Favorite Retro Game Music

[RazorD]

Whats up friends. My names Dave. Just found the forum a few days ago. Took me a while to figure out the little asteric mean times 2. I favor both Retro and Modern games, but personally, I think the old games had a real knack for great epic music. What are you guys fav tunes?

Heres a list of some of my favs

1. Legend Of Zelda, Adventures In Link
2. Ninja Gaiden 1
3. Megaman 2
4. Double Dragon (Arcade and Nes versions)
5. Sonic 2

Those are just a very small sample, but classic tunes indeed.

I just started to doing some renditions of my own. I did a Medley and a Sonic 2 and Megaman 2. If you get a moment check it out below. I just got my channel up and running. More will be added

http://www.youtube.com/razordaveinc

[Gooch3008]

1. Final Fantasy 7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0YMlSu1DeA
2. Castlevania (pick one) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhbGqHurV5I&fmt=18
3. Megaman 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKtYCcMWT4
4. Sonic 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkj57nM0OqQ
5. Ninja Gaiden 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbgNNid9c6U

I have mixed feelings on Deus Ex being considered "retro" even though it is 10 years old now. (I guess its all the re-installs) Honorable mention I guess, excellent game, excellent soundtrack.

We have similar tastes, razor.

I just want to add, I look forward to the responses to this thread!

[NessFreaK]

Donkey Kong Country 2:Stickerbush Symphony (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73n7HTcmb5g")
Breath of Fire: Battle Theme 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqz2ZfAI3m0)
Super Mario RPG: Beware the Forest Mushrooms (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj8zw8rrUhM)
Super Mario 64: Dire, Dire Docks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvhCuvIekC8)

[tom]

Ballblazer (A8)
Big Birds Egg Catch (VCS)
Alternate Reality (A8)
Game Over (C64)
M.U.L.E. (A8)
Ultima V (C128)
Great Gianna Sisters (C64)
Shadow of the Beast (Amiga)
Agent USA (train music) (A8)

[RazorD]

1. Final Fantasy 7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0YMlSu1DeA
2. Castlevania (pick one) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhbGqHurV5I&fmt=18
3. Megaman 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKtYCcMWT4
4. Sonic 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkj57nM0OqQ
5. Ninja Gaiden 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbgNNid9c6U

I have mixed feelings on Deus Ex being considered "retro" even though it is 10 years old now. (I guess its all the re-installs) Honorable mention I guess, excellent game, excellent soundtrack.

We have similar tastes, razor.

I just want to add, I look forward to the responses to this thread!



Castlevania's absolutely rock.

Heres a few others that I did

Ghosts N Goblins
Golden Axe
Super Marios 2 (Trippy music)
Faxanadu
Megaman X


Its seems the super catchy music went somewhat away after the 8 and 16 bit era...Theres still some good stuff though. I guess you really cant have 8 bit sounds on a Super Street Fighter IV hahaha

[alec006]

Oh,so many to choose from, but if I had too

1: Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (gotta love the Chemical Plant)
2: Goldeneye 007 (Caverns all time fav)
3: Perfect Dark (Chicago, so mello and dark)
4: Pokemon (So many classic themes)
5: Super Mario 64 (Dire Dire Docks)

There are so many more I could name,but those would be my top 5

[Ro-J]

Pro Wrestling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsP5nnBhtJI) for the NES. When I die and Saint Peter lists off the accounts of my life I fully expect to see Pro Wrestling at the top of the list of things I wasted my life doing. I've played that game more than any other and its music hits the nostalgic sweet spot of my soul.

[Arkhan]

Zelda II was an awesome sound track. The lead stuff in that sounded neat.

Other favorites for me are Little Nemo, Ninja Gaiden 1, Mafat Conspiracy, Hydlide 3, and Bonk 1

[Oldskool]

Oh yeah Arkhan, Little Nemo did have an excellent sound track, the sound track to that game has been forgotten, it's pretty sad that it has been forgotten actually.

Some of my favorites:

First and foremost - the best retro soundtrack ever in my mind - Streets of Rage : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEkSppihYM4

Gaiares (Genesis): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVYJRfa5_O0

Batman (NES) - You got to love the drums in this game! : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCA_msAEn8k

Blaster Master!!!! (NES) - EPIC SOUNDTRACK : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgiURE-qF1c&feature=related

Return Fire (3DO, Playstation) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vNPlgB6IbE

Super Metroid (SNES) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzf74K09QOo&feature=related

Super Castlevania IV (SNES) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoQex8CB9eA&feature=related

Actraiser (SNES) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsefax53YP0

I could go on and on. YOU MUST CHECK OUT THESE TRACKS IF YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE - GOOD STUFF

[spongerob]

LOZ: A Link to the Past and any SNES FF game. Hell, any retro track by Uematsu. I'm sure there's more but I'm too tired to think of any.

[JSoup]

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144797

[AbnormalMapping]

In random order.

1. Pitfall 2 - dedicated to everyone who's been driven to beat the odds, and used what seemed to be a weakness as a strength.

2. Link's Awakening ( Ballad of the Windfish ) - This is the only song that's ever scared me. I didn't want the dream to end.

3. Phantasy Star 3 ( Main title theme ) - I listen to it, and I dream of dreamers far away. Do they dream of us?

Too bad the song inspired me to play the game. Don't make this mistake.

4. Majora's Mask: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGnc08aKXNQ&feature=related This song has personal importance.

5. I really don't want to limit myself to 5. Super Metroid (flashback theme ) Maniac Mansion ( Razor's theme ) Chronotrigger ( Frog's theme ) and I haven't even touched Castlevania 3, The Magic of Scheherazade, Earthbound, or Guitar Vader?

[Double Ugly]

Secret of Mana had some awesome music. A lot of Final Fantasies had great music as well.

[Malon_Forever]

Ocarina of Time (opening theme)
Mario Kart 64 (ending credits)
Chrono Cross (dream on another shore)
Mega Man 3 (intro)
Mega Man 2 (bubble man)
Snowboard Kids (every single course)

[ConsoleAddict]

I didn't care for video game soundtracks until I played Golden Axe on the Genesis in 1990. Then I cared. That was one kicking soundtrack.

Others from the 1982-1999 era:

Mousetrap (ColecoVision) - For simply having 3 songs in the soundtrack, novel for the time.
Final Fantasy VI
Revenge Of Shinobi - Kick-ass music from Yuzo Koshiro
Double Dragon (arcade)
Legend Of Zelda
Tecmo Bowl - just felt right for a football game

[Arkhan]

Secret of Mana had some awesome music. A lot of Final Fantasies had great music as well.

yeah man. the ambient music in that was excellent. I put Secret of Mana's music over Final Fantasy even.

[balkiry]

Great thread. This always chnges for me, but today I would say:

1. Sakura theme (Street Fighter Alpha 2)
2. Chemical Plant Zone (Sonic 2)
3. Loneliness (Shenmue)
4. Alexia's Song (Reident Evil: Code Veronica)
5. Intro theme (Alex Kidd In Shinobi World)
Honorable mention: Super Metroid intro.

[Swamperon]

Always a tough one, but let's say:

1. Chrono Trigger: Manoria Cathedral theme (really the whole soundtrack is awesome)
2. Skies of Arcadia: Imperial Armada theme.
3. Sonic: Starlight Zone.
4. Shining Force: Town Battle theme (more commonly known as the circus battle theme)
5. Dragon Force: Dark Apostle battle theme.

But really there's so many more! Ocarina of time and Wind Waker's soundtracks are just phenomenal. SSBB has some amazing music. Pokemon R/B - Vermillion City. Star Ocean II's soundtrack! The list goes on.

[obesolete]

I'm going to go in the opposite direction of the obvious:

Werewolf. Werewolf Form - NES http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K88EqLQvYjQ
TMNT Theme - NES http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLsBTwuq0sU
Princess Tomato - Forest NES http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM6Su13ipBM&feature=related
Skyblazer - Cliffs of peril - SNES http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qEuALe4Zzs
Maniac Mansion - Dave's theme - NES http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRxeXnMBejY

[Jisho23]

I'm gonna dare to be different.

The C64 version of "Ghouls n' Ghosts" has a phenomenal soundtrack. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG0PjgfHf5Q

[AWinterFuneral]

Final Fantasy 3 (SNES)
Suikoden 2 (PS1)
Final Fantasy 7 (PS1)
Chrono Trigger (SNES)
EVO (SNES)
Kirby Superstar (SNES)
Tetris (NES)
TNMT: Turtles In Time (SNES)

[LiquidPolicenaut]

Since I can't just pick one individual track fromt he following games, I just consider the whole soundtrack to be great:

Actraiser (SNES)
Legend of Zelda LttP (SNES)
Chrono Trigger (SNES)
FF III (SNES)
Lunar The Silver Star (Sega CD)
Lunar Eternal Blue (Sega CD)
The Terminator (Sega CD)
Snatcher (Sega CD)
Final Fight CD (Sega CD)
Mega Man The Wily Wars (Genesis)
Streets of Rage (Genesis)
Streets of Rage 2 (Genesis)
Dracula X (PC-E)
Ys I thru IV (PC-E)

[AWinterFuneral]

I have changed my answer.

Skyshark for NES and Suikoden 2 Gothic Neclord. Yeah.

Skyshark: http://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/nintendo/nes/sky_shark_-_stage_1.mid

Suikoden 2: http://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/sony/ps1/g2necbt.mid


Enjoy :D

[jonebone]

To add to ones that have not been mentioned:

Bloody Tears - CastleVania II Simon's Quest
Facility Theme - Goldeneye
Title Screen - Mega Man 2 and Mega Man 3
Top Man Theme - Mega Man 3

[intro9]

I'm gonna jump into this thread and bring out an old short one.

Gyromite - Nintendo NES

Something about that little tune totally made me fall in love with it. I currently have it on my cell :)

[spider-man]

One of my favourite soundtracks is Flashback for the Genesis. The game was just oozing with 80's style. It was an interesting move to make the music more dominant in the cutscenes, rather than looping the same song over and over in the actual stages (where the sound effects took center stage).

[Enigmus]

One of my favourite soundtracks is Flashback for the Genesis. The game was just oozing with 80's style. It was an interesting move to make the music more dominant in the cutscenes, rather than looping the same song over and over in the actual stages (where the sound effects took center stage).

This can be agreed here. There's also a sound option for the DOS version (which is freeware) that sounds very close to the Sega Genesis version. It makes the game sound leaps and bounds over standard MIDI on the DOS version, but it's still no Amiga.

[Ackman]

Mine:
Mega Man 2 intro theme
Mega Man 2 Woodman stage theme
Mega Man 2 Airman stage theme
Bad Dudes VS Double Dragon Arcade stage 2 music
Ninja Kid 2 Arcade stage 3 and 4 music
Hammering Harry Arcade stage 3 music

I'll add more later.

[rkotm]

Castlevania 4- FOREST OF MONSTERS - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0iuB9PQ2Cg&feature=related Can you feel the dread??

Castlevania Symphony Of The Night - WANDERING GHOSTS - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8JGNPE4ayw&feature=related Makes me wanna play.

Mario 3 - Athletic - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT5nfQJP40Y&feature=related
Sliiiiide *boop boop*

Resident Evil 2 - SAVE ROOM - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53aDI5K49F4&feature=related Take a break.

Mortal Kombat 2 - ARMORY - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkJuCopslG0&feature=related Beat some ass!

Zelda Links Awakening - FACE SHRINE - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZiOOWJr6Jw Ominous Puzzles.

Metal Gear Solid - BOSS! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc0fDGVQtJk&feature=related DRAW!

Mega Man X 3 - GRAVITY BEETLE - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5TanI96EdE&feature=related *skish skish pew pew*

Mega Man X - BOOMER KUWANGER - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_IVbuC1ZSs
Aww yeaa

Super Mario Kart - VANILLA LAKE - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tih45XRv9M&feature=related Feel good racin'

Yoshi's Safari - GRASS LAND MUSIC - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7zqHwd28-Y *teardrop for my childhood*

Super Mario Land 2 - ATHLETIC THEME - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgjSs8nlDHw&feature=related *another teardrop*

Totaka's Song - 0_0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruFzO2X-h8w&feature=related
*_*

[hbkprm]

target earth (the soundtrack is epic from out of the gate)
saturday night slam masters (arcade version)
sonic 1-3
revenge of shinobi
shinobi iii
xexyz
street fighter ii (snes version, its something special with the 16 bit sound chip that makes the version stand out)
starfox asualt (great classical soundtrack)
mega man
kirby super star
donkey kong country (an another 16 bit standout soundtrack)
final fight
earthworm jim

[Streetball 21]

Super Mario 64-especially Dire Dire Docks
Shenmue
Final Fight CD
Zelda Wind Waker-Dragon Roost Island
Ocarina of Time-Gerudo Valley
Goldeneye-Dam Stage

[Retro_gamer36]

(\__/)
(='.'=) <(-Sonic 1, 2 and 3 (It's nostalgic too! :() )
(")_(")


(\_/)
(_..) <(Pokemon Crystal (It's super-mega-archi nostalgic :puppydogeyes:)
c(')(')

[Xtincthed]

I'm gonna be totally non-original on this, but Chrono Trigger is definately my fav OST
after that Little Big Adventure 2

[Dred]

Monty on the Run

[cynicalhat]

Sonic 1 Scrap Brain Zone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoVY7nvcel0

Super Metroid Lower Norfair http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgHkrY6v-Ko

Final Fantasy 6 Searching for Friends http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKnvKa5N410

Star Fox Corneria http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMvkkqxs8m0

Mega Man X Storm Eagle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETkGroUOEsk

Zelda II Great Palace http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olUGh4ukQaw

Secret of Mana Star of darkness http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH4vY2kyQDw

I could have cheated and just put the entire super metroid soundtrack on there but, i figured i needed some variety.

[mike_the_red]

Great thread, but really hard to say something that hasn't been said about VGM a million times. :D

I love the classics and most of the more popular fan favorites, but one I never see mentioned is Wanderers from Ys: III for SNES.

Not just good music but GREAT music, yet it's missing from so many lists. I guess because it's a rather obscure title that few played? I certainly played it and loved it.

The remake called Oath in Felghana (for PC and unofficially translated) has a modern, electric guitar/metal version of the soundtrack. It's also great!

[trollrx]

Chrono Trigger ending theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1qbVI9iTBU&feature=related)

[Casati]

For the NES:
Adventure Island
Bomberman
Bump 'n' Jump
Crystalis
Dragon Spirit
Dragon Warrior
Image Fight
Kickle Cubicle
Legend of Zelda
Mach Rider
Metal Storm
Metroid
Qix
Rad Racer, II
Romance Three Kingdoms II
Solstice
Spy Hunter (Peter Gunn Theme)
Star Tropics
Zanac

[CapnCrunch53]

I'll leave out some of the more obvious ones like Zelda and Final Fantasy since those are pretty much given.

Never played the game yet, but listening to the soundtrack on Youtube, Zero Wing (what you say!) has some amazing music. I really need to track down a PAL version for myself since apparently it runs fine in a US Genny.

Recently I've been playing Ecco: Tides of Time on the Genesis, and it's got some really atmospheric music. Creepy and foreboding, yet beautiful at the same time.

The music in the otherwise mediocre Street Fighter 2010 on NES is also pretty kickin'.

[Nebagram]

The bonus round music from Cool Spot. Easily- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_LY7r8P3ns

Also, if we're counting 5th generation games, pretty much the entire soundtrack of Wipeouts 1-3 and Rollcage 1 & 2.

[Colorado Rockies]

Secret of Mana (SNES)
YS I & II (Turbografx)
Donkey Kong Country (SNES)
Super Metroid (SNES)
Earthbound (SNES)
Rez (DC)
Space Channel 5 (DC)
Silent Hill 1 & 2 (PS1/PS2)
Snatcher (Sega CD)
Lunar 2 (Sega CD)
Shining Force III (Saturn)
Nights (Saturn)

[WelcomeToTheNextLevel]

Sonic 2 - especially Emerald Hill and Metropolis zone

Plumbers Don't Wear Ties has good music, but that's ALL that is good about that otherwise pile of crap.

[jammajup]

Steets of Rage 1/2 has some memorable music
Tomb Raider (ps) theme tune
G-Darius (ps/arcade)
Rastan (Arcade)
R-type (Amiga)

[lauraleebm]

Nothing like Silent Hill OST!

[gwaine]

Herzog Zwei, Lunar Silver Star, King's Bounty, Zelda 1

[j1e]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdGhbC4XtRk

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest. Very laid back.

[Howie6925]

I think this topic is going on in another thread but I will post again my faves:

Mega man 2
Shadowgate
and Blaster Master.

[Darklink18]

One of my personal favorites is Heart of Fire from Castlevania. Reminds me of Bloody Tears, even though that was after it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA9FhBwRtoc

Also, Chemical Plant Zone from Sonic 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LYB7iLZNWE

[Zing]

Mario 3 - Athletic - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT5nfQJP40Y&feature=related
Sliiiiide *boop boop*

I immediately realized the "boop boop" reference. That's great!

Listen to the terrible SNES remake of this amazing music :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-3cBPPkdE0

[furryCuds1z]

I love the underwater theme in the original Donkey Kong Country where you get Enguarde.
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[Zing]

Ninja Gaiden rocks in general, but stage 4-2 is amazing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp7JgRtw50o

Super Castlevania IV was mind blowing at the time. I used to hook the SNES RCA jacks to my stereo, plug in my headphones, and just listen to the sound test. My favorite track at the time was the waterfalls:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vODqf94wrM8

I don't need to link it, but "Robo's Theme" is too obvious.