Phronemophobia's art Reviews on Newgrounds

[What's with this lush?]

Wow. This is what I expect to see on a graphic tee (you probably know the ones) being offered during a charity event, like SGDQ. Hell, I'd probably a shirt with this on it. I adore Luigi's expression, too, because I can totally see him being the type to feel confident about any style he chooses to wear outside of his normal attire, even if that attire is currently screaming "Yes, we are definitely tourists!" SMB2 is my favorite 2D Mario game, so any inspiration from it is always welcomed as far as I'm concerned! The goonies are a nice touch, but they seem more beach-themed than jungle. Probably could have swapped them out for Grinders (the monkeys) or lined it with some spikey Piranha plants but neither is as cute as the birds.

Kiss FM sounds familiar. I probably explored it alongside several other online stations over the years. The best radio I ever found used to be through itunes until they gutted the feature and replaced it with sterilized, in-house radio focused on promoting only music you could buy from their store. Now, I just listen to stuff from my parents CD collection (or whats left of it), remixes, and meme tunes. NG Radio offers a surprise or two when I leave it on for a few hours, as well. If you've got any music recommendations, feel free to share.

ICam2k responds:

Well isn't that honoring. I'll see if could pitch these if I need to.
He probably would do that as soon as he puts those pairs on. heh
You have no idea how much joy that brings me reading this. SMB3 may be considered as THE Mario game, even World, but I'll always love SMB2 the most. I remember playing this a lot and would still love to once I get to replay it. All four of the characters have both pros and cons that actually end providing different campaign experiences (to which they're all fun), the very idea of throwing away items like vegetables or even enemies as means of both attack and platforming (the level with the Albatoss is such good example) is engaging, uderrated even, the world of Subcon is the most whimsical and fun one I've seen, the enemies, while simplistic, are creative in many ways, I even love the bosses. The "All Stars" version makes the game's setting even better too, hence the inspiration. Yume Kōjō or not, it's an absolutely amazing Mario game for me.
I definitely could've picked some better contenders. My mind just somehow thought of goonies and went with it. I wouldn't mind the spiky Piranha plants though.

I do have recommendations, but I got like a bunch listed, so it'll probably take me forever to show them all. I could hand out five though.
Black - Wonderful Life
Terence Trent D'Arby - If You All Get to Heaven
Dr. Alban - Let the Beat Go on
Spandau Ballet - True

(actually I lied about being 5 out there, here's a bonus that I moreso stumbled upon on accident: Lyle Mays - Chorinho)

[Set up before it's Hot]

Well, congratulations to 2022 Cami for graduating. I hope student loans there are not an issue and she is not swimming in debt for the next ten-to-forever years of her life paying them off.

Poor Eggman not looking very sunny side up at the moment. You'd think he would already have an invention to keep himself from becoming fried. Meanwhile, it's pretty interesting to choose Madonna here instead of the usual Rogue, Sally, or Amy among the beachgoers. Refreshing, even. Also, is that boogie board a reference to the Sonic OVA?

ICam2k responds:

She'll probably do just fine. I believe it.
He did install a cooling fan right next to his Egg Mobile's driving wheel. It's not strong enough to spare him from the dog days unfortunately. I just think she has some potential given her design, especially since she looks like she could fit in the world filled with cartoon critters (something in which '06 failed to do). Although she certainly doesn't crush on the blue blur here like the concept doodles seem to imply. That would be rather odd. I'm still thinking of fleshing her out some more like the rest of Sonic's Bands members, but from where she stands, she's somewhat like April O'Neil from TMNT.
You got it indeed. Pretty nifty looking one at that.

[Super Bros and Others]

I can see why it would be a popular piece. Aside from being fanart of some of the most popular characters in video games, the overall work is bright, colorful, and charmingly stylized. The only thing I dislike (i.e. respect) is how Mario has the same sarcastically-happy look I put on whenever a co-worker steps into the kitchen to vent to me about something trivial and I am too tired/busy to be supportive. I've literally done that pose, too... hands on hips, mouth wide open, cross-eyed stare. It doesn't usually help the situation.

ICam2k responds:

Yeah, I guess I can see that. heh
Ah maan, that can't be the type of smile they're expecting to see. I suppose it's best to just give at least a slight smile if it's the case. Or maybe just tell to take a mug of coffee, who knows.

[Count on]

You made this between exams? Heh. I do think it's cute that no matter your life situation there must always be a moment to produce more Vector (and those other two beside him) fan art. "No, it's not an addiction! I can stop drawing crocodiles any time I want! ...I just don't wanna right now." ~ Cami, probably.

ICam2k responds:

When times get rough, I just gotta draw some faves every once in while. That's how it goes. LOL

[Unseen Memories]

"Who's holding this photo?" It's someone who wears an oversized pair of white gloves so that narrows it down quite a bit in the Sonic franchise. Maybe it's Nicky.

I sure hope 2022 Cami will be able to finish that project in time.

Giving Sharps his shades back seems pretty normal to me. I'm more concerned with the fact that he goes from all blue to white with orange to white with red (and you got blue with orange here); his name is either Sharps and he's a parakeet or Max and he's a parrot; and, lastly, he can't seem to decide whether he prefers the guitar or the bass. Dude's got more to worry about than stylish eyewear.

ICam2k responds:

Nicky? Ricky? Snively? Nah, I' m certain it's Mickey Mouse. As iconic as he is, he probably had a career we don't know about. That blue hedgehog in the center was probably just their fan.
Best of luck for her.
Poor guy's having a mental crisis over first impressions. No wonder why he looks upset in some iterations.

[Spring's Miracle]

It's sweet to see tough/evil guys still maintaining a strong love for normal animals they keep as pets, like Doom Guy did for his rabbit Daisy, or WoW's only living creature in the Naxxramas Raid being a cat named Mr.Bigglesworth who belonged to a Lich named Kel'Thuzad.

Again, another great expression on Wario's face and I want to believe Easter is the one time of the year where he swaps out his iconic "Have a rotten day" with something like "Have an 'egg'cellent day... a 'rotten egg'cellent day, that is" followed by his usual obnoxious laughter.

ICam2k responds:

See, even the ruthless can have a heart, they're just reserved for the prioritized.
Thanks! Oh that's just soo evil. lol

[2 Kingdoms in 1]

I, too, wish to visit Sarasaland. As a kid, I thought the Superball power was amazing and overpowered but I bet a modern-day version would find new, clever ways to use its bouncing ability. Giving Daisy the spotlight over Peach would be appreciated, as well. Maybe remake the first game and have a cutscene to properly tie the two games together by showing Wario's plan to take control of Mario Land unfold while Mario himself is busy with Tatanga.

ICam2k responds:

I think I've seen a SNES homebrew of sorts were it aims to remake Super Mario Land of sorts under the more modern look, even it goes for the "New Super Mario Bros DS" style. That being said, I believe there could more ways to explore that location again in a new light, like the Superball power as you mentioned. That could be used to either unlock secrets or help out during the more challenging levels.
Super Mario Land and 2 where the few Mario games that dared to take the red plumber to a new world setting and new characters besides fighting Bowser (with one exception being Super Mario Bros 2/USA thaks to Subcon and maybe Wonder,Sunshine even). Since it was released in 1989, it truly feels like a refresher that was ahead of its time.

[Yeeaah Gen 9]

I've seen the memes but I know little else about these three (four?) starters. From looks alone, I suppose I'd have chosen the red gator one. He seems to have a similar presence to that of other legendary Pokémon like Quagsire, Bidoof, and Slowpoke.

ICam2k responds:

You have no idea how many weed cats I've seen back in the day. Although it was getting rather repetitive I have to admit.
Hey, if Pikachu or Eevee can classify as starters, then everything can. Prof. Oak said so.
My favourite legends (although I worship Slowpoke more)! Althouh, I probably would've went with the same option too in case I'm left with no choice.

[Can you make of this?]

They're all wonderfully-delightful doodles. My favorite inclusions being Chuck D. Head (whom I initially thought was Gossamer from Looney Tunes) and Bub. Not a fan of older PnC games. They usually have some weird-logic puzzles that require a player to know something obscure, like how DotT needed a person to know the old joke about how washing a car causes rain to happen. I do, however, enjoy the music in Monkey Island and I especially love LeChuck's theme. Oh, and the ghost ship tune is great for a Halloween playlist.

ICam2k responds:

My favourite part is when he unleashes his guts out as an another form of attack. Good game with a good protagonist.
This I do understand, there were a few sections were I needed some guidance, like the insult duels one (even though it's usually regarded as the best moment in the game). That being said, there were some pretty funny jokes and somewhat clever puzzles here and there. I even quoted some fo the dialogues once in a while.
Oh absolutely, the soundtrack is definitely a good highlight, just like the pixel art. Reminds me of these old abstract paintings.

[We need to talk]

Vector's "REAL" counterpart looks more alligator than croc with the most obvious issues being the lack of visible lower teeth and a more rounded nose. The light green color is appropriate (alligators are a bit darker in tone) and they do, indeed, love themselves some purple accessories. Well... they specifically like something with red in the mix. If not red itself, crocs and gators alike will commonly go with some shade of purple or orange and maybe pair that with something neutral, like white or brown. Crocodylidae fashion is a serious matter and a far more important detail to incorporate into one's artistic interpretation of the reptiles than any of the biological traits.

REAL Sonic is cute.

ICam2k responds:

Huh, that's some newfound Crocodylidae fashion lore here. Gotta right that down.
Hate to break it to you, but it's actually just a poorly made pincushion.