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My favorite game soundtracks: 8-bit era
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Rolling Stone made a list of the top 50 games about rock & roll. While it only highlighted the fact they really liked Guitar Hero and Rock Band and probably wouldn't play a video game unless it was really popular at the time.
Then, Billboard.com had their list of 25 best video game songs ever. And this list seemed even more clueless about video game music. I wasn't the only one who felt that two music publications could've had games with actual game music, not games with licensed artists and songs.
But, instead of ranting and raving about who the mainstream media is just as clueless about video games, I wanted to create a list of what I thought were some of the games that have great soundtracks that are memorable today as they were when I first played them.
The games and soundtracks I pick are absolutely subjective and are only based on a couple of points: 1)If I played them and 2)If I really liked the music for some reason. So, if you see a Final Fantasy game missing on the list or you don't see a lot of Xbox games, it's because I didn't play it enough to actually fully appreciate the music.
In fact, if you see a certain era missing what you consider a great soundtrack, email me at this address: ramsfanman@hotmail.com. And also include why the soundtrack was so awesome. Enough of the intro, let's go back all the way to the days of the NES
NES:
Super Mario Bros. (1985),Composer: Koji Kondo: What else is there to say about the game which was probably reponsible for video gaming the way we know it today. I can't imagine a single person, gamer or non-gamer, causal or hardcore, who hasn't experienced Super Mario Bros. and felt a little nostalgic hearing the classic opening level music. The classic theme is even a popular ringtone. But my favorite tune from the game has to be the Starman music-it let you know that you were unstoppable (or found a secret level full of coins in the sky) and you should be super happy for the next ten seconds or so. Soundtrack availability: Very rare, even though I saw an album full of Famicom tunes in Amoeba Music one day two years ago, but Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Melee is chock full of every nearly every tune from the classic Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988), Composer: Koji Kondo-Alright, it's not a proper Mario game but that didn't stop it from being an awesome game with some awesome music, especially the ending song. I always loved how serene and sweet it sounded after such a long adventure. Soundtrack availability: Probably in the same boat as Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. 3 (1990),Composer: Koji Kondo-One of my favorite Mario games and in my eyes, still the best Mario game. As far as the music goes, it's as diverse and varied as the stages itself. I love the reggae-influenced overworld songs, the remixed World 1-2 music from Super Mario Bros. 1, the battleship songs, the boss battles and the tune after you retrieve a wand. But my favorite tune has to be the World 8 theme. I was surprised to find out that it was based on The Planets, a seven-movement orcehstral piece by Gustav Holst. Either way, that Dark World theme let players know in the worlds of Martin Lawrence from Bay Boys II: 'This s**t just got real' Soundtrack availability: Albums may exist, so check Play-Asia.com to find any in stock.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1988), Composer: Akito Nakatsuka-The inclusion of the second Zelda over the first isn't because I don't like the music in the first, quite the opposite. I always thought the opening song when you first turn the game on had a very epic feel to it, giving the adventure more weight. But I'm choosing the second one because the music seemed like it was taunting the players, giving the quest the feeling of improbabilty of completion, especially in the dungeons. Soundtrack availability: Very rare due to the fact that none of the music used in this game was ever used again.
Metroid (1987)-Composer, Hirokazu Tanaka-The Metroid series has always been a source of great, unique compositions and the first one was as bizarre and unique as video game music gets, which was in step with its non-linear gameplay and acid-washed graphics, especially in Norfair. The very first game I ever played where the game music felt atmospheric, which was the goal of the composer. Great job, Tanka! Soundtrack availability: Probably very hard to find.
Tecmo Super Bowl (1991)-Composer: Tecmo (can't find a name, sorry)-I've always enjoyed the soundtrack from this game. It gave the game a story-like feel, especially in the opening cinema. That bassline was awesome in that cinema. I always loved the music at the end of every game and the playoff music, which tried to give the game a more emotional charge. Soundtrack availability: Probably near impossible to find and due to NFL license being strangled by EA, its even more likely that gamers will never hear those sweet tunes again.
Mach Rider (1985),Composer: Nintendo-I don't remember this game for the gameplay cause it was very difficult. I do remember the metal-influenced songs in the level kicking a whole lot of ass, which was in step for the whole riding around on motorcycle, blowing stuff up design. If it was only a tad bitter easier. Soundtrack availability: A remixed version of the Mach Rider theme was found on Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Contra (1987), Composer: H. Mazawa-One of the most intense shooters in existence. The first level is so memorable because so many people had to restart there so many times. Soundtrack availability: Some of the tunes have been covered by the Minibosses.
Mega Man 2 (1989),Composers: Manami Matsumae,Yoshihiro Sakaguchi, and Ogeretsu Kun-One of the most memorable soundtracks in existence, the opening song was incredible, nearly every level had some incredible and memorable music. Even the level select music rocked. Soundtrack availabilty: Probably doesn't exist. So you're better off with holding on to the Mega Man: Anniversary Collection or downloading it on the Virtual Console.
Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest (1989),Composer: Kenichi Matsubara-All of the Castlevania soundtracks have been memorable. Some of my favorite tunes have been the boss battle music from the first one, the opening cinema from Dracula's Curse (part 3) but my favorite Castlevania tune has to Bloody Tears, which you hear in the daytime portions of the action segments. It also has inspired a great metal cover by Minibosses. Soundtrack availability: A soundtrack for the first three games do exist and it's truly hard to find online. Happy Hunting.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1989),Composer:Ultra Games-One of the things I vividly remember about the first NES TMNT game was that it was difficult as hell and it was in step with the grittier feel of the early comics and you can catch that feel with that catchy opening cinema. The drum beat was so awesome, I didn't mind not playing the game just so I can hear it over and over. Soundtrack availability: Probably non-existent, so download the game on the Virtual Console
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manahattan Project (1992), Composer,Ultra Games-One of my favorite Turtle games ever, mainly because of the music especially on level 2 and level 5. The beat-em-up genre lends itself to some great music it seems. Soundtrack availability: Probably non-existent.
I hope you enjoyed this article because the next one will be in the 16-bit era.
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