Favorite Video Game Music - Progressive Rock Music Forum

I'm sure not everyone here is a gamer, but even so, those people might be interested in some of the music the medium has to offer. Compared to movie scores, video game tracks tend to resemble actual songs, rather than being a mismash of musical parts that reflect whatever is occuring on screen.

Since in the old days the technology was very limited, it posed a high challenge to composers to create music that's not only enjoyable the first time around but can still be enjoyed as it loops infinitely until the level is completed or the boss is defeated.

I dont know weither "video game music" should be considered a genre or not, as it covers a wide variety of styles and moods. I do relate a lot of video game music with progressive rock though, as a lot of video game music from the 8 bit and 16 bit eras could get very complex and intricate and didn't have to follow basic "pop song" structure, perhaps because composers were often encouraged to push a systems sound capabilities to it's limits.

Just post videos of your favorite soundtracks.

Here's some of mine.

Solstice - 1990 - NES - Composed by TIm Follin

This has to be my favorite NES soundtrack. It's hard to believe a soundtrack like this was even possible for an 8 bit system. Also this guy is clearly a proghead. It's a great game too, pretty challenging puzzles, recommended for proggies and NES fans alike.

F Zero - 1991 - SNES - Composed by Yumiko Kameya and Naoto Ishida

This was the game that was intended to demonstrate the superior technological power the SNES system had over the Sega Genesis, and it succeeded. This is one of my favorite racing games, and this is a definitely a good example of how riveting, adrenaline pumping music enhances the gameplay experience.

Super Metroid - 1994 - SNES - Composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano

Though here's an example of how ambience can work just as well, expecially for games like this that put more emphasis on atmosphere, problem solving and exploration than fast paced action.

Streets of Rage 2 - 1992 - Genesis - Composed by Yuzo Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima

More advanced sound chips aren't everything though. The Sega Genesis had some incredible soundtracks in it's own right. Yuzo Koshiro's finest work was for this system with The Streets of Rage and Shinobi games. Koshiro took in a variety of influences but still always managed to have a sound of his own.

That's it for now but I have a lot more to cover.

Edited by boo boo - March 03 2011 at 07:00

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MillsLayne Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: September 14 2010 Location: East Bay, CA Status: Offline Points: 2504	Posted: March 03 2011 at 07:30
	I LOVE Mega Man music, usually from the NES-era and the MMX games. Just some of my favorites. I don't really have room to put all of my favorites. There's just too many!
	ht

zravkapt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: October 12 2010 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 6451	Posted: March 03 2011 at 07:12


Epignosis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: December 30 2007 Location: Raeford, NC Status: Offline Points: 32574	Posted: March 03 2011 at 06:14
	The music from the Mega Man games is consistently excellent and quite varied. I've actually heard human bands perform several of the pieces and it sounds amazing. The music to Chrono Trigger is particularly memorable also. Ditto Donkey Kong Country. Again, I've heard live musicians play this music (the aquatic level theme got a jazz treatment- so smooth and so rich). If you like video game music, this album may be of interest.
	https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays

boo boo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: June 28 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 905	Posted: March 03 2011 at 06:02
	I'm sure not everyone here is a gamer, but even so, those people might be interested in some of the music the medium has to offer. Compared to movie scores, video game tracks tend to resemble actual songs, rather than being a mismash of musical parts that reflect whatever is occuring on screen. Since in the old days the technology was very limited, it posed a high challenge to composers to create music that's not only enjoyable the first time around but can still be enjoyed as it loops infinitely until the level is completed or the boss is defeated. I dont know weither "video game music" should be considered a genre or not, as it covers a wide variety of styles and moods. I do relate a lot of video game music with progressive rock though, as a lot of video game music from the 8 bit and 16 bit eras could get very complex and intricate and didn't have to follow basic "pop song" structure, perhaps because composers were often encouraged to push a systems sound capabilities to it's limits. Just post videos of your favorite soundtracks. Here's some of mine. Solstice - 1990 - NES - Composed by TIm Follin This has to be my favorite NES soundtrack. It's hard to believe a soundtrack like this was even possible for an 8 bit system. Also this guy is clearly a proghead. It's a great game too, pretty challenging puzzles, recommended for proggies and NES fans alike. F Zero - 1991 - SNES - Composed by Yumiko Kameya and Naoto Ishida This was the game that was intended to demonstrate the superior technological power the SNES system had over the Sega Genesis, and it succeeded. This is one of my favorite racing games, and this is a definitely a good example of how riveting, adrenaline pumping music enhances the gameplay experience. Super Metroid - 1994 - SNES - Composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano Though here's an example of how ambience can work just as well, expecially for games like this that put more emphasis on atmosphere, problem solving and exploration than fast paced action. Streets of Rage 2 - 1992 - Genesis - Composed by Yuzo Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima More advanced sound chips aren't everything though. The Sega Genesis had some incredible soundtracks in it's own right. Yuzo Koshiro's finest work was for this system with The Streets of Rage and Shinobi games. Koshiro took in a variety of influences but still always managed to have a sound of his own. That's it for now but I have a lot more to cover. Edited by boo boo - March 03 2011 at 07:00