Sure everyone knows the usual Super Mario Bros., Tetris, Castlevania, Zelda, Metroid, Jackal, Ninja Gaiden, Double Dragon, etc. What I come to realize is how much of an impact it made on enjoying certain sounds and being aware of them at such an early age. Well here it is, feel free to list what you think I missed in the comments, remember the key word is underrated.
5. Town & Country Surf Designs
The surf game no one could beat in my neighborhood, loved the loop and chord change, and the cover oh how great that cover was.
4. Super Dodge Ball – Kenya Theme
I remember playing this game for hours just to get to Kenya so I can hear those drums, that flute… wellllllll lets not talk about the flute.
3. Blades Of Steel
Oh those lower notes, I loved them, the kid in me would cry if I didn’t put a hockey game on this list so here you go you weird time traveling crybaby.
2. Battletoads
At 0:28 my child mind felt like it was glowing, made we worship delayed sounds every since.
1. Bad Dudes
It almost makes me tear up its soo good, I almost want to knock on my neighbors door now and ask him if he wants to go outside and play guns.
Ummm Jakub, everyone knows that the Megaman series has the best original Nintendo music. C’mon man, get it together!
Double Dragon’s is maybe overrated, or fairly rated, as one of the best ever.
Sounds like that Surf Designs one with the sad ass lead synth line.
You forgot the BEST NES title music of all time. Solstice.
Jakub, this is just what I needed today! Cheers man.
Gotta add this.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jRdoS8g8nIs&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DjRdoS8g8nIs
I definitely agree with Beebo! A classic from Megaman 3 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks9Yx6HJVL8
@BEEBO is usually in EVERY top 5, up there with Tetris
@ANONYMOUS you think so? I love that melody
@ETHAN that was magical, I will share it with Wisp
@JON That Asian FEEL
I always liked this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE8vKLEK6A8
Daaaaamn diggin deep on this stuff. Love it all. It makes me sad for the current state of video game music… so bland.
That being said, isn’t Ghostly doing the soundtrack for some indie ps4 title? I recall watching a trailer for it and thinking “that sounds like tycho” and sure enough it was. It’d be cool to see a post on the label’s involvement.
every track from Blaster Master is amazing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCRot9Y9NIY
I don’t remember any killer NES jams off the top of my head but lemme tell you, Sega Genesis’ Streets of Rage had some funky grooves. I think towards the 3rd installment of the game, it got a little aggressive. But the first two are awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cCS78YFMEc
T&C Surf will jack up any kid that actually played this game to lvl 99. After that there are just infinite lvl 99s. F U Ninitendo…F U and your impossible to beat games.
This is awesome. Now everyone go listen to “Get Better John” by Muxmool to transition to a perfect modern version.
Everyone’s gonna post their fave’s of course…so I might as well too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjs80Z3zquw
Skuljagger: Revolt of the Westicans, on SNES
love the pads
actually fuck it, take that back. THIS is by far my favorite SNES track. Perfect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IUXyzqrZsw
What about Faxanadu? Some tracks was stucked in my head since my childhood 🙂 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77m6aTJb-yk
What about the NES games that took advantage of more advanced sound hardware on the carts? Check out Journey to Silius and Mr. Gimmick to hear what the NES sounded like being pushed to the limit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuIywOYzLD4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb_pBN-xCZo
FZERO – Mute City on SNES. Just brilliant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0WzWdSVFmE
The ending theme from Mega Man 2 is a masterpiece.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J73r_zDlXaA
As for SNES my favourite track is ‘Aquatic Ambiance’ from Donkey Kong Country.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDvKwSVuUGA
we must not forget themes from Miki Higashino, she composed for Gradius and Majoh Densetsu (released for MSX only) when she was a teenager (working at Konami in part-time) – probably Blades of Steel above have some hand from her – http://squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/mikihigashino.shtml
Solomon’s Key!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlJtzyhTIzI
I’ll love you forever for including Blades Of Steel
SKATE OR DIE!
DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!
Oh man, this is my childhood right here.
Here’s a few more overlooked NES ones:
California Games’ skating music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gdrB1RBXb4&feature=share&list=PL046C4836F6F97378
R.C. Pro AM Theme:
http://youtu.be/8JTtROyminQ
River City Ransom – Roxy’s theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i92sAErD4o&feature=share&list=SP66D630337786F1CC
The Adventures of Bayou Billy: Annabelle (terrible game though):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eihOi0EeajU&feature=share&list=PL00A9D301B3F19B90
And not really underrated so much, but maybe my all time favorite NES track – Batman stage 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvzsFS4Plmw&feature=share&list=PLD7FB36E8099E77A7
Just sayin:
woops didnt work …
http://youtu.be/NWFwjSAK828
Anyone catch this Teen Daze/Camp Counselors mix with the Donkey Kong Aquatic Ambience theme in the beginning?
https://soundcloud.com/impose-magazine-streams/teen-daze-camp-counselors
Megaman 3 all the way. That franchise always had the best tunes. And don’t forget the diamond in the rough ‘Strider’. If you didn’t press start and just let the intro music play through.. pure gold. But good luck with the triangle jump…
NES Ice Hockey had a great tune during the games:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o20kOOwXIN8
Vector Man (Genesis)
Tekken 2 (Playstation)
Diddy Kong Racing (N64)
Snowboard Kids 2 (N64)
EINHANDER (Playstation)
Waverace 64 (N64)
Thrilla’s Safari (NES)…That was the sequel to T&C I believe.
I owned all these games, but Thrilla’s Safari was sooooo difficult.
“It almost makes me tear up its soo good, I almost want to knock on my neighbors door now and ask him if he wants to go outside and play guns.”
“Play guns” is a phrase me and my brother used to use. It broadly covered any torment towards each other inside or outside the house.
Power Blade Sector 7. Truly underrated gem!
http://youtu.be/08sFwtUQQH4
Agreed with NIELSBOT. Blaster Master is amazing. I remember when it got voted best music in Nintendo Power Magazine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHG41MOgxNU
I really dig this one, I hope others remember it as well! Also, everything on megaman 2 + snake man’s music from megaman 3 is amazing!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4eBNmGzI4A
I have to say “Gun Smoke”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCOCa9LeE3s
Konami always seemed to make great music fo its games, and Lifesforce (the sequel to Gradius), is no exception. Fanatatic music and equally awesome game!
Championship Bowling was always my fave for NES music. The intro track was crazy good – then it went to an arpeggiated space hillybilly ho-down during gameplay. Loved it.
Whoops forgot the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsfH84qinNc
Also, another classic was Grand Prix Circuit for Commodore 64. I could listen to that for hours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGRtVMXFAPQ
Flip the pass! Flip the pass! Flip the pass!
Sally Shapiro Mega Man 2 remix at Mecury Lounge:
http://youtu.be/kQ0mUSsYG8Q
There is no doubt that #1 and #2 are very interesting , they are pretty vanguardist.
I may Add the hole Batman Soundtrack wich a love too much.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTHHh9EB53A