

Game Scoop! 823: Are These Really the Best & Worst Nintendo Franchises?
16 snips Sep 3, 2025
This week’s discussion dives into the fascinating world of Nintendo franchises, highlighting both beloved classics and hidden gems. The hosts debate the Metacritic rankings, questioning their implications. They also reflect on the charm of series like Donkey Kong, Yoshi, and Animal Crossing. A lively segment tackles the announcement of a Call of Duty movie, exploring the challenges of adapting video game narratives. Plus, they engage in a fun round of Video Game 20 Questions, revealing their personal insights and favorite titles.
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Meta Scores Mislead Franchise Rankings
- Metacritic ranked 44 Nintendo franchises strictly by average meta score, producing many odd groupings.
- The hosts note this ranking method yields misleading franchise comparisons because it treats disparate game types equally.
Hosts React To Pokemon Rumble Placement
- Damon and Justin react in disbelief to obscure franchises like Pokemon Rumble appearing at the bottom.
- They recount Pokemon Rumble's four releases and Amiibo-like ties to the Wii U era.
Spin-Offs Skew Franchise Averages
- Metacritic lumps spin-offs and mainline entries inconsistently, producing odd franchise groupings.
- The hosts point out examples like Donkey Kong spinoffs being separated incorrectly from main Donkey Kong titles.