Kirby Conversations | Exploring Kirby, Nintendo, and More

Thank you to everyone who visited our booth at the Midwest Gaming Classic this month! It was great to meet you, and thank you for submitting such thoughtful, creative, and funny questions to the show as well. It'll take several episodes to respond to every question, but for now here's a mailbag episode where we answer the first batch, about Smash Bros. characters, potential future Kirby gameplay ideas, and even one notorious recent indie game antihero.If you don't hear your question in this episode, don't worry--we promise to get to it soon!Want to reach out with your own questions or comments about the show? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com and we may read your letter on a future episode.We will also now be uploading a version of Kirby Conversations to YouTube. Subscribe to us, and you can expect select episodes to be posted there a few days after they release in the podcast feed.Join us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsBridgetBluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.socialSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialKy "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousGigiCarrd linkOur opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Liking Kirby Conversations? Then you may also enjoy another retro gaming podcast we recommend, Flashback 64: https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After all the news from the April 2nd Nintendo Direct, we had to put out a bonus episode with our reactions and some of the additional information we've found about the Star-Crossed World upgrade for Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Kirby Air Riders, GameCube games on the Switch 2, and more. Who is this mysterious new Waddle Dee with a telescope in Star-Crossed World? Could Sakurai and Bandai Namco be bringing some of their sensibilities from Smash Bros. into Air Riders? And while the Switch 2 may be expensive, do the hundreds of dollars in rarer and pricey GameCube titles they're adding to the Nintendo Classics library make it an oddly affordable option for GameCube fans? We know lots of people have done immediate responses to the Direct already, but a few days out, here's where we're at with a little more info and a lot more questions about this exciting new era for Kirby and Nintendo.-----Want to reach out with a question or comment about the show? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com and we may read your letter on a future episode.We will also now be uploading a version of Kirby Conversations to YouTube. Subscribe to us, and you can expect select episodes to be posted there a few days after they release in the podcast feed.Join us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsBridgetBluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.socialSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialKy "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousGigiCarrd linkOur opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Liking Kirby Conversations? Then you may also enjoy another retro gaming podcast we recommend, Flashback 64: https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First announced in 2004, Kirby for Nintendo GameCube (which never received an official title beyond that) looked to be an ambitious Kirby adventure for a new console generation. But despite several exciting announcements, screenshots, and trailers that had Kirby fans of the 2000's eagerly anticipating its arrival, the game was quietly canceled, and it would be years before Kirby saw another non-handheld release. What happened to Kirby for GCN, and what kind of game would it have been? There's actually a lot we can piece together, so for this episode Sean, Bridget, and Gigi are going through all the information we can find to assemble a clearer look at a Kirby game that never was.You can watch the trailers for this game and see screenshots on WiKirby: wikirby.com/wiki/Kirby_for_Nintendo_GameCubeYou can also see incredible concept art for the menu screen and other screenshots from the 20th Anniversary Kirby Pupupu Encyclopedia here and here.And here is an impressive mod for Kirby's Return to the Dream Land, by creator Niment, inspired by Kirby for GCN: https://gamebanana.com/mods/247764Come visit our booth at the Midwest Gaming Classic this weekend (April 5th to 6th, 2025). Details about the event are at www.midwestgamingclassic.com!-----Want to reach out with a question or comment about the show? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com and we may read your letter on a future episode.We will also now be uploading a version of the podcast to YouTube. Subscribe to us, and you can expect select episodes to be posted there a few days after they release in the podcast feed.Join us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsBridgetBluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.socialSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialKy "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousGigiCarrd linkOur opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Liking Kirby Conversations? Then you may also enjoy another retro gaming podcast we recommend, Flashback 64: https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gigi, one of our co-hosts and the Editor-in-Chief of WiKirby, is back from a long trip to Japan. During the last episode we talked with her about her more Kirby-centric experiences, like the Kirby Cafes, and for this show we're moving the conversation more generally to the other Nintendo things she saw--including the Nintendo Museum. There are some parts of the museum they don't let visitors photograph, so we enjoyed hearing this inside account of what all the museum has to offer. There's also time to discuss Japan's Pokémon locales and, of course, the Kirby arcade game.Want to reach out with a question or comment about the show? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com and we may read your letter on a future episode.We will also now be uploading a version of the podcast to YouTube. Subscribe to us, and you can expect select episodes to be posted there a few days after they release in the podcast feed.Join us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsBridgetBluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.socialSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialKy "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousGigiCarrd linkOur opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Liking Kirby Conversations? Then you may also enjoy another retro gaming podcast we recommend, Flashback 64: https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gigi shares her enchanting adventures in Japan, focusing on her delightful visits to Kirby Cafes. She reveals the secrets to securing a reservation at these popular spots and contrasts the Kirby experience with Pokémon Cafes. Discussions also touch on Kirby's vibrant cultural impact and the whimsical café ambiance, where unique themed dishes steal the show. Plus, there's talk about Kirby merchandise and exclusive pop-up events, showcasing the joyful frenzy of fandom in Japan's delightful world of video games.

Drumroll please...it's time for an episode on drumming to Kirby music in non-Kirby games. Music class is in session as Bridget introduces Sean and Ky to the history of the Taiko no Tatsujin series, some of which contain Kirby songs and cameos. They also reflect on the iconic DK bongos and the Kirby songs that were playable in the GameCube's Donkey Konga series. The 2000's saw a surprising boom of rhythm games with instrument peripherals, from Taiko no Tatsujin to Guitar Hero. Would you want to see this trend return? And what instruments would you want to see reimagined in video game form? Let us know at mail@kirbyconversations.com.Join us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsThreads: @kirbyconversationsYouTube (for our longform episodes): www.youtube.com/@KirbyConversationsBridgetBluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.socialSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialKy "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousGigiCarrd linkOur opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Liking Kirby Conversations? Then you may also enjoy another retro gaming podcast we recommend, Flashback 64: https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sean and Bridget are joined by special guest Nic McConnell, Age Ratings Manager at Riot Games, to discuss his favorite Kirby game: Kirby Canvas Curse. Together they reflect on Canvas Curse's amazing visuals and level design, the enduring appeal of the DS's touchscreen controls, and the unique background of the game's director Motomi Katayama (who worked on a surprising range of series from Ridge Racer to Tekken). Then for the latter part of the show, Nic describes his work in the age ratings space, with fascinating insights on what it's like to help Riot navigate the distinct cultural perspectives of audiences and ratings boards around the world. You can find Nic on Bluesky at @mcconnell.bsky.social or watch him read video game manuals on Instruction Derby at https://www.twitch.tv/nicmcconnell and @instructionderby.bsky.social.Are there other DS platformers you thought made great use of the touchscreen? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com and we may read your letter on a future episode.We will also now be uploading a version of the podcast to YouTube. Subscribe to us, and you can expect more visual versions of our longform episodes to be posted there a few days after they release in the podcast feed.Join us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsThreads: @kirbyconversationsBridgetBluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.socialSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialKy "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousGigiCarrd linkOur opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Liking Kirby Conversations? Then you may also enjoy another retro gaming podcast we recommend, Flashback 64: https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker has been away from the podcast for a bit, so in this episode we're catching up with her on her latest miniature projects, current photography work, and what it's like to be a Nintendo Ambassador during the quiet period before a new console launch. Speaking of which, the Switch 2 was just revealed, so we've got some thoughts and reflections to share on that as well—particularly when it comes to those potentially mouse-like new Joy-Cons.This is a shorter episode, and for the time being our schedule going to start alternating episodes of Kirby Conversations between these shorter, more accessible episodes and longer "featured" episodes.Want to reach out? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com and we may read your letter on a future episode.We will also now be uploading a version of the podcast to YouTube! Subscribe to us, and you can expect more visual versions of our longform episodes to be posted there a few days after they release in the podcast feed.Join us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsThreads: @kirbyconversationsBridgetBluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.socialSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialKy "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousGigiCarrd linkOur opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Liking Kirby Conversations? Then you may also enjoy another retro gaming podcast we recommend, Flashback 64: https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, Sean sits down with composers Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/) for a conversation all about the music of Kirby. They go in-depth on the artists behind Kirby's famous songs, highlighting many of their favorite tracks along the way, and explore the actual music theory and instrumentation behind what makes that signature Kirby sound.Megan composed "Winds of Change," the music we use as our theme music, and Duncan provided the new arrangement you hear at the start and end of every show. We are very grateful to have them as a part of the podcast, and you can hear the full extended version of this theme at the end of this episode. You can also check out their other music and several upcoming games they composed for in their links above.Want to reach out? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com and we may read your letter on a future episode.Kirby Conversations is now regularly active on YouTube as well, and we invite you to subscribe to the video version of the show.Find us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsThreads: @kirbyconversationsBridgetThreads: @no1kirbyfanSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialKy "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousGigiCarrd linkLiking Kirby Conversations? Then you may also enjoy another retro gaming podcast we recommend, Flashback 64: https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As you gather with friends and family for the holidays, you may consider returning to 2022's Kirby's Dream Buffet—a budget-friendly party game that packs a lot of fun into $15. While not a traditional Kirby game (he's just rolling in ball form here), Dream Buffet still has tons of unlockables and more than twenty food-inspired stages of racing, battles, and mini-games. For this episode, Bridget, Sean, and Gigi dig into the feast of secrets and trivia both within and surrounding the game, including details from its related Japanese light novel and the unique way it was marketed in Brazil as the first Kirby game translated into Brazilian Portuguese. And if you do decide to go head to head this holiday season, they've also got some strategies to help you triumph over your family in sweet victory.Want to reach out? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com and we may read your letter on a future episode.We will also now be uploading more visual versions of each episode to YouTube! Subscribe to us there, and you can expect new uploads a few days after each new episode releases.***Also--want to win $300 in a special holiday giveaway we're doing with our friends at Flashback 64? Check out our audio scavenger hunt, where you can win gift cards by answering trivia questions about our two podcasts. Check out all the details here.***Join us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsThreads: @kirbyconversationsBridgetThreads: @no1kirbyfanSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialKy "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousGigiCarrd linkOur opening music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Liking Kirby Conversations? Then you may also enjoy another retro gaming podcast we recommend, Flashback 64: https://flashback64pod.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.