The Curious Gamer

Ecco the Dolphin was one of the first video games with something to say about the real world. It is often remembered for its beautiful art and music, but today I deep dive into why the game's genius design elevates the work into a masterpiece. Almost 30 years later the game industry can still learn lessons from Ecco the Dolphin.  

Also in this episode I discuss how Ecco was the inspiration behind my upcoming cinematic fantasy audio series called The Moon Fish. Learn more about this project at themoon.fish.

thecuriousgamer.org

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My list of the most essential games for your Nintendo Switch. I hope this is especially helpful for those of you who recently got a Switch for the holidays or are new to games and are looking for a great place to start.

A list of all the games covered in this episode is below, as well as a ton of other games I didn't mention in the episode but still think you should check out.

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Contact me or learn more about the show at: thecuriousgamer.org

[GAMES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE]
-Animal Crossing: New Horizons
-Puyo Puyo Tetris (also playable on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, PlayStation 3, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, and PlayStation Vita)
-Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
-Super Smash Brothers Ultimate
-Rocket League (also playable on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Mac, Windows, and Linux)
-Yoshi's Wooly World
-Kirby's Star Allies
-Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee
-Stardew Valley (also playable on Playstation 4, iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, Mac, Playstation Vita, and Linux)
-Sonic Mania (also playable on Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Windows)
-Super Mario Odyssey
-Luigi's Mansion 3
-Ring Fit Adventure
-Tetris 99
-SNES and NES Classics like Super Mario Bros 3, The Legend of Zelda: a Link to the Past, Castlevania, Super Metroid, Kirby's Adventure, Donkey Kong Country, Earthbound, Yoshi's Island, and dozens more
-The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

[GAMES NOT MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE]
Note - many of these games are also available for several other platforms other than the Switch:

-The Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening
-Shovel Knight
-Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
-Dark Souls Remastered
-Overwatch
-Diablo 3: Eternal Collection
-Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
-Pikmin 3
-The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition
-Fire Emblem: Three Houses
-Super Mario 3D All-Stars
-Pokémon Sword and Shield
-Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition
-Octopath Traveler
-Dragon Ball Fighterz
-The World Ends With You: Final Remix
-Civilization VI
-Minecraft
-Final Fantasy VII, VIII, IX, X/X-2, and XII
-Mario Tennis Aces
-Return of the Obra Dinn
-Overcooked 2
-Snipperclips
-1, 2, Switch
-ARMS
-Killer Queen Black
-Resident Evil 4

"What to Play" are short episodes about games that are inexpensive and easy to start playing, no matter your skill level. Today's all about Mini Motorways, a minimal, stylish game about building roads and growing a little city. It's a game that makes you feel thoughtful, and helps you look the world in a new way after playing.

thecuriousgamer.org

[SOCIAL MEDIA] 

Parents and video games don't often mix. But in this episode I speak with a father who has used video games to enrich his life, and how he's passed this down to his son. Their story can act as a guide for other parents on how to use video games to develop deep social connections and build critical thinking and team building skills.

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I have a chat with "Sharky," a star player in the CTWC: the Classic Tetris World Championship. Thanks to him I discovered one of the most entertaining and wholesome communities in all of video games, and I invite all of you to join me in traveling down this infectiously joyous rabbit hole.

[SOCIAL MEDIA]

I talk about the first game I designed: an empathy-building tool for United Way called The Cost of Living. I speak with some of the key players at United Way that brought this experience to life, as well as discuss how game design is a powerful tool to convey complex ideas and build dialogue and understanding.

Show written, produced, and composed by Devin Polaski

To manage our anxiety during this global crisis many of us turn to our favorite kinds of comfort food. One of mine is a game called Final Fantasy VII - one of the most played and loved games of all time that revolutionized video game storytelling, and captured the hearts and minds of players around the world with its beautiful music, cutting-edge graphics, and memorable characters. Join me as we travel back to 1997 and celebrate the legacy of this legendary game. 

Original composed by Devin Polaski (devinpolaski.com)

thecuriousgamer.org

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Since his childhood, Ted Sterchi has been building Orange Island: an 8bit adventure game that was 450% funded on Kickstarter. We discuss the game's colorful world and cast, his impressive roster of musicians contributing songs to the game, and what it's like building the game as an independent developer.

Original music composed by Devin Polaski (devinpolaski.com)

thecuriousgamer.org

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I explore a game that helps you relax, and chat with the Indonesian-based video game studio Toge Productions about their latest game: "Coffee Talk."

Original music composed by Devin Polaski (devinpolaski.com)

thecuriousgamer.org

[SOCIAL MEDIA]

Playing games can yield many positive gifts, like learning new technology, fostering creativity, and building strong relationships. In this episode I discuss how all this happened to me throughout my life and changed it for the better.

Original music composed by Devin Polaski (devinpolaski.com)

thecuriousgamer.org

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One of the first things people learn about me is that I love Sonic the Hedgehog. Why would a grown man be so fond of a silly video game? Listen how a blue hedgehog helped shaped me and an entire generation.

Original music composed by Devin Polaski (devinpolaski.com)

thecuriousgamer.org

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