Into the Aether · Episode 29 · February 25, 2026 · 1 hr 43 min
Mud is Overpowered (feat. Mario Tennis Fever, Reanimal, Danganronpa, and Paranormasight)
Sakurai steps up to the podium, looking troubled. He's not his confident self this time around — and it's doubly weird that he's making this announcement live and in person instead of through some kind of Nintendo Direct. There's even regular press here, not just games media people. "We are removing Matthew McConaughey as Mud from Super Smash Bros. We are aware of rumors circulating regarding a licensing agreement lapsing or some kind of issue with having a real person present in the video game, but this is all just speculation. The truth is that we are removing Mud because he is overpowered, and in all of our internal testing there was no way to reign in his power while staying true to the character. Mud is just too good." Discussed: Mario Tennis Fever, the Mario sports games, Baby Waluigi, Reanimal, various appeals of co-op play, weird stuff, Danganronpa, gamifying visual novels, games with a sense of place, Paranormasight the mermaids curse, underwater game music, Pokemon Black and White anniversary Jake Steinberg's Mario Tennis Fever Review Bowl of Lentils YouTube Channel Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online Buy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast --- Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.social Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.online Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social --- Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/ Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/ --- Timecodes: (00:00) - Intro (00:27) - Mario Tennis Fever | We have the fever (33:06) - Tiding from Kyle and Jenn to Joel K.! (34:03) - Reanimal | Not the norm (45:48) - Break (45:49) - Weird Stuff February (46:14) - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc | Febbruary (01:18:11) - Break (01:18:12) - Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse | The visual novel corner (01:35:52) - Pokémon Black and White | NOT a segment (01:40:56) - Wrapping up --- Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members: SuperThisWay Nick G Starfallrondo Susan H 0nlygh0sts Vincent J Patrick K Ed A J-Rock Samantha D North Hero Sam H Snzzn J-Rock Gregory Mark S Cmndr Biscuit iceman Christian H Rydan B Caleb H Arden F Eye of the Duck Kale Nathan E J. H. A joelchrono Mellow Matthew B Robin LP SeekingSeaking Jimmers zoey! Vinny M Matt Kerry K Brian M Noah D Zach D Christopher TD Hugo W Todd Chris B Lukerfuffle Stephen Y Daniel G Eric F Taran W Brendan O Chris Z Clayton M Zach R Dylan N Federico V Tigerz Revenge Logan H Alan R John A Mike L mattjanzz David M HeavyPixels Kaleb H Tyler J Corey Z Susan H Barry T Robert R Chris J Brett Allen H Dan S Jack S Garrett C jimiibo John H Dirch F Jim E Jim W Tristan L Evan B AwfulHanzo min2 Aaron G Jean H Todd N red_wagon Neil Peter B John V v Erik M Redmage77 Joshua J Tony L Danny K Gibson G Kate Duncan B Richard M Daniel N Seth M James Andy H Demo Emma Lyn E Corey T Caleb W Jake L Jesse W Mike T Codes Matt B Wesley mebezac Alex L Sergio L ninjadeathdog Rory B A42PoundMoose Robert M Michael W Andrew this_JUSTIN Ryan O 14.3 billion years Brendan K Megan B SecretAgentKoala Noah O Arcturus Andrew W hepahe Chase A LoveDies Nick Q Chris M RB Karen H Adam F Scott H Alexander S Matt H Murray David P Jason K Micah O Kamrin H Andrew D Kyle S Philip N ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ]]>