Works that needs more love

There has been many games, movies or shows I’ve liked which are university well liked by many and are considered cult classics. However, there are a few works that I liked that don’t receive as many love with a number of reasons including they are unpopular, niche, overshadowed by more popular works, panned or obscure. So here are the works that I have enjoyed myself and say that they need more love

Thunderbirds Movie (2004)

My textbook example of this; the live action Thunderbirds movie has been part of my childhood (well technically the teenage years) with the movie bringing the puppet based characters from the original TV series (which was also part of my childhood) to life yet it was universally panned due to it not being true to the original TV shows, bombing the box office and the original Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson panning it himself but we won’t go there (though funnily enough, his wife Sylvia Anderson said that it was a great tribute to the series). I suppose I get why it wasn’t well received by fans of the original TV series but I say that it’s a great adaption in its own right (if not personally preferred) with their amazingly well designed Thunderbird pilots and a great cast including Brady Corbet as relatable protagonist Alan Tracey (the main reason why I’ve got into the movie), Sophia Myles as Lady Penelope (who I say have more of a character including her cool, badass personality than the original counterpart who was boring in comparison) and Ben Kingsley as the love to hate (and arguably more entertaining and sympathetic The Hood). Even the original characters deserve a mention including badass genius Fermet and Jessie and James equivalent Transom and Mullion. So all in all, I was hyped throughout this movie and it doesn’t deserve all the hate it gets. Oh and its song Thunderbirds are go was sang by Busted which is how I’ve got into them. That alone makes this movie awesome.     

Animal Crossing Amiibo Festival

One of the two Animal Crossing spinoffs which is often panned for not being a main Animal Crossing game for the Wii U (though the reason being was the developers working on Splatoon at the time as they’re the same makers). I happened to find it enjoyable to play with my friends and family. I had so many fun and amusing moments on the Amiibo Festival Board game, experiencing events that changes throughout the months just like the actual Animal Crossing games and inviting villagers to the board game using the Amiibo cards. There are other party games though the main one that stands out is Desert Island Escape where it has some clever game mechanics involving finding resources to get off the island while playing as your villagers. You should give Animal Crossing Amiibo Festival a go with your friends and family and you’ll find that it’s more fun than others give credit for.

G-Force (film)

Why I’ve got into this film? Because it have Guinea Pigs as the main characters and I love Guinea Pigs ever since I’ve fostered one. It has great characters, impressive 3D animation and effects and won ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards 2010 yet most of the reviews are lukewarm at best and it barely has any recognition comparing to most other Disney films.  Had it received more love, then there could have been some G-Force representation at Disney World or even Kingdom Hearts.

God Eater

I’ve first discovered the series from Project X Zone and enjoyed them throughout with its combat system, characters that I’ve got really attached, great story to and have among the best video game soundtrack. The series have generally gained favourable reviews and a decent fanbase yet it doesn’t seem to have as much recognition as other Namco franchises including Tekken or Tales series. The series definitely needs more appreciation (especially in the West as God Eater seems to have a bigger fan base in Japan). A side note that God Eater 3 needs more love too with people saying that it's the weakest entry as of late. I say it's just as awesome as the other God Eater games with its music, story and characters, especially Phym.

Resonance of Fate

Resonance of Fate is another series that I’ve discovered from Project X Zone and only have discovered the remastered version on Steam by chance, giving me a chance to experience it. Whilst its battle mechanics can be quite complex at first, you’ll find that the fast paced strategic combat system gets you hyped for action especially with Hero Mode.  The story can be complicated at times but it does have many humorous moments including the Christmas based level and I find myself rooting for the main characters as they grow. The reviews are mostly positive though it doesn’t seem to have as much appreciation comparing to other Sega games. A lot of people should try out this gem more.

Marvel Vs Capcom Infinite

I’ve got into Marvel Vs Capcom since the 3^rd series which helped me to get to know many characters and franchises from...well Marvel and Capcom. Whilst I get that Infinite have its problems including graphics, the removal of Normal and Simple mode, hype blackish and maybe they could have a more varied character choices for the Capcom side (though it does have Dante, Zero and even Jedah), don’t forget that it have the story mode which I’ve find enjoyable throughout with the characters teaming up and interacting with each other (which could give Super Smash Bros Brawl Subspace Emissary a run for money dare I might say but it’s still awesome itself otherwise). I find that the character conversations are more varied than the ones in Marvel Vs Capcom 3 and most of the character themes for the Marvel side are better than the ones in again Marvel Vs Capcom 3. The character rooster isn’t half bad either (with the new Marvel characters are pretty solid). I say that Infinite isn’t bad as most people say and it needs another chance.

Watercolours (2010 film)

Watercolours was an Indie LGBTQ movie that I’ve found and watched during the same year when I come out. I’ve watched it on Christmas and felt so emotional throughout with its heart wrenching story line and tragic characters. It have earned several awards (including for the actors which is well deserved I say) and a couple of fans who loved the movie as I’ve found on the Youtube comment section for clips of the movie yet it doesn’t have as much recognition comparing to other LGBTQ movies including Love Simon and Brokeback Mountain. I hope more people will watch it to give it more recognition it deserves.

  

Zookeeper (2011 film)

As someone who likes animals and going to Zoos, this comedy film with talking animals is the film for me. The plot involves a good hearted zoo keeper named Griffin trying to win a girl’s heart with help from the animals which results in hilarity ensure. It’s a shame that a lot of reviews have panned it as I find it overall enjoyable with Griffin’s interaction with the animals, the subplot involving on how Griffin bonds with Bernie the Gorilla who lost his trust with humans due to the abuse of a jerkass Zoo Keeper (which is rather emotional for a comedy film which makes it the best part of the film) and a number of anvils dropped on how you shouldn’t please others, it’s better to be yourself and those who don’t accept for who you are not worth your time (and how animals in captivity should be treated with kindness and not all humans working with animals are bad during the Bernie subplot). Really, I don’t get the negative reviews and all of the above makes it better than the reviewers would suggest.

Metroid Other M

The most divisive Metroid game for a number of reasons especially involving the story and Samus’ characteration. Whilst I get that her characteration have conflicting issues with the Japanese and Western fanbase (including on how Japan portrays women), I personally don’t have too much issue (unpopular opinion as it maybe) as I say it was an interesting attempt to give Samus some actual character that shows her flawed, sensitive side and how she sees the world on her own point of view that others could find relatable. Plus her portrayal Jessica Martin was trying her best (it was more to do with Sakamoto’s direction on how to deliver her line) and even if you don’t like her portrayal, I don’t condone giving her abuse just because of it (I’m against abuse including death threats to other celebrities including James Bourne, Ahmed Best and Masuda above all else). Still, at least fans have warmed up to her. Don’t forget that the game itself have plenty of offer including the puzzles, combat system and boss battles. Other M may not be perfect but maybe if the flaws were fixed, the series going in that direction should be given another chance.

The Unholy War

This gem on the Playstatoin was part of my childhood, playing a wide variety of characters that have a variety of moves with free movement and turned based mode which makes it rather innovative at the time. It’s so underrated, making it obscure. Maybe if there’s a rerelease or even a remastered version, then it could give more people a chance to play it or re-experience it.

Ghost Stories

Specifically, the ADV gag dub as the original version had a bland script (and thought to have originally flopped). Apparently, ADV were told to do anything they wanted with the script as long as they stick with the original plot which resulted in a hilarious dub, making it amusing and entertaining to watch (think Yu-gi-oh Abridged though this was way back before Yu-gi-oh Abridged). Just check out the funny parts here.

Miitopia

Miitopia is a charming, RPG game where you cast your Miis for various roles and class. I’ve been playing it for three years using my friends, family, celebrities and fictional characters based Miis. Its mechanics are not perfect but it does have an interesting story, a surprisingly great soundtrack and many humorous moments. It certainly does have the potential to have a sequel with improved game mechanics.

¡Mucha Lucha!

¡Mucha Lucha! Is one of the more obscure Cartoon Network shows I’ve watched during my childhood. It have some very funny episodes and a great variety of cast though it doesn’t seem to have as much love comparing to more well known Cartoon Network shows including Dexter’s Laboratory, Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd N Eddy, Teen Titans, Adventure Time and Steven Universe. It definitely needs more appreciation.

Cubix

Another gem from my Cartoon Network childhood days with have brilliantly designed robots, stunning 3D animation at the time, an enjoyable theme song and some very good episodes. If only if it had more love, then it could potentially have a third season.

VBirds

Another oddity from Cartoon Network which is actually a British virtual girl group, consisting of only two songs and six one minute episodes showing the band's backstory of them being sent to a dance machine as their prison from their home planet for refusing to participle the emperor's dance farm,. The designs of the VBirds were actually rather cool though I would have to check out their two songs to see if they were better than I remembered. It's a shame that nothing have come out of it despite their moderate success as it would be interesting to see what happens next to the band and what potential they would have for their songs. 

Garfield Movie

Garfield is my favourite comic strip and I still enjoy it to this day. Its live action movie had mostly negative reviews but I say that it’s a decent adaption in its own right with the story focusing on Garfield finding Odie who he previously resented and the actors were pretty good too with Bill Murray’s voice for Garfield almost identical to Lorenzo Music from the animated series.

Billy the Cat

One of the more obscure Beano comic scripts that I've only seen in the annuals. The titular character have a cool design and with it being the Beano equivalent to Spiderman, Billy the cat is my kind my thing. It definitively needs more recognition as other bigger Beano scripts including Dennis the Menace and The Bash Streets Kids.

The Comet

Likewise, The Comet is one of the lesser known Dandy comic scripts. This super hero parody features the titular The Comet (aka Mike Wolf) who have gained super powers from a comic (or something like that) who have a rather wise cracking personality and an equally witty female sidekick Laura (who is his wife) which makes them a comical duo as shown here. The art style was rather impressive for a Dandy comic script. I've only seen a handful of scripts in the annuals and again, it needs more love like with bigger Dandy scripts including Desperate Dan and Blinky.

Honourable Mention: Paper Mario Colour Splash

For the record, I have not played Paper Mario Colour Splash though I have considered trying it out for myself at one time. Whilst I would reserve my judgement until I would get round playing it, Colour Splash have been rather divisive with the previous entry Sticker Star being mostly lukewarm and I have heard that there has been blacklash upon its reveal because of it, claiming that Nintendo were out of their touch with their fans though the game itself was in advance development by the time when Sticker Star was panned.

Colour Splash itself does have some improvements over its predecessor including the script and battle system. From what I have seen and heard myself, I have enjoyed the The Rescue V Squad trailers on Youtube (as a super hero team of Toads sounds cool) and heard about some unique characteration for certain NPCs. Colour Splash does look fun to play with interesting mechanics and beautiful HD graphics as I’ve seen some play through from a friend’s Youtube channel. So  again, I would have to experience the game fully before passing on any judgement, rather than joining the bandwagon.. 

And now for some quick fire mentions of works that do have love yet I feel that they have become divisive or don’t seem to have as much appreciation than they should (least by some vocal minorities) so I shall not be holding anything back as I gush over them:

Some say that the 5^th generation Pokemon games are their least favourite, for which I don’t get as they have a lot of great Pokemon, great story and many strong, powerful moves that makes a lot Pokemon shine than ever before.

I really don’t get people saying that Pokemon X and Y are the games that shows Pokemon's declining quality. It’s the first 3D series with Pokemon in 3D, amazing graphics, Mega Evolutions, a couple of great Pokemon and some of the best mechanics that helps with breeding, grinding and balancing issues. I say it helps Pokemon to reach its peak with some many improvements. 

Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are great remakes with many great additions and improvements over the originals.

Say what you want against Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon but they are worthy director’s cut with plenty of changes (including brand new Pokemon and features) and improvements over Sun and Moon. Besides, we haven't have Pokemon Z so. 

Pokemon Sword and Shield may have become divisive as of late due to national dex and toxic fandom issues but that doesn’t stop me from looking forward to what Sword and Shield will have to offer as the traditional Pokemon experience on the Switch.

Some can diss the Pokemon Anime for all they like but it’s part of my childhood and what have got me into Pokemon in the first place. I’ll continue to enjoy watching it as it brings Pokemon to life.

Some may have become divisive with Fire Emblem Fates (saying that it's cool to hate it) but it’s the first Fire Emblem game I’ve experienced after Heroes (as given from a friend for my Birthday) and I’ve been enjoying it with its engaging story, characters that I became attached to and a great combat system. And along with Awakening, you have to admit that Fates that helped the franchise to reach its highest peak.

People may be more willingly to diss Super Smash Bros Brawl but for me, it holds a place in my heart for being the first Smash Bros game I’ve played online; gaining so many memories and friends along the way along with context including Final Smash and Subspace Emissary and characters that build up my hype. I'm with Brawl all the way. 

I’ve always been a huge fan of Miis, creating them based on my friends, family, fictional characters and celebrities and using them for many games including Wii Sports, Wii Fit, TomoDachi Life, Smash Bros, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games and Miitopia. I’m hoping that they’ll make a comeback soon.

You either love or hate them for many reasons and prefer the 2D Sonic games but the 3D games Sonic games are just as good in their own ways (whenever they're fun or have memes associated with them), however flawed they are and that includes Shadow the Hedgehog too.

The Simpsons have always been enjoyable to watch even with the newer seasons. I've only seen a handful of them comparing to the earlier episodes but they do have some potential from what I've heard so I like to give them a chance rather than dissing them just because many say they're not as good.  With many memorable moments (whenever they're funny, emotional or awesome) and memes inspired by them, I say that The Simpsons will remain for a good long time whenever you like it or not. Why, I say that it depends on the episode themselves, rather than the season like you could have a good episode from a later season or a bad episode from an earlier season. 

It may sound weird for Digimon Frontier to have children that becomes Digimon but I say it does have many great episodes and the best opening theme song.

Digimon Data Squad is my personal favourite season with so many awesome moments and the best soundtrack, I choose it over Adventures and Tamers any day.

Digimon Fusion is fun to watch with many humorous moments and no hold barred action. I’m still hoping that they’ll get round dubbing the third season (and Appli Monsters) someday.

No matter what anyone says about Garfield nowadays, it still remains my top comic script. I’ve been regularly checking out the Garfield site for the latest scripts and many of them have made me smile or even outright laugh.

I’m proud to say that the Star Wars prequel trilogy have been part of my childhood and even with all the hate they get, I’m with the prequels all the way, especially when it comes to Jar Jar Binks, Admed Best and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker as they have got me into Star Wars in the first place.

Animal Crossing Let's go to the City also deserves a mention with many saying that it's the weakest entry but I say it's good in its own right with better events, some improved mechanics and the first Animal Crossing game that I've played online with others. I wished that I have played the game longer.

Soul Calibur V may have the most divisive cast but I say it plays just as well as the other Soul Calibur games with the best soundtrack and the first to have a story mode which does have its potential it if given another chance. 

And no matter what anyone say otherwise, the Mcfly and Busted super group McBusted is awesome, bringing both awesome bands together, singing each other songs and their own, giving me a chance to rediscover Busted and the guys themselves having a good time together (with the Mcfly guys are agruely at their happiest after going through a lot during their gerat depression) while witness the bond they have with each other. I hope that they’ll get back together someday, this time with Charlie Simpson. I have no regret supporting them all the way.