Rank Up! - PlayStation

Happy Fourth of July, America. After digesting two barbequed hot dogs, my hunger may be satiated, but my thirst for blogging today isn't quite quenched. Enter Rank Up! Last month's Central City Census asked what your favorite PlayStation platform was. We got a lot of votes as the PS2 barely squeaked out a victory over the PS3. However, you might be wondering what my personal opinion on Sony's video game machine series is. No? Well, you're going to get it anyway. Rank Up! is where I list a franchise or series of items and list them from least greatest to greatest. The subject of this installment is all about PlayStation. Let's not jump the gun, though. Let's see what I'll be ranking:

PlayStation
PlayStation 2
PlayStation Portable
PlayStation 3
PlayStation Vita

In 1995, a new competitor entered the video game console hardware space to counter the efforts by Sega and Nintendo. After a falling out with Nintendo involving a CD-Rom add-on to the Super Nintendo, Sony decided to develop a console of their own, led by Ken Kutaragi who would be later known as "the father of the PlayStation." After hundreds of millions of consoles sold later, the PlayStation brand is a true juggernaut in the gaming space. Live in your world, play in PlayStation's indeed. Note: The rankings will not be considering backwards compatibility in the ordering of these platforms. 

5) PlayStation Vita

It's obvious that the platform that came out less than a year ago would start us off, and it's not even a bad platform either. The ultimate in power portable, the PlayStation Vita sports a spectacular 5" OLED screen, dual analogs-- a first for a handheld, rear touch support, and Sixaxis technology built directly inside the system. The launch game-wise was one of most impressive launches ever with games like the newest entries in the Uncharted, Hot Shots Golf, Wipeout, and Katamari franchises. My problem with the Vita stems from the idea that the system seems to be on life support (or is that Vita support?). Currently, Sony is not being proactive in selling or even getting games for their fledgling platform while it just lonely lingers on store shelves and in portable purgatory. The Nintendo 3DS had a chance to turn around its successes (or lack thereof) because consumers and fans alike knew that Mario and Pokemon would eventually be coming and it had a dramatic price drop. Sony doesn't have a Mario or Pokemon equivalent, and a price drop seems impossible for the struggling company at this stage. I'm hoping for more support for the system eventually because as it stands, the future isn't looking too bright in an age where smartphones and tablets are slowly killing off the market for dedicated portables.

4) PlayStation Portable

The best-selling competitor to one of Nintendo's handhelds, the PlayStation Portable has sold upwards of 70 millions units. The system had a wide screen, gorgeous display, face buttons, two shoulder buttons, and yes, an analog nub for 3D games. One of my favorite features of the PSP is the ability to shut the system off mid-game, turn it back on, and pick up right where you left off. The lineup of the PSP is truly tremendous, full of engaging games. I'm talking about first and third-party exclusives like Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 1 & 2, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, the Monster Hunter series (which skyrocketed the system's success in Japan), Phantasy Star Portable 1 & 2, LocoRoco and its sequels, Dissidia: Final Fantasy, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, Resistance Retribution, Star Ocean: Second Evolution, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, Jeanne D'Arc, Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection, LittleBigPlanet, Patapon, Mega Man: Powered Up, and so many more. Nonetheless, even with all of these terrific titles, piracy really killed the system's chances in the West as most software sales were pithy compared to other platforms. It's sad as I have stated that there are so many exquisite titles on the PSP for owners to indulge in that were deserving of loads of sales. They just didn't get them outside of Japan.

3) PlayStation 3

Sony's current console, the PlayStation 3 had an inauspicious launch with a lack of compelling games and a huge price tag. However, things turned around for the system as more games released, the platform's online service evolved to something akin to Xbox Live (but thankfully free), and sales which are now rivaling the Xbox 360. Sony has put out their best first-party efforts with the PS3, with such exotic and fantastic new franchises like Uncharted, LittleBigPlanet, Resistance, inFamous, ModNation Racers, and the upcoming The Last of Us. PSN offers a wealth of downloadable titles, full retail games for downloading, and demos for forthcoming titles. The addition of trophies brought forth many PS3 owner desires to fully explore each game they play, and the bonus of the PS3 being a Bluray player (at the time one of the cheapest on the market) was also a plus. In 2009, a Slim version of the console was released with less technical problems and more storage. And while the PlayStation 3 has been great for gamers, it hasn't been so much for Sony. At the start of the PS3's life Sony was selling the system for over a $200 USD loss per system. This made them bleed money to the point that rumors say that they effectively blew nearly all of the money they made in the PS1 and PS2 eras. 

2) PlayStation

The system that started it all, while Nintendo was making the move to 64 bits and the continued use of cartridges to eliminate long loading times, Sony was busy with a console that read compact discs. Sure, the ability to play audio CDs was a nice bonus, but it was the games that truly set the system apart. It was the original PlayStation, a console that cemented Sony as a major player in console manufacturer arena. The PlayStation was the first, but most certainly not the last home console to sell over 100 million units worldwide. The console was the place to be for third-parties who brought their "A" game to the platform. Such titles like Final Fantasy VII, VIII, IX, and Tactics, Chrono Cross, Xenogears, Vagrant Story, Wild Arms, Mega Man 8, Mega Man X4, X5, and X6, Klonoa: Door to Phantomile, Gran Turismo, Hot Shots Golf, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Tomba!, Jet Moto, WipEout, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, Ape Escape, Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, and The Legend of Dragoon are just some of the fantastic titles one can experience on the very first PlayStation. The controller for the PS1 was so perfect that each successor to the system has-- for better or worse-- used the same archetype and build with minimal upgrades. Many series made their start on PlayStation, and it is such a ground-breaking platform that it is hard to not rank the system highly on this list. Note: The version shown above is the sexy PSOne model, not the original.

1) PlayStation 2

But even the original PlayStation cannot hold a proverbial candle to the king of PlayStation platforms, the PlayStation 2. While the system started off relatively slow in the market, it quickly gained a swift pace and high sales. The fact that it was one of the earliest (and cheapest) DVD players for consumers to purchase definitely had something to do with it. But of course, hardware does nothing without competent software, and the PS2 had that in spades. Many games and series from the PS1 era made the jump to the more powerful PlayStation 2 like Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, Dragon Quest, Mega Man, Castlevania, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, SoulCalibur, Gran Turismo, Hot Shots Golf, and more, but with the PS2 era came entirely new franchises, some of which are still around to this day. I'm alluding to popular series like Kingdom Hearts, Devil May Cry, Monster Hunter, Ratchet & Clank, Jak and Daxter, Sly Cooper, Katamari Damacy, Singstar, among many, many others. In 2004, four years after the PS2's release, the system received a new Slimline model. It was much smaller, thinner, and quieter than its big brother. To date, the PlayStation 2 has sold more than 150 million units worldwide But if the impact and extraordinary sales status of the PS2 still isn't quite clear to you yet, be floored by this: Even 12 years after the console's launch, the PlayStation 2 is still getting new games. One of the most successful systems in gaming hardware history, the PlayStation 2 is without a doubt the best PlayStation platform currently in existence.

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So now that you know my rankings of the PlayStation platforms, what comments do you have to share with me and your fellow readers? Do you agree with my order? Did you enjoy this edition of Rank Up? Let your voice be heard below.

Top Five Superheroes

The Amazing Spider-Man releases in the United States today. In fact, it had a midnight release with thousands of theaters showing the movie. To celebrate the occasion I am manufacturing this top five list of my favorite superheroes of all time. Obviously, SuperPhillip would be number one, so I'm leaving him off the list to be fair. Regardless, superheroes have ignited our imaginations with their otherworldly powers, intellect, and skills. This list of five individuals or teams of superheroes remain my favorites.

5) Green Lantern

Green Lanterns are characterized by their green and black outfits and, more importantly, the power ring each one possesses. Over many decades there have been many different Green Lanterns. From the very first popularized Lantern, Alan Scott, to the most recent being Kyle Rayner. The power ring grants its wearer as much ability as their willpower and creativity. One can emanate and project giant green fists, force fields, and weights to drop upon foes. Each Green Lantern takes a solemn oath to serve and protect. The most modern one goes something like this:

In brightest day, in blackest night,

No evil shall escape my sight

Let those who worship evil's might,

Beware my power, Green Lantern's light!!!

 4) The X-Men

A group of mutants who continually try to help a humanity that loathes them for being different, the X-Men are a team with multiple members of varying powers. Professor Charles Xavier founded a home for mutants at his mansion for studying and having them learn to nurture and ultimately accept their powers. The comic book series introduced plenty of memorable characters such as Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm, Jean Grey, Colossus, Magneto, and Sabertooth, for starters. I think the X-Men series appeals to people outside of the standard "ooh, cool powers" thing because many people can relate to feeling like outcasts and sympathize with the team. Oh, and they do have cool powers, too.

3) Superman

Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound... It's Superman, number three on this list. His home planet of Krypton exploding at its core, Kal-El's parents send a young Superman away from harm. His ship crash lands in a Kansas wheat field where he is discovered and later adopted by a farmer and his loving wife. Given the name Clark Kent, the young boy soon develops superhuman strength. With his maturity he decides to help humanity as Superman. He's seemingly invincible, can melt iron and steel with his heat vision, can put out fires with his ice breath, but his weakness to Kryptonite has almost done him in several times in the past, as Lex Luthor certainly knows all too well. Superman is such an outstanding character and superhero because he still remains relevant despite there being 70+ years since his introduction to the world. That is truly something remarkable.

2) Batman

Batman is such a fascinating superhero to me because he's one of the only superheroes who does not have any superpowers. No heat vision, no power of flight, no breathing underwater. He just uses his detective skills, intellect, and various bat gadgets to save the day. Batman doesn't do this for no good reason either. As a young boy his mother and father were shot in cold blood right in front of his eyes. From then on he vowed to be a protector of the innocent who couldn't save themselves. While Bruce Wayne is an eccentric billionaire extrovert, Batman is quite brooding and introspective. One of the main reasons I adore the character is because of the 1990s Batman: The Animated Series. It also helps that the character's rogues gallery is quite intriguing, featuring villains like The Joker, The Penguin, The Riddler, Two Face, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, and The Scarecrow.

1) Spider-Man

My personal favorite superhero is a mere teenage boy when he starts out. Misunderstood in high school as a student as well as when he dons his spandex suit, Spider-Man is a character I can relate to. When he is bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter Parker grows from scrawny to buff overnight. He originally uses his newly found powers for personal gain, but when a crook that he let go ironically moves on to murder Peter's precious Uncle Ben, Parker then lives by his uncle's wise words of "with great power comes great responsibility." Who doesn't love the idea of swinging around Manhattan, jetting across the skyline, over busy city streets, and yelling, whooping, and having the time of your life while doing it all? Like Batman, I also adore the rogues gallery of this character with such scoundrels as Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, Scorpion, Shocker, Mysterio, Vulture, Carnage, and Venom? The sum of these reasons is my answer as to why Spider-Man is the best superhero in my book. He's just incredibly interesting as a character.

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Who is your favorite superhero of all time? Have you gone and seen The Amazing Spider-Man in theaters yet? If so, how did you like it? Let the SPC community know below.

Donkey Kong (GB) Retro Review

I have decided that July is Retro Review Month here at SuperPhillip Central. Seeing that the release schedule for new games has slowed to a crawl and that I have the burning desire to review some games, it only makes sense to do this. We're starting the month off immediately with a review of the Game Boy classic, Donkey Kong, originally released in 1994. 

One of Gaming's Earliest Rivalries Revisited

Donkey Kong is synonymous with gaming, although a little than the popular plumber Mario is. Before the world moved on to Rareware's Donkey Kong Country in 1994, a title bearing the original Donkey Kong's namesake and gameplay was being released in the summer before DKC came out. It was Donkey Kong for the Game Boy (sometimes referred to as Donkey Kong '94 for simplicity's sake). More than just a port of the arcade juggernaut, Donkey Kong on the Game Boy was a massive improvement on the classic formula, and one many players positively went ape for.

A misconception with the Game Boy version of Donkey Kong might be that like the arcade, NES, and other versions of the game on previous systems, the Game Boy iteration is just another port. That could not be any further from the truth. It certainly can seem like it is as the first four levels are plucked straight out of the arcade game. However, after those initial four have been completed, the game opens up considerably to completely new, uncharted territory with loads of new levels, mechanics, and objectives.

After the original four levels are finished, you enter a new form of level for the Donkey Kong series. These have you needing to open a locked door with a key. While the standard Donkey Kong levels have you utilizing your platforming prowess only, these lock-and-key levels emphasize precision jumping as well as mental gymnastics. The whole line of thinking of how you will carry a key from its resting place to the locked door is an interesting dynamic and adds a puzzle element not seen before in a Donkey Kong game (and it most certainly won't be the last time we'd see this either). The key can be thrown to platforms above you, across chasms, and can even defeat certain enemies.

In Donkey Kong, gameplay is literally "key."

Each set of four levels in the game's ten worlds features a new gameplay mechanic for Mario and the player to use as well. Certain blocks can temporarily spawn a ladder or horizontal platform for Mario to climb or run on. Switches can open and shut doors as well as change the direction of moving platforms (from up and down to down and up) and conveyor belts. Sometimes enemies can be used as platforms to reach higher places or to push Mario through narrow gaps that he'd otherwise be unable to pass through. There's also hanging wires that Mario can either use to cross over large pits or to spin off of, reaching taller altitudes. There's no shortage of new objects like springs, vines and enemy-defeating, block-busting hammers, obstacles like strong winds and icy, slippery platforms, and dangers like egg-dropping birds and bottomless pits for Mario to discover and overcome.

Mario with a hammer is a mad man.

Mario himself is quite the acrobat this go around; somewhat a predecessor to Super Mario 64's move set. Mario has the ability to walk on his hands. This feat is absolutely necessary for later Donkey Kong levels where falling barrels can only be stopped by Mario's shoe soles. You can also be running in one direction and quickly flick the d-pad to the other and hence perform a higher-than-normal somersault. Unlike walking on Mario's hands, this technique isn't required for beating the game, though it does have its helpful uses. Mario does have a lot of athletic maneuvers in this game, but his capability to fall from high heights hasn't carried over from Super Mario Bros. 3 or Super Mario World. In fact, doing so results in smacking his body flat against the floor, resulting in death-- or at least one killer concussion. The game also makes things a bit challenging through only allowing Mario one hit before he bites the big one. This makes being cautious and careful paramount to one's performance. Of course, you can't be too cautious and careful either, or you'll allow the timer to reach zero, also resulting in a loss of a life.

Use the backs of these frogs to reach new heights.

Every four levels in Donkey Kong is a tussle with the main monkey himself. How the level is completed varies from each encounter. Some are typical affairs where Mario must navigate his way up a vertical space to reach the same altitude and platform as Pauline, all the while avoiding tricks, traps, and hazards that will put an unsuccessful end to his recovery mission. Others take the fight right to the angry ape by having Mario chuck idle barrels at Donkey Kong that the villain has thrown at Mario carelessly.

Go ape on this ape in these battle levels.

Extra lives are in great surplus in Donkey Kong, so you never feel like you're starving for lives. After a Donkey Kong level has been completed, the four levels you previously played have the times tallied. For every 100 seconds on the clock, you get a 1up (you also earn one life is there is any. By collecting all three unique items in a given lock-and-key level (such as a parasol, for instance), at the conclusion of the level you earn the right to play one of two 1up mini-games. One is a slot machine where the goal is to match or line up three specific icons in a row or to stop the wheels so a Mario face shows up. Depending on how well you do, you gain up to five 1ups. The other mini-game is a roulette wheel which unlike the previous mini-game, this one guarantees you at least one 1up. The roulette spins around a circle, and with a button press, it slowly stops on a 1up, 2up, or the rare 3up space. Then there's some levels that have a 1up placed in oftentimes a precarious location for Mario to nab. With all of these extra life opportunities, don't be surprised if you knock on the maximum cap of 99 near the end of the game.

The Game Boy version of Donkey Kong showcases plenty of catchy 8-bit tunes. It is nothing that will make you heavily desire to listen to the tracks outside of the game, really, but what is presented is serviceable and pleasing. The sound effects can range anywhere from good to grating. The visuals look decent considering the weak hardware the game is being presented on. Characters, enemies, and environments are very much distinguishable from one another, so you never have a problem with seeing where to go. Each level's background has a couple of characteristics which set them apart from others such as skyscraper backdrops and bushes. Overall, Donkey Kong on Game Boy is a pleasant looking and sounding title.

Donkey Kong is an excellent puzzle/platformer worthy of your hard-earned dollars. Whether you get a physical copy (to play on the Super Game Boy, perhaps? Hint, hint) or digitally download the 3DS Virtual Console version for a few dollars or so, the game will prove to you why many consider it to be in top echelon of Game Boy titles and a classic. The game's ten worlds will take you on a journey through forests, pyramids, and glaciers on you and Mario's quest to retrieve Pauline from the guerrilla gorilla's clutches. The game won't last too long-- maybe 4-5 hours for one play-through, but it's one that you will want to return to over and over again as the challenge both mentally and on your fingers is a fair and fun one. Go bananas with this perplexing and puzzling platformer.

[SuperPhillip Says: 9.0/10]

Project X Zone (3DS) New Trailer

Ten minutes of Project X Zone goodness. Can you stand it? If not, then why don't you sit down? Regardless of your body's position, you will no doubt enjoy the enemy juggling and strategic action of this game, due out in Japan on October 11th. Who knows if such a title is feasible for a release outside of Japan. I surely hope so as Project X Zone looks absolutely scrumptious.

SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Firework Frenzy Edition

The Fourth of July celebrates the United States' founding as its own entity and country. A typical Fourth consists of barbeques and fireworks, and while this edition of the VGMs has no BBQ food to be found, it does have fireworks of its own. On this week's installment we have music from F-Zero, Conker's Bad Fur Day, and Pikmin.

v141. F-Zero (SNES) - Mute City (Brawl Version)

Be prepared to see a lot of Super Smash Bros. Brawl arrangements and remixes on my favorite VGMs. That game and its flurry of popular Japanese composers did a wonderful job of re-imagining classic Nintendo songs from the company's extensive catalog. Composer Yasufumi Fukuda's Mute City arrangement is but one of these fantastic songs from Brawl which came from the original Super Nintendo F-Zero game. When the theme rocks out at 1:08, one can't help but be impressed and moved by the marvelous guitar riffs being showcased.

v142. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS) - Realm Overworld

The DS entries of the Zelda franchise consist of heavily polarized opinions. Some, like myself, love both, while others hate the touch only controls. Spirit Tracks is criticized by some because of the train transportation around the world map. I happened to enjoy it, and I truly loved the accompanying music that joined you as you traveled along the high speed rails, this song. One of my favorite parts of the game was the dynamic between Link and Zelda, who served a much more important gameplay role than in any other franchise title. Koji Kondo, Asuka Ohta, Toru Minegishi, and Manaka Tominaga penned the soundtrack for this atypical Legend of Zelda game.

v143. Conker's Bad Fur Day (N64) - Windy (Overworld)

A song that sends you back to the roaring 20's with its jaunty jazz, Windy (Overworld) is a perfect example of the compositional geniuses that worked at Rare back in the company's good old days. The actual game was unlike the majority of Rare's 3D platformers as the only main thing to collect within the game was wads of money. Compare that to Donkey Kong 64 and the difference is night and day. Throw in one foul-mouthed squirrel (a complete change from his appearance in Conker's Pocket Tales and Diddy Kong Racing) and a game that hard-to-find, and you have Conker's Bad Fur Day.

v144. Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure (DS) - Banson's Aria

One of the boss encounters of Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure has you taking on a mezzo soprano opera singer aboard his stage. This is the theme that plays during that battle. Henry Hatsworth was a game developed by Dream Rift who would go on to create such intriguing gaming experiences like Monster Tale and the upcoming Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion. They certainly know how to develop some creative 2D platformers.

v145. Pikmin (GCN) - The Forest of Hope

This gentle melody and accompaniment encompasses you in the Forest of Hope, an area which with wildlife, nature, and pieces of Captain Olimar's Dolphin spaceship to collect. Olimar isn't alone, thankfully. He has the help of the local natives of the planet he crash landed on, the Pikmin, coming in three varieties: red, yellow, and blue. Whichever version of the game you get, whether it's the GameCube original or the Wii port, Pikmin is a modern classic.

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I hope all Americans enjoy the Fourth of July, despite half of the country being covered in dangerously hot temperatures for a lengthy series of days. As for everyone else, enjoy the week as you normally would. Until next time, check out the VGM Database for a full listing of songs you might have missed.