Favourite retro-videogame soundtracks

Setun

Have been playing F-Zero on the SNES lately and the Big Blue soundtrack is lodged into my mental jukebox. It's the perfect accompaniment to rapidly strobing garish colors and swerving around near-180 degree corners at 500kmph as you try to desperately recoup a lead on your last lap after getting shunted about like a pinball by your opponents. It also has a rather amazing and hair-raising synth solo about half way through :cool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSb4XQwObIE

Anyways, it got me thinking, what are the favourite videogame soundtracks of the knowledgeable arcade and retro forum folks? Any soundtracks that you often find yourself humming along to long after you switch off the console?

[Not sure if there's been a thread on this recently, did a quick search and nothing turned up so apologies if I've missed the obvious!]

Pyongyang

You know a game soundtrack is good when it gets the full orchestra treatment. Final Fantasy 6 has to rank up there as one of the best soundtracks ever.

Oh and Last Ninja 2 has a pretty fantastic theme tune too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksVpqRD5vyI

Pyongyang

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoGFV_xxR64

CiDeRmAn

Has to be We Love Katamari and Rez, two completely different but brilliant and game changing uses of a soundtrack.
Jet Set Radio was awesome too, as was Wipeout 2097.

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7ZJvhfAJCI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wqy86u3HnA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H9d9Yxvqpk

CiDeRmAn wrote:

Has to be We Love Katamari and Jet Set Radio

+gazillion, was about to put in JSR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53aqsKIK2w0

johnny_ultimate

Wouldn't agree that orchestration is necessary a good thing. In some cases, yeah, but games have started sounding a bit samey barring exceptions. They did in 8-bit days too, but they enjoyed a retro charm unique to gaming. Some favourites:

The aforementioned We Love Katamari. I remember the joy when I first booted up and this madness began:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3vc-n9Gx68

It's the only Japanese OST I own along with Chrono Trigger, which is also awesome. I appreciate Daddio dragging me to Tower Records in Shibuya so I could impulsively purchase the ludicrous four disc deluxe edition :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC6mIR5qJEQ

The soundtrack for Aladdin is a better version than the film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP-8Chj85vY

And I've said this before, but level one of the OST of Little Ralph puts a smile on my face every time. Skip the opening cinematic in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax3n38JYESE

Setun

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Has to be We Love Katamari and Rez, two completely different but brilliant and game changing uses of a soundtrack.
Jet Set Radio was awesome too, as was Wipeout 2097.

Agree with all the above! I had only ever played a demo of Rez though, dying to play the full version. Jet Set Radio and Wipeout were fantastic too - I remember renting the latter back in the day and I absolutely loved it. Katamari was a game I remember being fascinated by as the ps magazines I read at the time were in absolute awe of it. Never played it at the time of it being out though - although one day at a friend's house (johnny_ultimate's house actually) numerous years ago I remember giving it a bash and finding the music very catchy indeed

eco2live

Rastan
Outrun
Ghosts and Goblins

tuxy

So many to choose from
This comes to mind for some reason

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arz2zG4Kl-Q

Setun

Sera wrote: »

Final Fantasy IV - Into The Darkness

Want! I really enjoyed that, reminds me of Erik Satie's piano pieces. Hearing them being played for solo piano actually reminds you of how intricate these compositions are.

And now for something completely different:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2OsH4ZuAlI

For fans of minimal electronic music :P I actually quite liked this soundtrack as a kid, used to play it at a friends house a bit. It was very atmospheric, and listening to it now I like how the other in-game sounds add to the music, disguising its repetitiveness.

Pyongyang

How could I not mention Glee Club!?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWUML0lvSFk

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy

can't find the music on it's own, so this will have to do

Daddio wrote: »

Want! I really enjoyed that

have another two more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtLAXxB_XfY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzHMW9n954U

reminds me of Erik Satie's piano pieces. Here them being played for solo piano actually reminds you of how intricate these compositions are.

NO WAY! was actually looking for "Gymnopedies – La 1 Ere. Lent et Douloureux". It used to be on some hair loss and I loved it but never knew who did it, bugged my dad for ages about it.
You've so much brownie points from me.

And now for something completely different:

always make giggle a little

Dr Bob

Much love for the last ninja II soundtrack..
the C64 had some awesome composers , Rob hubbard, Ben Dalglish, Martin Galway ,Matt Grayand the like.
I know I mentioned it elsewhere but I always loved the Final Fantasy IV soundtrack , especially the Irish Trad version that popped up later
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etypFaFqj00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX2vIjZgxuY
and not really retro but I one of my favorite game soundtracks is the battlefield 2142 one, really EPIC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxa0ekRUcc4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBYK53w5E4I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYx6h8ju5uY

Pyongyang

luas_dublin wrote: »

Much love for the last ninja II soundtrack..
the C64 had some awesome composers , Rob hubbard, Ben Dalglish, Martin Galway ,Matt Grayand the like.

Jeroen Tel?

Pyongyang

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFQe2BnA9_k

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy

Pyongyang

One of my favorite games ever. Hugely overlooked and a brill soundtrack to boot!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yk6jG64RXk

Pyongyang

Sera wrote: »

Awesome choice! I used to love reading the OST reviews from Japan in Super Play years ago. Reminds me of those glorious days!

Semi-OT check out anything by Yoko Kanno, specifically the Macross Plus OST's.

chopperbyrne

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rghrtGJ4Hs

CiDeRmAn

This was the first videogame related tune I went completely mental for.
Its the intro theme from Gran Turismo on the PS.
It is Everything Must Go by the Manic Street Preachers remixed by The Chemical Brothers but it took me a very long time to find it.
Given that it was 1997 and a lot less was about regarding mp3s and download sites, not to mention buying stuff online it took me a long time to find it.
I first bought the relevant album, Everything Must Go as it came with a remix disk with the hopes that this track would be on it, but to no avail.
I think it was 5 years later before I found it in a second hand record shop, as a cd single!
And it is still an awesome, bangin' tune!
Here you go...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGH3uG4gGI4

Ok, not sure if a PS game from 14 years ago is retro yet, I will await the mods decision....

What, it is, hooray!!!

green and yellow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKtYCcMWT4

Setun

Sera wrote: »

NO WAY! was actually looking for "Gymnopedies – La 1 Ere. Lent et Douloureux". It used to be on some hair loss and I loved it but never knew who did it, bugged my dad for ages about it.
You've so much brownie points from me.
always make giggle a little

[/QUOTE]

You're bang on - the left hand piano part follows a very similar rhythm to the 1st gymnopedie. Check out the Gnossiennes for more piano fun

To point out the obvious:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUkgnLzQcY8

This piece of music fills with an odd sense of dread. Quite an impressive composition all in all, and overall a good example of a soundtrack from a videogame that could be taken seriously out of context.

Pyongyang

Ok, this is the best version of Last Wave I ever heard!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN1LHAMVN1E

djsim101

This is kinda cheating:D

But it has to be return fire on the 3DO \ PS1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vNPlgB6IbE

The game soundtrax contained so many "classical hits"

I mean, watch the game intro (fast forward to 1:05)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLPk-6_xgiY

Enjoy!?!

Relikk

Most Konami games in the 80's/90's had masterpieces as soundtracks and I'd have to say that Super Castlevania IV would be my favourite game soundtrack of all time. Symphony Of The Night, The Legend Of The Mystical Ninja, Salamander, Contra III... All amazing.

With regards to The Last Ninja I always preferred the first games score, mainly due to the impact it had at the time. Never heard anything like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjuSIUKdnjA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HkyAiV4Kbc

Ridge Racer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DCKUoZeOrg

I've always thought Super Mario Kart's was a thing of beauty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ckqvAUaV-I

K.O.Kiki

There are 2 songs which will cause me to ALWAYS shed a tear (for reasons unknown).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQChkLQV8_c

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J67nkzoJ_2M

Meanwhile, 3rd Strike has the best game themes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7CzhwF6lmM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WISBIMi1iWE

And OF COURSE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByBzpvusHe8

LET'S IT ON NOW

Dr Bob

Pyongyang wrote: »

Jeroen Tel?

Maniacs of Noise guy?
Yeah:) anyone responsible for stuff like this should have made the list alright
http://youtu.be/gpxIzhW8s80

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy

Pyongyang wrote: »

Semi-OT check out anything by Yoko Kanno, specifically the Macross Plus OST's.

she does CCS (<3) and Cowboy Bebop

Relikk wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HkyAiV4Kbc

+1

K.O.Kiki wrote: »

There are 2 songs which will cause me to ALWAYS shed a tear (for reasons unknown).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQChkLQV8_c

+1 as well, I can't believe I didn't think of it, but it reminded me of

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFU6zwV47Q4

CiDeRmAn

djsim101 wrote: »

But it has to be return fire on the 3DO \ PS1

Was playing my PS copy of this at the last beers night, awesome stuff, I still rock at this game!
Nice to be good at something!
I also have it, along with the Maps O'Death for the 3DO, the definitive version for those few of us Return Fire snobs out there

CiDeRmAn

You guys are such lightweights!
Check this sh1t out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlDTKH7_bZ4

Or the bestest game music ever!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTmJJ0lUyQc

Relikk

Crime City FTW.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDpKwsCX3UE

Can't find a video on YouTube with just the soundtrack. :rolleyes:

EDIT: I'm ashamed of myself for forgetting about these for my first post. Super Aleste & Lufia 2...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4olk6h_LTxo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH1qAQcugAY

Pyongyang

luas_dublin wrote: »

Maniacs of Noise guy?
Yeah:) anyone responsible for stuff like this should have made the list alright
http://youtu.be/gpxIzhW8s80

Yep. He's my favourite C64 composer of all time. Legend.

Pyongyang

Awesome soundtrack for an awesome game. Shame the multi load crippled it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5sqWynfkkI

Kind of reminds me of a mash up between the old Grange Hill theme and Frankie Goes To Hollywood and The Human League....

OwaynOTT

tetris on original gameboy.

3 class tunes or was it 4

unky chop chop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qnH62Psk6k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQYZ-YA9o2g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXfkev09fHA

Ocean did music like no other.It was a joy to watch the game load

Banjo Fella

One of the most mystifying pieces of music I've ever heard. That Yasunori Mitsuda fellow can certainly compose a tune or two!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESqZb7hY1S0

BrookieD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w-tiRnac2k

Xenon 2 Mega Blast was the best the Amiga had on offer, truly brilliant

Mcjmetroid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTQIiIKummw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-uMkAWj28o

theres loadssss more

CiDeRmAn

Regarding Xenon 2, Megablast is actually a tune by hip-hop masters Bomb Da Bass, circa 1988 or so.
I have the album from back in the day, Tim Simeon was the man behind the label and the full track should be easy to find.
Word of warning, there is an ever so slightly dated rap track on the cd by a similar name....
AND HERE IT IS!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgjNb-6EOYw

safetyboy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDvKwSVuUGA

:pac:

djsim101

I am seeing an awful lot of C64 cropping up here, keep it up lads:pac:

While on the old girl, here is one of my many favs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlwgAzgK7ws

My favourite by far is the Donkey Kong Country series, especially DKC2.

7sr2z3fely84g5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYy69qOJWoM

Megablast was better on cdtv,made use of the cd storage space for higher quality sampling rates-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqkhCohffBY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4agwedGsLAA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv-J3eKTAm4

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy

gonna spam with moar music :cool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMYLZ5Md-1A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYo0dcLUfEg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnVfYqRqiYI

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt3QhCwDzCI

paperwork

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJrnlFW4IMc

Amazing song, worth clearing the game for!

safetyboy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofyltATpIS8

sham69

Anything by Rob Hubbard. (C64)

Monty on the run,Delta,Nemesis the warlock, One man and his droid, Sanxion, BMX Kidz, Chimera,Commando etc.


Love the last ninja

also some matt gray, Dominator, Driller, Hunter's Moon, Vendetta and his version of the equalizer is class.

Martin Galway: Wizball, Rambo, Combat School, Comic Bakery, Arkanoid, Rastan

Arcade games: Rolling Thunder, Rastan, Double Dragon, Bionic Commando, Ghosts n Goblins,

sham69

actually , due to this thread I just loaded up my SID player app on the iphone.
Now listening to Comic Bakery by Martin Galway who is James Galways nephew I do believe.

Augmerson

Road Rash II - Vermont

Need for Speed 3: Hot Pursuit

Sol-Feace - Level 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6iP24zGplI

Road Avenger - Intro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S26317my3CQ

Command and Conquer Red Alert - Hell March

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb-gI_pFog0

Cool Spot Rave Music

WipEout Fusion/HD - Mason - Exceeder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re_y064E2fo

V-Rally Soundtrack

Grand Theft Auto 2 - Da Shootaz - Joyride

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xXw5JzhIz0

CiDeRmAn

I love the soundtrack to MSR on the DC, the radio stations were fantastic.
GTA III was great too, I have a sampler of many of the made up tunes from the various stations, only the 80's station had licenced music I seem to remember, the ads are there too, brilliant!
I have the GTA:VC and (not so good) GTA:SA soundtracks as well.