P-Vock's Music Box: Shine!
Hello and welcome back to P-Vock's Music Box. Friends, it is just SOOOO HOT outside. I can't deal with it. It's approximately 10 billion degrees and that's a lil too spicy for moi. I just want to curl up inside right in front of a fan and play a video game all day just like I did as a kid with my Gamecube.
*This is actually what I did for the week off that I took right after Xenoblade 3 released.
You know, that reminds me, I have yet to talk about many games from the Gamecube library. Despite it being my favourite home console of all time, I have hardly given it some love in this column. Let's fix that and talk about the greatest example of a "summer video game" of all time.
The name alone of Super Mario Sunshine tells you it's going to be a sunny game. Mario and Peach (with no Luigi because why bring the best character in the series along) decide that the one percent aren't relaxed enough and go on a tropical vacay.
But it doesn't go as planned (contain your shock) and Mario is soon arrested for the heinous crime he didn't commit of...
Checks notes Putting some ink that would wash away after one night of rain all over a small town...
But hey, at least the game itself is fun as hell and the music slaps!
Holy hot diggity, I can FEEL the 2003 in this music. For some reason, we were all REALLY tropical for like two years. They even gave Mario a tribal tattoo at one point (not kidding, look it up).
Anyway, this is both a fantastic summery tune and a terrific hub world theme that is a pleasure to hear as you explore the sun-drenched tropical paradise of Isle Delfino and bully the Nokis for being a race of absolute nerds. It's okay, they deserved it.
Speaking of the Noki race...
Holy hot Daisy, I LOVE the theme for the Noki Bay location in this game. For a quiet, secluded, and polluted little alcove, this music has no business this good. Every single time I hear it, I'm just transported to a calm and quiet getaway, and all my troubles seem to wash away for a bit. Almost exclusively because of this music, Noki Bay is probably my favourite level in any of the 3D Mario games. This little diddy perfectly sells on its location and I cannot get enough of it.
But I can get enough of this heat, so I'mma go lie naked in front of a fan and cry about the heat.
Summer is steadily winding down and, jokes aside, I hope you've been able to enjoy yours. I hope you've gotten out a bit and done whatever it is that makes you happy before the fall returns and gives us better weather.
Thank you, as always, for checking out my hot garbage and I'll catch you next time with another suggestion from my Music Box. Stay Brutal!
PS. Here's another version of Delfino Plaza from a group so good that they literally won a Grammy for their cover work this year.