SuperPhillip Central Best of 2017 Awards - Top Five Digital Downloads

There are just too many excellent digital games from last year to put on a top five list for my favorites at the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2017 Awards. That's a good problem to have in general, but when you have to just pick five out of dozens of memorable titles, you're definitely going to leave way too many out that deserve some recognition. But, name five, I must! These are SuperPhillip Central's choices for the Top Five Digital Downloads.

5) Snipperclips: Cut it out, together! (NSW)

A launch title for the Nintendo Switch, Snipperclips: Cut it out, together! is a mostly cooperative effort between up to four players. The goal is to use your character's body to cross over other players' bodies and snip a section of them off to perform an assortment of tasks. Whether it's teaming up to pack yourselves into a shape that doesn't flow over the dotted line, cutting a chunk off your partner to turn them into a hook to grab onto a high up lever, or turn each other into baskets to carefully bring a ball from one side of the screen to the other to clear the level, Snipperclips has a lot of chaotic multiplayer fun on offer. There are also single player challenges as well, but the overall game is best played in a group or party setting. From embarrassment for messing up a level at the last moment to yelling at a bud for doing the same, Snipperclips: Cut it out, together! was a tremendous start to the Nintendo Switch's online marketplace of games.

4) Blaster Master Zero (NSW, 3DS)

Taking the NES cult classic Blaster Master and reshaping and remodeling it for new, modern audiences, developer Inti Creates (Mega Man Zero, Mega Man ZX, Azure Striker Gunvolt) put forward a terrific and unique 2D platformer. Well, that's actually just part of the game. Your character gets in and out of its robotic tank and enters in to compounds where overhead action without the aid of his tank. Angry enemies, ruthless bosses, and climactic encounters punctuate the most high octane moments of Blaster Master Zero, while the pace slows down for exploration -- finding secret weapons and upgrades in a somewhat Metroid-style way. Both the 2D action-platforming and the over-the-head running and gunning make Blaster Master Zero on the whole a terrific indie charmer.

3) Mighty Gunvolt Burst (NSW, 3DS)

Inti Creates didn't just have one of my favorite digital delights from 2017 -- they had two! Despite the Mighty No. 9 franchise being a bit toxic after a turbulent (to say the least) Kickstarter campaign and subsequent handing out rewards (then there's the quality of the actual game), Inti Creates brought a much needed boost to Mighty No. 9's Beck. This time, he was starring with Gunvolt of the Azure Striker Gunvolt series in a followup to Mighty Gunvolt (a game that was available on the Nintendo 3DS and Steam). This sequel was Mighty Gunvolt Burst for the Nintendo Switch and 3DS. Similar to a Mega Man game and having the same cast of bosses as Mighty No. 9, the dev team went further, designing well crafted levels that encouraged multiple playthroughs to uncover secrets and get higher scores. An upgrade system meant you could customize Beck or Gunvolt by equipping found chips to do a number of enhancements. From air dashes, to adding elemental capabilities to weapons, to making bullets fire in different arcs and directions, the amount of customization was incredible. While we wait for Mega Man 11 later this year, why not check out Mighty Gunvolt Burst if you haven't already?

2) SteamWorld Dig 2 (PS4, NSW, Vita, PC)

We saw this game already earlier in the evening, and it's for good reason. SteamWorld Dig 2 is just a wonderful game made by an exceptionally talented team in Image & Form. Further expanding on the now-basic gameplay of the original SteamWorld Dig, the sequel brought forth expertly created level design as opposed to the randomly generated worlds seen in Image & Form's first chapter of the SteamWorld saga. This meant a more cleverly crafted world could be built, offering man-made challenges instead of leaving things up to the whims of the AI's design. It made finding treasure and completing the many challenge rooms within the game particularly rewarding and not something that felt like simple luck. The options in the player character's mobility further exemplified the lessons learned by the dev team, giving players more ways to get from point A to point B, and have lots of fun doing them. SteamWorld Dig 2 is an addicting, quality, treasure of a game that thankfully you don't have to discover miles under ground to play and enjoy.

1) Sonic Mania (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

Speaking of seeing games earlier this evening, it's once again time for SuperPhillip Central's pick for the top digital download of 2017, Sonic Mania! The days of me sinking a lot of time into a game, beating it multiple times, and after thinking I was exhausted with it, going back to play it some more seemed long gone. After all, usually when I beat a game nowadays I have to move on to my next for review purposes to keep a steady stream of relevant game coverage going. With Sonic Mania, I must have gone through the game with all seven Chaos Emeralds at least three times. The zones are colorful and full of interesting gimmicks and obstacles, the controls are as solid and smooth as the Genesis classics, and the overall presentation nails the '90s aesthetic from over two decades ago. As cynical and sarcastic as I often can get, games like Sonic Mania bring back the kid in me, and they remind me why I love gaming so much.

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2016 Awards - Top Five Downloadable Games

Tomorrow, the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2016 Awards will crown the site's Game of the Year. Until then, however, we cap off the year of posts on SuperPhillip Central with two things: a new review and one more awards category. We're doing the latter right now, focusing on the top five downloadable games that I enjoyed the most this year. Like other categories of the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2016 Awards, limiting this list to just five entries really does a disservice to all the great, satisfying games that came out digitally. Regardless, here are SuperPhillip Central's five picks for top downloadable releases.

5) Super Mario Run (iOS)

Mario meets mobile with much success! Super Mario Run may not have met the lofty expectations of investors (who just want Nintendo to nickle and dime consumers anyway for easy money), but for players who took the plunge on this premium priced mobile game, they would find a successful transplant of 2D Mario made with mobile in mind. This auto-runner is easy enough to beat, but the true fun comes from both collecting all the pink, purple, and black coins in each level-- something that takes a lot of mastery to do-- and playing the enjoyable Toad Rally mode. Nintendo and DeNA should be congratulated for a nice take on 2D Mario to fit mobile.

4) Ittle Dew 2 (PS4, XB1, PC)

We may have to wait until next year to get our next taste of The Legend of Zelda series, but this year indie dev Ludosity brought a Zelda-like experience to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Steam with Ittle Dew 2. This game presents a wide open world to explore where hidden caves house glorious new items to help Ittle on her quest, dungeons that can be played in any order that are full of devious puzzles and challenging enemies, and a level of self-aware humor that makes for an immensely charming game. The level of care and consideration put into Ittle Dew 2 by Ludosity makes it a marked improvement over the game's predecessor and makes for one Zelda-like game that does its inspiration well.

3) Aqua Moto Racing Utopia (PS4, PC)

I have gushed about Zordix's Aqua Moto Racing Utopia a lot already on the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2016 Awards, and I don't think I'm quite finished. If you've been waiting for a water-racing experience that rivals what I consider the best of the bunch in Wave Race 64, then you absolutely need to download Aqua Moto Racing Utopia. A lot of thought was put into how each craft handles, and the physics of the wave are satisfyingly realistic. The ten venues each sport a variety of races, and the solo and multiplayer options are full of things to do. Those looking for a tight Wave Race-like experience will find a superb one with Aqua Moto Racing Utopia.

2) Adventures of Mana (iOS, Android, Vita)

A remake of Final Fantasy Adventure, a game that originally released on the OG Game Boy, Adventures of Mana is a splendid update. A lot of old school design decisions and sensibilities are still present, making for a journey that seldom holds your hand, so when you successfully figure out what to do next, you get a really rewarding feeling. From the pleasant visuals to the lovely music, interesting puzzle and combat-filled dungeons, and the expansive world map, Adventures of Mana is a 10-hour quest that will make you continually want to come back for more. At least that was the case with me.

1) Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 (3DS)

The Mega Man series is one of my favorites in gaming. There is just something special about running, jumping, and shooting through levels. Azure Striker Gunvolt 2, developed by the same crew behind the Mega Man Zero games, fills that same niche splendidly with intense, pulse-pounding action. The game allows for players to take on the stories of one of two playable characters, each with distinctive play styles, both a lot of fun. Levels don't linger around too long, making for repeated play-throughs as blast to do, and the bosses are as challenging and entertaining as one would expect from a game that takes the mantle of the Mega Man series. Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 is a brilliant game, a serious improvement over the original, and should give most action-platforming fans something to enjoy for hours to come.

Why Wii U is More Than Still Worth It - Part 2: 25 Fantastic Downloads

Last week I shared 25 retail titles that proved without a shadow of a doubt why the Wii U, despite its weak sales, very much deserves to be owned by any self-respecting gamer. This follow-up piece details 25 downloadable pieces of software off the Wii U eShop that further illustrates why Wii U owners certainly have a lot to play on their systems. From action-platformers to Metroidvanias, puzzle games to shooters, this list of 25 (and many more honorable mentions that couldn't fit in this article) has some very good titles.

Again, since this is article is image-intensive, please check it out after the break.

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2015 Awards - Top Five Downloadable Games

Happy new year from SuperPhillip Central! I have but two more lists to share for the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2015 Awards. The second one is the special top ten games of 2015. However, let's dial things back a bit before I get ahead of myself. In an industry that is heading more and more into the digital landscape, and in one where mid-budget games are all but forgotten by big publishers, indie developers are propping these smaller sized games into the spotlight, and I couldn't love them more for it. 2015 was a big year for downloadable gems, and these five that I enjoyed most shined the brightest.

5) Elliot Quest (Wii U eShop, PC)

Taking elements from games like Zelda II: The Adventure of Link and Kid Icarus, Elliot Quest was a Zelda-style platformer that didn't hold the hand of the player at all. The world of Urele Island was yours to explore, gaining new information, weapons, and abilities, as you made progress through the towns, fields, caverns, and dungeons of the game. It's a much more beginner-friendly feel than Zelda II, but don't be fooled-- Elliot Quest could easily serve the player their butt on a silver platter if they weren't expecting it.

4) Rocket League (PS4, PC)

Rocket-powered cars and soccer? Sign me up! And so did countless other PlayStation 4 and PC players, jumping in to play this extremely exciting and riveting sports game sequel to 2008's Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars. Combining elements of soccer and demolition derbies, Rocket League is a fast-paced action-sports title that makes the case for great gameplay triumphing over all else.

3) FAST Racing Neo (Wii U eShop)

It was a bit of a wait, but Shin'en finally came through with FAST Racing Neo, a lightning fast Wii U eShop exclusive that amazes with its gorgeous visuals, exquisite frame-rate, and of course, stellar and challenging gameplay. Through sixteen well crafted courses, three difficulties of increasing speed, multiple unlockable vehicles, online and local multiplayer, and a challenge for every skill level, FAST Racing Neo delighted me immensely... while kicking my butt to the curb with its difficulty. Despite this, I had a smile on my face the entire time.

2) Adventures of Pip (Multi)

Evolve and devolve between different bit forms with this tremendous 2D platformer from Tic Toc Games. As you change bit forms, different areas of levels open up to you, allowing you to progress in the game as well as find hidden townspeople to rescue. Each form that Pip can take possesses its own positives and negatives, making venturing through levels as much of a puzzle as possible. With excellent level design, tight controls, and lots of originality, Adventures of Pip is my second favorite downloadable game of 2015.

1) Freedom Planet (Wii U eShop)

Starring a cast of anthropomorphic animals, Freedom Planet is parts fast-paced platformer with slower paced action sequences. The game started as a Sonic the Hedgehog fan game before being transformed into a completely original work. Full of enjoyable platforming, creatively devised levels, and adrenaline-pumping boss battles, Freedom Planet was an entertaining romp from beginning to end. With free downloadable content coming in the future, this game continues to shine for Wii U owners.