Favorite Tunes #72: Got to Be a Star

Welcome to ta star themed edition of Favorite Tunes. Characters in the shapes of stars, songs with "star" in the title and power-ups that are stars. Oh, I don't even know where I'm trying to go with this.

Toki Meki Saxophone - Guardian Heroes (SAT)

One of the hardest Saturn games to obtain a physical copy of, Guardian Heroes become all the more easier to play thanks to digital distribution. The Xbox Live Arcade version of Guardian Heroes comes with an HD coat of paint online mutlipler modes and other new features. Despite the mid evil setting, most of Guardian Heroes music is anything but. Toki Meki Saxophone, is a mean piece of jazz with some rock thrown in for good measure.

Got2BAStar - Mighty Switch Force! 2 (3DSW)

The 3DS eShop would be a much lesser place without WayForward and Jake Kaufman's wonderful music contributions. What has quickly become one of the company's most recognized series, Mighty Switch Force! 2 was released a year and half after the original. Patricia traded in her police gear for a fire hose but much of the switch based gameplay is still in tact. Also present and accounted for is another retro-style soundtrack. Got2BAStar is the ultra catchy first level them, which is based off of the game's main theme.

Darkness of Fate - Soul Edge (PS)

Namco always does such a good job bringing the arcade experience to home consoles. Well at least they did back in the day. I'm not too sure what Namco Bandai is doing with fighters these days. New characters and an arranged soundtrack that was usually better than the arcade tunes (which were still good) were wonderful bonuses for gamers on the sofa. This rousing theme belongs to Siegfreid

Powerful Infant - Yoshi's Island (SNES, GBA)

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. Now that is one mouthful of a title. Most of us just refer to this one by it's subtitle, Yoshi's Island, which is appropriate for two reasons. One, most of the game takes place on Yoshi's Island and two, you play most of the game as Yoshi. The only time Baby Mario is playable is when you crab a Starman. Baby Mario dawns a familiar cape and becomes impervious to all enemies. This was the first time Koji Kondo added another melody to the Starman theme. At the seven second mark, you hear the accompanying melody with the rest of the theme. Personally, I feel this is the best Starman music.

7PM - Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS)

The Animal Crossing games have always had some delightful tunes, but I'm especially fond of the themes that play later in the day in New Leaf. It's so relaxing to get a cup of coffee from Brewters and sit on a bench as this song plays.

A Searing Struggle - Ys: The Oath in Felghana (PSP)

A remake of Ys III: Wanderers from Ys, The Oath in Felghana gave gamers a chance to play one of the best entries in the Ys series in style. It featured updated graphics and an arranged soundtrack that is out of this world even by Falcom standards.

Star Man Stage - Mega Man 5 (NES)

I believe this is the first time I've mentioned Mega Man 5 in Favorite Tunes. I know for a lot of fans, this game represents one of the low points in the series, but it really isn't a bad game and it has some very good music.

Pop Star - Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (N64)

Another Kirby game that was developed without Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai, Kirby 64 turned out to be a solid 2.5D adventure with 3D visuals. Combining different Copy Abilities made for some pretty powerful and hilarious results. No other Kirby game allows Kirby to turn himself into a refrigerator, at least not that I know of. If you don't have a smile on your face after hearing Pop Star, you've got problems.

Whirlwind - Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (GEN)

Known as The Super Shinobi II in Japan , Shinobi III is praised as being the pinnacle of the Genesis Shinobi games and SEGA's Shinobi series in general. The Genesis may have been showing it's age in 1993, but games like this one proved that the system could still deliver the goods.

Shooting Star - Ristar (GEN)

By darkburraki

During the lengthy process of creating SEGA's mascot, many concepts were tossed around, including one of a rabbit with stretchy arms. While they ultimately went with a speedy blue hedgehog, the rabbit with expandable arms would get picked up a few years later, minus the rabbit. Ristar never gained the fame and adoration that Sonic did but he one Genesis outing was one of the most unique on the Genesis with drop dead gorgeous visuals and some excellent music.

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