The Nestlekwik Happy Hour for July 12, 2008

Nes:  Welcome one and all once again to the podcast you have to read, The Nestlekwik Happy Hour.  Of course, I am your host nestlekwik, welcoming you back from what I hope was an enjoyable holiday for all of our US readers.  Hopefully you didn’t blow off any thumbs with those fireworks as that would make playing video games quite a chore.  If you were expecting some sort of holiday theme based on fireworks games such as Fantavision or Boom Boom Rocket, we apologize as the GemuBaka crew was catching some much needed rest (and hamburgers) for the holiday weekend.  Of course, by “we,” I mean myself and your Happy Hour co-host, MixMasterLar.


Lar:  I can see you had your share of hamburgers over the past week Nes.  It might be time for you to fire up Wii Fit and hit some of those jackknives.

Nes:  We’ll just wait for Dance Dance Revolution X to hit and it will give me a reason to get moving again.

Lar:  Understood.  Well, even though we were conspicuously absent last weekend, we want to point out that The Nestlekwik Happy Hour now has a new segment – the stickied thread entitled “Swag Museum.”  The feature kicked off with 10 pieces of gaming history (or junk depending on your view) and today we have updated with an additional two entries.

Nes:  I hope that hot sauce ages well.  It could get really gross in a couple more years.

Lar:  Well, you should probably talk that over with your girlfriend.  I’m just glad I won’t be there to smell it when it turns green.

Nes:  … But it was green to begin with.

Lar:  Oh, I see.  Well, moving on, speaking of things aging, let’s dive a little into the past and see how our latest review prospect has aged.

Review: Virtua Fighter 2

Lar:  Sega broke all kinds of records with the release of the first Virtua Fighter. When Namco jumped in on the action, Sega and AM2 decided to release a sequel to the first 3-D fighter ever made. The game is considered to be one of the best 3-D fighters of the ‘90s and many believe that it did to its genre what Street Fighter II did with 2-D fighting games.

The graphics of the arcade and Windows port were pretty good for the time and made Namco's efforts look pitiful. Sadly, the game's looks haven’t aged well over 12 years - characters look like Legos and move a bit sluggish compared to newer games (but it was the first 3-D game to run 60 frames per second with no slowdown whatsoever).  Backgrounds are drawn well for the time and the characters all look and fight unique from one another (something that wasn’t - and still isn’t - a real standard).

The game is not known for music and that only means the music reeks ‘90s game style. The speakers are filled with a mix of rock guitar and ‘90s tech, with very little composition. I didn’t care for the soundtrack and not many people seem to either.

Gameplay is pretty standard VF fare: There are punch, kick and guard buttons that perform what you would expect, with a few extra moves when more than one button is pressed together. The game is the only one in the VF line up that has re-sizable rings and health bars, which is good since the default heath bar doesn’t hold up to much damage (even for the time). This really hurts replayablity since matches are so short. Speaking of replay, you pretty much have no real reason to play this game unless you have memories attached to it. The arcade mode is as predictable as it gets and if you’re playing on a port with the Team Battle, Time Attack and two-player modes, then you'll realize there just isn’t any diversity in the game. It also doesn’t help that the later Virtual Fighters have upped the ante on everything four-plus times already. Unlike Street Fighter where playing the old version of Street Fighter II still holds some merit, you're more likely to feel like you did surfing on Windows 95 at your library after you had gotten use to the new release of Window's XP at home: You'll feel like your using a old, watered-down outdated game instead of getting your dose of classic gaming. That said, you can probably still enjoy it if your hardcore about fighters, so it isn’t all bad news.

Overall, if you're looking for a classic fighter then stick with either Street Fighter or the better-aged Tekken 2/3 releases. This game has outlived its time.


Nes:  People can say all they want about how the game has aged, but there is a reason why there is a Virtua Fighter 2 arcade machine in the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History in the field of Arts and Entertainment. 

With the game hitting the Sega Saturn with nearly every single facet intact, Virtua Fighter 2 wiped clean the flickery skidmark that was Virtua Fighter (although it was patched through VF Remix) and was one of the many home games at the time to show perfect ports of arcade games were finally here.  Virtua Fighter's raw appeal has always been its 3-D implementation and vast selection of martial arts moves made possible by the simplest number of buttons and at the time, Sega felt the title was such a high point that it received a number of updates and spin-offs - and rightfully so as very few 3-D fighters on the Saturn hold up to VF2.

Ideally, most complaints about the game today will stem from the "1995" feel of the port - the polygonal counts aren't comparable to today's games, the jumping is floaty, the music has a slightly cheesy '90s electronic vibe, there are "only 10 fighters" - however, the port was quite a success for its time.  While the PC version has had the bonus of updated graphics over the Saturn, the console version still holds up incredibly well.  Nay sayers of the Saturn's 3-D prowess should look at the title's relatively high polygon count for its time on consoles, rotating backgrounds and rotating camera views during replays.  The sound may be the title's weakest point as while the music plays very well and fits each stage's theme, the sound has muffled quality and lacks the punch of effects from other popular fighters.

Thankfully, VF2 doesn't fail where it matters - in its game play.  The move list for each character was quite jaw dropping for its time and on the Saturn, the control is just as responsive as ever thanks to the system's stellar controller.  To make the control even more convenient, button combinations can be mapped to a single button to make pulling off throws or other moves flawlessly easy.  I would definitely agree by default the matches end too early, but this obviously either comes from trying to emulate real fighting (where in reality people don't take multiple heavy blows and keep fighting) or rushing the fights to keep the quarters pumping in arcades.  However, this can be suitably changed in the options to increase players' health and expand the ring size for a real last-man-standing affair.

There are no unlockables in the game, so replayability does fall quite a bit.  That's not to say there isn't any longetivity in the title, especially for fighter buffs, as there are a ton of moves to master, a number of difficulty modes, a handful of Easter eggs to dig up and, of course, you have multiplayer.

Overall:  Between the PC and Saturn versions, I think we both agree the foundation of Virtua Fighter 2 is a solid one that shouldn't be overlooked by fighting fans.  While the title pales in technicality when compared to Virtua Fighter 4 or 5, the engine still feels familiar and is as fun as ever.  While it lacks replayability depth, it is a quick game you'll find yourself coming back to time and time again as long as the aged feel of the title won’t get under your skin.  Seeing as both formats of the game shouldn't cost you more than $5, Virtua Fighter 2 is a no-brainer for anyone looking to start a Saturn collection and PC buffs will enjoy the extra attention to graphics (this version is also available through the GameTap subscription service and the Playstation 2 Sega Ages series).

Nes:  I loves me some Saturn.  It was good to fire it up again.  I had to switch out my hard drive though after not plugging it in for a good amount of time.

Lar:  The Saturn has a hard drive?

Nes:  Oh, yeah.  The ever-popular CR2032 battery … unlocking your Fighters MegaMix characters every time you play it gets old after a while, you know.

Lar:  Definitely.  Some things will never get old, though, including the music featured in this week’s top five feature …

The Happy Hour Top 5:  Underappreciated Game Themes

#5  Zoom Down


Music Artist Toshikazu Tanaka should be proud of the overlapping guitars and the use of synth he used in this Metal Slug 5 theme and he should really get some credit for it beyond "Oh. This was in a Metal Slug Game."  While the vocals make no sense in the tense game, it's still a very fast-paced song that goes well with the game's famous run and gun gameplay. If I had to pick a song to request as RockBand's next DLC, it would easily be this one.

That said, no one seems to ever remember what this song is or where it came from and it's never gotten respect as a game theme. In our opinions this song is one of the better MS themes.

#4  Pandora No Hako Yori-Dai Ichi Ban-Souguu


Loosely translated as "He who came first from Pandora's Box" this is the first boss battle theme that plays while fighting against Jin Choushu in SNK's Fatal Fury 3. The theme refects the situation the player encounters at the end; a mysterious 2,200 year-old kid looking for the secret scrolls that will make him immortal (as if living 2,200 years wasn’t good enough) has appeared out of nowhere to claim them.

As for the theme itself, GemuBaka has opted to select the rearranged version found on the Fatal Fury Collection Vol 1, though we still enjoy the original 24-bit version. This arrangement has a very classical feel to it with string instruments, cymbals, violins, drums and many others making their way into an epic rhythm that can be both relaxing to hum to and still be upbeat enough to suit a fighter like Fatal Fury. The song is hugely underrated and in (at least) Lar's opinion can rival a few of Nobuo Uematsu's famed compositions.

#3 Lil Bonus Room


It could be said the entire game of SkullMonkeys, released for the Playstation by The Neverhood, is underappreciated.  Sparing no expense in the presentation department, SkullMonkeys has some of the most bizzare claymation graphics in video game form, but even more bizzare is its completely insane soundtrack.

With such cult hits as Elevated Structure of Terror, Klogg is Dead, Beans and more under its belt, if you could say any one song in the game has the most notority (even though Death Garden Jive is completely awesome), it's definitely the one which drives players to acheive those bonus rooms every time.  With nothing more than an acoustic guitar and a set of vocal pipes, your "little invisible friend" is here to assure you players are completely safe in the most calming voice ever.

You might be safe in the bonus room, but when the singer goes on about always being with you and being just like your parents, you might eventually be afraid to leave your house.  Also, what kind of friend tries to scare you into thinking there is a monster directly behind you?  Regardless, the tune makes you feel like you are actually taking a break from the meat of the game and the sheer obscurity of the title ranks this one high.

#2 God Hand End Theme


If Clover left us with anything, it is damn well one of the greatest ending themes ever etched in the annals of video game history.  While the cheese factor is certainly high here, it's cheese cranked all the way to 11 as the kids would say, resulting in a hilarious theme you just can't take seriously but, still, the God Hand ending theme will still manage to kick your nuts and dragon kick your ass into the Milky Way.

While 80 percent of the song will probably fail to make any sense to those who have never played the title, the video is filled with enough inane para para dancing and Sentai knockoffs to make any J-fan go into epileptic joy.  God Hand is a mockery of conventional video game themes and this certainly carries over into the ending theme which bodly proclaims that the God Power will keep your pimp hand strong.  Themes aside, the song is severly infectious, already serving as a basis for many AMV videos flowing around YouTube and the most insane of fans recreating the dances performed in the ending.

While God Hand may have come and gone with little fanfare, it is most certain its ending theme will live on in the memory of its fans.  If only more companies could make more ending themes this compelling, the world would be a better place.

#1 Silent Hill no Uta


Half the reason the number one song might be so underappreciated is the fact you have to bend over backwards to hear it as part of Silent Hill 3's super-secret ending.  Thankfully, through the bag of magic that is YouTube, any regular Joe can fill their nostrils with the catchy aroma that is Silent Hill no Uta.

For the Japanese deficient, the title translates to a simple "Song of Silent Hill" and as such, it goes through with a description of the games' main characters and provides loads of fan service to those who pay attention to every detail that is Silent Hill.  Perhaps the raw appeal of the song lies within the oxymoronic situation which it overlaps - with a completely destroyed Silent Hill laying in the backdrop, everyone gathers with joy to sing an upbeat ditty about the game that was just played.  The scenery maintains a creepy feel reminescent of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night's hallowing Game Over screen, but that hardly stops the kiddies from gathering around.

With the leading charge of "one, two, five, seven!" it becomes clear Silent Hill no Uta isn't going to be an ordinary song and the futuristic sound effects and robotic delivery of the lyrics are quite laugh inducing. But, again, that is the point, as it seems the people are purposely trying to sing as poorly as possible.  Singing talent aside, who can't resist lyrics that falsely place the characters of the game as fish salesmen or single parents?  I guess those fallacies are what prompts the song's bizzare and slightly distrubring (depending on your views) ending.  Much like a nasty car wreck, Silent Hill no Uta is so odd, but you just can't look away and its obscurity places it at the top of our list of underappreciated songs.

Nes:  Man, I’m going to have God Hand stuck in my head for weeks now.

Lar:  It is indeed that catchy.

Nes:  Well, it just freaks out my mom when I just randomly spout “Dragon Kick your ass into the Milky Way” out of the blue.

Lar:  That’s not normal.

Nes:  Should I get that checked?

Lar:  Possibly, but people will definitely want to check out more about these future titles hitting consoles next week.

The Nestlekwik Happy Hour Picks of the Week for July 14, 2008

*As a friendly reminder, these picks are based on hype and preview media and merely suggest what titles we are looking forward to most.  We have not actually played builds of these titles unless indicated and do not guarantee their quality.

Nes:  It’s a no-brainer what will sell the most next week as NCAA Football 09 hits every system under the sun next week.  Sports fans will have plenty to do next week, but for those who can’t stomach the good-old 10-yard fight, here are three suggestions that we’re looking forward to next week.

Pick of the Week Runner-Up #1 - B-Boy – Playstation 2

Just when your mom thought the world was safe from the Hip-Hop/”gansta”/street video gaming craze, Sony and FreestyleGames has decided to bring the UK's rhythm-action game B-Boy to the US this week.

The game is played almost like a fighter, but with break dancing moves instead of hadoukens, akin to games such as Bust-A-Groove. You learn moves that require a command on the controller's four face buttons and the shoulder buttons in a fashion similar to a minigame from Zelda or Rocky Legends - the exception being that you decide when to time the move you pull off (with the goal being to do it in time to Hip-Hop and Rap beats).  The graphics are looking pretty standard for today’s PS2 games, but it seems that the PS2 has reached its limit now and all we can ask for is standard suit.

While the game received a 7-score average in its UK release, we're guessing that it will be fairly popular over here in the states in light of EA Big's success and Rock Band's popularity.

Pick of the Week Runner-Up #2 - We Love Golf – Nintendo Wii

The Wii is getting another golf game in the form of We Love Golf!  Camelot Software Planning, the team that has made many of the Mario sports games has teamed up with Capcom for another Wiimote swinging outing.

Interestingly, the Wiimote seems to just replace button presses when it comes to gameplay: You time maneuvers with the Wiimote to a pretty familiar-looking power bar on the bottom of the screen. Once you've locked in power and speed, you swing the controller to match the onscreen indicator to send the ball flying.  We're not sure how this method will work seeing as it's mostly cutting hairs on the last generation games and the Wii, but it looks solid so far. The game also boasts unlockable characters, courses and classic Capcom character outfits to have your selected golfer wear (Chun-Li, Jill Valintine, Phoenix Wright were named and Lar spotted a Dino theme course which may mean Regina from Dino Crisis).  So far it looks like these really are just costumes as the character's face and skin tone remain unchanged when wearing a red gi, but it's nice to have them.

The Pick of the Week for the week of July 14, 2008 - Puchi Puchi Virus - Nintendo DS


While this game will have you battling a virus that causes people to turn into party animals, Puchi Puchi Virus shouldn't prove to be a buzz kill, especially for puzzle fans, when the title hits shelves next week.

Players will control a doctor who takes a look at a list of people who are down with the sickness.  As they say, each person is unique and in Puchi Puchi Virus, each patient will have their own unique goal players will have to tackle to cure the ill.  To perform the feat, players will use the stylus to pick out similar blocks on a hex grid to eliminate them in triangle-based patterns and owners the cart can do so in single-player or multiplayer (single and multi card) modes.

With a unique mechanic and plenty of charm to its pre-release screenshots and videos, Puchi Puchi Virus looks good enough for puzzle fans to call in with a sickness of their own to stay home and play the title.

Nes:  While we have music on the brain, it’s no surprise to point out that gamers have done some crazy things with the in-game music they love.  From the pure – www.ocremix.org - to the crazy, video game music has carried over to a number of media and many have reproduced the tunes in a style of their own.  Let’s take a look at some examples where players use video games as a means to further glorify the music.

Fly through the air on Mario Paint


Street Fighter Music is so legendary that it's been done one hundred different times - per theme.  While the techno remixes, vocal arrangements and countless rock version are fun, I think seeing Mario hop to an 8-bit version is pretty cool (even Mario pays tribute where it's due). My one gripe is the cat sound effects, but it does show that the artist put some time into making the theme in Mario Paint not as redundant as it might have been otherwise.

Blaze Heatnix's Theme


Ever wonder what some themes would look like when allowed to be in another rhythm game? This is fairly popular song from Mega ManX6 being played in a Beatmania IIDX emulation (on auto, of course).  It's a wonder that people can even dream of hitting keys that fast.

God Hand


You didn’t think we were done with this theme did you?  Someone evidentially loved this theme as much as we do and took the time to create a custom Guitar Hero II file for it.  While most of the level questionably fails to follow the … um, you know … guitar, it certainly earns brownie points for the fact it is God Hand.

Super Mario Bros. Medley


Sometimes these crossovers occur officially as well.  This is a Super Mario Bros. Medley as seen in the Japanese arcade release of Konami's Pop'N Music 14 FEVER.  The song gets pretty tough toward the end!

Super Music World


If Youtube has proven anything, it's that with enough dedicated time and effort you can be recognized as someone who has nothing better to do than crazy ROM hacks that no one has even thought of yet.

And nothing is a better textbook example of that than this game music video of a custom world's objects being timed to Niko Niko, a medley of Touhou, anime and other familar game themes. The amazing part is that the player isn’t really playing for the most part of the video at all but is being pushed along for the ride. The topping on the cake is the unique use of the boxes, turtles, and ropes used: Even if the song repeats itself, the game stays fresh with different sound effects to play all through 11 minutes worth. Oh; and the song is nice, too.

Nes:  As always, we hope you enjoyed today’s show.  We know you’ve been experiencing withdrawal from us, so you should be glad to know we are back on schedule and our next show will be hitting J2Games.com on Saturday, July 19.