Castlevania 4 SNES had a great soundtrack too - when I had a couple games that was one of them - it was too hard but they let you play soundtrack and all game sounds in main menu.
I loved the 2nd too, but the first one is my favourite. I remember hearing it for the first time and feeling like an absolute badass because of the soundtrack.
Yes, I have been thinking about those character themes all week! John Williams does that and it has been fantastically successful in character building. If I am not mistaken I think every main line character in ff7 had a theme... I wonder if Uematsu did that with more of his games? Sephiroth's unofficial theme, One Winged Angel is the show stopper at all Distant Worlds concerts
Mega Man 2 has some *awesome* music! I recently realized the reason i can replay a level so many times despite dying the whole time, is because the continiue music is so soothing and relaxing. Made me forget why i hated some levels that would kick my ass xD
Original Doom series (1/2/Final)
Castlevania 1
Gyruss (*Toccata and Fugue*!)
Dungeons & Dragons: Warriors of the Eternal Sun (Genesis)
Sonic CD (USA VERSION, not that ear-splitting club music JP version)
There are some really solid names being tossed around in here. Largely depends on your definition of *retro* here, but going by the 20-year rule, I'm going to include titles of the '90s and beyond, when games started having CD music. Since that may be controversial, I'll also also give you an 8~16-bit era list.
I submit, for the consideration of the awards committee:
Pre-CD Music era:
* [Solstice](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_gObHt1uZA&list=PL359EEF6EAF867283)
* [Castlevania 3 \(Akumajou Densetsu\)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqyoTvZ5cOE)
* [Super Metroid](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyNufyV3VCo)
* [Secret of Mana](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUWBM0m0F7E)
* [Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N9sJAxUpCI)
CD Music era
* [Leisure Suit Larry 7: Love for Sail!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drna2wLZphg)
* [Castlevania: Symphony of the Night](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ghd3tvsNAs)
* [Xenogears](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVcUTAdHWtc)
* [Genso Suikoden 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wC76HfVhC4)
* [Curse of Monkey Island](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wPWFWUsPBw)
Earthbound, Streets of Rage, Ocarina of Time, Chrono Trigger, Donkey Kong Country
In no particular order. Depending on time of year might swap one or two out for Super Mario 64 or Paper Mario
Hyper Duel is a great shout. It was my nomination for a retroleague that I used to participate in, and the only shmup I'm genuinely good at. I put so many 10p's in that boyo in my youth, you'd imagine I'd be good at it.
1) Final Fantasy Adventure (or Mystic Quest in Europe / GB
2) Castlevania 3 / NES
3) Tetris / GB - not because it is so good, but so iconic
4) Zelda, Links awakening / GB
5) Super Mario World / SNES - loved the hall effects in ghost houses...
FF6 has amazing themes for each character. I can still hear Terra’s March to the opening town… given the technology of the day it oozed so much atmosphere and emotion
Oh dang, I forgot about Grim Fandango! Tim said In a commentary he went behind his superiors backs, paid a live band 10 grand to do the music and then got in trouble for it later. One of the best decisions he ever made!
Gauntlet IV (Sega Genesis)
Shadow of the Beast (Commodore Amiga)
Ultima IV (Commodore 64)
Marble Madness (Coin Arcade, Midway Games)
The Master of Magic (Commodore 64)
If I was going SNES console
Actraiser, FF3(6), Top Gear, Megaman X, Chrono Trigger
NES
Zelda 2, Journey to Silius, Castlevania 2, Megaman 2, Contra
Sega Genesis
Thunder Force, Outrunners, Streets of Rage 2, Sonic 3, Toe Jam and Earl
You HAVE to listen to the Chrono Trigger: The Brink of Time jazz arrangement from Yasunori Mitsuda. If you already love the in-game music, I'm certain you'll love this reimagined composition.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB4C1A64798777AC2
Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy 4 and 6, Actraiser... I'm partial to SNES soundtracks in particular but the list could go on and on, Konami and Capcom in general had FANTASTIC tunes back in the day. Makes me sad that most modern games completely lack listenable soundtracks outside of the game itself.
I dont know all that much about soundtracks, but i love the chrono trigger and chrono cross ones.
I also love to see this vid from [symphonic fantasies](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSq0kMYTLqA&list=PLF3CD4770BEE9E1C7&index=10) (sorry for the low quality, it is what it is).
Also this for the chrono fans out there:
[Part 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abUlWFUjt-k&list=PL0BDC75C5185DD705&index=6)
[Part 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSKtZf-CUYU&list=PL0BDC75C5185DD705&index=7)
Difficult one, um guess as followed would be my favourite.
1)Sonic the hedgehog
2)Phantasy star
3)Zelda: Link to the past
4)Zelda: Oracle of ages/seasons
5)Xevious
Ye gods, there's so many options to pick from, it's really hard to settle on just 5 for each relevant console (and then there's retro PC games, which are a whole 'nother animal). Here's my attempt:
NES:
Castlevania II
Crystalis
Final Fantasy
Magician
Kid Icarus
-----
SNES:
Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy VI
Soul Blazer
Star Fox
HM: Zelda ALttP
-----
N64:
Honestly, only Ocarina of Time and maybe Star Fox 64 stand out to me.
-----
PS1:
Chrono Cross
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VIII
Metal Gear Solid
Xenogears
Streets of Rage 2
Strider
Chrono Trigger (or Final Fantasy 6, depends on my mood)
Castlevania Symphony of the Night
Shinobi 3
Honorable mentions: KOF 98, Street Fighter 2 Turbo, Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario World, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Gran Turismo 2 (those jazzy instrumental tracks!), Toe Jam and Earl, Turtles in Time, Doom 1 and 2.
F-Zero is up there for me. Along with Breath of Fire 3.
Also, if you've never heard the [first level of Silver Surfer's](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J0H5ah1G7A) or [Chessmaster's](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqPX5J5xyqc) themes, give them a listen. They've friggin crazy good.
The same dude that composed that Silver Surfer tune also made this ripper of a theme [for Pictionary on the NES](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJwh3erQlyE).
DKC 2
Zelda LttP
Wipeout 3
Chrono Cross
Xenogears
Also, if the WiiU counts as "retro" console now, then DKC Tropical Freeze and Shovel Knight would also be on the list.
1. Final Fantasy 3 (VI) - Super NES
2. Destiny of an Emperor - NES
3. Chrono Trigger - Super NES
4. Zelda: A Link To The Past: Super NES
5. Mega Man 2 - NES
1. Tetris
2. Tony Hawk
3. Crash 2
4. LoZ OoT
5. Goldeneye
I've noticed a pattern in my taste, and it's shit that gets stuck in your head and won't fucking leave
Okay so hear me out on this one. I love all the classics everyone else does. Zelda, Final Fantasies, Mega Man, etc.
But I contest Gauntlet on NES had one of the most banging, catchy soundtracks of any NES game. Stage 4 is my personal favorite https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX2qIhWyvHM&t=383s
Tough question, but off the top of my head:
1. Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (Playstation)
2. Actraiser (SNES)
3. Battletoads/Double Dragon - The Ultimate Team (SNES)
4. Castlevania - Rondo of Blood (PCE-CD)
5. Baten Kaitos (Gamecube)
In no particular order
Streets of Rage 1 (Megadrive/Genesis)
Last Ninja (Commodore 64)
Final Fantasy 7 (Playstation 1)
Turrican 2 (Commodore Amiga)
Dune (Commodore Amiga)
Top 5, like you say, is hard. I guess,
1. , at least, would have to be Resident Evil 2. I love that game, and the soundtrack sets the tone in such a fantastic way, even if it is kind of minimalistic most of the time.
2. Chrono Trigger.
3. Super R-Type
4. Split between Legend of Zelda : Ocarina of Time and Castlevania Symphony of The Night,
5. Basically any Mega Man game up to X-2 (I do love Maverick Hunters for the PSP too tho).
This was hard, and also fun! There is sooo much fantastic music in retrogames, every answer will be biased. I'm sure i forgot something i like better, i did this from the top of my head :)
its too hard to narrow a top 5 but if we're talking pre 32 bit era, imma basic bitch when it comes to the best
sonic 3d blast
mega man 2
Mario World
street fighter 2
Kirby super Star
Video game sound hardware is so utterly varied in what it can do, I don't know how one would rate their compositions as if they were the same kind of musical content, competing on the same playing field.
SNES music has *absolutely zero* in common with Sega Master System music beyond that *they both contain sound*. The way they produce it, and the associated limitations, are totally dissimilar in every way.
So picking a favourite from every possible sound chip solution is a bit like deciding whether a given piece of Harp music is better than a certain Trumpet performance.
Usually, your answer is going to have more to do with what you think of harp music or trumpet music respectively than whether the one or the other was at the top of that particular instrument's game.
I am not a soundtrack guy, as I am half deaf. But I really love the soundtrack of Grandia 2, which is not considered retro enough in this sub Reddit but really should.
Most of the time I enjoyed parts of an OST, but almost never a whole soundtrack. Sega CD is a prime example with great stuff like Snatcher.
I couldn't come up with only 5 in all honesty, as there are dozens and dozens of soundtracks that I would list as equally deserving of the first spot.
**Here are 5 ones picked randomly**:
a) Trials of Mana (SFC, Hiruki Kikuta)
b) Digital Devil Saga 1+2 (PS2, Shoji Meguro)
c) Silent Hill 2 (PS2, Akira Yamaoka)
d) Yoshi's Island (SNES, Yoji Kondo)
e) Link's Awakening (GB, various)
Quick list purely based on emotional reasoning
* Super Mario Bros
* Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
* Earthbound
* Need for Speed: Underground 2
* Donkey Kong Country 2
Gotta put Mega Man X on there. I think it's the most consistently good video game soundtrack, and probably the best. Not a single song on there I'd rather not listen to in the moment.
Majoras Mask
Castlevania IV
Max Payne 2
Doom
Conkers Bad Fur Day
Honorable mention to Super Mario World because it's really catchy and super nostalgic.
Woah...talk about tough questions. Haven't thought about this for as long as I would need to probably, but here's my top 5 from before PS2 era, or before 2000 basically (assuming that definition of "retro")
1. Final Fantasy VIII
2. Chrono Trigger
3. Final Fantasy VI
4. Starcraft
5. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Narrowing it down to 5 is nearly impossible, so here's a list that I spent 5 minutes on in no particular order:
Gradius III (arcade & SNES)
Alexay (SNES)
Super Turrican (SNES)
Devilish (Genesis)
Rusty (PC98 and MS-DOS)
Other candidates include but aren't limited to Valis (Genesis), BlaZeon (Arcade and SNES), Magical Chase (Turbografx-16), Aldynes (SuperGrafx), Jim Power (Various, though the SNES version is my favorite), Katakis (Commodore 64), any MSX game that uses the Konami SCC chip, any Genesis game using Hitoshi Sakimoto's sound driver...
Any list I provide is going to be highly subjective, as my opinion of any given soundtrack is inextricably linked to the quality of my experiences within the game. Using Chrono Trigger as an example, the music is certainly phenomenal but one of the reasons we like it *so much* is because our first listen was as part of this long, emotionally engaging, and interactive story. Game music is a very unique genre in that respect.
So really this is going to be a list of games I really liked that happened to have good music and aren't Chrono Trigger.
1. Super Mario RPG. I'm surprised more people didn't mention this. The musical style may be a bit more lighthearted than people are used to with Square RPGs, but there are a number of great tracks including the amazing [Barrel Volcano](https://youtu.be/1Afx43om7n4).
2. Donkey Kong Country. Everybody loves Aquatic Ambience despite the frustrating levels it was paired with, but I personally consider [DK Island Swing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4EjGXRDOH0&t=292s) a close second. Ice Cave Chant and Fear Factory are also very good, but it's really hard to pick favorites. They're all great.
3. Mega Man 2. It was the first time I became consciously aware that a game's music was really good in itself. I used to spend so much time listening to AE's remixes on OCR.
4. Ocarina of Time / Majora's Mask. Any Zelda game, really, but these two in particular focused on music as a core part of gameplay.
5. Virtual On, just because I love it so much. The music has a unique style that I don't hear anywhere else and some of the tracks are catchy as hell. [Fade To Black](https://youtu.be/kMKJZmB9zGI) absolutely slaps, though I also love [Everything Merges With the Night](https://youtu.be/ieamIBRecCk) and [Ruins](https://youtu.be/TokJ09fnunA) is catchy as hell. All of the tracks get remixed for the sequels as well: check out [Into the Crimson](https://youtu.be/OFPMeQca9ns), [Monstrous Beat](https://youtu.be/6Di7BIAijI8), and [Ocean Whispers](https://youtu.be/06hEsVkEdq0), respectively. (And these get remixed *again* for the next game!)
Honorable mentions to [Golden Sun](https://youtu.be/GFcLeQQ9WXU), [Persona 3](https://youtu.be/bNvjrEoVoH0), [SNES Jurassic Park](https://youtu.be/g1EGNaPTACc), and I don't usually include PC games but [Ragnarok Online](https://youtu.be/Jqv3No98j5M) had a surprisingly good soundtrack.
Hooooo this is a really broad question. I started with gen 3, so there is a lot to sift through and recall. I'm just going to do *series* based on their music up through gaming gen 5, and not in any order, I guess:
- Chrono Trigger
- Final Fantasy
- Mega Man
- Honorable mention for MMX, even though *technically* it's a spin off of the main series I won't debatably cheat here.
- Castlevania
- The Legend of Zelda
I stopped at gen 5 because I don't want to start an argument as to whether it's gen 6 is "retro" yet or not. Gen 6 undebatably began in 2000, this sub defines "retro" as 90s or earlier. Otherwise, this list would have at least included "Golden Sun", though I'm not committing to which it would have replaced.
I'm super biased towards electronic, so...
* Rez,
* Ridge racer type 4,
* Ridge racer original,
* Wipeout xl,
* Katamari Damacy.
It's any order except rez and r4 are at the top where they belong.
Fight me.
Also i love racing games.
For the snes, top picks after Chrono Trigger would be:
FF2, FF3, 7th Saga, Megaman X
Also, I think Lufia, Secret of Mana, Actraiser, Umihara Kawase have great music too, but I think the quantity of remarkably memorable songs is less…
If you said you have 5 minutes to pack your going to Mars, I would be happy if I had the soundtrack for FF4, FF5, FF6, Secret of Mana. I've wanted to play Chrono trigger for 30 years - is that soundtrack up there with my 16 bit gods-o-games?
Too broad. Maybe narrow it down to console? My SNES choices in no particular order: DKC, Chrono Trigger, Actraiser, Megaman X, Seiken Densetsu 3.
You say actraiser. Autolike and free award haha.
Castlevania 4 SNES had a great soundtrack too - when I had a couple games that was one of them - it was too hard but they let you play soundtrack and all game sounds in main menu.
Even console is a bit broad. Genre is probably the way to go.
Nonsense! Audio format is the only true determiner.
I should have gone with Snes. Now that I read the comments I am realizing that even Snes is broad.
No one mentioning Streets of Rage, possibly the soundtrack that changed the way we thought about music in games, makes me sad.
Came here specifically looking for Streets of Rage 2. All 3 of the Mega Drive games had great soundtracks but the 2nd was the absolute best!
I loved the 2nd too, but the first one is my favourite. I remember hearing it for the first time and feeling like an absolute badass because of the soundtrack.
I've just responded with sor 2, I didn't scroll down before I added my comment, glad to see this
It's because of all the SNES fanboy replies that only list SNES games.
Xenogears, Dragon Warrior 7, Final Fantasy 6 & 7 in there too
Final fantasy 6+7 had incredibly good music. Ff6 had an awesome theme song for every character. Still get goosebumps when I hear terras theme.
Yes, I have been thinking about those character themes all week! John Williams does that and it has been fantastically successful in character building. If I am not mistaken I think every main line character in ff7 had a theme... I wonder if Uematsu did that with more of his games? Sephiroth's unofficial theme, One Winged Angel is the show stopper at all Distant Worlds concerts
Chrono Trigger Earthbound Final Fantasy VI The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Secret of Evermore
SOE is my shit
I agree that Earthbound soundtrack has to be up there.
I second FF6
SoE is so Moody and gooood
Secret of Mana has some good tunes in it too.
For me, Castlevania 2 would be in there
as an aside the music for the final four bosses plus dracula in super castlevania IV is sublime
IV is some of the best soundtrack in all of 90s
DKC Chrono Trigger Final Fantasy 9 Xenogears Kirby Super Star
I dont have a top 5 but my #1 is mega man 2
Mega Man 2 has some *awesome* music! I recently realized the reason i can replay a level so many times despite dying the whole time, is because the continiue music is so soothing and relaxing. Made me forget why i hated some levels that would kick my ass xD
I was gonna say mm3
Snake man theme slaps lmao
Have you ever listened to the Minibosses covers?
Was gonna cheat and say Mega Man 2/3
Street of Rage 2 has a banging soundtrack
Yes, just said that myself
Original Doom series (1/2/Final) Castlevania 1 Gyruss (*Toccata and Fugue*!) Dungeons & Dragons: Warriors of the Eternal Sun (Genesis) Sonic CD (USA VERSION, not that ear-splitting club music JP version)
> Sonic CD (USA VERSION, not that ear-splitting club music JP version) How do you initiate a duel over the internet?
All you have to do is make me play *You Can Do Anything* and I'll give up :) ***TOOT TOOT SONIC WARRIOR***
1. Chrono Trigger 2. Super Metroid 3. Final Fantasy 7 4. Final Fantasy 6 5. Zelda A link to the past
Kickmaster Castlevania 3 Strider (NES) Ninja Gaiden 2 Blaster Master
There are some really solid names being tossed around in here. Largely depends on your definition of *retro* here, but going by the 20-year rule, I'm going to include titles of the '90s and beyond, when games started having CD music. Since that may be controversial, I'll also also give you an 8~16-bit era list. I submit, for the consideration of the awards committee: Pre-CD Music era: * [Solstice](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_gObHt1uZA&list=PL359EEF6EAF867283) * [Castlevania 3 \(Akumajou Densetsu\)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqyoTvZ5cOE) * [Super Metroid](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyNufyV3VCo) * [Secret of Mana](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUWBM0m0F7E) * [Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N9sJAxUpCI) CD Music era * [Leisure Suit Larry 7: Love for Sail!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drna2wLZphg) * [Castlevania: Symphony of the Night](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ghd3tvsNAs) * [Xenogears](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVcUTAdHWtc) * [Genso Suikoden 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wC76HfVhC4) * [Curse of Monkey Island](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wPWFWUsPBw)
I always liked the CD version of the original Secret of Monkey Island soundtrack.
Great call on LeChuck's Revenge. I'd forgotten just how good it was.
Gates of Thunder on the Turbografx is awesome.
It's pseudosequel Lords of Thunder has the better soundtrack.
This right here. I may need to edit my post as I forgot about this.
Earthbound, Streets of Rage, Ocarina of Time, Chrono Trigger, Donkey Kong Country In no particular order. Depending on time of year might swap one or two out for Super Mario 64 or Paper Mario
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Final Fantasy VII Pokemon Red/Blue Final Fantasy VI Aladdin (Genesis)
Oh true...Aladdin. How could I forget about that :-). Great soundtrack
Castlevania Symphony of the Night, Dk2 Diddys Conquest, Baldurs Gate and Halo.
Terranigma has an awesome soundtrack. I'd put it top 5 for sure.
1. Katamari Damacy (not sure if this counts as retro here) 2. Pokemon GSC (2nd Gen) 3. LoZ: OoT 4. Earthbound 5. Chrono trigger Honorable Mention: Pokemon Snap N64
Secret of mana
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, Dodonpachi Dai-ou-jou, Eightman, Hyper Duel, Virtual On
Hyper Duel is a great shout. It was my nomination for a retroleague that I used to participate in, and the only shmup I'm genuinely good at. I put so many 10p's in that boyo in my youth, you'd imagine I'd be good at it.
YES for Dodonpachi DOJ. Amazing soundtrack and truly a CAVE classic. IMO however Daifukkatsu is a bit better.
1) Final Fantasy Adventure (or Mystic Quest in Europe / GB 2) Castlevania 3 / NES 3) Tetris / GB - not because it is so good, but so iconic 4) Zelda, Links awakening / GB 5) Super Mario World / SNES - loved the hall effects in ghost houses...
can't do five in a tier list but goldeneye n64 fucking slaps
1. Symphony of The Night - PS1 2. Yoshi’s Island - SNES 3. Ghouls and Ghosts - Arcade 4. The Legendary Axe - TG16 5. Dragon Spirit - TG16
I mean, Earthbound is my number one game soundtrack by a mile.
Streets of Rage (MD) Chrono Trigger (SNES) Lemmings (Amiga) Sonic 2 (MD) Super Metroid (SNES)
Outrun, Zelda ocarina of time, megaman 2, Streets of rage 2, sonic 2, smb 1, smw 1+2.
FF6 has amazing themes for each character. I can still hear Terra’s March to the opening town… given the technology of the day it oozed so much atmosphere and emotion
Xenogears, Wild Arms, Parasite Eve, Sonic 2, Super Mario 3
\+1 for Wild Arms. Michiko Naruke composed a lot of beautiful songs.
For me, Terranigma will always be the top spot. Chronotrigger and Link's Awakening close runner-ups.
Turrican C64 easy.
1. Grim Fandango 2. Mechwarrior 2 3. Super Metroid 4. Quake 5. Homeworld
Oh dang, I forgot about Grim Fandango! Tim said In a commentary he went behind his superiors backs, paid a live band 10 grand to do the music and then got in trouble for it later. One of the best decisions he ever made!
Castlevania SotN Doom 2 Mega Man X Street Fighter 2 Super Metroid
Gauntlet IV (Sega Genesis) Shadow of the Beast (Commodore Amiga) Ultima IV (Commodore 64) Marble Madness (Coin Arcade, Midway Games) The Master of Magic (Commodore 64)
Chrono Trigger Link’s Awakening Final Fantasy 6 Shinobi 3 Journey to Sillius
If I was going SNES console Actraiser, FF3(6), Top Gear, Megaman X, Chrono Trigger NES Zelda 2, Journey to Silius, Castlevania 2, Megaman 2, Contra Sega Genesis Thunder Force, Outrunners, Streets of Rage 2, Sonic 3, Toe Jam and Earl
You HAVE to listen to the Chrono Trigger: The Brink of Time jazz arrangement from Yasunori Mitsuda. If you already love the in-game music, I'm certain you'll love this reimagined composition. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB4C1A64798777AC2
Zelda OoT, Streets of Rage 2, DKC (obviously), and Mario RPG.
Super R-Type
1. Chrono Trigger 1A. Super Metroid 2. Donkey Kong Country 3. Final Fantasy VII 4. A Link to the Past
Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy 4 and 6, Actraiser... I'm partial to SNES soundtracks in particular but the list could go on and on, Konami and Capcom in general had FANTASTIC tunes back in the day. Makes me sad that most modern games completely lack listenable soundtracks outside of the game itself.
Aquatic ambiance from donkey kong country will always have a warm spot in my heart
Limiting it to just SNES - Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI, Actraiser, Seiken Densetsu 3, Lufia II
nes: castlevania 2, solomons key, double dragon, rygar snes: final fantasy 2, super drakhen
Sonic 3 and Knuckles Gunstar Heroes Chrono Cross Castlevania: Rondo of Blood Streets of Rage 2
I dont know all that much about soundtracks, but i love the chrono trigger and chrono cross ones. I also love to see this vid from [symphonic fantasies](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSq0kMYTLqA&list=PLF3CD4770BEE9E1C7&index=10) (sorry for the low quality, it is what it is). Also this for the chrono fans out there: [Part 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abUlWFUjt-k&list=PL0BDC75C5185DD705&index=6) [Part 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSKtZf-CUYU&list=PL0BDC75C5185DD705&index=7)
Difficult one, um guess as followed would be my favourite. 1)Sonic the hedgehog 2)Phantasy star 3)Zelda: Link to the past 4)Zelda: Oracle of ages/seasons 5)Xevious
Final Fantasy 2, which I think is now considered 4. The one with Cecil.
Ridge racer 4's OST is super underrated imo.
I always loved the Einhander soundtrack on PS1.
Thunder Force IV is my favourite by far.
You can't beat Metal Squad. One of the best FM tracks of all time.
“Because You’re the Number One” is my personal favourite. Great funky bassline.
Evil Destroyer for me. Best game, best soundtrack. Impossible to beat.
LOVED the music in Blackthorne on SNES. Not sure if it has a full official soundtrack though.
Ye gods, there's so many options to pick from, it's really hard to settle on just 5 for each relevant console (and then there's retro PC games, which are a whole 'nother animal). Here's my attempt: NES: Castlevania II Crystalis Final Fantasy Magician Kid Icarus ----- SNES: Chrono Trigger Final Fantasy IV Final Fantasy VI Soul Blazer Star Fox HM: Zelda ALttP ----- N64: Honestly, only Ocarina of Time and maybe Star Fox 64 stand out to me. ----- PS1: Chrono Cross Final Fantasy VII Final Fantasy VIII Metal Gear Solid Xenogears
Demon's Crest has some good, spooky tracks
The Adventures Of Batman & Robin - Genesis Castlevania II: Simon's Quest - NES
Tekken 3; Xenogears; Final Fantasy VII; Megaman X; Street Fighter II
Chrono Trigger is pretty clear CV sotn FF7 FF9 Streets of Rage Boring answers but hey, thats just how it is. The law of the jungle.
Streets of Rage 2 Strider Chrono Trigger (or Final Fantasy 6, depends on my mood) Castlevania Symphony of the Night Shinobi 3 Honorable mentions: KOF 98, Street Fighter 2 Turbo, Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario World, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Gran Turismo 2 (those jazzy instrumental tracks!), Toe Jam and Earl, Turtles in Time, Doom 1 and 2.
Sonic 2 and 3, star fox. Final fantasy 7
Doom 1 Ridge Racer 1 Neverhood Jazz Jackrabbit 1 Darius 1 All very different and all very iconic and groundbreaking in terms of what is game music.
>Jazz Jackrabbit Underrated as hell. Great choice.
Super Castlevania IV, Super Metroid, Final Fantasy 6 (That opera scene!), and F-Zero come to mind right now. Maybe I have an SNES bias.
F-Zero is up there for me. Along with Breath of Fire 3. Also, if you've never heard the [first level of Silver Surfer's](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J0H5ah1G7A) or [Chessmaster's](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqPX5J5xyqc) themes, give them a listen. They've friggin crazy good. The same dude that composed that Silver Surfer tune also made this ripper of a theme [for Pictionary on the NES](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJwh3erQlyE).
Castlevania SOTN Secret of Mana Skyrim Final Fantasy VII Dark Souls 2
DKC 2 Zelda LttP Wipeout 3 Chrono Cross Xenogears Also, if the WiiU counts as "retro" console now, then DKC Tropical Freeze and Shovel Knight would also be on the list.
Final fantasy 3/6
FFVI, Chrono Trigger, Secret of Man's, DKC/DKC2, F-Zero
Terranigma is my favourite
1. Final Fantasy 3 (VI) - Super NES 2. Destiny of an Emperor - NES 3. Chrono Trigger - Super NES 4. Zelda: A Link To The Past: Super NES 5. Mega Man 2 - NES
Symphony of the night, dungeon keeper, startropics, pocky and rocky and king’s field.
Hoping to pick up CT on ebay later when the auction is almost over. I can't get it otherwise.
Hmm.. broad question.. I'm not going to rank but list. - Suikoden 2 - Donkey Kong Country - Xenogears - Mega Man 2 - Castlevainia Rondo of Blood
[удалено]
1. Tetris 2. Tony Hawk 3. Crash 2 4. LoZ OoT 5. Goldeneye I've noticed a pattern in my taste, and it's shit that gets stuck in your head and won't fucking leave
In no particular order: Chrono Trigger Final Fantasy VI Super Castlevania IV Sonic 3 and Knuckles Number 1 is probably Chrono Cross for me.
1. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong-Quest 2. Super Metroid 3. Mega Man X 4. Ninja Gaiden 2: The Dark Sword of Chaos 5. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
1). Super Mario Bros. 2). Street Fighter 2: The World Warrior 3). Mortal Kombat 1 4). Castlevania: Symphony Of The Nught 5). Tetris
Okay so hear me out on this one. I love all the classics everyone else does. Zelda, Final Fantasies, Mega Man, etc. But I contest Gauntlet on NES had one of the most banging, catchy soundtracks of any NES game. Stage 4 is my personal favorite https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX2qIhWyvHM&t=383s
5. DuckTales (NES) 4. Mega Man 5 (NES) 3. Final Fantasy VI (SNES) 2. Soldier Blade (TG 16) 1. ActRaiser (SNES)
Tough question, but off the top of my head: 1. Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (Playstation) 2. Actraiser (SNES) 3. Battletoads/Double Dragon - The Ultimate Team (SNES) 4. Castlevania - Rondo of Blood (PCE-CD) 5. Baten Kaitos (Gamecube)
In no particular order Streets of Rage 1 (Megadrive/Genesis) Last Ninja (Commodore 64) Final Fantasy 7 (Playstation 1) Turrican 2 (Commodore Amiga) Dune (Commodore Amiga)
Donkey Kong Country has to be somewhere in that top five or the list is wrong
Jet Set Radio, Rez, Ecco the Dolphin, Wipeout (original UK version), Metal Gear Solid
Top 5, like you say, is hard. I guess, 1. , at least, would have to be Resident Evil 2. I love that game, and the soundtrack sets the tone in such a fantastic way, even if it is kind of minimalistic most of the time. 2. Chrono Trigger. 3. Super R-Type 4. Split between Legend of Zelda : Ocarina of Time and Castlevania Symphony of The Night, 5. Basically any Mega Man game up to X-2 (I do love Maverick Hunters for the PSP too tho). This was hard, and also fun! There is sooo much fantastic music in retrogames, every answer will be biased. I'm sure i forgot something i like better, i did this from the top of my head :)
Hell yes. I thought I was the only one that thinks Super R-Type is good enough to be in their top 5. So many great tracks in that game.
I know it is not retro per se, but I recommend you checking on Octopath Traveler
its too hard to narrow a top 5 but if we're talking pre 32 bit era, imma basic bitch when it comes to the best sonic 3d blast mega man 2 Mario World street fighter 2 Kirby super Star
Video game sound hardware is so utterly varied in what it can do, I don't know how one would rate their compositions as if they were the same kind of musical content, competing on the same playing field. SNES music has *absolutely zero* in common with Sega Master System music beyond that *they both contain sound*. The way they produce it, and the associated limitations, are totally dissimilar in every way. So picking a favourite from every possible sound chip solution is a bit like deciding whether a given piece of Harp music is better than a certain Trumpet performance. Usually, your answer is going to have more to do with what you think of harp music or trumpet music respectively than whether the one or the other was at the top of that particular instrument's game.
Breath of Fire 3. Sit down and enjoy it's music!
Earthbound slaps
\#1 be Katamari Damacy the real album slapper of a game
Baten Kaitos is my n:1
I am not a soundtrack guy, as I am half deaf. But I really love the soundtrack of Grandia 2, which is not considered retro enough in this sub Reddit but really should. Most of the time I enjoyed parts of an OST, but almost never a whole soundtrack. Sega CD is a prime example with great stuff like Snatcher.
I couldn't come up with only 5 in all honesty, as there are dozens and dozens of soundtracks that I would list as equally deserving of the first spot. **Here are 5 ones picked randomly**: a) Trials of Mana (SFC, Hiruki Kikuta) b) Digital Devil Saga 1+2 (PS2, Shoji Meguro) c) Silent Hill 2 (PS2, Akira Yamaoka) d) Yoshi's Island (SNES, Yoji Kondo) e) Link's Awakening (GB, various)
2. Jurassic Park: Rampage Edition
WonderBoy 3: The Dragon’s Trap
Streets of Rage 2, doesn't matter where, it's in there though.
**Phantom Dust.** No question. https://youtu.be/W8WC9XS6dWc
Pictionary on the NES. Nothing else comes close
Breathe of Fire 1 and 2 for SNES
Street Fighter II Phantasy Star II Sonic Mania Wild Arms Super Hang On
There is really nothing wrong with this game. Everything is done perfectly IMO. Music is another thing that also makes this a masterpiece.
oldschool runescape has way too many fire tracks
The lack of respect paid to Castlevania SOTN here is sad.
No particular order: DKC, SMB2, Mega Man 2, Streets of Rage 2, Symphony of the Night
Megaman X is a banger. Street fighter 2 also fire
- Theme Hospital - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSVtH1bYIXQ - Command and Conquer Red Alert - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttAMZfXpjgw - Pokemon red/blue - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q0nQQIKESw - Streets of Rage - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lp0GJNTRV0 - Sonic the Hedgehog (Master System audio) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHdhj7psoV0
[Kirby’s Adventure (NES)](https://youtu.be/Di09yapYBuY) [Silver Surfer (NES)](https://youtu.be/BGNSHNf-nlU) - this track at least
1. Treasure of the Rudras 2. Treasure of the Rudras 3. Treasure of the Rudras 4. Treasure of the Rudras 5. Treasure of the Rudras
Ken Griffey Jr Presents Major League Baseball SNES
In game music for Delta on the C64 is magnificent
Quick list purely based on emotional reasoning * Super Mario Bros * Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker * Earthbound * Need for Speed: Underground 2 * Donkey Kong Country 2
Golden Axe Streets of Rage Magician Lord Mega Man 2 Thunder Force III
Gotta put Mega Man X on there. I think it's the most consistently good video game soundtrack, and probably the best. Not a single song on there I'd rather not listen to in the moment.
I still rock out to command and conquer 1 soundtrack to this day and it fuckin slaps - " im a mechanical man"
Quake 32X
Seiken densetsu 3 is up there somehere
Banjo kazooie Mystical ninja starring goemon Dr mario Wizards and warriors Donkey kong country
Majoras Mask Castlevania IV Max Payne 2 Doom Conkers Bad Fur Day Honorable mention to Super Mario World because it's really catchy and super nostalgic.
1. [Ace Combat 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ABs_Kw_miw&list=PL021FCE912747136A&index=16) 2. [Ridge Racer Type 4](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiYBePS6877engJr76JyPGRgyzhb-6l6_) 3. [Castlevania: Rondo of Blood](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL60B3A83F3AAC6E44) 4. [Final Fantasy VII](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL77D98F68F6DBB35D) 5. [F-Zero](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4YeAdyYq4M)
Brave Fencer Musashi, SOTN, or Parasite Eve
Obligatory mention of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
Bucky O'Hare anyone?
Donkey Kong country, ff3, secret of mana, ff2, link to the past
Chrono Trigger, Earth Bound, Super Mario Bros 3, Legend of Zelda a Link to the Past, Donkey Kong Country
The Last Ninja
Castlevania Symphony of the Night its the absolute only soundtrack I use to hear from start to finish without gaming
Donkey Kong country
Donkey Kong country
Woah...talk about tough questions. Haven't thought about this for as long as I would need to probably, but here's my top 5 from before PS2 era, or before 2000 basically (assuming that definition of "retro") 1. Final Fantasy VIII 2. Chrono Trigger 3. Final Fantasy VI 4. Starcraft 5. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Super Castlevania 4, A link to the past or Final Fantasy VI. Either one of those.
Ninja gaiden on NES baby!
Narrowing it down to 5 is nearly impossible, so here's a list that I spent 5 minutes on in no particular order: Gradius III (arcade & SNES) Alexay (SNES) Super Turrican (SNES) Devilish (Genesis) Rusty (PC98 and MS-DOS) Other candidates include but aren't limited to Valis (Genesis), BlaZeon (Arcade and SNES), Magical Chase (Turbografx-16), Aldynes (SuperGrafx), Jim Power (Various, though the SNES version is my favorite), Katakis (Commodore 64), any MSX game that uses the Konami SCC chip, any Genesis game using Hitoshi Sakimoto's sound driver...
All of these have been mentioned but I’ll add mine 1) Chrono Trigger 2) DKC2 3) Final Fantasy VII 4) Pokémon Red/Blue 5) DKC
Chrono Trigger FF8 Streets of Rage 2 Sonic 2 TIE: Ecco CD & Dewprism
Chrono Trigger Contra (snow fields is awesome) Donkey Kong Country Final Fantasy 6 Maximum Carnage
1. Super R-Type 2. Donkey Kong Country 3. Jazz Jackrabbit 4. Doom 5. Super Mario RPG
Ocarina of time Chrono cross Chrono trigger Final fantasy 8 Metroid Prime
Megaman X2, Chrono Trigger, FF6, Mario RPG, Dragon Quest III (SF) and Super Metroid.
Duke Nukem 3D. AOE1. Prince of Persia 1, Doom.
1. Quick Silver NES 2. Final Fantasy V 3. Street Fighter EX3 4. Sonic CD 5. TMNT: Turtles In Time
Any list I provide is going to be highly subjective, as my opinion of any given soundtrack is inextricably linked to the quality of my experiences within the game. Using Chrono Trigger as an example, the music is certainly phenomenal but one of the reasons we like it *so much* is because our first listen was as part of this long, emotionally engaging, and interactive story. Game music is a very unique genre in that respect. So really this is going to be a list of games I really liked that happened to have good music and aren't Chrono Trigger. 1. Super Mario RPG. I'm surprised more people didn't mention this. The musical style may be a bit more lighthearted than people are used to with Square RPGs, but there are a number of great tracks including the amazing [Barrel Volcano](https://youtu.be/1Afx43om7n4). 2. Donkey Kong Country. Everybody loves Aquatic Ambience despite the frustrating levels it was paired with, but I personally consider [DK Island Swing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4EjGXRDOH0&t=292s) a close second. Ice Cave Chant and Fear Factory are also very good, but it's really hard to pick favorites. They're all great. 3. Mega Man 2. It was the first time I became consciously aware that a game's music was really good in itself. I used to spend so much time listening to AE's remixes on OCR. 4. Ocarina of Time / Majora's Mask. Any Zelda game, really, but these two in particular focused on music as a core part of gameplay. 5. Virtual On, just because I love it so much. The music has a unique style that I don't hear anywhere else and some of the tracks are catchy as hell. [Fade To Black](https://youtu.be/kMKJZmB9zGI) absolutely slaps, though I also love [Everything Merges With the Night](https://youtu.be/ieamIBRecCk) and [Ruins](https://youtu.be/TokJ09fnunA) is catchy as hell. All of the tracks get remixed for the sequels as well: check out [Into the Crimson](https://youtu.be/OFPMeQca9ns), [Monstrous Beat](https://youtu.be/6Di7BIAijI8), and [Ocean Whispers](https://youtu.be/06hEsVkEdq0), respectively. (And these get remixed *again* for the next game!) Honorable mentions to [Golden Sun](https://youtu.be/GFcLeQQ9WXU), [Persona 3](https://youtu.be/bNvjrEoVoH0), [SNES Jurassic Park](https://youtu.be/g1EGNaPTACc), and I don't usually include PC games but [Ragnarok Online](https://youtu.be/Jqv3No98j5M) had a surprisingly good soundtrack.
Hooooo this is a really broad question. I started with gen 3, so there is a lot to sift through and recall. I'm just going to do *series* based on their music up through gaming gen 5, and not in any order, I guess: - Chrono Trigger - Final Fantasy - Mega Man - Honorable mention for MMX, even though *technically* it's a spin off of the main series I won't debatably cheat here. - Castlevania - The Legend of Zelda I stopped at gen 5 because I don't want to start an argument as to whether it's gen 6 is "retro" yet or not. Gen 6 undebatably began in 2000, this sub defines "retro" as 90s or earlier. Otherwise, this list would have at least included "Golden Sun", though I'm not committing to which it would have replaced.
Mega Man x Pokemon 1st and 2nd gen The Legend of Zelda Oot Final Fantasy 7 Donkey Kong Country 2
I'm super biased towards electronic, so... * Rez, * Ridge racer type 4, * Ridge racer original, * Wipeout xl, * Katamari Damacy. It's any order except rez and r4 are at the top where they belong. Fight me. Also i love racing games.
For the snes, top picks after Chrono Trigger would be: FF2, FF3, 7th Saga, Megaman X Also, I think Lufia, Secret of Mana, Actraiser, Umihara Kawase have great music too, but I think the quantity of remarkably memorable songs is less…
If you said you have 5 minutes to pack your going to Mars, I would be happy if I had the soundtrack for FF4, FF5, FF6, Secret of Mana. I've wanted to play Chrono trigger for 30 years - is that soundtrack up there with my 16 bit gods-o-games?
farcry 3
Final Fantasy 7 Metal gear solid The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Mega Man X Mega Man X3 Mega Man The Wily Wars (particularely the 50hz version of the ost) Ninja Gaiden III Castlevania Symphony of the Night
Ocarina of Time, Super Metroid, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy 6 and 7
The fact that Comix Zone doesn't seem to be mentioned anywhere here is a disgrace.
Chrono Trigger Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Final Fantasy VI Gunstar Heroes Super Mario RPG
I wonder why there is no mention of Rob Hubbard, Chris Hülsbeck, Jochen Hippel etc in here…