music Chip's Video Game Music Thread

[Count Paradox 3,548]

Ok, Chip here again. My last music genera post thread didn't do too well, but I think it's because of the fact that not everyone knows what chiptunes are. So... I decided to make something a little broader. Welcome to...

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHIP'S VIDEO GAME MUSIC THREAD!!!!!!

I think that this thread will be a little better, because many people play video games, so, in essence, many people also listen to video game music, and there are remixes and things of video game songs, so if anyone comes across a cool video game song remix, post it in here! Ok, here we go, I'll get us started:

 

Listen and weep.

Edited August 30, 2012 by Jack Skellinghoof

[DashPony 359]

Wow! That song was sad to begin with, but the orchestration makes it so much sadder

 

 

Have some Chrono Trigger

 

[Sepia-chan 495]

Eww, Final Fantasy. Chrono Trigger rocks my socks, though.

Here's some Mega Man stuffs.

-Link revoked due to the dumb media limit.-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns0NSzqnjvA

As well as some Zelda, here, it's dangerous to go alone.

[Carbon 57]

Whenever I think about awesome video game soundtracks, one series immediately springs to mind. Final Fantasy. Some of the best composition ever.

 

[Cherry Blossom 864]

Well I really like the Metal Gear Solid - Encounter OST from the game on the first playstation.

 

http://youtu.be/EovgoaV-Iws

 

 

This one from Shadow of the Colossus is my favorite.

 

 

[The Milkman 186]

I still can't believe this hasn't been posted:

 

 

This song gave me nightmares when i was playing it with my sister.

 

Now a really good one:

 

[FinalGamer 192]

Woah woah woah, hold the phone there buckos.

 

This is a game music thread. This is MY turf now. And I'm gonna throw up a whole buncha ideas at you all.

 

Okay, so, for those of you who are unfamiliar with how videogame music, please allow me to give a bit of boost...while I put on game music. I only have a limit on how many file uploads I can do so I will do a post per generation, if nobody minds <<

 

-----------------

 

http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9fO-YuWPSk

 

Videogame music began as nothing more than ambient sounds back in the genesis of arcade gaming, beginning with the very first game music piece, an actual continuous tune used first time in a game, being that of Rally-X by Namco in 1980. The utilising of larger soundchip technology allowed such capabilities of adding music TO a game to become a more locked-in experience was simply amazing. It was not noted hugely at the time, but with the beginning of little innovation to push forward, most game music was in the form of public domain melodies, usually classical pieces.

 

Frogger however, by Konami in 1981, was a dynamic change so soon for the birth of game music, by allowing 11 different tracks to occur within the game, which at the time was groundbreaking to even include game over and level-starting themes. But beyond that, they were just ditties, nothing amazing you could listen to for ages. Until the home consoles came. in 1982.

 

And then came THIS.

 

http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=4shojwgphFc

 

Home consoles such as the Colecovision and the Atari 2600, were capable of having four sound channels, more than the arcade's which were all about sound before it, allowing the home consoles to bust out an intrinsic melody for each and every game possible without sound having to interrupt over it or fill the channels. The Commodore 64 was even capable of early forms of FILTERING music with wavelength alteration.

 

There was another reason however, as due to the long-ass loading times of loading cartridges, there NEEDED to be music in order to entertain the player. Games such as The Last Ninja, Skate or Die, and International Karate were legendary at the time for making full-on symphonies. At this time, the game music market was dominated enormously by American programmers. But then the Video Game Crash of 1983 happened, destroying the entire industry with its lack of quality control and terribly shoddy productions.

 

And then...there came Nintendo. Two years later.

 

(Also wow, you can't follow up a post of yours with another post? Guess I better wait for somepony else to reply then! Hope you're all enjoying it so far)

Edited August 31, 2012 by FinalGamer

[Rascal 44]

Is it my turn yet? *looks around* Ok i'm just gonna give ya just one song which has two versions

 

 

I love the orchestrated version of Endless Possibilities just as much as the original one but who's to say that the orchestrated version came first?

 

The theme itself is perfect for anypony that has that fiery never give up,never say die personality preferably Rainbow Dash.

Edited August 31, 2012 by Rascal

[FinalGamer 192]

I love the orchestrated version of Endless Possibilities just as much as the original one but who's to say that the orchestrated version came first?

 

The theme itself is perfect for anypony that has that fiery never give up,never say die personality preferably Rainbow Dash.

 

I absolutely agree. I love the fact they make an orchestrated version for the finality of it all. In fact, most Sonic music is like that, it has a very distinctive flair of "never give up and live to the fullest" mentality. It perfectly reflects Sonic, and is also why it can apply very easily to Rainbow Dash and similar other characters.

That and I am an absolute sucker for the kind of electro-rock that Sonic games put out. The music of the games is the only reason I keep following them.

 

And thanks to you posting with your awesome contribution, it's time for me to continue!

 

-----------

 

Part 2! The 16-bit War!

 

Nintendo's revival of the videogame industry came with the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, which now had FIVE channels compared to the previous home consoles' four, allowing a much greater access of uninterrupted music, such as with the main theme of Super Mario Bros.

 

This new fifth channel also allowed PCM sample sound, the now standard form of digital audio in computers to this day, even in blu-ray players! PCM allowed such great ideas like sound bites or as an alternate to percussion sounds, such as that used in Super Mario Bros. 3. Despite the fact that sound did have to utilise the same channels as music, the music would never lose its pace so long as the game was well-programmed.

 

Since then, consoles took a much wider breadth in terms of technology and what they were capable of performing, most significantly the gap between the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and the Super Nintendo. Both sound chips for the consoles were impressive, but they both dealt in different ranges of music.

 

For example, the Mega Drive was much better at performing deep bass sounds, making it perfect for rock music used in games such as Earthworm Jim, Road Rash, and Dynamite Headdy.

 

 

On the other hand, the Super Nintendo had a wider range of pitch, allowing it to create symphonic-style pieces with the range it was offered in a wide selection of games, from StarFox to ActRaiser to Secret of Evermore.

 

 

Neither console was any worse for music, for as long as the programmers were able to work around the sound chip's limitations they could make impressive stuff even out of the most infuriating of games. I've known plenty of games I disliked only to absolutely love the music within, so there has to be others who feel the same way.

Programmers within the span of 10 years became musicians even moreso, and many great talents rose with their names still prevalent today to the point that they now compose music in the traditional way, such as Jeremy Soule, Yoko Shimomura, Koji Kondo and of course Nobuo Uematsu

[Crispy 5,563]

I'll just drop two of my favorite newer chips down here. If you haven't played these games, you are missing out on some amazing work.

 

 

[Veiled Enigma 389]

The Binding of Issac has one of the best soundtracks out of any video game I've played. The songs always work awesomely with what stage/room they're set for.

 

My favorite out of the many great tracks has to be this.

http://youtu.be/ikTwG27I1qc

Edited September 1, 2012 by Veiled Enigma

[DashPony 359]

This song gave me nightmares when i was playing it with my sister.

Same here. Silent hill had some pretty disturbing music, but it was amazing.

 

Secret of Evermore.

Finally! Someone else who knows of Secret of Evermore Jeremy Soule's first major musical work I believe. And one of his best. A lot of people seemed to dislike the game, but I loved it.

 

 

And now for some music

 

http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qalGezr76o

 

 

 

http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=73n7HTcmb5g

[FinalGamer 192]

Finally! Someone else who knows of Secret of Evermore Jeremy Soule's first major musical work I believe. And one of his best. A lot of people seemed to dislike the game, but I loved it.

 

I believe so yes, but he has also been part of the Elder Scrolls series since the beginning, or at least Morrowind if I recall so yes I think Evermore was his first major musical work. He wasn't alone however, as he had his brother Julian along with him too.

 

And now with THAT wonderful poster (who may I say, thank you for bringing up Stickerbrush Symphony <3) time for the third and final part of my mini-thesis!

 

------------

 

Part 3 - Symphonia!

 

As time slowly moved on, videogame technology got more advanced, and soon soundchips became less necessary in the coming of CD-based technology. When all of the data was stored inside a CD, .wav files and all, there was no need to utilise or even require a soundchip at all in consoles around the early 3D era.

 

Especially when you make studio-full recordings, such as this.

 

 

That is a piece by Michael Giacchino, from the Sega-CD/PS1 port of Mickey Mania. Now a movie composer for films such as UP and Mission Impossible 3, he started in the game music business and is credited along with Bill Broughton as the first person to bring orchestra-style renditions to videogame music. Bill Broughton started with Heart of Darkness. Giacchino's first true symphonic piece was two weeks apart with The Lost World PS1 game.

 

This caused a dramatic change in videogame music history, the very notion of using ORCHESTRAS for videogames was absurd, but NOT impossible as we all know well. It only became a rapid upshoot from then on, to the point that almost every best-selling game has an orchestra SOMEWHERE in its masses, from Super Mario Galaxy to Final Fantasy XIII.

 

If anything it's more unusual for videogames to not use an orchestra, and entirely rely either on a very skilled individual, or a small studio of musicians such as Wavemaster Inc. But even in this day and age, videogame music is not JUST something that can be made awesome by the big companies. Sometimes the smaller game makers can pull out some amazing stuff, courtesy of some amazing composers. Look no further than the soundtracks of games like The Binding of Isaac, composed by OC Remixer Danny Baranowsky.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikTwG27I1qc

 

That's from a Steam game, that costs like $6. That is the kind of stuff you'd expect from a console game, a full-priced one. And it is awesomely epic. Even more, videogame music has become a surprisingly lucrative business, where many up-and-coming musicians find work purely from making renditions without profit, and become full-time professionals.

 

Capcom once asked an entire TEAM of such young talents to make an entire remix album for their remake of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Edition, courtesy of OC Remix. In fact, OC Remix are the largest and best site to find such talented people, and not just for game musicians either! I'll bring out my super special surprise in a very short next post that will blow your minds. Let's just say...ponies are involved.

 

EDIT! It appears that Veiled Enigma has somehow read my mind on the awesomeness of The Binding of Isaac! Damn you sir, but good taste nevertheless! I shall not change the song choice however because it is just TOO good and it helps emphasise my point that great game music can come from anywhere.

 

And Crispy has made a VERY good addition that makes me ponder on yet ANOTHER point of gaming music that comes up now.

Edited September 1, 2012 by FinalGamer

[Crispy 5,563]

I'm going to keep hitting this thread with things.

 

 

I love this boss theme. Really sets the tone for the early Super Meat Boy player. Too bad once you're good at the game, you'll breeze by this boss too quickly to listen to the song properly.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tyyj4U3Jcs

 

Shining Force was a great game and you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't play it.

[FinalGamer 192]

Epilogue - The Chips Fall Into Place

 

So we came this far. And videogame music is receiving the biggest-ass studio treatments it's ever getting. And yet despite the amazing productive range of videogame music ranging from full-blown orchestras at Video Games Lives, to small one-man maestros from Youtube to OC Remix, you'll even find some masters right inbetween who take on a different route.

A route you can call...retraux.

See, some people actually MISS hearing that old wonderful chiptune sound, back when videogame music really WAS just videogame music, that could only be found ON videogame consoles.

 

You can hear jazz or rock or folk anywhere else in the world, but back in the day, videogame music was unique in its presentation from those sound chips of long ago. And then there are some people who choose to honour that. Crispy has provided a wonderful choice with Flashygoodness' work on Tower of Heaven, but there are other greats such as Daisuke Amaya of Cave Story, and even more rarely, some OFFICIAL work from those like the musicians of Mega Man 10.

 

 

See, that could easily have come from the NES, no problem. But this was a game made a few years ago! Tremendous attention to detail as an homage to the good old days of beeps and boops, all sounding so innocent to cluster together with the most wonderful of sounds. And of course, that doesn't stop people from going the OTHER way, bringing old music back to the modern world and updating it with something tremendous.

 

------YOU MIGHT WANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS SONG DOWN BELOW SRSLY-------

 

That is after all the point of remixes that no doubt you all have heard PLENTY of. So here's an example for you all. This is a remix of Jenova's theme from Final Fantasy VII, by a guy called Spekkosaurus.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=A74Z8eoDAZI

 

Some of you MIGHT recognise the name Steffan Andrews. Guess what he's doing now?

 

He's now a composer at Studio B...for My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

 

So you see, videogame music has spread so far from its roots, from becoming such a small piece of coding to become a symphonic overture that has not only brought many people into loving music, but has also allowed young budding musicians to reach OUT to greater careers, from Michael Giacchino to Steffan Andrews. And that is why videogame music...is awesome.

Edited September 1, 2012 by FinalGamer

[DashPony 359]

Shining Force was a great game and you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't play it.

Yes! Shining Force was an amazing game. Extremely difficult, but one of the best RPGs out there

 

Some of you MIGHT recognise the name Steffan Andrews. Guess what he's doing now? He's now a composer at Studio B...for My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

That just blew my mind I had been listening to his songs on OC Remix for years, but never made the connection that's it's the same Steffan Andrews from MLP

 

 

 

This song is incredible. Unfortunately the game wasn't nearly as good as Chrono Trigger, but man...the music was beautiful

 

http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV-FvxoR1PQ

[Crispy 5,563]

Yes! Shining Force was an amazing game. Extremely difficult, but one of the best RPGs out there

 

Really? I thought it was pretty easy... but then, I've played it so many times that it's pure memory now. *shrug*

 

Back on topic... this is a super simple chip, but I think it's one of the best.

 

[FinalGamer 192]

That just blew my mind I had been listening to his songs on OC Remix for years, but never made the connection that's it's the same Steffan Andrews from MLP

 

 

 

This song is incredible. Unfortunately the game wasn't nearly as good as Chrono Trigger, but man...the music was beautiful

 

Oh? Did I just blow your mind? Oh and you just had to bring up Chrono Trigger as well didn't you?

 

Well guess what. Steffan Andrews? He. ALSO. DID. ...a Chrono Trigger OC Remix.

 

and...I'm going to tell you now.

 

As a Scotsman...I literally weeped with joy at this.

 

 

Not even joking. I love this man now.

[DashPony 359]

Really? I thought it was pretty easy... but then, I've played it so many times that it's pure memory now. *shrug*

 

I only played through it twice, and that was when I was a kid. That's probably why I had trouble with it Maybe I should unpack my Genesis and play through it again....

Oh? Did I just blow your mind? Oh and you just had to bring up Chrono Trigger as well didn't you?

 

Well guess what. Steffan Andrews? He. ALSO. DID. ...a Chrono Trigger OC Remix.

 

and...I'm going to tell you now.

 

As a Scotsman...I literally weeped with joy at this.

 

Not even joking. I love this man now.

 

 

Yep! I heard that one a while back. It's one of my favorite remixes of his

 

 

I wonder how many people will remember this game.....

 

http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSlCBmL9ZwE

[FinalGamer 192]

I wonder how many people will remember this game.....

 

I think more people know OF it rather than have played it. I know I am one of them since Final Fantasies 1-6 were never released in Europe. Yep, we started on FF7.

 

Now I'm going to blow everyone's mind with some incredible faux-70s rock from a very VERY recent game that you all have to hear. Do you folks like 70s rock!?

 

YOU WILL NOW

 

[Crispy 5,563]

You know what game has a fantastic soundtrack, is sorta recent, and has nothing to do with chiptunes like my other posts?

 

 

Let that wash over you.

[FinalGamer 192]

You know what game has a fantastic soundtrack, is sorta recent, and has nothing to do with chiptunes like my other posts?

 

Yes.

 

Yes you gorgeous man yes. ...also Jet Set Radio is coming out on Xbox Live and PSN in September so buy dat shit yo.

 

But seriously, Jet Set Radio has a pretty fantastic soundtrack, both of them being pretty crazy mixed up soundtracks of sweet street beats.

 

I'm gonna just push up my personal fave from the games.

 

 

A sweet funky song that was only available on the PAL version of the game. Jet Set Radio HD coming out soon will have BOTH NTSC and PAL soundtracks together <3

[Crispy 5,563]

Yes.

 

Yes you gorgeous man yes. ...also Jet Set Radio is coming out on Xbox Live and PSN in September so buy dat shit yo.

 

I never had a Dreamcast, so I never got to play this. It will be mine the day it comes out! I really hope they make a sequel to Future, it was one of the best games on the original Xbox.

[FinalGamer 192]

I never had a Dreamcast, so I never got to play this. It will be mine the day it comes out! I really hope they make a sequel to Future, it was one of the best games on the original Xbox.

 

SO IT SHALL BE DONE. It comes out September 19th in Europe, or was it worldwide? Not sure, you'll have to check it up yourself.

 

And then we can...graffiti ponies.

 

Ponies everywhere.

 

(hopefully, not sure how the graffiti uploader will work for this)

[Crispy 5,563]

(hopefully, not sure how the graffiti uploader will work for this)

 

Someone will make it work. The Internet will find a way. It always does.

 

Another favorite game soundtrack of mine comes from the N64.