Immediate $80 Games [34:42 – 36:16]

The conversation shifts to EA CEO Andrew Wilson's recent statement during the Q1 earnings call, clarifying that EA has no plans to release $80 base-price games within the current fiscal year, which ends in March 2026.

Greg Miller [39:00]: "EA has now also made its position clear. No $80 games for now."

Mike praises EA for maintaining value for players amidst industry shifts.

Mike Minati [34:42]: "You know, people say these CEOs are bad, but look at them. They're always so concerned about our value."

They discuss the implications for future AAA releases and how Nintendo's earlier experiment with higher-priced titles like Mario Kart World has influenced industry pricing strategies.

Pokémon TCG Pulls Plagiarized Card Designs [38:00 – 42:44]

Tom Phillips from IGN reports on a significant controversy where Pokémon Company has pulled new Pokémon TCG Pocket trading cards due to accusations of plagiarism from fan art.

Greg Miller [39:23]: "It's a shitty situation that you hope isn't nefarious."

The hosts analyze the impact on the community and praise Pokémon's swift action in addressing the issue.

Mike Minati [40:46]: "Fan artists stuff. It's awkward because, you know, ..."

They discuss the importance of originality in card designs and the trust between the company and its fans.

Mario Kart World UI Change Reversed [42:53 – 46:56]

Greg and Mike cover Nintendo's recent decision to reverse a controversial UI change in Mario Kart World. Initially, Nintendo had nerfed the game's random course selection in Versus mode, leading to significant fan backlash. Responding to the outcry, Nintendo issued an update to restore the original functionality.

Greg Miller [42:53]: "Nintendo has hit the brakes, reversed course and pulled a UI on this change in a surprising climb down."

Mike shares his frustrations with the initial change and welcomes the restoration, emphasizing the importance of player feedback.

Mike Minati [46:12]: "Like why can't we have two modes, right? ..."

They anticipate future updates and potential DLCs that might further refine the gaming experience.

Elden Ring Patch Delayed Due to Tsunami Warning [47:10 – 48:56]

Jordan Vidler from VGC breaks the news that Elden Ring's anticipated patch 1.02, which was set to introduce a two-player mode, has been delayed due to a recent massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami warnings across the Pacific coast.

Greg Miller [47:10]: "Elden ring patch 1.02 has been delayed following a tsunami warning."

The hosts humorously separate concerns about the game update from actual safety, reflecting on the unpredictability of real-world events impacting digital releases.

Mike Minati [48:37]: "Honestly, I was never... I generally like not having to be worried about earthquakes."

Additional News and Community Interaction [50:00 – 57:24]

The episode continues with brief mentions of upcoming game releases:

• Hello Kitty Island Adventure for PS5 launching on August 5th
• Slime Rancher 2 releasing on September 23rd
• Hotel Barcelona launching on September 26th

They also engage with Super Chats, highlighting fan interactions and comments, including theories about Mega Man games and shout-outs to hometowns like Youngstown.

Mike Minati [30:34]: "Don’t know if you know this about me. I love Mega Man."

Kyle in Chat [22:03]: "Successful Nintendo is also arrogant Nintendo..."

These interactions add a personal and community-driven layer to the podcast, making listeners feel involved.

Promotions and Closing Remarks [58:00 – End]

As the episode winds down, Greg and Mike promote Kinda Funny memberships and their sponsors, Mood and Factor. They emphasize the importance of listener support in sustaining their content creation efforts.

Greg Miller [58:11]: "You give us $10, you get 80 episodes of kind content ad-free."

They conclude with mentions of upcoming content, including secret collaborations and future show formats like the Gamescast.

Greg Miller [59:14]: "That's another episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily in the bank."

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller [00:00]: "We'll evolve this and more because this is Kinda Funny Games Daily."
• Mike Minati [11:21]: "Partner showcases usually aren't that interesting but because we are still early on in this Switch 2 era, there are still so many big third-party games that we are hoping are going to come to the Switch."
• Greg Miller [39:00]: "EA has now also made its position clear. No $80 games for now."
• Greg Miller [42:53]: "Nintendo has hit the brakes, reversed course and pulled a UI on this change in a surprising climb down."
• Mike Minati [46:12]: "Like why can't we have two modes, right? ..."

This episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily provided insightful discussions on major industry news, engaged the community through Super Chats, and maintained a lively and informative atmosphere throughout.