Nintendo's final surprise of 2017 was the news that Nintendo Power, the official (and much loved) Nintendo magazine that shuttered in 2012 would return as a podcast. Just after the first episode released, we had the opportunity to chat with Chris Slate and Kit Ellis of Nintendo to discuss the the new show, its origins and their plans for the future of Nintendo Power.
While Kit Ellis is recognisable to most modern day Nintendo fans as the co-host of Nintendo Minute alongside Krysta Yang, Chris Slate may be a little less recognisable. Chris served as Editor-in-Chief of Nintendo Power during its final five years on shelves. So it's fitting that it should be Chris taking the helm as host of the Nintendo Power podcast. Kit will still be involved with Nintendo Power in its new form, but in more of a behind-the-scenes capacity.
Internally, employees at Nintendo Of America had been discussing the idea of a podcast during the summer of 2016. The podcast was going to be focused on stories from inside the mothership, a rare glimpse behind the curtain of one of the industry's most secretive companies. While discussion were ongoing, Steve Norman, Nintendo's head of social media came up with the idea that the podcast should carry the Nintendo Power name, and from there work began in earnest.
The first question we ask is one that's no doubt in the minds of nostalgic Nintendo Power readers across the States and abroad: Is this the beginning of a return to print for Nintendo Power? "There are no plans to bring the magazine back," Chris tells us from the off. You can hear our hearts breaking.
"It's a challenging industry to enter these days," Chris admits. The death of a number of high-profile magazines in recent years - including Nintendo Power - lends credibility to his claim. Chris wanted instead to find a more appropriate format to bring the spirit of Nintendo Power to today's audience.
But what is the spirit of Nintendo Power? "There's a tremendous number of people in Nintendo Of America that love Nintendo Power, and the podcast feels like a modern execution of the magazine concept, giving the players stories from within Nintendo in an extended, in-depth approach," offers Kit during our conversation.
It's also stressed to us that the Nintendo Power Podcast is still very much a work in progress, but the current focus is on giving long-form, in-depth stories from the people inside Nintendo Of America, as a sort of distillation of readers' favourite parts of Nintendo Power in its original form.
This new version of the beloved magazine will be monthly to start, but we're told that could change if there was demand for more. The podcast is described to us as a passion project being worked on in between other duties, but it something that folks around NOA are very committed to.
Though the main focus of the podcast is, for the next few episodes at least, will continue to be stories from within the North American branch of the Big N, with guests from both Nintendo Of Europe and Nintendo Company Limited (its Kyoto-based parent company) making appearances. With Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma and game director Hidemaro Fujibayashi appearing in the first episode, other options are still on the table for the future of the podcast.
"We're waiting for feedback. You could say we're in sort of an observation, ear-to-the-ground mode," Chris says when we quiz him on plans for upcoming episodes. Nintendo isn't only relying on fans, either, we're told they'd like to find other sections of the classic magazine to adapt to the podcast format, as they did with the Warp Zone Quiz featured in the first episode. If you haven't listened to the first episode, check it out and send an email to [email protected] with your suggestions.
Many thanks to Chris and Kit from Nintendo Of America for giving us the opportunity to chat with them regarding the Nintendo Power Podcast. You can find the Podcast on YouTube, iTunes and Google Play Music
Comments 22
Had a great time with the first episode. I also sent them a wall of text on what I wanted for future episodes
Ha! Awesome.
Reminds me of the Nintendo commercials "Nintendo now you're playing with power" would love to see a power console from Nintendo again in the future, with a commercial like that back lol. "Nintendo Switch 2 Now your playing with power" and then you see Reggie blown away yelling; My body wasnt ready! (just like team rocket leaving the planet lol)
I didn't grow up with Nintendo Power as I am from Norway, but will try and keep up with the Nintendo Power Podcast :+).
Have listened to the first episode, so will likely try and send a email to them later as I want to help them ^^.
It's not quite the same with just speaking. If it were a videocast then I think that could be really cool.
I'm waiting for the next episode. I hope there's demand for it. A month is a long time to wait when both IGN and GameXplain have their weekly Nintendo podcasts. They don't have to make it a weekly podcast but I'd like one every two weeks or so.
I listen to a lot of podcasts while I work, and I put this in my queue. Still haven’t gotten around to listen to it, but I probably should give it a go this week.
Nintendo Power is back...in pod form!
Keep them coming
I love how everyone calls things "podcasts" when they no longer have anything to do with iPods, and were, always, just radio talk shows
Still it's a pretty cool way to keep the Nintendo Power brand alive.
Good ol' Chris Slate, remember him from the excellent PSM magazine sub I had for a few years from 1997-2001.
This was a great podcast too!
Would love to hear Jose Otero on the podcast on occasion.
Nintendo Power should return as a downloadable app.
Gotta check this out when I get a chance
I miss Nintendo Power! This was a great first episode, and I can't wait for future episodes. I do hope this is successful.
@impurekind Yeah I am not a fan of podcasts.
If they want to make the podcast a huge hit, I suggest giving them the platform in making a few "major announcements." That would make the podcast legit and Nintendo enthusiasts would be sure to tune in regularly
Chris Slate is involved? Wonderful. As with the magazine's demise, so with this podcast's.
Chris Slate goes all the way back to Game Players magazine as editor in early to mid 90s. That magazine was the best, literally the funniest, most surreal and absurd game magazine ever produced. Chris Slate was a big part of why it was so great
The magazine isn't coming back because magazines are on their way out. Now a Nintendo Power Website with articles... Well we have Nintendo Life for that.
Really though, I would not mind a Nintendo Power website.
Not for me. The commercial interests backing it keep it from being a natural conversation
They should invite the GameXplain guys!
If they want to capture more of the spirit of NP they need a little more energy. The podcast was a little too slowmoving. I'd listen to some current Retronauts for inspiration. Found the NP podcast mostly boring, but enjoyed the last 1/3 of it quite a bit.
Tap here to load 22 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...