Favorite Tunes #137: Like the Wind

Console variety is the name of the game in this week's Favorite Tunes. There's tunes from Jazz Jackrabbit (remember him) to Capcom's controversial Street Fighter V.

Let's Dance Boys! - Bayonetta (360, PS3, Wii U)

I missed out on Bayonetta when it first released in 2010. Fortunately, the 2014 release of Bayonetta 2 on the Wii U came bundled with a copy of the first game. Now I just need to get around to playing it. The first and second Bayonetta have a ton of great tracks with some of the best ones making into into the Umbra Clock Tower stage. She was certainly given better treatment than Cloud in that regard.

Lost in Thoughts All Alone - Fire Emblem Fates (3DS)

Fire Emblem Fates was recently released and even with Corrin being added to the Super Smash Bros. 3DS/Wii U roster, I had completely forgotten that the game was due out this month. I haven't decided which version of the game I'm going to pick up, but Corrin is a really fun character to use in Smash. Corrin also brought with him/her an outstanding vocal track from Fates.

Jazz Jackrabbit - Medivo (PC)

In the late 1990s, my family and I were joining the PC race and I was all about the video games. I played a demo of Jazz Jackrabbit, becoming really engrossed with the few levels the demo offered. The platforming was solid and the music was really freaking good. I feel like I'm dancing in the club when I hear this. Well, actually, I don't go to clubs, but still!

Theme of Vega - Street Fighter V (PS4, PC)

The release of the long awaited Street Fighter V has been met with mixed reactions. On the one hand, it has a really solid fighting engine with some excellent controls. But on the other hand, a good chunk of content that should be in the game is not. How does a company launch a fighting game with no arcade mode? Another plus is the game brings some incredible remixes. This may very will be the greatest version of Vega's theme. It's not enough to make me forget that Vega is a total d-bag, but still a sexy theme, nonetheless.

Kiss Me Sunlights - Zone of the Enders (PS2, PS3)

Often called ZOE for short, this game is another of Hideo Kojima's babies. When the game initially released on the PS2 in 2001, it came bundled with a demo for the yet to be released Metal Gear Solid 2, which was the main reason the first ZOE sold so many copies. ZOE and it's sequel, 2nd Runner would receive an HD re-release on the PS3. Like so many of Konami's other franchises, ZOE has been tossed into the gutter.

Like the Wind - Power Drift (ARC)

SEGA missed a perfectly good opportunity to include some of the musical tracks and characters from Power Drift in the Sonic & All-Stars racing games. Since Power Drift is a racing game, they would have felt right at home. If you never got a chance to play Power Drift, the game is being included in the compilation release Sega 3D Classics Collection on the 3DS due out in April.

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Favorite Tunes #132: 'Sup, 2016?

How was your New Year's Eve? Mine? Well, it had its good points but on the whole, eh, I'd rather not talk about. New Year's Day was so much better. Started a new game of Super Mario World, enjoyed my day off work, good times. So 2016 is here and here's the very first edition of 2016 Favorite Tunes.

Alien class.A "SZZU & CKRY / LLWO" - Black Rock Shooter: The Game (PSP)

Based on the manga and anime of the same name, Black Rock Shooter was released on the PSP in Japan in 2011. A Digital release followed in 2013 on the PlayStation store in America and Europe. The game's title may lead those that aren't aware of the anime and manga to believe that its a SHMUP, Black Rock Shooter is actually an RPG of the action variety. The game's electrifying score was done by none other than Manabu Namiki.

Moon River (Climax Mix) - Bayonetta 2 (Wii U)

When Microsoft and Sony turned down Bayonetta 2, Nintendo stepped in. This didn't stop a plethora of Nintendo haters from suffering from a nasty case of butt hurt, if it weren't for the Big N, we wouldn't have Bayonetta 2. What's even sweeter is that picking up a physical copy of the game nets you the original Bayonetta. Two games for the price of one. Like the original Bayonetta, Bayonetta 2 has some sweet remixes of old classics. Moon River has been covered dozens of times but the Climax Mix in Bayonetta 2 is among my favorite because its so dang lively.

Gonna Be Here - Trauma Team (Wii)

Two vocal numbers in a row? Truly, this is a special occasion. You might thing hospital work wouldn't make for a compelling gameplay experience. But you could always ask Trauma Center fans how wrong you are. Trauma Team is full of wonderful tracks but the crown jewel of the lot is Gonna Be Here, the game's closing number. In Japan, the game is known as Hospital: 6 Doctors.

Feldschlacht III - SaGa Frontier 2 (PS)

The sequel to 1998's SaGa Frontier. This is the first game in the SaGa series to not have any involvement of Kenji Ito, a man who had always been heavily associated with the SaGa titles. In his stead was Masashi Hamauzu, more recognized for his excellent work on the Final Fantasy XIII soundtracks. He gave SaGa Frontier 2 numerous battle themes, with the Field Battle music being variations of the game's main theme.

Fort Course - Yoshi's Wooly World (Wii U)

Yoshi's Wooly World could very well be the Yoshi game to surpass the SNES classic Yoshi's Island. The game features beautiful HD yarn cosmetics, inventive level design and tons of hidden trinkets to find. The game's soundtrack hits a lot of genres from rock to country and even a little funk. Chill, thy  name is Fort Course.

Title - Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)

Even before I jumped online and before the DLC, Mario Kart 8 wowed me. The slick controls, superb track designs, wealth of characters and item balancing make for one of the most memorable Mario Kart experiences. The music is also on point. If you've played the original Mario Kart, you're sure to recognize the theme that starts playing at 1:04.

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Latest Purchases #82

People continue to make the bogus claim that the Wii U has no games, yet I play it more than any other console. Between Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros, I've got Hyrule Warriors on the back burner and I just resumed playing Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze again along with Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. Its getting to be a bit overwhelming to have so many Wii U games to play and here I am with more to add to the pile.

I wanted to pick up Bayonetta 2 on the day it released, but it just wasn't in the cards. Fortunately, waiting has once again paid off for yours truly since I was able to snag it brand new at GameStop for $44.99. But before I dig into Bayonetta 2, I'll be tackling the first Bayonetta since I never did play it when it was released years ago. To this day, I think the inclusion of the first Bayonetta along with Bayonetta 2 was a ridiculously smart move.

Splatoon is another game I wanted to buy on launch day but I just didn't have the $60 to fork over at the time. I've been sour on the FPS and TPS for some time and this is largely due to the market being overrun with games in this genre. Since splatoon takes a remarkably different approach to what is arguably a worn out genre, ditching the dark and moody aspects usually associated with it, I'm naturally intrigued. I'm a little nervous about going online with this one since tons of experienced players area already out there but I'm sure I'll learn the ropes and what it means to be both a kid and a squid.

When I was picking up Splatoon, I had no idea I'd find a complete, used copy of Pikmin 3. If you were not aware, Pikmin 3 has unfortunately become one of those rarer Wii U titles. New physical copies are going for more than the $60 asking price online and unless you're willing to pay $80 or more, the digital method is currently the cheapest way to experience the third Pikmin entry. So I consider myself rather fortunate that I was in GameStop at the time that I was.

The last amiibo I purchased was everyone's favorite cheery-chasing dot munch. That's Pac-Man for the three of you that have never seen Wreck It Ralph. Sonic makes the guess star Super Smash Bros. amiibo line complete. Or, at least it would have until Sakurai added Ryu to the line up. GameStop had two Sonics left and I wasn't about to chance someone grabbing them and have to pay a bit extra from buying him online.

Game Over Part 3

Those old-school game overs were really something. They take up the bulk of Game Over Part 3 but we do make the transition from sprites, to polygons to HD in this one.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES)

Ganon is not a real threat in Zelda II. His minions, however, are quite the salty bunch since Link took down their lord and master. All the baddies you encounter in the game serve Ganon and he can be brought back to life if they sprinkle Link's blood on his ashes. No joke, that stuff comes straight from the game's manual. So every time you get a game over in Zelda II, the mooks were successful in reviving Ganon and in true villain form, he taunts the player with a cackle for their failure.

Duck Hunt (NES)

Every time one of those mallards flies off the screen that infernal mutt will pop out of the grass to laugh at your shortcomings. Nintendo must have known how irksome it was so they decided to paste his mug on the game over screen. After years of being powerless to do anything against that dog, we can now kick the crap out of him in Super Smash Bros. 3DS/Wii U.

Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! (NES)

There's something about seeing a dejected Little Mac sitting down, filled with the disappointment of shattered dreams that just crushes the soul. The road to become a boxing champ is a painful one as players were quick to find out. Bald Bull, Mr. Sand Man, Super Macho Man and especially Dynamite Kid himself do not pull their punches.

Banjo Kazzooie (N64)

Bear and bird are on a quest to save bear's sister from an evil witch out to use said bear's sister's cute looks to get a makeover. The game over shows the witch Gruntilda's scheme being successful and when she steals Tooty's looks she transforms from a hideous witch to a smoking hot babe. You can pretty much guess what happens to Tooty. What's interesting about Banjo-Kazooie's game over is that you don't even have to lose all of your lives to see it. Simply saving your game and quitting results in this scene playing out in full.

Bayonetta (PS3, 360, Wii U)

If you opt to call it quits after the witch falls, she's dragged down to hell by a host of hands. It isn't overly long and drawn out. She's snatched down so fast you barely have time to take it in.

Game Art#71: Open Gallery

The last time I did a Game Art Past was way back in September, so I suppose I've been slacking quite a bit. It kills me whenever I neglect regular features on this blog that I really enjoy but some regulars are harder to manage than others. Game Art, however, is not one of them, so I'll try to do better. Anyway, this is an Open Gallery, so expect a little of everything here.

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By Blopa1987

Favorite Tunes #103: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Did you do your Christmas shopping? No? Well stop slacking and hop to it. The stores are a madhouse on Christmas eve. I waited a little longer than I should have, but mine is all taken care of. All that's left to do now is enjoy some Christmas tunes.

EV03-2: Shopping A - Bayonetta 2 (Wii U)

Pleasant surprises. These are much more preferable to the nasty kinda surprises, but that should go without saying. Anyhoo, I was not expecting the first shopping theme in Bayonetta 2 to sound so jolly and Christmas-like. This is the kinda music that makes me linger a little longer so I can hear it loop a few more times.

Snowball Waltz - Sonic Lost World (Wii U)

Sonic Lost World is either a solid entry in Sonic's 3D exploits or another blight upon the franchise depending on whom you ask. The game is currently $30 at Target so one of these days I'm going to pick it up and decide for myself. Having heard select songs from the game, I can say for certain that there are some real winners in the music department. The second act of Frozen Factory has you collecting rings via snowballs all the while some splendid wintry jam plays.

Snowman - Mother (Famicom)

The first game in the Mother series, Mother, also known as EarthBound Zero, was never offically released outside of Japan. This hasn't kept fans from experiencing the series' origins, however, as a fan translated version of it can easily be found via web search. The first Mother game introduced many series stables like off the wall humor and many familiar musical themes like Pollyanna, Bein' Friends and of course, Snowman.

Welcome to Christmas NiGHTS - Christmas NiGHTS into dreams... (SAT)

The holidays are here, so I once again find myself listening to the music from Christmas NiGHTS. The title theme for this game is w NiGHTS style edition of the Christmas favorite, Joy to the World. If you want to check out Christmas NiGHTS but are unable to find a physical copy, the PlayStaion Network and Xbox Live Arcade services have the HD edition of NiGHTS, which comes with Christmas NiGHTS as an unlockable bonus, albeit with some of the content cut out.

Rosalina's Ice World - Mario Kart 7 (3DS)

Rosalina, intergalactic traveler, quite possibly the god in the Super Mario Galaxy series games. And they give her an ice themed track? Well since they already had Rainbow Road take place in Space for Mario Kart 7, they had to give the winter environment to someone. The track itself isn't a favorite of mine, but at least it has another good winter audio piece.

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Favorite Tunes #101: Nintendo Train Hype Edition

Say what you will about Nintendo not doing things the way the competition does. They have been killing it as of late! 2014 has been one awesome year for the company with so many good titles being released on the 3DS and Wii U. Mario Kart 8 is still being popped into my Wii U, I've clocked almost 75 hours into the 3DS version of Super Smash Bros. and I still gotta find the cash to snatch up Hyrule Warriors and Bayonetta 2. I'm pretty sure you already know where I'm going with this so, enjoy the music.

ST01 Roll Out, Wonderful 100! Battle In The Blossom City Burbs - The Wonderful 101 (Wii U)

If you haven't picked up The Wonderful 101, I recommend doing so. At $30 brand new, it's one of the cheapest games you can pick up on the system and while it is by no means perfect, I think this is a game every Wii U owner should have in their library. I honestly was not expecting this the kind of musical score I'd heard when I fired this game up. This is one heroic, triumphant piece of music, the kind you'd expect to hear in a major motion picture. Those blaring trumpets heard throughout the course are as you defend a city under siege are the icing on the cake.

Captain Falcon's Twister Race: Mute City - Nintendo Land (Wii U)

For many of us, Nintendo Land was the closet we've gotten to an F-Zero revival. A decade has passed since an F-Zero title was released. So while the franchise may be gone, it is comforting to know that Nintendo has not forgotten about it, giving it a huge acknowledgement with it's own theme park section in Nintendo Land. This game has a catchy, charming soundtrack, with lots of chiptune takes on old classics. For good measure, Mute City is still sporting heavy traces of rock to go along with the 8-bit goodness.

Full Steam Ahead (Spirit Tracks) - Super Smash Bros. for 3DS (3DS)

Nintendo has already let the word out that the Wii U version of Super Smash Bros. is going to have even more music, including a plethora of tracks from the 3DS release. This is excellent news because the 3DS version has all kinds of sweet tunes. The Spirit Train has become one of my favorite stages to duke it out on, not just for the chaotic railroad nature, but for the music, accompanying it, in particular, Full Steam Ahead. This track has a very western vibe to it and considering the arranger of this track was Michiko Naruke, composer of the Wild Arms games, I guess that's to be expected.

GBA Mario Circuit - Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)

Wallpaper by MaxiGamer

Can't have a Nintendo-centric Favorite Tunes without dropping a track from one of Mr. Video Game's own titles, now can we? Originally the staring track in the Mushroom Cup in Mario Kart: Super Circuit on the GBA, this mode 7 track was given a gorgeous HD makeover with new boost panels added along with anti-gravity racing sections. Naturally, the music was updated, which now sounds like a lovely combination of jazz and funk.

Theme of Bayonetta 2: Tomorrow is Mine - Bayonetta 2 (Wii U) 

When Sony and Microsoft passed on Bayonetta 2, Nintendo stepped in and made the game a console exclusive. And there was much crying and death threats from fans that didn't have a Wii U or just hated The Big N. Bayonetta 2 on the Wii U even includes the original game to bring you up to speed in case you missed out on the first title. That's a pretty sweet deal. Also sweet is the music with some sick battle themes some feel good vocal performances. That main theme, tho!

Eclipse of the Moon (Guitar Version) - Hyrule Warriors (Wii U)

If Mario can have a dozen spin-off titles, why can't Link get in on the action? Enter Hyrule Warriors, which is what happens when the Legend of Zelda meets Dynasty Warriors. Having never played a single game in the later series myself, tossing in some Zelda characters makes Hyrule Warriors a good jumping on point for anyone curious about Koei's hack and slash series. The music in Hyrule Warriors is very expansive, featuring numerous versions of a single theme. The default version of Eclipse of the Moon is outstanding all by itself. Throw in some rock and increase the speed and your feels won't know what to do with themselves.

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