Favorite Tunes #200: Towards Another 200

Well, here we are, Favorite Tunes numero 200. Back when I was still trying to decided the direction I wanted my blog to take, I think I always knew in the back of my mind that video game music would play a large part in it. Heck, the name of my blog comes from a self compiled compilation album that I never got around to putting together. My love for video game music and video games in general is why I continue to do this. Originally, Favorite Tunes would consist of ten tracks per post to make things easier on myself, I trimmed it down to six. For special occasions like this one, however, I crank the number back up to what it was originally. So here are 10, count 'em 10 video game jams that range all across the board.

Undertale - Undertale (PC, PS4)

Undertale is another example of a worthwhile Kickstarter. This RPG is loaded with characters that burst with personality and turned based battles that are really fun. The soundtrack is a mix of modern and chiptune music, the later which uses multiple sound fonts from games like Mega Man X and Final Fantasy VI. The game's main theme, Undertale, is arranged many times over throughout the game and it never gets old.

Threatin' Zepplin - Cuphead (PC, XBO)

For a mere $20, you can own one of the most gorgeous, punishing, boss filled, run & gun games on your PC or Xbox One. (I'm really hopping this baby comes to other consoles). Cuphead is a living cartoon with a fantastic old timey jazz soundtrack. Sonic Mania, you've got some competition  for game soundtrack of the year because I loooooove jazz.

Super Sonic - Sonic Mania (PS4, XBO, NS, PC)

Wallpaper by NuryRush

Speak of the devil. (Heh). I have played through Sonic Mania numerous times since it released. While it isn't my favorite Sonic game (Sonic 3 & Knuckles still holds that title), it is an superb effort and joins the ranks of one of my favorites. One of the issues for console versions of Sonic Mania was that it lacked a button for super form transformations. Depending on the character you are and where you're at, accidentally triggering your super form could get you killed. This, thankully is no longer an issue. As much as I love Sonic 3 & Knuckles, it sucks that the super music is nothing but the short looping invincibility music. Sonic Mania has a whaling guitar arrangement of the game's main theme that is so dang good that I don't mind it replacing the normal background music.

Rito Village (Day) - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U, NS)

Music from Breath of the Wild has appeared many times in Favorite Tunes this year. The soundtrack may be more subdued compared to other games in the series but it still stands out in my mind. Players that arrived in Rito Village were met with a wave of nostalgia rushing over theme. The theme for Rito Village an arrangement of Dragon Roost Island from Wind Waker, a big fan favorite theme. The Night variation is cool but for me, make mine all Day every day.

Moon Song - Cave Story (NS)

The Switch version of Cave Story is the latest release in the game's 13 year history. It comes with all the features from Cave Story+ and a new arranged soundtrack by RushJet1, which is pretty rad, I must say. Moon Song is sad, yet beautifully soothing song that plays as you make you way up the Outer Wall, making it an area in the game you won't forget.

Mission 2 (Cilius Moon Weapon Factory) - Sol-Deace (GEN)

Released on other platforms such as the Sharp X68000 and the Sega CD under the original title Sol-Feace, the Genesis version was the first time I'd ever heard of this game. I saw a complete copy and the box art intrigued me. Without knowing anything about the game, I picked it up and was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't anything ground breaking, but I was just glad I didn't walk out with a turd. What might surprise you if you've never heard of this game is that the soundtrack is done by the man that is mainly known for his work on Bandai Namco's Tales series, Motoi Sakuraba. Even on the Genesis version of this game's score is freaking awesome.

Daddy Mulk (Stage 1, 6) - The Ninja Warriors (ARC)

Fed up with the awful state the president has put the world in, Mulk builds to android ninjas and sends them out to end his existence. For years, the best version of the original Ninja Warriors was the Sega CD version, which was not only on a platform that not many owned, but this version also stayed in Japan. Hamster recently released The Ninja Warriors under the Arcade Archives line, which perfectly recaptures the original game's three screen format. If you want to play this game without coughing up a huge chunk of change for arcade cabinet or resorting to MAME, $7.99 on the PSN store can't be beat. Daddy Mulk is still one of the best first level songs, like, ever.

Step Into It! - Strider Hiryu (ARC)

He may be one of the many inaccurate representations of a Ninja, but Strider is still freaking cool. That sick scarf, that awesome blade and that astoundingly good stage one theme! Cows that are holy, it is SO good! CPS I soundtracks may sound a bit rough compared to CPS II soundtracks but Capcom's sound team was well versed in composing memorable scores. When one thinks of Strider, this is the theme that comes to mind.

Mute City - F-ZERO (Arranged album version)

You remember F-ZERO, don't you? It's that killer futuristic racing series that Nintendo refuses to bring back because Shigeru Miyamoto can't think of a new way for us to control Captain Falcon and company's racing machines. This particular arrangement of Mute City comes from a very old album titled, F-ZERO, a soundtrack that was released only in Japan with jazzy arrangements of all of the track themes. If you ever wanted proof that the Land of the Rising Sun gets all the cool stuff, well, here ya go.

Tea With Ellie - For Cyan City Act 1 - Sonic After the Sequel (PC)

If you have not played Sonic After the Sequel, well, first play Sonic Before the Sequel, then play After the Sequel. These are both excellent fan games with amazing soundtracks on par with official Sonic titles. This past August a DX version for After the Sequel was released with some improvements among them being the Drop Dash that was used in Sonic Mania. Falk was one of the composers for both Before and After the Sequel and I'd love to see him compose some tunes for an official Sonic game someday. This track in particular is one that I listen to on repeat. I love how the second loop of this song mixes things up a bit.

Favorite Tunes Database