Music Wednesdays – 311′s “Crack the Code”

Say what you will about the direction they’ve taken over the past several years.  Evolver is probably one of their strongest efforts from the past 10 years.  Oddly enough, it’s also the song that I find myself playing the most out of their entire catalog, even though I really prefer the more reggae-sounding albums from the beginning of their career.

But enough talk!  Please enjoy.

 

Dragon Quest Anniversary Trailer!

Square-Enix finally released a trailer for their Wii comp of Dragon Quest I – III in both Famicom and Super Famicom forms, and the clip reveals a massive art gallery is on the disc, too, alongside teasing some of the animated intros the games now feature.  And then there’s that Dragon Quest X peek…

I wonder if Nintendo would be kind enough to license this for us…

Persona 4 Mania Explodes from Famitsu

First off, Atlus and Arc System Works are uniting to create a Persona fighting game, called Persona 4 The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena (Mayonaka = Midnight Channel here), with Persona 3 and 4 reps.  So far, the cast seems to be heavily P4 oriented, with the hero, Chie, and Yosuke assuredly being in there, with Kanji and Yukiko likely joining up, plus Persona 3′s Aegis being confirmed.  It looks slick so far, and even is working within the original game’s canon:

Persona 4 The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena is set two months after the events of Persona 4. For some reason, Kuma [note - Teddie here in America] has started promoting a fighting program called P-1 Grand Prix by sending out promotional videos indicating that the various Persona 4 characters will be taking part in the event. This came as a surprise to the characters, so they enter the world within the television to figure out what’s up.

Andriasang has cast art and more screens to oogle.  But, that’s not all!

This is Marie.  She’s a new character in a Playstation Vita enhanced port of Persona 4.  Yes, you read that right.  Now I need to get a Vita. XD

Anyway, alongside Marie’s mysterious addition, Persona 4 – The Golden (I doubt it’ll keep that name overseas!) has a new intro, additional cutscenes via anime, more voice over work, a new Wi-Fi mode that allows fellow P4TG players to attempt to rescue you from death if you request help, new costumes, new Personas, and “a new element heavily requested by fans”…whatever that means (perhaps you can play as a woman as well, a la Persona 3 Portable?).  Andriasang’s got details and screens.

I am so giddy about this.  I LOVE Persona 4, and seeing the anime and these new projects giving it the love it deserves makes me happy.

Oh, before I forget, Persona 5 is in the works, too, but it’ll be a long time before we see it.

Artistic Discussion – The Good and Bad of Gaming Box Art: 8/31/2011

Good: Metroid II: Return of Samus (Game Boy, Nintendo)

A bold, centralized shot of Samus in her new Varia Suit upgrade, with her Arm Cannon smoking as a seemingly tranquil (hint = it’s not – her Arm Cannon is smoking!) space canyon backs her – this established Samus Aran’s awesome new style, and also made her the prime focus, unlike Metroid’s NES box of sprite love.  The reflection in her visor is a nice touch, too.  A classic.

Bad – Mega Man 2 (NES, Capcom)

Well, it was bound to happen.  With Mega Man’s first outing in the WTF hall of fame, I couldn’t ignore the sequel’s attempts to outdo it.  Mega Man himself looks a little more competent, but as I mentioned in the Cultural Anxiety piece, I just can’t stop loving Mega Man’s diligence to continue fighting with a broken ankle.  He’s a trooper!  And, again stealing from before, why is Dr. Light helping Pirate…I mean Clash Man, sorry, that visor shine looks like an eyepatch – blankly stare out into nowhere?  Dr. Wily’s the villain, guys!  Quick Man looks anything but quick – his color scheme is all wrong, and his awkward pose is like, “I’ll be back, Mega Fool – I left my Hot Pockets in the lava!”  Clash Man’s colors are all wrong, too – apparently there was an overabundance of purple at the artist’s studio and a surprising lack of red, which is what they both should be. :p

I could keep going…but eh.  I’ve ripped it twice now – I’m content.

Song Highlights – Super Mario Galaxy 2, Street Fighter II, Henry Hatsworth, M.U.L.E.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 – The Tico and the Hat (Mahito Yokota, Wii, Nintendo)

I really do like the vibe this song creates.  It’s a little melancholy, a curiosity in Mario games, and has a strong emotional tug on me upon listening to its familiar tune.  Great stuff.

Street Fighter II – Ryu’s Theme (Yoko Shimomura, Isao Abe, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi, Arcade, Capcom)

A little down the line to cover Street Fighter, I know.  Anyway, Ryu’s theme is arguably my favorite from the original game (Ken, Sagat and Bison are close!), with its driving rhythm powering the match in store.  I want to do my best to this music.  Awesome.

Henry Hatsworth and the Puzzling Adventure – Shammerdoodle (Puzzle Theme, Gene Rozenberg, DS, Electronic Arts)

This long, epic theme for the puzzling side of Henry Hatsworth goes through many transitions, but one thing is clear all the way through – it’s fantastic.  A well-done score.

M.U.L.E. – Theme (Roy Glover, C64, Electronic Arts)

I’ve neglected the Commodore 64 thus far, and I’m rectifying it the best way I know how – with my favorite C64 theme!  MULE’s simplistic yet joyous song just makes me smile.  It’s peppy, upbeat and stands as among the finest low-bit synths I’ve ever heard.

This is a bit long in the tooth, perhaps, but the song is at the right speed – most of the others had it slowed down significantly for some weird reason.  Emulation, perhaps.

Music Wednesdays – El DeBarge’s “Who’s Johnny”

When I was young, my mother would take my brother and me to a roller skating rink on weekends for exercise. It was there that I was exposed to a lot of the popular music at the time, and I still have a lot of fond memories from those experiences.

While other songs that I can remember from back then are still played on the radio today, this song seems to have faded into a little bit of obscurity. “Who’s Johnny” was El Debarge’s only top 10 hit, and if anything, it’s known more for its inclusion in the 80s sci-fi comedy Short Circuit. It’s a catchy song, and its Michael Jackson-esque style makes for a harmless bit of 80s pop.

Listening to it still takes me back to that skating rink. It’s too bad those things aren’t still around, but the music wouldn’t be as good anyway.

Music Wednesdays – Tegan and Sara’s “Nineteen”

This song is quite epic, I must say.  It builds up incredibly, Tegan and Sara’s voices unite in delightful harmony multiple times, the lyrics cut, and I adore the drums on the song.  An excellent, excellent song off of The Con.

I updated this to a live version since Warner Bros. seems to be on the rampage on Youtube.  I haven’t had a chance to listen to it, but I’m sure it captures the spirit.  Honestly, get the album.  It’s great all around.

The Beach Boys Smile, and Brian Wilson Sings In the Key of Disney

Forty-five years is long time to wait for an album, but the original sessions of The Beach Boys’ Smile album are finally going to (officially) see the light of day on November 1. The Smile Sessions will be released in several configurations, including a 2-CD set, and an expanded 5-CD set, as well as vinyl. The package will also include new essays by surviving band members Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, and Bruce Johnston, as well as original album art and other cool stuff.

It has been previously stated that the new cut of The Beach Boys’ version of Smile will be modeled after Brian Wilson’s own completed solo version released in 2004 to high critical and commercial acclaim.

In related news, Brian Wilson’s new solo album, In the Key of Disney, is scheduled for released just a week earlier on October 25. As the name implies, it will include covers of songs from several classic Disney films, spanning from 1937′s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to 2010′s Toy Story 3.

Most interesting may be his inclusion of “When You Wish Upon a Star,” which directly inspired The Beach Boys’ classic “Surfer Girl.”

The tracklist includes:

1. You’ve Got a Friend in Me (from Toy Story)
2. Bare Necessities (from The Jungle Book)
3. Baby Mine (from Dumbo)
4. Kiss the Girl (from The Little Mermaid)
5. Colors of the Wind (from Pocahontas)
6. Can You Feel the Love Tonight? (from The Lion King)
7. We Belong Together (from Toy Story 3)
8. I Just Can’t Wait to Be King (from The Lion King)
9. Stay Awake (from Mary Poppins)
10. Heigh-Ho/Whistle While You Work (from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
11. When You Wish Upon a Star (from Pinocchio)

Sources: Los Angeles Times, Rock NYC, and USA Today

Sestren DreamCast co-starring some admin of some blog named LVLs.

My buddies at Sestren do a podcast biweekly, and I managed to correlate my time with theirs and chat about the fall 2011 lineup with Hunter, Basil and Dodger, and I think I got some decent insights into the show and enjoyed chatting with them.  We touch upon Skyrim, the success of Mortal Kombat, the questionable choice of making ULTIMATE Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, and Aliens: Infestation, plus a ton more.  I wouldn’t be afraid of doing it again!  Anyway, enjoy our thoughts on what the big games will be this holiday season.

Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword to get a pretty sweet pre-order bonus

Nintendo of America announced today a special first-run edition of Zelda: Skyward Sword that will retail for $69.99.  It comes with a special Wii MotionPlus that’s very Zelda appropriate, being gold and featuring with the Triforce Eagle logo.  Music fans will be pleased to learn that a recording of the Zelda 25th Anniversary Orchestra performance will also be part of the package.  The game’s finally got a definitive release date, due out here on November 20th.  Not bad, Nintendo, not bad at all.  I do adore that box, though – very classy.