Favorite Gaming Music #38: Catherine - Revolutionary Etude

Admittedly, I haven't played this game, but would love to.  My knowledge of the game is basically through watching other people stream the game and it looks fun as hell.  Being as it came from Atlus, the same company that made Shin Megami Tensei, I'll definitely play the game in the future.  I like my puzzle games.  I have been listening to the soundtrack for this game lately on repeat.  If there's one song that I would pick out it would be "Revolutionary Etude."  The Catherine Sound Disc came in the Deluxe Edition of the game with a pair of boxers worn by the main character, a shirt, and an artbook.  The album was created by Shoji Meguro.  To my knowledge, the album is a remix of classical music.  "Revolutionary Etude" was done by Frédéric Chopin.  Also known as the "Etude of the Bombardment of Warsaw," the song came about during the November Uprising, which was Poland's failed revolution against Russia.  I find that this piece is one of the better ones on the album although all of them are good.  I would also go back to Chopin's original Revolutionary Etude, which is Etude Op. 10, No. 12.

Catherine

Chopin

Favorite Gaming Music #37: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES) - Underwater

When I bought this game, it was basically around the time when I was completely hyped for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the late 1980s.  It was one of the coolest things going on around that time.  This game plays completely different than pretty much all of the other games in the series.  This game was developed by Ultra Games and was a platformer unlike the arcade style beat 'em ups that you see in the sequels.  Admittedly, I had more fun playing the arcade games with complete strangers at a local Pizza Hut compared to this game, but I had fun with this game nonetheless.  One of the more memorable stages is Stage 2 which was the Hudson Dam and when you have to go through the underwater section of the game.  I grabbed the theme mainly because it is pretty soothing for a section that is supposedly rather tense.  In this section, if memory serves me, you had to disarm eight bombs in 2:20 while swimming through areas of electric seaweed and electric zappers.  It's pretty funny when watching a first timer do it and get to the end of the disarming section only to realize that he/she forgot a bomb.  Although a lot of people hated this section, I found it pretty fun.

Favorite Gaming Music #36: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening – Tal Tal Heights

This was a Zelda game that I had been putting off for some time.  I remember the times when my friend would say that this is the best Zelda game he has played.  This game is pretty fun.  This Zelda game in particular takes place on Koholint Island as Link is making his way back to Hyrule following the events of Oracle of Ages/Seasons, according to Hyrule Historia, in the timeline that Link is defeated by Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time.  The purpose of the game is to wake up the Wind Fish so Link can get off the island.  The game itself can go by quickly if you are any bit of a seasoned Zelda player.  About midway through the game, Link approaches Tal Tal Heights and it has one of the better themes in the game.  I could just leave Link idle in Tal Tal Heights all day.

Favorite Gaming Music #35: Final Fantasy VIII - Eyes on Me

To be forthcoming, Final Fantasy VIII is not a favorite Final Fantasy of mine.  In fact, it's in my bottom 5 even below Final Fantasy X-2, which is an entirely different issue altogether.  Two of the things that bugged me about this game is gameplay and story of which both are paramount to me in liking a game.  Although I didn't particularly like either, it did have good music.  Aside from "Liberi Fatali," the other song that comes to my mind is "Eyes on Me" by Faye Wong.  "Eyes on Me" is essentially the theme song of Final Fantasy VIII since it primarily revolves around the relationship between Squall and Rinoa.  The song itself is pretty good given the context in which it is used with the budding romance between our aforementioned heroes.  The music is one of the reasons I will probably play this game again at some point.  It may not be a favorite of mine, but it's not trash.  Part of my motivation would be to make sense of the story again, which went over my head...

Favorite Gaming Music #34: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - Vampire Killer (Rock version)

I'll be honest and say that I haven't beaten many Castlevania games.  If anything, they're not until at the very least in the Saturn/Playstation generation.  Just because I've only beaten a handful of these games, it does not mean that I don't recognize Vampire Killer from Castlevania.  If I remember correctly, it's the first stage music in Castlevania.  As iconic as the original theme is, I can't help but jam to the Saturn rock version of the song.  I just myself nodding to it as if in acknowledgement that this version is dope.  If there's one thing about the Saturn version of the game, it's that the Playstation doesn't have the Goth or Rock version of Vampire Killer.  (This is to my knowledge.)  Eventually, I'll try to find some time and grind out some Castlevania games to finish.  Until then, I'll just keep listening to this theme.

Favorite Gaming Music #33: Mario Kart: Double Dash!! - Rainbow Road

Of all the versions of Mario Kart, this is probably the one I'm the best at.  I've put a lot of time into this game.  It just so happens that when I was listening to the various versions of Rainbow Road that played throughout the years, this happens to be my favorite of them all.  I've had a lot of memories playing this game with friends.  Rainbow Road was always a disaster for them as they were so prone to falling into space.  Despite the stages being so long, I would lap them often.  Is it the best Mario Kart game overall?  It's between this and the SNES version for me, but that doesn't change the fact that this version of Rainbow Road gameplay and music is the best for me.

Favorite Gaming Music #32: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - Can't Say Goodbye to Yesterday

Although it may be the least favorite game to me in the Metal Gear Solid series (it's still a good game regardless), it has the best ending theme possibly.  It's unfortunate that the singer, Carla White, died five years due to cancer.  She does a wonderful rendition of "Can't Say Goodbye to Yesterday" that nobody can possibly match ever.  According to the Metal Gear wiki, it was conducted and played by Felix Farrar Orchestra.  If there's one thing you can never fault the Metal Gear Solid series for, it's the music.  They put a ton of work into the music employing composers such as Harry Gregson-Williams.  In my opinion, if there's any song that stands out from the Metal Gear Solid 2 soundtrack, it has to be this one.

Favorite Gaming Music #31: Mega Man VII - Intro Stage

This game along with Mega Man VIII may be considered the black sheep of the original series as neither game were 8-bit or on the NES.  The Mega Man VII Intro Stage theme gets you so hyped to start playing the game despite its really long opening sequence.  It's about a full two minutes before you get to do anything in the game.  Personally, I liked Mega Man VII a lot more than its predecessor Mega Man VI.  Mega Man VI felt lazy and the robot masters were uninteresting.  It was a step down from Mega Man V.  Mega Man VII felt like a breath of fresh air and a renewal of sorts for the series on the SNES.  Love the intro theme.

Favorite Gaming Music #30: Tales of the Abyss – Opening

I don't know why I had a long hiatus.  There's no real excuse.

Anyway, I love the Tales series.  I love the OP to Tales of the Abyss.  Fortunately, it was reused for the Tales of the Abyss anime series.  The song is actually "Karma" by Bump of Chicken.   I would love to play this game again sometime.  It's such a huge time investment.  It's strange how I managed to play through the game twice despite its length with both playthroughs I've done going over 50+ hours.  The gameplay is great.  Although I wouldn't consider it the best of the Tales series, it isn't a bad game.

Favorite Gaming Music #29: Twinkle Star Sprites - La Petite Princesse - Love me (Lovely mix)

After a brief hiatus, I have come back to continue my list.  Strangely enough, I was reminded of arcade shooter called "Twinkle Star Sprites" when I was chillin' and watching UFGT7.  It is very animeish and kinda reminds me of a cross between 1942 and Tetris Attack.  I love the concept of clearing your side and basically put trash on your opponent's side to kill them off.  Of the few times I used to play, this game was ridiculously addicting and incredibly fun.  I just wish there was a release for North America.  At the very least, I wish there was an arcade machine nearby with this game in it.  I would totally dump a lot of quarters into it.  This song entitled "Love me (Lovely mix)" encompasses the fun, cheery nature of the game.  It's very upbeat and totally gels well with my tastes and sensibilities.  I would like to play this game right now actually.  So many good memories with this game.

Favorite Gaming Music #28: DuckTales - The Moon

Listening to the theme music for this stage, it is no wonder why I like this song so much.  Looking at who developed the game, it all made sense.  Capcom developed the game and it is no wonder why I had this feeling that the music was very MegaMan-ish.  How can you go wrong with one of the greatest animated series of all time and one of the greatest video game developers of all time combining to make a great game?  This was one of the first games that I know that I became a completionist on.  I distinctly remember having to collect all the treasures in the game.  It made me feel accomplished.  It's been a while since I played this game, but I do remember "The Moon" theme.  I think the only song that could even rival this stage music is the opening to the animated series.  "Life is like a hurricane..."

Favorite Gaming Music #27: WarioWare: Touched! - Ashley's Song

My first experience with the WarioWare series was actually WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! for the Game Boy Advance.  It was a nice concept playing a game with many levels each containing various minigames. I have played WarioWare Touched! and WarioWare: Smooth Moves as well.  If I had to pick favorite characters from the series, I would have a problem choosing among the following characters: Ashley, Mona, and Kat & Ana.  However, choosing a favorite song among their stages is easy.  "Ashley's Song" by far!  I do like the updated version of the song that they played in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but I prefer the original version that aired in WarioWare: Touched! so much more.  Being a witch, the original version makes her sound more younger and melancholy.  In comparison, the Brawl version makes her sound like a teen and far less melancholy.  If you don't like this song, she'll turn you into a spoon.

Favorite Gaming Music #26: NiGHTS into Dreams... - Dreams Dreams

This is another one of those games that I was very bad at and still loved playing it.  My first encounter of NiGHTS into Dreams... was in middle school.  I played it at a friend's house and played it a considerable amount to the point of addiction.  I guess I was amazed with how fluid the game was.  I believe it was also my first encounter with a 32-bit system.  Although I was more than content with my SNES, I did enjoy playing the Sega Saturn a lot.  I fall along with many other Saturn players that enjoyed two games in particular for the system.  These games were NiGHTS into Dreams... and Panzer Dragoon Saga.  For the moment, we will talk about NiGHTS into Dreams...  There is one song that came to mind and it was "Dreams Dreams."  It stuck in my mind because of the two versions of the song that existed - the kids and the adult versions.  Listening to it now, I admit that it does sound kinda cheesy, but it remains quite nostalgic.  If I had to pick between the two versions currently, I would barely choose the adult version.  While the kids version does sound cute, it bothers me somewhat.  I can't really pinpoint why.  I guess the adult version sounds more solid.

Favorite Gaming Music #25: Kingdom Hearts - Dearly Beloved

I've been noticing my string of upbeat music lately.  I'll try to slow it down a bit and here we are with another intro theme.  This is "Dearly Beloved" from the Disney-Square crossover game, Kingdom Hearts.  This theme by Yoko Shimomura is so soothing that it makes you want to chill.  How can you not be at ease listening to this?  From front to back, the Kingdom Hearts franchise always possessed a great soundtrack.  In my opinion, this is the best version of "Dearly Beloved" in the series.  The Kingdom Hearts II version comes close, but I'm sticking with the original.  More Kingdom Hearts music will be in the future; in particular, "Simple and Clean"/"Hikari" and "Passion"/"Sanctuary".

Favorite Gaming Music #24: Dance Dance Revolution 2ndMix - STOMP TO MY BEAT (by JS-16)

Back in the early 2000s, I did play some Dance Dance Revolution (DDR).  I was never good at it, but it was a fun game to play with others.  Before the hype of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, this was the game that you had to play with friends.  The problem was always finding friends to play it with.  The case will either be that they wouldn't be caught dead playing it or that they would rather do some real dancing.  This is similar to Guitar Hero and Rock Band in terms of people's viewpoints of these games.  "Why don't you play a real instrument?" is what many would say.  Personally, I don't care.  I have fun playing it and it's all that matters.  Now, I chose "STOMP TO MY BEAT" primarily because I love this song and it was weird the first time I heard it outside of the game.  Listening to the radio, I identified this as "Hey, isn't it that DDR song?"  It was very popular at the time and I began to wonder if more of those songs would eventually make it onto the radio.  To my knowledge, I don't believe any more had.  Definitely a great party song!  I'm sure it was played a lot in clubs.

I had to debate whether I wanted to put mainstream songs into this list because I could number off a bunch of Guitar Hero and Rock Band songs by Modest Mouse, Aerosmith, and so on.  I will limit myself to songs that weren't done by extremely popular mainstream artists.  Expect more DDR songs in the future.  I have tons from the multitude of mixes out there.  For the purposes of this blog, I linked to the full version of the song.

Favorite Gaming Music #23: Halo - Rock Anthem for Saving the World

I had to figure out a song to pick an Xbox game, so I picked the quintessential Xbox game, Halo.  "Rock Anthem for Saving the World" usually occurs, if memory serves me, when you are in the open areas, driving the Warthog.  I love how upbeat it is.  I could have very well picked the main theme too because of the haunting allure it brings.  I choose this, however, because when I envision Halo, it's killing aliens and nothing fits better than this song.

Favorite Gaming Music #22: Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land - Butter Building

I haven't played too many Kirby games, but I remember blasting through this game in particular.  Kirby games are always fun.  Who doesn't enjoy sucking up enemies and stealing their powers?  My experience with the game itself was when my friend and I were sitting in the theater waiting for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers to start playing.  We went to a midnight showing and came early to claim our seats because it was opening day.  We came really early and he let me play the game.  I totally blazed through it. It was simple, but really fun.  Kirby games always have this fun musical vibe to it.  If I had to pick a song from the game to exemplify this, then look no further than "Butter Building."

Favorite Gaming Music #21: Street Fighter II - Guile's Theme

I have to give in to the theme that goes with everything.  Who knew a track that can appear to be so simple sound good?  Street Fighter II is the quintessential fighting game and a lot of the stage music is great, but I'll go with this one for now.  It's hard to choose any single song from this game, but Guile's theme wins out.  It goes with everything and apparently it goes with this blog as well.  It should make you go home and be a family man.  Hehe!

Favorite Gaming Music #20: Trauma Center: Under The Knife 2 - Encroaching Shadows

This is definitely my favorite song in the Trauma Center series.  "Encroaching Shadows" as a YouTube commenter posted gives it a "sense of urgency" to your actions.  Playing the role of a doctor in the game, it urges you to act swiftly to save the patient's life in the most dire circumstances.  I could not agree more.  Just listening to it right now, I envision the many times I had to save my patients from the various forms of GUILT.  Not only do you have to combat what's in front of you, but there is also a time limit on top of that.  It is one of the best series on the Nintendo DS and fully utilizes the stylus in a very intuitive way.  Definitely worth a try for any DS owner!

Favorite Gaming Music #19: Portal - Still Alive

It's not April 19, 2011.  It's actually the day before the release date of Portal 2, April 18, 2011.  In commemoration of the early release of Portal 2, it is only right to post Portal's "Still Alive" early as well.  Being a puzzle game where you basically shoot portals so you can navigate a stage may not sound enticing to some, but it was a whole lot of fun.  It did manage to spout out a meme about cake which can be annoying depending on which side of the fence you are on.  The draw of the song is mainly from the humorousness of the lyrics and the great singing of the voice actor, Ellen McLain.  A lot of credit should also go to Jonathon Coulton for writing the song as well.  In my opinion, he has a lot of great geeky music and I listen to him every once in a while.  Oddly enough, you will never find this song in Portal unless you beat the game and title implies that something is "still alive."  That implication possibly helped along the prospects of Portal 2 coming to be.  Definitely a great end song if I ever heard one.  DO NOT WATCH THE VIDEO unless you want to play the game.  It contains massive spoilers for the game.