As an avid video game music fan, I very much appreciate this response to a “best video game” music ever post such as that was huge on digg recently. Streets of Rage I (and II) had fantastic soundtracks and Mega Man 2 is easily in my top 5 of all time as well. I totally agree that no “great video game music” list is complete without some Uematsu (Final Fantasy). Can’t say I am the hugest fan of Symphony of the Night’s soundtrack, so I’d like to put forth some of my favorites. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that some of my absolute favorite games have what I consider the finest music as well.
Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest
I remember this being one of the games where I was surprised at the sounds that were being
dragged out of the NES. Really fits well with the themes of day/night and made the game that much more visceral. Then of course there was the “hall of medusas” where Simon yelps “hup” every time he gets hit. Not my favorite sound in gaming, at all.
Composer: Kinuyo Yamashita
Track: Bloody Tears
Super Metroid
I usually refer to this as the “best game ever made” and I know there are people who agree. A total complete package with a deep, haunting soundtrack. Definitely has some of the best boss music, where you really feel the size of the boss through the music as well.
Composer: Kenji Yamamoto, Minako Hamano
Track:Mother Brain
Disgaea
A total blast of a game to play with a soundtrack as unique as the story and characters. Really fun, goofy tracks.
Composer: Tenpei Sato
Track: Laharl-Sama No Sanbiku (Instrumental)
Thunder Force III
A wild side-scrolling shooter with a rocking soundtrack to match. Every tune fits the level perfectly from front-to-back. In 1990, this was a serious deal for me because the tracks are barely looped with incredible guitar solos and effects. This and
Metroid get my #1 vote.
Composer: Tsukumo Hyakutarou
Track: Final Take A Chance
Chrono Cross
One of the earlier jams on SNES was Chronotrigger. Featuring the work of RPG super-composer Yasunori Mitsuda…*drool* While this soundtrack was amazing, I find my favorite tune hiding on its “sequel’s” soundtrack,
Chrono Cross.
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Track: Scars of Time
Xenogears
Another fantastic soundtrack also featuring the work of Yasunori Mitsuda. The weird thing about this game is that it’s…ok, it’s one of the greatest games ever made…
if you get past the first hour. I remember hating it at first (as I hear from most people who’ve never finished it) but I still find it to be one of the more interesting well-written games I’ve played. Sound is no slouch.
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Track: Grahf, Emperor of Darkness
Streets of Rage 2
Yuzo Koshiro’s frenetic, techno-themed soundtrack made this series stand out from other brawlers of it’s time. Here’s a sweet
OneUp Studios arrangement of one of his pieces.
Composer: Yuzo Koshiro
Track: Slow Moon
Dragon Force
Personally, my favorite game made for the Sega Saturn, this beast of an RPG/Strategy game had unique, epic music for each of the (I think) eight playable characters.
Check out this YouTube of some gameplay. Easily one of the most slept-on games ever.
Composer: Bill King
Track: Castle
Click here to grab the tunes
Dan says:
April 10th, 2008 at 7:55 am
I'd also say you should have giving it some more 8-bit NES love! Like Marble Madness, Kid Icarus or Contra. More for being nostalgic than 'good', those old tunes tug at the heart strings.
Ben says:
April 10th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Mark Eagleton says:
April 10th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
alex says:
April 15th, 2008 at 10:22 am
PSP Games says:
April 30th, 2008 at 5:14 am