The WiiDS Podcast » Miit The Hosts

Miit The Hosts

The Hosts

Jack “The Jumpman” Smith

Age: 19
Favourite Game: Donkey Kong (Gameboy) / Orbital (Gameboy Advance)
Random Fact: Broke the world record for holding the most eggs in one hand and the largest zombie gathering. Also is a lifelong vegetarian.

Its’a Me! Jack. As a devoted listener I managed to sneak into the WiiDS team in order to find out their secrets, but somehow ended up becoming the boss (or editor-in-chief, if we want to get techinical). I’m a massive retro fan and WiiWare fanatic, often diving into the quirkier, less well known, titles. Thankfully most of the time I find a brilliant gem and can pass the information to you. When i’m not checking out the weird wonders of the gaming world you can find me absorbing random Nintendo knowledge and trivia, ready to recite them on cue. At the end of the day, i’m just a cheerful chap who’s always happy to have a chat or discussion. I look forward to speaking with you soon

James “The Journo” Batchelor

Age: 23
Favourite Game: Goldeneye (ding!)/Thief II: The Metal Age
Random Fact: Once turned down the chance to do a one-on-one interview with a film star in favour of a university ceremony – only to find out said celeb was Elisha Cuthbert…

I’m a games journalist living in Essex and I love it. I’m currently the host and associate editor of The WiiDS Podcast, a position I stole from Ben Walker before anyone else could beat me to it. I’ve always been an avid Nintendo gamer, although I’ll admit I’m partial to a session on my Xbox 360. In an alternate dimension, I am James Bond.

Mani “The Man” Patel

Age: 24
Favourite Game: Super Mario Galaxy
Random Fact: Got hit by a car when seven and survived despite 20% survival rate.

It was Alex Kidd which christened me into the gaming fold. There was something about hitting blocks and collecting money that screamed ‘FUN!’ inside my head. I found that Nintendo platforms fed me with the same feeling and since then I have never looked back! I have since owned many consoles including a Dreamcast, Xbox360 and PS2. I have lived in London all my life and I really honestly wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I’m the catalyst of the show and occasionally burst into song from time to time. I LOVE COKE.

Tom “The Bomb” Rutland

Age: 17
Favourite Game: The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
Random Fact: Came second in a nation-wide Mario Kart tournament!

At the moment, I’m mainly playing games on my computer as I enjoy being able to rapidly switch between games, homework and instant-messaging clients. Being on the show is great fun and it gives me a chance to vent on gaming issues and board any hype trains that come into the WiiDS station! At the moment, I’m really looking forward to The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks – but you probably guessed that already! First party Nintendo games are the best that come out on Nintendo systems (almost with no exception) and as the youngest member of the team, I’m also the newest to Nintendo (first consoles being the GBC and N64). It doesn’t mean I’m not the most passionate though!

Jason “The Wiki” Davidson

Age: 20
Favourite Game: No particular favourite but enjoy Burning Rangers (Saturn) / Resident Evil 4 (Wii)
Random Fact: Can stretch his legs around his head and also owns one of the largest Gamecube game collections in the world.

I’ve been a part of the wiids team since episode 16 and started on the 23rd of April 2007. Ever since then I’ve tried to bring my own knowledge to the show about games from yesteryear & present. Ever since I came on the show it’s been a rollercoaster ride that never ends which I’m extremely grateful for but also if it wasn’t for meeting mani giving me the opportunity I wouldn’t be here today.

I’ve been a gaming fanatic since I was 6 years old in the days of atari/comodore 64.

I just hope now I can improve myself as host so that I can manage to bring my thoughts across more clearly for a better informative and entertaining podcast.

Alex “Our Man In Japan” Procter

Age: 31
Favourite Game: The Legend Of Zelda: Wind Waker (Gamecube)
Random Fact: Got married in a 1200 year old shrine in a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Although I’m not as much of a regular on the show as I’d like, I’m proud to be part of the team. I’ve been out here in Japan for over 8 years now, although I grew up in Northern England. Right now, I teach English
at a private junior high school in Kasukabe ( if you’re a Kureyon Shin-chan fan, then you may know the city).

Alex “The Jingle” Haffenden

Age: 17
Favourite Game: Portal: Still Alive
Random Fact: Cried my eyes out at Wembley Stadium when Portsmouth won the FA Cup on 17th May 2008. And still get emotional when I watch the DVD

Hey there. Resident WiiDS fanboy, turned host. A big Nintendo and Apple Fanboy. Football Fan. And all round ‘Cheeky Chappy’ (According to Jack anyway…). I love my Wii and DSi to pieces, although I do like a bit of FIFA on my 360. The Cake Is A Lie… Also, don’t listen to James, the iPhone IS a gaming platform!

The Blog Writers

Marti “The Pokemaniac” Bennett

Age: 19
Favourite Game: pokemon crystal/ PEGGLE!
Random Fact: Has a life-size Bulbasaur, Marril, and Torchic. Also loves to dress up as anything Pokemon related for cosplay.

I owned my first Game Boy (Pocket) at the age of nine, and at the age of 19 I now own all Nintendo platforms apart from Virtual Boy, including some doubles. I have loved Pokemon for as long as I can remember and own practically all Pokemon games released in the EU. If you have any questions about Pokemon I would be very happy to answer them to the best of my knowledge

Ian “The Investigator” Boast

Age: 19
Favourite Game: Hotel Dusk: Room 215
Random Fact: I used to run a Skies of Arcadia forum group
I am currently studying a video-game related course at university. I always keep up to date with the latest gaming news. I enjoy playing games that have a good story. I mostly play RPG’s like Final Fantasy and point-and-click games such as the Ace Attorney series.

David “The Wise” Seare

Age: ahem…. 42
Favourite Game: No More Heroes – once I saw that assassin table with me at No. 10, that was it.
Random Fact: I spent an unpleasant weekend in Colchester in 1994.

A few years ago I went to Dumfries (or Stupid Chips as the Americans call it) to play a second gig in a year. As the band was setting up, the sound engineer came over to me and said “I remember you from the last time you played here.” I filled with the pride of a peacock – was it my awesome stage presence, my sexy moves or my tremendous guitar technique that he remembered? Not quite, “Aye, you were the pratt that drank a bottle of Bacardi during your set.” In my defence I was numbing up for a night in a lay-by in winter. Also, I used to be rather fond of Spangles.

Lewis “The Shrunk” Kershaw

Age: 16
Favourite Game: No More Heroes
Random Fact: Scared of olives and teeth

Currently a student in Dorset, and have listened to the WiiDS podcast since episode 35. Have been gaming for almost 12 years now, ever since Super Mario Land on the old grey-brick Game Boy for my fourth Christmas. Ever since I have primarily stuck to Nintendo consoles, but also own a PS1 and an Xbox 360. I hope to inject some interesting articles into the blog in the future, and I hope that you enjoy reading them!

Adam “The Pharaoh” Sanders

Age: 14
Favourite Game: The World Ends With You
Random Fact: Once accidentally set fire to mickey mouse in the morocco section of Epcot

I got into games at an early age and draw inspiration from lots of Nintendos artwork. I am now studying art for GCSE. I am hoping one day to write/draw a manga/comic about a robot that has been sent to earth to take over the planet but is troubling the Pharaoh and his group of three (based on me and my friends) who are also after the Earth. Keep an eye out for my first drafts on the forums. I promise it will be up by September 2009.

Jack@WiiDS | September 29, 2008 7:17 pm

3 Comments

By Matt, December 14, 2008 @ 12:01 pm

The Best EvEr
By OneArmedScissor, June 25, 2009 @ 4:06 pm

Oh sweet, another Skies of Arcadia fan!
Well, I like to think I am; I’ve played through numerous times but I haven’t yet completed it.