The arcade and Switch platforms are getting a lot of love this week and we close things out with one of my favorite arrangements from the best remixers around, the Pixel Mixers.
The game that has taken Square Enix by surprise and sold out, Octopath Traveler is a game I've been wanting to check out since it was revealed back in 2017. The visual style takes me back to when I was heavily invested into RPGS back on the SNES. I've stayed away from a lot of RPGs over the years due to the games really eating up time, but if I'm gonna dump 250 hours and counting into Splatoon 2, I really have no excuse to avoid the genre any longer. If just one of the battle themes is this sick, I cannot wait to play this game and hear more of what is sounding like a glorious soundtrack.
And speaking of Splatoon 2, here it is showing up in Favorite Tunes. Again. I don't just love Splatoon 2 but I love it as a whole franchise. I've got some plushies and I've got the first three volumes of the manga. Some material from Splatoon 2 has inked its way into volume 3 of the manga so when I get to that book (my manga backlog is insane), I think I'll listen to some beats from this game while I read.
And here we have a another track with "BGM 1" as part of the title. Sometimes I wonder what could be going through a composer's head when they write music. Well, uninspired name aside, the track itself is pretty friggin' good, but this a Taito game (published by Romstar), so that's a given.
I've been listening to my ZUNTATA playlist as of late (you aren't a VGM lover unless you have one) so I've had a lot of Night Striker beats playing in my head. I didn't know it was possible to love a soundtrack this much to a game you haven't even played, but Night Striker's soundtrack is just that amazing. This track has a little eerie buildup before exploding into the main boss theme.
Ayako Saso is a wonderfully tallented video game song writter, having her hand in all of the Street Fighter EX series, as well as the Fighter Layer titles. It was a pleasant surprise to see her named attached to Rolling Thunder 2.I thought it would be nice to tone things down a bit and relax before we rock out with the send off.
The Pixel Mixers are some of the best out there when it comes to video game arrangements. This year alone they've manged to put out several impressive albums with the king of the crop being Final Fantasy VI: World's Requiem. The entire three disc digital album is nothing short of outstanding but if I had to pick one track to rule them all, it would have to be Edgar & Sabin. Having listened to this track countless times, it has become my favorite arrangement of this theme. Favorite Tunes Database
Like many Sonic fans, I picked up the physical release of Sonic Mania Plus, making the third time I've purchased the game (and probably not the last). Despite my annoyances at some of the old-school game design like getting hit by enemies you can't see, I still love this game nearly a year after its release. It is soooo nice to have a physical release of this baby and thankfully, SEGA has heard the demand for it loud and clear. I would have been happy just having a game card/disc to look upon and a snazzy case to display on my shelf but SEGA and the Mania team went a step beyond that and gave us a sweet reversible Genesis/Mega Drive cover and a really nice art book full of concept art and oh-so-cute doodles. More content includes the Encore mode, four player competition and a couple of extra characters that you could say make a mighty fine addition to an already outstanding game. No, I am not sorry for that awful pun.
Mighty the Armadillo made his first appearance alongside Ray the Flying Squirrel in the 1993 arcade game, SegaSonic the Hedgehog, an isometric platformer (three full years before the subpar Sonic 3D Blast) where Sonic, Mighty and Ray were all captured by Eggman and work together to escape his clutches. Mighty would go on to be a playable character in 1995's Knuckles Chaotix for the ill-fated 32X add on for the Genesis and after that, he and his best friend Ray wouldn't be seen for a very, very long time.
Mighty made his game debut in SegaSonic the Hedgehog, a game that has yet to be given any sort of home release.
The first time I laid eyes on Mighty was in an issue of the long defunct Game Fan magazine. He and the gang from Knuckles Chaotix were on the cover and at first, I mistook Mighty for SEGA's speedy blue mascot. I mean, look at him. He looks like a fan recolor with slight alterations of Sonic. Mistaken identity aside, I liked Mighty's design. I would get my Mighty fix through ROM hacks like the excellent Sonic Megamix and Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog comic series that is sadly no more (but hey, we got a killer IDW Sonic comic series now!). We'd get a reminder that Mighty and Ray still exist in the form of some missing posters in Sonic Generations but the two wouldn't appear in the flesh until the Sonic Mania Plus release/update. It has been over two decades but at long last, Mighty and Ray are back. I may have some gushing words for the flying squirrel later on, but for now, this editorial is all about the greatest Armadillo in the history of video games.
I LOVE playing as Mighty in Sonic Mania Plus. I just finished a play through as him and I had an absolute blast. You thought Tails was the easy mode of the game being able to fly and swim? Please. Mighty is for players that don't feel like dealing with enemy BS or for younger players that may possibly have a tougher time with the other characters. Or for the player that just wants to have a breezy run through the game. And after running through Sonic Mania numerous times on the PS4 and Switch, that is exactly what I needed.
Welcome back, Mighty. You were very much missed.
Being an armadillo, Mighty has a protective shell and that thing is such a no sell to so many things. He can jump on spikes without being affected (so long as he doesn't bounce into more spikes uncurled). He can roll into a ball and projectiles bounce right off of him. Basically, any enemy or nearly any obstacle that is can fire off rounds or has sharp edges, Mighty is OP to it. I loath the boss of Oil Ocean Act 2 so much. With Mighty, I was able to take, sweet, sweet revenge for all the lives I lost on past play throughs. Mighty also has this bangin' ground-pound-like move that makes the coolest sound whenever he hits the ground. It can break through enemies usual impenetrable defenses. Those bothersome piranha plants in Stardust Speedway? I crushed them with satisfying ease. The only thing that made playing as Mighty even better was when I collected all the Chaos Emeralds and became Super Mighty. The ground slam is even faster in that form.
I am ever so thankfully that Sonic Mania was finally given a physical release and we got such delicious extra content with it. If you haven't played Sonic Mania, grab the physical edition or download it. And play as Mighty. Man, just writing this makes me excited to do another run as him. He's that dang good.
A couple of weeks ago, SNK finally gave us a concrete release date of the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection. The Nintendo Switch exclusive retro compilation is set to release on November 13th, 2018. Along with the reveal of the release date, most of the games that will be included have also been listed. Said titles include Ikari Warriors, Psycho Soldier, Guerrilla, Alpha Mission, P.O.W. and Cyrstalis among others. When the release date trailer dropped, fans expressed some concern and disappointment at the lack of any games in the Samurai Shodown, Fatal Fury, Metal Slug and King of Fighters line. SNK promises over 13 games on the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection but of the games announced thus far, it seems very clear that this release is focusing on games that are not of the Neo Geo era.
It is impossible to think of SNK and not think of the Neo Geo. The arcade hardware housed some of SNK's very best games. If you owned a Neo Geo console, you got to play arcade perfect version of Neo Geo games in the comfort of your own home. That is, if you could afford it. The astronomical price of the Neo Geo ($600) and the games for the system ($250) were some of the highest we'd ever seen, which meant very few people owned SNK's powerhouse system. Like many, I didn't own a Neo Geo but through compilation releases over the years and digital distribution, I've become far more familiar with SNK's games than I was growing up and only reading about them. So while I can see fans being rubbed the wrong way with the absence of Neo Geo games on the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection, I'd like to counter that argument with the fact that many SNK Neo Geo games are available digitally via HAMSTER's excellent Arcade Archives line. The games that will be present on this anthology haven't gotten anywhere near the re-release love as SNK's Neo Geo titles have.
Most of the games announced for the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection are titles that I have not played. I've heard the praises of Ikari Warriors being sung throughout the years but I've never played it even though I own the NES version. Psycho Soldier is a game that recently came to my attention before the announcement trailer dropped. After hearing the game's soundtrack, the game sparked my interest and was delighted to see that it would be part of this collection. P.O.W was brought to my attention the same way. I even mentioned it in a recent Favorite Tunes and lo and behold, I'll be able to check this game out.
If you're a fan of Ikari Warriors, you'll be happy to have the ability to play it wherever you want on the Switch.
The only game I have played on SNK 40th Anniversary Collection is Crystalis. I bought it after reading about it in an issue of Nintendo Power and while it has been years since I played that game, I had a lot of fun with it. You can bet your booty that I'm happy to see it getting another re-release (I never did play the 2000 GBC version).
Like most compilation releases, SNK 40th Anniversary Collection will have bonus features and special content. What that stuff is has yet to be divulged but one can assume it will be artwork and a music player among other things. I was surprised at just how much artwork was included in the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. There was artwork that I had seen before, yes, but there was also tones of pictures that were new to me. I'm a big fan of gaming artwork so it will be nice to see some of the earlier SNK works.
The world looks like it has seen better days in Psycho Soldier.
SNK 40th Anniversary Collection is arcade focused but home versions of these games will also be included. It will be nice to be able to compare and contrast the differences between game versions and is a very cool addition. Most of compilation releases only go with a single version of a game. My NES carts of Ikari Warriors and Alpha Mission never did work so now I'll be able to see what the home games are like.
There are more games to be announced but even with what we've been shown thus far, I'm looking forward to SNK 40th Anniversary Collection. This is one slice of golden age arcade gaming I'm itching to take a bite out of even with that $40 price tag.
As I've been listening to quite a bit of arcade music lately, it has crept its way into Favorite Tunes more and more. This may seem a bit unusual as I'm not someone that spent a great deal of time in the arcades growing up, which is something I regret. Thankfully, digital distribution has allowed me to discover what no doubt many others have experienced in arcades, thus getting me exposed to some really good arcade music.
Zero Wing is mostly known for its Engrish that spawned countless memes in the early 2000s, the Genesis version, at least. So popular are said memes that it may come as a surprise to find out that Zero Wing was originally an arcade game. Recently, I gave the arcade score a listen and was blown away. I'm a sucker for old arcade jams.
In 1997, Capcom surprised everyone by doing the unthinkable: placing a III after "Street Fighter" They also upset a lot of players by 86ing just about every fighter from SFII, save Ryu and Ken. Players have since warmed to the SFIII crew. The game also introduced the parry mechanic as well as some sweet new beats. While 3rd Strike is without question the most popular and best game of the SFIII line, if you're curious about checking out the first one, you can experience it as part of the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection.
Fighting EX Layer has at long last been released. Annnnnnd yeah, it is missing some modes, mainly an arcade mode. This is sure to give players a Street Fighter V launch vibe but Arika ins't exactly rolling in dough. As of now, the game is a digital only title but with enough support, hopefully more modes will be added. The music is very much in the style of the Street Fighter EX game and the original Fighting Layer (both which we developed by Arika) so if you loved the music in those games, you won't be disappointed.
Everyone goes nuts for the Stage 1 Batman theme on NES. And why should't they? It is a banger of a tune. Well, let me introduce you to the TG-16 version of Stage 1 from Batman. Different tune, yes, but still all kinds of radical.
Known as Depending on side of the pond you reside in the world, this game is known as Crude Buster. For us in the US of A, it is known as Two Crudes or Two Crude Dudes for those that played the Genesis port, which for the longest time was the only way to play this baby until MAME came along. Now you can legally play this baby thanks to digital destribution and I'll talk a bit more about this one this coming week. For now, just dig this baller theme.
I am just showering Toaplan with all kinds of love this week (Zero Wing is a game by Toaplan, FYI). If we HAMSTER ever gets to some Toaplan games perhaps we can see titles from their catalog on the arcade archives line. In the meantime, all I can say about Demon's World is that it has one of my favorite Name Entry themes. Not quite up there with that of Altered Beast, but still pretty dang good.
Years ago, it was my dream job to be a video game journalist. Just the thought of making a living by getting my work published in a game magazine or website filled me with such joy. This was of course before digital media made the enormous boom that it did and YouTube became the juggernaut power house that it currently is. The world we live in now is quite different from what it was two decades ago and that couldn't be more truer when it comes to video game coverage.
With YouTube being such a huge platform, dozens upon dozens of people are making a living talking about video games right from the comfort of their own homes. This has given some that have been in the game journalist biz long before YouTube came around a thorny outlook on YouTubers as some of them didn't even go to school for journalism. Not only that but by and large, opinion on professional game journalism has waned considerably over the years. It used to be that only IGN was subject to pot shots from gamers. These days, every video game journalism website from GameSpot to Kotaku to Polygon is treated as a laughing stock. Speaking of laughing stocks, the world of professional game journalism has once again proven what a joke it is through one Shane Satterfield. To many of you, that name might be new. To me, it is a familiar name, one I have not heard for a very long time.
Currently employed at SIFTD ,Shane used to work for GameSpot. Back when I would regularly read reviews, GameSpot was a site I would frequently check out and I would always keep an eye on out for reviews and editorials written by Shane. He even had a weekly feature where he would answer reader questions. Because of his position and knowledge, I held Shane in high regard. Shane's recent actions served as a reminder that we should not place anyone on a pedestal, no matter what their profession is.
If you've been keeping an eye on CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077, no doubt you've heard that audio for the unreleased game was leaked. The one who leaked the audio was none other than the aforementioned Shane. Not only did Shane show zero remorse for his actions, he was irritated because the audio he leaked got picked up someone else, spread around and SIFTD didn't get any of the credit for it. He also seems to think he's on another level from other game journalists and anyone else the covers video games because he was the only one that had the foresight to take out his phone and record audio at a private demo for the gaming press, even though CD Projket Red asked that no one take pictures or video during the demo.
Cyberpunk 2077.
What Shane is making such a fuss over is not the fact that he showed poor journalism etiquette, or that he may have caused irreparable damage to his reputation as well as ruin his friendship with someone he's known for 15 years that works for CD Projket Red. No, those aren't the things that bother him. What upsets him the most is that SIFTD isn't getting all those coveted views. You heard right, folks, if you want to be a good game journalist, do whatever it takes to get ahead, including potentially ruining close friendships. And game journalists wonder why they are seldom taken seriously anymore.
The world may be an ever changing place but that doesn't mean you should throw entrigity out the window for views. If I were in Shane's shoes, I suppose I would feel miffed at the boom that is YouTube and basically anyone being able to work in the field of video games. However, in no way does that excuse his pitiful actions. Rather than be a man and own up to his mistakes, he plays the victim. Well, Shane, you didn't do yourself any favors and I think any game company that has caught wind of this story is sure to think twice before inviting you to a private demo, or anything since you've shown that you aren't one to shy away from leaking.
Check out this video by YongYea that goes into a bit more detail on the mater.
Looking for music from King of Fighters for last week's got me to listen to a whole lotta SNK jams. Seriously, I'd forgotten how awesome the music in SNK games are. This week's Favorite Tunes is filled with SNK songs from top to bottom.
Despite the cartoonish look of the series, Metal Slug is known for it's harsh difficulty. Unlike Contra, special weapons run on limited ammo and getting a high prisoner bonus is tough because unless you're some kinda Metal Slug god, death is never too far behind. Nonetheless, these things have not stopped Metal Slug from being a favorite SNK franchise. Thanks to the re-releases via the Arcade Archives line, gamers of all ages can enjoy the first few Metal Slug entries.
With a name like Prisoners of War, you might be thinking the game is some kind of overhead shooter. Instead, this is a beat 'em up. Released in 1988, this title predates the Metal Slug and King of Fighters games that SNK is more famous for. Perhaps this will be included as part of the SNK 40th Collection for the Switch set to release later this year.
Unlike P.O.W., this game actually is an overhead shooter and a pretty unique one at that. You get a ton of characters to choose from each with their own set of bombs, a beefy life meter and the option to go solo or a select from a team of three. Rolling makes you completely invunerable to enemy attacks and the eighty way shooting really helps set this apart from so may other games in this genre. If you're curious, you can grab Shock Troopers via Arcade Archives for chump change.
Who doesn't love rubber suited monsters raking up millions in property damage? Well, some don't but those people are weirdos. While some of you may be more familiar with this game on the SNES (that $650 price tag made sure that only five people owned a Neo Geo), the game originated in the arcades. If you're in the mood to play a game with monsters kicking the crap out of each other in sprite form, you're in the right place with King of the Monsters.
At first glance Last Resort may seem like an R-Type clone with the ship design and that pod that can be fired off. However, the similarities end there. Take Last Resort for a spin and you'll wish the pod in R-Type was as diverse as the one in SNK's shooter. If you've seen the anime Akira you may recognize a few pieces of scenery here in Last Resort as SNK blatantly ripped them off. I guess they were fans. Not only does Last Resort look stunning after more than 20 years later, the soundtrack is on point.
While it may be vastly outclassed by the games that followed it, The King of Fighters '94 isn't automatically a bad game because of it. It is responsible for birthing the 3 member team system that has helped make the series so famous. It also pumped out a killer soundtrack that is still mighty impressive to this day. Among the stage themes from KOF '94, this is my favorite, hands down.
