Favorite Tunes #88: Special Stage

This edition of Favorite Tunes features music from Sonic CD, Super Mario 3D World, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze to name a few.

Dub Slash - Streets of Rage 3 (GEN)

This beat gives me the image of some people walking into the wrong part of town. They get approached by the locals who demand they pay a toll. They don't have any sort of payment so they get the crap beaten out of them. As of this writing, I've only played Streets of Rage 3 once and the boss associated with this tune really did a number on me. Still, a pretty sick track, though.

Lightning Returns - Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, 360)

I have not played a single game in the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy, but I've heard... things. Most of them bad. I have, however, listened to the soundtracks of all three games, which has been grade A material across the board. Lightning Returns is a triumphant theme, even if many never wished to see the particular protagonist come back.

Special Stage JP - Sonic CD (SCD)

I adore both versions of Sonic CD's soundtrack, but it wasn't until OverClocked Remixes Sonic CD: Temporal Duality album that I really got into the Japanese version of the Special Stage music. After Listening to Base for a Better Tomorrow, an arrangement of the aforementioned piece, I went back and checked out the original, which is now a Sonic tune I come back to again and again.

Holy Princess (Solange's Theme) - Code of Princess (3DS)

Code of Princess, a game I've owned for nearly a year and just got around to playing may not be a triple A 3DS game, but for those that like the beat 'em up genre mixed with some RPG elements, it's a title that I'd recommend you check out. Princess Solange may be slow but her insane strength more than makes up for it.

The Bullet Bill Brigade - Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)

Creative, superbly design levels, multiple characters each with their own unique play styles and some of the best music to grace the series make Super Mario 3D World a masterpiece. One of the things that really reminded you that Bowser was in charge of his own army was the tanks that populated World 8. They made their long overdue return in 3D World with a brand new militaristic theme.

Funky Waters (Amiss Abyss) - Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U)

The Donkey Kong Country series had laid dormant for years, but was given a much needed revival in 2010 when Retro Studios released Donkey Kong Country Returns on the Wii. Said released was followed up with this year's Tropical Freeze with David Wise returning to series music duties. I liked Kenji Yamamoto's work on Returns but I have to admit that it's quite nice to have Wise back at the helm. And to all those complaining that the game is too hard, Cranky Kong has three words for you: suck it up.

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