Still Loading #388: Super Mario Bros. 2 w/ Brian Riggsbee and Rick Desilets

Hey Paisanos! It's the 3rd episode of Mario Month 2026! This week I am joined by Ty Schalter from the FunFactor podcast and Darren Hupke from Pixels and Polygons to chat about Super Mario Bros. 3! The true (?) sequel to Super Mario Bros. Mario 3 lives in rarified air as a contender for best Mario game along with Super Mario World (which will be next week's episode!). This debate will be forever ongoing but something that is not up for debate is just how amazing and influential this game was and still is. Ty, Darren and I had so much fun getting to dissect this game and it's mechanics. We also chat about it's visuals, music and some of it's development history! I don't have a huge personal history with this game in terms of amount of time spent playing it but I do credit this game for being the game that helped me fall in love with video games. The game that made me feel like I was controlling a cartoon on the TV. I don't think I'll ever fully be able to articulate how much this game means to me for that. Check out Ty on social media and support his work! Ty on Bluesky Funfactor Podcast on Bluesky FunFactor Podcast Website Check out Darren on social media and support his work! Darren on Bluesky Pixels and Polygons on Bluesky Pixels and Polygons Website Darren's LinkTree Shout-out Song: Lose-Your-Way Maze Artist: Dj Orange Original Composer: Koji Kondo Album: N/A https://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01063 End Song: Overworld (From Super Mario Bros. 3) Artist: Qumu Original Composer: Koji Kondo Album: N/A https://smarturl.it/QumuYear4 Get Still Loading Podcast merch! https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod

For episode 2 of Mario Month 2026 we are talking Doki Doki Pan.... Super Mario Bros. 2. We are talking about Super Mario Bros. 2. Super Mario Bros. 2 is an interesting entry in the Mario series since, as it has been known for a while it was not originally a Mario game. Joining me to discuss all the ins and outs of the game are two first time guests to the show! Brian Riggsbee of Retro Game Books and Rick Desilets of The D-Pad YouTube channel! We chat about how this game stands out compared to other Mario games, what still works about it, why the lives system is absolute garbage and more. Where does the US version of Mario 2 rank for you? Thrilling Tales of Old Video Games article on Birdo https://www.thrillingtalesofoldvideogames.com/blog/birdo-birdetta-name-controversy Follow Brian/Retro Game Books at the links below! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/retrogamebooks.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrogamebooks/ Website: https://retrogamebooks.com/ Follow Rick at the links below! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ricdesi.dpad.fm YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_dpad Shout-out Song: Shiitake Kingdom Artist: Fxsnowy Original Composer: Koji Kondo Album: N/A https://ocremix.org/remix/OCR03213 End Song: G*psy Jazz Artist: Adrian Holovaty Original Composer: Koji Kondo Album: N/A https://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01466 Get Still Loading Podcast merch! https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod

The theme for Mario Month this year is back to the classics and I figured what better way to celebrate the Super Mario series than to start out with the OG, The Super Mario Bros. Joining me on this episode are returning guests Ashton Ruby from the Podcurious and Retro Hangover podcasts as well as Try from the YouTube channel My Life in Gaming. The 3 of us stroll down memory lane and chat about the game that kicked of the Super Mario series in earnest and just how much this game means to us all these years later. We chat about it's enduring legacy and how it is still fun to play today despite some flaws here an there. What else more could be said about Mario? Well we try our damndest to say it. Follow My Life in Gaming on Bluesky! https://bsky.app/profile/mylifeingaming.bsky.social Check out My Life in Gaming on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@mylifeingaming Follow Podcurious on Bluesky! https://bsky.app/profile/podcurious.bsky.social Check out Sibling Mode on Twitch! https://www.twitch.tv/siblingmode Check out Retro Hangover! https://linktr.ee/retrohangover Shout-out Song: Mushroom Bounce (Super Mario Bros.) Artist: bLiNd Original Composer: Koji Kondo Album: NESteryears https://gamechops.com/nesteryears/ End Song: Me and Mario Down by the Schoolyard Artist: FFmusicDj, Geoffrey Taucer Original Composer: Koji Kondo Album: N/A https://ocremix.org/remix/OCR03100 Get Still Loading Podcast merch! https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod

Free dance lessons from Shabba Doo!? Dexter Morrill returns for this month's mini episode to break down episode 11 of the Super Mario Bros. Super Show. This episode features discussions on the geography of the mushroom kingdom, the logisitics of flying with one wing flapping, plunger machetes and much more! Follow Dexter on social media! Instagram BlueSky Shout-out Song: Game Over Artist: Helynt Original Composer: Koji Kondo Album: Mario & Chill https://gamechops.com/mario-and-chill/ End Song: Dire Dire Docks Artist: Dj-Jo Original Composer: Koji Kondo Album: Smooth McGroove Remixed 2 https://gamechops.com/smooth-mcgroove-remixed-2/ Get Still Loading Podcast merch! https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod

The finale of The Road to First Light series is here. I am beyond excited for the upcoming James Bond game from IO Interactive and to close out this series I thought it would be appropriate to discuss at least one game that IO developed, the game that got me into the Hitman series, Hitman 2016. I am joined by Seth from the Classic Gaming Brothers podcast to talk about why this game is so damn good. What makes it unique compared to most other 3rd person action games out there and how it feels like IO is the perfect fit for the Bond license. So grab some coins and some bad acting lessons and join us for this wonderful discussion on Hitman. Follow Classic Gaming Brothers on Bluesky! https://bsky.app/profile/cgbrotherspod.bsky.social Check out the Classic Gaming Brothers website! https://www.classicgamingbrothers.com Shout-out Song: Showstopper Composer: Niels Bye Nielsen Album: Hitman 2016 Soundtrack https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqOy0_VIFk End Song: Skyfall ft. Veektoriya (LoFi Version) Artist: Rich Douglas Original Composer: Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth Album: The Spy Who Chilled Me (A James Bond 007 Lofi Project) https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-spy-who-chilled-me-a-james-bond-007-lofi-project/1808713529 Get Still Loading Podcast merch! https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod

We have arrived at the last Bond game being covered in this Road to First Light series. This week on the show we are talking James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing and joining me are two friends who are giving me everything and taking nothing, Bill Barber and Thrak from the 3DO Experience podcast among many others. This one had some spicier takes than normal on the show. I know this game is beloved by a lot of fans but this one did not do it for me. Thrak and Bill were kind enough to help balance out my views on it though. We talk about what this game does well and what it doesn't, we talk about how much of a Bond game is it really and of course we talk about the wild story that seems to be a staple of the Bond games thus far. Is this game everything or nothing for you!? Check out the behind the scenes article I found on Everything or Nothing! https://www.commander007.net/2020/everything-or-nothing-inside-look-on-the-development-of-the-game/ Check out all of Bill's shows HERE! Follow Bill on Bluesky HERE! Check out Thrak's solo show, Call of Duty Thrak Ops HERE! Follow Thrak on Bluesky HERE! Shout-out Song: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (LoFi Version) Artist: Rich Douglas Original Composer: John Barry Album: The Spy Who Chilled Me (A James Bond 007 Lofi Project) https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-spy-who-chilled-me-a-james-bond-007-lofi-project/1808713529 End Song: Everything or Nothing Artist: Mya Original Composer: N/A Album: Everything or Nothing Soundtrack https://youtu.be/__Yv3rYspRo?si=9UkOy8pDoEsC31_v Get Still Loading Podcast merch! https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod

Be careful 007 otherwise you may get caught up in the... NIGHTFIRE! Ok bad parody of a 90s board game commerical jingle aside, this week we are talking about James Bond 007: Nightfire! I'm joined by friends of the show Mike Laine from the Switch 2 the Past Podcast and Chris (aka The British Bond Addict) to talk about, what is in my opinion, the BEST James Bond game (at least so far). We discuss what new things Nightfire brought to Bond games, how it elavated what it's predecesors did but also where it goes wrong (Im looking at you submarine level). Does Nightfire still hold up today? Is nostalgia blinding me? Find out in this episode! Follow Chis on Instagram HERE Check out everything involving Switch 2 the Past Podcast HERE Shout-out Song: Gumbold's Safe - from On Her Majesty's Secret Service (LoFi Version) Artist: Rich Douglas Original Composer: John Barry Album: The Spy Who Chilled Me (A James Bond 007 Lofi Project) https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-spy-who-chilled-me-a-james-bond-007-lofi-project/1808713529 End Song: Nearly Civilized Artist: Esthero Original Composer: N/A Album: Nightfire Soundtrack https://youtu.be/jRRMl1DlPLQ?si=f2Dt1j2JvN1-r961 Get Still Loading Podcast merch! https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod

The road to First Light has begun! This week kicks off a new series on Still Loading to celebrate the upcoming James Bond game from IO Interactive called 007 First Light. To kick off the series I am joined by Chris from Consoles and Stuff along with Luigi's Apartment to talk about the first Bond game on the PS2/GameCube/Xbox, James Bond 007: Agent Under Fire. We talk about clones, bodies disappearing mid explosion, bad henchmen and uncomfortable amounts of horniness in the game. But it is James Bond so what do you expect. How does this game stack up against other Bond games? Give it a listen! Follow Luigi on Twitch! https://www.twitch.tv/luigis_apartment Check out A Novel Console on Bluesky! https://bsky.app/profile/anovelconsole.bsky.social Check Out Consoles and Stuff on Bluesky! https://bsky.app/profile/consolesandstuff.bsky.social Check out Consoles and Stuff's website! https://consolesandstuff.com/ Shout-out Song: James Bond Theme (lofi version) Artist: Rich Douglas Original Composer: John Barry & Monty Norman Album: The Spy Who Chilled Me (A James Bond 007 Lofi Project) https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-spy-who-chilled-me-a-james-bond-007-lofi-project/1808713529 End Song: James Bond Theme (Don Veca Remix) Artist: Don Veca Original Composer: John Barry & Monty Norman Album: Agent Under Fire Soundtrack https://youtu.be/AnF0FuhTtuQ?si=saah5Vxdscu30eSA Get Still Loading Podcast merch! https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod

When I tell you this episode is filled with Doof I mean it. This week on the show Dexter Morrill and I break down episode 10 of the Legend of Zelda cartoon called Hitch in the Works. Dex and I discuss the teeth of a new character called Doof, links sudden penchant for fishing, Zelda being forced into marrying Gannon with the grim reaper officiating!? Will Dex and I plan the ultimate vow renewal for our respective marriages!? What kind of an episode is this? Follow Dexter on social media! Instagram BlueSky Shout-out Song: Temple Trance Artist: bLiNd Original Composer: Koji Kondo Album: N/A https://ocremix.org/remix/OCR00632 End Song: Time of Courage Artist: Aero Z Original Composer: Koji Kondo Album: N/A https://ocremix.org/remix/OCR03793 Get Still Loading Podcast merch! https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod

The Vita is an interesting system. It feels like it's a system that for those who love it REALLY love it and everyone is neutral at best. What has always interested me about the Vita were all of it's gimmicks and addons. The touch back touch screen, front facing camera, front facing touch screen, back facing camera, gyro controls and so many more. But what interests me the most about it are the games for the system that somehow marry all those gimmicks together in a cohesive package. Gravity Rush is one of those games. Helping me shift gravity on this episode are first time guests Alex from the Low Five Gaming podcast and community member Soccr. We chat about what makes Gravity Rush so special, how it translated it's handheld controls with all of the gimmicks to the home console that doesn't have all that, just how damn cool the world of Gravity Rush is and so much more. Have you ever wanted to change the laws of gravity? Listen to this episode to see how Gravity Rush does just that. Follow Soccr on Bluesky HERE Check out Low Five Gaming on their website HERE Also checkout Low Five Gaming on Blyesky HERE Shout-out Song: Old Town Composer: Kohei Tanaka Album: Gravity Rush OST https://youtu.be/3zEeJ2X0uFg?si=D5ut3pL1zdaiNqSa End Song: Pleasure Quarter Composer: Kohei Tanaka Album: Gravity Rush OST https://youtu.be/BxIC6Vu1ee0?si=X06Wi1EYwxWut5z8 Get Still Loading Podcast merch! https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod