SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Kid Icarus: Uprising Edition

Last week we started this new experiment with my favorite VGMs where one game was highlighted for the entire edition. We continue this with Kid Icarus: Uprising, which has one astonishing symphonic soundtrack. Experience it for yourself with this look and listen at five sensational songs from the game (I just warn you of possible spoilers), a title that may win a few awards come the SPC Best of 2012 festivities at the end of the year.

v206. Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS) - Magnus's Theme

If there is one newcomer from a recent Nintendo game that I would like to see in the next Super Smash Bros. game, it would happen to be the gruff and tough Magnus, making his debut in Uprising. He appears in a handful of chapters, and leaves an impression in each of them. He also has one heck of a song to represent him. Perhaps the most stirring part of the theme happens from 0:55 and concludes at 1:24, especially when the choir kicks in.

v207. Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS) - The Reaper's Line of Sight

Kid Icarus: Uprising has two parts to each chapter. One part is flying combat on rails a la Star Fox 64. The second is free-roaming ground combat. As for this theme, it plays during the flying portion of Chapter Four: The Reaper's Line of Sight, a chapter that sends our hero Pit deep into the fortress of the Reapers. Along the way he has to deal with strong headwinds, hazardous traps, an Eggplant Wizard, and yes, numerous Reapers. This song is quintessential Motoi Sakuraba, particularly this part.

v208. Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS) - Lightning Battle

Another song from the magnificent mind of Motoi Sakuraba, Lightning Battle puts Pit in the middle of a war between Underworld forces, the Forces of Nature, and a third party for an electrifying result. The action-packed first part is accentuated by this tremendous track. Soaring through a shocking sky with enemies from all sides getting in your way make for an intense chapter. The song's main melody kicks in here, and it absolutely rocks.

v209. Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS) - Aurum Island

The composer of this theme, Yuzo Koshiro, contributed music for classic games like ActRaiser and Streets of Rage. His work on the Kid Icarus: Uprising is awesome quite memorable. For instance, one of his works was already featured, Magnus's Theme. Here is another -- Aurum Island, a jazzy, brassy piece perfect for exploring the mysterious invaders that have attacked the planet. Don't they know Pit is dealing with the Underworld at the moment?

v210. Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS) - Lord of the Underworld

Possessing a theme familiar to anyone who played Chapter Nine, as well as throwing in motifs of a certain antagonist's theme, Lord of the Underworld is a chapter near the end of Uprising. I shall not dare to reveal what happens in this chapter, but it is quite surprising. Even when the game gets intense, it never shies away from throwing in some humor to lighten the mood. It's a reason I really feel Kid Icarus: Uprising has loads of charm. It doesn't try to take itself too seriously, which in a generation where it seems developers are trying to make game stories serious business (and having laughable stories in the process, unintentionally, of course), it is nice to see something different for a change.

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Kid Icarus: Uprising without a doubt has my favorite soundtrack of the year. I encourage you to look into more songs -- just be wary of spoilers in the song titles. Next week we'll have a new game highlighted to pick and choose five songs to showcase the soundtrack. What ever will it be? Only way to know is to stick with SuperPhillip Central. Until next time, check out my VGMs database for past selected songs.