The LEGO Movie Videogame (Multi) Review

The first review of August for SuperPhillip Central is the video game tie-in to one of the most entertaining family films I've seen in a good while. It's The LEGO Movie Videogame, and here's our verdict on it.

Is Everything Awesome? No. Not Quite.

The LEGO Movie was a highly humorous and charming romp featuring a world made up entirely of LEGO and an all-star cast. The movie recently released for home consumption, so it seemed like a sweet opportunity to check out the game based off of it. A great criticism regarding the LEGO series of video games is how stagnant with little in the way of big changes the games have become. While The LEGO Movie Videogame does try some new things, it is overall a very similar experience to what we've seen in the past. Does that make the game worth your LEGO studs (i.e. money)?

The LEGO Movie Videogame closely follows the plot of the movie, even showcasing a wide breadth of footage from the actual movie. It follows Emmet, a dimwitted construction worker who is selected as the special, tasked with saving the world from the sinister Lord Business. It's a task he is woefully and quite frankly hilariously inept and unprepared for. Along the way he meets up with a colorful cast of characters, both heroes and villains, all voiced by their movie counterparts.

Just like in real life, Emmet's cup of coffee
cost him a stud equivalent of $450.

Like a typical LEGO game, The LEGO Movie Videogame consists of fifteen main levels, where the goal is to smash objects to reveal spots where you can build helpful mechanisms like switches, bridges, and pretty much everything under the LEGO sun in order to progress through levels. This is all the while fending off the occasional group of enemies. As there is no major punishment for dying in a level, you are merely revived after literally falling apart, allowing you to continue as you were, the challenge of the game is quite low. The real challenge in the LEGO games is coming up with a means to move on in a given level. Again, this basically boils down to smashing everything in your path with your fists and feet, revealing objects that can be utilized.

All in a day's job for Emmet.

Each of the fifteen levels has you switching between multiple characters, each with their own specialties. For example, Emmet is terrific for fixing broken down mechanisms, female characters are great jumpers and can perform acrobatics maneuvers, and Vitruvius, thanks to his "blindness", can move across dangerous areas that other characters would be paralyzed with fear to attempt to venture into or onto. The switching of characters can be done with a press of a button, or if you'd like to avoid cycling between each character until you get to who you want to control, a helpful character wheel allows you to directly choose your desired LEGO character.

It's not like there's anything to be afraid
of by falling off this very narrow bridge!

The LEGO Movie Videogame like other games in the LEGO line has a wonderful amount of extra content, although nowhere near more recent games. That's a really positive thing that it has extra content that is worthwhile, as otherwise the short six hour campaign would make for a game that could easily be a rental only.

A very cool sequence within the game,
some highway hijinks!

As you earn studs, the currency of the LEGO series, you can purchase new characters, over 100 in total to choose from. These can be used to your liking if you decide to return to beaten levels. This is a must for 100% completion, as the first time around in each level you don't have all of the character types and their special abilities required to discover and nab all of the collectibles and secrets.

Some people will do anything for attention.
Seriously, pull-ups from that height?

Compared to recent LEGO games like LEGO City Undercover and LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, The LEGO Movie Videogame feels like a much smaller adventure not just in length but in scope, and that's because it really is. Instead of being able to explore an expansive city in between levels, you are confined to one of four tiny, self-contained areas. While there's things to collect in these hub worlds, the areas are so minuscule in size that it's quite easy and quick to uncover everything.

There's a snake in my boots!
Wait a minute. Wrong movie!

On every console version, two players are able to enjoy The LEGO Movie Videogame together. The Wii U version is of particular note in this arena due to the ability to either have split-screen play or one player using the TV screen while the other uses the Wii U GamePad screen to allow both to enjoy a full-screened co-op experience. Other than a throwaway ability to switch characters with the Wii U GamePad screen while playing solo and off-TV play, the GamePad isn't used to its full potential, story of the controller's life.

Emmet gets in touch with his inner cowboy.

The LEGO Movie Videogame is graphically stellar to look at. There's some especially nice lighting effects seen, and the ability to turn on and off the motion blur makes for a welcome touch. The game isn't without its share of frame-rate or glitch issues, but overall it is a serviceable experience. Sound and music design is well done, again, offering all of the original movie voice actors. The music is suitable enough with a good variety of themes that can make you end up humming to each (or at least nodding your head with the rhythm of the music).

Don't worry about careful jumps here, Batman.
It's just a fiery, painful death below.

As it stands as a LEGO game, The LEGO Movie Videogame is but a chip off the old block of iterative LEGO games. It doesn't necessarily innovative in any huge way, but it's also an entertaining game from beginning to end, and a long ways after the credits roll, just like almost every other TT Games LEGO title in existence. While everything isn't quite awesome, The LEGO Movie Videogame is worth at least a rental if you're looking for an inoffensive family game.

[SPC Says: 7.75/10]

Disney Magical World (3DS) Review

We've but a few more days in our Nintendo 3DS month of reviews, but have no fear! We're going to be kicking things up into overdrive these last days! Let's begin with our review of Disney Magical World for the Nintendo 3D-- wait. We already said this was our Nintendo 3DS month of reviews, so it's a bit redundant to say what system this game is for! Bah! Onto the review, dear friends!

A Whole New World

Disney is without a question a force to be reckoned with. Gobbling up Marvel Comics and then Lucasfilm, Disney seemingly has its hand in everything nowadays. From its theme parks, to its animated and live action films, to its chain of international stores, Disney is a brand that knows no bounds. That stretches into the world of video games as well. Many of us older gamers will fondly remember a time in the late '80s and early '90s where Disney and Capcom was a dream team that was, for lack of a better word, magical.

These days the quality of Disney games has waxed and waned. While there have been some successes, notably the Kingdom Hearts and Disney Infinity games, the majority of titles were less than satisfactory. After releasing to great critical and consumer success in Japan, Namco Bandai has given the localization reins of the latest Disney title, Disney Magical World, to Nintendo. The end result may just be something that you get when you wish upon a star.

Either that's my invitation, or I accidentally
sent Mickey a love letter...

Disney Magical World begins with you creating your character to explore the game world with. You can opt to use a Mii, or you can create your own custom character with the simplistic creation system. You're limited to a finite number of faces, hairstyles, and skin and eye colors. Note that your character can be altered in physical appearance after this initial process.

You're then whisked away into the city of Castleton, a magical place full of Disney all-stars. No, no, I'm not talking about crap like Hannah Montana and Cory from Cory in the House. I'm talking characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale, among many others. Though the ones listed are the only characters who have voice actors attached to them, for what little spoken dialogue there is in the game.

Welcome to Castleton!
Leave your luggage with the flight attendant, please.

The main path of progression in Disney Magical World is measured by collectibles called Stickers. These are earned through completing in-game tasks, such as creating a certain number of furniture, clothing and cafe dishes, catching a set amount of fish types, clearing so-and-so episodes, and so forth. At the beginning of the game you don't have much freedom at all, but once the prologue is completed, which essentially serves as a tutorial about many of Disney Magical World's gameplay nuances, the game opens up considerably.

Aw, shucks. You're makin' me blush, guys...

Castleton serves as the main hub of Disney Magical World. You're constantly returning to this bustling community, taking requests to get a specific item for NPCs, going to your customized cafe where you can create the menu, the interior design, and even the outfits that the manager and helper (which can be made to be one of your Miis) wear! The cafe is one of your primary and paramount sources of income.

Welcome to Cafe Le Phil.
It looks like I'm wearing a grey-haired man's head.

Castleton is home to an abundance of characters that wish to assist you and make your stay in town enjoyable. Daisy Duck is the tailor of town, creating clothing, outfits, and accessories for your character. Meanwhile, Chip and Dale next door will build furniture for you, either to set up in your cafe or your own private room. Crafting clothes and furniture requires materials, and these are found all over Disney Magical World-- within the town itself, ready to be picked up, in stores, in dungeons, received from successful trades, etc. If you'd rather just cut out the middleman, Scrooge McDuck's store, operated by Huey, Dewey, and Louie, sells pieces of clothing and furniture for you to purchase. The stock changes twice a day, so there's always something new to spend your hard-earned money on.

A Stripytail Leaf? Ain't nobody
got time for that!

Apart from what's available in Castleton, as more Stickers are earned, new places and worlds open to visit, based off numerous Disney animated classics like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Winnie the Pooh, and Aladdin, for starters. These worlds contain episodes that are unlocked as your Sticker count improves.

Welcome to the world of Cinderella. 

Aside from Winnie the Pooh's 100 Acre Wood's episodes, which focus on building or finding things for the various familiar denizens, the majority of episodes change up the gameplay considerably. Most notable are the myriad of dungeon crawling episodes that task you with entering linear areas, taking out enemies with your magical wand, opening treasure chests, picking up loot, and satisfying the episode conditions to progress in the game. While it's only required to complete a given episode once, it's beneficial to do so multiple times just to get materials for building furniture, making clothing, and creating dishes at your cafe. There's hundreds of different materials to obtain, and each item that can be created has a different set of materials required for it to be made.

The dungeons themselves feature simplistic action-RPG gameplay. Consider this somewhat like a "My First Dungeon Crawler" experience, which may turn off more experienced players. However, it is shockingly fun to run around the various dungeons, picking up the occasional rare material, showering enemies with magic to defeat them, beating down bosses, and doing so in style. There's a normal magic attack and a special magic attack that deals more damage and can only be used when there's some star power available. In addition to offense, a helpful evasion maneuver, performed with a tap of the R button, allows your character to gracefully get out of trouble. This is especially nice in harder dungeons where enemies are more aggressive and greater in numbers.

Abra! Kadabra! Alakazam!

You don't gain experience or levels to build your character's strength. Instead, you visit Yen Sid in Castleton to exchange materials for more powerful magical wands. For more health, you head to Daisy Duck's tailoring shop to create special themed outfits, also in exchange for materials. Stronger gear is available to you as you progress through Disney Magical World and uncover new recipes for new designs.

Still, there's a definite sense of repetitiveness in Disney Magical World. Repeating dungeons, planting crops and waiting for them to grow, grinding for and gaining materials, restocking the cafe full of dishes, saving up money for that one piece of furniture you've had your heart set on for the longest time (and the one that is required to complete a task)-- these are all things that players will go through over and over again. While it didn't bother me so much, it most certainly will to a lot of less forgiving players.

Going for a nice Sunday stroll
in the 100 Acre Wood.... on a Tuesday.

However, something that did bother me was the amount of load times present in Disney Magical World. All to their lonesome, each load time isn't very significant. Nonetheless, this is a game where you're constantly entering and exiting buildings and areas where each change of scene presents the player with a loading time. Quite frankly, it adds up and becomes rather annoying.

On the presentation side, Disney Magical World is a mixed bag of sorts. The visuals don't astound, there's readily apparent pop-in of faraway characters, the frame-rate can be unstable at times, and the 3D effect seems like h.a.n.d., the developer, had the game nearly completed when it realized, "Oh, we need to implement 3D into this 3DS game somehow." That is to say that the 3D effect is totally unimpressive. The music is suitably cheerful for this title, though the short loops will eventually get to many listeners.

It's only been five minutes,
and we're already out of honey!!

Disney Magical World is not a perfect simulation game by any stretch of the imagination, but it triumphantly stays true to the world of Disney, presenting an entertaining and engaging game to pretty much all ages (though there is a lot of reading involved, namely for material name recognition, so be warned, parents!). It's inviting, it's appropriate for a wide audience, it's packed with dozens of hours of seemingly never-ending content, and it is filled to the brim with that distinct Disney personality and charm. In the long run, my small beefs with the game does not stop Disney Magical World from being an appealing pickup for any Disney or life simulation fan.

[SPC Says: 8.5/10]

Whatcha Buyin'? February 2014 - Games to Look Out For

Are you a North American who has no idea what's coming out soon? Maybe you do, and you just don't know which game(s) to pick. We at SuperPhillip Central have got you covered for releases for February 2014. There are quite a number of them that are more than worthy of your time, and we have briefly described each of them for your convenience. After you've perused our picks for the most interesting games of the month, let us know what you plan on buying, if anything. Hence our new title for this series of articles, "Whatcha Buyin'?", obviously inspired by only the greatest character in Resident Evil history. Plus, it was getting hard to alliterate on each and every month's name!

Bravely Default (3DS)
Release Date: 2/7

Many who have already been able to try out this first game on our list have called it a Final Fantasy that isn't named Final Fantasy. Everything from the art direction to the job system is very reminiscent of old school Final Fantasy games, particularly Final Fantasy V. The title, Bravely Default, refers to how combat works. With Default you can store battle points and then with Brave you can unleash multiple attacks in a single turn with a single character. The release in North America is but a week away, and Bravely Default seems like another game for 3DS owners that will be hard to break away from.

The LEGO Movie Videogame (Multi)
Release Date: 2/7

While we weren't too keen on LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, we will allow TT Games, the developer, one mulligan. The LEGO Movie Videogame is releasing alongside the film, incorporating characters and settings from it. We're hoping the level of polish is far higher than what was seen in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes and more like what was seen in LEGO City Undercover. Regardless, The LEGO Movie Videogame should make a lot of younger players happy, and perhaps even some kids at heart.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, 360)
Release Date: 2/11

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is the third game involving the characters of Final Fantasy XIII, and it features a totally revamped combat system, going for more of an action-centric feel. Completed quests, whether story-related or not, boost Lightning's attributes, with greater quests boosting her abilities more. Unlike the cramped confines and linear corridors of the original Final Fantasy XIII, Lightning Returns possesses a fully traverse-able world to explore. Just don't explore too long, as there is a ticking clock counting down for the world's destruction...

Ragnarok Odyssey Ace (PS3, Vita)
Release Date: 2/18

Japan surely cannot get enough battling with giant creatures a la Monster Hunter, and neither can we! The original Ragnarok Odyssey released on the PlayStation Vita in late 2012. This upgraded version of the game, Ragnarok Odyssey Ace adds many improvements to the original such as new dungeons, enemies, and abilities, as well as it contains all of the DLC from the Vita game. This time around both PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 3 owners will have a chance to try out this new version, greatly expanding the potential user base of the game.

Rayman Legends (PS4, X1)
Release Date: 2/18

We remember a time when Rayman Legends was supposed to be a Wii U exclusive. For better or worse, the game was delayed by Ubisoft for porting to other platforms and released in the busy gaming month of September. Sales were less than spectacular, even with being released on so many platforms, so it's no wonder why Ubisoft is porting Rayman Legends to every platform it can. The latest systems that will receive this excellent platformer are the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Here's hoping that owners of these two new systems will give Rayman Legends a chance if they haven't already.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U)
Release Date: 2/21

We can't really blame Retro Studios for choosing to make a new Donkey Kong Country game as opposed to another Metroid game. After all, Donkey Kong Country Returns greatly outsold each Metroid title the studio had previously created. Regardless, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is another 2D platformer on the platformer-heavy Wii U. Offering four Kongs working together to retake DK Island, Tropical Freeze already looks like it's going to be a phenomenal platformer with stellar level design. Plus, how can you say no to a soundtrack from the great Dave Wise?

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 (PS3, 360, PC)
Release Date: 2/25

Can you believe this is the 42nd entry in the Castlevania series? We can't believe it either because it's actually the 35th. Still impressive, though. MercurySteam works its wonders on Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, a game that is much more open than its 2010 predecessor. The story follows Gabriel Belmont, aka Dracula, as he is warned that Satan is set to return. Thus, he must gain new power while watching out for the Belmont clan who want him dead. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 is set to be the final Castlevania-related project MercurySteam is working on, so let's hope they end their time with the series on a high note. We'll find out when the game comes out near the end of February on the 25th.

Thief (PS4, X1, PS3, 360, PC)
Release Date: 2/25

If you've been missing the Thief series, well then we have good news for you. The reboot of the acclaimed stealth series is coming out February 25. We're noticing that this date is quite busy game release-wise! Anyway, the fourth installment of the series, simply titled Thief, has players assuming the role of Garret, a man who wishes to steal from the rich and will do so through any means necessary. Featuring smart AI, one that knows the lay of the land well enough to find Garret in well known hiding spots, Thief is going to a dream of a stealth game for fans of the genre.

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare (X1, 360)
Release Date: 2/25

The upcoming Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare is a multiplayer-only title developed by PopCap Games. Up to 24 players can duke it out, taking on one another or playing cooperatively. Both plants as well as zombies can be controlled. While we're bummed that you always have to have another player to enjoy the game, Garden Warfare looks to be a fun time for all ages. The game releases February 25 on Xbox One and Xbox 360 with PC and PlayStation 3 versions releasing sometime later.

Tales of Symphonia Chronicles (PS3)
Release Date: 2/25

Tales of Symphonia originally released on the GameCube as an exclusive for the system, at least in the West. In Japan, the game later released on the PlayStation 2. We welcome the chance to replay the game through Tales of Symphonia Chronicles, an HD collection of both the original Symphonia (though this collection uses the PS2 version) and the Wii exclusive, Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World. With additions like new costumes and the upgraded visuals, we're ready to sink our collective teeth back into the world of Tales of Symphonia.

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy (3DS)
Release Date: 2/28

The final entry starring Professor Layton himself, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy is the second iteration of the series on the Nintendo 3DS. The sixth installment features the same and welcomed formula of past games, a story told through chapters with progress coming from solving brain-bending puzzles. Hint coins, found by tapping around game backgrounds, allow players to get clues on the solution to puzzles, but even then, you better have your thinking cap on if the previous games' puzzles are anything to go by. Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy is the final big release of the month of February, releasing 2/28.

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - The 400 Aftermath Edition

It seems we've been celebrating a lot this month at SuperPhillip Central. The fifth of June brought with it our five-year anniversary, last week brought our highest day of traffic ever, and last Monday we celebrated our 400th VGM volume. As much as we'd like to continue looking back at our past achievements, we must move on, and so SuperPhillip Central and our Favorite VGMs continue to roll on. This week we have music to share from Katamari Damacy, Mega Man X and Banjo-Tooie. After you have finished with these newest VGMs, check out our VGM Database for every song ever listed.

v401. Katamari Damacy (PS2) - Cherry Blossom Color Season

Let's start with something peaceful and delightful. Cherry Blossom Color Season comes from the eccentric and eclectic original Katamari Damacy. It is a theme that features a Japanese children's choir named Katamari Company Jr., and it was composed by Yu Miyake. It plays during one of the final levels of Katamari Damacy, where you roll up the most colossal of objects.

v402. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (GBA) - Rookie and Popple

Spoiler: Rookie is actually Bowser. We know, it's a tremendous mystery revealed. You may now sleep soundly at night. In all seriousness, this peppy tune composed by the irreplaceable Yoko Shimomura delivers during the battle with the outmatched (when compared to Mario and Luigi) pair of Rookie and Popple.

v403. Mega Man X (SNES) - Armored Armadillo Stage

Time to cut loose and roll down the rails of this mine stage. In Armored Armadillo's stage, X seems to be constantly on the move, whether he's catching a ride on a cart, running from a rampaging robot, or leaping through the air on his way to face the well guarded boss of the level.

v404. Banjo-Tooie (N64) - Chilli Billi & Chilly Willy

Chilli Billi and Chilly Willy are two separate boss battles in Banjo-Tooie's Hailfire Peaks level. One takes place at the summit of the fire side while the other takes place on the ice side. As always, Grant Kirkhope comes in and composes a wonderful, tense theme for the climatic battles between the two.

v405. Killer7 (PS2, GCN) - Rave On

A song title extremely fitting of the piece of music it represents, Rave On is a track from Killer7, a cult classic for the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube. It's got a driving rhythm, great beat, and sensational synth. We spent countless minutes waiting in the hallways where this song plays in-- the same hallways that you literally only have to spend about ten seconds in each time.

Top Ten Summer Vacation Video Game Destinations

Today is the summer solstice, and now it is officially summer here in North America. It seems like the perfect time to think fondly of some of our favorite summer areas in video games. Those steamy areas, those tropical locales, those sandy beaches, and those sparkling blue waters... Ah, this is the life. This top ten list features those summer vacation video game destinations that take us out of being stuck in the Midwest and takes us into virtual summer getaways.

10) Planet Pokitaru - Ratchet & Clank (PS2)

Ratchet & Clank's tourist attraction planet is Planet Pokitaru, which also makes an appearance as the first level of Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters. Its sunny shores might seem innocent enough at first, but then you have to deal with those orange fish, who unlike usual fish, the only biting they do is not onto fishing lines, but Ratchet himself! Planet Pokitaru offers the rare opporunity for Ratchet to actually swim in the surrounding pollution-free water instead of getting eaten whole by some aquatic life as soon as he steps inside. Throw in some aerial dog-fighting in the cheery sky, and you have a planet that makes for a load of fun and a joy to play.

9) Altamira - Tales of Symphonia (GCN)

Ah, the seaside paradise of Altamira... Such beauty, this city that sits on its own isle. This sun-soaked city is full of locales, such as being the home of the Lezareno Company. Altamira also contains a grand beach-- ripe with places to sit back, relax and tan (doing too much of the latter is not recommended)-- a resort, a theme park, and a hotel. To say there is something for everyone at Altamira is a definitely safe thing to say. Lloyd Irving's party heads to Altamira in the second half of Tales of Symphonia, and it is such a beautiful paradise that leaving it is very hard to do, especially if you're next destination is some dank and dark dungeon.

8) Lake Orangatanga - Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble (SNES)

When Dixie and Kiddy Kong aren't busy trying to take down the new mechanical menace simply known as Kaos, they unwind in good old Lake Orangatanga, the first world of Donkey Kong County 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble. This world reminds us of summer camp, only without the reading of dirty magazines and giggling. The outdoor levels are generally set on wooden docks and planks, with the lake waters below. It's a nice setting, especially compared to the darker levels of Donkey Kong Country 2. Lake Orangatanga is the type of watering hole we would love to stop at.

7) Koopa Troopa Beach - Mario Kart 64 (N64)

Recently put back into the limelight with its inclusion as a retro cup track in Mario Kart 7, Koopa Troopa Beach is the third course of the Mushroom Cup in Mario Kart 64, the four-player multiplayer classic. From the flocks of seagulls that fly around the skies of the island to the crabs that scamper across the beach sands, Koopa Troopa Beach features plenty of summer excitement. The rock structure in the center of the island that reveals itself to look just like the profile of a Koopa Troopa makes for a stunning sight when you finally see it for yourself (most likely in the game's credits sequence). The shortcut found by taking a ramp and leaping into a cavern is not for the faint of heart. Though pulling it off will definitely earn you some mad props.  Koopa Troopa Beach is an excellent tropical course, but it's not Mario Kart's best.

6) Daisy Cruiser - Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GCN)

No, our favorite tropical track from the Mario Kart franchise comes from Mario Kart: Double Dash!! It's Daisy's themed course, a cruise liner fit for some fast and furious racing action. The start of the track allows players to choose to go to the left or right. Regardless of which path they select, the track reconvenes, having players circle around a swimming pool. Then comes a trip to the lower deck, where tables slide back and forth in the main lobby, getting in racers' ways if they aren't careful. An optional path takes players even deeper into the ship, shooting them out of a cannon. A final large bend leads to a stairway leading up. Just be sure to dodge the life rings that hang over the track. This cheerful track feels so totally summer, and it's a track that we wouldn't mind spending our lazy summer days on.

5) Treasure Trove Cove - Banjo-Kazooie (N64) 

The second major level in one of the greatest 3D platformers of all time, Banjo-Kazooie, is Treasure Trove Cove, a level set on a beach, surrounded by an ocean infested with one dangerous shark, tropical palm trees, cliffs to climb on, an isle with a lighthouse at its very top, a sandcastle that houses a word puzzle, and an unlucky shipwrecked pirate who just wants to return to the sea. Don't forget about Nipper, a very snap-happy crab who holds onto one of ten Jiggies Banjo and Kazooie need to obtain. Treasure Trove Cove is also worth mentioning not just because it is a vacation destination like no other in the Banjo-Kazooie series, but it's also the first place the bear and bird learn to fly.

4) Costa del Sol - Final Fantasy VII (PS1)

Welcome to Final Fantasy VII's sunny coastal town, Costa del Sol, serving as a port for those sailing in from Junon. After the mechanical, industrial nature of the latter, seeing a sun-drenched beach resort town is as refreshing as a tonic on a hot summer's day. In Costa del Sol, Cloud Strife and his party are able to purchase  President Shinra's summer home. All that is required is a 300,000 gil payment. Chump change when you're picking all that gil off the dead carcasses of all the monsters you slay! Though the mission to follow the trail of and find Sephiroth is pressing on Cloud and friends' minds, there's no harm in lounging around just a little bit, right?

3) Besaid Island - Final Fantasy X (PS2)

From one Final Fantasy game to another, we look at Final Fantasy X's Besaid Island. Sure, the world of Final Fantasy X is in deep doo-doo, what, with a colossal creature named Sin threatening its very existence, but Besaid Island is a tropical destination to indulge in the warm climate and sea breezes nonetheless. It is here that our happy-go-lucky and extremely cheerful Final Fantasy X protagonist meets up with most of the members of his party. Throw in some sublime sights like cliffs covered with lush greenery and waterfalls, sandy beaches and steamy jungles, and you have a nice place to get away from it all. Just be sure to return to saving the world sometime soon!

2) Emerald Coast - Sonic Adventure (DC)

The first fully 3D Sonic (so no Sonic 3D Blast), Sonic Adventure really wowed us when it debuted with SEGA's final home console, the SEGA Dreamcast. Its introductory level was a visually appealing, fast romp through beautiful beaches, past wooded docks and through the glorious natural architecture of the stone cliffs. By far the most memorable section of Emerald Coast was the Blue Blur being chased by a killer whale, which pursued Sonic closely, smashing the wooden planks he had just crossed over. And how could you not fall in love with the music of this magical place?

1) Isle Delfino - Super Mario Sunshine (GCN)

Though not as wonderful of a 3D Mario game as we would have liked, Super Mario Sunshine contains one of the most satisfying summer locales in gaming history, Isle Delfino. While some may quickly grow tired of every level being focused around a tropical theme, Isle Delfino is a terrific place for some summer fun. Sure, Mario's vacation isn't so grand. He's locked up and falsely charged with cleaning up the goop on the island, but the player gets a round of platforming entertainment so it makes up for Mario's work. Delfino Plaza is the main hub of Super Mario Sunshine, and it is a favorite hub world of ours. Boats come in and out, the sun shines brightly on the city streets and washed out buildings, and the crystal clear water is perfect for taking a nice dip in. Other locales on Isle Delfino like Bianco Hills, Ricco Harbor, Gelato Beach and Pinna Park, the amusement park destination, all make the island a remarkable place, and our choice for best summer vacation video game destination.

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That completes our choices of favorite summer vacation video game destinations, but what are some of yours? Let us know in the comments section. Now, excuse us, as we get our tans on!