For those in the United States, today is Thanksgiving. I hope everyone is enjoying the day with their families. It also rings in the official start to the holiday season, and now Christmas is almost a month away. The United States has a tradition that the day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday, where all the lowered prices at stores come, and consumers beat one another senseless for the best deal.
Today marks the first of a two part feature here at SuperPhillip Central. Last year's Holiday Gift Guide went over rather well, so here it is, the second annual SuperPhillip Central Holiday Gift Guide. With a new console out and games for all, part one of the gift guide will focus on platform exclusives while part two tomorrow will focus on multi-platform gaming. We have Wii U, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS, and Vita games to go through, so start making your list and checking it twice. It's time to begin!
Note: The guide is after the break as there are a fair amount of images.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Galaxy Quest Edition
Here's something different-- an episode of SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs on a Wednesday instead of a Monday. On this edition of my favorite VGMs we will be going to infinity and beyond with the music of Super Mario Galaxy 2, one of the best games of the seventh generation of game consoles. Put on your space suit and get ready to rocket into the stars with some brilliant orchestral sights and sounds.
v241. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) - Yoshi Star Galaxy
One of the few themes composed by Nintendo veteran musician Koji Kondo, Yoshi Star Galaxy is the second major galaxy in Mario's second 3D Wii platforming adventure. The song features lots of perky brass for this colorful galaxy. Yoshi had not been seen in a 3D Mario game since Super Mario Sunshine, and his abilities were rather limited (e.g. he couldn't enter water without disappearing). In Galaxy 2, Yoshi returned with much more usefulness.
v242. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) - Puzzle Plank Galaxy
Puzzle Plank Galaxy's theme is punctuated by a fiddle, providing the main melody. The fiddle and a sampling of synth exchange the main melody between each other. Puzzle Plank Galaxy is the first galaxy played in the second world of the game. One of its challenges has Mario riding on a ball through an obstacle-laden course.
v243. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) - Throwback Galaxy
The "throwback" in Throwback Galaxy refers to the galaxy being a recreation of the Whomp's Fortress course from Super Mario 64, Mario's first foray into 3D. Alongside the familiar sight of the fortress is the familiar sound of the theme that played in that course and many other levels too. (It was the main theme of Super Mario 64, after all.) This version of the theme features a full brass band to really liven up the experience.
v244. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) - Final Bowser Battle
Even though the actual final part of the final battle with Bowser is one of the easiest and shortest fights of Super Mario Galaxy 2, I tend to prolong the bout just so I can hear this theme in its entirety. Containing a full chorus and orchestra, the most overused word on the Internet, "epic", really fits for this piece, don't you think?
v245. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) - Credits
After a job well done and the universe has been saved, players can enjoy this stirring credits theme from Super Mario Galaxy 2. It features the main theme of the game and a reprise of both Sky Station Galaxy and Gusty Garden Galaxy's (from the original Super Mario Galaxy) themes. This theme is a perfect way to cap off a glorious game and a wonderful trip through space.
Next week my favorite VGMs will be returning to its regular Monday slot. We will also be showcasing one last game for five volumes before returning to normalcy where I simply feature five completely different games every week. What will be the final game to be spotlighted? Only way to find out is to be here next Monday. For the time being, check out my VGM Database for all your VGM needs.
v241. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) - Yoshi Star Galaxy
One of the few themes composed by Nintendo veteran musician Koji Kondo, Yoshi Star Galaxy is the second major galaxy in Mario's second 3D Wii platforming adventure. The song features lots of perky brass for this colorful galaxy. Yoshi had not been seen in a 3D Mario game since Super Mario Sunshine, and his abilities were rather limited (e.g. he couldn't enter water without disappearing). In Galaxy 2, Yoshi returned with much more usefulness.
v242. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) - Puzzle Plank Galaxy
Puzzle Plank Galaxy's theme is punctuated by a fiddle, providing the main melody. The fiddle and a sampling of synth exchange the main melody between each other. Puzzle Plank Galaxy is the first galaxy played in the second world of the game. One of its challenges has Mario riding on a ball through an obstacle-laden course.
v243. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) - Throwback Galaxy
The "throwback" in Throwback Galaxy refers to the galaxy being a recreation of the Whomp's Fortress course from Super Mario 64, Mario's first foray into 3D. Alongside the familiar sight of the fortress is the familiar sound of the theme that played in that course and many other levels too. (It was the main theme of Super Mario 64, after all.) This version of the theme features a full brass band to really liven up the experience.
v244. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) - Final Bowser Battle
Even though the actual final part of the final battle with Bowser is one of the easiest and shortest fights of Super Mario Galaxy 2, I tend to prolong the bout just so I can hear this theme in its entirety. Containing a full chorus and orchestra, the most overused word on the Internet, "epic", really fits for this piece, don't you think?
v245. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) - Credits
After a job well done and the universe has been saved, players can enjoy this stirring credits theme from Super Mario Galaxy 2. It features the main theme of the game and a reprise of both Sky Station Galaxy and Gusty Garden Galaxy's (from the original Super Mario Galaxy) themes. This theme is a perfect way to cap off a glorious game and a wonderful trip through space.
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Next week my favorite VGMs will be returning to its regular Monday slot. We will also be showcasing one last game for five volumes before returning to normalcy where I simply feature five completely different games every week. What will be the final game to be spotlighted? Only way to find out is to be here next Monday. For the time being, check out my VGM Database for all your VGM needs.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Nintendo Land (Wii U) Japanese Commercials
Let's take a fresh perspective on the Wii U and Nintendo Land with this Japanese trio of television advertisements. I must admit that I really enjoy these Japanese ads more than the North American commercials. They show off the collection better, and they're more to the point-- more substance, less style. What do you think?
LEGO City: Undercover (Wii U) North American Commercial
Coming soon to Wii U is Grand Theft Auto: LEGO City Stories... er... I mean, LEGO City Undercover, an open world LEGO game, the first not based on an existing franchise. Pilot planes, drive cars, and take down fugitives in this kooky, crazy, and self-aware Wii U title. LEGO City Undercover currently has a nebulous release date of Q1 2013.
The Buzz - November 20th, 2012
It's almost been two months since our last look at the most popular posts on SuperPhillip Central. Time to bring The Buzz back! What posts are you guys perusing the most? Let's find out together!
What a peculiar sight, I say with a drenching of sarcasm. Why, Rank Up! - God of War is number one on the list. It's without a doubt the most popular story ever written on SuperPhillip Central. The Rank Up! series in general is quite regarded fondly, as evident by two other editions (Mega Man and 3D Mario) being listed. My latest opinion piece regarding gamers and their negative attitudes towards failure in the industry sparked a lot of controversy, but then people actually read the article and not just the title. Then we have another familiar sight on the Buzz, a Spider-Man top five list. Some wonder why so many sites do lists. It's not out of laziness. They're actually great for skimming. This gets people to sit down and read your list. They're also fun to write for me personally. Two SuperPhillip Favorite VGMs segments are on the Buzz today as well. If you're missing my VGM segment, it will appear this week, just at a later day than normal. Additionally, you might be wondering why a niche PSN game is on this list of popular posts. Turns out hamster owners looking for something for their pet to run around the home in will see Hamsterball the game as one of the images in a search for "hamster ball." Finally, Pushmo QR codes and the latest installment of the SPC Soapbox round out the Buzz.
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| November 20th, 2012 Buzz results |
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