My 200 Favorite Video Game Themes- Part 19: Penultima

20.

Crono’s Theme

from Chrono Trigger

Composers: Yasunori Mitsuda, Nobuo Uematsu, Noriko Matsueda

Squaresoft; 1994

This map theme is really gives the feel of a big epic world, which of course Chrono Trigger has in spades.  The scope and breadth of this game is simply astounding, especially for a 16-bit era title.  It is nearly twenty years old and yet remains longer than most games released to this day.  There is just so much here, and this song has all of the strength of an aged, historical period piece tossed with a grand adventure.  It is an incredibly strong tune, and one of the best RPG themes of all time, in my opinion.

19.

Big Blue

from F-Zero

Composers: Yumiko Kanki, Naoto Ishida

Nintendo; 1990

This fan-favorite is one of the first video game themes to feel like a fully-realized rock song, complete with a guitar solo.  The use of pitch bending gives the illusion of a string bend on a guitar or a slide up or down the fretboard and the fast licks are reminiscent of a classic lead guitar improvisation.  Obviously mixing ideas from classic and 80’s rock, this tune has become one of the most covered video game themes, with fans taking various approaches to it on guitar from a classic rock style to overdrive heavy metal.

18.

Tera’s Theme

from Final Fantasy VI

Composer: Nobuo Uematsu

Squaresoft; 1994

Final Fantasy VI is arguably the best in the series.  The characters, the villain, the world as a whole, everything is carefully pieced together like a luxurious article of jewelry.  Fine details, facets and a polish not seen in any title before it.  Its soundtrack has also become somewhat legendary, as it features a few of the most iconic themes in the already renowned series’ repertoire.  Nobuo Uematsu did some of his best work on this entry and one of my personal favorites is Tera’s Theme.  Like Crono’s Theme from Chrono Trigger, Tera’s theme is used as the overworld theme song, and becomes the unofficial theme song for the entire game.  It is masterfully-composed for an early-90’s piece and has a mood and atmosphere that reflects the growing sophistication of video game sound design of the time.

17.

Storm Eagle

from Mega Man X

Composer: Setsuo Yamamoto

Capcom; 1993

Speaking of sophisticated, let us discuss what I would argue is the best game soundtrack of the 16-bit era: Mega Man X.  Already appearing on my list in previous entries, Mega Man X is a stunning turning point in game music.  For me, it was the definite shift in direction for game themes.  While music in games had already begun maturing by this point, it was Mega Man X that proved that layering and complex composition was not only possible, but a necessity.  The soundtrack is revered for its intensity, its hard rock styling and its memorability.  Favored above all by many is most definitely Storm Eagle’s theme.  As the player navigates the most customer-unfriendly airport in history, this rock tune drives the stage with energy and character that few other game themes have been able to recreate or stand against.

16.

Clash on the Big Bridge

from Final Fantasy V

Composer: Nobuo Uematsu

Squaresoft; 1992

I did not get a chance to play through Final Fantasy V until years after its release, and by then the famous Gilgamesh had already become one of the series’ most talked-about characters.  A large part of that is his intense, memorable battle theme.  From the opening to the end, this is an incredibly fast, non-stop adrenaline-rush of a song.  It never lets up, it just stays on its high from the time the guitars kick in.  I recommend the Black Mages version of this theme, it is incredible.

15.

Upper Brinstar

from Super Metroid

Composer: Kenji Yamamoto, Minako Hamano

Nintendo; 1994

Super Metroid, my all-time favorite video game, is a flawlessly-designed masterwork of the medium.  There is not one element of the game that I would consider to be truly-flawed.  The soundtrack is a memorable collection of eerie and unsettling tunes and my favorite track in the game is heard early on as the player first enters the overgrown Brinstar.  Upper Brinstar is has this hollow, abandoned feel to it for me, even more so than many other parts of the game (the Wrecked Ship notwithstanding) and the theme is this chanting, rhythmic composition that is structurally-complex and fitting for its level.  It is a favorite of mine because, as a kid, upon entering this place for the first time, I found the fading in of the drums and the chilling choir to be so striking, that, even after beating the game and hearing all of the other classic themes this game has to offer, this was the one that was still playing in my head.

14.

The Dark World Theme

from Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Composer: Koji Kondo

Nintendo; 1991

I am pretty sure A Link to the Past was the first Super Nintendo game I ever achieved 100% completion on.  Around that same time I cleared Super Mario World, but A Link to the Past (my personal-favorite Zelda title), was the SNES game I pushed myself to finish almost the same weekend I started playing, and with the help of Nintendo Power, me and my friend did everything there was to do in the game shortly thereafter.  One of my favorite elements of A Link to the Past was the changing world after Ganon takes over.  The idea was a reimagining of the Second Quest from The Legend of Zelda and has since been implemented many times in the series.  The Dark World theme is a great adventure theme, highlighting some excellent design and contrasting the strangeness of the changed world around you.

13.

One Winged Angel

from Final Fantasy VII

Composer: Nobuo Uematsu

Squaresoft; 1997

Sephiroth is one of the most revered and exalted villains in the long history of fictional bad guys.  I do not believe this reverence is restricted to gaming, either.  I think Sephiroth is one of the most recognized and cheered villains in the annals of popular culture.  His power and unforgivable actions throughout the story of Final Fantasy VII has made him a target of gamers’ anger for years, which is the sign of a truly great antagonist.  His theme, One Winged Angel, is a bombastic and menacing piece and certainly reflects the feeling of facing a being far more powerful than one’s self.

12.

Dire Dire Docks

from Super Mario 64

Composer: Koji Kondo

Nintendo; 1996

Super Mario 64 has a number of excellent tracks and a few of them are high on my list for my all time favorite game themes.  Super Mario 64 is one of my favorite games of all time for a number of reasons.  It was groundbreaking for its time, implementing 3D better than just about any game before it.  It has a number of stages that are just brilliant from a design standpoint and, unlike most early 3D platformers, still holds up to this day when compared to titles like Jak and Daxter and the first Sly Cooper.  Dire Dire Docks is an excellent tune, featuring a soft, soothing sound that never goes into the high-pace, fast-tempo energy of typical game music.  This theme instead has a sound that greatly reflects its level.  This theme is played in Jolly Roger Bay and Dire Dire Docks, two water stages that have a flow that is paced significantly slower than other levels in the game, so the lower tempo suits the levels well.  The gentle melody is relaxing and memorable and has been a personal favorite of mine for years.

11.

Another Winter

from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Compsoers: Anamanaguchi

Ubisoft/Montreal; 2010

At number 11, we bid adieu to Anamanaguchi.  Another Winter is their stunning stage 1 theme from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: the Game.  I do not really know how much I can say about this soundtrack that I have not already gushed except: Listen to it.  All of it.  Another Winter is some of their best work but what makes it stand out for me to rank so high on my list is how it is presented in the game.  When I first played this excellent beat-em-up I was not entirely sure what to expect, and the first stage of the game tells a story as you move through it that is complemented by this stunning track.  It is cheerful, it is catchy and it fits the pace of the level well.  Many beat-em-ups tend to have their soundtracks feel repetitive because, as they are paced much slower than most other game types, they tend to have levels that are shorter in size, but longer in duration, so a shorter loop could reasonably become annoying.  Anamanaguchi made songs with nice, long loops to compliment the levels’ length, and the result is one of the best game soundtracks of all time.

My 200 Favorite Video Game Themes - Part 15: The Blue Bomber Takes Over

60.

Squid Adler’s Stage

from Mega Man X-5

Composer: Naoto Tanaka

Capcom; 2000

Mega Man X-5 remains one of my favorite game soundtracks of all time.  There is an intensity there that is simply captivating, and every song is highlighted by a single riff somewhere that makes it just stand out amidst the standard anime-themed video game soundtrack full of rock guitar anthems and 80’s-inspired metal.  Squid Adler’s hook is really the first thirteen or fourteen seconds.  The fast piano riff accompanied by stone-crushing rock chords and powerful drums is just mind-blowing.  It creates so much pressure and pure rock power that it is simply unforgettable, at least for me.  I did not even really play X-5 much, yet the soundtrack still resonates with me.

59.

Besaid Island

from Final Fantasy X-2

Composers: Noriko Matsueda, Takahito Eguchi

SquareEnix; 2003

Here’s another track from the much-derided Final Fantasy X-2.  The sequel’s theme for Yuna’s home island pales in comparison to the original’s but remains a beautifully-executed piano theme on its own.  There is an obvious island inspiration here, and the bluesy piano mixed with a shuffling rhythm section makes for a delightful whole.  There is a lot to love about this theme.  No matter how many times I hear it, it never fails to put a smile on my face.

58.

Aqua Man Theme

from Mega Man 8

Composer: Shusaku Uchiyama

Capcom; 1997

Yet another tune from Mega Man 8, Aqua Man’s theme is a smooth-feeling jazzy groove with a slick bass track and a soft island sound.  Like the Besaid Island theme, the theme song for Aqua Man’s stage is sets a mood that is both relaxing and bright.  However, we know that the stage itself is not all that relaxing.  I find the track a funny contrast to its accompanying level.

57.

Gravity Man Theme

from Mega Man V

Composer: Mari Yamaguchi

Capcom; 1992

Gravity Man’s stage theme has a very sci-fi sound.  It sounds like space, which is a fitting theme for the level it plays over.  Gravity flips as the hero passes specific gates, leaving Mega Man running along the ceiling at times, and the theme creates just the right atmosphere for the stage.  The breakdown has a smooth lead that hums a lead melody that just feels right.  This is another brilliant anthem from a stunning game.

56.

Twin Dragons

from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game

Composers: Anamanaguchi

Ubisoft Montreal; 2010

Twin Dragons is one of the more intense themes from Scott Pilgrim and the talented Anamanaguchi lay out a techno-style rock song with an great synth bridge.  This high-impact tune plays just as good on its own as it does with the game.

55.

Still Alive

from Mirror’s Edge

Composer: Lisa Miskovsky

DICE; 2008

EDITORIAL NOTE:  I accidentally wrote this entry as Portal’s Still Alive, which was an error likely made due to sleep deprivation.  My Mistake.  Hopefully this resolves the problem for any future readers.

Mirror’s Edge is a solid game, and despite a few flaws and some occasionally-frustrating mechanics, is one of the more clever and original titles out there.  The theme song is also great.  I love this tune.  It could easily be construed as a slightly unconventional pick, but Lisa Mikovsky’s Still Alive is a damn-powerful power-pop ballad that fits the tone and feel of the game well.

54.

Charge Man

from Mega Man V

Composer: Mari Yamaguchi

Capcom; 1992

It is Mega Man V again.  Charge Man’s theme is a high-tempo, energetic tune that suits the train theme of the stage, having the rhythm of a steam train.  Imagine the faster pace of a train playing in your head while this song runs.  It is exactly that rhythm.  The brilliance of this alone makes it a classic, but aside from that it is an awesome theme as a whole, where the layers all work and the sound of each part fits perfectly.

53.

Giza Plains

from Final Fantasy XII

Composers: Hitoshi Sakimoto, Nobuo Uematsu

SquareEnix; 2006

Early into the story of Final Fantasy XII, the player, as Vaan, is forced to sidetrack from the core adventure to complete a time sink in a labyrinthine drylands called the Giza Plains.  The player has to travel to several stones and interact with them to fill a gauge.  This part of the game is pointless and only serves to drag out an already long campaign.  I do like Final Fantasy XII, but I hate this segment.  That said, the one and only saving grace to this part is Giza Plains’ theme.  It starts off as a bright, adventurous tune that evolves into an intense action march.  The theme builds and builds, foreshadowing a looming threat.  It is stunning and one of the best songs on one of the best soundtracks of the 2000’s.

52.

Wily Castle I

from Mega Man III

Composers: Yasuaki Fujita, Harumi Fujita

Capcom; 1990

I have already expressed, multiple times, this game’s importance to me.  This theme is part of that.  It brings back a lot of childhood memories of me and my friends passing the controller to once again conquer this classic.  It may seem like a simple, insignificant song in the grand scheme to most, but it has a lot of personal meaning.  Everyone has a song that is solely their own.  It may not be popular, it may not be the best ever, but it is important to them for one reason or another, and this is that tune for me.  That said, I can defend the minor key groove and the nice beat this song boasts as justification for its relatively-high placement on my 200 Favorite themes list.

51.

Forest of Monsters

from Super Castlevania IV

Composers: Masanori Adachi, Taro Kudo

Konami; 1991

Here’s a creepy entry… sort of.  Super Castlevania IV has appeared on this list before and will appear again.  One of my favorite SNES soundtracks hosts a haunting Stage 2 theme.  Opening with a slightly detuned organ and then leading into a strong, lively, well-paced tune where that same organ's background chords accentuate a much brighter and deliberate main riff.  By the time the horn and strings kick in, this song has built up to an undeniable climax. It also features the soundtracks trademark jazz influence, with a breakdown at the end that chops the rhythm to emphasize a smooth trumpet solo. The stage has water that pushes Simon forward, matching the faster pace of the theme.  I really love this tune, so much so that years ago I made a cover on the Playstation version of MTV Music Generator.  It’s a fun track with a lot of life to it.

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140.

Chun-Li’s Theme

from Super Street Fighter IV

Composer: Hideyuki Fukasawa

Capcom; 2010

Another remix from Super Street Fighter IV makes my list.  This time it’s the revision of the classic Street Fighter theme for Chun-Li’s stage.  This version is much more epic and full, with a long loop and a strong presence.  It is definitely among the best updates to classics in Super Street Fighter IV in my opinion.

139.

Skull Man’s Theme

from Mega Man IV

Composer: Minae Fujii

Capcom; 1991

Skull Man’s stage is another flawless example of great Mega Man music.  It blends the energy to match the game’s pace with a strong melodic lead.  The song also has a surprisingly-long loop for an NES Rockman title.  Minae “Ojalin” Fujii, did amazing work on Mega Man IV and, about two decades later, with Mega Man 10, she has cemented a sound that is uniquely her own.  Compare the themes of Bright Man, Dive Man, Dust Man, Ring Man, Skull Man and Tornado Man to the themes from the rest of the series.  She really does have her own voice.

138.

Nesting in the Sands

from Contra III: The Alien Wars

Composer: Miki Higashino, Masanori Adachi, Tappi Iwase

Konami; 1992

Contra III is back and this time it is the Stage 5 theme.  The player is forced to cautiously navigate a twisting overhead landscape full of firebreathing spiders and quicksand conveyor belts.  Stage 5 is essentially a more challenging version of stage 2, similar to stage 4’s relationship to the Base 1 (stage 2) from the first Contra title.  The song fits the level well, with a creepiness that reflects the strange alien-infested environment and enough energy to push the gameplay forward.

137.

Unavoidable Battle

from Final Fantasy Tactics

Composer: Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata

Squaresoft; 1997

Another tense battle theme from Final Fantasy Tactics, Unavoidable Battle is used a few times in the game for scripted, non-boss battles (at least I do not think they were boss battles, but it has been a while).  The theme is powerful, with an epic tone that conveys all of the threat and intensity of a truly amazing fight, even if it is only used for a few minor story skirmishes.  I find this strange, but once again, Sakimoto and company put one of my favorite Final Fantasy XII themes in a single, solitary elevator room.  I cannot say I am surprised that this awesome theme is hidden in a forest of battle music in Tactics.

136.

Wind Man

from Mega Man VI

Composer: Yuko Takehara

Capcom; 1993

This perky, hyperactive theme was a highlight for me in Mega Man 6, in a series that has produced some of the best game music of all time (famously-so), six stands among the weaker of the original series’ soundtracks.  It does not generally have many truly memorable songs.  It is not that they are bad, they just do not live up to the standard of the series.  That said, Wind Man's Stage is a fun theme.  It is one of my favorite Mega Man themes of the NES era, in fact.  

135.

An Old Irish Song

from Suikoden

Composers: Miki Higashino, Hiroshi Tamawari, Tappi Iwase, Hirofumi Taniguchi, Mayuko Kageshita

Konami; 1995

Hey!  Are these composers’ names becoming familiar yet!?  There is a pattern here is what I am saying.  This European-style theme is a soothing and gentle RPG tune.  The Konami sound team really know their stuff and Suikoden was no exception.  Their work in this and all of the other headlining Konami franchises will stand the test of time.

134.

Someday the Dream Will End

from Final Fantasy X

Composers: Nobuo Uematsu, Masashi Hamauzu, Junya Nakano

Squaresoft; 2001

This mournful rendition of Final Fantasy X’s theme song Sudeki da Ne (“Isn’t it Wonderful?”) plays over the final stretch of the summoner Yuna’s pilgrimage through the ruins of the once great Machina city.  The final campfire at the entrance to Zanarkand is filled with sorrow and, the next day, the trek into the ruined city is meant to be a farewell of sorts.  We know now, for certain, that Tidus can never go home, that Yuna is willingly becoming a sacrificial lamb for Spira, and that once this is all over, the Fayth’s dream of Tidus will be end for good (or will it..?).  

133.

Reach for the Moon, Immortal Smoke

from Touhou: Imperishable Night

Compser: ZUN

Team Shanghai Alice; 2004

Touhou returns to the list.  Mouko’s theme from Imperishable Night is an amazing piano song, and like all of the music from this series, it is both imposing and beautiful in its composition.  The melody is simple and memorable and as the song builds until it becomes an anthem, accelerating as the game piles on the intensity.  It is a great tune and one of the most well-known in this cult series.

132.

Waltz for the Moon

from Final Fantasy VIII

Composer: Nobuo Uematsu

Squaresoft; 1999

Uematsu-san did amazing work in Final Fantasy VIII.  It is one of my favorite soundtracks of the series and this theme is one of my favorites in it.  Waltz for the Moon, playing during a cutscene at the SeeD graduation ball… thingy, is an instrumental, classical rendition of the game’s theme song Eyes on Me and, as with Someday the Dream Will End, is superior to the theme because of its use in the game and its overall composition.

131.

The Lost Woods

from Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Composer: Koji Kondo

Nintendo; 1991

Here’s a classic.  For those who do not already know from my favorite video games of all time list, LTTP is my favorite Zelda game.  The Lost Woods theme from this Super Nintendo masterpiece sounds like a walk through an enchanted forest.  It is haunting, spirited and has this almost Celtic charm to it.  The song has become a staple of great video game themes and ranks among the great Koji Kondo’s best work.