Kirby Conversations | Exploring Kirby, Nintendo, and More cover image

Kirby Conversations | Exploring Kirby, Nintendo, and More

Latest episodes

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Jun 18, 2024 • 53min

Behind the Scenes of Nintendo's Merchandise Photography

So Nintendo's hired you for a merchandise shoot and they've sent you a big plush Kirby. Now what? In this episode, Ky takes us inside her work as a photographer for Nintendo, going behind the scenes of some of our favorite photos involving Kirby, Zelda, and more. Then for Act 2, we're playing a game where we imagine new photo assignments for Ky by combining random themes, moods, and game series, with absurd and hilarious results.For Act 3, found only on Patreon, we're going inside more photoshoots with Ky, this time focusing on what happens when multiple companies get involved. Check out our Patreon for other rewards too, including access to our Community Chats and physical prints of Ky's photos. https://www.patreon.com/KirbyConversationsWant to reach out? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com. We're particularly interested in any questions you might have for future Q&A segments on the show.Follow us online:Kirby ConversationsIG: @kirbyconversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialThreads: @kirbyconversationsBridgetThreads: @no1kirbyfanSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialKy "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousOur music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jun 5, 2024 • 1h 1min

In 2001, People Waited 90 Minutes to Play This Canceled Kirby Game

At Space World 2001, Shigeru Miyamoto presented a showcase for Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble 2, a cutting-edge Kirby title that demonstrated the power of the upcoming GameCube and its connectivity with the Game Boy Advance. Crowds flocked to the play the game at the convention, press covered it widely alongside other key GameCube fixtures like Luigi's Mansion or Super Smash Bros. Melee, and then it...never got released. What happened to the mysterious Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble 2? That's the main subject for our episode today, as Sean and Bridget dig into the history of this canceled game and reflect on the GameCube Kirby that might have been. Then for Act 2, we've brought some questions for each other, with a Q&A segment on the games that brought us emotional experiences, our favorite "bad" games, and more.For Act 3, found only on Patreon, we're looking back at the other announcements from Space World 2001 through the lens of Nintendo Power issue 149, among other sources. It was a time of peak GameCube anticipation, Wind Waker controversies, and...Donkey Kong Racing? Watch for our Act 3 segments to regularly post a few days after the initial episode. Check out our Patreon for other rewards too, including tickets to our monthly livestreams and physical prints of Captain Dangerous's photos. https://www.patreon.com/KirbyConversationsWant to reach out? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com. We're particularly interested in any questions you might have for future Q&A segments on the show.Lastly, congratulations to Luis Beltran-Valera, winner of our $500 Nintendo Switch shopping spree giveaway! Thank you to all who entered, and we hope you enjoy your games Luis!Follow us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsThreads: @kirbyconversationsBridgetThreads: @no1kirbyfanSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialKy "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousOur music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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May 22, 2024 • 1h 7min

Tumbler Account: Our Thoughts on Playing Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble in 2024

Today we're looking back at Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble, a groundbreaking game that was the first handheld console software to include an accelerometer. While moving Kirby by tilting the Game Boy Color was novel at the time, we consider how it holds up in 2024 and which of the many methods to play it today works best. (If you're a speedrunner, that might even be the GameCube?!) As usual, we also cover history and trivia for the game, and Ky shares her unique childhood strategy for keeping the non-backlit Game Boy Color screen illuminated. For Act 2, we explore the gaming landscape Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble was released into by looking back at issue 143 (April 2001) of Nintendo Power. (You can follow along here: https://archive.org/details/nintendo-power-issue-143-april-2001_202307/mode/2up?view=theater.)For Act 3, found only on Patreon, we're discussing more trivia for Kirby's Dream Land 2 (including one risqué reference the map designers must've slipped passed Iwata and Miyamoto) and talking about our other favorite games with motion controls, from deep cuts to popular entries that helped define many aspects of motion controls today. Watch for our Act 3 segments to regularly post a few days after the initial episode. https://www.patreon.com/KirbyConversationsWant to support the show and potentially win a huge collection of new Switch games? Kirby Conversations is giving away a $500 Nintendo Switch Shopping Spree to one lucky listener! See all the ways to enter here: https://gleam.io/HFrXY/win-a-500-nintendo-switch-shopping-spree.For a speedrun of Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble using the GameCube, you can watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4ItUH9Tcto.Want to reach out? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com. We're particularly interested in any questions you might have for future Q&A segments on the show.Follow us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsThreads: @kirbyconversationsBridgetThreads: @no1kirbyfanSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialKy "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousOur music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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May 8, 2024 • 1h 5min

Be Kine, Rewind: A Look Back at Kirby's Dream Land 2

Kirby's Dream Land 2 is revisited in this podcast, discussing the introduction of animal friends and challenging puzzle design. They explore the Super Game Boy and other console peripherals, sharing favorite experiences. The episode also delves into what retro gaming means and how to enjoy it without breaking the bank.
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Apr 24, 2024 • 47min

How Button Masher Turned His Love of Kirby Into a Grammy

Jake 'Button Masher' Silverman, Grammy-winning music producer, discusses winning a Grammy for updating a Kirby song. They dive into the technical brilliance of the composer's work, Button Masher's projects inspired by Zelda and live shows blending music with ROM hacks. They also share plans for exciting new music projects and collaborations in the gaming industry.
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Apr 10, 2024 • 1h 5min

Are Kirby Games Too Easy?

Are Kirby Games Too Easy? Sean and Bridget discuss the accessibility and inclusivity of Kirby games designed by Masahiro Sakurai and Shinya Kumazaki. They also play a game to guess the retirement rates of different games. The conversation continues with childhood and adulthood video game accomplishments, available on Patreon. Follow Kirby Conversations for more content and insights!
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Mar 27, 2024 • 58min

Inside the Competitive Scene of Kirby Fighters 2—With Lucy "Winters" Hayes

Kirby Fighters 2 had humble beginnings as a lower-priced Kirby title released in the middle of a pandemic. But a community of dedicated players have embraced the game, continuing to hold tournaments, explore its deep meta, and even refine the game in a new Community Edition. One of those players is Lucy "Winters" Hayes, a co-owner of the Kirby Fighters 2 Discord, and in this episode she sits down with Sean and Bridget to describe the game's current competitive scene, how new players of all ability levels can get involved, and the surprising ways fans have continued to update and chart a future for the game. Then for the 2nd Act, we hear some of Lucy's other game recommendations, like Octopath Traveler 2 and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes.You can join the Kirby Fighters 2 Discord at https://discord.gg/vup8ysT and find Lucy's Twitch and X accounts at https://www.start.gg/user/0e0ecd15/details.For our Patreon-only 3rd Act posting later this week, join us for an additional segment with Lucy, where she discusses speedrunning Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Subspace Emissary, how to get started speedrunning your own favorite games, and more: www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations.Want to reach out? You can email us at mail@kirbyconversations.com. We're particularly interested in any questions you might have for future Q&A segments on the show. Follow us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsThreads: @kirbyconversationsBridgetThreads: @no1kirbyfanSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialKy "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousOur music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Mar 14, 2024 • 60min

HAL Has Dozens of Unused Ideas for Kirby Abilities

For this episode, we take a look at Kirby's newest abilities: Ranger, Drill, Jelly, Mecha, and Sand. These abilities bring exciting new dimensions to Kirby's most recent games, and we consider how they may also help us predict what new abilities Kirby could have next. We also reflect on the bright future for Kirby games—especially given the over fifty unused ability ideas HAL has said they had for Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe. Then for Act 2, Ky tells us how she's been vibin' with Animal Crossing Lego, Sean describes his experiences with Final Fantasy VII Remake, and Ky shares what Final Fantasy VII characters she thinks we'd all be.For our Patreon-only 3rd Act posting later this week, we have a medley of deleted scenes, a visit from one of Ky's cats, and further discussion of the ideas from this episode at www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations.Follow us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsThreads: @kirbyconversationsOur other handles:Ky "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousX: @captdangerous64FB: Dangerous PixelsBridgetIG: @no1kirbyfanThreads: @no1kirbyfanX: @Kabula_QueenSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialThreads: @_smdouglass_IG: @_smdouglass_Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Feb 28, 2024 • 47min

Kirby: Planet Robobot and the History of Japanese Mecha

For this episode of Kirby Conversations, we're looking at the influence popular mecha series had on Kirby: Planet Robobot. To start, it's Mecha History 101, as Bridget and Ky teach Sean about the rich history of Japanese mecha films and TV shows like Mobile Suit Gundam, Gurren Lagann, and more. Then we consider how Shinya Kumazaki seems to have drawn on his personal interest in mecha shows when creating the design and gameplay for Kirby's mechs (including one particularly familiar-looking drill). We also share our experiences with Planet Robobot before turning to Act 2, where Ky and Bridget discuss their love of Gundam model kits, and we all reflect on the joys of playing Kirby as adults in or approaching our thirties. Starting with this episode, we're now also offering extended three-act versions of every show to our Patreon supporters! To get the full, mecha-sized version of this episode later this week, and also receive digital events, prints of Captain Dangerous's photographs, video game download codes, and more, visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/KirbyConversations.Follow us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsThreads: @kirbyconversationsOur other handles:Ky "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousX: @captdangerous64FB: Dangerous PixelsBridgetIG: @no1kirbyfanThreads: @no1kirbyfanX: @Kabula_QueenSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialThreads: @_smdouglass_IG: @_smdouglass_Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Feb 14, 2024 • 50min

Sweet Revenge: Why Revenge of Meta Knight Still Soars 28 Years Later

In this episode of Kirby Conversations, Sean and Bridget take to the skies for a look back at Revenge of Meta Knight, one of several games within 1996's Kirby Super Star. From its expertly-paced action to its engaging story, we consider all the things that make this adventure such a terrific example of short-form game design. We also explore some lesser-known aspects of its development, its influences from Japanese history and other media, and how a new arrangement of its theme song even won a Grammy in 2022. Then for Act 2, we look beyond the Halberd to discuss our other favorite video game airships, from Super Mario Bros. 3 to Final Fantasy VII. (Note that our conversation about Revenge of Meta Knight does include spoilers, and from about 25:15 to 27:20 we talk about some Halberd moments from Kirby: Squeak Squad and Kirby: Planet Robobot that could be considered spoilers for those games as well.)You can support this show on Patreon to receive bonus content, digital events, prints of Captain Dangerous's photographs, video game download codes, and more! Check out all the reward tiers, and even join for free, at: www.patreon.com/KirbyConversationsFollow us online:Kirby ConversationsBluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.socialIG: @kirbyconversationsThreads: @kirbyconversationsOur other handles:Ky "Captain Dangerous" ParkerIG: @captaindangerousX: @captdangerous64FB: Dangerous PixelsBridgetIG: @no1kirbyfanThreads: @no1kirbyfanX: @Kabula_QueenSean DouglassBluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.socialThreads: @_smdouglass_IG: @_smdouglass_Our music is by Megan Kellough (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/).Our show art is by DJ (IG: @drawing_lemonz). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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