Mario Goes Super Saiyan

No. No, I will not apologize for the title of this one. Every single one of us one thinking that when Mario's new, golden cat form was revealed during the Bowser's Fury Trailer. I am all aboard the Super Saiyan Mario train.

I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that Super Mario 3D World is finally hitting the Switch. Like, no joke, 3D World is one of the best Super Mario titles. Sadly, it has been the subject of much criticism over the years. This is partially due to the game releasing on the Wii U, one of Nintendo's biggest blunders. But I believe the main reason for 3D World being slept on is that it wasn't some super big, mind blowing 3D Mario game that Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy and later Super Mario Odyssey turned out to be. I guess I can see where people are coming from with that view. However, even without being a sandbox or galaxy hoping game, 3D World is still phenominal.

What you get with 3D World is an expansive, super fun, challenging (sometimes to the point of frustrating) game that will keep you entertained for hours on end. 3D World is dripping with quality level design. One minute you're dashing through a Super Mario Kart themed course, complete with a remixed track from said game, the next you're making your way through a Goomba infested, ancient style, Japanese castle. The only times levels ever feel like a retread is when you reach the special worlds and that's only about two out of the four worlds.

It has been a few years since I've run through 3D World and as stoked as I am to do it again, I'm more jazzed that the game will get the attention it deserves on the Switch. I know some folks are sick of the Wii U ports to the Switch but again, the Wii U was a failed system so many of these ports are new for a lot of people. 

Of course when you pick up 3D World on the Switch, that won't be all you're getting. Bowser's Fury is also included and it looks more in line with 2017's Super Mario Odyssey than it does 3D World. OK so Cappy isn't in Bowser's Fury but the more flexible camera angle places it more in line with the sandbox Super Mario games.

I do wonder how long of a game Bowser's Fury will be, though. Like, is it gonna be a multi-world spanning adventure? I don't think so. Regardless of the length, I am looking forward to teaming up with Bowser Jr. and stopping his dad's rampage. Speaking of daddy dearest, man, is Bowser peeved in this game. Like, the dragon-turtle king woke up and decided he was gonna kill everything. Gotta admit, I do like seeing the koopa king cut loose. If there's an even harder mode where it is more difficult to evade Bowser's assault, I'm all for it. Maybe not the actual playing of it, but I'm always up to see some YouTubers suffer for my amusement. 

And we gotta talk more about Mario's Super Saiyan cat form. You cannot tell me that the designers of that supped up cat suit were not inspired by Dragon Ball. I mean, you can, but that's not gonna stop the legions of fans and memers from calling it Super Saiyan Mario. Mr. Video Game was long overdue to get some sort of Super Saiyan homage. Sonic the Hedgehog has had his Super Sonic form, which is an undeniable homage to the Super Saiyan transformation in Dragon Ball since 1992! You're late to the party, Mario but at least you arrived. 

VG Soundtrack of the Day #083: Final Fantasy Adventure

Despite the name, this is in actuality the first game in the Mana series. In Japan, the game is known as Seiken Densetsu: Final Fantasy Gaiden. This 1991 Game Boy release is often lauded as one of the best titles for the system and despite some of it's dated design choices, the original 1991 release still holds up rather well today. This game has received two remakes, the 2003 Game Boy Advance Sword of Mana and 2014's (2016 for North American Audiences) Adventures of Mana on Mobile devices. Most of my time was spent with the 1991 GB game via the Collection of Mana anthology. I've heard this soundtrack numerous times over the years and it continues to blow my mind how amazing this little chiptune soundtrack is. There are some somber tracks in this one so don't worry about coming up with any lame onion excuses. Must hear tracks? Endless Battlefield, Dungeon 1, Royal Palace, Fight 2 and of course, Rising Sun.

Final Fantasy Adventure (YouTube)

VG Soundtrack of the Day Database

VG Soundtrack of the Day #082: Zelda & Chill II

Presented by GameChops, Zelda & Chill II is the fantastic follow up to, well, Zelda & Chill. These "chill" inspired albums focus on lofi and hip hop music, perfect for mellowing out and unwinding. Sometimes I put this album on to help me sleep or if I'm looking for some less frantic music to listen to while I write or read.

VG Soundtrack of the Day Database

VGM Saturdays #290: We Made it to 2021

Give yourself a round of applause. You survived 2020! Holy moly, what a brutal year that was. I would like to say the worst is over but, well, the COVID-19 pandemic is still very much a real threat. I realize you may be sick of hearing about it, but you need to stay safe. Wash your hands, social distance, wear a mask, all that stuff. I tried to go with some celebration music this week. And since Staff Roll themes represent accomplishment, get ready to listen to a lot of those. 

Main Theme of FINAL FANTASY VII [New Remix] - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (NSW)

When Sepiroth was revealed for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, I thought we were only going to get 2 new songs and not a single remix. I couldn't have been more wrong an I'm happy that I was. Sephy came with nine songs, four of which are brand new remixes. The Main Theme of FFVII has long been a huge favorite of mine. This remix is so celebratory and even contains the key change of the original theme. So, so, soooo good.

Staff Roll - Streets of Rage 4 (PS4, XBO, NSW, PC)

Play as old and new characters as well as the original sprite versions of the caste from the Genesis Streets of Rage trilogy. This super late fourth entry did not disappoint an was certainly a high point in 2020 for me. After multiple playthroughs, I'm still jamming out to then soundtrack. 

Staff Roll - Mega Man 2 (NES)

At first it sounds like Mega Man 2's Staff Roll is merely the Title theme being reused. But at the 43 second mark, you hear something new. And just before closing out, it returns to the Title theme.

Staff Roll - Street Fighter II': Special Champion Edition (SGEN)

The Genesis soundtrack of SFII sounds the closest to the CPS-I hardware, though I'm still quite fond of the SNES music. Yes, it is possible to like two things, despite what fanboys of the 16-bit console wars might tell you.

Guided Tour (Credits) - Sonic Mania (PS4, XBO, NSW, PC)

"Best Sonic game ever!" Not a claim I agree with but Sonic Mania is really, really good. The music, which featrures remixes and new tracks by the very talented Tee Lopes is on par with the soundtracks of previous Sonic games. Of course everyone remembers the Stardust Speedway remixes and Press Garden tracks but this credits tune needs more love.

Ending Theme - FINAL FANTASY V (SFC)

FF VII, VIII an IX are great on Switch but can we get some SNES FF games, please? I see you with those Collection of Mana an SaGa games, Square Enix. So how about some Collection of FINAL FANTASY? FFV has been re-released several times but it sounds the best on the SNES or SFC hardware.

VGM Saturdays Database

VG Soundtrack of the Day #081: DuckTales

Happy new year and welcome back to VG Soundtrack of the Day! After some consideration, I decided to give this daily feature a Phoenix Down. For six days out of the week, you'll get a daily dose of VGM goodness. Why only six days? Because Saturdays are reserved for VGM Saturdays and I would like to avoid two posts on Sarturday.

With the explanations done, let's take a trip back in time. For many of you, DuckTales was a part of your childhood, not just the show, but the NES game. Pogosticking around on Scrooge's cane looking for treasure made for a surprisingly good game. In 2013 it was remastered with an arranged soundtrack by Jake Kaufman. Both the NES and remastered tracks are fire so I'm presenting you with both.

VGM Soundtrack of the Day Database