Favorite Tunes #208: Insert Your Christmas Themed Title Here

I couldn't really think of a Christmasy title for this one. All of the ones I wanted to use, I used up in previous Christmas themed Favorite Tunes, hence, the lazy title I went with. Anyhoo, I've taken care of all my Christmas shopping and the only thing I want for the holiday is for my friends and family to have a very good one. The same goes for you.

Frozen Solid and Chilled - Yoshi's Woolly World (Wii U, 3DS)

At the risk of cheesing off a lot of folks, I think Yoshi's Woolly World might be the best Yoshi game. The level design is fun, varied and seeking out the collectibles is highly rewarding. I like this game so much I bought it a second time when the 3DS version hit under the Poochy and Yoshi's Woolly World title. The overall soundtrack is outstanding and every single winter theme is a winner.

Frozen Factory Act 1 - Sonic Lost World (Wii U, 3DS, PC)

This is a track I posted years ago, back in 2013, I believe. I completed Sonic Lost World recently and while the game has some problems, I don't think it's a bad game and certainly doesn't deserved to be lumped into the pile of Sonic games that are trash. Well, the Wii U and PC version, at least, as I have not played the 3DS version. This has been one of my abosolute favorite winter themed video game music tracks. I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I listened to it repeatedly the first time I heard it.

Ice Brain - Remastered Tracks Mega Man Zero 2

I think the Mega Man Zero games (of which there are only four) are due for another re-release. Yes, we had the Mega Man Zero Collection on the DS several years ago, but how about an HD Switch version a la the Azure STriker Gunvolt: Striker Pack? That would be excellent all bit itself but the icing on the cake would be the remastered soundtracks from all four Mega Man Zero albums thrown in as selectable BGM.

Snow Go - Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (PS4)

The Crash Bandicoot  N. Sane Trilogy was a remake done so remarkably well that it will be my preferred way to revisit the three PS Crash platformers. I don't think every piece of remixed music tops the original, but for the most part, I do love a lot of them. The Snow Go remix kept my head nodding even though I was hating the icy physics.

Shiveria: Town - Super Mario Odyssey (NS)

There hadn't been a sandbox Super Mario since Super Mario Sunshine and that released way back in 2002. Nintendo finally returned to this style of play with Super Mario Odyssey in what just may very well be the best sandbox Super Mario game yet. From the many moons to collect to the plethora of costumes to outfit Mario with, Super Mario Odyssey will keep the player busy.

Diamond Dust Zone Act 1 - Sonic 3D Blast (SS, PC)

We've got another returning Sonic track, another huge favorite of mine. I break this one out every Christmas. I like the Genesis version of Sonic 3D Blast's music just fine but I prefer the Saturn version over it. Minority opinion, but I stand by it all the way. This song is sure to put you in a holly jolly mood.

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Favorite Tunes #198: The End of Summer

The leaves are changing color. Children have gone back to school and the temperature is starting to drop. Summer has ended and we are now officially in the fall season. Summer was a blast for me and while I am gonna miss some of that warmer weather, some of my most anticipated games are releasing in the next few months.

Solitude (Main Menu) - Tekken 7 (PS4, XBO, PC)

Supposedly, Tekken 7 is supposed to end all of the Mishima drama. Kind of a shame, really, but at least we see that Heihachi wasn't quite as bad as we thought. Tekken 7's soundtrack may be pretty loud in a lot of places but there are some good tracks in it. I find myself listening to Solitude, the game's main menu piece for a few minutes before jumping into battles. So peaceful.

The Last Dungeon (Version 2) - Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (PS4, NS, XBO, PC)

You begin your quest in the Dragon's Trap in an area called The Last Dungeon (ironic, no?) with a ton of hearts. By the dungeon's end, your reduced to one heart and you're no longer a member of the dominate species. Once you gain "access" to a few new forms you can return to the now destroyed Last Dungeon. There are some goodies to be found. Also, the music is a bumpin' arrangement of the original tune.

Rock It - Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy (PS4)

When I first played Crash Bandicoot 2 ages ago, I blazed through it, beating the game in two days. I wasn't going for 100% completion, I was just trying to see the ending. Playing the game via the excellent N. Sane Trilogy, I'm amazed I beat the game as fast as I did so many moon ago. Even if you aren't trying to get everything, the game still has some fiendish levels. The controls of the jet pack are also just as terrible in the remake as they were in the original. At least the music in the jet pack stages is really dang good.

Conflict of Dragons - Breath of Fire III (PS)

Released in Japan in 1997, Breath of Fire III made it's stateside debut in the summer of 1998. When so many titles were going the polygonal route, Breath of Fire III stuck to 2D sprites with environments that could be viewed in a 360 angel. The bright, upbeat visuals contrast a story line that can get quite dark. This track plays during one of the most gut punching boss fights.

Mech Monster - Rage Racer (PS)

In the summer of 2001, I spent quite a bit of time with Rage Racer. Between upgrading my numerous cars, time trial and going for golds, I probably spent the most time with Rage Racer than any other game in the Ridge Racer series. I'd love for Bandai Namco to make another entry in the style of Rage Racer. Mech Monster isn't my favorite Rage Racer tune (that honor goes to Industria), but it certainly is fun to rock round the track to.

End Of The Summer - Sonic Runners (Mobile)

I know the blue hedgehog has been featured quite a bit in Favorite Tunes lately, but his music is pretty boss so I don't think people will mind too much. The effort that was put into Sonic Runners music is nothing short of astounding. Tomoya Ohtani, served up a console style Sonic soundtrack for a mobile Sonic game and I cannot thank the man enough for putting so much TLC into it. Sonic Runners is no longer available so do yourself a favor and listen to this soundtrack when you can.

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Favorite Tunes #194: The Platform Boys are Back in Town

Super Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog and Crash Bandicoot. Three of the biggest names in platforming, all of which had or have big games coming out this year, making 2017, a great year for platform fans. Besides, some platform kings, there's also music from Final Fight and Rad Mobile.

Level 4 (Venus) - Descent (PC, PS)

Descent was one of my earliest entries into 3D gaming. It was a one of the first FPS I ever experienced and it was the first time I ever got motion sickness from a video game. The AI could learn and adapt to your attacks, which was pretty impressive stuff for the times. And of course, the soundtrack was killer.

Fall Head Over Heal - Rad Mobile (ARC)

If Rad Mobile is remembered for anything, it would have to be it's killer soundtrack with a few, ahem, interesting track names that I'll probably get around to posting sometime in the future. The other thing Rad Mobile is famous for is that it is the first game that Sonic appeared in. It's a cameo appearance but Sonic was a air freshener before running around in Green Hill Zone in 1991.

Katana - Final Fight (SNES)

Originally concieved as part of the Street Fighter series, Final Fight broke off and became it's own animal, but was still set in the Street Fighter universe. When it came time to bring the arcade hit to the SNES, this version was hit some some serious santization. The two player mode was removed, among other things and the boss of the second level, Sodom, was changed to Katana. The SNES sound chip is understandably different from Capom's arcade boards, but I still dig the SNES renditions of Final Fight's music. Gotta love that guitar whaling in this theme.

Treetop - Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (GB)

When thinking of some music to represent gaming's most iconic plumber, I was originally going to spring for something from his console releases, but decided to go for one his earlier handheld titles on the Game Boy. Super Mario Land 2 has a wonderful soundtrack that reuses it's main theme to great affect. This is still some Kazumi Totaka's best stuff.

The Eel Deal - Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (PS4)

While Crash's long awaited return is in the form of remakes, it is no less a joyous occasion. The Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy has done remarkably well and could pave the way for brand new Crash adventures. Despite the copious amounts of frustration I've endured, I've really enjoyed my time with N. Sane Trilogy. The instrumentation for the sewer levels may not quite match that of the original game, but I find this version playing in my head more than the PS original.

Tabloid Jargon (Press Garden Act 1) - Sonic Mania (PS4, XBO, NS, PC)

I actively avoided hearing any remixed or brand new music in Sonic Mania leading up to it's release because I wanted my experience with it to be as fresh as possible. Tee Lopes blew us all away a year ago with his Studiopolis Zone Act 1 track and it's probably still his most popular track from the game. When I arrived in Press Garden Zone, I could not believe the music that my ears was being blessed with. More over, Studiopolis Zone Act 1, there's a new king of Sonic Mania tunes, at least as far as I'm concerned.

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