Really Good Music In Games

**The-Excel** · 11-25-2009, 02:31 PM

The weird synthesized music is the only good thing about Gradius IV.

**Caostotale** · 11-25-2009, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by The-Excel

The weird synthesized music is the only good thing about Gradius IV.

I have that game and the arcade version of Gradius III on a disc for the PS2, and they easily rank amongst the most insanely difficult and unforgiving games I've ever touched (save for maybe the original R-Type II). Judging them as arcade shooters that were made to cater to a sadomasochistic Japanese shmup audience, I think the games accomplish exactly what they were supposed to accomplish.

I would highly recommend people digging out the 2-disc soundtrack for the 4 Gradius arcade games. I've been listening to lots of the short-but-sweet tunes from Gradius 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjEIm...d#movie_player

As well as the great-sounding chiptunes from its Famicom counterpart:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNHsCdMM1wg

**The-Excel** · 11-25-2009, 08:22 PM

I just feel that IV is the weakest of the original arcade series. It's basically Gradius II with glossy graphics, muffled sound, and a quirky, enjoyable soundtrack.

Also, my brother has the original Burning Heat as his ringtone for my number.

**Hector Garfria** · 11-25-2009, 08:43 PM

And of course,

**timtheterrible** · 11-25-2009, 08:52 PM

Tower of Heaven has one of the best soundtracks I've heard in a very long time. It's a little repetitive, but I have to thank Jordan Grim (or was it Ben Perlee?) for introducing me to it. Anyway, here's the soundtrack in its entirety.

Also, I have to include the criminally underrated Soul Blazer for the SNES. What made the music so interesting was its successful marriage of eastern Indian and Western styles. Honestly, if you haven't played this game yet, by any means necessary, do so.

The Great Tower.

Caverns of Shirol

Opening Stage

Lair of Kharyon

The Temple Infernus

**Caostotale** · 11-27-2009, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by The-Excel

I just feel that IV is the weakest of the original arcade series. It's basically Gradius II with glossy graphics, muffled sound, and a quirky, enjoyable soundtrack.

Also, my brother has the original Burning Heat as his ringtone for my number.

Nice. I really need to get that collection of Gradius games for the PSP. I suck too bad at Gradius II, III, and IV to provide a convincing hardcore-gamer's appraisal. I think that III boasted the best soundtrack. My favorite Konami shooter from that period would have to be the barely-heard-of Xexex, a Konami take on Irem's R-Type and X-Multiply that looks and plays better than either of those titles. Unfortunately, no one has posted any original soundtrack tunes from that game...just shitty remixes.

I may as well shout out the soundtrack for Salamander 2, which is also from the same period, and features just as many synth pads and slap bass fills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCfCXQ2nfgA

**The-Excel** · 11-27-2009, 08:43 PM

If you do get the Gradius Collection, don't play it on the original model PSP without some kind of modification to the D-pad.

I liked Salamander 2. I actually feel like I have a chance in its second loop. My favorite songs from it are the four songs not used in the game. Also, "Silvery Wings Again" is one of my all-time favorite song titles.

**Caostotale** · 11-27-2009, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by The-Excel

If you do get the Gradius Collection, don't play it on the original model PSP without some kind of modification to the D-pad.

Since I don't even own a PSP, I'm leaning more towards getting a Breaker Pro disc and playing the import PS1 disc of Gaiden with my PS2. The first two games are just fine on MAME. I've had trouble convincing myself that shmups can be experienced in a realistic way on handheld systems. Gradius bullets are tiny enough on my 32-inch TV.

While we're digging at Konami, here's some great music from Pop'n Twinbee and Twinbee Yahoo!:

The music in those games reminds me of Skies of Arcadia for some reason.

**ThomasRoemhild** · 11-28-2009, 07:10 PM

I'm not sure if this song is even in the game, but the commercial was kick ass.

It's catchy!

**Captain Highwind** · 11-28-2009, 07:26 PM

Final Fantasy Legend Main (Overworld?) theme

It's my favorite SaGa theme, hell it's my favorite 8-bit theme. It's also incredibly hard to find on youtube.

EDIT: Balls!

youtube.com/watch?v=qg48s-cZYK0

^The first minute and a half thar.

**Trebz** · 11-28-2009, 07:30 PM

Modern Warfare 2 has some really good orchestral music. Can't single stuff out quickly because there's a lot of music and none of the songs have real titles, so here's just some good stuff I found while looking through it.

**timtheterrible** · 11-29-2009, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by MrSadistic

The soundtrack to this game is probably one of the best in any Bioware title.

I agree, but Mass Effect says hello.

**Caostotale** · 11-29-2009, 04:34 PM

Those Modern Warfare II songs are pretty good, but I think SNK created the best shooting-a-ton-of-shit theme of all time years ago.

This one's awesome also.

**Palidi** · 12-01-2009, 11:12 AM

I'm noticing that Dungeon Fighter Online has a surprisingly good soundtrack for a free to play Korean online MMO.

Dragonoid Nest Theme
Floating Castle Theme
Heaven Expeller's Theme
Grand Flores Boss Theme
Gold Platoni's Theme
Dungeon & Fighter: Main Theme

**WowItzMike** · 12-01-2009, 11:21 AM

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

Ducktales and Chip N Dales have fantastic music. The composer at Capcom must have been on steroids when those games were in production.

**P3ter** · 12-01-2009, 01:18 PM

I Like the Dragon Quest 3 Music, Jet Grind radio , Banjo Kazooie, Final Fantasy....

**Caostotale** · 12-01-2009, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by WowItzMike

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

Ducktales and Chip N Dales have fantastic music. The composer at Capcom must have been on steroids when those games were in production.

The guy who did Duck Tales also did some stellar work on Mega Man II and III, and perhaps Destiny of an Emperor.

**Senisan** · 12-09-2009, 07:29 AM

I was just youtubing some street fighter 3 music and I found an iteration of Alex and Ken's stage sampled for Beyonce by a user. I actually like the users cover of the stage music...Beyonce, I can do without.

Original - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sey0EsHVHxI

Beyonce Jazzy Mix - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrXNqIPmuNc

**KD_Alpha** · 12-09-2009, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by Senisan82

I was just youtubing some street fighter 3 music and I found an iteration of Alex and Ken's stage sampled for Beyonce by a user. I actually like the users cover of the stage music...Beyonce, I can do without.

Original - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sey0EsHVHxI

Beyonce Jazzy Mix - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrXNqIPmuNc

Lawls.

I found those a couple of weeks ago. You should check out DJ Max-E if you haven't already though. Him and Jelehu are some of my favorite VG remixers on YouTube.

Example, Jelehu:

Remix of some Twilight Princess music