[Question] The Gamingforce Game of the Year 2014: All aboard the hype train - voting edition

Mario Golf: World Tour - 5 points

I freakin love Mario Golf ever since it first came to the Nintendo 64. The sequel after it, Toadstool Tour for the Gamecube, was pretty solid as well. I don't understand why it took so long for another one in the series to come out, especially with the Wii's motion control which would've been perfect for it.

World Tour on the 3DS keeps the gameplay you're familiar with from the Gamecube title, but integrates Mario Tennis 3DS's leveling up equipment. For example, you take control of your own character (Mii) and compete in tournaments which earn you prizes you can use towards leveling up your character's stats or buying items like Mario's Golf Clubs or hat to increase your stats as well.

But by far the best feature of this game is the online play mechanic. You can participate in tournaments to see how you stack up against other opponents in the world (and since they only do the top 3, most everyone will suck) or you can host your own tournaments such as what was done here on Gamingforce for a couple of months.

Honestly though, i'd still like to see a new home console release.




Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call - 5 points

If you've played the predecessor then you're gonna love this one. More songs and characters to unlock and purchase as well as a new feature where you can venture a quest via a map and choose your own path.

There's also a multiplayer which I never tried out, mainly because I know most of the people on here play this on the highest difficulty.

I'm a little disappointed they didn't bring the Minudes battle music from FF4: TAY, but they are bringing over Chrono Trigger which if they do more of I will grab it. *crosses fingers* Come onnnnnnnn Last Battle!

Also, One Winged Angel Advent.




Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - 5 points

Pretty fun game. You play as Donkey Kong and while Diddy makes a return you can also partner up with Dixie who helps you helicopter up temporarily or Cranky who uses his cane to pogo like Scrooge McDuck.

One thing this game brings that the Wii predecessor lacked were the underwater levels and the return of tracks such as Lockjaw's Saga and a much better version of Aquatic Ambience make them a joy to play.

There were some other tracks that made a return but some of them weren't as noticeable to me as the ones above. Still, thank you David Wise.




Bayonetta 2 - 5 points

You here for business or pleasure? Either way, I'll hook you up. One thing about the Bayonetta series is that some of the story is difficult to follow but the gameplay felt so much better compared to the first entry. It seemed easier to pull off the combos you wanted without getting interrupted which made the fights more enjoyable.

Speaking of that first entry, it's included in the WiiU version. Now wasn't that nice of them? You can go through the motorcycle sequence again while dressed as Princess Peach.

That was a pretty cool easter egg as well, being able to dress up as various Nintendo characters. Pink Panties Peach looks really niiiiiiiiiice.




Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes - 5 points

This is a short game which I'd say serves as a prologue to The Phantom Pain, but it was much better compared to Peace Walker. Despite it's shortness, there are several things to collect and there are other side missions which will keep your interest for a while.

Hearing Kiefer Sutherland as the new voice of Snake is a little weird, but you adapt to it after a while.

The game has a really cool tracking system where you can target an enemy and they'll glow whenever you're near them. So if you walk away to another area and come back you can immediately spot them and their movements even through walls.

This game is just making me want to play Phantom Pain even more.




South Park: The Stick of Truth - 10 points

This game is the ultimate service for any South Park fan. First off the game looks so good you almost can't tell the difference between it and the show. You get to create your own character and immerse them in the South Park world.

There are several cameo appearances by different characters, some of which will make your mouth drop.

One thing about this game is it's not about level grinding, but more about mastering status effects such as moves that cause burning, poison, and bleeding. Until you figure this out, you're going to have trouble progressing.

The game is hilarious and is probably one of my favorite all-time RPG's. It feels like they don't hold anything back because there will be some moments where you wonder how they were able to get away with what they did.

PRINCESS KENNY!!!




Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - 10 points

Combining the gameplay of two different series doesn't always match, but this one works insanely well. Using the puzzle-solving skills of Layton and Luke while using the courtroom skills of Wright and Maya is a huge treat.

The story is pretty good, you'll have the usual twists and turns you've come to expect from both series.

If there's one thing about this game I wished they would've done different, it would be where they teased you with epic remixes of the original Ace Attorney music in the first court case and then switched it to completely new stuff for the rest of the game.

Still, this is a match that I'd love to see a sequel of but somehow I doubt we'll ever get...and maybe that's for the best.

Hearing Wright and Layton say OBJECTION in unison is awesome.




Mario Kart 8 - 25 points

This is hands down the best Mario Kart in the series. This entry has changed how the game is played by allowing you to travel up the sides of waterfalls and mountains or completely upside down on the ceilings of the tracks.

The music is awesome, that's all that needs to be said.

There are a few shortcomings though such as battle mode is over a whole track as opposed to just a short area like what we remember from the SNES and N64 days.

Also, N64 Rainbow Road just seems too short...but it's still the best track in the game in my opinion (everyone else will tell you Music Park).

Nintendo also treated us to some amazing DLC this past November with SNES Rainbow Road, Excitebike, Mute City, and a Hyrule Course as well as some other remixes and originals which are pretty sweet as well.

What really makes this game fun is the online multiplayer. If you join the GFF weekly game, you know how hilariously fun this can be especially with the right people (Skills, Tails, Mennobot, etc.)

This is a must have for Wii U owners and is definitely a Game of the Year contender.




Super Smash Bros. for Wii U - 30 points

When Super Smash Bros. 3DS first came out, it was indeed fun but it was very lacking and the controls just felt difficult on the 3DS.

Then the Wii U version came out and...HOLY SHIT THERE'S A LOT TO DO IN THIS GAME!!

Not only that, but Nintendo released a Gamecube controller adapter for this game which makes the game feel even better.

Playable Mega Man and Pac-Man as well as a more solid playing Sonic, the third party characters are well represented here. Sorry Snake.

The music, MY GOD THE AMOUNT OF MUSIC IN THIS GAME IS GODLIKE!! One thing I will say is I'm REALLY surprised Fountain of Dreams did not make it to the tracklist on here.

Now I could go on about how awesome this game is, but there's already a video for that:

YouTube Video

Also, future Best Song Contest winner right here:

YouTube Video

One minor thing this series has been lacking since Melee are the individual Break the Targets challenges for each fighter, but overall this is still my favorite game of 2014...and there's still more to come like Tournament mode which I'm sure there will be some organization on Gamingforce for that one.

This is the best Smash game and that's the only thing I feel that could beat the best Mario Kart game.

Jam it back in, in the dark.