SPC Highlights

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Best Levels in Gaming History - Volume Three

Welcome to Tuesday at SuperPhillip Central. Once again it's time to unleash another load of Best Levels in Gaming History. A reminder to all of you to vote on July's new poll. It's all about sports games. Like 'em or love 'em, they're a tremendous source a revenue for the industry. Regardless, today we're once again taking a look at the best levels in the history of gaming. This is part three, so let's get this party started!

Bowser's Galaxy Reactor: The Fate of the Universe - Super Mario Galaxy - Wii

Watch out, kids and kiddettes, as there's spoilers for this final level of Super Mario Galaxy. The last challenge of Super Mario Galaxy features some of the most death-defying and complex level design in series history from spotlights that alter the gravity when you are inside them to dangerous planets made up of deadly lava, ice, and quicksand. There's a section where blocks materialize, drawing a path for you to run through, wall jump, and pass between lava bars. The closing section has to be my favorite as it's a gigantic 360 degree tube consisting of Bullet Bills being shot at Mario and Thwomps which wish to crush Mario beneath their tremendous girth. An impressive final romp, indeed.



1-5 Sunset Shore - Donkey Kong Country Returns - Wii


Sunset Shore is a gorgeous level thanks to the silhouette effect as noticeable in these screens. The level itself isn't too difficult, though you need to purchase a key from Cranky Kong to access it. There's five hidden puzzle pieces to collect here from hidden alcoves to ground-pounding platforms to situate them to enable DK and Diddy to leap on them. The only caveat to Sunset Shore is that seeing enemies is more difficult as they tend to be camouflaged by the power of silhouettes as well.

Underground Uprising - 007: The World is Not Enough - N64


This hostage rescue mission takes Bond, James Bond, into the trenches of London's subway system to take care of a little bomb problem. Immediately the action gets intense as terrorists fire at 007 as he runs down the escalators, going lower and lower into the subterranean depths of the subway. After rescuing the hostages and after several flights of steps downward, James must time his run through a tunnel where an intermittent train speeds through, an instant kill if Bond gets hit by it. Timing this just right, Bond can sneak his way through to a small storage room to the inside of a subway. Eventually Bond reaches the bathroom where the bomb is located. A mini-game is played to disarm the bomb. After this, it's just a skip and a jump to the end of the level.

Freezeey Peak - Banjo Kazooie (N64)


Brrrrr! It's mighty cold here! From the high heights of the gigantic snowman with pipe in tow to his swirling red and yellow scarf to the Christmas tree to the smaller snowmen chucking snowballs at Banjo and Kazooie, there's a lot to see and do. Mumbo-Jumbo will turn the pair into a walrus so Wozza will happily invite you into his cave. If platforming isn't your cup of iced tea, you can always run a race against the father of three bears. Freezeey Peak offers a great glimpse of a winter wonderland, and that's why I chose it as part of this list.

City Escape - Sonic Adventure 2 (DC)


Trick out through the city streets of City Escape. Rollin' around at the speed of sound. Got places to go, gotta follow your rainbow. And follow it you shall as you trick off ramps, ski down slanted streets, and run from a crazed truck. City Escape is the first level in Sonic Adventure 2, and it offers a lot of thrills and chills as Sonic the Hedgehog runs from G.U.N. forces confusing Sonic for Shadow the Hedgehog. Grind rails, hand out some homing attacks to enemies, and roll around the city streets of this excellent opening level.

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So ends another installment of Best Levels in Gaming History as inspired by GameTrailers' series. Have a level you love that isn't listed? Let it be known in the comments.

Monday, July 4, 2011

SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Fourth Fireworks Frenzy Edition

It's the Fourth of July where the fine citizens of the United States of America celebrate their independence from Great Britain. How do we do this? With fireworks, barbeque, hamburgers, and hot dogs, of course! It may be a national holiday for Americans, but that doesn't stop the VGMs from taking over today!

v741. Final Fantasy VII - Birth of A God

Bizarro Sephiroth is the black sheep of the pair of final bosses in Final Fantasy VII. Immediately when one thinks of final bosses in that game they think of One-Winged Angel. Well, I think it's time we shared some love with Birth of A God, the theme song of the fight with Bizarro Sephiroth. This fight took place on three zones, the front and Bizarro's two sides.



v742. Gran Turismo 4 - What to Believe

Gran Turismo 4 was and still is a jam-packed game full of content for racing simulation fans. The tracks were built to every fine detail, and the cars all handled as one would expect, each as different as the last. What to Believe is a duet song featuring the voice of Alan Brey who some might recognize as the man who gave his vocals to many songs on the F-Zero GX album. It's also no coincidence that the composer of both is Daiki Kasho. The band is Dakota Star. Enjoy.



v743. Marvel VS. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds - Victory

Sweet victory. There's no better feeling than blowing away your opponent to smithereens. Perhaps an orgasm or eating a nice, well-prepared steak. Actually, those two latter examples are probably better. Seriously, you have to be a big nerd to think winning a game of Marvel VS. Capcom 3 is better than getting laid or eating a fine meal.



v744. Blue Dragon - Eternity


Ian Gillian is a name in the classic rock world. He was the main voice behind the band, Deep Purple. Now he lends his vocal talents to this Nobuo Uematsu-composed boss battle theme. There's plenty of videos that joke about the lyrics to this song because they're so difficult to understand. Regardless, rocking out to this tune as you beat down another's dragon or big bad boss is always enjoyable.



v745. Banjo-Tooie - Witchyworld

Witchyworld was Gruntilda's theme park-inspired world in Banjo-Tooie. It was the third available world in the game. There was a variety of places to visit from amusement park games to the big top where a boss battle with Don Patch awaited. While Banjo-Tooie focused on bigger and badder levels, I still prefer the original Banjo-Kazooie for its larger emphasis on platforming.



Have a happy Fourth, everyone! This is DJ SuperPhillip signing off for the day. Until tomorrow, we'll see you back here at SuperPhillip Central!