Favorite Tunes #267: A Tale of Two Aladdins

Favorite Tunes and other blog activity was MIA because the last work week was a freaking nightmare. But enough about that mess. This week, I've got some club beats, some jazz and two reminders of one of the greatest wars to ever rock this world, the 16-bit console wars. 

Hit the Floor - Katana ZERO (NS, PC)

The indie scene continues to amaze me. Before it was even released, Katana ZERO sounded like it would be my kinda game and sure enough, I've been enjoying it greatly. Not only is the killing really good, but so is the soundtrack. They had me with the first song but the more I played, the more I wanted to hear.

Clip Joint Calamity - Cuphead (PC, XBO, NS)

I am still wowed by the fact that I've been able to play Cuphead on the Switch. Everything I've heard about the game is true, including the difficulty. I played Clip Joint Calamity more times than I can count and nearly stood up in my chair when I finally managed to pass it.

Time Attack - Final Fight CD (SCD)

For a long time, the best version of Final Fight was on  the Sega CD or the Mega CD for those of you that live in Japan or Europe. Haggar, Cody and Guy are all playable, every level is included and it looks very much like the arcade coin-op. Some bonuses were even included in this home release such as a killer arranged soundtrack by T's Music and a Time Attack mode.

The Cave of Wonders - Aladdin (SNES)

Another classic Disney animated film to get the live action treatment is Aladdin with Genie being played by Will Smith. I've been a fan of Will's work since the '90s but I've never been one foaming at the mouth for Disney to remake their old animated movies. Around the time the movie hit home video, there were not one, but two Aladdin games. The SNES version was made by Capcom, a company that had long since proven themselves with Disney IPs since the NES days.

Arabian Nights - Aladdin (GEN)

The second Aladdin game to release was, not too surprisingly, on the Genesis, a console that had a heated rivalry with the SNES. Developed by Virgin Interactive, Aladdin on the Genesis was a vastly different game than the SNES version. Aladdin on the SNES favored platforming above all else while Aladdin on the Genesis was more of an action game, even giving Al a sword.

Come Now, to the Front - Bangai-O (DC)

It has been quite a few years since I've heard the soundtrack to the Dreamcast version of Bangai-O. So I gave it a listen recently and it sounds even better than I remember. I don't think NON has ever turned in a bad game soundtrack. This Treasure gem needs a re-release pronto.

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Favorite Tunes #263: Joker Steals the Show

For the five of you that were not aware, Joker dropped in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on Wednesday. He's a pretty fun character and I very much love the selection of music that he brought with him. Along with music from Persona 5, there's music from Cuphead, Yoshi's Crafted World as well as the super hard SHMUP, Devil Engine.

Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There - Persona 5 (PS3, PS4)

You know what I love about the Super Smash Bros. games (among many other things, that is)? They often serve as a gateway to other games or other game soundtracks. With Joker having finally dropped in Ultimate, that means more music joining the game's already superb soundtrack. As happy as I am to have Last Surprise be one of the songs on Joker's stage, this is shaping up to be one of my favorite tunes from Persona 5. Which reminds me, I should probably get around to listening to that game's soundtrack. Along with playing the game.

Elder Kettle - Cuphead (PC, XBO, NS)

The duo of Cuphead and Mugman have arrived on the Switch and I am loving it. I've died plenty of times already but I haven't had the urge to break my Switch yet. I'm still in the early stages of the game so I imagine the difficulty will pick up soon enough. And that throwback jazz soundtrack is just soooooo gooooood!

Waku Waku - Yoshi's Crafted World (NS)

Yoshi's Woolly World just may be a my favorite Yoshi game. After trying out the demo for Yoshi's Crafted World back in February, I was excited to get my hands on the finished product and it is just the kind of fun and adorableness one would expect from a Yoshi game.

First Attack - Thunder Cross (ARC)

Thunder Cross is one of the games on the Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection that I never played prior to purchasing the compilation. It definitely takes several cues from the Gradius games but still feels like its own game. Like the Gradius titles, Thunder Cross is plentiful with catchy music.

Katana ZERO - Katana ZERO (PC, NS)

I'm not sure what it was about April 18th, but every just decided to let all of their games release on that day. Cuphead, Hell is Other Demons, Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection and Katana ZERO, a game where you play as an assassin who makes kills in style. You can slow down time to deflect bullets or pick up objects to hurl at your targets. One very nice touch about this game is that each time a level begins, your characters turns on some music to listen to. Even assassins got kill to some sick beats.

Jazzy NNYC (STAGE 2) - Devil Engine (PC, PS4, NS)

There are so many wonderful games that have dropped this past week alone that I feel bad for neglecting the games I haven't finished. Devil Engine feels like a love letter to Technosoft's Thunder Force game from the ship design and the power up system. The game looks and sounds magnificent. I haven't even progressed far enough to hear the game's entire soundtrack and I already love it.

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