For those not in the know, there is a tiny, tiny genre of music featuring Gameboy and NES synthesizers to create more 8-bit awesomeness simply known as 8-bit music. Most of it is crappy and/or experimental, but I've been digging and I've found some gems. All downloads free, of course.

1. Anamanaguchi

Created by a music student from New York, Anamanaguchi features tunes that make Mega Man's music blush with envy. Admit it: you've thought about what a new 8-bit Mega Man game would sound like, and compared to this guy, you've failed. It's been a long time since a song out of the mainstream (Helix Nebula) has made me want to get out of bed and shout for joy that I get to play video games today. Yeah, the Myspace page is absolutely god-awful. Just listen, and don't look.

Picks: Helix Nebula, Airbase, Sting Operation, Video Challenge. Download here.

2. Boy vs. Bacteria

Most of the time when a DJ puts his music up on Myspace, no one listens to it because it's bad and obscure. This guy is no different, except for the "bad" part. His music combines a techno-stomp with boppity 8-bit beats for something spicy, crunchy, and addictive. Yes, Monstergirl sounds like a cartoon show theme and Waiting for that Feeling is Euro-Weenie-Tech, but it still attests to this Swedish kid's rare talent.

Picks: Saffron Skyline, Apis Adventure, Waiting For That Feeling. Download here.

3. Ipaghost

Very strange, most of it. However, Not All Friends Are 8bit and Not All Friends Are Ice Cream are worth a try. No one admits to listening to Ipaghost, even if it's got a strange lure.

Picks: Valse de Chaton, Let's Go Rodeo, Not All Friends Are 8bit, Not All Friends Are Ice Cream. Download some here.

4. Random

The most remarkable thing is that this artist's tracks are more "pure" 8-bit (no other types of synths added) and yet you forget this could have been on the Nintendo. Random takes a more traditional feeling of the infinite frontiers of both space and woodland and puts them to lasery, sword-swinging awesome. Want to explore the world of Oblivion, only with more exciting music? Working hard at work and need to feel like you're doing something cooler than you really are? Then listen to Random.

Picks: Sitges Savepoint, Spontaneous Devotion, Lightyears 500. Download here.

5. She

She takes 8-bit and puts it to a tough, urban grind. If 8-bit were to go to legendary anime or live-action movies complete with chase scenes (Nebula) and walking-down-a-street-with-a-hood-over-my-face-in-the-rain-looking-both-emo-and-badass-and-not-sure-how-I-feel-about-the-girl-I'm-working-with scenes (Twilight), She would be the go-to artist.

Picks: Nebula, Twilight, Pioneer. Download here.

6. Psilodump

A more "experimental" artist (doesn't "experimental" usually mean "suck"? oh well), Psilodump conceives epic-length songs with epic beats and epic themes.

Picks: Okay, So the Ninjas Went to Space..., Mutiny of the Robots. Download here.

7. Nullsleep

Standard melodies and techno sounds in a pure 8-bit get up. If you need more 8-bit music and you need dance beats or easy listening, Nullsleep will sustain your fix.

Picks: Her Lazer Light Eyes, Dirty ROM Dance Mix, Ballistic Picnic. Download here.