Favorite Tunes #247: Nah-Nah

This list is the Favorite Tunes of December 1, 2018. Kirby, Sonic, Fighting EX Layer. Go now and enjoy great listening! (I wanted to take a stab at some Engrish.)

Nature's Navel - Kirby Star Allies (NS)

The latest entry in the Kirby franchise initially got flack due to the its short length and high price point. Yes, the game is on the short side and $60 is a little too rich for my blood, but HAL has continued to support the game after release with free DLC waves of new playable characters such as Marx, Magalor and Gooey to name a few. The latest batch of free DLC characters includes fan favorite, Susie from Kirby: Planent Robobot.

Luminous Forest - Sonic Forces (PS4, NS, XBO, PC)

Sonic Forces isn't great, but it isn't an abomination of a Sonic game that sets the series back to the dark age either. I enjoyed my time with it as I did the soundtrack. I'm getting the feeling that techno and electronic music with heavy synth isn't a lot of people's cup of tea. The synth in particular is used a lot the music of Sonic Forces and that may detract from the score for some. Me, I love this game's soundtrack as whole.

Katamari Nah-Nah - Katamari Damacy (PS2)

If you didn't play Katamari Damacy when it originally came out on the PS2 back in 2004, I highly recommend you snag Katamari REROLL for the Switch and PC. I don;t think there is a better game that involves the action of rolling. Ever. Not only is the game brilliant in it's simplicity but the soundtrack is freaking awesome. This is just the first song in the game and it only gets better from here. I feel so envous of anyone that is gonna play this game for the first time when it hits the Switch and PC on December 7th.

Title Theme - Super Mario Party (NS)

After two games where all players were stuck traveling on a board in a vehicle, Super Mario Party finally allows players to travel the board solo once again. There are also more playable characters from the mook side such as Goomba and Hammer Bro. Now if only Nintendo would fix their online service and give Super Mario Party better online options. Well, at least this title theme makes me feel like I'm dancing on a beach in a Hawaiian shirt.

Mist Fortress - Fighting EX Layer (PS4)

The EX games have gotten such a bad rep. Sure they aren't the pinnacle of Street Fighter but they aren't bad by any means. Developed by Arika, the Street Fighter EX games includes a host of original characters and it was due to this that many believed we would never see the likes of Skullomanoa or Garuda again. Arika surprised us when news let out of Fighting EX Layer, the first game in the EX series since Street Fighter EX on the PS2 in 2000. The same crew behind the outstanding EX soundtracks has reunited for the music in EX Layer, resulting in another stellar effort.

Asteroid Run - Assault Suits Valken (Album)

Also know as Cybernator outside of Japan. This is from the arranged album simply called Assault Suits Valken. Like many arranged game albums of the time, it stayed in Japan and to this day, has never been reprinted. The music in the SNES game sounded fantastic and this album makes it sound just as good, if not better.

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Favorite Tunes #224: Industria

April is nearly outta here and crazy video game releases for May are almost upon us. Hopefully the April weather has treated you well because for us here in Virginia, it's been a bit of a mixed bag, hardly ever feeling like spring. For the last of April's Favorite Tunes, we've got music from one of my new favorite SHMUPs, Kirby's latest adventure and some Mega Man, but not the Blue Bomber you're expecting.

Airspace - Danmaku Unlimited 3 (PC, NS)

The Switch is loaded with SHMUPs so if you love that genre like me, you will not be disappointed. A PC release in 2017, Danmaku Unlimited 3 came to the Switch last month and it is well worth your time and money. This bullet hell shooter can be enjoyed by novice and vets alike and the rocking soundtrack by BLANKFIELD is nothing short of awesome.

INDUSTRIA (Remind Remix) - Rage Racer 20th Remix

In 2014, SuperSweep released a Ridge Racer 20th Anniversary Remix album, covering various games in the series, including Rage Racer. Last year, the same publisher rolled out a 20th anniversary album dedicated solely to Rage Racer. Of the many games in the Ridge Racer series, Rage Racer was the last one I expected to get super special treatment, but I love that game and the music from it, so I ain't complaining. The Industria is hands down my favorite track in that game and the this remix sounds pretty close to the original but has some subtle differences.

Digital Strider - Mega Man Battle Network 6: Cybeast Falzar (GBA)

The music of Mega Man Battle Network 6 was recently brought back to my attention thanks to +TEK's wonderful FM Arrangement Project. Central Town and Battle Field were always stand out tracks in my mind, but I'd forgotten just how good the rest of the soundtrack was. It certainly was a huge step up after Battle Network 4's disappointing soundtrack.

Title Screen - #Breakforcist (iOS, AND, NS)

Breakout may have been the father of blocking breaking, but Taito's Arkanoid, which added weapons and power ups to your paddle, really blew the doors off. Original an Android game, #Breakforcist made it's way to the Switch a few weeks ago under the title #Breakforcist Battle, allowing up to four players to battle to save breakfast. It's a pretty dang good Breakout clone with some funky beats.

Honey Hills (Forest Area) - Kirby Star Allies (NS)

I know Star Allies isn't the greatest Kirby game but calling it trash or saying it sucks is quite the stretch. I do think $60 is asking a bit too much, however. $40 would have been a more reasonable price point. Having said all that, even for the lofty standards of a Kirby game, the soundtrack to this one is absolutely amazing. From the new tracks to the arranged material, there is plenty here to leave you in awe.

Fossil Falls (8-bit) - Super Mario Odyssey (NS)

Selling 3 million copies in just a matter of days, Super Mario Odyssey is not only one of the best selling games on the Switch but the fast selling Super Mario game. The game is probably already in the double digits as of this post. I've already completed the game but I still fire it up to hunt for more moons, and hide balloons while I (im)patiently wait for Nintendo to give me my dang Frog Suit. Best 8-bit rendition of Odyssey's music? You betcha!

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Favorite Tunes #220: By the Power of Friendship

Kirby's Friendship no Jutsu is leagues better than Naruto. All he has to do is throw a heart and bam, instant friend. I am of course, referring to Kirby Star Allies, one of the featured games in this week's Favorite Tunes. If you haven't played it yet, just what are you doing with your life?

Main Theme - Kirby Star Allies (NS)

If Mario is number one when it comes to the embodiment of fun video games, Kirby makes a great contender for the number two slot. Sure, his games tend to be on the easy side but they are so well made and so, so much fun. The latest entry, Star Allies is no exception. There are plenty of familiar tracks (ripped right from older entries) as well as arrangements for old favorites and brand new music, making for another outstanding Kirby score.

Pac is Pac - Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 (PS4, XBO, NS, PC)

In early 2017, Bandai Namco released a physical edition of Pac-Man Championship Edition 2. Here we are in 2018 and the game has made it's way to the Switch and with an exclusive multiplayer mode! Sadly, there is no physical release for this puppy but regardless, the chaotic, arcade style nature of this baby makes it a perfect match for Nintendo's handheld/console hybrid. Not only are you getting one of the best Pac-Man experiences around, but you're getting a nice set of slick beats as well.

Stage 1 (Asteroid Field) - Gleylancer (GEN)

On the Wii, a number of Genesis titles became available to gamers for the firs time via the Wii Shop Channel. Among those titles was Gleylancer, a SHMUP with a killer soundtrack. As of this writing, the Wii Shop Channel is no more so if you didn't snag Gleylancer, you're out of luck, at least for the time being. With the Switch being a monumental success for Nintendo, here's hoping that Genesis games become available for purchase on the Switch through the eShop whenever they set up their Virtual Console service.

Heat Haze Shadow 1 - Tekken 7 (PS4, XBO, PC)

The soundtrack for Tekken 7 may be a tad too noisy and dubsteb-ish for some people's taste, but I wholeheartedly recommend you give it a listen. There are some soft as well as blaring tracks throughout. This track should be on everyone's workout/work/training/exercise playlist.

Travelers - Wild Arms 2 (PS)

Despite owning a good chunk of Wild Arms games (1-4 and the Alter Code F remake of the first Wild Arms), the only one in the series I've played to completion is the original. I really should remedy this. Michiko Naruke, outstanding composer that she is, would go on to make music throughout the series after her involvement in the first entry.

Soltype - Alien Soldier (GEN)

As with the above mentioned Gleylancer, Alien Solider is another Genesis title that has since been made easier to come by via digital distribution. If you want to own a cart of this puppy, it will cost you a hefty chunk of change. However, if you want to own it physically without breaking the bank, you can grab it in the upcoming SEGA Genesis Classics compilation, which releases in late may.

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