gaming Why are Arcade-style soundtracks so catchy?

[TheMisterManGuy 344]

Between the Bemani games, Capcom fighters, Sega games, and other similar games from other developers? What is it about arcade game style music that makes it so catchy? I think its because a lot of them are very upbeat and fast-paced. This style of music is really lacking in games today and its kinda sad too, I feel it gives them alot of energy and excitement.

[CC_Maud_Pie 6,431]

I guess it's because most arcade games are fast paced. Who would play a slow song during a fast paced game?

[Megas 27,764]

The style of some arcade games plus a stronger soundchips compared to the likes of the SNES, Genesis, etc

 

Personally the original MvC Soundtrack is one of my favorites

Edited January 2, 2015 by Megas75

[Erethiel 41]

The games usually have less of a story and fewer areas, as a result things like character models, hitboxes, and little things like background and music get worked on more.

Related:G-Darius soundtrack

[Drew 147]

with the older arcades tunes are so catchy is because unlike today's arcades is that audio cards back then were not as strong as the ones today. the guys over at extra credits talk about this as a whole.

 

Edited January 2, 2015 by Drew

[Shanks 10,816]

Because way back in the day because of the limits of technology they couldn't make as many sounds as they can now so they had to do more with less. So they deliberately made the songs so that while they do contain a limited range of notes and chords they are still played in a way to where they have enough variation to where people don't get sick of them. This is actually a very similar technique that a lot of classical music employs actually. During the Baroque Era which predated the Classical Era (before Mozart and Beethoven but during Bach) most songs tended to be polyphonic and extremely complicated but due to changing musical tastes and  the increased demand for easy to play music for amateur musicians music became much more simple during the Classical Era yet was still revolutionary. Chances are if you hear a "classical piece" and it is complicated than it is probably either from the Baroque or Romantic (after classical) Era but if it is relatively catchy like Beethovens 5th or Mozarts Ein Klein Nachtmusik than it is probably Classical.

[Drew 147]

Because way back in the day because of the limits of technology they couldn't make as many sounds as they can now so they had to do more with less. So they deliberately made the songs so that while they do contain a limited range of notes and chords they are still played in a way to where they have enough variation to where people don't get sick of them. This is actually a very similar technique that a lot of classical music employs actually. During the Baroque Era which predated the Classical Era (before Mozart and Beethoven but during Bach) most songs tended to be polyphonic and extremely complicated but due to changing musical tastes and  the increased demand for easy to play music for amateur musicians music became much more simple during the Classical Era yet was still revolutionary. Chances are if you hear a "classical piece" and it is complicated than it is probably either from the Baroque or Romantic (after classical) Era but if it is relatively catchy like Beethovens 5th or Mozarts Ein Klein Nachtmusik than it is probably Classical.

by the looks of it the two of us where thinking the same thing

[whitetiger187 197]

I think it's a Japanese thing (considering most arcade games are Japanese) They tend to pour their hearts into the music of their productions. Look at anime for example.

[Drew 147]

I think it's a Japanese thing (considering most arcade games are Japanese) They tend to pour their hearts into the music of their productions. Look at anime for example.

ya they do. they seem do it with every thing they do.

[Alleviate 342]

I've always found SNES tunes the catchiest, personally. I mean, sure, you've got a full symphony orchestra for some of the tracks on Crysis, but that doesn't beat MMX's stages. All of them had such vibrant, 'bright' music, just like the graphics.