Music is relative. It effects us in such a personal way that we can't possibly hope to describe the extent of that effect to anyone. It's why we are so protective (and sometimes even snobby) about it. Your personal taste in music will always be better to you than anyone else. So it's best to probably just accept that.
Here I will weekly (heh...) choose a piece of game music that I love and share it! Then talk about it. Not too complex, but I hope it's something you'll enjoy!
Castlevania- Heart of Fire/Stage 5
I haven't posted a blog in a while, I know. I'm back though! For how long? I'm not sure. I'm also back in school so my freetime is soon to become very limited. Be aware that whether I'm frequently posting blogs or not, I'm always visiting and prowling the site.
Anyway, this week's music comes from the Castlevania series. You knew it would be here eventually so I might as well get it out there. The Castlevania series is renown for having incredible music, but I must admit that I haven't always been a huge fan. Sure, I love the music, but it's techno-ish side has never really appealed to me. That and I haven't really been a raging fan (note: I said "raging" fan, I still love Castlevania) of the games themselves. Especially the newer ones. I enjoyed Circle of the Moon and Aria of Sorrow, but honestly? I hate backtracking and I had even less patience for it when I was a bit younger. I've always preferred the classic, linear Castlevanias of old.
So! When I heard about Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia and it's much more linear gameplay, I squee'd with joy. I bought it with some of my Christmas money and I must say that it's probably my favorite Castlevania so far. It just seems to mix the best of the old with the best of the new. This also applies to the music. A couple of weeks ago, I discovered and item called "Record 5" and figured it was some sound test item or something. However, upon further inspection the item said that I could use it to customize the game's music! I used it, and what happened? The Stage 5 theme from the original NES Castlevania rang forth from my tiny DS. My eyes widened, my jaw dropped, and I think that my heart even skipped a beat or two.
For the next few days, my sole mission was to track down all 8 of the "Record" items in the game (one for each of the 8 songs in the original Castlevania), but song 5 has become my favorite, even above the stage 1 theme "Vampire Killler"! It was probably just the impact that the moment had on me, but it's certainly something that will remain in my mind for some time.
Please enjoy this classic tune, I hope to post more music from this great franchise soon.
Haha, well I'm sure you can a download of it somewhere. I used to have a site I would go to for video game music, but it seems to be down at the moment.
vampire killer was always the definitive Castlevania song for me.
you have some badass taste in music, I should post a game music spotlight blog one of these days.
Yeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Awesome track!
Vampire Killer will always rock!
Amazing, creepy and catchy piece of 8-bit music!
I love anything Castlevania!
Super Castlevania IV is one of my favorites!
Can't wait to get into Order of Ecclesia...
@Rider Chop- Yeah, I love Vampire Killer as well, but it's also like the generic Castlevania tune. It's like picking Goku as you're favorite Dragon Ball Z character, or Luke Skywalker as the best Star Wars character, haha. Also, thank you and yes you should.
@Artemus- You needz Order of Ecclesia, but be warned... It's hard... Real hard.
Sure, Vampire Killer may be the "generic" Castlevania tune to like, but that still does not weaken it's impact.
That tune, will, forever be etched into my gaming brain!
I can even hear it while I type this...
Yee!
Great writeup, excellent tune. I'm gonna feature it on the recap.
If you'd like to read more about the music to Castlevania, TMNT and some of the other games with that classic "Konami sound", the Retronauts blog over at 1up has been running an interview with Hidenori Maezawa, the composer for several of those NES classics. There were some companion pieces on the music itself, very worth reading in my opinion.
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about me
I'm mostly a retro gamer. I don't hate everything after the 90's, but I tend to prefer retro game design. I enjoy alot of indie and portable games, not to mention a blockbuster title every now and then. However, like I said, the majority of my gaming takes place on older consoles.
Game Run!- Check out the exciting life of a poor retro gamer!
11/19/08- Batman(NES) and Power Blade
10/11/08- Mystical Ninja and Clash at Demonhead
10/10/08- MASSIVE update! NES and loads of games.
8/12/2008- Killer Instinct, TMNT:TF, Super Tennis
7/20/2008- Inindo, Wonderboy, Crusader of Centy
7/9/2008- NBA Jam, Out of This World
My Favorites:
Keep in mind that these change SO much... I'm terrible at lists...
Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press living the dream since March 16, 2006
I want this on my iPod.
Also, the Dracula in the Youtube video looks like Joker from Batman. :D
Haha, well I'm sure you can a download of it somewhere. I used to have a site I would go to for video game music, but it seems to be down at the moment.
There you are!
@Krow- Here I am, haha.
I still can't beat Frankenstein. Although granted I was playing the game with a keyboard.
vampire killer was always the definitive Castlevania song for me.
you have some badass taste in music, I should post a game music spotlight blog one of these days.
Yeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Awesome track!
Vampire Killer will always rock!
Amazing, creepy and catchy piece of 8-bit music!
I love anything Castlevania!
Super Castlevania IV is one of my favorites!
Can't wait to get into Order of Ecclesia...
That is such a great song.
@A New Challenger- Use a controller dooooood.
@Rider Chop- Yeah, I love Vampire Killer as well, but it's also like the generic Castlevania tune. It's like picking Goku as you're favorite Dragon Ball Z character, or Luke Skywalker as the best Star Wars character, haha. Also, thank you and yes you should.
@Artemus- You needz Order of Ecclesia, but be warned... It's hard... Real hard.
@Zeph- Yes. Yes it is.
Your opening comment about music taste is spot on.
Sure, Vampire Killer may be the "generic" Castlevania tune to like, but that still does not weaken it's impact.
That tune, will, forever be etched into my gaming brain!
I can even hear it while I type this...
Yee!
Heh, I wish I had been good enough to reach this song XD Awesome article and song as always!
Great writeup, excellent tune. I'm gonna feature it on the recap.
If you'd like to read more about the music to Castlevania, TMNT and some of the other games with that classic "Konami sound", the Retronauts blog over at 1up has been running an interview with Hidenori Maezawa, the composer for several of those NES classics. There were some companion pieces on the music itself, very worth reading in my opinion.