Hey Destructoid,

In response to copilotlindy's top ten video game music list, I wanted to throw my proverbial hat into the ring. Obviously filled with my own biased opinion, I hope that this top ten list can continue further conversation on a subject that we the video game community loves: great music in our video games.


For your consideration:

10. Balloon Fight - Balloon Trip



Simplicity is key in the first entry on the list. Balloon Fight is a great example of not only excellent co-op play, but also extraordinarily catchy 8 bit music. The "bass" part in the song is my personal favorite, adding that much more personality to the song.

9. Skies of Arcadia - Boss fight music



The feeling of turning the tide in a battle is sheer bliss in a video game. This is emphasized by the upbeat turn right at the 2:00 mark. Is it cheese? Sure! However, great choices such as dynamic music choices in the game draws the player that much further in. It is almost like the game is urging you to win. For the love of God, let's see a sequel to this great game, so we can have more experiences like this.

8. Castlevania 4 - Theme of Simon Belmont



Yes, Castlevania 4 has some of my favorite music from the SNES era. When your main character has theme music this bad ass, how can things possibly go wrong? This song really showcases the added instrumentation on the Super Nintendo. From the organ like passages to the freaking amazing percussion in the song, it grabs at all the right tools to make it one of my personal favorites.

7. Chrono Trigger - Corridors of Time



Video game music featuring a Sitar (Or at least a sample that sounds a ton like a Sitar)? Awesome.
The song provided an excellent backdrop as you explored the wonders (And horrors?!?) of 12,000 B.C. I always looked forward to getting to this point in the game just to hear this music over, and over, and over again. Again, props to the SNES's ability to process advanced music for the time.

6. Ikaruga - Stage 1 music



Maybe the key with me is excellent first level music. If you could get past all of the multicolored bullets in this game, you could find a soundtrack that rocked pretty hard. I almost feel like this one would go hand in hand with a cheesy cop action movie from the early 90s, and that only adds to its charm. I can solidly say "I'm not regret" when placing this choice at #6.

5. Valkyria Chronicles - Opening Theme



When showing off this game to a good friend of mine, he noticed the subtle irony that the song was extremely beautiful, and it was accompanying scene after scene of destruction. Beauty is certainly a theme in this game, from the art style, and certainly in the music throughout. While it does not happen all that much with games, this was one game that I would keep finding excuses just to watch the intro every time I turned it on. Sega nailed this one on the head. I honestly wish I could say that phrase more often.

4. Dragon Quest 8 - Strange World ~ Marching Through the Fields



There are certainly plenty of RPGs out there with plenty of over world music. There is something magical about this particular song, as it portrays the innocence of starting a brand new epic quest perfectly. You step out of the first town, and you are not hit by a massive fanfare, but by this gorgeously arranged piece. *Fun Fact* When buying my new car last year, this was the first song I listened to through the nice sound system. I am just that nerdy.

3. Mega Man 2 - Wood Man



While the game is filled with incredible themes, this one made the most lasting impact on me. While Wood Man himself is kind of frumpy, and his weapon isn't even that great, Capcom threw it all on the table with this awesome song. When just listening to a song makes you really want to play the game, it is a pretty good sign.

2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past - Hyrule Castle Theme



As I can recall, this is some of the first music you are faced with in Link to the Past. From the first cymbal hit, you can instantly recognize adventure is afoot. Nothing like such an awesome anthem to make you want to take up sword and shield and rise to the challenge.

1. Super Mario World - Credits Theme



The list comes to an end, but it might as well come to an end on a high note. Listening to this song consistently puts a smile on my face. Just think of it, you just beat an incredible platformer, and then you get to sit back, relax and watch Mario go on vacation with all the little Yoshi spawn. Also, it is a great example of showing all of the enemies from the game. A grand cast of characters, if you will.

I hope you enjoyed the list! I know I really enjoyed taking a walk down memory lane compiling it. Thanks to copilotlindy for giving me such a great idea to blog about. Enough of what I think, what are your thoughts, Destructoid community? See you next game!

Honorable Mention Section

PaperBoy - In game music



This song will be stuck in my head for days! I love it!