Here’s how this works.
– Each round will be open for 48 hours, more or less. The winner is the song with the most votes.
– If there’s a tie, I’ll make an announcement stating that the next song to get a vote will win.
– If there’s a blow-out, I’ll end the round early.
– This thread is for voting only, so no discussion or off-topic banter is allowed. However, in the post in which you vote, you may mention why you voted the way you did.
– Please put your vote—and only your vote—in BOLD. You get one vote per fight.
– All participating songs will be linked to YouTube.
– The match-ups will be made randomly (currently via this (http://www.random.org/)).
As we get started, please let me know through PM if you have questions or suggestions. My goal is to make this thread interesting and worth your time.
Battle 1: Un-themed
Banjo-Kazooie – Main Theme
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Dance of the Pales
Chrono Cross – Time’s Scar
Contra – Stage 1
Diablo – Town
Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambience
DOOM – At Doom’s Gate
Dr. Mario – Chill
Final Fantasy V – Clash on the Big Bridge
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme
Final Fantasy X – To Zanarkand
Kingdom Hearts – Hikari (orchestrated)
Kirby’s Adventure – Green Greens
Kirby Super Star – Candy Mountain
Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily 1-2
Mother 2 (Earthbound) – Buy Something, Will Ya!
Okami – Northern Country Kamui II
Pokemon – Main Theme
Portal – Still Alive
Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone (winner (http://forums.ffshrine.org/showpost.php?p=1281618&postcount=125))
Sonic Adventure – Open Your Heart
Street Fighter II – Guile Stage
Super Mario Bros. – Overworld
Super Mario Galaxy – Good Egg Galaxy
Super Mario 64 – Dire, Dire Docks
Super Mario World – Athletic
Super Metroid – Main Theme
Super Smash Bros. Brawl – Main Theme
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld Theme
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Dark World
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Lost Woods
Battle 2: Koji Kondo soundtracks
Star Fox 64
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. 2
Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario World
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars
Super Mario 64
Super Mario Sunshine
Super Mario Galaxy
The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (winner (http://forums.ffshrine.org/showpost.php?p=1307820&postcount=230))
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Battle 3: Aquatic Level themes
Banjo-Kazooie – Treasure Trove Cove
Blinx the Time Sweeper – Hourglass Caves
Chrono Cross – Jellyfish Sea
Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambiance
Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future – The Shrine of the Conservatory
Endless Ocean – Prayer
Final Fantasy V – Beyond the Deep Blue Sea
Final Fantasy VII – A Secret Sleeping in the Sea
Golden Sun – Set Sail! Through the Karagol Sea
Kirby’s Adventure – Orange Ocean
Little Nemo: The Dream Master – Night Sea
Mario Party 3 – Deep Bloober Sea
Mega Man 2 – Bubble Man
Mega Man X5 – Duff McWhalen Stage
Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate (winner (http://forums.ffshrine.org/showpost.php?p=1339367&postcount=388))
Okami – Dragon Palace
Pikmin 2 – Perplexing Pool
Plok – Beach
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald – Dive
Ristar – Splash Down
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Aquatic Ruin Zone
Sonic Adventure 2 – Dive into the Mellow (Aquatic Mine)
Sonic CD – Tidal Tempest/Bad Future (US)
Super Mario Bros. – Underwater
Super Mario 64 – Dire Dire Docks
Super Metroid – Maridia (Rocky Underwater Area)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Defuse Bombs (Area 2-2)
Tetris Attack – Water World
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Water Temple
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker – The Great Sea
Treasures of the Deep – Wreck of the Concepcion
Waterworld – Diving
Battle 4: Castlevania songs
Castlevania — Vampire Killer
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest — Bloody Tears
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest — Dwelling of Doom
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest — The Silence of the Daylight
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest — Within These Castle Walls
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse — Beginning (winner (http://forums.ffshrine.org/showpost.php?p=1386730&postcount=709))
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse — Demon Seed
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse — Flashback
Super Castlevania IV — Clockwork Mansion
Super Castlevania IV — The Cave
Super Castlevania IV — Theme of Simon
Castlevania: Bloodlines — Iron-Blue Intention
Castlevania: Bloodlines — Requiem for the Nameless Victims
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — Abandoned Pit
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — Dance of the Pales
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — Marble Gallery
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — Requiem for the Gods
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — Wood Carving Partita
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon — Awake
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon — Repose of Souls
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow — Heart of Fire
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence — House of Sacred Remains
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence — Leon’s Theme
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow — Subterranean Hell
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness — Abandoned Castle
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness — Cordova Town
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness — Followers of Darkness the Second
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness — Garibaldi Courtyard
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin — The Hidden Curse
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia — A Clashing of Waves
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia — Edge of the Sky
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia — Jaws of a Scorched Earth
Battle 5: NES soundtracks
Alien 3
Astyanax
Batman
Batman: Return of the Joker
Battle of Olympus
Battletoads
Bionic Commando
Blaster Master
Bubble Bobble
Bucky O’Hare
Castlevania
Castlevania II
Castlevania III
Chip n’ Dale’s Rescue Rangers
Contra
Darkwing Duck
Dr. Mario
Duck Tales
Faxanadu
Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy II
Final Fantasy III
Ghosts and Goblins
Goonies II
Gradius
Gremlins 2
Guardian Legend
Jackal
Journey to Silius
Kid Icarus
Kirby’s Adventure
Legend of Zelda
Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Life Force
Little Nemo: The Dream Master
Little Samson
Maniac Mansion
Mega Man
Mega Man 2 (winner (http://forums.ffshrine.org/showpost.php?p=1443546&postcount=1069))
Mega Man 3
Metal Gear
Metroid
Mike Tyson’s Punch Out!
Mother
Nightmare on Elm Street
Ninja Gaiden
Ninja Gaiden III
Rygar
Shadowgate
Shadow of the Ninja
Silver Surfer
Solstice
Star Tropics
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. 2
Super Mario Bros. 3
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: The Manhattan Project
Tetris
Willow
Wizards and Warriors
Wizards and Warriors II
Wizards and Warriors III
Battle 6: Nobuo Uematsu soundtracks
Anata o Yurusanai
Blue Dragon
Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy III
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy V
Final Fantasy VI (winner (http://forums.ffshrine.org/showpost.php?p=1424858&postcount=916))
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy X
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
Lord of Vermilion
Lost Odyssey
Rad Racer
Battle 7: Metal Gear songs
Metal Gear – Building
Metal Gear – Jungle
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake – Level 1 Warning
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake – Night Fall
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake – Red Sun
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake – Theme of Solid Snake
Metal Gear Solid – Cavern
Metal Gear Solid – Encounter
Metal Gear Solid – Main Theme
Metal Gear Solid – Mantis’ Hymn
Metal Gear Solid – The Best Is Yet to Come (winner (http://forums.ffshrine.org/showpost.php?p=1485511&postcount=1419))
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Can’t Say Goodbye to Yesterday
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Electronica Emma
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Fortune
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Main Theme
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Revolver Ocelot
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Twilight Sniping
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – Main Theme
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – Old Metal Gear
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – On the Ground ~ Battle in the Jungle
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – Operation Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – The Fury
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops – Calling to the Night
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops – Cunningham
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops – Gene
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops – Sad Man’s Theme
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Desperate Chase
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Everything Begins
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Guns of the Patriots
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Love Theme
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Old Snake
Battle 8: SNES soundtracks
7th Saga
ActRaiser
Axelay
Bahamut Lagoon
Blackthorne
Breath of Fire
Breath of Fire II
Bust-A-Move
Chrono Trigger
Contra III: The Alien Wars
Demon’s Crest
Disney’s The Lion King
Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Country 2
Donkey Kong Country 3
Dragon Quest VI
Earthbound
E.V.O.: Search for Eden
Earthworm Jim
F-Zero
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy V
Final Fantasy VI (winner (Thread 66118))
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
Gradius III
Illusion of Gaia
Kendo Rage
Killer Instinct
Kirby Super Star
Legend of the Mystical Ninja
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Live A Live
Lost Vikings
Lufia
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
Mario Paint
Mega Man X
Ninja Gaiden Trilogy
Ninja Warriors Again
Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
Plok
Secret of Evermore
Secret of Mana
Seiken Densetsu 3
SimCity
Soul Blazer
Star Fox
Star Ocean
Street Fighter II
Super Castlevania IV
Super Mario Kart
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Super Mario World
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
Super Metroid
Super Turrican
Tactics Ogre
Tales of Phantasia
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time
Terranigma
Tetris Attack
Treasure Hunter G
Zombies Ate My Neighbors
Battle 9: Genesis soundtracks
Adventures of Batman and Robin
Alien Soldier
Altered Beast
Beyond Oasis
Castle of Illusion
Castlevania: Bloodlines
Columns
Comix Zone
Contra: Hard Corps
Devilish
Dynamite Headdy
Earthworm Jim
Earthworm Jim 2
Ecco the Dolphin
Ecco: The Tides of Time
Elemental Master
Eternal Champions
Gley Lancer
Golden Axe
Golden Axe II
Golden Axe III
Gunstar Heroes
Herzog Zwei
High Seas Havoc
Jewel Master
Kid Chameleon
Landstalker
Master of Monsters
Mega Man: The Wily Wars
Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker
Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat II
Ooze
Out Run
Phantasy Star IV
Pulseman
Quackshot
Revenge of Shinobi
Ristar
Rocket Knight Adventures
Shining Force
Shining Force II
Shinobi III
Sonic the Hedgehog (winner (Thread 66118))
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Sonic 3D Blast
Splatterhouse 2
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Strider
Sub-Terrania
Super Fantasy Zone
Street Fighter II Super Championship Edition
Sword of Vermillion
Thunder Force II
Thunder Force IV
Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster’s Hidden Treasure
ToeJam & Earl
Uncharted Waters: New Horizons
Valis III
Vectorman
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
Zero Wing
Battle 10: Yasunori Mitsuda soundtracks
Arc Rise Fantasia
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack
Chrono Cross (winner (Thread 66118))
Chrono Trigger
Deep Labyrinth
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
Graffiti Kingdom
Legaia 2: Duel Saga
Mario Party
Sands of Destruction
Shadow Hearts
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Soma Bringer
Tsugunai: Atonement
Xenogears
Xenosaga Episode 1: Der Wille zur Macht
Battle 11: Mega Man songs
Mega Man — Bomb Man
Mega Man — Fire Man
Mega Man 2 — Air Man
Mega Man 2 — Bubble Man
Mega Man 2 — Flash Man
Mega Man 2 — Metal Man
Mega Man 2 — Wily Stage 1
Mega Man 2 — Wood Man
Mega Man 3 — Shadow Man
Mega Man 3 — Title (winner (Thread 66118))
Mega Man 3 — Top Man
Mega Man 3 — Wily Stage 1
Mega Man 4 — Dive Man
Mega Man 5 — Proto Man Fortress
Mega Man 5 — Wily Fight
Mega Man 5 — Wily Fortress
Mega Man 6 — Flame Man
Mega Man 6 — Knight Man
Mega Man 6 — Mr. X Stages
Mega Man X — Armored Armadillo
Mega Man X — Password Screen
Mega Man X — Spark Mandrill
Mega Man X — Stage Select
Mega Man X2 — Bubble Crab
Mega Man X5 — Grizzly Slash
Mega Man X5 — X vs. Zero
Mega Man X6 — Blaze Heatnix
Mega Man X6 — Commander Yammark
Mega Man 9 — Concrete Man
Mega Man 9 — Galaxy Man
Mega Man 9 — Hornet Man
Mega Man 9 — We’re the Robots
Battle 12: Suikoden songs
Suikoden – Beautiful Golden City
Suikoden – Distant Mountain
Suikoden – Eternal Flow
Suikoden – Forgotten Days
Suikoden – Rising Tide
Suikoden – Tropical Bath
Suikoden II – Amid the Silence
Suikoden II – Gothic Neclord
Suikoden II – Imprisoned Town (winner (Thread 66118))
Suikoden II – Nahala Yam Koong
Suikoden II – Opening
Suikoden II – Reminiscence
Suikoden II – The Outskirts of Tinto
Suikoden II – Two Rivers
Suikoden III – Exceeding Love
Suikoden III – Noisy Wind
Suikoden III – Searching for a Hero
Suikoden IV – Base 2
Suikoden IV – La Mer
Suikoden Tactics – Once Upon a Time
Suikoden Tactics – Studying the Battle
Suikoden V – A Nap
Suikoden V – Crossing the Mountain River
Suikoden V – Into a World of Illusions
Suikoden V – Sealed Room
Suikoden V – The Deep Forest
Suikoden V – Town on a River
Suikoden V – Traces of the Sindar Civilization
Suikoden V – Warmth
Suikoden V – Wind of Phantom
Suikoden Tierkreis – Citro Plains
Suikoden Tierkreis – Mining Village
Battle 13: PlayStation soundtracks
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere
Brave Fencer Musashi
Breath of Fire III
Breath of Fire IV
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Chrono Cross
Crash Bandicoot 2
Crash Bandicoot 3
Dragon Warrior VII
Einhander
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy Tactics
Front Mission 2
Front Mission 3
Gauntlet Legends
Grandia
Gran Turismo
Gran Turismo 2
Intelligent Qube
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Koudelka
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
Legend of Dragoon
Legend of Mana
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete
MediEvil
Mega Man X5
Mega Man X6
Metal Gear Solid
Monster Rancher
Monster Rancher 2
Parappa the Rapper
Parasite Eve
Persona
Persona 2
Policenauts
Rage Racer
Resident Evil
Resident Evil 2
Silent Hill
Skullmonkeys
Soukaigi
Soul Edge
Spyro
Spyro 2
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Suikoden
Suikoden II
Tales of Destiny
Tales of Eternia
Tekken 3
Threads of Fate
Thunder Force V
Tomb Raider
Treasures of the Deep
UmJammer Lammy
Vagrant Story (winner (Thread 66118))
Valkyrie Profile
Wild Arms
Wild Arms 2
Xenogears
Battle 14: Hitoshi Sakimoto soundtracks
ASH: Archaic Sealed Heat
Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter
Devilish
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Final Fantasy XII
Gradius V
Legaia 2: Duel Saga
Odin Sphere
Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
Radiant Silvergun
Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
Treasure Hunter G
Vagrant Story (winner (Thread 66118))
Valkyria Chronicles
Battle 15: PlayStation 2 soundtracks
Arcana Heart
Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2
Beyond Good & Evil
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry 3
Disgaea 2
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3
Dragon Quest VIII
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy XII
God of War
God of War II
Gran Turismo 3
Grandia 3
GrimGrimoire
Guilty Gear XX
Gungrave
ICO
Jak and Daxter
Jak 3
Katamari Damacy
Killer7
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts II
Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil
Metal Gear Solid 2
Metal Gear Solid 3
Odin Sphere
Okami
Phantom Brave
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Radiata Stories
Ratchet and Clank
Ratchet and Clank 2
Ratchet and Clank 3
Rule of Rose
Shadow Hearts
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Shadow Hearts: From the New World
Shadow of the Colossus (winner (Thread 66118))
Shinobi
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 3
Silent Hill 4
Sly Cooper
Sly Cooper 3
Soul Calibur 3
Star Ocean: Til the End of Time
Suikoden III
Suikoden V
Tales of Legendia
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und B???se
Zone of the Enders
Battle 16: Composer vs. Composer
Hirokazu Ando
Robin Beanland
David Bergeaud
Russell Brower
Howard Drossin
Tim Follin
Yasuaki "Bun Bun" Fujita
Martin Galway
Masashi Hamauzu
Miki Higashino
Chris H???lsbeck
Daisuke Ishiwatari
Kenji Ito
Noriyuki Iwadare
Hiroki Kikuta
Grant Kirkhope
Frank Klepacki
Naoki Kodaka
Koji Kondo
Yuzo Koshiro
Jesper Kyd
Michael Land
Gerard Marino
Junichi Masuda
Noriko Matsueda
Manami Matsumae
Hayato Matsuo
Shoji Meguro
Yasunori Mitsuda
Yu Miyake
Junya Nakano
Michiko Naruke
Spencer Nilsen
Martin O’Donnell
Soyo Oka
Michiru Oshima
Kow Otani
Bobby Prince
Stephen Rippy
Paul Ruskay
Shogo Sakai
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Motoi Sakuraba
Ryuji Sasai
Tenpei Sato
Jun Senoue
Yoko Shimomura
Jeremy Soule
Glenn Stafford
Koichi Sugiyama
Motoaki Takenouchi
Tommy Tallarico
Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka
Masami Ueda
Matt Uelmen
Nobuo Uematsu (winner (Thread 66118))
Hajime Wakai
Jack Wall
David Wise
Kenji Yamamoto
Michiru Yamane
Toshiharu Yamanishi
Akira Yamaoka
Inon Zur
Battle 17: Final Fantasy songs
Final Fantasy I – Gurgu Volcano
Final Fantasy I – Matoya’s Cavern
Final Fantasy II – Ancient Castle
Final Fantasy II – Main Theme
Final Fantasy II – Tower of Mages
Final Fantasy III – Battle
Final Fantasy III – Cloud of Darkness
Final Fantasy III – Crystal Cave
Final Fantasy III – Eternal Wind
Final Fantasy III – The Invincible
Final Fantasy IV – Fight 2
Final Fantasy IV – Main Theme
Final Fantasy IV – Mystic Mysidia
Final Fantasy IV – Prelude
Final Fantasy IV – Prologue
Final Fantasy IV – Red Wings
Final Fantasy IV – The Dreadful Fight
Final Fantasy IV – The Final Battle
Final Fantasy IV – The Lunarians
Final Fantasy IV – Troian Beauty
Final Fantasy IV – Within the Giant
Final Fantasy V – Clash on the Big Bridge
Final Fantasy V – Cursed Earth
Final Fantasy V – Dear Friends
Final Fantasy V – Harvest
Final Fantasy V – Home Sweet Home
Final Fantasy V – Sealed Away
Final Fantasy V – The Day Will Come
Final Fantasy VI – Dancing Mad (winner (Thread 66118))
Final Fantasy VI – Devil’s Lab
Final Fantasy VI – Kefka
Final Fantasy VI – Last Dungeon
Final Fantasy VI – New Continent
Final Fantasy VI – Opening Theme
Final Fantasy VI – Phantom Train
Final Fantasy VI – Save Them!
Final Fantasy VI – Slam Shuffle
Final Fantasy VI – The Decisive Battle
Final Fantasy VI – The Empire
Final Fantasy VI – The Fierce Battle
Final Fantasy VI – The Mines of Narshe
Final Fantasy VI – Troops March On
Final Fantasy VI – Wild West
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme
Final Fantasy VII – Birth of a God
Final Fantasy VII – Bombing Mission
Final Fantasy VII – Chasing the Black-Caped Man
Final Fantasy VII – Gold Saucer
Final Fantasy VII – J-E-N-O-V-A
Final Fantasy VII – JENOVA Absolute
Final Fantasy VII – Off the Edge of Despair
Final Fantasy VII – On the Other Side of the Mountain
Final Fantasy VII – One-Winged Angel
Final Fantasy VII – Still More Fighting
Final Fantasy VII – The Forested Temple
Final Fantasy VII – The Nightmare Begins
Final Fantasy VII – Valley of the Fallen Star
Final Fantasy VIII – Blue Fields
Final Fantasy VIII – Breezy
Final Fantasy VIII – Eyes on Me
Final Fantasy VIII – Find Your Way
Final Fantasy VIII – Force Your Way
Final Fantasy VIII – Liberi Fatali
Final Fantasy VIII – Martial Law
Final Fantasy VIII – Maybe I’m a Lion
Final Fantasy VIII – The Castle
Final Fantasy VIII – The Extreme
Final Fantasy VIII – The Man with the Machine Gun
Final Fantasy VIII – The Spy
Final Fantasy VIII – Under Her Control
Final Fantasy IX – Awakened Forest
Final Fantasy IX – Dark Messenger
Final Fantasy IX – Eternal Harvest
Final Fantasy IX – Final Battle
Final Fantasy IX – Freya’s Theme
Final Fantasy IX – Frontier Village Dali
Final Fantasy IX – Kuja’s Theme
Final Fantasy IX – Melodies of Life
Final Fantasy IX – Song of Memories
Final Fantasy IX – Theme of the Tantalus
Final Fantasy IX – The Place I’ll Return To Someday
Final Fantasy IX – Vamo Alla Flamenco
Final Fantasy IX – Vivi’s Theme
Final Fantasy X – Attack (Raid)
Final Fantasy X – Auron’s Theme
Final Fantasy X – Besaid Island
Final Fantasy X – Between Ordeals
Final Fantasy X – Daughter of the Great Summoner
Final Fantasy X – Decisive Battle
Final Fantasy X – Otherworld
Final Fantasy X – Seymour Battle
Final Fantasy X – Sprouting
Final Fantasy X – Suteki da ne
Final Fantasy X – The Sight of Spira
Final Fantasy X – The Silence Before the Storm
Final Fantasy X – To Zanarkand
Final Fantasy XI – Airship
Final Fantasy XI – Anxiety
Final Fantasy XI – Chateau d’Oraguille
Final Fantasy XI – Despair
Final Fantasy XI – Gustaberg
Final Fantasy XI – Selbina
Final Fantasy XI – Sometime, Somewhere
Final Fantasy XII – Ashe’s Theme
Final Fantasy XII – Eruyt Village
Final Fantasy XII – Esper Battle
Final Fantasy XII – Nalbina Fortress Underground Prison
Final Fantasy XII – Rabanastre Downtown
Final Fantasy XII – Rebellion
Final Fantasy XII – Seeking Power
Final Fantasy XII – The Forgotten Capital
Final Fantasy XII – Theme Of The Empire
Final Fantasy XII – The Phon Coast
Final Fantasy XII – The Royal City Of Rabanastre
Final Fantasy XII – The Skycity of Bhujerba
Final Fantasy XII – To the Place of Gods
Final Fantasy XIII – All the World Against Us
Final Fantasy XIII – Barthandelus Battle
Final Fantasy XIII – Born Anew
Final Fantasy XIII – Mysteries Abound
Final Fantasy XIII – Saber’s Edge
Final Fantasy XIII – Taejin’s Tower
Final Fantasy XIII – Will to Fight
Final Fantasy XIV – Aetherial Slumber
Final Fantasy XIV – Desert Moon Defied
Final Fantasy XIV – On Windy Meadows
Final Fantasy XIV – Track 27
Final Fantasy XIV – Track 42
Battle 18: Metroid songs
Metroid – Title
Metroid – Brinstar
Metroid – Norfair
Metroid – Kraid’s Lair
Metroid II – Title Theme
Metroid II – Surface of SR388
Metroid II – Metroid Hatchling Theme
Super Metroid – Title Screen
Super Metroid – Mother Brain
Super Metroid – Lower Brinstar
Super Metroid – Upper Brinstar
Super Metroid – Item Room Ambience
Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate
Metroid Prime – Ice Valley (winner (Thread 66118))
Metroid Prime – Data Selection
Metroid Prime – Tallon Overworld
Metroid Prime – Impact Crater Core
Metroid Fusion – Serris X
Metroid Fusion – Sector 5
Metroid Fusion – SR388 Return Area
Metroid Prime 2 – Title
Metroid Prime 2 – Torus Bog
Metroid Prime 2 – Emperor Ing (first and second form)
Metroid Prime 2 – Emperor Ing (final form)
Metroid Prime Hunters – Menu
Metroid Prime Hunters – Gorea Final Boss Theme
Metroid Prime 3 – Dark Samus on Norion
Metroid Prime 3 – Bryyo Ice
Metroid Prime 3 – GFS Valhalla
Other M – Uncovering the Bioweapons Plot
Other M – Approaching Sector Zero
Other M – Ridley Theme
Battle 19: Tim Follin songs
Agent X
Agent X II
Agent X II – Level 1
Arcade’s Revenge – Title
Arcade’s Revenge – Spider-Man
Arcade’s Revenge – Gambit
Bionic Commando – Stage 2
Black Lamp – In-Game Theme
ChesterField: Challenge to Dark Gor
Chronos
Equinox – Boss
Future Games
Future Tactics: The Uprising – Enemy Attack 1
Gauntlet III – Title (C64)
Gauntlet III – Title (Amiga)
Gauntlet III – Character Select
Ghouls ‘n Ghosts – Title (winner (Thread 66118))
Ghouls n’ Ghosts – Level 2
Ghouls n’ Ghosts – Level 5
Magic Johnson’s Basketball
Pictionary – Title
Pictionary – Drawing Game
Plok – Akrillic
Plok – Cotton Island
Plok – Venge Thicket
Puzznic
Scumball
Silver Surfer – Level 1
Solstice – Title
Time Trax
Treasure Master – Title
Treasure Master – World 4
Battle 20: Motoi Sakuraba soundtracks
Baten Kaitos
Dark Souls
El Viento
Golden Sun
Golden Sun: The Lost Age
Infinite Undiscovery
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Shining Force III
Star Ocean
Star Ocean: The Second Story (winner (Thread 66118))
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Tales of Destiny
Tales of Eternia
Tales of Phantasia
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria
Battle 21: Game Boy songs
Battle Bull – Title Theme
Battletoads – Stage 3
Burai Fighter Deluxe – Stage 1
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge – Evil Gods
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge – Praying Hands
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge – Ripe Seeds
Final Fantasy Legend II – The Legend Begins
Final Fantasy Legend III – Holy Ruins (winner (Thread 66118))
Final Fantasy Legend III – Oasis
Final Fantasy Legend III – Setting off into the Future
Final Fantasy Legend III – Theme of Another Dimension
Fist of the North Star – Heart, Uygur
Gargoyle’s Quest – Breager’s Castle
Gargoyle’s Quest – Dark Road
Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru – The Prince’s Adventure
Kirby’s Dream Land – Green Greens
Kirby’s Dream Land 2 – Big Forest
Link’s Awakening – Tal Tal Heights
Link’s Awakening – Sword Search
Mega Man II – Air Man
Mega Man II – Clash Man
Metroid II – Metroid Hatchling Theme
Metroid II – Surface of SR388
Metroid II – Title Theme
Ninja Gaiden Shadow – Stage 3
Pokemon – Gym Leader Battle
Robocop – Title
Spot: The Video Game – Your Turn
Super Mario Land – Rocket Ship Ride
Tetris – Music A
Yakuman – Main Theme
X – Tunnel Scene
Battle 22: N64 soundtracks
1080??? Snowboarding
Animal Crossing
Armorines: Project SWARM
Banjo-Kazooie
Banjo-Tooie
Blast Corps
Body Harvest
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack
Bomberman Hero
Buck Bumble
Castlevania 64
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
Chameleon Twist
Command & Conquer
Conker’s Bad Fur Day
Diddy Kong Racing
Donkey Kong 64
Doom 64
Extreme-G
F-Zero X
Gauntlet Legends
Gex 64: Enter the Gecko
Glover
GoldenEye 007
Harvest Moon 64
Hydro Thunder
Jet Force Gemini
Killer Instinct Gold
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Magical Tetris Challenge
Mario Golf
Mario Kart 64
Mario Party
Mario Party 2
Mario Party 3
Mischief Makers
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon
Mystical Ninja 2 Starring Goemon
New Tetris
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (winner (Thread 66118))
Paper Mario
Perfect Dark
Pilotwings 64
Pok???mon Stadium
Quake 64
Quake II
Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Ridge Racer 64
San Francisco Rush 2049
Shadow Man
Snowboard Kids
Space Station Silicon Valley
Spiderman
Star Fox 64
Super Mario 64
Super Smash Bros.
Tetrisphere
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil
Wave Race 64
Wipeout 64
Yoshi’s Story
Battle 23: The Legend of Zelda songs
The Legend of Zelda – Death Mountain
The Legend of Zelda – Intro
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld (winner (Thread 66118))
The Legend of Zelda – Underworld
The Adventure of Link – Battle
The Adventure of Link – Great Palace
The Adventure of Link – Guardian
The Adventure of Link – House
The Adventure of Link – Overworld
The Adventure of Link – Palace
The Adventure of Link – Title
A Link to the Past – Battle with Ganon
A Link to the Past – Boss
A Link to the Past – Church
A Link to the Past – Dark Mountain Forest
A Link to the Past – Dark World
A Link to the Past – Dungeon
A Link to the Past – Forest
A Link to the Past – Hyrule Castle
A Link to the Past – Overworld
A Link to the Past – Priest
A Link to the Past – Title/Opening
Four Swords – Vaati
Link’s Awakening – Ballad of the Wind Fish
Link’s Awakening – Color Dungeon (DX)
Link’s Awakening – Kanalet Castle
Link’s Awakening – Level 1/Tail Cave
Link’s Awakening – Link’s Awake
Link’s Awakening – Mt. Tamaranch
Link’s Awakening – Mysterious Forest
Link’s Awakening – Nightmare Battles
Link’s Awakening – Overworld
Link’s Awakening – Sword Search
Link’s Awakening – Wind Fish’s Egg
Ocarina of Time – Chamber of the Sages
Ocarina of Time – Deku Tree
Ocarina of Time – Fire Temple
Ocarina of Time – Forest Temple
Ocarina of Time – Ganon’s Castle
Ocarina of Time – Ganon’s Castle Tower
Ocarina of Time – Ganondorf Battle
Ocarina of Time – Ganondorf’s Theme
Ocarina of Time – Gerudo Valley
Ocarina of Time – Goron City
Ocarina of Time – Great Fairy Fountain
Ocarina of Time – House
Ocarina of Time – Hyrule Field Main Theme
Ocarina of Time – Kakariko Village
Ocarina of Time – Kokiri Forest
Ocarina of Time – Koume & Kotake’s Theme
Ocarina of Time – Last Battle
Ocarina of Time – Lost Woods
Ocarina of Time – Potion Shop
Ocarina of Time – Spirit Temple
Ocarina of Time – Temple of Time
Ocarina of Time – Title Theme
Ocarina of Time – Zora’s Domain
Majora’s Mask – Chase
Majora’s Mask – Clock Town, Third Day
Majora’s Mask – Deku’s Palace
Majora’s Mask – Ghost Attack
Majora’s Mask – Ikana Castle
Majora’s Mask – Ikana Valley
Majora’s Mask – Last Day
Majora’s Mask – Majora’s Mask Battle
Majora’s Mask – Majora’s Wrath
Majora’s Mask – Mayor’s Meeting
Majora’s Mask – Stone Tower Temple
Majora’s Mask – Title Theme
Oracle of Seasons – Gnarled Root Dungeon
Oracle of Seasons – Knowledge of the Maku Trees
Oracle of Seasons – Miniboss Battle!
Oracle of Seasons – Samasa Desert
Oracle of Seasons – Secrets of the Oracles
Oracle of Seasons – Sword & Shield Maze
Oracle of Seasons – Tarm Ruins/The Lost Woods
Oracle of Seasons – Temple Ruins
Oracle of Ages – Final Quest/The Room of Rites
Oracle of Ages – Nayru’s Song
Oracle of Ages – Queen Ambi’s Palace
Oracle of Ages – Sadness
Oracle of Ages – Secret Maze on the Sea of No Return
Oracle of Ages – The Black Tower
Oracle of Ages – Top Floor/General Onox’s Castle
Oracle of Ages – Trouble on the Raft!
The Wind Waker – Battle
The Wind Waker – Dragon Roost Island
The Wind Waker – Farewell Hyrule King
The Wind Waker – Hyrule Castle
The Wind Waker – Molgera
The Wind Waker – Ocean
The Wind Waker – Outset Island
The Wind Waker – Sealed Hyrule Castle
The Wind Waker – The Legendary Hero
The Wind Waker – Title
The Wind Waker – Windfall Island
The Minish Cap – Castor Wilds
The Minish Cap – Deepwood Shrine
The Minish Cap – Vaati
Twilight Princess – A Beast in the Village
Twilight Princess – Blizzeta Battle Second Half
Twilight Princess – Dark Grotto
Twilight Princess – Gerudo Desert
Twilight Princess – Hidden Village
Twilight Princess – Hunting the Monkey
Twilight Princess – Hyrule Field Night Theme
Twilight Princess – Hyrule Field Main Theme
Twilight Princess – Kakariko is Saved
Twilight Princess – Lake Hylia
Twilight Princess – Midna’s Desperation
Twilight Princess – Midna’s Theme
Twilight Princess – Ordon Ranch
Twilight Princess – River Game
Twilight Princess – Stallord
Twilight Princess – The Sacred Grove
Twilight Princess – The Twilight Realm
Twilight Princess – Wise People
Phantom Hourglass – The Great Sea
Spirit Tracks – Papuchia Village
Skyward Sword – Ancient Lanayru
Skyward Sword – Before the Journey
Skyward Sword – Duel at the Temple of Time ~ Impa vs. Ghirahim
Skyward Sword – Earth Temple
Skyward Sword – Faron Woods
Skyward Sword – Lanayru Desert
Skyward Sword – Mini Boss Battle 2 ~ Lizalfos
Skyward Sword – Prologue ~ Legend of the Goddess
Skyward Sword – The Demon King Demise Battle ~Finale~
Battle 24: World of Warcraft songs
World of Warcraft – Enchanted Forest
World of Warcraft – Ironforge
World of Warcraft – Legends of Azeroth (Log-in Screen)
World of Warcraft – Orgrimmar
World of Warcraft – Stormwind
World of Warcraft – Tavern (Alliance)
World of Warcraft – Tavern (Pirate)
World of Warcraft – Slaughtered Lamb
Assault on Blackwing Lair – Darkmoon Faire
Rise of the Blood God – Zul’Gurub Voodoo
Shadow of the Necropolis – Fire Festival (Horde)
Shadow of the Necropolis – Naxxramas Walk
The Burning Crusade – Echoes of the Past
The Burning Crusade – Outlands Alliance Base
The Burning Crusade – Outlands Horde Base
The Burning Crusade – Silvermoon
The Burning Crusade – The Burning Legion (Log-in Screen)
The Burning Crusade – Hellfire Peninsula
The Burning Crusade – Karazhan Opera House
Black Temple – The Storm Summit
The Gods of Zul’Aman – Zul’jin
The Gods of Zul’Aman – Victory
Fury of the Sunwell – Distraction at the Dead Scar
Fury of the Sunwell – Kael’thas
Wrath of the Lich King – Wrath of the Lich King (Log-in Screen)
Wrath of the Lich King – Dragons’ Rest
Wrath of the Lich King – Crystalsong
Wrath of the Lich King – Dalaran
Wrath of the Lich King – Garden of Life
Wrath of the Lich King – Northrend Transport Night
Wrath of the Lich King – Totems of the Grizzlemaw
Wrath of the Lich King – Angrathar’s Shadow
Wrath of the Lich King – Culling of Stratholme Battle Walk
Secrets of Ulduar – The Siege
Call of the Crusade – The Argent Tournament
Call of the Crusade – The Horse and Lance
Call of the Crusade – Joust
Call of the Crusade – Isle of Conquest
Call of the Crusade – Into the Coliseum
Call of the Crusade – The Black Knight
Fall of the Lich King – Operation: Gnomeregan Intro
Fall of the Lich King – Plagueworks
Fall of the Lich King – San’layn
Cataclysm – Xaxas
Cataclysm – The Shattering (Log-in Music) (winner (Thread 66118))
Cataclysm – Tempest’s Wake
Cataclysm – Depths of Vashj’ir
Cataclysm – Thaurissan’s Reach
Cataclysm – Nightsong
Cataclysm – Kezan/Lost Isles 09
Rise of the Zandalari – Bloodlord Mandokir
Rage of the Firelands – Druids of the Flame
Rage of the Firelands – Air
Hour of Twilight – Cannonballs and Parties and Magic Cards!
Hour of Twilight – Thrall’s Might
Hour of Twilight – Dragon Soul
Hour of Twilight – The Fall of Deathwing
Mists of Pandaria – Heart of Pandaria (Log-in Screen)
Mists of Pandaria – Temple of the Five Dawns
Mists of Pandaria – Way of the Monk
Mists of Pandaria – Thunder King
Mists of Pandaria – Going Hozen
Mists of Pandaria – Serpent Riders
Mists of Pandaria – Wisdom of Yu’lon
Landfall – For the Alliance
Landfall – Garrosh’s Theme
Landfall – Jaina’s Ode to Theramore
Landfall – The Dark Moon Faire’s Merry-Go-Round
Rise of the Thunder King – The Zandalari
The Siege of Orgrimmar – Finality
Warlords of Draenor – Patience Point
Warlords of Draenor – Family
Warlords of Draenor – Wolf at the Gates
Warlords of Draenor – Elune’s Shadow
Warlords of Draenor – Fel Wasteland
Warlords of Draenor – Tides of War
Warlords of Draenor – Magnificent Desolation
Warlords of Draenor – A Hero’s Sacrifice
Warlords of Draenor – Stormlords on the March
Warlords of Draenor – Allegiances
Battle 25: ArthurGolden’s Custom Rumble
Adventures of Bayou Billy – Street Fighting
Armored Core: For Answer – Someone Is Always Moving on the Surface
Darksiders II – The Death Plains
Digital: A Love Story – Paper Dolls
Flight – I’m Feeling Lovely
Dustforce – Elvish Piper Academy
Grandia – The Theme of Grandia
Guild Wars 2 – The Great Wall Has Fallen
Lord of Vermilion 2 – Lord of Vermilion 2
Minecraft – Subwoofer Lullaby
Monkey Island 2 – The Crypt (Rapp Scallion)
Mystic Ark – First Step Towards Adventure
Plok – Flea Pit
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game – Another Winter
Total Distortion – You Are Dead
Tower of Heaven – Luna Ascension (winner (Thread 66118))
Battle 26: Yoko Shimomura soundtracks
Front Mission
Heroes of Mana
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts II
Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep
Last Ranker
Legend of Mana (winner (Thread 66118))
Live a Live
Luminous Arc 2
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
Nemo
Parasite Eve
Radiant Historia
Street Fighter II
Super Mario RPG
Xenoblade Chronicles
Battle 27: Shad’s Custom Rumble
Alien Soldier – Flashback
Bombuzal – Title Screen
Crystal Hammer – Title Screen (winner (Thread 66118))
Darius – The Sea
Forgotten Worlds – Title Theme
Future Games – Title Screen
Gauntlet – Stage 1
Illusion City – Noises of the City
Mother – Humoresque of a Little Dog
R-Type – Title Theme
Shinra Banshou – The Universe
Snatcher – Pleasure of Tension
Ultima III – Town
Ultima IV – Castle
Wizards and Warriors – Outside the Castle
Yie Ar Kung-Fu – Title Screen
Battle 28: Akira Yamaoka songs
Black Knight Sword – Catgrass Greenhouse
Contra: Shattered Soldier – Dearest
Shadows of the Damned – Great Demon World Forest
Shadows of the Damned – It’s A Bughunt
Shadows of the Damned – Suburban Nightmares
Silent Hill – Ain’t Gonna Rain
Silent Hill – Killing Time
Silent Hill – Over
Silent Hill – Silent Hill
Silent Hill – Tears of… (winner (Thread 66118))
Silent Hill 2 – Alone in the Town
Silent Hill 2 – Betrayal
Silent Hill 2 – Laura Plays The Piano
Silent Hill 2 – Ordinary Vanity
Silent Hill 2 – Pianissimo Epilogue
Silent Hill 2 – Theme of Laura
Silent Hill 2 – True
Silent Hill 3 – Breeze ~ In Monochrome Night
Silent Hill 3 – Never Forgive Me, Never Forget Me
Silent Hill 3 – Please Love Me…Once More
Silent Hill 3 – Sickness Unto Foolish Death
Silent Hill 4: The Room – Nightmarish Waltz
Silent Hill 4: The Room – Tender Sugar
Silent Hill 4: The Room – Wounded Warsong
Silent Hill: Origins – Illusion in Me
Silent Hill: Origins – Passion That Binds Me
Silent Hill: Origins – Town of Mysteries
Silent Hill: Origins – Tribal Curse
Silent Hill: Homecoming – Elle Theme
Silent Hill: Homecoming – Regards
Silent Hill: Homecoming – Witchcraft
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories – Always On My Mind
Battle 29: Commodore 64 songs
Adidas Championship Football – Intro / Game Options
Ark Pandora – Title Screen
Armalyte – Title Screen
Ball-Blasta – Name Entry
Battle Ships – Title
Bee 52 – Main Theme
Cataball – Title Screen
Chimera – Ending
Comic Bakery – Loading Tune
Cybernoid – Main Theme (winner (Thread 66118))
Cybernoid II – Main Theme
Dark Side – Main Theme
Defcom – Main Theme
DJ Puff’s Volcantic Capers – Title Screen
Dominator – Loading Tune
Driller – Main Theme
Eliminator – In-Game
Escape from Paradise – Main Theme
Fist II – The Legend Continues – BGM #1
Flimbo’s Quest – Loading Screen
Forbidden Forest – Title Screen & Main BGM
Fourth Protocol – Main Theme
Frightmare – Main Theme
Gordian Tomb – Title Screen
Grand Monster Slam – Title Screen
Hawkeye – Load Next Level
Hypa-Ball – Title Screen
Hysteria – In-Game BGM
Krakout – Title Screen & BGM #1
Last Ninja 2 – Central Park (In-Game)
Last Ninja Remix – Central Park – The Wastelands (Remix 1)
Loopz – Tune A
Monty on the Run – Main Theme
Ocean Loader – Ocean Loader #2
Odysseus: Trojan Warrior – Title Screen
Puzzlenoid – Title Screen
Quedex – Title Screen
Rambo: First Blood Part II – Loading Screen
Revolution – Aggressor Theme
RoboCop – Main Theme
Rock’n Roll – Take Off Song
Rolling Ronny – The Sewers
R-Type – Title Screen
Rubicon – Loader
Sanxion – Loader (Thalamusik)
Slightly Magic – Title Screen
Sly Spy: Secret Agent – Stage 9: Enemy Headquarters
Spellbound – In-Game Music
Startrash – Intro
Stormlord – In-Game Tune
Stormlord – Title Tune
Street Surfer – Main Theme
Tales of Boon – Name Entry
Tarzan Goes Ape! – Title Screen
Tetris – Main Theme
The Last Ninja – The Wilderness
Traz – Main Theme
Troll – In-Game BGM
Turrican – Intro
Turrican 2: The Final Fight – Title Screen
Underground – In-Game
Wizball – Title Screen
Xenophobe – BGM #3
Zamzara – Main Theme
Battle 30: 7th Gen Console soundtracks
3D Dot Game Heroes
A Boy and His Blob
Arc Rise Fantasia
Assassin’s Creed II (winner (Thread 66118))
Bastion
BioShock
BioShock Infinite
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
Blue Dragon
Br???tal Legend
Create
Crysis 2
Darksiders II
Dark Souls
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Diablo III
Double Dragon: Neon
Dragon Age: Origins
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron
Fallout: New Vegas
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Fez
Final Fantasy XIII
God of War III
Grand Theft Auto V
Guacamelee!
Halo 3
Halo 4
Heavy Rain
Hotline Miami
Journey
Killzone 2
L.A. Noire
The Last Story
The Last of Us
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Lost Odyssey
Mass Effect 3
Max Payne 3
Mega Man 9
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Minecraft
Mirror’s Edge
Monster Hunter Tri
Nier
Ni No Kuni
Portal 2
Red Dead Redemption
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game
Sengoku Basara 3
Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time
Steins;Gate
Super Mario Galaxy
Team Fortress 2
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
The Unfinished Swan
Valkyria Chronicles
Viva Pi???ata
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Xenoblade Chronicles
Battle 31: David Wise soundtracks
Battletoads (NES)
Battletoads (Arcade)
Battletoads & Double Dragon (NES)
Captain Skyhawk (NES)
Diddy Kong Racing (N64)
Donkey Kong Country (SNES) (winner (Thread 66118))
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest (SNES)
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (NES)
Solar Jetman: Hunt for the Golden Warpship (NES)
Star Fox Adventures (GCN)
Tengami (Wii U)
Viva Pi???ata: Pocket Paradise (DS)
Wizards & Warriors (NES)
Wizards & Warriors II (NES)
Wizards & Warriors III (NES)
Battle 32: Sonic songs
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) – Green Hill Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) – Marble Zone (winner (Thread 66118))
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) – Spring Yard Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) – Star Light Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) – Emerald Hill Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) – Chemical Plant Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) – Aquatic Ruin Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) – Hidden Palace Zone
Sonic CD (1993) – Tidal Tempest Present (JP)
Sonic CD (1993) – Stardust Speedway Good Future (JP)
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (1994) – Angel Island Zone 1
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (1994) – Icecap Zone 1
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (1994) – Lava Reef Zone Act 2
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (1994) – Chrome Gadget
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (1994) – Hydrocity Zone Act 1
Sonic 3D Blast (1996) – Panic Puppet Zone Act 1
Sonic 3D Blast (1996) – Volcano Valley Zone Act 2
Sonic 3D Blast (1996) – Rusty Ruins Zone Act 2
Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) – Dive Into The Mellow (Aquatic Mine)
Sonic Heroes (2003) – This Machine
Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) – Solaris Phase 2
Sonic Unleashed (2008) – Jungle Joyride (Night)
Sonic Unleashed (2008) – Holoska Cool Edge (Night)
Sonic Unleashed (2008) – Temple
Sonic Unleashed (2008) – Shamar Town (Day)
Sonic Unleashed (2008) – Spagonia Rooftop Run (Day)
Sonic Colors (2010) – Aquarium Park Act 1
Sonic Colors (2010) – Planet Wisp Map
Sonic Generations (2011) – Crisis City Act 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 (2012) – Metal Sonic
Sonic Lost World (2013) – Island Relics
Sonic Lost World (2013) – Sea Bottom Segue
Battle 33: Jeremy Soule soundtracks
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (winner (Thread 66118))
Guild Wars Prophecies
Guild Wars Factions
Guild Wars Nightfall
Guild Wars: Eye of the North
Guild Wars 2
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey
Landmark
Neverwinter Nights
Secret of Evermore
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
zOMG!
Battle 34: 90s End Credits Themes
Bucky O’Hare
Castlevania 64
Chrono Trigger (winner (Thread 66118))
Comix Zone
Dengeki Division
Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Country 2
DOOM
The Dynastic Hero
Earthbound
Elemental Master
Explosive Breaker
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy VI
Fly Harder
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
F-Zero
G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor
Goldeneye
Gremlins 2
Hinadori no Saezuri
Kaze Kiri: Ninja Action
Kirby’s Dream Land
The Last Express
Laura Bow 2: The Dagger of Amon Ra
Legend of Mana
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Little Big Adventure
Lotus Land Story
Mega Man 4
Mega Man 5
Monster Maulers
Mystic Square
Ninja Warriors
Outlaws
Panzer Dragoon
Phantasmagoria of Dim. Dream
Planescape: Torment
Princess Maker 2
Ristar
Secret of Evermore
Secret of Mana
Shadows of Cairn
Shadow of the Ninja
Silver Surfer
Solstice
Sonic 3D Blast
Star Fox
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Super Dodge Ball
Super Gem’Z
Super Mario RPG
Super Mario World
Super Tennis
Super Turrican
TMNT III: The Manhattan Project
TMNT IV: Turtles in Time
Totsugeki! Mix
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil
Uridium 2
Vantage Master
Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom
Battle 35: Fire Level Themes
Aladdin – Arab Rock 2
Axelay – Burning
Bucky O’ Hare – Red Planet
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano (winner (Thread 66118))
Clustertruck – Hell Is Other Trucks
Contra – Energy Zone
Crash Bandicoot 3 – Stone Age
Donkey Kong Country 2 – Hothead Bop
Elemental Master – Dance of Flame
Final Fantasy VI – Another World of Beasts
Fire Emblem: Awakening – Chaos Ablaze
Genocide 2 – Red-Hot Atmosphere
Gradius 2 – Burning Heat
Granada – Bumpy Road
Granstream Saga – Lava Cave
Illusion Blaze – Stage 3
Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy – Volcanic Crater
Kid Chameleon – Underground Cave
Kirby’s Epic Yarn – Lava Landing
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land – Volcano Area
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Fire Temple
Lethal Xcess – Volcanic Plateaus
Life Force – Fire Field
Lords of Magic – Theme of Fire
Lords of Thunder – Lavadara
Mario Kart 64 – Bowser’s Castle
Mario Party – Bowser’s Magma Mountain
Mega Man – Fire Man
Mega Man 2 – Heat Man
Mega Man 3 – Shadow Man
Mega Man 8 – Sword Man
Mega Man X6 – Blaze Heatnix
Mortal Kombat Deception – Hell’s Foundry
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe – Netherrealm
Musashi Samurai Legend – Meltdown
Musha Aleste – Offensive Overdrive
New Super Mario Bros. Wii – Volcano
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald – Mt. Chimney
Prophecy I – Level 7
Resident Evil 5 – Majini IX in Flames
Salamander 2 – Sensation
Shovel Knight – Lost City
The Smurfs – Inside the Volcano
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Lava Reef Zone Act 2
Sonic 3D – Volcano Valley Zone Act 2
Sonic Adventure – Red Hot Skull
Spyro 3 – Molten Crater
Star Ocean 3 – Evil Shade Crept
Star Trader – Ugly Beauty
Super Mario 64 – Lethal Lava Land
Super Mario Galaxy – Melty Molten Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Melty Monster Galaxy
Super Mario RPG – Barrel Volcano
Super Metroid – Norfair
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz – Volcanic Pools
Sword of Mana – Guide to a Strange World
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game – Fire
Thunder Force 3 – Gorgon
Undertale – Another Medium
Wings of Death – World 4
Wonder Boy In Monster World – Pyramid
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm – Burning Steppes
Ys II – Lava Colony
Zwei!! – Kenopi Volcano
Battle 36: 1997 soundtracks
Age of Empires
Alundra
Blade Runner
Blast Corps
Breath of Fire III
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (winner (Thread 66118))
The Curse of Monkey Island
Diddy Kong Racing
Dungeon Keeper
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy Tactics
GoldenEye 007
Grandia
Hinadori no Saezuri
IQ: Intelligent Qube
Interstate ’76
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Little Big Adventure 2
Mischief Makers
Monster Rancher
Outlaws
Quake II
Shining Force III
Star Fox 64
Tales of Destiny
Tekken 3
Thunder Force V
Tomb Raider II
Total Annihilation
Treasures of the Deep
Ultima Online
Vantage Master
Battle 37: OSTGeek64’s Custom Rumble
Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia – EXEC_CHRONICLE_KEY/.
Banjo-Tooie – Jinjo Village
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Wood Carving Partita (winner (Thread 66118))
Cuphead – Elder Kettle
NieR: Automata – Weight of the World
Parasite Eve – Main Theme (Orchestral Version)
Persona 5 – Beneath the Mask
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Justice for All – Announce the Truth 2002
Snowboard Kids – Big Snowman
Sonic Colors – Reach for the Stars
Soul Calibur III – Healing Winds
Stardew Valley – Summer (Tropicala)
Suikoden – Main Theme Arrange (Guitar Version)
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect – Menu Theme
The World Ends With You – It’s So Wonderful
Ys I & II (PCE) – First Step Towards Wars
Battle 38: nx666’s Custom Rumble
Black It! (C64) – Title Screen
Dokkaebi-ga Ganda (MS-DOS) – Stage 4
Eve Burst Error (PC-9801) – Room (Marina)
Hioden II Dash (PC-9801) – Opening Demo [MT-32 version]
Hoi (Amiga) – Level 1
Inferno (MS-DOS) – Inferno
Kimi Dake ni Ai o… (X68000) – No Regrets
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver (X68000) – Boss Theme (winner (Thread 66118))
The Light Corridor (ZX Spectrum) – Rockin’
Metal Head (32X) – Final Boss
No Mercy (C64) – Ending
Pinball Illusions (Amiga) – Menu Theme
Providence (PC-8801) – Purifimia Country – Underground Cave
Trophy Bass 3D (Windows) – Menu Theme [SC-88 version]
Tyran (Amiga) – Easy Control
Ultima IX: Ascension (Windows) – Stones
Battle 39: 2016 soundtracks
Abzu
Another Metroid 2 Remake
The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human
Battlefield 1
Brigador
Civilization VI
Dark Souls 3
Final Fantasy XV
Firewatch
Furi
Hyper Light Drifter
Kentucky Route Zero: Act IV
The Last Guardian
Mother Bleeds Russia
No Man’s Sky
Overwatch
Owlboy
Oxenfree
Pok???mon Sun & Moon
Samorost 3 (winner (Thread 66118))
Small Radios Big Televisions
Stardew Valley
Star Fox Zero
Stellaris
That Dragon, Cancer
Thumper
Titanfall 2
Tom Clancy’s The Division
Trials of the Blood Dragon
Unravel
VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
Virginia
Battle 40: ArthurGolden’s Custom Rumble of VGM Covers
Franco Albertini – A Mighty Enemy Appears (from Lost Odyssey)
Banjo Guy Ollie – Beautiful Golden City (from Suikoden)
BKMJMBOX – Eternal Wind (from FFIII)
brentalfloss – Wii Shop Channel (from Wii)
CelloBassett – Into the Thick of It (from Secret of Mana)
diddygt – Hateno Village (from Breath of the Wild)
Carlos Eiene – Eterna Forest (from Pokemon Diamond / Pearl / Platinum)
Sebastian Freij – The Place I’ll Return to Someday (from FFIX)
GICCO – Baba Yetu (from Civilization IV)
怪盗v – Heart of Fire (from Castlevania)
Ryan Lafford – Summers (from EarthBound)
Janne Lassila – By the Bay (from SimCity 4)
LONELYROLLINGSTARS – Lonely Rolling Star (from Katamari Damacy)
lonlonjp – Corridors of Time (from Chrono Trigger)
Malukah – The Dragonborn Comes (from Skyrim)
Meine Meinung & Sanzen-Sekai – Shachimaru’s Theme (from Okami)
The Minibosses – Metroid medley (from Metroid)
Mree – Simple and Clean (from Kingdom Hearts)
NESkimos – Dark World (from A Link to the Past)
Jackson Parodi – Fallen Down (from Undertale)
Doug Perry – Flow (from Fez)
Pixel Harp – Turret Opera (from Portal 2)
Pok???rus – Dreamer (from Streets of Rage 2)
PPF – Hot Head Bop (from DKC2) (winner (Thread 66118))
The Returners – Terran 2 (from StarCraft)
RichaadEB & ThunderScott – Chemical Plant Zone (from Sonic 2)
Songe – Mines Medley (from Spelunky)
Soundole – A Wish (from Secret of Mana)
Super Guitar Bros – Castle / Boss (from Super Mario World)
Super Soul Bros. – Megalovania (from Undertale)
Synthpeter – Main Theme (from International Karate)
Les Vieilles Biscottes – White Deer Inn (from Suikoden II)
Battle 41: Shad’s Custom Rumble of VGM Covers
Bit Brigade – Dr. Wiley’s Castle Stage 5 (from Mega Man 3)
Kagan Breitenbach – Title Screen (from Pictionary)
Diwa de Leon – Gourmet Race (from Kirby Super Star)
Motoaki Furukawa & Koichi Namiki – My Love (from Policenauts)
GUIDO – Outskirts of Time (from Chrono Trigger)
Fabio Lima – Dance of Pales (from Symphony of the Night)
Malcura – Gerudo Valley (from The Ocarina of Time) (winner (Thread 66118))
Markdoom – Main Theme (from Yie Ar Kung-Fu)
RichaadEB – U.N. Owen was her? (from The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil)
Skull Kids – Battle with Magus (from Chrono Trigger)
Andrew Thompson – Meridian Dance (from Secret of Mana)
Kazz Toyama – A Night Without a Lover (from Soul Blader)
Verdegrand – Capital (from SimCity)
Vinheteiro – Tristram (from Diablo)
Yuji Yoshino – Days Past (from Suikoden II)
Zuntata – Daddy Mulk (from The Ninja Warriors)
Battle 42: 10th Anniversary Encores
Banjo-Tooie – Jinjo Village
Black It! (C64) – Title Screen
Castlevania – Vampire Killer
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge – Evil Gods
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse – Beginning
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness – Abandoned Castle
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Wood Carving Partita
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano
Chrono Trigger – To Far Away Times
Contra – Energy Zone
Crystal Hammer – Title Screen
Cybernoid – Main Theme
Darksiders II – The Death Plains
Dokkaebi-ga Ganda (MS-DOS) – Stage 4
Donkey Kong Country 2 – Hothead Bop
Final Fantasy VI – Dancing Mad
Final Fantasy VI – Decisive Battle
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme
Final Fantasy VIII – Find Your Way
Final Fantasy X – Decisive Battle
Final Fantasy Legend III – Holy Ruins
Ghouls ‘n Ghosts (Amiga) – Title
Granstream Saga – Lava Cave
Hypa-Ball – Title Screen
Illusion City – Noises of the City
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver (X68000) – Boss Theme
The Last Express – End Titles
Legend of Mana – Nostalgic Song
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Forest Temple
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – Ocean
Lord of Vermilion 2 – Lord of Vermilion 2
Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1 & 2
Mega Man 2 – Flash Man
Mega Man 2 – Metal Man
Mega Man 3 – Title
Mega Man X – Spark Mandrill
Metal Gear Solid – The Best Is Yet to Come
Metal Gear Solid – Encounter
Metal Gear Solid – Main Theme
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops – Gene
Metroid – Kraid’s Lair
Metroid II – Surface of SR388
Metroid Prime – Data Selection
Metroid Prime – Ice Valley (Phendrana Drifts)
Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate
No Mercy (C64) – Ending
Parasite Eve – Main Theme (Orchestral Version)
Planescape: Torment – Credits Track
Plok – Akrillic
Ristar – Splash Down
Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse
Shinra Banshou – The Universe
Silent Hill – Silent Hill
Silent Hill – Tears of…
Silent Hill 2 – Laura Plays the Piano
Silent Hill 2 – True
Silver Surfer – Level 1
Snatcher – Pleasure of Tension
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog – Marble Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Emerald Hill Zone
Sonic Unleashed – Temple
Stormlord – Title Tune
Suikoden – Forgotten Days
Suikoden – Main Theme Arrange (Guitar Version)
Suikoden – Rising Tide
Suikoden – Tropical Bath
Suikoden II – Imprisoned Town
Suikoden III – Exceeding Love
Super Castlevania IV – Clockwork Mansion
Super Metroid – Maridia (Rocky Underwater Area)
Super Metroid – Upper Brinstar
Tetris – Type A
Time Trax – Main Theme
Total Distortion – You Are Dead
Tower of Heaven – Luna Ascension
World of Warcraft – Enchanted Forest
World of Warcraft – Legends of Azeroth
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm – The Shattering (Log-in Music)
World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor – Stormlords on the March
Zamzara – Main Theme
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link – Palace
Battle 43: NARFNra’s Custom Rumble
The 7th Saga – Battle in a World of Fading Hope
Acrobat Mission – Countryside
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer – Stage 1 (winner (Thread 66118))
Arcana – Second Armageddon
Battle Kid 2 – $1966 Volt Tower
Darius Force/Supernova – Lame
Gimmick! – Long Tomorrow
Gokujyo Parodius – What Do You See When You’re Jumping?
Live A Live – Knock You Down!
Maka Maka – Boss Battle
Over Horizon – Stage 2
Space Manbow – Fire Warning
Sparkster (SNES) – Steel Works
Super Aleste – Space Cruiser
Thunder Force III – The Grubby Dark Blue
Zombie Nation – Exodus
Battle 44: Danganronpa songs
Danganronpa – Danganronpa
Danganronpa – Beautiful Days
Danganronpa – Beautiful Dead
Danganronpa – Despair Syndrome
Danganronpa – Welcome to Despair Academy
Danganronpa – SUPER FINAL M.T.B.
Danganronpa – Discussion -HEAT UP-
Danganronpa – BOX 15
Danganronpa – Desire for Execution
Danganronpa 2 – Beautiful Ruin
Danganronpa 2 – Third Island Theme
Danganronpa 2 – Welcome DANGAN IsLand!! (OP Version)
Danganronpa 2 – Rebuttal -CROSS SWORD-
Danganronpa 2 – Kill Command
Danganronpa 2 – Homicide (8bitbug)
Ultra Despair Girls – Wonderful dead001
Ultra Despair Girls – secret base ~Left Behind by the Adults~
Ultra Despair Girls – Welcome to TOWA Tower
Ultra Despair Girls – This is the Path We Follow
Ultra Despair Girls – Let’s Play with Monokuma
Ultra Despair Girls – Shō’s Fever Time
Ultra Despair Girls – It’s a Kids’ World
Danganronpa 3 – Beautiful Afternoon
Danganronpa 3 – Death Parade
Danganronpa 3 – Old World Order
Danganronpa 3 – Steric Confrontation
Danganronpa V3 – Becoming Friends
Danganronpa V3 – Beautiful Lie
Danganronpa V3 – Darkness Time
Danganronpa V3 – Monomono Slots
Danganronpa V3 – Discussion -SCRUM-
Danganronpa V3 – Trial END
*Fighting Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Finals
Zelda Overworld Theme
Super Mario Theme (SMB Overworld)
Pokemon Theme
Banjo-Kazooie theme
Green Hill Zone (Sonic 1)
Lost Woods (Saria’s Theme, Ocarina of Time)
Open Your Heart (Sonic Adventure)
Live and Learn (Sonic Adventure 2)
Fountain of Dreams (Melee, Nightmare in Dreamland)
Green Greens (any Kirby Game)
Mona Pizza (WarioWare)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Theme
Athletic (Super Mario world and Yoshi’s Island)
Ai no Uta (Pikmin)
(these are all from the Mother series)
Pollyana
Bein’ Friends
Eight Melodies
Frank comes out Swinging (New Age Retro Hippie battle)
Buy Something, Will ya! (drugstore)
Smiles and Tears
Theme of Love
Porky’s Theme (Brawl version)
Theme of King P
Or are people still wondering what a rumble is?
[Banjo-Kazooie] Freezeezy Peak; Rusty Bucket Bay
[Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts] Showdown Town
[Banjo-Tooie] Mayahem Temple
[Cave Story] Main Theme
[Diddy Kong Racing] Crescent Island; Darkmoon Caverns
[Donkey Kong 64] Angry Aztec
[Donkey Kong Country] Aquatic Ambience; DK Island Swing
[Donkey Kong Country 2] Hot Head Bop; Krook’s March; Stickerbrush Symphony
[Dr. Mario] Chill; Fever
[Kingdom Hearts] Hikari (Orchestrated)
[Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards] Zero-Two
[Kirby Super Star] Candy Mountain; Halberd Themes (First and Second, can’t remember the official titles); Underground Jungle
[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past] Dark World; Hyrule Castle
[The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask] Song of Healing; Stone Tower Temple
[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time] Hyrule Field; Last Battle; Lon Lon Ranch (Epona’s Song); Windmill Hut (Song of Storms)
[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess] Hyrule Field
[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker] Dragon Roost Island; Molgera; Ocean
[Mario Kart 64] Rainbow Road
[Metal Slug] Final Attack; Main Theme
[New Super Mario Bros.] Main Theme
[Okami] Crimson Helm’s Extermination (Boss Theme); Dragon Palace; Kusa Village; Northern Village Kamui; Reset; The Sun Rises
[Pokemon Diamond & Pearl] Battle Vs. Dialga/Palkia
[Pokemon Gold & Silver] Battle Vs. Gym Leader
[Pokemon Red & Blue] Battle Vs. Champion
[Star Fox 64] Area 6; Star Wolf
[Super Mario 64] Dire Dire Docks; Koopa’s Road; Main Theme; Slider
[Super Mario Bros. 2] Overworld
[Super Mario Bros. 3] Airship; Ending
[Super Mario Galaxy] Battlerock Galaxy; Buoy Base Galaxy; Good Egg Galaxy; Gusty Garden Galaxy; Melty Molten Galaxy
[Super Mario World] Castle; Ending
[Super Metroid] Main Theme
[Super Smash Bros.] Credits
[Super Smash Bros. Brawl] Main Theme
[Super Smash Bros. Melee] Opening; Menu 2
[Yoshi’s Island] Flower Garden
… Uh, okay, maybe I went overboard…
Fight 1
Okami – Northern Country Kamui II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaivYMd1XNQ)
The second half of a song from the expansive five-CD Okami soundtrack, this piece fits scenes of open-field running quite well. The melody trades off between the flutes and brass over a surprisingly heavy percussion, and the result is a song that is distinctly Eastern while also seeming almost mysteriously appropriate for the closing credits of a spaghetti western. This interweaving of genres is true of the rest of the soundtrack, which has been described as “a startling fusion of techno tracks and traditional flute, shamisen and koto music. The composers attempt to refine Jpop into tasteful compositions, while pumping some life into the traditionally funereal kabuki fare, attaining surprisingly successful results. The soundtrack takes a stab at every Japanese genre in arm’s reach, for the most part succeeding brilliantly. The music composition by Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Masami Ueda, and Rei Kondou, is both distinctive and tasteful.” Awards: At the 2008 BAFTA Video Games Awards, Okami won Best Score.
Street Fighter II – Guile’s Stage Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mRKXhwxxLQ)
Equally rocking and melody-driven is the Goliath to Okami’s David, the famous “Guile’s Stage Theme.” This song probably conjures images of late adolescence, hanging out in arcades or staying up late with your SNES and a couple friends who you drifted away from after high school until waking up one day to see a Facebook friend request from one of them. This song is an epochal piece in that way, one that helped define an era of head-to-head fighters and just plain ol’ good times. It also was something cool to whistle along to while your friend sat crouched at the other end of the screen, waiting to do a flash kick the minute you came close.
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Round 1
Fight 2
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XI0m8bhpWM)
Wow to this match-up. Two classic pieces, with probably a slight edge in familiarity to Zelda. This is, of course, the piece that most of us heard in 8-bit form at the beginning of one of Nintendo’s first open-exploration games. It has been covered countless times, and covers have been attributed to famous musicians countless times. In terms of worldwide familiarity, it must rank just under the Super Mario Bros. “Overworld” theme. Its melody is eminently hummable, and suggests something heroic and, with that little drop at the :06 mark, maybe even the beginning of an adventure. Plenty more is said about Zelda’s importance to gaming here ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legend_of_zelda). Suffice it to say, the series goes on, which is something only precious few properties from that era can claim.
Final Fantasy V – Clash on the Big Bridge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtdQl6WuFeI)
This one, too, seems to suggest the beginning of something big with that seventeen-second opening, hanging on until the main melody comes in at :34. One thing to note is the impressive quality of the arpeggiated sound, created all the way back in 1992. The song is capable of sounding monstrous on headphones even with the limiting technology used to create it. The song also is somewhat emblematic of things to come for Uematsu, who now uses his Black Mages band to feature his more heavy-metal-friendly compositions. Though certain parts of the world had to wait until 1998 to play this game, this song quickly rose to “fan favorite” status and has remained there.
Thanks go to my wife for choosing four random numbers between 1 and 32. She is responsible for these match-ups. Please note the rules in the OP and PM me if you have any questions.
My votes are for Okami – Northern Country Kamui II and The Legend of Zelda – Overworld Theme.
Guile’s Stage Theme
Fight 2:
Clash on the Big Bridge
Guile’s Stage Theme
Fight 2:
Clash on the Big Bridge
Okami – Northern Country Kamui II — It just sounds so epic and amazing.
Fight 2:
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld Theme — I probably would have gone with the one from A Link to the Past, but this works.
The clear winner is "Guile (U.S.A.)" as the original, and its numerous remixes, have proven themselves to stand the test of time quite well. It’s more well-known, it’s more versatile (instrumentation), and its melody is far more appealing/accessible. Ookami’s Nothern Country Kamui II, on the other hand, sounds like an updated version of something that could have come off the VM Japan soundtrack. That’s not to say that it’s bad, but having heard the VM Japan soundtrack before the Ookami one, it just feels like it lacks originality.
Fight 2:
Not much of a standard console RPG fan anymore, but I’ll go with Zelda’s "Overworld" track as it epitomizes game music almost to the same degree as "Above Ground BGM" from the original Super Mario Bros. game.
Guile’s Stage Theme
Fight 2:
Clash on the Big Bridge
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld Theme
1. Street Figher 2 – Guile’s Theme
Much as I do like Okami’s soundtrack, it has to give way to the classicness and cool of one of SF’s best tunes.
2. The Legend of Zelda – Overworld
What can you say about this piece?!! It has a heroic, noble quality that’s conveyed entirely by the melody – no fancy orchestrations requied! I mean, as a theme it’s as memorable as some of John Williams’ greats. I believe Willaims admired Koji Kondo’s Zelda music and conducted his own arrangement with the Boston Pops Orchestra 🙂
Guile’s Stage Theme eked out the rumble’s first victory 6-4 and Zelda’s Overworld Theme won 7-3. On to the next two fights.
Round 1
Fight 3
Super Mario World ??? Athletic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC7ILAUyeGg)
Even if you don???t know this piece by name, you???ve definitely heard it. As Mario graduated onto the next gen of home consoles, Koji Kondo???s sophistication in musical arrangement took the leap with him. Good thing, too, because Kondo wrote surprisingly few tracks for Super Mario World when you come right down to it. In fact, almost all of the stage music is the same theme played in different styles. However, the durability of that theme is proven by the stellar legacy of the game. Across 80+ stages, the music (arguably) does not get stale. Of course, this is a sad tale since Kondo went on to obscurity after this title???
Mother 2 (Earthbound) ??? Buy Something, Will Ya! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoszKBLit6M)
This charming song, played whenever Ness and friends entered a drugstore, showcases the playfulness and simplicity of Earthbound. Though not everyone???s cup of tea, the game is hilariously irreverent towards the normally invisible conventions of RPGs and a blast to play even today???that is, if you can appreciate a well-timed non-sequitur. The series took a darker tone with the third installment in 2006, but the musical fun started here was a inspiration to many of the pieces in that game anyway, and a whole new audience may have been opened up to Earthbound in general and this song???s soundtrack in particular because of the Super Smash Bros. Brawl remixes of several of the game???s tracks.
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Round 1
Fight 4
Super Smash Bros. Brawl ??? Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbtqmAOwfS0)
Though often-used, the term "epic" feels right when describing Nobuo Uematsu???s theme song for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Fans of ???Aria de Mezzo Carattere??? from Final Fantasy VI and ???One Winged Angel??? from Final Fantasy VII will dig into this one, which gets a little more umph than the others with its snare drum tattoo. Also, the male and female vocalists converse with each other beautifully, although the lyrics of the song, when translated from the Latin, give one pause. The song is apparently about a feared and triumphant warrior who roams the lands seeking battle and destroying everything in his path until one day he shows up unexpectedly behind the song???s speaker. Kind of a terrifying image???to turn around and see a bloodthirsty mass murderer coming towards you. Regardless, the song serves as an appropriate opening to a game about beating people up.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ??? Lost Woods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs)
This is a tough choice. Paired against Uematsu???s Brawl theme is another piece by Koji Kondo, this one a beloved song from a beloved game???perhaps the most revered in the entire Zelda series. Like so many other songs in the game, Kondo uses the ocarina sound to great effect, hiding the cheesiness of the ocarina patch with a catchy melody and great percussion, a feat he admitted was ???a major challenge.??? Also notable is that this song is an example of ???leitmotif in reverse.??? Normally, a leitmotif announces the entrance of a character. Here, however, the leitmotif announces a stationary environment as the player approaches. This became a typical convention of the Zelda aural landscape, and showcased Kondo???s talent at characterizing an entire way of life in a few notes (think of the Goron or Zora themes).
My votes are for Mother 2 (Earthbound) ??? Buy Something, Will Ya! and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ??? Lost Woods.
bit of a nostalgia whore ;(
Mother 2 (Earthbound) – Buy Something, Will Ya!, Earthbound was such an amazing game.
Fight 4:
Super Smash Bros. Brawl – Theme, holy crap, I had no idea that Uematsu made this one.
Super Mario World – Athletic
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Lost Woods
Wonderful descriptions arthurgolden!! I love all these pieces so it was a hard choice. However.. Uematsu’s Brawl theme has always seemed a bit odd and ‘faux-epic’ to me – the choral writing is pretty basic and the japnese inflected latin just sounds cheesy as hell. I still enjoy it though, but Lost Woods definately has to take it. Speaking a little more literally of ‘leitmotifs in reverse’, listen to the Song of Healing/Clocktower in Majora’s Mask: it’s the first notes of Lost Woods backwards (befitting the fact that link enters the topsy turvy world of Termina though the woods; and, of course, it is the skull kid who must ultimately be ‘healed’).
Round 1
Fight 5
Final Fantasy VII ??? Aerith???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ)
This fight marks Uematsu???s third and Kondo???s fourth appearance in this rumble already (!). At this rate, they???ll be absent from the entire second half of Round 1. At least, that???ll give some other composers a shot. Anyway, this is one of the most famous songs in video game history, as I???m sure you already know. It accompanies the iconic death of (is it really a spoiler 12 years after the game???s release?) Aeris/Aerith. Possessing the useful super-power of reducing grown men to tears, its significance in deepening the game???s emotional wallop also (indirectly) helped more widely popularize the RPG genre. It???s now a staple of orchestral readings of video game music and YouTube tributes to unrequited love alike.
Super Mario Galaxy ??? Good Egg Galaxy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l7uFETC-Yc)
Standing in Aerith???s way is the popular ???Good Egg Galaxy.??? Featuring a snare drum pulse and a bouncy melody, it is a clear contrast in mood with Aerith???s piece. There???s an interesting back story to the musical direction of the Galaxy soundtrack, a little tug of war between Kondo and Mahito Yokota that eventually dragged designer Yoshiaki Koizumi and Shigeru Miyamoto himself into the disagreement. That can be found here ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Mario_Galaxy ). But all???s well that ends well, because the game has kept the Mario franchise as vital as ever.
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Round 1
Fight 6
Shadow of the Colossus ??? Swift Horse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARW91qriEqw)
Even superlatives seem inadequate in describing the soundtrack for Shadow of the Colossus. It makes one want to use words typically phased out of common speech, like ???majestic.??? The game shows what is possible if you give an outstanding game development team and an outstanding composer uncompromised direction in their artistic vision. There are several pieces from the soundtrack that could stand toe to toe with the other contenders in this rumble, but rather than capturing terror, exhaustion, fragility, or sorrow like so much of that music does, this song stands out for its huge, romantic theme and steadily building percussion. What does it sound like to charge a twenty-story tall colossus and plunge your sword into it? Just take a listen.
Super Metroid ??? Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7nEZWqG92Q)
Speaking of superlatives, Super Metroid is one of the all time great games for the SNES, particularly because of its engrossing score. Back in 1986, Hirokazu ???Hip??? Tanaka decided that he wanted to attempt a less melodic, more horror-movie-like soundtrack than what had previously been heard on the Famicom. What he ended up with was a groundbreaking score for Metroid, which set the tone for the whole series. Here again is Tanaka doing his best to freak us out with a chugging bass line and a ghostly moaning chorus. Even when the heroic trumpet line comes in, it???s undercut by the intense drumming that stops it in its tracks. This will be an interesting fight.
My votes are for Final Fantasy VII ??? Aerith???s Theme and Shadow of the Colossus ??? Swift Horse.
Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse
and
Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse
Both games that wowed me, and my appreciation of the music is inextricably tied to the sheer joy and wonder that they gave me. Such creativity amidst all the anonymous shooters nowadays. Feel guilty for neglecting Super Metoid, as I also ove that too.. Aerith’s Theme, however, has always seemed like an overrated piece of fluff to me.
Round 1
Fight 7
DOOM – At Doom’s Gate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr9HuE4o5sY)
You don’t play Doom for the story; you play it for the kick ass music and the opportunity to blow stuff up. This song in particular has been the anthem to many parents’ nightmares since the nineties when the game became an early totem for the violence in video games debate. It didn’t help that the game was so widely available for free, as many gamers discovered the joys of heavy metal and shooting virtual guns without having to let mom and dad know. These days, the series has lost some of its momentum, but the music is still able to conjure the excitement of holding a BFG and charging a room full of demons.
Super Mario Bros. – Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEKDF_WbMlg)
Before we knew that you could crush the goombas by jumping on them, before we discovered that you’re not supposed to fall in the holes in the ground, or that slamming your skull into the question mark box would release a mushroom that would transform you into an adult, before we even saw the face of Bowser, there was this song: a simple, catchy melody lacing through a Latin beat. Of course, it means something now that would take longer to unravel than we have space for. Perhaps the existence of these forums, and the inspiration of a generation of video game composers, and an increasingly receptive global culture that doesn’t treat gaming as a cliquish or inscrutable or potentially dangerous fad anymore rests on the shoulders of this one song? Somehow, it doesn’t seem outrageous to suggest so, or assume that for many of us this song was effectively a gateway drug. It played a part in resurrecting an industry. Thousands of covers exist on YouTube. Nobuo Uematsu said it should become the Japanese national anthem. But what do we think?
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Round 1
Fight 8
Kirby Super Star – Candy Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu7n551Oy5w)
Next up is a song that is as frenetic and cute as Kirby himself. "Candy Mountain" takes inspiration from Mario’s star theme, but utilizes the SNES’s superior technology to hand off the melody from instrument to instrument over a hi-hat-driven dance beat. The result is a song that perfectly captures the speed and fun of all the Kirby games. Like Mother, this series is the brainchild of Hal Laboratory, but thankfully this one found a solid worldwide following. Kirby has become an icon along with the biggest names in the business, appearing in 17 games, and Kirby Super Star itself, an eight-in-one minigame collection, has sold several million copies and received a lucrative resurrection on the DS.
Contra – Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqFhczSljwM)
I remember the first time I heard the Minibosses cover of this song. It felt as if something precious from my childhood had been returned to me stripped of sentimentality to instead showcase how brilliant the music was. Whether that was the band’s intention or not doesn’t seem to matter. The end result was that I discovered why I spent so many hours playing a cruelly difficult game. Hidenori Maezawa’s acrobatic harmonic lines are compelling to the point that it’s hard to stop listening to the music over and over again. Though the game is blatantly derivative of Rambo, Predator, and Aliens–hugely popular movies at the time–the music resists comparison to a lot of other soundtracks from the era. 1UP.com eventually tracked down Maezawa to get his thoughts on his legacy, which can be found here (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3172388).
Both fights should be good ones. My votes are for Super Mario Bros. – Overworld and Contra – Stage 1.
Kirby Super Star – Candy Mountain
Contra – Stage 1
Round 1
Fight 9
Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambience (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVrorgoCrKU)
Donkey Kong Country received well-deserved praise for its stunning pre-rendered 3D graphics, but it was equally hard to ignore the game’s electronic, ambient, and Caribbean-peppered soundtrack. Like the visuals, the music expanded player perceptions of what a Donkey Kong game could be, and, in particular, “Aquatic Ambience” lent emotional complexity to the series that hadn’t been there before. The opening arpeggio that fades in and out, the faux-guitar distortion and piano that follow it, the harp that sweeps upward and gives way to an almost country twang, and then the way that twang recedes into the distance as a little coda finishes off the melody—all cumulatively give the impression of mystery and allure that befits something so mysterious and alluring as the vast ocean.
Kirby’s Adventure – Green Greens (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdwID0m2tLU)
Kirby’s back after “Candy Mountain” lost the previous fight. Much of what I wrote there is applicable here. Kirby’s games are about fun, and that’s what this simple theme conveys. The simplicity should not be read as a deficiency of Hirokazu Ando or Jun Ishikawa, however. This song is a perfect example of the genius of the early composers, creating memorable pieces despite the technical limitations they were faced with. The moment the second half of the melody and the broken chords begin, the song takes on a vertiginous intensity that is interesting and appropriate for a game where you’re trying to stay airborne a lot of the time.
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Round 1
Fight 10
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFHvxuuOymo)
This was the song that started off the Sonic series and also proved the Genesis’ technical dominance over the NES as the 16-bit era began. When the high-pitched string shows up in the first repetition of the melody, adding a fifth instrument to the mix, a world of possibility opened up with it. Fifty-nine games later, with millions of copies sold, Sonic is as recognizable as Mario, and his music has enjoyed a powerful legacy that has enticed many famous composers to score one of his games: Masato Nakamura (the composer responsible for this tune), Yuzo Koshiro, Jun Senoue, Richard Jacques, and even former Megadeath guitarist Marty Friedman.
Chrono Cross – Time’s Scar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8)
Yasunori Mitsuda makes his only appearance in the rumble with one of his most well-known pieces. Though not technically his follow-up to Chrono Trigger (Radical Dreamers came first, but only in limited release), this was the sound of the Chrono series’ triumphant return as far as most of the world was concerned. Alongside “Liberi Fatali,” this is also one of the songs most often cited as a representation of what was possible with the Playstation’s sound hardware. The doubled flute and violin motif erupts from the gentle opening and, as is the case with fewer and fewer video game songs these days, adds intensity by sheer force of melody rather than volume or superfluous brass. Mitsuda’s frequently Celtic instrumentation and powers of arrangement here and since have proven him to be one of the greatest living video game composers, even if his projects haven’t been so high-profile in the last few years.
My votes are for Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambience and Chrono Cross – Time’s Scar.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone
Chrono Cross – Time’s Scar
Sonic the Hedgehog ??? Green Hill Zone
Chrono Cross ??? Time???s Scar
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone
Tough call on these, especially Sonic and Chrono Cross! Time’s Scar is a lovely piece, but for me Green Hill (and all Nakamura’s Sonic music) is just genius – funky and sort of ‘dreamy’ at the same time 🙂
Round 1
Fight 11
Sonic Adventure ??? Open Your Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7997StUCDc0)
Sonic returns in a big way with the bumptious (how often do you get to use that word?) main theme to this sixth-generation game. The opening and overall texture bear a resemblance to Guns n??? Roses??? ???Welcome to the Jungle??? and effectively suggest the speed of the game. On a bigger note, rock music has always been an important influence on video game music, providing inspiration for the structures of early compositions as well as the provocateur attitude that came later, in songs like this one and ???At Doom???s Gate,??? as technology developed. Now, the countless iterations and fusions of rock music are ubiquitous thanks to the relative ease of recording a distorted guitar well. Nobuo Uematsu, just as one example, has exemplified this.
Dr. Mario ??? Chill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsBtQCDbTWc)
One of the few stack ???em up puzzle games to challenge Tetris??? popularity, Dr. Mario is well known for Hip Tanaka???s score. This tangy little number builds slowly, just like the pills in the game, and culminates in a jazzy solo at the 1:15 mark only to then transform into a hard-rock-inspired bridge. I mentioned the fusion of rock with other genres in the ???Open Your Heart??? description, and that seems especially relevant here, as the ???open borders??? attitude of video game developers towards game soundtracks was present right from the beginning. Another recent example is the Final Fantasy: Crisis Core soundtrack, in which heavy metal tracks pair up nicely with string quartet pieces and trip-hop beats. Because of such examples, I sometimes wonder if ???video game music??? as a genre has any definition.
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Round 1
Fight 12
Kingdom Hearts ??? Hikari (orchestrated) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZVAvHah9io)
The stress of having the legacy of both Disney and Final Fantasy???s major themes hovering over you while you compose a new soundtrack must have hit Yoko Shimomura at some point. After all, this was a high-profile, big-budget experiment and (arguably) the limited number of recognizable tunes would have angered fans if the other music didn???t stand up. Perhaps expectedly, but no less inspirationally, Shimomura delivered big, as did the other members of the development team, and expounding on their accomplishments hardly seems necessary. The critical and commercial success of the series speaks for itself. This song is a good example of Shimomura???s evocative powers, romantic themes, lush orchestration, and flair for the dramatic.
Super Mario 64 ??? Dire, Dire Docks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcPSbkS9TQ)
Speaking of legendary titles, here???s one of the most popular tunes from one of the most popular Mario games. ???Dire Dire Docks??? has Kondo stepping out of the heroic mode without sacrificing any of his strengths in melody or arrangement. Also notable is the surprisingly busy percussion, perking up around the 1:45 mark, which adds momentum to the piece very nicely. This song is relaxing and compelling and warm???a wonderful combination. AS an added bonus, there’s a cover of the song by the OneUps, which can be found here ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1tsGU3ix-g).
My votes are for Dr. Mario ??? Chill and Super Mario 64 ??? Dire Dire Docks.
and
Kingdom hearts – Hikari
&
Super Mario 64 – Dire, Dire Docks
&
Super Mario 64 ??? Dire, Dire Docks
Round 1
Fight 13
Diablo ??? Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fyNafrUqTc)
Also known as ???Tristram,??? this is the song you start off the playable part of the game with. It???s a moody, guitar-driven piece with a lot of delay, harmonics, horns, and flute. Interestingly, it manages to sound both folksy and menacing once the bowed bass comes in. The overall production of the piece is fantastic, adding subtle fills, effects, and nuances across the first two and a half minutes to keep things engaging until the second section begins and it becomes a dance (sort of). I first encountered this game through speedruns ( http://speeddemosarchive.com/Diablo.html) (the current one beats the game in 3:12) and fell in love with Matt Uelmen???s soundtrack instantly. Unfortunately, Uelmen doesn???t get a lot of recognition and recently split with Blizzard.
Pokemon ??? Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVkGpGm758Q)
Pokemon is the second most successful and lucrative video-game based media franchise in the world, second only to Mario. It is an industry consisting of twenty-five video games, thirteen anime series, fourteen films, five Manga series, and a trading card game. The series has also been a lightning rod for controversy, from the infamous epileptic seizures caused by one of the TV episodes that sent 635 Japanese children to the hospital to the standard accusations of occultism and underground violence that go back to the days of Dungeons and Dragons. As such, this song needs no introduction. The power of the franchise is right there in the guitar opening.
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Round 1
Fight 14
Portal ??? Still Alive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ljFaKRTrI)
This will be an interesting fight, since both of these pieces are well known and well loved. Here is Jonathan Coulton???s catchy, dark, and funny closing credits tune to Portal in which GLaDOS celebrates herself. The song has made its way into pop culture at large, being performed ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL1XnLPqwrs) last year by the University of Maryland Gamer Symphony Orchestra, as well as appearing in various YouTube videos, ringtones, and covers (including one in Mario Paint). Funny little tidbit: the composer credited on the soundtrack is GLaDOS, not Coulton. Additionally, it should be pointed out that Coulton???s only contribution to the soundtrack was this song. Otherwise, the music was done by Kelly Bailey and Mike Morasky.
Mega Man 2 ??? Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKtYCcMWT4)
Practically any of the songs from this landmark soundtrack could have participated in the rumble. But what makes this song particularly worthy is the absolutely stunning way in which the NES???s sound hardware is bent different ways to create several moods. The piece is simultaneously driving, mysterious, exciting, anxious, sad, and heroic. When the main melody gives way at the 22 second mark to a high-pitched guitar sound with a faux-reverb effect, a split occurs between the hyperactive bass line and the much slower guitar that is unnerving. This was released in 1988, and over twenty years later it???s still moving to listen to. ScrewAttack started their list ( http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-screwattack/41663) of the greatest video game themes of all time, in which this song placed second, with this sentence: ???Music is one of the most powerful mediums in the world, and ever since video games became mainstream it has played a huge role in not just shaping gaming, but the gamers who play the games.??? That is probably true for many of us in relation to this song.
These are the penultimate fights for the first round, and they should be good ones. My votes are for Diablo ??? Town and Mega Man 2 ??? Dr. Wily Stage.
Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2
&
Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2
and
Portal
Round 1
Fight 15
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ??? Dance of the Pales (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3zIJ5wgaA8)
The Castlevania series has produced numerous unforgettable songs. But the Symphony of the Night soundtrack, composed by Michiru Yamane, holds a special place in the hearts of fans. ???Dance of the Pales??? is a waltz that has a ballroom???s stateliness, with a fanciful second section punctuated by a glockenspiel. The piano sound is also a bit spooky. At a time when 2D games were falling out of favor, and with a new title that changed the series by introducing open-ended exploration and RPG elements into the mix, this soundtrack played a big part in retaining Castlevania fans during the changes.
Banjo-Kazooie ??? Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzIZ4zezRTQ)
Competing against Yamane???s waltz is Grant Kirkhope???s polka. This song opens Banjo-Kazooie and???fun fact???helped the soundtrack gain a nomination for the ???Most Journey-Worthy Music??? award. It???s fun, silly, and extremely catchy and was recently given lyrics by Brentalfloss. Of greater importance, the entire soundtrack is notable for being interactive during game play. This means that if you jump in the water, the music changes into a harp arrangement. If you enter a haunted mansion, an organ starts playing the theme. That allows the music to reflect the environment around the character and, consequently, create a more immersive experience.
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Round 1
Fight 16
Final Fantasy X ??? To Zanarkand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-0G_FI61a8)
It???s Uematsu versus Kondo for the fourth and last time this round. It is sometimes noted that this song bears similarities to ???Silent Night.??? Nevertheless, it???s a classic in the Uematsu catalogue and serves as central theme for the first Playstation 2 game in the Final Fantasy series. It???s a lovely piece with a memorable melody that suggests both sadness and hopefulness (or maybe I???m just projecting). Although this soundtrack was the beginning of Uematsu???s diminishing involvement with Square Enix???until the announcement at E3 that he???ll be returning as principle composer of Final Fantasy XIV???his tracks ( http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/cds/finalfantasy10_ost.htm) are very strong and also, in the case of many of them, introduced us to his current tendencies towards heavy metal.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past ??? Dark World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw)
It???ll be a battle of the giants here. It is theorized that in the exact middle of most great stories something completely unexpected happens. With A Link to the Past, it???s Link???s banishment to the Dark World, which became a plot point in many of the later Zelda games. What also became major components of the subsequent games were songs from this soundtrack, including ???Zelda???s Lullaby,??? ???Ganondorf’s Theme,??? ???Hyrule Castle,??? ???Kakariko Village,??? and ???Fairy Fountain.??? Standing shoulder to shoulder with those easily recognizable pieces is our competitor in this fight. This fantastic piece sets the mood for adventuring and danger and is one of Kondo???s most beloved pieces. But will it win here?
My votes are for Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ??? Dance of the Pales and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past ??? Dark World.
Final Fantasy X – To Zanarkand Love them both .. too bad one will be eliminated so early
and
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Dark World
Banjo-Kazooie – Main Theme – The BK soundtrack really left a lasting impression on me as a kid.
Final Fantasy X – To Zanarkand – Real shame I couldn’t pick both here.
The next person to vote will determine the winner and after that voting for this round will be closed.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Dance of the Pales
&
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Dark World
Banjo has brilliant music all round, but there are much better tracks than the title theme which ‘pales’ (haw haw) in comparison to the gorgeously haunting SoN.
Second choice is easy. It would be madness for me not to go for ‘Dark World’! I have a particular thing for heroic themes cast in a minor key (see also Dvorak and Goldsmith – though this is nothing like them of course). It funny that so many of the themes from Link to the Past have cropped up in later Zelda’s but not this one. Also a shame that the rendition in Brawl had to be so horrendous 🙁
Round 2
Fight 1
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFHvxuuOymo)
Composer: Masato Nakamura
Year: 1991
Tech: Zilog Z80 and Yamaha synthesizer sound chips
Fun Fact: The opening “SEGA!” ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1zdPhVrbh8 ) chant took up 1/8 of the four-megabit game cartridge.
Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARW91qriEqw)
Composer: Ko Otani
Year: 2005
Tech: Various synthesizers, plus studio recordings featuring Otani himself, the Otohiko Fujita Group (horns), and the Masatsugu Shinozaki Group (strings)
Fun Fact: Won “Soundtrack of the Year” in Electronic Gaming Monthly
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Round 2
Fight 2
Super Mario World – Athletic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC7ILAUyeGg)
Composer: Koji Kondo
Year: 1990
Tech: Sony SPC700
Fun Fact: This is the fourth highest-ranked game of all time on GameRankings with a score of 96.7% ( http://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html).
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ)
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Year: 1997
Tech: MIDI played through the CXD2922Q sound chip
Fun Fact: Uematsu completed the 85-track score for Final Fantasy VII in less than one year.
My votes are for Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse and Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme.
*ahem*
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone
Super Mario World – Athletic
Super Mario World – Athletic
&
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme
&
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme
Round 2
Fight 3
Contra – Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqFhczSljwM)
Composer: Hidenori Maezawa
Year: 1987
Album sound: 2A03 APU sound chip
Fun Fact: This song is officially titled “Battle in the Dense Forest” but is more commonly known as “Stage 1” or “Stage 1: Jungle.”
Super Mario 64 – Dire, Dire Docks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcPSbkS9TQ)
Composer: Koji Kondo
Year: 1996
Album sound: R4300i processor and RSP together
Fun Fact: Many of the game’s details were inspired by real life. For example, one enemy is based on assistant director Takashi Tezuka’s wife, who, as Miyamoto explained, “is very quiet normally, but one day she exploded, maddened by all the time [Tezuka] spent at work. In the game, there is now a character which shrinks when Mario looks at it, but when Mario turns away, it will grow large and menacing.”
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Round 2
Fight 4
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Dance of the Pales (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3zIJ5wgaA8)
Composer: Michiru Yamane
Year: 1997
Album sound: Various synthesizers, plus studio recordings featuring Yamane herself, Takayuki Fujiki (electric guitar), Kahori Yamane (vocals), and Nishimura Oh. Ya. Zi (electric guitar)
Fun Fact: Kogi Igarashi supposedly came up with the gameplay changes in Symphony of the Night after seeing dozens of Castlevania games in the “used” bargain bin in Japanese video game stores, which made him realize that linear Castlevania games offered limited replay value.
Super Mario Bros. – Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEKDF_WbMlg)
Composer: Koji Kondo
Year: 1985
Album sound: 2A03 APU sound chip
Fun Fact: Nobuo Uematsu believes this song changed Japanese culture forever and should be the national anthem.
I feel bad for turning my back on Mario, but my votes are for Contra – Stage 1 and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Dance of the Pales.
Super Mario Bros.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Dance of the Pales
Super Mario Bros. – Overworld
The next person to vote will determine the winner and after that voting for this round will be closed.
Round 2
Fight 5
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Dark World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw)
Composer: Koji Kondo
Year: 1991
Album sound: Sony SPC700
Fun Fact: A comic book miniseries inspired by A Link to the Past ran in Nintendo Power for 12 issues. That comic can be found here (http://www.ganonstower.com/lttpcomic.shtml).
Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKtYCcMWT4)
Composer: Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi
Year: 1988 (aka 200X)
Album sound: 2A03 APU sound chip
Fun Fact: All three of the soundtrack’s composers were credited under aliases: “Ogeretsu Kun” for Tateishi, “Manami Ietel” for Matsumae, and “Yuukichan’s Papa” for Sakaguchi.
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Round 2
Fight 6
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XI0m8bhpWM)
Composer: Koji Kondo
Year: 1986
Album sound: 2A03 APU sound chip
Fun Fact: Zelda is named after the author Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s infamous wife.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Lost Woods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs)
Composer: Koji Kondo
Year: 1998
Album sound: R4300i processor and RSP together
Fun Fact: The game is cited as the “first contemporary nondance title to feature music-making as part of its gameplay.”
These are the toughest fights for me so far, because I love each of these pieces. But if I have to choose, my votes are for Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 and The Legend of Zelda – Overworld.
But if I have to choose, my votes are for Mega Man 2 ??? Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 and The Legend of Zelda ??? Overworld.
Going to have to second your votes on this one; although it physically pains me not to pick Lost Woods.
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld
Too many Zelda pieces in these two rounds.
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld
but… Dance of the Pales eliminated.. no………TT_TT Lost my faith in humanity ;P
Legend of Zelda – Overworld
Round 2
Fight 7
Street Fighter II – Guile Stage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mRKXhwxxLQ)
Composer: Yoko Shimomura and Isao Abe
Year: 1991
Album sound: Sony SPC700
Fun Fact: Street Fighter II holds three Guinness World Records: “First Fighting Game to Use Combos,” “Most Cloned Fighting Game,” and “Biggest-Selling Coin-Operated Fighting Game.”
Diablo – Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fyNafrUqTc)
Composer: Matt Uelmen
Year: 1996
Album sound: Various synthesizers, plus studio recordings
Fun Fact: After Diablo came out, a rumor was started that there was a secret “cow level.” This didn’t exist, but because of the rumor’s popularity Blizzard put one into Diablo II and also made the phrase “there is no cow level” the cheat code for skipping levels in Starcraft.
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Round 2
Fight 8
Sonic Adventure – Open Your Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7997StUCDc0)
Composer: Jun Senoue, Kenichi Tokoi, and Fumie Kumatani
Year: 1998
Album sound: Various synthesizers, plus studio recordings
Fun Fact: Each heroic character in the game, aside from Gamma, has an instrumental motif that is turned into a vocal theme song and played during the end credits of his/her story.
Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambience (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVrorgoCrKU)
Composer: David Wise, Eveline Fischer, and Robin Beanland
Year: 1994
Album sound: Sony SPC700
Fun Fact: Around the time of the game’s release, a 15-minute VHS tape called Donkey Kong Country: Exposed was sent to Nintendo Power subscribers to tout the game’s graphical sophistication and to give players tip and tricks for finding several of the game’s secrets.
My votes are for Street Fighter II – Guile Stage and Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambience.
Sonic Adventure – Open Your Heart
Sonic Adventure – Open Your Heart
Diablo – Town & Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambience
Sonic Adventure ??? Open Your Heart
Sonic
Quarterfinals
Fight 1
Super Mario Bros. ??? Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEKDF_WbMlg)
by Koji Kondo (1985)
Final Fantasy VII ??? Aerith???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1997)
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Quarterfinals
Fight 2
Sonic Adventure ??? Open Your Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7997StUCDc0)
by Jun Senoue, Kenichi Tokoi, and Fumie Kumatani (1998)
Mega Man 2 ??? Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKtYCcMWT4)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
My votes are for Final Fantasy VII ??? Aerith???s Theme and Mega Man 2 ??? Dr. Wily Stage 1/2.
Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2
Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2
Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2
Sonic Adventure – Open Your Heart
Sonic Adventure ??? Open Your Heart
Sonic Adventure ??? Open Your Heart
Quarterfinals
Fight 3
Contra ??? Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqFhczSljwM)
by Hidenori Maezawa (1987)
The Legend of Zelda ??? Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XI0m8bhpWM)
by Koji Kondo (1986)
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Quarterfinals
Fight 4
Sonic the Hedgehog ??? Green Hill Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFHvxuuOymo)
by Masato Nakamura (1991)
Street Fighter II ??? Guile Stage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mRKXhwxxLQ)
by Yoko Shimomura and Isao Abe (1991)
My votes are for The Legend of Zelda ??? Overworld and Sonic the Hedgehog ??? Green Hill Zone.
heh..
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone
Street Fighter II – Guile Stage
Semifinals
Fight 1
Mega Man 2 ??? Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKtYCcMWT4)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
Sonic the Hedgehog ??? Green Hill Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFHvxuuOymo)
by Masato Nakamura (1991)
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Semifinals
Fight 2
The Legend of Zelda ??? Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XI0m8bhpWM)
by Koji Kondo (1986)
Final Fantasy VII ??? Aerith???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1997)
My votes are for Mega Man 2 ??? Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 and The Legend of Zelda ??? Overworld.
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme
Final Fantasy VII ??? Aerith???s Theme
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme
Finals
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFHvxuuOymo)
by Masato Nakamura (1991)
vs.
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1997)
My vote is for Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme
Sonic the Hedgehog ??? Green Hill Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFHvxuuOymo)!
by Masato Nakamura (1991)
This was the song that started off the Sonic series and also proved the Genesis??? technical dominance over the NES as the 16-bit era began. When the high-pitched string shows up in the first repetition of the melody, adding a fifth instrument to the mix, a world of possibility opened up with it. Fifty-nine games later, with millions of copies sold, Sonic is as recognizable as Mario, and his music has enjoyed a powerful legacy that has enticed many famous composers to score one of his games: Masato Nakamura, Yuzo Koshiro, Jun Senoue, Richard Jacques, and even former Megadeath guitarist Marty Friedman.
Fun Fact: The opening ???SEGA!??? ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1zdPhVrbh8 ) chant took up 1/8 of the four-megabit game cartridge.
Record: 4-3, 3-2, 7-1, 5-3, 6-2
Well, that was a great opening battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
I???ll post details about the next battle tomorrow.
By the way, if you have an idea for a theme that you???d like to do, shoot me a PM. I???m open to anything.
Star Fox 64
– Area 6
– Star Wolf’s Theme
– Corneria
Super Mario Bros.
– Overworld
– Underworld
– Underwater
Super Mario Bros. 2
– Overworld
– Underworld
– Ending
Super Mario Bros. 3
– World Map 1
– Overworld 2
– Airship
Super Mario World
– Forest of Illusion
– Athletic
– Underground
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
– Flower Garden
– Athletic
– Final Boss
Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars
– Hello, Happy Kingdom
– Beware the Forest’s Mushrooms
– The Starlight’s Flower
Super Mario 64
– Main Theme
– Dire, Dire Docks
– Bowser’s Theme
Super Mario Sunshine
– Platforms a Plenty
– Delfino Plaza
– Bianco Hills
Super Mario Galaxy
– The Bunnies
– Good Egg Galaxy
– Melty Molten Galaxy
The Legend of Zelda
– Intro
– Overworld
– Labyrinth
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
– Hyrule Castle
– Dark World
– Kakariko Village
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
– Gora’s Theme
– Lost Woods
– Bolero of Fire
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
– Last End
– Song of Healing
– Giant’s Theme
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
– Title
– Dragoon Roost Island
– Forest Haven
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
– Midna
– Hyrule Field
– Twilight Realm
Round 1
Fight 1
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
– Flower Garden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0exe1s8TTI)
– Athletic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qs3NLa1Gog)
– Final Boss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9THf5QlXuyo)
vs.
The Legend of Zelda
– Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajYFOBWOBKs)
– Labyrinth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH7ma8TPnE8)
– Ending (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfQs_dFdCug)
My vote is for Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island. I just find the music so charming and enjoyable, with its smidges of jazz and ragtime. Of course, I’m slighting The Legend of Zelda, which contains one of the greatest video game songs ever written. But I’m not as impressed by the rest of that soundtrack, even taking into account the technical limitations of the NES. What do you guys think?
The next person to vote will determine the winner and after that voting for this round will be closed.
It’s not.
Despite a very close contest between the two, I have to give the edge to Yoshi’s Island. Arthur’s got a very valid point; no matter how good one song in a game is, it’s still just ONE SONG. Yoshi’s Island, overall, was much more impressive and catchy(and as the YT uploader said, Athletic makes you wanna dance, lol).
Round 1
Fight 2
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
– Midna’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTGgZdlv7f8)
– Hyrule Field (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZmBHQTn8V8)
– Twilight Realm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWTkd9Uskzo)
vs.
Super Mario 64
– Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ulMNR79P04)
– Dire, Dire Docks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcPSbkS9TQ)
– Bowser’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_-Ea7D9O30)
I’m going to vote against the classic in this fight, too. While I love Super Mario 64 and its songs, I find myself listening to Twilight Princess much more frequently. Maybe I’m alone, but I thought Midna’s Theme was another Kondo classic as soon as I heard it—and it was surprising to hear, too. Unlike some of Kondo’s other famous pieces, it’s hard to pinpoint what emotional effect this song is supposed to have on us. It’s slow, almost dirge-like, but also mysterious, noble, sad, and tense. The way the strings pull and sweep underneath the melody is unsettling, and yet you can still whistle along. It’s a really odd listening experience, and I like that. I feel as strongly about several other songs on the soundtrack, too. So my vote is for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Wow. You’d think I hate Zelda from the way I’ve been voting. Once the N64-era soundtracks come up, I assure you that’ll change.
Round 1
Fight 3
Super Mario Galaxy
– The Bunnies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mun2Wut77Gs)
– Good Egg Galaxy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l7uFETC-Yc)
– Melty Molten Galaxy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE0DSlPF6Pc)
vs.
Star Fox 64
– Area 6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sVtZmt-_kc)
– Star Wolf’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWZ8jEZd5uI)
– Corneria (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XozTfuvFd7o)
I heard a lot about Galaxy’s soundtrack before I ever got a chance to listen to it. To be honest, after Super Mario Sunshine I was getting kinda bored with Mario games and Mario music and wasn’t expecting much. But I think Kondo (with Mahito Yokota’s help) reinvigorated the series with this turn towards orchestral music. The songs contain Kondo’s strong melody writing but are unusual for their sparse percussion. With better patches at his disposal, Kondo seemed to want to feature the diverse sounds he was creating more prominently, which is evident in "Bunnies," "Good Egg Galaxy," and many others. I’m a big fan of most of this soundtrack, and don’t have any specific favorites from Star Fox 64, so my vote is for Super Mario Galaxy .
btw What happened to everyone? I think summer holidays happened 😉
It didn’t show up in bold white like all of the other new posts do. But my vote would have to go to Star Fox 64.
Yep, seconded. I know when I don’t have assignments/study I don’t get on the computer as much and find things to distract me.
Anyway, I really like both soundtracks, but Super Mario Galaxy is simply brilliant and gets my vote.
Both classic scores, but my vote goes to Super Mario Galaxy. The most stunning, joyful soundtrack to any game this generation, if you ask me.
Round 1
Fight 4
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
– Goron City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmHQzrIg1Pc)
– Lost Woods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs)
– Hyrule Field (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SovM_ExoVg)
vs.
Super Mario Bros. 2
– Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUYQNIiNjq4)
– Underworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd9Ufvc3vcw)
– Ending (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op8lib6t6FY)
This is an easy one for me. As much as I like the Super Mario Bros. 2 soundtrack, Ocarina of Time gave us the House theme, the Hyrule Field theme, Lost Woods, Zora???s Domain, an even better Great Fairy???s Fountain and Zelda???s Theme, Temple of Time, Windmill Hut, Gerudo Valley, Bolero of Fire, Goron City, Inside Jabu Jabu???s Belly, Sheik???s Theme???and that???s just getting us started. My vote is for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Like you said, easy choice really; Ocarina is one of the greatest soundtracks.
No question where I’m going here: Ocarina of Time.
Round 1
Fight 5
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
– Hyrule Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQppjFksfxM)
– Dark World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw)
– Kakariko Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xCp6ngH_mQ)
vs.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora???s Mask
– Last End (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4YwTVEKuog)
– Song of Healing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUNbm3vO4Cg)
– Giant???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCGH4mFy3KA)
The first Zelda on Zelda battle created by the random number generator???and it’s SNES vs. N64, too. As I said in the last edition of the rumble, the A Link to the Past soundtrack introduced many of the series??? major themes, including ???Zelda???s Lullaby,??? ???Ganondorf’s Theme,??? ???Hyrule Castle,??? ???Kakariko Village,??? and ???Fairy Fountain.??? As interesting as the Majora???s Mask soundtrack is, I have to give it to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for its importance to the series and also because I find it more enjoyable to listen to outside the context of the game.
Out of all the Zelda songs, nothing beats Alternate Overworld for me. 2nd favorite song has to be "whatever this song is called (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0cWFIVJdys&feature=related)" I think. (I know that it says Four Swords, but it is also in "A Link to the Past".) If you don’t remember it, it’s Death Mountain when going to Turtle Rock. From one of the soundtracks that I downloaded from Skylagoon it was called "Sky".
It was probably one of my first few games where I’m like "there’s another world?!" After being disappointed with Zelda 2 this one totally blew me out of the water. Besides Lufia 2, this game had some nifty puzzles.
It was probably one of my first few games where I’m like "there’s another world?!"
Same here. It felt so nice to know that it’s just a half of the game , when i was expecting to see ending and credits.
For establishing so many amazing themes in the series, and being an epic game to boot! The Lost Woods, Dark World and Hyrule Castle are some of my favs.
Majora’s Mask has many great tracks too (Ikana Valley, Sonata of Awakening, Song of Healing, Pirate Fortress), but it also reuses without variation much music from Ocarina.
Round 1
Fight 6
Super Mario World
– Forest of Illusion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOHQopJ8_8E)
– Athletic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC7ILAUyeGg)
– Underground (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq-d1fwaaqI)
vs.
Super Mario Bros. 3
– World Map 1 (Grassland) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK3FnQA0kOE)
– Overworld 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYNUVsIeDW4)
– Airship (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFGYwKpETlc)
This is a tough one. Super Mario World is a great soundtrack, but my vote is for Super Mario Bros. 3. The game’s reputation hasn’t diminished in the last two decades—and for good reason. The themes, like the level designs, are still vital and (despite the limited technology) in my opinion cover broader territory than the SNES game’s soundtrack. While Super Mario World seemed like an experiment for Kondo to see how many ways he could do one theme, with Super Mario Bros. 3 he played to his strengths and delivered songs that captured many different environments and moods.
I hated World 5 "Earth & Sky" as well as World 7 "Pipe World". World 6 "Ice" was one of those stages were I pushed the button a tad bit late. World 8 was oh that was dumb mistake, but the only thing that disappointed me was the Bowser Battle (and yes I did fly over the wall to fight the harder one). My favorite stage was probably World 4 "Giant" world.
I think SMB3 started (within the Mario Series)
– instant side scroller (why I hated 5)
– the koopa kids
– mario can fly
Round 1
Fight 7
Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars
– Super Pipe House (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmwjH9hvfD0)
– Fight Against Koopa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_nVPUkX3Tc)
– Koopa Castle (Second Time) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocS4-XF0wFY)
vs.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
– Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OkFb0pISJQ)
– Dragoon Roost Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIu5LvkSKl4)
– Forest Haven (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VctRwjnyPG8)
Two big soundtracks???61 tracks and 133 tracks, respectively???and both with extra composers attached. This is a difficult one, and I can see it going either way, but my vote is for Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars. While Kondo???s contributions to the soundtrack pale in comparison to Shimomura???s (see composer credits here (http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/smbrpg/index.html)), Kondo still offered several great themes. I love the melodic percussion ideas he was experimenting with, and I feel like his main themes proved themselves again in this soundtrack. Although the same can be said of Wind Waker, I’ve just never been as interested in those pieces. But it might just come down to whether you’re more in the mood for electronic music or jigs. What do you guys think?
Super Mario RPG soundtrack is ok but not even close to what Shimomura created for Legend of Mana and Parasite Eve IMO.
The Legendary Hero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcSkeRFYJeo)- a brilliant medieval-sounding opener, with the Gamecube midi doing an admirable job of imitating a harpsichord.
Outset Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvRSuO8DX1c)- a bouncy rendition of Aryll’s theme mix with the odd backward glance to ‘Kokiri Forest’.
The Great Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGal2fBQ3EM)- sweeping, expansive variation on the original Zelda overworld theme with undulating ‘cellos’ and ‘horns’. What I wouldn’t give to hear this played by a real orchestra!
Gohdan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmhIGvM9ZPw)- like a labyrinthine Bach organ piece. Fits with the stylised graphics perfectly.
There’s alo a Bernard Herrmannesque new theme for the Deku Tree, a touching piano rendition of the Hyrule Castle theme from LTTP, and a tour de force end title, combining variaious themes together in counterpoint.
Look out for a FLAC of this soon in the downloads section 🙂
Round 1
Fight 8
Super Mario Bros.
– Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEKDF_WbMlg)
– Underworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDPLZzJKFuo)
– Underwater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntlQpNRfst4)
vs.
Super Mario Sunshine
– Platforms-A-Plenty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCwZPn2sJg0)
– Delfino Plaza (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwemkM-vBmc)
– Bianco Hills (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0LhCF8bx8E)
You all have heard this before, but one of my favorite details about the Super Mario Bros. soundtrack is that Nobuo Uematsu said ???Overworld??? should become the Japanese national anthem. Perhaps that???s enough to suggest its importance? My vote is for Super Mario Bros.
It’s a total classic that defined Nintendo and videogames in general vs the pleasant but relatively disappointing soundtrack for Sunshine. Easy choice.
Ultimate classic of all classics. This or Zelda : A Link to the Past will win this rumble i think .
Round 2
Fight 1
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
– Goron City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmHQzrIg1Pc)
– Lost Woods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs)
– Hyrule Field (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SovM_ExoVg)
vs.
Super Mario Bros.
– Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEKDF_WbMlg)
– Underworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDPLZzJKFuo)
– Underwater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntlQpNRfst4)
Should be a slugfest between the two. I have a lot of love for Super Mario Bros., and it has undoubtedly the most influential soundtrack in video game history, but in terms of which game has the better music in my opinion, my vote has gotta be for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Quite simply Kondo’s masterpiece. Everything from the ocarina songs themselves (such variety using only a few simple notes) to classics like Gerudo Valley, Lon Lon Ranch and the Spirit Temple. Also it’s a rare instance of a game soundtrack on such a scale that he composed almost entirely himself. You can say it’s aged well too because of the subtle, through-composed, unified nature of its soundworld, compared say to the more schizophrenic nature of the Final Fantasy scores of the same period.
But I sometimes wonder with a somewhat 10 track versus a somewhat 30 track list. There could be a lot of variety within what a 10 year time span? Yeah they did a remake of the Super Mario Brothers for the NDS I think, but I don’t think I’ve heard the soundtrack for that game, and I’m pretty sure there are some memorable OoT songs heard in other games OTHER than SSB.
Usually the way I think is, the game that produces the most memorable songs for it to appear in another game is extraordinary because it gives us some old gamers a chance like hey, I remember this song versus to the new generation where they have been exposed to a variety with more instruments, but to each their own as they say.
Forgive the ruses of a curious shark.
Round 2
Fight 2
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
– Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OkFb0pISJQ)
– Dragoon Roost Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIu5LvkSKl4)
– Forest Haven (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VctRwjnyPG8)
vs.
Super Mario 64
– Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ulMNR79P04)
– Dire, Dire Docks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcPSbkS9TQ)
– Bowser???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_-Ea7D9O30)
I voted against Wind Waker last round, but I???m going to make up for it here. While Super Mario 64 is a lot of fun and I really enjoy its music in-game, I feel Wind Waker is more impressive. Beyond anxiety and happiness???the two emotions most of the Mario 64 soundtrack appeals to???Wind Waker creates something much more complex in examples like ???The Legendary Hero??? and ???Forest Haven??? and additionally reflects new influences on Kondo, like Irish bagpipes and Andean pan flutes, that are exciting to hear him try out. He and the other composers seemed to want to push themselves with this soundtrack, both in style and quantity (Wind Waker???s soundtrack has 133 tracks), and in comparison Mario 64 seems safe and familiar. Delightful, fantastic, a classic???but familiar, and a little underwhelming because of it. So my vote is for The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker.
Round 2
Fight 3
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
– Hyrule Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQppjFksfxM)
– Dark World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw)
– Kakariko Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xCp6ngH_mQ)
vs.
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi???s Island
– Flower Garden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0exe1s8TTI)
– Athletic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qs3NLa1Gog)
– Final Boss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9THf5QlXuyo)
Nostalgia, an appreciation for the historical significance of this soundtrack, and the belief that it has the better music of the two contestants are all converging for me right now. This one is easy. My vote is for The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
I love Yoshi’s Island specific graphic style, but that’s not what we judge here.
Round 2
Fight 4
Super Mario World
– Forest of Illusion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOHQopJ8_8E)
– Athletic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC7ILAUyeGg)
– Underground (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq-d1fwaaqI)
vs.
Super Mario Galaxy
– The Bunnies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mun2Wut77Gs)
– Good Egg Galaxy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l7uFETC-Yc)
– Melty Molten Galaxy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE0DSlPF6Pc)
While Super Mario World is a great soundtrack and shows off Kondo???s arrangement skills, in my mind it can???t hold a candle to Galaxy. First off, Super Mario World is almost entirely one theme, which is impressive since the game???s music doesn???t quickly become boring, but also uninspired in comparison to Galaxy???s 81 tracks. Secondly, Galaxy represents a major evolution (and in my opinion a successful one) for what a Koji Kondo soundtrack can be. The sweeping orchestral pieces are grand and wonderful, and the imaginative power used in selecting patches for the songs is inspiring. Just as one example, listen to how many elements are in play in ???Melty Molten Galaxy.??? Finally, I think Galaxy???s music is just as enjoyable in the car as it is in-game; I can???t say the same about Super Mario World???s. So I think the big question here is whether the main theme of Super Mario World is so good that it trounces all of the 81 themes in Galaxy. For me, it???s not. So my vote is for Super Mario Galaxy.
Now, I’m reminded of the cartoon title theme :/ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnUlJi3ect4)
Round 3
Fight 1
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
– Hyrule Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQppjFksfxM)
– Dark World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw)
– Kakariko Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xCp6ngH_mQ)
Fun Fact: Development for A Link to the Past started all the way back in 1988. Three years later it came out on a cartridge twice the SNES???s typical 512 KB size.
vs.
Super Mario World
– Forest of Illusion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOHQopJ8_8E)
– Athletic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC7ILAUyeGg)
– Underground (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq-d1fwaaqI)
Fun Fact: Miyamoto wanted Mario to have a dinosaur companion back in the days of Super Mario Bros., but was hindered by the technical limitations of the NES.
My vote is for The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
A Link to the Past.
I don’t think there is a reason to prolong this. We have a clear winner so let’s go with another fight.
Round 3
Fight 2
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
– Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OkFb0pISJQ)
– Dragoon Roost Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIu5LvkSKl4)
– Forest Haven (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VctRwjnyPG8)
Fun Fact: Wind Waker is one of only eleven games to receive a perfect score from Famitsu.
vs.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
– Goron City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmHQzrIg1Pc)
– Lost Woods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs)
– Hyrule Field (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SovM_ExoVg)
Fun Fact: Ocarina of Time was developed alongside Super Mario 64, just as the original Legend of Zelda was developed alongside Super Mario Bros. ten years prior.
My vote is for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Maybe it’s just cause I’ve never played it, I don’t know, but the Wind Waker soundtrack just doesn’t compare to OoT.
Maybe it’s just me but i really like it more than Ocarina of Time…
Final Round
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
– Opening Demo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmZ9CPu-8eU)
– Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDDZkrmOwlI)
– Hyrule Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQppjFksfxM)
– Sanctuary Dungeon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1UyVXN13SI)
– Church (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX4342UkCr8)
– Kakariko Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xCp6ngH_mQ)
– Lost Woods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WArWo_FwGY)
– Cave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2wLk4K-jlU)
– Dark World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw)
– Crystal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb-3CBqQ3vU)
vs.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
– Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVY55e7UDWM)
– Hyrule Field (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SovM_ExoVg)
– Zelda’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GY-18c-v08)
– Kakariko Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkFhCZL6qp4)
– Goron City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmHQzrIg1Pc)
– Lost Woods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs)
– Zora’s Domain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIqailPd89I)
– Temple of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc7BCZFP9Ww)
– Sheik’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yc7kp_ETGU)
– Gerudo Valley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1QLfSOUiHU)
I started gathering song links with the intention of voting for A Link to the Past, which is one of my favorite games and soundtracks. But when I realized how hard it was going to be to shave down the songs from Ocarina to a list of ten, I changed my mind. Not only is this the more ambitious and superior soundtrack in my mind, but the ways in which Kondo overcame the game’s limitations are astounding. We could go on and on just about the ocarina songs—all of them memorable, and with only a few notes to work with. So my vote is for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as Kondo’s best work.
Easy choice for me…
Easy choice for me…
Spot on! 🙂 Count that as a vote for Ocarina of Time from me too. A stunningly developed, varied and memorable score. The disembodied, ethereally floating ‘vocal’ of Malon at the end almost brings me to tears.
Ocarina of Time.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time!
(1998)
Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVY55e7UDWM)
Hyrule Field (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SovM_ExoVg)
Zelda’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GY-18c-v08)
Kakariko Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkFhCZL6qp4)
Goron City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmHQzrIg1Pc)
Lost Woods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs)
Zora’s Domain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIqailPd89I)
Temple of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc7BCZFP9Ww)
Sheik’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yc7kp_ETGU)
Gerudo Valley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1QLfSOUiHU)
It’s a deserving winner. Ocarina of Time gave us the House theme, Hyrule Field, Lost Woods, Zora’s Domain, Temple of Time, Windmill Hut, Gerudo Valley, Bolero of Fire, Spirit Temple, Lon Lon Ranch, Goron City, Inside Jabu Jabu’s Belly, Sheik’s Theme, an even better Great Fairy’s Fountain and Zelda’s Theme—and that’s just getting us started. It is ambitious and inspiring, and the ways in which Kondo overcame the game’s limitations are astounding. Just take the ocarina songs as an example: all of them are memorable and in each case Kondō only had a few notes to work with. The music is a big part of why Zelda fans often call this the greatest installment in the series.
Fun Fact: Ocarina of Time was developed alongside Super Mario 64, just as the original Legend of Zelda was developed alongside Super Mario Bros. ten years prior.
Record: 4-1, 6-2, 5-2, 5-4
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
I’ll post details about the next battle soon.
Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you’d like to do, shoot me a PM. I’m open to anything.
1) that has been the most popular themed thread
2) I wanted to alternate between composer rumbles and individual song rumbles
3) and I thought it???d be a good opportunity to hear a lot of songs I hadn???t heard before.
However, you may not be so excited about it. So here???s the deal. I???ll post the details about the Aquatic Level Themes rumble below. Take a look at the list of songs and tell me if you???re interested in doing this rumble next. If I hear ???no??? a lot, we???ll switch to another idea (like the best songs of the NES or the best songs of the Castlevania series) and go with that. The only downside is that I might not be able to start the new idea for a week or so. But it doesn???t matter to me whether we do Aquatic Level themes now or later. Let me know what YOU want to do. Majority vote rules.
Below is the list of 32 songs I chose. My goals included representing the different generations of consoles equally (or close to it), including songs from major franchises while also acknowledging the occasional song from a lesser-known game, limiting all franchises to three or fewer entries, and making the most interesting and diverse selection possible. Obviously, no list is going to please everybody, but if you see something on the ???leftovers??? list that you definitely would like to include in the rumble, let me know and I???ll switch something out.
Here are the songs I think should go in the rumble:
1. Banjo-Kazooie ??? Treasure Trove Cove (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DQfnj33-QU)
2. Blinx the Time Sweeper ??? Hourglass Caves (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqD7VqHF6Fk)
3. Chrono Cross ??? Jellyfish Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1xL3BwRg00)
4. Donkey Kong Country ??? Aquatic Ambiance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PIijGwV5JY)
5. Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future ??? The Shrine of the Conservatory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nLaQFcr7XU)
6. Endless Ocean ??? Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsGWieSIxW8)
7. Final Fantasy V ??? Beyond the Deep Blue Seas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvECfse9yR4)
8. Final Fantasy VII ??? A Secret Sleeping in the Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_5zD7rhwPo)
9. Golden Sun ??? Set Sail Through the Karagol Sea! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyIOgjniohA)
10. Kirby???s Adventure ??? Orange Ocean (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv7UobGx9FU)
11. Mario Party 3 ??? Deep Bloober Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1OSWOvIDME)
12. Mega Man 2 ??? Bubble Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaJvNNWO_OQ)
13. Mega Man X5 ??? Duff McWhalen Stage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdBsmlGT0so)
14. Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmJTk3WZ-GM)
15. Okami ??? Dragon Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BzfgI1VqtI)
16. Pikmin 2 ??? Perplexing Pool (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIQzfS1qmh4)
17. Plok! ??? Beach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODKKILZiYY)
18. Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald ??? Dive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9vqvfxoRBg)
19. Ristar ??? Splash Down! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdp6rZgidE0)
20. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ??? Aquatic Ruin Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhHa7ph5GLg)
21. Sonic Adventure 2 ??? Dive into the Mellow (Aquatic Mine) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYoyQ7uVuo4)
22. Sonic CD ??? Tidal Tempest/Bad Future (US) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oi8R4Bnjsw)
23. Super Mario Bros. ??? Underwater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntlQpNRfst4)
24. Super Mario Bros. 3 ??? Water Land (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uupQ-tCqjQ4)
25. Super Mario 64 ??? Dire Dire Docks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcPSbkS9TQ)
26. Super Metroid ??? Maridia (Swampy Caverns) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIwG-BH3DeE)
27. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Defuse Bombs (Area 2-2) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etW_CZ3-3Z4)
28. Tetris Attack ??? Water World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir6qqm_AmY8)
29. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ??? Water Temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPPgtw887NY)
30. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker ??? The Great Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGPBRaD4VWU)
31. Uncharted Waters II – Mast in the Mist ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64goFHZCDgY)
32. Waterworld ??? Diving (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H5YoFv09uQ)
And here is a list of most of the other songs from the Aquatic Level Themes thread (Thread 65743) (minus the most recent suggestions). See if there???s anything on here that you really want to see in the rumble.
Banjo-Tooie ??? Atlantis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1h3Pr6fdNM
beatmania IIDX 13 DistorteD ??? Ganymede
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tK3HfXgwZc
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow ??? Underground Reservoir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhELDOL_i8w
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow ??? Subterranean Hell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6zit_JLm0A
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia ??? Azure Wanderings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2iV4oxEMU4
Crash Bandicot 3 ??? Underwater
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=381DqKrnHOk
Crash Bash – Beach Ball
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD94_CwF0A0
Dark Cloud – A Sinking Ship
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5uV00yaY1Y
Devil May Cry 2 ??? Chambers of Water
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlYEJZnIKJU
Donkey Kong Country 3 ??? Water World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc2bNs8qbek
DuckTales 2 – Bermuda Triangle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-g1tc8aoN8
Dune: Spice Opera ??? Water
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW3JVXe-SfM
Earthbound – Kraken of the Sea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd8gwYJA6Y4
Ecco the Dolphin (Sega CD) – Aqua Vistas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDg5UIXnONE
Final Fantasy I ??? Ocean Shrine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu1E8CzJ2pg
Final Fantasy VI ??? Serpent Trench
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTS0Qncarho
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core – An Ancient Hymn Sung by the Water
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvHf6ap5M-o
Final Fantasy X – Blitz Off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO-890Yg0Gk
Final Fantasy XII – The Garamscythe Waterway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpDVXJBzC_g
F-Zero GX ??? Infinite Blue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4RloO-wc3E
Golden Sun and the Lost Age ??? Aqua Rock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj9k8egvdyw
Grandia – Palm Harbor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vTGr2IzZaY
Guardian Legend – Aqua Sector
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XxmFd6CaE0
Kingdom Hearts ??? An Adventure in Atlantica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFj1HwtLAew
Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga ??? Oho Ocean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6WDQ3AsZ7w
Metroid Fusion ??? Sector 4 (Water Zone)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVu60jYVUKI
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes ??? Torvus Bog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfagDN5lmNo
Mother 3 – Oxygen of Love (Ocean Bottom)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEIb2kF2KdY
Perfect Dark ??? Deep Sea (Nullify Threat)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u42Fc6igRNQ
Phantasy Star Online: Episode II ??? Abysmal Ball
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv27g5NFtv4
Pikmin ??? The Distant Spring
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDH8yv9GFHE
Pokemon Gold/Silver ??? Surf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Pfu5fPsvFA
Ragnarok Online ??? Watery Grave
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y76lJhoKBd8
Secret of Evermore ??? Pirates of Crustacia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfMCLMT_iCE
Shadow of the Colossus ??? Silence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32SUb4Pvvi8
Sonic the Hedgehog ??? Labyrinth Zone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSKgprdDRTY
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ??? Hydrocity Zone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K1rV9kFs6I
Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity – Aquatic Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8koE81_VQAY
Spyro 2 ??? Ocean Speedway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOGB5alXmzU
Star Fox 64 ??? Zoness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLYxBI1twLY
Super Mario RPG ??? Sunken Ship
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXcrEuN2JAs
Super Mario Sunshine ??? Underwater Exploration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=148sXyTRDJI
Super Mario Galaxy ??? Beach Bowl Galaxy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJfRxqc9wqo
Tales of Phantasia ??? Hydropolis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBEzqu2J8lY
Tales of Symphonia ??? Water Symphony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3tYOWV69ec
The Legend of Zelda: Majora???s Mask ??? The Great Bay Temple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xt7Zngi2VU
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess ??? Lakebed Temple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-Sh5vv0c2Q
Turok 2 – Death Marshes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXLMuvVQg54
Unreal Tournament 2004 ??? Level 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-YtLYbEJbE
Vectorman ??? Ocean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZDR2yNuS98
Wario Land Shake It ??? Creep Blue Sea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0sP0Uc0qhM
X-Com: Terror from the Deep ??? Geoscape Music #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lOVLY5UbQ4
If you get through the list and you???re not interested in any of the songs or games, let me know. We???ll do something else.
So to summarize, choose one:
A) I want do an Aquatic Level Themes rumble next.
B) I want do an Aquatic Level Themes rumble next, but I???d like to add a song to the list.
C) I want to do a Best of the NES rumble next.
D) I want to do a Best of Castlevania rumble next.
Realistically though, I don’t mind which rumble we have next; I enjoy them all the same.
A) I want do an Aquatic Level Themes rumble next.
🙂
Gyeh, to fight with Bubbleman. O.o
—
– Little Nemo The Dream Master – Dream 4: Night Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIwDpdPiFd0) (NES)
– Riveria: The Promised Land – Tetyth, the Underwater City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cd05G7yNiA&feature=PlayList&p=7848D11D64312B5C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9) (DS & PSP)
(If there is water on the stage but you don’t go through th water, there are more songs I can add)
For instance:
– Chrono Cross: On The Beach of Dreams (Another World’s Theme) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn4fzRK8Ze8) (PSX)
– Chrono Trigger: Ocean Palace? (Sealed Door) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfERAdq5GnI&feature=PlayList&p=29411BD21C76F705&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=28) (SNES, PSX)
– Guardian Recall: The Great Ocean (I think it’s a theme for somebody though) (PSX)
– Headhunter: Ramirez at Bay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl4ItX-oM0w) (Level: Going through the Queen of Hearts ship) (DC, PS2)
– Phantasy Star Online: From Seeing the Rough Wave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9aXReefGLc) (Boss Fight with De Rol Lie in the waste deposit sewer) (DC, GC, XBOX)
– Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon: Water Paradise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mztptb7P5Z8&feature=PlayList&p=17865F460CD3AE9E&index=14) (the youtube video is bad quality :/ ) (Saturn, PSX)
I’ll add my Aquatic Themes suggestions here:
Treasures of the Deep – Wreck of the Concepcion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ES62nkJP_Y&feature=related)
Chrono Cross- Garden of the Gods (title screen song) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lwKezMcQtc)
and maybe
Xenogears – June Mermaid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCmED_YDqs)
Legend of Mana – To the Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqqTFqYLjMg&feature=related) or Southern City Polpota ( Polpota Harbor) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_0xb3Y1nE0&NR=1)
1. Banjo-Kazooie – Treasure Trove Cove (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DQfnj33-QU)
2. Blinx the Time Sweeper – Hourglass Caves (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqD7VqHF6Fk)
3. Chrono Cross – Jellyfish Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1xL3BwRg00)
4. Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambiance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PIijGwV5JY)
5. Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future – The Shrine of the Conservatory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nLaQFcr7XU)
6. Endless Ocean – Prayer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsGWieSIxW8)
7. Final Fantasy V – Beyond the Deep Blue Seas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvECfse9yR4)
8. Final Fantasy VII – A Secret Sleeping in the Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_5zD7rhwPo)
9. Golden Sun – Set Sail Through the Karagol Sea! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyIOgjniohA)
10. Kirby’s Adventure – Orange Ocean (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv7UobGx9FU)
11. Little Nemo: The Dream Master – Night Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LS3rLwtqA0)
12. Mario Party 3 – Deep Bloober Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1OSWOvIDME)
13. Mega Man 2 – Bubble Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaJvNNWO_OQ)
14. Mega Man X5 – Duff McWhalen Stage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdBsmlGT0so)
15. Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmJTk3WZ-GM)
16. Okami – Dragon Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BzfgI1VqtI)
17. Pikmin 2 – Perplexing Pool (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIQzfS1qmh4)
18. Plok! – Beach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODKKILZiYY)
19. Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald – Dive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9vqvfxoRBg)
20. Ristar – Splash Down! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdp6rZgidE0)
21. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Aquatic Ruin Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhHa7ph5GLg)
22. Sonic Adventure 2 – Dive into the Mellow (Aquatic Mine) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYoyQ7uVuo4)
23. Sonic CD – Tidal Tempest/Bad Future (US) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oi8R4Bnjsw)
24. Super Mario Bros. – Underwater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntlQpNRfst4)
25. Super Mario 64 – Dire Dire Docks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcPSbkS9TQ)
26. Super Metroid – Maridia (Swampy Caverns) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIwG-BH3DeE)
27. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Defuse Bombs (Area 2-2) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etW_CZ3-3Z4)
28. Tetris Attack – Water World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir6qqm_AmY8)
29. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Water Temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPPgtw887NY)
30. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker – The Great Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGPBRaD4VWU)
31. Treasures of the Deep – Wreck of the Concepcion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ES62nkJP_Y)
32. Waterworld – Diving (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H5YoFv09uQ)
Okay. Hold on for just a little bit. We’ll be starting soon…
Round 1
Fight 1
Tetris Attack – Water World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir6qqm_AmY8)
by Masaya Kuzume and Yuka Tsujiyoko (1996) for the SNES
Fun fact: This game started life as Panel de Pon in Japan, but was given Super Mario World 2 sprites, Tsujiyoko’s arrangements of several songs from that game, and renamed Tetris Attack for its US release.
How should a water level sound? Video game composers have answered this question in as many diverse ways as there are musical styles. Tetris Attack gives us the first example of a calming approach with a simply structured, glockenspiel-and-bass-driven song. What makes this interesting is the held chord hanging over the composition and the pitter patter bass drum, which both lend a dreamlike and playful quality to the music.
vs.
Okami – Dragon Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BzfgI1VqtI)
by Masami Ueda, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Rei Kondo, and Akari Groves (2006) for the PS2 and Wii
Fun fact: At the 2008 BAFTA Video Games Awards, Okami won Best Score.
From the five-CD Okami soundtrack, we get another calm song, also using sustained notes in the background to lend a dreamy quality to the music, but this time to set up the chord progression rather than merely establish tension with it. In the second section, the koto/harp/vocal patches give way abruptly to a quick arpeggiated harp part, a flute melody, and slightly piercing strings that, strangely, are equally suited to a moment of quick action or the slow rise and fall of objects in the water. This is one of many examples of the way the composers of Okami masterfully took rock structures and traditional koto and flute music and fused them together into beautiful pieces.
——————————————————————————————————
Round 1
Fight 2
Mega Man 2 – Bubble Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaJvNNWO_OQ)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988) for the NES
Fun fact: Mega Man 2 was novelized by Scholastic in 1990, and in the story Mega Man is turned into a human accidentally.
Mega Man 2 takes us in a decidedly new direction for aquatic level music. Without the technical ability to do dense strings, the composers instead created an appropriately bubbly ascending bass line paired with the strong melody writing that is a feature of every song on this soundtrack.
vs.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Defuse Bombs (Area 2-2) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etW_CZ3-3Z4)
by Keizo Nakamura (1989) for the NES
Fun fact: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is one of the all-time best-selling NES games not made by Nintendo.
This song uses many of the same techniques as the Bubble Man music—the build-up opening, the quickly arpeggiated bass line, and the strong melody—to create a similar impression of forward motion and danger. Appropriate since it accompanies the notorious “defuse bomb” stage in TMNT: a difficult, time-limited challenge near the beginning of a very difficult game. The song’s quality as well as the quality of the rest of the soundtrack seems to be one of the few plausible explanations for why kids kept playing this game despite stages like this.
My votes are for Tetris Attack – Water World and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Defuse Bombs (Area 2-2) .
and
Mega Man 2 – Bubble Man
Mega Man 2 – Bubble Man
About TMNT (NES), I hated that defusing bomb stage (mainly because of the electrical seaweed), but compared to some other levels, it should be a piece of cake after a few tries.
Mega Man 2 ??? Bubble Man
Mega Man 2 ??? Bubble Man
Round 1
Fight 3
Donkey Kong Country ??? Aquatic Ambiance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PIijGwV5JY)
by David Wise, Eveline Fischer, and Robin Beanland (1994) for the SNES
Fun fact: Around the time of the game???s release, a 15-minute VHS tape called Donkey Kong Country: Exposed was sent to Nintendo Power subscribers to tout the game???s graphical sophistication and to give players tip and tricks for finding several of the game???s secrets.
To crib my description from the first rumble: Donkey Kong Country received well-deserved praise for its stunning pre-rendered 3D graphics, but it was equally hard to ignore the game???s electronic, ambient, and Caribbean-peppered soundtrack. Like the visuals, the music expanded player perceptions of what a Donkey Kong game could be, and, in particular, ???Aquatic Ambience??? lent emotional complexity to the series that hadn???t been there before. The opening arpeggio that fades in and out, the faux-guitar distortion and piano that follow it, the harp that sweeps upward and gives way to an almost country twang, and then the way that twang recedes into the distance as a little coda finishes off the melody???all cumulatively give the impression of mystery and allure that befits something so mysterious and alluring as the vast ocean.
vs.
Little Nemo: The Dream Master – Night Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LS3rLwtqA0)
by Junko Tamiya (1990) for the NES
Fun fact: The game is based off an animated film, which was itself based off Winsor McCay???s dark, violent, surreal comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland.
This jaunty and pleasant piece has inspired a lot of comments about nostalgia and childhood on its YouTube page, and I think there???s something to that. Its simplicity is charming, and it fits the game perfectly.
——————————————————————————————————
Round 1
Fight 4
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ??? Water Temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPPgtw887NY)
by Kōji Kondō (1998) for the N64 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFlcqWQVVuU)
Fun fact: Songs from this soundtrack have a habit of winning around here.
A little sprinkling of notes and some occasional clashes of wind chimes go a long way here because of Kondo???s always-interesting choice of patches. While playing the game, you probably heard this song a lot, too, because of how difficult this dungeon is. Also of note: this is the first song in the rumble attempting a scary atmosphere for a water level.
vs.
Sonic Adventure 2 ??? Dive into the Mellow (Aquatic Mine) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYoyQ7uVuo4)
by Jun Senoue, Kenichi Tokoi, Fumie Kumatani, and Tomoya Ohtani (2001) for the Dreamcast and GameCube
Fun fact: Sonic Adventure 2 won GamePro and IGN???s Editors??? Choice Awards.
The clavi-like bass line, organ, flute, and percussion give this song a mellow feel just like the title promises. It also represents the larger change in sound that accompanied many of the turn-of-the-century Sonic games, which moved away from the playful sense of adventure the series shared with the Mario games into perhaps edgier territory. Along with that experimentation came some questionable choices, though, like these head-scratcher lyrics: ???Guaranteed, though, Imma find the em-e-ralds / They don’t call me Knuckles for nothing. I can???t lose.???
My votes are for Donkey Kong Country ??? Aquatic Ambiance and Sonic Adventure 2 ??? Dive into the Mellow (despite the lyrics).
a suprisingly catchy tune from a game that i never heared before 😀
&
Sonic Adventure 2 – Dive into the Mellow
a suprisingly catchy tune from a game that i never heared before 😀
&
Sonic Adventure 2 ??? Dive into the Mellow
I loved Little Nemo the Dream Master, the hardest stage has to be the f—ing train (stage 3) besides nightmare land (stage 7).
Mighty Final Fight (NES)
Midnight Club 3 DUB edition (PS2)
those are my things, if you guys have them should put it here to share with everyone else
and
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ??? Water Temple.
and
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ??? Water Temple.
The next person to vote will determine the winner and after that voting for this round will be closed.
Round 1
Fight 5
Ristar – Splash Down! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdp6rZgidE0)
by Tomoko Sasaki (1995) for the Genesis
Fun fact: Ristar was created out of scrapped ideas from the development of the original Sonic the Hedgehog.
Ristar had about the same idea for water music as Little Nemo, but used the Genesis’ superior sound capabilities to layer several effects on top of the walking bass-line backbone, such as the memorable opening bells and bubble sound effects. It gets a little more oomph in the second section, but the majority of the song is bouncy and fun.
vs.
Mega Man X5 – Duff McWhalen Stage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdBsmlGT0so)
by Naoto Tanaka, Naoya Kamisaka, Takuya Miyawaki (2000) for the Playstation and PC
Fun fact: Keiji Inafune, character designer for the Mega Man series, supposedly intended X5 to be the last installment in the series, but somebody higher up obviously didn’t like that, because X6 was developed without Inafune’s knowledge, and when he found out what they had done to the story, he had to make changes to his plans for Mega Man Zero to accommodate them.
This song is actually a redo of the Bubble Crab theme from Mega Man X2, and boy does it make the SNES look constricting when you compare the two. That aside, what surprised me is how well the heavily-layered synths and guitar harmonies work with the frenetic opening and abrupt shifts in style. The song opens with a descending bass line that almost makes you think you’re in for a waltz, but on the first repetition the emphasis shifts and then you’re thrown into a church organ-backed riff in 4/4 and then a guitar solo. Somehow it all works.
——————————————————————————————————
Round 1
Fight 6
Super Mario 64 – Dire Dire Docks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcPSbkS9TQ)
by Koji Kondo (1996) for the N64
Fun fact: Many of the game’s details were inspired by real life. For example, one enemy is based on assistant director Takashi Tezuka’s wife, who, as Miyamoto explained, “is very quiet normally, but one day she exploded, maddened by all the time [Tezuka] spent at work. In the game, there is now a character which shrinks when Mario looks at it, but when Mario turns away, it will grow large and menacing.”
For the second time I’ll crib some old notes from a previous rumble: Here’s one of the most popular tunes from one of the most popular Mario games. “Dire Dire Docks” has Kondo stepping out of the heroic mode without sacrificing any of his strengths in melody or arrangement. Also notable is the surprisingly busy percussion, perking up around the 1:45 mark, which adds momentum to the piece very nicely. This song is relaxing and compelling and warm—a wonderful combination.
vs.
Kirby’s Adventure – Orange Ocean (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv7UobGx9FU)
by Hirokazu Ando and Jun Ishikawa (1992) for the NES
Fun fact: At 6 megabits, it was one of the largest games ever released for the NES.
Kirby’s music has appeared a couple of times now in the rumbles and always seems to lose. I’m guilty of voting against the songs myself. However, the tunes—especially from Kirby’s Adventure—are remarkable for exemplifying the genius of the early composers, creating memorable pieces despite the technical limitations they were faced with. This particular song is one of my favorites, along with Grape Garden.
My votes are for Mega Man X5 – Duff McWhalen Stage and Kirby’s Adventure – Orange Ocean .
Super Mario 64 – Dire Dire Docks
Edit: Hehehe, I forgot to bold my choices.
and
Super Mario 64 ??? Dire Dire Docks
Funnily enough, I’ve never really been a fan of Dire Dire Docks before today, but I guess I finally heard what I’d been missing before.
Ristar sounds more ‘water-like’ to me while (even though I have nice OC remix of it) Dire Dire Docks seems uh… what you say, slow? I try to picture the levels portraying water-like levels (that Link: Water Temple and Sonic: Aquatic Mine) seem like no feel of water though I confused Link portraying more of an ice level with all that shivering because if felt like an icicle is going to fall down or something.
Super Mario 64 – Dire Dire Docks
and
Super Mario 64 – Dire Dire Docks
and
Super Mario 64 – Dire Dire Docks
I’ve always been a big fan of Ristar music.
SM64 – Dire Dire Docks
There’s a great variation of this tune in Break Silence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPvX7zwLu6w). I enjoyed the Megaman X5 track as well – first time I’ve heard it.
Super Mario 64 – Dire Dire Docks
What can you say about this timeless classic? I remember first playing Mario 64 and being in awe of the way the music ‘evolved’ as you got further into the level. I don’t think I’d ever noticed this happening so subtly in a game before. How beautiful, that when you enter the water those floating sting chords appear!
Yeah, but my computer won’t start up. On my wife’s computer and working on it right now. Hopefully, I’ll have the next fight up this afternoon.
Round 1
Fight 7
Final Fantasy V – Beyond the Deep Blue Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvECfse9yR4)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1992) for the Super Famicom
Fun fact: The game was supposed to be translated into English four separate times before fans took matters into their own hands.
Described in the YouTube comments as a “nice ass song,” this is a peaceful Uematsu tune comprised of a pizzicato string arpeggio, a two-note rhythmic element with a delay effect on it, and a flute-like melody. The short patterns in the music and the choice of string sounds especially fit the other conventions of water music already established in this rumble.
vs.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker – The Great Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGPBRaD4VWU)
by Kōji Kondō (2002) for the GameCube
Fun fact: Wind Waker is one of only eleven games to receive a perfect score from Famitsu.
And now for something completely different. Kondō returns to the heroic mode with a huge arrangement of an old favorite driven by cyclopean timpani hits and, of course, the lead trumpets. Lens of Truth said it already when he called it a “sweeping, expansive variation on the original Zelda Overworld theme with undulating ‘cellos’ and ‘horns’” and added “What I wouldn’t give to hear this played by a real orchestra!” Well said.
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Round 1
Fight 8
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald – Dive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9vqvfxoRBg)
by Junichi Masuda, Go Ichinose, Morichi Aoki, and Morikazu Aold (2002) for the Game Boy Advance
Fun fact: Prior to the game’s release, Nintendo held a contest where one winner who sang the Pokemon theme song with new, original lyrics would be given this car ( 
).
As we move along, it may be surprising how many elements of water themes remain constant. This song starts off with bells that are reminiscent of Ristar’s “Splash Down.” However, “Dive” quickly lays out its own claim to awesomeness with the double-timed bass drum at :21 that leads into a jazzy, winding bass riff, after which the two parts of the song come together nicely, taking on new layers with each repetition.
vs.
Chrono Cross – Jellyfish Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1xL3BwRg00)
by Yasunori Mitsuda (1999) for the Playstation
Fun fact: During development, the game was intended to be short with an emphasis on a “befriend anyone” system whereby the player could turn any NPC into an ally in battle. This was supposed to ante up on Chrono Trigger’s previously impressive number of endings. However, as production continued, the length of the game’s main storyline increased, the number of playable characters was reduced to 45, and most of the endings were scrapped.
I’ll take any excuse to listen to some of Mitsuda’s music. Limited to just a bass line, some light piano, a simple string line, and bubbling noises, this song is still extremely effective. I just wish the trip undersea were longer, so we had more of a chance to enjoy this song in-game. Some have commented that the descending motif at :18 starting with A# may be a nod to Final Fantasy’s “Prelude.” It’s certainly possible, since Mitsuda worked with Uematsu on Chrono Trigger and Front Mission: Gun Hazard. But I can’t find a quote that confirms it. Nevertheless, this song seems to do more with less than a lot of the other melody-driven or otherwise more kinetic water songs.
I love all four, but my votes are for Final Fantasy V – Beyond the Deep Blue Seas and Chrono Cross – Jellyfish Sea.
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald – Dive
Choosing between Pokemon and Chrono Cross was pretty difficult, but I think the upbeat one from Pokemon more suits an aquatic level.
Chrono Cross ??? Jellyfish Sea
and
Chrono Cross – Jellyfish Sea
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald – Dive
Pokemon – Dive
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald ??? Dive
and
Chrono Cross – Jellyfish Sea.
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald ??? Dive
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald ??? Dive
Round 1
Fight 9
Treasures of the Deep – Wreck of the Concepcion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ES62nkJP_Y)
by Tommy Tallarico (1997) for the Playstation
Fun fact: One unlockable stage puts you in control of a shark who has to eat as many sea creatures and divers as possible.
Tommy Tallarico makes his first appearance in one of our rumbles with Spanish guitars and steel drums???not exactly what he???s known for. But it works very nicely. Although the song gives us yet another new approach to water music, its peacefulness is certainly in line with what we???ve heard so far in this rumble. The back and forth between piano, acoustic guitar, melodic percussion, and distorted guitar to carry the melody is particularly nice.
vs.
Super Mario Bros. ??? Underwater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntlQpNRfst4)
by Kōji Kondō (1985) for the NES
Fun fact: The Minus World in the Famicom version is actually different from the Minus World in the NES version. In the Famicom version you go to a glitched World 1-3 that is underwater and contains Bowser, Hammer Bros., and multiple Princess Toadstools.
We all already know Kondo???s waltz and sliding melody, so I???ll keep my description short by just pointing out the similarity between the circular bass line in this song and so many of the other water themes.
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Round 1
Fight 10
Waterworld ??? Diving (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H5YoFv09uQ)
by Jonathan Dunn (1995) for the Virtual Boy, PC, and SNES
Fun fact: This game is widely considered one of the worst ever. Having beaten it, I can attest to that. But the music is great.
For those that haven???t heard this song before, I???d encourage you to listen to the whole thing. Across the five-and-a-half minutes there is no loop. Each successive section brings something new to the table and pushes the SNES???s audio capabilities into impressive territory. Also, it works as an introduction to the other songs on the small but good soundtrack for this game, which is full of a strange mix of electronic music and heroic melodies that at times are reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country. Too bad the game is no more than three poorly executed mini-games in one.
vs.
Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmJTk3WZ-GM)
by Kenji Yamamoto and Kouichi Kyuma (2002) for the GameCube
Fun fact: Retro Studios tried to make the boss battles the only difficult part of the game, so that players would not be afraid to explore.
This is an atypically melodic piece (albeit that does fantastic work at establishing mood) on a heavily atmospheric soundtrack. Something mysterious, beautiful, technological, and calming is suggested by all of those slowly decaying glissandos and the lazy piano bass line. A lot of the YouTube comments are about how this song was the only reason they continued through this frustrating level, and maybe that???s the best indication of its quality.
My votes are for Treasures of the Deep – Wreck of the Concepcion and Waterworld ??? Diving.
Waterworld – Diving was particurally thrilled with the movie though it was an interesting concept, so when the movie doesn’t click with me, I usually have no interest in the game, but then that makes me miss out on a few good tunes
Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate
I’ve never warmed to Tallarico’s music, so it’s Mario for me. Daydreamy waltzes seem to be something of a Kondo speciality – see also Rosetta’s Observatory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u6FRwvF0l0), Music Box House (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH1eO3on_Yk), Piranha Plant’s Lullaby (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsOR_nOps1o) – and I believe this was the first.
Waterworld – Diving
A new discovery for me here, and I love it! Probably won’t mean much to non-British shriners, but it reminds me of the chilled, rhapsodic synth that used to accompany the ITV Schools logo.. Well, a little anyway 🙂
Thanks again Arthur for some great choices!
Underwater makes me feel nostalgic, as SMB was one of the 1st games i experienced, but it’s still not even close enough to make me vote against this shiny jewel;)
Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate
This choice was a bit harder.
EDIT:
Eshvoide, here (http://www.mediafire.com/file/nl1mtwtbmom/Treasures%20of%20the%20Deep%20OST.zip)
Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate
Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate
That said, the only 3 or so opinions I’d previously heard on Tallarico’s music – all negative – are out the window. Tough choice in the end.
Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate
Ah, another really tough choice. Why do you do this to us? 🙂
Waterworld – Diving (huh… had never heard this… it’s actually pretty good)
Yeah, 1-3 isn’t a water level normally. But the glitch makes Mario behave as if it is. Check it out here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB2i-QOsBpw).
Probably won’t mean much to non-British shriners, but it reminds me of the chilled, rhapsodic synth that used to accompany the ITV Schools logo.. Well, a little anyway 🙂
Out of curiosity, is this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbPpxZc6L_8) it?
EDIT:
Eshvoide, here (http://www.mediafire.com/file/nl1mtwtbmom/Treasures%20of%20the%20Deep%20OST.zip)
Thanks from me, too!
Why do you do this to us? 🙂
🙂
Yes! But in that video you only get a few seconds of the piece I was thinking of. It’s called ‘The Journey’ (by James Aldenham apparently). Better version here, followed again by that perky countdown tune, ‘Just a minute’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDdiy5ms5NQ&feature=related
They’re not alike in theme, but it was the continuous development over 5 mins or more, and the otherworldly, floaty synth that made me think of it. I remember hearing the ITV schools piece as a kid and marveling at the way the melody never seems to end. I used to wish game music had this effect – it always loops too early! I used to spend half my time on Chemical Plant Zone on Sonic 2 trying to imagine how it would be if it went on into variations 🙂 Ahhhhhhh.
Sorry for the digression!
Close matches! Both Treasures of the Deep and Waterworld had comfortable leads early on but were overtaken by Super Mario Bros. and Metroid Prime, respectively, in the second half of voting. 5-4 wins for both songs. Next up???
Round 1
Fight 11
Pikmin 2 ??? Perplexing Pool (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIQzfS1qmh4)
by Hajime Wakai (2004) for the GameCube
Fun fact: Nintendo Power rated Pikmin 2 the 47th best game made on a Nintendo system.
The first shock of this song is how dry and upfront the piano is. While the broken-chord ???guitar??? sound establishes a water-like atmosphere, the piano disrupts that in interesting ways, laying out the melody forcefully, with a response section from a synthy melodic percussion sound. (Interesting side note: near the :30 mark there???s a sound that???s very similar to one used throughout the EVO soundtrack, another game with a lot of water levels.) Pressure begins building around 1:00 and then rather than bringing the disparate elements together, a cymbal hit sound and a repeated dissonant figure cut through the piece. It???s very odd in comparison to some of other pieces in this rumble???adhering more to the conventions of a prehistoric or earth levels than water???but its play on the conventions we???ve already seen is funny and interesting.
vs.
Mario Party 3 ??? Deep Bloober Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1OSWOvIDME)
by Ichiro Shimakura and Koji Kondo (2000) for the N64
Fun fact: Mario Party 3 won the Console Family Award in 2002.
The fat bass line in this one comes rolling right out and starts a progression that you could imagine for a line dance. The Theremin-like sound that provides the melody is great, too, although if that???s not your cup of tea, the second section returns us to more traditional Mario territory. This has a lot less in play than the Pikmin 2 song, but it also might be more successful at suggesting water because of it.
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Round 1
Fight 12
Banjo-Kazooie ??? Treasure Trove Cove (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DQfnj33-QU)
by Grant Kirkhope (1998) for the N64
Fun fact: Banjo-Kazooie was originally an SNES project called Dream that starred a boy named Edison who had a bear as a friend.
Steel drums make their second appearance in the rumble to provide this extremely catchy melody. Flutes help out, too, leading us into the moment the drums come in at :25. Throughout the rest of the song, the melody is lateraled from one instrument to another to keep things interesting.
vs.
Sonic CD ??? Tidal Tempest/Bad Future (US) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oi8R4Bnjsw)
by Yukifumi Makino, Naofumi Hataya, Masafumi Ogata, Spencer Nilsen, and David Young (1993) for the Sega CD
Fun fact: The differing Japanese and North American soundtracks gave way to a lot of controversy, including Dave Halverson???s comment that the American soundtrack was an ???atrocity??? and ???elevator music.???
Rim shots drive this 80s-sounding synth-heavy track. While it has some similarities to the other songs in the rumble, using a keyboard to create the circular backbone usually given to the bass, it also breaks convention by using breathing sounds to create a scary atmosphere. ???Scary??? might not even be a strong enough word, if you read the YouTube comments. One person went as far as feeling guilt, saying, ???This is a courage-crushing track. It makes you feel like you really, really screwed up.??? 🙂
My votes are for Mario Party 3 ??? Deep Bloober Sea and Banjo-Kazooie ??? Treasure Trove Cove.
Banjo-Kazooie – Treasure Trove Cove
&
Sonic CD – Tidal Tempest/Bad Future (US)
&
Sonic CD ??? Tidal Tempest/Bad Future (US)
and
Sonic CD – Tidal Tempest/Bad Future (US)
I wasn’t sure which to go for out of these two. They’re both good, but I’m not particularly passionate about either. In the end, the surprising textures of Wakai have to get the credit. His Pikmin scores are seriously some of the most ‘modernistic’ and inventive in gaming.
Banjo-Kazooie – Treasure Trove Cove
Love this track. Grant Kirkhope is amazing. His music for the Banjo games really draws on that characteristically British, almost cockney ‘knees-up’ kind of oom-pah bass. This catchy theme actually has same tonic / augmented fifth harmonic structure as the well known Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzIZ4zezRTQ&feature=PlayList&p=E54CC18179554B82&index=0).
A further example of how ingeniously unified this music is – the short ‘bridge’ section beginning at about 0:18 in TreasureTrove becomes the manic main idea in the similarly nautically themed Jolly Roger’s Lagoon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGPncRJWcJc&feature=PlayList&p=92A880C374B0C6A2&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=35) 🙂
I didn’t mind Deep Bloober Sea, but Perplexing Pool was one of the tracks which stuck with me most when playing Pikmin 2 so I’ve got to give it my vote. (Even as it floats dead in the water)
Banjo-Kazooie – Treasure Trove Cove
BK has always been a favourite soundtrack of mine for good reason; it’s amazing.
The next person to vote will determine the winner and after that voting for this round will be closed.
And the winner is…Sonic CD, on the coin toss. Our other winner is Mario Party 3 (6-4), but it’s worth noting that Pikmin 2 made a big comeback in that fight. Onward and upward to the penultimate fights of this round…
Round 1
Fight 13
Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future ??? The Shrine of the Conservatory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nLaQFcr7XU)
by Tim Follin (2000) for the Dreamcast and Playstation 2
Fun fact: It???s probably the only game starring a dolphin that???s listed in the ???survival horror??? genre.
Couldn???t have an aquatic music rumble without Ecco. There???s great music on both the Sega CD version of Ecco the Dolphin and on Defender of the Future, too, so it was hard isolating one track. But this one does a number of things well???from the choir at the beginning to the strange cluster of sounds that bores through the song to the strings that take over around the 2:00 mark???creating a sense of sanctity, mystery, warmth, and foreboding. It???s dramatic and varied and fits in with the Okami / Metroid Prime model for water music.
vs.
Endless Ocean ??? Prayer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsGWieSIxW8)
by Secret Garden and Hayley Westenra
Fun fact: Players can transfer mp3s to an SD card and customize their own soundtrack for the game. This was the second Wii game, after Excite Truck, to have that feature.
Our second piece with vocals (after Sonic Adventure 2), this is the main theme for the equally ridiculed and praised Endless Ocean. It has particular importance because the gameplay is exploratory in nature and intentionally slow-paced, and, consequently, the music has to carry the player along for a lot of the experience. The vocal harmonies and lush arrangement just about do that. You can also hear some similarities with Okami in the instrumentation.
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Round 1
Fight 14
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ??? Aquatic Ruin Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhHa7ph5GLg)
by Masato Nakamura (1992) for the Genesis
Fun fact: This game and Sonic CD were developed simultaneously and initially were supposed to be the same game for different platforms.
A classic Sonic tune with some aggressive percussion, it???s densely layered underneath the melody. The bass line, in particular, is a lot of fun. This has the sound of a full-on attack and should pick up a lot of votes.
vs.
Plok ??? Beach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODKKILZiYY)
by Tim Follin and Geoff Follin (1993) for the SNES
Fun fact: The Follin brothers made several interesting technical decisions for this soundtrack, such as using chords as samples and varying the envelopes continually throughout tracks like ???Plok???s House.???
This song is never going to give you what you expect. Wait through those opening chords and the little synth line fluttering through and you???ll encounter a big bass line, making you think, ???Okay this is a dramatic boss battle type of song.??? But the Follin Bros. haven???t even gotten warmed up. Then the Theremin comes in, playfully cutting off the bass line and re-aligning the song with your typical, bouncy platformer type of music, ala Mario. Then everything is shaken up again with the sliding, early hip-hop-style samples from which a phase effect rises up, leading into a guitar solo. A nod to the 1986 Aerosmith/Run-DMC crossover of ???Walk This Way???? Probably not. But the beat, samples, and overdubbed guitar are spiritually similar.
My votes are for Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future ??? The Shrine of the Conservatory and Plok ??? Beach.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Aquatic Ruin Zone
but it’s trully a misfortune, that those two were fated to meet so early:( They are both wonderful and fit this rumble so well.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Aquatic Ruin Zone Much easier choice than the 1st one.
Normally I hate this kind of faux-celtic stuff 😉 Let’s hope mp3 support isn’t phased out of Endless Ocean 2 a la Exitebots!
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Aquatic Ruin Zone
Far from my favourite Sonic track (or even Sonic water track), but its still good stuff. Plenty of counterpoint and swaying melody. Nakamura really makes the humble Megadrive sound chip sing.
and
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Aquatic Ruin Zone.
Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future
&
Plok – Beach
Very nice music. Plus I got a good laugh from the YouTube title; "Ecco DOTF Music – Shrine Of Controversy".
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Aquatic Ruin Zone
Although Plok was very interesting.
Round 1
Fight 15
Blinx the Time Sweeper ??? Hourglass Caves (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqD7VqHF6Fk)
by Yukifumi Makino, Tatsuya Kozaki, Keiichi Sugiyama, and Mariko Nanba (2002) for the Xbox
Fun fact: Blinx was supposed to be the Xbox???s mascot since Master Chief was considered too violent. But the game???s unpopularity prevented that.
It???s hard to believe this song came out in 2002, because it???s in that great tradition of 80s and early 90s movie songs, like ???Nothing???s Gonna Stop Us Now.??? Extremely catchy and fun with some nicely atmospheric synths near the beginning, it???s too bad this was the soundtrack for a game that didn???t sell. Note the use of Theremin-like sounds again, too.
vs.
Super Metroid ??? Maridia (Rocky Underwater Area) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIwG-BH3DeE)
by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano (1994) for the SNES
Fun fact: Despite the game???s similarities to the previously successful Metroid, it took half a year for Yoshio Sakamoto to sign off on the idea. When asked why, Sakamoto seemed to imply that they were waiting for SNES sales to slow down so that the announcement of the next Metroid could give the console an extended life. I guess they were confident in this property.
Another song that???s equally good at establishing atmosphere and creating a memorable melody all in one. This will bring back memories of floating around in Maridia, trying to figure out what you???re supposed to do next. It???s also another one of our scary water songs. While Blinx is the catchier song, this has nostalgia on its side. Should be a close fight.
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Round 1
Fight 16
Final Fantasy VII ??? A Secret Sleeping in the Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_5zD7rhwPo)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1997) for the Playstation
Fun fact: Uematsu completed the 85-track score for Final Fantasy VII in less than one year.
Nobuo gets knocked around for this soundtrack sometimes, but I think this is a fine example of his strengths in selecting patches and writing strong melodies. It???s slow, insistent, dreamy, and calming. He???s written many water songs, one of which already lost in this rumble. But perhaps this will fare better.
vs.
Golden Sun ??? Set Sail! Through the Karagol Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyIOgjniohA)
by Motoi Sakuraba (2001) for the Game Boy Advance
Fun fact: Golden Sun was originally supposed to be an N64 game, but with the release of the Gamecube looming, the development team switched it to the Game Boy Advance and split the game in two. Thus, we have Golden Sun and Golden Sun: The Lost Age.
Mood-wise, this is about as far away as you can get from Nobuo???s song. This song starts with a big fanfare and goes headlong into a loud, heroic theme with lots of timpani hits bouncing around underneath. This is high seas exploration, ala Wind Waker, and should make for a good final fight of the round.
My votes are for Blinx the Time Sweeper ??? Hourglass Caves and Final Fantasy VII ??? A Secret Sleeping in the Sea.
and
Final Fantasy VII – A Secret Sleeping in the Sea.
Final Fantasy VII – A Secret Sleeping in the Sea
Great descriptions as ever AG – you never cease to amaze me. It makes this thread so much more interesting. Have you ever thought of writing some sort of A-Z of game music? I’d buy it! 😀
and
Final Fantasy VII
&
Final Fantasy VII – A Secret Sleeping in the Sea
Final Fantasy VII – A Secret Sleeping in the Sea
Super Metroid and Final Fantasy VII.
Well, geez. You???re making me blush here. Thank you for your kind words! You know, if what I post can be useful to you all, or interesting, then that???s a great feeling. That???s all I could really hope for, and reading your appreciation means a lot. To answer your question, I actually do have some stuff on the back burner that I intend to expand into a series of articles. Maybe the A-Z guide will be my next project? Or just our next thread? 🙂 Anyway, I???ll stop myself from going on and on and just say Thank You.
So what have we got with the voting? Easy wins for Super Metroid (6-2) and Final Fantasy VII (7-1). Now on to the next round!
Round 2
Fight 1
Sonic CD ??? Tidal Tempest/Bad Future (US) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oi8R4Bnjsw)
by Yukifumi Makino, Naofumi Hataya, Masafumi Ogata, Spencer Nilsen, and David Young (1993) for the Sega CD
– Fun fact: The differing Japanese and North American soundtracks gave way to a lot of controversy, including Dave Halverson???s comment that the American soundtrack was an ???atrocity??? and ???elevator music.???
– Last round beat: Banjo Kazooie – Treasure Trove Cove
vs.
Ristar ??? Splash Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdp6rZgidE0)
by Tomoko Sasaki (1995) for the Genesis
– Fun fact: Ristar was created out of scrapped ideas from the development of the original Sonic the Hedgehog.
– Last round beat: Mega Man X5 ??? Duff McWhalen Stage
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Round 2
Fight 2
Mega Man 2 ??? Bubble Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaJvNNWO_OQ)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988) for the NES
– Fun fact: Mega Man 2 was novelized by Scholastic in 1990, and in the story Mega Man is turned into a human accidentally.
– Last round beat: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Defuse Bombs (Area 2-2)
vs.
Little Nemo: The Dream Master – Night Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LS3rLwtqA0)
by Junko Tamiya (1990) for the NES
– Fun fact: The game is based off an animated film, which was itself based off Winsor McCay???s dark, violent, surreal comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland.
– Last round beat: Donkey Kong Country ??? Aquatic Ambiance
Vastly different moods competing in these match-ups. I think Ristar ??? Splash Down and Mega Man 2 ??? Bubble Man are the more ambitious and more successful pieces, though. What do you all think?
Agreed
Mega Man 2 – Bubble Man
I grew up to Megaman 2 music. Even though I had Super Mario Brothers before I bought Megaman 2. I enjoyed the game rather than listening to the music, but Megaman 2 changed that. My love for video game music began at that point. Little Nemo’s songs were good, but Night Sea, Topsy Turvy, and Nemo’s House are my least favorite songs on the OST. It’s really difficult to say which is my favorite of the three: Mushroom Forest, Flower Garden, or Cloud Ruins. The House of Toys stage made it sound like a train, and it fit very well with that atmosphere. x.x
Mega Man 2 ??? Bubble Man
A travesty in the last round that Tidal Tempest beat Treasure Trove Cove – Ristar is the clear winner here for me. And not much can compete with the nostalgic, dystopian melodies of MM2. I could actually see this one going all the way.
Round 2
Fight 3
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker ??? The Great Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGPBRaD4VWU)
by Kōji Kondō (2002) for the GameCube
– Fun fact: Wind Waker is one of only eleven games to receive a perfect score from Famitsu.
– Last round beat: Final Fantasy V ??? Beyond the Deep Blue Sea
vs.
Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future ??? The Shrine of the Conservatory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nLaQFcr7XU)
by Tim Follin (2000) for the Dreamcast and Playstation 2
– Fun fact: It???s probably the only game starring a dolphin that???s listed in the ???survival horror??? genre.
– Last round beat: Endless Ocean ??? Prayer
——————————————————————————————————
Round 2
Fight 4
Mario Party 3 ??? Deep Bloober Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1OSWOvIDME)
by Ichiro Shimakura and Koji Kondo (2000) for the N64
– Fun fact: Mario Party 3 won the Console Family Award in 2002.
– Last round beat: Pikmin 2 ??? Perplexing Pool
vs.
Super Mario Bros. ??? Underwater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntlQpNRfst4)
by Kōji Kondō (1985) for the NES
– Fun fact: The Minus World in the Famicom version is actually different from the Minus World in the NES version. In the Famicom version you go to a glitched World 1-3 that is underwater and contains Bowser, Hammer Bros., and multiple Princess Toadstools.
– Last round beat: Treasures of the Deep – Wreck of the Concepcion
My votes are for The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker ??? The Great Sea and Mario Party 3 ??? Deep Bloober Sea. In my opinion, Ecco can???t match Wind Waker???s swagger, charm, or sense of adventure. Ecco has beauty, but it feels burdened down by all of those synths, flutes, choral passages, strings, organs, and sound effects. It???s not something I???d want to listen to over and over again. As for Deep Bloober Sea, it???s not as catchy as Underwater, it???s not as important to vgm history, but it???s more interesting to me and more successful at suggesting water. Even ignoring technical limitations, I enjoy it more, so I???ll throw it a vote, even though I suspect it won???t win. 🙂
Super Mario Bros. – Underwater
Super Mario Bros. – Underwater
Super Mario Bros – Underwater
Super Mario Bros. – Underwater
Super Mario Bros. ??? Underwater
and
Super Mario Bros. ??? Underwater
Round 2
Fight 5
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ??? Aquatic Ruin Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhHa7ph5GLg)
by Masato Nakamura (1992) for the Genesis
– Fun fact: This game and Sonic CD were developed simultaneously and initially were supposed to be the same game for different platforms.
– Last round beat: Plok ??? Beach
vs.
Final Fantasy VII ??? A Secret Sleeping in the Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_5zD7rhwPo)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1997) for the Playstation
– Fun fact: Uematsu completed the 85-track score for Final Fantasy VII in less than one year.
– Last round beat: Golden Sun ??? Set Sail! Through the Karagol Sea
——————————————————————————————————
Round 2
Fight 6
Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmJTk3WZ-GM)
by Kenji Yamamoto and Kouichi Kyuma (2002) for the GameCube
– Fun fact: Retro Studios tried to make the boss battles the only difficult part of the game, so that players would not be afraid to explore.
– Last round beat: Waterworld ??? Diving
vs.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ??? Water Temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPPgtw887NY)
by Kōji Kondō (1998) for the N64 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFlcqWQVVuU)
– Fun fact: Songs from this soundtrack have a habit of winning around here.
– Last round beat: Sonic Adventure 2 ??? Dive into the Mellow (Aquatic Mine)
My votes are for Final Fantasy VII ??? A Secret Sleeping in the Sea and Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate. I love Sonic’s music, but I think FFVII has the stronger song???from the melody to the backing instruments to the patches used to the appropriateness to our theme. It’s tough to vote against Sonic, but I have to here (maybe I???m also avenging Plok :)). The other one’s a bit easier. While I think Water Temple is good at establishing atmosphere and tension, Underwater Frigate has such beautiful simplicity that I admire it without even having played the game.
Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate
Making me choose between Sonic 2 and Final Fantasy VII? How cruel. 🙂 Anyway, it’s sad that one of these has to leave the rumble so soon.
and
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Water Temple.
Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate
Though I’ll be unhappy about not being able to pick Water Temple for a day or two 😛
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Water Temple
&
Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate
&
Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate
&
Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate
Round 2
Fight 7
Super Metroid ??? Maridia (Rocky Underwater Area) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIwG-BH3DeE)
by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano (1994) for the SNES
– Fun fact: Despite the game???s similarities to the previously successful Metroid, it took half a year for Yoshio Sakamoto to sign off on the idea. When asked why, Sakamoto seemed to imply that they were waiting for SNES sales to slow down so that the announcement of the next Metroid could give the console an extended life. I guess they were confident in this property.
– Last round beat: Blinx the Time Sweeper ??? Hourglass Caves
vs.
Super Mario 64 ??? Dire Dire Docks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcPSbkS9TQ)
by Koji Kondo (1996) for the N64
– Fun fact: Many of the game???s details were inspired by real life. For example, one enemy is based on assistant director Takashi Tezuka???s wife, who, as Miyamoto explained, ???is very quiet normally, but one day she exploded, maddened by all the time [Tezuka] spent at work. In the game, there is now a character which shrinks when Mario looks at it, but when Mario turns away, it will grow large and menacing.???
– Last round beat: Kirby???s Adventure ??? Orange Ocean
——————————————————————————————————
Round 2
Fight 8
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald ??? Dive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9vqvfxoRBg)
by Junichi Masuda, Go Ichinose, Morichi Aoki, and Morikazu Aold (2002) for the Game Boy Advance
– Fun fact: Prior to the game???s release, Nintendo held a contest where one winner who sang the Pokemon theme song with new, original lyrics would be given this car ( ).
– Last round beat: Chrono Cross ??? Jellyfish Sea
vs.
Okami ??? Dragon Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BzfgI1VqtI)
by Masami Ueda, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Rei Kondo, and Akari Groves (2006) for the PS2 and Wii
– Fun fact: At the 2008 BAFTA Video Games Awards, Okami won Best Score.
– Last round beat: Tetris Attack ??? Water World
My votes are for Super Mario 64 ??? Dire Dire Docks and Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald ??? Dive. The two I picked are the more kinetic pieces, so maybe that’s just a reflection of my mood right now. Certainly, Super Metroid and Okami are both deserving to move on. But bringing in the drums so belatedly into Dire, Dire Docks to transform the piece from calming to driving gives it that extra edge for me. And that second section in Dive, where the ascending line stays the same but the bass line begins that start-stop pattern underneath is fun and interesting and makes me want to keep listening.
and
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald – Dive.
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald – Dive
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald – Dive
Okami – Dragon Palace
and
Okami – Dragon Palace
Quarterfinals
Fight 1
Super Mario Bros. ??? Underwater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntlQpNRfst4)
by Kōji Kondō (1985) for the NES
– Previously beat: Treasures of the Deep ??? Wreck of the Concepcion, Mario Party 3 ??? Deep Bloober Sea
vs.
Super Metroid ??? Maridia (Rocky Underwater Area) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIwG-BH3DeE)
by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano (1994) for the SNES
– Last round beat: Blinx the Time Sweeper ??? Hourglass Caves, Super Mario 64 ??? Dire, Dire Docks
——————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals
Fight 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ??? Aquatic Ruin Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhHa7ph5GLg)
by Masato Nakamura (1992) for the Genesis
– Previously beat: Plok ??? Beach, Final Fantasy VII ??? A Secret Sleeping in the Sea
vs.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker ??? The Great Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGPBRaD4VWU)
by Kōji Kondō (2002) for the GameCube
– Previously beat: Final Fantasy V ??? Beyond the Deep Blue Sea, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future ??? The Shrine of the Conservatory
My votes are for Super Metroid ??? Maridia (Rocky Underwater Area) and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker ??? The Great Sea. At this point, it’s really just down to personal taste. All of these songs are deserving. One thing to notice in Super Metroid: throughout the song there are subtle ways in which the composers are playing with your expectations. For example, the held bass note during the lull at :50 wavers just slightly, and later at 1:08 the flute playing the melody suddenly drops out and the space is filled with a very similar but lower-volume patch that almost seems like it could be the main flute, but it’s not. All of this works to create a sense of uneasiness and unpredictability in the song.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Aquatic Ruin Zone
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker ??? The Great Sea
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker – The Great Sea
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Aquatic Ruin Zone
Quarterfinals
Fight 3
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald ??? Dive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9vqvfxoRBg)
by Junichi Masuda, Go Ichinose, Morichi Aoki, and Morikazu Aold (2002) for the Game Boy Advance
– Previously beat: Chrono Cross ??? Jellyfish Sea, Okami ??? Dragon Palace
vs.
Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmJTk3WZ-GM)
by Kenji Yamamoto and Kouichi Kyuma (2002) for the GameCube
– Previously beat: Waterworld ??? Diving, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ??? Water Temple
——————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals
Fight 4
Mega Man 2 ??? Bubble Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaJvNNWO_OQ)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988) for the NES
– Previously beat: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ??? Defuse Bombs (Area 2-2), Little Nemo: The Dream Master ??? Night Sea
vs.
Ristar ??? Splash Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdp6rZgidE0)
by Tomoko Sasaki (1995) for the Genesis
– Previously beat: Mega Man X5 ??? Duff McWhalen Stage, Sonic CD ??? Tidal Tempest/Bad Future (US)
My votes are for Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate and Mega Man 2 ??? Bubble Man. This is where it gets tough. Choosing between Ristar and Mega Man 2 was especially frustrating, but, as it was for Eshvoide, Mega Man 2 was really the soundtrack that got me into video game music when I listened back to it as an adult. Hearing the Airman stage theme still takes me right back to the TV room of my next door neighbor growing up, standing to watch him play the game right after it came out. It was one of the coolest things I had ever seen, and all the excitement and momentum and free-falling and frozen-in-mid-air-going-into-the-boss-battle suspense is captured in this song, especially. The way the bass line, melody, and percussion interact with one another in the four different sections is dynamic and infinitely enjoyable. I’ve probably heard this song a hundred times, and I just listened to it five more. I wouldn’t mind seeing it win the rumble.
Ristar – Splash Down
Also, it’s sad to see Sonic 2 lose out. Oh well.
Ristar ??? Splash Down
Also, it’s sad to see Sonic 2 lose out. Oh well.
and
Mega Man 2 – Bubble Man
Ristar ??? Splash Down
Also, it’s sad to see Sonic 2 lose out. Oh well.
Ristar – Splash Down
Ristar – Splash Down
Semifinals
Fight 1
Super Metroid ??? Maridia (Rocky Underwater Area) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIwG-BH3DeE)
by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano (1994) for the SNES
– Previously beat: Blinx the Time Sweeper ??? Hourglass Caves, Super Mario 64 ??? Dire Dire Docks, Super Mario Bros. ??? Underwater
vs.
Ristar ??? Splash Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdp6rZgidE0)
by Tomoko Sasaki (1995) for the Genesis
– Previously beat: Mega Man X5 ??? Duff McWhalen Stage, Sonic CD ??? Tidal Tempest/Bad Future (US), Mega Man 2 ??? Bubble Man
——————————————————————————————————
Semifinals
Fight 2
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker ??? The Great Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGPBRaD4VWU)
by Kōji Kondō (2002) for the GameCube
– Previously beat: Final Fantasy V ??? Beyond the Deep Blue Sea, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future ??? The Shrine of the Conservatory, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ??? Aquatic Ruin Zone
vs.
Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmJTk3WZ-GM)
by Kenji Yamamoto and Kouichi Kyuma (2002) for the GameCube
– Previously beat: Waterworld ??? Diving, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ??? Water Temple, Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald ??? Dive
If you???ll indulge me for a second, I think these are four interesting choices because they seem to roughly represent the most common ways composers have approached writing water music for video games. First, you have Super Metroid, which puts the emphasis on atmosphere, contains sections of empty space, and is scary and slow, like Water Temple from Ocarina of Time. Then there???s Metroid Prime, which gives a sense of peacefulness and awe, often with sustained chords (usually played by strings), choral passages, ascending glissandos, and patches with a long decay. You can hear this with Aquatic Ambience, The Shrine of the Conservatory, Dragon Palace, and Jellyfish Sea. Those are two models of the slow music we???ve heard. Then you get to the more active music, like Wind Waker. Big heroic themes, loud percussion, chugging and churning supporting instruments???this is music for cutting through the waves on a ship, like in Set Sail! Through the Karagol Sea. And finally there???s Ristar, a bass-driven, two-part rock song that hearkens back to water music created under the limitations of the NES sound hardware. It doesn???t really try to convey a sense of water (because for many of these songs that wasn???t an option). Rather, it focuses on creating a fun and adventurous mood for the area, allowing the visuals to tell you where you are, and typically is jaunty and bouncy with a strong melody, a short repeated bass line, and rock-style percussion. You can hear other examples with Super Mario Bros., Little Nemo, or Mega Man 2.
Each of these four styles is distinct, but all are interesting. So choosing favorites is difficult. But I???m going with Ristar ??? Splash Down and Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker – The Great Sea
Although I hate myself a little for not being able to pick The Great Sea over Underwater Frigate.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker ??? The Great Sea
Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate
Metroid – Underwater Frigate
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker – The Great Sea
Final Round
Ristar ??? Splash Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdp6rZgidE0)
by Tomoko Sasaki (1995) for the Genesis
vs.
Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmJTk3WZ-GM)
by Kenji Yamamoto and Kouichi Kyuma (2002) for the GameCube
Both pieces are great, but I???m voting for Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate.
Ristar – Splash Down
Ristar – Splash Down, for the win.
Although, I was really hoping to see Aquatic Ruin Zone or The Great Sea in the finals.
Before we started, I thought it’d be one of those two, Treasure Trove Cove, Aquatic Ambience, A Secret Sleeping in the Sea, Bubble Man, or Dire Dire Docks. But almost none of those made it past Round 2, if they made it that far! Shows what I know.
The group page already contains details on three potential new rumbles–with music links. My intention is to keep you guys in the loop, to make it easier to see which theme suggestions have been worked on, and to add your own song selections as you think of them. I don’t know if you want to be more involved in the selection process, but I’d love for that to be the case, and now you can.
Also, if at some point I have to stop coming to the Shrine for a while (like to meet my spring deadline on this book!), and you want to keep the rumble running, this makes it easy. But that’s all far in the future. For now things will continue as normal. Cheers.
Ristar
Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmJTk3WZ-GM)!
by Kenji Yamamoto and Kouichi Kyuma (2002)
This is an atypically melodic piece (albeit that does fantastic work at establishing mood) on a heavily atmospheric soundtrack. Something mysterious, beautiful, technological, and calming is suggested by all of those slowly decaying glissandos and the lazy piano bass line. A lot of the YouTube comments are about how this song was the only reason they continued through this frustrating level, and maybe that???s the best indication of its quality.
Fun fact: Retro Studios tried to make the boss battles the only difficult part of the game, so that players would not be afraid to explore.
Record: 5-4, 7-2, 5-3, 4-3, 7-4
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
We???ll vote on the next battle soon.
Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you???d like to do, shoot me a PM. I???m open to anything. Also, you can see and make suggestions on the themes I???ve already worked on at our new VGM Rumble Group, found here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20).
We can do???
1) The Best of Nobuo Uematsu
A 16-soundtrack rumble similar to what we did with Koji Kondo (6 of those soundtracks aren???t from the main Final Fantasy series, so this wouldn’t be a repeat of the General Final Fantasy rumble).
2) The Best of the NES
A 64-soundtrack (or 32-soundtrack, if you prefer) rumble covering all of the best music from the NES.
3) The Best of Castlevania
A 32-song rumble covering most of the Castlevania games from the NES era to today.
I???m also open to running two of these rumbles simultaneously, although that makes things a little more complicated.
Let me know which you???d like to do the most, and also mention any others that you???d be interested in doing.
Also, as long as you want a Best of the NES, why not do a "Best of" for each console? Just something to keep in mind for future rumbles.
As for any extras, the only soundtrack from the leftovers which I would really like to see added to the rumble is Mother.
If I had to pick one, I’d say NES.
By the way, thanks for your suggestions and please keep them coming! After we make a decision about the theme, I’ll post the song selections, including the newly added suggestions, and we’ll vote on final changes before starting.
And, lastly…
Also, as long as you want a Best of the NES, why not do a "Best of" for each console? Just something to keep in mind for future rumbles.
I completely agree with you and have already started. 🙂 I’ll be adding more threads to the group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20) soon.
Yeah that sounds like a decent idea, assuming we’ll be doing one vote of each rumble per round…It could potentially get messy if we were voting on 4 matches at once, but that’s just my opinion.
Also though, once we get to like the final 4 or 8, maybe complete each rumble separately. Just to highlight each one as a separate winner.
I like your other idea, too. Since the NES one will continue on far after the Castlevania rumble, I could spotlight the Castlevania rumble once we get close to the end and then pick up where the NES rumble left off. What do others think?
btw
When Castlevania rumble will came to an end, there will be enough space left to fit Uematsu rumble before the NES one ends;) But since nobody mentioned it so far i don’t know if there is demand for Uematsu rumble…
Okay. Well, I think we’ve got a plan. More soon…
I’d also like to formally thank Garudoh (http://forums.ffshrine.org/member.php?u=259602), a fellow Shriner, for doing so much work on his YouTube channel. As you’ll see, that saved me a ton of time when looking for links for this rumble. Sadly, Garudoh has retired and given his channel over to others. But the 500 videos he personally worked on serve as a testament to the quality and diversity of video game music. Bravo, Garudoh. And thank you.
Now let’s get started…
——————————————————————————————————
Best of the NES
1. Adventures of Bayou Billy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv854hDPCWs)
2. Alien 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siS06t4hjYk)
3. Astyanax (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNcran7QE5o&feature=PlayList&p=0CF855D7721C9106&index=1)
4. Batman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1u0fh2doG4)
5. Batman: Return of the Joker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOfrNNIdZP0)
6. Battle of Olympus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33ERLa1waNU)
7. Bionic Commando (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNeuePZdTf0)
8. Blaster Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Ebsa_Pc9U)
9. Bubble Bobble (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-pUAK1gR2M)
10. Bucky O???Hare (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C_01kCK6cw)
11. Castlevania (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI2aB86u-zQ)
12. Castlevania II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwiKP7etEnc)
13. Castlevania III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1l4ourOqtY)
14. Chip n??? Dale???s Rescue Rangers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOSDVFF3ZjU)
15. Contra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFwGgFOEZb4)
16. Darkwing Duck (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43LKi75jO-8)
17. Dr. Mario (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZpStvem3HI)
18. Duck Tales (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdlwhzXs24k)
19. Faxanadu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcJBonKLhqU)
20. Final Fantasy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8_0vY3Nvqk)
21. Final Fantasy II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeY26bH2Sn0)
22. Final Fantasy III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksme4TBFmMg)
23. Ghosts and Goblins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA_e0QpVdLc)
24. Goonies II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boTvpvKKCuY)
25. Gradius (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYpntuUYNVc)
26. Gremlins 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoiZOFC_dBk)
27. Guardian Legend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKvXQwwmoBY)
28. Jackal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skk9h-UHN6E)
29. Journey to Silius (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBM-m82Za_0)
30. Kid Icarus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APRgPg_p810)
31. Kirby???s Adventure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA7aZ5QrZuk)
32. Legend of Zelda (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jElFHhfIrY)
33. Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAaBxdJtmwY)
34. Life Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mv4YfP4uqM)
35. Little Nemo: The Dream Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogs_syP2lHY)
36. Little Samson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asJZWrvaoNk)
37. Maniac Mansion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FTgMk-W1M8)
38. Mega Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei_YMyN_69Y)
39. Mega Man II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7MiDyPEw_k)
40. Mega Man III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCL2lMUP_U4)
41. Metal Gear (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r0lEkwtqQU)
42. Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZnQT97A2kk)
43. Mike Tyson???s Punch Out! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPWKlpbGtHE)
44. Mother (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VODQhOl_orc)
45. Nightmare on Elm Street (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhgKb_GE_LU)
46. Ninja Gaiden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e23LwxQolpc)
47. Rygar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNrzw8wKjkQ)
48. Shadowgate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmGp_uMqAoo)
49. Shadow of the Ninja (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMgrhcho5tA)
50. Silver Surfer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHdnG_c598U)
51. Solstice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hGWMeazlhg)
52. Star Tropics (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJg7vZMtfgc)
53. Super Mario Bros. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7dX7kZlzUY)
54. Super Mario Bros. 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WsaclyckD8)
55. Super Mario Bros. 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TNWfSpEL7w)
56. Tecmo Super Bowl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtjnf24He-U)
57. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUHei0vtrZo)
58. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zMiKEwZglE)
59. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: The Manhattan Project (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly5i1KgpXlI)
60. Tetris (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj3wA_K49Vg)
61. Willow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgPLtX8AhPk)
62. Wizards and Warriors (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzRTkWhtDYs)
63. Wizards and Warriors II: Ironsword (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ROQnr299Fo)
64. Wizards and Warriors III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RIOdKl_ups)
——————————————————————————————————
Leftovers
Adventure Island, Base Wars, Battletoads, Blades of Steel, Bomberman, A Boy and His Blob, Captain Skyhawk, Crystalis, Double Dragon, Double Dragon 2, Dragon Warrior, Duck Tales 2, Friday the 13th, Gauntlet, G. I. Joe, G. I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor, Gun.Smoke, Karnov, Kick Master, Little Mermaid, Magic of Scheherazade, Marble Madness, Mighty Final Fight, Monster Party, Ninja Gaiden II, Ninja Gaiden III, Pinbot, Predator, Rambo, R.C. Pro-Am, Robocop, Rush n??? Attack, Section Z, Spider Man: Return of the Sinister Six, T & C Surf Design, TaleSpin, Tiny Toon Adventures, Werewolf: The Last Warrior, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Yo! Noid
StarTropics, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Faxanadu are probably the other conspicuous choices for switching out if anybody else wants to save something from the "leftovers" list. Those three have fewer popular songs on them compared to the rest of the list–at least that’s what I’m guessing.
We’ll give this about two days just like the NES list.
——————————————————————————————————
1. Castlevania ??? Vampire Killer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYfgpodCVHE)
2-5. Castlevania II: Simon???s Quest ??? Within These Castle Walls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1BM8y5_tVA), The Silence of the Daylight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r_LfDqBUaQ), Bloody Tears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhbGqHurV5I), Dwelling of Doom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ancZsDB1Hew)
6-8. Castlevania III: Dracula???s Curse ??? Beginning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGq9VjJXVh8), Demon Seed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAX1jyELGcc), Flashback (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70qaYG51tvM)
9-11. Super Castlevania IV ??? Theme of Simon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sX3fjpkFwk), The Cave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_V3-76hh1k), Clockwork Mansion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQRMjAg2jN0)
12-13. Castlevania: Bloodlines ??? Iron-Blue Intention (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWinQGBz5uo), Requiem for the Nameless Victims (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmav-Zjj2_E)
14-18. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ??? Marble Gallery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiII9PGYFrc), Requiem for the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D6GEkInAp8), Abandoned Pit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4ZZXYH8JcI), Dance of the Pales (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3zIJ5wgaA8), Wood Carving Partita (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__T2V0RUB1E)
19. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow ??? Subterranean Hell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6zit_JLm0A)
20-21. Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin ??? The Hidden Curse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar0SXjVyWSU), Invitation of a Crazed Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK9iK8Q3Et0)
22-24. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia ??? A Clashing of Waves (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ASKSfIgi8I), Edge of the Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA8BRlq0Ss4), Jaws of a Scorched Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pKwEQ6eTVw)
25-26. Castlevania: Lament of Innocence ??? Leon???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox2uW5Y6rj0), House of Sacred Remains (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxyFFzmIpTI)
27-30. Castlevania: Curse of Darkness ??? Abandoned Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmKUJZp4Kuc), Followers of Darkness the Second (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWTzDv17n7c), Garibaldi Courtyard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5HHYuQi7cQ), Cordova Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BmGDtP2t7M)
31-32. Castlevania: Circle of the Moon ??? Awake (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utl5udium0Q), Repose of Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv6QercbUSk)
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 1
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse — Flashback (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70qaYG51tvM)
vs.
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin — The Hidden Curse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar0SXjVyWSU)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 1
Little Nemo: The Dream Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogs_syP2lHY)
vs.
Castlevania III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1l4ourOqtY)
My votes are for Castlevania III — Flashback and Castlevania III. The more difficult decision for me was between the soundtracks. As catchy as it is, Little Nemo just doesn’t have the ingenuity, diversity, and atmosphere of Castlevania III. It’ll be interesting to see if Castlevania burn-out starts affecting us later in the NES rumble, though. 🙂
By the way, the final lists of songs for each rumble are in the OP.
Castlevania III – Flashback, This song has a real good catchy melody.
Castlevania III – I found more attractive this soundtrack, but Little Nemo’s is also good, What can I say? xD..
Very funny, in both castlevania… What’s going on here? xD
and
Castlevania III.
&
Castlevania III XD
and
Castlevania III
Little Nemo: The Dream Master
Little Nemo: The Dream Master
(is my vote as well)
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 2
Castlevania II – Dwelling of Doom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ancZsDB1Hew)
vs.
Super Castlevania IV — Theme of Simon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sX3fjpkFwk)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 2
Astyanax (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNcran7QE5o&feature=PlayList&p=0CF855D7721C9106&index=1)
vs.
Darkwing Duck (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43LKi75jO-8)
My votes are for Castlevania II – Dwelling of Doom and Darkwing Duck. Choosing between the songs was difficult. But despite all of the limitations of the NES sound hardware, "Dwelling of Doom" still feels energized and dense after all of these years. It almost makes "Theme of Simon" sound sluggish.
Note: Astyanax is one of the few soundtracks in the rumble that Garudoh didn’t make a video for, so I’ve linked to one entry in a playlist that has the majority of the soundtrack. You’ll have to click around on the videos to get a good sampling.
Darkwing Duck
Darkwing Duck
Darkwing Duck
Darkwing Duck
Darkwing Duck
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 3
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow ??? Subterranean Hell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6zit_JLm0A)
vs.
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon ??? Repose of Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv6QercbUSk)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 3
Battletoads ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddEdZl1aLKY)
vs.
Kirby???s Adventure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA7aZ5QrZuk)
My votes are for Subterranean Hell and Kirby???s Adventure. These are two tough battles, though. I could see it going either way for both of them.
Kirby’s Adventure
It has always bothered me that most of the Battletoads theme songs I hear are NOT the song that I heard when I played the game; they lack the AWESOME drum beat underneath the song. Compare Arthur’s link above to the music heard during the actual title screen; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhdMJxto8N0.
and
Battletoads.
Kirby’s Adventure<b/>
It has always bothered me that most of the Battletoads theme songs I hear are NOT the song that I heard when I played the game; they lack the AWESOME drum beat underneath the song. Compare Arthur’s link above to the music heard during the actual title screen; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhdMJxto8N0.
That’s really weird. Garudoh’s not around too much anymore; otherwise, I’d go straight to him. But I suspect what happened is that the music files for the game have two versions of each song with different percussion on each version. That was true of some other games, like Friday the 13th, too. Just in searching around on You Tube, about half the people posted the version Link gave us and half posted the version in Garudoh’s video, so both versions must be widespread. Either way, Battletoads is a kick-ass soundtrack if you haven’t heard it before. It’d be worth it to check out all versions of the songs.
Kirby’s Adventure
Kirby???s Adventure
Battletoads
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Castlevania: Bloodlines ??? Requiem for the Nameless Victims (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmav-Zjj2_E)
vs.
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia ??? Jaws of the Scorched Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pKwEQ6eTVw)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Battle of Olympus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33ERLa1waNU)
vs.
Rygar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNrzw8wKjkQ)
Tough on both accounts. I really like all four, but my votes are for Jaws of the Scorched Earth and Battle of Olympus.
and
Battle of Olympus.
Battle of Olympus
Battle of Olympus
Battle of Olympus
Battle of Olympus
Battle of Olympus
Battle of Olympus
Battle of Olympus
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Super Castlevania IV ??? Clockwork Mansion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQRMjAg2jN0)
vs.
Castlevania III: Dracula???s Curse ??? Demon Seed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAX1jyELGcc)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Final Fantasy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8_0vY3Nvqk)
vs.
Castlevania (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI2aB86u-zQ)
This is a big one, especially for the NES soundtracks. But I have to give a slight edge to Castlevania for not only creating memorable melodies, but also a rich atmosphere that transcended the NES’s technical limitations. So my votes are for Clockwork Mansion and Castlevania.
Side note: Sorry to be light on the song descriptions and also absent from the group page for the last few days. I’m up against a number of deadlines, but I’ll be back in full force soon.
and
Final Fantasy.
Final Fantasy
A very early final, one could say. I don’t know if i am doing the right thing, but… Castlevania
Castlevania
Making a balance, Castlevania have more memorable and elaborated songs than FF, really hard to decide that one.
Final Fantasy
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 6
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ??? Requiem for the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D6GEkInAp8)
vs.
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon ??? Awake (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utl5udium0Q)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 6
Duck Tales (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdlwhzXs24k)
vs.
Kid Icarus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APRgPg_p810)
These are two tough choices, but I’m voting for Requiem for the Gods and Duck Tales. I love all those spooky sounds floating around in the background at the beginning of Requiem (seasonally appropriate, too) plus the ridiculous amount of echo put on the bass drum and even the church organ that comes blasting out of nowhere 2/3 of the way into the song. They put you right back into the game. As for the other fight, I really think Duck Tales has one of the great NES soundtracks. Just about every level theme on there has as much character as the visuals themselves, and it does its job in setting the mood and enhancing the gameplay perfectly, given the constraints of the technology. Of course, its competition is a classic, too, so I could see this going either way. What do you guys think?
Duck Tales
Duck Tales
Duck Tales
Kid Icarus – I didn’t play either this game or duck tales, but by listening the songs, I like Kid Icarus
Duck Tales I was playing Game Boy version, but it is the same game.
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 7
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia ??? A Clashing of Waves (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ASKSfIgi8I)
vs.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ??? Dance of the Pales (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3zIJ5wgaA8)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 7
Batman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1u0fh2doG4)
vs.
Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZnQT97A2kk)
Choosing between Batman and Metroid is like choosing between ice cream and chocolate; I???d rather have both. Oh well. At this particular moment, my votes are for Dance of the Pales and Metroid. But Batman is another classic NES soundtrack that’s definitely worth checking out if you haven’t heard it before.
and
Metroid.
Metroid
I guess it depends on your tastes, but i think Batman completely blows metroid out of the water.
Metroid
Batman =D
Metroid
Although, I had never heard Batman before and will definately be adding it to my collection shortly.
Metroid
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 8
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence ??? House of Sacred Remains (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxyFFzmIpTI)
vs.
Castlevania: Bloodlines ??? Iron-Blue Intention (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWinQGBz5uo)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 8
Nightmare on Elm Street (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhgKb_GE_LU)
vs.
Mother (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VODQhOl_orc)
Good songs in both rumbles, but my votes are for House of Sacred Remains and Mother. I like Sacred Remains??? choral/trip-hop fusion and how, despite the incongruity of the sections, the song pastiches different moods that work together. As for Mother, it’s hard to deny its melodies or fun bass lines. Good stuff.
and
Mother.
Mother
In other news…. Awake got defeated 6-0?????????????? By far the most disappointing result for me so far in this rumble.
Mother
Mother
Mother
I’m not trying to be all non-con formative and such. But this track does actually sound good.
Mother
Mother
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 9
Castlevania II: Simon???s Quest ??? Bloody Tears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhbGqHurV5I)
vs.
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence ??? Leon???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox2uW5Y6rj0)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 9
Mega Man 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7MiDyPEw_k)
vs.
Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAaBxdJtmwY)
Even with 64 soundtracks in the NES rumble, there are going to be early rounds like this with two classics facing off. Tough choice. But, as I’ve written before, I think Mega Man 2 is one of the greatest video game soundtracks of all time. And for the other rumble, I’m sorta in the same position, because I think Bloody Tears is one of the greatest video game songs of all time. So they’re getting my votes. But I can see this being a close one.
and
Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.
Mega Man II in big huge letters.
Mega Man 2
and…. and……….. aaaaaaand…………………………. =(
DAMN!!!!!
This is so difficult, so we have a an awesome Piano piece vs a classic song that remains in the minds of every person that played the saga…….. GRRRRRRRRRR but I enjoy a lot Leon’s Theme……. WAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!…….. mmmm…. Oh what the hell, let’s face it, Bloody Tears deserves the spot, so short, so simple, so memorable. Yeah I can’t argue with this. MAN THIS WAS DIFFICULT! XD
Mega Man 2 (sorry Link!)
and
Mega Man 2
Mega Man 2
Mega Man 2
Megaman II
Damn!!! two of the greatest songs ever!!! well my vote is for Bloody Tears (i love it :))
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 10
Castlevania III: Dracula???s Curse ??? Beginning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGq9VjJXVh8)
vs.
Castlevania II: Simon???s Quest ??? The Silence of the Daylight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r_LfDqBUaQ)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 10
Chip n??? Dale???s Rescue Rangers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOSDVFF3ZjU)
vs.
Shadowgate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmGp_uMqAoo)
My votes are for The Silence of the Daylight and Chip n??? Dale???s Rescue Rangers, although it hurts not to vote for Shadowgate.
Chip n’ Dale’s Rescue Rangers
Chip n??? Dale???s Rescue Rangers
Chip n’Dale’s Rescue Rangers
and Beginnings
Chip n??? Dale???s Rescue Rangers
Shadowgate
Chip n??? Dale???s Rescue Rangers
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 11
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ??? Wood Carving Partita (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__T2V0RUB1E)
vs.
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness ??? Cordova Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BmGDtP2t7M)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 11
Willow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgPLtX8AhPk)
vs.
Wizards and Warriors III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RIOdKl_ups)
My votes are for Cordova Town and Willow. Wizards and Warriors’ bass lines are great, but I love Willow’s title screen music and also the flute solo.
Wizards and Warriors III
Willow
i never played the other 2 games
and
Willow
Also, this thread now has 500+ posts and 10,000+ views! Wow.
Wizards and Warriors III Cause good bass lines on the NES sound perfect.
We need more harpischord in game music! 😀
Wizards and Warriors III
That’s Right! Harpsichord Rulz! XD
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 12
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia ??? Edge of the Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA8BRlq0Ss4)
vs.
Castlevania II: Simon???s Quest ??? Within These Castle Walls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1BM8y5_tVA)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 12
Final Fantasy II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeY26bH2Sn0)
vs.
Metal Gear (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r0lEkwtqQU)
My votes are for the classics Within These Castle Walls and Final Fantasy II for being both creative and technical achievements.
&
Final Fantasy II, Although I really like Metal Gear music, this game brings the chocobo theme and the song for the World Map brings a great quality sound even for the NES.
Final Fantasy II
Final Fantasy II
and
Final Fantasy II.
Final Fantasy II
and
Final Fantasy II.
Final Fantasy II
Metal Gear
Probably should be a vote for FF2, but I like the MG soundtrack too much to let it go voteless
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 13
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ??? Marble Gallery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiII9PGYFrc)
vs.
Super Castlevania IV ??? The Cave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_V3-76hh1k)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 13
Solstice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hGWMeazlhg)
vs.
Batman: Return of the Joker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOfrNNIdZP0)
So far things have been really lopsided in favor of the earlier Castlevania soundtracks (if you include SOTN in that category), so it???ll be interesting to get some competition amongst two of the earlier ones and give Aria of Sorrow through Order of Ecclesia a break. I???m going with Marble Gallery and Batman: Return of the Joker. Symphony of the Night has yet to lose a fight, and Marble Gallery is a good example of why. From the diversity of patches to the diversity of musical styles blending together???this is one cool track. And that???s not even mentioning its catchiness. As for the NES soundtracks, I think Batman: Return of the Joker is extremely underrated. I never see it mentioned among people???s favorites despite its predecessor usually showing up on ???Best of the NES??? lists, but just take a listen. I know I keep mentioning bass lines, but this soundtrack has got some great ones. The song at 2:11 would be great with Flea.
Now… Solstice vs Batman… I abstain on the grounds that both soundtracks are totally awesome in their own ways; Solstice has inventive, varied and hooking cues which keep the player interested despite the WTFmind bogging maps, while Batman is very cinematic and catching as well.
Solstice
And
Batman: Return of the Joker, the music from this game has a great mood. Hard choice as well since Solstice music is also great.
and
Solstice
and
Solstice
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 14
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness ??? Garibaldi Courtyard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5HHYuQi7cQ)
vs.
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness ??? Abandoned Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmKUJZp4Kuc)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 14
Gradius (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYpntuUYNVc)
vs.
Star Tropics (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJg7vZMtfgc)
We’re getting a double dose of Curse of Darkness this round–and two good songs to boot. But I’m going with Abandoned Castle for opening big and keeping the tension throughout the whole song. For the NES rumble, I’m voting for StarTropics. Although I love the work of Miki Higashino (the composer of Gradius and the Suikoden series), StarTropics seems more ambitious to me. It has some great atmospheric tracks for all of those caves and also some fun, upbeat overworld tracks, too.
and
Gradius.
and
Gradius
Star Tropics
Star Tropics
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 15
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow ??? Heart of Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhVFuYD2bKo)
vs.
Castlevania ??? Vampire Killer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYfgpodCVHE)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 15
Shadow of the Ninja (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMgrhcho5tA)
vs.
Super Mario Bros. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7dX7kZlzUY)
Well, damn. I really like the other two as well, but I’ve gotta go with the classics: Vampire Killer and Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros.
Shadow of the Ninja
Super Mario brothers
and
SMB
Shadow of the Ninja
and
Gradius.
I might actually prefer Vampire Killer when all’s said and done, but this is also a great song and deserves votes. Shame it got drawn against an undefeatable foe.
Super Mario Bros.
looks like it 😛
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 16
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ??? Abandoned Pit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4ZZXYH8JcI)
vs.
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness ??? Followers of Darkness the Second (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWTzDv17n7c)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 16
Journey to Silius (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBM-m82Za_0)
vs.
Legend of Zelda (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jElFHhfIrY)
My votes are for Followers of Darkness the Second and Journey to Silius. Symphony of the Night has won all 4 of its fights so far, and although I love Abandoned Pit, this song deserves to move on, too. As for the NES rumble, this would be one of my ideal match-ups for the final. I think Journey to Silius can lay a claim to being the best NES soundtrack just as much as Legend of Zelda can (although the video takes a couple minutes to get to my favorite tracks). So I’m at an impasse. But I’ll vote for Silius since it’s most probably the underdog.
Journey to Silius
Journey to Silius
Journey to Silius
and
Legend Of Zelda.
Zelda, and Curse of Darkness please.
That’s exactly what I was thinking!! I wasn’t quite sure how to say it, however. Thanks for that! The overworld theme is just too spectacular to be won out by anything else.
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 1
Castlevania III: Dracula???s Curse ??? Flashback (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70qaYG51tvM)
vs.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ??? Dance of the Pales (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3zIJ5wgaA8)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 17
Dr. Mario (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZpStvem3HI)
vs.
Ghosts and Goblins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA_e0QpVdLc)
My votes are for Dance of the Pales and Dr. Mario. Let’s see if the Symphony of the Night domination continues. All five songs from that soundtrack won in the last round. As for the NES rumble, it could easily go either way; I’m just more partial to the wackiness of Dr. Mario, which was composed by none other than Hip Tanaka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirokazu_Tanaka).
dont know bout those other two.
Ghosts and Goblins
Ghosts and Goblins
Real shame Flashback had to come up against Pales
Dr. Mario
Man I love Hirokazu Tanaka’s work
Gorgeous Lisztian watlz – elegant, romantic and haunting. Possibly my favourite track in Symphony of the Night. Imagine how ravishing it would sound played by a real orchestra :swoon: Does anyone know if such a recording exists (seems like a no-brainer)?
[Also a random digression:-
I prefer the title "Waltz of the Pearls", as it suits the character of the piece (the softly glimmering piano melody is like a string of delicate beads). I assume ‘pales’ is meant in the sense of stakes/’to impale’? If so, and not merely a faulty translation, perhaps "Pale Waltz" would be a more appropriate play on the word, again fitting the spectral tone (and Alucard’s complexion ;)). See article here (http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=3366).]
Dr. Mario
Catchy as hell. From the video comments: ‘Nintendo always did know how to rock out’. Couldn’t agree more!
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 2
Castlevania: Bloodlines ??? Iron-Blue Intention (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWinQGBz5uo)
vs.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ??? Abandoned Pit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4ZZXYH8JcI)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 18
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: The Manhattan Project (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly5i1KgpXlI)
vs.
Ninja Gaiden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e23LwxQolpc)
My votes are for Abandoned Pit (one of my favorites) and TMNT 3 (for the voice samples and bass lines).
TNMT 3 – great music, good ol’ memories. =D
Also not sure about those two.
Ninja Gaiden
Ninja Gaiden
Tough choice, but I really liked the creepy vibe here.
Ninja Gaiden
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 3
Super Castlevania IV ??? Clockwork Mansion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQRMjAg2jN0)
vs.
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia ??? Jaws of a Scorched Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pKwEQ6eTVw)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 19
Super Mario Bros. 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TNWfSpEL7w)
vs.
Little Samson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFhY-9HLWLA)
My votes are for Clockwork Mansion and Super Mario Bros. 3. What sets the first track apart for me is the bongo and bass section at :19 and the string and guitar section at 1:19 and the way they add to the suspense, creepiness, wackiness, and even fun of the song. This track could have been on the soundtrack for Zombies Ate My Neighbors! if that soundtrack had been a little scarier. As for SMB3, what can I say that hasn???t already been said? Strong melodies, great percussion, clever manipulation of the technology, interesting genre-blending, plus the fun factor. That said, check out Little Samson. It???s a good one.
and
Super Mario Bros. 3.
and
Super Mario Bros. 3.
Little Samson
Super Mario Bros. 3
Yet another Castlevania song whose Circle of the Moon version I like better:
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 4
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — Marble Gallery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiII9PGYFrc)
vs.
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest — Dwelling of Doom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ancZsDB1Hew)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 20
Life Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mv4YfP4uqM)
vs.
Bubble Bobble (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-pUAK1gR2M)
My votes are for Marble Gallery and Life Force. Sorry again for the minimal commentary. Work’s dragging me down right now, but hopefully I’ll get a lull soon.
Life Force
x2
There’s a chance now that 5 of the 8 songs in the quarterfinals will be SotN tracks.
Life Force
Bubble Bobble
Bubble Bobble
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 5
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon ??? Repose of Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv6QercbUSk)
vs.
Castlevania II: Simon???s Quest ??? Bloody Tears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhbGqHurV5I)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 21
Blaster Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Ebsa_Pc9U)
vs.
Bucky O???Hare (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C_01kCK6cw)
My votes are for Bloody Tears and Blaster Master. Wow. This one???s hard. I like all four. The NES soundtracks are two of my favorites, especially, and I???ve used songs from both to introduce people to vgm. I???ll go with Blaster Master, though, maybe only because the bass drum and snare drum sounds on Bucky O???Hare never change and they???re so aggressive that it gets headache-inducing if you listen to the whole soundtrack in one go.
Circle of the Moon & Blaster Master.
Bucky O’Hare
Hard to decide between the other two NES offerings. Both excellent soundtracks and very fun games. I guess though for me Bucky O’Hare has the better tunes, and it feels quasi orchestral(ish). So that’s my vote. Sorry J.N 😉
To each his own… (*grumbling curses*)
I was wondering quite a while before i made a decision here… I really like them both.
Blaster Master
Blaster Master
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 6
Castlevania II: Simon???s Quest ??? Within These Castle Walls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1BM8y5_tVA)
vs.
Castlevania III: Dracula???s Curse ??? Beginning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGq9VjJXVh8)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 22
Mega Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei_YMyN_69Y)
vs.
Faxanadu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcJBonKLhqU)
My votes are for Beginning and Mega Man, although I was almost spellbound enough by the blinking in Faxanadu to give it the vote (go to :53 to see what I’m talking about). 🙂
Mega Man
Really wanted to give it to Castlevania II, but this song just grabs you.
Mega Man
Because it’s Mega Man; enough said 🙂
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 7
Castlevania — Vampire Killer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYfgpodCVHE)
vs.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — Wood Carving Partita (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__T2V0RUB1E)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 23
Final Fantasy III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksme4TBFmMg)
vs.
Wizards and Warriors II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ROQnr299Fo)
NES all the way for me. My votes are for Vampire Killer and Final Fantasy III. The latter vote was difficult enough that I left it to simple math. I like 3 songs off the W&W soundtrack—Title Screen, Mountain, Last Battle—and 9 songs off the FF soundtrack—Crystal Room, Eternal Wind, Jinn, Battle 2, Town of Water, Deep Under the Water, Let Me Know the Truth, The Invicible, and This Is the Last Battle. This one is close enough that I’ll doubt we’ll get another blow-out.
and
Final Fantasy III.
Final Fantasy III
Sorry to partita, even though I like it more, Vampire Killer is THE CASTLEVANIA CLASSIC THEME, and with some good arrangements it surpass Partita.
Just saying.
Vampire Killer (classic Castlevania theme)
Final Fantasy III
Final Fantasy III.
Final Fantasy III
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 8
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness ??? Abandoned Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmKUJZp4Kuc)
vs.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ??? Requiem for the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D6GEkInAp8)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 24
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zMiKEwZglE)
vs.
Contra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFwGgFOEZb4)
For Castlevania, I think they???re both good pieces. So I???ll give it to Abandoned Castle for ambition. And for the NES, Contra.
Contra has some really fun rhythmic stuff, but TMNT totally blows it away with compelling melodies (for me, anyway).
Contra
TMNT is awesome, but Contra gets me XD
Contra
Abandoned Castle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hGF83f7gNA
Curse of Darkness, TMNT II.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game
Contra
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 1
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ??? Abandoned Pit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4ZZXYH8JcI)
vs.
Super Castlevania IV ??? Clockwork Mansion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQRMjAg2jN0)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 25
Maniac Mansion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FTgMk-W1M8)
vs.
Goonies II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boTvpvKKCuY)
My votes are for Clockwork Mansion and Goonies II.
Clockwork Mansion & Maniac Mansion
Maniac Mansion
Damn quarterfinals; really difficult choice right off the bat.
The Goonies II
(3-3 so far…eeek!)
Super Castlevania IV — Clockwork Mansion
and
The Goonies II</b
As for Castlevania… uh, none of those songs I like…
Yeah. The Main Theme, Bernard’s Theme, and Michael’s Theme are really catchy, too.
Maniac Mansion
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 2
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness ??? Abandoned Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmKUJZp4Kuc)
vs.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ??? Marble Gallery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiII9PGYFrc)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 26
Tetris (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj3wA_K49Vg)
vs.
Ninja Gaiden III ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI2MOnuFOxc)
My votes are for Marble Gallery and Tetris. And now sleep…
Tetris
Tetris
Tetris
Tetris
Tetris
I am absolutely stunned at the NES battle. The Tetris soundtrack is rather rudimentary when stacked up against any Ninja Gaiden soundtrack, and Ninja Gaiden III is the best of the series in my book. Being able to choose your music is certainly a nice feature, but for me it is quality that counts, and Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom has one of the best soundtracks in the rumble. It definitely gets my vote and will be leaving this rumble too soon.
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 3
Castlevania III: Dracula???s Curse ??? Beginning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGq9VjJXVh8)
vs.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ??? Dance of the Pales (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3zIJ5wgaA8)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 27
Jackal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skk9h-UHN6E)
vs.
Castlevania II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwiKP7etEnc)
My votes are for Dance of the Pales/Waltz of the Pearls (I never did find a definitive take on what the translation should be; in fact, I ran across several more translations :)) and Castlevania II. For the NES rumble, I thought I’d be tired of Castlevania by this point. But when it comes to this soundtrack, I’m not even close. Jackal rocks, but Castlevania goes for more and succeeds at creating an interesting mood and a hummable melody with just about every song.
Castlevania II
Castlevania II No problem with decision here too
Castlevania II
Jackal -Castlevania I and III are waay better. The theme from Stage 1 of Jackal gets stuck in my head ALL the time.
Castlevania II was the first Castlevania I beat, tbh. I had problem with the time limit in Castlevania I, and I kept dying a lot in Castlevania III. Favorite songs from Castlevania II: Bloody Tears and the Mansion song. The only thing I didn’t like about Castlevania II was how easy the final boss was. ;_;
I changed my mind on this one about five times and I’m still not sure that I made the right choice 😛
Castlevania II
Jackal
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 4
Castlevania ??? Vampire Killer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYfgpodCVHE)
vs.
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon ??? Repose of Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv6QercbUSk)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 28
Silver Surfer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHdnG_c598U)
vs.
Alien 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siS06t4hjYk)
No contest for me between the NES songs, and I say that as the one who nominated Alien 3. I’m voting for Silver Surfer. Castlevania is where it gets interesting. Both songs are great, but having listened to them several times, I’ve gotta give it to Vampire Killer. It’s still compelling to listen to after all these years. Great melody, great bass line. And I can’t vote against one of the classic songs of the series.
Silver Surfer — I hadn’t heard or played either of these before, and Alien 3 sounds cool for the first few tracks until you realize they are all the same. Silver Surfer doesn’t have a whole lot of music, but it wins me with one track (which I have as "track 6"…sorry I don’t know the name)
By the way, I’m curious, how many soundtracks are left in the NES rumble?
I forget to mention this a lot, but I update the OP (http://forums.ffshrine.org/showpost.php?p=1250781&postcount=1) after every fight, too, so you can see how everything is playing out in color-code. It’s interesting to look back and see what’s been eliminated from time to time. A lot of surprises in both rumbles.
Silver Surfer
btw
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon — Repose of Souls – great song like this can’t be eliminated by blowout, but I admit that losing to VK is no shame.
and
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 1
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness — Abandoned Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmKUJZp4Kuc)
by Michiru Yamane (2005) for the Xbox and PlayStation 2
Fun Fact: This game is a sequel to Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse.
Previously beat: Garibaldi Courtyard, Requiem for the Gods, Marble Gallery
This may be the most rocking of our final four. It opens with a fanfare, and then a drum fill takes us into a quick, thrusting violin line over a hi-hat driven beat. That’s the backbone of the song, which it then builds off of, adding a deep-pitched guitar line, violins ala Bernard Hermann’s shower scene music in Psycho, and a theremin-esque synth line—all of which build tension until the bottom drops out at the 1:00 mark. The second half of the melody rises up, and then we shift into section two’s amalgamation of an organ dirge and heavy metal percussion. And that’s just the first two mintues! Before it’s over, we get a section in the style of Mega Man, a synth solo, and a smooth segue back into the opening themes at the loop. Michiru Yamane’s talents extend well beyond these styles, but this piece is commendable for and represents, in a small way, her genre-blending and strong melody writing.
vs.
Super Castlevania IV — Clockwork Mansion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQRMjAg2jN0)
by Souji Taro and Masanori Adachi (1991) for the SNES
Fun Fact: This soundtrack remixed several classic Castlevania pieces—including Vampire Killer, Bloody Tears, and Beginning from our rumble—and had its own victory fanfare and Theme of Simon Belmont (also from our rumble) remixed in several later games in the series.
Previously beat: Demon Seed, Jaws of a Scorched Earth, Abandoned Pit
Perhaps it’s appropriate that these two are facing off against one another, since they’re both multi-part pieces with ambitious mishmashes of styles. Here, we start off with an organ line (just a few of those in Castlevania), which changes mood as soon as the drums come in at :08. Alone, the organ seems mournful; with the drums, it transforms into something more driving and action-oriented. But then, like Abandoned Castle, the bottom drops out at :15, bringing us into a lull in the song. This is effective at doing a few things—keeping the song engaging and creating tension because, while the individual parts are conventional relative to their musical styles, they’re interacting with other parts of the music in unusual ways. The lull takes us into an organ fanfare, and then we get a synth melody over bongos and snare drums with a vaguely middle-eastern choice of notes, reminiscent of an oboe playing a snake-charming song. Then we finish with a trumpet, trailing off spookily as the main melody returns. This would be a cool piece to listen to while walking in a haunted house.
——————————————————————————————————
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 2
Castlevania — Vampire Killer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYfgpodCVHE)
by Kinuyo Yamashita (1986) for the NES
Fun Fact: The game’s storyline and setting have been re-used in the series four times: in Vampire Killer on the MSX, Super Castlevania IV on the SNES, Castlevania Chronicles on the X68000 and PlayStation, and Haunted Castle in arcades.
Previously beat: Heart of Fire, Wood Carving Partita, Repose of Souls
Right out the gate, that stuttering bass line and bold melody make a statement about the quality of the first Castlevania game. But the concision and ease with which the song’s pieces fit together make it a little harder to appreciate its intricacy, too, because the song invites you to sit back and let it do its work as background music. In a lot of cases, songs from the NES era hang around because of nostalgia, and that’s certainly a force at play here. But I think the swagger in the melody writing, and the little call and response that happens with the faux-pizzicato sounds in the second part and the “strings” in the fourth section, and the fact that nothing repeats more than once in the whole loop—all make this piece still compelling to listen to. You get a lot for 30 seconds of music, which is yet another example of the composing talent working in video games back in the day.
vs.
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse — Beginning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGq9VjJXVh8)
by Yoshinori Sasaki, Jun Funahashi, Yukie Morimoto (1989) for the NES
Fun Fact: The Japanese version of the game had a specialized “VRC6” music microprocessor chip that added two extra pulse-wave channels and a saw-wave channel to help more closely replicate the sound of a synthesized string section. This chip was removed for the North American and European versions of the games.
Previously beat: The Silence of the Daylight, Within These Castle Walls, Dance of the Pales
To start on the same note that Vampire Killer ended on, this piece is also an intricate work, but that fact may be overwhelmed by the broad strokes and catchiness of the melody. Underneath that is a rocking, dynamic, start/stop bass line and some considerably more subtle percussion than what’s in, say, Abandoned Castle—but equally effective. One thing that’s particularly nice about this song is the way the third section, starting at :32, halves the tempo for a brief moment before we go back into the trills and embellishments and full-on momentum of the rest of the piece. So much happens in :50. It’d be a daunting task to give any composer that small an amount of time to establish a mood, but here we get a melody that is both delicate and harsh, a bass line that is both rocking and graceful, percussion that is precise but heavy—all contributing to a piece that overall is one of the series’ best mixtures of baroque and rock.
Unfortunately, we have to choose. So my votes are for Abandoned Castle and Vampire Killer.
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse – Beginning
Sorry for Vampire Killer, But Beginning has a great energetic and inspiring mood =D.
By the way, Loved the description of the songs. Congratulations arthur. =D
This was hard. Obviously, vampire killer must be at least a portion of the reason behind the success of the first castlevania game. The dynamic changes in the melody of Vampire Killer that you almost never hear in NES music almost did it for me, but Beginning just seemed a little bit better, but why? The half-time feel at :32 is great in beginning. The beginning of both songs are VERY similar, and both songs are in the same key, so Beginning almost feels like an embellishment of Vampire Killer.
In the end, Beginning just has a better melody in my opinion, and for me that’s it.
p.s. I checked out the JP version of beginning, and wow that sounds quite different! I really like the differences in some parts, but not so much in others. I think the half-time-feel sections sound really cool in this JP version.
I previously didn’t care much for Clockwork Mansion, but a few more listens tonight gave me appreciation for it. However, Abandoned Castle still gets my vote easily here.
Castlevania III: Dracula???s Curse ??? Beginning
I wanted to give it to Vampire Killer, but Beginning is just infectious.
When I heared it for the first time I wasn’t a big fan of it, but it grew on me time. It grew up quite big i must say.
Castlevania – Vampire Killer
Really tough choice here. They are both wonderful classics of equally high worth. I choose VK simply because of sentiment- I remember this theme from old times and was humming it countless times since then:) (I’ve played Castlevania III but only on emu, few years ago unfortunately ) btw Beginning eliminated my beloved Dance of the Pales, so I demand blood!! Mwahahaha!!!!! ;););)
I would have to say Beginning only for the fact that it’s a nice light tone of the things to come later in the game. Vampire Killer sounds like you are just a stage away from fighting Dracula himself.
Castlevania — Vampire Killer
In the meantime, here’s one tidbit I found, which is too bizarre/scary/interesting not to share. This is from the website for Kinuyo Yamashita, who composed the soundtrack for Castlevania (which was her first musical work!):
On August 15th, 1998 Yamashita collapsed while playing tennis. She was taken to the hospital in an ambulance and diagnosed with a Subarachnoid hemorrhage. She stayed in the hospital for a week comatose, only to suffer from a second subarachnoid hemorrhage. Her chance of living severely decreased, however the second operation was a miraculous success. She spent another week in a coma and awoke with no memory and slight paralysis on the right side of her body. Gradually her memory and paralysis recovered and she was released from the hospital. She was able to continue her career in music afterwards.
(vote for beginning, vote for beginning, vote for beginning)
The Castlevania Songs Rumble
Final Round
Castlevania III: Dracula???s Curse ??? Beginning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGq9VjJXVh8)
by Yoshinori Sasaki, Jun Funahashi, Yukie Morimoto (1989) for the NES
vs.
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness ??? Abandoned Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmKUJZp4Kuc)
by Michiru Yamane (2005) for the Xbox and PlayStation 2
My vote is for Abandoned Castle.
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse — Beginning
a suprisingly silent final compared to semifinals heh 🙂
Yeah. Everybody’s busy with school, I think. Me included. I’m in the midst of grading. :-\
Given the two that I have to pick from, I guess I go with Castlevania III.
Castlevania III: Dracula???s Curse ??? Beginning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGq9VjJXVh8)!
by Yoshinori Sasaki, Jun Funahashi, and Yukie Morimoto (1989)
This piece is an intricate work, but that fact may be overwhelmed by the broad strokes and catchiness of the melody. Underneath that is a rocking, dynamic, start/stop bass line and some subtle and effective percussion. One thing that???s particularly nice about this song is the way the third section, starting at :32, halves the tempo for a brief moment before we go back into the trills and embellishments and full-on momentum of the rest of the piece. So much happens in :50. It???d be a daunting task to give any composer that small an amount of time to establish a mood, but here we get a melody that is both delicate and harsh, a bass line that is both rocking and graceful, percussion that is precise but heavy???all contributing to a piece that overall is one of the series’ best mixtures of baroque and rock.
Fun Fact: The Japanese version of the game had a specialized ???VRC6??? music microprocessor chip that added two extra pulse-wave channels and a saw-wave channel to help more closely replicate the sound of a synthesized string section. This chip was removed for the North American and European versions of the games.
Record: 7-1, 7-0, 6-3, 4-3, 5-4
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
We???ll continue with NES soundtracks and vote on the next battle very soon.
Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you???d like to do, shoot me a PM. I???m open to anything. Also, you can see and make suggestions on the themes I???ve already worked on at our VGM Rumble Group, found here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20).
Ive been nowhere near internet access atm. i keep missing out.
Oh well…..
I’m assuming this means the next round of voting will be the continuation of the NES rumble and a vote for the next theme to accompany it.
As for the winner of the Castlevania rumble, I can’t say I’m displeased; both were worthy winners whichever way it went 😉
Oh, right. I’m stupid.
:facepalm:
Yeah, you’ve missed a lot. But it???s good to have you back. 🙂
As for the winner of the Castlevania rumble, I can’t say I’m displeased; both were worthy winners whichever way it went
I completely agree. I have to say, I had a lot of fun doing that one. I didn’t ever get tired of the Castlevania songs???I actually enjoyed them more as the rumble went on. Thanks again to everyone who participated!
And now, we’re continuing the NES soundtracks rumble below. But you also need to put in a second vote for one or more of the rumble ideas. Besides the one you???d most enjoy doing, also mention any other rumbles that you???d be interested in. As always, majority rules. After reaching a decision, we’ll spend next round finalizing the song/soundtrack selection. And then we’ll get started…
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 29
Wizards and Warriors (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzRTkWhtDYs)
vs.
Super Mario Bros. 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WsaclyckD8)
——————————————————————————————————
Deciding the Next Rumble Rumble
More details about each can be found here ( http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20). Choose one or more???
1) The Best of Nobuo Uematsu ??? 16 soundtracks
2) The Best of the SNES ??? 64 soundtracks
3) The Best of the Genesis ??? 64 soundtracks
4) The Best of Mega Man ??? 32 songs
5) None (we’d focus on the NES rumble and do 2 fights at a time instead of 1)
I???m happy with whatever we do, so I???m only going to vote for an NES soundtrack. And that’s tough enough that I’m just going to reduce it to numbers. I like more songs off Wizards and Warriors than Super Mario Bros. 2, even though SMB2 is the better game and makes me more nostalgic.
My votes for what’s next:
Best of Genesis
Best of Mega Man
So…I listen to most of each entire soundtrack before I vote on these, and I have to say, Wizards and Warriors is disappointing for me. They are like Michael Jackson tunes with no melody, just the cool underlying rhythms. I mean, cool underlying rhythms are great, but not at the expense of a good melody, and Wizards and Warriors just failed to deliver that melody after giving a cool bass line and/or background time and time again. I will say this, I enjoyed the backgrounds, but that’s all they seemed to be.
Super Mario Brothers 2 on the other hand delivers great melodies (only like 4, but they’re great) in my opinion, so it gets my vote.
(also, I was serious about Rad Racer for the Nobuo Uematsu list)
Wizards and Warriors definately had some interesting tracks, but still not really enough to compete with SMB2 in my mind.
As for the next rumble, my first choice is easily the Mega Man rumble. After that, I’d probably say the Uematsu rumble, but really I’d be happy with anything – I didn’t vote for the Castlevania rumble IIRC, but like Arthur said it just got better as we went along. If it’s VGM I’m already sold 😉
I would love to see either a SNES or Genesis rumble. Preferably Genesis.
Sorry! I completely forgot about that. I’m sure the other lists need to be updated as well with the most recent suggestions. I’ll take care of all that once we finish voting.
As far as the next rumble, I would say go with option 5, at least until we get down to the quarters or semis or something. As far as the next rumble which would start at that point… I’ll vote for Mega Man.
My proposition for what to do next:
1. We start Uematsu Rumble now -it is relatively short, so after we will be done with it, we can concentrate solely on NES rumble.
2. After NES rumble final result, we go with double rumble again Genesis (or Snes) + Mega Man.
3. After Mega Man we can repeat the composer 16 soundtrack rumble, with f.e. Yasunori Mitsuda or Hitohi Sakimoto?
4. Finally after that, we can repeat the proces – the remaining console rumble + 32 songs long rumble ( Suikoden this time maybe?) + 16 songs long rumble
Of course, it’s just a proposition
btw The other question is, if Arthur will have nothing against the horror of doing two rumbles at time repeatedly from now on 😉
2. After NES rumble final result, we go with double rumble again Genesis (or Snes) + Mega Man.
3. After Mega Man we can repeat the composer 16 soundtrack rumble, with f.e. Yasunori Mitsuda or Hitohi Sakimoto?
4. Finally after that, we can repeat the proces – the remaining console rumble + 32 songs long rumble ( Suikoden this time maybe?) + 16 songs long rumble
^ This is a very nice plan, I’ll throw my support behind this, even if it means delaying Mega Man 😉
On that thought, the 32 rumble could be another of the theme rumbles like the Aquatic one we had previously. Plus with those suggestion threads floating around, it could make Arthur’s life easier to pick the tracks.
But that said, there’s plenty of game series just waiting to be covered 😉
The other question is, if Arthur will have nothing against the horror of doing two rumbles at time repeatedly from now on 😉
I don’t think he has a choice anymore 😉
My proposition for what to do next:
1. We start Uematsu Rumble now -it is relatively short, so after we will be done with it, we can concentrate solely on NES rumble.
2. After NES rumble final result, we go with double rumble again Genesis (or Snes) + Mega Man.
3. After Mega Man we can repeat the composer 16 soundtrack rumble, with f.e. Yasunori Mitsuda or Hitohi Sakimoto?
4. Finally after that, we can repeat the proces – the remaining console rumble + 32 songs long rumble ( Suikoden this time maybe?) + 16 songs long rumble
Of course, it’s just a proposition
btw The other question is, if Arthur will have nothing against the horror of doing two rumbles at time repeatedly from now on 😉
Fair enough to me, Great proposition, Cheers my friend. It’s in perfect order to me. I’ll support this proposition. =D
As for the next rumble, I’m all for some Genesis music, but Uematsu will be just as fine if nobody wants the Genesis rumble.
Unfortunately, I???ll need a few days to get the Uematsu rumble up and running (holiday madness is taking up most of my time). So let???s do two NES soundtracks right now, since they???re ready to go, and then we???ll get the Uematsu soundtrack/song selection finalized next.
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 30
Mega Man 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCL2lMUP_U4)
vs.
Gremlins 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoiZOFC_dBk)
——————————————————————————————————
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 31
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUHei0vtrZo)
vs.
Guardian Legend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKvXQwwmoBY)
My votes are for Mega Man 3 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Only one fight left in the first round of the NES Soundtracks rumble!
(I hadn’t ever heard Guardian Legend before, but I enjoyed it!)
Guardian Legend
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Gremlins 2’s soundtrack is an effective (in parts) continuation of Goldsmith’s style, but I have to go with Mega Man – far more epic and the best title music of the series.
The MM3 title music was pretty much the determining factor for me, too, but I also love the Gremlins 2 and Guardian Legend soundtracks. One of the first VGM playlists I ever made myself had a Gremlins 2 song on it. Definitely listen to all four soundtracks; it’s a tough choice!
Guardian Legend
I hadn’t actually even played Guardian Legend until 2 or 3 weeks ago when I happened to find a copy at a garage sale. Love the game, love the soundtrack.
Oh I have, and always do!
As it happens, I watched the first Gremlins movie this evening for the first time in years, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Anarchically funny with many a disturbing shift in tone. The scene where Mrs Deagle answers to the door to a what she assumes is a bunch of ‘glue-sniffing’ Christmas carolers is still one of my favs. It’s hilarious, but truly horrifying as well when she shrieks fatalistically "THEY’VE COME FOR ME!!!".
Why do I find myself identifying with the old witch at that moment?! :erm:
Anyway, I played a good bit of Gremlins 2 for the NES straight after and now I’m feeling guilty for going with the obvious choice of Mega Man..
HA! Our Lens… I still think Mega Man 3 is the better Soundtrack, but I also like Gremlins II (NES).
Gremlins (the movie) is hilarious, and i’ve always liked it!! I love it when the gremlins rig the old lady’s chair lift on the stairs so that it shoots her through the roof. That part always makes me laugh the hardest for some reason… I’m laughing right now thinking about it.
*edit* just realized that it’s a bit funny that I didn’t vote for gremlins given my avatar ><
Guardian Legend
Even though I hadn’t heard of Guardian Legend until just recently, it definitely earns my vote for being awesome.
Well, it???s a blow-out for Mega Man 3 (8-0) and a come-from-behind win for Guardian Legend (5-3). We???ve got one fight left in the first round of the NES soundtracks rumble. But let???s finalize everything with Uematsu first. So I???ll post the current soundtrack/song list and leave that up for two days. Check it out and see if there are any soundtracks you want on the list and any songs that you think would better represent the soundtrack than the ones below (which were chosen for their diversity as much as their quality). After two days, I???ll finalize everything and we???ll have the first fight of the Uematsu rumble at the same time as the last fight of Round 1 of the NES soundtracks rumble.
I should also make an additional note. Every song link for Anata o Yurusanai goes to the same full-soundtrack download page, which was provided by Szczepan. Since the soundtrack is rare and, consequently, unavailable on the usual places like YouTube, imeem, last.fm, or Groove Shark, this download will be the only source for the songs during the rumble. If this will be a problem for anyone, please let me know. For Lord of Vermilion, YouTube links will be used like usual, but jakob.nelson has also provided a full-soundtrack download link on the Uematsu page ( http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?do=discuss&discussionid=36&pp=10&page=2). Big thanks to both of them!
Okay. Now let???s get started. Let me know if you see any changes that should be made.
1. Anata o Yurusanai* ??? Toneless (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4), Life is Like Fried Eggs (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4), You From a Distance ~ Opening (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4), Shadow Scat (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4), Between Lie and Truth (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4)
2. Blue Dragon ??? The Land Shark Is Coming! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Ex-5FMpZ4), In Search of the Ruins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgSnKwn7dwU), The Frozen Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dVeyjgYudI), Mecha-Robo Corps Charge! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFtPxR60Zes), Eternity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUjxPj3al5U)
3. Chrono Trigger* ??? Primitive Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os4Cy6wcVYw), Creeping through the Sewers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuKkjcVCLS4), Silent Light (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y3DqlYFqw0), Tyran Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gVkEUmwstA), Sealed Door (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEB4ZmOCi3s)
4. Final Fantasy I ??? Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lViSeukzQOQ&feature=related), Cornelia Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYVQ1gbjztQ), Matoya???s Cavern (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR06uwC4e20&feature=related), Gurg Volcano (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYdSH34z5hg&feature=related), Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjPF3AwVPM4&feature=related)
5. Final Fantasy III ??? Eternal Wind (http://www.youtube.com/user/VideogamesOST#p/u/206/-vDlAJWSEIg), Battle 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG08jjdjCvE), Town of Water (http://www.youtube.com/user/VideogamesOST#p/u/186/e2Y3zSDawUk), The Invincible (http://www.youtube.com/user/VideogamesOST#p/u/175/siAba6SN3Z4), This Is the Last Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYAYGwujyx4)
6. Final Fantasy IV ??? Theme of Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iPQeYUgVVE), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKqFz5IZSvM), Cry in Sorrow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6nLfKZ3ktg), Goblez Clad in Dark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQSQSv521V8), Troian Beauty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6DSCriinkw)
7. Final Fantasy V ??? Ahead on Our Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok047Uxu3Yw), Cursed Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy4H27tJ3nk), Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdFi4kaJZ_A), My Home Sweet Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV9S6NnZ9xA), Battle with Gilgamesh (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CMTXyExkeI)
8. Final Fantasy VI ??? Terra???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joRZL671Esk), Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZqazbULRRA), Aria de Mezzo Carattere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtqXb2FDK0Q), Dancing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ios6zLDR8AI) Mad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MRGt_PvyT8), Devil???s Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMK-y8w6YhA)
9. Final Fantasy VII ??? The Birth of a God (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGHkjLhIpU8), A Secret Sleeping in the Deep Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_5zD7rhwPo), One-Winged Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU), Aerith???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ), Cid???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2WYkfGYD8k)
10. Final Fantasy VIII ??? Liberi Fatali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5f_VBd_17M), Blue Fields (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQFiOq4VcRc), The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01mxuw31GVs), Eyes on Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qcW0oiLKHg), Maybe I???m a Lion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYDT_Y6Jj5c)
11. Final Fantasy IX ??? The Place I???ll Return to Someday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHLBrtpZ5gY), Battle 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxQgbTRbT8o), Crossing Those Hills (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNOTJ-v8xnk), Iifa Tree (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf6T7DCR5cU), Crystal World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_dHPu3f-4A)
12. Final Fantasy X* ??? To Zanarkand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08RYp-uDpPo), Otherworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OONqel6f_8M), Auron???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4iwYgd9N3Y), Jecht???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP21V1sQUHI), Seymour Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWE0nlhpdq8)
13. Front Mission: Gun Hazard* ??? Gun Hazard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRjZLH1J4wk), Warning Two (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHRvPBP5t7M#t=01m36s), Secret Story (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHRvPBP5t7M#t=02m39s), Blue Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgsychQf61Y), Message of Genoce (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHRvPBP5t7M#t=04m34s)
14. Lord of Vermilion ??? Dawn of Vermilion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40G3Oo-NIVA), Black Dragon’s Temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34hf1kFHBSc), Spiege Snow Plains (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf34kiMLY-4), Meranji Sand Dunes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01WFSiaEJEQ), The Final Enemy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgSYD22nUyE)
15. Lost Odyssey ??? Neverending Journey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFOsFLjBP94), Epsylon Range (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28lntoikGwo), Ruins of the East (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exLbbVyF5us), A Might Enemy Appears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3tr3NmURLQ), Dark Saint (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv6_bDfnHGc)
16. Rad Racer ??? Racing Track 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TXTNj9wPvY), Racing Track 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dWg7pHhtPY), Racing Track 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blZKGGl8XFY), Victory Lap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl5cwUAEpaA), Course Won (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPSWJcOWkqw)
Other Soundtracks
Final Fantasy Legend ??? Let It Begin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMby0tgeoQU), Battle Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIGs9srfIUk), Heartful Tears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBZtbt6bnnY), Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGpI8YEQUIA), Unknown (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsXe90QlA10)
Final Fantasy II ??? Revivification (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOSTation#p/c/47A62474675BFB4F/2/vme03BOxZEE), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOSTation#p/c/47A62474675BFB4F/5/0tboZy6x_bM), Imperial Army???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOSTation#p/c/47A62474675BFB4F/7/eJ_SQUQhQnU), Tower of Mages (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOSTation#p/c/47A62474675BFB4F/9/p0xuTqvQ01U), Ancient Castle (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOSTation#p/c/47A62474675BFB4F/10/_qPBODxSxyw)
For soundtracks with a *, Nobuo did not write every song.
– On Chrono Trigger, he also wrote: Boss Battle 1, Mystery from the Past, People without Hope, Bike Chase, and Burn! Bobunga! Burn!
– On FFX, he wrote the ones marked with NU found here (http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/cds/finalfantasy10_ost.htm).
– On Front Mission: Gun Hazard, he also wrote: Tension, Shiver, Move, The President’s Deadly Fight, Ominous Wind, Silencer, Escape, Richard Millman, Cenktrich, Successful Attack, Genoce, Sorrowful Karion, Transaction, Notice, Resistance, Remains, 202, Uneasy, Determination, Gardian, Sentinel, Nature, Atlas, and Promise! Engagement.
– On Anata o Yurusanai, he also wrote You From a Distance ~ Reprise, Short Night, Promise (a Toneless reprise), Attention!, Deep Inside Me, The End, and Bossa de Drive.
That or One Winged Angel.
And no Darkness of Eternity for IX makes me a sad panda.
I happen to love "A Secret Sleeping in the Deep Sea." What makes you think he put no work into it? Just because it has a thin texture doesn’t make it thoughtless. Main theme is good, though. I can see some merit to adding that.
For FF8, I should have paid more attention this list in the rumble group, but I really don’t think that "Maybe I’m a Lion" deserves to be in that list. I would love to see "Silence and Motion" or "Fisherman’s Horizon", maybe even "Tell Me" on that list instead. I also happen to not enjoy "Eyes on Me" but I know that many enjoy that one, so I won’t even suggest that one be touched.
The VIII list isn’t that great either. It’d be a bit much to ask for Compression of Time (My favourite) but Silence and Motion, The Castle, Balamb Garden etc would be better than Maybe I’m a Lion, Blue Fields, and Eye on Me. Especially Eyes on Me.
For FF8, I should have paid more attention this list in the rumble group, but I really don’t think that "Maybe I’m a Lion" deserves to be in that list. I would love to see "Silence and Motion" or "Fisherman’s Horizon", maybe even "Tell Me" on that list instead. I also happen to not enjoy "Eyes on Me" but I know that many enjoy that one, so I won’t even suggest that one be touched.
I don’t have any problem with "A Secret Sleeping in the Deep Sea.", but any battle theme would be better before "Birth of A God" In my opinion.
EDIT: I also agree with Q-Tip Trepe about putting FFVII Main Theme, I love that Song =D
I agree about FF8 Instead of "Maybe I’m a Lion" (in the case if we replace it with a song that it’s as equally fast), I would replace it with "The Landing"
And The Darkness of Eternity >>>> Battle 2, as far as Battle themes go.
For FF1
– Temple of Chaos for Corneria Castle
For FF7
– Main Theme for A Secret Sleeping in the Deep Sea
(since including both and removing Cid’s Theme or one of the others would give a pretty mellow impression of the soundtrack)
* The Birth of a God was a request from the group page. It replaced J-E-N-O-V-A. However, I’m happy to switch it out if we can get more than one vote to agree on a replacement that’s in the same vein (i.e., a battle theme or fast-paced song).
For FF8
– Balamb Garden for Blue Fields
– Silence and Motion for Eyes on Me
– The Castle for Maybe I’m a Lion
* Here I’m okay with cutting Maybe I’m a Lion without putting in another battle theme because we already have The Extreme and Liberi Fatali.
For FF9
– The Darkness of Eternity for Iifa Tree
What do you think of these changes? Also, is the soundtrack selection okay? Uematsu’s discography can be found here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuo_Uematsu).
9. Final Fantasy VII — Main Theme, One-Winged Angel, Aerith’s Theme, Cid’s Theme, and A Better Battle Theme
10. Final Fantasy VIII — Liberi Fatali, Balamb Garden, The Extreme, Silence and Motion, The Castle
11. Final Fantasy IX — The Place I’ll Return to Someday, Battle 2, Crossing Those Hills, The Darkness of Eternity, Bran Bal
Are those fair representations of the soundtracks? If so, the biggest question left, then, is what battle theme to use from Final Fantasy 7. Any ideas?
Also, this probably doesn’t need to be said but if anyone has had their favorite song removed from the list, that song still, of course, is part of the soundtrack and can influence voting. When you vote, you can always say, "I’m voting for FF VIII because of Residents," and provide a link.
1-Fighting
2-Still More Fighting
3- JENOVA
The result is 2
=D
For those who doesn’t know how to read a 4 faced dice, the number of the base is the one that counts.
Hope you have a nice break too Dx
1. Anata o Yurusanai* — Toneless (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4), Life is Like Fried Eggs (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4), You From a Distance ~ Opening (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4), Shadow Scat (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4), Between Lie and Truth (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4)
2. Blue Dragon — The Land Shark Is Coming! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Ex-5FMpZ4), In Search of the Ruins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgSnKwn7dwU), The Frozen Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dVeyjgYudI), Mecha-Robo Corps Charge! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFtPxR60Zes), Eternity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUjxPj3al5U)
3. Chrono Trigger* — Primitive Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os4Cy6wcVYw), Creeping through the Sewers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuKkjcVCLS4), Silent Light (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y3DqlYFqw0), Tyran Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gVkEUmwstA), Sealed Door (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEB4ZmOCi3s)
4. Final Fantasy I — Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lViSeukzQOQ&feature=related), Temple of Chaos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSlCBmL9ZwE), Matoya’s Cavern (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR06uwC4e20&feature=related), Gurg Volcano (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYdSH34z5hg&feature=related), Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjPF3AwVPM4&feature=related)
5. Final Fantasy III — Eternal Wind (http://www.youtube.com/user/VideogamesOST#p/u/206/-vDlAJWSEIg), Battle 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG08jjdjCvE), Town of Water (http://www.youtube.com/user/VideogamesOST#p/u/186/e2Y3zSDawUk), The Invincible (http://www.youtube.com/user/VideogamesOST#p/u/175/siAba6SN3Z4), This Is the Last Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYAYGwujyx4)
6. Final Fantasy IV — Theme of Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iPQeYUgVVE), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKqFz5IZSvM), Cry in Sorrow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6nLfKZ3ktg), Goblez Clad in Dark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQSQSv521V8), Troian Beauty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6DSCriinkw)
7. Final Fantasy V — Ahead on Our Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok047Uxu3Yw), Cursed Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy4H27tJ3nk), Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdFi4kaJZ_A), My Home Sweet Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV9S6NnZ9xA), Battle with Gilgamesh (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CMTXyExkeI)
8. Final Fantasy VI — Terra’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joRZL671Esk), Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZqazbULRRA), Aria de Mezzo Carattere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtqXb2FDK0Q), Dancing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ios6zLDR8AI) Mad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MRGt_PvyT8), Devil’s Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMK-y8w6YhA)
9. Final Fantasy VII —Still More Fighting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-EH6r9sSmQ), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-HBnhhtSmo), One-Winged Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU), Aerith’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ), Cid’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2WYkfGYD8k)
10. Final Fantasy VIII — Liberi Fatali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5f_VBd_17M), Balamb Garden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_pJ0UsmZXM), The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkcmx2l3WA), Silence and Motion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXD5tJl30q0), The Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqtGBR80NWw)
11. Final Fantasy IX — The Place I’ll Return to Someday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHLBrtpZ5gY), Battle 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxQgbTRbT8o), Crossing Those Hills (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNOTJ-v8xnk), The Darkness of Eternity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSi6_hbpo8), Bran Bal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai4mbIP4vbM)
12. Final Fantasy X* — To Zanarkand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TntdZOQRR8), Otherworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OONqel6f_8M), Auron’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4iwYgd9N3Y), Jecht’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrUu-qvisvU), Seymour Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWE0nlhpdq8)
13. Front Mission: Gun Hazard* — Gun Hazard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRjZLH1J4wk), Warning Two (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHRvPBP5t7M#t=01m36s), Secret Story (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHRvPBP5t7M#t=02m39s), Blue Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgsychQf61Y), Message of Genoce (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHRvPBP5t7M#t=04m34s)
14. Lord of Vermilion — Dawn of Vermilion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40G3Oo-NIVA), Black Dragon’s Temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34hf1kFHBSc), Spiege Snow Plains (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf34kiMLY-4), Meranji Sand Dunes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01WFSiaEJEQ), The Final Enemy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgSYD22nUyE)
15. Lost Odyssey — Neverending Journey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFOsFLjBP94), Epsylon Range (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28lntoikGwo), Ruins of the East (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exLbbVyF5us), A Mighty Enemy Appears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3tr3NmURLQ), Dark Saint (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv6_bDfnHGc)
16. Rad Racer — Racing Track 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TXTNj9wPvY), Racing Track 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dWg7pHhtPY), Racing Track 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blZKGGl8XFY), Victory Lap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl5cwUAEpaA), Course Won (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPSWJcOWkqw)
For soundtracks with a *, Nobuo did not write every song.
– On Chrono Trigger, he also wrote: Boss Battle 1, Mystery from the Past, People without Hope, Bike Chase, and Burn! Bobunga! Burn!
– On FFX, he wrote the ones marked with NU found here (http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/cds/finalfantasy10_ost.htm).
– On Front Mission: Gun Hazard, he also wrote: Tension, Shiver, Move, The President’s Deadly Fight, Ominous Wind, Silencer, Escape, Richard Millman, Cenktrich, Successful Attack, Genoce, Sorrowful Karion, Transaction, Notice, Resistance, Remains, 202, Uneasy, Determination, Gardian, Sentinel, Nature, Atlas, and Promise! Engagement.
– On Anata o Yurusanai, he also wrote You From a Distance ~ Reprise, Short Night, Promise (a Toneless reprise), Attention!, Deep Inside Me, The End, and Bossa de Drive.
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 32
Bionic Commando (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNeuePZdTf0)
vs.
Mike Tyson???s Punch Out! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPWKlpbGtHE)
——————————————————————————————————
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Round 1, Fight 1
Final Fantasy IX
– The Place I???ll Return to Someday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHLBrtpZ5gY)
– Battle 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxQgbTRbT8o)
– Crossing Those Hills (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNOTJ-v8xnk)
– The Darkness of Eternity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSi6_hbpo8)
– Bran Bal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai4mbIP4vbM)
vs.
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
– Gun Hazard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRjZLH1J4wk)
– Warning Two (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHRvPBP5t7M#t=01m36s)
– Secret Story (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHRvPBP5t7M#t=02m39s)
– Blue Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgsychQf61Y)
– Message of Genoce (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHRvPBP5t7M#t=04m34s)
– On Front Mission: Gun Hazard, Nobuo also wrote Tension, Shiver, Move, The President’s Deadly Fight, Ominous Wind, Silencer, Escape, Richard Millman, Cenktrich, Successful Attack, Genoce, Sorrowful Karion, Transaction, Notice, Resistance, Remains, 202, Uneasy, Determination, Gardian, Sentinel, Nature, Atlas, and Promise! Engagement.
My votes are for Mike Tyson???s Punch Out! and Final Fantasy IX. Oh boy. I have tons to say, but for right now I’ll have to cut myself short. Suffice it to say, I think Gun Hazard is a fascinating soundtrack for being a successful blending of Mitsuda and Uematsu’s styles post-Chrono Trigger/pre-FF7, and I don’t think the song selection found here does it justice (since what’s available online is limited). But ultimately Final Fantasy IX is too broad-ranging, diverse in style, and memorable to be beaten this early in the rumble. Listen to both soundtracks and enjoy. This should be a fun rumble, start to finish. 🙂
Couldn’t agree more:) Gun hazard is a solid soundtrack, but it was extremely out of luck to meet FFIX in it’s 1st fight.
Bionic Commando
I vote for Bionic Commando and FF IX.
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy IX
My votes:
Punch-Out!
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy IX
Happy New Year everyone!!
And on that note, barring any major setbacks, I’ll have the next round posted tomorrow. In the meantime, I can announce our winners from the last round as Mike Tyson’s Punch Out! (6-4) and Final Fantasy IX (9-0). We have lots of fun match-ups coming up soon, so keep checking in. Thanks for your participation over the last few months, and take care over the holiday season.
Sincerely,
AG
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 1
Batman: Return of the Joker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOfrNNIdZP0)
vs.
Darkwing Duck (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43LKi75jO-8)
——————————————————————————————————
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Round 1, Fight 2
Chrono Trigger
– Primitive Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os4Cy6wcVYw)
– Creeping through the Sewers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuKkjcVCLS4)
– Silent Light (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y3DqlYFqw0)
– Tyran Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gVkEUmwstA)
– Sealed Door (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEB4ZmOCi3s)
– On Chrono Trigger, Nobuo also wrote Boss Battle 1, Mystery from the Past, People without Hope, Bike Chase, and Burn! Bobunga! Burn!
vs.
Final Fantasy X
– To Zanarkand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TntdZOQRR8)
– Otherworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OONqel6f_8M)
– Auron???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4iwYgd9N3Y)
– Jecht???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrUu-qvisvU)
– Seymour Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWE0nlhpdq8)
– On FFX, Nobuo wrote the ones marked with NU found here (http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/cds/finalfantasy10_ost.htm).
Apologies for the bare bones presentation, which will have to hold up temporarily. This computer is just about out of batteries, so I’ll withhold my vote until I can fully listen to all of the songs again (hopefully tomorrow).
And as much as it pains me to vote against To Zanarkand, Chrono Trigger.
Final Fantasy X hmmm I always had an impression that it was Mitsuda’s part of CT score, that made it so magical.
A little belated Happy New Year to everyone from me too:)
and
Final Fantasy X
Chrono Trigger is one of the greatest video game soundtracks of all time, but like Szczepan, I think Mitsuda’s contributions are the ones that make the case for that. Nobuo’s are excellent, but there is a greater variety in style and composition throughout FFX’s soundtrack that ultimately is what won my vote. I can understand the argument that Silent Light, Sealed Door, or People Without Hope are so totemic and so good at drawing you back into the game’s world, that they should win because the choice of sounds suggest something of the game’s environment–in this case industrial/dystopic–more effectively than anything on Final Fantasy X does. But for me the fun of hearing all the variations of Seymour’s Theme or the Normal Battle theme or Jecht’s Theme, and the emotional weight of some of the pieces like To Zanarkand, and the interesting blending of classical and electronic instruments in songs like Auron’s Theme (a technique that Nobuo later did to great effect in the Lost Odyssey soundtrack) create a more dramatic and dynamic listening experience.
Final Fantasy X. I just can’t vote against this. Chrono Trigger was awesome, but after having done some research it turns out most of the tracks I like are by Mitsuda. So in an Uematsu rumble I’m inclined to vote for FFX.
Final Fantasy X
For much the same reasons as have been given already. Batman is just fantastic, and Chrono Trigger is all Mitsuda for me.
It’s a little confusing how Chrono Trigger is even on this countdown, as almost every one of the memorable tracks is by Mitsuda, but oh well. If this were a standard rumble, it would probably be CT all the way, but like others have said, a Uematsu rumble should be judged on the merit of the Uematsu tracks.
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 2
Super Mario Bros. 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TNWfSpEL7w)
vs.
Duck Tales (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdlwhzXs24k)
——————————————————————————————————
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Round 1, Fight 3
Final Fantasy IV
– Theme of Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iPQeYUgVVE)
– Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKqFz5IZSvM)
– Cry in Sorrow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6nLfKZ3ktg)
– Goblez Clad in Dark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQSQSv521V8)
– Troian Beauty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6DSCriinkw)
vs.
Rad Racer
– Racing Track 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TXTNj9wPvY)
– Racing Track 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dWg7pHhtPY)
– Racing Track 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blZKGGl8XFY)
– Victory Lap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl5cwUAEpaA)
– Course Won (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPSWJcOWkqw)
This is a fun round. Two major NES soundtracks butting heads, and a serious David vs. Goliath situation for the Uematsu rumble. My votes are for Super Mario Bros. 3 and Final Fantasy IV (even though Racing Track 2 rocks).
Really wish I could vote for Duck Tales, even just for the Moon and Boss theme, but SMB3 gets it here from me.
Final Fantasy IV
Man I love this soundtrack.
Final Fantasy IV
Duck Tales
Rad Racer
I love Moon in Ducktales, and that’s basically it. I like Overworld 2 (aka Athletic) song in Super Mario Brothers 3 and a couple of others which I can’t think of the name right now. As for Rad Racer, I never heard of this music, nor am I a fan of driving games, but Final Fantasy IV had some really good songs that I can remember: Red Wings & Zeromus. I’m not too fond of the Battle of the Elementals though.
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy IV
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 3
Gradius (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYpntuUYNVc)
vs.
Willow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgPLtX8AhPk)
——————————————————————————————————
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Round 1, Fight 4
Lord of Vermilion
– Dawn of Vermilion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40G3Oo-NIVA)
– Black Dragon’s Temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34hf1kFHBSc)
– Spiege Snow Plains (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf34kiMLY-4)
– Meranji Sand Dunes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01WFSiaEJEQ)
– The Final Enemy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgSYD22nUyE)
vs.
Lost Odyssey
– Neverending Journey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFOsFLjBP94)
– Epsylon Range (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28lntoikGwo)
– Ruins of the East (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exLbbVyF5us)
– A Mighty Enemy Appears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3tr3NmURLQ)
– Dark Saint (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv6_bDfnHGc)
For me, the choice between the NES soundtracks is harder than the one between the Uematsu soundtracks. Both Gradius and Willow have songs that are classics for the system, and both have distinct styles: Gradius is more in line with the upbeat, extremely catchy, melody-based music that was characteristic of 8-bit platformers and shmups and the like, whereas Willow experiments with sounds and textures more, ranging from the use of dissonance in the unusual fanfare-style opening track to the removal of most channels in the flute solo piece. It’s hard to qualify which soundtrack is better, because both are good at what they do, but I probably prefer listening to Willow more than Gradius. So it’ll get my vote this time. As for the Uematsu soundtracks, I’m hoping Lost Odyssey goes the distance, or is at least one of the finalists. If you’re interested, Battlefield (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhpwyVkje9Q) and Saman, Town of Merchants (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWzQwIGSdcE) are also excellent tracks, as are about a dozen other tracks not listed here. While Lord of Vermilion rocks, I think Lost Odyssey may just be Uematsu’s finest work.
I try to listen to most of the soundtrack for each candidate in these rumbles before voting if I haven’t played the game (which is the case for both NES suitors), and Gradius just seemed to have more tracks that made me have a desire to continue listening. I did enjoy Willow, though.
Lost Odyssey
And while I think both Lord of Vermillion and Lost Odyssey have excellent soundtracks, Uematsu really excels at RPG soundtracks. So Lost Odyssey for me. Lord of Vermillion was awesome too, though.
Lost Odyssey LoV deserves some love, but not against this one
Lost Odyssey
I wonder though, why Final Fantasy II wasn’t shortlisted for the rumble? In my opinion, it’s one of Uematsu’s better soundtracks, and easily his best NES Final Fantasy.
I spent a lot of time thinking about this. FFII was on the list originally. However, through the process of recommendations and revision we decided there were other worthy soundtracks and we needed to bump something.
Here was my thinking. Final Fantasy I had to be on the list. It’s a classic, it’s popular, it has historical significance for the FF series and for Uematsu. It couldn’t go. Final Fantasy IV-X were much more expansive, ambitious, and successful soundtracks relative to the NES music, besides being very popular themselves. And most would contend that’s where Uematsu’s strongest work is. They couldn’t go. Next were Blue Dragon, Chrono Trigger, Front Mission: Gun Hazard, Lord of Vermilion, and Lost Odyssey, all of which I felt were successful soundtracks that showed different sides of Uematsu and would spice the rumble up. Perhaps Chrono Trigger was a weak link because of Uematsu’s limited contributions, but…maybe not. It’s one of my favorite soundtracks, I like Uematsu’s work on it, I thought it had a chance, and people didn’t mention it when making suggestions. So I decided to let it stay.
That left FFII vs. FFIII. And I felt FFIII was stronger, although that’s, of course, highly debatable. The two soundtracks are more similar than different, and a lot of the songs match up with one another–for instance, Revivification (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOSTation#p/c/47A62474675BFB4F/2/vme03BOxZEE) from FFII uses a short repetitive arpeggio and bass line to carry the song just like Eternal Wind (http://www.youtube.com/user/VideogamesOST#p/u/206/-vDlAJWSEIg) from FFIII. The difference is that while Revivification ends up being more of an ambient track, Eternal Wind’s melody adds an extra dimension that’s skillfully done and emotionally complex, like so many of Uematsu’s later melodies. It’s not sad, exactly, and it’s not heroic. It’s not restful, but it’s not hyperkinetic either. It’s somewhere in between all of those, and that makes it interesting for me, even after listening to it for so many years. Of course, this is an arbitrary comparison–these two songs aren’t really written for the same purpose. But on principle, I heard little things like that, the intangible qualities of Uematsu’s music, throughout FFIII’s soundtrack that through personal preference made me go with it over FFII.
You could make a great case for FFII, as you say. The Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOSTation#p/c/47A62474675BFB4F/5/0tboZy6x_bM) does all of the things I’m talking about above, but out of my own personal preference isn’t as compelling a listening experience because the bass line feels a little obtrusive and clunky to me. On some of the less conspicuous pieces, though, like The Magician’s Tower (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOSTation#p/c/47A62474675BFB4F/9/p0xuTqvQ01U), the bass writing is fantastic and dynamic. You know, it’s where you place the emphasis.
I guess more than anything, FFIII just seemed like the bigger turning point in Uematsu’s career. Tracks from FFII like Imperial Army Theme (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOSTation#p/c/47A62474675BFB4F/7/eJ_SQUQhQnU) and Ancient Castle (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOSTation#p/c/47A62474675BFB4F/10/_qPBODxSxyw) could have fit right into the FFI soundtrack. But songs from FFIII like Town of Water (http://www.youtube.com/user/VideogamesOST#p/u/186/e2Y3zSDawUk) and This Is the Last Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYAYGwujyx4)…I mean, holy shit. Those are little precursors to Aerith’s Theme and his heavy metal work, respectively, besides being structural models for how he composed types of songs for types of situations later on. And on top of that, the experimentation with the sounds you could get out of the NES, the way water is suggested by the types of sounds and the tempo of Town of Water, and the way This Is the Last Battle mimics an echo effect in the opening and takes that sharp turn into double-time before exploding into a weird Follin-esque wobbly kind of sound–all of this mad, building pressure to set up something that’s more like a dance track than a battle theme… For me, that’s cool, and fun to hear every time. I don’t know. That’s my take.
But I’m a worrier. I thought long and hard about keeping FFII on the list, even going to a asymmetrical first round with one fight involving three soundtracks. Ultimately, it didn’t seem worth it. But I hope this gives a little more insight into how that decision came about. I guess the piece of string to tie around your finger is to always check the song or soundtrack lists when we’re voting on what goes in the rumble, too. I’m happy to oblige, if someone wants to see their favorite go up to the plate. 🙂
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 4
Final Fantasy III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksme4TBFmMg)
vs.
Guardian Legend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKvXQwwmoBY)
——————————————————————————————————
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Round 1, Fight 5
Final Fantasy I
– Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lViSeukzQOQ)
– Temple of Chaos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSlCBmL9ZwE)
– Matoya???s Cavern (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR06uwC4e20)
– Gurg Volcano (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYdSH34z5hg)
– Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjPF3AwVPM4)
vs.
Final Fantasy VIII
– Liberi Fatali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5f_VBd_17M)
– Balamb Garden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_pJ0UsmZXM)
– The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkcmx2l3WA)
– Silence and Motion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXD5tJl30q0)
– The Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqtGBR80NWw)
By weird coincidence, next up is FFIII, which has a tough match-up against Guardian Legend. I like both of these soundtracks a lot, but I’m going to give the slight edge to Final Fantasy III. On the other hand, I’ll give a much bigger edge to Final Fantasy VIII, one of my favorite soundtracks from the FF series.
By the way, if you haven’t heard of him, lonlonjp (http://www.youtube.com/user/lonlonjp) does a gorgeous version of Balamb Garden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCN-0b_qfXc) in front of a little waterfall, as well as covers of tons of the other songs in this rumble, including a bananas version of Corridors of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94x9amQo-0I) from Chrono Trigger that gives me chills. Those may not be the best introductions to him, because the sound quality isn’t ideal in either one, but the production value and musicianship have improved significantly since then. He’s a really nice guy, too.
– I only seem to like 6 songs from FF8.
* Holy s—, that guy is VERY good with the guitar. I would like to see this music composed on a mandarin. 😀
Final Fantasy I
Final Fantasy VIII
FFI
Final Fantasy III
Final Fantasy VIII
I’m getting good things from all of them though – especially Gurg Volcano! 🙂
Cool. Thanks for the heads-up.
By the way, we still a few hours left in this fight, but there’s a 4-4 tie in the Uematsu Rumble between Final Fantasy I and Final Fantasy VIII for anyone who wants to break it. 🙂
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 5
Mega Man III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCL2lMUP_U4)
vs.
Ninja Gaiden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e23LwxQolpc)
——————————————————————————————————
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Round 1, Fight 6
Final Fantasy V
– Ahead on Our Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok047Uxu3Yw)
– Cursed Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy4H27tJ3nk)
– Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdFi4kaJZ_A)
– My Home Sweet Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV9S6NnZ9xA)
– Battle with Gilgamesh (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CMTXyExkeI)
vs.
Final Fantasy VII
– Still More Fighting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-EH6r9sSmQ)
– Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-HBnhhtSmo)
– One-Winged Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU)
– Aerith???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ)
– Cid???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2WYkfGYD8k)
Gotta keep it short for now. My votes are for Mega Man III and Final Fantasy VII.
MM3 and FFVII
Final Fantasy VII
Mega Man III
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII
I like your joke, ravenous.
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy V Can’t let it go without at least one vote
Ninja Gaiden by a landslide and FF VII by the slimmest of margins.
Final Fantasy VII
Both tough calls yet again!
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 6
Maniac Mansion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FTgMk-W1M8)
vs.
Final Fantasy II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeY26bH2Sn0)
——————————————————————————————————
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Round 1, Fight 7
Anata o Yurusanai
– Toneless (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4)
– Life is Like Fried Eggs (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4)
– You From a Distance ~ Opening (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4)
– Shadow Scat (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4)
– Between Lie and Truth (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOQMNXL4)
– On Anata o Yurusanai, Nobuo also wrote You From a Distance ~ Reprise, Short Night, Promise (a Toneless reprise), Attention!, Deep Inside Me, The End, and Bossa de Drive.
vs.
Blue Dragon
– The Land Shark Is Coming! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Ex-5FMpZ4)
– In Search of the Ruins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgSnKwn7dwU)
– The Frozen Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dVeyjgYudI)
– Mecha-Robo Corps Charge! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFtPxR60Zes)
– Eternity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUjxPj3al5U)
My votes are for Final Fantasy II (although it’s pretty much a tie for me in this fight) and Blue Dragon.
Also, I put up something new on our group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20). My next projects are to update the Mega Man song selection and to work on a Best of Metal Gear thread, so that we have more options for 32-song rumbles.
Blue Dragon
Anata o Yurusanai
Blue Dragon
Interesting to hear a little bit of Swan Lake in FFII- I wonder why? :confused:
I couldn’t really get into Anata o Yurusanai at all I’m afraid. A bit too cheesy perhaps. Having said that, I loved the witty retro-ness of ‘In Search of the Ruins’ from Blue Dragon.
I wasn’t a real fan of Blue Dragon as a game, but the soundtrack was pretty sweet.
Anata o Yurusanai While AoY is surely not the best of Uematsu, it’s still interesting to see him experimenting and trying new styles;) While listening to Blue Dragon i get the feeling, that he didn’t really enjoy it while composing…
Blue Dragon
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 7
Contra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFwGgFOEZb4)
vs.
Castlevania II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwiKP7etEnc)
——————————————————————————————————
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Round 1, Fight 8
Final Fantasy III
– Eternal Wind (http://www.youtube.com/user/VideogamesOST#p/u/206/-vDlAJWSEIg)
– Battle 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG08jjdjCvE)
– Town of Water (http://www.youtube.com/user/VideogamesOST#p/u/186/e2Y3zSDawUk)
– The Invincible (http://www.youtube.com/user/VideogamesOST#p/u/175/siAba6SN3Z4)
– This Is the Last Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYAYGwujyx4)
vs.
Final Fantasy VI
– Terra’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joRZL671Esk)
– Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZqazbULRRA)
– Aria de Mezzo Carattere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtqXb2FDK0Q)
– Dancing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ios6zLDR8AI) Mad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MRGt_PvyT8)
– Devil’s Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMK-y8w6YhA)
Way back in 1994, I was browsing through the Super Nintendo games at the family-owned movie rental store down the street from my parents’ house, and I came across Final Fantasy IV. Knowing nothing about it, I brought it home, played it, loved it, and asked for it for my birthday. Then, come my birthday, my mom handed me a small package in the tell-tale rectangular shape, and I opened it up, and instead of a bright red background with a gleaming sword, I was looking at a purple shadow looming over Mog. My mom had bought me Final Fantasy VI instead of Final Fantasy IV, plus a strategy guide, and she looked proud for getting her son the cool gift he wanted. I didn’t tell her it was the wrong game, and although I was disappointed, I was intrigued to give it a try since I didn’t even know a sequel to FFIV existed. Of course, it ended being one of the greatest games of all time, and more specifically for our purposes, it also had one of the greatest video game soundtracks for its time, which I wouldn’t have noticed if Peter Olafson, the author of the strategy guide I was using, didn’t repeatedly mention how we should wait a second before moving on to the next area so that we could enjoy the music. Not exactly what you’d expect from a strategy guide, but I’m glad he told me to do that, because I began to love Nobuo Uematsu as much as the game itself. When Final Fantasy Anthology came out with a soundtrack CD included, I bought that, too, and remembered all the songs though I hadn’t heard them in years, and, well, here we are. Who knows if I would have sought out FFS if my mom hadn’t accidentally bought me the wrong game.
My votes are for Contra and Final Fantasy VI.
Glad the forums are back up.
Final Fantasy III
FFIII is just amazing. One of the best of the FFs, imo. Also, welcome back everyone.
Castlevania II by far
Castlevania Or Contra…. I’m a big fan of Castlevania, but my vote goes for Contra, Simon’s Quest is a very long game, I think it needed more songs.
Castlevania II
Final Fantasy VI (It’s a top 3 VG soundtrack for me, and easily my favorite Uematsu soundtrack.)
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 8
Super Mario Bros. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7dX7kZlzUY)
vs.
Life Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mv4YfP4uqM)
——————————————————————————————————
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Round 2, Fight 1
Final Fantasy IX
– The Place I???ll Return to Someday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHLBrtpZ5gY)
– Battle 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxQgbTRbT8o)
– Crossing Those Hills (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNOTJ-v8xnk)
– The Darkness of Eternity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSi6_hbpo8)
– Bran Bal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai4mbIP4vbM)
vs.
Lost Odyssey
– Neverending Journey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFOsFLjBP94)
– Epsylon Range (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28lntoikGwo)
– Ruins of the East (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exLbbVyF5us)
– A Mighty Enemy Appears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3tr3NmURLQ)
– Dark Saint (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv6_bDfnHGc)
For the first one, I’ve gotta go with Super Mario Bros. However, the choice between Uematsu soundtracks isn’t so easy. Here are the full soundtracks for Final Fantasy IX (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHLBrtpZ5gY&feature=PlayList&p=2DFE2EE5AF88750D) and Lost Odyssey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL-rDuve72I&feature=PlayList&p=85900B2B86E19EC4) on YouTube, if you want to hear more. They’re both well worth a listen and stand among Uematsu’s best work. After listening back to both of them, I’m leaning towards Lost Odyssey. I can’t say enough about it (and if it wins, I will say something about it next round :)).
Super Mario Bros
Mario is just timeless for me. Never tire of the genius of the overworld theme. Also LOVE the water waltz and that fiendish little chromatic run in the underground theme. How can so few notes be so brilliant?! 😀
Lost Odyssey
Arthur and Sirusjr won me over to this gem in the first place, so that’s my 2nd vote. Looking forward to further comment AG..!
Super Mario Brothers
Lost Odyssey
There are some redeeming tunes in FF9 but not enough to persuade me to vote for it.
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy IX Now this is what I call a complete soundtrack.
Final Fantasy IX
It should be said that it was very difficult for me to choose between FFIX and Lost Odyssey with FFIX winning by sheer nostalgia factor. I haven’t played LO before, but with that kind of music, I will definitely have to give it a shot when I can find a copy.
It was an extremely difficult choice in both (especially LO vs FFIX), but despite my nostalgia for FFIX and SMB, I think that their opponents deserve to advance further. Besides, without LO Uematsu rumble will turn into a battle between FF’s only, as i don’t think Blue Dragon has a slightest chance to change anyhing here.
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 9
Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZnQT97A2kk)
vs.
Dr. Mario (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZpStvem3HI)
——————————————————————————————————
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Round 2, Fight 2
Final Fantasy VI
– Terra???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joRZL671Esk)
– Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZqazbULRRA)
– Aria de Mezzo Carattere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtqXb2FDK0Q)
– Dancing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ios6zLDR8AI) Mad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MRGt_PvyT8)
– Devil???s Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMK-y8w6YhA)
vs.
Final Fantasy IV
– Theme of Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iPQeYUgVVE)
– Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKqFz5IZSvM)
– Cry in Sorrow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6nLfKZ3ktg)
– Goblez Clad in Dark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQSQSv521V8)
– Troian Beauty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6DSCriinkw)
My votes are for Metroid and Final Fantasy VI.
Final Fantasy IV
Such a shame for FFIX to lose out so soon. At least it was to another good soundtrack.
Final Fantasy VI
Forgot to mention this earlier, but I haven’t played Lost Odyssey either and really want to try it some day. I’m about a decade behind in new games, but everything I’ve heard about it is good.
I played it myself only once for about 1 hour on a friend’s Xbox360. It’s just magnificent. I’m actually considering getting a console I hate (i.e. Xbox360) just for this game.
Final Fantasy VI
Arthur have you tried Outcast? A veritable symphony of a soundtrack 🙂
EDIT: Here’s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M26n2gGV7FA) a link if anyone’s interested.
I have to say Metroid & FFVI
Final Fantasy VI
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 10
Kirby???s Adventure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA7aZ5QrZuk)
vs.
Tetris (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj3wA_K49Vg)
——————————————————————————————————
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Round 2, Fight 3
Final Fantasy X
– To Zanarkand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TntdZOQRR8)
– Otherworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OONqel6f_8M)
– Auron???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4iwYgd9N3Y)
– Jecht???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrUu-qvisvU)
– Seymour Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWE0nlhpdq8)
– On FFX, Nobuo wrote the ones marked with NU found here (http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/cds/finalfantasy10_ost.htm).
vs.
Final Fantasy VII
– Still More Fighting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-EH6r9sSmQ)
– Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-HBnhhtSmo)
– One-Winged Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU)
– Aerith???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ)
– Cid???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2WYkfGYD8k)
My votes are for Kirby’s Adventure and Final Fantasy VII.
Such a shame for FFIX to lose out so soon. At least it was to another good soundtrack.
Agreed.
Tetris
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy X
Tetris – off to a good start already
Final Fantasy VII – though, it only squeaks past FFX by a little
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII
I can’t believe I didn’t see this before!
Final Fantasy X
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 11
Mega Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei_YMyN_69Y)
vs.
Castlevania (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI2aB86u-zQ)
——————————————————————————————————
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Round 2, Fight 4
Final Fantasy VIII
– Liberi Fatali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5f_VBd_17M)
– Balamb Garden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_pJ0UsmZXM)
– The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkcmx2l3WA)
– Silence and Motion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXD5tJl30q0)
– The Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqtGBR80NWw)
vs.
Blue Dragon
– The Land Shark Is Coming! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Ex-5FMpZ4)
– In Search of the Ruins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgSnKwn7dwU)
– The Frozen Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dVeyjgYudI)
– Mecha-Robo Corps Charge! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFtPxR60Zes)
– Eternity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUjxPj3al5U)
It???s the NES rumble that???s really conflicting me this time.But I’m gonna go with Mega Man and Final Fantasy VIII.
Final Fantasy VIII.
Final Fantasy VIII.
Final Fantasy VIII.
Thank you for the welcome too!
Other vote will go to Final Fantasy.
Final Fantasy VIII.
Rather easy decision here.
btw Missed last rumble, damn…
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy VIII
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 1
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B89C65A475B8B0CA)
for the Super Nintendo (1994)
– Fun Fact: The English translation of the game was done by one man, Ted Woolsey, in just 30 days despite the necessity of many script changes to remove cursing, violence, religious references, and sexuality. On top of that, he had to make name changes to reflect the game???s themes and story revisions to squeeze all the text into the cartridge???s limited storage space. The speed at which he completed this mammoth task resulted in some questionable choices, including Woolsey???s infamous translation of ???Son of a bitch!??? in the original Japanese to ???Son of a submariner!??? in the American version.
– Previously beat: Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy IV
– Recommended: Terra???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joRZL671Esk), Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZqazbULRRA), Aria de Mezzo Carattere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtqXb2FDK0Q), Dancing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ios6zLDR8AI) Mad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MRGt_PvyT8), Devil???s Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMK-y8w6YhA)
What can I say that hasn???t already been said? This soundtrack is a masterpiece. The unusually high number of character themes and clever deployment of leitmotifs throughout the soundtrack are just the first admirable facets of this work. Put on ???The Veldt??? and you???ll hear a type of percussion that not only suggests a landscape, but an entire culture, too. The first impression is that of a primal society, of course. That holds true to the rugged nature of enemy hunting on the veldt, and the backwards use of carrier pigeons as communication in the area despite the world???s much farther advanced technology. However, the call and response between the main theme and the clarinet, and the djembe and dundun drums, creates a playful conversation that is also suggestive of the freespirited personalities of the youth in the area, including Gau, Duane, and Katarin. Maybe it???s too much of a stretch to suggest that people living in such rugged conditions would naturally need a good sense of humor and would have a connection to rhythm instruments more than the classical European instruments heard in the music of Figaro, Jidoor, or Vector???and consequently, this aspect of the music is appropriate. But maybe not. Regardless, there is a level of attention to detail throughout the soundtrack that is remarkable given the mishmash variety of occupations, backgrounds, cultures, and events in the game, and if the soundtrack suffers any from its broad scope, it at least makes a compelling attempt to resolve those tensions in the staggering finale, in which most of the game???s themes are interwoven seamlessly into one piece.
vs.
Lost Odyssey (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=0FF1BAEB1AD803AC&page=1)
for the Xbox 360 (2007)
– Fun Fact: Jay Rubin, the famed translator of Haruki Murakami stories and a Harvard professor, was asked to translate the memory sequences in the game and initially turned the job down, saying he didn???t want to add to ???the world???s supply of senseless violence??? by helping to make a video game. However, after learning more about the game???s pacifist message and seeing concept art that shocked him with its vividness and beauty, he signed on and helped promote the game.
– Previously beat: Lord of Vermilion, Final Fantasy IX
– Recommended: Neverending Journey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFOsFLjBP94), Epsylon Range (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28lntoikGwo), Ruins of the East (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exLbbVyF5us), A Mighty Enemy Appears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3tr3NmURLQ), Dark Saint (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv6_bDfnHGc)
So why do I like the Lost Odyssey soundtrack so much? Let’s just start with "Neverending Journey." It’s hard to find a point of comparison that’s at the same level, but I’ll go with "Corridors of Time" from Chrono Trigger, since I think that’s another example of some of the best work we’ve seen from video game composers. What is special about both songs is the way the opening arpeggio transforms as soon as the other instruments come in. In both cases, the first time you hear the song turn that corner, it is totally unexpected, and once it does, the piece morphs into something much more complex and riveting. Within the space of two and half minutes, "Neverending Journey" goes from a wedding dance to a mournful flute melody to a romantic ensemble piece to a a towering, foot-stomping, head-bobbing, guitar-harmony-driven fight song. It’s slick. It’s beautiful. It’s sad. And it’s rocking. It’s about all you can ask from a two-and-a-half minute song, and by its brevity, invites repeated listening. It made me a Uematsu fan all over again. And that’s just one of the first songs on the soundtrack, which doesn’t even touch on the leap in orchestral writing that Uematsu took with this soundtrack. Blue Dragon is nice, but lacked the themes of Lost Odyssey to give too many of the songs weight. It was tempting to feel like, say, "The Land Shark Is Coming" was a good exercise in technique for Uematsu with many nice parts (including the rattlesnake trumpet that rears up in the middle), but ultimately just a collection of parts and a mood piece. Even with all that blustering, it somehow felt underwhelming because it didn’t have a payoff. Here, the tensions are controlled and resolved in such a way in songs like "Prologue," "Battlefield," "Epsylon Range," "World of Ice," "Saman, Town of Merchants," "Blizzard Field," or "Ruins of the East," as to give each piece individual depth as well as a sense of collective unity that is organic and delicately achieved. Despite how far-ranging this soundtrack is, the details in instrument selection, song structure, arrangement, and contrasting mood show Uematsu at his best, referencing his previous achievements while also building on them. It has his Zorro signature all over it while also introducing new elements to his style that will keep old and new fans happy. And that’s what I think makes it one of his best works.
Now having said all that, I have no idea which soundtrack I’m going to vote for. 🙂 I need to listen to them both one more time, and then I’ll put in my choice.
*By the way, the titles of the soundtracks link to complete OST playlists on YouTube, so you can hear more if you want.
btw It was my 666 post, so i had no other choice ;P Nice way to celebrate it:)
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 2
Final Fantasy VIII (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=294020FE0E62D993)
for the PlayStation (1999)
– Fun Fact: Uematsu consciously avoided writing character themes on this soundtrack because he believed most of the characters weren’t important enough to merit one. Thus, Squall and Rinoa got “Eyes on Me," and that was it.
– Previously beat: Final Fantasy I, Blue Dragon
– Recommended: Liberi Fatali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5f_VBd_17M), Balamb Garden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_pJ0UsmZXM), The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkcmx2l3WA), Silence and Motion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXD5tJl30q0), The Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqtGBR80NWw)
It’s hard not to hear this soundtrack as a reaction to VII and, in fact, the designers of VIII have said that the game from top to bottom was meant to be brighter and fresher than its predecessor. There are connections between the two—Liberi Fatali as One-Winged Angel 2.0, Roses and Wine as Aerith’s Theme 2.0, the fight songs as variations of the guitar-driven techno fight songs of VII—but there is also a lighthearted, carefree attitude in many of the pieces like Balamb Garden and Breezy that are meant to reflect a school days kind of atmosphere, and succeed, I think. In terms of Uematsu’s entire catalog, it seems he might have been reaching back towards the goofiness of FFIV’s Mystic Mysidia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwtdCcviYl4) with tracks like Silence and Motion and Residents and the multipart baroque Dancing Mad from FFVI with The Castle, while also looking forward with the harpsichord Edea pieces, the orchestral arrangements (his first), and, of course, Eyes on Me—a type of song that, for better or worse, continues to be a staple of Final Fantasy ending music. Therefore, VIII represents a synthesis of much of his previous work, as IX was, and equally a sign of things to come, too. Its emphasis is on reflecting a variety of moods and locations, and it does that well. And like VII, it contains several classic Uematsu pieces that work beautifully in the context of the game and sound beautiful outside of that context, too.
vs.
Final Fantasy VII (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=77D98F68F6DBB35D)
for the PlayStation (1997)
– Fun Fact: The finished product is completely different from the original design. This game was supposed to be on the Super Nintendo and set in New York in 1999 with your character on a mission to blow up the city of Midgar while being followed by a hot-blooded detective named Joe. A sorceress named Edea was also somehow involved. However, everything changed when part of the staff was re-assigned to help with the completion of Chrono Trigger. After they came back, Square believed 2D games were too limiting. They soon separated ways from Nintendo, struck a deal with Sony for a CD-based game, and assembled a staff of 120 people under a $30 million budget to begin the game we now know.
– Previously beat: Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy X
– Recommended: Still More Fighting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-EH6r9sSmQ), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-HBnhhtSmo), One-Winged Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU), Aerith’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ), Cid’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2WYkfGYD8k)
You blow up the reactor, defend yourself against the president, escape the Turks with Aeris, become a prostitute, watch as an entire area of your city is destroyed, climb out of the ruins, sneak into Shinra HQ, find everyone dead, fight your way out, finally leave Midgar, and get to the open-exploration part of the game where you’re usually rewarded with a big, boisterous main theme. And what do you get? A lethargic, almost dirge-like, sweep of strings. If you raced, you’ve only only taken two hours to get to this point. But more likely it’s been three or four, and the tone is set for the rest of the game: darkness and futility. Consider the main themes of Final Fantasy I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lViSeukzQOQ), II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xktPLOC6e6Y), III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zZLvipgc2Q), IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKqFz5IZSvM), V (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-5yMcE58EA), and VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joRZL671Esk) and you can see the difference. Even in the slower themes before this game, there was a steady and prominent bass keeping things moving. In contrast, the hopefulness in VII’s music (like when it takes a romantic turn around the :52 mark) is still couched in sadness. As you’re walking across the dark, often barren, industrial landscape, it’s hard to feel optimistic about your mission, visiting towns (Costa Del Sol and the Gold Saucer aside) with themes equally slow, sleepy, and/or melancholy. As topopoz said, this may be Uematsu’s most consistent soundtrack by maintaining its mood and instrumentation for the entire game. And as the game’s designers said, because of that, this game has an overriding feeling of light emerging from vast darkness.
Gonna hold off voting again until I get a chance to listen to both of them all the way through.
I have to vote for Final Fantasy VIII.
The Nobuo Uematsu Rumble
Final Round
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B89C65A475B8B0CA)
for the Super Nintendo (1994)
vs.
Final Fantasy VII (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=77D98F68F6DBB35D)
for the PlayStation (1997)
My vote is for Final Fantasy VI.
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B89C65A475B8B0CA)!
(1994)
What can I say that hasn???t already been said? This soundtrack is a masterpiece. The unusually high number of character themes and clever deployment of leitmotifs throughout the soundtrack are just the first admirable facets of this work. There is a level of attention to detail throughout the soundtrack that is remarkable given the mishmash variety of occupations, backgrounds, cultures, and events in the game, and if the soundtrack suffers any from its broad scope, it at least makes a compelling attempt to resolve those tensions in the staggering finale, in which most of the game???s themes are interwoven seamlessly into one piece.
Fun Fact: The English translation of the game was done by one man, Ted Woolsey, in just 30 days despite the necessity of many script changes to remove cursing, violence, religious references, and sexuality. On top of that, he had to make name changes to reflect the game???s themes and story revisions to squeeze all the text into the cartridge???s limited storage space. The speed at which he completed this mammoth task resulted in some questionable choices, including Woolsey???s infamous translation of ???Son of a bitch!??? in the original Japanese to ???Son of a submariner!??? in the American version.
Record: 6-1, 7-2, 8-0, 8-3
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
We???ll continue with NES soundtracks and vote on the next battle very soon.
Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you???d like to do, shoot me a PM. I???m open to anything. Also, you can see and make suggestions on the themes I???ve already worked on at our VGM Rumble Group, found here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20).
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 12
Blaster Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Ebsa_Pc9U)
vs.
Chip n??? Dale???s Rescue Rangers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOSDVFF3ZjU)
——————————————————————————————————
Deciding the Next Rumble Rumble
More details about each can be found here ( http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20). Choose one or more???
1) The Best of the SNES ??? 64 soundtracks
2) The Best of the Genesis ??? 64 soundtracks
3) The Best of Mega Man ??? 32 songs
4) The Best of Suikoden ??? 32 songs
5) None (we’d focus on the NES rumble and do 2 fights at a time instead of 1)
I???m happy with whatever we do, so I???m only going to vote for an NES soundtrack: Blaster Master.
&
Blaster Master
Did that just sound as a proposition Rumble? XD
&
Szczepan’s Proposition
Szczepan’s Proposition
O.O!!!!!!! that almost comes out of the monitor to hit me. lol!
Also I think we should do some Genesis sountracks, because it didn’t get as much attention as the SNES so the soundtracks would be a great thing to get to know for us all.
The Super Nintendo is pretty old itself but a lot of the soundtracks stood out and we know about them even today. Can’t say the same about the Genesis though.
Jakob, have you seen THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSbslfm3aoE)? 😀
Wow!! That looks like it is pretty faithful to the original, but a totally new game at the same time…I just might dust off my Wii and buy this one. I’m not sure how I feel about the club remix of the stage 1 theme heard in that video, but if it keeps a good bit of the original music (whether remixed or not) , it wins my vote!! Thanks for that, I hadn’t heard of that at all!
Looks like it’s taking a leaf from the book of Contra and Castlevania Rebirth, with that new twist on the familiar, SNES+ style (the former is brilliant btw, the latter less so). I’ll be downloading for sure. Love the original!
I know what you mean about the music though – at least it still sounds 80s 🙂
Interesting that they scaled the sidescrolling sections bigger and the overhead sections smaller. I always did think the character in the overhead sections was sized way too large (
).
Did I miss something? A couple of people are saying "Szczepan’s Proposition" and I don’t see one…As for me, I would like to see either SNES or Genesis next.
So Szczepan’s Proposition is just Option 5. Same thing.
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 13
Battle of Olympus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsFXbvs6a1M&feature=PlayList&p=0646CE209F2614D1)
vs.
Mother (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VODQhOl_orc)
——————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 14
Mega Man 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7MiDyPEw_k)
vs.
Journey to Silius (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBM-m82Za_0)
My votes are for Mother and Mega Man 2. Sad to see Journey to Silius go, though. It???s one of my favorites.
Mega Man 2
I promise this is the last vote I do in this fashion for this rumble, until blaster master comes up again of course… I also enjoy Journey to Silius, but I never played it back in the day.
Mmm… I doubt it =D
Joking of course. 🙂 🙂 🙂 I’m right there with you on MEGA MAN 2.
Journey to Silius
Mega Man 2
So I guess… Mother and Mega Man 2.
Tragic.
Mega Man 2
Round 2, Fight 15
Super Mario Bros. 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WsaclyckD8)
vs.
Castlevania III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1l4ourOqtY)
——————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 16
Mike Tyson???s Punch Out! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPWKlpbGtHE)
vs.
Silver Surfer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHdnG_c598U)
These fights make me want to pull my hair out. I like them all. I guess my votes are for and Super Mario Bros. 2 and Silver Surfer.
Myke Tyson’s Punch Out!
Silver Surfer
Myke Tyson’s Punch Out!
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
Mike Tyson’s Punch Out!
Also, Mike Tyson’s Punch Out!
I almost voted for Punch out, but then remembered that the music for that game gets annoying after a while.
Whereas no one played Silver Surfer long enough to get annoyed by the music.
EDIT:
Whereas no one played Silver Surfer long enough to get annoyed by the music.
Hahaha. 🙂
I’ve never played it at all, so there’s the rub.
Jajaja, it???s the only way to beat that shit.
Silver Surfer
Round 3, Fight 1
Mega Man 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCL2lMUP_U4)
vs.
Life Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mv4YfP4uqM)
——————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 2
Tetris (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj3wA_K49Vg)
vs.
Batman: Return of the Joker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOfrNNIdZP0)
My votes are for Mega Man 3 and Batman: Return of the Joker.
Tetris
Batman: Return Of the Joker
Batman: Return Of the Joker
Tetris
Batman: Return of the Joker
I absolutely hate Tetris. The only thing worse than Tetris to me is Pacman!
Tetris
Batman: Return of the Joker is reportedly not as good as the original, mainly because it is so much more difficult than the first game (which wasn’t exactly cupcake city).
Round 3, Fight 3
Gradius (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYpntuUYNVc)
vs.
Final Fantasy II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeY26bH2Sn0)
——————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 4
Battle of Olympus ( http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=95474972E2FF8767&search_query=battle+of+olympus+ost)
vs.
Mega Man 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7MiDyPEw_k)
My votes are for Final Fantasy II and Mega Man 2.
Mega Man 2
I employed some restraint this time 🙁
Mega Man 2
Mega Man 2
Mega Man 2
Battle of Olympus
Battle royale of Composers sounds great:)
I kinda don’t like the Composer Battle Royale, but if you wanna do it there’s no prob.
BTW I just came with an Idea, how about in the future(after all the rumbles that are already prepared), a Best of Megami Tensei Rumble, it’s a vast discography & I practically have no Idea of the music in that series except for a little of Nocturne and I think a rumble would be a good way to know it.
What do you think?
Great!…
After NES Rumble… What’s Next?
Round 3, Fight 5
Contra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFwGgFOEZb4)
vs.
Super Mario Bros. 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TNWfSpEL7w)
——————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 6
Blaster Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Ebsa_Pc9U)
vs.
Silver Surfer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHdnG_c598U)
My votes are for Contra and Silver Surfer.
Super Mario Brothers 3
Seriously, I freaking love Blaster Master.
Blaster Master
LOL!
Blaster Master
Blaster Master
Blaster Master
Blaster Master
Round 3, Fight 7
Castlevania III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1l4ourOqtY)
vs.
Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZnQT97A2kk)
——————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 8
Castlevania (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI2aB86u-zQ)
vs.
Final Fantasy III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksme4TBFmMg)
My votes are for Metroid and Final Fantasy III.
Castlevania III
Castlevania III
The second one I’m iffy on, the first one isn’t even a contest to me.
Final Fantasy III
Final Fantasy III
Castlevania III
Castlevania
Final Fantasy III
LOL @ the character names in that youtube video. We always did "Sir Mix a Lot", my brothers and I, in FF1…
Also, I didn’t realize how close we were to the end of the NES rumble…
Batman: Return of the Joker
Blaster Master
Contra
Final Fantasy II
Final Fantasy III
Mega Man 2
Mega Man 3
Metroid
It’s a very interesting (and unexpected) list. 🙂
Quarterfinals, Fight 1
Batman: Return of the Joker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOfrNNIdZP0)
by Naoki Kodaka, Hara Nobuyuki, and Shinichi Seya (1991)
– Fun Fact: This game had three iterations: the NES version, a remake for the Genesis called Revenge of the Joker, and a remake for the SNES that was never released. There was also a Game Boy game with the same name, although its gameplay was completely different.
– Previously beat: Solstice, Darkwing Duck, Tetris
vs.
Final Fantasy II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeY26bH2Sn0)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1988)
– Fun Fact: Everyone knows that this game was not released in North America, which is why Final Fantasy IV was called Final Fantasy II here. What you may not know, though, is that Final Fantasy II on the NES was supposed to be released in North America and was in the process of being translated for several years before the arrival of the Super Nintendo and the Japanese release of Final Fantasy IV led Square to give up on the project, believing they had taken too long and no one would care anymore.
– Previously beat: Metal Gear, Maniac Mansion, Gradius
——————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 2
Blaster Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Ebsa_Pc9U)
by Naoki Kodaka (1988)
– Fun Fact: Blaster Master, like several other NES games, was novelized ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Complete_set_of_Worlds_of_Power_books.JPG) as part of the Worlds of Power book series by Peter Lerangis and others. Supposedly, Blaster Master was the most difficult to turn into a novel, though, because there isn???t much of a plot between the opening scene and the ending one. Thus, Lerangis had to come up with details that were not in the game, and Sunsoft subsequently made that the canon backstory for the game???s sequel, Blaster Master: Blasting Again???the only time one of the Worlds of Power novelizations was given canonical status.
– Previously beat: Bucky O’Hare, Chip n’ Dale’s Rescue Rangers, Silver Surfer
vs.
Mega Man 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7MiDyPEw_k)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
– Fun Fact: Mega Man 2 was also novelized by Scholastic in 1990, and in the story Mega Man is accidentally turned into a human.
– Previously beat: Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Journey to Silius, Battle of Olympus
My votes are for Batman: Return of the Joker and Mega Man 2.
Mega Man 2
Blaster Master
Blaster Master
Blaster Master
The Final Fantasy numbering disaster makes me happy I’m not a fan of the franchise; that would drive me insane.
Batman: Return Of the Joker
Blaster Master
+1 TT__TT
Looking back at my votes in the previous round though, you can’t blame me. : ) I would say 4-5 of the 8 finalists are very very deserving though.
Feralanima; best sig on the forums by the way.
Final Fantasy II easily.
Mega Man 2 Both of these are great, but I’ve actually played MM2 so my vote goes to it.
Quarterfinals, Fight 3
Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZnQT97A2kk)
by Hirokazu ???Hip??? Tanaka (1986)
– Fun Fact: Just as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda were developed side by side with much of the same staff (composer included), Metroid and Kid Icarus were created in tandem by Gunpei Yokoi, Hip Tanaka, and many others on the Nintendo R&D1 team.
– Previously beat: Batman, Dr. Mario, Castlevania III
vs.
Mega Man 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCL2lMUP_U4)
by Yasuaki ???Bun Bun??? Fujita (1990)
– Fun Fact: Bun Bun was also part of Alph Lyla, Capcom???s in-house ???band??? that included Yoko Shimomura, Junko Tamiya, and Manami Gotoh who together composed the music for Street Fighter II, Breath of Fire, and Final Fight II.
– Previously beat: Gremlins 2, Ninja Gaiden, Life Force
——————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 4
Contra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFwGgFOEZb4)
by Hidenori Maezawa (1987)
– Fun Fact: Speed Demos Archive recently did a fundraiser that netted $10,000 for CARE, an organization that fights poverty, and one of the featured speedruns from this event was Freddy ???Frezy_Man??? Andersson???s incredible (and for some reason shirtless) annihilation of Contra in two ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beoUNYvixlo#t=03m54s) parts ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH4nR58j-PY).
– Previously beat: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game, Castlevania II, Super Mario Bros. 3
vs.
Final Fantasy III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksme4TBFmMg)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1990)
– Fun Fact: Designer Hiromichi Tanaka said that an English version of the game was not released in the early 90s because Square was scared that the brand-new Super Nintendo would immediately obsolete all games for previous consoles, drying up the market for 8-bit games. Consequently, Square put all of its resources towards making a new 16-bit game instead of translating an old 8-bit one. Tanaka admits that in hindsight this was pretty silly.
– Previously beat: Wizards and Warriors II, Guardian Legend, Castlevania
I’ll put my votes in a separate post to keep things from getting too cluttered.
My second vote is for Contra because it immediately made me want to play the game again. I could listen to Final Fantasy III’s soundtrack over and over and sit back and appreciate it, but I think what soft-spoken Maezawa (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3172388) accomplished is still compelling???not just interesting music, but music that profoundly influences the player’s emotional state during the entirety of the game.
I suppose:
Mega Man 3 You can’t go wrong with Mega Man.
Final Fantasy III I found Contra to be inferior to FFIII when it comes to soundtrack. You can’t go wrong with Uematsu 😀
Thank you <3 It’s from one of my favorite movies: V for Vendetta.
As for the current voting, I’m going to agree with Smarty on this one.
Mega Man 3
and
Final Fantasy III
Mega Man 3 Metroid music? doesn’t exist in my dimension.
Contra the power of sentiment:)
Final Fantasy III
Metroid
Contra
I find Metroid particularly impressive. Tanaka created something truly atmospheric and cinematic with the limited palette of the NES soundchip. Contra is just funky as hell.
[…Maybe shirtless Contra is the way to go if it makes you that good :eye:]
Semifinals, Fight 1
Mega Man 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7MiDyPEw_k)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
– Fun Fact: Mega Man 2 was novelized by Scholastic in 1990, and in the story Mega Man is accidentally turned into a human.
– Previously beat: Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Journey to Silius, Battle of Olympus, Blaster Master
The opinions of anonymous video game music critics on the internet don’t necessarily hold any weight, but it says something that if you google "best NES soundtrack" all (http://good-evil.net/features/top-30-nes-soundtracks-02-mega-man-2) of (http://www.epinions.com/content_5005418628) these (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCI8_rA7rDI) guys (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216723) show up in the first pages of results with Mega Man 2 in their Top 10. In fact, the soundtrack is so popular that while you’re looking through such a list you’re probably waiting for Mega Man 2 to make an appearance, because you know it’s coming. Why? One reason is the dramatic opening music, which accelerates through an arpeggiated chord progression as the camera tilts up a building until, simultaneously, Mega Man appears at the top and a heavy-metal-ready guitar riff erupts. Another is the infamous Wily Stage 1 music, which pairs the dramatic visuals of a monstrous robotic dragon with a piece that is driving, mysterious, exciting, anxious, sad, and heroic all at the same. It’d be tempting to go on and on about just this song and how, when the main melody gives way at the 22-second mark to a high-pitched guitar sound with a faux-reverb effect, a split occurs between the hyperactive bass line and much slower guitar that is unnerving. However, I’d do a disservice to the rest of the soundtrack if I didn’t at least mention the rocking bass line of Flash Man, the twisting and branching second melodic line in Metal Man (which does so much to set the mood for the stage), the bubbly ascending bass line in Bubble Man, and the gorgeous closing credits music, which re-casts a game about a robot boy blowing up evil machines into something tragic and, ultimately, futile. After watching Mega Man take the long and lonely journey home, finally putting down his helmet to walk into his cottage, the music suggests both his exhaustion and his awareness that the battles with Wily aren’t over. That’s pretty complicated for an 8-bit composition. This is probably the most remixed NES soundtrack, it was the first vgm video Garudoh ever made, and it certainly deserves a place here among the final four. But does it deserve to be #1?
vs.
Final Fantasy II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeY26bH2Sn0)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1988)
– Fun Fact: Final Fantasy II on the NES was actually supposed to be released in North America. It was in the process of being translated for several years before Square decided things were taking too long and re-focused their energy on making Final Fantasy IV for the Super Nintendo.
– Previously beat: Metal Gear, Maniac Mansion, Gradius, Batman: Return of the Joker
Square’s second effort introduced chocobos and Cid and secondary playable characters and scripted deaths and many other elements that built upon the mythology and depth of the Final Fantasy franchise. Consequently, Uematsu had to step up his game, and boy did he. One of the first things to notice about this soundtrack is the inclusion of several, short mood pieces like Escape, Emperor’s Rebirth, and Waltz???which are notable for their attempt to make the music respond better to the actual events in the game. Also worth mentioning in this category is Revivification (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOSTation#p/c/47A62474675BFB4F/2/vme03BOxZEE), which comes back in the finale and evolves into a lovely and regal melody. Re-arranging the centerpiece songs in a grand ending medley, of course, is something Uematsu went on to do many more times to great effect. But that trend started here. Another thing to notice is the major step forward in this game’s main theme. The music from FFI primarily goes for one mood???happiness, sadness, danger???and that’s not a criticism. But try to describe what mood is conveyed in this game’s main theme. The plunking bass line is insistent. The melody is somber, almost sleepy. The piece suggests something about the wandering you’ll do, but also something of the slowness and weariness of fighting everywhere you go. As contrast, the battle music picks up the pace and doesn’t make each individual fight seem like a major exercise in exhaustion. But when you come back out of that fight, it’s like having the adrenaline wear off. It’s an interesting choice, and a very good song. Of course, there’s also the bombastic Imperial Army Theme, the stately Rebel Army Theme, the slip-sliding melody in Ancient Castle, and the awesome, kinetic, climbing music for the Magician’s Tower (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOSTation#p/c/47A62474675BFB4F/9/p0xuTqvQ01U), which ends in a spooky, twirling fade-out. Suffice it to say, this is an important turning point for Uematsu and the Final Fantasy series.
——————————————————————————————————
Semifinals, Fight 2
Contra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFwGgFOEZb4)
by Hidenori Maezawa (1987)
– Fun Fact: In an interview with 1up.com in 2007, Maezawa (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3172388) was confronted with his Contra compositions and asked what he thought about them now, 20 years after the fact.
– Previously beat: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game, Castlevania II, Super Mario Bros. 3, Final Fantasy III
I remember the first time I heard the Minibosses cover of the Stage 1 music. It was probably the first time I encountered something from my childhood stripped of sentimentality and nostalgia. What was left was simply a kick-ass rock song. And whether that was the band???s intention or not doesn???t matter. The consequence was that I discovered why I spent so many hours playing a cruelly difficult game. Hidenori Maezawa’s acrobatic harmonic lines are compelling to the point that it???s hard to stop listening to the music over and over again. Though the game is blatantly derivative of Rambo, Predator, and Aliens???hugely popular movies at the time???the music resists comparison to a lot of other soundtracks from the era. Listen to any of the songs from the game and you feel like the guy in the logo for Maxell (
). Jungle is awesome. Base is awesome. Base Boss is awesome. Waterfall is awesome. Snow Field is awesome. Energy Zone is awesome. Alien Lair is awesome. Ending is awesome. And with each song, the busyness of the hi-hat-driven percussion makes the melody feel that much more intense. You start to feel like the notes are firing off as fast as your bullets, and the end result is music that profoundly influences your emotional state from the beginning of the game to the end. However, the most satisfying pieces may just be the shortest ones. Listen to the six-second-long title screen music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dQYvS0uhkw), ending in an explosion, or the five-second-long stage clear music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bmt4QipjEI), and tell me you don’t want to light a cigarette and go kick some ass. Those are the moments where we need one of NucleaRaptor’s jpegs (http://forums.ffshrine.org/showpost.php?p=1370837&postcount=87) (nsfw).
vs.
Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZnQT97A2kk)
by Hirokazu ???Hip??? Tanaka (1986)
– Fun Fact: Just as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda were developed side by side with much of the same staff (composer included), Metroid and Kid Icarus were created in tandem by Gunpei Yokoi, Hip Tanaka, and many others on the Nintendo R&D1 team.
– Previously beat: Batman, Dr. Mario, Castlevania III, Mega Man 3
Metroid’s title theme is one of my all-time favorite pieces of video game music. Nothing about it is what you’d expect. Just that deep, fuzzy floom sound, for instance, isn’t a single gravelly note. It’s actually two tones that start by playing D, but quickly separate into D and A at the bottom before pairing up again???creating just enough unevenness to keep you unsettled. On top of that is the surprisingly sparse, scary motif that suddenly unwinds after thirty seconds into a beautiful descending melody, taking on extra layers in the repetition before ascending into a graceful, heroic third act that drops us right back down into the floom. What a hell of a piece to start the game with, and the visuals match it with a barren yellowish-brown landscape, wide-open space behind that, and the eerily glowing letters of the game’s title. You can see where Willow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R580p4A5xGo) took its inspiration, as well as so many others???maybe even Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDH4pLa7TI0), too. The similarities really aren’t that superficial, but that’s another piece of writing altogether. With the title music alone, I’d say that Metroid’s historic importance to video game music would qualify it for a high place in our rumble. But that would ignore all of the other stand-out tracks, like Brinstar with its marching beat and burbling bass notes that create a wonderful call-and-response befitting the beginning of a heroic journey. That mood doesn’t prevail over the entire soundtrack, though, and Norfair is a good example of why people always compliment this soundtrack’s atmosphere. Slow, stop-start, and heavy on the back-end of the beat, Norfair sounds like it takes place deep in the earth, and it does. The percussion even sounds like a pick hitting rock. This trend continues as the player moves deeper into the planet. Silence takes us straight into a catacomb, where a flutter of notes and a motif reminiscent of the first part of the title screen’s melody is the closest you get to a song. Tracks like these are so unnerving that it’s an aural shock when you walk into Kraid’s chamber and get a full-on, demonic, baroque organ invention perfectly suited to the hellish encounter you’re about to have. And that’s how Tanaka wanted it. He wanted melodies to become so scarce that they were surprises and treats that instantly ratcheted up the emotion for the player, and he absolutely succeeded. The question, though, is if this little soundtrack did enough in 8 tracks to earn it a place in the finals. We’ll see…
Contra
Metroid
Also, welcome back to Lens of Truth!
Also, welcome back to Lens of Truth!
I was wondering where you’d gone!! Glad to see you in this thread again!
Final Fantasy II Even though it could use more tracks, it’s still a great NES soundtrack.
Contra Do you really need to ask? It’s Contra.
Metroid
How are we down to just a single Final Fantasy soundtrack? This definitely isn’t turning out the way I thought it would.
Contra
Contra
Not quite the ones I would have picked at the beginning, but these are all four worthy soundtracks. Tough to pare it down.
The NES Soundtracks Rumble
Final Round
Mega Man 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7MiDyPEw_k)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
vs.
Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZnQT97A2kk)
by Hirokazu ???Hip??? Tanaka (1986)
My vote is for Mega Man 2.
I’ll say it again No Castlevania for the Finals =(
I’m sure that Mega Man 2 will win in a landslide, I vote for Metroid.
No Mario… No Zelda… No Castlevania… huh. Weird things, rumbles…
At least Castlevania 1 should be here.I never thought Metroid would make it to the finals. And I never thought Metroid was a very good game. I mean I’m sure it was great for 1986 but now, it’s just meh. Super Metroid on the other hand…
No Castlevania… No Zelda… No Mario… huh. Weird things, rumbles…
Unpredictible as much it can be, but fun because of that:) Weird things, voters 😉
Definately interesting to see Metroid outlast some of the more popular games, but this vote goes easily to Mega Man 2.
Mega Man 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4BEe_9pQl0&feature=PlayList&p=B96D4BF7F67C170B&index=0)!
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
It says something that if you google "best NES soundtrack," tons of sites immediately show up in the results with Mega Man 2 in their Top 10. In fact, the soundtrack is so popular that while you’re looking through such a list you’re probably waiting for Mega Man 2 to make an appearance. Why? One reason is the dramatic opening music, which accelerates through an arpeggiated chord progression as the camera tilts up a building until, simultaneously, Mega Man appears at the top and a heavy-metal guitar riff erupts. Another is the infamous Wily Stage 1 music, which pairs the dramatic visuals of a monstrous robotic dragon with a piece that is driving, mysterious, exciting, anxious, sad, and heroic all at the same. It’d be tempting to go on and on about just this song and how, when the main melody gives way at the 22-second mark to a high-pitched guitar with a faux-reverb effect, a split occurs between the hyperactive bass-line and much slower guitar that is unnerving. However, I’d do a disservice to the rest of the soundtrack if I didn’t at least mention the thumping bass-line of Flash Man, the twisting and branching second melodic line in Metal Man, the appropriately bubbly ascending bass-line in Bubble Man, and the gorgeous closing credits music, which re-casts a game about a robot boy blowing up evil machines into something tragic and, ultimately, futile. After watching Mega Man take the long and lonely walk home, finally putting down his helmet to walk into his cottage, the music suggests both his exhaustion and his awareness that the battles with Wily aren’t over. That’s pretty complicated for an 8-bit composition. This is probably the most remixed NES soundtrack, it was the first vgm video Garudoh ever made, and it deserves this recognition as arguably the greatest soundtrack for the NES.
Fun Fact: Mega Man 2 was novelized (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Complete_set_of_Worlds_of_Power_books.JPG) by Scholastic in 1990, and in the story Mega Man is accidentally turned into a human.
Record: 10-2, 10-1, 11-1, 5-4, 6-4, 9-2
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
We???ll vote on the next battle(s) very soon.
Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you???d like to do, shoot me a PM. I???m open to anything. Also, you can see and make suggestions on the themes we???ve already worked on at our VGM Rumble Group, found here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20).
A little bonus: While looking for Mega Man 2 images, I found this T-shirt…
…and this artwork by CyberMoonStudios. 🙂
Deciding the Next Rumble Rumble
More details about each can be found here ( http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20). Choose one or more???
1) The Best of the SNES ??? 64 soundtracks
2) The Best of the Genesis ??? 64 soundtracks
3) The Best of Mega Man ??? 32 songs
4) The Best of Suikoden ??? 32 songs
5) The Best of Metal Gear ??? 32 songs
6) The Best of Yasunori Mitsuda ??? 16 soundtracks
I would like Best Of Mitsuda with any of the others except SNES & Genesis.
😉 and Genesis (or SNES) as two rumbles at the same time, for now. That’s what I would be happy to see. I would be all for Metal Gear too, if not the fact that I have yet a lot of them to finish… btw Konami :3
Metal Gear came out the favorite.
But for the second rumble, we’ve got a tie between the SNES and Genesis. In total, both were mentioned 5 times. So to try to figure out a winner, I looked to see if one had more "first choice" votes. The answer is no… Both have only one definitive, unequivocal vote. All of the rest of the voters were fine either way. I tried to break the tie by looking at the votes for other evidence of preferences, but any way you slice this, it’s a tie.
My solution (for now) is to let this keep running until tomorrow. If we don’t have any more votes, I guess I’ll flip a coin. Does that seem fair?
genesis…
…and one :shakehead:
SNES won.
I’m sure we’ll see a Genesis rumble in the near future, though, as well as the other rumbles, too. The most gratifying part of this vote was that every theme got support from more than one person. Looks like we’ve got a good bank of ideas, and for that I thank you all for making the requests.
So let’s start finalizing the song lists! Like last time, we’ll do them one at a time to keep things manageable. First up is the prospective list of Metal Gear songs. I???ll give this a day, and then we’ll take a day to finalize the SNES list (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20), and then we’ll start the rumbles. Take a look at the list and let me know if you want to make any changes. As always, thanks for your help!
——————————————————————————————————
1-2. Metal Gear ??? Jungle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmokw0GkEKU), Building (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3AyV_UJWyY)
3-6. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake ??? Theme of Solid Snake (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-fz7KHQtrE), Night Fall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meUBZB-NTWg), Level 1 Warning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wshFzB8Dtt8), Red Sun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsxtI3b2z48)
7-11. Metal Gear Solid ??? Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqq8uqSDnk), Cavern (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcKsx8ZeL0k), Mantis’ Hymn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMasLUmBzkc), Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnQRWJ7bIhs), The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g)
12-17. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ??? Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIa3FPCBwsQ), Fortune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnnFFNg_Pvg), Twilight Sniping (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWlGfAjooeQ), Revolver Ocelot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBBrk3UwJdw), Can???t Say Goodbye to Yesterday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m562vV7VH58), Electronic Emma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSzUc8uMHcI)
18-23. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater ??? Snake Eater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pqgYgLGELU), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1Xj_DwLBKQ), On the Ground ~ Battle in the Jungle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG-uGIJcwkM), Operation Snake Eater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-UZg1SVQlM), The Fury (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIFFcLmw8sk), Old Metal Gear (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIoKN0zsTtE)
24-27. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops ??? Calling to the Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpPH7deyMRI), Sad Man???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b4_TTZId84), Cunningham (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4TM1s-dtXM), Gene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cads0ReDjiQ)
28-32. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots ??? Old Snake (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao_d7WqIU6s), Love Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoa_qsV6zNg), Desperate Chase (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDPW4AJ9fcI), Guns of the Patriots (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x-rxpdalO4), Everything Begins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTbKt_hmPew)
——————————————————————————————————
Leftovers
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake ??? Farewell
Metal Gear Solid ??? Rex???s Lair, Discovery, VR Training
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ??? Can???t Say Goodbye to Yesterday (piano version), Battle, Peter???s Theme, Memories of Hal, Arsenal???s Guts, Father and Son, Who Am I Really?
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater ??? Troops in Gathering, Last Showdown
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops ??? Town, Hot War, Research Lab, Revelation
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots ??? Gekko, Heaven Troopers, Endless Pain, Midnight Shadow, White Blood, Confrontation, Drebin 893
——————————————————————————————————
1. 7th Saga (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3n_Qt6cgbs)
2. Act Raiser (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcLD6MF7QLg)
3. Axelay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDSj9S8aMUY)
4. Bahamut Lagoon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izIEgQQhuBk)
5. Blackthorne (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XTVzuG-9Vw)
6. Breath of Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB4CmTMOkFw)
7. Breath of Fire II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuxfIXqTGcQ&feature=PlayList&p=3511BDBF7FF05AB6&index=0)
8. Bust-A-Move (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l4-xqxc8dE)
9. Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QkdQN0T90Q)
10. Contra III: The Alien Wars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0auHwznTJ9g)
11. Demon’s Crest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO2G6S5aQ1k)
12. Disney’s The Lion King (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxrlDPBxyfs&feature=PlayList&p=6CC92AA4E11792A3)
13. Donkey Kong Country (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z29Mh80JiQ)
14. Donkey Kong Country 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VYjFLfNsFk)
15. Donkey Kong Country 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0KKHa3mso0)
16. DOOM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQmFE7xvDQQ&feature=PlayList&p=CD593AD47523394E)
17. Dragon Quest VI ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iay7-k5MerA)
18. Earthbound (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRRn10r5vpc)
19. E.V.O.: Search for Eden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m4EfmTIQak)
20. Earthworm Jim (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cPfyHKNT54)
21. F-Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk57KiTlMlc)
22. Final Fantasy IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8gOOTAWKY8)
23. Final Fantasy V (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5AmdepdXXQ)
24. Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOFlauTcX_s)
25. Final Fantasy Mystic Quest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KY1y2uP8gs)
26. Front Mission: Gun Hazard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHRvPBP5t7M)
27. Gradius III ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NUPyMFIPfI)
28. Illusion of Gaia ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk8BDJLEHew)
29. Kendo Rage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CxPcN4EKgU&feature=PlayList&p=36BEA4527C1428DE&index=0)
30. Killer Instinct (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IznaNRms5U)
31. Kirby Super Star (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ObbxVqKitQ)
32. Legend of the Mystical Ninja (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HkyAiV4Kbc)
33. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2KYrEI5JZY)
34. Live A Live ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_qfPaZZycs)
35. Lost Vikings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAd9x5fTSVo&feature=PlayList&p=1BA2D6DFC845951F)
36. Lufia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhE7rAG6rvY)
37. Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH1qAQcugAY)
38. Mario Paint (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghA7g4NcoEg)
39. Mega Man X (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADK_l9uz_C0)
40. Ninja Gaiden Trilogy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSo2IzFlxPs)
41. Ninja Warriors Again ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_vyltCK0JQ)
42. Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq4LGNGd5ik)
43. Plok (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRarpk3WaR0)
44. Secret of Evermore (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YMEu9aO8QA)
45. Secret of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiA7VtYk3n0)
46. Seiken Densetsu 3 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_p89HP8vWo)
47. SimCity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QpFy8vVdPI)
48. Soul Blazer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP5emCsGjSI)
49. Star Fox (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg2Uxm491lA)
50. Star Ocean (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0dEIbD9OJ8)
51. Street Fighter II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK1C0uj27xU)
52. Super Castlevania IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjuSIUKdnjA)
53. Super Mario Kart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ckqvAUaV-I)
54. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFGVODE-a-o)
55. Super Mario World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LLOEvhsgOg)
56. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SxyWaIajak)
57. Super Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EiIfQYDeYo)
58. Super Turrican (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwaTdxHU4l8)
59. Tales of Phantasia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4v916ZDFvo)
60. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCLt8NcDWaA)
61. Terranigma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPZixFYg7Xc)
62. Tetris Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilv6WLYtgqM)
63. Treasure Hunter G (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87BCF9rTmSw)
64. Zombies Ate My Neighbors (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeAJ3Aoqdrk)
——————————————————————————————————
Leftovers:
Act Raiser 2, Adventures of Batman and Robin, Alien 3, Battletoads in Battlemaniacs, Biker Mice from Mars, Front Mission, Harvest Moon, Joe and Mac, Jurassic Park, Lagoon, Lemmings, Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse, Mega Man X2, Mega Man X3, Mortal Kombat, Ninja Warriors, Nobunaga’s Ambition, Pilotwings, Populous, Robotrek, Shadowrun, Tactics Ogre, U.N. Squadron, Waterworld, Wing Commander, Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
I see Front Mission & Tactics Ogre there for example.
EDIT: If you don’t have a preference, I’ll probably replace it with Tactics Ogre.
…and one : shakehead :
Oh well, it was worth a try. Anyway, I’m hoping to find some new favorites from the SNES rumble!
EDIT: If you don’t have a preference, I’ll probably replace it with Tactics Ogre.
Tactics Ogre sounds fine to me. I liked Front Mission’s music, but never played DOOM for the SNES or Tactics Ogre. So, I will go for the one that I don’t know in hopes that it can stand up to some of the big names from SNES.
That’s why I was leaning towards Tactics Ogre. But there’s a problem. I can’t find the OST anywhere on YouTube (this playlist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5UeKvTh3Sc&feature=PlayList&p=65D2C5A6BFCF9DCC&index=0) with a mere 7 tracks was the best I could come up with), whereas Front Mission is easily available via one of Garudoh’s videos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riS1onjTVm8).
Given that information, do you all still want to go with Tactics Ogre at the cost of only having a small sample of it to judge? Or would you rather do Front Mission (assuming there are no objections to switching out DOOM)?
Oh no! I’ve missed the boat again 🙁
It was Sega’s turn to get a look in dammit! 😉
Okay. I’ll give this an extra day for people to look through both lists one last time. We’ll start tomorrow…
Oh no! I’ve missed the boat again 🙁
It was Sega’s turn to get a look in dammit! 😉
Hahaha. Sega will have its day. I promise. There’s plenty of stuff in the works. A small example: I’m currently making my way through every Hitoshi Sakimoto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitoshi_Sakimoto) soundtrack, and Sega will definitely be represented there, too.
So I still think the task here is to decide whether Tactics Ogre or Front Mission is going to replace DOOM–since both of them are readily available for those who haven’t heard them before. Front Mission has most of the soundtrack available on YouTube. Tactics Ogre, on the other hand, has a limited selection–but maybe enough to give an impression of the whole thing.
OMIGOD OMIGOD… they are remaking it for the DS
http://www.suparobo.jp/srw_lineup/masoukishin/index.html
—
Meh, I don’t like Doom… have it replaced! I wasn’t really into Front Mission 1 & 2… but I love 3’s music (but that’s on PSX).
Will Lost Vikings be on genesis list later also? I know it from genesis/mega drive and to be honest I didn’t even knew this game was also on SNES, before seeing the list .
Lost Vikings is only on the SNES rumble right now. I’m trying to keep the games exclusive to one list or the other, although if you want to add it to the Genesis list, I’m open to that. The SNES version is actually the original version, which is what they used to port the game to DOS, Amiga, Genesis, and eventually other platforms, too.
Tactics Ogre sounds fine to me.
I wasn’t really into Front Mission.
Tactics Ogre for Doom sounds like a fair exchange to me.
Since we have 6 nominations to replace DOOM and it seems like no has a problem with Tactics Ogre–just maybe other soundtracks they also like–I’m going to go ahead and make the switch to Tactics Ogre now. We’ll start soon.
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 1
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops ??? Calling to the Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpPH7deyMRI)
by Nobuko Toda, Akihiro Honda, Kazuma Jinnouchi, Norihiko Hibino, Yoshitaka Suzuki, and Takahiro Izutani (2006)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots ??? Guns of the Patriots (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x-rxpdalO4)
by Nobuko Toda, Shuichi Kobori, Kazuma Jinnouchi, and Harry Gregson-Williams (2008)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 1
Donkey Kong Country 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0KKHa3mso0)
by David Wise and Eveline Fischer (1996)
vs.
Demon???s Crest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO2G6S5aQ1k)
by Yuki Iwai (1994)
One difference you???ll notice: I???m now trying to include the composer for every soundtrack we listen to, since down the road I???m hoping to do a big composer-versus-composer rumble and this seems like an easy way to familiarize ourselves with these names. It gets a little crazy with the Metal Gear series, though, so prepare yourself. For example, MGS4 is weird for having only four composers. 😯
My votes are for Calling to the Night and Demon???s Crest.
and
Demon???s Crest
I played demon’s crest once, I didn’t liked it. xD
Demon’s Crest
I’m not a huge fan of any of this, but I wasn’t feeling the vocals on Calling to the Night, and Demon’s Crest is a very unique game soundtrack.
Demon’s Crest
Demon’s Crest
Never heard of it before, but I’m impressed. Shame on the draw though, cause I’m a fan of the DKC soundtracks.
Demon’s Crest
Lost Vikings is only on the SNES rumble right now. I’m trying to keep the games exclusive to one list or the other, although if you want to add it to the Genesis list, I’m open to that. The SNES version is actually the original version, which is what they used to port the game to DOS, Amiga, Genesis, and eventually other platforms, too.
Ahh, I guess you’re right. There’s barely enough space for exclusives anyway, so I won’t ask for that.
Demon’s Crest
Demon’s Crest
Demon’s Crest
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 2
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops ??? Cunningham (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4TM1s-dtXM)
by Akihiro Honda, Norihiko Hibino, Kazuma Jinnouchi, Nobuko Toda, Yoshitaka Suzuki, and Takahiro Izutani (2006)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ??? Electronic Emma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSzUc8uMHcI)
by Norihiko Hibino, Rika Muranaka, Harry Gregson-Williams, and Steve Jablonsky (2001)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 2
Axelay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDSj9S8aMUY)
by Taro Kudou (1992)
vs.
Super Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EiIfQYDeYo)
by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano (1994)
My votes are for Electronic Emma and Super Metroid.
Axelay
Axelay – I love the catchy style..
Axelay – I love the catchy style..
Axelay
As much as I like Super Metroid’s music, Axelay is really catchy. It’s a shame I hadn’t heard of the game until now.
Super Metroid
Also, even though I’d never heard it before today, I’ve got to go with Axelay. It’s got some of the better music I’ve heard from the SNES, and I have a feeling it won’t be the last time I vote for it.
Super Metroid
Axelay I haven’t played the game, but it’s soundtrack is really nice
Super Metroid
Super Metroid
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 3
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ??? Twilight Sniping (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWlGfAjooeQ)
by Norihiko Hibino, Rika Muranaka, Harry Gregson-Williams, and Steve Jablonsky (2001)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops ??? Sad Man???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b4_TTZId84)
by Akihiro Honda, Norihiko Hibino, Kazuma Jinnouchi, Nobuko Toda, Yoshitaka Suzuki, and Takahiro Izutani (2006)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 3
Star Ocean (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0dEIbD9OJ8)
by Motoi Sakuraba (1996)
vs.
Killer Instinct (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IznaNRms5U)
by Robin Beanland and Graeme Norgate (1995)
My votes are for Sad Man???s Theme and Killer Instinct.
Killer Instinct
Star Ocean Motoi Sakuraba is just incredible.
Star Ocean
Star Ocean
Star Ocean
Star Ocean
Star Ocean
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 4
Metal Gear Solid ??? The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots ??? Love Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoa_qsV6zNg)
by Nobuko Toda, Shuichi Kobori, Kazuma Jinnouchi, and Harry Gregson-Williams (2008)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 4
Secret of Evermore (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YMEu9aO8QA)
by Jeremy Soule (1995)
vs.
Mario Paint (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghA7g4NcoEg)
by Hirokazu ???Hip??? Tanaka, Ryoji Yoshitomi, and Kazumi Totaka (1992)
My votes are for The Best Is Yet to Come and Secret of Evermore.
I know nothing about the Metal Gear series, but my vote definitely goes to Secret of Evermore in the second. Jeremy Soule has an incredibly unique style that really sets the mood of the entire game and transforms it from relatively mundane to rather adventurous. Read: the best thing about Secret of Evermore was its soundtrack.
Secret Of Evermore
EDIT: Too bad that Love Theme had to face this one.
Shame it seems to be heading down and out.
Secret of Evermore
Secret of Evermore
The second one was an easy choice, Evermore just had such an amazing variety. The decision for The Best over Love Theme was a bit tougher, but I had to go with the classic MGS song on this one.
Secret of Evermore
Secret of Evermore
Secret of Evermore
Secret of Evermore
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 5
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots ??? Old Snake (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao_d7WqIU6s)
by Nobuko Toda, Shuichi Kobori, Kazuma Jinnouchi, and Harry Gregson-Williams (2008)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid ??? Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqq8uqSDnk)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 5
Terranigma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPZixFYg7Xc)
by Miyoko Kobayashi and Masanori Hikichi (1995)
vs.
Kendo Rage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CxPcN4EKgU&feature=PlayList&p=36BEA4527C1428DE&index=0)
by Takahiro Wakuta (1993)
My votes are for Main Theme and Terranigma.
Metal Gear Solid Main Theme
No contest on SNES.
Terranigma
Terranigma
Terranigma
Speaking of Quintet games, here’s to Yukihide Takekawa’s Soul Blazer soundtrack making it into the final rounds.
Terranigma
Blowout?
Never played Terranigma 🙁
Terranigma
Kendo Rage
I cannot let Kendo Rage go without at least one vote.
Terranigma
Terranigma
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 6
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater ??? Snake Eater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pqgYgLGELU)
by Harry Gregson-Williams, Norihiko Hibino, Shuichi Kobori, Nobuko Toda, Rika Muranaka, and Star Sailor (2004)
vs.
Metal Gear ??? Building (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3AyV_UJWyY)
by Iku Mizutani, Shigehiro Takenouchi, and Motoaki Furukawa (1987)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 6
F-Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk57KiTlMlc)
by Naoto Ishida, Yukio Kaneoka, and Yumiko Kanki (1990)
vs.
Bust-A-Move (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l4-xqxc8dE)
by Kazuko Umino (1994)
My votes are for F-Zero and "I’m still in a dream Snake Eaterrrrrrrr!"
F-Zero
F-Zero
Edit: Sorry for spamming, but I wanted to share this with you guys and didn’t know where else. This is one of the latest of garudoh’s videos about the N64 game Perfect Dark, and I’m very impressed by the soundtrack so I wanted to share. Here’s the link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwHrgz7xIE8
Again, sorry.
Bust-A-Move
F-Zero
F-Zero
F-Zero
F-Zero
Although Bust-A-Move was a pleasant surprise
Bust-A-Move
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 7
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ??? Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIa3FPCBwsQ)
by Norihiko Hibino, Rika Muranaka, Harry Gregson-Williams, and Steve Jablonsky (2001)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater ??? The Fury (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIFFcLmw8sk)
by Harry Gregson-Williams, Norihiko Hibino, Shuichi Kobori, Nobuko Toda, Rika Muranaka, and Star Sailor (2004)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 7
Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QkdQN0T90Q)
by Yasunori Mitsuda, Nobuo Uematsu, and Noriko Matsueda (1995)
vs.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFGVODE-a-o)
by Yoko Shimomura (1996)
My votes are for The Fury and Wow. Insanely tough choice, but I???m going with my favorite SNES soundtrack (most days): Chrono Trigger.
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger
Not much of a contest to me on this one…
Chrono Trigger – I can’t imagine myself not voting for it.
Chrono Trigger
There is no point in voting for the other ones, imo.
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger
Edit: Ah, I didn’t realize the match-ups were completely random. I do recommend weighing it slightly so you don’t get stuff like Final Fantasy VI vs Chrono Trigger in the first round.
Chrono Trigger
I just started playing Chrono Trigger the other week and I am loving that game!
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 8
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake ??? Theme of Solid Snake (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-fz7KHQtrE)
by Masahiro Ikariko, Mutsuhiko Izumi, Kazuhiko Uehara, Tomoya Tomita, Yuko Kurahashi, Yuji Takenouchi, and Tsuyoshi Sekito (1990)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots ??? Desperate Chase (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDPW4AJ9fcI)
by Nobuko Toda, Shuichi Kobori, Kazuma Jinnouchi, and Harry Gregson-Williams (2008)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 8
Mega Man X (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADK_l9uz_C0)
by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, Yuki Iwai, Yuko Takehara, and Toshihiko Horiyama (1993)
vs.
Ninja Warriors Again ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_vyltCK0JQ)
by Hiroyuki Iwatsuki and N. Tate (1994)
My votes are for Theme of Solid Snake and Mega Man X.
Mega Man X
Megaman X
Mega Man X
Mega Man X
Mega Man X
Mega Man X
Ninja Warriors Again — Let’s not be hasty here. Just because I’ve never heard of this game doesn’t mean that 10 minute music sample wasn’t great. Give it a proper listen before you decide. My vote goes to the underdog.
Well said!
Mega Man X
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 9
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ??? Fortune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnnFFNg_Pvg)
by Norihiko Hibino, Rika Muranaka, Harry Gregson-Williams, and Steve Jablonsky (2001)
vs.
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake ??? Level 1 Warning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wshFzB8Dtt8)
by Masahiro Ikariko, Mutsuhiko Izumi, Kazuhiko Uehara, Tomoya Tomita, Yuko Kurahashi, Yuji Takenouchi, and Tsuyoshi Sekito (1990)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 9
Bahamut Lagoon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izIEgQQhuBk)
by Noriko Matsueda (1996)
vs.
Live A Live ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_qfPaZZycs)
by Yoko Shimomura (1994)
My votes are for Fortune and Live A Live.
Live A Live
Live A Live
Live A Live I’m a big fan of Yoko Shimomura and it’s clear to me she was an amazing composer even so long ago.
Bahamut Lagoon
Live-A-Live has a great sound to it, too. Bahamut Lagoon, on the other hand, really sticks in my head. Too bad these games never got released in the US. I would have loved to play them. I might look into the translated versions, though.
Live A Live
Bahamut Lagoon
Bahamut Lagoon
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 10
Metal Gear Solid ??? Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnQRWJ7bIhs)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
vs.
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake ??? Night Fall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meUBZB-NTWg)
by Masahiro Ikariko, Mutsuhiko Izumi, Kazuhiko Uehara, Tomoya Tomita, Yuko Kurahashi, Yuji Takenouchi, and Tsuyoshi Sekito (1990)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 10
Soul Blazer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP5emCsGjSI)
by Yukihide Takekawa (1992)
vs.
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KY1y2uP8gs)
by Ryuji Sasai and Yasuhiro Kawakami (1992)
My votes are for Encounter and Soul Blazer.
Soul Blazer
Meryl: Don’t talk to me like a rookie!
Snake: I’m telling you… SHOOT!!!!!
Meryl: AAAGRHRH!!!!!!!!! *Gunfire*
Metal Gear Solid – Encounter
Soul Blazer
As for SNES, easily Soul Blazer
Damn, why do my favorite SNES soundtracks keep ending up head to head in the first round? Sigh…
Soul Blazer
Ryuji Sasai’s work on Final Fantasy Legend 3 for the Gameboy was better anyway. 😛
Mystic Quest
Soul Blazer
Soul Blazer
Soul Blazer
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 11
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ??? Can???t Say Goodbye to Yesterday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m562vV7VH58)
by Norihiko Hibino, Rika Muranaka, Harry Gregson-Williams, and Steve Jablonsky (2001)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater ??? On the Ground ~ Battle in the Jungle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG-uGIJcwkM)
by Harry Gregson-Williams, Norihiko Hibino, Shuichi Kobori, Nobuko Toda, Rika Muranaka, and Star Sailor (2004)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 11
Breath of Fire II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuxfIXqTGcQ&feature=PlayList&p=3511BDBF7FF05AB6&index=0)
by Yuko Takehara (1994)
vs.
Dragon Quest VI ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iay7-k5MerA)
by Koichi Sugiyama (1995)
My votes are for Can???t Say Goodbye to Yesterday and Dragon Quest VI.
One of the few tracks that I like of MGS 3
Breath of Fire II
Breath of Fire II
Dragon Quest IV
Dragon Quest VI
Dragon Quest VI
Dragon Quest VI
Dragon Quest VI
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 12
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater ??? Old Metal Gear (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIoKN0zsTtE)
by Harry Gregson-Williams, Norihiko Hibino, Shuichi Kobori, Nobuko Toda, Rika Muranaka, and Star Sailor (2004)
vs.
Metal Gear ??? Jungle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmokw0GkEKU)
by Iku Mizutani, Shigehiro Takenouchi, and Motoaki Furukawa (1987)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 12
Treasure Hunter G (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87BCF9rTmSw)
by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (1996)
vs.
Front Mission: Gun Hazard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHRvPBP5t7M)
by Nobuo Uematsu, Yasunori Mitsuda, Junya Nakano, and Masashi Hamauzu (1996)
My votes are for Jungle and Front Mission: Gun Hazard (both tough choices).
Never heard Treasure Hunter G before, it sounds AMAZING!
Other one is TOUGH. I wish one of them would have gone in the previous two rounds…
by a NARROW margin…
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
It’s a fun game (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Hunter_G), too. I recommend it if you’re looking for a good SNES RPG.
Sidenote: This has nothing to do with our current rumble, but I’ve been a fan of Jonathan Dunn’s SNES Waterworld soundtrack since I played the game (the game is terrible; the soundtrack is good). However, the music hasn’t been available online until recently. I searched the other night and finally found postings of Shop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4JLCRHV5H4&feature=related) and Mission 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp7xqhunH88), besides Diving (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H5YoFv09uQ), which we heard back in our Aquatic Themes Rumble. Hope you enjoy.
Treasure Hunter G
Treasure Hunter G
THG has great sound quality, but the tunes themselves tended to bore me. My vote definitely goes to:
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
Treasure Hunter G – new to me too, and I love it! 🙂
Treasure Hunter G
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 13
Metal Gear Solid ??? Mantis’ Hymn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMasLUmBzkc)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ??? Revolver Ocelot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBBrk3UwJdw)
by Norihiko Hibino, Rika Muranaka, Harry Gregson-Williams, and Steve Jablonsky (2001)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 13
Legend of the Mystical Ninja (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HkyAiV4Kbc)
by Kazuhiko Uehara and Harumi Ueko (1991)
vs.
ActRaiser (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcLD6MF7QLg)
by Yuzo Koshiro (1990)
My votes are for Mantis??? Hymn and ActRaiser.
ActRaiser
Legend of the Mystical Ninja – Ganbare Goemon
Actraiser
Oh god, Actraiser was one of the most fun games on the SNES. I want to go replay it now…….
ActRaiser
ActRaiser
ActRaiser
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 14
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1Xj_DwLBKQ)
by Harry Gregson-Williams, Norihiko Hibino, Shuichi Kobori, Nobuko Toda, Rika Muranaka, and Star Sailor (2004)
vs.
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake – Red Sun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsxtI3b2z48)
by Masahiro Ikariko, Mutsuhiko Izumi, Kazuhiko Uehara, Tomoya Tomita, Yuko Kurahashi, Yuji Takenouchi, and Tsuyoshi Sekito (1990)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 14
Super Mario Kart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ckqvAUaV-I)
by Soyo Oka and Taro Bando (1992)
vs.
Donkey Kong Country (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z29Mh80JiQ)
by David Wise, Eveline Fischer, and Robin Beanland (1994)
My votes are for Red Sun and Donkey Kong Country.
Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Country
Mario Kart
Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Country
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 15
Metal Gear Solid ??? Cavern (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcKsx8ZeL0k)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots ??? Everything Begins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTbKt_hmPew)
by Nobuko Toda, Shuichi Kobori, Kazuma Jinnouchi, and Harry Gregson-Williams (2008)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 15
Earthworm Jim (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cPfyHKNT54)
by Mark Miller (1994)
vs.
Final Fantasy V (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5AmdepdXXQ)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1992)
My votes are for Everything Begins and Final Fantasy V.
Final Fantasy V
Final Fantasy V
Earthworm Jim. Final Fantasy V was sub-par for Uematsu, though a decent work. After waiting through ten minutes of the video and NOT hearing the Gilgamesh battle music though, sorry, I can’t vote for it.
Earthworm Jim.
Final Fantasy V
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 16
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater ??? Operation Snake Eater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-UZg1SVQlM)
by Harry Gregson-Williams, Norihiko Hibino, Shuichi Kobori, Nobuko Toda, Rika Muranaka, and Star Sailor (2004)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops ??? Gene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cads0ReDjiQ)
by Akihiro Honda, Norihiko Hibino, Kazuma Jinnouchi, Nobuko Toda, Yoshitaka Suzuki, and Takahiro Izutani (2006)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 16
Zombies Ate My Neighbors (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeAJ3Aoqdrk)
by Joe McDermott and George Alistair Sanger (1993)
vs.
SimCity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QpFy8vVdPI)
by Soyo Oka (1991)
My votes are for Gene and SimCity (torn about this one, but I???ve been on a Soyo Oka kick recently).
So now, I’ll go with MGS3: Operation Snake Eater and SimCity
Gene
Zombies Ate my Neighbors
Zombies Ate My Neighbors
Oh, did I cut you off?? Hmm…In the future, if the vote is close, I’ll check to see if anyone who hasn’t voted is on the site as I’m about to post the next fights. Sorry! 🙁
Sim City
Sim City has a surprisingly pretty soundtrack.
Sim City
Well, Gene (4-2) and SimCity (4-2) were our winners last round. Now we???re headed for some really tough fights, so keep checking in. Thanks to everyone for voting!
Also, before we start the second round of the MGS rumble I need to give a big THANK YOU to ravenous19! He dug up music faqs for the Metal Gear games so I could look up when each song was used. That was a big help. I???m ashamed to admit I haven???t played any of the games beyond the original NES one. Hopefully, I don???t give away any spoilers…
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 1
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots ??? Everything Begins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTbKt_hmPew)
by Nobuko Toda, Shuichi Kobori, Kazuma Jinnouchi, and Harry Gregson-Williams (2008)
Listen for it: during the Helicopter Ride after the final fight
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ??? Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIa3FPCBwsQ)
by Norihiko Hibino, Rika Muranaka, Harry Gregson-Williams, and Steve Jablonsky (2001)
Listen for it: during the Opening Movie
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 17
Disney???s The Lion King (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxrlDPBxyfs&feature=PlayList&p=6CC92AA4E11792A3)
by Frank Klepacki, Dwight Okahara, and Patrick J. Collins (1994)
vs.
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH1qAQcugAY)
by Yasunori Shiono (1995)
*The Lion King songs are in a playlist. It may be hard to tell you’re listening to a playlist, though, because YouTube revamped their layout. :-\ Be sure to check them all out.
My votes are for Everything Begins (Miki Higashino (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65K7SzPx9pk) meets Danny Elfman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04q2Ozr-WYA)?) and Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals.
Disney’s The Lion King
Disney’s The Lion King
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
Disney’s Lion King
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
Lufia II
Lufia II
Oh, did I cut you off?? Sorry! 🙁
No worries! I’ve been lax about posting, as work has been busy lately. I had this thread up for a couple hours, and when I finally got a chance to post, I didn’t refresh. This one’s on me.
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 2
Metal Gear Solid ??? Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqq8uqSDnk)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Listen for it: during the Opening Scene
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ??? Fortune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnnFFNg_Pvg)
by Norihiko Hibino, Rika Muranaka, Harry Gregson-Williams, and Steve Jablonsky (2001)
Listen for it: when Seal Team 10 attacks Fortune
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 18
Breath of Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB4CmTMOkFw)
by Yasuaki Fujita, Mari Yamaguchi, Minae Fuji, and Yoko Shimomura (1993)
vs.
Tetris Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilv6WLYtgqM)
by Masaya Kuzume and Yuka Tsujiyoko (1996)
Hmm???Garudoh???s videos for the two SNES soundtracks are missing a couple of notable tracks from each game. If you???re interested in extra listening, check out Bank/Pub (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65m9nttNnaw), In a Cave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y623d0F8XZU), and Romero Cave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiVQD-ZIefY) from Breath of Fire and Water Stage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjAjmded1m0), Demo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl0G1SOJey8), and Sea Stage Critical (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOA8vF6gs4U) from Tetris Attack, too. 🙂
My votes are for Main Theme and Tetris Attack.
Breath of Fire
Tetris Attack
Breath of Fire
Tetris Attack, however, wins easily.
Breath Of Fire
Metal Gear Solid 2: Fortune
Breath of Fire
Tetris Attack
I’ve always been a fan of the Tetris Attack soundtrack, and the game in general. We used to have these big Tetris Attack tournaments when I was a kid. Lasted until Goldeneye and Mario Kart 64 came out. >_>
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 3
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater ??? Old Metal Gear (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIoKN0zsTtE)
by Harry Gregson-Williams, Norihiko Hibino, Shuichi Kobori, Nobuko Toda, Rika Muranaka, and Star Sailor (2004)
Listen for it: when Snake goes into Granin???s office
vs.
Metal Gear Solid ??? The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Listen for it: during the Ending Credits
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 19
Seiken Densetsu 3 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_p89HP8vWo)
by Hiroki Kikuta (1995)
vs.
7th Saga (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3n_Qt6cgbs)
by Norihiko Yamanuki (1993)
My votes are for The Best Is Yet to Come and Seiken Densetsu 3 (just by a little bit).
Seiken Densetsu 3
Seiken Densetsu 3
Seiken Densetsu 3
Seiken Densetsu 3 – By a bit too, they’re both pretty great
Seiken Densetsu 3
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 4
Metal Gear Solid ??? Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnQRWJ7bIhs)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Listen for it: when you switch to the Alert Mode
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater ??? Snake Eater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pqgYgLGELU)
by Harry Gregson-Williams, Norihiko Hibino, Shuichi Kobori, Nobuko Toda, Rika Muranaka, and Star Sailor (2004)
Listen for it: during the Opening Movie
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 20
Super Turrican (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwaTdxHU4l8)
by Chris H???lsbeck (1993)
vs.
Contra III: The Alien Wars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0auHwznTJ9g)
by Miki Higashino, Masanori Adachi, and Tappi Iwase (1992)
My votes are for Snake Eater (by a country mile) and Contra III.
Metal Gear Solid – Encounter
Super Turrican
Super Turrican
super toorican
Super Turrican
Contra III: The Alien Wars
In Contra III, the song that starts at 1:25 is a total ripoff of the music for Super Shredder in Turtles in Time. …I think. Been a decade or so since I’ve heard it. >_>
Edit: Just listened to the TMNT track and well, ok, maybe not……
Super Turrican
Not an easy choice on either end…
Super Turrican
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 5
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops ??? Calling to the Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpPH7deyMRI)
by Akihiro Honda, Norihiko Hibino, Kazuma Jinnouchi, Nobuko Toda, Yoshitaka Suzuki, and Takahiro Izutani (2006)
Listen for it: during the Ending Credits
vs.
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake ??? Red Sun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsxtI3b2z48)
by Masahiro Ikariko, Mutsuhiko Izumi, Kazuhiko Uehara, Tomoya Tomita, Yuko Kurahashi, Yuji Takenouchi, and Tsuyoshi Sekito (1990)
Listen for it: during the Ending Credits
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 21
Ninja Gaiden Trilogy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSo2IzFlxPs)
by More Yamasan, B. Hasake, Miyazaki, Shitamachi Kajiya, Mayu, Miya, K. Nakabai, and L. Shigeno (1995)
vs.
Lufia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhE7rAG6rvY)
by Yasunori Shiono (1993)
My votes are for Calling to the Night (I???d be sad to see Red Sun go, though) and Ninja Gaiden Trilogy.
Ninja Gaiden Trilogy
Lufia
Lufia
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 6
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops ??? Gene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cads0ReDjiQ)
by Akihiro Honda, Norihiko Hibino, Kazuma Jinnouchi, Nobuko Toda, Yoshitaka Suzuki, and Takahiro Izutani (2006)
Listen for it: during the fight with Gene
vs.
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake ??? Theme of Solid Snake (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-fz7KHQtrE)
by Masahiro Ikariko, Mutsuhiko Izumi, Kazuhiko Uehara, Tomoya Tomita, Yuko Kurahashi, Yuji Takenouchi, and Tsuyoshi Sekito (1990)
Listen for it: during the Opening Credits
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 22
Star Fox (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg2Uxm491lA)
by Hajime Hirasawa (1993)
vs.
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi???s Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SxyWaIajak)
by Koji Kondo (1995)
My votes are for Gene and Super Mario World 2.
I wanna vote for –
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake – Theme of Solid Snake
Star Fox
But man do I like Yoshi’s Island 🙁
Star Fox
Super Mario World 2
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
Yoshi’s Island and Star Fox both had great soundtracks, but Yoshi’s Island wins for me in the end. I can’t vote against the game that brought us "Touch Fuzzy, Get Dizzy".
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi???s Island
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake – Theme of Solid Snake
A very very very very slow build up, but hits the right places when it reaches its funky melody.
—
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Star Fox
Edges out for me on being a bit more diverse and interesting. Don’t get me wrong there are some VERY strong tracks on Yoshi’s Island… However, Yoshi’s Island has too much of an influence from the Mario World ragtime music, which is too rich to be timeless… When it breaks apart from that style it really transcends, but Star Fox has edged it out this time.
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake ??? Theme of Solid Snake
A very very very very slow build up, but hits the right places when it reaches its funky melody.
—
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Star Fox
Edges out for me on being a bit more diverse and interesting. Don’t get me wrong there are some VERY strong tracks on Yoshi’s Island… However, Yoshi’s Island has too much of an influence from the Mario World ragtime music, which is too rich to be timeless… When it breaks apart from that style it really transcends, but Star Fox has edged it out this time.
Star Fox
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 7
Metal Gear Solid ??? Mantis’ Hymn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMasLUmBzkc)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Listen for it: when you face Psycho Mantis
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ??? Electronica Emma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSzUc8uMHcI)
by Norihiko Hibino, Rika Muranaka, Harry Gregson-Williams, and Steve Jablonsky (2001)
Listen for it: when Otacon gives a monologue about his past (this is a remix of the song that plays at that time)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 23
Secret of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiA7VtYk3n0)
by Hiroki Kikuta (1993)
vs.
Donkey Kong Country 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VYjFLfNsFk)
by David Wise (1995)
My votes are for Electronica Emma and Secret of Mana.
P.S. Sorry for the delay. I had to do six hours of driving today.
Secret of Mana.
Secret Of Mana
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Electronica Emma
Not much to say, it’s pretty damn epic.
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Donkey Kong Country 2
This ended up being a much more easier choice than I had imagined. DKC2’s soundtrack is just so badass and sophisticated for a 16bit side scroller about collecting bananas… I expect to hear this music get sampled into some trip hop hit in the near future… Love it.
Donkey Kong Country 2
also, Metal Gear Solid – Mantis’ Hymn
Edit: Some of my favorite Secret of Mana tracks didn’t actually make the cut. Here are a few worth checking out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEilQOiuE_g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLK8IrYrZxA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-2L2VNmuQg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCfedAxfet0
Secret of Mana
Secret Of Mana
Secret Of Mana – a bit easier one here:)
Haha. Reconfigure that a little and you???ve got a statement about most video game music. Reminds me of this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G83jWTYDMMs) when they talk about the soundtrack for Pictionary. 🙂
Well, our two winners this time are Electronica Emma (5-4) and Secret of Mana (7-2). And that means we are at the last fight of Round 2 for Metal Gear???
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 8
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ??? Can???t Say Goodbye to Yesterday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m562vV7VH58)
by Norihiko Hibino, Rika Muranaka, Harry Gregson-Williams, and Steve Jablonsky (2001)
Listen for it: during the Ending Credits
vs.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops ??? Sad Man???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b4_TTZId84)
by Akihiro Honda, Norihiko Hibino, Kazuma Jinnouchi, Nobuko Toda, Yoshitaka Suzuki, and Takahiro Izutani (2006)
Listen for it: while talking to Python
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 24
Gradius III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NUPyMFIPfI)
by Kazuki Muraoka, Kazuhiko Uehara, Harumi Ueko, and Yukie Morimoto (1990)
vs.
Street Fighter II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK1C0uj27xU)
by Yoshihiro Sakaguchi, Yoko Shimomura, Isao Abe, and Tetsuya Nishimura (1992)
My votes are for Sad Man???s Theme and Street Fighter II.
Street Fighter II
Street Fighter II
Round 2, Fight 8
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops ??? Sad Man???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b4_TTZId84)
by Akihiro Honda, Norihiko Hibino, Kazuma Jinnouchi, Nobuko Toda, Yoshitaka Suzuki, and Takahiro Izutani (2006)
Listen for it: while talking to Python
I choose this because the woman in the other song can not sing… Sorry.
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 24
Street Fighter II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK1C0uj27xU)
by Yoshihiro Sakaguchi, Yoko Shimomura, Isao Abe, and Tetsuya Nishimura (1992)
Both are pretty weak sauce for me, but there was I time where I loved this soundtrack.
Can’t Say Goodbye To Yesterday
Gradius III
Street Fighter II
– can’t we already say Street Fighter II is a given as one of the legendary OSTs, if you play Ken’s or Ryu’s theme, most people are definitely going to know what it is
But, I would go with Gradius III (the SNES version of Gradius III is SOOO MUCH easier than the PSP version, I’m playing it on easy and I’m getting my ass handed to me with these jumping sand gryphons shooting contra diamond spreads and like 4 on the screen at the same time)
Recommendation: Fire Scramble (Fire Planet), Cosmo Planet (Stage Start), Bosses on Parade… etc
Note: I kinda loved how Parodius made a parody of Gradius III, especially the part where "William’s Tell Overture" with the music playing with the speed zone.
Street Fighter II
Street Fighter II
Street Fighter II
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 1
Metal Gear Solid ??? The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Listen for it: during the Ending Credits
Previously beat: MGS 4 ??? Love Theme, MGS 3 ??? Old Metal Gear
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ??? Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIa3FPCBwsQ)
by Norihiko Hibino, Rika Muranaka, Harry Gregson-Williams, and Steve Jablonsky (2001)
Listen for it: during the Opening Movie
Previously beat: MGS 3 ??? The Fury, MGS 4 ??? Everything Begins
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 25
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCLt8NcDWaA)
by Mutsuhiko Izumi (1992)
vs.
Tactics Ogre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGWRQ5Hd9WE&feature=PlayList&p=C4756B3B6D7AE731&index=0)
by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (1995)
My votes are for Main Theme and Tactics Ogre.
Tactics Ogre
Tactics Ogre
I will say that I am surprised that Sad Man’s Theme won the last Metal Gear round. I was betting on Can’t Say Goodbye to Yesterday making it to the end. It’s one of my favorites hands-down.
Sidenote: I fully planned on having detailed information on each song this round, but ran out of time. I just sold my house, which is a miracle in this dismal market, and now all my time has shifted from promoting it to moving out before the closing date. I promise a bit more fireworks and bells and whistles in the semifinals. Apologies for the bare bones presentation at the moment.
Tactics Ogre
An easy vote to me. =D
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time – This album is everything that kicked ass about the early 90s.
How can you deny the awesomeness that is Turtles in Time? You all must be daft.
Congrats on the house selling, btw. My wife and I have been looking into what it’s going to take to sell ours, and you’re right – you’re on the receiving end of a miracle.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time
Quarterfinals, Fight 1
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIa3FPCBwsQ)
Can’t ignore this. A classic.
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 25
Tactics Ogre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGWRQ5Hd9WE&feature=PlayList&p=C4756B3B6D7AE731&index=0)
Oh look, it’s a real soundtrack. 😛
My votes are for Main Theme and Tactics Ogre.
EDIT:
Haha. Reconfigure that a little and you’ve got a statement about most video game music. Reminds me of this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G83jWTYDMMs) when they talk about the soundtrack for Pictionary.
80 That is one epic video! I’m currently at Zophar… lol
Tactics Ogre
An easy vote to me. =D
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 2
Metal Gear Solid ??? Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqq8uqSDnk)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Listen for it: during the Opening Scene
Previously beat: MGS 4 ??? Old Snake, MGS 2 ??? Fortune
vs.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops ??? Sad Man???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b4_TTZId84)
by Akihiro Honda, Norihiko Hibino, Kazuma Jinnouchi, Nobuko Toda, Yoshitaka Suzuki, and Takahiro Izutani (2006)
Listen for it: while talking to Python
Previously beat: MGS 2 ??? Twilight Sniping, MGS 2 ??? Can???t Say Goodbye to Yesterday
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 26
E.V.O.: Search for Eden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m4EfmTIQak)
by Koichi Sugiyama (1992)
vs.
Super Castlevania IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjuSIUKdnjA)
by Souji Taro and Masanori Adachi (1991)
My votes are for Main Theme and Super Castlevania IV.
E.V.O.: Search for Eden
Also, congratulations on selling your house, arthurgolden. Now, if only I could get that lucky and find a job in this economy.
Super Castlevania IV
Super Castlevania IV
Super Castlevania IV
OMFGSORS WAASHDFIUAHSFIUASHB FIUASHDAUSIFHSA UIFHS OFIUASHF OIUASHF IAUSH FAS
Yeah… I love them both THAT MUCH…
Super Castlevania IV
Easy round… no explanation needed I think. Castlevania IV is a great game though.
Both the SNES soundtracks high quality, so I’ll rep the underdog. E.V.O.
The Age of Dinosaurs is where I thought the grinding was the most tedious. But the Ice Age was my least favorite. I got stuck there for a long time and put the game down for years. :-\ I never got the mermaid either, although I did eventually beat the game.
Super Castlevania IV
Super Castlevania IV
Oh, now I’m remembering the Ice Age… yeah that really, REALLY sucked.
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 3
Metal Gear Solid ??? Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnQRWJ7bIhs)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Listen for it: when you switch to the Alert Mode
Previously beat: MG 2 ??? Night Fall, MGS 3 ??? Snake Eater
vs.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops ??? Calling to the Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpPH7deyMRI)
by Akihiro Honda, Norihiko Hibino, Kazuma Jinnouchi, Nobuko Toda, Yoshitaka Suzuki, and Takahiro Izutani (2006)
Listen for it: during the Ending Credits
Previously beat: MGS 4 ??? Guns of the Patriots, MG 2 ??? Red Sun
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 27
Lost Vikings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAd9x5fTSVo&feature=PlayList&p=1BA2D6DFC845951F)
by Charles Deenen (1992)
vs.
Super Mario World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LLOEvhsgOg)
by Koji Kondo (1990)
My votes are for Calling to the Night and Super Mario World. This second one is an interesting fight because, while Lost Vikings is limited in its total number of tracks, Super Mario World is comprised almost entirely of variations of one melody. It’ll be interesting to see which one impresses more despite its limitations.
I’m worried about how few selections remain. I would hate to see Earthbound go up against a Final Fantasy. My precious Mystic Quest and Super Mario RPG soundtracks lost like that. :\
Edit: I’ve gotta pick Super Mario World. It might not be a soundtrack I would willingly put on for background music, but it’s incredibly creative.
Lost Vikings
The first choice was easy, Calling to the Night is very, very awesome for lack of a better word. The second one, Lost Vikings, took a bit more deliberation. I had almost forgotten how good that music was. I really need to find a copy of the game somewhere so I can play it again.
Lost Vikings
Valhalla, deliver us!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ_VFJn2kJM) – this song should be part of the game;)
Been playing Valkyrie Profile currently, so bit in a mood:3
Super Mario World
Lost Vikings
Super Mario World
I haven’t heard that since I was a kid!
Also, is that (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctvW3eBcSqg#t=00m31s) the same cheer used in the Suikoden II cooking competitions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KmVtU–qr8#t=01m34s)?
Maybe I’ve just got Suikoden on the brain. 🙂
So my Suikorumble hypnosis is still working. Very good]:>
Super Mario World
I can’t hear a similarity somewhat x.x If you’re old you’ll remember this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_o6fEvJRUE&feature=related)
I can relate! That’s why I’m wearing headphones right now…
Now for the results. Super Mario World (7-3) defeated a Valhalla-less Lost Vikings easily, but it took a late rally for Encounter (5-4) to come from behind. That means that three of the final four songs in this rumble will be from the first Metal Gear Solid. 😯 Next up we’ll finish the quarterfinals and, as usual, we’ll then pause the SNES rumble to give Metal Gear’s semifinals and finals the spotlight.
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 4
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Electronica Emma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSzUc8uMHcI)
by Norihiko Hibino, Rika Muranaka, Harry Gregson-Williams, and Steve Jablonsky (2001)
Listen for it: when Otacon gives a monologue about his past (this is a remix of the song that plays at that time)
Previously beat: MGS: PO – Cunningham, MGS – Mantis’ Hymn
vs.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops – Gene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cads0ReDjiQ)
by Akihiro Honda, Norihiko Hibino, Kazuma Jinnouchi, Nobuko Toda, Yoshitaka Suzuki, and Takahiro Izutani (2006)
Listen for it: during the fight with Gene
Previously beat: MGS 3 – Operation Snake Eater, MG 2 – Theme of Solid Snake
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 28
Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq4LGNGd5ik)
by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, and Hayato Matsuo (1993)
vs.
Final Fantasy IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8gOOTAWKY8)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1991)
My votes are for Gene and Ogre Battle. I’m completely torn about the SNES fight. But I figure I have to give Ogre Battle my vote since I just finished writing about it for something else. I wouldn’t mind seeing either win, though.
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy IV This was still the obvious choice, but Ogre Battle was surprisingly good as well. I guess I should have seen it coming with Sakimoto and Iwata as the composers :p
Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy IV
No easy choices here (._.)
btw
Those who’ve voted for Lost Vikings here, will go to Valhalla even without a noble death! A bonus from Odin :3
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy IV – FFIV is simply one of the best FF soundtracks IMO. The little number of tracks & the shortness yet the beautiful quality of the compositions, nailing your heart with every second, there’s no track that it’s a filler, well that’s what I think xD!
Ogre Battle it is an amazing OST too, but it’s not as representative as FFIV music.
Final Fantasy IV
Orge Battle: March of the Black Queen
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 1
Metal Gear Solid – The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Listen for it: during the Ending Credits
Previously beat: MGS 4 – Love Theme, MGS 3 – Old Metal Gear, MGS 2 – Main Theme
Bonus: Full song credits and lyrics (http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/The_Best_is_Yet_to_Come)
Bonus: Another example of the low whistle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzlyHma7LyI)
The convention of using a vocal song over the ending credits to video games became common during the Playstation era and, for whatever reason, often resulted in pieces that diverged significantly from the musical direction of the rest of the soundtrack. So it’s not completely surprising that Metal Gear Solid—a game with predominantly ambient electronic music—ends with something completely different. What is surprising is that a) the song is a Celtic number instead of J-pop and b) unlike so many other ending credits songs, which connect to the game only in the sense that they’re celebratory, this song reflects the character and thematic content of the story in a profound way. Singer Aoife N??? Fhearraigh starts us off with some gorgeous vocals, accompanied by a ten-person chorus that addresses a character who is tormented by a lost love. So far, pretty typical stuff. But the piece then reveals its depth at 1:18 when the low whistle comes in over the sound of fluttering leaves and wind. The sound of wind harkens back to Westerns, showdowns in town centers, and by extension the loner gunman who exists outside society and lives by his own code of ethics—all appropriate to the character of Solid Snake. But the low whistle also complicates these associations with its brief, echoing solo. I won’t get into the full history of the instrument, but what seems relevant here is that the low whistle is a product of the Cold War that is criticized for its inferiority when compared to other wind instruments and for its association with the Riverdance craze in the mid-90s. Because other instruments can do the same job, arguably better, it’s thought of as a trainer instrument. This doesn’t seem like an arbitrary choice, then, to represent a character who is the result of Cold War tensions, who is not so indestructible when compared to genetically-modified super soldiers, and who came to notoriety in the original Metal Gear mission set in 1995. The sound of the instrument is also uniquely appropriate, given its haunting quality and the snake-charmer-esque melodic figure it plays. As the song progresses, it’s joined by bouzouki and fiddle accompaniment, building with the vocals and transforming into something hopeful, although not simplistically so. The singers ask, “Life is wonderful. Can you believe it?” and with a final crescendo, plead, “Believe me.” The power of this song is in those details specific to the character and the complexities of the message. It’s not triumphant, nor is it depressed. It’s hopeful and dark and full of yearning, and that makes it all the more resonant with Snake’s mindset at the end of the game.
vs.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops – Gene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cads0ReDjiQ)
by Akihiro Honda, Norihiko Hibino, Kazuma Jinnouchi, Nobuko Toda, Yoshitaka Suzuki, and Takahiro Izutani (2006)
Listen for it: during the fight with Gene
Previously beat: MGS 3 – Operation Snake Eater, MG 2 – Theme of Solid Snake, MGS2 – Electronica Emma
Bonus: Gene’s Theme in 8-bit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFt4taRVv9c)
Fun fact: Gene’s “Zero Shift” ability is a reference to Zone of the Enders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_of_the_Enders), another game directed by Hideo Kojima.
Gene, also known as Viper, is the former commander of the special forces unit FOX who underwent experimentation during the Successor Project to gain superhuman abilities—one of which was a hypnotic voice with mind-altering powers. This is an important part of his character because it allows him to be charismatic despite his misanthropy, and it’s represented hauntingly in this song. The piece opens with a warbling female voice doubling the piano line, which is then joined by a male chorus doing a simple descending figure. This wouldn’t be a Metal Gear soundtrack without a combination of orchestral and electronic elements, though, and soon enough the choral parts join magnificently with industrial percussion and tense, militaristic horns. Before the end, the trumpets rise out of the fray and let loose, soaring over the vocals and strings until they all collapse back into a trash-can-lid style percussion. The overall effect is (appropriately) transfixing and tense, but also sad. This piece has requiem-like qualities that you wouldn’t normally hear in a battle theme. Maybe they match the either/or choices presented by Gene as he taunts Big Boss during the fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc1X-LVVrak): "What’s it going to be? Loyalty to your country, or loyalty to yourself? Your country, or your old mentor? The mission, or your beliefs? Your duty to your unit, or your personal feelings? Look at how much you’ve lost already! What kind of country deserves this much loyalty, Snake?" Without giving anything away, the conclusion does seem to mark the end of something important—maybe even as a statement about all of humankind. Regardless, this is a complicated piece for its meager 2:18 running time, and it shows off just how good the Portable Ops soundtrack is despite getting less recognition than the soundtracks from the other games. It’s also a fitting theme for a character voiced by Steven Blum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Blum) whose venomous, yet strangely moving delivery matches the dramatic push made by the horns at the end of the song.
No doubt this is a tough one. But my vote is for The Best Is Yet to Come.
Amazing theme.
In a number of cases I voted for generally boring songs because they were up against tracks I flat out disliked (Electronic Emma, for example.) I wouldn’t be surprised to see a blow-out or two now that the love it or hate it tracks are weeded out.
Glad I got this in before you called it due to a blowout.
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 2
Metal Gear Solid ??? Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnQRWJ7bIhs)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Listen for it: when you switch to the Alert Mode
Previously beat: MG 2 ??? Night Fall, MGS 3 ??? Snake Eater, MGS: PO ??? Calling to the Night
Bonus: Encounter in 8-bit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky0C-4R7i78)
Bonus: A Metal Gear Solid medley from Video Games Live (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_6LG8dyE0U)
As far as I know, this is the first theme-and-variations fight we???ve ever had in a rumble???at least the first time it???s happened in the semifinals. It???s a good one, too, because here we get perhaps the two most recognizable pieces from the series going head to head. As far as this track goes, what???s retained from the Main Theme, of course, is the iconic opening chord progression on strings. The melody, however, is different. Instead of going into heroic mode, we get a hanging note that slides down, deflating as it produces a short melody interrupted by the aggressive popping percussion. Snake???s battles are exciting, but the weight of all of the years of fighting are suggested here, in a subtle way, that???s interesting. It???s tense, too, with that insistent A that keeps knifing into the foreground, creating a memorable combination of romantic and suspenseful elements that shine in a type of song that???s often an afterthought on video game soundtracks. Is it good enough to make it to the finals, though?
vs.
Metal Gear Solid ??? Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqq8uqSDnk)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Listen for it: during the Opening Scene
Previously beat: MGS 4 ??? Old Snake, MGS 2 ??? Fortune, MGS: PO ??? Sad Man???s Theme
Bonus: The skate-punk remix from MGS 2: Substance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf-s0elIPRc)
Bonus: the Metal Gear Solid novelization (http://books.google.com/books?id=8FXOveU4iYwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=metal+gear+solid&source=bl&ots=9IAjo9Bw8W&sig=YW0pImWPch-IgHW9kRdhqHWdCLo&hl=en&ei=ipH3S9e6CYSClAfsxrDECg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CEgQ6AEwCTgK#v=onepage&q&f=false)
Trivia: On the third play-through of MGS, the player will hear the Main Theme instead of The Best Is Yet to Come over the ending credits.
This one doesn???t need any introduction. It???s not only the iconic theme for the series, but also Tappi Iwase???s best-known piece (but more on that in a second). The song is a great introduction to the orchestral/electronic hybrid style that runs throughout the whole series. The chord progression comes in on strings, followed by a trumpet playing the melody over an electronic beat. In the second part, the strings join in the melody, leading into a timpani drum break. Synths recap the opening chords with a guitar soloing on top, the horns jump back in with a short repeating figure, and the piece comes to a close with a full-orchestra flourish. It???s big, romantic, heroic stuff that perfectly suits the futuristic mechanized game world while also positioning Solid Snake’s theme among those of cinema???s great heroes???an effect that was no doubt Kojima???s intention, given all of the movie references throughout the games. There???s only one problem: is it plagiarized? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XblPR_O9lxU) We???ll all probably have to come up with our own answers to that question when it comes time to vote for the final winner. See Kojima???s own reaction to the evidence here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTcNUoxCmHI).
My vote is for Main Theme.
Pretty tough decision, though.
I would have loved if Duel was on the Rumble, I like it more than Encounter.
Is it good enough to make it to the finals, though?
IT IS GREAT SONG to be in finals
at least to an addicted MGS player like me. =D
Yaaa… It’s just so good in so many ways… and so many good remixes too…
Interesting, Encounter seems to be winning.
The Metal Gear Songs Rumble
Final Round
Metal Gear Solid – Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnQRWJ7bIhs)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid – The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
My vote is for Encounter because I like both just about equally, and I think it’s the prototypical Metal Gear song.
This song is not only the credits roll, It’s everything about MGS1, the melodies from this song are used to make ambience for most of the cutscenes.
Not only this song is truly amazing on evoking the snow, scenery, landscapes & the setting, it evokes everything about MGS 1 was about (philosophy, genetic theories, character introspection).
All the melodies of this song, remind me about what MGS is about. In my opinion THIS IS THE METAL GEAR SOLID MAIN THEME.
If this song wins the rumble, I openly say that it deserves all the praise that already has & even more.
Kinda fitting, no?
Fitting indeed.
Today is the rumble’s first anniversary, and I’d like to take a second to thank everyone! When I first came up with the idea for the rumble, several people told me there’d be little interest (which I feared, too) because the voters wouldn’t all have the same background in vgm. But the opposite has been true: there’s actually been more interest because of the opportunity to hear something new.
I feel very privileged to be able to listen to and discuss music with you all. It was my hope from the beginning that the rumble would be a long-term project. Thanks to you all, that has happened. I truly appreciate all of your help—from voting to creating themes to revising song selections—and I want to acknowledge, first of all, everyone who has participated:
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— Another Mad Dancer — butter building — ChazA4 — Chocolate Misu — Dammit —
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—– Denny —– Dr Shaneman —– DragonKazooie89 —– Eshvoide —– feralanima —–
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—- Gentleman Ghost —- Heffy —- jakob.nelson —- Jessie —- Jitan Toraibaru —-
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— Lackadaisical — Lens of Truth — Link006 — Marceline — Master Megatron —
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—- nibbish —- Purrr —- Q-Tip Trepe —- ravenous19 —- saint seiya2004 —-
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—- Sarah —- Shad —- Shadow mage —- Silent Ed —- Smarty —-
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—- solidsnake999 —- Szczepan —- tebian —- Terrordar —- The Anti-Existence —-
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—- thejobloshow —- topopoz —- Withope —- wolfmaster913 —-
Second of all, I want to say that I’m dedicated to keeping the rumble going, so long as you all are interested and I am capable of it. 😀 Here’s some proof that we’ve already done a lot. The winners of the past 6 rumbles in order are…
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=Sonic1_box_usa.jpg)
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFHvxuuOymo)
by Masato Nakamura (1991)
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(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=ocarina-of-time.jpg)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=2ADD120C9A05282C)
by Koji Kondo (1998)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=MetroidPrime.jpg)
Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmJTk3WZ-GM)
by Kenji Yamamoto and Kouichi Kyuma (2002)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=castlevania3boxart1.jpg)
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse — Beginning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGq9VjJXVh8)
by Yoshinori Sasaki, Jun Funahashi, and Yukie Morimoto (1989)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=final-fantasy-vi.jpg)
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B89C65A475B8B0CA)
By Nobuo Uematsu (1994)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=mega-man-2-title-screen.jpg)
Mega Man 2 ( http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B96D4BF7F67C170B)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=IntegralWall.jpg)
Metal Gear Solid – TBD
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Here’s to many more!
I’m here from quite a long time and this rumble has been always a lot of fun. A toast for Arthur, for a job well done (and for him having a McDohl avatar)!!! ^o^ Cheers!http://thorgolucky.com/forum/images/smiles/smiley_beer_toast.gif
My vote goes to Encounter
Metal Gear Solid ??? The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g)!
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka,
Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
The convention of using a vocal song over the ending credits to video games became common during the Playstation era and, for whatever reason, often resulted in pieces that diverged significantly from the musical direction of the rest of the soundtrack. So it???s not surprising that Metal Gear Solid???a game with predominantly ambient electronic music???ends with something completely different. What is surprising is that a) the song is a Celtic number instead of J-pop and b) unlike so many other ending credits songs, which connect to the game only in the sense that they???re celebratory, this song reflects the character and thematic content of the story in a profound way. Singer Aoife N??? Fhearraigh starts us off with some gorgeous vocals, accompanied by a ten-person chorus that addresses a character who is tormented by a lost love. So far, pretty typical stuff. But the piece then reveals its depth at 1:18 when the low whistle comes in over the sound of fluttering leaves and wind. The sound of wind harkens back to Westerns, showdowns in town centers, and by extension the loner gunman who exists outside society and lives by his own code of ethics???all appropriate to the character of Solid Snake. But the low whistle also complicates these associations with its brief, echoing solo. I won???t get into the full history of the instrument, but what seems relevant here is that the low whistle is a product of the Cold War that is criticized for its inferiority when compared to other wind instruments and for its association with the Riverdance craze in the mid-90s. Because other instruments can do the same job, arguably better, it???s thought of as a transition instrument. This doesn???t seem like an arbitrary choice, then, to represent a character who is the result of Cold War tensions, who is not so indestructible when compared to genetically-modified super soldiers, and who came to notoriety in the original Metal Gear mission set in 1995. The sound of the instrument is also uniquely appropriate, given its haunting quality and the snake-charmer-esque melodic figure it plays. As the song progresses, it’s joined by bouzouki and fiddle accompaniment, building with the vocals and transforming into something hopeful, although not simplistically so. The singers ask, ???Life is wonderful. Can you believe it???? and with a final crescendo, plead, ???Believe me.??? The power of this song is in those details specific to the character and the complexities of the message. It???s not triumphant, nor is it depressed. It???s hopeful and dark and full of yearning, and that makes it all the more resonant with Snake’s mindset at the end of the game.
Listen for it: during the Ending Credits
Bonus: Full song credits and lyrics (http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/The_Best_is_Yet_to_Come)
Record: 9-1, 6-1, 5-4, 8-0, 5-4
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
We???ll continue with SNES soundtracks and vote on the next battle very soon.
Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you???d like to do, shoot me a PM. I???m open to anything. Also, you can see and make suggestions on the themes I???ve already worked on at our VGM Rumble Group, found here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20).
I???ve got one last bonus. 🙂 In case you haven???t seen it, here???s a link to Metal Gear: Philanthropy (http://www.mgs-philanthropy.net/main/?lang=en), a fanmade film with some serious credentials. Not only did Aoife N??? Fhearraigh, the voice of ???The Best Is Yet to Come,??? perform a new song for the soundtrack, Hideo Kojima himself said, ???Of course [I saw it]. It???s awesome. I felt like crying for their love towards Metal Gear. It???s also a well-made movie. I can???t wait to see the next part.??? I haven???t seen the entire thing, but I must say the trailer is pretty impressive.
YEAH!!!!!
+10
YEAH!!!!!
+10
Good man! 😀 Kampai! http://thorgolucky.com/forum/images/smiles/smiley_beer_toast.gif
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 29
Kirby Super Star (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ObbxVqKitQ)
by Jun Ishikawa and Dan Miyakawa (1995)
vs.
EarthBound (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRRn10r5vpc)
by Keiichi Suzuki and Hirokazu Tanaka (1994)
——————————————————————————————————
Deciding the Next Rumble Rumble
After looking at the list below, please vote for the rumble(s) you???d most like to do in conjunction with SNES soundtracks. It???s better to put several down so that I know which theme would appeal to the largest number of people.
A sidenote: the pattern has been to do a composer rumble after a 32-song rumble. That???d be fine with me, but I???m not against breaking precedent either???maybe focusing on the SNES, as wolfmaster913 and Szczepan suggested. My priority is to keep things interesting for everyone.
More details about each can be found here ( http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20). Choose one or more???
1) The Best of the Genesis ??? 64 soundtracks
2) The Best of Mega Man ??? 32 songs
3) The Best of Suikoden ??? 32 songs
4) The Best of Yasunori Mitsuda ??? 16 soundtracks
5) None (we’d focus on the SNES rumble and do 2 fights at a time instead of 1)
I???m happy with whatever we do, so I???m only going to vote for an SNES soundtrack. One of my favorites: EarthBound.
and Best of the Genesis
as for what’s next,
Mitsuda or Double SNES now
and
Suikoden and Genesis combo later:)
and
The Best of the Genesis
Mitsuda
Genesis followed by Suikoden. I like the idea of starting out Genesis first since it will last longer and then adding Suikoden when SNES finishes.
*ahem*
Pokey Means Business (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkwzRz4mKes)
I think that we should either do The Best of Yasunori Mitsuda since it is short, or double up on the SNES. Something bigger should probably wait until we finish the large one we are doing now. Although, if we were to start something big, it would most likely end up staggering the rumbles out so that we will start a new one in the middle of another and so on. Then, we would have at least 1 already under way at all times and only have to start a single new one at a time. If we do that, I would love to get started with either the Suikoden or Genesis rumbles. Well, that was my rambling about possibilities.
I’ve just wanted to say this, thanks people for being so nice & I think that we should do Suikoden or Mitusda later.
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I know it’s the internet and that makes things more impersonal. But if you want to talk or need someone to listen for awhile, I’m happy to be the other person for that. I mean that sincerely. I know how difficult this must be.
Shoot me a PM if you want to talk. Okay? And hang in there, buddy. You’ve got the rumble if you want a source of distraction.
Topo, I left you a line in your comments page. You still have friends that want to help you. 🙂
What do you think of .psf and .psf2 files? As i understand they’re some kind of a rip from Playstation games disks in raw format. I can’t get a good idea as to what their actual quality is. Foobar is not giving any info but they sound almost losless, maybe a tad volumed down…
I have about a hundred of VGM in this format, so i’m wondering if i should get .flac albums instead?
edit: Ok, wrong topic i think…
can a mod delete this please? ^^;
What do you think of .psf and .psf2 files? As i understand they’re some kind of a rip from Playstation games disks in raw format. I can’t get a good idea as to what their actual quality is. Foobar is not giving any info but they sound almost losless, maybe a tad volumed down…
I have about a hundred of VGM in this format, so i’m wondering if i should get .flac albums instead?
edit: Ok, wrong topic i think…
can a mod delete this please? ^^;
Wrong thread, as you said. I don’t know anything except the basics. Either…
a) google ".psf site:forums.ffshrine.org" and see if the information is already out there
b) start a new thread in this sub-forum asking the question
c) contact someone on the Lossless Downloads thread or post there asking the question
I need some time to get organized and to check links, so I’m doubling up on the SNES rumble this time around. In two days, we’ll do a final check on the soundtrack selection for the Genesis rumble. Then we’ll get started.
Oh, and Earthbound won easily (6-2). Next up???
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 30
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOFlauTcX_s)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1994)
vs.
Blackthorne (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=EB88241B6B931895)
by Glenn Stafford (1994)
——————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 31
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2KYrEI5JZY)
by Koji Kondo (1991)
vs.
Illusion of Gaia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk8BDJLEHew)
by Yasuhiro Kawasaki (1993)
My votes are for Final Fantasy VI and Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
Okay, so that was hella easy. Is the rumble bracket situated so these two will be facing off before too long?
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Final Fantasy VI
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
I actually don’t do brackets. I did one for the first rumble, and it made everything feel pre-determined, like I was just watching the rumble play out.
Instead, at the beginning of each round, I alphabetize the list of songs/soundtracks and number them…
1. 7th Saga
2. ActRaiser
3. Axelay
4. Bahamut Lagoon
5. Blackthorne
Etc.
Then I use a random number generator to create the fights. That way, I don’t feel like I’m manipulating the rumble in any way. For instance, I know the first fight of the Genesis rumble is going to be 58 vs. 44, but I have no idea what soundtracks those will be, since we still have to finalize the list (tomorrow).
Tangent: how the algorithm for the random number generator works is pretty interesting. The short version is that the numbers reflect the amount of atmospheric noise happening the moment I click "Generate." So you could say the rumbles are determined by the cosmos. 0_0
Anyway, the truth is that that I don’t know if Final Fantasy VI and A Link to the Past will face off soon. I’m interested in finding out myself. 🙂
Seeing another soundtrack from Glenn Stanford was a pleasant surprise, seeing as how he’s the one behind my favorite soundtrack of all time.
StarCraft?
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
No contest here… Though, Blackthorne deserves a few words as it is really nice, but unlucky in this round.
btw
Glad so many people here have some love for Suikoden 😀
Obviously 😀
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 32
Plok (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRarpk3WaR0)
by Tim Follin and Geoff Follin (1993)
vs.
Tales of Phantasia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4v916ZDFvo)
by Motoi Sakuraba and Shinji Tamura (1995)
——————————————————————————————————
Here???s the list for the Genesis rumble. All links should now work.
1. Adventures of Batman and Robin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7mbxJRed38)
2. Alien Soldier (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E6D18B95C5BD56CF)
3. Altered Beast (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7AF61D06709B9D9A)
4. Beyond Oasis (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F898F463BBBBC997)
5. Castle of Illusion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRCJv4vbUKE)
6. Castlevania: Bloodlines (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDvtg-DNpXs)
7. Columns (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1D657E2C04617EC8)
8. Comix Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmfkMETAsL8)
9. Contra: Hard Corps (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HslRqaGWep4)
10. Devilish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrxRUDAoUVI)
11. Dynamite Headdy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_ls6rSfKwE)
12. Earthworm Jim (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E4D22047D2F5794E)
13. Earthworm Jim 2 (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=25B561B8588E6078)
14. Ecco the Dolphin (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F6E0DF3851FA132C)
15. Ecco: The Tides of Time (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3FE1C568076AF5B5)
16. Elemental Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLSo2HXObDg)
17. Eternal Champions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duPki1g4Djo)
18. Gley Lancer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cscApMyRdJ8)
19. Golden Axe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1qBnoo4-ds)
20. Golden Axe 2 (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=30775271A2DB217B)
21. Golden Axe 3 (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=DDE6226DCE06A866)
22. Gunstar Heroes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8_h_MnMk0k)
23. Herzog Zwei (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2TUDR3RcVA)
24. High Seas Havoc (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=AA387DF7708F8AB9)
25. Kid Chameleon ( http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=5D12E379CA8B3A80)
26. Landstalker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MvZ8b1fOAI)
27. Master of Monsters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm6lGk6unhk)
28. Mega Man: The Wily Wars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O00F-MSICOA)
29. Michael Jackson???s Moonwalker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDEiVZGzJJ8)
30. Mortal Kombat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4PyskgK2XU)
31. Mortal Kombat 2 (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=4ADA393AAF7766E2)
32. Ooze (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAVwFk8tD4I)
33. Out Run ( http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=84E3E18758C2599A)
34. Phantasy Star IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsa90yssfBs)
35. Pulseman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk9LZTkHSJ0)
36. Quackshot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cJ4YToJ8MM)
37. Revenge of Shinobi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYM-b8EQyaA)
38. Ristar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT-_5lgJYx4)
39. Rocket Knight Adventures (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaD5_qhWTLw)
40. Shining Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo9bgGbK_lA)
41. Shining Force II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ieuy5z2r43E)
42. Shinobi III ( http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=EBFC76C19EA8AD97)
43. Sonic the Hedgehog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayrDtB6b7R4)
44. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl4vA4Wd07Q)
45. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-HoLAzM0bw)
46. Sonic & Knuckles (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=FB329FF0D73ED617)
47. Sonic 3D Blast (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOENkxmO2XU)
48. Splatterhouse 2 (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7AA49DA32E4EE825)
49. Streets of Rage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m8mnn_Ni5s)
50. Streets of Rage 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-64UQoUURA)
51. Streets of Rage 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA96hQcGaMw)
52. Strider (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HpC9w8rpAg)
53. Sub-Terrania (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBh8AG5GCss)
54. Super Fantasy Zone ( http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=2D592A81272F4444)
55. Super Street Fighter II (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=EC78EAE4FF201C64)
56. Sword of Vermillion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubbG74MUFW0)
57. Thunder Force II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlpR7saiewg)
58. Thunder Force IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lkgkf0lS3k)
59. Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster’s Hidden Treasure (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=6CB642FB506352FB)
60. ToeJam & Earl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTIrdlRs–Q)
61. Uncharted Waters: New Horizons (http://rapidshare.com/files/299397163/UW2_NewHorizons_gamerip.rar)
62. Valis III (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F2AD6B179DD1F2B6)
63. Vectorman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2cHzxf_1V8)
64. Zero Wing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwAidPlp9bk)
Leftovers:
Aladdin, Alisia Dragoon, Cannon Fodder, Cool Spot, Duke Nukem 3D, Dune: The Battle for Arrakis, Flashback, Gaiares, Granada, Haunting, Immortal, Jewel Master, Jurassic Park, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Mortal Kombat 3, M.U.S.H.A., Phantasy Star II, Phantasy Star III, Shadow of the Beast, Skitchin’, Splatterhouse 3, Streets of Rage 3, Thunder Force III, ToeJam and Earl 2: Panic on Funkotron, Vectorman 2, and Ys III: Wanderers from Ys.
As for the SNES soundtracks, these are two of my favorite underrated soundtracks going head to head. I probably like more songs on Tales of Phantasia, but I love Plok and still listen to it all the time (Tim Follin is one of my favorites). For some extra listening, pit Hydropolis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBEzqu2J8lY), Lake on Ymir (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ-Un8D0QGg), and Biting Cold (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beTzTQJBXCg) against Beach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODKKILZiYY), Flea Pit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEqccivm8WU)*, and Boxing Glove (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmleGVilw5U) and see what you think. My vote is for Plok for the crazy genre-mixing, the technical innovation (http://forums.ffshrine.org/showpost.php?p=1321813&postcount=304), and the fun.
*Flea Pit is distorted, but all YouTube videos of it are in one way or another :confused:. This is the best I could find.
Too bad about Blackthorne and Illusion…I think they both could have gone far if it hadn’t been against FFVI or Zelda. But, it all comes down to the luck of the draw. As for the Genesis rumble, the list looks good to me. I can’t wait to see how far Zero Wing gets.
So Tales of Phantasia it is ^^
1) Add: Jewel Master
I fully support this.
2) Remove: Streets of Rage 3
I’m fine with this, too.
3) Combine: Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles to become "Sonic 3 & Knuckles."
This is where it gets tricky, so I need to know how people feel about this.
Currently, Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles are listed separately. Back story: the two games were intended to be one, but because of deadline restrictions were split into two games. The part of the game that was ready to go was released as Sonic 3 in February 1994. The developers continued working on the other stages and released them as Sonic & Knuckles eight months later in October 1994. Obviously, they weren’t going to create an entirely new soundtrack for this second release, so some tracks are shared. In total (by my count), the two soundtracks share 6 songs and have ~15 original songs apiece (mostly stage themes). Some people consider this one soundtrack (the two games actually can be physically locked together to be played as one, although they were never released as one game). Some people split the soundtracks up–two games, two soundtracks. For our purposes, the benefit of combining them and treating them as one soundtrack allows us, of course, to put one more soundtrack on our list. But is that fair? What do you think we should do?
a) Leave them as two soundtracks
b) Combine them
c) Cut one
I’m fine with this, too.
Streets of Rage 3 was already removed before, I thought. I actually rather like it, but it seemed that more people prefer the second game in the series. I’m okay either way. Wolfmaster suggested Ys III, and that sounds like a good idea.
Sounds like I misinterpreted your post on the group page. I thought you realized this and were asking for Jewel Master to be swapped with (the recently re-included) Streets of Rage 3.
Anyway, here’s where we’re at…
– Jewel Master is in (to replace James Pond).
– I’m combining Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
– That leaves one spot open. So far, it’s Cool Spot vs. Streets of Rage 3 for that last soundtrack.
I know this is getting complicated, so let me know if you all have questions. 😀
edit: It’s a pre-rumble rumble!
Haha. Well, you’re not the first person to be motivated by vengeance while voting around here. Wasn’t it Link006 who said he was still pissed that Ninja Gaiden lost in the early rounds of the NES rumble? 🙂
Also, a correction: It’s Cool Spot vs. Streets of Rage 3 vs. Ys III for the final spot on the Genesis rumble.
Sorry about the oversight! Keeping track of 96 soundtracks is making me…
If no one has a strong opinion, I’ll make an executive decision before we start tomorrow.
btw
It’s not vengeance, it’s karma ]:-)
So you could say the rumbles are determined by the cosmos. 0_0
See?:D
a) quality of the compositions
b) expansiveness of the soundtrack
c) the difficult-to-achieve smoothness and crispness of the "voices" used for the instruments
I’m going to write a little something on the SNES sound hardware vs. Genesis hardware later to elaborate on why this is significant.
For now, I’ll go ahead and end the above fight, with Tales of Phantasia winning 4-3.
More to come soon.
1) Sample quality. While the Super Nintendo produces sounds with actual instrument samples, the Sega Genesis uses FM synthesis???a process that results in heavy compression and low sample resolution (see: the best and worst voice samples (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZlPiehYpVM) in video games for quick evidence). For these reasons, Genesis music is often described as ???noisy,??? ???scratchy,??? ???grainy,??? ???tinny,??? and ???digitized,??? as if we???re hearing the song coming out of a tin can. A significant part of this problem is that the Genesis only had one sound channel that could be used for sampling, which leads us to the next criteria???
2) Number of sound channels. The SNES had the 8-bit SPC700, as well as a 16-bit digital signal processor (DSP) that could mix 8 different voices and add reverb. In addition, each of those 8 voices could play its sample with individualized characteristics and effects. The Genesis is similar in that it had its own 8-bit programmable sound generator (PSG), but falls short with only 6 channels on the YM2612. To put it simply, the SNES could have more happening at one time. The more sound channels, the more sounds. The more sounds, the more possibilities for complex, dynamic music.
For a demonstration, here’s a comparison (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na4wbYqVBQM) of the characterisitic qualities of Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis music.
However, this doesn???t mean that the Genesis didn’t having anything going for it. Its limitations could be worked around in the hands of a clever composer (see what Super Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFMsrHCFXj0) could have sounded like on the Genesis), and we???ll certainly hear many examples of that. Also, and maybe more importantly, the YM2612 could be used in different ways than the Super Nintendo. The YM2612 was capable of replicating an arcade sound much more faithfully than the SPC700 and often used its snarling, buzzy quality to mimic the distortion and heavy percussion heard in techno and rock music???entire genres of music the SNES often avoided because the low-pass filter function in its compression made it difficult to create a believable rock guitar sound (there are counter-examples, of course). For this same reason, SNES music often sounded muted and muffled, especially in the bass and drums, in comparison to the Genesis. Thus, the SNES was more often used for orchestral music because of the clarity and brilliance of its samples and the greater potential for dynamics in the compositions. It didn’t hurt that it could generate sound in stereo, too.
In short, the SNES???s SPC700 had more potential.
But, as we???ll see, in the hands of skilled composers both consoles produced great music. The human element is the most important here. We???ve got a whole hell of a lot of good music ahead of us. 🙂 I hope you’re looking forward to it.
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 1
ActRaiser (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcLD6MF7QLg)
by Yuzo Koshiro (1990)
Description: You can hear Koshiro’s trademark chunky bass in the second song in this video (used extensively on the Ys soundtracks). There are shades of baroque music in some of the other songs, too, but perhaps the most famous piece is the opening theme heard at the beginning of the video. Its triumphant horns and militaristic percussion set the grand tone for the rest of the soundtrack, which even the rock tracks reach for with frequent and dramatic orchestral moments. This is a longtime fan favorite.
vs.
Treasure Hunter G (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87BCF9rTmSw)
by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (1996)
Description: Sakimoto and Iwata are no strangers to dramatic orchestration either, and much of what was said above could be said about this soundtrack, including the mood set by the opening piece. I don’t tend to think of Koshiro and Sakimoto as similar composers (Koshiro has rock/techno tendencies that Sakimoto doesn’t). But here they go head to head with easily comparable songs. With this one, pay attention not only to the songs, but the vibrancy of the samples. If you have headphones, you’re going to hear a lot of elements underneath the main melody conversing with the flutes, horns, strings, and organs that flesh out the pieces and give the entire soundtrack a lush, beautiful sound. This was the last game Square made for the Super Nintendo, and its soundtrack arguably represents the culmination of everything that company’s team of composers produced on the SPC700.
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The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 1
Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster’s Hidden Treasure (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=6CB642FB506352FB)
by Shinji Tasaka, Hideto Inoue, and Tsuyoshi Sekito (1993)
Description: Our journey through the best of the Genesis starts here with a trio of composers—most notably Tsuyoshi Sekito, who you should recognize from Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake and who later did excellent work on Brave Fencer Musashi, not to mention Dawn of Mana and Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep. As a Tiny Toon Adventure game, the music is appropriately bouncy and lighthearted. In the second song you can hear the composers giving us something like a strummed acoustic guitar underneath the melody for a bluegrass feel. Another interesting track is “Treasure Found,” which is the spookiest opening-a-treasure-chest music I’ve ever heard. More to the point, “The Forest” is a highlight with its polka bass line and nod to the Tiny Toon Adventures theme song, as is the swaggering, howling “Pirate Ship” and “Inside the Volcano.” Listen for several quotes of classical music, too, including Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCEDfZgDPS8) in “Montana Max” and Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z36aWM3jYT8) in “Elmyra.”
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayrDtB6b7R4)
by Masato Nakamura (1991)
Description: And now for the most obscure soundtrack in today’s offering. 😉 We open with the song that started off the Sonic series and also proved the Genesis’ technical dominance over the NES as the 16-bit era began. When the high-pitched string shows up in the first repetition of the melody, adding a fifth instrument to the mix, a world of possibility opened up with it. In the second and third songs, a darker mood is set with clever manipulations of the synths playing the melodies, although banging melodic percussion in the second sections balances things out. Listen along and you’ll hear both funky and relaxing tunes, too, all of which were expertly edited to minimize buzz. Beyond the clarity of the sounds, though, what is perhaps most surprising is how little else Nakamura did: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is about it. What a legacy, but it’s a shame he didn’t extend his career beyond the early nineties. Think of what he could have done with more sophisticated technology.
My votes are for Treasure Hunter G and Sonic the Hedgehog.
Actraiser gets my vote hands down.
Sonic the Hedgehog
The slap to tactics almost makes me want to vote for G, but my vote goes to Actraiser and Sonic the Hedgehog .
Haha. The Playstation rumble hasn’t even been posted on the group page yet, and the smack talk has already started.
Ouch that hurt. FFT was great. Anyway:
ActRaiser
Sonic the Hedgehog
I feel offended, FFT has really AWESOME TRACKS that STAND OUT!
Remnants
Trinsection
Enemy Attack
Character Creation
Bland Logo – Title Back
P.R. Movie – 47 seconds of epicness!
Hero’s Theme
Delita’s Theme
Battle On The Bridge
Random Waltz
Espionage
Terror 2
Back Fire
Tension 1
Decisive Battle
The Pervert
Ovelia’s Worries
Ultima The Nice Body
Antipyretic
I could go on, but you need to understand something Sakimoto’s Music has to grow on you, it isn’t the type of composer that on the first listen you’ll get hooked.
Many of his songs are deep & with a lot atmosphere, so it takes some time to understand them fully.
EDIT: Now I’ll listen to FFT OST.
And in the Sega rumble…. yeah… Sonic takes it pretty easily.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog I have really great memories with Buster’s Hidden Treasure, but… well, Sonic is better.
And yeah, I’m still upset Ninja Gaiden III was a FIRST ROUND CASUALTY in the NES rumble, much worse than a mere tragedy. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzes12YwaTA)
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 2
Secret of Evermore (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YMEu9aO8QA)
by Jeremy Soule (
) (1995)
Description: The story behind Secret of Evermore???s soundtrack is one of my favorites of the video game industry. Jeremy Soule was a teenager from Keokuk, Iowa???a weird kid who began writing music around the age of five and annoyed his teachers by turning in musical notation instead of his math homework. By the sixth grade, he was taking private lessons from Western Illinois University faculty members, eventually earning the equivalent of a Master???s degree before he graduated high school. He wasn’t as devoted to classical music as he was video games, though, a culture he believed would earn legitimacy from better music composition. So he did something that took massive balls???he made a cassette tape of his music and sent it to Square and LucasArts with a letter explaining that this is what he thought video game music should aspire to. Despite being the unlikeliest of scenarios, Square listened to the tape and made Soule an employee within two weeks of mailing the letter, immediately assigning him to score Evermore, their Q4 follow-up to Front Mission, Chrono Trigger, and Seiken Densetsu 3. It was an insanely high-profile project for a teenager who???d never worked on a video game before, and he nailed it, which is perhaps a useful reminder in the power of boldness (http://chrisyeh.blogspot.com/2006/06/quote-of-day-boldness-has-genius.html), especially in artistic endeavors. There???s much to be said about the historical importance of this soundtrack and the new elements it brought to video game music, but we???re here to judge the quality of the compositions primarily, so I???ll try to keep this from getting ridiculously long. Soule himself describes the music as mostly ???ambient and low-key???; I???d add that it has a prominent Blade Runner feel, mixed with occasional medieval instrumentation and Latin percussion. It???s a weird combo, but it works to create a very drowsy, mysterious, and violent atmosphere for the game, with enough touches of B-movie sci-fi tropes to match the main character, too.
vs.
EarthBound (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRRn10r5vpc)
by Keiichi Suzuki (
) and Hirokazu Tanaka (
) (1994)
Description: It’s hard not to be charmed by EarthBound’s weirdness. From the unusual weapons (like yo-yos and frying pans) to the insane enemies (strung-out hippies and possessed cars?), the game is trying to give you a solid RPG while also lampooning everything about the genre. The music is no different: a skittering, spastic combination of reggae, ragtime, surf rock, doo-wop, bluegrass, polka, acid jazz, ambient, electropop, and an approximation of found sound, scrambled into tense clusters that every once in a while subside for some of the most pleasant and beautiful melodies written for the Super Nintendo. While Secret of Evermore may have been important for including diegetic sound in the music tracks, Earthbound is important for being the first video game soundtrack to use vibrato. I don’t throw around the word "unique" too much because I take its meaning???"like no other"???seriously. But out of all the soundtracks we’ve listened to in the rumbles, this might qualify. Like every other aspect of the game, it’s baffling, hilarious, clever, and fun. If you enjoy the small sample Garudoh provides, be sure to check out the rest of the soundtrack, which is over 120 songs long.
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 2
Columns (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1D657E2C04617EC8)
by Tokuhiko Uwabo (
) (1990)
Description: Columns is a block-stacking game somewhat similar to Tetris with music composed by Tokuhiko Uwabo, an important figure in Sega’s early history. Besides this game, he composed the music for many of the Master system’s marquee titles like Alex Kidd, Fantasy Zone, Space Harrier, Zillion, Phantasy Star, and Ys???not to mention many Genesis soundtracks we’ll hear during the course of this rumble, such as Phantasy Star II, Revenge of Shinobi, Castle of Illusion, Quackshot, and Sonic 3 & Knuckles. This particular game has a Greek-themed aesthetic, and much of the music takes the same tack as the songs on the NES’s Battle of Olympus. One notable piece is the solo organ "Clotho," which if I’m not mistaken contains a little (maybe unintentional) quote from Samuel Barber’s "Adagio for Strings." Later we hear "Lathesis," a series of call and responses traded around different sets of instruments, with some nice reverb on the "steel drums." Near the end, "Atropos" follows nicely with its own sparse, pretty melodies.
vs.
Uncharted Waters: New Horizons (http://www.mediafire.com/file/ngtoylnikmm/Uncharted%20Waters%20II-%20New%20Horizons%20OST.zip)
by Yoko Kanno (
) (1994)
Description: And at last we come to Yoko Kanno. If I’m remembering correctly, this is her first appearance in one of the rumbles, although probably everyone here is intimately familiar with her name and some of her work. It’s easy to get derailed talking about other aspects of her career, so let’s stick to the music. "Caprice for Lute" starts us off with a good counterpoint to Columns, since it’s similarly minimal and pretty, avoiding the Genesis’s habit of compounding buzz on top of more buzz by limiting the amount of samples at any particular moment. Then, we get to "Catalina," one of the better known songs from this soundtrack, with its frenetic bass line and quick, surprising swings in the melody. This works as a nice introduction to what’s to come with "Empty Eyes," a great sunshine-y piece that completely contradicts its title :confused:, and "Wind Ahead," a wonderful opening theme with a peppy little drumbeat. Be sure to also check out "Mast in the Mist," my favorite. On a soundtrack with a lot of dances peppered by Caribbean instrumentation, this one adds some emotional weight (and later got a gorgeous piano arrangement (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_LfQUu7m6o) that, for no real reason) reminds me of John Adams’ "China Gates").
A final note: Thanks to jakob.nelson for providing the New Horizons download link!
My votes are for Secret of Evermore and Uncharted Waters: New Horizons.
Uncharted Waters: New Horizons
Empty Eyes is mainly heard in "western ports" , but it is definitely a brazilian-style song, mimicking those that have more complex chords and tend to have a bittersweet content in their lyrics, such as this one. The title doesn’t really conflict with the song, as it’s about a longing for a deep feelings from another that don’t seem to be returned.
Anyway, I love New Horizons–It’s a terrific game with great music. That piano arrangement you linked to comes from the "Uncharted Waters II Special Edition" which is all arrangements, some better than others.
A final note: Thanks to jakob.nelson for providing the New Horizons download link!
You’re welcome!
My votes are for Secret of Evermore and Uncharted Waters: New Horizons.
x2
Uncharted Waters: New Horizons
Columns
Why did Earthbound have to face Secret of Evermore? Curse you cosmos… Also, since I was gone and didn’t get to say it in the last round: Final Fantasy Tactics is a great soundtrack. 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmuYSU0ghKU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHW5ZGAf4vk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFU6zwV47Q4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ciZDohM1b8
Edit again, here’s a good mix of most of the battle themes all in one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYgWyWaLf5A
By the way Ness, did you check my billboard? I wrote the message myself. That’s my real job, you know… I’m a billboard guy.
Edit again again agianasdf.as:
My second vote goes to Columns easily. Having a full album available for Uncharted Waters was awesome though.
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 3
SimCity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QpFy8vVdPI)
by Soyo Oka (
) (1991)
Description: This round is a serious student vs. teacher battle. Oka studied Kondo???s work formally at the Osaka College of Music and later met him while working on Pilotwings. Because of his influence, her work is sometimes confused for his. But that shouldn???t take anything away from Oka???s accomplishments here. It’s sad that she???s often overlooked when people talk about their favorite vgm composers, despite the fact that she was a major figure in the early 90s. No doubt this is partly due to her departure from Nintendo in 1995 to go freelance, which has lightened her workload to just four projects in the last fifteen years. A terrible waste of talent. She has since been saddled with the ???light jazz??? label, though her work has depth and humor, too. Just listen to some of the 40s ???News on the March!??? type melodies, or the fat orchestra hits in ???Metropolis,??? and you???ll hear what I???m talking about.
vs.
Super Mario World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LLOEvhsgOg)
by Koji Kondo (
) (1990)
Description: As Mario graduated onto the next gen of home consoles, Koji Kondo???s sophistication in musical arrangement took the leap with him. Good thing, too, because Kondo wrote surprisingly few tracks for Super Mario World when you come right down to it. In fact, almost all of the stage music is the same theme played in different styles. However, the durability of that theme is proven by the stellar legacy of the game. Across 80+ stages, the music (arguably) does not get stale. Additionally, this soundtrack is important because it???s an early example of music that changes with the in-game action. Adding bongo drums to the stage themes when Mario jumps on Yoshi paved the way for further developments on many other soundtracks, including Banjo Kazooie. Let???s see if this is enough to best Kondo???s star apprentice.
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 3
ToeJam & Earl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTIrdlRs–Q)
by John Baker (1991)
Description: My wife, a composer, can hum songs from only four video game soundtracks: Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario Bros, Final Fantasy VI, and ToeJam & Earl. That might not mean as much as I want it to, though, considering I???m known to play TJ & E’s theme song on the bass after a few drinks. 🙂 This is, if I???m thinking clearly, the first funk video game soundtrack???which doesn???t necessarily match the story since this is a game about alien rappers. But who cares about thematic continuity in a game about guys wearing gold chains, wraparound sunglasses, and backwards hats who yell out stuff like ???Jammin??????? This game is awesome, and hilarious, a Lost in Space for the mid-nineties that delivers on all of the kitschiness you???d expect while also being a good game. The first song in the garudoh video is the classic, but check out the whole thing and you???ll hear some hip-hop, too.
vs.
Castlevania: Bloodlines (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDvtg-DNpXs)
by Michiru Yamane (
) (1994)
Description: Here???s another classic of the system written by Castlevania regular Michiru Yamane, who also did Rocket Knight Adventures, Symphony of the Night (besides 7 other Castlevania games), and Suikoden III and IV. ???Iron-Blue Intention??? (3:49) and ???Requiem for the Nameless Victims??? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmav-Zjj2_E) are two of my favorites here, but there are many other awesome tracks, plus musical Easter eggs in the game. One contribution to the rest of the series was ???The Sinking Old Sanctuary,??? the music from the second level, which later reappeared in Circle of the Moon and Legacy of Darkness.
My votes are for SimCity and Castlevania: Bloodlines.
Castlevania: Bloodlines
Super Mario World the only game of mario that I like
& my first vote on Genesis
Castlevania: Bloodlines I don’t like this castlevania & the soundtrack it’s not among my fauvorites either, but it’s still a great one.
TomJam & Earl has some great bass lines though.
Toejam and Earl There are some great tunes in bloodlines, but about half of the ones I like are from other games. Toejam and Earl is too classic to go down in its first fight :*
ToeJam & Earl – Ok, Bloodlines is beyond a doubt the better soundtrack, but I like this a bunch, and considering most of the Castlevania songs are revisited throughout the series, I can vote against it just this once.
Castlevania Bloodlines has a lot of classic Castlevania tracks and a lot I remember from Circle of the Moon.
ToeJam & Earl – Seriously, this is easily one of the best soundtracks the genesis has to offer. The Bloodlines soundtrack is pretty good, but the pure funky fun of ToeJam & Earl must not be denied!
Castlevania: Bloodlines
On a side-note: the opening level of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is titled "Bloodlines" in the English versions of the game even though it isn’t from the actual game Castlevania: Bloodlines. It is actually the ending level from Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, and is named such in the Japanese versions of the game.
Castlevania: Bloodlines
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 4
Tales of Phantasia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4v916ZDFvo)
by Motoi Sakuraba (
) and Shinji Tamura (
) (1995)
Description: When you bring Motoi Sakuraba onto a project, you know what you???re getting: synths, rock, and synthrock. Just look at his picture! But he???s also great at creating moody pieces using piano and melodic percussion???something you???ll hear a lot of here and on the Valkyrie Profile soundtracks. It???s a bit of an understatement to say that he has a taste for the dramatic (again, just look at that shirt :P), and he???s great at what he does (which also includes heavy doses of jazz and progressive rock). The strength of this game???s music has no doubt been a huge contributor to the strength of the ongoing Tales series, now with 9 installments.
vs.
Soul Blazer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP5emCsGjSI)
by Yukihide Takekawa (
) (1992)
Description: Sakuraba???s competitor is, appropriately, another rock star. As the singer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfGzBmnnS8w)/songwriter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sty9fhmKU_Y) of the band Godiego, Yukihide Takekawa is not primarily known as a video game composer. But he certainly brings his aesthetic to the world of vgm, with poppy songs and???maybe the most noticeable thing on display here???some kick ass slap bass. Not only that, the bass is pushed right to the forefront of the mix in many of the songs. This guy wants more bass the way Christopher Walken wants more cowbell. Nothing wrong with that. This is also a good example of how faithful the SNES???s ADPCM compression was, giving us something close to a live recording of that instrument.
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The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 4
Ecco the Dolphin (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F6E0DF3851FA132C)
by Andr???s Magyari, Brian Coburn, and Spencer Nilsen (
) (1992)
Description: Ecco the Dolphin???s soundtrack is best known for those sustained, phased chords that start off the first few songs, which give the soundtrack a sci-fi vibe. But check out what sounds the composers give the melodies to as well. There are a lot of interesting choices here, in particular a few repeated scratchy, breathy sounds mixed in with the droning that give a feeling of desolation to the album. To balance things out, there are a couple surprises in the way of straightforward poppy tracks, too. This soundtrack is also important because it was the debut of Spencer Nilsen, who later did Sonic CD, Batman Returns, Jurassic Park, Daytona USA, and a Sega CD version of Ecco.
vs.
Golden Axe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1qBnoo4-ds)
by Tohru Nakabayashi (1989)
Description: Here???s an old arcade classic. Right from the start, we get some dramatic drums and a metallic cable hit to introduce us to this world of indiscriminate ass kicking. The second song is maybe the most fondly remembered, though, with an awesome, galloping turn in the second section. The fourth song takes us in a completely new direction with some quick keyboard glisses that lead into a catchy diddy that then switches to a little bass-heavy section reminiscent of the opening. It???s a good example of Nakabayashi???s cleverness not only in composing the soundtrack, but in getting the technology to work with him. In fact, the whole soundtrack is a good example of how to use the Genesis???s buzz to your advantage, even for kitsch value. Did you know the screams from the game are samples from First Blood and Conan the Barbarian? The heavy digitization only makes it funnier and more satisfying.
My votes are for Tales of Phantasia and Ecco the Dolphin.
Ecco the Dolphin
Soul Blazer is another one of those classic soundtracks that really got me into videogame music in the first place. Here’s a great arranged version of Lisa’s Song (also referred to as Koibito no Inaiyoru or A Night Without Lovers) that does not appear in the game but was featured on the original 1992 soundtrack. Maybe it will sway some of you who can’t quite decide. 🙂
Golden Axe
Ecco the Dolphin
Ecco the Dolphin
Ecco the Dolphin
Golden Axe
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 5
Secret of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiA7VtYk3n0)
by Hiroki Kikuta (
) (1993)
Description: This is an old favorite and a classic of the SNES from the same guy who brought us Soukaigi and Koudelka (as controversial as that soundtrack is). Besides the usual RPG fare, this soundtrack also has some nice jazz pieces, as well as a few bizarre tribal (?) songs using clips of voice samples. Because of this soundtrack???s popularity, we know a fair bit about the behind-the-scenes stuff, including the fact that Kikuta made his own MIDI samples so that he would know exactly how the pieces would sound on the SPC700 instead of having to deal with audio hardware differences between the original MIDI sampler and the Super Nintendo, and that Kikuta spent nearly 24 hours a day in his office working on the soundtrack.
vs.
Star Ocean (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0dEIbD9OJ8)
by Motoi Sakuraba () (1996)
Description: The old man is back with his first work for the newly created splinter group, Tri-Ace, formed by employees of Telenet Japan after the poisonous Tales of Phantasia development. Here we have more of Sakuraba???s moody work with melodic percussion, as heard earlier on Tales of Phantasia, plus some wonderful faux-symphonic work. This soundtrack is notable for its technical complexity, too. The game required all 48 megabits of data on the Super Famicom cartridge, necessitating the creation of the ???Flexible Voice Driver??? that could, essentially, stream samples in real time, rather than storing them as edificial songs. This soundtrack is also the first, to my knowledge, to be done in surround sound.
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 5
Golden Axe III (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=DDE6226DCE06A866)
by Naofumi Hataya (
) and Tatsuyuki Maeda (1993)
Description: NiGHTS into Dreams, Burning Rangers, Space Channel 5, Sonic CD, Golden Axe II, and collaborative credits on a whole host of other famous soundtracks???Naofumi Hataya is big time, although he doesn???t have the kind of name recognition you???d expect with a list like that. Here he gives us everything the first Golden Axe soundtrack does, with lots of chest-beating anthems. But he also adds some delicacy to the Golden Axe oeuvre with tracks like the ???Map Theme.??? This game was bigger and more refined than the previous Golden Axe games, and that???s true of the soundtrack, too.
vs.
Revenge of Shinobi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYM-b8EQyaA)
by Yuzo Koshiro (
) (1989)
Description: Koshiro, on the other hand, is one of the biggies, having worked on the Ys series, Streets of Rage, ActRaiser, Beyond Oasis, Shenmue, Shinobi, Etrian Odyssey, and a lot more. His work specific to this game is a slightly noirish mixture of jazz and rock. Fun fact: his sister Ayano has designed characters for many of the games he???s worked on, including the Streets of Rage series, Ys, and ActRaiser.
My votes are for Secret of Mana and Golden Axe III.
Golden Axe III was the obvious choice. Revenge of Shinobi didn’t really wow me.
Golden Axe III
Golden Axe III
Golden Axe III
Golden Axe III
Golden Axe III
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 6
F-Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk57KiTlMlc)
by Naoto Ishida, Yukio Kaneoka, and Yumiko Kanki (1990)
Description: Here???s one that goes back to the SNES???s beginnings. F-Zero actually even pre-dates the console launch as one of the games in the Nintendo Super System (how many people remember that?), an arcade cabinet that previewed a few SNES games to hype the SNES???s release. The soundtrack is predominantly rock and contains the very first attempts to create a rock guitar sound like the Genesis could. Be sure to check out ???Big Blue??? (3:55), since it’s the one that most often pops up on people???s favorite vgm song lists.
vs.
Star Fox (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg2Uxm491lA)
by Hajime Hirasawa (http://www.rankopedia.com/CandidatePix/19678.gif) (1993)
Description: While F-Zero was created to show off Mode-7 scrolling, Star Fox was created to show off the Super FX chip, which I remember being hyped to death in Nintendo Power. The game???s graphics certainly are dated at this point, but the music has remained a favorite of the system. You???ll hear rock, jazz, and ???orchestral??? works with plenty timpanis banging away???plus, if you go after the game???s Easter eggs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XzfcIOquWk), you may even hear ???When the Saints Go Marching In,??? too.
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 6
Jewel Master (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B7D95C8BF87ABC4E)
by Motoaki Takenouchi (
) (1991)
Description: This is Takenouchi???s first soundtrack after studying under Koichi Sugiyama at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (where he was also classmates with Hayato Matsuo). It shows off some of his jazz tendencies with swung notes and little delays, his unusual choices of patches (such as in "King Turtle" or "The Gate of Delirium"), and his gift for creating atmosphere (ala ???Time to Kill???). There are others who probably have something to say about this one, so I???ll shut up. 😉
vs.
Master of Monsters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm6lGk6unhk)
by Hayato Matsuo (
), Hitoshi Sakimoto (
), and Koichi Sugiyama (
) (1991)
Description: The pedigree on this soundtrack is ridiculous. The least famous composer here is Matsuo, and he did the original Ogre Battle and Person of Lordly Caliber, Front Mission 3, and Final Fantasy XII besides orchestrating the Shenmue series and NiGHTS into Dreams. You can definitely hear Sugiyama???s influence throughout the soundtrack, as the music is very Dragon Quest-ish???i.e., classical and stately in personality, with fairly minimal architecture underneath the melody. There is an occasional break from that, though???Sakimoto???s influence????such as the song that starts at 4:55, which doubles its instruments and uses reverb to gain a more full-blooded texture.
My votes are for Star Fox and Jewel Master.
Master Of Monsters – Arthur I think that Matsuo Composed & Sakimoto was in charge of Arrangements.
http://vgmdb.net/album/510 <- Sugiyama isn’t named on this site. :S
Jewel Master sounds cool & but I like the peacefulness of the other game.
Jewel Master Interesting combination of composers on the other one though. Sakimoto and Sugiyama that’s a first for me. JM still wins though.
There are others who probably have something to say about this one, so I???ll shut up. 😉
Oh, now who could you possibly mean by that? 😉
Jewel Master
http://vgmdb.net/album/510 <- Sugiyama isn’t named on this site.
I gotta run, but I will look into this. Project 2612 (http://project2612.org/details.php?id=150) has all three listed as "Composer."
And this (http://www.youtube.com/user/paperheader#p/u/0/Z8D66XrfYdU) is the first video I could find with the game’s end credits, and the video cuts off right after Sugiyama’s name is listed under "Sound Producer," so he’s definitely involved, although not necessarily as a composer.
If anyone has additional info, let me know. 🙂 Thanks for keeping an eye out for potential mistakes like that, because they’re bound to happen.
Master of Monsters
I love how the Unicorn evolves into a Tricorn in Master of Monsters.
SEMO (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/reviews/chris/masterofmonsters.shtml) says Matsuo was the solo composer, with Sakimoto on programming and arrangements and Sugiyama as the director.
Jakob’s got the same info.
So topopoz, you’re right. For our purposes, Matsuo is the main guy. Thanks for the heads up!
I had no idea Master of Monsters was in the rumble this round when I posted it on the A-Z thread. I really hate that I have to choose between these two so early in the rumble!!!!!
RAGE… … … … . . . . . . . . . ok, I think I’m done.
It’s interesting to note that both Takenouchi and Matsuo studied under Sugiyama and to see how different and how similar their music is it times. Also, we have both composers’ first game soundtrack in this rumble!!
I already made some incoherent comments on both of these recently on the A-Z thread, so I’ll just link to my posts.
http://forums.ffshrine.org/showpost.php?p=1496589&postcount=219 (master of monsters)
http://forums.ffshrine.org/showpost.php?p=1489034&postcount=207 (jewel master)
My votes are for Star Fox
and…
Master of Monsters
just let me reiterate, with the utmost respect:
ARTHURGOLDEN, I HATE YOUR FREAKING GUTS
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
Now I will go listen to Jewel Master 🙁 🙁
Thanks for all your hard work on this wonderful rumble, Arthurgolden.
I’m not happy to see it go, but if it loses, I can’t think of many better things to beat it.
I hate moving.
Anyway, Star Fox (7-1) and Jewel Master (5-3) are our winners, and as a bonus I got to inflict enormous pain on jakob, which is always fun. 😉 Next up…
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 7
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH1qAQcugAY)
by Yasunori Shiono (1995)
Description: This is an old, great puzzle-solving RPG that used to be one of my favorites. The “II” in the title is misleading because this is actually a prequel to the first Lufia, which starts with the final scene of this game. The soundtrack is often touted for its battle themes, but its overworld theme (:55) is also interesting, as are the songs at 4:38 and 8:12. Surprisingly, Shiono has done little else, save Energy Breaker and the other Lufia titles.
vs.
Seiken Densetsu 3 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_p89HP8vWo)
by Hiroki Kikuta () (1995)
Description: At sixty tracks, this is a big soundtrack for the console and one with just about every mood covered. There’s a lot of rock drumming and melodic percussion, which isn’t necessarily conveyed by garudoh’s selection. Nevertheless, you’re going to hear some great tunes in the link with all of Kikuta’s signature moves. There was a time when I considered this one of the three greatest soundtracks on the Super Nintendo.
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 7
Altered Beast (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7AF61D06709B9D9A)
by Toshio Kai (1988)
Description: Ever heard of Toshio Kai? Maybe not. But you’ve heard at least one piece of music by him before today: the Pac-Man theme song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_YGRZLfKxU). As you might have guessed, then, he goes back to the early days of arcade gaming, although his name is weirdly absent from any other game credits besides Altered Beast (as far as I could find). Did he really take an eight-year hiatus between the two? If he did, he certainly made a splash with his only two contributions to vgm, as did the game. Besides being fondly remembered as a primitive—but classic—beat-em-up, Altered Beast has been referenced in Golden Axe (with the cockatrice character) and in the Ludacris song “Word of Mouf.” “Rise from Your Grave” is probably the most famous song off this one.
vs.
Streets of Rage 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-64UQoUURA)
by Yuzo Koshiro () and Motohiro Kawashima (
) (1992)
Description: Google “Best Sega Genesis soundtracks” and you’re bound to find Streets of Rage 2 on just about every list. This is, arguably, Koshiro’s classic, but don’t go in expecting anything like ActRaiser. The house, trance, and techno music on here, supplemented with some funk bass, shows a completely different side of him. It also shows how well he understood the differences between the SPC700 and YM2612 and what each could do best.
My votes are for Seiken Densetsu 3 and Streets of Rage 2.
Back to packing. :-\
Streets of Rage 2
I’m so digging this. Epic Genesis music right there. I’ve heard it before, but damn it’s so awesome.
Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 2
Edit: Where the SNES pick was tough, the Genesis one is easy. Altered Beast bears a quality of song writing that could hold up in any era, while Streets of Rage just sounds generic.
For SNES, I’ll go with Seiken Densetsu 3
Back to the topic, Seiken Densetsu 3 (6-1) and Streets of Rage 2 (5-2) are the newest ones to move on. Next up…
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 8
Street Fighter II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK1C0uj27xU)
by Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (
), Yoko Shimomura (
), Isao Abe (
), and Tetsuya Nishimura (
) (1992)
Description: This is the most famous soundtrack from Alph Lyla (
), Capcom’s in-house “band,” which also composed Breath of Fire and Final Fight among others. Not only is this music a good comparison point (http://www.atariage.com/forums/blog/260/entry-5008-genesis-vs-snes-street-fighter-ii-sceturbo/) for the strengths of the SNES’s audio over the Genesis, it’s also epochal, music that helped define an era of head-to-head fighters regardless of the platform. Thanks to the resurrection of the series, a whole new generation of gamers has now been introduced to these classic themes.
vs.
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2KYrEI5JZY)
by Koji Kondo (
) (1991)
Description: In the middle of most great stories something completely unexpected happens. With A Link to the Past, it’s Link’s banishment to the Dark World, which later became a plot point in many of the later Zelda games. What also became major components of the subsequent games are songs from this soundtrack, including “Zelda’s Lullaby,” “Ganondorf’s Theme,” “Hyrule Castle,” “Kakariko Village,” and “Fairy Fountain.” Beyond even that, it has quite a few exclusive songs that represent some of Kondo’s best work.
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 8
Earthworm Jim 2 (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=25B561B8588E6078)
by Tommy Tallarico (
) (1995)
Description: We could talk all day about Tommy Tallarico and the competing forces of his inarguable importance to video game music versus his almost intolerable self-aggrandizement while trying to prove that point. For better or worse, his reputation precedes his work. But it’s also not that hard to have a sense of humor about how over-the-top he is, and a sense of humor is not something he lacks either. Just listen to the title screen music for this game and you’ll hear what I mean. Later we get some grimly serious bagpipes, and slowly sweeping phased synths, and Tallarico’s blenderized “Tarantella Napoletana”/“Funiculi Funicula” medley, and a polka, and…Well, I won’t ruin it. 😉 It’s an impressive and diverse collection of music.
vs.
Kid Chameleon (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=5D12E379CA8B3A80)
by Nu Romantic Productions (1992)
Description: Nu Romantic Productions is the nebulous group (seemingly made up of at least Mark Steven Miller and Jason Scher) credited to this game, X-Men 2: Clone Wars, Krusty’s Super Fun House, Chakan: The Forever Man, and (regrettably) the Genesis’s iteration of Action 52, which is better than the NES version but still awful. Kid Chameleon, on the other hand, is still well-loved (http://kidchameleon.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page) for its gameplay and the oh-so-90s storyline: kid gets sucked into video game. The music is a combination of funk, rock, and hip-hop.
Earthworm Jim 2
Kid Chameleon
Don’t strain yourself with the move Arthur :p Moving day always sucks.
Kid Chameleon
Earthworm Jim 2
Too late. 🙁 I finally caved yesterday and took some Aleve. But my lower back is pretty sore. I’ve got a few nights left sleeping on an air mattress, too. 🙁
Anyway, everything is updated above. I’m going with…
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Earthworm Jim 2
Sorry for the delay. I’m going to be off the Shrine more than I’m on for at least the rest of the week because I’m doing two simultaneous moves: most of my stuff is going to my house for August while the rest of my stuff is going to a rented house I’ll live in until August. On top of that, I just started teaching for the summer semester. But I’ll update when I can. 🙂
We’ll call this most recent one with A Link to the Past (4-1) and Earthworm Jim 2 (3-2) winning. Next up…
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 9
Terranigma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPZixFYg7Xc)
by Miyoko Kobayashi and Masanori Hikichi (1995)
vs.
Live A Live (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_qfPaZZycs)
by Yoko Shimomura () (1994)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 9
Out Run (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=84E3E18758C2599A)
by Hiroshi Kawaguchi (
) (1991)
vs.
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B206F2DB8C977E0B)
by Mieko Ishikawa and J.D.K. Sound Team (1991)
My votes are for Live A Live and Ys III. I’ll beef this up with descriptions if I can. In the meantime, how are you guys doing??
Out Run – YEAH! CARIBBEAN MUSIC! =D
I’m Currently fine, the most important part of the paperwork is now over. =D
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
I’m doing fine, too. I spent today at a memorial service for my grandma, but other than that, everything has been great. By the way, if you haven’t heard it, inFAMOUS’s soundtrack is great. I’ve been listening to it every day since I beat the game about a week ago. I know it has nothing to do with SNES or Genesis, but I highly recommend giving it a shot.
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
I guess I’m fine too;) Though having to write a 100 pages long grand project for the end of uni is not that nice>_< Especially when you have to do a student practice at the same time… No time for gaming now:( Anyway, good luck for everyone here.
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
Ys III: Wanderers From Ys
@Szczepan: Is that an essay you???re writing? Or an orchestra piece? Or something else?
@wolfmaster913: Thanks for the recommendation! I???ll check it out. For recent music, I???d also highly recommend everyone check out Neo (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=49043EBE4B5A8792)Tokyo (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=719C0B057738E597). It???s amazing!
Well, our winners this time are Live A Live (5-2) and Ys III (6-1). Next up???
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 10
Super Castlevania IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjuSIUKdnjA)
by Souji Taro and Masanori Adachi (1991)
vs.
Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QkdQN0T90Q)
by Yasunori Mitsuda, Nobuo Uematsu, and Noriko Matsueda (1995)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 10
Michael Jackson???s Moonwalker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDEiVZGzJJ8)
by Hiroshi Kubota (1990)
vs.
High Seas Havoc (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=AA387DF7708F8AB9)
by Emi Shimizu (1993)
My votes are for Chrono Trigger and ???.
Super Castlevania IV – It was good to see you around….
Edit: High Seas Havoc
Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker
Chrono Trigger
High Seas Havoc
High Seas Havoc
I thought I was going to go with Moonwalker for sure. I used to play that game just because of the music back when I only had a Genesis and an SNES. But, High Seas Havoc is just awesome. Not only does it have variety, but most of them are catchy.
Also, thanks for the link to NeoTokyo, arthurgolden. It is definitely one that I like. I’m gonna have to add it to my list of music to hunt down.
I’m going to vote for High Seas Havoc for the Genesis rumble, which gives it the 4-3 edge. The other winner is, not surprisingly, Chrono Trigger, which won 6-2. Next up…
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 11
Final Fantasy IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8gOOTAWKY8)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1991)
vs.
Ninja Gaiden Trilogy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSo2IzFlxPs)
by More Yamasan, B. Hasake, Miyazaki, Shitamachi Kajiya, Mayu, Miya, K. Nakabai, and L. Shigeno (1995)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 11
Shinobi III ( http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=EBFC76C19EA8AD97)
by Hirofumi Murasaki, Morihiko Akiyama, and Masayuki Nagao (1993)
vs.
Streets of Rage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m8mnn_Ni5s)
by Yuzo Koshiro (1991)
My votes are for Final Fantasy IV and Shinobi III.
Final Fantasy IV
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage
I remember not liking the Streets of Rage II soundtrack a few battles ago, but whatever about it annoyed me isn’t present here. Streets of Rage gets my vote.
Streets Of Rage
Shinobi III
Shinobi is obviously not going to win, but I think it deserves at least one vote.
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 12
Tactics Ogre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGWRQ5Hd9WE&feature=PlayList&p=C4756B3B6D7AE731&index=0)
by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (1995)
vs.
Axelay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDSj9S8aMUY)
by Taro Kudou (1992)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 12
Zero Wing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwAidPlp9bk)
by Tatsuya Uemura, Toshiaki Tomizawa, and Masahiro Yuge (1991)
vs.
Mortal Kombat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4PyskgK2XU)
by Dan Forden and Matt Furniss (1992)
My votes are for Tactics Ogre and Mortal Kombat.
Zero Wing
Zero Wing
Zero Wing…For great justice! (I couldn’t resist.) The music reminds me of Golden Axe a bit.
All your base are belong to us
THAT’s AWESOME XD
Zero Wing
Zero Wing
Mortal Kombat
Mortal Combat
Is that an essay you???re writing?
Yes, almost a small book:) Though I’m having lazy days now and doing some short holiday 😀
Well, this time around it???s Tactics Ogre (8-0) and Zero Wing (5-3) moving on. Clearly, the other soundtracks had no chance to survive make their time. 🙂 I think we should all use one Zero Wing sentence in casual conversation today. And you have to say it with a straight face.
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 13
Super Turrican (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwaTdxHU4l8)
by Chris H???lsbeck (1993)
vs.
Mega Man X (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADK_l9uz_C0)
by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, Yuki Iwai, Yuko Takehara, and Toshihiko Horiyama (1993)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 13
Splatterhouse 2 (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7AA49DA32E4EE825)
by Milky Eiko (1992)
vs.
Phantasy Star IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsa90yssfBs)
by Izuho Takeuchi and Yoshimi Nakagaki (1993)
My votes are for Mega Man X (although I love Super Turrican’s soundtrack) and Phantasy Star IV.
Phantasy Star IV
Phantasy Star IV
Super Turrican
Splatterhouse 2 effing awesome.
What you say?
Super Turrican
Phantasy Star IV
Move Zig ~<3
Phantasy Star IV
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 14
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOFlauTcX_s)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1994)
vs.
Dragon Quest VI ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iay7-k5MerA)
by Koichi Sugiyama (1995)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 14
Thunder Force II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlpR7saiewg)
by Tomomi Ootani (1989)
vs.
Pulseman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk9LZTkHSJ0)
by Junichi Masuda (1994)
My votes are for Final Fantasy VI and Pulseman.
Pulseman
Pulseman – possibly the best Genesis soundtrack so far.
Thunder Force II
Am I the only one who actually liked Splatterhouse 2 last round?
P.S: Make sure to stop by the A-Z of VGM thread, since no one has posted anything there in a while.
Thunder Force II
Granted my internet access is limited to a cell phone at the moment (a number of youtube videos are inexplicably unaccessible on the default droid player), I only remember seeing three or four tracks that were over a few seconds. Phantasy Star IV got my vote by default because the Splatterhouse selection was too limited.
Pulseman
My sentiments exactly.
Also, I wouldn’t say that pulseman is the best so far, but it’s pretty good.
My votes are for Final Fantasy VI and Pulseman.
Not much to say that hasn’t been. Props for Masuda as well, never heard of this one.
On an older note, a very belated congrats to Arthur on the anniversary of the thread, and sorry I missed it. Cheers for the unbelievable effort you put in, and I’ll try and not disappear this time 😛
It sounds like just about everyone’s had a jam-packed month or two. I’m currently 400 miles from where I was two days ago, on yet another moving excursion. :-\ One of these days, I’ll be done.
@Smarty: I’m actually a big fan of Splatterhouse’s soundtracks (2 and 3 are both worth checking out). The atmosphere is great, the clarity of the sounds is impressive, and it’s consistently good. I ended up voting for Phantasy Star IV, though, because I think it’s more diverse (while including pieces with the same mood as the Splatterhouse tracks) and because over time I’ve more regularly listened to PS than Splatterhouse. But I think Splatterhouse is great, too.
Also, I’ll be back at the A-Z thread soon. 🙂 I owe a couple threads an update.
As for our current winners, Final Fantasy VI (7-0) and Pulseman (5-2) are moving on. And next up we’ve got…
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 15
Final Fantasy V (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5AmdepdXXQ)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1992)
vs.
Donkey Kong Country (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z29Mh80JiQ)
by David Wise, Eveline Fischer, and Robin Beanland (1994)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 15
Sonic 3D Blast (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOENkxmO2XU)
by Howard Drossin, Jun Senoue, Tetsuyuki Maeda, Yukifumi Makino, Seirou Okamoto, and Masaru Setsumaru (1996)
vs.
Gunstar Heroes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8_h_MnMk0k)
by Kazuo Hanzawa (1993)
Gunstar Heroes is such a great game, but my votes are for Donkey Kong Country and Sonic 3D Blast.
Gunstar Heroes
Sonic 3D Blast.
Sonic 3D Blast
Gunstar Heroes
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 16
Breath of Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB4CmTMOkFw)
by Yasuaki Fujita, Mari Yamaguchi, Minae Fuji, and Yoko Shimomura (1993)
vs.
Demon???s Crest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO2G6S5aQ1k)
by Yuki Iwai (1994)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 16
Castle of Illusion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRCJv4vbUKE)
by Kamiya Studio (1990)
vs.
Landstalker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MvZ8b1fOAI)
by Motoaki Takenouchi (1992)
My votes are for Demon???s Crest and Landstalker.
Landstalker
Figured I’d be voting Demon’s Crest for sure, but Breath of Fire was a nice surprise. Guess it shouldn’t really have been though, considering it was done by Yoko Shimomura and three Mega Man composers.
Castle of Illusion
Landstalker
Landstalker
But I choose Breath of Fire.
I’ve never played it. I only heard these songs once before, in round 1. Yet I remember them all like they’ve been stuck in my head for years. That’s the sign of excellent song writing.
Castle of Illusion
Castle of Illusion
I have been kind of busy lately, but I am currently working on the Wrath of the Lich King Soundtrack so I’m sure the people who have been PMing me asking when it is going to be done will be happy to know the process has started. : )
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 1
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOFlauTcX_s)
by Nobuo Uematsu (
) (1994)
vs.
Seiken Densetsu 3 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_p89HP8vWo)
by Hiroki Kikuta () (1995)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 17
Eternal Champions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duPki1g4Djo)
by Joe Delia (
) (1993)
vs.
Mega Man: The Wily Wars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O00F-MSICOA)
by Unknown (http://segaretro.org/Mega_Man:_The_Wily_Wars) (1994)
My votes are for Final Fantasy VI and Eternal Champions.
Eternal Champions
I don’t see how anything other than Final Fantasy VI could possibly win the rumble. Say whatever you want, but there’s a good reason it’s considered one of the best game soundtracks every made. The only one that stands a chance, imo, is Chrono Trigger.
EDIT: Eternal Champions
I’m another one of those guys who will vote IV music over VI
I’m temporarily abstaining from the second vote while I listen to the entrants. Hopefully I’ll be able to get a vote in sometime tomorrow morning?
Edit: I have to go with Eternal Champions, even though I’m pretty lukewarm to it. Wily Wars doesn’t have a lot in the way of original compositions, and most of the remakes aren’t as interesting or crisp as the originals.
Eternal Champions
I don’t see how anything other than Final Fantasy VI could possibly win the rumble. Say whatever you want, but there’s a good reason it’s considered one of the best game soundtracks every made. The only one that stands a chance, imo, is Chrono Trigger.
I don’t think FFVI will have it that easy honestly. I can’t say for sure without some serious listening, but I’d say that I’d probably pick both FFIV and Link to the Past over FFVI personally. Plus it still has to beat out Chrono Trigger and Super Mario World, plus a few which could surprise like Donkey Kong Country.
But with all that said, I agree it’ll probably be in the final, if not win.
But as for this round,
Final Fantasy VI
Mega Man: The Wily Wars, a tough call.
Eternal Champions
I only like 3 songs from Eternal Champions :/ (Jetta, Blade, and Title), but that game was really difficult. X-perts (the sorta 2nd game) got boring :/
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 2
Tactics Ogre (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=C4756B3B6D7AE731)
by Hitoshi Sakimoto () and Masaharu Iwata (
) (1995)
vs.
Secret of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiA7VtYk3n0)
by Hiroki Kikuta () (1993)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 18
Quackshot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cJ4YToJ8MM)
by Kamiya Studio (1991)
vs.
Valis III (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F2AD6B179DD1F2B6)
by Hisao Inoue, Jun Hasebe, Shingo Murakami, Takaharu Umezu, Michiko Naruke, and Minoru Yuasa (1991)
I had a tough time with both of these, but my votes are for Secret of Mana and Quackshot.
Secret of Mana and Quackshot. Even though I’m quite fond of both Tactics Ogre and Valis III.
Quackshot
Ah damn, didn’t remember that. Maybe FFVI will be unstoppable, but here’s hoping not 😉
Back to my regularly scheduled post:
Tactics Ogre
Will edit in my other vote in tomorrow.
EDIT: Quackshot
Valis III
Quackshot – I LOVED Quackshot.
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 3
Demon???s Crest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO2G6S5aQ1k)
by Yuki Iwai (1994)
vs.
Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QkdQN0T90Q)
by Yasunori Mitsuda (
), Nobuo Uematsu (), and Noriko Matsueda (
) (1995)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 19
Mortal Kombat II (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=4ADA393AAF7766E2)
by Dan Forden (
) and Matt Furniss (
) (1993)
vs.
Vectorman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2cHzxf_1V8)
by Jon Holland (
) (1995)
My votes are for Chrono Trigger and Mortal Kombat II.
These are both really great soundtracks. I’m going to have to side with Vectorman.
Mortal Kombat II
Both were quite easy choices surprisingly; although I do like Demon’s Crest. Vectorman was alright but really didn’t strike me as anything amazing.
Mortal Kombat II
Unrelated comment: Also, all of these videos (http://www.metafilter.com/94102/Need-more-minerals) of StarCraft 2 have made me extremely nostalgic for the first one, which I only experienced through the demo back when it first came out. I sorta feel like, after 12 years, it’s probably time for me to buy it. Plus, it’s available on Blizzard’s website as a digital download with the Brood Wars expansion for only $15. Anyone around here still play?
I’m not sure if I can use AIM chatrooms since I’m running it through Trillian (a program that combines AIM, MSN, ICQ, etc accounts). But just a suggestion, why not hold it on irc? The official FFShrine channel on CleverNet is always active.
I keep editing my Genesis selection, and I’m beginning to realize that whichever I’ve listened to most recently becomes my favorite of the two. I’ll stick to my initial pick of Vectorman, but if there was ever a clause for a mercy advance I’d support it here. >_>
Vectorman
Heh, it’s really been a while. I don’t have internet at my house right now, so it might be a while before I can post again. I’m only able to do this one because I am using the college’s computer lab while signing up for classes.
I might be the first to say that Chrono Trigger isn’t that good. I like it a lot and it’s probably going to win anyway, but I think Demon’s Crest deserves at least one vote before leaving the rumble.
And Vectorman.
@Shad: I???ll recommend that to ChazA4. Thanks for the suggestion!
I???d be interested in anyone???s review of StarCraft 2, too. I???m debating skipping the first one and diving right into the second.
@Eshvoide: I???m sure we???ll do another one fairly soon, and we???d love to have you then.
@ravenous19: Haha. Yeah, if you???re on the east side of Australia, you???re 14 hours ahead, which would be 5 a.m. Bummer.
As for the rumble, Chrono Trigger (7-1) has continued to steamroll its way through the rumble, while Vectorman (5-3) had to do a little more fighting. Next up???
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 4
Super Mario World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LLOEvhsgOg)
by Koji Kondo () (1990)
vs.
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2KYrEI5JZY)
by Koji Kondo () (1991)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 20
Thunder Force IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lkgkf0lS3k)
by Tomomi Ootani, Toshiharu Yamanishi, and Takeshi Yoshida (1992)
vs.
Dynamite Headdy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_ls6rSfKwE)
by Kazuo Hanzawa, Jun Irie, and Hideki Matsutake (1994)
The SNES choice took me forever to decide on. But I???m going with The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past because (on top of being awesome song for song, like SMW) it introduced a number of recurring themes, including ???Zelda???s Lullaby,??? ???Ganondorf???s Theme,??? ???Hyrule Castle,??? ???Kakariko Village,??? and ???Fairy Cave.??? For the Genesis, I???m going with Dynamite Headdy.
I’ll vote later on Genesis rumble. Too late at night and I’m too tired from travelling all day. And I’m gonna travel some more tomorrow… 🙁
Dynamite Headdy
(yay, survived one day of Otakon so far… two more days to go)
Will edit in my Genesis vote sometime in the next day.
Edit: Dynamite Headdy
Thunder Force IV
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 5
Secret of Evermore (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YMEu9aO8QA)
by Jeremy Soule () (1995)
vs.
ActRaiser (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcLD6MF7QLg)
by Yuzo Koshiro () (1990)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 21
Beyond Oasis (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F898F463BBBBC997)
by Yuzo Koshiro () (1994)
vs.
Devilish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrxRUDAoUVI)
by Hitoshi Sakimoto () (1992)
My votes are for Secret of Evermore and Devilish.
Secret of Evermore
Devilish
I’ll give ActRaiser credit for making really good use of the SNES soundchip even though it was quite early in its lifespan. But I like Secret of Evermore better for some reason.
As per usual, the Genesis vote will be edited in later 😉
Edit: Devilish
Devilish
I like both in the first set, but ActRaiser has that sound that I would love to sit and listen to for hours on end 🙂
The other set however, no contest I think 🙁 Beyond Oasis just sounded like a muddled mess to me 🙁 Really diggin’ Devilish though.
Hello everybody *hugs everybody with unnatural arms*
I’ve been dissapeared from this thread because I didn’t had the time to listen to the music offered so I missed much votes in the middle. I’ve returned to the paperwork activity, restarted my physical activity (YEAH!, it feels good to be in shape again), so I didn’t had much time in my hands.
Also I’m looking for a job so Cross-fingers people I may get one pretty soon!
Genesis vote will be up later. (I think)
See ya! =D
Devilish
That first song in devilish really reminds me of a song in Anastasia ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhrC9df53oo )
Also I’m looking for a job so Cross-fingers people I may get one pretty soon!
Hooray! Welcome back! Good luck with the job hunt.
Posting this as a placeholder for the moment since this set is probably about over. I’ll have my choices up within an hour.
You have the grave responsibility of tie-breaking ActRaiser vs. Secret of Evermore. 🙂 It’s 4-4 right now. On the other hand, Devilish can’t lose the Genesis rumble at this point.
Secret of Evermore
Devilish
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 6
Star Fox (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg2Uxm491lA)
by Hajime Hirasawa (1993)
vs.
Donkey Kong Country (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z29Mh80JiQ)
by David Wise, Eveline Fischer, and Robin Beanland (1994)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 22
Herzog Zwei (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2TUDR3RcVA)
by Naosuke Arai and Tomomi Ootani (1989)
vs.
The Ooze (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAVwFk8tD4I)
by Howard Drossin (1995)
My votes are for Donkey Kong Country and The Ooze.
I’ll edit in my Genesis pick later.
The Ooze
As far as StarCraft goes; I would not skip the original. Playing the original will give you a great background as far as the story of StarCraft and get you up to speed on the gameplay as well. Plus you’ll get to hear the great tunes! The music in StarCraft II is great, but I think the original has the superior music/voice acting overall.
I don’t know if you can even still get the SCII Collector’s Edition, but it comes with James Raynor’s dogtag as a USB Flash drive that comes with StarCraft and Brood War on it. If not, there is always battle.net and the Blizzard store.
Herzog Zwei
The Ooze
We???re getting close to the end of the round now, with Donkey Kong Country (4-2) and The Ooze (4-2) moving on. Next up, we???ve got???
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 7
Super Turrican (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwaTdxHU4l8)
by Chris H???lsbeck (1993)
vs.
Soul Blazer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP5emCsGjSI)
by Yukihide Takekawa (1992)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 23
Golden Axe II (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=30775271A2DB217B)
by Naofumi Hataya (1991)
vs.
Ristar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT-_5lgJYx4)
by Tomoko Sasaki (1995)
My votes are for Super Turrican and Ristar.
Ristar
Genesis vote will be in later
Edit: Ristar
Golden Axe II
Pretty easy calls on both.
What does everyone like about the Super Turrican soundtrack?
I remember thinking in round 1 that it was one of the bottom five soundtracks out of all 64 and only got through as a fluke. The former half of this opinion has yet to change.
I vote for Super Turrican and Golden Axe II.
I think that’s the source of a lot of my love for it, too. I just gave it another listen. It’s likely not going to make it out of the next round, but it’s plenty solid.
Ristar
Phew! I made it in before the round ended this time ^__^
Golden Axe II
Golden Axe II
I’m back:) Glad to see you people again! Separating myself from the world and civilisation to write my paper wasn’t the best idea:P I didn’t write much and just feel old and exhausted. Hermit’s lifestyle is overrated. I’m returning to the normal way of doing this.
btw Tactics Ogre got kicked out with just one vote for it:(
I suppose that experiencing a soundtrack via a game and via youtube are completely different. Soul Blazer’s is way up there for me, easily in my top ten for the SNES. But it was also one of my favorite games on the system, and the music was an integral part of it. It might be the game’s most defining feature.
100% Fact. Context is EVERYTHING.
I will say though–I hadn’t heard Ristar before and I liked it a good bit.
Super Turrican (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwaTdxHU4l8)
by Chris H???lsbeck (1993)
The first thing I thought when listening to this was ‘Hey this sounds like the Dune soundtrack!’ This to me is the clear winner for its chill-out ambient synths, appealing breakbeats and DAT PIANO. Super Turrican raises the bar for SNES soundtracks so much that it doesn’t feel at all like a 16bit chiptune but more like a Vangelis score for an 80s teen film. Plus, it’s Chris H???lsbeck!
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 23
Ristar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT-_5lgJYx4)
by Tomoko Sasaki (1995)
This was a very hard choice for me – both have their strengths and weaknesses and both sound VERY Sega Genesis. However, Ristar edges it out for me due its more melodic tracks and sophisticated production. It’s was straight down the wire for me though because Golden Axe II does have some beauties like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC5Wet2CcyE).
Super Turrican (7-3) and Ristar (6-5) are the winners this time around. Let’s get started again…
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 8
Final Fantasy IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8gOOTAWKY8)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1991)
vs.
Live A Live (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_qfPaZZycs)
by Yoko Shimomura (1994)
——————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 24
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl4vA4Wd07Q)
by Masato Nakamura (1992)
vs.
Alien Soldier (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E6D18B95C5BD56CF)
by Kazuo Hanzawa (1995)
My votes are for Final Fantasy IV and Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
My votes are the same ^__^ Hope you doin’ well Arthur. Just take your time with the Rumbles, we’re patient people here 🙂
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Two of my favorites!
Abstained on Genesis
EDIT: Yeah right, Abstained my ass… Alien Soldier!` !"!"!"!" this is awesome
Edit: Alien Soldier. What a badass soundtrack, really chaotic and intense.
Edit 2: I think this is my second favorite Genesis soundtrack so far after Vectorman.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 I liked Alien Soldier, but Sonic still wins for me.
Hang in there Arthrur, it’ll all be over before you know it. Just be patient.
Ok, I have to ask.
What does everyone like about the Super Turrican soundtrack?
I remember thinking in round 1 that it was one of the bottom five soundtracks out of all 64 and only got through as a fluke. The former half of this opinion has yet to change.
I enjoyed Super Turrican a lot and think it’s one of the most underappreciated soundtracks on the SNES, right up there with Demon’s Crest. It was upbeat, it had variety and I’m a big sucker for pianos of any kind. Soul Blazer on the other hand, didn’t really do anything to impress me. I don’t like saying this, but it sounded a lot like an Uematsu wannabe, it is an RPG after all. I don’t know, maybe the soundtrack has some really unique and impressive tracks and garudoh just didn’t include them in the video. Because I haven’t listened to the entire thing, I just watched the video.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Man, trying to sift through 21 pages of new posts in eyeball-searing white isn’t fun. Until black is back I’ll skip the yellow text.
As for the last fight, Final Fantasy IV (10-0) and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-2) both steamrolled their competition, bringing us to the Quarterfinals for the SNES. I’ll get that started and add in fun facts and pictures and bells and whistles when I’m back home…
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 1
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOFlauTcX_s)
by Nobuo Uematsu () (1994)
Description: What can I say that hasn???t already been said? This soundtrack is a masterpiece. The unusually high number of character themes and clever deployment of leitmotifs throughout the soundtrack are just the first admirable facets of this work. There is a level of attention to detail throughout the soundtrack that is remarkable given the mishmash variety of occupations, backgrounds, cultures, and events in the game, and if the soundtrack suffers any from its broad scope, it at least makes a compelling attempt to resolve those tensions in the staggering finale, in which most of the game???s themes are interwoven seamlessly into one piece.
vs.
Secret of Evermore (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YMEu9aO8QA)
by Jeremy Soule () (1995)
Description: The story behind Secret of Evermore???s soundtrack is one of my favorites of the video game industry. Jeremy Soule was a teenager from Keokuk, Iowa???a weird kid who began writing music around the age of five and annoyed his teachers by turning in musical notation instead of his math homework. By the sixth grade, he was taking private lessons from Western Illinois University faculty members, eventually earning the equivalent of a Master???s degree before he graduated high school. He wasn’t as devoted to classical music as he was video games, though, a culture he believed would earn legitimacy from better music composition. So he did something that took massive balls???he made a cassette tape of his music and sent it to Square and LucasArts with a letter explaining that this is what he thought video game music should aspire to. Despite being the unlikeliest of scenarios, Square listened to the tape and made Soule an employee within two weeks of mailing the letter, immediately assigning him to score Evermore, their Q4 follow-up to Front Mission, Chrono Trigger, and Seiken Densetsu 3. It was an insanely high-profile project for a teenager who???d never worked on a video game before, and he nailed it, which is perhaps a useful reminder in the power of boldness (http://chrisyeh.blogspot.com/2006/06/quote-of-day-boldness-has-genius.html), especially in artistic endeavors. There???s much to be said about the historical importance of this soundtrack and the new elements it brought to video game music, but we???re here to judge the quality of the compositions primarily, so I???ll try to keep this from getting ridiculously long. Soule himself describes the music as mostly ???ambient and low-key???; I???d add that it has a prominent Blade Runner feel, mixed with occasional medieval instrumentation and Latin percussion. It???s a weird combo, but it works to create a very drowsy, mysterious, and violent atmosphere for the game, with enough touches of B-movie sci-fi tropes to match the main character, too.
————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 25
Shining Force II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ieuy5z2r43E)
by Motoaki Takenouchi (1993)
vs.
Comix Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmfkMETAsL8)
by Howard Drossin (1995)
I’m currently staying in a haunted hotel, and listening to Secret of Evermore feels really (!) appropriate, echoing off all this old wood. But I gotta go with Final Fantasy VI. You’re weighing one of the most diverse SNES soundtracks, with some of its greatest tracks, against a collection of music that’s of a piece and brilliant. Tough choice. My other vote goes to Shining Force II.
And for those who are interested, I feel like I owe an explanation for where I’ve been all this time. In the last 10 days I’ve traveled 1,900 miles. I finished teaching the summer semester, turned in my students’ grades, quit my job, moved home, learned the same day a friend died, on that same day also interviewed at four different universities, got a job teaching writing classes, started the fall semester, visited my brother and oldest sister for the first time since Christmas, and flew to Colorado for a wedding. I’m so tired I wouldn’t even know if a ghost was haunting my room right now. The good news is that most of what’s been going on has been good stuff, and it’s so sweet that some people have been worried. No reason to. I’m just in the middle of a packed schedule that I guarantee you I wouldn’t have tried if I’d had any choice. Much rather be home right now, writing about video game music and talking to you guys. Hope everyone is well and having a good end to the summer. I’ll be back en force (hopefully) on Monday.
Edit: Oh god I’m listening to Frogstomp now.
As for the SNES match, I will probably vote for Final Fantasy VI, but I voted for Secret of Evermore against my own expectations last round, so I want to give both soundtracks a complete listen through before I finalize my decision.
Edit: Yeah, Evermore is fabulous but it has nothing on Final Fantasy VI.
But anyway, on to SNES. I gave both of these tracks a good listen and I have to (predictably) go for Final Fantasy VI. It is my favorite to win the whole thing honestly.
As for Genesis I’ll be editing my vote later.
Edit: imo, Shining Force didn’t feel particularly genesisy. It lacked the appeal of titles such as Streets of Rage, Splatterhouse and Golden Axe. I have to give it to Comix Zone.
Shining Force II
Comix Zone was nice, but nothing in the Genesis library beats Shining Force II–at least for me.
edit: oh my, oh my. Garudo left out my favorite track, which is Ending (Finale), and it’s here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbRG2WBwMrc&p=D33FEA1DB992825C&index=24
*sigh*, this soundtrack is golden
Final Fantasy VI
Shining Force II
And welcome back Arthur!
Final Fantasy VI
Bet nobody saw that one coming
Shining Force II
Comix Zone just seemed kind of dull to me.
First off, thanks to everybody for the well wishes and to jakob and Shad for the extra links. 🙂 Have you all seen the chipophone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1pchpDD5EU&feature=youtu.be&a)? That video was going around the internet a week or two ago.
Second, we’ve got a tie between Shining Force II and Comix Zone and need one more vote. Any takers?
Third, are most people using the "Timewarp" skin with the older, darker look? If so, I’ll keep using the yellow text for the name of the rumble.
Fourth, is anybody else annoyed that hyperlinks no longer have a line underneath them? Or am I OCD?
Fifth, I think all future rumble songs should be played as dog and cat sounds. We might need to get drunk to vote every time, but it’ll be worth it.
Shining Force II
Arthur, I’m using timewarp. As for the links not being underlined, I didn’t even notice, but I do hate that when you post a link to youtube or another thread on the forums it auto-formats it with the title and you have to go back in and edit it if you want it to show the regular link.
Also, I did a youtube search on animal sounds from video games and got nothing!
I am using the timewarp; I think it just looks better.
^ This also. And I hadn’t even noticed the disappearance of the underline until you pointed it out Arthur.
Final Fantasy VII ??? Aerith???s Theme
As for our results, there was little competition for Final Fantasy VI (9-1). And the winner for the Genesis Rumble, as you probably guessed, is Shining Force II (6-4). Next up…
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 2
Donkey Kong Country (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z29Mh80JiQ)
by David Wise (
), Eveline Fischer (
), and Robin Beanland (
) (1994)
Description: Donkey Kong Country received well-deserved praise for its stunning pre-rendered 3D graphics, but it was equally hard to ignore the game’s electronic, ambient, and Caribbean-peppered soundtrack. Like the visuals, the music expanded player perceptions of what a Donkey Kong game could be, and, in particular, “Aquatic Ambience” lent emotional complexity to the series that hadn’t been there before. The opening arpeggio that fades in and out, the faux-guitar distortion and piano that follow it, the harp that sweeps upward and gives way to an almost country twang, and then the way that twang recedes into the distance as a little coda finishes off the melody—all cumulatively give the impression of mystery and allure that befits something so mysterious and alluring as the ocean. Other notable tracks include "Simian Segue," "Life in the Mines," "Jungle Groove," "Gang-Plank Galleon," and "Fear Factory."
vs.
Final Fantasy IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8gOOTAWKY8)
by Nobuo Uematsu () (1991)
Description: Everyone knows that Final Fantasy II (for the NES) was not released in North America, which is why Final Fantasy IV was called Final Fantasy II here. What you may not know, though, is that Final Fantasy II on the NES was supposed to be released in North America and was in the process of being translated for several years before the arrival of the Super Nintendo and the Japanese release of Final Fantasy IV led Square to give up on the project, believing they had taken too long and no one would care anymore. But wait! The naming process was even more convoluted than that. Final Fantasy IV (the SNES game that was called Final Fantasy II in the US) was actually not even supposed to be on the Super Nintendo. It was for the NES. Final Fantasy V was supposed to be a simultaneous release on the SNES alongside an NES game called Final Fantasy IV (screenshot (http://www.lostlevels.org/200311/200311-square.shtml)). Square ran out of money, though, so they scrapped Final Fantasy IV for the NES and re-named the SNES game, originally called Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy IV (Ahhhhhhh!). So, in summary, Final Fantasy II (in the US) is Final Fantasy V. Now let’s just re-name the others accordingly: Final Fantasy VI is now VII, VII is VIII, VIII is IX, etc. Or we could chloroform ourselves. 0_0. Anyway, we wouldn’t even be talking about this unless Final Fantasy IV was as good and as popular as it was, with the music being no small part of that success. "Theme of Love," at the top of the heap, is actually taught in music classes to Japanese schoolchildren. Along with that, you’ve got "Main Theme," "Into the Darkness," "Fight 2," "Rydia," "Cry of Sorrow," "Golbez Clad in Dark," "Mystic Mysidia," "Troian Beauty," "Dancing Calcobrena," "Illusionary World," and "The Lunarians" all making their own contributions to the breadth and depth of the soundtrack, tied together in the end with "Epilogue," Uematsu’s warm-up for a similar piece on Final Fantasy VI’s soundtrack.
————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 26
Gley Lancer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cscApMyRdJ8)
by Masanori Hikichi, Noriyuki Iwadare, Yoshiaki Kubotera, and Isao Mizoguchi (1992)
vs.
Earthworm Jim (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E4D22047D2F5794E)
by Mark Miller (1994)
Question for discussion: Is the SNES fight the most difficult decision in the rumble’s history?
My votes are for Final Fantasy IV and Earthworm Jim.
Gley Lancer
Gley Lancer
Grey Lancer This was seriously awesome.
Also it was pretty easy for me to choose. I’ve never been too fond of DKC. Also is it just me or does this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx7mI1rdykw&p=28A6F84189D36D57&index=4) sound a lot like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62ZSQUyU00s)? The drums sound very similar.
I’m going to let this run another day or two since I suspect most people don’t expect me to be back on a two-day schedule. We’ll work back towards that. 🙂 I’ve got yet another big travel schedule this weekend, so I’m hanging onto the thin hope that I can be online tomorrow after 10 hours of driving. Hope everyone is well. Next week, normal life resumes for me. So we’ll have new rounds every other day (the way it should be). 🙂
Earthworm Jim
Gley Lancer
I was never into Earthworm Jim, but that is a pretty fun soundtrack.
Gley Lancer
Geez, one vote for DKC? What a travesty.
As Link006 pointed out, not a lot of love for DKC. I’m a little surprised. Final Fantasy IV crushed it (9-2), and Gley Lancer only got a little more competition (7-4). We’ll see them both again in the near future. Next up, ho ho ho…
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 3
Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QkdQN0T90Q)
by Yasunori Mitsuda (), Nobuo Uematsu (), and Noriko Matsueda () (1995)
Description: For a game that’s considered one of the best of all time, this certainly went through a lot of revision. In fact, the finished product germinated from scrapped ideas for the very early versions of Final Fantasy VII. The game was originally set in New York in 1999 with your character on a mission to blow up the city of Midgar while being followed by a hot-blooded detective named Joe. A sorceress named Edea was also somehow involved. Of course, those ideas got shelved or saved for other games (except for the year 1999). Other influences included the movie Alien and none other than the competitor below—Secret of Mana. What’s remarkable is that this game endured so many changes, incorporated the aesthetics of wildly different artists and programmers, and yet achieved such a unity and playability that it has influenced more games than those that influenced it. Likewise, the music (scored primarily by a vgm rookie) has justified the perception of video game music as a legitimate art form as much as any other soundtrack. Not only has every vgm fan probably heard this soundtrack, every vgm fan also probably has their own favorites off it. With every year, the mythos grows, as do the stories surrounding the soundtrack’s creation. If Mitsuda dreamed some of the songs before writing them, if he really lost half the soundtrack to a hard drive crash and had to recreate them all, if the stress of the job gave him stomach ulcers, if the entire staff cried while watching the final scene of the game together—it all hardly seems to matter. These stories only deepen the relentless currency and emotional depth of the game’s sixty-four tracks.
vs.
Secret of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiA7VtYk3n0)
by Hiroki Kikuta () (1993)
Description: This is an old favorite and a classic of the SNES from the same guy who brought us Soukaigi and Koudelka (as controversial as that soundtrack is). Besides the usual RPG fare, this soundtrack also has some nice jazz pieces, as well as a few interesting tribal songs using clips of voice samples. Because of this soundtrack’s popularity, we know a fair bit about the behind-the-scenes stuff that will sound familiar to fans of Chrono Trigger, including the fact that Kikuta made his own MIDI samples so that he would know exactly how the pieces would sound on the SPC700 instead of having to deal with audio hardware differences between the original MIDI sampler and the Super Nintendo, and that Kikuta spent nearly 24 hours a day in his office working on the soundtrack.
————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 27
Elemental Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLSo2HXObDg)
by Toshiharu Yamanishi (1990)
vs.
Strider (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HpC9w8rpAg)
by Junko Tamiya (1990)
My votes are for Chrono Trigger and Elemental Master.
Genesis vote will be edited later. Edit: Elemental Master. Strider was nice too, though.
Chrono Trigger & Elemental Master
havent played either of those genesis games before, though so the vote there was a random pick.
You do realise we’re voting for the soundtracks of the games, not the games themselves?
Elemental Master
Elemental Master
By the way, thanks for the welcome 🙂
Genesis vote will be edited later. Edit: Elemental Master. Strider was nice too, though.
You do realize we’re voting for the soundtracks of the games, not the games themselves?
still was a random pick in any case. havent heard the music from those two. and yes, i do realize its the soundtracks for games, not the games themselves.
Uuuuh, then do you realise that you can actually listen to the soundtracks before voting…? All you need to do is click on the names of the games in Arthur’s post and you’ll hear the stuff. And once you do that you can decide which you like.
That’s kinda why we’re doing this rumble in the first place.
But Chrono Trigger is my first.
Elemental Master
Chrono Trigger Nobou Uematsu is one of my most favourite composers.
A lot of people equate Chrono Trigger to Uematsu, maybe because he’s the more famous name, but I’d like to set the record straight a bit:
The official Chrono Trigger soundtrack has 64 tracks. Aside from a seven second sample that somehow made the OST cut, Uematsu only wrote eight of them.
His contributions to the soundtrack are very memorable, and the fact that they blend so well with Mitsuda’s work is a testament to Uematsu’s genius. It also goes to show that the composers were not working independently from the game but were well aware of the scenes they were writing for; almost all of Uematsu’s contributions are from 65000000BC and 2300AD.
But it still stands that Mitsuda wrote 54 out of the 64 tracks on the OST. I have never read that his songs were collaborations; as the story goes, after Mitsuda developed stomach ulcers Uematsu was called in to finish up the project.
Here are links to Uematsu’s eight contributions. With amazing tracks like Underground Sewer, Tyran Castle, and Sealed Door, he certainly played a significant role, but a relatively small one:
Silent Light (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y3DqlYFqw0) ~600 AD
People Without a Hope (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdW5K6Dg6Sc) ~2300AD
Bike Chase (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWlKN1Aw6HY) ~2300AD
Underground Sewer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2bQKmnltR4) ~2300AD
Primitive Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnumgbGko1E) ~65000000BC
Burn! Bobonga! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI-EjZFCsWI) ~65000000BC
Tyran Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gVkEUmwstA) ~65000000BC
Sealed Door (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xEz71ZIEmM) ~2300AD
The tenth non-Mitsuda track is the normal boss battle music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phVwKSjz0cc), Noriko Matsueda’s contribution. (Uematsu arranged the track, Matsueda wrote it, from what I’ve read.) I always felt that this was one of the few songs that didn’t really fit the overall feel of the soundtrack.
Mitsuda, interestingly, did write another boss battle theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM3fzCQ18-I) which didn’t make the cut but appears as a bonus track on the OST. (I personally like Matsueda’s more.)
——————————————————————-
Oh, as for Secret of Mana, I want to post up one song that I think really sets out to define the uniqueness of Hiroki Kikuta’s masterpiece–his odd approach to percussion:
Hiroki Kikuta – Steel and Snare (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-2L2VNmuQg)
The same peculiarity persists in the background for most of the album. (Consider what’s going on behind the melody on my favorite track, for example. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEilQOiuE_g))
Still I vote Chrono Trigger Seiken Densetsu 3 was way better than Secret of Mana IMO.
Abstained on Genesis.
Elemental Master
Strider
I’m glad I got my internet back when I did. It would have been a shame if I hadn’t been able to support SoM in what looks to be it’s last round.
Recently a member of The Escapist (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/) posted 2 songs over the course of 2 days, both in tribute to certain videogame characters. The first one is called Gordon Freeman Saved my Life! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMUyjvXpMV0feature=player_embedded#!) in tribute to Gordon Freeman from the Half-Life games and the second is The Ballad of Clay Carmine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO3AQzsASOA&feature=channel) in tribute to Clay Carmine from Gears of War. Be sure to subscribe to this guy, because both songs are ridiculously awesome and he’s a talented fellow. He says he has more songs on the way, so I’ll be on the lookout for those as well 😀
@Smarty: Thanks for the links! I just saw them as I was about to post, so I???m listening to them right now.
I’m glad I got my internet back when I did. It would have been a shame if I hadn’t been able to support SoM in what looks to be it’s last round.
Unfortunately, it looks like that???s the case. Chrono Trigger won big (7-2), as did Elemental Master (7-1). I???m starting to get really excited about the semifinals.
But before that, here???s the final battle of the quarterfinals. After this, we???ll switch over solely to SNES soundtracks until that rumble is finished, as usual.
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 4
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2KYrEI5JZY)
by Koji Kondo (
) (1991)
Description: This is an important game in the Zelda series. Some of the gameplay contributions include multi-level dungeons, the hookshot, the Master Sword, the spin attack, and parallel worlds???all of which have become important features in the other games. But more to the point for us, this game established several hallmark songs for the series. ???Zelda???s Lullaby,??? ???Ganondorf’s Theme,??? ???Hyrule Castle,??? ???Kakariko Village,??? and ???Fairy Fountain??? all started here. Add to that list the exclusive tracks, such as ???Forest,??? ???Dark World,??? and ???Church,??? and you???ve got one of the best soundtracks of all time.
vs.
Super Turrican (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwaTdxHU4l8)
by Chris H???lsbeck (
) (1993)
Description: There are a lot of little surprises in this soundtrack, considering it???s meant to be played in the background of a run and gun game. The tempo is unusually slow for that genre, as is the thematic development in most songs, and the accompaniment more often contributes atmosphere than the acrobatic harmonies of, say, Contra???s music. The unusualness of the music may be more understandable, though, if you know who composed the soundtrack. Chris H???lsbeck has long been an underappreciated, but unique voice on the video game music scene???especially in the early days. His soundtracks for The Great Giana Sisters and Turrican 1 & 2 on the Commodore 64 are still classics, and his music replay routine for the Amiga (called ???TFMX???) opened the door for pitch bends, sound macros, and individual tempos for each track of music on a game for the system. Still, it seems appropriate that, here again, he???s a dark horse.
————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 28
Sword of Vermillion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubbG74MUFW0)
by Hiroshi Kawaguchi (1989)
vs.
Ecco: The Tides of Time (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3FE1C568076AF5B5)
by Andr???s Magyari, Attila Dobos, David Javelosa, and Andy Armer (1994)
My votes are for Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Sword of Vermillion.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is maybe a little overrated–it certainly wouldn’t appear in my top four–but I do like it quite a lot. Too bad we didn’t get to see it square off against Secret of Mana. I think that would have been an interesting, close competition.
Ecco: The Tides of Time
I’m going for the undedog here. Super Turrican
As for Genesis, it was pretty easy Ecco: The Tides of Time
Ecco 2: The Tides of Time
Ecco 2: The Tides of Time
Sword of Vermillion
I don’t really like either of the Genesis soundtracks, though Sword of Vermillion annoys me less, so I’ll go with that.
[Edit to remove strange double post.]
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 1
Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QkdQN0T90Q)
by Yasunori Mitsuda (), Nobuo Uematsu (), and Noriko Matsueda () (1995)
Previously beat: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Super Castlevania IV, Demon’s Crest, Secret of Mana
Description: For a game that???s considered one of the best of all time, this certainly went through a lot of revision. In fact, the finished product germinated from scrapped ideas for the very early versions of Final Fantasy VII. The game was originally set in New York in 1999 with your character on a mission to blow up the city of Midgar while being followed by a hot-blooded detective named Joe. A sorceress named Edea was also somehow involved. Of course, those ideas got shelved or saved for other games (except for the year 1999). Other influences included the movie Alien and the Secret of Mana. What???s remarkable is that this game endured so many changes, incorporated the aesthetics of wildly different artists and programmers, and yet achieved such a unity and playability that it has influenced more games than those that influenced it. Likewise, the music (scored primarily by a vgm rookie) has justified the perception of video game music as a legitimate art form as much as any other soundtrack. Not only has every vgm fan probably heard this soundtrack, every vgm fan also probably has their own favorites off it. With every year, the mythos grows, as do the stories surrounding the soundtrack???s creation. If Mitsuda dreamed some of the songs before writing them, if he really lost half the soundtrack to a hard drive crash and had to recreate them all, if the stress of the job gave him stomach ulcers, if the entire staff cried while watching the final scene of the game together???it all hardly seems to matter. These stories only deepen the relentless currency and emotional depth of the game???s sixty-four tracks.
vs.
Final Fantasy IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8gOOTAWKY8)
by Nobuo Uematsu () (1991)
Previously beat: Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen, Ninja Gaiden Trilogy, Live A Live, Donkey Kong Country
Description: Everyone knows that Final Fantasy II (for the NES) was not released in North America, which is why Final Fantasy IV was called Final Fantasy II here. What you may not know, though, is that Final Fantasy II on the NES was supposed to be released in North America and was in the process of being translated for several years before the arrival of the Super Nintendo and the Japanese release of Final Fantasy IV led Square to give up on the project, believing they had taken too long and no one would care anymore. But wait! The naming process was even more convoluted than that. Final Fantasy IV (the SNES game that was called Final Fantasy II in the US) was actually not even supposed to be on the Super Nintendo. It was for the NES. Final Fantasy V was supposed to be a simultaneous release on the SNES alongside an NES game called Final Fantasy IV (screenshot (http://www.lostlevels.org/200311/200311-square.shtml)). Square ran out of money, though, so they scrapped Final Fantasy IV for the NES and re-named the SNES game, originally called Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy IV (Ahhhhhhh!). So, in summary, Final Fantasy II (in the US) is Final Fantasy V. Anyway, we wouldn’t even be talking about this unless Final Fantasy IV was as good and as popular as it was, with the music being no small part of that success. "Theme of Love," at the top of the heap, is actually taught in music classes to Japanese schoolchildren. Along with that, you’ve got "Main Theme," "Into the Darkness," "Fight 2," "Rydia," "Cry of Sorrow," "Golbez Clad in Dark," "Mystic Mysidia," "Troian Beauty," "Dancing Calcobrena," "Illusionary World," and "The Lunarians" all making their own contributions to the breadth and depth of the soundtrack, tied together in the end with "Epilogue," Uematsu’s warm-up for a similar piece on Final Fantasy VI’s soundtrack.
————————————————————————————————
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 2
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2KYrEI5JZY)
by Koji Kondo () (1991)
Previously beat: Illusion of Gaia, Street Fighter II, Super Mario World, Super Turrican
Description: This is an important game in the Zelda series. Some of the gameplay contributions include multi-level dungeons, the hookshot, the Master Sword, the spin attack, and parallel worlds???all of which have become important features in the other games. But more to the point for us, this game established several hallmark songs for the series. ???Zelda???s Lullaby,??? ???Ganondorf’s Theme,??? ???Hyrule Castle,??? ???Kakariko Village,??? and ???Fairy Fountain??? all started here. Add to that list the exclusive tracks, such as ???Forest,??? ???Dark World,??? and ???Church,??? and you???ve got one of the best soundtracks of all time.
vs.
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOFlauTcX_s)
by Nobuo Uematsu () (1994)
Previously beat: Blackthorne, Dragon Quest VI, Seiken Densetsu 3, Secret of Evermore
Description: What can I say that hasn???t already been said? This soundtrack is a masterpiece. The unusually high number of character themes and clever deployment of leitmotifs throughout the soundtrack are just the first admirable facets of this work. There is a level of attention to detail throughout the soundtrack that is remarkable given the mishmash variety of occupations, backgrounds, cultures, and events in the game, and if the soundtrack suffers any from its broad scope, it at least makes a compelling attempt to resolve those tensions in the staggering finale, in which most of the game???s themes are interwoven seamlessly into one piece.
My votes are for Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI. 😀
Final Fantasy VI
EDIT: Besides IV is "probably" my fauvorite Uematsu OST.
Final Fantasy VI
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Final Fantasy VI
It’s the matchup everyone knew was coming. Still interested to see what’s going to happen.
For anyone who’s never heard Nine Inch Nails before, I should warn you that his lyrics are pretty awful sometimes. You have to kinda ignore them. The first time I showed my wife "Closer" I kept saying, "Yeah, but listen to the bass line!" She’s a classical composer, so this was definitely not her thing. But now she thinks The Downward Spiral is the only perfect album.
Anyway, video games. Music. Finals. Coming up.
I agree with aces4839, too, that Trent’s still making great music. His new outfit with his new wife, How to Destroy Angels, needs time to evolve. But he has a long enough line of credit in my book for me to wait for that.
In fact, I???d argue that both soundtracks prove that video game music is art because of that ability. As an emerging medium, still encumbered by super-deformed visuals and weak writing, video games needed the music to overcome those limitations and allow the players to make strong emotional connections to the story and characters. Gameplay is important, but a game that???s fun to play without ever demanding our emotional investment won???t stand the test of time. These games were early examples that we were onto something, despite what the popular perception of games was (and to some degree still is).
It???ll take looking at the main themes and the strength of their variations, the character themes, the battle themes, the location themes, the incidental music, and everything else the composers brought to bear to decide this one. Six months went by before we got to this final. Who???s gonna win???
The SNES Soundtracks Rumble
Final Round
Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhM8qHAowgM&feature=PlayList&p=F4A962609426A93B&index=0&playnext=1)
by Yasunori Mitsuda, Nobuo Uematsu, and Noriko Matsueda (1995)
vs.
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDH4pLa7TI0&feature=PlayList&p=06AB6E3F68E2F48D&index=0&playnext=1)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1994)
The above links go to the full soundtracks. I’ve got a lot of debating to do, so I’ll withhold my vote for now.
It’s the absolute best combination of style, excitement, emotion and brilliance and is also easily one of the greatest accomplishments in video game music history. And I’ll be damned if I call anything else Uematsu’s best.
Chrono Trigger is also great. But I can’t give it the crown. Not against an opponent like this.
Edit: Hey Arthur, are you finished with whatever it was that kept you busy all this time, or are you simply waiting so that everyone can vote?
There’s nothing wrong with the battle tracks of this game Arthur. I just think that Mitsuda isn’t good enough to bring excitement that battle tracks requires. But he only composed a small number of battle tracks on this game so it goes unnoticed.
There are certain number tracks in VI that I don’t like at all.
I’ve wished that VI & IV had an encounter… really.
Never thought I would hear myself vote for FF.
Plus there’s about 900 points for nostalgia. As I’ve shared in the past, one of my fondest memories as a kid was recording my favorite themes onto a cassette tape, so that I’d be able to hear them whenever I wanted. The recordings were AWFUL, but I loved them.
Haha I so made cassette tapes of every single Squaresoft and Enix game as a kid.
Plus I think the first cd I ever bought was Kefka’s Domain (http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/ff3kefka/index.html).
My five-year-old computer keeps trying to die. I’ve been on the site a couple times since posting only to get the blue screen of death. Same thing happened when I kept trying to listen to the two soundtracks. So I wanted to at least wait until I got my vote in, plus a day. I think we’ll give it another 24 hours and see if that seems fair.
I did Descent, because that was my favorite game when I was 13 (still is, actually). I did a couple of Lemmings tracks for my brother, who immediately made me regret that decision by playing them all CONSTANTLY.
Haha. Descent is awesome. But I’m with Shad. Final Fantasy VI was my first VG CD. Didn’t get to Symphony of the Night until I was in my twenties.
Welp. Here’s where I stand with my vote…
In my mind, Final Fantasy VI has quantifiably more classic, great songs.
But I listen to my favorites from Chrono Trigger much more regularly.
But I have more favorites from Final Fantasy VI.
But Chrono Trigger is a more organic and unified listening experience.
But Final Fantasy VI goes for more (regarding numbers of themes and their variations, arrangements, and range of moods).
But Final Fantasy VI has more throwaway tracks.
But Final Fantasy VI is more technically impressive.
:-\
In the same breath, both have emotional weight.
Both have very strong main themes that get wonderful variations throughout the game.
Both are the best of the best in vgm.
Both make me sentimental.
I guess it comes down to which I’d take on a deserted island. And that’d be Chrono Trigger.
After Final Fantasy VI, Uematsu said he didn’t like writing a lot of character themes because he thought those efforts were wasted. If the story didn’t call for a character to be a strong presence, why should that person have a very strong theme? And while I wouldn’t ever say Uematsu’s efforts on this soundtrack were wasted, on the whole the extensiveness of the soundtrack does make it an effort to listen to. I’m likely to stop listening to this soundtrack, come back later, be impressed, get tired, do something else, and come back again, whereas with Chrono Trigger I always sorta feel like I can pick up the game or the soundtrack and do it in one go. For me, there’s more of a fun factor with Chrono Trigger. It doesn’t require as much of an emotional investment as Final Fantasy VI (although CT does reward an emotional investment), which gives it the added bonus of being a great first soundtrack for a new listener to SNES music. In fact, I showed "Corridors of Time" to a friend the other day, and he loved it, even though he’s 30 years old and has listened to practically nothing except hardcore punk since he was a kid. So if I look at it from the angle of, "What could I show a newbie to VGM in one go that could summarize the power of the SNES’s music?" it’d be Chrono Trigger (although I’d then show that person Final Fantasy VI; then I think we’d have ’em hooked).
That computer screams FORMAT C:\
Funny thing is I’ve just formatted my PC today & installed XP again. Because of the same thing.
It talks about music in video games in general. I agree 100%. Also it’s gonna be a trip to memory lane for a lot of you, believe me :D. It’s a really good video, check it out.
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDH4pLa7TI0&feature=PlayList&p=06AB6E3F68E2F48D&index=0&playnext=1)!
by Nobuo Uematsu () (1994)
What can I say that hasn’t already been said? This soundtrack is a masterpiece. The unusually high number of character themes and clever deployment of leitmotifs throughout the soundtrack are just the first admirable facets of this work. There is a level of attention to detail throughout the soundtrack that is remarkable given the mishmash variety of occupations, backgrounds, cultures, and events in the game, and if the soundtrack suffers any from its broad scope, it at least makes a compelling attempt to resolve those tensions in the staggering finale, in which most of the game’s themes are interwoven seamlessly into one piece.
Fun Fact: The English translation of the game was done by one man, Ted Woolsey, in just 30 days despite the necessity of many script changes to remove cursing, violence, religious references, and sexuality. On top of that, he had to make name changes and story revisions to squeeze all the text into the cartridge’s limited storage space. The speed at which he completed this mammoth task resulted in some questionable choices, including Woolsey’s infamous translation of “Son of a bitch!” in the original Japanese to “Son of a submariner!” in the American version.
Fun Fact 2: This is the only soundtrack to win TWO rumbles!
Record: 7-1, 7-0, 7-1, 9-1, 7-2, 6-5
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
We’ll continue with Genesis soundtracks and vote on the next battle very soon.
Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you’d like to do, shoot me a PM. I’m open to anything. Also, you can see and make suggestions on the themes we’ve already worked on at our VGM Rumble Group, found here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20).
Bonus pictures:
(Suikoden rumble go go go!)
I agree.
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 29
Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=EC78EAE4FF201C64)
by Tadashi Joukagi and Setsuo Yamamoto (1992)
vs.
Rocket Knight Adventures (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaD5_qhWTLw)
by Masanori Oouchi, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Masanori Adachi, Aki Hata, and Michiru Yamane (1993)
————————————————————————————————
Deciding the Next Rumble Rumble
For the below vote, it’s better to put several down so that I know which theme would appeal to the largest number of people. As always, majority rules.
Last time we took a vote, Genesis got 5 votes, Suikoden got 4, Mitsuda got 4, finishing the SNES rumble by itself got 3, and Mega Man got 1. Out of a sense of fairness, I think we should go with one of the two second-place rumbles from last time since people have been waiting for those for a long time, OR we could finish the Genesis by itself (although doing two rumbles has the advantages that Shad mentioned).
Doing Mitsuda, Suikoden, or Genesis solo would also give me time to throw in my two cents for the PS2 rumble and finish working on the other rumble requests (some of them now ancient): Sakuraba, Megami Tensei, Non-Koji/Non-Uematsu Composers, Best of the PS1, Sakimoto, Follin, Battle Themes, and Zelda—all of which (except for Zelda and MegaTen) are just about ready to be posted on the group page.
As usual, more details about each rumble can be found here ( http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20). Choose one or more…
1) The Best of Mega Man – 32 songs
2) The Best of Suikoden – 32 songs
3) The Best of Yasunori Mitsuda – 16 soundtracks
4) The Best of the PS2 – 64 soundtracks
5) None (we’d focus on the Genesis rumble and do 2 fights at a time instead of 1)
I’m happy with whatever we do, so I’m only going to vote for a Genesis soundtrack: Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition.
Also, None. We should go hardcore on the Genesis for now.
Best of Suikoden is definitely my biggest interest. Any best of would be fine. The only thing I’m decidedly against is the None option.
Aaaaaaaaand…
Street Fighter 2, even though it’s an UNFAIR match up because the Special Edition soundtrack was not original while the Rocket Knight one was. 😛
Best of Mega Man (I don’t know why everyone’s in such a hurry to get done with the Genesis rumble… the rumble is what’s enjoyable, the crowning is just a formality).
I would vote for Yasunori Mitsuda since it is pretty short. That way it could finish up around the same time as the Genesis.
Suikoden is what i would love the most, but Mitsuda can be a prelude to it:)
and
we have a tie between the Mitsuda rumble and sticking with the Genesis.
I’ll flip a coin if we don’t get any more votes in the next 24 hours.
Edit: Oh bother, I think I was already counted towards Mitsuda and I can’t delete this post.
EDIT: Apropos of nothing: The opening (http://www.bestweekever.tv/2010-09-30/svu-shows-off-mom-like-knowledge-of-videogames-and-gamers/) to Law and Order: SVU’s recent episode on gamers. “This is Level 20, the Kingdom of Galigar!”
"Whoa. Where the hell’d you come from?"
"The real world. Join us."
"Hell no! Plug us back in!"
I like the sleeve-less shirt. I should try that. Greater range of motion and all.
Anyway, coin flip coming tomorrow. 😀 Need to get some sleep.
Anyway, the consequence of all that is that my time is being split between backing up my files, working, sitting at the car dealership, and doing the things that I actually enjoy–like the rumble. 😀
As for that last item, the coin flip made Rocket Knight Adventures the winner of the Genesis rumble and also determined that we’ll do the Mitsuda rumble side by side with the Genesis rumble. I hope that’s not a huge inconvenience for those who wanted to stick with the Genesis for now. I know the postings have been dragged out these last two months, but as soon as I can we’ll be back on a normal every other day schedule. On that note, I will post the next update asap.
Hope everyone is doing well!
EDIT: In the meantime, 9 Video Game Easter Eggs That Took Years to Find (http://www.cracked.com/article_18801_9-video-game-easter-eggs-that-took-years-to-find.html)
———- Post added at 02:58 AM ———- Previous post was at 02:22 AM ———-
Told you it’d be as soon as possible. 🙂 Looks like I’ll need a day or two to get organized and update links, so I’m doubling up on the Genesis rumble this time around. In two days, we’ll do a final check on the soundtrack selection for the Mitsuda rumble. Then we’ll get started.
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 30
Contra: Hard Corps (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HslRqaGWep4)
by Michiru Yamane, Aki Hata, and Hiroshi Kobayashi (1994)
vs.
Shining Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo9bgGbK_lA)
by Masahiko Yoshimura (1992)
————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 31
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B25B0844FEC5AF97&feature=bf)
by Brad Buxer, Howard Drossin, Jun Senoue, Tokuhiko Uwabo, Tomonori Sawada, Naofumi Hataya, and Michael Jackson (1994)
vs.
Sub-Terrania (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBh8AG5GCss)
by Jesper Kyd (1994)
My votes are for Shining Force and Sonic 3 & Knuckles (although both competitors rock).
Sub-Terrania Jesper Kyd fanboy here. Besides I honestly felt Sonic 3 was inferior to 1 and 2.
Sub-Terrania – I’ll echo Smarty’s sentiments to the letter.
Sub-Terrania
Contra: Hard Corps
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
I very nearly voted for Contra: Hard Corps. It reminds me of both streets of rage and the sonic series at once. Also, castlevania song? That was odd, but no points off there (because it was cool!) Very very catchy rhythms, and good melodies as well!
Sub-Terrania was huge in its "foot-tapping-ness" (catchy as hell!) but I just like Sonic 3 too much. It’s interesting that you actually credit Michael Jackson on Sonic 3, I thought that wasn’t confirmed.
"Confirmed" is hard to establish with this one, as you probably know. Normally, if a developer says, "Yes. That person worked on our project but didn’t finish it out," then you’d tend to believe him. But with Sonic 3 & Knuckles, you have some people saying yes, some people saying no, and some people saying maybe???all of them legit members of the development process. Because there were split teams, and everything was in development for a while, and the tracks bear resemblances to Jackson’s work, it seems believable that he was involved. In the same breath, much of the evidence presented to "prove" that he was one of the composers has been debunked. What’s true, and what motivation some people might have for lying, is still unclear. Because of that I don’t know definitively whether he did or didn’t, but it’s common practice everywhere I looked to list Jackson as a composer despite the ongoing debate.
Well, this one was close. I agree with everyone’s sentiments that all four soundtracks were deserving. But the winners were Shining Force (4-3) and Sonic 3 & Knuckles (4-3). Next up is the final fight of Round 1 and the final check on the Mitsuda soundtrack list before we get started. For the latter, please take a look to see if there are any glaring omissions. Starting soon!
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 1, Fight 32
Adventures of Batman and Robin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7mbxJRed38)
by Jesper Kyd (1994)
vs.
Super Fantasy Zone ( http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=2D592A81272F4444)
by Naoki Kodaka and Hiroshi Kawaguchi (1992)
————————————————————————————————
Here’s the list for the Mitsuda rumble. All links should now work.
1. Arc Rise Fantasia (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=333103F1B4791419) ??? Imperial Northernlands Topazion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StQTLjIi_mk), Snow Falling on Opalus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvFENa26JIM), A Grand Existence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNvLDZ5VHzY), Meridian Hikoutei Squad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKisFvNFGT8), Diamant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQJzxRLqTPY) (w/ Shunsuke Tsuchiya and Yuki Harada)
2. Bomberman 64: The Second Attack (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=6BB71F30B6236F43) ??? Warship Noah (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd79fQdyxkI), Aquanet I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2jc_Si6liM), Stage Select (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTFzDqkA3hg), Rukifellth’s Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSBqdbyt-ow), Miheale Theme II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyStjIeKCLg) (w/ Yoshitaka Hirota)
3. Chrono Cross (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D60FDA0E024BE41F) ??? Time’s Scar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8), Star-Stealing Girl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoEMaWrQBQM), Ghost’s Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLmvWxotH1I), Gale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLc1xnZPlvY), Garden of the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBzrdbzKRFg)
4. Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=CBDBB48ABBDB7BF9) ??? Schala’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCSIH7vsmTY), Undersea Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfERAdq5GnI), Millennial Fair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klmOoxY_Cjc), Battle with Magus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbbLN_GRSNI), Corridors of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg513kMhnNs) (w/ Nobuo Uematsu and Noriko Matsueda)
5. Deep Labyrinth (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=AE74C0AEAC316F49) ??? Shou and Alf’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXxlwoLYnHg), Maiden of the Crystal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPRfA7oML2k), To the Labyrinth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VuMyQZevT0), Sword of a Lost Legend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InSsOG1WfsM), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78qyZfIAmZo)
6. Front Mission: Gun Hazard (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B49073FE113587C4) ??? Last Words (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fDdwv6pZn4), Impatience Part Two (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx0THGCgNt0), Pull Out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmZuN0mk9QQ), Footsteps (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMi3H6T5pP8), Royce Felder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsxD0xtC_es) (w/ Nobuo Uematsu, Junya Nakano, and Masashi Hamauzu)
7. Graffiti Kingdom (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=EB97F3A6C712348F) ??? Forest of Illusion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mJLFNMdGhQ), Testing My Ability (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE9b7rYdF4w), Thoroughly Prepared (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtcTGg2_yMY), Wagon Tracks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHaHldnCtY4), A Lonely Heart and Inner Ambitions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLapyZ4nT44)
8. Legaia 2: Duel Saga (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B67D0FB1FE585B9A) ??? Wasteland Of Far Away Places (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVtUHDGpeDY), Fight Then Riot! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsK4EOMFB-Q), Fragments of Soul (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwDcENVXis8), God’s Fist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3Llfzu7cJg), Advancing To Far Away Places (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61RtpMC-Cp8) (w/ Hitoshi Sakimoto and Michiru Oshima)
9. Mario Party (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=9A9491796185C67B) ??? Tropical Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YayGG57EDQw), Jungle Adventure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB-Eas9Ms_E), Mushroom Shop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwfyLCIwH-U), Rainbow Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCbgBiNZ_RE), Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3maL64vE8CQ)
10. Sands of Destruction (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=EC591E253271EB08) ??? Sands of Destruction (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhWWu18Ilaw), The Creator (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3CvKqOKN0Y), Fallenmine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-Z6Wq1CKr4), Sand Rider (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdHhNRcrskc), Plateau (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4llSCsYDA3Q) (w/ Shunsuke Tsuchiya and Kazumi Mitome)
11. Shadow Hearts (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=2996BD6AEDC54EDF) ??? Steel Soul-tanjou (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaqXh_UZExc), China Ogre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8qAGDOE5es), Coffin Fetish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS5UlXyREyM), Highnoon Fish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHeIrWdLbnw), Bacon’s Juice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIr3ZKky1dc)
12. Shadow Hearts: Covenant (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F3426A4974FFD1B5) ??? Map of Europe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnd93cGX5cc), European Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OOthRuvRpM), Astaroth ~ Fallen Angel Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D0zAvQJ5NM), Personal History (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uexv2uSPyw), Inugami Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHmn68-_Q38) (w/ Yoshitaka Hirota, Kenji Ito, and Tomoko Kobayashi)
13. Soma Bringer (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D21BE97E9975A5CC) ??? The Bonds that Return to the Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYTTqcdKLKs), Signal of Emergency (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvzA3q8O-rs), Temple of the Sand Coffin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL_itlxszK0), Junel Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWUWxOoCKZc), Alertia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxiBPXbjufI)
14. Tsugunai: Atonement (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=327E48268A51CEA5) ??? Spirit Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0LGlzbc234), Evening in the Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQH85OVetOc), Battle – Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVZ0M41le4I), Nabi Fairy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ejEsBHErE0), Whilst I Sleep (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCSv6eWSPMc)
15. Xenogears (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=DCBCA0F06AA2551A) ??? Wings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHlF6TV1im0), Shebat the Wind Is Calling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nMHsFOEZmo), Knight of Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vtYBIod9ak), June Mermaid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCmED_YDqs), Stage of Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzW06O5kk4)
16. Xenosaga Episode 1: Der Wille zur Macht (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=75103D71E579CE86) ??? Relief (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ9_xZA1pfA), Beach of Nothingness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_2pKh5KiCk), Life or Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdSSxxnIjzE), U.M.N. Mode (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Rsj8Q_WB_8), U-TIC System (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlSertOUaZ4)
Leftovers
– Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B9ECCF2384716385) and Mario Party 2 (http://www.youtube.com/user/ParanormalExpert#g/c/71E71C527AC02023) (only composed a few songs and I can’t find which those were)
– Radical Dreamers (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=771CE144D4D95744) (only has 16 songs total, several of which were redone for Chrono Cross)
– Tobal No. 1 ??? Tobal No. 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMTMVzcaV_o), Vice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkwYQSmpc8Q), Your Name Is… (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QuZ9_2JYlk), Electrical Indian (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8ejZ1xdWvM), Stage Clear (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MynofQreVs), What (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSHF2xOV8Pw) (only wrote 6 songs)
– Luminous Arc (one wrote one song)
– Tsukiyo ni Saraba, Inazuma Eleven, etc. (couldn’t find)
As for the Genesis soundtracks, my vote is for Adventures of Batman & Robin (although this song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p0kQ79VTws) kicks ass).
Adventures of Batman and Robin
Also, the Mitsuda list looks fine to me.
For teh lulz
Yasunori Mitsuda was born in Tokuyama in the Yamaguchi Prefecture and raised in Kumage. As a child, he studied the piano and developed an interest in computers, teaching himself to program simple songs and games on his PC. That interest led him to enroll in Tokyo’s Junior College of Music, where he continued his studies and made contacts.
One of those, Nobuo Uematsu, later set Mitsuda on his career path by showing him an advertisement for an opening in the music department at Squaresoft. Mitsuda sent in a demo reel, which won him an interview at the game studio, and despite a "disastrous" (as he describes it) experience, he was offered a position in April, 1992. Joining him was college friend and fellow musician Yoshitaka Hirota.
Chrono Trigger, Mitsuda’s first soundtrack as a composer (and first collaboration with Uematsu), proved instantly popular with fans. The following year, he joined Uematsu again for the sidescrolling action game Front Mission: Gun Hazard, working with new Squaresoft recruits Junya Nakano and Masashi Hamauzu. Having thus developed a working relationship with a variety of Square’s composers and sound designers, Mitsuda tapped them for Tobal No. 1’s soundtrack, a Playstation game he produced. His last contribution to Square was the solo soundtrack for 1998’s Xenogears.
Mitsuda then went freelance, though he continued to work closely with Squaresoft on projects like Chrono Cross. He was also the central contributor to the Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht soundtrack and has since released non-mainstream-game music, such as his CD Sailing to the World and his works with Masato Kato under the name “kiЯitɘ.”
Mitsuda’s compositional style is first and foremost pervaded by Celtic influences. This stylistic element is particularly evident in his Chrono Cross soundtrack and first solidified in the Xenogears arranged album CREID. Apart from his professed love of the Celtic style, Mitsuda’s musical classification is multifaceted. For example, the Chrono Cross track "Chronomantic" has elements of Caribbean music, while the song "The Great Sneff’s Troupe" from that same soundtrack has an East Asian flavor. A number of his compositions also resemble traditional Indian music, such as the Chrono Trigger tracks "Corridor of Time" and "Schala’s Theme." His music is also frequently minimalistic. His final battle themes for Chrono Trigger and Xenogears are based on only a few chords each, with the latter containing only two. He has cited Maurice Ravel, J.S. Bach, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Claude Debussy, Robert Schumann, Anton???n Dvoř???k, and Gustav Holst as influences.
Mitsuda claims to compose by "just fool[ing] around on [his] keyboard" and letting the melodies come to him. He also sometimes comes up with songs while asleep, including the ending theme to Chrono Trigger and "Bonds of Sea and Fire" from Xenogears, though his sources of inspiration more often come from visuals like paintings. When he starts to compose a soundtrack, he first takes one month to gather information and artwork about the game world and scenario, so that his music will fit.
Mitsuda names his favorite works as the soundtracks to the Chrono series, Xenogears, Xenosaga Episode I, and the original album Kirite, though he also says that all of his soundtracks are "representational works," meaning they represent who he was as a composer when he made them. His favorite pieces overall are "The Girl Who Closed Her Heart" and "Pain" from Xenosaga Episode I.
———- Post added at 01:58 AM ———- Previous post was at 01:55 AM ———-
Obviously, the bio gives a lot of attention to the Chrono and Xeno games. Appropriate, given our first fight below. But, as you’ll see, Mitsuda’s got a lot good stuff for us on the other soundtracks.
As for the previous fights, it was an easy win for Adventures of Batman and Robin (5-1). And with that, we are ready to begin!
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 1
Landstalker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MvZ8b1fOAI)
by Motoaki Takenouchi (1992)
vs.
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B25B0844FEC5AF97&feature=bf)
by Brad Buxer, Howard Drossin, Jun Senoue, Tokuhiko Uwabo, Tomonori Sawada, Naofumi Hataya, and Michael Jackson (1994)
————————————————————————————————
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Round 1, Fight 1
Chrono Cross
– Time’s Scar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8)
– Star-Stealing Girl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoEMaWrQBQM)
– Ghost’s Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLmvWxotH1I)
– Gale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLc1xnZPlvY)
– Garden of the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBzrdbzKRFg)
vs.
Xenosaga Episode 1: Der Wille zur Macht
– Relief (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ9_xZA1pfA)
– Beach of Nothingness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_2pKh5KiCk)
– Life or Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdSSxxnIjzE)
– U.M.N. Mode (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Rsj8Q_WB_8)
– U-TIC System (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlSertOUaZ4)
My votes are for Landstalker and Chrono Cross. I have mixed opinions about Chrono Cross as a game, but the soundtrack definitely ranks among Mitsuda’s best for me. It was hard to simplify it to five representative songs, considering all of the area themes, leitmotifs, and variations on the main theme. Likewise, Xenosaga is excellent, multifaceted, and arguably a more complex soundtrack. The gorgeous recordings are even better on headphones. What it lacks in my mind, though, is a "Time’s Scar." But don’t hold me to that. In fact, on another day I might have given it my vote. The more I think about it, the more unsure I am. This should be close…
Xenosaga Episode 1: Der Wille zur Macht
Edit2: OK, Xenosaga is slightly better than Cross.
Landstalker
And even though Xenosaga is nice, I can’t turn down a vote for one my favorite soundtracks of all time Chrono Cross gets my vote. Time’s Scar is perhaps my most favorite piece of music ever written. It’s just one of those pieces that gives me a tingly sensation down my spine and makes my skin all goose-bumpy every time I hear it 🙂 That, and I absolutely love the remix-ability of the entire soundtrack. ^__^
And even though Xenosaga is nice, I can’t turn down a vote for one my favorite soundtracks of all time Chrono Cross gets my vote. Time’s Scar is perhaps my most favorite piece of music ever written. It’s just one of those pieces that gives me a tingly sensation down my spine and makes my skin all goose-bumpy every time I hear it 🙂
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/EarlyMemphis/Smileys/BeerCheersSmiley.gif
Based on those samples I definitely have to give my vote to Xenosaga, but I’m going to try to download the whole soundtrack and give it a more critical listen in the next day. I know the Chrono Cross soundtrack by heart and this is my first time hearing Xenosaga.
Also, a Chrono Cross compilation can’t be complete without Fossil Valley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCkNgKlrwLw). 🙂
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 2
Uncharted Waters: New Horizons (http://www.mediafire.com/file/ngtoylnikmm/Uncharted%20Waters%20II-%20New%20Horizons%20OST.zip)
by Yoko Kanno (1994)
vs.
Gunstar Heroes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8_h_MnMk0k)
by Kazuo Hanzawa (1993)
————————————————————————————————
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Round 1, Fight 2
Deep Labyrinth
– Shou and Alf’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXxlwoLYnHg)
– Maiden of the Crystal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPRfA7oML2k)
– To the Labyrinth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VuMyQZevT0)
– Sword of a Lost Legend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InSsOG1WfsM)
– Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78qyZfIAmZo)
vs.
Shadow Hearts
– Steel Soul-tanjou (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaqXh_UZExc)
– China Ogre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8qAGDOE5es)
– Coffin Fetish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS5UlXyREyM)
– Highnoon Fish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHeIrWdLbnw)
– Bacon’s Juice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIr3ZKky1dc)
Once again, thank you to jakob.nelson for making the Uncharted Waters download available to us. 🙂 I???m going with that one for the Genesis rumble, and Shadow Hearts for Mitsuda. Some of it reminds me of X-COM: UFO Defense and even a little of Symphony of the Night. Other times it sounds like Shenmue. Deep Labyrinth is probably more unified, but I like the variety of this one.
Shadow Hearts
Shadow Hearts
I’ll give my Mitsuda pick in a bit.
Edit: Definitely Shadow Hearts
Shadow Hearts
Deep Labyrinth Took me by surprise. It’s the 1st time I hear about this game and like it. "Mitsudish" to the core, but for me it’s not a bad thing:D
…………….
……………………….
………………………………………
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve never heard Deep Labyrinth before, and I really like Shadow Hearts music…. I had to play twice to figure out if I liked the game :p………. but now that I’ve heard some DL tracks……. I just can’t chose between them T__T They’re both really good.
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 3
Elemental Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLSo2HXObDg)
by Toshiharu Yamanishi (1990)
vs.
Jewel Master (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B7D95C8BF87ABC4E)
by Motoaki Takenouchi (1991)
————————————————————————————————
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Round 1, Fight 3
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack
– Warship Noah (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd79fQdyxkI)
– Aquanet I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2jc_Si6liM)
– Stage Select (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTFzDqkA3hg)
– Rukifellth’s Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSBqdbyt-ow)
– Miheale Theme II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyStjIeKCLg)
– Mitsuda co-composed this soundtrack with Yoshitaka Hirota.
vs.
Sands of Destruction
– Sands of Destruction (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhWWu18Ilaw)
– The Creator (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3CvKqOKN0Y)
– Fallenmine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-Z6Wq1CKr4)
– Sand Rider (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdHhNRcrskc)
– Plateau (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4llSCsYDA3Q)
– Mitsuda composed the entire soundtrack for the Japanese version of this game; however, Shunsuke Tsuchiya and Kazumi Mitome were brought in to add tracks for the American localization.
My votes are for Elemental Master and Bomberman 64: The Second Attack.
As usual I’ll vote for the Mitsuda round later.
Edit: Oh definitely, Bomberman 64: The Second Attack
Sands of Destruction
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 4
Gley Lancer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cscApMyRdJ8)
by Masanori Hikichi, Noriyuki Iwadare, Yoshiaki Kubotera, and Isao Mizoguchi (1992)
vs.
Pulseman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk9LZTkHSJ0)
by Junichi Masuda (1994)
————————————————————————————————
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Round 1, Fight 4
Arc Rise Fantasia
– Imperial Northernlands Topazion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StQTLjIi_mk)
– Snow Falling on Opalus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvFENa26JIM)
– A Grand Existence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNvLDZ5VHzY)
– Meridian 2nd Hikoutei Squad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKisFvNFGT8)
– The Imperial City of Diamant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQJzxRLqTPY)
– Mitsuda co-composed this soundtrack with Shunsuke Tsuchiya and Yuki Harada.
vs.
Chrono Trigger
– Schala’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCSIH7vsmTY)
– Undersea Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfERAdq5GnI)
– Millennial Fair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klmOoxY_Cjc)
– Battle with Magus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbbLN_GRSNI)
– Corridors of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg513kMhnNs)
– Mitsuda co-composed this soundtrack with Nobuo Uematsu and Noriko Matsueda.
My votes are for Pulseman and Chrono Trigger. This is a sucky match-up for Arc Rise Fantasia, which has some really excellent tracks. Be sure to check it out!
Yeah, Chrono Trigger. It’s considered one of the greatest VG soundtracks of all-time for a good reason. ARF was kinda nice I guess (I would’ve picked Xenosaga over it, but that’s just me)
Gley Lancer
Chrono Trigger
no vote for the genesis one this time.
Chrono Trigger
Arc Rise Fantasia
Too bad ARF had to be up against Chrono Trigger.
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 5
Adventures of Batman and Robin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7mbxJRed38)
by Jesper Kyd (1994)
vs.
Devilish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrxRUDAoUVI)
by Hitoshi Sakimoto (1992)
————————————————————————————————
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Round 1, Fight 5
Tsugunai: Atonement
– Spirit Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0LGlzbc234)
– Evening in the Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQH85OVetOc)
– Battle – Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVZ0M41le4I)
– Nabi Fairy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ejEsBHErE0)
– Whilst I Sleep (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCSv6eWSPMc)
vs.
Mario Party
– Tropical Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YayGG57EDQw)
– Jungle Adventure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB-Eas9Ms_E)
– Mushroom Shop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwfyLCIwH-U)
– Rainbow Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCbgBiNZ_RE)
– Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3maL64vE8CQ)
My votes are for Devilish by a long way and Tsugunai: Atonement.
Tsugunai: Atonement
Tsugunai: Atonement
Tsugunai: Atonement
Tsugunai: Atonement
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 6
Earthworm Jim 2 (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=25B561B8588E6078)
by Tommy Tallarico (1995)
vs.
Streets of Rage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m8mnn_Ni5s)
by Yuzo Koshiro (1991)
————————————————————————————————
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Round 1, Fight 6
Xenogears
– Wings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHlF6TV1im0)
– Shebat the Wind Is Calling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nMHsFOEZmo)
– Knight of Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vtYBIod9ak)
– June Mermaid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCmED_YDqs)
– Stage of Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzW06O5kk4)
vs
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
– Last Words (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fDdwv6pZn4)
– Impatience Part Two (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx0THGCgNt0)
– Pull Out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmZuN0mk9QQ)
– Footsteps (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMi3H6T5pP8)
– Royce Felder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsxD0xtC_es)
– Mitsuda co-composed this soundtrack with Nobuo Uematsu, Junya Nakano, and Masashi Hamauzu.
My votes are for Streets of Rage and Xenogears.
Xenogears in a walk.
Streets of Rage I like this a lot 🙁
Xenogears…………. I need to play this game already……. Next time I see a copy, I’m gonna pick it up.
Because he is.
:laugh::laugh::laugh:
Personal
Tallarico is the cousin of Steven Tyler, the lead singer of Aerosmith.
ROFL, close enough I guess :p
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 7
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl4vA4Wd07Q)
by Masato Nakamura (1992)
vs
Quackshot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cJ4YToJ8MM)
by Kamiya Studio (1991)
————————————————————————————————
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Round 1, Fight 7
Graffiti Kingdom
– Forest of Illusion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mJLFNMdGhQ)
– Testing My Ability (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE9b7rYdF4w)
– Thoroughly Prepared (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtcTGg2_yMY)
– Wagon Tracks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHaHldnCtY4)
– A Lonely Heart and Inner Ambitions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLapyZ4nT44)
vs
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
– Map of Europe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnd93cGX5cc)
– European Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OOthRuvRpM)
– Astaroth ~ Fallen Angel Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D0zAvQJ5NM)
– Personal History (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uexv2uSPyw)
– Inugami Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHmn68-_Q38)
– Mitusda co-composed this soundtrack with Yoshitaka Hirota, Kenji Ito, and Tomoko Kobayashi.
My votes are for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Graffiti Kingdom.
*On a side-note, Smarty???s got a really interesting discussion going on here (Thread 82009).
I will take a look to that discussion.
I can’t decide for the other 🙁
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Shadow Heart:Covenant
The other one is just so tough; I really like them both. Shadow Heart sounds slightly more familiar, so I’m going to go with Graffiti Kingdom.
I can’t decide for the other 🙁
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 8
Vectorman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2cHzxf_1V8)
by Jon Holland (1995)
vs
The Ooze (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAVwFk8tD4I)
by Howard Drossin (1995)
————————————————————————————————
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Round 1, Fight 8
Legaia 2: Duel Saga
– Wasteland Of Far Away Places (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVtUHDGpeDY)
– Fight Then Riot! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsK4EOMFB-Q)
– Fragments of Soul (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwDcENVXis8)
– God’s Fist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3Llfzu7cJg)
– Advancing To Far Away Places (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61RtpMC-Cp8)
– Mitsuda co-composed this soundtrack with Hitoshi Sakimoto and Michiru Oshima.
vs
Soma Bringer
– The Bonds that Return to the Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYTTqcdKLKs)
– Signal of Emergency (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvzA3q8O-rs)
– Temple of the Sand Coffin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL_itlxszK0)
– Junel Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWUWxOoCKZc)
– Alertia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxiBPXbjufI)
My votes are for The Ooze and Soma Bringer (which is, in my opinion, in Mitsuda’s top three).
no vote for the other one.
Soma Bringer
Mistuda vote later.
Legaia 2: Duel Saga
No vote on the other (haven’t heard Duel Saga, and don’t have strong feelings toward Soma Bringer).
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 9
Ristar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT-_5lgJYx4)
by Tomoko Sasaki (1995)
vs
Zero Wing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwAidPlp9bk)
by Tatsuya Uemura, Toshiaki Tomizawa, and Masahiro Yuge (1991)
————————————————————————————————
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Round 2, Fight 1
Xenogears
– Wings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHlF6TV1im0)
– Shebat the Wind Is Calling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nMHsFOEZmo)
– Knight of Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vtYBIod9ak)
– June Mermaid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCmED_YDqs)
– Stage of Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzW06O5kk4)
vs
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
– Map of Europe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnd93cGX5cc)
– European Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OOthRuvRpM)
– Astaroth ~ Fallen Angel Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D0zAvQJ5NM)
– Personal History (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uexv2uSPyw)
– Inugami Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHmn68-_Q38)
– Mitsuda co-composed this soundtrack with Yoshitaka Hirota, Kenji Ito, and Tomoko Kobayashi.
My votes are for Ristar and Xenogears.
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
That soundtrack showed an evolution on the style of Mitsuda.
Xenogears
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
For great justice, of course. 🙂
again, no vote for the other one.
In the other one, Zero Wing FOR GREAT JUSTICE.
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 10
Castlevania: Bloodlines (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDvtg-DNpXs)
by Michiru Yamane (1994)
vs
Phantasy Star IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsa90yssfBs)
by Izuho Takeuchi and Yoshimi Nakagaki (1993)
————————————————————————————————
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Round 2, Fight 2
Soma Bringer
– The Bonds that Return to the Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYTTqcdKLKs)
– Signal of Emergency (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvzA3q8O-rs)
– Temple of the Sand Coffin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL_itlxszK0)
– Junel Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWUWxOoCKZc)
– Alertia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxiBPXbjufI)
vs
Chrono Cross
– Time’s Scar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8)
– Star-Stealing Girl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoEMaWrQBQM)
– Ghost’s Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLmvWxotH1I)
– Gale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLc1xnZPlvY)
– Garden of the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBzrdbzKRFg)
My votes are for Castlevania: Bloodlines and [will vote on the Mitsuda one later].
Soma Bringer
Chrono Cross
No vote for the other, as I sort of enjoy them both, and don’t care for one more than the other.
Chrono Cross
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 11
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B206F2DB8C977E0B)
by Mieko Ishikawa and J.D.K. Sound Team (1991)
vs
Golden Axe III (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=DDE6226DCE06A866)
by Naofumi Hataya and Tatsuyuki Maeda (1993)
————————————————————————————————
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Round 2, Fight 3
Chrono Trigger
– Schala’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCSIH7vsmTY)
– Undersea Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfERAdq5GnI)
– Millennial Fair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klmOoxY_Cjc)
– Battle with Magus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbbLN_GRSNI)
– Corridors of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg513kMhnNs)
– Mitsuda co-composed this soundtrack with Nobuo Uematsu and Noriko Matsueda.
vs
Tsugunai: Atonement
– Spirit Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0LGlzbc234)
– Evening in the Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQH85OVetOc)
– Battle – Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVZ0M41le4I)
– Nabi Fairy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ejEsBHErE0)
– Whilst I Sleep (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCSv6eWSPMc)
My votes are for Ys III and Chrono Trigger.
Tsugunai: Atonement
Chrono Trigger
The battle tracks of Tsugunai are not good IMO.
Chrono Trigger
I was not impressed by either selection in the other one; I guess I go with Tsugunai by a thread.
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 12
Ecco: The Tides of Time (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3FE1C568076AF5B5)
by Andr???s Magyari, Attila Dobos, David Javelosa, and Andy Armer (1994)
vs
Rocket Knight Adventures (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaD5_qhWTLw)
by Masanori Oouchi, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Masanori Adachi, Aki Hata, and Michiru Yamane (1993)
————————————————————————————————
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Round 2, Fight 4
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack
– Warship Noah (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd79fQdyxkI)
– Aquanet I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2jc_Si6liM)
– Stage Select (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTFzDqkA3hg)
– Rukifellth’s Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSBqdbyt-ow)
– Miheale Theme II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyStjIeKCLg)
– Mitsuda co-composed this soundtrack with Yoshitaka Hirota.
vs
Shadow Hearts
– Steel Soul-tanjou (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaqXh_UZExc)
– China Ogre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8qAGDOE5es)
– Coffin Fetish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS5UlXyREyM)
– Highnoon Fish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHeIrWdLbnw)
– Bacon’s Juice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIr3ZKky1dc)
My votes are for Ecco: The Tides of Time and Bomberman 64: The Second Attack.
Shadow Hearts
Shadow Hearts
In the meantime, here’s a post (http://www.gamingforce.org/forums/general-game-music-discussion/41852-ffshrine.html) Tommy Tallarico wrote about us this afternoon (the soundtrack mentioned is already gone) and a big picture (
) of video game characters turned into Mega Man bosses.
Interesting stuff Tommy got there, the other members said some disturbing stuff…
Apparently there’s a silent war?
Apparently there’s a silent war?
…It would appear so.
Also, the Mega Man picture really made my day. I want to see a real Minecraft/Devil May Cry/Portal boss in the next game. Especially the Portal one. I could see that actually working as a feasible power-up.
Has been for as long as I’ve been here. Don’t know why. People around here complain that the moderators at Gaming Force are Nazis. I’m not a member of Gaming Force so I don’t know if that’s true, or if they say the same about us, but there’s obviously a reciprocal animosity. One thing I do know is that Gaming Force’s old homepage used a potted plant sprite from Robotrek (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWfSq3GMjpE), a lesser-known RPG that I love. Part of the sprite still shows up next to their name in tabs.
Absolutely useless knowledge. :smrt:
Also, the Mega Man picture really made my day. I want to see a real Minecraft/Devil May Cry/Portal boss in the next game. Especially the Portal one. I could see that actually working as a feasible power-up.
Are there bosses in Minecraft? I just found out about this game, and it looked just like a town-building sim.
🙂 No, there are no "bosses," but there are plenty of enemies that wish to slaughter you.
Ecco: The Tides of Time
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 1
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=6BB71F30B6236F43)
for the Nintendo 64 (1999)
– Previously beat: Sands of Destruction, Shadow Hearts
– Recommended: Warship Noah (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd79fQdyxkI), Aquanet I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2jc_Si6liM), Stage Select (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTFzDqkA3hg), Rukifellth’s Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSBqdbyt-ow), Miheale Theme II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyStjIeKCLg)
By no means is this Mitsuda’s first collaboration, but it’s interesting that he was the wily veteran this time, drafting a rookie composer (and childhood friend) so similar to himself circa Chrono Trigger. Previously, Yoshitaka Hirota had done sound design work for Squaresoft, just like Mitsuda, primarily on RPGs, just like Mitusda, and was waiting around for someone to give him a vote of confidence, just like Mitsuda. When he got that chance, he also shined just like Mitsuda. What he most prominently brings to the table is the bass. You’ll notice a lot of songs have a buzzy low-pitch bass-line reminiscent of Mitsuda’s Gun Hazard work. A sort of snarling, snaky skeleton to the songs. That’s mostly Hirota, although Mitsuda does his job, too. There’s another track that seems like a rough draft of “Jellyfish Sea” from Chrono Cross, and the boss songs show some of the most typical Mitsuda gestures—both in the way he constructs melodies, the sounds he uses, and the experimentation with time signatures. That spirit of experimentation carries over into the stage tracks, too, which each have two versions (mostly to try out different patches). All that aside, though, this soundtrack’s real importance is that its successes made later successes possible. Hirota himself said that he studied music technology production during this project (specifically recording and compression techniques) that later enabled him to co-compose Shadow Hearts with our guy.
vs
Chrono Cross ( http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D60FDA0E024BE41F)
for the PlayStation (1999)
– Previously beat: Xenosaga Episode 1: Der Wille zur Macht, Soma Bringer
– Recommended: Time’s Scar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8), Star-Stealing Girl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoEMaWrQBQM), Ghost’s Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLmvWxotH1I), Gale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLc1xnZPlvY), Garden of the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBzrdbzKRFg)
Speaking of Tommy Tallarico just a few days ago, here’s a soundtrack he was forced to represent on Video Games Live because of fan demands. Both “Time’s Scar” and “Jellyfish Sea” have appeared and had success in previous rumbles, and this soundtrack has already continued that tradition. Why? Though not technically Mitsuda’s follow-up to Chrono Trigger (Radical Dreamers came first, but only in limited release), this was the sound of the Chrono series’ triumphant return as far as most of the world was concerned. Alongside “Liberi Fatali,” "Time’s Scar" is also one of the songs most often cited as a representation of what was possible with the Playstation’s sound hardware. The doubled flute and violin motif erupts from the gentle opening and, as is the case with fewer and fewer video game songs these days, adds intensity by sheer force of melody rather than volume or superfluous brass. Mitsuda’s frequently Celtic instrumentation and powers of arrangement here and since have proven him to be one of the greatest living video game composers. And that’s just a statement you can make in reference to the first song! I can go on and on, but it’s better if you listen yourself. It may be enough to say that this is one of Mitsuda’s favorites, too.
————————————————————————————————
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 2
Chrono Trigger ( http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=CBDBB48ABBDB7BF9)
for the Super Nintendo (1995)
– Previously beat: Arc Rise Fantasia, Tsugunai: Atonement
– Recommended: Schala’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCSIH7vsmTY), Undersea Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfERAdq5GnI), Millennial Fair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klmOoxY_Cjc), Battle with Magus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbbLN_GRSNI), Corridors of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg513kMhnNs)
For a game that’s considered one of the best of all time, this certainly went through a lot of revision. In fact, the finished product germinated from scrapped ideas for the very early versions of Final Fantasy VII. The game was originally set in New York in 1999 with your character on a mission to blow up the city of Midgar while being followed by a hot-blooded detective named Joe. A sorceress named Edea was also somehow involved. Of course, those ideas got shelved or saved for other games (except for the year 1999). Other influences included the movie Alien and Secret of Mana. What’s remarkable is that this game endured so many changes, incorporated the aesthetics of wildly different artists and programmers, and yet achieved such a unity and playability that it has influenced more games than those that influenced it. Likewise, the music (scored primarily by a vgm rookie) has justified the perception of video game music as a legitimate art form as much as any other soundtrack. Not only has every vgm fan probably heard this soundtrack, every vgm fan also probably has their own favorites off it. With every year, the mythos grows, as do the stories surrounding the soundtrack’s creation. If Mitsuda dreamed some of the songs before writing them, if he really lost half the soundtrack to a hard drive crash and had to recreate them all, if the stress of the job gave him stomach ulcers, if the entire staff cried while watching the final scene of the game together—it all hardly seems to matter. These stories only deepen the relentless currency and emotional depth of the game’s sixty-four tracks.
vs
Xenogears (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=DCBCA0F06AA2551A)
for the PlayStation (1998)
– Previously beat: Front Mission: Gun Hazard, Shadow Hearts: Covenant
– Recommended: Wings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHlF6TV1im0), Shebat the Wind Is Calling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nMHsFOEZmo), Knight of Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vtYBIod9ak), June Mermaid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCmED_YDqs), Stage of Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzW06O5kk4)
Xenogears is one of those games that people talk about in hushed whispers. The scope of it—and I mean the scope of the world, the scope of the themes, the scope of the machines you control, the scope of the soundtrack, everything—is supersized, especially considering this was a Playstation 1 title, a 1998 game released in the aftermath of the market expansion post-Final-Fantasy-VII. Yet it had the audacity to talk to this new audience about Nietzsche and Lacan, to move molasses-slow through multi-tiered 3D environments, sometimes without making it clear what your goals were—all of which is to say there was a lot of time to enjoy Mitsuda’s gorgeous 44-song soundtrack, including two pieces sung by Joanne Hogg. Like Bomberman 64: The Second Attack, this soundtrack led to other projects for Mitsuda (namely, the spiritual prequel Xenosaga: Episode 1), but unlike Bomberman 64, this soundtrack sticks closely to Mitsuda’s Celtic roots. It also has major significance as Mitsuda’s first solo work that had an album release, lending credence to the idea that his work could be enjoyed and marketed on its own merits. Here, too, the mythos grows with stories about Mitsuda dreaming the melodies, collapsing from exhaustion and being hospitalized, and trying to outrace Titanic to a release date because of similarities in the music that made him fear he’d be called a plagiarist. Whatever the truth, like with Chrono Trigger, the music is worth the effort. This is yet another masterpiece that’ll make voting incredibly difficult.
My votes for are Chrono Cross and Chrono Trigger.
Xenogears
Xenogears
Xenogears
Xenogears.
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger
The Yasunori Mitsuda Rumble
Final Round
Chrono Trigger ( http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=CBDBB48ABBDB7BF9)
for the Super Nintendo (1995)
vs.
Chrono Cross ( http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D60FDA0E024BE41F)
for the PlayStation (1999)
My vote is for Chrono Trigger. I think it has quantifiably the most songs with engaging melodies in this competition and also made the best use of its technology, given what was available at the time. Look at Mitsuda???s contributions here: Morning Sunlight, Peaceful Days, Memories of Green, Millenial Fair, Secret of the Forest, Guardia Castle, The Cathedral, Wind Scene, Frog’s Theme, The Trial, World of Desolation, Lavos???s Theme, The Brink of Time, Rhythm of Earth Wind and Sky, Battle with Magus, Depths of the Night, Corridors of Time, Schala???s Theme, Undersea Palace, A Distant Promise, Wings of Time, World Revolution, Final Battle, Festival of Stars, the Epilogue, and, of course, Chrono Trigger. All of those are classics for the system and for video game music in general. This soundtrack is so good Mitsuda Rick Roll’d us with Robo???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ8xce9HtD8) and we didn???t even care. 😀 Take nothing away from Chrono Cross, though. It???s a masterpiece, too. Both games have active fanbases trying to fill the void of an official release with new games such as Crimson Echoes (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E952926C2A6E7039&feature=bf-title), Chrono Resurrection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YELRuYNBRDk), and many others (http://www.chronocompendium.com/Term/Fan_Projects.html), which is the sign of an enduring artistic accomplishment.
Chrono Trigger
But who cares?! CHRONO ALL THE WAY!
This soundtrack kind of grew on me. Trigger is still a marvel, but there’s just something about Cross…
Edit: Just took a look at Arthur’s post. I can’t believe Mitsuda has been Rick Rolling people since 1995…
Chrono Cross
Mainly because by the time he composed this, he polished the sound. This soundtrack raised the bar on how you compose music for a town in any jRPG & the way the player interacts with the music, this soundtrack also did a lot of that too, to the point that a lot of people consider it the best OST of all time, it’s very easy to remember any melody of this soundtrack.
I think trigger is better as a soundtrack, but the thing is that Mistuda wasn’t the only one that made it, sure he did the majority, but still I think Cross was better at Codifying & Perfecting the sound & style of the Composer.
I have to say that Trigger was definitely the better game for me, but we are voting on the soundtrack, so I have to hand it to Cross. The music started to really grow on me. In fact, I might just pick the game up and play all the way through just to hear the music.
well thats boring.
well thats boring.
Thanks for calling our favorite thread boring. We all appreciate your genuine concern.
Chrono Cross ( http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D60FDA0E024BE41F)!
(1999)
Both ???Time???s Scar??? and ???Jellyfish Sea??? have appeared and had success in previous rumbles, and this soundtrack continued that tradition in a big way. Why? Though not technically Mitsuda???s follow-up to Chrono Trigger (Radical Dreamers came first, but only in limited release), this was the sound of the Chrono series??? triumphant return as far as most of the world was concerned. Alongside ???Liberi Fatali,??? "Time’s Scar" is also one of the songs most often cited as a representation of what was possible with the Playstation???s sound hardware. The doubled flute and violin motif erupts from the gentle opening and, as is the case with fewer and fewer video game songs these days, adds intensity by sheer force of melody rather than volume or superfluous brass. Limited to just a bass line, some light piano, a simple string line, and bubbling noises, ???Jellyfish Sea??? has its power, too, doing more with less than a lot of other melody-driven or otherwise more kinetic water songs. Mitsuda???s frequently Celtic instrumentation and powers of arrangement here and since have proven him to be one of the greatest living video game composers.
Fun fact: During development, the game was intended to be short with an emphasis on a ???befriend anyone??? system whereby the player could turn any NPC into an ally in battle. This was supposed to ante up on Chrono Trigger???s impressive number of endings. However, as production continued, the length of the game???s main storyline increased, the number of playable characters was reduced to 45, and most of the endings were scrapped.
Record: 5-4, 6-1, 10-0, 5-3
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
We???ll continue with Genesis soundtracks and vote on the next battle very soon.
Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you???d like to do, shoot me a PM. I???m open to anything. Also, you can see and make suggestions on the themes we???ve already worked on at our VGM Rumble Group, found here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20).
Bonus pictures:
BTW I loved the all characters wallpaper!
As for the next rumble to get started forming, definitely Zelda!
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 13
Dynamite Headdy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_ls6rSfKwE)
by Kazuo Hanzawa, Jun Irie, and Hideki Matsutake (1994)
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayrDtB6b7R4)
by Masato Nakamura (1991)
————————————————————————————————
Deciding the Next Rumble Rumble
For the below vote, it’s better to put several down so that I know which theme would appeal to the largest number of people. As always, majority rules.
Last time we took a vote, doing the Genesis by itself got 5 votes, Mitsuda got 5, Mega Man got 4, and Suikoden got 4.
If I can echo Link, out of a sense of fairness I think we should go with Mega Man or Suikoden alongside Genesis since people have been waiting for those for a long time (Mega Man was started a whole year ago!). Plus, I think we need more time on the 64-soundtrack rumbles anyway. But that’s the group’s decision.
As usual, more details about each rumble can be found here ( http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20). Choose one or more…
1) The Best of Mega Man – 32 songs
2) The Best of Suikoden – 32 songs
3) The Best of the PS2 – 64 soundtracks
4) Best of the PS1 – 64 soundtracks
5) None (we’d focus on the Genesis rumble and do 2 fights at a time instead of 1)
I’m happy with whatever we do, so I’m only going to vote for a Genesis soundtrack: Sonic the Hedgehog.
P.S. Look for a few more rumbles, plus a list of all the rumble themes that have been nominated, to pop up on the group page in the next two weeks or so.
Also, Sonic The Hedgehog
I agree that we can wait for the PS1/2 (even though I really want to do them), so my vote for the next rumble will be for Suikoden.
For the next rumble, I vote Mega Man, with my second option to be focusing on Genesis.
I’m good with whatever 🙂
My vote goes for Suikoden/anything but option 5. (I’m a big fan of sticking to two simultaneous rumbles whenever possible.)
As for a few more rumbles, the idea crossed my mind yesterday while listening to Wrath of the Lich King to have an MMO soundtrack rumble. I think we’d end up with a lot of long orchestral pieces to consider.
Take Russell Brower’s title track to the game (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1XKOJN_Rp8) for example.
Interesting idea. 😀 I don’t think we’ve got any rumbles themed by the game’s genre yet.
I think that could be very interesting; it wouldn’t be a bad idea at all.
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 14
Shining Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo9bgGbK_lA)
by Masahiko Yoshimura (1992)
vs.
High Seas Havoc (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=CAF844A8507CF876&feature=bf-title)
by Emi Shimizu (1993)
————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 15
Ecco the Dolphin (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F6E0DF3851FA132C)
by Andr???s Magyari, Brian Coburn, and Spencer Nilsen (1992)
vs.
Eternal Champions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duPki1g4Djo)
by Joe Delia (1993)
My votes are for Shining Force and Ecco the Dolphin.
Eternal Champions
Ecco the Dolphin
Eternal Champions
Ecco the Dolphin
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 2, Fight 16
Shining Force II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ieuy5z2r43E)
by Motoaki Takenouchi (1993)
vs.
Streets of Rage 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-64UQoUURA)
by Yuzo Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima (1992)
————————————————————————————————
Here’s the list for the Mega Man rumble. Let me know if you see any changes that should be made. All links should now work.
Best of Mega Man
(#1-12)
Mega Man ??? Bomb Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v59gzIZdfNQ), Fire Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIHh0no7pVs)
Mega Man 2 ??? Air Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bRMItAZPTs), Bubble Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljSAvJj61aw), Flash Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fMHqEGL-q8), Metal Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AREhaZ6O2Yo), Wood Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1nhkCByv-E), Wily Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fFRCUQLqKk#t=00m09s)
Mega Man 3 ??? Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiQgYfyUdDs), Top Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc-12guILlE), Shadow Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuYG5qOsDGU), Wily Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqhbi21aJ-s#t=00m19s)
(#13-19)
Mega Man 4 ??? Dive Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw05pmSIz5I)
Mega Man 5 ??? Proto Man Fortress (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juyogUMglZg), Wily Fortress (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5YIJ_-WlNM), Wily Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kozTMLFSgIU)
Mega Man 6 ??? Knight Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OTi1k4v8Yg), Flame Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdWeTin2mho), Mr. X Stages (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhJ7Ss-puVY)
(#20-32)
Mega Man 9 ??? Concrete Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwQ9iCqtpUk), Galaxy Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdDbbzuq1vY), Hornet Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OMF8Yknu3w), We???re the Robots (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K9-SwNBMSY)
Mega Man X ??? Stage Select (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3qXM8CN47c), Password Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od4r0OirYfU), Armored Armadillo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja5QUTlgZ3Y), Spark Mandrill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYdSLaVu9p4)
Mega Man X2 ??? Bubble Crab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg2Lc3v7_D0)
Mega Man X5 ??? Grizzly Slash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwPuibHZNeE), X vs. Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eFI0UFfAJE)
Mega Man X6 ??? Blaze Heatnix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0yZtgyqHXM), Commander Yammark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYeWo_9v38g)
For the Genesis rumble, no doubt Shining Force II is one of the best soundtracks for the system. But my vote is for Streets of Rage 2.
Streets of Rage 2
Considering how closely the Mega Man series is associated with its music, particularly the title screen songs, it???s hard to believe the first game began with silence???a black background and red-tipped metallic letters cascading backwards Star-Wars-style. The year was 1987, and Capcom to that point had only experienced mild success in the home console market, largely off ports of their popular arcade games like 1942, SonSon, and Ghosts and Goblins. Though they leaned more towards action/platformers, they didn???t yet have a company identity for the home console market because of this. Three months before Mega Man, they released a mahjong game. They also obviously hadn???t funneled a lot of money into Mega Man, judging by the historically bad box art (
).
So it???s sort of surprising these days to look at the understated opening screen (http://www.freewebs.com/megamancodes/MegaMan%201%20Title%20Screen.gif) and infuse it with our own anticipation for what came next. No frills, no movement, no sound when you click ???start,??? and only an ugly sky blue selection screen with a four-second loop of music after that point. Of course, things got better from there.
In the first game, the level themes introduced a lot of characteristics that would become hallmarks of the series later on, including a wide variety of styles to match the personalities of the bosses. The ???Bomb Man??? theme, for example, is relaxed and upbeat, matching a slow and bouncy character, with a drum beat that reminds me (and maybe I???m the only one here) of the rhythm from ???Le Freak.??? Appropriate for a guy who wears a wrestling uniform to a gun fight? Maybe. Sorta reminds me of Donna Summer???s ???Bad Girls,??? too, but, well, hmm…
Likewise, the theme for ???Fire Man??? has a big, burly, anthemic quality with percussion that skitters across the ground the way his fire shot does. Other tracks like ???Cut Man??? and ???Elec Man??? were interesting enough to keep gamers playing the levels over and over again after each death, and Capcom got a sense of the formula they???d created. A sequel was greenlit despite the first game???s poor sales, and that???s when the franchise became what it is today.
Everything that could go right for Mega Man 2 did. This is not to say the development process was easy; in fact, Capcom only allowed the game to be made if the developers worked on other games concurrently (most notably, the similiarly biomechanical-themed shmup Legendary Wings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8gCR1YAGPk&feature=related)). But because of the willpower of those involved, the 20-hour days, the ???rogue effort??? as series producer and Mega Man character designer Keiji Inafune put it, we got one of the greatest video games ever created. So much of the music from Mega Man 2 has become synonymous with the series that we???ll let the songs speak for themselves during the rumble. Suffice it to say, out of the 32 slots available to represent the best music in the entire 50+ games series, we gave 6 to MM 2.
Lucky for us, Inafune???s commitment to excellence continued through Mega Man 3 and 4. And???while most people agree the series??? formula became stale, the bosses and music less inspired after that point, thus leading to the creation of the parallel series Mega Man X where new storylines and musical approaches could be introduced???the legacy of personality-inflected, melodic, rock-based music from the early games continued, evolved, and most recently was harkened back to in the anachronistically 8-bit homages Mega Man 9 and Mega Man 10.
We???ve come a long way since the initial idea???ripping off Astro Boy for a rock-paper-scissors-inspired platformer.
Get ready for some of the best music of the 8-bit and 16-bit era and beyond.
If you???re interested in learning more about the release of Mega Man 1, check out Chrontendo Vol. 26 (http://www.archive.org/details/ChrontendoVolume26).
For more info about the development of Mega Man 2, click here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mega_Man_2#Development).
First fight coming soon.
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 1
Uncharted Waters: New Horizons (http://www.mediafire.com/?ximd0u2bm5ggs4b)
by Yoko Kanno (1994)
vs.
Pulseman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk9LZTkHSJ0)
by Junichi Masuda (1994)
————————————————————————————————
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 1
Mega Man 2 – Metal Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AREhaZ6O2Yo)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
vs.
Mega Man 9 – We’re the Robots (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K9-SwNBMSY)
by Ippo Yamada, Yu Shimoda, Ryo Kawakami, and Hiroki Isogai (2008)
Thanks again to jakob for the Uncharted Waters link!
My votes are for Pulseman and Metal Man.
Also, Smarty’s got some interesting ideas on the PS2 group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-ps2-77/) that I’m thinking through, and you should check it out, too. 😀
Metal Man – Mega Man 2
Speaking of new rumble ideas how about we do composer vs composer? That could turn out interesting.
Yep. Been working on that for a while. 😀 Once I finish grading papers this weekend, I’ll get some new stuff going on the group page.
Uncharted Waters II- New Horizons OST.zip (http://www.mediafire.com/?ximd0u2bm5ggs4b)
My favorite tracks from this one are Catalina, The Chase, Caprice for Lute, and Empty Eyes. This soundtrack is full of lovely themes that just won’t get out of my head!! Cheers!
Also, a composer rumble sounds fun!
edit: Metal Man
Mega Man 2 – Metal Man
Mega Man 2 – Metal Man was a good deal easier.
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 2
Streets of Rage 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-64UQoUURA)
by Yuzo Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima (1992)
vs.
Shining Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo9bgGbK_lA)
by Masahiko Yoshimura (1992)
————————————————————————————————
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 2
Mega Man 3 ??? Wily Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqhbi21aJ-s#t=00m19s)
by Yasuaki Fujita (1990)
vs.
Mega Man 2 ??? Flash Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fMHqEGL-q8)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
Revenge match for the Genesis soundtracks? It was just a few days ago that Streets of Rage 2 knocked off Shining Force II. We’ll see if the first game can do any better. These are definitely both tough calls for me (just listen to the Mega Man bass lines :D). But I’m going with Streets of Rage 2 and Flash Man.
Mega Man 2 – Flash Man
Mega Man 2 – Flash Man
Mega Man 2 – Flash Man
Mega Man 3 – Wily Stage 1
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 3
Elemental Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLSo2HXObDg)
by Toshiharu Yamanishi (1990)
vs.
Phantasy Star IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsa90yssfBs)
by Izuho Takeuchi and Yoshimi Nakagaki (1993)
————————————————————————————————
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 3
Mega Man ??? Bomb Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v59gzIZdfNQ)
by Manami Matsumae and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1987)
vs.
Mega Man 9 ??? Concrete Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwQ9iCqtpUk)
by Ippo Yamada, Yu Shimoda, Ryo Kawakami, and Hiroki Isogai (2008)
My votes are for Elemental Master and Bomb Man.
Concrete Man
Mega Man – Bomb Man
Mega Man 9 – Concrete Man
Mega Man 9 – Concrete Man
Thanks to everyone who has kept the rumble going!
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 4
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl4vA4Wd07Q)
by Masato Nakamura (1992)
vs.
Devilish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrxRUDAoUVI)
by Hitoshi Sakimoto (1992)
————————————————————————————————
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 4
Mega Man 5 – Wily Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kozTMLFSgIU)
by Mari Yamaguchi (1992)
vs.
Mega Man 2 – Wily Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fFRCUQLqKk#t=00m09s)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
My votes are for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (hardest choice on the Genesis so far) and Mega Man 2 – Wily Stage 1. I may change that first vote. We’ll see.
Also, the Composers Rumble (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/) is up on the group page. More stuff coming soon. 😀 😀 😀
Mega Man 2 – Wily Stage 1
Mega Man 2 – Wily Stage 1
It faced off (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/40.html#post1593030) against Pulseman a week ago. Remember you re-uploaded it for the fight and voted for it? You might be having trouble zeroing in on the post if you’re using the search function, which has always been buggy.
Mega Man 2 – Wily Stage 1
Oh, I just went through the last few pages. I guess I stopped too soon.
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 5
The Ooze (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAVwFk8tD4I)
by Howard Drossin (1995)
vs.
Rocket Knight Adventures (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaD5_qhWTLw)
by Masanori Oouchi, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Masanori Adachi, Aki Hata, and Michiru Yamane (1993)
————————————————————————————————
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 5
Mega Man X6 ??? Blaze Heatnix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0yZtgyqHXM)
by Naoto Tanaka (2001)
vs.
Mega Man 3 ??? Top Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc-12guILlE)
by Yasuaki Fujita (1990)
My votes are for Ooze and Blaze Heatnix.
Side-note: A brand new (non-TAS) world record was set for Rocket Knight Adventures (video here (http://speeddemosarchive.com/RocketKnightAdventures.html)) just last week. If you’re a fan of the game, it’s pretty impressive to watch.
Mega Man 3 – Top Man
Mega Man X6 – Blaze Heatnix
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 6
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B206F2DB8C977E0B)
by Mieko Ishikawa and J.D.K. Sound Team (1991)
vs.
Ristar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT-_5lgJYx4)
by Tomoko Sasaki (1995)
————————————————————————————————
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 6
Mega Man 5 ??? Proto Man Fortress (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juyogUMglZg)
by Mari Yamaguchi (1992)
vs.
Mega Man 2 ??? Air Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bRMItAZPTs)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
My votes are for Ristar and Air Man. However, I have to point out the importance of Ys III as a technical achievement. Keep in mind what the Genesis was working with (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/30.html#post1490785) and just listen to how clear and gorgeous the voices are in that soundtrack. It’s incredible. In that regard, Ristar isn’t even in the same league.
Mega Man 5 – Proto Man Fortress
Mega Man 5 – Proto Man Fortress
By the way, if you’re interested, there’s a lot of stuff happening on the group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/).
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 7
Streets of Rage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m8mnn_Ni5s)
by Yuzo Koshiro (1991)
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayrDtB6b7R4)
by Masato Nakamura (1991)
————————————————————————————————
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 7
Mega Man ??? Fire Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIHh0no7pVs)
by Manami Matsumae and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1987)
vs.
Mega Man 4 ??? Dive Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw05pmSIz5I)
By Minae Fujii and Yasuaki Fujita (1991)
My votes are for Sonic the Hedgehog and Fire Man.
Mega Man 4 – Dive Man
Mega Man 4 – Dive Man
Mega Man 4 – Dive Man
I guess I still have to vote so Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man 4.
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Round 3, Fight 8
Ecco the Dolphin (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F6E0DF3851FA132C)
by Andr???s Magyari, Brian Coburn, and Spencer Nilsen (1992)
vs.
Landstalker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MvZ8b1fOAI)
by Motoaki Takenouchi (1992)
————————————————————————————————
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 8
Mega Man 6 ??? Flame Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdWeTin2mho)
by Yuko Takehara (1993)
vs.
Mega Man X ??? Armored Armadillo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja5QUTlgZ3Y)
by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, Yuki Iwai, Yuko Takehara, and Toshihiko Horiyama (1993)
My votes are for Landstalker and Flame Man.
Ecco, Flame Man.
Armored Armadillo
Mega Man 6 – Flame Man
It might just be me, but I feel like Flame Man’s theme is missing some of the "fire" that should be in a fire based level. It sounds like it should be in a Pokemon game.
To me it sounded like a water level all the way, wonder why I voted the Armadillo?
Ecco the Dolphin
Mega Man X – Armored Armadillo
Anyway, this time around the winners are Landstalker (4-3) and Flame Man (4-3). Next up???
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 1
Ristar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT-_5lgJYx4)
by Tomoko Sasaki (
) (1995)
Fun fact: Ristar was created out of scrapped ideas from the development of the original Sonic the Hedgehog.
vs.
Elemental Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLSo2HXObDg)
by Toshiharu Yamanishi (1990)
Fun Fact: The composer also worked on several Thunder Force games, Technosoft???s flagship series.
————————————————————————————————
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 9
Mega Man 6 ??? Mr. X Stages (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhJ7Ss-puVY)
by Yuko Takehara (1993)
vs.
Mega Man 9 ??? Hornet Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OMF8Yknu3w)
by Ippo Yamada, Yu Shimoda, Ryo Kawakami, and Hiroki Isogai (2008)
My votes are for Elemental Master and Mr. X Stages.
0:36 – 0:40 of Mr.X Stages sounds out of tune, I think they tried to modulate from Major to Minor but certainly failed IMO.
EDIT: Oh, BTW, Welcome Back Shad & Happy New Year everyone!
Hornet Man
Hornet Man
Mega Man 6 – Mr. X Stages
Hornet Man
Hornet Man
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 2
Landstalker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MvZ8b1fOAI)
by Motoaki Takenouchi (
) (1992)
Fun fact: There are a lot of sexual references and overtones that had to be removed from the game before it shipped to America. Read more here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landstalker:_The_Treasures_of_King_Nole). Presumably, this was also true of the ridiculously titled sequel Lady Stalker.
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayrDtB6b7R4)
by Masato Nakamura (
) (1991)
Fun Fact: The opening ???SEGA!??? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1zdPhVrbh8 ) chant took up 1/8 of the four-megabit game cartridge.
————————————————————————————————
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 10
Mega Man 3 ??? Shadow Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuYG5qOsDGU)
by Yasuaki Fujita (1990)
vs.
Mega Man X ??? Spark Mandrill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYdSLaVu9p4)
by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, Yuki Iwai, Yuko Takehara, and Toshihiko Horiyama (1993)
My votes are for Sonic the Hedgehog and Shadow Man.
Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man X
Spark Mandrill =D
Spark Mandrill
Mega Man X – Spark Mandrill
Mega Man X – Spark Mandrill
Mega Man 3 – Shadow Man
Well, Sonic the Hedgehog (5-2) and Spark Mandrill (5-2) are our two newest winners. We???re now at the halfway point for the Genesis quarterfinals. Next up???
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 3
Pulseman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk9LZTkHSJ0)
by Junichi Masuda ( 
) (1994)
Fun Fact: Many of the staff members who worked on Pulseman later worked on the Pok???mon series and included lots of references to Pulseman in those games. More info here ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulseman).
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl4vA4Wd07Q)
by Masato Nakamura () (1992)
Fun fact: This game and Sonic CD were developed simultaneously and initially were supposed to be the same game for different platforms.
————————————————————————————————
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 11
Mega Man 6 ??? Knight Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OTi1k4v8Yg)
by Yuko Takehara (1993)
vs.
Mega Man X5 ??? X vs. Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eFI0UFfAJE)
by Naoto Tanaka, Naoya Kamisaka, and Takuya Miyawaki (2000)
My votes are for Pulseman and X vs. Zero.
I’m about to finish MMX4 today. X5 is neXt! =D
EDIT: BTW Knightman is a pretty good song!
Mega Man X5 – X vs. Zero
Mega Man 6 – Knight Man
The Mega Man vote was tough. Two very different pieces… Knight Man only won my vote because the other sounds like a Castlevania remix and less original.
Yeah indeed it can be a kinda tough one, Knight Man is a great composition.
What I don’t understand is how you link it to castlevania, Sure I’ll agree if you said that it’s similar to Curse of Darkness, but MMX5 is way older.
Knight Man
Mega Man 6 – Knight Man
What I don’t understand is how you link it to castlevania, Sure I’ll agree if you said that it’s similar to Curse of Darkness, but MMX5 is way older.
I guess saying less original wasn’t quite the best way to word it, but I have been listening to the soundtrack for Symphony of the Night a lot and X Vs. Zero just kinda fits in too well for my taste.
Well I think that I know where you’re coming from, Prologue of SOTN has the guitar riffing & a melody that it’s a tiny little bit close to a Mega Man mood, but still I disagree.
But thx for bringing it up, I haven’t realized that. xD
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 4
Streets of Rage 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-64UQoUURA)
by Yuzo Koshiro () and Motohiro Kawashima () (1992)
Fun Fact: The stage 4-1 music, ???Under Logic,??? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO14WFh1k-I ) bears a striking resemblance to The Shamen???s ???Move Any Mountain.??? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzbUPISS6gw )
vs.
The Ooze (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAVwFk8tD4I)
by Howard Drossin (
) (1995)
Fun Fact: ScrewAttack did a video review (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/video-game-screwattack/48157) of The Ooze last year, calling it one of the most overlooked titles for the Genesis.
————————————————————————————————
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 12
Mega Man X ??? Password Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od4r0OirYfU)
by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, Yuki Iwai, Yuko Takehara, and Toshihiko Horiyama (1993)
vs.
Mega Man 2 ??? Wood Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1nhkCByv-E)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
My votes are for The Ooze and Password Screen (both really difficult decisions).
Wood Man
Mega Man 2 – Wood Man
Mega Man X – Password Screen
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 1
Elemental Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLSo2HXObDg)
by Toshiharu Yamanishi (1990)
– Fun Fact: This composer also worked on several Thunder Force games, Technosoft???s flagship series.
– Previously beat: Strider, Jewel Master, Phantasy Star IV, Ristar
– Description: Relative to our other semifinalists, Elemental Master has definitely flown under the radar since its initial release in 1990. It???s difficult to say why, because the reviews that are available are glowing. Perhaps Technosoft, which also released Blast Wind, Feedback, Thunder Force I-VI, and the shmup/RTS hybrid Herzog Zwei, marketed its other titles more substantially (I haven???t been able to find a commercial or ad for this one). Perhaps there were too many other shmups at the time. Whatever the reason, fans of the genre are cheating themselves by not checking this one out. From the stylish cover art ( 
) to the memorable opening (which this reviewer ( http://www.honestgamers.com/reviews/3622/Elemental-Master.html) had some fun with), players can see immediately that this is a quality product. In particular, the music is outstanding. The title screen begins with a fanfare and explosion and drops into a grooving bass line to start the opening cinematics. From there on out, the game avoids the stereotypical techno music commonly heard in shmups and instead gives us something more progressive-rock-oriented, with strong themes and technical flourish in the compositions.
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayrDtB6b7R4)
by Masato Nakamura () (1991)
– Fun Fact: The opening ???SEGA!??? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1zdPhVrbh8 ) chant took up 1/8 of the four-megabit game cartridge.
– Previously beat: Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster???s Hidden Treasure, Dynamite Headdy, Streets of Rage, Landstalker
– Description: The above link opens with the song that started off the Sonic series and also proved the Genesis???s technical dominance over the NES as the 16-bit era began. When the high-pitched string shows up in the first repetition of the melody, adding a fifth instrument to the mix, a world of possibility opened up with it. In the second and third songs, a darker mood is set with clever manipulations of the synths playing the melodies, although banging melodic percussion in the second sections balances things out. Listen along and you???ll hear both funky and relaxing tunes, too, all of which were expertly edited to minimize buzz. Beyond the clarity of the sounds, though, what???s most surprising is how little else Nakamura did: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is about it. What a legacy, but it???s a shame he didn???t extend his career beyond the early nineties. Think of what he could have done with more sophisticated technology.
————————————————————————————————
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 2
Pulseman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk9LZTkHSJ0)
by Junichi Masuda ( ) (1994)
– Fun Fact: Many of the staff members who worked on Pulseman later worked on the Pok???mon series and included lots of references to Pulseman in those games. More info here ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulseman).
– Previously beat: Thunder Force II, Gley Lancer, Uncharted Waters: New Horizons, Sonic the Hedgehog 2
– Description: Well, I think it???s safe to say that Pulseman has the most messed up storyline among the final four, and maybe even in the whole rumble. It???s about a scientist who has sex with his computer, thus producing a half-human, half-robot being named Pulseman. The scientist then goes crazy (wouldn???t you?) and Pulseman must stop his father from destroying the world. Mega Man, this is not???although you can imagine the awkwardness between Roll and Dr. Light if this were true in that story, too, considering how often Mega Man is away. Anyway, the soundtrack is by Masuda, who did much of Pokemon???s music, and he brought the same energy and fun here. The music is noisy, rocking, and great at establishing moods for each level. In particular, "Stereo Protect," the first song is the video, has to be one of the best songs on the console.
vs.
The Ooze (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAVwFk8tD4I)
by Howard Drossin () (1995)
– Fun Fact: ScrewAttack did a video review (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/video-game-screwattack/48157) of The Ooze last year, calling it one of the most overlooked titles for the Genesis.
– Previously beat: Herzog Zwei, Vectorman, Rocket Knight Adventures, Streets of Rage 2
– Description: Here???s another transformation story, although this time it???s the scientist himself who becomes a new creature. I can remember the first time I heard this soundtrack on Garudoh???s channel, back in 2008, because I immediately loved the militaristic, percussion-heavy opener, and the way the second song tomahawk-chops its way into your head. This is a heavy soundtrack with a lot of details to relish???little feints, synthy riffs drawing from a number of influences, moments of grace, and even uplifting themes???all through Drossin???s buzzy rock aesthetic. Within about a year, he created the music for this, Comix Zone, Sonic 3 and Knuckles, and Knuckles Chaotix. Pretty impressive.
My votes are for Sonic the Hedgehog and The Ooze.
Pulseman
Love both of these to bits. Sonic is nice too, but I’ve never really been able to get into the Ooze all that much.
Pulseman
Maybe it’s because I have no real nostalgia associated with Sonic, but I think the soundtrack’s pretty overrated. Above average certainly, but I wouldn’t place it this high.
Really? That’s interesting to hear. Although I didn’t play it as a kid, I really like "Spring Yard Zone" (besides the other tracks). I do think it’s one of the best soundtracks for the Genesis. But certainly there’s some room to debate what an alternate top four could be. Ristar and Streets of Rage 2 certainly could be here, too.
The Genesis Soundtracks Rumble
Final Round
Pulseman (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=67611DA781EE3F43)
by Junichi Masuda (1994)
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=43622D6769FCEDB1)
by Masato Nakamura (1991)
The above links go to the full soundtracks. My vote is for Sonic the Hedgehog because I feel like it’s more ambitious. There are a lot of moods and styles attempted in the soundtrack. The reverse argument of that might be that Pulseman is more unified, but I like more of the songs on Sonic, too.
But yeah, Pulseman.
Would have been even better had it been Sonic 2…
Would have been even better had it been Sonic 2…
I agree 100% with both of these comments. As soon as I figure out whether I like pulseman or not, I will edit in a vote. For now, I leave my lament: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFSF6RhFJak
edit: pulseman just seems to be really substandard themes with some okay rhythms obscured in a bunch of noise. I’ll take Sonic the Hedgehog even though I much prefer the second and third iterations.
Sonic the Hedgehog (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=43622D6769FCEDB1)!
by Masato Nakamura (1991)
The first stage opens with the song that started off the Sonic series and also proved the Genesis???s technical dominance over the NES as the 16-bit era began. When the high-pitched string shows up in the first repetition of the melody, adding a fifth instrument to the mix, a world of possibility opened up with it. In the second and third songs, a darker mood is set with clever manipulations of the synths playing the melodies, although banging melodic percussion in the second sections balances things out. Listen along and you???ll hear both funky and relaxing tunes, too, all of which were expertly edited to minimize buzz. Beyond the clarity of the sounds, though, what???s most surprising is how little else Nakamura did: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is about it. What a legacy, but it???s a shame he didn???t extend his career beyond the early nineties. Think of what he could have done with more sophisticated technology.
Fun fact: The opening ???SEGA!??? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1zdPhVrbh8 ) chant took up 1/8 of the four-megabit game cartridge.
Record: 7-0, 7-1, 4-2, 5-2, 3-2, 5-4
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
We???ll continue with Mega Man and vote on the next battle very soon.
Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you???d like to do, post it on our group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20), where you can also see and make suggestions on the themes we???ve already worked on.
Bonus pictures:
Would have been even better had it been Sonic 2…
I agree 100% with both of these comments. I’ll take Sonic the Hedgehog even though I much prefer the second and third iterations.
I gotta go with Sonic the Hedgehog, even though I feel that there’s probably 6 or 7 soundtracks better than it from the genesis era. This is certainly a case of the game overshadowing the soundtrack.
Interesting reactions. This was an unusual rumble in that, from the second round on, most of the fights ended in one- or two-vote victories. There were almost no blow-outs. It seems there just weren’t any clear-cut favorites. Sonic 2, for example, was mentioned above. But it didn’t make it into the semifinals. Sonic 3 didn’t even pass the second round.
By Round 3, every soundtrack was a strong competitor, which is a good thing. No doubt, some other soundtracks could have made a strong claim to be in the finals (that’s always the case). It’s just unfortunate that people felt disappointed by the last match-up.
By Round 3, every soundtrack was a strong competitor, which is a good thing. No doubt, some other soundtracks could have made a strong claim to be in the finals (that’s always the case). It’s just unfortunate that people felt disappointed by the last match-up.
IMO this happened mainly because not many of us around here are fond to the Genesis music…
I retired myself from this rumble because I couldn’t bring myself an objective judgment regarding each soundtrack… I dislike the Genesis soundchip…. xD
By Round 3, every soundtrack was a strong competitor, which is a good thing. No doubt, some other soundtracks could have made a strong claim to be in the finals (that’s always the case). It’s just unfortunate that people felt disappointed by the last match-up.
Well, that’s definitely bound to happen as we have such a small sample of fans voting in this thread. We’ve had some other rumbles end very unpredictably as well, for the same reason I wager. It was fun, anyway!
Here are my top picks, seven because that’s how many really stood out to me above the rest. Maybe you’ll see that experimental trend running through most of them.
1. Alien Soldier (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jEzZ-Z5e7I&feature=bf_next&list=PLE6D18B95C5BD56CF&index=4) —Linked to start on track 4 because the first three aren’t actually from the game and sound completely different.
2. Comix Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmfkMETAsL8)
3. Pulseman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk9LZTkHSJ0)
4. Mortal Kombat II (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=4ADA393AAF7766E2)
5. Vectorman (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7AF61D06709B9D9A) — I know I voted it over MK2. It’s a tough call, and I’ve since changed my mind.
6. Altered Beast (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7AF61D06709B9D9A)
7. Ecco the Dolphin (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F6E0DF3851FA132C)
As far as the final two, I think they were both worthy. I couldn’t find too many I liked better and I think that Pulseman was in fact the soundtrack that I did like the best out of all nominated.
Otherwise, my top picks were something like…
Ristar
Sonic the Hedgehog
Devilish
Ys III
Elemental Master
The Ooze
Master of Monsters
Shining Force
Elemental Master
Streets of Rage 2
Golden Axe 2
Splatterhouse 2/3
Master of Monsters
Sub-Terrania
Comix Zone
Vectorman
I’ll be on the ball soon. Hold tight.
Instant gratification, huh? This (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1342889/Russell-Brand-posts-picture-barefaced-Katy-Perry-Twitter.html) is the best I’ve got at the moment. :-[
And now let’s get the ball rolling. By the way, all of the threads on the group page are now updated. Definitely check those out and add to the discussion if possible. 😀
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 13
Mega Man X5 ??? Grizzly Slash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwPuibHZNeE)
by Naoto Tanaka, Naoya Kamisaka, and Takuya Miyawaki (2000)
vs.
Mega Man 5 ??? Wily Fortress (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5YIJ_-WlNM)
by Mari Yamaguchi (1992)
————————————————————————————————
Deciding the Next Rumble Rumble
For the below vote, it???s better to put several down so that I know which theme would appeal to the largest number of people. As always, majority rules.
A note: Suikoden has been hanging around for over a year now, so it may be time to get it going. But that’s the group’s decision.
As usual, more details about each rumble can be found here ( http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20). Choose one or more???
1) The Best of Suikoden ??? 32 songs
2) The Best of the PS2 ??? 64 soundtracks
3) The Best of the PS1 ??? 64 soundtracks
4) The Composers Rumble ??? 64 composers
5) The Best of Hitoshi Sakimoto ??? 16 soundtracks
6) None (we’d focus on the Mega Man rumble and do 2 fights at a time instead of 1)
I???m happy with whatever we do, so I???m only going to vote for a Mega Man song: Grizzly Slash.
Best of the PS2
Suikoden
Best of PS1
Best of Hitoshi Sakimoto
Composers Rumble
Best of PS2
In THAT order of Priority, we can’t keep pushing Suikoden back, we can’t keep Stocking Rumbles IMO
Suikoden
Best of PS1
Best of Hitoshi Sakimoto
Composers Rumble
Best of PS2
In THAT order of Priority, we can’t keep pushing Suikoden back, we can’t keep Stocking Rumbles IMO
I agree with this list. 🙂
Suikoden
Best of PS1
Best of Hitoshi Sakimoto
Composers Rumble
Best of PS2
That looks like an awful lineup of rumbles for a guy who has never heard of Suikoden or Sakimoto and never owned a PS1 or PS2. Judging by the attention they have received, I’m pretty sure I’m the only one in this category.
I vote for Sakimoto since it is the shortest.
http://kouppa-networklive.com/wp-content/themes/Theme/eGamer/timthumb.php?src=http://kouppa-networklive.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/characters1000.jpeg&h=250&w=250&zc=1
I found this picture with you standing right next to them. They’re worth knowing. 😀
Well, we’ve got an interesting situation that hasn’t happened before.
Suikoden has the most first-place votes with 3.
But there’s also a three-way tie between PS1, PS2, and Sakimoto for most total votes with 4.
First place votes
Suik ***
PS1 *
PS2 *
Com
HS *
Total votes
Suik ***
PS1 ****
PS2 ****
Com ***
HS ****
So here’s the question: Did those who voted for Suikoden plus the other soundtracks feel they’d be just as happy doing any of the rumbles now? (If so, we’ll use the random number generator to get a winner.)
Or do you have a preference? (And if so, what’s the theme you’d like to do most?)
I think the sentiment is that most would rather wait for some of those other rumbles, but I don’t want to interpret comments and end up doing it wrong.
This, I suppose, was always a danger with the multiple-voting system. But usually there’s a clear winner regardless of how you analyze the votes. :-\
I made that list, because it’s the way that I thought it would be fair. Console Rumbles tend to get pretty long, that’s why I made PS1 as secondary.
Sakimoto is another Rumble that won’t take long to finish. That’s why I put it on the 3rd place.
Since I asumed that when we finish Sakimoto’s rumble PS1 would still be going, that’s why I placed Composers as 4th place, because it will be more interesting that having 2 console Rumbles at the same time, hence the reason PS2 in the last place.
Of course this is just a suggestion. Some people seemed to like it this way.
I’ve set the list in order of priority, taking account of that, Suikoden would be the next Rumble that will accompany Mega Man.
Unless you want to do Zelda; I’m pretty sure everybody would be on board with that. 😉
Of course, I also really really really love Suikoden. It’s my favorite game series and among my favorite soundtrack series.
So on second thought, I’m narrowing my vote down to Suikoden or PS2, no preference between the two. Does that help?
It does. 😀
So I’ve removed topopoz’s votes for everything except Suikoden and Shad’s votes for everything except Suikoden and PS2.
That means we have a tie between Suikoden and PS2 with three votes.
Now, the dominant idea about how to break the tie has been this:
We can’t keep pushing Suikoden back, we can’t keep Stocking Rumbles IMO
My votes are full on Suikoden right now, because of what I’ve already stated, it’s a rumble that keeps slipping through our hands & that rumble was ready looong before the rest & there were some recent rumbles that were completed without Suikoden Getting a chance to enter (Mitsuda’s Rumble for example).
I would agree that the rumble we have been sitting on the longest should probably break the tie. It seems like the first place vote should have a little more weight than the other I think.
I’m in line with that thinking. Plus it makes my life easier because Suikoden’s ready to go, whereas I still have to find all 64 soundtrack links for the PS2 rumble, which could take days.
So here’s the question: Is it fair to go forward with Suikoden and to consider one of the Playstation rumbles the next one up?
Let’s give this a day or so, and then we’ll get moving (whatever the decision).
Well, we???ve got a win for Grizzly Slash (4-2) and some more Mega Man soundtracks to pit against each other while I get organized and check links. In two days, we’ll do a final check, then get going. For those interested, we’ve also got an open floor for song suggestions in the PS1 (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-ps1-97/) and PS2 (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-ps2-77/) threads and an interesting discussion about if we should do a 128-song rumble sometime in the future in the Suggest Future Themes (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/suggest-future-rumble-themes-here-100/) thread.
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 14
Mega Man 3 ??? Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiQgYfyUdDs)
by Yasuaki Fujita (1990)
vs.
Mega Man X ??? Stage Select (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3qXM8CN47c)
by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, Yuki Iwai, Yuko Takehara, and Toshihiko Horiyama (1993)
————————————————————————————————
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 15
Mega Man X2 ??? Bubble Crab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg2Lc3v7_D0)
by Yuki Iwai (1994)
vs.
Mega Man 2 ??? Bubble Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljSAvJj61aw)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
My votes are for Mega Man 3 ??? Title and Mega Man 2 ??? Bubble Man.
Mega Man X2 – Bubble Crab
MM2 – Bubble Man
Both are pretty bad, but Mega Man X2 – Bubble Crab
That was a joke -.-.
What horrendous luck with Mega Man X going against Mega Man III in the first round. I think that Stage Select in X is probably the best track in the rumble and universes ahead of any other stage select theme in the series. It is too bad it came up against the ultra popular Mega Man III in the first round; that title screen theme is a contender for the championship. VERY disappointing and sad to see it bow out in the first round. I think it would have wiped the floor with either of the entries in the other fight this round.
Not a Ninja Gaiden III type of tragedy, but disheartening none the less.
I guess I HAVE to vote for one of the other songs so…
Mega Man X, Mega Man 2
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 16
Mega Man X6 ??? Commander Yammark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYeWo_9v38g)
by Naoto Tanaka (2001)
vs.
Mega Man 9 ??? Galaxy Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdDbbzuq1vY)
by Ippo Yamada, Yu Shimoda, Ryo Kawakami, and Hiroki Isogai (2008)
————————————————————————————————
Here’s the list for the Suikoden rumble. Let me know if you see any changes that should be made. All links should now work.
Suikoden – Beautiful Golden City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCME4Wxvj4k&feature=PlayList&p=C198C746BE4AF8BD&index=4), Distant Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47qlL8fvMcE&feature=PlayList&p=C198C746BE4AF8BD&index=10), Eternal Flow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNeOCMKU2V8&feature=PlayList&p=C198C746BE4AF8BD&index=17), Forgotten Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOBwvbNz3Dk&feature=PlayList&p=C198C746BE4AF8BD&index=38), Tropical Bath (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsM4qvixObg), Rising Tide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2n6d5B0W2I)
Suikoden II – Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW4d2R9vEXQ), Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSSEcgooY-I), Nahala Yam Koong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_2oW4lmpSY), Two Rivers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJW7RvqW-bU), Imprisoned Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6exvhdhIE8), Amid the Silence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80WuZ3I-YrQ), The Outskirts of Tinto (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-PAyboXBaM), Gothic Neclord (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXuJ2cHx7Aw)
Suikoden III ??? Exceeding Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z_hCwrNcLs), Noisy Wind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g71-GUCeAOA), Searching for a Hero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD5gB9I8_2o)
Suikoden IV ??? Base 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9-gE_LQ_S8&feature=PlayList&p=8413742A11DD3017&index=37), La Mer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc7evTrULxk)
Suikoden V ??? Wind of Phantom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmawYXFQws8), Sealed Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6L6DJKnPFE), A Nap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_INhaBXTOF4), Town on a River (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FBQoL9bsZg), Warmth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud_khrsxV6E), Crossing the Mountain River (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E2CX0rOvhs), The Deep Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOeF14fo03A), Traces… (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL6M6yjAiOg), Into a World of Illusions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxBL-Djs2Js)
Suikoden Tactics ??? Studying the Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w60XTL_yS0), Once Upon a Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me1FyhP2PXo)
Suikoden Tierkreis – Citro Plains (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Orw0aXZc-vQ), Mining Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4Haj-wxLqY)
I think we did a great job with this one. It’s time to get excited. 😀
As for Mega Man, my vote is for Commander Yammark. This one took me by surprise when we were putting the rumble together. Rep for topopoz for the suggestion. :zillayay: I dig it.
Thx Buddy! 😀
Commander Yammark
Mega Man 9.
Much of the games will seem familiar. You???re a band of rebels, many of whom have ties to the Empire that they must sever as the game goes on, who eventually confront a well-meaning but warped antagonist whose death reveals some evil manipulative force that’s been influencing him the whole time. Along the way, a secret power is transferred from one character to the next, marking your protagonist as the destined one.
It’s the execution of those RPG conventions that make it fun all over again.
http://history.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/upload/upfiles/2009-06/19/the_108_heroes_of_the_water_margin_shui_hu_zhuan26 cd61327858e1d7b6ea.jpg
The series is famous for having 108 characters per game. It seems likely that people assume the whole game is one long fetch-quest because of that. And to some extent, you will be revisiting locations just to pick up someone (if you’re a completist). But, unlike so many other games, the non-protagonists are still fully formed characters. Each has an individual motivation for participating in the army. Each has a background that can be explored. Each is at odds with themselves over the right course of action. And each has a storyline that extends well beyond the game. If a problem can be resolved by simply having one character shoot another, then it wasn’t a very complex or interesting problem.
That brings us to Reason #1 why people get fanatical about the Suikoden series: the games are all inter-connected. Unlike Final Fantasy, they all take place within a massive world (unofficial map (
)) and different characters are revisited in every game as their lives continue to be shaped by the burdens of ongoing war. Of course, this is something other games, like Metal Gear, are well known for. But not on this scale. Hundreds of characters, with their own stakes in the conflict, are controlled with expert clarity. This is not the story of a hero beating a bad guy as a symbol for a community. This is the story of a community, of a nation’s worth of people working in-story together, forming connections in-story together, fighting for a cause for different reasons, and then leaving each other and carrying that bond with them. That’s something you don’t normally see in a video game, and especially not back in 1995.
It’s amazing to realize that the first game came out only a year into the Playstation’s lifespan. Though they stuck with sprites, clearly they were experimenting to see what was possible. Within the typical party-based battles, the camera follows the action, swooping in to a close-up when you hit the enemy for extra damage and trailing over the battlefield with dynamic angles similar to how football games are filmed now. The games do something even more dramatic for one-on-battles during key scenes, circling the fighters as if they were on a turntable and revealing the setting sun, or a distant mountain, in the background. Some of the best moments in the series take place during these one-on-one fights, where the nature of the battle changes as a way to accentuate the gravity of the situation. But the games don’t stop there. A third battle mechanic–full-on army warfare–takes place in every iteration, joining you simultaneously with all of the side characters you’ve recruited, allowing them to not only fight but interact with the enemies as you move them around as if on a chessboard. Again, this type of game mechanic goes way back–but combined with the other types of fighting, it takes on a new scale. There are so many variables in how the mini-dramas within the game can play out that it’s difficult not to want to replay each game as soon as it’s done.
That variability extends to every other aspect of the game, too. The side-quests include an Iron-Chef-like cooking competition; window and sound effect customization; collecting vases, statues, and artwork for your sauna; collecting paints for in-house artists and music for in-house singers; participating in plays in your castle???s theater; reading letters from your allies; reading books in your library; getting dirt on other characters through a detective; fishing and climbing games for rare items; whack-a-mole; gambling; a memory card game; customizing your weapons; and expanding your castle to include more. It seems like there’s always more.
I???ve never met someone who played a Suikoden game and didn???t like it. There’s too much brightness, variety, and fun. The character portraits over the dialogue are beautifully painted, the backgrounds are richly detailed, the scope of everything that happens is dramatic and presented in such a way that it feels important. And then there’s the music, which is, after all, what we’re focused on.
If nothing else, the music has sustained the series and done the grunt work of depicting the characters with immediacy, freeing the writers from constantly resorting to exposition. Miki Higashino established the principles of what this world sounded like with a focus on orchestral music for important scenes and mostly melody-driven Japanese-, French-, and Indian-inspired music for settings and characters–although there are examples of many other genres and influences, too. She left the series after the second game (later collaborating with Yasunori Mitsuda on the Tsukiyo ni Saraba soundtrack), but there have been many other big names attached since: Michiru Yamane, Norikazu Miura, Yoshino Aoki, and Masaharu Iwata to name just a few. They’ve all done their part in using Higashino’s leitmotifs as connecting threads back to the original game, making the world feel unified as new characters are introduced. We’ll be listening to the greatest of their compositions moving forward, so I’ll let those selections do the talking for me.
For now, if you’re interested, here are video walkthroughs of the main games: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJu8Nxdevt4&p=234047608DCD589B), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx_-3BFzWoY), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7992ABE06EFBEAF4), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akbp0bzMmA4&feature=PlayList&p=6326E8902F6B5462), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGJ5xigKs6w).
Also, for those of you who are already fans, you may not have heard that Konami is about to release a 25-CD box set (http://www.awesomevideogamenews.com/2010/11/konami-to-celebrate-suikoden%E2%80%99s-15-year-anniversary/) of Suikoden music (!).
EDIT: Here’s (http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.konamistyle.jp/item/70220&ei=KcpWTfihNdHpgQf3lYioDQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CBkQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://www.konamistyle.jp/item/70220%26hl%3Den%26prmd%3Divns) the listing on Konami’s site, translated by Google.
its not a full track listin. just some songs as to whats on the 25-disc box set.
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 1
Mega Man 2 ??? Wily Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fFRCUQLqKk#t=00m09s)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
vs.
Mega Man 6 ??? Flame Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdWeTin2mho)
by Yuko Takehara (1993)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 1
Suikoden II ??? Amid the Silence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80WuZ3I-YrQ)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
vs.
Suikoden V ??? The Deep Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOeF14fo03A)
by Norikazu Miura (2006)
My votes are for Wily Stage 1 and The Deep Forest.
The Deep Forest
Mega Man 2 – Wily Stage 1
Suikoden V – The Deep Forest
Edit: You might want to repost your big Suikoden write-up since it wound up at the very bottom of the page.
Thanks for catching that. 😀 I’ll re-post it in a spoiler here for those who are interested.
Suikoden is one of my favorite series—equal to Mario, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, and Mega Man. And I’m not alone (http://www.suikosource.com/). There seems to be a relatively small, but lifelong devoted contingent of fans for the game. No doubt part of the reason for that enthusiasm is that Suikoden is much less popular than those other franchises, engendering the protective, insider-culture pride that nerds are so good at. But regardless, this series deserves the love it gets.
Much of the games will seem familiar. You’re a band of rebels, many of whom have ties to the Empire that they must sever as the game goes on, who eventually confront a well-meaning but warped antagonist whose death reveals some evil manipulative force that’s been influencing him the whole time. Along the way, a secret power is transferred from one character to the next, marking your protagonist as the destined one.
It’s the execution of those RPG conventions that makes it fun all over again.
http://history.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/upload/upfiles/2009-06/19/the_108_heroes_of_the_water_margin_shui_hu_zhuan26 cd61327858e1d7b6ea.jpg
The series is famous for having 108 characters per game. It seems likely that people assume the whole game is one long fetch-quest because of that. And to some extent, you will be revisiting locations just to pick up someone (if you’re a completist). But, unlike so many other games, the non-protagonists are still fully formed characters. Each has an individual motivation for participating in the army. Each has a background that can be explored. Each is at odds with themselves over the right course of action. And each has a storyline that extends well beyond the game. If a problem can be resolved by simply having one character shoot another, then it wasn’t a very complex or interesting problem.
That brings us to Reason #1 why people get fanatical about the Suikoden series: the games are all inter-connected. Unlike Final Fantasy, they all take place within a massive world (unofficial map ()) and different characters are revisited in every game as their lives continue to be shaped by the burdens of ongoing war. Of course, this is something other games, like Metal Gear, are well known for. But not on this scale. Hundreds of characters, with their own stakes in the conflict, are controlled with expert clarity. This is not the story of a hero beating a bad guy as a symbol for a community. This is the story of a community, of a nation’s worth of people working in-story together, forming connections in-story together, fighting for a cause for different reasons, and then leaving each other and carrying that bond with them. That’s something you don’t normally see in a video game, and especially not back in 1995.
It’s amazing to realize that the first game came out only a year into the Playstation’s lifespan. Though they stuck with sprites, clearly they were experimenting to see what was possible. Within the typical party-based battles, the camera follows the action, swooping in to a close-up when you hit the enemy for extra damage and trailing over the battlefield with dynamic angles similar to how football games are filmed now. The games do something even more dramatic for one-on-battles during key scenes, circling the fighters as if they were on a turntable and revealing the setting sun, or a distant mountain, in the background. Some of the best moments in the series take place during these one-on-one fights, where the nature of the battle changes as a way to accentuate the gravity of the situation. But the games don’t stop there. A third battle mechanic–full-on army warfare–takes place in every iteration, joining you simultaneously with all of the side characters you’ve recruited, allowing them to not only fight but interact with the enemies as you move them around as if on a chessboard. Again, this type of game mechanic goes way back–but combined with the other types of fighting, it takes on a new scale. There are so many variables in how the mini-dramas within the game can play out that it’s difficult not to want to replay each game as soon as it’s done.
That variability extends to every other aspect of the game, too. The side-quests include an Iron-Chef-like cooking competition; window and sound effect customization; collecting vases, statues, and artwork for your sauna; collecting paints for in-house artists and music for in-house singers; participating in plays in your castle’s theater; reading letters from your allies; reading books in your library; getting dirt on other characters through a detective; fishing and climbing games for rare items; whack-a-mole; gambling; a memory card game; customizing your weapons; and expanding your castle to include more. It seems like there’s always more.
I’ve never met someone who played a Suikoden game and didn’t like it. There’s too much brightness, variety, and fun. The character portraits over the dialogue are beautifully painted, the backgrounds are richly detailed, the scope of everything that happens is dramatic and presented in such a way that it feels important. And then there’s the music, which is, after all, what we’re focused on.
If nothing else, the music has sustained the series and done the grunt work of depicting the characters with immediacy, freeing the writers from constantly resorting to exposition. Miki Higashino established the principles of what this world sounded like with a focus on orchestral music for important scenes and mostly melody-driven Japanese-, French-, and Indian-inspired music for settings and characters–although there are examples of many other genres and influences, too. She left the series after the second game (later collaborating with Yasunori Mitsuda on the Tsukiyo ni Saraba soundtrack), but there have been many other big names attached since: Michiru Yamane, Norikazu Miura, Yoshino Aoki, and Masaharu Iwata to name just a few. They’ve all done their part in using Higashino’s leitmotifs as connecting threads back to the original game, making the world feel unified as new characters are introduced. We’ll be listening to the greatest of their compositions moving forward, so I’ll let those selections do the talking for me.
For now, if you’re interested, here are video walkthroughs of the main games: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJu8Nxdevt4&p=234047608DCD589B), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx_-3BFzWoY), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7992ABE06EFBEAF4), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akbp0bzMmA4&feature=PlayList&p=6326E8902F6B5462), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGJ5xigKs6w).
Also, for those of you who are already fans, you may not have heard that Konami is about to release a 25-CD box set (http://www.awesomevideogamenews.com/2010/11/konami-to-celebrate-suikoden%E2%80%99s-15-year-anniversary/) of Suikoden music (!).
Just started playing Suikoden I again, almost a year to the day since I last played it, which was when I finished my Master’s thesis. Still fun, and I bet you could speedrun it in 8 hours. I can’t believe no one has already. One thing I forgot to mention in my write-up above is that there’s no grinding in the games. Your levels increase relative to the difficulty of the enemy. So if you defeat a Level 10 boss with a Level 1 character, it’s not like you receive 1000 exp and that character goes to, say, Level 3. That character would then skip all the way to Level 8 or 9. That makes things much faster-paced and much more fun, because you can focus on which characters and which strategy to use in the fights instead of who’s leveled up. An extreme example of this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDxkw-R1m08).
My votes:
Mega Man 6, Suikoden II.
Yeah, I voted against everybody. Resist the power!
Suikoden II – Amid The Silence
I LOVED THE FIRST SUIKODEN!
It was on my "to do" list for a long time, but couldn’t get my hands & the energy to play it for a long time. Until recently.
And it was one of the best RPG experiences ever.
I wish to play Suiko II, but I currently don’t own a Playstation Console.
Glad to hear it! I only discovered Suikoden because my friend bought me the first game for my birthday way back in 1996 or so. I had just gotten all of the gold skulltulas in Ocarina of Time, and he thought I’d like the challenge of 108 characters. Because I got it as a gift, I sorta feel obligated to share it with others, too.
By the way, my avatar is the protagonist from Suikoden I in case people didn’t know. 😀 Jansengirl asked me about that a few weeks ago.
I LOVED THE FIRST SUIKODEN!
It was on my "to do" list for a long time, but couldn’t get my hands & the energy to play it for a long time. Until recently. And it was one of the best RPG experiences ever.
I wish to play Suiko II, but I currently don’t own a Playstation Console.
I hope you get to play it sometime soon! It has everything there is to love in the first game, plus more. The cooking competition sidequest is tons of fun by itself, and the story makes a more ambitious attempt at character depth. I see a lot of people debating if II or III is the best game in the series, and it seems like most people agree it’s II (although I’ll always be obsessed with the first one because of nostalgia).
By the way, if you’re one of the more avid fans of the series, I recommend checking out a game called Exit Fate (http://site.scfworks.com/?page_id=3). A friend of mine made it over the course of a couple years, and it’s pretty impressive for a 1-man project. It’s an obvious tribute to the Suikoden series, but with plenty of original content. I haven’t played the final release myself, only an earlier, less polished version of it, but it seems to have gotten pretty good reviews.
Looks awesome! I’ll check it out soon.
Another item of note: the group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/) is once again packed full of updates, thanks to efforts by Smarty, Link006, Shad, and others. I threw some recommended songs at all of the current threads, but there’s still a need for suggestions in the prospective PS1, PS2, Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, Composers, and Sakimoto rumbles. If you haven’t checked it out in a month or two, there’s lots of cool stuff going on over there.
:zillawalk:
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 2
Mega Man 9 ??? Concrete Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwQ9iCqtpUk)
by Ippo Yamada, Yu Shimoda, Ryo Kawakami, and Hiroki Isogai (2008)
vs.
Mega Man 2 ??? Bubble Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljSAvJj61aw)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 2
Suikoden V ??? Warmth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud_khrsxV6E)
by Norikazu Miura (2006)
vs.
Suikoden V ??? Crossing the Mountain River (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E2CX0rOvhs)
by Norikazu Miura (2006)
My votes are for Bubble Man and Warmth.
Warmth
Side note: Arthur, are you gonna need help with the rest of the PS2 games I didn’t provide links for? Like I said I’m not too familiar with those games, but I’d be glad to help if you need me to.
Crossing the Mountain River
Suikoden V – Crossing the Mountain River – Probably my favorite Suikoden V track.
Tough vote in the other one; Crossing the Mountain River by a HAIR.
Suikoden V – Crossing the Mountain River
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 3
Mega Man 6 ??? Knight Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OTi1k4v8Yg)
by Yuko Takehara (1993)
vs.
Mega Man 9 ??? Hornet Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OMF8Yknu3w)
by Ippo Yamada, Yu Shimoda, Ryo Kawakami, and Hiroki Isogai (2008)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 3
Suikoden V ??? Town on a River (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FBQoL9bsZg)
by Norikazu Miura (2006)
vs.
Suikoden II ??? The Outskirts of Tinto (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-PAyboXBaM)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
My votes are for Knight Man and Town on a River.
Knight Man
Sorry! My attention got caught up with updating the rumble. I added links for about a dozen of the PS2 games. And I’ll continue adding links slowly over time. But if anyone happens to have suggestions, all help is certainly welcome. 😀 I’d love to have anyone’s suggestions to help ensure the rumbles are fun for everybody.
Suikoden II – The Outskirts of Tinto — This is an example of the quintessential sound Miki made inseparable from the series.
Suikoden II – The Outskirts of Tinto
😀 😀 😀
Nintendo Classically Trained T-Shirt (http://www.80stees.com/products/Classically_Trained_Nintendo_t-shirt.asp)
http://pressthepsbutton.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/suikoden.gif?w=408&h=323&h=323
Now just imagine the cake with the suikoden shape! =D
@Shad: Four this weekend!? Wow. Three of my friends here have their birthdays within a month of each other, but that’s nothing. You’ve got a pretty intense weekend coming up. Have fun!
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 4
Mega Man X5 ??? Grizzly Slash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwPuibHZNeE)
by Naoto Tanaka, Naoya Kamisaka, and Takuya Miyawaki (2000)
vs.
Mega Man X ??? Password Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od4r0OirYfU)
by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, Yuki Iwai, Yuko Takehara, and Toshihiko Horiyama (1993)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 4
Suikoden V ??? Traces of the Sindar Civilization (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL6M6yjAiOg)
by Norikazu Miura (2006)
vs.
Suikoden ??? Forgotten Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOBwvbNz3Dk&feature=PlayList&p=C198C746BE4AF8BD&index=38)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
My votes are for Password Screen and Forgotten Days.
Forgotten Days
Forgotten Days
Suikoden V – Traces of the Sindar Civilization by a hair
The first 2 Suikoden Games are amazing I remember the first time I played them I was hooked. The OST’s for all of them are ace although number 2 will always be my favorite.
Correct. Arthur did not denote the game as "Suikoden 1" in the listing. I have no knowledge of the games so I defer to that.
Another interesting note is that the Sindar are first mentioned in Suikoden II when you visit one of the ruins, although they aren’t picked up as a substantial idea until later games. Another example of the narrative strands stretching across multiple games. They’re an ancient, possibly extinct civilization that had surprisingly advanced technology–some of which still confuses the games’ present-day scientists. I wonder if the inspiration for them was the Antikythera mechanism (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110109.html)?
a more apporiate title for that is Arctic Area.
I’ve seen that name used, too, particularly on RPGMusicDotOrg’s YouTube channel. But vgmdb.net (http://vgmdb.net/album/678) says it’s supposed to be "Midwinter Land."
Forgotten Days
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 5
Mega Man 2 ??? Metal Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AREhaZ6O2Yo)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
vs.
Mega Man X6 ??? Commander Yammark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYeWo_9v38g)
by Naoto Tanaka (2001)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 5
Suikoden Tactics ??? Studying the Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w60XTL_yS0)
by Norikazu Miura (2005)
vs.
Suikoden V ??? A Nap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_INhaBXTOF4)
by Norikazu Miura (2006)
My votes are for Metal Man and A Nap. Hate to go against Commander Yammark, but his competitor’s song is too good and Metal Man himself is an MJ-posing (
) bad (
)ass (
) .
A Nap
On the other hand, it’s a shame that such solid Mega Man songs have to square off already, but such is the fate of music rumbles.
Mega Man X6 – Commander Yammark
Suikoden V – A Nap
A Nap
Totally unrelated: I’ve been waiting for the Catherine soundtrack anxiously for several months now and I finally got something other than the music in the trailers! Those who preordered the soundtrack got 1 track to listen to, a remix of Chopin’s revolutionary etude (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAMSUmt_SFM&feature=relmfu) to be precise. Meguro said he’d be rearranging classical pieces for the nightmare sections of the game, but I really didn’t expect to hear Chopin in there. It sounds awesome, imo and you guys should definitely check it out. Speaking of which, which version do you think is best? Meguro’s or Sakuraba’s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGuTEskGP8g)?
Suikoden V – A Nap
As for Meguro vs. Sakuraba, I???d go with Sakuraba. The guy is so over-the-top sometimes (and that piece is no exception), but I still love it. He???s a fascinating composer to follow. Lots of weird re-interpretations of his songs and self-references to his own music, too.
On the subject of classical music in video games, I remember the first time I heard Satie in Mother 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcfV4HvPE5Q), I got so excited. Well, as excited as you can get listening to the Gymnopedie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atejQh9cXWI). Not exactly marathon-running music.
Anyway, on to business. Metal Man (4-2) and A Nap (6-1) are moving on. And next up, we???ve got???
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 6
Mega Man X6 ??? Blaze Heatnix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0yZtgyqHXM)
by Naoto Tanaka (2001)
vs.
Mega Man 2 ??? Flash Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fMHqEGL-q8)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 6
Suikoden IV ??? Base 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9-gE_LQ_S8)
by Masahiko Kimura, Michiru Yamane, and Norikazu Miura (2004)
vs.
Suikoden ??? Distant Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47qlL8fvMcE)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
My votes are for Flash Man and Distant Mountain–two of my favorite songs from these series.
Distant Mountain
Base 2
Suikoden – Distant Mountain
Weird story: I’d never heard that before clicking your link about an hour ago, and then in a completely unrelated instance just now (I was searching images of a couple of 20th century physicists I’d been reading about) I stumbled upon this picture on google, which was rather unrelated to my search but intriguing enough to click on:
Guess what was playing on the webpage.
Suikoden – Distant Mountain
*By the way, if you’re bored, you should check out that link. I have zero interest in Garfield usually, but that special was done with an interesting concept. Each life represents a different period of human history and is animated in significantly different styles. At the end of every story, Garfield dies and moves on to the next era. It’s considerably darker than anything else that character has been associated with, and some of the music is fantastic. As a kid, I would cry at Part 6 just because of how moving the music was.
But back to business: The winners this time are Flash Man (5-1) and Distant Mountain (5-2). Next up…
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 7
Mega Man 3 – Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiQgYfyUdDs)
by Yasuaki Fujita (1990)
vs.
Mega Man 5 – Proto Man Fortress (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juyogUMglZg)
by Mari Yamaguchi (1992)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 7
Suikoden V – Sealed Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6L6DJKnPFE)
by Norikazu Miura (2006)
vs.
Suikoden – Tropical Bath (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsM4qvixObg)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
Two relaxing themes for Suikoden. My votes are for Title and Sealed Room.
Sealed Room
Tropical Bath!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will vote on Megaman later.
EDIT: Here’s (http://vgmdb.net/album/9447) its listing on vgmdb.net. Weird track titles…
eeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh *rounds around in circles* I frikin’ love Sealed Room……….. but Tropical Bath is good too 🙁 Ehehhhh………… Sealed Room….
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 8
Mega Man 4 ??? Dive Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw05pmSIz5I)
By Minae Fujii and Yasuaki Fujita (1991)
vs.
Mega Man X ??? Spark Mandrill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYdSLaVu9p4)
by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, Yuki Iwai, Yuko Takehara, and Toshihiko Horiyama (1993)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 8
Suikoden II ??? Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW4d2R9vEXQ)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
vs.
Suikoden Tactics ??? Once Upon a Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me1FyhP2PXo)
by Norikazu Miura (2005)
My votes are for Spark Mandrill and Opening.
Once Upon a Time
Once Upon a Time
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 1
Mega Man 9 ??? Concrete Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwQ9iCqtpUk)
by Ippo Yamada, Yu Shimoda, Ryo Kawakami, and Hiroki Isogai (2008)
vs.
Mega Man 3 ??? Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiQgYfyUdDs)
by Yasuaki Fujita (1990)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 9
Suikoden V ??? Into a World of Illusions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxBL-Djs2Js)
by Norikazu Miura (2006)
vs.
Suikoden ??? Beautiful Golden City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCME4Wxvj4k&feature=PlayList&p=C198C746BE4AF8BD&index=4)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
My votes are for Title and Beautiful Golden City. Two of the founding themes in the Suikoden rumble–both debuting in Suikoden I. In the second game in the series, if you used your Suikoden I save file, you could actually travel to Gregminster (the "beautiful golden city"), recruit the hero from the first game, and hear "Beautiful Golden City" as you walked around town. Another nice touch was that at the end of Suikoden I, when you return to Gregminster, you hear a distant, wind-swept version of the theme.
Beautiful Golden City – What’s interesting that this song was composed by Tappy Iwase, of Metal Gear Fame.
Suikoden V – Into a World of Illusions
i perfer suikoden iv’s version, but suikoden v’s isnt that bad.
Beautiful Golden City
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 2
Mega Man X5 ??? Grizzly Slash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwPuibHZNeE)
by Naoto Tanaka, Naoya Kamisaka, and Takuya Miyawaki (2000)
vs.
Mega Man 2 ??? Flash Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fMHqEGL-q8)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 10
Suikoden III ??? Exceeding Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z_hCwrNcLs)
by Michiru Yamane, Takashi Yoshida, and Masahiko Kimura (2002)
vs.
Suikoden Tierkreis ??? Mining Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4Haj-wxLqY)
by Yoshino Aoki, Norikazu Miura, Masaharu Iwata, Kaori Kamuro, and Hiroaki Tomuno (2008)
My votes are for Flash Man and Exceeding Love.
Mining Village – The artists of Suikoden are great, the covers of every OST are just awesome… And frankly I don’t know why I voted this over Exceeding Love. xD
Exceeding Love
Suikoden III – Exceeding Love <—- I just fell for this song… ~<3
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 3
Mega Man X ??? Spark Mandrill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYdSLaVu9p4)
by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, Yuki Iwai, Yuko Takehara, and Toshihiko Horiyama (1993)
vs.
Mega Man 6 ??? Knight Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OTi1k4v8Yg)
by Yuko Takehara (1993)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 11
Suikoden II ??? Nahala Yam Koong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_2oW4lmpSY)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
vs.
Suikoden IV ??? La Mer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc7evTrULxk)
by Masahiko Kimura, Michiru Yamane, and Norikazu Miura (2004)
My votes are for Spark Mandrill and Nahala Yam Koong.
La Mer
La Mer – Some Tango & Latin influences on this song. It’s quite an amazing piece.
I go with Suikoden IV in the other rumble.
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 4
Mega Man 2 ??? Metal Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AREhaZ6O2Yo)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
vs.
Mega Man 2 ??? Wily Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fFRCUQLqKk#t=00m09s)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 12
Suikoden II ??? Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSSEcgooY-I)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
vs.
Suikoden ??? Rising Tide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2n6d5B0W2I)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
My votes are for Wily Stage 1 and Rising Tide.
Rising Tide – By a molecule.
Reminded me very much of the Day[9] Trumpet Dance: Have a watch; you’ll see what I mean. : p
YouTube – Day[9] Daily #205 – Trumpets! (Full story) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utaWZT5N-tQ)
😀
Edit: I hope our people in Japan are safe. Let us know if you’re out there.
In the meantime…vintage video games with realistic sounds (http://thechive.com/2011/03/11/vintage-video-games-with-next-gen-sound-effects-video/). The Mega Man ones are especially awesome.
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 1
Mega Man 2 ??? Metal Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AREhaZ6O2Yo)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
– Previously beat: Mega Man 9 ??? We???re the Robots, Mega Man X6 ??? Commander Yammark, Mega Man 2 ??? Wily Stage 1
– Description: An essential part of the Mega Man 2 soundtrack and a big reason for its success, this song???s twisting and branching second melodic line perfectly crystallized the game???s biomechanical theme while maintaining the rock/metal aesthetic of the first game???s music.
– Bonus: The Minibosses??? Mega Man 2 medley ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuxfQjJ-3DM)
vs.
Mega Man X ??? Spark Mandrill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYdSLaVu9p4)
by Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, Yuki Iwai, Yuko Takehara, and Toshihiko Horiyama (1993)
– Previously beat: Mega Man 3 ??? Shadow Man, Mega Man 4 ??? Dive Man, Mega Man 6 ??? Knight Man
– Description: Keiji Inafune is a big reason why the X games were as good as they were despite being released as the original series??? formula grew stale. Mega Man X allowed for new storylines and musical approaches while still continuing the legacy of personality-inflected, melodic, rock-based music from the early games???using the SPC-700 soundchip to achieve greater fidelity for guitar sounds, as heard here.
– Bonus: On piano ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p07vt_IFvks)
————————————————————————————————
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 2
Mega Man 3 ??? Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiQgYfyUdDs)
by Yasuaki Fujita (1990)
– Previously beat: Mega Man X ??? Stage Select, Mega Man 5 ??? Proto Man Fortress, Mega Man 9 ??? Concrete Man
– Description: If Mega Man 3 hadn???t raised the bar even higher than its predecessor, it???s likely we wouldn???t be talking about Mega Man today. While 2 was a success, its development was marred by doubts and ultimatums from the higher-ups, and there was clearly some creative tension left over during the next game???s production. Funny that players knew they were in for something good right from the beginning, as soon as the Capcom copyrights popped up and the music started.
– Bonus: With lyrics ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL30lU26egw)
vs.
Mega Man 2 ??? Flash Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fMHqEGL-q8)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
– Previously beat: Mega Man 3 ??? Wily Stage 1, Mega Man X6 ??? Blaze Heatnix, Mega Man X5 ??? Grizzly Slash
– Description: The thumping bass line of Flash Man???s theme song is definitely near the top of my list for best songs on the NES. When the song switches gears into the second section, it???s hard not to get up and dance???a perfect theme for a nightclub-inspired sliding stage.
– Bonus: The Advantage???s cover ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8Gt4tOUd-g)
My votes are for Metal Man and Flash Man. Geez, listen to how poorly recorded Brentalfloss’s original covers were. :-\ Almost three years ago now.
Title
Not a fan of MM2
I think it is quite appropriate that there are two songs from games not named Mega Man 2 that could form the championship match. Mega Man 2 has a great soundtrack, but the esteem it is held in compared to other games in the series is unwarranted.
Metal Man
Title
We agree.
But yeah, it was great. We didn’t get to visit the city as much as I would have hoped, but we still saw quite a bit. Theaters, museums and of course the Parthenon were all on our to do list. Overall, I had a great time. It’s kind of a dirty city though and you can pretty much see junkies anywhere you look. Definitely a lot more different than what I’m used to.
Well, I’m glad it was a good trip! I had a friend who got a grant to spend last year in Greece writing about her experiences, and so she was there during the riots. She still had nothing but good things to say.
In the meantime, here’s a great video tied to fund-raising for the Japan catastrophe: Honk if you love Japan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cciUXpITsu0)
A little more on-topic: topopoz has confirmed that Kinuyo Yamashita (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f2/so-japan-stuff-right-now-87169/2.html#post1651855) is okay, although justifiably shaken up.
Kow Otani (http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://twitter.com/kowotani&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtwitter.com/KowOtani%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DZoZ%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26prmd%3Divns&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&usg=ALkJrhjwfLJtmyZzxTiDlSnCZXVXsYy66A), Yoko Shimomura (http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://twitter.com/midiplex&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtwitter.com/midiplex%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DBAF%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26prmd%3Divns&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&usg=ALkJrhjorlaTz17ciBLQ_ErYzcRDDQXXUA), Nobuo Uematsu (http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://twitter.com/UematsuNobuo&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtwitter%2Bnobuo%2Buematsu%26hl%3Den%2 6client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DttK%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26prmd%3Divnso&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&usg=ALkJrhhuh8UADuiFrlRFs68G8RMnoAnT9Q), and Akira Yamaoka (http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://twitter.com/akirayamaoka&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtwitter%2Bakira%2Byamaoka%26hl%3Den%2 6client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3D1Vu%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26prmd%3Divnso&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&usg=ALkJrhju6T2b0fHUm1zOGgrfYGeh0H51kg) are all okay, too.
Anyone follow other vgm composers or video game people on Twitter?
"Hitoshi Sakimoto
RT @basiscape_en: We’d like to express our sympathy to all those affected by the earthquake in Japan.We will try to keep encouraging everybody with our music."
That’s what he posted on Facebook & Twitter
Mitsuda just said:
"Yasunori Mitsuda
Thank you. I’m ok.
."
If see if I can get any other info.
KEEP STRONG JAPAN!
Mega Man 2 deserves the high esteem it’s held in.
Also, Mega Man 3 Title
because it’s awesome.
The Mega Man Songs Rumble
Final Round
Mega Man 2 ??? Metal Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AREhaZ6O2Yo)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
vs.
Mega Man 3 ??? Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiQgYfyUdDs)
by Yasuaki Fujita (1990)
My vote is for Metal Man.
Mega Man 3.
Picking fauvorites from Mega Man or Castlevania is a very weird thing to do, the contruction & evolution of the music of those franchises is mixed, you can see advancements & stagnations at the same time, unlike with RPG franchises like FF, picking fauvorites will always come down to VI, VII or VIII.
The recognition of MM2 is somewhat bizarre & unpleasant to me. It’s like the nostalgic title theme touches everybody & they kinda forget the rest of the soundtrack and then by default they forget the rest of the music of the whole franchise.
MM2 best music of the NES? Not by a longshot IMO.
That’s my 2 cents on this Final Round.
Metal Man
No we aren’t, but in the NES rumble Arthur mentioned that it was the best soundtrack of NES according to "I don’t know what magazine" & it was also the winner in our rumble, that’s why I mentioned that.
And about this rumble, IMO MM2 does not pull it ahead of the rest either. But I won’t raise any argument here. We’re on totally different spectrums.
Of course it was already round 2 by the time I noticed, and too little too late 🙁
And a little side note… If you haven’t checked out the most amazing remix ever (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix4FsgBi2AY), of what looks like will be our winner this rumble, then you are missing out my friends.
EPIC
I definitely think that song could have made it in, especially over Bubble Man; what a travesty including that track was. I mentioned earlier, but I think Blizzard Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQKiHZVLFAk) could have done VERY well against everything in the Final Four and probably would have slaughtered Flash Man. The other three; kind of a toss up; probably would have lost to Spark Mandrill and Title for sure.
Well, I???d argue the title track isn???t what makes the soundtrack great (note it isn???t even part of the rumble). Certainly, nostalgia can make any soundtrack seem better. But I???m not sure that???s the case here. It???s popular among many, many fans, which is demonstrable through the number of lists that pop up with its soundtrack in the top 10 or 20. If it was just nostalgia clouding people???s judgment, I???m not sure the soundtrack would be as popular as it is.
I???d argue it???s the consistent quality across the tracks that make Mega Man 2 so popular. Not only do I think the music is catchy and fun, but also nicely reflects the themes of the stages each song is supposed to represent. Flash Man, Metal Man, Wily Stage 1, and the Ending Theme are all great songs, in my opinion. And several more???Crash Man, Heat Man, Wood Man, Quick Man, and the title theme???are very good songs.
I also don???t necessarily agree that the other soundtracks are forgotten. Mega Man 2 gets most of the attention, but I see a lot of love for 1, 3, 4, 9, and X as well.
No we aren’t, but in the NES rumble Arthur mentioned that it was the best soundtrack of NES according to "I don’t know what magazine" & it was also the winner in our rumble, that’s why I mentioned that.
To be specific, what I said was that if you google ???Best NES soundtrack,??? Mega Man 2 is on a ton of the lists that pop up. Which is true.
I could see an argument that that popularity makes it overrated, because how can any soundtrack live up to that kind of hype? And that may make it annoying to hear about if you only think the soundtrack is okay. That makes sense to me.
But I???m not mystified by the popularity either. Could just be a difference in musical tastes.
I definitely think we have a worthy winner this rumble.
I agree. It???s surprising to me that the finals of the last two rumbles have led to so much disappointment.
/sigh/
Is it just that we???ll never have a winner that satisfies everyone? Or do people feel bad, undeserving music is getting the spotlight? I don???t get it.
I definitely think [Mega Man 4 ??? Title] could have made it in, especially over Bubble Man; what a travesty including that track was. I mentioned earlier, but I think Blizzard Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQKiHZVLFAk) could have done VERY well against everything in the Final Four and probably would have slaughtered Flash Man. The other three; kind of a toss up; probably would have lost to Spark Mandrill and Title for sure.
Let???s use this frustration constructively. If the system for choosing the songs isn???t working, what can we do to improve it?
Blizzard Man was part of a long discussion; people voted for it to be taken off the list after it was already on. A list of cuts was proposed. I asked for people to vouch for any of the cuts that they wanted to remain. Two and a half months passed, and no one said anything about Blizzard Man???although many more songs were discussed. Eventually, people expressed satisfaction with the intended revisions, and the list was updated.
Is the problem that the group pages are hidden from view and easily forgotten? Or that the rumbles take too long to get going? There were people in the Mega Man discussion who were Rumble regulars at the time but have since left the Shrine. Should we only work on rumble song-lists once the rumble has been decided?
What can I do to improve the system? I???m open to suggestions. But to spend a year discussing the song list (10/28/09 ??? 11/29/10), accommodating everyone who made suggestions, only to have people feel cheated now is disheartening, to say the least.
Give me something to go with here.
I’d argue it’s the consistent quality across the tracks that make Mega Man 2 so popular. Not only do I think the music is catchy and fun, but also nicely reflects the themes of the stages each song is supposed to represent. Flash Man, Metal Man, Wily Stage 1, and the Ending Theme are all great songs, in my opinion. And several more—Crash Man, Heat Man, Wood Man, Quick Man, and the title theme—are very good songs.
I also don’t necessarily agree that the other soundtracks are forgotten. Mega Man 2 gets most of the attention, but I see a lot of love for 1, 3, 4, 9, and X as well.
To be more specific, the Soundtrack of MM2 was also very popular IMO because, from the NES era of MM games, it’s the most playable, there are some improvements on the contruction of the game comparing it to MM1, specially regarding the order of exploration of lvl’s. Also, IMO it’s the easiest one from the NES.
And believe it or not the fame of the game, made the fame of the soundtrack as well. That’s maybe one of the biggest reasons that nostalgia hits the spot here.
I won’t argue about the consistency or quality of the tracks, while I recognize them to be pretty good & even though my tastes are very particular, I’ll have to agree with Link here, the attention it get’s it’s pretty much unwarranted.
And I’ve never heard anyone or anywhere giving a good discussion of the music of X series. All I hear is about MM2, it’s title track & that’s about it.
To be specific, what I said was that if you google “Best NES soundtrack,” Mega Man 2 is on a ton of the lists that pop up. Which is true.
Oh well, xD. But I was close? xD
But I’m not mystified by the popularity either. Could just be a difference in musical tastes.
Probably.
I agree. It’s surprising to me that the finals of the last two rumbles have led to so much disappointment.
You’re refering to Genesis & this one, or there’s another one too?.
Is it just that we’ll never have a winner that satisfies everyone?
You can’t satisfy everyone.
But I think that with CV Rumble everybody was satisfied. I don’t know, can’t remember.
Or do people feel bad, undeserving music is getting the spotlight? I don’t get it.
This could probably be one of the reasons why some aren’t satisfied.
Let’s use this frustration constructively. If the system for choosing the songs isn’t working, what can we do to improve it?
Blizzard Man was part of a long discussion; people voted for it to be taken off the list after it was already on. A list of cuts was proposed. I asked for people to vouch for any of the cuts that they wanted to remain. Two and a half months passed, and no one said anything about Blizzard Man—although many more songs were discussed. Eventually, people expressed satisfaction with the intended revisions, and the list was updated.
Is the problem that the group pages are hidden from view and easily forgotten? Or that the rumbles take too long to get going? There were people in the Mega Man discussion who were Rumble regulars at the time but have since left the Shrine. Should we only work on rumble song-lists once the rumble has been decided?
What can I do to improve the system? I’m open to suggestions. But to spend a year discussing the song list (10/28/09 – 11/29/10), accommodating everyone who made suggestions, only to have people feel cheated now is disheartening, to say the least.
Give me something to go with here.
IMO the problem is the lack of feedback. I see that many go to visit & they don’t provide with suggestions. There’s also the issue that many left the forum or they’re not voting anymore.
They probably think that they don’t have the proper knowledge to provide with some thoughts. I admit to be one of those.
At the same time there’s a lot of new voters as well & that brings a lot of change on the results. Thus the reason why some can be unsatisfied.
So don’t feel so terrible if the case is like this with this rumble in particular. It seems to be that this rumble was ready long before many of us arrived to this forum & Since many old voters left & at the same time the number of new voters is thin. I understand why things went like this.
I’ll suggest that rumbles should run on a certain order. That’s why I said when we voted for Suiko rumble, that we can’t keep stocking rumbles & let them in oblivion.
If I can come up with more Ideas, I’ll surely tell ya.
In the end, if an undeserving track gets in it is YOUR fault (the individual voter) for not bringing it up and getting it dumped. It certainly isn’t the process’ fault or the rumble’s fault. The Rumble is only as good as the voters make it.
Mega Man 3 ??? Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiQgYfyUdDs)!
by Yasuaki Fujita (1990)
If Mega Man 3 hadn???t raised the bar even higher than its predecessor, it???s likely we wouldn???t be talking about Mega Man today. While 2 was a success, its development was marred by doubts and ultimatums from the higher-ups, and there was clearly some creative tension left over during the next game???s production. Funny that players knew they were in for something good right from the beginning, as soon as the Capcom copyrights popped up and the music started.
Bonus: With lyrics ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL30lU26egw)
Record: 4-1, 5-0, 4-1, 4-1, 4-3
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
We???ll continue with Suikoden and vote on the next battle very soon.
Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you???d like to do, post it on our group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20), where you can also see and make suggestions on the themes we???ve already worked on.
Bonus pictures:
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 13
Suikoden III ??? Searching for a Hero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD5gB9I8_2o)
by Michiru Yamane, Takashi Yoshida, and Masahiko Kimura (2002)
vs.
Suikoden II ??? Imprisoned Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6exvhdhIE8)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
————————————————————————————————
Deciding the Next Rumble Rumble
For the below vote, it???s better to put down several so that I know which theme would appeal to the largest number of people. As always, majority rules.
More details about each rumble can be found here ( http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20). Choose one or more???
1) The Best of the PS2 ??? 64 soundtracks – Started June 2010
2) The Best of the PS1 ??? 64 soundtracks – Started November 2010
3) The Composers Rumble ??? 64 composers – Started December 2010
4) The Best of Hitoshi Sakimoto ??? 16 soundtracks – Started December 2010
5) The Best of The Legend of Zelda ??? 64/128 songs – Started February 2011
6) The Best of Final Fantasy ??? 64/128 songs – Started February 2011
7) None (we’d focus on the Suikoden rumble and do 2 fights at a time instead of 1)
My Suikoden vote is for Searching for a Hero.
Imprisoned Town. I really think we should get started on the PS2 rumble :/
Next rumble… I don’t really have a horse in the race. Frankly, The Legend of Zelda isn’t ready for primetime. I’ll vote for 4.
Play for Japan: Akira Yamaoka Silent Hill Guitar – eBay (item 160565804078 end time Apr-05-11 05:10:36 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemNext&item=160565804078&autorefresh=true#ht_1166wt_1139)
Second of all, thanks to those who so quickly donated. That’s another example of the generosity we already knew existed around here.
Third of all, thanks to Smarty for the interesting link.
Fourth of all, we’ve got a rumble to kick back into action. Imprisoned Town won the last fight (3-2). We haven’t had any responses to my suggestion to finish the Suikoden rumble, so I’m assuming this is the plan unless you all have a suggestion. That means the next fights up are…
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 14
Suikoden Tierkreis – Citro Plains (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Orw0aXZc-vQ)
by Yoshino Aoki, Norikazu Miura, Masaharu Iwata, Kaori Kamuro, and Hiroaki Tomuno (2008)
vs.
Suikoden II – Two Rivers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJW7RvqW-bU)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 15
Suikoden III – Noisy Wind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g71-GUCeAOA)
by Michiru Yamane, Takashi Yoshida, and Masahiko Kimura (2002)
vs.
Suikoden – Eternal Flow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNeOCMKU2V8)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
My votes are for two of my favorite songs from the series: Two Rivers and Eternal Flow.
In other news, a few people now do TAS videos where they play multiple games simultaneously with only a single input. For example, this guy played Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, 3, and the Lost Levels (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_AerCVhoTM) together. When he pressed A, every Mario jumped. When he pressed right, every Mario went right (although it’s more complicated than that). I’m not sure whether the feat is impressive, since it’s a TAS, but at least the time investment makes for an interesting watch. Likewise, here’s one involving Mega Man 3, 4, 5, and 6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5pz6waED0w). And here’s one for Mega Man X and X2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AHVSamD5WQ). And, just to throw one more in there, Final Fantasy V and VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEn0yjEKnWA).
Eternal Flow
Citro Plains
Eternal Flow
Suikoden II and Suikoden.
In the meantime, Suikoden didn’t make this list (http://www.complex.com/video-games/2011/03/25-best-stories-in-games/ocarina-of-time#gallery) of the 25 best stories in video games, but the subjects of several of our other rumbles did. What do you think about #1?
Silent Hill 2 or Chrono Trigger should’ve hitted the 1st place for that matter.
This list is pure Fanservice If I say so myself.
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 1, Fight 16
Suikoden V ??? Wind of Phantom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmawYXFQws8)
by Norikazu Miura (2006)
vs.
Suikoden II ??? Gothic Neclord (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXuJ2cHx7Aw)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
And it’s a good one. But my vote is for Gothic Neclord. Gotta love this dude (http://www.suikosource.com/images/chars/n/neclord03.gif) and his architectural style (
).
That list totally lost me when I saw Resi 4 at #6. Not to mention that Uncharted 2 and Kingdom Hearts are on the list at all. I guess no two people will ever agree on the matter because opinions exist, but come the fuck on! Kingdom Hearts, Uncharted 2 and Resi 4 are some of the best stories you’ve seen in a video game?
although adding Planescape: Torment and God of War was a nice touch
That list totally lost me when I saw Resi 4 at #6. Not to mention that Uncharted 2 and Kingdom Hearts are on the list at all. I guess no two people will ever agree on the matter because opinions exist, but come the fuck on! Kingdom Hearts, Uncharted 2 and Resi 4 are some of the best stories you’ve seen in a video game?
although adding Planescape: Torment and God of War was a nice touch
Super Cliched overused but modified storylines sell a lot. RE4 storyline Sucks big time and could be easily replaced by almost any other RE title.
That list is pure Fanservice man.
KOTOR 1 got at the top 10? MGS3 at 3rd Place? WTF?!
One of the worst lists that I’ve ever seen.
Selling is one thing, I just don’t see the need to praise them. Uncharted 2 is like that as well. Kingdom Hearts is just fucking awful and I have no idea what it’s doing anywhere near a list like this one.
They Sell well because they praise them. If not they wouldn’t be named… You wouldn’t know how many morons claim RE 4 to have one of the best storylines in gaming.
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 1
Suikoden II ??? Two Rivers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJW7RvqW-bU)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
vs.
Suikoden III ??? Exceeding Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z_hCwrNcLs)
by Michiru Yamane, Takashi Yoshida, and Masahiko Kimura (2002)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 2
Suikoden V ??? A Nap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_INhaBXTOF4)
by Norikazu Miura (2006)
vs.
Suikoden ??? Rising Tide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2n6d5B0W2I)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
My votes are for Exceeding Love and A Nap.
epicness
Rising Tide
Two Rivers
EDIT: Spoony tells about Video Games Live
http://spoonyexperiment.com/2011/04/08/vlog-4-7-11-video-games-live/
Exceeding Love
Both quite easily.
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 3
Suikoden Tactics ??? Once Upon a Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me1FyhP2PXo)
by Norikazu Miura (2005)
vs.
Suikoden II ??? Gothic Neclord (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXuJ2cHx7Aw)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 4
Suikoden V ??? Sealed Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6L6DJKnPFE)
by Norikazu Miura (2006)
vs.
Suikoden II ??? Imprisoned Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6exvhdhIE8)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
My votes are for Gothic Neclord and Sealed Room.
Imprisoned Town
Imprisoned Town
Anybody excited to hear the Portal 2 soundtrack? I know I am. The game is coming out pretty soon too.
Imprisoned Town
Anybody excited to hear the Portal 2 soundtrack? I know I am. The game is coming out pretty soon too.
next tuesday with Mortal Kombat & SOCOM 4.
Not sure if I’m getting Portal 2 yet right when it comes out. I waited over a year before I got Portal for free so I don’t know if I have to have the sequel on the first day.
http://spoonyexperiment.com/2011/04/08/vlog-4-7-11-video-games-live/
I finally got a chance to watch this. When I saw Video Games Live, the house was packed–I mean, with people stuck outside who couldn’t get tickets. It was a circus, with all age groups represented. So it’s interesting that the turn-out for his show was so different.
It was also interesting to hear how similar the set was. Tallarico talked about how often they change the music at my show, too, but from Spoony’s description every little detail was the same–all the way to the failed Guitar Hero Aerosmith moment. It also confirmed for me that the cellist who head-bangs during "One-Winged Angel" is a plant. I’d never seen him before in our local orchestra and haven’t seen him since.
Funny that Spoony was so gaga over Flute Link. She’s good, but uhhhhh not the kind of performer that makes you want to give up trying, as he put it. I get the impression his musical background hasn’t included a lot of orchestra music. :-\
Still, I agree wholeheartedly that the show is worth seeing if you get the chance. As over the top as it is, with all of Tallarico’s ridiculous theatrics, I got really into it. When they turned down the lights and started the Mega Man medley, I actually jumped up and clapped. Even my wife, who has zero interest in vgm, said she thought it was fantastic.
Anybody excited to hear the Portal 2 soundtrack?
Definitely. But I’m more interested to hear more of…
Mortal Kombat
I’ve heard a little. Some of it’s good, and some of it’s really bad. So I want to see which impression is closer to the truth.
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 5
Suikoden ??? Beautiful Golden City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCME4Wxvj4k&feature=PlayList&p=C198C746BE4AF8BD&index=4)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
vs.
Suikoden IV ??? La Mer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc7evTrULxk)
by Masahiko Kimura, Michiru Yamane, and Norikazu Miura (2004)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 6
Suikoden V ??? Crossing the Mountain River (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E2CX0rOvhs)
by Norikazu Miura (2006)
vs.
Suikoden ??? Forgotten Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOBwvbNz3Dk&feature=PlayList&p=C198C746BE4AF8BD&index=38)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
My votes are for Beautiful Golden City and Forgotten Days.
Forgotten Days
La Mer is actually my favorite piece of music from the series. At least from the ones included in the rumble.
Forgotten Days
I love La Mer too. The mixture of ethnic styles is just simply brilliant. Not very Suikoden but still, I admire the composition.
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 7
Suikoden V – Town on a River (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FBQoL9bsZg)
by Norikazu Miura (2006)
vs.
Suikoden – Eternal Flow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNeOCMKU2V8)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Round 2, Fight 8
Suikoden – Distant Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47qlL8fvMcE)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
vs.
Suikoden V – The Deep Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOeF14fo03A)
by Norikazu Miura (2006)
My votes are for two of my favorite tracks from the entire series: Eternal Flow and Distant Mountain. The first time I played Suikoden, at some point while I was in Seika, I stopped and realized just how awesome the music was. That was a big part of what made me fall in love with the series.
The Deep Forest
Distant Mountain
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 1
Suikoden ??? Rising Tide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2n6d5B0W2I)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
vs.
Suikoden II ??? Gothic Neclord (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXuJ2cHx7Aw)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 2
Suikoden ??? Eternal Flow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNeOCMKU2V8)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
vs.
Suikoden II ??? Imprisoned Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6exvhdhIE8)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
I’m sticking with the same soundtrack: Rising Tide and Eternal Flow. 😀
Imprisoned Town
Imprisoned Town
Rising Tide
Imprisoned Town
WEEEELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YouTube – Peaches & Herb – Reunited (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZOhm7qS-AI#t=01m04s)
Welcome back. 😀
Really, thanks guys! :’D
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 3
Suikoden – Distant Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47qlL8fvMcE)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
vs.
Suikoden III – Exceeding Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z_hCwrNcLs)
by Michiru Yamane, Takashi Yoshida, and Masahiko Kimura (2002)
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Quarterfinals, Fight 4
Suikoden IV – La Mer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc7evTrULxk)
by Masahiko Kimura, Michiru Yamane, and Norikazu Miura (2004)
vs.
Suikoden – Forgotten Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOBwvbNz3Dk&feature=PlayList&p=C198C746BE4AF8BD&index=38)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
Hmm…My votes are for Exceeding Love and Forgotten Days.
La Mer
La Mer
Extremely tough choice here, as I love Distant Mountain equally… I hate choosing between these two;P
Forgotten Days
Whoa I miss this thread ._.
Alice Cooper – He’s Back (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbT8n_ay4fM#t=01m08s)
This is an awesome trend over the last two days 😀
————————————————————————————————
Extremely tough choice here, as I love Distant Mountain equally… I hate choosing between these two;P
x2
I changed my vote to EL at the last second because it had the difficult task of introducing fans to the third game while trying to live up to the first two soundtracks, and I think it did that pretty well. But DM is a sentimental favorite.
I changed my vote to EL at the last second because it had the difficult task of introducing fans to the third game while trying to live up to the first two soundtracks, and I think it did that pretty well. But DM is a sentimental favorite.
Feeling the same about DM, but EL vocal invaded my head and didn’t want to leave O_O Had to appease the voices xD
Whoa I miss this thread ._.
Yep, I know what you mean. Welcome back Eshvoide:D
Everytime I heard of this song, I was always thinking of some African tribal songs. How everyone had to somehow band together to fight a common enemy… for some reason, I could feel like the power of bitter rivalries, the sadness of lost loved ones, and other things…
In the meantime, a speed run (http://speeddemosarchive.com/IWannaBeTheGuy.html) of I Wanna Be the Guy: The Movie: The Game was just posted and reminded me of how many classic vgm tunes (many of which appeared in our NES rumble) are in that game.
Also, a close friend of mine told me I had to read Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter (http://www.amazon.com/Extra-Lives-Video-Games-Matter/dp/0307378705) immediately. This is someone who is very mild-mannered and never overstates anything, and he said I should order this book tonight. I’ll report back when I’ve got it, but has anyone else read it?
@Eshvoide: Some time ago I tried to find them, too, and read that they’re in a made-up language. I just checked and that seems to still be the dominant theory.
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 1
Suikoden ??? Rising Tide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2n6d5B0W2I)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
One of the greatest burdens in composing for video games is diversifying the tracks so that a new location can be introduced with immediate, definable characteristics, setting it apart from the other locations in the game. In an RPG, where there are a lot of locations and the size of the world map demands the distant cities to have distinct cultures, that task can become enormous. Yet Higashino never disappointed. While she was not the first to use environmental, diegetic sounds within the musical track (Jeremy Soule was with his Secret of Evermore soundtrack), she was as clever (if not more so) in knowing when and how to deploy them. Within a few seconds of this track???s start, you hear waves crashing, a bird call, a bell, and a warm synth patch, allowing you to immediately know you???re dealing with a peaceful, safe fishing village.
vs.
Suikoden II ??? Imprisoned Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6exvhdhIE8)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
That makes for an easy comparison with this theme: a claustrophobic arpeggio performed by a sluggish, low-pitched organ. That makes sense with the title. But once you get into the second section, the flutes add an aristocratic, Old World tilt to the song that suggests the town’s academic background and wealth, and even the architecture. That’s hard to do.
————————————————————————————————
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Semifinals, Fight 2
Suikoden ??? Forgotten Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOBwvbNz3Dk)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
When this song plays in the game, the main characters have just traveled back in time. Higashino again uses a flute, but to much different effect. Here, the melody is drawn-out with little ascensions at the end of each phrase. Is it too much of a stretch to say that such a gesture suggests things opening up, more information becoming available, the landscape of the story widening? Maybe. But all of those things are true for the scene that follows. Certainly, the tension from the length of the held notes, along with the bird calls and warm synths backing up the melody, suggests that something complex and important is about to happen.
vs.
Suikoden III ??? Exceeding Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z_hCwrNcLs)
by Michiru Yamane, Takashi Yoshida, and Masahiko Kimura (2002)
Finally, we end up on the complete opposite side of the spectrum. Whereas "Forgotten Days" is quiet, spare, and pretty, "Exceeding Love" is bombastic, multi-layered, multi-part, and stirring. It’s reminiscent, too, of the music from Civilization and that game’s pan-cultural flair. But this tune’s use of snare drums also gives it a militaristic feel that’s appropriate for the game. This was the new sound of Suikoden, once Higashino left.
My votes are for Rising Tide and Exceeding Love.
Forgotten Days
Forgotten Days
Forgotten Days
Imprisoned Town is a bit better
Forgotten Days because lmao Exceeding Love but both are unremarkable to me
by the way I actually have played all 5 Suikoden games
The Suikoden Songs Rumble
Final Round
Suikoden – Forgotten Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOBwvbNz3Dk)
by Miki Higashino, Tappi Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
vs.
Suikoden II – Imprisoned Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6exvhdhIE8)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
My vote is for Forgotten Days.
Can listen to both all the time and still love them, but this one has something special in it:)
btw The arrangements of this song are really nice too.
Rising Tide =(
Suikoden.
Suikoden II ??? Imprisoned Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6exvhdhIE8)!
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
A great choice to represent the Suikoden series, this theme is driven by a claustrophobic arpeggio performed by a sluggish, low-pitched organ. Both of those choices make sense with the title and with what???s going on in the game at the time it plays. But once you get into the second section, the flutes add an aristocratic, Old World tilt to the song that also suggests Greenhill???s academic background and wealth and even its architecture. Consequently, this is an example of Higashino???s ability to characterize a fictional culture with just a few notes???something that is both admirable and difficult to accomplish.
Record: 3-2, 4-1, 4-1, 3-2, 3-2
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you???d like to do, post it on our group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20), where you can also see and make suggestions on the themes we???ve already worked on.
Bonus pictures:
http://www.sysabend.org/champions/mirrors/serena/suikoden4.jpe
On a totally unrelated note, I played through Crysis 2 recently. The game was decent, and I quite liked the soundtrack as well, so I recommend you guys check it out.
Examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph1Sn3li54I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XI4kDsXSiE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bw6K3ceGHk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGg6ZKITjE0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq5p94Q7kjY&feature=related
@Smarty: Thanks for the links! I’m going to check those out as soon as exam week is over. :-\
Well, I watched the whole thing, semi finals and finals included. It’s easily the best year the contest has had since 2007 (which was the best Eurovision year EVER), imo. I can share more details via PM if you want 😀
Also, search Youtube to find a channel called EurovisionHouse. It has all live videos from the finals and semi finals as well as the voting.
Unfortunately, I don’t really have a horse in the race. I’d rather do the one that is the shortest or the one that has been in the pipe the longest.
So far, the voting looks like this…
3 votes for PS1
2 votes for PS2
2 votes for Sakimoto
1 vote for Composers
P.S. @Eshvoide, still glad to have you back. 😀
1) If you have suggestions for the PS1 rumble (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-ps1-97/), they would be most appreciated. We only have 10 soundtracks left that need recommendations, all of which I’ve listened to in the past but not recently. We still need 5 song recommendations for…
Front Mission 2
Front Mission 3
Gran Turismo
Gran Turismo 2
Persona
Persona 2
Spyro
Spyro 2
Wild Arms
Wild Arms 2
2) Here are the Top 50 Worst Video Game Voices (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_bx_9QYt7k).
I hope we’ll hear from him again in Diablo III.
Also, I’m now done adding song recommendations to the PS1 soundtracks list. Update coming soon.
Please skim the list for your favorite games and make sure your favorite song is on there. It’s more helpful if you can tell me which song your recommendation should replace, too. I’ve been working on this list for three months, and it’s the most labor-intensive list we’ve had for a rumble by a large, large margin. I think I would die of a heart attack if I knew how many hours I’ve put into this. But I’m happy to accommodate last minute suggestions. The goal here is to avoid having people feel cheated at the end of the rumble, saying, “If ___ song was listed as a recommendation, then my soundtrack would have won.” Here’s your opportunity to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Also, even if you’re not familiar with PS1 soundtracks, please click around. You’re going to hear some awesome music that should get you excited for what’s to come. Not only were the songs chosen for a purpose, but the sequence of the songs was considered as well. With each soundtrack, I wanted to represent the quality and diversity as best as possible.
Finally, the links should all work. But if you find one that died, please let me know.
We’ll start soon.
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere – Shattered Stones (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4n2GhLiEl0), Physical Layer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6to8JCURvVE), Transparent Blue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QZwEAKuIAw), The Crew (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrOqlG0S8to), Analogue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEXYUTdLUBU)
Brave Fencer Musashi – Forest of Sleep (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-R5fRkghFU&p=60E25445A0C657E9), The Only Friend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd1aVl8QTSU), Impoverished Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-aiSnlPs8k&p=60E25445A0C657E9), The House of Hidden Treasure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE944hjg5a8&p=60E25445A0C657E9), Far into the Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDD5RhpYHBc&p=60E25445A0C657E9)
Breath of Fire III – These Little Things (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXzFubnyGGY&p=1779F6882E5AF292), Fight! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Voq-TVM3X9A&p=1779F6882E5AF292), Life’s a Beach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QSdhP_h0ck&p=1779F6882E5AF292), For the Dragons (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6EJcQsa2XE&p=1779F6882E5AF292), Casually (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiqMhZfIy9s&p=1779F6882E5AF292)
Breath of Fire IV – Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P0T8ACxq3o&p=914F955328C45FCE), The World Beneath Your Feet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-MJTU8JeZI&p=914F955328C45FCE), Yet the Merchants Will Go (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6RKoOqErWE&p=914F955328C45FCE), Prayer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcLMurlX8oI&p=914F955328C45FCE), A Raging Emperor’s Banquet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noRxXKRDRsM&p=914F955328C45FCE)
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Marble Gallery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4XIizeAXOA), Requiem for the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9MZyK-V79M), Abandoned Pit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOq9bODf_UY&p=9C2427AFB919D8C2), Dance of the Pales ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5ES2vTanMQ), Wood Carving Partita (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0UoyFS7Ww&p=9C2427AFB919D8C2)
Chrono Cross – Time’s Scar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8), Star-Stealing Girl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoEMaWrQBQM), Ghost’s Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLmvWxotH1I), Gale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLc1xnZPlvY), Garden of the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBzrdbzKRFg)
Crash Bandicoot 2 – Eel Deal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ig-Hd8tczU), Road to Ruin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs8wiYfvP1g), Hang Eight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RCYAsOwh2o), Rock It (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsvHQCTgHvg), Tiny Boss Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thr1xb9bv8g)
Crash Bandicoot 3 – Dingodile Boss Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vxJ2XAKopE), Medieval Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBu20i2D0dk), Future Frenzy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQQrO2UFNEo), Dr. N. Tropy Boss Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdO8jObarxI), Tomb Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvITxPHqNus)
Dragon Warrior VII – Overture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAXQFX22198), Echo of Horns Throughout the Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXIEL6K6Q8M), Relaxing Corner (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIv80pQVAtA), Revival Prayer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWC3wYUVP-U), Fighting Spirit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6CkFsgAEwY)
Einhander – Badlands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsGBhytk02s), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdiVVNoH0dE), Thermosphere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hJbe7YXsLU), Dawn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWOGH2C11AE), Shudder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGSuki0sKQU)
Final Fantasy VII – J-E-N-O-V-A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6GrZYE2il0), One-Winged Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU), Aerith’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIqKWLkm2-g), Cid’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJzfOA9uV6E), A Secret Sleeping in the Deep Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_5zD7rhwPo)
Final Fantasy VIII – Liberi Fatali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5f_VBd_17M), Blue Fields (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQFiOq4VcRc), The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkcmx2l3WA), Eyes on Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qcW0oiLKHg), Maybe I’m a Lion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYDT_Y6Jj5c)
Final Fantasy IX – The Place I’ll Return to Someday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW3QK6CTg2g), Battle 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxQgbTRbT8o), Crossing Those Hills (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNOTJ-v8xnk), Iifa Tree (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Warw9qxJ70c), Crystal World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8njetBuXIds)
Final Fantasy Tactics – Character Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbS7-dPzRWg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Pray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4sVYkxyGxg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Attack Team (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-f-dPf6PSU&p=199E3C72F464C304), Team Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKoijRuwFQ&p=199E3C72F464C304), Data Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEBHwKBP8po&p=199E3C72F464C304)
Front Mission 2 – Saribash’s Warehouse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuw5Dy9vuRs), Counter Bar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7HM2dWFXdc), Assault (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaTM8Kg5AvA), Tension (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7_JhJuNgzM), Army Camp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbCZF_wowls)
Front Mission 3 – Base Invasion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHf-qaFXR8c), Assault (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtprEvm28VU), Japan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bthCmtPYFrc), Fort Invasion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBqYgiVhY-M), Swift Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6jm-RBa4ss)
Gauntlet Legends – 09 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYrQpiEXxYQ&playnext=1&list=PLB639BFFED82B3FAC), 15 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QYe6OVw75I), 22 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em9jjUL-Wdg), 35 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqw4upG4uVc), 37 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6eWhPtR8G0&feature=BF&list=PLF81890ECA1563DAF&index=6)
Grandia – Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGiNEaNxOxo&p=E916D1BD136F6D58), Off Runs Sue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMeqmPFt25s&p=E916D1BD136F6D58), Dight Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX4AQNNy0kI&p=E916D1BD136F6D58), Palm Harbor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu7ej3Rk4XU&p=E916D1BD136F6D58), Four Volley Rounds of Tension (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq-xmGNMAe0&p=E916D1BD136F6D58)
Gran Turismo – Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mOOy8tekaU), Race Preparations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DJhnUgj2c8), Car Selection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3w9RbqgHZI), High (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QKYnHJ-dck), Arcade Mode (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FlaA7K6wDE)
Gran Turismo 2 – Windroad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IqSQZxW9x0), The Real Motorious City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D_J8BGN4dI), The Drift of Air (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sCY987VPsI), Soul of Garage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-PfSPq4P0s), From the East (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJdU544NmyU)
Intelligent Qube – Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGx8NUmsGj0), Stage 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H7qEx8p3Bs), Menu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YnOa7ZOzsU), Almost Dead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrTALaa6zLA&p=8BBC95056A9DCB82), Stage 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmfa6kteGyI)
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile – The Rongo Longo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOnvUCA04xw&p=B29A1A5B1EBACF45), Count Three (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wllG0ECkCH0&p=B29A1A5B1EBACF45), Blue Cave Echo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNTocPyV6Vw&p=B29A1A5B1EBACF45), The Closing Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v64adqW049w&p=B29A1A5B1EBACF45), Fry Over the Wind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpLaF8VTjFA&p=B29A1A5B1EBACF45)
Koudelka – Requiem (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdrgglBDTE0&playnext=1&list=PL7FF115E030A81D55), Waterfall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Eu_zij3Rz8&playnext=1&list=PL20FF2878C12F2B56), Ubi Caritas et Amor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnZ4zq3lbKo), Incantation Again (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHlqledKmls&playnext=1&list=PL7FF115E030A81D55), Dead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eVouDu6HTc)
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver – Kain Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKKJLTxRR2s), Melchiah’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8Gzx5ipWRA), Underworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilH4y2zWDCE), Boss Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b101oYBtBHU), Ozar Midrashim (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwMDNKVVZoM)
The Legend of Dragoon – Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CczTRFhlqhI), Royal Capitol (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MtSOr1FZC8), Uneasy State (”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCXvgMHEwcU"), Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI5_MHdVU_c), Crystal Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2mDWLKKnGM)
Legend of Mana – Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBeMTXZ56XY&p=D2DBD4902CF76A45), World of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAkSPMjSKAE&p=D2DBD4902CF76A45), Hometown Domina (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV5kpd6Swmk&p=D2DBD4902CF76A45), Moonlit City Roa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QopZDjvj5g&p=D2DBD4902CF76A45), Nostalgic Song ~ Ending Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgWeKfyP2Ys&p=D2DBD4902CF76A45)
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete – Mysterious Cave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6s1-N-MzKU&p=5F7FB3B46DD0D4F1), Silver Light (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqbAYEtiSG8&p=5F7FB3B46DD0D4F1), Solitary Wolf (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfOL9XscTCg&p=5F7FB3B46DD0D4F1), Burg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPM6HT3RvN0&p=5F7FB3B46DD0D4F1), Thieves’ Bazaar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs-66MhP11o&p=5F7FB3B46DD0D4F1)
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete – Footsteps of a Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGvDi54VbBA), Promenade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar6VnPcy5s0), Field to Tomorrow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgR1BBN4-XM), Lucia’s Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VIANYjU1Cc), The Last Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7mdhKSEER0)
MediEvil – Cemetery Hill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rklq4KouCv0), Scarecrow Fields (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miUli62z2sY), The Asylum Grounds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWkhmnS5wvU), The Crystal Caves (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI69AzFkWSw), Return To The Graveyard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_gmZzhP4Uw)
Mega Man X5 – Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeKcgN5kxsU&p=482C7792B9D2EF40), Duff McWhalen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdBsmlGT0so&p=482C7792B9D2EF40), Grizzly Slash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwPuibHZNeE&p=482C7792B9D2EF40), X vs. Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eFI0UFfAJE&p=482C7792B9D2EF40), Zero’s Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFjQ8I7PUKI&p=482C7792B9D2EF40)
Mega Man X6 – Opening Stage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL0Bt7AprJ8&p=26B3BE6455E2191E), Blaze Heatnix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0yZtgyqHXM&p=26B3BE6455E2191E), Rainy Turtloid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2KlIff4dEY&p=26B3BE6455E2191E), Commander Yammark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYeWo_9v38g&p=26B3BE6455E2191E), Hi-MAX (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61Y21jWpoO0&p=26B3BE6455E2191E)
Metal Gear Solid – Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqq8uqSDnk), Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnQRWJ7bIhs), Discovery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_79a_5qM0h8), Mantis Hymn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMasLUmBzkc&p=DDD4AB6F3427F42F), The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g&p=DDD4AB6F3427F42F)
Monster Rancher – Rank C Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmGspw7SJxo), Death of Monster (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG6Fli4BrgE), Funeral (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbXx-EClMtg&feature=related), Intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuzSfSi6398), Medley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emN6Vj_KwsE)
Monster Rancher 2 – IMa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfFPk1Uxqns&p=30F512D6E65B7749), Farm (Spring) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1ChPtPVM6Y&p=30F512D6E65B7749), Farm (Winter) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGkTGsuxDxo&p=30F512D6E65B7749), Training (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKpQL0YOq2U&p=30F512D6E65B7749), Big Four Tournament Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYdlBRJo0Ew&p=30F512D6E65B7749)
Parappa the Rapper – Chop Chop Master Onion Rap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ3o3kQZWm8), Instructor Mooselini’s Car Rap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoqllL8Vl6o), Bathroom Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEUiaO9KZQI), Cheap Cheap the Cooking Chicken Rap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh6BtPs-KNk), Katty Kat and Sunny Funny Theme Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW9JmL9w0YM)
Parasite Eve – Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGWa4Zm0YDA), Out of Phase (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F13FRIepmD8), Arise Within You (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpbDDwWATuY), Theme of Aya (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw6Z4I-BLzQ), Missing Perspective (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNEzwWOgv5E)
Persona – Poem of Everybody’s Soul (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4loSMvSUy5Q), Hypnos Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SWcck8Bk6k), Awakening Legend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qbINMJuWBs), Sanitation Department (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xzLR0bPmqM), Police Station Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM3GuSmlRyc)
Persona 2 – Nichirin-Maru (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHCB_f-Uioc), EX Final Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZThNAFYv3c), Baofu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6r3WfZi304), Morimoto Hospital (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTCD7-Y5TkE), Shop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIv6G9z-cEM)
Policenauts – 28 Years (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NItrEBDC_1w), Innocence White (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpnIegkHRH4), Landfall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnpJM7qNpeM), Theme from News Order (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXorT3DG6OY), Dear My Friend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_ncv7Oox9k)
Rage Racer – Mathemabeat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG1Jv43lfIU), Deep Drive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs3slgsKQwA), Silverstream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuTWw2olJmg), Lightning Luge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypLwsH8dPS0), Replay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbDRzNSrQJU)
Resident Evil – Save Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzWOfaTYjdo), The Night Begins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi-Dz_t1AHM), Vacant Flat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7OIfghQoiQ), The One Who Survives (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9_OBrufV5g), Narrow and Close (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZanrLbBThJE)
Resident Evil 2 – Raccoon City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi_eEOEzs7E), The Front Hall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7JECkVzuq0), Save Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPVrizQOma4), The Second Malformation of G (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckr77MjcHio), Escape from Laboratory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfByN8H8BgE)
Silent Hill – Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZQo_ZMeR8U), Dead End (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PXEgoqZ9mk&p=6A2D20CC67C2669E), Wings of Hell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snFxA_JAcQQ&p=6A2D20CC67C2669E), Trinkets (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr53L9Bbay0&p=6A2D20CC67C2669E), Killing Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1XyDFM6Oc0)
Skullmonkeys – Little Bonus Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al0XOLM9FPw), Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CofPOEH8S-o), Hard Boiler Eggs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6g_yCK-9Vk), Klogg Is Dead! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BUmv8imdH0), She Reminded Me With Science (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngajEwTy2d4)
Soukaigi – Ancient Power (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ-2H45WTaw&p=74A294E9C891A8C2), Quake (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO7nSb9evnQ&p=74A294E9C891A8C2), Silence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtJJyDrNI6Q&p=74A294E9C891A8C2), Labyrinth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khppDfAuLYM&p=74A294E9C891A8C2), Broken Memory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5tQZtN7eSk&p=74A294E9C891A8C2)
Soul Edge – A Continental Gale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm9HjyPkQbg), Bravely Folk Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AygV-L4P_7w), A Travel Diary (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05Iq9dkolCw), The Edge of Soul (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYcqP1TWYOE), Moonlit Shadows (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqf8uYPbi0Q)
Spyro – Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPOnak-ozjw), Ice Cavern (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCdXPNcvVJc), Dream Weaver’s Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQSsB7dwhjg), Wizard Peak (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bd940BkxGY), Toasty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4IbvdqyNcQ)
Spyro 2 – Idol Springs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HD_7MuflM8), Gulp’s Overlook (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGYG_bV5q1Y), Hurricos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdB5cykpYXY), Magma Cone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQo_30iShow), Ripto’s Arena (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm8845Ddz3s)
Star Ocean: The Second Story – The Venerable Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7BJ1us2KxY&p=02269E339590713C), Mission to the Deep Space (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlrJaZ2qx_Y&p=4272CFF71FF5C27D), Breezy Afternoon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF080rAvxjc&p=4272CFF71FF5C27D), The Ultimate Terror (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PnVekEXJfk&p=4272CFF71FF5C27D), We Form in Crystals (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boRCmchdgP0&p=4272CFF71FF5C27D)
Suikoden – Beautiful Golden City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCME4Wxvj4k&p=C198C746BE4AF8BD), Distant Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47qlL8fvMcE&p=C198C746BE4AF8BD), Eternal Flow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNeOCMKU2V8&p=C198C746BE4AF8BD), Rising Tide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2n6d5B0W2I&p=C198C746BE4AF8BD), Tropical Bath (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsM4qvixObg&p=C198C746BE4AF8BD)
Suikoden II – Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW4d2R9vEXQ), Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSSEcgooY-I), Amid the Silence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80WuZ3I-YrQ), Two Rivers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJW7RvqW-bU), Gothic Neclord (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXuJ2cHx7Aw)
Tales of Destiny – Tales Of Destiny (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlUfaxqEs7Q), Bare Its Fangs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRNXpmZFELo), Despair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufTVE4INN94), Rebel Against Destiny (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfItdq51gIQ), Dead Or Alive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPDJC2VqPTE)
Tales of Eternia – Main Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nsV2bAVKZg), Ability Test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbcbpbA5D-o), Mintche (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqix3cD8BJ8), Mid Boss 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pOTt1_134g), Mt. Farlos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE7QHgNCVRc)
Tekken 2 – Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVFnXKpiH5M), A Man of Artificiality (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08GfGfj9Xbs), Law’s Stage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWC88QP5uf0), Almost Frozen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANQZXux67Bk), Emotionless Passion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksy2fYBbSpA)
Threads of Fate – To the Ultimate Relic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4jP-tlCaSw), Opening Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU3SQ1hZQnU&playnext=1&list=PLA3E135EFD0E0E07B), Temple of Ghosts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esT2-esRfnQ&p=61A710123F4E7435), The Bonds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J67FkEWG6Do), Pass Through the Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNpQ_OiofJw&p=2A3BA6FCAC714B68)
Thunder Force V – Stage 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUkJhIPLvqU), Stage 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUkJhIPLvqU#t=01m56s), Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUkJhIPLvqU#t=04m10s), Stage 6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUkJhIPLvqU#t=05m45s), Ending (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlJkEYoeGJE#t=04m57s)
Tomb Raider – Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_ekipC2ANs), Thor Room Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STRpUI00_-E), Battle against Giant Mutant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-PoQ5SaigU), Colosseum Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdQmWTorTsk), Natla’s Mines (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrDOhBc52n8)
Treasures of the Deep – Intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU00TZ27GF8), Bonaire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4B6kc_ifUg&feature=related), Puerto Rico Trench (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ES62nkJP_Y), Strait of Hormuz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8M9vD6PGIc), Bermuda Triangle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAK_MIVdimw&playnext=1&list=PL288D36A80DD31E44)
UmJammer Lammy – Chop Chop Master Onion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g80j-bLoWGw#t=00m11s), Fire! Fire! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsbO_riTJos), Captain Fussenpepper (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtCL5pgevEM), Make it Sweet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZcDlhnDZ8Y), On Tuesday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9L9OzV4Pv0#t=00m50s)
Vagrant Story – Opening Movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSvSXSttRw), Abandoned Mines Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVooykY0CcI), Great Cathedral (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUkHA4z_p-Q), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-4r0sRYuio), Dawn of Le??? Monde (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMcSr4PyutQ)
Valkyrie Profile – Take a Flight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prz9wXqTFHw), The Joke Of Truth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy5XHMS2SIU), To a World Becoming Impure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXndzXFVvQs), The Unfinished Battle with God Syndrome (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhfxfe0-PhQ), Epic Tale of a Holy Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g504AN2vtOg)
Wild Arms – Into the Wilderness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbiEH5DMx78), The Prologue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRtrcpBPORE), Courage (Dungeon) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZBb5ILh7HA), Funeral Procession (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=patYuwCJFJA), Town Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MQRL7xws7w)
Wild Arms 2 – Opening 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JfCYgxrQ_M), Resistance Line (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-RSzCqwWDo), Dungeon: Ruins Type 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEhZ8lZJbtg), Battle Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei0-wCKhhE4), Knight Blazer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V52h7nvOoO8)
Xenogears – Wings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHlF6TV1im0), Shebat the Wind Is Calling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nMHsFOEZmo), Knight of Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vtYBIod9ak), June Mermaid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCmED_YDqs), Stage of Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzW06O5kk4)
Recommendations:
I would like Wandering Ghosts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8JGNPE4ayw) to be added to the Symphony of the Night recommendations. It’s easily one of my favorite on the soundtrack and would fit well with the rest of the recommendations. If you want to keep it 5 recommendations per game then I’d suggest removing Abandoned Pit, pretty forgettable really.
As for Silent Hill, I’d like to add 1 more track to the recommendations but I’m not sure which one should be removed to make room for it (I’m talking about Blood Tears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCdkYRx63HM)). I’ll leave this one up to you.
Moving on to Persona 2. I think a clarification should be added that we are talking about Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, which is basically the 2nd part of P2. The first part, Innocent Sin, was never released outside of Japan (the PSP remake might come to the west soon, but no word on that yet) and is also not in the rumble (even though it kind of should). Also, I’m extremely against the tracks chosen to represent it. If it were up to me they would look something like this: Map I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw6-LkojX28), Maya (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk702KGQsPI), Time Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGoZhnSNxF4), Kagyuu Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMsArE6_lLA), Boss Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fee0GYSTebg)
And finally, in addition to the PS1 rumble are we going to do any others, or just focus on that one?
Tekken 3 wasn’t nominated or brought up in the discussions. One person did step up to bat for Tekken 2, though. If you want, post 5 songs for Tekken 3 and we can have a discussion about one versus the other.
As for Persona 2, you’re right that I only chose Eternal Punishment songs. Just like with Sonic 3 & Knuckles, though, the entry on the list stands for both games, which are considered part of one entity.
We are just going to focus on the PS1 rumble at the moment.
Everything else about the rumble looks good to me.
Still, it feels like we???ve barely scratched the surface of what???s out there. I???ve especially had that thought while compiling the soundtracks for this rumble. It???s astonishing that we still haven???t even talked about Brave Fencer Musashi, Intelligent Qube, Klonoa, Legend of Dragoon, Medievil, Soukaigi, or Vagrant Story???all heavily lauded, sometimes controversial soundtracks that appear in discussions of video game music relative to its entire history.
It gets even more surprising when you consider how many major franchises we haven???t had a single entry from yet. Ace Combat, Crash Bandicoot, Grandia, Gran Turismo, Legacy of Kain, Lunar, Monster Rancher, Parappa, Persona, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Spyro, Tales of???, Tekken, Thunder Force, Tomb Raider, Valkyrie Profile, Wild Arms. Some of these series have been going for fifteen years, and we haven???t even mentioned them yet.
That all changes with the PlayStation Rumble.
It is my hope that there???s something here for everyone. We???ve got techno soundtracks, classic orchestral soundtracks, ambient soundtracks, jazz soundtracks, Indian music, baroque music, breakbeat, funk, country, rock, funny music, sad music, scary music, dissonant music, romantic music, and everything in between. If you click on the Looking for VGM Recommendations thread (Thread 69378), tons of the links, at some point or another, connect back to the 64 soundtracks we???ve got going head to head here.
So why is the PlayStation 1 era so important for video game music? There are two reasons.
1) The popularity of the system brought the console???s music to a rapidly growing audience. The PlayStation was the first console to ship 100 million units, and from the beginning its launch addressed that new, larger audience with nearly every genre of game. From day one, you could play Battle Arena Toshinden, Doom, Warhawk, Air Combat, Philosoma, and Ridge Racer. The total catalog ballooned to nearly 8,000 titles by the end, collectively selling very close to 1 billion units. More people hearing the music from all of those games meant that more people???s opinions of video game music were shaped and influenced by this era.
2) On top of that, the technology behind the music took a big leap for this new audience. The history of console video game music before 1994 was a history of composers dealing with technological limitations. There were far fewer obstacles for composers now, due to the CD???s ability to faithfully represent live musical performance. This is not to say the PlayStation was the first console to use music files off a CD. Prior to the fifth generation, the Sega CD, Turbografx CD, and CD-i all existed, among others. However, those consoles were prohibitively expensive, low-selling, and poorly reviewed because of catalogs filled with shovelware and kusoge. Thus, the experience of real, recorded instruments within a console video game was limited to a very small group of gamers.
When you take into account both of these factors, then, you can see why the world of video game music began to shift with the PlayStation. Whether or not that shift represented something good for the music remains to be seen. There is still a lively debate over the quality of video game music, be it declining or not, with some detractors claiming the debate itself is silly when there are good soundtracks and bad soundtracks now, just as there were in the beginning. The widening opportunities for composers to complicate and experiment did mean that the emphasis was sometimes less about melody and more about all of the other aspects of the compositions. But not always. Plus, the presence of a melody is certainly not the only determining factor for a good piece of music. That debate isn’t worth resurrecting here.
What is worth saying is just how interesting the world of video games was in the mid-nineties, particularly in regards to the music. Starting with the third generation of consoles, many video game composers aimed to elevate their products beyond a simple, cartoonish representation of human behavior into something more emotionally complex. The goal was to have a parent walk into a room and not see a child playing a child???s game, but to see a child immersed in something rapturous, tense, and fun. This endeavor took technical knowledge, sympathy for human error, and courageous imagination to succeed. With each soundtrack in this rumble, you will hear those moments of success.
Get excited. 😀
Round 1, Fight 1
Chrono Cross by Yasunori Mitsuda (1999)
Time???s Scar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8), Star-Stealing Girl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoEMaWrQBQM), Ghost???s Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLmvWxotH1I), Gale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLc1xnZPlvY), Garden of the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBzrdbzKRFg)
vs.
http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=97e6e33d3ba555b51b0c5ee4f6a21303&w=50&h=50&url=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia% 2Fen%2F3%2F3f%2FParasite_Eve_Coverart.png&crop Parasite Eve by Yoko Shimomura (1998)
Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGWa4Zm0YDA), Out of Phase (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F13FRIepmD8), Arise Within You (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpbDDwWATuY), Theme of Aya (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw6Z4I-BLzQ), Missing Perspective (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNEzwWOgv5E)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2
http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=723d9dfaa70c389d6b90370f58cfb2a7&w=50&h=50&url=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia% 2Fen%2F2%2F23%2FSoul_Edge_arcade_flyer.jpg&crop Soul Edge by Masumi Ito, Benten Maru, Yoshiyuki Ito, Aki Hata, Taku Iwasaki (1996)
A Continental Gale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm9HjyPkQbg), Bravely Folk Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AygV-L4P_7w), A Travel Diary (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05Iq9dkolCw), The Edge of Soul (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYcqP1TWYOE), Moonlit Shadows (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqf8uYPbi0Q)
vs.
Thunder Force V by Hyakutaro Tsukumo (1998)
Stage 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUkJhIPLvqU), Stage 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUkJhIPLvqU#t=01m56s), Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUkJhIPLvqU#t=04m10s), Stage 6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUkJhIPLvqU#t=05m45s), Ending (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlJkEYoeGJE#t=04m57s)
My vote is for Chrono Cross and Soul Edge.
Chrono Cross
Soul Edge
Chrono Cross
Chrono Cross
Soul Edge
Parasite Eve
Soul Edge
Today is the rumble’s second anniversary. Holy crap. Thank you all for your participation!
It sure hasn’t felt like that long. I can still remember starting this rumble two years ago, during the week of my brother???s wedding. And tomorrow is my sister’s wedding. There’s a nice sense of circularity there.
For the first anniversary (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/29.html#post1484405), I listed out what we’d already accomplished. Here’s what we???ve done since then. The winners of the rumbles from this past year in order are…
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=IntegralWall.jpg)
Metal Gear Solid ??? The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=boxart.jpg)
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y6R4Luysnk&playnext=1&list=PL866653D8AD00A745)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1994)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=1271537907.jpg)
Chrono Cross (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8&playnext=1&list=PLD60FDA0E024BE41F)
by Yasunori Mitsuda (1999)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=Sonicth_eur.jpg)
Sonic the Hedgehog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoV0wUxFA-g&playnext=1&list=PL43622D6769FCEDB1)
by Masato Nakamura (1991)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=1096580470_megaman3title.jpg)
Mega Man 3 ??? Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiQgYfyUdDs)
by Yasuaki Fujita (1990)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=Suikoden_II.jpg)
Suikoden II ??? Imprisoned Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6exvhdhIE8)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=PlayStation_1_Logo1.jpg)
PlayStation 1 soundtrack ??? TBD
by ???
Here’s to many more!
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/EarlyMemphis/Smileys/BeerCheersSmiley.gif
Round 1, Fight 3
Wild Arms by Michiko Naruke (1996)
Into the Wilderness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbiEH5DMx78), The Prologue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRtrcpBPORE), Courage (Dungeon) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZBb5ILh7HA), Funeral Procession (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=patYuwCJFJA), Town Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MQRL7xws7w)
vs.
The Legend of Dragoon by Takeo Miratsu and Dennis Martin (1999)
Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CczTRFhlqhI), Royal Capitol (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MtSOr1FZC8), Enemy Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lM02OP0KF8), Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI5_MHdVU_c), Ruined Celes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTlpKWXaKtM)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4
Final Fantasy IX by Nobuo Uematsu (2000)
The Place I’ll Return to Someday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW3QK6CTg2g), Battle 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxQgbTRbT8o), Crossing Those Hills (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNOTJ-v8xnk), The Darkness of Eternity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSi6_hbpo8), Bran Bal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai4mbIP4vbM)
vs.
Tales of Eternia by Motoi Sakuraba and Shinji Tamura (2000)
Main Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nsV2bAVKZg), Ability Test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbcbpbA5D-o), Mintche (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqix3cD8BJ8), Mid Boss 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pOTt1_134g), Mt. Farlos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE7QHgNCVRc)
My votes are for Legend of Dragoon and Final Fantasy IX.
Also, of general interest, Jessie just posted this (Thread 90641) massive box set of music from EA games. I think some of you all will dig it. 😀
P.S. If the forums go down some day, do you all have ideas about where we could still keep in touch? Are any of you all members of the FFShrine Facebook group?
The Legend of Dragoon
Final Fantasy IX
As much as I hate the game, I have no problem admitting that the soundtrack is one of Uematsu’s best.
Tales of Eternia – Most of the battle songs and tension related songs of FFIX are a boring chore, just like the battle system =D.
Final Fantasy IX – I am a fan of Tales of series, but not really because of it’s music… Choice is obvious.
Here’s to many more!
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/EarlyMemphis/Smileys/BeerCheersSmiley.gif
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/EarlyMemphis/Smileys/BeerCheersSmiley.gifindeed! For another many years of good rumbling:)
P.S. If the forums go down some day, do you all have ideas about where we could still keep in touch? Are any of you all members of the FFShrine Facebook group?
I am one of those stubborn people, who still refuse to make a facebook account;) I don’t know how long, since even my mom has one @_@
This Guy made Hurry! of FFVII an interesting song. Check it out.
YouTube – ‪Mat Graham – Hurry! (Final Fantasy 7 Cover)‬‏ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhOhQdS19zk)
Here’s the link: The FFShrine Facebook Group (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_196693673702007)
Full disclosure: I haven’t joined this group. When they first created it, someone was tagging people in various pictures of animals having sex. Even though the pictures were eventually removed, I’m Facebook friends with my employers (and others who I hope will employ me in the future) and can’t have that stuff showing up in their feeds if someone decides to do it again. So I just have the link saved and check in from time to time to see if there’s any news.
We could share e-mail adresses, too. I’d hate to lose contact with you guys if the forums were to ever permanently go down (and that might happen sooner rather than later).
I also wouldn’t want to lose touch with anyone here. This seems like a good idea, especially for people who haven’t joined Facebook (or for those, like me, who deactivate their accounts at times). I’ll send a private message around to see if people are interested.
Most of the battle songs and tension related songs of FFIX are a boring chore, just like the battle system =D.
Hahaha. I forgot you had beef with FFIX.
Wild Arms – Funny, as I have beaten LoD, but haven’t played WA.
That happens to me all the time. Hearing the music outside the game is a really good test to see if the songs are worth anything. I really thought Legend of Dragoon was middle of the road in every way when I played it, so I was surprised I liked the music so much more by itself.
This Guy made Hurry! of FFVII an interesting song. Check it out.
YouTube – ‪Mat Graham – Hurry! (Final Fantasy 7 Cover)‬‏ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhOhQdS19zk)
That was fucking awesome.
By the way, if you’re wondering why links keep disappearing and why the "What’s New?" button is giving crazy results, the explanation is here: Thread 90702 The problem only occurs with the Timewarp skin, which is what I (and I think most others) use.
Also, when I was writing the PlayStation rumble introduction a week or so ago, I ran across this and forgot to post it: N-Sider.com: SNES-CD Profile (http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=231). It’s a short history of the planned Nintendo/Sony CD add-on for the SNES, which we probably all know about. But what’s interesting is that it has pictures of the prototype that Sony developed with both an SNES cartridge port and a CD drive. I’d never actually seen an example of the console before. Pretty ugly and bulky, even for a prototype.
Round 1, Fight 5
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver by Kurt Harland and Jim Hedges (1999)
Kain Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKKJLTxRR2s), Melchiah’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8Gzx5ipWRA), Underworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilH4y2zWDCE), Drowned Abbey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73qdHyw2fDg), Ozar Midrashim (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwMDNKVVZoM)
vs.
Suikoden by Miki Higashino, Tappy Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
Beautiful Golden City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCME4Wxvj4k ), Distant Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47qlL8fvMcE ), Eternal Flow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNeOCMKU2V8 ), Rising Tide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2n6d5B0W2I), Forgotten Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOBwvbNz3Dk)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 6
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete by Noriyuki Iwadare (1998)
Mysterious Cave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6s1-N-MzKU&p=5F7FB3B46DD0D4F1), Silver Light (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqbAYEtiSG8&p=5F7FB3B46DD0D4F1), Solitary Wolf (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfOL9XscTCg&p=5F7FB3B46DD0D4F1), Burg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPM6HT3RvN0&p=5F7FB3B46DD0D4F1), Thieves’ Bazaar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs-66MhP11o&p=5F7FB3B46DD0D4F1)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqq8uqSDnk), Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnQRWJ7bIhs), Discovery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_79a_5qM0h8), Mantis Hymn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMasLUmBzkc&p=DDD4AB6F3427F42F), The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g&p=DDD4AB6F3427F42F)
My votes are for Suikoden and Metal Gear Solid.
Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid
On another note, you all probably noticed that I changed the look of the rumble once we started with PlayStation. What I didn’t anticipate is that there would be so much chaos after the forums went down. Is everybody using the new Timewarp skin? Are you all having trouble seeing any of the links or the text or anything? Izanami is working on refining the new Timewarp, and I’m hoping the revised version isn’t so dreary looking.
Metal Gear Solid
This was a hard one for me. But Eventually Suikoden will win. I voted Soul Reaver because I love that Soundtrack a lot. It’s Aquatic and mystical sound is haunting.
On another note, you all may have noticed that the Lunar YouTube videos have the Sega Saturn cover as the background image. I forgot to mention that those are most definitely the PlayStation versions of the songs, though. I guess the uploader was mistaken or got lazy. What’s weirder is that RPGMusicDotOrg, another user and one that’s usually attentive to detail, uploaded the Saturn version of the songs (example (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndmK97qwNZk)) with the PlayStation cover as the background image. Don’t know what’s going on.
If you did like the five samples and want to check out the rest of the Lunar soundtrack, search for Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete as opposed to Silver Star Story, which is the Saturn version. It’s a good soundtrack. Too bad it had to go against Metal Gear Solid.
Suikoden, Metal Gear Solid.
Round 1, Fight 7
Crash Bandicoot 2 by Mark Mothersbaugh and Josh Mancell (1997)
Eel Deal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ig-Hd8tczU), Road to Ruin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs8wiYfvP1g), Hang Eight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RCYAsOwh2o), Rock It (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsvHQCTgHvg), Tiny Boss Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thr1xb9bv8g)
vs.
Vagrant Story by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2000)
Opening Movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSvSXSttRw), Abandoned Mines Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVooykY0CcI), Great Cathedral (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUkHA4z_p-Q), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-4r0sRYuio), Dawn of Le??? Monde (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMcSr4PyutQ)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/mmx6-small.gif Mega Man X6 by Naota Tanaka (2001)
Opening Stage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL0Bt7AprJ8), Blaze Heatnix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0yZtgyqHXM), Rainy Turtloid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2KlIff4dEY), Commander Yammark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYeWo_9v38g), Hi-MAX (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61Y21jWpoO0)
vs.
Koudelka by Hiroki Kikuta (1999)
Requiem (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdrgglBDTE0), Waterfall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Eu_zij3Rz8), Ubi Caritas et Amor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnZ4zq3lbKo), Incantation Again (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHlqledKmls ), Dead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eVouDu6HTc)
My votes are for Vagrant Story and Mega Man X6.
Mega Man X6
Mega Man X6
Back in 1997, Hiroki Kikuta, Square’s composer for Secret of Mana and Seiken Densetsu 3, was offered some money by SNK to break away from Square and start his own video game development company. Why SNK had this vision for Kikuta is difficult to know. Kikuta didn’t act in any greater capacity than as composer for either Mana game, and he hadn’t been in the business long, nor had he studied the business in college (he studied religion, philosophy, and cultural anthropology). So he wasn’t what you’d consider a prime candidate for a video game developer. He had gained a reputation on par with Jeremy Soule, Yasunori Mitsuda, Yoko Shimomura, and David Wise at the time. In other words, he was a rising star in video game composition, and no doubt had his pick of projects to score. But where the shared ambition for directing and producing came from, I don’t know. I’m sure we all know people who have been given responsibilities that exceed their talents.
Regardless, he got the opportunity. Sacnoth was formed (named after a weapon in a Lord Dunsany short story). And Koudelka was the first game they produced. However, during the game’s development, there had been serious in-fighting about how the battle system was going to work. Kikuta wanted a Resident Evil clone. His staff were willing to give him a survival horror game if they could implement a turn-based battle system close to what they’d done while working for Square on the Final Fantasy games. Kikuta put his foot down and said it was out of the question. Eventually, the development team won, and the game was given turn-based fights. But if you play Koudelka, you can see the game design concepts at war with one another.
That’s only reinforced by the jerkiness of the musical transitions. We can’t necessarily recreate the gameplay experience here with a song list, but the gist is that you spend a lot of the game walking around with very quiet, ambient, spooky music, as you’d expect in a Resident Evil game. Then, all of a sudden, the screen swirls from an encounter with an invisible enemy (like in an RPG) and the ambient, dark music cuts to this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Eu_zij3Rz8). I’d imagine the extended percussion intro was used to try to soften that switch, but nevertheless the mood of the game was undercut over and over because of that mistake. Gamers complained, as did the critics. And Koudelka became a flop, despite its many redeeming qualities.
Thus, this soundtrack is an interesting case for us, because the in-game execution of the music is quite bad. But our job is to judge the quality of the music on its own merits first. Only if we’ve played the game can we secondarily judge its appropriateness. With those criteria in mind, I honestly like Koudelka’s music. I’m just not that interested in the game it came from. It did also have some historical importance, because Kikuta resigned, SNK folded, Aruze Entertainment bought Sacnoth and changed the name to Nautilus, and then used their favorite parts of Koudelka to create the Shadow Hearts series, which has been much more successful. As for Kikuta, he went on to form his own record label, on which he has released several CDs. But failed, high-profile projects have plagued him since Koudelka, and he has certainly lost the prestige he had in the mid-nineties as a part of the generation of composers to follow in Kondo and Uematsu’s footsteps.
Round 1, Fight 9
Legend of Mana by Yoko Shimomura (1999)
Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBeMTXZ56XY ), World of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAkSPMjSKAE ), Hometown Domina (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV5kpd6Swmk ), Moonlit City Roa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QopZDjvj5g ), Nostalgic Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgWeKfyP2Ys )
vs.
Dragon Warrior VII by Koichi Sugiyama (2000)
Overture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAXQFX22198), Echo of Horns (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXIEL6K6Q8M), Relaxing Corner (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIv80pQVAtA), Revival Prayer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWC3wYUVP-U), Fighting Spirit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6CkFsgAEwY)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 10
Tales of Destiny by Motoi Sakuraba and Shinji Tamura (1997)
Tales Of Destiny (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlUfaxqEs7Q), Bare Its Fangs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRNXpmZFELo), Despair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufTVE4INN94), Rebel Against Destiny (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfItdq51gIQ), Dead Or Alive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPDJC2VqPTE)
vs.
Final Fantasy VII by Nobuo Uematsu (1997)
Still More Fighting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSxKxCz9M4s), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhxfCWaXYIo), One-Winged Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU), Aerith’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIqKWLkm2-g), Cid’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJzfOA9uV6E)
My votes are for Legend of Mana and Final Fantasy VII. Huge difference in the synths quality between Legend of Mana and Dragon Warrior VII. Both composers are top-tier with solid offerings, so it came down to presentation for me. For the other fight, you’ve got poor Tales of Destiny. It’s a good soundtrack that just got a bad match-up.
Final Fantasy VII
Both games are quite fond to me.
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII
btw Missed last fight… Anyway, I’m glad that Vagrant Story won:)
———- Post added at 02:08 PM ———- Previous post was at 01:58 PM ———-
Came across another list: The 50 most annoying video game characters (http://www.complex.com/video-games/2011/05/50-most-annoying-characters-in-video-games#51)
This list is a travesty; Tingle should be at the top of every annoying character list.
Final Fantasy VII
Round 1, Fight 11
Policenauts by Motoaki Furukawa, Tappi Iwase, and Masahiro Ikariko (1996)
28 Years (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NItrEBDC_1w), Innocence White (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpnIegkHRH4), BCP HQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBPeRbL9p2M), Theme from News Order (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXorT3DG6OY), Dear My Friend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_ncv7Oox9k)
vs.
Resident Evil by Makoto Tomozawa, Akari Kaida, and Masami Ueda (1996)
Save Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzWOfaTYjdo), The Night Begins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi-Dz_t1AHM), Vacant Flat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7OIfghQoiQ), The One Who Survives (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9_OBrufV5g), Narrow and Close (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZanrLbBThJE)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 12
Breath of Fire IV by Yoshino Aoki (2000)
Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P0T8ACxq3o), Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-MJTU8JeZI), Yet the Merchants Will Go (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6RKoOqErWE), Prayer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcLMurlX8oI), A Raging Emperor’s Banquet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noRxXKRDRsM)
vs.
Monster Rancher by Takuya Hanaoka, Takashi Kanai, Shiekiyo Okuda, and Makoto Hosoi (1997)
Rank C Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmGspw7SJxo), Death of Monster (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG6Fli4BrgE), Funeral (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbXx-EClMtg ), Intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuzSfSi6398), Farm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emN6Vj_KwsE)
My votes are for Resident Evil and Breath of Fire IV. Both Policenauts and Resident Evil have surprisingly beautiful moments in their soundtracks, which makes a decision between the two difficult. But in my mind "Narrow and Close" is an iconic piece that gives RE the edge. Monster Rancher’s soundtrack is a lot of fun but pretty limited in scope. And it’s a bitch to find clips of the music on YouTube. There’s almost nothing available. Apologies for the meager selection there. It’s worth checking out the whole soundtrack if you can find it. I’m going with BOF4 for its diversity.
Breath of Fire IV
In the meantime, there have been big updates on the group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/). Check it out and add your thoughts.
Also, here’s an interesting article on 6 glitches that accidentally invented modern gaming (http://www.cracked.com/article_19262_6-glitches-that-accidentally-invented-modern-gaming.html).
Monster Rancher – A suprisingly elaborated soundtrack I have to say.
Resident Evil was a much tougher choice…
Round 1, Fight 13
UmJammer Lammy by Masaya Matsuura, Shige Kawagoe, Yoshihisa Suzuki, Jun Yamazaki, Ryo Watanabe, and Naoto Sugai (1999)
Chop Chop Master Onion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g80j-bLoWGw#t=00m11s), Fire! Fire! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsbO_riTJos), Captain Fussenpepper (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtCL5pgevEM), Make it Sweet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZcDlhnDZ8Y), On Tuesday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9L9OzV4Pv0#t=00m50s)
vs.
Mega Man X5 by Naoto Tanaka, Naoya Kamisaka, and Takuya Miyawaki (2000)
Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeKcgN5kxsU&p=482C7792B9D2EF40), Duff McWhalen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdBsmlGT0so&p=482C7792B9D2EF40), Grizzly Slash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwPuibHZNeE&p=482C7792B9D2EF40), X vs. Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eFI0UFfAJE&p=482C7792B9D2EF40), Zero’s Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFjQ8I7PUKI&p=482C7792B9D2EF40)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 14
Spyro 2 by Stewart Copeland (1999)
Idol Springs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HD_7MuflM8), Gulp’s Overlook (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGYG_bV5q1Y), Hurricos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdB5cykpYXY), Magma Cone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQo_30iShow), Ripto’s Arena (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm8845Ddz3s)
vs.
Final Fantasy VIII by Nobuo Uematsu (1999)
Liberi Fatali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5f_VBd_17M), Balamb Garden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eU0tRBHnE0), The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkcmx2l3WA), Silence and Motion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fCa_B_A98I), The Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqtGBR80NWw)
My votes are for Mega Man X5 and Final Fantasy VIII. Surprisingly tough choices in both fights. But, man, UmJammer Lammy is one messed-up game.
"Did I eat my drink? I thought milk was pink." What kind of fucked-up milk is he drinking?
Bonus: Interview (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQq6rXdFGwE) with Stewart Copeland about Spyro’s music where he walks you through part of his composition process.
Um Jammer Lammy
Spyro 2
Final Fantasy VIII
Bad luck for Policenauts, If you did like the soundtrack, I highly reccomend this track in particular YouTube – ‪Policenauts OST 02-Opening Title Old L.A 2040‬‏ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvnU5_pIzZM).
Welcome back OSFM. 😀
Thanks ~
Round 1, Fight 15
Einhander by Kenichiro Fukui (1997)
Badlands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsGBhytk02s), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdiVVNoH0dE), Thermosphere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hJbe7YXsLU), Dawn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWOGH2C11AE), Shudder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGSuki0sKQU)
vs.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/bof_50x50.gif Breath of Fire III by Yoshino Aoki and Akari Kaida (1997)
These Little Things (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXzFubnyGGY&p=1779F6882E5AF292), Fight! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Voq-TVM3X9A&p=1779F6882E5AF292), Life’s a Beach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QSdhP_h0ck&p=1779F6882E5AF292), For the Dragons (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6EJcQsa2XE&p=1779F6882E5AF292), Casually (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiqMhZfIy9s&p=1779F6882E5AF292)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 16
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night by Michiru Yamane (1997)
Marble Gallery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4XIizeAXOA), Requiem for the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9MZyK-V79M), Wandering Ghosts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8JGNPE4ayw), Dance of the Pales (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5ES2vTanMQ), Wood Carving Partita (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0UoyFS7Ww&p=9C2427AFB919D8C2)
vs.
Soukaigi by Hiroki Kikuta (1998)
Ancient Power (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ-2H45WTaw&p=74A294E9C891A8C2), Quake (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO7nSb9evnQ&p=74A294E9C891A8C2), Silence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtJJyDrNI6Q&p=74A294E9C891A8C2), Labyrinth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khppDfAuLYM&p=74A294E9C891A8C2), Broken Memory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5tQZtN7eSk&p=74A294E9C891A8C2)
My votes are for Einhander and Soukaigi. This is a terrible match-up for Soukaigi, which is an amazing, beautiful, virtually unknown soundtrack. If you like the recommended tracks, DEFINITELY check out the rest of it.
As for the other fight, Breath of Fire III???s music is great, but you hear it so many times throughout the long, slooow game (even the speed run is 9 hours long) that I think it inevitably loses some of its luster, even though I haven???t played it since 1998 (!). That, and Einhander is bad ass.
Side-note: Breath of Fire III has made a couple (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/video-game-music-trivia-66197/#post1283016) appearances (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/video-game-music-trivia-66197/2.html#post1463769) on the VGM Trivia thread, too.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Soukaigi was nice, though.
Soukaigi – WOW! Before I’d never thought I will vote against Symphony of the Night in the 1st round… This soundtrack is truly beautiful. Matches like this make me wish that we had a group stage instead 1st round, so luck wouldn’t be a deciding factor so early:S
edit There is no active link of Soukaigi OST in the shrine… T_T
edit2 nvm It’s on GH 😀
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Soukaigi was nice, though.
Round 1, Fight 17
Persona 2 by Toshiko Tasaki, Kenichi Tsuchiya, and Masaki Kurokawa (1999)
Map I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw6-LkojX28), Maya (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk702KGQsPI), Time Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGoZhnSNxF4), Kagyuu Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMsArE6_lLA), Boss Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fee0GYSTebg)
vs.
Suikoden II by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW4d2R9vEXQ), Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSSEcgooY-I), Amid the Silence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80WuZ3I-YrQ), Two Rivers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJW7RvqW-bU), Gothic Neclord (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXuJ2cHx7Aw)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 18
Valkyrie Profile by Motoi Sakuraba (1999)
Flight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prz9wXqTFHw), The Joke Of Truth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy5XHMS2SIU), To a World Becoming Impure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXndzXFVvQs), Unfinished Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhfxfe0-PhQ), Holy Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g504AN2vtOg)
vs.
Monster Rancher 2 by Yutaka Fujishima, Ayako Toyoda, Masaaki Udagawa, and Saki Ishii (1999)
IMa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfFPk1Uxqns&p=30F512D6E65B7749), Farm (Spring) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1ChPtPVM6Y&p=30F512D6E65B7749), Farm (Winter) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGkTGsuxDxo&p=30F512D6E65B7749), Training (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKpQL0YOq2U&p=30F512D6E65B7749), Big Four Tournament Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYdlBRJo0Ew&p=30F512D6E65B7749)
My votes are for Suikoden II (probably no surprise there) and Valkyrie Profile. Two giants in the first fight. With the second one, I like both so I’m going with the more ambitious soundtrack.
Valkyrie Profile
I think the ambiance worked with Persona 2 better cause I liked the artwork in the vid more, but generally Suikoden II felt kinda… not sure what the right word for it. It was nice but it also felt sorta generic at the same time.
Valkyrie Profile was more consistent in quality than Monster Rancher to me, because i liked the last song in Monster Rancher but Valkyrie Profile had more songs I liked overall in that list.
Valkyrie Profile
Round 1, Fight 19
Crash Bandicoot 3 by Mark Mothersbaugh and Josh Mancell (1998)
Dingodile Boss Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vxJ2XAKopE), Medieval Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBu20i2D0dk), Future Frenzy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQQrO2UFNEo), Dr. N. Tropy Boss Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdO8jObarxI), Tomb Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvITxPHqNus)
vs.
Star Ocean: The Second Story by Motoi Sakuraba (1998)
Venerable Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7BJ1us2KxY&p=02269E339590713C), Mission to Deep Space (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlrJaZ2qx_Y&p=4272CFF71FF5C27D), Breezy Afternoon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF080rAvxjc&p=4272CFF71FF5C27D), Ultimate Terror (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PnVekEXJfk&p=4272CFF71FF5C27D), We Form in Crystals (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boRCmchdgP0&p=4272CFF71FF5C27D)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 20
Parappa the Rapper by Masaya Matsuura, Tuttle & Dynamo Laboratory, Kiyoshi Yoshida, Yoshihisa Suzuki, Shige Kawagoe, and Chris Parks (1996)
Chop Chop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ3o3kQZWm8), Mooselini’s Car Rap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoqllL8Vl6o), Bathroom Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEUiaO9KZQI), Cheap Cheap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh6BtPs-KNk), Katty Kat and Sunny Funny (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW9JmL9w0YM)
vs.
Tekken 3 by Nobuyoshi Sano, Keiichi Okabe, Hiroyuki Kawada, Minamo Takahashi, and Yu Miyake (1998)
Yoshimitsu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-P7t3zPrNw), Hwoarang (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hwXRXsB2us ), Lei Wulong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FqSRISWu8k ), Jin Kazama (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcLPL8cPQ-8 ), Nina Williams (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2CQ3HEcBbc )
My votes are for Star Ocean and Parappa the Rapper. We Form in Crystals is an old favorite. That sealed the deal for me in the first fight. The second one was a lot tougher. Tekken 3???s music is great in-game, but it doesn’t do much for me by itself. Same with Parappa, which got the edge because of the funny, bizarre stuff in the lyrics.
P.S. Welcome to Mercenary Raven.
Tekken 3
Tekken 3: Papparappa sounded really retarded to me LOL Tekken’s didn’t quite jive with me either but I guess Tekken’s the lesser of two evils.
Thanks for the welcomes, by the way!
Tekken 3
Parappa the Rapper – This one was hard, as those are vastly different yet both great. Not to mention fond memories of playing both :/
Hmm…I’ve only heard Infinite Undiscovery from his recent work and didn’t like it. Even so, he gets a line of credit for so many years of interesting music. 😀
I think [Star Ocean: Second Story] instantly is my fauvorite Sakuraba OST.
It’s definitely up there with me. Although I think Star Ocean: Til the End of Time is my favorite. Beautiful, slow, orchestral pieces and some good synth-rock songs. If you haven’t heard it, I think you’d like it. The PS2 rumble thread on the group page has recommendations (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-ps2-77/index8.html) for anyone who’s interested.
Not to mention fond memories of playing both :/
All of my memories of Tekken 3 are of my friend Brett kicking my ass with Eddy Gordo. :laugh: I was a lot better at Street Fighter.
Well, Star Ocean (5-1) and Tekken 3 (3-2) are moving on. Next up…
Round 1, Fight 21
Brave Fencer Musashi by Tsuyoshi Sekito (1998)
Sleepy Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-R5fRkghFU&p=60E25445A0C657E9), The Only Friend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd1aVl8QTSU), Poor Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-aiSnlPs8k&p=60E25445A0C657E9), Hidden Treasure House (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE944hjg5a8&p=60E25445A0C657E9), Far into the Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDD5RhpYHBc&p=60E25445A0C657E9)
vs.
Final Fantasy Tactics by Masaharu Iwata and Hitoshi Sakimoto (1997)
Character Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbS7-dPzRWg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Pray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4sVYkxyGxg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Attack Team (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-f-dPf6PSU&p=199E3C72F464C304), Team Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKoijRuwFQ&p=199E3C72F464C304), Data Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEBHwKBP8po&p=199E3C72F464C304)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 22
Wild Arms 2 by Michiko Naruke (1999)
Opening 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JfCYgxrQ_M), Resistance Line (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-RSzCqwWDo), Dungeon: Ruins Type 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEhZ8lZJbtg), Battle Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei0-wCKhhE4), Knight Blazer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V52h7nvOoO8)
vs.
Front Mission 2 by Noriko Matsueda (1997)
Saribash’s Warehouse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuw5Dy9vuRs), Counter Bar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7HM2dWFXdc), Assault (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaTM8Kg5AvA), Tension (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7_JhJuNgzM), Army Camp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbCZF_wowls)
My votes are for Final Fantasy Tactics and Wild Arms 2. Two Square properties butting heads in the first one. I love both, but I gotta go with Tactics, which is classic Sakimoto. And two female composers in the second fight, which doesn’t happen too often.
The second fight is another good example of how the quality of synths for PlayStation soundtracks was sometimes dramatically different from game to game, like our earlier fight between Legend of Mana and Dragon Warrior VII. Composers had a lot more freedom compared to previous generations of consoles, but still had to play accountant and portion out how much memory could be used for certain samples and tracks. So you get a real trumpet in the second song for Wild Arms, but a synth sax in the opener for Front Mission. And it made a big difference at the time, when gamers were having their expectations reset for how video game music could sound.
Wild ARMs 2
I hated FFTA but i got an FFT ROM lately that i’m gonna try out cause I feel like I’d like that better at least, I like the soundtrack so far. I wanna play Wild Arms cause of the phenomenal soundtracks but I heard the gameplay’s sorta typical RPG fare…. I wouldn’t like it.
Wild ARMs 2
Wild ARMs 2
Wild ARMs 2
PAGES of PURE AWESOME!
:zillafire: :zillayay: :zillawalk:
:neg:
:billymays:
http://th509.photobucket.com/albums/s334/Kaewin_bucket/th_thumbsup.gif http://th509.photobucket.com/albums/s334/Kaewin_bucket/th_thumbsup.gif http://th509.photobucket.com/albums/s334/Kaewin_bucket/th_thumbsup.gif http://th509.photobucket.com/albums/s334/Kaewin_bucket/th_thumbsup.gif http://th509.photobucket.com/albums/s334/Kaewin_bucket/th_thumbsup.gif http://th509.photobucket.com/albums/s334/Kaewin_bucket/th_thumbsup.gif http://th509.photobucket.com/albums/s334/Kaewin_bucket/th_thumbsup.gif
This thread would be pretty worthless if it was just me talking to myself. :laugh:
As for Wild Arms, I haven’t made it very far. Just 30 minutes or so, and I got the same impression. Has anyone else played it and liked it?
Two blow-outs send Final Fantasy Tactics (7-0) and Wild Arms 2 (6-0) into the second round. We’re getting close now. Next up…
Round 1, Fight 23
Rage Racer by Hiroshi Okubo and Tetsukazu Nakanishi (1996)
Mathemabeat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG1Jv43lfIU), Deep Drive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs3slgsKQwA), Silverstream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuTWw2olJmg), Lightning Luge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypLwsH8dPS0), Replay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbDRzNSrQJU)
vs.
Resident Evil 2 by Masami Ueda, Shusaku Uchiyama, and Shun Nishigaki (1998)
Raccoon City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi_eEOEzs7E), The Front Hall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7JECkVzuq0), Save Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPVrizQOma4), 2nd Malformation of G (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckr77MjcHio), Escape from Laboratory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfByN8H8BgE)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 24
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere by Tetsukazu Nakanishi, Masaru Shiina, Koji Nakagawa, Hiroshi Okubo, Go Shiina, Kanako Kakino, and Tomoko Tatsuta (1999)
Shattered Stones (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4n2GhLiEl0), Physical Layer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6to8JCURvVE), Transparent Blue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QZwEAKuIAw), The Crew (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrOqlG0S8to), Analogue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEXYUTdLUBU)
vs.
Grandia by Noriyuki Iwadare (1999)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGiNEaNxOxo&p=E916D1BD136F6D58), Off Runs Sue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMeqmPFt25s&p=E916D1BD136F6D58), Dight Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX4AQNNy0kI&p=E916D1BD136F6D58), Palm Harbor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu7ej3Rk4XU&p=E916D1BD136F6D58), Four Volley Rounds of Tension (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq-xmGNMAe0&p=E916D1BD136F6D58)
My votes are for Resident Evil 2 and Grandia. Both Grandia and Ace Combat 3 are awesome, so I just picked the one I listen to more often. Grandia also impressed me because it’s the work of one composer, as opposed to seven. The other fight was a little easier. It’s hard to beat Resident Evil 2’s "Safe Room," which is a classic.
Sidenote: You might have noticed that two lesser known names appear in both fights: Hiroshi Okubo (
) (discography (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshi_Okubo)) and Tetsukazu Nakanishi (
) (discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1361)). These were the composers behind much of the Ridge Racer and Ace Combat series for Namco–both of whom have been around since the early nineties. However, neither has gained name recognition, despite their prolific output. Maybe that will change when you hear their music for Klonoa: Door to Phantomile in an upcoming fight? It’s one of my favorite PlayStation soundtracks. 😀
Grandia
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere
Round 1, Fight 25
Persona by Hidehito Aoki, Kenichi Tsuchiya, Shōji Meguro, and Misaki Okibe (1996)
Poem for Everyone’s Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGTzT_HB2A0), Hypnos Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SWcck8Bk6k), Awakening Legend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qbINMJuWBs), Sanitation Dept. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xzLR0bPmqM), Police HQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM3GuSmlRyc)
vs.
Front Mission 3 by Koji Hayama, Hayato Matsuo, and SHIGEKI (1999)
Base Invasion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHf-qaFXR8c), Assault (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtprEvm28VU), Japan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bthCmtPYFrc), Fort Invasion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBqYgiVhY-M), Swift Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6jm-RBa4ss)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 26
MediEvil by Andrew Barnabas and Paul Arnold (1998)
Cemetery Hill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rklq4KouCv0), Scarecrow Fields (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miUli62z2sY), Asylum Grounds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWkhmnS5wvU), Crystal Caves (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI69AzFkWSw), Return To The Graveyard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_gmZzhP4Uw)
vs.
Spyro by Stewart Copeland (1998)
Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPOnak-ozjw), Ice Cavern (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCdXPNcvVJc), Dream Weaver’s Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQSsB7dwhjg), Wizard Peak (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bd940BkxGY), Toasty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4IbvdqyNcQ)
My votes are for Persona and Spyro. The second fight was really difficult to choose. Everything on Medievil is great, but "Toasty" is a perfect combination of synths and live orchestra, and its sound is memorable enough to represent the whole Spyro series.
Bonus: A nice arranged version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4loSMvSUy5Q) of "Poem for Everyone’s Souls"
Also, here’s an interesting tidbit: "The soundtrack of Front Mission 3, the third game of the main series and the fifth game of the total series, was composed by Koji Hayama and Hayato Matsuo, with one track contributed by Shigeki. Matsuo handled the orchestral pieces, while Hayama worked on the techno ones. The pieces were performed with synthesizers that were designed to sound like higher-quality versions of the types of sounds used in the original Front Mission, rather than sounding more like the actual instruments they represented." [quoted from Wikipedia]
Medievil – <3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qGlU9jIrbQ&feature=related)
MediEvil but the second round’s didn’t impress me too much.
MediEvil
Front Mission 3 – While Persona music is top notch, Assault, Base Invasion and Fort Invasion Convinced the hell out of me.
Thanks for the extra recommendation. 😀 That’s another good one.
Assault, Base Invasion and Fort Invasion Convinced the hell out of me.
Yeah, I think those are the best tracks in the game.
On an unrelated note, here’s a website full of old box art (http://boxart.tumblr.com/) for a rainy day. The "older entries" link is small, but it’s at the bottom. There are hundreds of pictures archived.
Nice site:)
Japanese Sir Dan xD (http://boxart.tumblr.com/post/2323406135/medievil)
Round 1, Fight 27
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/01.gif Threads of Fate by Junya Nakano (1999)
To the Ultimate Relic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4jP-tlCaSw), Opening Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU3SQ1hZQnU ), Temple of Ghosts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esT2-esRfnQ), The Bonds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J67FkEWG6Do), Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNpQ_OiofJw)
vs.
Silent Hill by Akira Yamaoka (1999)
Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZQo_ZMeR8U), Dead End (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PXEgoqZ9mk ), Wings of Hell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snFxA_JAcQQ), Blood Tears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCdkYRx63HM), Killing Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1XyDFM6Oc0)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 28
Skullmonkeys by Terry Scott Taylor (1998)
Little Bonus Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al0XOLM9FPw), Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CofPOEH8S-o), Hard Boiler Eggs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6g_yCK-9Vk), Klogg Is Dead! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BUmv8imdH0), She Reminded Me With Science (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngajEwTy2d4)
vs.
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete by Noriyuki Iwadare (1999)
Footsteps of a Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGvDi54VbBA), Promenade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar6VnPcy5s0), Field to Tomorrow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgR1BBN4-XM), Lucia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VIANYjU1Cc), The Last Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7mdhKSEER0)
My votes are for Silent Hill and Lunar 2.
I love Threads of Fate???s soundtrack, and I???m playing the game right now and enjoying it. It???s a nicely cohesive soundtrack with a lot of variations on its strongest melodies. But all things being equal, Silent Hill is every bit as cohesive and more important to the history of vgm. It seems to me that Akira Yamaoka made good on Hip Tanaka???s mission to create an ambient, engrossing video game soundtrack that didn???t rely on melodies for emotional impact (although it had plenty of good melodies). Silent Hill???s quite a bit scarier than Metroid, too. Right from that opening theme, you know you???re not in the Mushroom Kingdom anymore.
Speaking of scary music, ???Lil Bonus Room.??? Holy shit. I???ll never leave you.
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete
In the meantime, here’s (http://idrawnintendo.tumblr.com/) another little distraction. More video game art.
I’ll add my other vote later, kinda busy.
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete
Yep. Don’t have much of an opinion myself on the matter, though. I’ve played and beaten Kid Icarus, and I never had the nostalgia that others did for it.
I’ll add my other vote later, kinda busy.
No worries. I think we’ve got two clear winners now. I’m gonna post the new fight in a little bit.
Round 1, Fight 29
Gran Turismo by Masahiro Andoh and Isamu Ohira (1997)
Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mOOy8tekaU), Race Preparations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DJhnUgj2c8), Car Selection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3w9RbqgHZI), High (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QKYnHJ-dck), Arcade Mode (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FlaA7K6wDE)
vs.
Gauntlet Legends by John Paul, Barry Leitch, Joe Lyford, and Michael Henry (1998)
09 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYrQpiEXxYQ&playnext=1&list=PLB639BFFED82B3FAC), 15 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QYe6OVw75I), 22 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em9jjUL-Wdg), 35 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqw4upG4uVc), 37 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6eWhPtR8G0&feature=BF&list=PLF81890ECA1563DAF&index=6)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 30
Treasures of the Deep by Tommy Tallarico (1997)
Intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU00TZ27GF8), Bonaire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4B6kc_ifUg ), Puerto Rico Trench (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ES62nkJP_Y), Strait of Hormuz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8M9vD6PGIc), Bermuda Triangle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAK_MIVdimw )
vs.
Intelligent Qube by Takayuki Hattori (1997)
Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGx8NUmsGj0), Stage 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H7qEx8p3Bs), Menu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YnOa7ZOzsU), Almost Dead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrTALaa6zLA&p=8BBC95056A9DCB82), Stage 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmfa6kteGyI)
My votes are for Gauntlet Legends and Treasures of the Deep. This one goes out to Szczepan, who introduced me to the Treasures of the Deep soundtrack way back when we did the aquatic music rumble.
By the way, if anyone knows the titles of the Gauntlet tracks, let me know. I’ve searched in the past with no success.
Treasures of the Deep – Stage 1 from IQ was good though. While with Stage 4 I had a deja vu… Haven’t played the game, but I could swear I heared it somewhere:P
YouTube – ‪Gran Turismo 1 Japanese Soundtrack-The Motorious City‬‏ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdYwNwdGHc4)
YouTube – ‪Gran Turismo 1 Japanese Soundtrack Mr 4WD‬‏ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VmOqsMSO68)
YouTube – ‪Gran Turismo – Turning Point‬‏ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRG4Tw8-lFE)
So, with that said. Gran Turismo
Treasures of the Deep – This does not sound like VGM at all. It’s fucking amazing.
Treasures of the Deep Well, this was a nice surprise.
Round 1, Fight 31
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/xenogears0007.gif Xenogears by Yasunori Mitsuda (1998)
Wings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHlF6TV1im0), Shebat the Wind Is Calling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nMHsFOEZmo), Knight of Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vtYBIod9ak), June Mermaid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCmED_YDqs), Stage of Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzW06O5kk4)
vs.
Gran Turismo 2 by Masahiro Andoh and Isamu Ohira (1999)
Windroad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IqSQZxW9x0), The Real Motorious City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D_J8BGN4dI), The Drift of Air (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sCY987VPsI), Soul of Garage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-PfSPq4P0s), From the East (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJdU544NmyU)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 32
Tomb Raider by Martin Iveson and Nathan McCree (1996)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_ekipC2ANs), Thor Room Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STRpUI00_-E), Battle against Giant Mutant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-PoQ5SaigU), Colosseum (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdQmWTorTsk), Natla’s Mines (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrDOhBc52n8)
vs.
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile by Eriko Imura, Junko Ozawa, Kanako Kokino, Hiroshi Okubo, Tetsukazu Nakanishi, Kota Takahashi, Hiromi Shibano, Tomoko Tatsuta, and Takaki Horigome (1997)
The Closing Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v64adqW049w), Count Three (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wllG0ECkCH0), Nevertheless (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJVbTElmI_E), The Rongo Longo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOnvUCA04xw), Blue Cave Echo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNTocPyV6Vw)
My votes are for Xenogears and Klonoa. Gran Turismo 2 kicks ass, but Xenogears is a classic. In the second fight, we’ve got our winner for the most ridiculous number of composers on one soundtrack. That’s nine people for Klonoa.
Oh, and I forgot to say thank you to Topopoz for the extra recommendations in the last fight. 😀 Have a good weekend everybody.
Gran Turismo woulda been my vote. sry i was late.
Tomb Raider The main theme gets me every time. Also, am I the only one who thinks it sounds Final Fantasy Tactics-ish?
Also, this (http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01985/) OCRemix is relevant, I think (check out the rest from Xenogears, great stuff). Awesome mix by Fishy. He’s one of my favorites on the site.
In the second fight, we’ve got our winner for the most ridiculous number of composers on one soundtrack. That???s nine people for Klonoa.
Not quite. Check the composer list for Bayonetta first. Hell, if we look hard enough I’m sure we’ll find a game with more composers than either of these two, but I can tell you that Klonoa’s 9 pale in comparison to Bayonetta’s 11.
Tomb Raider
Klonoa – both sound great. When yesterday I was listening to them I’ve almost voted for TR, but it was pretty late so left that for today. Now after listening through them again while not being half awake, I prefer Klonoa xD
Also, this (http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01985/) OCRemix is relevant, I think (check out the rest from Xenogears, great stuff). Awesome mix by Fishy. He’s one of my favorites on the site.
Thanks for that recommendation. 😀
Not quite. Check the composer list for Bayonetta first. Hell, if we look hard enough I’m sure we’ll find a game with more composers than either of these two
Probably true. Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner, which was in discussion for the Sakimoto rumble, has 10 itself. There are probably a lot more examples I’m not thinking of that have even more.
When yesterday I was listening to them I’ve almost voted for TR, but it was pretty late so left that for today. Now after listening through them again while not being half awake, I prefer Klonoa xD
😀 That happened to me with the Spyro fight a little ways back.
Okay…I’m counting the votes and we’ve got another 3-3 tie, this time between Tomb Raider and Klonoa. If aces or anyone else who hasn’t voted wants to break the tie, that vote will end Round 1.
Round 2, Fight 1
Soukaigi by Hiroki Kikuta (1998)
Ancient Power (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ-2H45WTaw&p=74A294E9C891A8C2), Quake (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO7nSb9evnQ&p=74A294E9C891A8C2), Silence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtJJyDrNI6Q&p=74A294E9C891A8C2), Labyrinth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khppDfAuLYM&p=74A294E9C891A8C2), Broken Memory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5tQZtN7eSk&p=74A294E9C891A8C2)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqq8uqSDnk), Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnQRWJ7bIhs), Discovery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_79a_5qM0h8), Mantis Hymn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMasLUmBzkc ), The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g )
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2
Breath of Fire IV by Yoshino Aoki (2000)
Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P0T8ACxq3o), Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-MJTU8JeZI), Yet the Merchants Will Go (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6RKoOqErWE), Prayer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcLMurlX8oI), A Raging Emperor’s Banquet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noRxXKRDRsM)
vs.
Resident Evil 2 by Masami Ueda, Shusaku Uchiyama, and Shun Nishigaki (1998)
Raccoon City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi_eEOEzs7E), The Front Hall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7JECkVzuq0), Save Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPVrizQOma4), 2nd Malformation of G (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckr77MjcHio), Escape from Laboratory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfByN8H8BgE)
My votes are for Soukaigi and Breath of Fire IV. I feel like Metal Gear Solid’s music fit the game perfectly and was wonderfully understated, but outside the game I’d rather listen to Soukaigi’s soundtrack. That’s true for Resident Evil 2, too, and why I voted for Breath of Fire IV.
Speaking of which, last time around Szczepan posted some extra recommendations for BOFIV. Whenever you all do that, I will try to remember to post them, too. If I forget, though, always feel free to share more links of your favorite tracks.
How Long Will The Rain Last (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbFv8J-M5JI&feature=related), Landscape (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q23HiK0h1yQ&feature=related), Men Of War (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVSar3hbE_E&feature=related), Like the Sun, Like the Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8U_Sb6NMs4)
Finally, if anyone is having trouble loading YouTube videos (which happened to my wife last night and me today), it’s apparently happening to a lot of people. A couple fixes are recommended based on what I read, but all it took for me was to delete my history and it immediately started working again. :-\ Weird.
Resident Evil 2
Metal Gear Solid
Breath Of Fire IV
Like I said in round 1 Soukaigi was nice, but it didn’t hold a candle to Symphony of the Night and that’s equally true for MGS. I hope it doesn’t win.
Also, please join me in celebrating the 6 year anniversary of Killer7. Fantastic game.
Same here. The Soukaigi effect still hasn’t worn off. It’s like love at 1st sight for me, heh 🙂
btw It’s second round already and I’ve just realised that Playstation VGM Rumble is missing Saga Frontier II soundtrack 😯 Shame we forgot about it :notgood:
It’s way too late to change anything in rumble, but it can at least get a honorable mention, right?:)
Saga Frontier II by Masashi Hamauzu (1999)
Variation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USVgKQLYqSc), Thema (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXzrulChJXs), Naturvolk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN1ySWuRMhY), Ovation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A6rpzCqt90), Unmacht (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ9mtQt5N6w), Botschaft (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRRXlQ9TJCM), Feldschlacht IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOhtv6D-kY8), Todfeind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEYwzoIBJJk), Erfolg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAAGOeWiz2U), Roman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-zsONLYqzs), Mibgestalt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8NFIE30jpA), Haupt Mann (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw5YhixEC4c), Eisklumpen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4IsqKaesNQ)
and a catchy remix of Feldschlacht IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCOGa_zYsfk) 🙂
Sorry for so many tracks, but couldn’t make up my mind which ones should be removed – so many beautiful things;P Besides it doesn’t compete in the rumble, so it’s ok i guess. I hope it will be a good listen:) If you will like those I highly encourage to listen to whole soundtrack.
btw About all those german names – Hamauzu was born and spent good part of his childhood in Germany.
Resident Evil 2
Interesting! You can learn a lot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYN1yz5lU8A&feature=related) from the codecs, I imagine.
Also, please join me in celebrating the 6 year anniversary of Killer7. Fantastic game.
Happy birthday to Killer7. 😀 I’ve never played it, but it looks really interesting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rhvLebx1iA).
it can at least get a honorable mention, right?:)
Saga Frontier II by Masashi Hamauzu (1999)
Absolutely. 😀 Thanks for the links.
I haven’t played the first MGS in any incarnation yet, though… but i have played 2-4 lol
You should really play the first one. Small moments in that game echo throughout the rest of the series. It’s really worth it.
Round 2, Fight 3
Suikoden II by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW4d2R9vEXQ), Imprisoned Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6exvhdhIE8), Amid the Silence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80WuZ3I-YrQ), Two Rivers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJW7RvqW-bU), Gothic Neclord (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXuJ2cHx7Aw)
vs.
The Legend of Dragoon by Takeo Miratsu and Dennis Martin (1999)
Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CczTRFhlqhI), Royal Capitol (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MtSOr1FZC8), Enemy Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lM02OP0KF8), Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI5_MHdVU_c), Ruined Celes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTlpKWXaKtM)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 4
Final Fantasy Tactics by Masaharu Iwata and Hitoshi Sakimoto (1997)
Character Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbS7-dPzRWg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Pray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4sVYkxyGxg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Attack Team (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-f-dPf6PSU&p=199E3C72F464C304), Team Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKoijRuwFQ&p=199E3C72F464C304), Data Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEBHwKBP8po&p=199E3C72F464C304)
vs.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/mmx6-small.gif Mega Man X6 by Naota Tanaka (2001)
Opening Stage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL0Bt7AprJ8), Blaze Heatnix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0yZtgyqHXM), Rainy Turtloid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2KlIff4dEY), Commander Yammark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYeWo_9v38g), Hi-MAX (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61Y21jWpoO0)
My votes are for Suikoden II (surprise surprise) and Final Fantasy Tactics.
Final Fantasy Tactics
Next battle please…
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics
Next battle please…
Round 2, Fight 5
Einhander by Kenichiro Fukui (1997)
Badlands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsGBhytk02s), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdiVVNoH0dE), Thermosphere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hJbe7YXsLU), Dawn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWOGH2C11AE), Shudder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGSuki0sKQU)
vs.
Tekken 3 by Nobuyoshi Sano, Keiichi Okabe, Hiroyuki Kawada, Minamo Takahashi, and Yu Miyake (1998)
Yoshimitsu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-P7t3zPrNw), Hwoarang (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hwXRXsB2us ), Lei Wulong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FqSRISWu8k ), Jin Kazama (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcLPL8cPQ-8 ), Nina Williams (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2CQ3HEcBbc )
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 6
Soul Edge by Masumi Ito, Benten Maru, Yoshiyuki Ito, Aki Hata, Taku Iwasaki (1996)
A Continental Gale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm9HjyPkQbg), Bravely Folk Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AygV-L4P_7w), A Travel Diary (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05Iq9dkolCw), The Edge of Soul (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYcqP1TWYOE), Moonlit Shadows (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqf8uYPbi0Q)
vs.
MediEvil by Andrew Barnabas and Paul Arnold (1998)
Cemetery Hill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rklq4KouCv0), Scarecrow Fields (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miUli62z2sY), Asylum Grounds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWkhmnS5wvU), Crystal Caves (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI69AzFkWSw), Return To The Graveyard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_gmZzhP4Uw)
My votes are for Einhander and Medievil.
These are two interesting fights because they each represent tendencies of video game composers in the post-16-bit world. If you remember, the SNES had difficulty (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/30.html#post1490785) creating rock music faithfully because of its compression method. There were workarounds and there were exceptions, but for the most part SNES music was faux-orchestral and Genesis music was rock- and techno-influenced.
That changed with the next generation of consoles when composers working with the PlayStation were freed from many of the technical limitations of the past. Thus, you have a plethora of rock- and techno-influenced soundtracks like our first two competitors, in numbers equivalent to orchestral soundtracks such as Medievil and, to a lesser extent, Soul Edge.
In this way, the world of video game music was opening up for PlayStation gamers, far beyond these two oversimplified categories as well, making the fifth generation one of the most important for the evolution of vgm.
MediEvil
Soul Edge
MediEvil
MediEvil
I didn’t miss a particularly exciting battle it seems, since I would have voted for both of the winners anyway. Also wow, Super Metroid would have sounded awesome on Genesis.
Never let it be said that Einhander is in any way a bad soundtrack, however, because that is a lie. Personally, my vote is slightly biased due to my experience with Tekken 3 as a kid. That applies to MediEvil as well, but I didn’t like Soul Edge much.
Edit: Browsing through some of the older pages of this rumble, I feel like we should try to get more voters. We get 5-6 people voting now, while a few months ago we had nearly double that. Of course, you can’t expect most people to stick around forever but that doesn’t mean we can’t get new people to participate.
I’m always happy to have more participating. Our philosophy is definitely "the more, the merrier." If you all mention the rumble to your friends or put a link in your signature, that could help bring in new people.
I also have several ideas that you all could help with. For instance, I’ve been thinking about uploading the songs from each rumble in separate threads in the Downloads forum. That way, people can download the music and also be encouraged to come check us out. I just don’t have the time to create those threads right now. But if anyone is interested, let me know and I can send you some stuff.
I’ve also done a lot of advertising in other threads and through PMs. Obviously, you don’t want to annoy others, especially over a thread that many people have seen by now. But I’ve stayed active in encouraging people to participate.
However, I think the best thing to do is to just keep going, making things fun and interesting. If that holds true, people will talk about the thread. If others hear about it, they’ll take a look.
Round 2, Fight 7
Wild Arms 2 by Michiko Naruke (1999)
Opening 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JfCYgxrQ_M), Resistance Line (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-RSzCqwWDo), Dungeon: Ruins Type 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEhZ8lZJbtg), Battle Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei0-wCKhhE4), Knight Blazer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V52h7nvOoO8)
vs.
Suikoden by Miki Higashino, Tappy Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
Beautiful Golden City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCME4Wxvj4k ), Distant Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47qlL8fvMcE ), Eternal Flow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNeOCMKU2V8 ), Rising Tide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2n6d5B0W2I), Forgotten Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOBwvbNz3Dk)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 8
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/xenogears0007.gif Xenogears by Yasunori Mitsuda (1998)
Wings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHlF6TV1im0), Shebat the Wind Is Calling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nMHsFOEZmo), Knight of Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vtYBIod9ak), June Mermaid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCmED_YDqs), Stage of Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzW06O5kk4)
vs.
Mega Man X5 by Naoto Tanaka, Naoya Kamisaka, and Takuya Miyawaki (2000)
Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeKcgN5kxsU&p=482C7792B9D2EF40), Duff McWhalen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdBsmlGT0so&p=482C7792B9D2EF40), Grizzly Slash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwPuibHZNeE&p=482C7792B9D2EF40), X vs. Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eFI0UFfAJE&p=482C7792B9D2EF40), Zero’s Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFjQ8I7PUKI&p=482C7792B9D2EF40)
My votes are for Suikoden (surprise surprise) and Xenogears.
Mega Man X5
Xenogears
Mega Man X5
Don’t get me wrong I have in very High Regard Xenogears, as the soundtrack that opened the doors of Mitsuda to define the sound of music he does from that point to these days.
But I just love MMX5 music and game that much.
Xenogears
Round 2, Fight 9
Final Fantasy VIII by Nobuo Uematsu (1999)
Liberi Fatali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5f_VBd_17M), Balamb Garden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eU0tRBHnE0), The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkcmx2l3WA), Silence and Motion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fCa_B_A98I), The Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqtGBR80NWw)
vs.
Persona by Hidehito Aoki, Kenichi Tsuchiya, Shōji Meguro, and Misaki Okibe (1996)
Poem for Everyone’s Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGTzT_HB2A0), Hypnos Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SWcck8Bk6k), Awakening Legend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qbINMJuWBs), Sanitation Dept. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xzLR0bPmqM), Police HQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM3GuSmlRyc)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 10
Star Ocean: The Second Story by Motoi Sakuraba (1998)
Venerable Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7BJ1us2KxY&p=02269E339590713C), Mission to Deep Space (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlrJaZ2qx_Y&p=4272CFF71FF5C27D), Breezy Afternoon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF080rAvxjc&p=4272CFF71FF5C27D), Ultimate Terror (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PnVekEXJfk&p=4272CFF71FF5C27D), We Form in Crystals (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boRCmchdgP0&p=4272CFF71FF5C27D)
vs.
Valkyrie Profile by Motoi Sakuraba (1999)
Flight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prz9wXqTFHw), The Joke Of Truth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy5XHMS2SIU), To a World Becoming Impure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXndzXFVvQs), Unfinished Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhfxfe0-PhQ), Holy Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g504AN2vtOg)
My votes are for Final Fantasy VIII and Star Ocean: The Second Story.
Star Ocean
Valkyrie Profile – both sound equally good to me, but have good memories with VP, so it wins by a slight margin.
Valkyrie Profile
not gonna lie… i chose FF8 cause I played it :S
Valkyrie Profile
Round 2, Fight 11
Vagrant Story by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2000)
Opening Movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSvSXSttRw), Abandoned Mines Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVooykY0CcI), Great Cathedral (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUkHA4z_p-Q), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-4r0sRYuio), Dawn of Le??? Monde (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMcSr4PyutQ)
vs.
Resident Evil by Makoto Tomozawa, Akari Kaida, and Masami Ueda (1996)
Save Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzWOfaTYjdo), The Night Begins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi-Dz_t1AHM), Vacant Flat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7OIfghQoiQ), The One Who Survives (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9_OBrufV5g), Narrow and Close (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZanrLbBThJE)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 12
Silent Hill by Akira Yamaoka (1999)
Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZQo_ZMeR8U), Dead End (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PXEgoqZ9mk ), Wings of Hell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snFxA_JAcQQ), Blood Tears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCdkYRx63HM), Killing Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1XyDFM6Oc0)
vs.
Final Fantasy IX by Nobuo Uematsu (2000)
The Place I’ll Return to Someday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW3QK6CTg2g), Battle 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxQgbTRbT8o), Crossing Those Hills (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNOTJ-v8xnk), Darkness of Eternity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSi6_hbpo8), Bran Bal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai4mbIP4vbM)
My votes are for Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Surprised myself with both of these votes after re-listening to the soundtracks. All four are impressive, but these are especially impressive for their historical importance. Even though they’re mostly composed of atmospheric music, they contributed immensely to making both series memorable and successful.
But to me it doesn’t reach to the toes of the quality of Composition of this Soundtrack.
Beyond my obvious weakness for Sakimoto’s Music, Vagrant Story is the one most Heterogeneous Soundtracks outhere, It brought a wide variety of sounds and moods in the history of all VGM. Plus the Blending of the music with the Imagery of the game makes me weep.
From an artistical standpoint Vagrant Story wins for me, because it’s the Magnum Opus that’s been overlooked for being too unusual for the regular consumer.
Without going further with this I’ll give some more links with amazing tracks of this amazing piece of art.
Graylands Incident Climax (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cr42rn8KSA)
Attic of the Great Cathedral (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpEfS_1yoPo)
Truth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twxf2zAOCdE)
Golem
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qqU-PVOZOw)
I’ll stop here, because I’m capable of posting the whole 2 disks of the Soundtrack XD.
Silent Hill – Agreed on this one as well, even though the rest SH music was more trip hop influenced. The Industrial and chaotic sound of this one nails it and remains as my fauvorite SH soundtrack for being the most twisted of the whole series. =D
Final Fantasy IX
I find it funny that both of the games in the 2nd bracket are my least favorites in series I otherwise enjoy. While I am well aware that the entire SH series started with 1 and my beloved Silent Hills 2 and 3 wouldn’t exist without it, I still find the original rather weak and I while I don’t say the same for the soundtrack, I don’t enjoy it as much as later installments, which is why I decided to vote FFIX over it. Now let it be said that I despise that one as game, but it’s arguably Uematsu’s best score.
I disagree regarding FFIX… Even though I’ll admit it has some superb tracks… Many many of them are weak and repetitive to the point of being annoying, just like the game itself of course. =D
SH1 is not a weak game by all means. Look at the year it was released and it’s much better than 4 or the rest. It is my fauvorite SH game of course, I won’t deny what’s so good on SH2. But SH1 has some charm to me and does not have many facepalm moments like those found on 3, 4 or the rest of the series. Origins is one of the worst pieces of Garbage ever along with Homecoming, which is a wannabe SH2.
Final Fantasy IX
Hahaha. I???m not a fan of FFIX either. I do like the soundtrack, though. Just not as much as VI and VIII.
Thanks to topopoz for the extra links. 😀 Vagrant Story (4-1) is moving on, as is Final Fantasy IX (4-2). Next up, the penultimate fight of the second round???
Round 2, Fight 13
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere by Tetsukazu Nakanishi, Masaru Shiina, Koji Nakagawa, Hiroshi Okubo, Go Shiina, Kanako Kakino, and Tomoko Tatsuta (1999)
Shattered Stones (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4n2GhLiEl0), Physical Layer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6to8JCURvVE), Transparent Blue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QZwEAKuIAw), The Crew (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrOqlG0S8to), Analogue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEXYUTdLUBU)
vs.
Treasures of the Deep by Tommy Tallarico (1997)
Intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU00TZ27GF8), Bonaire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4B6kc_ifUg ), Puerto Rico Trench (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ES62nkJP_Y), Strait of Hormuz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8M9vD6PGIc), Bermuda Triangle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAK_MIVdimw )
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 14
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete by Noriyuki Iwadare (1999)
Footsteps of a Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGvDi54VbBA), Promenade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar6VnPcy5s0), Field to Tomorrow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgR1BBN4-XM), Lucia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VIANYjU1Cc), The Last Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7mdhKSEER0)
vs.
Chrono Cross by Yasunori Mitsuda (1999)
Time???s Scar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8), Star-Stealing Girl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoEMaWrQBQM), Ghost???s Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLmvWxotH1I), Gale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLc1xnZPlvY), Garden of the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBzrdbzKRFg)
My votes are for Ace Combat 3 and Chrono Cross.
Chrono Cross
Chrono Cross
Chrono Cross
Round 2, Fight 15
Gran Turismo by Masahiro Andoh and Isamu Ohira (1997)
Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mOOy8tekaU), Race Preparations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DJhnUgj2c8), Car Selection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3w9RbqgHZI), High (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QKYnHJ-dck), Arcade Mode (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FlaA7K6wDE)
vs.
Legend of Mana by Yoko Shimomura (1999)
Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBeMTXZ56XY ), World of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAkSPMjSKAE ), Hometown Domina (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV5kpd6Swmk ), Moonlit City Roa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QopZDjvj5g ), Nostalgic Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgWeKfyP2Ys )
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 16
Final Fantasy VII by Nobuo Uematsu (1997)
Still More Fighting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSxKxCz9M4s), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhxfCWaXYIo), One-Winged Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU), Aerith’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIqKWLkm2-g), Cid’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJzfOA9uV6E)
vs.
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile by Eriko Imura, Junko Ozawa, Kanako Kokino, Hiroshi Okubo, Tetsukazu Nakanishi, Kota Takahashi, Hiromi Shibano, Tomoko Tatsuta, and Takaki Horigome (1997)
The Closing Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v64adqW049w), Count Three (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wllG0ECkCH0), Nevertheless (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJVbTElmI_E), The Rongo Longo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOnvUCA04xw), Blue Cave Echo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNTocPyV6Vw)
My votes are for Legend of Mana and Final Fantasy VII. The first one is tough. GT and LofM couldn’t be going for more dissimilar moods. One is fast-paced and upbeat; the other is soporific and heavy. Both are well done. Both make good use of synths. Both are varied. Both come from popular games. And both stick to their genre conventions pretty closely. For me, it came down to the fact that I listen to Legend of Mana a little more often.
The second fight is easy except for the fact that I really like Klonoa and, with a lesser opponent, might have made it another round or so.
Keep in mind topopoz’s extra recommendations for Gran Turismo as well:
YouTube – ‪Gran Turismo 1 Japanese Soundtrack-The Motorious City‬‏ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdYwNwdGHc4)
YouTube – ‪Gran Turismo 1 Japanese Soundtrack Mr 4WD‬‏ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VmOqsMSO68)
YouTube – ‪Gran Turismo – Turning Point‬‏ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRG4Tw8-lFE)
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII
I just like Shimomura way too much. Gran Turismo’s music is fantastic as well, but still. Regarding that little argument we had earlier about which game has the most composers, yeah I think found it. Super Smash Brothers Brawl had 38.
I’m gonna let this run another day. I know some people have been busy this whole week.
Completely off-topic: I just finished watching both seasons of Twin Peaks on Netflix streaming, and I am totally obsessed with it. If you haven’t seen the show, I highly recommend checking out the first season. It’s dramatic and full of twists, like a soap opera. But it’s also subtle, tense, devoted to character development, and–best of all–hilarious. It’s so funny I was clapping like an idiot and falling out of my chair. I now realize how many times people around me have quoted it without me knowing. You’ll also see its influence on tons of other shows once you’ve watched it. And it doesn’t hurt that nearly every woman on it is smokin’ hot.
Closer to the topic: It’s got good music, too, which is posted all around the Downloads forum (example 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db5ZhxM8VZQ), example 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux9DTiPhkws)). Mandi even had a thread somewhere, I think, with the episodes posted for download.
Check it out. 😀
Gran Turismo
FFVII
Round 3, Fight 1
Chrono Cross by Yasunori Mitsuda (1999)
Time???s Scar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8), Star-Stealing Girl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoEMaWrQBQM), Ghost???s Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLmvWxotH1I), Gale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLc1xnZPlvY), Garden of the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBzrdbzKRFg)
vs.
Legend of Mana by Yoko Shimomura (1999)
Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBeMTXZ56XY ), World of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAkSPMjSKAE ), Hometown Domina (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV5kpd6Swmk ), Moonlit City Roa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QopZDjvj5g ), Nostalgic Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgWeKfyP2Ys )
————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 2
Vagrant Story by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2000)
Opening Movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSvSXSttRw), Abandoned Mines Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVooykY0CcI), Great Cathedral (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUkHA4z_p-Q), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-4r0sRYuio), Dawn of Le??? Monde (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMcSr4PyutQ)
vs.
Breath of Fire IV by Yoshino Aoki (2000)
Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P0T8ACxq3o), Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-MJTU8JeZI), Yet the Merchants Will Go (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6RKoOqErWE), Prayer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcLMurlX8oI), A Raging Emperor’s Banquet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noRxXKRDRsM)
My votes are for Chrono Cross and Vagrant Story. I really like Breath of Fire IV, but Vagrant Story is a classic. Maybe Sakimoto’s best.
And now I’m onto a day of reading about NFL post-lockout rumors and drama.
Vagrant Story
Vagrant Story
Round 3, Fight 3
Final Fantasy IX by Nobuo Uematsu (2000)
The Place I’ll Return to Someday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW3QK6CTg2g), Battle 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxQgbTRbT8o), Crossing Those Hills (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNOTJ-v8xnk), Darkness of Eternity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSi6_hbpo8), Bran Bal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai4mbIP4vbM)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqq8uqSDnk), Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnQRWJ7bIhs), Discovery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_79a_5qM0h8), Mantis Hymn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMasLUmBzkc ), The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g )
————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 4
Tekken 3 by Nobuyoshi Sano, Keiichi Okabe, Hiroyuki Kawada, Minamo Takahashi, and Yu Miyake (1998)
Yoshimitsu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-P7t3zPrNw), Hwoarang (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hwXRXsB2us ), Lei Wulong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FqSRISWu8k ), Jin Kazama (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcLPL8cPQ-8 ), Nina Williams (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2CQ3HEcBbc )
vs.
Final Fantasy Tactics by Masaharu Iwata and Hitoshi Sakimoto (1997)
Character Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbS7-dPzRWg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Pray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4sVYkxyGxg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Attack Team (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-f-dPf6PSU&p=199E3C72F464C304), Team Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKoijRuwFQ&p=199E3C72F464C304), Data Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEBHwKBP8po&p=199E3C72F464C304)
My votes are for Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy Tactics.
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics
Round 3, Fight 5
Valkyrie Profile by Motoi Sakuraba (1999)
Flight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfGv48GxLSI), The Joke Of Truth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpHDVr96i_0), To a World Becoming Impure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c92qyE3sISU), Unfinished Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7YbB9Zs1OY), Holy Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv2rUPvp644)
vs.
MediEvil by Andrew Barnabas and Paul Arnold (1998)
Cemetery Hill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rklq4KouCv0), Scarecrow Fields (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miUli62z2sY), Asylum Grounds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWkhmnS5wvU), Crystal Caves (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI69AzFkWSw), Return To The Graveyard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_gmZzhP4Uw)
————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 6
Treasures of the Deep by Tommy Tallarico (1997)
Intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU00TZ27GF8), Bonaire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4B6kc_ifUg ), Puerto Rico Trench (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ES62nkJP_Y), Strait of Hormuz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8M9vD6PGIc), Bermuda Triangle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAK_MIVdimw )
vs.
Final Fantasy VIII by Nobuo Uematsu (1999)
Liberi Fatali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5f_VBd_17M), Balamb Garden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eU0tRBHnE0), The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkcmx2l3WA), Silence and Motion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fCa_B_A98I), The Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqtGBR80NWw)
My votes are for Valkyrie Profile and Final Fantasy VIII. I couldn’t figure out how to vote on the first one for awhile. VP and Medievil are both great. And I was tempted to vote for Medievil because it was a career piece for Barnabas (who now, sadly, does music for stuff like Animal Cops: Miami and My Brother Is a Dog). But VP is what I listen to more often between the two. The second one was easy because FFVIII is my second favorite Final Fantasy soundtrack after VI.
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy VIII
Round 3, Fight 7
Suikoden II by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW4d2R9vEXQ), Imprisoned Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6exvhdhIE8), Amid the Silence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80WuZ3I-YrQ), Two Rivers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJW7RvqW-bU), Gothic Neclord (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXuJ2cHx7Aw)
vs.
Final Fantasy VII by Nobuo Uematsu (1997)
Still More Fighting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSxKxCz9M4s), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhxfCWaXYIo), One-Winged Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU), Aerith’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIqKWLkm2-g), Cid’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJzfOA9uV6E)
————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 8
Suikoden by Miki Higashino, Tappy Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
Beautiful Golden City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCME4Wxvj4k ), Distant Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47qlL8fvMcE ), Eternal Flow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNeOCMKU2V8 ), Rising Tide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2n6d5B0W2I), Forgotten Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOBwvbNz3Dk)
vs.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/xenogears0007.gif Xenogears by Yasunori Mitsuda (1998)
Wings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHlF6TV1im0), Shebat the Wind Is Calling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nMHsFOEZmo), Knight of Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vtYBIod9ak), June Mermaid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCmED_YDqs), Stage of Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzW06O5kk4)
If ever there’s been a test for the Suikoden soundtracks, this is it. I love them and I’ll vote for them, but going against two other legit contenders to win the whole thing makes it tough. Are these the best four soundtracks in the rumble? Suikoden II and Suikoden for me.
We start the quarterfinals next.
Suikoden
Suikoden I
Xenogears – have to go with the more important soundtrack for me
Xenogears
Xenogears
Quarterfinals, Fight 1
Metal Gear Solid by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqq8uqSDnk), Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnQRWJ7bIhs), Discovery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_79a_5qM0h8), Mantis Hymn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMasLUmBzkc ), The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g )
—–> Bonus (http://books.google.com/books?id=8FXOveU4iYwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=metal+gear+solid&source=bl&ots=9IAjo9Bw8W&sig=YW0pImWPch-IgHW9kRdhqHWdCLo&hl=en&ei=ipH3S9e6CYSClAfsxrDECg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CEgQ6AEwCTgK#v=onepage&q&f=false): The novelization of Metal Gear Solid
vs.
Vagrant Story by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2000)
Opening Movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSvSXSttRw), Abandoned Mines Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVooykY0CcI), Great Cathedral (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUkHA4z_p-Q), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-4r0sRYuio), Dawn of Le??? Monde (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMcSr4PyutQ)
—–> Bonus (http://www.1up.com/features/ffxii-composer-interview): Sakimoto answers why his career hasn’t been a dream come true
————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 2
Suikoden by Miki Higashino, Tappy Iwase, Hiroshi Tamawari, Hirofumi Taniguchi, and Mayuko Kageshita (1995)
Beautiful Golden City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCME4Wxvj4k ), Distant Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47qlL8fvMcE ), Eternal Flow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNeOCMKU2V8 ), Rising Tide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2n6d5B0W2I), Forgotten Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOBwvbNz3Dk)
—–> Bonus (http://mitsuda.cocoebiz.com/friends/higashino.html): Higashino reveals her favorite band
vs.
Final Fantasy Tactics by Masaharu Iwata and Hitoshi Sakimoto (1997)
Character Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbS7-dPzRWg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Pray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4sVYkxyGxg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Attack Team (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-f-dPf6PSU&p=199E3C72F464C304), Team Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKoijRuwFQ&p=199E3C72F464C304), Data Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEBHwKBP8po&p=199E3C72F464C304)
—–> Bonus (http://www.rpgfan.com/features/interviews2005/index4.html): Sakimoto describes what he’d really like to work on
My votes are for Metal Gear Solid and Suikoden. MGS put an entire franchise on its shoulders, and the music was a big part of that. I just played MGS this past year and was so enthralled that I devoured every other part of the series. Within about two months, I watched playthroughs of every Metal Gear game and read everything I could about the story and composers. Consequently, the music, while often simple, has a big hold on me. As for Suikoden, I just beat it two days ago for probably the fifth time since 1996 when I first got it. The game and the music still have the same charm and beauty. I hate voting against Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy Tactics, but these games and their soundtracks truly represent the best of the PlayStation for me.
P.S. Welcome to Zetara22.
While I agree that MGS put the Franchise on his shoulders, I kindly disagree regarding that the music did that. Now I love the music of the 1st MGS, it’s the best one in the series in my opinion. But I don’t listen much of that influence later on the series. Norihiko Hibino changed too much the style of music in the rest of the Series IMO. Give or Take every MGS games is themed on an specific subject. I don’t think that Gregson Williams or Hibino Captured the correct impresion for the rest of the music in the series, at least not with the same accuracy that did Tappy Iwase and the rest of the team at the Konami Kuheiha Club. Just my point of view, I’ve played every MGS game several times, except for MGS4 and the Portable ones.
But even having said that, I’ve still haven’t decided what I’ll vote on that battle… Both games and soundtracks are equally important to me.
EDIT: I’ll provide my votes later after some depth and profound analysis…
Vagrant Story
Final Fantasy Tactics
Let me explain. Metal Gear Solid was and still is a phenomenal game. It was one of the first games to get stealth right, it had a complex and thought provoking story but not without heart and emotion. Vagrant is simply not as impressive. It had interesting combat, great story and atmosphere and I still think it’s a great game just not on the level of Metal Gear Solid. But we’re not voting for the games here, are we? The music was fitting and rather good but I personally wouldn’t rate it as highly as other games in the series, especially 2, which was superior in my opinion, with great tracks in several different genres, using several different instruments. Vagrant Story on the other hand is varied, intense and one Sakimoto’s best works. A perfect soundtrack for a great game. There’s really nothing more to be said.
On the other battle there isn’t as much to be said. I haven’t played any Suikoden game and while I do think the music is great, it didn’t make as much of an impact to me personally as FFT’s music, which is why I’m voting for the latter.
Final Fantasy Tactics
So My votes are Vagrant Story. It’s the Magnum Opus of probably my fauvorite VGM Composer, The game represents as the best entry on the Ivalice games taking risks of a lot of things in it’s development and execution, and it’s overlooked by many people. Love it or Hate it, Vagrant Story from an artistical standpoint it’s one of the most ambitious titles out there, and it is the most ambitious title released that year, as it is the music in my opinion, this was in the days that Square led some freedom to it’s developers to make their own stuff, without paying attention to marketing strategies, Vagrant Story was almost an intentional Cult title. Triggers a lot of amazing memories, just as Metal Gear did for me when a was a boy, playing the Demo, mesmerized by the Voice Acting, Gameplay, Music and Storyline. Vagrant Story did the same for me, Mesmerizing me for it’s artistical crafting and execution of every element, not just the music. And I could give an analyisis of every scene with the track sounding. And listen to the track only and be amazed by the creative effort putted on this Soundtrack.
The other goes for Suikoden and I vote this one instead of FFT because of the reason you Arthur voted MGS. It’s the title that put the franchise on shoulders.
This rumble is fucking amazing, provoking me moral breakdowns xD. And I’m still sad about the 1st battle.
Suikoden – LUNASA ! LUNASA ! ! LUNASA ! ! ! hehe xD Seriously, I have to check this band. Cool bonuses you gave there, Arthur:)
While I agree that MGS put the Franchise on his shoulders, I kindly disagree regarding that the music did that. Now I love the music of the 1st MGS, it’s the best one in the series in my opinion. But I don’t listen much of that influence later on the series.
Interesting point. I agree with you now that you’ve got me thinking about it. However, I would say that if "The Best Is Yet to Come" wasn’t on the soundtrack, the game never would have had the necessary emotional payoff to make gamers froth at the mouth for the second MGS. The silly, wishy-washy, overly explanatory, almost unforgivable conversation between Meryl and Snake is so cheesy that without a truly great song to close things out, the last impression people would have had of the game would have been the involuntary desire to throw it across the room. Instead, MGS has, in my mind, one of the greatest endings in all of video games because of what happens after Snake and Meryl’s final conversation. The combination of images and song, delivering the game’s message in a much simpler, more powerful, and indirect way, hit me like a gut-punch.
The music was fitting and rather good but I personally wouldn’t rate it as highly as other games in the series, especially 2, which was superior in my opinion, with great tracks in several different genres, using several different instruments.
No argument there. When we did the Metal Gear rumble way back, MGS2 gave all of the other games a run for their money with its Main Theme, Electronic Emma, Fortune, and Can’t Say Goodbye to Yesterday.
Can I just wait until a hypothetical tiebreaker and vote then??
Haha. Well, one has come–just on a different fight. Someone who hasn’t voted yet hopefully will resolve that.
After some analysis, I’ve reached the conclusion that I can’t vote against any of those soundtracks with valid reasons at all. My love for the music of those games is indescribable…this was in the days that Square led some freedom to it’s developers to make their own stuff, without paying attention to marketing strategies, Vagrant Story was almost an intentional Cult title.
I hear ya. That’s a great point about Vagrant Story, too.
( yeah, right… too lazy and tired to type smth longer that would make sense xD )
Hahaha. Glad you liked the bonuses. 😀
EDIT: I had a nagging feeling that I’d heard Lunasa before. Lo and behold, our old buddy Shad posted about them in the VGM Trivia thread a year and a half ago with a YouTube link (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/video-game-music-trivia-66197/2.html#post1452482).
And while we’re on the topic, whatever happened to Shad? Anybody talk to him?
The Best Is Yet to Come is IMO the real Main Theme of Metal Gear Solid. It captures every nature of every character and every detail in the storyline. I’ve never seen a Vocal Track so well used in any game in my life. That’s for real.
And while we’re on the topic, whatever happened to Shad? Anybody talk to him?
Consider that the forum went down and back again many many times in the last few months/year. And there was a certain time that this forum was down for more than a week or two, Probably more.
I’ve noticed that many people never came back since that Incident. And Shad only visited for the most part only the Music Related threads.
@topopoz: What’s weird is that Shad still regularly logs in. He just doesn’t post anymore. 🙁 I guess he stopped talking to people after the forum outage.
@Smarty: I’m sending you a PM. I’d also like to stay in touch in case the forum goes down permanently. I’d be happy to keep in touch with all of you. If you want, shoot me a PM.
Regarding the tie: rather than flip a coin with so much at stake, I’m going to borrow a trick Agent0042 does in these situations. To determine the winner, he sees which soundtrack had the bigger percentage of votes in all of its previous rounds.
This is what those numbers look like:
Suikoden
Round 1 — 5-1
Round 2 — 6-0
Round 3 — 4-3
Round 4 — 3-3
That means that Suikoden got 18 out of a total of 25 votes–72%.
FF Tactics
Round 1 — 6-0
Round 2 — 5-0
Round 3 — 5-0
Round 4 — 3-3
That means that FFT got 19 out of a total of 22 votes–86%. You’ll notice it has also blown out its competitors in every round but this one.
Consequently, Final Fantasy Tactics is the winner by tie-breaker. It’ll join Vagrant Story (4-1) in the next round.
Next fights to be posted in a little while.
———- Post added 08-10-2011 at 12:11 AM ———- Previous post was 08-09-2011 at 11:36 PM ———-
Here we go. The final fights of the quarterfinals…
Quarterfinals, Fight 3
Chrono Cross by Yasunori Mitsuda (1999)
Time???s Scar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8), Star-Stealing Girl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoEMaWrQBQM), Ghost???s Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLmvWxotH1I), Gale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLc1xnZPlvY), Garden of the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBzrdbzKRFg)
—–> Bonus (http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/6737/chrono-cross-development-team-interview-part-1/): The original intention was to have 64 characters
vs.
Final Fantasy VIII by Nobuo Uematsu (1999)
Liberi Fatali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5f_VBd_17M), Balamb Garden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eU0tRBHnE0), The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkcmx2l3WA), Silence and Motion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fCa_B_A98I), The Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqtGBR80NWw)
—–> Bonus (http://music.ign.com/articles/741/741101p1.html): Why there weren???t more character themes in the game
————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 4
Final Fantasy VII by Nobuo Uematsu (1997)
Still More Fighting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSxKxCz9M4s), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhxfCWaXYIo), One-Winged Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU), Aerith’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIqKWLkm2-g), Cid’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJzfOA9uV6E)
—–> Bonus (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/793/793956p1.html): The hot-blooded, hard-boiled FFVII
vs.
Valkyrie Profile by Motoi Sakuraba (1999)
Flight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfGv48GxLSI), The Joke Of Truth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpHDVr96i_0), To a World Becoming Impure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c92qyE3sISU), Unfinished Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7YbB9Zs1OY), Holy Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv2rUPvp644)
—–> Bonus (
): Crushed velvet is always in fashion as far as Sakuraba is concerned
My votes are for Final Fantasy VIII and Final Fantasy VII. Brutal fight to start. You have two soundtracks that aren???t just good, but two soundtracks that stand as some of the peak achievements for these two composers. And these two composers are Mitsuda and Uematsu???two of the greatest vgm composers ever. So, how the hell do you decide one or the other? For me, it came down to two lists, quantifying how many truly excellent songs came from each soundtrack. That meant, for me, it was Time???s Scar, Time???s Grasslands, Ghost???s Island, Garden of the Gods, and Star-Stealing Girl (5) versus Liberi Fatali, Balamb Garden, Breezy, Blue Fields, Maybe I???m a Lion, and The Spy (6), giving FFVIII the slight edge. But that???s just how I feel right now. I could see numerous counterarguments for Chrono Cross, and on another day I might have voted for it. Tough fight. The second one…not so much. Valkyrie Profile is good, but FFVII is legendary.
Final Fantasy VII
As a whole, I’d say FFVIII is better than Chrono Cross, despite the latter having boasting some of the best music in the history of video games. Time’s Scar in particular.
Final Fantasy VII, I’ve actually beaten that one too, and some of the tracks on the OST are very well done (except One Winged Angel).
Chrono Cross on the other hand it is and it always be IMO the best work of Yasunori Mitusda and it’s very easy to fall and to appreciate the music of this game. The instrument selection is superb and the quality of melodies and harmonies are captivating, all in all. Amazing
The other goes for Final Fantasy VII, because Valkyrie Profile, has some Sakuraba type of tracks that I don’t like. And of course because I love the music of VII.
Final Fantasy VII is better overall, but VP is a very solid soundtrack as well.
Semifinals, Fight 1
Vagrant Story by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2000)
Opening Movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSvSXSttRw), Abandoned Mines Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVooykY0CcI), Great Cathedral (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUkHA4z_p-Q), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-4r0sRYuio), Dawn of Le??? Monde (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMcSr4PyutQ)
—–> Full soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC7FA53EBA99B515E)
Here is Sakimoto forcefully staking his claim as a major composer unto himself, without Iwata’s help. It’s a smooth transition from Tactics in terms of mood and instrumentation. But the compositions have several qualities to intensify what Sakimoto had previously accomplished. The density of the strings, chimes, brass, and woodwinds working together, coupled with the slow and sometimes subtle development of the melodies, gives the soundtrack a muddy, sleepy feel that was not common in video game music. Equally surprising are the moments when the music gearshifts suddenly into industrial breakbeats, echoing rim shots, and Twilight Zone-inspired synth lines, only to drop out into gorgeous plucked arpeggios or a wash of violins resolving the music’s aggression. This soundtrack is forceful, dark, often militaristic, but also quite beautiful. Maybe because of that, Sakimoto is still intriguing. After all these years, there???s an air of mystique and experimentation that still seeps into every soundtrack he contributes to, be it a surprising harp glissando in the middle of an electronic piece, a Vangelis bass line in the middle of a flute solo, or a mournful trumpet rising out of a battle theme. He has the skills to make complex music accessible to a wide audience, and does so here maybe better than on any other soundtrack he composed.
vs.
Final Fantasy VII by Nobuo Uematsu (1997)
Still More Fighting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSxKxCz9M4s), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhxfCWaXYIo), One-Winged Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU), Aerith’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIqKWLkm2-g), Cid’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJzfOA9uV6E)
—–> Full soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL77D98F68F6DBB35D)
You blow up the reactor, defend yourself against the president, escape the Turks with Aeris, become a prostitute, watch as an entire area of your city is destroyed, climb out of the ruins, sneak into Shinra HQ, find everyone dead, fight your way out, finally leave Midgar, and get to the open-exploration part of the game where you???re usually rewarded with a big, boisterous main theme. And what do you get? A lethargic, almost dirge-like, sweep of strings. If you raced, you???ve only only taken two hours to get to this point. But more likely it???s been three or four, and the tone is set for the rest of the game: darkness and futility. Consider the main themes of Final Fantasy I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lViSeukzQOQ), II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xktPLOC6e6Y), III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vDlAJWSEIg), IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKqFz5IZSvM), V (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3ej58BlDwM), and VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ) and you can see the difference. Even in the slower themes before this game, there was a steady and prominent bass keeping things moving. In contrast, the hopefulness in VII???s music (like when it takes a romantic turn around the :52 mark) is still couched in sadness. As you???re walking across the dark, often barren, industrial landscape, it???s hard to feel optimistic about your mission, visiting towns (Costa Del Sol and the Gold Saucer aside) with themes equally slow, sleepy, and/or melancholy. However, it’s easy to be enthralled by what may be Uematsu???s most consistent soundtrack, maintaining its mood and instrumentation for the entire game. And because of that, as the game designer’s intended, there is an overriding feeling of light emerging from vast darkness.
————————————————————————————————
Semifinals, Fight 2
Final Fantasy Tactics by Masaharu Iwata and Hitoshi Sakimoto (1997)
Character Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbS7-dPzRWg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Pray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4sVYkxyGxg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Attack Team (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-f-dPf6PSU&p=199E3C72F464C304), Team Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKoijRuwFQ&p=199E3C72F464C304), Data Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEBHwKBP8po&p=199E3C72F464C304)
—–> Full soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL199E3C72F464C304)
How hard is it to believe that this soundtrack is just one console removed from the SNES and Genesis? From the opening track, you can hear the difference in every aspect of the music: in the quality of the synths, the range and flexibility of the instruments, the concert-hall echo on the piano, and the very manner in which the melody is developed. Gone are the emphases on melodic immediacy and the limitations of sub-minute loops from the previous generation. This is Sakimoto and Iwata bringing video game music into high art with jabbing strings, snare rolls, electronic drums, trumpets blaring and trashcan lids shattering, some pieces rocking enough to shake the blood loose from your ears. Then there are moments of austere beauty like the relaxed, pokey trumpet melody in Attack Team or the pizzicato/harp-driven Hero???s Theme or the plodding Algus or the slippery bowing of Warrior???s Hideout. It’s what we’ve come to expect from Sakimoto and Iwata, with all the hallmarks of their earlier output, exemplified particularly well on Ogre Battle’s soundtrack. Except here it’s done with a gentler touch, an eye towards subtlety. I tend to like the soporific, string-heavy tracks, but there???s a diverse selection, from the rousting marches to the placid church hymns, that lend a sense of grandeur to the affair and make this one of the great soundtracks of the PlayStation era.
vs.
Final Fantasy VIII by Nobuo Uematsu (1999)
Liberi Fatali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5f_VBd_17M), Balamb Garden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eU0tRBHnE0), The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkcmx2l3WA), Silence and Motion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fCa_B_A98I), The Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqtGBR80NWw)
—–> Full soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL294020FE0E62D993)
It???s hard not to hear this soundtrack as a reaction to VII and, in fact, the designers of VIII have said that the game from top to bottom was meant to be brighter and fresher than its predecessor. There are connections between the two???Liberi Fatali as One-Winged Angel 2.0, Roses and Wine as Aerith???s Theme 2.0, the fight songs as variations of the guitar-driven techno fight songs of VII???but there is also a lighthearted, carefree attitude in many of the pieces like Balamb Garden and Breezy that are meant to reflect a school days kind of atmosphere, and succeed, I think. In terms of Uematsu???s entire catalog, it seems he might have been reaching back towards the goofiness of FFIV???s Mystic Mysidia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwtdCcviYl4) with tracks like Silence and Motion and Residents and the multipart baroque Dancing Mad from FFVI with The Castle, while also looking forward with the harpsichord Edea pieces, the orchestral arrangements (his first), and, of course, Eyes on Me???a type of song that, for better or worse, continues to be a staple of Final Fantasy ending music. Therefore, VIII represents a synthesis of much of his previous work, as IX was, and equally a sign of things to come, too. Its emphasis is on reflecting a variety of moods and locations, and it does that well. And like VII, it contains several classic Uematsu pieces that work beautifully in the context of the game and sound beautiful outside of that context, too.
All those admirable qualities aside, though, we gotta choose the best two. My votes are for Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy VIII.
Final Fantasy Tactics
Actually not such a tough choices for me. Some earlier battles were so much tougher than that.
And then I have Vagrant Story, a game that I love as well. It wasn’t love at first sight though. This is one of those that you need to put yourself into it and understand every little detail to understand it. It certainly wasn’t thought out to appeal people, it was thought out in a more personal way. The Creative Team involved, working together, thinking of what they can bring to table to make this their ultimate and most ambitious title in every aspect they can think of with the tools they have at disposal.
That’s how I Imagine the Development of this title. And I Imagine Sakimoto given the freedom to offer what he can do best at his compositions.
You’ll encounter terribly simple scores on this soundtrack, such as "Catacomb", simple and kinda uninspired some people will say, I say for it’s objective it works superb, It’s Gloom, dark, atmospheric, it transports you there and you are helpless, you’re not enjoying your trip there, you are fighting through it, staying alive, undead creatures surround you trying to rip your guts off, you’re in touch with the unknown and you’re trying to discover what’s causing all this, getting to know yourself in all that solitude and thus your quest starts.
And then you will find such complex and varied tracks that are made use of to follow a cutscene, such as those we have Graylands Incident Climax. A composition with 11 to 13 minutes long, the title speaks to you what kind of music you’ll expect here. You are experiencing the music that plays during an Incident, that reach to it’s Climax.
A burning place, where treason and deceit are the protagonists. The clash between two separate forces, with the intervention of a 3rd force that comes to mediate the situation, yet things are out of control, it presents us who will unravel all this out, with an enforcing and hopeful fanfare. With every intersection speaking to our ears the desperation and axiety of the human beings involved, speaking it’s character every single soul. It then follows a tension moment, members of their own forces discusing with each other, things are getting out of control. This soul manages to infiltrate, a clash takes place, things appear to be over, yet the music tells us something else suddenly things got kinectic and frantic. It slows down, cue the Timpani, feels like walls are crumbling down a Titanic sound yet, where’s the Titan?. Show more respect for fairy tales and then the entity makes it’s appearance, we reached the Climax, the borders of reality and fiction are now bonded together in climatic battle.
At the end of this battle everything now calms, as we feel that we walk to just the door of our new Quest, the sun shines bright and an insipiring breeze cools all our senses, the bells are ringing, the French Horn and Trumpets gives us a sign, the strings reach a crescendo and then it concludes with a fine orchestral hit.
Vagrant Story
O.O
————————————–
For FFT and FFVIII is still a hard one for me. I’ve never thought that the music of VIII accomplished much for the game that it accomplished much more to the composer rather than the whole product.
VIII’s music is easy to fall for, the timbre of the synth used on this soundtrack is very close to actual instruments, the melodies are more refined and tender. They feel much more Real and less dreamful or overly tragic/emotional compared the previous works of Uematsu.
Having it’s share of Natural and Nostalgic sound, Uematsu managed to balance his "Rock" onto the classical pieces.
I’m going to repeat myself here, but I’ve never feel that the music spoke much for the game, it spoke a lot more personally. Probably that’s what our composer tried to achieve. As he said that this soundtrack didn’t felt the need of Character songs, because he considered them not to be important to the storytelling of the game, yet IMO that’s completely the opposite of that the game’s story tried to work out.
And the result was interesting, but somethings didn’t matched or felt completely out of place, such is the case of the "Rivals" track and "Eyes on Me", the moment were the track is played felt so out of place, that it actually worked better on the Ending Theme. IMO
Final Fantasy Tactics on the other hand is another weird one, because I do love the music and there’s no moment that feels bad or out of place.
But from another point of view FFT could be considered as Tactics Ogre 2.0, or the more light-hearted and dreamful version of Tactics Ogre.
Sure there are many melodies that feel rather different, but both have a share of similarities that can be fairly recognizable.
It’s hard to me to come with a satisfying conclusion to this 2nd battle.
I’ll vote for Final Fantasy VIII, because it has a more interesting background in the terms of the Creative Process of the music.
Final Fantasy VIII The second battle was kind of difficult. I don’t admire FFVII all that much so the first battle was a cinch for me.
Final Round
(http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL294020FE0E62D993)
vs.
(http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC7FA53EBA99B515E)
My vote is for Final Fantasy VIII.
This was a tough one. It came down to the fact that I love Final Fantasy VIII’s soundtrack. I appreciate Vagrant Story. I enjoy listening to it. I think it’s the more consistent soundtrack, and the one that’s better suited to the mood and style of its game. But I don’t relish each song the way I do with Final Fantasy VIII. I don’t enjoy it on the same level. Either way the votes go, though, we’ll have a deserving winner.
Vagrant Story – I’ve made myself clear about what I think about FFVIII’s Music.
But I’ve never feel myself that I’m clear to what I think about Vagrant Story’s Music.
I may attempt to describe what i think of every single track like I did up there for those 2 Tracks, I’ve mainly did that analysis to make a contrast of a very few of the things that you can find on this soundtrack. But I never feel that it’s enough.
The review made by "Jormungad" on this website Chudah’s Corner – Reviews (http://chudahs-corner.com/reviews/index.php?catalog=SSCX-10042). It’s the only thing that I read in the whole internet that comes close to what I feel when I listen to this music.
I’ll probably add more thoughts and perspective into this post later. Right now I’m very tired…
Vagrant Story (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC7FA53EBA99B515E)!
by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2000)
Here is Sakimoto forcefully staking his claim as a major composer. It’s a smooth transition from Tactics in terms of mood and instrumentation. But the compositions have several qualities to intensify what Sakimoto had previously accomplished. The density of the strings, chimes, brass, and woodwinds working together, coupled with the slow and sometimes subtle development of the melodies, gives the soundtrack a muddy, sleepy feel that was not common in video game music. Equally surprising are the moments when the music gearshifts suddenly into industrial breakbeats, echoing rim shots, and Twilight Zone-inspired synth lines, only to drop out into gorgeous plucked arpeggios or a wash of violins resolving the music’s aggression. This soundtrack is forceful, dark, often militaristic, but also quite beautiful. Because of that, there???s an air of mystique and experimentation that seeps into this and every subsequent soundtrack Sakimoto has contributed to, whether it takes the form of a surprising harp glissando in the middle of an electronic piece, a Vangelis bass line in the middle of a flute solo, or a mournful trumpet rising out of a battle theme. He has the skills to make complex music accessible to a wide audience, and does so here maybe better than on any other soundtrack he has composed.
Bonus: Sakimoto answers why his career hasn’t (http://www.1up.com/features/ffxii-composer-interview) been a dream come true
Bonus 2: A review (http://chudahs-corner.com/reviews/index.php?catalog=SSCX-10042) of the soundtrack
Record: 3-1, 4-1, 4-0, 4-1, 4-1, 4-3
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
We???ll vote on the next battle(s) very soon.
Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you???d like to do, post it on our group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20), where you can also see and make suggestions on the themes we???ve already worked on.
Bonus pictures:
Composers, Zelda, and Final Fantasy are all still in the works (as best as I can tell).
More details about each rumble can be found here ( http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20).
Here’s the list in chronological order…
1) The Best of the PS2 ??? 64 soundtracks – Started June 2010 [ready]
2) The Best of Hitoshi Sakimoto ??? 16 soundtracks – Started December 2010 [ready]
3) The Composers Rumble ??? 64 composers – Started December 2010 [not ready]
4) The Best of The Legend of Zelda ??? 64/128 songs – Started February 2011 [not ready]
5) The Best of Final Fantasy ??? 64/128 songs – Started February 2011 [abandoned?]
Quite frankly I was going to get a little sad to see another Uematsu soundtrack as the winner of another rumble.
Regarding the next rumble…
Well, let’s go with the obvious choice. PS2 and Sakimoto.
To be honest though I’m not excited about PS2. And the Composers Rumble is not ready.
I’m all for it:)
Also very pleased with the result, as well:) Surely VS well deserved it.
We’ll start with the Sakimoto soundtracks. Here’s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitoshi_Sakimoto) his discography from Wikipedia for comparison.
1. ASH: Archaic Sealed Heat (http://vgmdb.net/album/4598) (w/ Iwata)
The Battle with History (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxVNaH-g3-8), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi86IMajy3I), Ashen Soldier (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRixB2oTDn8), Bullnequ’s Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZlyA-XWoCU), Millinear Kingdom (click #2) (http://bit.ly/lboxxE)
2. Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter (http://vgmdb.net/album/712)
Lift (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9I-rQQxi7s), Lifeline (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch0_CZmz1LA), Far Cry (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpSJmyxESxg), Kind Friends (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnd69gTZlEg), Electric Power Building (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BksX_ISV5q0) (others (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PL0772E34775C81D9E))
3. Devilish (http://project2612.org/details.php?id=52)
Intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrxRUDAoUVI), Graveyard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaOJr2Dn6GQ), Clock Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB-FMsdT7f0), Air Passage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDrsxKsE7Ro), Seaside (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5R1yT1Al7s) (others (http://www.youtube.com/user/PsychOut1#g/c/F4D54BF481F17672))
4. Final Fantasy Tactics (http://vgmdb.net/album/26) (w/ Iwata)
Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ivgHaQ32xk), Trisection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVrQv36YFgg), Pray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4sVYkxyGxg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Team Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKoijRuwFQ&p=199E3C72F464C304), Data Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEBHwKBP8po&p=199E3C72F464C304) (others (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l976LCSuB4))
5. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (http://vgmdb.net/album/17) (w/ Ayako Saso, Kaori Oukoshi, & Uematsu)
Comrades (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGI4g9ppbhM), Walking in Ivalice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHLCtudnNdI), Monster Farm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH0gXUPyZQs), Incarnation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbgWXgVLF9A), Snow in the Schoolyard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LmyIAtHA6k) (others (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PLD0DE80446717B559))
6. Final Fantasy XII (http://vgmdb.net/album/15267) (w/ Iwata, Matsuo, & Uematsu)
Rabanastre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM0IJPV-8PY), Esper Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COG3R3Km-Zk), Signs of Change (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzi7myyotYY), To The Place of Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c79uOLby7H8), The Sky Fortress Bahamut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOehlpV_G8c)
7. Gradius V (http://vgmdb.net/album/273)
Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBeITEr5-Ds), Universe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCDS-T2E_Lg), Boss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5LglFwgDto), Cell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7UNmskEg-A), Battleship (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgPwhLPHfKg) (others (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBeITEr5-Ds&feature=PlayList&p=2DF473A1136666B3&index=0))
8. Legaia 2: Duel Saga (http://vgmdb.net/album/2410) (w/ Mitsuda and Oshima)
Black Sun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdKQl5Jbh_8), Pirate’s Pride (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_CVU7G6N7c), Lost Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjUz3z3AAsc), Mark of the Vanquished (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA1WypQuTv4), Everyday Tranquility (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A09yrke-RbY) (others (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PLB67D0FB1FE585B9A))
9. Odin Sphere (http://vgmdb.net/album/4599) (w/ many others)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxcBN0tmdpA), Study Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUt0Lm-N150), Restaurant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz1iuMZMsxA), Trial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLrE8dlsrQE), A Fate Accepted (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUEhGkh08Tg) (others (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UerzZBsP0bM&feature=PlayList&p=7E0F6EFCB7909464&index=0))
10. Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen (http://vgmdb.net/album/204) (only did 6 tracks; replace w/ something else?)
Overture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq4LGNGd5ik), Fortune Teller (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxt0DmUbPE4), Revolt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEj-DIb1FU0), White Storm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4CYBnusycE), Neo-Overture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HycdTU93u-0)
11. Radiant Silvergun (http://vgmdb.net/album/2156)
Ruin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUfJj04uDFY), Return (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9aCnQcM_EI), Penta (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdxRBDidSy8), Debris (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cue-OP0iE7Q), Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUp2P5cDNJE)
12. Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity (http://vgmdb.net/album/2131) (w/ Iwata)
Alchemy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gomwnxyxosk), Prince of a Ruined Country (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFXolGbDqVk), Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KltPcMIUMJU), Heroine’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M2fLVIMAUE), Holy Spirit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB5b2NZmBO8) (others (http://www.youtube.com/user/blazerkane#g/u))
13. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (http://vgmdb.net/album/1684) (w/ Iwata)
Chapter A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGWRQ5Hd9WE), Three Kings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXG7DlV27u8), Limitation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD-jtpi4WBs), Passing Moment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdVyOBHlx6c), Avilla Henya (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVQTQ_LeuGI) (others (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PLC4756B3B6D7AE731))
14. Treasure Hunter G (http://vgmdb.net/album/1989) (w/ many others)
Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH0W9Se92dU), Load File (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhrNMI8PDkg), Hamarira (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSLwQhFRyJc), Demi-Human Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ueBwcpfAGk), Emperor of Balladry (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0-iM7bxm6o) (others (http://www.youtube.com/user/SinnerFalcon#g/c/DECB92EAE734A7CE))
15. Vagrant Story (http://vgmdb.net/album/307)
Opening Movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSvSXSttRw), Abandoned Mines Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVooykY0CcI), Great Cathedral (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUkHA4z_p-Q), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-4r0sRYuio), Dawn of Le??? Monde (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMcSr4PyutQ) (others (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl62OvnBc_Q))
16. Valkyria Chronicles (http://vgmdb.net/album/7796) (w/ Kawaguchi)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDlIEhLozDg), Hard Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLW3Gh5bIXI), Beautiful Gallia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKa4yK-IQCY), Street Fighting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0Se7Aw32gE), Valkyria’s Awakening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DWwCWViZi0) (others (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PL9D4813964A37A691))
Arcana Heart – Fantasyland (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLfFaL42rOU&list=PLC5C10935C3BC2D28), Poolside Dynamite! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHIF-XBleok&list=PLC5C10935C3BC2D28), Moonlight Nocturne (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZteVs8xHog&list=PLC5C10935C3BC2D28), A Peaceful Life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqFL103N50E&list=PLC5C10935C3BC2D28), Save a Future (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaMit9WG4iM&list=PLC5C10935C3BC2D28)
Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm – Rain of Blossoms (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55dqwrlTxD0), Things Thought Alone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVnEofmN2CQ), Town of Water (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0JYjOb34wQ), Crash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ti5GXo82qA), Breath of Beast (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZtPyVzeD3c)
Baldur’s Gate Dark Alliance – Elfsong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNDZUZKhwRE), Orb of the Undead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V289NMuyAWk), Eldrith (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq-eJ9M2OIM), Mining Camp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHcKt2cO7wE), Onyx Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9HTwfb6uFc)
Baldur’s Gate Dark Alliance 2 – The Trade Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDc2Wni5L_c), Karnac The Butcher (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrthxFJQRBA), Mausoleum (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpAP4ShhcS8), Randalla Brasshorn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsYw9jWNBYs), Boss Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9icd9u6D9c)
Beyond Good And Evil – Hyllian Suite (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2prV0pLxv4), Home Sweet Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTdcJWDNsao), First Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZHqh19LQdo), Spanish Bar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlrIRahS81A), Matrix Course (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0R8Wr6VmVQ)
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter – Lift (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9I-rQQxi7s), Lifeline (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch0_CZmz1LA), Far Cry (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpSJmyxESxg), Kind Friends (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnd69gTZlEg), Electric Power Building (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BksX_ISV5q0)
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness – Abandoned Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffPnifaj-lA), Baljhet Mountains (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4C_hrfK5GM), Cordova Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKosEU7_lQ0), Mortvia Fountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5BZKMlqbPI), Forest of Jigramunt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn73kwvGBWI)
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence – Anti-Soul Mysteries Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp0UTM-IzjM), House of Sacred Remains (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxyFFzmIpTI), Dark Palace of Water (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9e7SW7wdK4), Aria of Nightmare (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrT-dsDaIWA), Prison of Eternal Torture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDzt2cpj8Do)
Devil May Cry – Ultra Violet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xzh0eD0jJ4), Pubic Enemy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgdITDtfhXA), Destroyer of Ardo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgFWd39Ccvc), Flock Off! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=981SHOEcmZ4), S (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG4T1bfTB9c)
Devil May Cry 3 – Now You’ve Really Crossed The Line (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9euq6kJL_A), Devils Never Cry (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xti_6Bzpa8A), Suffer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLqXkpVGBrc), Vergil 1 Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdSvIPWVyjU), Demon World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOw1ZnyXWwc)
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 – Make A New Legend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCaqgx4O53g), Twist of Fate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xU9Qvm390I), Daybreak Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98UXJ-Dn-X0), Night of Tempest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUX_nmF7riM), Embrace The Blue Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47w0YzktIho)
Dragon Quest VIII – Heavenly Flight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCbS3wtqxeM), Great Battle In The Vast Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VkVnwfLsiw), Mysterious Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOHAFBxVv4w), Strange World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5coKpnqqAbI), Remembrances… (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh2WwTk1Z_4)
Final Fantasy X – To Zanarkand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-0G_FI61a8), Assault (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osajnmj2msU), Silence Before The Storm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHw2V0C-D-o), A Fleeting Dream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkAFi88J5Aw), Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTxqsTfDgC4)
Final Fantasy XII – The Royal City of Rabanastre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM0IJPV-8PY), Esper Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COG3R3Km-Zk), The Forgotten Capital (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVoEKWckLz0), To The Place of Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c79uOLby7H8), The Sky Fortress Bahamut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOehlpV_G8c)
God Of War – The Vengeful Spartan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghpaFwnFtfY), Kratos’ Evil Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7zmPVzx5t4), Battle The Lethal Sirens (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKNAEIGoNUI), Zeus’ Wrath Divine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEnQnIWVTv8), The Desert of Lost Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60YrJbAGhYE)
God of War II – Glory of Sparta (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L6lYtYQp6g), The Isle of Creation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3PmLXZWFxA), The Pegasus Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyCGjXlJW8Q), The End Begins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1br_h51dD4), Seize Your Fate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmaYebUXlDk)
Gran Turismo 3 – Obscure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOUrGhHRJMs), Great Job (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMZDn-nI9H8), Growl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lBsGoJIgwc), First Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEqHKOqM0q0), An Endless Journey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0vHVVNgjF4)
Grandia 3 – Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7gH_wfCUcc), Surmania (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ1DV996IFQ), Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SD9BVS2xw8), Battle 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BOw6QPt1-g), In the Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KizxHjOYGsI)
GrimGrimoire – Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_IddLA1s-c), Sincerely (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsNYquj-StQ), Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLVjpFue2oA), Magical Classroom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8qoPSRaOuU), Ancient Secrets (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXX71JEExKg)
Guilty Gear XX – Suck A Sage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWUbVn88NTk), Simple Life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07iwC830wQ4), Blue Water Blue Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufZaffJJBjE), Festival Of Shadows (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmHw_xXs3fM), Midnight Carnival (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csIIrYuVRAE)
Gungrave – Gunlock Overdrive! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZJ1e1XYe24), An Ultimate Motive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmlGJetHBfA&feature=BFa), Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRkgRfe2rtY), Here Comes the Rain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwPxxLpS_ss), No Smoking Please (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrH0fcIPr4w)
ICO – Castle In The Mist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DipbshLI8PA), You Were There (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWVij6r4QBw), Entity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVloFsTu0Xc), Shadow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0uBgXKOPRY), Heal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9ErwNCbYEQ)
Jak and Daxter – Geyser Rock (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHHxl561IFo), Rock Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WPoWTv06bU), Lost Precursor City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7qi_YZuenc), Mountain Pass (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIjdXfttapg), Final Battle – Part 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLybza_LEU4)
Jak and Daxter 2 – Haven City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL2B3xrt1tQ), Haven Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0dwVoNxGPs), Mountain Temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev_nueioHk4), The Pumping Station (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAYzl2T8TCs), Battle With Metal Kor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdYXUKN_GuQ)
Jak and Daxter 3 – The Harsh Wasteland (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3ayqnVRWIk), Spargus City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTYtc-HRwd8), Sewers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJfxTaO-g0I), Monk Glider (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGtA1o4ztgA), Dark Maker Finale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=finKks9Qc1s)
Katamari Damacy – Tron the Grasslands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d46DaRosCiY), Everyone Dancing Kata (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCO_kTO0L18), Love & Peace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsdabN1DfYE), Angel Flavor’s Present (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_T16wbFx_k), Lonely Rolling Star (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_QydNXI_ok)
Killer7 – Rave On (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul0QUksWmfw), Emoticon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwv-fR3-Pj0), Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HFE2J1TNK4), Heroic Deeds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg4yDzi3e8I), Residence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GH2yeI9ZoQ)
Kingdom Hearts – Dearly Beloved (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsrKbA2xt5M), Dive Into The Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOpB12ow-VM), Destiny’s Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VJ3Jc6H3Jg), Scherzo di Notte (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndA8kEVG6tM), Hollow Bastion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nlCNVewMjA)
Kingdom Hearts II – Kairi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbNYjGStrUg), Tension Rising (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pyfiN3QRjE), Rage Awakened (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUd4-LIKusA), Sacred Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StUE482AuJk), Darkness of The Unknown (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz2nEoSYgzc)
Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil – Moonlight Museum Ver. 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XITov1R0Z8), Shattered Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4VJJ82LoIo&p=B2776CBC7B5F8617), Lunatea Waltz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJT83IER46Y&p=B2776CBC7B5F8617), Ark’s Birth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4PSwOHdA2M&p=B2776CBC7B5F8617), King of Sorrow’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUAR-ih_YI4&p=B2776CBC7B5F8617)
Metal Gear Solid 2 – Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiPon8lr48U), Electronica Emma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwToccCFl9o), Fortune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9wjdVUjt3c), Father And Son (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q9hrgT2EfM), Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqyC_nJinIY)
Metal Gear Solid 3 – Snake Eater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aHQnDTd1y4), Debriefing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr8WslV4cEw), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNVCD1dsnJI), The Fury (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuEAgGq3IAk), Old Metal Gear (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoLMlL5yJxA)
Odin Sphere – Restaurant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz1iuMZMsxA), Study Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUt0Lm-N150), A Hard Fight And Then Hope (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlynaW75_sQ), The Fated Path (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8mm6cVAcb8), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrWzkHxYB9o)
Okami – Playing with Ushiwaka (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY-jMfZ1uDk), Agata Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlTNNHAa0rk), Kushinada’s Determination (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtXEjrnSfrk), Dragon Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_cYPVpVUkw), Northern Country Kamui (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc-E_o5Xu5k)
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time – The Prelude Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf-KATqcbbs), Trouble At The Barracks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZQpkkyRYUQ), The Tower of Dawn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKwbptphnVU), Lost In The Crypts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbhd7UtbyQM), Attack Of The Sand Griffins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H1GPz2Zg08)
Radiata Stories – Legendary Sword (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm8t30TysW4), Devil’s Incarnation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UIFBkm5_ls), Scarlet Wind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEbn2qlTpHk), Those With And Without Humanity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ_-Jtjl9bM), Gloomy Dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-z1YOytvIo)
Ratchet and Clank – On Veldin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o5v7Sj9S_Y), Aridia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwd3uqnG-eA), Metropolis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D60HTdBckxM), Blackwater City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvS5TWTKHjg), Pokitaru (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwPngXHfxnQ)
Ratchet and Clank 2 – Flying Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKF_dqNao5g&playnext=1&list=PL8DC5930EA1F563AA), Swampy Boss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbEXAbz4Afk), Searching For The Thief (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7TkXc9SVlw), Canal City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T836H61m9D4), Megacorp Armory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20QkRjAlB94)
Ratchet and Clank 3 – Obani Draco (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Z7GRRupOw), Crash Site (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVEMHAo-GJI), Command Center (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9vjkGqhI5M), Courtney Gears Battle Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P3-KiQVDxg), Planet Veldin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM0EGkmJVdQ)
Rule of Rose – The Attic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_N3wIG7fj8), Fear Part II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0rrwgxkeGU), Boss Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmz8xA7EbQ4), A Love Suicide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jig_BSvn8wE), Waiting for the Dawn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iG4EhZwq40)
Shadow Hearts – Steel Soul-Tanjou (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaqXh_UZExc), China Ogre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8qAGDOE5es), Coffin Fetish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS5UlXyREyM), Highnoon Fish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHeIrWdLbnw), Bacon’s Juice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIr3ZKky1dc)
Shadow Hearts: Covenant – Map of Europe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnd93cGX5cc), European Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OOthRuvRpM), Astaroth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D0zAvQJ5NM), Personal History (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uexv2uSPyw), Inugami Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHmn68-_Q38)
Shadow Hearts: From the New World – Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUCI1GP_7z0), Dead Fingers Talk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZWEcn102tA), Advertise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjljjQ0vmi4), Chant of ICARO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgV4eJJZAcU), Insane Blood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k_1GW40ZqY)
Shadow Of The Colossus – The Opened Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrFL2zPc2uk), The Farthest Land (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix38fnllF3Y), In Awe Of The Power (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F-vB9RudQs), Counterattack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svRZz5t-6uU), A Despair-Filled Farewell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQpqsQ5icRE)
Shinobi – Golden Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySE7lz86gM4), Destroyed by Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVnKTYc5zuA), Fate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLO4g0PDanw), Ceremony (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aexb6UdrmSM), Moritsune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mr6SyDUssI)
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga – Big Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAXpq-xs3Rk), Hunting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IG7FCupjJM), Man’s Tomb (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzbP1Zqtv34), Hari-Hara (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nl5nCyYmrY), End Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh3v-ReZwH4)
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2 – Divine Entity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XOEZIZMUl0), The Sun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ozQ7_2GCUA), Hunting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HLb9nya88o), Karma City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9uUD60LS38), Battle for Survival (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y7jDRRAwbw)
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne – Common Battle (large map) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd6KIU3i_N4&feature=related), Mansion Of Heresy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leJxbjvmmZk&feature=related), Common Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzcOTx9Ok4w&feature=related), World Map (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBaq1bHoTpU&feature=related), Staff Roll (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65lHce8CGIU)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 – Joy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Z6E5ResUg), Want To Be Close (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YJAfmK3SPU), Mass Destruction (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9E3VR8Fnj0), Memories Of The City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhArt4yKg9c), The Battle for Everyone’s Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdMhTL5bZrs)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 – New Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve4cz9D5jQ0), Striptease (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmsN7Qg2Mco), Heaven (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=463Us587Z9o), Signs Of Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdtJYmDAZPI), Fog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3gEKpGD4D4)
Silent Hill 2 – Theme Of Laura (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKPOGJvhAII), Null Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLhtDJnPKBs), Heaven’s Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8A22ulogJs), Betrayal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WShknpNpHbY), Promise (Reprise) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_PXTGdlGw)
Silent Hill 3 – Breeze in Monochrome Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHZnrGaEBdg), Sickness Until Foolish Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Frwgx_MKc), Please Love Me…Once More (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYFaoxkXWZc), Maternal Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1DjgY6WrqY), Letter from the Lost Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SBY_fUpmnQ)
Silent Hill 4 – Tender Sugar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6xb5TDVNKA), Room of Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFubJOV6Obo), Nightmarish Waltz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfB60hXPZR8), Wounded Warsong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3aUGJ2VqmY), Your Rain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd_lndCMknU)
Sly Cooper – A Rocky Start (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLzc5aijJMo), A Stealthy Approach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCzjZwN-PEE), Opening Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2mXHz5CFLg), A Perilous Ascent (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olnDc-QgMaQ), A Strange Reunion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3jqEzOT5BY)
Sly Cooper 2 – Canadian Wilderness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j88pwXKzkv8), Paris Rooftops (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-Jhadq6CuY), India (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPoPoWNfCb8), Episode Select (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reLspW2vLYE), Battle With Dimitri (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjqF6JNjKZA)
Sly Cooper 3 – Streets of Venice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qee90Gmbj4o), Holland Airfield (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_C4VEed434), X Marks The Spot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2itjOfiIjCg), A Clue In A Painting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMQ0jlEaPZM), Beginning Of The End (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDigNj9H3Wk)
Soul Calibur 3 – Hour of Destiny (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NurhGMOyXI), Forsaken Sanctuary (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtoHEbwCahA), Healing Winds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIvyEZ5oWTY), Water Dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkdXUCdNnd0), Ephemeral Dream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nieTekVxhEc)
Star Ocean: Til the End of Time – Dawn of Wisdom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmYxRCGxFbc), The Desolate Smell of Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYSt4qX85oA), Reflected Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHDmpbUqtk0), Bird’s Eye View (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lQJMzz1Ws), The Virtual Image (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtVjoGsRFGY)
Suikoden III – Exceeding Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z_hCwrNcLs), Noisy Wind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g71-GUCeAOA), Searching for a Hero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD5gB9I8_2o), Beautiful Grasslands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emxkPkdHH3I), Arctic Area (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TNXESH2t5Q)
Suikoden V – Wind of Phantom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmawYXFQws8), Sealed Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6L6DJKnPFE), Town on a River (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FBQoL9bsZg), The Deep Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOeF14fo03A), Crossing the Mountain River (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E2CX0rOvhs)
Tales of Symphonia – Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpV5R3RYMhg), Fighting of the Spirits (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25-BEGZCc0U), Beat the Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N2tbS9ctbQ), Revival (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwoNBXNhzN8), Fatalize (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQApJo4TBeY)
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria – A Motion of Finishing Blow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOe1tm-lJ4Y), The Chosen Confusion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTH0PtO9JKc), A Huge Eliminator (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cnl5aEKvqc), One Error Begets Another (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gee1-5e9fLo), Ascend into the True Faith (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPTIVZl7Q7w)
Xenosaga: Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht – Relief (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ9_xZA1pfA), Beach of Nothingness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_2pKh5KiCk), Life or Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdSSxxnIjzE), U.M.N. Mode (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Rsj8Q_WB_8), U-TIC System (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlSertOUaZ4)
Zone of the Enders – Kiss Me Sunlights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPE8EesftLg), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N6_mGzAvm0), Boss Neves (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79DFkKGPZ58), A Light with the Name of Hope (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwQhDg6rzLA), Neith (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klCd4LtmDe8)
And any Persona Music can actually be out of the list IMO…
But it’s your call..
So my suggestion is Phantom Brave over P3 or P4.
But I don’t really care much if they’re in or not. I’m not that fan of the PS2 music.
So I’m pretty Neutral about this Rumble.
EDIT: Yeah, not a fan of Vocal Jpop music during gameplay… It’s toxic for me. My Immune system is not build for that. LOL
Sure. Sly 2 is arguably the weakest in the series (soundtrack-wise) and I’m not too fond of Digital Devil Saga 2. I vote for those to be removed. Which Disgaea do you want in?
Edit: So, how about 1 Disgaea game and Phantom Brave? We’re removing 2 games so we need to add 2.
btw Being a big fan of Yuki Kajiura I would be really happy to also have Xenosaga II (or III) in this rumble:)
btw Being a big fan of Yuki Kajiura I would be really happy to also have Xenosaga II (or III) in this rumble:)
Again, if you want something added, that’s fine, just say what you want to have removed as well. If nobody has any objections, we’ll do just that.
Edit: So, how about 1 Disgaea game and Phantom Brave? We’re removing 2 games so we need to add 2.
since the 2nd disgaea had about half the songs of what the first disgaea had, i’d go for that.
and instead of sly 2 bein takin out, im more for xenosaga: episode i. its lackin in the music department. its missin town, dungeon and ship themes which most people approve of.
Thus far: Removing SMT: Digital Devil Saga 2 and adding Phantom Brave. Any objections?
4 SMT games… Is quite a lot… And we have BOTH Persona music…
If you want so hardly all the Persona Music, delete something of Ratchet and Clank, Jak and Daxter or the 3rd Shadow Hearts Music.
How about Tales of Legendia instead? It is the the only Tales without Motoi Sakuraba music and by many percieved as the best OST in series.qft.
Add: Disgaea 2, Phantom Brave, Tales of Legendia, Xenosaga 2 (or 3)
Remove: Sly Cooper 2, Digital Devil Saga 2, Tales of Symphonia, Jak and Daxter 2
At this point, I need to know if we’re adding Xenosaga 2 or 3.
For the added soundtracks, I also need five song recommendations per soundtrack.
I’ll make Mercenary’s song changes during the rumble.
Song of the Gods, Disgaea Rhapsody, Heavy Rotation, A Dark Race Becomes Magnificent ’05, Visual Sensation.
OST version: Battle Artist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYLytZQNnLA), Raging Nerifes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF2FXv9GZo0)
In-game: Battle Artist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpT2ju4N4mQ&feature=related), Raging Nerifes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c0_mvLMKP4&feature=related)
I can’t find originals of the following, though:
Sunlight Filtering Through the Trees (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVExk3f6OVo), My Tales (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTKgB03vPkw), Merry Bandits (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=942nethBkIc)
I’m still waiting to hear from Szczepan about his preference between Xenosaga II or III. If anyone else has a preference, let me know. Song recommendations will help, too.
Also, I still need five song recommendations for Phantom Brave. OST playlist here (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL418A4B6A2556B982). If someone else could pick those five, I’d appreciate it.
In the meantime, I’m going to set up the fights, check the links, and find pictures for all of these soundtracks.
Starting soon…
Thanks! TBH I would go with Xenosaga II for this rumble, as it has more Kajiura feeling in it, even though Xenosaga III OST seems more consistent overall. As for the song selection : In The Beginning, There Was… (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EB63PrXRaQ&feature=related), Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49LA6m6Psgg&feature=related), Communication Breakdown (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEryKU-JHLE&feature=related), Bitter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMFJ5lky7gg), U-Do ~ Febronia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqzT3-0nePw&feature=related)
Btw How about altering Xenosaga I song list a bit? Xenosaga I without Zarathustra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04KLmuOinlk&feature=related) and Albedo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlmQiHClfko) is just not the same.
What should Zarathustra and Albedo replace?
Xenosaga – Relief (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ9_xZA1pfA), Beach of Nothingness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_2pKh5KiCk), Life or Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdSSxxnIjzE), U.M.N. Mode (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Rsj8Q_WB_8), U-TIC System (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlSertOUaZ4)
Maybe Relief and U-TIC System?
In the meantime, if you all know people who might like to join in, let them know. The more the merrier.
Also, an announcement. Topopoz has created a Facebook group just in case disaster strikes the Shrine. I won’t put the link here so that just any guest clicking on this thread can see it. But if you want the link, shoot me a PM and I’ll send it back to you. It’ll be nice to keep in touch with everybody that way, too.
Okay. Rumble coming soon. Here’s a link while you wait: The Criterion Collection of SNES games (http://gammasquad.uproxx.com/2011/08/the-criterion-collection-of-snes-games#page/1)
Before we get started, though, I want to acknowledge how much work Smarty did for the PS2 rumble. Without his recommendations at the macro and micro level, this wouldn’t exist.
Round 1, Fight 1 // The Sakimoto Rumble
Final Fantasy Tactics by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (1997)
Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ivgHaQ32xk), Trisection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVrQv36YFgg), Pray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4sVYkxyGxg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Team Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKoijRuwFQ&p=199E3C72F464C304), Data Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEBHwKBP8po&p=199E3C72F464C304)
vs.
Devilish by Hitoshi Sakimoto (1992)
Intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrxRUDAoUVI), Graveyard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaOJr2Dn6GQ), Clock Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB-FMsdT7f0), Air Passage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDrsxKsE7Ro), Seaside (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5R1yT1Al7s)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 1 // The PS2 Rumble
Final Fantasy XII by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Hayato Matsuo, and Nobuo Uematsu (2006)
Royal City Rabanastre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM0IJPV-8PY), Esper Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COG3R3Km-Zk), Forgotten Capital (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVoEKWckLz0), To the Gods’ Place (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c79uOLby7H8), Sky Fortress Bahamut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOehlpV_G8c)
vs.
Tales of Legendia by Go Shiina (2005)
Battle Artist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpT2ju4N4mQ ), Raging Nerifes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c0_mvLMKP4), Sunlight Filtering Through the Trees (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVExk3f6OVo), My Tales (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTKgB03vPkw), Merry Bandits (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=942nethBkIc)
My votes are for Final Fantasty Tactics (great soundtrack beats a couple great songs) and Final Fantasy XII (although Tales of Legendia is an interesting and good soundtrack).
Final Fantasy XII – Tales of Legendia seems pretty interesting. But the sound quality didn’t convinced me…
Final Fantasy XII
Round 1, Fight 2 // The Sakimoto Rumble
Gradius V by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2004)
Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBeITEr5-Ds), Universe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCDS-T2E_Lg), Boss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5LglFwgDto), Cell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7UNmskEg-A), Battleship (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgPwhLPHfKg)
vs.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/stelladeus.gif Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (2004)
Alchemy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gomwnxyxosk), Prince of a Ruined Country (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFXolGbDqVk), Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KltPcMIUMJU), Heroine’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M2fLVIMAUE), Holy Spirit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB5b2NZmBO8)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2 // The PS2 Rumble
Ratchet and Clank by David Bergeaud (2002)
On Veldin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o5v7Sj9S_Y), Aridia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwd3uqnG-eA), Metropolis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D60HTdBckxM), Blackwater City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvS5TWTKHjg), Pokitaru (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwPngXHfxnQ)
vs.
Shadow of the Colossus by Kow Otani (2005)
The Opened Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrFL2zPc2uk), The Farthest Land (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix38fnllF3Y), Awesome Power (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F-vB9RudQs), Counterattack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svRZz5t-6uU), A Sad Farewell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQpqsQ5icRE)
My votes are for Gradius V (went back and forth on this one) and Shadow of the Colossus (no debate; rapturous, amazing, triumphant, gorgeous, moving, one of the greatest vgm soundtracks of any console and any decade, will always be in my favorites, a reason to believe in music’s power).
Bonus Shadow of the Colossus: Swift Horse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRqfpmzofno)
It’s also a bit hard not to feel sad about Ratchet and Clank. The music of the series is excellent overall and I hope that at least 1 game from the series will make it to the next round. This match is a bit of a no brainer in Shadow’s favor.
As for Sakimoto, Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity. I haven’t heard this before. I dig it.
Shadow of the Colossus- I sincerely think the OST is overrated, but I still prefer it to ratchet and clank.
Shadow of the Colossus – Awesome Series – Shadow of the Awesome – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdPd3PtQBZc)
EDIT: The Farthest Land is an Instant case Study for developing my Music Style, thanks People for this amazing OST.
Any chance we’ll get to see topopoz shredding it up on YouTube?
Side-note: When you all look on the group page, do you see the soft deleted threads (which go on for a page and a half), like this…
Or do you only see the active threads?
Also, we have a member named fuck23?
thanks, dood. and apparently u do have a member by that name. i have seen it before.
Shadow of the Colossus Played the game and loved every second of it!(except this nasty, fast, little collosi:P) Unforgettable atmosphere and soundtrack:)
Round 1, Fight 3 // The Sakimoto Rumble
Odin Sphere by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Kimihiro Abe, Mitsuhiro Kaneda, and Manabu Namiki (2007)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxcBN0tmdpA), Study Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUt0Lm-N150), Restaurant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz1iuMZMsxA), Trial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLrE8dlsrQE), A Fate Accepted (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUEhGkh08Tg)
vs.
Valkyria Chronicles by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Daisuke Kawaguchi (2008)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDlIEhLozDg), Hard Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLW3Gh5bIXI), Beautiful Gallia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKa4yK-IQCY), Street Fighting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0Se7Aw32gE), Valkyria’s Awakening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DWwCWViZi0)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 3 // The PS2 Rumble
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 by Craig Stuart Garfinkle and Jeremy Soule (2004)
The Trade Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDc2Wni5L_c), Karnac The Butcher (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrthxFJQRBA), Mausoleum (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpAP4ShhcS8), Randalla Brasshorn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsYw9jWNBYs), Boss Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9icd9u6D9c)
vs.
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King by Koichi Sugiyama (2004)
Heavenly Flight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlN7mbkslXo), Great Battle in the Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VkVnwfLsiw), Mysterious Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOHAFBxVv4w), Strange World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5coKpnqqAbI), Remembrances (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh2WwTk1Z_4)
My votes are for Odin Sphere and Dragon Quest VIII.
P.S. So…do you all see the deleted threads on the group page?
Valkyria Chronicles <3
Dragon Quest VIII <3
The first Dark Alliance had better music. Let’s see with which game it pairs when the time comes.
DQ VIII – HEAVILLY INFLENCED BY DEBUSSY
Claude Debussy, late-Romantic and Modern Classical composer. His lived on the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. Widely considered the prime composer that made the transition from the Romantic to Modern classical music.
– Clair de Lune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LXl4y6D-QI)
– Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_7loz-HWUM)
– La Mer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy7zlStitCE)
Claude Debussy is widely regarded as one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. His harmonies, considered radical in his day, were influential to almost every major composer of the 20th century, especially the music of Maurice Ravel, Igor Stravinsky, Olivier Messiaen, B???la Bart???k, Pierre Boulez, Henri Dutilleux, Ned Rorem, and the minimalist music of Steve Reich and Philip Glass as well as the influential Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu [AG’s note: in other words, this guy influenced many of the biggest bad asses of 20th century classical music]. He also influenced many important figures in Jazz, most notably George Gershwin, Bill Evans, George Shearing, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Ant???nio Carlos Jobim, Herbie Hancock and Jimmy Giuffre. Furthermore, he had a profound impact on contemporary soundtrack composers such as John Williams because Debussy’s colorful and suggestive style translated easily into an emotional language for use in motion picture scores. In 1999, The Art of Noise released a concept album titled The Seduction of Claude Debussy. The group blended the music of Debussy with drum and bass, opera, hip hop, jazz, and narration, and described the album as "the soundtrack to a film that wasn’t made about the life of Claude Debussy." – From Wikipedia
Valkyria Chronicles – as phenomenal and atmosphericas Odin Sphere ost gets at some points, VC has more songs that I like.
Dragon Quest VIII
btw we’re at 108th page… Does the next PS2 battle will include Suikoden? xD
It’s Valkyria Chronicles (3-1) and Dragon Quest VIII (4-0) this time around. Next up???
Round 1, Fight 4 // The Sakimoto Rumble
Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, and Hayato Matsuo (1993)
Overture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq4LGNGd5ik), Fortune Teller (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxt0DmUbPE4), Revolt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDAMxLKY2EY), White Storm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4CYBnusycE), Neo-Overture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HycdTU93u-0)
vs.
Treasure Hunter G by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, and Mitsuhito Tanaka (1996)
Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH0W9Se92dU), Load File (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhrNMI8PDkg), Hamarira (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSLwQhFRyJc), Demi-Human Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ueBwcpfAGk), Emperor of Balladry (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0-iM7bxm6o)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // The PS2 Rumble
Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories by Tenpei Sato (2006)
Song of the Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4nUzihKjaI), Rhapsody (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYJHmFZ1qWc), Heavy Rotation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM96IRMrA6o), Magnificent Dark Family ’05 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpmg8pPKrbk), Visual Sensation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7H3k_wzrKs)
vs.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time by Stuart Chatwood (2003)
Prelude Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf-KATqcbbs), Trouble at the Barracks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZQpkkyRYUQ), Tower of Dawn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKwbptphnVU), Lost in the Crypts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbhd7UtbyQM), Sand Griffins Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H1GPz2Zg08)
My votes are for Treasure Hunter G and Prince of Persia. Tough call on the first one. I’ve played and beaten both of those games, and I love both soundtracks. The trick is limiting yourself just to Sakimoto’s tracks and saying which lot is the better one. I like Ogre Battle as a game and as an entire soundtrack better, but Sakimoto’s work, I think, was stronger with THG.
Edit: Treasure Hunter G
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
For now, all I can say is Ogre Battle.
Disgaea 2
In the meantime, here’s a collection of pixel art (http://www.flickr.com/photos/soundofdesign/collections/72157627037346919/).
Ogre Battle (3-2) and Prince of Persia (3-2) won the last fight. Here we go with the next one…
Round 1, Fight 5 // The Sakimoto Rumble
Radiant Silvergun by Hitoshi Sakimoto (1998)
Ruin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUfJj04uDFY), Penta (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdxRBDidSy8), Debris (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cue-OP0iE7Q), Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUp2P5cDNJE), Return (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9aCnQcM_EI)
vs.
Final Fantasy XII by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Hayato Matsuo, and Nobuo Uematsu (2006)
Rabanastre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM0IJPV-8PY), Esper Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COG3R3Km-Zk), Signs of Change (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzi7myyotYY), To The Place of Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c79uOLby7H8), Sky Fortress Bahamut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOehlpV_G8c)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 5 // The PS2 Rumble
Sly Cooper by Ashif Hakik (2002)
A Rocky Start (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLzc5aijJMo), A Stealthy Approach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCzjZwN-PEE), Opening Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2mXHz5CFLg), A Perilous Ascent (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olnDc-QgMaQ), A Strange Reunion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3jqEzOT5BY)
vs.
Radiata Stories by Noriyuki Iwadare (2005)
Legendary Sword (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm8t30TysW4), Devil’s Incarnation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UIFBkm5_ls), Scarlet Wind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEbn2qlTpHk), One Human & One Non-Human (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ_-Jtjl9bM), Gloomy Dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-z1YOytvIo)
My votes are for Radiant Silvergun (call me crazy, but at least right now I’m digging it more than FFXII) and Sly Cooper (Radiata Stories is classic Iwadare and was good supporting evidence that he could take over for Sakuraba, but I fell in love with Sly Cooper as soon as I heard it).
Radiata Stories
Radiata Stories
Sly Cooper
Sly Cooper – Neat.
Bonus: Yesterday was the 25th Anniversary of…
http://sydlexia.com/imagesandstuff/nes100/castlevania.pnghttp://comenzarjuego.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/castlevania.png
Ending: Super Castlevania 4 Music – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YQJdPLtoXU)
And the Winner of the CV Rumble we did back then: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGq9VjJXVh8
And this is what the AVGN did for the anniversary: http://cinemassacre.com/2011/09/26/castlevania-4-review-1992/
This time around it was Final Fantasy XII (4-2) and Sly Cooper (4-2). Next up???
Round 1, Fight 6 // The Sakimoto Rumble
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Ayako Saso, Kaori Oukoshi, and Nobuo Uematsu (2003)
Comrades (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGI4g9ppbhM), Walking in Ivalice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHLCtudnNdI), Monster Farm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH0gXUPyZQs), Incarnation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbgWXgVLF9A), Snow in the Schoolyard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LmyIAtHA6k)
vs.
Vagrant Story by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2000)
Opening Movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSvSXSttRw), Abandoned Mines Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVooykY0CcI), Great Cathedral (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUkHA4z_p-Q), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-4r0sRYuio), Dawn of Le??? Monde (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMcSr4PyutQ)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 6 // The PS2 Rumble
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance by Jeremy Soule (2001)
Elfsong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNDZUZKhwRE), Orb of the Undead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V289NMuyAWk), Eldrith (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq-eJ9M2OIM), Mining Camp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHcKt2cO7wE), Onyx Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9HTwfb6uFc)
vs.
Ratchet and Clank 2 by David Bergeaud (2003)
Flying Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKF_dqNao5g&playnext=1&list=PL8DC5930EA1F563AA), Swampy Boss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbEXAbz4Afk), Searching For The Thief (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7TkXc9SVlw), Canal City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T836H61m9D4), Megacorp Armory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH6whZCsc8Q)
My votes are for Vagrant Story (which has the #1 cut scene) and Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance.
Ratchet and Clank 2
Diverse and badass. What more could you ask for?
Edit: Here are some more reccomendations for R&C
Mining Area (Planet Tabora – The Crystal Desert) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMstX9F334U&feature=related)
Thug HQ (Planet Snivlak – The Thug Leader’s Giganto (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guANcvLuPGg&feature=related)
Maktar Resort (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgyWo18MGPY&feature=related)
Silver City (Planet Boldan) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaU4zjUymAI&feature=related)
Ratchet and Clank 2 – I don’t know about you, but I found BG really boring.
Round 1, Fight 7 // The Sakimoto Rumble
Legaia 2: Duel Saga by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Yasunori Mitsuda, and Michiru Oshima (2001)
Black Sun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdKQl5Jbh_8), Pirate’s Pride (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_CVU7G6N7c), Lost Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjUz3z3AAsc), Mark of the Vanquished (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA1WypQuTv4), Everyday Tranquility (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A09yrke-RbY)
vs.
Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2002)
Lift (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9I-rQQxi7s), Lifeline (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch0_CZmz1LA), Far Cry (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpSJmyxESxg), Kind Friends (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnd69gTZlEg), Electric Power Building (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BksX_ISV5q0)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 7 // The PS2 Rumble
Gungrave by Tsuneo Imahori (2002)
Gunlock Overdrive! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZJ1e1XYe24), An Ulterior Motive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmlGJetHBfA&feature=BFa), Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRkgRfe2rtY), Here Comes the Rain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwPxxLpS_ss), No Smoking Please (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrH0fcIPr4w)
vs.
Shadow Hearts: Covenant by Yoshitaka Hirota, Yasunori Mitsuda, Kenji Ito, Ryo Fukuda, and Tomoko Kobayashi (2004)
Map of Europe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnd93cGX5cc), European Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OOthRuvRpM), Astaroth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D0zAvQJ5NM), Personal History (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uexv2uSPyw), Vicious 1915 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p_SFBS-UCc)
These are four legit soundtracks. Hmm…I guess my votes are for Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter and Shadow Hearts: Covenant. That probably comes down to mood, though, more than any objective assessment about which soundtrack is better.
On another note I’m still plowing through work. But I hope to have the rumble back on a every-two-days schedule again soon.
Also, Mercenary Raven told me a couple of interesting things about the Shadow Hearts: Covenant soundtrack over on the VGM Trivia thread. Check it out (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/video-game-music-trivia-66197/4.html#post1748821).
Gungrave – This one was a nice catch. I really liked "Here Comes the Rain". On the other Hand Shadow Hearts has some GREAT tracks. Twilight Town (Europe Town). Was another Mitusuda Song that I was trying to get to play on the guitar. But I get lost real quick. xD
Gungrave
Gungrave
Round 1, Fight 8 // The Sakimoto Rumble
ASH: Archaic Sealed Heat by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (2007)
The Battle with History (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxVNaH-g3-8), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi86IMajy3I), Ashen Soldier (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRixB2oTDn8), Bullnequ’s Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZlyA-XWoCU), Millinear Kingdom (click #2) (http://bit.ly/lboxxE)
vs.
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (1995)
Chapter A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGWRQ5Hd9WE), Three Kings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXG7DlV27u8), Limitation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD-jtpi4WBs), Passing Moment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdVyOBHlx6c), Avilla Henya (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVQTQ_LeuGI)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8 // The PS2 Rumble
Zone of the Enders by Maki Kirioka, Norihiko Hibino, Toshiyuki Kakuta, Akihiro Honda, and Shuichi Kobori (2001)
Kiss Me Sunlights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPE8EesftLg), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N6_mGzAvm0), Boss Neves (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79DFkKGPZ58), A Light with the Name of Hope (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwQhDg6rzLA), Neith (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klCd4LtmDe8)
vs.
Kingdom Hearts by Yoko Shimomura (2002)
Dearly Beloved (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsrKbA2xt5M), Dive Into The Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOpB12ow-VM), Destiny’s Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VJ3Jc6H3Jg), Scherzo di Notte (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndA8kEVG6tM), Hollow Bastion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nlCNVewMjA)
My votes are for ASH and Kingdom Hearts. ASH is a a thrilling, deeply intricate soundtrack. You’re not going to be whistling the melodies in the shower, but it’s a tour de force of arrangements and variation. Tactics Ogre is nothing to sniff at either (I’m still a huge fan of that moment where Avilla Henya takes off), but the limiting technology makes it seem simplistic next to ASH. Kingdom Hearts is just too much for Zone of the Enders.
the original Tactics Ogre game is called just Tactics Ogre. that title is from the psp release.
Actually no, The subtitle is from the NTSC PSX version, and I’m not quite sure if the SNES had that subititle as well. PSP has the subtitle "Wheel of Fortune".
For more trivia stuff. "Ogre Battle", "March of the Black Queen", "Let us Cling Together". All three of them are Queen Songs. The developer has admitted to be a fan of the band.
Tactics Ogre – It’s more representative of Sakimoto’s Career.
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts
For more trivia stuff. "Ogre Battle", "March of the Black Queen", "Let us Cling Together". All three of them are Queen Songs. The developer has admitted to be a fan of the band.
Tactics Ogre – It’s more representative of Sakimoto’s Career.
Kingdom Hearts
while i do admit that they have that title on the JP and EU releases, it does not have the same exact title for the US release as the cover art says. no arguments from me, though.
Kingdom Hearts
I still think that Hollow Bastion from the first KH game is one of the best levels of all time. With music to match.
Kingdom Hearts
Round 2, Fight 1 // The Sakimoto Rumble
Final Fantasy XII by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Hayato Matsuo, and Nobuo Uematsu (2006)
Rabanastre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM0IJPV-8PY), Esper Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COG3R3Km-Zk), Signs of Change (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzi7myyotYY), To The Place of Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c79uOLby7H8), Sky Fortress Bahamut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOehlpV_G8c)
vs.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/stelladeus.gif Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (2004)
Alchemy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gomwnxyxosk), Prince of a Ruined Country (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFXolGbDqVk), Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KltPcMIUMJU), Heroine’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M2fLVIMAUE), Holy Spirit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB5b2NZmBO8)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 9 // The PS2 Rumble
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence by Michiru Yamane (2003)
Anti-Soul Mysteries Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp0UTM-IzjM), House of Sacred Remains (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxyFFzmIpTI), Dark Palace of Water (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9e7SW7wdK4), Aria of Nightmare (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrT-dsDaIWA), Prison of Eternal Torture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDzt2cpj8Do)
vs.
Gran Turismo 3 by Masahiro Andoh, Daiki Kasho, and Isamu Ohira (2001)
Obscure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOUrGhHRJMs), Great Job (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMZDn-nI9H8), Growl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lBsGoJIgwc), First Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEqHKOqM0q0), An Endless Journey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0vHVVNgjF4)
My votes are for Final Fantasy XII and Castlevania: Lament of Innocence.
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
Both by quite far.
Trivia: Lament of Innocence was the first game to feature a new castlevania logo, which is the one still being used.
Lament of Innocence – If it was GT4. That would’ve been a different vote.
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
The winners this time around are Final Fantasy XII (3-1) and Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (4-0). Next up???
Round 2, Fight 2 // The Sakimoto Rumble
Valkyria Chronicles by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Daisuke Kawaguchi (2008)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP9rJdxmuQU), Hard Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Au7to6LDds), Beautiful Gallia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjLcrqO3fCs), Street Fighting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlIrMt6vicw), Valkyria’s Awakening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60n0oIda_b8)
vs.
Final Fantasy Tactics by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (1997)
Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ivgHaQ32xk), Trisection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVrQv36YFgg), Pray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4sVYkxyGxg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Team Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKoijRuwFQ&p=199E3C72F464C304), Data Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEBHwKBP8po&p=199E3C72F464C304)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 10 // The PS2 Rumble
Suikoden III by Michiru Yamane, Takashi Yoshida, and Masahiko Kimura (2002)
Exceeding Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z_hCwrNcLs), Noisy Wind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g71-GUCeAOA), Searching for a Hero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD5gB9I8_2o), Beautiful Grasslands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emxkPkdHH3I), Arctic Area (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TNXESH2t5Q)
vs.
Final Fantasy X by Nobuo Uematsu, Junya Nakano, and Masashi Hamauzu (2001)
To Zanarkand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-0G_FI61a8), Assault (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osajnmj2msU), Silence Before The Storm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHw2V0C-D-o), A Fleeting Dream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkAFi88J5Aw), Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTxqsTfDgC4)
My votes are for Final Fantasy Tactics and Final Fantasy X :-(.
Suikoden III
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X
Suikoden III
Final Fantasy X …some difficult choices.
#Anythingbutipod
#Anythingbutipod
I use a Galaxy S which has good sound quality, uses Micro SD, and also (along with every android phone) uses simple file transfers to get music onto it. I actually use a streamer with it called subsonic, which streams anything on your computer at its original bitrate if you want it to (even flac, which the gs plays natively) assuming the computer is on and the streamer is running. The Galaxy S II, which is more recent, supports flac too although it uses a Yamaha DAC as opposed to the wolfson found in the original GS. I couldn’t tell if you were asking for a media player preference as well, but I use foobar even though it isn’t terribly user-friendly at the start.
Anyway, Final Fantasy Tactics.
Also, nice to see the same chaps hanging around here even though I’ve been out of the thread for a while. Hi!
@jakob: Good to see you. 😀 How ya doing?
All right, the next to move on are Final Fantasy Tactics (5-3) and Final Fantasy X (5-2).
Round 2, Fight 3 // The Sakimoto Rumble
Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, and Hayato Matsuo (1993)
Overture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq4LGNGd5ik), Fortune Teller (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxt0DmUbPE4), Revolt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDAMxLKY2EY), White Storm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4CYBnusycE), Neo-Overture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HycdTU93u-0)
vs.
Vagrant Story by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2000)
Opening Movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSvSXSttRw), Abandoned Mines Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVooykY0CcI), Great Cathedral (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUkHA4z_p-Q), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-4r0sRYuio), Dawn of Le??? Monde (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMcSr4PyutQ)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 11 // The PS2 Rumble
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/grandia3.gif Grandia 3 by Noriyuki Iwadare (2005)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7gH_wfCUcc), Surmania (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ1DV996IFQ), Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SD9BVS2xw8), Battle 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BOw6QPt1-g), In the Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG_5LLo2AI0)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 3 by Harry Gregson-Williams, Norihiko Hibino, Shuichi Kobori, Nobuko Toda, Rika Muranaka, and Star Sailor (2004)
Snake Eater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aHQnDTd1y4), Debriefing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr8WslV4cEw), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNVCD1dsnJI), The Fury (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuEAgGq3IAk), Old Metal Gear (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoLMlL5yJxA)
My votes are for Vagrant Story and Metal Gear Solid 3.
I’m still in a dream.
Believe it or not. Grandia III
Also, look what I’ve found!!!! Desperate Fight (Final Fantasy XII) – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq8fUytWysg) a Sakimoto song going Metal. =D
Metal Gear Solid 3
Best MGS ever (as long as you play Subsistence)
Metal Gear Solid 3
Metal Gear Solid 3
Best MGS ever (as long as you play Subsistence)
I agree, but I’d rather play MGS most days. Simple, short, over the top, and fun.
Vagrant Story (5-0) and Metal Gear Solid 3 (4-1) this time around. Next up is the final fight of Sakimoto Round 2. Like usual, we’ll then switch to Sakimoto fights exclusively until the semifinals and finals are finished. Then we’ll go back to PS2.
Round 2, Fight 4 // The Sakimoto Rumble
Legaia 2: Duel Saga by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Yasunori Mitsuda, and Michiru Oshima (2001)
Black Sun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdKQl5Jbh_8), Pirate’s Pride (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_CVU7G6N7c), Lost Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjUz3z3AAsc), Mark of the Vanquished (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA1WypQuTv4), Everyday Tranquility (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A09yrke-RbY)
vs.
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (1995)
Chapter A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGWRQ5Hd9WE), Three Kings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXG7DlV27u8), Limitation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD-jtpi4WBs), Passing Moment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdVyOBHlx6c), Avilla Henya (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVQTQ_LeuGI)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 12 // The PS2 Rumble
ICO by Michiru Oshima (2001)
Castle In The Mist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DipbshLI8PA), You Were There (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWVij6r4QBw), Entity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVloFsTu0Xc), Shadow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0uBgXKOPRY), Heal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9ErwNCbYEQ)
vs.
Sly Cooper 3 by Peter McConnell (2005)
Streets of Venice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxLqhNSmW50), Holland Airfield (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DccDR50wLvs), Holland Hotel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KzazLVuccg), Mining Camp Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCZo3g3s7xo), Beginning Of The End (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yLp61ubGhk)
My votes are for Tactics Ogre and ICO.
Sly 3
ICO is better, but I suspect Sly 3 won’t be getting many votes and I don’t want it to go down that easily.
Sly 3
Sly 3
ICO
In other news, putting games into Atari graphics (http://unrealitymag.com/index.php/2011/10/24/10-awesome-examples-of-todays-video-games-into-atari-format/).
thats…interestin, to say the least.
ICO – 2nd Best Vocal Track in the History of Video Games… IMO.
Out of curiosity, what’s 1st?;) The best is yet to come?
Metal Gear Solid Soundtrack: The Best Is Yet To Come – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g)
EDIT: yeaH!
If it’s not The Best Is Yet to Come, it’s one of these:
Lord of Vermilion 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4z52JIEf9M)
Tapha Niang (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM84Ol6xQio)
Snake Eater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aHQnDTd1y4)
You Are Dead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pPQnhhUqtU)
Semifinals, Fight 1 // The Sakimoto Rumble
Final Fantasy Tactics by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (1997)
Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ivgHaQ32xk), Trisection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVrQv36YFgg), Pray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4sVYkxyGxg&p=199E3C72F464C304), Team Making (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKoijRuwFQ&p=199E3C72F464C304), Data Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEBHwKBP8po&p=199E3C72F464C304)
vs.
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (1995)
Chapter A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGWRQ5Hd9WE), Three Kings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXG7DlV27u8), Limitation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD-jtpi4WBs), Passing Moment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdVyOBHlx6c), Avilla Henya (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVQTQ_LeuGI)
————————————————————————————————
Semifinals, Fight 2 // The Sakimoto Rumble
Final Fantasy XII by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Hayato Matsuo, and Nobuo Uematsu (2006)
Rabanastre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM0IJPV-8PY), Esper Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COG3R3Km-Zk), Signs of Change (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzi7myyotYY), To The Place of Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c79uOLby7H8), Sky Fortress Bahamut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOehlpV_G8c)
vs.
Vagrant Story by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2000)
Opening Movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSvSXSttRw), Abandoned Mines Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVooykY0CcI), Great Cathedral (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUkHA4z_p-Q), Factory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-4r0sRYuio), Dawn of Le??? Monde (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMcSr4PyutQ)
My votes are for Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story.
For the second was easy Vagrant Story.
Vagrant Story
Vagrant Story
1st was an extremely hard choice, while 2nd much easier.
Vagrant Story
(http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCC58A8058D88D59D)
vs.
(http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL49D6F5F3FC29A278)
It is time for the final decision.
Vagrant Story
Considering it’s Friday, if I have some time and good memory, I’ll try to provide some good stuff.
Vagrant Story
I usually do that during the semifinals, but I’m crushed by work right now. 🙁 So I decided to only do a write-up for the winner. Can’t even vote until I get some time to listen to both soundtracks again.
I actually hadn’t listened to the soundtrack release of Vagrant Story before and it is such a better listening experience than the gamerip i’ve gotten used to with all the A,B,C and D versions. After ten more times through the soundtrack in a year or so I may change my mind, but not for now. I really enjoyed my listen of the soundtrack this time though.
Both are amazing. I’d be happy seeing either as the winner.
Vagrant Story (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL49D6F5F3FC29A278)!
by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2000)
Here is Sakimoto forcefully staking his claim as a major composer. It’s a smooth transition from Tactics in terms of mood and instrumentation. But the compositions have several qualities to intensify what Sakimoto had previously accomplished. The density of the strings, chimes, brass, and woodwinds working together, coupled with the slow and sometimes subtle development of the melodies, gives the soundtrack a muddy, sleepy feel that was not common in video game music. Equally surprising are the moments when the music gearshifts suddenly into industrial breakbeats, echoing rim shots, and Twilight Zone-inspired synth lines, only to drop out into gorgeous plucked arpeggios or a wash of violins resolving the music’s aggression. This soundtrack is forceful, dark, often militaristic, but also quite beautiful. Because of that, there???s an air of mystique and experimentation that seeps into this and every subsequent soundtrack Sakimoto has contributed to, whether it takes the form of a surprising harp glissando in the middle of an electronic piece, a Vangelis bass line in the middle of a flute solo, or a mournful trumpet rising out of a battle theme. He has the skills to make complex music accessible to a wide audience, and does so here maybe better than on any other soundtrack he has composed.
Bonus: Is Vagrant Story set in Ivalice? The writer/director/producer/designer used to say yes. Now he says no (http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Vagrant_Story#Relation_to_Final_Fantasy) (Matsuno’s twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/YasumiMatsuno/status/85846703474872321)).
Bonus 2: Test your trivia knowledge (http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz5768069d288.html) about the game.
Bonus 3: Vagrant Story is our third two-rumble winner now that it has won the PS1 and Sakimoto rumbles. The other members of the two-win club are Sonic (the un-themed first rumble and Genesis) and Final Fantasy VI (Uematsu and SNES).
Record: 3-1, 5-0, 5-1, 4-3
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you???d like to do, post it on our group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20), where you can also see and make suggestions on the themes we???ve already worked on.
I’ve noticed that the few people that tend to like Hitoshi Sakimoto’s music. THEY REALLY LOVE IT!
There was a Fan-Letter Book made last year that was sended for his Birthday…
I’m really happy seeing Vagrant Story having won, PS1 and the Rumble of it’s own creator.
And I’m also really happy to be of good use on building this Rumble. It makes me feel great.
I really hope you people enjoyed this Rumble as well.
Here’s a Fan-Made Piano Arrangement of a track of Vagrant Story.
Vagrant Story Piano Series (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9vjFAajNc4)
EDIT: People I’ll probably be dissapearing from the Internet for roughly 2 weeks. Going to Vacation tonight. Enjoy the PS2 Rumble.
Keep Musical! =D
Round 1, Fight 13 // The PS2 Rumble
Beyond Good & Evil by Christophe H???ral (2003)
Hyllian Suite (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2prV0pLxv4), Home Sweet Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTdcJWDNsao), First Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZHqh19LQdo), Spanish Bar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlrIRahS81A), Matrix Course (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0R8Wr6VmVQ)
vs.
Phantom Brave by Tenpei Sato (2004)
Flower Blossom Guide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGLimrFWQ8U), The End of This Passionate Feeling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CtTmZBteKE), B-A-R (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H4d1BcJbE4), Sand Shower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlbYtfePOwQ), Gloomy Feeling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXfRmZ1cfcs)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 14 // The PS2 Rumble
God of War by Gerard K. Marino, Ron Fish, Winifred Phillips, Mike Reagan, Cris Velasco, and Winnie Waldron (2005)
Vengeful Spartan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghpaFwnFtfY), Kratos’ Evil Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7zmPVzx5t4), Battle the Lethal Sirens (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKNAEIGoNUI), Zeus’ Divine Wrath (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEnQnIWVTv8), Desert of Lost Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60YrJbAGhYE)
vs.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 by Shōji Meguro and Yosuke Uda (2006)
Joy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Z6E5ResUg), Want to Be Close (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YJAfmK3SPU), Mass Destruction (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9E3VR8Fnj0), Memories of the City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhArt4yKg9c), The Battle for Everyone’s Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdMhTL5bZrs)
My votes are for Beyond Good and Evil (hadn’t heard Phantom Brave before and really enjoyed it, though) and God of War (never been a fan of Persona 3).
also, im gonna go out on a limb here and say that any rumble that Vagrant Story is a part of, will more than likely always be the winner.:p
God Of War Even though the Battle For Everyone’s Souls is easily one of the best final boss themes of all time and Memories Of The City one of the most memorable pieces.
Tough choices on both ends.
Seems like it! Overall record: 40-12
That’s probably better than any other soundtrack with 30 or more wins in our 15 rumbles.
God of War
God of War (A much tougher choice! Both are phenomenal soundtracks, but I sided with timeless epicness over modern grooves.)
God of War
Round 1, Fight 15 // The PS2 Rumble
Okami by Masami Ueda, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki Hamada, Rei Kondo, and Akari Groves (2006)
Playing with Ushiwaka (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY-jMfZ1uDk), Agata Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlTNNHAa0rk), Kushinada???s Determination (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtXEjrnSfrk), Dragon Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_cYPVpVUkw), Northern Country Kamui (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc-E_o5Xu5k)
vs.
Shinobi by Fumie Kumatani, Teruhiko Nakagawa, Takayuki Maeda, Yutaka Minobe, and Masaru Setsumaru (2002)
Golden Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySE7lz86gM4), Destroyed by Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVnKTYc5zuA), Fate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLO4g0PDanw), Ceremony (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aexb6UdrmSM), Moritsune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mr6SyDUssI)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 16 // The PS2 Rumble
Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil by Kanako Kakino, Eriko Imura, Asuka Sakai, Katsuro Tajima, Yuji Masubuchi, Hiromi Shibano, Kohta Takahashi, and Go Shiina (2001)
Moonlight Museum Ver. 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XITov1R0Z8), Shattered Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4VJJ82LoIo ), Lunatea Waltz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJT83IER46Y ), Ark???s Birth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4PSwOHdA2M ), King of Sorrow???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUAR-ih_YI4 )
vs.
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne by Shōji Meguro (2003)
Common Battle (large map) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd6KIU3i_N4 ), Mansion Of Heresy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leJxbjvmmZk ), Common Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzcOTx9Ok4w ), World Map (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBaq1bHoTpU ), Staff Roll (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65lHce8CGIU)
My votes are for Okami and Klonoa 2. But I really like all four soundtracks here. Comes down to little details. If you have a chance, check out all four. They’re completely different, but probably each one will have at least one song worth putting on a playlist.
Nostalgia note: Both Northern Country Kamui (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/#post1253578) and Dragon Palace (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/5.html#post1312683) hearken back to the early days of the rumble. And I mean really early–as in the first fight we ever did and the first fight of the third rumble.
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Okami beats Shinobi for me. Its melancholy traditional music score is so striking, especially for a video game. Although hearing Shinobi’s soundtrack has gotten me excited for the 3DS game.
I hate to compare these other two soundtracks, but I’d give it to Klonoa 2 mainly for its mellow tone. The score reminded me of the music in games like Croc and Donkey Kong Country 2.
All four soundtracks are really some of the best work from the last generation IMO.
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Round 1, Fight 17 // The PS2 Rumble
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness by Michiru Yamane and Yuka Watanabe (2005)
Abandoned Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffPnifaj-lA), Baljhet Mountains (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4C_hrfK5GM), Cordova Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKosEU7_lQ0), Mortvia Fountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5BZKMlqbPI), Forest of Jigramunt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn73kwvGBWI)
vs.
Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm by Ken Nakagawa, Daisuke Achiwa, and Miyoko Kobayashi (2006)
Rain of Blossoms (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55dqwrlTxD0), Things Thought Alone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVnEofmN2CQ), Town of Water (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0JYjOb34wQ), Crash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ti5GXo82qA), Breath of Beast (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZtPyVzeD3c)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 18 // The PS2 Rumble
Guilty Gear XX by Daisuke Ishiwatari and Koichi Seiyama (2002)
Suck a Sage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWUbVn88NTk), Simple Life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07iwC830wQ4), Blue Water Blue Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufZaffJJBjE), Festival Of Shadows (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmHw_xXs3fM), Midnight Carnival (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csIIrYuVRAE)
vs.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/dmc.gif Devil May Cry by Masami Ueda, Misao Senbongi, and Masato Koda (2001)
Ultra Violet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xzh0eD0jJ4), Pubic Enemy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgdITDtfhXA), Destroyer of Ardo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgFWd39Ccvc), Flock Off! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=981SHOEcmZ4), S (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG4T1bfTB9c)
My votes are for Castlevania: Curse of Darkness and Guilty Gear XX.
Guilty Gear XX Still In The Dark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_S43AP1tgc), No Mercy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDk1MQU0n1o&feature=related)
Did you use different recommendations for Guilty Gear? I’m pretty sure I included both of the above. Just curious.
Devil May Cry
Guilty Gear XX
Round 1, Fight 19 // The PS2 Rumble
God of War II by Gerard Marino, Ron Fish, Mike Reagan, and Cris Velasco (2007)
Glory of Sparta (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L6lYtYQp6g), The Isle of Creation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3PmLXZWFxA), The Pegasus Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyCGjXlJW8Q), The End Begins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1br_h51dD4), Seize Your Fate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmaYebUXlDk)
vs.
Jak and Daxter by Mark Mothersbaugh and Josh Mancell (2001)
Geyser Rock (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTmLL8jB76c), Rock Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WPoWTv06bU), Lost Precursor City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7qi_YZuenc), Mountain Pass (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIjdXfttapg), Final Battle – Part 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLybza_LEU4)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 20 // The PS2 Rumble
Odin Sphere by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Kimihiro Abe, Mitsuhiro Kaneda, and Manabu Namiki (2007)
Restaurant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz1iuMZMsxA), Study Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUt0Lm-N150), A Hard Fight And Then Hope (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlynaW75_sQ), The Fated Path (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8mm6cVAcb8), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrWzkHxYB9o)
vs.
GrimGrimoire by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2007)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_IddLA1s-c), Sincerely (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsNYquj-StQ), Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLVjpFue2oA), Magical Classroom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8qoPSRaOuU), Ancient Secrets (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXX71JEExKg)
My votes are for God of War II and Odin Sphere and this…
Jak and Daxter
GrimGrimoire
Odin Sphere
on a side note, happy thanksgiving to all;)
Odin Sphere
Back to the Internet People. How are ya?
Currently Arthurgolden has all his permissions to use his account blocked because of the recent incidents on the forum.
I’ve sended a message to the Admins to check on this so that we can all continue with the Rumble peacefully.
Hello there people.
There’s been some incidents apparently here.
And Arthurgolden requested personally if you could check the situation with his account.
Textually his problem is:
"Well…shit. I’ve got white forums, too, but I can’t post on top of that. The reply box doesn’t show up, and at the bottom of my page it says,
* You may not post new threads
* You may not post replies
* You may not post attachments
* You may not edit your posts"
We all at the VGM Music Rumble Group would appreciate if this could be fixed.
Thanks in Advance
Topopoz.
I’ll assume that some of you can be on the same situation. Marceline replied that the issue could be related to the info found on this Thread:
In short what you can find in the Thread is the following instructions provided by Marceline:
You can ask him if he changed his email to [email protected]. If he did, have him check that email and see if there’s a message from FFShrine somewhere in his spam folders. He should have an email he can use to confirm that change so that he can post as normal. If that’s not his email, someone tried to compromise his account, and he’ll need to change his email to the email that he’d like to use and then go through the confirmation process again.
Also:
Remember that we have a Facebook Page to keep in touch if this kind of situation is presented.
Here’s the Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/168706226538588/
Send the request.
Round 1, Fight 21 // The PS2 Rumble
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/ratchet3.gif Ratchet and Clank 3 by David Bergeaud (2004)
Obani Draco (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Z7GRRupOw), Crash Site (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVEMHAo-GJI), Command Center (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9vjkGqhI5M), Courtney Gears Battle Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P3-KiQVDxg), Planet Veldin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM0EGkmJVdQ)
vs.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 by Shoji Meguro, Atsushi Kitajoh, and Ryota Koduka (2008)
New Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve4cz9D5jQ0), Striptease (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmsN7Qg2Mco), Heaven (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=463Us587Z9o), Signs Of Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdtJYmDAZPI), Fog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3gEKpGD4D4)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 22 // The PS2 Rumble
Soul Calibur 3 by Junichi Nakatsuru, Ryuichi Takada, and Keiki Kobayashi (2005)
Hour of Destiny (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NurhGMOyXI), Forsaken Sanctuary (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtoHEbwCahA), Healing Winds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIvyEZ5oWTY), Water Dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkdXUCdNnd0), Ephemeral Dream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxpyGopvvF0)
vs.
Killer7 by Masafumi Takada and Jun Fukuda (2005)
Rave On (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul0QUksWmfw), Emoticon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwv-fR3-Pj0), Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HFE2J1TNK4), Heroic Deeds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg4yDzi3e8I), Residence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GH2yeI9ZoQ)
My votes are for Ratchet and Clank 3 and Killer7.
Oh My Julia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWna4VTzQD4&feature=related)
Ratchet And Clank 3 This was not an easy choice.
Ratchet and Clank 3
Ratchet and Clank 3
Thanks for the extra tracks Smarty, I never played Killer7, and with the exception of Rave On, excellent soundtrack.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 I’ll Face Myself "Battle" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_58-XYXuJMs)
Haven’t played Killer7 as well, but it’s soundtrack is indeed very nice and unusual. I think I enjoyed Residence the most:)
Round 1, Fight 23 // The PS2 Rumble
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 by Kenji Yamamoto (2004)
Make A New Legend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCaqgx4O53g), Twist of Fate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xU9Qvm390I), Daybreak Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98UXJ-Dn-X0), Night of Tempest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUX_nmF7riM), Embrace The Blue Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47w0YzktIho)
vs.
Silent Hill 2 by Akira Yamaoka (2001)
Theme Of Laura (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKPOGJvhAII), Null Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLhtDJnPKBs), Heaven’s Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8A22ulogJs), Betrayal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WShknpNpHbY), Promise (Reprise) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_PXTGdlGw)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 24 // The PS2 Rumble
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2002)
Lift (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9I-rQQxi7s), Lifeline (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch0_CZmz1LA), Far Cry (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpSJmyxESxg), Kind Friends (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnd69gTZlEg), Electric Power Building (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BksX_ISV5q0)
vs.
Silent Hill 3 by Akira Yamaoka (2003)
Breeze in Monochrome Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHZnrGaEBdg), Sickness Until Foolish Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Frwgx_MKc), Please Love Me Once More (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYFaoxkXWZc), Maternal Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1DjgY6WrqY), Letter from the Lost Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SBY_fUpmnQ)
My votes are for Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3.
Silent Hill 3 End Of Small Sanctuary (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_e8abf_Tds) <– My favorite.
Which reminds me, it’s been almost 2 years since I last played SH2. I’ll get right on that, ASAP.
Silent Hill 3
paradise
———- Post added at 09:50 AM ———- Previous post was at 09:00 AM ———-
Silent Hill 2 (5-0) and Silent Hill 3 (5-0), obviously. Next up…
Round 1, Fight 25 // The PS2 Rumble
Shadow Hearts by Yoshitaka Hirota and Yasunori Mitsuda (2001)
Sacrifice ~ Alice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCEHSGycqhs), China Ogre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8qAGDOE5es), Coffin Fetish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS5UlXyREyM), Highnoon Fish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHeIrWdLbnw), Bacon’s Juice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIr3ZKky1dc)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 2 by Harry Gregson-Williams, Norihiko Hibino, and Rika Muranaka (2001)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiPon8lr48U), Electronica Emma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwToccCFl9o), Fortune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9wjdVUjt3c), Father And Son (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGnrxWazUUg), Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thyYUs23sPQ)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 26 // The PS2 Rumble
Kingdom Hearts II by Yoko Shimomura (2005)
Kairi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbNYjGStrUg), Tension Rising (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pyfiN3QRjE), Rage Awakened (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUd4-LIKusA), Sacred Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEwdMEinNKc), Darkness of The Unknown (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz2nEoSYgzc)
vs.
Devil May Cry 3 by Tetsuya Shibata and Kento Hasegawa (2005)
Now You’ve Really Crossed The Line (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9euq6kJL_A), Devils Never Cry (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xti_6Bzpa8A), Suffer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLqXkpVGBrc), Vergil 1 Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdSvIPWVyjU), Demon World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOw1ZnyXWwc)
My votes are for Metal Gear Solid 2 and Kingdom Hearts II.
Kingdom Hearts II
That’s what this is looking like right now:
Metal Gear Solid 2
Kingdom Hearts II
Kingdom Hearts II
Round 1, Fight 27 // The PS2 Rumble
Shadow Hearts: From the New World by Yoshitaka Hirota (2005)
Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUCI1GP_7z0), Dead Fingers Talk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZWEcn102tA), Advertise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjljjQ0vmi4), Lady Tears I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbs9nwN6cqY), Insane Blood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k_1GW40ZqY)
vs.
Arcana Heart by Motoharu Yoshihira (2006)
Fantasyland (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLfFaL42rOU ), Poolside Dynamite! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHIF-XBleok ), Moonlight Nocturne (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZteVs8xHog ), A Peaceful Life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqFL103N50E ), Save a Future (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaMit9WG4iM )
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 28 // The PS2 Rumble
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria by Motoi Sakuraba (2006)
A Motion of Finishing Blow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdhVdt1OsZo), The Chosen Confusion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ-6-ExlU4A), A Huge Eliminator (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M70PbNaInlY), One Error Begets Another (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlBuNRlehkI), Ascend into the True Faith (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuEbLkmn01M)
vs.
Jak and Daxter 3 by Mark Mothersbaugh, Josh Mancell, and Larry Hopkins (2004)
The Harsh Wasteland (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3ayqnVRWIk), Spargus City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTYtc-HRwd8), Sewers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJfxTaO-g0I), Monk Glider (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGtA1o4ztgA), Dark Maker Finale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=finKks9Qc1s)
My votes are for Shadow Hearts: From the New World and Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria.
Completely off-topic: I know I’m ridiculously, obscenely late with this, but I just bought Starcraft (the first one) on Thursday and have been playing through the campaigns. Spoiler alert: it’s pretty fucking awesome.
Jak and Daxter 3
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Jak 3.
Completely off-topic: I know I’m ridiculously, obscenely late with this, but I just bought Starcraft (the first one) on Thursday and have been playing through the campaigns. Spoiler alert: it’s pretty fucking awesome.
Atta, boy! Starcraft 2 is the better multiplayer game, but nothing beats the original in terms of the campaign. Every single note of the soundtrack and every single line of dialogue has been stuck in my head all my life. If you ever want to play online, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m ALWAYS up for it (even though I kinda suck at Brood War)
Round 1, Fight 29 // The PS2 Rumble
Rule of Rose by Yutaka Minobe (2006)
The Attic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_N3wIG7fj8), Fear Part II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0rrwgxkeGU), Boss Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmz8xA7EbQ4), A Love Suicide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jig_BSvn8wE), Waiting for the Dawn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iG4EhZwq40)
vs.
Suikoden V by Norikazu Miura (2006)
Wind of Phantom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmawYXFQws8), Sealed Room (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6L6DJKnPFE), Town on a River (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FBQoL9bsZg), The Deep Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOeF14fo03A), Crossing the Mountain River (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E2CX0rOvhs)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 30 // The PS2 Rumble
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/katdam.gif Katamari Damacy by Yū Miyake (2004)
Tron the Grasslands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d46DaRosCiY), Everyone Dancing Kata (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCO_kTO0L18), Love & Peace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsdabN1DfYE), Angel Flavor’s Present (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_T16wbFx_k), Lonely Rolling Star (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_QydNXI_ok)
vs.
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga by Shōji Meguro (2004)
Big Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAXpq-xs3Rk), Hunting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IG7FCupjJM), Man’s Tomb (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzbP1Zqtv34), Hari-Hara (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nl5nCyYmrY), End Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh3v-ReZwH4)
You guys know how I feel about the Suikoden series, but my votes are for Rule of Rose and Katamari Damacy. There’s so much to say about Rule of Rose–from the music itself (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_Rose#Development) (another brilliant score by the same guy who did Skies of Arcadia!) to all the brouhaha about the game’s sexual content (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_Rose#Controversy). Controversy aside (I’ve never played the game), the soundtrack is the kind of thing I’d point to and say video games need more of this.
Katamari Damacy
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga
Katamari Damacy
Merry Christmas to everyone;)
Round 1, Fight 31 // The PS2 Rumble
Silent Hill 4: The Room by Akira Yamaoka (2004)
Tender Sugar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6xb5TDVNKA), Room of Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFubJOV6Obo), Nightmarish Waltz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfB60hXPZR8), Wounded Warsong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3aUGJ2VqmY), Your Rain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd_lndCMknU)
vs.
Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und B???se by Yuki Kajiura and Shinji Hosoe (2004)
In the Beginning There Was… (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EB63PrXRaQ ), Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49LA6m6Psgg ), Communication Breakdown (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEryKU-JHLE ), Bitter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMFJ5lky7gg), U-Do ~ Febronia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqzT3-0nePw )
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 32 // The PS2 Rumble
Star Ocean: Til the End of Time by Motoi Sakuraba (2003)
Dawn of Wisdom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmYxRCGxFbc), The Desolate Smell of Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYSt4qX85oA), Reflected Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHDmpbUqtk0), Bird???s Eye View (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNFf4uCaoPY), The Virtual Image (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtVjoGsRFGY)
vs.
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht by Yasunori Mitsuda (2002)
Zarathustra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04KLmuOinlk), Beach of Nothingness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_2pKh5KiCk), Life or Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdSSxxnIjzE), U.M.N. Mode (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Rsj8Q_WB_8), Albedo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlmQiHClfko)
All good soundtracks. My votes are for Silent Hill 4 and Star Ocean.
Xenosaga Episode I: Deri Wille zur Macht
happy holidays to all!
Xenosaga Episode I: Deri Wille zur Macht
Star Ocean
Round 2, Fight 1 // The PS2 Rumble
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King by Koichi Sugiyama (2004)
Heavenly Flight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlN7mbkslXo), Great Battle in the Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VkVnwfLsiw), Mysterious Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOHAFBxVv4w), Strange World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5coKpnqqAbI), Remembrances (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh2WwTk1Z_4)
vs.
Sly Cooper by Ashif Hakik (2002)
A Rocky Start (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLzc5aijJMo), A Stealthy Approach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCzjZwN-PEE), Opening Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2mXHz5CFLg), A Perilous Ascent (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olnDc-QgMaQ), A Strange Reunion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3jqEzOT5BY)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2 // The PS2 Rumble
Okami by Masami Ueda, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki Hamada, Rei Kondo, and Akari Groves (2006)
Playing with Ushiwaka (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY-jMfZ1uDk), Agata Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlTNNHAa0rk), Kushinada???s Determination (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtXEjrnSfrk), Dragon Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_cYPVpVUkw), Northern Country Kamui (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc-E_o5Xu5k)
vs.
Silent Hill 4: The Room by Akira Yamaoka (2004)
Tender Sugar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6xb5TDVNKA), Room of Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFubJOV6Obo), Nightmarish Waltz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfB60hXPZR8), Wounded Warsong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3aUGJ2VqmY), Your Rain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd_lndCMknU)
My votes are for Dragon Quest VIII and Okami. You can see the level of competition ratchet up this round. With Silent Hill 4 and Okami, you’re talking about two of the best soundtracks this past decade going head to head already. That’ll probably happen a few times this round, which is a tribute to how much quality music was made for the console.
Okami
Okami
The idea of moving the rumble has been suggested before. I’ve talked with a couple people through PM about it. And I’m always open to suggestions; you guys know that. The consistent problem is that we haven’t been able to come up with a better solution. For now, my thought process is to stick with the Shrine and see if these problems clear up. In the event of the Shrine going down again, we also have the Facebook group, which everyone is welcome to join. 😀
As for the rumble, Sly Cooper (3-2) and Okami (4-0) won that last round. Next up…
Round 2, Fight 3 // The PS2 Rumble
Beyond Good & Evil by Christophe H???ral (2003)
Hyllian Suite (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2prV0pLxv4), Home Sweet Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTdcJWDNsao), First Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZHqh19LQdo), Spanish Bar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlrIRahS81A), Matrix Course (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0R8Wr6VmVQ)
vs.
Rule of Rose by Yutaka Minobe (2006)
The Attic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_N3wIG7fj8), Fear Part II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0rrwgxkeGU), Boss Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmz8xA7EbQ4), A Love Suicide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jig_BSvn8wE), Waiting for the Dawn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iG4EhZwq40)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 4 // The PS2 Rumble
Silent Hill 2 by Akira Yamaoka (2001)
Theme Of Laura (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKPOGJvhAII), Null Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLhtDJnPKBs), Heaven’s Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8A22ulogJs), Betrayal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WShknpNpHbY), Promise (Reprise) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_PXTGdlGw)
vs.
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy by Mark Mothersbaugh and Josh Mancell (2001)
Geyser Rock (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTmLL8jB76c), Rock Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WPoWTv06bU), Lost Precursor City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7qi_YZuenc), Mountain Pass (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIjdXfttapg), Final Battle – Part 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLybza_LEU4)
My votes are for Rule of Rose (though I love Beyond Good and Evil) and Silent Hill 2.
Forgot to welcome back Link006. 😀
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2 Even though I really like the precursor legacy, SH2 is in a whole other league.
It was Beyond Good and Evil (3-2) and Silent Hill 2 (5-1) that time around. Next up???
Round 2, Fight 5 // The PS2 Rumble
Odin Sphere by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Kimihiro Abe, Mitsuhiro Kaneda, and Manabu Namiki (2007)
Restaurant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz1iuMZMsxA), Study Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUt0Lm-N150), A Hard Fight And Then Hope (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlynaW75_sQ), The Fated Path (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8mm6cVAcb8), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrWzkHxYB9o)
vs.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time by Stuart Chatwood (2003)
Prelude Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf-KATqcbbs), Trouble at the Barracks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZQpkkyRYUQ), Tower of Dawn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKwbptphnVU), Lost in the Crypts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbhd7UtbyQM), Sand Griffins Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H1GPz2Zg08)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 6 // The PS2 Rumble
Kingdom Hearts by Yoko Shimomura (2002)
Dearly Beloved (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsrKbA2xt5M), Dive Into The Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOpB12ow-VM), Destiny’s Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VJ3Jc6H3Jg), Scherzo di Notte (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndA8kEVG6tM), Hollow Bastion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nlCNVewMjA)
vs.
Shadow Hearts: From the New World by Yoshitaka Hirota (2005)
Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUCI1GP_7z0), Dead Fingers Talk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZWEcn102tA), Advertise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjljjQ0vmi4), Lady Tears I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbs9nwN6cqY), Insane Blood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k_1GW40ZqY)
My votes are for Odin Sphere and Kingdom Hearts.
And thanks for the WB!
Shadow Hearts
Shadow Hearts: From the New World
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts
Round 2, Fight 7 // The PS2 Rumble
Ratchet and Clank 2 by David Bergeaud (2003)
Flying Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKF_dqNao5g&playnext=1&list=PL8DC5930EA1F563AA), Swampy Boss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbEXAbz4Afk), Searching For The Thief (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7TkXc9SVlw), Canal City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T836H61m9D4), Megacorp Armory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH6whZCsc8Q)
vs.
Final Fantasy X by Nobuo Uematsu, Junya Nakano, and Masashi Hamauzu (2001)
To Zanarkand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-0G_FI61a8), Assault (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osajnmj2msU), Silence Before The Storm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHw2V0C-D-o), A Fleeting Dream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkAFi88J5Aw), Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTxqsTfDgC4)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 8 // The PS2 Rumble
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne by Shōji Meguro (2003)
Common Battle (large map) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd6KIU3i_N4 ), Mansion Of Heresy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leJxbjvmmZk ), Common Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzcOTx9Ok4w ), World Map (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBaq1bHoTpU ), Staff Roll (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65lHce8CGIU)
vs.
Kingdom Hearts II by Yoko Shimomura (2005)
Kairi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbNYjGStrUg), Tension Rising (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pyfiN3QRjE), Rage Awakened (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUd4-LIKusA), Sacred Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEwdMEinNKc), Darkness of The Unknown (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz2nEoSYgzc)
My votes are for Final Fantasy X and Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne.
Nocturne
Nocturne
Nocturne
Round 2, Fight 9 // The PS2 Rumble
Metal Gear Solid 3 by Harry Gregson-Williams, Norihiko Hibino, Shuichi Kobori, Nobuko Toda, Rika Muranaka, and Star Sailor (2004)
Snake Eater (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aHQnDTd1y4), Debriefing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr8WslV4cEw), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNVCD1dsnJI), The Fury (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuEAgGq3IAk), Old Metal Gear (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoLMlL5yJxA)
vs.
Star Ocean: Til the End of Time by Motoi Sakuraba (2003)
Dawn of Wisdom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmYxRCGxFbc), The Desolate Smell of Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYSt4qX85oA), Reflected Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHDmpbUqtk0), Bird???s Eye View (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNFf4uCaoPY), The Virtual Image (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtVjoGsRFGY)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 10 // The PS2 Rumble
Shadow of the Colossus by Kow Otani (2005)
The Opened Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrFL2zPc2uk), The Farthest Land (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix38fnllF3Y), Awesome Power (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F-vB9RudQs), Counterattack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svRZz5t-6uU), A Sad Farewell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQpqsQ5icRE)
vs.
Gungrave by Tsuneo Imahori (2002)
Gunlock Overdrive! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZJ1e1XYe24), An Ulterior Motive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmlGJetHBfA&feature=BFa), Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRkgRfe2rtY), Here Comes the Rain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwPxxLpS_ss), No Smoking Please (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrH0fcIPr4w)
My votes are for Star Ocean: Til the End of Time (tough choice, but I like most songs off this soundtrack) and Shadow of the Colossus (majestic, rapturous, amazing, triumphant, gorgeous, etc.).
Shadow Of The Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow Of The Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus
Round 2, Fight 11 // The PS2 Rumble
God of War by Gerard K. Marino, Ron Fish, Winifred Phillips, Mike Reagan, Cris Velasco, and Winnie Waldron (2005)
Vengeful Spartan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghpaFwnFtfY), Kratos’ Evil Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7zmPVzx5t4), Battle the Lethal Sirens (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKNAEIGoNUI), Zeus’ Divine Wrath (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEnQnIWVTv8), Desert of Lost Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60YrJbAGhYE)
vs.
Guilty Gear XX by Daisuke Ishiwatari and Koichi Seiyama (2002)
Suck a Sage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWUbVn88NTk), Simple Life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07iwC830wQ4), Blue Water Blue Sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufZaffJJBjE), Festival Of Shadows (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmHw_xXs3fM), Midnight Carnival (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csIIrYuVRAE)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 12 // The PS2 Rumble
Killer7 by Masafumi Takada and Jun Fukuda (2005)
Rave On (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul0QUksWmfw), Emoticon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwv-fR3-Pj0), Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HFE2J1TNK4), Heroic Deeds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg4yDzi3e8I), Residence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GH2yeI9ZoQ)
vs.
Final Fantasy XII by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Hayato Matsuo, and Nobuo Uematsu (2006)
Royal City Rabanastre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM0IJPV-8PY), Esper Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COG3R3Km-Zk), Forgotten Capital (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVoEKWckLz0), To the Gods’ Place (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c79uOLby7H8), Sky Fortress Bahamut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOehlpV_G8c)
My votes are for God of War and Final Fantasy XII.
Killer7
Final Fantasy XII
Killer7
Round 2, Fight 13 // The PS2 Rumble
Metal Gear Solid 2 by Harry Gregson-Williams, Norihiko Hibino, and Rika Muranaka (2001)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiPon8lr48U), Electronica Emma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwToccCFl9o), Fortune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9wjdVUjt3c), Father And Son (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGnrxWazUUg), Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thyYUs23sPQ)
vs.
Jak 3 by Mark Mothersbaugh, Josh Mancell, and Larry Hopkins (2004)
The Harsh Wasteland (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3ayqnVRWIk), Spargus City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTYtc-HRwd8), Sewers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJfxTaO-g0I), Monk Glider (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGtA1o4ztgA), Dark Maker Finale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=finKks9Qc1s)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 14 // The PS2 Rumble
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/ratchet3.gif Ratchet and Clank 3 by David Bergeaud (2004)
Obani Draco (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Z7GRRupOw), Crash Site (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVEMHAo-GJI), Command Center (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9vjkGqhI5M), Courtney Gears Battle Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P3-KiQVDxg), Planet Veldin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM0EGkmJVdQ)
vs.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/katdam.gif Katamari Damacy by Yū Miyake (2004)
Tron the Grasslands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d46DaRosCiY), Everyone Dancing Kata (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCO_kTO0L18), Love & Peace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsdabN1DfYE), Angel Flavor’s Present (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_T16wbFx_k), Lonely Rolling Star (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_QydNXI_ok)
My votes are for Metal Gear Solid 2 and Katamari Damacy.
Ratchet and Clank 3
Katamari Damacy
Ratchet and Clank 3
Katamari Damacy
Round 2, Fight 15 // The PS2 Rumble
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness by Michiru Yamane and Yuka Watanabe (2005)
Abandoned Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffPnifaj-lA), Baljhet Mountains (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4C_hrfK5GM), Cordova Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKosEU7_lQ0), Mortvia Fountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5BZKMlqbPI), Forest of Jigramunt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn73kwvGBWI)
vs.
Silent Hill 3 by Akira Yamaoka (2003)
Breeze in Monochrome Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHZnrGaEBdg), Sickness Until Foolish Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Frwgx_MKc), Please Love Me Once More (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYFaoxkXWZc), Maternal Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1DjgY6WrqY), Letter from the Lost Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SBY_fUpmnQ)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 16 // The PS2 Rumble
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence by Michiru Yamane (2003)
Anti-Soul Mysteries Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp0UTM-IzjM), House of Sacred Remains (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxyFFzmIpTI), Dark Palace of Water (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9e7SW7wdK4), Aria of Nightmare (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrT-dsDaIWA), Prison of Eternal Torture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDzt2cpj8Do)
vs.
Sly Cooper 3 by Peter McConnell (2005)
Streets of Venice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxLqhNSmW50), Holland Airfield (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DccDR50wLvs), Holland Hotel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KzazLVuccg), Mining Camp Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCZo3g3s7xo), Beginning Of The End (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yLp61ubGhk)
My votes are for Silent Hill 3 and Sly Cooper 3. Can’t believe I’m voting against two Castlevania soundtracks. :-\
Sly 3
Sly Cooper 3
Castlevania Lament of Innocence
Castlevania: Lament Of Innocence
Castlevania Lament of Innocence
Sly Cooper 3 (4-3), which will join Silent Hill 3 (5-0) in Round 3. More coming soon.
———- Post added at 11:28 AM ———- Previous post was at 10:50 AM ———-
And now for the start of Round 3???
Round 3, Fight 1 // The PS2 Rumble
Sly Cooper by Ashif Hakik (2002)
A Rocky Start (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLzc5aijJMo), A Stealthy Approach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCzjZwN-PEE), Opening Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2mXHz5CFLg), A Perilous Ascent (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olnDc-QgMaQ), A Strange Reunion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3jqEzOT5BY)
vs.
Silent Hill 3 by Akira Yamaoka (2003)
Breeze in Monochrome Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHZnrGaEBdg), Sickness Until Foolish Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Frwgx_MKc), Please Love Me Once More (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYFaoxkXWZc), Maternal Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1DjgY6WrqY), Letter from the Lost Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SBY_fUpmnQ)
————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 2 // The PS2 Rumble
Final Fantasy XII by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Hayato Matsuo, and Nobuo Uematsu (2006)
Royal City Rabanastre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM0IJPV-8PY), Esper Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COG3R3Km-Zk), Forgotten Capital (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVoEKWckLz0), To the Gods’ Place (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c79uOLby7H8), Sky Fortress Bahamut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOehlpV_G8c)
vs.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/katdam.gif Katamari Damacy by Yū Miyake (2004)
Tron the Grasslands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d46DaRosCiY), Everyone Dancing Kata (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCO_kTO0L18), Love & Peace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsdabN1DfYE), Angel Flavor’s Present (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_T16wbFx_k), Lonely Rolling Star (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_QydNXI_ok)
My votes are for Silent Hill 3 and Final Fantasy XII. I’m looking ahead at the upcoming fights. Just about every one is brutal, like this one. I’ve grown to like Sly Cooper a lot. And I enjoy listening to Katamari Damacy more than Final Fantasy XII, but I think XII is the better soundtrack. :-\ I have no idea who’s going to win this rumble.
Edit: OK, OK small typo. Fixed it now.
FFXII
that game isnt for ps2.
Sly Cooper & Final Fantasy XII
FFXII
FFXII
Round 3, Fight 3 // The PS2 Rumble
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne by Shōji Meguro (2003)
Common Battle (large map) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd6KIU3i_N4 ), Mansion Of Heresy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leJxbjvmmZk ), Common Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzcOTx9Ok4w ), World Map (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBaq1bHoTpU ), Staff Roll (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65lHce8CGIU)
vs.
Odin Sphere by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Kimihiro Abe, Mitsuhiro Kaneda, and Manabu Namiki (2007)
Restaurant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz1iuMZMsxA), Study Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUt0Lm-N150), A Hard Fight And Then Hope (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlynaW75_sQ), The Fated Path (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8mm6cVAcb8), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrWzkHxYB9o)
————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 4 // The PS2 Rumble
Star Ocean: Til the End of Time by Motoi Sakuraba (2003)
Dawn of Wisdom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmYxRCGxFbc), The Desolate Smell of Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYSt4qX85oA), Reflected Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHDmpbUqtk0), Bird???s Eye View (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNFf4uCaoPY), The Virtual Image (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtVjoGsRFGY)
vs.
Metal Gear Solid 2 by Harry Gregson-Williams, Norihiko Hibino, and Rika Muranaka (2001)
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiPon8lr48U), Electronica Emma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwToccCFl9o), Fortune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9wjdVUjt3c), Father And Son (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGnrxWazUUg), Reminiscence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thyYUs23sPQ)
My votes are for Odin Sphere and Star Ocean: Til the End of Time.
Metal Gear Solid 2
Metal Gear Solid 2
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Star Ocean: Til the End of Time
Round 3, Fight 5 // The PS2 Rumble
Okami by Masami Ueda, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki Hamada, Rei Kondo, and Akari Groves (2006)
Playing with Ushiwaka (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY-jMfZ1uDk), Agata Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlTNNHAa0rk), Kushinada???s Determination (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtXEjrnSfrk), Dragon Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_cYPVpVUkw), Northern Country Kamui (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc-E_o5Xu5k)
vs.
Sly Cooper 3 by Peter McConnell (2005)
Streets of Venice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxLqhNSmW50), Holland Airfield (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DccDR50wLvs), Holland Hotel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KzazLVuccg), Mining Camp Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCZo3g3s7xo), Beginning Of The End (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yLp61ubGhk)
————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 6 // The PS2 Rumble
Shadow of the Colossus by Kow Otani (2005)
The Opened Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrFL2zPc2uk), The Farthest Land (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix38fnllF3Y), Awesome Power (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F-vB9RudQs), Counterattack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svRZz5t-6uU), A Sad Farewell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQpqsQ5icRE)
vs.
Silent Hill 2 by Akira Yamaoka (2001)
Theme Of Laura (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKPOGJvhAII), Null Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLhtDJnPKBs), Heaven’s Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8A22ulogJs), Betrayal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WShknpNpHbY), Promise (Reprise) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_PXTGdlGw)
My votes are for Okami and Shadow of the Colossus.
Sly Cooper 3
Silent Hill 2
Sly 3
Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus
Love both <3
Round 3, Fight 7 // The PS2 Rumble
Beyond Good & Evil by Christophe H???ral (2003)
Hyllian Suite (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2prV0pLxv4), Home Sweet Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTdcJWDNsao), First Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZHqh19LQdo), Spanish Bar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlrIRahS81A), Matrix Course (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0R8Wr6VmVQ)
vs.
Kingdom Hearts by Yoko Shimomura (2002)
Dearly Beloved (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsrKbA2xt5M), Dive Into The Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOpB12ow-VM), Destiny’s Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VJ3Jc6H3Jg), Scherzo di Notte (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndA8kEVG6tM), Hollow Bastion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nlCNVewMjA)
————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 8 // The PS2 Rumble
Final Fantasy X by Nobuo Uematsu, Junya Nakano, and Masashi Hamauzu (2001)
To Zanarkand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-0G_FI61a8), Assault (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osajnmj2msU), Silence Before The Storm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHw2V0C-D-o), A Fleeting Dream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkAFi88J5Aw), Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTxqsTfDgC4)
vs.
God of War by Gerard K. Marino, Ron Fish, Winifred Phillips, Mike Reagan, Cris Velasco, and Winnie Waldron (2005)
Vengeful Spartan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghpaFwnFtfY), Kratos’ Evil Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7zmPVzx5t4), Battle the Lethal Sirens (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKNAEIGoNUI), Zeus’ Divine Wrath (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEnQnIWVTv8), Desert of Lost Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60YrJbAGhYE)
My votes are for Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy X.
Final Fantasy X
Beyond Good & Evil
FFX
FFX
Quarterfinals, Fight 1 // The PS2 Rumble
Shadow of the Colossus by Kow Otani (2005)
The Opened Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrFL2zPc2uk), The Farthest Land (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix38fnllF3Y), Awesome Power (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F-vB9RudQs), Counterattack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svRZz5t-6uU), A Sad Farewell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQpqsQ5icRE)
vs.
Odin Sphere by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Kimihiro Abe, Mitsuhiro Kaneda, and Manabu Namiki (2007)
Restaurant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz1iuMZMsxA), Study Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUt0Lm-N150), A Hard Fight And Then Hope (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlynaW75_sQ), The Fated Path (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8mm6cVAcb8), Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrWzkHxYB9o)
————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 2 // The PS2 Rumble
Okami by Masami Ueda, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki Hamada, Rei Kondo, and Akari Groves (2006)
Playing with Ushiwaka (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY-jMfZ1uDk), Agata Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlTNNHAa0rk), Kushinada’s Determination (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtXEjrnSfrk), Dragon Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_cYPVpVUkw), Northern Country Kamui (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc-E_o5Xu5k)
vs.
Kingdom Hearts by Yoko Shimomura (2002)
Dearly Beloved (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsrKbA2xt5M), Dive Into The Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOpB12ow-VM), Destiny’s Force (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VJ3Jc6H3Jg), Scherzo di Notte (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndA8kEVG6tM), Hollow Bastion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nlCNVewMjA)
My votes are for Shadow of the Colossus and Okami. The usual array of descriptions, trivia, and bonus links (if available) will come with the semifinals round. Hope everyone is doing well.
P.S. Welcome to decapattack. 😀
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts
Okami
Okami
Okami
Quarterfinals, Fight 3 // The PS2 Rumble
Star Ocean: Til the End of Time by Motoi Sakuraba (2003)
Dawn of Wisdom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmYxRCGxFbc), The Desolate Smell of Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYSt4qX85oA), Reflected Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHDmpbUqtk0), Bird???s Eye View (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNFf4uCaoPY), The Virtual Image (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtVjoGsRFGY)
vs.
Silent Hill 3 by Akira Yamaoka (2003)
Breeze in Monochrome Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHZnrGaEBdg), Sickness Until Foolish Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Frwgx_MKc), Please Love Me Once More (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYFaoxkXWZc), Maternal Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1DjgY6WrqY), Letter from the Lost Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SBY_fUpmnQ)
————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 4 // The PS2 Rumble
Final Fantasy X by Nobuo Uematsu, Junya Nakano, and Masashi Hamauzu (2001)
To Zanarkand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-0G_FI61a8), Assault (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osajnmj2msU), Silence Before The Storm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHw2V0C-D-o), A Fleeting Dream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkAFi88J5Aw), Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTxqsTfDgC4)
vs.
Final Fantasy XII by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Hayato Matsuo, and Nobuo Uematsu (2006)
Royal City Rabanastre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM0IJPV-8PY), Esper Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COG3R3Km-Zk), Forgotten Capital (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVoEKWckLz0), To the Gods’ Place (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c79uOLby7H8), Sky Fortress Bahamut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOehlpV_G8c)
My votes are for Silent Hill 3 and Final Fantasy XII.
Silent Hill 3
Silent Hill 3
Silent Hill 3
Really tough to decide… I got with Silent Hill 3. I can’t provide justification. Just my initial feeling.
Final Fantasy 10 on the other one.
FFXII
2nd one was extremely difficult…
Semifinals, Fight 1
Okami by Masami Ueda, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki Hamada, Rei Kondo, and Akari Groves (2006)
Playing with Ushiwaka (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY-jMfZ1uDk), Agata Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlTNNHAa0rk), Kushinada???s Determination (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtXEjrnSfrk), Dragon Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_cYPVpVUkw), Northern Country Kamui (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc-E_o5Xu5k)
—–> Full soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1AC584471FD4F040)
It’s difficult to pick a few songs from the five-CD Okami soundtrack to single out. The breadth of beauty within each piece, the technical mastery, and the intensity of emotion runs deep. Take "Dragon Palace," a calm, seemingly simple song, using sustained notes in the background to lend a dreamy quality to the music. But in the second section, the koto/harp/vocal patches give way abruptly to a quick arpeggiated harp part, a flute melody, and slightly piercing strings that, strangely, are equally suited to a moment of quick action or the slow rise and fall of objects in the water. This is one of many examples of the way the composers of Okami masterfully took rock structures and traditional koto and flute music and fused them together into beautiful pieces. Equally stunning is "Northern Country Kamui." The second half of a song, this piece fits scenes of galloping over the plains quite well. The melody trades off between the flutes and brass over a surprisingly heavy percussion, and the result is a song that is distinctly Eastern while also almost mysteriously appropriate for the closing credits of a spaghetti western. This interweaving of genres is true of the entire soundtrack, which has been described as ???a startling fusion of techno tracks and traditional flute, shamisen and koto music. The composers attempt to refine Jpop into tasteful compositions, while pumping some life into the traditionally funereal kabuki fare, attaining surprisingly successful results. The soundtrack takes a stab at every Japanese genre in arm’s reach, for the most part succeeding brilliantly.??? No surprise then that Okami won Best Score at the 2008 BAFTA Video Games Awards.
vs.
Silent Hill 3 by Akira Yamaoka (2003)
Breeze in Monochrome Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHZnrGaEBdg), Sickness Until Foolish Death (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Frwgx_MKc), Please Love Me Once More (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYFaoxkXWZc), Maternal Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1DjgY6WrqY), Letter from the Lost Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SBY_fUpmnQ)
—–> Full soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1365C9574130D253)
Out of the depths of a hellish landscape comes Silent Hill 3. Reverb, echo, and delay effects cremate Yamaoka???s loops, giving them a distant, moaning, crackling quality that???s haunting, but not as haunting as the moments when his organ or guitar snuffs them out and begins the song proper. It???s a mistake to think a horror soundtrack should merely consist of sustained violins and sudden loud noises. Monsters and victims aren???t interesting unless they have motivation, and motivation is based on yearning. What Yamaoka does is compensate for the weaknesses in a story by suggesting a depth of longing in the characters that, were it absent, would have kept these games from ever reaching their international stature. Silent Hill 3 is Akira Yamaoka. He created that world as much as the writing department, the art department, the 3-D modeling department, or the director. The subtleties in tone, timbre, instrumentation, and pitch in his music rival the works of the greatest composers in video game music. He managed somehow to marry a driving electronica aesthetic with rotary guitars, jazz organs, mellotrons, ambient noise, dissonant strings, gorgeous keyboard counter-melodies, and the voice of Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, who imbues the ghostly songs with a living, breathing core. Though it may be difficult to identify each piece on a Silent Hill soundtrack by itself, they are all parts of a whole, and when you finish one of Yamaoka’s albums you will feel the full weight of the characters’ burdens and the ultimate, ambiguous release from his world that will keep you coming back.
————————————————————————————————
Semifinals, Fight 2
Final Fantasy XII by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Hayato Matsuo, and Nobuo Uematsu (2006)
Royal City Rabanastre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM0IJPV-8PY), Esper Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COG3R3Km-Zk), Forgotten Capital (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVoEKWckLz0), To the Gods’ Place (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c79uOLby7H8), Sky Fortress Bahamut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOehlpV_G8c)
—–> Full soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4253C5C473A12A64)
Perhaps no Final Fantasy soundtrack is as much a lightning rod for debate as Final Fantasy XII. Composed mainly by Hitoshi Sakimoto, it diverts significantly from Uematsu???s musical sensibilities, focusing on form and texture as much as melody???and making many enemies in the process. Critics have said it contains too much filler; fans have called it unmemorable. However, is this merely a reflection of classical music???s place in our present-day global culture? In my mind, there is nothing boring or bloodless about the soundtrack. It seems to be a style preference that pushes people away. True, many songs do not follow the immediately fulfilling verse/chorus rock structure found in so much of Uematsu???s music. But composers have de-emphasized melody before; even composers of video game music have de-emphasized melody before. Hip Tanaka did so all the way back in 1986 with Metroid. Listen to the ???Loop Demo??? and how Sakimoto stamps out his predecessor???s most acclaimed melody with a violent and kinetic trumpet fanfare, then goes into full attack mode with ???Esper Battle??? and races on with ???The Phon Coast.??? The cinematic quality to ???Signs of a Change,??? the long tradition of city themes honored and advanced in ???Royal City Rabanastre,??? and the large collection of classic Sakimoto string techniques brought to greater, more faithful execution on this game because of Square???s larger budget???all acknowledge the Final Fantasy tradition and give its palette more colors. Undoubtedly, Sakimoto did his job. Otherwise, people wouldn???t debate the music so much.
vs.
Shadow of the Colossus by Kow Otani (2005)
The Opened Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrFL2zPc2uk), The Farthest Land (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix38fnllF3Y), Awesome Power (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F-vB9RudQs), Counterattack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svRZz5t-6uU), A Sad Farewell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQpqsQ5icRE)
—–> Full soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4B77AB01B4C2C5F8)
Even superlatives seem inadequate in describing the soundtrack for Shadow of the Colossus. It makes one want to use words typically phased out of common speech, like ???majestic.??? The game shows what is possible if you give an outstanding game development team and an outstanding composer un-compromised direction in their artistic vision. There are several pieces from the soundtrack that could rattle the teeth out of your head, but beyond capturing terror, exhaustion, and fragility all in one plunging brass melody (no small feat itself), the soundtrack also gives the listener one of the greatest video game themes for one of video games’ greatest sidekicks. "Swift Horse" stands out for teaching us what it sounds like to charge a twenty-story-tall colossus without fear and gives us a reason to believe in music’s power. You could say the same about half the tracks. Shadow of the Colossus won "Soundtrack of the Year" in Electronic Gaming Monthly but is, in my mind, in the top ten for greatest video game soundtracks on any console. After seven years and hundreds of listens, it hasn’t lost one iota of its power.
My votes are for Silent Hill 3 and Shadow of the Colossus. I don’t think I’ve ever changed my vote as many times as I have for the first fight here.
Shadow of the Colossus.
Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus
I feel like the first half should be finals instead of semifinals.
Shadow of the Colossus
I ought to replay both of these in the summer.
(http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1365C9574130D253)
vs.
Shadow of the Colossus.
Shadow of the Colossus
Too bad about Okami though, as I really love it, but lost to a really good soundtrack at least.
Shadow of the Colossus (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4B77AB01B4C2C5F8)!
by Kow Otani (2005)
Even superlatives seem inadequate in describing the soundtrack for Shadow of the Colossus. It makes one want to use words typically phased out of common speech, like ???majestic.??? The game shows what is possible if you give an outstanding game development team and an outstanding composer un-compromised direction in their artistic vision. There are several pieces from the soundtrack that could rattle the teeth out of your head, but beyond capturing terror, exhaustion, and fragility all in one plunging brass melody (no small feat itself), the soundtrack also gives the listener one of the greatest video game themes for one of video games’ greatest sidekicks. "Swift Horse" stands out for teaching us what it sounds like to charge a twenty-story-tall colossus without fear and gives us a reason to believe in music’s power. You could say the same about half the tracks. Shadow of the Colossus won "Soundtrack of the Year" in Electronic Gaming Monthly but is, in my mind, in the top ten for greatest video game soundtracks on any console. After seven years and hundreds of listens, it hasn’t lost one iota of its power.
Bonus: The tech demo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeBpRiWGdWg)
Bonus 2: A trivia quiz (http://www.funtrivia.com/en/VideoGames/Shadow-of-the-Colossus-15325.html)
Bonus 3: The game is referenced multiple times in the 2007 film Reign Over Me (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490204/). The falling of a colossus parallels the falling of the twin towers, and Adam Sandler ad libs a detailed description of the control scheme in a scene with Don Cheadle. Both actors are said to have become experts at the game during the filming.
Record: 5-0, 5-0, 4-2, 7-0, 5-0, 4-0
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you???d like to do, post it on our group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20), where you can also see and make suggestions on the themes we???ve already worked on.
Does anyone have a suggestion for the next theme?
In the Meantime we can start with Zelda Rumble. It’s the Oldest of the ones that are ready and I think Link would be very happy.
I’ve got a big project for work which will take me until Wednesday or Thursday to finish with Easter and other work getting in the way. On Wednesday or Thursday, after I’m done, I’ll post what I have on the group page, and then we’ll do a vote for which theme we’re most interested in.
Hope you all are doing well.
Vote for what you’d most like to do. It???s better to put down several so that I know which theme would appeal to the largest number of people. As always, majority rules.
More details about each rumble can be found here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/). After a decision is made, we’ll go through a process of finalizing the song/soundtrack list and then get it going asap.
Choose one or more…
1) The Composers Rumble ??? 64 composers ??? Started December 2010
2) The Best of The Legend of Zelda ??? 128 songs ??? Started February 2011
3) The Best of Final Fantasy ??? 128 songs ??? Started February 2011
4) The Best of Tim Follin ??? 16 soundtracks ??? Started April 2012
5) The Best of Motoi Sakuraba ??? 16 soundtracks ??? Started April 2012
6) The Best of the N64 ??? 64 soundtracks ??? Started April 2012
7) The Best of Metroid ??? 32 songs ??? Started April 2012
But I guess Composers is more interesting.
Second question: Final Fantasy and Zelda both got 2 votes, tying them for second place. We could do composers and one of those two–and I think it’d have to be Final Fantasy since it’s ready to go and Zelda still needs some work.
Do you all want to do composers and Final Fantasy at the same time?
My thoughts: the composers rumble is going to have a ton of variety in every fight and will include many Final Fantasy soundtracks. Maybe we should just do composers, unless somebody feels strongly that they wouldn’t be that interested in participating if it was just one theme.
Below is the list of 64 composers. This upcoming rumble will determine who the greatest composer in video game music is. To make that determination, a composer must have excellent work on five different soundtracks. So each composer on the list below has five soundtracks next to his/her name. Each composer’s name is linked to a list of their works.
For each soundtrack listed, we need ONE representative song. If you see a soundtrack you like, reply with a YouTube link to your favorite song off that soundtrack. I will choose the songs for the leftovers. Please help me out by giving some recommendations yourself. 64 soundtracks x 5 songs = 320 songs. No telling how long it would take me to pick out that many. Plus, it’s more fun if the rumble represents what the group likes, instead of what only I like.
I will edit in links as they come in.
A – M
Hirokazu Ando (http://www.giantbomb.com/hirokazu-ando/72-59136/) ??? Super Smash Bros. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDg4QkUMMSA), Super Smash Bros. Melee (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oERm213GIuI), Kirby’s Adventure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv0JvI4DpRU), Kirby’s Dream Land 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ThgLaKfH00), Arcana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg2Z5O75QHs)
Robin Beanland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Beanland) ??? Jet Force Gemini (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYi8o-RAWuk), Killer Instinct (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEPySSMqYEE), Conker’s Bad Fur Day (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWh7crjCWlM), Donkey Kong Country (www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecpMeFI4wyM), GoldenEye007 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CN49Feexb8)
David Bergeaud (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bergeaud) ??? Ratchet and Clank (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D60HTdBckxM), Ratchet and Clank 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BzdpC-uhRY), Ratchet and Clank 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE2RAc82fBo), Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMOm27Cz5TA), Resistance: Fall of Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHNrhVR3lz0)
Russell Brower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Brower) ??? World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXoFxYutRm4), World of Warcraft: Cataclysm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7p-hqRz7cw), Starcraft 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVpWcyy_dBM), World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCe4uisTtbo), Delta Force: Black Hawk Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFJQP_QG-KY)
Howard Drossin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Drossin) ??? Splatterhouse (2010) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en047NnFSLA), The Ooze (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRxgL1UGF4A), Sonic & Knuckles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T7hdIh-gtw), Comix Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I84igqHvbVM), Vigilante 8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6Y0HFyq9CY)
Tim Follin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Follin) ??? Ghouls and Ghosts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCLAXQow3w), Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtS_QBWX6cY), Plok (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODKKILZiYY), Solstice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypNPxwnppU0), Silver Surfer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_LA4vCIhcA)
Yasuaki "Bun Bun" Fujita (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bun_Bun) ??? Breath of Fire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2yEBE2ueuQ), Darkwing Duck (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFS7ZjyqHTA), Mega Man 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiQgYfyUdDs), Little Mermaid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnG5BlA-qhs), Final Fight 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7o6P8jkE0I)
Martin Galway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Galway) ??? Wizball (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFYzjU-C3mA), Comic Bakery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf29ShkoAiA), Green Beret (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVQEvtqPqQU), Ocean Loader (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkns_VIWGQA), StarLancer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YICXltKw-ko)
Masashi Hamauzu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masashi_Hamauzu) ??? SaGa Frontier 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65A8o7vMwVM), Tobal No. 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Drtp33my99s), Final Fantasy X (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNRaXqbAuFE), Final Fantasy XIII (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDK75Pq5tXs), Musashi: Samurai Legend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf8UYhnr91E)
Miki Higashino (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miki_Higashino) ??? Lifeforce (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFT-wcyT-TU), Contra III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZW9lrKG8nU), Suikoden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47qlL8fvMcE), Suikoden II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW4d2R9vEXQ), Vandal Hearts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivf0cuSXdlI)
Chris H???lsbeck (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_H%C3%BClsbeck) ??? Apidya (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbGMJ-jli8Q), Great Giana Sisters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mafip6Am99c), Turrican (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqAsGDgvPyo), Turrican II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fvha_2hAzq0), Turrican 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icNxUxo11D4)
Daisuke Ishiwatari (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisuke_Ishiwatari) ??? Guilty Gear (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54DveXUBcyk), Guilty Gear 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr1nsDM2SXs), Guilty Gear X (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arEINAqMcW0), Guilty Gear XX (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa0NDydh8B4), BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGsgDoFp6AM)
Kenji Ito (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenji_Ito) ??? Final Fantasy Legend II (www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gQrTrK5c78), Romancing SaGa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJSouzneO2w), Romancing SaGa 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS0RSbzTcf8), Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqzepvoO0Vg), SaGa Frontier (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBaoMKoABlY)
Noriyuki Iwadare (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noriyuki_Iwadare) ??? Grandia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGiNEaNxOxo), Grandia 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SD9BVS2xw8), Lunar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6s1-N-MzKU), Lunar 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYeivB9FMYQ), Radiata Stories (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHej43S_OMI)
Hiroki Kikuta (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroki_Kikuta) ??? Secret of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33d6EK2HykM), Seiken Densetsu 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXcM_rafusI), Soukaigi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXyvsaVTvaE), Koudelka (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHlqledKmls), Shining Hearts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zojcLdL7UTw)
Grant Kirkhope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Kirkhope) ??? Banjo-Kazooie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DQfnj33-QU), Donkey Kong 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcP91tQ4ZSM), GoldenEye 007 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tekAyLxiZtI), Perfect Dark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxEausPgUdc), Blast Corps (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46WQk6Qvne8)
Frank Klepacki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Klepacki) ??? Command & Conquer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlsSiEpZMQY), Command & Conquer: Red Alert (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QyQ9PsOj6A), Command & Conquer: Renegade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFMC0Cob-ak), Dune 2000 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vBfsG3Bxk0), Emperor: Battle for Dune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxC9skS6B1k)
Naoki Kodaka (http://www.giantbomb.com/naoki-kodaka/72-53211/) ??? Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKSgQW5BJG4), Blaster Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcOoUAij69Q), Journey to Silius (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6sjYt6EJVw), Batman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCA_msAEn8k), Batman: Return of the Joker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bNCGR1D9WE)
Koji Kondo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koji_Kondo) ??? Super Mario Bros. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGX4obVl64w), Super Mario Bros. 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hMvSsQC5jI), Yoshi’s Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlUeW7IOSFc), Legend of Zelda (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5biIXoKAHo), Ocarina of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tf7gu6hKkc)
Yuzo Koshiro (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuzo_Koshiro) ??? Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg1PDaOnU2Q), ActRaiser (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB9Pym-sdbs), Streets of Rage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cCS78YFMEc), Streets of Rage 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC-B3Q0cRrY), Revenge of Shinobi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR3f0slYZuY)
Jesper Kyd (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesper_Kyd) ??? Sub-Terrania (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SA7KR4brfo), Adventures of Batman & Robin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXfX4B3v9SM), Hitman: Blood Money (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc6G2CdSVfs), Assassin’s Creed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH1NFziHUxg), Assassin’s Creed 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfFvOt5GPr8)
Michael Land (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Land) ??? The Secret of Monkey Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejgBZGqKRD4), Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeDhAVXCdlE), The Dig (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GVGWWR4HYU), The Curse of Monkey Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImvAlBGV3fg), Tales of Monkey Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgYVTBC4Ptg)
Gerard Marino (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Marino) ??? God of War (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg74KgGXfN4), God of War II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv9Rb3e3Xng), God of War III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILUMFISGm8s), God Of War: Ghost of Sparta (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9aAV8yPiZc), Spider-Man: Edge of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWeUPDmzl5g)
Junichi Masuda (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junichi_Masuda) ??? Pulseman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54vHS-Uwtp8), Pok???mon Red and Blue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OO5VAKk0d8), Pok???mon Gold and Silver (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUaKuUskr0), Yoshi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0oazA0UDZg), Pok???mon Diamond and Pearl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whX6TVUDF-E)
Noriko Matsueda (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noriko_Matsueda) ??? Bahamut Lagoon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPPugQHTQ5Q), Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFOIFPHbjN4), Tobal No. 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTMBMzOOoN8), The Bouncer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NNAHFeTF2c), Final Fantasy X-2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn8iOokgG4U)
Manami Matsumae (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manami_Matsumae) ??? Mega Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIHh0no7pVs), Mega Man 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AREhaZ6O2Yo), UN Squadron (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIKIzI5FCpU), Mega Man 10 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4L3UEK-Wwg), Batman: Return of the Joker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldeoPxt_3Wc)
Hayato Matsuo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayato_Matsuo) ??? Master of Monsters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFSF6RhFJak), Syvalion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX2RDhDo5AY), Ogre Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWwgFEiQsUQ), Front Mission 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHLHgd13fCw), Final Fantasy XII (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wzU706vNlA)
Shoji Meguro (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dji_Meguro) ??? Revelations: Persona (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4loSMvSUy5Q), Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fylg8zp4Pzo), Digital Devil Saga (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AISrz88SJNI), Persona 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c1e5ASpwjk), Catherine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bd4NId7GiA)
Yasunori Mitsuda (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasunori_Mitsuda) ??? Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjvqzDaK0c), Front Mission: Gun Hazard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMi3H6T5pP8), Xenogears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCmED_YDqs), Chrono Cross (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8), Shadow Hearts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8qAGDOE5es)
Yu Miyake (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yu_Miyake) ??? Tekken 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M8835bK79w), Ridge Racer V (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOKHRYPI9vA), Katamari Damacy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMH49ieL4es), We Love Katamari (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwmDUVxBxA0), Ridge Racer 6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEYx-_MQNR8)
N – Z
Junya Nakano (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junya_Nakano) ??? Front Mission: Gun Hazard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWG77mX9BH8), Threads of Fate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFk3mS6VVsE), Tobal No. 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueLcAsAIMMU), Final Fantasy X (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQfDsVhS9BA), Final Fantasy IV: The After Years (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giw4e6U5A9s)
Michiko Naruke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michiko_Naruke) ??? Valis III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=empT3vtj90o), Psycho Dream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk63VKK8X4c), Wild Arms (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWgPX9yTtQg), Wild Arms 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMmFZJBUDUw), Wild Arms 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4uR39jNeGE)
Spencer Nilsen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Nilsen) ??? Batman Returns (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G81avmtyyuQ), Ecco (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-ti2_KZr-Q), Ecco: Tides of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32S2oJuANxo), Sonic CD (US) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qBScpdwoqg), The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HXi4iuQ9ok)
Martin O’Donnell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_O%27Donnell) ??? Halo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo5AOMAUohQ&feature=fvst), Halo 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EXPJv-cVHQ), Halo 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX63z4acmUo), Halo 3: ODST (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sajcQKTpDVE), Halo: Reach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ePw5-70JZk)
Soyo Oka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyo_Oka) ??? Pilotwings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7QZ99B4M98), Ice Hockey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o20kOOwXIN8), SimCity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW4c-gTY5qo), Super Mario Kart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL9J3qq3n4g), Wario’s Woods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xQLZcl0R1Y)
Michiru Oshima (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michiru_Oshima) ??? Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7I4zb46v9Q), ICO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Dn9kX9xyA), Legend of Legaia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD08IhdrGBk), Legaia: Duel Saga (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raIic9c9QUw), Taiko-Risshiden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqbbXGE2It0)
Kow Otani (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kow_Otani) ??? Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qwqV_5p9_I), Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tGebjYkJDw), Shadow of the Colossus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrFL2zPc2uk), Sky Odyssey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhgbVmecdFQ), Philosoma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTBCKelIHNg)
Bobby Prince (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Prince) ??? Doom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSsfjHCFosw), Doom II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qURei6svd90), Duke Nukem 3D (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65UkZ_k_itM), Wolfenstein 3D (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E06_V4NUqAI), Major Stryker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6EsiH9pqPA)
Stephen Rippy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Rippy) ??? Age of Empires (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Mql9PBUzKA), Age of Mythology (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxu42eeDERA), Age of Empires II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPhJWlURRVM), Age of Empires III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh-I3jG7UUE), Halo Wars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z89adFGjR3g)
Paul Ruskay (http://homeworld.wikia.com/wiki/Paul_Ruskay) ??? Homeworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY1fVrI2NFQ), Homeworld 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfskFravnWM), Homeworld: Cataclysm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9LWQWOWEaA), Sword of the Stars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-rviR5Z7es), Turok (2008) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEVRSu5Scr0)
Shōgo Sakai (http://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php?title=Shogo_Sakai) ??? Robocop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A-imFwZcHs), Werewolf: The Last Warrior (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K88EqLQvYjQ), Captain America and the Avengers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcMwEyafxCs), Midnight Resistance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7-AHModlMA), Mother 3 (www.youtube.com/watch?v=idULzIIF950)
Hitoshi Sakimoto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitoshi_Sakimoto) ??? Radiant Silvergun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUfJj04uDFY), Final Fantasy Tactics (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ivgHaQ32xk), Vagrant Story (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVooykY0CcI), Final Fantasy XII (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COG3R3Km-Zk), Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9I-rQQxi7s)
Motoi Sakuraba (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motoi_Sakuraba) ??? Tales of Phantasia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP0kamtR5UI), Star Ocean: Til the End of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYSt4qX85oA), Valkyrie Profile 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERIV6rjJFo4), Infinite Undiscovery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Co13kfyf0), Baten Kaitos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6yRr9sRDH0)
Ryuji Sasai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryuji_Sasai) ??? Final Fantasy Legend III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yjNftt7bNI), Final Fantasy Mystic Quest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkVVkUgjy0E), Bushido Blade 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBpKJyb6nuo), Tobal No. 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAMzx8vYgkA), Rudra no Hihō (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ8Ehj50C1A)
Tenpei Sato (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenpei_Sato) ??? Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bWk_wYny0I), La Pucelle: Tactics (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VnntX9oP_0), Phantom Brave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBwqTPKgcSI), Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgpUnvTbI5Y), Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfkUBFkWCDI)
Jun Senoue (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jun_Senoue) ??? Sonic Adventure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH_MCPcjxP0), Sonic Adventure 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9zZus_1_ag), Sonic Heroes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw6KRkx0vNg), Shadow the Hedgehog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYFj8yZHWZY), Sonic and the Black Knight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL0xgWe6z9s)
Yoko Shimomura (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Shimomura) ??? Super Street Fighter II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLJLyneZGKc), Super Mario RPG (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkailb3xcTI), Parasite Eve (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGWa4Zm0YDA), Legend of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa267lI4R80), Kingdom Hearts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsrKbA2xt5M)
Jeremy Soule (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Soule) ??? Secret of Evermore (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSQszBHMHHc), Icewind Dale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y96Y2JE5F8), Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq-eJ9M2OIM), Morrowind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWuNf4gxwuM), Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSKvMyruPTA)
Glenn Stafford (http://www.giantbomb.com/glenn-stafford/72-3483/) ??? The Lost Vikings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAd9x5fTSVo), World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH1ERCemdZ4), Blackthorne (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XTVzuG-9Vw), StarCraft (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxcs5wJ4DEU), StarCraft 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1apu6dwDCV4)
Koichi Sugiyama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koichi_Sugiyama) ??? Dragon Warrior (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntmk5aHaPQ4), Dragon Warrior II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgmTEhD7VpU), Dragon Warrior III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEUEQ4wlvi4), E.V.O.: Search for Eden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeXlQNJnjj0), Dragon Warrior VIII (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg236zrHA40)
Motoaki Takenouchi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motoaki_Takenouchi) ??? Jewel Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaOlDwRyjjI), Landstalker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MvZ8b1fOAI), Shining Force II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ieuy5z2r43E), Shining Wisdom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehf95gg0raM), Gungriffon: The Eurasian Conflict (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UIbgjDeB6I)
Tommy Tallarico (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Tallarico) ??? Earthworm Jim 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OtrgZ2r2GA), Cool Spot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_LY7r8P3ns), Treasures of the Deep (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ES62nkJP_Y), Wild 9 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5udK-UIZaPs), Advent Rising (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSbTviFhHI4)
Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirokazu_Tanaka) ??? Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyw8GFkZhxQ), Kid Icarus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUBsXUt5RQE), Super Mario Land (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_-HvB3zbC4), Dr. Mario (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXOZRsUXVuw), EarthBound (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzlhLX-4AW4)
Masami Ueda (http://www.giantbomb.com/masami-ueda/72-60066/) ??? Resident Evil 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53aDI5K49F4), Resident Evil 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFdIGYfYXJw), Devil May Cry (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atGcliA-HNw), Okami (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlTNNHAa0rk), Bayonetta (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV1RotTxA9E)
Matt Uelmen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Uelmen) ??? Diablo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8jJJXgNLo4&fmt=18), Diablo II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijUwAWUS8ug), Diablo II: Lords of Destruction (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=layjWs2IpS4), World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPa4Wn1wAiY), Torchlight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccHauz5l5Kc)
Nobuo Uematsu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuo_Uematsu) ??? Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ), Final Fantasy VII (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CK2hx377iU), Final Fantasy VIII (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfd9krEsr-k), Final Fantasy IX (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxQgbTRbT8o), Lost Odyssey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=135Gltfkxeo)
Hajime Wakai (http://www.giantbomb.com/hajime-wakai/72-38754/) ??? Star Fox 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5ZBu3nHJkM), F-Zero X (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTlCbgZ8Izg), Pikmin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoMx0BTPVgE), The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0ZciOIdMmI), Pikmin 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RsNJwSwyI8)
Jack Wall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Wall_%28composer%29) ??? Myst III: Exile (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFw0gbQk23M), Myst IV: Revelation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXu6ZYy2WLg), Jade Empire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHYARoLPpDw), Mass Effect (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xdhL4VE4h8), Mass Effect 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTsD2FjmLsw)
David Wise (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wise_%28composer%29) ??? Wizards and Warriors (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ9xwkMr3e4), A Nightmare on Elm Street (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLZIpcCiT4o), Donkey Kong Country (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDvKwSVuUGA), Diddy Kong Racing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1W1fLH_s2Y), Star Fox Adventures (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGDSielD_K0)
Kenji Yamamoto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenji_Yamamoto_%28composer_born_1964%29) ??? Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmG-Af0LK88), Famicom Tantei Club Part II: Ushiro ni Tatsu Shōjo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgdUzY_DfaU), Super Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMvKDRCBQBM), Metroid Prime (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mziw3FQkZYg), Metroid Prime 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLOkc9MwFHs)
Michiru Yamane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michiru_Yamane) ??? Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLOcT25ph9k), Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNPqugUrdEM), Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg1PDaOnU2Q), Suikoden III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQmCtAEWoTs), Suikoden IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9ONSNOTDzA)
Toshiharu Yamanishi (http://www.giantbomb.com/toshiharu-yamanishi/72-97830/) ??? Devil’s Crush (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHCCoNyNFtY), Elemental Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBtKaYpm9Kk), Thunder Force III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXfGEgLfO-k), Thunder Force IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJE-iAE1Mt8), Thunder Spirits (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ugpeNkSyMc)
Akira Yamaoka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Yamaoka) ??? Silent Hill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgr-ZSZSSwA), Silent Hill 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGeUIQbtKt0), Contra: Shattered Soldier (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlOFN7GSOAM), Silent Hill 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w75r3gP45Q), Silent Hill 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2T5q8UuRj8)
Inon Zur (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inon_Zur) ??? Fallout 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5APshEyS68), Dragon Age: Origins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAANKFPchtA), Baldur’s Gate II: Throne of Bhaal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB7T6Kd9cYg), Men of Valor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3uCZajD5ac), Prince of Persia (2008) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMxUH0ZjStI)
Also, if you see a soundtrack you like in the above lists, reply with a YouTube link to your favorite song off that soundtrack. That would help me out immensely.
In the meantime, I will continue adding song links as frequently as I can. I really didn’t expect everyone’s silence on this since so many people pushed for these composers and specific soundtracks, too. After Tuesday, I’ll be completely done with the semester and will be able to dedicate some time every day to finishing this.
If anyone wants to help me add links, we can start even sooner.
In the meantime, I will continue adding song links as frequently as I can. I really didn’t expect everyone’s silence on this since so many people pushed for these composers and specific soundtracks, too. After Tuesday, I’ll be completely done with the semester and will be able to dedicate some time every day to finishing this.
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (the series in general, though), La Pucelle: Tactics, Phantom Brave, Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? & Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure. as for youtube links, ill see if i can find time for them as im a bit busy today.
update: youtube links comin up:
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness – Disgaea: HOD Soundtrack – Running Fire – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bWk_wYny0I)
La Pucelle: Tactics – La Pucelle: Martyr's March – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VnntX9oP_0)
Phantom Brave – Phantom Brave (Strange-Wind) – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBwqTPKgcSI)
Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? – Prinny: Can I Really be the Hero? Original Soundtrack – 18. Asagi Metamorphosis – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgpUnvTbI5Y)
Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure – Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure – The Wanderer – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfkUBFkWCDI)
@Smarty: If you could choose three or four of the composers on the following list and link each soundtrack title to one song off that soundtrack, that would be awesome:
Done!
You can see the full list here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/60.html#post1986905) (a couple posts above this one).
I’m not dead set on those five soundtracks for each composer either. If you have a different soundtrack you want to use, go for it. There have been occasional mistakes in the list, so double check anything you’re not sure of with vgmdb.net. I’ve even had to watch YouTube videos of the credits sequence for certain games.
Fallout 3 – Battle 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5APshEyS68)
Dragon Age Origins – Leliana’s Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAANKFPchtA)
Baldur’s Gate 2 – City Gates (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NlhDUQ-s68)
Men Of Vale – Title (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3uCZajD5ac)
Prince Of Persia – Healing Ground (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMxUH0ZjStI)
Russell Brower
World Of Warcraft: Wrath Of The Lich King – Path Of Tears (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46Q3m_ghh0c)
World Of Warcraft : Cataclysm – Elwynn Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7p-hqRz7cw)
Starcraft II: Wings Of Libery – Heaven’s Devils (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1apu6dwDCV4)
World Of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade – The Sin’dorei (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCe4uisTtbo)
Delta Force: Black Hawk Dawn – Track 07 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFJQP_QG-KY)
Round 1, Fight 1 // The Composers Rumble
Yasunori Mitsuda
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjvqzDaK0c&list=PLB3BEC3D253EA8DF3&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasunori_Mitsuda), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/146), Interview (https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=yasunori+mitsuda+interview&oq=yasunori+mitsuda+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1g-bK1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0j0i8i30.1589.6016.0.6157.31.22.2.5.5.0 .262.2435.8j11j2.21.0…0.0.QST4UeHgA8s&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=35cee4a8be45ec82&biw=1280&bih=855), Social (http://www.facebook.com/yasunori.mitsuda)
vs.
Michiru Oshima
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Dn9kX9xyA&list=PL5160E0FE4AB31988&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michiru_Oshima), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/300), Interview (https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=michiru+oshima+interview&oq=michiru+oshima+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…128448.130513.1.130690.16.16.0.0.0.6.4 57.2210.6j9j4-1.16.0…0.0.EpoIqPX9I_c&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=35cee4a8be45ec82&biw=1280&bih=855), Social (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=700596520)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2 // The Composers Rumble
Daisuke Ishiwatari
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54DveXUBcyk&list=PL879FC48863F3C074&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisuke_Ishiwatari), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1566), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=daisuke+ishiwatari+interview&oq=daisuke+ishiwatari+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1g-K2&aql=&gs_l=hp.12..0j0i30l2.807.807.0.2075.1.1.0.0.0.0.10 2.102.0j1.1.0…0.0.RdcfmCy7Goc&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=5a9e2f4e506b37d1&biw=1069&bih=733), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daisuke-Ishiwatari/111938302156554)
vs.
Noriko Matsueda
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPPugQHTQ5Q&list=PL49FEC66FBBD3AAEC&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noriko_Matsueda), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/225), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=noriko+matsueda+interview&oq=noriko+matsueda+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…202920.205553.1.205645.15.15.0.0.0.7.1 89.1707.2j12.14.0…0.0._0v_XGSEdsE&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=5a9e2f4e506b37d1&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Noriko-Matsueda/105605539473271)
This first fight demonstrates something that is going to be a recurring trend: extremely talented composers getting squashed by the celebrities of the vgm world. If it’s true that every one of our composers in this rumble has a definable musical sensibility (and I think that will be true), then Oshima is a quiet composer. She is very adept at wringing memorable melodies out of a few instrumental parts, which is a natural byproduct of having worked in the early days of video games. One example out of many is the Genghis Khan 2 intro, which at first can seem underwhelming because of the synths and the low volume and the sparseness, but eventually becomes a pensive, world-weary, march into battle.
On the other hand, we’ve got one of the all-time greats and some of his all-time classic compositions. A Genghis Khan 2 intro simply can’t stand up to the doubled flute and violin motif from Time’s Scar, or the entrancing gamelan in Time’s Circuits, or the beautiful arrangement of June Mermaid–much less the complete soundtracks those songs represent. Mitsuda is so good, he Rick Roll’d us with Robo???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ8xce9HtD8) and we didn???t even care.
In the second fight, we have the man behind Guilty Gear’s guitars (born in South Africa, which I didn’t know) and Square’s backup composer, who worked in small roles or on small IPs until Front Mission 2 and Final Fantasy X-2 gave her a chance to shine. While Ishiwatari is aggressive with his guitars, emphasizing virtuosity and technical perfection, Matsueda is jazzy and a little funky, typically using organ and wah guitars. They definitely have different ideas about how to approach a battle theme, and while you could criticize Ishiwatari for doing the same thing over and over, you could also criticize Matsueda for being inconsistent with the quality of her melodies, which is what her music puts an emphasis on. Tough call.
My votes are for Yasunori Mitsuda and Daisuke Ishiwatari.
Noriko Matsueda
Noriko Matsueda
Noriko Matsueda
Daisuke Ishiwatari
Noriko Matsueda
A couple of friends from my town are participating on a contest of K-Pop Dance and if their video gets more views and Likes, the better for them.
I’ll just leave the Link, Even if you don’t like the dancing or the Genre. Just 2 Clicks and with each grain of sand, the castle can be built.
Concurso de Baile de KPOP por Video – Santiago del Estero – Eternal – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0Aip9wiG5U)
Daisuke Ishiwatari
That’s purely videogame-wise, though, as I really love Michiru Oshima anime works.
Round 1, Fight 3 // The Composers Rumble
Chris H???lsbeck
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbGMJ-jli8Q&list=PL85D04B93856501EA&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_H%C3%BClsbeck), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1164), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=chris+huelsbeck+interview&oq=chris+huelsbeck+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.1142081.1145378.2.1145573.25.20.4. 0.0.6.167.2236.7j13.20.0…0.0.lYj5X_BQibc&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=5a9e2f4e506b37d1&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/Chris_Huelsbeck)
vs.
Soyo Oka
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7QZ99B4M98&list=PL1F086AD3A67BA455&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyo_Oka), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/500), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=soyo+oka+interview&oq=soyo+oka+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.8648078.8648892.3.8649077.8.8.0.0. 0.4.216.1024.2j5j1.8.0…0.0.xlecqoS_2FI&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001157020309)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // The Composers Rumble
Naoki Kodaka
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcOoUAij69Q&list=PL82A7B67751FCA7D9&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://www.last.fm/music/Naoki+Kodaka/+wiki), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/309), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=naoki+kodaka+interview&oq=naoki+kodaka+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…20482.26292.4.26513.21.17.4.0.0.5.198. 1934.7j10.17.0…0.0.VOpgfnEwx-0&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Naoki-Kodaka/109906882366940)
vs.
Yoko Shimomura
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLJLyneZGKc&list=PLE64B2BAA70FFFF58&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Shimomura), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/139), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=yoko+shimomura+interview&oq=yoko+shimo+interview&aq=0c&aqi=g-c1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3.0.0i7.26502.28115.5.29235.10.10.0.0.0.3. 189.1210.2j8.10.0…0.0.6Q_BKIsO9Dw&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/midiplex)
Huelsbeck is one of the kings of the the Commodore and Amiga, beginning his career as a teenager working roughly alongside the NES era with much better hardware, some of which he designed himself. He’s most often associated with The Great Giana Sisters (an infamous Super Mario Bros. rip-off) and the Turrican series. But since the launches of the Symphonic Game Music Concert series and Arnie Roth’s projects, Huelsbeck’s music for Apidya and R-Type (the Amiga and Commodore versions) has gotten recognition as well. With much of his music, you’ll hear one of the hallmarks of early Commodore music–using a very quick arpeggio to create a trilling note, almost as if the note has been shot and is exploding. With the Turrican music especially, you can hear his affection for driving electronica beats and slow-building synths.
Soyo Oka’s music, on the other hand, is mostly jazzy, melodic, and sleepy. Her signature works are Pilotwings and Sim City, although many people know the music for Super Mario Kart, too. The problem there is that she was so under the wing of Koji Kondo that it sounds like a Koji Kondo soundtrack, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s great music. Just not really the best representation of her individual voice.
Naoki Kodaka is without question one of the greatest NES composers. The soundtracks for Blaster Master, Batman, Journey to Silius, Gremlins 2, and Batman: Return of the Joker are all classics of the system that stand toe to toe with almost any other NES music. But he has drawn an incredible unlucky hand going against Yoko Shimomura in the first round. If you don’t know his stuff, definitely check it out.
Yoko Shimomura is, of course, important for several reasons. As a video game composer, she ranks among the best to have ever lived. Her work spans three decades and many genres, is instantly recognizable around the world, and is consistently of a high quality. On top of that, she is a female composer who has asserted herself in a male-dominated profession, opening doors for many other female composers. On top of that, she has trained, encouraged, and influenced an entire generation of composers. It’s difficult to limit her career into five representative songs because there’s just so much of it that should be heard. Besides Street Fighter II, Super Mario RPG, Parasite Eve, Legend of Mana, and Kingdom Hearts, you could just as easily check out Adventures in the Magic Kingdom (no kidding), Buster Brothers, The King of Dragons, Breath of Fire, Live A Live, Front Mission, Xenoblade, and the rest of the Kingdom Hearts series. I like the five songs we’ve got just because you can go from one to the next and say, "Wait. The person who created Guile’s Theme also created Beware the Forest Mushrooms? And Primal Eyes? And Nostalgic Song? And Dearly Beloved?" They’re all so different and distinctive.
My votes are for Chris Huelsbeck and Yoko Shimomura.
Yoko Shimomura
Yoko Shimomura
Yoko Shimomura
Yoko Shimomura
Chris H???lsbeck
Yoko Shimomura
This is the best rumble ever, btw. Incredible job, arthur.
Suikoden I OST – Distant Mountain – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47qlL8fvMcE)
Also Changing my vote from Soyo Oka to Chris H???lsbeck. If it’s allowed.
Apologies for going long on this one. I’ll be shortening the time between fights a little bit in the future. Huelsbeck (6-1) and Shimomura (7-0) are the winners here. Thanks to everyone for including your own song recommendations to support why you think one composer should be considered over another. Keep ’em coming! Next up…
Round 1, Fight 5 // The Composers Rumble
Paul Ruskay
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY1fVrI2NFQ&list=PL64D8F338A6D01B89&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://homeworld.wikia.com/wiki/Paul_Ruskay), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/6030), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=paul+ruskay+interview&oq=paul+ruskay+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.15344.16618.6.16757.11.11.0.0.0.1. 130.1040.6j5.11.0…0.0.AYDmbZVfLwg&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/aveon49)
vs.
Shoji Meguro
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4loSMvSUy5Q&list=PL88D9B7B19A64C4BC&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dji_Meguro), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/983), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=shoji+meguro+interview&oq=shoji+meguro+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0.23203.24810.7.24970.13.13.0.0.0.2.191 .1396.6j7.13.0…0.0.rW4puC2j6ak&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sh%C5%8Dji-Meguro/108048675884968?rf=108613029170737)
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Round 1, Fight 6 // The Composers Rumble
Yasuaki "Bun Bun" Fujita
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2yEBE2ueuQ&list=PLD0AE462FF9DB307C&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bun_Bun), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/189), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=yasuaki+fujita+interview&oq=yasuaki+fujita+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…15603.18435.8.18545.16.15.1.0.0.6.222. 1922.5j9j1.15.0…0.0.686qe__clM0&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bun-Bun/104106776291185?rf=112047245480664)
vs.
Hajime Wakai
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5ZBu3nHJkM&list=PL9115AE0027D26513&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/composers/nintendo/wakai.shtml), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/692), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=hajime+wakai+interview&oq=hajime+wakai+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…43729.44996.9.45153.12.12.0.0.0.5.149. 1358.3j9.12.0…0.0.E9UDY2wYO2o&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hajime-Wakai/107744899248242)
Paul Ruskay is best known for the Homeworld soundtrack, and the Homeworld soundtrack is primarily known for its inclusion of a choral arrangement of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dPDO3Tfab0&noredirect=1). But Ruskay is an accomplished composer unto himself, which is demonstrated by his many awards, including for his original compositions to the above soundtrack. He is all about ambience, and the world music influences he shows in his music for space dramas are comparable to Bear McCreary’s work on the Battlestar Galactica series. I tend to think Ruskay is better than McCreary. He is not a flashy composer, but the moods are so thoroughly realized that they suggest all kinds of story possibilities.
Shoji Meguro is, of course, the man behind the music for the Shin Megami Tensei series. Although he has worked on other high-profile projects, any conversation about him has to start and end with SMT. I’ve seen him called a rock composer, and while there is a lot of rock music on his soundtracks, I think that label sells him short in a terrible way. Start out with our five selections to see what I mean.
Bun Bun is another god of the NES era, like Kodaka—with a legacy tied to Capcom platformers. You may be aware of the awesomeness that is Mega Man 3’s title theme. He also worked on several show and movie tie-ins with Disney, which Capcom always seemed to hit out of the park, despite the inexcusably poor work of LJN and others on similar titles. Bun Bun’s gifts lie mainly in creating memorable melodies.
Wakai started his career as a Koji Kondo prot???g??? and impressed the right people with his collaborations on Star Fox 64, F-Zero X, and Pokemon Stadium. Pikmin was his opportunity to elbow his way to the foreground and establish himself, and that he did. Pikmin’s soundtrack is bizarre, even challenging, but creates an identity that is wholly its own with its surprising turns in melody, instrumentation, and rhythm. I’ve chosen to include more traditional selections from that series in the recommendations playlist, but I encourage everyone to check out the full soundtracks for a memorable listening experience. He is also known for his contributions (about 11 songs) to the Wind Waker soundtrack, which carry over some of the tendencies from Pikmin.
My votes are for Shoji Meguro and Hajime Wakai.
Bun Bun because wiki says he worked on Tomba! so that is cool.
Hajime Wakai
Hajime Wakai
Bun Bun Fujita
Bun Bun Fujita
Oh and hi.
Round 1, Fight 7 // The Composers Rumble
Yu Miyake
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M8835bK79w&list=PL3EE79109C5D124A4&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yu_Miyake), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1564), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=yu+miyake+interview&oq=yu+miyake+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.26831.28258.10.28371.9.9.0.0.0.1.1 65.1036.3j6.9.0…0.0.9gN1kXI72og&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Y%C5%AB-Miyake/137458002941273?rf=140645745962459)
vs.
Kenji Yamamoto
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmG-Af0LK88&list=PLC972CBED72A4B8E7&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenji_Yamamoto_%28composer_born_1964%29), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/693), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=kenji+yamamoto+interview&oq=kenji+yamamoto+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0.17891.20172.11.20327.16.16.0.0.0.5.19 5.1854.4j12.16.0…0.0.M0kVp00mZ1E&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kenji-Yamamoto/139153592824834?rf=209811782370232)
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Round 1, Fight 8 // The Composers Rumble
Motoi Sakuraba
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP0kamtR5UI&list=PLEFABC6AFBA3E3A2A&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motoi_Sakuraba), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/166), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=motoi+sakuraba+interview&oq=motoi+sakuraba+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0.18842.20496.12.20670.14.14.0.0.0.3.13 4.1520.5j9.14.0…0.0.Oud70ZCKj_s&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Motoi-Sakuraba/54496443014)
vs.
Junya Nakano
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWG77mX9BH8&list=PLC9A53CB7006F5E6A&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junya_Nakano), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/147), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=junya+nakano+interview&oq=junya+nakano+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…12250.16059.13.16277.26.17.9.0.0.6.202 .1974.5j11j1.17.0…0.0.5G6zGmTGA1k&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Junya-Nakano/109538159071876?sk=wiki)
Yu Miyake’s name is synonymous with Katamari. Rightfully so. The weirdness of those games–and the sweetness–wouldn’t be nearly as potent without his often-brilliant effects (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_T16wbFx_k), doo-wop choruses, and electronica. But he didn’t work alone, as seems to be the common perception. Many of the tracks were co-composed or done by others within Namco. I mention that not to take away from his accomplishments, but to suggest there’s a lot more to Miyake than just Katamari, as I think you’ll see with the song recommendations.
Kenji Yamamoto had the unenviable job of carrying on Hip Tanaka’s Metroid legacy once the series graduated to the Super Nintendo. If he wasn’t already a legend by that point for his NES work, he was after Super Metroid came out. And if some people forgot about him by the time the GameCube was released, he again proved his worth. He’s not a flashy composer with a big public persona, nor is his music demanding on your attention. But he is brilliant in creating atmospheres and environments that deepen the games he works on. In that regard, he is just like another one of the game’s storytellers.
Motoi Sakuraba is progressive rock personified, from the hair to the crushed velvet shirt to the long, jazzy keyboard solos. He was the go-to guy for the Wolf Team and tri-Ace and has been hitched to several franchises over the years as the grandfathered-in composer, much like Uematsu was. Yet Sakuraba is not as well-known or well-respected as Uematsu despite the extraordinary quantity and quality of his work. Fans of his music can find many, many reused themes and nods between one franchise and another on his soundtracks, if you go looking, which adds to the fun.
Junya Nakano also never seems to get sufficient credit. He’s been a role player for most of his career, but he’s hung around the heavy hitters in the industry from Front Mission: Gun Hazard to Tobal No. 1 to Final Fantasy X. And when he’s been called upon to step up into the spotlight, he has excelled. Threads of Fate is the obvious example, but I thought he did a nice job adding onto the FFIV soundtrack in After Years, too.
My votes are for Kenji Yamamoto and Motoi Sakuraba.
Motoi Sakuraba Golden Sun ftw.
Motoi Sakuraba.
Motoi Sakuraba
Motoi Sakuraba.
Junya Nakano – Deserves at least one vote (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4jP-tlCaSw)
Motoi Sakuraba
Junya Nakano
Round 1, Fight 9 // The Composers Rumble
Tim Follin
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODKKILZiYY&list=PL384C4C2C14F69485&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Follin), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1301), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=tim+follin+interview&oq=tim+follin+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.17715.18587.14.18867.10.9.0.0.0.5. 248.1291.2j6j1.9.0…0.0.UOekvbQws5U&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.timfollin.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/)
vs.
Jeremy Soule
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSQszBHMHHc&list=PL97E1FFCF0C95B473&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Soule), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/431), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=jeremy+soule+interview&oq=jeremy+soule+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-c1g1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i7j0.5377.6423.15.6515.12.11.0.0.0.7.1 84.1382.3j7.10.0…0.0.u-hkgf_FqJ4&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeremy-Soule/113212795356312)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 10 // The Composers Rumble
Nobuo Uematsu
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ&list=PL4562BAE6D669BE02&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuo_Uematsu), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/77), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&gs_mss=nobuinterview&pq=jeremy%20soule%20interview&cp=6&gs_id=q7&xhr=t&q=nobuo+uematsu+interview&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&oq=nobuo+interview&aq=0c&aqi=g-c1g-K1g-bK2&aql=&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/uematsunobuo)
vs.
Jesper Kyd
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SA7KR4brfo&list=PL900C7B0C8BFCF6B0&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesper_Kyd), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1811), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=jesper+kyd+interview&oq=jesper+kyd+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-c1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i7.13189.14297.18.14376.10.10.0.0.0.3. 163.878.1j6.7.0…0.0.n0jWHdz56d0&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/JesperKyd)
Tim Follin is one of my favorite composers. This video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G83jWTYDMMs) (made by someone else) sums up why. Nobody gave more effort on crap games than he did. Despite that, he had a long, unfortunate conclusion to his career in vgm, and all we can do now is recognize how he used his talents while he was in the industry. Interest in his work does seem to be climbing. Just in the last year, his Wikipedia page has grown to be about 10 times longer than it used to be. Pictionary!
Jeremy Soule’s career, as I’ve written about a few times before, is one of my favorite stories in the business. He was a teenager from Keokuk, Iowa???a weird kid who began writing music around the age of five and annoyed his teachers by turning in musical notation instead of his math homework. By the sixth grade, he was taking private lessons from Western Illinois University faculty members, eventually earning the equivalent of a Master???s degree before he graduated high school. He wasn’t as devoted to classical music as he was video games, though, a culture he believed would earn legitimacy from better music composition. So he did something that took massive balls???he made a cassette tape of his music and sent it to Square and LucasArts with a letter explaining that this is what he thought video game music should aspire to. Despite being the unlikeliest of scenarios, Square listened to the tape and made Soule an employee within two weeks of mailing the letter, immediately assigning him to score Evermore, their Q4 follow-up to Front Mission, Chrono Trigger, and Seiken Densetsu 3. It was an insanely high-profile project for a teenager who???d never worked on a video game before, and he nailed it, which is perhaps a useful reminder in the power of boldness (http://chrisyeh.blogspot.com/2006/06/quote-of-day-boldness-has-genius.html), especially in artistic endeavors.
Koji Kondo may have written the most universally recognizable music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGX4obVl64w) from a video game, but Uematsu is, in my mind, the better composer. My wife, who is a classical composer and has absolutely no interest in video games whatsoever, has gone the whole gamut from avoiding my room when I’m playing vgm, to showing mild interest as she started to recognize Uematsu’s music, to asking to hear more of his stuff, to humming Terra’s theme while working without realizing she’s doing it, to buying tickets when she found out Video Games Live was coming to our town. He’s not untouchable. His stature as a vgm god has invited criticism, some of it merited. Some of his work has become self-indulgent and bloated. Sometimes I don’t know what he’s thinking. But I can’t think of another composer who has done so much quality work over such a long time; who has so often ennobled cartoonish, poorly-written characters and transformed throwaway scenes into haunting, unforgettable moments in the canon of video game history; who has played a crucial and dramatic role in the turnaround of a failing company; and who has lived the life of an artist without any public pretension, without any meaningful critical appreciation for a decade, and in so doing has quietly transformed our global culture. Two weeks ago I saw a flyer for a major American orchestra doing a night of video game tunes. This would not be possible without Video Games Live, which would not be possible without Nobuo Uematsu, because there would not be a sufficient audience for the video game music as an art form without him. The commercial viability of video games???not just video game music, but video games on the whole???in our time goes back, in large part, to the explosion of western interest in Final Fantasy 7, which would not have been the revolution it was without Aerith’s Theme. Has any composer done more for the entire industry?
Jesper Kyd has been around forever, but his career has really taken off in the last few years. Two words: Assassin’s Creed. I’ve got deep nostalgia for fourth-generation gaming, so my recommendations include songs from two of his Genesis soundtracks, not to mention a lesser-known Hitman song. But check his other stuff out if you dig the five songs we’ve got represented here. Even if he doesn’t overcome Uematsu, his work deserves a lot of credit.
My votes are for Tim Follin (tough choice) and Nobuo Uematsu.
Nobuo Uematsu
The Jeremy Soule’s Story is pretty inspiring!
Jesper Kyd
It’s kind of funny that Jeremy Soule did the KotOR soundtrack. One of Tim Follin’s successful bold moves was to remix the Bionic Commando field march and the Star Wars main theme into an epic outer space anthem. He was 17 at the time, and his arrangements ended up accompanying most of the ports of the original Bionic Commando despite having almost nothing to do with the theme of the game. The mix was just too exciting to pass up.
Unfortunately for our purposes, a lot of Follin’s best contributions to video game music were as an arranger, not as an original composer. But a lot of his arrangements had more originality than the songs he borrowed to create them and deserve to be taken into consideration here. The amount of personality he packed into everything he produced, whether it was his from conception or not, is consistently impressive. He’s the closest thing vgm has to a rock star. Why do you think Pictionary in particular has such a kickass soundtrack? Precisely because it is Pictionary! Follin always liked to show off, and it always paid off.
Here is the first of a much longer four part series on his work, which does not distinguish between arrangements and original compositions. I suggest you give it a listen before passing judgement:
Tim Follin’s C64 Music – part 1/4 – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7ZDJ4Lzm80)
Tim Follin definitely gets my vote, but it’s kind of a shame Jeremy Soule had to get such a tough match up in the opening round. I love his works better than most, but he’s just not quite in the same league here.
And obviously Nobuo Uematsu.
Nobuo Uematsu
Nobuo Uematsu
Round 1, Fight 11 // The Composers Rumble
Gerard Marino
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg74KgGXfN4&list=PL86EE4C975032159B&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Marino), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1386), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=gerard+marino+interview&oq=gerard+marino+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…13281.14795.19.15013.13.13.0.0.0.7.243 .1536.5j6j1.12.0…0.0.RfgyQ9OWCos&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/gkmarino)
vs.
Michiru Yamane
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLOcT25ph9k&list=PL6E4059C4DF43FA61&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michiru_Yamane), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/334), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=michiru+yamane+interview&oq=michiru+yamane+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.11826.17521.20.17933.18.17.1.0.0.8 .277.2400.2j11j3.17.0…0.0.BWsmvJoPWAM&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michiru-Yamane/188716184533032)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 12 // The Composers Rumble
Hayato Matsuo
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFSF6RhFJak&list=PL0C970CC451E341B4&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayato_Matsuo), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/296), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=hayato+matsuo+interview&oq=hayato+matsuo+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…14395.16109.21.16312.14.14.0.0.0.5.144 .1584.1j13.14.0…0.0.QAAA4-JhzjA&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hayato-Matsuo/104041916299035)
vs.
Glenn Stafford
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAd9x5fTSVo&list=PL471169102F06B34E&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio ( http://www.last.fm/music/Glenn+Stafford), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/184), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=glenn+stafford+interview&oq=glenn+stafford+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.11443.13591.22.13815.16.14.1.0.0.4 .171.1623.3j11.14.0…0.0.5G0-WZ_4E8Q&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Glenn-Stafford/111275905555305)
The God of War series presented an interesting challenge. Each soundtrack is the work of multiple composers, yet the music???s quality is high enough that at least one of them deserved to be recognized. Ultimately, Marino was the choice. He played a substantial role on each soundtrack, is responsible for some of the game???s most enduring themes, and has done respectable work outside this IP. Although some of his work is traditionally filmic, The End Begins is a career piece that helped solidify the legacy of God of War.
Yamane wasn???t the founding composer for Castlevania or Suikoden, but she sure kept both series vital. It was a pain to choose five songs for her because there were too many deserving options. Rocket Knight Adventures isn???t even on the list. Legend.
Matsuo is in the mold of other contributing composers like Noriko Matsueda, Hajime Wakai, and Junya Nakano, who didn???t often get the spotlight. Nevertheless, their work shines through. Final Fantasy XII may his most famous credit, but I love the tracks from Master of Monsters (so much atmosphere from a Genesis track!), Ogre Battle, and Front Mission 3 as well.
Glenn Stafford is a longtime composer and director of the audio department for Blizzard. The immediate association with his name is Starcraft, and for good reason. People are still playing that game, meaning they???re still listening to that music. I’ve seen critics complain it???s atmospheric and unsuited for a standalone listening experience. That???s debatable. What???s not debatable is that the music played an important part in that game???s success. The funky bass lines, phased guitars, filmic interludes, and spacey feel are interesting without being intrusive and successfully combine orchestral and rock influences in a way that???s fun and cohesive.
My votes are for Michiru Yamane and Hayato Matsuo (on the fence with this one).
Glenn Stafford – I think Matsuo is the better composer. But his traits and skills are not displayed at full capacity on Video Game Music. If you want Quality Matsuo Music. You should definetely check his repertoire on the Anime Soundtracks that he composed. Same as Michiru Ooshima.
I vote Stafford mostly because his contribution to the VGM Industry is more notorious
Hayato Matsuo
Very close for the second one.
Glenn Stafford
Is it just me or does Glenn Stafford look like Jorah Mormont from Game of Thrones?
Round 1, Fight 13 // The Composers Rumble
Russell Brower
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXoFxYutRm4&list=PL10FB3AB03D072F09&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Brower), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/4930), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=russell+brower+interview&oq=russell+brower+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.18723.20395.23.20523.14.14.0.0.0.6 .202.1741.5j8j1.14.0…0.0.G3J-R2d6gb8&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/Hordeland)
vs.
Spencer Nilsen
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G81avmtyyuQ&list=PLEF72A04B756337BE&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Nilsen), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1468), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=spencer+nilsen+interview&oq=spencer+nilsen+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.13322.14900.24.15069.14.13.0.0.0.4 .353.1710.7j4j1j1.13.0…0.0.Pt_tgjTIIvM&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/spencer.nilsen)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 14 // The Composers Rumble
Manami Matsumae
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIHh0no7pVs&list=PLE2ABBCF98B35F63A&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manami_Matsumae), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/187), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=manami+matsumae+interview&oq=manami+matsumae+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…15675.17494.25.17699.15.15.0.0.0.4.262 .1601.8j6j1.15.0…0.0.ui5ZZj6ECes&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/manamifans?newwindow=true)
vs.
Bobby Prince
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSsfjHCFosw&list=PLDA06C3E8E361F6A1&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Prince), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1296), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=bobby+prince+interview&oq=bobby+princ+interview&aq=0lK&aqi=g-lK1&aql=&gs_l=hp.1.0.0i13i30.15633.16926.26.18935.11.9.0.0. 0.3.410.1572.3j3j1j1j1.9.0…0.0.J2jMlPrjRQ4&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://bobbyprincemusic.blogspot.com/)
As a strange coincidence we have Russell Brower, one of Blizzard???s other in-house composers, following Glenn Stafford, with musical selections from two of the same titles. There are significant differences in the two men???s compositional styles, however, that allow for clear distinctions between their works. Brower is a much closer to a by-the-numbers romantic film composer, using orchestral arrangements to create structured narrative pieces and mystical location themes, as opposed to Stafford???s looping atmospheres for player-controlled parts of the game. As with these selections, Brower’s work is often lush and romantic (Thread 67222).
Spencer Nilsen is a bit more of an electronic composer, although his full catalog shows off his chops in other genres. He is best known for his Ecco soundtracks and for the USA version of Sonic CD, but Batman Returns is a bit of a forgotten gem, given that there were six versions of that game published on different platforms with different composers.
Manami Matsumae is probably the best-known composer of these four (and the one with the most elaborate Facebook profile picture). Mega Man and Mega Man 2 launched her career. Despite that immense promise, though, her career never reached an equivalent high-water mark. She did work alongside Alph Lyla on an album of arrangements and took a bow on Mega Man 10 with one original composition, but why she didn???t work on more projects–or more projects designed with an international release in mind–is difficult to know. She was attached to ports of several franchises that were popular at the time (like Son Son II and Adventures of Lolo) and composed for an unsuccessful sequel (Jade Cocoon 2) to a somewhat successful game. Those who know Hiroki Kikuta???s career (from Secret of Mana to the Sacnoth disaster and back) might see a parallel or two there. Whatever the cause, it???s unfortunate we haven???t been able to hear more of her music.
Bobby Prince???s name will forever be, in popular lore, connected to one franchise: DOOM. At Doom???s Gate is certainly one of the most recognizable video game themes in existence. And the Metallica scandal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IXNpPhfk1s), credible or not, has probably helped further pigeonhole him to that one series. But you???re doing yourself a disservice if you don???t check out the soundtrack for Duke Nukem 3D. The Saturn arrangements (meaning, simply, better samples) are particularly fun.
My votes are for Spencer Nilsen and Bobby Prince.
Bobby Prince
EDIT: Regarding the Metallica Scandal, The kind of Riff’s that DOOM uses are staple in Thrash and Heavy Metal. While Mouth for War was only one that was blatantly stolen. There’s a million bands that uses the same kind of rymthmical structures for riffs. Specially at the end of the 80’s and 90’s
Anyway
\m/ to Doom Soundtrack. =D
Bobby Prince
Manami Matsumae created the Mega Man sound. Takashi Tateishi may have surpassed her, but I don’t think Mega Man 2’s historic score would have ever happened had Matsumae not first established the standard.
Edit: I just listened to that "scandal" video in its entirety, and while the guy who made it was overambitious in a lot of his attributions, there were a number of obvious covers. I named "Angry Chair" immediately, and "Mouth of War" is indisputable. A number of others, like "This is Love" and "Them Bones", become obvious once you catch on to what Bobby Prince is doing here. To call it a scandal is pretty ridiculous though. If Metallica weren’t lawsuit-happy pricks we’d probably be calling it a fun tribute. I think copyright law exploitation by megamonopolies over the past decade has really clouded popular judgement on the line between creative reinterpretation and intellectual theft. No one regards soundtracks that incorporate Beethoven or Chopin as "scandalous". Sure, Bobby Prince’s arrangements were composed by living artists at the time, so there are legitimate grounds for dispute, but they are grey, not black and white, and they would have to follow such lines as "Pantera does not condone violence as entertainment", or "Pantera feels that sales of the Doom ost have made a negative impact on sales of Vulgar Display of Power", or "Bobby Prince has mislead the public into believing that he is the original composer of Vulgar Display of Power", or "Pantera thinks this game sucks really bad and are embarrassed to hear their music in it." Need I go on?
Manami Matsumae
Northrend is the zone encompassing Wrath of the Lich King in its entirety. I meant no single particular track.
Bobby Prince
@Shad: I agree with you that the growing apathy about copyright law has led to a cultural backlash in the other direction, where things falling into a gray area of homage, remix, or synthesis are being unnecessarily called out. Some of the claims against Bobby have legs; others are a stretch. But ultimately, if Vanilla Ice gets off with the "itty bitty ting" defense and Yoko Kanno still has a career, what Bobby did isn’t even on the radar, much less a "scandal."
Anwyay, looks like Russell Brower (4-2) and Bobby Prince (4-2) eked out victories. Next up…
Round 1, Fight 15 // The Composers Rumble
Jun Senoue
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH_MCPcjxP0&list=PL5ACC74DA9079D676&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jun_Senoue), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/375), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=jun+senoue+interview&oq=jun+senoue+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.54530.55480.27.55653.10.10.0.0.0.7 .398.1467.2j7j0j1.10.0…0.0.qsJavpIrCaE&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (https://twitter.com/crush40)
vs.
Junichi Masuda
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54vHS-Uwtp8&list=PLE351AB3DFB125495&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junichi_Masuda), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/691), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=junichi+masuda+interview&oq=junichi+masuda+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-l1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i13.12031.14124.28.14210.16.16.0.0.0.3 .193.1680.3j11.14.0…0.0.6VXmzibbnTU&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (https://twitter.com/junichi_masuda)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 16 // The Composers Rumble
Koichi Sugiyama
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntmk5aHaPQ4&list=PLE98C67AECBC289B4&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koichi_Sugiyama), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/114), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=koichi+sugiyama+interview&oq=koichi+sugiyama+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.14500.17426.29.17527.17.16.1.0.0.7 .202.1999.6j9j1.16.0…0.0.B68gHd7awvI&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Koichi-Sugiyama/113041356410)
vs.
Michael Land
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejgBZGqKRD4&list=PL4D467BA56168A7DE&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Land), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1405), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=michael+land+interview&oq=michael+land+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.14262.15669.30.15860.13.13.0.0.0.8 .177.1545.2j11.13.0…0.0.0_xn-E07I-g&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/michael.land.543)
Jun Senoue joined the Sonic series in 1994 for Sonic and Knuckles/Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and hasn???t left since. At a time when guitars in video games sounded like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-EH6r9sSmQ), he embraced new technology and added some swagger to the Blue Blur. Despite the presence of a guitar in nearly every picture of him, though, he???s done fine work arranging orchestral pieces for Dark Wizard Symphony (among others) and composing outside of Sonic???s world, including the soundtrack for Burning Rangers.
Similarly, Junichi Masuda???s work is often diminished to one series (Pokemon in his case). Understandably so. The franchise is one of the most lucrative in the world, which is to say that???s a lot of pressure he withstood to create memorable music, and the rewards of that effort are the nostalgia and fervor of a loving fanbase. Yet any retrospective on his career must include Pulseman, too, which is a Genesis classic.
The ???Big Boss of Video Game Music??? didn???t start in video games. Surprisingly, he was the director of a major broadcasting corporation, but felt in his heart he should be writing music instead. I???ll bet that was a dip in his annual income. Like Soule, he also got his start by writing a letter to a video game company (Enix in his case). From then on out, his destiny would be hitched to Dragon Quest. Incredibly, it was all the way back in 1987 that he staged his first orchestral concert of video game music, a year after releasing a CD of orchestral arrangements of Dragon Quest. Though it would take years for global popular culture to more noticeably appreciate video game music with any seriousness, Sugiyama played perhaps the most important role making people realize that the music could stand on its own.
Legendary LucasArts composer Michael Land appeared on the scene in 1990 with The Secret of Monkey Island. Things quickly fell into place for him. He designed a MIDI sequencer and, in searching out new talent, discovered Peter McConnell and Clint Bajakian. Then he composed one of the most beautiful video game soundtracks of all time in The Dig. Not a bad start to a career. These days he is still working and is purportedly studying the cello and violin, demonstrating another key component to artistic success: never stop learning about your craft and growing as an artist.
My votes are for Junichi Masuda and Koichi Sugiyama.
Michael Land
Koichi Sugiyama
Michael Land
Koichi Sugiyama
Koichi Sugiyama
Koichi Sugiyama
Darn, I missed the last round.
Round 1, Fight 17 // The Composers Rumble
Martin O’Donnell
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo5AOMAUohQ&list=PL77462C1F9DD1B1E8&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_O%27Donnell), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/531), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=martin+o%27donnell+interview&oq=martin+o%27donnell+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1g-b1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0j0i8.983623.987666.31.987857.30.22.8.0 .0.5.176.2545.7j15.22.0…0.0.eVphHxPH_1I&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907), Social (http://www.facebook.com/MartytheElder)
vs.
Stephen Rippy
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Mql9PBUzKA&list=PL7B496ACD1B1E7852&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Rippy), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1408), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=stephen+rippy+interview&oq=stephen+rippy+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.15075.16786.32.16945.14.14.0.0.0.2 .167.1543.4j10.14.0…0.0.0rXUGf-RJpo&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907), Social (http://www.facebook.com/stephenrippymusic)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 18 // The Composers Rumble
Yuzo Koshiro
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg1PDaOnU2Q&list=PL611456BF1F51E8D2&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuzo_Koshiro), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/148), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&gs_mss=stephen%20rippy%20interview&pq=stephen%20rippy%20interview&cp=5&gs_id=1ih&xhr=t&q=yuzo+koshiro+interview&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&oq=yuzo++interview&aq=0c&aqi=g-c1&aql=&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907), Social (https://twitter.com/yuzokoshiro)
vs.
Michiko Naruke
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=empT3vtj90o&list=PL24ACDFCF6BCCBDEE&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michiko_Naruke), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/391), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=michiko+naruke+interview&oq=michiko+naruke+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.16381.18568.35.18690.16.15.1.0.0.7 .311.1991.2j12j0j1.15.0…0.0.DdBs_sxR-Mg&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907), Social (https://twitter.com/narupon)
For a time, Halo was a lightning rod in discussions about the state of video game music. Despite its melodic, rock-influenced, mostly straightforward approach, it was often contrasted with fans’ vague notions of a golden past where video game music was better. When pressed for an explanation, I’ve personally witnessed many of those conversations wilt into, "Well, vgm used to be memorable," then "Well, the melodies were catchier," with the obvious underlying problem that those people were simply intimidated by orchestral arrangements because they worried they’d sound stupid talking about it. And it often seems to me that’s tied to the conspicuousness of the melody. This doesn’t totally explain the aversion to Halo’s soundtrack, though, because Halo’s melodies are pretty freakin’ obvious. More so, Halo created a new culture of gamers who were shelling out enough money to grab the attention of game developers, forcing more traditional gamers to feel slighted and disclaim anything about the game, the soundtrack included. Over ten years later, the whole thing seems pretty silly, because the music has many high points, the video game culture has expanded greatly by diversifying the audience, and the nostalgia and longing those gamers felt in response to Halo has had many outlets in modern gaming, not the least of which through downloadable retro and retro-style games made available through consoles. Time has also given Martin O’Donnell a chance to show off many sides to his compositional style, which should be a clear sign that, if anyone, he will not be responsible for a dark future of bland, orchestral, mood music in video games.
Stephen Rippy is a hard man to pin down. Just listen to Chocolate Outline and tell me what genre that song fits into. It’s got Spanish-style guitars, rotary electric guitars, autoharp, synthesized tubular bells, atmospheric pings with long reverberating echos, a kalimba solo, and a rocking bassline that, if louder, would fit perfectly into a Rage against the Machine song. Do we just lump this into world music? Electronic music? Whatever you want to call it, it’s awesome. And more than that, it’s a nice emblem of the open borders approach video game music has long held toward genre mixing.
In the fourth generation of video games, Yuzo Koshiro was king. ActRaiser, Streets of Rage, The Revenge of Shinobi, Beyond Oasis, Ys, Eye of the Beholder, Super Adventure Island. Putting forth tons of quality game soundtracks wasn’t enough. He innovated, too, the most obvious example being the electronica soundtrack for Streets of Rage, now cited as a forerunner to today’s techno, and an influence on dubstep. I remember the first time I went to my next-door neighbor’s house to play Streets of Rage 2. I was blown away by the first stage music. This was 1993. I’d never heard techno before. I didn’t even know how to describe it. All those dark alleys and people punching to music you could dance to. It was badass. Around the same time, Nick Arcade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOkGS3enpN4) was on the air, and I remember it seemed like the contestants always ended up playing ActRaiser, which I also thought had awesome music. Years later, I found out it was the same guy. That blew my mind.
Long before Wild Arms, Michiko Naruke was tearing it up with Valis 3 and Psycho Dream. But, of course, Wild Arms is her masterpiece, introducing Wild West themes and gestures into the world of video game music. She wasn’t the first, nor the last, but she is the best, and any time a soundtrack contains acoustic guitar and whistling it seems to be a nod at Michiko. Interestingly, Naruke is a huge fan of Jerry Goldsmith and Johann Sebastian Bach and owns an original score by Bach.
My votes are for Stephen Rippy and Yuzo Koshiro.
Michiko Naruke
Wild Arms soundtracks make me hard.
Michiko Naruke — Koshiro’s written some great stuff, but I think he’s one of the most overrated composers in the business.
The Valis III credits I’ve seen are a bit ridiculous, crediting Hisao Inoue, Jun Hasebe, Shingo Murakami, Takaharu Umezu, Michiko Naruke, and Minoru Yuasa. Has it been confirmed that Naruke in fact composed most/all of it?
Hisao Inoue, Jun Hasebe, and Shingo Murakami worked on the PC Engine version of Valis III and arranged those songs for guitar and piano. They’re responsible for two commercial releases related to the game’s music. (link 1 (http://vgmdb.net/album/8646)) (link 2 (http://vgmdb.net/album/4031))
But they didn’t work on the Genesis version of the game. Those composers were Takaharu Umezu, Michiko Naruke, and Minoru Yuasa. (link (www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR90eu7i1Xg#t=50m36s))
It’s difficult to find track by track credits for the soundtracks of 4th generation games and before since so few game OSTs/OSVs were released commercially (unless an interviewer got answers years after the fact, which is how I dug up some credits). I did triple-check and sometimes quadruple-check anything that went into the rumble while I added links, but I don’t remember why I felt strongly that the particular musical selection in our recommendations list was by Naruke. Because accurate credits on co-composed early games weren’t available, I frequently had to make an educated guess about which song sounded like the composer, so that might been my process. But I’ll try to find out more information if it’s out there.
Yuzo Koshiro – This one was very tough… Naruke is amazing. But Streets of Rage is what made me incline to Koshiro this time I guess… His music on the Ys Series is really great as well. Worth Checking that out.
But they didn’t work on the Genesis version of the game. Those composers were Takaharu Umezu, Michiko Naruke, and Minoru Yuasa. (link (www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR90eu7i1Xg#t=50m36s))
Thanks for all the information. It’s always an adventure trying to dig up information on earlier game compositions.
I just noticed and had to ask: How on earth did Rob Hubbard not make the list for this rumble?
Michiko Naruke
Very tough choice for both…
Yuzo Koshiro
Yuzo Koshiro
Round 1, Fight 19 // The Composers Rumble
Toshiharu Yamanishi
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBtKaYpm9Kk&list=PL7A0E901BE63838FF&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://www.cvgm.net/demovibes/artist/1780/), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1004), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&gs_mss=michiko%20naruke%20interview&pq=michiko%20naruke%20interview&cp=20&gs_id=1lw&xhr=t&q=Toshiharu%20Yamanishi%20%20interview&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&oq=Toshiharu+Yamanishi++interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Funky-Surounin/110615552291191)
vs.
David Wise
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ9xwkMr3e4&list=PL644E405D793234FF&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wise_%28composer%29), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/507), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=david+wise+interview&oq=david+wise+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1g-K1g-bK2&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0j0i30j0i8i30l2.12437.13451.39.13567.10 .10.0.0.0.2.121.967.5j5.10.0…0.0.N2S-P85SXpk&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/david_wise)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 20 // The Composers Rumble
Howard Drossin
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en047NnFSLA&list=PLD335BDC4B0744719&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Drossin), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1384), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=howard+drossin+interview&oq=howard+drossin+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…11714.13096.40.13238.14.13.0.0.0.7.175 .1468.2j10.12.0…0.0.gFdWtFhrk-U&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907), Social (http://www.facebook.com/howard.drossin)
vs.
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUfJj04uDFY&list=PL50C0C2CA15EFF930&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitoshi_Sakimoto), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/112), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=hitoshi+sakimoto+interview&oq=hitoshi+sakimoto+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0.10355.12817.41.13034.20.17.1.0.0.10.3 16.2287.1j13j0j1.15.0…0.0.i3pJ8ko78QM&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907), Social (http://www.facebook.com/HitoshiSakimoto?sk=wall)
Toshiharu Yamanishi is a mystery man. While it???s often difficult to find out info on early-generation video game composers, there are many research strategies you can employ before hitting a wall, and more often than not one of them will give you a clue, which will lead to more research and more clues. Not with this guy. Yaminishi has been in the business for over 20 years and there???s barely any info out there on him. He has no social networking pages, there is only one picture of him to my knowledge, and yet he has a rabid fanbase and 53 releases to his name. His most famous works (Thunder Force III and IV) are on Technosoft???s Genesis catalog and are metal through and through. But Elemental Master and Devil???s Crush have stood the test of time as Genesis classics as well, and few seem to know how much he has contributed to the Atelier series, continuing his legacy.
Here are the notable soundtracks David Wise has worked on or wholly created: Wizards and Warriors I-III, R.C. Pro-Am, Marble Madness, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Solar Jetman, Battletoads, Donkey Kong Country 1-3, Diddy Kong Racing, Star Fox Adventures, It???s Mr. Pants, and Viva Pinata. As a composer for Rare from 1985-2009, he has written some of the most enduring themes in video game music history, including Aquatic Ambience. Many of his works are classics of their respective consoles. And he???s still going. Not bad. Arguably, he is the most important and influential western composer in all of video game music.
Howard Drossin’s music has often been aggressive and rock-based, but it’d be difficult to say back in his Sonic days, when he was was Sega’s music director, that he’d be doing a Splatterhouse soundtrack. Like Yamanishi, he cut his teeth on the Genesis with The Ooze, Sonic & Knuckles, and the cult classic Comix Zone. Since then, he has expanded into film and commercial music and, who say this coming?, won a Grammy in 2008 for his orchestrations on the jazz album A Tale of God’s Will (A Requiem for Katrina), which served as the score to Spike Lee’s award-winning Katrina documentary When the Levees Broke.
Sakimoto has forcefully staked his claim as a major composer. Perhaps no Final Fantasy soundtrack is as much a lightning rod for debate as Final Fantasy XII. Perhaps no soundtrack has been lauded more than Vagrant Story in our rumbles. Perhaps no composer, other than Sugiyama, is as adept at using an orchestra not just to add oomph to a melody, but to actually variegate it enough while adding texture and tone color in interesting ways to take the compositions to a level of extraordinary achievement.
My votes are for David Wise and Hitoshi Sakimoto.
As for the other, being a massive Hitoshi Sakimoto fan, my vote goes to him. I like to think he deserves it.
Edit: It only just got me wondering, but why would you say he has a rabid fanbase, Arthur? He’s hardly known, as far as I can tell.
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Howard Drossin
Technosoft fans. They may not know Yamanishi’s name, but they know his music under the heading "Technosoft music." And the community is a decent size, as far as I can tell. I’ve talked to quite a few people who, if you mention Thunder Force III or IV, you’ll get something like…
Thunder Force FUCK YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’d call that "rabid," haha.
Mike Tyson vs. an anvil?
Round 1, Fight 21 // The Composers Rumble
Jack Wall
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFw0gbQk23M&list=PLDEAE2A6F5EBF4191&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Wall_%28composer%29), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/993), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=jack+wall+interview&oq=jack+wall+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1g-K1g-bK1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0j0i30j0i8i30.12138.13454.42.13656.10.9 .0.0.0.5.414.1608.2j5j0j1j1.9.0…0.0.sxCdTls71pw&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/jackwallmusic)
vs.
Kow Otani
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrFL2zPc2uk&list=PL5B5D2B4C946426F3&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kow_Otani), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1625), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=kow+otani+interview&oq=kow+otani+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.13325.14661.43.14962.11.10.1.0.0.5 .210.1334.3j6j1.10.0…0.0.qWKpwM-3Or0&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/kowotani)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 22 // The Composers Rumble
Robin Beanland
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYi8o-RAWuk&list=PL8DC8D2AD88F2A482&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Beanland), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/505), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=robin+beanland+interview&oq=robin+beanland+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.18797.22366.44.22521.23.23.0.0.0.3 .200.2477.11j11j1.23.0…0.0.SME6VsnvANc&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/therealbeano)
vs.
Shogo Sakai
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A-imFwZcHs&list=PL681F00EBA25D75D6&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php?title=Shogo_Sakai), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/989), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=shogo+sakai+interview&oq=shogo+sakai+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.11612.13085.45.13260.11.11.0.0.0.5 .182.1242.3j8.11.0…0.0.KhFaDiJN8wE&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/shogo_sakai)
Jack Wall has become better known in the last few years as the conductor of Video Games Live and the composer behind Mass Effect, but before he was the understated guy standing next to Tommy Tallarico (a role most people would play in that situation), he was an award-winning industry leader breathing new life into the Myst franchise. Myst III’s soundtrack garnered him a nomination for best original soundtrack from the AIAS, but Myst IV’s soundtrack won him three Game Audio Network Guild awards, including Music of the Year, and three other nominations. Since then, Rise of the Kasai, Jade Empire, Mass Effect, and Mass Effect 2 have all been frequently nominated for awards, with Jade Empire and Mass Effect winning best soundtrack trophies.
Speaking of awards, Kow Otani has won a few. You may have heard of his soundtrack for Shadow of the Colossus, which is top-five in the best vgm of all time in my opinion. But the majority of his career has been spent composing for films and anime. I’ve been able to listen to some of his film score for Shakugan no Shana Final, which has shades of the orchestration and budget of Colossus. But it boggles my mind that the only video game project he’s been tapped for since Colossus is Sengoku Basara 3, on which he is a small contributor. If you’re a fan, I’d recommend Sky Odyssey as maybe being the most similar to Colossus; the rest of his vgm is more conventional. Fingers crossed he does more.
Robin Beanland is easy to think of as David Wise???s sidekick, since they worked at Rare together for so long with Wise the lead composer on their shared works. But The Bean is distinct for several reasons, not the least of which being his humor. As a composer and writer involved with Conker, that’s obvious. But going back to, say, his elevator music for GoldenEye or the voice samples on Killer Cuts, he added touches that enlivened the entire experience of his games. I can’t help but compare his lack of recognition in the video game world to the plight of comedic actors at the Oscars, where they’re routinely dismissed in favor of dramatic actors. Wise did Aquatic Ambience, which is brilliant, but does it require more skill to evince complex, melancholic emotions than to make someone laugh out loud? I really don’t think so.
Although I already knew and liked the Robocop and Werewolf soundtracks, Shogo Sakai didn???t land on my radar until Mother 3, an absolutely top-tier soundtrack combining original compositions with the work of Erik Satie. The end-result successfully provided an emotional framework for writer Shigesato Itoi???s ambitious and delicate story about a family coping with tragedy, consumerism, and–of course–pigs. Tinged with Samuel Beckett???s influence, the story shows more pathos and attention to narrative than Beckett???s idea-first tableaus and stands among the best scripts in video game history. The confidently-deployed moments involving beauty (
), humor (http://www.bardinelli.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/mother3.gif), sadness (
), and bizarreness (http://earthbound.wikia.com/wiki/Ostrelephant) bring together everything that made Earthbound a classic and, at times, even improve on it. I liked this game long before I got to the scene with Satie???s Gymnopedie No. 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAR0WkIQ6mg) playing in the background. Then I was in love. If you haven???t played Mother 3, it???s well worth it.
My votes are for Kow Otani and Shogo Sakai.
Robin Beanland
Since it’s VGM rumble, I didn’t consider Otani’s anime works in the final judgement.
Shogo Sakai
Shogo Sakai – What’s not to love about Conker’s Bad Fur Day Overworld Theme. But man, Almost Victorious rushed my blood.
i remember that show quite a bit.
Shogo Sakai
Shogo Sakai
Would be nice if we could all agree to advance both Otani and Wall and ignore the second bracket. 😛
Shogo Sakai
Round 1, Fight 23 // The Composers Rumble
Masashi Hamauzu
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65A8o7vMwVM&list=PL8CA56F6DA7905C70&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masashi_Hamauzu), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/145), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=masashi+hamauzu+interview&oq=masashi+hamauzu+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0.1137.1137.47.1326.1.1.0.0.0.0.141.141 .0j1.1.0…0.0.yYXnPbzRjNg&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://www.facebook.com/MasashiHamauzuOfficial)
vs.
Tommy Tallarico
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OtrgZ2r2GA&list=PL1AAF8FE86E18F001&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Tallarico), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/502), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=tommy+tallarico+interview&oq=tommy+tallarico+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.15960.18500.48.18711.15.15.0.0.0.3 .188.1721.4j11.15.0…0.0.m-vFIg76sQs&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/tommytallarico)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 24 // The Composers Rumble
Grant Kirkhope
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DQfnj33-QU&list=PLD6E3911291035265&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Kirkhope), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1935), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=grant+kirkhope+interview&oq=grant+kir+interview&aq=0b&aqi=g-b1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3.0.0i8.16637.19724.49.20780.19.13.5.0.0.7 .191.1643.3j10.13.0…0.0.cmkUov639CE&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/grantkirkhope)
vs.
Motoaki Takenouchi
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaOlDwRyjjI&list=PL2625B825E1FCEE9D&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motoaki_Takenouchi), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/630), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&gs_mss=grant%20kir%20interview&pq=grant%20kirkhope%20interview&cp=19&gs_id=23u&xhr=t&q=Motoaki%20Takenouchi%20%20interview&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&oq=Motoaki+Takenouchi++interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Motoaki-Takenouchi/103132699727741?sk=info)
Growing up with a pianist as a mother and an opera singer as a father, it???s no wonder Masashi Hamauzu developed an early interest in music. By the time he graduated college, he had enough of a resume to impress Nobuo Uematu himself, who hired Hamauzu to work for Square, where Hamauzu stayed for fourteen years, eventally taking over the lead composer position from Uematsu in 2004. He has been consistent his entire career, with strong work in both the Final Fantasy and SaGa franchises as an arranger, composer, and (though this aspect of his career is often overlooked) musician. Did you know he sang bass on One-Winged Angel?
Tommy Tallarico has a way of getting inside people’s heads. My sister knows absolutely nothing about video game music. But I convinced her to come to Video Games Live, and she will never forget him (
). He is self-indulgent, he is strident, he is small. But he is a big stage presence, and he is hilarious. He has talent. He has big ideas that make people question if he has a strong enough body of work to back up the outspokenness. He has done a lot of good for video game music. His silliness is, at least in part, a consciously constructed artifice. He makes people laugh. He makes people talk. And by expanding on what Koichi Sugiyama started by hosting worldwide orchestral concerts of video game music, he converts people, almost every day, to our shared belief that video game music can be just as powerful and enduring as any work from any other genre. If possible, try to listen to the music on its own merits, without letting the personality behind it influence the experience.
Not too many composers got famous writing polka and steel drum music. But not too many composers bring the personality, fun, and catchiness that Grant Kirkhope does???just a few reasons why he landed on Brentalfloss??? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gevqco_LDuo) radar. Kirkhope is not just a great composer???GoldenEye, Banjo Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, Perfect Dark, Blast Corps, Viva Pinata???he is also an interesting technician. On Banjo Kazooie, for example, he did something that is now commonplace, but at the time very difficult, making the music interactive during game play. If you jump in the water, the music changes into a harp arrangement. If you enter a haunted mansion, an organ starts playing the theme. As a sidenote, he also has a website with a lot of background information on his compositions and his favorites from each soundtrack, including the never released SNES game Dream (http://www.grantkirkhope.com/samplecomposition.html), which eventually became Banjo Kazooie.
Motoaki Takenouchi is the man behind much of the Shining series and a star of 90s Sega games. In college he studied under Koichi Sugiyama at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (where he was also classmates with Hayato Matsuo). Jewel Master, his first soundtrack, shows off his jazz tendencies with swung notes and little delays, his unusual choices of patches (such as in "King Turtle" or "The Gate of Delirium"), and his gift for creating atmosphere (ala ???Time to Kill???). He???s also great at creating frenetic electronic beats, as you???ll hear. An old friend of the rumble, jakob, is the Shrine???s resident Takenouchi fanatic and has the entirety of what???s available posted on his thread (Thread 71739).
My votes are for Tommy Tallarico (I’ll step up to bat for him this time) and Motoaki Takenouchi (tough choice).
Motoaki Takenouchi
Saga Frontier II by Masashi Hamauzu (1999)
Variation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USVgKQLYqSc), Thema (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXzrulChJXs), Naturvolk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN1ySWuRMhY), Ovation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A6rpzCqt90), Unmacht (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ9mtQt5N6w), Botschaft (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRRXlQ9TJCM), Feldschlacht IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOhtv6D-kY8), Todfeind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEYwzoIBJJk), Erfolg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAAGOeWiz2U), Roman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-zsONLYqzs), Mibgestalt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8NFIE30jpA), Haupt Mann (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw5YhixEC4c), Eisklumpen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4IsqKaesNQ)
and a catchy remix of Feldschlacht IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCOGa_zYsfk) 🙂
Sorry for so many tracks, but couldn’t make up my mind which ones should be removed – so many beautiful things;P Besides it doesn’t compete in the rumble, so it’s ok i guess. I hope it will be a good listen:) If you will like those I highly encourage to listen to whole soundtrack.
btw About all those german names – Hamauzu was born and spent good part of his childhood in Germany.
Btw maybe I am a bit biased toward him, because I can personally assure you, he;s a great person. I’ve had a short talk with him after the Ainu concert in Manggha Center in Cracow, around a year ago… He even signed my DS Light T_T Will treasure it forever ;D
Motoaki Takenouchi
I won’t go off about MT too much, other than post a couple links to some of my favorites:
Shining Wisdom OST – Secon Effort – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tu462qlWaw)
Shining Wisdom OST – Novae – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eulvvHn2Jsk&feature=relmfu)
Shining Force 2 BGM – 10 – Battle #2/Overworld – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULXnfaQg-ZI&feature=related)
Shining Force 2 BGM – 32 – Ending Credits – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-X5fxLprY0&feature=BFa&list=ULVx2OJnoL2Fg)
[Soundtrack] Landstalker – 19 – Treasure Hunter Nigel – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4aSuSGy89o&feature=channel&list=UL) (the arranged soundtrack of this game is killer)
Jewel Master – Fish out of Water [Genesis] Music – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY7ZfS5HC8I)
Jewel Master – Intergalactic Strut [Genesis] Music – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBCOhhhUEuk)
Shining Force CD Soundtrack 27 Guard Posts – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy5e8iWtpgs)
Shining Force CD Soundtrack 13 Open Plains – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKnonZDTmow&feature=plcp)
Shining Force CD Soundtrack 12 Great Cypress War- YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCv95eBeItQ&feature=plcp)
My vote is for Motoaki Takenouchi of course, but I can’t say I’ll be super disappointed if Kirkhope wins. I’m glad to see him face a worthy opponent.
Motoaki Takenouchi
Edit: Hah, I make a point to listen to the music and vote before I actually read the introduction to the artists or look at other people’s votes, and I thought for sure I’d be the only vote for Tallarico.
Grant Kirkhope
Grant Kirkhope
Grant Kirkhope
Nice!
I won’t go off about MT too much, other than post a couple links to some of my favorites
Thanks for the links!
Edit: Hah, I make a point to listen to the music and vote before I actually read the introduction to the artists or look at other people’s votes, and I thought for sure I’d be the only vote for Tallarico.
Me, too. For a second I glanced at the thread and thought Tallarico had ALL the votes. :-\
WOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAH!!!! NELLY!!!!!!!!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kPoqwj6UT8) – THAT BANJO!
x2
By the way, Hitoshi Sakimoto is going to do an ‘AMA’ (ask me anything) at Reddit.com on Fri, Aug. 3 at 6pm PDT (Los Angeles time).
Round 1, Fight 25 // The Composers Rumble
Koji Kondo
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGX4obVl64w&list=PL73FF0E9B512BD0A9&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koji_Kondo), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/190), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&gs_mss=koji%20interview&pq=motoaki%20takenouchi%20interview&cp=7&gs_id=24u&xhr=t&q=koji+kondo+interview&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&oq=koji+ko+interview&aq=0c&aqi=g-c1g-b1&aql=&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Koji-Kondo/112302688785506?rf=112031528809841)
vs.
Frank Klepacki
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlsSiEpZMQY&list=PL112DDA948D3DEA86&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Klepacki), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/244), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=frank+klepacki+interview&oq=frank+klepacki+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.16498.19791.58.20274.16.13.1.0.0.3 .380.1898.4j6j2j1.13.0…0.0.gqRBkFxPk5o&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/frankklepacki)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 26 // The Composers Rumble
Miki Higashino
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFT-wcyT-TU&list=PL5AB8D3D96564FEFA&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miki_Higashino), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/191), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=miki+higashino+interview&oq=miki+higashino+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-b1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i8.26425.28514.56.28753.14.10.0.0.0.3. 619.1462.0j2j1j1j0j1.5.0…0.0.wGdkyYv-SyQ&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Miki-Higashino/107916719231624?v=photos)
vs.
Ryuji Sasai
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yjNftt7bNI&list=PLDD845D64558B9DDD&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryuji_Sasai), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/354), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=ryuji+sasai+interview&oq=ryuji+sasai+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…12641.14582.57.14774.11.11.0.0.0.2.154 .1178.4j7.11.0…0.0.jy799n4K7Kc&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ryuji-Sasai/107748362581771?sk=info)
Koji Kondo is quite possibly the most important composer of our generation. Not only did he give the world the Mario and Zelda scores, but he turned video game music into a commodity. For almost 10 years, the Super Mario Bros. overworld theme has been one of the most downloaded ringtones in the world. Kondo’s music has been covered, remixed, arranged, and orchestrated thousands of times. On top of that, he is an master of what Sergei Eisenstein calls the synchronization of senses, using sound design to create vital, profound associations with the on-screen action (for example, a jump in SMB gives you an complimentary boing, in effect rewarding you for moving the character). On top of all that, he has grown as a composer right in front of us, expanding his celebrity as he built on two life-defining soundtracks with the equally compelling work of their immediate sequels, with his experiments in arrangement in Super Mario World and later Ocarina of Time, with his expanding field of reference in SMW 2 and Majora???s Mask, with the triumphant, mature, orchestral dynamism of Wind Waker and Super Mario Galaxy, and so on. The level of cultural saturation is such that people who have never played a video game can hum along with his music. On top of all that, he has helped train members of his own generation of composers and even the generation after him. He is so important that if you were to say, ???I have never heard a Koji Kondo piece I liked,??? not only would you (probably) be lying, but you???d still have to acknowledge the significance of his celebrity, marketability, and influence. We are here to judge the quality of the music separate from these considerations, but they are nonetheless important reminders of how we got to be a global community of video game music lovers. I’d wager Kondo played a role, directly or indirectly, with all of us.
Above all else, Frank Klepacki???s music is fun. The vocal samples, the fat swaggy guitars, the intensity, the shades of KMFDM, the militaristic snare pops, and the earnestness that suffuses each track are just a lot of fun. He???s best known for the Command and Conquer series, and we have a few examples of that work. But he produced quality soundtracks for many other Westwood Studios games as well. A side-note: from the early 90s to today (as current audio director of Petroglyph Games), he has built up an impressive collection of photos of himself wearing sunglasses (
) and really (
) ugly (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Frank_Klepacki_on_an_insert_photo_of_his_Morphscap e_album.jpg/291px-Frank_Klepacki_on_an_insert_photo_of_his_Morphscap e_album.jpg) shirts (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Frank_Klepacki_on_an_insert_photo_of_his_Rocktroni c_album.jpeg/220px-Frank_Klepacki_on_an_insert_photo_of_his_Rocktroni c_album.jpeg).
Many of you all already know how much I love Miki Higashino. Suikoden and Suikoden II are two of my favorite games of all time, and the specific moment when I began loving that series, which I still remember in detail, was when I entered Seika for the first time and heard Eternal Flow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNeOCMKU2V8) and I put my controller down and thought, ???God damn, the music in this game is incredible.??? Her entire career has been like that. Gradius, Yie Ar Kung Fu (an old arcade classic some of you might remember), LifeForce, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (arcade), Contra III, Vandal Hearts, 10,000 Bullets (aka Moolit Shadow, aka Tsukiyo ni Saraba, a jazzy collaboration with Yasunori Mitsuda). That???s a pretty solid resume. In recent years, she has settled down with her family, but we can only hope the right project will come along to entice her out of retirement.
Many people probably associate Ryuji Sasai with Final Fantasy Legend III and Final Fantasy Mystic Quest. Fair enough, as those two soundtracks have gone on to become classics of their systems, with Mystic Quest particularly serving as an early touchstone album for video game metal. But if you haven???t already, you gotta check out Rudra no Hihou, a complex Indian-religion-inspired Square RPG never released in the West with a hidden gem of a soundtrack. I???d also recommend checking out this interview (http://www.originalsoundversion.com/school-of-rock-interview-with-squaresoft-composer-ryuji-sasai/) with a damn near ecstatic interviewer and some interesting little nuggets from Sasai. Favorite bands are Extreme, Judas Priest, and Red Hot Chili Peppers? That’s a pretty strange trio.
My votes are for Koji Kondo and Miki Higashino.
Ryuji Sasai
Miki Higashino
Do I really have to choose between Higashino and Sasai? :\ I’ll wait a bit and see how the other votes play out.
Edit: Since Higashino has a solid lead now I think it’s safe to give a vote to Ryuji Sasai without impacting the outcome.
Miki Higashino
Miki Higashino
Ryuji Sasai
Round 1, Fight 27 // The Composers Rumble
Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyw8GFkZhxQ&list=PL319030C7C739BFDF&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirokazu_Tanaka), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/363), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=hirokazu+tanaka+interview&oq=hirokazu+t+interview&aq=0b&aqi=g-b1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3.0.0i8.12967.16088.55.17141.12.11.1.0.0.4 .153.1250.3j8.11.0…0.0.4TxEfh33Vrc&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.hirokazutanaka.com/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhirokazu%2Btanaka%2Bofficial%26hl%3De n%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3Di5E%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D855%26prmd%3Dimvn so&sa=X&ei=n7sWUNmzH6jG6AHt64HwAg&ved=0CFAQ7gEwAQ)
vs.
Tenpei Sato
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bWk_wYny0I&list=PLABE88125CD6B8FCA&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenpei_Sato), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/608), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=tenpei+sato+interview&oq=tenpei+sato+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.12907.14179.59.14355.12.12.0.0.0.4 .166.1352.4j8.12.0…0.0.NUtwpiVIRfQ&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tenpei-Sato/108014109220842)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 28 // The Composers Rumble
Hiroki Kikuta
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33d6EK2HykM&list=PLD0DA289C66300CB9&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroki_Kikuta), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/140), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=hiroki+kikuta+interview&oq=hiroki+kikuta+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.12788.14616.60.14809.14.14.0.0.0.2 .189.1626.5j9.14.0…0.0.CT3Qb91DDag&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://www.facebook.com/hiroki.kikuta?ref=pymk)
vs.
Masami Ueda
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53aDI5K49F4&list=PLBD6C038500A8B380&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://www.giantbomb.com/masami-ueda/72-60066/), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/11), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=masami+ueda+interview&oq=masami+ueda+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…11149.13057.61.13191.11.11.0.0.0.5.182 .1343.2j9.11.0…0.0.vExg8tmT0wY&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/PG_ueda)
If you go back to the video game crash of 1983 and start following the bread crumbs to video games??? resurrection, Hip Tanaka???s name sure shows up a lot. But to stick to our purposes, as a composer, he created some of the most enduring themes of the NES era, including one of my all-time favorite chiptunes, the Metroid title theme, which arose from his desire to attempt a more atmospheric, horror-movie-like soundtrack than what had previously been heard on the Famicom. Read here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/21.html#post1439700) for an old post where I invent a word trying to describe this song. Besides Metroid, you???ve got the jazz-tinged Dr. Mario and Super Mario Land, the stop-start wackiness of Earthbound, the heroic themes of Kid Icarus, the shudder-inducing jingle for video game???s most famous taunt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoacaodENm8), and the original compositions in the GameBoy version of Tetris.
Tenpei Sato sometimes seems like the lovechild of Michiru Yamane and Noriyuki Iwadare. Combining great, dramatic, melodic string writing and offbeat instrumentation and arrangements, his work almost seems danceable because of how kinetic it is. Then it launches off in another direction, showcasing a sense of humor that we don???t always get in the world of video game music. No surprise that he loves Kate Bush (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4csr6pLZLg), for those who know her work. His claim to fame is, of course, the Disgaea series, but a quick look at his bio or discography will reveal just how many decades he worked before getting that recognition. That may be unfair, but he sure hasn???t lost a sense of gratefulness, as a 2010 interview (http://www.gamespot.com/news/sound-byte-meet-the-composers-akira-yamaoka-and-tenpei-sato-6280370) showed. Even more remarkeable is the diversity of compositional styles showcased in our other selections, particularly Phantom Brave and Rhapsody.
Hiroki Kikuta is the wunderkind who blew up on Secret of Mana and Seiken Densetsu 3, then made some unwise (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/49.html#post1703178) career choices that took him into the world of Chinese MMORPGs and nearly out of video games entirely. Nevertheless, his work has stood the test of time and it is good to read that, unlike so many others (Tim Follin, Miki Higashino, and on and on), he???s still in the game, most recently sharing composition duties on Soul Calibur V. Conversations about his music often focus on the pretty melodies in the Mana games (fair enough), but check out the melodic percussion throughout Seiken Densetsu 3 or the unusual arrangements in Koudelka and Soukaigi. He always has something interesting going on.
When I think of Masami Ueda, I think of someone who, like Hip Tanaka, is very attentive to atmosphere and melody. His Resident Evil soundtracks are classics of video game music despite doing, at times, very little. In addition, his hyperpowered DMC work helped brand that franchise as much as Dante himself or the combat system. What I don???t immediately think of are the gorgeous, lethargic, glittering area themes of Okami. Just as one example, when Agata Forest stops and that French horn drifts by at 1:17, with the strings churning underneath, a moment and place is summoned with a level of intensity and immediacy that rivals any other song from any other video game I???ve heard. My background is fiction, so I apologize to those who aren???t familiar with Ernest Hemingway. But it???s the same magic he had. Take one detail, juxtapose it with another, and suddenly a 3D image is created. Hemingway could tell you what kind of shirt a guy is wearing and what he thinks about marriage and you???d know the color of the guy???s shoes. Likewise, Ueda has that rare talent to not only create suspense, to surprise, to re-train the listener’s ears, but also to edit his works for maximum potency.
My votes are for Hip Tanaka and Hiroki Kikuta (brutal choice).
Side-note: Our thread now has over 100,000 views (!).
Masami Ueda – Resident Evil 2 OST – The Ultimate Bio Weapon Medley – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVHUBfDQfYo)
I did check out that Tanaka mix briefly, and it’s missing a few noteworthy pieces, one completely obvious and one entirely obscure:
Hirokazu Tanaka 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmCCQxVBfyM)
Hirokazu Tanaka 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGTy_Fu4eVw)
Also, I’ve had a great deal of difficulty sorting out composer credits for Mother 2, in large part due to the complete ost having never been released, but full credits for the original Mother aren’t so hard to come by. If we ignore Keiichi Suzuki and Hirokazu Tanaka’s jointly credited tracks, we’re still left with a few of the series’ best:
Hirokazu Tanaka – Twinkle Elementary School (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdXCyCGG8bM)
Hirokazu Tanaka – Humoresque of a Little Dog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jE4JyQXn4A)
As for the battles, these two are probably among the most difficult yet, and I had a lot of trouble deciding, but I think I’ll go for Hirokazu Tanaka and Hiroki Kikuta.
Edit: God damn it, I’m contemplating this so much. Every single one of these guys should go at least round 2, life can be so unfair sometimes.
Masami Ueda
Also, I’ve had a great deal of difficulty sorting out composer credits for Mother 2, in large part due to the complete ost having never been released
Same here. The best two sources I’ve found are these (http://vgmdb.net/album/800) two (http://vgmdb.net/album/798) and they only detail credits for a few of the tracks.
While all four composers write great music, Hip Tanaka and Hiroki Kikuta’s music stand out because of how specifically tuned the melody, harmony, and timbre of the music are to the specific hardware of the system. What Hip Tanaka did with "Metroid" and "Mother" and Hiroki Kikuta did with "Secret of Mana" is not only great music but push the limits of the power of their respective systems and their sound hardware.
Masami Ueda
This will be the last call for votes. I’ll update later today.
In the meantime, check out my updates to the Looking for VGM Recommendations (Thread 69378) sticky.
Round 1, Fight 29 // The Composers Rumble
Noriyuki Iwadare
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGiNEaNxOxo&list=PL9048713226AFB2EC&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noriyuki_Iwadare), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/104), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=noriyuki+iwadare+interview&oq=noriykinterview&aq=0blK&aqi=g-blK2&aql=&gs_l=hp.3.0.0i8i13i30l2.0.0.63.97.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0. .0.0…0.0.6TxZNJsW6kw&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://fr.twitter.com/iwadaren)
vs.
Matt Uelmen
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8jJJXgNLo4&list=PLDF00647A83CC4E15&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Uelmen), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1374), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=matt+uelmen+interview&oq=matt+uelmen+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0.10176.11877.64.12035.12.12.0.0.0.1.12 4.1185.6j6.12.0…0.0.Tydmm7839_w&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Matt-Uelmen/113651341978913?sk=info)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 30 // The Composers Rumble
Akira Yamaoka
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgr-ZSZSSwA&list=PLBFD0324B1C6F9855&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Yamaoka), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/749), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=akira+yamaoka+interview&oq=akira+yamaoka+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1g-K3&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0j0i30l3.13859.15312.65.15711.13.11.0.0 .0.5.444.1760.4j6j4-1.11.0…0.0.eqomTOxa6rQ&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/akirayamaoka)
vs.
Kenji Ito
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gQrTrK5c78&list=PL3FB416A570F02CBA&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenji_Ito), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/138), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=kenji+ito+interview&oq=kenji+ito+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.10572.11583.66.11759.9.9.0.0.0.1.1 41.975.4j5.9.0…0.0.sbbpUYpV3vw&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907), Social (https://twitter.com/itoken0705)
Fans of Lunar and Grandia know the first composer from today’s fights. Noriyuki Iwadare has supplied his brand of uptempo jazzy pop to two successful RPG franchises, and with a level of earnestness and charm that’s hard to resist. Although some of his music reminds me of the Love Boat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmUlKPthrag) theme, and although I’m normally not a fan of this kind of buttoned-up swing, I find his compositions, at worst, hokey but endearing. At his best, as displayed throughout the Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete soundtrack, he writes thrilling location themes and battle music.
Matt Uelmen is a god to Diablo fans. Though he doesn’t have nearly the amount of credits to his name as many other composers, his signature piece, Tristram, demonstrates why his work has caught people’s attention. The delayed, layered acoustic guitars, harmonics, horns, and flute all work together to create a simultaneously folksy and menacing sound, especially once the bowed bass comes in. I’ve been a fan every since I heard this piece while watching a speedrun, and though I???ve never played the Diablo games, I’m also thoroughly impressed by Harrogath from the Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction soundtrack and some of his lusher, more romantic themes, which (un-coincidentally) show the influence of Russell Brower.
Akira Yamaoka is one of my favorite vgm composers. Although the music recommendations focus on his melodic work, the Silent Hill series is a model of how to write effective dissonant music to serve a narrative. It’s just a cherry on top that his melodic music is equally chilling and invigorating. Killing Time, Ordinary Vanity, Breeze in Monochrome Night (and half of the Silent Hill 3 soundtrack along with it), and Tender Sugar are all among my favorite pieces of vgm–many of them so powerful that I remember when and where I first heard them.
Kenji Ito was part of the wave of Square composers who produced career-defining work in the 90s, then left the company in the early 2000s. He is also part of the Tobal No. 1 (http://vgmdb.net/album/20) club of composers that makes seven degrees of video game composers a lot easier to play. Though Ito made a name for himself with Final Fantasy Legend II, he got a chance to show off his real chops when chosen for the Romancing SaGa series on the Super Famicom (a series with very cool graphics for that era, as well). With that opportunity, he established himself as a premier composer for battle themes. Just as one example, listen to the jittery bass and keyboards go back and forth on our SaGa Frontier selection.
My votes are for Matt Uelmen and Akira Yamaoka.
For the other battle, I have to go with Akira Yamaoka, despite him having broken my heart with the Shadows Of The Damned soundtrack. On the other hand, Theme Of Laura (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYsdw4Vwx8). He’s probably the most unique vgm composer of all time and there aren’t many other musicians who share his style even outside of vgm. I’m hoping he can return triumphantly with whatever his next project is.
Kenji Ito
Akira Yamaoka
Akira Yamaoka
anyway, Kenji Ito.
Akira Yamaoka
Round 1, Fight 31 // The Composers Rumble
Inon Zur
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5APshEyS68&list=PLB53ADEA78036B1FC&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inon_Zur), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1411), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=inon+zur+interview&oq=inon+zur+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1g-K2&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0j0i30l2.12670.13521.67.13658.8.8.0.0.0 .4.295.1006.0j5j1.6.0…0.0.j68jcn2CJ6o&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/InonZur)
vs.
David Bergeaud
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D60HTdBckxM&list=PL12BD14A1C75A6DA5&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bergeaud), Discography (http://www.musipolis.com/NEWSITE08/DavidCredits08.html), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=david+bergeaud+interview&oq=david+bergeaud+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.11113.13799.68.14017.17.16.1.0.0.6 .194.1862.4j12.16.0…0.0.wjB4NfIHrDo&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://www.facebook.com/dbergeaud)
————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 32 // The Composers Rumble
Hirokazu Ando
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oERm213GIuI&list=PLCFAD743E3258AE8C&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://www.giantbomb.com/hirokazu-ando/72-59136/), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/475), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=hirokazu+ando+interview&oq=hirokazu+ando+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…11419.14207.69.14429.16.15.1.0.0.6.206 .1784.3j11j1.15.0…0.0.nyr8CznRAkw&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://www.facebook.com/HirokazuAndoFanpage)
vs.
Martin Galway
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFYzjU-C3mA&list=PL0B2C28AFD26B418F&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Galway), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1298), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=martin+galway+interview&oq=martin+galway+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0.13809.15201.70.15387.13.13.0.0.0.5.23 6.1811.2j10j1.13.0…0.0.0ikAzhkz8xM&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/hazard0us/)
Besides having one of the coolest names among all video game composers, Inon Zur is a rare breed for (a) being reknowned despite working on video games solely after the turn of the 21st century and (b) starting in film music and then turning to vgm. His name is attached to so many major franchises, it???s difficult to know where to start: Fallout, Baldur???s Gate, Icewind Dale, SOCOM, Warhammer, Prince of Persia, Twisted Metal, EverQuest, Crysis, Dragon Age, Soul Calibur. I mean, wow. Perhaps one knock on him is that he’s constantly on the move, a journeyman who???s been associated with big name acts but who hasn’t established a signature style for one series. But Dragon Age may soon change that perception. His body of work, for those willing to give him more than a cursory glance, speaks for itself. You can definitely hear the filmic qualities in his compositions and his comfort level with an orchestra.
There aren???t a lot of French composers in video game music, and David Bergeaud has only been in the mainstream for about a decade. But you probably know his work from the Ratchet and Clank series. To match the frenetic action on-screen, he created frenetic electronic music with strong, short, repeating melodies over big bass lines. ???Mechanical??? doesn???t quite cover it, because there is so much energy and speed in his work that it remains based in emotion and tension, with real stakes and real danger conveyed.
Hirokazu Ando has still got it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ejhcrkDlxQ). He???s not the biggest public figure. But the world knows Kirby and his music, the defining work of Ando???s career. And gamers certainly know the first two Smash Bros. openings. Were his original compositions a featured part of those games? Without a doubt, no. But his ability to communicate an atmosphere of fun and excitement out of a five-second melody is admirable, his pieces worked well to bookend the games he worked on, he did not disappoint on an extremely high-profile project, and his arrangements remained true to the originals while offering enough to work as, essentially, battle themes. Check out Arcana, too, for something outside of his comfort zone. It???s almost universally the case that becoming the principle composer of a franchise is a better situation for a composer than picking up project after project from one company or another, but it can become stylistically restrictive, too. Listen to how he breaks out with this one.
One of the geniuses of the early years, Martin Galway is historically important to video game composition. But that???s about as sexy as saying that you should read Puritan literature because it helped form American identity. Martin Galway is on this list because his work still stands strong. To say he worked on Comic Bakery, Green Beret, the Ocean Loader games, Yie Ar Kung Fu, the Neverending Story, Wizball, and Rastan is akin to listing Inon Zur???s modern-day achievements. More recently, he composed for Wing Commander (http://www.youtube.com/user/DaveCaspermeyer/videos?view=1) and Starlancer and today is the audio director at Certain Affinity, who have done work for the Halo franchise. Is it any surprise he has such musical talent? Not if you know who his uncle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLXTmgURSTs) is.
My votes are for Inon Zur and Martin Galway.
Hirokazu Ando
What do you know? I voted against Arthur on both counts.
Frankly I think Galway’s music lags way behind Hubbard, Follin, Tel, and the rest of the C64 crew. And while I realize he probably didn’t even know what game he was composing for when he did Yie Ar Kung Fu, it’s terribly disappointing considering how interesting a SID approach to Higashino’s music (www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OOm4CyFutQ) could have been.
Hirokazu Ando
Hirokazu Ando
Never heard of Galway before but I dig the Comic Bakery music. I’ma have to go with Hirokazu Ando though.
Martin Galway
Round 2, Fight 1 // The Composers Rumble
Russell Brower
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXoFxYutRm4&list=PL10FB3AB03D072F09&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Brower), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/4930), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=russell+brower+interview&oq=russell+brower+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.18723.20395.23.20523.14.14.0.0.0.6 .202.1741.5j8j1.14.0…0.0.G3J-R2d6gb8&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/Hordeland)
vs.
Tommy Tallarico
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OtrgZ2r2GA&list=PL1AAF8FE86E18F001&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Tallarico), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/502), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=tommy+tallarico+interview&oq=tommy+tallarico+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.15960.18500.48.18711.15.15.0.0.0.3 .188.1721.4j11.15.0…0.0.m-vFIg76sQs&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/tommytallarico)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2 // The Composers Rumble
Inon Zur
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5APshEyS68&list=PLB53ADEA78036B1FC&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inon_Zur), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1411), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=inon+zur+interview&oq=inon+zur+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1g-K2&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0j0i30l2.12670.13521.67.13658.8.8.0.0.0 .4.295.1006.0j5j1.6.0…0.0.j68jcn2CJ6o&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/InonZur)
vs.
Koji Kondo
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGX4obVl64w&list=PL73FF0E9B512BD0A9&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koji_Kondo), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/190), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&gs_mss=koji%20interview&pq=motoaki%20takenouchi%20interview&cp=7&gs_id=24u&xhr=t&q=koji+kondo+interview&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&oq=koji+ko+interview&aq=0c&aqi=g-c1g-b1&aql=&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Koji-Kondo/112302688785506?rf=112031528809841)
First up, we have Russell Brower, one of Blizzard???s in-house composers alongside Glenn Stafford. Between the two, Brower is closer to a romantic film composer, using orchestral arrangements to create structured narrative pieces and mystical location themes, as opposed to Stafford???s looping atmospheres for player-controlled parts of the game. As with these selections, Brower’s work is often lush and romantic (Thread 67222).
Tommy Tallarico has a way of getting inside people’s heads. My sister knows absolutely nothing about video game music. But I convinced her to come to Video Games Live, and she will never forget him (). He is self-indulgent, he is strident, he is small. But he is a big stage presence, and he is hilarious. He has talent. He has big ideas that make people question if he has a strong enough body of work to back up the outspokenness. He has done a lot of good for video game music. His silliness is, at least in part, a consciously constructed artifice. He makes people laugh. He makes people talk. And by expanding on what Koichi Sugiyama started by hosting worldwide orchestral concerts of video game music, he converts people, almost every day, to our shared belief that video game music can be just as powerful and enduring as any work from any other genre.
Besides having one of the coolest names among all video game composers, Inon Zur is a rare breed for (a) being reknowned despite working on video games solely after the turn of the 21st century and (b) starting in film music and then turning to vgm. His name is attached to so many major franchises, it???s difficult to know where to start: Fallout, Baldur???s Gate, Icewind Dale, SOCOM, Warhammer, Prince of Persia, Twisted Metal, EverQuest, Crysis, Dragon Age, Soul Calibur. I mean, wow. Perhaps one knock on him is that he’s constantly on the move, a journeyman who???s been associated with big name acts but who hasn’t established a signature style for one series. But Dragon Age may soon change that perception. His body of work, for those willing to give him more than a cursory glance, speaks for itself. You can definitely hear the filmic qualities in his compositions and his comfort level with an orchestra.
Koji Kondo is quite possibly the most important composer of our generation. Not only did he give the world the Mario and Zelda scores, but he turned video game music into a commodity. For almost 10 years, the Super Mario Bros. overworld theme has been one of the most downloaded ringtones in the world. Kondo’s music has been covered, remixed, arranged, and orchestrated thousands of times. On top of that, he is an master of what Sergei Eisenstein calls the synchronization of senses, using sound design to create vital, profound associations with the on-screen action (for example, a jump in SMB gives you an complimentary boing, in effect rewarding you for moving the character). On top of all that, he has grown as a composer right in front of us, expanding his celebrity as he built on two life-defining soundtracks with the equally compelling work of their immediate sequels, with his experiments in arrangement in Super Mario World and later Ocarina of Time, with his expanding field of reference in SMW 2 and Majora???s Mask, with the triumphant, mature, orchestral dynamism of Wind Waker and Super Mario Galaxy, and so on. The level of cultural saturation is such that people who have never played a video game can hum along with his music. On top of all that, he has helped train members of his own generation of composers and even the generation after him. He is so important that if you were to say, ???I have never heard a Koji Kondo piece I liked,??? not only would you (probably) be lying, but you???d still have to acknowledge the significance of his celebrity, marketability, and influence. We are here to judge the quality of the music separate from these considerations, but they are nonetheless important reminders of how we got to be a global community of video game music lovers. I’d wager Kondo played a role, directly or indirectly, with all of us.
My votes are for Russell Brower and Koji Kondo.
Tommy Tallarico
And Koji Kondo of course.
Koji Kondo
Koji Kondo
Round 2, Fight 3 // The Composers Rumble
Jack Wall
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFw0gbQk23M&list=PLDEAE2A6F5EBF4191&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Wall_%28composer%29), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/993), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=jack+wall+interview&oq=jack+wall+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1g-K1g-bK1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0j0i30j0i8i30.12138.13454.42.13656.10.9 .0.0.0.5.414.1608.2j5j0j1j1.9.0…0.0.sxCdTls71pw&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/jackwallmusic)
vs.
Miki Higashino
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFT-wcyT-TU&list=PL5AB8D3D96564FEFA&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miki_Higashino), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/191), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=miki+higashino+interview&oq=miki+higashino+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-b1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i8.26425.28514.56.28753.14.10.0.0.0.3. 619.1462.0j2j1j1j0j1.5.0…0.0.wGdkyYv-SyQ&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Miki-Higashino/107916719231624?v=photos)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 4 // The Composers Rumble
Koichi Sugiyama
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntmk5aHaPQ4&list=PLE98C67AECBC289B4&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koichi_Sugiyama), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/114), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=koichi+sugiyama+interview&oq=koichi+sugiyama+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.14500.17426.29.17527.17.16.1.0.0.7 .202.1999.6j9j1.16.0…0.0.B68gHd7awvI&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Koichi-Sugiyama/113041356410)
vs.
Hirokazu Ando
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oERm213GIuI&list=PLCFAD743E3258AE8C&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://www.giantbomb.com/hirokazu-ando/72-59136/), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/475), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=hirokazu+ando+interview&oq=hirokazu+ando+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…11419.14207.69.14429.16.15.1.0.0.6.206 .1784.3j11j1.15.0…0.0.nyr8CznRAkw&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://www.facebook.com/HirokazuAndoFanpage)
Jack Wall has become better known in the last few years as the conductor of Video Games Live and the composer behind Mass Effect, but before he was the understated guy standing next to Tommy Tallarico (a role most people would play in that situation), he was an award-winning industry leader breathing new life into the Myst franchise. Myst III’s soundtrack garnered him a nomination for best original soundtrack from the AIAS, but Myst IV’s soundtrack won him three Game Audio Network Guild awards, including Music of the Year, and three other nominations. Since then, Rise of the Kasai, Jade Empire, Mass Effect, and Mass Effect 2 have all been frequently nominated for awards, with Jade Empire and Mass Effect winning best soundtrack trophies.
Many of you all already know how much I love Miki Higashino. Suikoden and Suikoden II are two of my favorite games of all time, and the specific moment when I began loving that series, which I still remember in detail, was when I entered Seika for the first time and heard Eternal Flow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNeOCMKU2V8) and I put my controller down and thought, ???God damn, the music in this game is incredible.??? Her entire career has been like that. Gradius, Yie Ar Kung Fu, LifeForce, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (arcade), Contra III, Vandal Hearts, 10,000 Bullets (aka Moolit Shadow, aka Tsukiyo ni Saraba, a jazzy collaboration with Yasunori Mitsuda). That???s a pretty solid resume. In recent years, she has settled down with her family, but we can only hope the right project will come along to entice her out of retirement.
The ???Big Boss of Video Game Music??? didn???t start in video games. Surprisingly, he was the director of a major broadcasting corporation, but felt in his heart he should be writing music instead. I???ll bet that was a dip in his annual income. Like Soule, he also got his start by writing a letter to a video game company (Enix in his case). From then on out, his destiny would be hitched to Dragon Quest. Incredibly, it was all the way back in 1987 that he staged his first orchestral concert of video game music, a year after releasing a CD of orchestral arrangements of Dragon Quest. Though it would take years for global popular culture to more noticeably appreciate video game music with any seriousness, Sugiyama played perhaps the most important role making people realize that the music could stand on its own.
Hirokazu Ando has still got it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ejhcrkDlxQ). He???s not the biggest public figure. But the world knows Kirby and his music, the defining work of Ando???s career. And gamers certainly know the first two Smash Bros. openings. Were his original compositions a featured part of those games? Without a doubt, no. But his ability to communicate an atmosphere of fun and excitement out of a five-second melody is admirable, his pieces worked well to bookend the games he worked on, he did not disappoint on an extremely high-profile project, and his arrangements remained true to the originals while offering enough to work as, essentially, battle themes. Check out Arcana, too, for something outside of his comfort zone. It???s almost universally the case that becoming the principle composer of a franchise is a better situation for a composer than picking up project after project from one company or another, but it can become stylistically restrictive, too. Listen to how he breaks out with this one.
My votes are for Miki Higashino and Koichi Sugiyama.
Hirokazu Ando
Koichi Sugiyama
Koichi Sugiyama
Koichi Sugiyama
– Ever seen the disastrous Super Mario Bros. Special (http://www.metafilter.com/118923/Special-Mario-Bros) for the PC-88?
– Classic video game ads (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65846913@N02/sets/72157627449293880/with/6049921007/)
– Video game photoshops (http://thechive.com/2012/08/15/game-on-35-photos/)
Koichi Sugiyama
Round 2, Fight 5 // The Composers Rumble
Michiko Naruke
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=empT3vtj90o&list=PL24ACDFCF6BCCBDEE&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michiko_Naruke), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/391), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=michiko+naruke+interview&oq=michiko+naruke+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.16381.18568.35.18690.16.15.1.0.0.7 .311.1991.2j12j0j1.15.0…0.0.DdBs_sxR-Mg&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907), Social (https://twitter.com/narupon)
vs.
David Wise
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ9xwkMr3e4&list=PL644E405D793234FF&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wise_%28composer%29), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/507), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=david+wise+interview&oq=david+wise+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1g-K1g-bK2&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0j0i30j0i8i30l2.12437.13451.39.13567.10 .10.0.0.0.2.121.967.5j5.10.0…0.0.N2S-P85SXpk&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/david_wise)
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Round 2, Fight 6 // The Composers Rumble
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUfJj04uDFY&list=PL50C0C2CA15EFF930&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitoshi_Sakimoto), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/112), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=hitoshi+sakimoto+interview&oq=hitoshi+sakimoto+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0.10355.12817.41.13034.20.17.1.0.0.10.3 16.2287.1j13j0j1.15.0…0.0.i3pJ8ko78QM&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907), Social (http://www.facebook.com/HitoshiSakimoto?sk=wall)
vs.
Noriko Matsueda
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPPugQHTQ5Q&list=PL49FEC66FBBD3AAEC&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noriko_Matsueda), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/225), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=noriko+matsueda+interview&oq=noriko+matsueda+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…202920.205553.1.205645.15.15.0.0.0.7.1 89.1707.2j12.14.0…0.0._0v_XGSEdsE&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=5a9e2f4e506b37d1&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Noriko-Matsueda/105605539473271)
Long before Wild Arms, Michiko Naruke was tearing it up with Valis 3 and Psycho Dream. But, of course, Wild Arms is her masterpiece, introducing Wild West themes and gestures into the world of video game music. She wasn’t the first, nor the last, but she is the best, and any time a soundtrack contains acoustic guitar and whistling it seems to be a nod at Michiko. Interestingly, Naruke is a huge fan of Jerry Goldsmith and Johann Sebastian Bach and owns an original score by Bach.
Here are the notable soundtracks David Wise has worked on or wholly created: Wizards and Warriors I-III, R.C. Pro-Am, Marble Madness, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Solar Jetman, Battletoads, Donkey Kong Country 1-3, Diddy Kong Racing, Star Fox Adventures, It???s Mr. Pants, and Viva Pinata. As a composer for Rare from 1985-2009, he has written some of the most enduring themes in video game music history, including Aquatic Ambience. Many of his works are classics of their respective consoles. And he???s still going. Not bad. Arguably, he is the most important and influential western composer in all of video game music.
Hitoshi Sakimoto has forcefully staked his claim as a major composer. Perhaps no Final Fantasy soundtrack is as much a lightning rod for debate as Final Fantasy XII. Perhaps no soundtrack has been lauded more than Vagrant Story in our rumbles. Perhaps no composer, other than Sugiyama, is as adept at using an orchestra not just to add oomph to a melody, but to actually variegate it enough while adding texture and tone color in interesting ways to take the compositions to a level of extraordinary achievement.
Square???s longtime backup composer, Matsueda worked in small roles or on small IPs until Front Mission 2 and Final Fantasy X-2 gave her a chance to shine. Maybe less notable, but still interesting, is her contribution to Chrono Trigger: a badass battle track on our list of recommendations. You???ll find her work is jazzy and a little funky, typically using organ and wah guitars.
My votes are for David Wise and Hitoshi Sakimoto.
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Noriko Matsueda
Round 2, Fight 7 // The Composers Rumble
Hayato Matsuo
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFSF6RhFJak&list=PL0C970CC451E341B4&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayato_Matsuo), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/296), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=hayato+matsuo+interview&oq=hayato+matsuo+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…14395.16109.21.16312.14.14.0.0.0.5.144 .1584.1j13.14.0…0.0.QAAA4-JhzjA&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hayato-Matsuo/104041916299035)
vs.
Yoko Shimomura
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLJLyneZGKc&list=PLE64B2BAA70FFFF58&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Shimomura), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/139), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=yoko+shimomura+interview&oq=yoko+shimo+interview&aq=0c&aqi=g-c1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3.0.0i7.26502.28115.5.29235.10.10.0.0.0.3. 189.1210.2j8.10.0…0.0.6Q_BKIsO9Dw&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/midiplex)
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Round 2, Fight 8 // The Composers Rumble
Junichi Masuda
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54vHS-Uwtp8&list=PLE351AB3DFB125495&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junichi_Masuda), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/691), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=junichi+masuda+interview&oq=junichi+masuda+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-l1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i13.12031.14124.28.14210.16.16.0.0.0.3 .193.1680.3j11.14.0…0.0.6VXmzibbnTU&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (https://twitter.com/junichi_masuda)
vs.
Jeremy Soule
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSQszBHMHHc&list=PL97E1FFCF0C95B473&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Soule), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/431), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=jeremy+soule+interview&oq=jeremy+soule+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-c1g1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i7j0.5377.6423.15.6515.12.11.0.0.0.7.1 84.1382.3j7.10.0…0.0.u-hkgf_FqJ4&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeremy-Soule/113212795356312)
Matsuo is in the mold of other contributing composers like Noriko Matsueda, Hajime Wakai, and Junya Nakano, who didn???t often get the spotlight. Nevertheless, their work shines through. Final Fantasy XII may his most famous credit, but I love the tracks from Master of Monsters (so much atmosphere from a Genesis track!), Ogre Battle, and Front Mission 3 as well.
Yoko Shimomura is, of course, important for several reasons. As a video game composer, she ranks among the best to have ever lived. Her work spans three decades and many genres, is instantly recognizable around the world, and is consistently of a high quality. On top of that, she is a female composer who has asserted herself in a male-dominated profession, opening doors for many other female composers. On top of that, she has trained, encouraged, and influenced an entire generation of composers. It’s difficult to limit her career into five representative songs because there’s just so much of it that should be heard. Besides Street Fighter II, Super Mario RPG, Parasite Eve, Legend of Mana, and Kingdom Hearts, you could just as easily check out Adventures in the Magic Kingdom (no kidding), Buster Brothers, The King of Dragons, Breath of Fire, Live A Live, Front Mission, Xenoblade, and the rest of the Kingdom Hearts series. I like the five songs we’ve got just because you can go from one to the next and say, "Wait. The person who created Guile’s Theme also created Beware the Forest Mushrooms? And Primal Eyes? And Nostalgic Song? And Dearly Beloved?" They’re all so different and distinctive.
Junichi Masuda???s work is often diminished to one series (Pokemon in his case). Understandably so. The franchise is one of the most lucrative in the world, which is to say that???s a lot of pressure he withstood to create memorable music, and the rewards of that effort are the nostalgia and fervor of a loving fanbase. Yet any retrospective on his career must include Pulseman, too, which is a Genesis classic.
Jeremy Soule’s career, as I’ve written about a few times before, is one of my favorite stories in the business. He was a teenager from Keokuk, Iowa???a weird kid who began writing music around the age of five and annoyed his teachers by turning in musical notation instead of his math homework. By the sixth grade, he was taking private lessons from Western Illinois University faculty members, eventually earning the equivalent of a Master???s degree before he graduated high school. He wasn’t as devoted to classical music as he was video games, though, a culture he believed would earn legitimacy from better music composition. So he did something that took massive balls???he made a cassette tape of his music and sent it to Square and LucasArts with a letter explaining that this is what he thought video game music should aspire to. Despite being the unlikeliest of scenarios, Square listened to the tape and made Soule an employee within two weeks of mailing the letter, immediately assigning him to score Evermore, their Q4 follow-up to Front Mission, Chrono Trigger, and Seiken Densetsu 3. It was an insanely high-profile project for a teenager who???d never worked on a video game before, and he nailed it, which is perhaps a useful reminder in the power of boldness (http://chrisyeh.blogspot.com/2006/06/quote-of-day-boldness-has-genius.html), especially in artistic endeavors.
My votes are for Yoko Shimomura and Jeremy Soule.
Jeremy Soule
Jeremy Soule
Jeremy Soule
Jeremy Soule
Whether that happens or not, here’s a little rumble nostalgia for you historians and old-timers: SupraDarky’s VGM of the Day (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQGc9rG5qKo) for today was also the winner of our Aquatic Themes Rumble almost three years ago.
Jeremy Soule
Jeremy Soule
Overkill
Round 2, Fight 9 // The Composers Rumble
Shoji Meguro
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4loSMvSUy5Q&list=PL88D9B7B19A64C4BC&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dji_Meguro), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/983), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=shoji+meguro+interview&oq=shoji+meguro+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0.23203.24810.7.24970.13.13.0.0.0.2.191 .1396.6j7.13.0…0.0.rW4puC2j6ak&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sh%C5%8Dji-Meguro/108048675884968?rf=108613029170737)
vs.
Yasunori Mitsuda
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjvqzDaK0c&list=PLB3BEC3D253EA8DF3&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasunori_Mitsuda), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/146), Interview (https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=yasunori+mitsuda+interview&oq=yasunori+mitsuda+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1g-bK1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0j0i8i30.1589.6016.0.6157.31.22.2.5.5.0 .262.2435.8j11j2.21.0…0.0.QST4UeHgA8s&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=35cee4a8be45ec82&biw=1280&bih=855), Social (http://www.facebook.com/yasunori.mitsuda)
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Round 2, Fight 10 // The Composers Rumble
Yasuaki "Bun Bun" Fujita
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2yEBE2ueuQ&list=PLD0AE462FF9DB307C&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bun_Bun), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/189), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=yasuaki+fujita+interview&oq=yasuaki+fujita+interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3…15603.18435.8.18545.16.15.1.0.0.6.222. 1922.5j9j1.15.0…0.0.686qe__clM0&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bun-Bun/104106776291185?rf=112047245480664)
vs.
Kenji Yamamoto
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmG-Af0LK88&list=PLC972CBED72A4B8E7&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenji_Yamamoto_%28composer_born_1964%29), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/693), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=kenji+yamamoto+interview&oq=kenji+yamamoto+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0.17891.20172.11.20327.16.16.0.0.0.5.19 5.1854.4j12.16.0…0.0.M0kVp00mZ1E&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kenji-Yamamoto/139153592824834?rf=209811782370232)
Shoji Meguro is, of course, the man behind the music for the Shin Megami Tensei series. Although he has worked on other high-profile projects, any conversation about him has to start and end with SMT. I???ve seen him called a rock composer, and while there is a lot of rock music on his soundtracks, I think that label sells him short in a terrible way. Start out with our five selections to see what I mean.
Mitsuda is one of the all-time greats and linked above are some of his all-time classic compositions. You’ve got the flute and violin motif from Time’s Scar, the entrancing gamelan in Time’s Circuits, and the beautiful arrangement of June Mermaid???all of which are representative of the quality on the rest of those soundtracks. Mitsuda is so good, he Rick Roll’d us with Robo???s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ8xce9HtD8) and we didn???t even care.
Bun Bun is another god of the NES era, like Kodaka???with a legacy tied to Capcom platformers. You may be aware of the awesomeness that is Mega Man 3???s title theme. He also worked on several show and movie tie-ins with Disney, which Capcom always seemed to hit out of the park, despite the poor work of LJN and others on similar titles. Bun Bun???s gifts lie mainly in creating memorable melodies.
Kenji Yamamoto had the unenviable job of carrying on Hip Tanaka’s Metroid legacy once the series graduated to the Super Nintendo. If he wasn’t already a legend by that point for his NES work, he was after Super Metroid came out. And if some people forgot about him by the time the GameCube was released, he again proved his worth. He’s not a flashy composer with a big public persona, nor is his music demanding on your attention. But he is brilliant in creating atmospheres and environments that deepen the games he works on. In that regard, he is just like another one of the game’s storytellers.
My votes are for Yasunori Mitsuda and Kenji Yamamoto.
Kenji Yamamoto
Kenji Yamamoto
Kenji Yamamoto
Yasuaki Fujita
Jeez, poor Bun Bun. Voting down the guy who (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91qHSO084FI) brought (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkr7jJpbzLg) us (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrtwxZ5H6iE) Mega Man 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egE5j-1eiZE) and Breath of Fire? I hope people didn’t just jump on the shutout bandwagon here.
Round 2, Fight 11 // The Composers Rumble
Stephen Rippy
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Mql9PBUzKA&list=PL7B496ACD1B1E7852&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Rippy), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1408), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=stephen+rippy+interview&oq=stephen+rippy+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.15075.16786.32.16945.14.14.0.0.0.2 .167.1543.4j10.14.0…0.0.0rXUGf-RJpo&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907), Social (http://www.facebook.com/stephenrippymusic)
vs.
Motoaki Takenouchi
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaOlDwRyjjI&list=PL2625B825E1FCEE9D&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motoaki_Takenouchi), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/630), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&gs_mss=grant%20kir%20interview&pq=grant%20kirkhope%20interview&cp=19&gs_id=23u&xhr=t&q=Motoaki%20Takenouchi%20%20interview&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&oq=Motoaki+Takenouchi++interview&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Motoaki-Takenouchi/103132699727741?sk=info)
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Round 2, Fight 12 // The Composers Rumble
Motoi Sakuraba
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP0kamtR5UI&list=PLEFABC6AFBA3E3A2A&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motoi_Sakuraba), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/166), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=motoi+sakuraba+interview&oq=motoi+sakuraba+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0.18842.20496.12.20670.14.14.0.0.0.3.13 4.1520.5j9.14.0…0.0.Oud70ZCKj_s&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Motoi-Sakuraba/54496443014)
vs.
Chris H???lsbeck
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbGMJ-jli8Q&list=PL85D04B93856501EA&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_H%C3%BClsbeck), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1164), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=chris+huelsbeck+interview&oq=chris+huelsbeck+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.1142081.1145378.2.1145573.25.20.4. 0.0.6.167.2236.7j13.20.0…0.0.lYj5X_BQibc&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=5a9e2f4e506b37d1&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/Chris_Huelsbeck)
Stephen Rippy is a hard man to pin down. Just listen to Chocolate Outline and tell me what genre that song fits into. It’s got Spanish-style guitars, rotary electric guitars, autoharp, synthesized tubular bells, atmospheric pings with long reverberating echos, a kalimba solo, and a rocking bassline that, if louder, would fit perfectly into a Rage against the Machine song. Do we just lump this into world music? Electronic music? Whatever you want to call it, it’s awesome. And more than that, it’s a nice emblem of the open borders approach video game music has long held toward genre mixing.
Motoaki Takenouchi is the man behind much of the Shining series and a star of 90s Sega games. In college he studied under Koichi Sugiyama at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (where he was also classmates with Hayato Matsuo). Jewel Master, his first soundtrack, shows off his jazz tendencies with swung notes and little delays, his unusual choices of patches (such as in "King Turtle" or "The Gate of Delirium"), and his gift for creating atmosphere (ala ???Time to Kill???). He???s also great at creating frenetic electronic beats, as you???ll hear.
Motoi Sakuraba is progressive rock personified, from the hair to the crushed velvet shirt to the long, jazzy keyboard solos. He was the go-to guy for the Wolf Team and tri-Ace and has been hitched to several franchises over the years as the grandfathered-in composer, much like Uematsu was. Yet Sakuraba is not as well-known or well-respected as Uematsu despite the extraordinary quantity and quality of his work. Fans of his music can find many, many reused themes and nods between one franchise and another on his soundtracks, if you go looking, which adds to the fun.
Huelsbeck is one of the kings of the the Commodore and Amiga, beginning his career as a teenager working roughly alongside the NES era with much better hardware, some of which he designed himself. He’s most often associated with The Great Giana Sisters (an infamous Super Mario Bros. rip-off) and the Turrican series. But since the launches of the Symphonic Game Music Concert series and Arnie Roth’s projects, Huelsbeck’s music for Apidya and R-Type (the Amiga and Commodore versions) has gotten recognition as well. With much of his music, you’ll hear one of the hallmarks of early Commodore music–using a very quick arpeggio to create a trilling note, almost as if the note has been shot and is exploding. With the Turrican music especially, you can hear his affection for driving electronica beats and slow-building synths.
My votes are for Motoaki Takenouchi and Motoi Sakuraba.
Motoi Sakuraba.
Stephen Rippy
Chris H???lsbeck
Motoi Sakuraba
Motoi Sakuraba
Round 2, Fight 13 // The Composers Rumble
Hiroki Kikuta
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33d6EK2HykM&list=PLD0DA289C66300CB9&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroki_Kikuta), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/140), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=hiroki+kikuta+interview&oq=hiroki+kikuta+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.12788.14616.60.14809.14.14.0.0.0.2 .189.1626.5j9.14.0…0.0.CT3Qb91DDag&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://www.facebook.com/hiroki.kikuta?ref=pymk)
vs.
Bobby Prince
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSsfjHCFosw&list=PLDA06C3E8E361F6A1&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Prince), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1296), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=bobby+prince+interview&oq=bobby+princ+interview&aq=0lK&aqi=g-lK1&aql=&gs_l=hp.1.0.0i13i30.15633.16926.26.18935.11.9.0.0. 0.3.410.1572.3j3j1j1j1.9.0…0.0.J2jMlPrjRQ4&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://bobbyprincemusic.blogspot.com/)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 14 // The Composers Rumble
Akira Yamaoka
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgr-ZSZSSwA&list=PLBFD0324B1C6F9855&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Yamaoka), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/749), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=akira+yamaoka+interview&oq=akira+yamaoka+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1g-K3&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0j0i30l3.13859.15312.65.15711.13.11.0.0 .0.5.444.1760.4j6j4-1.11.0…0.0.eqomTOxa6rQ&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/akirayamaoka)
vs.
Michiru Yamane
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLOcT25ph9k&list=PL6E4059C4DF43FA61&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michiru_Yamane), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/334), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=michiru+yamane+interview&oq=michiru+yamane+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.11826.17521.20.17933.18.17.1.0.0.8 .277.2400.2j11j3.17.0…0.0.BWsmvJoPWAM&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michiru-Yamane/188716184533032)
Hiroki Kikuta is the wunderkind who blew up on Secret of Mana and Seiken Densetsu 3, then made some unwise (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/49.html#post1703178) career choices that took him into the world of Chinese MMORPGs and nearly out of video games entirely. Nevertheless, his work has stood the test of time and it is good to read that, unlike so many others (Tim Follin, Miki Higashino, and on and on), he???s still in the game, most recently sharing composition duties on Soul Calibur V. Conversations about his music often focus on the pretty melodies in the Mana games (fair enough), but check out the melodic percussion throughout Seiken Densetsu 3 or the unusual arrangements in Koudelka and Soukaigi. He always has something interesting going on.
Bobby Prince???s name will forever be, in popular lore, connected to one franchise: DOOM. At Doom???s Gate is certainly one of the most recognizable video game themes in existence. And the Metallica scandal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IXNpPhfk1s), credible or not, has probably helped further pigeonhole him to that one series. But you???re doing yourself a disservice if you don???t check out the soundtrack for Duke Nukem 3D. The Saturn arrangements (meaning, simply, better samples) are particularly fun.
Akira Yamaoka is one of my favorite vgm composers. Although the music recommendations focus on his melodic work, the Silent Hill series is a model of how to write effective dissonant music to serve a narrative. It’s just a cherry on top that his melodic music is equally chilling and invigorating. Killing Time, Ordinary Vanity, Breeze in Monochrome Night (and half of the Silent Hill 3 soundtrack along with it), and Tender Sugar are all among my favorite pieces of vgm–many of them so powerful that I remember when and where I first heard them.
Yamane wasn???t the founding composer for Castlevania or Suikoden, but she sure kept both series vital. It was a pain to choose five songs for her because there were too many deserving options. Rocket Knight Adventures isn???t even on the list. Legend.
My votes are for Hiroki Kikuta and Akira Yamaoka.
Michiru Yamane even though it’s a tough call. Yamaoka is cool.
Michiru Yamane
Bobby Prince
Akira Yamaoka
Hiroki Kikuta
Michiru Yamane
Akira Yamaoka
Round 2, Fight 15 // The Composers Rumble
Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyw8GFkZhxQ&list=PL319030C7C739BFDF&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirokazu_Tanaka), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/363), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=hirokazu+tanaka+interview&oq=hirokazu+t+interview&aq=0b&aqi=g-b1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3.0.0i8.12967.16088.55.17141.12.11.1.0.0.4 .153.1250.3j8.11.0…0.0.4TxEfh33Vrc&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.hirokazutanaka.com/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhirokazu%2Btanaka%2Bofficial%26hl%3De n%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3Di5E%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D855%26prmd%3Dimvn so&sa=X&ei=n7sWUNmzH6jG6AHt64HwAg&ved=0CFAQ7gEwAQ)
vs.
Nobuo Uematsu
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ&list=PL4562BAE6D669BE02&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuo_Uematsu), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/77), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&gs_mss=nobuinterview&pq=jeremy%20soule%20interview&cp=6&gs_id=q7&xhr=t&q=nobuo+uematsu+interview&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&oq=nobuo+interview&aq=0c&aqi=g-c1g-K1g-bK2&aql=&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (https://twitter.com/#!/uematsunobuo)
————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 16 // The Composers Rumble
Shogo Sakai
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A-imFwZcHs&list=PL681F00EBA25D75D6&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php?title=Shogo_Sakai), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/989), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=shogo+sakai+interview&oq=shogo+sakai+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.11612.13085.45.13260.11.11.0.0.0.5 .182.1242.3j8.11.0…0.0.KhFaDiJN8wE&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (https://twitter.com/shogo_sakai)
vs.
Matt Uelmen
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8jJJXgNLo4&list=PLDF00647A83CC4E15&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Uelmen), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1374), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=matt+uelmen+interview&oq=matt+uelmen+interview&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0.10176.11877.64.12035.12.12.0.0.0.1.12 4.1185.6j6.12.0…0.0.Tydmm7839_w&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=907 ), Social (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Matt-Uelmen/113651341978913?sk=info)
If you go back to the video game crash of 1983 and start following the bread crumbs to video games??? resurrection, Hip Tanaka???s name sure shows up a lot. But to stick to our purposes, as a composer, he created some of the most enduring themes of the NES era, including one of my all-time favorite chiptunes, the Metroid title theme, which arose from his desire to attempt a more atmospheric, horror-movie-like soundtrack than what had previously been heard on the Famicom. Read here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/21.html#post1439700) for an old post where I invent a word trying to describe this song. Besides Metroid, you???ve got the jazz-tinged Dr. Mario and Super Mario Land, the stop-start wackiness of Mother and Earthbound, the heroic themes of Kid Icarus, the shudder-inducing jingle for video game???s most famous taunt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoacaodENm8), and the original compositions in the GameBoy version of Tetris.
Koji Kondo may have written the most universally recognizable music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGX4obVl64w) from a video game, but Uematsu is, in my mind, the better composer. My wife, who is a classical composer and has absolutely no interest in video games whatsoever, has gone the whole gamut from avoiding my room when I’m playing vgm, to showing mild interest as she started to recognize Uematsu’s music, to asking to hear more of his stuff, to humming Terra’s theme while working without realizing she’s doing it, to buying tickets when she found out Video Games Live was coming to our town. He’s not untouchable. His stature as a vgm god has invited criticism, some of it merited. Some of his work has become self-indulgent and bloated. Sometimes I don’t know what he’s thinking. But I can’t think of another composer who has done so much quality work over such a long time; who has so often ennobled cartoonish, poorly-written characters and transformed throwaway scenes into haunting, unforgettable moments in the canon of video game history; who has played a crucial and dramatic role in the turnaround of a failing company; and who has lived the life of an artist without any public pretension, without any meaningful critical appreciation for a decade, and in so doing has quietly transformed our global culture. All the time now you can see flyers for a major American orchestra doing a night of video game tunes. This would not be possible without Video Games Live, which would not be possible without Nobuo Uematsu, because there would not be a sufficient audience for the video game music as an art form without him. The commercial viability of video games???not just video game music, but video games on the whole???in our time goes back, in large part, to the explosion of western interest in Final Fantasy 7, which would not have been the revolution it was without Aerith’s Theme. Has any composer done more for the entire industry?
Although I already knew and liked the Robocop and Werewolf soundtracks, Shogo Sakai didn???t land on my radar until Mother 3, an absolutely top-tier soundtrack combining original compositions with the work of Erik Satie. The end-result successfully provided an emotional framework for writer Shigesato Itoi???s ambitious and delicate story about a family coping with tragedy, consumerism, and???of course???pigs. Tinged with Samuel Beckett???s influence, the story shows more pathos and attention to narrative than Beckett???s idea-first tableaus and stands among the best scripts in video game history. The confidently-deployed moments involving beauty (), humor (http://www.bardinelli.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/mother3.gif), sadness (), and bizarreness (http://earthbound.wikia.com/wiki/Ostrelephant) bring together everything that made Earthbound a classic and, at times, even improve on it. I liked this game long before I got to the scene with Satie???s Gymnopedie No. 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAR0WkIQ6mg) playing in the background. Then I was in love. If you haven???t played Mother 3, it???s well worth it.
Matt Uelmen is a god to Diablo fans. Though he doesn’t have nearly the amount of credits to his name as many other composers, his signature piece, Tristram, demonstrates why his work has caught people’s attention. The delayed, layered acoustic guitars, harmonics, horns, and flute all work together to create a simultaneously folksy and menacing sound, especially once the bowed bass comes in. I’ve been a fan every since I heard this piece while watching a speedrun, and though I???ve never played the Diablo games, I’m also thoroughly impressed by Harrogath from the Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction soundtrack and some of his lusher, more romantic themes, which (un-coincidentally) show the influence of Russell Brower.
My votes are for Nobuo Uematsu and Matt Uelmen. Both tough choices.
Nobuo Uematsu
Matt Uelmen
I’ll throw him a bone.
Hirokazu Tanaka
Matt Uelmen
Matt Uelmen
Nobuo Uematsu
Matt Uelmen
Matt Uelmen
Round 3, Fight 1 // The Composers Rumble
Yasunori Mitsuda
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjvqzDaK0c&list=PLB3BEC3D253EA8DF3&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasunori_Mitsuda), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/146) // Keyword: Chrono // Beat: Oshima, Meguro
vs.
Kenji Yamamoto
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmG-Af0LK88&list=PLC972CBED72A4B8E7&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenji_Yamamoto_%28composer_born_1964%29), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/693) // Keyword: Metroid // Beat: Miyake, Fujita
————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 2 // The Composers Rumble
Nobuo Uematsu
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ&list=PL4562BAE6D669BE02&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuo_Uematsu), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/77) // Keyword: Uematsu // Beat: Kyd, Tanaka
vs.
Miki Higashino
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFT-wcyT-TU&list=PL5AB8D3D96564FEFA&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miki_Higashino), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/191) // Keyword: Suikoden // Beat: Sasai, Wall
At this point, we’re pitting the greats against one another. Everybody’s got a signature work. My votes are for Yasunori Mitsuda (check out Soma Bringer, too, if you don’t know it) and Nobuo Uematsu.
Oh wait I voted for her.
Nobuo Uematsu
Nobuo Uematsu
Higashino
Nice.
Nobuo Uematsu
Yasunori Mitsuda
P.S. I’m also curious to see if Higashino can actually topple Uematsu. If that happens, FFS may implode into nothingness like the house at the end of Poltergeist.
Round 3, Fight 3 // The Composers Rumble
Akira Yamaoka
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgr-ZSZSSwA&list=PLBFD0324B1C6F9855&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Yamaoka), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/749) // Keyword: Phantasmagoria // Beat: Ito, Yamane
vs.
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUfJj04uDFY&list=PL50C0C2CA15EFF930&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitoshi_Sakimoto), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/112) // Keyword: Ivalice // Beat: Drossin, Matsueda
————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 4 // The Composers Rumble
Koji Kondo
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGX4obVl64w&list=PL73FF0E9B512BD0A9&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koji_Kondo), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/190) // Keyword: Mario // Beat: Klepacki, Zur
vs.
Hiroki Kikuta
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33d6EK2HykM&list=PLD0DA289C66300CB9&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroki_Kikuta), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/140) // Keyword: Mana // Beat: Ueda, Prince
My votes are for Akira Yamaoka and Koji Kondo.
Koji Kondo
Hikuta
Hiroki Kikuta
Hiroki Kikuta
Koji Kondo is one of the most influential and significant figures in the history of video game music. No doubt about it. But was he one of the very best? You always see people claim that Led Zeppelin and other act of the 60s or 70s are the greatest bands of all time, and no amount of clear counter examples will sway their opinions. But being the first to really achieve greatness–being the pioneer–does not render one’s works insurmountable. I like to think of Koji Kondo as a really amazing musician for his time who has since been eclipsed by quite a number of other composers (like Hiroki Kikuta). The most influential? Perhaps. The greatest? I have my doubts.
Kikuta = Most overrated game composer of all time. Secret of Mana had one good song (and even then it’s meh after 2 loops), rest was mindless garbage to me.
I incline to partially agree. I just never liked Kondo that much. And yeah, his stuff is sticky, but stickiness doesn’t make good music to me.
Hikuta did a very solid soundtrack with seiken densetsu 3 imo and while disrupting and very out of place, A few Koudelka songs are fun.
Hikuta is one of the most famous yet very innactive after 90’s composer from the Industry, ever noticed that?.
Hiroki Kikuta
Kikuta = Most overrated game composer of all time. Secret of Mana had one good song (and even then it’s meh after 2 loops), rest was mindless garbage to me.
I incline to partially agree. I just never liked Kondo that much. And yeah, his stuff is sticky, but stickiness doesn’t make good music to me. Hikuta did a very solid soundtrack with seiken densetsu 3 imo and while disrupting and very out of place, A few Koudelka songs are fun.
Interesting. I don’t hear people talk about this too much, but I’d agree that Kondo is not the be-all, end-all of video game composition. However, as much as I like Kikuta, I didn’t think his work surpassed Kondo’s quality-wise. And Kondo is way ahead of him in terms of the number of solid soundtracks he has done. Kikuta has Secret of Mana, SD3, Soukaigi, and some hit or miss stuff. Kondo has 7 Marios, 4 Zeldas, and a bunch of murkier co-composer or advisory credits.
The upshot of all this is that our winners were Hitoshi Sakimoto (6-3) and Koji Kondo (5-4) even with some doubts created about the latter’s future success. Next up…
Round 3, Fight 5 // The Composers Rumble
David Wise
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ9xwkMr3e4&list=PL644E405D793234FF&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wise_%28composer%29), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/507) // Keyword: Rare // Beat: Yamanishi, Naruke
vs.
Jeremy Soule
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSQszBHMHHc&list=PL97E1FFCF0C95B473&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Soule), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/431) // Keyword: Morrowind // Beat: Follin, Masuda
————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 6 // The Composers Rumble
Matt Uelmen
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8jJJXgNLo4&list=PLDF00647A83CC4E15&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Uelmen), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1374) // Keyword: Diablo // Beat: Iwadare, Sakai
vs.
Koichi Sugiyama
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntmk5aHaPQ4&list=PLE98C67AECBC289B4&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koichi_Sugiyama), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/114) // Keyword: Boss // Beat: Land, Ando
My votes are for Jeremy Soule and Matt Uelmen. While we’re being honest about Kondo, I’ll admit I’ve never been wowed by Sugiyama. Historically important, he established the template for the RPG soundtrack, sure. And I have plenty of nostalgia for his early stuff. I remember grinding through Dragon Warrior as a kid. But he’s been doing the same thing for 30 years. And in a competition like this, at the highest level, technical competency and impressive arrangements aren’t good enough. I want a panorama of the composer’s career that offers some sense of that person’s spirit, some numinous detail that opens up a sense of wonder in the listener. When I listen to Sugiyama, I think, "That’s nice." When I listen to Uelmen, I think, "Wow!"
Koichi Sugiyama
Matt Uelmen – Guys, definetely check Torchlight II soundtrack, it’s free for download on the official website of the game.
In fact, here’s the Link.
Torchlight II | The Torchlight II Soundtrack (http://www.torchlight2game.com/news/2012/09/18/the-torchlight-ii-soundtrack/)
It’s a beautiful Jewel.
Matt Uelmen
Although I always have been very fond of Sugiyama. There aren’t many pure orchestral composers in video game space to begin with, and he’s one of the best to boot. This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vamr7qq6hoA) is my favorite track from DQ8, give it a listen.
Also, here’s (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/178187/memorial_composer_ryu_umemoto.php) an interesting read from Gamasutra: A memorial for composer Ryu Umemoto
Edit: Something just occured to me. Arthur, in the paragraph you dedicated to Uelmen you mentioned you really liked tracks like Harrogath and other lush romantic themes from Diablo 2 and said that it might be an influence from Russell Brower. But why? Brower’s first work for Blizzard was The Burning Crusade in 2007; long after Diablo 2’s release. And as far as I can tell, Brower had nothing to do with Blizzard before that. Unless there’s something I’m missing.
Matt Uelmen
Matt Uelmen
Koichi Sugiyama – Deserves more than just one vote. He contributed a lot in making vg music being taken seriously by people who weren’t gamers…
Thanks. 😀
This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vamr7qq6hoA) is my favorite track from DQ8, give it a listen.
Thanks x2. 😀
Edit: Something just occured to me. Arthur, in the paragraph you dedicated to Uelmen you mentioned you really liked tracks like Harrogath and other lush romantic themes from Diablo 2 and said that it might be an influence from Russell Brower. But why? Brower’s first work for Blizzard was The Burning Crusade in 2007; long after Diablo 2’s release. And as far as I can tell, Brower had nothing to do with Blizzard before that. Unless there’s something I’m missing.
Didn’t mean to give that impression. The sentence was "I’m also thoroughly impressed by Harrogath from the Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction soundtrack and some of his lusher, more romantic themes, which (un-coincidentally) show the influence of Russell Brower." At the end of that sentence I meant his romantic themes from other soundtracks–not specifically ones from Diablo 2. Uelmen and Brower have been co-credited on WoW: Burning Crusade, WoW: Mosaic, and Diablo 3. The intent was merely to give a nod to the overlap between their works. Always good to check my facts, though. As much as I try to verify everything, some details always seem to slip through the cracks.
Well, for this one we can crown Jeremy Soule (5-2) and Matt Uelmen (5-2), which brings us to the last fights of Round 3…
Round 3, Fight 7 // The Composers Rumble
Tommy Tallarico
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OtrgZ2r2GA&list=PL1AAF8FE86E18F001&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Tallarico), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/502) // Keyword: Napoleon // Beat: Hamauzu, Brower
vs.
Motoi Sakuraba
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP0kamtR5UI&list=PLEFABC6AFBA3E3A2A&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motoi_Sakuraba), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/166) // Keyword: Prog // Beat: Nakano, H???lsbeck
————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 8 // The Composers Rumble
Yoko Shimomura
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLJLyneZGKc&list=PLE64B2BAA70FFFF58&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Shimomura), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/139) // Keyword: Queen // Beat: Kodaka, Matsuo
vs.
Motoaki Takenouchi
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaOlDwRyjjI&list=PL2625B825E1FCEE9D&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motoaki_Takenouchi), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/630) // Keyword: Underdog // Beat: Kirkhope, Rippy
My votes are for Motoi Sakuraba and Yoko Shimomura.
Yoko Shimomura
Yoko Shimomura
Yoko Shimomura
Yoko Shimomura
Shimomura
Yoko Shimomura
Quarterfinals, Fight 1 // The Composers Rumble
Yasunori Mitsuda
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjvqzDaK0c&list=PLB3BEC3D253EA8DF3&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasunori_Mitsuda), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/146) // Beat: Oshima, Meguro, Yamamoto
vs.
Motoi Sakuraba
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP0kamtR5UI&list=PLEFABC6AFBA3E3A2A&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motoi_Sakuraba), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/166) // Beat: Nakano, H???lsbeck, Tallarico
————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 2 // The Composers Rumble
Yoko Shimomura
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLJLyneZGKc&list=PLE64B2BAA70FFFF58&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Shimomura), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/139) // Beat: Kodaka, Matsuo, Takenouchi
vs.
Jeremy Soule
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSQszBHMHHc&list=PL97E1FFCF0C95B473&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Soule), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/431) // Beat: Follin, Masuda, Wise
My votes are for Yasunori Mitsuda and Yoko Shimomura.
Jeremy Soule — I voted against him in Round 1 because he was up against Tim Follin, and Follin is nigh on par with Uematsu for me. As it stands though, Soule is probably the hottest name in video game music right now and I wouldn’t mind seeing him through to the final round.
Shimomura
Yoko Shimomura
Yoko Shimomura
Jeremy Soule by a hair
Jeremy Soule by a hair
Quarterfinals, Fight 3 // The Composers Rumble
Koji Kondo
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGX4obVl64w&list=PL73FF0E9B512BD0A9&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koji_Kondo), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/190) // Beat: Klepacki, Zur, Kikuta
vs.
Nobuo Uematsu
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ&list=PL4562BAE6D669BE02&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuo_Uematsu), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/77) // Beat: Kyd, Tanaka, Higashino
————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 4 // The Composers Rumble
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUfJj04uDFY&list=PL50C0C2CA15EFF930&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitoshi_Sakimoto), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/112) // Beat: Drossin, Matsueda, Yamaoka
vs.
Matt Uelmen
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8jJJXgNLo4&list=PLDF00647A83CC4E15&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Uelmen), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1374) // Beat: Iwadare, Sakai, Sugiyama
My votes are for Nobuo Uematsu and Hitoshi Sakimoto.
Just a reminder: each composer now has an extended playlist. For each composer, that meant one song per soundtrack except for Uelmen, who has only composed for 7 games. If anyone has a favorite song not represented on the playlists, please share. 😀
Sakimoto – I’m suprised that this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP2nWp60gvo) track wasn’t picked for VS. Although I’m fine with abandoned mines.
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Hitoshi Sakimoto
make that three
Matt Uelmen
Matt Uelmen
Hitoshi Sakimoto
(
)
– the final four –
Semifinals, Fight 1 // The Composers Rumble
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMKoaBc385A)
Yoko Shimomura
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLJLyneZGKc&list=PLE64B2BAA70FFFF58&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Shimomura), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/139) // Beat: Kodaka, Matsuo, Takenouchi, Soule
vs.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PbZjTTkDyU)
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUfJj04uDFY&list=PL50C0C2CA15EFF930&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitoshi_Sakimoto), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/112) // Beat: Drossin, Matsueda, Yamaoka, Uelmen
————————————————————————————————
Semifinals, Fight 2 // The Composers Rumble
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCN-0b_qfXc)
Nobuo Uematsu
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ&list=PL4562BAE6D669BE02&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuo_Uematsu), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/77) // Beat: Kyd, Tanaka, Higashino, Kondo
vs.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94x9amQo-0I)
Yasunori Mitsuda
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjvqzDaK0c&list=PLB3BEC3D253EA8DF3&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasunori_Mitsuda), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/146) // Beat: Oshima, Meguro, Yamamoto, Sakuraba
Yoko Shimomura is, of course, important for several reasons. As a video game composer, she ranks among the best to have ever lived. Her work spans three decades and many genres, is instantly recognizable around the world, and is consistently of a high quality. On top of that, she is a female composer who has asserted herself in a male-dominated profession, opening doors for many other female composers. On top of that, she has trained, encouraged, and influenced an entire generation of composers. It’s difficult to limit her career into ten representative songs because there’s just so much of it that should be heard. They’re all so different and distinctive.
Hitoshi Sakimoto has forcefully staked his claim as a major composer. Perhaps no Final Fantasy soundtrack is as much a lightning rod for debate as Final Fantasy XII. Perhaps no soundtrack has been lauded more than Vagrant Story in our rumbles. Perhaps no composer, other than Sugiyama, is as adept at using an orchestra not just to add oomph to a melody, but to actually variegate it enough while adding texture and tone color in interesting ways to take the compositions to a level of extraordinary achievement.
Uematsu’s stature as a vgm god has invited criticism, some of it merited. Some of his work has become self-indulgent and bloated. Sometimes I don’t know what he’s thinking. But I can’t think of another composer who has done so much quality work over such a long time; who has so often ennobled cartoonish, poorly-written characters and transformed throwaway scenes into haunting, unforgettable moments in the canon of video game history; who has played a crucial and dramatic role in the turnaround of a failing company; and who has lived the life of an artist without any public pretension, without any meaningful critical appreciation for a decade, and in so doing has quietly transformed our global culture.
Mitsuda is one of the all-time greats. You’ve got the flute and violin motif from Time’s Scar, the entrancing gamelan in Time’s Circuits, and the beautiful arrangement of June Mermaid—all of which are representative of the quality on the rest of those soundtracks. The second half of his career has been no less invigorating with classics like Arc Rise Fantasia, Graffiti Kingdom, and the shockingly under-discussed Soma Bringer. The first time I heard it, I couldn’t believe I’d never heard of it. You want staying power, just look at the totality of this man’s career. Mitsuda is so good, he Rick Roll’d us with Robo’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ8xce9HtD8) and we didn’t even care.
My votes are for Yoko Shimomura and Nobuo Uematsu.
What my votes came down to:
(1) While Sakimoto has more chops in orchestration and can be pinned down to a signature sound, Shimomura is equally impressive, equally prolific, equally historically significant, more diverse in what she brings to the table, and (in my opinion) more enjoyable to listen to.
(2) I went with Uematsu because he was the first video game composer to write a soundtrack I was willing to buy as a standalone CD. This criteria was used as a final tie-breaker to a debate that went on for days.
Nobuo Uematsu
Nobuo Uematsu
Yasunori Mitsuda
Nobuo Uematsu
Nobuo Uematsu
Yasunori Mitsuda
By the way, the composer photos are all links to covers, if you missed that. That damn post is a link explosion. If any of you all have favorite covers of these composers, that’d be something I’d like to hear. Lonlongjp got priority for my picks because he is an amazing guitarist and a sweet human being. Earnest in a way that few people allow themselves to be on the internet. He loves playing the guitar, making beautiful music, sharing it with other people, and taking suggestions for new pieces of vgm to play. I dare say his cover of "Corridors of Time" is my favorite YouTube video. One of my favorite covers of any musician. The room’s acoustics add some bite to the notes, which can get harsh. But they also add a chilling echo that gives the whole performance depth and emotional weight. It’s absolutely perfect for the song.
Also, currently Yoko’s winning and Uematsu’s winning. We’ll see if any more votes come in. You all have a good Wednesday.
Nobuo Uematsu
Also, Uematsu even though this one isn’t tied. I love his writing, but he’s really lost it over the recent years it seems.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUfJj04uDFY&list=PL50C0C2CA15EFF930&feature=plpp_play_all)
vs.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ&list=PL4562BAE6D669BE02&feature=plpp_play_all)
If there is any composer that made me appreciate the music from video games, it is him. His music, especially from the FF titles, are what opened my eyes to listening to video game music outside of playing the actual video game. I still listen to his music more than any other video game composer. Yes, his music may have been dwindling for a while now, but everyone has their hits and misses, for me he was a lot more hits than misses.
Could Nobuo Uematsu pull it off in style?
This would be a very predictable victory if you ask me, but on the other hand, who else if not him?
But I will troll a little and give just one little vote to Sakimoto, cuz I enjoy his music that much.
If there is any composer that made me appreciate the music from video games, it is him. His music, especially from the FF titles, are what opened my eyes to listening to video game music outside of playing the actual video game. I still listen to his music more than any other video game composer. Yes, his music may have been dwindling for a while now, but everyone has their hits and misses, for me he was a lot more hits than misses.
Agree 100%. First album of vgm I bought was for Final Fantasy VI. I was embarrassed to tell my friends, even though they loved FFVI just as much. And they did make fun of me. And yet we spent a lot of days sitting in my room playing other video games with the TV turned down and the FFVI album playing.
There has only been one shutout in the final round before, but Shadow of the Colossus accomplished this with only 4 votes, when attendance was at its lowest. Could Nobuo Uematsu pull it off in style?
Hahaha. I saw this and immediately thought "topopoz will vote for Sakimoto." Then I scrolled down and saw it was true. 😀
Anyway, my vote is for Nobuo Uematsu. No question about it.
Nobody really, His Legacy on VGM and his Impact on the globe cannot be matched by anybody. You don’t need to be a Snob to know that FF always had great music repertoire.
The Black Mages project is living proof of his excellence at writing music. One does not simply transform a song from a videogame into Progressive Heavy Metal. In essence the songs are almost untouched in the arrangements.
Hahaha. I saw this and immediately thought "topopoz will vote for Sakimoto." Then I scrolled down and saw it was true. 😀
=D
Grinding a lot of Tactics Ogre music these days man.
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Vagrant Story and FFT are the games I’ve devoted thousands of hours as a gamer, but still I love and enjoy their music. I don’t even need to listen to them, as this music is engraved into my counciousness now 🙂 Can easily re-play them in my head.
btw I was always surprised how FFXII OST is always presented as Sakimoto’s greatest work… Without doubts it is solid, but nowhere near as brilliant as VS and FFT, in my opinion. Maybe it’s because Yasumi Matsuno had such a positive impact for Sakimoto… Without Matsuno even FFXII soundtrack was missing something 🙁
Nobuo Uematsu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ&list=PL4562BAE6D669BE02&feature=plpp_play_all)!
Koji Kondo may have written the most universally recognizable music from a video game, but Uematsu is, in my mind, the better composer. My wife, who is a classical composer and has absolutely no interest in video games whatsoever, has gone the whole gamut from avoiding my room when I’m playing vgm, to showing mild interest as she started to recognize Uematsu’s music, to asking to hear more of his stuff, to humming Terra’s theme while working without realizing she’s doing it, to buying tickets when she found out Video Games Live was coming to our town. He’s not untouchable. His stature as a vgm god has invited criticism, some of it merited. Some of his work has become self-indulgent and bloated. Sometimes I don’t know what he’s thinking. But I can’t think of another composer who has done so much quality work over such a long time; who has so often ennobled cartoonish, poorly-written characters and transformed throwaway scenes into haunting, unforgettable moments in the canon of video game history; who has played a crucial and dramatic role in the turnaround of a failing company; and who has lived the life of an artist without any public pretension, without any meaningful critical appreciation for a decade, and in so doing has quietly transformed our global culture. All the time now you can see flyers for a major American orchestra doing a night of video game tunes. This would not be possible without Video Games Live, which would not be possible without Nobuo Uematsu, because there would not be a sufficient audience for the video game music as an art form without him. The commercial viability of video games???not just video game music, but video games on the whole???in our time goes back, in large part, to the explosion of western interest in Final Fantasy 7, which would not have been the revolution it was without Aerith’s Theme. No composer has done more for the entire industry.
Bonus: Biography (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuo_Uematsu)
Bonus: Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/77)
Bonus: Interviews (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&gs_mss=nobuinterview&pq=jeremy%20soule%20interview&cp=6&gs_id=q7&xhr=t&q=nobuo+uematsu+interview&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&oq=nobuo+interview&aq=0c&aqi=g-c1g-K1g-bK2&aql=&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878)
Bonus: Social Media page (https://twitter.com/#!/uematsunobuo)
Record: 7-1, 7-1, 4-2, 8-0, 8-2, 5-3
Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.
I will post an announcement soon about what comes next.
Over the last three and a half years, I???ve run the rumble with full enthusiasm???something I hope has been apparent. I???ve run it while working on my Master???s thesis, I???ve run it through some natural disasters, I???ve run it while buried under a stack of papers I needed to grade. It???s been a great escape, and I can???t say enough how much I???ve enjoyed talking to you all about video game music. I am very proud of what it has become.
Unfortunately, my work responsibilities have steadily ramped up over time to the point we???re at now, where it???s difficult for me to do something as simple as count up the votes. Just in the last twenty-four hours, I???ve written over 100 emails. I lose about two hours every day of the week just to grading papers. It???s a bad, barely sustainable schedule and it???s not going to let up anytime soon.
Consequently, I???m going to turn over control of the rumble to someone else. I???d still like to participate, of course. I don???t want to give that up. But as far as organizing and posting each fight, I think new blood can only be a good thing.
Who is interested? We do have rumbles in various stages of readiness on the group page, so the next person need not start from scratch.
My best to you all.
AG
(16)
Best of Motoi Sakuraba
(32)
Best of Metroid
Best of Tim Follin
(64)
Best of the N64
(128)
Best of Zelda
Best of Final Fantasy
Some of these require a little more work than others to finish compiling. If I am going to lead these in the future I would prefer to have one long (64-128) and one short (16-32) rumble running simultaneously, rather than doing two match-ups from the same rumble each week. Well, rank the ones you would like to do most in the order you’d like to do them, and we’ll see which comes out on top.
Short rumble – Tim Follin
If you need any help with preparations, let me know.
Short – Metroid
What I’m going to do is start with just Final Fantasy, one match-up at a time. We’ll leave the vote open for what the second rumble should be and see how many people are actually still around and interested in this. Metroid fans, go check out the group page if you want to have your say. The draft list currently needs to be condensed. If no one speaks up I’ll just listen to the suggested tracks and go with the ones I like most, which isn’t ideal because I’ve only played the first three games in the series.
Square put video game music on the map, and the Final Fantasy series has been setting the musical standard for the better part of my lifetime. Even with 128 selections, I expect more tough decisions than usual in this rumble. The first is no exception:
Round 1, Fight 1 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Sight of Spira (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTptg9nedlM), from Final Fantasy X
vs.
Fight 2 (Boss Battle) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xMDoh4174Y), from Final Fantasy IV
——————————————————-
This is rough. I feel like I ought to vote Fight 2 as a matter of principle, but I would be terribly disappointed if Sight of Spira loses.
Thanks for keeping this going all this time. I’m really glad somebody stepped up to continue this.
As always, my vote for the rumble to do next is always going to be Zelda. : )
Finally, my vote:
Final Fantasy IV.
My vote is for Fight 2.
Round 1, Fight 2 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
To the Place of Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ2rw-VDwfA), from Final Fantasy XII
vs.
Sometime, Somewhere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuqJ9m35Ulo), from Final Fantasy XI
——————————————————-
It’s always nice to see these later FF installments come up. Some of them I’m hearing for only the second time myself. I’m definitely going with To the Place of Gods on this one.
Best of The Legend of Zelda (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-legend-zelda-101/)
As this and the FF rumble have shown, it is hard to predict how long these things take to finalize, so better to just get it done, even if Zelda isn’t next in the rotation. : )
I just condensed the Metroid rumble down to 32 tracks. (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-metroid-155/)
If you’re a fan and I left one of your favorites out, go speak up before it’s too late. We’ll get that one rolling aside Final Fantasy starting with the next fight.
Looks like Final Fantasy XII: To the Place of Gods (6-2) won pretty decisively. It’s time to kick off the Metroid rumble!
Round 1, Fight 1 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Metroid Hatchling Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgxl2Kh8I04), from Metroid II
vs.
Serris X (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jVPwHqXz8A), from Metroid Fusion
——————————————————-
I didn’t expect one of my favorite songs in the series to pop up in the first fight, but here you have it. Metroid Hatchling Theme was post-rock before post-rock, and its brevity is its only downside. I want to go listen to Flood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvCLhq8okxc) by Boris now….
Round 1, Fight 3 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Sealed Away (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkZzjZGggI), from Final Fantasy V
vs.
The Invincible (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siAba6SN3Z4), from Final Fantasy III
——————————————————-
Sealed Away is definitely tempting, but The Invincible is just beautiful–one of Uematsu’s best NES tracks.
and
The Invincible
Sealed Away
Not sure if you checked, but I did make some recommendations on the Metroid page early this morning.
Luckily, I didn’t suggest the removal of either of the songs in this round of the rumble.
Metroid II, Final Fantasy V
Sealed Away
Sealed Away
and
The Invincible
Round 1, Fight 2 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Item Room Ambiance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT-nuJ-0bBw), from Super Metroid
vs.
Torus Bog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZX2N9_7NO8), from Metroid Prime 2
——————————————————-
Torus Bog gets my vote on this one.
Round 1, Fight 4 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Melodies of Life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnRCaDLFAWI), from Final Fantasy IX
vs.
Song of Memories (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCYn1Bx6pnk), from Final Fantasy IX
——————————————————-
Random is random indeed. As it turns out, the next four Final Fantasy tracks–both selections from Fight 4 and Fight 5–are all from Final Fantasy IX. This one has the added oddity of pairing up the sung track Melodies of Life with its reoccurring character theme counterpart–Song of Memories. Personally, I think Melodies of Life is the only sung FF track worth listening to (don’t worry, Eyes on Me and Suteki da ne are still in the mix), so the decision for me is easy.
In Final Fantasy, no vocals is almost always a good thing. Song of Memories for me.
Torus Bog
Song Of Memories
Song of Memories This was the first track of this game I fell in love with. I remember just letting the game sit in one area just for this song to loop and play for hours.
Round 1, Fight 3 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Gorea Final Boss Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzLCJqzDHdo), from Metroid Prime Hunters
vs.
Title Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPT8GBdRCWE), from Super Metroid
——————————————————-
Definitely Title Screen
Round 1, Fight 5 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Awakened Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc3xoQqFFns), from Final Fantasy IX
vs.
Freija’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMygElvVDWw), from Final Fantasy IX
——————————————————-
These are two of the best tracks on one of Uematsu’s finest soundtracks. It’s no easy decision. Awakened Forest is the more complete package, but maybe because there’s a blizzard outside Freya’s Theme just seems more appealing to me at the moment.
Unfortunately, I cannot choose from the FF rumble. Both are beautiful pieces and I love both equally.
and
Freija’s Theme
Torus Bog
Song Of Memories
Yes they do Smarty. A lot of the Metroid Prime series used some of the hallmark themes from earlier Metroid games, in some cases improving on them (as I think was the case here). The fire theme from Metroid Prime is also taken from Super Metroid as is the first Tallon IV theme to a certain extent. Tough to see Item Room go out so early, but it is hard to get upset at Torus Bog moving on. It is a great track.
———- Post added at 12:50 AM ———- Previous post was at 12:47 AM ———-
Super Metroid, Final Fantasy IX (Freya’s Theme)
also, for the record, i’m not a metroid fan. so don’t expect me to vote in that rumble. thx.
Not saying it to be contrarian, but I don’t want people who happen to stumble into this rumble to feel like that they HAVE to be a fan and/or expert on the games that we happen to be covering at the time in order to participate. I hope others will understand what I’m doing by pointing this out – encouraging participation.
I’m sure everybody already knows this, but just in case… all rock and Metroid fans MUST check out Metroid Metal – Metal covers of Metroid Goodness – by Stemage (http://www.metroidmetal.com/).
I actually voted to do the Metroid rumble instead of the Tim Follin rumble specifically because I’m not a Metroid fan. It’s nice to hear tracks I’m not immediately familiar with for a change.
Exactly. It’s the same reason why I was very excited to do the Genesis rumble way back when. Introduced me to many games and music I had never encountered before.
Title Screen
Freya’s Theme
Freya’s Theme
Round 1, Fight 4 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Kraid’s Chamber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wHwJoxw4i4), from Metroid
vs.
Impact Crater Core (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t9kENTPaoA), from Metroid Prime
——————————————————-
My vote surprisingly goes to Impact Crater Core.
Round 1, Fight 6 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
All the World Against Us (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAMlO-nbhk), from Final Fantasy XIII
vs.
Within the Giant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq3Xo84PxsA), from Final Fantasy IV
——————————————————-
Definitely Within the Giant
Within the Giant
Within the Giant!
Within The Giant
Within the Giant
Round 1, Fight 5 // Metroid Rumble
———————— ——————————-
Emperor Ing (first and second form) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrq3KynqpPA), from Metroid Prime 2
vs.
GFS Valhalla (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RWXMhtGjq4), from Metroid Prime 3
——————————————————-
Here are two very different and equally admirable tracks from the Metroid Prime series. I must admit Emperor Ing is one of the most convincing Metroid boss tunes I’ve heard, but Metroid Prime 3 has some of the best ambient tracks out there. I’ve got to go with GFS Valhalla.
Round 1, Fight 7 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
J-E-N-O-V-A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGDBjOnJ9MQ), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
Maybe I’m a Lion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYDT_Y6Jj5c), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
I found Final Fantasy VIII so unappealing as a game that it’s really hard for me to fully appreciate its music. I don’t know, Maybe I’m a Lion just sounds like generic prog meandering to me with no compelling melody to tie it together. Not that I wouldn’t have voted for J-E-N-O-V-A over most other options.
Maybe I’m a Lion
J-E-N-O-V-A – On the whole, I actually like FFVIII’s soundtrack quite a bit, but this is one of the best tracks off VII
J-E-N-O-V-A
hard choice between the two…
J-E-N-O-V-A</B>
Round 1, Fight 6 // Metroid Rumble
———————— ——————————-
Data Selection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFGvDMfdH1o), from Metroid Prime
vs.
Uncovering the Bioweapons Plot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpOtmArNWL4), from Metroid: Other M
——————————————————-
Data Selection gets my vote. I like the Other M track quite a lot, but it’s just a bit too disorganized for my taste.
Round 1, Fight 8 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Home Sweet Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RTICCzCY4A), from Final Fantasy V
vs.
Saber’s Edge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsG80RGxzNM), from Final Fantasy XIII
——————————————————-
Ouch. I think I’m going to have to go with Saber’s Edge here.
Saber’s Edge – Home Sweet Home is recognizable, of course, and has the advantage of nostalgia. But it’s so restrained. That burdened down doubled bass/guitar sound keeps the song’s feet on the ground. Saber’s Edge actually takes off and has real emotion suggested.
Home Sweet Home
Saber’s Edge
Saber’s Edge
Round 1, Fight 7 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Upper Brinstar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsG3sw51yYI), from Super Metroid
vs.
Tallon Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mziw3FQkZYg), from Metroid Prime
——————————————————-
I love that synth slap bass tone on the SNES that Yukihide Takekawa used with such effectiveness on Soul Blazer, and Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano accomplish much the same on Upper Brinstar.
Round 1, Fight 9 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkcmx2l3WA), from Final Fantasy VIII
vs.
Born Anew (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7VCTBn6TjQ), from Final Fantasy XIII
——————————————————-
Looks like I’ll be siding with Final Fantasy XIII again. I’m really impressed by the job Masashi Hamauzu did here. I didn’t expect the more recent Final Fantasy soundtracks to really compete, but they do. Born Anew
The Extreme
The Extreme
The Extreme
Upper brinstar is too funky!
Metroid Prime, Final Fantasy XIII please.
I was out of town for Christmas over the weekend (YES, I know what date it was).
Excellent choice though by you all advancing Data Selection Screen through to the next round.
BTW, any suggestions for Skyward Sword in the Zelda Rumble on the discussion page? I have narrowed down 11 songs I think are worthy of being added… IF you think I missed one or think that one I picked doesn’t deserve to be included, leave your feedback http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-legend-zelda-101/index6.html before I start paring down our list and removing 11 songs to make room for them.
The Extreme
Tallon Overworld
As it turns out this is my first metroid vote, cuz I actually took the time to listen to the posted songs. I never had the chance to it before.
The Extreme
The Extreme
Tallon Overworld
As it turns out this is my first metroid vote, cuz I actually took the time to listen to the posted songs. I never had the chance to it before.
Well we welcome your participation and, if I don’t say so myself, you have chosen wisely. : )
Born Anew by pretty far
Round 1, Fight 8 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Dark Samus on Norion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-i7Q9yJ5lk), from Metroid Prime 3
vs.
Bryyo Ice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEA1UrSBZ0M), from Metroid Prime 3
——————————————————-
Good to see at least one Metroid Prime 3 track will be advancing, if only as a matter of chance. This soundtrack is definitely my favorite of the post-SNES era. I’m going with Bryyo Ice for this round.
Round 1, Fight 10 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Force Your Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZMWszd5SRk), from Final Fantasy VIII
vs.
On Windy Meadows (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qrdd4GriCx0), from Final Fantasy XIV
——————————————————-
Force Your Way would have sounded awesome on the NES or even early SNES, but it’s not really well suited for a PSX game. On Windy Meadows on the other hand is perfect for an MMO.
On Windy Meadows
Side-note: Hmm…best Metroid soundtrack after the SNES era. You know, without putting much thought into it, I might be tempted to pick Metroid Prime Pinball. As nuts as that sounds, I remember enjoying that quite a bit.
Extra side-note: Just saw Indie Game: The Movie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_Game:_The_Movie). It’s worth the time if you any of you all haven’t seen it yet.
Force Your Way
Force Your Way
Force Your Way
On Windy Meadows
Again I think.
Force Your Way
Here’s how I’m going to do it, so there can be no question of me ever assigning the roles after the results:
I’m going to flip one Pennsylvania quarter on Random.org (http://www.random.org/coins/). Whoever I voted on is Heads.
And my result came up Heads. Final Fantasy XIV: On Windy Meadows (4-4) will be advancing, along with Metroid Prime 3: Dark Samus on Norion (5-2).
Round 1, Fight 9 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyw8GFkZhxQ), from Metroid
vs.
Approaching Sector Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTtNrVnHdFw), from Metroid: Other M
——————————————————-
Hip Tanaka only composed the first Metriod soundtrack, but the sort of vibe he captured from the Title Theme on set the standard that future Metroid composers would follow for quite a while.
Round 1, Fight 11 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Ashe’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIcI70Ve-f0), from Final Fantasy XII
vs.
Eruyt Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOAD58HCB-c), from Final Fantasy XII
——————————————————-
Eruyt Village
———- Post added at 05:15 PM ———- Previous post was at 05:13 PM ———-
Talk about a last second save. Looks like nasty, yucky Final Fantasy VIII: Force Your Way (5-4) advances then. 😛
Dark Samus on Norion’s record goes to (6-2).
Eruyt Village
Eruyt Village
Ashe’s Theme
Eruyt Village
Eruyt Village
glad I got nasty, yucky force your way past the guards 😉
Round 1, Fight 10 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Ridley Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fje8t9Jyy-o), from Metroid: Other M
vs.
Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLOkc9MwFHs), from Metroid Prime 2
——————————————————-
Here’s an interesting match-up. I had to include the Ridley theme in here somewhere, but it’s such a very simplistic tune that most versions really just aren’t all that compelling. Other M’s aggressive drumming and more orchestral arrangement I found a decisive cut above the earlier takes. That being said, this is no easy pairing. I’m actually going to have to go with Metroid Prime 2’s Title Theme by a hair.
Round 1, Fight 12 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Barthandelus Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH5QcBC0G28), from Final Fantasy XIII
vs.
Seymour Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWE0nlhpdq8), from Final Fantasy X
——————————————————-
Yikes.
They’re both outstanding. It’s a really tough choice, but I think I have to go with Barthandelus Battle.
Seymour Battle
Seymour Battle
Barthandelus Battle
Seymour Battle
Seymour Battle
Round 1, Fight 11 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Norfair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBKWYGXnIU4), from Metroid
vs.
Mother Brain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqaNrWcIRYY), from Super Metroid
——————————————————-
Norfair is pretty brilliant.
Round 1, Fight 13 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Dreadful Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UbdPnkDw98), from Final Fantasy IV
vs.
Slam Shuffle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc5eBlwac6U), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
I always especially loved Slam Shuffle, but few Uematsu tracks can really compete with The Dreadful Fight.
The Dreadful Fight
The Dreadful Fight
Slam Shuffle
The Dreadful Fight
Round 1, Fight 12 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Lower Brinstar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj5DWB5a2n8), from Super Metroid
vs.
Surface of SR388 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCIH943auRA), from Metroid II
——————————————————-
Like I said before, I think the Metroid II soundtrack blows all competition out of the water. Surface of SR388.
Round 1, Fight 14 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Devil’s Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIlGeT6N6Xs), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Sprouting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJTXozr0-Bg), from Final Fantasy X
——————————————————-
I definitely like both, but it’s got to be Devil’s Lab.
Devil’s Lab
Metroid II, Final Fantasy X.
Sprouting tough choice…
Sprouting
I couldn’t pick one for the FF rumble. So, I enlisted the help of my husband, who has played both of those games and he prefers Devil’s Lab.
Devil’s Lab
Round 1, Fight 13 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Brinstar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-2sE0Napg0), from Metroid
vs.
Emperor Ing (final form) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBc9hy0WOXk), from Metroid Prime 2
——————————————————-
This should be very interesting. The classics have been beating out the more recent tracks pretty consistently, but I have to go with Emperor Ing (final form) on this one.
Round 1, Fight 15 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Chasing the Black-Caped Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti_iazvRLD4), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
The Spy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txs-MnMiP2w), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
Chasing the Black-Caped Man
Emperor Ing
The Spy – Tough choice. I was just thinking about this song the other day so I’ll give it a vote
———- Post added at 10:14 PM ———- Previous post was at 10:13 PM ———-
Brinstar – Definitely not married to the classics, but this one is pretty special
The Spy – Tough choice. I was just thinking about this song the other day so I’ll give it a vote
Metroid and Final Fantasy VIII please.
Chasing the Black Caped Man I’m not a fan of either of these in the FF selection, but this one I find slightly more tolerable.
Emperor Ing
The Spy
Round 1, Fight 14 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Sector 5 (ARC) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iec_cyI4uwg), from Metroid Fusion
vs.
Ice Valley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4A6a3ovd5E), from Metroid Prime
——————————————————-
Ice Valley gets my vote.
Round 1, Fight 16 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Place I’ll Return To (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW3QK6CTg2g), from Final Fantasy IX
vs.
Matoya’s Cavern (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR06uwC4e20), from Final Fantasy
——————————————————-
I would be thrilled if The Place I’ll Return To made it to the final round, but it’s got to throw down against one of the most classic FF tracks of the NES era here in the first.
The Place I’ll Return To
The Place I’ll Return to
The Place I’ll Return to Someday
gotta give it at least 1 vote…
These are two massacres.
Metroid Prime, Final Fantasy IX.
The Place I’ll Return to
The Place I’ll Return To
Round 1, Fight 15 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Menu (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFPzVvvOKqU), from Metroid Prime Hunters
vs.
Underwater Frigate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2B3QqjJ284), from Metroid Prime
——————————————————-
This might be the toughest Metroid match-up of the first round. I think I’ll go with Metroid Prime Hunters’ Menu theme for the moment; it’s suiting my mood better right now. I might change that before the fight is over.
Round 1, Fight 17 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Still More Fighting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSxKxCz9M4s), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
Dark Messenger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSi6_hbpo8), from Final Fantasy IX
——————————————————-
No contest whatsoever here, Dark Messenger. I do love the Kansas prog vibe of the FF7 track though. I’m absolutely convinced that Kansas was a huge influence on Uematsu, at least subconsciously. You can hear it on FF5’s Clash on the Big Bridge too.
Still More Fighting – Never been a fan of DM
Dark Messenger
Metroid Prime, Final Fantasy IX.
Dark Messenger
Dark Messenger
Still More Fighting
Nominations are complete for Skyward Sword. We are now cutting to get down to 192 songs (cutting to 64 after one round per arthur’s suggestion). Cut nominations are posted and yours are welcomed.
Best of The Legend of Zelda (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-legend-zelda-101/)
Round 1, Fight 16 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
SR388 Return Area (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wy-fasSM64), from Metroid Fusion
vs.
Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=453temu5BIg), from Metroid II
——————————————————-
The last fight of round 1 also happens to offer my favorite (alongside Surface of SR388 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33N1gt09fJA)) track in the mix: Title Theme from Metroid II. Here’s what I wrote about it in the vgm series I did last summer (http://unobtainium13.com/2012/09/16/vgm-entry-48-the-game-boy-in-91/):
Metroid II starts out like a Hitchcock nightmare, and the chaotic random blips which soon join in don’t exactly soothe the soul either. By the 50 second mark I’m thoroughly unnerved, and then something really pretty happens. What’s going on here? Well, I think this is Ryoji Yoshitomi nailing the whole point of the game. Here you are on SR388, the Metroid home planet, sent to exterminate their species. Sure, the place is creepy as hell, but it’s also a living organism. You want to breathe life into the planet through the music? This is how you do it. Using sound effects of the ground shaking as the drum beat was a pretty sweet final touch.
Round 1, Fight 18 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Track 42 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmtRBTl3gAg), from Final Fantasy XIV
vs.
Bombing Mission (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8NGDsnv34M), from Final Fantasy VII
——————————————————-
Final Fantasy XIV might not do its soundtrack justice, but I have to go with Bombing Mission on this one. I might not consider Final Fantasy VII my all-time favorite game, but some of my all-time favorite scenes from any game are set to this tune.
Metroid Fusion
EDIT: Track 42 main melody by the minute mark brought me back to Dracula’s Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xi2xtLNyFo) from SOTN
Bombing Mission – Like the game or not, the opening scene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD_GqlNtNjo) (particularly because of the music) is magnificent. I don’t just mean when compared against the low expectations jungle of video game writing either. That scene stands up to its obvious comparison point, the opening to Blade Runner, and I’d put the logo-emblazoned climax with the whole of Midgar in the background on a par with Blade Runner’s equally dramatic (www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fu7jN2_2pE#t=00m30s) opening pass through Los Angeles 2019.
EDIT: It took me forever, but the first post of the thread has finally been updated with the standings of the current rounds for each rumble. I will keep it as current as possible for those who are interested.
EDIT 2: Put in my two cents on the Zelda rumble, linked above.
EDIT 3: I’m glad Shad linked to his vgm series for those who missed it.
Bombing Mission
Bombing Mission
Bombing Mission
Round 2, Fight 1 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Lower Brinstar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj5DWB5a2n8), from Super Metroid
vs.
Ice Valley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4A6a3ovd5E), from Metroid Prime
——————————————————-
Ice Valley please.
Round 1, Fight 19 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Otherworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZm4r3BdCq4), from Final Fantasy X
vs.
Rabanastre Downtown (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMgLuY6bNds), from Final Fantasy XII
——————————————————-
That Final Fantasy XII track is really beautiful, but, well, what can I say? Otherworld is the first effective incorporation of heavy metal in an RPG since Pokey Means Business (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4z82byt5mA)…
Oh, for those of you who might be curious, I didn’t place the round 1 winners of the Metroid rumble in brackets based on the original random sort. I instead listed each winner in the order they won and generated a new sort of 16, so there’ll be no means to predict match-ups in future rounds
Otherworld
Rabanastre Downtown
Rabanastre Downtown
Rabanastre Downtown
Otherworld
Round 2, Fight 2 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Underwater Frigate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2B3QqjJ284), from Metroid Prime
vs.
Torus Bog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZX2N9_7NO8), from Metroid Prime 2
——————————————————-
Tough one. I think I’ll take Torus Bog.
Round 1, Fight 20 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Auron’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOu3KIDHqxc), from Final Fantasy X
vs.
The Lunarians (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cgSAU07n3U), from Final Fantasy IV
——————————————————-
To shamelessly quote myself again (http://unobtainium13.com/2012/09/11/vgm-entry-44-final-fantasy-iv/), "The Lunarians was my favorite Final Fantasy IV track as a kid. I remember pounding away at it for hours on my mother’s piano, which must have been especially grating since I’ve never taken a piano lesson in my life. This isn’t some ‘light in the darkness’ track. The pretty melody is completely haunting, and that forcefully struck deep note is entirely complimentary to it. No, there’s no sort of contrast here. This song captures a beautiful and dangerous mystery."
That being said, I feel a bit silly picking it over Auron’s Theme. I’m just casting a nostalgia vote.
The Lunarians I didn’t really care for Auron’s Theme, I felt it didn’t match him.
Tough draw for both of those Metroid tracks.
Underwater Frigate
Underwater Frigate – Old description from the Aquatic Themes rumble: "This is an atypically melodic piece (albeit that does fantastic work at establishing mood) on a heavily atmospheric soundtrack. Something mysterious, beautiful, technological, and calming is suggested by all of those slowly decaying glissandos and the lazy piano bass line. A lot of the YouTube comments are about how this song was the only reason they continued through this frustrating level, and maybe that’s the best indication of its quality."
The Lunarians – Also my favorite FF4 song as a kid. Wrote this on the Underrated FF Music (Thread 109532) thread: "I’ve always been a fan of this song’s atmosphere–using empty space and a simple, back-and-forth anti-Prelude to suggest the openness and mysteriousness of space. But the nerd in me also appreciates anything in 5/4 that’s done well."
Auron’s Theme
Underwater Frigate
I will now begin the task of seeding the field from 1 to 48 and placing them on a 7 round bracket so that two strong songs will not go up against each other shorter than they should. Again, your feedback is requested for seeding – what should the #1 seeds be? Feel free to go as crazy as you want.
Best of The Legend of Zelda (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-legend-zelda-101/)
Make sure you check out Link’s post above for an update on the upcoming Zelda rumble.
Round 2, Fight 3 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Emperor Ing (final form) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBc9hy0WOXk), from Metroid Prime 2
vs.
Upper Brinstar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsG3sw51yYI), from Super Metroid
——————————————————-
This is no easy decision, but I think I have to go with Upper Brinstar.
Round 1, Fight 21 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Aerith’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CK2hx377iU), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
Vamo Alla Flamenco (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agaH80PYEpY), from Final Fantasy IX
——————————————————-
As much as I love the soundtrack to Final Fantasy VII, I’ve always felt that Aerith’s Theme was incredibly overrated. Vamo Alla Flamenco on the other hand is one of the most memorable classics of Final Fantasy IX.
Aerith’s Theme – While it can be obnoxiously Overrated (Believe me I know what it feels like). You simply cannot deny it’s meaning, momentum, emotional weight and just the downright brilliant execution this song has for the scenes that it’s played. It Marked probably the biggest shocker in the History of JRPG’s. Call it Nostalgia, call it fanatism, call it whatever you want, but the significance this song has for the game, the soundtrack, the scene, the impact at Video-Games (Specially JRPG’s) in general, is not completely unwarranted. It deserves the recognition.
And while the fanboys may ruined things for many fans of the series, that even Square ruined it by milking it.
For people like me who geniunely love the game and regard it as a once in a lifetime experience. This song for the purpose that it plays, captures one of the many things that made FFVII the Iconic entry that it is.
Aerith’s Theme I agree with Topopoz; there is a reason this song is so iconic.
Both of these are difficult decisions.
Aerith’s Theme
Aerith’s Theme
Aerith’s Theme
Round 2, Fight 4 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
SR388 Return Area (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wy-fasSM64), from Metroid Fusion
vs.
Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyw8GFkZhxQ), from Metroid
——————————————————-
Title Theme
Round 1, Fight 22 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Harvest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMWgPmr5b1s), from Final Fantasy V
vs.
Aetherial Slumber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Ae3KlWvFw), from Final Fantasy XIV
——————————————————-
I think I’ll take Aetherial Slumber. Harvest was a good idea in concept, but, like much of Final Fantasy V’s soundtrack, the finished product comes up just a bit short of the usual Uematsu standard.
Aetherial Slumber
Metroid, Final Fantasy XIV.
Aertherial Slumber
Aetherial Slumber
Round 2, Fight 5 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Emperor Ing (first and second form) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrq3KynqpPA), from Metroid Prime 2
vs.
Kraid’s Chamber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wHwJoxw4i4), from Metroid
——————————————————-
Kraid’s Chamber by a hair.
Round 1, Fight 23 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Rebellion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQWdY8WJ0Fk), from Final Fantasy XII
vs.
Prelude (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9IABNrmRWM), from Final Fantasy IV
——————————————————-
I chose to represent Final Fantasy series staples Prelude and Prologue in this rumble both in their Final Fantasy IV form, because I feel this is the first instance in which Uematsu was able to present both songs as he’d truly envisioned them.
The funny thing is I had to spend over half an hour digging for a video of it. Square’s official Final Fantasy IV OST is an embarrassing insult to Nobuo Uematsu and his sound team, cramming the entire game’s collection into 58 minutes. They were in such a haste to push it out that they often faded tracks out arbitrarily before the first loop. Prelude was the first such victim, and all of the ost rips, which comprise 90% of the versions on youtube, only offer half of the song. Since most people fail at ripping the music directly from the game, a suitable and authentic version of this track was not easy to come by.
Kraid’s Chamber – I wish to hear an arrangement of this song. 8-bit is too short for this song.
Prelude
Prelude
Prelude
Kraid’s Chamber
Round 2, Fight 6 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Dark Samus on Norion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-i7Q9yJ5lk), from Metroid Prime 3
vs.
Serris X (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jVPwHqXz8A), from Metroid Fusion
——————————————————-
Tough call. I’ll take Dark Samus on Norion.
Round 1, Fight 24 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Empire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFoGXzSbDw8), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Martial Law (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjTw1Wcjzf8), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
The Empire is probably one of the most intimidating tracks Uematsu ever wrote.
The Empire
Dark Samus on Norion
The Empire
Martial Law! – Final Fantasy VI is my second favorite soundtrack of all time. Normally, I’d vote for almost anything off it. But the the pseudo-autoharp and rhythm section are so interesting in Martial Law, and I love the way it builds from atmospherics into the jazz organ solo.
Martial Law
Round 2, Fight 7 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Title Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLOkc9MwFHs), from Metroid Prime 2
vs.
Title Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPT8GBdRCWE), from Super Metroid
——————————————————-
The Metroid Prime 2 title theme is pretty tough competition, but Super Metroid gets my vote for its in-game appropriateness. As I wrote in my vgm series last summer (http://unobtainium13.com/2012/11/19/vgm-entry-66-super-metroid-and-donkey-kong-country/):
Super Metroid took a slightly different approach from the get-go. The first two games featured eerie yet beautiful intro songs which really captured the conflicting nature of the metroids as morally innocent yet dangerous predators (one of Metroid???s unique features in early gaming is that some of the monsters aren???t evil or lifeless ???bad guys???, but rather a natural species taken advantage of by, well, evil bad guys). Super Metroid, on the other hand, starts off on a human space station, and the opening conflict is between Samus and the Zebesian Ridley, not a metroid, so a different sort of musical theme was in order. Yamamoto and Hamano effectively captured that with dark and suspenseful music that offered none of the warmth of the first two games.
Round 1, Fight 25 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Tower of Mages (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b6Pkj_6zIY), from Final Fantasy II
vs.
Gurgu Volcano (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYdSH34z5hg), from Final Fantasy
——————————————————-
I’m surprised to see two NES tracks going head to head, considering how few of them made it into the rumble. Gurgu Volcano gets my vote.
Gurgu Volcano
Gurgu Volcano
Tower of Mages
Tower Of Mages
Round 2, Fight 8 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Data Selection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFGvDMfdH1o), from Metroid Prime
vs.
Norfair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBKWYGXnIU4), from Metroid
——————————————————-
The final Metroid match-up of Round 2 is a good one. Norfair is more to my personal taste, but both deserve to move on.
Round 1, Fight 26 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Troops March On (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N9OhBqAMbU), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZJqRbmxMEY), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
What a shame. Obviously Opening Theme.
I chose a video that represents the song as you experience it in game–that is, divided into two movements separated by a period of ambient noise. If you wish to hear it as it appears on the OST, just search for the song yourself. Almost all youtube videos use the OST version.
Opening Theme
Opening Theme
Opening Theme
Opening Theme
Opening Theme
Round 3 of the Metroid rumble is on!
Round 3, Fight 1 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Title Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPT8GBdRCWE), from Super Metroid
vs.
Data Selection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFGvDMfdH1o), from Metroid Prime
——————————————————-
Gotta go with Data Selection this time.
Round 1, Fight 27 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Taejin’s Tower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z92LoE-_Jo), from Final Fantasy XIII
vs.
Gold Saucer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT4xRwi5gUU), from Final Fantasy VII
——————————————————-
Gold Saucer is one of my all-time Final Fantasy favorites. Here is a whacky Team Teamwork mashup of it for your disgust and/or amusement. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE2vB3KlBTg)
Gold Saucer
Taejin’s Tower
Gold Saucer, but man, I have nothing but bad memories of getting frustrated in the Gold Saucer
Gold Saucer
Round 3, Fight 2 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Upper Brinstar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsG3sw51yYI), from Super Metroid
vs.
Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyw8GFkZhxQ), from Metroid
——————————————————-
Title Theme
Round 1, Fight 28 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Birth of a God (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQwQnEfbh0U), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
Attack (Raid) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNIslB7GoXU), from Final Fantasy X
——————————————————-
Attack (Raid)
Upper Brinstar
Attack (Raid)
Birth of a God
Attack(Raid)
Attack(Raid)
Attack (Raid)
Secondly, I just started up the beginnings of a 32-track Game Boy rumble (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-game-boy-209/). I left 10 spots open; go have your say.
Also like Birth of a God (sorry FFX!)
Me and the Title theme are gonna go have a drink.
Birth of a God
Don’t think I made the most helpful vote, but I did make the most honest one.
Round 3, Fight 3 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Ice Valley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4A6a3ovd5E), from Metroid Prime
vs.
Underwater Frigate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2B3QqjJ284), from Metroid Prime
——————————————————-
Wait, wasn’t this supposed to be the final round? I’ll take Ice Valley.
Round 1, Fight 29 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqtGBR80NWw), from Final Fantasy VIII
vs.
Last Dungeon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJdmB4iZxH8), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
Last Dungeon
Last Dungeon
Underwater Frigate
anyway, Last Dungeon.
The Castle
The Castle
The Castle
This time the flip came up Heads, which means a Final Fantasy VI track actually advances! For the supposed favorite Uematsu soundtrack of all time, FF6 has gotten off to the third worst start after FF10 and FF13. Go figure. (I actually think 10 is one of the most underrated in the bunch.)
Ah, and it looks like Underwater Frigate got knocked out. I guess there won’t be any repeat winner from these rumbles. Metroid Prime: Ice Valley (5-2) and Final Fantasy VI: Last Dungeon (4-4) are moving on.
Round 3, Fight 4 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Kraid’s Lair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wHwJoxw4i4), from Metroid
vs.
Dark Samus on Norion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-i7Q9yJ5lk), from Metroid Prime 3
——————————————————-
Dark Samus on Norion deserves to have come as far as it has, but this one’s an easy choice for me. Kraid’s Lair.
Round 1, Fight 30 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Eternal Wind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9xyV-Rz5Jk), from Final Fantasy III
vs.
Blue Fields (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNdGoENQNQ4), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
The FF8 track is tempting, but I absolutely love that loop in Eternal Wind.
Blue Fields
Blue Fields
Blue Fields
I hate to see Eternal Wind go, though. These are two favorites. The orchestral version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s6-uYCHNRI) of Blue Fields has been on my playlists for years and years. Can anyone tell me why I think of the Ghostbusters soundtrack every time I hear Eternal Wind? Is there a similar melody on there for Dana, maybe?
Eternal Wind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Etyu3LuwHU)
Blue Fields
Eternal Wind
Well, we’re moving on to the semi-finals of the Metroid rumble already. Here’s a brief recap of how the four remaining contenders scored to get here:
Ice Valley from Metroid Prime
7-0, 7-0, 5-2, Overall: 19-2 (90.5%)
Kraid’s Lair from Metroid
5-1, 5-2, 8-0, Overall: 18-3 (85.7%)
Data Selection from Metroid Prime
4-1, 4-2, 6-0, Overall: 14-3 (82.4%)
Upper Brinstar from Super Metroid
5-3, 5-2, 4-4, Overall: 14-9 (60.9%)
I thought it would make a lot of sense to fix the semi-finals in order to ensure an exciting final round match-up, but in the spirit of keeping it random to the end I decided to let rng decide. Random.org seemed to think two tight match-ups in the semis would be more interesting than one in the final. Enjoy:
Round 4, Fight 1 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Data Selection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFGvDMfdH1o), from Metroid Prime
vs.
Upper Brinstar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsG3sw51yYI), from Super Metroid
——————————————————-
Upper Brinstar
Round 1, Fight 31 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Prologue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEG-Tqm_djk), from Final Fantasy IV
vs.
Save Them! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7dk1qUeRn4), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
Save Them! is probably the stronger track, but the pure nostalgia of Prologue wins my vote.
Prologue
Data Selection
Save Them!
Save Them!
Prologue
The big match-up comes now. These two tracks are worlds apart in style, and dead even in quality:
Round 4, Fight 2 // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Kraid’s Lair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wHwJoxw4i4), from Metroid
vs.
Ice Valley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4A6a3ovd5E), from Metroid Prime
——————————————————-
I’m going to take Kraid’s Lair.
Round 1, Fight 32 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Mines of Narshe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fnTJ5SF2uM), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Mysteries Abound (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-Iy1VeOcG4), from Final Fantasy XIII
——————————————————-
Final Fantasy XIII has had a rougher go in this tournament than it really deserves, but so be it. The Mines of Narshe
Mines of Narshe
Mysteries Abound – A track I actually liked from XIII.
The Mines Of Narshe
The Mines Of Narshe
The Mines Of Narshe
Mysteries Abound
Tough choices this round, particularly Metroid AGAIN.
Metroid Prime, Final Fantasy XIII.
Also, while I have your attention, I posted it in the Rumble group forum (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/), but to get a broader audience I’ll ask here: What are your thoughts on having a chiptune rumble? That is: predominantly 8-bit music not featured in any video game.
FINAL MATCH // Metroid Rumble
——————————————————-
Upper Brinstar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsG3sw51yYI), from Super Metroid
vs.
Ice Valley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4A6a3ovd5E), from Metroid Prime
——————————————————-
As much as Upper Brinstar has grown on my throughout this rumble–and I liked it to begin with–I’m going to have to take Ice Valley. It’s been my favorite post-Metroid II track in this rumble all along.
Happy Easter all!
We have a winner.
Metroid Prime: Ice Valley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4A6a3ovd5E) gets a decisive 6-1 finish in the final round. That makes Ice Valley the 17th rumble winner and the second winner from Metroid Prime. (Underwater Frigate pulled it off in Rumble #3.)
The big question now is which rumble to start next. I think we should avoid having two 128-track rumbles running simultaneously and instead just guarantee that Zelda follows Final Fantasy. Here are the options currently available. Some will require a bit more work before they can be launched than others, but each has at least a rough draft going. (% is about how far along they are–could impact how much of a delay there is between Metroid and the next rumble.)
64-track
——–
Commodore 64 (50%)
Nintendo 64 (80%)
32-track
——–
Early PC (20%)
Game Boy (60%)
Tim Follin (100%)
16-track
——–
Motoi Sakuraba (90%)
I personally would prefer Tim Follin. Feel free to pick as many or few as you like and we’ll see in a couple days which rumble has the most support. If you’re bothered by the relative lack of diversity among these, by all means go make your own (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/). The rumble group is perpetually short on new ideas and recommendations.
In the meantime:
Round 1, Fight 33 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Dancing Mad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbXVNKtmWnc), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Eternal Harvest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OlkhKh0fwQ), from Final Fantasy IX
——————————————————-
Dancing Mad
Tim Follin
I’d like do one of the 16- or 32-track rumbles (Early PC, Game Boy, Tim Follin, Motoi Sakuraba) with a slight preference for Follin or Sakuraba.
Round 1, Fight 34 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Forested Temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1VYCy3HW00), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
The Fierce Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-_1732J39k), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
Brutal match-up here. The Fierce Battle was by far my favorite Uematsu song as a kid, but I think for the moment I’m going to have to side with The Forested Temple. This vote is very subject to change.
Final Fantasy VII.
Really? He is one of the most important figures in the NES and pre-NES eras. He was also in the Composers Rumble.
Tim Follin
Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODKKILZiYY&list=PL384C4C2C14F69485&feature=plpp_play_all), Bio (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Follin), Discography (http://vgmdb.net/artist/1301), Interview (http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=tim+follin+interview&oq=tim+follin+interview&aq=f&aqi=g-K1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0i30.17715.18587.14.18867.10.9.0.0.0.5. 248.1291.2j6j1.9.0…0.0.UOekvbQws5U&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=2e4edfb6fecd5b31&biw=1280&bih=878), Social (http://www.timfollin.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/)
Tim Follin is one of my favorite composers. This video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G83jWTYDMMs) (made by someone else) sums up why. Nobody gave more effort on crap games than he did. Despite that, he had a long, unfortunate conclusion to his career in vgm, and all we can do now is recognize how he used his talents while he was in the industry. Interest in his work does seem to be climbing. Just in the last year, his Wikipedia page has grown to be about 10 times longer than it used to be. Pictionary!
Anyway, I’ll vote for Follin or Sakuraba for the Next Rumble.
About this time a year ago I decided to try and piece together a pretty thorough history of early video game music. I thought the opening scene would be pretty direct: Koji Kondo would take the stage in 1985 with Super Mario Bros. and prove that game music could amount to more than hokey carnival jingles. Games like Final Fantasy, Mega Man, and Castlevania would capitalize on the new vision, and by the end of the 80s you would have a pretty diverse picture.
Well, it didn’t quite pan out that way. I think the Nintendo tends to get all the credit because it was the first globally successful system with sound capabilities. (The Atari was in fact garbage incapable of much approaching music.) Game music as a genre was, however, pretty well established by the time Kondo came around. It centered not in Japan or the United States, but in Europe and especially England. What you found on systems like the Commodore 64 was not merely a recognition pre-dating Super Mario Bros that games could have amazing music, but a really active and competitive extension of the 1980s electronic music scene more generally. Where Kondo’s Mario music was a fully integrated element of the audiovisual gaming experience (this, perhaps, was his more original and admirable contribution), the early European game composers tended to function more as independent musicians who let their creativity run wild and released singles in the form of title screen themes which had no connection with their relevant games whatsoever save shared packaging.
This was the tradition in which Tim Follin grew up. He got his first game composition job in 1985, when he was only 15. Hired by a company which dealt mainly with the ZX Spectrum 48K, he composed for a sound system which was already outdated when it was released back in 1982. Since he was not working with the much more advanced Commodore 64 SID soundchip, he was initially at quite a disadvantage compared to acclaimed game composers of the time like Rob Hubbard. He wasted no time catching up.
ZX Spectrum (1985-1987)
Follin’s earliest works are arguably also his most innovative. ZX Spectrum 48K music is often described as "1-bit". It used an internal beeper with a single sound channel, and any appearance of multiple voices is an illusion created through careful programming. Follin was the first and arguably only musician to perfect this art, managing to generate wall-of-sound effects comparable to modern shoegaze and convert the Spectrum from a second-rate sound system into a really beautiful instrument. The sort of bombastic glitch beats he employed in songs like "Future Games" significantly predate artists like Aphex Twin who popularized them. (Granted later artists might have arrived at the same sounds independently.) Three Follin tracks from this era were selected for the rumble–Agent X, Future Games, and Chronos. A fourth Spectrum track, Agent X II, incorporates the much more up to date General Instrument AY-3-8910 sound chip that came equipped in the ZX Spectrum 128 model that began to emerge after 1985. You’ll find in this song a transition away from glitch beats into more authentic drumming, while the bulk of the song is still 48K compatible.
Commodore 64 and Amiga (1987-1990)
If Follin quickly became top dog among ZX Spectrum composers, he had a great deal more competition on the Commodore 64. SID (sound interface device–the C64 soundchip) culture had already standardized a variety of programming techniques to generate the quintessential sounds associated with the genre. Follin’s C64 tracks should not be understood as innovative in the same sense as his Spectrum works. They mark, rather, the more extensive development of his own unique musical style. An important thing to note for SID music is that a concept of intellectual property did not exist. It was entirely common for a composer to take someone else’s work, expand upon it or present it in a new light, and submit it for use in a video game. Follin made one of his earliest marks on the C64 by boldly incorporating John William’s Star Wars anthem into a spacey, hard hitting rendition of Harumi Fujita’s martial Bionic Commando theme. It was immature in so far as it recklessly abandoned all connections the original track had with the game for which it was composed, but it was certainly a bold statement of Follin’s confidence moving into a new musical medium. Follin would go on to score many original C64 soundtracks, solidifying his fantasy-oriented progressive rock style on the one hand, and his sort of funk-influenced rock jams on the other. The former arguably reached its creative peak on the Amiga 500–the C64’s successor system–with Ghouls’n Ghosts and Gauntlet III.
NES (1990-1991)
Very few SID composers transitioned to Nintendo systems. The reasons for this were largely geographical; European game developers had a notoriously difficult time communicating with Japanese producers, and most went belly up with the temporary death of home computer gaming in the early 1990s. Software Creations, Follin’s employer, was an exception to the rule. Arriving on a NES scene that developed in almost complete isolation from SID music, Follin brought a whole new world of sound to the table. Japanese developers tended to regard composition and sound programming as two separate jobs. For Follin, composing and programming were one and the same. He managed to unlock the NES by engaging the system directly and incorporating SID programming techniques. (The few other C64 composers who survived the transition–Neil Baldwin for instance–accomplished much the same.) Games such as Pictionary, Silver Surfer, Treasure Master, and Solstice merged Follin’s developed prog and rock song writing with sound generation techniques never before heard on the system.
SNES (1992-1994)
The entire Follin family was involved in the video game industry at one point or another. Tim landed his first composition job thanks to his older brother Mike. Beginning in 1990, Tim began to compose with his brother Geoff. Geoff is credited alongside Tim in all of their SNES works, and while Tim’s quintessential prog rock consistently stands out, it is difficult to say where one brother’s contributions end and the other’s begins. The SNES Follin discography ranges from brilliant to sub-par, with perhaps slightly more of the latter than the former. The two really put their heads together for Plok and Arcade’s Revenge though, and these might be regarded as the two most well-rounded and complex compositions of Follin’s career. The nearly four-minute long masterpiece that plays through the Spider-Man stage of Arcade’s Revenge incorporates in some capacity nearly every fundamental characteristic of Follin’s sound throughout the years, perfectly merging his fantasy/prog and funk/rock elements for the first and arguably last time. Plok, on the other hand, forgoes all rock and roll tendencies and pushes the Follin prog sound to a level not technologically possible on earlier systems.
Post-SNES
Tim Follin left Software Creations in 1993. The decision effectively ended his career. The first company he joined, Malibu Interactive, soon went belly up. At least three projects he became involved in were never released, and Follin composed fewer published works between 1995 and 2000 than in 1988 alone. He managed to acquire a few freelance composing jobs in the early 2000s, most notably Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future and Starsky & Hutch. Both of these are so technologically and temporally displaced from his earlier works that his style is barely recognizable, and, due to multiple composers and a lack of specific details about individual tracks, it is hard to say which songs he actually composed. I have chosen to represent his later works with the obscure but much more authentically Follin soundtrack Future Tactics: The Uprising. Both the album credits and the musical style seem to confirm that Tim definitely wrote it. Follin announced in 2005 that his career as a video game composer was officially over, and although his website states that he is still willing to humor freelance composing jobs, he has not scored a game since his original retirement.
So without further ado, I present the Tim Follin rumble. I will make a note when a particular song is known to be a cover and link to the original upon which it is based.
Round 1, Fight 1 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Pictionary – Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJwh3erQlyE), for the Nintendo (1990)
vs.
Arcade’s Revenge – Spider-Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqgCsdFaJlU), for the Super Nintendo (1992)
——————————————————-
Follin went for shock value on the Pictionary title theme, and he most certainly achieved it. Arcade’s Revenge – Spider-Man is a much more complete song though.
Round 1, Fight 35 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Daughter of the Great Summoner (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMCsFew9Bpc), from Final Fantasy X
vs.
Airship (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCgL8WTdQp0), from Final Fantasy XI
——————————————————-
Daughter of the Great Summoner
Airship
Airship
Spider-Man
Airship
Airship
I’ll go with Pictionary. I can’t say the two Final Fantasy selections are up to par however. Regrettably, Final Fantasy XI.
Next up is the one Follin sample I included for the ZX Spectrum 128. While Agent X II features the same quintessential distortion as Follin’s other Spectrum works, it is far less subtle. Instead, he employed the new capabilities of an AY PSG to give it a slamming drum beat and made the main theme as loud, dirty, and sleazy as possible. It’s definitely one of his best efforts in my opinion. Aside from the drumming, this song is still crammed into the ridiculously limited single-channel capacity of the original Spectrum 48K. And yes, it really is 5 minutes long. There’s no loop in this video.
Round 1, Fight 2 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Agent X II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD5tGuutTZQ), for the ZX Spectrum 128 (1987)
vs.
Arcade’s Revenge – Gambit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we6Hg-fFc5A), for the Super Nintendo (1992)
——————————————————-
Agent X II
Round 1, Fight 36 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Besaid Island (www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNRaXqbAuFE), from Final Fantasy X
vs.
The Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxKb48wvt60), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
It’s a shame such great songs have to go head-to-head after the disappointing Fight 35 match-up. I’ll side with The Decisive Battle by a hair.
The Decisive Battle
Besaid Island
The Decisive Battle
The Decisive Battle
The Decisive Battle
Round 1, Fight 3 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Silver Surfer – Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGNSHNf-nlU), for the NES (1990)
vs.
Scumball (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YX_mW_lc5U), for the Commodore 64 (1988)
——————————————————-
Silver Surfer
Round 1, Fight 37 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Selbina (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtCs2LWOV1c), from Final Fantasy XI
vs.
Final Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOqyn5kdTCo0), from Final Fantasy III
——————————————————-
Final Battle
Cloud of Darkness
Cloud of Darkness
Selbina
Final Battle
Selbina
Round 1, Fight 4 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Black Lamp – In-Game Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQFaUPA3He4), for the Commodore 64 (1988)
vs.
Solstice – Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypNPxwnppU0), for the NES (1990)
——————————————————-
Solstice
Round 1, Fight 38 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Will to Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3hN_8RW9So), from Final Fantasy XIII
vs.
Nalbina Fortress Underground Prison (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTu1lzfLolA), from Final Fantasy XII
——————————————————-
Will to Fight
Nalbina Fotress Underground Prison
Will to Fight
Will to Fight – Boy, the FF one is tough. Nalbina has a better arrangement and instrumentation, but Will to Fight is a more satisfying piece of music to listen to outside of the game.
for this im gonna vote for solstice and nalbina.
Nalbina Fotress Underground Prison
Will to Fight sounded like something out of Granado Espada or Ragnarok Online. A kind of song that SoundTemP team would compose. And the Vocals felt awkward for me.
This next fight includes Future Games–one of Follin’s very first and, I think, most innovative songs. It’s a fragile build-up to explosion around the 2:06 mark, unleashing a frantic glitch-beat bombardment that substantially predates the popularizing of these techniques in electronic music scenes in the 90s.
Round 1, Fight 5 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Future Games (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orEXKOBIv_8), for the ZX Spectrum 48K (1986)
vs.
Equinox – Boss Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkTr5Lo09b0), for the SNES (1993)
——————————————————-
Future Games
Round 1, Fight 39 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjhXqgB1TMo), from Final Fantasy X
vs.
The Day Will Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85ZWZRHq51s), from Final Fantasy V
——————————————————-
I would be quite content if Decisive Battle won this rumble. Amazing stuff.
Decisive Battle
Decisive Battle I’m also quite fond of the piano collections (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZMXBnW8NMs) version.
Decisive Battle
Round 1, Fight 6 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Ghouls’n Ghosts Level 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU-ss4JXe2Q), for the Commodore 64 (1989)
vs.
Gauntlet III Title Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zD4KwiVwr0), for the Amiga 500 (1991)
——————————————————-
Ghouls’n Ghosts Level 5 for now. I might change that. I think this is one of the closest match-ups in the opening round.
Round 1, Fight 40 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Dear Friends (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7kKDZei4s4), from Final Fantasy V
vs.
Despair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joxCId9SvAU), from Final Fantasy XI
——————————————————-
Dear Friends
Despair
I feel like both of these are close match ups.
Despair
Dear Friends
Gauntlet III
Dear Friends
Dear Friends
Round 1, Fight 7 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Treasure Master World 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmq1kknhhBA), for the NES (1991)
vs.
Puzznic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4WD1iPH9aQ), for the Amiga 500 (1990)
——————————————————-
Treasure Master World 4
Round 1, Fight 41 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Seeking Power (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wzU706vNlA), from Final Fantasy XII
vs.
Find Your Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn0T6Xh5VXY), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
Find Your Way
Find Your Way –
Find Your Way
Seeking Power
Seeking Power
Seeking Power
Another hard match up, at least for the FF titles.
Next up is the first of a handful of cover/arrangement tracks not originally composed by Tim. The inclusion of such tracks is inevitable when we are dealing with the European 1980s vgm scene; developers were often tasked to replicate original music for home ports of arcade games, and reinventing these songs for the SID tended to involve a lot of creative license. Moreover, artists borrowed liberally from one another and from mainstream music with no concern for this "intellectual property" nonsense. In a number of cases covers and arrangements became famous in their own right. (Rob Hubbard was a real master at this.) The track which has since become the franchise theme for Bionic Commando has a bit of a bizarre history in its own right. After doing some research last summer I am absolutely convinced that Harumi Fujita composed it, however decades later staff at Capcom mistook Junko Tamiya’s nearly identical NES arrangement for the original and credited her as original composer in the ost liner notes for all of the recent series installments. At any rate, I think for these tracks you should check out the original songs too and take the changes into consideration. Follin’s Bionic Commando cover is a bit dubious in my opinion, but it remains one of his most famous works. A childish break from music-game continuity, or an epic tip of the hat to John Williams? You decide.
Round 1, Fight 8 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Bionic Commando Stage 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okwoIGDjoQI), for the Commodore 64 (1988)
Arrangement of original work by Harumi Fujita (Arcade, 1987) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuAy3s6Qly0)
vs.
ChesterField: Challenge to Dark Gor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIpQvG-Oiog), for the Commodore 64 (1988)
I couldn’t find a video of this track alone. While the song appears to cut out abruptly around 1:45, it actually ends at about 1:40. In this video the last maybe one or two seconds is missing and then five random seconds of the song are repeated at the end. Do ignore that.
——————————————————-
ChesterField
Round 1, Fight 42 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Mystic Mysidia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwtdCcviYl4), from Final Fantasy IV
vs.
Breezy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB30RVWeuP8), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
Mystic Mysidia
Breezy
Breezy
Bionic Commando
Breezy!!!
Breezy
Breezy
Round 1, Fight 9 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Future Tactics: The Uprising – Enemy Attack 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCCiDkFRuMw), for the Playstation 2 (2004)
vs.
Plok – Cotton Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpJjXnCrC_I), for the Super Nintendo (1993)
——————————————————-
Cotton Island
Round 1, Fight 43 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
To Zanarkand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-0G_FI61a8), from Final Fantasy X
vs.
Kefka (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqtOWpNAs48), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
It’s a tough call. To Zanarkand is beautiful, but at the end of the day I don’t like it quite enough to vote against Final Fantasy VI’s most iconic theme. Kefka
Future Tactics
To Zanarkand
Kefka
Kefka
Kefka
Two covers/arrangements in this Follin fight. The first is an (I think rather drastic) improvement to Kawamoto’s original arcade piece. The second is a very loose cover of the main theme to Starsky & Hutch. (Note that Ghouls’n Ghosts Level 5 was Follin’s original composition, not an arrangement.)
Round 1, Fight 10 // Tim Follin Rumble
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Ghouls’n Ghosts Level 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3a9IUBj8X0), for the Commodore 64 (1989)
Arrangement of original work by Tamayo Kawamoto (Arcade, 1988) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUR52KRqcq4)
vs.
Treasure Master Title Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUu6E-5lPTw), for the Nintendo (1991)
Based on original work by Tom Scott (1976) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1jrrupT8SE)
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Ghouls’n Ghosts
Round 1, Fight 44 // Final Fantasy Rumble
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Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0dmXzqgkc4), from Final Fantasy IV
vs.
Crystal Cave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MUphMWKuqw), from Final Fantasy III
——————————————————-
Main Theme
Crystal Cave
Main Theme from Final Fantasy IV
FFIV
Main Theme from Final Fantasy IV
Crystal Cave
Round 1, Fight 11 // Tim Follin Rumble
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Gauntlet III – Character Select (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWlc8ig-fEI), for the Commodore 64 (1991)
vs.
Time Trax (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqyEbu8cmMg), for the Mega Drive (unreleased, circa 1994)
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Gauntlet III
Round 1, Fight 45 // Final Fantasy Rumble
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Between Ordeals (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRWpGFKyYtY), from Final Fantasy X
vs.
The Silence Before the Storm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVRve3qlE48), from Final Fantasy X
——————————————————-
Both are great, and FFX has been getting a pretty raw deal this rumble. I’ll take The Silence Before the Storm.
The Silence Before the Storm
The Silence Before the Storm
Between Ordeals
The Silence Before the Storm
Between Ordeals
Time Trax (4-2) and Final Fantasy X: The Silence Before the Storm (4-2) advance.
Round 1, Fight 12 // Tim Follin Rumble
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Plok – Venge Thicket (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8e5qTfy8cU), for the Super Nintendo (1993)
vs.
Arcade’s Revenge – Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8Q0s95SRXM), for the Super Nintendo (Super Nintendo, 1992)
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Venge Thicket!!
Round 1, Fight 46 // Final Fantasy Rumble
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Chateau d’Oraguille (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaTmeeQLFZ0), from Final Fantasy XI
vs.
On the Other Side of the Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQR6oko6YkE), from Final Fantasy VII
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Chateau d’Oraguille
On the Other Side of the Mountain
Chateau d’Oraguille
On The Other Side Of The Mountain
Chateau d’Oraguille
Round 1, Fight 13 // Tim Follin Rumble
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Plok – Akrillic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jbJSftFr20), for the Super Nintendo (1993)
vs.
Gauntlet III – Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHg14wwgtbY), for the Commodore 64 (1991)
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Akrillic
Round 1, Fight 46 // Final Fantasy Rumble
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Track 27 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT1jA6IWa04), from Final Fantasy XIV
vs.
Ancient Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLxGFQqcfME), from Final Fantasy II
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Ancient Castle
Ancient Castle
As for the other fight, this FFXIV track got coverage in the VGM Trivia thread quite a while back here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/video-game-music-trivia-66197/3.html#post1615734). Nevertheless, I gotta go with Ancient Castle.
Ancient Castle
FF 14
Round 1, Fight 14 // Tim Follin Rumble
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Agent X II – Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaOjtFBWy4g), for the Commodore 64 (1987)
vs.
Ghouls’n Ghosts – Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCLAXQow3w), for the Amiga 500 (1989)
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Ghouls’n Ghosts
Round 1, Fight 48 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNEdOk_w8Fg), from Final Fantasy III
vs.
Troian Beauty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hXovY9nFXo), from Final Fantasy IV
——————————————————-
Troian Beauty
Battle
Troian Beauty
Troian Beauty
Troian Beauty
Round 1, Fight 15 // Tim Follin Rumble
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Pictionary – Drawing Game (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8bVrwQxDXc), for the Nintendo (1990)
vs.
Chronos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-D24A_N4d4), for the ZX Spectrum 48K (1987)
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Chronos!!
Round 1, Fight 49 // Final Fantasy Rumble
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New Continent (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2Gr6mezNjQ), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
The Royal City of Rabanastre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvW9KQ5vu8Y), from Final Fantasy XII
——————————————————-
New Continent
New Continent
Rabanastre
Rabanastre
New Continent
Rabanastre
Round 1, Fight 16 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Agent X (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOZ8rbmlWrk), for the ZX Spectrum 48K (1986)
vs.
Magic Johnson’s Basketball (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-TfCSxYKP0), for the Commodore 64 (1990)
——————————————————-
I do like Magic Johnson’s Basketball better between the two. Of the four ZX Spectrum tracks in this rumble, this is the only one I am inclined to vote against, and it’s a pretty close call. However, in recognition that Magic Johnson’s Basketball has already won, I’ll vote Agent X. 😛
Round 1, Fight 50 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Cursed Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-445ULSBqLk), from Final Fantasy V
vs.
Final Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz9q6PXk3dI), from Final Fantasy IX
——————————————————-
Cursed Earth
Cursed Earth
Cursed Earth
Final Battle
Round 2, Fight 1 // Tim Follin Rumble
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Plok – Cotton Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpJjXnCrC_I), for the Super Nintendo (1993)
vs.
Chester Field: Challenge to Dark Gor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIpQvG-Oiog), for the Commodore 64 (1988)
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Chester Field
Round 1, Fight 51 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
One-Winged Angel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
Clash on the Big Bridge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CMTXyExkeI), from Final Fantasy V
——————————————————-
Wow, brutal first round match-up. I’ll take Clash on the Big Bridge. (By the way, anyone else ever notice that Uematsu blatantly borrowed from Closet Chronicles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ld3prHzbdY) by Kansas on this track?)
One Winged Angel
Clash on the Big Bridge – Mostly for the Black Mages Arrangement.
One-Winged Angel
Clash on the Big Bridge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4M5ivckBPQ)
One-Winged Angel
Edit (Off-topic): I heard a medley of the Metal Gear Solid themes that was pretty cool and wanted to share (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzMcXnoyXdg).
Also, I don’t know if any of you use turntable, but you guys have great taste in VGM so come try out turntable.fm – Super Happy Fun Times Game Music (http://turntable.fm/super_happy_fun_times_game_music) –it’s fun and I’m vidriera there.
Sorry about the long delay between posts. Over the past week I’ve moved half way across the state, lost my closest uncle to a heart attack, and found out my wife is pregnant. Crazy times.
Round 2, Fight 2 // Tim Follin Rumble
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Pictionary – Drawing Game (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8bVrwQxDXc), for the Nintendo (1990)
vs.
Plok – Akrillic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jbJSftFr20), for the Super Nintendo (1993)
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Akrillic
Round 1, Fight 52 // Final Fantasy Rumble
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Valley of the Fallen Star (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiJVNzQDdCY), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
The Nightmare Begins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwBjCKWaO_0), from Final Fantasy VII
——————————————————-
The Nightmare Begins
@jakob – i have enough music files for my own showdown although it was an appealing thought.
My votes are for Akrillic and The Nightmare Begins.
Valley Of The Fallen Star
Valley of the Fallen Star
Cosmo Canyon
Cosmo Canyon
Round 2, Fight 3 // Tim Follin Rumble
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Solstice Title Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypNPxwnppU0), for the Nintendo (1990)
vs.
Ghouls’n Ghosts Level 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU-ss4JXe2Q), for the Commodore 64 (1989)
——————————————————-
Solstice
Round 1, Fight 53 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Frontier Village Dali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKc-U80G9l0), from Final Fantasy IX
vs.
JENOVA Absolute (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yX4h8Agi7U), from Final Fantasy VII
——————————————————-
Frontier Village Dali
Frontier Village Dali
Frontier Village Dali
Dali
Jenova Absolute
Dali
Round 2, Fight 4 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Treasure Master – World 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmq1kknhhBA), for the Nintendo (1991)
vs.
Arcade’s Revenge – Gambit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we6Hg-fFc5A), for the Super Nintendo (1992)
——————————————————-
Treasure Master. Pretty interesting match-up here. More often than not, Follin reserved his best tunes for title, menu, and early level themes. Here you have perhaps the best prog and groove tracks respectively that he buried deeper into a game.
Round 1, Fight 54 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Vivi’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_Pi7MC_6bE), from Final Fantasy IX
vs.
Liberi Fatali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaoMcTfPXw4), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
Vivi’s Theme. I’m a sucker for the Final Fantasy IX soundtrack. I think the game in general was Square’s last great idea, and Uematsu composed a soundtrack that suited it to perfection.
So I snuck a peak at Fight 55, and the next Final Fantasy match-up is going to be the oddest pairing that a random sort of 128 could have brought up–not necessarily in a good way, but it should be interesting.
Liberi Fatali
Vivi
Liberi Fatali
Gambit
Round 2, Fight 5 // Tim Follin Rumble
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Plok – Venge Thicket (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8e5qTfy8cU), for the Super Nintendo (1993)
vs.
Arcade’s Revenge – Spider-Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqgCsdFaJlU), for the Super Nintendo (1992)
——————————————————-
Arcade’s Revenge – Spider-Man
Round 1, Fight 55 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Suteki da ne (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j5BKgGtjXQ), from Final Fantasy X
vs.
Eyes on Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qcW0oiLKHg), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
I included the FF8-10 ballads because I felt they were a defining new feature of the Final Fantasy soundtrack in their day, but I always thought these two were especially horrible. (Memories of Life from FF9 is decent.) I certainly never expected any of them to advance. But here you have it. I’ll take Suteki da ne because at least it’s not in English.
Suteki da ne
Eyes on Me
Eyes on Me – Ughhhhh. "Suteki da ne" is atrocious. All that cloying, little girl’s vocal quavering. Awful earworm chorus. And every time I listen to it, I wonder if the violin is in tune. Compared to that, the echoing woodblock and moronic lyrics of "Eyes on Me" seem pretty okay. But I’ve got no love for either. Whenever sang my song.
At least the strummed autoharp sound at the beginning of "Eyes on Me" is reminiscent of a much better song from the same soundtrack: "Martial Law" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjTw1Wcjzf8)
Eyes on Me
Spider Man
Arcade’s Revenge, Final Fantasy VIII.
Suteki da ne
Round 2, Fight 6 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Magic Johnson’s Basketball (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-TfCSxYKP0), for the Commodore 64 (1990)
vs.
Time Trax (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqyEbu8cmMg), for the Mega Drive (1994)
——————————————————-
Magic Johnson’s Basketball
Round 1, Fight 56 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Theme of the Empire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3vT3hp0U5w), from Final Fantasy XII
vs.
The Man with the Machine Gun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jho-peCAKs), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
I’m not in a good place to listen to these at the moment and I’m not nearly as familiar with them as I am with the Follin set, so I’ll add my vote later.
Theme of the Empire
Theme of the Empire
Man with the Machine Gun
Theme of the Empire
Toughest choice in FF battle so far. Couldn’t make up my mind for a few days ;P
Theme of the Empire
EDIT: JUST ARRIVED FROM DISTANT WORLDS PREMIERE IN LATINAMERICA.
How was it???
EDIT: Videos (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=distant+worlds+buenos+aires&oq=distant+worlds+buenos+aires&gs_l=youtube.3..33i21.2427.7094.0.7189.31.22.2.7.9 .0.229.1949.10j10j1.21.0…0.0…1ac.1.11.youtube. V9t4FDk9b7I) are starting to go up.
Round 2, Fight 7 // Tim Follin Rumble
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Ghouls’n Ghosts Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCLAXQow3w), for the Amiga 500 (1989)
vs.
Equinox – Boss Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkTr5Lo09b0), for the Super Nintendo (1993)
——————————————————-
Ghouls’n Ghosts!!
Round 1, Fight 57 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Esper Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COG3R3Km-Zk), from Final Fantasy XII
vs.
Wild West (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ALrUk9GSaU), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
Esper Battle
Wild West!
Esper Battle
Wild West!
Ghouls and Ghosts
Esper Battle
Ghouls’n Ghosts – Amiga 500 Title (7-0) and Final Fantasy XII: Esper Battle (5-2) advance.
Round 2, Fight 8 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Silver Surfer – Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGNSHNf-nlU), for the Nintendo (1990)
vs.
Ghouls’n Ghosts Level 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3a9IUBj8X0), for the Commodore 64 (1989)
Arrangement of original work by Tamayo Kawamoto (Arcade, 1988) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUR52KRqcq4)
——————————————————-
Silver Surfer
Round 1, Fight 58 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Forgotten Capital (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE8-z8wW-c4), from Final Fantasy XII
vs.
Under Her Control (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKI8RFr0Ec8), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
Under Her Control
Under Her Control
The Forgotten Capital
The Forgotten Capital
Under Her Control
Under Her Control
This doesn’t seem to be the thing any more, but I always liked to quote vote. Also, I’ve never thanked you ,Shad, for continuing the rumble. Thanks, and I think you’re doing a wonderful job! Also, I had to vote for the track that was pure follin even though the arrangement was nice on gng.
EDIT: By the by, now seems like a good time to remind everyone we do have a Facebook Rumble group just in the case the Shrine ever goes down for an extended amount of time (PM me or topopoz for the link). Not only is it a good place for rumble conversation, but I also post vgm-related links when I can.
We’re taking off to my parents’ vacation home for the holiday, so I won’t be able to post the next fight for a day or two. I don’t use Facebook, but good to know if I ever stop being stubborn about it. 🙂
The Forgotten Capital
Good to hear it is after the Final Fantasy rumble – I’ve got a TON of song links to find!
Round 3, Fight 1 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Ghouls’n Ghosts Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCLAXQow3w), for the Amiga 500 (1989)
vs.
Arcade’s Revenge – Gambit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we6Hg-fFc5A), for the Super Nintendo (1992)
——————————————————-
Ghouls’n Ghosts!!
Round 1, Fight 59 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Final Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ-7Wk42aM0), from Final Fantasy IV
vs.
Phantom Train (www.youtube.com/watch?v=kck-jRkn5ts), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
Tough one. I think I’ll take Phantom Train.
Phantom Train
Phantom Train
Phantom Train
The Final Battle
Round 3, Fight 2 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Silver Surfer – Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGNSHNf-nlU), for the Nintendo (1990)
vs.
Chester Field: Challenge to Dark Gor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIpQvG-Oiog), for the Commodore 64 (1988)
——————————————————-
Silver Surfer
Round 1, Fight 60 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Theme of the Tantalus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEzLoQG7Y2I), from Final Fantasy IX
vs.
Anxiety (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzy56sHGWjE), from Final Fantasy XI
——————————————————-
Anxiety
Wouldn’t have changed the outcome – I voted for Arcade’s Revenge and The Final Battle.
This week – Chester Field and Final Fantasy XI.
Anxiety
Anxiety
Theme of Tantalus
Chester Field
Round 3, Fight 3 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Arcade’s Revenge – Spider-Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqgCsdFaJlU), for the Super Nintendo (1992)
vs.
Time Trax (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqyEbu8cmMg), for the Mega Drive (1994)
——————————————————-
Spider-Man
Round 1, Fight 61 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Off the Edge of Despair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zayMRM62Zw0), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
Gustaberg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx3-k7XbsxM), from Final Fantasy XI
——————————————————-
Off the Edge of Despair
Gustaberg – This sounds like it could be from Chrono Trigger.
Off the Edge of Despair
Off the Edge of Despair – Torn about this one
Round 3, Fight 4 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Plok – Akrillic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jbJSftFr20), for the Super Nintendo (1993)
vs.
Solstice – Title Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypNPxwnppU0), for the Nintendo (1990)
——————————————————-
Solstice
Round 1, Fight 62 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Red Wings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZkQPTuVBl0), from Final Fantasy IV
vs.
Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xktPLOC6e6Y), from Final Fantasy II
——————————————————-
I’ve been dreaming of recording a post-rock version of Red Wings since before post-rock existed.
Red Wings – Replayed FF4 a couple months ago for the first time in 10 years, and it held up big time. I got genuinely excited when I heard this theme begin to play.
Red Wings
Red Wings
Round 4, Fight 1 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Time Trax (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqyEbu8cmMg), for the Mega Drive (1994)
vs.
Silver Surfer – Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGNSHNf-nlU), for the Nintendo (1990)
——————————————————-
Silver Surfer
Round 1, Fight 63 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Phon Coast (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWgc1pSMCMw), from Final Fantasy XII
vs.
The Skycity of Bhujerba (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQNWafc6_9k), from Final Fantasy XII
——————————————————-
The Skycity of Bhujerba
The Skycity of Bhujerba
Phon Coast. – Weird I know. But these days, this song and Mosphoran Highwaste specially are insipiring to me. xD
Best of Motoi Sakuraba (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-motoi-sakuraba-153/)
Best of the N64 (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-n64-154/)
Best of the C64 (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-c64-210/)
Best of the Game Boy (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-game-boy-209/)
As long as I keep making new rumble lists you’re probably going to keep getting chippier stuff (Follin, C64, Game Boy), because that’s the style of vgm I listen to most. Interested in something more modern/symphonic? Go start a new list!
The Phon Coast
The Skycity Of Bhujerba
The Skycity of Bhujerba
Round 4, Fight 2 // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Ghouls’n Ghosts Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCLAXQow3w), for the Amiga 500 (1989)
vs.
Plok – Akrillic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jbJSftFr20), for the Super Nintendo (1993)
——————————————————-
Ghouls’n Ghosts. Solstice’s loss in round 3 was one of the bigger surprises to me in this rumble. I definitely love Akrillic, but the decision here, for me at least, is a lot easier than had the match-up been between Amiga G’n G and Solstice.
Round 1, Fight 64 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Desert Moon Defied (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVa9z0KLyOo), from Final Fantasy XIV
vs.
Kuja’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjFOTP47o2E), from Final Fantasy IX
——————————————————-
Desert Moon Defied. It’s a fitting coincidence that the first round of the Final Fantasy rumble should come to an end with the penultimate Follin battle.
Ghouls n’ Ghosts
Kuja’s Theme
Kuja’s Theme
Desert Moon Defied
FINAL MATCH // Tim Follin Rumble
——————————————————-
Silver Surfer – Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGNSHNf-nlU), for the Nintendo (1990)
vs.
Ghouls’n Ghosts Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCLAXQow3w), for the Amiga 500 (1989)
——————————————————-
Well, the rumble I’ve personally put the most time into developing is now coming to a close, and I couldn’t be more content with the remaining contestants. I had Silver Surfer Level 1 as my ringtone for about four months last year (before switching it back to the Hiroki Kikuta song "Premonition", which has been my ringtone since about 1999 and still sounds as awesome as the first time I ever heard it). Silver Surfer was definitely one of the big five for me in this rumble–alongside the regrettably unappreciated Future Games and Chronos and the fairly successful Solstice. If I had to pick one to place above them all though, give me Ghouls’n Ghosts.
Given the two I have, I suppose I’ll side with Ghouls ‘N’ Ghosts.
Check out Beach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODKKILZiYY) and Flea Pit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHLOEAn5JTo) off Plok’s soundtrack, too. They’re equally strong tracks.
Well, I think these are two great choices for the final. I’m a huge fan of Silver Surfer’s hyperkinetic, headbanging rock. Back when I was working on the NES rumble I started listening to all of the soundtracks I’d never heard before, and Silver Surfer was a total revelation. However, I think Ghouls n’ Ghosts is the better composition. When those strings come in around the 2:30 mark, the song begins to float away beautifully. More than being a good song and technically impressive, as Silver Surfer is, it’s captivating and also showcases some of the styles and compositional techniques that make Follin one of the greats.
Given the two I have, I suppose I’ll side with Ghouls ‘N’ Ghosts.
My thoughts exactly.
In perhaps the most decisive final round so far, Tim Follin’s title theme to the 1989 Amiga 500 port of Ghouls’n Ghosts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCLAXQow3w) wins this rumble 7-0. Perhaps the penultimate match-up with Akrillic was the tougher test. Either way, I’m happy to see what’s arguably my personal favorite Follin song go all the way. 🙂
Round 2, Fight 1 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Bombing Mission (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XvXvUFaaNc), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
Crystal Cave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcP_R-MJd-E), from Final Fantasy III
——————————————————-
Bombing Mission
——————————————————-
Next Rumble
Please vote for at least one of the following:
Best of Motoi Sakuraba (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-motoi-sakuraba-153/) (16 entries)
Best of the N64 (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-n64-154/) (64 entries)
Best of the C64 (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-c64-210/) (64 entries, wip)
Best of the Game Boy (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/best-game-boy-209/) (32 entries, wip)
I’ll chip in my vote for Motoi Sakuraba. It’s nice to alternate between material I’m familiar with and the stuff that’s new to me.
Motoi Sakuraba
Sakuraba
Nintendo 64
I wouldn’t be opposed to doubling up on Final Fantasy in the meantime!
N64 or Sakuraba
Least to most successful Final Fantasy games by total votes:
14. Final Fantasy I
28.6% — 4-10 (2 entries)
13. Final Fantasy XIII
34.0% — 18-35 (7 entries)
12. Final Fantasy XIV
39.4% — 13-20 (5 entries)
11. Final Fantasy V
40.8% — 20-29 (7 entries)
10. Final Fantasy X
41.1% — 39-56 (13 entries)
9. Final Fantasy III
43.2% — 16-21 (5 selections)
8. Final Fantasy IX
48.4% — 46-49 (13 entries)
7. Final Fantasy II
50.0% — 8-8 (3 entries)
6. Final Fantasy XI
50.0% — 24-24 (7 entries)
5. Final Fantasy VI
51.4% — 57-54 (15 entries)
4. Final Fantasy XII
52.5% — 53-48 (13 entries)
3. Final Fantasy VIII
52.8% — 56-50 (13 entries)
2. Final Fantasy VII
57.5% — 61-45 (14 entries)
1. Final Fantasy IV
71.3% — 57-23 (11 entries)
Round 2, Fight 2 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Breezy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB30RVWeuP8), from Final Fantasy VIII
vs.
Off the Edge of Despair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zayMRM62Zw0), from Final Fantasy VII
——————————————————-
Off the Edge of Despair
Round 2, Fight 3 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Kefka (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZxB4eO8X9s), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Chateau d’Oraguille (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IqSHhtWJUE), from Final Fantasy XI
——————————————————-
It’s a tough call, but I’ll have to take Kefka. Chateau d’Oraguille might be a better stand-alone song, but Kefka’s quirky anthem was such a defining feature of his character…
Kefka
Kefka
Chateau d’Oraguille
Chateau d’Oraguille
I don’t think I’ve ever had to step away for that long before! :-\ My wife’s surprise birthday party, a wedding, a vacation, an anniversary, and the impending school year all conspired against me. I can definitely help with the Sakuraba rumble but need another week or so before life calms down (the surprise birthday party is this weekend and involves friends coming from out of town and staying with us). Hopefully, everyone else who’s absent is dealing with similar kind of stuff. Anyway, I just updated the OP with the latest results. Good to be back, and good thoughts to all.
———- Post added at 02:43 AM ———- Previous post was at 02:33 AM ———-
EDIT: For Sakuraba, are we doing 16 soundtracks with five examples songs apiece like we did traditionally, or are we doing what we did for Follin with 32 representative songs?
I just got home from work. I’ll flip for the fight 3 tie and toss up the next FF battles later tonight.
Breezy
Chateau d’ Orguille
As soon as I get all my sh*t together I’ll be voting as regular.
Round 2, Fight 4 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Prologue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTlT8zGQwwU), from Final Fantasy IV
vs.
Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZJqRbmxMEY), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
Opening Theme
Round 2, Fight 5 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Dear Friends (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7kKDZei4s4), from Final Fantasy V
vs.
Last Dungeon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkSpY7g2gmM), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
Last Dungeon
Last Dungeon
Last Dungeon
Last Dungeon
Round 1, Fight 1 // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth for the Playstation Portable, 2006
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXtBWcPO_8M), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LQRKA4W5XQ), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnNyX2l0sAk), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnj6QVJ6qPQ), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAQkt3C68Ws)
vs.
Golden Sun for the Gameboy Advance, 2001
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKS53NRgYL8), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nx9re08H3Y), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V00F8CQ1c7A), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ytoYlkxoAg), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttqO0yOCDhU)
——————————————————-
Golden Sun — Most of youtube has been offline all day, as usual lately, so I wasn’t able to sample every track. My vote may change later.
Round 2, Fight 6 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
To the Place of Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ2rw-VDwfA), from Final Fantasy XII
vs.
Fight 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xMDoh4174Y), from Final Fantasy IV
——————————————————-
To the Place of Gods
As for the other fight, it’s a dead tie for me, so I’ll give it to the song that’s endured far more listens without getting old: Fight 2.
Fight 2
To The Place Of Gods
I was off for Labor Day Weekend. Back now though!
Arthur, I uh, was going off the Motoi Sakuraba group thread for my track links in that rumble. Is there any way you can restore it, or do you happen to have a copy of the links you posted that you can PM me? I’ll see about getting a mod to restore it if you don’t, so please don’t waste time recreating it from scratch. For now:
Round 2, Fight 7 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Prelude (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnUtfA71kvk), from Final Fantasy IV
vs.
The Royal City Of Rabanastre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvW9KQ5vu8Y), from Final Fantasy XII
——————————————————-
I think I’ll have to go with the classic this time. Prelude.
EDIT: The list has been sent with all links. I looked into making you an admin, but I don’t think I can. I do have access to every thread we’ve ever posted there, though, and I keep backups on my computer until after a rumble is done. So nothing will be lost. Sorry for the confusion!
EDIT: Prelude all the way.
Round 1, Fight 2 // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Star Ocean: The Second Story for the Playstation, 1998
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h5FzzXKjLA), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ze5BfLk0J8), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boRCmchdgP0), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPhqGpuD7Mo), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw2zRnCAXAU)
vs.
Infinite Undiscovery for the Xbox 360, 2008
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Co13kfyf0), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhfljz1-z9g), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCW6OQh8W5s), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmgTTnR9xKM), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsc8q6ah-zs)
——————————————————-
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Round 2, Fight 8 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Aetherial Slumber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxBl0muwxVM), from Final Fantasy XIV
vs.
Dark Messenger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSi6_hbpo8), from Final Fantasy IX
——————————————————-
Dark Messenger
Dark Messenger
Dark Messenger
Dark Messenger
Round 1, Fight 3 // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Dark Souls for the Xbox 360, 2011
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd1AKojS7Og), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS6imkjmYcg), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpI-KeK-PQg), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgpYfCnLhAo), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tuWvGee4T0)
vs.
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time for the Playstation 2, 2003
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmYxRCGxFbc), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcEQ-CYTVx8), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYSt4qX85oA), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-tvRI46Azg), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS7Wb4O9NhE)
——————————————————-
Dark Souls
Round 2, Fight 9 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Eyes on Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qcW0oiLKHg), from Final Fantasy VIII
vs.
Freya’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ6yqiVOHT0), from Final Fantasy IX
——————————————————-
Freya’s Theme
Dark Souls
Freya’s Theme
Freya’s Theme
EDIT: Also, whenever sang my songs.
Eyes on Me
Final fantasy IX- Freya’s theme – YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2rlLC4N9u4)
———- Post added at 10:55 PM ———- Previous post was at 10:51 PM ———-
Star Ocean, Final Fantasy IX.
…And it looks like Heads, so Dark Souls (3-3) and Final Fantasy IX: Freya’s Theme (4-2) advance.
Round 1, Fight 4 // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Golden Sun: The Lost Age for the Gameboy Advance, 2002
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqRbcagz4RA), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFUtYYMUEVY), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SDzc7CxQiI), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta_uwVn7cio), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEM-ITlEpC0)
vs.
Kid Icarus: Uprising for the Nintendo 3DS, 2012
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVrdnsrVXhY), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86BFbZPgqHc), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrKwJ9kYGe8), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3KIv150eR0), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3RjnANAYe8)
——————————————————-
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Round 2, Fight 10 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Airship (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-if85nnGWMg), from Final Fantasy XI
vs.
Frontier Village Dali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckkxi-UH5lw), from Final Fantasy IX
——————————————————-
It’s a really tough call, but I think I’ll take Airship.
Airship – The first time I listened to FFXI’s soundtrack, I heard this one and maybe a dozen other tracks and couldn’t figure out why people disliked the soundtrack so much.
Airship
Airship
Two close matches – tons of quality in the first match… still looking for any in the second matchup
———- Post added at 12:22 AM ———- Previous post was at 12:22 AM ———-
Kid Icarus, Final Fantasy XI.
Round 1, Fight 5 // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria for the Playstation 2, 2006
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGKTUi35jeo), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOknVFlu9sE), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zsKqWq0CSM), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVOyu4rNZw8), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfOIJHktF9o)
vs.
Tales of Eternia for the Playstation, 2000
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqix3cD8BJ8), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HggpP0KYJZY), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pOTt1_134g), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFik-cXqLkc), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCsMcilKUfs)
——————————————————-
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Round 2, Fight 11 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Phantom Train (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znZNrMzeRWc), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Theme of the Empire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL9KZT-8b2M), from Final Fantasy XII
——————————————————-
Phantom Train
Phantom Train
Phantom Train
Phantom Train
Round 1, Fight 6 // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Tales of Destiny for the Playstation, 1997
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzYnDHv2IbQ), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSBXRiqXeiY), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MefMP4K5fTc), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoNr-gGeeoc), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfGPMkeaMM0)
vs.
El Viento for the Genesis, 1991
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B434FulrptM), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDisRaKRi9U), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXn7V9JKnQo), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fXYK592yvo), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4mdUhfNTJc)
——————————————————-
Tales of Destiny
Round 2, Fight 12 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Forested Temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1VYCy3HW00), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
Cloud of Darkness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOqyn5kdTCo), from Final Fantasy III
——————————————————-
Cloud of Darkness
Cloud of Darkness – Final Battle rocks.
Forested Temple
I’m very sad El Viento is so deep in the hole. I think it is far superior to its competition. Not a Ninja Gaiden III tragedy, but sad nonetheless.
Just went back to look at that rumble. Can you believe that was 4 years ago??
Round 1, Fight 7 // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Star Ocean for the Super Famicom, 1996
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCaAUyXOJj4), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-t4-3yqB98), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQvAgwWwEMo), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXwm5PkTTFY), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzO0EzqFKb8)
vs.
Tales of Phantasia for the Super Famicom, 1995
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-EjQhrGQOI), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4AYcvu_2JA), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCWwV_4AovM), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyGB_f-vZSA), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ogclj9nzkA)
——————————————————-
Tales of Phantasia
Round 2, Fight 13 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Forgotten Capital (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE8-z8wW-c4), from Final Fantasy XII
vs.
Liberi Fatali (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfd9krEsr-k), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
The Forgotten Capital. I always felt Liberi Fatali tried too hard to be epic at the expense of any memorable melody.
Aww, I always loved Liberi Fatali. How awesomely dramatic was that opening for 1999? I was stoked for this game. And then I realized I was going to spend days of my life drawing spells…
The Forgotten Capital
Liberi Fatali
Round 1, Fight 8 // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Shining Force III for the Sega Saturn, 1997
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kRWBstp4HI), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fHARcD5zoc), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmFKyXiOa6g), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBpVlKpn8zg), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4qGXgii2_M)
vs.
Baten Kaitos for the GameCube, 2003
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQX27xjXl70), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWbhB1iMjB0), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Heb8iFf_Sww), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHh8bUxOo4o), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAA7_DnjT8o)
——————————————————-
Shining Force III
Round 2, Fight 14 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Kuja’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2spjqRmQGRA), from Final Fantasy IX
vs.
Ancient Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLxGFQqcfME), from Final Fantasy II
——————————————————-
Ancient Castle
Kuja’s Theme is a simple and effective piece. But I gotta go with Ancient Castle. That’s a nifty little melody, symphonic by implication, that draws up a mood and setting even without the benefit of real instruments or acoustics.
Kuja’s Theme
Ancient Castle
Round 2, Fight 1 // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Dark Souls for the Xbox 360, 2011
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd1AKojS7Og), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS6imkjmYcg), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpI-KeK-PQg), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgpYfCnLhAo), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tuWvGee4T0)
vs.
Kid Icarus: Uprising for the Nintendo 3DS, 2012
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVrdnsrVXhY), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86BFbZPgqHc), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrKwJ9kYGe8), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3KIv150eR0), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3RjnANAYe8)
——————————————————-
I’ll listen and vote later.
Round 2, Fight 15 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Martial Law (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjTw1Wcjzf8), from Final Fantasy VIII
vs.
Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTxqsTfDgC4), from Final Fantasy X
——————————————————-
I’m kind of hoping Decisive Battle goes all the way, but it would also be a shame to see one of the few FF8 tracks I really like fall out of the running so soon.
Decisive Battle. Piano Collections version here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TdKIZ_LXQI). It’s also really good.
Martial Law
Martial Law
Martial Law
Round 2, Fight 2 // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Star Ocean: The Second Story for the Playstation, 1998
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h5FzzXKjLA), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ze5BfLk0J8), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boRCmchdgP0), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPhqGpuD7Mo), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw2zRnCAXAU)
vs.
Tales of Destiny for the Playstation, 1997
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzYnDHv2IbQ), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSBXRiqXeiY), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MefMP4K5fTc), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoNr-gGeeoc), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfGPMkeaMM0)
——————————————————-
Star Ocean: The Second Story, I guess… I wish I could vote for both to progress.
Round 2, Fight 16 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Clash on the Big Bridge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CMTXyExkeI), from Final Fantasy V
vs.
Birth of the God (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQwQnEfbh0U), from Final Fantasy VII
——————————————————-
Clash on the Big Bridge
***Rumble Flashback to Fight #1*** (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/#post1253578)
June 1, 2009. Back then it was Clash on the Big Bridge vs. Zelda’s Overworld Theme, and I chose Zelda. Today I make peace with Clash on the Big Bridge.
Clash On The Big Bridge Check out this awesome piano version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsQoBFYpLgw).
Birth of a God
Clash on the Big Bridge –
Round 2, Fight 3 // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria for the Playstation 2, 2006
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGKTUi35jeo), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOknVFlu9sE), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zsKqWq0CSM), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVOyu4rNZw8), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfOIJHktF9o)
vs.
Golden Sun for the Gameboy Advance, 2001
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nLfeANBfjg), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLDlTI8WvMw), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNiEu_Jx2ho), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SqApUTiJKA), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5Bw3RCWg4w)
——————————————————-
Golden Sun
Round 2, Fight 17 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Gurgu Volcano (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYdSH34z5hg), from Final Fantasy I
vs.
The Silence Before the Storm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHw2V0C-D-o), from Final Fantasy X
——————————————————-
The Silence Before the Storm
The Silence Before the Storm – Sorry FFI
The Silence Before the Storm
Silence Before The Storm
Round 2, Fight 4 // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Tales of Phantasia for the Super Famicom, 1995
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-EjQhrGQOI), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4AYcvu_2JA), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCWwV_4AovM), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyGB_f-vZSA), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ogclj9nzkA)
vs.
Shining Force III for the Sega Saturn, 1997
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kRWBstp4HI), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fHARcD5zoc), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmFKyXiOa6g), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBpVlKpn8zg), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4qGXgii2_M)
——————————————————-
This is a really tough call. I think Tales of Phantasia sounds better, but only because of the qualities of the platform for which it was composed. If Shining Force III had been on the SNES too, the decision would be easy.
Round 2, Fight 18 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Chasing the Black-Caped Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti_iazvRLD4), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
The Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxKb48wvt60), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
I’m going to deny every shred of common sense ever granted me and say Chasing the Black-Caped Man, at least for now. It’s one of the key mood-setting songs that really defined the game for me.
For the other fight, this is exactly how I felt:
I’m going to deny every shred of common sense ever granted me and say Chasing the Black-Caped Man. It’s one of the key mood-setting songs that really defined the game for me.
Decisive Battle
Decisive Battle
Chasing the black caped man
Round 3, Fight 1 // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Golden Sun for the Gameboy Advance, 2001
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nLfeANBfjg), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLDlTI8WvMw), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNiEu_Jx2ho), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SqApUTiJKA), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5Bw3RCWg4w)
vs.
Dark Souls for the Xbox 360, 2011
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd1AKojS7Og), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS6imkjmYcg), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpI-KeK-PQg), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgpYfCnLhAo), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tuWvGee4T0)
——————————————————-
Dark Souls
Round 2, Fight 19 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Mines of Narshe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fnTJ5SF2uM), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Find Your Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn0T6Xh5VXY), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
The Mines of Narshe
The Mines of Narshe
Find Your Way
Find Your Way
Round 3, Fight 2 // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Tales of Phantasia for the Super Famicom, 1995
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-EjQhrGQOI), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4AYcvu_2JA), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCWwV_4AovM), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyGB_f-vZSA), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ogclj9nzkA)
vs.
Star Ocean: The Second Story for the Playstation, 1998
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h5FzzXKjLA), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ze5BfLk0J8), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boRCmchdgP0), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPhqGpuD7Mo), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw2zRnCAXAU)
——————————————————-
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Round 2, Fight 20 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Seymour Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWE0nlhpdq8), from Final Fantasy X
vs.
Force Your Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZMWszd5SRk), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
Seymour Battle
Seymour Battle
Force Your Way
Force your Way
Seymour Battle
FINAL ROUND // Motoi Sakuraba Rumble
——————————————————-
Dark Souls for the Xbox 360, 2011
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd1AKojS7Og), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS6imkjmYcg), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpI-KeK-PQg), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgpYfCnLhAo), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tuWvGee4T0)
vs.
Star Ocean: The Second Story for the Playstation, 1998
Tracks to consider: 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h5FzzXKjLA), 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ze5BfLk0J8), 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boRCmchdgP0), 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPhqGpuD7Mo), 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw2zRnCAXAU)
——————————————————-
Dark Souls
Round 2, Fight 21 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Blue Fields (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNdGoENQNQ4), from Final Fantasy VIII
vs.
The Dreadful Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP0Bwg8tErY), from Final Fantasy IV
——————————————————-
The Dreadful Fight
I am a HUGE fan of Blue Fields, especially the orchestrated (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrmjSR_hgLs) version. But I’ve heard a lot of people say that can’t listen to it because of how often they heard it in-game. :-\ That’s a shame, because I just can’t get enough of it out of game.
Blue Fields
The Dreadful Fight
Blue Fields
Drowning at work. Yikes.
Sorry for the further delay on my end. We have a winner! Sakuraba classic Star Ocean: The Second Story (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLO91ihkK3Y&list=PL94C4DF160CC9F7ED) beat out newcomer Dark Souls 4 to 2 to become the 19th rumble winner.
Final Fantasy IV: The Dreadful Fight (4-3) advances in the FF rumble.
Round 2, Fight 22 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Golden Saucer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMaGq6vn7hg), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
Anxiety (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzy56sHGWjE), from Final Fantasy XI
——————————————————-
The Golden Saucer
——————————————————-
Future Rumble Vote
Best of the Nintendo 64 (soundtracks)
Best of the Commodore 64 (songs)
Best of the Game Boy (songs)
——————————————————-
Pick as many or as few as you like, or suggest something new. Just because you suggest something doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to go through the work of making it yourself. Just throw some ideas out there. I like song rumbles more than soundtrack ones, so Game Boy and C64 get my vote.
Note that Best of Zelda will follow automatically after the Final Fantasy rumble. I am thinking of making Best of WoW another long-term 128 project to follow Zelda. At any rate, it is too far from complete to consider as our next rumble.
I’d be okay with any of those rumble themes, but I have maybe a slight preference for Game Boy next.
EDIT: The epic fail rumble now on the group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/thank-you-mario-but-our-princess-another-castle-failure-rumble-476/) needs our best minds.
I’m down with Game Boy or N64. And, as always, I’m in favor of doubling up on Final Fantasy until the next rumble is ready to start.
Anxiety
C64
I’m good for any of the other rumbles or doubling on FF.
Round 2, Fight 23 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Lunarians (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFCceq0q1pA), from Final Fantasy IV
vs.
Rabanastre Downtown (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMgLuY6bNds), from Final Fantasy XII
——————————————————-
The Lunarians is one of the most nostalgic Final Fantasy tracks for me, but I’m definitely liking Rabanastre Downtown more at the moment.
I will try to offer some timely help on the Gameboy page as soon as possible. I still have to post the PS3 soundtracks for the 7th gen rumble, too, but just completely swamped with work this weekend.
EDIT: Made some recommendations for the Gameboy rumble.
Round 1, Fight 1 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Spot: The Video Game – Your Turn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBIxnw22l1A), by Geoff Follin
vs.
Link’s Awakening – Tal Tal Heights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtvtZT-PXGk), by Kazumi Totaka, Minako Hamano, Kozue Ishikawa
——————————————————-
Tal Tal Heights
Round 2, Fight 24 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Nalbina Fortress Underground Prison (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTu1lzfLolA), from Final Fantasy XII
vs.
Within the Giant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL2b7E7TA6c), from Final Fantasy IV
——————————————————-
Within the Giant
Within the Giant
Nalbina Fortress Underground Prison
Within the Giant
Final Fantasy IV.
Round 1, Fight 2 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge – Praying Hands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6mftPOyQX0), by Hidehiro Funauchi
vs.
Final Fantasy Legend III – Theme of Another Dimension (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdZtrkqmOAI), by Ryuji Sasai
——————————————————-
I can’t emphasize enough how much I absolutely adore the Final Fantasy Legend III soundtrack, and I rather wish Theme of Another Dimension, my favorite song from that game, came a bit later in the rumble. Sasai mastered panning effects on the Game Boy to an extent that is hardly rivaled by modern chiptune artists let alone his contemporaries, and he combined it with some of the best song writing on the system.
Round 2, Fight 25 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Devil’s Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIlGeT6N6Xs), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Cursed Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYTb5f68wf0), from Final Fantasy V
——————————————————-
Devil’s Lab
Interesting match-up between two FF songs, but I gotta go with Devil’s Lab
Devil’s Lab
Devil’s Lab
Round 1, Fight 3 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Final Fantasy Legend III – Setting Off into the Future (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF0m48CIT0I), by Ryuji Sasai
vs.
Yakuman – Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGTy_Fu4eVw), by Hirokazu ‘Hip’ Tanaka
——————————————————-
Yakuman
Round 2, Fight 26 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Eruyt Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOAD58HCB-c), from Final Fantasy XII
vs.
Esper Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COG3R3Km-Zk), from Final Fantasy XII
——————————————————-
Eruyt Village
Eruyt Village
Esper Battle
No finals here… just busy with work.
Eruyt Village
I’ve been really busy with school as well. I’m out 10 hours a day usually and when I’m home, I have to use what little time I have left to study. And I don’t get enough sleep 🙁 It’s going to be this way at least till the end of February, so I have to suck it up.
Round 1, Fight 4 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Battletoads – Stage 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TutFIcEL4cA), by Dave Wise
vs.
Metroid II – Surface of SR388 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33N1gt09fJA), by Ryoji Yoshitomi
——————————————————-
Surface of SR388
Round 2, Fight 27 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Saber’s Edge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz8ZOw392M8), from Final Fantasy XIII
vs.
Dancing Mad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbXVNKtmWnc), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
I uh…. um…. uh…. Saber’s Edge
Dancing Mad
Dancing Mad
Dancing Mad
I wish you all a merry christmas and happy holydays.
🙂
Enjoy life!!!!!
See ya soon
Round 1, Fight 5 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Metroid II – Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=453temu5BIg), by Ryoji Yoshitomi
vs.
Robocop – Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhZBDNQ3gas), by Jonathan Dunn
——————————————————-
Metroid II
Round 2, Fight 28 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Red Wings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbQyqX9iu_M), from Final Fantasy IV
vs.
The Skycity of Bhujerba (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQNWafc6_9k), from Final Fantasy XII
——————————————————-
Red Wings
Red Wings
Red Wings
Bhujerba
Round 1, Fight 6 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Kirby’s Dream Land 2 – Big Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMgcgRPR8qs), by Hirokazu Ando & Tadashi Ikegami
vs.
Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru – The Prince’s Adventure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5lL9_jGX78), by Kazumi Totaka
——————————————————-
Tough call, but I think I’ll take Kirby’s Dream Land 2
Round 2, Fight 29 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Sealed Away (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYv_NaRoH2M), from Final Fantasy V
vs.
Troian Beauty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zldQyv-YbE4), from Final Fantasy IV
——————————————————-
Troian Beauty
Troian Beauty
Sealed Away
Sealed Away
Round 1, Fight 7 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Final Fantasy Legend III – Oasis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69VkFEgWclE), by Ryuji Sasai
vs.
Metroid II – Metroid Hatchling Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgxl2Kh8I04), by Ryoji Yoshitomi
——————————————————-
Metroid Hatchling Theme
Round 2, Fight 30 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkcmx2l3WA), from Final Fantasy VIII
vs.
Song of Memories (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14HnN6RifzU), from Final Fantasy IX
——————————————————-
The Extreme
The Extreme
The Extreme
As much as I love Song from her Memory, I feel The Extreme is a better piece and really fits the atmosphere.
Metroid II – Metroid Hatchling Theme (3-1) and Final Fantasy VIII: The Extreme (5-0) advance.
Round 1, Fight 8 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Link’s Awakening – Sword Search (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65LXFhqtt5k), by Kazumi Totaka, Minako Hamano, and Kozue Ishikawa
vs.
Pokemon – Gym Leader Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OO5VAKk0d8), by Junichi Masuda
——————————————————-
Sword Search
Round 2, Fight 31 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Place I’ll Return To Someday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw4wyNiQa6I), from Final Fantasy IX
vs.
Valley of the Fallen Star (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiJVNzQDdCY), from Final Fantasy VII
——————————————————-
The Place I’ll Return To Someday!
The Place I’ll Return To Someday
Valley Of The Fallen Star
Valley of the Fallen Star
Round 1, Fight 9 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Final Fantasy Legend II – The Legend Begins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wxegWLotCA), by Nobuo Uematsu
vs.
Mega Man II – Clash Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCGL2uzeohc), by Kenji Yamazaki
——————————————————-
Clash Man
Round 2, Fight 32 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
J-E-N-O-V-A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6GrZYE2il0), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
Aerith’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CK2hx377iU), from Final Fantasy VII
——————————————————-
J-E-N-O-V-A
Aerith’s Theme
The Legend Begins
Aerith’s Theme
J-E-N-O-V-A
No love for The Birth of a God? You could take that theme, with some good instrumentation and adding a few arrangements with probably a keyboard solo and you’ve got yourself a kick ass song.
Anyway, still alive here. Still without Internet. And my vote goes for Aerith’s Theme.
Topopoz!
Round 1, Fight 10 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Battle Bull – Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6CJoSx1lZE), by Takayuki Suzuki
vs.
Burai Fighter Deluxe – Stage 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iitEPeIag5A), by Nobuyuki Shioda
——————————————————-
Battle Bull is the best unknown Game Boy song I found in all my digging. Enjoy. 🙂
Round 3, Fight 1 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Airship (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-if85nnGWMg), from Final Fantasy XI
vs.
Off the Edge of Despair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oPqxoGzorI), from Final Fantasy VII
——————————————————-
Off the Edge of Despair
Airship
Airship
Battle Bull and Off the Edge of Despair
Airship
Round 1, Fight 11 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Gargoyle’s Quest – Breager’s Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ADcGnpMSE4), by Harui Fujita, Yoko Shimomura
vs.
Super Mario Land – Rocket Ship Ride (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3Ij30btVao), by Hirokazu Tanaka
——————————————————-
Breager’s Castle by a hair.
Round 3, Fight 2 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Clash on the Big Bridge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CMTXyExkeI), from Final Fantasy V
vs.
Chateau d’Oraguille (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaTmeeQLFZ0), from Final Fantasy XI
——————————————————-
I’ll personally take Chateau d’Oraguille over Airship any day, but it’s got to be Clash on the Big Bridge in this fight.
Rocket Ship Ride
Chateau d’Oraguille
Chateau d’Oraguille
Clash On The Big Bridge
Round 1, Fight 12 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Gargoyle’s Quest – Dark Road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvN0elzk-yo), by Harui Fujita, Yoko Shimomura
vs.
Kirby’s Dream Land – Green Greens (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCH6nQYflwY), by Jun Ishikawa
——————————————————-
Dark Road might not be quite the catchy, instant classic, but at the end of the day I’d say I enjoy it more. Reminds me of Yuzo Koshiro’s ActRaiser… Plus if I was going to pick a Kirby track to advance, Big Forest was a way more creative Game Boy song. Green Greens would sound good on any system.
Round 3, Fight 3 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Seymour Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWE0nlhpdq8), from Final Fantasy X
vs.
Find Your Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn0T6Xh5VXY), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
Find Your Way
Find Your Way
Seymour Battle
Find Your Way
Round 1, Fight 13 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
X – Tunnel Scene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTzPj_RcIy4), by Kazumi Totaka, Hirokazu Tanaka
vs.
Final Fantasy Legend III – Holy Ruins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0E-EZ-u86A), by Ryuji Sasai
——————————————————-
Heartbroken as I am about the loss of my favorite Game Boy song in the first round (Theme of Another Dimension!), here’s to hoping Holy Ruins can pull through.
Round 3, Fight 4 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxKb48wvt60), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Ancient Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLxGFQqcfME), from Final Fantasy II
——————————————————-
The Decisive Battle
Decisive Battle
Also, Video Games Live 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vOGI5KB9DE)
Decisive Battle
Also, update (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkYoBtQvLrk) from Tommy Tallarico with bonus dog tricks.
Decisive Battle
Round 1, Fight 14 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge – Evil Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHXdogIIwXw), by Hidehiro Funauchi
vs.
Ninja Gaiden Shadow – Stage 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtrzRvQXI9E), by Hiroyuki Iwatsuki
——————————————————-
Evil Gods
Round 3, Fight 5 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Aerith’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CK2hx377iU), from Final Fantasy VII
vs.
Freya’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9Uft-9CV4g), from Final Fantasy IX
——————————————————-
Freya’s Theme by far.
Freya’s Theme
Freya’s Theme
Aerith’s Theme
(Almost) Every NES game start screen in alphabetical order (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOvaSOFLtJU)
Satchbag’s reflection on Chrono Cross (http://normalboots.com/video/chronocross/)
Also, Chrontendo (http://chrontendo.blogspot.com/) returns from its 13-month hiatus tomorrow. I’ve plugged this series before. It’s still the best researched, most encyclopedic chronogaming series in existence. Along with Red Letter Media videos, this is one of the few video series that immediately makes my week/month as soon as a new entry is posted.
Aerith’s Theme
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge – Evil Gods (4-1) and Final Fantasy IX: Freya’s Theme (3-2) advance.
Round 1, Fight 15 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Fist of the North Star – Heart, Uygur (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xXXhQLbd2w), by Unknown (I could not identify a composer for this, but I thought it worthy of the rumble mix.)
vs.
Mega Man II – Air Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEOaTIkMf8c), by Kenji Yamazaki
——————————————————-
Air Man
Round 3, Fight 6 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Prelude (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOALvPFyhAA), from Final Fantasy IV
vs.
Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZJqRbmxMEY), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
Opening Theme
Opening Theme – The Prelude is an all-time classic. But I still remember the first time I put in FFVI and watched the opening animation. I was eleven then, and I can remember it like yesterday, because I was completely blown away, to the point that every sensory detail was getting burned into my memory. How many pieces of music can do that to you?
P.S. The composer for the Game Boy version of Fist of the North Star was Tomohisa "J-Walk" Mitsuyasu (proof (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yX9RSjGL14#t=20m24s)), who also composed the NES (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo4txFOkRIo#t=22s) iteration’s soundtrack. More info (http://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php?title=Tomohisa_Mitsuyasu).
http://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/images/a/ad/Tomohisa_Mitsuyasu_-_2.JPG
P.P.S. I am very curious to see if FFVII survives this round. Despite being one of the most esteemed soundtracks from this franchise, it only has two songs left in the rumble.
Prelude
Opening Theme
Round 1, Fight 16 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge – Ripe Seeds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=puh-OomYatg), by Hidehiro Funauchi
vs.
Tetris – Type A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S13eCW9BgM), by Hirokazu Tanaka
——————————————————-
Tetris
Round 3, Fight 7 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Within the Giant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL2b7E7TA6c), from Final Fantasy IV
vs.
Red Wings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weGhGuKqKnA), from Final Fantasy IV
——————————————————-
Oh bother. One of these must fall.
Red Wings
Red Wings
Red Wings
Within The Giant
Tetris – Type A (3-1) and Final Fantasy IV: Red Wings (3-2) advance.
Round 2, Fight 1 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Gargoyle’s Quest – Dark Road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvN0elzk-yo), by Harui Fujita, Yoko Shimomura
vs.
Link’s Awakening – Tal Tal Heights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOo5yr76RJs), by Kazumi Totaka, Minako Hamano, Kozue Ishikawa
——————————————————-
Tal Tal Heights
Round 3, Fight 8 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Phantom Train (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pse4gcBprLk), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Sealed Away (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6N0U9U5OWo), from Final Fantasy V
——————————————————-
Phantom Train
Phantom Train
Phantom Train
Phantom Train
Round 2, Fight 2 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Robocop – Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhZBDNQ3gas), by Jonathan Dunn
vs.
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge – Evil Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHXdogIIwXw), by Hidehiro Funauchi
——————————————————-
Evil Gods
Round 3, Fight 9 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Last Dungeon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9a-4TzFzVU), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Devil’s Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIlGeT6N6Xs), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
Last Dungeon
Evil Gods – With apologies to Jonathan Dunn, who is so often unsung
Devil’s Lab
Devil’s Lab
My apologies to Arthur regarding Tal Tal Heights – wish I was there to save it.
Castlevania II and Last Dungeon this round.
Devil’s Lab
Round 2, Fight 3 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru – The Prince’s Adventure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5lL9_jGX78), by Kazumi Totaka
vs.
Mega Man II – Air Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEOaTIkMf8c), by Kenji Yamazaki
——————————————————-
Air Man!!
Round 3, Fight 10 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
To the Place of Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ2rw-VDwfA), from Final Fantasy XII
vs.
The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkcmx2l3WA), from Final Fantasy VIII
——————————————————-
To the Place of Gods
The Extreme
The Extreme
To The Place Of Gods
Have you guys checked out the soundtrack to Bram Stoker’s Dracula for the NES (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al9i-RgU8Fg#t=18)? I hadn’t heard it before, and I just saw that we hadn’t included it in our NES rumble. It’s really good.
Round 2, Fight 4 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge – Praying Hands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6mftPOyQX0), by Hidehiro Funauchi
vs.
Super Mario Land – Rocket Ship Ride (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nr7xFTFC2w), by Hirokazu Tanaka
——————————————————-
Rocket Ship Ride
Round 3, Fight 11 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Dreadful Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp4-fXuTwb8), from Final Fantasy IV
vs.
Eruyt Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOAD58HCB-c), from Final Fantasy XII
——————————————————-
The Dreadful Fight
Eruyt Village
Dreadful Fight
Eruyt Village
Round 2, Fight 5 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Yakuman – Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGTy_Fu4eVw), by Hirokazu Tanaka
vs.
Tetris – Type A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S13eCW9BgM), by Hirokazu Tanaka
——————————————————-
Hmm! A Tanaka song advances, and two more square off. I’ll take Yakuman. I like how both songs are 8-bit interpretations of folk music.
Round 3, Fight 12 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Forgotten Capital (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE8-z8wW-c4), from Final Fantasy XII
vs.
Valley of the Fallen Star (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiJVNzQDdCY), from Final Fantasy VII
——————————————————-
I was never particularly moved by Valley of the Fallen Star to be honest, and I’m pretty irked that it beat The Place I’ll Return To Someday last round. The Forgotten Capital isn’t my favorite FFXII track by a long shot, but I’ll take it.
Valley of the Fallen Star
I was never particularly moved by Valley of the Fallen Star to be honest, and I’m pretty irked that it beat The Place I’ll Return To Someday last round. The Forgotten Capital isn’t my favorite FFXII track by a long shot, but I’ll take it.
x2
Round 2, Fight 6 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Final Fantasy Legend III – Holy Ruins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DViKKIoIJ1o), by Ryuji Sasai
vs.
Pok???mon – Gym Leader Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OO5VAKk0d8), by Junichi Masuda
——————————————————-
Holy Ruins
Round 3, Fight 13 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Cloud of Darkness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOqyn5kdTCo), from Final Fantasy III
vs.
Bombing Mission (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8NGDsnv34M), from Final Fantasy VII
——————————————————-
Bombing Mission
Bombing Mission
Bombing Mission
Bombing Mission
Round 2, Fight 7 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Mega Man II – Clash Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCGL2uzeohc), by Kenji Yamazaki
vs.
Metroid II – Metroid Hatchling Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgxl2Kh8I04), by Ryoji Yoshitomi
——————————————————-
Two of my favorites here. Metroid Hatchling Theme wins my vote by a hair.
Round 3, Fight 14 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Anxiety (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzy56sHGWjE), from Final Fantasy XI
vs.
Dancing Mad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbXVNKtmWnc), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
Dancing Mad
Clash Man
Dancing Mad
Dancing Mad
Dancing Mad
Dancing Mad
Dancing Mad
Mega Man II – Clash Man (4-2) and Final Fantasy VI: Dancing Mad (7-0) advance.
Round 2, Fight 8 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Battle Bull – Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6CJoSx1lZE), by Takayuki Suzuki
vs.
Metroid II – Surface of SR388 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCIH943auRA), by Ryoji Yoshitomi
——————————————————-
Battle Bull is so epic. Even my favorite Metroid series song can’t compare.
Round 3, Fight 15 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Silence Before the Storm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWoCTYqBOIE), from Final Fantasy X
vs.
Dark Messenger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBNBwZe6GTI), from Final Fantasy IX
——————————————————-
This is a surprisingly tough call for me. When I think of the battle songs–One-Winged Angel, Saber’s Edge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz8ZOw392M8)–and FFX tracks–The Sight of Spira (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTptg9nedlM)!!–that have fallen by now, it’s hard to imagine either of these options advancing to round 4. Dark Messenger is instantly memorable and perfectly suited for its place within the game and soundtrack, but some of its power is lost out of context, and it does not hold up well under repeat listens. The Silence Before the Storm is a more even-keel, safe track, lacking some of the evocative power of Uematsu’s finest softer works, but I think it stands stronger outside of the game it was composed for.
Surface of SR388
The Silence Before the Storm – Excellent breakdown of the two competitors, too
Dark Messenger
Surface of SR388
Dark Messenger ~ I always felt this was a good one even without context. I guess it’s up for debate.
Silence before the Storm is one of my favorite tracks from X, but I feel Dark Messenger is just better all around, in and out of context.
Personally, I like choosing based on how it sounds outside of the game because of my ignorance of how much of our musical selections perform in-game. But if a song really enhances a key moment in the game and I know about that, I’ll think a little harder about my choice.
Round 3, Fight 1 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge – Evil Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHXdogIIwXw), by Hidehiro Funauchi
vs.
Gargoyle’s Quest – Dark Road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvN0elzk-yo), by Harui Fujita, Yoko Shimomura
——————————————————-
Gargoyle’s Quest
Round 3, Fight 16 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQrtj3gCBnQ), from Final Fantasy X
vs.
Rabanastre Downtown (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buu6Bd72MUk), from Final Fantasy XII
——————————————————-
I want Decisive Battle to win the whole rumble. Clash on the Big Bridge is the only song left that I might even consider voting over it.
Decisive Battle
Call me crazy, but I’m voting for Rabanastre Downtown.
Decisive Battle.
Decisive Battle
Decisive Battle
Round 3, Fight 2 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Tetris – Type A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgtKSnmM5oE), by Hirokazu Tanaka
vs.
Super Mario Land – Rocket Ship Ride (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PkY-_dbrmI), by Hirokazu Tanaka
——————————————————-
I’ll stand by Yakuman as my favorite Tanaka Game Boy song, but I think I have to go with Type A here.
Round 4, Fight 1 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Extreme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVkcmx2l3WA), from Final Fantasy VIII
vs.
The Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qjw35-qkb_s), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
I always thought FF8’s soundtrack was lousy, and this rumble has decisively confirmed it. A well-crafted, foreboding introduction betrayed by cheap beats and tinny, lifeless synth… I think I’ll pass. Uematsu’s genius for limited resource composition dried up after FF7, but he did not fully embrace his knack for orchestral composition until FF9. Really, I just do not get the appeal of this song. I hear "ooo" tones like Celes is singing and cannot fathom how this post-dates One-Winged Angel. The Decisive Battle
I must agree with you there; I honestly think 8’s soundtrack is my least favorite overall. I still like The Extreme, but
The Decisive Battle
remains one of my favorites.
The Decisive Battle – Agree with you about The Extreme but not about FF8’s soundtrack as a whole. My favorites–Liberi Fatali, Balamb Garden, Blue Fields, Find Your Way, Breezy, Martial Law, The Spy–don’t make much of a case for his knack at orchestral composition, as you mention. But I do think they show off his facility for location themes using those limited resources you talked about. A song like Martial Law has a lot of elements in play and is dense enough to withstand multiple repetitions without becoming tiresome to listen to. Plus, songs like Balamb Garden and The Spy hold up for me despite the inclusion of an awful synth sound apiece.
The Extreme
The Extreme
Round 3, Fight 3 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Mega Man II – Clash Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCGL2uzeohc), by Kenji Yamazaki
vs.
Metroid II – Surface of SR388 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i40UFtPtcDs), by Ryoji Yoshitomi
——————————————————-
Surface of SR388
Round 4, Fight 2 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Dancing Mad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbXVNKtmWnc), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Bombing Mission (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8NGDsnv34M), from Final Fantasy VII
——————————————————-
I think Dancing Mad was the obvious favored track to win this rumble from the start, but there are a few songs I would vote over it. (I voted against it in round 2 actually.) It will have to knock out some pretty tough competition to win from here on.
Dancing Mad.
Dancing Mad
Bombing Mission
Dancing Mad
Round 3, Fight 4 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Final Fantasy Legend III – Holy Ruins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvElI-6MR64), by Ryuji Sasai
vs.
Mega Man II – Air Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEOaTIkMf8c), by Kenji Yamazaki
——————————————————-
Holy Ruins is my second favorite song from my favorite Game Boy soundtrack, but that is not enough to carry it past the epicness that is Air Man. Theme of Another Dimension would have gotten my vote here. 🙂
Round 4, Fight 3 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Freya’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaGz7rkPd54), from Final Fantasy IX
vs.
Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQrtj3gCBnQ), from Final Fantasy X
——————————————————-
Decisive Battle
Decisive Battle
Decisive Battle
Decisive Battle
Decisive Battle
Freya’s Theme
Round 4, Fight 1 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Final Fantasy Legend III – Holy Ruins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvElI-6MR64), by Ryuji Sasai
vs.
Tetris – Type A (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vKxju-ccQ0), by Hirokazu Tanaka
——————————————————-
And I’m voting for one of them anyway. 🙂 Holy Ruins!
Round 4, Fight 4 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Clash on the Big Bridge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0JnXdfoYpY), from Final Fantasy V
vs.
Airship (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-if85nnGWMg), from Final Fantasy XI
——————————————————-
Uh, Clash on the Big Bridge…
Clash on the Big Bridge
Every time I hear Clash on the Big Bridge, I flash back to the first fight of the first rumble, which was nearly 5 years ago (!). I’ve probably said before that I don’t quite understand its enduring popularity. In the context of the game, it’s great. But against other FF heavyweights, I don’t think it holds up. I would say this, though. There seems to be a lot of overlap between FF music fans and metal fans, which is to say the songs from FF that are metal-influenced tend to show up on a lot of lists of FF favorites. Maybe that explains it? I’ve gotta plead ignorance on that front and go with Airship, even though I doubt very much it has a snowball’s chance in hell here.
Clash On The Big Bridge
I can’t say I would leave Holy Ruins on repeat for hours, but when I was a kid I did keep a save file in the Talon temple just so I could load up that song whenever I wanted to hear it. I think for me its durability was more extended through time. It was one of those songs I’d get in my head for a month and have to listen to once or twice every day.
Every time I hear Clash on the Big Bridge, I flash back to the first fight of the first rumble, which was nearly 5 years ago (!). I’ve probably said before that I don’t quite understand its enduring popularity. In the context of the game, it’s great. But against other FF heavyweights, I don’t think it holds up. I would say this, though. There seems to be a lot of overlap between FF music fans and metal fans, which is to say the songs from FF that are metal-influenced tend to show up on a lot of lists of FF favorites. Maybe that explains it?
I’m sure I’m the biggest metal buff that votes here, and I for one don’t think there’s a direct connection. If there’s one persistent quality across all genres of metal, it’s a lack of inhibitions. The willingness to go to extremes opens the door to explore the full gamut of musical aesthetics. It’s not limited and bound by the same rules of modesty that bind virtually all other genres. (Even hardcore punk demands the virtue of simplicity.) The metal bands that do prescribe to rules tend to write their own independently of their peers–say, a need to be extreme or to sound like band x. It’s why metal has way more sub-genres than any other style of music–and most that make it beyond their garage follow these rules only when it suits them. People worship Metallica not for their thrash centerpiece, but for their infusion of folk and classical and progressive rock that come together to create a unique, rule-defying identity. Limitations in early VGM rendered composers necessarily non-compliant. It forced them to be innovative to survive. The effect is much the same, and the culture of innovative composition has thankfully survived the transition into the world of limitlessness in which so many other genres impose their imaginary rules. So I think the connection between metal and vgm appeal is more an appreciation for conceptually unrestrained, open-minded composition that prioritizes the overall aesthetic of the finished product above the basics of structure and content.
Towards this end, I don’t think anything intrinsic about vgm battle music makes it stand out above the rest. The tonal quality and harmonies of "The Place I’ll Return To Someday" is way more in tune with my metal tastes than the crunchy bombast of "Dark Messenger". I only really like the latter song for its relevant stark contrast to an otherwise highly subtle score. "Other World" got a novelty vote from me in the first round because of the epic balls it took for Uematsu to give it the green light, not because I think it’s an above-average song. Unprecedented by RPG VGM standards, it’s a pop ballad compared to comparative efforts by actual metal bands.
No, I think the appeal of "Clash on the Big Bridge", "The Dreadful Fight", and "Dancing Mad" are more a consequence of VGM composers generally vesting more time and interest into battle music than most other songs in a game. And it’s the less edgy, more introspective themes like Final Fantasy X’s "Decisive Battle" and Final Fantasy XIII’s "Saber’s Edge" that top my list of battle tracks. "Clash on the Big Bridge" has a big advantage for me because it’s my most nostalgic Uematsu track. I remembered playing a Final Fantasy V fan-sub back in ’98, before any but the most devoted English-speaking FF fans had touched the game, and my fondest memory of it was discovering this song. It was my little secret–a lost Uematsu masterpiece I could call uniquely mine. I was completely enamored by Kansas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baExq6xNhQ8) at the time too, and the connection between this song and "Closet Chronicles" left a so-far-sustaining impression of "Clash on the Big Bridge" as pretty much the greatest thing that could ever happen to VGM. My regard for this song is more blind devotion than sincere appraisal, but that’s part of what being a "favorite" is all about.
Clash On The Big Bridge
Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy V.
Round 4, Fight 2 // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge – Evil Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHXdogIIwXw), by Hidehiro Funauchi
vs.
Metroid II – Surface of SR388 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i40UFtPtcDs), by Ryoji Yoshitomi
——————————————————-
I really didn’t have a prediction of what songs to expect in the semi-finals of this rumble. My worst fear was that Type A, Rocket Ship Ride, and Gym Leader Battle would all carry to the end through mere familiarity, but that was definitely not the case. I think Type A is the best of those three all around, and it made it just about as far as I personally feel it deserved. Now we have two more songs squaring off for all of the right reasons, and while my pick is an easy one to make, I am really happy that Evil Gods, not Ripe Seeds or Praying Hands, made it this far. It’s an appealing song that also showcases really innovative use of the Game Boy’s capacity. So does Surface of SR388, and it does so with, I think, a much higher sustainability through repetition. It must have really grown on people since the Metroid rumble to have made it this far. 🙂
Round 4, Fight 5 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Devil’s Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIlGeT6N6Xs), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
The Dreadful Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp4-fXuTwb8), from Final Fantasy IV
——————————————————-
I am not about to let my modest discontent with the quantity of battle themes creeping their way into the quarter finals influence my pick in this match-up. The Dreadful Fight is one of Uematsu’s finest.
Dreadful Fight!
Devil’s Lab
The Dreadful Fight
The Dreadful Fight
Devil’s Lab
Static-X was my first metal band…course, i didn’t get into metal till early 2000s, but that’s irrevant.
FINAL MATCH // Game Boy Rumble
——————————————————-
Final Fantasy Legend III – Holy Ruins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvElI-6MR64), by Ryuji Sasai
vs.
Metroid II – Surface of SR388 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i40UFtPtcDs), by Ryoji Yoshitomi
——————————————————-
This is really tough. Metroid II and Final Fantasy Legend III are the two Game Boy games I played most as a kid by far. (Ok well, maybe Link’s Awakening is up there.) I certainly enjoyed Final Fantasy Legend III more as a game, and it had a brilliant soundtrack. I struggled to cut myself off at four selections when I made this compilation. Metroid II was one of the best to be sure, and I think that Ryoji Yoshitomi crafted a more appropriate "Metroid sound" than any other composer in the lengthy series. I have to keep in mind that this is an individual track rumble….
Is Final Fantasy Legend III the best soundtrack on the Game Boy? I have no doubt. It would be a shame to not see Sasai come out on top in the end…. but I’d be lying if I didn’t pick Surface of SR388 as my favorite here.
No Final Fantasy match this time for the other rumble?
fair enough.
Final Fantasy Legend III – Holy Ruins, by Ryuji Sasai beat out Metroid II – Surface of SR388 by Ryoji Yoshitomi 4-1 to become the 20th rumble winner.
Round 4, Fight 6 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Phantom Train (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pse4gcBprLk), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Dark Messenger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBNBwZe6GTI), from Final Fantasy IX
——————————————————-
Phantom Train
——————————————————-
Future Rumble Vote
Best of the Nintendo 64 (64 soundtracks)
Best of the Commodore 64 (64 songs)
Best of World of Warcraft (64 songs)
Best of Zelda (192 songs, treated as 128)
——————————————————-
We don’t really have anything in the way of short rumbles lined up at this point. These are the four that are more or less ready to roll. If the Zelda rumble does not start now, it will start automatically at the end of Final Fantasy. Please vote for each rumble that you would like to see start in three days, and whoever gets the most votes goes.
I’ll take Nintendo 64, World of Warcraft, or Zelda. C64 would be our third low-bit rumble in the last four, so I’d rather put it off.
I’d be interested in doing a World of Warcraft rumble.
None of those rumbles really suit me all that well, but if I had to pick one, i’d go for the Nintendo 64 rumble.
N64 Rumble
Because metal is so rife with sub-genres, as you mentioned in an earlier post, I’d guess that this question would result in a lot of different answers. I don’t consciously follow bands in that genre (I listen to a metal album when it’s been recommended to me by a friend or year-end list), but I have heard at least one song by everyone you mentioned. I’ll ask some people who know more than I do what they think.
EDIT: Here was one former rumbler’s response, giving some insight into metal’s place in Argentinian culture:
Well, it’s a very interesting question, maybe I should ask my nephew about it.
But on top of my mind I will say that these days, they’ll still think of Metallica a little, at least here in Argentina. Specially this year because of the gig on Antartica and the gigs on La Plata, it’s a Fashion to listen to Metallica. I bet if I put on "The Shortest Straw" they would be lost wondering from which band is that song.
Getting more serious about it though, I personally think that the younger generetaions don’t listen to metal at all. You see, metal isn’t what it used to be. You could say that with the turn of the Century things went more into the pop realm and MTV is more concerned about selling trash reality shows rather than music itself. At the end of the 90’s Marilyn Manson was the shit for a lot of people. Starting the 2000’s you have Korn popularity. And at this time Linkin Park was on the Rise. So with this "Nu Metal" stuff, it was more about of a teenage rebellious movement rather than the music. Of course the rebel part was always integral in many metal genres. But we all know that it wasn’t the case back in the day for Iron Maiden or Judas Priest. And on top of that, extreme metal was becoming more popular, not that it ever became mainstream, but it was certainly easier to find people discovering Death and a lot of the Gothenburg Metal Bands or some of the Black Metal giants. And because of this, the 4 bands that come to my mind for the younger generations are
Disturbed
Killswitch Engage
Lamb of God
Avenged Sevenfold
Now I wouldn’t go as far to say that these 4 bands are the equivalent of the big 4 of the Thrash Metal, like Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth were. But these 4 bands while they were around for some time (Disturbed for example was around since 94′) they are hitting hard these days. And you see that their sound is kind of like the legacy of the influence of Nu Metal on bands that grew listening to this genre while admiring Thrash. Pantera is a timeless beast for it’s own. Sepultura as well. Basically, for the younger generations the so called "Metalcore" is most likely the thing they would listen to
As I lay dying, Bullet for my Valentine, and the other 4 bands.
No Final Fantasy match this time for the other rumble?
We’ve always done that for the final fight of a rumble. Nothing new. On a side-note, I think this is the first time I’ve missed a final fight. 🙁 But a deserving song won.
As for my votes…
Phantom Train
Best of Zelda / N64
If I’m genuinely interested in a rumble theme, I give priority to the oldest one in the queue. And, Jesus, Link has been waiting since 2011. But is it ready? And is he around right now? His activity says he hasn’t logged in since his last vote. If not, I’d go N64.
Huh. Never knew that. Guess I forget easily. Oh well, least I know now…
Today is the rumble’s 5th anniversary, and I???d like to take a second to thank everyone who has voted, created a theme, revised song selections, or otherwise supported the project. The spirit of the rumble is to create opportunities for people to hear new music or old music in new contexts, and I see that spirit still very much alive under Shad’s excellent leadership. Thank you to Shad, and to all of you. Over the next few days, I’ll post some extras to celebrate the last five years as we gear up for the next rumble themes.
Oh, I heard this on Midnight Snacks (http://midnightsnacks.fm/) last night and thought some of you might get a kick out of it: DJ Cutman – Red Soil Reboot (https://soundcloud.com/djcutman/red-soil-reboot-for-sammus)
Round 1, Fight 1 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Jet Force Gemini (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYi8o-RAWuk&list=PLQhKXYgOXl3sUPNGhM3rYyTtk7fwkumUL), by Robin Beanland, Graeme Norgate, Alistair Lindsay
vs.
Banjo-Kazooie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COM4bdU0R4I&list=PL840312217AF11534&index=2), by Grant Kirkhope
——————————————————-
Banjo-Kazooie is not exactly the sort of thing I’d choose to listen to on a regular basis, but it serves its purpose well. Jet Force Gemini sounded totally generic to me.
Round 4, Fight 7 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZJqRbmxMEY), from Final Fantasy VI
vs.
Red Wings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbQyqX9iu_M), from Final Fantasy IV
——————————————————-
Sorry my favorite second favorite (how could I forget you Toian Beauty?) FF4 track. Opening Theme
Red Wings
Opening Theme
Jet Force Gemini, Final Fantasy II.
As for the next rumble, obviously Zelda gets my vote, but N64 is a strong second place for me.
I was told that Zelda would come after Final Fantasy (so we didn’t have to freaking long-ass rumbles going at once) so I hadn’t worried about getting it too ready yet. I was even thinking of going back through and seeing if I could cut down to 128.
Opening Theme
————————————————————————————————
5th Anniversary Bonus #1
For the first bonus, I wanted to do something simple. The most gratifying part of this project has been to meet and talk to so many people regardless of geographic location, age, and to some extent even language. Though music is the universal means of communication, the participants–not the music–make this worthwhile. Back on the first anniversary (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/29.html#post1484405), I mentioned that I feel very privileged to be able to listen to and discuss music with you all. I mean by that both the obvious sentiment and also the historic privilege we have. Within my own lifetime and probably within the lifetimes of most, if not all, of you, this kind of forum was not technologically possible. Probably a lot of us used to be kids holding tape recorders up to our TVs. It’s a privilege to have this technology at our disposal, a privilege I’m grateful for, though not everyone uses it to participate democratically with the rest of humanity. Now anyone with an internet connection can find almost any song ever recorded instantaneously. That can make people more insular and robotic. I know a lot of people who quite mindlessly download thousands and thousands of songs not out of an appreciation for the music, but out of some hunter/gatherer instinct or fear of impermanence or…who knows? The practice isn’t about enjoying the music; it’s about possessiveness, routine, and entitlement. And they’ve shown over a long period of time that they don’t listen to what they download. For those of us who don’t simply experience music passively or use this technology to alienate ourselves from others, it’s rare and difficult to find a community of people who are willing to (a) discuss music as an art form and (b) do so in an open-minded, respectful way. These qualities should not be taken for granted. In that spirit, here is an acknowledgement of everyone who has participated in the rumble over the last five years and made this experience special:
775117724
aces4839
Another Mad Dancer
Bass260
butter building
ChazA4
Chocolate Misu
Dammit
decapattack
Denny
Derimu
dissident93
docrate1
Dr Shaneman
DragonKazooie89
Eshvoide
feralanima
Galad???n Nimcelithil
Gentleman Ghost
Heffy
impudent urinal
jakob
Jens of the desert
Jessie
Jitan Toraibaru
Lackadaisical
Lens of Truth
Link006
Lishy
LordBlackudder
Marceline
Master Megatron
Mercenary Raven
nadasaid
NARFNra
nebbish
Pos
Puea
Purrr
Q-Tip Trepe
ravenous19
Ryuji
saint seiya2004
Sarah
Shad
Shadow mage
Silent Ed
Smarty
solidsnake999
ssquared
superangelo128
Szczepan
Tascar
taylorLR
tebian
Terrordar
The Anti-Existence
thejobloshow
topopoz
UlicBelouve
Uvogin
vergil2010
Withope
wolfmaster913
Zetara22
Well, it’s a very interesting question, maybe I should ask my nephew about it.
But on top of my mind I will say that these days, they’ll still think of Metallica a little, at least here in Argentina. Specially this year because of the gig on Antartica and the gigs on La Plata, it’s a Fashion to listen to Metallica. I bet if I put on "The Shortest Straw" they would be lost wondering from which band is that song.
Getting more serious about it though, I personally think that the younger generetaions don’t listen to metal at all. You see, metal isn’t what it used to be. You could say that with the turn of the Century things went more into the pop realm and MTV is more concerned about selling trash reality shows rather than music itself. At the end of the 90’s Marilyn Manson was the shit for a lot of people. Starting the 2000’s you have Korn popularity. And at this time Linkin Park was on the Rise. So with this "Nu Metal" stuff, it was more about of a teenage rebellious movement rather than the music. Of course the rebel part was always integral in many metal genres. But we all know that it wasn’t the case back in the day for Iron Maiden or Judas Priest. And on top of that, extreme metal was becoming more popular, not that it ever became mainstream, but it was certainly easier to find people discovering Death and a lot of the Gothenburg Metal Bands or some of the Black Metal giants. And because of this, the 4 bands that come to my mind for the younger generations are
Disturbed
Killswitch Engage
Lamb of God
Avenged Sevenfold
Now I wouldn’t go as far to say that these 4 bands are the equivalent of the big 4 of the Thrash Metal, like Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth were. But these 4 bands while they were around for some time (Disturbed for example was around since 94′) they are hitting hard these days. And you see that their sound is kind of like the legacy of the influence of Nu Metal on bands that grew listening to this genre while admiring Thrash. Pantera is a timeless beast for it’s own. Sepultura as well. Basically, for the younger generations the so called "Metalcore" is most likely the thing they would listen to
As I lay dying, Bullet for my Valentine, and the other 4 bands.
Yes! The rebellion aspect definitely seems like the thing that empowered nu metal, and it came at an odd time when big business was regaining control of mainstream radio even as the internet was temporarily disarming radio’s control over people’s listening behavior. What corporations found in Korn and propelled into the spotlight was a form of rebellion that satisfied kids’ desires for a general aggro outlet without any anti-establishment undertones. Gone were the days when Kurt could make a mockery of the media vultures in the very magazines they published and Zack and Tom could call for open revolution. Nu metal offered a safe sort of rebellion, with lyrics that targeted parents, girlfriends, and high school bullies instead of offering commentary on broader social concerns. Naturally adults (the actual musicians) that were still focused on personal childhood grievances without any grasp of a bigger picture were going to be fairly shallow and manipulable, so it suited the record giants well. (It always bugged me that System of a Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAJi-W9o7uU) got lumped into the nu metal crowd, because they offered so much more musical and lyrical depth.)
Then, of course, Napster happened, and after eight or so glorious years Apple happened, and we’re left with a most unusual gap. My generation was immersed in the diverse underground scenes that became available at the click of a button. Nu metal died a quick death. Forget Roadrunner Records; everyone was sharing the newest Century Media, Relapse, and Spinefarm releases. (Southern Lord came a bit later.) Gothenburg melo-death was all the rage, Opeth was the hottest band in town, and obscurer scenes like Kharkiv BM were sneaking at least a track or two into everyone’s playlists. I remember my first gig back in ’02. Me and all of my high school metal buddies didn’t go to see Korn or Disturbed or some shit like that. We saw In Flames opening for Iced Earth. That was normal. That was "mainstream". That was what kids thought of when they talked about metal, for a time. Leave bands like Disturbed to the middle school losers and goth rejects. And if you asked anyone about metal who didn’t know much but wanted to fit in, they would talk about Metallica, or Maiden, or Pantera.
My question might boil down to: what has happened since then? I took the Napster road and never looked back. Most of my contemporaries did the same. I think that, after spending a few sweet years reeling from the punches, corporate recording cut its losses and reinstated the grunts that stood faithfully by–Disturbed, Papa Roach, etc. I would like to think that kids don’t actually listen to this shit. That, like me and my friends at 16, they have easy access to alternatives and a collective will to reject what the media’s feeding them. But maybe not. The internet has changed profoundly over the past ten years, from a libertarian dream where anonymity was the highest virtue to a tightly controlled corporate state where everyone goes by their real names and you have to enter your private cellphone number to register a Yahoo! email account (truth!). It seems like ripe conditions for corporations to dictate what everyone listens to, and with names like Disturbed flying around, I fear that might be the case. Or is that just what it looks like to someone too immersed in the other side to realize that kids today still have their sources, like we had Napster and Something Awful, and like the next wave had Pitchfork and /mu/?
In either case, metal definitely seems to have split down two incommensurable paths. On one, nu metal holds equal if not greater rights than thrash to claim influence, and it remains the dominant sound today. Down the other, nu metal was wholly rejected shortly after conception, and music has evolved at a breakneck pace ever since. I think most of the best metal ever created was recorded in the past ten years (2011 alone might carry it), and none of it was by any of the bands mentioned in that post. It’s hard to believe that the sort of stuff played on mainstream radio today was around during the second wave of black metal. That’s pretty ancient history. >_>
I’m going to post up a few samples of some of the great things that have been happening my side of the metal spectrum lately, because I can. 🙂
I always preferred Hard Drive’s definition of "Extreme Rock" (a cross between hard rock and modern rock) and filtered everything through that lens. There are certain bands that I consider "alternative" (Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Incubus, the Killers) and some that I consider Extreme Rock (SoaD, Slipknot, Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed).
Genre labels are shorthand for two expressions, and you have to be familiar with the label to know how much of each is implied. They mean "band c sounds sort of like bands x y and z" and/or "band c participated in the same cultural movement as bands x y and z". They don’t take on meaning until you have actually engaged the bands involved. The more you come to share a common understanding of the terms with other listeners, the more meaningful they become.
Some terms are very, very generic, like "classical", "blues", "jazz", etc, but so common that we all have a general idea of them. For these, my definition of a genre rarely needs apply. If I told you "check out this blues band" and linked a Metallica song, you would understand that I made an error even if you can’t name a single blues or metal band without stopping to think about it for a minute. Other terms have negative definitions. "Rock" means "a band that generally uses electric guitar, bass, and a standard drum kit, plays relatively peppy music with a standard progression of verses followed by a chorus, and doesn’t fall into any other genre", "any other genre" being relative to the conversation. "Alternative" means "a rock band with roots in the 90s or early 2000s", etc.
Mid-range terms such as "indie rock", "grunge", and "thrash metal" lean more towards the cultural movement. "Grunge", for instance, means "participated in an early to mid-90s cultural movement in which bands largely from the Seattle area played modestly heavy rock that focused on abandoning 80s pomp and hairspray for a 60s grassroots ethos". "Indie rock" would be "mostly early-2000s, diy ethos, incorporates instruments beyond the rock spectrum, mostly acoustic, focal points in Portland Oregon and Athens Georgia". Since these are very general, you’re likely to see a supporting tag like "riyl Neutral Milk Hotel".
Specific terms take on meaning only when you’ve got a really diverse understanding of their parent terms, and once you do have that understanding, you’re going to find yourself accurately labeling bands before you even know what others are calling them. For instance, I termed Agalloch "post-black metal", Alcest "shoegaze black metal", and Peste Noire "black’n’roll" independently before any of those descriptions caught on. It’s not that I am personally responsible for naming new genres. It’s that these terms, despite having not been used to describe any previous bands, were the most logical combinations of words to employ. They conveyed to other listeners the most accurate idea of what other bands/general sounds they could expect to hear similarities to. "Shoegaze black metal" meant little more to me in origin than "wtf, they’re obviously black metal but it’s a total My Bloody Valentine vibe", but today this is a common label.
I hope that helps.
Oh, so Limp Bizkit, to answer your question: Every term you used is accurate to a degree, but they’re coming from different contexts. As I said, the definition of "rock" is very relative to the conversation. Limp Bizkit were "rock" from the most generic of all contexts in that they were not classical, blues, rap, or jazz. No one who employs genre terms meaningfully actually uses "rock" this way, but as "rock" is a mainly negative definition, it can fly. So "rock/rap" means "it had elements of rap and elements that weren’t rap or any of that other stuff I know general terms for", and it’s a really stupid, useless description. "Alternative" is slightly more useless. In this case it means "They meet this really lame definition of rock and existed in the 90s". "Metal" is getting somewhere, and "nu metal" is just being more specific. "Nu metal" is the only proper genre label of the four you mentioned. It actually conjures to mind specific bands, specific places and times, and a specific musical culture. "Nu metal" is a pretty accurate definition for Limp Bizkit. So is "rap metal".
Shad’s Believe It or Not! of the day: Three Dollar Bill Y’all$ was actually a really fucking good album. Like, seriously, Fred’s screams are sick and Wes writes one hell of a crushing groove riff. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHyV9V-37zc)
Nu metal offered a safe sort of rebellion, with lyrics that targeted parents, girlfriends, and high school bullies instead of offering commentary on broader social concerns.
This is an interesting thought, and I think points to one reason why I never got into nu-metal and, listening to that Limp Bizkit link, still don???t feel any connection with it. The sound of my teenage rebellion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuoFiIFkdAA).
I would like to think that kids don’t actually listen to this shit…But maybe not.
I???m sure the kids have found something to call their own that???s not force-fed by a major music label. Every generation seeks out those niches. Whether or not those bands are any better than the corporate bands is dependent on the music, though. Your interest, I assume, is two-fold: what are these bands and are they any good?
Round 1, Fight 2 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Mischief Makers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uKtzlH5zAc&list=PLCAA3D36BEDB7B50D), by Norio Hanzawa
vs.
San Francisco Rush 2049 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2xXXe8SqAE&list=PL6611721F517C8C2E), by Barry Leitch
——————————————————-
I’m definitely a fan of Norio Hanzawa, but his style comes through a lot stronger on the Mega Drive. I’ll take San Francisco Rush 2049.
Round 4, Fight 8 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Find Your Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn0T6Xh5VXY), from Final Fantasy VIII
vs.
Valley of the Fallen Star (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiJVNzQDdCY), from Final Fantasy VII
——————————————————-
Find Your Way
Find Your Way
————————————————————————————————
5th Anniversary Bonus #2
The second bonus raises an interesting question. Below are the previous winners of every completed rumble we’ve done. Though I originally intended this as a way to listen back to a playlist of the winners, what I noticed as I put it together was how dominant the 90s have been in the rumbles. Three winners were from the 80s. Five winners were from the 00s. Eleven have been from the 90s. And that doesn’t include Uematsu’s win in the Composer’s Rumble, though he both participated in and influenced the course of 90s vgm. The question, then, is if the 90s were the Golden Age for video game music?
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=Sonic1_box_usa.jpg)
Sonic the Hedgehog ??? Green Hill Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF9ZLNxHaBY)
by Masato Nakamura (1991)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=ocarina-of-time.jpg)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAMzIihPjAg)
by Koji Kondo (1998)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=MetroidPrime.jpg)
Metroid Prime ??? Underwater Frigate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2B3QqjJ284)
by Kenji Yamamoto and Kouichi Kyuma (2002)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=castlevania3boxart1.jpg)
Castlevania III: Dracula???s Curse ??? Beginning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGq9VjJXVh8)
by Yoshinori Sasaki, Jun Funahashi, and Yukie Morimoto (1989)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=mega-man-2-title-screen.jpg)
Mega Man 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL02gX8hSTk&list=PL2F553EFB76F93B22)
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=final-fantasy-vi.jpg)
Final Fantasy VI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLpjPht5mvg)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1994)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=IntegralWall.jpg)
Metal Gear Solid ??? The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g)
by Takanari Ishiyama, Gigi Meroni, Kazuki Muraoka, Lee Jeon Myung, Hiroyuki Togo, Maki Kirioka, Rika Muranaka, and Tappi Iwase (1998)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=boxart.jpg)
Final Fantasy VI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLpjPht5mvg)
by Nobuo Uematsu (1994)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=Sonicth_eur.jpg)
Sonic the Hedgehog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoV0wUxFA-g&playnext=1&list=PL43622D6769FCEDB1)
by Masato Nakamura (1991)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=1271537907.jpg)
Chrono Cross (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8&playnext=1&list=PLD60FDA0E024BE41F)
by Yasunori Mitsuda (1999)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=1096580470_megaman3title.jpg)
Mega Man 3 ??? Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2kTeh7FNl0)
by Yasuaki Fujita (1990)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/?action=view¤t=Suikoden_II.jpg)
Suikoden II ??? Imprisoned Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6exvhdhIE8)
by Miki Higashino and Keiko Fukami (1998)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/user/arthurgolden/media/VagrantStoryrumble.jpg.html)
Vagrant Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSvSXSttRw&list=PLC7FA53EBA99B515E)
by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2000)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/user/arthurgolden/media/vagrant-story-2.jpg.html)
Vagrant Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIDzmISasQM&list=PL49D6F5F3FC29A278)
by Hitoshi Sakimoto (2000)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/user/arthurgolden/media/SoftheC1.jpg.html)
Shadow of the Colossus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1T-f3dIUZE&list=PL4B77AB01B4C2C5F8)
by Kow Otani (2005)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/user/arthurgolden/media/uematsu-nobuo-4fd877b2a9120.jpg.html)
The Greatest VGM Composer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ&list=PL4562BAE6D669BE02&feature=plpp_play_all)
Nobuo Uematsu (1986-Present)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/user/arthurgolden/media/250px-MetroidPrimebox_zps83b9fbed.jpg.html)
Metroid Prime ??? Ice Valley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8oefrmJrWk)
by Kenji Yamamoto and Kouichi Kyuuma (2002)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/user/arthurgolden/media/ghouls_n_ghosts_01_zps62667e84.png.html)
Ghouls ‘n Ghosts ??? Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCLAXQow3w)
by Tim Follin (1988)
<br>
(http://s658.photobucket.com/user/arthurgolden/media/Star_Ocean_Second_Story_zps1e6b0656.jpg.html)
Star Ocean: The Second Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLO91ihkK3Y&list=PL94C4DF160CC9F7ED)
by Motoi Sakuraba (1998)
<br>
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/th_Final_Fantasy_Legend_III_Coverart_zpsc5ac9e1b.p ng (
. html)
Final Fantasy Legend III ??? Holy Ruins (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvElI-6MR64)
by Ryuji Sasai (1991)
Cosmo Canyon…Valley of the Fallen Star
Uh…
Find Your Way
You’ll be seeing more from me again. =D
Round 1, Fight 3 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoOdo4oAJzo&list=PL1EEFA82475BD0D5A), by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, & Hayato Matsuo
vs.
Mario Kart 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTyeDZEnk9A&list=PL063FBBE00159AAB1), by Kenta Nagata
——————————————————-
Ogre Battle 64
Round 5, Fight 1 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Dreadful Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp4-fXuTwb8), from Final Fantasy IV
vs.
Dancing Mad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbXVNKtmWnc), from Final Fantasy VI
——————————————————-
Dancing Mad
Hard choice, but, Dancing Mad.
Dancing Mad
Dreadful Fight – Tough choice, but I’ll give it at least one vote.
Dancing Mad – Actually if it was against Fight 2 or Zeromus instead Dreadful fight. I would’ve voted FFIV instead.
Dancing Mad
————————————————————————————————
5th Anniversary Bonus #3
The most important aspects of the rumble are obviously the participants and the music, which I???ve covered in the first two bonuses. But over the years, I spent a lot of time working on the visual presentation of the rumble, too. I worried that a sub-forum with far less traffic than Downloads would need a kind of gimmick to survive???a fear history has proven wrong. But creating an interesting look for the rumble was frustrating, to say the last. The forum creates enormous obstacles to that goal, and I probably spent 1-5 hours per rumble working out new designs that I had to ultimately abandon, either because of inconsistent or unexpected results. Some of that time was spent reading numerous articles on how to manipulate vBulletin, but a lot of it was just troubleshooting. It was definitely a challenge, although I think the variety of looks I did end up with are fun to look back on. So for the third bonus, I???ve created a visual history of the rumble with some brief notes.
My thought process about the progression of each round was set before the first rumble was started. In general, I wanted the focus to be on the music in the first round, with opportunities for voters to deepen their appreciation of the music in the subsequent rounds via added background information, fun facts, pictures, and the like. The original first round, seen below, was just a link and a description. Things evolved fairly quickly from there. By the first round of the Aquatic Themes rumble, I had started including more information up front, and then colored text in the first split rumble between Castlevania and NES soundtracks.
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/#post1253578) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/5.html#post1312683) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/9.html#post1343428)
Likewise, the second round designs built on each other quickly as I tried to figure out (a) what I could research and (b) what people might be interested in. When I was making the first rumble, I was reading a lot about sound chips in different consoles and decided to include that information in the fights, besides the composer, year, and a fun fact about each song. When we started the Aquatic Themes rumble, I also included which songs or soundtracks had been beaten in earlier rounds by a selection to see if voters would hold grudges. It worked, as some of you know. 😉 As you can see in the Metal Gear/SNES split rumble, for a time I also included when during a game a song could be heard (useful info, but difficult to research).
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/2.html#post1269398) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/7.html#post1325613) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/26.html#post1467799)
As time went on, I reused the idea of the smaller silver-colored text as a heading and played around with the colors more, adding in linked pictures of the composers, then finally adding in full pictures within each fight. I???m still very happy with the way the PlayStation soundtracks rumble came out, since it involved a lot of tweaking with the font colors. The forum???s yellow works in small doses, but next to the picture it burned your eyeballs and made reading the composers??? names unnecessarily difficult. The final choice (ridiculously named "LemonChiffon") was subtler and better, and at the time I thought was the best I could do in vBulletin.
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/21.html#post1436671) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/33.html#post1511856) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/52.html#post1746952)
Then I started working on the Composers Rumble. But before I talk about that, I should mention the semifinals as a drafting ground for some of those ideas. I always wanted the semifinals to be the round with the most comprehensive details about each competitor, so the voters could make the most informed choice about which songs got to the final. With that in mind, I would often include the link, composer, year, system, fun fact, description, and picture with each competitor. Sometimes that meant a wall of text and using colors and indentation to organize everything. Later on, I began to experiment with larger-format pictures and less text.
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/28.html#post1481838) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/47.html#post1679447) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/53.html#post1757498)
These experiments ultimately inspired the layout of the final rumble I did. I knew I wanted the Composers Rumble to be my best and most comprehensive rumble, but I needed to find a way to reduce how much was actually in the fight post and to categorize the information for a standard look. The result was a crazy amount of work, from finding all of those links and organizing them, to downloading all of the pictures and making them all the same size in Photoshop, to writing descriptions of the entire careers of 64 composers, to drafting that information in different layouts. It was a gigantic undertaking, and I was really proud of the end result. There was a lot of passion poured into the selection process by the group page people, and I wanted to return that with a well-designed rumble that I knew was going to be my last one. The rumble, as I???ve said before, is a collective enterprise. A sidenote: the changes made for the semifinals turned out well, although I could not convincingly photoshop Sakimoto into that damn picture of Uematsu, Shimomura, and Mitsuda. I needed a picture from the waist up to match the others and only a few were available. Thus, I had to use a picture where his lighting was totally different from theirs, and the more I adjusted the colors and brightness and resolution, the faker it looked. So he ended up looking a little ghostly. My apologies to Sakimoto. Sidenote to the sidenote: did anyone ever notice that the four-composer banner image at the top of the Composers semifinal linked to another hidden picture? 😀
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/60.html#post2006728) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/64.html#post2114212) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/65.html#post2189162)
From the very first rumble onward, I jam-packed as much information as possible into the semifinals so that I could deliver a simply presented final round with only the link, a composer, and the year for each selection. With as much familiarity as voters had with the works by that point, I felt it was appropriate and also added a little elegance or formality to the end. I held true to that philosophy for the first two years of the rumble. But as time went on (and I got more comfortable with Photoshop) I wanted to add some eye candy, which you can see linked below.
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/3.html#post1279273) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/53.html#post1760517) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/56.html#post1835812) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/59.html#post1946878) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/65.html#post2194636)
The true spot where a single song or soundtrack could get the spotlight, though, was in the results post after the final round. I tended to reuse the link, composer, year, fun fact, previously beat list, and description information from earlier rounds while adding the winner???s record in each round and some additional pictures if available. I also sometimes added onto the description to tie in discussion points from the voters or my own concluding thoughts. I like these final posts (which are all linked in a previous 5th Anniversary bonus and also in the OP of this thread) because they were a celebration of good music that had endured. Every time I posted the results from a final round, I felt like there was a satisfying sense of accomplishment and finality to the act. I hope there was a similar sense of satisfaction (at least, more often than not) for the voters???and I hope you enjoy walking down memory lane with me. I intended this post to be short and LOOK at how long it is now. I’m insane.
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/3.html#post1281618) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/22.html#post1443546) 
(http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/66.html#post2201504)
Ogre Battle 64
Dreadful Fight
Round 1, Fight 4 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Gauntlet Legends (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29g1BIG-FHo&list=PL7183AE5FA2F27FFA&index=1), by John Paul, Barry Leitch, Joe Lyford, and Michael Henry
vs.
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLIQOVOEFng&list=PLA1AE456B3FC54CD2), by Darren Mitchell
——————————————————-
Turok 2
Round 5, Fight 2 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Clash on the Big Bridge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CMTXyExkeI), from Final Fantasy V
vs.
Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTxqsTfDgC4), from Final Fantasy X
——————————————————-
Yikes. Decisive Battle
CotBB
Gauntlet Legends
Decisive Battle
Decisive Battle
————————————————————————————————
5th Anniversary Bonus #4
On numerous occasions while running the rumble, I got rude PMs from outsiders criticizing one thing or another. The messages ran the gamut from sarcasm (???Maybe you could let more than one other person make selections, thanks???) to mild criticism (???your rumble sucks???) to outright rage. In each case I explained the rationale I was using for the rumble and invited constructive criticism. In each case, the person disappeared, sooner or later. Now, I know as well as the next guy that the internet encourages this kind of human to human interaction, and???without going into a lecture???we live in a time of heightened rhetoric. But over this, a game about video game music, people were going to sit down and write a message cursing me? I thought that was totally bizarre. Then it happened again. Then it happened again, on two different occasions after I had just finished complimenting the individual on their own video game music project.
So we???re passionate. That???s obvious. And some people suck. We already knew that. But I think there???s something subtler happening that points to our relationships to other members of a subculture. We need them, and we need them to be on board with our own canon. Otherwise, our relationship to the music can feel threatened.
There is a positive side, too. I???ve heard plenty of stories about the redemptive power of music. I???ve gotten plenty of compliments. I???ve seen people come back to the rumble at a new place in their lives and find their bond to the music had actually strengthened over time.
With that in mind, I wanted to share a comedy bit (http://www.tallarico.com/files/audio/misc/Tallarico.mp3) by Aziz Ansari in case any of you hadn???t heard it before where he talks about the subculture of video game music and notices something about us that reveals an absence in his own life. As soon as he says ???what level of nerdom,??? you’ll know sorta where he’s going, but by the end he offers something much weightier and funnier to think about.
Decisive Battle
Decisive Battle (5-1) and Turok 2 (3-2) advance.
Round 1, Fight 5 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Glover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0V6k-NZAHI&list=PL93A96AEE8D0E30DC), by Rob Load, Paul Weir, & Mark Bandola
vs.
Banjo-Tooie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP2mKpUvXl4&list=PL7EFB226AC90A54D3), by Grant Kirkhope
——————————————————-
Banjo-Tooie
Round 5, Fight 3 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
The Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qjw35-qkb_s), from Final Fantasy VI
(6-2, 4-3, 5-0, 3-3)
vs.
Opening Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZJqRbmxMEY), from Final Fantasy VI
(7-0, 4-1, 3-1, 4-2)
——————————————————-
Opening Theme
Hm. The Decisive Battle. Funny how I’ve voted for songs called that twice now.
The Decisive Battle
Opening Theme
————————————————————————————————
5th Anniversary Bonus #5
About a year ago, one of you told me you’d finished high school in the time the rumble had been running. Its history has overlapped with major moments in my life, too. Much of the power of any stable institution comes from the instability of everything else. When I posted the first fight in 2009, I was in a hotel killing time before my brother???s wedding. Now he has two kids, lives in another state, and (as happens once friends and family members have kids) our relationship has substantially changed. I was also just beginning to work on my Master???s thesis, which meant no more classes???the end of my formal education and the beginning of many other things. You could say the rumble marked the beginning of my adulthood. I was teaching classes I???d created, writing on my own terms, recently married, a homeowner, finishing school. A year later I was saying goodbye to grad school friends, returning home, getting a new job, and reinserting myself into relationships that had dissipated in my five-year absence, some friends no longer reachable, some dead, some friendships more powerful than before, some new friends. Then there was learning to assert myself in personal and professional environments, understanding more deeply the code of values I had been forming my entire life, shifting my identity from a writer to a teacher, learning to balance work and family, learning healthy coping mechanisms for my and my wife???s emotional needs, making personal goals to extend my education. In other words, all of the complexities of adult life, intersected on a daily basis with video game music. That???s where this turns profound, I think. This is just one feature of one medium I loved as a child, yet this game allows me the pleasure of revisiting that time every day despite all of the other stresses of adult life accumulating and intensifying. Thinking about any hallmark moment of the last five years, I see a rumble post from the same time. What did it feel like to move back home in fall 2010? Here???s the answer (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/34.html#post1528094) (under the spoiler). What was I doing during the awful spring of 2011 when a jealous colleague was trying every day to intimidate me? Writing 1,000 words about Suikoden (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/43.html#post1630634) and listening to FF covers that topopoz posted (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/49.html#post1700073). The rumble has been the constant through all of that, for me and for others, and I still use it to function as a stress reliever.
For that reason, I am so thankful to Shad for taking over and doing such a magnificent job. The five-year anniversary bonuses wouldn???t conclude justly without an acknowledgement and appreciation of his work. I know more than anyone what???s it like to organize something like this (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/66.html#post2222151), to write something like this (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/72.html#post2320580), to plan ahead of time (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/), to advertise (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/76.html#post2402335), to be visually consistent and precise over long periods of time when other things (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/67.html#post2235441) are happening (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/80.html#post2555430) (notice the dates). My Word doc of everything I posted for the rumble is 553 pages long???117,710 words. It is a lot of work, hours and hours, with the end results open to scrutiny if you make a mistake. Yet things have drummed along fantastically because Shad is awesome, and knowledgeable, and dedicated, and enthusiastic, and generous. What he has done is everything I hoped for when I stepped down, plus more. Not only is he extremely well-informed, lucid, and pointed in discussing areas of vgm history that I emphasized while running the rumble, he has extensive knowledge of other eras outside of my expertise and shows a willingness and desire to learn more. Do I need to say more? Probably not, but I’m going to anyway. Shad is organized, Shad is diplomatic, Shad is funny, Shad gets angry sometimes. And that’s what I want to end the 5th Anniversary series on. Some of you may remember way back to the SNES soundtracks rumble. On March 28, 2010 (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/24.html#post1455697), the god of randomness threw us a curveball when in the seventh fight of the first round, Super Mario RPG drew a match against Chrono Trigger. A day of infamy for the rumble. Super Mario RPG never had a chance, as you might expect, losing 10-0, and consequently a soundtrack that Shad loved (and that I loved) and that really should have been in the semifinals ended up with the same record as Kendo Rage. It’s time to right this wrong. In honor of Shad, I’m naming Super Mario RPG the "Most Screwed-Over Selection in a Rumble Ever." Hopefully, this helps restores order to the cosmic balance. I’ve included a link below so it can get the spotlight, as it should have so long ago. Thanks for the memories already made, friends. Here’s to the next five years. Play me out, Mario.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d25OY306LP4&list=PLSHMcAUZYM-747dALKoLQgcwc_H-mzU9b)
In what was, I think, a surprising upset, The Decisive Battle (3-2) advances, along with Banjo-Tooie (3-1).
Round 1, Fight 6 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Animal Crossing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUebQUIP50M&list=PL46AAE9DF81FADE09), by Kazumi Totaka, Shinobu Tanaka, Toru Minegishi, & Kenta Nagata
vs.
Command & Conquer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWbl4KBpZW4&list=PL3C1FCC901A2EB478), by Grant Kirkhope
——————————————————-
Animal Crossing
Round 5, Fight 4 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Dark Messenger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBNBwZe6GTI), from Final Fantasy IX
(5-3, 5-0, 5-2, 3-2)
vs.
Find Your Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn0T6Xh5VXY), from Final Fantasy VIII
(5-3, 4-2, 3-2, 3-2)
——————————————————-
Find Your Way. Go go last remaining non-battle song!
Dark Messenger
Find Your Way – Several years ago (I can make statements like this since I recently went back through the whole rumble (
)), Link made a comment about how context is everything. Did I think Find Your Way would be in the semifinals? Nope. But I think it’s the better song here.
EDIT: Also (
), apropos of nothing.
Find Your Way
Find your Way
Round 1, Fight 7 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Mario Party (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhEH0aZAyCo&list=PLE233196829C872E9), by Yasunori Mitsuda
vs.
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjSt1GpdGSM&list=PLbYy8mitnHrMTymS7x_T4erQJWnkmHQqZ&index=1), by Darren Mitchell
——————————————————-
I don’t know what surprised me more here: that Mitsuda was composing for Nintendo on the N64, or that it wasn’t particularly good. Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, like its sequel, is pretty interesting. I knew there had to be a reason why I enjoyed this game in spite of hating most fps’s……
Round 6, Fight 1 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTxqsTfDgC4), from Final Fantasy X
(6-1, 3-3, 6-1, 6-1, 5-1)
vs.
Decisive Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qjw35-qkb_s), from Final Fantasy VI
(6-2, 4-3, 5-0, 3-3, 3-2)
——————————————————-
Final Fantasy X!
FFVI
FFVI
FFX
Round 1, Fight 8 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Rayman 2: The Great Escape (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJep_bDgC94&list=PLgl6fbabd1rjBEXON8rOkEkTssKmMWO7d), by Eric Chevalier
vs.
Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4wNZ9WXq7g&list=PL845B952A7CC23B8C), by Koji Kondo & Toru Minegishi
——————————————————-
Rayman 2 based on the tracks I sampled, but I think these are the two best soundtracks I’ve heard in this rumble so far. I’ll have to listen to them in full tonight and reconsider.
Round 6, Fight 2 // Final Fantasy Rumble
——————————————————-
Find Your Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn0T6Xh5VXY), from Final Fantasy VIII
(5-3, 4-2, 3-2, 3-2, 4-3)
vs.
Dancing Mad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbXVNKtmWnc), from Final Fantasy VI
(7-1, 3-1, 7-0, 5-1, 6-2)
——————————————————-
Find Your Way’s unexpected run has been fun to watch, but it’s bound to end somewhere. Dancing Mad
Dancing Mad
Dancing Mad
Sorry for missing out on breaking the tie for that last fight, my internet had been out for most of this past week.
Final Fantasy VI – Dancing Mad (4-1) advances, and now for a fight long, long in the making………… (mouse over for links)
FINAL MATCH // Final Fantasy Rumble
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSJkrIziqUc) VS 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQrtj3gCBnQ)
Dancing Mad was a revolutionary new idea in video game music. A song that seemed to stretch on for eternity, evolving as one of the longest fights in Final Fantasy unfolded, Dancing Mad became the musical embodiment of one of the first RPG villains with a truly complex personality. Kefka was a man obsessed with destruction not because he was a mere "bad guy", but because he derived a sick yet strangely human sense of joy out of that final fleeting feeling that immediately precedes it. He wanted to create something beautiful in order to experience it dissolving into nothing. He might be the only final RPG boss with a legitimate reason for waiting for the heroes to arrive in order to enact his plans, and you might say the final battle was his final goal–not the destruction that would have followed should he have won. Nobuo Uematsu crafted a song that really better defined Kefka’s mind than the actual in-game dialogue.
Decisive Battle similarly taps music’s capacity for juxtaposing beauty and desperation. It doesn’t tell a story, and it could only be as relevant as FFX’s ho-hum plot would allow, but it’s a more mature effort that strikes me independently of its in-game context. Another day and time, Dancing Mad’s relevance might tip the scales in its favor, but lately I’ve been voting based on more direct appeal.
I know a lot of people say that Kefka is a great villain because of all the things you mentioned Shad. Personally, I’ve never agreed with any of it. Kefka characterization never went beyond "He’s crazy! He’s evil!", and as far as I’m concerned, that’s lazy storytelling. And, it really stands out in a game with otherwise fantastic characters.
FF6 did have a lot to brag about. It boasted the best graphics and music that anyone had ever experienced on a home gaming console at the time. It also offered a degree of immersion that few other RPGs could by approaching the story-telling in a fairly novel way (by video game standards); it (like FF7) began in the middle of the story, with characters already acquainted in such a way that you are compelled to speculate about their history from the beginning rather than wait to be told. The steampunk setting was totally novel in a sea of standardized fantasy, and I think it also compelled players to attempt to rationalize rather than accept each scenario. And the game was packed full of Easter Eggs. Shadow’s dreams, Gau’s reunion, Doom Gaze, etc…
In short, Final Fantasy VI begged players to ask "why" and rewarded them for seeking answers. But the effect was even stronger than Square intended due to one entirely unforeseen factor: a terrible translation. What should have been an obvious reference by a man in a cave in WoR Veldt became the hidden ninth dragon I spent hours farming to no avail. (Let’s not forget that Nintendo Power’s official strategy guide actually MISSED some of the Easter eggs because they were so obscure. I was justified in my hunt.) A typo became Siegfried’s doppelganger, Ziegfried. Surely there is some complex backstory to this. How do we unlock it? Censorship of Cyan’s girly magazine became a secret instruction manual for some hidden weapon or plotline. The list can go on and on. Because there were no answers–these weren’t even intended to be questions–we never stopped looking, and talking, and building the game up to a higher level.
These speculations formed the content of the very first posts I ever wrote on the internet. (My screen name for going on 20 years now derives from Shadow.) A game with a lot to talk about happened to coincide with a revolutionary new means of talking, and on Nintendo’s old LoudHouse forums (good mother of god, a duckduckgo search for nintendo loudhouse just spit out me as the fourth search result) the Final Fantasy VI rumor mill ran wild. Was anybody about to accept, in the midst of all this, that Kefka was just some loon? I think not.
And with that brilliant segue…
I remember back when the Suikox forums were still thriving, newer fans to the series often complained that the original Suikoden was out of print and consistently sold for $100+ on ebay. I’m sure he got a lot of these for $1 or less in bulk bargain sales, and the most popular RPG classics probably don’t find their way into those. Still, I can’t imagine many pre-NES titles going for so little. He’s got complete sets for systems I’ve never even heard of. I bet some of those games only have a few dozen copies left in circulation.
http://zotaku.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/kefka.gif
Final Fantasy VI – Dancing Mad beat out Final Fantasy X – Decisive Battle 4-2 to become the 21st rumble winner!
(And oddly enough, Rayman 2: The Great Escape beats Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 2-1 despite remaining open for two fights.)
The Zelda rumble is going to be done a bit differently. Link has seeded the songs, so the selections will not be random. We’ll kick off as soon as I get the list from him.
Round 1, Fight 9 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Mario Party 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBZ6c9R0298), by Hironao Yamamoto, Shohei Bando, Kazuhiko Sawaguchi, & Yasunori Mitsuda
vs.
Space Station Silicon Valley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkRS-rJ2iRg&list=PL121E34A022B4C381), by Stuart Ross
——————————————————-
I will post my vote tonight. I’m packing up to go on vacation tomorrow, so I’m a bit rushed for time. (Assuming the internet works there we shouldn’t see a break in rumble updates.)
I’ll go Space Station Silicon Valley for this one.
Shad – prepare for the Zelda list via PM!
Round 1, Fight 10 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw3Uxwlznp0&list=PLF40B1D5A82D3740D), by Koji Kondo
vs.
Conker’s Bad Fur Day (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh0EEB5ozpE&list=PLFBC9FE6A6C4AF94D), by Robin Beanland
——————————————————-
Ocarina of Time
Underworld Round 1, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Title/Opening (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM1j2zp3gx8), from A Link to the Past
vs.
The Great Sea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7plKQ4T0980), from Phantom Hourglass
——————————————————-
Opening Theme
Title/Opening
Opening Theme
Opening
Opening Theme
Who would have thought that someday I’d vote for a soundtrack with a fart sounds instrumentalization in one of it’s songs…
Round 1, Fight 11 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Super Smash Bros. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6U1b9SSd68&list=PLB1DE9CC5D8EF63C1), by Hirokazu Ando
vs.
Yoshi’s Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7i8ZHDNHyM), by Kazumi Totaka
——————————————————-
I’ll vote when I have more time.
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5biIXoKAHo), from Legend of Zelda
vs.
Papuchia Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQt4j6Ff9-8), from Spirit Tracks
——————————————————-
Intro
Papuchia Village is the best song off a weak soundtrack and a worthy contender, but it can’t beat Intro
Intro
Intro
Round 1, Fight 12 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
GoldenEye 007 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oL7VN78Zz8&list=PLAA1F6AE3357F26CB), by Graeme Norgate, Grant Kirkhope, Robin Beanland
vs.
Harvest Moon 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHBAJ7DkD_g&list=PLAE8B24B8B8BA53D6), by Tsuyoshi Tanaka
——————————————————-
Harvest Moon 64 is pretty disappointing. It has so much potential, but we’re left with another relatively boring, repetitive Tsuyoshi Tanaka score. Imagine what someone like Miki Higashino could have done with this. GoldenEye 007
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpEzYEoV9qY), from Legend of Zelda
vs.
The Sacred Grove (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTRnOUaBlu8), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
Both of these songs showcase melodies we’re likely to hear continually throughout this rumble. The fact that Overworld did its first certainly does not make it the best, but The Sacred Grove is a pretty half-assed attempt to make a classic song sound spooky. It’s more annoying than anything else.
Overworld
If you’re filling out a bracket to keep score at home (and frankly, why wouldn’t you?), The Golden Land would be the bottom right region on your bracket. Each bracket is seeded 1 to 32 and the earliest the #1 seeds could meet each other would be the semi finals. This is to eliminate unlucky draws for strong (but perhaps not top seeded songs) so they don’t face a powerhouse early and get relegated to a first/second round exit (a la Ninja Gaiden III…. and no, I will NEVER let that go).
I have a bit higher of an opinion of Sacred Grove than Shad does. The melody is not aiming for spookiness at all – the middle portion is actually the "battle" version of the track. When you are fighting enemies in the sacred grove, that is what will play. Ocarina of Time introduced the concept of "battle" music to the Zelda series that played outside of a mini-boss or boss battle. With that in mind, I think the track works well.
Still, it can’t hold a candle to one of the rumble’s four #1 seeds, Overworld. I have a feeling that this one will be going a LONG way. I felt that The Golden Land was the #3 bracket overall, so I therefore tried to give it the third best #1 seed and the second best #2 seed. I’m not sure if we’ll have any #32 seed over top seed upsets in the rumble, but I’m pretty confident this won’t be one of them.
Goldeneye 007, Legend of Zelda.
———- Post added at 10:48 AM ———- Previous post was at 10:39 AM ———-
I missed the first two Zelda fights thanks to work and the holidays. But, suffice to say, neither would have been upset picks for me. Hyrule should be your bottom left region in your bracket while Underworld is your top left region. Hyrule is the #1 overall bracket, which means that the Legend of Zelda has two of the four #1 seeds and that the intro to the first game of the series enters the competition as the top overall seed. After listening to Papuchia Village, I almost feel bad serving it up to Intro like that. I think it could be argued that it was underseeded. I fear the strength of schedule was factored in heavily in its seeding because, as Arthur mentioned, it had little to no competition to get into the rumble, as Spirit Tracks had VERY few worthy candidates. In fact, I think that both of the Zelda representatives from the two DS games have been knocked out of the tournament, which leaves that system the first to fall in the rumble. The Ocean track from Phantom Hourglass hearkens back to Wind Waker, but I suspect that the original will have a MUCH better showing than it’s little brother… or cousin.
There was a time during the rumble prep stages in which the Title/Opening for A Link to the Past were two SEPARATE tracks. I decided that a track of only about 15 seconds probably didn’t qualify for inclusion on its own, though many Zelda fans would say it is one of the most iconic pieces of the series all by itself.
Anyway, my votes would have gone to both of the #1 seeds so make it straight sweeps for the #1 seeds of at least 5-0 so far!
Overworld
Overworld
Round 1, Fight 13 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Pok???mon Stadium (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgWwTPcnUnQ&list=PL6BDC851DC87AB459), by Kenta Nagata, Hajime Wakai, & Toru Minegishi
vs.
Super Mario 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhadLMDWcGA&list=PL5DFFB80A07748DE3), by Koji Kondo
——————————————————-
It’s unfortunate these two are meeting in round 1. I’m kind of feeling Pok???mon Stadium right now.
Termina Round 1, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Gerudo Valley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8GRDNU50b8), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Vaati (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldjZIw-vdWQ), from Four Swords
——————————————————-
Vaati
Gerudo Valley
Vaati
When I first really started getting in to metal around 1999 and 2000, my gateway albums were Blind Guardian’s Nightfall in Middle-Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MBrEPUZh-U) (1998), Opeth’s My Arms, Your Hearse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0edDklFDIY) (1998), Nokturnal Mortum’s Goat Horns (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U_QYi6spxs) (1997), and In Flames’ Colony (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV3t5VN1m5A) (1999). Maybe these still form a good starting point, though Nightfall is the only one of the lot that would still make my top 10.
The influence of these four bands over the past two decades is certainly hard to overstate. Blind Guardian’s bombastic take on power metal really marked the end of that genre and the beginning of a tendency by many fantasy-oriented bands to become more inclusive in their pursuit of epicness. Opeth showed the world that "progressive metal" didn’t have to mean scale-regurgitators in nut-hugging leather spewing out a billion notes a second with zero appreciation for aesthetics. From the mire of a black metal sound that was growing stale, Nokturnal Mortum inaugurated the folk and pagan scene that would dominate metal above any other sub-genre in the 2000s and place Kharkiv on the map as a bastion of musical talent. And In Flames stood at the forefront of the melodic death movement that finally divorced extreme metal sounds from ideals of machismo debauchery. None of these bands were exclusive in their influence, of course, and musical scenes often emerge as a sort of stand-alone complex. If there exists any one band that can be credited as doing it all first, that would be Sweden’s Bathory in the late 80s, but his works are mediocre in the wake of what followed.
The tracks I linked above alongside Electric Wizard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0bjJt9UV58) and Orchid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uYtqhxCmrc) should give you the best starting perspective you can hope to find in six songs of what was happening at the end of the 90s. Keeping in mind that bands ceased to exist in isolated spheres with the birth of the internet and that post-rock (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmUTTmpwD0c) had more influence on metal than any other non-metal movement since the 60s, you can begin to imagine what might have followed. Maybe I’ll make a post later reaching towards the bands that I admire most.
If the voting holds true to now, the #1 seeds will have breezed through their first rounds without a single vote against them. The previous three have all won by 5-0 margins. Where will the first upset come?
Not today:
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64.
When I first really started getting in to metal around 1999 and 2000, my gateway albums were Blind Guardian’s Nightfall in Middle-Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MBrEPUZh-U) (1998), Opeth’s My Arms, Your Hearse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0edDklFDIY) (1998), Nokturnal Mortum’s Goat Horns (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U_QYi6spxs) (1997), and In Flames’ Colony (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV3t5VN1m5A) (1999). Maybe these still form a good starting point, though Nightfall is the only one of the lot that would still make my top 10.
The influence of these four bands over the past two decades is certainly hard to overstate. Blind Guardian’s bombastic take on power metal really marked the end of that genre and the beginning of a tendency by many fantasy-oriented bands to become more inclusive in their pursuit of epicness. Opeth showed the world that "progressive metal" didn’t have to mean scale-regurgitators in nut-hugging leather spewing out a billion notes a second with zero appreciation for aesthetics. From the mire of a black metal sound that was growing stale, Nokturnal Mortum inaugurated the folk and pagan scene that would dominate metal above any other sub-genre in the 2000s and place Kharkiv on the map as a bastion of musical talent. And In Flames stood at the forefront of the melodic death movement that finally divorced extreme metal sounds from ideals of machismo debauchery. None of these bands were exclusive in their influence, of course, and musical scenes often emerge as a sort of stand-alone complex. If there exists any one band that can be credited as doing it all first, that would be Sweden’s Bathory in the late 80s, but his works are mediocre in the wake of what followed.
The tracks I linked above alongside Electric Wizard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0bjJt9UV58) and Orchid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uYtqhxCmrc) should give you the best starting perspective you can hope to find in six songs of what was happening at the end of the 90s. Keeping in mind that bands ceased to exist in isolated spheres with the birth of the internet and that post-rock (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmUTTmpwD0c) had more influence on metal than any other non-metal movement since the 60s, you can begin to imagine what might have followed. Maybe I’ll make a post later reaching towards the bands that I admire most.
Seems we came from the same kind of breed. Mentioning My Arms, Your Hearse and Nightfall, rings all kinds of memories. Where you bring In Flames. I was more with Dark Tranquility and At the Gates. For example. And it wasn’t until well, My Arms Your Hearse to learn to appreciate them. When (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ZHajw3-3s)blew my mind
Given that my first memory of contact with Metal was a 4 year old listening Theli from Therion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvIW2dVv8GU&list=PL625588DD0CBDB163), one does not suprise. Sweedish guys creating the Symphonic Metal genre mid-90’s.
Yeah, Opeth were great at decodifying the Progressive aspect with their Death Metal. It took me a while to actually like them, as I was finding myself enjoying a lot more the Melodic Gothemburg or the more intricate riffing with good old Chuck Schuldiner’s Human (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZvI1mXY3QQ)& Symbolic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbp60IX_jFQ).
With Power Metal, well at 1998 a lot stuff was happening, a year before Rhapsody (I know you hate them) did Legendary Tales and that very same year Symphony of the Enchanted Lands was released, At the end Nightwish appeared with Oceanborn almost completely dropping their Folk and Doom Roots with a bombastic Power Metal Album. It’s true that after that, fantasy was everywhere. But it was a nice change considering that Stratovarius lyrics weren’t really much significance, save Dreamspace. And BG was doing their Fantasy stuff right from the start in the 80’s with Helloween too. Only that with Nightfall Hansi dropped the bass and went to use every technique he could get from Freddie to create a voice oriented majesty. My fav from them though is actually Imaginations from the Other Side (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M0SDtCbK50&list=PLUPs8D55DP7EzFtzY-9PvxOCrDoHxFvTv). I don’t know the second half of Nightfall just falls flat to me compared to their previous which every single track is a genre masterpiece to me xD.
There’s a lot of great stuff to dig from the 90’s, pick Conception for example. A Norwegian band which split at 1997-98, if it were to release again their last 3 albums around 2006-2012 again with a couple of gigs to promote, they would fill their pockets.
Anyways, sorry to drift way. Lots of good memories. 🙂
That could be an interesting study in its own right: to look back on the bands that I was listening to in 1999/2000 and take that to be a pretty accurate picture of what was popular at the time. Ayreon, Sonata Arctica, Symphony X, Katatonia, and pre-Angela Gossow Arch Enemy were all making the rounds. Classic second-wave black metal was not on my radar at all, and my first exposure to that genre came in the form of Cradle of Filth, Emperor’s weakest effort–IX Equilibrium–and a pretty drab Swedish scene crowned by Marduk, Naglfar, and Dark Funeral. You can understand how my love of black metal took some more time and experience to develop. The one exception was Dimmu Borgir (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtx_UisuXAY), who deserve a bit more credit than well-informed critics like to give them.
The initial process of discovering metal for me unfolded between 1999 and 2001. If it started with the likes of Blind Guardian and Opeth, it ended with Falkenbach (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrgGqkQUG5g), Windir (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFj2qwJbCZs), Thyrfing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7iv4Gf3MXw), and Finntroll (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qfbCzTLmeU). I distinctly remember hearing Ensiferum (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxvKmq2H5KU)’s self-titled towards the end of 2001 and thinking for the first time that I wasn’t just experiencing a new world of music that had been closed off to me for years; I was hearing a new movement that would reshape the face of extreme music and leave the mainstream "nu-metal" sound choking on its dust. Metal had ceased to be about being angry or macho or emo. It was about culture and imagination, whether that was expressed through contemplation or a keg of ale.
At least, metal as I knew it did. I think you had two major branches of metal forming by 2001. Folk and pagan metal was deeply rooted in black metal thanks to bands like Bathory, Falkenbach, Nokturnal Mortum, and fledgling viking metal. It was also largely European. In America, you had a 1990s revival of appreciation for Black Sabbath and deep, plodding, bassy vibes. It’s probably criminal that I failed to mention Neurosis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp7Dz4bh5UE) in my first post, but it’s a movement I just don’t know that much about. 1990s internet was for nerds, and nerds love their fantasy themes. I definitely cannot see myself having appreciated Neurosis as a teenager. I can’t really comment much on what gave birth to stoner/sludge/doom/drone/whatever all you care to call it, but I think you can tell from that sample track how it might have fit in nicely with the post-rock scene. And post-rock too was a largely American movement, making the two somewhat natural allies. Post-metal as we have come to know it owes a lot to both genres. But stylistically, post-rock and black metal were destined for one another. The two had so much in common that it was virtually inevitable. It was only a matter of time before the folk movement would sufficiently dissolve black metal’s veil of exclusivity to bring the two together.
Witnessing the development of post-black metal has easily been my most enjoyable and rewarding experience as a metal fan. I started kicking around the idea of it in 2003 when I finally fully engaged second-wave black metal and the post-metal and stoner scenes, and bands almost immediately began to fall in line with my expectations. Culminating in 2011, the development produced some of the most intelligent and inspired music ever written, and that is really what I would like to have an opportunity to share with everyone.
Round 1, Fight 14 // N64 Rumble
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Extreme-G (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ2Vb1t1-Js&list=PL5B82515552B35BE3), by Simon Robertson & Stephen Root
vs.
Armorines: Project SWARM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xNDWZFSl9Q&list=PL0119504F38FBEC03), by Simon Robertson
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I can’t say I have ever heard of Simon Robertson, but an odd coincidence is going to guarantee one of his soundtracks advance. Extreme-G
Underworld Round 1, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Dark Mountain Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcQYrJxpJIw), from A Link to the Past
vs.
Earth Temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65c5y7Khm_w), from Skyward Sword
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Dark Mountain Forest
Dark Mountain Forest
Earth Temple
and Vaati for the previous one
Dark Mountain Forest
P.S. I’m out of town dealing with some family stuff, but will try to grab a computer when I can. Hope everyone’s doing well.
Round 1, Fight 15 // N64 Rumble
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Perfect Dark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3jIDf7cRvQ&list=PL561A40AE5860D871), by Grant Kirkhope, Graeme Norgate, & David Clynick
vs.
The New Tetris (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuKL1XG8Fas&list=PL794D0FC9218538DA), by Neil Voss
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Perfect Dark. I have no idea what The New Tetris is, but did anyone else play the shit out of TetriNET online back in the 90s?
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Top Floor/General Onox’s Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3vGTrJlR94), from Oracle of Ages
vs.
Ganondorf’s Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc2k6xX_lRo), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Ganondorf’s Theme might be the most boring song to ever make it into a video game. I’m not too impressed by either of these, but definitely Top Floor/General Onox’s Castle.
Top Floor/General Onox’s Castle
Top Floor/General Onox’s Castle
I feel Ganondorf’s Theme works alright ingame, but it really is meh outside of it. Voting same as quote.
I agree with the victory for Dark Mountain Forest. If you count my vote that makes it a 4-1 blowout affair, which it appears most of the fights have been thus far with the exception of the unbelievable upset.
I am STUNNED by the victory (or even tie) with Vaati against Gerudo Valley. I really don’t know what to say. To think that a #1 seed could have fallen in the first round is unthinkable. Vaati was literally one of the final four tracks to make it into the rumble and I thought, at the time, a marginal inclusion at best (as you saw with the other #32 seeds). To have it come away with a 3-2 victory is something that I could have not foreseen. I feel bad for Gerudo Valley – such a strong melody and one of the most iconic tracks from perhaps the series’ greatest game. I’m very perplexed by that result. I’m also very interested to see how far Vaati makes it now – that section of the bracket certainly opens up for the rest of the field.
In this week’s battle, we move on to the #16 seeds vs. the #17 seeds so these should all theoretically be very evenly matched tracks. You could have fooled me with these first two battles however. I prefer Ganondorf’s Theme here – I think it provides a spooky melody with a high degree of uncertainty – just who is this dark skinned man from the desert kneeling before the King of Hyrule that this Princess is warning me about?
An upset in my mind, but not in the seeding – I think the opponent is one of the stronger handheld entries into the rumble. No shame for Ganondorf to go down here, but Ocarina of Time fans appear to be poised to suffer a second straight defeat.
In the other rumble though, I never played Perfect Dark… but man it sounds good!
Perfect Dark, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Top Floor/General Onox’s Castle
And yeah, I do feel that Ganondorf’s Theme is an excellent cutscene theme, not so excellent song in general even if it is the kind of thing I like to listen to. I do enjoy a lot of the Oracle games osts even if they tend to be short and repetitive.
Round 1, Fight 16 // N64 Rumble
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Bomberman Hero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkVTavDbJM4&list=PL54D6882B076D3531), by Jun Chikuma
vs.
Quake II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZF1S4WL3Uw&list=PL9B61CA3E61A79AD7), by Ken Richmond
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The N64 seems to have a lot of beat-centric soundtracks, but only a handful of them haven’t sounded like cheap imitations to me. Quake II is so ambient that it barely qualifies as music, but had I played this game I think it would have had a positive influence on my experience.
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Deku’s Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f72iBfWWqlE), from Majora’s Mask
vs.
Outset Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJsviRJ4voc), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
These are both nice. I’ll take Deku’s Palace.
Deku Palace is one of my favs from the 64 era.
Deku’s Palace
This is, in my estimation, probably the closest matchup between two tracks in the Zelda rumble in the first round (and as a #16/#17 match up, it should be). I find that both songs fit in perfectly with what they are designed to do. They are perfect at their points in the game (Outset Island at the very beginning of a grand adventure while Deku Palace in the first part of the game as well and conveys drama that matches the gameplay and and mood of the Deku). Two very good songs. It is too bad Outset is going to lose in the first round.
Quake II, Majora’s Mask
Outset Island
Deku’s Palace
Round 1, Fight 17 // N64 Rumble
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Gex 64: Enter the Gecko (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY7nEIAhFDk&list=PLA5C9DC20E7CFE5EC), by Ted Allen, Kurt Harland, & Jim Hedges
vs.
Doom 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2MWISK-apQ&list=PL25F47CA6F3F95562), by Aubrey Hodges
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Similar in atmosphere to Quake II, Doom 64 sounds a lot more convincing to me.
Termina Round 1, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Ikana Valley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuYCxuVKZkc), from Majora’s Mask
vs.
House (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaK9OSSOqQM), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
The Majora’s Mask soundtrack has been growing on me lately. I wish I could go back and change my vote against it in the N64 rumble. Ikana Valley
I really love the way Ikana Valley’s theme sets the tone for the area (Also one of my favorites in the series). Ocarina of Time’s house theme isn’t bad or anything, but it’s nothing special either.
There’s no doubt that House is far more iconic and has been copied many times later in the series either in tone or damn near note for note, but Ikana Valley seems to have that special something that all Majora’s Mask offerings do. The most underrated game in the series delivers for me.
I was disappointed with DOOM 64, only because I was expecting something similar to DOOM and DOOM II – those are all-time great PC soundtracks. But, I still give it the nod over Gex.
DOOM 64, Majora’s Mask
Ocarina of Time – House
Ikana Valley
Ocarina of Time – House
Ocarina of Time – House
Round 1, Fight 18 // N64 Rumble
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Snowboard Kids (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i76c2_yjcEA&list=PL022DCE54D4960AA9), by Isao Kasai & Tomohiko Satou
vs.
Blast Corps (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPhakfGboH4&list=PLA6C96611FE88951A), by Graeme Norgate
——————————————————-
I’ll listen and vote later today.
Underworld Round 1, Fight 3 // Zelda Rumble
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Level 1 – Tail Cave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3LBVyO_4cs), from Link’s Awakening
vs.
Blizzeta Battle Second Half (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jsAo8uE9dU), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
I’ll listen and vote later today.
As much as I like Link’s Awakening’s ost, Tail Cave isn’t a particular favorite of mine, and it’s up against one of my favorite 3d LoZ boss themes. Blizzeta Battle Second Half.
Blizzeta Battle Second Half
Blizzeta Battle Second Half
Blizzeta Battle Second Half
We are not into the third set of seeding battles in the Zelda rumble with #12 seed Tail Cave taking on #21 seed Blizzeta. I was really thrown by Tail Cave when I entered it for the first time – it is a big difference from the fast-paced Sword Search music and the LA Overworld Theme (at least one of which is in this rumble). It really got my attention and told me that it was time to get serious.
I go that way, but Blizzeta is a very enjoyable battle track from TP, which has the strongest music top to bottom in the series in my opinion (and consequently, the most entries into the rumble as well).
Blast Corps, Link’s Awakening
Blizzeta Battle Second Half
Round 1, Fight 19 // N64 Rumble
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Buck Bumble (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0HoiN7iwpE&list=PLAE6A9DB766EC799E), by Justin Scharvona
vs.
Diddy Kong Racing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzshtgcpo6M&list=PL5A2C06C48A25D21E), by Dave Wise
——————————————————-
Dave Wise did kiddie game music way better than most, but Buck Bumble had me convinced pretty much from the get-go. I started to question its lack of diversity in the beat as the soundtrack progressed, but I think I’ll stand by it for this round.
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 3 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Ghost Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35FJlnl_kYA), from Majora’s Mask
vs.
Fire Temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZSi6FdBnlQ), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Fire Temple is really awesome.
Fire Temple
Fire Temple
Ghost Attack
Another great matchup in the Zelda rumble – the track posted actually is one of the biggest controversies in the history of the franchise. The track posted is the updated version of the Fire Temple music introduced in Ocarina of Time version 1.2. Some felt that the original version of the track (available here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5blHw6C4Ax4) sounded like an Islamic prayer. The track was edited to appease them. As an editorial request, I’d like the original music to be used for the rumble in subsequent rounds if that is OK (it appears the Fire Temple will win). I think the chanting provides INCREDIBLE depth to the track that the new one just doesn’t have. I’d love to hear which people like best.
I was really sad when the seeds came up this way, because I REALLY like Ghost Attack.
Between the original Fire Temple and Ghost Attack, I’ll take Fire Temple, but I’ll vote for Ghost Attack against the updated version before it gets put out to pasture.
Diddy Kong Racing, Majora’s Mask
On another note, other samples used in Zelda games (http://www.zeldauniverse.net/forums/nes-snes-n64-zelda/152182-samples-that-koji-kondo-used-for-scoring.html).
———- Post added at 05:36 PM ———- Previous post was at 05:32 PM ———-
Man, great post on those samples Arthur – I had no idea those were used in the sound tracks. Some of my favorites from the series are on that list. I think it really gives the tracks (especially Fire Temple and Forest Temple) added depth and "life" that they would otherwise be missing (especially Fire Temple). SO glad I have a 1.0 Ocarina of Time cart. Ganondorf bleeds red damnit!
Round 1, Fight 20 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Ridge Racer 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aojsj9zEQDE&list=PLF79E37B947E4B8E9), by Keith Arem
vs.
Magical Tetris Challenge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO0366H7fHE&list=PLCDA895370AB9D9C5), by Masato Koda
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Magical Tetris Challenge
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 3 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Hidden Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgnKbFSySfk), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Trouble on the Raft! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDi98MxmzSE), from Oracle of Ages
——————————————————-
Trouble on the Raft
REVOTE: Hyrule Round 1, Fight 3 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Ghost Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35FJlnl_kYA), from Majora’s Mask
vs.
Fire Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5blHw6C4Ax4), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
What sold Fire Temple for me was the track they added in place of the Islamic prayer samples featured in its original version. I’ll take Ghost Attack
Trouble on the Raft
Ghost Attack
Ridge Racer 64, Twilight Princess, Ocarina of Time.
Trouble on the Raft
Fire Temple
Round 1, Fight 21 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
1080??? Snowboarding (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPyNIhN6Y1w&list=PLB2560954D0DCDD77), by Kenta Nagata
vs.
Mario Golf (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7Bv1Z3eDfc&list=PLhHcMbVmbwCc9dJe9CnZbbmrzHEo04snx), by Motoi Sakuraba
——————————————————-
Mario Golf
Termina Round 1, Fight 3 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Dungeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN5EXLqG3Z8), from Link’s Awakening DX Color
vs.
Castor Wilds (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTiAUhmUqPk), from Minish Cap
——————————————————-
Dungeon
————————————————————————————————————–
TIE-BREAKER: Round 1, Fight 20 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Ridge Racer 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aojsj9zEQDE&list=PLF79E37B947E4B8E9), by Keith Arem
vs.
Magical Tetris Challenge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO0366H7fHE&list=PLCDA895370AB9D9C5), by Masato Koda
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: REVOTE: Hyrule Round 1, Fight 3 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Ghost Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35FJlnl_kYA), from Majora’s Mask
vs.
Fire Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5blHw6C4Ax4), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Please keep in mind that the Fire Temple track here is not the one originally linked two fights ago.
Dungeon
In this round, we have our only submission from Link’s Awakening DX. This was the remake of Link’s Awakening for the Game Boy Color and featured a brand new dungeon known as the Color Dungeon. This dungeon featured color-sensitive monsters and puzzles to take advantage of the new Game Boy’s color screen. The music featured is a remake of the original Zelda’s Underworld. Also interesting to note is that the Color Dungeon is the only dungeon in the series to feature green Rupees that are valued at 5 instead of the normal 1.
To recap my votes for this insane 4-header round (Gleeok – Zelda Wiki (http://zeldawiki.org/Gleeok)), 1080 Snowboarding, Link’s Awakening DX, Ridge Racer 64, Ocarina of Time.
Castor Wilds
Fire Temple for Zelda the tie-breaker. I’ll let someone else take the N64 rumble tie-breaker.
Round 1, Fight 22 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRgv4B7o8Vw&list=PLDD9924C80C9384A9), by Shigeru Araki, Yusuke Kato, Saiko Miki, & Yasumasa Kitagawa
vs.
F-Zero X (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaZsN4SUttc&list=PL59B49F36D76385AC), by Taro Bando & Hajime Wakai
——————————————————-
I’m pretty disappointed with this match-up. F-Zero X’s idea of "let’s take the classic soundtrack and overlay it with really stereotypical heavy metal" never impressed me when a thousand fans did the same for every other vgm song imaginable on youtube. (I think Black Mages are pretty dull too.) Granted this was 1998, historical significance doesn’t make it any less boring to me. On the other hand, the Goemon series has traditionally been a bastion of incredible soundtracks. I thought my vote here would be a no brainer until I loaded Mystical Ninja up and waited, and waited, and waited for the slightest hint of the series’ classic sound. It took me to the 13th track in the mix to find anything approaching the Goemon greatness of old, and I listened all the way to the 50th counting only seven songs worth a damn. Konami totally botched this one. F-Zero X at least did exactly what it was supposed to, whether I care for it much or not.
Underworld Round 1, Fight 4 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o78T9-I4OGA), from Wind Waker
vs.
Deepwood Shrine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40omKnCX9C8), from Minish Cap
——————————————————-
Title
On another note, I recently picked up Guitar Pro 6 and thought I’d have a go at some vgm fingerstyle tabs. My first attempt was a request fill for Higashino’s Homesickness from Suikoden II (http://www.gametabs.net/suikoden-2/homesickness). I’ve got my version of Festival of Stars from CT all written out now, but I’m kind of holding off for a better mic so I can record the example audio instead of posting my midi.
Wind Waker
missed a few fights :/
Title
The Wind Waker has one of the most unique title screen themes in the series. It is appropriately fitting as it is a very different feeling Zelda than many of the others.
F-Zero X, The Wind Waker
Title
Sorry about that Shad, I thought anybody could break the tie breaker if they wanted. I forgot that it had to be someone who hadn’t voted yet.
Round 1, Fight 23 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LEujLtZlco&list=PL57A45E0900C2E224), by Masahiko Kimura
vs.
Mario Party 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNXs6QpgcPA&list=PLAMARO3zXahPAOWneuFlAEasyb57Ouy-_), by Ichiro Shimakura
——————————————————-
My computer has about 10 minutes of life left in it. I’ll vote when I can.
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 4 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
A Beast in the Village (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX7Ns4R_Z58), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Ganon’s Castle Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S4h1gcCMBc), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
My computer has about 10 minutes of life left in it. I’ll vote when I can.
Ganon’s Castle Tower
Ganon’s Castle Tower
After listening to the two songs on their own, it appears very obvious to me that I seeded A Beast in the Village based on its placement in the game and it’s perfect accompaniment to the mission and time/place in the game. Link has recently been turned into a wolf and is slinking around a village in order to stay hidden and not irk the villagers. I think the mood and pacing is perfect, but it really breaks down without the gameplay to go along with it. Compare that to what many consider to be the definitive version of the Ganon’s Tower theme. In Ocarina of Time, the tower comes inside the final level of the game, Ganon’s Castle (hence the name, Ganon’s Castle Tower). It is a strong candidate and based on that, I’m going with the upset this round.
Castlevania, Ocarina of Time
A Beast in the Village
Ganon’s Castle Tower
I’ve missed a couple of fights, haven’t I? Sorry, it’s summer. I’ve been travelling quite a bit, not much access to the internet these days.
Round 1, Fight 24 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Spiderman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuGtmdFJg_s&list=PL11223E46082CC8ED), by Tommy Tallarico & Howard Ulyate
vs.
Killer Instinct Gold (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VvPKCp6dxE&list=PL3F9642BD3201AE00), by Robin Beanland
——————————————————-
Tough call. I’ll take Killer Instinct Gold
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 4 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Last Day (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyGVXAXxmBA), from Majora’s Mask
vs.
Priest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnqQQlmtMEk), from A Link to the Past
——————————————————-
Last Day
Last Day
Great matchup here between two tracks I really like. You’ll recognize the Priest tune is actually Ganondorf’s theme later on the series! This is the first usage of the theme. I’m not sure why they later on decided to make this more closely associated with Ganondorf Dragmire. In A Link to the Past, the theme actually belongs to Agahnim, a mysterious wizard who solves the problems of flooding and other natural disasters in Hyrule and becomes an advisor to the Hyrulean King, whom he then betrays by capturing the seven maidens (including Zelda). In the end it is revealed that Agahnim was trying to resurrect Ganon (and is successful before Link destroys the dark lord, again). Ganon claims Agahnim was an alter-ego, but I find that to be more of a boast than actual truth.
At any rate, I like both songs, but Last Day is one of my closet favorites in the entire series. Another track featuring sampled music (see the Fire Temple controversy a few pages back), this is beautifully integrated into the story and is almost MORE chilling when combined with the final tolls of the bells of the clock in Clock Town as the Moon descends upon Termina.
Good stuff this round!
Killer Instinct, Majora’s Mask
Last Day
Last Day
Round 1, Fight 25 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Hydro Thunder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuhtqjcvj8I&list=PLTmomcjY1VRyHjF24_0ZFoHjnl7GNqtEL), by Neil Baldwin & Guy Crockfort
vs.
Pilotwings 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV_0d4KfpK0&list=PL0315B88FBAEA6999), by Dan Hess
——————————————————-
My initial reaction upon hearing the title theme to what appears from the box art to be a boat racing game was "wtf, did Tim Follin compose this or something?" Of course the credits were nearly impossible to come by, but when I finally found them in an image scan of the instruction manual it turned out I was pretty damn close. Midway couldn’t even be bothered spelling chiptune legend Neil Baldwin’s name correctly (it’s listed as Baldin), but I think I’ve found my soundtrack to rally behind for the remainder of this rumble. Go go Hydro Thunder and Turok 2 in the final. 🙂
Termina Round 1, Fight 4 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Molgera (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlF0-Qs2xkI), from Wind Waker
vs.
Potion Shop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35M7xhA-oVo), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
I could not find ANY reference to a song called Molgera from Majora’s Mask. Based on the rumble discussion thread, I assume you meant this song from Wind Waker, which is pretty awesome.
Molgera
Potion Shop
It’s really easy to forget the extent to which video games defined the experience of growing up in the 90s. If you think about which kids had all the friends, they were the ones with the most game cartridges and the coolest system (which was ALWAYS a Nintendo product no matter how hard Sega tried to change that culture.) Games were expensive back then, and not everyone had a copy of Super Mario Bros. or later TMNT 3 laying around. The SNES wasn’t quite as much of a social system, but the glory days of the RPG coincided with the birth of the internet. When I think of Play It Loud, I think of The Loud House (https://web.archive.org/web/19961222145752/http://www.nintendo.com/hallway/registration/registration.html), and I’m probably not alone. It’s easy to marginalize Nintendo in the history of the internet, because only a privileged few of us had regular online access back in the mid-90s, but every kid with a dial-up modem from 1995 through about 1998 was heading straight to Nintendo.com or its AOL equivalent. That place was a fascinating study in child group behavior and role play in the absence of rules or direct physical contact.
Back then, the mods were powertripping to put Lowtax to shame. They were just college kids performing a role half of us have done for free at some point, but Nintendo called them "cyberjocks", they got their faces plastered all over the Nintendo Power magazine every month, and to be on a shortened-screen-name basis with one was every kid’s dream. Oh if only one day NOA Amy might address me as "Shad" and not "Shadow4000". :swoon: I remember causing a huge ruckus at Camp Hyrule one year just to have the honor of being personally banned by NOA Dan. On the Loud House you had what was, by mid-90s standards, an unprecedented forum population of mostly pre to early teen boys, a rule system structured around 1990s moral codes with zero recognition of the changes this new frontier of communication entailed, and almost no checks and balances to prevent actions that are prevented by design on modern websites. The @ and $ symbols were blocked for fear that someone might type @$$hole, but it took months for them to catch on that anyone could register as "NOAShadow", for instance, and impersonate a moderator.
The whole community was divided into factions. If you didn’t end your post with "L4 Paladin of the NES Knights", or Zelda Alliance, or H.A.W.C., or another equivalent, you were liable to be completely ignored. Nearly everyone’s password was "password", and we would routinely hack each other’s accounts not as a prank, but to stir up real conflict in an opposing faction. I remember the NES Knights were sworn to protect against heretical statements regarding the N64, and any post casting the Playstation in a positive light was liable to be met with "YOURE [never ur] SO STUPID YOU DONT DESERVE TO LIVE, N64 FOR LIFE! *CASTS THUNDER 2*". The hate was real peer rejection, and if you didn’t go along with the attached roleplay you sealed your fate as an outcast. Nintendo’s mods discouraged NONE of this. They were concerned with making sure we didn’t swear or personally insult them.
Oh, growing up on the old internet….
But, in the battle of music, Molgera has got to win here… though I like the Potion Shop tune! It fits well.
Hydro Thunder, Wind Waker.
Round 1, Fight 26 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Tetrisphere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfExUY0qRX4&list=PL84ECA4F9801D5D27), by Neil Voss
vs.
Quake 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLsAdQE-RhY&list=PL4960705F8261A427), by Aubrey Hodges
——————————————————-
Tetris Attack and Tetrisphere were my two favorite Nintendo-sanctioned Tetris spinoffs, and they had the two best soundtracks. Coincidence?
Underworld Round 1, Fight 5 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Gerudo Desert (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBE4IqApdAA), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Majora’s Mask Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AzNTt-boS4), from Majora’s Mask
——————————————————-
Tough call, but I think I’m feeling Majora’s Mask Battle
Gerudo Desert
Gerudo Desert expertly calls upon some of the themes set for the Gerudo by Gerudo Valley in Ocarina of Time (still can’t believe that first-round casualty) while blending in new elements to keep it fresh. I prefer THIS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr338YlKD94) cut of the music, because the link takes you in at the proper beginning of the track whereas the other awkwardly drops you off in the middle. I’m not sure why they elected to cut it that way.
Tetrisphere, Twilight Princess.
Round 1, Fight 27 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvVEaEk7fpw&list=PL65674D59A772CAE2), by Jun Ishikawa & Hirokazu Ando
vs.
Body Harvest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9cHPvaP1w4&list=PLC6BC35FD59A7BD1B), by Stuart Ross & Allan Walker
——————————————————-
Nintendo made the right decision to bring back the staple Kirby series composers rather than handing this to one of their newer and mostly meh N64 sound teams. I’m really impressed by the tonal quality of this score. It seems to carry on in chip-based Nintendo soundtrack tradition rather than treating the N64 as the boundless sound machine that, unlike the Playstation, it really wasn’t. Body Harvest never stood a chance. Kirby 64
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 5 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Neyru’s Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynIuao60Tkg), from Oracle of Ages
vs.
Hunting the Monkey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dml2nIrea0), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
Neyru’s Song
Hunting the Monkey
Hunting the Monkey
Kirby 64, Twilight Princess.
Round 1, Fight 28 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Chameleon Twist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0aqH4YvtNc&list=PL0PI6kk5SBhN6qBtV4Dh2ymrADgnFUDxp), by Takashi Sugioka, Takashi Makino, Yuuji Nakao, Nobutoshi Ichimiya, Koki Tochio, Tsutomu Washijima, Hiroshi Takami, & Fumihiko Yamada
vs.
Star Fox 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW-7Em3BYiA&list=PLFB2A17E7429EF5C3), by Hajime Wakai & Koji Kondo
——————————————————-
Having the longest list of composers I’ve ever seen didn’t spare Chameleon Twist from its due place in the waste bin of history. Not that many games have a chance against Star Fox 64. I’m not a huge Koji Kondo fan, but he nailed this one.
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 5 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Hyrule Field Night Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeUAPGZ3imQ), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Dark Grotto (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVhtzTI1KCw), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
Hyrule Field Night Theme
TP on TP crime here, but I go with the Night Shift.
Star Fox 64, Hyrule Field Night Theme
Hyrule Field Night Theme
Could be two blow-outs this time around.
Hyrule Field Night Theme
Could be two blow-outs this time around.
It looks that way doesn’t it?!
Round 1, Fight 29 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Donkey Kong 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_OW8wXRLRk&list=PL31C6A2E714B1708F), by Grant Kirkhope
vs.
Wipeout 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7GHvhe5iGM&list=PL32F0178E49B97ED5), by Rob Lord & Mark Bandola
——————————————————-
I don’t have a great deal of patience for soundtracks like Wipeout 64. They seem to be a dime a dozen on the N64, and for all their efforts to overwhelm, I’ve found most of them rather dull. Donkey Kong 64 is nothing I would ever sit down and listen to for enjoyment, but there’s no denying its creativity.
Termina Round 1, Fight 5 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Tarm Ruins/The Lost Woods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_b4586GCQI), from Oracle of Seasons
vs.
Prologue – Legend of the Goddess (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTLQSi8K8_w), from Skyward Sword
——————————————————-
Legend of the Goddess
Tarm Ruins/The Lost Woods
I will admit that the numbers have declined, even during the most popular rumble we could have run on the site (a Final Fantasy one). Not sure what to do about it though – could be indicative of decreased use of this forum on the whole (more people just here to download possibly rather than interact).
Enough commentary for now though – I really like the simplicity of the Game Boy track in this matchup. Nintendo was able to coax some surprisingly emotional tunes out of the Game Boy Color and the Oracle Zelda games were no exception. In fact, I believe it represents some of the best handheld work they’ve done (along with Link’s Awakening.
Wipeout, Oracle of Seasons.
Round 1, Fight 30 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Shadow Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCzhwZ0JjEQ&list=PL035D096DCFBE41E1), by Tim Haywood
vs.
Paper Mario (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEgJW233lpM&list=PLD767FE328147BD8D), by Yuka Tsujiyoko & Taishi Senda
——————————————————-
Shadow Man might be the best ambient-themed soundtrack I’ve heard on the N64. It gives me a really vivid image of each stage despite the fact that I’ve never played the game. Asylum: Lava Ducts is especially disturbing.
Underworld Round 1, Fight 6 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Knowledge of the Maku Trees (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPl5mZqeTxM), from Oracle of Seasons
vs.
Ganon’s Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwQu3PrxJ5s), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Edit: The previous link was an incorrectly titled video. Corrected as of 9/4. Feral will need to revote. I’m switching to Ganon’s Castle
Knowledge of the Maku Trees
School starting back up and a bit of holiday has made me forget to check on here and miss the last rumble.
Knowledge of the Maku Trees
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwQu3PrxJ5s&index=73&list=PL8D1E4637261C45EF
That is the theme to Ganon’s Castle. It harkens back to Dodongo’s Cavern to be sure, but the ominous notes of the piano and serve to make it one of my favorite evil themes of the series.
A lot of gamers don’t know the difference between Ganon’s Castle and Ganon’s Castle Tower, which often leads to misleading or incorrect music titles.
I will abstain until Shad decides how to proceed.
In the other matchup, Shadow Man.
Ganon’s Castle
Round 1, Fight 31 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbKVc5hmErA&list=PL33954FBF28AF09BE), by Tomohiko Kira, Yasunori Mitsuda, Hidenobu Otsuki, Tomori Kudo, Hiroyo Yamanaka, Yoshitaka Hirota, & Kenji Hiramatsu
vs.
Castlevania 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWItZCy73yw&list=PL9EC108E92392460D), by Masahiko Kimura, Motoaki Furukawa, & Mariko Egawa
——————————————————-
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack right now, but I’ll definitely have to give both of these a start to finish playthrough tonight. Unlike a lot of the other "wall of composer" soundtracks here, I really feel like everyone must have contributed something worth while to B64. And based on tracks like "Stage Select", it sounds like Mitsuda got over whatever was bugging him on Mario Party and returned to full form.
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 6 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Ordon Ranch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1x-WoLHK9k), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Farewell Hyrule King (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq7LrougGYk), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Farewell Hyrule King might not be an original melody, but I love this take on it.
Here’s what I wrote about it way back during the Mitsuda rumble (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/official-video-game-music-rumble-66118/39.html#post1579072) semifinals: "By no means is this Mitsuda???s first collaboration, but it???s interesting that he was the wily veteran this time, drafting a rookie composer (and childhood friend) so similar to himself circa Chrono Trigger. Previously, Yoshitaka Hirota had done sound design work for Squaresoft, just like Mitsuda, primarily on RPGs, just like Mitusda, and was waiting around for someone to give him a vote of confidence, just like Mitsuda. When he got that chance, he also shined just like Mitsuda. What he most prominently brings to the table is the bass. You???ll notice a lot of songs have a buzzy low-pitch bass-line reminiscent of Mitsuda???s Gun Hazard work. A sort of snarling, snaky skeleton to the songs. That???s mostly Hirota, although Mitsuda does his job, too. There???s another track that seems like a rough draft of ???Jellyfish Sea??? from Chrono Cross, and the boss songs show some of the most typical Mitsuda gestures???both in the way he constructs melodies, the sounds he uses, and the experimentation with time signatures. That spirit of experimentation carries over into the stage tracks, too, which each have two versions (mostly to try out different patches). All that aside, though, this soundtrack???s real importance is that its successes made later successes possible. Hirota himself said that he studied music technology production during this project (specifically recording and compression techniques) that later enabled him to co-compose Shadow Hearts with our guy."
What’s interesting to me now is re-learning that Hirota studied compression techniques while making this, because the compression (nerd alert) is one of the things I thought about when listening to this soundtrack again. Although tracks like LD Angel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShdNZk2xG0A) still demonstrate in its first 10 seconds the typical, bloodless, plateaued N64 dynamic range that we’ve heard a lot this rumble, there are several counterexamples on this soundtrack, particularly ones with the bass lines I described above. That’s as much of an achievement as, say, sampling the bass in Gimmick! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU0GEcU63qw) on the NES with such high resolution and elasticity (unlike the more famous bass sample in Journey to Silius two years earlier, which always sounded like a tapped note, lacking any bend or natural decay). It feels like the console’s hidden layers have been revealed.
Farewell Hyrule King
And another vote for Farewell Hyrule King
Anyway, I recalled hearing some of those Castlevania songs in Circle of the Moon (my favorite Castlevania game of all time). Good stuff.
Ordon Ranch is one of the first tunes you’ll hear in Twilight Princess and sets the stage perfectly – peace and tranquility with no threat of danger just before an impending adventure – a lot like the Hobbit theme does in Lord of the Rings. Farewell Hyrule King is a good one, but I’ll go for the Ranch here.
Castlevania 64, Twilight Princess.
In the previous round, I’ll take Ganon’s Castle.
Hyrule Field Night Theme
Round 1, Fight 32 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Wave Race 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci1_OiNfV2g&list=PLABAB0A4DA954AB9C), by Kazumi Totaka
vs.
Mystical Ninja 2 Starring Goemon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_2lTBD8SA4&list=PL0D877BD1284957FB), by Shigeru Araki, Kato Yusuke, Saiko Miki, & Yasumasa Kitagawa
——————————————————-
While I’m still not thrilled with Konami’s poppier approach in N64 Goemon titles, they at least didn’t make it painful to listen to this time around. I don’t know if I can vote for a soundtrack that does something I like poorly over one that sounds good without any need for excuses though. Wave Race 64
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 6 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Sadness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU5pqZgZyak), from Oracle of Ages
vs.
Death Mountain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps3jZCfha4c), from Legend of Zelda
——————————————————-
Death Mountain
TIE BREAKER: Round 1, Fight 31 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbKVc5hmErA&list=PL33954FBF28AF09BE), by Tomohiko Kira, Yasunori Mitsuda, Hidenobu Otsuki, Tomori Kudo, Hiroyo Yamanaka, Yoshitaka Hirota, & Kenji Hiramatsu
vs.
Castlevania 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWItZCy73yw&list=PL9EC108E92392460D), by Masahiko Kimura, Motoaki Furukawa, & Mariko Egawa
EDIT: See below for my votes after the correction.
To be honest, a lot of the tracks in the Zelda rumble don’t have matches on youtube. I’ve had to dig six or seven pages deep for a lot of them to find something that boasts that name and claims to be from the OST. That’s what threw off Ganon’s Castle two fights ago too.
Death Mountain
I hear ya. So that’s probably a question for Link006, who designed this rumble. If Goron City and Death Mountain are the same track from Ocarina of Time, we need a replacement track for the song list posted on the OP and for you to use later in the first round.
In this case though, I believe it is clear that this was not anything super hard to understand – it was a typo by yours truly. The track name is correct – the GAME name is wrong. The track should be Death Mountain from The Legend of Zelda… but I put it as OoT in the sheet instead of LoZ.
My mistake. As I’ve mentioned, I know that it’s tough to figure some of this stuff out if you’re not a huge fan of the series and didn’t put the rumble together yourself like I did. Anytime you have a question, I’m more than happy to help.
The track you’re looking for is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps3jZCfha4c.
IN the other fight, I got Wave Race 64. Whether or not you choose to go with Goron City here and leave it as is or switch Death Mountain in to replace it, I choose Sadness either way (though Goron City is nice and poppy and I like it!)
Death Mountain was a real shock to your system in the original Zelda. All you knew was that you had found a cave (miraculously) – the infamous Spectacle Rock. Going inside, players likely thought they’d found a coin game. The only sounds you’d heard to that point were the title, Overworld, and Underworld themes. This definitely put players on edge and let them know that something was different… more evil on this ancient mount. The Prince of Darkness was lurking.
Round 2, Fight 1 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
San Francisco Rush 2049 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2xXXe8SqAE&list=PL6611721F517C8C2E), by Barry Leitch
vs.
Bomberman Hero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkVTavDbJM4&list=PL54D6882B076D3531), by Jun Chikuma
——————————————————-
San Francisco Rush 2049
Termina Round 1, Fight 6 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Midna’s Desperation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4o683oc6Qc), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Vaati (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvDPzCmIdQA), from Minish Cap
——————————————————-
Midna’s Desperation
TIE BREAKER: Round 1, Fight 32 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Wave Race 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci1_OiNfV2g&list=PLABAB0A4DA954AB9C), by Kazumi Totaka
vs.
Mystical Ninja 2 Starring Goemon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_2lTBD8SA4&list=PL0D877BD1284957FB), by Shigeru Araki, Kato Yusuke, Saiko Miki, & Yasumasa Kitagawa
San Francisco Rush 2049, Twilight Princess.
Midna’s Desperation
Midna’s Desperation
Round 2, Fight 2 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Tetrisphere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfExUY0qRX4&list=PL84ECA4F9801D5D27), by Neil Voss
vs.
Armorines: Project SWARM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xNDWZFSl9Q&list=PL0119504F38FBEC03), by Simon Robertson
——————————————————-
Tetrisphere
Underworld Round 1, Fight 7 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Faron Woods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_2zBH30HJU), from Skyward Sword
vs.
Mt. Tamaranch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F9ww-VoZF8), from Link’s Awakening
——————————————————-
That’s a pretty brutal match-up. But I’d see Tal Tal Heights through to the final round. Mt. Tamaranch!
Faron Woods – Brutal
Faron Woods – That was a brutal match-up!
Faron Woods
Round 2, Fight 3 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Perfect Dark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3jIDf7cRvQ&list=PL561A40AE5860D871), by Grant Kirkhope, Graeme Norgate, & David Clynick
vs.
GoldenEye 007 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oL7VN78Zz8&list=PLAA1F6AE3357F26CB), by Graeme Norgate, Grant Kirkhope, Robin Beanland
——————————————————-
Perfect Dark
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 7 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Deku Tree (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtV72jNFejA), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Majora’s Wrath (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6AY_5UyHR4), from Majora’s Mask
——————————————————-
Deku Tree
Deku Tree – This song takes me back
Deku Tree
Deku Tree
Sorry for making the last Zelda one so hard on you! I too would have gone with Faron Woods, giving it a 4-1 victory – Mt. Tamaranch is one of the most iconic of any Game Boy Zelda game!
Round 2, Fight 4 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
F-Zero X (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaZsN4SUttc&list=PL59B49F36D76385AC), by Taro Bando & Hajime Wakai
vs.
Doom 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2MWISK-apQ&list=PL25F47CA6F3F95562), by Aubrey Hodges
——————————————————-
Doom 64
The Golden Lands Round 1, Fight 7 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Dark World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BStjuHfP238), from A Link to the Past
vs.
Mayor’s Meeting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilQfVHGszWs), from Majora’s Mask
——————————————————-
Dark World
DARK WORLD
F-Zero X, A Link to the Past.
Mayor’s Meeting
Round 2, Fight 5 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LEujLtZlco&list=PL57A45E0900C2E224), by Masahiko Kimura
vs.
Super Mario 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhadLMDWcGA&list=PL5DFFB80A07748DE3), by Koji Kondo
——————————————————-
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
Termina Round 1, Fight 7 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
The Legendary Hero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TOZwZIgPtI), from Wind Waker
vs.
River Game (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPvRU7PCThE), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
River Game. The Legendary Hero’s spin on a series classic isn’t quite convincing enough for me to pick it over a solid original composition. River Game kind of gives me a Suikoden vibe, too.
River Game
The Legendary Hero
The Legendary Hero
Round 2, Fight 6 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoOdo4oAJzo&list=PL1EEFA82475BD0D5A), by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, & Hayato Matsuo
vs.
Magical Tetris Challenge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO0366H7fHE&list=PLCDA895370AB9D9C5), by Masato Koda
——————————————————-
Call me crazy, but I think Magical Tetris Challenge has a really good thing going. I certainly don’t expect it to win this fight–and if it came down to it I would give Ogre Battle 64 a much more thorough listen and reconsider my vote–but I’ll not see it lose in a shutout.
Underworld Round 1, Fight 8 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Kokiri Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3I1fx1GOuc), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Chamber of the Sages (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POfJokA0fLc), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Kokiri Forest
——————————————————-
TIEBREAKER: Round 2, Fight 5 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LEujLtZlco&list=PL57A45E0900C2E224), by Masahiko Kimura
vs.
Super Mario 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhadLMDWcGA&list=PL5DFFB80A07748DE3), by Koji Kondo
——————————————————-
TIEBREAKER: Termina Round 1, Fight 7 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
The Legendary Hero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TOZwZIgPtI), from Wind Waker
vs.
River Game (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPvRU7PCThE), from Twilight Princess
Kokiri Forest
Ogre Battle 64 and Kokiri Forest in the all-Ocarina of Time matchup.
For Tiebreaker #1: This one is rough – really a style a like vs. nostalgia. Nostalgia won – Super Mario 64
For Tiebreaker #2: Very different style of tracks here – one a game intro, the other is a minigame. Their purpose in the game is VERY different – one setting the mood, one fitting the action. I don’t know why, but River Game has always resounded with me.
Twilight Princess.
Kokiri Forest
Kokiri Forest
Round 2, Fight 7 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Wave Race 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci1_OiNfV2g&list=PLABAB0A4DA954AB9C), by Kazumi Totaka
vs.
Space Station Silicon Valley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkRS-rJ2iRg&list=PL121E34A022B4C381), by Stuart Ross
——————————————————-
Wave Race 64
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 8 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Spirit Temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEWOeiUmFgA), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Duel at the Temple of Time ~ Impa vs. Ghirahim (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sesRQvEqWQ8), from Skyward Sword
——————————————————-
The video I linked for the second choice was the closest name match I could find. We’ll revote if it turns out to be the wrong one. Spirit Temple
For the second fight, I googled "Duel at the Temple of Time ~ Impa vs. Ghirahim" and found a page on the K-H Insider’s website that had a matching mp3 off The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Expanded soundtrack. I can’t directly link to it because the Shrine blocks all links to that particular website by automatically adding asterisks into the URL. :-\ Regardless, that single track, Duel at the Temple of Time ~ Impa vs. Ghirahim, is actually Disrupted Ritual (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSU4sNnKwpo) and Zelda Escapes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuLDwWXSiWs) put together. So, if all of this is correct, your above link is the second half of the song. What it is missing is the 45-second intro of "Disrupted Ritual." So maybe just add a Part 1 and Part 2 link to the fight?
I’ll vote for Duel at the Temple of Time ~ Impa vs. Ghirahim
Good job Shad.
Fortunately, I’m with you on this one – Spirit Temple is SO GOOD!
I thought both N64 tracks this round were pretty junky so… by default:
Wave Race 64, Ocarina of Time.
Spirit Temple
Round 2, Fight 8 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbKVc5hmErA&list=PL33954FBF28AF09BE), by Tomohiko Kira, Yasunori Mitsuda, Hidenobu Otsuki, Tomori Kudo, Hiroyo Yamanaka, Yoshitaka Hirota, & Kenji Hiramatsu
vs.
Super Smash Bros. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6U1b9SSd68&list=PLB1DE9CC5D8EF63C1), by Hirokazu Ando
——————————————————-
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack is an outstanding soundtrack–maybe the N64’s finest. Is that composer list accurate? Some of the talk in the first round makes me think there are only two or three composers and the rest is the sound effects team.
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 8 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Ballad of the Wind Fish (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H9YBMtCv-A), from Link’s Awakening
vs.
Lost Woods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uInmFU6JkU), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Lost Woods was the first track that proved Link could be gangsta (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XD4EjeXe1A). (And I really liked it before that too.)
The track you posted is indeed the "Ballad of the Wind Fish"… but that is the flute song from the game, not the game track. The "Ballad of the Wind Fish" track includes the full complement of instruments just as Link head’s into the mountain for his final battle to wake up from Koholint Island. That track is here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H9YBMtCv-A).
I don’t even know how to express my apology at the internet’s sheer ineptitude when it comes to labeling Zelda tracks.
But, since you and I are the only votes, I don’t see why you can’t just quickly replace the link with no harm done to this round because, again, I’m going with you on that matchup.
Super Smash Bros., Ocarina of Time
Lost Woods
I gave it the old college try, but I can’t track down my notes on the composer credits and couldn’t find a track-by-track credit list online. :-\
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack
Lost Woods
Round 2, Fight 9 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Rayman 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJep_bDgC94&list=PLgl6fbabd1rjBEXON8rOkEkTssKmMWO7d), by Eric Chevalier
vs.
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw3Uxwlznp0&list=PLF40B1D5A82D3740D), by Koji Kondo
——————————————————-
This might seem like a really tough call, but I personally like the Majora’s Mask soundtrack substantially more than Ocarina of Time. I still picked Rayman 2 in that match-up, and I’ll do it again. This game, B64 2, Hydro Thunder, Turok 2, and Shadowman were my favorite soundtracks of round 1. Surprisingly, maybe, I’d never played any of them before.
Termina Round 1, Fight 8 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Ocean (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN_x1rpGbY8), from Wind Waker
vs.
Goron City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zip3u016uXE), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Ocean
Ocarina of Time, Wind Waker
PS – still mourning Majora’s Mask’s defeat last round. So much pain.
Ocean
Ocean
Ocean
Round 2, Fight 10 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Animal Crossing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUebQUIP50M&list=PL46AAE9DF81FADE09), by Kazumi Totaka, Shinobu Tanaka, Toru Minegishi, & Kenta Nagata
vs.
Banjo-Tooie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP2mKpUvXl4&list=PL7EFB226AC90A54D3), by Grant Kirkhope
——————————————————-
Banjo-Tooie. It’s a shame Rayman 2 didn’t get to face one of these two in the second round.
Underworld Round 1, Fight 9 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Forest Temple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmsZyC0UXUU), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Great Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aestxjrB60), from Adventure of Link
——————————————————-
I’m loving Forest Temple
Forest Temple
Forest Temple is Adult Link’s first challenge after emerging from the Temple of Time following 7 years of Ganondorf’s uncontested reign of Hyrule. The music’s mood tells the player that something is different… that the game has shifted gears and that it’s time to strap in for a wild second act. I love that it accomplishes this without relying on the normal methods of overbearing percussion or bass. Featuring the Poe Sisters, Walfos, Stalfos, Bubbles, and the Phantom of Ganon himself! Gears shifted indeed.
I wasn’t enamored with either choice in the other matchup.
Banjo-Kazooie, Ocarina of Time.
Great Palace
Round 2, Fight 11 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEPfdYoefeA&list=PL7B33C49E1B81E18F), by Darren Mitchell
vs.
Shadow Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCzhwZ0JjEQ&list=PL035D096DCFBE41E1), by Tim Haywood
——————————————————-
Ouch. Round 2 has not been kind to this rumble. Wave Race 64 and Banjo-Tooie move on, Rayman 2 and one of these two soundtracks stay behind. I’ll chip in my support for Shadow Man.
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 9 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Underworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh9taxESHoM), from Legend of Zelda
vs.
Zora’s Domain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUyqvUG0ypA), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Zora’s Domain
Zora’s Domain
Zora’s Domain
Shadow Man, The Legend of Zelda.
Round 2, Fight 12 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Buck Bumble (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0HoiN7iwpE&list=PLAE6A9DB766EC799E), by Justin Scharvona
vs.
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvVEaEk7fpw&list=PL65674D59A772CAE2), by Jun Ishikawa & Hirokazu Ando
——————————————————-
I had all but forgotten about Kirby 64 after round 1. It doesn’t have the most memorable N64 songs over all, but excellent mixing/sound quality carries it well beyond Buck Bumble’s repetitive catalog for me. It’s a shame that game couldn’t maintain more of the uniqueness we hear in its opening track.
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 9 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkH2zETKqws), from A Link to the Past
vs.
Great Fairy Fountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IljKQ1BdHKI), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
I mean, Fairy Fountain is an unmistakable Zelda classic, but this will be a blow out. Overworld
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Overworld
Overworld
This is another #3 vs. #30 seed matchup and one would expect that it wouldn’t be close… but after Gerudo Valley lost… anything is possible.
Kirby 64, A Link to the Past.
Round 2, Fight 13 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Banjo-Kazooie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COM4bdU0R4I&list=PL840312217AF11534&index=2), by Grant Kirkhope
vs.
Star Fox 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW-7Em3BYiA&list=PLFB2A17E7429EF5C3), by Hajime Wakai & Koji Kondo
——————————————————-
I am still impressed by how appropriate Banjo-Kazooie feels for the sort of kids’ game I take it to be, but this is hardly a contest. Star Fox 64.
Termina Round 1, Fight 9 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AortGYe1sTI), from Majora’s Mask
vs.
The Twilight Realm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSaH6pjl1oQ), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
These are both really interesting tracks, but I definitely have to take Title Theme. Majora’s Mask has nearly solidified its standing as my favorite Zelda soundtrack at this point, never mind that I didn’t play it. Something about Title Theme sounds not quite right from the very beginning. It’s just a little too meek, a little too timid, for a start menu. This isn’t Harvest Moon we’re booting up; it’s almost a nervous song in context. You KNOW it’s hiding something. And then, a good minute and 40 seconds into the song, you realize you were right.
Yes! I just PMed the link. I know some may not have Facebook or may not wish to join the group. But it’s important we know where to meet up should the worst case scenario happen. This most recent outage had me worried.
Star Fox 64
Twilight Realm – Brilliant description of MM’s Title theme, Shad. I just have too much invested in the Twilight Realm’s theme to vote against it.
In N64… Buh-lowout.
Star Fox 64, Majora’s Mask.
But if you make yourself unsearchable or searchable only within a preferred network, if you tailor who sees which of your posts, if you limit what shows up on your newsfeed, if you have an ad blocker on your browser, if you’re attentive to what you click on, and if you have people in your life who (a) don’t turn into psychopaths online and (b) are trustworthy with your information, Facebook is a beautiful thing. At that point, Facebook makes possible things that were not possible 20 years ago. Most of my grandparents’ generation had few if any opportunities to ever see their childhood friends again, unless they lived in the same area or exerted the effort of keeping in regular contact. In the 21st century, you get the opportunity to say, "Hey, our friendship was real important to me at a time when there was a lot else going on. Thank you for that." It makes it possible to say, "Hey, I’m sorry things worked out the way they did. You have a beautiful family now. I wish you all the best." It makes it possible to say, "Dear [insert favorite VGM composer], I love your music." In the 21st century, human relationships are freed from the constraints of geographic location, educational background, financial status, and even language. I speak regularly with people on every continent in the world, many of whom aren’t fluent in English. We share some rudimentary vocabulary and rely on translation services for the rest. And it works. Not perfectly. But it works. That’s insane. What a gift. Now, you still have to be careful over the lifespan of your membership–not just every once in a while. Even with the group page, I felt hesitant. Breaking my anonymity on that was something I otherwise would never, ever do. But I trusted the rest of the gang, and I’m so glad I’ve gotten to talk to them. I’ve learned tons from them. And it’s been fun.
In a similar discussion on another forum I posted that "[social media sites] encourage children to see the internet as an extension of their pre-established social persona rather than as a means to create new identity. Online communities that offer diverse opportunity are much harder to find today because kids have no incentive to seek them out and my generation drifts away to job and family. The kid with the stutter or bad aim no longer loses that stigma upon getting home from school, and a wonderful opportunity is lost." I’ll stand by that. I would be a wretched little white supremacist today if I hadn’t had the internet as a child to show me that the world my parents had created for me was not the only truth out there. Now I look at my nephew Kyle. He’ll have a Facebook page in a few more years, and on it he’ll be that chubby-cheeked, sweet kid who shit his pants twice in first grade but has cool grandparents and lots of toys. And that’s the end of it. He’ll learn to love NASCAR and the NRA, and maybe cocaine and heroin, and he’ll be like everyone else in his rural, backwards home town. He will never have the opportunity to learn how to think and explore new things, unless we as responsible aunt and uncle teach him that, but even then we act only in the faint hope that our influences outweigh those of his parents and the rest of his community. Most of the people in that town are definitely not responsible, and the cycle will continue with their children. In my childhood, the internet opened a world of diversity that he will never seek out when Facebook makes it so much easier to remain chubby-cheeked Kyle. Anonymity isn’t about hiding "who I really am". It’s about discovering who I really am and showing you that individual without a bunch of social misconceptions ramming sterotypes about me down your throat first. But kids raised in the Facebook age will never know that.
And trust me, this is coming from a guy who is NOT a heavy user. I’m talking checking twice a month – I had lived in my new city for two years before I updated my profile to say I had moved!
Title Theme
Round 2, Fight 14 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
1080??? Snowboarding (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPyNIhN6Y1w&list=PLB2560954D0DCDD77), by Kenta Nagata
vs.
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLIQOVOEFng&list=PLA1AE456B3FC54CD2), by Darren Mitchell
——————————————————-
Turok 2!
Underworld Round 1, Fight 10 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
House (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB8lnyScMvU), from Adventure of Link
vs.
Windfall Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go_XgaJNVgg), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Windfall Island isn’t the most convincing take on the classic Link to the Past Kakariko Village theme, but I’ll take it over the competition.
Windfall Island
ON the other hand, I had NEVER made the connection between Kakariko Village and Windfall Island. Instrumentally they are very similar in the Ocarina of Time version (when Link is young) and this one. Certainly the pacing is off, but I can hear remnants of it in the same melody. It doesn’t jump out at me but in the comments many people say it does to them so what do I know? Also, unbeknownst to me, Nintendo significantly changed the music between the original Gamecube version and the Wii U’s HD remake. Here is the updated version (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1GJSIn77l4). Try it out and see which you like better.
I guess my point is that I didn’t judge it as a descendant of Kakariko Village because I had never heard it that way or considered it that way until today. I don’t think it’s a very convincing theme when judged by that standard, but when judged on its own, I think it is very strong. Well composed and good choice of instruments and percussion. I’d say it’s a top 10 theme from that game for me.
My opinion:
I think the HD remake is GARBAGE.
On a positive note, I actually liked both N64 soundtracks this round!
Turok 2, Wind Waker.
Windfall Island
Kid Icarus (NES) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM-1r-D2tk4) versus Kid Icarus (FDS) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p08wyrAYMrs)
Check them out HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9jThfBhP5A)!
For me, I VASTLY prefer the NES title theme to the Famicom version.
Round 2, Fight 15 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Blast Corps (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPhakfGboH4&list=PLA6C96611FE88951A), by Graeme Norgate
vs.
Killer Instinct Gold (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VvPKCp6dxE&list=PL3F9642BD3201AE00), by Robin Beanland
——————————————————-
Blast Corps
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 10 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Wind Fish’s Egg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skRsgS5HtZE), from Link’s Awakening
vs.
Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvgexxw7pjc), from Adventure of Link
——————————————————-
Wind Fish’s Egg
Blast Corps
Wind Fish’s Egg
Favorite scary movie votes? The Shining
Battle Theme
I hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween!
Round 2, Fight 16 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Hydro Thunder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuhtqjcvj8I&list=PLTmomcjY1VRyHjF24_0ZFoHjnl7GNqtEL), by Neil Baldwin & Guy Crockfort
vs.
Donkey Kong 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_OW8wXRLRk&list=PL31C6A2E714B1708F), by Grant Kirkhope
——————————————————-
Still loving Hydro Thunder. I hope this one goes far.
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 10 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Clock Town (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0kXVfqPrLs), from Majora’s Mask
vs.
Nightmare Battles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyLNQsGTby8), from Link’s Awakening
——————————————————-
I’m not sure if the Majora’s Mask selection is correct, because a lot of it is the same as the game’s title theme. Anyway, Nightmare Battles is really cool and I think I’ll take it.
Nightmare Battles
EDIT: Bonus Nobuo post from his tour
oh=a9e4a055b41098c63aa1b4975dcb2f93&oe=54D6B163&__gda__=1423742726_66343f9b9363ad50176a482557c0cfd 4
Shad – that is correct – the link you have is actually three tracks in one – Clock Town, Day 1; Clock Town, Day 2; and Clock Town, Day 3. All are variations on the same theme depending on the day in game.
I’m going Game Boy for the first time in back-to-back rumbles in this series however! Link’s Awakening really had it going on.
Hydro Thunder, Link’s Awakening.
Nightmare Battles
Round 3, Fight 1 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbKVc5hmErA&list=PL33954FBF28AF09BE), by Tomohiko Kira, Yasunori Mitsuda, Hidenobu Otsuki, Tomori Kudo, Hiroyo Yamanaka, Yoshitaka Hirota, & Kenji Hiramatsu
vs.
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLIQOVOEFng&list=PLA1AE456B3FC54CD2), by Darren Mitchell
——————————————————-
Yikes. This is a tough one, but I think I have to take Bomberman 64: The Second Attack.
Termina Round 1, Fight 10 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Lake Hylia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdgEIRBsTaU), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Dragon Roost Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRWq53IFXVQ), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Every reference to Dragon Roost Island that I have found so far has been from Wind Waker, not Majora’s Mask, so I am going to assume this is the right track until I’m told otherwise.
I find Dragon Roost Island to be probably the most overrated song in the entire franchise. Don’t get me wrong – I like the song a LOT… but I don’t think it is a Top 10 track like so many people seem to. Dragon Roost Island was seeded 19th in this #14/#19 battle here.
Turok 2, The Wind Waker
Dragon Roost
Lake Hylia
Round 3, Fight 2 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Star Fox 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW-7Em3BYiA&list=PLFB2A17E7429EF5C3), by Hajime Wakai & Koji Kondo
vs.
Super Mario 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhadLMDWcGA&list=PL5DFFB80A07748DE3), by Koji Kondo
——————————————————-
Super Mario 64 is a good example of how perspectives on a soundtrack can change drastically the longer it hangs around in a rumble. This game and GoldenEye 007 accounted for probably 90% of the time I have ever spent playing an N64; the songs were engrained in me to the point that I wasn’t hearing them so much as as visualizing the levels and situations they appear in. That did not help the game much when up against songs and games I had never experienced before. I gave Pok???mon Stadium its only vote in round 1, and I was one of two to pick Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness in round 2. I like Star Fox 64 more than either of those soundtracks, so the choice should be easy, right?
But after three opportunities to go over the Super Mario 64 soundtrack, I am finally starting to hear the songs beyond their in-game context. They’re pretty good.
Underworld Round 1, Fight 11 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Hyrule Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuN9Y7MNJW8), from A Link to the Past
vs.
Kakariko Village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agR5aaQL2PY), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Hyrule Castle
Hyrule Castle
Star Fox 64, A Link to the Past.
Round 3, Fight 3 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Tetrisphere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfExUY0qRX4&list=PL84ECA4F9801D5D27), by Neil Voss
vs.
San Francisco Rush 2049 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2xXXe8SqAE&list=PL6611721F517C8C2E), by Barry Leitch
——————————————————-
San Francisco Rush 2049
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 11 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a7Sh82Mzdc), from Adventure of Link
vs.
Sealed Hyrule Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg3kZaEnvBw), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Palace is the one Adventure of Link track that has always stood out to me.
San Francisco Rush 2049
Palace
Palace
Palace
But, Palace is, as others have affirmed, possibly Zelda II’s most classic and beloved track.
San Francisco Rush 2049, Adventure of Link
Round 3, Fight 4 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw3Uxwlznp0&list=PLF40B1D5A82D3740D), by Koji Kondo
vs.
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoOdo4oAJzo&list=PL1EEFA82475BD0D5A), by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, & Hayato Matsuo
——————————————————-
Yikes. This is an easy one for me, but probably not for most of you. Ogre Battle 64
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 11 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Sword Search (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3VXcML6Hf0), from Link’s Awakening
vs.
Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRGii05yILI), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Sword Search!
Sword Search
As far as the N64 battle goes… do you really need to ask? In a BLOWOUT.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Link’s Awakening
Battle
Round 3, Fight 5 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Banjo-Tooie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP2mKpUvXl4&list=PL7EFB226AC90A54D3), by Grant Kirkhope
vs.
Hydro Thunder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuhtqjcvj8I&list=PLTmomcjY1VRyHjF24_0ZFoHjnl7GNqtEL), by Neil Baldwin & Guy Crockfort
——————————————————-
Hydro Thunder
Termina Round 1, Fight 11 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Mysterious Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1INAjr44Q_Y), from Link’s Awakening
vs.
, from Skyward Sword
——————————————————-
I can’t even take a good guess at what Before the Journey is. Not a single youtube search result with it in quotes.
————————————————————————————————————–
TIE-BREAKER: Round 3, Fight 4 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw3Uxwlznp0&list=PLF40B1D5A82D3740D]Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (]Before the Journey[/url), by Koji Kondo
vs.
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoOdo4oAJzo&list=PL1EEFA82475BD0D5A), by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, & Hayato Matsuo
I’ll wait to see if Link006 has a video for the Zelda rumble. I don’t know the songs well enough to vote without them.
Because these titles only appear on that one site which we can’t link to, finding a usable link for the rumble means listening to the song there, opening a YouTube video of the entire soundtrack, then clicking through until you find a match by ear.
Link: to prevent this from happening again, would you please locate the remaining Skyward Sword songs and provide YouTube links for them?
Skyward Sword ??? Ancient Lanayru
Skyward Sword ??? Before the Journey
Skyward Sword ??? Lanayru Desert
Skyward Sword ??? Mini Boss Battle 2 ~ Lizalfos
Skyward Sword ??? The Demon King Demise Battle ~Finale~
Banjo-Tooie
Mysterious Forest
Hydro Thunder, Link’s Awakening
———- Post added at 10:08 PM ———- Previous post was at 10:00 PM ———-
Here is Ancient Lanayru (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo8Ml0tYoSQ).
For a treat, here is the same track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWhu8PXVjVA) done with an SNES!
This is Lanayru Desert (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LfAcKnDYWQ").
This is the Lizalfos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SapYObP6o3w) theme.
And here is the Demise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR-rX20UCHE) Theme.
Round 3, Fight 6 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvVEaEk7fpw&list=PL65674D59A772CAE2), by Jun Ishikawa & Hirokazu Ando
vs.
Blast Corps (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPhakfGboH4&list=PLA6C96611FE88951A), by Graeme Norgate
——————————————————-
Kirby 64
Underworld Round 1, Fight 12 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Hyrule Field Main (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjbi2w81zB8), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Dungeon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVWpFXtHhPc), from A Link to the Past
——————————————————-
Dungeon
————————————————————————————————————–
TIE-BREAKER: Round 3, Fight 4 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw3Uxwlznp0&list=PLF40B1D5A82D3740D), by Koji Kondo
vs.
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoOdo4oAJzo&list=PL1EEFA82475BD0D5A), by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, & Hayato Matsuo[/QUOTE]
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Round 3, Fight 5 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Banjo-Tooie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP2mKpUvXl4&list=PL7EFB226AC90A54D3), by Grant Kirkhope
vs.
Hydro Thunder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuhtqjcvj8I&list=PLTmomcjY1VRyHjF24_0ZFoHjnl7GNqtEL), by Neil Baldwin & Guy Crockfort
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Termina Round 1, Fight 11 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Mysterious Forest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1INAjr44Q_Y), from Link’s Awakening
vs.
Before the Journey, from Skyward Sword
(http://downloads.k h i n s i d e r.com/game-soundtracks/album/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-expanded/1-34-before-the-journey.mp3)
Ogre Battle
Even though I’m watching Carnival of Souls and Dungeon is hitting that mood perfectly, I gotta go with Hyrule Field.
EDIT: By the way, when I made the N64 soundtrack list, I never ever thought Ocarina of Time would be absent from the finals, much less out in the third round. Things just got interesting.
Not quite on par with the Ninja Gaiden III debacle back in the day… but this may be the closest.
Blast Corps, Ocarina of Time.
Hyrule Field Main Theme
Hydro Thunder
Before The Journey
World Dungeon
Ogre Battle 64 advances over Ocarina of Time 3-2.
Hydro Thunder advances over Banjo-Tooie 3-2.
Skyward Sword – Before the Journey advances over Link’s Awakening – Mysterious Forest 3-2.
Kirby 64 advances over Blast Corps 3-2.
Ocarina of Time – Hyrule Field Main advances over A Link to the Past – Dungeon 3-2.
Close matches much? That was fun. I think 5+ is the magic number of participants for keeping this thing healthy.
Round 3, Fight 7 // N64 Rumble
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F-Zero X (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaZsN4SUttc&list=PL59B49F36D76385AC), by Taro Bando & Hajime Wakai
vs.
Shadow Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCzhwZ0JjEQ&list=PL035D096DCFBE41E1), by Tim Haywood
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Shadow Man by a mile.
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 12 // Zelda Rumble
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Temple Ruins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMGyF25Siqc), from Oracle of Seasons
vs.
Queen Ambi’s Palace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buSd77h-sqc), from Oracle of Ages
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I really like both of these. Queen Ambi’s Palace
Shadow Man, Oracle of Seasons.
Queen Ambi’s Palace
Queen Ambi’s Palace
Round 3, Fight 8 // N64 Rumble
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Wave Race 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci1_OiNfV2g&list=PLABAB0A4DA954AB9C), by Kazumi Totaka
vs.
Perfect Dark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3jIDf7cRvQ&list=PL561A40AE5860D871), by Grant Kirkhope, Graeme Norgate, & David Clynick
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Perfect Dark (4-0) advances to the quarterfinals! Oh wait, I’m not supposed to say that until Monday…
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 12 // Zelda Rumble
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Secret Maze on the Sea of No Return (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqmijj3-Xbw), from Oracle of Ages
vs.
Battle with Ganon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfISliRCnO0), from A Link to the Past
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Battle with Ganon
Perfect Dark, Oracle of Ages.
Battle with Ganon
Secret Maze on the Sea of No Return
Round 4, Fight 1 // N64 Rumble
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Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLIQOVOEFng&list=PLA1AE456B3FC54CD2), by Darren Mitchell
vs.
Shadow Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCzhwZ0JjEQ&list=PL035D096DCFBE41E1), by Tim Haywood
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I am beginning to doubt whether Shadow Man is legit. I went digging around for a larger track selection and everything I could find claimed to be from the PC game. A lot of this music sounded identical to what we’ve been using in the rumble. The two (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLfHQ3PCewM) tracks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKZJJxNN8Bw) that did claim to be from the N64 sounded… different — more industrial than atmospheric. (Compare Main Theme to Deadside: Wasteland). I can’t listen to a few of the Shadow Man playlist tracks because they are "private", and some of them openly state that they are from the PC version. I don’t know; I think the game might have been my constant pick thus far for the simple reason that I’m hearing songs for a more advanced sound system than the N64. When dealing with a work as creative as Turok 2, it is difficult to ignore the grey area surrounding Shadow Man’s legitimacy and vote for it anyway.
Termina Round 1, Fight 12 // Zelda Rumble
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Overworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyMluaZDRik), from Adventure of Link
vs.
Mini Boss Battle 2 – Lizalfos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SapYObP6o3w), from Skyward Sword
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Overworld
————————————————————————————————————–
TIE-BREAKER: The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 12 // Zelda Rumble
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Secret Maze on the Sea of No Return (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqmijj3-Xbw), from Oracle of Ages
vs.
Battle with Ganon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfISliRCnO0), from A Link to the Past
——————————————————-
Overworld
Shadow Man, Zelda II.
Overworld
Round 4, Fight 2 // N64 Rumble
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Perfect Dark (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3jIDf7cRvQ&list=PL561A40AE5860D871), by Grant Kirkhope, Graeme Norgate, & David Clynick
vs.
San Francisco Rush 2049 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2xXXe8SqAE&list=PL6611721F517C8C2E), by Barry Leitch
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Perfect Dark
Underworld Round 1, Fight 13 // Zelda Rumble
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Lanayru Desert (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LfAcKnDYWQ%22), from Skyward Sword
vs.
Ikana Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stOk2nqUHFI), from Majora’s Mask
——————————————————-
Lanayru Desert
Lanaryu Desert
Lanayru Desert
Lanaryu Desert
Round 4, Fight 3 // N64 Rumble
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Hydro Thunder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuhtqjcvj8I&list=PLTmomcjY1VRyHjF24_0ZFoHjnl7GNqtEL), by Neil Baldwin & Guy Crockfort
vs.
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvVEaEk7fpw&list=PL65674D59A772CAE2), by Jun Ishikawa & Hirokazu Ando
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Hydro Thunder! I left this playlist on repeat for like three hours last round and had every track sticking in my head. Best underdog game of this rumble by far.
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 13 // Zelda Rumble
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Koume & Kotake’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_3VXOAbOyY), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Miniboss Battle! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jislmDBGfyM), from Oracle of Seasons
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Koume & Kotake’s Theme
Koume & Kotake’s Theme
That said, it gets a bad draw against one of the sleeper titles in the entire rumble. Koume & Kotake’s Theme came appropriately as the game neared its climax with the Hero of Time approaching the Spirit Temple to claim the final medallion needed to challenge the Prince of Darkness. Timeless.
Hydro Thunder, Ocarina of Time
Hydro Thunder, i was impressed with the soundtrack, having never heard it before. Some notable tracks in there.
Koume and Kotake’s Theme
Round 4, Fight 4 // N64 Rumble
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Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoOdo4oAJzo&list=PL1EEFA82475BD0D5A), by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, & Hayato Matsuo
vs.
Super Mario 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhadLMDWcGA&list=PL5DFFB80A07748DE3), by Koji Kondo
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Ogre Battle 64 has had a rough ride. After squeaking by Ocarina of Time 3-2, it’s up against another major favorite to go the whole way in Super Mario 64. Ogre Battle 64 has the significant advantage of being the only N64 soundtrack to actually feel like a traditional RPG (the Zelda series has always had its own unique sound that ignores genre norms), but I think beyond that it is a really solid RPG ost in its own right. I get a sort of Final Fantasy Tactics vibe, and I love it.
Edit: No kidding I get a Final Fantasy Tactics vibe. Masaharu Iwata and Hitoshi Sakimoto are two of the three composers. >_<
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 13 // Zelda Rumble
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Ganondorf Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKjEwQeGAEU), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Boss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYEN-lEZ-9M), from A Link to the Past
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I find both a little bland to be honest. A Link to the Past gets my nostalgia vote.
All right. This is how much I love the Ogre Battle series. When I was a kid, I traveled halfway across the United States to get a copy of the SNES Ogre Battle from a FuncoLand in Virginia with money I had saved up for over a year. I later wrote a story about that experience for my Master’s thesis and did a public reading and talk about the game. This vote isn’t automatic by any means, though. I STILL play Super Mario 64 about once a year and would have given it the edge before listening to the soundtracks side by side. I just can’t justify voting for a handful of extremely catchy 30-second jingles from an all-time classic game over this masterfully arranged, richly layered, technically brilliant, and equally catchy soundtrack. Gotta go with Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber.
Boss
Ganondorf Battle
Boss
Well, we’re on to the semi-finals, and the remaining titles aren’t quite what you’d expect. No Super Mario 64, no Ocarina of Time or Majora’s Mask, no Castlevania games, no Star Fox. Just four games I never knew existed this time a year ago. Ogre Battle 64 took the toughest path by far, but it came out shining. Perfect Dark arrived here somewhat untested, while Turok 2 and Hydro Thunder faced challenges somewhere in between.
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (13-4)
Gauntlet Legends (3-2)
1080??? Snowboarding (4-0)
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack (3-1)
Shadow Man (3-1)
Perfect Dark (18-2)
New Tetris (4-1)
GoldenEye 007 (5-0)
Wave Race 64 (4-0)
San Francisco Rush 2049 (5-1)
Hydro Thunder (15-3)
Pilotwings 64 (4-0)
Donkey Kong 64 (4-0)
Banjo-Tooie (3-2)
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (4-1)
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (17-6)
Mario Kart 64 (6-2)
Magical Tetris Challenge (4-1)
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (3-2)
Super Mario 64 (4-1)
Round 5, Fight 1 // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Perfect Dark (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3jIDf7cRvQ&list=PL561A40AE5860D871), by Grant Kirkhope, Graeme Norgate, & David Clynick
vs.
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoOdo4oAJzo&list=PL1EEFA82475BD0D5A), by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, & Hayato Matsuo
——————————————————-
Ogre Battle 64
Termina Round 1, Fight 13 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Ancient Lanayru (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo8Ml0tYoSQ), from Skyward Sword
vs.
Kanalet Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cipaoY8nKhY), from Link’s Awakening
——————————————————-
Ancient Lanayru
Ancient Lanayru
I REALLY like the hook from Kanalet Castle, but I think Ancient Lanayru is one of the best desert themes in the entire series and is perhaps the best new original theme in any 3D Zelda game since Ocarina of Time.
Perfect Dark, Skyward Sword.
As much as I like this soundtrack, in all honesty I’ve expected to vote against Ogre Battle 64 in four of its five fights. I just can’t do it yet again. It’s earning the win each time for me.
Ancient Lanayru
https://www.facebook.com/spielemusikkonzerte/photos/a.480083931448.259045.374335466448/10152943210721449/?type=1
Ancient Lanaryu
Round 5, Fight 2 // N64 Rumble
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Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewFnCWyXyEk&list=PL6akIKaXBeU38yYNr6AKQPheqorxmXDqP&index=24), by Darren Mitchell
vs.
Hydro Thunder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuhtqjcvj8I&list=PLTmomcjY1VRyHjF24_0ZFoHjnl7GNqtEL), by Neil Baldwin & Guy Crockfort
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It’s hard to believe that one of these two titles will be advancing to the final, but I’m not complaining. When I went to start writing my thoughts on both, I encountered an immediate "oh shit" moment. I started reading the comments to "Port of Adia", and it turns out that, much like with Shadow Man, we’ve been enjoying the PC version of at least this track all along. A quick comparison of a few others tells me the majority of the playlist we’ve been using is PC music. I dug around a while and found the playlist linked above, which includes both PC and N64 tracks but clearly distinguishes between the two in the track titles. I encourage you to dig through it thoroughly and check out the tracks that actually apply to this rumble. Far from a letdown, I found "Port of Adia" in particular even more awesome on the N64 than on the PC. The N64 tracks in general tend to employ deeper tones that, for me at least, are a step up from the already compelling PC cuts. The brief "Oblivion Lair", for instance, didn’t leave much of an impression on me before. On the N64, it grabs my attention immediately. Generally speaking, this late discovery makes Turok 2 an even more dark, suspenseful, viable contender for best of the N64 in my opinion.
Then there is Hydro Thunder. This is another title to appear on a billion platforms at once, and the video uploader provides no information as to which he ripped it from save the N64 box art. The comments on each track are brief–and the alternative youtube examples practically non-existent–but the songs definitely feel like they were all ripped from the same platform, whichever that may be. A few comment references confirming an N64 take here and there suffice to make me think this compilation is in fact an authentic N64 playlist.
And what do we get in the mix? Well, the intro kicks it off with a pretty bombastic track that’s totally carried by the explosive-to-the-point-of-distorted synth tones. It does everything right for me where F-Zero X did everything wrong; instead of feeling like cookie-cutter heavy metal, the actual guitar track is totally subservient to a relentless in-your-face explosion. Instead of thinking "oh that’s nice, you can play generic guitar solos", I am initially overwhelmed and then think "wow, there’s a lot of interesting stuff going on in the background here." The main theme to follow keeps up the bombast, but suddenly we’re treated to a much more epic arrangement that could be a futuristic RPG’s Call to Arms track. That is the vibe that I get for much of the soundtrack to follow–something perhaps best suited for a sci-fi turn-based tactics game where mechs duke it out on a grid map. It’s intensely epic, far exceeding anything a racing game realistically could or even ought to offer. Neil Baldwin has sighted chiptune legends Rob Hubbard and Martin Galway among his early influences (http://dutycyclegenerator.com), and I think that C64 spirit of competition which often led to soundtracks far surpassing their games (Tim Follin’s Pictionary anyone?) must have rubbed off. The extent of the militaristic fantasy and sci-fi motifs in this soundtrack make you totally forget that it’s some lame racing game, yet many of the tracks are entirely relevant to their in-game context. "Arctic Circle", "Ship Graveyard", "Venice Canals", and "New York Disaster" especially stand out in this regard–"Ship Graveyard" even includes sound effects from a swashbuckling sword battle! Yet Baldwin is not hesitant to break from this vibe where the zone calls for it. "Catacombs" is a more imaginative ambient work than any of the games entirely focused on that theme have to offer in this rumble save Shadow Man. "Lost Island" could be from Turok 1. The Elmer Bernstein (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45KAjt7v4t4) worship on "Lake Powell" doesn’t suit my taste much, but I have to respect Baldwin’s attention to game relevance. "Greek Isles" is so catchy I’ve caught myself humming it around the house before I realized it was from Hydro Thunder. And "Nile Adventure"… I don’t know where Baldwin (and Crockfort, a composer I’m completely unfamiliar with) possibly got the idea for this, but it manages to defy my assumption that the N64 is too primitive a platform for vocals. Their low quality, far from feeling half-formed, make me think of some endearing power metal band that can’t afford decent production but play their hearts out anyway. I only wish Baldwin had created a complete, transitional work of it instead of switching to each sub-zone abruptly.
You know what I’m voting for here: Hydro Thunder.
Underworld Round 1, Fight 14 // Zelda Rumble
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Church (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAzUSD5uqF4), from A Link to the Past
vs.
Link’s Awake (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teT6-j_CUQw), from Link’s Awakening
——————————————————-
Church has been a favorite of mine since the first time I ever played the game.
The second fight was much closer for me. Church
Link’s Awakening
Hydro Thunder, A Link to the Past.
TIE-BREAKER: Round 5, Fight 2 // N64 Rumble
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Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewFnCWyXyEk&list=PL6akIKaXBeU38yYNr6AKQPheqorxmXDqP&index=24), by Darren Mitchell
vs.
Hydro Thunder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuhtqjcvj8I&list=PLTmomcjY1VRyHjF24_0ZFoHjnl7GNqtEL), by Neil Baldwin & Guy Crockfort
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Hyrule Round 1, Fight 14 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULyEY_GjSoA), from Link’s Awakening
vs.
Hyrule Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVuRMyN9KmA), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Hyrule Castle
Overworld
FINAL MATCH // N64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewFnCWyXyEk&list=PL6akIKaXBeU38yYNr6AKQPheqorxmXDqP&index=24), by Darren Mitchell
vs.
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoOdo4oAJzo&list=PL1EEFA82475BD0D5A), by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, & Hayato Matsuo
——————————————————-
It all comes down to this! And I for one don’t think any game in this rumble can realistically trump Ogre Battle 64.
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 14 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Guardian (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sA0T3FThuQ), from Adventure of Link
vs.
Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx6L5b-ACVk), from A Link to the Past
——————————————————-
Forest of course. >_>
Forest
Forest
Forest
I am in the minority and a VERY slim one at that, I must sadly admit. But with my vote, I must respectfully but vehemently protest.
Turok 2, A Link to the Past.
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber, by Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, & Hayato Matsuo beat out Turok 2: Seeds of Evil by Darren Mitchell 5-1 to become the 22nd rumble winner.
In the Zelda rumble, Forest from A Link to the Past advances 5-0.
Termina Round 1, Fight 14 // Zelda Rumble
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Level 1, Gnarled Root Dungeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frO63DEP01c), from Oracle of Seasons
vs.
Kakariko is Saved (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVZcvnItkdw), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
Kakariko is Saved
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Future Rumble Vote
Best of the Commodore 64 (64 songs)
Best of World of Warcraft (80 songs)
Best of the 7th Generation Consoles (128 soundtracks)
Shad’s Custom Rumble (16 tracks)
NARFNra’s Custom Rumble (16 tracks)
——————————————————-
We are running really low on short rumbles. I am kind of hesitant to kick off another long one right now and be in a situation where neither end until late 2015, because people who don’t care for either might drift away and never return. The original idea with the customs was to plug some gaps with reasonably short rumbles in the absence of actual theme-based options. With that in mind, I think it would be fun to do NARFNra’s custom next if he’s actually around to participate in it. If he’s missing in action, then World of Warcraft is my top choice.
Having only joined in the last few months, and having no history with these things (assuming 7th generation is ps4) my vote is based on finding out about each 🙂 From my point of view, having themes that are so different in some cases (turok 2, hydro thunder) and generally spread out over all the various zelda’s has been good, it’s been refreshing listening to songs that evoke emotion and get me interested in playing (many of the games I haven’t played)
I think that’s where some pieces have shone out – being placed in matches with other songs that have nothing in common with each other (other than they are video game music)
Am I the only one that finds the the enjoyment in video game music is in working with small capacity for instruments and producing music that actually makes you get into the game? – afterthought, un related to the discussion.
Anyway, I’m prone to choose the rumble that would be seeing that distinction between the tracks that are rumbling together.
If it’s a small one, I think that it would mean that there would be a shorter time to find the victor!
Twilight Princess.
Also, I’m perfectly OK with World of Warcraft at the moment.
I’d strongly argue for a short rumble, too, to balance against the Zelda rumble. Even without NARFNra around, I’d be interested in doing his selections, which could give others time to create their own list on the group discussion page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/).
I am also good with World of Warcraft.
A big excuse to listen to new soundtracks for me. xD
I trust thy Rumble Judgement (?)
Best of World of Warcraft
Underworld Round 1, Fight 15 // Zelda Rumble
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Secrets of the Oracles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMgENZfuBkI), from Oracle of Seasons
vs.
Temple of Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6Hf1-lQElE), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Temple of Time
I’m working on slimming down the Best of the 7th Gen rumble selections to 64 as discussed on the group page. It will be dicey to get them locked in before we would presumably get started on the next rumble, but I’ll see what I can do.
Ocarina of Time.
And now we begin the World of Warcraft rumble. Launched in 2004, this game features more than a decade of musical evolution that may well span more than a hundred hours of content. The variety of approaches to composition is arguably too broad to incorporate into a single collective, but we’ll do our best. The songs here will range from 3 minute cutscenes to ambient works clocking over 20 minutes. Should a track seem repetitive, recognize that the player is not meant to hear it all at once. Any given theme might offer a dozen variations that associate a general melody to a setting while allowing the player to experience it slightly differently on every visit. A zone can feature the same musical blueprint throughout, spiced into a jig for the local tavern and then drawled into something sinister for a nearby forest. That same forest might offer multiple variations on its approach to the melody based upon the time of day or selected at random each time the player enters. Alternatively, the mood might be maintained regardless of location within a zone, with the melody itself varying to distinguish the barely hospitable from the deadly. Over time, "walking" tracks–what you hear casually passing through an area–have become more dynamic, responding to player interaction with the environment in more robust ways. In attempting to produce marketable soundtracks to the game, Blizzard have condensed many of these tracks into accessible 5 to 10 minute compilations. Some of these compilations merge tracks that are entirely distinct but might be heard one soon after the other in gameplay. ("Family" from Warlords of Draenor is a good example of this.) These recordings still only present a small fraction of a given expansion’s musical content.
It would be far too daunting–and perhaps a bit excessive to those foreign to the game–to fully separate these different approaches to songwriting within this 80 track compilation. Arrangements which cannot be heard in their present condensed form within the game proper, as well as concrete cutscene compositions, will inevitably square off against zone tracks in the raw, and the latter will appear unfairly repetitive, disjointed, or both. If there is one practice I can press on you in the hopes that everyone will fully appreciate this outstanding collection of music, it is to set aside any basic assumptions of what a "song" should be. Warcraft music is composed to immerse the player, enhancing the mood and atmosphere. Whether or not a track is structured to be a complete work from start to finish is largely irrelevant.
Round 1, Fight 1 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Patience Point (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC4JDpRuqqk), from Warlords of Draenor
vs.
San’layn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xm7WYlQyCo), from Fall of the Lich King
——————————————————-
Patience Point is a track that tends to fade in when you are approaching especially powerful dinosaur-like creatures in the primordial marshes of Gorgrond. (The image in the youtube video is quite unrelated.) It’s one of those tracks that really enhances the gameplay and turns an "is the work this guy’s going to take really worth the payout?" scenario into a fun and, at lower levels, challenging hunt. San’layn (Through the Vast Halls of Icecrown Citadel) is one of many tracks featured in Icecrown–the grand culmination to the Warcraft 3 and Wrath of the Lich King story arch. Where many of Blizzard’s story archs have pitted heroes against human and orc armies or against plots by the otherwordly Burning Legion to destroy Azeroth, the fight against Arthas was a more mystical affair. Neither fundamentally evil nor human at heart, the Lich King’s powers were a neutral force. Arthas was bound to them by the events of Warcraft 3, and his intentions were vague but deadly–a rogue force too dangerous to leave uncontained. Icecrown Citadel is a cold, magical place, and the music reflects this.
San’layn
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 15 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Final Quest – The Room of Rites (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G16piZQqG4Q), from Oracle of Ages
vs.
The Demon King, Demise Battle ~Finale~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR-rX20UCHE), from Skyward Sword
——————————————————-
The Room of Rites
San’layn
The Room of Rites
Room of Rites
In the other rumble, I don’t think Shad could have set it up any better than he did. People will need to be a little more flexible than they normally would because, as Shad has discovered, tracks for WoW are laid out WILDLY differently with out any regard for rhyme, reason, logic, politics, religion, chronology, or any other way you could possibly organize tracks. Most tracks in the game are heard in 90 to 180 second blips that rotate while you are in a zone. Occasionally, you’ll have what Blizzard calls "Moments" that will play when you encounter something worth drawing your attention to… a 15 to 30 second track that will break up the track before getting you back to your normal track. I think the best approach is to listen to the whole selection (or perhaps your favorite part) and consider that thematically and musically without worrying if the ENTIRE piece linked works with itself.
As a player of WoW for years through vanilla, The Burning Crusade, and Wrath of the Lich King, I am REALLY looking forward to this rumble!
Wrath of the Lich King, Oracle of Ages.
The Demon King, Demise Battle having never played the game, I applaud the musicality and enchantedness of it for an end battle music. Maybe If I had played both games (sadly I don’t own wii or gameboy)
Round 1, Fight 2 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Thunder King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hZuUHhte5k), from Mists of Pandaria
vs.
Angrathar’s Shadow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjokKL_ibLI), from Wrath of the Lich King
——————————————————-
Thunder King is an anthem tied to Lei Shen, an ancient warlord of the mogu race resurrected and ultimately defeated during the horde and alliance invasion of Pandaria. Angrathar’s Shadow is a mix of background music from Icecrown, the final questing zone in Wrath of the Lich King. From a player’s (and composer’s) perspective, over a year separates it from the full-out invasion of Icecrown Citadel that brought us San’layn, but the songs share close in-game proximity.
Angrathar’s Shadow
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 15 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Stallord (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUL-k1CLql4), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Last Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b_QS5xoN44), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Last Battle
Last Battle
I’m taking Last Battle though… because I think it is one of the best final boss themes of the entire series…. I mean video gaming… ever.
Wrath of the Lich King, Ocarina of Time.
Last Battle
Round 1, Fight 3 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Victory (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-d9YnScRW0), from The Gods of Zul’Aman
vs.
Druids of the Flame (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCEa7U4ydIg), from Rage of the Firelands
——————————————————-
Trolls in World of Warcraft are not your typical fantasy fair. Far from bone-headed ogres prone to petrification in the sunlight, trolls on Azeroth are intellectually capable creatures with a long history of inter-tribal conflict and clashes with neighboring humans and high elves. They have a bit of an Afro-Caribbean theme going stylistically. The Amani tribe became an independent third faction during the Burning Crusade when an alliance between the high elves (blood elves) and Horde shattered the Amani’s fragile peace with the latter. Followers of the dangerous Old Gods, they used voodoo magic to awaken powerful forces that threatened the Alliance and Horde alike. "Victory" was, I believe, the music that played after the final fall of the Amani. This content is no longer available in-game, as the conquered Amani territory was later claimed by the equally hostile Zandalari tribe. In contrast to this one minute anthem, "Druids of the Flame" is a sprawling 10 minute opus that plays throughout the Firelands raid. The explosive opening can be heard during the fight with Alysrazor, a giant firehawk summoned by the song’s namesake. The more ambient bits to follow occur mostly as walking music in the zone. Firelands is a giant burning wasteland regarded by many as Blizzard’s finest raid–an opinion perhaps inflated by universal disdain for its follow-up, Dragon Soul. The passage from 2:55 to 4:20 was my original inspiration for this rumble. Prior to hearing it in-game, I had never paid much attention to WoW’s more ambient walking music. It compelled me to seek out more, and I finally discovered a lot of the songs that will be featured in the coming weeks.
That being said, I have to take Victory. I love the unique flavor that music adds to the troll race in general, and this is one of the finest examples.
——————————————————-
Termina Round 1, Fight 15 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Samasa Desert (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EtYb2xLYGI), from Oracle of Seasons
vs.
Stone Tower Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz_NK5HgR6Q), from Majora’s Mask
——————————————————-
Stone Tower Temple is yet another confirmation that Majora’s Mask is my favorite Zelda soundtrack.
Stone Tower Temple
Stone Tower Temple
Stone Tower Temple is really zelda to me, with it’s use of flutes, and almost celtic feel to it. Well done! My vote goes in for Stone Tower Temple (though the desert theme is very good, reminds me of the theme playing in FF5, before the earth crystal lifts off)
Stone Tower Temple is actually one of two themes for the same level. THIS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_J9VlNOmJY) is the Inverted version of the level when things get turned head over heels on Link. It still amazes me what Nintendo was able to get out of the Game Boy Color for the Oracles games – they fit more into 35 seconds then a lot of games do into entire soundtracks… but I must go with Majora’s Mask here. The Stone Tower theme is one of my favorite dungeon themes in the series.
The Burning Crusade, Majora’s Mask.
Round 1, Fight 3 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Zul’Gurub Voodoo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IFe45jNieY), from Rise of the Blood God
vs.
Echoes of the Past (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfJYzZ-PC9g), from The Burning Crusade
——————————————————-
Now here are two really classic World of Warcraft songs to consider. We coincidentally got two troll tracks back to back; Zul’Gurub Voodoo appears in the raid Link was just talking about, a few years prior to Victory from the previous fight. Echoes of the Past first appears in World of Warcraft during the Escape from Durnholde Keep instance that launched with The Burning Crusade. (I accidentally flagged this as a classic Vanilla WoW track on the group page. Arthur might want to correct it on the first page of this thread.) It is actually a much older song than that, however, a version of it first appearing in Warcraft II in 1995. Players today are most familiar with it from the Pokemon-like pet battle mini-game introduced in Mists of Pandaria.
Echoes of the Past
——————————————————-
Underworld Round 1, Fight 16 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Midna’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXEnAuzjgKU), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Level 8, Sword & Shield Maze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJkfjHAv66s), from Oracle of Seasons
——————————————————-
We’re on to the final set of fights in the opening round of the Zelda rumble. Eight more tracks and we’ll have heard them all! Midna’s Theme
Echoes of the Past
Midna’s Theme
Now I may have a bone to pick in the other rumble… the successor to the original wins in a blowout 5-0, while the original starts in a 2-0 hole??? Ya be temptin’ ya fates with da voodoo mon!
World of Warcraft, Twilight Princess.
Midna’s Theme
Midna’s Theme
Gosh that WoW song takes me back to plundering khaz Modan! that was epic!
Round 1, Fight 5 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Air (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3-W8SbIl0Y), from Rage of the Firelands
vs.
Going Hozen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MHVY0fo-UU), from Mists of Pandaria
——————————————————-
Among the ancient and powerful denizens of Azeroth are five Dragon Aspects and four Elemental Lords. The Aspect Neltharion was corrupted by the Old Gods during the War of the Ancients, 10,000 years prior to the current events of World of Warcraft, and he became Deathwing. Deathwing’s release from confinement served as the main catalyst for the events of Cataclysm, and he recruited the Elemental Lords of Fire and Air — Ragnaros and Al’Akir — to serve him. The player hears "Air" at the start of Rage of the Firelands. Al’Akir has already been slain, and the forces of air must be subdued to aid in the fight against Ragnaros. Hozen are ape-like humanoids that roam the southern continent of Pandaria. As the creatures are especially common in the arid foothills of Kun-Lai Summit (
), I tend to associate the music with that zone.
Air
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 1, Fight 16 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Hyrule Field Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQTfYDth_bw), from Twilight Princess
vs.
The Black Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDmLzVYeQuc), from Oracle of Ages
——————————————————-
Hyrule Field Main Theme
Cataclysm, Twilight Princess.
And just so you know… the voodoo is watching you.
Hyrule Field Main Theme
Hyrule Field Main Theme.
Out of interest, how do you usually toss up the merits and cons of each piece when you are flippant in your choice of one and the other (in general?) I found that Air reminded me of the orc/Troll themes of WC2, and that as I was feeling at that time, my heart liked it more than the other one. But what’s to say I don’t like the other one next time? (since it’s a subjective experience really?) I have to say, video games have released some pretty spectacular songs but in general, because I haven’t played the games, I’m really just going off tempo, instrument use, and that sort of thing when deciding which is better.
As far as two tracks I’ve never heard before, I probably have a kind of music I prefer and the closer it is to that, the more I like it.
Hyrule Field Main Theme
For me, it’s all about the discovery of new music. Almost six years into the rumble, I’d say it’s far more common for me to not have played the game in question than to have to played it–and I like that.
The quick answer to your question is that there is no standard criteria for judging the music.
The long answer is that means you’ll have to establish your own criteria: how effective was the music in guiding your emotions, how evocative was the music in painting a visual, how successful was the music in fulfilling the expectations of its genre, how successful was the music in exceeding or subverting your expectations, how ambitious was the music in instrumentation or structure or execution, how important was the music to its franchise or video game history or the career of the composer, how resonant is the music in your mind beyond the first round of fights, how engaging is the music after multiple repetitions, and so on.
I think I probably just start with "Which one do I like more?" It’s only when I like them both equally that I go to some of the above questions and try to parse out a reason for voting one over the other.
Hyrule Field Main Theme
Round 1, Fight 6 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Fire Festival (Horde) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V40HK7gy_yM), from Shadow of the Necropolis
vs.
Xaxas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVYpDntnTzY), from Cataclysm
——————————————————-
The Fire Festival is an annual summer celebration in Warcraft that typically takes place in the last week of June. This particular track plays in the background for anyone participating on a horde character. Xaxas is the background music to the official Cataclysm trailer and intro cutscene, in which Deathwing permanently destroys much of the world that we had all been questing on for the previous six years. The peculiar title is apparently an elven name for Deathwing. It means "chaos". (You can view the trailer here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq4Y7ztznKc), though you might want to make your pick first.)
There may be unbalanced match-ups out there, but this is not one of them. The sort of Renaissance folk you hear throughout taverns and festivals in this game has always been my favorite brand of WoW music in general, but I also felt that Cataclysm and its patches stood leagues above the others in terms of really epic music. Cataclysm remains my favorite expansion in WoW–an opinion shared by almost no one–and I think the music had a ton to do with it. I could always feel the suspense in that game, and Xaxas was the track that kicked it all off.
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Round 1, Fight 16 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Title Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUc3p5sojmw), from Adventure of Link
vs.
Wise People (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmEuv04uRvk), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
Wise People
Xaxas
Wise People
I think that how I measure each track varies wildly from one rumble to the next. In cases where I have heard virtually every track in-game already–Final Fantasy, Suikoden, World of Warcraft–it is really impossible to separate the music from the game. I tend to think something like "how essential was this piece of music to my experience of the scenario in which it appears?" It’s easy to get caught up in that, though. I ended up skipping most of the Suikoden rumble I created after "Tropical Bath (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMPLxefcMyE)" lost hard in the first round. I remember thinking "these guys have no taste at all" and totally losing interest for a few months. Later on, the significance of context really sunk in. For me, it was the best rendition of THE defining song that set the stage for the overall vibe of the entire series. For people who never played Suikoden, it was just a lighthearted melody. The whole sun and mist maritime vibe constantly reflected by the actual in-game environment was inaccessible to them. I quit taking other people’s votes so personally after that.
In contrast, most of our rumbles are comprised of songs I have almost no previous acquaintance with. In those cases, it’s hard to say. With systems that have physical sound limitations, like the Game Boy or C64, what the artists manage to do with the equipment available to them plays a key role. When everything is pretty equal, it might just boil down to a gut feeling. I might consider the extent to which a song or collection of songs allows me to experience a game I have never actually played, or how it matches up to other music with a similar purpose–a forest, a boss, a romance, a sea, etc. The Zelda rumble is interesting because it spans decades’ worth of different sound systems and I have heard almost none of it before. I latch on to what I can relate to–how does this track rank as a Game Boy composition, versus how does this track match up to other ambient themes?
But above all, I think I go on a general sense of what an artist is attempting to accomplish and how well they achieved that goal. No matter what genre of music we’re talking about, the majority of artists will be copycats. It applies just as much to the video game music industry as to any pop fad. I’ll look at who came up with the idea first. I’ll think about whether an artist really took it to heart and used it as a means to realize a vision, took a style as the end goal and limited the composition to conform to it, or just took what was familiar to them and started writing without much thought. I tend to get this last vibe for a lot of Koji Kondo’s works, some obvious exceptions aside, and I end up defying the norm and voting against him as a consequence. Yes, his music is unique and immediately identifiable, but in a given instance is he really going somewhere with it, or is he just copying himself? Or to use a recent example, I hated the F-Zero X soundtrack because I could not get past the feeling that being "hard rock" took top priority for its composers. They limited their vision by saying "it has to contain x instrumental elements, now let’s write some songs that conform to this". Whereas Hydro Thunder, my favorite N64 soundtrack as it turned out, ended up being substantially "heavier" than the system’s norm because it suited Baldwin’s musical vision of the game he was composing for. He wanted to write music that captured a wide variety of pseudo-real-world locations as they might be experienced whizzing by you at a hundred miles an hour in a racing game. The hard-hitting percussion and blaring brass were a means to this end, not the end in itself.
On a totally unrelated note, I posted up my annual metal recap a few weeks ago. VGM and metal are my two big musical obsessions, so I’m always trying to get people from one perspective to take an interest in the other. This list starts at 10 and works its way up; my favorites are at the bottom: http://unobtainium13.com/2015/01/05/my-top-10-metal-albums-of-2014 (http://unobtainium13.com/2015/01/05/my-top-10-metal-albums-of-2014/)
Two things we’ve developed to help counter that: (1) When you vote, you are encouraged to write something explaining why you voted the way you did so as to help others fully appreciate the music (2) and on the group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/) you are encouraged to create a list of 16 overlooked songs (a Custom Rumble) so they can get their day in the sun.
Two things we’ve developed to help counter that: (1) When you vote, you are encouraged to write something explaining why you voted the way you did so as to help others fully appreciate the music (2) and on the group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/) you are encouraged to create a list of 16 overlooked songs (a Custom Rumble) so they can get their day in the sun.
Totally this, When the PS1 Rumble was around along with Sakimoto. The extensive essays I wrote about The Impact of Vagrant Story, it’s parallels, the music. And how all of that came together, I think I made things a lot more convincing.
And it’s also the very reason I walk away from Rumbles where I think my input will have no effect and that my vote will only serve as a misdirected preference because of the lack of context.
Title Theme
And it’s also the very reason I walk away from Rumbles where I think my input will have no effect and that my vote will only serve as a misdirected preference because of the lack of context.
I think your input will always have an effect. To be honest, the more people we have voting, the healthier the rumble is so I would STRONGLY encourage everyone in the thread to participate no matter if they hate the game or don’t know the game/genre at all that we are doing. I despise Final Fantasy as a series… in almost every way… but in participating in the rumble I did get to hear some AWESOME tracks that did change my perception of the series musically. I think it is a great way for people to branch out and learn what other games do with their audio.
Without people voting, this thread dies so please believe me when I say: The more the merrier. 4 vote rounds make for far less compelling and decisive rounds than those with 6. One’s preference is their preference: it is never misdirected.
In this round, I’m STUNNED that we may have another close to top seed upset as the #2 seed Title Theme goes up against #31 seed Wise People. I’m taking the favorite here.
Cataclysm, Adventure of Link.
To Link’s point, I couldn’t believe how much Wise People resonated with me. I went in assuming Title Theme would win in a landslide. After listening to both songs three times, I still wanted to vote for Wise People. That’s a small example of what the rumble can do, even when you’ve got strong opinions about a series or a competing track.
Title Theme
Having heard neither, I went with the various things that kept going through my mind (and heart) Title theme is just playful? and it sounds like it would actually fit well with in game. But I guess the name passed my mind as a listened to it. I guess that’s a good thing though.
Xaxas made chills go down my spine. Well down, Blizzard! Actually, i’ve only heard good songs out of Cataclysm up till now (i have to be honest, that it seemed ill-received by alot of people) having never played, I am judging off the way it captures my emotions and keeps me listening to it. Both these songs have done it long after I finished listening to them.
Round 1, Fight 7 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Distraction at the Dead Scar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=506jM_O4j2M), from Fury of the Sunwell
vs.
Family (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzXatGNb0UM), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
Distraction at the Dead Scar is one of the songs that you will hear in either Quel’Thalas or the Sunwell Plateau raid. (I’m not sure which. Burning Crusade is the only WoW expansion I never played as current content.) Fury of the Sunwell was a pretty significant Warcraft patch story-wise. It introduced Kalecgos, now leader of the blue dragonflight, and it witnessed the summoning and defeat of Kil’jaeden, arguably the most powerful enemy to have been defeated in the game so far. (The only potential boss I can think of that would be more powerful–Sargeras–probably won’t appear until the final expansion of WoW.) So yeah, pretty significant stuff, and pretty dramatic music by earlier standards to match it.
Family is a multi-song track from the official Warlords of Draenor soundtrack. It begins with the really beautiful walking music to the loosely forested Talador (
) zone–alternate universe Draenor’s equivalent to Terokkar Forest. It later transitions into the oddly titled "TS Have It". I have no idea what that song name refers to, but the song showcases the style of music we have come to associate with the dwarven race.
In terms of suspense/epic music, older WoW selections rarely hold up to Blizzard’s newer material in my opinion. I’ll take Family, mainly for the Talador segment.
——————————————————-
Termina Round 1, Fight 16 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Title Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ShzyggtsCs), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Chase (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaMjrgsA21c), from Majora’s Mask
——————————————————-
Title Theme
Family
Title Theme
Title Theme is notable in how far a departure it is from the previous games in the series that had, to that point, heavily relied on the normal Zelda-esque sound. Ocarina of Time bucked that trend with a soft piano and the titular instrument belting out a remix of the original game’s flute in a wonderfully penned love letter to the series. Exquisite.
The Burning Crusade, Ocarina of Time.
Title Theme
Round 1, Fight 8 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Enchanted Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r7iz-9v9bA), from World of Warcraft
vs.
Culling of Stratholme Battle Walk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po4IZWShPs8), from Wrath of the Lich King
——————————————————-
Enchanted Forest is a collection of walking music heard when passing through Ashenvale (image in video) and a few other "deep forest" settings. Home to night elves, faeries, and all sorts of mysteries, these areas capture for me the feeling of being in a boundless fantasy world–something that was sadly forsaken in the redesigned low-level content of Cataclysm.
Time plays an interesting, non-linear role in World of Warcraft. It is directly overseen by one of the four dragon aspects–Nozdormu of the bronze flight–and time travel is a matter of entering parallel universes, usually for the purpose of retrieving some item or individual long lost in the timeline in which the game actively takes place. (Warlords of Draenor in its entirety occurs in one of these parallel universes.) Stratholme was once a major city in the kingdom of Lordaeron, destroyed by the zombie-like scourge in one of the most memorable missions of Warcraft 3. During the Culling of Stratholme instance in Wrath of the Lich King, you revisit the city’s destruction via the Caverns of Time. The first track of this walking music collection was specifically suggested for the rumble, so you might want to give it some added attention.
Enchanted Forest
——————————————————-
Underworld Round 2, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Title/Opening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM1j2zp3gx8), from A Link to the Past
vs.
Dark Mountain Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGbhi5U4Qb0), from A Link to the Past
——————————————————-
The first match-up for round 2 could be a pretty tough call. A Link to the Past and Link’s Awakening are the only two Zelda games I’ve really played, and in the former case especially the music really drove my impression of the game. I think Dark Mountain Forest’s unforgiving march appeals to me slightly more as a song, but Title/Opening takes on some added purpose in-game. You abruptly move from it to a rain sound effect, followed by a more foreboding but similar melody. For me, the transition always imbued the opening theme’s tremolo with an aspect of light rain–the prequel if you will to that thunder storm Link finds himself in as the game kicks off. I definitely have to take Title/Opening here. It gives a sense of beginning to an otherwise fairly generic introduction.
————————————————————————————————————–
TIE-BREAKER: Round 1, Fight 7 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Distraction at the Dead Scar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=506jM_O4j2M), from Fury of the Sunwell
vs.
Family (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzXatGNb0UM), from Warlords of Draenor
Dark Mountain Forest
It is a match up like this that proves to me how legit it was for Zelda to be put into a 128-song rumble. The fact that the top seed in the region (Title/Opening) has to face Dark Mountain Forest as a #16 seed is MINDBOGGLING. The space between #1 and #16 is extremely small at best.
I feel that the sound effects added into Title/Opening really create more drama than the music does by itself – should that count in the rumble regarding music? I’ll leave that for you to decide. Taken as a whole, I think I like Dark Mountain Forest better here… but the ALTTP title is 15 of the best consecutive seconds of music in the entire series.
I’m not sure if that Enchanted Forest track is even accessible in WoW anymore, but Night Elf players (and Horde players who transitioned north to Ashenvale following the Barrens) will have it etched into their mind – a seminal track in the WoW leveling experience. However, I suggested Culling for this rumble and I have to vote for that.
I’m really just stalling right now over making a vote in the Zelda rumble… SO hard…
Dark Mountain Forest, Wrath of the Lich King.
———- Post added at 01:59 PM ———- Previous post was at 01:22 PM ———-
My expert analysis and stat recap on the first round of The Big Dance:
The first Zelda game eliminated from the rumble is The Minish Cap (0-3).
Unsurprisingly, A Link to the Past performed well (8-3) but the best winning percentage for a qualifying game (at least 4 entries) was the original for the NES (3-1). The worst performance was Oracle of Seasons (1-7) though a couple tracks used in that game are still in the mix as Oracle of Ages songs, which somehow fared far better (5-3). The Adventure of Link had the same number of wins as its predecessor despite far more entries (3-4).
Link’s Awakening was (5-6). Ocarina of Time started with the most tracks in the rumble and racked up the most wins and losses in the first round (14-9). Twilight Princess also had a strong showing in wins, but was average overall (9-9). Skyward Song disappointed Wii fans (4-5). Four Swords got only one track in, but Vaati shocked the world as the #32 seed has THE upset of the tournament thus far, knocking off #1 seed Gerudo Valley from Ocarina of Time.
Majora’s Mask finished (5-7) while The Wind Waker finished (6-5) in the first round.
Three of the four #1 seeds are still alive, while #2 seeds were perfect. The only other seed to go undefeated, shockingly, was the #16 slot… 4-0 in what should have been the toughest matchup against the #17 seeds. The Favorite was 41-23 in the first round. The Golden Land had the most upsets with 7. There were 6 in Termina and Hyrule, but only four in the Underworld.
Dark Mountain Forest
Round 1, Fight 9 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
The Siege (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHKa6o_e5bU), from Secrets of Ulduar
vs.
Cannonballs and Parties and Magic Cards! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StZzNjvY3Ps), from Hour of Twilight
——————————————————-
Ulduar is one of Warcraft’s most unique and memorable raids. Frozen in the northernmost reaches of Northrend, it appeared externally as a fortified metropolis of an ancient lost civilization. Greed drives the alliance and horde inside, only to discover that the fortress was no city. It was built as a prison for the Old God Yogg-Saron, who serves as the instance’s especially creepy final boss (
). The lost civilization’s technological marvels, far more advanced than those enjoyed by the inhabitants of Azeroth today, give the place a futuristic vibe distinct from the game’s usual more fantasy-attuned settings (
). "The Siege" plays during the first stage of the raid, in which your team assaults Ulduar’s defenses in an effort to break inside.
Cannonballs and Parties and Magic Cards! is a collection of tunes that you can hear on Darkmoon Island. The Darkmoon Faire was once a traveling circus. In Cataclysm, they stopped roaming about and began inviting the alliance and horde to their home turf (
).
The Siege is odd, but I think it suits its purpose well–a curiosity that invites you just a bit too eagerly to be trusted. Cannonballs etc is, for anyone who remembers the classic Darkmoon Faire music, a bit of a travesty. It’s hard for me to hear it out of context, and it will be interesting to see how people unfamiliar with the game take it.
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 2, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Intro (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyMKWJ5e1kg), from The Legend of Zelda
vs.
Top Floor/General Onox’s Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3vGTrJlR94), from Oracle of Ages
——————————————————-
The Oracle of Ages track is nice, but not enough to deny Intro its place in the sun.
In the WoW rumble, I didn’t really get that much of a Darkmoon Faire vibe from the second track – if that’s what they were going for then it was a failure. Even though I thought the Faire was stupid as an in game mechanic, I did love the music for it.
Wrath of the Lich King, Legend of Zelda.
Intro of course
I have to go for the clowns theme, Darkmoon Faire
It just stuck with me more than the other one (I know that they’re ambient music, and the reason it transitions from one melody to another, is going through the various locations in raid) but i couldn’t connect with it. That and the carnival theme was just plain contagious!
Intro
Round 1, Fight 10 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
The Shattering (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADmPpY_oC2k), from Cataclysm
vs.
Wolf at the Gates (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twUq_l3g3NI), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
The Shattering is our first instance of log-in screen music. While expansion-spanning city music might be a player’s most common background music over all, log-in music is, for better or worse, the track that a player hears the most by far unique to a given expansion.
Wolf at the Gates is a song heard in a player’s garrison–a feature new to Warlords of Draenor–and in a sense it defies the log-in norm. This area, unique to each character rather than a multi-player zone, serves as your home base for just about everything. As unorthodox as that may sound, garrisons have turned out to be a huge success and play a major role in making Warlords of Draenor the "best expansion since Burning Crusade" in popular opinion.
I wanted to roll with the underdog here. I love garrisons, and Wolf at the Gates always seems to queue up at just the right time to enhance the experience. But The Shattering is just too immense to resist.
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Round 2, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpEzYEoV9qY), from The Legend of Zelda
vs.
Deku Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f72iBfWWqlE), from Majora’s Mask
——————————————————-
The biggest mistake I made in the N64 rumble was letting Majora’s Mask lose. Loving this quirky soundtrack. Deku Palace!
Majora’s Mask really is a great one. But in this match up, I’ve gotta give it to Overworld. When we were talking about criteria for voting, one of the things I mentioned was how engaging the music remains after multiple listens. Still catchy, still compelling, still fun after how many repetitions now? I first played Legend of Zelda in 1988.
With log-in music, you rarely hear more than the first minute or two of the song. One thing I always enjoyed about The Shattering was the way it really picks up steam further in–especially beyond the eight minute mark. Once in a while you’d lose track of what you were doing while the screen was up and eventually go "wait, what the hell am I listening to? Is this Cataclysm?"
Overworld
Reluctantly… I vote Legend of Zelda…. man I can’t believe Deku Palace is out after two rounds… such a tragedy.
Cataclysm, Legend of Zelda
Wonderful to be able to join in on this rumble again!
I’m going for
Wolf at the Gates
and
Overworld
So I ose the first cause i’m in a pirate mood at the moemnt. left me wanting to grab a drink and rob someone.
And the overworld is wonderful because it’s remind me of the great times on the overworld
Overworld
Round 1, Fight 11 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Ironforge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnuryDgYUZs), from World of Warcraft
vs.
Kael’thas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvI9QvWx074), from Fury of the Sunwell
——————————————————-
Carved into the snowy peaks of Dun Morogh (
), the dwarven fortress of Ironforge (
) served as the home base of choice for many Warcraft players before Cataclysm, when Blizzard condensed their classic questing hubs from four down to one (the human city of Stormwind). Ironforge can still be visited today, but it is sadly mostly empty of players. The music will inevitably invoke a lot of fond memories for those who were active in the game’s earlier years.
Kael’thas Sunstrider was a leader of the high elves who took a sect of his people down a controversial track to placate their addiction to magic. As conflict between his group and the alliance and horde grew, his rebeliousness turned into something a bit more evil. He was responsible for the summoning of Kil’jaeden. We heard some of the music associated with Kil’jaeden on "Distraction at the Dead Scar".
Kael’thas definitely defies my low expectations for early "epic" WoW music. I’ll take it.
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Termina Round 2, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Vaati (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldjZIw-vdWQ), from Four Swords
vs.
Ikana Valley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuYCxuVKZkc), from Majora’s Mask
——————————————————-
With Gerudo Valley knocked out in the first round, this is definitely an unexpected match-up. But while I enjoy Vaati, it was more my apathy towards Gerudo Valley that gave it my vote. I’ll take Ikana Valley.
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Round 1, Fight 10 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
The Shattering (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADmPpY_oC2k), from Cataclysm
vs.
Wolf at the Gates (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twUq_l3g3NI), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
Go Pats! 😮
Vaati I’ve never played Majora’s Mask, but I’m really enjoying the soundtrack. It’s a shame it’s going up against some heavy hitters because I would like to see some songs go further. Hopefully I can play it now that it’s coming out on the 3ds.
That said, Vaati wins my vote. it sounds like something out of a complex dungeon and fast paced and enjoyable to listen to. It would be good to stick on repeat, to get it into my system..
My third vote goes to Wolf at the Gates as it won my vote last time. hope that someone is added to the mix of votes.
Ikana Valley
EDIT: Oops. Just created a double tie. Also, congrats to all Pats fans. 😀
I’m still trying to comprehend how Vaati knocked off the titan of a track that was Gerudo Valley in the first round…. I don’t think the Cinderella makes it to the third.
World of Warcraft, Majora’s Mask.
Heads wins the toss The Shattering (3-3), Ironforge (3-2), and Ikana Valley (3-2) advance!
Round 1, Fight 12 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Serpent Riders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EESTHLq2BA), from Mists of Pandaria
vs.
Naxxramas Walk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddcDtn0GyrQ), from Shadow of the Necropolis
——————————————————-
I can’t say exactly where all in the game Serpent Riders plays, but its name refers to the Order of the Cloud Serpent (
) in Jade Forest. From them you first acquire Mists of Pandaria’s brand of flying mount (
). This particular track was composed by a rather popular artist here: Jeremy Soule.
Naxxramas is a deadly floating fortress (
) which first appeared in a haze of pestilence near the ruins of Stratholme in the Eastern Plaguelands and later moved to Dragonblight in Northrend. It is the home of Kel’Thuzad, once a powerful human ally whose interests in necromancy and the Lich King inevitably lead to assimilation into the scourge.
Is Serpent Riders a more unique composition? Definitely. But Mists of Pandaria simply did not click for me. I never sensed a coherent artistic vision beyond "let’s be Asian", and as a result a lot of the music feels oddly misplaced despite its stylistic relevance. Naxxramas Walk, on the other hand, is perfect for its setting.
——————————————————-
Underworld Round 2, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Blizzeta Battle Second Half (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jsAo8uE9dU), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o78T9-I4OGA), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
This is a pretty easy decision for me, but I think we’re in for another close one. Title.
Blizzeta Battle Second Half
This is a really close call for me… by the SLIMMEST of margins, I’ll give the edge to one of the most unique theme songs in the series.
The Naxxramus Walking 01 theme (the first track you hear in the link) is, I believe, the best dungeon track in the game. It was the first thing you heard walking into the original Naxxramus, the final 40 man instance in WoW history. It was by most hardcore raiders ratings, the most well-designed end-game raid content in the history of the series and a crowning masterpiece and proof positive that 40-man content could be engaging, difficult, and come with a great story. Unfortunately, not many players got to experience the raid before the release of The Burning Crusade, and Blizzard didn’t want their work to be wasted, so they rehashed it and brought back the instance as the first raid of Wrath of the Lich King. It was good for players to experience it for the first time, but the watered down redo didn’t do justice to the majesty of the raid’s original incarnation.
World of Warcraft, The Wind Waker.
Title
Round 1, Fight 13 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Tempest’s Wake (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyRNqfumX6Y), from Cataclysm
vs.
The Horse and Lance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng-jbVkLSFM&feature=player_detailpage#t=4621), from Call of the Crusade
——————————————————-
Cataclysm players might not be terribly familiar with Tempest’s Wake. It supposedly appears in portions of Twilight Highlands (
)–a zone seldom revisited except for a quick flight to the Bastion of Twilight once you reached level 85.
The Horse and Lance is a collection of the more calm music you’ll hear around the Argent Tournament (
) grounds–a zone perhaps better remembered for its upbeat renaissance musical themes. Dangling nearly off the northern edge of the world, the tournament was an odd but, I think, fun short-lived foray into crusaders and jousting and all things medieval. It served as a bit of light-hearted relief between the more intense raids on Ulduar and Icecrown Citadel. I was unfortunately only able to find it in this broader youtube compilation, but you’ll be able to tell when the segment is finished because the following track–"Herald"–sounds exactly as its name suggests.
The Horse and Lance
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 2, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Fire Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5blHw6C4Ax4), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Ganon’s Castle Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S4h1gcCMBc), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Eeeehhh, Ganon’s Castle Tower. While I find it rather odd that the original Fire Temple theme was banned, I’m much more fond of its replacement.
Ganon’s Castle Tower
I was very surprised that most people HERE liked the newer version of the Fire Temple song better than the original. I find it lazier (reusing audio from a track they’ve already made), much less organic and a lot less spooky/spiritual than the original. This is unquestionably THE track that hardcore Zelda fans will think of when they think of the Fire Temple (which was an amazing followup to the Forest Temple in the game – outstanding design/music/combat/puzzles…. to be followed by the INFAMOUS Water Temple). It is the one that most Zelda fans prefer.
It is interesting now to hear about Muslim Zelda fans actually taking offense to the removal of the track now because of the insinuation (mainly by morons on the internet) that any association with Islam makes Zelda (or anything associating with the religion) anti-Christian or evil. And the world keeps turning.
I was never a fan of the Crusade patch in WoW – I felt that the Trial of the Crusader was, in the first three incarnations of the game, the worst designed, poorly executed, story-bereft, and utterly pointless raid tier that Blizzard produced. I didn’t think the Crusader games or jousting was necessary and felt like the whole thing was a waste of time so they could finish Icecrown Citadel. After playing through it, I felt even more strongly about it. I’m not a huge fan of the Cataclysm track, but I’ll take it here because of that.
Cataclysm, Fire Temple.
Ganon’s Tower
Fire Temple
Ganon’s Tower
So the fire temple that we’re voting for is the original piece?
There’s some musicality to both Ganon’s Tower and Fire Temple, which makes you feel what is going on. It’s wonderful to hear. I don’t think I’ve heard anything like either of them! That said, I agree with the people that have posted on the Ganon’s Tower theme, it really does fit with the end dungeon. Having played a few zeldas (Twilight Princess, Wind waker; briefly OoT) I’m looking for something that is engaging and works with the dungeon that it’s playing for. This fire temple them is haunting in its own way, but I was moved more by Ganon’s theme, knowing that the boss battle is coming soon.
all the best for voting.
Round 1, Fight 14 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Legends of Azeroth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqsazZUbt9s), from World of Warcraft
vs.
Wisdom of Yu’lon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTo-3l3Zask), from Mists of Pandaria
——————————————————-
Legends of Azeroth is the classic log-in screen music to World of Warcraft. Wisdom of Yu’lon can be heard when you start a new Pandaren character, and I believe a few other areas of the game–possibly in Jade Forest.
This is a ridiculously hard match-up. I’m actually going to take Wisdom of Yu’lon here.
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Round 2, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Trouble on the Raft! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDi98MxmzSE), from Oracle of Ages
vs.
Last Day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyGVXAXxmBA), from Majora’s Mask
——————————————————-
I love my Majora’s Mask music, but Trouble on the Raft is pretty kickin’.
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Round 1, Fight 13 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Tempest’s Wake (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyRNqfumX6Y), from Cataclysm
vs.
The Horse and Lance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng-jbVkLSFM&feature=player_detailpage#t=4621), from Call of the Crusade
Legends of Azeroth
Last Day
I take Last Day here. I think it is one of the most perfectly and beautifully arranged songs in the series. An absolutely fantastic mix of music and sound effects. It captures the final moments before Termina’s destruction perfectly. I’d take it anyway here… but I’m still mad about Hidden Village losing in the first round (Why?????????) so I’m spiting "Trouble on the Raft!" for that.
In the WoW battle – no question for me. It HAS to be the WoW Login music. The music that got me surged when logging in for the first time. It was an incredible feeling to hear that music and have no idea what was going to await me on the other side of that dark portal. It truly is one of WoW’s and Warcraft’s most indelible pieces.
World of Warcraft, Majora’s Mask.
Something about it makes me think of the amazon camp in Diablo II. but it has influences to the oriental too. Something about it evoked more than the Vanilla WoW track (though I’m always up or badass Azeroth music, reminding of WCII) I guess it must be all those martial arts films I’ve watched. Just add in the Dwarf and you’ve got me wielding my axe and kicks. If I’m to be honest, the fact that they took this track doesn’t surprise me. You have RO with its amasa, you have all those spinoffs with oriental themes (Guild Wars?) I do think you could hear this with a movie soundtrack (Is there a warcraft movie coming out?)
Man this Zelda rumble is a colossal mix up! Gosh i never expected it to, but the trouble on the raft brought me back to Lufia II, with its driving battle music, and puzzles. It had the sense of urgency, and the desperation of being thrown into something. well played. From what I gather, this is the intention of the composer. I have never played the game, but it has hallmarks of good musicality and musicianship to it. Unfortunately my computer, i doubt it could even run a GB emulator (was it for GB?)
The other track, it is reminiscent of something traversing a forest and not knowing the direction they’re going in. It is mysterious and full of unknowing. Unfortunately, it does not get my vote this time round. I will have to go for Oracle of Ages
Tempest’s Wake didn’t catch my appeal this time round. Maybe it’s because it’s quite sad in some places. But then again, so is the Horse and Lance. But it picks up a bit later, and i think for once, i’m getting into the rhythm of WoW files! Truly great to be able to appreciate this music. I guess that they have their reasons for lulling us into sleep and then picking it up. My only question is, why does it need to try condense the entirety of that genre into 10 minutes? But I guess that’s why you play it. You aren’t exactly boxed into a certain genre, or even location, but it’s free to be explored. One track starts and another track takes its place.
That’s the reason that I’ve gone for the Horse and Lance this time round. Out of interest, where does it actually finish. I was keeping my eye out for the victory theme!
O there it is! Found it!
Round 1, Fight 15 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Dragons’ Rest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYNGnnEIih8), from Wrath of the Lich King
vs.
Outlands Alliance Base (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJXIjKZaip4), from The Burning Crusade
——————————————————-
Dragons’ Rest is walking music in Dragonblight (
), a sprawling frozen plain off the southern shore of Northrend that’s a strong contender, in my opinion, for the most beautiful zone in the whole game. Outlands Alliance Base is, I assume, music that can be heard at Honor Hold (
) in the desolate Hellfire Peninsula (
). When Draenor was destroyed in pre-WoW plotlines, it left a twisted, broken land behind, and The Burning Crusade centered around reestablishing a foothold there to ward off the Burning Legion.
Dragons’ Rest
——————————————————-
Termina Round 2, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Dungeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN5EXLqG3Z8), from Link’s Awakening DX Color
vs.
Molgera (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlF0-Qs2xkI), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
It is really, really hard to vote against Molgera in this or any match-up, but the segment we first hear around 45 seconds into Dungeon has me sold.
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Round 1, Fight 14 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Legends of Azeroth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqsazZUbt9s), from World of Warcraft
vs.
Wisdom of Yu’lon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTo-3l3Zask), from Mists of Pandaria
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: The Golden Land Round 2, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Trouble on the Raft! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDi98MxmzSE), from Oracle of Ages
vs.
Last Day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyGVXAXxmBA), from Majora’s Mask
——————————————————-
That track is NOT Outlands Alliance Base. I don’t know who that monkey on YouTube was that posted that, but he’s wrong.
THIS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJXIjKZaip4) is the track you’re looking for. It is one of my favorites in the whole game/expansion.
I take The Burning Crusade and The Wind Waker in this one.
The Zelda matchups this round are both favorites that won last time. The track is actually called "Color Dungeon" (but looking back at my notes Shad, I can see how you would have screwed that up!) from Link’s Awakening/DX, the remake of the Game Boy Classic for Game Boy Color. This version introduced a new dungeon with color based puzzles to take advantage of the GBC’s color screen. The music is a successor to the original game’s Underworld track. #12 seed Color Dungeon takes on #8 seed Molgera from The Wind Waker who advanced over Potion Shop from Ocarina of Time in the first round in the Termina bracket. Molgera has become a cult Zelda favorite and has been featured in non-Zelda games like Super Smash Brothers Brawl.
In other commentary… come on Last Day & Legends of Azeroth!
Molgera
Anyways… My picks are:
Outlands Alliance Base
Dungeon
Legends of Azeroth
Trouble on the Raft! …sorry Link
But any mention of the previous was forgotten as I listened to the Outland [Alliance] Theme. It was like every stroke of the orchestra was playing my heart. It was so terrifyingly tremendous at the end. Great music.
Color Dungeon, someone needs to remix this music. the chiming sounds at the start are wonderful. Actually the bass notes make me think of Chrono Trigger, the Reptar castle music. (DId you know they took it out of the remix? audacious!)
I get the repitition, and it starts off well, but Molgera doesn’t really go anywhere. I guess i can say that it has some driving beat to it. But i just love the chimes too much from the previous track. I think both do their purposes well, with each taking the system to its limits. Imagine what would have happened had they not made video games! I guess it would have produced a generation that appreciate the classics.
I just love listening to these songs again. What a match up! Im going to go for MoP again for this. It actually makes me happy 🙂 it is like a redux at the end, with the themes at the beginning being finished up.
I find the driving melody of the battle (Trouble on the Rafts!) is somehow more alluring than the sad music of majora’s mask.
Molgera
Rather than delaying things for a second day, I’m just going to skip WoW this iteration. I have to make a change for the next fight and I haven’t had any time to think about it.
Underworld Round 2, Fight 3 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Gerudo Desert (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBE4IqApdAA), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Ganon’s Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwQu3PrxJ5s), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Gerudo Desert
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Termina Round 2, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Color Dungeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN5EXLqG3Z8), from Link’s Awakening DX
vs.
Molgera (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlF0-Qs2xkI), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
That’s a tough battle because Ganon’s Castle is one of the best boss lair themes in the entire series and totally underrated in my opinion – that ominous piano makes you totally on edge while you play, knowing that you have come to the end of the most epic journey of your video game life.
Geez, I just talked myself into it.
Ocarina of Time.
No beef if Gerudo Desert advances though – either is great by me.
Very sad to see Last Day go. I was hoping to see that in the next few rounds.
So where to start, Gerudo Valley sounded like native american influences, i would go for the bird people. It’s actually been 10 years since I played TP, so as far as relating to the game, I am sparse at best at relating to the experience of the game with this music. That said, the song is possibly the most relevant take on the whole desert nature of the music. It doesn’t lead anywhere, but has a tinge of "here am I, I’m present" which makes you able to listen to it forever. Good job.
However, I’m going to go for Ganon’s Castle (Underground) for this one. it has a looming sense of anticipation and dread, in which the creeping of Link probably agrees with, that something is about to happen. Again, musically i don’t feel it goes anywhere, but the anticipation of what is about to happen is gripping and makes me want to vote for this one.
Color Dungeon for me. Out of interest I did listen to them again. It has a rather simple melody to it, which is underpinned by the looming sense of expectation. well done to whomever was tasked with writing a masterpiece (soundtrack) using only the 8 bit elements of GBC.
For Molgera, i get the idea this is played at a boss battle? you know, having to recharge your heart count, and using your sword and skills. that, or it could be the sailing music. your pick. both carry intense and poignant allegories to adventure skills, so that’s why I could say it goes either way.
I was in a rush when I made my last post, but I noticed that Murozond from Hour of Twilight, one of the two WoW entries, was damn near identical to Dragons’ Rest despite three years separating their creation. Blizzard likes to resurrect themes a lot, as I’m sure you’ve all noticed by now, but it would have been a real stretch to define these as distinct songs. I might never have noticed had they not been pooled back-to-back. (It wouldn’t have been the wildest coincidence though. Melodies of Life and Song of Memories went head to head in the opening round of the Final Fantasy rumble.) I let The Argent Tournament from Call of the Crusade get the axe to make room for other peoples’ suggestions when this rumble was being formed, but I definitely wasn’t happy to see it go. Unless someone has a different track to propose, I think I will add it in place of Murozond when I post the next update Friday.
As for Song from her Memory, it is played in Lindblum. Garnet is at the tower with birds, singing it, when Zidane comes up and interrupts. I believe it continues to play as you’re going through what each character is doing while in Lindblum at that point.
Round 1, Fight 16 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Elune’s Shadow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUDm2xatms4), from Warlords of Draenor
vs.
The Argent Tournament (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYg5FK237qY), from Call of the Crusade
——————————————————-
Elune is the moon goddess in WoW lore, giving this track a fitting title as walking music to Shadowmoon Valley (
)–a zone in perpetual night, supposedly. (Though it always seems like daylight when I go there. <_<)
In contrast to The Horse and Lance, The Argent Tournament consists of the more upbeat tracks that a player is most likely to remember from a casual visit to the tournament grounds. The exceptional amount of daily quest grinding surrounding the event means that anyone who played during Wrath of the Lich King will instantly recognize the music.
The Argent Tournament is what made the tournament itself one of my favorite events in WoW. I never got tired of the music then, and I’m still loving it now.
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 2, Fight 3 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Hunting the Monkey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dml2nIrea0), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Farewell Hyrule King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq7LrougGYk), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Farewell Hyrule King!
Farewell Hyrule King
WARLORDS OF DRAENOR, TWILIGHT PRINCESS
#CAPSLOCKFRIDAY
#ITSBEENALONGWEEK
Farewell Hyrule King
Elune’s Shadow rarely gives a moment to pause (ironically) as it builds up from the first note to the end of the section. Then it pauses, and the theme is played again. It is less like a light-filled sorrow stricken High-Elf theme, and more like the waning sun setting on an ancient civilisation. It’s funny that WoW goes on to say that the world was formed in this place of dark and shadow.
In contrast you have the hustle and bustle of the medieval culture and the fanciful addition of its attractions and misgoings. I think I will go with Argent Tournament this time round, but I can’t really make a decision which way or that. (Maybe it’s because I know that both are very central pieces)
I will go with Farewell Hyrule King, though it has a dark demeanour to it, and less like a somber moment and more like a dirge that is played when someone passes. All that quiant reflection is making me appreciate my lunch today.
Round 1, Fight 17 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Joust (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FfXw44KtOw), from Call of the Crusade
vs.
Depths of Vash’jir (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myTFIzlpGDs), from Cataclysm
——————————————————-
You’ve probably got the idea with the Argent Tournament by now. "Joust" plays during the jousting minigame in which you, well, joust. Vash’jir is one of the two starting zones for questing in Cataclysm. Under water in its entirety (
), Vash’jir was by far the most unique zone Blizzard has ever designed. "Unique" did not necessarily translate to "best". The extra dimension of gameplay involved in a swimming environment turned off a lot of people. Me, I loved it. And I love the music too.
Depths of Vash’jir
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Round 2, Fight 3 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Hyrule Field Night Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeUAPGZ3imQ), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Death Mountain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps3jZCfha4c), from Legend of Zelda
——————————————————-
Hyrule Field Night Theme
Let’s see about this one.
As I mentioned before, by distaste of all things Argent Tournament knows no boundaries.
In the Zelda Rumble, it’s #5 seed Hyrule Field Night Theme taking on #24 seed Death Mountain from the original Zelda. Hyrule Field Night Theme knocked off #28 seed Dark Grotto in an all Twilight Princess first round battle. Mean while Death Mountain knocked off #9 seed Sadness from Oracle of Ages, part of a regrettable first round for the Game Boy Color titles. I’m going with the Night Theme here – one of my favorite themes in the whole game.
Cataclysm, Twilight Princess
Hyrule Field Night Theme
"Hyrule Field Night Theme" aaaaah! I have to vote for this! This brings back so many good memories! Link! i love how the suspense of this song makes you ready for the wolf arriving. Not that it was always in the night, but this is the time that you first see Him!
Hyrule Field Night Theme
Once again I’m in a bit of a bind. The gas company decided that a 7 degree day would be just perfect to determine that our gas had a modest leak and shut us off. Don’t really have much time right now, only got around to Zelda:
Termina Round 2, Fight 3 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Tarm Ruins/The Lost Woods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_b4586GCQI), from Oracle of Seasons
vs.
Midna’s Desperation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4o683oc6Qc), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
This is a really tough call. I’ll take Tarm Ruins/The Lost Woods because it accomplished a similarly haunting melody with less technology.
I agree that this one seems neck and neck. Tarm Ruins for me, too.
I’m sorry to hear about your conditions Shad, I hope you are able to stay somewhat warm and get your leak fixed up asap!
Good thing I’m on the internet today. But I likely wont be on during the week. Hope the rumble goes well
Midna’s Desperation
This is the most high profile matchup we’ve had yet in the Rumble: this is the lowest combined seeds that have met for a battle (#5 Tarm Ruins beat #28 Prologue – Legend of the Goddess from Skyward Sword; #9 Midna’s Desperation thrashed #24 seed Vaati from The Minish Cap).
It seems fitting that each side may come down to THIS vote.
I’ll go with the favorite… but I’m sad to see Midna’s Desperation go. A second round loss seems impossible for a track that good.
Who seeded this damn thing anyway?? Oh… right.
Oracle of Seasons.
Round 1, Fight 18 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Thrall’s Might (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbpEBkN36B0), from Hour of Twilight
vs.
Fel Wasteland (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF1iZDTR_1c), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
Thrall has been leader of the horde for most of their time on Azeroth, in practice if not always in name. He served as the main protagonist in the fight against Deathwing, and this music tends to accompany him for that event. I’m not actually sure where Fel Wasteland appears in Warlords of Draenor. While it sounds immediately familiar to me, I can’t think of any zone for which it would be particularly appropriate. It might be from as of yet unreleased content, or I might just be overlooking something obvious. There weren’t really any comments on the videos to set me on track.
Thrall’s Might
——————————————————-
Underworld Round 2, Fight 4 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Faron Woods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_2zBH30HJU), from Skyward Sword
vs.
Kokiri Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3I1fx1GOuc), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Faron Woods
Kokiri Forest is one of the first themes you hear in Ocarina of Time. I think the melody sets the stage perfectly for what many consider the Zelda series (and for some… all of video gaming’s) greatest achievement.
Faron Woods
So, in this round up, we have the fight against DW and some unknown beta music from Warlords of Draenor. Good match up.
Technically I have not heard the music before, or played the game, so I will try my best.
Cataclysm, I wanted to go listen to it again and get an appreciation for the music as it demonstrated perhaps an event that mingles in alot of lore and something of what gripped me when playing the RTS games.
But that said, I’m finding after watching spiderman 3, that sometimes you don’t get the overall appeal of the song because it’s seen in the greater work of the whole opus. This is what happened to me after listneing to the WOW songs and then going onto Zelda. I won’t say that my opinion doesn’t matter, but probably there are some that have played these games, so their opinion can be more relevant or validated.
I love Kokiri Forest! it sounds like the inn music in SD3! in fact i’ve played the game so I love it for that reason too. But I don’t think it quite left the impression on me that it did to link.
But, this is a hard decision for me. I can tell that skyward swords soundtrack is amazing.
Thrall wins hands down for me. It has everything about an epic to me.
I’m going to for kokiri forest this time.
Faron Woods
———- Post added at 02:06 PM ———- Previous post was at 02:06 PM ———-
Thrall’s Might
Faron Woods
Round 1, Fight 19 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Outlands Horde Base (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOcOOHdXgTI), from The Burning Crusade
vs.
For the Alliance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESA4CMrP9zo), from Landfall
——————————————————-
While Outland Horde Base might begin with the same sequence as its alliance equivalent, you’ll soon hear the track shift in reflection of this faction’s mood and character. In For the Alliance, you’ll hear some classic alliance themes tastefully updated to fit the stylistic direction of Mists of Pandaria.
Mists of Pandaria offered some of the least memorable patches in WoW history. Landfall, the first post-release patch, maintained my interest for about a week. (Escalation was so poorly integrated that I literally never knew it was taking place until after it had ended and been removed from the game.) But musically speaking, I think Landfall had a lot of merits. Where Mists of Pandaria mustered so many Asian themes that it barely felt like WoW, and Rise of the Thunder King through Siege of Orgrimmar felt entirely rushed and forgettable, Landfall struck a pretty healthy balance. I’ll take For the Alliance.
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 2, Fight 4 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Deku Tree (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdD7_L2VSxI), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Spirit Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEWOeiUmFgA), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Spirit Temple
Spirit Temple
Thanks for all you do. Let us know if you need a relief pitcher.
Spirit Temple
I got to go Spirit Temple – my second or third favorite Adult Link dungeon theme in the game… and probably my second favorite Adult Link dungeon… a classic level!
The Burning Crusade, Ocarina of Time
Always happy to pitch in Shad. Let us know!
Round 1, Fight 20 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Wrath of the Lich King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Dh_IOIkRUw), from Wrath of the Lich King
vs.
Orgrimmar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuLMkfG_Xu0), from World of Warcraft
——————————————————-
These are both very frequently-occurring tracks within World of Warcraft. Wrath of the Lich King, as its name suggests, was the log-in screen theme to its expansion. For two years, if you wanted to play World of Warcraft you would hear this song. It had to capture everything about the expansion’s mood and atmosphere up front, in those few seconds you heard every day, and then spread it out into a broader image of the game for those who occasionally listened on. Orgrimmar has been the dusty, uninviting central hub (
) for horde players since forever, and if you’ve played horde for long it is surely permanently etched into your mind.
Wrath of the Lich King
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Round 2, Fight 4 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Dark World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw), from A Link to the Past
vs.
Lost Woods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uInmFU6JkU), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Do I reeeeeally have to choose between these two this early on? I mean, I have to take Dark World, but that’s harsh.
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Round 1, Fight 19 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Outlands Horde Base (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOcOOHdXgTI), from The Burning Crusade
vs.
For the Alliance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESA4CMrP9zo), from Landfall
——————————————————-
Dark World – No mercy for the weak! Eyes on the prize.
I’m going with Lost Woods on the Zelda rumble – itself is a much more fleshed out version of Saria’s Song. I think it fits the bill for a mysterious forest that still exists within the realm of Kokiri Forest perfectly.
World of Warcraft, Ocarina of Time.
I want to vote for Orgrimmar and see it advance because it really does scream "FOR THE HORDE!" But I want to go for Wrath of the Lich King because I feel it is a better piece of music. I’m just going to hold off on my vote right now.
Round 1, Fight 21 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Tides of War (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpsrlLtHy5M), from Warlords of Draenor
vs.
Garrosh’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvrYY0KP45Y), from Landfall
——————————————————-
These are both really strong tracks–a pretty harsh pairing for the first round. I’ll take Garrosh’s Theme by a hair.
——————————————————-
Termina Round 2, Fight 4 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
River Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPvRU7PCThE), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN_x1rpGbY8), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
River Game
Ocean
Garrosh’s Theme, The Wind Waker.
Ocean
Honestly, Warlords of Draenor overall has a really high quality OST. I like more or less everything on it.
Ocean
Round 1, Fight 22 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Silvermoon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n2NMzFAJ4o), from The Burning Crusade
vs.
Stormwind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPjeNWDsszw), from World of Warcraftl
——————————————————-
Cities clash in this match-up. Unlike the human cities of Lordaeron, the High Elf (Blood Elf) metropolis of Silvermoon (
) survived the Lich King’s conquest only partially destroyed, and great efforts have since been taken to rebuild it. The city’s towering structures and twisting corridors (
) give it an air of sophistication, apt for a population which extends from the aristocratic echelon of ancient kaldorei society.
Stormwind (
), recently rebuilt after the First War (Warcraft 1), became the capital city of the human race after the Lich King decimated the kingdom of Lordaeron in Warcraft 3. Its king, Varian Wrynn, has stood as the leader of the alliance throughout World of Warcraft. With the unexpected death of Magni Bronzebeard and the subsequent political division within Ironforge at the start of Cataclysm, Stormwind came to be the undisputed capital city for alliance players both in lore and in practice. You can think of Stormwind as a sort of vast, fortified safe haven (
) for refugees from across the Eastern Kingdoms.
Honestly, I think Silvermoon totally misses the mark. Its movements are mostly militaristic anthems not out of place in Stormwind or spiritual hymns typically reserved for night elves, the two appearing interwoven at times. Yet from a lore perspective, the high elves and night elves separated more than 7,000 years ago and represented totally separate segments of society even when they lived side by side. Their distinct musical similarities to night elves and the militarism in a society that has traditionally isolated itself from the outside world detracts from the immersion to me, and it just seems like gross miscommunication between WoW’s sound team and plot developers. Stormwind, on the other hand, captures its city perfectly.
——————————————————-
Underworld Round 2, Fight 5 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Forest Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmsZyC0UXUU), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Windfall Island (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go_XgaJNVgg), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Well, you couldn’t ask for two more thematically different tracks. I’m still loving Windfall Island’s take on the Kakariko theme enough to give this underdog a slight edge over Forest Temple. The latter is good to be sure, but not my favorite Ocarina of Time ambient track.
Windfall Island
I disagree with Shad’s assessment of the Silvermoon theme. I think that it fits the Blood Elf motif perfectly. Where he may hear a misplaced battle theme, I hear the Blood Elven resentment for their situation. When he hears the Night Elf spirituality, I hear a culture that perhaps longs for a return to their high elven nobility. However, I’m still voting for Stormwind because it is my favorite city in WoW.
I’m definitely going with Forest Temple in the other matchup. I like Windfall Island a lot, but Forest Temple is such a memorable tune for me. This was Link’s first adventure as a teen after waking up from a 7-year nap. It was quite a challenge in that dungeon, vanquishing the Poe Sisters and finally the Phantom of Ganon.
World of Warcraft, Ocarina of Time.
Forest Temple
Round 1, Fight 23 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Isle of Conquest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-YbfdLYFiU), from Call of the Crusade
vs.
Crystalsong (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrgTMhh7WgE), from Wrath of the Lich King
——————————————————-
This is an interesting match-up. Crystalsong Forest (
) might still be the most visually stunning zone in the game, and I always felt its music matched it perfectly. This is the zone over which the mages of the Kirin Tor relocated the floating city of Dalaran to serve as home base during the Northrend expedition. Yet Crystalsong Forest itself, far below, hosted the fewest events of any zone in the expansion. It was a sort of hidden gem that you really didn’t deal with all that often, rendering it a perpetual novelty.
And then there is the Isle of Conquest (
). Where do I even begin with this one? For a lot of people on my in-game contact list, this place is the world of Warcraft. In WoW you have two different types of combat: pve and pvp. PVE encounters pit you against Blizzard’s AI enemies, either one on one or in a raiding environment where a whole bunch of people get together to kill a badguy. In PVP, you fight other players, horde against alliance. These two combat types serve as the backbone of gameplay, and most players will identify themselves as a "raider" or a "pvper" as the most defining characteristic of how they play the game. PVP can happen out in the world on any given server (a server consists of anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of players) without an official objective, or it can happen in designated battlegrounds that players queue into to duke it out and accomplish objectives to win or lose in set numbers of 10 on 10, 15 on 15, or 40 on 40. Isle of Conquest is one of the two 40 on 40 battlegrounds, and it is probably the only battleground over which entire guilds rise and fall. Let me put this into context as an active WoW player who raids more than pvps but enjoys both: In-game statistics show that I’ve won Isle of Conquest 299 times. My next highest win count for any bg is 114. The alliance faction on servers like Kil’jaeden and Kel’Thuzad have been famous at times for their Isle of Conquest teams, and I’ve gotten to know some of the top-rated players in the entire game by leading 40-man groups in the battleground. The intended goal of the battleground is simple: conquer the opposing faction’s main keep (
) and kill the npc mini-boss commander. But more often than not, the objective is ignored and the battleground is exploited to slaughter massive numbers of the opposing faction. Its unique design caters to crafty ambushes where a player can end up trapped in a corner to die over, and over, and over again with no easy escape. If you’ve pvped in WoW for long, you’ve inevitably found yourself on one side or another of one of these "kill farms".
Despite all of this, the Isle of Conquest music is more foreign to me than Crystalsong. IoC kill farms often run 24/7, and no one really wants to listen to the same three minute track hours on end. Instead, you’re likely to find yourself enjoying a jukebox someone has set up over voice chat, or else listening to your own music. Isle of Conquest would have had to be something far above the curve to live up to the experience of playing in it. Crystalsong, on the other hand, has always struck me as an ideal song to showcase an uncommon zone’s very unique and seldom experienced flavor.
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 2, Fight 5 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Zora’s Domain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUyqvUG0ypA), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Wind Fish’s Egg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skRsgS5HtZE), from Link’s Awakening
——————————————————-
Wind Fish’s Egg
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Underworld Round 2, Fight 5 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Forest Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmsZyC0UXUU), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Windfall Island (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go_XgaJNVgg), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Wind Fish’s Egg
I caught another repeat in the track selections. Cataclysm – Kezan/Lost Isles 09 and Cataclysm – Castaways are pretty nearly the same thing. I’m cutting out the latter of these two, which was supposed to appear today, and putting in its place a song I can’t believe I forgot when I was drafting this. Karazhan!
Round 1, Fight 24 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Karazhan Opera House (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dedMP7eda2E), from The Burning Crusade
vs.
Dragon Soul (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEKRBVTrPvA), from Hour of Twilight
——————————————————-
The video I linked for Dragon Soul contains that entire raid’s soundtrack. The relevant portion for this match-up runs from 0:00 to 3:09.
Karazhan
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Round 2, Fight 5 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkH2zETKqws), from A Link to the Past
vs.
Nightmare Battles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyLNQsGTby8), from Link’s Awakening
——————————————————-
Overworld
When Karazhan came out, the raid didn’t have any music. It seemed odd at the time, but I’m not a fan of what they put in its place at all. The other track this round is decent too so all the more reason to vote against it.
I like Nightmare Battles a lot… but it is tough to argue with almost any version of the Overworld theme.
Cataclysm, A Link to the Past.
Overworld
Overworld
This is what I love about coming to these forums. having the opportunity to listen to some good music that I’m bound to like.
That said, i was a bit undecided on the WoW music this time.
I have heard things about Karazhan, and they’ve been good things, cause it’s something to look forward to when you’ve been playing to max level.
It gets my vote this time, since it sounds very leading. like someones about to get up and sing.
Overworld
On another note, Forest Temple has been added to my best video games music ever list. This is wonderfully expressive in terms of the use of instruments and leading for the player.
———- Post added at 08:42 AM ———- Previous post was at 08:11 AM ———-
Alright, moving along now. Karazhan (4-1) and Overworld (5-0) advance!
Round 1, Fight 25 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
The Burning Legion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRrJWteo_SE), from The Burning Crusade
vs.
Thaurissan’s Reach (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ejk7iCQFVw), from Cataclysm
——————————————————-
The Burning Legion is the log-in screen music to The Burning Crusade. Thaurissan was the name of the old capital of the Dark Iron dwarves, as well the surname of the Dark Iron royal line. Moira Thaurissan is on the Council of Three Hammers, the triumvirate ruling Ironforge after the death of Moira’s father Magni Bronzebeard following events between Wrath of the Lich King and Cataclysm. Queen by right, her harsh, unforgiving leadership and mixed bloodlines caused a great deal of internal strife before Varian Wrynn humiliated her (and arguably the entire dwarven race) and forced Ironforge to accept rule by council, Moira sharing joint power with her uncle Muradin Bronzebeard and Falstad Wildhammer of the Wildhammer clan. So what is "Thaurissan’s Reach"? Pretty small, really. Her inept rule allowed humans to place themselves in an explicitly superior role to dwarves within the Alliance.
Thaurissan’s Reach has always impressed me. Maybe because it’s the only expansion I never played, The Burning Legion just sounds like a rehash of the same old to me.
——————————————————-
Termina Round 2, Fight 5 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Title Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AortGYe1sTI), from Majora’s Mask
vs.
Dragon Roost Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRWq53IFXVQ), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
This is a tough one. Majora’s Mask has a great introduction, really defining the game to come in a way that few opening tunes can. But while I like what it’s doing, Dragon Roost Island has a bit more direct appeal to me. Since I never actually played the games, I have to let my ears decide.
Title Theme
Tough call the other way too.
Cataclysm, Majora’s Mask.
Also, I don’t know if Bronzebeard is ALL the way dead – I prefer the term "Petrified". Who knows what sorcery could happen to bring him back in 2 expansions. As they say – "X was merely a setback…"
Dragon Roost Island
Why did you have to match up such ridiculously good songs?
That said, I loved the musical direction of the Wind Waker song.
Dragon Roost Island
Round 1, Fight 26 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Magnificent Desolation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKP1-Xqwuis), from Warlords of Draenor
vs.
Into the Coliseum (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdF1qrN1QEw), from Call of the Crusade
——————————————————-
Magnificent Desolation is walking music for Frostfire Ridge (
), the beautiful starting zone for horde players in Warlords of Draenor. Into the Coliseum’s context should be familiar by now. This particular track is associated with the actual raid in the tournament grounds, if I remember correctly.
Tough choices. Magnificent Desolation is beautiful–one of the best WoD tracks–but it’s hard for me to vote against anything from Call of the Crusade, let alone Into the Coliseum.
——————————————————-
Underworld Round 2, Fight 6 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Hyrule Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uR7doemZD0), from A Link to the Past
vs.
Hyrule Field Main (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO8Y7hdD6Qk), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Hyrule Castle!
Hyrule Castle – Both are iconic themes from iconic games, but how many hundreds of times have I heard Hyrule Castle and it still holds up? Hearing it again makes me want to pop the game in right now. Maybe I will…
I have a feeling with this group of voters old-school may trump new school, but I’m going to vote with my heart.
Warlords of Draenor, Ocarina of Time
Hyrule Castle
Isn’t it fascinating just how typical the regal knight theme goes with the onslaught of darkness. I get that from this theme anyway. I know that it’s hard to vote against Hyrule Field Main Theme in this context, but i’m going with my gut at the moment. I think the link to the past is a phenomenal soundtrack in it’s own right.
Hyrule Castle
I have gone for the coliseum tracks in each match up so far, so I’m going to go for Into the Coliseum track this time.
Round 1, Fight 27 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
The Fall of Deathwing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXStKb_ArUA), from Hour of Twilight
vs.
Jaina’s Ode to Theramore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-vNMKBoiCM), from Landfall
——————————————————-
Commonly known as Madness, the final boss of Cataclysm (
) was a long, tedious fight that suffered more from Blizzard’s changes to group-forming mechanics than from actual design. The first raid to introduce automated group finding–prior to a more refined tuning of that system–many players got their first taste of the fight among an inept jumble of total strangers, dying repeatedly after 10 to 15 minutes of combat, waiting 20 minutes for vacancies to be auto-filled as players bailed after one attempt seemingly every time you pulled the boss. But Deathwing’s second form was, in fact, a pretty neat design, made to feel as epic as a battle against the creature who had recently destroyed most of Azeroth as we knew it ought to. The music helped.
Theramore’s history in Warcraft is relatively short. A fortress town constructed by the Proudmoore family as a refugee hub for survivors of the destruction of Old Dalaran during the events of Warcraft 3, it was unique for being the only stable human settlement on the mostly horde-controlled continent of Kalimdor. For that, I was always really fond of it. Not only did it function as the gathering point for raids on the horde capital of Orgrimmar in the days before flying and instant teleportation shrunk the "World" of Warcraft into something that barely qualifies as an MMORPG, but it also added some nice player immersion. It felt like the one safe haven in a hostile land. At the launch of Mists of Pandaria, Garrosh Hellscream dropped the goblin equivalent of an atom bomb in the middle of it (
), sparking off the war that comprised that expansion’s plotline. It was irritating rather than shocking. From Blizzard’s standpoint, the city’s destruction was meant to insight real pvp combat between horde and alliance players, but that never manifested into reality. MoP’s gameplay faults aside, the attack simply made no sense. In fact, the story was so poorly written that it made the entirety of Mists of Pandaria feel like a really bad joke:
So Thrall is the beloved leader of the horde. Damn near everyone respects and follows him, and his diplomatic, peaceloving nature is what makes the World of Warcraft tick. Horde and alliance could never unite to kill Kil’jaeden or the Lich King or Deathwing if they were too busy killing each other, but thanks to Thrall they can maintain enough peace to face common foes. On the alliance side, Jaina Proudmoore (leader of Theramore, the destruction of which is the subject of this song) is essentially the chief diplomat coordinating with Thrall, and the cross-faction alliance they forge in Cataclysm is the strongest the game has ever known. (Alliance players actually take their commands directly from Thrall rather than Varian Wrynn by the end of it.) So in Cataclysm Thrall hands over day to day leadership duties within the horde in order to better fulfill his role as a cross-faction leader. He still commands unwavering authority over the horde, he just trusts someone else to make most of the routine decisions. Because Orgrimmar is an orc city, he places Garrosh Hellscream in charge, even though Vol’jin of the Darkspear trolls, Cairne Bloodhoof of the tauren, and Sylvanas Windrunner of the forsaken command a lot more authority and respect. Fair enough. One of Garrosh’s first moves as a totally untested leader is to literally stab Cairne in the back. The tauren trust Thrall so much that they still remain in the horde in spite of their chieftain’s murder. Thrall inexplicably leaves Garrosh in command. Then Garrosh hires rogue goblins to nuke Theramore and murder most of Jaina Proudmoore’s family. Thrall still inexplicably leaves the batshit insane Garrosh in command. And Vol’jin and Sylvanas are totally cool with this. Next thing you know you have this huge war between horde and alliance–the main plotline of Mists of Pandaria–and it takes two years for Thrall, Sylvanas, and Vol’jin to go "hmm, maybe this was a bad idea". So they try to dispose Garrosh, and half of the horde, who had only accepted Garrosh’s deplorable leadership because they loved Thrall oh so much, all of a sudden side with Garrosh. It created a common enemy–as a horde player you are forced to side with Thrall’s rebels and join the alliance in laying siege to Orgrimmar–but it’s really, really dumb. Like, soap operas feel intellectual after a few hours of this expansion. In context, this song just makes you go "whatever" and roll your eyes.
But context isn’t everything. It’s a good song. Jaina’s Ode to Theramore
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 2, Fight 6 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a7Sh82Mzdc), from Adventure of Link
vs.
Queen Ambi’s Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAyQnvu6Pcg), from Oracle of Ages
——————————————————-
So few composers successfully exploit the natural distortion of Game Boy tones. Done right, they sound better to me than any other chip audio out there. Palace is a much more interesting song, but… if I can easily answer "which of these would you rather listen to again" without second guessing myself, there’s no point in deliberating further. Queen Ambi’s Palace
Palace
Palace
http://rs982.pbsrc.com/albums/ae301/EarlyMemphis/Smileys-Animated/BeerCheersSmiley.gif~c200
———- Post added at 01:07 PM ———- Previous post was at 12:34 PM ———-
The rumble’s first baby!
The miracle of life through classic video games: Terra (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Asi5LCaJzlI) and Marle (http://www.skyrender.net/lp2/ct/02/ct_lm.gif)
A little title-appropriate music: Awakening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqEkbb-A27k)
Gotta get the kiddo a Rockabye Baby version of one of your favorite metal albums. 😀
Zelda II
Round 1, Fight 28 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Dalaran (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrUkZdtPohc), from Wrath of the Lich King
vs.
Tavern (Alliance) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXdqWmp9FA4), from World of Warcraft
——————————————————-
The city of Dalaran, rebuilt after its destruction at the hands of Archimonde in Warcraft 3, was set to float over Crystalsong Forest in Northrend as a refuge and gathering point during the fight against the Lich King. Easily the most grand expansion city in the game (
), its music is set to inspire a sense of awe that the player could experience daily for those two years. I think it stands along with Ironforge as Blizzard’s best MMO city design, and it definitely has my favorite music among them.
If you play WoW for immersion, you’ve definitely spent time in one of the game’s myriad taverns. Were your characters real, these are the areas where they would most likely pass idle hours. While they don’t play a prominent role in the game proper, many players have surely stepped inside a few, turned on the music, and pretended for a moment to be a part of Blizzard’s fantasy world. Three tavern themes appear in this rumble, and the current one is what you were most likely to experience in one of the old, classic cities and towns within the game.
This is really tough. Both of these songs accomplish their intended purpose exceptionally. I have to side with Dalaran, because I’ve probably heard it a hundred times and it still draws me in.
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Round 2, Fight 6 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Sword Search (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3VXcML6Hf0), from Link’s Awakening
vs.
Secret Maze on the Sea of No Return (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNR324xxt1M), from Oracle of Ages
——————————————————-
Sword Search
Sword Search
Sword Search
Congrats Shad!
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/th_18627_954897864543578_4342855019331995084_n_zps qckagvrz.jpg (http://s658.photobucket.com/user/arthurgolden/media/18627_954897864543578_4342855019331995084_n_zpsqck agvrz.jpg.html)
Ollie’s vgm inauguration will come in time. For now, he’s really digging Chopin. 🙂
World of Warcraft, Oracle of Ages
That said, it’s got my vote this time, World of Warcraft
I really enjoyed listening to the zelda songs in this mix, both had their qualities which made me enjoy listening (actually It made me want to listen to the whole soundtrack) For this time, my vote is going for Links Awakening (on a side note, there’s been some really strong songs from this soundtrack so far!)
Round 1, Fight 29 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Nightsong (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iqUVY15VI), from Cataclysm
vs.
Hellfire Peninsula (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7XA-JvK6kg), from The Burning Crusade
——————————————————-
Baby aggro, no hands to type much.
Nightsong super reminds me of Dargaard, but walking music doesn’t get much better than Hellfire Peninsula.
——————————————————-
Termina Round 2, Fight 6 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Before the Journey, from Skyward Sword
(http://downloads.k h i n s i d e r.com/game-soundtracks/album/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-expanded/1-34-before-the-journey.mp3)
vs.
Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyMluaZDRik), from Adventure of Link
——————————————————-
Before the Journey
Hellfire Peninsula – Really evocative with the YouTube picture
Before the Journey
Before the Journey
Looks like I’m on the short end of the other matchup. Before the Journey is a nice piece, but too repetitive to get the nod over a track as iconic as Overworld.
The Burning Crusade, Zelda II.
Round 1, Fight 30 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Garden of Life (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3E3Vf_7iNU), from Wrath of the Lich King
vs.
Heart of Pandaria (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd26b2Xa1fA), from Mists of Pandaria
——————————————————-
Even the frozen wasteland of Northrend has its green zones, long preserved by pylons erected by the ancient Titan race when the climate of Azeroth was very different. Garden of Life can be heard in Dragonblight’s Emerald Dragonshrine and in the Sholazar Basin (
) questing zone.
Heart of Pandaria is Mists of Pandaria’s login music. Predictably, it mixes the classic log-in theme with Chinese musical themes.
Heart of Pandaria might be the most robust of WoW’s log-in themes, but Garden of Life is an easy choice for me here.
——————————————————-
Underworld Round 2, Fight 7 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Lanayru Desert (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LfAcKnDYWQ), from Skyward Sword
vs.
Church (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbACihCNjK4), from A Link to the Past
——————————————————-
There aren’t too many tracks I would choose over Church. Lots of nostalgia with that song. I never as a kid got into adventure-style RPGs much, and I probably only made it the whole way through A Link to the Past once–that with copious use of a game genie. But I did get in the mood for a small taste of it now and again, and that always meant starting from the beginning. The scene where Link and Zelda arrive in the church after a long trek through the underground sort of marked the end-game for me during those hour or two forays.
Church – I really like both of these tracks. I’m going to stop changing my answer and go with this.
Lanayru Desert
Never fear, I still have Ancient Lanayru (or Lanayru Sand Sea) in the next matchup I think… and I will be putting my support behind that.
Rough round. I do go with the login theme for WoW – not my favorite in the series, but I think it trumps Garden of Life.
Mists of Pandaria, A Link to the Past.
I do so enjoy listening to video game music, i think that in this instance, it reminds me how atmospheric these songs are. Because you are in control, and each song is supposed to have the essence of what you’re doing. I think that this makes for a wonderful mesh of elements in each song, and so is worthy of some undertaking, even if you have never heard the song before (as in my case)
I did so enjoy hearing Lanayru desert in the previous matchups, I will go with it again since it is such a strong piece.
Hmm.. this seems to be a different song from the character selection screen for MoP? I really do enjoy these songs, I don’t know if it’s because of the epicness of martial arts movies (which I said last time) or because it also sounds like something that could be played just to raise your spirits.
I salute you dear Sir, you have quite the matchups in these rumbles!
That said, this is a real hard matchup for me, between WOTLK and MoP. I enjoyed listening to the WOTLK music, but it lacked some definition in the music that I would have liked to hear. I think in many ways, MoP steals my heart when I listen to the song. Good job Blizzard Composer!
Round 1, Fight 31 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
The Dark Moon Faire’s Merry-Go-Round (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF7CpyIwJiY), from Landfall
vs.
A Hero’s Sacrifice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1sT6O5vAsw), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
Poor Warlords of Draenor music. So many tough match-ups for it. That game never had a chance in this rumble. The majority of WoW music might be ambient, but their sound team has always been at their best when writing more highly themed songs. The Dark Moon Faire’s Merry-Go-Round was the icing on the cake for Landfall, the one Mists of Pandaria expansion that didn’t pretend to be Asian. I think the sound team did an absolutely stellar job in that expansion researching and crafting music for the setting Blizzard gave them, I just didn’t care for that setting. On Landfall, and especially this track, I can really hear the creativity of that era flow without any weeaboo baggage.
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 2, Fight 7 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Koume & Kotake’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_3VXOAbOyY), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULyEY_GjSoA), from Link’s Awakening
——————————————————-
Koume & Kotake’s Theme
Koume & Kotake’s Theme
Overworld
The Merry-Go-Round song sounds like something from the Nightmare Before Christmas.
Round 1, Fight 32 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Tavern (Pirate) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dnednyiyh4), from World of Warcraft
vs.
The Black Knight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POiirseCs_Q), from Call of the Crusade
——————————————————-
Another brutal match-up. Tavern (Pirate) is easily in my top 10 WoW songs, but it sounds rather dwarfed up against The Black Knight.
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Round 2, Fight 7 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Boss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew7t1B7dD-k), from A Link to the Past
vs.
Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1CKttAmNKA), from A Link to the Past
——————————————————-
And this is the easiest decision I’ve had to make in ages. Forest.
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Round 1, Fight 31 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
The Dark Moon Faire’s Merry-Go-Round (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF7CpyIwJiY), from Landfall
vs.
A Hero’s Sacrifice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1sT6O5vAsw), from Warlords of Draenor
Forest
One track from A Link to the Past is going out this round – that’s been a rarity in the Zelda rumble.
Wrath of the Lich King, Forest.
Forest
Round 1, Fight 33 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Temple of the Five Dawns (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvFgns_IoUk), from Mists of Pandaria
vs.
Stormlords on the March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTEVPrA90I0), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
When I look at some of the other pairings yet to come in this bracket, it’s almost frustrating to think that one of these two tracks will advance, but that’s not to say I don’t enjoy both of them. Stormlords on the March gets my vote for being particularly effective at enhancing interactive event sequences within the game.
——————————————————-
Termina Round 2, Fight 7 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Ancient Lanayru (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo8Ml0tYoSQ), from Skyward Sword
vs.
Kakariko is Saved (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVZcvnItkdw), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
Ancient Lanayru is pretty awesome.
Edit: The more I listen to this track, the more I am completely in love with it. I’ve had it on repeat all morning. Crossing my fingers for Link to even the score. 😮
Kakariko is Saved
Kakariko is Saved
And oh boy would I EVER like to tie this rumble up! Ancient Lanayru/Lanayru Sand Sea (Past) is one of my favorite tracks from Skyward Sword. While I am a huge fan of the Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess tracks, this track shows all the benefits of using a full orchestra to create the soundtrack. The flute/whistle (not sure what that instrument is) combined with the percussion and low ambience is just about as close to perfection as Zelda gets with music.
Warlords of Draenor, Skyward Sword.
Looks like we’re on to the final four Zelda match-ups of round two already.
Round 1, Fight 34 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
The Zandalari (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHTJz3d1CCc), from Rise of the Thunder King
vs.
The Storm Summit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qXEAcq4PTE), from Black Temple
——————————————————-
I had no idea how many variations on The Zandalari existed in Rise of the Thunder King. My version of this is condensed down to four minutes, but I could only find the full one on youtube. In either case, I’ll take The Storm Summit over the Thunder King’s token entry.
——————————————————-
Underworld Round 2, Fight 8 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Temple of Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6Hf1-lQElE), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Midna’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3mhU2XEOOs), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
Midna’s Theme
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Termina Round 2, Fight 7 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Ancient Lanayru (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo8Ml0tYoSQ), from Skyward Sword
vs.
Kakariko is Saved (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVZcvnItkdw), from Twilight Princess
In other news – come on Lanayru!
Burning Crusade, Twilight Princess
Midna’s Theme – Uggghhh. Why did these two have to face off against each other so early? 🙁
Temple of Time
Round 1, Fight 35 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Kezan/Lost Isles 09 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D9UtRZ2Bec#t=156), from Cataclysm
vs.
Northrend Transport Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RVuH7w73D0), from Wrath of the Lich King
——————————————————-
This is one of those really tough matches I had my eye on earlier in this bracket. I’ll take Kezan/Lost Isles. It’s a decision I would have made anyway, but knowing that we’ve yet to vote on Totems of the Grizzlemaw makes it easier.
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 2, Fight 8 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Final Quest – The Room of Rites (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udJxftR9uWc), from Oracle of Ages
vs.
Hyrule Field Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRHoPxAfy_Q), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
Hyrule Field Main Theme
Northrend Transport Night was the first song you heard when experiencing Wrath content for the first time. I think it set the player’s mood perfectly for the voyage to the great white North – Northrend.
Wrath of the Lich King, Twilight Princess.
Hyrule Field Main Theme – Getting close to the end of the round with Zelda.
Final Quest
Round 1, Fight 35 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Slaughtered Lamb (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZbXGkNPof0), from World of Warcraft
vs.
Operation: Gnomeregan Intro (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwjabCRI6B8), from Fall of the Lich King
——————————————————-
Slaughtered Lamb eventually became my favorite song in WoW when I learned to play it on guitar. Its name might sound morbid, but it’s actually another tavern theme. Unfortunately, Operation: Gnomeregan should be one of the toughest tracks to beat in the rumble.
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 2, Fight 8 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Last Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b_QS5xoN44), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUc3p5sojmw), from Adventure of Link
——————————————————-
Last Battle
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Round 1, Fight 35 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Kezan/Lost Isles 09 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D9UtRZ2Bec#t=156), from Cataclysm
vs.
Northrend Transport Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RVuH7w73D0), from Wrath of the Lich King
Wrath of the Lich King, Ocarina of Time.
Title – Tough call
Last Battle
Round 1, Fight 36 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Zul’jin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_troiVnJMx4), from The Gods of Zul’Aman
vs.
Darkmoon Faire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzMGHWiofbw), from Assault on Blackwing Lair
——————————————————-
Darkmoon Faire
——————————————————-
Termina Round 2, Fight 8 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Stone Tower Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz_NK5HgR6Q), from Majora’s Mask
vs.
Title Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ShzyggtsCs), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
The Ocarina track is better as a title theme, but I enjoy Stone Tower Temple way more. Hey, we’re done with round 2!
Title Theme
Stone Tower Temple
Shad did you link the correct track? That Darkmoon Faire theme is from vanilla WoW, not from Assault on Blackwing Lair…. maybe they reused it… I did skip Cataclysm, but it seems out of place for that zone!
Zelda is tough again – I take the favorite but that is a brutal matchup for a VERY strong Stone Tower Temple theme.
Darkmoon Faire, Ocarina of Time
Shad did you link the correct track? That Darkmoon Faire theme is from vanilla WoW, not from Assault on Blackwing Lair…. maybe they reused it… I did skip Cataclysm, but it seems out of place for that zone!
Ah, you’re probably confusing the Assault on Blackwing Lair patch with Blackwing’s Descent, a raid from the first tier of Cataclysm. The Darkmoon Faire launched with patch 1.6, released in July 2005. That was only eight months into WoW’s existence, but I have been breaking down vanilla WoW by patch just like the expansions.
Darkmoon Faire (3-1), advances!
Round 1, Fight 37 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Plagueworks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OYFxTSykWM), from Fall of the Lich King
vs.
Bloodlord Mandokir (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGuIIRW-B1A), from Rise of the Zandalari
——————————————————-
Bloodlord Mandokir
——————————————————-
Underworld Round 3, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Dark Mountain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmKZDBZBP1w), from A Link to the Past
vs.
Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o78T9-I4OGA), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Title! 😮 I don’t think this track has much of a chance, but I’m crossing my fingers.
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Termina Round 2, Fight 8 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Stone Tower Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz_NK5HgR6Q), from Majora’s Mask
vs.
Title Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ShzyggtsCs), from Ocarina of Time
Title
EDIT: Just noticed we recently crossed a pretty cool threshold. This thread now has over 200,000 views. To my knowledge, that makes it the second most-viewed thread in Anime and Video Game Music (after the currently dormant Trailer Music thread).
I will post a full statistical analysis of the 2nd round and tournament when I get home tonight (or try to at least).
Rise of the Zandalari was a stupid patch and idea – basically reusing everything from Zul’Gurub (which was great) instead of coming up with unique ideas. I’m voting the other way in spite.
Wrath of the Lich King, The Wind Waker.
Dark Mountain
Cheers, I enjoy looking at things like that. I went ahead and did the coin toss just now so you would have a (highly probable) full set of results to work with. It came up heads. Stone Tower Temple will be advancing unless someone shows up to vote between now and Thursday.
Round 1, Fight 38 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Totems of the Grizzlemaw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGmIWA7LADk), from Wrath of the Lich King
vs.
Finality (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu2y47LM8dc), from The Siege of Orgrimmar
——————————————————-
Totems of the Grizzlemaw
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 3, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Intro (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyMKWJ5e1kg), from Legend of Zelda
vs.
Farewell Hyrule King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq7LrougGYk), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Farewell Hyrule King
Intro
Farewell Hyrule King
I must go with the top seed in the Zelda matchup. Farewell Hyrule King is very well done and perfectly placed in Wind Waker, but the Intro to the franchise’s first game is too good.
Wrath of the Lich King, Legend of Zelda.
———- Post added at 04:48 PM ———- Previous post was at 03:57 PM ———-
My expert stat analysis and breakdown of the first two rounds:
A Link to the Past continued to shine in the second round of the big dance, going 6-2 in round number two. So strong was the game that it actually handed itself its only two losses of the round in a pair of single-game matchups. ALttP is now a sparkling 16-5 in the tournament.
The original Zelda held strong as well, going 2-1 in round number two, edging its record to 5-2 overall. However, due to a much bigger roster, it cedes the top winning percentage in the rumble to ALttP, though LoZ still has two #1 seeds alive as we head to the round of 32.
The second game eliminated from the rumble was Four Swords (joining the Minish Cap), whose #32 seed Vaati stunned the rumble world with its upset over top-seeded Gerudo Valley from Ocarina of Time in the Termina region in the first round. Four Swords wraps up the rumble a total of 1-1.
The Wind Waker had a great round winning 4 of 5 in round number 2. The Wind Waker was just 5-5 in the first round, but now sits at a respectable 9-6 for the rumble. The Windw Waker is responsible for the highest seed still remaining – #25 Farewell Hyrule King, which upset #8 seed A Beast in the Village from Twilight Princess in the first round.
Ocarina of Time started the rumble with big expectations, but was shaken by the early departure of its only #1 seed in the first round. Still, the game continues to rack up victories, posting a 6-8 mark in the second round. Tragically, its highest remaining seed, #2 Title Theme, fell in a coin flip tiebreaker to #18 Stone Tower Temple from the game’s sequel in the round’s final matchup. Ocarina of Time could never get its record in the round above .500 and will enter the round of 32 at a total of 20-17, the rumble high for wins.
Majora’s Mask’s round was very disappointing, with songs like Last Day falling to a coin flip tiebreaker. The overlooked Ocarina of Time sequel stumbled to a 2-4 performance in the second round. That drops it to 8-11 for the rumble. Both of the game’s songs are in the Termina region. The earliest they could meet would be the regional final (Elite 8).
Skyward Sword was a mixed bag in the second round, with a couple of surprising wins bookending a few devastating defeats. Both Lanayru tracks in the rumble, both #7 seeds, lost to upsets in their respective regions, Ancient Lanayru in the Termina region to the dreaded coin flip tiebreaker. The Wii’s only entry was level at 2-2 in the second round and is still a game under .500 at 6-7 headed into the third round.
Oracle of Seasons was bludgeoned in the first round, starting a dismal 1-7, but the game’s only survivor is in the third round, as Tarm Ruins/The Lost Woods snuck by a very tough challenge from #9 seed Midna’s Desperation. OoS notches to 2-7 in the rumble. Its companion game, Oracle of Ages, tasted the same struggles in the second round that Seasons had in the first round, winning just once. Oracle of Ages is now 6-7 in the rumble and is the only game to go from a winning record in the first round to a losing record in the second round.
Zelda II: Adventure of Link is down to its last game. Only #10 seed Palace advanced with a victory over #27 Queen Ambi’s Palace from Oracle of Ages. AoL was 1-2 in the round and stands at 4-6 for the rumble.
Link’s Awakening pulled to a level .500 following a 3-2 round 2. By far the best performing handheld game in the rumble, Link’s Awakening is now a respectable 8-8.
Twilight Princess had the second most nominations with 18 coming into the rumble, and won half its matchups in the first round. It continued true to form winning 4 and dropping 5 in the second round. TP is now 13-14 in the rumble. Twilight Princess still has two of the favorites left though, with two #2 seeds (Midna’s Theme and Hyrule Field Main Theme).
A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time both lead all games with 6 games left in the rumble. The list is below:
ALttP, OoT = 6
TWW, TP = 4
LA = 3
LoZ, MM, SS = 2
OoS, OoA, AoL = 1
Two #1 seeds and Two #2 seeds remain. However, the #10 seeds leads all seeds with three still alive in the tournament. The lowest seeds with multiple titles still is is #22 with, appropriately, 2 left. The higher seed was 18-12 in the round, and is now 59-35 in the tournament. Of the 32 tracks remaining, 22 were favored to win in the first round.
It’s a shame that another big name song is going to come down to a coin toss this turn. We’ve had a hard time getting a fifth person to hang around lately. I built a sort of second chance safety net into the WoW rumble for just this sort of problem. Maybe we should do the same for future ones.
Round 1, Fight 40 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Allegiances (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcDbiELOz10), from Warlords of Draenor
vs.
Way of the Monk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g-wBrU9keE), from Mists of Pandaria
——————————————————-
Way of the Monk
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Round 3, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpEzYEoV9qY), from Legend of Zelda
vs.
Trouble on the Raft! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDi98MxmzSE), from Oracle of Ages
——————————————————-
This is yet another tough one for me, but I think I have to side with the classic this go around. Overworld
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Hyrule Round 3, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Intro (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyMKWJ5e1kg), from Legend of Zelda
vs.
Farewell Hyrule King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq7LrougGYk), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
The Legend of Zelda, Mists of Pandaria
Overworld
Overworld
Just in case you all aren’t aware, the 5th annual favorite Final Fantasy character thread is going on in General Final Fantasy. It’s a stickied thread.
I took a little trip down memory lane a couple days ago–completely unintentionally. But it was nevertheless nice and sometimes hilarious to see how all of us first connected with one another in old threads. Thanks for latching on to this project and sticking it out. What a gift to have Shad as a leader.
Also, we now average 42.5 views per post, which is twice as much as what it was when I retired. To the silent majority, thank you. We appreciate the attention. But please consider voting as well. Since Shad posted the latest fight, we have had 5 posts (including this one) but almost 250 views. You should vote. You should vote. We would love to have your participation.
Well, heads won, which is getting kind of awkward because the underdog track is winning almost every 2-2 tie lately. I would have been pretty content to see Intro advance, but I’m not changing my vote. Farewell Hyrule King (2-2), Overworld (4-0), and Way of the Monk (4-0) move on.
Stats? Stats!
I randomized the World of Warcraft selections in a way that would minimize the chances of a repeat of the FF rumble, where half of FF9 fought each other in the first round. It worked out even better than I’d hoped, and only one fight out of the first 40 paired tracks from the same expansion.
Wrath of the Lich King had 5 more entries than any other expansion. That turned out to be a good idea, because it saw the best performance by far, winning 66% of its match-ups with a 12-6-1 record and advancing the tie on a coin flip. This success was in large part due to the huge performance of Call of the Crusade, composed by David Arkenstone.
While Vanilla WoW (7-5) and Burning Crusade (6-4-2) had identical win percentages of 58, Burning Crusade saw more close calls, earning 56% of votes compared to Vanilla’s 54%. This paid off, and BC ultimately won two coin flips to advance 8 tracks, while Vanilla saw 5 songs eliminated outright and only advanced 7.
Cataclysm’s performance parallels the game’s divisive standing among fans. It was my personal favorite expansion in the game, while many regard it as the worst. Accordingly, it won exactly 50% of its match-ups with a 6-6-2 record. Cataclysm had the second most entries at 14. Of these, 7 advanced and 6 were eliminated.
Warlords of Draenor suffered most, perhaps, from being new. It was more difficult to choose the best songs, as I only had a month to experience them. With that in mind, 2-5-3 was not terrible at all. If it weren’t for extremely bad luck with the coin, WoD could have seen half of its ten entries advance. As it stands, only half are eliminated, but three of the remaining five will have to overcome a lot of hurdles to stay alive. Surprisingly, given this scenario, the game only won 36% of the votes. When it lost a fight, it tended to lose hard.
World of Warcraft began to lose a lot of players near the end of Cataclysm, and the effect snowballed. Smaller servers were disproportionately impacted and soon became unplayable just as Mists of Pandaria was preparing to go live. Blizzard hesitated to offer alternatives, hoping that the new expansion would draw players back, but it didn’t. Increasingly more players on small servers quit rather than pay hundreds of dollars to transfer all of their characters, and MoP became the only expansion to see a decrease in players during its launch month. This also destabilized healthy servers, which became hubs for refugees willing to pay for transfers. After eight years, most WoW servers had developed their own unique traits and personalities. Most of these were ruined by Blizzard’s inadequate response to the situation. Mists of Pandaria subsequently left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths, but that does not account for the soundtrack’s abysmal 2-9-2 performance. Of its 13 entries, MoP advanced only two, and 9 tracks were eliminated. Its 23% win rate was the worst by far, but its vote percentage of 32 was not far behind Warlords of Draenor.
Round 2, Fight 1 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Dalaran (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrUkZdtPohc), from Wrath of the Lich King
vs.
Darkmoon Faire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzMGHWiofbw), from Assault on Blackwing Lair
——————————————————-
Round 2 kicks off with a tough one. Both of these tracks are ideal for their in-game settings. I have to take Dalaran, though I hate to see DMF lose so early on. It was always fun to stumble upon that music in-game and realize the fair was in town.
——————————————————-
Termina Round 3, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Ikana Valley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuYCxuVKZkc), from Majora’s Mask
vs.
Dungeon Color (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN5EXLqG3Z8), from Link’s Awakening DX
——————————————————-
Dungeon Color!
Dungeon Color
Dungeon Color
The WoW rumble I feel is MUCH more evenly matched. Both tracks are very strong and hold their own in their respective expansions and areas. I give the nod to the Faire however.
Nothing like standing on your own eh?
World of Warcraft, Majora’s Mask
I appreciate the well done stat breakdown for the WoW rumble!
Round 2, Fight 2 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Way of the Monk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g-wBrU9keE), from Mists of Pandaria
vs.
Totems of the Grizzlemaw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGmIWA7LADk), from Wrath of the Lich King
——————————————————-
Totems of the Grizzlemaw
——————————————————-
Underworld Round 3, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Ganon’s Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwQu3PrxJ5s), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Faron Woods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_2zBH30HJU), from Skyward Sword
——————————————————-
Faron Woods
Faron Woods
In the Zelda rumble, #13 seed Faron Woods from Skyward Sword advanced after knocking out #20 seed Mt. Tamaranch from Link’s Awakening in the first round, and then winning an all forest theme battle in the second by upsetting #4 seed Kokiri Forest from Ocarina of Time. #24 seed Ganon’s Castle is actually the highest seed remaining in the rumble after upsetting #9 Knowledge of the Maku Trees (OoS) in the first round and then continuing the dismal showing for Gerudo and Desert themes in the rumble with a knockout win over #5 Gerudo Desert in the second round (Twilight Princess).
In a statistical anomaly… there is one more #24 seed left… also from Ocarina of Time… and ALSO from Ganon’s Castle: Ganon’s Castle Tower… and it should be featured in our next match. Unlike Ganon’s Castle, it is scheduled to face a rather strong #4 seed.
As you all know, I vote with my heart, not based on the music or the seed. Here, I go upset for Ganon’s Castle. Quite possibly the best use of a piano in any evil theme I’ve ever heard.
Wrath of the Lich King, Ocarina of Time.
I’m kind of crossing my fingers that participation would happen, figure I can just let it rot if hardly anyone replies. I don’t know if all of our regulars have vanished over the past year or if they are just not interested in the current themes. The FF rumble saw as many as 9 voters at times. But asking people to choose between so many tracks at once is a tall order, even as a casual "don’t put too much thought into this" popularity contest. It’s not the two-minute process that picking a bunch of favorite characters is, and if it feels like a chore then it defeats the purpose. So I guess I’m asking: would you enjoy taking an hour or so to basically re-vote the FF rumble with different starting match-ups to see what happens and revisit the music, maybe annually if it works out? Pity participation does not count. 😛
———- Post added 06-01-2015 at 12:36 AM ———- Previous post was 05-31-2015 at 11:44 PM ———-
And done. This is what happens when you have to stay up until 5am watching a baby. (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/final-fantasy-rumble-redux-vote-your-favorite-190139)
I’ll try and advertise it a bit tomorrow.
Faron Woods
Long time no see guys 😀 Glad to see this rumble still going 🙂
It’s already up! (Thread 190139)
Ganon’s Dungeon
I’m all for an annual FF music rumble!
Round 2, Fight 3 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Enchanted Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r7iz-9v9bA), from World of Warcraft
vs.
The Argent Tournament (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYg5FK237qY), from Call of the Crusade
——————————————————-
The Argent Tournament
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 3, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Ganon’s Castle Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S4h1gcCMBc), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Spirit Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEWOeiUmFgA), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Spirit Temple
Spirit Temple
Ganon’s Castle Tower is now the highest seed remaining in the rumble. I don’t see it lasting very long against what should be considered a strong contender at this point to win the whole thing – Spirit Temple.
World of Warcraft, Spirit Temple.
Spirit Temple
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/11108260_10153374298383988_6792903666349087267_n_z psilf1evfo.jpg
Brief essays on each inductee can be found here (http://www.worldvideogamehalloffame.org/games).
Edit: Or maybe not. I tend to forget how popular puzzle games have become again thanks to smart phone demand for short simple play you can put down on a moment’s notice.
Brief essays on each inductee can be found here (http://www.worldvideogamehalloffame.org/games).
I had some fun writing up a review of this today. (http://unobtainium13.com/2015/06/05/nmy-vs-the-world-video-game-hall-of-fame-class-of-2015/)
Round 2, Fight 4 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
The Shattering (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADmPpY_oC2k), from Cataclysm
vs.
Outlands Alliance Base (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJXIjKZaip4), from The Burning Crusade
——————————————————-
The Shattering! It was the best of the log-in themes in my opinion. (WotLK comes close, and I may have actually said this same thing about it. <_<)
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Round 3, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Hyrule Field Night Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeUAPGZ3imQ), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Dark World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw), from A Link to the Past
——————————————————-
Dark World
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Round 2, Fight 3 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Enchanted Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r7iz-9v9bA), from World of Warcraft
vs.
The Argent Tournament (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYg5FK237qY), from Call of the Crusade
——————————————————-
Dark World
Also: Kumi Tanioka, Nobuo Uematsu, and Michiko Naruke hanging out last night
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/10403721_861773827248546_4624204039554430033_n_zps xeymfuhn.jpg
Dark World
I also go Hyrule Night Theme here. Very sad to see this go out as well. I’m not as surprised at this one. Dark World is a worthy theme, but I have always felt that the gameplay/story/music on ALttP is vastly overrated by Zelda fans (I must report that I am in the minority of Zelda fans who don’t think ALttP is one of the top 3-4 games in the series).
The Burning Crusade, Twilight Princess
Remind me of this when round 4 ends. I’m not sure how many properly eliminated tracks will have a second shot, but there should be room for at least one.
Round 2, Fight 5 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Naxxramas Walk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddcDtn0GyrQ), from Shadow of the Necropolis
vs.
Jaina’s Ode to Theramore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-vNMKBoiCM), from Landfall
——————————————————-
Naxxramas Walk
——————————————————-
Termina Round 3, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Tarm Ruins/The Lost Woods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_b4586GCQI), from Oracle of Seasons
vs.
Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN_x1rpGbY8), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Tarm Ruins/The Lost Woods
Ocean
Ocean
In the Zelda rumble, this is a matchup of what I believ eare two very strong tracks. #4 seed Ocean from Wind Waker blew out #29 Goron City in the first round, then snuck by an upstart #20 River game in the second round. It faces Tarm Ruins/The Lost Woods from Oracle of Seasons, the only track from that game to even survive the first round – a win over #28 Prologue – Legend of the Goddess from Skyward Sword. The draw for Tarm Ruins was brutal, but it survived #9 Midna’s Desperation of Twilight Princess in the second round.
I feel bad for Tarm Ruins here, Ocean is one of the great non-traditional Overworld themes in the Zelda musical library and I have to go for the favorite here… but not by much. If Tarm falls here, it would be the final game from the Oracles series in the rumble and the second straight #5 seed to fall (Hyrule Field Night lost to Dark World from ALttP in the last matchup). That would be an ending too soon for what I believe are perhaps the most underappreciated games in the series musically – Oracle of Ages and Seasons.
World of Warcraft, The Wind Waker
Round 2, Fight 6 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Ironforge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1eU2usWg3M), from World of Warcraft
vs.
Echoes of the Past (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfJYzZ-PC9g), from The Burning Crusade
——————————————————-
Echoes of the Past
——————————————————-
Underworld Round 3, Fight 3 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Forest Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmsZyC0UXUU), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Hyrule Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uR7doemZD0), from A Link to the Past
——————————————————-
Forest Temple
——————————————————-
TIE BREAKER: Round 2, Fight 5 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Naxxramas Walk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddcDtn0GyrQ), from Shadow of the Necropolis
vs.
Jaina’s Ode to Theramore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-vNMKBoiCM), from Landfall
Forest Temple
Hyrule Castle
World of Warcraft, Ocarina of Time
Round 2, Fight 7 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Xaxas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLw5MX7bZqI), from Cataclysm
vs.
The Horse and Lance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng-jbVkLSFM&feature=player_detailpage#t=4621), from Call of the Crusade
——————————————————-
Xaxas
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 3, Fight 3 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Wind Fish’s Egg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skRsgS5HtZE), from Link’s Awakening
vs.
Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a7Sh82Mzdc), from Adventure of Link
——————————————————-
Palace, easiest decision I’ve made all game.
Palace, although I like both tracks
Palace
So your patience was wasted.
SORRY!
Cataclysm, Zelda II.
I’ll update Monday probably, won’t have much time tomorrow.
EDIT: On another note, man crochets badass Super Mario Bros. 3 blanket (http://www.dailydot.com/geek/kjetil-nordin-super-mario-3-blanket/?fb=dd) for six years.
Round 2, Fight 8 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Northrend Transport Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RVuH7w73D0), from Wrath of the Lich King
vs.
The Siege (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHKa6o_e5bU), from Secrets of Ulduar
——————————————————-
I’ll vote in a bit.
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Round 3, Fight 3 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkH2zETKqws), from A Link to the Past
vs.
Sword Search (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3VXcML6Hf0), from Link’s Awakening
——————————————————-
Sword Search
Sword Search
Overworld
Welcome, Moonboy65! Glad to see a new participant in here. You might also be interested in the Final Fantasy rumble (Thread 190139) going on right now. It’s a sort of condensed version of the same game. All voting is still open for a few more days.
Overworld
Ulduar is great and I loved the music in there, but Northrend Transport is perfect for its job and is a better single track.
Could the momentum be slipping away from A Link to the Past? Such a strong start to the game, but perhaps weak competition was the reason for the game’s early dominance? Looking back, it got a TON of favorable matchups (according to the seeding) and perhaps that explains its early round success!
Northrend Transport (Night), Link’s Awakening.
Welcome, Moonboy65! Glad to see a new participant in here. You might also be interested in the Final Fantasy rumble (Thread 190139) going on right now. It’s a sort of condensed version of the same game. All voting is still open for a few more days.
thanks, i’m not really a Final Fantasy fan tho
But… I will do it… FOR YOU.
Round 2, Fight 9 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
The Storm Summit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qXEAcq4PTE), from Black Temple
vs.
Bloodlord Mandokir (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGuIIRW-B1A), from Rise of the Zandalari
——————————————————-
Bloodlord Mandokir
——————————————————-
Termina Round 3, Fight 3 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Dragon Roost Island (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRWq53IFXVQ), from Wind Waker
vs.
Before the Journey, from Skyward Sword
(http://downloads.k h i n s i d e r.com/game-soundtracks/album/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-expanded/1-34-before-the-journey.mp3)
——————————————————-
Before the Journey
Before the Journey
I can’t get the Skyword Sword link to work for me, so I’m going to hold off on voting.
Before the Journey
Before the Journey
Round 2, Fight 10 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Garden of Life (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3E3Vf_7iNU), from Wrath of the Lich King
vs.
Legends of Azeroth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqsazZUbt9s), from World of Warcraft
——————————————————-
Garden of Life
——————————————————-
Underworld Round 3, Fight 4 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Church (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9WESbPAf4o), from A Link to the Past
vs.
Midna’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXEnAuzjgKU), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
Church
Church – Really tough choice between two good tracks.
Minority again – who could have predicted that.
In this rumble, Legends of Azeroth is still perhaps the quintessential login music in my opinion and some of the best music in the whole game. In the other matchup, two very deserving tracks, but Midna’s Theme is far more nuanced and tells a much bigger story than Church.
World of Warcraft, Twilight Princess.
Midna’s Theme
Midna’s Theme
Round 2, Fight 11 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Hellfire Peninsula (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7XA-JvK6kg), from The Burning Crusade
vs.
The Black Knight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POiirseCs_Q), from Call of the Crusade
——————————————————-
Hellfire Peninsula
——————————————————-
Hyrule Round 3, Fight 4 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Koume & Kotake’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_3VXOAbOyY), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Hyrule Field Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRHoPxAfy_Q), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
Koume & Kotake’s Theme
That’s a brual choice there.
The Burning Crusade, Twilight Princess.
Hyrule Field Main Theme
Hyrule Field Main Theme
Koume& Kotake’s Theme
Top 10:
1001 arthurgolden
473 Shad
442 Smarty
427 Link006
415 topopoz
345 feralanima
326 Szczepan
255 aces4839
190 wolfmaster913
125 nibbish
———- Post added at 08:24 AM ———- Previous post was at 07:56 AM ———-
Link, round 2 ties are up in the Final Fantasy rumble if you’re interested. (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/final-fantasy-rumble-redux-vote-your-favorite-190139/4.html#post2996457)
Plus I need to get my post number up in this thread apparently – slacking!
Top 10:
1001 arthurgolden
473 Shad
442 Smarty
427 Link006
415 topopoz
345 feralanima
326 Szczepan
255 aces4839
190 wolfmaster913
125 nibbish[COLOR="Silver"]
I CAN’T BELIEVE I NEVER KNEW ABOUT THAT. Thanks! That’s a really cool feature. A thousand posts. That’s insane.
EDIT: It’s great to see some of those names again, too.
Pretty crazy.
Round 2, Fight 12 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
San’layn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xm7WYlQyCo), from Fall of the Lich King
vs.
Tides of War (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIsXMGFDHiY), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
Tides of War
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Round 3, Fight 4 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx6L5b-ACVk), from A Link to the Past
vs.
Last Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b_QS5xoN44), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Forest, but ouch, this one is tough.
Forest
Forest
I thought both entrants in the WoW rumble were kind of weak in this matchup.
Forest
Round 2, Fight 12 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Thaurissan’s Reach (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ejk7iCQFVw), from Cataclysm
vs.
Stormwind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPjeNWDsszw), from Wotld of Warcraft
——————————————————-
Stormwind deserves to win this, but I really dig Thaurissan’s Reach. Maybe because I haven’t heard it 500 times already. <_<
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Round 3, Fight 4 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Kakariko is Saved (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVZcvnItkdw), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Stone Tower Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz_NK5HgR6Q), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Stone Tower Temple!
And that’s it for round 3 of the Zelda rumble.
Kakariko is Saved – I found this to be a really difficult choice this round, and I don’t have the gaming experience of either game to help me decide.
I’m still sore at Kakariko taking out a Lanayru tune last round… still losing sleep over that one.
World of Warcraft, Majora’s Mask.
Stormwind
Kakariko is Saved
And…I unintentionally created a double tie.
Round 2, Fight 13 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Victory (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-d9YnScRW0), from The Gods of Zul’Aman
vs.
A Hero’s Sacrifice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1sT6O5vAsw), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
A Hero’s Sacrifice
——————————————————-
Underworld Semi-Final, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o78T9-I4OGA), from Wind Waker
vs.
Faron Woods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_2zBH30HJU), from Skyward Sword
——————————————————-
Title
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Round 2, Fight 12 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Thaurissan’s Reach (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ejk7iCQFVw), from Cataclysm
vs.
Stormwind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPjeNWDsszw), from Wotld of Warcraft
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Termina Round 3, Fight 4 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Kakariko is Saved (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVZcvnItkdw), from Twilight Princess
vs.
Stone Tower Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz_NK5HgR6Q), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
A Hero’s Sacrifice
Faron Woods
for the 2 last rounds i’ll vote:
Thaurissan’s Reach
Kakariko is Saved
Faron Woods
I will post a full stat recap once the tie is resolved!
Faron Woods
Shad:
Here is a preliminary list of 64. There are more songs to add; I only covered 4-7, 9, and 10. Make some suggestions of what can be cut.
Final Fantasy I-III
I have no experience in these games.
Final Fantasy IV (11)
Prelude
Red Wings
Prologue
Main Theme
Fight 2
Mystic Mysidia
The Dreadful Fight
Troian Beauty
The Lunarians
Within the Giant
The Final Battle
Final Fantasy V (6)
(It’s not that FFV lacks any nostalgia; I played it in 97 or 98. Its soundtrack just always sounded like FF4 B-sides to me–the epic Gilgamesh battle aside, a very unambitious collection compared to 4 and 6.)
Sealed Away
Cursed Earth
Harvest
The Day Will Come
Battle in the Big Bridge
Dear Friends
Final Fantasy VI (15)
Opening Theme
The Mines of Narshe
Kefka
Troops March On
Phantom Train
Wild West
Save Them!
The Decisive Battle
Slam Shuffle
The Empire Gestahl
Devil’s Lab
New Continent
The Fierce Battle
Last Dungeon
Dancing Mad (part 4, we’ll need a link for the entire song)
Final Fantasy VII (15)
Bombing Mission
Still More Fighting
Chasing the Black-Caped Man
J-E-N-O-V-A
Gold Saucer
Valley of the Fallen Star
The Nightmare Begins
Cid’s Theme
The Forested Temple
Aerith’s Theme
Off the Edge of Despair
On the Other Side of the Mountain
JENOVA Absolute
Birth of the God
One-Winged Angel
Final Fantasy VIII
Hated this game, leaving it for someone else.
Final Fantasy IX (12)
The Place I’ll Return To
Vivi’s Theme
Vamo Alla Flamenco
Awakened Forest
Frontier Village Dali
Song of Memories
Freija’s Theme
Kuja’s Theme
Theme of the Tantalus
Eternal Harvest
Dark Messenger
Final Battle
Final Fantasy X (5)
(I listened to the entire soundtrack when I made this, and I played the game when it first came out; The list is short because FFX’s soundtrack is quite frankly pretty bad.)
The Silence Before the Storm
Attack (Raid)
Seymour Battle
Otherworld
Decisive Battle
Final Fantasy XI-XIV
Never played them. Hell, I thought they only made 12.
arthurgolden:
I’m going to throw some ideas out there to cover the skipped soundtracks. That might make cutting songs easier, looking at everything at once–plus we can decide if we want 64 or 128.
Final Fantasy I (6)
Cornelia Castle
Main Theme
Town
Matoya???s Cavern
Gurg Volcano
Battle
Final Fantasy II (5)
Time of Revival
Main Theme
Imperial Army???s Theme
Tower of Mages
Ancient Castle
Final Fantasy III (10)
Eternal Wind
Boss Battle
Town of Water
The Invincible
This Is the Last Battle
Deep Under the Water
Elia the Maiden of Water
Jinn the Fire
My Home Town
Crystal Room
As many faults as there are in the game, I think FF8 has one of the best soundtracks of the series.
Final Fantasy VIII (16)
Liberi Fatali
Blue Fields
The Extreme
Maybe I???m a Lion
Breezy
The Spy
Succession of Witches
The Man with the Machine Gun
The Castle
Balamb Garden
Find Your Way
Martial Law
Force Your Way
Under Her Control
Silence and Motion
Eyes on Me
Final Fantasy XI (6)
Chateau d’Oraguille
Selbina
Airship
Anxiety
Sometime, Somewhere
Despair
Final Fantasy XII (13)
Secret Practice
Naivety
Signs of a Change
Rabanastre Downtown
Rebellion
Nalbina Fortress Underground Prison
The Skycity of Bhujerba
The Tomb of Raithwall
A Moment’s Rest
Seeking Power
Eruyt Village
Clash on the Big Bridge
The Phon Coast
That puts us at 120, without even touching FF13 or 14 (which we might not include anyway).
This seems close. We need to get a satisfactory list of 128, then check the links. Shad hasn’t logged in since October, so this is open to anyone’s suggestion/influence. Is anyone interested in doing a FF music rumble?
The updated list…
Final Fantasy I (6)
Cornelia Castle
Main Theme
Town
Matoya???s Cavern
Gurg Volcano
Battle
Final Fantasy II (4)
Main Theme
Imperial Army???s Theme
Tower of Mages
Ancient Castle
Final Fantasy III (8)
Eternal Wind
Boss Battle
Town of Water
The Invincible
This Is the Last Battle
Deep Under the Water
Elia the Maiden of Water
Jinn the Fire
Final Fantasy IV (11)
Prelude
Red Wings
Prologue
Main Theme
Fight 2
Mystic Mysidia
The Dreadful Fight
Troian Beauty
The Lunarians
Within the Giant
The Final Battle
Final Fantasy V (6)
Sealed Away
Cursed Earth
Harvest
The Day Will Come
Battle in the Big Bridge
Dear Friends
Final Fantasy VI (15)
The Omen
The Mines of Narshe
Kefka
Troops March On
Phantom Train
Wild West
Save Them!
The Decisive Battle
Slam Shuffle
The Empire Gestahl
Devil’s Lab
New Continent
The Fierce Battle
Last Dungeon
Dancing Mad
Final Fantasy VII (15)
Bombing Mission
Still More Fighting
Chasing the Black-Caped Man
J-E-N-O-V-A
Gold Saucer
Valley of the Fallen Star
The Nightmare Begins
Cid’s Theme
The Forested Temple
Aerith’s Theme
Off the Edge of Despair
On the Other Side of the Mountain
JENOVA Absolute
Birth of the God
One-Winged Angel
Final Fantasy VIII (15)
Liberi Fatali
Blue Fields
The Extreme
Maybe I???m a Lion
Breezy
The Spy
The Man with the Machine Gun
The Castle
Balamb Garden
Find Your Way
Martial Law
Force Your Way
Under Her Control
Silence and Motion
Eyes on Me
Final Fantasy IX (12)
The Place I’ll Return To
Vivi’s Theme
Vamo Alla Flamenco
Awakened Forest
Frontier Village Dali
Song of Memories
Freija’s Theme
Kuja’s Theme
Theme of the Tantalus
Eternal Harvest
Dark Messenger
Final Battle
Final Fantasy X (5)
The Silence Before the Storm
Attack (Raid)
Seymour Battle
Otherworld
Decisive Battle
Final Fantasy XI (5)
Chateau d’Oraguille
Airship
Anxiety
Sometime, Somewhere
Despair
Final Fantasy XII (13)
Secret Practice
Naivety
Signs of a Change
Rabanastre Downtown
Rebellion
Nalbina Fortress Underground Prison
The Skycity of Bhujerba
The Tomb of Raithwall
A Moment’s Rest
Seeking Power
Eruyt Village
Clash on the Big Bridge
The Phon Coast
Final Fantasy XIII (8)
Will to Fight
Taejin’s Tower
Born Anew
All the Word Against Us
Primarch Dynasty
Fabula Nova Crystallis
Blinded by Light
Mysteries Abound
Final Fantasy XIV (5)
Track 13
Track 23
Track 26
Track 27
Track 42
Smarty:
I have some suggestions regarding Final Fantasy XII. It would be better, imo, if the list looked like this:
Final Fantasy XII(14):
Signs of a Change
Rabanastre Downtown
Rebellion
Nalbina Fortress Underground Prison
The Skycity of BhujerbaSeeking Power
Eruyt Village
Clash on the Big Bridge
The Phon Coast
The Royal City Of Rabanastre
The Forgotten Capital
Esper Battle
Theme Of The Empire
Ashe’s Theme
To The Place Of Gods
Let me know what you think.
arthurgolden:
Those changes are fine with me.
Remove:
Secret Practice
Naivety
The Tomb of Raithwall
A Moment’s Rest
Add:
The Royal City Of Rabanastre
The Forgotten Capital
Esper Battle
Theme Of The Empire
Ashe’s Theme
To The Place Of Gods
Smarty:
Added links for them, too:
Signs Of A Change
Rabanastre Downtown
Rebellion
Nalbina Fortress Underground Prison
The Skycity Of Bhujerba
Seeking Power
Eruyt Village
Clash On The Big Bridge
The Phon Coast
The Royal City Of Rabanastre
The Forgotten Capital
Esper Battle
Theme Of The Empire
Ashe’s Theme
To The Place Of Gods
Shad:
Hearing some of the music which followed Final Fantasy X has greatly increased my opinion of it in comparison, and 5 tracks for one of the most famous games in the series just seems inappropriate anyway. I cut FF12’s Clash on the Big Bridge because it is a repeat of 5 and 5 has far fewer selections. I also cut a lot of tracks from the first 3 games in the series, which I think we can probably agree just don’t match up. (Uematsu was not, for all he accomplished in his career, an outstanding NES composer). From FF8 I’m cutting "Balamb Garden" and "Silence and Motion". I need to remove one more song, and it’s going to have to be from FF13 because it currently has more selections than any games but 6 and 7. I’m loath to wield the axe because I think it’s the best soundtrack since 9. Let me know if there’s one in particular you’re least fond of, otherwise I’ll make the call when the contested spot comes up in the rumble.
Having listened to them all again, I’m going to go ahead and cut "Signs of a Change" for now. Let me know if you want me to switch it out with another.
By the way, Link, ties are up already. 😛 It’s getting down to the end so moving faster now.
And i’m in a tie match, how interesting…
I enjoy A Hero’s Sacrifice
Faron Woods
Thaurissan’s Reach (it was a hard one, but this is my vote)
Kakariko is Saved (another hard one)
(Just in time to finish out the annual FF rumble with us maybe? :))
(Just in time to finish out the annual FF rumble with us maybe? :))
-nods- its what i wanted right? I can’t remember when I said that, but i remember saying "How about an FF rumble" I just had an FF moment, cause i flicked on "Symphonic Odysseys" – Nobuo Uematsu tribute.
There are, of course, parallels between the article’s larger themes and the mid-nineties debates over video games that persist today.
Round 2, Fight 14 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Air (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3-W8SbIl0Y), from Rage of the Firelands
vs.
Karazhan Opera House (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dedMP7eda2E), from The Burning Crusade
——————————————————-
Ouch. Karazhan Opera House, but Air is also one of my favorites. When heard in-game it was really striking.
——————————————————-
Hyrule Semi-Final, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Farewell Hyrule King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq7LrougGYk), from Wind Waker
vs.
Spirit Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEWOeiUmFgA), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Farewell Hyrule King
———- Post added at 12:57 PM ———- Previous post was at 12:55 PM ———-
Apropos of our previous discussions about metal: 1980s Metalhead Kids Are All Right: New Study Suggests They Became Well-Adjusted Adults (http://www.openculture.com/2015/07/1980s-metalhead-kids-are-all-right.html)
There are, of course, parallels between the article’s larger themes and the mid-nineties debates over video games that persist today.
Eeeewwwww, 80s metal. 😛
Spirit Temple
Farewell Hyrule King
Farewell Hyrule King
We’re at the Sweet 16 of The Big Dance. Only one No. 1 seed remains in the tournament.
Things spiraled downhill for A Link to the Past in the third round. A look at the earlier schedule for ALttP shows a t rend of unusually easy matchups during the first three rounds, with only a handful that the game wasn’t favored to win. The SNES classic is down to its last two games after a 2-4 showing in round number three. The game moves to 18-9 in the tournament.
In a stunning upset, one of the two remaining top seeds (both belonging to the original Zelda) fell last round with the original Intro falling to No. 25 seed Farewell Hyrule King from the Wind Waker. The Overworld theme powered past Oracle of Ages’ Trouble on the Raft to give the original a 1-1 round and the highest seed left in the tournament. The NES game that started it all is now 6-3 in the tournament.
The Wind Waker for the most part continued its strong performance. Besides the shocking upset mentioned earlier, No. 4 seed Ocean is the highest seed left in the Termina region. It is one of two games with songs remaining in three different regions (Twilight Princess). TWW was 3-1 in the round and is now 12-7 in the rumble.
Ocarina of Time has two heavy favorites left – the exceptionally strong No. 3 seed Forest Temple and No. 4 seed Spirit Temple. Spirit Temple should be favored in its match up. The game was close to getting the most tracks into the regional semis but came up short in a couple of critical votes, and managed to go just 2-4 in the round. That leaves the game 22-21 for the tournament, still the tournament high for wins.
Majora’s Mask, likely the most underrated and underappreciated game of the series, similarly didn’t feel the love in the Zelda rumble. The Nintendo 64 follow up to what many consider the seminal classic of the series was eliminated in the third round. MM lost both votes in the round and ends the tournament at 7-12.
Skyward Sword still has multiple hopes alive in the tournament and they’re both in different regions. It won both matchups and notches back above .500 at 8-7 headed into the Sweet 16.
Similarly to Majora’s Mask, the road ended for the Oracles games this past round. Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages both lost their last matchups of the tournament. OoS finishes 2-8, OoA at 6-8.
Zelda II stayed alive with its last game, No. 10 seed Palace, defeating No. 14 seed Wind Fish’s Egg from LA. AoL is 5-6 in the tournament.
Link’s Awakening also stayed alive and is by far the best performing handheld of the event. LA went 2-1 to enter the round 10-9.
Twilight Princess must be considered the favorite to win the tournament at this point. The game boasts three entries still alive and two of them are No. 2 seeds. TP went 3-1 and is back above .500 at 16-15.
TWW = 3
TP = 3
ALttP = 2
SS = 2
OoT = 2
LA = 2
LoZ = 1
AoL = 1
The higher seed was 10-6 and is now 69-41 in the tournament. Of the 16 tracks remaining, 12 were favored to win in the first round.
Round 2, Fight 16 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Into the Coliseum (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdF1qrN1QEw), from Call of the Crusade
vs.
Angrathar’s Shadow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9LWT-tQFt0), from Wrath of the Lich King
——————————————————-
Angrathar’s Shadow
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Semi-Final, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpEzYEoV9qY), from Legend of Zelda
vs.
Dark World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw), from A Link to the Past
——————————————————-
Dark World
Dark World
Overworld is the last top seed alive in the tournament. Dark World is decent, but it can’t hold up to the original classic.
In the other matchup… of course… Call of the Crusade must die.
Angrathar’s Shadow, Legend of Zelda
Into the Colosseum
Overworld
Legend of Zelda
Round 2, Fight 17 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Outlands Horde Base (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd9JRYqzpqI#t=1m20s), from The Burning Crusade
vs.
Isle of Conquest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-YbfdLYFiU), from Call of the Crusade
——————————————————-
will vote later
——————————————————-
Termina Semi-Final, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Color Dungeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN5EXLqG3Z8), from Link’s Awakening DX
vs.
Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN_x1rpGbY8), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Color Dungeon, make it happen. I love this track. 🙂
Ocean 😀 Can’t do it.
Definitely going Ocean. I don’t understand Color Dungeon lasted longer than the (superior) track it was inspired by – the original Underworld from the NES Zelda!! Good track, but Ocean is perhaps the most unique overworld theme in the series and singlehandedly made sailing fun for me.
The Burning Crusade, The Wind Waker.
Color Dungeon
And I just created a double tie…whoops
——————————————————-
Slaughtered Lamb (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZbXGkNPof0), from World of Warcraft
vs.
Depths of Vashj’ir (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myTFIzlpGDs), from Cataclysm
——————————————————-
Slaughtered Lamb
——————————————————-
Underworld Semi-Final, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Forest Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmsZyC0UXUU), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Midna’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3mhU2XEOOs), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
Forest Temple
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Round 2, Fight 17 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Outlands Horde Base (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd9JRYqzpqI#t=1m20s), from The Burning Crusade
vs.
Isle of Conquest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-YbfdLYFiU), from Call of the Crusade
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Termina Semi-Final, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Color Dungeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN5EXLqG3Z8), from Link’s Awakening DX
vs.
Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN_x1rpGbY8), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Forest Temple
Forest Temple – Tough call
I hate this round in Zelda SO much. This is the lowest combined rank of ANY matchup in the rumble thus far – #2 seed Midna’s Theme vs. #3 seed Forest Temple.
Cataclysm, Ocarina of Time.
Tails wins the toss! Outlands Horde Base (2-2), Slaughtered Lamb (3-1), and Forest Temple (4-0) advance!
Round 2, Fight 19 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Distraction at the Dead Scar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=506jM_O4j2M), from Fury of the Sunwell
vs.
Wrath of the Lich King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Dh_IOIkRUw), from Wrath of the Lich King
——————————————————-
will vote later
——————————————————-
Hyrule Semi-Final, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a7Sh82Mzdc), from Adventure of Link
vs.
Hyrule Field Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRHoPxAfy_Q), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
Palace
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Termina Semi-Final, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Color Dungeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN5EXLqG3Z8), from Link’s Awakening DX
vs.
Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN_x1rpGbY8), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Palace
Palace
World of Warcraft – Slaughtered Lamb (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbk2PLLat60)
Chrono Trigger – Millennial Fair (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V30CpmjVyoY)
Hyrule Field
Make the right choice!
PforPianist, I honestly don’t know which you would probably choose off the top of my head, but when no one breaks a tie I end up flipping a coin to determine which advances, so if you have a preference, well, that’s why I started leaving ties open for an extra round in the first place. I’d rather see the track I prefer lose than let luck settle the matter. 🙂
Round 2, Fight 20 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Thrall’s Might (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbpEBkN36B0), from Hour of Twilight
vs.
Stormlords on the March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTEVPrA90I0), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
Ouch. Round 2’s ending with two outstanding tracks. I think I have to take Thrall’s Might here. It reminds me of Summoning, one of my favorite bands.
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Semi-Final, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Sword Search (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3VXcML6Hf0), from Link’s Awakening
vs.
Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1CKttAmNKA), from A Link to the Past
——————————————————-
Forest
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Termina Semi-Final, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Color Dungeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN5EXLqG3Z8), from Link’s Awakening DX
vs.
Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN_x1rpGbY8), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
Forest
Sword Search
Round 3, Fight 1 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Bloodlord Mandokir (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGuIIRW-B1A), from Rise of the Zandalari
vs.
Enchanted Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r7iz-9v9bA), from World of Warcraft
——————————————————-
Enchanted Forest
——————————————————-
Termina Semi-Final, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Before the Journey, from Skyward Sword
(http://downloads.k h i n s i d e r.com/game-soundtracks/album/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-expanded/1-34-before-the-journey.mp3)
vs.
Kakariko is Saved (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVZcvnItkdw), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
Kakariko is Saved
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Round 2, Fight 20 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Thrall’s Might (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbpEBkN36B0), from Hour of Twilight vs. Stormlords on the March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTEVPrA90I0), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: The Golden Land Semi-Final, Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Sword Search (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3VXcML6Hf0), from Link’s Awakening vs. Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1CKttAmNKA), from A Link to the Past
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Termina Semi-Final, Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Color Dungeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN5EXLqG3Z8), from Link’s Awakening DX vs. Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN_x1rpGbY8), from Wind Waker
I guess if I HAVE to pick a Zelda one….
World of Warcraft, Skyward Sword.
Though if both lose and a Lanayru track reappears in the bracket I won’t complain.
Kakariko is Saved
Kakariko is Saved
Chipping in my protest vote for Ancient Lanayru here as well 🙂
Heads Heads Tails means that Thrall’s Might (2-2), Forest (2-2), and Ocean (2-2) advance, along with Enchanted Forest (4-0) and Kakariko is Saved (3-1).
Round 3, Fight 2 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Angrathar’s Shadow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9LWT-tQFt0), from Wrath of the Lich King
vs.
Hellfire Peninsula (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7XA-JvK6kg), from The Burning Crusade
——————————————————-
Angrathar’s Shadow
——————————————————-
Underworld Final! // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Faron Woods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_2zBH30HJU), from Skyward Sword
vs.
Forest Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmsZyC0UXUU), from Ocarina of Time
——————————————————-
Forest Temple
Angrathar’s Shadow
Forest Temple
Faron Woods
All forest matchup in the other rumble, and I take Forest Temple.
The Burning Crusade, Ocarina of Time.
———- Post added at 08:43 PM ———- Previous post was at 08:39 PM ———-
We’re down to the Elite 8 in the Zelda Rumble.
It is interesting to note that no game has more than two left and that is somehow The Wind Waker. Wind Waker has the highest seed left (No. 25 Farewell Hyrule King) & a No. 4 seed (Ocean). Adventure of Link’s Palace is a #10 seed. Skyward Sword’s only entry is in battle currently as a #13 seed while Ocarina of Time, which started the rumble with the most entries, has a #3 seed left (Forest Temple).
On the other half of the bracket, the top seed remaining in the entire rumble is Overworld from the original Legend of Zelda (it was the #2 seed overall). It will try to usher out #22 seed Forest from A Link to the Past to complete that game’s epic collapse over the last two rounds. There are two #22 seeds left somehow, as Kakariko is Saved somehow survived a very strong Termina bracket to face off with #4 seed Ocean from the Wind Waker.
Forest Temple
Off-Topic: Hey guys, how’s it going? I haven’t been on here for a while. I just wanted to share the most ridiculous thing I heard recently. It’s a russian rap song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FqxdbV-wXU). But wait…
probably won’t update until tomorrow, kind of busy
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/10505377_840801215931297_3422588213365432959_n_zps i5tke8dm.jpg
Update coming in a bit. I unintentionally ended up in two games of forum mafia (http://wiki.mafiascum.net/index.php?title=Main_Page) simultaneously and it’s eating up every free minute of my life for the next week or two.
———- Post added at 09:04 PM ———- Previous post was at 08:48 PM ———-
Angrathar’s Shadow (4-1) and Forest Temple (4-1) advance!
Round 3, Fight 3 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Outlands Horde Base (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd9JRYqzpqI#t=1m20s), from Burning Crusade
vs.
Air (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3-W8SbIl0Y), from Rage of the Firelands
——————————————————-
Air
——————————————————-
Hyrule Final! // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Farewell Hyrule King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmqf1Fztvr8), from Wind Waker
vs.
Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a7Sh82Mzdc), from Adventure of Link
——————————————————-
Palace! But both are pretty great.
Palace
Farewell Hyrule King
The Burning Crusade, Zelda II.
Round 3, Fight 4 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
The Siege (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHKa6o_e5bU), from Secrets of Ulduar
vs.
Legends of Azeroth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqsazZUbt9s), from World of Warcraft
——————————————————-
Ouch… The Siege
——————————————————-
The Golden Land Final! // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpEzYEoV9qY), from Legend of Zelda
vs.
Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1CKttAmNKA), from A Link to the Past
——————————————————-
Forest
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Round 3, Fight 3 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Outlands Horde Base (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd9JRYqzpqI#t=1m20s), from Burning Crusade
vs.
Air (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3-W8SbIl0Y), from Rage of the Firelands
——————————————————-
Overworld
World of Warcraft, Legend of Zelda.
Overworld
Round 3, Fight 4 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Thrall’s Might (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbpEBkN36B0), from Hour of Twilight
vs.
The Shattering (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADmPpY_oC2k), from Cataclysm
——————————————————-
I’ll vote later.
——————————————————-
Termina Final! // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN_x1rpGbY8), from Wind Waker
vs.
Kakariko is Saved (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVZcvnItkdw), from Twilight Princess
——————————————————-
I’ll vote later.
Kakariko is Saved
Ocean
The Shattering, The Wind Waker (This is a track I AM feeling!)
Kakariko is Saved
Ocean
Round 3, Fight 5 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Distraction at the Dead Scar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=506jM_O4j2M), from Fury of the Sunwell
vs.
Slaughtered Lamb (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZbXGkNPof0), from World of Warcraft
——————————————————-
Slaughtered Lamb
——————————————————-
Semi-Final Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Forest Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmsZyC0UXUU), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a7Sh82Mzdc), from Adventure of Link
——————————————————-
Palace
Forest Temple
Palace
All the Cinderella’s bubbles have been burst. The highest seed remaining is in action this round (No. 10 seed Palace). Four titles from four very different games. Two 3D, two 2D. The collapse of A Link to the Past is complete – it’s mid-round success shown to be the product of a statistically easy schedule. The favorite Ocarina of Time (with the most entries) is still alive with a No. 3 seed (Forest Temple). One top seed remains – no surprise that it is Overworld from the NES classic. It faces off another top-5 seed contender; No. 4 seed Ocean from The Wind Waker. Which will reign supreme?
Too strong to call it a dark horse pick, but I think few would have thought Forest Temple’s flutes and haunting melody would carry it this far. Palace has certainly proved itself worthy… but I think Forest Temple gets the nod.
I’m not sure how many Burning Crusade tracks are left in the WoW rumble… but it is probably too few for my tastes. The Burning Crusade strengthened music in WoW – respecting the game’s music legacy and history while setting new themes (Blood Elves) that would reappear time and again. My favorite and I believe the most underappreciated musical expansion of the game.
The Burning Crusade, Ocarina of Time.
🙁
Round 3, Fight 7 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Dalaran (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrUkZdtPohc), from Wrath of the Lich King
vs.
Naxxramas Walk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddcDtn0GyrQ), from Shadow of the Necropolis
——————————————————-
Dalaran
——————————————————-
Semi-Final Fight 2 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpEzYEoV9qY), from Legend of Zelda
vs.
Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN_x1rpGbY8), from Wind Waker
——————————————————-
I’m not nearly as excited about these two tracks as the other semi-final. Overworld is overrated. Ocean is pretty solid, wouldn’t have put it in the final 4 though.
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Semi-Final Fight 1 // Zelda Rumble
——————————————————-
Forest Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmsZyC0UXUU), from Ocarina of Time
vs.
Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a7Sh82Mzdc), from Adventure of Link
Overworld
World of Warcraft, Legend of Zelda.
Overworld I really like both of these
And this is it! We’ve got an old school showdown in the final round of the Zelda rumble:
Final // Zelda Rumble
VS 
——————————————————-
Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpEzYEoV9qY), from Legend of Zelda
vs.
Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a7Sh82Mzdc), from Adventure of Link
——————————————————-
Should be pretty obvious where my vote is landing by now. Palace!
I think i’ve gone for overworld at any chance that I had, but this time, I’m voting for Palace. What a game this is to have a track like this in it. I can appreciate the textures they use to keep people in the zone and playing because they enjoy it. Something’s about to happen i think (having never played the game that’s what i think anyway)
Instead we do get a matchup of two NES games for all the marbles in the Big Dance. Palace is a very solid theme, but Overworld is seeded #1 for a reason. Palace is a theme that is not repeated in any subsequent game. Does that lend to its charm and uniqueness? I would argue yes. But Overworld is a track that is by far more quintessentially Zelda than ANY other track in the rumble and I don’t think it is close.
The Legend of Zelda.
It will never end.
Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpEzYEoV9qY), from Legend of Zelda beat out Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a7Sh82Mzdc), from Adventure of Link 4-3 to become the 23rd rumble champion!
——————————————————-
Round 3, Fight 8 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Xaxas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLw5MX7bZqI), from Cataclysm
vs.
Tides of War (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2Gw7TiJFuk), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
Xaxas
——————————————————-
Future Rumble
It’s time for a new match-up, and to be honest there isn’t much on the table right now. Arthur mentioned earlier that he’d prefer a shorter rumble next, and I have to agree there. We have three Custom 16 rumbles available: mine, Arthur’s, and NARFNra’s. 16-track rumbles which have been proposed but not yet built include Final Fantasy XIII songs, soundtracks for Nihon Falcom titles, and games composed by Akira Yamaoka, Yoko Shimomura, and David Wise. What would you all prefer?
Many thanks to our beneficent wolf mod for the tiebreaker. Long may you reign.
For WoW: Xaxas
For the next rumble: My first preference is Custom 16, which I’m pretty excited about. Two other options: I’d be happy with the C64 rumble, if it’s ready to go. The 7th Gen rumble is ready, but 64 soundtracks long, making it only somewhat shorter than what we’ve been doing.
*By the way, the line-up for each person’s Custom 16 rumble can be found on the group page here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/groups/vgm-rumble-group-procrastination-station/custom-16-rumbles-486/). All participants are, of course, welcome to make one for a future rumble.
I agree with going for a shorter rumble. Personally, I would really like an Akira Yamaoka or Yoko Shimomura rumble. If enough people are interested, I’m sure we can make one in just a couple of days in the group page.
A short rumble sounds good. I’m cool with doing one of the custom rumbles, but I would like to do Akira Yamaoka or Yoko Shimomura rumbles as well in the future if not now.
3 votes for the composers says that’s probably where we’re headed. I’d knock out a custom first myself but I’m most interested in NARFNra’s and he’s been MIA for a few months now. I can help organize a Yoko Shimomura rumble. Not very familiar with Akira Yamaoka.
In the WoW rumble… Cataclysm.
Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpEzYEoV9qY)
Celebrates by playing itself. I could see myself playing this and dancing around for the celebration of this song. Such good celebration music.
I’m going for Tides of War this time. Im in a sad mood, so it is a meaningful song at the moment.
Custom 16 gets my vote now.
——————————————————-
Round 3, Fight 9 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Echoes of the Past (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfJYzZ-PC9g), from The Burning Crusade
vs.
Totems of the Grizzlemaw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGmIWA7LADk), from Wrath of the Lich King
——————————————————-
Totems of the Grizzlemaw
What is the next rumble? Shimomura or Yamaoka?
Wrath of the Lich King.
As far as the next one… I can offer no opinion as I’ve not heard of any of the possible options.
I’m actually sad I didn’t vote for Totems of the Grizzlemaw. But history trumps the new music this time.
——————————————————-
Round 3, Fight 10 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Thaurissan’s Reach (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ejk7iCQFVw), from Cataclysm
vs.
A Hero’s Sacrifice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1sT6O5vAsw), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
will vote later
As you may be aware, Sarah (the owner of FFShrine and Galbadia Hotel) has become a target for hackers, doxxers, and other forms of harassment. That campaign led to the forum’s recent hack (everyone has been advised to change their passwords) and also revealed that Sarah is heavily in debt. While the motivating factors and implications of this information are the subject of emotionally intense discussions in other parts of the forums, for our purposes, it’s worth noting that…
1) The harassment could escalate from here, given that Sarah is writing publicly about these matters
2) Sarah does not have the finances to keep the forums afloat on her own and, in the event that she does need to request donations, will likely face suspicion from past donors and others about the donation process
I think we’re all aware of the systems of communication in place in case the forums go down, and I’m certainly not saying they will. Those of us who have been here for many years have seen past drama amount to nothing. But given the determination her attackers have shown so far in bringing Sarah down and the now public knowledge that she is in some significant financial trouble, it may be prudent to save what you need to save in case these are, as another member predicted, the final days of the Shrine.
Luckily my email was from college for an address that doesn’t exist anymore… haha… SUCKERS!
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/200_s_zpskufopdah.gif
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/200_s_zpskufopdah.gif
I like what you did there!
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Round 1, Fight 1 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
First Step Towards Adventure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWcnX77j6zE), from Mystic Ark
vs.
Luna Ascension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp9eRncVbcY), from Tower of Heaven
——————————————————-
Oh my. This is pretty awesome: Luna Ascension
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Wild Card Round 1 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Pick Two!
For the Alliance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESA4CMrP9zo), from Landfall
Family (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzXatGNb0UM), from Warlords of Draenor
Outlands Alliance Base (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJXIjKZaip4), from Burning Crusade
Wolf at the Gates (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twUq_l3g3NI), from Warlords of Draenor
The Dark Moon Faire’s Merry-Go-Round (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF7CpyIwJiY), from Landfall
Kezan/Lost Isles 09 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D9UtRZ2Bec#t=156), from Cataclysm
——————————————————-
I’m tentatively picking The Dark Moon Faire’s Merry-Go-Round and Kezan/Lost Isles 09, but that may change when I get a chance to listen to them all again.
For those who haven’t seen the original thread on the group page, this is not meant to be a list of favorite songs, per se. Rather, it’s meant to be a list of songs that haven’t previously been in a rumble, or haven’t made it very far in a previous rumble, or are unlikely to find a home in a future rumble, but that the creator of the list nevertheless finds interesting, compelling, of personal significance, or otherwise worthy of others’ attention. I chose mine with those criteria in mind.
Why these two:
First Step Towards Adventure is admittedly not a very complex song. But it represents the best part of one of my hobbies: experiencing the joy of discovery while playing SNES repros (which are Japanese-only SFC releases that were fan-translated into English and reproduced in functioning SNES carts). Although there are a lot of reasons a game might not make it overseas that have nothing to do with its quality, Mystic Ark (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUtkCfl297M) probably was just not interesting enough to merit the development costs of sending it worldwide. The game is an RPG in the style of 7th Saga that requires you to search every surface for cryptic clues that lead you on force-marches across overworld plains and into dungeons with punishing encounter rates and mind-numbingly repetitive battle strategies. It’s got little to offer us in 2015, except for the music. When I first heard the above song, I loved the pensiveness, weariness, and determination it shared with one of my other favorite SNES overworld songs: Final Fantasy IV’s Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8PBB5Oixlk). Like so many SNES soundtracks for mediocre games, it lends nobility and drama and emotional complexity to the events on screen. I went on to trudge through the rest of the game solely because Akihiko Mori kept dishing out track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGZQ1cqK3fU&index=11) after track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVVP2nN5Mrs) after track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvt1FzrwHZ4&index=4) with brilliant sample resolution and strong arrangements. This song is a great lead-off for those who are interested in listening to the whole soundtrack.
In a similar vein, I love to discover flash games and freeware that rise above the typical fare. In fact, I once made a thread (http://forums.ffshrine.org/showthread.php?t=83658&highlight=) about my favorites???although it went nowhere. Nevertheless, Tower of Heaven (http://www.kongregate.com/games/flashygoodness/tower-of-heaven) is awesome, and flashygoodness should be much more well-known (along with Rich Vreeland, Terence Lee, Matthew Valente, Morgan David King, Whitaker Trebella, Jools Watsham, Karl Brueggemann, etc.). The game is a platformer with a challenging, but always fun difficulty rate, a visual style inspired by the Game Boy, rules that change every level, great death animations, memorable cinematic moments at the end, and several secrets to justify a replay once you’ve beaten it. This particular track is a speedy arrangement of the game’s main theme. For the full effect, I’d strongly recommend hearing it in context with the game’s full soundtrack (http://store.flashygoodness.com/album/tower-of-heaven-original-soundtrack), which has a total running time of less than 20 minutes. If you do play the game, just wait for Level 9. 😉
Luna Ascension
Kezan/Lost Isles 09
For the Alliance
Luna Ascension, Mists of Pandaria (For the Alliance), The Burning Crusade (Outlands Alliance Base).
Now that was a dollar well spent.
(Well ok, I gave him 5…)
For the Alliance
The Dark Moon Faire’s Merry-Go-Round
Family and Wolf At The Gates
For the Alliance
Wolf at the Gates
been listening to these songs on repeat, they’re so good!
Obviously I took your advice Arthur. Thanks for helping me find out about new songs and appreciate them based on how notable they are and letting my friends listen to them too
Glad people found something to like. 😀
For the Alliance easily overcame its coin toss woes to advance to round 2 of the WoW rumble. The second winner will be decided in a run-off. I imagine most of you will choose the same track you did last time, which is going to lead to another tie more likely than not. So I’ll do what I should have done the first time around here: Pick two of the three remaining tracks in order. If an outright winner is not determined by the #1 picks, I’ll assign 2 points for each #1 slot and 1 point for each #2 slot. If there is still a tie I’ll switch my vote so we can progress.
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 2 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Elvish Piper Academy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIKoLRV6lHA), from Dustforce
vs.
The Great Wall Has Fallen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qs5JmLAElg), from Guild Wars 2
——————————————————-
Elvish Piper Academy is not what I expected by the name, but I dig it. It’s a pretty tough call, but I’m more in the mood for The Great Wall Has Fallen right now.
——————————————————-
Wild Card Round 1 Run-Off // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Pick Two In Order!
Wolf at the Gates (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twUq_l3g3NI), from Warlords of Draenor
The Dark Moon Faire’s Merry-Go-Round (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF7CpyIwJiY), from Landfall
Kezan/Lost Isles 09 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D9UtRZ2Bec#t=156), from Cataclysm
——————————————————-
1: The Dark Moon Faire’s Merry-Go-Round
2: Kezan/Lost Isles 09
Dustforce continues the indie game kick with a gorgeous tune off a soundtrack (https://lifeformed.bandcamp.com/album/fastfall) rich with gorgeous tunes. From what I understand, the game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS8bmh_U1RU) is a platformer not unlike Super Meat Boy or VVVVVV, except in this scenario you…dust stuff. In a way, it also reminds me of the relatively unknown but very good SNES game The Firemen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjKsn7k2xg8), which is not a platformer but requires you to clear areas of (in this case) fire in order to reach the exit. I found the soundtrack while digging around "Best of" lists and fell in love. You wouldn’t accuse it of having the kind of world-traversing variety found in, say, an RPG soundtrack. There’s definitely a set mood, with guidelines around the types of sounds to be used and how. And it neatly falls into a mini-trend right now with similarities to the work of Rich Vreeland (http://music.disasterpeace.com/album/fez-ost) and 8-Bit Collective. But in no way am I complaining that there are so many opportunities to hear dance-y electronic music with simple, engaging motifs and tremendous amoeboid reverb effects that filter through your walls.
As was the case with Dustforce, as was the case with most of the songs in this rumble, The Great Wall Has Fallen was a song that piqued my interest, I added to a vgm playlist to turn into a mix CD for my friend, and while making that mix CD I started to listen to obsessively. My initial impression was very simple. Its mood was similar to something I’d heard while sitting at the table at my parents’ house???what I later found out was the theme song for a show called Downton Abbey. And while I don’t have any interest in the show and can’t say I even remembered how the title theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7ULKKJ5UpI) went off the top of my head, the effect created by the strings has lingered. Here, the strings are a little stabbier, but you get those nice harps and woodwinds to soften the edges, and the overall effect is somehow a little tense, but also a little calming. Strange. It’s made by no less a talent than Jeremy Soule, a bit of a mystic and romantic dreamer if you’ve ever talked to him or friended him on Facebook. Here, I think, his powers are at full force. Music can, of course, immediately transform a mood. Additionally, it’s an art form that can, because of its portability, more easily than others alter perception as experiences are taking place. A film, a painting, a book, or a video game to some extent command your eyes and/or limit your movement. Music goes with you, and because of that we might de-prioritize some of the other things it can do besides controlling mood, like evoking a setting. To be clear, I’ve never played Guild Wars 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkPwxUu6kSI), and only just learned as I was typing this sentence that it’s an MMORPG. Nevertheless, I have a distinct image of the situation, the people, the place, the emotion, the lighting, and the camera movement for when, where, and how this music could be used with great effect. I admire that, and also its subtlety. It’s the kind of piece you can listen to many times over in a row and still hear something new.
Elvish Piper Academy
1: Kezan/Lost Isles 09
2: Wolf at the Gates
1: Wolf at the Gates
2: Kezan/Lost Isles 09
#1 The Dark Moon Faire’s Merry-Go-Round
#2 Wolf at the Gates
I will begrudgingly pick the goblin track in the WoW runoff, though all options, including the winner of the last round, are so far behind the only track that lost (Outlands Alliance Base) that they really don’t justify my vote.
Dustforce, Cataclysm
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Round 1, Fight 3 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
The Crypt (Rapp Scallion) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ5Hhw2fimo), from Monkey Island 2
vs.
Another Winter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqv5wxKDSIo), from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game
——————————————————-
The Crypt
——————————————————-
Wild Card Round 2 Fight 1 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
For the Alliance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESA4CMrP9zo), from Landfall
vs.
Stormlords on the March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTEVPrA90I0), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
Stormlords on the March
For the Alliance
I stumbled upon "The Alliance March" when playing the WOW songs. Man, i’d vote for that one!
Why these two:
I know I’m not alone in saying that when it came time for me to work on my thesis for grad school, I started finding as many methods of procrastination as possible. One of them was to read about (http://www.amazon.com/Hardcoregaming101-net-Presents-Classic-Graphic-Adventures/dp/146095579X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443589602&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Guide+to+Classic+Graphic+Adventures) and play old adventure games, particularly LucasArts adventure games, that I’d never had access to as a kid. For the uninitiated, the library is incredible. Maniac Mansion, Day of the Tentacle, and the Sam & Max games all have their goofy, surrealist charms. And then there’s The Dig. I could not believe I’d never heard of The Dig. It’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s scary. And the soundtrack (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8kBCO8x2JE) is one of the great PC soundtracks of the 90s. It is stupendous. It is a must listen. But of all LucasArts’ games, I think The Secret of Monkey Island charmed me the most. It has so many stupid lines in it: "That???s the second biggest monkey head I???ve ever seen!" when he walks up to this (
). Or all of the dialogue in the infamous swordfighting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whSrucazuLc) scenes (http://monkeyisland.wikia.com/wiki/Insult_Sword_Fighting) (some of which was written by the sci-fi author Orson Scott Card). But there’s also an endearing and earnest sweetness in the love story that’s a tribute to the character art (
), dialogue, and Love Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqMLBFmNl-g). I chose The Crypt to represent all of this because it showcases Michael Land’s skill for melody, mood, and layering, as well as his instinct for the unexpected. You do not, pretty much cannot, expect what comes a minute and a half into the song the first time you listen to it. And, for me, it is still so jarring, and so strangely affecting, that it has proven to be unforgettable. I love it. I don’t know if others do. My wife just walked in the room as I was typing and said, "What the hell are they DOING in this song?" Whatever it is, I can’t get enough.
Anamanaguchi, the band who composed the soundtrack for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Video Game, is to video game music what Lisa Frank (https://www.google.com/search?q=lisa+frank&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMIrr2Hw_-dyAIVWBmSCh1qxQSk&biw=1920&bih=922#tbm=isch&q=lisa+frank+trapper+keeper) was to Trapper Keeper art. There’s a transfixing, intense exuberance to their work, a hyperreality modeled off the same plane of existence that gave us "Pizza Power!" and "I’m so excited! I’m so scared!" And this parody commercial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7Hoz2ZHYZM) accurately summarizes where you’re headed if you try to live at that intensity level for any extended period of time. Anamanaguchi mills a sound that, for me, summons up all the weird, color-blocking power of that time and place (https://vimeo.com/29455771). More than the nostalgia factor, though, I think this song offers something special: it’s rocking, heroic, a little sad, and catchy. It sorta reminds of the very tight, very dense Radiohead song "2+2=5, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qYEfndYVeg)" which led off an album in which they wanted to quickly capture the energy of their full-band live performances after a duo of albums that were created laboriously in bits and pieces in the studio. Probably the same could be attributed to the power of Anamanaguchi’s work. It’s electronic, but it has the verve of a live full-band performance. If you like this one, definitely check out the whole soundtrack (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QetHYUAGId8&index=8&list=PL1B2609BD77EF9088).
The Crypt
For the Alliance
Stormlords on the March
6 years with 200 pages and over 5000 replies! Insane!
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Warlords of Draenor.
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 4 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Someone is Always Moving on the Surface (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf6vg4jMvhY), from Armored Core: For Answer
vs.
Lord of Vermillion 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4z52JIEf9M), from Lord of Vermillion 2
——————————————————-
I’ll have to give these another play when I’m less distracted, but Lord of Vermillion 2 gets the edge right now. Tough call.
——————————————————-
Wild Card Round 2 Fight 2 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Isle of Conquest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-YbfdLYFiU), from Call of the Crusade
vs.
The Argent Tournament (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYg5FK237qY), from Call of the Crusade
——————————————————-
Speaking of tough calls, think I have to take Isle of Conquest in this one.
Armored Core: For Answer, Isle of Conquest.
The Argent Tournament
Why these two:
The first time I heard Someone Is Always Moving on the Surface, it hit me like a short blast of wind. I got to the end and thought, "Too bad. They had something going there." But after listening to other stuff for a couple minutes, it kept nagging at me. So I listened again. Then I listened some more. And the next day, and then the next day. It’s not what you’d expect from a game about massive Magitek suits blowing up world-destroying robot cities. A string of light, recursive piano notes floated above a chorus doesn’t exactly suggest global warfare involving bioweapons manufacturers and mercenaries toting spaceship-breaching artillery contending for ownership of the last remaining human habitats suspended just above them. At first blush, this is the musical equivalent of a lemon meringue pie. But when the strings start tugging at the rhythm around the 1:00 minute mark, and then the chorus inverts the mix and starts a wrestling match with the piano, you do get, however abstractly, a reflection of the world of the story and also at that last strain, a sense that something significant is at stake. For me, it’s a magical song that I used to open one of the mix CDs I made a friend.
And I closed that same mix CD with Lord of Vermillion 2. If Someone Is Always Moving on the Surface is a blast of wind, then this song is the musical equivalent of hypnagogia, the transitional state between consciousness and sleep, where things are watery but you’re still vaguely aware of your surroundings. I really, really, really wish I had been able to find a video without that awful, audible clip at the beginning. But this will have to do, and hopefully you still get the sense of immersive beauty. Of all the years I’ve spent seeking out video game music, this has to be one of the greatest ones I found without the aid of a list or recommendation. I’d heard Nobuo Uematsu’s soundtrack for the first Lord of Vermilion game???which just as an aside is an arcade game (
) controlled by collectible cards you place on a screen????and thought it was a solid effort and knew when Hitoshi Sakimoto took over for the second one I should expect another solid effort. But wow. I seldom like vocal music in video games (not that I don’t like vocal music, but for reasons that are specific to each example simply haven’t heard much from a video game that moved me) but this is a huge exception. I don’t have a clue what she’s saying, but she’s saying it sweet. The actor Wendell Pierce once said in an interview, in response to a question about music’s power, that music brings clarity to desperation. I think that’s true, but music also brings clarity to beauty. This is the kind of song where the world looks a little different afterwards.
Brutal choice.
Lord of Vermillion 2
The Argent Tournament
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Round 1, Fight 5 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Subwoofer Lullaby (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpd85y_iTxY), from Minecraft
vs.
The Death Plains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2FKUs5KwlA), from Darksiders II
——————————————————-
I’ll vote in a bit.
——————————————————-
Wild Card Round 2 Fight 3 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Kezan/Lost Isles 09 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D9UtRZ2Bec#t=156), from Cataclysm
vs.
Jaina’s Ode to Theramore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-vNMKBoiCM), from Landfall
——————————————————-
I’ll vote in a bit.
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Wild Card Round 2 Fight 2 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Isle of Conquest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-YbfdLYFiU), from Call of the Crusade
vs.
The Argent Tournament (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYg5FK237qY), from Call of the Crusade
——————————————————-
And I’ll stick with Kezan/Lost Isles 09
The Argent Tournament
Jaina’s Ode to Theramore
Thank you Arthur for the FF soundtrack! I love that they did pieces that aren’t usually done.
Why these two:
I am so, so far behind in playing contemporary video games. I know titles and franchises, and I catch speedruns of games I’m interested in a couple years after their release. But it has been ridiculously difficult???and this isn’t exactly a unique story???to carve out time for video games in my thirties. If you only get an hour to an hour-and-a-half a night to relax after your spouse goes to sleep, it kinda limits how many directions you can focus your energies in, and trying frantically to keep up with multiple interests sorta undoes the whole point of relaxing in the first place. Because of that, I have never played Minecraft and only have a vague notion of what it is: antiquated graphics, sandbox game, my nieces play it. I don’t know that I had conscious expectations for what the music was like, consequently, but whatever they were (maybe I was expecting chiptune music because of the graphics?), I was blown away by how pretty and calming and inviting C418 (https://c418.bandcamp.com/)’s soundtrack was. Though I still haven’t played Minecraft, the music has become a nice ambient backdrop for when I’m reading. The soundtrack was also a nice little heads-up that there are still worlds of good music yet to explore at a time when I needed that reminder. I can remember back to when I first joined the Shrine, and there were numerous threads about how video game music isn’t what it used to be, and composers are wholly focused on dynamic soundscapes instead of melody, and the art form is dead. Minecraft represents one out of many beautiful counterarguments.
Jesper Kyd seems to have flown under most people’s radars for much of his career. There were certainly worthy contributions before Assassin’s Creed (Sub-Terrania (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCPgPENPT7w) wouldn’t be a bad place to start). But he has especially offered up some fantastic tracks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_phahUeCMHY) in the last few years. The Death Plains, I think, has a lot to offer, maybe deceptively so. The atmospheric patch, keyboard ostinato, and four-note progression on the bass are pretty basic components to get things started. But when you take that shift into the second section and get hit with a melody, counter-melody, and shift in the dynamics of the mix simultaneously, with what sounds like a doubled track of the keyboard with reverb added, sending it past your right ear into outer space, that’s a pretty cool moment. Then the third section fades in this lithe guitar with the high frequencies cut out, stuttered by a tremolo effect, and it becomes a kind of partner to the keyboard. There’s something unsettled about it, setting up the warm, gorgeous cello to talk back to the new melodic line. By the time you’re at the two-minute mark, you’ve got a pretty sumptuous set of melodies, instruments, and dynamics to digest, which fade out at the end just as gracefully as they looped. This is not a piece by someone who is running out of ideas 37 soundtracks into his career.
The Death Plains
Kezan/Lost Isles 09
Kezan/Lost Isles 09
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 6 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Street Fighting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzOdR6YhI8I), from Adventures of Bayou Billy
vs.
Paper Dolls (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwyQX-DQQ8A), from Digital: A Love Story
——————————————————-
I’ll vote in a bit.
——————————————————-
Wild Card Round 3 Fight 1 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Kezan/Lost Isles 09 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D9UtRZ2Bec#t=156), from Cataclysm
vs.
The Argent Tournament (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYg5FK237qY), from Call of the Crusade
——————————————————-
I’ll vote in a bit.
———- Post added at 08:23 PM ———- Previous post was at 08:14 PM ———-
Well time for voting…
Paper Dolls. my gut tells me that i could recommend this to friends, and its novel. it’s nice the mix between the beginning and then the remainder of the track.
Kezan/Lost Isles09
Though I’ve gone for this the whole time, i have to say the first track only is my favourite. i could listen to that heaps.
The Argent Tournament
One of the first things I did when compiling my song list for this rumble was to check the NES rumble we did all the way back in 2010. Though I felt at the time my knowledge of the system’s music was near comprehensive, I’ve since heard several additional, deserving (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU0GEcU63qw) NES soundtracks. Immediately, I noticed The Adventures of Bayou Billy wasn’t included, and going through my notes, I saw that I excluded it because I didn’t think it had enough legit songs to justify a spot. Still, the songs it does have (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTY3kBKgNug) are awesome, and "Street Fighting" is a perfect example of how one good one can carry a game. As a kid, when I rented Bayou Billy from the mom-and-pop video store down the street from my parents’ house, I hated the game. Even with Game Genie, it was pointlessly, stupidly difficult. But I played the hell out of it because I liked the music so much. It’s not just catchy. The way Hidenori Maezawa and company (with Atsushi Fujio taking responsibility for the arrangements) used sound effects at the end of the third section to create a punctuation mark is pretty clever. What continues to inspire me about that era’s composers was the creativity they employed in the face of numerous limitations.
I love a song with a two-part structure if the composer can make it work (including this gem (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8566UtalG_o)). The ability to make something engaging with just one shift has always seemed to me to be exceptionally difficult to do. I’ve also been accused of being overly endeared to sad, dramatic music (https://youtu.be/Z4cVNZ4DPvA), so Paper Dolls is about as much in my wheelhouse as any song could be. To start with the sounds, I love the choices Matt Simmonds made. They’re atmospheric and expressive, but still granular and nostalgia-inducing. I also love the surprise not just of the shift, but also of the countermelody around 1:15. This thing doesn’t rise above the suspicion of being a straightforward house track until that moment, and when it does, the whole mood of the song changes wonderfully. The game itself has glowing reviews of its own, being hailed as one of the great love stories in video games. Hopefully, I’ll get to play it one day.
Street Fighting
Kezan/Lost Isles 09
Paper Dolls
Kezan/Lost Isles 09
———- Post added at 10:46 PM ———- Previous post was at 10:45 PM ———-
Also, awesome to hear some original material from you Arthur!
Kezan/Lost Isles 09
Nice stuff, Arthur 🙂
I’ll be honest though, what I liked the most from this round was Gimmick! What a catchy soundtrack.
Just a heads up, as my delays in updates might suggest, I’ve been pretty busy lately. If people want a composer rumble next, some selection input on the group page would be awesome. 🙂
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 7 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Flea Pit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHLOEAn5JTo), from Plok
vs.
The Theme of Grandia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGiNEaNxOxo), from Grandia
——————————————————-
I’ll vote in a bit.
——————————————————-
Wild Card Round 3 Fight 2 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Stormlords on the March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTEVPrA90I0), from Warlords of Draenor
vs.
Outlands Horde Base (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd9JRYqzpqI#t=1m20s), from The Burning Crusade
——————————————————-
I’ll vote in a bit.
Stormlords on the March – This one reminds me of Star Wars.
I’ve seen plenty of people call Plok! an underrated classic of the SNES. I don’t see it in the gameplay, but the music qualifies. The Follin brothers, of whom Tim has the most name recognition, went nuts here. We’ve previously heard Beach (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODKKILZiYY), Akrillic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jbJSftFr20), Cotton Island (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wfSAnC90Kw), Venge Thicket (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8e5qTfy8cU) (aka Plok’s House), and the soundtrack as a whole compete in one rumble or another. But they haven’t seen much success. I chose Flea Pit to represent the soundtrack here because of its previous lack of attention, because for years every video with it on YouTube had distorted audio, and because to my ears it’s as good as the other songs on the soundtrack that have been previously featured. As with so much of Tim Follin’s music, the seemingly primary effect is not the whole effect. Genres are mixed. Principles of composition are ignored. But it all feels right. You’ve got a slow introduction leading into a dramatic shift, like we’ve heard before. And that takes you into a trip-hop section. And then, what do you even call this, except "prog"? Whatever the label, the bigger point is that the drum fill into the second section is magical. And one could rightfully point to not just the music, but the technical ingenuity in creating the music as reason enough to appreciate the Follin Bros. work. Tim, the king of soundtracks for bad games (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G83jWTYDMMs), has been one of my favorites for a long time, and I’m happy to see searching his name today that he’s finally got a new project (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/139513174/contradiction/description) up and running.
Let’s get this out of the way: Grandia’s theme is cheesy as hell. But it makes me laugh so much. It is so earnest and so packed with big gestures that the cumulative effect wears down my cynical side. The first time I ever heard it, I remember my immediate reaction was "They’re starting their game with The Love Boat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmUlKPthrag) theme?" My wife popped her head in my office and asked "What IS that?" And then we started dancing. It’s infectious. This would be an amazing song for a high school marching band to play. Wait for 3:02. I mean, can’t you imagine a high school band director summoning that galloping drumbeat out of the earth, only for some high school kid wearing a beret to stand up and tear through the guitar solo? This is a song for parents to clap to. It is perfect for a school function. There are no rough edges here. Everything down to the big finish is lovably hokey. And I love it. It makes me smile. This is, by the way, not even close to the whole story for Grandia’s soundtrack. In the same game, you’ve also got a lovely theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JABPyeq5kaQ) that would be right at home in a Hayao Miyazaki film, an excellent gamelan-driven town theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpwCOsg1yXU), a goofy number (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikiii7uGqTs) using sound effects for a port town, and far more. Noriyuki Iwadare can write. With the chosen track, he’s just indulged a side of himself to a degree that makes me giddy.
The Theme of Grandia
Stormlords on the March – on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from my other vote (and, agreed, feels like Star Wars :D)
Stormlords on the March (3-1) advances. We’re finally on to round 4, with 12 tracks remaining. The Burning Crusade and Mists of Pandaria have been eliminated! Cataclysm performed the strongest by far, with 5 of 14 tracks (36%) advancing to the quarterfinals. Vanilla WoW and Wrath of the Lich King both moved 3 songs ahead out of 12 (25%) and 19 (16%) respectively, while Warlords of Draenor managed 1 (10%). In each non-wildcard round, tracks were sorted by expansion and assigned a +1 group number, then paired randomly within their assigned group. In other words, most of the fights were between two different eras of WoW music and the results are a fairly accurate reflection of our collective expansion preference. I’m pretty happy to see that my personal favorite era in WoW pulled through on top. 🙂
Round 4 of World of Warcraft will function similar to the first wild card round. For each fight, pick your top two in order. The four survivors of Round 4 will advance to the semi-finals. (I apologize if this experimental method doesn’t suit some of you. This approach effectively shortened the length of the rumble by something like four or five months without forcing us to limit the game to 64 tracks, so that’s why I went with it.)
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 8 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
You Are Dead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pPQnhhUqtU), from Total Distortion
vs.
I’m Feeling Lovely (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L2YlYi6tOM), from Flight
——————————————————-
I’m Feeling Lovely is pretty great, but I think I have to give the edge to one of the more imaginative tracks in vgm history: You Are Dead!
——————————————————-
Round 4 Fight 1 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Pick Two In Order!
Enchanted Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r7iz-9v9bA), from World of Warcraft
Angrathar’s Shadow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9LWT-tQFt0), from Wrath of the Lich King
Thaurissan’s Reach (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ejk7iCQFVw), from Cataclysm
——————————————————-
1. Angrathar’s Shadow
2. Thaurissan’s Reach
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Round 1, Fight 7 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Flea Pit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHLOEAn5JTo), from Plok
vs.
The Theme of Grandia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGiNEaNxOxo), from Grandia
——————————————————-
Why these two:
If I accomplish nothing else in this rumble, I want to introduce you to Total Distortion (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Distortion). Total Distortion is one of my favorite soundtracks. I’ve mentioned it repeatedly in threads. Yet no one seems to have heard of it. I don’t know that there’s a funnier soundtrack in vgm history, or a more comprehensively discouraging "Game Over" song. You gotta dig deep if you’re going to recover from that and defeat the Guitar Warriors of the Distortion Dimension. Just give yourself 20 minutes to experience the head-shaking idiocy of "Kitty Cat," the meta-song "Saw It Off and Ship It," and the unbelievable catchiness of it all. Here’s a good starting place: Hang Your Head (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXJTdpWjEYY), Saw It Off and Ship It (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw5T_hdexAI), Chunky Luv (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86FmAkUZebU), Child of Evil (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW3Ld6e_MmY), Kitty Cat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLNywOc1Sn4), Heavy Disco (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EX0FoPeiSA), and My Name Is Edgar Death (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3ZubQXVyUw).
Flight is a launch game, a genre I’m particularly fond of when stressed from work, and a very good one. But it sets itself apart from others???like Toss the Turtle (http://www.kongregate.com/games/Foreverkul/toss-the-turtle), Knightmare Tower (http://www.kongregate.com/games/JuicyBeast/knightmare-tower), Into Space (http://www.kongregate.com/games/BarbarianGames/into-space-2), and Chuck the Sheep (http://www.kongregate.com/games/ArmorGames/chuck-the-sheep)???with this song by NewGrounds user Stackz989 (http://stackz989.newgrounds.com/audio/) (who is accompanied on the soundtrack by David Orr (https://www.youtube.com/user/DavidOrrMusic/videos), the wonderful composer for the Sonny series). You’ll notice the looping sucks in the video (there were limited options on YouTube, but that’s the case with so much unheralded vgm from flash games), so click here (http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/559714) for the full effect. This has to be one of most pleasant songs I’ve ever heard.
You Are Dead
1. Enchanted Forest
2. Angrathar’s Shadow
I just gave the Shimomura rumble a big ol’ shove. Still needs more.
EDIT: Now at 15 soundtracks. Needs feedback and input.
1. Thaurissan’s Reach
2. Enchanted Forest This was a tough decision
——————————————————-
Round 2, Fight 1 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Flea Pit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHLOEAn5JTo), from Plok
vs.
Luna Ascension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp9eRncVbcY), from Tower of Heaven
——————————————————-
This match-up is kind of ironic because Flea Pit is really tame by Follin standards while Luna Ascension sounds like just the sort of thing he might have composed back in the day.
——————————————————-
Round 4 Fight 2 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Pick Two In Order!
Legends of Azeroth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqsazZUbt9s), from World of Warcraft
Dalaran (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrUkZdtPohc), from Wrath of the Lich King
Kezan/Lost Isles 09 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D9UtRZ2Bec#t=156), from Cataclysm
——————————————————-
1. Dalaran
2. Legends of Azeroth
——————————————————-
Luna Ascension
1. Legends of Azeroth
2. Kezan/Lost Isles 09
*I think all three are worthy selections, though.
1. Legends of Azeroth
2. Dalaran
That log in music…. SO good.
——————————————————-
Round 2, Fight 2 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
The Crypt (Rapp Scallion) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ5Hhw2fimo), from Monkey Island 2
vs.
You Are Dead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pPQnhhUqtU), from Total Distortion
——————————————————-
I gave You Are Dead the edge in round 1, but its entertainment value doesn’t trump the beautiful and creative twist that concludes The Crypt.
——————————————————-
Round 4 Fight 3 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Pick Two In Order!
Slaughtered Lamb (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZbXGkNPof0), from World of Warcraft
The Shattering (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADmPpY_oC2k), from Cataclysm
Air (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3-W8SbIl0Y), from Rage of the Firelands
——————————————————-
1. Slaughtered Lamb always
2. More of a challenge here. The Shattering is a more ‘complete’ song, but I have to go with Air for its in-context appeal.
1. Slaughtered Lamb – Grown quite fond of this one
2. The Shattering
1. The Shattering
2. Air
——————————————————-
Round 2, Fight 3 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Elvish Piper Academy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIKoLRV6lHA), from Dustforce
vs.
The Death Plains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2FKUs5KwlA), from Darksiders II
——————————————————-
The Death Plains
——————————————————-
Round 4 Fight 4 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Pick Two In Order!
Totems of the Grizzlemaw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGmIWA7LADk), from Wrath of the Lich King
Xaxas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLw5MX7bZqI), from Cataclysm
Stormlords on the March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTEVPrA90I0), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
As rng would have it, the final grouping of the quarterfinals is incredibly stacked. I didn’t think I’d actually have to pause and think before giving Totems of the Grizzlemaw my top slot in its match, but I honestly wouldn’t be disappointed to see any of these tracks go all the way. Amazing to think that Xaxas almost missed the cut during the creation stage, when I was sampling hundreds of songs and couldn’t give my undivided attention to all of them. Stormlords on the March is an incredibly worthy selection to be the lone representative of Warlords of Draenor at this stage. WoD is the expansion that saved WoW, and its music definitely helped in transitioning this game back into its rightful spot at the top of MMORPGs.
I thought I’d be repping Grizzlemaw and Slaughtered Lamb through to the end, but screw it. Both of these competitors send shivers down my spine.
1. Xaxas
2. Stormlords on the March
and a belated Happy Halloween to all my friends in Rumble Land.
The Death Plains
1. Stormlords on the March
2. Xaxas
Honestly, I’d be happy to see any track in these two fights advance. :-\
1. Stormlords on the March
2. Xaxas
Darksiders II, 1. Wrath of the Lich King, 2. Warlords of Draenor.
——————————————————-
Round 2, Fight 4 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Paper Dolls (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwyQX-DQQ8A), from Digital: A Love Story
vs.
Lord of Vermillion 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4z52JIEf9M), from Lord of Vermillion 2
——————————————————-
will vote later
——————————————————-
Semi-Finals Fight 1 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Legends of Azeroth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqsazZUbt9s), from World of Warcraft
vs.
The Shattering (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADmPpY_oC2k), from Cataclysm
——————————————————-
will vote later
Shattering
The Shattering
Shattering
I..I don’t know! I would not be disappointed if this was the final round. I think they are both equally worthy. I feel like The Shattering is a better more epic piece, but Legends of Azeroth is pretty freaking awesome too, plus Legends holds quite a bit of nostalgia as well, which is sometimes hard to separate from the piece. It seems that The Shattering is going to win, so I’m going to give at least one vote for Legends of Azeroth
Paper Dolls, World of Warcraft.
——————————————————-
Semi-Finals Fight 1 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Luna Ascension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp9eRncVbcY), from Tower of Heaven
vs.
You Are Dead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pPQnhhUqtU), from Total Distortion
——————————————————-
will vote later
——————————————————-
Semi-Finals Fight 2 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Stormlords on the March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTEVPrA90I0), from Warlords of Draenor
vs.
Enchanted Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r7iz-9v9bA), from World of Warcraft
——————————————————-
will vote later
Stormlords on the March
Stormlords on the March
Hope you enjoyed your vacation Shad.
Luna Ascension, World of Warcraft.
I think I could easily go either way in the WoW match-up depending on my mood, but right now I’m feeling in-game appeal, and that award goes to Enchanted Forest. It had a tremendous impact on the exploration experience in vanilla Wow, especially in the Ashenvale zone.
——————————————————-
Semi-Finals Fight 2 // Arthur’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
The Death Plains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2FKUs5KwlA), from Darksiders II
vs.
Lord of Vermilion 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4z52JIEf9M), from Lord of Vermilion 2
——————————————————-
Ouch. Lord of Vermilion? Maybe?
——————————————————-
TIE-BREAKER: Semi-Finals Fight 2 // World of Warcraft Rumble
——————————————————-
Stormlords on the March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTEVPrA90I0), from Warlords of Draenor
vs.
Enchanted Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r7iz-9v9bA), from World of Warcraft
——————————————————-
Both rumbles are sitting on a tie breaker to move into the final. 😮
———- Post added at 07:50 PM ———- Previous post was at 07:38 PM ———-
Instant like on WoD track!
man.
Lord of Vermillion 2 creeps in for me.
Stormlords on the March
The enchanted forest is a good track though
Arthur’s custom mix was a blast, and it definitely confirmed that this style of rumble is worth pursuing further. I was especially impressed by Lord of Vermillion II, Darksiders II, Tower of Heaven, and Monkey Island 2, and it just so happens two of those tracks made it to the final round. 🙂
The WoW mix was pretty near and dear to me. Considering just how long it’s been around, I think I can safely say at this point that I’ve invested more hours into World of Warcraft than any other video game in the universe. My taste in tracks was strikingly reminiscent of my taste in expansions, and considering half of what made any given expansion fun for me was who I was playing with, it’s safe to say there was a heavy dose of bias in my votes. But I can’t help that. Vanilla WoW aside, Cataclysm and Warlords of Draenor are my two favorite expansions in this game (though I regretfully admit having never had an active account during The Burning Crusade), and they just so happen to be the two expansions represented in the final here. I certainly can’t complain about that. The Shattering is a sprawling opus which served as the log-in screen theme for the entire Cataclysm expansion. If Xaxas introduced the player to Deathwing, this song delivered the broad view of the changes his madness brought to Azeroth. An image of Deathwing was obviously the most appropriate option there. Stormlords on the March is an Alliance-based theme, aimed to reflect their relentless charge across Draenor, beating back the Gul’dan’s Iron Horde at every turn. One of the most unique aspects of Warlords of Draenor was that it transformed the player’s role in the game. Where in the past you played the roll of a powerful soldier in Varian Wrynn or Thrall’s army, in WoD you were the leader calling the shots and leading the push against Gul’dan, with your own private base of operations in Draenor. Since Stormlords is an Alliance theme, and I happen to be Alliance, I logged into the game and snapped an image that properly represented it: me, standing in front of my garrison headquarters. 🙂
Something that just dawned on me and is worth noting: one of our wild card tracks actually made it to the finals! I’m pretty happy about how I approached that, now that I see how it panned out. Stormlords on the March actually lost to a coin toss in the second round, but forged its way back into the fourth by defeating For the Alliance and Outland Horde Base in the wildcards.
Final // Arthur’s Custom 16
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp9eRncVbcY) VS 
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4z52JIEf9M)
——————————————————-
Luna Ascension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp9eRncVbcY), from Tower of Heaven
vs.
Lord of Vermilion 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4z52JIEf9M), from Lord of Vermilion 2
——————————————————-
Final // World of Warcraft Rumble
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADmPpY_oC2k)
VS
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTEVPrA90I0)
——————————————————-
The Shattering (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADmPpY_oC2k), from Cataclysm
vs.
Stormlords on the March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTEVPrA90I0), from Warlords of Draenor
——————————————————-
oops, for some reason, the first time i tried, it truncated my posts together, this time it separated them. here it is .
The whole experience of this has shown me that i have a very short attention span. That, and I am very flippant in musical choice. I went from one to another to one again.
That said I really appreciate your advice on your rumble, arthur. I would definitely share tower of heaven song with my friends so I’m going with that.
Shattering seems to totally blow the other song out of the water. Maybe it’s length (you have a bunch of intertwining themes) or the fact that I researched it and found invincible and that it in fact had words that made sense. I’m definitely going with shattering for this round. To be honest, it sounds so audacious and dramatic.
I really appreciate you guys going before me in vgm.
Can I just vote for both and call it a day here? No? Shucks and darn. I love both of these. It is yet again hard to separate nostalgia from music, despite that, I’m going to go with The Shattering for this final round.
The Shattering
1) I LOVE the visual layout of this final round. The pictures are great (and particularly getting to see your character :D), but also the horizontal versus vertical arrangement. Beautiful job.
2) I’m extremely glad people enjoyed the selections! Thanks to all of you for taking the ride. One of the primary joys of the rumble, for me, is discovering new music with you guys. It gives me great pleasure to know you all heard something you liked–and that you wanted to share with others.
3) Similarly, I want to thank Shad and Link for putting together the World of Warcraft rumble. Previously, I’d heard next to nothing from the series (having never played the game), so this has been a great and long-delayed chance to experience an important library of vgm.
4) I also think, as Shad mentioned when introducing the rumble, that the material allowed for a different kind of rumble with different criteria to weigh. And that made for a fun experience all on its own.
5) And the expansiveness of the selections led to an inventive and I think undeniably successful experiment with the wild card rounds.
6) And we got to see Shad play a wonderful rendition of one of the rumble’s best selections. This was a pretty damn magical chapter in the rumble’s history.
So having said all of that…
The argument’s already been made that The Shattering is the more ambitious musical piece, and I agree. It gets my vote, too. But–to piggyback feral’s comment–both tracks are awesome. Stormlords on the March is definitely going on one of my playlists for good.
As for choosing between the two tracks I felt should face off in the final even as I was making this rumble, I hate to do it, I hate it, but I have to choose Lord of Vermilion 2 by a hair, meaning we’ve got a tie and it’s all up to Link, Smarty, Jessie, or anyone else who wants to take on the responsibility!
LUNA ASCENSION
———- Post added at 10:49 AM ———- Previous post was at 10:48 AM ———-
I’ll update later today, but coming up:
Best of Yoko Shimomura
And you pick the second!
Here are our current options that are close enough to roll out soon:
Custom 16 (Shad)
Custom 16 (NARFNra)
FF13
Yoko Shimomura
C64
7th Gen
———- Post added at 10:50 AM ———- Previous post was at 10:49 AM ———-
Akira Yamaoka well under way.
(By the way, the Akira Yamaoka theme is now ready to roll.)
EDIT: Added some suggestions to the C64 thread as well.
Custom 16 (Shad)
Yamaoka
C64
Arthur’s Custom 16 WINNER
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp9eRncVbcY)
Luna Ascension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp9eRncVbcY), from Tower of Heaven
Path to victory:
R1: Mystic Ark – First Step Towards Adventure (4-1)
R2: Plok – Flea Pit (3-1)
R3: Total Distortion – You Are Dead (3-1)
R4: Lord of Vermilion 2 – Lord of Vermilion 2 (3-2)
World of Warcraft WINNER
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADmPpY_oC2k)
The Shattering (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADmPpY_oC2k), from Cataclysm
Path to victory:
R1: Warlords of Draenor – Wolf at the Gate (3-3)
R2: Burning Crusade – Outlands Alliance Base (3-1)
R3: Hour of Twilight – Thrall’s Might (4-1)
R4.1: World of Warcraft – Slaughtered Lamb (5-4)
R4.2: Rage of the Firelands – Air (5-3)
R5: World of Warcraft – Legends of Azeroth (3-2)
R6: Warlords of Draenor – Stormlords on the March (4-0)
———- Post added at 07:49 PM ———- Previous post was at 07:47 PM ———-
So that’s basically 2 votes for each of C64, 7th Gen, and the next Custom 16. I’ll rng it tomorrow if Link or someone else doesn’t show up to make the call.
Do we really want to swing for the fences with a career-spanning rumble evaluating entire soundtracks (Shimomura) and a generation-spanning rumble evaluating entire soundtracks (7th gen)? Since we’ve already got Shimomura lined up, I think it’d be nice to pair it with a rumble comprised of individual songs, preferably a short one.
If we’re going to avoid doing two full soundtracks at a time, then C64 is going to have its go pretty soon anyway because there aren’t many single track options out there at the moment and those are all 16.
———- Post added at 12:27 PM ———- Previous post was at 12:26 PM ———-
I can just go ahead and roll with Yoko Shimomura and my custom one tonight if everyone’s cool with that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbKS1qvukTY if anyone interested!
Round 1, Fight 1 // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
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Radiant Historia for the Nintendo DS, 2010
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvI9LB4DpKw), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I82d6NBRFjA), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En1E4y3Zjd8), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITlaZJp0qAs), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emossz8J_kM)
vs.
Luminous Arc 2 for the Nintendo DS, 2008
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oePKvP7qvmI), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPCRkSXfT4w), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZnTQbXSKpE), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I93GapTg2Xw), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crPK_JVSKx0)
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Two very different soundtracks for the same system. I’ll take the subtle tranquility of Radiant Historia over Luminous Arc 2’s more up-beat numbers.
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Well, here we are. At the start of 2012, I had never heard of the vast majority of the 16 games represented in this rumble. But something sparked in me the will to go research the origins of video game music, and I followed through with it pretty extensively over that summer. I ended up tossing my assumptions thoroughly to the wind. I had accepted a common misconception that vgm was pretty dinky until technology on the SNES level rendered more robust composition possible–this entirely linear idea that said musicians first got the idea of vgm as a real possibility in their heads on the NES and C64 and didn’t really flourish until the Super Nintendo. In fact, there is little if anything ‘linear’ about it.
Arcade systems were capable of producing sound beyond SNES quality by the mid-80s, and Taito’s Zuntata sound team, lead by Hisayoshi Ogura, were orchestrating vgm for live performance while the average American was still jamming to Koji Kondo’s catchy but entirely rudamentary NES jingles. Japanese computer gaming massively outpaced the west in sound quality, with the MSX and PC88 kicking it way above PC levels. Meanwhile, a competitive European scene which prioritized pushing simplistic technology to its limits dabbled in all sorts of experimental techniques with an impressive level of attention to aesthetic detail. (Japan seemed to pick up on this wave of inspiration with the Game Boy in the early 90s.)
You got to hear a lot of the chip era’s better kept secrets in the Tim Follin and Game Boy rumbles. The upcoming Commodore 64 rumble will deliver quite a bit more. My idea in crafting this rumble centered on the unpleasant fact that Tim Follin’s ZX Spectrum masterpieces got consistently sidelined for their technological limitations when faced against his more accessible works. I’ve revived my favorite of those tracks, but I still wanted to keep this largely new for all of you. When it came time to make cuts though, I consistently removed songs that felt like they had a wee bit too much of a technological advantage. You will probably have to choose between two songs that could be produced on your toaster at some point, though you might never know it to hear them. This rumble is about dismantling what you thought was possible in the 1980s, giving great melodies on old systems a chance among their contemporaries, and forcing aesthetic to be a focus. The novel ways in which composers used limitations to their advantage will hopefully shine through a bit here–though like with the Tim Follin rumble, I’m pretty confident on who the winner will be. I couldn’t help but include it, and I doubt any of you have heard it before. 🙂
This is first and foremost an old vgm rumble. I found myself cutting a number of tracks that I loved because they were simply too advanced. Only three songs in this mix are from the 90s, and one of those is on a quintessentially 80s system. Enjoy.
The first match-up here is kind of fitting because both of these songs appeared in 1987. The difference between the two systems is staggering, whatever you make of how both artists handled their technological limitations. On the first, Hal Canon pushes through a gorgeous classical melody that is impressively complex for its day and system. On the second, you’ll get to hear some of the best of what the PC-8801–a Japanese computer system fairly unknown to the west–was capable of. I tend to think of the PC88 as a smooth, clear soundsystem, contrasted to its grittier chief rival, the MSX2. Both had their merits.
Round 1, Fight 1 // Shad’s Custom 16
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Gauntlet – Stage 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkSD3pCyfP4), by Hal Canon (NES, 1987)
vs.
Shinra Banshou – The Universe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4hj4K1u6HA), by Nobuhito Koise (PC-88, 1987)
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Shinra Banshou
While Gauntlet sounds like an 8-bit version of some classical piano piece I cannot place at the moment, Shinra Banshou – The Universe really impressed me with it’s complexity and clarity.
Luminous Arc 2 gets my vote this round. I can’t put my finger on why I like it more, but it puts me at ease.
Shinra Bashou – The Universe It was pretty evocative music for this experience. even though I’ve never seen the game before, it made me want to play it.
@feral: The reviews (http://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/radiant-historia) make it sound good, but I couldn’t find a quick answer to whether it gets grindy. I’d be interested in the answer if you can find out.
@PforPianist: That’s the drug we deal, after all. 😀
I’m in the middle of the typical last-week-of-the-semester craziness, so I’ll say what I can while bleary-eyed. As usual with a soundtrack rumble, we’re using 5 songs to suggest the experience of the entire soundtrack. That doesn’t mean we are disregarding the other songs on the soundtrack, but the five tracks serve as a Cliff’s Notes for those short on time and provide an opportunity for anyone familiar with other songs on the soundtrack to promote their favorites and encourage more votes for it. Having said all of that, the 5-track selections for each of the Shimomura competitors make a good case for each soundtrack’s strengths, so this is a good early example of how it might be helpful to check out additional songs. Once I add in songs like The Edge of Green (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICvr93Bz1S4), Beyond the Wilderness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cs10FU6-Qc), and Dreams Shadowed in a Cloud of Dust (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx8Ii29xazE), I’ve gotta give my vote to Radiant Historia.
As a sidenote, my research led me to believe a lot of fans consider battle songs Shimomura’s bread and butter. She’s got a lot of good ones (see: Super Mario RPG) and a lot of the selections are battle tracks. But just focusing on those would do a terrible disservice to her range of compositional strengths. You can’t hang in the RPG world if you only do one thing well. She has absolutely earned her reputation as a legend of the industry, and I hope this rumble goes a way toward showing that. As a second sidenote, there are a couple tracks here that really show Uematsu’s influence on Shimomura. Just as one example, "What’s a Kopin?" sure sounds like a spiritual successor to the Moogle theme.
For Shad’s rumble, I vote Shinra Banshou.
Final note (and off-topic): Norihiko Hibino decided to cover Secret of Mana’s music on sax and piano (http://www.destructoid.com/prescription-for-sleep-lullabies-of-mana-is-a-beautiful-secret-of-mana-tribute-322929.phtml) (sample in link).
My picks are Radiant Historia and Shinra Banshou, I’m probably late but I’d have voted for the C64 rumble as well. Let me know if you need any suggestions, I could easily contribute a few hundred tracks to this noble cause 🙂
———- Post added at 10:17 AM ———- Previous post was at 10:15 AM ———-
We have a suggestions Group where we organize these at this link (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20). The C64 mix is full but I’d gladly drop a few tracks if you want to make some suggestions.
———- Post added at 10:17 AM ———- Previous post was at 10:15 AM ———-
We have a suggestions Group where we organize these at this link (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20). The C64 mix is full but I’d gladly drop a few tracks if you want to make some suggestions.
Ok thanks, it might take a day or two to find youtube links for all my suggestions though.
Round 1, Fight 2 // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
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Xenoblade Chronicles for the Wii, 2010
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGkPEDFRgng), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ3j12pF84o), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xJDwl46k98), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B5I3frNnnw), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKcQ-CQX-Ik)
vs.
Street Fighter II for the Arcade, 1991
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du6YLbTyGPw), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hjq95Rvmkw), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZCAzLI7YHM), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPXz0pnxF5I), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9Y9N4otwiY)
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Xenoblade Chronicles
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Round 1, Fight 2 // Shad’s Custom 16
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Yie Ar Kung-Fu (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OOm4CyFutQ), by Miki Higashino (NES, 1985)
vs.
Illusion City – Noises of the City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=777ilYa99D4), by Tadahiro Nitta (MSX, 1991)
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April 1985, half a year before the first release of Super Mario Bros., Miki Higashino unleashed one of the catchiest melodies that the Famicom would ever know. It’s a bit of an obscure gem in the west–the Nintendo Entertainment System as we know it didn’t even exist yet–but it’s been the subject of quite a few fan covers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBTiuZPdvNQ). (Yes, that is folk metal.) VGM had risen well beyond the level of glorified sound effects elsewhere in the world by 1985–Monty on the Run predates SMB too–but I’ve found little if anything from Japan that merits a second listen prior to this. Higashino definitely helped to usher in the Japanese game music scene, though she’s far less recognized for it than Koji Kondo.
Illusion City is a cyberpunk RPG released by Microcabin, who are perhaps better known in the west for their sound team than for their games. Ryuji Sasai got his start in game composition there before being picked up by Square, but Illusion City was composed by Yukiharu Urita, Tadahiro Nitta, and Yasufumi Fukuda. I love cyberpunk-themed anything, and I think the team really nailed it on this one. You don’t have to play the game to experience a grimy, futuristic city here. I came very close to using the ending theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usciFqY7oiw) instead of Noises of the City in this rumble, and had a pretty hard time selecting one song to showcase out of the mix in general.
This one is a really tough call for me. I figured I’d go with Yie Ar Kung-Fu when I first saw the match-ups random.org spit out, but I’m really feeling Illusion City right now.
Illusion City
April 1985, half a year before the first release of Super Mario Bros., Miki Higashino unleashed one of the catchiest melodies that the Famicom would ever know. It’s a bit of an obscure gem in the west–the Nintendo Entertainment System as we know it didn’t even exist yet–but it’s been the subject of quite a few fan covers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBTiuZPdvNQ). (Yes, that is folk metal.) VGM had risen well beyond the level of glorified sound effects elsewhere in the world by 1985–Monty on the Run predates SMB too–[B]but I’ve found little if anything from Japan that merits a second listen prior to this. Higashino definitely helped to usher in the Japanese game music scene, though she’s far less recognized for it than Koji Kondo.
Does Yie Ar Kung Fu really stand out that much? All these games here were released prior and that’s pretty listenable music I think. And there were some fairly impressive/influential soundtracks later that year as well. Super Mario Bros. is hardly the crowning achievement of Japanese video game music from 1985.
Super Locomotive (Arcade) (https://youtu.be/lKhr66gNYvs?t=15) – December ’82
Gyruss (Arcade) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNc7VdD-ink) – March ’83
Tube Panic (Arcade) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-B7sC_tjcA) – January ’84
Tower of Druaga (Arcade) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTCywoVdgGA) – June ’84
Son Son (Arcade) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BXEmS_RdTU) – July ’84 <– almost like a template for the Yie Ar Kung Fu music
Metal Soldier Isaac II (Arcade) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h2ZYGGn7qI) – February ’85
Twin Bee (Arcade) (https://youtu.be/FBLDwtI7pNM?t=126) – March ’85
Soccer (NES) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPetckOl5is) – April ’85
Thexder (PC-8801) (https://youtu.be/QVfRGsfnI_c?t=15) – April ’85
———- Post added at 10:37 AM ———- Previous post was at 10:30 AM ———-
Seems I’ve heard Tube Panic before and forgot it existed.
When I was young and more ambitious, I was working on a website about the history of game music. That project was eventually abandoned, but I had done a fair bit of research at that point. Always comes in handy in cases like this 🙂
Xenoblade Chronicles
Illusion City
The hard one was the custom rumble. I would actually show both off to all my friends. I dont know if they’d like them, but I would 🙂
Illusion City because it has some rugged sound to it.
On an aside, glad I could make it! for some reason didn’t check back here the last few days!
Round 1, Fight 3 // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
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Heroes of Mana for the DS, 2007
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpPC-JMAkpQ), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byo7QenKfFc), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk_YFvrNK2A), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln7zoLCI_Gc), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAb1cFBrNTA)
vs.
Front Mission for the SNES, 1995
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW0AAxoY-ck), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71h4kBwxP_E), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPHYPLsAmI4), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0WENEHN-OQ), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MHGcWMpahY)
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Leaning towards Front Mission right now, but I’m going to give both more time and might change that.
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Round 1, Fight 3 // Shad’s Custom 16
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Forgotten Worlds – Title Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InUoJqWBXn4), by Tamayo Kawamoto, Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (SMD, 1989)
vs.
Alien Soldier – Flashback (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66AGS9_qk0k), by Norio Hanzawa (SMD, 1995)
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Tamayo Kawamoto is responsible for a number of arcade compositions which were hijacked on port and came to be well known through the artists who reinterpreted them rather than through the original. (Commando and Ghouls’n Ghosts, for instance.) Kawamoto very likely wrote Forgotten Worlds, while Yoshihiro Sakaguchi is credited as sound programmer and might have a lot to do with the port. At any rate, the Mega Drive variation of Forgotten Worlds is a fairly mirror image of the original (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7tP4yVY18w)–if you sync the two you’ll barely notice that two separate tracks are playing–but the difference in tone on the Genesis gives the song, for me at least, a sort of creepy and sinister air that its parent product lacks. Too weird to be brilliant? You be the judge. I think the comparison is an interesting showcase of the SMD’s qualities.
Alien Soldier was my favorite take-away from the Genesis rumble way back, and if I recall correctly it got pretty thoroughly blown off in the first round. Norio Hanzawa’s twisted masterpiece deserves a second visit.
Two fairly eccentric Genesis tracks here. I think it’s a nice coincidence that they ended up paired. I love them both, but Alien Soldier is an easy choice for me.
Front Mission
Alien Soldier
Alien Soldier
Alien Soldier
Alien Solider
To me, the heroes track is nice, but i prefer the legend of mana soundtrack.
I’ll post the update in a few minutes.
Round 1, Fight 4 // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
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Mario & Luigi: Dream Team for the 3DS, 2013
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAvZDSaQvTU), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSbYLOYKEkA), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4mztPN0xbQ), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-jMhOXPx1U), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXqDslZgymo)
vs.
Kingdom Hearts for the PS2, 2002
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g25QXnhVijQ), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krKM9ndvyjQ), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obWrJxyqLMQ), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU1-HXmTVSk), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5ZXtLd46xQ)
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I never had the slightest interest in playing Kingdom Hearts, and that aversion may have carried over to its soundtrack. I was expecting something cartoonish and generally not up my alley, but instead this turned out to be a pretty impressive sampling of tracks. I still have to give the edge to Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, especially considering how much my kid perked up when it started playing, but I can’t complain about either of these advancing.
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Round 1, Fight 4 // Shad’s Custom 16
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Bombuzal – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUs7bFWmy14), by Hiroyuki Masuno (SNES, 1990)
vs.
Ultima IV – Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDhLjzDKd34), by Kenneth W. Arnold (Apple II, 1985)
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Bombuzal (also known as Bomb Uzal and Kablooey) was created by Antony Crowther and David Bishop and released in 1988 for the Commodore 64, Atari ST, and Amiga. Crowther attempted to make his own music for the game on the C64 (and I think the Atari ST). The result was… let’s just say he was half a decade behind the learning curve in that department. But for whatever reason, relatively unknown composer Ross Goodley had a go at the Amiga release. His original version (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-R-o5Qm204) isn’t likely to score too many mentions in ‘best of the Amiga’ lists, but it did provide the template that Hiroyuki Masuno ran wild with when the game was ported to the SNES in 1990.
Tim Follin aside, Kenneth W. Arnold’s work in the earlier instalments of the Ultima series might be my favorite discovery from those few months I spent digging deep into early vgm. Beginning with Ultima III: Exodus (1983), Arnold composed the first three Ultima games to feature music (their NES ports not included). His simple Renaissance melodies didn’t add up to much through some mediums, but on the Apple II’s distorted, bass-heavy Mockingboard sound card they reach an aesthetic appeal for me that’s pretty hard to match. Something about the tone coupled with this style of music grants it a faux sence of antiquity for me that brings this medieval fantasy world to life more, perhaps, than authentic instrumentation possibly could. I’ll be featuring two of these tracks, and my favorite between them has yet to come.
Bombuzal will probably win this match-up for all of the obvious reasons, but Ultima IV lies much closer to the essence of what I was aiming for in this compilation.
Ultima IV
Crowther attempted to make his own music for the game on the C64 (and I think the Atari ST). The result was… let’s just say he was half a decade behind the learning curve in that department.
Anthony Crowther generally had a pretty good handle on the SID chip. He was also one of the early pioneers of multispeed drivers, which is arguably one of the bigger achievements of the C64 music scene.
R1D1 (1986) (https://youtu.be/-ChpWFNcuOk?t=12)
Zig Zag (1987) (https://youtu.be/R6Pe60D5v3o?t=5) <- early multispeed
Phobia (1989) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5oEBw_mpu0)
Ultima 4
Bombuzal
I’m a little pressed for time. I’ll listen to these and check out nx666’s links a bit later:
Round 1, Fight 5 // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
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Legend of Mana for the PSX, 1999
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMKovBcgr1o), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJrF7760bps), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkuVw5EBUIE), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeLyxYUeGBY), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de1n8TRj91E)
vs.
Live a Live for the SNES, 1994
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBPHGKUNXtM), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90d9S-ZXL_E), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qke18Zi4cN8), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUI4J1L-BtE), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkzxwxVWJvo)
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will vote later
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Round 1, Fight 5 // Shad’s Custom 16
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Ultima III – Town (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHn6I2fezqw), by Kenneth W. Arnold (Apple II, 1983)
vs.
Wizards and Warriors – Outside the Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5oBiP-1cik), by Dave Wise (NES, 1987)
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will vote later
Wizard’s and Warriors
Wizards and Warriors – I’ve loved this song for years.
Sidenote: I read a bit about multispeed drivers. I understand conceptually what the process is, but not how it affects the sound. Could you explain or point me in the right direction, nx666? I also ran across some grumbling about comments Tim Follin made regarding C64 music, but no quotes of what Follin actually said. I didn’t know there was a community of Follin haters out there (!).
Ultima III – I’ve never been a huge fan of early David Wise
Sidenote: I read a bit about multispeed drivers. I understand conceptually what the process is, but not how it affects the sound. Could you explain or point me in the right direction, nx666? I also ran across some grumbling about comments Tim Follin made regarding C64 music, but no quotes of what Follin actually said. I didn’t know there was a community of Follin haters out there (!).
Multispeed means calling the play routine of your music driver multiple times per frame. This allows you to do more frequent parameter updates, think of it as increasing the "resolution" of your sound. Multispeed routines can do some fairly interesting things in terms of sound design and usually have an overall "cleaner" sound. The drawback is that they also require more frame time – the most valuable resource back then – so they were not used very often in games. You can listen to a few multispeed tunes here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsvYKxOrdOc).
And here is some (fairly technical) discussion on this subject:
http://csdb.dk/forums/?roomid=14&topicid=30688&showallposts=1
http://csdb.dk/forums/?roomid=11&topicid=58416&showallposts=1
http://csdb.dk/forums/?roomid=14&topicid=98399&showallposts=1
Not sure what mean things Mr. Follin has said about the C64, my impression was always that he held that sound chip in fairly high regard, like in the interviews here (http://www.exotica.org.uk/wiki/Tim_Follin/Interview) or here (http://rga24.blogspot.de/2012/01/interview-with-tim-follin.html).
Ultima III
Live a Live
Ultima III — I actually tabbed this out for guitar, slowed down about half the original speed. It’s pretty foreboding.
Update coming in a bit
———- Post added at 11:04 PM ———- Previous post was at 10:41 PM ———-
Legend of Mana (4-1) and Ultima III (3-2) advance!
Round 1, Fight 6 // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
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Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep for the PSP, 2010
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9F0d5pd1Uk), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN9qsUAXjdk), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtVWw7U3sFg), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuJIyQiXdeU), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfjEKGKz_zg)
vs.
Last Ranker for the PSP, 2010
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-M_I6u-FBI), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqEdjJYVixI), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaSXyAdfGtw), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1chynuf1zH8), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbs6-BnNdO8)
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will vote later
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Round 1, Fight 6 // Shad’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Darius – The Sea (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzIogZMp4_Y), by Hisayoshi Ogura (Arcade, 1986)
vs.
R-Type – Title Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_MCOF3yGA4), by Chris H???lsbeck (Amiga, 1989)
——————————————————-
will vote later
And good luck choosing between these two. >_>
I really apologize for the lack of commentary in my own custom rumble. The stars just really aren’t aligning. I didn’t even listen to the last batch of Shimomura tracks until an hour ago.
———- Post added at 11:09 PM ———- Previous post was at 11:04 PM ———-
I suppose I don’t need to wait to vote in the second one. I’m never not taking Darius here. But good luck R-Type. You, too, are awesome.
Darius – Both good, but Darius caught me by surprise. I wish I’d known it back when we were doing an Aquatic Themes rumble in the early days.
Sidenote: Commentary is great to have, but I appreciate the job you do regardless. 😀 How’s Ollie doing?
R-Type
R-Type – I like the Darius track in concept, but not execution
Found some time. Gosh this is a hard match up. i am partial to the Kingdom hearts music, and i think you get a certain theme rolling through those tracks, but my vote goes for Last Ranker this time
I feel like i could appreciate so much of these two tracks in your rumble Shad. They are so vastly different, that I could go for either.
Darius i can’t say why, but i like this alot
Round 1, Fight 7 // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
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Super Mario RPG for the SNES, 1996
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://youtu.be/RufrkrK37Kg), 2 (https://youtu.be/IrU05FqOzIw), 3 (https://youtu.be/aTObNtPZimQ), 4 (https://youtu.be/dKO78067rxQ), 5 (https://youtu.be/1qtWfsPKnF4)
vs.
Kingdom Hearts II for the PS2, 2005
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLnxD38kgKE), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uThw10HMnw), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHlYYlZwg2I), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOoxHOuPOFQ), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hakUtsydstE)
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will vote later
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Round 1, Fight 7 // Shad’s Custom 16
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Future Games (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orEXKOBIv_8), by Tim Follin (ZX Spectrum, 1986)
vs.
Snatcher – Pleasure of Tension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNrEkiDulWU), by Masahiro Ikariko (MSX, 1988)
——————————————————-
will vote later
———- Post added at 10:17 PM ———- Previous post was at 09:50 PM ———-
I don’t want to say Future Games is my favorite Tim Follin track. There are so many to choose from. But I think it might be his most innovate work. I’m not terribly well versed in electronic music, but it seems to me he’s putting glitch beats to work here in a way that wouldn’t be heard again until the 90s.
Snatcher is a game I’ve never played but had maintained an odd sort of fascination with. It’s a cyberpunk graphic adventure novel that’s been released on six different systems over the years, and every port has reworked the soundtrack in pretty distinct ways. The music in the later versions–especially the PSX release–is kind of terrible, but it’s an interesting evolution. I’m pretty sure the songs were originally composed for the PC88, but the MSX version is the best by a large margin in my opinion. Konami seems to agree: they resurrected this version of the song for Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbJIazUR3sw) in 2014.
———- Post added at 10:29 PM ———- Previous post was at 10:17 PM ———-
Super Mario RPG
Future Games
Snatcher – I like Future Games a lot, but this is an iconic track for me. My avatar for the first several years I was on the Shrine was Gillian Seed.
Snatcher – I think the MSX, PC-88, and Sega CD soundtracks all have their moments. And it would have been much closer had you picked a different Follin beeper track, like Chronos or one of the Agent X games…
Snatcher
Happy holidays, guys.
Kingdom Hearts II (3-2) and Snatcher (3-1) advance!
Round 1, Fight 8 // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
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Parasite Eve for the PSX, 1998
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ttCJmVpS-c), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnyOyiA7gbc), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=955gglmIMvY), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-rZINtPwzY), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQvwdUS8sfI)
vs.
Nemo for the Arcade, 1990
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCiKX7i0v24), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoQQ21LQ63A), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOnKjtS5TsA), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOTSpCRW6dU), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBA9HXcTKho)
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will vote later
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Round 1, Fight 8 // Shad’s Custom 16
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Mother – Humoresque of a Little Dog (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNBEUbBslCU), by Hirokazu Tanaka (NES, 1989)
vs.
Crystal Hammer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8saW9rKpUw), by Karsten Obarski (Amiga, 1988)
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You might be wondering what a cheesey little jingle like the shopping theme from Earthbound is doing in this rumble. Well, that’s a good question… But I think I can safely say, for better or worse, that this tune has gotten stuck in my head more times than any other song from a video game.
Crystal Hammer, on the other hand, requires no justification, though I doubt many of you have heard of it.
Parasite Eve
Crystal Hammer
Crystal Hammer
Crystal Hammer
I’m starting to sense a pattern here…
Happy New Years!
Parasite Eve (4-0) and Crystal Hammer (4-0) advance!
Round 2, Fight 1 // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
——————————————————-
Radiant Historia for the Nintendo DS, 2010
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvI9LB4DpKw), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I82d6NBRFjA), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En1E4y3Zjd8), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITlaZJp0qAs), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emossz8J_kM)
vs.
Heroes of Mana for the DS, 2007
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpPC-JMAkpQ), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byo7QenKfFc), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk_YFvrNK2A), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln7zoLCI_Gc), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAb1cFBrNTA)
——————————————————-
will vote later
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Round 2, Fight 1 // Shad’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Ultima III – Town (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHn6I2fezqw), by Kenneth W. Arnold (Apple II, 1983)
vs.
Shinra Banshou – The Universe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4hj4K1u6HA), by Nobuhito Koise (PC-88, 1987)
——————————————————-
Ultima III
Radiant Historia
Shinra Banshou
Shinra Banshou
I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and had a happy New Year! If you didn’t, perhaps this will cheer you up some: it has been announced that Final Fantasy IX is finally getting an HD release on PC and mobile!
I would have voted for Stormlands for WoW probably.
Man it has been a busy month.
Glad to see you aren’t dead. 😛
And welcome back, Link!
Shinra Banshou
Artur, I actually got Radiant Historia for Christmas. Chrono Cross has been well played and loved by me years ago. The music seems similar, which makes me excited for RH.
Link, I hope you’re okay (!).
Update incoming
———- Post added at 07:18 PM ———- Previous post was at 07:12 PM ———-
Radiant Historia (5-0) and Shinra Bansho (4-1) advance!
Round 2, Fight 2 // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
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Legend of Mana for the PSX, 1999
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMKovBcgr1o), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJrF7760bps), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkuVw5EBUIE), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeLyxYUeGBY), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de1n8TRj91E)
vs.
Parasite Eve for the PSX, 1998
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ttCJmVpS-c), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnyOyiA7gbc), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=955gglmIMvY), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-rZINtPwzY), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQvwdUS8sfI)
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will vote later
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Round 2, Fight 2 // Shad’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Snatcher – Pleasure of Tension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNrEkiDulWU), by Masahiro Ikariko (MSX, 1988)
vs.
Darius – The Sea (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzIogZMp4_Y), by Hisayoshi Ogura (Arcade, 1986)
——————————————————-
Snatcher
Legend of Mana
Snatcher
Darius
It’s alright Arthur, I know I’m not the best in being clear in what I’m trying to say. Trying to read and understand me on the internet only makes it more ambiguous than in person.
Hope you’re doing alright Link. Must of have a crazy holiday season if you were worried too!
Snatcher
Round 2, Fight 3 // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
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Xenoblade Chronicles for the Wii, 2010
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGkPEDFRgng), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ3j12pF84o), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xJDwl46k98), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B5I3frNnnw), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKcQ-CQX-Ik)
vs.
Last Ranker for the PSP, 2010
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-M_I6u-FBI), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqEdjJYVixI), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaSXyAdfGtw), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1chynuf1zH8), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbs6-BnNdO8)
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will vote later
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Round 2, Fight 3 // Shad’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Alien Soldier – Flashback (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66AGS9_qk0k), by Norio Hanzawa (SMD, 1995)
vs.
Illusion City – Noises of the City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=777ilYa99D4), by Tadahiro Nitta (MSX, 1991)
——————————————————-
Alien Soldier
Alien Soldier
Illusion City
Illusion City
In other news, David Orr—who composed the soundtracks for the Sonny game series—has been livestreaming the process of composing the Sonny 3 soundtrack. For those interested: his YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/user/DavidOrrMusic/videos). Interestingly, he’s allowing the process to be collaborative and is experimenting with ideas fans submit to him. This sounds like a bad idea in a lot of ways, but so far it has gone okay.
I might retire from being the leader of this for a few months after these two rumbles end. I’ve managed to maintain this game through vacations out of the country, deaths in the family, and moving to a new home three times, yet now when I have relatively little bogging me down I’m finding it really hard to come on and update. I don’t know what gives; I just need a bit of a break I think.
Round 2, Fight 4 // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
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Kingdom Hearts II for the PS2, 2005
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLnxD38kgKE), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uThw10HMnw), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHlYYlZwg2I), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOoxHOuPOFQ), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hakUtsydstE)
vs.
Kingdom Hearts for the PS2, 2002
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g25QXnhVijQ), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krKM9ndvyjQ), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obWrJxyqLMQ), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU1-HXmTVSk), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5ZXtLd46xQ)
——————————————————-
will vote later
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Round 2, Fight 3 // Shad’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Crystal Hammer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8saW9rKpUw), by Karsten Obarski (Amiga, 1988)
vs.
Ultima IV – Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDhLjzDKd34), by Kenneth W. Arnold (Apple II, 1985)
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Crystal Hammer
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TIE-BREAKER: Round 2, Fight 3 // Shad’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Alien Soldier – Flashback (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66AGS9_qk0k), by Norio Hanzawa (SMD, 1995)
vs.
Illusion City – Noises of the City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=777ilYa99D4), by Tadahiro Nitta (MSX, 1991)
——————————————————-
Kingdom Hearts – Just about an even split on this one. Dearly Beloved gives it the edge, but a lot of good battle music in KH II.
Crystal Hammer
Crystal Hammer
Crystal Hammer
Shad, take and enjoy a break. I just want to thank you and let you know that I appreciate you keeping this going, especially through all that you’ve gone through.
If there is still any interest in doing the C64 rumble then I could definitely take the lead on that one.
Round 3, Fight 1 // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
——————————————————-
Kingdom Hearts for the PS2, 2002
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g25QXnhVijQ), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krKM9ndvyjQ), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obWrJxyqLMQ), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU1-HXmTVSk), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5ZXtLd46xQ)
vs.
Legend of Mana for the PSX, 1999
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMKovBcgr1o), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJrF7760bps), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkuVw5EBUIE), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeLyxYUeGBY), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de1n8TRj91E)
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will vote later
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Round 3, Fight 1 // Shad’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Shinra Banshou – The Universe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4hj4K1u6HA), by Nobuhito Koise (PC-88, 1987)
vs.
Snatcher – Pleasure of Tension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNrEkiDulWU), by Masahiro Ikariko (MSX, 1988)
——————————————————-
Snatcher
Snatcher
Shinra Banshou
Snatcher
Legend of Mana
I’ll update tonight.
Round 3, Fight 2 // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
——————————————————-
Radiant Historia for the Nintendo DS, 2010
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvI9LB4DpKw), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I82d6NBRFjA), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En1E4y3Zjd8), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITlaZJp0qAs), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emossz8J_kM)
vs.
Last Ranker for the PSP, 2010
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-M_I6u-FBI), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqEdjJYVixI), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaSXyAdfGtw), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1chynuf1zH8), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbs6-BnNdO8)
——————————————————-
will vote later
——————————————————-
Round 3, Fight 2 // Shad’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Illusion City – Noises of the City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=777ilYa99D4), by Tadahiro Nitta (MSX, 1991)
vs.
Crystal Hammer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8saW9rKpUw), by Karsten Obarski (Amiga, 1988)
——————————————————-
Crystal Hammer
Illusion City – Two really good selections here, too.
Crystal Hammer
Both are pretty close for me as well
Illusion City
Man red lotus is cool. that is a great track.
There’s almost an eastern vibe to last ranker
I love the techno like music, especially as I love the original star ocean soundtrack with its incredible cave music and battle themes. This track from Illusion City reminds me of that.
Radiant Historia for me the red lotus track is awesome
Crystal Hammer this is a stunning track i think.
FINAL MATCH // Yoko Shimomura Rumble
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Radiant Historia for the Nintendo DS, 2010
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvI9LB4DpKw), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I82d6NBRFjA), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En1E4y3Zjd8), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITlaZJp0qAs), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emossz8J_kM)
vs.
Legend of Mana for the PSX, 1999
Tracks to consider: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMKovBcgr1o), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJrF7760bps), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkuVw5EBUIE), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeLyxYUeGBY), 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de1n8TRj91E)
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will vote later
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FINAL MATCH // Shad’s Custom 16
——————————————————-
Crystal Hammer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8saW9rKpUw), by Karsten Obarski (Amiga, 1988)
vs.
Snatcher – Pleasure of Tension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNrEkiDulWU), by Masahiro Ikariko (MSX, 1988)
——————————————————-
Crystal Hammer
Sorry this has been an intensely lame presentation compared to past rumbles I’ve run. Thanks for breaking the tie P!
Snatcher – Production over the more developed melody here. Snatcher creates an ominous, urgent, sleazy mood in just a few seconds. Blade Runner is one of my favorite movies, so anything aping it this well gets my vote.
corr blimey 3 hours of listening to vgm
THe one Who Waits for Destiny and Blue Gloom have an interesting tone to them. I really appreciate the Legend of Mana soundtrack, having listened to most of it during play through. I was fascinated to hear something reminiscent of her later work with "The One who Waits for Destiny"
Legend of Mana im voting with my heart now. It’s a hard toss up. if i was going to go on sheer tracks, Radiant would win, but I have too many times of hearing Legend of Mana behind me to not give it a shot this time
Snatcher Its interesting, this match up. both are really good old tracks. I’m surprised how digital they are. But snatcher takes it for me for the same reason as arthur.
Been a pleasure to rumble with you all
Crystal Hammer – Sorry for creating yet another tie
Crystal Hammer – That’s almost a toss up, both are excellent tracks. Voting for Karsten Obarski with my heart
Cheers! I’m done leading for a while. Sorry I kind of dropped out mid-way in that one. I think nx666 is taking over with the C64 rumble, dunno if we’re going to do two at once as usual or not. I’ll still be around to vote!
If we don’t have another rumble ready right now then we could also do the first round (2×32) in pairs (4×16).
C64 songs
7th Gen soundtracks
Akira Yamaoka songs
David Wise songs
I’m up for all of them, but I’d vote for doing Yamaoka and C64 side by side as my first choice.
– a maximum of 4 tracks per composer (sorry Rob)
– only 1 track per game (there is one exception, I think)
– no outright covers allowed, but there are some borderline cases that I left on the list
– I also removed all the Tim Follin tracks. He already had his own rumble so this wouldn’t really add anything new at this point.
What we are left with is a good mix of Shad’s original list, some classics that were missing, plus a few personal favorites. To ensure some variety throughout the rumble I seeded the first round, which basically means the two competing tracks will generally have some commonalities (e.g same composer, similar style).
And finally, since demo music was such a big part of the the C64 experience there is going to be a bonus demo track every round.
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Round 1, Fight 1 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Never Forgive Me, Never Forget Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nmIn2CiW_4), from Silent Hill 3
vs.
Illusion in Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko0TMAPy_JU), from Silent Hill: Origins
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Round 1, Fight 1 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Monty on the Run – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIA_0cvS2gQ), by Rob Hubbard (1985 Gremlin Graphics)
vs.
Chimera – Ending (https://youtu.be/0mbgIj6GGDg?t=219), by Rob Hubbard (1986 Firebird)
Rob Hubbard is often described the godfather of C64 music. Being at the forefront of the chiptune revolution of ’85 he developed many of the techniques that became part of the typical SID sound. Most of his C64 soundtracks (more than 70) were written over a period of only two years, which is kinda crazy considering that he worked on music for other systems during that time as well. Chimera is a typical Hubbard Game Over/High Score tune. Monty on the Run is a game about escaping from the authorities, hence the dramatic ‘chase scene’ music. The opening of the track was inspired by this piece (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2eqX93umXo).
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Think Twice III (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0vFFiQ2rZM), by Jeroen Kimmel (Red) (1987 The Judges)
While music demos had been around for a while, an actual scene didn’t form in Europe until ’86/’87. This track was composed for an early demo by The Judges, one of the very first dedicated groups from that era.
My picks:
Never Forgive Me, Never Forget Me
Monty on the Run
Illusion in Me
Monty on the Run
As with the music of Nine Inch Nails (one of my favorite bands), it’s probably best not to listen too closely to the lyrics.
I had a bit of a chuckle over this!
Illusion in Me
Monty on the Run
Monty on the Run
Sure is nice to not be in charge of updates for a change. Thanks for taking over!
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Round 1, Fight 2 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Laura Plays The Piano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6L9Cbs0m_U), from Silent Hill 2
vs.
Sickness Unto Foolish Death (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1icwgtZZYz0), from Silent Hill 3
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Round 1, Fight 2 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Cybernoid – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kgzdAfz0AE), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Hewson)
vs.
Cybernoid II – Main Theme (https://youtu.be/3kgzdAfz0AE?t=404), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Hewson)
In this round we’ll finally get an answer to the age-old question "What is the better Cybernoid soundtrack?" Both were scored by Jeroen Tel who was 16 years old when he composed the music for these games. A founding member of the Maniacs of Noise, he went on to be one of the most prolific C64 musicians of the late 80s/early 90s. Both tracks are over 6 minutes long and go through several ‘movements’. Cybernoid 1 is a SID-ified rock song with long guitar solos, while Cybernoid 2 has more of an electronic feel to it.
Note: The video above plays the tracks back-to-back, Cybernoid 2 starts around 6:45.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
The Alibi (https://youtu.be/s5L7hL29MUs?t=10), by Thomas E. Petersen (Laxity) (1989 Maniacs of Noise)
A fairly well-known track by Laxity, another Maniacs of Noise member.
My Picks:
Laura Plays The Piano
Cybernoid
Cybernoid
Cybernoid
Cybernoid II
Laura Plays The Piano
Cybernoid
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Round 1, Fight 3 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Elle Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAhazphEoXk), from Silent Hill: Homecoming
vs.
Suburban Nightmares (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efT4E7wOsW4), from Shadows of the Damned
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Round 1, Fight 3 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Ocean Loader – Ocean Loader #2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fvi_SIQcOU), by Martin Galway (1986 Ocean)
vs.
Rambo: First Blood Part II – Loading Screen (https://youtu.be/6NmknHO0J4I?t=104), by Martin Galway (1986 Ocean)
Two tracks by Martin Galway, another one of the great early C64 composers. He is mostly known for his soaring anthems that use little to no percussion, a style heavily influenced by musicians like Jarre or Vangelis. Ocean Loader is the music that was played in many Ocean games while the program was loading from tape. Overall, there are five different versions, only the first two were composed by Galway. Rambo is a movie license that covers Jerry Goldsmith’s score, however, the soundtrack is mostly known for this awesome loading music, a Galway original.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
The Mariner’s Tale (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fkqmEgeAAE), by Anders Rodahl (Rage) (1991 Megastyle)
My Picks:
Elle Theme
Rambo
Ocean Loader
Rambo
Ocean Loader
Rambo
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Round 1, Fight 4 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Tender Sugar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMXmZok6gpE), from Silent Hill 4: The Room
vs.
Always On My Mind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJtBXW4abRI), from Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
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Round 1, Fight 4 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Fourth Protocol – Main Theme (https://youtu.be/JvuKzwkrYO8), by David Dunn (1985 Hutchison Computer Pub.)
vs.
Escape from Paradise – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3CzujjHVAc), by David Dunn (1987 Anco Software)
David Dunn is a somewhat forgotten composer whose approach to game music was very different from that of his contemporaries. Fourth Protocol sounds like a classical piece and makes heavy use of filters in order to create pretty amazing dynamics. Not really your typical video game track, and pretty mind-blowing for something composed in 1985. Escape from Paradise is maybe a tad more conventional by comparison.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
The Super Larsson Bros (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tbCajRiF44), by Martin Evald (Radiantx) (2008 Horizon & Instinct)
Something from a more recent demo.
My Picks:
Tender Sugar
Fourth Protocol
Fourth Protocal
Tender Sugar
Escape from Paradise
Fourth Protocol
Tender Sugar
Fourth Protocal
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Round 1, Fight 5 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Dearest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVQT1EmqHRI), from Contra: Shattered Soldier
vs.
Tribal Curse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLhi1ERKHJg), from Silent Hill: Origins
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 5 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Tetris – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny743c32gPg), by Wally Beben (1988 Mirrorsoft)
vs.
Loopz – Tune A (https://youtu.be/I76ylXjKf10), by David Whittaker (1991 Audiogenic)
Today’s round features two different approaches to music in puzzle games.
Mirrorsoft’s computer ports of Tetris were much darker in tone than the later console versions. This is reflected in the music by Wally Beben, a hypnotic, brooding track with sampled guitars that lasts 25 minutes. Loopz is what I like to call "thinking" music, something that is perhaps more in line with other games of this genre.
——————————————————-
Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Slow, Slower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PlYBSb8f3U), by Kay Tichelmann (Ragman) (1992 Comic Pirates)
Slow, Slower is very apt description of this track.
My Picks:
Dearest
Tetris
Loopz
Tetris
I think i’ve had my ears opened today. thanks for the C64 tracks. haha. what a system!
Tetris
Tetris
I think i’ve had my ears opened today. thanks for the C64 tracks. haha. what a system!
Great! Glad you liked them 🙂
Loopz
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Round 1, Fight 6 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
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Killing Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgr-ZSZSSwA), from Silent Hill
vs.
Ordinary Vanity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGeUIQbtKt0), from Silent Hill 2
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Round 1, Fight 6 // Commodore 64 Rumble
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Bee 52 – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moWLGp7VJDA), by Gerard Gourley (1992 Codemasters)
vs.
Tarzan Goes Ape! – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeKm0eOMTjg), by Steve Barrett (1991 Codemasters)
Let’s go with something more light-hearted this round.
Bee 52 and Tarzan Goes Ape! are two of the many platform games Codemasters put out in the early 90s. They all have similar soundtracks, consisting of catchy, upbeat tunes like these.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Namnam Special (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Racui9jJI#t=05h08m30s), by Johannes Bjerregaard (1988 Danish Music Company)
My Picks:
Ordinary Vanity
Bee 52 – Any song that uses bee buzzing as an instrument is going to get my vote.
Bee 52
I liked Namnam Special better than either C64 selection. 😛
Bee 52
I liked Namnam Special better than either C64 selection. 😛
Yeah, that’s a great track. You can look forward to a whole round dedicated to Bjerregaard later in this rumble.
Tarzan goes Ape
Bee 52
Yet another Nine Inch Nails connection: a sample of slowed-down bees buzzing is used in the track "Eraser (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5KlwGB9A5I)."
Yesterday I randomly put on The Fragile, and it has forced me to recalibrate. Really great stuff.
Yesterday I randomly put on The Fragile, and it has forced me to recalibrate. Really great stuff.
I was pretty big into industrial (metal) in the 90s, but I never liked NIN all that much. Maybe they were too popular for my comfort 🙂
Tarzan
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Round 1, Fight 7 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
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Regards (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUeEbb0Muu4), from Silent Hill: Homecoming
vs.
Theme of Laura (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LB7LZZGpkw), from Silent Hill 2
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Round 1, Fight 7 // Commodore 64 Rumble
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Sly Spy: Secret Agent – Stage 9: Enemy Headquarter (https://youtu.be/9BLLNX_GsIw?t=958), by Geoff Follin (1989 Ocean)
vs.
Revolution – Aggressor Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPyj1_rdKhM), by Martin Walker (1990 Future Publishing)
While I had to to ban Tim Follin from this rumble, brother Geoff does make an appearance. Sly Spy is a conversion of a Data East arcade soundtrack that features a few original compositions like this one. Aggressor Theme is very different from Martin Walker’s usual style, to me this always sounded like a techno remix of a Tim Follin track.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Amyloid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Racui9jJI#t=01h37m42s), by Marcel Donn??? (Mad) (1987 Maniacs of Noise)
The title track of an unreleased game, also one of the first Maniacs of Noise productions.
My Picks:
Theme of Laura
Aggressor Theme
Sly Spy
Some of the silent hill tracks i have listened to couldn’t play in my region. If you’re having the same trouble there is a silent hill website with the tracks on it http://www.silenthillmemories.net/
Sly Spy
Aggressor Theme
Aggressor Theme
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Round 1, Fight 8 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
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Pianissimo Epilogue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHUMipQnvww), from Silent Hill 2
vs.
True (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDKx1Rp1yAA), from Silent Hill 2
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Round 1, Fight 8 // Commodore 64 Rumble
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Dark Side – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JWxbhRify0), by Wally Beben (1988 Incentive Software)
vs.
Driller – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UzJUCPkCjo), by Matt Gray (1987 Incentive Software)
Two early 3D adventures using the Feescape engine. The 8-bit versions were a bit slow, but had incredible atmosphere, which is underlined by their moody soundtracks. Dark Side is yet another dark Wally Beben track that lasts 12 minutes. Driller is only slightly shorter and takes some inspiration from Carpenter’s Halloween theme and Phantom of the Opera.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Rocky Star (https://youtu.be/SYozSlo5h9k?t=221), by Kim Christensen (Future Freak) (1988 Dexion)
My Picks:
True
Dark Side
Driller
Man, the oscilloscope is a bit off putting at times.
Dark Side
Driller
Man, the oscilloscope is a bit off putting at times.
Really? I love looking at old video game music that way. Mostly because it gives you a better understanding of how the song ‘works’ in terms of sound design. It’s also pretty mesmerizing, in an odd sort of way.
Never saw vgm videos with that before.
Dark Side
Dark Side
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Round 1, Fight 9 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Nightmarish Waltz (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1J3On2MDNg), from Silent Hill 4: The Room
vs.
Breeze ~ In Monochrome Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu8A6BdcHbk), from Silent Hill 3
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Round 1, Fight 9 // Commodore 64 Rumble
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Cataball – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4prihQy3g0), by Mark Cooksey (1987 Elite)
vs.
Traz – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdSVKkH18d4), by Jeroen Kimmel (1988 Cascade Games)
Cataball is one of the many catchy Mark Cooksey themes, played on a ‘violin’ and a ‘flute’. Traz is a similar long, melodic tune that sounds like a guitar solo at times.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Another Tune for Joanna (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Racui9jJI#t=05h37m15s), by Neil Baldwin (Demon) (1988 Neil Baldwin)
My Picks:
Nightmarish Waltz
Cataball
Cataball
Cataball
I will come back and do the second rumble.
Cataball
the simplicity of the tune along with the illusion that you’ve played it before that made it for me. Cataball transported me back to my childhood
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Round 1, Fight 10 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
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Betrayal (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WShknpNpHbY), from Silent Hill 2
vs.
Tears of… (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UJOl1P4KQw), from Silent Hill
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Round 1, Fight 10 // Commodore 64 Rumble
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Ball-Blasta – Name Entry (https://youtu.be/FBpqezcCjlw?t=134), by Adam Gilmore (1988 Zeppelin Games)
vs.
Tales of Boon – Name Entry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0Hz_ZMsi_k&index=6&list=PLFA94A77ADC06FDDA), by Thomas Detert (1993 X-Ample)
Two pleasant and somewhat melancholic tunes, that were both used as the high score music of their respective games.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
That’s the Way It Is (main) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Racui9jJI#t=09h54m56s), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Maniacs of Noise)
My Picks:
Tears of…
Ball-Blasta
Ball-Blasta
Ball-Blasta
Ball-Blasta
Tears of…
Good to see some MIA faces.
tales of boon
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Round 1, Fight 11 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
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Great Demon World Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB-lhZXPAxA), from Shadows of the Damned
vs.
Passion That Binds Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1vHeUFOyfM), from Silent Hill: Origins
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Round 1, Fight 11 // Commodore 64 Rumble
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RoboCop – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFgXGw_kXpc), by Jonathan Dunn (1989 Ocean)
vs.
Underground – In-Game (https://youtu.be/VzV-MHfoPQM?t=149), by Chris Ammerm???ller (1989 CP Verlag)
The RoboCop soundtrack is mostly known for this iconic theme by Jonathan Dunn, which later also appeared in the Gameboy version of this game and even made it into a commercial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpWeMWbKBIk). Underground is a fairly unassuming Boulder Dash clone with a similarly relaxing track featuring a ‘triangle flute’. And man do I love triangle flutes.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Premature (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_qi6JkQK7E), by Glenn Rune Gallefoss (1999 SHAPE/Blues Muz)
My Picks:
Passion That Binds Me
Underground
I’ll vote in a bit for the other one. My internet doesn’t want to load the second link right now.
Robocop
Addendum: Thank you for robocop. it was a pleasure to listen to this song
Robocop (love Jonathan Dunn)
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Round 1, Fight 12 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Catgrass Greenhouse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js4XkPg4aUs), from Black Knight Sword
Note: The original link to this video doesn’t work anymore, so I had to replace it with this one. I don’t know if this ‘extended’ version is any different though, it just seems to be a bit longer.
vs.
Alone in the Town (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aalI-pmhgb4), from Silent Hill 2
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Round 1, Fight 12 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
R-Type – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vmoj8xzqkk), by Chris H???lsbeck (1988 Electric Dreams)
vs.
Turrican – Intro (https://youtu.be/-0TAU35QS-8?t=27), by Stefan Hartwig (1990 Rainbow Arts)
The R-Type theme is one of H???lsbeck’s best-known compositions on the C64 and also completely different from the Amiga version that featured in Shad’s rumble. Stefan Hartwig’s Turrican theme was originally composed for an intro maker app, published by Digital Marketing. That same company did the copy protection/mastering for many C64 games, and that’s how his music ended up being used as the loading tune in Turrican.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Dynamic Range (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Racui9jJI#t=06h05m27s), by Michael Hendriks (1989 F.A.M.E.)
My Picks:
Catgrass Greenhouse
Turrican
Catgrass Greenhouse – The oddball selection from Yamaoka’s catalogue gets my vote even though "Alone in the Town" has some great moments, such as when its "strings" come in.
Turrican – Interesting detail about Digital Marketing. 😀
*SupraDarky just did a retrospective (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glcGXw3gS6Q) on the Silent Hill series, for those who are interested.
R-Type
Sorry about that last rumble, I just couldn’t get the link to load.
Thanks to the link to SupraDarkys retrospective! I never played the games because I get motion sickness for a lot of games, but I’ve always loved the music.
R-type
so this is what we’re rumbling now… i have to admit to being a bit preoccupied with other things as i listened to silent hill tracks. I never have played any of them. That’s no indication on the music, i found these tracks to be wonderful pieces of music they are a little interesting, don’t know what to compare it with really 🙂 I love the what do you call it… fast paced section in r-type close to 2 mins.
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Round 1, Fight 13 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Over (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlYuwa-gDRo), from Silent Hill
vs.
Witchcraft (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDKBfhcos84), from Silent Hill: Homecoming
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Round 1, Fight 13 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Stormlord – Title Tune (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbfNwe-BsN8), by Johannes Bjerregaard (1989 Hewson) – the video is slightly nsfw and the top comment is by Jeroen Tel
vs.
Stormlord – In-Game Tune (https://youtu.be/xzKZqTO4aFw?t=388), by Johannes Bjerregaard (1989 Hewson) – gameplay footage that features naked fairies
The big battle of Bjerregaard’s Stormlord tracks! The title screen music is a fairly long, developing tune, that is somewhat reminiscent of Tel’s Cybernoid 1+2. Even longer is the in-game BGM, which is structured like a mini-symphony, consisting of four distinct movements.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Drive on Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dptDcPh4k9U), by Michael Winterberg (1986 Speedi Systems)
An early track by demoscene pioneer Michael Winterberg.
My Picks:
Over – sounds like Merzbow, lol
Stormlord – Title Tune
Witchcraft
Stormlord – Title Tune
well i’ll be honest about those silent hill songs, they’re giving me the creeps, in a good way. It’s terrifying music.
I don’t know what to say…
I definitely like other soundtracks better, but they’re both solid.
Over
Stormlord – Title tune
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Round 1, Fight 14 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Silent Hill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYs0kLMuXDE), from Silent Hill
vs.
Town of Mysteries (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xluCj01-0nE), from Silent Hill: Origins
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Round 1, Fight 14 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Armalyte – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XH9vcsY-xs), by Martin Walker (1988 Thalamus)
vs.
The Last Ninja – The Wilderness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbBENI8sHFE), by Ben Daglish (1987 System 3)
The Armalyte soundtrack is a good example of Martin Walker’s fairly original style: dark, brooding tunes that are very melodic at the same time. Ben Daglish’s Wilderness theme is a different take on creating an atmospheric video game score, combining Far Eastern elements with warbling, almost dubsteb-like, synths.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Ala Gal Part 1: Demonic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaJokKSc7EY), by Charles Deenen (1988 Maniacs of Noise)
From an early Maniacs of Noise demo, this is based on a track by Neil Baldwin.
My Picks:
Silent Hill
The Last Ninja
The Last Ninja
By the way, I really liked the demo track. I knew Deenen’s name, but couldn’t match it to any soundtracks off the top of my head. Interesting guy. One of the first links I ran across after googling him was a guide to recording car sounds (presumably because he worked on the Need for Speed series, but still a funny area to be an authority on).
The Last Ninja
By the way, I really liked the demo track. I knew Deenen’s name, but couldn’t match it to any soundtracks off the top of my head. Interesting guy. One of the first links I ran across after googling him was a guide to recording car sounds (presumably because he worked on the Need for Speed series, but still a funny area to be an authority on).
He was a founding member of Maniacs of Noise and the guy behind their sound drivers, although he also composed for a few games/demos himself. At some point he was hired by Interplay, did a few soundtracks for them and then quickly transitioned into a production role. He is still in the industry though, doing sound design for titles as recent as XCOM 2 or Star Wars: Battlefront.
Btw, my next podcast is going to be all about Charles Deenen.
Armalyte
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Round 1, Fight 15 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Please Love Me…Once More (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBcqpXOCuPE), from Silent Hill 3
vs.
It’s A Bughunt (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n5drJ8qDkM), from Shadows of the Damned
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Round 1, Fight 15 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Ark Pandora – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHSQdkqUa4A), by Ben Daglish, Anthony Crowther (1986 Rino Marketing)
vs.
Odysseus: Trojan Warrior – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blUVswhvTpU), by Steve Barrett (1988 Silverbird)
Ark Pandora is one of the early Ben Daglish soundtracks, this tune is a reworked version of an earlier demo written by Daglish and Crowther to get a job in the industry. Odysseus is a pretty crappy shooter that features a similarly melodic piece by Steve Barrett.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Double Density Commercial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcaz7JCBmNU), by Markus Schneider (1989 Double Density)
Originally composed for a commercial, this was used in many demos and cracktros as well.
My Picks:
It’s A Bughunt
Ark Pandora
Odysseus: Trojan Warrior
Odysseus: Trojan Warrior
Odysseus: Trojan Warrior
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Round 1, Fight 16 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Ain’t Gonna Rain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82AxwPFHGt4), from Silent Hill
vs.
Wounded Warsong (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw0iRRCHqag), from Silent Hill 4: The Room
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Round 1, Fight 16 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Dominator – Loading Tune (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdOlhw6JLHc), by Matt Gray (1989 System 3)
vs.
Quedex – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpab6UoImmA), by Matt Gray (1987 Thalamus)
Two tracks that both showcase Matt Gray’s signature high-energy style very well.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Theme from Stationary Ark (from Synth Sample) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px2rVl7t-gY), by Georg Feil (1984 Georg Feil)
Originally written as a demo for Georg Feil’s music editor Synth, this was a very popular track to be included in early demos like the one in this video. The music itself is based on a theme from a 70s TV show.
My Picks:
Wounded Warsong
Dominator
Quedex – Title Screen
Quedex – Title Screen
Quedex – Title Screen
Dominator
This concludes the first round of the Yamaoka rumble!
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Round 2, Fight 1 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Illusion in Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko0TMAPy_JU), from Silent Hill: Origins
vs.
Laura Plays The Piano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6L9Cbs0m_U), from Silent Hill 2
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Round 1, Fight 17 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Gordian Tomb – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UofxvwE-HCU), by Thomas Detert (1990 CP Verlag)
vs.
Rubicon – Loader (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hBverjpeLs), by Reyn Ouwehand (1991 21st Century Entertainment)
One of the many great tracks from the Rubicon soundtrack, composed by Reyn Owehand, who was a member of Maniacs of Noise at that time. Gordian Tomb is a similar melodic piece by Thomas Detert. This soundtrack is mostly known for its 32-minute in-game theme (https://youtu.be/UofxvwE-HCU?t=297) though, one of the longest pieces of 8-bit game music.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Ultimate Intro Studio (Tune 07) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA51zo8RY0U), by Stefan Hartwig (1989 Digital Marketing)
One of the music samples that came with Ultimate Intro Studio. Like some of Hartwig’s other tracks this was also used as a loading tune in a game (Myth in this case) using Digital Marketing’s copy protection.
My Picks:
Laura Plays The Piano
Rubicon
Here is the Charles Deenen podcast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAFLkCBRuzg) I promised you last week.
And welcome back Shad! 😀
Gordian Tomb
Gordian Tomb music makes me want to be able to do the robot dance
Laura plays the piano
Gordian
Anyway, the first round of Yamaoka cuts is done, and we’ve got some interesting trends going. First and foremost, we definitely like the music of the earlier games. All of the entries from Origins (2007), Homecoming (2008), and Shattered Memories (2009) were eliminated in the first round except for "Illusion in Me." Losing that many from the later games is not particularly surprising. But I am surprised that "Illusion in Me," a vocal track, as well as "Tender Sugar" have advanced. We’ve previously discussed our hang-ups about vocal tracks. I believed these avoided some of the normal pitfalls, and I’m pleased they’re still in it. "Dearest" from Contra: Shattered Soldier also made it through, representing one half of the oddball Yamaoka tracks I included (the other being "Catgrass Greenhouse") to show Yamaoka outside his comfort zone. Mostly, though, we’re voting on strength versus strength: atmospheric tracks using cleverly manipulated samples, drones playing small intervals to add dissonance, booming reverb to give the instruments scale, and trip-hop and industrial percussion to drive the pieces forward. It’s an effective formula he has milked since the first Silent Hill, and in fact Yamaoka has stated he’s made every sound heard in the Silent Hill games using just his Line 6 Pod. Pretty impressive, if true.
This has to be Laura Plays the Piano for me. I love the interplay between the sampled cluster and the pianos.
Gordian Tomb – As a sidenote, thanks for the continued commentary. I knew the name Reyn Ouwehand but didn’t know he also was part of this Maniacs of Noise group. I’m learning a lot. 😀
EDIT: @PforPianist: "Illusion in Me" was in the very first fight of Round 1 against "Never Forgive Me, Never Forget Me."
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Round 2, Fight 2 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Suburban Nightmares (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efT4E7wOsW4), from Shadows of the Damned
vs.
Tender Sugar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMXmZok6gpE), from Silent Hill 4: The Room
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Round 1, Fight 18 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Hypa-Ball – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyNYfoWBRvc), by Keith Tinman (1986 Odin Computer Graphics)
vs.
Hysteria – In-Game BGM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM-CZVkqtiE), by Fred Gray (1987 Software Projects)
The Hypa-ball title track sounds like it fell out of a 2000s electroclash album, except it was made in 1986. There are quite a few pop/electro songs that feature extremely similar ‘bass lines’ (like this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hoQ0N6zJJg), or this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uco-2V4ytYQ)). Hysteria is one of the better known Fred Gray compositions, and one of the first (if not the first) instances of single-channel echo on the C64.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Hi Fi Sky (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3LP6AQhaak), by Markus Klein (LMan) (2015 MultiStyle Labs)
Something a little bit more recent and notable for using 2 SID + 3 PCM channels. This barely sounds like a C64 track.
My Picks:
Tender Sugar
Hypa-ball
Hypa-Ball
Also, the annual FF Character Knockout (Thread 204665) is back for its 6th iteration! I’ll kick off the musical equivalent as soon as my current Mafia game ends.
Hypa-ball
Like half of our traditionally favorite tracks are going to be eliminated in the first round. <_<
———- Post added at 03:12 AM ———- Previous post was at 03:11 AM ———-
Three separate groups will match up former quarterfinalists or higher.
I like variety. 😀
Hypa-Ball
Sorry about the late vote. Been pretty busy lately.
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Round 2, Fight 3 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Dearest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVQT1EmqHRI), from Contra: Shattered Soldier
vs.
Killing Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgr-ZSZSSwA), from Silent Hill
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Round 1, Fight 19 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Frightmare – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz-yWjUk1pQ), by Jeroen Kimmel (1988 Cascade Games)
vs.
Startrash – Intro (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqyNzonw7go), by Chris H???lsbeck (1989 Rainbow Arts)
When I posted Frightmare in my thread, I called this track the ‘Bolero’ of SID music. A fairly repetitive rhythmic pattern that is played over 9 minutes, interspersed with subtle, but very effective pieces of melody. The actual ‘tune’ doesn’t start until 2 minutes into the song. Startrash also has a bit of a build-up before the track gets going. This soundtrack is one of the many H???lsbeck/Vaca collaborations from ’89.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
DMC Demo IV (Tune 2) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Racui9jJI#t=00h15m07s), by Johannes Bjerregaard (1988 Johannes Bjerregaard)
My Picks:
Dearest
Frightmare
Frightmare – Nice description for this one
Frightmare
Startrash
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Round 2, Fight 4 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Theme of Laura (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LB7LZZGpkw), from Silent Hill 2
vs.
True (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDKx1Rp1yAA), from Silent Hill 2
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Round 1, Fight 20 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Hawkeye – Load Next Level (https://youtu.be/Lb4E2MZFXDE?t=355), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Thalamus)
This is a dolby headphone version of the soundtrack, I couldn’t find any video that plays two complete loops of this track.
vs.
Street Surfer – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei-7k2wVvYU), by David Whittaker (1986 Mastertronic)
In terms of general sound design, Hawkeye is probably one of the most impressive 8-bit soundtracks. The loading screen features interactive music with a built-in channel mixer (https://youtu.be/plGgOyDZ9bw?t=93), all the in-game tracks (https://youtu.be/ASoRpGQ6zfo?t=543) only use one(!) sound channel to allow for additional sfx, and then there is this tune that is played while the next level is loading (https://youtu.be/ASoRpGQ6zfo?t=483). Street Surfer on the other hand is a prototypical David Whittaker’s SID track, complete with arpeggio chords and his trademark rhythm patterns.
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Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Deus Ex Machina (https://youtu.be/G7Py_TyhXYY?t=61), by Mel Croucher (1986 Automata UK)
Is this a demo? Or maybe a game? Deus Ex Machina was one of the very first ‘art games’ and a very divisive product at that time. Originally released on the Spectrum in ’84, the game features no in-game music. Instead, it came with an audio tape with music and narration that is played alongside the program. The script is loosely based on "The Seven Ages of Man" from Shakespeare’s As You Like It.
My Picks:
True
Hawkeye
Hawkeye
Side-note: Well, I just learned from Merriam-Webster that "deus ex ma-SHEE-na" is, in fact, an acceptable pronunciation–although far less common.
Theme of Laura
Hawk Eye
Hawkeye
——————————————————-
Round 2, Fight 5 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Breeze ~ In Monochrome Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu8A6BdcHbk), from Silent Hill 3
vs.
Tears of… (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UJOl1P4KQw), from Silent Hill
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 21 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Comic Bakery – Loading Tune (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH7dz7bqgyA), by Martin Galway (1986 Imagine)
vs.
Sanxion – Loader (Thalamusik) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiXTDZy2Hyg), by Rob Hubbard (1986 Thalamus)
Two classics from two classic C64 composers, both are played while the game is loaded from tape. Comic Bakery is a port of an obscure MSX game by Konami, but this particular piece is exclusive to the C64 version. Thalamusik is one of Hubbard’s most famous tracks, composed for a shmup that also featured a pretty nifty cover of Prokofiev’s "Dance of the Knights" (https://youtu.be/LodK2ll7xPY?t=5).
——————————————————-
Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
DMC Demo IV (Tune 2) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Racui9jJI#t=00h15m07s), by Johannes Bjerregaard (1988 Johannes Bjerregaard)
My Picks:
Tears of…
Sanxion
Comic Bakery
That demo track is pretty badass.
EDIT: Also, we just had our 7th anniversary. Cheers!
Comic Bakery
That demo track is pretty badass.
EDIT: Also, we just had our 7th anniversary. Cheers!
really?
wow. I thought ffshrine had been around for 12 years atleast.
What happened to the melody?
Tears of…
Comic Bakery
Bakery Comic
EDIT: Also, we just had our 7th anniversary. Cheers!
Has it only been 7? It really does feel like it’s been longer than that!
I was referring to this thread only, which was started on 05-27-2009.
Also, welcome back feral! They weren’t able to fix your old account??
Also, welcome back feral! They weren’t able to fix your old account??
Woohoo! That’s actually pretty long for a thread! I did think you meant the shrine itself, too. I know it’s been around longer than 7, because I’ve been on the shrine for longer than 7!
I had to create a new account to get things figured out. It wasn’t just a password reset that needed done. It seemed that I had to have my account reactivated. I don’t really know what happened, but I know that there are a few others that had the same problem. But we’re good now and if anything happens again, I now have an alt account. I kept the avatar the same to help keep confusion down.
——————————————————-
Round 2, Fight 6 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Great Demon World Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB-lhZXPAxA), from Shadows of the Damned
vs.
Alone in the Town (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aalI-pmhgb4), from Silent Hill 2
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 22 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Last Ninja 2 – Central Park (In-Game) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoGFV_xxR64), by Matt Gray (1988 System 3)
vs.
Xenophobe – BGM #3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz4tSNVUwAc), by Barry Leitch (1989 Micro Style)
The Last Ninja 2 soundtrack probably doesn’t require an introduction, being arguably Matt Gray’s most popular work on the C64. Xenophobe is a port of Bally Midway’s arcade game that received a completely new soundtrack courtesy of Barry Leitch. I like how the second half of this track basically turns into speed metal, complete with blast beats and guitar solo.
——————————————————-
Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Compleeto! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEZKquw-tFk), by Anders Andr???en (ATOO) (1989 Anders Andr???en)
My Picks:
Alone in the Town
Last Ninja 2
Last Ninja 2
I had a look at some of the previous suggestions, the one I could do without too much preparation would be the "Early PC" rumble, provided we narrow down the scope a little bit.
Any ideas?
Last Ninja
Last Ninja 2
If we do Early PC, I agree with your idea to organize it by sound chip–with the suggestion that we do something other than C64 music to avoid overlapping. I believe the only other theme with more than 32 selections that is finished is Best of the 7th Gen consoles.
My join date begs to differ. 😛
———- Post added at 03:26 AM ———- Previous post was at 03:25 AM ———-
Alone in the Town
Last Ninja 2 – Central Park (In-Game)
——————————————————-
Round 2, Fight 7 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Over (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlYuwa-gDRo), from Silent Hill
vs.
Silent Hill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYs0kLMuXDE), from Silent Hill
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 23 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Flimbo’s Quest – Loading Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GlCcO4zghM), by Reyn Ouwehand (1990 System 3)
vs.
Rock’n Roll – Take Off Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7EyZIYVgec), by Ramiro Vaca (1989 Rainbow Arts)
Flimbo’s Quest is a cheerful platform game with matching music by Johannes Bjerregaard. Reyn Owehand contributed this theme, played while the game is loading, which is one of his best-known compositions on the C64. Rock’n Roll is another Ramiro Vaca / Chris H???lsbeck collaboration, as the name suggests, this soundtrack consists of a number of rock’n roll tunes.
——————————————————-
Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Shades (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7_RAJQ02eA), by Chris H???lsbeck (1986 64’er/Markt & Technik)
Speaking of Chris H???lsbeck, this is the track that started his career as a musician, and was originally written for a music contest by a German computer magazine. Impressed by the quality of his music, the magazine asked him to write an editor for his sound driver which was published a few months later as a program called Soundmonitor. This, in turn, was the main inspiration for Karsten Obarski’s Soundtracker, the father of all music tracker software.
My Picks:
Silent Hill
Flimbo’s Quest
lol, I guess that would through off the 2005 guess!
Silent Hill
Flimbo’s Quest
Silent Hill
Flimbo’s Quest
Interesting story about Chris H???lsbeck!
Flimbo’s Quest
——————————————————-
Round 2, Fight 8 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Please Love Me…Once More (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBcqpXOCuPE), from Silent Hill 3
vs.
Wounded Warsong (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw0iRRCHqag), from Silent Hill 4: The Room
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 24 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
DJ Puff’s Volcantic Capers – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi6i3o0PB3k), by Gerard Gourley (1992 Codemasters)
vs.
Slightly Magic – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESxkV_QI6D4), by Allister Brimble (1991 Codemasters)
Two tunes from the sheer endless supply of Codemasters budget platformers.
——————————————————-
Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
A Trace of Space (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4U-Wsyvqo8), by Thomas E. Petersen (Laxity) (2005 Maniacs of Noise)
My Picks:
Wounded Warsong
DJ Puff’s Volcantic Capers
DJ Puff’s Volcantic Capers
Slightly Magic – Title Screen
DJ Puff’s Volcantic Capers
Wounded Warsong
Slightly Magic – Title Screen
——————————————————-
Round 3, Fight 1 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Laura Plays The Piano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6L9Cbs0m_U), from Silent Hill 2
vs.
Suburban Nightmares (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efT4E7wOsW4), from Shadows of the Damned
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 25 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Turrican 2 – The Final Fight – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH899QpQMrA), by Markus Siebold (1991 Rainbow Arts)
vs.
Adidas Championship Football – Intro / Game Options (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtxx58Lq6ic), by Matthew Cannon (1990 Ocean)
Although somewhat overshadowed by H???lsbeck’s Amiga soundtrack, the C64 version of Turrican 2 has pretty good music as well. This title theme was composed by Markus Siebold in his trademark techno style.
Totally not techno is the second track, an upbeat tune with a nice melody played on a flute.
——————————————————-
Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
1.67YT – Turrican ]I[ Remix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0dyalsYHvo), by Tammo Hinrichs (KB) (1994 The Obsessed Maniacs)
Staying with the Turrican theme, a remix of the stage 1 music from Turrican 3 (Amiga) / Mega Turrican (Genesis).
My Picks:
Laura Plays The Piano
Adidas Championship Football
Turrican 2 – The Final Fight – Title Screen
Laura Plays The Piano – This was one of the first songs I heard from the Silent Hill series, and a lot of ingredients here made me fall in love with Yamaoka’s style.
Turrican 2 – The Final Fight – Title Screen
Last Ninja 2
If we do Early PC, I agree with your idea to organize it by sound chip–with the suggestion that we do something other than C64 music to avoid overlapping. I believe the only other theme with more than 32 selections that is finished is Best of the 7th Gen consoles.
Does anybody else have an opinion on this? I could prepare a 32 track rumble for PCM-based sound hardware that would nicely complement the C64 music, but I’m also up for a potential Best of 7th Gen rumble provided that I get some help creating the required (32×5 in total) Youtube links for all the individual tracks.
———- Post added at 08:44 AM ———- Previous post was at 08:41 AM ———-
We’re down to the Final 8 in the Yamaoka rumble!
Yeah, I forgot to mention this. From the remaining 8 tracks only 2 are not from Silent Hill 1 or 2…
Turrican 2
I think I’m more interested in doing a 7th Gen rumble than a PCM-based rumble.
I’ll take care of the links. It’s actually a 64-soundtrack rumble!
Thx arthur! xD
Laura Plays the Piano
Turrican 2
——————————————————-
Round 3, Fight 2 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Killing Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgr-ZSZSSwA), from Silent Hill
vs.
True (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDKx1Rp1yAA), from Silent Hill 2
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 26 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Last Ninja Remix – Central Park – The Wastelands (Remix 1) (https://youtu.be/AXVphtR2V4k?t=669), by Reyn Ouwehand (1990 System 3)
vs.
Puzzlenoid – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JqvfkagLMQ), by Richard Rinn (1990 Markt & Technik)
Two groovy tunes: Last Ninja Remix is a remake of Last Ninja 2, but the music also included a few tracks from the first game. This particular piece is based on Ben Daglish’s famous Wastelands theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE8jEm9qPzk) turned into a dance track by Reyn Ouwehand. Puzzlenoid is a fairly obscure puzzle game that was released in a disk mag, the music is by demo scener Richard Rinn (Deek).
——————————————————-
Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Zakazazam (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNy9-jSzcIw), by Glenn Rune Gallefoss (1998 SHAPE/Blues Muz’)
My Picks:
True
Puzzlenoid
Puzzlenoid
Last Ninja Remix
Last Ninja Remix
——————————————————-
Round 3, Fight 3 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Tears of… (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UJOl1P4KQw), from Silent Hill
vs.
Alone in the Town (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aalI-pmhgb4), from Silent Hill 2
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 27 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Battle Ships – Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFdyhJtQ3cg&feature=youtu.be&t=25), by Mark Cooksey (1987 Hit Pak)
vs.
Troll – In-Game BGM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTFpai2gC0A), by Fred Gray (1988 Outlaw Productions)
——————————————————-
Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Extasy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBRu7__NOMo), by Michal Relkowski (Daf) (1996 Samar Productions)
Great track that always sounded a little bit like a remix of that Troll theme to me.
My Picks:
Tears of…
Troll
Troll
Battle Ships
No wonder. It’s another loose spin on Pleasure of Tension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6YNlAkffcA), and I’m not sure how I failed to immediately recognize it last time.
Tears of…
Battle Ships
——————————————————-
Round 3, Fight 4 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Silent Hill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYs0kLMuXDE), from Silent Hill
vs.
Please Love Me…Once More (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBcqpXOCuPE), from Silent Hill 3
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 28 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Eliminator – In-Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LRt0pRVbCc), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Hewson)
vs.
Rolling Ronny – The Sewers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yCGTMGblWM), by Markus Schneider (1991 Virgin Games)
Two tracks representing a style of SID music that was heavily inspired by popular contemporary genres like Acid Jazz and Funk.
——————————————————-
Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Red Eyes (Eldorado part 2) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZAX4VzTEfI), by Jouni Ikonen (Mixer) (1990)
My Picks:
Silent Hill
Eliminator
Rolling Ronny – The Sewers
Eliminator
Rolling Ronny – The Sewers
——————————————————-
Round 4, Fight 1 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Laura Plays The Piano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6L9Cbs0m_U), from Silent Hill 2
vs.
True (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDKx1Rp1yAA), from Silent Hill 2
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 29 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Defcom – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjoFbVuRu24), by David Whittaker (1986 Quicksilva)
vs.
Spellbound – In-Game Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkmkjpVvxCI), by Rob Hubbard (1986 Mastertronic)
——————————————————-
Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
Afterlife (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIn7SREBNfg), by Peter Siekmann (Devilock) (1994 Talent)
My Picks:
Laura Plays The Piano
Spellbound
Defcom
Defcom
Spellbound
Spellbound
——————————————————-
Round 4, Fight 2 // Best of Akira Yamaoka
——————————————————-
Tears of… (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UJOl1P4KQw), from Silent Hill
vs.
Silent Hill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYs0kLMuXDE), from Silent Hill
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 30 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Grand Monster Slam – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljGBn0mSqow), by Chris H???lsbeck (1989 Rainbow Arts)
vs.
Krakout – Title Screen & BGM #1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spnvz7GQYT8), by Ben Daglish (1987 Gremlin Graphics)
Two tracks that couldn’t be any more different. Grand Monster Slam is the – pretty epic – intro music for a fantasy sports game, while Krakout is a silly (even by his standards) Daglish tune for a Breakout clone.
——————————————————-
Bonus Demo Track (don’t vote for this):
JT in Space (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWLNeGn3cto), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Maniacs of Noise)
My Picks:
Tears of…
Krakout
Grand Monster Slam
Krakout
Grand Monster Slam
Grand Monster Slam
————————————————————————————————————–
Round 5, The Final!!! // Best of Akira Yamaoka
————————————————————————————————————–
Laura Plays The Piano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6L9Cbs0m_U), from Silent Hill 2
vs.
Tears of… (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UJOl1P4KQw), from Silent Hill
I’m doing two C64 match-ups this time, so that the next round can start in sync with the Best of 7th Gen rumble. Make sure you pick a winner for both of them!
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 31 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Wizball – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq9f3NfeFfo), by Martin Galway (1987 Ocean)
vs.
Zamzara – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhuPs2H5VMw), by Charles Deenen (1988 Hewson)
——————————————————-
Round 1, Fight 32 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————-
Fist II: The Legend Continues – The Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VOJalDWL_s), by Neil Brennan (1986 Melbourne House)
vs.
Forbidden Forest – Title Screen & Main BGM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpkc7GvvrdM), by Paul Norman (1983 Cosmi)
Two early proponents of programmatic music in video game soundtracks.
Forbidden Forest was one of the first attempts to create a movie-like experience in a game. The soundtrack, written by game designer Paul Norman, is build around this moody central theme which transitions into more hectic enemy-specific tunes depending on your current encounter. Come to think of it, this might actually be the very first soundtrack for a horror game as well.
Neil Brennan’s music is notable for its ingenious sound design and usually very atmospheric in style. This is one of the three themes from Fist 2 that is played during the cave sections of the game.
——————————————————-
My Picks:
Tears of…
C64 Fight 31: Zamzara
C64 Fight 32: Fist II
Zamzara
Fist II
Zamzara
Forbidden Forest
Zamzara
Forbidden Forest
Zamzara
Fist II
Next up is the Best of 7th Gen Rumble, while the ongoing C64 rumble will finally move on to round 2. I think I might need a break from being the lead once the C64 rumble is done and would really appreciate somebody else taking over at that point. You still have some time to think about it though, at the rate this is currently going this rumble will probably last us another 4-5 months.
——————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 1 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————————
Turrican 2 – The Final Fight – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH899QpQMrA), by Markus Siebold (1991 Rainbow Arts)
vs.
Battle Ships – Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFdyhJtQ3cg&feature=youtu.be&t=25), by Mark Cooksey (1987 Hit Pak)
——————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 1 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
——————————————————————
The Unfinished Swan (2012 for PS3) by Joel Corelitz
Sample tracks: The Unfinished Swan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-GX0PJMEII), Monroe’s Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VVtsMzTR9A), The Monument Falls (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuscfVUc7i8), Palace Minuet (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNS2oiQW5KM), The Watchtower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StS2OnyoSd4)
vs.
A Boy and His Blob (2009 for Wii) by Daniel Sadowski
Sample tracks: Subterra (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAjDFV88yJo), Gears of Blob (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXVAXLHG900), The City March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5XwL0iHs8E), Boss! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MlDPrLNbnc), Forest Greens (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J19f03qWSBA)
——————————————————————
My Picks:
Turrican 2
The Unfinished Swan
The Unfinished Swan! – This is a good first match-up. I love certain songs on both.
Fun factoid: This is the second-most research I had to do for a theme (after the Composers rumble), as I hadn’t heard most of these soundtracks before. Two years and 200+ soundtracks later, here we are! I’ve grown to really feel strongly about some of the entries, so I hope others find a favorite, too.
The Unfinished Swan
I’ve listened to Hitoshi Sakimoto more than any other composer over the past year.
I’ve listened to Hitoshi Sakimoto more than any other composer over the past year.
Maybe give his early FM soundtracks a listen as well, if you haven’t already. Stylistically they are quite different from his later orchestral stuff and you can find many of them in the PC-88, PC-98, and X68000 sections of my thread. Let me know if you need any recommendations.
The Unfinished Swan
——————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————————
Rambo: First Blood Part II – Loading Screen (https://youtu.be/6NmknHO0J4I?t=104), by Martin Galway (1986 Ocean)
vs.
DJ Puff’s Volcantic Capers – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi6i3o0PB3k), by Gerard Gourley (1992 Codemasters)
——————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
——————————————————————
Crysis 2 (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Borislav Slavov, Tilman Sillescu, Hans Zimmer, Lorne Balfe
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edv9YsRImCY), Alien Suite (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p37RsP7wXIQ), Insertion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph1Sn3li54I), Battery Park (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDFuk-sktzc), Morituri (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upQhv2gCbTg)
vs.
Portal 2 (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Mike Morasky
Sample tracks: Want You Gone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVVZaZ8yO6o), Cara Mia Addio (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kis6V6qwYxI), Science Is Fun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAg4yjEmerU), Robots FTW (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EP3fDx644w), Reconstructing More Science (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAeiqxNH3W0)
——————————————————————
My Picks:
Rambo: First Blood Part II
Portal 2
Crysis 2
Yeah, likewise, a big part of the appeal for me has been the opportunity to hear something new. By the way, thanks for including the release years, platforms, and composers with the entries!
DJ Puff’s Volcantic Capers
Crysis 2
Crysis 2
Crysis 2
——————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 3 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————————
Cataball – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4prihQy3g0), by Mark Cooksey (1987 Elite)
vs.
Hawkeye – Load Next Level (https://youtu.be/Lb4E2MZFXDE?t=354), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Thalamus)
——————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 3 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
——————————————————————
Xenoblade Chronicles (2010 for Wii) by Manami Kiyota, Ace+, Yoko Shimomura, Yasunori Mitsuda
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OxpAqDc4JE), Unfinished Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anuAekXi13M), Colony 9 (Night) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLHmZ7FI1yA), Prologue B (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzMkZChFynk), Colony 9 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKcQ-CQX-Ik)
vs.
3D Dot Game Heroes (2009 for PS3) by Yousuke Yasui, Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Saso, Shoichiro Sakamoto, Teruo Taniguchi, Takahiro Eguchi, Norihiro Hurukawa
Sample tracks: Opening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g5AS9bP7QU), Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtSwa3jtlB8), Go to the Wilderness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMpn4VK9G1s), Water Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIRjqKXicZ0), Reijakku Village (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqL8VTcNdG4)
——————————————————————
My Picks:
Hawkeye
3D Dot Game Heroes that’s a really though one
Oh man. Brutal match-up! For both of these soundtracks, it was difficult to pick the representative five. 3D Dot Game Heroes 🙁
3D Dot Game Heroes – this was tough.
Xenoblade Chronicles – while 3D DGH was fun to listen… No contest for me.
Didn’t expect to see Xenoblade fall at the first hurdle.
——————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 4 // Commodore 64 Rumble
——————————————————————
Frightmare – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz-yWjUk1pQ), by Jeroen Kimmel (1988 Cascade Games)
vs.
Comic Bakery – Loading Tune (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH7dz7bqgyA), by Martin Galway (1986 Imagine)
——————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
——————————————————————
Diablo III (2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Russell Brower, Derek Duke, Glenn Stafford
Sample tracks: And The Heavens Shall Tremble (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5maJlozFcY), New Tristram (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjcCiepTILQ), I Am Justice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdXYjnGO3-E), The Eternal Conflict (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYyqtg3yO7Q), Incantation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nVGB-ZeE6M)
vs.
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (2012 for Xbox 360, Windows) by Adam Skorupa, Krzysztof Wierzynkiewicz, Marcin Przybyłowicz
Sample tracks: Dwarven Stone upon Dwarven Stone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_jizNCiInw), A Nearly Peaceful Place (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f9KfX_kPVY), Vergen by Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V2yiBKpBKQ), Assassins of Kings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhSBSjbwEZs), Death to the Traitors (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT14tYx9Fyo)
——————————————————————
My Picks:
Frightmare
The Witcher 2
Frightmare
The Witcher 2
D3’s soundtrack was sorely in need of some Matt Uelmen. It sounded too much like Blizzard music without a sufficiently unique flavor.
Frightmare
The Witcher 2
D3’s soundtrack was sorely in need of some Matt Uelmen. It sounded too much like Blizzard music without a sufficiently unique flavor.
You can still vote for previous rounds if you want, I’ll update my post if necessary.
The Witcher 2
As much as I love DIII and the music, I think Witcher 2 has the better soundtrack.
The Witcher 2
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Round 2, Fight 5 // Commodore 64 Rumble
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Gordian Tomb – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pacDmoStYsw), by Thomas Detert (1990 CP Verlag)
vs.
Stormlord – Title Tune (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbfNwe-BsN8), by Johannes Bjerregaard (1989 Hewson)
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Round 1, Fight 5 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
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Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011 for Wii) by Hajime Wakai, Shiho Fujii, Mahito Yokota, Takeshi Hama
Sample tracks: Ballad of the Goddess (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4ReyoNpyrM), Fi’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRPheoucN_0), The Sky (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl6iryREksM), Koloktos/Moldarach (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzL4IA16k78), Faron Woods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_2zBH30HJU)
vs.
BioShock Infinite (2013 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Garry Schyman, Jim Bonney
Sample tracks: Welcome to Columbia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNy9jrer75s), Elizabeth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwDzbZcUTok), The Songbird (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDhPvrYY0kY), Lighter Than Air (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulKOflFo86s), Lutece (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bC3mZE-y90)
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My Picks:
Stormlord
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, although Lighter Than Air is my favorite track from this selection. And isn’t Ballad of the Goddess technically an arrangement? Or is this particular version also featured somewhere in the game?
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword – Zelda Wiki (http://zeldawiki.org/Ballad_of_the_Goddess) says the song is heard throughout the game. There are several variations on YouTube, so if this is an arrangement, maybe this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23hJeaLotEw) is the version heard in-game?
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
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Round 2, Fight 6 // Commodore 64 Rumble
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Quedex – Title Screen (https://youtu.be/pIBh3aqGJbc?t=202), by Matt Gray (1987 Thalamus)
vs.
Eliminator – In-Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LRt0pRVbCc), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Hewson)
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Round 1, Fight 6 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
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Darksiders II (2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jesper Kyd
Sample tracks: The Makers Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXZmurKkDuc), The Death Plains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LqQ0qvLmMM), Crystal Spire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGhmuJblDHI), The Guardian (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGWQ_uaUrCY), The Crowfather (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwVZ2uvaxrc)
vs.
Mass Effect 3 (2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Sascha Dikiciyan, Sam Hulick, Chris Lennertz, Clint Mansell, Cris Velasco
Sample tracks: Leaving Earth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGHA9oO1Ybg), An End Once and For All (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLxv_g_zQkY), I Was Lost without You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txrPOJG5bUc), I’m So Proud of You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRcmtPVxrBU), End Credits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZhdXhOr8AA)
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My Picks:
Eliminator – In-Game
Darksiders II
Darksiders II
Darksiders II – I first heard this soundtrack in one of the other music rumbles and instantly fell in love with it. I just want to add one more track that I really enjoy: The Corruption (https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=eGocG8qwYEo)
I was posting in a thread about early music and pulled up a group called Drolls on my last.fm to see which song by them I’d favorited years ago so I could link it. Turned out to be a 16th century Spanish piece called "Pase el Aqua", which unfortunately is not currently uploaded on youtube. (I might fix that tonight.)
It also happens to be the loader theme to Iron Lord (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMO4tG40ig0). I’d never made the connection before. 😮
Props to Jeroen Tel for digging into the history books on that number.
———- Post added at 11:54 AM ———- Previous post was at 11:53 AM ———-
Darksiders II is my favorite 7th gen soundtrack of the ones I’ve heard before, so consider my vote there until I’ve had a chance to listen.
———- Post added at 12:00 PM ———- Previous post was at 11:54 AM ———-
Worthless "smart" searches what the hell does "Drolls pase el aqua early music" have to do with Aqua Teen Hunger Force?
God I hate the modern internet. -_-
I was posting in a thread about early music and pulled up a group called Drolls on my last.fm to see which song by them I’d favorited years ago so I could link it. Turned out to be a 16th century Spanish piece called "Pase el Aqua", which unfortunately is not currently uploaded on youtube. (I might fix that tonight.)
It also happens to be the loader theme to Iron Lord (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMO4tG40ig0). I’d never made the connection before. 😮
Props to Jeroen Tel for digging into the history books on that number.
It’s going to blow your mind, but the main theme from that game is based on this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1NgHonWNE0), another 16th century carol. Have you ever listened to the Fantasy General soundtrack (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlH5iOWh1HI)? It’s all arrangements of various liturgical songs, some even pre-16th century. Pretty awesome stuff!
Darksiders II
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Round 2, Fight 7 // Commodore 64 Rumble
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Fist II – The Legend Continues – The Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VOJalDWL_s), by Neil Brennan (1986 Melbourne House)
vs.
Revolution – Aggressor Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPyj1_rdKhM), by Martin Walker (1990 Future Publishing)
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Round 1, Fight 7 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
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Nier (2010 for PS3, Xbox 360) by Keiichi Okabe, Kakeru Ishihama, Keigo Hoashi, Takafumi Nishimura
Sample tracks: Cold Steel Coffin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMf-kDeAYCY), The Wretched Automatons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmc3yji0G84), The Dark Colossus Destroys All (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiDI4GZMVF0), Emil / Sacrifice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x0-EYfwP-c), Shadowlord (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IEbfDtDaUc)
vs.
Steins;Gate (2009 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Takeshi Abo
Sample tracks: Gate of Steiner (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qft44yIJ6_M), Believe Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_N3FhoJREk), Sky Clad Observer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnzmfmivXk0), Laboratory (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3Wm5xiGGiI), Solitude (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duENJRAwmvQ)
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My Picks:
Revolution
Nier
Nier – This one’s no contest for me.
Nier – This one’s no contest for me.
Nier
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Round 2, Fight 8 // Commodore 64 Rumble
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RoboCop – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFgXGw_kXpc), by Jonathan Dunn (1989 Ocean)
vs.
Spellbound – In-Game Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkmkjpVvxCI), by Rob Hubbard (1986 Mastertronic)
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Round 1, Fight 8 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
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Halo 4 (2012 for Xbox 360) by Neil Davidge, Kazuma Jinnouchi
Sample tracks: Awakening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzLCOY_FAeE), Green and Blue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ommLyaaLnc8), Nemesis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctZhKWviOuc), 117 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzIJV8XrCEI), To Galaxy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_oKF0uA7pk)
vs.
Fez (2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Disasterpeace
Sample tracks: Adventure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MVAIf-leiQ), Beacon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvAHsrjMzRk), Flow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlBQh6N7RDw), Compass (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y5szNZehps), Sync (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylJ_IIvCQD4)
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My Picks:
Spellbound
Fez
Fez – This is one of my favorite soundtracks from the 7th gen.
Halo 4 – No contest here for me. Between To Galaxy, Awakening, and Arrival this is one of my favorite soundtracks.
Halo 4
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Round 2, Fight 9 // Commodore 64 Rumble
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Hypa-Ball – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyNYfoWBRvc), by Keith Tinman (1986 Odin Computer Graphics)
vs.
Turrican – Intro (https://youtu.be/-0TAU35QS-8?t=27), by Stefan Hartwig (1990 Rainbow Arts)
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Round 1, Fight 9 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
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Guacamelee! (2013 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Rom Di Prisco, Peter Chapman
Sample tracks: Sierra Morena (Living) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOIzJfEXCaM), Main Menu (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m61F2fl-Xfg), La Mansi???n del Presidente (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1Aw_pJ4_tg), Temple of Rain (Dead) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTtinHgHXl0), Forest del Chivo (Living) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIpdBqeYy5U)
vs.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jeremy Soule
Sample tracks: Reign of the Septims (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpqSdORmCX4), Wings of Kynareth (https://youtu.be/SpqSdORmCX4?t=1047), King and Country (https://youtu.be/SpqSdORmCX4?t=724), Watchman’s Ease (https://youtu.be/SpqSdORmCX4?t=1692), Minstrel’s Lament (https://youtu.be/SpqSdORmCX4?t=2127)
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My Picks:
Hypa-Ball
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Guacamelee!
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
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Round 2, Fight 10 // Commodore 64 Rumble
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Bee 52 – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moWLGp7VJDA), by Gerard Gourley (1992 Codemasters)
vs.
Cybernoid – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kgzdAfz0AE), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Hewson)
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Round 1, Fight 10 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
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Heavy Rain (2010 for PS3) by Normand Corbeil
Sample tracks: Ethan Mars (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tSaWMrRlx4), Painful Memories (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNJNcRloU10), Scott Shelby (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5UtOSBHI9U), Last Breath (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmYX57qmY5U), Norman Jayden (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LYxvKcb6js)
vs.
Assassin’s Creed II (2009 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jesper Kyd
Sample tracks: Home in Florence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztTjQB89v6U), Ezio’s Family (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSVHx23ByhM), Venice Rooftops (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9geXVAOFDg), Earth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXmaNjuwdd8), Dreams of Venice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UVi5Pzjjs0)
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My Picks:
Cybernoid
Assassin’s Creed II
Assassin’s Creed II
Assassin’s Creed II
Assassin’s Creed II
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Round 2, Fight 11 // Commodore 64 Rumble
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Monty on the Run – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIA_0cvS2gQ), by Rob Hubbard (1985 Gremlin Graphics)
vs.
Ball-Blasta – Name Entry (https://youtu.be/FBpqezcCjlw?t=134), by Adam Gilmore (1988 Zeppelin Games)
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Round 1, Fight 11 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
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Fallout: New Vegas (2010 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Inon Zur
Sample tracks: Main Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkAG02nSIxo), Wasteland Justice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzigShxN3zc), Out of Business (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfK3s73ObjY), Rubble of the Forgotten (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJXVJ79zxMQ), Not My Vault (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQICVovlNKI)
vs.
Max Payne 3 (2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Health
Sample tracks: Tears (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEH_LSL4rVw), Max:NJ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r808QrCse5Q), Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZfaSNoZ6L0), Pain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TvSjLLOdiU), Combat Drugs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXuP0hRJMm0)
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My Picks:
Monty on the Run
Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3
Max Payne 3
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Round 2, Fight 12 // Commodore 64 Rumble
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Last Ninja 2 – Central Park (In-Game) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoGFV_xxR64), by Matt Gray (1988 System 3)
vs.
Grand Monster Slam – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljGBn0mSqow), by Chris H???lsbeck (1989 Rainbow Arts)
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Round 1, Fight 12 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
——————————————————————
Ni No Kuni (2011 for PS3) by Joe Hisaishi
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyAF5QhW0Uk), The First Dawn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0VhOcep_aY), Field (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISbVq8Z9dQM), The Hero of the Kingdom (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9rMs8d0dRA), Miracle ~ Reunion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ztpJwyzUVg)
vs.
Bioshock (2007 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Garry Schyman
Sample tracks: The Ocean on His Shoulders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp6QpMWaKpE), Welcome to Rapture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEFIZh_Zscc), This Is Where They Sleep (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE_oDn5ibko), First Encounter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csAw6uQjvDg), Cohen’s Masterpiece (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlu2z2gkhhI)
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My Picks:
Last Ninja 2
Ni No Kuni
Bioshock
Bioshock
Ni No Kuni this one gave me some trouble
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Round 2, Fight 13 // Commodore 64 Rumble
———————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Odysseus: Trojan Warrior – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blUVswhvTpU), by Steve Barrett (1988 Silverbird)
vs.
The Last Ninja – The Wilderness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbBENI8sHFE), by Ben Daglish (1987 System 3)
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Round 1, Fight 13 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
———————————————————————————————————————————————————–
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (2008 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Daisuke Ishiwatari
Sample tracks: Opening Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-LVqMtcsb4), Imperial Code (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdlo_l9wTCE), Blue Beating (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DoxSUNlQHI), Rebellion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrBDOEwcZZg), Awakening the Chaos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr-PAnhgAhQ)
I had to replace all the Youtube links for this soundtrack, let me know if these are not the right tracks.
vs.
Last Story (2011 for Wii) by Nobuo Uematsu
Sample tracks: Toberu Mono (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOJuMhtH9ZQ), The One Who Rules All (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hGuSklt9_4), Theme of The Last Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7gFNER7Wx4), Invitation to Madness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti-7FDUCc80), Order and Chaos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE_GUjfwj1I)
———————————————————————————————————————————————————–
My Picks:
The Last Ninja – The Wilderness
Last Story
Last Story
Last Story
Last Story
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Round 2, Fight 14 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Dark Side – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JWxbhRify0), by Wally Beben (1988 Incentive Software)
vs.
Flimbo’s Quest – Loading Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GlCcO4zghM), by Reyn Ouwehand (1990 System 3)
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Round 1, Fight 14 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006 for Wii) by Toru Minegishi, Asuka Ohta
Sample tracks: Midna (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr-gy2b5TlY), Re-surging of Kakariko Village (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKeMXsgP3uQ), Queen Rutela (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftwtOQ1EpnI), Twilight Realm (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEIQqvYo-80), Wise People (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WooCG2Bn288)
vs.
El Shaddai: Ascension of The Metatron (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360) by Masato Kouda, Kento Hasegawa
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9y-OMyXX84), Tragic Scream (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKjEKyuLJUI), The Faraway Creation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFmWd7PIgLg), Scarlet Liturgy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfxnVolrZIc), Heaven And Earth In Resonance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iry_ybXXCI)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Dark Side
El Shaddai
El Shaddai – Brutal draw for El Shaddai, which was one of my favorite discoveries from the 7th Gen and, I thought, a good dark horse candidate to go far. Both of these soundtracks are great.
Legend of Zelda
Dark Side
El Shaddai
Fun sidenote for composers: Jeremy Soule has uploaded all of the virtual instruments he’s ever used (https://www.facebook.com/OfficialJeremySoule/posts/1139487622805760), from Secret of Evermore forward, to the Roland Cloud service.
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Round 2, Fight 15 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Fourth Protocol – Main Theme (https://youtu.be/JvuKzwkrYO8), by David Dunn (1985 Hutchison Computer Pub.)
vs.
Zamzara – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhuPs2H5VMw), by Charles Deenen (1988 Hewson)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 15 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Deus Ex: Human Revolution (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Michael McCann
Sample tracks: Icarus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=402asYLG_b0), Opening Credits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3iDv0D9T8o), After the Crash (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXw1_oqOyxs), Everybody Lies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1cpncs52P0), Namir (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cUShV5C1NE)
vs.
Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time (2013 for PS3) by Peter McConnell
Sample tracks: Thieves in Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQe2EIDTD_Q), Go West Young Raccoon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSbY7cXPR7c), Paris by Rooftop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oET3NMgVfD4), I Smell a Rat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsqU39KvDnM), Getting Stronger (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e13Q5fqViw)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Fourth Protocol
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Two heavyweight composers in the C64 fight. Zamzara for me.
Where’s aces for the 7th Gen fight? I think I’m remembering correctly that he used to be a huge Sly Cooper fan.
Good to see you. 😀
Sly Cooper
Sly Cooper
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Round 2, Fight 16 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Last Ninja Remix – Central Park – The Wastelands (Remix 1) (https://youtu.be/AXVphtR2V4k?t=669), by Reyn Ouwehand (1990 System 3)
vs.
Tetris – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny743c32gPg), by Wally Beben (1988 Mirrorsoft)
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Round 1, Fight 16 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
L.A. Noire (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Andrew Hale, Simon Hale
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cle7lWDQ8g), (I Always Kill) The Things I Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdGkCczJ7Jo), Torched Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2G2FEWfT3E), Guilty (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Q-QgzTdJg), New Beginning (Part 3) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHhd0EG62lo)
vs.
Valkyria Chronicles (2008 for PS3) by Hitoshi Sakimoto
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP9rJdxmuQU), Desperate Fight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqyBBIstLYM), Close Combat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXKcw1xZPEA), Valkyria’s Awakening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c978-6BgEtk), Street Fighting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlIrMt6vicw)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Tetris
Valkyria Chronicles
L.A. Noire
L.A. Noire
Valkyria Chronicles
Double tie! Woo, go me…I’m so sorry
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 1 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Stormlord – Title Tune (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbfNwe-BsN8), by Johannes Bjerregaard (1989 Hewson)
vs.
Battle Ships – Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFdyhJtQ3cg&feature=youtu.be&t=25), by Mark Cooksey (1987 Hit Pak)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 17 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Final Fantasy XIII (2009 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Masashi Hamauzu
Sample tracks: Desperate Struggle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xMJ5Uj_i7E), Saber’s Edge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLbULEiuFgo), The Hanging Edge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdsMe2fHZpE), In the Sky That Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDKK29vI54Y), March of the Dreadnoughts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCS_u8Z-R2Q)
vs.
Sengoku Basara 3 (2010 for PS3, Wii) by Kow Otani, Masahiro Aoki, Rei Kondoh, Masayoshi Ishi, Yasutaka Hatade, Sara Sakurai
Sample tracks: Bonds HQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmXLSuqUiZM), Ieyasu Tokugawa (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qwqV_5p9_I), Masamune Date (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HiROVmI9KA), Sarutobi Sasuke (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROMWwxHIMow), Yukimura Sanada (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78tvji5ukbc)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Stormlord
Sengoku Basara 3
Stormlord
FFXIII
Stormlord
FFXIII
You can still vote for the previous round if you want, I’ll happily change the results if necessary.
Battle Ships
Final Fantasy XIII
Sidenote: It’s, uh, not hard to pick out the Kow Otani tracks in Sengoku Basara 3. Just as beautiful as Shadow of the Colossus.
Sengoku Basara 3
Guys…I’m really sorry 🙁
FFXIII
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Round 3, Fight 2 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Cybernoid – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kgzdAfz0AE), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Hewson)
vs.
Fist II – The Legend Continues – The Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VOJalDWL_s), by Neil Brennan (1986 Melbourne House)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 18 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Last of Us (2013 for PS3) by Gustavo Santaolalla
Sample tracks: All Gone (The Outside) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkblTRWsHvw), The Path (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o_RwQysgA8), The Quarantine Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3Qvw2ZAxtw), The Last of Us (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y97u-U0nvJM), The Choice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYUErkvORWA)
vs.
Mirror’s Edge (2008 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Magnus Birgersson
Sample tracks: Kate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iinzHZmV5Kg), Introduction (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfpQjtTrCEk), Still Alive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TERyxFfMqDk), Shard (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_XmY09uRJ4), Edge & Flight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra5XVP-TxnE)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Cybernoid
Mirror’s Edge
———- Post added at 10:49 PM ———- Previous post was at 10:49 PM ———-
Stormlord
FFXIII
Thanks!
The Last of Us
Two tough choices.
Mirror’s Edge
Thank you OSTGeek for breaking the tie!
Thank you to whomever gave me rep points for keeping things interesting! It makes me not feel so bad for double tieing…twice in a row!
Results from the previous round: Stormlord – Title Tune (3-2) and Final Fantasy XIII (4-1) advance!
Shouldn’t FFXIII be 3-2?
The Last of Us
Fixed
Mirror’s Edge
Mirror’s Edge
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 3 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Monty on the Run – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIA_0cvS2gQ), by Rob Hubbard (1985 Gremlin Graphics)
vs.
RoboCop – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFgXGw_kXpc), by Jonathan Dunn (1989 Ocean)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 19 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Double Dragon: Neon (2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jake Kaufman
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=272vLtfoIek), City Streets 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4plVuPWNicU), Space Dojo 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcNoEMBTC0U), Countryside 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8ToN2qjIkk), End Credits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzHO50sB2gs)
vs.
Team Fortress 2 (2007 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Mike Morasky
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDM2qukzKwg), Rocket Jump Waltz (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbdtBLD8Lbg), MEDIC (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6NQx4WRRg0), ROBOTS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw-WJkJK210), The Calm (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2QpThyVL8s)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Monty on the Run
Team Fortress 2
Double Dragon: Neon – We don’t get to feature funny vgm too much around here. This one is amazingly, wonderfully stupid.
Thank you to whomever gave me rep points for keeping things interesting! It makes me not feel so bad for double tieing…twice in a row!
You’re welcome. 😀
Sidenote: I just saw that Gustavo Santaolalla, composer of The Last of Us, is also co-composing with Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Mogwai for a new documentary produced by Leonardo DiCaprio and Fisher Stevens (i.e., the guy from My Science Project, Short Circuit, Super Mario Bros., and Hackers who apparently has gone on to win a Best Documentary Oscar). That’s one motley crew.
Team Fortress 2
Thank you Arthur 🙂
Double Dragon: Neon xD
Double Dragon: Neon
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 4 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Hypa-Ball – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyNYfoWBRvc), by Keith Tinman (1986 Odin Computer Graphics)
vs.
Tetris – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny743c32gPg), by Wally Beben (1988 Mirrorsoft)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 20 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game (2010 for PS3, Xbox 360) by Anamanaguchi
Sample tracks: Another Winter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zdEPdc3vuc), Cheap Shop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7c1KDmxKUA), Rock Club (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kOU7Pxi8-M), Giant Contraband Robot (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBN7R2lqXx4), This Is the End (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd_rJkU592g)
vs.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jeremy Soule
Sample tracks: Dragonborn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P90fYs5tVs), Far Horizons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_H7gksb8ac), Ancient Stones (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZXEBLqIIz0), One They Fear (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlnL82X1thU), Wind Guide You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV4BE0MoF2g)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Hypa-Ball
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game
Good match-up for both of the themes.
Skyrim still wins the match-up for me easily.
The other one’s a tough call. I’ll take Tetris, would be happy to see either advance though.
Elder Scrolls V
Skyrim
I like Scot Pilgrim’s cheerfulness, but Skyrim is just too good…
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 5 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Eliminator – In-Game (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LRt0pRVbCc), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Hewson)
vs.
Zamzara – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhuPs2H5VMw), by Charles Deenen (1988 Hewson)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 21 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Dragon Age: Origins (2009 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Inon Zur
Sample tracks: Lelianna’s Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP7lxSZPwTs), Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP3TV5avnBI), I Am The One (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0VBecViu9I), Grey Warden Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJXS0L3ixHI), Ferelden At War (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knpEUZPPgz0)
vs.
God of War III (2010 for PS3) by Gerard Marino, Cris Velasco, Ron Fish, Mike Reagan, Jeff Rona
Sample tracks: Overture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-Bm6N4qbI8), Rage of Sparta (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT9UWsCQlyg), Brothers of Blood (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp0zeu2AcAM), Poseidon’s Wrath (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VH1v0cpgkY), Pandora’s Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x9DtDD2Imk)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Eliminator
Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins
GOW3
God of War III
Dragon Age
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 6 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Dark Side – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JWxbhRify0), by Wally Beben (1988 Incentive Software)
vs.
Last Ninja 2 – Central Park (In-Game) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoGFV_xxR64), by Matt Gray (1988 System 3)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 22 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Monster Hunter Tri (2009 for Wii) by Yuko Komiyama, Tadayoshi Makino, Reo Uratani
Sample tracks: Village on the Sea (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD6UTGlxXLM), Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPYMHWeY9L4), Moonquake (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH-DU1OmutI), The Voracious Devil (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dof-b7Bka5A), Alatreon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJYeDcl49Hw)
vs.
Blue Dragon (2006 for Xbox 360) by Nobuo Uematsu
Sample tracks: The Landshark Is Coming (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Ex-5FMpZ4), In Search of the Ruins (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgSnKwn7dwU), The Frozen Village (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYlP9EP_knQ), Mecha-Robo Corps Charge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFtPxR60Zes), Eternity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUjxPj3al5U)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Dark Side – Main Theme
Blue Dragon
Blue Dragon
Blue Dragon
Monster Hunter Tri
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 7 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Frightmare – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz-yWjUk1pQ), by Jeroen Kimmel (1988 Cascade Games)
vs.
Rambo: First Blood Part II – Loading Screen (https://youtu.be/6NmknHO0J4I?t=104), by Martin Galway (1986 Ocean)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 23 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Michael McCann
Sample tracks: Menu Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxDWmrdKTaU), Ready for Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeLC55FOUCI), A Survivor Returns (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5zAJrQcAcc), Our Last Hope (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztpwb6kOMUc), Breaking Ground (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bpXfSxvp8E)
vs.
Dark Souls (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Motoi Sakuraba
Sample tracks: Gwyn Lord of Cinder (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB6sOhQan9Y), Nameless Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvvFnR0kJFw), Ornstein & Smough (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsps0I58yUM), Pinwheel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sur4qN_4Oi8), Knight Artorias (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FT4OnrWn6A)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Frightmare
Dark Souls
Dark Souls
Dark Souls
Dark Souls
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 8 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Last Ninja – The Wilderness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbBENI8sHFE), by Ben Daglish (1987 System 3)
vs.
Hawkeye – Load Next Level (https://youtu.be/Lb4E2MZFXDE?t=354), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Thalamus)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 24 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Lost Odyssey (2007 for Xbox 360) by Nobuo Uematsu
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBRqLm-seys), Battlefield (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwl-PPhd0w), Neverending Journey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaCkn9l3Rg4), Epsylon Range (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN32orlPOu8), Saman (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy4k1p7WEq4)
vs.
Viva Pi???ata (2006 for Xbox 360, Windows) by Grant Kirkhope
Sample tracks: Oven-Fresh Day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbXXTsdSGVk), Tranquil Hours (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h9OQiZNfMM), Bedtime Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At54lvJNJEM), All in a Day’s Work (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bq5M2LjbSA), Midnight Feasts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34Z-z5yxRLQ)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Hawkeye – Load Next Level
Viva Pi???ata
While I was pleasantly surprised by Viva Pi???ata, it reminded me of classical music, I’m going with Lost Odyssey.
Lost Odyssey
Lost Odyssey – Ten years later and still thrilling. For me, this is one of the all-time great soundtracks.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 4 (Quarterfinals), Fight 1 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
RoboCop – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFgXGw_kXpc), by Jonathan Dunn (1989 Ocean)
vs.
Zamzara – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhuPs2H5VMw), by Charles Deenen (1988 Hewson)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 25 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Mario Galaxy (2007 for Wii) by Mahito Yokota, Koji Kondo
Sample tracks: The Bunnies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n0FphVzZdE), Drip Drop Galaxy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k3op5oo5N0), Gusty Garden Galaxy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcHQGiz6b8g), Library (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5hqSvRBQUw), Melty Molten Galaxy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRXGxYAXXh4)
vs.
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon (2013 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Power Glove
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWuDwNysX-A), Power Core (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRoWRZJCgio), Warzone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky_oRXhPPGE), Resurrection (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGc6p_noGsQ), Main Theme (Reprise) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLurqE7qRwE)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Zamzara – Main Theme
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Super Mario Galaxy
Tough one. I like all four entries for these fights. Good start to the C64 quarterfinals. 😀
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 4 (Quarterfinals), Fight 2 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Hypa-Ball – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyNYfoWBRvc), by Keith Tinman (1986 Odin Computer Graphics)
vs.
Dark Side – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JWxbhRify0), by Wally Beben (1988 Incentive Software)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 26 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009 for PS3) by Greg Edmonson, Carmen Rizzo
Sample tracks: Nate’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkPF5UiDi4g), Reunion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhwB43-UCaQ), Marco Polo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5e_QvyK6GU), The City’s Secret (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vckNK19y4rY), The Road to Shambhala (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT0jWD-WbOA)
vs.
Arc Rise Fantasia (2009 for Wii) by Yasunori Mitsuda, Shunsuke Tsuchiya, Yuki Harada, Yui Makino
Sample tracks: The Imperial Northlands (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmao9Q9blI8), The Imperial City of Diamant (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSzOls4BBRo), Street of Sand and Wind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zekRTh8Whk), Snow Falling on Opalus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-f3WQB0c7w), A Grand Existence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SSjiDh-7Ok)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Hypa-Ball – Title Screen
Arc Rise Fantasia
Arc Rise Fantasia – I first heard this when researching the Yasunori Mitsuda rumble in 2010 (!), and several of its tracks have stayed in my VGM playlists ever since.
Arc Rise Fantasia
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 4 (Quarterfinals), Fight 3 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Stormlord – Title Tune (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbfNwe-BsN8), by Johannes Bjerregaard (1989 Hewson)
vs.
Rambo: First Blood Part II – Loading Screen (https://youtu.be/6NmknHO0J4I?t=104), by Martin Galway (1986 Ocean)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 27 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Grand Theft Auto V (2013 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Tangerine Dream, Woody Jackson, The Alchemist, Oh No
Sample tracks: We Were Set Up (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cETBCvKnu0Q), North Yankton Memories (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MKvsXA94Zk), No Happy Endings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArA3bkumvoI), Minor Turbulence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6l0ZJXB4Go), A Haze of Patriotic Fervor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3LbWQo2X5w)
vs.
Halo 3 (2007 for Xbox 360) by Martin O’Donnell, Michael Salvatori
Sample tracks: Luck (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzkfFf-6e7Q), Finish the Fight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNWaJU8nNno), Never Forget (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBjKWKN6jaI), One Final Effort (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTi7LrXxbOI), Behold a Pale Horse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDSQbCYrXu0)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Stormlord – Title Tune
Grand Theft Auto V
Stormlord – Title Tune
Grand Theft Auto V
Halo 3 – I went into this one assuming I would vote Halo. I absolutely love their OST’s. I listened through GTA V, and I like it, but Halo still wins out for me.
Where’d everyone go? At least I won’t cause a tie :/
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 4 (Quarterfinals), Fight 4 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Cybernoid – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kgzdAfz0AE), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Hewson)
vs.
The Last Ninja – The Wilderness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbBENI8sHFE), by Ben Daglish (1987 System 3)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 28 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Hotline Miami (2012 for PS3, Windows) by Various Artists
Sample tracks: Flatline (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYjB-DKDrbs), Paris (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2iAShUxgfs), Horse Steppin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMeY7c03s8E), Hydrogen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeVufklHMsA), Miami (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPFDD2mqCwY)
vs.
Killzone 2 (2009 for PS3) by Joris de Man
Sample tracks: Helghan Forever (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPPXnU4vR2k), Templar’s Last Stand (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P773Xm-DXrE), Birth Of War Retribution (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y00dizT3cg), Autarch’s Sanctum Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72pGjFJoTuA), ATAC Atack (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucnRix4jt2g)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Cybernoid – Main Theme
Hotline Miami
Hotline Miami – Great soundtrack from a nutty game.
Should I replace it with something else?
Search strategy on point.
Killzone 2
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 5 (Semifinals), Fight 1 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Stormlord – Title Tune (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbfNwe-BsN8), by Johannes Bjerregaard (1989 Hewson)
vs.
Zamzara – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhuPs2H5VMw), by Charles Deenen (1988 Hewson)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 29 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Bastion (2011 for Xbox 360, Windows) by Darren Korb
Sample tracks: Build That Wall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz8c17upEwM), Slinger’s Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mDWzu5yxLg), The Bottom Feeders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js4w6sgxBQE), Brusher Patrol (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYaFbFLAQlQ), Setting Sail Coming Home (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDflVhOpS4E)
vs.
Br???tal Legend (2009 for PS3, Xbox 360) by Peter McConnell
Sample tracks: 11 O’clock Is a Direction (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpqgIDUtyLU), Lamprey Attack (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1b6mSdz_iI), Spirit of Bladehenge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APgaGhowwns), The Spider’s Lair (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA0u4SYkRys), The End (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RwSgpz8b7Q)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Stormlord – Title Tune
Bastion
———- Post added at 10:48 AM ———- Previous post was at 10:47 AM ———-
Create – Ambient Adventure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY2AhxQ6kL0), Scenic Serenade (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR-eQnIPGHI), Future Synth Symphony (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1rHUqlSvZY), Ancient Times Rumba (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mCDCIQsO8g), Free Your Mind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOuSctfp8DU)
Search strategy on point.
Can you actually watch these videos? They show up as ‘This video is not available’ for me. Maybe they are blocked in certain regions, although that usually results in a different error message.
———- Post added at 11:01 AM ———- Previous post was at 10:48 AM ———-
Perhaps they got fed up with the Shrine constantly going down, or they have problems logging back on?
This place definitely has one of the weirdest communities on the Internet. Considering how many people hang out here that must be really into video game music, there is surprisingly very little discussion about said subject happening. Maybe that was different a few years ago, but right now it definitely feels like the vast majority of users is here exclusively for the free downloads.
Bastion
When I first got here back in ’06, there was a lot more discussion going on, a lot more threads, a lot more active people. Now, most people have left and there seems to be a very small core group of us left that are here and in the general discussion thread. The site constantly going down certainly isn’t helping.
Also, the videos worked for me, so it might be a location thing for you unfortunately.
While we’re on the subject, though, and this supports nx666’s comment: The thing that has always perplexed me is that this thread averages 50 views per post–50 views–and that has held true for half a decade, yet we’ve never had anywhere near that many people voting. Who are all of those other people? Why don’t they post? I’ll never understand it.
On the subject of the Create soundtrack, it is available on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/create-original-video-game/id399891212) if you have an account and, worst case scenario, as thirty-second clips on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004BUD6WE/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp).
Finally, for my votes. I can’t believe we’re already in the semifinals for the C64 rumble (!).
Zamzara
Bastion
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 5 (Semifinals), Fight 2 // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Hypa-Ball – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyNYfoWBRvc), by Keith Tinman (1986 Odin Computer Graphics)
vs.
Cybernoid – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kgzdAfz0AE), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Hewson)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 30 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Create (2010 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Dominic Smart, David Newby, Hywel Payne, Ian Livingstone
Sample tracks: Ambient Adventure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY2AhxQ6kL0), Scenic Serenade (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR-eQnIPGHI), Future Synth Symphony (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1rHUqlSvZY), Ancient Times Rumba (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mCDCIQsO8g), Free Your Mind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOuSctfp8DU)
You might need a Youtube unblocker like tubeunblock.org (http://tubeunblock.org/) to watch these.
vs.
Journey (2012 for PS3) by Austin Wintory
Sample tracks: Nascence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLfj3pAlrs4), Apotheosis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypNgvc6c6Cc), I Was Born for This (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qizpBpHTzkU), The Call (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZKpSsvMRxU), The Road of Trials (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdG-e_Joc8Q)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Cybernoid – Main Theme
Journey
Create – Two beautiful soundtracks going head to head.
Journey I absolutely adore this game and it’s soundtrack.
Here is something (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9B6fNaEiTc) to help you over your loss 🙂 There is also Tinman’s title theme from Sidewize (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnziJIWpJuw), which sounds very similar, especially in the bass line department.
Ooo, thank you 🙂 I definitely enjoy them!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 6 (The Final!!!) // Commodore 64 Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Zamzara – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhuPs2H5VMw), by Charles Deenen (1988 Hewson)
vs.
Cybernoid – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kgzdAfz0AE), by Jeroen Tel (1988 Hewson)
For the last round of the C64 rumble we have the two Maniacs of Noise founders duking it out in an all Dutch final!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 31 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man 9 (2008 for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii) by Ippo Yamada, Ryo Kawakami, Yu Shimoda, Hiroki Isogai
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmB9hDZtxhY), Concrete Jungle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwQ9iCqtpUk), Galaxy Fantasy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdDbbzuq1vY), Shop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6rZ83FruNg), We’re the Robots (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA4PAkrAVpQ)
vs.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007 for Wii) by Kenji Yamamoto, Minako Hamano, Masaru Tajima
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ezjE4ZMrD0), Miniboss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDBkViTwKAg), Dark Samus at Norion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_9xKYApPwU), Bryyo Ice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9Gq0pwyjIA), Aboard the GFS Valhalla (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjrJrrsem7w)
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My Picks:
Cybernoid – Main Theme
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Mega Man 9
Mega Man 9 – Tough match-up. But ever since MM9 was released, I felt like this was a worthy addition to its catalog of great soundtracks.
While we’re on the subject, though, and this supports nx666’s comment: The thing that has always perplexed me is that this thread averages 50 views per post–50 views–and that has held true for half a decade, yet we’ve never had anywhere near that many people voting. Who are all of those other people? Why don’t they post? I’ll never understand it.
On the subject of the Create soundtrack, it is available on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/create-original-video-game/id399891212) if you have an account and, worst case scenario, as thirty-second clips on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004BUD6WE/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp).
Finally, for my votes. I can’t believe we’re already in the semifinals for the C64 rumble (!).
Zamzara
Bastion
I’m fairly new to visiting this site having only come across it recently but I regularly browse through this post to help discover new video game music. It’s a bit sad but I don’t feel qualified enough to vote as a lot of these battles involve soundtracks I’ve never heard of before, featured in games I’ve never played!
I don’t think you need any ‘qualification’ to vote here. Just listen to the sample tracks and then pick whichever soundtrack appeals to you more. There is is no ‘right’ choice and in the end (imo) this is more about discovering new music anyway.
Just vote for whichever one you want. I haven’t heard of half of these before the rumbles, let alone played them. I enjoying hearing new tracks from video games. As nx666 said, there is no right and wrong choice here. Just have fun and discover new stuff!
Cybernoid – Main Theme wins the C64 rumble!
Congratulations to Jeroen Tel, definitely a worthy winner. Since there is nothing else to post for this round, here are a few other Tel tracks that didn’t quite make the cut.
Golden Axe: Wilderness Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsniwGjQOKw) – An adaption of Sega’s arcade soundtrack for the C64 port of this game.
Turbo Outrun: Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQNT9Whg4r4) – Another Sega arcade port, but this theme is an original Tel piece. A pretty impressive hip hop track with heavy use of samples.
Aspar Grand Prix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEqWqKodKZk) – Funky music, slightly reminiscent of his Eliminator soundtrack.
Supremacy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtdvWMgiId0)
Looking Around (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7egsRpPzw4) – Big Band arrangement of a Jeroen Tel demo tune (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkJzR7xq_T0).
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Round 1, Fight 32 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
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Red Dead Redemption (2010 for PS3, Xbox 360) by Bill Elm, Woody Jackson
Sample tracks: Far Away (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IkvAb6THQY), Deadman’s Gun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yag41F7eCLU), Compass (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ9iflvCwok), Born Unto Trouble (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cXsoRRYf5A), Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wfNjf1cWRs)
vs.
Minecraft (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Daniel Rosenfeld
Sample tracks: Subwoofer Lullaby (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpd85y_iTxY), Sweden (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBkTkxKDduc), Mice on Venus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ47H84Bc_Q), Calm 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aPUro7sq9o), Dry Hands (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i0d6CPLSGo)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Pick:
Minecraft
Minecraft x1000
EDIT: Whoa. I need sleep.
Minecraft
———- Post added at 01:28 PM ———- Previous post was at 01:27 PM ———-
In other news, we spent the last two weeks and change cutting a big triangle out of the country. Drove from Pennsylvania to Nevada to Idaho back to Pennsylvania.
Thanks for the additional tracks! 😀
Minesweeper x1000
I, uh, think you might have the wrong computer game there Arthur.
Hey Shad! Welcome back! Also, if you don’t mind me asking: Where in Pa?
On a related note, we might want to think about preparing another rumble to run alongside the current one.
Welcome back! Hope it was fun. Car rides that long with the kids can get hairy.
I, uh, think you might have the wrong computer game there Arthur.
Thanks for the eagle eye. I was going to make a lame joke about Minesweeper having a great soundtrack, too, composed by John Cage, but apparently some versions of Minesweeper do (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vhDtod6uzU) have music. I had no idea.
Like I said a few months back, I would really appreciate somebody else taking the lead for the second half of the 7th gen rumble.
Thanks again for taking the lead on the C64 rumble! I heard a lot I hadn’t heard before, I’ve got some new favorites, and I appreciated all of the details you included with each entry. Who wants to take the reins next? Anybody have a rumble theme they’ve been waiting to do? There are several drafts of themes on the group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20&pp=10&page=1).
I’ve lived in a lot of different towns over the years, but always in and around Pittsburgh. 🙂
Huh, would you look at that! Who knew?!
I’ve lived in a lot of different towns over the years, but always in and around Pittsburgh. 🙂
Gotcha, was just curious, I’m in south central Pa area and I was excited that we might’ve been closer.
Well, I designed the 7th Gen rumble, so I will take over tomorrow unless someone else wants to lead.
By all means, lead the way.
———- Post added at 01:22 PM ———- Previous post was at 01:22 PM ———-
You weren’t Reod on FFGurus, were you?
———- Post added at 01:23 PM ———- Previous post was at 01:22 PM ———-
just remembered he was from south central PA, and it’s not exactly a metropolis.
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Round 2, Fight 1 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
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The Unfinished Swan (2012 for PS3) by Joel Corelitz
Sample tracks: The Unfinished Swan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-GX0PJMEII), Monroe’s Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VVtsMzTR9A), The Monument Falls (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuscfVUc7i8), Palace Minuet (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNS2oiQW5KM), The Watchtower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StS2OnyoSd4)
vs.
Crysis 2 (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Borislav Slavov, Tilman Sillescu, Hans Zimmer, Lorne Balfe
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edv9YsRImCY), Alien Suite (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p37RsP7wXIQ), Insertion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph1Sn3li54I), Battery Park (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDFuk-sktzc), Morituri (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upQhv2gCbTg)
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Round 2, Fight 2 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
3D Dot Game Heroes (2009 for PS3) by Yousuke Yasui, Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Saso, Shoichiro Sakamoto, Teruo Taniguchi, Takahiro Eguchi, Norihiro Hurukawa
Sample tracks: Opening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g5AS9bP7QU), Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtSwa3jtlB8), Go to the Wilderness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMpn4VK9G1s), Water Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIRjqKXicZ0), Reijakku Village (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqL8VTcNdG4)
vs.
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (2012 for Xbox 360, Windows) by Adam Skorupa, Krzysztof Wierzynkiewicz, Marcin Przybyłowicz
Sample tracks: Dwarven Stone upon Dwarven Stone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_jizNCiInw), A Nearly Peaceful Place (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f9KfX_kPVY), Vergen by Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V2yiBKpBKQ), Assassins of Kings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhSBSjbwEZs), Death to the Traitors (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT14tYx9Fyo)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
The Unfinished Swan
3D Dot Game Heroes
Two fights between quality soundtracks with very different sensibilities.
Just as a side-note, I looked up the last time I posted a fight. It was October 27, 2012 (Thread 66118)???nearly 4 years ago to the day. Crazy how quickly that time has flown by.
3D Dot Game Heroes
3D Dot Game Heroes
I’ve lived as far east as Altoona, and we’re in Ebensburg at the moment. Not really ‘central’ PA imo, but close enough that we have to endure a lot of Eagles games. 😛
———- Post added at 01:22 PM ———- Previous post was at 01:22 PM ———-
You weren’t Reod on FFGurus, were you?
———- Post added at 01:23 PM ———- Previous post was at 01:22 PM ———-
just remembered he was from south central PA, and it’s not exactly a metropolis.
Alas, that was not me. And State College is the furthest west I’ve lived in Pa. I’ve been back and forth between York and Harrisburg, with State College being an outlier. We get the gamut of Steelers, Eagles, and Ravens here. It’s a fun time watching everyone take sides!
———- Post added at 05:51 PM ———- Previous post was at 05:49 PM ———-
The Unfinished Swan
3D Dot Game Heroes
The Unfinished Swan
The Witcher 2
I saw that Arthur had posted on the facebook group o/
Great to see you, Link006 and PforPianist! 😀
@fowftw: Agreed. Unfinished Swan was one of my favorite discoveries when researching this theme. 😀
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Round 2, Fight 3 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
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Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011 for Wii) by Hajime Wakai, Shiho Fujii, Mahito Yokota, Takeshi Hama
Sample tracks: Ballad of the Goddess (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4ReyoNpyrM), Fi’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRPheoucN_0), The Sky (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl6iryREksM), Koloktos/Moldarach (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzL4IA16k78), Faron Woods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_2zBH30HJU)
vs.
Darksiders II (2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jesper Kyd
Sample tracks: The Makers Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXZmurKkDuc), The Death Plains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LqQ0qvLmMM), Crystal Spire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGhmuJblDHI), The Guardian (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGWQ_uaUrCY), The Crowfather (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwVZ2uvaxrc)
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Round 2, Fight 4 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
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Nier (2010 for PS3, Xbox 360) by Keiichi Okabe, Kakeru Ishihama, Keigo Hoashi, Takafumi Nishimura
Sample tracks: Cold Steel Coffin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMf-kDeAYCY), The Wretched Automatons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmc3yji0G84), The Dark Colossus Destroys All (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiDI4GZMVF0), Emil / Sacrifice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x0-EYfwP-c), Shadowlord (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IEbfDtDaUc)
vs.
Halo 4 (2012 for Xbox 360) by Neil Davidge, Kazuma Jinnouchi
Sample tracks: Awakening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzLCOY_FAeE), Green and Blue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ommLyaaLnc8), Nemesis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctZhKWviOuc), 117 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzIJV8XrCEI), To Galaxy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_oKF0uA7pk)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword – This one was brutally hard for me to choose. From a sound design perspective, you don’t get much better than Darksiders II.
Nier
Nier
Halo 4 – This on the other hand was easy for me. To Galaxy and Awakening are two of my all-time favorite Halo songs.
Will listen to the other when I have some time
@fowftw: One of my favorites!
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Round 2, Fight 5 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jeremy Soule
Sample tracks: Reign of the Septims (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpqSdORmCX4), Wings of Kynareth (https://youtu.be/SpqSdORmCX4?t=1047), King and Country (https://youtu.be/SpqSdORmCX4?t=724), Watchman’s Ease (https://youtu.be/SpqSdORmCX4?t=1692), Minstrel’s Lament (https://youtu.be/SpqSdORmCX4?t=2127)
vs.
Assassin’s Creed II (2009 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jesper Kyd
Sample tracks: Home in Florence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztTjQB89v6U), Ezio’s Family (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSVHx23ByhM), Venice Rooftops (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9geXVAOFDg), Earth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXmaNjuwdd8), Dreams of Venice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UVi5Pzjjs0)
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Round 2, Fight 6 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
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Max Payne 3 (2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Health
Sample tracks: Tears (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEH_LSL4rVw), Max:NJ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r808QrCse5Q), Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZfaSNoZ6L0), Pain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TvSjLLOdiU), Combat Drugs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXuP0hRJMm0)
vs.
Bioshock (2007 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Garry Schyman
Sample tracks: The Ocean on His Shoulders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp6QpMWaKpE), Welcome to Rapture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEFIZh_Zscc), This Is Where They Sleep (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE_oDn5ibko), First Encounter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csAw6uQjvDg), Cohen’s Masterpiece (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlu2z2gkhhI)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Assassin’s Creed II
Bioshock
BioShock
Elder Scrolls Oblivion and Bioshock.
Bioshock
Bioshock
@OSTGeek64: Good to see you again. It’s been a while! 😀
Side-note: Why do some people have no interest in music? New research suggests they may have a condition called "musical anhedonia." (http://www.iflscience.com/brain/heres-why-some-people-dont-like-music/)
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Round 2, Fight 7 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Last Story (2011 for Wii) by Nobuo Uematsu
Sample tracks: Toberu Mono (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOJuMhtH9ZQ), The One Who Rules All (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hGuSklt9_4), Theme of The Last Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7gFNER7Wx4), Invitation to Madness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti-7FDUCc80), Order and Chaos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE_GUjfwj1I)
vs.
Journey (2012 for PS3) by Austin Wintory
Sample tracks: Nascence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLfj3pAlrs4), Apotheosis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypNgvc6c6Cc), I Was Born for This (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qizpBpHTzkU), The Call (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZKpSsvMRxU), The Road of Trials (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdG-e_Joc8Q)
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Round 2, Fight 8 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
El Shaddai: Ascension of The Metatron (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360) by Masato Kouda, Kento Hasegawa
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9y-OMyXX84), Tragic Scream (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKjEKyuLJUI), The Faraway Creation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFmWd7PIgLg), Scarlet Liturgy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfxnVolrZIc), Heaven And Earth In Resonance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iry_ybXXCI)
vs.
Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time (2013 for PS3) by Peter McConnell
Sample tracks: Thieves in Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQe2EIDTD_Q), Go West Young Raccoon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSbY7cXPR7c), Paris by Rooftop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oET3NMgVfD4), I Smell a Rat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsqU39KvDnM), Getting Stronger (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e13Q5fqViw)
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My Picks:
Journey
El Shaddai – Another one of my favorite discoveries from researching this rumble
Sly Cooper
Sly Cooper
Two easy ones this time.
Sly Cooper
El Shaddai
Thanks for the new music.
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Round 2, Fight 9 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Valkyria Chronicles (2008 for PS3) by Hitoshi Sakimoto
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP9rJdxmuQU), Desperate Fight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqyBBIstLYM), Close Combat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXKcw1xZPEA), Valkyria’s Awakening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c978-6BgEtk), Street Fighting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlIrMt6vicw)
vs.
Final Fantasy XIII (2009 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Masashi Hamauzu
Sample tracks: Desperate Struggle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xMJ5Uj_i7E), Saber’s Edge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLbULEiuFgo), The Hanging Edge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdsMe2fHZpE), In the Sky That Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDKK29vI54Y), March of the Dreadnoughts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCS_u8Z-R2Q)
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Round 2, Fight 10 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mirror’s Edge (2008 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Magnus Birgersson
Sample tracks: Kate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iinzHZmV5Kg), Introduction (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfpQjtTrCEk), Still Alive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TERyxFfMqDk), Shard (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_XmY09uRJ4), Edge & Flight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra5XVP-TxnE)
vs.
Double Dragon: Neon (2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jake Kaufman
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=272vLtfoIek), City Streets 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4plVuPWNicU), Space Dojo 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcNoEMBTC0U), Countryside 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8ToN2qjIkk), End Credits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzHO50sB2gs)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Final Fantasy XIII
Double Dragon: Neon
Double Dragon Neon – this sounds like one of those terribly awesome cartoons from the 80’s.
Exactly. The lyrics to the songs on this soundtrack are so stupid, they’re brilliant.
Double Dragon Neon
I like double dragon more, but find myself wanting to go listen to mirror’s edge again. It’s too good
Mirror’s Edge
Mirror’s Edge
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Round 2, Fight 11 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jeremy Soule
Sample tracks: Dragonborn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P90fYs5tVs), Far Horizons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_H7gksb8ac), Ancient Stones (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZXEBLqIIz0), One They Fear (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlnL82X1thU), Wind Guide You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV4BE0MoF2g)
vs.
Dragon Age: Origins (2009 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Inon Zur
Sample tracks: Lelianna’s Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP7lxSZPwTs), Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP3TV5avnBI), I Am The One (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0VBecViu9I), Grey Warden Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJXS0L3ixHI), Ferelden At War (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knpEUZPPgz0)
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Round 2, Fight 12 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Blue Dragon (2006 for Xbox 360) by Nobuo Uematsu
Sample tracks: The Landshark Is Coming (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Ex-5FMpZ4), In Search of the Ruins (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgSnKwn7dwU), The Frozen Village (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYlP9EP_knQ), Mecha-Robo Corps Charge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFtPxR60Zes), Eternity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUjxPj3al5U)
vs.
Dark Souls (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Motoi Sakuraba
Sample tracks: Gwyn Lord of Cinder (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB6sOhQan9Y), Nameless Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvvFnR0kJFw), Ornstein & Smough (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsps0I58yUM), Pinwheel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sur4qN_4Oi8), Knight Artorias (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FT4OnrWn6A)
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My Picks:
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Dark Souls
Dark Souls
Blue Dragon – Every time I listen to this soundtrack I remark to myself how it’s a fun soundtrack and reminds me of Nobuo Uematsu…then I look at who made it and I’m not surprised.
Blue Dragon – I’ve never quite got into the Dark Souls music although I imagine it fits a lot better when you hear it in-game, on the other hand Blue Dragon sounds great!
Last call for someone who hasn’t voted yet to break the double tie. Otherwise, I’ll flip for the tie-breakers.
Dark Souls
i blame oc remix for dark souls. they have incredible remixes of that series
Thanks PforPianist!
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Round 2, Fight 13 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Lost Odyssey (2007 for Xbox 360) by Nobuo Uematsu
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBRqLm-seys), Battlefield (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwl-PPhd0w), Neverending Journey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaCkn9l3Rg4), Epsylon Range (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN32orlPOu8), Saman (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy4k1p7WEq4)
vs.
Super Mario Galaxy (2007 for Wii) by Mahito Yokota, Koji Kondo
Sample tracks: The Bunnies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n0FphVzZdE), Drip Drop Galaxy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k3op5oo5N0), Gusty Garden Galaxy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcHQGiz6b8g), Library (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5hqSvRBQUw), Melty Molten Galaxy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRXGxYAXXh4)
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Round 2, Fight 14 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Arc Rise Fantasia (2009 for Wii) by Yasunori Mitsuda, Shunsuke Tsuchiya, Yuki Harada, Yui Makino
Sample tracks: The Imperial Northlands (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmao9Q9blI8), The Imperial City of Diamant (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSzOls4BBRo), Street of Sand and Wind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zekRTh8Whk), Snow Falling on Opalus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-f3WQB0c7w), A Grand Existence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SSjiDh-7Ok)
vs.
Grand Theft Auto V (2013 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Tangerine Dream, Woody Jackson, The Alchemist, Oh No
Sample tracks: We Were Set Up (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cETBCvKnu0Q), North Yankton Memories (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MKvsXA94Zk), No Happy Endings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArA3bkumvoI), Minor Turbulence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6l0ZJXB4Go), A Haze of Patriotic Fervor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3LbWQo2X5w)
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My Picks:
Lost Odyssey – Awesome competition here. SMG is great, but Lost Odyssey has become one of my favorite soundtracks of all time.
Arc Rise Fantasia – Really tough call on this one, too. If you’ve never heard ARF before, you’re in for a treat. I’ve liked it ever since I first heard it in 2010 while prepping the Mitsuda rumble.
I was thinking "this is my favourite soundtrack ever" but then noticed youtube had gone onto Bravely Default. Lost Odyssey has some really chilling songs, so far i can’t put it down.
Lost Odyssey
Arc Rise Fantasia
GTA V
Arc Rise Fantasia – I was listening to this thinking how much it reminded me of Chrono Cross OST. Then I actually looked at the composers for this one. Yeah, that’s a pretty good reason why I thought they sounded similar XD
That’s twice in a row! :laugh:
Btw, imperial northlands definitely sounds like two wings off xenogears (Creid).
GTA V
I don’t look at the composers before I listen to the tracks to both osts and make a decision. It’s my way of trying to prevent bias. But some of them are just very distinctive!
@OSTGeek64, Shad, or others…
Last call for someone who hasn’t voted yet to break the tie between Arc Rise Fantasia and Grand Theft Auto V. Otherwise, I’ll flip for the tie-breakers.
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Round 2, Fight 15 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
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Hotline Miami (2012 for PS3, Windows) by Various Artists
Sample tracks: Flatline (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYjB-DKDrbs), Paris (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2iAShUxgfs), Horse Steppin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMeY7c03s8E), Hydrogen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeVufklHMsA), Miami (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPFDD2mqCwY)
vs.
Bastion (2011 for Xbox 360, Windows) by Darren Korb
Sample tracks: Build That Wall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz8c17upEwM), Slinger’s Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mDWzu5yxLg), The Bottom Feeders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js4w6sgxBQE), Brusher Patrol (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYaFbFLAQlQ), Setting Sail Coming Home (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDflVhOpS4E)
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Round 2, Fight 16 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
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Mega Man 9 (2008 for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii) by Ippo Yamada, Ryo Kawakami, Yu Shimoda, Hiroki Isogai
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmB9hDZtxhY), Concrete Jungle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwQ9iCqtpUk), Galaxy Fantasy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdDbbzuq1vY), Shop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6rZ83FruNg), We’re the Robots (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA4PAkrAVpQ)
vs.
Minecraft (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Daniel Rosenfeld
Sample tracks: Subwoofer Lullaby (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpd85y_iTxY), Sweden (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBkTkxKDduc), Mice on Venus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ47H84Bc_Q), Calm 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aPUro7sq9o), Dry Hands (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i0d6CPLSGo)
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My Picks:
Bastion – Both of these are awesome soundtracks. The slight edge I give to Bastion is for the slick recombination of two themes into the finale "Setting Sail, Coming Home."
Minecraft – Two more excellent soundtracks. Splitting hairs.
Minecraft
Minecraft
Mega Man 9 – these two are so different, and good in their own right, it’s quite difficult to choose one over the other.
Bastion
Minecraft
Starting Round 3!
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Round 3, Fight 1 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time (2013 for PS3) by Peter McConnell
Sample tracks: Thieves in Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQe2EIDTD_Q), Go West Young Raccoon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSbY7cXPR7c), Paris by Rooftop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oET3NMgVfD4), I Smell a Rat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsqU39KvDnM), Getting Stronger (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e13Q5fqViw)
vs.
Double Dragon: Neon (2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jake Kaufman
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=272vLtfoIek), City Streets 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4plVuPWNicU), Space Dojo 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcNoEMBTC0U), Countryside 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8ToN2qjIkk), End Credits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzHO50sB2gs)
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Round 3, Fight 2 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jeremy Soule
Sample tracks: Dragonborn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P90fYs5tVs), Far Horizons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_H7gksb8ac), Ancient Stones (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZXEBLqIIz0), One They Fear (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlnL82X1thU), Wind Guide You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV4BE0MoF2g)
vs.
Darksiders II (2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jesper Kyd
Sample tracks: The Makers Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXZmurKkDuc), The Death Plains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LqQ0qvLmMM), Crystal Spire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGhmuJblDHI), The Guardian (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGWQ_uaUrCY), The Crowfather (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwVZ2uvaxrc)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Double Dragon: Neon
Darksiders II
Darksiders II
Darksiders II
Darksiders II
I’d like to clarify I’m not just copying nx666 every round!
Darksiders 2
its for the ps3! great! i’ll have to get it some day
i was going to go for skyrim, but every song i listened to darksiders just made it get better i think
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Round 3, Fight 3 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Nier (2010 for PS3, Xbox 360) by Keiichi Okabe, Kakeru Ishihama, Keigo Hoashi, Takafumi Nishimura
Sample tracks: Cold Steel Coffin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMf-kDeAYCY), The Wretched Automatons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmc3yji0G84), The Dark Colossus Destroys All (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiDI4GZMVF0), Emil / Sacrifice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x0-EYfwP-c), Shadowlord (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IEbfDtDaUc)
vs.
Minecraft (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Daniel Rosenfeld
Sample tracks: Subwoofer Lullaby (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpd85y_iTxY), Sweden (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBkTkxKDduc), Mice on Venus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ47H84Bc_Q), Calm 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aPUro7sq9o), Dry Hands (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i0d6CPLSGo)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 4 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Bastion (2011 for Xbox 360, Windows) by Darren Korb
Sample tracks: Build That Wall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz8c17upEwM), Slinger’s Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mDWzu5yxLg), The Bottom Feeders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js4w6sgxBQE), Brusher Patrol (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYaFbFLAQlQ), Setting Sail Coming Home (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDflVhOpS4E)
vs.
Journey (2012 for PS3) by Austin Wintory
Sample tracks: Nascence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLfj3pAlrs4), Apotheosis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypNgvc6c6Cc), I Was Born for This (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qizpBpHTzkU), The Call (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZKpSsvMRxU), The Road of Trials (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdG-e_Joc8Q)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Minecraft – Every time I listen to Nier, I feel surprised at how good it is. But Minecraft is a special soundtrack.
Bastion
Journey
Journey
Journey
Neither of these were really easy.
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Round 3, Fight 5 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Valkyria Chronicles (2008 for PS3) by Hitoshi Sakimoto
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP9rJdxmuQU), Desperate Fight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqyBBIstLYM), Close Combat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXKcw1xZPEA), Valkyria’s Awakening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c978-6BgEtk), Street Fighting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlIrMt6vicw)
vs.
Assassin’s Creed II (2009 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jesper Kyd
Sample tracks: Home in Florence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztTjQB89v6U), Ezio’s Family (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSVHx23ByhM), Venice Rooftops (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9geXVAOFDg), Earth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXmaNjuwdd8), Dreams of Venice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UVi5Pzjjs0)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 6 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Arc Rise Fantasia (2009 for Wii) by Yasunori Mitsuda, Shunsuke Tsuchiya, Yuki Harada, Yui Makino
Sample tracks: The Imperial Northlands (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmao9Q9blI8), The Imperial City of Diamant (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSzOls4BBRo), Street of Sand and Wind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zekRTh8Whk), Snow Falling on Opalus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-f3WQB0c7w), A Grand Existence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SSjiDh-7Ok)
vs.
3D Dot Game Heroes (2009 for PS3) by Yousuke Yasui, Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Saso, Shoichiro Sakamoto, Teruo Taniguchi, Takahiro Eguchi, Norihiro Hurukawa
Sample tracks: Opening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g5AS9bP7QU), Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtSwa3jtlB8), Go to the Wilderness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMpn4VK9G1s), Water Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIRjqKXicZ0), Reijakku Village (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqL8VTcNdG4)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Assassin’s Creed II
Arc Rise Fantasia
3D Dot Game Heroes
3D Dot Game Heroes
Arc Rise Fantasia
Arc Rise Fantasia
making a change 😛
Has sakimoto-san had any other albums in this rumble? i know he did ff12 (but that’s not 7th gen)
Agreed. It lost to Sly Cooper, which has won against strong competition the whole way.
Has sakimoto-san had any other albums in this rumble?
It seems shocking to say, but no. Most of the music he made during the 7th Gen was for handheld, arcade, mobile, and e-shop games or for games where he’s only one of a huge coalition of composers. If you’re hungry for more, though, give Dragon’s Crown (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79ujIRSWQgc&list=PLelmLawxWfAtVjKMmEcHUYmbWuyxXJbIU) a listen.
Thanks for the upkeep. I’ve never heard this album before
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Round 3, Fight 7 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Bioshock (2007 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Garry Schyman
Sample tracks: The Ocean on His Shoulders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp6QpMWaKpE), Welcome to Rapture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEFIZh_Zscc), This Is Where They Sleep (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE_oDn5ibko), First Encounter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csAw6uQjvDg), Cohen’s Masterpiece (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlu2z2gkhhI)
vs.
Dark Souls (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Motoi Sakuraba
Sample tracks: Gwyn Lord of Cinder (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB6sOhQan9Y), Nameless Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvvFnR0kJFw), Ornstein & Smough (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsps0I58yUM), Pinwheel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sur4qN_4Oi8), Knight Artorias (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FT4OnrWn6A)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 8 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Lost Odyssey (2007 for Xbox 360) by Nobuo Uematsu
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBRqLm-seys), Battlefield (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwl-PPhd0w), Neverending Journey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaCkn9l3Rg4), Epsylon Range (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN32orlPOu8), Saman (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy4k1p7WEq4)
vs.
The Unfinished Swan (2012 for PS3) by Joel Corelitz
Sample tracks: The Unfinished Swan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-GX0PJMEII), Monroe’s Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VVtsMzTR9A), The Monument Falls (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuscfVUc7i8), Palace Minuet (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNS2oiQW5KM), The Watchtower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StS2OnyoSd4)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Dark Souls
Lost Odyssey
Lost Odyssey
i dont do this often, and it seems i’ve done this for this and the last one, but dark souls has some epic music i remember saying that I’ll vote for dark souls because of some legit remixes from ocremix. So going for dark souls this time 😀
The Unfinished Swan
Dark Souls and the Lost Odyssey.
Lost Odyssey
And just that quick, we’re in the quarterfinals!
@fowftw: Haha. I’d agree about some of it, though I love the original Jerry Goldsmith main theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lAsqdFJbRc) and "Hypersleep." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1sV-E6S7x0)
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Round 4, Fight 1 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Darksiders II (2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jesper Kyd
Sample tracks: The Makers Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXZmurKkDuc), The Death Plains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LqQ0qvLmMM), Crystal Spire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGhmuJblDHI), The Guardian (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGWQ_uaUrCY), The Crowfather (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwVZ2uvaxrc)
vs.
Assassin’s Creed II (2009 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jesper Kyd
Sample tracks: Home in Florence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztTjQB89v6U), Ezio’s Family (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSVHx23ByhM), Venice Rooftops (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9geXVAOFDg), Earth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXmaNjuwdd8), Dreams of Venice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UVi5Pzjjs0)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 4, Fight 2 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Journey (2012 for PS3) by Austin Wintory
Sample tracks: Nascence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLfj3pAlrs4), Apotheosis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypNgvc6c6Cc), I Was Born for This (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qizpBpHTzkU), The Call (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZKpSsvMRxU), The Road of Trials (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdG-e_Joc8Q)
vs.
Lost Odyssey (2007 for Xbox 360) by Nobuo Uematsu
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBRqLm-seys), Battlefield (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwl-PPhd0w), Neverending Journey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaCkn9l3Rg4), Epsylon Range (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN32orlPOu8), Saman (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy4k1p7WEq4)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Darksiders II – Extremely close match-up
Lost Odyssey
Journey
Darksiders II
Lost Odyssey
Assassin’s Creed II – could have been either for me too
Journey
Lost Odyssey
aww what tough choices this time.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 4, Fight 3 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Arc Rise Fantasia (2009 for Wii) by Yasunori Mitsuda, Shunsuke Tsuchiya, Yuki Harada, Yui Makino
Sample tracks: The Imperial Northlands (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmao9Q9blI8), The Imperial City of Diamant (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSzOls4BBRo), Street of Sand and Wind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zekRTh8Whk), Snow Falling on Opalus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-f3WQB0c7w), A Grand Existence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SSjiDh-7Ok)
vs.
Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time (2013 for PS3) by Peter McConnell
Sample tracks: Thieves in Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQe2EIDTD_Q), Go West Young Raccoon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSbY7cXPR7c), Paris by Rooftop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oET3NMgVfD4), I Smell a Rat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsqU39KvDnM), Getting Stronger (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e13Q5fqViw)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 4, Fight 4 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Nier (2010 for PS3, Xbox 360) by Keiichi Okabe, Kakeru Ishihama, Keigo Hoashi, Takafumi Nishimura
Sample tracks: Cold Steel Coffin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMf-kDeAYCY), The Wretched Automatons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmc3yji0G84), The Dark Colossus Destroys All (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiDI4GZMVF0), Emil / Sacrifice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x0-EYfwP-c), Shadowlord (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IEbfDtDaUc)
vs.
Dark Souls (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Motoi Sakuraba
Sample tracks: Gwyn Lord of Cinder (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB6sOhQan9Y), Nameless Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvvFnR0kJFw), Ornstein & Smough (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsps0I58yUM), Pinwheel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sur4qN_4Oi8), Knight Artorias (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FT4OnrWn6A)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Arc Rise Fantasia
Nier
Nier
Nier
I found these to be easier than the last round.
Side-note: There are new posts on the group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20).
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Round 5, Fight 1 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Assassin’s Creed II (2009 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jesper Kyd
Sample tracks: Home in Florence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztTjQB89v6U), Ezio’s Family (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSVHx23ByhM), Venice Rooftops (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9geXVAOFDg), Earth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXmaNjuwdd8), Dreams of Venice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UVi5Pzjjs0)
vs.
Nier (2010 for PS3, Xbox 360) by Keiichi Okabe, Kakeru Ishihama, Keigo Hoashi, Takafumi Nishimura
Sample tracks: Cold Steel Coffin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMf-kDeAYCY), The Wretched Automatons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmc3yji0G84), The Dark Colossus Destroys All (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiDI4GZMVF0), Emil / Sacrifice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x0-EYfwP-c), Shadowlord (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IEbfDtDaUc)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 5, Fight 2 // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Lost Odyssey (2007 for Xbox 360) by Nobuo Uematsu
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBRqLm-seys), Battlefield (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwl-PPhd0w), Neverending Journey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaCkn9l3Rg4), Epsylon Range (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN32orlPOu8), Saman (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy4k1p7WEq4)
vs.
Arc Rise Fantasia (2009 for Wii) by Yasunori Mitsuda, Shunsuke Tsuchiya, Yuki Harada, Yui Makino
Sample tracks: The Imperial Northlands (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmao9Q9blI8), The Imperial City of Diamant (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSzOls4BBRo), Street of Sand and Wind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zekRTh8Whk), Snow Falling on Opalus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-f3WQB0c7w), A Grand Existence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SSjiDh-7Ok)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Assassin’s Creed II
Lost Odyssey
Lost Odyssey
Merry Christmas everyone!
Arc Rise Fantasia
Lost Odyssey
Arc Rise Fantasia
Results from the previous round: Assassin’s Creed II (4-1) and Lost Odyssey (3-2) advance!
Ladies and gentlemen, here is your final!
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Round 5, Final Fight // Best of the 7th Generation Consoles
————————————————————————————————————————————
Assassin’s Creed II (2009 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows) by Jesper Kyd
Sample tracks: Home in Florence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztTjQB89v6U), Ezio’s Family (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSVHx23ByhM), Venice Rooftops (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9geXVAOFDg), Earth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXmaNjuwdd8), Dreams of Venice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UVi5Pzjjs0)
vs.
Lost Odyssey (2007 for Xbox 360) by Nobuo Uematsu
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBRqLm-seys), Battlefield (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwl-PPhd0w), Neverending Journey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaCkn9l3Rg4), Epsylon Range (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN32orlPOu8), Saman (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy4k1p7WEq4)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Pick:
Lost Odyssey – If you’ve never had the experience of driving on an expressway while the guitars from "Neverending Journey" kick in, you’re missing out. Uematsu-san wrote that as a 48-year-old. May he never change.
Assassin’s Creed II is my pick. Neverending Journey is a real highlight from Lost Odyssey and was enough solely alone to make me vote it through but unfortunately while the first 1.40 minutes are utter perfection, I’m not keen on what follows… and it’s like that for a lot of the soundtrack.
Oh well. Both of the finalists here are great, but for me Assassin’s Creed II has a distinct advantage.
And with that, we’re without a pre-determined rumble theme for the first time in a long time. I believe the Best of David Wise and the Best of Sonic could be ready to go, perhaps with a couple days to allow any final suggestions. We’ve also had Failure Themes and 90s End Credits Themes as long-standing ideas that could be ready to go. Any feelings towards any of these ideas? What do we want to do?
Always prefer two simultaneous to one with double entries.
Me too. But only as long as at least one of them is a single-track rumble. Otherwise you would potentially have to listen to 20 tracks at once which might be a bit much.
@TheSkeletonMan939: I hear ya. He only composed 9 tracks (http://vgmdb.net/album/147) for that soundtrack, and they’re certainly not the strongest tracks from the game–plus some of them are arrangements of old themes. The tricky part is finding a substantial substitute. I will research more to see what I can come up with.
As a thank you for everyone’s patience, here are David Wise’s three tracks from the soundtrack to the upcoming game Yooka-Laylee: Jungle Challenge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRxl6KGkaDM), Jungle Minecart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV1xWQ5Ka40&t=467s), and Glacier Minecart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKPoDi2BVAM).
Also, those who compose may be interested to know that Jeremy Soule, with Roland, has developed a 24-bit "communication technology" called Rainlink that translates inputs on controller to a cloud-based VST library. They seem to intend it to replace MIDI as a higher-res option. Their promos also repeatedly mention its ability to capture subtle articulations, though I couldn’t find a clear example of this. The numbers support their assertions of an epochal change to music technology; their audio doesn’t yet. :-\
More soon.
This is Wise at his finest – upbeat, feel-good music that makes a tough level bearable.
Also, those who compose may be interested to know that Jeremy Soule, with Roland, has developed a 24-bit "communication technology" called Rainlink that translates inputs on controller to a cloud-based VST library. They seem to intend it to replace MIDI as a higher-res option. Their promos also repeatedly mention its ability to capture subtle articulations, though I couldn’t find a clear example of this. The numbers support their assertions of an epochal change to music technology; their audio doesn’t yet. :-\
I saw that too. I’m not a composer but his claims of how earth-shattering the project is interest me. Soule claims that new instruments and updates will happen every week or so, so perhaps the offerings will become more unique to you in the near future.
———- Post added at 01:09 AM ———- Previous post was at 01:09 AM ———-
(Maybe if all the creepy people in General Chat go away and I have no one left to troll. <_<)
P.S. The creepy people in General Chat are never going away. :-\
General Discussion evolved from a benign forum for gamers to a shock-value focused mini 4chan to a safe space where fundamentalist Christians and the alt-right could discuss politics and their obsession with literally Mickey Mouse.
I wonder if the latter group is aware that the site is owned by a politically active trans who was once the target of a smear campaign by Steve Bannon and co.
(I say this knowing that Shad probably counts me as one of the creepers).
Clonemaster is a waste of oxygen and I have no preconceived notion of anyone else there besides weird Disney fetish + guilt by association. You’re just that guy with a turtle avatar.
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Round 1, Fight 1 // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Wizards and Warriors (1987 for NES)
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_85SrCKb4K8), Forest of Elrond (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLsxMiHiKog), Boss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMor9SAWqJE), Princess Rescued (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G19L_H_pm4Q), Inside the Tree (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0btivQ0ejdI)
vs.
Diddy Kong Racing (1997 for N64)
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwU_WueGQQM), Pirate Lagoon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17Q9BJTxPlo), Darkmoon Caverns (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SjGGQuUOh4), Star City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8boRM6xRXg), Lobby Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yXk6CfOUNI)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 1 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Hidden Palace Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcR81-nhKk0) by Masato Nakamura (1992 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Solaris Phase 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAx3hTZeyBw) by Hideaki Kobayashi, Tomoya Ohtani, Mariko Nanba, Taihei Sato, and Takahito Eguchi (2006 for PS3 and Xbox 360)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Wizards and Warriors
Hidden Palace Zone
Wizards and Warriors
Hidden Palace Zone
Lol, I find the General Discussion as something I like to poke my head in and look around once every blue moon, but not participate. I used to participate, but then it went a wee bit downhill. Now I just look at it like it’s the looney bin house.
Anyway:
For David Wise: Wizards & Warriors
For Sonic: Solaris Phase 2, even though I’m aware it’s just an arrangement of "In His World".
Solaris Phase 2
Before we get started on the next rumble, I just want to give one last thanks to nx666 for all of his work. As has already been mentioned, he wrote posts through the end of the past rumble before stepping down, allowing me to simply copy/paste much of the time. Much appreciation to you. 😀 And now…
You are welcome, and thanks for all the work you put into this! Do you want me to create a spreadsheet for these two rumbles as well? It’s not a big effort at all.
Speaking of the david wise rumble:
Thank you. Repetitive music is the bane of all video games 🙂 I just had to endure listening to two soundtracks realizing that they were just the same "over and over and over"…
Before it sounds like i’m just bagging it, I did listen to both soundtracks.
Probably wizards and warriors inches in before it.
so…
Wizards and Warriors
Solaris Phase 2
Diddy Kong Racing
Solaris Phase 2
No worries, a lot of the music we have on here I’ve never heard or played, so I don’t rely on memories or nostalgia. I will say it is quite hard sometimes to keep nostalgia from winning when it’s a beloved game or soundtrack up against one that is unknown to you beforehand.
Haha yeah, I was certainly shocked when I saw Deus Ex Human Revolution lost out so early on in the last rumble, that may have been my winner… but what I was trying to say was that this "Sequencer & MIDI" genre (that I’ve had to google), modern games rarely use that style so I’m not that familiar with it and can’t really appreciate it as much as someone who has grown up listening to it if that makes any sense. Still I’ll give it my best shot and stick with it, hopefully I’ll find something that I really like 🙂 I noticed that a lot of the previous rumbles generally featured older games too so I’m not complaining, just will take some getting used to!
I’m in the same boat as you two 🙂 the odds of that happening! I ended up listening to wiiguy’s remix of them… which helps to hear it as they were intended. Yeah, i did have to take a break from these tracks cause they all sounded so similar. Yeah i said it.
In these rumbles I always look most forward to music I haven’t heard yet. And even if it doesn’t become my favorite soundtrack ever, at least I have expanded my horizon a little bit. We will need to prepare a new rumble pretty soon. Why don’t you suggest a topic, this could be either something you want to learn more about, or music you would like to introduce to the rest of us?
‘Sequencer & MIDI’, is that really how people refer to ‘old’ video game music these days? I bet the Deus Ex soundtrack was made with sequencer & MIDI as well, and so is the majority of modern game soundtracks.
‘Sequencer & MIDI’, is that really how people refer to ‘old’ video game music these days? I bet the Deus Ex soundtrack was made with sequencer & MIDI as well, and so is the majority of modern game soundtracks.
I do feel the same, I hope that I haven’t said anything you’ve taken the wrong way! I’ve loved taking part in these rumbles so far and I have discovered a whole load of new music from it that I’m really grateful for, I think this is the only place I’ve really been able to find good video game music discussion too. I’m open to suggesting some ideas, that sounds like a nice idea, I’ll give some thought to it 🙂
That genre was just what I found on a music website I use that describes video game music generally pre-2000, I know it was quite a generalisation, but with the exception of a few recent indie games like Undertale or Stardew Valley, most games these days sound a lot different to ‘old’ video game music. The original Deus Ex composed by Alexander Brandon certainly falls under the ‘old’ music (and I do love that soundtrack) but I was thinking more towards the modern sound of the new games as opposed to the method of how they were created. I don’t mean to make it sound so confusing!
Ah, that makes sense, I understand now. I have no trouble with the MIDI tracks, but I did have some problems with the C64 rumble. At some points in the beginning I was basically trying to figure out which one sounded more like music and less like noises mashed together! So, I can see how it can take some getting used to if you didn’t grow up it.
1) Undoubtedly, Wise went for a minimalist style on Wizards & Warriors. That’s not merely because of the technological limitations. These are pared down compositions relative to other contemporaneous NES soundtracks. The praise they’re given often relates to their catchy melodies, and they are commonly included in discussions of David Wise’s best work because of those melodies. But they’re also probably not best experienced in 3:00 continuous loops, as our uploader has chosen to present them. Inevitably, that’s going to get tiresome. Considering NES music was meant to be looped, there’s a discussion to be had as to whether or not these should stay fresh for 3:00. We can qualify the discussion of the Diddy Kong Racing soundtrack as well, though the genre of its game and therefore the function and emphases of the music are different. It is repetitive, it’s supposed to play an unobtrusive supporting role to the action of the game, but maybe we’re saying the resulting compositions don’t break out of their initial terms enough to hold up as standalone tracks.
2) As for the second conversation, my conviction is that video game music’s history is full of artistically valid, still compelling compositions despite the technology used to create them. That doesn’t mean the technology doesn’t pose an obstacle (and remixes are not only valid in my mind, but crucial in keeping video game music’s history alive). But I strongly prefer to hear many of those compositions in their original form despite the obstacle because the technology, as much as the music, speaks to video game music’s importance as a (perhaps) unique form of artistic expression as well as its relationship to the artistic, economic, and political tensions of the late-20th century forward. For our members who haven’t grown up accustomed to the peculiarities and charms of the video game generations we’ll cover in these two particular rumbles, thank you for taking this ride with us, and I think I can promise–or at least I can promise there’s a great likelihood–that you’re going to hear something you like along the way, even if the presentation takes some getting used to.
3) My conviction is also that video game music can be appreciated without playing the accompanying games. I’ve helped design 29 of the 32 rumbles we’ve had. I’d guess I haven’t ever played something like 85% of the games and hadn’t ever heard something like 50% of the music before researching it. I think the desire to hear something new is what drives all of us. Because of that shared desire and because I’m one person with my own preferences, I’d strongly, strongly, strongly prefer not to be the sole architect of any rumble. This community is better if there are a lot of voices involved in planning. So to echo nx666 in addressing everyone, please feel free to add your voice to the group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20) where the rumbles are designed, drafted, and finalized. We’re doing a David Wise and Sonic rumble because someone requested that we do them. We just did a Best of the 7th Generation rumble because someone requested that we do one. If you look on the "Suggest Future Rumble Themes here" post on the group page, you’ll see this history of collaboration going back to 2010. Let’s get some new ideas going.
For great justice. New fight by the end of the day.
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Round 1, Fight 2 // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest (1995 for SNES)
Sample tracks: Bramble Blast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73n7HTcmb5g), Mining Melancholy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qp0_NE8M1c), Forest Interlude (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slKNBP7VEvI), Bayou Boogie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HzaD9Viafc), Hornet Hole (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v2WJi6RHj4)
vs.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1990 for NES)
Sample tracks: Elm Street (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNl4Ix6rIrk), Stage 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKb8TKxJ5jM), Stage 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sCvnFvu2js), The Attic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LchCl5h4OH0), Freddy Is Coming (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI-VfsswypQ)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic Heroes – This Machine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjkmncTpBFQ) by Jun Senoue (2003 for GCN, PS2, Xbox, and Windows)
vs.
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Chrome Gadget (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCx1n6BcRls) by Various (1994 for Genesis)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest
Chrome Gadget
Lol I think it’s the most chatty we’ve been in a while on more than thread of conversation!
Donkey Kong Country 2 – singing doo wah diddy diddy dum diddy do.
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
&
Sonic 3 and Knuckles… "This Machine" must have come out in the era when SEGA was trying to push the ‘Sonic is edgy’ idea wayyy too hard.
&
Sonic 3 and Knuckles – Almost everything after Sonic CD is absolute Wank, and even CD wasn’t very good, neither the American nor the Japanese Soundtrack. Chrome Gadget also is a definite Low-Point in the Sonic 3 Soundtrack, as was most most it’s Music,
no Comparison to the absolute Brilliance that was Sonic & Knuckles.
Chrome Gadget – Words cannot describe how I feel about that Sonic Heroes track, the Eggman is watching indeed!
Donkey Kong Country 2
Sonic 3 and Knuckles
DKC2 is certainly one of the most peppy soundtracks I’ve ever heard.
Side-note: A "Best of 2016" thread is now open on the group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20) for anyone interested in adding their favorites.
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Round 1, Fight 3 // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Star Fox Adventures (2001 for GCN)
Sample tracks: Thornton Hollow (Day) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2v4Z3wZr74), Dark Ice Mines (Night) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9bkPUA1WOA), Cape Claw (Day) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8noonzD6Rs), Krystal Is Trapped (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sY1AMPXuok), Ocean Force Point Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJKTFm-FMC4)
vs.
Battletoads (1994 for Arcade)
Sample tracks: Stage 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcz2yXdRCQg), Stage 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgl-D5As8Wo), Stage 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucxyXPgPbWw), Korpse Kount (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4McQ78Gsgk0), Stage 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pFYWGo7BWc)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 3 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Icecap Zone 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKL0BtScEd8) by Various (1994 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic Colors – Planet Wisp Map (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2o5zKSvz_M) by Various (2010 for Wii and DS)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Star Fox Adventures
Icecap Zone 1
The upbeat peppiness was quite refreshing. I really enjoyed listening to all the tracks for the rumble, you could hear the character of each level through the songs. I’ll have to find the full soundtrack and give it a go.
Star Fox Adventures
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
&
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Might be overhyped, but still the best Track in the Soundtrack, and certainly the most remixed in the Sonic Franchise.
Sonic Colors – Planet Wisp Map
Star Fox Adventures
Icecap Zone 1
Same here :laugh:
Battletoads
&
Planet Wisp Map
Thank you PforPianist for the tiebreaker!
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Round 1, Fight 4 // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Viva Pi???ata: Pocket Paradise (2008 for DS)
Sample tracks: Willy Builder (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2rkxf6_viva-pinata-pocket-paradise-music-willy-builder_videogames), Day (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2rkxec_viva-pinata-pocket-paradise-music-day_videogames), Fight (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2rkxax_viva-pinata-pocket-paradise-music-fight_videogames), Meet Sour (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2rkxbn_viva-pinata-pocket-paradise-music-meet-sour_videogames), March of Dastardos (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2rkxdo_viva-pinata-pocket-paradise-music-march-of-dastardos_videogames)
vs.
Tengami (2014 for Wii U)
Sample tracks: Into the Light (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JL8L2CfWMw), Crimson Leaves (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxWtA_Uib1o), Reflections (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCF7sM82Z44), Frozen in Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k45OUjZ5Uk), Ocean Breeze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiYWLXmchgw)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic Unleashed – Shamar Town (Day) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BzG0CRW4rU) by Tomoya Ohtani, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Hideaki Kobayashi, and Takahito Eguchi (2008 for PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3)
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Star Light Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mqmN6mw4R8) by Masato Nakamura (1991 for Genesis)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Tengami
Star Light Zone
&
Starlight Zone – That Unleashed Tune was almost decent, but to ever top STH 1 they have to work a lot harder.
Woot woot!
Tengami
Shamar Town
Star Light Zone
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Round 1, Fight 5 // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014 for Wii U)
Sample tracks: Windmill Hills (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFGl5PzEzBQ), Funky Waters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA2WjP6sgrc), Grassland Groove (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQuJZsBCuGA), Seashore War (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEam4GBeflo), Juicy Groove (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8afrqV72GI)
vs.
Battletoads & Double Dragon (1993 for NES)
Sample tracks: Title Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0C4VzcqDu0), Character Select (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwYz2xCj0nM), Stage 2 Part 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty9x8ys8uzI), Stage 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH1l8KrloLY), Stage 2 Part 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0ImskaO9k)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 5 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic Lost World – Island Relics (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7lx9Av9Bw0) by Tomoya Ohtani and Takahito Eguchi (2013 for Wii U, 3DS, and Windows)
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Emerald Hill Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPpnoKiZ5c4) by Masato Nakamura (1992 for Genesis)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Island Relics
Emerald Hill Zone
&
Emerald Hill Zone
&
Emerald Hill Zone – Not really a big Fan of the STH 2 Soundtrack, but that Lost World
Tune is a complete Miss, still a pretty decent OST all in all…
Would it have been something like Sugar Lane (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuHHtePkSd4) or Special Stage (https://youtu.be/c8c_dpRZhe4)
then i would have needed to give it some serious Thought… 🙂
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Emerald Hill Zone
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 6 // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Captain Skyhawk (1990 for NES)
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyyMaggczVc), Space Dock (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyyMaggczVc#t=00m24s), Congratulations (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyyMaggczVc#t=06m13s), Enemy Base (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyyMaggczVc#t=05m41s), High Score (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyyMaggczVc#t=05m09s)
vs.
Wizards & Warriors III (1992 for NES)
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lHc6tA5TBA), Knight’s Guild (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQAUlELzWNk), Wizard’s Guild (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23QPwdx75QE), Boss Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMzmPQm-4tg), Thieves’ Guild (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4ntC51dSr8)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 6 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF9ZLNxHaBY) by Masato Nakamura (1991 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Aquatic Ruin Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNH45mlx7WY) by Masato Nakamura (1992 for Genesis)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Wizards & Warriors III
Green Hill Zone
Green Hill Zone
Hey Arthur, all the track samples for Captain Skyhawk are the same link. Was that intentional?
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone
Hey Arthur, all the track samples for Captain Skyhawk are the same link. Was that intentional?
This actually is the same video, but all the links have different time stamps for the individual tracks.
Right. The links should automatically jump to 0:00, 0:24, 6:13, 5:41, and 5:09 in the video. I’m not sure if that works on mobile devices.
Ah, I see, I’m on mobile and it did not work for me. Good to know where the separate songs start. My vote stays the same.
Neither of two particularly stood out for either choice, my favourites tracks so far that you’ve helped me discover have been Stickerbrush Symphony and Dark Ice Mines Night.
Captain Skyhawk (very fun melodies)
&
Green Hill Zone (the one Sonic track which everyone should know!)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 7 // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battletoads (1991 for NES)
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kB6OXGVJ0c), Ragnarok Canyon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8gJxIWSxGE), Arctic Cavern (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVTfJDQz69w), Surf City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw3bp0Of_ys), Pause (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRPXRHS4XNQ)
vs.
Solar Jetman: Hunt for the Golden Warpship (1990 for NES)
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjnD2BsspF4), Planet Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuRWN2qVs6Y), Planet Theme 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fThY1V4LWgo), Cyber Zone 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRr1a4zxdAM), Golden Warship Complete (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_5gEM6n2iM)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 7 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Angel Island Zone 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbPPWKEfw6I) by Various (1994 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 – Metal Sonic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOS6-5sV89Y) by Jun Senoue (2012 for Windows, PS3, and Xbox 360)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Solar Jetman: Hunt for the Golden Warpship
Angel Island Zone 1
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Angel Island Zone 1
"Planet Theme 3" started to make my ears hurt!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8 // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Donkey Kong Country (1994 for SNES)
Sample tracks: Life in the Mines (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcklfVCEAcg), Gang-Plank Galleon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS7_tcwsj4E), Aquatic Ambience (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAPpVplHiDE), Cranky???s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-urk0nWomxU), Bonus Room Blitz (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQFKCSfC250)
vs.
Wizards & Warriors II (1989 for NES)
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbIJM1xAjNY), Stage 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKRScOKhFas), Stage 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEnqC8eI4fU), Stage 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmFhgl6sL4s), Summit of Icefire Mountain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndCKFuIqsZE)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic CD – Tidal Tempest Present (JP) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nW3W-IqYuQ) by Naofumi Hataya and Masafumi Ogata (1993 for Sega CD)
vs.
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Hydrocity Zone Act 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K1rV9kFs6I) by Various (1994 for Genesis)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Donkey Kong Country – A couple of my favorite SNES tunes come from this
Sonic CD – Tidal Tempest Present (JP)
Sonic CD
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Donkey Kong Country
Sonic CD
Sonic CD – Tidal Tempest Present
Sonic CD – Tidal Tempest Present – this has been my favourite Sonic music so far
On to Round 2 of the David Wise Rumble!
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Round 2, Fight 1 // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Wizards and Warriors (1987 for NES)
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_85SrCKb4K8), Forest of Elrond (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLsxMiHiKog), Boss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMor9SAWqJE), Princess Rescued (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G19L_H_pm4Q), Inside the Tree (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0btivQ0ejdI)
vs.
Tengami (2014 for Wii U)
Sample tracks: Into the Light (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JL8L2CfWMw), Crimson Leaves (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxWtA_Uib1o), Reflections (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCF7sM82Z44), Frozen in Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k45OUjZ5Uk), Ocean Breeze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiYWLXmchgw)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 9 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic Lost World – Sea Bottom Segue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CR6kKsy_LA) by Tomoya Ohtani and Takahito Eguchi (2013 for Wii U, 3DS, and Windows)
vs.
Sonic Unleashed – Jungle Joyride (Night) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF3XUXWCxBs) by Tomoya Ohtani, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Hideaki Kobayashi, and Takahito Eguchi (2008 for PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Tengami – I’d never heard of this game before researching the rumble. Lovely soundtrack.
Jungle Joyride (Night) – This has become one of my favorite Sonic tracks.
Sonic Lost World – Sea Bottom Segue – I think this would sound better without percussion though
Sonic Lost World
Edit: Ohh, this was a hard one! Like nx666 I thought the Lost World track would be much better without percussion… so it’s Jungle Joyride for me!
Thanks to TheSkeletonMan939 for the tie-breaker!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2 // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Star Fox Adventures (2001 for GCN)
Sample tracks: Thornton Hollow (Day) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2v4Z3wZr74), Dark Ice Mines (Night) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9bkPUA1WOA), Cape Claw (Day) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8noonzD6Rs), Krystal Is Trapped (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sY1AMPXuok), Ocean Force Point Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJKTFm-FMC4)
vs.
Donkey Kong Country (1994 for SNES)
Sample tracks: Life in the Mines (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcklfVCEAcg), Gang-Plank Galleon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS7_tcwsj4E), Aquatic Ambience (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAPpVplHiDE), Cranky???s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-urk0nWomxU), Bonus Room Blitz (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQFKCSfC250)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 10 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic Adventure 2 – Dive Into The Mellow (Aquatic Mine) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6i9dhtX4Ns) by Jun Senoue, Kenichi Tokoi, Fumie Kumatani, and Tomoya Ohtani (2001 for Dreamcast and GCN)
vs.
Sonic 3D Blast – Panic Puppet Zone Act 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWHluhvS3D4) by Jun Senoue, Tatsuyuki Maeda, and Richard Jacques (1996 for Genesis and Saturn)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Donkey Kong Country – Brutal match-up for such an early round
Panic Puppet Zone Act 1
Sonic 3D Blast – Panic Puppet Zone Act 1 – Not a huge fan of either track tbh. This wins solely based on the fact that it doesn’t have lyrics aimed at 12 year old gangstas 🙂
Sonic 3D Blast – Panic Puppet Zone Act 1 – Not a huge fan of either track tbh. This wins solely based on the fact that it doesn’t have lyrics aimed at 12 year old gangstas 🙂
I laugh, but fully agree with you.
Sonic 3D Blast – Panic Puppet Zone Act 1
Sonic 3D Blast – Panic Puppet Zone Act 1 – yeah I’m with everyone else here, the other one really was difficult to listen to!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 3 // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest (1995 for SNES)
Sample tracks: Bramble Blast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73n7HTcmb5g), Mining Melancholy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qp0_NE8M1c), Forest Interlude (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slKNBP7VEvI), Bayou Boogie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HzaD9Viafc), Hornet Hole (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v2WJi6RHj4)
vs.
Battletoads (1991 for NES)
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kB6OXGVJ0c), Ragnarok Canyon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8gJxIWSxGE), Arctic Cavern (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVTfJDQz69w), Surf City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw3bp0Of_ys), Pause (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRPXRHS4XNQ)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 11 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Lava Reef Zone Act 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zfRD3JyW90) by Various (1994 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic Generations – Crisis City Act 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRQDK6Cctmw) by Jun Senoue (2011 for PS3, Xbox 360, Windows, and 3DS)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest
Lava Reef Zone Act 2
Side-note: AVGN’s dance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_m6917Bf4I) for the Battletoads’ pause song
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Lava Reef Zone Act 2
Sonic Generations
&
Sonic & Knuckles – The Sonic and Knuckles OST trumps every other Sonic Soundtrack by default,
never before and never again has Sonic Music been this good.
Sidenote: I don’t want to be contrarian, but Total Distortion’s "You Are Dead" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pPQnhhUqtU) music is the greatest piece of vgm ever created.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 4 // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Wizards & Warriors III (1992 for NES)
Sample tracks: Title (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lHc6tA5TBA), Knight’s Guild (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQAUlELzWNk), Wizard’s Guild (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23QPwdx75QE), Boss Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMzmPQm-4tg), Thieves’ Guild (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4ntC51dSr8)
vs.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014 for Wii U)
Sample tracks: Windmill Hills (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFGl5PzEzBQ), Funky Waters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA2WjP6sgrc), Grassland Groove (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQuJZsBCuGA), Seashore War (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEam4GBeflo), Juicy Groove (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8afrqV72GI)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 12 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic Colors – Aquarium Park Act 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEGro4NpgCg) by Various (2010 for Wii and DS)
vs.
Sonic Unleashed – Spagonia Rooftop Run (Day) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtSmFc-hHrw) by Tomoya Ohtani, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Hideaki Kobayashi, and Takahito Eguchi (2008 for PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Spagonia Rooftop Run (Day)
Lol I remember that one from a previous rumble! I love that one and can’t disagree with you!
Donkey Kong Country
Sonic Colors
Kansas a la punk rock
———- Post added at 11:23 PM ———- Previous post was at 11:22 PM ———-
erm, Spagonia Rooftop Run (Day)
———- Post added at 11:25 PM ———- Previous post was at 11:23 PM ———-
Looks like a lot of new faces joined in while I was gone. If you stick around another three months, I’ll be running the annual Final Fantasy music rumble again this year. 🙂
Sonic Unleashed – Spagonia Rooftop Run (Day) – I was anxiously anticipating for the lyrics to kick in at some point, but thankfully that didn’t happen
Sidenote: I don’t want to be contrarian, but Total Distortion’s "You Are Dead" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pPQnhhUqtU) music is the greatest piece of vgm ever created.
I think most scholars would agree that Time Trapped Isle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoXziVizjPQ) is the best piece of game music
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Sonic Unleashed
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 1 // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest (1995 for SNES)
Sample tracks: Bramble Blast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73n7HTcmb5g), Mining Melancholy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qp0_NE8M1c), Forest Interlude (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slKNBP7VEvI), Bayou Boogie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HzaD9Viafc), Hornet Hole (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v2WJi6RHj4)
vs.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014 for Wii U)
Sample tracks: Windmill Hills (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFGl5PzEzBQ), Funky Waters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA2WjP6sgrc), Grassland Groove (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQuJZsBCuGA), Seashore War (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEam4GBeflo), Juicy Groove (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8afrqV72GI)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 13 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic Unleashed – Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oRr8uMDpLc) by Tomoya Ohtani, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Hideaki Kobayashi, and Takahito Eguchi (2008 for PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3)
vs.
Sonic Unleashed – Holoska Cool Edge (Night) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFIn8fjnfd0) by Tomoya Ohtani, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Hideaki Kobayashi, and Takahito Eguchi (2008 for PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Temple
This’ll be a toughie.
Sonic Unleashed – Temple
&
Temple
Sonic Unleashed – Temple
Holoska Cool Edge (Night)
Sonic Unleashed – Temple
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 2 // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Donkey Kong Country (1994 for SNES)
Sample tracks: Life in the Mines (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcklfVCEAcg), Gang-Plank Galleon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS7_tcwsj4E), Aquatic Ambience (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAPpVplHiDE), Cranky???s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-urk0nWomxU), Bonus Room Blitz (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQFKCSfC250)
vs.
Tengami (2014 for Wii U)
Sample tracks: Into the Light (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JL8L2CfWMw), Crimson Leaves (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxWtA_Uib1o), Reflections (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCF7sM82Z44), Frozen in Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k45OUjZ5Uk), Ocean Breeze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiYWLXmchgw)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 14 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic the Hedgehog – Marble Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXukwNQG0uA) by Masato Nakamura (1991 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic 3D Blast – Volcano Valley Zone Act 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MrP51YTWak) by Jun Senoue, Tatsuyuki Maeda, and Richard Jacques (1996 for Genesis and Saturn)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Donkey Kong Country
Marble Zone ??? Tough choices in both of these fights
Marble Zone
Marble Zone
Marble Zone
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic 3D Blast – Volcano Valley Zone Act 2
Sonic 3D Blast – Volcano Valley Zone Act 2
Final round for the David Wise Rumble!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Final Round // The David Wise Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Donkey Kong Country (1994 for SNES)
Sample tracks: Life in the Mines (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcklfVCEAcg), Gang-Plank Galleon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS7_tcwsj4E), Aquatic Ambience (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAPpVplHiDE), Cranky???s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-urk0nWomxU), Bonus Room Blitz (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQFKCSfC250)
vs.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest (1995 for SNES)
Sample tracks: Bramble Blast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73n7HTcmb5g), Mining Melancholy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qp0_NE8M1c), Forest Interlude (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slKNBP7VEvI), Bayou Boogie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HzaD9Viafc), Hornet Hole (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v2WJi6RHj4)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 15 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic the Hedgehog – Spring Yard Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDd_GlynA6A) by Masato Nakamura (1991 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic 3D Blast – Rusty Ruins Zone Act 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn2YxjPxnuk) by Jun Senoue, Tatsuyuki Maeda, and Richard Jacques (1996 for Genesis and Saturn)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Donkey Kong Country ??? I???ve always ranked Life in the Mines, Gang-Plank Galleon, and Aquatic Ambience just a little higher than Bramble Blast for songs from the DKC series, which is why I???m voting this way. But I know I???m in a tiny minority for feeling that way.
Spring Yard Zone
Sonic 3D Blast – Rusty Ruins Zone Act 2
Spring Yard Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog – Spring Yard Zone
Rusty Ruins Zone Act 2
Sonic 3D Blast
Even though sonic was obviously a major hit back in the day, I can only remember actually playing it once on the actual console, but it was a hire from a video store. So sonic doesn’t have the kind of memories for me that most who have played it would have. You see, I didn’t get my first video game console until i was 9, and that was a sega master system with alex the kidd built in, which was actually just included when we bought a new tv at the time.
All that to say, i guess it puts me in an objective view to rate the sonic tracks!
I like the sonic 2 track. particularly like that it has the same sound in it that is used for the ring collection.
Sonic 3d is definitely nice sounding techno track. I like that I can listen to it peacefully. the 3 minutes went really quickly cause it was nice to the ears.
To be honest both are good tracks but I’m going for the Sonic 3d.
I haven’t played the donkey kong games either.
I have to say that the Donkey Kong Country soundtrack really pushed it over at the beginning ("Theme")
I like the Donkey Kong Country better than 2.
Thanks to PforPianist for the tie-breakers! With that, Donkey Kong Country wins the David Wise rumble! And now we need to vote on the next rumble. I’ve included some options below. None are finished, so it may take some time and/or a collective effort to get them ready to go. Please vote for as many rumble ideas as you’d be interested in.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Deciding the Next Rumble Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Failure Themes
90s End Credits Themes
Final Fantasy XIII
Best of 2016
Best of Jeremy Soule
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 16 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Chemical Plant Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-OGGxJPlU0) by Masato Nakamura (1992 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic CD – Stardust Speedway Good Future (JP) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_VHsD2aa7s) by Naofumi Hataya and Masafumi Ogata (1993 for Sega CD)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Pick:
Chemical Plant Zone
90’s End Credits Themes and Jeremy Soule both sound pretty good to me.
I think I’d enjoy a Soule rumble.
My vote goes for either the Failure or Credits rumble. I would also be willing to add a few tracks to either of these two themes – the current selection has a pretty strong console bias 🙂
I would personally be interested in a Jeremy Soule rumble, as I’m not familiar with his work whatsoever except for Knights of the Old Republic.
Okay, I’m going to ask for Jeremy Soule, cause i’ve never heard any of his music before.
Oh well, would have probably voted the original DKC anyway.
Stardust Speedway
Stardust Speedway
The Jeremy Soule rumble got the most votes, so I’ve begun working on that here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?gmid=6510&do=discuss#gmessage6510). I humbly ask for your help in making decisions toward the final list. Even if you have only heard one Jeremy Soule song in your life, but you liked it and you want to make sure it ends up in the rumble, that would be a help.
Now, without further ado, the results from the previous round: Stardust Speedway Good Future (JP) (6-3) advances!
And a little bonus for your patience: A fascinating story about a game I’ve never heard of: SEGAGAGA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ejH8c-ZEuA)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 1 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Lava Reef Zone Act 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zfRD3JyW90) by Various (1994 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic Unleashed – Spagonia Rooftop Run (Day) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtSmFc-hHrw) by Tomoya Ohtani, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Hideaki Kobayashi, and Takahito Eguchi (2008 for PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic 3D Blast – Rusty Ruins Zone Act 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn2YxjPxnuk) by Jun Senoue, Tatsuyuki Maeda, and Richard Jacques (1996 for Genesis and Saturn)
vs.
Sonic CD – Stardust Speedway Good Future (JP) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_VHsD2aa7s) by Naofumi Hataya and Masafumi Ogata (1993 for Sega CD)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Lava Reef Zone Act 2
Stardust Speedway Good Future (JP) – Both of these were tough choices for me
Sonic CD – Stardust Speedway Good Future (JP) – this was particularly an incredibly difficult choice to make.
Lava Reef Zone Act 2
Rusty Ruins Zone Act 2
———- Post added at 11:02 AM ———- Previous post was at 10:52 AM ———-
Soule has some stand-out tunes from the Harry Potter games; my favorites:
– Library theme (Chamber of Secrets) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GCS4980Krw)
– Diagon Alley (Chamber of Secrets) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkrrWV-q1zo)
– Storybook (Philosopher’s Stone) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5hY6JFrqbo)
– Follow Rain (Prisoner of Azkaban) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViTq_CbXQqY)
Sonic Unleashed – I can’t say I really liked either one if these, I only disliked this one less.
Sonic 3D Blast – On the other hand I really enjoyed this one.
Sonic Unleashed – Spagonia Rooftop Run (Day)
Sonic CD – Stardust Speedway Good Future (JP)
Sonic 3D Blast – Rusty Ruins Zone Act 2
Sonic 3D I like the choir part to this 🙂
Also, yay, we’re back!
Rusty Ruins Zone Act 2
Bonus: A long, but sharp talk about the inspirations behind some early video game music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHp5WPjGGQI)
Also, we’ve already had some great suggestions on the group page for the Soule rumble (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1135&do=discuss). Join in if you have any preferences.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 3 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic the Hedgehog – Solaris Phase 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAx3hTZeyBw) by Hideaki Kobayashi, Tomoya Ohtani, Mariko Nanba, Taihei Sato, and Takahito Eguchi (2006 for PS3 and Xbox 360)
vs.
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Icecap Zone 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKL0BtScEd8) by Various (1994 for Genesis)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic the Hedgehog – Star Light Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mqmN6mw4R8) by Masato Nakamura (1991 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic Unleashed – Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oRr8uMDpLc) by Tomoya Ohtani, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Hideaki Kobayashi, and Takahito Eguchi (2008 for PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Solaris Phase 2 – This feels a little heretical
Star Light Zone – Both great. Going with the classic.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Star Light Zone
Temple
Johnny fired up this year’s character game (Thread 216564) in General FF.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Star Light Zone
Johnny fired up this year’s character game (Thread 216564) in General FF.
Thanks, I totally would’ve missed it!
FF15 qualifiers here (Thread 207272)
Solaris Phase 2
Temple
Sonic Unleashed – Temple – This was difficult.
Temple
Weird! PforPianist’s vote wasn’t showing when I posted. I wonder if I opened the thread before he voted, left it open for a while, and wrote my post without refreshing the page. Sorry team. Next fight up in a few.
Lots of progress on the Soule rumble. I’m hoping to start it with the next round of the Sonic rumble.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 5 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic CD – Tidal Tempest Present (JP) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nW3W-IqYuQ) by Naofumi Hataya and Masafumi Ogata (1993 for Sega CD)
vs.
Sonic Unleashed – Jungle Joyride (Night) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF3XUXWCxBs) by Tomoya Ohtani, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Hideaki Kobayashi, and Takahito Eguchi (2008 for PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 6 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Angel Island Zone 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbPPWKEfw6I) by Various (1994 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Marble Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXukwNQG0uA) by Masato Nakamura (1991 for Genesis)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Jungle Joyride (Night)
Marble Zone
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Angel Island Zone 1
Sonic the Hedgehog – Marble Zone
Marble Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog – Marble Zone
Two easy picks!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 7 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF9ZLNxHaBY) by Masato Nakamura (1991 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Chrome Gadget (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCx1n6BcRls) by Various (1994 for Genesis)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Emerald Hill Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPpnoKiZ5c4) by Masato Nakamura (1992 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic 3D Blast – Panic Puppet Zone Act 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWHluhvS3D4) by Jun Senoue, Tatsuyuki Maeda, and Richard Jacques (1996 for Genesis and Saturn)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Green Hill Zone
Emerald Hill Zone
Emerald Hill Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Emerald Hill Zone
Panic Puppet Zone Act 1
Emerald Hill Zone.
Definitely.
Panic Puppet Zone Act 1
Panic Puppet Zone Act 1 Pretty hard. Had to listen to them a couple of times.
Note 1: For the Soule rumble, we need 16 soundtracks. We have 14 that are generally agreed upon. We have 8 others vying for the last 2 spots. So we’re going to do a qualifying rumble to determine those last 2.
Note 2: The links for Azurik are designed to jump to specific spots in the YouTube video. If you’re using a mobile device this may not work, in which case you should use the links in the video’s description to jump to the appropriate places.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 1 // The Sonic Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic Unleashed – Jungle Joyride (Night) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF3XUXWCxBs) by Tomoya Ohtani, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Hideaki Kobayashi, and Takahito Eguchi (2008 for PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3)
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF9ZLNxHaBY) by Masato Nakamura (1991 for Genesis)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 1 // The Soule Pre-Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Azurik: Rise of Perathia (2001)
Sample tracks: Main Menu (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigXx2Q1xnc), Day of Peace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigXx2Q1xnc#t=09m04s), Intricate Possibility (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigXx2Q1xnc#t=15m59s), Battling the Corruption (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigXx2Q1xnc#t=20m37s), Forever and Ever (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigXx2Q1xnc#t=38m09s)
vs.
Dungeon Siege (2002)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7aYfjE8h48), Path to the Crypts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHLqzhhIJos), The Besieged Town of Stonebridge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOxCr0Z8rRk), Glacern (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owa6LDEIQtU), The Dark Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxcRKPnkaUI)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Green Hill Zone – Green Hill Zone won our first ever rumble (Thread 66118) and carried Sonic to victory in the Genesis soundtracks rumble (Thread 66118). Jungle Joyride (Night) is great, but it’s going against an era-defining track.
Azurik: Rise of Perathia – One of my favorites from researching the Soule rumble. Shades of the Secret of NIMH and Return to Oz scores.
Azurik
Azurik
Jungle Joyride Night
Azurik
Green Hill Zone
Dungeon Seige
Sonic Unleashed – Jungle Joyride (Night)
Dungeon Siege
&
Dungeon Siege
Dungeon Siege
Azurik: Rise of Perathia
Thanks to mariofan12ify for the tie-breakers!
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Round 3, Fight 2 // The Sonic Rumble
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Sonic the Hedgehog – Marble Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXukwNQG0uA) by Masato Nakamura (1991 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Solaris Phase 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAx3hTZeyBw) by Hideaki Kobayashi, Tomoya Ohtani, Mariko Nanba, Taihei Sato, and Takahito Eguchi (2006 for PS3 and Xbox 360)
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Round 1, Fight 2 // The Soule Pre-Rumble
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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War (2004)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFAKECUeew0), Space Marines (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG42F-5AVOE), Imperial Guard (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhqWHIq-aZw), Orks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5uwihWGu-I), Necrons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q2e8lnqwwk)
vs.
Landmark (2016)
Sample tracks: Alpha 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7kAMjlj_zY), Alpha 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbdzPkwbNtE), Alpha 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAhc5UIVCDA), Alpha 6 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFQidQundek), Alpha 7 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG29_sDUN7k)
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My Picks:
Marble Zone
Landmark
Landmark
———- Post added at 11:15 PM ———- Previous post was at 11:11 PM ———-
Apparently EverQuest is still operational. Its most recent expansion just came out in November. o_O
Landmark
Landmark
I have a feeling that Jeremy Soule rumble will be a really long one for me…
Landmark
Landmark
@Shad: Almost just as crazy, Runescape is still out there. I have a friend who plays almost every day using the same character he created in 2001.
@nx666: I hope not! We’re in the qualifying round, so these are not his most lauded soundtracks. But each of them had something that I thought was worth highlighting.
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Round 3, Fight 3 // The Sonic Rumble
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Sonic Unleashed – Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oRr8uMDpLc) by Tomoya Ohtani, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Hideaki Kobayashi, and Takahito Eguchi (2008 for PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3)
vs.
Sonic Unleashed – Spagonia Rooftop Run (Day) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtSmFc-hHrw) by Tomoya Ohtani, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Hideaki Kobayashi, and Takahito Eguchi (2008 for PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3)
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Round 1, Fight 3 // The Soule Pre-Rumble
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Icewind Dale (2000)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdSPSpYejuw), Kuldahar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdfTWNgySq0), Easthaven in Peace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP-PfRlUBxc), Temple of Tempus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4PPoCOf-j4), Hrothgar’s Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFuxttjk7CA)
vs.
Neverwinter Nights (2002)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb133m_AEnY), Final Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKKA_SzqhSc), City Docks (Day) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cOJlXygQJQ), Forest (Day 1) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcG-pEqGBwo), Aribeth de Tylmarande (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1efEVmHMpDE)
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My Picks:
Temple
Icewind Dale
In general Soule soundtracks tend to stick with you as a consequence of hearing them playing as the ambient background for hours on end. On first listen they’re really hard to distinguish sometimes. I don’t have much of an opinion on these two the first time through. Might give them another go later. For now Neverwinter Nights because City Docks stood out to me the most of the 10 tracks.
Icewind Dale
Neverwinter Nights
@arthurgolden: I wasn’t referring to the quality of his music, he is pretty clearly a very talented composer. It’s just that most of his soundtracks are so similar that it’s extremely difficult for me to pick favorites in this rumble. I’ve played both of the games above for probably more than 100 hours and I still have a hard time remembering where exactly those tracks were played in the game. It’s all very well-crafted stuff, but it also feels pretty interchangeable at times.
Icewind Dale
When I suggested doing this rumble I did consider at the time how similar a lot of his music is… but I’m still really happy that this was chosen as it’s already helped introduce me to some of his other stuff and it’s been quite cool to hear his earlier music and recognise parts of it. For Icewind Dale and Neverwinter Nights they both sound very familiar, although I think he improved on them with the Elder Scrolls and Guild Wars soundtracks.
Neverwinter Nights
Note 1: The Company of Heroes tracks are rips with unofficial titles.
Note 2: I hear what you all are saying about the interchangeability of Soule’s tracks, and I do agree it’s true in many cases. Hopefully, we can unearth examples that break away from or evolve his tendencies–and I think we will.
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Round 3, Fight 4 // The Sonic Rumble
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Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Emerald Hill Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPpnoKiZ5c4) by Masato Nakamura (1992 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic 3D Blast – Rusty Ruins Zone Act 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn2YxjPxnuk) by Jun Senoue, Tatsuyuki Maeda, and Richard Jacques (1996 for Genesis and Saturn)
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Round 1, Fight 4 // The Soule Pre-Rumble
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Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance (2001)
Sample tracks: Raining In Baldur’s Gate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oJRnCBeAuo), Last Battle of Eldrith (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5wERlGWXKw), Elfsong Tavern (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt-z8PiENl4), Tavern Cellar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbbZxODRAvg), Orb of the Undead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXr_G-kxjfw)
vs.
Company of Heroes (2006)
Sample tracks: For King & Country (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nN7PzlqsSg), England’s Knocking (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL8xL0ZIrhw), Sunrise on the Battlefield (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X-nsjKzZmA), Dusk of the Fatherland (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPi65mGHLe8), The Elite (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nIogXo3sS8)
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My Picks:
Rusty Ruins Zone Act 2
Company of Heroes
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
Company of Heroes
Company of Heroes
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Emerald Hill Zone
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
Note 1: To finalize the Soule rumble, we need to choose 2 of the 4 remaining soundtracks.
Note 2: The Azurik links won???t work on a mobile device; you???ll have to use the links in the video’s description.
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Final Round // The Soule Pre-Rumble
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Azurik: Rise of Perathia (2001)
Sample tracks: Main Menu (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigXx2Q1xnc), Day of Peace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigXx2Q1xnc#t=09m04s), Intricate Possibility (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigXx2Q1xnc#t=15m59s), Battling the Corruption (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigXx2Q1xnc#t=20m37s), Forever and Ever (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigXx2Q1xnc#t=38m09s)
vs.
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance (2001)
Sample tracks: Raining In Baldur’s Gate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oJRnCBeAuo), Last Battle of Eldrith (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5wERlGWXKw), Elfsong Tavern (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt-z8PiENl4), Tavern Cellar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbbZxODRAvg), Orb of the Undead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXr_G-kxjfw)
vs.
Landmark (2016)
Sample tracks: Alpha 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7kAMjlj_zY), Alpha 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbdzPkwbNtE), Alpha 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAhc5UIVCDA), Alpha 6 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFQidQundek), Alpha 7 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG29_sDUN7k)
vs.
Neverwinter Nights (2002)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb133m_AEnY), Final Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKKA_SzqhSc), City Docks (Day) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cOJlXygQJQ), Forest (Day 1) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcG-pEqGBwo), Aribeth de Tylmarande (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1efEVmHMpDE)
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My Picks (vote for any 2 of the above 4):
Azurik: Rise of Perathia
Landmark
Landmark
Neverwinter Nights
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
Neverwinter
Neverwinter Nights
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Round 4, Fight 1 // The Sonic Rumble
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Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF9ZLNxHaBY) by Masato Nakamura (1991 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Marble Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXukwNQG0uA) by Masato Nakamura (1991 for Genesis)
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Round 4, Fight 2 // The Sonic Rumble
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Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Emerald Hill Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPpnoKiZ5c4) by Masato Nakamura (1992 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic Unleashed – Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oRr8uMDpLc) by Tomoya Ohtani, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Hideaki Kobayashi, and Takahito Eguchi (2008 for PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3)
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My Picks:
Green Hill Zone
Temple
Sonic the Hedgehog – Marble Zone
Sonic Unleashed – Temple
for the final round of the Soule rumble, I pick Landmark and Neverwinter Nights.
I finally grabbed the full Landmark gamerip. it’s amazing, I think it may be his best work to date.
Temple
It’s good to be back!
Sonic Unleashed
Sonic Unleashed – Temple
Sonic the Hedgehog – Marble Zone
Sonic Unleashed – Temple
Sonic Unleashed – Temple
Note: As we start the Soule rumble, there are a couple questions I’m intrigued to see the answers to. In the pre-rumble, several wondered if Soule’s individual tracks were distinct enough to judge against one another. The volume of his output is eye-opening. For instance, in 2002, Soule composed soundtracks for 8 separate games. He did the same in 2006. That’s 6 weeks per soundtrack. Averaging about 30 tracks per soundtrack in 2002, he wrote a new song about every 1.5 days. Do we simply like Soule’s musical style, or are there specific tracks that stand out? Also of note, this rumble will take us back to the question of how we feel about arrangements, which we’ve tackled before. John Williams is a ghostly presence in some of these match-ups. Do we view arrangements as less impressive–and therefore less worthy of a vote–than an original composition?
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Final Round // The Sonic Rumble
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Sonic the Hedgehog – Marble Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXukwNQG0uA) by Masato Nakamura (1991 for Genesis)
vs.
Sonic Unleashed – Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oRr8uMDpLc) by Tomoya Ohtani, Fumie Kumatani, Kenichi Tokoi, Hideaki Kobayashi, and Takahito Eguchi (2008 for PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3)
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Round 1, Fight 1 // The Jeremy Soule Rumble
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Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003)
Sample tracks: Javyar’s Cantina (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M212A0NTrEc), Bastila Shan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeoGAKXsMjE), Old Republic Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSKvMyruPTA), Manaan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD4YUEd18R0), Darth Malak Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxNKOLgbbhs)
vs.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXx0naXOCdE), Diagon Alley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwaLGCV58w0), Day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAPk5UT6Yrg), Library (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GCS4980Krw), DADA Action (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5RLnESO2D8)
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My Picks:
Temple
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
For me it’s less about individual tracks, more how easy his music is to listen to, like I’d have a hard time placing which music fits certain areas in games or I guess even which music fits certain games. That said there are still plenty of standout tracks, just perhaps a bit harder to pick out. It’s been a shame to see he hasn’t composed as much recently.
Sonic the Hedgehog – Marble Zone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Knights of the Old Republic
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
I never realized how prolific Soule is. I can’t can’t imagine producing the much music in such a short time frame. I suppose that’s why his music is so similar sounding, which I never realized quite how similar until this rumble. It is difficult for me to choose between his soundtracks sometimes because of the similarities, sometimes I choose which one is more unique, sometimes which one I enjoy listening to more.
and it’s tough since i think they’re both weak, but
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
KOTOR was a real opportunity to go all out on thematic development – i mean, its star wars – but this seems to be the period of time as pointed out by arthurgolden when soule started to phone it in, either due to quantity of output or leaning more on his brother’s contributions, or both. he’s certainly capable of writing distinct material when he invests himself, though. i think all his output up to morrowind sounds like it got 110% and is really distinct, and most things from Guild Wars: Eye of the North after as well. icewind dale has 10 fully developed themes and motifs running throughout for example, and Dragon Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcWGIkIHLFg) from Heart of Winter is one of my favorite action pieces from him. it really does vary from project to project for him. skyrim has an undeniable identity of its own, but guild wars is really more defined by just being an orchestral pastiche without any real distinct orchestration or thematic development.
i wonder how much of his phoned-in material during this time (like the laughable unreal 2 contributions) were delegated to his brother, ala the DOTA 2 The International 2015 music pack credited to "Jeremy & Julian Soule" that jeremy let slip on twitter he didn’t write any music for.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Marble Zone
KOTOR
Note 1: Marble Zone becomes our newest winner! And with that, Sonic the Hedgehog 1 continues its streak of winning every rumble it has ever been a part of: the first un-themed rumble, the Genesis soundtracks rumble, and now Sonic songs.
Note 2: I’ve included options for the next rumble below. As has been the case for the last few decisions, none of these options are finished, so it may take some time and/or a collective effort to get them ready to go. Best of 1997, Fire Levels, Ys series, and Underappreciated soundtracks have not been started yet, though I think I could put them together quickly. Please vote for as many rumble ideas as you’d be interested in.
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Round 1, Fight 2 // The Jeremy Soule Rumble
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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006)
Sample tracks: Reign of the Septims (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCxjP0SON2I), Harvest Dawn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v9K98RzbHI), King & Country (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8m78N9Z-vw), Wings of Kynareth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d8yCWF4cBY), Auriel’s Ascension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7NqyQCSz-Y)
vs.
Guild Wars Prophecies (2005)
Sample tracks: Autumn in Ascalon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w80HNEwwv4), Crystal Oasis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmmpXuKx3yo), Guilds at War (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MMoVC979Jw), Temple of Tolerance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T57oPSXrV5E), First Light (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g9_aWUPj6w)
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Determining the Next Rumble
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Failure Themes
90s End Credits Themes
Final Fantasy XIII
Best of 2016
Best of 1997
Fire Levels
Ys series
Underappreciated soundtracks
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My Picks:
Guild Wars Prophecies
90s end credits themes is interesting. underappreciated soundtracks I have a feeling would just be endless lists of Japanese titles.
Guild Wars Prophecies.
Undecided about soundtrack ideas currently.
I’m not sure about picking the next one having suggested the Soule one, I really enjoy discovering new music from these so I don’t have a preference.
Guild Wars Prophecies
As for the next rumble: I would be up for anything, maybe with the exception of Ys (small chance to discover anything new) and FF13 (not a huge fan). Some of the others sound interesting (Underappreciated OSTs, Best of ’97) and I could contribute a few soundtracks for those if necessary.
90s end credits themes is interesting. underappreciated soundtracks I have a feeling would just be endless lists of Japanese titles.
Well, there are very easy ways to prevent this from happening 🙂
As for the next rumble: I would be up for anything, maybe with the exception of Ys (small chance to discover anything new) and FF13 (not a huge fan). Some of the others sound interesting (Underappreciated OSTs, Best of ’97) and I could contribute a few soundtracks for those if necessary.
Well, there are very easy ways to prevent this from happening 🙂
hahah too right.
i’m liking best of 97 since its a period i’m not super familiar with, credits music, underappreciated soundtracks. i think failure themes is interesting but kind of narrow. zero interest in FF13 or Ys.
As for next rumble, I would love to see the Ys series. Seeing as it’s an unpopular one, my second puck would be 90’s End Credits.
sorry: myst.
90s End Credits Themes and Underappreciated soundtracks sounds fun. Also, I have fond memories of Aquatic Rumble, so curious how Fire Levels would go.
As for the next rumble, the votes break down like this, which means we will be doing 90s End Credits! The group page can be found here (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=492&do=discuss). Starting soon.
Failure Themes 1
90s End Credits 4
Final Fantasy XIII 0
Best of 2016 1
Best of 1997 3
Fire Levels 2
Ys series 1
Underappreciated 3
Lots of good stuff happening on the 90s End Credits group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=492&do=discuss). Hopefully, that’ll be ready to go soon. For now, a double bill of Soule.
Also, I looked up the Jeremy/Julian DOTA 2 scandal, since I hadn’t heard of that before. I wasn’t able to find Jeremy’s posts in question, but I did see this follow-up (https://www.reddit.com/r/DotA2/comments/3bxn2r/psa_jeremy_soule_did_not_participate_in_the/) on Reddit making the case for Jeremy’s participation. Take the info with a grain of salt since no evidence is provided.
Lastly, an interesting video I caught on nonfunctional harmony in Chrono Trigger’s soundtrack (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zGqN1ZOEJQ&t=598s).
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Round 1, Fight 3 // The Jeremy Soule Rumble
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Secret of Evermore (1995)
Sample tracks: Introduction (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnV7w_tpmpI), Dog Maze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlyIJFh0bxA), Mini Boss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCXLKmvF_Ug), Queen Bluegarden (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv3nOG_0yTA), Greek Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9DuAzh9ejM)
vs.
Guild Wars Factions (2006)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUaxwXSRvso), Age of the Dragon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXc5QE5PGGU), Shing Jea Monastery (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K-gRQEpFT4), Luxon Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wluVLm4JURY), Assassin’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J378yMrOo0)
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Round 1, Fight 4 // The Jeremy Soule Rumble
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
Sample tracks: Ancient Stones (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmZGrvAvPZM), City Gates (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRAlNeOHI-g), Jerall Mountains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MckCkMPJVpw), Secunda (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC9Ri2hZsos), Streets of Whiterun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_34gUVqLkAo)
vs.
Neverwinter Nights (2002)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb133m_AEnY), Final Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKKA_SzqhSc), City Docks (Day) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cOJlXygQJQ), Forest (Day 1) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcG-pEqGBwo), Aribeth de Tylmarande (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1efEVmHMpDE)
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My Picks:
Secret of Evermore – The older rumblers may remember my ramblings about the story behind this soundtrack (Thread 66118). This is also the soundtrack that brought me to Galbadia Hotel. In 2006, I was living far away from home in the wake of a natural disaster and was pretty deep into a nostalgia coping phase. Many of the soundtracks to my favorite games from childhood and adolescence were easy to find, but Secret of Evermore was out of print and all but nonexistent on the searchable internet. Galbadia Hotel was the only place I could find it, which opened the door to so many other soundtracks hosted there, which led me here. 10 years later, I’m still in the same place banging the drum for my childhood favorites.
Neverwinter Nights
Guild Wars Factions
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Neverwinter Nights (2002)
I’m pretty intrigued by neverwinter nights. some really solid songs there.
Thanks for the info about soule. that’s a cool way to get into video game music 🙂
Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – i honestly think this is soule’s best work to date. i listened to the soundtrack album for three years before finally playing skyrim in 2014 so i know it stands on its own two feet.
Death or Sovngarde (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhRDxqKltD4) is what i always go to when i think of skyrim. that’s what music is all about.
Neverwinter Nights
Lots of stuff happening on the group page (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?groupid=20).
Also, thanks to Nucas for the extra Skyrim recommendation!
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Round 1, Fight 5 // The Jeremy Soule Rumble
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Guild Wars 2 (2012)
Sample tracks: Call of the Raven (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Trt57TXxXGs), Snaff’s Workshop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUWe_nJ7sQ0), Tengu Wall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBIWK7ddLpg), Lornar’s Pass (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqj1acMv6Zc), Last Great City of Men (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-KkzzmU7zs)
vs.
Guild Wars: Eye of the North (2007)
Sample tracks: Beyond the Northern Wall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTd_ewZY33g), Overture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tQdvpCcQV8), Ballad of Ice & Snow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMr_zqTAdvE), Tome of Rubicon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bucADPEURLU), Iron Footfalls (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g84aet0I3Jc)
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Round 1, Fight 6 // The Jeremy Soule Rumble
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ405s9tkYY), Story Book (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5hY6JFrqbo), Hogwarts Neutral (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9NLitbYMss), Malfoy Fight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZeBuGLDxvA&list=PL4040EB25C260C1C9&index=5), Remember All Chase (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyfE-zAxE88&list=PL4040EB25C260C1C9&index=12)
vs.
zOMG! (2009)
Sample tracks: Off to a Great Start (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3a2Q8nGzJQ), A Time to Train (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf-3rZUeMzc), Bill’s Ranch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct6nHUdQsAU), Dead Man’s Pass (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4_BOkzyLH0), Buccaneer Boardwalk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHqRgnVHRdI)
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My Picks:
Guild Wars: Eye of the North – Ballad of Ice and Snow put this over the top for me
zOMG! – Serious underdog here, but I think it’s got tons of charm
zOMG!
I don’t know why im such a sucker for the eye of the north but hey. wow. from the first song.
Guild Wars: Eye of the North
zOMG!
to be honest, from what i heard the soundtrack to harry potter doesn’t sound anything like the movie soundtrack. maybe i’m just not hearing it properly
I actually love the zomg soundtrack.
zOMG!
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone < Tempting to vote for zOMG! but I couldn’t leave this with no votes! I’ll have to listen to zOMG! in full though as it was a nice surprise.
zOMG!
eye of the north is steam rolling. if it weren’t for fowftw we would have a landslide on zomg too 🙂 i dont recall this happening very often.
Btw, i could have gone either way with the guild wars match up. 2 sounds incredible. i just have a fondness for the theme of the eye of the north soundtrack.
@PforPianist: The crazy thing is that blow-outs used to happen frequently. There’s actually still a policy in the OP about moving to the next fights if the posted ones have two uncontested winners. On the one hand, the lack of blow-outs is a good sign that we’ve had worthy contenders even in the early rounds of each rumble. On the other hand, it seems strange to think it’s probably been years since any fight produced total consensus.
Also, as we come to the end of Round 1, I want to give a big, big thanks to feralanima, fowftw, and TheSkeletonMan939 for all of their help getting this rumble ready. They were instrumental to the process and allowed me to discover lots of new music.
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Round 1, Fight 7 // The Jeremy Soule Rumble
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Landmark (2016)
Sample tracks: Alpha 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7kAMjlj_zY), Alpha 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbdzPkwbNtE), Alpha 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAhc5UIVCDA), Alpha 6 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFQidQundek), Alpha 7 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG29_sDUN7k)
vs.
Guild Wars Nightfall (2006)
Sample tracks: Land of the Golden Sun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTZjRXm-5dU), Festival of Lyss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpKbgWgOR_w), Resplendent Makuun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDI2nLSmyxk), Theme For Varesh (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxKwRgpQy6c), Garden of Seborhin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z704Jzqr5DQ)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8 // The Jeremy Soule Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002)
Sample tracks: Nerevar Rising (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mUmqH1ZHW8), Peaceful Waters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tWdVydRceU), Road Most Travelled (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSr2Aj3RtaA), Blessing of Vivec (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pqiSV4vXUU), Silt Sunrise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2ml4aUUdBc)
vs.
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey (2009)
Sample tracks: March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtxeYSt71KI), Great Death Mistress (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhyaAV0faLI), Rain Ghosts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SmLS-VDFI0), Theatre of the Delusionary (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnq6kGzw8iw), Code of Honor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brhADk54xw4)
————————————————————————————————————————————
My Picks:
Guild Wars Nightfall
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey
Going into this, I thought I would vote Landmark and Morrowind. Being less familiar with the other two, I had forgotten how good some of their tracks are. The Great Death Mistress + shooting down enemy planes…man.
Landmark
Morrowind
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002)
Guild Wars Nightfall
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Sturmovik is hellishly good, but… Morrowind is my fav TES. Can’t let it lose in the 1st round.
That concludes the first round for Jeremy Soule and opens the door for Shad???s 90s Credit Themes to begin! From here, Shad will take over both rumbles. I’m excited. 😀
Round 2, Fight 1 // Jeremy Soule Rumble
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zOMG! (2009)
Sample tracks: Off to a Great Start (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3a2Q8nGzJQ), A Time to Train (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf-3rZUeMzc), Bill’s Ranch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct6nHUdQsAU), Dead Man’s Pass (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4_BOkzyLH0), Buccaneer Boardwalk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHqRgnVHRdI)
vs.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003)
Sample tracks: Javyar’s Cantina (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M212A0NTrEc), Bastila Shan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeoGAKXsMjE), Old Republic Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSKvMyruPTA), Manaan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD4YUEd18R0), Darth Malak Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxNKOLgbbhs)
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Round 1, Fight 1 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic 3D Blast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utakEuufwNY), by Jun Senoue & Tetsuyuki Maeda (SMD, 1996)
vs.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R19eUK0BvS0), by Yuichi Sakakura, Tomoya Tomita, & Kozo Nakamura (NES, 1991)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic Blast 3D
Thank you Arthur and Shad for doing the rumble and keeping it going!
When I first heard The Manhattan Project, I mostly just thought "wow, you’re out of your league", but it’s grown on me to the point where I think I’d have voted it over half the other tracks in this rumble.
Not over Sonic 3D Blast though.
Sonic 3D Blast
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project
This is tougher than i thought. The turtles one is definitely nice. it reminds me of that commando game back in the 80s.
I’ll go for zOMG! definitely
Okay it’s sonic 3D
The song is really much like the other soundtracks before it turned into a chaotic mess. It feels like they could milk that style for ages. That’s why i want to vote for sonic 3d in this. Unfortunately the other song it’s harder for me to vote for having never played any turtles games. I never played sonic 3d, but man sonic puts you into a good mood.
Round 2, Fight 2 // Jeremy Soule Rumble
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Secret of Evermore (1995)
Sample tracks: Introduction (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnV7w_tpmpI), Dog Maze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlyIJFh0bxA), Mini Boss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCXLKmvF_Ug), Queen Bluegarden (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv3nOG_0yTA), Greek Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9DuAzh9ejM)
vs.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006)
Sample tracks: Reign of the Septims (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCxjP0SON2I), Harvest Dawn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v9K98RzbHI), King & Country (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8m78N9Z-vw), Wings of Kynareth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d8yCWF4cBY), Auriel’s Ascension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7NqyQCSz-Y)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Explosive Breaker (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiEz3ws5tzI), by Tatsuya Watanabe (Arcade, 1992)
vs.
Lotus Land Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g-eUQBHkaA), by ZUN (PC98, 1998)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Secret of Evermore
Lotus Land Story
Explosive Breaker – Now we’re talking! Two pretty good tracks. One thing I like about Explosive Breaker is the endearing fact that they put a PSG chip in an arcade machine from 1992. It also sounds a little bit like the attempt to cover a Bach gavotte by a ’90s pop act.
Explosive Breaker
Lotus Land Story
Though it’s obvious he’s more accomplished in oblivion, the secret of evermore really has a soundtrack that is exceptionally likeable. Like the kind of music nobuo was able to do for final fantasy at the time.
For that reason i’m going for Secret of Evermore (Yeah i totally did just vote for the 90s tracks haha)
Explosive Breaker
This was my same thoughts. I felt Oblivion was more refined, perhaps due to technology as well as experience, but I found Secret of Evermore to be more enjoyable.
Round 2, Fight 3 // Jeremy Soule Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Guild Wars Nightfall (2006)
Sample tracks: Land of the Golden Sun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTZjRXm-5dU), Festival of Lyss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpKbgWgOR_w), Resplendent Makuun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDI2nLSmyxk), Theme For Varesh (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxKwRgpQy6c), Garden of Seborhin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z704Jzqr5DQ)
vs.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
Sample tracks: Ancient Stones (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmZGrvAvPZM), City Gates (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRAlNeOHI-g), Jerall Mountains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MckCkMPJVpw), Secunda (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC9Ri2hZsos), Streets of Whiterun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_34gUVqLkAo)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 3 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Totsugeki! Mix (http://picosong.com/WKSd), by Kenichi Arakawa (PC98, 1994)
vs.
Wizardry V (https://youtu.be/8qAPNsiqT9k?t=47), by Kouhei Tanaka (FM Towns, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
TIE-BREAKER: Round 1, Fight 2 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Explosive Breaker (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiEz3ws5tzI), by Tatsuya Watanabe (Arcade, 1992)
vs.
Lotus Land Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g-eUQBHkaA), by ZUN (PC98, 1998)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Wizardry V
Wizardry V
Totsugeki! Mix
Wizardry V
Wizardry V
Totsugeki! Mix
So long totsugeki 🙁 it sounds like something out of dbz. haha it gets my vote!
Tails wins the toss! Explosive Breaker advances 3-3 along with Wizardry V (4-2) and Skyrim (6-0).
Round 2, Fight 4 // Jeremy Soule Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Guild Wars: Eye of the North (2007)
Sample tracks: Beyond the Northern Wall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTd_ewZY33g), Overture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tQdvpCcQV8), Ballad of Ice & Snow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMr_zqTAdvE), Tome of Rubicon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bucADPEURLU), Iron Footfalls (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g84aet0I3Jc)
vs.
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002)
Sample tracks: Nerevar Rising (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mUmqH1ZHW8), Peaceful Waters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tWdVydRceU), Road Most Travelled (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSr2Aj3RtaA), Blessing of Vivec (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pqiSV4vXUU), Silt Sunrise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2ml4aUUdBc)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Turrican (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nulxq8HOFw), by Chris H???lsbeck (SNES, 1993)
vs.
Shadow of the Ninja (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBsmCWlRhiE), by Iku Mizutani & Kouichi Yamanishi (NES, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Shadow of the Ninja
Super Turrican
Super Turrican
Super Turrikan i like what the poster said, it sounds like "you just won the marathon" music but i like it.
Shadow of the Ninja
I’m leaving for a week vacation in like 5 hours and won’t have my PC where all this is stored
Not sure where I’m voting in Soule yet but I randed the next stage and we can start with the group that its winner is not in.
Next matchups are Secret of Evermore vs zOMG! and Solstice vs Gremlins 2. Arthur can you help me out for a round or two mate? Sorry.
———- Post added at 12:11 AM ———- Previous post was at 12:10 AM ———-
After that is Super Mario RPG vs Outlaws and Skyrim vs the winner of this current group. I can just update these myself on my laptop once I get to the beach tomorrow evening come to think of it.
———- Post added at 12:12 AM ———- Previous post was at 12:11 AM ———-
Yeah I’ll post it proper with links and all tomorrow night from my laptop, just needed to write down what the match-ups would be ahead of time.
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Secret of Evermore (1995)
Sample tracks: Introduction, Dog Maze, Mini Boss, Queen Bluegarden, Greek Temple
vs.
zOMG! (2009)
Sample tracks: Off to a Great Start, A Time to Train, Bill’s Ranch, Dead Man’s Pass, Buccaneer Boardwalk
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 5 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Solstice, by Tim Follin (NES, 1990)
vs.
Gremlins 2, by Naoki Kodaka (NES, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Secret of Evermore – Yikes. Getting tough to decide.
Gremlins 2
Otherwise, laptops + sand = bad
Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (3-3) and Super Turrican (4-2)
Eye of the North wins the tie-break unless someone wants to dive in and bail out Morrowind in the next few days.
And maybe I’ll even vote in the current match-ups before they end this time!
Okay…
Tails wins.
Secret of Evermore
Solstice
wow solstice theme is just what i was needing today.
Solstice
Solstice
Solstice
Solstice
I can probably get the next round up when I get home from vacation tonight, if it’s not too late.
Solstice advances 5-1! In the Soule rumble, we’ve got yet another 3-3 tie leading into the final.
Round 3, Fight 2 // Jeremy Soule Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
Sample tracks: Ancient Stones (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmZGrvAvPZM), City Gates (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRAlNeOHI-g), Jerall Mountains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MckCkMPJVpw), Secunda (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC9Ri2hZsos), Streets of Whiterun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_34gUVqLkAo)
vs.
Guild Wars: Eye of the North (2007)
Sample tracks: Beyond the Northern Wall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTd_ewZY33g), Overture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tQdvpCcQV8), Ballad of Ice & Snow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMr_zqTAdvE), Tome of Rubicon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bucADPEURLU), Iron Footfalls (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g84aet0I3Jc)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 6 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Mario RPG (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv77KCj8tCU), by Yoko Shimomura (SNES, 1996)
vs.
Outlaws (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MS286HqUAg), by Clint Bajakian (Windows, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
TIE-BREAKER: Round 3, Fight 1 // Jeremy Soule Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Secret of Evermore (1995)
Sample tracks: Introduction (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnV7w_tpmpI), Dog Maze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlyIJFh0bxA), Mini Boss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCXLKmvF_Ug), Queen Bluegarden (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv3nOG_0yTA), Greek Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9DuAzh9ejM)
vs.
zOMG! (2009)
Sample tracks: Off to a Great Start (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3a2Q8nGzJQ), A Time to Train (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf-3rZUeMzc), Bill’s Ranch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct6nHUdQsAU), Dead Man’s Pass (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4_BOkzyLH0), Buccaneer Boardwalk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHqRgnVHRdI)
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Both great. This felt like a draw.
Super Mario RPG – Both excellent tracks here, too.
Outlaws
Outlaws
Outlaws
———- Post added at 08:31 PM ———- Previous post was at 08:29 PM ———-
FINAL ROUND // Jeremy Soule Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Secret of Evermore (1995)
Sample tracks: Introduction (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnV7w_tpmpI), Dog Maze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlyIJFh0bxA), Mini Boss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCXLKmvF_Ug), Queen Bluegarden (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv3nOG_0yTA), Greek Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9DuAzh9ejM)
vs.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
Sample tracks: Ancient Stones (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmZGrvAvPZM), City Gates (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRAlNeOHI-g), Jerall Mountains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MckCkMPJVpw), Secunda (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC9Ri2hZsos), Streets of Whiterun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_34gUVqLkAo)
————————————————————————————————————————————
SECRET OF EVERMORE
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim becomes the 33rd champion in a 5-1 blowout over Secret of Evermore!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 7 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX2DACE7RK4), by Yusuke Takahama (NES, 1992)
vs.
Mystic Square (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7P4EXNihvI), by ZUN (PC98, 1998)
————————————————————————————————————————————
aaaaaaaaaaaaand what are we doing next?
I’m not really very aware of the state of future series in the making. Rather than digging through each thread in the creation page, does anyone have a list we can vote from?
Fire Levels
NARFNra’s custom rumble
Need work:
Final Fantasy XIII
Best of 1997
Best of 2016
Touhou
Not started yet:
Ys series
A custom 16 from another rumbler (mine was two years ago, Shad’s was over a year ago)
NARFNra might be long gone, but his custom 16 is still sitting there and as I recall he had some pretty unique stuff to offer. I’ll actually vote for that one next.
G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor
EDIT: Good idea. I’d be interested in doing NARFNra’s custom rumble, too. He had a pretty interesting list featuring some soundtracks we’ve never voted on before. I’d also be interested in doing Fire Levels.
I quit playing really far in because I got stuck in a glitch, so that was a thing. It’s probably been patched to perfection by now.
Both are interesting, but I think I’m currently in the mood for Fire Levels.
I’ve never played Skyrim, and I think I’d enjoy it, but I get too much motion sickness from videogames, especially the more modern ones.
I’m fine with either of these two suggestions as well. If there is any interest, I could try to make a custom 16 rumble with a tbd theme to run alongside the current one.
Gotcha. That helps because it certainly falls outside my video gaming comfort zone, too. This summer, my friend’s cousin left for Japan and entrusted him with a Wii U. Well, my friend’s wife said she didn’t want yet another video game system in the house, so he brought it to my place for safekeeping. Neither of us play modern games normally, but the hype for Breath of the Wild was off the charts, so we split the cost. I was absolutely blown away. I’d never played an open-world game before. If I like Skyrim, too, I might be hooked.
I’ve never played Skyrim, and I think I’d enjoy it, but I get too much motion sickness from videogames, especially the more modern ones.
Interesting you say that. I had a huge learning curve controlling the camera in Breath of the Wild. I was flinging it all over the place trying to see stuff and constantly made myself dizzy. It probably took 10 hours of gameplay before my instincts settled and/or my eyes adjusted to playing within a 3D environment.
If there is any interest, I could try to make a custom 16 rumble with a tbd theme to run alongside the current one.
Please do. When Shad first came up with the concept, the hope was that everyone would create their own and post it on the group thread (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=486&do=discuss). Even if we do NARFNra’s alongside Soule first, it’s only a 16-selection rumble. So it’ll be done pretty quickly, and we’ll be right back to voting for the next one.
I just added a custom 16 rumble to the group page.
I’d also be happy to create a custom 16 rumble too. I’ll give some thought to it over the new few days 🙂 I don’t really know how to best approach it though, is anything that I particularly enjoy but not been used in a previous rumble fine?
The selections for all previous rumbles and how far they made it can be found in the OP (Thread 66118).
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Final Fantasy IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFAFP8aoESw), by Nobuo Uematsu (SNES, 1991)
vs.
Princess Maker 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKvGntQo-XU), by Masahiro Kajihara (FM Towns, 1993)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Next Rumble
————————————————————————————————————————————
Fire Levels
vs.
NARFNra’s Custom 16
Fire Levels
I could go for either but the fire levels took my fancy.
Fire Levels
Princess Maker 2
NARFNra’s 16
Fire Levels
Princess Maker 2
Fire Levels
NARFNra’s Custom 16
I could never really get into the ending themes of FF4 or FF6. Too much reprise of already familiar tracks without bringing enough variance to the table to feel fresh, for me.
They always reminded me a bit of the ending themes that most of the old Sierra adventures had: long medleys of various themes from the game.
aaaaaaand
Fire Levels rumble starts now! Enjoy, compliments of Arthur.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 9 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Star Fox (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU5q_uXjGr0), by Hajime Hirasawa (SNES, 1993)
vs.
Star Ocean: The Second Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPUSEjpLiD0), by Motoi Sakuraba (PSX, 1998)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 1 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Musha Aleste – Offensive Overdrive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpjpNbfYJhk), by Toshiaki Sakoda (SMD, 1990)
vs.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Melty Monster Galaxy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UYXABAC06s), by Mahito Yokota, Ryo Nagamatsu, & Koji Kondo (Wii, 2010)
————————————————————————————————————————————
TIE-BREAKER // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Final Fantasy IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFAFP8aoESw), by Nobuo Uematsu (SNES, 1991)
vs.
Princess Maker 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKvGntQo-XU), by Masahiro Kajihara (FM Towns, 1993)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Musha Aleste
Musha Aleste – Right from the get-go, these two selections provide interesting answers as to how composers summon the idea of fire. With Musha Aleste, we get a tantivy to suggest chaos and action. Super Mario Galaxy 2, on the other hand, gives us this predominantly New Romantic dance of tubular bells, trumpets, strings, and timpani (with a synth sound approximating an Egyptian lute) that bursts into a heroic theme about a minute in, suggesting high adventure.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Musha Aleste
Super Mario Galaxy 2
———- Post added at 10:53 PM ———- Previous post was at 10:35 PM ———-
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 10 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Elemental Master (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkobFdtzLSA), by Toshiharu Yamanishi (SMD, 1990)
vs.
Castlevania 64 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WAX03aRI9w), by Masahiko Kimura, Motoaki Furukawa, & Mariko Egawa (N64, 1999)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Lords of Magic – Theme of Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPryTP_htDA), by Keith Zizza (PC, 1997)
vs.
Crash Bandicoot 3 – Stone Age (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKsPDOIEglo), by Josh Mancell (PSX, 1998)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania 64 – Can anyone put their finger on what Elemental Master’s credits sound like? I know I’ve heard something similar before.
Lords of Magic – Here come two more tropes of fire music: hand drums and gongs.
Also, the thread just made it to 6,000 replies.
Lords of Magic
Lords of Magic
I’m currently playing in a forum game that just started Monday and is about to reach 20,000 replies. ;_;
We need to do some flash rumbles where everyone has 10 minutes to vote.
Crash Bandicoot 3
Lords of Magic
Round 1, Fight 11 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Silver Surfer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g61Dr7QP4t0), by Tim Follin (NES, 1990)
vs.
F-Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvvzn1lBDU0), by Yumiko Kanki & Naoto Ishida (SNES, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 3 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Illusion Blaze – Stage 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDsFbrsm1uM), by Seung-Hwan Ro & Myung-Jin Ahn (DOS, 1994)
vs.
Life Force – Fire Field (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWKTf_4lqzk), by Konami Kukeiha Club (NES, 1987)
————————————————————————————————————————————
If anyone has more accurate artist information I can update. No clue if D.A.C. is even a composer’s pseudonym or if it refers to a sound team.
Neither of the fire level options actually feels remotely like a fire theme to me. Weird. Well I like Life Force more. Would have voted Illusion Blaze anyway if it had given me a more appropriate vibe.
Life Force
Illusion Blaze – Stage 3
Neither of the fire level options actually feels remotely like a fire theme to me. Weird. Well I like Life Force more. Would have voted Illusion Blaze anyway if it had given me a more appropriate vibe.
That Life Force stage is more of a rock/volcano type level. There is also a ‘real’ fire stage in this game with this music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q-3ORwe6Yg).
If anyone has more accurate artist information I can update. No clue if D.A.C. is even a composer’s pseudonym or if it refers to a sound team.
D.A.C. are two South Korean composers: Seung-Hwan Ro and Myung-Jin Ahn
Life Force
Life Force
Round 1, Fight 12 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Dengeki Division (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34IsZ6ZwTz4), by Ryu Umemoto (PC98, 1993)
vs.
Mega Man 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO6gDzHKXcs), by Minae Fujii (NES, 1991)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mario Kart 64 – Bowser’s Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqW7Lj9g8rM), by Kenta Nagata (N64, 1996)
vs.
Gradius II – Burning Heat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLc1msji0_w), by Konami Kukeiha Club (Arcade, 1988)
————————————————————————————————————————————
———- Post added at 06:37 PM ———- Previous post was at 06:32 PM ———-
As best I can tell that is the original arcade version of Gradius II despite the copyright 1992 sign.
Mario Kart 64 – Mario games have lots and lots of fire themes. Twenty-five were in contention when I was forming the rumble. This one really stood out.
Gradius II – Burning Heat
As best I can tell that is the original arcade version of Gradius II despite the copyright 1992 sign.
It’s probably from the PC Engine CD version which had the original arcade music on CD.
Mario Kart 64
Gradius II
Mario Kart 64
Round 1, Fight 13 // 90s Credits
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Super Tennis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fw5cV05av0), by ???Yoshi??? of Tokyo Shoseki (SNES, 1991)
vs.
Panzer Dragoon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peoRBj9U-jI&t=2995), by Yoshitaka Azuma (Saturn, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 5 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man – Fire Man (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTIdRD5qrag), by Manami Matsumae (NES, 1987)
vs.
Prophecy 1: The Viking Child – Level 7 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9JGGpK-1jw), by Barry Leitch (Amiga, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man – Fire Man – This might have been the first fire level I ever played in a game
Mega Man
Prophecy 1: The Viking Child
Lol I gotta be the odd man out
Prophecy 1: The Viking Child
Lol…
Panzer Dragoon
Prophecy 1: The Viking Child – Level 7
Round 1, Fight 14 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
TMNT IV: Turtles in Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O1rdaExhPg), by Mutsuhiko Izumi & Kozo Nakamura (SNES, 1992)
vs.
Shadows of Cairn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bib660W4LMA), by Brian McCulloch (DOS, 1994)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 6 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Lethal Xcess – Volcanic Plateaus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMsx9HRtKLk), by Jochen Hippel (Amiga, 1991)
vs.
Wonder Boy in Monster World – Pyramid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXEMABs3A1E), by Shinichi Sakamoto (SMD, 1991)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Wonder Boy in Monster World ~I think I like Lethal Xcess more, but this one really feels like a fire level theme to me.
Lethal Xcess – Volcanic Plateaus – Neither track screams ‘fire level’, the Wonder Boy theme actually first appears in the pyramid stage and sounds like it is trying to evoke that kind of atmosphere.
Wonder Boy in Monster World – this one definitely sounded like a fire level to me. It also sounded like it should’ve been in Chrono Trigger.
Wonder Boy in Monster World
Lethal Xcess – Volcanic Plateaus
Round 1, Fight 15 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Planescape: Tourment (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gVtPrtJCiE), by Richard Band (Windows, 1999)
vs.
Mega Man 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0HU5bR-aXc), by Mari Yamaguchi (NES, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 7 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald – Mt. Chimney (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g-WC9H59uM), by Go Ichinose, Morikazu Aoki, & Junichi Masuda (GBA, 2002)
vs.
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Fire Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZGnJF1R0WU), by Koji Kondo (N64, 1998)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Fire Temple
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Fire Temple
same
Legend of Zelda
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald – Mt. Chimney
Legend of Zelda
Round 1, Fight 16 // 90s Credits
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Uridium 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWRcVLBH_cA), by Jason Page (Amiga, 1993)
vs.
DOOM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBW_R61WGYU), by Robert Prince (DOS, 1993)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy – Volcanic Crater (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZg0CTifQ-4), by Josh Mancell (PS2, 2001)
vs.
The Smurfs – Inside the Volcano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmiOls5kW48), by Alberto Jose Gonz???lez (GB, 1993)
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Smurfs – Inside the Volcano
That Uridium video is actually a mashup of three different tracks. The credits theme is this one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWRcVLBH_cA). Shad, maybe update the link in order to avoid further confusion.
Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy – Volcanic Crater
I have never heard of Cuphead but good lord how did no one come up with this concept for a game sooner
Thanks!
Jak and Daxter – this is how I like my fire levels, dark and industrial.
The Smurfs
:like: There are going to be several more selections along those lines.
EDIT: Forgot about that nonsense. Still have to migrate all of my pictures somewhere else.
Jak and Daxter
Round 1, Fight 17 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Vantage Master (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI6Auk3F-R0), by Falcom Sound Team jdk (Arcade, 1997)
vs.
The Last Express (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxg9RiEXsx4), by Elia Cmiral (Windows, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 9 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Star Trader – Ugly Beauty (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNnnwkH0KWI), by Keishi Yonao (X68k, 1989)
vs.
Granstream Saga – Lava Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZKw9XpmwXw), by Masanori Hikichi, Miyoko Takaoka, & Takako Ochiai (PSX, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Wherever there are goofy little forum games, I will be there.
The Last Express
Star Trader – Ugly Beauty
Star Trader – Ugly Beauty – this particular track was composed by Keishi Yonao
Btw, Vantage Master is a Windows game.
Granstream Saga – neither felt very fiery to me. Star Trader sounded like a boss battle, and Granstream Saga sounded like dangerous exploration but not necessarily a lava cave. I decided on Granstream Saga because I felt the dangerous exploration vibe was closer than Star Trader to a fire vibe, also simply because I liked it more.
I volunteer as tribute should you need an extra extra person for a goofy forum game.
Granstream Saga
Granstream Saga
Next fights coming later today.
———- Post added at 11:15 AM ———- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ———-
neither felt very fiery to me. Star Trader sounded like a boss battle, and Granstream Saga sounded like dangerous exploration but not necessarily a lava cave. I decided on Granstream Saga because I felt the dangerous exploration vibe was closer than Star Trader to a fire vibe, also simply because I liked it more.
Pretty much my thoughts exactly.
I volunteer as tribute should you need an extra extra person for a goofy forum game.
I actually do probably need another replacement now. It would require an hour+ of your time though, possibly a fair bit more depending on how fast you read. Here is the game thread (http://www.dragonmount.com/forums/topic/101533-game-thread-aspiring-tennis-enthusiasts-day-2/). It makes a lot of assumptions that people who have never played Mafia before probably won’t get, so let me know if it looks like something that would interest either of you and I’ll clarify with more information. In the meantime, please do not post in that thread I just linked. (You’re welcome to post elsewhere on the forum.)
Also, please excuse the really random theme. Most games are more "normal" than that; I was being a goof.
The Last Express (5-0) and Granstream Saga (3-2) advance!
Round 1, Fight 18 // 90s Credits
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Laura Bow 2: The Dagger of Amon Ra (https://youtu.be/STLpeixYH3c?list=PL02D57FAD87A59CFB&t=378), by Chris Braymen & Mark Seibert (DOS, 1992)
vs.
Little Big Adventure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ4AThqVS7k), by Philippe Vachey (DOS, 1994)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 10 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTnzgHmzdPM), by Yasunori Mitsuda (PSX, 1999)
vs.
Star Ocean 3 – Evil Shade Crept (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES4qkC1fbxQ), by Motoi Sakuraba (PS2, 2003)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano
Star Ocean 3
Also, please excuse the really random theme. Most games are more "normal" than that; I was being a goof.
Unfortunately, I can’t really give us that much time, so I’ll have to pass this time. I loved everyone’s reactions to your posts though XD
Little Big Adventure
Chrono Cross
Star Ocean 3 – Evil Shade Crept
———- Post added at 04:14 AM ———- Previous post was at 04:11 AM ———-
neither felt very fiery to me. Star Trader sounded like a boss battle, and Granstream Saga sounded like dangerous exploration but not necessarily a lava cave. I decided on Granstream Saga because I felt the dangerous exploration vibe was closer than Star Trader to a fire vibe, also simply because I liked it more.
I think there have been two basic fire themes so far. ‘Dangerous exploration vibe’ is one of them, ‘no time to explore, I need to get the fuck out of here’ the other. The latter usually comes with a more energetic soundtrack that tries to evoke desperation or even panic. Most action games or shmups that have been played so far fall into this category whereas RPGs usually go for the exploration theme.
Chrono Cross
Round 1, Fight 19 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Comix Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S78Kv0O5AuY), by Howard Drossin (SMD, 1995)
vs.
Super Mario World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mNZAZgXYJo), by Koji Kondo (SNES, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 11 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Donkey Kong Country 2 – Hothead Bop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlFYSIyAGmA), by Eveline Fischer & Dave Wise (SNES, 1996)
vs.
Lords of Thunder – Lavadara (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76zevuMEbkg), by Satoshi Miyashita (TurboDuo, 1993)
————————————————————————————————————————————
———- Post added at 09:52 PM ———- Previous post was at 09:50 PM ———-
these are actually difficult decisions, heh
———- Post added at 09:59 PM ———- Previous post was at 09:52 PM ———-
I think Howard Drossin’s attempt at a 90s rock album via Comix Zone is delightful and yeah, I’m going to vote it even over Super Mario World’s iconic credits theme.
Donkey Kong Country 2. Lords of Thunder has a great concept for a fire level to start and I love the gritty tone/quality of the sound, but god the 80s cock rock guitar wanks on way too long for its own good. Could have been a solid tune if he hadn’t gotten distracted trying to show off his scales to the myriad lady gamers of the TurboDuo. *snerk*
Donkey Kong Country 2
Lords of Thunder – Lavadara
Lords of Thunder
Oh yeah, double tie for the win!
Donkey Kong Country 2
Round 1, Fight 20 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Fly Harder (http://picosong.com/WK6w), by Adam Bulka & Michael Hendriks (C64, 1993)
vs.
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rNpeBAjAiI), by Nobuo Uematsu (SNES, 1994)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 12 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Lava Reef Zone Act 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9utFNqhJUgY), by Various Artists (SMD, 1994)
vs.
Mega Man X6 – Blaze Heatnix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me3Me0jikwE), by Naoto Tanaka (PSX, 2001)
————————————————————————————————————————————
I initially listed Blaze Heatnix as the composer for MMX6 and then thought "that can’t be a real name". XD
Final Fantasy VI
Mega Man X6
Mega Man X6
Mega Man X6
Mega Man X6 – Blaze Heatnix
Blaze Heatnix
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
I’ll try to post an update tomorrow; sorry they’ve been slow coming lately
Round 1, Fight 21 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Dynastic Hero (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUtDaIYxH-s), by Syn Sound Design (PCE, 1994)
vs.
Ninja Warriors (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikLRTyfavyo), by Hiroyuki Iwatsuki (SNES, 1994)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 13 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Bucky O’Hare – Red Planet (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTZ8Oq2dafE), by Tomoko Sumiyama (NES, 1992)
vs.
Sonic 3D Blast – Volcano Valley Zone Act 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MrP51YTWak), by Jun Senoue & Tatsuyuki Maeda (SMD, 1996)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ninja Warriors
Bucky O’Hare
Bucky O’Hare – Red Planet
Bucky O’Hare, though I feel like it’s missing something. It’s got the groundwork for a really memorable song, but it doesn’t close out the loop with a little finisher like say, Wily’s Castle from Mega Man 2, so it starts to sound redundant. Do you know what I mean?
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic 3D Blast
I agree. I also feel like it doesn’t have some X factor that changes the emotion or takes the music someplace new after the initial patterns are set up (Wily’s Castle from MM2 is a perfect example of how to do that right, too).
Round 1, Fight 22 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Secret of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFDYYM8lPiE), by Hiroki Kikuta (SNES, 1993)
vs.
Kirby’s Dream Land (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtjvaCm0GHw), by Jun Ishikawa (GB, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 14 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man 8 – Sword Man (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJalHnXzcsw), by Shusaku Uchiyama (PSX, 1996)
vs.
Elemental Master – Dance of Flame (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Aec2TyF5b4), by Toshiharu Yamanishi (SMD, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Elemental Master
Elemental Master – Dance of Flame
Secret of Mana
Elemental Master
Elemental Master
Mega Man 8 – I enjoyed both if these, but I really do like the industrial sound of MM8 better for a fire level.
I liked it better than Kirby, but I don’t disagree with this. As an aside, my friend and I replayed Secret of Mana two years ago. It did not have the magic it had in high school, and this track became the underwhelming culmination of our frustration. I’m curious how others have maintained nostalgia for the game to the degree that a remake is in production.
Mega Man 8
I’ve actually never played it, but I’ve always wanted to. By the time my parents allowed me to play video games the original PlayStation was already out for a while. So, Secret of Mana was already expensive at that time and I missed out on it. I know I could play an emulator, but I’m glad to hear there is a remake in production.
Round 1, Fight 23 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Donkey Kong Country 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRdIK_hbeYM), by Dave Wise (SNES, 1995)
vs.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPjLgDF1hUg), by Koji Kondo (N64, 1998)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 15 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Resident Evil 5 – Majini IX in Flames (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4ywyZHhunA), by Kota Suzuki, Akihiko Narita, & Wataru Hokoyama (PS3, 2009)
vs.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii – Volcano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt-E4OMWTZE), by o Fujii, Ryo Nagamatsu, & Kenta Nagata (Wii, 2009)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Resident Evil 5
New Super Mario Bros – I debated on this for a while because I actually enjoyed the Resident Evil 5 soundtrack more, but I feel like Super Mario conveys a fire theme better.
It wasn’t until probably the late 90s, when mp3s became prevalent, that I ended up downloading everything from Square I could get my hands on and fell in love with Hiroki Kikuta. As far as credit themes go for classic Square games, I really love SoM’s ending. I suppose I agree that it doesn’t feel like a credit roll, but I never came to appreciate the SoM soundtrack within the context of the game proper anyway.
Donkey Kong Country 2
New Super Mario Bros. Wii ~~now this is pretty unmistakably a fire level theme
Resident Evil 5 – Majini IX in Flames
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
New Super Mario Bros
Haha. Not me. That was painful.
Round 1, Fight 24 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Donkey Kong Country (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1doZCZrNwpI), by Dave Wise, Eveline Fischer, & Robin Beanland (SNES, 1994)
vs.
Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn5K-NNmgTM), by Yasunori Mitsuda (SNES, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 16 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mario Party – Bowser’s Magma Mountain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYPPwgLew98), by Yasunori Mitsuda (N64, 1998)
vs.
Aladdin – Arab Rock 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_0Vl0Yzvfc), by Donald Griffin & Tommy Tallarico (SMD, 1993)
————————————————————————————————————————————
————————————————————————————————————————————
Donkey Kong Country, by Dave Wise, Eveline Fischer, & Robin Beanland (SNES, 1994)
Round 1, Fight 16 // Fire Levels
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Mario Party – Bowser’s Magma Mountain, by Yasunori Mitsuda (N64, 1998)
Mario Party
I always liked DKC’s ending theme (and final battle music for that matter), even as a kid. It’s of little use against my favorite videogame song of all time.
Chrono Trigger
Aladdin
Aladdin
Mario Party – I played Aladdin on SNES with my little brother. We loved that game, but Mario Party is what I like more in a fire theme.
Aladdin – Arab Rock 2
Aladdin
Round 1, Fight 25 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Gem’Z (http://picosong.com/WKSg), by Chris H???lsbeck (Amiga, 1992)
vs.
Ristar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyqJshmBpsM), by Tomoko Sasaki (SMD, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 17 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land – Volcano Area (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlNz7qu3UO8), by Hirokazu Ando & Jun Ishikawa (Wii, 2011)
vs.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game – Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hGF83f7gNA), by Mutsuhiko Izumi, Miki HIgashino, & Kozo Nakamura (Arcade, 1989)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game – Fire
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game, wow, the last time I heard this I was physically playing the game in the arcade.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2
TMNT 2
Round 1, Fight 26 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Legend of Mana (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de1n8TRj91E), by Yoko Shimomura (PSX, 1999)
vs.
Streets of Rage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhwkkEqeWUM), by Yuzo Koshiro (SMD, 1991)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 18 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Musashi Samurai Legend – Meltdown (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyNHL-2QrMo), by Masashi Hamauzu & Junya Nakano (PS2, 2005)
vs.
Kirby’s Epic Yarn – Lava Landing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHpLnHMSTQo), by Tomoya Tomita (Wii, 2010)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Musashi Samurai Legend – As an aside, I’ve always thought the Kirby track (which I also like) has a spiritually similar feel to this track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SBNCYkSceU) from The Social Network’s soundtrack
Kirby’s Epic Yarn
Kirby’s Epic Yarn
Kirby’s Epic Yarn
Hard not to side with this one.
Legend of Mana
Kirby
Easy choice with soundtrack. I personally love the legend of mana soundtrack. Lots of incredible music.
Kirby’s Epic Yarn – Lava Landing
Kirby’s Epic Yarn
Love the soundtrack. As for the game itself, I’ve tried a couple times and never enjoyed it enough to get very far.
Round 1, Fight 27 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Streets of Rage 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXbIy0qWhnc), by Yuzo Koshiro (SMD, 1992)
vs.
Kaze Kiri: Ninja Action (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mw-DfL4p38), by Daisuke Morishima (PCE, 1994)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 19 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Mario 64 – Lethal Lava Land (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6NgA48KWc0), by Koji Kondo (N64, 1996)
vs.
Mortal Kombat Deception – Hell’s Foundry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prj7dch3cM8), by various artists (PS2, 2004)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mortal Kombat Deception
Mortal Kombat Deception – Hell’s Foundry
Mortal Kombat Deception
Super Mario 64
Kirby’s Epic Yarn
Mortal Kombat Deception – Hell’s Foundry
Super Mario 64
I’ve actually never finished the game! I’ll break it out
This is a hard one.
Streets of Rage 2
Super Mario
I like the arabian feel to the super mario track.
Super Mario 64
I really want to drag some of you lot into that dark world of internet shouting matches one day. It’s fun and awful. XD
Update coming in a bit. Just going to coin toss if they’re ties and if someone wants to add a vote later I’ll change it accordingly.
———- Post added at 08:56 PM ———- Previous post was at 08:55 PM ———-
I matched half of my 13-year FFShrine post count in 4 days oh god help me
Round 1, Fight 28 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Bucky O’Hare (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtdavtO9QyI), by Tomoko Sumiyama (NES, 1992)
vs.
Hinadori no Saezuri (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-kiiMFyEEc), by Hiroaki Sano (PC98, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 20 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Genocide 2 – Red-Hot Atmosphere (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6moeXrMasE&feature=youtu.be&t=2283), by Hideyuki Shimono & Naoyuki Kimura (DOS, 1991)
vs.
Sword of Mana – Guide to a Strange World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlshMl-tzfU), by Kenji Ito (GBA, 2003)
————————————————————————————————————————————
I’m guessing some info on Genocide 2 could be wrong because I had it listed in my notes as an X68000 track
Genocide 2
Always a pleasure listening to new music.
None of these particularly stood off the page to me, but i do quite like the casualness of tracks which Hinadori no Saezuri is a part of.
Sword of Mana
Genocide 2
Genocide 2 – Red-Hot Atmosphere
None of these particularly stood off the page to me, but i do quite like the casualness of tracks which Hinadori no Saezuri is a part of.
Very underrated soundtrack imo, if that had been on the SNES, people would be making documentaries about it. I did upload the entire thing to Youtube a few months ago (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs), it’s also some of the best use of a midi synthesizer I have ever heard. Actual midi that is, not what kids pass off as being "midi" these days 🙂
I’m guessing some info on Genocide 2 could be wrong because I had it listed in my notes as an X68000 track
The DOS port was done by Korean developer Mantra, and the arrangements are credited to "Goopal, Sevin, Blueblue".
Sword of Mana
Sword of Mana
Okay, i’ll have to take a listen again 🙂
For that matter, if it was a nobuo uematsu soundtrack.
I think it still probably deserves the vote here
Hinadori no Saezuri
Sword of Mana
Genocide 2
Hi. Posting to say that yes, it is an issue for quite a few users. –> Thread 220616
EDIT:
I suggest you to install some Ad-blocker, if you haven’t, already: one called uBlock Origin seems to help with blocking at least part of that crap.
Kind of tempted to put this game on hold until it’s resolved tbh just because I don’t know enough about how this crap works to feel comfortable that I’m not enabling all sorts of keystroke loggers and shit. Also the Groups section is down so I have no access to youtube samples for the next set of tracks.
My main forum has been offline for going on three weeks now for a major overhaul but once it’s operational again I’ll relocate the game there if necessary. It’s where I run the other half of the annual Final Fantasy rumble.
I’ll post an update at some point today.
———- Post added at 10:18 AM ———- Previous post was at 10:17 AM ———-
Oh there are still no group pages anymore.
Well I’ll do what I can, can’t guarantee I’ll be able to find some of the more obscure tracks in the list but I do have the song names written down.
Round 1, Fight 29 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Phantasmagoria of Dim. Dream (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7D_BU8A3LU), by ZUN (PC98, 1997)
vs.
Super Dodge Ball (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np7-xrlYhLg&t=1345), by Ida (Arcade, 1996)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 21 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Wings of Death – World 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdyYvUc9duw), by Jochen Hippel (Amiga, 1990)
vs.
Salamander 2 – Sensation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuJGhdLFr7g), by Naoki Maeda (Arcade, 1996)
————————————————————————————————————————————
If the Super Dodge Ball track is not correct let me know.
Salamander 2
Salamander 2
Salamander 2 – Sensation
Wings of Death
Glad to be back. Thanks for keeping it posted on fb when we were safe again.
Wings of Death – World 4
Wings of Death
Yay everything’s fine again, great news 🙂
Salamander 2
Round 1, Fight 30 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Secret of Evermore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnV7w_tpmpI), by Jeremy Soule (SNES, 1995)
vs.
Monster Maulers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYAYvkzNl0o), by Koezō (Arcade, 1993)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 22 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Contra – Energy Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URm8S4TlM0M), by Hidenori Maezawa & Kiyohiro Sada (NES, 1987)
vs.
Spyro 3 – Molten Crater (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt3rRBLMtRY), by Stewart Copeland & Ryan Beveridge (PSX, 2000)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Secret of Evermore and Contra plz
On another note, the Secret of Evermore link above goes to an arrangement. Here’s the original (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnV7w_tpmpI).
Secret of Evermore
Contra
———- Post added at 03:51 PM ———- Previous post was at 03:49 PM ———-
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to nx666 again.
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to arthurgolden again.
haha
Spyro 3
Contra – Energy Zone
Secret of Evermore
Spyro 3
Contra
Spyro 3
Round 1, Fight 31 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mother 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5m0_UUm408), by Hirokazu Tanaka (SNES, 1994)
vs.
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi0OG-DW320), by Alberto Gonzalez (GB, 1998)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 23 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man 3 – Shadow Man (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAwZS6Ksw0Q), by Yasuaki Fujita (NES, 1990)
vs.
Mega Man 2 – Heat Man (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OJphbcA9SY), by Takashi Tateishi (NES, 1988)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man 2 – Another interesting match-up for the ongoing discussion of what makes something sound like a fire theme (especially in chiptune form)
It’s hard for me to pass fair judgment in the second bracket because I just love the Mega Man 2 soundtrack as a whole too much, but I’m pretty sure I would take it always here anyway. Shadow Man sounds about as much like a fire level as its name suggests. <_<
Mega Man 2 – Heat Man
———- Post added at 09:24 AM ———- Previous post was at 09:06 AM ———-
Mega Man 2 – Another interesting match-up for the ongoing discussion of what makes something sound like a fire theme (especially in chiptune form)
Probably something like this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaMmfgwPLMM), considering the very narrow definition of a fire theme that most people in this thread seem to like 🙂
Megan Man 2
Probably something like this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaMmfgwPLMM), considering the very narrow definition of a fire theme that most people in this thread seem to like 🙂
Well, you’re not wrong XD
Mega Man 2
Round 1, Fight 32 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
GoldenEye 007 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRzysv0YQOQ), by Graeme Norgate, Grant Kirkhope, & Robin Beanland (N64, 1997)
vs.
Front Mission: Gun Hazard (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl1u5MnJ87I), by Nobuo Uematsu & Yasunori Mitsuda (SNES, 1996)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 24 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Zwei!! – Kenopi Volcano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfktFSDCaHE), by Falcom Sound Team jdk (PS2, 2001)
vs.
Final Fantasy VI – Another World of Beasts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWoJQTuZzcg), by Nobuo Uematsu (SNES, 1994)
————————————————————————————————————————————
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Final Fantasy VI
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
Final Fantasy VI – Brutal pull for Zwei!!, which is a very good soundtrack
Final Fantasy VI
That Zwei! track reminded me of Chrono Cross, it’s a shame it was up against FFVI.
Merry Christmas all!
———- Post added at 12:41 PM ———- Previous post was at 11:50 AM ———-
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VI
Front Mission (5-0) and Final Fantasy VI (5-0) advance! That’s it for round 1 of the 90s themes. Now I finally don’t have to look these damn videos up in the group page. 😉
Round 2, Fight 1 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Wizardry V (https://youtu.be/8qAPNsiqT9k?t=47), by Kouhei Tanaka (FM Towns, 1990)
vs.
Star Ocean: The Second Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPUSEjpLiD0), by Motoi Sakuraba (PSX, 1998)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 25 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Fire Emblem: Awakening – Chaos Ablaze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x8J-c4cVec), by Hiroki Morishita & Rei Kondoh (3DS, 2012)
vs.
Axelay – Burning (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILvtXMjSJl0), by Taro Kudo (SNES, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Sorry to hear you’re sick, whatever it is has been making the rounds where I live, too.
Fire Emblem: Awakening
I pray that you’ll get better soon!
Axelay – burning
Axelay – Burning
I’m done with extending ties formally; it’s just pointless bulk. If anyone wants to break any ties you’re welcome to until a round has finished.
Flip is Tails.
Wizardry V (3-3) and Fire Emblem: Awakening (4-2) advance!
Round 2, Fight 2 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Planescape: Tourment (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gVtPrtJCiE), by Richard Band (Windows, 1999)
vs.
Mystic Square (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7P4EXNihvI), by ZUN (PC98, 1998)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 26 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Mario RPG – Barrel Volcano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgSwxY5cW_o), by Yoko Shimomura (SNES, 1996)
vs.
Ys II – Lava Colony (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4X339k0RyM), by Yuzo Koshiro, Mieko Ishikawa, & Hideya Nagata (PC, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
———- Post added at 11:33 PM ———- Previous post was at 11:27 PM ———-
In other news, I’ve been playing a lot of Danganronpa lately and fell in love with this song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WZb20NinCs).
Ys II – Lava Colony
Thanks for the recommendation! I liked that track a lot.
Super Mario RPG
I like both 90s tracks better than either Fire track
Super Mario RPG
Ys II – Lava Colony – This track is from the 2000 Windows remake Ys II Eternal. The composers might be different as well (http://vgmdb.net/album/1698).
Super Mario RPG
That Danganronpa song is pretty interesting!
Ys II
Round 2, Fight 3 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Dodge Ball (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np7-xrlYhLg&t=1345), by Ida (Arcade, 1996)
vs.
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rNpeBAjAiI), by Nobuo Uematsu (SNES, 1994)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 27 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kid Chameleon – Underground Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPLqBJW7UK8), by Mark Miller (SMD, 1992)
vs.
Sonic Adventure – Red Hot Skull (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNVz6N-bNZs), by many artists (Dreamcast, 1998)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Let me know if the Kid Chameleon link is wrong; I couldn’t find anything claiming that exact name.
Kid Chameleon I guess…
Final Fantasy VI – I just replayed this for the first time in years and fell in love with it again. Still my favorite in the series.
Kid Chameleon – When there was a Fire Levels thread many years ago, the Red Hot Skull track was the most frequent recommendation. I included it in the rumble in case it was just me missing something.
Sonic Adventure
Sonic Adventure
Sonic Adventure
Kid Chameleon – Underground Cave
Heads wins the toss! We’ve had quite a few ties lately. Once again, anyone who hasn’t voted yet is welcome to go through and break them until the round ends. Actual opinions overrule rng.
Final Fantasy VI (6-0) and Kid Chameleon (3-3) advance!
Round 2, Fight 4 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Panzer Dragoon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peoRBj9U-jI&t=2995), by Yoshitaka Azuma (Saturn, 1995)
vs.
Super Turrican (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nulxq8HOFw), by Chris H???lsbeck (SNES, 1993)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 28 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Granada – Bumpy Road (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGMOp7zmeeo), by Motoi Sakuraba & Masaaki Uno (X68k, 1990)
vs.
Thunder Force 3 – Gorgon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYXmA0pb-MY), by Toshiharu Yamanishi & Tomomi Otani (SMD, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Gorgon was also missing from the playlist. Please let me know if the linked video is wrong.
Granada
Panzer Dragoon
Granada
Thunder Force 3 – Gorgon
Granada
Thunder Force 3 – Gorgon
Thunder Force 3
AHAHAHAH! Three way tie!
Oh god, guys, I’m so sorry.
Thunder Force 3
AHAHAHAH! Three way tie!
Oh god, guys, I’m so sorry.
XD
Granada – Bumpy Road, by Motoi Sakuraba & Masaaki Uno (X68k, 1990)
Granada – Bumpy Road, by Motoi Sakuraba & Masaaki Uno (X68k, 1990)
Thank you!
updating tonight probably
Round 2, Fight 5 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Shadows of Cairn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bib660W4LMA), by Brian McCulloch (DOS, 1994)
vs.
Mother 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5m0_UUm408), by Hirokazu Tanaka (SNES, 1994)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 29 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm – Burning Steppes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m3BjZXOfCM), by many artists (PC, 2010)
vs.
Undertale – Another Medium (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLsuam9o9BA), by Toby Fox (PC, 2015)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Undertale
Undertale
Undertale
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm – Burning Steppes, by many artists (PC, 2010)
Undertale – Another Medium, by Toby Fox (PC, 2015)
in this instance, the wow one is great, but undertale is amazing :O
I’ve never heard music like this before. Probably have but it’s fantastic
Thanks for getting me onto undertale haha
Undertale – Another Medium
Undertale
I’ll try to update tomorrow
Undertale
Not that my votes make a difference at this point, but I felt strongly compelled to chime in anyway.
Round 2, Fight 6 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn5K-NNmgTM), by Yasunori Mitsuda (SNES, 1995)
vs.
Explosive Breaker (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiEz3ws5tzI), by Tatsuya Watanabe (Arcade, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 30 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Metroid – Norfair (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9j0oinD6xE), by Kenji Yamamoto & Minako Hamano (SNES, 1994)
vs.
Shovel Knight – Lost City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BtuU4oEkQg), by Jake Kaufman & Manami Matsumae (PC, 2014)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Metroid
Super Metroid
Chrono Trigger
Shovel Knight – Lost City
I’m a sheep
Chrono Trigger
Super Metroid
I’m a sheep
Chrono Trigger
Super Metroid
Me, too…baaaaaa
Shovel Knight – Lost City
I’m a rebel
Chrono Trigger (5-1) and Super Metroid (4-2) advance!
Round 2, Fight 7 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Elemental Master (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkobFdtzLSA), by Toshiharu Yamanishi (SMD, 1990)
vs.
Donkey Kong Country 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRdIK_hbeYM), by Dave Wise (SNES, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 31 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Clustertruck – Hell is Other Trucks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvazwo2KdZk), by Karl Flodin (PC, 2016)
vs.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz – Volcanic Pools (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5yPRda5vL4), by Yuri Fukuda & Takashi Nagasaka (Wii, 2006)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Clustertruck
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz – Volcanic Pools, by Yuri Fukuda & Takashi Nagasaka (Wii, 2006)
Clustertruck – Hell is Other Trucks
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
Cluster Truck
Elemental Master
Clustertruck
Might change later. Update probably tonight.
Round 2, Fight 8 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Secret of Evermore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnV7w_tpmpI), by Jeremy Soule (SNES, 1995)
vs.
Front Mission: Gun Hazard (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl1u5MnJ87I), by Nobuo Uematsu & Yasunori Mitsuda (SNES, 1996)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 32 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe – Netherrealm (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoG67JzhEe4), by many artists (PS3, 2008)
vs.
Super Mario Galaxy – Melty Molten Galaxy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJsXoRYptG8), by Mahito Yokota & Koji Kondo (Wii, 2007)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy
Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe – Netherrealm
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy
Moving on to round 2 of the fire levels
Round 2, Fight 9 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Silver Surfer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g61Dr7QP4t0), by Tim Follin (NES, 1990)
vs.
Hinadori no Saezuri (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-kiiMFyEEc), by Hiroaki Sano (PC98, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 1 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man X6 – Blaze Heatnix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me3Me0jikwE), by Naoto Tanaka (PSX, 2001)
vs.
Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy – Volcanic Crater (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZg0CTifQ-4), by Josh Mancell (PS2, 2001)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Mega Man X6
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Mega Man X6 – Blaze Heatnix
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Round 2, Fight 10 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Comix Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S78Kv0O5AuY), by Howard Drossin (SMD, 1995)
vs.
Princess Maker 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKvGntQo-XU), by Masahiro Kajihara (FM Towns, 1993)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Final Fantasy VI – Another World of Beasts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWoJQTuZzcg), by Nobuo Uematsu (SNES, 1994)
vs.
Ys II – Lava Colony (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4X339k0RyM), by Yuzo Koshiro, Mieko Ishikawa, & Hideya Nagata (PC, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ys II – Lava Colony is probably just appealing to me more right now because it’s a novelty, whereas I’ve heard Another World of Beasts 100 times.
Final Fantasy VI
Ys II – Lava Colony is probably just appealing to me more right now because it’s a novelty, whereas I’ve heard Another World of Beasts 100 times.
Same
Ys II
Final Fantasy VI – Another World of Beasts
Ys II – Lava Colony is probably just appealing to me more right now because it’s a novelty, whereas I’ve heard Another World of Beasts 100 times.
Yes, me too.
Y2 II – Lava Colony
usually a howard drossin fan but that was surprisingly bland. i love his work on sonic spinball (perhaps the only human who does)
Round 2, Fight 11 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic 3D Blast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utakEuufwNY), by Jun Senoue & Tetsuyuki Maeda (SMD, 1996)
vs.
Solstice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDDIw8nax7s), by Tim Follin (NES, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 3 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Granada – Bumpy Road (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGMOp7zmeeo), by Motoi Sakuraba & Masaaki Uno (X68k, 1990)
vs.
Contra – Energy Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URm8S4TlM0M), by Hidenori Maezawa & Kiyohiro Sada (NES, 1987)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Contra – Could go either way on this one.
Contra
Don’t really care for either credits theme to be honest.
Contra
I wasn’t overly impressed by any of the contenders this round.
Contra – Energy Zone, by Hidenori Maezawa & Kiyohiro Sada (NES, 1987)
Contra – Energy Zone
Contra
Granada
Really enjoyed both of these
More (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm0d1D0I5p8&list=PL0JUbdF–Lfg_c8jOsvgDny3cFkiT-qZN&index=2). The kick drum in "Together Always" is plain bratty. It’s mixed so loud it’s like the arranger was trying to prove a point. What the hell happened.
Is this even real or is this some 14 year old’s basement project that got spoofed into an "official" release?
Wow that is rock bottom.
The arrangement credits include Kikuta and Koshiro how did this even…. yikes
EDIT: And Kikuta’s directly responsible for some of the worst of it. I’m speechless. Though there are plenty of other dirty hands. According to VGMdb (https://vgmdb.net/album/73689), the arrangers included ARM, Noriyuki Kamikura, Kikuo, Hiroki Kikuta, Yuzo Koshiro, sasakure.UK, Junichi Sato, Haruka Shimotsuki, Tsuyoshi Sekito, Koji Yamaoka, DE DE MOUSE, Tsutomu Narita, PinocchioP, and Sachiko Miyano. I don’t know most of those names.
Round 2, Fight 12 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Dynastic Hero (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUtDaIYxH-s), by Syn Sound Design (PCE, 1994)
vs.
Legend of Mana (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de1n8TRj91E), by Yoko Shimomura (PSX, 1999)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 4 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Metroid – Norfair (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9j0oinD6xE), by Kenji Yamamoto & Minako Hamano (SNES, 1994)
vs.
Elemental Master – Dance of Flame (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Aec2TyF5b4), by Toshiharu Yamanishi (SMD, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Elemental Master
Super Metroid – Shame. I like both.
Super Metroid – I really liked the way Elemental Master started out, but I didn’t enjoy it as much after the first ten or so seconds. I do enjoy the more industrial music for a fire theme and Super Metroid had that sound, plus I found it more enjoyable overall.
Elemental Master – Dance of Flame
Super Metroid
Super Metroid
Elemental Master – Dance of Flame
Super Metroid
Round 2, Fight 13 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Uridium 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWRcVLBH_cA), by Jason Page (Amiga, 1993)
vs.
Outlaws (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MS286HqUAg), by Clint Bajakian (Windows, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 5 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Undertale – Another Medium (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLsuam9o9BA), by Toby Fox (PC, 2015)
vs.
Life Force – Fire Field (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWKTf_4lqzk), by Konami Kukeiha Club (NES, 1987)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Undertale
Undertale
Undertale
the life force song is pretty catchy 🙂 still prefer undertale but it’s good
Undertale
Life Force – Fire Field
Undertale
Outlaws (3-3) and Undertale (5-1) advance!
Round 2, Fight 14 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ristar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyqJshmBpsM), by Tomoko Sasaki (SMD, 1995)
vs.
Streets of Rage 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXbIy0qWhnc), by Yuzo Koshiro (SMD, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 6 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kirby’s Epic Yarn – Lava Landing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHpLnHMSTQo), by Tomoya Tomita (Wii, 2010)
vs.
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Fire Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZGnJF1R0WU), by Koji Kondo (N64, 1998)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kirby’s Epic Yarn – Less traditionally fiery, but I find it really evocative
Kirby’s Epic Yarn
The Ristar song is decent, but Streets of Rage 2 is a little more polished to me.
I second arthurgolden’s sentiment on Kirby’s Epic Yarn.
Kirby’s Epic Yarn
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – I was actually going to go with Kirby first. I really like both of these, so it was a tough decision, but I gotta go with the more fiery sound that Zelda has.
Kirby’s Epic Yarn – Lava Landing
Kirby’s Epic Yarn
Legend of Zelda
I was actually going to go with Kirby first. I really like both of these, so it was a tough decision, but I gotta go with the more fiery sound that Zelda has.
Zelda’s always had good fire levels. I particularly like the twilight princess version.
Round 2, Fight 15 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO6gDzHKXcs), by Minae Fujii (NES, 1991)
vs.
Secret of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFDYYM8lPiE), by Hiroki Kikuta (SNES, 1993)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 7 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
New Super Mario Bros. Wii – Volcano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt-E4OMWTZE), by o Fujii, Ryo Nagamatsu, & Kenta Nagata (Wii, 2009)
vs.
Donkey Kong Country 2 – Hothead Bop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlFYSIyAGmA), by Eveline Fischer & Dave Wise (SNES, 1996)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Donkey Kong Country 2
Hothead Bop
Donkey Kong Country 2 – Hothead Bop
Donkey Kong Country 2
Well I guess this one isn’t fixing to be much of a contest.
Lol. Probably because Mega Man 4 just sounds like discount Title Theme from 2. Also NSMB Wii’s music wasn’t quite as earth-shattering as DKC2.
Mega Man 4
New Super Mario Bros
Round 2, Fight 16 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Little Big Adventure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ4AThqVS7k), by Philippe Vachey (DOS, 1994)
vs.
The Last Express (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxg9RiEXsx4), by Elia Cmiral (Windows, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 8 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Lords of Magic – Theme of Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPryTP_htDA), by Keith Zizza (PC, 1997)
vs.
Prophecy 1: The Viking Child – Level 7 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9JGGpK-1jw), by Barry Leitch (Amiga, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Lords of Magic
Lords of Magic
Prophecy 1
Lords of Magic
Lords of magic i think is probably the sound of fire i think of. It even has a campfire at the beginning of the music!
Prophecy 1: The Viking Child – Level 7
Prophecy 1
The Last Express (6-0) and Lords of Magic (3-3) advance. On to Round 3 of the 90s rumble!
Round 3, Fight 1 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Last Express (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxg9RiEXsx4), by Elia Cmiral (Windows, 1997)
vs.
Elemental Master (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkobFdtzLSA), by Toshiharu Yamanishi (SMD, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 9 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Mario Galaxy – Melty Molten Galaxy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJsXoRYptG8), by Mahito Yokota & Koji Kondo (Wii, 2007)
vs.
Musha Aleste – Offensive Overdrive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpjpNbfYJhk), by Toshiaki Sakoda (SMD, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Mario Galaxy
The Last Express
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy
Musha Aleste – Offensive Overdrive
Musha Aleste – Offensive Overdrive
Musha Aleste
Super Mario Galaxy – Melty Molten Galaxy, by Mahito Yokota & Koji Kondo (Wii, 2007)
Round 3, Fight 2 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mother 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5m0_UUm408), by Hirokazu Tanaka (SNES, 1994)
vs.
Hinadori no Saezuri (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-kiiMFyEEc), by Hiroaki Sano (PC98, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 10 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Bucky O’Hare – Red Planet (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTZ8Oq2dafE), by Tomoko Sumiyama (NES, 1992)
vs.
Mega Man 2 – Heat Man (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OJphbcA9SY), by Takashi Tateishi (NES, 1988)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man 2
Bucky O’Hare
Bucky O’Hare – Red Planet
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man 2 – Heat Man, by Takashi Tateishi (NES, 1988)
Mega Man 2
Mega Man 2
Bucky O’Hare both of these tracks are really catchy but don’t go quite as far as I’d like. If either had a little closing line after repeating once I think I’d vote there always. Heat Man is obviously more familiar, but I think as 30 second loops go Red Planet feels a little less repetitive if sit through a full 3 minutes of each.
Round 3, Fight 3 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Princess Maker 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKvGntQo-XU), by Masahiro Kajihara (FM Towns, 1993)
vs.
Planescape: Tourment (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gVtPrtJCiE), by Richard Band (Windows, 1999)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 11 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Mario 64 – Lethal Lava Land (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6NgA48KWc0), by Koji Kondo (N64, 1996)
vs.
Salamander 2 – Sensation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuJGhdLFr7g), by Naoki Maeda (Arcade, 1996)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Salamander 2
SM64 sounds more fiery, but i like the instrumentation of Sensation more.
Also, Happy Easter!
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64
Salamander 2 <— pretty much what OSTGeek said
update tonight probably or next month some time
Salamander 2 – Sensation
Round 3, Fight 4 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Legend of Mana (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de1n8TRj91E), by Yoko Shimomura (PSX, 1999)
vs.
Secret of Evermore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnV7w_tpmpI), by Jeremy Soule (SNES, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 12 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Fire Emblem: Awakening – Chaos Ablaze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x8J-c4cVec), by Hiroki Morishita & Rei Kondoh (3DS, 2012)
vs.
Clustertruck – Hell is Other Trucks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvazwo2KdZk), by Karl Flodin (PC, 2016)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Ugh. I really like all four tracks.
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Both credits are great and both composers are great, but I enjoy Shimomura’s piece a little bit more.
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Clustertruck best track in the fire rumble imo
————————————————————————————————————————————
Secret of Evermore, by Jeremy Soule (SNES, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 12 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Clustertruck – Hell is Other Trucks, by Karl Flodin (PC, 2016)
Clustertruck
i think cluster truck just inches over for me.
Clustertruck – Hell is Other Trucks
Round 3, Fight 5 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic 3D Blast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utakEuufwNY), by Jun Senoue & Tetsuyuki Maeda (SMD, 1996)
vs.
Final Fantasy VI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rNpeBAjAiI), by Nobuo Uematsu (SNES, 1994)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 13 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Aladdin – Arab Rock 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_0Vl0Yzvfc), by Donald Griffin & Tommy Tallarico (SMD, 1993)
vs.
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTnzgHmzdPM), by Yasunori Mitsuda (PSX, 1999)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Death Volcano
FF6 probably has one of the best credits pieces ever, no offense to Sonic.
Both fire tracks are SO good, but Chrono Cross is Chrono Cross. Aladdin is fine, but it’s not Chrono Cross.
Chrono Cross
Chrono Cross
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano
Chrono Cross
Chrono Cross
Sonic 3D Blast (3-3) and Chrono Cross (6-0) advance!
Round 3, Fight 6 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Outlaws (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MS286HqUAg), by Clint Bajakian (Windows, 1997)
vs.
Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn5K-NNmgTM), by Yasunori Mitsuda (SNES, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 14 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mario Kart 64 – Bowser’s Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqW7Lj9g8rM), by Kenta Nagata (N64, 1996)
vs.
Genocide 2 – Red-Hot Atmosphere (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6moeXrMasE&feature=youtu.be&t=2283), by Hideyuki Shimono & Naoyuki Kimura (DOS, 1991)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Trigger
Mario Kart 64
:-\ I like all four tracks in this competition, too.
Mario Kart 64
Chrono Trigger
Genocide 2
Chronic Trigger
Genocide 2
I actually enjoy all the tracks here, but I felt these two were better representatives of their respective categories.
Genocide 2 – Red-Hot Atmosphere
Genocide 2
On another note. i like the genocide soundtrack. what other games have soundtracks like it?
The CD soundtrack of the Genocide 2 DOS port was arranged by soundTeMP, a Korean sound team. I uploaded Astrocounter of Crescents (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqC9xyeBWPo) on Youtube a couple of years ago which is another soundTemp score with a lot of similar tracks. Funnily, the only comment under the video is from the composer himself.
But that style of synth rock was also pretty common in Japanese CD soundtracks from the early 90s. If you pick a random shmup or action game released on PC Engine CD or FM Towns then there is a pretty good chance that it will sound like that.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mario Kart 64 – Bowser’s Castle, by Kenta Nagata (N64, 1996)
Round 3, Fight 7 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Streets of Rage 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXbIy0qWhnc), by Yuzo Koshiro (SMD, 1992)
vs.
Wizardry V (https://youtu.be/8qAPNsiqT9k?t=47), by Kouhei Tanaka (FM Towns, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 15 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Wonder Boy in Monster World – Pyramid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXEMABs3A1E), by Shinichi Sakamoto (SMD, 1991)
vs.
Granstream Saga – Lava Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZKw9XpmwXw), by Masanori Hikichi, Miyoko Takaoka, & Takako Ochiai (PSX, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Granstream Saga
All the tracks were SO good
Granstream Saga
Granstream Saga
couldn’t agree more hah
Wizardry V
Granstream Saga
Wonder Boy in Monster World – Pyramid
————————————————————————————————————————————
Granstream Saga – Lava Cave, by Masanori Hikichi, Miyoko Takaoka, & Takako Ochiai (PSX, 1997)
Wonder Boy in Monster World – I liked both of these but I like this one better as a fire theme.
Round 3, Fight 8 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Secret of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFDYYM8lPiE), by Hiroki Kikuta (SNES, 1993)
vs.
Panzer Dragoon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peoRBj9U-jI&t=2995), by Yoshitaka Azuma (Saturn, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 16 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game – Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hGF83f7gNA), by Mutsuhiko Izumi, Miki HIgashino, & Kozo Nakamura (Arcade, 1989)
vs.
Kid Chameleon – Underground Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPLqBJW7UK8), by Mark Miller (SMD, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game – Fire The Kid Chameleon song grates on my senses unfortunately.
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game – Fire
Kid Chameleon
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kid Chameleon – Underground Cave, by Mark Miller (SMD, 1992)
TMNT 2
TMNT 2
Secret of Mana (4-3) and TMNT 2 (5-2) advance!
Quarterfinals, Fight 1 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Legend of Mana (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de1n8TRj91E), by Yoko Shimomura (PSX, 1999)
vs.
Mother 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5m0_UUm408), by Hirokazu Tanaka (SNES, 1994)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 1 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kirby’s Epic Yarn – Lava Landing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHpLnHMSTQo), by Tomoya Tomita (Wii, 2010)
vs.
Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy – Volcanic Crater (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZg0CTifQ-4), by Josh Mancell (PS2, 2001)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kirby’s Epic Yarn
Yikes, two of the best in the mix here. I dunno, Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, might switch it later
Kirby’s Epic Yarn
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kirby’s Epic Yarn – Lava Landing, by Tomoya Tomita (Wii, 2010)
Jak and Daxter – these are both solid fire level tracks
Jak and Daxter
Quarterfinals, Fight 2 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Secret of Mana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFDYYM8lPiE), by Hiroki Kikuta (SNES, 1993)
vs.
The Last Express (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxg9RiEXsx4), by Elia Cmiral (Windows, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 2 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Genocide 2 – Red-Hot Atmosphere (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6moeXrMasE&feature=youtu.be&t=2283), by Hideyuki Shimono & Naoyuki Kimura (DOS, 1991)
vs.
Undertale – Another Medium (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLsuam9o9BA), by Toby Fox (PC, 2015)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Undertale
Genocide 2 – Red-Hot Atmosphere
Genocide 2
Undertale
I’m not sure what other unusually dominant performances have happened in this game over the years, but this is actually the first vote ever cast against The Last Express. It is currently sitting at 21-1.
Undertale
Genocide 2 – I didn’t realize how much this song dominated!
Quarterfinals, Fight 3 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Planescape: Tourment (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gVtPrtJCiE), by Richard Band (Windows, 1999)
vs.
Sonic 3D Blast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utakEuufwNY), by Jun Senoue & Tetsuyuki Maeda (SMD, 1996)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 3 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Clustertruck – Hell is Other Trucks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvazwo2KdZk), by Karl Flodin (PC, 2016)
vs.
Ys II – Lava Colony (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4X339k0RyM), by Yuzo Koshiro, Mieko Ishikawa, & Hideya Nagata (PC, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ys II
Clustertruck
I like all four of the tracks. Tough choices.
Ys II
————————————————————————————————————————————
Planescape: Tourment, by Richard Band (Windows, 1999)
Round 3, Fight 3 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ys II – Lava Colony, by Yuzo Koshiro, Mieko Ishikawa, & Hideya Nagata (PC, 1997)
Clustertruck
Two easiest votes I’ve made all game.
Clustertruck
Ys II
Clustertruck – Hell is Other Trucks
2018 Final Fantasy Rumble is a go. (Thread 224371) Check it out. 😉
Coins came up Tails and Heads. Planescape: Tourment (4-4) and Clustertruck (4-4) advance!
Quarterfinals, Fight 4 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn5K-NNmgTM), by Yasunori Mitsuda (SNES, 1995)
vs.
Wizardry V (https://youtu.be/8qAPNsiqT9k?t=47), by Kouhei Tanaka (FM Towns, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 4 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Mario 64 – Lethal Lava Land (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6NgA48KWc0), by Koji Kondo (N64, 1996)
vs.
Lords of Magic – Theme of Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPryTP_htDA), by Keith Zizza (PC, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Trigger, by Yasunori Mitsuda (SNES, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 4 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Mario 64 – Lethal Lava Land, by Koji Kondo (N64, 1996)
Lords of Magic
Lords of Magic
EDIT: twinning
Lords of Magic
Lords of Magic
Super Mario 64 – Lords of Magic was super impressive! Despite that, yet again, I still enjoyed the simplicity of Lethal Lava Land better for a fire theme.
Lords of Magic – Theme of Fire
Lords of Magic
Wizardry was really good, but nostalgia won.
Semifinals, Fight 1 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Legend of Mana (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de1n8TRj91E), by Yoko Shimomura (PSX, 1999)
vs.
Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn5K-NNmgTM), by Yasunori Mitsuda (SNES, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 5 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game – Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hGF83f7gNA), by Mutsuhiko Izumi, Miki HIgashino, & Kozo Nakamura (Arcade, 1989)
vs.
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTnzgHmzdPM), by Yasunori Mitsuda (PSX, 1999)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Cross
Chrono Cross
These felt way too easy for how far in we are hah
Chrono Cross
Chrono Cross
Chrono Cross
Chrono Cross
I’m sorry Legend of Mana. This was a tough choice but i’m glad to make it
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano
Chronic Cross
Semifinals, Fight 2 // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Planescape: Tourment (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gVtPrtJCiE), by Richard Band (Windows, 1999)
vs.
The Last Express (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxg9RiEXsx4), by Elia Cmiral (Windows, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 6 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Mario Galaxy – Melty Molten Galaxy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJsXoRYptG8), by Mahito Yokota & Koji Kondo (Wii, 2007)
vs.
Granstream Saga – Lava Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZKw9XpmwXw), by Masanori Hikichi, Miyoko Takaoka, & Takako Ochiai (PSX, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Granstream Saga
Granstream Saga
Ditto
Granstream Saga
Granstream Saga Seems more fiery to me
Granstream Saga – Lava Cave
————————————————————————————————————————————
Planescape: Tourment, by Richard Band (Windows, 1999)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 6 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Granstream Saga – Lava Cave, by Masanori Hikichi, Miyoko Takaoka, & Takako Ochiai (PSX, 1997)
Super Mario Galaxy
FINAL MATCH // 90s Credits
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Trigger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn5K-NNmgTM), by Yasunori Mitsuda (SNES, 1995)
vs.
The Last Express (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxg9RiEXsx4), by Elia Cmiral (Windows, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
———- Post added at 09:09 PM ———- Previous post was at 09:08 PM ———-
"The Last Express OS…" The YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated due to multiple third-party notifications of copyright infringement."
riiiiiiiiiip
well that’s awkward
———- Post added at 09:11 PM ———- Previous post was at 09:09 PM ———-
Chrono Trigger
Only Legend of Mana made me vote against Chrono Trigger
What happened to the fire levels fight?
I usually let a final match-up run solo
Gotcha. I haven’t been around long enough to see that i guess lol.
I suppose it’s not much of a coincidence that when I started working on this category four years ago I named the discussion topic "To Far Away Times ~90s Credit Themes~".
Chrono Trigger wins! with an easy 7-1 walk to the finish line.
What’s up next? Well uh… ask arthur? I’ve been slanking. Got some ideas floating around but I haven’t really started on any of them.
Round 3, Fight 7 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Metroid – Norfair (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9j0oinD6xE), by Kenji Yamamoto & Minako Hamano (SNES, 1994)
vs.
Donkey Kong Country 2 – Hothead Bop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlFYSIyAGmA), by Eveline Fischer & Dave Wise (SNES, 1996)
————————————————————————————————————————————
NARFNra’s custom rumble (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=486&do=discuss)
vs.
Best of 1997 (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1138&pp=10&do=discuss)
Need work:
Final Fantasy XIII
Best of 2016
Touhou
Not started yet:
Ys series
A custom 16 from another rumbler (mine was two years ago, Shad’s was over a year ago)
Best of 1997
Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Donkey Kong Country 2 – Hothead Bop, by Eveline Fischer & Dave Wise (SNES, 1996)
==================
Better game? Metriod.
Better song? DKC2.
Word, up, ya’ll.
1997
Better song? DKC2.
Word, up, ya’ll.
For real
1997
Round 3, Fight 8 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Contra – Energy Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URm8S4TlM0M), by Hidenori Maezawa & Kiyohiro Sada (NES, 1987)
vs.
Mega Man 2 – Heat Man (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OJphbcA9SY), by Takashi Tateishi (NES, 1988)
————————————————————————————————————————————
————————————————————————————————————————————
Contra – Energy Zone, by Hidenori Maezawa & Kiyohiro Sada (NES, 1987)
===============================================
Kind of torn on this one, but the Contra song is so damn burned into my brain that it works both in a literal and figurative ‘fire’ song.
XD
Best of 1997 is ready to go. Song links in the group thread.
Quarterfinals, Fight 1 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTnzgHmzdPM), by Yasunori Mitsuda (PSX, 1999)
vs.
Clustertruck – Hell is Other Trucks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvazwo2KdZk), by Karl Flodin (PC, 2016)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 1 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Curse of Monkey Island (Windows, Michael Land)
Sample tracks: Arr, Barbery Coast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-IBkhdCC5M), Sun Over Puerto Pollo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONTBF_ISg5s), Do Not Mock the Voodoo Priestess (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adydViynL7k), Wally’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XpEZaBcaPE), A Pirate I was Meant to Be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt8yj7vauBk)
vs.
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (PSX, Eriko Imura)
Sample tracks: Count Three (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8CKaezV19g), Blue Cave Echo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiCwhw_Oik4), The Closing Encounter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v64adqW049w), Balue & Lephise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV6VMXqnlnY), I’m on Your Side (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U_HFQdyKeQ)
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Curse of Monkey Island
Btw, some of your links are broken.
———- Post added at 10:47 PM ———- Previous post was at 10:46 PM ———-
if any of them still don’t work lmk; I won’t actually be listening to them for another day or two
Klonoa – No contest for me. The Curse of Monley Island is great, but Klonoa’s soundtrack is loaded.
Klonoa
Klonoa
Klonoa
Klonoa
Curse of monkey island had a good few tracks but klonoa was way more consistent for me.
I just wanted to add the fire level was a tough choice to me, i really appreciate both of them.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano, by Yasunori Mitsuda (PSX, 1999)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 1 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (PSX, Eriko Imura)
================================================== ====
Better games. Better soundtrack. Papa Smurf’s.
The Curse of Monkey Island
Quarterfinals, Fight 2 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Granstream Saga – Lava Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZKw9XpmwXw), by Masanori Hikichi, Miyoko Takaoka, & Takako Ochiai (PSX, 1997)
vs.
Lords of Magic – Theme of Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPryTP_htDA), by Keith Zizza (PC, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Monster Rancher (PSX, Makoto Hosoi & Takuya Hanaoka)
Sample tracks: Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BYNkm-_294), Ranch (Spring and Fall) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lCPWU29C8k), Ranch (Winter) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y0EzG7scXY), Training (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZhgKNa4Ivk), Rest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAtPq9dNuM8)
vs.
Interstate ’76 (Windows, Arion Salazar)
Sample tracks: Interstate 76 Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayO7P3-uCRk), Pimp Like Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BopLVaIx3lw), They Call Me Swinger (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yarot5sy4o), Spineless Funk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSqOn146Nz0), Macadamia Medley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Emo3-EN8AJ8)
————————————————————————————————————————————
————————————————————————————————————————————
Granstream Saga – Lava Cave, by Masanori Hikichi, Miyoko Takaoka, & Takako Ochiai (PSX, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Monster Rancher (PSX, Makoto Hosoi & Takuya Hanaoka)
Sample tracks: Title Screen, Ranch (Spring and Fall), Ranch (Winter), Training, Rest
Interstate ’76 ~~not really impressed with either of these, but Interstate ’76 is more of a style clash for me where Monster Rancher just feels really generic at what it’s trying to achieve.
Interstate ’76 – I feel the same way as Shad on this one.
Interstate ’76
Interstate ’76 – the Monster Rancher music was pretty boring
Interstate ’76
Quarterfinals, Fight 3 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Contra – Energy Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URm8S4TlM0M), by Hidenori Maezawa & Kiyohiro Sada (NES, 1987)
vs.
Genocide 2 – Red-Hot Atmosphere (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6moeXrMasE&feature=youtu.be&t=2283), by Hideyuki Shimono & Naoyuki Kimura (DOS, 1991)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 3 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Blade Runner (Windows, Frank Klepacki)
Sample tracks: Animoid Row (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1ulyU_whXI), Solitude (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylRMb3C1dA4), Piano Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVL3B1G9A80), Bounce (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81izE4ilpR4), One More Time, Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIUdans_hck)
vs.
Total Annihilation (Windows, Jeremy Soule)
Sample tracks: Introductionary Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ek3JvUBYaI), The March Unto Death (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2jS4ZaVOWA), Brutal Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mOG3Q8CSoY), Attack!!! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA-iag83kQc), Forest Green (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_9QO_76l_I)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Total Annihilation – both are pretty great
Blade Runner
————————————————————————————————————————————
Contra – Energy Zone, by Hidenori Maezawa & Kiyohiro Sada (NES, 1987)
Round 1, Fight 3 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Blade Runner (Windows, Frank Klepacki)
Sample tracks: Animoid Row, Solitude, Piano Theme, Bounce, One More Time, Love
Total Annihilation
Total Annihilation
Total Annihilation
Total Annihilation
Blade Runner ~~these are both great
———- Post added at 02:25 AM ———- Previous post was at 02:24 AM ———-
oooooooo I just made a 4-4 tie in a quarter-final
24 hoursish if anyone wants to break it
Quarterfinals, Fight 4 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kirby’s Epic Yarn – Lava Landing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHpLnHMSTQo), by Tomoya Tomita (Wii, 2010)
vs.
Donkey Kong Country 2 – Hothead Bop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlFYSIyAGmA), by Eveline Fischer & Dave Wise (SNES, 1996)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Thunder Force V (Saturn, Tsukumo Hyakutaro)
Sample tracks: Rising Blue Lightning (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjw1z8mPKdg), Steel of Destiny (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj_f7F-9n7Q), Legendary Wings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtlH9bprRPU), Electric Mind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsa_9JeZFP8), Last Letter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlFVUa80bv8)
vs.
Tekken 3 (Arcade, Nobuyoshi Sano, Keiichi Okabe, & Yuu Miyake)
Sample tracks: Yoshimitsu (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-P7t3zPrNw), Hwoarang (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hwXRXsB2us), Lei Wulong (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FqSRISWu8k), Jin Kazama (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcLPL8cPQ-8), Nina Williams (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2CQ3HEcBbc)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Tekken 3 – this is so 90’s, I love it!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Donkey Kong Country 2 – Hothead Bop, by Eveline Fischer & Dave Wise (SNES, 1996)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Tekken 3 (Arcade, Nobuyoshi Sano, Keiichi Okabe, & Yuu Miyake)
Sample tracks: Yoshimitsu, Hwoarang, Lei Wulong, Jin Kazama, Nina Williams
Thunder Force V
Tekken 3
Donkey Kong Country 2
Thunder Force V
Tekken 3
Happy 9th birthday to the rumble! Wow, im impressed it’s still going. must have a faithful few that come back each year.
Thunder Force V
Thunder Force V
Update in a bit, sorry for the delay
Semifinals, Fight 1 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Contra – Energy Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URm8S4TlM0M), by Hidenori Maezawa (NES, 1987)
vs.
Donkey Kong Country 2 – Hothead Bop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlFYSIyAGmA), by Eveline Fischer & Dave Wise (SNES, 1996)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 5 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Breath of Fire III (PSX, Yoshino Aoki & Akari Kaida)
Sample tracks: Dedicated to the Dragons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYxwVM1zM3I), These Little Things (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2Yr3ltoTp8), Do Your Best (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vO4oOmVazQ), Without a Care (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe3Sr4JmMXw), Battle in the Coming Days (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q6ceQ8DG3U)
vs.
Diddy Kong Racing (N64, David Wise)
Sample tracks: Title Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwU_WueGQQM), Pirate Lagoon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17Q9BJTxPlo), Hot Top Volcano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN5yJypyyRo), Darkmoon Caverns (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SjGGQuUOh4), Ancient Lake (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODUOBq92IxA)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Breath of Fire III
Breath of Fire III
Breath of Fire III ~This is actually one of my vgm guilty pleasures. I have listened to this soundtrack a lot and I’m excited to see how deep it can go.
BoF III
————————————————————————————————————————————
Contra – Energy Zone, by Hidenori Maezawa (NES, 1987)
Round 1, Fight 5 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Breath of Fire III (PSX, Yoshino Aoki & Akari Kaida)
Sample tracks: Dedicated to the Dragons, These Little Things, Do Your Best, Without a Care, Battle in the Coming Days
Diddy Kong Racing
BoF3
Diddy Kong Racing
Semifinals, Fight 2 // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTnzgHmzdPM), by Yasunori Mitsuda (PSX, 1999)
vs.
Granstream Saga – Lava Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZKw9XpmwXw), by Masanori Hikichi, Miyoko Takaoka, & Takako Ochiai (PSX, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 6 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Shining Force III (Saturn, Motoi Sakuraba)
Sample tracks: Flowing River, Light of the Moon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgP36oIBX6s), Flying Dragon of the Battlefield (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG1vfYetOH4), Scenario 1 Opening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oKCt6nrjwY), The Final Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yXWSucahc0), Ishahacut’s Room (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbwACC8mkAA)
vs.
Grandia (Saturn, Noriyuki Iwadare)
Sample tracks: Theme of Grandia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i36tXq7yK6c), Palm Harbor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp9KBQ4mRBs), Daito Town (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpwCOsg1yXU), Leen’s Love Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzJjFCq80Yg), Volley Rounds of Tension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq-xmGNMAe0)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Grandia – that first track immediately swayed it for me
Grandia ~tough call, but I think Grandia showcases more diversity
Grandia
Grandia
Grandia – I liked both, but that old school rpg feeling Grandia gives won me out.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano, by Yasunori Mitsuda (PSX, 1999)
Round 1, Fight 6 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Grandia (Saturn, Noriyuki Iwadare)
Sample tracks: Theme of Grandia, Palm Harbor, Daito Town, Leen’s Love Theme, Volley Rounds of Tension
FINAL MATCH // Fire Levels
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTnzgHmzdPM), by Yasunori Mitsuda (PSX, 1999)
vs.
Contra – Energy Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URm8S4TlM0M), by Hidenori Maezawa (NES, 1987)
————————————————————————————————————————————
I liked Clustertruck and Granstream Saga more than Chrono Cross and they both had the misfortune of facing it earlier, but that’s about it.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano, by Yasunori Mitsuda (PSX, 1999)
Re arthur. I think that being able to predict a win would come down to more than just the selection of songs. From personal experience, I was picking most of the based on taste (personal preference) or on the picture of fire that I had. Interestingly I actually associated more with clips with actual sounds of fire than themed around fire. This made me surprised by some of the tracks that were totally not what I was going for. For instance, i would have never guessed that Clustertruck would be so compelling based on the use of rock guitars. All that to say, wouldn’t you need to be wise about where people have voted? That’d be something to graph hah.
There were other songs I liked waaaay more as a fire theme, but were defeated earlier in the rumble. Between these two it’s no contest for me, although I am a bit surprised to see it’s going to be a blowout!
What’s up next? We’ve got NARFNra’s custom (16), nx666’s custom (16), OSTGeek64’s custom (16), and Video Game Music Covers (32 or 64) available that I’m aware of.
Round 1, Fight 7 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Vantage Master (Windows, Falcom Sound Team jdk)
Sample tracks: The Dawn of Creation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alBuMuTpVKo), A Folk Dance of Shadows and Shimmers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBoCghEF5CU), Return of the Champion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwXwvDd9KtQ), Ancient City of the Gods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGVw_EM5Xzo), And so, on to a New Road (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3LlCGVfxvE)
vs.
Little Big Adventure 2 (Windows, Philippe Vachey)
Sample tracks: LBA’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Luco9VJvIU), The Empire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqWUzvFkP6c), Song of Gabriel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9zBpdZYYi4), Emerald Moon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_r5MqOr-UQ), Honey Bee (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pCD4JZQysU)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Next rumble will be a custom rumble since VGM Covers needs more time to bake. There’s new stuff for me to hear in each of these, and the custom rumbles don’t take long, so my inclination would be to do them in chronological order, as they’re represented below. But if people see a songlist that they’re especially excited to jump in to, let it be known. 😀
NARFNra’s Custom Rumble (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=486&do=discuss)
Thunder Force III – The Grubby Dark Blue
Maka Maka – Boss Battle
Space Manbow – Fire Warning
Battle Kid 2 – $1966 Volt Tower
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer – Stage 1
Darius Force/Supernova – Lame
The 7th Saga – Battle in a World of Fading Hope
Acrobat Mission – Countryside
Arcana – Second Armageddon
Gokujyo Parodius – What Do You See When You’re Jumping?
Sparkster (SNES) – Steel Works
Gimmick! – Long Tomorrow
Over Horizon – Stage 2
Zombie Nation – Exodus
Super Aleste – Space Cruiser
Live A Live – Knock You Down!
nx666’s Custom Rumble (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=486&pp=10&page=3&do=discuss)
Black It! (C64) – Title Screen
Dokkaebi-ga Ganda (MS-DOS) – Stage 4
Hioden II Dash (PC-9801) – Opening Demo [MT-32 version]
Hoi (Amiga) – Level 1
Inferno (MS-DOS) – Inferno
Interstate ’76 (Windows) – They Call Me Swinger
Kimi Dake ni Ai o… (X68000) – No Regrets
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver (X68000) – Boss Theme
Mahou Shoujo Fancy Coco (PC-9801) – Event 1
Metal Head (32X) – Final Boss
No Mercy (C64) – Ending
Pinball Illusions (Amiga) – Menu Theme
Providence (PC-8801) – Purifimia Country – Underground Cave
Trophy Bass 3D (Windows) – Menu Theme [SC-88 version]
Tyran (Amiga) – Easy Control
Ultima IX: Ascension (Windows) – Stones
OSTGeek64’s Custom Rumble (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=486&pp=10&page=3&do=discuss)
Parasite Eve – Main Theme (Orchestral Version)
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect – Menu Theme
Ys I & II (PCE) – First Step Towards Wars
Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia – EXEC_CHRONICLE_KEY/.
Genso Suikoden – Main Theme Arrange (Guitar Version)
Snowboard Kids – Big Snowman
The World Ends With You – It’s So Wonderful
Soul Calibur III – Healing Winds
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Justice for All – Announce the Truth 2002
Stardew Valley – Summer (Tropicala)
Cuphead – Elder Kettle
Persona 5 – Beneath the Mask
NieR: Automata – Weight of the World
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Wood Carving Partita
Sonic Colors – Reach for the Stars
Banjo-Tooie – Jinjo Village
While I would certainly like to do mine :), I don’t mind going in order. The other ones look exciting!
OSTGeek64 Custom Rumble
========
Round 1, Fight 7 // Best of 1997
—————————————————————————–
Little Big Adventure 2 (Windows, Philippe Vachey)
Sample tracks: LBA’s Theme, The Empire, Song of Gabriel, Emerald Moon, Honey Bee
OSTGeek64’s Custom Rumble
Looks like we’ll be kicking off OSTGeek’s game next!
Also, random.org was pretty harsh to the 1997 rumble this round. This match-up was probably coming sooner or later, but I wasn’t expecting the first round. Good luck!
Round 1, Fight 8 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Final Fantasy VII (PSX, Nobuo Uematsu)
Sample tracks: Still More Fighting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG7DYLdNBx0), One-Winged Angel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkiv78YoR3M), Aerith’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVzl7V-r3bU), Cosmo Canyon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxSOPvFL2xk), J-E-N-O-V-A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsLiUlKeyvk)
vs.
Final Fantasy Tactics (PSX, Hitoshi Sakimoto & Masaharu Iwata)
Sample tracks: Trisection (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmUsHH5lxsA), Antipyretic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ydZsK60gdI), Team Making (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM7HpuU7Q6Q), Pray (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNtGwBgP28o), Attack Team (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG_S7BSBjIk)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 1 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Banjo‐Tooie ‐ Jinjo Village (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oXPFtv818c), by Grant Kirkhope (N64, 2000)
vs.
Stardew Valley ‐ Summer (Tropicala) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7sDUAALYSM), by Eric Barone (Windows, 2016)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Stardew Valley – Glad to have Stardew Valley finally represented in a rumble 😀
Banjo‐Tooie
Ummmmmm. Stardew Valley
Banjo‐Tooie ‐ Jinjo Village
————————————————————————————————————————————
Final Fantasy VII (PSX, Nobuo Uematsu)
Sample tracks: Still More Fighting, One-Winged Angel, Aerith’s Theme, Cosmo Canyon, J-E-N-O-V-A
Round 1, Fight 1 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Banjo‐Tooie ‐ Jinjo Village, by Grant Kirkhope (N64, 2000)
Stardew Valley
Banjo‐Tooie ‐ Jinjo Village, by Grant Kirkhope (N64, 2000)
it’s a weird choice for the first one considering 7 was my first rpg.
Round 1, Fight 9 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Outlaws (Windows, Clint Bajakian)
Sample tracks: Outlaws (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evXZbJhEl_A), Sanctuary (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ1_-Kcjcg0), Anna’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HfFMpzByoM), Sanchez the Outlaw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MS286HqUAg), Showdown (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw3n_WPQK5A)
vs.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSX, Michiru Yamane)
Sample tracks: Marble Gallery (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zufg6phdrY0), Requiem for the Gods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GLUZ9MKSZc), Abandoned Pit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhIf_zV6yK0), Dance of Pales (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot3M8D984PU), Wood Carving Partita (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0UoyFS7Ww)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Soul Calibur III ‐ Healing Winds (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIvyEZ5oWTY), by various artists (PS2, 2005)
vs.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ‐ Wood Carving Partita (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0UoyFS7Ww), by Michiru Yamane (PSX, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Double vision.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Wood Carving Partita
Wood Carving Partita
Oh wow.
Prologue theme. just saying.
Edit: Awww would have voted Tactics in the previous one…
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSX, Michiru Yamane)
Sample tracks: Marble Gallery, Requiem for the Gods, Abandoned Pit, Dance of Pales, Wood Carving Partita
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ‐ Wood Carving Partita, by Michiru Yamane (PSX, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ‐ Wood Carving Partita
Of course, everyone is always welcome to develop their own themes as well or make a custom rumble (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=486&do=discuss) of their favorite vgm songs. You can also view ideas that have been suggested but not yet developed on the suggestions (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=100&do=discuss) thread.
Round 1, Fight 10 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultima Online (Windows, Kirk Winterrowd, Joe Basquez, & Hal Milton)
Sample tracks: Stones Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mDcGDx4QyA), Linelle / Plains Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GlM_6l8eu4), Jhelom Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RzC1g8eDEE), Vesper Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svmbI811xm0), Buccaneer’s Den (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xOVHcFnsBA)
vs.
Tomb Raider II (PSX, Nathan McCree)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShP7its_Rio), Venice Violins (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWsICxqgt5w), The Skidoo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOy6zrJmLKE), Swimming Isles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEbH3KuX_1Q), Yetis! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii7y8-p8Gq4)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 3 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
The World Ends with You ‐ It’s So Wonderful (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V9-vEspL-k), by Takeharu Ishimoto (DS, 2007)
vs.
Suikoden ‐ Main Theme Arrange (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTVBdvy6WE0), by Miki Higashino (PSX, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultima Online (Windows, Kirk Winterrowd, Joe Basquez, & Hal Milton)
Sample tracks: Stones Theme, Linelle / Plains Theme, Jhelom Theme, Vesper Theme, Buccaneer’s Den
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 3 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Suikoden ‐ Main Theme Arrange, by Miki Higashino (PSX, 1995)
The World Ends With You
Suikoden – I don’t think I’m surprising anyone with this vote
The World Ends with You 😮
Ultima Online impressed me enough to download it next time I go on a soundtrack binge. Love the sort of subdued tone that persists through all of it.
Main Theme Arrange is nice but pretty far from my favorite Suikoden tracks. TWEwY was a really pleasant surprise from a game I’ve never heard of and I could see myself voting it pretty deep into this.
Suikoden
The World Ends with You – This was really catchy!
Suikoden ‐ Main Theme Arrange
Suikoden
I guess i just like more tracks from ultima (never heard either)
Round 1, Fight 11 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Tales of Destiny (PSX, Motoi Sakuraba & Shinji Tamura)
Sample tracks: Preview (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kuz7QJQzmhs), Bared Fangs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvkavH03N68), Despair (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfGPMkeaMM0), Rebel Against Destiny (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPuEg-M7-FU), Dead or Alive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5dmDM6jJ5s)
vs.
Dungeon Keeper (Windows, Russell Shaw)
Sample tracks: The Horned Reaper (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjbXb2xPdgE), It’s Construction Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3c4j62qHIk), Soft Flute (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2fcgz9NeA0), Mystic Tunnels (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYg9yyLA3fU), Down Deep (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ducGVBjwdK8)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect ‐ Menu Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9zJNBFU5rU), by Tristan Reidford (PS2, 2005)
vs.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney − Justice for All ‐ Announce the Truth 2002 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k70–ZllmBo), by Naoto Tanaka (GBA, 2002)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Phoenix Wright
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect Menu Theme – a friend had introduced this track to me during our Freshman year of college. It’s been my favorite TS track for a while now.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Tales of Destiny (PSX, Motoi Sakuraba & Shinji Tamura)
Sample tracks: Preview, Bared Fangs, Despair, Rebel Against Destiny, Dead or Alive
Round 1, Fight 4 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect ‐ Menu Theme, by Tristan Reidford (PS2, 2005)
TimeSplitters – I liked both of these and I’m pretty sure my answer would change depending on my mood. At this moment I’m partial, if only ever so slightly, to TS.
Phoenix Wright
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect ‐ Menu Theme
Phoenix Wright
Phoenix Wright
Happy holidays to the Murican contingent here. Just got back from a brief vacation. 🙂
Dungeon Keeper (4-4) and TimeSplitters (4-4) advance!
Round 1, Fight 12 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Star Fox 64 (N64, Hajime Wakai & Koji Kondo)
Sample tracks: Opening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW-7Em3BYiA), Corneria (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omn_9rJC_60), Starwolf Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5ZBu3nHJkM), Boss B (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLdeWCLb2i4), Boss E (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfGCCYWFd1I)
vs.
Treasures of the Deep (PSX, Tommy Tallarico)
Sample tracks: Shipwrecked (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3PHp5T7lQ4), Diver Straits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-TMZTe1Ryk), Bermuda Triangle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXBPW5a4EQM), Atlantis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4mm3z4bh08), Training Dive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2bwlrlcAbQ)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 5 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Cuphead ‐ Elder Kettle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clVx1bccHpU), by Kristofer Maddigan (Windows, 2017)
vs.
Parasite Eve ‐ Main Theme (Orchestral Version) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q01M3w8uso), by Yoko Shimomura (PSX, 1998)
————————————————————————————————————————————
————————————————————————————————————————————
Star Fox 64 (N64, Hajime Wakai & Koji Kondo)
Sample tracks: Opening, Corneria, Starwolf Theme, Boss B, Boss E
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 5 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Cuphead ‐ Elder Kettle, by Kristofer Maddigan (Windows, 2017)
First was easy. Second was a toss up.
Main Theme (Orchestral Version) – one of my favorite compositions from anything ever.
Parasite eve (as one of the commenters said) "is Yoko Shimomura at her finest" so i have to go with that one.
Treasures of the Deep – Is Tommy Tallarico the first person in the video game industry to go from composer to company president? At the very least, it seems like an extremely unusual career arc.
Parasite Eve – Great to get Cuphead in a rumble. But it’s hard to beat Parasite Eve.
Treasures of the Deep
Parasite Eve
Parasite Eve tough match-up for Cuphead from the very beginning :/
Uh I’ll listen to the others in a bit. I have to make my vote post at least an hour before I update or it screws up the formatting when it merges posts….
edit: ok well Treasures of the Deep is winning anyway and I was probably going there anyway based on a quick sampling so I’m not going to put much thought into this one.
Round 1, Fight 13 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Age of Empires (Windows, Stephen & David Rippy)
Sample tracks: Conquest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o2aBk86UKY), Dawn of a New Age (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Llo8ckcrYgI), The Wind Gods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTeC4k7EuqQ), Awakening Spirits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jh3C8cKT3M), The Capture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-KepvSjJ3w)
vs.
I.Q.: Intelligent Qube (PSX, Takayuki Hattori)
Sample tracks: Sign (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgb1uUGZpkQ), The First Tide (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aAY-IGajxA), Ecliptic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL5HuwdW_P0), Courage and Hope (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymy5HOJt310), Depths (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFdN4qRvrv4)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 6 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Persona 5 ‐ Beneath the Mask (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suOoYogz_f0), by Shoji Meguro (PS3, 2016)
vs.
Ys I & II ‐ First Step Towards Wars (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yELuvkU32Lg), arranged by Ryo Yonemitsu (PCE, 1989)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Persona 5
Ys I & II – First Step Towards Wars
————————————————————————————————————————————
Age of Empires (Windows, Stephen & David Rippy)
Sample tracks: Conquest, Dawn of a New Age, The Wind Gods, Awakening Spirits, The Capture
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 6 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ys I & II ‐ First Step Towards Wars, arranged by Ryo Yonemitsu (PCE, 1989)
Persona 5
Ys I & II – First Step Towards Wars
Ys I & II – First Step Towards Wars
the second rumble was hard since i haven’t played either game so i had to go off like factor alone. hah
Ys I & II – First Step Towards Wars
Ys I & II
Oddly enough, I added the original version of First Step Towards Wars to a future game lineup just a few weeks ago.
Also I played Age of Empires all the time in high school, literally. It was back before security actually existed and some kid loaded it on all the school’s PCs. So I had to play it with the sound off and this is my first time actually hearing the music haha
I’ll update today. I got caught up in a multiplayer game that wouldn’t end.
Round 1, Fight 14 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mischief Makers (N64, Norio Hanzawa)
Sample tracks: Marina (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPgRACwmGy4), To1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBg4PcEi6E8), A Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czg7b9if_-M), Gloomy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux6amOB7rOQ), Esperance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDliiZvbvOI)
vs.
Alundra (PSX, Kohei Tanaka)
Sample tracks: The Wind that Shook the Earth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjQwjSX-hBo), The Use of Meia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf53sBB39kc), Kline’s Dream (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMdNJ5gPKNw), The Village of Inoa (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urGyhgzdSvQ), The Shrine of the Lake (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utz1kGaTN4M)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 7 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Snowboard Kids ‐ Big Snowman (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkH0qjQ8GNw), by Isao Kasai & Tomohiko Satou (N64, 1997)
vs.
NieR: Automata ‐ Weight of the World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egn_VNVKzI4), by Keiichi Okabe (PS4, 2017)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Snowboard Kids
————————————————————————————————————————————
Alundra (PSX, Kohei Tanaka)
Sample tracks: The Wind that Shook the Earth, The Use of Meia, Kline’s Dream, The Village of Inoa, The Shrine of the Lake
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 7 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
NieR: Automata ‐ Weight of the World, by Keiichi Okabe (PS4, 2017)
NieR Automata
NieR: Automata – almost as good as my favorite song from the NieR series: Ashes of Dreams
Snowboard Kids
Snowboard Kids
———- Post added at 03:09 PM ———- Previous post was at 03:08 PM ———-
Looks like we have two ties if anyone wants to break them; updating when my kids go to bed.
Round 1, Fight 15 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Quake II (Windows, Sascha Dikiciyan)
Sample tracks: Descent into Cerberon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxbE5yaiSYs), Stealth Frag (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gpfoacQh8o), Quad Machine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWW-U9pdN5Q), Operation Overlord (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_ao-N_Fcl4), Big Gun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uhwgzXs8eg)
vs.
Blast Corps (N64, Graeme Norgate)
Sample tracks: Glory Crossing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPhakfGboH4), Tempest City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTnip0-Zt4E), Havoc District (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O364jC97sQs), Stats Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCBCIhTQW4M), Replay (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpL1WKm3Uig)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic Colors ‐ Reach for the Stars (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpHuG2hHmEo), by various artists (Wii, 2010)
vs.
Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia ‐ EXEC_CHRONICLE=KEY/. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iiIMgor8F8), by Gust Sound Team (PS2, 2006)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ar tonelico
Ar tonelico
————————————————————————————————————————————
Quake II (Windows, Sascha Dikiciyan)
Sample tracks: Descent into Cerberon, Stealth Frag, Quad Machine, Operation Overlord, Big Gun
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia ‐ EXEC_CHRONICLE=KEY/., by Gust Sound Team (PS2, 2006)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ar tonelico
Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia ‐ EXEC_CHRONICLE=KEY/.
Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia
Ar tonelico
Ar tonelico
Round 1, Fight 16 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
GoldenEye 007 (N64, Graeme Norgate, Grant Kirkhope, & Robin Beanland)
Sample tracks: Runway (???https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws4efU6CC4o"), Facility (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew8AoVAXaDk), Silo (???https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK8ARIY_xbs"), Elevator Music 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CN49Feexb8), Frigate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMW1QRcfPGw)
vs.
Hinadori no Saezuri (PC98, Hiroaki Sano)
Sample tracks: Inside My Heart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=2092s), An Extended Fingertip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=2653s), At the End of a Fleeting Dream (???https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=3829s"), Morning Comes for Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=3507s), The Same Every Day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=481s)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 1 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Banjo‐Tooie ‐ Jinjo Village (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oXPFtv818c), by Grant Kirkhope (N64, 2000)
vs.
NieR: Automata ‐ Weight of the World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egn_VNVKzI4), by Keiichi Okabe (PS4, 2017)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Weight of the World – love both, but WotW blows me away more.
GoldenEye 007 – Toss up for me
Banjo‐Tooie
————————————————————————————————————————————
GoldenEye 007 (N64, Graeme Norgate, Grant Kirkhope, & Robin Beanland)
Sample tracks: Runway, Facility, Silo, Elevator Music 1, Frigate
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 1 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
NieR: Automata ‐ Weight of the World, by Keiichi Okabe (PS4, 2017)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Banjo-Tooie
Same as Arthur, I found some of the links to not work.
Banjo‐Tooie ‐ Jinjo Village
Banjo‐Tooie ‐ Jinjo Village
Banjo‐Tooie
Round 2, Fight 1 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Little Big Adventure 2 (Windows, Philippe Vachey)
Sample tracks: LBA’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Luco9VJvIU), The Empire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqWUzvFkP6c), Song of Gabriel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9zBpdZYYi4), Emerald Moon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_r5MqOr-UQ), Honey Bee (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pCD4JZQysU)
vs.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSX, Michiru Yamane)
Sample tracks: Marble Gallery (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zufg6phdrY0), Requiem for the Gods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GLUZ9MKSZc), Abandoned Pit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhIf_zV6yK0), Dance of Pales (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot3M8D984PU), Wood Carving Partita (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0UoyFS7Ww)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect ‐ Menu Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9zJNBFU5rU), by Tristan Reidford (PS2, 2005)
vs.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ‐ Wood Carving Partita (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0UoyFS7Ww), by Michiru Yamane (PSX, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
haha double Symphony of the Night again
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSX, Michiru Yamane)
Sample tracks: Marble Gallery, Requiem for the Gods, Abandoned Pit, Dance of Pales, Wood Carving Partita
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect ‐ Menu Theme, by Tristan Reidford (PS2, 2005)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Too bad. Little Big Adventure 2 is a great soundtrack, but this is David vs. Goliath.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
P.S. YouTube’s new adaptive video sizing is no bueno.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ‐ Wood Carving Partita
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect – so HAAAAAAARRRRDDDD
Castlevania
Castlevania x 2
update this evening
———- Post added at 10:35 AM ———- Previous post was at 10:32 AM ———-
nah screw it, not that it matters. LBA2 is great and suits my mood better right now.
Round 2, Fight 2 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultima Online (Windows, Kirk Winterrowd, Joe Basquez, & Hal Milton)
Sample tracks: Stones Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mDcGDx4QyA), Linelle / Plains Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GlM_6l8eu4), Jhelom Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RzC1g8eDEE), Vesper Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svmbI811xm0), Buccaneer’s Den (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xOVHcFnsBA)
vs.
Interstate ’76 (Windows, Arion Salazar)
Sample tracks: Interstate 76 Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayO7P3-uCRk), Pimp Like Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BopLVaIx3lw), They Call Me Swinger (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yarot5sy4o), Spineless Funk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSqOn146Nz0), Macadamia Medley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Emo3-EN8AJ8)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 3 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Parasite Eve ‐ Main Theme (Orchestral Version) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q01M3w8uso), by Yoko Shimomura (PSX, 1998)
vs.
Ys I & II ‐ First Step Towards Wars (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yELuvkU32Lg), arranged by Ryo Yonemitsu (PCE, 1989)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Parasite Eve
Parasite Eve doesn’t do quite as much for me as I feel like an 8 minute track ought to, but I like the original version of the Ys track substantially more than its turbografx remake and I can’t really appreciate it independently because of that.
Parasite Eve
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultima Online (Windows, Kirk Winterrowd, Joe Basquez, & Hal Milton)
Sample tracks: Stones Theme, Linelle / Plains Theme, Jhelom Theme, Vesper Theme, Buccaneer’s Den
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 3 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Parasite Eve ‐ Main Theme (Orchestral Version), by Yoko Shimomura (PSX, 1998)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Parasite Eve
Parasite Eve
Parasite Eve ‐ Main Theme (Orchestral Version)
Round 2, Fight 3 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mischief Makers (N64, Norio Hanzawa)
Sample tracks: Marina (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPgRACwmGy4), To1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBg4PcEi6E8), A Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czg7b9if_-M), Gloomy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux6amOB7rOQ), Esperance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDliiZvbvOI)
vs.
Tekken 3 (Arcade, Nobuyoshi Sano, Keiichi Okabe, & Yuu Miyake)
Sample tracks: Yoshimitsu (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-P7t3zPrNw), Hwoarang (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hwXRXsB2us), Lei Wulong (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FqSRISWu8k), Jin Kazama (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcLPL8cPQ-8), Nina Williams (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2CQ3HEcBbc)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 4 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Suikoden ‐ Main Theme Arrange (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTVBdvy6WE0), by Miki Higashino (PSX, 1995)
vs.
Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia ‐ EXEC_CHRONICLE=KEY/. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iiIMgor8F8), by Gust Sound Team (PS2, 2006)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Suikoden
Suikoden
Suikoden ‐ Main Theme Arrange
Suikoden
Ar tonelico
Round 2, Fight 4 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Hinadori no Saezuri (PC98, Hiroaki Sano)
Sample tracks: Inside My Heart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=2092s), An Extended Fingertip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=2653s), At the End of a Fleeting Dream (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=3829s), Morning Comes for Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=3507s), The Same Every Day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=481s)
vs.
Dungeon Keeper (Windows, Russell Shaw)
Sample tracks: The Horned Reaper (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjbXb2xPdgE), It’s Construction Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3c4j62qHIk), Soft Flute (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2fcgz9NeA0), Mystic Tunnels (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYg9yyLA3fU), Down Deep (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ducGVBjwdK8)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Semi-Final, Fight 1 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Parasite Eve ‐ Main Theme (Orchestral Version) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q01M3w8uso), by Yoko Shimomura (PSX, 1998)
vs.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ‐ Wood Carving Partita (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0UoyFS7Ww), by Michiru Yamane (PSX, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Dungeon Keeper
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Hinadori no Saezuri felt very nostalgic despite never having played it.
Parasite Eve
SOTN
Round 2, Fight 5 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Treasures of the Deep (PSX, Tommy Tallarico)
Sample tracks: Shipwrecked (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3PHp5T7lQ4), Diver Straits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-TMZTe1Ryk), Bermuda Triangle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXBPW5a4EQM), Atlantis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4mm3z4bh08), Training Dive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2bwlrlcAbQ)
vs.
Total Annihilation (Windows, Jeremy Soule)
Sample tracks: Introductionary Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ek3JvUBYaI), The March Unto Death (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2jS4ZaVOWA), Brutal Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mOG3Q8CSoY), Attack!!! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA-iag83kQc), Forest Green (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_9QO_76l_I)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Semi-Final, Fight 2 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Banjo‐Tooie ‐ Jinjo Village (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oXPFtv818c), by Grant Kirkhope (N64, 2000)
vs.
Suikoden ‐ Main Theme Arrange (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTVBdvy6WE0), by Miki Higashino (PSX, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Suikoden
Suikoden
Suikoden
Suikoden
Suikoden ‐ Main Theme Arrange
————————————————————————————————————————————
Treasures of the Deep (PSX, Tommy Tallarico)
Sample tracks: Shipwrecked, Diver Straits, Bermuda Triangle, Atlantis, Training Dive
————————————————————————————————————————————
Semi-Final, Fight 2 // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Suikoden ‐ Main Theme Arrange, by Miki Higashino (PSX, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 6 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Quake II (Windows, Sascha Dikiciyan)
Sample tracks: Descent into Cerberon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxbE5yaiSYs), Stealth Frag (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gpfoacQh8o), Quad Machine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWW-U9pdN5Q), Operation Overlord (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_ao-N_Fcl4), Big Gun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uhwgzXs8eg)
vs.
I.Q.: Intelligent Qube (PSX, Takayuki Hattori)
Sample tracks: Sign (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgb1uUGZpkQ), The First Tide (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aAY-IGajxA), Ecliptic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL5HuwdW_P0), Courage and Hope (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymy5HOJt310), Depths (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFdN4qRvrv4)
————————————————————————————————————————————
FINAL ROUND // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ‐ Wood Carving Partita (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0UoyFS7Ww), by Michiru Yamane (PSX, 1997)
vs.
Suikoden ‐ Main Theme Arrange (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTVBdvy6WE0), by Miki Higashino (PSX, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Suikoden – 😀 Thanks to OSTGeek64 for a fun selection of songs. In addition to being grateful for including Cuphead and Stardew Valley, I enjoyed several tracks I hadn’t heard before.
Castlevania
😀 Thanks to OSTGeek64 for a fun selection of songs. In addition to being grateful for including Cuphead and Stardew Valley, I enjoyed several tracks I hadn’t heard before.
Same! Thanks!
I’m just going to roll straight into nx’s 16 next since that was the plan.
Castlevania
Thanks for the love guys! This was fun. I’ve been on a personal quest to find a track I like from as many franchises or stand-alone games as possible. Some of the tracks in the rumble were my favorites per franchise, some weren’t. I honestly though the Parasite Eve track would eventually win, but the Castlevania track is pretty great.
Suikoden – Thanks to OSTGeek64 for a fun selection of songs. In addition to being grateful for including Cuphead and Stardew Valley, I enjoyed several tracks I hadn’t heard before.
Surprised with the Suikoden! Yeah thanks OSTGeek64. Cuphead was a definite treat there 🙂
Castlevania
Thanks OSTGeek for the fun song selection! I’ve heard of a few of these, some were completely new and I always enjoy discovering new songs and complications.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Quake II (Windows, Sascha Dikiciyan)
Sample tracks: Descent into Cerberon, Stealth Frag, Quad Machine, Operation Overlord, Big Gun
————————————————————————————————————————————
FINAL ROUND // OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ‐ Wood Carving Partita, by Michiru Yamane (PSX, 1997)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Suikoden ‐ Main Theme Arrange
and in a not-quite-as-tight race, I.Q.: Intelligent Qube advances 6-1.
Next up: nx666’s custom 16!
(One of the tracks doesn’t have a link in the design thread, if you could update that.)
Round 2, Fight 7 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Breath of Fire III (PSX, Yoshino Aoki & Akari Kaida)
Sample tracks: Dedicated to the Dragons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYxwVM1zM3I), These Little Things (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2Yr3ltoTp8), Do Your Best (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vO4oOmVazQ), Without a Care (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe3Sr4JmMXw), Battle in the Coming Days (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q6ceQ8DG3U)
vs.
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (PSX, Eriko Imura)
Sample tracks: Count Three (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8CKaezV19g), Blue Cave Echo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiCwhw_Oik4), The Closing Encounter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v64adqW049w), Balue & Lephise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV6VMXqnlnY), I’m on Your Side (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U_HFQdyKeQ)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 1 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultima IX: Ascension – Stones (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KabFlHF1YoU), by George Oldziey (Windows, 1999)
vs.
Dokkaebi-ga Ganda – Stage 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjgFEvjHcVU&t=709s), by Senori Box (MS-DOS, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultima IX
Ultima IX
Dokkaebi-ga Ganda – Stage 4
I also would like to apologize in advance for all the (timestamped) links to my podcast videos, but some of these tracks don’t seem to exist anywhere else on Youtube.
Dokkaebi-ga Ganda
I think both of my preferences might be destined to lose this round haha. Dokkaebi-ga Ganda is epic get woke
I found a link to the track that didn’t have one.
The link to Inferno is dead though. Didn’t actually check all of them, so others may be as well. Possible update to the creation thread for that?
Did you see my PM? I just added a new link for Inferno and the rest of the links should now be working as well.
Ultima IX
Got it, thanks!
Dokkaebi – tough one
Round 2, Fight 8 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Final Fantasy VII (PSX, Nobuo Uematsu)
Sample tracks: Still More Fighting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG7DYLdNBx0), One-Winged Angel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkiv78YoR3M), Aerith’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVzl7V-r3bU), Cosmo Canyon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxSOPvFL2xk), J-E-N-O-V-A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsLiUlKeyvk)
vs.
Grandia (Saturn, Noriyuki Iwadare)
Sample tracks: Theme of Grandia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i36tXq7yK6c), Palm Harbor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp9KBQ4mRBs), Daito Town (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpwCOsg1yXU), Leen’s Love Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzJjFCq80Yg), Volley Rounds of Tension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq-xmGNMAe0)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Black It! – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XMoDB3fX_k&t=2211s), by Matthias Hartung (C64, 1995)
vs.
Hoi – Level 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC-qUA6HWxY&t=501s), by Ramon Braum???ller (Amiga, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Hoi
Hoi
Black It!
Black It!
Black It! – Title Screen
Black It!
Quarterfinals, Fight 1 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (PSX, Eriko Imura)
Sample tracks: Count Three (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8CKaezV19g), Blue Cave Echo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiCwhw_Oik4), The Closing Encounter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v64adqW049w), Balue & Lephise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV6VMXqnlnY), I’m on Your Side (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U_HFQdyKeQ)
vs.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSX, Michiru Yamane)
Sample tracks: Marble Gallery (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zufg6phdrY0), Requiem for the Gods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GLUZ9MKSZc), Abandoned Pit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhIf_zV6yK0), Dance of Pales (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot3M8D984PU), Wood Carving Partita (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0UoyFS7Ww)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 3 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
No Mercy – Ending (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4uClrydX0M), by Markus Schneider (C64, 1989)
vs.
Metal Head – Final Boss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU9kPRKT7HQ), by various artists (32X, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
No Mercy – I liked both of these
————————————————————————————————————————————
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (PSX, Eriko Imura)
Sample tracks: Count Three, Blue Cave Echo, The Closing Encounter, Balue & Lephise, I’m on Your Side
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 3 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Metal Head – Final Boss, by various artists (32X, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Metal Head – I liked both too, but wasn’t a fan of the vocal sample in No Mercy
Metal Head
No Mercy – Ending
Metal Head – I liked both too, but wasn’t a fan of the vocal sample in No Mercy
Are you sure you listened to the right track? No Mercy doesn’t have any vocal samples.
You’re right. I didn’t. YT is blocked at college so i have to find the tracks through alternate methods. The closest thing I found before was the credits to WWF No Mercy lol. I just found the right track though.
Shad, I’m changing my answer.
Castlevania
No Mercy
Metal Head
LOL i had no idea you could just copy and paste links into VLC.
All this time and i’ve been looking for a way to playlist the tracks haha
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSX, Michiru Yamane)
No Mercy – Ending, by Markus Schneider (C64, 1989)
I liked both the nx tracks but no mercy prevails 🙂
Quarterfinals, Fight 2 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mischief Makers (N64, Norio Hanzawa)
Sample tracks: Marina (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPgRACwmGy4), To1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBg4PcEi6E8), A Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czg7b9if_-M), Gloomy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux6amOB7rOQ), Esperance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDliiZvbvOI)
vs.
Total Annihilation (Windows, Jeremy Soule)
Sample tracks: Introductionary Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ek3JvUBYaI), The March Unto Death (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2jS4ZaVOWA), Brutal Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mOG3Q8CSoY), Attack!!! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA-iag83kQc), Forest Green (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_9QO_76l_I)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Light Corridor – Rockin’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHj9_g8MHLA), by Alberto Jose Gonz???lez (ZX Spectrum, 1991)
vs.
Kimi Dake ni Ai o… – No Regrets (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTp5nyzkVIc), by Akira Sato, BAKI, Ryu Takami (X68k, 1991)
————————————————————————————————————————————
————————————————————————————————————————————
Total Annihilation (Windows, Jeremy Soule)
Sample tracks: Introductionary Theme, The March Unto Death, Brutal Battle, Attack!!!, Forest Green
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Light Corridor – Rockin’, by Alberto Jose Gonz???lez (ZX Spectrum, 1991)
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Light Corridor – Rockin’ – Excited to see this soundtrack represented. 😀
The Light Corridor
The Light Corridor – this was wonderfully catchy!
Kimi Dake ni Ai o… – No Regrets
The Light Corridor
Sorry for the delay, will update when I get home later tonight
Quarterfinals, Fight 3 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
I.Q.: Intelligent Qube (PSX, Takayuki Hattori)
Sample tracks: Sign (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgb1uUGZpkQ), The First Tide (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aAY-IGajxA), Ecliptic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL5HuwdW_P0), Courage and Hope (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymy5HOJt310), Depths (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFdN4qRvrv4)
vs.
Final Fantasy VII (PSX, Nobuo Uematsu)
Sample tracks: Still More Fighting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG7DYLdNBx0), One-Winged Angel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkiv78YoR3M), Aerith’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVzl7V-r3bU), Cosmo Canyon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxSOPvFL2xk), J-E-N-O-V-A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsLiUlKeyvk)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver – Boss Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skTqSvWkd4Q), by CUR (X68k, 1996)
vs.
Hioden II Dash – Opening Demo [MT-32 version] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4g5tnA8p8c&t=1756s), by Motoi Sakuraba, Shinji Tamura, Hiroya Hatsushiba, Ryota Furuya (PC98, 1994)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver
Hioden II Dash – Love both, but the arpeggiation on here is quite lovely.
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver
The Light Corridor
edit: hahaha whoops, i came from my email and the link took me into the past. oh well. i stand by my comments, fite me
Hioden II Dash – Opening Demo
Quarterfinals, Fight 4 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultima Online (Windows, Kirk Winterrowd, Joe Basquez, & Hal Milton)
Sample tracks: Stones Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mDcGDx4QyA), Linelle / Plains Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GlM_6l8eu4), Jhelom Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RzC1g8eDEE), Vesper Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svmbI811xm0), Buccaneer’s Den (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xOVHcFnsBA)
vs.
Hinadori no Saezuri (PC98, Hiroaki Sano)
Sample tracks: Inside My Heart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=2092s), An Extended Fingertip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=2653s), At the End of a Fleeting Dream (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=3829s), Morning Comes for Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=3507s), The Same Every Day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmd3XWl1BZs&t=481s)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 5 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Tyran – Easy Control (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26zfLAPBGEU), by Tomasz Wiktor? (Amiga, 1996)
vs.
Pinball Illusions – Menu Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ifPeBn4lZQ?t=91), by Olof Gustafsson (Amiga, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Tyran
Pinball Illusions
Tyran – Easy Control – this was composed by Micha??? Baczek aka Timer
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultima Online (Windows, Kirk Winterrowd, Joe Basquez, & Hal Milton)
Sample tracks: Stones Theme, Linelle / Plains Theme, Jhelom Theme, Vesper Theme, Buccaneer’s Den
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 5 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Pinball Illusions – Menu Theme, by Olof Gustafsson (Amiga, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Tyran
Pinball Illusions
Semifinals, Fight 1 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSX, Michiru Yamane)
Sample tracks: Marble Gallery (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zufg6phdrY0), Requiem for the Gods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GLUZ9MKSZc), Abandoned Pit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhIf_zV6yK0), Dance of Pales (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot3M8D984PU), Wood Carving Partita (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0UoyFS7Ww)
vs.
Total Annihilation (Windows, Jeremy Soule)
Sample tracks: Introductionary Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ek3JvUBYaI), The March Unto Death (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2jS4ZaVOWA), Brutal Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mOG3Q8CSoY), Attack!!! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA-iag83kQc), Forest Green (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_9QO_76l_I)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 7 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Inferno – Inferno (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phdyzSkrN_A), by Alien Sex Fiend, Barry Leitch (MS-DOS, 1994)
vs.
EVE Burst Error – Room (Marina) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39lv7JABh4M), by Ryu Umemoto (PC98, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
EVE Burst Error
EVE Burst Error
Inferno
Inferno
To My Dearest Fans,
Since the establishment of Dog Ear Records, I have found myself blessed with countless opportunities. From composing new works to holding concerts around the world, my days have been hectic, yet fulfilling. The resulting fatigue, however, has finally caught up with me, and I find it mentally and physically difficult to go on at my current pace. After giving serious consideration to all options, I have decided to take an extended leave of absence and give my mind and body the time they need to properly mend. If I am to return, I want to do so in full health. Do not worry. Once I???ve made a full recovery, I???ll be back doing what I do best.
My current plan is to rest for the remainder of the year, and while I cannot commit to a method or time frame for my return, I???m very hopeful.
I deeply apologize for the burden this decision places upon both my fans and my clients, and hope that you can understand and support the path I have chosen.
I thank you all for your continued support and only ask that you are patient until I???m on my feet once again!
Nobuo Uematsu
Dog Ear Records Co., Ltd.
Inferno
Semifinals, Fight 2 // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultima Online (Windows, Kirk Winterrowd, Joe Basquez, & Hal Milton)
Sample tracks: Stones Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mDcGDx4QyA), Linelle / Plains Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GlM_6l8eu4), Jhelom Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RzC1g8eDEE), Vesper Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svmbI811xm0), Buccaneer’s Den (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xOVHcFnsBA)
vs.
Final Fantasy VII (PSX, Nobuo Uematsu)
Sample tracks: Still More Fighting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG7DYLdNBx0), One-Winged Angel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkiv78YoR3M), Aerith’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVzl7V-r3bU), Cosmo Canyon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxSOPvFL2xk), J-E-N-O-V-A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsLiUlKeyvk)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Providence – Purifimia Country – Underground Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H576DuICz3Q), by Manabu Saito (PC88, 1989)
vs.
Trophy Bass 3D – Menu Theme [SC-88 version] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVzPG79xWvY&t=1368s), by Ken Rogers, Charles Barth, Jim Clarke (Windows, 1999)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Providence – Enjoyed both
Providence – Yeah, shame these two got paired. I would have voted either of them over some of the other winners.
Providence – I’m feeling this one more today
Providence
Thanks Shad! 😀
Trophy Bass 3D – Menu Theme
Agreed. Though I haven’t played Ultima Online, the music has remained enjoyable and soothing over dozens of listens.
No surprises here! The two most classic titles of 1997 are squaring off:
FINAL MATCH // Best of 1997
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSX, Michiru Yamane)
Sample tracks: Marble Gallery (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zufg6phdrY0), Requiem for the Gods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GLUZ9MKSZc), Abandoned Pit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhIf_zV6yK0), Dance of Pales (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot3M8D984PU), Wood Carving Partita (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0UoyFS7Ww)
vs.
Final Fantasy VII (PSX, Nobuo Uematsu)
Sample tracks: Still More Fighting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG7DYLdNBx0), One-Winged Angel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkiv78YoR3M), Aerith’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVzl7V-r3bU), Cosmo Canyon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxSOPvFL2xk), J-E-N-O-V-A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsLiUlKeyvk)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 1 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Inferno – Inferno (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEd4C94YrDw?t=1668), by Alien Sex Fiend, Barry Leitch (MS-DOS, 1994)
vs.
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver – Boss Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skTqSvWkd4Q), by CUR (X68k, 1996)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Another close one. Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver.
[See nx666’s post for Inferno link]
Inferno – this is from the CD version of the game. I couldn’t find another video on Youtube for this particular track, but one episode of my podcast has it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-taPQhmRaQ&t=962s). Be warned though, this is another link with a time stamp that might not work on some mobile devices.
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver – The link is broken, and if the link Arthur found is correct my answer stays as is.
Would I vote Symphony of the Night over it?
I had to sit on that one a bit and listen to the samples again.
Yes, I think I would.
Symphony of the Night
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver – I’m feeling the rockier theme today.
EDIT: I’m going to stick with my original vote.
I didn’t really see this coming
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night dominated Final Fantasy VII 4-1 to win the 1997 Rumble!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
No Mercy – Ending (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4uClrydX0M), by Markus Schneider (C64, 1989)
vs.
Tyran – Easy Control (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26zfLAPBGEU), by Micha??? Baczek (Amiga, 1996)
————————————————————————————————————————————
So what’s up next? A lot of things were recently wrapped up in the design group, so we’ve got a ton of options on the table:
16:
NARFNra’s Custom Rumble
arthurgolden’s Best Video Game Music Covers
Shad’s Best Video Game Music Covers
Final Fantasy XIII
Best of Daisuke Amaya (Pixel) [songs]
32:
Best of Jesper Kyd [songs]
Best of 2016 [soundtracks]
Best of Touhou [songs]
Best of Danganronpa [songs, also optional 16-track version]
1) Symphony of the Night is the first back-to-back winner we’ve had since Vagrant Story won the PlayStation soundtracks and Hitoshi Sakimoto rumbles in 2011.
2) Nine themes is the largest selection we’ve ever had for a next rumble vote. Thank you to everyone who contributed! This is awesome.
For my own organizational purposes, I’ve put the themes in chronological order with links to the song lists. They’re under the spoiler tag if it helps anyone else.
[2014] NARFNra’s Custom Rumble (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=486&do=discuss)
[2015] Final Fantasy XIII (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=520&do=discuss)
[2017] Best of 2016 (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1134&do=discuss)
[2017] Best of Touhou (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1140&do=discuss)
[2018] arthurgolden’s Custom Rumble of VGM Covers (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1141&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Daisuke Amaya (Pixel) (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1144&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Jesper Kyd (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1145&do=discuss)
[2018] Shad’s Custom Rumble of VGM Covers (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1141&pp=10&page=4&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Danganronpa (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1148&do=discuss)
My votes:
No Mercy – Ending
Of the themes I spearheaded, I am most excited for Best of 2016 and my custom list of VGM covers. Of Shad’s, I am super excited for Touhou and Danganronpa.
I am up for NARFNra, Best of 2016, or Best of Pixel
Personally I would prefer Best of 2016 because I am very unfamiliar with modern vgm or Danganronpa because I was incredibly impressed by the music when I played through the series earlier this year.
I’m not familiar with a lot of these, so if they get picked I’ll get to hear totally new stuff. Otherwise, my choices are: Best of 2016, Arthur’s Custom Rumble, and Shad’s Custom Rumble. I’m definitely curious about hearing the covers and some newer stuff.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 3 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Dokkaebi-ga Ganda – Stage 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjgFEvjHcVU&t=709s), by Senori Box (MS-DOS, 1995)
vs.
Providence – Purifimia Country – Underground Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H576DuICz3Q), by Manabu Saito (PC88, 1989)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 1 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Owlboy by Jonathan Greer
Sample tracks: Strato Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdzIVXkESbc), Mesos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDIVH5Go9-Y), Tropos by Day and Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw0_Ne5Zh8o), A Fine Young Owl (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr2VG1UWUwY), Such Perfect Peace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D69ZaxlZ4FA)
vs.
VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action by Michael Kelly
Sample tracks: Welcome to VA-11 Hall-A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cz6Y4iqUSA), A. Rene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G01GIs8GJ-A), Every Day is Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-AfGh8gmiQ), Your Love is a Drug (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBgVj1zabVc), Good for Health, Bad for Education (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eQ7IGfGoKM)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Dokkaebi-ga Ganda
Owlboy
Owlboy – I love the 80s vibe on VA-11 HALL-A. I need to go with my boy though.
VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
Owlboy
Owlboy is nice but VA-11 HALL-A wins no contest for me here.
I didn’t actually listen to Owlboy in full yet; will probably do that today. I got hooked hard on Unravel while I was grabbing all of these and ended up listening to it for 3+ hours yesterday.
Owlboy – this one is very relaxing and scenic.
VA-11 HALL-A (great point for me to jump in on given that this was one of my favorite games of 2016)
Dokkaebi-ga Ganda (5-2) and Owlboy (4-3) advance!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 4 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Light Corridor – Rockin’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHj9_g8MHLA), by Alberto Jose Gonz???lez (ZX Spectrum, 1991)
vs.
Black It! – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XMoDB3fX_k&t=2211s), by Matthias Hartung (C64, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Star Fox Zero by various artists
Sample tracks: Title Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0egm01es_g), Mission Complete (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eMAgohwM5Q), Star Wolf Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yj-25MOgOM), Corneria (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boRCPsP739Q), Map Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXRvjg-KSgg)
vs.
Samorost 3 by Floex (Tom??? Dvoř???k)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL5jAv4hkWk), Mushroom Picker Dance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFB2wcxPTn0), Taste of Tea *Cosmic Version* (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ9t1YNJakY), Going on an Adventure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWHT-amrLB0), Prenatal Hunters *Floex Revision* (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn_7dcd92WU)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Star Fox Zero – Don’t know if I’m the only one, but I get Radiohead vibes from Samorost 3 lol. I’m preferring something more grandiose tonight. Plus, Zero’s version of Corneria is my favorite Star Fox song ever, so that might swing it as well.
Samorost 3 – This is one of my absolute favorites in the rumble. I think it’s excellent.
Samorost 3 ~I’ve already listened to both of these somewhat extensively. My impression from listening (and reading other things about the game) is that Star Fox Zero was a bit of a rush job. I don’t think the sound team was given much opportunity to refine this one, and the end product at least for me is generic Star Fox music. Maybe that’s not an accurate statement–the game’s development can be traced all the way back to 2008–but either way I’m not hearing much of an imaginative spark here. Whereas Samorost has a really unique sound going.
Samorost 3
Star Fox Zero – Samorost’s soundtrack is super interesting from a compositional standpoint but I’m a sucker for sweeping orchestral themes and have a lot of nostalgia for Star Fox so oops
Samorost 3
Samorost 3
Learn something useless every day!
Samorost 3 – one of my favourites is Monk Planet Main Theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-oPOeeKRtg
Also of the random variety, The 8-Bit Big Band just released an exceptionally well-done orchestration (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cRPzzZV8u0) of the Super Mario Bros. music (just ignore the actor).
If you like that, I’d also recommend Adam Neely’s accompanying video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crLxHC48xwM) about the thought process behind the orchestration.
@fowftw: Thanks for the suggestion! 😀 That one is also great.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Semi-Finals, Fight 1 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
No Mercy – Ending (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4uClrydX0M), by Markus Schneider (C64, 1989)
vs.
Dokkaebi-ga Ganda – Stage 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjgFEvjHcVU&t=709s), by Senori Box (MS-DOS, 1995)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 3 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Virginia by Lyndon Holland
Sample tracks: Sojourner’s Truth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na-tovCFKAw), Flash Forward (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAbx8ZU2ibk), Main Titles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_48v41e-ugI), Brief Encounters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a55FlSO_EzQ), Lucas Fairfax (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFE7WeoS3Cc)
vs.
Trials of the Blood Dragon by Power Glove
Sample tracks: Trials of the Blood Dragon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCeoFQdRah0), Crossfire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBEHwsvqDk4), Punch! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsmaBJiWtBA), Sibling Rivalry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eRIp7U-fMw), Freefall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDyzaaw0_20)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Trials of the Blood Dragon
This is a fun fight for discussing the line between homage and rip-offs.
I love the Virginia soundtrack, but there’s a lot of borrowing on it. "Sojourner’s Truth" is nearly a copy/paste of the Twin Peaks melody. Certainly, the show inspired the game. But that could have meant the instrumentation or the shape of the melody was the same. This is closer to an arrangement of a pre-existing piece. I hear reference points in many of the other tracks, too, such as the clear nod to the Goonies soundtrack two minutes into "Lucas Fairfax."
In the same breath, Trials of the Blood Dragon also borrows, but with clearer intentions considering it’s a parody of 80s culture. So for me, the register of Thriller’s bass line getting punctuated with orchestra hits is playful and in-bounds, particularly since it’s not using the same chords and melody and instrumentation and structure to the same effect as any of its inspirations.
It took me a while to vote because of this. There are certainly other perspectives on the borrowing, too. What say you all?
Virginia
Interesting points you bring up Arthur. As I’ve never played the games or seen the show so I can’t compare. I’ve seen the Goonies, but it’s been so long that I wouldn’t have been able to pick out the similarities.
I definitely get the 80’s theme from TotBD. But, again, I wasn’t listening for similarities and wouldn’t have noticed without them being pointed out.
I mostly listen to the tracks and base them off of each other because I have no other reference points.
Virginia
Nothing beats the old-school version of the very first Guilty Gear Soundtrack that was released in late 1998. The original versions of the songs being played, gives it more of a nostalgic feel to it.
Trials of the Blood Dragon – tough one!
Virginia was one of the few soundtracks in this mix that I couldn’t get my hands on easily. Coincidentally I never got around to playing Trials earlier either and was really busy this week, so I’m just going off of samples both ways here. I like the style Trials is presenting, but those Virginia samples had some really compelling moments and of the two I’d much rather have an excuse to revisit it again a few weeks from now.
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Semi-Finals, Fight 2 // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver – Boss Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skTqSvWkd4Q), by CUR (X68k, 1996)
vs.
Black It! – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XMoDB3fX_k&t=2211s), by Matthias Hartung (C64, 1995)
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Round 1, Fight 4 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Final Fantasy XV by Yoko Shimomura
Sample tracks: Hellfire (Ifrit Battle Theme) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTQ2fwUOxe0), Stand Your Ground (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uphGnH_quGs), Valse di Fantastica (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpiEHxgLN-E), Reel Rumble (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsDpuDm-qzQ), Magna Insomnia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YniJ8FVp3Lg)
vs.
The Last Guardian by Takeshi Furukawa
Sample tracks: Overture Lore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPreI-uoAfk), Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4KkTvnf8i0), Victorious (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miDaPE3XtcI), Falling Bridge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F14xUH9dHZ4), End Titles, The Last Guardian Suite (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rl6d0XAdTI)
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The Last Guardian – This is another contender to win it all for me. I love this soundtrack. But FF15 is stiff competition. Having them face off in the first round probably opens a path forward for an underdog.
The Last Guardian
Final Fantasy XV – Can’t help it. It’s Yoko.
The Last Guardian
Final Fantasy XV
The Last Guardian
Final Fantasy XV — The Last Guardian is quite nice but I think FF15 is my favorite Shimomura work.
Update tomorrow probably
Spriggan Original Soundtrack – A classical anime soundtrack with such good orchestral music.
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FINAL MATCH // nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver – Boss Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skTqSvWkd4Q), by CUR (X68k, 1996)
vs.
No Mercy – Ending (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4uClrydX0M), by Markus Schneider (C64, 1989)
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Round 1, Fight 5 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Unravel by Frida Johansson & Henrik Oja
Sample tracks: Yarny’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkbDWrC0hfE), The Red Thread (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjM97V621cU), Mountain Trek (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBJkvBR1WIA), Mist in the Mire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC_I46TkWB8), Rusted Apart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clQj7uxih8E)
vs.
Furi by various artists
Sample tracks: My Only Chance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeAAi7jWOl8), You’re Mine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ5gtInauiI), Make This Right (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CGMk_roNaE), 6:24 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QpUGCXwOks), Enraged (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUKS–w4-Zs)
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Unravel might be my favorite soundtrack out of the 32 in contention here. In other news, just last week I stumbled onto an album by Carpenter Brut, who contributed some tracks to Furi, in a completely unrelated non-vgm setting.
Unravel – Brutal. Furi kicks ass, but I love Unravel. Definitely one of my contenders as well (broken record status confirmed).
Unravel
*Listens to the sample tracks for Furi*
"Cool! Love the electronica action going on."
*Listens to "Mist and Mire"*
"INSTANT LIKING OF UNRAVEL"
Unravel
Easy choices.
Unravel
*Listens to the sample tracks for Furi*
"Cool! Love the electronica action going on."
*Listens to "Mist and Mire"*
"INSTANT LIKING OF UNRAVEL"
Furi was an really cool with an energized atmosphere. But I absolutely love the aesthetic of Unravel. Mountain Trek and Mist in the Mire were instant favorites. I now need to go listen to the entire ost
Bart Simpson’s Theme – By Vivendi Studios from The Simpsons Hit ‘N’ Run OST.
One thing I came across while the site was down: This analysis of "Dancing Mad," (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbeXHTDVX8c&t=0s) which revealed something shockingly great in the piece that I’d never noticed before.
And Dancing Mad. Enough said.
What was the thing you noticed, arthur?
And I totally agree about the channel. He’s great.
Waking Up In The Morning – By Shiro Sagisu, which is also from Neon Genesis Evangelion II OST. Nice simple elevator to quiet down your day.
Unravel
———- Post added at 05:31 PM ———- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ———-
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver is a great track. This one gets the win.
Unravel also swept the round 6-0.
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Round 1, Fight 6 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Titanfall 2 by Stephen Barton
Sample tracks: BT-7274 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7Z2F2FB9yA), Ark Pursuit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn1EOoP4CQo), SERE Kit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooAJMKyP95Y), Trust Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiwIRvHeodo), Fold Weapon Test (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4Nlq-G5g_4)
vs.
The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human by Karl Flodin
Sample tracks: Argo 9 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkcuyjy5Wz4), Seaweed Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3LfcswL9ow), Welcome Home (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38pAV-KXhRQ), The Fathers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsChvk0HwWw), Heart of the City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md3z_Q60eeM)
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What’s up next? We’ve still got a ton of options ready to roll.
16:
NARFNra’s Custom Rumble
arthurgolden’s Best Video Game Music Covers
Shad’s Best Video Game Music Covers
Final Fantasy XIII
Best of Daisuke Amaya (Pixel) [songs]
32:
Best of Jesper Kyd [songs]
Best of Touhou [songs]
Best of Danganronpa [songs, also optional 16-track version]
What’s next? My votes are for Danganronpa! or if we want to go with a 16er then Arthur’s covers.
The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human… Not that great. 🙁
The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human
For the next rumble, I’m most interested in…
arthurgolden’s Best Video Game Music Covers
Shad’s Best Video Game Music Covers
Best of Daisuke Amaya (Pixel)
Best of Danganronpa
Song/soundtrack lists for the above options…
[2014] NARFNra’s Custom Rumble (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=486&do=discuss)
[2015] Best of Final Fantasy XIII (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=520&do=discuss)
[2017] Best of Touhou (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1140&do=discuss)
[2018] arthurgolden’s Custom Rumble of VGM Covers (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1141&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Daisuke Amaya (Pixel) (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1144&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Jesper Kyd (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1145&do=discuss)
[2018] Shad’s Custom Rumble of VGM Covers (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1141&pp=10&page=4&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Danganronpa (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1148&do=discuss)
16 Rumble:
NARFNra’s Custom Rumble
arthurgolden’s Best Video Game Music Covers
Shad’s Best Video Game Music Covers
32 Rumble:
Best of Danganronpa
I’m up for the following:
NARFNra’s Custom Rumble
arthurgolden’s Best Video Game Music Covers
Shad’s Best Video Game Music Covers
Best of Daisuke Amaya (Pixel) [songs]
Best of Danganronpa
arthurgolden’s Best Video Game Music Covers
Shad’s Best Video Game Music Covers
Thanks to nx666 for designing the rumble! I’d love to know your take on the final round???and the fact that it was a sweep.
It wouldn’t have been a sweep if I had seen this in time 🙂 Since every round was pretty much a toss-up for me, I usually voted for the underdog.
Arthur’s custom 32 covers kicks off now!
And The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human advances 4-3.
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Round 1, Fight 7 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Tom Clancy’s The Division by Ola Strandh
Sample tracks: Precinct Siege (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPUFyJhj5WQ), The Garden (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk_1uLN_3H4), Prologue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o5R4es459U), We are the Division (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B59EyzMQqMU), Ferro (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f78Jy5yfuO4)
vs.
Kentucky Route Zero: Act IV by Ben Babbitt
Sample tracks: Dark Rum Noir (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S7jwLhMZ-0), My Light Heaven (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4trghhUC10), Glowing Arms (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRJS07XBxTU), Angel Wings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLR79uQGUJw), Music For Rivers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCMjwu6EDxE)
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Round 1, Fight 1 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mree – Simple and Clean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jxw_NAKUn0) (from Kingdom Hearts)
vs.
Songe – Mines Medley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87u6ZAb_EB8) (from Spelunky)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kentucky Route Zero: Act IV
Mree – Simple and Clean – I love everything Songe does. Really clever stuff. Some transformative choices. He’d be on a short list of channels I’d say are well worth subscribing to. But Mree’s cover…holy cow. I am not overly fond of VGM vocal covers. I straight up do not like the official release of this track. But Mree’s arrangement and performance are just beautiful.
Mree – Simple & Clean – This is absolutely great.
Songe – Mines Melody
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Kentucky Route Zero: Act IV by Ben Babbitt
Sample tracks: Dark Rum Noir, My Light Heaven, Glowing Arms, Angel Wings, Music For Rivers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 1 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Songe – Mines Medley (from Spelunky)
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Songe – Mines Medley
Will update in a bit!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Dark Souls 3 by Yuka Kitamura & Motoi Sakuraba
Sample tracks: Soul of Cinder (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9dNrmGD7mU), Abyss Watchers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0LdIZ8TWYo), Main Menu Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stWae6r7Blw), Father Ariandel and Sister Friede (Ashes of Ariandel) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAuIY58nv_k), Lorian, Elder Prince & Lothric, Younger Prince (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFRaZs6ri7s)
vs.
Civilization VI by various artists
Sample tracks: The Dream of Flight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQYN2P3E06s), Kalinka (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEQvHCEHKH0), Waltzing Matilda (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNoy6AJ3-HY), US Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDnOHmDpQSU), Lullaby of Itsuki (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oXkQvQmqwA)
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Round 1, Fight 2 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Malukah – The Dragonborn Comes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr-buV4tYOA) (from Skyrim)
vs.
Les Vieilles Biscottes – White Deer Inn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAAXKnFM-Zw) (from Suikoden II)
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Les Vieilles Biscottes – White Deer Inn – The gods of randomness have followed up one of the two solo vocal theme songs in the rumble with the other. So if that’s not your thing, total fluke that we ended up with one apiece in the first two fights. That said, Malukah’s cover is by far, by far, by far the most popular selection in this rumble. It’s wonderful. On the other hand, I am, of course, an unapologetic Suikoden fanatic. I love the series and have extremely positive memories bound up with the music. So listening to White Deer Inn might work on my emotions a lot more than anyone else. I really like this match-up since they’re both such simple songs.
Soul of Cinder (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW9XCFHfa5k), Abyss Watchers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmccPPaRb3w), Main Menu Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqyi3JuhthM), Father Ariandel and Sister Friede (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsY955NbXec), Lorian Elder Prince & Lothric Younger Prince (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmnXEoocAy8)
Soul of Cinder (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW9XCFHfa5k), Abyss Watchers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmccPPaRb3w), Main Menu Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqyi3JuhthM), Father Ariandel and Sister Friede (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsY955NbXec), Lorian Elder Prince & Lothric Younger Prince (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmnXEoocAy8)
I have no idea what happened, but thank you, Arthur, for the new links.
Dark Souls III
Malukah – I’m typically not a big fan of vocals in my OST’s or vocal covers, but what a wonderful sounding voice she has!
So yeah, Civ 6 does a nice job of compiling folk tunes for the various regions it represents, I guess, though it’s not particularly creative in how it presents them. I happened to listen to Dark Souls III a bunch last week before it procced as the next entry here, and I’ve listened to Civilization VI twice through since. It’s uh, kind of a snooze fest. There’s really no comparison, in my opinion. Dark Souls III
Malukah. Really surprised I’m voting for a vocal track here heh. It managed to overcome my natural distaste for vocals in video game music, at least up against a really easy and direct cover in White Deer Inn.
Malukah – The Dragonborn Comes
Malukah – The Dragonborn Comes
White Deer Inn – the other one’s fine. Maluakh’s voice isn’t my favorite
Lol. "Snooze fest" makes sense to me. I think there’s some fun to be had in hearing how they tried to represent different cultures and progress those ideas, not always successfully. But I know what you mean. To be honest, my vote was more about Dark Souls. It’s a good soundtrack, but it’s the third one in a row using the same techniques to the same effect. I’ve heard it before I hear it. It’s like watching a baseball game. You can predict at least 75% of the experience before it starts.
As a side note, GDQx has been posting speedruns from last month’s charity marathon, and Dark Souls III (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA3I9mKUtu4), Titanfall 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUYFeqfxJ98), and Spelunky (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhf2zcXByHk) are included. Linked for anyone who wants to hear the music in context or experience the full games as efficiently as possible.
Sorry updates to this thread have slowed down a lot lately. In this case, I’m out of town until Monday and don’t have the spreadsheets for it with me to update.
Sorry updates to this thread have slowed down a lot lately. In this case, I’m out of town until Monday and don’t have the spreadsheets for it with me to update.
This is pretty much how I listen to modern vgm myself. Especially WoW. I enjoy it as background music, but most of it doesn’t necessarily stand out. I always try to save the ones that do standout onto a personal playlist.
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Round 1, Fight 9 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Overwatch by Derek Duke, Neal Acree, Sam Cardon, & Cris Velasco
Sample tracks: Main Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1oXMy9VZQA), Volskaya Industries (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL4uxeFR6Xg), Numbani (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-qvKa5x8oE), Victory Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghk8O1yiY0I), Temple of Anubis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd09j-bVdPw)
vs.
Mother Russia Bleeds by Vincent Cassar
Sample tracks: Mother Russia Bleeds (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd58QsrXUCU), Black Racers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Tx8lphVLro), Night Brawlers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoXs6wTxNKw), Killing Pool (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW3ROy__3j0), Unholy Impact (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy3JoJBpFT4)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 3 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Guitar Bros – Castle / Boss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuOADRtSyoc) (from Super Mario World)
vs.
PPF – Hot Head Bop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWa6gVunVLE) (from Donkey Kong Country 2)
————————————————————————————————————————————
PPF – Hot Head Bop
Hot Head Bop – oh my goodness! both are great! I’m feeling the boppier one today lol.
PPF – Hot Head Bop – This one was fun and I always enjoy seeing the different instruments used, too.
PPF – Hot Head Bop
PPF – Hot Head Bop
PPF – Hot Head Bop
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Round 1, Fight 10 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Stardew Valley by Eric Barone
Sample tracks: Nature’s Crescendo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0nqXeM-sns), Tropicala (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7sDUAALYSM), The Valley Comes Alive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI9QzlD_sm0), The Wind Can Be Still (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_ezfsJ4-Lw), Nocturne of Ice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiX1dBfmftA)
vs.
Firewatch by Chris Remo
Sample tracks: Prologue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6jJdVrmUP0), Thorofare Hike (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxr3EGnB9A4), Camp Approach (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu6AAkcz-e0), Beartooth Point (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvTDUD8hAHs), North Backcountry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgodINESPNk)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Pixel Harp – Turret Opera (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWwBjVwwGPo) (from Portal 2)
vs.
diddygt – Hateno Village (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp_3DFm-yKs) (from Breath of the Wild)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Pixel Harp – Turret Opera
I really like all four selections. Easily could have voted the opposite way on both.
Turret Opera
Agreed, 4 really good options!
Pixel Harp – Turret Opera
I really like all four selections. Easily could have voted the opposite way on both.
Same.
Hateno Village
Since it’s not in the default mix, thought I’d toss out Ol’ Shoshone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IDSdzM_kx8) as a rather unexpected entry on an otherwise ambient post-rocky album.
diddygt – Hateno Village
————————————————————————————————————————————
Firewatch by Chris Remo
Sample tracks: Prologue, Thorofare Hike, Camp Approach, Beartooth Point, North Backcountry
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Pixel Harp – Turret Opera (from Portal 2)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Pixel Harp – Turret Opera
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Round 1, Fight 11 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Oxenfree by SCNTFC
Sample tracks: Lost Prologue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgjEymUAgaQ), Beacon Beach (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEbC2dQDsVc), Epiphany Fields (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1xqCQU82HY), The Beach, 7AM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8TtB5NOdsY), Towhee Grove (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEu190Bd-Vs)
vs.
That Dragon, Cancer by Jon HIllman
Sample tracks: Awake, Oh Awake My Joel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhHNr3GFQac), Feeding the Ducks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o0vwqMgKUc), So Few Words (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtDwCKjtr5o), Joel, Our Joy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5sBaSyqWi0), On Hospital Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-wHbUUJuVY)
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Round 1, Fight 5 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
CelloBassett – Into the Thick of It (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdLH84qy3T8a) (from Secret of Mana)
vs.
NESkimos – Dark World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc6aHh2jT-4) (from A Link to the Past)
————————————————————————————————————————————
NESkimos – Dark World
Into the Thick of It
Into the Thick of It – with very rare exception, I’m not a huge fan of heavy metal covers
I sympathize. There are so many technically sound, but creatively bereft metal VGM covers out there. My interest tends to wane quickly unless there’s some kind of unexpected instrumentation, arrangement, sampling, or genre-mixing. That said, I like this one, and there will be one other that I thought was interesting and fun.
Into the Thick of It
Ah I see! The one I tend to be fond of is Daniel Tidwell’s cover of Ninja Gaiden’s Act 4-2. It retains the spirit of the original and is super polished to me.
NESkimos – Dark World
with very rare exception, I’m not a huge fan of heavy metal covers
Agreed. This one was a bit of the exception though.
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Round 1, Fight 12 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Stellaris by Andreas Waldetoft
Sample tracks: Creation and Beyond (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AHcak434Zw), To the End of the Galaxy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuELLd3Ec4U), The Awakened (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC4IAH2TvWY), Faster Than Light (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC7m0FEAfQM), Distant Nebula (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZusMsF0a-8E)
vs.
Hyper Light Drifter by Disasterpeace
Sample tracks: Vignette: Panacea (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfPapxO550o), Vignette: Visions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiBaFqAr2mY), The Midnight Wood (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P05ItJD_n6k), The Sentients (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ABzwzdtpGk), The Last General (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD0851zso08)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 6 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Minibosses – Metroid Medley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DCyjRy6IOg) (from Metroid)
vs.
Super Soul Bros. – Megalovania (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iws7KejE6n4) (from Undertale)
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Minibosses – Metroid Medley – both are great
The Minibosses – Metroid Medley – This was possibly the first VGM cover I ever heard and liked, some time in the early 2000s.
The Minibosses – I could go either way on this one depending on my mood. But I was listening to these without headphones at home and my husband got excited about the Metroid song and that it’s a good cover.
Check out this thread here and please vote! 🙂
Super Soul Bros. – Megalovania
Super Soul Bros. – Megalovania
Super Soul Bros. – Megalovania
Super Soul Bros.
Update tonight? Tomorrow? Probably no later than tomorrow.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 13 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Another Metroid 2 Remake by Milton Guasti
Sample tracks: Surface of SR388 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rq6w_K1K3E), Hydro Station (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUwI_rYJ-TU), The Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL9EqBQHI08), The Golden Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpip5rkAqVE), The Queen Metroid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoA2JIYBG5k)
vs.
Small Radios Big Televisions by Owen Deery
Sample tracks: Square (https://owendeery.bandcamp.com/track/square), Forest (https://owendeery.bandcamp.com/track/forest), Stream (https://owendeery.bandcamp.com/track/stream), Tundra (https://owendeery.bandcamp.com/track/tundra), VHS (https://owendeery.bandcamp.com/track/vhs)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 7 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Banjo Guy Ollie – Beautiful Golden City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRgsoYMDgro) (from Suikoden)
vs.
GICCO – Baba Yetu (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlmMD1OanXI) (from Civilization IV)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Banjo Guy Ollie – Beautiful Golden City
Banjo Guy Ollie – Beautiful Golden City
Banjo Guy Ollie – Beautiful Golden City
Ditto
GICCO – Baba Yetu (from Civilization IV)
Another Metroid 2 Remake (4-1) and Banjo Guy Ollie (3-2) advance!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 14 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Thumper by Ben Gibson
Sample tracks: Intro (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0UultL2XFo), Triangle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NedS67DlszI), Beetle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Cz_ZHJSdJU), Tunnel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVUxGuOJriY), Omega (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWaLBbnyheI)
vs.
Brigador by Makeup and Vanity Set
Sample tracks: Solo Nobre (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDe05fV6Rv0), There is No Law Here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRVZAAYBWOc), No Way Out (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Due9qiZ2t5w), March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ6ei2vnoe8), Rise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-Kg79w3mSk)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Synthpeter – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4knkkpqzP2g) (from International Karate)
vs.
Soundole – A Wish (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p02SpTP1Zw8) (from Secret of Mana)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Synthpeter – Main Theme – Soundole is magic with an EWI (which so often sound terrible), but I have to give this one to Synthpeter
Soundole
Not curious enough to vote it over Brigadore though heh.
Soundole – A Wish ~if I wasn’t paying much attention and this came on, I’m not sure I would realize it’s not the original
Thumper (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2thHvvzI9yQ) in action
No kidding about A Wish. It’s very close to the original sound.
A Wish
Synthpeter – Main Theme
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 15 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Abz??? by Austin Wintory
Sample tracks: Delphinus Delphis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAJIU9nMbYY), Ichthyosaurus Communis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxUQO-h7Lbw), To Know, Water (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xjBiFF3qkc), Their Waters Were Mingled Together (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPZTeL9s6VI), Elasmosaurus Platyurus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvyCSUWx644)
vs.
Pok???mon Sun & Moon by various artists
Sample tracks: Team Skull Leader Guzma Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REC7daXbjho), Champion Red & Blue Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNZ7gllxeZs), Hometown (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFWcQMA2xb4), Elite Four Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv7AXRqjTuQ), Solgaleo & Lunala Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37riOeCnnpQ)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 9 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Returners – Terran 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow4kU7iTT3w) (from StarCraft)
vs.
Sebastian Freij – The Place I’ll Return to Someday (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmhQIyD-KDQ) (from Final Fantasy IX)
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Returners – Terran 2
The Place I’ll Return to Someday
The Place I’ll Return to Someday – I really liked Terran 2, but I’ve been replaying FFIX on mobile and being thrown headfirst into nostalgia land. This one gave me the warm and fuzzies. I can only hope for mercy from the Queen of Blades.
I enjoy The Place I’ll Return to Someday a lot more as a song, but as covers I think I have to take The Returners here.
2-2 tie with a lot of people not voting, so I’ll give it a day before I flip a coin. Holidays plus I haven’t been consistent about when I update these for a couple months now so people probably aren’t in as much of a habit of checking.
The Returners – Terran 2
The Place I’ll Return to Someday
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 16 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
No Man’s Sky by 65daysofstatic
Sample tracks: Escape Velocity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcNJq2KSjGg), Supermoon (???https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nru86VmoEK4"), Heliosphere (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7lQ892YZvo), End of the World Sun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT9SEjBNOY4), Red Parallax (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lirrplYoQ00)
vs.
Battlefield 1 by Johan S???derqvist, Patrik Andr???n, & Avanti Savoia
Sample tracks: Battlefield 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7nVjq9a-xk), Historical Theme (???https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3jnb20qWwU"), End of Round (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWahyb2QA_Q), Dawn of a New Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyh28QuX-OI), Homing Pigeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsfQb55rvNM)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 10 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Doug Perry – Flow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqXQccOo8F4) (from Fez)
vs.
RichaadEB & ThunderScott – Chemical Plant Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl5xwbt7kj8) (from Sonic 2)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Doug Perry
RichaadEB & ThunderScott – Chemical Plant Zone
Also, one note: The links for Supermoon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nru86VmoEK4) and Historical Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3jnb20qWwU) were broken.
My votes:
Battlefield 1
RichaadEB & ThunderScott – Chemical Plant Zone
Flow – both are good, but I’m going for simplicity today
Oh yeah and my other vote is for Doug Perry – Flow, which advances 3-2!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human by Karl Flodin
Sample tracks: Argo 9 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkcuyjy5Wz4), Seaweed Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3LfcswL9ow), Welcome Home (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38pAV-KXhRQ), The Fathers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsChvk0HwWw), Heart of the City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md3z_Q60eeM)
vs.
Another Metroid 2 Remake by Milton Guasti
Sample tracks: Surface of SR388 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rq6w_K1K3E), Hydro Station (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUwI_rYJ-TU), The Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL9EqBQHI08), The Golden Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpip5rkAqVE), The Queen Metroid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoA2JIYBG5k)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 11 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
BKMJMBOX – Eternal Wind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRIfT2NUV8s) (from Final Fantasy III)
vs.
Carlos Eiene – Eterna Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRGs8UovlTE) (from Pokemon DPPt)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Another Metroid 2 Remake
Carlos Eiene – Eterna Forest
Thank you Arthur!
Another Metroid 2 Remake
Carlos Eiene – Eterna Forest
The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human
Carlos Eiene – Eterna Forest –I love Eternal Wind, but it’s always a struggle for me to enjoy scale worship.
Xak – Messenger (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65eyYjIWSuc)
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest Doom Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2upPEhhzTTw)
My money says Ryuji Sasai was the composer responsible for Messenger.
That sounds like fun, but alas I am completely computer illiterate.
My love for this cover exists despite its cheesy self-indulgence. Can’t explain it. It came on in the car and my said WTF is this?
This is a stupidly obscure observation but:
Xak – Messenger (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65eyYjIWSuc)
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest Doom Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2upPEhhzTTw)
My money says Ryuji Sasai was the composer responsible for Messenger.
Ha! Nice catch. I actually played a couple minutes of FFMQ last night for the first time since the early 2000s. The main character does a lot of shrugging. https://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/arthurgolden/tumblr_inline_ntchey98Q41tqu0v2_75sq_zpspsil13gs.g if
Yeah it would be nice.
Holidays though
I’m going to go ahead and update, because I’ve been too busy lately to attend to this more than once or twice a week and I’ve got the time.
Good news is it will be coming back for round 2 for anyone who missed it.
———- Post added at 01:21 PM ———- Previous post was at 01:16 PM ———-
Another Metroid 2 Remake (2-1) and Carlos Eiene – Eterna Forest (3-0) advance!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 1 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Owlboy by Jonathan Greer
Sample tracks: Strato Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdzIVXkESbc), Mesos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDIVH5Go9-Y), Tropos by Day and Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw0_Ne5Zh8o), A Fine Young Owl (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr2VG1UWUwY), Such Perfect Peace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D69ZaxlZ4FA)
vs.
Battlefield 1 by Johan S???derqvist, Patrik Andr???n, & Avanti Savoia
Sample tracks: Battlefield 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7nVjq9a-xk), Historical Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3jnb20qWwU), End of Round (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWahyb2QA_Q), Dawn of a New Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyh28QuX-OI), Homing Pigeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsfQb55rvNM)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 12 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Janne Lassila – By the Bay (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR4IIKbRflQ) (from SimCity 4)
vs.
Pok???rus – Dreamer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jew0GM5StA) (from Streets of Rage 2)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Pok???rus – Dreamer
Owlboy
Dreamer
Dreamer
PLAY IT. IT’S GREAT. Solid 9/10 game.
Janne Lassila – By the Bay definitely. Two of the stronger entries here though, I think.
Janne Lassila – By the Bay
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 3 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Samorost 3 by Floex (Tom??? Dvoř???k)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL5jAv4hkWk), Mushroom Picker Dance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFB2wcxPTn0), Taste of Tea *Cosmic Version* (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ9t1YNJakY), Going on an Adventure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWHT-amrLB0), Prenatal Hunters *Floex Revision* (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn_7dcd92WU)
vs.
Brigador by Makeup and Vanity Set
Sample tracks: Solo Nobre (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDe05fV6Rv0), There is No Law Here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRVZAAYBWOc), No Way Out (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Due9qiZ2t5w), March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ6ei2vnoe8), Rise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-Kg79w3mSk)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 13 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
怪盗v – Heart of Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoyULnJwEdQ) (from Castlevania)
vs.
lonlonjp – Corridors of Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94x9amQo-0I) (from Chrono Trigger)
————————————————————————————————————————————
———- Post added at 09:31 AM ———- Previous post was at 09:30 AM ———-
The Corridors of Time link is no longer available. Do you have a backup for this Arthur? I couldn’t find one on a quick search.
———- Post added at 11:32 AM ———- Previous post was at 10:39 AM ———-
Samorost 3!
lonlonjp – Corridors of Time!
Heart of Fire – My husband is a huge fan of CT, but didn’t care for that cover, despite wanting to like it. He said it sounded like they were hesitant to play in the beginning, but then sped up a little too much. I agree.
Heart of Fire
Heart of Fire
Heart of Fire. I dunno. Corridors of Time sounded like a recording I could make. The execution on Heart of Fire is appreciably better.
Update probably tomorrow.
If one of y’all hit me up on Discord and poke me I promise I’ll update this more frequently. I am impervious to annoyance and if you’re like "Shad get off your ass" every three days it won’t bother me. 😉 Shad#2594
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 4 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Dark Souls 3 by Yuka Kitamura & Motoi Sakuraba
Sample tracks: Soul of Cinder (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9dNrmGD7mU), Abyss Watchers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0LdIZ8TWYo), Main Menu Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stWae6r7Blw), Father Ariandel and Sister Friede (Ashes of Ariandel) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAuIY58nv_k), Lorian, Elder Prince & Lothric, Younger Prince (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFRaZs6ri7s)
vs.
Abz??? by Austin Wintory
Sample tracks: Delphinus Delphis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAJIU9nMbYY), Ichthyosaurus Communis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxUQO-h7Lbw), To Know, Water (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xjBiFF3qkc), Their Waters Were Mingled Together (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPZTeL9s6VI), Elasmosaurus Platyurus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvyCSUWx644)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 14 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Jackson Parodi – Fallen Down (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMj7FbST_v0) (from Undertale)
vs.
LONELYROLLINGSTARS – Lonely Rolling Star (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5gnSpcKgVA) (from Katamari Damacy)
————————————————————————————————————————————
———- Post added at 07:25 AM ———- Previous post was at 07:19 AM ———-
Do either the rumble or the forum have an official discord?
The rumble doesn’t. The site did for a little bit, but it was dominated by the alt-right trolls that invaded General Discussion, and it either got deleted or else someone banned me after never typing there for a year.
I think the Facebook group you all have is fine for as often as there’s a reason to communicate externally, it’s just not something I personally check more than once a month, vs if someone messaged me with "Hey, update" on Discord I’d probably just go do it on the spot.
ABZU
Fallen Down
LONELYROLLINGSTARS – Lonely Rolling Star
@OSTGeek64: We can make a discord for the rumble if we want. I’ve never used that site, though.
@Shad: I appreciate all you do. I’m guessing a three-day posting schedule would be manageable for everyone if you’re able and willing. If not, the current pace works, too.
Discord is basically IRC 2.0 from a user experience perspective, and it’s as popular as IRC was in its prime. I’ve always gravitated to chat rooms as my preferred method of online communication, so I was really dying in that 5-10 year void where social media reigned supreme.
But anyway, you can direct message people on it and I’m just saying if you’re using it anyway you can usually get a response from me on there in less than an hour vs Facebook or a PM here might take a while.
Need more votes! There’s some cuteness in the LONELYROLLINGSTARS video. There are some…interesting…wardrobe choices in the Jackson Parodi video. Both good covers.
LONELYROLLINGSTARS – Lonely Rolling Star (from Katamari Damacy)
LONELYROLLINGSTARS – Lonely Rolling Star
Thanks, arthur. Heads up. If you see two separate accounts label dr_nerd42 and Critical Parasite, ignore Critical Parasite. That’s my accidental second account lol
LONELYROLLINGSTARS – Lonely Rolling Star
I’m voting Dark Souls 3 and Jackson Parodi – Fallen Down.
Tails wins the toss! Abz??? (3-3) and LONELYROLLINGSTARS (4-2) advance!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 5 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Firewatch by Chris Remo
Sample tracks: Prologue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6jJdVrmUP0), Thorofare Hike (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxr3EGnB9A4), Camp Approach (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu6AAkcz-e0), Beartooth Point (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvTDUD8hAHs), North Backcountry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgodINESPNk)
vs.
Kentucky Route Zero: Act IV by Ben Babbitt
Sample tracks: Dark Rum Noir (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S7jwLhMZ-0), My Light Heaven (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4trghhUC10), Glowing Arms (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRJS07XBxTU), Angel Wings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLR79uQGUJw), Music For Rivers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCMjwu6EDxE)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 15 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Franco Albertini – A Mighty Enemy Appears (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6cZ6TTZSYY) (from Lost Odyssey)
vs.
brentalfloss – Wii Shop Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ruNfajgUr0) (from Wii)
————————————————————————————————————————————
A Mighty Enemy Appears – Wii Shop Channel was really fun, but I would easily get tired if hearing it after the first time.
Sorry I missed the last round, life kept me pretty preoccupied.
The discord link said it was expired, but I looked into the app and I don’t think I’m going to download it. I’ve become fairly privacy minded recently, especially after all the FB data scandles. So, I left FB and deleted all my data before I left. Discord doesn’t jive with me unfortunately. Honestly, I’d be more comfortable giving Arthur my actual number to stay in contact if incase of site shutdown.
Whoops! I’ve PMed a new Discord invitation link that should be permanent. @Everyone: Just let me know if you didn’t get it and I’ll PM you.
Discord doesn’t jive with me unfortunately. Honestly, I’d be more comfortable giving Arthur my actual number to stay in contact if incase of site shutdown.
I understand and respect that choice. For what it’s worth, I did not download anything for Discord. I’m able to open it in my browser (I’m on a desktop) and log in using a dummy email. But that doesn’t necessarily solve the legit issues you’re raising. Let’s talk through PM.
My votes:
Firewatch
A Mighty Enemy Appears
A Mighty Enemy Appears
brentalfloss – Wii Shop Channel
A Mighty Enemy Appears – the brentalfloss lyrics and accent are HILARIOUS, but it does grate on the senses after a while
Franco Albertini – A Mighty Enemy Appears
Update tonight unless I forget
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 6 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Virginia by Lyndon Holland
Sample tracks: Sojourner’s Truth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na-tovCFKAw), Flash Forward (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAbx8ZU2ibk), Main Titles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_48v41e-ugI), Brief Encounters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a55FlSO_EzQ), Lucas Fairfax (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFE7WeoS3Cc)
vs.
Stellaris by Andreas Waldetoft
Sample tracks: Creation and Beyond (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AHcak434Zw), To the End of the Galaxy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuELLd3Ec4U), The Awakened (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC4IAH2TvWY), Faster Than Light (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC7m0FEAfQM), Distant Nebula (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZusMsF0a-8E)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 16 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Meine Meinung & Sanzen-Sekai – Shachimaru’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woyeRWsF-v0) (from Okami)
vs.
Ryan Lafford – Summers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao1peYskeX0) (from Earthbound)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Shachimaru’s Theme – Two fun ones going against each other, but I love Meine Meinung & Sanzen-Sekai
Shachimaru’s Theme – Two fun ones going against each other, but I love Meine Meinung & Sanzen-Sekai
That Okami song is rather charming
Summers
Stellaris
Meine Meinung & Sanzen-Sekai – Shachimaru’s Theme
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 6 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mother Russia Bleeds by Vincent Cassar
Sample tracks: Mother Russia Bleeds (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd58QsrXUCU), Black Racers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Tx8lphVLro), Night Brawlers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoXs6wTxNKw), Killing Pool (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW3ROy__3j0), Unholy Impact (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy3JoJBpFT4)
vs.
Unravel by Frida Johansson & Henrik Oja
Sample tracks: Yarny’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkbDWrC0hfE), The Red Thread (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjM97V621cU), Mountain Trek (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBJkvBR1WIA), Mist in the Mire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC_I46TkWB8), Rusted Apart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clQj7uxih8E)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 1 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sebastian Freij – The Place I’ll Return to Someday (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmhQIyD-KDQ) (from Final Fantasy IX)
vs.
Doug Perry – Flow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqXQccOo8F4) (from Fez)
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Returners – Back in September, I cold called the bandleader to see if they’d livestream their Halloween show. I thought it’d be cool to somehow integrate it into the rumble. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out, but I appreciated that they tried to make it happen with the venue just for our group’s benefit.
EDIT: Whoops. Stop the presses. We have a rumble first! The Returners lost in the first round (Thread 66118). This should be Sebastian Freij – The Place I’ll Return to Someday (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmhQIyD-KDQ) (who won in a coin toss) vs. Doug Perry – Flow.
My new vote: Doug Perry
Also, the Best of 2016 post should be Fight 7. The "6" is a repeat from the previous post.
EDIT: Whoops. Stop the presses. We have a rumble first! The Returners lost in the first round (Thread 66118). This should be Sebastian Freij – The Place I’ll Return to Someday (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmhQIyD-KDQ) (who won in a coin toss) vs. Doug Perry – Flow.
Also, the Best of 2016 post should be Fight 7. The "6" is a repeat from the previous post.
If this is the case, then I’m voting for Sebastian Freij
Makes the decision easier though.
Unravel
Doug Perry – Flow
Sebastian Freij – The Place I’ll Return to Someday
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 8 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Last Guardian by Takeshi Furukawa
Sample tracks: Overture Lore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPreI-uoAfk), Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4KkTvnf8i0), Victorious (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miDaPE3XtcI), Falling Bridge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F14xUH9dHZ4), End Titles, The Last Guardian Suite (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rl6d0XAdTI)
vs.
That Dragon, Cancer by Jon HIllman
Sample tracks: Awake, Oh Awake My Joel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhHNr3GFQac), Feeding the Ducks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o0vwqMgKUc), So Few Words (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtDwCKjtr5o), Joel, Our Joy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5sBaSyqWi0), On Hospital Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-wHbUUJuVY)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Carlos Eiene – Eterna Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRGs8UovlTE) (from Pokemon DPPt)
vs.
PPF – Hot Head Bop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWa6gVunVLE) (from Donkey Kong Country 2)
————————————————————————————————————————————
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Last Guardian by Takeshi Furukawa
Sample tracks: Overture Lore, Forest, Victorious, Falling Bridge, End Titles, The Last Guardian Suite
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
PPF – Hot Head Bop (from Donkey Kong Country 2)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Hot Head Bop – I love that they are blowing bubbles in a bucket to get the sound they want!
PPF – Hot Head Bop
The Last Guardian – I’m zero for a million on predicting the finals, but for me this is a top three soundtrack in the rumble.
Carlos Eiene – Eterna Forest – I’ve gone from really liking this to loving it. But it’s basically a draw with PPF’s song.
PPF – Hot Head Bop
That Dragon, Cancer (3-2) and PPF – Hot Head Bop (4-1) advance!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 1 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Samorost 3 by Floex (Tom???š Dvoř???k)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL5jAv4hkWk), Mushroom Picker Dance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFB2wcxPTn0), Taste of Tea *Cosmic Version* (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ9t1YNJakY), Going on an Adventure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWHT-amrLB0), Prenatal Hunters *Floex Revision* (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn_7dcd92WU)
vs.
Firewatch by Chris Remo
Sample tracks: Prologue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6jJdVrmUP0), Thorofare Hike (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxr3EGnB9A4), Camp Approach (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu6AAkcz-e0), Beartooth Point (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvTDUD8hAHs), North Backcountry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgodINESPNk)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 3 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
怪盗v – Heart of Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoyULnJwEdQ) (from Castlevania)
vs.
Songe – Mines Medley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87u6ZAb_EB8) (from Spelunky)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Songe – Mines Medley
As a side note, I also noticed that some of the guitar in Firewatch was a bit reminiscent of Diablo. Nice little nostalgia trip, especially on Beartooth Point.
Heart of Fire
怪盗v – Heart of Fire
Hard choice. going to listen to samorost and firewatch again.
Firewatch
怪盗v – Heart of Fire
Songe – Mines Medley
Choice between Samorost and Firewatch was a difficult one…
怪盗v – Heart of Fire
————————————————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 2 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
That Dragon, Cancer by Jon HIllman
Sample tracks: Awake, Oh Awake My Joel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhHNr3GFQac), Feeding the Ducks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o0vwqMgKUc), So Few Words (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtDwCKjtr5o), Joel, Our Joy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5sBaSyqWi0), On Hospital Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-wHbUUJuVY)
vs.
Unravel by Frida Johansson & Henrik Oja
Sample tracks: Yarny’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkbDWrC0hfE), The Red Thread (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjM97V621cU), Mountain Trek (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBJkvBR1WIA), Mist in the Mire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC_I46TkWB8), Rusted Apart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clQj7uxih8E)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 4 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Malukah – The Dragonborn Comes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr-buV4tYOA) (from Skyrim)
vs.
Pixel Harp – Turret Opera (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWwBjVwwGPo) (from Portal 2)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Pixel Harp – Turret Opera
Malukah
Malukah – The Dragonborn Comes
Pixel Harp – Turret Opera
Malukah – The Dragonborn Comes
————————————————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 3 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Owlboy by Jonathan Greer
Sample tracks: Strato Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdzIVXkESbc), Mesos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDIVH5Go9-Y), Tropos by Day and Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw0_Ne5Zh8o), A Fine Young Owl (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr2VG1UWUwY), Such Perfect Peace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D69ZaxlZ4FA)
vs.
Abz??? by Austin Wintory
Sample tracks: Delphinus Delphis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAJIU9nMbYY), Ichthyosaurus Communis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxUQO-h7Lbw), To Know, Water (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xjBiFF3qkc), Their Waters Were Mingled Together (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPZTeL9s6VI), Elasmosaurus Platyurus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvyCSUWx644)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 5 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Franco Albertini – A Mighty Enemy Appears (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6cZ6TTZSYY) (from Lost Odyssey)
vs.
Soundole – A Wish (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p02SpTP1Zw8) (from Secret of Mana)
————————————————————————————————————————————
————————————————————————————————————————————
Owlboy by Jonathan Greer
Sample tracks: Strato Theme, Mesos, Tropos by Day and Night, A Fine Young Owl, Such Perfect Peace
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 5 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Franco Albertini – A Mighty Enemy Appears (from Lost Odyssey)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Owlboy
Franco Albertini – A Mighty Enemy Appears
Soundole – A Wish
Franco Albertini – A Mighty Enemy Appears
Franco Albertini – A Mighty Enemy Appears (from Lost Odyssey)
A Mighty Enemy Appears
Owlboy (5-1) and Franco Albertini (5-1) advance!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 4 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Virginia by Lyndon Holland
Sample tracks: Sojourner’s Truth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na-tovCFKAw), Flash Forward (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAbx8ZU2ibk), Main Titles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_48v41e-ugI), Brief Encounters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a55FlSO_EzQ), Lucas Fairfax (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFE7WeoS3Cc)
vs.
Another Metroid 2 Remake by Milton Guasti
Sample tracks: Surface of SR388 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rq6w_K1K3E), Hydro Station (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUwI_rYJ-TU), The Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL9EqBQHI08), The Golden Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpip5rkAqVE), The Queen Metroid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoA2JIYBG5k)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 6 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
CelloBassett – Into the Thick of It (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdLH84qy3T8a) (from Secret of Mana)
vs.
Pok???rus – Dreamer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jew0GM5StA) (from Streets of Rage 2)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Another Metroid 2 Remake
Pok???rus – Dreamer
Pokerus
The link for Cellobassett is broken, too, but easy enough to find on YouTube.
Virginia ~Kind of feel like neither of these soundtracks belong this deep into the competition considering a lot of the eliminated options, but rand gonna rand.
CelloBassett
———- Post added at 07:50 AM ———- Previous post was at 07:50 AM ———-
also wait we can double post now?
———- Post added at 07:50 AM ———- Previous post was at 07:50 AM ———-
lol I guess not.
Truth.
Pokerus
————————————————————————————————————————————
Semifinals, Fight 1 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Another Metroid 2 Remake by Milton Guasti
Sample tracks: Surface of SR388 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eljssMIlE3I), Hydro Station (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GyLbJP83MM), The Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z24-ESnLkwE), The Golden Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGN4Eqqg6NA), The Queen Metroid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoA2JIYBG5k)
vs.
Unravel by Frida Johansson & Henrik Oja
Sample tracks: Yarny’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkbDWrC0hfE), The Red Thread (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjM97V621cU), Mountain Trek (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBJkvBR1WIA), Mist in the Mire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC_I46TkWB8), Rusted Apart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clQj7uxih8E)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 7 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Soul Bros. – Megalovania (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iws7KejE6n4) (from Undertale)
vs.
Banjo Guy Ollie – Beautiful Golden City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRgsoYMDgro) (from Suikoden)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Soul Bros. – Megalovania – Taking the more creative arrangement, though I love both
Banjo Guy Ollie
Banjo Guy Ollie
Super Soul Bros. – Megalovania
Banjo Guy Ollie – Beautiful Golden City
————————————————————————————————————————————
Semifinals, Fight 2 // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Owlboy by Jonathan Greer
Sample tracks: Strato Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdzIVXkESbc), Mesos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDIVH5Go9-Y), Tropos by Day and Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw0_Ne5Zh8o), A Fine Young Owl (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr2VG1UWUwY), Such Perfect Peace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D69ZaxlZ4FA)
vs.
Samorost 3 by Floex (Tom???š Dvoř???k)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL5jAv4hkWk), Mushroom Picker Dance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFB2wcxPTn0), Taste of Tea *Cosmic Version* (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ9t1YNJakY), Going on an Adventure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWHT-amrLB0), Prenatal Hunters *Floex Revision* (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn_7dcd92WU)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 8 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
LONELYROLLINGSTARS – Lonely Rolling Star (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5gnSpcKgVA) (from Katamari Damacy)
vs.
Meine Meinung & Sanzen-Sekai – Shachimaru’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woyeRWsF-v0) (from Okami)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Meine Meinung & Sanzen-Sekai – Bummer these two had to face off. But watching the interactions between the players in the Meine Meinung video always makes me smile.
Lonely Rolling Star
Meine Meinung & Sanzen-Sekai – Bummer these two had to face off. But watching the interactions between the players in the Meine Meinung video always makes me smile.
I’m also sad these had to compete with each other
I am not sure if i heard about Meine Meinung through here, but I love their music. always a pleasure to listen to their channel.
Meine Meinung & Sanzen-Sekai
————————————————————————————————————————————
FINAL MATCH // Best of 2016
————————————————————————————————————————————
Samorost 3 by Floex (Tom??? Dvoř???k)
Sample tracks: Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL5jAv4hkWk), Mushroom Picker Dance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFB2wcxPTn0), Taste of Tea *Cosmic Version* (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ9t1YNJakY), Going on an Adventure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWHT-amrLB0), Prenatal Hunters *Floex Revision* (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn_7dcd92WU)
vs.
Unravel by Frida Johansson & Henrik Oja
Sample tracks: Yarny’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkbDWrC0hfE), The Red Thread (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjM97V621cU), Mountain Trek (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBJkvBR1WIA), Mist in the Mire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC_I46TkWB8), Rusted Apart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clQj7uxih8E)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 1 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Doug Perry – Flow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqXQccOo8F4) (from Fez)
vs.
Pok???rus – Dreamer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jew0GM5StA) (from Streets of Rage 2)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Doug Perry – This was an equally difficult choice for me.
I think I can ultimately say that my top four in order were Unravel, Firewatch, Owlboy, and Samorost 3, with Dark Souls 3 and VA-11 HALL-A deserving a mention too
Doug Perry
Doug Perry
I love the sound of marimba and Vibraphone! what a great mix!
Doug Perry – Flow
I think I can ultimately say that my top four in order were Unravel, Firewatch, Owlboy, and Samorost 3, with Dark Souls 3 and VA-11 HALL-A deserving a mention too
Doug Perry
I agree, this is a really nice final round. My top four are pretty much the same as yours. I’ve done complete ost listens of all four on lazy weekend afternoons.
Unravel
Doug Perry
But it looks like I’ve got things back on the every 3 days cycle now so that’s cool. 🙂
Doug Perry – Flow (5-0) advances!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 2 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Franco Albertini – A Mighty Enemy Appears (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6cZ6TTZSYY) (from Lost Odyssey)
vs.
Malukah – The Dragonborn Comes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr-buV4tYOA) (from Skyrim)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Aaaaaaaand what’s up next?
16:
NARFNra’s Custom Rumble [songs]
Shad’s Best Video Game Music Covers [songs]
Final Fantasy XIII [songs]
Best of Daisuke Amaya (Pixel) [songs]
32:
Best of Jesper Kyd [songs]
Best of Touhou [songs]
Best of Danganronpa [songs]
Best of 2017 [soundtracks]
In case this has some impact on your choices: I will very likely start an 83 track rumble when arthur’s covers ends rather than holding a vote. (Don’t worry; this is a good thing. :P)
🙂 x10
Song/soundtrack selections for each theme linked below…
[2014] NARFNra’s Custom Rumble (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=486&do=discuss)
[2015] Best of Final Fantasy XIII (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=520&do=discuss)
[2017] Best of Touhou (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1140&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Daisuke Amaya (Pixel) (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1144&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Jesper Kyd (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1145&do=discuss)
[2018] Shad’s Custom Rumble of VGM Covers (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1141&pp=10&page=4&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Danganronpa (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1148&do=discuss)
[2019] Best of 2017 (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1149&do=discuss)
Votes:
Franco Albertini
My inclination would be to do a shorter one that can run its course between now and the 83-er, so I’m thinking NARFNra’s Custom Rumble or Shad’s VGM Covers or Daisuke Amaya.
My inclination would be to do a shorter one that can run its course between now and the 83-er.
I was thinking the same, my votes are NARFNra’s Custom Rumble or Shad’s VGM Covers
Yeah sure I’ll shamelessly vote for myself. Would be neat to have the covers overlap for a few iterations.
Really phenomenal track.
I’ll go with Shad’s but I also lean on Jesper Kyd haha. Also FF13
And we’re kicking off my own 16 track mix of video game music "covers". I didn’t maintain quite the same criteria as Arthur when I compiled this. While I didn’t have a spelled-out standard to go by, I think I can narrow down what was going through my head to three basic standards:
1) I pursued songs that required some form of adaptation. A fan’s spin on an already fully orchestrated track was not as interesting to me as hearing what a lower tech production might have been given modern technology. With I think one? exception, none of the songs I used here were originally recorded on physical instruments.
2) I am very interested in how the actual composers envisioned their work. You’ll encounter a number of songs that were contributed to in some capacity by the original composer or someone working for the same publisher, including arrangements that were released contemporary to the original tracks. Entries here date as far back as 1990.
3) I generally wanted live recordings to feel like live recordings. The sense of a performance took some priority for me over audio quality. I want to hear artists getting emotionally invested in the sound they’re delivering.
There will be a few entries that might not fully fit into any of these molds, but I obviously chose recordings that I like, and that’s going to overlap a lot with things that interest me.
Regarding multiple entries from the same franchise, well, thanks to random.org, three days from now I will be able to say that there are no repeats. Heh.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 3 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
PPF – Hot Head Bop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWa6gVunVLE) (from Donkey Kong Country 2)
vs.
Meine Meinung & Sanzen-Sekai – Shachimaru’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woyeRWsF-v0) (from Okami)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Round 1, Fight 1 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
GUIDO – Outskirts of Time (To Far Away Times) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysQw1h3SmbE) (Chrono Trigger, Yasunori Mitsuda)
vs.
Skull Kids – Battle with Magus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-WlDsD–Mo) (Chrono Trigger, Yasunori Mitsuda)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Skull Kids
GUIDO – Outskirts of Time ~This is one of those entries I was referring to when I talked about original artists contributing to the adaptations. The Brink of Time was released in June 1995, before Chrono Trigger even existed outside of Japan. While Mitsuda didn’t do the arrangements himself, he produced the album and appears to have had some say over them. The quality varies quite a lot from track to track, with a number of songs feeling awkwardly forced into this jazz motif, but I think they nailed the closer.
Outskirts of Time – I could’ve went either way with this but Chrono Trigger is my SO’s game and they didn’t care for Skull Kids cover.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI5_65mRjoY
————————————————————————————————————————————
PPF – Hot Head Bop (from Donkey Kong Country 2)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Round 1, Fight 1 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Skull Kids – Battle with Magus (Chrono Trigger, Yasunori Mitsuda)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Skull Kids – Battle with Magus (Chrono Trigger, Yasunori Mitsuda)
Both were really tough to choose. What won me over was the tight melodies and especially with Meine Meinung they made it look so easy.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Quarterfinals, Fight 4 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
怪盗v – Heart of Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoyULnJwEdQ) (from Castlevania)
vs.
Banjo Guy Ollie – Beautiful Golden City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRgsoYMDgro) (from Suikoden)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Round 1, Fight 2 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Verdegrand – Capital (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9W3MerLkAQ) (SimCity, Soyo Oka)
vs.
Bit Brigade – Dr. Wiley’s Castle Stage 5 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUHlVdqRlPA&t=1967s) (Mega Man 3, Yasuaki Fujita)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
———- Post added at 09:04 AM ———- Previous post was at 09:04 AM ———-
Note that the second video should start at 32:47, and this song ends at 35:22.
Bit Brigade ~This entire recording is pretty awesome. The full set is played to a live run of Mega Man 2, with tracks transitioning in and out as they would in-game. (They added a few Mega Man 3 tunes to keep it from being too repetitive). This particular song isn’t the most famous in the franchise, but I really like how they adapted a sort of post-rock progression to it to make the song extend through the duration of the level.
Verdegrand
Heart of Fire
Verdegrand
Thank you!
Bit Brigade – I saw Video Games Live years ago, and at the time they did this exact thing, but to Frogger. It was so much fun, I can only imagine how awesome this would be live!
Welcome back OSTGeek! Congrats on the soon to ve graduation!
Verdegrand
Verdegrand – Capital
————————————————————————————————————————————
Semifinals, Fight 1 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
PPF – Hot Head Bop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWa6gVunVLE) (from Donkey Kong Country 2)
vs.
Franco Albertini – A Mighty Enemy Appears (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6cZ6TTZSYY) (from Lost Odyssey)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Round 1, Fight 3 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Fabio Lima – Dance of Pales (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW4SZ_ZJBtY) (Symphony of the Night, Michiru Yamane)
vs.
Diwa de Leon – Gourmet Race (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogu004W_LKQ) (Kirby Super Star, Jun Ishikawa)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Fabio Lima – Nice. Did he get that high C added just for this song? 🙂
I think it’s remarkable how seamlessly Gourmet Race translates into Diwa’s sort of light ska approach. I could see this being the actual in-game cut a system or two later. That being said, Fabio Lima gets my vote.
Diwa de Leon
Not that i don’t love Castlevania, but I’m just going on how clean the Diwa de Leon arrangement is. having never played castlevania or kirby in this mix up really hurts haha. I do have dracula x on my retropie but haven’t even finished it yet so that’s all i can say about my castlevania. I’m open to change my mind however. hah
Just a reminder, you’re all more than welcome to roll through and break ties on any fights you missed so long as the round isn’t over. A vote is always preferable to a coin toss.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Semifinals, Fight 2 // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Doug Perry – Flow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqXQccOo8F4) (from Fez)
vs.
Banjo Guy Ollie – Beautiful Golden City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRgsoYMDgro) (from Suikoden)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Round 1, Fight 4 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
RichaadEB – U.N. Owen was her? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT5EfexWkiA) (The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, Junya Ota)
vs.
Yuji Yoshino – Days Past (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4xgblMW-N8) (Suikoden II, Miki Higashino)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
I listen to a lot of metal. I might listen to more metal than video game music. The two… don’t tend to cross over well in practice. RichaadEB’s execution is excellent and he keeps his eyes on the spirit of the original throughout, but a lot of the gap-bridging here just boils down to choosing the right song. The frantic-paced, spastic melodies of Touhou translate really well into power metal. I feel like if the actual game was going to have a studio-recorded soundtrack, this would be entirely appropriate.
I think this spin on Days Past is one of the most imaginative products to emerge from Konami’s official library of Suikoden arrangements. Yuji Yoshino completely flipped the vibe of this track on its head while transforming it into the genre of music Miki Higashino claims influenced her composition most.
Toughest call of the 1st round so far for me, but I’m taking RichaadEB.
RichaadEB
Yuji Yoshino
RichaadEB – U.N. Owen was her?
February 17th, 2016, Masahiro Ikariko’s Pleasure of Tension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNrEkiDulWU) for Konami’s 1988 visual novel Snatcher is eliminated in the final round of my custom rumble.
March 28th, 2016, Tears Of… (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UJOl1P4KQw) for Konami’s 1999 survival classic Silent Hill debuts in the Akira Yamaoka rumble, which it goes on to win.
And we never noticed they were the same song.
I really liked the take on the suikoden song… and the metal cover of the touhou song (having never played it) is also really awesome. This is another difficult decision. I personally love the celtic take on the suikoden song because like Shad said, it flips the overall tune on its head and I could listen to it forever haha. Yuji Yoshino it is
It’s final time 😮
————————————————————————————————————————————
FINAL MATCH // Arthur’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
PPF – Hot Head Bop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWa6gVunVLE) (from Donkey Kong Country 2)
vs.
Banjo Guy Ollie – Beautiful Golden City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRgsoYMDgro) (from Suikoden)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Round 1, Fight 5 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Zuntata – Daddy Mulk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NteidGHXV7U) (The Ninja Warriors, Hisayoshi Ogura)
vs.
Andrew Thompson – Meridian Dance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk2q-68TqBY) (Secret of Mana, Hiroki Kikuta)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Zuntata
Andrew Thompson
The Andrew Thompson track is one of the most basic options I threw in here. He does so many covers well that it was hard to not include him, and Meridian Dance feels like a relatively under-covered track relative to the popularity of the score.
Zuntata is… something quite different. Before you let the recording quality turn you off, please consider that there wasn’t quite as high of a demand for live video game music covers in 1990. Moreover, this isn’t a true "cover". It’s the real deal. Zuntata was Taito’s house band, and I’m pretty sure that’s original composer Hisayoshi Ogura jamming on the keyboards.
Zutana – oh boy, Zutana is definitely something different. Such 80’s much New Wave. I bet it would’ve been even more awesome at the time it came out.
And now we will be kicking off something pretty special, I think.
In case you didn’t happen to notice, we’re just a little over a month away from this game’s 10 year anniversary.
What better way to celebrate that than to determine the grand champion of them all? I welcome you to:
Battle 42: Anniversary Edition
I wanted to keep a lot of options on the table here, while acknowledging that both tastes and the participant base can change significantly over the course of a decade. With that in mind, we’ll be reviving the four semi-finalists of every single-track rumble. Here’s how it’s going to work:
Round 1: The two losing tracks of each semi-final square off. Think of it like a match to determine third place, except the winners get a lifeline to move on.
Round 2: Each (21) rumble winner will face a randomly selected third place seed from a different contest (22), while finalists (21) are randomly paired against each other. One third place contestant chosen randomly between entries 43-45(*) will face a finalist to even the numbers.
Round 3: The remaining 32 tracks will be randomly paired by the following method: Winners are randomly paired against 3rd seeds not representing the same contest until all options are exhausted. Repeat for 2nd seed. Any leftover winners face each other. If remaining 2nd and 3rd seeds outnumber remaining winners, apply the same standards for 2nd seeds (face 3rds where possible; entries from the same contest never face each other).
Total entries: 83
*The numbers did not add up perfectly on account of some tracks appearing in multiple semi-finals. To accommodate this, three 3rd seeds were granted a first round bye based on the unique circumstances of their original losses. (Two were eliminated on a coin flip and one reached the semis in two separate contests but never became a finalist.) Additionally, two semi-final pairings will not be representing the same contest. This resulted in 81 entries, with 83 needed to proceed to a round of 64. The final two entries will be tracks that never accomplished jack. I asked Arthur to select a song that lost early in a contest to have one last shot at glory, and I did the same.
Hope you all enjoy, and thanks for hanging around. It’s your continued participation that allows us to keep running this.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 4 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Castlevania IV – Clockwork Mansion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQRMjAg2jN0), by Masanori Adachi, Taro Kudo (SNES, 1991)
Semifinalist 4: Castlevania Songs
vs.
Castlevania – Vampire Killer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYfgpodCVHE), by Kinuyo Yamashita (NES, 1986)
Semifinalist 4: Castlevania Songs
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Round 1, Fight 6 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Motoaki Furukawa & Koichi Namiki – My Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4dpJ8hvtfc) (Policenauts, Kozo Nakamura)
vs.
Kazz Toyama – A Night Without a Lover (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigUiN8ejuA) (Soul Blader, Yukihide Takekawa)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
2. Thanks to Shad, in particular, for all of your hard work. This rumble called for something special, and I think it will be. I’m excited to see how opinions have changed and what old upsets we can revisit. 🙂
More as we get closer to the anniversary date…
Super Castlevania IV – Clockwork Mansion
Motoaki Furukawa & Koichi Namiki – My Love
P.S. If you want a quick sense of how much music we’ve covered over the years, just scroll down the OP of this thread.
Policenauts and Soul Blader squaring off in the first round is interesting because both tracks are so closely linked to their in-game scores. Kazz Toyama’s arrangement of A Night Without a Lover is included on the original soundtrack, and it only fails to appear as the ending credit theme because the technology at the time did not allow for it. It is entirely faithful to the 16 bit version, and I tend to think of it as how the song was intended to be heard all along. In fact, while no credits are presented for who is singing on this cut, I think it is probably Takekawa himself. That appears to be his primary profession.
Motoaki Furukawa actually composed a lot of the original Policenauts soundtrack. I happened to choose a cut questionably credited to La Nakamur (I am not sure how my research while tagging the files lead me to this–he is not even mentioned on the original soundtrack), but Furukawa was directly involved in creating the original score. Moreover, like the Soul Blader number, it is contemporary to its title, pre-dating the widespread popularity of game music at least in the west.
Motoaki Furukawa & Koichi Namiki – My Love – I liked this one, but I also really don’t care for lyrics in my VG ost’s
A big thank you to all you guys who have run and helped run this rumble. I’m constantly finding new games and new music that I wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Motoaki Furukawa & Koichi Namiki – My Love
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 7 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Metal Gear Solid – Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqq8uqSDnk), by Tappi Iwase (PSX, 1998)
Semifinalist 7: Metal Gear Songs
vs.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops – Gene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cads0ReDjiQ), by Norihiko Hibino (PSP, 2006)
Semifinalist 7: Metal Gear Songs
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Round 1, Fight 7 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Markdoom – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBTiuZPdvNQ) (Yie Ar Kung-Fu, Miki Higashino)
vs.
Malcura – Gerudo Valley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0PnCzKH6js) (The Ocarina of Time, Koji Kondo)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Metal Gear Solid Main Theme
Malcura
Malcura
Malcura
I’m back. was a little sick this week. feeling better now
I never imagined Markdoom would make it out of round 1, but I think this track’s hilarious. It chucks every folk metal cliche at an ancient song by vgm standards (1985) that already had a folk theme going on.
Markdoom
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 11 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man X – Spark Mandrill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ82cKgB9ME), by Makoto Tomozawa (SNES, 1993)
Semifinalist 11: Mega Man Songs
vs.
Mega Man 2 – Flash Man (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26MopY4DTZU), by Takashi Tateishi (NES, 1988)
Semifinalist 11: Mega Man Songs
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Round 1, Fight 8 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Vinheteiro – Tristram (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMX_OfNFpuM) (Diablo, Matt Uelmen)
vs.
Kagan Breitenbach – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuFP76k8EoU) (Pictionary, Tim Follin)
———————————————————————————————————————————–[/QUOTE]
Kagan Breitenbach – Title Screen
Vinheteiro – Tristram. I don’t have anything exciting to add to either of these entries. They are what they are at face value. I will say that I ended up spending close to an hour on Vinheteiro’s channel when I first discovered this. He’s got a lot of really entertaining stuff up there.
Agreed, though it involves a lot of staring. 🙂 I think the first one I ever saw by him was called something like "How to seduce a woman" and involved him playing famous songs on the piano while his significant other yawned.
Vinheteiro – Tristram.
Wow that was a treat. wow.
Vinheteiro – Tristram – I like this guy I think he’s hilarious. I had never seen that rubber chicken video, but I love it!
Here have Adam Savage from Mythbusters playing with rubber ducks.https://youtu.be/uR0sO8mYuVU
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 12 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Suikoden III – Transcending Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUBZgLbRdL8), by Yoshiaki Hoshi (PS2, 2002)
Semifinalist 12: Suikoden Songs
vs.
Suikoden – Rising Tide (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-J3Y1EBvWM), by Konami Kukeiha Club (PSX, 1996)
Semifinalist 12: Suikoden Songs
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Round 2, Fight 1 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
RichaadEB – U.N. Owen was her? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT5EfexWkiA) (The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, Junya Ota)
vs.
Verdegrand – Capital (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9W3MerLkAQ) (SimCity, Soyo Oka)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Verdegrand – Capital
RichaadEB, this was a tough call too and I feel like it could swap back and forth easily depending on my mood.
RichaadEB – U.N. Owen was her? (The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, Junya Ota)
Updating later today
U.N. Owen was Her?
I’ve never heard of the cults, but I also didn’t have a computer, let alone internet access, in the early 2000’s. Regardless, I shouldn’t be surprised by the fact that they existed, I mean there was that debacle with Slenderman.
update in a minute
———- Post added at 08:00 PM ———- Previous post was at 07:56 PM ———-
Suikoden – Rising Tide (3-1) and RichaadEB – U.N. Owen was her? (3-1) advance!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 17 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Final Fantasy VI – The Decisive Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NPGJ1TKobM), by Nobuo Uematsu (SNES, 1994)
Winner 17: Final Fantasy Songs
vs.
Final Fantasy VIII – Find Your Way (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn0T6Xh5VXY), by Nobuo Uematsu (PSX, 1999)
Semifinalist 17: Final Fantasy Songs
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Round 2, Fight 2 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Fabio Lima – Dance of Pales (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW4SZ_ZJBtY) (Symphony of the Night, Michiru Yamane)
vs.
Zuntata – Daddy Mulk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NteidGHXV7U) (The Ninja Warriors, Hisayoshi Ogura)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Final Fantasy VI – The Decisive Battle
Zuntata – Daddy Mulk
Zuntata – Daddy Mulk
Zuntata – Daddy Mulk
Zuntata – Daddy Mulk
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 18 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Metroid Prime – Data Selection (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIJBF8x7D5s), by Kenji Yamamoto, Kouichi Kyuma (GC, 2002)
Semifinalist 18: Metroid Songs
vs.
Metroid – Kraid’s Lair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wHwJoxw4i4), by Hirokazu Tanaka (NES, 1986)
Semifinalist 18: Metroid Songs
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Round 2, Fight 3 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Skull Kids – Battle with Magus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-WlDsD–Mo) (Chrono Trigger, Yasunori Mitsuda)
vs.
Motoaki Furukawa & Koichi Namiki – My Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4dpJ8hvtfc) (Policenauts, Kozo Nakamura)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Motoaki Furukawa & Koichi Namiki – My Love
Motoaki Furukawa & Koichi Namiki – My Love
Battle with Magus
Motoaki Furukawa & Koichi Namiki – My Love
Skull Kids – Battle with Magus (Chrono Trigger, Yasunori Mitsuda)
Decided to go for the ones that stuck in my head the most hah 🙂
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 19 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Time Trax – Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqyEbu8cmMg), by Tim Follin (SMD, 1994)
Semifinalist 19: Tim Follin Songs
vs.
Plok – Akrillic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jbJSftFr20), by Tim Follin (SNES, 1993)
Semifinalist 19: Tim Follin Songs
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Round 2, Fight 4 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Malcura – Gerudo Valley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0PnCzKH6js) (The Ocarina of Time, Koji Kondo)
vs.
Vinheteiro – Tristram (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMX_OfNFpuM) (Diablo, Matt Uelmen)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Vinheteiro
Malcura – Gerudo Valley
Plok – Akrillic
Vinheteiro – Tristram
Malcura – Gerudo Valley
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 21 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge – Evil Gods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHXdogIIwXw), by Hidehiro Funauchi (GB, 1991)
Semifinalist 21: Game Boy Songs
vs.
Tetris – Type A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmCCQxVBfyM), by Hirokazu Tanaka (GB, 1989)
Semifinalist 21: Game Boy Songs
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Semifinals, Fight 1 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Zuntata – Daddy Mulk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NteidGHXV7U) (The Ninja Warriors, Hisayoshi Ogura)
vs.
RichaadEB – U.N. Owen was her? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT5EfexWkiA) (The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, Junya Ota)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Zuntata – Daddy Mulk
In other news, the 6th run of the Final Fantasy music rumble is now live! (Thread 232836)
U.N. Owen was her?
Off topic: For fans of Nicolas Cage being added to everything, Majora’s Mask but all Nic Cage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAwf2z3zlk4).
I love the Nic Cage’s face on everything meme. My friends and brother buy me Nic Cage stuff. It’s hilarious!
Tetris – Type A
RichaadEB – U.N. Owen was her?
Tetris – Type A, by Hirokazu Tanaka (GB, 1989)
Zuntata – Daddy Mulk (The Ninja Warriors, Hisayoshi Ogura)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 24 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
World of Warcraft – Enchanted Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r7iz-9v9bA), by Jason Hayes (Windows, 2004)
Semifinalist 24: World of Warcraft Songs
vs.
World of Warcraft – Legends of Azeroth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqsazZUbt9s), by Jason Hayes (Windows, 2004)
Semifinalist 24: World of Warcraft Songs
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Semifinals, Fight 2 // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Motoaki Furukawa & Koichi Namiki – My Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4dpJ8hvtfc) (Policenauts, Kozo Nakamura)
vs.
Malcura – Gerudo Valley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0PnCzKH6js) (The Ocarina of Time, Koji Kondo)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Malcura – Gerudo Valley
Malcura – Gerudo Valley
Yoko Shimomura
Miki Higashino
Michiru Yamane
Manaka Kataoka
Soyo Oka
Manami Matsumae
Minako Hamano
Yoshino Aoki
Harumi Fujita
Kinuyo Yamashita
*I can’t include Yoko Kanno because of the credible claims of plagiarism against her (some of them made by me), as well as the fact that she often releases music under her name that was outsourced to a team of other composers. That said, she has made music that is absolutely great.
I also ran across this Archive.org video offering a sampler (https://archive.org/details/HallOfFameFemaleComposersOfVideoGameMusic) of vgm by different female composers.
Malcura – Gerudo Valley
As for my votes, Legends of Azeroth and Malcura.
i agree
Malcura – Gerudo Valley
All ladies works for me for a future rumble.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 25 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Darksiders II – The Death Plains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cufiWPwrE1Y), by Jesper Kyd (PS3 & 360, 2012)
Semifinalist 25: ArthurGolden’s Custom 16
vs.
Total Distortion – You Are Dead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pPQnhhUqtU), by Kent Carmical, Joe Sparks (Windows, 1995)
Semifinalist 25: ArthurGolden’s Custom 16
———————————————————————————————————————————–
FINAL MATCH // Shad’s Custom Covers
————————————————————————————————————————————
Malcura – Gerudo Valley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0PnCzKH6js) (The Ocarina of Time, Koji Kondo)
vs.
Zuntata – Daddy Mulk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NteidGHXV7U) (The Ninja Warriors, Hisayoshi Ogura)
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Zuntata
Darksiders II – It pains me to vote against Total Distortion.
EDIT: Vote changed
Total Distortion
Malcura – Gerudo Valley
Zuntata – Daddy Mulk
I’ll leave this round open a bit.
Malcura – Gerudo Valley (The Ocarina of Time, Koji Kondo)
Darksiders II – It pains me to vote against Total Distortion.
Oh wow. that’s all i can say for total distortion.
Malcura – Gerudo Valley
XD
Also, Malcura – Gerudo Valley has become the 41st rumble winner, beating Zuntata – Daddy Mulk 3-2!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 27 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Shinra Banshou – The Universe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4hj4K1u6HA), by Nobuhito Koise (PC88, 1987)
Semifinalist 27: Shad’s Custom 16
vs.
Illusion City – Noises of the City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=777ilYa99D4), by Tadahiro Nitta (MSX, 1991)
Semifinalist 27: Shad’s Custom 16
———————————————————————————————————————————–
What’s up next? Pick as many or as few as you want. Whichever gets the most votes begins in three(ish) days. If this list is missing anything let me know.
16:
NARFNra’s Custom Rumble [songs]
Final Fantasy XIII [songs]
Best of Daisuke Amaya (Pixel) [songs]
32:
Best of Jesper Kyd [songs]
Best of Touhou [songs]
Best of Danganronpa [songs]
Best of 2017 [soundtracks]
I can’t decide, so I’ll vote NARFNra or Touhou or Jesper Kyd or Best of 2017.
Song/soundtrack selections for each theme linked below…
[2014] NARFNra’s Custom Rumble (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=486&do=discuss)
[2015] Best of Final Fantasy XIII (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=520&do=discuss)
[2017] Best of Touhou (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1140&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Daisuke Amaya (Pixel) (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1144&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Jesper Kyd (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1145&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Danganronpa (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1148&do=discuss)
[2019] Best of 2017 (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1149&do=discuss)
coming back with rumble
Shinra Banshou – The Universe, by Nobuhito Koise (PC88, 1987)
Good, yes, join the dark side! Mwahahaha!
Illusion City
NARFNra’s Custom Rumble
NARFNra or Danganronpa
And after five full years of stagnating in the queue (largely due to its creator’s disappearance), we are finally going to run NARFNra’s custom 16!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 28 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Silent Hill 2 – True (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDKx1Rp1yAA) by Akira Yamaoka (PS2, 2001)
Semifinalist 28: Akira Yamaoka Songs
vs.
Silent Hill – Silent Hill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYs0kLMuXDE) by Akira Yamaoka (PSX, 1999)
Semifinalist 28: Akira Yamaoka Songs
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Round 1, Fight 1 // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Darius Force/Supernova – Lame (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXJ48JJW6zU) by Kiyoshi Kusatsu & Yoshio Watanabe (SNES, 1993)
vs.
Arcana – Second Armageddon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq_cGF8F6l4) by Jun Ishikawa & Hirokazu Ando (SNES, 1992)
Arcana – Second Armageddon
Arcana – Second Armageddon
Arcana – Second Armageddon
Arcana – Second Armageddon
And after five full years of stagnating in the queue (largely due to its creator’s disappearance), we are finally going to run NARFNra’s custom 16!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 29 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Stormlord – Title Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbfNwe-BsN8) by Johannes Bjerregaard (C64, 1989)
Semifinalist 29: Commodore 64 Songs
vs.
Hypa-Ball – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyNYfoWBRvc) by Keith Tinman (C64, 1986)
Semifinalist 29: Commodore 64 Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2 // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
The 7th Saga – Battle in a World of Fading Hope (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYlnZGmgADA) by Norihiko Yamanuki (SNES, 1993)
vs.
Over Horizon – Stage 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McOxZGhOeAU) by Masaharu Iwata (NES, 1991)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Hypa-Ball – Title Screen
Over Horizon – Stage 2
Over Horizon – Stage 2
Over Horizon – Stage 2
The 7th Saga
Hypa-Ball (4-0) and Over Horizon (3-1) advance!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 34 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Planescape: Torment – Credits Track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gVtPrtJCiE), by Richard Band (Windows, 1999)
Semifinalist 34: 90s End Credits Themes
vs.
Legend of Mana – Nostalgic Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de1n8TRj91E), by Yoko Shimomura (PSX, 1999)
Semifinalist 34: 90s End Credits Themes
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 3 // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Zombie Nation – Exodus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1hQxUcJGMg) by Takane Ohkubo, Norio Nakagata (NES, 1990)
vs.
Acrobat Mission – Countryside (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jBo_QqaNUI) by Tomo Yamashita (SNES, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Hard to decide for narfnra. i will pencil in Acrobat Mission – Countryside by Tomo Yamashita (SNES, 1992) though. Yep i’m going with this one
Acrobat Mission
Acrobat Mission
———- Post added at 10:51 PM ———- Previous post was at 10:31 PM ———-
Legend of Mana
Zombie Nation
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 37 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Banjo‐Tooie ‐ Jinjo Village (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oXPFtv818c), by Grant Kirkhope (N64, 2000)
Semifinalist 37: OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
vs.
Parasite Eve ‐ Main Theme (Orchestral Version) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q01M3w8uso), by Yoko Shimomura (PSX, 1998)
Semifinalist 37: OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Thunder Force III – The Grubby Dark Blue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG9Tyl_rcrY) by Toshiharu Yamanishi, Tomomi Ōtani (SMD, 1990)
vs.
Space Manbow – Fire Warning (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXwv1p_hEBw) by Tsuyoshi Sekito, Kazuhiko Uehara, Yasuhiko Manno (MSX, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Thunder Force III
Thunder Force III
Thunder Force III – The Grubby Dark Blue by Toshiharu Yamanishi, Tomomi Ōtani (SMD, 1990)
Thunder Force III
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle 38 Semifinalists // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Dokkaebi-ga Ganda – Stage 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjgFEvjHcVU&t=709s), by Senori Box (MS-DOS, 1995)
Semifinalist 38: nx666’s Custom 16
vs.
Black It! – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XMoDB3fX_k&t=2211s), by Matthias Hartung (C64, 1995)
Semifinalist 38: nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 5 // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sparkster – Steel Works (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrA7LrmiafI) by various artists (SNES, 1994)
vs.
Live A Live – Knock You Down! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXQH6hT_Fcc) by Yoko Shimomura (SNES, 1994)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Black It! – Title Screen, by Matthias Hartung (C64, 1995)
Live A Live – Knock You Down! by Yoko Shimomura (SNES, 1994)
Live A Live
Sparkster
Sparkster
Tomorrow’s going to be the first evening I’ll have some free time in ages. Updates to this and the FF game incoming.
looking forward to it
I’m hearing that the site is being blocked by anti-malware software for some people again, so that might explain the mass disappearance of participants over the past month.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mixed Semifinalists 1 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKtYCcMWT4), by Takashi Tateishi (NES, 1988)
Semifinalist 1: Unthemed
vs.
Granstream Saga – Lava Cave (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZKw9XpmwXw), by Masanori Hikichi, Miyoko Takaoka, & Takako Ochiai (PSX, 1997)
Semifinalist 35: Fire Level Themes
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 6 // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Maka-Maka – Boss Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H1i4hm-clk) by Office Koukan (SNES, 1992)
vs.
Gokujyo Parodius – What Do You See When You’re Jumping? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaFR-fzA7ZY) by Hideto Inoue, Nobuyuki Akena (SNES, 1994)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man 2
Maka-Maka
My dude, if you want to vote in the first round of the FF rumble let me know because I’m updating it in about half an hour.
———- Post added at 09:29 PM ———- Previous post was at 09:27 PM ———-
Groups G and H are hurting most if you just want to knock out a few for yucks. Only had 5 voters for them vs 10 for A. It was a weird year.
Obviously don’t feel obligated to do any of them, just saying. Let me know though because I’m going to finalize the stats to rand the next round otherwise
Yeah, I’ve been having a lot of problems with the Shrine since 5/18. Every page I click on produces a "Malicious link blocked" message. I’ve emailed Jessie twice to figure out why this is happening, but have not yet heard back. Until then, I’ll be here as much as the technology and time allow.
Mega Man 2
Maka-Maka
Gokujyo Parodius
Gokujyo Parodius
Maka-Maka
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mixed Semifinalists 2 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Emerald Hill Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ap-fm75Grk) by Masato Nakamura (SMD, 1992)
Semifinalist 32: Sonic Songs
vs.
Super Metroid ??? Maridia (Rocky Underwater Area) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O6pNSagRwA), by Minako Hamano (SNES, 1994)
Semifinalist 2: Aquatic Level Themes
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 7 // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Gimmick! – Long Tomorrow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEnxS6D83iE) by Masashi Kageyama (NES, 1992)
vs.
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer – Stage 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omQTQ9cV0tA) by Isao Mizoguchi, Masanori Hikichi, Noriyuki Iwadare (SMD, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Super Metroid – Maridia (Rocky Underwater Area), by Minako Hamano (SNES, 1994)
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer – Stage 1 by Isao Mizoguchi, Masanori Hikichi, Noriyuki Iwadare (SMD, 1992)
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer – Stage 1 – I love other songs on the Gimmick! soundtrack a lot more
A fun Easter egg in Super Metroid that was only just discovered a few months ago: A love message is spelled out right before the Draygon fight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5ZhziJY_jo) [confirmed by Yasuhiko Fujii (https://newsbeezer.com/venezulaeng/this-is-the-declaration-of-love-hidden-in-super-metroid-too-good/)]
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer – reminds me of AoT OP lol
Gimmick!
Super Metroid (4-1) and Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer (4-1) advance!
We’ve reached the end of the first round of the anniversary game. These last two tracks were never semifinalists. Heck, they may have never advanced beyond the first round. But by some heavily biased host wizardry, here they are!
————————————————————————————————————————————
BIGGEST LOSER SHOWDOWN // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w09sKTkyAOk), by Kow Otani (PS2, 2005)
Salty Loser 1: Unthemed
vs.
Suikoden – Tropical Bath ~ FURO-mix (Bath BGM 3) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA_p5p4xU_Q), by Tappi Iwase (PSX, 1995)
Salty Loser 12: Suikoden
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8 // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle Kid 2 – $1966 Volt Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5rhzIxnR9M) by Sivak Games (NES, 2012)
vs.
Super Aleste – Space Cruiser (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgRpU70fX2A) by Keiji Takeuchi, Akiyoshi Nagao, Katsumi Tanaka (SNES, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse – For my money, this is the greatest "riding a horse" song in vgm history. Unfortunately, it’s going against the greatest "taking a bath" song in vgm history. And while the second of those experiences is more relatable to me (I’ve only ridden one horse in my life, and it immediately sat down in a ditch), I’d like to think the experience could be as exciting and grandiose as Kow Otani’s making it out to be.
Battle Kid 2 – $1966 Volt Tower – A lot of NARFNra’s picks were intended to be lesser celebrated songs from well known soundtracks (Gimmick! being a recent and conspicuous example of that), but Battle Kid 2 falls outside that mold. I hadn’t heard anything off the second game’s soundtrack before and really like this.
Super Aleste
Battle Kid 2
Shadow of the colossus
Battle Kid 2
Super Aleste
And with that, we’re moving on to round 2 of both games at the same time. Round 2 of Anniversary comes in two stages. We’ll start by giving our semi-finalists a short break. It’s time for the 2nd place finishers to square off! The first one’s a doozy, if you ask me.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Finalists Fight 1 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Suikoden – Forgotten Days (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oO_vv5OzUg), by Konami Kukeiha Club (PSX, 1996)
Finalist 12: Suikoden Songs
vs.
Lord of Vermilion II – Lord of Vermilion 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4z52JIEf9M), by Nobuo Uematsu, Hitoshi Sakimoto, Yasuko Otsui (Arcade, 2009)
Finalist 25: ArthurGolden’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 1 // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Arcana – Second Armageddon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq_cGF8F6l4) by Jun Ishikawa, Hirokazu Ando (SNES, 1992)
vs.
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer – Stage 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omQTQ9cV0tA) by Isao Mizoguchi, Masanori Hikichi, Noriyuki Iwadare (SMD, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer
Arcana
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer
Arcana
Arcana
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Finalists Fight 2 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Silver Surfer – Level 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGNSHNf-nlU), by Tim Follin (NES, 1990)
Finalist 19: Tim Follin Songs
vs.
Contra – Energy Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URm8S4TlM0M), by Hidenori Maezawa (NES, 1987)
Finalist 35: Fire Level Themes
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2 // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Live A Live – Knock You Down! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXQH6hT_Fcc) by Yoko Shimomura (SNES, 1994)
vs.
Acrobat Mission – Countryside (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jBo_QqaNUI) by Tomo Yamashita (SNES, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————[/QUOTE]
Live A Live
Acrobat Mission
I feel silver surfer has a bit more AMP to it. so i’m going for that one
Live A Live
Acrobat Mission
Live A Live
Live a Live
Off-off-topic (comes up in the video): I keep seeing people insist that the "Bros." in "Super Mario Bros." has always been pronounced "Bros" instead of "Brothers." I don’t care if they prefer the alternate pronunciation, but it’s pretty easy to prove that it was "Brothers" throughout the 80s and 90s, if not the 00s as well.
Sheesh. Kids.
Off-off-topic (comes up in the video): I keep seeing people insist that the "Bros." in "Super Mario Bros." has always been pronounced "Bros" instead of "Brothers." I don’t care if they prefer the alternate pronunciation, but it’s pretty easy to prove that it was "Brothers" throughout the 80s and 90s, if not the 00s as well.
I admittedly will say "Bros" when I’m feeling particularly lazy, but I know full well that it is "Brothers" and has always been that way.
Acrobat Mission
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Finalists Fight 3 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Metroid II: Return of Samus – Surface of SR388 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i40UFtPtcDs), by Ryoji Yoshitomi (GB, 1991)
Finalist 21: Game Boy Songs
vs.
Super Metroid – Upper Brinstar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsG3sw51yYI), by Kenji Yamamoto (SNES, 1994)
Finalist 18: Metroid Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 3 // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Over Horizon – Stage 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McOxZGhOeAU) by Masaharu Iwata (NES, 1991)
vs.
Maka-Maka – Boss Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H1i4hm-clk) by Office Koukan (SNES, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Maka-Maka
Over Horizon – Stage 2
Over Horizon
Maka Maka
Maka Maka
Maka-Maka
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Finalists Fight 4 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – Ocean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN_x1rpGbY8), by Kenta Nagata (GC, 2002)
Semifinalist 4: Aquatic Level Themes
Semifinalist 23: The Legend of Zelda Songs
vs.
World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor – Stormlords on the March (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTEVPrA90I0), by E???mear Noone (Windows, 2014)
Finalist 24: World of Warcraft Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 4 // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle Kid 2 – $1966 Volt Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5rhzIxnR9M) by Sivak Games (NES, 2012)
vs.
Thunder Force III – The Grubby Dark Blue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG9Tyl_rcrY) by Toshiharu Yamanishi, Tomomi Ōtani (SMD, 1990)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Battle Kid 2
Battle Kid 2
Thunder Force III
Thunder Force III – sounds like it could be an old school Sonic song
Thunder Force III
Wind Waker
Thunder Force III
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Finalists Fight 5 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Metal Gear Solid – Encounter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnQRWJ7bIhs), by Kazuki Muraoka (PSX, 1998)
Finalist 7: Metal Gear Songs
vs.
Sonic Unleashed – Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oRr8uMDpLc), by Various Artists (PS2, Wii, & 360, 2008)
Finalist 32: Sonic Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Semi-Finals, Fight 1 // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Thunder Force III – The Grubby Dark Blue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG9Tyl_rcrY) by Toshiharu Yamanishi, Tomomi Ōtani (SMD, 1990)
vs.
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer – Stage 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omQTQ9cV0tA) by Isao Mizoguchi, Masanori Hikichi, Noriyuki Iwadare (SMD, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer
Really interesting piece on memorable game music. One of those new feel soundtracks which I have to mention is Final Fantasy X. Talk about emotional. I still love listening to the music because it communicates that journey you’re on. I can’t recall a leit-motif of the whole game, but will have to listen again to see why it is that I’m drawn to it.
Edit: I think it will have something to do with the voice acting.
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer
Better say some more before it sounds like i’m just wanting my voice to be heard.
He mentioned that "none of the songs are memorable"
and "[in the golden age Uematsu] had technical limitations to deal with"
in contrast Soken "throws music to the wall and hopes it sticks [like paint]"
and comparing it to hardcore rock and symphonic rock "the former had well constructed melodies for instrument and vocalists" while the latter "try to disguise their inability to create good melodies"
My point is I wonder what he would be saying if He accepted that it’s upto opinion and attempted to hear the emotion behind the songs. I’m just curious cause I haven’t actually done this at all so far. But I deeply connect with Soken’s music even though it doesn’t, like he said, have incredible melodies
Here’s a thought. Maybe I could start a Masayoshi Soken rumble and we can discuss the songs!
Thunder Force III ~~These are both solid.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Finalists Fight 6 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIqKWLkm2-g), by Nobuo Uematsu (PSX, 1997)
Finalist 1: Unthemed
vs.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link – Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a7Sh82Mzdc), by Akito Nakatsuka (NES, 1987)
Finalist 23: The Legend of Zelda Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Semi-Finals, Fight 2 // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Live A Live – Knock You Down! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXQH6hT_Fcc) by Yoko Shimomura (SNES, 1994)
vs.
Maka-Maka – Boss Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H1i4hm-clk) by Office Koukan (SNES, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Go for it. 🙂 I only know Soken from FF14 and Dawn of Mana and would be interested to hear more. We’ve also had the Best of 2016 rumble (and will, potentially, have the Best of 2017 and 2018 rumbles) to test this theory.
Final Fantasy VII
Live A Live – I voted the other way, but looking up gameplay of Maka Maka (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5l9ol1ePTU) was worth it.
Maka-Maka, but why is he dealing 1500 damage with 500 hp ??
Make-Maka
Live A Live
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Finalists Fight 7 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Last Express – End Titles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxg9RiEXsx4), by Elia Cmiral (Windows, 1997)
Finalist 34: 90s End Credits Themes
vs.
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness – Abandoned Castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W37UV0LA-yI), by Michiru Yamane (PS2 & Xbox, 2005)
Finalist 4: Castlevania Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
FINAL MATCH // NARFNra’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Live A Live – Knock You Down! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXQH6hT_Fcc) by Yoko Shimomura (SNES, 1994)
vs.
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer – Stage 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omQTQ9cV0tA) by Isao Mizoguchi, Masanori Hikichi, Noriyuki Iwadare (SMD, 1992)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Last Express
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer – Stage 1
didn’t particular resonate with either in the narfnra rumble. Seems emotion is a fickle master lol.
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer
The Last Express
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer
Advanced Busterhawk Greylancer – no competition here.
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer
The Last Express also advances in a 5-0 shutout!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Finalists Fight 8 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Zamzara – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhuPs2H5VMw) by Charles Deenen (C64, 1988)
Finalist 29: Commodore 64 Songs
vs.
Ristar – Splash Down (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdp6rZgidE0), by Tomoko Sasaki (SMD, 1995)
Finalist 2: Aquatic Level Themes
————————————————————————————————————————————
What’s up next? Pick as many or as few as you want. Whichever gets the most votes begins in three(ish) days. If this list is missing anything let me know. (It probably is. I just copied and pasted it from earlier in the thread.)
16:
Final Fantasy XIII [songs]
Best of Daisuke Amaya (Pixel) [songs]
32:
Best of Jesper Kyd [songs]
Best of Touhou [songs]
Best of Danganronpa [songs]
Best of 2017 [soundtracks]
Still feeling Best of Danganronpa
This was exactly my thought, too.
Ristar – I like both of these a lot
I’ll vote Jesper Kyd or Danganronpa or Best of 2017 for the next rumble.
Links to song/soundtrack lists for the next rumble choices
[2015] Best of Final Fantasy XIII (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=520&do=discuss)
[2017] Best of Touhou (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1140&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Daisuke Amaya (Pixel) (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1144&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Jesper Kyd (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1145&do=discuss)
[2018] Best of Danganronpa (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1148&do=discuss)
[2019] Best of 2017 (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1149&do=discuss)
I don’t think the list is missing anything, but we do have a number of themes in various states of almost-readiness on the horizon. The current list of works-in-progress:
[2018] Mario (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1146&do=discuss)
[2019] Hip Tanaka (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1152&do=discuss)
[2019] Best of 2018 (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1153&do=discuss) (close to being finished)
[2019] Female Composers (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1154&do=discuss)
[2019] Masayoshi Soken (http://forums.ffshrine.org/group.php?discussionid=1155&do=discuss)
Ristar
Still a novice when it comes to selection. All these are still pretty new to me. That said, like the sound of
Best of Daisuke Amaya (Pixel)
Best of Danganronpa [songs]
Jesper Kyd
Best of 2017
And…. IT’S FINALLY HERE!
https://i.imgur.com/YCJltVV.gif
Danganronpa is my second favorite game franchise after Suikoden. The series has a significant cult following that overlaps heavily with the Mafia/Werewolf community for conceptual similarities. It’s a sequence of visual novels in which you are basically trapped on an island with your friends and forced to kill each other while figuring out who each victim’s killer is. Masafumi Takada, who has composed every installment of the franchise, does a fantastic job of exploiting catoony melodies, cheesy cliches, and a chip aesthetic to exacerbate the player’s sense of futility. There’s nothing happy about any of this; the most optimistic tunes frequently appear in the most morbid moments to rub salt into the wound. You’re trapped in a killing game where your life and your friendships are meaningless. Welcome to Despair Academy.
Regarding track selection, many of the franchise’s baseline themes are established in the first installment. Takada builds off of his own works to progress the series, and a lot of songs that sound completely distinct turn out to be based on the same melody when you listen to them side-by-side. It was hard to detect some of the overlap, and while I tried to weed out songs that were too essentially similar, I can’t promise I caught them all. Moreover, a few last minute catches left me with some open slots, so I opted to include a small selection of tracks from the anime. I don’t think you would be able to tell which are which without peeking. The composer and the objectives are consistent. The anime is, moreover, a critical installment in the series. It belongs here, I think.
If you’re interested in rolling through it, sequence is essential. Ultra Despair Girls can be skipped with minimal loss, and it’s pretty universally regarded as the weakest point in the franchise (though I did enjoy most of it). V3 doesn’t have to be played last, but it probably should be. 1, 2, and 3 absolutely must be experienced in order, and 3 has its own quirks (the official release excludes one of the most essential episodes, available for free online), so if you get that far, ask first. Never Google anything ever even if it feels benign or spoilers will crush your soul.
Random.org saw fit to pair the opening track of the first game with a closing tune of the last for match 1, so that’s an interesting juxtaposition out the gate.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Finalists Fight 9 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Snatcher – Pleasure of Tension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNrEkiDulWU), by Masahiro Ikariko (MSX, 1988)
Finalist 27: Shad’s Custom 16
vs.
Final Fantasy X – Decisive Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jBK2MuvhC0), by Masashi Hamauzu (PS2, 2001)
Finalist 17: Final Fantasy Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 1 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa – Danganronpa (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeitvjG-dgI)
vs
Danganronpa V3 – Trial END (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbtLiizV9ic)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa V3 – Trial END – I’d heard the main theme before, but not this one. Like ’em both.
The DR intro theme is ok, but it doesn’t actually have much in-game relevance. Trial END is a reocurring theme that delivers the end-game experience well. You have survived, but did you really "win"?
Danganronpa – Dagantonpa – I’ve never played this series, so I’m doing this rumble completely blind.
Danganronpa V3 – Trial END
Danganronpa V3
Danganronpa V3 – Trial END
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Finalists Fight 10 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
No Mercy – Ending (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4uClrydX0M), by Markus Schneider (C64, 1989)
Finalist 38: nx666’s Custom 16
vs.
Silent Hill 2 – Laura Plays The Piano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6L9Cbs0m_U) by Akira Yamaoka (PS2, 2001)
Finalist 28: Akira Yamaoka Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 2 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa 2 – Rebuttal -CROSS SWORD- (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mymjF4AZJrg)
vs
Ultra Despair Girls – Shō’s Fever Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohIzDXoRLlM)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultra Despair Girls
Danganronpa 2
Ultra Despair Girls – Shō’s Fever Time !!!
Ultra Despair Girls
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Finalists Fight 11 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man 2 – Metal Man (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQXA9RkC_-c), by Takashi Tateishi (NES, 1988)
Finalist 11: Mega Man Songs
vs.
Suikoden ‐ Main Theme Arrange (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTVBdvy6WE0), by Miki Higashino (PSX, 1995)
Finalist 37: OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 3 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultra Despair Girls – It’s a Kids’ World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEEIEoTaIZI)
vs
Danganronpa 2 – Beautiful Ruin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNYydvw13LM)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa 2 – Beautiful Ruin
Beautiful Ruin
It’s a Kids’ World is like Gold Saucer but with dead bodies everywhere.
Danganronpa 2 – Beautiful Ruin
Ouch indeed
Danganronpa 2 – Beautiful Ruin
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 1 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Silent Hill – Tears of… (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UJOl1P4KQw) by Akira Yamaoka (PSX, 1999)
Winner 28: Akira Yamaoka Songs
vs.
Shinra Banshou – The Universe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4hj4K1u6HA), by Nobuhito Koise (PC88, 1987)
Semifinalist 27: Shad’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 4 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa 3 – Old World Order (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=homLF23YdEs)
vs
Danganronpa V3 – Becoming Friends (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8Rq8MjAKkQ)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Old World Order is the final incarnation of a reoccurring tune throughout the franchise. This version is one of the few songs in the game meant to feel victorious with no strings attached.
Danganronpa 3 – Old World Order
Danganronpa 3 – Old World Order
Danganronpa V3 – Becoming Friends
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 2 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Final Fantasy Legend III – Holy Ruins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvElI-6MR64), by Ryuji Sasai (GB, 1991)
Winner 21: Game Boy Songs
vs.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Forest Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmsZyC0UXUU), by Koji Kondo (N64, 1998)
Semifinalist 23: The Legend of Zelda Songs (lost to coin flip)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 5 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa – Beautiful Days (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5K9CIf-XoQ)
vs
Danganronpa – Beautiful Dead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WZb20NinCs)
————————————————————————————————————————————
The numbers don’t lie. I have listened to Beautiful Dead… a lot.
also Holy Ruins
Danganronpa – Beautiful Dead
EDIT: Damn…1800 times!
Holy Ruins
Beautiful Dead Good stuff!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 3 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpEzYEoV9qY), by Koji Kondo (NES, 1986)
Winner 23: The Legend of Zelda Songs
Semifinalist 1: Unthemed
vs.
Super Castlevania IV – Clockwork Mansion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQRMjAg2jN0), by Masanori Adachi, Taro Kudo (SNES, 1991)
Semifinalist 4: Castlevania Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 6 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa – Despair Syndrome (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T048Hz17DbY)
vs
Danganronpa 2 – Welcome DANGAN IsLand!!【OP Version】 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kHtDxCMa64)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Welcome DANGAN IsLand!!
Super Castlevania IV – Clockwork Mansion
Danganronpa 2 – Welcome DANGAN IsLand!!
Welcome DANGAN IsLand!!
I’ll update tomorrow night.
Legend of Zelda – Overworld
Danganronpa – Despair Syndrome
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 4 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Mega Man 3 – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEf8gPFFZ58), by Yasuaki Fujita (NES, 1990)
Winner 11: Mega Man Songs
vs.
Metal Gear Solid – Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqq8uqSDnk), by Tappi Iwase (PSX, 1998)
Semifinalist 7: Metal Gear Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 7 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa – BOX 15 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOpHT6gZ0Rs)
vs
Danganronpa V3 – Discussion -SCRUM- (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQZONitFs9g)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Discussion Scrum has attained near meme status within the DR fan base for being so over-the-top dramatic in the silliest component of the franchise. It’s the perfect audio rendition of what a Danganronpa class trial is all about. This is so ridiculous and bad but god help me I’m really enjoying it. But for all Discussion Scrum’s contextual appeal, BOX 15 is just a way more interesting song, I think.
Danganronpa – BOX 15
Danganronpa – BOX 15
Mega Man 3 (3-0) and BOX 15 (3-0) advance!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 5 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ‐ Wood Carving Partita (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0UoyFS7Ww), by Michiru Yamane (PSX, 1997)
Winner 37: OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
vs.
Black It! – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XMoDB3fX_k&t=2211s), by Matthias Hartung (C64, 1995)
Semifinalist 38: nx666’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 8 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa – Discussion -HEAT UP- (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgOs-J9Pytc)
vs
Danganronpa 2 – Third Island Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtsSngpkwKc)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa 2 – Third Island Theme
Third Island Theme
I decided on a whim the other day to redownload Monument Valley and Lara Croft Go on mobile. They’re relaxing puzzle type games with really nice soundtracks. Would you know it, Samorost 3 popped up as a recommendation! I’ve never played any of the series, but I fell in love with the soundtrack here. This game is really nice! I love the graphics and the ost just adds to the game so much. So, thank you all here for introducing me to this ost and game!
Third Island Theme
Awesome! That’s what it’s all about. And thank you for the recommendation. I’ve only heard Monument Valley 2, so I’ll have to check the first one out now.
Black It! (2-1) and Third Island Theme (3-0) advance!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 6 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ghouls’n Ghosts – Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCLAXQow3w), by Tim Follin (Amiga, 1989)
Winner 19: Tim Follin Songs
vs.
Planescape: Torment – Credits Track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gVtPrtJCiE), by Richard Band (Windows, 1999)
Semifinalist 34: 90s End Credits Themes
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 9 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa V3 – Darkness Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo2s7WCdH8g)
vs
Danganronpa – Desire for Execution (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHlKfNSiM2c)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa V3 – Darkness Time
Desire for Execution
Where would one find the Planescape soundtrack to download?
Darkness Time
Danganronpa V3 – Darkness Time
Ghouls’n Ghosts (4-0) and Darkness Time (3-1) advance!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 7 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-i8HYi1QH0), by Masato Nakamura (SMD, 1991)
Winner 1: Unthemed
Semifinalist 32: Sonic Songs
vs.
Metroid – Kraid’s Lair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wHwJoxw4i4), by Hirokazu Tanaka (NES, 1986)
Semifinalist 18: Metroid Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 10 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultra Despair Girls – Welcome to TOWA Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0Q1UHB8pFc)
vs
Danganronpa V3 – Monomono Slots (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9OmzRHSVPI)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultra Despair Girls – Welcome to TOWA Tower
Ultra Despair Girls – Welcome to TOWA Tower
Ultra Despair Girls – Welcome to TOWA Tower
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 8 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm – The Shattering (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADmPpY_oC2k), by Russell Brower, Derek Duke, Jason Hayes (Windows, 2010)
Winner 24: World of Warcraft Songs
vs.
Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKtYCcMWT4), by Takashi Tateishi (NES, 1988)
Semifinalist 1: Unthemed
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 11 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultra Despair Girls – Let’s Play with Monokuma (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtRG4iXIAG4)
vs
Danganronpa 2 – Homicide 【8bitbug】 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xm1A-5AI3E)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa 2 – Ultra Despair Girls is definitely NOT my type of music lol!
Mega Man 2
Danganronpa 2
The Danganronpa matchup is interesting because neither of these tracks are, I would assume, particularly compelling on their own. Part of building this compilation was offering a broad perspective of the music, and they both certainly stand out when you encounter them. The 8bitbug tune might be the most memorable song in the series for the role it plays in the game. And Let’s Play With Monokuma, well, let’s just remember that this is a horror game at heart. If it sounds too happy, it’s uncomfortably tongue-in-cheek. I’ll take Let’s Play With Monokuma for the sake of track diversity, but the other option represents my favorite in-game sequence.
Let’s play with Monokuma reminds me this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u75DFuZC_D0)track from Hellsing tv anime a lot. Probably context is just as dark xD
Spot on!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 9 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Cybernoid – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kgzdAfz0AE) by Jeroen Tel (C64, 1988)
Winner 29: Commodore 64 Songs
vs.
Suikoden – Rising Tide (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-J3Y1EBvWM), by Konami Kukeiha Club (PSX, 1996)
Semifinalist 12: Suikoden Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 12 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa V3 – Beautiful Lie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncYEjxBw_7g)
vs
Danganronpa – SUPER FINAL M.T.B. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIwKwtYebcE)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa V3 – Beautiful Lie
Suikoden – Rising Tide
Danganronpa V3 – Beautiful Lie
Danganronpa V3 – Beautiful Lie
Danganronpa V3 – Beautiful Lie
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 10 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Final Fantasy VI – Dancing Mad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcQNzTpoMt0), by Nobuo Uematsu (SNES, 1994)
Winner 17: Final Fantasy Songs
vs.
Super Metroid – Maridia (Rocky Underwater Area) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTxbs3nVDik), by Minako Hamano (SNES, 1994)
Semifinalist 2: Aquatic Level Themes
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 13 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultra Despair Girls – secret base ~Left Behind by the Adults~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuSXA1L_HXU)
vs
Danganronpa 3 – Steric Confrontation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzIbVHA4uUM)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa 3
Danganronpa 3
Ultra Despair Girls
———- Post added at 05:59 PM ———- Previous post was at 05:58 PM ———-
It’s been 5 days but the site was down for most of them. Going to leave this open a bit longer.
Danganronpa 3
Not voting for Dancing Mad is hard:(
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 11 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver – Boss Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skTqSvWkd4Q), by CUR (X68k, 1996)
Winner 38: nx666’s Custom 16
vs.
Tetris – Type A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmCCQxVBfyM), by Hirokazu Tanaka (GB, 1989)
Semifinalist 21: Game Boy Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 14 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa 3 – Death Parade (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXr0GKlcoUQ)
vs
Danganronpa – Welcome to Despair Academy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvXUPQDvpd4)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Swap Danganronpa V3 – Living in Lazy Parallel World for Danganronpa 3 – Beautiful Afternoon
Looks like it snuck in here instead of the other DR3 track. I don’t know off the top of my head if that was intentional or not, but let’s just roll with it. I’m nowhere near my spreadsheet right now.
Danganronpa
Danganronpa
Danganronpa
Danganronpa
Rather easy choices.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 12 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Suikoden II – Imprisoned Town (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6exvhdhIE8), by Miki HIgashino (PSX, 1998)
Winner 12: Suikoden Songs
vs.
Total Distortion – You Are Dead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pPQnhhUqtU), by Kent Carmical, Joe Sparks (Windows, 1995)
Semifinalist 25: ArthurGolden’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 15 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultra Despair Girls – This is the Path We Follow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7YcGg5pmfs)
vs
Ultra Despair Girls – Wonderful dead001 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lINRG9YmtDA)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultra Despair Girls – This is the Path We Follow
Ultra Dispair Girls – This is the Path We Follow
Ultra Despair Girls – This is the Path We Follow
Total Distortion – You Are Dead IT’S HAPPENING
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 13 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Trigger – To Far Away Times (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn5K-NNmgTM), by Yasunori Mitsuda (SNES, 1995)
Winner 34: 90s End Credits Themes
vs.
Plok – Akrillic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jbJSftFr20), by Tim Follin (SNES, 1993)
Semifinalist 19: Tim Follin Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 1, Fight 16 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa 3 – Beautiful Afternoon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSzbgoaKKDc)
vs
Danganronpa 2 – Kill Command (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjbgj2V6-o0)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa 3 – Beautiful Afternoon
Danganronpa 3 – Beautiful Afternoon
Danganronpa 2 – Kill Command <— This is probably my second favorite tune in the franchise after Beautiful Dead. As the sort of culmination piece of the investigation sequences, it takes a lot of familiar themes and weaves them into a really driving rock track. You might note though that the 8-bit tune from earlier is taken directly from this. I try to avoid repeating the same basic tune, but it didn’t feel right to exclude either. They both have pretty memorable in-game moments.
Danganronpa 2
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 14 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse – Beginning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGq9VjJXVh8), by Yoshinori Sasaki, Hidenori Maezawa, Jun Funahashi, Yukie Morimoto (NES, 1989)
Winner 4: Castlevania Songs
vs.
Silent Hill 2 – True (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDKx1Rp1yAA) by Akira Yamaoka (PS2, 2001)
Semifinalist 28: Akira Yamaoka Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 1 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultra Despair Girls – This is the Path We Follow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7YcGg5pmfs)
vs
Danganronpa 3 – Steric Confrontation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzIbVHA4uUM)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultra Despair Girls – This is the Path We Follow
Ultra Despair Girls – This is the Path We Follow
Ultra Despair Girls – This is the Path We Follow
Consider it 4-0 for both hah. Updating in a minute.
———- Post added at 06:01 PM ———- Previous post was at 05:58 PM ———-
Silent Hill 2 (4-0) and This is the Path We Follow (4-0) advance!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 15 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Metal Gear Solid – The Best Is Yet to Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6miaTf1gF4g), by Rika Muranaka (PSX, 1998)
Winner 7: Metal Gear Songs
vs.
World of Warcraft – Legends of Azeroth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqsazZUbt9s), by Jason Hayes (Windows, 2004)
Semifinalist 24: World of Warcraft Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 2 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa 2 – Homicide 【8bitbug】 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xm1A-5AI3E)
vs
Danganronpa 2 – Kill Command (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjbgj2V6-o0)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Metal Gear Solid – The Best Is Yet to Come
Danganronpa 2 – Homicide 【8bitbug】
Danganronpa 2 – Kill Command ~~Well the weirdest pairing that could have happened did happen. Kill Command, or Homicide as it’s sometimes translated, is the main climax theme of the investigation side of the game. It appears late, when all the pieces are finally starting to come together and you feel you’re on the brink of solving this mystery and getting off the island. The song reflects this feeling, merging a lot of musical motifs from earlier stages into one single smooth and heavy-hitting rock tune. 8bitbug is the twist that comes at the final stage, when everything you thought you’d figured out comes crashing down around you into a world way more bizarre than you’d imagined. I like the original better in isolation, the remix better in context, but having to judge them side by side like this is interesting.
Danganronpa 2 – Kill Command
Kill Command
Danganronpa 2 – Homicide 【8bitbug】
Legends of Azeroth (3-2) and Kill Command (3-2) advance!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 16 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Metroid Prime – Ice Valley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BJU_tDDBNU), by Kenji Yamamoto, Kouichi Kyuma (GC, 2002)
Winner 18: Metroid Songs
vs.
Parasite Eve ‐ Main Theme (Orchestral Version) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q01M3w8uso), by Yoko Shimomura (PSX, 1998)
Semifinalist 37: OSTGeek64’s Custom 16
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 3 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa V3 – Darkness Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo2s7WCdH8g)
vs
Danganronpa – Welcome to Despair Academy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvXUPQDvpd4)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Parasite Eve ‐ Main Theme
Danganronpa V3 – Darkness Time
Side-note: I just saw that Hiroki Kikuta (Secret of Mana series, Soukaigi, Koudelka) has a new game and soundtrack out called Indivisible (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indivisible_(video_game)).
Welcome to the Despair Academy
Darkness Time
update later today probably
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 17 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Tower of Heaven – Luna Ascension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp9eRncVbcY), by Flashygoodness (Windows, 2009)
Winner 25: ArthurGolden’s Custom 16
vs.
Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w09sKTkyAOk), by Kow Otani (PS2, 2005)
Salty Loser 1: Unthemed
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 4 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa 2 – Third Island Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtsSngpkwKc)
vs
Danganronpa V3 – Beautiful Lie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncYEjxBw_7g)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Tower of Heaven – Luna Ascension, by Flashygoodness (Windows, 2009)
Danganronpa V3 – Beautiful Lie
Danganronpa V3 – Beautiful Lie
Danganronpa V3 – Beautiful Lie
Beautiful Lie
Beautiful Lie
Whoops.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 18 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Sonic the Hedgehog – Marble Zone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXukwNQG0uA) by Masato Nakamura (SMD, 1991)
Winner 32: Sonic Songs
vs.
Hypa-Ball – Title Screen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfKkp7cn2eE) by Keith Tinman (C64, 1986)
Semifinalist 29: Commodore 64 Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 5 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa 3 – Old World Order (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=homLF23YdEs)
vs
Ultra Despair Girls – Shō’s Fever Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohIzDXoRLlM)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultra Despair Girls – Shō’s Fever Time
These votes are dedicated to Tower of Heaven, which will rise again in the rematch rematch rumble.
Ultra Despair Girls – Shō’s Fever Time
Danganronpa 3 – Old World Order
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 19 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2B3QqjJ284), by Kenji Yamamoto, Kouichi Kyuma (GC, 2002)
Winner 2: Aquatic Level Themes
vs.
Final Fantasy VI – The Decisive Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NPGJ1TKobM), by Nobuo Uematsu (SNES, 1994)
Winner 17: Final Fantasy Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 6 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa V3 – Trial END (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbtLiizV9ic)
vs
Danganronpa 2 – Welcome DANGAN IsLand!!【OP Version】 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kHtDxCMa64)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa V3 – Trial END
Danganronpa V3 – Trial END
Trial End
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 20// Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Crystal Hammer – Main Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8saW9rKpUw), by Karsten Obarski (Amiga, 1988)
Winner 27: Shad’s Custom 16
vs.
Donkey Kong Country 2 – Hothead Bop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlFYSIyAGmA), by Eveline Fischer & Dave Wise (SNES, 1996)
Semifinalist 35: Fire Level Themes (lost to coin flip)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 7 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa – BOX 15 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOpHT6gZ0Rs)
vs
Danganronpa – Beautiful Dead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WZb20NinCs)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa – Beautiful Dead
Danganronpa – Beautiful Dead
Danganronpa – Beautiful Dead
Just the three of us, we will vote every time! Just the three of us: you, you, and I.
To be honest I would update a lot more consistently if this rebounded to 5 or 6 people.
To be honest I would update a lot more consistently if this rebounded to 5 or 6 people.
The Internet nowadays
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Winners Fight 21// Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Chrono Cross – Death Volcano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTnzgHmzdPM), by Yasunori Mitsuda (PSX, 1999)
Winner 35: Fire Level Themes
vs.
Mega Man 2 – Flash Man (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26MopY4DTZU), by Takashi Tateishi (NES, 1988)
Semifinalist 11: Mega Man Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 2, Fight 8 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultra Despair Girls – Welcome to TOWA Tower (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0Q1UHB8pFc)
vs
Danganronpa 2 – Beautiful Ruin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNYydvw13LM)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ultra Despair Girls – Welcome to TOWA Tower
Danganronpa 2 – Beautiful Ruin ~~A lot of the DR tracks I felt were most competitive managed to advance. Weren’t many tough decisions early, but I had to sit on this one a bit. In-game context may have won out for me here.
Ultra Despair Girls – Welcome to TOWA Tower
Ultra Despair Girls – Welcome to TOWA Tower
And with that, both contests move on to round 3. Only 8 of the 21 winners in the competition have survived. Each will be paired with a semi-finalist. 10 finalists are still kicking, along with 13 semi-finalists and our one wildcard, Shadow of the Colossus (treated as a semi-finalist for randing purposes moving forward). Should be interesting. The pairings with winners will be squaring off first.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 1 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Ghouls’n Ghosts – Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgCLAXQow3w), by Tim Follin (Amiga, 1989)
Winner 19: Tim Follin Songs
vs.
World of Warcraft – Legends of Azeroth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqsazZUbt9s), by Jason Hayes (Windows, 2004)
Semifinalist 24: World of Warcraft Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 1 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa V3 – Darkness Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo2s7WCdH8g)
vs
Ultra Despair Girls – Shō’s Fever Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohIzDXoRLlM)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa V3 – Darkness Time
Danganronpa V3 – Darkness Time
Ultra Despair Girls – Shō’s Fever Time
Danganronpa V3 – Darkness Time
The spam redirects keep crashing my PC browser and I can’t realistically update on mobile uh
Might try to pre-format and email the rest of the rounds to myself for easy copy and paste, but not tonight.
Wish I could say I’ll be faster with updates moving forward, but I had to Alt F4 everything about four times in the process of managing to actually get this post submitted and the tedium is making me procrastinate. Yikes.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 2 // Anniversary
————————————————————————————————————————————
Silent Hill – Tears of… (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UJOl1P4KQw) by Akira Yamaoka (PSX, 1999)
Winner 28: Akira Yamaoka Songs
vs.
Super Castlevania IV – Clockwork Mansion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQRMjAg2jN0), by Masanori Adachi, Taro Kudo (SNES, 1991)
Semifinalist 4: Castlevania Songs
————————————————————————————————————————————
Round 3, Fight 2 // Danganronpa
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa – Beautiful Dead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WZb20NinCs)
vs
Ultra Despair Girls – This is the Path We Follow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7YcGg5pmfs)
————————————————————————————————————————————
Danganronpa – Beautiful Dead
Definitely lots of redirects going on.
Danganronpa – Beautiful Dead