VGM Saturdays Vol. 2. No. 008

Keeping it even this week, we have three songs from games and three arrangements of game tracks that are not in games. 

The Conflict - Romancing SaGa (SFC)

Another week of VGM Saturdays, another track by Kenji Ito. This time we have the standard battle theme from Romancing SaGa. The Romancing SaGa games alone have all kinds of stellar battle themes but even when compared to greats like Beat Them Up!, The Conflict is still a big favorite of mine.

PLAYER SELECT - Art of Fighting 3: Path of the Warrior (ARC)

I haven't touched any of the games in SNK's Art of Fighting series but the soundtracks are not something that is lost on me. Personally, I think Art of Fighting 3 has the best music of the lot. More laid back character select themes, please.

We Ain't Came to Loose - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge (Multi)

The soundtrack to Shredder's Revenge is GODLIKE. Of course they just had to have one of the most baller vocal tracks play when you fight Shredder. Even if rap isn't your thing, you cannot deny that this song is so hot. 

Stickerbrush Symphony - Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (SNES) - Neon X

Donkey Kong Country 2's soundtrack needs no introduction. It is brimming with a plethora of amazing tracks from start to finish. A huge fan favorite is undoubtedly Stickerbrush Symphony, the track that plays during some of the more tense brambled filled levels of the game. I think David Wise would be proud of Neon X's synth fused cover of his classic track.

Sunshine Airport - Mario Kart 8 (Wii U) - Neon X

And here we have another remix from the very talented, synth lover, Neon X. I love Sunshine Airport, both the race track and the song that accompanies it. When I saw this pop up in my recommendations, I had to give it a listen. The addition of a boarding call is a nice touch.

Column Drive - Columns III: Revenge of the Columns (GEN) - amphobius

The first time I heard this song was in Sonic Megamix, a ROM hack of the original Sonic the Hedgehog. I never expected to come across a remix of this one, but once again, I have to thank YouTube's recommended side bar. 

VGM Saturdays Vol. 2 Database

Favorite Tunes #272: Gaming's First Vocal Track Returns!

Favorite Tunes is back again on Saturday? What is this madness?! About a year ago in Favorite Tunes, I posted gaming's very first vocal track. With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate bring Terrry to the roster, that means even more music and among the many, many tracks Mr. Bogard brought with him, a retro style arrangement of gaming's first vocal jam was included.

Psycho Soldier Theme (Psycho Soldier) - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (NS)

Gaming's very first vocal track can be traced back to the 1987 arcade game, Psycho Soldier, which was featured back in Favorite Tunes #246. The arrangement in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate  comes in English and Japaneses flavor and both sound so dang good and have their differences that isn't just confined to the language. I've used the Japanese version so I can save the overseas version for a later Favorite Tunes.

Boss: Hibari - River City Girls (PS4, XBO, NS, PC)

The third boss you'll face in River City Girls, Hibari has some SHMUP elements in her battle and as a huge fan of that genre, that makes her a fun boss to fight. She also has one banger of a chiptune boss theme.

Gym Leader Battle - Pokemon Sword/Shield (NS)

Another year, another controversial Pokemon release. I'm not a big Pokemon fan but even I have to admit that all the drama surrounding this game is tiresome. Ever freaking day I get a recommended video about it on YouTube. At least everyone will more than likely agree that this battle theme is rave-tastic.

GET HIGH [B-Mix] (TRAIN YARD Night Stage) - Art of Fighting 3: The Path of the Warrior (NG)

Having heard more music from the Art of Fighting games after listening to the tracks in Ultimate, I would have loved to see more tracks from those game used for Terry's stage. I think Art of Fighting 3 has my favorite music from the three games. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've replayed this jam.

Town - DRAGON QUEST III: The Seeds of Salvation (NES)

I have heard so many good things about DRAGON QUEST III. Having poured 25 plus hours into the game, I'm thinking that all the positive stuff I've heard is true. Party customization rocks and the soundtrack just might be the best of Erdrick trilogy. The music is updated for the Switch release but even in 8-bit, Koichi Sugiyama's tracks sound phenomenal.

Vambee Church Battle - Brave Fencer Musashi (PS)

The PlayStation era for Square was pretty interesting. Sure, there's FINAL FANTASY VII, VIII and IX, but we also saw a plethroa of other RPGs on the system like Vagrant Story, Parasite Eve and Brave Fencer Musashi, an action RPG often referred to as a Zelda-like game. With Square Enix doing remakes and remasters, what are the odds of us seeing a remaster of this on modern consoles?

Favorite Tunes Database