Most Overlooked Current Gen Games - Part Two

The Most Overlooked Games series has been around almost as long as SuperPhillip Central has-- seven years now. With each entry, we take a look at five of the most overlooked, less talked about games on various systems, past and present. However, until the inaugural edition of Most Overlooked Current Gen Games, I hadn't covered underrated games from the PlayStation 4 as well as the Xbox One. Obviously I already had a list dedicated to the Wii U.

Regardless, it's now time for part two where we look at five more under-appreciated games from the current generation of gaming.

Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below (PS4)

The first game on this list actually sold well in Japan. It's currently the second best selling game in Japan. However, Most Overlooked Current Gen Games factors in sales from other over the world, and in the case of Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below, the game in the west did not fare too well commercially. This game that allows you to slay slews of famous Dragon Quest monsters in a much quicker pace than you could a traditional turn-based Dragon Quest features a Dynasty Warriors style flow to battle. The lack of notable sales in the west certainly made Square Enix's decision to not localize recent Dragon Quest games seem understandable. Still, with a sequel launching on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and the Vita, perhaps Dragon Quest Heroes will get another chance to make an impact on the Western market.

Transformers: Devastation (PS4, XONE)

Platinum Games has an impeccable reputation as a developer of action titles. It's no doubt why Nintendo, Sega, and Konami have contacted them for work on projects in the past, and it's why Activision hand selected Platinum to create Transformers: Devastation as well as the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game. The newest Transformers continues Platinum Games' stupendous tradition of terrific combat, incredible boss battles, and rank-based missions. Although the game is but five hours long, the addition of different Autobots to play as with different play styles in this 3D action game increases the replay value and longevity of Devastation greatly. It all makes Transformers: Devastation one of the best games starring the robots in disguise ever created.

LittleBigPlanet 3 (PS4)

Like Transformers: Devastation, LittleBigPlanet 3 is a cross gen release. Perhaps that's why it suffers from the most glitches and bugs out of any other LittleBigPlanet game. Not the best recommendation for the game so far, is it? Don't worry, though, as outside of the technical issues that haunt several aspects of the game, LittleBigPlanet 3 contains the same immensely open level creator, offering more options and ease of accessibility than ever before. The new characters give more variety in the types of levels available, and the single player mode, now sporting cute voice acting, is a joy to play from beginning to end. It may not be the technical marvel fans have expected, but LittleBigPlanet 3 delightfully delivers nearly everywhere else.

Rock Band 4 (PS4, XONE)

Containing a highly impressive library of over 2000 songs, most coming from past iterations of the franchise, Rock Band 4 launched on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One with the reception of a missed note during the guitar solo of Freebird. Rock Band 4 was a return to form for Harmonix, who had been away from the series for a good three years. The studio and game's return to the limelight was met with great indifference. For all the goodness that is Rock Band, it seems the days of people wanting to collect a mishmash of plastic instruments and house them in their rooms are over. The game was met with critical acclaim but limited commercial success. A PC version of Rock Band 4 was on the table for development, but the campaign to get the game on there was nothing but a failed one.

Evolve (PS4, XONE)

No, in this gaming climate, having an original idea like the asymmetric multiplayer gameplay of Evolve isn't enough to guarantee sales. Whether that says something about the current state of gaming or the quality of Evolve itself is anyone's guess. The gameplay itself has four players, serving as Hunters, having a first-person perspective while the single player, the Monster, has a third-person perspective. The goal is for one side to take down the other. Certainly, the developers did themselves no favors with the grotesque number of different downloadable content available for the game. This aspect alone turned off many potential players and buyers of the game. Despite selling strong out of the gate, Evolve's sales suffered hugely in the following weeks, proving to have no sales momentum whatsoever. Perhaps the criticism from some corners of the net cut off the game's tail. Regardless, Evolve is an innovative experience like none other with highly competent gameplay and fun asymmetrical goodness.

Most Overlooked Wii U Games - Part Three

SuperPhillip Central continues its look at the wondrous world of overlooked games with Part Three of the Most Overlooked Wii U Games. Despite being a poor seller in the grand scheme of things, the Wii U library is full of plenty of variety. Some titles do well, while some do not. This series of articles talks about the latter. If you missed the previous two parts of Most Overlooked Wii U Games, you can check them out here and here.

Batman: Arkham Origins: Blackgate - Deluxe Edition 

Someone got Batman in our Metroid! Or is it Metroid in our Batman? Regardless, the original Batman: Arkham Origins: Blackgate was a fun enough Metroid-style Batman game from former Retro Studios developers, the minds behind Metroid Prime. However, the key opponent from making the game truly great was its incredibly confusing map system. With the Deluxe Edition's release on the Wii U eShop, among other platforms, the map was made 3D-- great since the entire game's areas feature different heights, lengths, and depths that the vanilla version's 2D map just didn't help in navigating. In addition to the big mapping improvement were new areas of the game, new Batsuits, difficulty levels, and improved visuals, really putting the console's horsepower to good use.

Wind-up Knight 2

Taking the success that was the mobile version of Wind-up Knight 2 and putting it on a home console, developer Robot Invader could have simply phoned in its collective effort on the Wii U port. Fortunately, that wasn't the case with the Wii U's version of Wind-up Knight 2. Instead, the game supports off-TV play, much more satisfying button controls, and the same collection of over 30 auto-running levels to make a game that will go Medieval on anyone bold enough to try out the game. The idea that mobile games cannot be worth the price of admission or are inferior products is one that permeates in the minds of many gamers, sadly. However, giving Wind-up Knight 2 a chance, they will find addicting gameplay, marvelously crafted levels, and lots of content for the relatively small price.

Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2

The original Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures was an inoffensive game, but at the same time, that's pretty much all it had going for it. Sure, there were nice ideas here and there, but it was overall a pretty rote 3D platformer. Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 takes the foundation of what its predecessor had, and adds a wealth of improvements, notably much more well crafted and well made levels. The fact that there's reason to explore each level for one of three special fruits is also a wonderful aspect of this highly underrated and overlooked sequel. Don't write off Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 as just another licensed game based off of a cartoon. It has plenty to like, whether it is its humor, its well done level design, its variety, its ideas, and much more.

Legend of Kay Anniversary

An overlooked remastering of a game that was overlooked already the first time around when it released on the PlayStation 2, Legend of Kay Anniversary takes players on a journey across a Far Eastern world as the precocious warrior cat, Kay, as he goes on an adventure to oust the nefarious rats and gorillas that threaten his village and people. Along the way he encounters characters, enemies, and bosses of all shapes and sizes, solves environmental puzzles, completes tasks and objectives, and explores mysterious areas. While Legend of Kay Anniversary very much feels like a product of its time, the PS2 era of game consoles, its modest price for a retail release means that even if you don't fall in love with the game, you don't have to regret buying it that much.

Kung Fu Rabbit

Also available on smartphones, tablets, the Nintendo 3DS, and the PlayStation Vita, Kung Fu Rabbit casts players in the role of the eponymous rabbit as they collect carrots, defeat enemies, wall jump, avoid hazards, and rescue the baby bunny at the end of the game's 50+ levels. Heavily inspired by Super Meat Boy, Kung Fun Rabbit's gameplay is more accessible and less frustrating, but still offers a nice challenge. In each level, you can go through it normally and rescue the rabbit awaiting you at the end of the level, but there is also a side task of collecting all of the carrots to further expand the replay value and longevity of this already level-packed game. The best part about Kung Fu Rabbit is its price-- a modest five bucks or so. Throw in off-TV play to enjoy the game as you drown out the repetitive music with your own sounds, and you have a fun platformer deserving of praise.

Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games - Part Six

To continue this month of Nintendo 3DS goodness, I have the sixth installment of the Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games. My favorite platform this eighth generation of gaming is the Nintendo 3DS. Nowhere else is there such an abundance of unique, quality software on a dedicated gaming device. However, as you know by now, not every game on the system can light the sales charts on fire. These five games are ones that failed to generate much consumer interest or just don't receive the passion from players that I believe they deserve, and that's just a gosh darn shame.

To check out past parts of Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games, look no further than these five links!

Nintendo 3DS - Part One
Nintendo 3DS - Part Two 
Nintendo 3DS - Part Three
Nintendo 3DS - Part Four
Nintendo 3DS - Part Five

Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.

Contrary to popular belief, Nintendo doesn't shy too much away from publishing new franchises and straying from its regular collection of Mario, Zelda, and Pokemon games. It is a little rare, however, for Intelligent Systems to get a chance to release a new IP of their own. Who knew that it would take the form of Silver Age comic-styled strategy game with characters from history, literature, and folk stories? That's what Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. was, and it unfortunately bombed in every region it released. Did the reviews speaking of its utterly slow enemy turn times (now patched to be much faster) and high difficulty scare potential buyers off? Or perhaps the setting and look of the game turned them off? The only thing I'm certain of is that it is unfortunate that Intelligent Systems's hard work on a new IP did not pay off at all.

Fossil Fighters: Frontier

"Adventure's right around the bend", as the theme song says. It's also in valleys, up mountaintops, wading in rivers, and through rugged canyons, too, with Fossil Fighters: Frontier, the third game in the Fossil Fighters franchise, and the first on the Nintendo 3DS. Marketed towards kids with this extremely '90s-esque commercial in North America, Fossil Fighters: Frontier didn't sell as well as past entries in the series, but a good portion of those sales were most likely satisfied customers. That's because Frontier is quite the enjoyable game when you move through the beginning hours of slow tutorials. If you are interested in a Pokemon-like game featuring dinosaurs, then Fossil Fighters: Frontier is a novel choice for you if you own a 3DS.

Pokemon Art Academy

The Art Academy franchise isn't the most exciting one to come out of Nintendo's various developers, but combining it with Pokemon was an attempt to make it more enticing. While sales were definitely not a total bust for Pokemon Art Academy, I don't really read much in the way of praise towards this fantastic art game. It successfully teaches skills in sketching, drawing, and painting a wide selection of Pokemon, allowing you to increase your skill set as an artist. It's especially nice if drawing barns, windmills, and fruit in the other Art Academy games doesn't exactly appeal to you. Whether you're a master artist or a neophyte searching for a place to begin your artistic journey, Pokemon Art Academy has something for everyone.

Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai

Let's move from retail releases to digital eShop games with Shin'en's wonderful Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai. The original Jett Rocket was an impressive technological marvel on Nintendo's ill-conceived WiiWare service of digital games for the Wii. This sequel brings not only the traditional 3D platforming that the original contained, but it also introduces wholly 2D platforming areas to enjoy. Couple all that with intense boss battles, creative level design, and Shin'en's amazing technological magic, and you have a game that sadly doesn't get talked about much when one recommends 3DS eShop software. Well, no worry, Jett Rocket II, SuperPhillip Central's here to give you the spotlight!

Adventure Bar Story

The last of these five overlooked 3DS games for this installment, Adventure Bar Story, originally released on smartphones and tablets. The Nintendo 3DS port is essentially the same game, just with physical buttons for those that aren't well versed in touch screen controls. The game is an RPG where you defeat enemies in dungeons to earn materials and ingredients to create recipes to serve customers at your struggling bar. You mix and match materials and ingredients to make over 100 unique dishes. You can even feed your party members these created culinary crafts to level up their attributes such as attack and health. You can easily lose dozens upon dozens of hours slowly making your bar the talk of the town.

Most Overlooked Wii U Games - Part Two

SuperPhillip Central has a lot of articles about overlooked games. I feel it's my civic duty as a gamer to put the spotlight on those titles that have fallen through the cracks in the marketplace. This second edition of Most Overlooked Wii U Games is one that isn't just about those retail and physical under-sellers, as it also features plenty of Wii U eShop games as well. Join me on my second journey through the land of the most overlooked Wii U games. If you missed Part One of my adventure, look no further than this link.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's Cut

With the announcement of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided yesterday, it seems like a smart time to talk about our first overlooked Wii U game. Just because the Wii U won't be seeing Mankind Divided doesn't mean that its predecessor which IS available on Wii U isn't worth playing. Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's Cut very much is worth playing, and that's not just because it's one of the few Wii U games that masterfully utilizes the GamePad in clever ways. There are a multitude of methods to use while playing Human Revolution. Whether you're a fan of stealthily maneuvering your way through the game's world to avoid detection or alternately popping caps in enemy rear ends, Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's Cut is set up to work with any play style.

Wii Sports Club

It's safe to say that Nintendo somewhat botched the release of Wii Sports Club. It was originally released in multiple pieces digitally, with each sport being a separate download. There was the ability to try each sport for a 24 hour period, and then you could purchase a given sport for $10. However, I believe that this retail release should have been launched instead of the very complicated digital setup Nintendo went with. Hindsight is 20/20, though. Wii Sports Club has all five sports on a disc, featuring Wii MotionPlus for each sport and multiple modes. Unfortunately, at least in North America, even used copies of Wii Sports Club go well over the MSRP, so if you can find a relatively affordable copy, definitely jump on it and enjoy what the game has to offer.

Toki Tori 2+

A Metroid style puzzle game starring an immensely adorable baby chick, Toki Tori 2+ didn't set the Wii U eShop charts ablaze. Instead, it received a severely modest amount of downloads, especially when you consider the high quality and cleverness of the game. You have but a couple moves in your repertoire, tweeting and stomping, and the fun in this puzzle adventure game is using them to interact with the environments to figure out how to proceed further along. For example, tweeting as our lovable chick makes it so some platforms move towards you, allowing you the ability to cross what was once a chasm. These interactions with the world with just two abilities might sound like it's very limiting, but nothing could be further from the truth. Toki Tori 2+ is an ingenious puzzle game that very few Wii U owners took the time to play, much less download. It's a shame because the game is an incredibly clever adventure.

Spy Chameleon

This next Wii U eShop game is one that came out of nowhere to surprise me. Spy Chameleon has you playing as the titular character in an overhead perspective. You must avoid detection by walking around the sights of cameras and security drones. However, your movement capabilities aren't the only method of avoiding detection. As chameleons are known to do, you can walk onto one of four colored floors and press a button to camouflage, successfully allowing cameras and security bots to pass over you without raising the alarm. It's a combination of quick movement and swift changing of colors to camouflage that makes getting through the myriad of levels in Spy Chameleon a true blast. Considering the game is very inexpensive, more people need to download Spy Chameleon and get their inner chameleon who just also happens to be a spy on.

Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails

Definitely one an atypical action platformer, Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails has you rolling and zipping along rails to traverse the game's levels. Levels consist of moving along these rails that serve as a means to leap off of to access new rails, heights, and hidden sections of levels that would otherwise be inaccessible to the player. Rails stretch, curve, and take players all through levels as they search for and collect missing kitties in this fast-paced platformer. Scram Kitty is definitely unlike any game out there, and my description does the game zero justice. Instead, take a look at this trailer to experience the pure chaos that is the gameplay. While the game didn't sell marvelously, Scram Kitty received a second chance with a PlayStation Vita version of the game. Now more people can experience the manic madness that is Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails.

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2014 Awards - Top Five Most Overlooked Games

I like spotlighting those games that fall between the cracks. This way I can give them the attention I believe they deserve. On the other hand, I don't like having to do so because that means they're highly overlooked and unplayed by the masses! These five games on this list are just that. They are not only overlooked in general, but they also have a nice quality to them. From Yoshi's latest to a terrific Final Fantasy spin-off, these are my picks for top five most overlooked games of 2014.

5) Yoshi's New Island (3DS)

Yoshi gets no respect, I tell ya'. While Yoshi's New Island was nowhere near the eggs-quisite quality of the SNES original (but then again, what is?), the game is indeed a great platformer. It strays on the easy side, but those bonus levels will certainly make you gnash your teeth and tighten your fists with rage. If you play these levels or have already, I'm sure you'll egg-ree. Its presentation isn't the most fantastic in still images, but in motion it works well. Hopefully with Yoshi's Woolly World, we'll see Yoshi get the attention from gamers and eggs-cellent dedication from Nintendo that he deserves!

4) LittleBigPlanet 3 (PS4, PS3)

Selling around 100,000 units in North America in November across both PlayStation 3 and PS4, LittleBigPlanet 3 did not sell to its potential by any means. It's a darned shame, as LittleBigPlanet as a series continues to be charming, fun platformers that allow players an accessible set of tools to create incredible levels. Even if you don't care for level creation, there's plenty to be seen with LittleBigPlanet's bustling community of creators, pumping out amazing work that rivals what you get from the developers of the games.

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

The original Theatrhythm Final Fantasy did relatively well in sales, so much so that it got its sequel localized. However, Curtain Call isn't faring as well. Seeing as its much better and more content-heavy than its predecessor, that makes me disappointed, as I'm sure Square Enix is with the sales, too. Having over 200 songs, 30 characters to choose from, and an abundance of modes including online battles, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is a phenomenal music game package for fans of Final Fantasy, music games, and just great songs in general.

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

I said how much this game amazed me in my Top Five Biggest Surprises list this week, and that is what makes Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 being overlooked so unfortunate. While the original Ghostly Adventures was an okay 3D platformer, its sequel has the developers learning from their mistakes and crafting a more streamlined and enjoyable game in the process. Don't write this game off as just some random licensed shovelware. It's much better than that, and it's honest to goodness worth a look and, most importantly, a play!

1) Bayonetta 2 (Wii U)

Bayonetta 2 is a niche title on a niche system, so it seemed like the game was destined to be overlooked. While not so much within the most hardcore of gaming communities and gamers, Bayonetta 2 might as well have been invisible to consumers. Well, it practically was, at least, as it sold as well as sand to a man dying in the desert. What those who got to experience Bayonetta 2 will tell you is that the game is one of Platinum's best and one of the genre's best, too. Now that I think about it, I better get to playing this supposed gem!

Most Overlooked Wii U Games - Part One

Now, I know what you're thinking-- "Most overlooked Wii U games? Isn't that all of them?!" Well, hardy-har-har to you! Unlike previous editions where we delve into games that sold poorly or didn't get much fanfare by critics, we're focusing on Wii U games that weren't just ignored by the mainstream (which is common with a failing console), but those that didn't even generate much buzz within the closed-in circle of Wii U owners. Which five games fit that bill just nicely? No time like the present to jump in and see.

Game & Wario

A collection of mini-games that shows promise and some potential in what the Wii U GamePad can be used for, Game & Wario is an eccentric batch of games that flew under the radar, pegged as "just another mini-game collection" by Wii U owners. While the title didn't wow as much with its GamePad usage as Nintendo Land or Wii Party U, nor does it offer as robust a number of multiplayer options, Game & Wario managed to entertain through most of its 12+ mini-games. Some of our favorite good times from the collection come from the Island multiplayer mini-game, where you launch Fronks from the GamePad onto floating targets worth varying amounts of points. Then there's Sketch, which is Pictionary gone berserk. Game & Wario has only since gotten some attention due to its inclusion as a Platinum/Gold member reward in the North American Club Nintendo program.

Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games

Mario and Sonic's trip to Sochi was far less problematic than what real life Olympic athletes needed to endure. With an abundant array of event types, new and returning events, and incredibly cool Dream Events like playing a game of golf with gigantic curling stones or playing hockey in Delfino Plaza, Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games went all out for its bid for a gold medal. By far the coolest part of Mario & Sonic's fourth Olympic outing is all of the unlockable gear, music, and costumes for your Mii that were tied to achievements. There was an entire board of things to unlock for performing specific tasks within the game. Unfortunately, consumers and Wii U owners just didn't care. Consumers who purchased the Wii Olympic games did not make the trip over to the Wii U, while owners of the console didn't care for the series to begin with. It all adds up to Mario & Sonic's latest getting a cold reception, and we're talking a Siberian cold reception, not one of those mild weather Sochi cold receptions.

Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures

With Pac-Man's inclusion in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS, it only makes sense to bring up the Pac's latest game, Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures, based off the computer-generated graphics cartoon of the same name. Perhaps alarms are flashing and ringing inside of your head as you've come to the conclusion that we're talking about a licensed game here. No worries, kemosabe. The game is actually quite good, albeit a bit short. It certainly won't floor anyone, but at the same token, there's far worse games out there and definitely far, far worse games based off of a license. In Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures, you play as Pac-Man, gobbling up ghosts, leaping across platforms, and using various costumes and transformations when the situation calls for it. I know I lit up the game's Miiverse community with screenshots and wry commentary and got more than my money's worth. Given how you can snag a copy for around twenty bucks as of this writing, it only makes sense to Pac-Man's latest a whirl.

Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure

The first Wii U Scribblenauts, Scribblenauts Unlimited, had the luxury of launching with the Wii U system, where getting the attention of prospective buyers was an easier task. About a year into the system's life, Scribblenauts Unmasked soared onto the Wii U scene with little hubbub within the community. Was it an issue of the wrong release at the wrong time? Was the audience for the game simply not there? Was the gaming community at large just tired of the franchise? It's a question that's as much of an enigma as one of the Riddler's own puzzles. For those who did hop aboard with Maxwell and an army of DC heroes and villains, they received a charming game which tested the limits of players' imaginations.

Resident Evil: Revelations

The Resident Evil series has seen better days. After Resident Evil 6, the series is a hulking, vile, stinking blob, which could easily be confused for one of the franchise's macabre creatures. However, there was something recently of great quality for the series, Resident Evil: Revelations. The original game premiered on the Nintendo 3DS, and as it has been a tradition lately, the handheld game received an HD upgrade six months or so later. The Wii U version did not receive much hype outside of small circles within the Wii U fan base, and heck, the other versions of Revelations hardly received much in the way of hype within their particular console fan bases either. It's disappointing, as Revelations is a direction that we liked seeing the franchise go in. It didn't capture the exact feeling of fear and dread that came from walking through the original Resident Evil's mansion or the sequel's Raccoon City, but it did play more similarly to those games than the much more action-oriented 5 and 6. We greatly liked that.