After the Sochi Olympics skipped the Nintendo 3DS, the Mario & Sonic Olympic series is back on the Nintendo 3DS for Rio 2016's summer games. Watch this overview trailer of the game, which releases today. The Wii U version, the one I'm most excited for, launches in June.
Friday, March 18, 2016
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Best Boss Battles in Gaming History - Part Fifteen
WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOR THE FOLLOWING GAMES:
Fifteen installments? It seems like only yesterday I was waxing poetic on my favorite boss battles. Now it's this long-running series of popular articles on SuperPhillip Central. Well, no point reminiscing, as we have five more awesome boss battles to cover with part fifteen of the Best Boss Battles in Gaming History. This time we're delving totally into final boss encounters! These are memorable, fun, clever, and sometimes completely fresh takes on the boss formula. After you've looked at the five entries this time around, I'd love to hear which boss battles you've enjoyed most!
Since there are possible spoilers to be found, the rest of this article will be posted after the break! Before that, check out all past parts of Best Boss Battles in Gaming History with these links!
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Part Eight
Part Nine
Part Ten
Part Eleven
Part Twelve
Part Thirteen
Part Fourteen
- Splatoon (Wii U)
- Transformers: Devastation (Multi)
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS)
- Donkey Kong 64 (N64)
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (GEN)
Fifteen installments? It seems like only yesterday I was waxing poetic on my favorite boss battles. Now it's this long-running series of popular articles on SuperPhillip Central. Well, no point reminiscing, as we have five more awesome boss battles to cover with part fifteen of the Best Boss Battles in Gaming History. This time we're delving totally into final boss encounters! These are memorable, fun, clever, and sometimes completely fresh takes on the boss formula. After you've looked at the five entries this time around, I'd love to hear which boss battles you've enjoyed most!
Since there are possible spoilers to be found, the rest of this article will be posted after the break! Before that, check out all past parts of Best Boss Battles in Gaming History with these links!
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Part Eight
Part Nine
Part Ten
Part Eleven
Part Twelve
Part Thirteen
Part Fourteen
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Mega Man Legacy Collection (3DS) Review
Fresh of the heels of my look at my favorite Mega Man game turned iOS title with my review on Mega Man X, I set SuperPhillip Central's sights on the recently released Mega Man Legacy Collection. Is this compendium of the Blue Bomber's worthy of his legacy? Find out with my review.
The original six Mega Man games are no strangers to the porting and collection treatment. The original games released on the NES/Famicom. Then, we saw Complete Works versions on the PlayStation, which eliminated things like sprite flickering and slowdown that the original NES versions contained. These six re-releases also added an updated soundtrack for most of the titles, remixing many of the themes from the games.
Then, came the Mega Man Anniversary Collection for all sixth generation consoles, including the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox. From there, we've seen all six NES Mega Man games hit Nintendo's Virtual Console service on three platforms: the Wii, the Wii U, and the 3DS. Now, these Mega Man games are seeing a re-release once again, and on this occasion it's at a time where fans like myself are eager for anything Mega Man since the franchise is very much on a hiatus at this time. The end result is Capcom and Digital Eclipse's Mega Man Legacy Collection.
For those not in the know on Mega Man, the classic series has you going through an assortment of stages where you choose which of the eight (or in the first Mega Man game's situation, six) Robot Master stages you'd like to tackle in any order. In each level you run, jump, and shoot your way through the horizontal and vertical scrolling levels filled with enemies, death traps, and obstacles. At the end of each Robot Master level, you face a boss. Defeating that boss rewards you with that Robot Master's weapon. Not only does this weapon work well in defeating another Robot Master (which one it is is for you to figure out), but it also works great on certain enemies as well.
The original Mega Man introduced the nonlinear level structure, as well as a one-time for the series point system. Mega Man 2 gave us the standard eight Robot Master formula the series would use for each succeeding game, as well as deliver health-restoring E tanks, and helpful parts. Mega Man 3 brought Rush, the introduction of Mega Man's brother, Proto Man, and the slide ability in the fray. Following up on Mega Man 3, Mega Man 4 brought to the table the helper robot Eddie, as well as a new charge shot for Mega Man's Mega Buster. Finally, Mega Man 5 introduced Beat that could be unlocked through finding all eight letters spelling out MEGAMANV, and Mega Man 6 was the most graphically capable of the Mega Man series.
The Mega Man Legacy Collection presents all six of these aforementioned games into one package, and it's as simple as choosing a game from the startup menu and hitting the play button. However, as a collection, each game has a museum that shows all of the characters (mostly enemies) in the game, a short description of each, and what weapon they're weak against, if applicable. There are also a nice portfolio of the game boxes, manuals, packaging, and cartridges for each Mega Man game in each major region: NTSC, PAL, and JP.
Playing the classic Mega Man titles in Mega Man Legacy Collection feels good enough. If you're looking for improved features like a solid frame-rate or a lack of sprite flickering, you best avoid this package and look into the PS1 re-releases. Instead, the Mega Man Legacy Collection brings you the emulated versions of all six NES games with no major alterations. Though confusingly enough, Mega Man 5 is at a much lower frame-rate and features some issues that aren't present in the original release. The majorly confusing part is that switching over to the Japanese version of the game, Rockman 5, makes it so the game runs as it should.
Other than that, the games are without much to gripe about. You can turn on and off the border that each game comes with. These generally show one character from the Mega Man game you're playing on either side of the game screen. Additionally, the ability to save and load your game data at any point, much like an emulator is also included, making so you can play each game with as much or as little help from restore points as you'd like. Don't worry; I won't tell.
Outside of just playing the six classic Mega Man games, Digital Eclipse has included a set of over 50 challenges that have you trying to complete boss rushes, runs through remixed levels, runs through multiple level portions, and much more in a specific amount of time. You can save and watch your replays, as you try to get a gold medal on each challenge. Just playing these challenges and completing them will add some longevity to the collection, so going for the gold adds even more, and this is certainly welcomed. Unfortunately, you have to play early challenges to unlock later challenges, so you can't just jump to any challenge you like. You gotta work for it.
Mega Man Legacy Collection isn't a perfect compilation of all things classic NES Mega Man, but it also isn't a poor compilation either. The games play as my aging mind remembers-- glitches, sprite flickering, slowdown, and all. For a compendium of some of the best 2D action platformers around on the go, Mega Man Legacy Collection for the Nintendo 3DS is a highly capable course for fans of the Blue Bomber and new players to gobble up.
[SPC Says: B+]
Fight, Mega Man! For Everlasting Peace!
Then, came the Mega Man Anniversary Collection for all sixth generation consoles, including the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox. From there, we've seen all six NES Mega Man games hit Nintendo's Virtual Console service on three platforms: the Wii, the Wii U, and the 3DS. Now, these Mega Man games are seeing a re-release once again, and on this occasion it's at a time where fans like myself are eager for anything Mega Man since the franchise is very much on a hiatus at this time. The end result is Capcom and Digital Eclipse's Mega Man Legacy Collection.
 |
| See the beginnings of the Mega Man series with the original game. |
 |
| Or just jump into whatever Mega Man game you want to! |
 |
| Mega Man 3 introduced the ultra helpful slide move. It works just as well in Mega Man 5, too. |
Playing the classic Mega Man titles in Mega Man Legacy Collection feels good enough. If you're looking for improved features like a solid frame-rate or a lack of sprite flickering, you best avoid this package and look into the PS1 re-releases. Instead, the Mega Man Legacy Collection brings you the emulated versions of all six NES games with no major alterations. Though confusingly enough, Mega Man 5 is at a much lower frame-rate and features some issues that aren't present in the original release. The majorly confusing part is that switching over to the Japanese version of the game, Rockman 5, makes it so the game runs as it should.
Other than that, the games are without much to gripe about. You can turn on and off the border that each game comes with. These generally show one character from the Mega Man game you're playing on either side of the game screen. Additionally, the ability to save and load your game data at any point, much like an emulator is also included, making so you can play each game with as much or as little help from restore points as you'd like. Don't worry; I won't tell.
Outside of just playing the six classic Mega Man games, Digital Eclipse has included a set of over 50 challenges that have you trying to complete boss rushes, runs through remixed levels, runs through multiple level portions, and much more in a specific amount of time. You can save and watch your replays, as you try to get a gold medal on each challenge. Just playing these challenges and completing them will add some longevity to the collection, so going for the gold adds even more, and this is certainly welcomed. Unfortunately, you have to play early challenges to unlock later challenges, so you can't just jump to any challenge you like. You gotta work for it.
 |
| How fast can you beat this Mecha Dragon? |
[SPC Says: B+]
Monday, March 14, 2016
SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - Pi Day 2016 Edition
Welcome to a new week of posts at SuperPhillip Central. I caught a massive head cold midweek last week, but I'm feeling well enough to resume posts once again. At least during this period of my sickness my hands aren't constantly touching snot-stained tissues.
...With that lovely picture in your head, let's focus on SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs! Here, I try to bring to my readers five great video game songs a week. This week, we start off by partying like it's 1999 with Mario Party 2. We then go serious for a moment with a boss battle theme from Tales of Symphonia. Following that is a return to something sillier with Super Monkey Ball 2. Bringing us back home on this edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs is a duo of Hitoshi Sakimoto composed themes, one from Valkyria Chronicles II and one from Final Fantasy Tactics, taking us to our 1,100 VGM volume.
If you're yearning for even more VGM goodness, check out the VGM Database!
v1096. Mario Party 2 (N64) - Pirate Land
Mario Party 2 took on an amusement park/costume party theme with each of the game's six boards taking place in a different themed area with the party participants wearing different themed costumes. Pirate Land is the first board of Mario Party 2, set across three main isles separated by bridges.
v1097. Tales of Symphonia (GCN) - Fatalize
Fatalize is the type of theme that gets you pumped and primed for battle. When you hear this boss theme for Tales of Symphonia, you know it's time to get serious-- that is, if you weren't already. Whether it's against big beasts or ancient evil, draw your weapons and get ready for a fight!
v1098. Super Monkey Ball 2 (GCN) - Amusement Park (World 5)
Super Monkey Ball 2 introduced plenty of new things to the familiarity of rolling a monkey ball through obstacle-laden courses. The biggest addition was a story mode that might not have been needed, but it wasn't anywhere near as egregious as making a whole game with a story like we later saw with Super Monkey Ball Adventure. Super Monkey Ball 2's music kept an uptempo feel, perfect for carefully tilting each course to guide Aiai and friends (hopefully) safely to the goal.
v1099. Valkyria Chronicles II (PSP) - Exciting Battle
Valkyria Chronicles as a series had an interesting release pattern to it. While the first Valkyria Chronicles released on the PlayStation 3, its sequels would release on the PlayStation Portable. The third game wouldn't even get localized. Now, the original game is seeing a remastered version on the PS4. Regardless, though the graphics took a hit on the PSP, Valkyria Chronicles' arrival on the system didn't allow its soundtrack to be held back. No, Hitoshi Sakimoto's wonderfully composed tunes shined brightly with this portable sequel.
v1100. Final Fantasy Tactics (PS1) - Antidote
Another song by the fantastic Hitoshi Sakimoto, this time from what I consider my favorite video game soundtrack ever composed, Final Fantasy Tactics. I continue to replay this game when I get the chance with any excuse. Of course, new games always take priority, as I have to keep up to date on what's out on the market. Still, it doesn't mean I can't listen to the great music from FFT while writing reviews for said new games!
...With that lovely picture in your head, let's focus on SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs! Here, I try to bring to my readers five great video game songs a week. This week, we start off by partying like it's 1999 with Mario Party 2. We then go serious for a moment with a boss battle theme from Tales of Symphonia. Following that is a return to something sillier with Super Monkey Ball 2. Bringing us back home on this edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs is a duo of Hitoshi Sakimoto composed themes, one from Valkyria Chronicles II and one from Final Fantasy Tactics, taking us to our 1,100 VGM volume.
If you're yearning for even more VGM goodness, check out the VGM Database!
v1096. Mario Party 2 (N64) - Pirate Land
Mario Party 2 took on an amusement park/costume party theme with each of the game's six boards taking place in a different themed area with the party participants wearing different themed costumes. Pirate Land is the first board of Mario Party 2, set across three main isles separated by bridges.
v1097. Tales of Symphonia (GCN) - Fatalize
Fatalize is the type of theme that gets you pumped and primed for battle. When you hear this boss theme for Tales of Symphonia, you know it's time to get serious-- that is, if you weren't already. Whether it's against big beasts or ancient evil, draw your weapons and get ready for a fight!
v1098. Super Monkey Ball 2 (GCN) - Amusement Park (World 5)
Super Monkey Ball 2 introduced plenty of new things to the familiarity of rolling a monkey ball through obstacle-laden courses. The biggest addition was a story mode that might not have been needed, but it wasn't anywhere near as egregious as making a whole game with a story like we later saw with Super Monkey Ball Adventure. Super Monkey Ball 2's music kept an uptempo feel, perfect for carefully tilting each course to guide Aiai and friends (hopefully) safely to the goal.
v1099. Valkyria Chronicles II (PSP) - Exciting Battle
Valkyria Chronicles as a series had an interesting release pattern to it. While the first Valkyria Chronicles released on the PlayStation 3, its sequels would release on the PlayStation Portable. The third game wouldn't even get localized. Now, the original game is seeing a remastered version on the PS4. Regardless, though the graphics took a hit on the PSP, Valkyria Chronicles' arrival on the system didn't allow its soundtrack to be held back. No, Hitoshi Sakimoto's wonderfully composed tunes shined brightly with this portable sequel.
v1100. Final Fantasy Tactics (PS1) - Antidote
Another song by the fantastic Hitoshi Sakimoto, this time from what I consider my favorite video game soundtrack ever composed, Final Fantasy Tactics. I continue to replay this game when I get the chance with any excuse. Of course, new games always take priority, as I have to keep up to date on what's out on the market. Still, it doesn't mean I can't listen to the great music from FFT while writing reviews for said new games!
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Underrated Games With Even More Underrated Soundtracks - Part Three
SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs is usually an every-Monday occurrence where I share five of my favorite songs from various video games, whether they be retro or modern. I often feature songs from games that don't get as much attention from gamers as they should, but I don't make it a habit to make note of that.
Well, with Underrated Games With Even More Underrated Soundtracks, I definitely do. This third part features games that many slept on that have glorious music to them. As usual, I shall share six games and provide five sample songs for each soundtrack. Perhaps hearing some of the music from these games will encourage you to try them out!
For a look at past parts of this ever-growing series, check out part one and part two.
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games (Wii U)
The Mario & Sonic Olympic series isn't quite the crossover that longtime Nintendo and Sega fans were expecting-- far from it, actually. However, despite being focused on mini-games and motion controls, Mario and Sonic's Olympic outings have been mostly enjoyable for me personally. The latest game in the series, taking place at the Rio Olympics, releases in a couple of weeks on the Nintendo 3DS and in June on the Wii U. Whether you enjoy this Olympic crossover or not, what you can't really argue against is that the soundtracks of these games are phenomenal, whether it's the original music or the real tipping point, the myriad remixes of classic Mario and Sonic themes, as heard with these examples from Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
Transformers: Devastation (Multi)
While Mario and Sonic was indeed a dream combination, Platinum Games and Transformers was pretty much another one. Awesome cars that turned into even more awesome robots combined with Platinum Games' stellar character action combat? That's exactly what Transforners: Devastation delivered, and while the main game was short, the ability to play through the campaign as five different characters with differing play styles to them made the game feel much meatier. The soundtrack is pure '80s cheese, making the entire package feel like a lost episode from the original Transformers series in intensely interactive form.
Tearaway: Unfolded (PS4) / Tearaway (Vita)
Poor Tearaway. First you released on the severely underperforming PlayStation Vita where owners are too busy being concerned with games with anime characters, which you had zero. Then you released on the PlayStation 4 with an expanded and enhanced version, but Sony released you with little fanfare. Obviously, a game of this kind wouldn't do well regardless, but I'm still okay at being a bit depressed about it. Still, to better my mood about Tearaway's gravely lackluster sales, I can at least listen to the eclectic soundtrack of the game. Perhaps through listening through these selected themes you'll gain some interest in trying out this massively overlooked Media Molecule game.
Puppeteer (PS3)
Another overlooked game, but this one had a different challenge to it. Sony Japan Studio's Puppeteer released in the same launch period as the PlayStation 4. Thus, this PS3 game had that competition to worry about as many PS3 owners were moving on to Sony's latest hardware. Puppeteer itself is an incredibly charming 2.5D platformer, though if you aren't a fan of cutscenes constantly breaking up your gameplay experience, then you might get a bit annoyed with Puppeteer. Still, I believe it's worth sticking with if only to enjoy the wondrous worlds and levels of the game, and to sample the completely orchestral soundtrack that delights from beginning to end. How could it not with such delightful and wonderful themes throughout its sublime symphonic duration?
Scribblenauts: Unlimited (Wii U, 3DS)
A Wii U launch title and a Nintendo 3DS release, Scribblenauts: Unlimited was the third game in the Scribblenauts series that debuted on the Nintendo DS. The original Scribblenauts was a concept that amazed players, but the execution left a lot to be desired. Future sequels nailed both the concept and the gameplay, but many that were interested had already moved on to other games. That notwithstanding, Scribblenauts: Unlimited allowed the usage of adjectives to add even more zaniness to the objects and characters to assist in solving the game's plentiful puzzles. The soundtrack, featuring remixed versions of classic Scribblenauts themes, as well as fantastic new compositions, was superb and supremely catchy. It made journeying through the colorful worlds of this third Scribblenauts game all the more enjoyable.
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy + (3DS)
Whether it's the original Assault Horizon Legacy or the Plus version with Amiibo support, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy was similar to the console versions of Assault Horizon in name only. The game was a remake of Ace Combat 2, and it played much more closely to that game than the much more drastic take on the formula that Assault Horizon's console entries had. With varying objectives, split mission paths, and a pulse-pounding amount of action, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy was a fantastic dog-fighting feast for fans. The music of the game was heavily cinematic and intense, delivering even more adrenaline to players as they sped through the skies. I feel remiss for only including five samples of such songs from the soundtrack, but I can't play favorites!
Well, with Underrated Games With Even More Underrated Soundtracks, I definitely do. This third part features games that many slept on that have glorious music to them. As usual, I shall share six games and provide five sample songs for each soundtrack. Perhaps hearing some of the music from these games will encourage you to try them out!
For a look at past parts of this ever-growing series, check out part one and part two.
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games (Wii U)
The Mario & Sonic Olympic series isn't quite the crossover that longtime Nintendo and Sega fans were expecting-- far from it, actually. However, despite being focused on mini-games and motion controls, Mario and Sonic's Olympic outings have been mostly enjoyable for me personally. The latest game in the series, taking place at the Rio Olympics, releases in a couple of weeks on the Nintendo 3DS and in June on the Wii U. Whether you enjoy this Olympic crossover or not, what you can't really argue against is that the soundtracks of these games are phenomenal, whether it's the original music or the real tipping point, the myriad remixes of classic Mario and Sonic themes, as heard with these examples from Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
Transformers: Devastation (Multi)
While Mario and Sonic was indeed a dream combination, Platinum Games and Transformers was pretty much another one. Awesome cars that turned into even more awesome robots combined with Platinum Games' stellar character action combat? That's exactly what Transforners: Devastation delivered, and while the main game was short, the ability to play through the campaign as five different characters with differing play styles to them made the game feel much meatier. The soundtrack is pure '80s cheese, making the entire package feel like a lost episode from the original Transformers series in intensely interactive form.
Tearaway: Unfolded (PS4) / Tearaway (Vita)
Poor Tearaway. First you released on the severely underperforming PlayStation Vita where owners are too busy being concerned with games with anime characters, which you had zero. Then you released on the PlayStation 4 with an expanded and enhanced version, but Sony released you with little fanfare. Obviously, a game of this kind wouldn't do well regardless, but I'm still okay at being a bit depressed about it. Still, to better my mood about Tearaway's gravely lackluster sales, I can at least listen to the eclectic soundtrack of the game. Perhaps through listening through these selected themes you'll gain some interest in trying out this massively overlooked Media Molecule game.
Puppeteer (PS3)
Another overlooked game, but this one had a different challenge to it. Sony Japan Studio's Puppeteer released in the same launch period as the PlayStation 4. Thus, this PS3 game had that competition to worry about as many PS3 owners were moving on to Sony's latest hardware. Puppeteer itself is an incredibly charming 2.5D platformer, though if you aren't a fan of cutscenes constantly breaking up your gameplay experience, then you might get a bit annoyed with Puppeteer. Still, I believe it's worth sticking with if only to enjoy the wondrous worlds and levels of the game, and to sample the completely orchestral soundtrack that delights from beginning to end. How could it not with such delightful and wonderful themes throughout its sublime symphonic duration?
Scribblenauts: Unlimited (Wii U, 3DS)
A Wii U launch title and a Nintendo 3DS release, Scribblenauts: Unlimited was the third game in the Scribblenauts series that debuted on the Nintendo DS. The original Scribblenauts was a concept that amazed players, but the execution left a lot to be desired. Future sequels nailed both the concept and the gameplay, but many that were interested had already moved on to other games. That notwithstanding, Scribblenauts: Unlimited allowed the usage of adjectives to add even more zaniness to the objects and characters to assist in solving the game's plentiful puzzles. The soundtrack, featuring remixed versions of classic Scribblenauts themes, as well as fantastic new compositions, was superb and supremely catchy. It made journeying through the colorful worlds of this third Scribblenauts game all the more enjoyable.
Whether it's the original Assault Horizon Legacy or the Plus version with Amiibo support, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy was similar to the console versions of Assault Horizon in name only. The game was a remake of Ace Combat 2, and it played much more closely to that game than the much more drastic take on the formula that Assault Horizon's console entries had. With varying objectives, split mission paths, and a pulse-pounding amount of action, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy was a fantastic dog-fighting feast for fans. The music of the game was heavily cinematic and intense, delivering even more adrenaline to players as they sped through the skies. I feel remiss for only including five samples of such songs from the soundtrack, but I can't play favorites!
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