Top 30 NES Soundtracks

[bucky]

http://good-evil.net/_/features/top-30-nes-soundtracks
(introduction article (http://good-evil.net/features/good-evil-presents-the-shizz-top-30-nes-soundtracks))

Every day this month a new entry is revealed, counting down to the #1 pick. This is a top list based on the voting of another forum I post on, and I'm providing the little write-ups. Hopefully something for you all to enjoy. :)

[mnbren05]

Interesting I wonder how it'll turn out overall, well time to play the waiting game.

[Vkmies]

I exepted LoZ and kirby to be higher on the list, but what ever. Im exited to see the top 10.

[Volcanon]

So yeah.

Megaman 2 had better be on there, if not just for Wily 1.
And uh Castlevania 3, Batman, Dragon Warrior 3 + 4, and (if you're counting Famicom) Final Fantasy 2 + 3 (especially 3, i'd say that's the best. that or castlevania 3j)?

I dont remember any of those three on the list having all that great music. I guess Kirby did. LoZ didn't do much for me. I thought Zelda 2 had better.

Edit: It was done by a vote?
OK well the FF 2+3 won't be on the list or at least not near the top. Probably same for DW4 due to it's small release.

[Rev. Link]

Wow. I was about to be pretty pissed about Zelda not being in the top one (okay fine, top five :)), until I read the article.

I guess I never realized that there were really only six songs in that game, and that's if you count that little snippet of music it plays when you beat a dungeon. So really only five full songs. And out of those five, one is for the title screen, one for the ending, and one for the final dungeon.

So that just leaves two songs that you hear regularly throughout the game. But still, they're both classics and it's a shame to see this game listed so low.

[ccovell]

I won't spoil it now, but when all 30 are shown, I'll post a link to a similar poll (Top NES soundtracks) I did a long, long time ago. We can see if tastes have changed (or if they're more refined on TheShizz.)

[kainemaxwell]

So far we got:
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #28: Crystalis
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #29: The Legend of Zelda
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #30: Kirby’s Adventure

[bucky]

Edit: It was done by a vote?
OK well the FF 2+3 won't be on the list... Probably same for DW4 due to it's small release.

Don't be too certain! Okay, little spoiler - DW4 didn't make the list. But I am not without love for it, I had a band that covered a song from it. Anywho, a couple games unreleased in the US did make the list!


I won't spoil it now, but when all 30 are shown, I'll post a link to a similar poll (Top NES soundtracks) I did a long, long time ago. We can see if tastes have changed (or if they're more refined on TheShizz.)

This would be cool, I'd like to see that!

[bucky]

#27 is up - Silver Surfer.

I forgot to mention, assuming we stay on schedule this should be updated every day at 1pm EST.

[Vkmies]

Its strange how a crappy game can have a soundtrack so awesome....

[ccovell]

Not so strange...

EU musicians... legendary.
EU game designers...... well let's say that Japanese NES/Fami designers were more dedicated to game balance and quality control.

[Rob2600]

EU game designers...... well let's say that Japanese NES/Fami designers were more dedicated to game balance and quality control.

I guess you've never played Ikari Warriors II: Victory Road, Tag Team Wrestling, or MUSCLE. :)

[GarrettCRW]

I guess you've never played Ikari Warriors II: Victory Road, Tag Team Wrestling, or MUSCLE. :)

A game ported by Micronics, a game ported in 1984, and a Bandai game don't exactly do much to dissuade the opinion that the Japanese devs were in general better programmers for the NES/Famicom.

[kainemaxwell]

Now we got:
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #26: Jackal
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #27: Silver Surfer
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #28: Crystalis
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #29: The Legend of Zelda
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #30: Kirby’s Adventure

YEAH, Jackal!!

[ButtonMasher123]

Good choices so far but I better see A Nightmare on Elm Street and Ironsword on this list or it has no credibility

[Howie6925]

Hopefully Blaster Master and/or Shadow Gate will be on the list, I always thought the music was awesome for those two games.

[Lord_Magus]

I really hope Faxanadu makes at least the top-5. It's still one of the most unique OSTs I've ever heard, and it's a shame the rare genius of that game's music goes by often unappreciated. Other games I expect to see of course are Journey to Silius, Metroid and Castlevania, among others :)

[Vkmies]

I really hope Faxanadu makes at least the top-5. It's still one of the most unique OSTs I've ever heard, and it's a shame the rare genius of that game's music goes by often unappreciated. Other games I expect to see of course are Journey to Silius, Metroid and Castlevania, among others :)


There are a bunch of people who dont like the original metroids tracks very much. But we'll see! :)

[classicgamemusic]

Tough to say which are the best. In my experience, individual songs stand out more than an entire soundtrack. However,
Mega Man 2 is one of the top soundtracks listen here:

http://www.imeem.com/classicgamemusic/playlist/YZiMDaPc/mega-man-2-nes-mp3-133-music-playlist/

[classicgamemusic]

Metroid music rocks! I played it as a kid in '86 & '87
Listen here:

http://www.imeem.com/classicgamemusic/playlist/0OaBccBS/metroid-nes-mp3-133-music-playlist/

[bucky]

Good choices so far but I better see A Nightmare on Elm Street and Ironsword on this list or it has no credibility
Uh oh...
8-)

[Lord_Magus]

Good choices so far but I better see A Nightmare on Elm Street and Ironsword on this list or it has no credibility

Yes, how could I have forgotten Ironsword! Man that game had some really great music, I still listen to the OST every now and then. Personal favorite tracks are the title screen and final level BGMs :)

[Vkmies]

Metroid music rocks! I played it as a kid in '86 & '87
Listen here:

http://www.imeem.com/classicgamemusic/playlist/0OaBccBS/metroid-nes-mp3-133-music-playlist/


Yeah. myself love th e 8-bit metroids music, but im just saying that there a alot of people who dislike it. Damn, I even know one guy who hates super metroids soundtrack! :bullshit:

[exit]

If Maniac Mansion isn't on the list, the consider the list void.

[ccovell]

Listen, guys, some of you are being too black & white about the whole list... ie: "If xxx game isn't on the list then I'm boycotting the whole thing."

This is the result of a poll, right? From people whose choices might be esoteric, mainstream, built on 100% nostalgia and 0% sound quality, or vice-versa. (Though the latter is preferred, IMO.)

[classicgamemusic]

first off, Metroid doesn't have many tracks anyhow. to hate or cherish Metroid or Super Metroid, uh well, you got to at least listen to it. some games have unbearable soundtracks thus making other music great. so bad music polishes the good.

[kainemaxwell]

Hopefully Blaster Master and/or Shadow Gate will be on the list, I always thought the music was awesome for those two games.

http://good-evil.net/features/top-30-nes-soundtracks-25-blaster-master
Blaster Master made #25.

[bucky]

Listen, guys, some of you are being too black & white about the whole list... ie: "If xxx game isn't on the list then I'm boycotting the whole thing."

This is the result of a poll, right? From people whose choices might be esoteric, mainstream, built on 100% nostalgia and 0% sound quality, or vice-versa. (Though the latter is preferred, IMO.)
Thanks for the open mind chris! I think the voters represented somewhat of a balance of picking nostlagia vs sound quality. While common nostalgic selections will undoubtedly take the lead, there were only 44 voters and a decent handful have done a respectable amount of nsf digging.

I also recognize that top lists are ALWAYS subjective and arbitrary in some regards. For anyone who laments the lack of a certain title, I do intend on posting a review of the top list itself at the end, to discuss what I think some of its strong and weak points are. In the end, I sometimes find a certain audacity in top lists trying to tell you what is best, because we all have our own opinions. I intend for this list to be a bit more self-aware and not pretend to be some sort of be-all end-all sort of thing. :)

anywho,
#24 - TMNT II (http://good-evil.net/features/top-30-nes-soundtracks-24-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-ii)
Final Fantasy III (http://good-evil.net/features/top-30-nes-soundtracks-23-final-fantasy-iii)

[PresidentLeever]

Good list so far, with the exception of Jackal which I found to be pretty generic sounding (then again I've never played the game).

I like how you're bringing some attention to game music, but wouldn't mind if the writeups were a bit more in-depth (like a genre description or comments from the author if possible), and more personal. What are your own memories of each soundtrack and which track is your favourite?

[Rob2600]

Good list so far, with the exception of Jackal which I found to be pretty generic sounding (then again I've never played the game).

Jackal has one of my favorite video game soundtracks.

[PresidentLeever]

Jackal has one of my favorite video game soundtracks.

Okay.

[Howie6925]

http://good-evil.net/features/top-30-nes-soundtracks-25-blaster-master
Blaster Master made #25.

nice, see if shadowgate makes the list.

[TurboGenesis]

I hope to see some appreciation for Sky Shark!

I look forward to keeping an eye on the development of this list.

[bucky]

Good list so far, with the exception of Jackal which I found to be pretty generic sounding (then again I've never played the game).

I like how you're bringing some attention to game music, but wouldn't mind if the writeups were a bit more in-depth (like a genre description or comments from the author if possible), and more personal. What are your own memories of each soundtrack and which track is your favourite?
I agree on Jackal! It's my least favorite entry to have made the list.

I'll be sure to try and describe the music more, at least, in lieu of being able to put 'genres' to them. Comments from the composers would be great, but probably impossible to find from anyone who isn't Nobuo Uematsu or Koji Kondo, or from any game that isn't extremely popular. I've only ever exchanged words with Neil Baldwin and Alberto Gonzalez, and sadly, neither of their soundtracks are represented here. If anyone could help hunt down some of the composers and see if they've talked about any of these specific games, let me know!

#22 - TMNT III (http://good-evil.net/features/top-30-nes-soundtracks-22-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-iii)

[kainemaxwell]

Latest list:
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #20: Super Mario Bros. 3
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #21: Ninja Gaiden
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #22: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #23: Final Fantasy III
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #24: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #25: Blaster Master
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #26: Jackal
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #27: Silver Surfer
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #28: Crystalis
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #29: The Legend of Zelda
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #30: Kirby’s Adventure

[koshichka]

Latest list:
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #21: Ninja Gaiden


Too low! :( Ninja Gaiden is easily top 10...unless they're putting NG II higher up the list I guess

[ButtonMasher123]

Too low! :( Ninja Gaiden is easily top 10...unless they're putting NG II higher up the list I guess

Agreed, for some reason Ninja Gaiden always gets the short end of the stick in any NES list. Maybe some kids sucked too bad at it and didn't get the chance to hear all the music in the game lol.

[Zing]

When I saw the Ninja Gaiden entry, I remembered the track I have always thought was the best. I was surprised to see this track be one of the two specifically mentioned! (area 4-2)

[kainemaxwell]

Top 30 NES Soundtracks #11: Faxanadu
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #12: Journey to Silius
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #13: Bionic Commando
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #14: Rollergames
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #15: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #16: Ducktales
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #17: Super Mario Bros. 2
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #18: Batman
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #19: Castlevania
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #20: Super Mario Bros. 3
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #21: Ninja Gaiden
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #22: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #23: Final Fantasy III
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #24: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #25: Blaster Master
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #26: Jackal
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #27: Silver Surfer
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #28: Crystalis
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #29: The Legend of Zelda
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #30: Kirby’s Adventure

[Vkmies]

Top 30 NES Soundtracks #16: Ducktales


Too low... I loved every track.

[VG_Maniac]

I would have put Blaster Master higher up on that list...and I hope Little Nemo: The Dream Master makes it on there somewhere. I'm guessing Mega Man 2 will be up at the top, and hopefully MM3 will be right up there next to it (I personally like Mega Man 3's soundtrack better).

[TurboGenesis]

Still hoping to see Sky Shark up there… already have a couple of Tim Follin's work listed and I feel Sky Shark is one of the best!

[Snapple]

I think the list is great. I just went down some of the write-ups tonight and listened to a lot of the stuff from YouTube. For some games, it brings back memories. For games I haven't played, it's a different kind of treat.

Bucky, don't listen to the haters who get all anal about lists and what should be where or it's a crap list. The way I see it, it's just a fun list to honor a lot of great NES soundtracks and relive some good memories one day each month.

EDIT: also lmao at this image
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd56/brownreclusesings/explod/tmntfy8.gif

[kainemaxwell]

and here's the full list:

Top 30 NES Soundtracks #01: Castlevania III
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #02: Mega Man 2
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #03: Mega Man 3
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #04: Contra
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #05: Ninja Gaiden II
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #06: Castlevania II
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #07: Metroid
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #08: Shatterhand
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #09: Gimmick!
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #10: Zelda II
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #11: Faxanadu
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #12: Journey to Silius
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #13: Bionic Commando
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #14: Rollergames
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #15: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #16: Ducktales
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #17: Super Mario Bros. 2
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #18: Batman
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #19: Castlevania
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #20: Super Mario Bros. 3
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #21: Ninja Gaiden
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #22: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #23: Final Fantasy III
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #24: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #25: Blaster Master
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #26: Jackal
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #27: Silver Surfer
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #28: Crystalis
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #29: The Legend of Zelda
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #30: Kirby’s Adventure

[Ed Oscuro]

Some good choices but really pretty safe. Surprising to see how few games 30 spots encompasses when I look through the list so I won't bitch too much, although there's a severe lack of import-only where there were plenty of games with soundtracks at least as good (I sort of wanted to see Crisis Force myself, others would have liked Lagrange Point), though it doesn't make sense for people to vote what they don't know. That list reminds me to look up a few games which is cool.

Burnt out on Castlevania. Burnt out on a lot of those tracks from a lot of those games. They sound great but once you've heard them five hundred times you don't need to hear them again.

[ccovell]

So, here are the game music poll results that I collected, something like 8 years ago: http://www.disgruntleddesigner.com/chrisc/poll.html

It's interesting to see how not many things change. It's all about the best-known soundtracks, not the best ones.

p.s. Lagrange Point?? Besides the novelty of FM music on a Famicom, the songs are singularly boring, and a waste of a good chance on Konami's part.

[Ed Oscuro]

p.s. Lagrange Point?? Besides the novelty of FM music on a Famicom, the songs are singularly boring, and a waste of a good chance on Konami's part.
Pretty much my fuzzy memory of it, but I've heard it mentioned many a time.

Actually I think Crisis Force tends towards that direction too, but there's a few okay tracks on there.

Jackal is great.

[Rob2600]

Where's Double Dragon?

[Malon_Forever]

Where's the original Final Fantasy!?!?

[Ed Oscuro]

So which of the games on that list needs to go to make place for DD and FF?

[Malon_Forever]

So which of the games on that list needs to go to make place for DD and FF?

Metroid for FF.

[Nescollector]

Xexyz should be on that list.

[bucky]

Some good choices but really pretty safe. Surprising to see how few games 30 spots encompasses when I look through the list so I won't bitch too much, although there's a severe lack of import-only where there were plenty of games with soundtracks at least as good (I sort of wanted to see Crisis Force myself, others would have liked Lagrange Point), though it doesn't make sense for people to vote what they don't know. That list reminds me to look up a few games which is cool.

I voted on Crisis Force. :)
A list will be pretty safe when achieved through a vote, but you do have to admit that Gimmick! making the top ten is a little out of the expected. An import-only making top ten isn't too shabby, eh?


Where's the original Final Fantasy!?!?

Final Fantasy was tied for the #30 spot with Kirby's Adventure, but got bumped out in the tie breaker. It was also tied with Mega Man 6. You'll find it in the introduction article if you check out it. I like the soundtrack but I'm not too bummed it didn't make it, I do prefer Final Fantasy III.

Oh, and, I recently found out that the Japanese version of Shatterhand has two alternate tracks. I tried to include all those sorts of details in my reviews, but was unaware of that. I'll have to go back and edit that...

[ButtonMasher123]

I can't believe Castlevania 3 beat out Megaman 2 for the number one spot. I guess it was splitting the vote with Megaman 3 or something.