The first discussion of Mario RPG takes us through the Mushroom Kingdom and first star, the story developments at Tadpole Pond, and the game's history and style.

Image gallery from this episode

Links:

One recount of the falling out between Nintendo and Square, that took place shortly after this game

Mario RPG was a few months before Mario Kart 64, which is when Toadstool began consistently being called Peach in English

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show

For those who didn't hear in Monday's episode--we're excited to announce our next game!

Super Mario RPG is a unique game: a collaboration between Square and Nintendo in the closing days of the Super NES, and a common childhood favorite from the 90's.

It's available on Super NES, as well as on the Virtual Console on Wii and Wii U.  Play along or simply listen and reminisce!

The first episode will be on Aug 28, and will go from the start of the game through the arrival at Rose Town.

The second half of Portal--the "story" level Chapter 19.  Conclusions on the overall character of GlaDOS, the game's writing, and its overall impact.

In two weeks, we will begin our game next game!  Find out at the end of the episode, or check back here or on our twitter shortly.

Links:

Old Man Murray's "Crate Review System"

The interesting can't-unsee take on GlaDOS's character design (via)

One thing we'd forgotten in our discussion on the ending. The ending we saw and commented on (Chell is dragged back into the facility by a Party Escort Associate) was retcon made during the runup to Portal 2.

Original ending

Revised ending

The writers thought that the Portal meme on the internet would be the metal hoop that rolls into the frame in the ending, not The Cake is a Lie.