Tokyo Game Life

Writer and podcaster Drew Mackie is here to chat about the unknown origins of Mario! We explore everything you THINK you know about Mario, why lore is inconsistent between Japan and the west, and if they should bring back Mr. Video. Plus, I tell you if Star Fox is a perfect remake or not!
Follow our guest!
Mario 101: For Super Players: https://www.thrillingtalesofoldvideogames.com/blog/mario-101-history
Gayest Episode Ever Podcast: https://www.gayestepisodeever.com/
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/drewgmackie.bsky.social
Need more podcasts? Check out Nintendo Dads: https://www.nintendodads.org/
(0:00) - Intro
Feature
(0:52) - The Unknown Origins of Mario w/ Drew Mackie
Games
(28:03) - Star Fox
News
(42:26) - Animal Crossing x Baskin Robbins
Social media:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife
Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/
Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Hard Off ambassador Alex Kraus returns as we chat about Hard Off Shinjuku, a new major retro games hotspot in Tokyo! We delve into why Hard Off opened up a shop in one of Tokyo’s biggest shopping districts, if it lives up to expectations, and ponder about the future of the company. In the games, I take a look at the Zelda-inspired Mina the Hollower! Plus, all the stuff you should care about from the Nintendo Direct!
Follow our guest!
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/alexfkraus.bsky.social
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/retrodreamgames/
Need more podcasts? Check out Nintendo Dads: https://www.nintendodads.org/
(0:00) - Intro
Feature
(0:56) - Hard Off Shinjuku w/ Alex Kraus
Games
(23:31) - Mina the Hollower
News
(34:48) - Nintendo Direct June 2026 analysis
Social media:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife
Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/
Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Podcaster JT from Nintendo Maniacs and The House of Mario returns as we look at the Switch 2, one year later. From launch to now, we touch on the weird and wonderful first twelve months of the Switch 2’s life. And I also take you inside a cool retro game shop in Akihabara, Rare Item Studio!
Follow our guest!
The House of Mario: https://thehouseofmario.captivate.fm/listen
(0:00) - Intro
Games
(0:49) - Switch 2, one year later w/ JT from The House of Mario
Feature
(1:33:53) - Rare Item Studio
News
(1:42:55) - Pictonico!, Dragon Quest XII, new Tokyo collabs
Social media:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife
Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/
Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Type designer and YouTuber Kaihatsu returns as we chat about Ainu in video games! We discuss how northern Japan’s indigenous people have been portrayed in games like Ghost of Yotei, Samurai Shodown, Pokemon Legends Arceus, and how their culture may have influenced countless games. Plus I give some final thoughts on Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Monster Hunter Stories 3! And I dig deep into a lot of Nintendo news including the newest Star Fox game and analyze the financial report!
Follow our guest!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Kaihatsu
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kaihat.su
Twitter: https://x.com/KaihatsuYT
(0:00) - Intro
Feature
(0:55) - Ainu in Video Games w/ Kaihatsu
Games
(52:34) - Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream final thoughts
(1:02:30) - Monster Hunter Stories 3 final thoughts
News
(1:09:47) - Star Fox, Nintendo FY26 analysis, Tokyo events
Social media:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife
Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/
Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

Indie developer Chris from KaniPro Games returns to chat about his newest title: Hong Kong 2097, the sequel to one of Japan’s worst doujin games. We get into how he secured rights to the sequel, how to make a follow-up to an infamously bad game, and the rocky road to actually getting it released! In the feature, I highlight all the exciting collabs and the movie going experience of watching The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in Japan!
Follow our guest!
KaniPro Games: https://x.com/KaniProGames
Hong Kong 2097: https://kanipro.itch.io/hong-kong-2097
(0:00) - Intro
Games
(0:55) - Hong Kong 2097 w/ KaniPro Games
Feature
(21:26) - The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in Japan
News
(35:46) - New merch, pop ups, and Splatoon Raiders
Social media:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tokyogamelife.bsky.social
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyogamelife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tokyogamelife
Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/
Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app!
Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com