SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - 800 Reasons to Celebrate Edition

Yesterday it was a review milestone with SuperPhillip Central's 550th review. Today it's another milestone-- this time it's the 800th VGM volume! This week I have music to share from Yoshi's New Island, Super Off Road, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney! If there are no objections, time to get this VGM party started!

v796. Yoshi's New Island (3DS) - Main Theme

While not in the same league as the SNES original Yoshi's Island, the Nintendo 3DS game Yoshi's New Island brought with it competent platforming filled with secret areas. The true challenge of the game was in finding all of the collectibles and then taking on the massively difficult bonus levels. Yoshi's New Island took a Yoshi's Story approach with the soundtrack, creating multiple level themes based off the same theme.

v797. Scribblenauts (DS) - Medieval 2

Scribblenauts was a great idea that was poorly executed. That said, subsequent sequels really put the promise of the series to good use. What the original Scribblenauts lacked in quality gameplay, it more than made up for with a superb soundtrack, something that is quite common for all entries in this 5th Cell-developed franchise.

v798. Super Off Road (SNES) - Set Up

Top-down racers that had players controlling vehicles were a hot commodity in the NES and SNES eras of gaming. Super Off Road was one of the better titles featuring that sort of gameplay, and Set Up is energizing theme to get you ready for an exciting race.

v799. Mr. Driller (Multi) - Speed of Light

Go Shiira is one of Namco Bandai's greatest composers, if not the greatest. His work on such series like Ace Combat, Gods Eater, and Mr. Driller are second to none. Okay, that may be pushing it a little, but Go Shiira's work is darned good.

v800. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (DS) - Pursuit ~ Cornered

HOLD IT! Did you know that this the Phoenix Wright series's debut on SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs. It's true. Or maybe I'm lying. You should use the sleuthing and attorney skills Phoenix Wright gives you in order to find out the answer... or just know that yes, this is the first time Mr. Wright and company have appeared on SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs.

Top Ten Most Anticipated Wii U Games

Last Thursday, Wii U fever officially hit and the hype is palpable. Whether it's because it is a new Nintendo console or because the current generation has long outworn its welcome, Wii U pre-orders are selling out across the nation. And that is without the more casual gamer not even being marketed to yet.

Regardless, a lot of information and games were revealed at Thursday's media event for the Wii U. This list encompasses the ten titles I am most excited for with regards to the console's launch window lineup of approximately fifty games promised. The fun of these lists is comparing and contrasting what games differing people are interested in, so after you check out my list, post yours.

10) Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed

It sort of rubs me the wrong way when people say that Sumo Digital, the team behind this kart racer, took the idea of transforming karts from Mario Kart 7 and hate them for it. Even if this were true, what is so wrong with taking a preexisting idea and fine-tuning it to make it better? Nothing, that's what. That's how some of the finest games and gaming ideas come to fruition. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed blazes onto the Wii U with gyro steering, a map on the Wii U GamePad, and the bonus character of Miis, to join the all-star cast of Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Nights, B.D. Joe (Crazy Taxi), Vyse (Skies of Arcadia), Beat (Jet Set Radio), and Gilius Thunderhead (Golden Axe), to name a handful. What is noticeable with the Wii U version that might be able to be worked out before release is the framerate drops present in various demo footage. Even if it isn't, I'll just look into an alternate console version. The original All-Stars Racing was a wonderful kart racer, outpacing Mario Kart Wii by a good margin (no blue shells every lap certainly helped), so that's why I look forward to this title, regardless of the platform.

9) Scribblenauts Unlimited

The Scribblenauts series returns, and this time it sports its fourth entry in the franchise on Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, and PC. The main objective of collecting Starites through completing various tasks is present and accounted for, but this time rather than exploring individual segmented levels, the whole world is one expansive series of connected levels. For the first time in Scribblenauts history, the reason for Maxwell's desire to collect Starites is finally revealed with a narrative. It is also the first time the franchise is hitting a console. From Super Scribblenauts (DS), the adjective system is present, but this time around multiple objects can be combined into one. So if you ever wanted to spawn a horse with skis, now is your chance. The customization doesn't end there either. You can edit objects with the in-game tools to make them different colors or grow them larger or smaller. These objects are able to be saved, with the Wii U iteration allowing for hundreds upon hundreds of objects to be saved, stored, and even shared with friends via online functionality. Super Scribblenauts expanded the possibilities of the series exponentially, and Scribblenauts Unlimited is looking like it is going to do the same.

8) Lego City Undercover 

Lego City Undercover, originally called Lego City Stories, is a Nintendo-published title from TT Games. Expanding on the open city idea of Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, Lego City Undercover borrows several ideas from the aforementioned game. Chase McCain, the protagonist of the game, has a flurry of abilities such as pole-vaulting, wall jumping, using disguises to obtain new powers, and being able to enter vehicles such as automobiles and helicopters to get around Lego City. The Wii U GamePad has been revealed to have one main use outside of the helpful map of the city: it can be used to scan the perimeter for criminals for Chase to... well... chase. Lego City Undercover has the potential to be a big seller for the Wii U's launch. It may not be tied to a specific license this go around, but it has the power and brand of Lego behind it, a sprawling city to explore, and the series's trademark sense of humor.

7) Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

If you needed any knowledge that Nintendo was serious about taking over the Japanese market, look no further than this launch title for the Wii U in Japan. Known as Monster Hunter 3G HD in Japan, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate will be coming to the West in March of 2013 across both the Wii U and the 3DS. Players can take their character from the 3DS game, import them into the Wii U game, and vice versa to continue building upon them. Unlike the 3DS game, however, the Wii U version of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate will allow for players to take the thrill of the hunt online worldwide. After the agonizing teasing and being led on by Capcom of America employees, it is sensationally nice to know that Monster Hunter is once again coming to the West.

6) Rayman Legends

I must admit that Rayman Legends was once higher up on this list of anticipated games before, but after hearing that "a good portion" of single-player will be an AI Rayman being assisted through levels by Murfy via the Wii U GamePad (see this video for that comment), the bubble of hype sort of burst. Now I'm not going to say that I am completely writing off the game or some typical cliche gamer overreaction, but I am more weary of the game. However, exactly what "a good portion" constitutes is up for interpretation. Anyway, Rayman Legends is a jaw-dropping gorgeous game. It is one of the most impressive looking titles I have seen in an artistic sense. Watching the rhythm levels as Rayman makes careful jumps in time with the music to survive made me especially giddy. I am cautiously optimistic for this game. I just hope Ubisoft didn't overly cater to the novelty of the Wii U GamePad and actually did make a competent 2D platformer.

5) Pikmin 3

Now this is a title that might actually be outside of the Wii U's launch window, but nothing concrete has been said, so I'm sneaking it on this list anyway. Pikmin 3 appears to have obvious development ties to the Wii, perhaps being worked on on Nintendo's previous system before being ported over to the Wii U. Regardless, Pikmin 3 is a nice looking game. It features at least two new Pikmin types: Rock Pikmin and some kind of pink flying Pikmin type that was quietly shown in a developer demo. The Rock Pikmin are much heavier than other Pikmin types, enabling them to smash through glass such as the armor of the boss in the Pikmin 3 E3 2012 demo. Instead of controlling two captains, Pikmin 3 has players controlling four. Curiously, Captain Olimar is nowhere to be found within the demo. Maybe he's just taking a well needed vacation to rest his muscles after his appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Maybe not. I'm just being cute. Nonetheless, I look forward to Pikmin 3, regardless of whether it makes the Wii U launch window or not.

4) ZombiU

Ubisoft goes full circle with their standout Wii U launch game, ZombiU, a title that is a reboot of their very first retail game. Rather than being some good looking, well-conditioned hero like Resident Evil 6 (not saying that that's a bad thing, just offering a contrast), ZombiU casts you into the role of an anonymous survivor, battling the zombie horde within the confines of London, England. Utilizing the Wii U GamePad to aim weapons, unlock doors, and most importantly, insert and remove items from your survivor's bag (this happens in real time, so be sure you're 100% away from zombies during this process), ZombiU is survival-horror personified. If you are bitten by a zombie, your survivor will permanently be (un)dead. You will then switch to a new survivor who will have to find and retrieve the lost bag of loot and weapons from the now undead survivor. It is an interesting premise, but Ubisoft on Nintendo consoles does not have the best reputation of nailing mechanics and games. Will this be a must have game for Wii U owners, or will it be the next Red Steel (I'm sure those interested in ZombiU are sick to death of that comparison)? We won't have to wait long to discover the answer for ourselves.

3) The Wonderful 101

It seems with this game, The Wonderful 101 (formerly the tentatively titled Project P-100), and Bayonetta 2, Nintendo and Platinum Games are becoming quite close with one another. The Wonderful 101 has a band (well, massive band) of superheroes as they duke it out with a colossal alien invasion running amok within an urban metropolis. The game is essentially a quirkier Pikmin (if such a thing can exist). Through using the Wii U GamePad, you can control your collection of heroes and order them into various formations and forms, such as a giant sword or shot-reflecting gelatin. Not only are these forms fantastic for battling baddies and bosses, but they are also great for interacting and solving small environmental puzzles, like activating bridges and climbing up ladders. Hideki Kamiya once again assumes the role of director, and that beyond anything else has me really stoked for The Wonderful 101.

2) Nintendo Land

This is one of those titles that I have turned my opinion of it around on massively. The decision to make Nintendo Land the closing title of Nintendo's E3 2012 press conference made many gamers, Nintendo devotees included, scratching their heads and even spewing hateful bile. I was one that had my head turned in confusion. This was the marquee game? But as the months grew on and the games that Nintendo Land is comprised of have been revealed along with some of their features, I have - dare I say it - anticipation for this game. Much like Wii Sports was essentially a tech demo (a terrific one at that) for the features of the Wii, Nintendo Land is a demo of the features of the Wii U, most notably the Wii U GamePad. Titles like The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest, Metroid Blast (which showcases an awesome Gears of War-esque horde mode) and Mario Chase display the asymmetric gameplay of the Wii U while games like Donkey Kong's Crash Course and Balloon Trip Breeze display some of the features of the Wii U controller itself, like the gyro and touch controls. I am particularly impressed with the cohesive arts and crafts style of all of the games, and I look forward to collecting stamps a la Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort. Apparently others look forward to the entire package as the Deluxe edition of the Wii U with the game included in it has sold out in many places across the nation.

1) New Super Mario Bros. U

One of my favorite genres is without a doubt the platformer, so it seems obvious that New Super Mario Bros. U would take first prize on this list. Taking the standard Mario story and turning it on its head, instead of Bowser capturing the princess in normal fashion, Bowser and the Koopalings chuck Mario and friends out of Peach's castle where the King of the Koopas is holding her hostage, meaning Mario and company must make their way from far away back. I was worried that with two New Super Mario Bros. games being developed and released in the same year that there would be a feeling of sameness, but comparing New Super Mario Bros. 2 and New Super Mario Bros. U is like night and day. The games differ drastically and each offer something distinctive from one another. Mario has never looked so good in 2D before, and the addition of the new art style for backgrounds (glorious, glorious backgrounds), different colored Yoshis with different abilities, alterations to the typical level tropes of recent 2D Mario games, a unified world map, Boost and Challenge modes, and the always enjoyable multiplayer mayhem that I adored in New Super Mario Bros. Wii make New Super Mario Bros. U one of the killer apps for the Wii U's highly tempting and intriguing launch.

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You might notice that I left out games like Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Assassin's Creed III, and probably the greatest omission of all, Bayonetta 2. For the latter, I got my fill of entertainment of the game from the embarrassing reaction of people against the game being a Wii U exclusive. I personally don't care much about it (didn't get into the original), but obviously many people do by the humiliating amount of sheer console zealotry and death threats. As for Black Ops II, I am really interested in how the online will be integrated into the game; it will be a prime example of the Wii U's online infrastructure, and while it's cool being able to play the game solely on the Wii U GamePad, I'm sort of Call of Duty'd out. Finally, Assassin's Creed III is from a series that I have a love and hate relationship with, so I'm on the fence with the third mainline installment. I hope I have explained myself clearly on my reasons for omitting these three titles. It's just that the ten I listed excite me much more.

So there you have ten really good reasons for being enthused about the Wii U's upcoming launch. Perhaps the most appealing aspect to me is, as noted in my Call of Duty: Black Ops II explanation, being able to play many of the games on the Wii U GamePad exclusively while something else is on the TV screen. Then again, another aspect that is exciting is the fact that Nintendo's IPs, which looked glorious on the Wii for the most part, will now be in high-definition for the first time. We'll see if the system and its launch window lineup satisfies and pans out well, or if the console will have a rough go of it when it is released in North America on November 18th.

The 50 Best Nintendo DS Games - Part Three

For the past two weeks I have been listing what I perceive to be some of the greatest Nintendo DS games of the portable's robust library. We have now reached the third week and third set of ten DS titles. By the conclusion of this piece, we'll be more than halfway through this exhaustive list. If you somehow missed a previous part, check out Part One and Part Two. When all of your preparations are complete (and you remember that list contains North American releases only), feel free to begin perusing this third list of ten DS titles!

Animal Crossing: Wild World

Let me get this out of the way: I love and lost many hours to the original Animal Crossing. Well, technically the original Animal Crossing was the Japan-only Animal Forest, but I digress. Animal Crossing: Wild World has the same basic premise of that the series is known for. You start in a randomized village without a home to speak of. An entrepreneur named Tom Nook gives you a shack that you have to pay off. Bells, the currency of the series, is earned through completing tasks for neighbors, selling off furniture and other housing items, catching fish, and other means. Wild World utilizes the DS system's internal clock to give players a real-time experience. Night, day, and the seasons pass just as they do in real life. (Of course you can cheat by changing the clock yourself.) This entry brought something totally new to the franchise, too -- online play. Many hours vanished telling visitors in my town not to mess anything up. Yeah, I'm that big of a perfectionist and prude.

Elite Beat Agents

Wouldn't it be lovely if life worked the way it does in Elite Beat Agents? Say you have a very critical moment in your life. It's so difficult and vexing that it almost seems impossible to deal with. Enter the Elite Beat Agents who would dance and cheer you on until you solved your problem. Elite Beat Agents is a spiritual sequel to Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan. Both games revolve around the same type of gameplay: you touch, tap, and slide the stylus on markers in rhythm with the music. Now, you can rightfully complain about the music of Elite Beat Agents being covers and not the original versions, and you might have a case regarding the song selection. Regardless, the game is massively marvelous in its simplicity, yet deep enough to feel rewarding. Playing through Chicago's "You're the Inspiration" and not feeling the urge to cry manly (or normal) tears means you must have no soul. Perhaps there's some hyperbole thrown in there somewhere, but you get what I mean.

Clubhouse Games

Known by 42 All-Time Classics in Europe, Clubhouse Games is another entry in Nintendo's Touch Generation line of games. Of the 42 classics, all were divided up into several categories such as Card Games, Action Games, Board Games, Variety Games, and Single Player Games. If you didn't like one game, you were bound to like another. It seems with Clubhouse Games there is always one specific game that a person enjoys the most, whether it is Old Maid, Texas Hold 'em, Hearts, Checkers, Chess, Shogi, Billiards, Bowling, Darts, Solitaire, or any other activity. The single-player mode gave players stamps for completing games, but the real draw of Clubhouse Games was the multiplayer functionality. The original Japanese release did not receive online play. The North American and European releases did at launch, allowing strangers and friends (with friends you could write messages a la Pictochat or more recently Swapnote) to play many of the fun diversions worldwide.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

Featuring one of Link's greatest companions in Captain Linebeck, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass seems to be getting revisionism on just how good the game was. At the time of release, critics heralded the game's unique touch screen-exclusive control scheme. Players tapped the screen to guide Link around, slashed enemies to have Link swipe his blade at them, and other feats that felt really nice with the sole control option of touching. Now, to be fair, some critics then did complain about how Phantom Hourglass had a more casual approach than past Zelda entries. However, this game did remarkably well because of that approach, in my eyes. I greatly enjoyed the new control method, using old faithful items like the boomerang in new, interesting, and never-before-seen ways, I adored sailing the Great Sea, and I liked the structure of the game. Needing to return to the Temple of the Ocean King was an interesting idea. I can empathize with those who didn't care for the backtracking, however. Nonetheless, all this writing about The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass has put me in a wonderful mood to play the game again!

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin

A shake up for the Advance Wars series, so to speak, Advance Wars: Days of Ruin introduced a completely standalone story and cast of characters from previous entries. It was a post-apocalyptic world after a global meteor shower pelted the planet. This made for a grimmer game than what fans were used to. New to the Advance Wars series (aside from the new tone) was the ability for units to level up and increase their stats. However, it is important to note that these increased stats don't carry over through missions. Each missions starts you out with a new batch of units to work with. Perhaps most interesting in the new bullet point department was the addition of a series first - online play. Players could not only do battle with one another over Wi-Fi, but they could exchange custom-made maps. While War Room, a series staple, was omitted from Days of Ruin, I still find the game to be a competent entry in the franchise, despite its forced darker tone.

Phantasy Star 0

Borrowing elements from past Phantasy Star games such as the gameplay workings of Phantasy Star Online and the ability to play a full-fledged story in the offline mode just like Phantasy Star Universe, Phantasy Star 0 was an original Phantasy Star experience exclusive for Nintendo DS owners. (I think I said "Phantasy Star" enough times in that first sentence to fulfill my quota for the day.) The game had over 300 different weapons of varying types like swords, guns, and taking a page from Squall Leonhart, gunblades. Character customization allowed for some diverse creations, and those could be put forth into the game's entertaining online mode containing Free Play, Play With Friends, and Play Alone. There's nothing I love more than some good old fashioned monster hunting, dragon slaying, and boss bashing. Phantasy Star 0 certainly scratched that itch for me when I played the game several years back. If you have friends who love the series like I do, arranging and participating in online games is a blast.

Custom Robo Arena

I like this installment of the series because it was the first entry of Custom Robo to be released in both Europe and Australians. Now my PAL pals can see what all the frenetic fun is all about. I also like this installment of the series because it, like the GameCube game, has what I like to call the "SuperPhillip mode," meaning the game has the option to become easier the more that I suck. After repeated losses, Custom Robo Arena offers the option to handicap your opponent. So let's say I lose on multiple tries, and the game allows me to lower my foe's health by a certain percentage. You might use a tactless term like "weaksauce," but I will wear it loud and proud. The typical Custom Robo Arena match pits two customizable Custom Robo toys in an isometric arena where they duke it out with bombs, lasers, and guns to see which opponent prevails by putting the other player's health to zero. The story of the game might be on the childish side, but if you stick with what's important, the gameplay, you will be surprised at how much you like the game. (The online play certainly helps as well.)

Kirby Mass Attack

I already listed Kirby: Canvas Curse on this list of terrific Nintendo DS titles, and you can be certain that this won't be the last we see of the pink puffball enjoying his 20th anniversary this year. Regardless, like Canvas Curse, you don't actually play the game utilizing traditional controls. Nope, no face buttons, d-pad, L and R. Banish those thoughts from your mind right now. Kirby Mass Attack involves the touch screen solely. The mass in Mass Attack refers to you controlling up to ten Kirbys (you begin with just one), tapping foes, chucking Kirbys to high places or as projectiles, and other feats. Through eating fruit, your militia of Kirbys grows. When a Kirby is attacked, he grows blue. If that unit is hit again, they grow wings and start flying away. Only through tossing another Kirby up to save the gravely injured pink blob. What's awesome about Kirby Mass Attack is that not only is there the story mode to trek through and enjoy, but through gathering hidden medals, you can unlock engaging mini-games like pinball, an RPG romp, and much, much more. Kirby Mass Attack is a massively worthy game for any respecting DS owner's collection.

Pokemon Black and White

A list of the best games on a Nintendo handheld just wouldn't be a credible list without a Pokemon game (or games in this case) on it. (Though feel free to argue if this is a credible list or not, regardless.) Now, we pretty much all know how Pokemon works. You start off as an unsuspecting Pokemon trainer in a rural town. Your local professor gives you the choice of three starter Pokemon, and you begin your adventure to be the best like no one ever was. But new to this generation of Pokemon games is a seasonal cycle (with some areas only being able to be visited during a specific season), updated visuals for an extra graphical bang to the eyes, new Pokemon battle types like Triple and Rotation, and Pokemon musicals (yeah, that last one isn't that spectacular). Regardless, I find Pokemon Black and White to be some of the most complete games in the series's outstanding history. As with so many games on this week's batch of ten DS games, this duo of Pokemon games also featured online play with such things as Pokemon battling and trading.

Super Scribblenauts 

How is it best to describe Super Scribblenauts? Perhaps it's best by saying that it is the potential of the original Scribblenauts fully realized. The game is a 2D action/puzzle game that has you poking in words to summon and collect objects. This go around you can even add adjectives to create characteristics to your created objects. For example, a "red gorilla" or a "strong ox." The ability for a player to think of creative solutions to Super Scribblenaut's problems through crafting the appropriate object (and in many cases, objects) is the main goal of the game. The game is just a brilliantly thought out experience that shows that the West is just as on top of things as Japan when it comes to innovative ideas and charm, but then again, let's not do culture wars here. The level editor is much improved, too, allowing for increased functionality. I eagerly anticipate the Wii U and 3DS release of Scribblenauts Unlimited. 5th Cell has proven that they know how to craft a compelling game.

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And with that we are more than halfway through this list of fifty of what I consider to be the fifty best Nintendo DS games ever developed. Next week we will approach the home stretch with Part Four of this five part series. Do you agree with most of the game selections I've picked? Let me know in the comments section.