Kinda Funny Games Daily – Nintendo Direct Predictions (September 2025)

Date: September 10, 2025
Hosts: Greg Miller, Blessing Adeoye Jr., Barrett Courtney
Special Guests (Segments): Roger Pokorny

Episode Overview

This episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily is dedicated to breaking down predictions, hopes, and wild dreams for the upcoming September 2025 Nintendo Direct—timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. The hosts speculate on possible announcements, dissect fan expectations, and explore Nintendo’s recent moves, including its controversial new patent. In addition, there are impressions of Little Nightmares 3’s co-op demo, community interactions, and indie showcase hype.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nintendo Direct is Official! (07:41–34:31)

• Direct Details: Announced for Friday, September 12th, at 6:00am PT, with a one-hour runtime. Coincides with Super Mario Bros. 40th anniversary.
• Why the Hype?
  • Switch 2’s first year has seen strong releases—speculation runs high for more.
  • The runtime (60 min) matches the Direct that revealed the Switch 2.
  • Hosts are sacrificing sleep to do a live pre-show/reaction at 5:50am.
  • “We believe this could be a big one. This seems like a big one about the future of Nintendo, what's going on with this Mario anniversary, et cetera…” – Greg (08:38)

Blessing's 'Four Finger Scale of Nintendo Hype'

(Mario-focused predictions categorized as Low, Medium, High, Impossible)

• Low Hype:
  • Port/Sale of Mario Galaxy 2 (long-requested, missing from 3D All-Stars).
  • “Mario movie 2 casting and/or first look” (movie due 2026).
  • Minor Mario Kart World DLC – new DK/Pauline skins.
• Medium Hype:
  • Mario Wonder Switch 2 Edition with new DLC (“Wonder plus”). (~16:53)
• High Hype:
  • Mario Maker 3, or Mario Wonder 2: Brand new 2D Mario outing.
  • “Mario Maker is an amazing game, an amazing piece of technology and I think will be enhanced so much by the cursor [on Switch 2].” – Greg (18:10)
• Impossible Hype:
  • New 3D Mario reveal/tease
  • “I think if you make that announcement, it’d be a thing that’s at least 2027.” – Blessing (19:52)

Mario Sports Spin-Offs:

• Hope for another Mario sports game (e.g. basketball, sluggers), but with tempered expectations due to past disappointments with recent entries.

Non-Mario Nintendo Predictions

• Metroid Prime 4: Release date reveal is “with a bullet” Greg’s top non-Mario prediction (10:43)
• Others Likely:
  • Pikmin 4, Luigi’s Mansion 3 Switch 2 Editions
  • Potential for Zelda and Fire Emblem ports, but less likely for much older Switch games.
  • DLC for Donkey Kong Bonanza – though probably saved for a February Direct.
• Super Smash Bros. Melee: Hoped for, but considered “impossible” for Switch Online (23:42)
• Outside Bets:
  • Zelda Ocarina of Time remake (not likely for this Direct)
  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition (more likely next year for anniversary)

Third-Party & Indie Titles

• Hades 2: Anticipating release date and Switch console exclusivity for 1.0 launch (24:26–25:30).
• Marvel Cosmic Invasion: Greg is personally desperate for a concrete release date (24:37).
• Other Rumors:
  • Rhythm Heaven, Tamagotchi Life
  • Okami new title, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 (unlikely)
  • More FromSoftware news: Dust Bloods (Switch 2 exclusive) not expected until after Elden Ring expansion launches.
  • Fire Emblem ports or remakes (not brand new mainline).

Will We See a 3D Mario Tease?

• Debated if Nintendo will tease the next 3D Mario. It’s possible due to the 40th anniversary, but both hosts agree Nintendo might resist showing a game that’s years away.
  • “Resist that voice. I don't want to see it if I'm not going to play it. Resist that voice. Don't show it to me if it's five years away.” – Blessing (33:55)

2. Nintendo's Patent Controversy (37:15–47:50)

• Nintendo has patented the mechanic of summoning a character and making it battle for you.
  • Most obvious: Pokémon gameplay, but could affect Pikmin, Digimon, Temtem, others.
  • Discussed potential chilling effect—developers may self-censor ideas for fear of legal risk.
  • “The trouble is that leadership changes, things move ... so one day, is Nintendo going to overstep and go after a game that isn’t that?” – Greg (42:12)
  • Blessing worries this could suppress innovation in monster-battler genre – “I hope the chilling effect isn’t so strong...” (43:37)

3. Little Nightmares 3 Hands-On Preview (49:53–55:17)

• Blessing played 3 hours of the new co-op-focused Little Nightmares 3 at PAX.
  • Unexpected online co-op—played demo with Daniel Bloodworth (Easy Allies).
  • Positive impressions: The co-op is genuinely satisfying, puzzles require real communication.
  • “Puzzle Poppy is what they call me in the streets.” – Blessing (50:45)
  • Gameplay is creepy, atmospheric—a blend of Little Big Planet ragdoll jumps with Inside and Limbo-esque puzzle design.
  • Slight floatiness and minor bugs were noted, but could be pre-release polish.
  • Thumbs up overall: “This is a fun time. Thumbs up for me.” (55:17)

4. Community & Indie Showcase Hype (58:09–63:08)

• Six One Indie Showcase announced for September 18th: 47 indie games in 72 minutes, free for all—highlighted for its community-run, polished approach.

  • “Such an amazing event ... presented to press is unheard of. It’s the most polished package I’ve ever seen in my life.” – Greg (60:23)

• Listener Questions/Chats:

  • Super Mario Maker 3, Mario Party Maker floated (audience Q&A, timestamps throughout).
  • Discussing recent and upcoming indies for Switch and annual “best-of” conversations.

5. Quick News & Lighthearted Community Q&A (63:23–70:00)

• Elden Ring: “Deep of Night” mode drops September 11th.
• Pacific Drive DLC, Forgive Me Father 2 console release, new Pokémon marketing, and Batman Day events.
• Bloopers, community callouts (e.g., TV size preferences for gaming), birthday shout-outs.
• Final light-hearted banter on TV sizes and hardware.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Blessing, on franchise predictions:
  “It’s not a battle royale. It’s not a third person action Sony game. It's a 2D Metroidvania. ... The fact that Hollow Knight is doing gangbusters and it’s an indie game ... that's very heartwarming.” (03:15)

• Greg, on Mario Maker:
  “Mario Maker is an amazing game, an amazing piece of technology and I think will be enhanced so much by the cursor.” (18:10)

• Blessing, on potential chilling effect from the patent:
  “I hope the chilling effect isn’t so strong that ... it doesn’t stop the Coromon of the world ... people that are like, we really love Pokemon and have things that we want to do with the mechanics, Pokemon.” (43:37)

• Greg, on 3D Mario 'announcement tease':
  “Would they let anybody else do it? ... All the things we’ve announced, yeah but don’t worry, Mario’s not done yet, take a look at this. ... But even that, I don’t think that’s what they’ll do.” (19:35)

• Blessing, rating Little Nightmares 3’s preview:
  “This is a fun time. Thumbs up for me.” (55:17)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Nintendo Direct Announced / Predictions Begin: 07:41
• Blessing’s Mario Hype Scale: 11:54–19:52
• “Non–Mario” Game Predictions: 24:04–34:31
• Patent Discussion: 37:15–47:50
• Little Nightmares 3 Preview: 49:53–55:17
• Six One Indie Showcase Segment: 58:09–63:08
• News Roundup / Community Q&A: 63:23–end

Tone & Style

The usual Kinda Funny blend of industry expertise, playful banter, and community engagement shines here. Greg leads with excitement and “dad jokes,” Blessing provides energetic, organized hot takes, and Barrett’s interjections keep the flow conversational and lively. The hosts pivot smoothly between serious industry matters (e.g., patents, market trends), playful “fan casting” (Mario Movie 2!), and pulse-checking their audience on everything from which sports game they’d revive to what size TV you should buy.

Conclusion

A quintessential Kinda Funny Games Daily episode: jam-packed with genuine analysis, wild predictions, and classic group dynamic. If you need an authoritative (and entertaining) crash course in what to expect from the September 2025 Nintendo Direct—and what today’s biggest gaming obsessives think Nintendo should do—this episode is the definitive listen. The hosts’ speculative energy is infectious, their skepticism over Nintendo’s IP protections sharp, and their commitment to indie showcase culture unwavering. This is the live pulse of gaming fandom in fall 2025.