This is it. The curtain call and swan song of the list. It's been one heck of a run, but all good things must come to an end sometime, and I can't think of any better way to end things than with a great song to send goosebumps to the nostalgic gamer out there. Anyone who's played Castlevania: Symphony of the Night knows what I'm talking about, and the song I've picked for the finale is none other than the stellar ending theme to the legendary Konami adventure and classic - "I Am The Wind". Sung by Cynthia Harrell (who also sang "Snake Eater", the opening theme of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater). It's one of those video game themes that I've kept near and dear to my heart, and its jazzy tune accompanied by perfectly written lyrics are so inspiring and beautiful that I'm always in awe every time I listen to this song. Give this classic a listen.;)
With that, this brings an end to my Video Game Music Month list. Thanks for listening!
Mortal Kombat. Like Capcom's Street Fighter II, it contributed to the fighting game boom back in the early 90's. Developed by Midway Studios and created by the duo of Ed Boon and John Tobias, the brawler differentiated itself from the competition by allowing players to "Finish off" their opponents and perform a gruesome "Fatality" once the contest was over. This proved to be a controversial gaming mechanic that partly led to the creation of the ESRB, and the overwhelming popularity it received from fans spawned several sequels in the years to come. MK had its ripe beginnings in arcades, but eventually also made the transition to consoles, where its influence would spread further for years to come. Following their last and somewhat disappointing title Mortal Kombat Vs DC Universe, Midway Games eventually filed for bankruptcy, and all seemed lost for the MK series. Fortunately, a glorifying rebirth would follow when Warner Bros. picked up the rights to the series, and with the formation of NetherWorld Studios, a new Mortal Kombat was released this year, signaling the beginning of a new era for the series. It proved to be immensely popular after its release this year, and it proves without a shadow of a doubt the MK still lives and prevails in the continually evolving world of fighting games.
Technically this shouldn't even be in the list, but given the fact that I loved the series and the first movie in 1995 is arguably the best video game movie adaptation to this day, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to include this song. The song may have been created for the film, but it represents the game's legacy as a whole. Perfect for the nostalgia.
One of the hardest games to beat on the NES back in the day. For what I endured with the entire trilogy back in the day, Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden series really showed me that difficulty can only be surpassed by determination, patience, and a lot of luck. This stage music from Stage 4-2 serves as a reminder of that perseverance.
Capcom's VS games ruled during the latter part of the 90's. I remember spending countless hours and tokens in arcades just duking it out and playing through several rounds of Marvel characters squaring off against Capcom's finest. When the series reached its third crossover battle with Marvel Vs Capcom, I was delighted by the fact that not only did we get a different assortment of characters aside from mostly Street Fighter characters, but the end boss was a totally different beast, Onslaught himself (and not Apocalypse who was recycled for the two previous installments). Easily my favorite entry of the original trilogy, there were minor and subtle changes to the game's engine, but the overall brawl and tag team mechanics remained the same. Also, before things were blown out of proportion by its sequels MvC2 and MvC3, this game remains somewhat the most balanced of the lot, and it even sported some of the best fighting game themes for the characters featured in its roster.
While it had a very Megaman inspired soundtrack in a general sense (minus the character themes), Ithe one track I enjoyed the most from MvC was the Staff Roll. It's light hearted, colorful, and gives the player a sense of fulfillment for finishing off Onslaught and beating the game. I can still make out the assist characters in the game giving the player a final salute as the credits roll.
25 years of whipping out the Vampire Killer is a long time. If there's any way to celebrate a quarter of a century's existence and note how much of an impact the franchise has made in gaming history, then there's no better way to commemorate Castlevania's 25th Anniversary than playing the iconic theme song that has carried over to most installments of the Konami series - Vampire Killer.
Castlevania OST - Vampire Killer
Funny. It's the 26th installment of the list, and it's for a game that was released on September 26, 1986. How utterly appropriate.
I don't play that much RPGs (save for a certain few like Xenogears), but I've butted heads with recent installments of the Final Fantasy series to get a gist of how things go down in those games. Back in the PS1 era, Final Fantasy VII pretty much made Japanese RPG games mainstream, and with the acclaim and praise it has received as a result of its success, it spawned into a lucrative franchise that saw side stories and heck even a sequel movie made to appease fans craving for more Tifa, Aerith, and yes even silent emo protagonist Cloud Strife.
While the main game was pretty much a fun excursion, I found its prequel side story, Crisis Core, to be much more engaging. Telling the untold tale and past of Zack Fair, Cloud's friend, and the origins of their infamous weapon, the Buster Sword, helped bridge gaping holes in the main FFVII game, as well as flesh out more moments between Zack's short-lived romance with Aerith. I also liked the fact that it wasn't just your typical RPG, but rather an Action RPG, favoring a linear story setup and mixing it in with free flowing action gameplay, as well as a random "slot machine" type system called the "Digital Mind Wave". With that in mind, I guess I can rule down my favorite song from the Crisis Core soundtrack to "Encounter", which plays during the opening Wutai mission arc and during certain stages when "Combat Mode" is engaged. It's solid rock and action music, as only Takeharu Ishimoto can deliver.
Another NES classic. If you know who Billy and Jimmy Lee are and the side-scrolling beat 'em up action they partook in back in the 80's, then there's nothing else to discuss about Double Dragon. It's awesome video game action delivered by Technos Japan and published by Tradewest in the states. The challenge was complimented by the awesome 8-bit music too, and I can't think of a better theme song to get me back in the nostalgia groove other than Double Dragon's theme song played in the title menu.
Ezio Auditore da Firenze. The man who would become one of the greatest video game characters I've ever had the privilege of playing... And the protagonist of Ubisoft'sAssassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, and the upcoming Assassin's Creed: Revelations.
I never experienced playing the first Assassin's Creed, but it was renowned and recognized for offering players a different approach in the action-adventure game genre by mixing it with stealth gameplay and making the story partially a period piece set in the time of the Crusades. However, it was not without its flaws, and there were certainly some mixed reviews surrounding its gameplay mechanics. When Part II came into the picture, everything changed. It offered a new array of game options to explore, and it improved on its predecessor's shortcomings by meeting demands and suggestions offered by fans of the series. Also, it was set during the time of the Renaissance, and a new protagonist was introduced... Ezio Auditore. Unlike the first game's hero Altair, Ezio did not start out as an Assassin... Fate made him into one, and gamer's experienced his life from birth to his eventual rise as a master of his order. I have enjoyed the series thus far with Ezio as its star, and now that we're looking to the twilight years of his career with Assasin's Creed Revelation, let us hope it ends in a good note for the adventurer and ladies' man from Florence.
The soundtrack for the Assassin's Creed series has been stellar to say the least. I could pick a handful of tracks and share them here just for its sheer excellence in recreating the mood of the period the game's are set in. However, if I had to choose one, it would be this one - "Venice Rooftops". It's usually played when Ezio accepts Escape or Speed Run missions in the game, but certain keys and its tempo can be heard in the official AC II Theme Song "Ezio's Family", and a huge chunk of the song was used for the ending credits of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. Here it is now to be listened to and played.
If there's one gaming franchise that represents action and adventure ala Indiana Jones and Die Hard today, it's the Uncharted series.
The series' main hero and star, Nathan Drake, combines the qualities and traits of Dr. Henry Jones Jr. and John McClane, and is a bit like JackAss star Johnny Knoxville as well for his death-defying stunts. He's willing to risk tooth and neck to hunt for all kinds of treasure, and his sense of exploration and keeping artifacts from falling into the wrong hands has put him in more difficult situations than his life can afford. Fortunately, Nate (who's also voiced by the great Nolan North) is a daredevil with skill, and on the two Uncharted games that I've played for the PS3, he's shown he's capable of getting out of sticky situations, with an injury or two along the way to remind him of the effort. Again, it's your modern day Indiana Jones' game with a fresh new face that highlights the power and spectacle the Sony Playstation 3 provides, and with a third game and an entry for the upcoming PS Vita coming along, I'm curious to see how Nate navigates through those adventures and come out of it in one piece.
Naturally, the only theme that resonates with my memories of this game is Nate's own theme song. Take a moment to listen to it and feel how adventure should sound in the modern gaming age.
Ryu Ga Gotoku, aka Yakuza in the West. It's a fantastic game series that gives us a good look at just how gritty and menacing stories set around the Japanese Criminal Underworld can be, especially when it focuses on the themes of family, friendship, revenge, and honor. Created and developed by Sega, the games play similar to Shenmue and the Grand Theft Auto series, where you navigate through a town or place, looking for clues to proceed through the story or doing almost anything you want in typical action-adventure game fashion. Fights are down via beat 'em up style, smashing opponents down with your bare fists or using weapons, and earning skill points to use in upgrading your character.
Majority of the series focused on the adventures of one Kazuma Kiryu, a former Yakuza gangster whose sense of honor to his Yakuza clan and family places him in a constant web of conspiracy and betrayal, all the while struggling to protect those he loves and keeping things in the right order. I've followed the character since his debut game in the Playstation 2, and every installment serves up some compelling gameplay combined with intriguing cinematic storytelling. With that in mind, I guess the most memorable theme I can associate with the franchise is the one from the first Ryu Ga Gotoku/ Yakuza game - Receive You. It's the kind of song that defines how "kick-ass" this series is. Give it a listen.
Konami's beat 'em up arcade games were classic sights back in the early 90's, and besides the TMNT arcade game, none may be more recognizable to gamers who grew up in that era other than the one based on Marvel's own band of mutant adventurers, the X-Men. Yes, the very same X-Men arcade game with awkward dialogue (Magneto's "X-Men, welcome to DIE!" comes to mind) was a quarter/ token eating machine, sporting simple and highly addicting gameplay that remains true to this day. Depending on what kind of arcade cabinet you were playing on, 2-6 players could team up to beat the game from start to finish, facing off against armies of Sentinels and evil mutants to put a stop to Magneto's plans of world domination.
I fondly remember days where I'd stay in the mall for the entire afternoon, sticking tokens in and playing with other peeps determined to finish the game. Difficulty ranged from mediocre to extreme, and regardless of what setting, boss battles were notoriously hard either way. Heck, I found this game harder to play than X-Men for the Sega Genesis and X-Men: Children of the Atom, and that's saying a lot since the former is a platform entry, while the latter is a fighting game entry developed by the same people behind the Street Fighter series, Capcom. Even as new life is given to this game as a downloadable game in consoles and mobile devices, the X-Men arcade game is seriously a tough cookie to beat if you plan to do it in one playthrough. Rest assured, you're going to keep playing and continuing until you reach Magneto and kick his ass for good.
Konami is notorious for providing some kick ass music to their beat 'em up games, and in the case of X-Men, I'd have to give a thumbs up to the first stage's theme, aptly titled "Here comes the hero". Getting a nice adrenaline rush as you start a game never gets old, and tunes like these only adds fuel to your determination to make all the lives count and finish the game as best as you can!
Who didn't grow up watching the Teenage Mutant Turtles? These heroes in a half shell were a definite part of my childhood, and although it sounded like a goofy concept for people to bite into, it remains one of the timeless creations people from my generation fondly remember and enjoyed watching back in the day. It originally started as a comic book series that didn't feature any of the light-hearted or camp themes most people knew, though the initial concept remained the same: four turtles mutated into human sized beings were trained in the art of ninjitsu to wage was against the Foot Clan and its leader, The Shredder. The origin story varied as a result of the violence presented in the comics, so the original 1980's TV Series became more family-oriented and kid friendly, focusing on the Turtles daily exploits of fighting crime and helping others as they battled not only The Shredder, but other mutated beings like Baxter Stockmann, Leatherhead, and Krang. The show's popularity spawned not only toys and retail merchandise, but games as well, and that brings me to my next entry to the list...
Back in 1989, Konami developed a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles platform game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, which proved to be one of the console's most popular releases for its time. With gameplay and difficulty that remains legendary to this very day, this is one of the few TMNT games next to TMNT: The Arcade Game and TMNT IV: Turtles In Time that I consider noteworthy and depicts the franchise well. Listening to the intro music again gives me goosebumps, and that's why I'm making it my pick for the list today.;)
Batman. The name alone means that it's goddamn awesome.
I've been a big fan of the Dark Knight since I've first known him as a kid, and several iterations of the character played out in various mediums besides the comics only serve to heighten my preference for the character and the rich history he has accumulated under his belt for the past 70 plus years since his inception. I've followed every actor who has donned the cape and cowl, from the legendary campy portrayal of Adam West to the seriousness of Michael Keaton, and even the realistic and gruff portrayal of Christian Bale. The comic book adventures of the Caped Crusader continue to evolve, and even with the recent relaunch of the entire DC Universe platform, the Bat's core history is intact and he remains the same guardian knight of Gotham City who has expanded his crimefighting arm worldwide with his new initiative, Batman Inc. In video games, I'm anxiously waiting for the release of Batman: Arkham City this October, and as the sequel to the 2009 monster hit game Batman: Arkham Asylum, it proves without a shadow of a doubt that even the Bat can be awesome in the gaming world.
Yes, Batman is that much of a cultural icon everyone has deep respect for, and I'm still dedicated to following his adventures to this very day. In fact, while he's basking in the spotlight now in terms of the video game scene, there was a time when only a few developers ever got it right in creating a Batman game fans could consider decent and enjoy. One such game is "Batman" by Sunsoft, released for the NES in 1989 and based on the classic Tim Burton movie that starred Michael Keaton in the titular role. The best way to describe this game is that it's merciless, and it plays a whole lot like "Ninja Gaiden" in terms of navigating Batman in a complex platform action game full of traps, respawning enemies, and tough bosses. Heck, even The Joker was tough, and he could summon lighting like it was nothing! Despite going way overboard with the stages and enemies that don't even reflect what's seen in the actual movie, the game was a fine and early example of an awesome Batman game, and that's why I've chosen a track from it for today's Video Game Music Month entry - The first Stage's theme - Streets of Desolation.
Go on. Play it and feel like Batman when you listen to it!
Metal Gear Solid. Most are familiar with the name "Snake", but the legendary soldier's roots have been presented in more ways than one could possibly imagine.
Starting off initially is the MSX2 as a little stealth game called "Metal Gear", the brain child of a then little known game developer named Hideo Kojima revolutionized the way action games were played. Instead of going all out with guns and shooting like crazy, the game focused on a FOXHOUND operative named Solid Snake, who infiltrates the military state of Outer Heaven to rescue prisoners and stop whatever weapon of mass destruction was being created in there. That weapon was Metal Gear, a walking bipedal tank capable of launching a nuclear missle. Snake succeeds in his mission and destroys Metal Gear, but is surprised to find that his commanding officer, Big Boss, is the leader of Outer Heaven and one behind everything. After a grueling battle, Snake eventually comes out the victor, but that wouldn't be the end of the story. Subsequent installments of series would expand Solid Snake's true relationship with Big Boss, and in the Playstation release of Metal Gear Solid, Snake is revealed to be the cloned son of the legendary soldier. From then on, MGS would spin-off into its own series of games, not only continuing the story of Solid Snake, but also telling the untold origin of Big Boss as well.
Released in November 2004 for the Playstation 2, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater served as the first of many tales chronicling the early years of Snake's father and commanding officer. Set in 1960's during the era of the Cold War, it tells the story of a younger Big Boss, who had yet to earn that title and went under the codename "Naked Snake". Subsequent events in the story show how he became the soldier he was, and it's possibly one of the best entries, if not THE BEST, the entire Metal Gear Solid saga has to offer. Arguably, it's one of my favorite games of all time (alongside the original Metal Gear Solid for the PS1), and it also has the best theme song for any MGS game to date. It's only fitting that it makes the list, sung by Cynthia Harrell and aptly titled "Snake Eater".
Megaman. Also known as "Rockman" in Japan. Saying his name alone opens the floodgates of gamer nostalgia, and mostly everyone has played or encountered Capcom's favorite "Blue Bomber" hero in one form or another. Like many, I played the original game for the NES in 1987, and I didn't develop a strong following to series until its sequel, Megaman 2, popped up a year later. To say that it improved on what its predecessor introduced is an understatement, as there were more interesting and challenging boss fights ahead in later installments. During the Console Wars era, Capcom introduced a futuristic incarnation of the series, which was appropriately called Megaman X/ Rockman X. It was a semi-sequel of sorts to the original Megaman series, but quickly spun off into becoming one of the "possible futures" the little blue hero would end up in. The original Megaman retained his own adventures, while "X" began his own series after his introduction in the SNES back in 1993. Over the years, the franchise has expanded and incorporated different versions of the blue bomber and his entourage in their own games with unique gameplay, but the fun factor that is the core of the series remains intact, and continues inspire various generations of gamers the world over to this day.
There are tons of popular tracks that can be vouched for in the series, and possibly the greatest theme associated with Megaman alone is the one from Megaman 2's intro. However, if I'm going to pick one track playing in my head now, it'll have to be Frost Man's stage theme from Megaman 8. That track had a nice chill, mellow, and soulful theme to it, and it stands out as one of the finer stage themes I've listened to in the history of the franchise. The 8th installment also happens to be the finest animated entry, so there's a little bias from me considering I loved playing it alongside Megaman X4 (preferred the Japanese version, Rockman X4 specifically) back in PS1 era. Here it is as the 15th entry to my list this month, so give it a whirl.
Tekken is a beast of a fighting game. There's no denying that Namco's prized fighter ranks up there along with my list of influential brawlers, and since I began playing the series way back with Tekken 2 for the Playstation, each entry in the series has been an exciting entry into the world of 3D fighting games. Sure, it still retains a sense of two dimensional rules, but Tekken was always more of a technical brawler than Street Fighter ever was. Unlike the latter, this game relied on getting the first draw and punishing your opponent quickly with devastating moves and combos that looked really painful to watch. Each fighter had his or her own unique fighting style based on real martial arts practices seen from around the world, and while it may sound as simple as picking anyone, it's quite the opposite. Every warrior in Tekken had a plethora of moves one has to master, and players literally spend countless hours practicing in order to hone their skills and learn their character's trade. That's how the game's been played all these years, and the system has only constantly evolved itself to allow new and dynamic ways to play it differently. No matter how much I practice, each new installment of Tekken always proves the point that you can't rely on your old tricks, and that suits me just fine.
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 - Character Select Theme
Choosing a memorable tune from the series wasn't easy. Since Tekken 3, there's always been an electronica/ techno based soundtrack for the series I've grown accustomed to, and right now I'm digging the character select theme for the newest entry to the series, Tekken Tag Tournament 2. Katsuhiro Harada, series producer (and someone I've met personally when he visited the country), has frequently collaborated with Akitaka Tohyama (aka AJURIKA), who also provided the techno beats in the first Tekken Tag Tournament. Since the game isn't out yet in my local arcade or the consoles, you can imagine my anticipation building up as I listen to this catchy beat. Groovy.
Guile. The soldier. The badass military fighter. The Sonic Blade.
I first ran into the man with "broomstick hair" back when I first tasted true fighting game goodness with the original Street Fighter II for the Super NES. My cousin picked this guy as his primary character, and unlike Ryu and Ken, he required a 2 second charging window and input to unleash two of his basic and well-known moves - the Sonic Boom and Flash Kick. Guile's story is also a cliche and tribute to the average action hero archetype - He seeks revenge for the death of his best friend and mentor Charlie (who would later become an actual fighter in the Street Fighter Alpha/ Zero series, named Nash in Japan, but later given the full name "Charlie Nash"). Guile's obsession to bring an end to Shadoloo reflected his heroism and determination as a fighter, and his theme song stands out as one of the recognizable tunes in the Street Fighter universe and beyond.
I suppose this song requires no other kind of introduction once you listen to it firsthand. The theme of Colonel William Guile is considered to be the most flexible, inspirational, and fully capable mash-up theme that has garnered a lot of "comeback videos" that you can freely look up in You Tube. This is the second Street Fighter tune I've featured in this list, and without a doubt, it's a classic that any old school gamer will recognize the instant the music hits. Go on, be a family man and click on play now.
Street Fighter II - Guile's Theme
Literally, the song goes with EVERYTHING. Oh, and Jean-Claude Van Damme's got nothing on this one.;D
Devil May Cry. I never thought those three words would translate into awesome.
When I first heard of it back in the latter days of the Playstation era, I wasn't quite sure it would meet my expectations for an action game. Originally, it started off as a proposal by Capcom for what was potentially going to be a new Resident Evil game under the direction of Hideki Kamiya, but those plans quickly changed and everything was radically departing from the traditional survival horror motif. In the end, we ended up with what was to become Devil May Cry, and upon release on the Playstation 2 back in 2001, everything kicked and became synonymous with Stylish and Awesome. We were then introduced to the wicked kick-ass protagonist of cool called Dante, and hack and slash gameplay was redefined for a new generation. The game's popularity eventually warranted some sequels, and while the first attempt, Devil May Cry 2, was a speed bump people would rather forget, Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening gave us one memorable adventure of a lifetime. The series' legacy would see multi-platform releases and another sequel in Devil May Cry 4 in 2008, but Capcom would decide to take a new route in 2010 and present the controversial "DMC: Devil May Cry" developed by Ninja Theory and starring a new version of Dante which looked more emo and punkish than his cool self. The game has no release date yet, and it remains to be seen how this will impact a great series like Devil May Cry.
Choosing a song for this game wasn't easy. With the exception of Devil May Cry 2, I enjoyed the songs presented in every installment thus far. However, if I had to pick one, it'll probably be from the prequel story itself, Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening - Devils Never Cry. Hearing this dark tune brings back memories of that tale, where Dante faces off against not only demons, but his own twin brother Vergil, to prevent them from opening the portal to the demon world and bringing destruction down to Earth. It's truly the definition of an epic action game song for the series if I've ever heard one. Check it out!
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening - Devils Never Cry
I love the King of Fighters series. I was hooked to SNK's fighting game baby since I started out with KOF '95, and the franchise has constantly evolved through the years, offering new challenges and combos for players to exploit. Unlike rival company Capcom, KOF is a team based brawler where fighters participate in groupings that usually consisted of three (sometimes four) members, fighting and eliminating each other until the side with the most combatants left standing wins. SNK also made sure that there were plenty of characters to experiment around with.
While my favorite character will always be SNK's primary mascot and Fatal Fury/ Garou lead Terry Bogard, I have to hand it to KOF's primary protagonist and lead character Kyo Kusanagi. The guy has to have some of the best music tailor made for his appearances in KOF, but I think the best one I've come to appreciate (in terms of solo character music at least) is his theme from KOF '99, entitled "Tears". It's a nice and solid tune that mixes an emotion note with japanese rock, as delivered only by the Neo Geo Music Performance Group!
King of Fighters '99 - Tears (Arranged Soundtrack Version)
I finally got around to finishing the main story of Red Dead Redemption just recently. I've been enjoying the game and taking my sweet time playing through it that I never really rushed to finish and find out what happens to main protagonist John Marston in the end. Well now that I've done the deed, let me just say that this is one of THE BEST games I've ever played coming from Rockstar San Diego, and released by the same fellows who delivered the wildly popular Grand Theft Auto gaming series. Set in 1911 during the twilight years of the wild west era, you pretty much get to experience the life of a nomad, bounty hunter, and cowboy, as you hunt down your former gang to save your family from ransom and see whether there is redemption down the road when all is said and done. It's a western fanatic's dream game come true, and Marston's a great character and a compelling protagonist to boot. It's just so nifty to see how a player dishes out his own brand of justice and honor throughout this game, and there be consequences as a result of the actions one takes.
With such an awesome score and soundtrack, choosing a memorable track from this game wasn't an easy task. However, I finally heard and found what I was looking for after getting the true ending with the credits rolling - Deadman's Gun. It's a fitting ending song and a salute to an epic western game like no other. The video below is an MV that contains scenes from the game, with SPOILERS of course. If you don't want to see it, just look for another vid at YouTube. Otherwise, click away and enjoy.
For as long as I can remember, I've stuck with the fighting game circuit ever since I got into video games. My earliest memories stem back into the days of the arcade and SNES, when Street Fighter II broke into the scene and changed the way players had to brawl and settle disputes once and for all. Through the years, I've seen the series and other games in the genre grow, changing in shape and form and evolving into something that society generally accepts thanks to the intense competition these titles provide. These days the arcade business is slowly getting stale, and online competition is where it's at for most gamers of today's generation. Since I belong to the former, I still stick to my roots even as I conform to newer standards, and as the saying goes - "some things change, while others stay the same".
As a result of my Street Fighter nostalgia, I've been wondering what tune resonates with me today more than the other tracks that have clearly defined the series over the years. I have too many songs I like, and I'll probably pick others later down the line. Yet if I had to pick one for today, it would have to be Ryu's theme from Capcom and Arika'sStreet Fighter EX Plus Alpha - Rising Dragoon. Prior to the 2.5D fighting game we got with the Street Fighter IV series, this was the very first "Street Fighter game in 3D" to explode in the arcade scene, eventually getting upgrades and getting an enhanced port in the Playstation. It's an upbeat and inspiring theme mixed with Japanese ethnic sounds and instruments. This is the arranged version (which is extended and has more emphasis), and I'd definitely recommend this track for SF peeps to give a listen to.
Street Fighter EX Plus Alpha - Rising Dragoon (Extended Ver.)
As one of the few video game franchises I have followed since its inception, Capcom's Biohazard/ Resident Evil series has remained one of my constant favorites, and each installment further takes me down the path of Survival Horror and Survival Action goodness. Sure enough, my latest purchase in the form of the Biohazard: Revival Selection led me down the path of nostalgia once more, with High Definition re-releases of Biohazard Code: Veronica Complete and Biohazard 4 keeping me satisfied for the most part (apart from the fact that it's purely in Japanese and I'm playing on instinct alone). Despite some noticeable and dated graphics (particularly the cinematics), the games retain their respective formulas, and I continue to charge in and plow my way through hordes of restless zombies and other grotesque monsters born from experiments as if it were yesterday. There's no doubt I love playing the classics, especially ones that support trophies I can add to my Playstation Network credentials.
As a result of my recent purchase, my next selection for Video Game Music Month comes from Code Veronica's own soundtrack, particularly the "Save Room" theme called "A Moment of Relief". The tranquil mood this melody sets in is soothing, and it keeps your mind off the danger temporarily, giving you pause to save your progress and manage your inventory space before progressing forward. I've enjoyed every Save Theme the RE series has to offer, but this takes the cake as my favorite among the bunch. Here's the extended version to give you a long taste of soothing gaming music at its finest.
Bio Hazard Code: Veronica - A Moment of Relief (Save Theme)
I'm usually a sucker for Survival Horror games, and back in the PS1 days, they were ripe for the picking and full of quick scares to keep you away from your console on some nights. Fortunately, I happen to indulge a lot on the genre, and I'm always seem to be fascinated with the lore behind each game's background. While my heart and dedication started with Capcom's Bio Hazard (Resident Evil) series, it pales in comparison to the frustration and intensity I spend playing Konami's Silent Hill series. Unlike the biologically engineered monsters and zombies in the former game, Silent Hill is literally the horrors locked deep within your own psyche and person that manifest into reality thanks to the dark cult powers that still reside in the fictional town that the game names itself after. It's creepy and the stuff true nightmares are made of, and I got to tip my hat off to Konami and former developers Team Silent for making the first few games a memorable Survival Horror experience during the PS1 and PS2 gaming eras.
One of the factors that definitely made the series recognizable was the awesome score and soundtrack composed by Akira Yamaoka, who lent his talents to the entire series before departing for Grasshoper Manufacture with former Capcom employee and Resident Evil/ Bio Hazard creator Shinji Mikami. Yamaoka's style is from the Rock, Ambient, and Industrial genre of music, and it greatly influences the vibe and dark tone gamers experience in each installment of the Silent Hill series. To date, my favorites are Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3, and his work there was more than influential to get the series noticed as a cultural phenomenon, spawning a live action movie back in 2005 that even saw Yamaoka work and compose the score for. Here's my favorite track by him from Silent Hill 2 and the first Silent Hill film - Theme of Laura.
I think this game needs no introduction. Anyone who's ever touched a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)/ Family Home Computer (Famicom) has definitely experienced the shooter game glory of Konami that is Contra. This is one of the true known classics that initiated me into the world of gaming during the 8-bit era, and anyone who needed to beat the game with 20 Lives knew the infamous Konami Code of "Up, Up, Down Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start" to get it! After that, it was a run 'n' gun game of survival, avoiding a one-hit death shot at all costs and getting what is arguably the best weapon in the game to lead you to victory... The Spread Gun!
Naturally, the most memorable theme for any Contra fan would have to be the first level's music - The Jungle Stage Theme!
This theme definitely brought back a lot of memories for me, especially since it happens to be one of the few and rare RPGs I played and dedicated myself to finish. Without a doubt, Xenogears remains one of my favorites in the Playstation era, and it had a beautiful soundtrack to boot. For a game that had a lot of controversial elements and mechs, it was one of the few Squaresoft (now Square Enix) titles that I wished had been remade of given a true sequel. The Playstation 2 era saw Namco Bandai try with the Xenosaga series, but it just didn't capture the same vibe and excitement I had playing Xenogears (it had a great OST and some good character designs, I'll give it that).
Now, for the song I'll pick, it has to be the Battle Music itself - Stage of Death. Every song chosen for the game was memorable in their own way, but this takes the cake for game identification purposes. Boy, I miss fighting baddies in the game while listening to this using Fei, Citan, Elly, and co. as fighters and/ or using their gears!
Here's another fine and classic masterpiece of a game cranked out by Sega and produced/ directed by video game legend Yu Suzuki... Shenmue. Those who were lucky enough to own the company's final console, the Sega Dreamcast, know exactly what I'm talking about here, as it's one of the first types of open world adventure games that defined getting the system and experience this adventure first hand. Making use of FREE (Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment), the game is set in the latter 1980's and puts you in the shoes of a teenaged martial artist named Ryo Hazuki, who sets out on an epic adventure to avenge his father's murder. Long before Grand Theft Auto started the trend of free roaming, this was the game that gave you the chance to explore your surroundings (albeit with a curfew to follow), as well as interact with cinematics instead of simply watching them by pressing the corresponding button as it flashed on the screen (giving birth to QTE's, or Quick Time Events as a result). Intended to be a spin-off of Virtual Fighter, the game still retained its martial arts element by incorporating the beat'em up formula during battles, as well as a system wherein Ryo could learn new moves as he progresses in the game. Besides the story, the game was so appealing for its time because of the production values placed into making it almost realistic, which was Suzuki's aim in charting a new experience for gamers to appreciate and interact with.
Below is the one track that remained consistent with the game and its sequel, Shenmue II - The Main Menu music. Everytime I hear this piece, it takes my mind back to the game, where I'd literally imagine pivotal and fun moments I experienced while playing and wouldn't mind so doing again. Unfortunately, Sega stopped at Shenmue II and never developed a true sequel until this very day. Still, I remain among many hopefuls that a sequel will inevitably be produced and Suzuki-san will be able to complete his masterpiece someday.
I gotta say, I have a soft spot for Sonic The Hedgehog and the Sega Genesis/ Mega Drive. Back in the 90's and during the Console Wars era, it was THE system I owned and which kept me anticipating for the weekend so I could play to finish the game and listen to some groovy, synthesizer-boosted 16-Bit music. Below is my favorite track from the first Sonic game - The theme for the Labyrinth Zone (and the extended version to boot!). It's perfect for rainy weather listening too, so give this one a spin!
Sonic The Hedgehog - Labyrinth Zone Extended Version
Back in the good 'old early days of the original Playstation, racing games were fun and one of my favorite picks for playing. Way before everybody got realistic and custom-happy with Gran Turismo, the best racing simulator game (in my honest opinion at least) was Rage Racer, the third installment in Namco's Rideg Racer series. Radically departing from its predecessors by implementing a darker and realistic atmosphere, the series turned things up a notch by introducing a single career mode and the chance to upgrade and buy new rides (which would act as a precedent of sorts for the GT series). However, I always found myself playing casually not for the cars, but for the thrill of taking first place whilst listening to an awesome soundtrack composed of nothing but upbeat Electronic Music. One specific track called "Silver Stream" left quite the impression on my head. Check it out
I've been noticing all of these "30 Day Song Challenges" and "30 Favorite Character" monthly tallies being posted up in Facebook, and I thought I'd give this routing a try myself. However, I'll be taking a different approach than the ones being posted there. Since it's the start of a new month and I feel up to it for the sake of nostalgia, I'll be recounting some sounds from my video game memories, each randomly selected or simply out of a whim just because I suddenly remembered the song and my experiences listening to it whilst playing the title it helms from. Hence, this will be the beginning of "Video Game Music Month", so do join in on my nostalgia trip and listen to these fine tunes!
Today's featured song - "The Heat Is On". This is the full version from the OST of Bust a Move 2, a "rhythm dance motion button pressing fighting game" that I grew highly addicted to back in the latter part of the 90's. This song is the theme of Heat, one of the main characters of the game, and it has a catchy tune for those who dig Soul, Hip Hop, RnB, and Jazz! Give it a listen!
