SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - "E3 Withdrawal" Edition

Still reeling from E3, SuperPhillip Central is having withdrawal symptoms. We gotta have more game announcements, more new trailers, more joy, but alas, that time is now over. Thus, we must move on to a new week, and like any new week, we begin with SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs. Here, one piece of music for five different video games apiece (five pieces of music total, if your brain is fried like mine usually is) is showcased with a link, imagine, and brief introduction.

This week we're featuring some big games in the form of The Witcher III: Wild Hunt, and we continue with that three-quel trend with Dark Souls III. The Dark Knight follows with a theme from Batman: Arkham Knight just before Kratos storms on to the scene with God of War II. Last but not least, one of many black sheeps in the Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy VIII wraps up this "E3 Withdrawal" edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs.

Click on the big link above each image to hear the song mentioned. Additionally, the VGM Database houses every game and piece of music ever showcased on this weekly series. Now, let's get on to the music!

v1421. The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (PS4, XB1, PC) - Geralt of Rivia

We begin with a series and a game that I don't think has been covered yet on SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs is The Witcher, so why not fix this glaring omission by including The Witcher III: Wild Hunt as the first VGM volume of this edition! That's exactly what we're going to do with this rousing main theme for the game that is as big of a musical adventure as the game is an enjoyable one! Majestic, bold, brave, and just all-around fantastic, Wild Hunt's main theme is one for the ages.

v1422. Dark Souls III (PS4, XB1, PC) - Main Menu

Dark Souls as a series is not for those with weak wills, low patience, or the feint of heart. Probably why I've only watched someone play several games in the series rather than played them myself. That said, I would be remiss if I didn't take the time to enjoy the series' soundtracks, featuring some really well done music, both melodic and atmospheric. Dark Souls III's main menu might be familiar to those who followed the game leading up to its release, as this theme is the same music played during the game's trailer at Gamescom in 2015.

v1423. Batman: Arkham City (Multi) - You Should Have Listened to My Warning

Nick Arundel's work on Batman: Arkham City remains my favorite video game soundtrack in the Arkham series. Riveting strings, tense, thrilling music, and just a tremendous sense of anticipation builds throughout a wide number of tracks throughout Batman: Arkham City. It doesn't hurt either that out of the Dark Knight's many nighttime outings that Arkham City remains one of my favorites!

v1424. God of War II (PS2) - Colossus of Rhodes

All in a god's work for Kratos as God of War II plunges players directly into an action sequence even better and greater in scale than the Hydra in the original God of War. In the sequel, Kratos is pursued at various points of the introductory area by the Colossus of Rhodes, before finally doing battle with the iron beast. The music in the God of War series is most certainly epic, and the theme for the Colossus of Rhodes supports that line of thinking considerably.

v1425. Final Fantasy VIII (PS1) - Liberi Fatali

Played during the opening cutscene of Final Fantasy VIII, Liberi Fatali is one of main themes from the game, taking much of its motifs from Edea's Theme. The combination of a rousing orchestra with Latin chanting as Squall and Seifer wield dueling blades remains one of my favorite openings in any video game. I believe Final Fantasy IV through IX was Nobuo Uematsu's strongest period in his composing career.

Top Eight Best Eighth Entries

And now for something completely different! It's SuperPhillip Central's eight-year anniversary today, as you probably know by now with the preceding posts on the site. Time for a special list to commemorate this historic day. Sure, I could have done a top ten list, but that wouldn't be anywhere near as special as a top EIGHT. In this gaming climate, a long-running series is impressive. Just hitting three entries is something astounding, but EIGHT entries? That's a reason to celebrate. That's exactly what this top eight list does, talking about the best eighth entries in video game history. After you've read these eight entries, remind me of any franchises that I may have forgotten about in the comments below.

8) Mega Man 8 (PS1, SAT)

The first Mega Man platformer to hit the PlayStation, Mega Man 8 is a colorful and gorgeous game that packs a wallop filled with fun levels, well designed challenges, and memorable Robot Masters. Added to this installment of Mega Man are bolts that are hidden in levels which can then be used to purchase helpful upgrades as Dr. Light's lab, such as more powerful charged shots, an energy balancer, and even speed upgrades to climb up ladders faster and move along the ground more quickly. It's an absolute shame that Capcom didn't adopt this lovely style of Mega Man much in the future, instead going back to original 8-bit style for Mega Man 9 and 10 a decade later. Not to say those games weren't good or the style wasn't nice to look at, but the style of Mega Man 8 pushed the classic Mega Man series forward, more so than heading back to the NES.

7) Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (PS3, 360)

Mortal Kombat has been a persevering fighting game franchise in an industry where long-term gaming series don't happen too often. With the eighth Mortal Kombat entry, a crossover from seemingly out of nowhere occurred when the characters from the Netherrealm in Mortal Kombat faced off against DC Comics' wide array of superheroes and villains. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe brings the two massive collection of all-star characters together in combat, even including the fatalities the Mortal Kombat series is known for. Though, DC's superheroes would perform something called "heroic brutalities" that would not kill opponents in order to stay true to their positive morals. With a full-fledged story mode, superb fighting game mechanics, tight controls, and lots of pageantry, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is a fantastic fighter.

6) Kirby: Canvas Curse (DS)

The eighth Kirby game, Kirby: Canvas Curse is the game for me that cemented the Nintendo DS's touch screen as a must-have feature for the system. This stylus-only controlled game has you poking Kirby, stuck in ball form, to have him speed up and dash into enemies, as well as drawing rainbow lines (as long as you have enough ink) to guide the pink puffball through a myriad of challenging and creative levels. Kirby's trademark copy abilities are present and accounted for in Canvas Curse, allowing Kirby to smite enemies with many different powers and reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible, usually housing rare medals to collect. As I said in my top ten best Kirby games list Kirby: Canvas Curse was the game that made the summer drought after the Nintendo DS's launch go by very fast until games like Mario Kart DS, Advance Wars; Dual Strike, and Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow released the following fall.

5) Final Fantasy VIII (PS1)

Final Fantasy VIII is considered the black sheep, the odd game out, the eccentric one in the original PlayStation Final Fantasy trilogy. It eschewed many franchise conventions to create an interesting and very different experience. For one, the junction system has players equipping summons or Guardian Forces to utilize a multitude of different spells and abilities. To get magic in general, you have to draw it from enemies instead of earning it through leveling up and other more traditional means. These magic spells can also be placed onto specific statistics to boost a given party members' strength, speed, and other stats. As you can see, Final Fantasy VIII is quite different from past and present Final Fantasy games, even having it where leveling up is sometimes more dangerous than staying at a lower level. I'd be remiss of I didn't mention my favorite part of FFVIII: Triple Triad, a collectible card game that screams addicting gameplay. It's the sum of its parts that make Final Fantasy VIII a worthy entry in the series, despite its obvious flaws.

4) Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)

The latest Mario Kart is one of the best the long-running series has seen. With 32 initial tracks, and 16 additional ones via an incredible steal of a Season Pass or via separate download packs, the content of Mario Kart 8 made it positively packed with racing goodness. The tracks themselves are some the best in the franchise, using a new anti-gravity mechanic similar to F-Zero, which has the tracks loop, twist, turn, and forgo the limitations of gravity. The multiplayer, whether locally (thank goodness we could finally play Grand Prix with a friend again), or online makes for some very exciting and entertaining experiences. The presentation is also fantastic, featuring jaw-dropping cartoon visuals and a sensational rock and jazz soundtrack. While the battle mode isn't up to par with the series, the rest of what Mario Kart 8 offers more than makes up for it.

3) The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages or Oracle of Seasons (GBC)

This is an interesting predicament discerning which Legend of Zelda game is the true eighth entry. That's because the seventh and eighth entries of The Legend of Zelda series released as a duo meant to be played together. Data from one game could be transferred to the other through a series of passwords. Either Oracle of Ages or Oracle of Seasons could be played first, and then the remaining game could be played after, so it makes it challenging to make heads or tails of which of these two Zelda games is actually the seventh and which is the eighth. Hence, why I simply put "or" in the entry heading. Which ever of the Oracle games you consider to be whatever numbered entry, you'll get a phenomenal handheld Zelda adventure, chock full of interesting puzzle-filled dungeons, clever boss battles, an amazing world to explore, and lots of longevity.

2) Sonic & Knuckles (GEN)

While Sonic & Knuckles is considered the fourth mainline installment of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, it is actually the eighth release of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, counting the Master System and Game Gear releases before it. Essentially an expansion pack in the most literal sense, the cartridge allowed other games to hook up to it, most notably, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to create a massive sized 2D Sonic adventure. Full of enjoyable zones and levels (well, maybe not Sandopolis Act 2 for some of us), a nice mix of speed and more slower paced action sequences, and a rockin' soundtrack, Sonic & Knuckles absolutely rules, and its ten month launch after Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was mighty impressive.

1) Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (PS2)

My personal favorite eighth entry comes from the illustrious Dragon Quest series. From this first and only PlayStation 2 mainline installment, multiple new happenings occurred. For one, the Dragon Warrior name that North Americans knew was dropped, and this eighth entry introduced for the first time fully 3D environments to explore, opening up the exploration to a delightful degree. Still, several series and genre tropes remained the same, such as randomly occurring turn-based battles, gaining experience, and the general charm the Dragon Warr-- I mean-- Dragon Quest series is known for. From the refreshing simplicity of the game systems within Dragon Quest VIII to its sensational cel-shaded visuals, Dragon Quest VIII is a phenomenal entry and one of my favorites of the franchise. With it receiving an iOS and Android port, and soon to see a localization for the Nintendo 3DS version in the West, things are still looking up for this memorable Dragon Quest game.

First Things First: Best Openings in Gaming - Part One

Earlier in the week we took a look at some great credits sequences in games. To wrap up the work week here at SuperPhillip Central, there is a completely new series of articles that makes the rounds. The best games have a terrific opening to hook players into playing them. This new series of articles delves into the absolute best openings ever seen in gaming history. These can be completely cutscenes or they can be interactive. For part one of this list, we'll be dealing with the former. Click on the game name to watch the opening mentioned.

Final Fantasy VIII (PS1)

One of the most intense openings on this first part of this list, Final Fantasy VIII's opening is an epic menagerie of pulse-pounding scenes and imagery. From the beginning with the words protagonists and love interests Squall and Rinoa say to one another later in the game to the sensational battle of blades between Squall and Seifer which leads to both men receiving permanent scars on their faces, the opening of Final Fantasy VIII ups the pageantry and drama immensely. This is all while the excellent Nobuo Uematsu composed vocal theme Liberi Fatali plays. It all adds up to an unforgettable opening in an otherwise flawed, but still enjoyable, Final Fantasy game.

Chrono Cross (PS1)

"What was the start of this? When did the cogs of fate begin to turn? Perhaps it is impossible to grasp that answer now, From deep within the flow of time..." And with those words do the slow and steady start of Chrono Cross' opening begins. After the poetic words wrap up, the instruments and rhythm kick in, as do the gorgeous visuals. Through a series of brief glimpses at events that happen throughout the game, the icing on this enticing cake is Yasunori Mitsuda's brilliant composition, Time's Scar, also known as Scars of Time in some parts of the net. Chrono Cross isn't a perfect game, but if the quality of the title was as good as the opening throughout, it certainly would have been.

Wild ARMs (PS1)

Wrapping up our look at original PlayStation game openings, we have Mediavision's Wild ARMs opening to enjoy. This opening is unlike the prior two as it is devised up of sleek and stylish anime visuals instead of computer-generated graphics. The animation is top-notch, and the theme song heard invokes memories of the Old West, fitting for Wild ARMs' Western world mixed with sci-fi. The opening shows interactions between all three main characters of the game, Rudy, our silent protagonist; Jack, our treasure hunter; and Cecilia, our magic user. The combination of glorious anime visuals, awesome imagery, and sublime music makes for a memorable opening.

Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (GCN)

We move away from serious openings to something more comical with this upcoming pair of Mario sports title openings for the GameCube. The first of which is Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, colorful and great playing arcade golf game featuring the lovable Mushroom Kingdom cast. This opening shows Wario and Waluigi up to know good in very hilarious ways. Whether they're putting opponents to sleep in how long they take to sink a putt to being chased by Bowser due to hitting him with a stray drive, this dastardly duo definitely gets their just desserts in this incredibly humorous opening. Certainly makes the effort (or lack thereof) that went into Camelot's latest sports title, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash look all the more disappointing.

Mario Power Tennis (GCN)

Wario and Waluigi just don't know when to quit, do they? After earning their comeuppance in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour's opening, the two are at it again in the opening of Mario Power Tennis. Angry over their initial loss to the team of Mario and Luigi, Wario and Waluigi add some graffiti to the Mario Bros' tournament picture, resulting in getting some undesired attention by some police robots. The robots humorously chase Wario and Waluigi all around the Peach Dome before the two escape by entering a door. This door leads them to Bowser's secret training room where the King of the Koopas put the pair through the wringer. Through the torturous training, Wario and Waluigi feel strong enough to take on Mario and Luigi. However, instead of a traditional tennis match, the pair launch Bob-Ombs from a tennis ball shooter at the Mario Bros. All heck breaks loose with explosions everywhere, including one that destroys Bowser's flying blimp and Wario and Waluigi in the process. The comedy is rich in Mario Power Tennis, and the game itself is one of the better ones of the series.

Mega Man 2 (NES)

Sometimes all you need is some simplicity to have a memorable and awesome opening. That's at least the case with Mega Man 2's opening. It tells the tale of how Dr. Wily was defeated in the first game, and how he plans his revenge through creating eight of his own Robot Masters. What follows is the screen rising upward along the side of a tall building. At the very top stands Mega Man against the night sky, hair blowing in the wind. The riveting title music plays, energizing players to go on a new adventure with the Blue Bomber.

Let the Good Names Roll: Great Credits Sequences in Gaming - Part One

The staff roll, otherwise known as the credits of video games. This is where not only do we see all the names of the folks who worked on the game you just beat, but perhaps something special to go along with it, whether it's an overview of your adventure, the cast of enemies in the game, or something else. This article delves into some of the very best and most memorable staff rolls/credits sequences in video game history. From old school classics to modern marvels, part one of this expanding list will definitely bring some excellence. Click on the game title to see the credits sequence described.

Super Mario 64 (N64)

Not only do you get a magnificent and catchy theme from Koji Kondo to go along with the credits of this first game on this list, but you also get a wonderful overview of each and every course Mario and you jumped, punched, kicked, and in some courses, flew through, with Super Mario 64's astounding staff roll sequence. If you have a second controller plugged in, you can use that controller's analog stick to pivot the camera around during each course overview, giving you a special look at each level of the game.

Mario Kart 64 (N64)

Nintendo definitely liked to show off its jump to 3D with the Nintendo 64's software library. The track overview of Mario Kart 64 is just another way Nintendo did just that. Featuring an incredibly epic theme that remains one of my personal favorite staff roll themes in all of gaming, Mario Kart 64 shows all sixteen new tracks within the game, from the beginning where it shows Luigi Raceway and Moo Moo Farm to the conclusion where Banshee Boardwalk and the stunning Rainbow Road are showed.

Final Fantasy VIII (PS1)

Squaresoft spared no expense with their creativity at the credits of Final Fantasy VIII. Showing Squall's party through the lens of Selphie's camera was an often humorous scene. With shots of Quistis and Irvine, the latter trying to get the former to loosen up to little success, Irvine taking over the camera, pointing it at some girls to flirt with them (to Selphie's disapproval), Zell consuming large quantities of food, choking in the process to everyone's fright, and a final shot of Rinoa raising a finger and smiling at a mysterious someone, these shots to go along with the well known Final Fantasy theme made for a special ending to the game.

Resident Evil 4 (Multi)

With Resident Evil 4, the terror is finally over after Leon and Ashley escape via jetski.... or is it? The credits sequence features haunting music and a showing of art showcasing the villagers' lives before, during, and after the "Las Plagas" parasite infection. At the beginning, the villagers go through their innocent daily lives, then we see villagers getting injected with Las Plagas, turning the quiet village life into total Hell. The accompanying music alters itself when this event occurs, making a peaceful tune change into a highly foreboding piece. The credits sequence nails the tension of Resident Evil 4, and quite possibly makes for a scarier time than the entirety of Resident Evil 5 and 6. ...Possibly.

Star Fox 64 (N64)

Star Fox 64 was marketed, at least in the United States, as a cinematic gaming giant. This was mostly in part due to the significant amount of dialogue and action sequences within the game. All of this gave Star Fox 64 a grand movie-like feel. Nothing would end this game better than a credits sequence deserving of a blockbuster, and this was exactly what Star Fox 64 had. Featuring camera views of Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, Peppy Hare, and Slippy Toad flying alongside the Great Fox after a mission well done on Venom, the crew heads back home to Corneria to be greeted by General Pepper and the Cornerian Army. After refusing the general's request to join the Cornerian Army, the four members of team Star Fox rush along the plains with a heavy sunset in the background. The Great Fox rises from the horizon, and the game's credits are complete.

Mega Man X3 (SNES)

In this last example of a fun and memorable staff roll, sometimes the actual staff of the game isn't even mentioned. Instead, they're replaced by the cast of the game. With Mega Man X3, this is exactly what you get. Offering an awesome synth rock theme alongside Mega Man X and Zero running through the streets of a futuristic city metropolis, the cast of the game is given star treatment, showing each Maverick's name, power level, and picture. It is a bit odd to see the staff of the game completely uncredited in this sequence, but it makes for a memorable roll all the same.

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - Bookended by Final Fantasy Edition

Hello everyone! It's your blogger friend Phil here with five more themes from the world of video games! It's of course time for SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs, dishing out even more superb sounds for all to enjoy.

This week I have selected tracks from five more games. We will start off with an awesomely orchestrated classic theme from Final Fantasy VIII, and then we'll move on to some Spanish flavor with music from the indie hit Guacamelee! Moving on from there, we dive into two unique platformers, Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg and Puppeteer. Finally, we wrap up this edition of the old VGMs like we started, with a track from a Final Fantasy game, this time Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles!

If you're just joining the site or want to listen to past songs selected by yours truly, check out the SuperPhillip Central Favorite VGM Database for all the great video game tracks I love and cherish!

v856. Final Fantasy VIII (PS1) - The Man With the Machine Gun (Orchestrated)

We start this edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs with one of my favorite orchestrated pieces in Final Fantasy history, The Man With the Machine Gun. This peppy and empowered piece goes from techno and electronic to bold and daring with its big brass and sensational strings. It makes for a cherished orchestral version of a classic Final Fantasy VIII tune.

v857. Guacamelee! (Multi) - Temple of War ~ Rain

Guacamelee! is a Metroidvania game, and that genre of 2D platformer is no stranger to the indie scene. However, this game is one of my favorites in the genre with its great level design, awesome use of moves in not just to reach new areas but also to defeat foes in combat, and luchador styling. Temple of War ~ Rain gives listeners a Spanish flavor with its guitar while also delivering a nice mix of electronica into the fold as well.

v858. Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg (GCN) - Volcanic Orchestra

Tomoya Ohtani was the main composer behind Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg, and his name should be quite familiar to those who have listened to more modern Sonic the Hedgehog games, such as Sonic Unleashed, Sonic Colors, and Sonic: Lost World. Ohtani and his merry band of composers including Mariko Namba did a great job creating a colorful soundtrack to accompany the colorful world of Billy Hatcher.

v859. Puppeteer (PS3) - Danger

Patrick Doyle composed the music for Sony's Puppeteer, a cute and quaint 2.5D platformer that stunned in its presentation and did rather well in its gameplay as well. Perhaps my greatest complaint with the game is its constant interruption of the gameplay with its presentation and storytelling. A little story goes a long way in a platformer, kids!

v860. Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles (GCN) - When the Northern Sky Is Clear

The theme of Rebena Te Ra, one of the final areas in Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles on the Nintendo GameCube, When the Northern Sky Is Clear is accentuated by backing vocals and a xylophone ostinato. The level itself is a confusing maze filled with powerful monsters that only the brave and bold can conquer.

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - R.I.P. Irrational Games Edition

Last week saw the unexpected and unfortunate news that Irrational Games, the studio behind the BioShock series, was closing. The saddest part of all of this is that so many people were laid off, now searching for positions where they can find them. Even though this edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs isn't wholly dedicated to the BioShock franchise, we do lead it off with a song from Infinite as a tribute to the team's memory.

v571. BioShock Infinite (PS3, 360, PC) - Will the Circle Be Unbroken

BioShock Infinite is a wonderful game that has all of the pieces of a memorable title. Its story is one that we would argue is one of the top efforts in the industry, and everything from its action to its presentation amazes. The music is part symphony, part hymns, and part barber shop quartet. It all adds up to an impressive medley of sounds for the ears to enjoy.

v572. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) - Athletic 

In a move that is essentially gamer sacrilege, we haven't had a theme from Super Mario Bros. 3 until now! Go ahead-- throw stones at us! The super peppy Athletic theme tells you that you're going to initiate in plenty of platforming peril, so get those hammies stretched and boots securely put on, as you have a princess and kingdom to save!

v573. Final Fantasy VIII (PS1) - Fisherman's Horizon (Orchestrated)

A tranquil trip through melodic wonder and gorgeous harmonies, the orchestrated version of Fisherman's Horizon, coming from the Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec orchestral album of selected Final Fantasy VIII songs. The choir leads you through the beginning of the piece, and like an old friend it returns for an emotionally powerful ending.

v574. Hot Shots Golf Fore! (PS2) - Mt. Sakura C.C. (Spring/Summer)

Spring is but a month away, and that means golf season will officially begin! While we will surrender the real golf links to Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and other professionals, we'll take up domain on the virtual links with Hot Shots Golf Fore!, one of our favorite golf games period. The soundtrack is full of chipper themes to make that out of bounds shot less painful. Trust us. We know how that feels.

v575. Animal Crossing: City Folk (Wii) - City (Day)

Animal Crossing's Wii entry failed to impress many, as it had many similarities to the DS game, Wild World. Even the music was shared between the two games, save for some specific themes like the City's daytime theme. One of the new additions to City Folk was the city area where animals would wander about, and it was where different shops were located. The city theme would be remade in Nintendo Land as part of the attraction Animal Crossing: Sweet Day. It was a faster paced, march-like version.

SPC's Favorite VGMs - Cinco de Mayo + 1 Edition

The start of the workweek can only mean one thing-- Moonshine Monday! Wait. No. It's actually time for SPC's Favorite VGMs, your go-to source for... SuperPhillip Central's... favorite VGMs. Ahem. On this week's installment we've got music from Batman: Arkham City, Final Fantasy VIII, and Ys I & II Chronicles.

v366. Batman: Arkham City (PS3, 360) - Main Theme

I recently sat down and replayed through Batman: Arkham City. The first time was on the PlayStation 3. This second foray into Arkham City was via the Wii U's Armored Edition, a truly definitive version of the game. Anyway, this main theme says all you need to know about the Dark Knight. It's epic, it's heroic, and it's incredibly tense-- just like Batman himself.

v367. de Blob (Wii) - Raydian Day (Unstoppable)

John Cuscott and his band jam with de Blob's Raydian Day (Unstoppable). de Blob was one of those child-friendly games that added to the immense library of the Nintendo Wii. You played as the titular hero, coloring up buildings and defeating the sinister INKT baddies. It's a total shame that Blue Tongue was dissolved, even if they would have just been sold off to the highest bidder after THQ's collapse.

v368. Final Fantasy VIII (PS1) - The Landing

This theme was the first thing heard on the original PlayStation demo of Final Fantasy VIII. Actually, it really wasn't. An alternate theme was played. The story goes that it sounded too familiar to something from The Rock motion picture (that's the rumor anyway). Someone verify that for me, okay? Regardless, this version is the one that made it into the final game, The Landing.

v369. Ys I & II Chronicles (PSP) - Ice Ridge of Noltia

What starts with a lovely strings theme backed by a rhythm track turns into an affair for piano and then guitar. Ys I & II Chronicles is a collection of titles that I did not get to try out. After enjoying The Oath in Felghana, my interest in the Ys series grew heavily. It's about time I track down a copy of this collection!

v370. Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Wii) - Football

There's nothing like an energetic song to kick around a black and white ball to. That is exactly what you get with our last VGM of this edition of SPC's Favorite VGMs. This track plays during the football event of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games for the Nintendo Wii. The game had its drawbacks, but overall it was a competent mini-game collection with a terrific soundtrack.

SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Final Fantasy Works Overtime Edition

Today is Labor Day, and many Americans are off school and/or work this Monday. However, there is no rest for the weary regarding SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs. No, instead they are working just as hard as ever. This edition of the VGMs is particularly special because it is an all Final Fantasy music edition. Final Fantasy possesses a huge portion of my favorite themes in video game history. If you are interested in more FF music after this installment, check out my article on the best in Final Fantasy music here. Let's dive in, shall we?

v186. Final Fantasy XI (Multi) - Final Fantasy XI Opening Theme

Final Fantasy XI is one of the few mainline Final Fantasy games that the SuperPhillip household does not own outright. I'm sure the MMORPG is fun, but it is a genre that just does nothing for any one here. This opening theme for Final Fantasy XI starts out with the familiar prelude theme before transitioning into something totally different, punctuated by brass and woodwinds, a part of the tune that gets one primed for an adventure. We also get to hear the deep voices of choir chime in right here, and the choir all culminates with this. It's a terrific opening theme for Final Fantasy XI, for sure.

v187. Final Fantasy IV (SNES) - Into the Darkness

A perfect theme for exploring the unknown, a place filled to the brim with unsettling ambiance and monsters to boot. But for Cecil Harvey and our heroes, nothing is too fraught with danger for them to turn around and hightail it out of there. There's a corrupt kingdom after all, and a villain clad in darkness to pursue. Into the Darkness was listed on my Best of Final Fantasy Music feature as runner-up in the Best Dungeon Theme category. Listen to track and you will understand why.

v188. Final Fantasy VIII (PS1) - Waltz for the Moon

Played during the famous ballroom dance scene between Squall and Rinoa at Balamb Garden, Final Fantasy VIII's Waltz for the Moon is the type of song that you can bounce around the room to. Its main melody is Love Grows, the theme of Squall and Rinoa's future romance. Final Fantasy VIII is considered the black sheep of the trio of mainline FF titles on the original PlayStation. I happened to greatly enjoy it. When I wasn't saving the world, I was wasting time with Triple Triad.

v189. Final Fantasy V (SNES) - Lenna's Theme (Dear Friends Version)

This track from Final Fantasy V is atypical of the others on today's edition. It comes from an arranged album, unlike the rest. It's Lenna's Theme from Final Fantasy V Dear Friends. A somber, melancholy theme that tugs at the heartstrings is what impact this tune gives to me. I love the flute and how it drives the melody of this piece. Final Fantasy V skipped the West until its inclusion in the original PlayStation's Final Fantasy Anthology. FFV was notable because of its job system, something that would influence future Final Fantasy games.

v190. Final Fantasy X (PS2) - Battle

A peppy uptempo battle theme for Final Fantasy X, this song plays throughout the normal enemy encounters in the game. The situation gets incredibly energized when this part plays. I personally never saw the love for Final Fantasy X. I enjoyed the game's color, but the random battles in a 3D space, the annoying cast, and a wide assortment of nitpicks ruined my opinion of the game. That said, the music is as always great from Nobuo Uematsu.

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That concludes our brief look at some of the music from Final Fantasy. It will no doubt not be our last as the series has some of the best music in gaming. We only have two weeks to go before we hit the 200th VGM. Then, after that, I have something special planned for a month to two months worth of VGM editions. Look forward to that surprise in the coming future. Until then, enjoy your Monday, everybody, and check out my VGM database.