Top Ten Most Wanted Games of 2011

2011. It's supposedly a big year for gaming, they say. But then again that's what the media says about every year. It's, like, we get it. Every year is a big game for gaming. More overrated trash like Gears of War and Killzone (sorry if my opinion hurts your feelings). Awesome. Regardless, on this Thursday I am listing my top ten most anticipated games of the year. It's definitely going to be a good year for gaming even if that's what we say every year.

10) Mario Sports Mix (Wii)


I love Mario's sport outings, and this time it's not just one sport-- it's four. You have your dodgeball, basketball, volleyball, and hockey. Throw in some memorable Mushroom Kingdom characters as well as job classes from the Final Fantasy series, and you have a colorful cast of characters to play with. With the addition of online play, you can bet I'll be online getting owned like the newbie I am!

9) Dead Space 2 (PS3, 360)


We go from cute and colorful to dark and macabre with Dead Space 2. I was so close to getting a platinum trophy in the original. I just couldn't stomach the Impossible difficulty all the way. A shame. Regardless, this title is one to look out for! The necromorphs are back, and this time they puke on you! Gross! Learn some manners, you undead bastards! The thrills and chills are just a couple of weeks away when Dead Space 2 hits both the 360 and PlayStation 3!

8) Portal 2 (PS3, 360)


The original Portal was a clever, innovative puzzle game full of jumping, cake, and lies. The sequel brings even more to the table with new gun upgrades, puzzle designs, and much more. I eagerly await to see what Valve puts into this game as now it's a full-priced retail game and not just a part of the best gaming value package ever (aka the Orange Box). We'll see if Portal 2 is worth the price when it comes out later this year.

7) de Blob 2 (PS3, 360, Wii)


I very much enjoyed the original Wii-exclusive, de Blob. Sure, levels could take upwards of an hour to complete fully and jumping with the Wii remote was a pain, but now those problems have been remedied! Paint the town red, blue, orange-- whatever-- in this sequel to the clever painting platformer. Now you can play it in HD with vivid visuals, Move controls, or an Xbox 360 controller. I'll probably stick with the Wii version. Gotta grow that collection, y'know!

6) Star Fox 64 3D (3DS)


I am really interested in getting a Nintendo 3DS. If Nintendo keeps making quality games, I'll be there to lap them up for sure. It's just a matter of finding the money to buy this three-dimensional beauty. Nonetheless, both games on this list for the 3DS are remakes. Star Fox 64 3D has impressive new textures, probable new voice acting, and a host of fun new twists on one of my favorite Nintendo 64 games period. I'm going to kick your ape ass all over again, Andross!

5) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (3DS)


The second remake isn't as visually intriguing as Star Fox, sadly. Hopefully we get a new dungeon or two plus some fresh side quests to keep this remake worth the cost. Still, I'm a sucker for rebuying over and over again my favorite game of all time. I haven't played Ocarina of Time in the longest time, so it'll be nice to replay this game with souped up visuals and in its 3D splendor. With the touch screen, the Water Temple will be a breeze to switch boots!

4) LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3)


In the original LittleBigPlanet, I was addicted to creating new levels, objects, and Sackboys. With the power to build games of varying genres than the platformer, I can only imagine how much of my life will be wasted playing this new title. Originally supposed to come out in the holiday season of 2010, the delay sure seems worth it to knock out the remaining bugs inside this immense creator package. Don't forget about the awesome premade levels included, too!

3) Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (PS3)


Nathan Drake just cannot seem to catch a break. I did not mean to rhyme and be cute either. Anyway, it seems we're taking a vacation to the desert sands of perhaps the Sahara. In a short GIF I saw, Nathan leaped from a rooftop into a window, shot baddies while partially submerged in beautiful water, and knocked out an enemy from behind. Just like the previous two Uncharted games you can bet there will be some sort of supernatural twist to bring things off-kilter.

2) Marvel VS. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (PS3, 360)


My birthday present to myself will be Marvel VS. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. When your subtitle is FTW, you know your game will be excellent. I loved Tatsunoko VS. Capcom for the Wii, and the hotly-anticipated third installment of Marvel VS. Capcom promises to bring the same ease of play that Tatsunoko had. Ease of play is important while also keeping a sense of depth for veteran players so they don't feel left out. Hulk, prepare to be my bitch.

1) The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)


Hopefully the newest installment of the Zelda series even makes it to the 2011 holiday season. I'm certain it will thankfully. This new entry promises a new design philosophy. Perhaps dungeons will be replaced altogether. Who knows? The E3 demo showed a vibrant cel-shaded approach to the visuals, incredible new items, and battles against foes new and old. Without a doubt, I am most excited for this gem in a currently otherwise bleak 2011 Wii lineup.

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That's enough from me, though. What are your top ten most anticipated games of 2011? Let me know in the comments sections, as always!

SuperPhillip's 2011 Gaming Resolutions

It's a brand-new year. I've only said that about forty times by now, but it's true. Nonetheless, some folks make New Year's resolutions about losing weight, not being such an annoying bitch to customers at GameStop, or to work out more. I do not need to worry about any of that (maybe the annoying bitch part... maybe), so I've decided to make a few gaming-related resolutions for the year. I doubt I'll do any of them, so there's a defeatist's attitude for you. But at least I'll be trying! Let's see what's on my list for 2011...

Reduce my backlog.

Ooh. I was going to say annihilate my backlog, but that's, like, fifty games. There's no way I could do that this year with all the new games I wish to purchase. Regardless, my goal for this year to play through this metaphorical pile of games that I have sitting in a dark, dank corner somewhere in my house. There's loads of Wii, PS3, PSP, and DS games that I've opened, browsed through the instruction manual, and never played! How stupid is that!? I find little point in buying a game only for collection's sake, and never playing them. And then there's all those games from previous generations that I've never touched as well! This metaphorical pile of games just keeps rising and rising like a mountain out of a molehill. No more, however. This year this backlog is going to shrink like a penis after looking at Kirstie Alley.


Don't buy as many games.

This is a toughie, but perhaps not. You see, money is a little tighter in the SuperPhillip household due to a crappy economy and the dollar just not being worth as much as it used to. Now I could go further into debt by purchasing every game that tickles my fancy, but that wouldn't be financially-sound. Instead, it is my goal for 2011 to buy far less games than I did in 2009 and 2010. Those games only contributed to my aforementioned backlog which is no good. What's the point of buying games if you don't ever get around to playing them? That's my reasoning in this resolution. So buy less games, check. Whether I want to or not!


Don't buy another game until a game on my backlog is completed.

This seems smart. I'm too stupid to follow it, but whatevs. Yeah, I said "whatevs", what are you going to do about it? Now, now. No need to be so hostile, Phil. Anyway, I have a habit of buying multiple games at the same time. That has to stop. I should not buy another game until one on my backlog is completed. That makes sense, doesn't it? Why should I add to the backlog when I could be keeping it at the same number? By completing a game on my backlog, I can then purchase a new game. I could play a 40 hour RPG, and when done, I'd buy a new game. This way I wouldn't be buying as many games, so this would help two of my resolutions! Genius!

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I was going to put not trolling the Xbox 360 as much, but when your consoles consistently break down like the pieces of crap they are, you deserve all the trolling you get. Regardless, those are my gaming-related New Year's resolutions. SuperPhillip wonders if you have any that you're just dying to reveal to the world (well, the people who read SPC anyway). Perhaps I could be less snarky... There's enough snark on these darned blogs as it is. ...Nahhhhhhh....

Most Overlooked PSP Games - Part Four

Okay. Let's be fair here. PSP software sales in America are piss-poor. I could choose a number of PSP titles, and they could qualify as most overlooked. Regardless, we're pressing on with five more PSP games that many of you just didn't buy!

Phantasy Star Portable 2


I love the Phantasy Star Online series of games. Old-school gamers yearn for a classic turn-based Phantasy Star affair, but I'm complacent with these online, multi-player experiences. If duking it out online against hoards of monsters isn't your thing, you can always try out the single-player campaign. No dorky Ethan Weber here! All-in-all, for a great online infrastructure and plenty of weapons to grind for, Phantasy Star Portable 2 does its job and does it well.

Valkyrie Chronicles II


Valkyrie Chronicles, the original for the PlayStation 3, was already an overlooked game. It makes sense that on a platform with rapid amounts of piracy that Valkyrie Chronicles II would share an even worse fate. Take command on the battlefield with one of many units in this tactical RPG. Sure, it might not be as good as Final Fantasy Tactics, but what is? The cool cel-shaded art style meshes well even on the technologically-inferior PSP.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable


The original Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 was released on the PlayStation 2 many moons ago. Now you can take the fantasy thriller on the go with you thanks to the portable edition. This RPG is full of mystery, intrigue, high school kids-- wait, come back! The writing is so clever that you won't mind this cast of adolescents! It's like Saved by the Bell meets Medium. Is that a fair comparison? I think so. This critically-acclaimed remake is worthy of your PSP collection.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep


It's Kingdom Hearts, so you know what to expect by now-- belts, zippers, f'd up storyline that only makes sense to Nomura. Regardless, you also get a rockin' combat system, superb visuals, excellent voice acting, and multiple wonderful worlds of Disney to explore! Sure, you've explored most of these worlds before to a point of ad infinitum, but who can resist the charm of Neverland all over again? Plus there's no Sora to be found! What have you done, Nomura?!

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 5


What a stupid name for a video game. I did not know there were four previous Tag Force games-- that's how overlooked this series is! We're not even talking 3D this time around. No, no! This time around we'll be overdoing it in 5D. I don't remember reading A Wrinkle in Time, so somebody help me out on what 5D is. Maybe I should talk about the game a little, no? You collect cards, make decks, use trap cards, monster cards, and spell cards to take down the opposition in the addicting card game series. Just watch it with the hairspray, okay, kids?

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Did you miss out on the three previous Most Overlooked PSP articles? Have no fear, if so. I've compiled the PSP trio into one beautiful list for your reading pleasure! Enjoy!

PSP - Part One
PSP - Part Two
PSP - Part Three

Marvel VS. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (PS3, 360) Phoenix/Haggar Gameplay

Marvel VS. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds is set to hit both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on February 15th. It could make a great birthday gift for yours truly. Never mind that though as Capcom just unveiled two brand-new characters for the game. From the Marvel side is Jean Grey's Phoenix alter-ego, and from the Capcom side is Haggar from the Final Fight series. Nonetheless, if this game is anything like Tatsunoko VS. Capcom, this is going to be one killer game!

SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve Edition

I would rather see more stroked-up Dick Clark than that smiling douche bag, Ryan Seacrest. Seacrest out? More like, Seacrest die in a fire. Anyway, here's another week of VGMs for your viewing and listening pleasure. Enjoy!

v626. Final Fantasy VIII - The Extreme (The Black Mages Version)

We start off our next five videos with the boss theme of Ultamecia, the ultimate boss of Final Fantasy VIII. Many call this one the black sheep of the franchise, but I loved this one. Triple Triad for the win as the kids say. Plus the game wasn't your typical grind fest. Those bore me like Final Fantasy X. Now that's a game that sucks. Tidus is a nerd with an effeminate problem. And don't get me started on the voice acting. Yuck!



v627. Mega Man 10 - Wily Stage 1

We've heard the remixed version of this song as VGM 601. Now we're hearing the original version as listened to in the game. Mega Man 10 was not nearly as frustrating to play as Mega Man 9, so I give it props for that. I really enjoyed ten much more than nine. Nine just felt too cheap and was built on mass memorization. Not my type of platformer indeed. Which game did you prefer-- Mega Man 9 or Mega Man 10?



v628. Breath of Fire III - Half Done is Not Done

This song from Breath of Fire III plays during the opening forest where Ryu and Teepo work for this lumberjack character. Refresh my memory if I'm incorrect on that as it's been years since I've played this (over a decade probably). I do have fond memories of this game from the locales to the characters. This theme, Half Done is Not Done, is not only a good saying, but it's a catchy little number with a cool bass line. I hope you enjoy it.



v629. Rune Factory: Frontier - Spring

Spring has sprung in the busy world of Rune Factory: Frontier for Wii with this relaxing and beautiful theme. I didn't personally care for the non-linear structure of the game. Half the time you weren't told what to do and wandered aimlessly around the town looking for something to do. That said, this theme, no, this soundtrack, is one of Wii's best. If you like Harvest Moon, you could do worse with this game.



v630. Earthbound - Snowman (SSBB Remix)

We haven't had much Earthbound on the favorite VGMs list, so this is our second exclusively Earthbound/Mother track. I've never played a game in the series, but I do enjoy playing as Ness in Smash Bros. That's close enough, right? This song is a remix from Brawl entitled Snowman. It has a cold, haunting Christmas feeling to it, don't you think? Maybe I'll get around to playing Earthbound someday.



Another week has gone by, and thus so have the VGMs for now. Until next Monday, we'll see you then!

Nintendo World - Star Fox 64 3D Trailer

Star Fox 64 is one of my favorite Nintendo 64 games. It was a blast going after medals, taking down groups of bogeys with one shot, and doing barrel rolls to make Peppy Hare happy. This trailer shows off Corneria, Meteo, and Titania. The textures are mondo improved, forgive the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles speak. Nintendo has this title marked down for summer 2011, so us North American gamers will have to wait at least until then to play this highly-anticipated game.

Take flight with a direct link here.

Nintendo World - Mario Kart 3DS Trailer

Vroom! Rev up your engines for the 3DS version of Mario Kart. This trailer is rather simple. It shows Mario and Luigi racing around several interesting-looking tracks. My favorite has to be the one with cherry blossom petals falling to the track. No word on bikes, online, or any of that other stuff, so this definitely feels like a holiday title to me.

Rev up your engines here!

Nintendo World - Paper Mario 3DS Trailer

Look at this very impressive trailer for Paper Mario 3DS. It shows you some of the various worlds Mario and pals will explore including a lava world, snow world, and jungle world. I think the most incredible porron of the trailer features parachuting Bob-ombs raining down from the sky. This is definitely one title to watch for!

Direct Link Paper Mario-goodness here.