We've reached a point in gaming where one can not only confess to liking video game music, but engage in serious discussion of it. And while it's still a niche passion, relegated to the gaming community, even non-gamers can now recognize classics like the Mario, Zelda, Final Fantasy and Pokemon themes. To tie this completly bs intro to my actual article; as much as we can all agree that games like Chrono Tigger, Metal Gear Solid and Mega Man 2 are some of the great pinnacles of gaming's auditory achievement, their are quite a fair few titles with superb soundtracks that don't get the renown they deserve. With any luck, this post should help give you a taste of (and hopefully a love for) at least 5 of those tragically neglected OSTs.
For each game, I provide first a link to the complete soundtrack in the form of a playlist on youtube and some choice samples in the form of both embedded videos and specific hotlinks. I hope you enjoy!
While the Ace Attorney series get's it's fair share of respect, for both it's incredible stories and music, Justice for All has always been the black sheep of the family, seen as inferior in both regards. While I'll gladly take on anyone, anywhere, anytime in defense of it's story, the purpose of this post is to defend the latter. The main issue taken the score is that, when compared to the fast paced tunes of AA and TaT, it just plain seems much less exciting. And while it's true, it define not grab you by the balls awesome like first one, it' still an amazing OST, just more subtle. Upon a first hearing, tracks like the examination theme and Shelly de Killer's motif seem to be lacking intensity, but when you start to pay attention, you realize that the excitement is still there, just put into a more concentrated and possibly even more refined form (I could just be talking out my ass though ;) Apart from that bit of pretentiousness, the soundtrack has some great little ditties that deserve far more recognition then they get Eccentric, Miles Edgeworth: Great Revival and Pearl's theme (the last of which still makes me d'aww when I hear it) are all some of the most beloved in the entire AA canon, but the title they originate from still gets left on the backburner. With any luck I should have brought at least one person round to it's side though ;)
Wait! Don't leave just yet! I know how absurd this sounds, but this game has some seriously great tracks. Still with me? Just take a listen to the two above and below that play when dueling Shadi and Pegasus. Pretty good right? While those are clearly the best, the rest of the OST is undoubtedly good, if not universally amazing (but how may games are so?) Other standouts are Yugi and Kaiba's (Don't run away!) Beauty is often found in the most unlikely of places, and as fucking nerdy as this sounds, Yu-Gi-Oh seems to be one such example.
It's pretty obvious why this one is terribly under appreciated, most people have no clue it even exists. TEoTSD is a bullet helll shooter (if you've ever played on you should be experience some PTSD right now) and the sixth game of the esteemed Touhou Project. The Thouhou games are notable for, aside from their fantastic gameplay, there beautifully ornate bullet patterns that you have to deftly work your way though, a hugely extensive cast, comprised mostly of supa kawaii loli girls (King3vbo just got interested ;), and some of the best music in all of gaming. Scarlet Devil is no exception, and since it's Windows compatible, it's one of the easiest for Western players to get there hands on. The two embeded are my pbersonal favorites, but there all so amazing, it really comes down to personal preference. From the first boss fight to the top secret last level and everything in between it's all fantastic, and the only thing keeping it from the #1 spot is everyone who knows about it
Like #3, it's easy to see why PkmnTCG doesn't get the glory it deserves. After all, the core Pokemon games' OSTs have a hard enough time gaining acceptance despite their brilliance, so who the hell would give the music of a spinoff about a children's card game the time of day? Those strange souls who did though were astounded to find (no hyperbole) one of the greatest soundtracks in all of gaming. Not only does it have big hitting numbers like the Club Leader and Grand Master duels (see above and below,) every song, even the most insignificant ones like The Autodeck Machine are just as catchy and fantastic as most beloved tunes. There not just universally good, there universally fantastic; from the insparational title theme to to the strangely haunting theme of the Water Club and the polar opposite Lightining Club. Even the creepy pedophile player (don't ask) has a kickass theme song. I can't do this game justice without linking to every single song in the game (even the jingles are amazing!) But if you only walk away and try out one of these games; make it this one. I garuntee, you'll be just as blown away as I was.
I have always enjoyed the music and the game in Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Justice for All, but I have never played any of the other ones. From what I heard though I can say that their soundtracks are fantastic. I especially liked The Embodiment of the Scarlet Devil.
Justice For All is the only Phoenix Wright game I own. While the Cornered theme from that game isn't as epic and up-beat, it reflects a full inquisition like "... IN THAT CASE, ANSWER ME! WITNESS, ASNWER!"
I am admitedly a Yu-Gi-Oh! veteran, I used to be a massive nerd of it (I should have included it in my 10 things you dunno list) The Enternal Dulist Soul is not my favorite game as it lacked of many cards that wee still up to that date but oh well.
I know Touhou but there are so many games of it I can't get with the times. And the piano is one of the most powerful instruments you can hear in a game. It gives a feeling of adventure and elegance.
Unlike Yu-Gi-Oh! I never caught the whole deal about the Pokemon cards, they seemed to be pretty funky to play with. Nonetheless Pokemon music is generally fantastic without exception. (at least any i can point)
Anything Touhou is fucking win, and I love you for it. I have a past blog that talks a lot about bullet hell shooters if you feel like digging it up (don't want to plug it).
I still think the Pikmin soundtrack needs more love. It's very atmospheric and perfect for the environments where you hear it. I also love how it changes based on whether you're fighting or not. (And in Pikmin 2 with the underground levels, it changes the farther down you explore. Very epic-sounding. :D )
Good list though, I honestly hadn't heard any songs from these games apart from Phoenix Wright.
Yes! I love the Phoenix Wright series soundtracks. In fact I've got a boom box in the kitchen that I play them on when I'm washing or cooking. Nothing makes a cake tastier than the Suikoden I soundtrack.
I love Phoenix Wright, I love Phoenix Wright music, but JFA is probably my least favorite of the bunch :( It's still one of my favorite games ever, and the only thing that really brings it down for me is the circus case. I was replaying it, and I couldn't bring myself to finish that case. The rest of the game is awesome, and the final case may be the best in the series. And Great Revival is one of my favorite songs in the series, too, and goes along with one of my favorite moments (Edgeworth's reappearance).
In conclusion, I guess I like JFA more than I thought?
Oh man, Pokemon TCG? You're my new hero, that was probably my favorite Gameboy game ever. I'd take extra time with my turns just to listen to the songs more.
Awesome tragically underrated video game soundtracks, man!
Don't forget about the always forgotten soundtrack to Bubsy 3D: Furbitten Planet.
One word. Amazing.
I would almost suggest the Zone of the Enders GBA game, if only because the sound quality is surprisingly nice for a game on that system. I don't really recall too many tunes from it now, but hey, little system that could, you know?
Because I just beat it and the music is thusly still in my head, also Super Adventure Island II. =P
Glad you brought up the TCG game. I actually bought that game alongside my brand new (newly released) GBA instead of a GBA game.
I wish somebody would bring up the soundtrack in Metal Gear Solid (GBC) though. As that one stands as one of my favourite's, but I can't seem to find it anywhere.
and I'm glad Pokemon TCG music is mentioned. I personally think that whole game's soundtrack is downright awesome. (especially the main world music and pause menu.)
and I personally prefer the classic PW1 music over PW2 of your choices...but that's me. Still good stuff here.
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About Me:
Favorite game: Mother 3
Favorite genre: JRPGs
Favorite series: Mother/Earthbound, Pokemon, Final Fantasy, Persona, Touhou, Metal Gear and Ace Attorney
Favorite animus: Gurren Lagann and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Favorite book: So You Need to Disarm a Chimpanzee Favorite musicals: Legally Blonde the Musical and Gyakuten Saiban: Resurrected Truth Favorite Godzilla Monster: Mothra
Name origin: The Scary Womanizing Pig Mask (or Fierce Pork Trooper) from Mother 3
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NES Games
1. Metroid
2. Megaman II
3. Mother/Earthbound 0
4. The Legend of Zelda
5. Super Mario Brothers 3
6. Super Mario Bothers 2 (US Version)
7. Super Mario Brothers
8. Kirby's Adventure
9. Megaman III
10. Megaman
SNES Games
1. Mother 2/Earthbound
2. Super Metroid
3. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
4. Final Fantasy 6
5. Final Fantasy 4
6. Super Mario World
7. Chrono Trigger
8. Kirby Superstar
9. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
10. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
N64 Games
1. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
2. Pokemon Snap
3. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
4. Super Mario 64
5. Super Smash Brothers
6. Star Fox 64
7. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
8. Pokemon Stadium 2
9. Harvest Moon 64
10. Paper Mario
Gameboy Games
1. Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow
2. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
3. Pokemon Pinball
4. Metroid II: The Return of Samus
5. Tetris DX
6. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
7. Gameboy Camera
8. Tintin and The Temple of the Sun
9. Super Mario Land
10. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
Gameboy Color Games
1. Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal
2. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
3. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
4. Pokemon Trading Card Game
5. Pokemon Puzzle Challenge
6. Mario Tennis
7. Super Mario Brothers DX
8. Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble
9. Wario Land 3
10. Metal Gear Solid
PSX
1. Metal Gear Solid
2. Final Fantasy VII
3. Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
4. Street Fighter Alpha 2
5. Street Fighter Alpha 3
6. Harvest Moon: Back to Nature
7. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
8. UmJammer Lammy
9. PaRappa the Rapper
10. Resident Evil
GBA
1. Mother 3
2. Pokemon Fire Red/Leaf Green
3. Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga
4. Wario Ware Inc: Mega Microgames
5. Metroid Zero Mission
6. Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald
7. Yu-Gi-Oh Worldwide Editon: Stairway to the Destined Duel
8. Sonic Advance
9. Wario Land 4
10. Sonic Battle
Gamecube
1. Super Smash Brothers Melee
2. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
3. Luigi's Mansion
3. Super Mario Sunshine
4. Custom Robo
5. Super Monkey Ball
6. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
7. Animal Crossing
8. Mario Kart: Double Dash!
9. Legend of Zelda: Four Sword Adventure
10. Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life
PS2
1. Persona 3 FES
2. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
3. Final Fantasy X
4. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
5. We <3 Katamari
6. Katamari Damacy
7. Persona 4
8. Shadow of the Colossus
9. ICO
10. Soul Calibur 2
DS
1. Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations
2. Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Justice for All
3. Hotel Dusk Room 215
4. Professor Layton and the Curious Village
5. Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum
6. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
7. Mario Kart DS
8. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
9. Advance Wars Dual Strike
10. Animal Crossing: Wild World
PSP
1.-10. Pangya: Fantasy Golf
Wii
1. Super Smash Brothers Brawl
2. Zach and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
3. Super Mario Galaxy
4. Trauma Center: Second Opinion
5. Wario Ware Smooth Moves
6. No More Heroes
7. Wii Play
8. Mario Kart Wii
9. Pokemon Battle Revolution
10. Wii Sports
PS3
1. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
2. Valkyria Chronicles
3. Flower
4. Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix
5. Street Fighter 4
6. Soul Calibur 4
7. Rockband 2
8. Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix
9. Metal Gear Solid 4 Database
10. Talladega Nights
RPGs
1. Mother 3
2. Earthbound
3. Persona 3 FES
4. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
4. Final Fantasy X
5. Final Fantasy IV
6. Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga
7. Chrono Trigger
8. Persona 4
9. Final Fantasy VI
10. Final Fantasy VII
Action-Adventure Games
1. Cave Story
2. Super Metroid
3. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
4. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
5. Metroid Zero Mission
6. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
7. The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass
8. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
9. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of the Seasons
10. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of the Ages
Fighting Games
1. Super Smash Brothers Melee
2. Super Smash Brothers Brawl
3. Super Smash Brothers 64
5. Street Fighter Alpha 2
6. Street Fighter 4
7. Soul Calibur 2
8. Street Fighter Alpha 3
9. Marvel vs. Capcom 2
10. Darkstalkers: Vampire Savior 2
First-Person Shooters
1. Team Fortress 2
2. The Ship
3. Bioshock
4. Half Life 2
5. Left 4 Dead
6. Halo: Combat Evolved
7. Half Life
8. Goldeneye 007
9. Perfect Dark
10. Wolfenstien 3D
Racing Games
1. Mario Kart DS
2. Mario Kart: Double Dash
3. Mario Kart Super Circuit
4. F-Zero X
5. Mario Kart Wii
6. Mario Kart 64
7. F-Zero
8. Super Mario Kart
9. Konami Kaczy Racers
10. Lego Racers
Platformers:
1. Super Mario Galaxy
2. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
3. Super Mario World
4. Super Mario 64
5. Super Mario Brothers 3
6. Super Mario Brothers 2 US
7. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
8. Super Mario Brothers
9. Sonic Adventure 2
10. Megaman 2
Shumps
1. Imperishable Night
2. Embodiment of the Scarlet Devil
3. Mountain of Faith
4. Perfect Cherry Blossom
5. Cho Aniki
6. Star Fox 64
7. Sin and Punishment
8. Phantasmagoria of the Flower View
9. 1924
10. Gamma Brothers
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(# 0) on 06/18/2009 17:15
(# 1) on 06/18/2009 17:40
I am admitedly a Yu-Gi-Oh! veteran, I used to be a massive nerd of it (I should have included it in my 10 things you dunno list) The Enternal Dulist Soul is not my favorite game as it lacked of many cards that wee still up to that date but oh well.
I know Touhou but there are so many games of it I can't get with the times. And the piano is one of the most powerful instruments you can hear in a game. It gives a feeling of adventure and elegance.
Unlike Yu-Gi-Oh! I never caught the whole deal about the Pokemon cards, they seemed to be pretty funky to play with. Nonetheless Pokemon music is generally fantastic without exception. (at least any i can point)
(# 2) on 06/18/2009 17:40
(# 3) on 06/18/2009 17:49
I know EXACTLY what you mean about the cornered song :)
@Magnalon
Reading it now :D
(# 4) on 06/18/2009 17:50
(# 5) on 06/18/2009 17:51
(# 6) on 06/18/2009 17:55
(# 7) on 06/18/2009 17:58
Umm, good list.
(# 8) on 06/18/2009 18:14
Good list though, I honestly hadn't heard any songs from these games apart from Phoenix Wright.
(# 9) on 06/18/2009 18:22
(# 10) on 06/18/2009 18:25
(# 11) on 06/18/2009 18:34
(# 12) on 06/18/2009 18:46
(# 13) on 06/18/2009 18:48
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APW3ZX8FvvE
^__^
(# 14) on 06/18/2009 18:52
(# 15) on 06/18/2009 19:00
(# 16) on 06/18/2009 19:03
In conclusion, I guess I like JFA more than I thought?
(# 17) on 06/18/2009 19:10
(# 18) on 06/18/2009 19:49
(# 19) on 06/18/2009 19:53
Don't forget about the always forgotten soundtrack to Bubsy 3D: Furbitten Planet.
One word. Amazing.
(# 20) on 06/18/2009 20:32
(# 21) on 06/18/2009 21:07
(# 22) on 06/18/2009 21:45
(# 23) on 06/18/2009 22:04
(# 24) on 06/18/2009 22:07
Because I just beat it and the music is thusly still in my head, also Super Adventure Island II. =P
(# 25) on 06/18/2009 22:27
I wish somebody would bring up the soundtrack in Metal Gear Solid (GBC) though. As that one stands as one of my favourite's, but I can't seem to find it anywhere.
(# 26) on 06/18/2009 22:46
(# 27) on 06/18/2009 22:59
and I'm glad Pokemon TCG music is mentioned. I personally think that whole game's soundtrack is downright awesome. (especially the main world music and pause menu.)
and I personally prefer the classic PW1 music over PW2 of your choices...but that's me. Still good stuff here.
(# 28) on 06/20/2009 12:37
Fuck year, Pokemon TCG! I loved that game.
(# 29) on 06/20/2009 13:29
(# 30) on 06/20/2009 18:32
(# 31) on 06/23/2009 22:44