Showing posts with label soundtracks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soundtracks. Show all posts

Monday, May 26, 2014

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - Memorial Day 2014 Edition

We at SuperPhillip Central would like to honor all of the servicemen and women who fight for our freedom, put others before themselves, and make our country proud. With that lovely sentiment out of the way, we have five new video game themes to add to our ever-expanding list of VGMs. This week we have our usual mix of marvelous VGM goodness. Such games featured this week include Mario Kart 8, Valkyria Chronicles, and Mario & Luigi: Dream Team.

v631. Mario Kart 8 (Wii U) - Dolphin Shoals


Mario Kart 8 releases in multiple territories this week, so why not kick off this edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs with some music from the game? Dolphin Shoals is a land and sea track that appears in the Star Cup of the game. It features one mean saxophone that makes this piece god tier. The music of Mario Kart 8 in general is absolutely amazing, and we can only hope Nintendo releases a soundtrack for the game in the near future... preferably on this side of the Pacific, too.

v632. Valkyria Chronicles (PS3) - Desperate Fight


Hitoshi Sakimoto has a remarkable resume of excellent compositions and soundtracks under his belt. Valkyria Chronicles is but one of these, in addition to Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy XII, Odin Sphere, Muramasa: The Demon Blade, among other titles. Desperate Fight is a very dramatic track, perfect for dealing in tactical tank warfare, which Valkyria Chronicles provides in spades.

v633. Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (3DS) - The Law of Pajamaja


Yoko Shimomura certainly knows how to dazzle us with her compositions, and The Law of Pajamaja from Mario & Luigi: Dream Team is no exception. The areas in Dream Team are quite expansive, so it's great to have music that accompanies adventuring through the various lands that doesn't get grating, and even better, sound fantastic. Then again, what else could one expect from the great Yoko Shimomura?

v634. Custom Robo (GCN) - Are You Ready


We didn't particularly care for Custom Robo on the GameCube. Not even its music was that interesting, but one track that does sound nice is the theme that plays while setting up your robo figurine. It's a supremely casual theme that allows one to lie back and relax with its lovely guitar and soft sounds.

v635. Wario World (GCN) - Greenhorn Ruins


Wario World is a treasure on the Nintendo GameCube, albeit a short adventure. While we would love to go on about how we'd really enjoy seeing a new 3D Wario platformer, now is not the time. Instead, let's talk about this theme for the second level of Wario World. It's a peppy and snazzy jazz number that is perfect to play as Wario punches, kicks, and pummels foes into submission. A remixed version of this theme would later appear in the Wii title Wario Land: Shake It! for the Glitzville level of the game.
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Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Top Ten Sonic the Hedgehog Soundtracks

A week ago to this day, Sonic: Lost World released on the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, the latest in the Blue Blur's line of fast-paced games. We figured we'd take this opportunity to look back at some of our fondest soundtracks of the series. Yes, "butt rock" and all! This top ten list attempts to not factor in nostalgia in our game rankings, so we're ranking these games on things like great rhythm, melodies, the amount of songs of each soundtrack that we enjoyed, etc. However, if you feel we didn't list a classic Sonic game that you think has a better soundtrack than what we've listed, we'd love to hear your thoughts!

10) Sonic Heroes (PS2, GCN, XBX)


We begin our list with an interesting experiment from Sonic Team, a three-character team system. In Sonic Heroes, one character could speed through levels, one could fly, and one could smash through certain objects with their power moves. The soundtrack is vintage Jun Senoue, featuring plenty of rock, including several decidedly cheesy team themes.


9) Sonic Rush (DS)


An unorthodox Sonic the Hedgehog soundtrack, Sonic Rush had the talent of the composer behind the Jet Set Radio series to elevate it into the memories of many a Sonic fan. The soundtrack featured plenty of voice samples and a groovy assortment of rhythms that makes Sonic Rush Sonic the Hedgehog's best handheld soundtrack.


8) Sonic the Hedgehog (PS3, 360)


One of three of us actually got all of the achievements on this game. What a masochist. Perhaps the only positive we can mention of Sonic the Hedgehog's 2006 atrocity is that the music was phenomenal. Though, if you are into humans kissing bipedal blue hedgehogs on the lips, then maybe you'd find more to like about this game than we did. Jun Senoue was nowhere to be found in this soundtrack, but that's alright. Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) delivered many guitar-driven pieces anyway, great instrumental tracks, and one killer final boss theme.


7) Sonic Colors (Wii)


Sonic's debut on the Wii was not very good. The soundtrack was excellent, and it just barely missed the cut on this list, along with Sonic 3D Blast's Saturn version and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Regardless, while Sonic and the Sonic Rings does not have a place on this list, Sonic Colors indeed does. Its rich assortment of tracks made Sonic's space odyssey all the more exciting. Tomoya Ohtani, Kenichi Tokoi, and Hideaki Kobayashi, and Mariko Nanba all came together for an excellent Sonic the Hedgehog score.


6) Sonic Adventure (DC)


Variety is the spice of life, and if you peel the outer layer of Sonic Adventure's soundtrack's skin off, you'll uncover much more than pure rock-driven pieces. There's techno, jazz, and rap. Sonic Adventure's score was primarily written by Jun Senoue. His rock sensibilities gave the Sonic the Hedgehog series a whole new brand of attitude. While some dislike this dynamic shift, we approved as there was plenty of good music to listen to as we played.


5) Sonic Adventure 2 (DC)


We prefer Sonic Adventure 2's soundtrack to its predecessor's due to the fact that there's an even greater assortment of musical styles present. Each of the six playable characters had their own styles that represented them. Sonic had light and peppy rock, Shadow had a darker edge to his themes, Knuckles was all rap and hip-hop, Rouge had smooth jazz, etc. Also, who could forget one of the most heralded themes in post-Genesis Hedgehog history Live & Learn?


4) Sonic Unleashed (PS3, 360, Wii, PS2)


After the bad taste that was left in the gaming world's mouth from Sonic the Hedgehog's seventh generation debut, Sonic Unleashed was like a breath mint. Sure, it had its moments of tasting like bile, but overall it was an improved taste. The soundtrack covered a myriad of musical genres and had sounds from all over the world, as you can witness by listening to these examples. Just note that Empire City - Night is only present in the HD versions of the game.


3) Sonic CD (SCD)


We are of the stance that prefers the North American version of the Sonic CD soundtrack. We believe it has the more memorable themes, greater rhythms, and better sounds. Spencer Nilsen, David J. Young, and Mark Crew composed the music for the North American version, imparting some smooth rock and even smoother sounding vocals. We're also suckers for Sonic Boom over Sonic - You Can Do Anything.


2) Sonic Generations (PS3, 360)


Take some of the most well known themes from the entire Sonic the Hedgehog franchise and remix them into one grand soundtrack, and you have the music of Sonic Generations. A host of past and present Sonic Team composers worked on this magnum opus of the Blue Blur's best sounds, containing remixes of Green Hill, Chemical Plant, Sky Sanctuary, City Escape, Seaside Hill, and even lesser known themes from Sonic 3D Blast and Knuckles Chaotix. There must be some majorly terrific soundtrack to beat Sonic Generations.


1) Sonic 3 & Knuckles (GEN)


Perhaps this is a cop-out, as we are including the entire Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles games into one (just like our based Blue Blur intended... hurt us for using a meme on this site). Regardless, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles contains the most memorable themes of the franchise, and they still sound marvelous. Most of the time old school and new school Sonic fans don't agree on much, but one thing that most of these two parties can agree upon is that the music of Sonic 3 & Knuckles is absolutely tremendous and timeless.

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Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Top Ten Soundtracks of All Time

We love music. We love video game music. In honor of SuperPhillip Central's five year anniversary, we have been listing our top 100 games ever. To go alongside that, we've decided to do a top ten regarding our collective's favorite soundtracks of all time. From classics to modern titles, this list have got them all. Obviously music is very subjective, so you don't need to agree to our choices. That said, if you have video game soundtracks of your own that you'd like to share with us, give us a holler in the comments section below.

10) Wild ARMS (PS1)


Michiko Naruke delivers a blend of old west and orchestral sounds with her Wild ARMS soundtrack, a true classic in every sense of the word. Right when the intro cutscene plays as To the End of the Wilderness accompanies it, you know you're in for an exciting adventure. Wild ARMS: Alter Code f redid plenty of the themes from this game, but we will always prefer the original music to the remixes. These are warmer sounding and are drenched with glorious nostalgia.


9) Ys: The Oath in Felghana (PSP)


Ys: The Oath in Felghana is a remake of the SNES game Ys III: Wanderers of Ys. The gameplay is severely different from the SNES game. The music is also remade, featuring some fantastic versions of old favorites. There is a lot more rock-centered focus to Ys: The Oath in Felghana, and it is very much a welcome one. The rhythm and beats that drive the songs are a great companion as you play as Adol, trying to save the world. From the tense sounds of Snare of Darkness to the epic final battle theme The Strongest Foe, Ys:  The Oath in Felghana comes with a stellar soundtrack.


8) Mega Man X (SNES)


No worries, SPC faithful. There will be plenty of classic soundtracks on our list, too. The first of which is the original Mega Man X. There's nothing better than good ol' synth, and that is exactly what you get with Mega Man X's soundtrack. These themes will forever be a part of video game music history, and we wouldn't have it any other way.


7) Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS)


Kid Icarus: Uprising is a Nintendo 3DS exclusive that not only brought with it hilarious dialogue, fast paced flying and ground-based action, but it also contained an amazing orchestrated soundtrack. Composed by an all-star team including Yasunori Mitsuda, Motoi Sakuraba, and Yuzo Koshiro (for starters), Kid Icarus: Uprising has a wide range of musical styles, from Aurum Island's jazz to Lightning Battle's hard rock. SuperPhillip Central didn't award the soundtrack of the year award to this game last year for no reason!


6) Star Ocean: The Second Story (PS1)


Speaking of Motoi Sakuraba, if we had to choose a soundtrack of his that we would point to as his greatest, we'd point to Star Ocean: The Second Story (also available on PSP as Star Ocean: Second Evolution). The sounds of the synth the game uses fills us with warmth and the melodies heard make us wax poetic. Everything from The Venerable Forest to Pyroxene gives us such a nice feeling when we listen to it.


5) Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (SNES)


The best the Donkey Kong Country series has to offer in both gameplay and music is Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. David Wise brings his A-game, offering atmospheric and melodic tracks that are way ahead of their time. To this day, there are still soundtracks that don't come anywhere close to matching the charm and ambiance that David Wise's works on Donkey Kong Country 2 possess.


4) Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)


Originally when Super Mario Galaxy was shown, it contained a synthesized soundtrack. When the game came closer to release, it was revealed that the majority of songs would be orchestrated-- a first for the Mario series and something not usually done by Nintendo. The end result is just magical. Forgive us if we use too much emotionally-charged wording here. It's no wonder people dislike what they hear regarding the New Super Mario Bros. series' music, because Super Mario Galaxy has spoiled us so greatly. Without a doubt our favorite song from the series is Gusty Garden Galaxy. So spectacular...


3) Super Smash Bros. Melee (GCN)


If you're like us, then you're drooling at the thought of playing Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS. If you're like us also, then you absolutely love the soundtrack of Super Smash Bros. Melee, featuring many orchestral remixes of familiar Nintendo themes. Hearing the bold brass of the Legend of Zelda theme playing in Great Bay and the awesome guitar work of Mute City brings joy and happiness to our bodies and smiles to our faces.


2) Final Fantasy Tactics (PS1)


We tried to limit this list to just ONE Final Fantasy soundtrack, but we couldn't do it in the end. Instead, we have two Final Fantasy soundtracks on our list. This one is from a spin-off series, Final Fantasy Tactics. Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata teamed up to create this sensational soundtrack that plays on the emotions of its listener. From dramatic themes like Tension 1 to poignant character themes like Ovelia's Theme, Final Fantasy Tactics' soundtrack remains as wonderful as it was back in released in 1997.


1) Final Fantasy VI (SNES)


Here we go with our favorite video game soundtrack of all time-- Final Fantasy VI (or as it was known in the West for a period of time, Final Fantasy III). Final Fantasy VI contains Nobuo Uematsu's greatest work, and imagine having to work within the confines of the SNES sound chip to produce such a superior soundtrack. The music still sounds fantastic to this day, and we're still floored by tracks like the multi-tiered Dancing Mad, one of the greatest boss themes ever composed, as well as character themes like Terra and Celes. Nobuo Uematsu continues to be the most prolific composer in the video game industry-- at least that's our story (which we are sticking to!).


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You have read our thoughts on our favorite soundtracks, but which ones do you deem your favorites? They need not necessarily be the best-- they just need to be ones you enjoy the most. Let us and the SPC community know in the comments section below.
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Thursday, June 6, 2013

Top Ten SNES Soundtracks

The Super Nintendo is one of our favorite systems of all time. We don't say that out of pure nostalgia either. A lot of the games available for the system that we enjoy are classics that remain as good now as they did then. Rather than talk about our favorite games for the system (we can do that at a later date), we want to talk about the music of the software for the system. Picking and choosing ten out of the immense library of great games with great soundtracks is no easy task. We know we left out favorites of people. That's what's so great about the Super Nintendo-- there's so much good music and so many excellent games to select from. We hope that at least you will understand our reasons for picking the ten titles that we have. Let's get to the sensational sounds, shall we?

10) Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island 


The first game our list is a game that starred Yoshi as the hero, with Mario in the backseat, so to speak, in baby form. It's Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, a classic in every sense of the word, from its gameplay to its level design and of course, music. You have such catchy tunes like Flower Garden and Athletic, but then you also have dramatic tunes like Castle & Fortress, Boss, and Final Boss. It's a grand soundtrack, for sure, and one that evokes memories of tossing eggs and screaming babies.

9) Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars


A soundtrack fitting for a game set in the mystical Mushroom Kingdom, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is a marvelous masterpiece of magnificent music. The soundtrack was composed by Yoko Shimomura, whose works you might recall from the Kingdom Hearts series. No doubt fans of this game are really familiar with the themes heard in the game such as Beware the Forest Mushrooms, Fight Against an Armed Boss, Rose Town, Let's Do the Fooka Fooka (Nimbus Land), and Goodbye Geno.

8) Donkey Kong Country


David Wise needs employment at some big studio. He's deserved that, hasn't he? Is he still out of work? Someone answer us!! Anyway, we exclaim all these things because Mr. Wise's work on the Donkey Kong Country trilogy is absolutely phenomenal. Don't believe us? Foolish mortal! Take a listen to these atmospheric tracks that are not only catchy but full of delightful ambiance. There's Jungle Groove, Mine Cart Madness, Treetop Rock, Ice Cave Chant, and Fear Factory. Glorious, glorious music! The Donkey Kong Country soundtrack is a work of art, but it's not Wise's best work on the system. Stay tuned for that game coming up on this list!

7) Mega Man X


Right when you press start and enter the opening Central Highway level, you're greeted with this rocking song, letting you know you're in the thick of some seriously awesome action. Then, after the initial level has been completed and Zero has saved X's hide, you get a great stage select theme. Don't miss out on the excellent level themes, such as Flame Mammoth, Storm Eagle, and Sigma 1st. Choosing which Mega Man X game from the original SNES trilogy was a tremendous challenge, and it was a toss-up between X1 and X2. We figured we might as well go with old true blue.

6) Super Mario World


We put Super Mario World's soundtrack at the sixth position for a variety of reasons. Well, actually two. 1) We have a good bit of nostalgia that comes out when we hear this soundtrack, and 2) It's just a well done soundtrack. Koji Kondo provided the simple yet virtuoso-like tunes for Super Mario World. The classics are so classic that we don't even need to describe them to most people. Just listen and be taken back to your childhood, or if you were born in the year 1995 onward, we're so sorry for your misfortune. There's Overworld, Athletic, Underwater, Castle and Ending.

5) Breath of Fire


The original Breath of Fire is one of our favorite RPGs of the 16-bit era. Even though it has been outclassed by other games of the same genre, we still hold a special place for Ryu and the gang in our gamer hearts. Breath of Fire's soundtrack was composed by Alph Lyla, what was then Capcom's in-house composition team, featuring Mari Yamaguchi, Minae Fuji, Yasuaki Fujita, and Yoko Shimomura. Like any great RPG soundtrack, you have a wide range of feelings that you get from listening to the music. From sadness with Fate to a warm feeling of nostalgia with Day and Night. Then there's memorable themes like A Road, Battling, and Dawn.

4) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past


The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is one of most well regarded games in the history of this fine hobby of ours. Not even Zelda's creators could create a 2D Zelda that topped it. You're free to disagree, however. Regardless, the soundtrack is also something that made A Link to the Past so special, composed by Nintendo veteran Koji Kondo. There's, of course, the Overworld Theme, which plays in virtually every Zelda game, but this one is one of the more majestic versions. Then there's Hyrule Castle, The Dark World, Forest of Mystery, and the introduction of a legacy theme for the series, Zelda's Lullaby. Bah! Now we want to replay A Link to the Past for, like, the fiftieth time!

3) Chrono Trigger


The third best SNES soundtrack comes from the marvelous mind of Yasunori Mitsuda. Well, actually that isn't entirely true. You see, Mr. Mitsuda was so stressed out with the undertaking of composing the music for Chrono Trigger that he needed the assistance of Final Fantasy series composer Nobuo Uematsu to contribute some tracks. Regardless, this team effort stands as one of the greatest SNES soundtracks. How could you not enjoy this time traveling epic with songs like Zeal Palace, To Far Away Times, Battle With Magus, Brink of Time, and Battle 2?  

2) Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest


David/Dave Wise had a little support composing the soundtrack to our next game, but most of the music comes from him and him alone. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest features a wide array of musical styles that are as atmospheric as the levels they are played in. Plunder the deep with Lockjaw's Saga, party like it's 1975 with Disco Train, get mellow with Hot-Head Bop and Stickerbrush Symphony, and hear the melody of DKC's Gangplank Galleon with Snakey Chantey. David Wise's music accentuates each level splendidly, and the masterful compositions are ones that sound great to this day.

1) Final Fantasy III


Not just our favorite Super Nintendo soundtrack, but also one of our favorite soundtracks of all time, Nobuo  Uematsu's Final Fantasy III (or as it's now known in the West by its true name, Final Fantasy VI) provides a wide range of musical styles and emotions. The forlorn and beautiful Celes brings tears to our eyes, the sound of Terra makes us ready for adventure, and the town theme of Kids Run Through the City Corner gives us such a warm feeling with its instrumentation and melody. Final Fantasy VI also possesses several of the greatest boss battles themes from a game, such as The Decisive Battle, The Fierce Battle, and Dancing Mad. Final Fantasy III is a music composition triumph, regardless of what medium it is in.

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We've named our favorite Super Nintendo soundtracks, and there's many we wanted to add but had no room, like Super Metroid, Final Fantasy II, Secret of Mana, Mega Man X2, and Kirby Super Star! However, even though we've listed our favorites, there's just the matter of answering this one question: What are your favorites? Let us know in the comments section.
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Monday, January 28, 2013

SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - It's Mario's World Edition

We all just play in it. Last week we arrived at 300 VGM volumes. This week we kick off our quest for 400 with five new themes from video games. On this edition we have a special orchestrated theme of Super Mario World, a piece from Jet Force Gemini, and music from F-Zero GX.

v301. Super Mario World (SNES) - Overworld (Orchestrated)


Performed by the Tokyo City Philharmonic, this Overworld theme from Super Mario World gets the jazz treatment. Moreover, at the rousing conclusion of the symphonic piece comes a big band shift. It's nice getting a different take on a familiar theme, don't you think?

v302. Final Fantasy (Multi) - Cornelia Castle


With harpsichord accompaniment, the theme of Cornelia Castle from the very first Final Fantasy is full of majestic wonder. This particular rendition comes from the PSP port of the game. This version came with FMV cutscenes, a revised soundtrack, greater resolution visuals, and an all-new dungeon.

v303. Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg (GCN) - G.I.A.N.T. E.G.G. (Opening)


Without a doubt the catchiest VGM on this week's edition, Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg's opening theme is quite kooky. Perhaps "cuckoo" would be the better word here. Along with the manic pace of the song comes an adorable children's chorus. I am sorry for giving you this VGM. Most likely you'll be humming it all evening now.

v304. Jet Force Gemini (N64) - Eschebone


A long while back (well, 2009 at least) I listed Jet Force Gemini as having the best Nintendo 64 soundtrack. The cinematic route that Rare's composers went with the game set the stage for a fantastic alien-busting romp that blares wonderfully symphonic-sounding music.

v305. F-Zero GX (GCN) - ZEN (Aeropolis)


We conclude this week's tour of my favorite VGMs with a piece from F-Zero GX, one of my favorite (and one of the most difficult) arcade-style racers. I am always amazed when I play the game at how well the visuals have held up. Oh, and I guess the gameplay has to. That is sort of important, too. ZEN starts off with a wintry sound before coming in with an electronica feel. The final lap theme for Aeropolis takes place at the three minute mark.
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Tuesday, January 1, 2013

The SuperPhillip Central Best of 2012 Awards - Opening Night

Finally we have arrived at the fifth annual SuperPhillip Central Best of the Year Awards! With five days of awards, two new award categories, 19 categories total, and loads of games to be represented, the Best of 2012 Awards is the most loaded yet! Today we are taking a look at four categories: Best Original Soundtrack, Best Multiplayer, Best Presentation, and a new category, Best Box Art. Are you ready? I sure as heck know that I am!

[Best Original Soundtrack]

Music is something that is very special to me, despite not professionally playing any instrument. Regardless, a game with great music is one that I will remember for a long time. Games with poor music? Not so much. This nominees for this award are the best when it concerns their soundtracks. There are six deserving nominees for this award, but only one can win! And the nominees are...

Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)


There is no question that the Xenoblade Chronicles soundtrack is something made of legends. It covers a plethora of genres and moods, and at one moment it plays a gentle, soothing theme while at the next it delivers a hard rock battle theme. The score is complex and full of tremendous tunes.


Final Fantasy XIII-2 (PS3, 360)


The game that was much better than its predecessor, Final Fantasy XIII-2 sports an excellent score. Though to be perfectly honest, the music was the least of the original Final Fantasy XIII's problems. Regardless, what we get from Final Fantasy XIII-2's music is a large variance of different genres and grooves.


Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS)


Six outstanding composers team up to create this magnificent soundtrack, full of various genres and moods. You get Motoi Sakuraba (Tales of, Star Ocean), Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger, Xenogears), Masafumi Takada (Killer7, No More Heroes), among others. From rock to acid jazz, Kid Icarus: Uprising's score sets the tone for the game splendidly.


Paper Mario: Sticker Star (3DS)


The Mario franchise is known for peppy themes, and Paper Mario: Sticker Star does not disappoint in this aspect, presenting the player with loads of so-called "ear-gasms." There are familiar Mario themes, but the majority of the soundtrack is full of all-new content. It's a happy-go-lucky score that gets the job done.


Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (3DS)


Yoko Shimomura takes her composition brilliance and delivers yet another astounding Kingdom Hearts soundtrack. From uptempo battle themes to more somber melodies, the Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance soundtrack is as complex as the name of the darned game!


Nintendo Land (Wii U)


Not only does our last nominee have wholly original music attached to it, but it also possesses numerous remixes of past Nintendo tunes like the Super Mario World Athletic theme or the theme of Kraid from the Metroid series. The majority of Nintendo's finest franchises are well represented musically with this wonderful soundtrack.


And the winner is...










Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS)

Such an epic and outstanding soundtrack does Kid Icarus: Uprising have. The music definitely puts you into the game as you fly, soar, and speed through the twenty-five chapters Uprising presents you with. It is a grandiose, dynamic score that without a doubt deserves its place as the top soundtrack of 2012.


Runner-up: Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)

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[Best Multiplayer]

Whether local or online, multiplayer is a key ingredient in create a game with lengthy replay value. The following five nominated games have several special factors that make them more enjoyable in multiplayer than the other games that came out in 2012. And the nominees are...

New Super Mario Bros. U (Wii U)


The platformer is one of my favorite genres, so it would be folly of me not to get it represented in this award category. New Super Mario Bros. Wii featured my favorite local multiplayer platforming to date, so New Super Mario Bros. U was coming off that great fun. The Wii U game adds more to the multiplayer. There's still the inclusion of screwing over your friends, but there is also the benefit of the Wii U GamePad, offering one player to place helpful blocks for the players going through each level. It's madcap entertainment, certainly worthy of being a nominee.

Nintendo Land (Wii U)


Containing six multiplayer attractions, some of which are competitive while others are cooperative, Nintendo Land is a local multiplayer fan's dream. Prepare to experience raucous laughter, hooting, hollering, and other exclamations as you play through the game with your friends and family. It is an experience that perfectly shows why the Wii U GamePad is essential to the Wii U console, and it grants players a seemingly endless amount of enjoyment through its Nintendo franchise-themed attractions.

Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS)


The sole handheld nominee for Best Multiplayer, Kid Icarus: Uprising allows players to take a customized weapon that they earned in the single player mode and equip it to their character online for some fast and frenzied battles. Up to six players can duke it out online in either a free-for-all or Light vs. Dark confrontations. By simply participating in the online and offline conflicts players receive new items and weapons. It's a sensational online offering by Nintendo.

PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale (PS3, PSV)


With actual online that works (unlike a certain Nintendo-themed party fighter), PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale possesses battles for up to four players either in ranked or unranked bouts. This is all with mostly lag-free battles and all the Supers that you could hope to unleash on your foes. Like Kid Icarus: Uprising, there are free-for-all or team-based affairs to be had, and each fight grants experience to your selected character, unlocking new content as you play.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II (Multi)


Many people who play Call of Duty don't even bother touching the single player campaigns that come with each installment of the series. No, all of their time goes into the competitive multiplayer modes, and for good reason, these modes continue to be as rewarding as ever. From earning new perks to competing in the new 4 vs. 4 vs. 4 team battles, Call of Duty: Black Ops II offers an exciting and challenging online experience that the gaming world just can't seem to get enough of.

Halo 4 (360)


What makes Halo 4's multiplayer work so well are the weapons. Each weapon serves its own purpose and none of them feel like worthless filler. Throw in some well designed maps, vehicles to create even more hell-acious combat, and the limitation of only being able to carry two guns at a time, and you have a recipe for brilliant multiplayer. Borrowing a page from Call of Duty, Halo 4 added perks to increase the reward players receive for simply sticking with the already addicting game.

And the winner is...










Nintendo Land (Wii U)

While online multiplayer has a bounty of benefits, I always have more fun with local multiplayer with some friends and family members. Nintendo Land delivers this in spades, and offers a type of multiplayer never seen before. Many attractions contain asymmetrical multiplayer-- that is, one player uses the Wii U GamePad, views the controller's screen, and serves as one role, while the Wii Remote players look at the TV and have their own roles. The roars of laughter that come from your family or friends are something that aren't really as well appreciated in an online setting. Nintendo Land proves that together is better, and the various attractions that display different uses for the GamePad and different displays of multiplayer gaming make for an excellent time.

Runner-up: Halo 4 (360)

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[Best Presentation]

While I am not the type of gamer who values presentation over gameplay, presentation is an important part of a given game's package. There were tons of lookers this past year, and this award goes to the game with the most stellar overall presentation. And the nominees are...

Call of Duty: Black Ops II (Multi)


There is so much going on in our first nominee, that your eyes might find themselves working some serious overtime. Call of Duty: Black Ops II contains lots to love in the presentation department. From terrific voice acting to nice effects like rain pounding down on characters and splashing off them, the game is a good contender for this award.

Halo 4 (360)


One of the most gorgeous console games of all time, Halo 4 offers awesome views and great special effects, from explosions to the shine on various vehicles. The game is no doubt an impressive beast, filled with lots of happenings going on the screen at once with seldom a hint of slowdown or framerate drop. Couple all that with some fantastic voice work, and Halo 4's presentation pleases in more ways than one.

Borderlands 2 (Multi)


Most first-person shooters go toward the realistic route. Borderlands 2 forgoes such an avenue, coming up with a cel-shaded art style that one cannot help but marvel at. The entire world of the game feels like one giant mature-rated cartoon for you and your friends to be let loose in. Truly incredible.

Journey (PS3)


Journey is an indie game created by Thatgamecompany. It is a title that presents the player with a gorgeous desert world and intriguing art style. Even still pictures of the game are something special to look at. It goes to show that you don't need the most realistic approach to create a great looking game.

Trine 2: Director's Cut (Wii U)


A visually stunning 2D puzzle-platformer, Trine 2: Director's Cut on Wii U is a tantalizing and bewitching game that stuns with is beautiful and vibrant visuals. From small particle effects to the shimmering backgrounds, Trine 2 is indeed a glorious game to sit back and gaze upon. Perhaps your eyes will begin to water as you look at something so incredibly pleasing to them...

And the winner is...










Journey (PS3)

A game that is an absolute joy to gawk at, Journey looks and feels like painting come to life. In a gaming industry where most developers strive for realism, it is nice to see indie studios still going for a different, and at times, more pleasing approach. This is why Journey gets this year's award for Best Presentation.

Runner-up: Halo 4 (360)

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[Best Box Art]

While not the most important part of a game, the box art is the first thing you see. It's the thing that sits proudly on the store shelves, just waiting for a customer to pick it up and take a look. There are four nominees for this first of two new categories, Best Box Art of 2012. And they are...

New Super Mario Bros. U (Wii U)


Mario and the gang display exactly what you can expect entering into New Super Mario Bros. U. We have the beautiful background of Acorn Plains, Luigi holding a ballooning Baby Yoshi, Blue Toad holding a bubble-spewing Blue Baby Yoshi, a Squirrel Suit Yellow Toad, and Mario riding Yoshi. It has all the elements of a great Mario cover, and the composition is really well done, too.

Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)


A simple cover, really. It is Xenoblade Chronicles' cover. The Monado sword stands in a field overlooked by a bright blue sky and the image of one of the two titans the game takes place on. It's a particularly vibrant cover, and that is why it is one of my four favorites this past year.

Halo 4 (360)


This is simply put a glorious piece of art work for Halo 4. It shows Master Chief down on one knee with weapon in hand. The art style of the cover is just incredibly appealing to the eye, and it is a box art that sticks with you.

Borderlands 2 (Multi)


This is quite the clever box art. It shows the cover character with fingers pointed like pistols to his throat with pictures of the opposing sides in the "blood" that came out of his head. Add to that a vibrant orange and yellow background and the bold Borderlands 2 logo, and you have a winner of a box art.


And the winner is...










Halo 4 (360)

Sometimes simplicity wins over anything else. That is exactly the case with Halo 4's cover. Not even being the most humongous fan of the helmeted one, I can't help but be enticed and impressed by Halo 4's especially pleasant and perfect cover.

Runner-up: New Super Mario Bros. U (Wii U)

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Phew! All those awards and that was just night number one! There are still four more nights of awards to go, so allow me to crack my knuckles as I get to work! Meanwhile, you can feel free to discuss the winners, losers, and/or snubbed games you would have liked to win in the comments section.
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