Let’s a-go into a new year! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill send off a momentous year with their final podcast recorded in 2022, and ring in a new year with an episode full of hot takes and spicy Nintendo predictions for 2023. Before all that, though, what better way to welcome the new year than with triumphant fanfare? The gang responds to a listener question by discussing their favorite fanfare themes in video games, and from Final Fantasy to Mario to Kirby to Metal Gear, they certainly have plenty to pick from!

Then, to the Main Event: predicting Nintendo’s 2023. We have a whole new year ahead of us, full of possibilities for surprises from the Big N. The gang takes turns making bold predictions about what Nintendo fans can look forward to: could this be the year we see Wind Waker HD on Switch, Advance Wars 1+2 Re-boot Camp make its long-delayed debut, or a new 3D Mario game to align with the upcoming movie? Will we ever see Metroid Prime 4, or the elusive next-gen Switch? The gang offer their takes on all these questions and more!

Last but absolutely not least, Cameron closes out the show with an RPG extravaganza centered on the excellent new indie adventure Chained Echoes. Taking after the best SNES JRPGs of the roleplaying Golden Age, Chained Echoes is a gripping take on the classic genre formula with plenty of modern conveniences thrown in to boot. Turn-based battles, an engaging plot, and plenty of controllable super mechs, Chained Echoes has a little bit of everything you could want–and this discussion leads into a broader conversation on other great RPGs on Switch (Final Fantasy VII, anyone?).

All this and more in this week’s episode of NXpress. Happy 2023, everybody!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at [email protected]!

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Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:39 – Talking Point: Stocking Stuffers and Nintendo Switch Gifts“New Year’s Countdown – 1 Hour” – Animal Crossing: Wild World18:30 – Main Event: Ranking The Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2022“New Year’s Countdown – 15 Minutes” – Animal Crossing: New LeafIndie Spotlight: Chained Echoes“Happy New Year!” – Animal Crossing: New Horizons