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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Favorite Tunes #260: Shoot! Shoot! SHOOT!

Favorite Tunes on a Sunday? What gives? Well, since the Tetris 99 editorial went up on Saturday, Favorite Tunes was moved to Sunday. I don't like to post twice in one day. Soooooo, here's some video game music to go with your Sunday.

Black Rain (Stage 6) - Hyper Duel (ARC)

With so many arcade games getting digital re-releases, I'm really hoping that more of Technosoft's catalog get's time to shine again. Just listening to the music from Hyper Duel has me itching to play it. Expect more music from this game in future Favorite Tunes.

Invitation - Gradius III (ARC)

My first exposure to the Gradius series was the SNES port of Gradius III. Even so, I do greatly enjoy the arcade version's score along the the 16-bit version. It's tough for me to pick which version I like the best. When it comes to the game, however, I'll take the SNES version. Sure it has slowdown, but it actually gives me some continues.

Swanky Swing - Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (SNES)

King K. Rool's presents in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate along with numerous spirits from the Donkey Kong Country games has reminded me of music from the SNES trilogy. Every time I spot Swanky Kong's spirit, I can hear his tune playing in my head. Why, oh why didn't someone arrange it?

Iron Attack (STAGE 1) - Devil Engine (PC, NS, PS4)

SHMUPs have been on a major comeback over the past few years. At $20, Devil Engine costs more than most games in digital shops but I can tell you that this one is well worth the money. It's also really freaking hard. As if the shoot 'em up action weren't great all on it's own, the game boasts incredible visuals and an absolute banger of a soundtrack.

Ancient Zone - Street Fighter EX3 (PS2)

I really like the music in Street Fighter IV as well as Street Fighter V. But can we get the sound crew behind the EX games to make some more amazing Street Fighter jams again? I've always felt the EX games got far more flak than they deserved but no one will dis the music. Listen to that violin! Ugggghhhhhhhhhh, so goooooooood!!!

How to Play - Super Smash Bros. (N64)

Hearing music from the original Super Smash Bros. makes me feel so nostalgic. Hard to believe the series is 20 years old now. A great deal of the first Smash's music is in Ultimate. Sadly, this theme is not. Just hearing it brings memories of Mario beating the crap out of Luigi in the tutorial.

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