Find out why this retro console is back !

Sony’s relationship with physical media is getting rockier, Xbox is experimenting with ad-supported cloud streaming, and the whole industry feels like it’s testing how much friction players will tolerate before they push back. I’m flying solo for Episode 329, so we move fast and cover a wider mix of stories, including a couple of retro detours that hit the nostalgia sweet spot without ignoring the messy realities of modern gaming.

I also kick things off with what I’ve been playing, finishing Xenoblade Chronicles on the Switch 2 version and sharing why it’s such an easy recommendation for JRPG fans and open-world adventure lovers alike. I’m a few hours into Futures Connected, and I talk about why this DLC is the rare one that actually keeps me invested. Then I pivot to our community Gen 7 playthrough pick, Heavenly Sword, plus a very real PS Vita problem while trying to play Jak 3 when the rear touchpad keeps triggering first-person mode.

On the news side, we dig into reports of Sony tightening social media rules for staff while staying silent on the disc backlash, and we unpack what that silence does to trust. We also break down Xbox’s test that puts ads before cloud streaming sessions and why “it won’t interrupt gameplay” might not calm anyone down. To round it out, we highlight Monolith Soft quietly helping Nintendo ship big titles, check in on Hyperkin’s Superboy SNES handheld revival, and react to Hasbro’s first wave of Legend of Zelda action figures and the collector chaos that can follow.

If you enjoy smart gaming talk that spans PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, retro hardware, and collector culture, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review. What do you think about ads in gaming and the shift away from discs?

Transcript

Welcome And Solo Show Plan

SPEAKER_00 0:21

Hello, and welcome to the Unofficial Controller Podcast, your weekly gaming podcast. This is episode 329, and it's me, RGT, and it is just me, RGT. It's a solo this week. Sorry, guys, we've got people on holiday, people at work, so it's been a bit tight. So I said, that's alright, I'll do a solo. Don't panic. But what I've done is so it's just not quite so short. I've added a couple more news stories in for you, um, and a bit of retro as well this week. So um just for the YouTube gods, so they know uh for the algorithm. Um, we're starting off with uh a news story from Sony about um keeping the staff quiet about this disc debacle that's going on at the moment. We've got Xbox, could be adding ads to games. Not sure about that, just stay tuned and listen. We've got um hey Monolith Soft has been helping out Nintendo with certain games and um how they keep bailing them out when they need it needed that little bit more help. Um, retro news, we've got hyperkin is re-releasing one of us old systems, and and we finish up with Hasbro has made a new announcement about some gaming figures. Um, so I hope that all interests you bit of you know, bit of difference in the news. Hope there's things you like there, things you want to listen

Finishing Xenoblade Chronicles On Switch 2

SPEAKER_00 1:37

to. Um, but we better start off with um what have I been playing? Well, as you know, if you're a regular listener, Senior Blade Chronicles, um, the first one been playing on the Switch 2 version of it. That is done, got it finished. Um, last week I was a bit oof not quite there. I was getting a bit struggled, had to do a little bit of grinding to get up to the beat the final boss, but got there in the end. Um, I think 65 hours, something like that, I'd put into it. Um, my views on the game. Um, fantastic. Yeah, absolutely fantastic. Brilliant game. Um, would definitely recommend to JRPG fans, even if you're not a JRPG fan, but you like that sort of open world adventure, big dramatic story. Um, it has a bit of everything, really. Um, and I've said this before on the show, so I won't dwell on it too much, but great acted. Um, I love the the boost it gets on the switch to the switch two version. Um, it is it does have a little bit of not popping so much, but it's got that almost breath of the wild on the Wii U switch where when you walk along, you can see the grass cropping up in front of you. I didn't it's there, and you sort of notice that sometimes other than that, I was just too busy playing the game. Um, but yes, well acted, lovely graphics. I really do like those almost cell-shaded anime style of characters now, really good. Um, I liked the storyline, um, had me hooked all the time. I wanted to know more, wanted to know where the story was going um with the buy on us and a mech on us, really unique, great game. Um, although I haven't played loads of JRPGs, is up there for me. It's it's up there with one of the best, I think. Um, I want to get the Switch 2 version of Xenobay Chronicles 2, but that isn't out yet, I believe. So I'm gonna hang on, which will give me a little time to have a bit of a you know paddock cleanser um before going into it. But what I have done, um, as part of the Definitive Edition, you get Futures Connected um DLC. And I'm two or three hours into that, so this is set a year after um the ending of Xenoplay Chronicles. Um, I won't say too much, so no spoilers, but you basically um couple of your characters, you you you crash a ship and you're in a different part of the bonus that you didn't visit in the game, so very well done. And you come in at level 60, and I think that's only a 12 to 15 hour experience, but you go off on another adventure there, so bit started playing that again, really good. Um, unusual for me to jump in a DLC. I'm one of them that doesn't really play many DLCs when I played a game. I've played a game and I sort of move on. But for some reason, this game had his hooks in me, and I just want you know, I just want to carry on, I just want to play more. And with that DLC being on there, us on your start screen, futures connected. I thought just gonna give it a go. Um, so really been enjoying that. Um, what else have I been playing? I have been

Heavenly Sword Begins The Gen 7 Run

SPEAKER_00 4:45

playing. We had a new vote. I can't remember if we said on the show, I might have said it on the flashback show. Sorry, they're all molded into one as I'm recording so many. Um, but um, we had a vote for our Gen 7 playthrough. If you don't know what that is, we um there's a you know that's up for anyone on our Discord to join in. That's called RGT Back the Past and 360 games and uh PS3 games. Um, and that's me and one of our loyal supporters, Fats and Geef. We uh came up with a list about a year ago, or maybe a bit over, and we put four of those up for vote whenever we finish the last game, and you gamers vote, and we play through together, um, which I must say is is a blessing. I love it. I love there's games, you know, that I keep wanting to play, but I never, you know, you think oh, there's always something else, there's always something else. When you vote and you play through together, makes such a difference. Um, and talking about it, and there is people because this this heavenly sword has um sort of six axis controls, and people saying, Oh, I ain't got a six axis control, and we were helping each other to turn that off so you can use your, you know, I use a retro fighter, so you don't have that built in. Um, but yeah, it it's it's just great to play through together. If you're interested in that, jump on our Discord. It's a great little community on there to play through. But anyway, Heavenly Sword. Um an early PS3 game, I believe, very early. Um, almost that sort of god of early god of war bayonet a sort of style combat. Um, and I did realise as well, it was from uh me and Mrs. RGT, one of our favourite actresses, which is Anna Korve, who's the voice uh for the main character who was in fringe. Um, and also it was um Tess in The Last of Us. So that surprised me when I was researching the game before playing it. Um, but yes, Heavenly Sword. Uh graphically, I think it looks great for the time, even an early game, still looks good. Um I'm enjoying it. Um it's hard for me to comment on frame rates and bits and pieces because I do have one of them AI TVs at upscale stuff. So on my end of things, it's playing very smooth. Haven't really noticed any frame drops, but I know a few others have, so it might be that you know, it's probably 30, I would imagine, 30 FPS. Um, but yeah, it's an interesting story. I don't think it's too long. I think this is six to ten hours this game. Um, I think I'm a couple of hours in, I think, if that, maybe an hour and a half. But what I've played, I've enjoyed. I'm hoping to um tick it off the list of Gen 7 games that um I've missed over the years. And uh what I do is have I have these little I know this is quite sad, but I have these little tiny little red dot stickers, the ones that you know come off really easily. And as I've been going through my Gen 7 games, I've been popping them on so I know which ones I've completed. I know it's quite sad. That's almost like doing a spreadsheet, which I've done as well. Um, but yes, um, really enjoying it. Um looking forward to playing more. Sometimes that's nice I've coming off a big RPG of 60, 70, 80 hours to jump into a game that's compact and short, good story, bitter action, you know, straight in and done. So yeah, got a weekend as of recording this got a weekend off coming up, so um gonna have a go on there and see how much I can get done. Um, and finally, oh I've apart from a few hidden gems, I've been trying to get written up and bits and pieces, which I won't mention because obviously that was spoiler surprise.

Jak 3 On Vita Touchpad Trouble

SPEAKER_00 8:14

But um I on my Vita, I've got a modded Vita with a few bits and pieces on. Um, I wanted to play um Jack 3. Um, and I know they we had the um Jack 3 trilogy put on the Vita. I thought great place to play it sitting on the couch. Um but as I was playing, I kept I kept zooming into first person mode, and I was thinking, oh no, it's me it's my buttons, you know. I've got a problem with a button, or is a membrane gone, or is an analog stick drifting or something. Why is it keep clipping in? End up having to do a bit of googling after a while. I mean, the game itself uh looks very good, it looks great on on um on Vita, great way to play it on there with that small screen, graphics pot, lovely colours on that little OLED. Um and then I had to Google it in the end, so I didn't realise what it was, and I didn't realise it's because of the touchpad on the back. So if you touch your fingers on the touchpad, it brings you into first person mode, um, which is a problem for me, as George says, I have gammon gauntlets, I have big hands, so I was trying to play for the video you know viewers, but for the listeners, obviously you won't see this, but just with my fingers on the edge, so I didn't I played about 10 minutes and my hands cramped up. That was a big problem, so I don't know if I can turn that off or not, I'm not sure. But yeah, I might have to get my grip out for the um uh Vita, so I'll maybe keep my hands away. But other than that, it's a great game. But like that, I it's a bit unplayable for me. So I'm hoping there's ways around it. Um, but like I say, them trilogy are great, I think they're getting expensive now, but uh, Vita's perfect for them sort of resed up PS2 games. I mean, it's a great place to play it, it's on the go, you've got it on the couch, and you're you're having a sort of a big PS2 adventure with them. And and I've never really delved too far into Jack Free, so it was you know great idea to play it on there, but um yeah, that's pretty much um what I've been playing.

Sony Staff Told To Stay Quiet

SPEAKER_00 10:16

Um I think it's probably time we um delved into the news news. We've uh trolled the very darkest regions of the internet to bring you the latest news. First up Sammy Barker, push square. This is Sony imposes strictest ever social media guidelines on staff due to PS5 debacle. Yeah, I did worry about this um cropping up, and I did think when I first heard this headline that this has not been good news for Sony, and I think this just sort of emphasizes it, unfortunately. Um the quote just says they knew everyone would be peed off. Um, according to ex-Santa Monica studio employee Alana Purece, Sony has imposed the strictest social media guidelines ever on its employees due to PS5's disdebarkle. Earlier this month, the manufacturer announced plans to cease manufacturing physical media in January 2028. This has created one of the biggest and longest running backlashes I've ever seen in almost two decades covering PlayStation. But the manufacturer is yet to say a word about any of it. That's because, according to the former God of War Loafery writer, it predicted the backlash and has told its staff to keep their mouths shut. While Pierce explains the platform holder regularly enforces these kind of policies around new game announcements, she also stresses that these are some of the most forceful guidelines the company has ever implemented. She said, Sony already knew everyone would be peed off. They knew this. People working within PlayStation, first party studios told me Sony had the strict strictest social media guidelines for his for this particular thing they have ever seen issued. Sony does somewhat regularly tell employees that they can or can't say about certain things. I was under a lot of guidelines when I was working on God of War Laophy. I still am. And they did send me guidelines regarding what I could say on the day the game was announced. But in this instance, it's apparent uh it's apparently the strictest the employees I spoke to have ever seen regarding public communications. They would only have done this if they knew it was going to be an enormous PR issue. This is no surprise to them. Uh like Brace points out, this does suggest it anticipated a robust robust backlash, although I wonder whether it expected things to go on this long. All of the platform holders' social media accounts continue to get peppered with community notes and comments day after day, and there's no real sign of this dying down. To be honest, I'm not particularly surprised to see Sony clamped down on its staff because one errant comment from any of its employees can end up escalating the whole thing. However, it's frustrating to learn the company intends to deal with all this by staying silent. I've long argued it needs to communicate with us better. The ex-IGN reporter goes on to explain why she believes it's unlikely Sony will back down, pointing out that its disk manufacturing facility in Austria is already being repurposed for MicroLens facility, which is come which is a component considered critical for AI data centres. It's a good video that gets into the nitty-gritty of the issue without misrepresenting facts or leaning into misinformation. So I recommend watching it if you're eager to learn more. I do hope someone from Sony will eventually come out and speak to us like we're humans, though. Even if it's telling us telling the rest of its staff to stay quiet. Um I yep, I totally agree with Sammy Barker there. I mean it's this hasn't got any better. I mean, I've watched quite a few videos online, and you see the comments on releases of trailers or games, and it's just all the same. You know, you're not for the players, there's uh AI pictures, and it's just they're just hammering them and hammering and hammering, and I the problem is the stale mate the longer it goes on, the worse it's getting. For some reason, are not commenting on the issue, but um, they don't seem to want a comment on the issue. Um which me as a not as a podcaster or presenter or anything or someone that was a you know a strong Sony player for a lot of years, a lot of years, PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4. I love games on any systems, but you know, my main system is PlayStation. For me as a gamer, um it's I I think it's quite hurtful that there's you know, and I've said this on the show two or three times, and I know, and I'm rinse-repeat, and and I know it's probably boring, but just to announce this massive news in a three-line statement and never approached it again, I think is diabolical. I think it's very poor. We knew digital was coming, we knew it was gonna happen, we'd be upset when it came. Give us a big press release, give us an article saying, you know, after our history with discs from the PlayStation 1 right through to the PlayStation 5, mention some of the big hitters, the games, mention some of your highlights as a company before going to all digital, not just as owe us nothing, because it's just disrespectful to gamers, it's disrespectful to the people who have paid a lot of money for a lot of disc games. I'm not saying we shouldn't go all digital, not at all. That's not what I'm saying. I just think this needed to be approached way better than what it has. Um, I think it's quite despicable from a company that I always liked. Um, and like I said before, their mantle of for the players is wearing very thin. Um, and I just think it's a shame. Um that and the same again with what Sammy has said here. I can understand why they've clamped down on staff because yes, it could escalate it more, but they're escalating it more from not approaching the issue and just trying to say to us, it's happening, deal with it. Um I think people will be you know letting their voices known with their wallets, and um with whether that will change their minds or not, I don't know. The whole gaming sphere at the moment is in a very, very funny area, it's in a precarious position where the gaming crash is kicking right in, and most of these companies just seem to double down. So they're not they're not approaching and trying to make it better for the gamers. They almost seem to be doing you know the complete opposite, and not to say doubling down, and it's a shame. Um it's it's interesting to see where we're going with this, um but I wouldn't say it's enjoyable. So again, I know as this story keeps cropping up, and you're probably sick of hearing it, so I do apologise, but it's hot news, and I thought I would uh I would chuck it in here, but yeah, let's let's just keep an eye on this as the weeks go on and to see what Sony does. If anything, just just mention it, Sony, explain yourselves a bit, and then maybe you wouldn't quite get as much of a backlash, but uh with late, I doubt it. Um our next bit of news again for me, not the greatest bit of news, but that's up to you.

Xbox Tests Cloud Streaming With Ads

SPEAKER_00 18:30

You might not find this bad at all, but we'll see. But this is this over at Pure Xbox, obviously Fraser Gilbert again. Um Xbox introduces free game streaming with ads, outlines five principles they are here to they adhere to rolling out as a test for Xbox insiders. Yes, you heard it right. Um, I had different news lined up for this, but this dropped literally as I was recording, and I thought I'm gonna have to put it in. Um, we've literally had sort of the the early gameplay of Halo, which looks phenomenal. I love Halo, what a game! Looks really good, this this version. But I thought I just had to add this in because again, you notice for these companies, they'll have a good bit of news and they try and drop something else in underneath. And I think this might take over the talking point of Halo a bit, but anyway, it goes on to say that there have been rumors for a while now that Xbox might be planning to introduce a form of ad supporting tier for Xbox Cloud Gaming. They have now announced they have introduced the idea as a test with Xbox insiders. Basically, the way it works is if that sorry, basically, the way it works is that you'll get one hour slot to stream selected games from your library through the cloud without requiring any form of Xbox Games Game Pass membership. Ads will play before sessions begin, and then you'll seemingly be left alone for the duration of your slot. It appears you can stream free-to-play games as well. Xbox says this can be useful for a whole bunch of reasons. For many players, the device they already own now allows them to stream games with Xbox. Cloud can also help Xbox One owners play newer games built for Xbox Series X and S without needing to purchase new hardware right away. That can be especially meaningful in places where consoles are harder to find or less affordable, giving more players another way to access great gains on devices they already have. Interestingly, they also tried to alleviate concerns about introducing ad support services in this way, suggesting that they have to be built with the player in mind and that they can help lower the cost of access when done well. As a result, they'll be adhering to these five principles when it comes to ad-based services. We start with the player, ads should create value. We do not interrupt the flow of gameplay, we hold ads to the same quality bar as our content. We're clear about what's advertising, we make sure ads fit what players expect on each platform. Again, this is just a test right now, and the team say they'll learn and continue to improve it based on player feedback. We assume it won't go fully public for a what a little while as yet as a result, um, but we sh will sure to let you know when it does. Um yeah, this is again check this out. This is over like this is Razor Gilbert over on Pure Xbox. Um again, I'm Finding this. It's one of them where you think, did we think it was coming? I didn't think it would be coming as soon as this. I thought this would be something that would roll into digital. Um, but I think while gaming's as sort of struggle as it is at the moment, they're just going for it and chucking things in. Um I don't like the idea of ads. You sort of ads is what's been brought over from other media servers or television. Um does it belong in gaming? I don't think so. I mean, at the very least, and I wouldn't want to see this at all. If you're gonna do ads, just stick them on your home screen, don't stick them in a game and or before a game starts, because yes, you're saying that's all it's gonna be now, but that that'll continue to go into games. And if you're playing a call of duty where you you play a session and then you die and you come out of the session, they'll start slapping ads in before you jump back in. You can see it coming a mile off. Um, I mean, it says we start with the player, ads should create value. Well, I mean, the only player, the only person they're creating value for is themselves, but also they're not really saying what these ads are going to be. So are these gonna be advertising loot boxes or what else you can buy within the game, which is a no-go for me. Um, I've also put we we do not in interrupt the flow of gameplay. You maybe not, you might not have it in the middle of a racing game. Obviously, not it's ridiculous, especially if you're playing online, but in them dead areas between where you're getting ready to then go back into a battle again on an online game. That's not interfering with the gameplay, but you could keep chucking them in in between. So also said we hold ads to the same quality as our as a bar as our content. I'll say no more on that. Um we're clear about what's advertising. I would imagine it's gonna be services from Xbox and games, I would imagine. Um of theirs, but after a while it's gonna be bigger corporations, I would have thought, for big bucks to get some money in. Um and they finally finish with we'll make sure ads fit what players expect on each platform. I don't think players expect any ads, if I'm honest, but I think most of the ads will be linked to either what you're playing or what's coming up next, or would you like to upgrade your system? So I don't know. Let us know down below in the comments um what you think. What's what's your view on ads in gaming? For me, I know I'm old, I'm an old school gamer, you know, it's a no-go, but I don't know. You might say, I don't mind it. You know, we're used to it now. I mean, look how Amazon went. You you paid your Amazon Prime subscription, you got all your TV, now you're getting ads in there, and they have to pay again to get the ads taken off. You know, it's are we going down this route with gaming? I really hope not. But it to me, it damn sure looks like we are, which is which is a shame. But we'll see, we'll wait and see. I mean, if you're gonna have a go at this, if you're gonna have a test of this, let us know. By all means, you know. You can message us at questions at unfinished controllerpodcast.com, jump in the jump in the discussion down below in the comments, or just join our Discord, jump on there, let us know what you think. Um, I'd be interested to know and speak to anyone who's who's you know who has tested it and see what it's like.

Monolith Soft Keeps Aiding Nintendo

SPEAKER_00 25:30

Um, but that leads us over to Liam Doolan over on Nintendo Live. Something a bit better now, aren't we? We keep having bad news all the time. Let's let's cheer ourselves up a bit. Um and his title goes Xenoblade Chronicle. I know, just calm down. I know I'm a bit of a love for Xenoblade at the minute, but Xenoblade Chronicles studio Monolith Soft helped out with Splatoon Raiders. It also worked on previous releases. Um, Splatoon Raiders is a new take on the series, and it seems Nintendo called on the Tanata team at Monolithsoft to help out. Yes, you read that correctly. The Xenoplade Chronicles developer has also assisted with multiple other first-party Nintendo projects in between its popular role-playing series, has officially confirmed its involvement with the latest Switch 2 exclusive. According to rough translations of its social media post, it apparently helped with some aspects of the R in the new game. If you head over, sorry, to the Monolith Soft official website, you can see Platoon Raiders has now been added to the list of games the company has worked on. If you're at all familiar with this developer, you already know it's previously helped out with Splatoon 3 and Splatoon 2, an original Wii U release. So it's not a surprise to see it return for this new treasure hunt focused adventure. Monlifsoft's second Xenobade Chronicles game is getting a Switch 2 edition next week ahead of this release. The Switch version has already received a new update. But that's not to say, that's Liam Doolin over at Nintendo Life. Um yeah, I always found this interesting because Monolith Soft seem to be it even some Nintendo fans don't seem to know too much about them. That's not a studio name that's shouted about too much outside of Nintendo. But um once you get into Xenoblade games and you realise this developed and what they have done and casino gears games in the past and stuff, and then jumped on board Nintendo, they've really helped out with some great stuff. And I've done a bit of research. I mean, they helped out with Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Animal Crossing. Um, so they're a talented studio, ain't just about massive RPGs, they can jump in and help out on other systems, which tells me that the devs at Monolith Soft know what they're doing with a Switch and Switch 2 on even Nintendo hardware. So they always seem to be able to get the best out of the system and even helping other studios get other games over the line. Um, which I think is a great asset to have in the background for Nintendo to have a studio that good that you could call on any time to say, look, we're struggling with getting this over the line. Can you help us? We can't get this world on the property. Can you help us? And they're like, Yep, away you go, done, you know, and been doing it, you know, for a few years now to help them out, which I just think is fantastic. And you know, we all know that the quality of the games they put out, so this just adds to you know how good a studio they are. Always reminds me of the you know, a few years ago how not so much with the work they were doing, but with how um studios like Insomniac and Naughty Dog were sort of the you know the favourite children of uh Sony. You don't hear so much about that now. Um I don't think Sony's that sort of company anymore, but I mean for for Nintendo and for Monolith Soft, they've obviously got a uh a lot of respect for each other, and there's hopefully they can get the best out of the system. So um, you know, I'm looking forward to looking forward to when Senior Play, you know, Genesis comes out because again, they're probably gonna get the absolute best out of that system. So yeah, well done, Monolith Soft. You know, what a great company to have, you know, behind closed doors there.

Hyperkin Revives The Superboy SNES

SPEAKER_00 29:35

Um now that was the three that we normally do, the trifectors we call them. A bit of push square, bit of pure Xbox, bit of Nintendo Life. Um, but I thought, well, that's gonna make the show a bit short. What you know, I got retro in my name. I love retro. You can see behind me, I got retro. Why don't we add a bit of retro news in? So this one's over at time extension. This caught my eye when I was reading through today. This is Damian McFerron. Um Hyperkin is re-releasing its 15-year-old portable SNES in two new designs. Um, Hyperkin has announced that it's re-releasing Superboy Portable SNES clone in two new designs. Launching this fall, the Superboy will come in crimson and prime designs. The former evokes memories of the Famicom's colour scheme, while the latter uses PAL Japanese colour SNES buttons, both are clad in transparent plastic casing. Originally announced in 2011, god I can't believe that was that long ago, released and released in 2012. The system has already reissued twice in the form of 2016 Superboy S and 2018's Superboy SFC. It plays SNES and Super Famicom games via the old-fashioned system on a chip approach. Don't go expecting FPGA levels of accuracy here. Um, also, it remains to be seen if Hyperkin is making any improvements over the 2018 model. The display on that was pretty fuzzy. Hyperkin has recently had to delay the release of its portable Genesis, the Mega 95, and says it may work on a handheld N64 in the near future. Um, yeah, this grabbed my attention because I always remember the I was sort of, you know, you should probably listen to the show and listening to Flashback, our sister show. Um, I got a Hyperkin Retron 5. I've had that quite a lot of years now. Um, 10-12 years, I would imagine. Um, I've got original hardware, but sometimes that's nice just to have that system that can play 1112 systems under your TV, puts it out in HD, 720 HD, and have a few cartridges, friends around, you can play on a big screen. It's good for that. Yes, I know the purists will say it's not FPGA, it dumps the ROM and plays. I know, but it's still good, fun to play. You've got save points, you can put your scan ons, you can you know, you can really change how you want to play it, and you can plug any controller in, you know, from your 8-bit dudes to the original, they've got all the ports on the side. You can play Game Boy, Game Boy Advance. So they've always been something that's handy, um, but they're not down the analogue route of being super expensive, high-class products, they're cheaper plastics, but they you know, they have a lot of features and they play quite well. I have had a go on one of these um superboys back in the day. I nearly bought one. I just thought it was quite a big handheld system to just place you know your superfamicon and your super nintendo on, but they're quite cool. If you haven't seen one, um head over to um uh time extension, have a look at the article. Um, because it's it's just like a massive uh Super Nintendo controller with a screen in the middle, and you put that you put that original cartridge straight in. Again, it's dumping the ROM, it's not FPGA, and the screen is a bit fuzzy. Um, now for me, I always thought, well, that'd be nice to take on a sort of a holiday to play a game, but then again, that's not the most portable of systems because one, it's big, and two, you've got to take cartridges with you, you know, who has room to take cartridges. So there is that, but I think for someone that's on a budget to get into you know, who loves Super Nintendo, has nostalgia for Super Nintendo, has no way of playing the games, you know, you want something a bit more reliable, it's quite an affordable system, and you can start picking some cartridges up and just playing at home on the sofa. So that's quite cool. Um, I think it's quite unique. Um, and I do quite like it. I mean, on their um on their X account, and they put introducing Superboy Crimson and Superboy Prime, releasing in the fall 2026. Um, and they've also got come check them out in person at a classic games fest in Austin, Texas. Near Seb. Go along, Seb, have a look for us. Not that you like retro, but um but they look quite cool, there's uh lot I say, it's got that very Super Nintendo crystal look about one of them with the green, blue, yellow, and red buttons. And don't forget these can these have got ports on the front to put original Super Nintendo controllers in. Um if you want to play two-player, it's quite a small screen to do two player, but it's that's a nice feature. Um, and the other one is the crimson, which has got that, like they say, it's Famicom, red and gold accents around the buttons, but the red is that crystal sort of red, but very 90s. I think both of them look look superb, really. I quite like the look of them. I'm sort of trying to compare them between the original. I mean, I always thought the downside was it's got like a almost 16 by 9 screen, but it's a four by three image. You'd rather have that screen. I suppose they've done it to fill the space up, but you got wasted screen space anyway. I digress, but looks good. Um, you know, it'd be interesting to see what they're releasing at with you know modern gaming and all our main consoles going through the roof price-wise at the moment. I'm hoping this will keep within a certain budget because normally Hyperkin is pretty affordable. Um and I know, you know, and I said before, it's not down the analogue route of these high-class quality products, but they've done some good stuff with their controllers and bits and the Duke and stuff. So we'll wait and see. I think it's a nice thing. Um, I think it was a nice thing to have if you want to play some Super Nintendo on the couch. Plus, it's a good way of playing imports if it's playing your Super Famicom. So, yeah, check that out over at Time Extension, Daniel McFerron. Um, yeah, the hype can article. Final bit of news.

Hasbro Reveals Zelda Action Figures

SPEAKER_00 35:49

This actually uh was sent to be my uh by my mate who I play FIFA with, and he's a big figure collector from turtles to wrestling, he's got thousands of figures. He just sent me a little screenshot the other day, and I hadn't even heard of this that it came out, but this is over at Retro Dodo. Um and Brandon, right? But he's done Hasbro Reveals first wave of Legend of Zelda action figures. Um Legend of Zelda is in the spotlight at the moment, all thanks to the upcoming movie, set to be released in April 2027. And of course, in Nintendo fashion, they want to milk it as much as they can. And I don't blame them, it's an incredible piece of IP. Well, it seems they now they have now partnered with Hasbro to release an array of the Legend of Zelda action figures, with the first three being teased via their official website. There will be the premium six-inch and uh six scale figures designed and inspired to look like the iconic characters, featuring over 20 articulation points and accessories such as weapons, fabric capes, and more for dynamic posing and allowing collectors to pose their collectibles the way they want. Link himself features a her I could never say this, Hylian Shield, an interchange interchangeable zonai power hand, and a master sword. Ganon comes with Gloom Sword, Scabbard, and an interchangeable sword grip hand. Zelda comes with Decayed Master Sword and an interchangeable sword grip hand. Ever since its first title released in the US in 1987, the Legend of Zelda series has mixed exploration and discovery with action and adventure. Now with six-inch scale figures from Hasbro, fans can finally bring to life their favourite game moments and cutscenes. Build your kingdom with the heroes of Hyrule Legend of Zelda collectibles, states Hasbro. The statues vary in price, which is surprising. Lincoln Zelda will retail for $27.99 as Hasbro at Hasbro's store, whereas Gannon will retail for $42.99. Which made me double check Hasbro's description of this because that's a large jump in price. And I did notice that their description states six-inch scale figure comes in at an opposing seven and a half inches, 19 centimeters tall. So what is this? Hasbro six inches or seven and a half. The later, the latter would explain its price increase, but we'll have to wait for the Hasbro to update their product page. It looks like the figures will be able to pre-order today, too. Well, tomorrow for me, as I write this in the UK, but for today for US readers, which is our majority, so the countries around the world that will be. Not sure. So like I said, I've been fitting them out a bit, but I'm a big fan of Breath of the Wild, as you know, um, and Tears of the Kingdom. Incredible games, absolutely incredible games. And I love the art style and I love the character models in that. Um, and these figures really do it justice. I think they look phenomenal, and the way you can pose them in an action pose looks really good. Um $27 nine, uh, yeah, or $28 for a figure, I think, is pretty good. I think the Ganon one's quite expensive, but if there's a bigger figure, it's going to be, but that's quite a price hike. Um, but check out over at Retro Dodo. Um, I really like the look of them. I think if you're a Nintendo fan, um, and you like having a few figures in your games room, these do look fantastic. They've really captured Link well from the Breath of the Wild Tears of the Kingdom, you know, even with his with his hand from Tears of the Kingdom. Really good. Um, really nice figures. Um, be interesting to see though whether they'll sell out quick and whether the uh scalpers will get their hands on them because that normally happens with figures. My mates always trying to jump in and get pre-orders ahead of the scalpers because they soon end up on eBay for double the price. Um but yeah, that's the end of the

Your Takes On All The News

SPEAKER_00 40:37

news. I hope you like that. Something a bit different with a couple of retro bits of news on there. Um, if there's anything you think were missed, or if there's anything you'd like to comment on, let us know at questions at unofficial controllerpodcast.com or jump on your podcast surprise if you're on there, or YouTube if you're on there. Comment down below. Let us know what you think of any of this from you know the Sony imposes strict as ever social media guidelines on staff. This story keeps running on and on. Let us know about that from pure Xbox to Adam Adsin. Not sure on that games to Xenobay Chronicles Studio Monolith Soft being the saviour of games for Nintendo. Right over to something completely different. The hyperkin re-releasing the the portable snares, the superboy, and finishing up on these Hasbro figures. Um, bit of a variation in news there, but like I say, I hope you like that and let us know down below if there's anything you want to comment on. Um, well, that leads us over to I think we better do our wonderful subs list, haven't we? Um

Supporter Shoutouts And Community Thanks

SPEAKER_00 41:42

I won't do it in a comedic style, I'm gonna do a serious style this week because I'm on my own, and it sounds quite weird doing the comedic style when you're on your own. But I'll I'll I'll whip through, give everyone a shout. Um and we start off with Gazcon. Thank you as always, and literally as recording, he's just put a picture of his holiday in Wales with his partner, and he is rocking a flashback t-shirt. Love it, thank you very much, mate, for all your support. Next up, we have the man behind the scenes, Captain Scarlet, or as some say, Captain Skynet, keep that one under your hat, but um, yeah, Captain Scarlet. He does uh from our thumbnails to media to editing certain bits and videos he does for um Twitter and TikTok and God knows what else. Absolute legend. Um, and there's also a supporter as well. Can't ask for more than that. So thank you as always, Captain. Absolute legend. Next up, we have the wonderful retro ed always doing his bit in the community. Um, love seeing his Instagram posts, um, absolutely brilliant. So, uh yeah, and a man, I believe, I don't know if he still has, but did have a complete 3DS collection, so what a legend! Thank you, Ed. Next up, I am contractually obliged to say the one man George Fan Club. That's Carlos. And uh Carlos is one of them guys that says says such a wonderful collection of imports from shooters to I think he's been playing rhythm-based games on the Switch this week. Um, such a lovely collection. Um, and whenever we do a flashback show, you know, within a couple of days, he's straight on to um on our Discord putting pictures up of games we've been talking about of the era. I mean, if you don't know about flashback, it's our sister show, it's our newest show, it's only 30 episodes in, but we basically taught a random month of a random year in game, and we talk about what we would have been playing, we talk about news articles of the time. We go out with a bit of Stingrays boot. If you're an old listener to the show, you'll know Stingray's boot and what we would have, you know, have hoped to have played. A bit of a movie pick, you know, a bit of housekeeping, but that's that retro little nostalgia trip we do random years, and um Eddie jumps strut on there and gives us his pictures of games and bits he was playing as well. Absolutely superb. So thanks, Carlos. Next up, as we say, from Trab to Trump in a week, that's the financial expert himself as Firm Returns, who um is quite disappointed with my physical switch collection. And he's Ging me on to build that collection up. I put a picture of my collection and I put these sort of shelves on the top so I could have the special editions on without you know trying to pull a game out and put on all your collection down. So I've done that, and he's just like, you need to get that collection bigger. And I will. And you're gonna be my mentor, I'm your paddle arm when it comes to switch firm returns. But again, thank you as always. Next up, I want to say trust us is in New York, but I think it's now called corner. I should have done my research. Corner place on the corner, corner shop. Quote down below, I've completely forgot. But as always, for your long-term support, thank you very much. Best wings in New York. Next up, we have the Dreamcast man himself. Roast Space Monk. Best Dreamcast collection I've seen. Love seeing these updates and bits and pieces on his games. Like I say, don't forget to let us know because I've got a mediocre Dreamcast collection, probably only about 40 games. If there's one you desperately need, I will send it to you. If that's gonna help you get that full set, let me know, Roast Space Monk. I'll be on the end of my DMs. But thanks as always. Next up Badabinkster, the man himself, the Italian stallion. He's now got his beautiful wife, his new beautiful wife. You see their wedding pictures, he looks stunning. And again, this guy is in every part of game, and from his awesome collection to his PS3 games to his emulators, he's putting on systems. He loves it. His game is all about him, and he's a wonderful guy with it. So as always, bad a binkster. Thank you, my man. Then we have the other end of the spectrum, we have Tingle Tuner. The guy's just started playing Fire Emblem. I see, he wants to get that finished. He's going for a full 3DS collection. He has a wonderful selection of Nintendo goodness from N64 to switch to 3DS, RPGs, tactical RPGs, you know, Connoisseur, thankful Tingle Tuner. We have my good my good friend himself, Digital Muncrey. I know you've been poorly. I hope you're feeling better, mate. We'll have a meetup very soon. Hopefully, we will, and we'll have a bit of a chill out, we'll have a catch-up. But this guy, if you don't know Digital Monkey, check out for this week's flashback. He's on there with me. He also um does our challenge accepted, which is our monthly challenge we have over on the Discord, which is great fun, an easy pick up and play. We have winners, and winners get prizes, but other than that, it's just great fun to take part in. You can go on our on our um website, check it out on there. Um, he does his great little high school challenges and different runs and different things, quick in, quick out, great thing to have in the background. He also does Let's Get Quizzical, which is uh a weekly quiz he chucks on with great questions, not none of these, you know, standard game and knowledge question books. He delves in, does his own questions really good, and it's not for anything, it's just for if you're on your tea break on a Monday at work, go through and then just see how many you get. Some of us chuck our scores in. You don't have to. You don't have to. Just sit there, have a little challenge each Monday. Oh, here comes his quiz, have a little go, see what you get. But as always, get well soon, digital monkey. And um, we'll we'll meet soon, my man. We'll meet soon. Next up, the floss 360 man, the Suffolk Tony Hawk himself, spalled border. Now, this guy can create tricks, this guy can it when he eventually passes away, you'll have to bury him with a plethora of skateboards because and a probably a pair of flame and converse because the guy's just been a skater his whole life, and he's a little bit older than me, but still makes me look absolutely awful. Because if I got on a skateboard, I'd be in traction for a week. This guy just cruises down past you like he's surfing. Absolutely brilliant. But as always, for being a long-term supporter, thank you, mate. Bald boarder, legend. Next up, we have one of them sheriffs of the old Discord. That's Boba. He used to just lurk in the background, but he's he's started coming to the front a bit more now. He's joining in, he's playing the game. I think he's even having a go at the Gen 7 play for he's on Heavenly Sword. Another long-term guy, a guy who puts time in voluntary into the podcast, into the community, and we can't thank him enough. That's Boba. Thank you, my man. Next up is George's Red Head, stepson. Not really, but I'm done on a break fourth wall. That's Ginge. Um, the platinum, the platinum god himself. Um, I can't remember what you're you're well over 700, I think now, Ginge. Comment down below. Tell us what how many platinums you've got now, because I keep saying when you hit a thousand plates, we need a thousand plat party. Woo! That's what we need, mate. There aren't many people gonna have a thousand plates in this country, I wouldn't have thought. But thank you again for your support. Sorry, must add that in. Next up, we have the absolutely brilliant Harvey Retro. Um, I love watching his stuff on Instagram, YouTube, you know, enigmatic games and productions and his bits and pieces because everything's so high quality, camera work, editing. He's done bits for us and done our intros and stuff, and absolutely brilliant. Go check him out. Legend. Um, got a little podcast going as well about looking through catalogues and chatting. Wonderful. Harvey Retro. Thank you as always, my man. He's also been on the show as well. Check that out in about catalogue. Next up, Emma Sharp. Thank you as always, Emma. Um, great support. Um, loves the show, great gamer as well. Big Assassin's Creed fan. She's got that Assassin's Creed dagger tattooed down her arm, looks absolutely brilliant. So thank you, Emma, as always. Then we got Greg. We still haven't traced him. We think he's somewhere in Brazil, but one thing we do know is he's nowhere near Berlin. Thank you, Greg. Another one now we need to all thank, and that's Mumsy. Thank you, Mumsy. Another long-term supporter, and Mumsy will always be there in the list. Now we've got the RGT fan club. Thank you very much. Um, brilliant support. Thanks, Ron Dred. Um, but no, seriously, thanks for support. Um, it makes all the difference all the time. And um, I never thought I'd have a bit called RGT fan club. I still don't understand boring. Next, we have one the silence, we have Pete Brocklehurst. Get in that Discord, Pete. Come on, have a jump in, come and say hi. Bit of long term, but he's a silent but violent in the background. Thanks as always, Pete. Followed up by another silent, Billy Marmite. Or is he silent? Is he in there under another name, another pseudonym? We don't know. Do you know who Billy is? Comment down below. We don't. All we know is he's a supporter and he's been here a long time. It's Billy Marmite. And finally, goes to Fat San Geef. I hope you're listening. I hope you're well. And all the best to you, my man. I hope you're you're doing okay. And um, yeah, missed having you on the pick this this time, but yeah, looking forward to getting you back on there. So thank you, Zane Geef, as always.

Membership Tiers And Subscriber Perks

SPEAKER_00 51:21

That's our subslift. If you're ever interested in supporting the show, you don't have to, show's always going to be free, but we always have that option if anyone's ever interested. We do tiers from $3, $5, $8, and $10. Um, everyone gets the same digital tiers of that. So you get read out on the show, which I've just done. You get access to the Unglorious Chat, a little locked-off bit in our Discord. Um, and you also get, which we used to do a Zoom chat, but we've already had episode one go out. We're going to be thinking of doing episode two soon. You get your own private show. And do you know what's best about that? You subs pick what our show's about, and we do it for you. The last one was brilliant. That was George's Game and History. So if you want to hear about George's Gaming History and you become a sub, let me know and I'll send you that show. Um, but everyone gets those, and then it goes up to five dollars, where you get a piece of you get those three and a piece of artwork every year. Eight dollars, you get those three piece of artwork and and a artwork mug every year, and then the the the ten dollar tier is all of that. Plus, you get a t-shirt every year of a new design or new artwork we're doing. We've had UCP ones, flashback ones. We'll do a new, we're gonna do a new design for next year that we're already already ahead getting that ready designed. Um, you've got ideas going. So, yeah. So if you're interested in that, check it out. You can check it out on your podcast provider, or you know, you can see support the show and and and go on there. We'll give you a shout out, and you'll be out on the show every week. But to those who do, thank you very much indeed. But if you don't, don't worry, just enjoy the show. That's what we're here for. Um, that's that read up. So I suppose I better go on to what

Website Updates And Contact Options

SPEAKER_00 53:00

should I do? No, I'll do housekeeping first before I do what I'm hoping to play. Um, as I've mentioned before, we have a website, unofficial controllerpodcast.com. Jump on there, have a check out. Captain Scarlet's done amazing work over on there. Um, and he keeps he's constantly evolving this website. And like I say, all the bits and pieces on there from challenge accepted champions to we've got game reviews over there now. We're building up these reviews. I'm gonna drop one on there soon when once I've got it written. But um, once we get my Z Bay Chronicles review, that'll go on there. We're gonna start doing some retro as well reviews. Um, we've got all about us, us guys, if even if that bothers you, interest you, but who we are? Gaming histories, we've got events we've been to, stuff we've been doing. Like we done um we done a bit of stage work at OLL this year doing the um console wars. So check that out. There'll be links to the video and that on there. So there's a bit of everything on there, it's a great little site. Captain's done absolute wonders. Check that out. Um, we also have, like I say, is there anything you want to talk to us about? Is there anything you want to suggest to us? Is there anything you liked about the show? Questions at unofficicontrollerpodcast.com. If there's any of these links that you can't use, message us, send us an email, we'll send you some links, we'll help you out, get your board. If there's anyone, you know, YouTube or game interest in coming on the show, hit us up on there. Questions at unofficicontrollerpodcast.com. Um, we also have X account, we have Instagram account, and also a lot of mention on here. We have our other show, Flashback, which is which I explained earlier, a nostalgic look back show. Check that out as well. That's on all your providers. Um, we're we've been loving doing that, and although that's a lot of work, it gives us that balance between the new and the old. So, yeah, we've really enjoyed doing that. Um, I think I've covered everything on there, I think, from our housekeeping. Just to say thanks as always for listening. Thanks as always for downloading. If you can download, it makes a massive difference. If you're watching on YouTube and you haven't subbed, please sub because we have a lot higher view count than we do subs. So if you you know don't want to miss a show, press that sub button. Yeah. Um and now I'll go into what I'm hoping to play, I think.

Next Plays And Switch Game Requests

SPEAKER_00 55:11

Um I think future connected, obviously. Um, that DLC for Xenoblade Chronicles, definitely gonna jump back into that. I still haven't had enough of Xenoblade yet, and I just think as I go through and I'm waiting for that switch to the port of Xenoblade 2, I want to see all I can see in Xenoblade. Um so yeah, gonna try and get that done with my weekend off. Plus, Heavenly Sword, gonna be jumping on that. Um, but I also want this is where you guys can come in handy. I want another big game to play on my Switch. Doesn't necessarily have to be an action RPG or JRPG, but if you've got any if it's I'd prefer action-based if you can. Um, but give me some suggestions down below. What should I hit up for a big a big game, big open world game maybe on on Switch? Hit me up down below, let me know. Give me some give me some options. If you if you're a listener, you can message a show in, or if you're on our Discord, chuck some suggestions in there. I'll check a few of them out because with Xeno finishing, I'm feeling a little bit lost. So yeah, and I just I can't think what else I want to jump on to, but yeah, let let us know. Um, I think that's pretty much all what I'm hoping to play. I might jump back on Jack 3 if I can. I've got a uh let's say controller holder for the Vita, so I might use that to bring my hands away so my digits aren't keep going in first person mode on the touch screen. Um, so I might jump back into that a bit more or jump onto something on there. Um, not quite sure. Um, but I think I think we're about there.

Final Thanks And Sign-Off

SPEAKER_00 56:48

I think I think we're done. We've done the subs list, hoping to play, we've done the news. Yeah, a little bit of a shorter show, I know because it's just me solo, but I hope you liked the news. Let me know what you thought of the um the retro news chucked in. If it's something you think we should carry on or chuck in every now and then, just you know, let us know. Gives us a bit of variation, doesn't it? Um, but I think it's it. I think it just leaves me to say, thanks for listening, thanks for downloading, thanks for taking part. Hope you enjoyed the show. Um, tell your friends all about it, Unoffish Controller Podcast, flashback. Um, yeah. And just remember though, do not forget, there's nothing wrong with being given the unoffici controller. That's what you do at the counts. See you later, guys.