Video Game Music

[Lostdreams]

A while back I found a nice remix version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's Gerudo Valley theme and more recently I found a nice rock mix of Megaman 2 Dr. Wily stage one I think this is ok copyrightwise?. I am looking for more classic console era game music that has been remixed but leaves the original song unbroken. (No Hyrule Forest: The Dubstep Version or Super Mario Bros. Underwater World Trance)

General video game music talk and sharing is also welcome, though people should be copyright wary.

[philsov]

For various values of "unbroken"...

My top picks (licensed, no less):

Chrono Trigger - Brink of Time-- Chrono Trigger soundtrack (which is one of the greatest of ALL TIME. ALL TIME.) redone with a twist of acid jazz as saxaphones go crazy and there's a small shuffle to the beat. Magus' Theme is the most oddball of the bunch, with hints of an old western thrown into the mix.

FF4 - Celtic Moon - Pretty much what the tin says

Actraiser - Symphonic Suite - Out of the midi tracks and into a full orchestra. It's amazing.

~

Past that, there's a few rock/remix bands worth checking out, like The Advantage and Powerglove

[Dauric]

Precursors: Ur-Quan Masters is scattered through my playlists.

[VectorZero]

Well, I'll start by pointing towards OCRemix, since that's a huge repository of remixed and reimagined classic soundtracks. If you can't find something you like in there, you must be dead inside. Personally, I've listened to Voices of the Lifestream (FFVII) well over a hundred times and still love it. Personal favourites: Every Story Begins With A Name, Materia Junkie, Full Frontal Assault, Adrenalyne Kick, Lunatic Moon.

Next, I'm required as an Australian to point out Eminence Symphony Orchestra, who've done several concerts of (mostly Japanese) game and anime music. Links to more in the comments.

Um. I've been listening to Jimmy Hinson/BigGiantCircles a bit lately after hearing his stuff on OCRemix. He worked on the ME2 soundtrack and has a few albums out. Try Imposter Nostalgia for new music inspired by 8-bit soundtracks, or Max Effect or Legacy for his Mass Effect stuff.

Keep an eye out for indie music bundle if you like the music from modern indie games.

Jim Guthrie's Sword and Sworcery LP was a fantastic album independent of its status as a soundtrack.

Miracle of Sound (Gavin Dunne) makes songs based on current games. Also has video clips hosted at the escapist. Personal favourites: Sovngarde Song, Commander Shepard, Wasteland Soul ... actually there's not many I don't like

[Derek]

more recently I found a nice rock mix of Megaman 2 Dr. Wily stage one I think this is ok copyrightwise?.

(Mega Man dump incoming)

There are dozens of remixes of Mega Man songs, Wily's Theme being probably the most common (because its such a great song). But I'll post some more well known megaman music videos:
Okkusenman (Instrumental of that, which is my favorite version of Wily's Theme)
Airman ga Taosenai (I can't Defeat Airman)
Megaman 2 by Duane & BrandO

I'm also partial to anything from Mega Man 9, since its the only Mega Man game I've really played (I'll get around to the others someday...).


Okay, music from other games:
Baba Yetu from Civilization 4 (it even won a Grammy!)
Still Alive from Mirror's Edge (not that "Still Alive"!)
Frank Klepacki has some great stuff, mostly from the Command and Conquer games. (His website used to have a radio at the bottom, but it seems to be gone now)
Soviet March is from CNC: Red Alert 3, but is not by Klepacki.
VVVVVV also had a great soundtrack.
I've also always liked the orchestral version of One Winged Angel (Final Fantasy 7)

Ok, I think that's enough for now.

[EvanED]

For various reasons I don't have anything to suggest from the classic console era, but:

Okay, music from other games:
Baba Yetu from Civilization 4 (it even won a Grammy!)

I was going to suggest that as well.

Also on my list:

• Some Halo music
• Most Bioware games have great soundtracks (Jade Empire & Mass Effect 1&2 stand out; I haven't heard ME3 yet) though it sounds to me like it's either (admittedly very good) synthesized fake orchestra or actual orchestra postprocessed to the point at which it sounds kind of fake; it's really too bad, because I think it'd be well-served to do it "right", like...
• Starcraft 2
• Myst 3 has several good tracks (there's a common composer, Jack Wall, between it and some of Bioware's stuff)

[SirBryghtside]

All I know is that this is the best damn remix I have ever heard.

It was based off of the theme from the original games, and it inspired the one in SoulSilver.

[Shivahn]

I've also always liked the orchestral version of One Winged Angel (Final Fantasy 7)

A lot of the Final Fantasy music has good arrangements. The piano tracks in particular have some excellent ones - I am particularly fond of "Tina" from FF6.

[Dark567]

I've also always liked the orchestral version of One Winged Angel (Final Fantasy 7)

A lot of the Final Fantasy music has good arrangements. The piano tracks in particular have some excellent ones - I am particularly fond of "Tina" from FF6.

Elder Scrolls composer Jeremy Soule, remixing FFVI's "Terra"

[Endless Mike]

The soundtrack for Sword and Sworcery is pretty fantastic.

[Izawwlgood]

Minibosses are pretty great. But I'm really not impressed with... any of the remixes posted here.

[Menacing Spike]

I really liked some of the Ar Tonelico music. Usually I don't like vocals, and even dislike JRPG vocals even more (are those singers tone deaf or something?), but in those games some of the tracks are well sung, well composed, poignant, and above all fitting to the game.

That's because the game is more or less about singing magic (or

Spoiler:

really really weird post-apocalyptic technology

if you prefer):
so a peculiar boss fight or important moment may proceed along a plot-relevant song.

Apparently lots of effort went into those songs, to the extent of creating a language.

My favorite song of the bunch was "EXEC_SPHILIA/." (not linked for copyright reasons).

(the games themselves are loaded with fanservice, cliches, and are far too easy)

[The Utilitarian]

Bastion soundtrack. This is all.

[Frimble]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDvcxzIW_rI&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL1A6EEEBED5C3CCAA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyazjpd7yRo

[Jorpho]

SuperBuckJazz is probably the best remix I know of on OC Remix. (It was released commercially on Estradasphere's Buck Fever album.)

Virt's Funky Pills Dr. Mario remix is, alas, no longer on OC Remix since the author had a falling-out with the site.

And there's a track or two from Project Majestic Mix that I rather like, particularly Battle For Smithy.
http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Proj ... quaredance

[Izawwlgood]

Bastion soundtrack. This is all.

At PAX I went up to the Bastion stand to chat, and told them I loved the game. "Hey, which one of you did the voice of Rucks?" and one of the guys, kind of slight and hipstery looking, raises his hand and grins. I go "Oh man, you were AMAZING, like smoke bubbled through whiskey and gravel!" and goes "Thanks man, I appreciate it, I had a lot of fun with that" but in a very normal mid range, conversational voice. I froze, and looked at him sidelong and was like "Hey, waitta minute..." to which he sighed, and dropped into Rucks-voice, told me to get on now and stop wastin' his time. I EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE'd and then got them to sign the poster.

The Bastion soundtrack is gorgeous.

Also, this is my fucking jam.

[Frimble]

Lets not forget the elder scrolls soundtracks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPEEp5R_pOo

Or the portal song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RthZgszykLs

or the mirrors edge soundtrack http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TERyxFfMqDk


Ed. and oh, why not: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EMX1bYoEV0

[ArgonV]

There's the Donkey Kong Country 2 music

And then, there's these remixes

[Frimble]

Monkey island 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKWT5wW4gdY

[Menacing Spike]

Aside from Ar Tonelico, my more mainstream taste in VG music is toward castlevania music, they kinda sound as if Bach was writing Jazz.

Favorites: Awake, Circle of the Moon
Sinking Old Sanctuary, Circle of the Moon
Aquarius, Circle of the Moon
Bloody Tears, most games
The Beginning, Dawn of Sorrow
Cursed Clock Tower, Dawn of Sorrow
Lapis Lazuli, Order of Ecclesia
Azure Wanderings, Order of Ecclesia

[An Enraged Platypus]

I love the remixes that are out there for Ikaruga's music. This is brilliant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg8kFusiYEw. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnDJSVSsdCY (the second video has a pretty poor actualy Ikaruga play in it, but let that slide).

Golden Sun's music is still incredible to this day; there are some pieces I would kill to hear in high quality.

[Lostdreams]

I'm very pleased this thread is still going.

[tms]

Slaygon's Driller remix. I'm not sure if a direct URL is a good idea, but go to http://remix.kwed.org/ and search 'driller'.

More keyphrases:
"run of despair" (1)
"central park guitar" (1)

[Gelsamel]

Tales of Phantasia (SNES) - Ex; 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 (Yes they got voices in there).
Seiken Densetsu 3 (SNES) - Ex; 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

These games completely dominated the SNES's sound system.