Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Designing For is a series which looks at one specific level, character, or idea in gaming and breaks down the central theme to that element to figure out what it's, well, designing for! In this episode, we look at the BEST Kart Racing track of all time. What makes a track the best? What can other tracks learn from its example? Why is it cute polar bear stage and not Waluigi Pinball my beloved? Come on in and let's learn!
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Patreon: patreon.com/designingfor
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/pyrrhickong.bsky.social
Discord: discord.gg/bAwJkXP
Director/Writer/Voice Over: Tommy Eyler/Pyrrhickong
Video Editing/Additional Direction/Footage: Exellock (https://bsky.app/profile/exellock.bsky.social)
Intro Animation By: youtube.com/channel/UCb4-84eJw6K6Ij7EIsIBJpA
Intro Theme By: soundcloud.com/phil-thej/tracks
Designing For is a series which looks at one specific level, character, or idea in gaming and breaks down the central theme to that element to figure out what it's, well, designing for! In this episode, we look at the BEST Kart Racing track of all time. What makes a track the best? What can other tracks learn from its example? Why is it cute polar bear stage and not Waluigi Pinball my beloved? Come on in and let's learn!
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Patreon: patreon.com/designingfor
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/pyrrhickong.bsky.social
Discord: discord.gg/bAwJkXP
Director/Writer/Voice Over: Tommy Eyler/Pyrrhickong
Video Editing/Additional Direction/Footage: Exellock (https://bsky.app/profile/exellock.bsky.social)
Intro Animation By: youtube.com/channel/UCb4-84eJw6K6Ij7EIsIBJpA
Intro Theme By: soundcloud.com/phil-thej/tracks

![Sonic & Knuckles Sandopolis Zone: Act 2 Designing For Epitome
Designing For is a series which looks at a level in gaming, and analyzes a theme central to that levels design. In this episode, we look at the second act of Sandopolis Zone from Sonic & Knuckles, which we see as the epitome of what classic Sonic is striving to achieve even if others dont.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/designingfor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Designing4Games
Discord: https://discord.gg/bAwJkXP
Writing/Image Editing/Video Editing/Game Footage: Zack Frisbee/Goombachi
Voiceover/Script Editing/Audio Editing: Tommy Eyler/Pyrrhickong/The Dryest Bones (https://www.youtube.com/user/pyrrhickong)
Intro Graphic and Watermark By: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFlA...
Also check out our episode on how Robotnik adapts to fit into the Sonic series, no matter how it may change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMqpHkR8eTg
Or our episode on Sonic Adventure 2s City Escape, one of the best tonal openings to a video game ever made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d45PbHdcgTI
The Sonic the Hedgehog series, including Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and Sonic Mania are © Sega Games Co., Ltd.
Donkey Kong Country is © Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game by Rare, Ltd.
Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled is © Activision Publishing, Inc. and Beenox., based on the game by Naughty Dog, LLC.
The character Sans is © Toby Fox.
Sonic Fan Remix: http://www.sonicfanremix.com/
Footage/Images Used:
Sonic 3 and Knuckles Speedrun by Mike89 in 45:22 - SGDQ2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GccTQXjuoNo
Sonic Mania: Stardust Speedway Zone Act 2 (Sonic) [1080 HD]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v Nzn8EYBG5U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9GJzkfJs2c: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9GJzkfJs2c
Errant Signal - Sonic and Speed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW-nMRZGpgA
Sonic IS about speed* [Sonic 1 & 2 analysis]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af806FYJF-k
The Hidden Value of Old-School Design (Sonic the Hedgehog) | GEEK CRITIQUE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TQUQKJE1Jw
Its Not Easy Being Blue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPOBsk-rjgU
Emerald Hill Montage - Sonic Fan Remix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEd6s5S4hJI
Coldsteel the Hedgeheg: https://twitter.com/Granfallogna/status/339699446294118401
Knux says Hands off my bro!: https://twitter.com/tripplejaz/status/1082855641012563968
Sandopolis Zone: https://www.deviantart.com/nextgrandcross/art/Sandopolis-Zone-185750643?offset=80
Sandopolis: https://www.deviantart.com/fajar2/art/Sandopolis-299861194
Classic Knuckles: https://www.deviantart.com/sa2oap/art/Classic-Knuckles-627485786
Follow.my.Rainbow: https://www.deviantart.com/missyuna/art/Follow-my-Rainbow-274305541
30 day Sonic challenge: https://66.media.tumblr.com/8648b6121a0aca0997653244417f1a03/83097c6d80deb25c-7b/s640x960/0b81d6976972296402d95b8fe188d2a596b816a6.jpg
Sandopolis 3D: http://soahcity.com/forums/index.php?/topic/184-sandopolis-zone-is-it-really-that-bad/
Titanic Monarch: https://soundcloud.com/heavy-press/titanic-monarch-act-2-steel-cortex-heavy-press-cover
Ultimate Sacred Fire Be Like: https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/1507122-crash-bandicoot Sonic & Knuckles Sandopolis Zone: Act 2 Designing For Epitome](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nvRVqKbAl8A/mqdefault.jpg)


![Street Fighters Dan Hibiki Designing For Parody
Designing For is a series which looks at a level in gaming, and analyzes a theme central to that levels design. In this episode, we look at Dan Hibiki from Street Fighter, who epitomizes what it means to be a joke through the very core of his design.
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Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/designingfor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Designing4Games
Discord: https://discord.gg/bAwJkXP
Writing/Voiceover/Script Editing/Audio Editing/Game Footage: Tommy Eyler/Pyrrhickong/The Dryest Bones (https://www.youtube.com/user/pyrrhickong)
Image Editing/Video Editing/Script Editing/Game Footage: Zack Frisbee/Goombachi
Intro Graphic and Watermark By: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFlA...
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Also check out our episode on the Event Matches from Super Smash Bros. Melee, which ask players to apply their skills in fun challenges that teach the controls of the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgOslse1Z98
Or our episode on Zubaz, the only Street Fighter character even more of a joke than Dan...because he isnt even really a Street Fighter character: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv8D50SYcME
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The Street Fighter series, including Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, Super Street Fighter II, Street Fighter Alpha 1-3, Super Street Fighter IV Anniversary Edition, Ultra Street Fighter IV, Street Fighter V (Arcade Edition), Street Fighter Legends, and the Street Fighter Alpha movie, as well as Capcom vs. SNK: Millenium Fight 2000, Capcom vs. SNK 2, SNK vs. Capcom 2: SVC Chaos, Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Pocket Fighter, Street Fighter x Tekken, and Resident Evil 2 are © Capcom Co., Ltd. Street Fighter x Tekken co-developed by Dimps Corporation. Marvel vs. Capcom series uses properties © Marvel Worldwide Inc., SNK vs. Capcom series uses properties © SNK Corporation, Street Fighter x Tekken uses properties © Bandai Namco Entertainment, Inc.
The Art of Fighting, The Art of Fighting 2, and The King of Fighters series are © SNK Corporation.
Tekken 3 and the character Heihachi are © Bandai Namco Entertainment, Inc.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is © Nintendo Co., Ltd., Bandai Namco Entertainment, Inc., and Sora, Ltd.
Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and Mace: The Dark Age are © Atari, SA.
Budokai Tenkaichi 3 by Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd., and Mace: The Dark Age by Atari Games Corporation and Midway Games, Inc.
Fighters Megamix, Shining Force, Sonic Adventure 2, and Mr. Bones are © Sega Games Co., Ltd. Mr. Bones by Zono Inc.
Borderlands 2 is © 2K Games and Gearbox Software, L.L.C.
Magikarp Jump, The Magikarp Song, and the characters Magikarp, Jigglypuff, Pikachu, and Pichu are © The Pokemon Company, Nintendo Co., Ltd., and Game Freak Inc.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is © Nintendo Co., Ltd. and Intelligent Systems Co., Ltd.
The Urbz: Sims in the City is © Maxis, Griptonite Games, and Electronic Arts, Inc.
Maniac Mansion is © LucasArts Entertainment Company, L.L.C.
Overwatch is © Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Super Meat Boy is © Team Meat/Edmund Mcmillen.
Divekick is © Iron Galaxy.
The character Bubsy the Bobcat is © Billionsoft, under the Accolade label.
The character Cirno by ZUN.
Futurama is © The Curiosity Company and 20th Century Fox Television.
Toy Story is © The Walt Disney Company and Pixar Animation Studios.
The Berenstain Bears is © Mike Berenstain.
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Footage/Images Used:
Marvel Madness Justin Wong (Dan) vs Air (Ryu) Grand Finals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ms73_Dv1s0
EVO 2011 - SSF4 AE - Hydro (Gouken) vs UltraDavid (Dan): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-3q7W1tB1s
DANS RAGING DEMON: Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 (Online Matches): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6VHTfDl5sw
Dans Legendary Taunt Canceled Into Ultra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeeYmzAg84w
DAN HIBIKI - All SupeR Moves! (1995 - 2014): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FchqPjA6Wsg
[SFV AE] Evil Ryu + Dan = Kage ????: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYpdLZl52yI
Marvel VS Capcom 2 - Dan Combo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOQBgsqoa9o
Marvel VS Capcom 2 Servbot Dan and Cable Playthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp7MHOp1omg
Street Fighter in Real Life - Kens Move Set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ67ByLSmfs
Street Fighter Alpha - How to fight Dan - Chun-Li Vs. Dan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZboG54H7OA
Street Fighter Alpha 2 - Dan vs Sagat + Ending: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn6BMrquy4w
Super Street Fighter IV AE2012: Dan Combo Video 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOAEGBgnAts
996. Dan - Fair Spirit Battle - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v z_ZwMyjwDk
EniamRej Customs NECA Street Fighter IV Dan Hibiki figure review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvWptNLMF8Y
Top 10 Muay Thai Knockouts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGUlbKjlMBk
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Contd:
https://pastebin.com/UMp6NKF8 Street Fighters Dan Hibiki Designing For Parody](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oExVN9L21Wc/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Main Character Of Final Fantasy VI
Designing For is a series which looks at a level in gaming, and analyzes a theme central to that levels design. In this episode, we ask a simple question: who IS the main character in Final Fantasy VI?
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/designingfor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Designing4Games
Discord: https://discord.gg/bAwJkXP
Writing/Image Editing/Video Editing/Game Footage: Zack Frisbee/Goombachi
Voiceover/Script Editing/Audio Editing: Tommy Eyler/Pyrrhickong (https://twitter.com/pyrrhickong)
Intro Animation By: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb4-84eJw6K6Ij7EIsIBJpA
Intro Theme By: https://soundcloud.com/phildeejay/tracks
Also check out our episode on the Air Castle from Phantasy Star IV, building off of themes established throughout the series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1W2I0MArwU
Or our episode on one of the greatest battles of our time, a popularity contest on GameFAQs held between Super Mario and Cloud Strife: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dx4t6H_K9Y
Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy IV, Dissidia: Final Fantasy, Chocobos Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy!, Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride, Kingdom Hearts II, and Bubble Bobble are © Square-Enix Holdings Corporation. Bubble Bobble by Taito.
Mario Hoops 3-on-3, The Legend of Zelda, and the characters Mario, Bowser, and Funky Kong are © Nintendo Co., Ltd. Mario Hoops 3-on-3 by Square-Enix.
The characters Dr. Eggman and Yu Narukami are © Sega Games Co., Ltd. Persona 4 by Atlus.
Ms. Pac-Man is © General Computer Corporation, Midway Games Inc., and Bandai-Namco Entertainment, Inc.
The character Dr. Wily is © Capcom Co., Ltd.
The character Barker is © Cat Daddy Games and Global Star Software.
Yu-Gi-Oh! is © Konami Holdings Corporation and 4Kids Entertainment, Inc.
The Lion King, The Avengers, and the character Woody are © The Walt Disney Company. The Avengers by Marvel Studios and Toy Story by Pixar Animation Studios.
Popeye the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Sailor and Superman by Fleischer Studios, based on properties from King Features Syndicate, Inc. and DC Comics, Inc., respectively, and now owned by Warner Bros.
King Kong, The Wizard of Oz, The Lord of the Rings, and the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise are © Warner Bros. Entertainment. King Kong by RKO Pictures and The Wizard of Oz by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer.
Dracula, Jaws, and Cats are © Universal Pictures. Cats the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The Friday the 13th franchise, The Blob, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom are © Paramount Pictures.
Jojos Bizzare Adventure is © David Production, Inc., based on the manga by Hirohiko Araki.
Godzilla by Toho Co., Ltd.
The character Dudley Do-Right is © Jay Ward Productions, Inc.
The character Appa is © Nickelodeon Animation Studio.
8-Bit Theater: https://www.nuklearpower.com/8-bit-theater/
Footage/Images Used:
[Vinesauce] Vinny [Chat Replay] - Final Fantasy VI (Part 9): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6SH2vALBeM
Final Fantasy VI Final Battle and Ending - SNES - HD 60fps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYWVRVNyYwU
Final Fantasy VI CES Challenge - Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3Revj3VUpA
Ecard FFVI: Everybody VS Kefka: https://www.deviantart.com/tidi-lebre/art/Ecard-FFVI-Everybody-VS-Kefka-100236120
A God Mocks Creation Giclée (set of 3 prints): https://shop.ukiyoeheroes.com/collections/giclee-prints/products/a-god-mocks-creation-giclee-set-of-3-prints
Final Fantasy 6: https://twitter.com/crystalvfae/status/1384999852887613448
The Long Road To Kefka: https://www.cavesofnarshe.com/fanart/viewart.php?id=1262
Kefka - FF6: http://videogamin.squarehaven.com/image/Kefka FF6_by_el_roacho.jpg/tag/Final_Fantasy_VI
Dancing Mad - Kefka: https://jingsketch.tumblr.com/post/154945564743/dancing-mad-kafka-a-tribute-to-kafka-from
Kefka: Nihilism: https://www.deviantart.com/artofelaineho/art/Kefka-Nihilism-773316548
Final Fantasy VI - Celes & Terra Postcard: https://www.redbubble.com/i/postcard/Final-Fantasy-VI-Celes-and-Terra-by-Dice9633/29147383.V7PMD
Pikachu Moogle: https://www.deviantart.com/amakago/art/Pikachu-Moogle-440230377
Relm Arrowny (Final Fantasy VI) Mobile Wallpaper: https://www.zerochan.net/83883
Grandad Its Time For Dinner: https://booru.vineshroom.net/post/view/96690search=meme The Main Character Of Final Fantasy VI](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/omFA1o_mL9k/mqdefault.jpg)



![Battalion Wars Titans of Tundra Designing For Escalation
Designing For is a series which looks at a level in gaming, and analyzes a theme central to that levels design. In this episode, we look at Titans of Tundra, a level in Battalion Wars that ramps up the difficulty...but by giving you plenty of new challenges and toys to play with.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/designingfor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Designing4Games
Discord: https://discord.gg/bAwJkXP
Writing/Voiceover/Script Editing/Audio Editing/Game Footage: Tommy Eyler/Pyrrhickong/The Dryest Bones (https://www.youtube.com/user/pyrrhickong)
Script Editing/Image Editing/Video Editing/Game Footage: Zack Frisbee/Goombachi
Additional Game Footage By: Master Knight DH
Intro Graphic and Watermark By: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFlA...
Also check out our episode on how a level in Valkyria Chronicles re-contextualizes the war effort: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifBPMEnc-JQ
Or our episode on how Fire Emblem: New Mystery of the Emblem shows how to most effectively create bonus challenges and rewards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMturmC2jH0
The Wars series, including Battalion Wars, Battalion Wars ii, Advance Wars, and Famicom Wars is © Intelligent Systems Co., Ltd. and Nintendo Co., Ltd. Battalion Wars by Kuju Ltd.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddys Kong Quest, Super Mario World, and Super Mario Bros. are © Nintendo Co., Ltd. Donkey Kong Country 2 by Rare, Ltd.
Pokemon Red Version and Pokemon Sword and Shield are © The Pokémon Company, Game Freak Inc. and Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Banjo-Kazooie and Battletoads are © Microsoft Corporation and Rare, Ltd.
Cuphead is © StudioMDHR.
Rayman is © Ubisoft Entertainment SA.
Spyro: Reignited Trilogy is © Activision Publishing, Inc. and Toys for Bob, based on the original series by Insomniac Games, Inc.
Super Meat Boy is © Team Meat/Edmund McMillen.
Ms. Pac-Man is © Bandai-Namco Entertainment, Inc.
Madden NFL 94 is © Electronic Arts., with licensing from NFL Enterprises LLC.
I Wanna Be The Guy: https://kayin.moe/iwbtg/downloads.php
Kaizo Mario World 3 by T. Takemato.
Goof Troop is © The Walt Disney Company.
The Promised Neverland is © CloverWorks Inc., based on the manga series by Kaiu Shirai.
The character Speedy Gonzales is © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of WarnerMedia, LLC.
Footage/Images Used:
New Robot Makes Soldiers Obsolete (Corridor Digital): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3RIHnK0_NE
20mm vs Ballistics Gel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9XVy7G9GAE
[I CANT DEFEAT AIRMAN/エアーマンが倒せない] The 10th anniversary edition (English sub): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be1VTz0nC3Y
Gamecube Longplay - Battalion Wars 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQbtLnxCpno
Cuphead - A Modest Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8ElSWAV1ss
Spyro Reignited Trilogy - How to Reach the Tree Tops Supercharge Dragon & Thief: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLLRRDhms0Y
The Trolling Begins! Kaizo Mario World 3 Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO9iKi4CUog
The Bowser To End All Bowsers! Kaizo Mario World 3 Finale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvfZuKnLcvc
Pencil Pentathlon - Rayman 1 Walkthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9fGtbKNU7U
Donkey Kong Country 2 - Animal Antics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvtdqofbql4
Super Meat Boy: The Guy Warp Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTPT2kv6PXw
Death Souls: http://forlackofabettercomic.com/?id=66
Tank/sword image by Dan Scott. Battalion Wars Titans of Tundra Designing For Escalation](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pbMbcYJL1HU/mqdefault.jpg)
