Nintendo has officially been voted gamers' favorite video game developer by Famitsu readers, and we couldn't agree more! We look at Nintendo's response, discuss why they continue to earn the reputation they do, and take a look at some of the other fun categories, including readers' favorite characters and the games fans would most want to experience again if they could erase their memories.

We also revisit the ongoing shakeup at Xbox as more details emerge. This week brings confirmation of widespread layoffs, studios being sold off or going independent, and new information about what's happening at both id Software and Obsidian Entertainment as Microsoft's gaming division undergoes some major changes.

Plus, this week's quick headlines include: Switch 2 hardware with removable batteries coming to Europe, another 40th Anniversary Mario pin set, reports that Final Fantasy VII Revelations could receive nine DLC packs, a Yoshi and the Mysterious Book eShop demo, a retail demo for Splatoon Raiders, a Pokémon × J. League football collaboration, the upcoming end of service for Mario Kart Tour, Wario Land and other Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles joining Nintendo Switch Online, and even more Mario Kart World tracks arriving on Nintendo Music.

Time Codes:

00:00:00 Opening

00:03:21 Famitsu Votes Nintendo "Favorite Developer"

00:21:05 Xbox Confirms Layoffs, Studio Sales/Independence, Changes at id and Obsidian

00:35:58 Switch 2 Revisions, Mario Pins, Pokemon x J. League, Mario Kart Tour, and More

00:56:25 Out This Week

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One year ago, we launched Podcasting With Power with one simple goal: create the kind of Nintendo podcast we wanted to watch ourselves. Fifty-two weeks later, we've covered Nintendo Directs, Switch 2 games and hardware, industry shakeups ,and more while also publishing game reviews, predictions, and countless debates. We've learned a lot along the way, and it's changed the way we look at our favorite hobby.

In this special anniversary episode, we're looking back at our first year of podcasting. We revisit our favorite episodes, the games we loved reviewing, and our ten biggest episodes to explore why we think they connected with so many viewers. We also talk about what we've learned behind the scenes, how podcasting has made us more informed gamers, and where we want to take Podcasting With Power next—including more gameplay videos, livestreams, and community-focused content.

Whether you've been with us since Episode 1 or just discovered the channel, thank you for helping make our first year such a memorable one. Here's to Year Two!

Time Codes:

00:00:00 Podcasting With Power Turns 1!

00:07:41 How The Show Has Changed The Way We Play Games

00:12:40 Our Favorite Topics/Episodes of PWP

00:38:04 Mid-Year Predictions Check-In

00:48:17 Our Favorite Games to Review

00:51:32 Why Are These Our Top 10 Videos?

01:24:21 Future Gameplay Content

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Physical games media has been on the decline for some time, but PlayStation announcing the end of production is a major blow for collectors. With Xbox reportedly following suit, we examine what this means for digital ownership, what will happen to video game retail spaces, and how we think Nintendo will proceed when it comes to keeping physical games alive or not.

We also look into a possible leak of a new Metroid title (Metroid Ravenous) and a rumor suggesting it might not be the only Metroid game in the pipeline. Finally, we round up the early reviews for Rhythm Heaven Groove to see whether Nintendo's latest rhythm game lives up to the series' reputation.

Quick Headlines: Switch 2 becomes the second-fastest selling console in U.S. history, First 4 Figures unveils a new Elephant Mario statue, Mario Kart World adds two new Knockout Tours, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie streams on Peacock this month, Kirby Air Riders gets another amiibo, Nintendo's president hints that Nintendo DS games could eventually come to Nintendo Switch Online, and Nintendo Music keeps growing with another wave of additions.

Time Codes:

00:00:00 Opening

00:09:37 PlayStation (and Possibly Xbox) to Stop Producing Physical Game Discs

00:19:11 Metroid Ravenous Title Leak & Rumors of a Second Unannounced Game

00:23:35 Rhythm Heaven Groove Review Roundup

00:25:32 Quick Headlines: Switch 2 Sales, Elephant Mario Statue, DS on NSO, and more

00:32:28 Out This Week

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Gaming has always been an expensive hobby, but it feels like a bubble is about to burst. The Steam Machine pricing is giving us some serious sticker shock, Nintendo is charging a premium for physical games, and Grand Theft Auto VI's $80 price tag has us wondering if that will soon be the norm across the industry.

In this week's Deep Dive, we look at the recent price increases of the Switch 2, the (9-year old) original Switch, and the (7-year old) PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles. Didn't prices use to drop over time? Just how sustainable is all of this for these companies, and can gamers keep up?

Time Codes:

00:00:00 Opening

00:02:33 Buying Consoles and Hardware in 2026

00:22:10 Steam Machine Pricing

00:32:44 Adjusting Classic Nintendo Console Prices for Inflation

00:40:16 Game Prices and GTA 6's $80 Price Tag

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In this week's Nintendo News Recap, an unlikely source has Nintendo fans rethinking the Game-Key Card controversy: Grand Theft Auto VI.

Now that the physical release of GTA 6 is confirmed to be a code in a box, gamers are starting to realize that a physical cartridge you can lend or resell, even without any actual game data, might not be so bad after all. Does the argument hold any water, or are they still as vile as some would have you believe?

We also look at Nintendo's new R&D center in Kyoto and why we think that's a good sign for the company's future. And now that Star Fox is out in the wild, we roundup some critic reviews and discuss the vibes surrounding a game we've been eager to try for ourselves!

Quick Headlines: Unreal Engine Lighting Update for Switch 2, new Nintendo-inspired hardware from 8BitDo, Rhythm Heaven Groove's eShop demo, daily Splatoon Raiders comics on Nintendo Today!, Star Fox plushies are coming to the US, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment on Nintendo Music, and a Star Fox event in Tetris 99

Time Codes:

00:00:00 Opening

00:18:17 Discless GTA 6 Makes Game-Key Cards Look Better

00:26:48 Nintendo's New R&D Building in Kyoto

00:28:45 Star Fox Review Roundup

00:31:59 Quick Headlines: Unreal Engine, 8BitDo, Star Fox Plushies

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What elements make Nintendo games so special? Instead of trying to rank Nintendo's greatest games overall, we're taking a different approach. We picked 15 different gameplay categories and crowned the single Nintendo game we think does each one better than every other game the company has ever made.

From stealth and storytelling to collectibles, progression, music, puzzles, world design, and much more, every category sparked plenty of debate. Some of our picks are obvious classics, and others might surprise you! Whether you're a lifelong Nintendo fan or just looking for a fresh perspective on some of the company's greatest games, this episode is packed with fun arguments and plenty of opportunities to disagree.

Be sure to let us know in the comments which Nintendo games you think deserve the crown in each category!

Time Codes:

00:00:00 Opening

00:03:24 Exploration

00:10:53 Platforming

00:17:55 Movement

00:22:28 Stealth

00:25:47 Combat

00:30:06 Boss Battles

00:35:40 Puzzle Design

00:41:53 Progression

00:45:13 Collectibles

00:50:18 Level Design

00:56:30 Atmosphere

01:01:18 Storytelling

01:04:16 Music

01:09:52 Multiplayer

01:12:37 Replayability

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Xbox is (once again) struggling, withe reports of layoffs and studio closures coming in the near future. In this Nintendo News Recap, we discuss how we think they got there, what that says about the industry as a whole, and why Nintendo always seems to avoid these kinds of situations.

We also look at data suggesting that Nintendo's June Direct was the most-watched summer showcase, even beating out SGF Opening Night! We discuss a long-awaited (and perhaps too late) update to the original Switch's eShop, and we round up reviews for The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales.

Quick Headlines: Switch Online Bonus Offer, Europe Gets a Pokopia Switch 2 Bundle, Nintendo is Fighting Scalpers in Japan, Standalone Xenoblade 2 Torna Expansion Gets a Free Update, Star Fox's New Graphics Brought 64's Art Director to Tears, and Dispatch Removes (Some) Censorship

Time Codes:

00:00:00 Opening

00:05:22 What is Happening at Xbox?

00:24:21 Nintendo Direct Most Watched Summer Showcase of 2026

00:27:21 Switch 1 eShop Gets MUCH Faster

00:29:36 Adventures of Elliot Review Roundup

00:35:17 Quick Headlines: Switch Online Offer, Torna Gets Free Update, Dispatch Removes Censorship

00:43:14 Out This Week

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The rumored remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has finally been confirmed, so this week we're asking a simple question: if Nintendo fis remaking one of the most beloved games of all time, what should actually change?

We debate whether an Ocarina of Time remake should surprise longtime fans with new content, redesigned areas, and unexpected twists, or if staying faithful to the original is the safer path. Is there room to expand Hyrule and rework dungeon items? Should the game become less linear? And how much change is too much when you're remaking a gaming masterpiece? From graphics and art direction to dungeon design, exploration, combat, music, puzzles, story presentation, and progression systems, we break down the elements that deserve modernization and the ones Nintendo should leave completely untouched.

Time Stamps:

00:00:00 Opening

00:02:56 Graphics and Art Style

00:16:58 Music

00:19:11 Linearity, Dungeons, and Items

00:23:54 Exploration and World Building

00:28:18 Story and Lore

00:32:24 Moment-to-Moment: Combat/Puzzles

00:37:56 Should This Remake Surprise Us?

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