As arguably one of the best made games of all time, Super Mario Galaxy must have one of the best video game soundtracks I’ve ever had the pleasure to hear. This particular song is a remix of an old school Super Mario 64 track, Bowser Star Reactor just pumps you up for the battle ahead. Tune in, enjoy.

Nintendo – Super Mario Galaxy – Bowser Star Reactor

Alright! Another episode is out! We will be releasing more minicasts here sometime. And expect more posts! For now, hear about games that jumped out of their home environment to try something new. Enjoy!

Seventy Two Pin Connector Podcast – Episode 038 – Cross-Genre Games

The fantasy genre is a vast one, and the epitome of this style of story telling lies in the form of “high fantasy.”  Basically the battle between an obviously good force and a blatantly evil one, where in video games you take on the role of the good guy to defeat the bad guys in an epic setting.  In literature high fantasy can be seen in classics like The Hobbit and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.   In film, the Star Wars trilogy is a perfect depiction of high fantasy.  And in video games the best examples are Shigero Miyamoto’s own Mario and Legend of Zelda series’s.

The Legend of Zelda has been a classic example of high fantasy since it’s original incarnation.  A young boy battling against great odds to save a kingdom, and more specifically a princess, from an evil wizard bent on world domination.  The reason why this series has managed to keep so fresh over the years is because each game isn’t really as much following the last as it is a retelling of the story with a different twist (ocarina, seasonal change, Waterworld, wolfman, scary moon colliding with the earth) on the tried and true formal.  Every time you play The Legend you get that old familiar feeling along with a new experience.

The Super Mario Brothers have had their share of epic adventures as well.  Yet they almost always seem to have the same high fantasy goal, save the princess from the bad guy (Bowser, King Koopa…Gamera).  The lowly plumber (…and his brother, making him less lowly) battles through hordes of baddies to save the day, reestablish peace among the land, etc.  These games, more-so than Zelda, have no real connection to one another.  Each one is a fantasy adventure on its own, making for a familiar but epic journey every time.  Much like tLoZ, Mario also resorts to new gimmicks with every game, whether they be mounts, 3D graphics, waterguns, turn-based combat, giant Mario destroying downtown Mushroom Kingdom, or some very strange gravity, the changes in gameplay manage to keep the series fresh and fun.

(I’m just sayin’…)

Outside of Nintendo’s reach are a few good high fantasy games as well.  On the Xbox 360 one may find Fable 2, where despite the choice of being “good” or “evil” the main objective is to overthrow some villain much more evil than you really can be.  Games from past generations like Kid Icarus (…Nintendo’s), the original few Final Fantasy games (…on THE Nintendo), and Sonic the Hedgehog (HA!  Not Nintendo) fit nicely into the high fantasy genre.

So if you have a love for operatic heroism and happy endings, there’s no shortage of Nintendo properties.

Alright! Its that time again where we discuss the very best of gaming, and this week we’re hitting bosses. From Bowser to Sephiroth, we leave no stone unturned and give you an amazing slew of content.

Seventy Two Pin Connector Podcast: Episode 034 – The Enemy!

Yep, everyone’s favorite gaming environment, snow levels. Listen in on this joyful return to boyhood! Or… something like that. There’s snow. And ice. And sledding. And I’m sure Gex is mentioned somewhere.

Seventy Two Pin Connector Podcast: Episode 032 – Snow Levels

What a wonderful staple of my childhood. The first time I ever had the chance to play SMW was at a Big Bear. Yeah, remember that grocery store chain that bit the dust years ago? They had a SNES in a little section for parents to drop their kids off when they drove them crazy (I fell fittingly into this category). Being a Sega child, I only had a couple friends who owned a Super Nintendo so I clung to that SNES at Big Bear. Kids wanting their turn got the silent treatment because there was no way I was letting go. Normally, I wasn’t that kid… but this was Super Fuckin’ Mario Fuckin’ World. 

Christmas united me with this classic thanks to the glory of the Virtual Console. I purchased this and Donkey Kong Country 2 (which Chad should probably review before I get to it first… duh duh DUUUUUUUH!).

Where to begin… SMW was the pinnacle  of the 2D Mario experience on the old school console. Yoshi came onto the scene, control over flight became amiable with the cape, not to mention you get to rehash the joy of decimating the Koopa Kids. Fuck those little bastards… literally, they’re bastards. Where’s the mother? Bowser would be a horrible father and an even worse single father. The only logical explanation is that Bowser got that Peach punanny on 8 occasions. What a whore.

See, total whore.

How do you think she can pull all of those turnips out of her dress? You guessed right, she’s got a gaping vagine… it looks like a pink hot tub…

Getting sidetracked…

SMW excelled at making cool looking environments

Welcome to Dinosaur Island. Those numbers you see are the rubble of castles guarded by a Koopa Kid. Your mission is to save the stolen Yoshis from these castles. Technically, you can beat the game without doing all that but then you’d be a pussy. Either that or you’re going for a speed run, then I guess I can understand that… IF you beat the world record.

For those who like a little spook every once in awhile in their adventure, there are also Ghost Houses along the way.

Home of the Boo in varied forms:

If you’ve never had to deal with a Boo, it’s quite simple. Just look at them and they quit moving. Either out of fear or shyness… the irony is palpable. Sometimes this tactic doesn’t work, hope you’re good at dodging.

Super Mario World is a KEY game for any avid gamer. It’s a classic that I still hear talk of to this day. I have never heard an ill word said in regard to it and probably never will. I’d assume the only people who don’t have good things to say about it didn’t make it through. Which is sad because the boss battle with Bowser is one of the most entertaining battles I’ve been a part of. It’s just fun, and you get to crack Bowser on the head with Mechakoopas! How does that not spell out fun!?

All of the boss battles are fun, not that I think about it.

If you haven’t played it. If you have, play it again and smile constantly.

SNES – Super Mario World

All right! Here’s a treat, an entire minicast dedicated to the Xbox Live Arcade game Braid. I know, I know.. everyone is talking about Braid, but they have reason!! Its an amazing leap in gaming!! I highly suggest checking this one out, its worth every penny of it’s $15 (USD) price point. For more info: Check the minicast.

MiniCast 002 – Braid

Yea, been a while since Battletunes showed up, but after finishing the editing of Ep 16 of 72 Pin Connector Podcast, I remembered what a good song this was. Water levels tend to have the best music in a game, and Dire Dire Docks in no different. Chill to this classic Mario 64 Tune.

Nintendo – Super Mario 64 – Dire Dire Docks

Yet another episode of the 72 Pin Connector podcast. We’re gonna try to keep these shorter from now on, about an hour a piece. This particular episode clocks in at one hour and five minutes. Have at it!

Battletunes returns tomorrow!!

72 Pin Connector Podcast: Episode 016 – I’m Chad and I talk like this