SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - "One Last Leap in July" Edition

On this final day of July, SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs greets us with a new installment, a platformer-filled edition! Be it games that are purely platformers or one that feature characters famous for their platforming antics. Okay, that's enough of the word "platform" or any variation of it because I've already use the word too much in this opening paragraph!

We begin with a game that will soon reach the Nintendo Switch with Rayman Legends. Moving on from that limbless wonder we turn a pink gluttonous blob with Kirby: Triple Deluxe. Mario is featured next, but not in a traditional platforming (dammit, I can't stop using the word!) role. Instead, we see him in his first RPG ever with Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Finally, two PlayStation platformers, one modern with Puppeteer and one classic with Jumping Flash! rounds out this edition.

Click on the VGM volume name to hear that song. Click on the VGM Database to see and hear any past VGM volume featured on this weekly SuperPhillip Central segment. Now, let's get on to the music!

v1436. Rayman Legends (Multi) - Enchanted Forest

As I stated in the opening, Rayman Legends is coming to yet another platform! This time around it's the Nintendo Switch which is being deemed by Ubisoft as the Definitive Edition. Almost everything about Rayman Legends is satisfying and stupendous, like the level design, tight platforming, amount of content, and of course, the music! So good! But I did say almost everything. What wasn't so terrific about Rayman Legends? Well, to some, the Murfy levels, but for me, that really awful special series of levels at the end of the game.

v1437. Kirby: Triple Deluxe (3DS) - Hypernova All-Stars

Yes, Kirby is our gluttonous hero, but no matter his craving and insatiable appetite, we'll always have a fondness for him, now won't we, ladies and gentlemen! In his first Nintendo 3DS outing, Kirby could transform into an ultra powerful version with tremendous suction power, able to open his massive mouth up wide and inhale enemies both small and large as if they were nothing. He could even move gigantic objects to solve environmental puzzles. This was the theme that played during these action-packed gameplay segments in a Nintendo 3DS adventure that many Kirby fans adored.

v1438. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (SNES) - Let's Do the Fooka-Fooka!

Moving from one Nintendo platforming all-star to another, though admittedly a much more popular one by far, we have Mario's first RPG adventure with Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. It would be the last project then-Squaresoft would make for a Nintendo system until the GameCube's Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles and the Game Boy Advance's Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. Let's Do the Fooka-Fooka! plays in Nimbus Land, the home of Mallow, who--SPOILER ALERT!--isn't actually a tadpole. He's a cloud, and the prince of Nimbus Land at that!

v1439. Puppeteer (PS3) - Kutaro

The severely underrated Puppeteer for the PlayStation 3 released late in the console's life. This was the same season the PlayStation 4 launched, taking a lot of attention away from the PS3 lineup that year. Puppeteer sports and insanely whimsical and jaunty orchestral soundtrack that really makes you feel you're in a part of a seriously wonderful adventure. And you ARE! Puppeteer's play-like presentation is only boosted by Patrick Doyle's impressive score.

v1440. Jumping Flash! (PS1) - World 1-1

Jumping Flash! might not be a household name by any stretch of the imagination, but not only was it an early example of 3D platformer, but it was an early example of a 3D platformer done right. As the main character you launched into the air, leaping with high velocity to progress through environments. Beyond the sublime gameplay, Jumping Flash! sported a cheery and jovial soundtrack as well. Sadly, the composer behind the game's music, Takeo Miratsu, passed away in 2006 due to liver cancer. His spirit most definitely lives on in his music, whether in Jumping Flash! and its sequel, in Legend of Dragoon, or in the Beatmania IIDX series of games which he contributed regularly to.

Top Ten Handheld Games of 2014

It's not often we see two top ten lists in one week on SuperPhillip Central, but that is exactly what I have done this week. If you missed the on regarding the top ten third party Wii U games, check out this link.

Today's top ten has to do with the greatest handheld games I played that were released last year. While the Nintendo 3DS had a stellar year software-wise, let us not forget the fun experiences the PlayStation Vita offered. By no means is this list an exhaustive one, so please give me your recommended games that I should add to my backlog after you've scoped the games and explanations on my list!

10) Ragnarok Odyssey ACE (Vita)

Although also available on the PlayStation 3, I preferred the handheld Vita release due to its portability and Sleep Mode ability. Since there was no Monster Hunter on the Vita, many developers aimed to fill the hole left by Capcom's series by putting in similar style games of their own. Ragnarok Odyssey ACE, an upgraded version of the original Ragnarok Odyssey which was also released on the Vita, was such a game, drawing on Norse mythology for its enemy design. I spent far too many late nights completing quests for materials, money, and just for the fun of slicing and slashing monsters and creatures of all shapes and sizes. While it didn't quite fill the gap that Monster Hunter left, Ragnarok Odyssey ACE was a great time-waster all the same..

9) Freedom Wars (Vita)

While the western branches of Sony Computer Entertainment are fine with letting the PlayStation Vita dangle from a proverbial string, I'm very happy that SCEJ is still producing some software for the system. Freedom Wars from last year was one of these games. Players served as criminals (whether fair or not) with the goal of fighting huge monsters to lower their characters' sentences. The game was modeled somewhat after Monster Hunter in the big monster-bashing way, but there was so much more to Freedom Wars. Whether online or off, Freedom Wars was a phenomenal retail title for the PlayStation Vita, and one that had so much content that system owners can't help but continue playing to this day.

8) Yoshi's New Island (3DS)

Many found this next game on the list quite disappointing, and while the challenge level was low (save for the super-hard unlockable levels), the music utilized the same melody for nearly every stage save for this audio abortion, and the quality of the game did not enter the same league as the original Yoshi's Island on SNES (but then again, what does?), Yoshi's New Island was a solid platforming romp with some good ideas, solid level design, and interesting new mechanics. The benefit of not forcing players to 100% the levels in one go was a nice touch, making for far less frustration. I'm looking at you, Yoshi's Island DS!

7) Tomodachi Life (3DS)

Starting off with controversy in the west due to the disappointing lack of same-sex marriage in the game, Tomodachi Life went on to make mad bank for Nintendo. The game put players in the role of a voyeur overlooking the everyday activities of an apartment complex full of the player's own collection of Miis. Miis could interact with one another, have you play mini-games with them, and even get married to one another, eventually having children. While Tomodachi Life didn't have anywhere near as much of a long-lasting appeal as Animal Crossing: New Leaf, it definitely offered plenty of playtime for those into a wacky and weird gaming experience.

6) Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy (3DS)

The last of the prequel trilogy of the Professor Layton series saw the titular character of superior deductive skills and intellect, his ever-faithful apprentice Luke and his highly capable assistant Emmy on a journey around the world, solving the mystery of the ancient Azran people. Along the way, heartstrings were pulled with the very excellent story and dialogue, brain-bending puzzles were solved, and mini-games were played to further add to the longevity of this solid adventure. One couldn't help but have a tear in their eye as the final credits rolled. So long, Professor Layton. May we see you again real soon.

5) Kirby: Triple Deluxe (3DS)

Kirby received a Return to Dream Land-style adventure in portable form. However, unlike that Wii game, it was just Kirby to himself to save the day! The intricately designed level featured a massive amount of obstacles and enemies to watch out for, clever implementation of moving objects from the background into the foreground to capitalize well on the 3D effect of the Nintendo 3DS, and a load of secrets to keep players playing far after the final boss was felled. The collectible aspect of acquiring key chains displaying characters, sprites, and essentially the history of the Kirby franchise made doing so insanely addicting.

4) Super Smash Bros. for 3DS (3DS)

With such technological mastery that a huge game like Super Smash Bros. could be squeezed onto a Nintendo 3DS game card and run on the actual system (albeit with some casualties like no Ice Climbers and no ability for Miiverse while playing the game), Masahiro Sakurai and his highly capable team displayed amazing talent, as would be expected of the director and names under his developing guidance. The 3DS exclusive Smash Run remains my favorite mode of the two versions released. In addition to that, the amount of stages was fantastic and varied, and the novelty of playing Smash Bros. on a handheld device still hasn't become old yet, four months after the game's initial release in North America.

3) Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call (3DS)

I am calling it here and now. Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is my favorite rhythm/music game of all time. This is with Elite Beat Agents, Samba de Amigo, Space Channel 5, and more that I've experienced in the past. Regardless, even compared to the original Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, this Curtain Call expansion featured a myriad more of music, over 200 songs from dozens of Final Fantasy numbered games and spin-offs. Leveling up a wide array of Final Fantasy characters, setting up parties, establishing ability lists, and more were all handled beautifully to make this rhythm game crossed with an RPG play and feel wonderfully. The constant unlocking of content through simply playing songs meant that I always felt like playing more just to see what I'd unlock next. Curtain Call is hopefully not curtains for the Theatrhythm series in the West after its unfortunately low sales on this side of the Pacific.

2) Fantasy Life (3DS)

Posted as the 550th review on SuperPhillip Central, Fantasy Life was a magical little game that sported a vast amount of charm, humorous dialogue, a multitude of quests, and a story mode that was best played in bursts rather than all at once. While the story of Fantasy Life clocked in at just over ten hours, the real game came from choosing one of twelve Lives, leveling up your skills via completing Life-centric objectives, and using those new skills to become even better at your current life. From paladins to woodcutters, miners to blacksmiths, Fantasy Life had a ton of content that one could easily go into the hundreds of hours just to master every Life and see everything this wondrous game had to offer.

1) Mario Golf: World Tour (3DS)

While Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is my favorite rhythm/music game, Mario Golf: World Tour knocked both the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Golf and the PS2's Hot Shots Golf Fore! from their respective seats as kings of the arcade golf game. World Tour offered SO much for the player, and that was even without the DLC, which by the way was VERY much worth getting. (Four new characters and six 18-hole courses? Yes, please!) The amount of regular and Mushroom Kingdom-theme courses was amazing, the mechanics were tight, both Castle Club-- the single player mode where you play as your Mii-- and the Challenges-- where you completed different conditions to win-- were great additions, and the level of unlockables meant you'd be playing this game for quite a while! While the N64 Mario Golf and Hot Shots Golf Fore! are masterful golf games, they scored an albatross while World Tour sunk a hole-in-one. (I had to use a golf analogy!)

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Which handheld games that released last year are your personal favorites? Feel free to offer suggestions for games I should try out that I may not have already in the comments section!

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2014 Awards - Top Five Best Platformers

The platformer, whether it be 2D, 3D, or a combination of the two, is my favorite genre in gaming, so that is why I am dedicating a top five award list for this genre and this genre only. That, and because there's actually a good number of platformers to choose from this year! That notwithstanding, this year we saw a grand deluge of different platformerss in different perspectives, making deciding which platformers to include and which not to a real challenge. Still, here are my choices for the top five best platformers of 2014!

5) Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 (Wii U, PS3, 360)

3D platformers used to be a dime a dozen in the PS1 and PS2 generations, but now it's hard to find the genre anywhere, really. That's why it was a breath of fresh air to not only play a 3D platformer in retail release form, but one that was a licensed property and actually pretty darned good, for that matter! While not a wholly original platformer, what ideas Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 did present were cleverly designed and well implemented, making for a game that was enjoyable and engaging from beginning to end.

4) Kirby: Triple Deluxe (3DS)

Kirby's latest platforming adventure took him into new depths-- literally! He could walk, run, and do all his platforming stylings in the foreground and background, as levels were designed to take advantage of the Nintendo 3DS's stereoscopic 3D technology. The level design was smart, goodies were hidden well, and the traditional Kirby goodness oozed out from the surface to create one unforgettable Kirby game. While not better than the Wii's Return to Dream Land, Kirby: Triple Deluxe is worth giving Nintendo's pink puffball another look!

3) LittleBigPlanet 3 (PS4, PS3)

What do you get when you cross an adequate platforming engine with a robust level creator? Why, not only do you get a game that will grant you hundreds of hours of entertainment, but you also get LittleBigPlanet 3. The favorite "it's too floaty" criticism can be rendered extinct by toying with the gravity of individual levels to make the jumping as floaty or as tight as a creator likes. With the immensely well designed levels already in the game, the all-new 16 layers of depth that can be switched in between that changes up the level design significantly, and the awesome level creator all makes for LittleBigPlanet 3 being an amazing piece of software for PlayStation 3 and PS4 owners.

2) Shovel Knight (Wii U, 3DS, PC)

The only non-retail release on this list (but don't confuse that for other downloadable games not being worthwhile platformer-wise!), Shovel Knight was Yacht Club Games' first offering as a new team. This Mega Man-inspired 2D retro platformer brought with it stellar levels, each with their own entertaining tropes and themes to them, tight platforming action, and a great Jake Kaufman-composed soundtrack. It all adds up to a game that is astonishing to play and engaging from beginning to end!

1) Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U)

Retro Studios' first go at Donkey Kong Country was with Returns on the Wii and then later the 3DS. Tropical Freeze takes everything they learned from designing and developing Returns and makes a game that is not just the best platformer of the year, but also one of the best 2D platformers ever made. No hyperbole intended. It's just that good. Everything feels so great control-wise, the level design constantly surprises and amazes, and the level of polish is just so incredible. Retro Studios continues to be a development team that I can't help but envy, and games they create like Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze are why.

Top Five Game Soundtracks of 2014 Thus Far

Game soundtracks have always fascinated me, so why not make a list of 2014's best thus far? Maybe that's the reason this list has been made, or perhaps this list was made to get a viewpoint on what potential game soundtracks could win at various game site end of the year award ceremonies. Perhaps this list was made just to fill a weekday spot. Who knows, really? Regardless, game soundtracks are a fun topic, as you can make note that the majority of songs on my portable MP3 device are music from video games. And classic rock. Lots of classic rock. And that one Katy Perry song. Gotta love Firework.

...Where was I? Oh, yes. Anyhow, these five games sport the best soundtracks of the year thus far, but the year has yet to see its biggest releases. Who knows how much or how little this list will change by year's end? After you read my picks, please share five of your own in the comments section (music examples optional).

5) Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, 360)

While a certain Final Fantasy development team staff member's fixation with the character of Lightning has been a disservice and a negative for the series as a whole (in my opinion at the very least), the one constant besides the excellent visuals of the Lightning Final Fantasy trilogy is the brilliant music that comes from it. Well, except Final Fantasy XIII-2's Crazy Chocobo. A person with any kind of musical taste wouldn't even enjoy that song while high. With a bevy of orchestral, electronic, and techno flavor, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII nabs the five spot on this brief countdown.

Crimson Blitz

Sunset Path

Savior of Souls

4) Kirby: Triple Deluxe (3DS)

We move to game soundtrack number four with the Kirby series, known for its bright and cheery presentation. Kirby: Triple Deluxe checks off all of the appropriate boxes for a Kirby game and amazing and catchy music is but one of those. However, Triple Deluxe expands outside the typical comfort zone of the series by featuring tracks that one would confuse for a Japanese RPG's final boss encounter. The drama that unfolds from each note is unprecedented for a Kirby game.

Fine Field

Haunted House

Bubbly Clouds

3) Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)

I never thought Mario Kart 64 or Double Dash!! would have their crowns taken away for best soundtracks within the Mario Kart series. Then Mario Kart 8 came and easily grabbed the crown in an almost effortless fashion. A combination of jazz, rock, and traditional Super Mario series sounds, Mario Kart 8's soundtrack is a marvelous display of musical prodigy that makes the already hot and heated races all the more exciting!

Dolphin Shoals

Mount Wario

N64 Royal Raceway

2) Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U)

Playing upon my nostalgia for the Super Nintendo Donkey Kong Country trilogy, Nintendo and Retro Studios contacted one of the biggest minds behind the trilogy soundtrack, David Wise, and asked him to provide the majority of tracks for this past February's Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Not only were plenty of familiar DKC tracks remixed, but a mighty helping of phenomenal new compositions were made, some melodic while others more atmospheric. It all added up to a sensational soundtrack for a phenomenal platformer.

Trunk Twister

Windmill Hills

Lockjaw's Saga

1) Bravely Default (3DS)

Revo created a rocking soundtrack that stands tall and proud over everything else that has been released over the first half of the year. Armed with fantastic character themes, soothing dungeon and field themes, and some absolutely awesome battle tracks, Bravely Default may have fallen apart around Chapter 5, but the quality of music never wavered from the very beginning up to the bitter end. The soundtrack isn't just one of the year's best, but it's one of the best on the Nintendo 3DS, in RPG's, and in gaming in general. Big words, but the music backs up my statements.

Prelude Moving Toward Hope

Conflict's Chime

You Are My Hope

Boat Soaring Through the Heavens

Wicked Fight

Review Round-Up - May 2014

One of the best arcade golf experiences
arrived on the small screen of all places.

Seven reviews were made in the month of May, a special Nintendo 3DS-focused month of reviews. Things kicked off (or should we say "teed" off?) with Mario Golf: World Tour, doing quite well for itself with a 9.25. In golf terms, it definitely was a game under par and ahead of the field. Then we turned our attention to Nintendo's pink puffball with Kirby: Triple Deluxe (8.75). While Kirby's latest captivated us, Aiai and the gang's 3DS debut was less than good. In fact, Super Monkey Ball 3D was bad-- receiving a 3.0. Turtle Tale kicked some shell with a slightly below average score of 4.75, and ATV Wild Ride 3D revved its engines and raced to a 7.0. Finally, a double dose of Disney rounds out our review round-up with Disney Magical World (8.5) and Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion (6.5). A fun month of reviews for sure, and something tells us that June is going to be even more exciting!

Mario Golf: World Tour (3DS) - 9.25
Kirby: Triple Deluxe (3DS) - 8.75
Super Monkey Ball 3D (3DS) - 3.0
Turtle Tale (3DSWare) - 4.75
Disney Magical World (3DS) - 8.5
ATV Wild Ride 3D (3DSWare) - 7.0
Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion (3DS) - 6.5

We've heard jokes about inhaling one's
dinner, but this is ridiculous!

Top Ten Nintendo 3DS Soundtracks

How about a top ten list to keep your week going smoothly? Sure thing! For this fine Wednesday SuperPhillip Central has put together a list of our favorite Nintendo 3DS soundtracks. Dare we go so far to call these the best soundtracks that the system has to offer? There's an immense number of Nintendo 3DS soundtracks to choose from, and it was so very difficult to select which ones to include and which ones to leave out, so we're sure you'll have your own opinions on our picks. Each game listed has a trio of links to click on so you can listen to some soundtrack samples. Now that all of that is out of the way, let's get to the countdown!

10) Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure

Although it's an imperfect rhythm game (thank you, gyro controls), Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure gives us a warm, familiar feeling. It's as if the SEGA of old, pre-third-party company, was back in the saddle, albeit for a very limited amount of time. The various themes that play during the numerous rhythm-based mini-games of Rhythm Thief are accompanied by some very catchy tunes, whether they be of the jazz, rock, or even hip-hop genres of music.

Theme of Rhythm Thief

Moon Princess

Charlie Takes the Field

9) Paper Mario: Sticker Star

Paper Mario: Sticker Star was a great departure from the standard structure and formula fans of the long-running RPG series were expecting. This, deservedly so, brought about a lot of ire from fans towards the game. However, one facet of this flawed game that cannot really be argued by us as poor, is the fabulous soundtrack. Full of jazzy, jaunty, and peppy tunes, Paper Mario: Sticker Star's soundtrack had our toes tapping from the beginning of Mario's adventure to its conclusion.

Decalburg

Battle Theme

Snow Rise

8) Kirby: Triple Deluxe

Kirby series soundtracks seldom ever disappoint, and the recently released Kirby: Triple Deluxe continues that tradition of great music. Longtime series composers Jun Ishikawa and Hirokazu Ando deliver a multitude of catchy and appropriately cheerful music to this new installment of the Kirby series. While there are multiple tracks picked directly from Kirby's Return to Dream Land, the majority of music is wholly original and wholly wonderful.

Fine Field

Lollipop Land

Sunset Sky

7) Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

Surprisingly, Mario only makes two appearances on our countdown of best 3DS soundtracks. This is his second appearance, another RPG, but this time Luigi tags along. Yoko Shimomura, whose musical magnificence shines in every theme she has ever composed, brings a suitably cheery, sometimes foreboding soundtrack to players' ears with Mario & Luigi: Dream Team.

Try, Try Again

Breezy Mushrise Park

The Law of Pajamaja

6) Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy

While many gamers focused on the console iteration of Ace Combat when it hit the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, the 3DS entry, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy, was sadly overlooked. Not only is the game a joy to play, making all those dogfights so beautiful in glorious 3D, but the soundtrack is especially excellent. That should be no surprise since Go Shiira composed the majority of the tracks.

Fighter's Honor (Flying Remix)

Westerly

Trickster's Delight

5) Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

She's baaaaaack~! Yoko Shimomura is most likely best known for her work on Square Enix's Kingdom Hearts franchise. The Nintendo 3DS entry, Dream Drop Distance, consists of many proficiently composed themes full of fantastic instrumentation and strong melodies. It's just the type of marvelous soundtrack that one would expect from a composer of the magnitude and skill level of Yoko Shimomura!

The Fun Fair

All for One

Dream Drop Distance - The Next Awakening

4) Fire Emblem: Awakening

When a soundtrack has a five disc set release in Japan, one might come to the conclusion that there's a lot to sift through to find the good stuff. However, with Fire Emblem: Awakening's soundtrack, composed by Hiroki Morishita, Rei Kondoh, and series veteran Yuka Tsujiyoko, this is a case of quantity and quality. With stirring symphonic tracks, heartfelt ballads, and plenty of tracks that span a range of emotions, Fire Emblem: Awakening's music is top-notch, to say the very, very least.

Prelude

"Don't speak her name!"

Id~Purpose

3) The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

A soundtrack that sensationally combines new with the familiar, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds' music delivers songs that fans of A Link to the Past will no doubt recognize, but they'll hear them in totally new arrangements. Ryo Nagamatsu, the composer and arranger of this fantastic soundtrack, nails both the fresh arrangements of the game as well as the brand-new, wholly original musical content. It's a soundtrack that stands along the best of The Legend of Zelda franchise's various scores.

Overworld

Lorule Overworld 2

Final Battle

2) Bravely Default

The leader of Sound Horizon, a Japanese progressive rock, neoclassical metal group, is Revo, and his expertise of creating music came into glorious use for the Bravely Default soundtrack. Before Bravely Default's release, none of us knew anything about Revo, and most of us had never heard of his name before. After hearing the pieces composed and performed by Revo and Sound Horizon, we couldn't help ourselves to research as much as possible about this musical genius and his band.

Conflict's Chime

Boat Soaring Through the Heavens

Serpent Eating the Ground

1) Kid Icarus: Uprising

Our choice for best Nintendo 3DS soundtrack was an easy pick. It's a soundtrack that features some of the best musical minds in Japan, such as Yasunori Mitsuda, Motoi Sakuraba, Yuzo Koshiro, Masafumi Takada, and more. The fully orchestrated soundtrack delivers tension, drama, cheerfulness, chills, liveliness, and a whole range of emotions. There's hardly a track that isn't captivating to the listener. Whether you're into traditional classical music or atypical sounds, Kid Icarus: Uprising possesses without a doubt the greatest soundtrack of any Nintendo 3DS game.

The Return of Palutena

Magnus's Theme

Viridi, Goddess of Nature

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Which Nintendo 3DS soundtracks are your favorites? Start up a discussion below in our comments section!