SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards - Top Ten Games of 2020

With hours left in 2020, it's finally here! After multiple awards and dozens of games already listed in past categories, we arrive at the final category of the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards. It's time for the Top Ten Games of 2020, where we officially crown one game with SPC'S coveted* (*your mileage will vary) Game of the Year award!

Although 2020 itself was a horrid, disastrous and utterly depressing year, gaming-wise it wasn't half-bad! Two new next-gen consoles launched with promises of new and improved experiences and several truly excellent and magnificent games released this year as well. This ultimate list of the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards obviously focuses on the latter. These are the games that brought the most joy, the highest quality, and were the ones that made 2020 a year that could give us a semblance of tolerance for this otherwise miserable year. With that ringing endorsement of the year out of the way, let's get to the countdown of SPC's Top Ten Games of 2020 starting with number ten!

10) Doom Eternal (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

A game that strikes a brutal balance of making you feel like an unstoppable badass--running, gunning, jumping, revving your chainsaw, and ripping and tearing into the flesh of enemies--and simultaneously treating you to getting your teeth smashed via a bloody curb stomp in later skirmishes, Doom Eternal is one killer FPS. So much about Eternal is improved from Doom's 2016 outing, from the increased adrenaline junkie action to the movement options available to the Doom Slayer and the incredible level design. A couple end game boss battles and a weak multiplayer mode aside, Doom Eternal still helped get some of my aggression towards 2020 out with this visceral and ultraviolent first-person shooter. Playing it is like juggling three chainsaws--you're always in danger where one false move can result in death, but you can look awesome doing it. (Caution: Do not actually try to juggle three chainsaws, to the folks at home. Instead, play Doom Eternal for a similar pump of adrenaline.) For these reasons, Doom Eternal kicks off this Top Ten Games of 2020 countdown.

9) Resident Evil 3 (PS4, XB1, PC)

A lot of fans of the original Resident Evil 3 as well as fans of last year's Resident Evil 2 remake (you'll find many of these fans in the center of a Venn Diagram) felt shortchanged by this year's remake of Resident Evil 3. Cut content from the original and the game's brevity meant that many considered it not much more than DLC-like content rather than a full-fledged game. I see things much differently. Not only did the shorter run time actively encourage someone like me who adored the game to run through it multiple times, once I did it twice in the same day, but it makes for a snappier-paced game as well. Jill Valentine was as magnificent as ever in her starring role in the game, and Carlos's upgrade as a character was awesome to see, too. Nemesis might not stalk players, appearing whenever and wherever, like he may have in the original RE, but in this remake, the sections where he did show up to hunt Jill were truly terrifying. I greatly enjoyed my time with Resident Evil 3 this year, and while it doesn't outshine or out-fright the fun I had with 2019's Resident Evil 2, it's still a thrill ride of a game regardless!

8) Paper Mario: The Origami King (NSW)

After a couple of relatively ho-hum entries in the Paper Mario series as Nintendo and Intelligent Systems experimented with the formula, trying to not only change things up considerably but nail down the concept at the same time, with Paper Mario: The Origami King, a super satisfying Paper Mario has returned to gaming. It's not the sequel to The Thousand-Year Door in gameplay style that many fans lament, but taken in its own context and by itself, Origami King is an exceptional entry in the series. From the engaging exploration and smartly designed areas to journey through, to the improved battles--whether they be the normal "spin-to-win" puzzles or the more complicated boss encounters--Paper Mario: The Origami King delighted in almost every which way. It even managed to go to some emotional places that I certainly did not expect out of an otherwise wholesome, hilarious and colorful adventure! Paper Mario: The Origami King was one of the bright spots in an otherwise light lineup of original games from Nintendo this year, but one that stands as one of the year's and one of the Switch's strongest titles.

7) Ori and the Will of the Wisps (XBS, XB1, NSW, PC)

The original Ori and the Blind Forest brought both touching emotional moments and engaging and precise platforming design to players in a gorgeous Metroidvania-style world. This year's sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, took the fantastic foundation of the original Ori and further iterated on it to create one of the best gaming experiences of 2020. Similar amounts of emotional moments and story beats that accentuated the original's plot are present and ever tasteful in this sequel, while gameplay-wise, Ori has an enhanced move set. The game is at its greatest when Ori is freely chaining between jumps, bashes against enemies and their projectiles, and soaring through the air with unrivaled skill and grace. The added boss encounters, town-building aspect, and side quests only further brought increased excellence to this Ori sequel. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is beautiful inside and of course outside, and those things easily put it in the running for me as one of the best games released in 2020.

6) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 (PS4, XB1, PC)

As the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards has shown already, it's been a terrific year for remakes and remasters. Thus, it's no surprise that this best of 2020 list will see a fair number of them. One such game is a blast from the past, and one where players skateboarded, held grinds, manuals, and performed flip, lip, and spin tricks like it was 1999. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 offered the entire suite of levels from the original two THPS games in gorgeous remade and fully realized glory. However, that would have been for naught had the skating not felt as tight, responsive, and as good to control. We've seen this with Activision's first attempt at remaking THPS. Fortunately, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 was a testament to the developers, showing that they knew and understood what made the classic games so spectacular, beloved and well received. The game holds true to the legacy of the originals, and very much stands toe-to-toe--or in this case--skates board-to-board with them. A brilliant achievement, and a stellar, nostalgic trip.

5) Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4)

Many of the remakes and remasters of 2020 essentially stayed true to their originals. Now, don't misconstrue my meaning here--Final Fantasy VII Remake definitely kept many of the things that made fans love of the 1997 PS1 original, but the game also boldly went into a totally new direction, too. It would have been disastrous if this risk hadn't paid off, but fortunately, it very much did. Everything from Final Fantasy VII Remake's story beats to its combat, turning to a more action-oriented real-time approach, saw alterations from the original. Some of this was a necessity, as Remake takes place entirely in only the first city of Final Fantasy VII, Midgar--which only takes about two handfuls of hours to complete. Therefore, some necessary filler and padding was added. While some of it was less than savory, the majority of new content was worthwhile. I have to applaud the development team of Final Fantasy VII Remake, because not only did they successfully change several of the original FF7's conventions, be it story or gameplay-related, but did so in a way that fully engaged me from the beginning of the game to the very end. And man, what an ending! Talk about your bold, risky choices! That's why Final Fantasy VII Remake, for me, stands as one of the best games of the past year.

4) Ghost of Tsushima (PS4)

Another PlayStation 4 exclusive, Ghost of Tsushima surprised me with how much I was immersed in its world. Sucker Punch did a phenomenal job with creating 13th century Tsushima, making for a gorgeous countryside, rugged mountains, running rivers, vibrant forests, and rural villages and towns that I couldn't stop exploring. Protagonist Jin Sakai's journey was also something I was absorbed in, watching him see his fellow samurai get massacred by the Mongol invasion, and how his vengeance sees him butt heads with his own samurai code and honor was an enthralling tale. Whether I was engaged in the story and its various oftentimes depressing-in-tone quests that seldom didn't end on a downer, unsheathing Jin's blade and using it against Mongols and bandits alike, discovering the myriad points of interests in the three unique areas of Tsushima Island, or just being in awe at the stunning visuals on display, Ghost of Tsushima continues Sony's first-party magnificence. It makes for an emotional journey that will no doubt stay with me for a good while, the mark of a game that's like a samurai blade--finely crafted.

3) Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (NSW)

I was hesitant to put the game that won SuperPhillip Central's Game of 2012 award so highly on this year's list eight years later, but playing through Xenoblade Chronicles all over again, not only did I enjoy this RPG epic more than ever before, but I learned new things to love about this game that I didn't note in 2012. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition takes a game that the Wii or New Nintendo 3DS hardware just couldn't do justice and puts it on a system that finally shows this sensational adventure in all its awesome, beautiful and expansive glory. The environments are easy to lose yourself in, not just travel-wise, but just by being mesmerized by all the beauty in the game's overwhelmingly large world. There's a lot to take in and explore, quests to complete (though the Definitive Edition makes tracking these abundantly easier), and creatures to battle. The addition of the bonus epilogue, Future Connected, and its brand-new, never-before-seen area means that even after the lengthy base story is complete (and that's even without counting the New Game+ option!), there's far more command-based action-RPG goodness to savor. Xenoblade Chronicles was already one of my favorite RPGs of all time, and this Nintendo Switch Definitive Edition makes it even better and all the more impressive.

2) Sackboy: A Big Adventure (PS5, PS4)

Here's a platforming game pick that might be an oddball of the bunch, but one that I absolutely adored from start to finish. Sackboy: A Big Adventure removed the floaty physics and handling of its stitched star and that made for precise and great-feeling game to play. From Sackboy's run, to his roll that could be chained into a jump, to his Yoshi-like flutter at the end of a leap, Sackboy felt fabulous to move around and control. Much, MUCH more impressive, however, is how developer Sumo Digital constantly created crafty levels that continued to impress and amaze me as I played through the game. Like its clear inspiration with Super Mario 3D World, each level in Sackboy: A Big Adventure delivers to players a new concept that is fleshed out more and more, with increased challenge, as the level progresses. The levels featuring licensed songs like Foster the People's Houdini or Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars' Uptown Funk, where the music syncs to the platforming and obstacles in the levels, are some of the strongest and most clever of the bunch in an already absurdly creative, charming and challenging 3D platformer. I can't understate how much I enjoyed this year's Sackboy: A Big Adventure, nor how much I surprised even myself for liking the game so much.

And SuperPhillip Central's Game of 2020 award goes to...

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1) Animal Crossing: New Horizons (NSW)

A game released at the right place and at the right time, for many, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was the perfect pandemic game. It allowed players to be social with one another in a responsible, virtual way, as they ventured to one another's islands to enjoy each other's company. The game itself is also a true and radical upgrade from past installments, offering more freedom than ever before. The ability to customize and craft your island as you see fit to truly make it your own home away from home was unprecedented for the series, and was a long awaited one, for that matter. Starting with a desolate deserted island covered with weeds at the beginning of the game and seeing it blossom and flourish into a bustling island community is one of my defining moments of 2020.

Despite any problems I might have with New Horizons--and there are slight annoyances and issues present, don't get me wrong--they don't take anything away from how much I loved playing this game over this past year, catching bugs and fish, building my collection of furniture and clothing, paying off my debt to that rascally but ultimately lovable tanuki Tom Nook, decorating my house and island my own way, and visiting real-life friends and animal islanders alike. Through the nearly 300 hours I've put into Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the game has continued to bring me immense joy and was a bright, bright spot in a year that was otherwise unsalvageable, dark and dreary. Here's to hoping that 2021 will be a year where Animal Crossing won't be as needed to find happiness with friends, families, and gamers as it was in 2020.

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And with that, the conclusion of the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards arrives. I hope you've enjoyed but a small glimpse at the immense amount of notable games released in 2020. Here's hoping that 2021 is a brighter year for all of us! See you in 2021, everybody!

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards - Top Five Biggest Surprises

After doing the sole negative award category here at the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards last night, let's wash the taste of bad and/or disappointing games out of our mouths with a more positive category! It's the Top Five Biggest Surprises of 2020. These are games that released this year that came out of nowhere or perhaps even were better games than they had any right to be. As you'll see by this countdown of games, these are most assuredly pleasant gaming surprises. Let's dig in and begin!

5) Bugsnax (PS5, PS4, PC)

We're going to start this countdown of the biggest surprises of 2020 with some talkin' 'bout Bugsnax--if you'll pardon the utterly overused phrase there. What many initially perceived as interest in Bugsnax purely as a joke and a meme, the final game ended up being rather competent and good. Dare I say, excellent in parts! And boy, does this lighthearted game do a 180 in the tone department by the end! Regardless, Bugsnax can best be described--at least by me--as having gameplay similar to a cross between Ape Escape and Pokémon. The goal is to capture various Bugsnax species--over 100 in-game--using a variety of methods, tools and resources. It's rather fun all said and done, and far more worthy as noted as a great game rather than meme material, putting it at the top spot of this list of biggest surprises of 2020.

4) Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (PS4, XB1, PC)

Dragon Ball Z isn't a stranger to RPG games. The Game Boy Advance saw three top-down action-RPGs with the Legacy of Goku series, and the Nintendo DS saw a full-fledged turn-based RPG from the makers of Xenoblade Chronicles, no less, with Attack of the Saiyans. That said, an enormous 3D action-RPG set in the world of Dragon Ball Z is a serious undertaking, and one that shouldn't have turned out as good as it did. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot was this game, and it brought fans an interactive and in-depth glimpse into the world of DBZ that had never been seen or fully realized before. Sure, the final game isn't perfect, but at the same time, it's by far my favorite non-fighting game the anime has had its license attached to, making for a big surprise all on its own.

3) Paper Mario: The Origami King (NSW)

After being a bit lukewarm to Nintendo and Intelligent Systems' redefining of the Paper Mario franchise with both Sticker Star and the improved Color Splash, I was cautiously optimistic to see how the latest entry in the series, Paper Mario: The Origami King would turn out. Well, it turns out that my cautious optimism only made the final experience that much more incredible. I LOVED Origami King, and most of my problems with past recent Paper Mario games was solved with the game. The exploration was absolutely fantastic, battles were more worthwhile and actually enjoyable, and coins served a major purpose this time around, rather than just being used to purchase more items for battle. Paper Mario: The Origami King isn't quite the return to form that older Paper Mario fanatics will adore, but for everyone else who gives the game a chance, you might be as pleasantly surprised with the game as I was.

2) Sackboy: A Big Adventure (PS5, PS4)

Similar to Paper Mario, I did not expect to enjoy Sumo Digital's Sackboy: A Big Adventure nearly as much as I did. Sumo's previous work with the series in LittleBigPlanet 3 didn't inspire much confidence overall with its numerous bugs and glitches at launch, but ultimately, Sackboy's Super Mario 3D World-style adventure was a blast to play. It was bursting with creativity from every crafty seam--from its ingenious and constantly clever level design to its world devised up of paper, cardboard and other crafts--and managed to become one of my favorite games of 2020. The addition of the promised online co-op means the fun doesn't have to stop for me and many other players, either. That said, despite Sackboy: A Big Adventure's quality, it isn't the game that surprised me the most this past year.

1) Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout (PS4, PC)

No, the biggest surprise of 2020 game-wise for SuperPhillip Central was none other than the game that defined the summer for many players, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. This massively multiplayer battle royale elimination game sees up to 60 players compete against one another and the obstacle courses and deviously difficult challenges themselves to survive and make it to the next round. As more and more players are pruned with each round's end, the challenges get more, well, challenging and the stakes get higher, but only one player can win the overall game. Between the chaos of seeing players run gauntlets and avoid falling into the gooey pits below, as well as the immense amount of joy the game unexpectedly brought in a year of equal chaos, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout stands alone as the game that came out in 2020 from nowhere to amuse millions. That makes it the top choice for the Biggest Game Surprise of 2020.

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Tomorrow night is the final night of awards here at the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards! We'll be counting down the Games of 2020 with a special top ten list, as is tradition here at SPC. In the meantime, maybe we'll see a new review or two on the site before the new year rolls in. Stick around to SuperPhillip Central for more gaming goodness!

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards - Top Five Most Disappointing Games

It's an annual tradition at SuperPhillip Central's year-end award show to talk about the best and brightest in gaming each and every year. It's also an annual tradition that we take the good with the bad--the yin with the yang, if you will--and publish one less-than-stellar category to have your game nominated for, and that's SPC's Most Disappointing Games of the year. 2020 is no different--save for a grotesque pandemic threatening all of us, of course--so the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards rolls on with the games that didn't live up to the hype, as the kids say, didn't live up to their potential, or were just plain bad! Here are the list of "winners" as we count down the Top Five Most Disappointing Games of 2020.

5) Minecraft Dungeons (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

We begin with a game I was immensely excited for, as the idea of a Diablo-like dungeon crawler set in the world of Minecraft appealed to me. Now, while Minecraft Dungeons cannot really be described as a poor offering from developer Mojang, it's hardly what I'd call a solid effort. The balance of the three major difficulties in the game is off at best, with the first difficulty being way too easy, while the next two are way too challenging, requiring a heavy amount of grinding for loot. Loot itself is usually only better in small increments, so it's a ridiculously slow crawl and grind to get strong enough to stand a chance. Add into those facts that the levels are just way too long for their own good, with utterly repetitive combat, and you have a game in Minecraft Dungeons that I wish was better than it actually was.

4) Bounty Battle (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

The premise of Bounty Battle is so great--pitting indie all-stars from games like Dead Cells, Owlboy, and Steamworld Dig in a Super Smash Bros-style fighter--that it just makes the end product all the more disappointing and an enormous missed opportunity. Pretty much everything about Bounty Battle, from its haphazard mechanics and clunky and cumbersome combat, to the poorly animated characters and absolutely horrid frame-rate, is just plain awful. It's not a question that Bounty Battle is one of the worst games released this year, sadly, but even sadder is that so many fantastic indie darlings are attached to this monstrosity of a fighting game.

3) XIII (PS4, XB1, PC)

We talked about the fantastic video game remakes of 2020 last night, but what about those that are absolutely, unfortunately terrible? The pandemic has caused a lot of strife, and it has affected video game development adversely as well. The production of XIII, a remake of 2003's similarly named conspiracy-filled first-person shooter, was met with problems due to COVID, and rather than delay the game, publisher Microids opted to release the game in the sorry state it was in. Filled with audio and technical issues, and removing the defining feature of the original XIII--its brilliant comic book-esque cel shaded art style--this 2020 remake is hardly "Top Five Remake" material. While it was awesome at first to have XIII of all games return to the spotlight, as a famous Matrix quote goes... "Not like this."

2) Marvel's Avengers (PS4, XB1, PC)

Speaking of comic books, there's none bigger than those featured in Marvel's Avengers. This makes the final game all the more painful. Now, if the game was just modeled after the single-player campaign and expanded further, we'd have a really wonderful superhero action game to enjoy for years to come. Instead, Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics opted for a games-as-a-service approach to the end game, and while the execution was off-putting, the numerous bugs and glitches, matchmaking errors at launch, and painful progression meant that the player base vanished as quickly as a snap from Thanos' fingers. While Marvel's Avengers is hardly an awful game, darn it, it could have been so much better and so much more had some restraint been used in the design.

1) Cyberpunk 2077 (PS4, XB1)

The most disappointing game of 2020 could be nothing else than Cyberpunk 2077, particularly the last generation versions. Offering rampant bugs, glitches, and running like a technical dystopia of its own, Cyberpunk's last gen versions are so terrible and abundant that both Sony and Microsoft offered refunds for digital versions of the game, as well as other stores for physical copies, whether opened or not. Further, a class action lawsuit has been filed against CD Projekt Red due to alleged fraudulent claims made by the company to investors after its stock price fell in fast fashion in the aftermath. Regardless, when the majority of your game's versions is so bad that it threatens the livelihood of your studio and company (as if the deplorable amount of crunch to those who worked on the game didn't already make things nasty), not only did you mess up big time, but your game makes it to the top spot on this countdown of the most disappointing games of 2020.

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We're not done with the awards here at SPC. We've got one more category to publish tomorrow night before Thursday night's final top ten, featuring the picks for the Games of 2020! See you back here tomorrow for more award show action at the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards!

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards - Top Five Most Overlooked Games

SPC is no stranger to looking at those games that fall through the cracks, get ignored or even forgotten by the mainstream, the gaming community or a combination of both, or simply don't get as much due credit as perhaps they deserve. Every year as part of the SuperPhillip Central Best of Awards we take a look at just some of the overlooked games from the past year, and that tradition continues with the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards as well. By no means is this a complete list of the excellent games that were overlooked this year, but maybe with this category, you'll gain some interest in some of these titles. Let's get to the countdown.

5) Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

Releasing in late February for all major platforms of the time, Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection is a compilation title of six rather challenging and punishing Mega Man games: Mega Man Zero 1-4 and the Metroid-structured Mega Man ZX and its sequel Mega Man ZX Advent. Perhaps the level of challenge and the relative obscurity of several of the games put some potential buyers off from the game, but even still, this collection came and went without much buzz. The Mega Man Zero games are no strangers to being compiled into one collection as seen with the Nintendo DS package, but the addition of the ZX games and the added modes and museum make this particular collection one that shouldn't be--but was by many--missed.

4) Darksiders Genesis (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

Another February release that came and went was Darksiders Genesis. This entry in the series wasn't a Zelda-like similar to past entries, but more like a Diablo clone. It was a well done one, too, offering plenty of levels and dungeons to crawl through, utterly obliterating enemies, nabbing loot, discovering hidden treasures, solving puzzles, performing platforming, and battling big bosses in an isometric world. The interactions between War and newly playable Strife are endearing and quite hilarious at times as the unlikely duo hack, slash, and shoot through levels. Darksiders Genesis might not continue the story beat and tease of the very first Darksiders' ending (seriously, continue the story already), but it's a solid hack and slash action-RPG all the same worthy of a play.

3) Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 (PS5, XBS, PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

Puyo Puyo is a relatively obscure puzzle game for the mainstream audience, but as we know, Tetris is hardly that. It's a household name pretty much. Combining the two worked well with the original Puyo Puyo Tetris, but the recently released sequel seems to have slipped through the cracks. The online player count for most platforms is decidedly on the low side, and there's very little discussion about the game in general, save for the occasional conversation out of the spotlight. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 introduces new modes, such as a fresh take on the Adventure mode from the original game, with an overworld to complete missions on. There are also new Skill Battles to take on in addition to the tried and true modes and gameplay of the original Puyo Puyo Tetris. If you have any love at all for either Puyo Puyo or the much more common Tetris, then you owe it to yourself to give Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 a try.

2) Sackboy: A Big Adventure (PS5, PS4)

At the PlayStation 5 launch this past November, most of the attention went to a different 3D platformer--Astro's Playroom. By no means was this not well deserved, as by all accounts the game is genius design from the reviews and player feedback I've read, and the game was installed on every purchased PS5. Meanwhile, Sackboy's own adventure, a $50+ game, didn't receive anywhere near the same amount of spotlight or attention. As you've seen with the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards already and as you'll see later in the show, my opinion of Sackboy: A Big Adventure is mighty strong and I hold it in very high esteem. Its cleverly designed levels, awesome co-op, and rather difficult challenge in the late and post-game makes for a totally terrific 3D platformer akin to Super Mario 3D World. If you're a fan of challenging 3D obstacle course-based platformers, then you're missing out if you've yet to play Sackboy: A Big Adventure.

1) Dreams (PS4)

Despite a lengthy development time, when Dreams finally launched earlier this year--this past February to be exact--it did not exactly receive a rousing, amazing welcome from PlayStation 4 owners. While seeing what creators of Dreams content are making is absolutely cool for many, this game creation suite of tools may have put plenty of potential players and would-be creators off due to the time commitment required to put into Dreams to make quality stuff. It doesn't help that Sony did not do much to market or advertise the game either. That's certainly a major shame, as Dreams is truly something special and much easier to get into than other similar software tools. Perhaps if instead of a $40 buy-in to be able to create and play content, a free-to-play formula would have worked better. Regardless, Dreams is very much worth giving a look and a chance on.

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We're not done today with the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards. There's another award category to be had, so please look forward to that later tonight!

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards - Top Five Remakes & Remasters

Remakes and remasters are common in this industry more often than in others.  It makes sense as games end up being lost to history and stuck on old platforms. Technology also allows older games to rise from their ashes like a Phoenix and present players with new visuals and perhaps even new takes on beloved classics. This countdown and awards category as part of SuperPhillip Central's Best of 2020 Awards lists the greatest of these types of games that launched in 2020. Note: Some particular gaming outlets didn't get their hands on a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series console, so certain games might not be on their lists... Not naming any names, though! 

Let's get to the countdown with the Top Five Remakes & Remasters!

5) Resident Evil 3 (PS4, XB1, PC)

Despite removing some content from the original, I argue that Resident Evil 3 is still a remarkable remake. It's similarly an intense, pulse-pounding, adrenaline-pumping thrill ride filled with scares and fun alike. In that sense it's just like Resident Evil 2, a game I listed as one of SPC's Games of 2019. The only difference is that while RE2 got a little long in the tooth on repeated playthroughs, Resident Evil 3's remake was a shorter experience, encouraging multiple playthroughs that were more enjoyable--at least for me. There is a fair number of downsides to Resident Evil 3's remake, but for me, the positives far outweighed the negatives, making for a truly terrifying survival horror shooter that made my heart pound and hands sweat from beginning to end, especially on the higher difficulties!

4) Trials of Mana (PS4, NSW, PC)

Whereas many remakes on this list changed things up considerably compared to their originals, Square Enix's Trials of Mana played it a bit more cautiously, remaking a game that feels like a relic of the golden age of gaming. This time, though, the major difference being that the beautiful 2D sprites and worlds of the original Trials of Mana were fully realized in glorious, colorful, vivid 3D. The action on display offered simple but effective--and most importantly fun--combat that required paying attention to enemy tells and red area of effect targets to avoid damage. Exploring the world was an immense joy and pleasure, searching for hidden treasures and secrets alike. Being able to choose from the cast of six protagonists to join your three-person party meant that multiple playthroughs were encouraged to fully enjoy this already exciting and engaging remake. And, that's exactly what I did with Trials of Mana, a remake that didn't reinvent the wheel, but what there was already was so good that it didn't need to do so.

3) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 (PS4, XB1, PC)

It's time to trick out with Tony Hawk with the remake of both Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and Pro Skater 2 with the appropriately titled Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2. Like past remakes from Activision's team of developers (Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy, Spyro Reignited Trilogy, Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled), so much love and care was poured into this game. Right away my muscle memory from decades ago came back almost immediately, as the controls are just as tight, precise, responsive, and feel as good as they ever have. The levels were also lovingly restored with new visual touches, making old, familiar playgrounds (or in this case, skate parks) feel brand spankin' new. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 finally gave the Birdman prominence in gaming once more and is a true testament to the developers for making a game that lives up to the legacy of the originals.

2) Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (NSW)

Getting SuperPhillip Central's coveted (your mileage may vary on that) Game of 2012 back when this awards ceremony was structured differently, Xenoblade Chronicles returns to SuperPhillip Central's Best of Awards with a definitive edition releasing this year on the Nintendo Switch. With updated character models and environments, looking absolutely fabulous and more beautiful than ever before, as well as remixed and rearranged music, Xenoblade Chronicles has never looked or sounded better. The quality of life improvements added to the game's menus and systems made a great game even better as well! The addition of Future Connected, an epilogue story with a previously cut area from the original game, featured the same "wow" factor and sense of discovery as the main Xenoblade adventure. All in all, it was a true treasure and wonderful pleasure to be able to have an excuse to play through Xenoblade Chronicles all over again, this time with the definitely definitive version of the game.

1) Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4)

So many of the remakes of 2020 stayed true to the formulas that the original games constructed--and I no doubt adore them for that--but one game--one remake--that totally took a tremendous risk that ultimately paid off for most players like myself was Final Fantasy VII's glorious remake. I was hesitant to learn (but understood the reason) that the legendary RPG was being split up into parts and that the first part would only take place in Midgar. While some of my hesitation was well founded due to some padding in some chapters of the game, Final Fantasy VII Remake ultimately works because of the additional character interactions and story content the developers included with the game. No spoilers here, but like the decision with the game's story, it was also so very bold of the developers to create an action-RPG focus first with Final Fantasy VII Remake's combat. It overall worked out in the end, as Final Fantasy VII Remake wasn't just a magnificent achievement, but it unquestionably earns the right to be listed among the top remakes of the year--or in this case, at the very top as the best remake of 2020.

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Tomorrow evening, the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards continues on with more categories and more winners (and some losers, too)! I hope you'll join in on the fun!

SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards - Top Five Best Original Soundtracks

Welcome once again to the yearly tradition: the SuperPhillip Central Best Of Awards, and it's back this year with the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards, where we detail the best and brightest in gaming in the past year. 2020 has been an especially tough year, so there's not too much to celebrate about--save for most of the video games listed in the coming days in this awards ceremony. What follows this year is a collection of top five lists for each category of nominees and one final top ten to count down SPC's Game of the Year--this last top ten will be on New Year's Eve. With all this out of the way, let's get to the first awards category!

Good video game music is something that can have you humming along as you play, but truly great video game music is something that sticks with you long after you put down the controller--it accentuates and elevates a game to remarkable levels. Although calling something "great music" is highly subjective, I hope you'll agree that the games and music shared (when available for the latter) on this first awards category in the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards are of a strong quality! One final note: licensed music from games like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 do NOT qualify for this list. It must be original music, whether remixed, rearranged, or wholly new. Now, let's get to the winners this year.

5) Ori and the Will of the Wisps (XB1, NSW, PC)

Let's kick off both this countdown and the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards proper with a game that is as equally gorgeous visually as it is aurally. It's Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and composer Gareth Coker crafted an exceptionally emotional soundtrack that hits you right in the feels. In the soundtrack there are songs that are mellow, songs that evoke intensity, songs that bring upon feelings of sadness and melancholy, but make no mistake--all of it is tremendous. It's the perfect musical complement to Ori's moving and riveting adventure.

Main Theme

A Shine Upon Inkwater Marsh

Kwolok's Hollow

Escaping a Foul Presence

Mora the Spider

4) Paper Mario: The Origami King (NSW)

We move from Ori to a more familiar character in gaming, and I don't think I'm understating that. It's Mario, well Mario in paper form with the eclectic sounds of Paper Mario: The Origami King for the Nintendo Switch. Whether listening to the whimsical and delightful overworld themes or rocking it out to the many battle themes featured in the game, Paper Mario: The Origami King's soundtrack is catchy, super and stupendous with its amazing quality. 

Picnic Road

Vellumental Battle

Autumn Mountain

Sweet Sap Loggins Theme

Origami Castle

3) Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (NSW)

Koei Tecmo's team of composers once more delivers unto listeners magnificent music with their Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity soundtrack. The orchestral goodness and bombastic tones pulsate through battle as Link and acquaintances hack and slash their way through battlefield after battlefield. Whereas The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild had mostly a more subdued soundtrack--which worked wonderfully for that game--Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity brings lots of bold brass, stirring strings, and musical content old and new alike. A sensational soundtrack for a sensational Musou game.

Overlooking Hyrule - Prelude to Calamity (Map)

The Champion Mipha

The Champion Daruk

Sooga, Right Hand of the Inverted Eye (Phase 2)

The Knight Who Seals the Darkness

2) Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (NSW)

Now it's [Reyn] time for a rearranged and remixed original soundtrack. Most of the music heard in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition got a whole new lease on life with new instrumentation, better sound quality, and much more, making it qualify for this list. Plus, who can resist listing the excellence that is the Xenoblade Chronicles soundtrack whenever possible?! Regardless, alongside familiar favorites with brand-new versions like Gaur Plain and You Will Know Our Names, the all-new epilogue Future Connected features never-before-heard music. One such highlight is the disco-esque version of Xenoblade Chronicles' battle theme: Time to Fight! All in all, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition's soundtrack invokes so many emotions, all very, very good, and that says something to the exceptional quality of the music on display here.

Hometown

Gaur Plain

You Will Know Our Names

Engage the Enemy

Time to Fight! (Bionis' Shoulder)

1) Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4)

A collection of composers led by Final Fantasy VII's original musical mastermind contributed to Final Fantasy VII Remake's overall soundtrack, and the results speak for themselves. However, permit me to speak for the soundtrack regardless, as a one-sentence paragraph for SPC's Original Soundtrack of 2020 wouldn't do this music justice! Final Fantasy VII Remake's soundtrack is a mix of old and new content, but even still, the old content in the form of familiar themes like Bombing Mission, Aerith's Theme, and the incomparable One-Winged Angel have new, orchestrated life breathed into them, giving each a fresh and utterly incredible sound. New tracks and remixes such as Ignition Flame, Whispers' Theme, and more fit in well with the soundtrack, all creating a truly profound and divine listening experience. There was no question for me which game soundtrack was going to take the top prize this year, and Final Fantasy VII Remake is that game.

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Stay tuned tomorrow for a double dose of awards categories when we take a look at both the Top Five Platformers of 2020 and the Top Five Remakes/Remasters of 2020, as the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards continues! See you then!

The "SuperPhillip Central Best of" Awards Returns with The SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards!

Hmm. What's this? It looks a bit familiar...

Ah, yes! The yearly tradition continues! It's my honor and privilege to announce that once again SPC will be hosting its annual "Best of" awards ceremony, detailing my favorite video games to come out in the year 2020. Everything from my favorite soundtracks to the biggest surprises, to--of course--SPC's Game of the Year will have a category (top five-style, and top ten-style for the GOTY list) devoted to it. The SuperPhillip Central Best of 2020 Awards begin on December 27th and concludes before the new year begins! I hope you're looking forward to this 13th edition of the longest running SPC tradition!

What games do you think will take the top spots on SPC's annual Game of the Year countdown this time around?