Advertise on podcast: Kirby Conversations | Exploring Kirby, Nintendo, and More

We know listeners have been asking for an episode on Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, so for this episode Sean and Gigi are finally unpacking the surreal charms of Kirby's anime series. Sean is relatively new to the show, while Gigi is more familiar and has watched it in multiple languages. Together they go over the history of the show's development, trivia, surprising connections between the animation team and other Kirby games, and their own thoughts on what it's like to watch this fun, if decidedly different, take on the Kirby universe in 2026. What did you think of Kirby: Right Back at Ya!? Feel free to email us your thoughts at [email protected], and we may share them on a future episode. Kirby Conversations is part of the Sound Stone Podcast Network, a collective of independent podcasters covering video game history. Our shows include Darren Hupke's interview show Pixels and Polygons, Gooey and McKenna's Nintendo 64 history podcast Flashback 64, and Nic McConnell's game manual stream Instruction Derby. Our opening music is by Megan Kelz and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Join us online: Kirby Conversations YouTube: www.youtube.com/@KirbyConversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Network Bluesky: @soundstone.network Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Gigi Carrd link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, Sean and Bridget are hitting the streets and the slopes with more discussion of Kirby Air Riders and a batch of winter game recommendations. After breaking down some competitive strategies for City Trial, they consider other games that are a good fit for the winter months, including snowboarding games and the SSX series. (The earliest unreleased versions of Kirby Air Ride for the Nintendo 64 actually seemed to have a lot in common with snowboarding games, so the genres have some common connections.) And of course, they had to mention the Air Riders patch notes—because Rick was apparently just too powerful. How do you feel about Air Riders so far? And what games are you playing this winter? Feel free to email us your thoughts at [email protected], and we may share them on a future episode. Kirby Conversations is part of the Sound Stone Podcast Network, a collective of independent podcasters covering video game history. We are a founding show alongside Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64, and we encourage you to check out those shows as well! Our opening music is by Megan Kelz and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Join us online: Kirby Conversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Network Bluesky: @soundstone.network Youtube: www.youtube.com/@SoundStone-Network Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Gigi Carrd link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy holidays everyone! This is just a quick update to share that we are running a holiday giveaway with the podcasts Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64, our fellow shows in the Sound Stone Network. From now until January 1st, if you subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@SoundStone-Network, you'll be automatically entered to win a $100 Nintendo gift card. We will choose a random subscriber on 1/1/26 and contact you if you have won (so please make sure your profile is public or there is some visible way to reach you). We do plan to grow and expand our video content for that channel in 2026, and we'd love to have you join us there, too. We also have a few other updates about what we hope to cover on the podcast next year. If you have any requests for what you'd like to hear on the show, please let us know on social media or reach out at [email protected]. Thank you for listening to the show this year, and we'll be back with more Kirby Conversations in January. Links: Kirby Conversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Network Bluesky: @soundstone.network Other shows in our network: Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64 Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Gigi Carrd link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kirby Air Riders is finally here, and Bridget, Sean, and Gigi are breaking down their early impressions. While it probably won't come as a surprise that we all really like the game, we have a lot to share about our first few days playing both solo and together in multiplayer. Since the game is still so new, we're avoiding spoilers in this one and just sharing our general thoughts on its signature Sakurai design elements, our favorite tracks, characters, and modes, and the appeal we think this game might have even for people who don't normally play Kirby games. Bridget and Gigi also share their thoughts on the impressive new Air Riders amiibo, and we reflect what the game might mean for the future of Kirby (and Smash Bros.?). While we're excited to finally have the game in our hands, we're also curious about your impressions, too. How do you feel about Air Riders so far? Feel free to email us your thoughts at [email protected], and we may share them on a future episode. Kirby Conversations is part of the Sound Stone Podcast Network, a collective of independent podcasters covering video game history. We are a founding show alongside Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64, and we encourage you to check out those shows as well! Our opening music is by Megan Kelz and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). This episode was edited by Sean and Flashback 64's Gooey. Join us online: Kirby Conversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Network Bluesky: @soundstone.network Youtube: www.youtube.com/@SoundStone-Network Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Gigi Carrd link Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker IG: @captaindangerous Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a recent episode of Darren Hupke's podcast Pixels and Polygons (linked here), friend of the show Nic McConnell shared a "hot take" about video game patches. We'll let Nic share the nuances of his take in the show itself, but he was essentially expressing that he thought video games should not be patched as often as they are. We thought this was an intriguing idea worth unpacking even further—and one that was perhaps not quite as controversial as it was initially presented. What is gained and lost when players can no longer access the original version of a game? Do we miss the jank found in many retro games, that today can get ironed out as soon as its discovered? And what does this all mean for Kirby? Join us for a patch-perfect episode of Kirby Conversations all about patches, updates, and version histories. Questions or comments about the show? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. Kirby Conversations is part of the Sound Stone Podcast Network, a collective of independent podcasters covering video game history. We are a founding show alongside above mentioned Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64, and we encourage you to check out those shows as well! Our guest Nic McConnell, when he isn't navigating the world of age ratings management at Riot Games, can be found streaming about video game manuals with his show Instruction Derby. Find it at https://www.twitch.tv/nicmcconnell or https://www.youtube.com/@NicolasMcConnell. Or find him on Bluesky at @mcconnell.bsky.social. Our opening music is by Megan Kelz and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Join us online: Kirby Conversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Network Bluesky: @soundstone.network Youtube: www.youtube.com/@SoundStone-Network Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Gigi Carrd link Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker IG: @captaindangerous Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2014's Kirby: Triple Deluxe marked Kirby's debut on the 3DS. Combining Kirby's familiar 2D platforming with 3D effects, motion controls, and other functionalities of the 3DS, it's a true product of the quirky, experimental energy of early 2010's Nintendo. Gigi is our host today, and with Sean and Bridget, we're looking back at what made Triple Deluxe special. We explore its history, share trivia, and remember its particular connections with MiiVerse and StreetPass. And, of course, we also speculate on whether Taranza would join Air Riders–which we now know is a resounding yes! Questions or comments about the show? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. Kirby Conversations is part of the Sound Stone Podcast Network, a collective of independent podcasters covering video game history. We are a founding show alongside Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64, and we encourage you to check out those shows as well! You can also find select episodes for this podcast and others from our network on our new YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@SoundStone-Network. (This is still a new endeavor, and we'll be adding more video versions of our shows in time.) Our opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Join us online: Kirby Conversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Bluesky: @soundstone.network Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Gigi Carrd link Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker IG: @captaindangerous Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With innovative controls, a unique claymation aesthetic, an outstanding soundtrack, and a surprising mix of charm and challenge, 2015's Kirby and the Rainbow Curse still offers so much to enjoy ten years later. So why is it one of Kirby's most polarizing games? Canvas Curse fan Nic McConnell returns to Kirby Conversations to discuss the game, which he and Sean have been playing for the first time. And Gigi, already familiar with the game, is here to offer her takes as well. They also reflect on the general experience of playing the Wii U again in 2025, look up director Kazushige Masuda on Facebook, and consider the game's unusual connections with...Donkey Kong Bananza? Questions or comments about the show? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. Kirby Conversations is part of the Sound Stone Podcast Network, a collective of independent podcasters covering video game history. We are a founding show alongside Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64, and we encourage you to check out those shows as well! You can also find select episodes for this podcast and others from our network on our new YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@SoundStone-Network. (This is still a new endeavor, and we'll be adding more video versions of our shows in time.) Our guest Nic McConnell, when he isn't navigating the world of age ratings management at Riot Games, can be found streaming about video game manuals with his show Instruction Derby. Find it at https://www.twitch.tv/nicmcconnell or https://www.youtube.com/@NicolasMcConnell. Or find him on Bluesky at @mcconnell.bsky.social. Our opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Join us online: Kirby Conversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Bluesky: @soundstone.network Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker IG: @captaindangerous Gigi Carrd link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sean and Gigi are unpacking the brand new Star-Crossed World content from the Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Kirby and the Forgotten Land. They discuss the many things that stood out to them, like the graphics, complex levels, and amazing new soundtrack, while also considering how nice (and surprising) it is to return to Forgotten Land three years later. At the same time, both have some ideas for how the structure and level design of Forgotten Land could be adjusted for future 3D Kirby outings. This episode is mostly spoiler free, but at 1:05:52 they do shift to discussing spoilers. This shift is stated in the episode, but if you want to avoid any discussion of secrets or later game events, just be advised that the spoiler wall comes about an hour in. Questions or comments about the show? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected], and we may share your letter on the show. Kirby Conversations is part of the Sound Stone Podcast Network, a collective of independent podcasters covering video game history. We are a founding show alongside Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64, and we encourage you to check out those shows as well! You can also find select episodes for this podcast and others from our network on our new YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@SoundStone-Network. (This is brand new, and we'll be adding more video versions of our shows in time.) Our opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Join us online: Kirby Conversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Bluesky: @soundstone.network Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker IG: @captaindangerous Gigi Carrd link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is just a short episode to catch you up on our new schedule and a new show coming to the Sound Stone Network. And, of course, we had to include some reflections on all the reveals today from the Kirby Air Riders Nintendo Direct! Sean is here to share some brief updates and Air Riders takes, and we'll be back again at the start of September (if not before then) with a long look into Star-Crossed World. Questions or comments about the show? Please reach out to us at [email protected]. For this episode, we're curious about your reactions to the Kirby Air Riders Direct. What are your thoughts on what has been shown so far, and do you have any predictions of your own about the game? Kirby Conversations is part of the Sound Stone Podcast Network, a collective of independent podcasters covering video game history. We are a founding show alongside Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64, and we encourage you to check out those shows as well! You can also find select episodes for this podcast and others from our network on our new YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@SoundStone-Network. (This is brand new, and we'll be adding more video versions of our shows in time.) Our opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Join us online: Kirby Conversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Bluesky: @soundstone.network Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker IG: @captaindangerous Gigi Carrd link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we're off to the races, revisiting the Gourmet Race from Kirby Super Star. This short subgame gave us our first taste of Kirby racing back in 1996, and while it may just take a few minutes to reach the end and beat King Dedede, the game packs a surprising amount of depth for those looking to maximize their best times. Bridget has a few tips to share for anyone trying to shave a few seconds off their runs, and we also take a look back at the history of the game, wild Japanese speedrunning tech, and Jun Ishikawa's reflections on how he wrote the game's famous theme. Questions or comments about the show? Please reach out to us at [email protected]. For this episode we're curious what tips you have for Gourmet Race and what your memories are from this classic subgame. Kirby Conversations is part of the Sound Stone Podcast Network, a collective of independent podcasters covering video game history. We are a founding show alongside Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64, and we encourage you to check out those shows as well! You can also find select episodes for this podcast and others from our network on our new YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@SoundStone-Network. (This is brand new, and we'll be adding more video versions of our shows in time.) Our opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Join us online: Kirby Conversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Bluesky: @soundstone.network Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker IG: @captaindangerous Gigi Carrd link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While Kirby games are known for their accessibility, they also have a reputation among some for being on the easy side. But even if a particular game isn't hard enough for you, there are always ways you can add your own twists or gameplay ideas to turn up the challenge. So for this episode, Bridget, Sean, and Gigi are sharing their ideas for how you can make Kirby games harder—through timed challenges with your friends, playing with limitations on what powers you can use, and more. And the main event for this episode: taking on Extra Mode in the original Kirby's Dream Land with just one hit and one life. How well can they survive what is almost a Kirby roguelike? And how well could you? Feel free to play along with us as we explore how to take Kirby difficulty to the next level. Do you have your own creative ways that you play Kirby games? Do you have unique challenges you set for yourself, or are there specific ways you play together with friends? We want to hear your ideas at [email protected]. We'd like to do a future episode on our listeners' submissions (and perhaps try them ourselves), so please do reach out if you have any thoughts to share. Kirby Conversations is part of the Sound Stone Podcast Network, a collective of independent podcasters covering video game history. We are a founding show alongside Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64, and we encourage you to check out those shows as well! Our opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Join us online: Kirby Conversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Bluesky: @soundstone.network Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker IG: @captaindangerous Gigi Carrd link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we're looking back at the history of Flagship—a unique studio founded by Final Fight/Street Fighter II creator Yoshiki Okamoto. Flagship received startup funding from Nintendo, Sega, and Capcom, and its game credits include everything from the Resident Evil series to Zelda and Kirby titles. We're also very intrigued by Okamoto's YouTube channel, but translating that will have to wait for another day... Kirby Conversations is part of the Sound Stone Podcast Network, a collective of independent podcasters covering video game history. We are a founding show alongside Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64, and we encourage you to check out those shows as well! Questions or comments about the show? Let us know at [email protected], and we may read your letter on a future episode of the show. Our opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). And thank you to Gooey Fame for being the main editor on this episode. Join us online: Kirby Conversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Bluesky: @soundstone.network Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker IG: @captaindangerous Gigi Carrd link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The summer is upon us (at least in the U.S.), and with it comes a bevy of new game announcements from events like Summer Game Fest and the Steam Next Fest. And in the spirit of summer game festivals, we're also looking back at the late, great E3. For this episode, Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker is sharing more of her favorite memories from E3's she's attended in the past—the exhibits she saw, the people she met, and what it was like to be there for some of Nintendo's biggest reveals of the Switch era. And speaking of summer games, we're also suggesting some upcoming indie titles we think Kirby fans will want to keep an eye on, as well as discussing what we'll be playing this summer. Oh, and Gigi also shares the unique cross-continental way she's getting a Switch 2, which might be one of the best console acquisition stories we've ever heard. What are you playing this summer? Let us know at [email protected], and we may read your letter on a future episode of the show. Kirby Conversations is part of the Sound Stone Podcast Network, a collective of independent podcasters covering video game history. We are a founding show alongside Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64, and we encourage you to check out those shows as well! Our opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). And thank you to Gooey Fame for being the main editor on this episode. Join us online: Kirby Conversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Bluesky: @soundstone.network Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker IG: @captaindangerous Gigi Carrd link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bridget has acquired a Switch 2, so for this episode she's sharing her first impressions and what's she's been playing on it so far. We also go over the significant performance boost she's seeing for older Switch titles, including fixing some noticeable slowdown in Kirby Star Allies. And we close with some reflections on the Switch 2's exciting new GameCube library. What GameCube games would you like to see come to the Switch 2? And what have been your first impressions of the Switch 2 so far? Let us know at [email protected], and we may read your letter on a future episode of the show. Kirby Conversations is part of the Sound Stone Podcast Network, a collective of independent podcasters covering video game history. We are a founding show alongside Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64, and we encourage you to check out those shows as well! Our opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). And thank you to Gooey Fame for being the main editor on this episode. Join us online: Kirby Conversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Bluesky: @soundstone.network Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker IG: @captaindangerous Gigi Carrd link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Smash Bros. was first released in Japan in 1999, players flocked to the game's website, where Masahiro Sakurai posted survey results, game tips, and even answered players' emails. There are reams of emails left from this period that offer a fascinating, funny, and even touching look at nascent Smash Bros. culture. In this episode, Sean, Gigi, and Bridget look over some of these early surveys and conversations Sakurai had with fans. From speculation over a sequel to parents asking for advice on how to defeat their kids, and even a bit of unrelated Goldeneye advice, these classic emails are an amazing archive of gaming history. (And of course, people have tons requests for characters they want to see join Smash Bros., because some things never change.) Thank you to Source Gaming and PushDustin for the translations of these emails. And thank you to Gigi as well for the translation she was able to do on the spot. Questions or comments about the show? You can email us at [email protected] and we may read your letter on a future episode. Kirby Conversations is part of the Sound Stone Podcast Network, a collective of independent podcasters covering video game history. We are a founding show alongside Pixels and Polygons and Flashback 64, and we encourage you to check out those shows as well! Please enter our giveaway with this link to win a $200 video game shopping spree, all four volumes of Darren Hupke's 32-Bit Library, and more! Join us online: Kirby Conversations Bluesky: @kirbyconversations.bsky.social IG: @kirbyconversations Sound Stone Bluesky: @soundstone.network Bridget Bluesky: @kabulaqueen.bsky.social Sean Douglass Bluesky: @seandouglass.bsky.social Ky "Captain Dangerous" Parker IG: @captaindangerous Gigi Carrd link Our opening music is by Megan Kelz (https://diamondthorns.bandcamp.com) and arranged by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.