VG Soundtrack of the Day 003: FINAL FANTASY TACTICS

I'll bet you thought the first time a game from the FINAL FANTASY series made it into the first, it would be from the mainline series. In truth, one would have, but I decided to subvert expectations. FINAL FANTASY TACTICS may not be a mainline game but some would argue that it eclipses some games in the core series. I wish I could tell you more about TACTICS but the sad fact is, I've only ever clocked about 3 hours into the game. What I can tell you is that the soundtrack for TACTICS rivals music from the prime series. Every time I listen to this soundtrack I'm blown away at just how great it is. I love the militaristic battle themes and the more quiet themes such as Hall of Worship. I don't think there is a single track on this album that I dislike. You've got well over an hours worth of outstanding music with this one.

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS Original Soundtrack (Spotify)

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS Original Soundtrack (YouTube)

VG Soundtrack of the Day Database

Favorite Tunes #279: Return of the Track

I hope you like some SNES saxophone with your boss music because that's one of the many types of tracks we've got for this week's FT. Also, is one of my new favorite Fire Emblem jams. If you've played Three Houses, you might be able to guess which song it is before scrolling down.

Return of the Creature - Super R-Type (SNES)

This game was my introduction to Irem's R-Type series. Thanks to re-releases, I've had the chance to play the original R-Type, R-Type II and R-Type Final on the PS2. Super R-Type, despite having no check points at all, making it arguably a harder game, holds a special place in my heart. Maybe it will pop up on the SNES games on Nintendo Switch Online. This boss jam is an arrangement of the boss themes from R-Type and R-Type II.

Boss - Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge (GB)

Despite being outsourced to a different company, the first Mega Man title on Nintendo's 4-bit handheld turned out to be a solid entry. At six levels, it is on the short side but it still looks and feels like Mega Man. Even the soundtrack is bangin' with a some dope arrangements of music from the first Mega Man. This boss theme, however, is from Mega Man 2. This may be blasphemous to say, but I think I like this version more than the NES version.

Title - Super Bomberman 2 (SNES)

You'd think Konami would put the Hudson IPs they have to more use and re-release a lot of those older games. We saw the likes of Bomberman '93 and '94 re-released on the Wii's Virtual Console service but not a single game in the Super Bomberman series. Really does suck because Super Bomberman 2 along with the original are some of my favorite multiplayer SNES games.

Character Introductions - FINAL FANTASY Tactics (PS)

I have played very little of FFT but I love, love, LOVE this game's soundtrack. It is one of those scores I can listen to over and over again and still be blown away at how amazing it sounds. This game so needs a Switch port.

Snow Theme - Super Mario Maker 2 (NS)

Perhaps it could be my love for the original game, but the SMB style is one of my favorites for designing courses in Super Mario Maker 2. Great as it is to hear the original Ground and Underground themes, I like a lot of the new music that was added for themes that were originally not present in SMB. This theme will make you jolly no matter how cold it gets outside.

Fodlan Winds - Fire Emblem: Tree Houses (NS)

I love a lot of Fire Emblem music but this track has quickly climbed its way to the top of my list of best FE themes. Thankfully, it is included with Byleth's Challenger Pack in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. If that weren't enough, it is the music for the Fire Emblem Theme in Tetris 99.

Favorite Tunes Database

Favorite Tunes #171: Fake Mermaids that are Fake

Did you tune in for the Nintendo Switch Presentation? It had its share of high and low points but I'm even more excited for the system. Some of the games I really, really want aren't available at launch but at least Breath of the Wild will be. The Switch presentation did influence some of my track picks for this week's Favorite Tunes. Enjoy!

Counterfeit Mermaids - Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (Multi)

I just started playing Shantae: Half-Genie Hero and I freaking love it! This is actually my first Shantae game and I'm very pleased to start with this one. Jake Kaufman has never turned in a bad soundtrack and his work on Half-Genie Hero is of exceptional quality. I was temped to listen to the music before starting the game up but I'm glad I waited.

BGM 1 - Super Bomberman 2 (SNES)

There were a total of five Super Bomberman games on the SNES, but only two of them were released outside of Japan. Those two Super Bomberman titles were among some of the most fun I've ever had on Nintendo's 16-bit baby. Regrettably Super Bomberman 2 dropped the two player support that the single player mode offered from the first game, but the multiplayer mode was still excellent.

Pleather for Breakfast - No More Heroes (Wii)

Travis Touchdown is making a return! OK, so the translator completely botched that Suda 51 segment, but hey! Another No More Heroes game! Anyhoo, No More Heroes were some of the best third party offerings on the Wii and the music was to die for.

In Pursuit - Final Fantasy Tactics (PS, PSP)

I'm losing count of how many times I've gushed over this game's glorious music. It is just that dang good. Final Fantasy Tactics is an often praised praised game in spite of having a story that can be quite the convoluted mess while still being intriguing. The deep tactical gameplay system certainly doesn't hurt.

Midna's Lament - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (GCN, Wii, Wii U)

Sassy and bossy, Midna has gone on to become one of the most popular characters in The Legend of Zelda series. Fans were all too excited to play as her in Hyrule Warriors (she is SO good) and she's a cool assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Speaking of which, her very somber theme was included as stage music. Nothing like knocking someone off the stage to this theme.

Fight 1 - Fire Emblem Gaiden (NES)

Fire Emblem Warriors? As in Fire Emblem in the style of Dynasty Warriors? Yes, please! I thought it was a good idea for The Legend of Zelda to take that route, but with Fire Emblem, it is even more fitting. You may be listening to this track and thinking "Hey, I've heard this before!" Yup, this track was arranged for the Super Smash Bros. Wii U score.

Favorite Tunes Database

Favorite Tunes #148: Kirby Gets a Robot

Kirby: Planet Robobot  came out a week ago and I just started playing it and I'm loving it. So in adition to a catchy Kirby theme, I've also included jams from Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Shinobi III and one of the greatest game soundtracks ever, Final Fantasy Tactics.

Patched Plains - Kirby: Planet Robobot (3DS)

Trouble always seems to find Dream Land. This time, the invaders of the the metallic variety. Along with his Copy ability, Kirby can use Robot Armor to give the artificial invaders a taste of their own medicine. Hirokazu Ando returns once again to sever us up some positively splendid Kirby themes. Patched Plains is where Kirby begins his journey to tack back his home and the music that plays here is every bit as bouncy and jovial as you'd expect.

Regi Ruins - Pokken Tournament (Wii U)

If turned based battles aren't you're thing, Pokken Tournament may be the kind of Pokemon battle you can get into. This arena based fighter features some of your favorite Pokemon in stylish, eye popping, jaw dropping combat. Pokken Tournament's soundtrack comes from Tekken series composers so you'd better believe the music is on point.

Ending - Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (GEN)

Guess who turns 25 soon? It seems like we were just celebrating Sonic's 20th anniversary yesterday. It isn't uncommon to hear a lot of fans say Sonic 2 is their favorite Sonic game. Bugs and some odd level design choices here and there aside, it's a good Sonic title but the other games still trump it in lots of areas.

Back Fire - Final Fantasy Tactics (PS, PSP)

I have gushed over Final Fantasy Tactics marvelous soundtrack numerous times in Favorite Tunes. No matter how many times I hear it, it just blows my mind. The music is calm when the mood calls for it and tense during the game's numerous scripted battles. Tactics has so many wonderful battle themes that its tough to pick a favorite but if I ever do manage to make a list, Back Fire will be pretty close to the top.

Mandara - Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (GEN)

There have been some slumps in the series, but Shinobi has certainly fared better than some of SEGA's other franchises. The last Shinobi game was 2011's Shinobi on the 3DS. Characters like NiGHTS wish they were that fortunate. Shinobi III's music does not get the same level of praise that Revenge of Shinobi does. Yuzo Koshiro is a hard man to top, but for what Shinobi III does offer, it is more than admirable.

Mysterious Forest - The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (GB)

I think there's always going to be that Zelda game that's different. Zelda II is the side scrolling one, Skward Sword has sword swinging motion controls and then there's Link's Awakening. No Zelda or Ganon to speak of in this adventure. But there are tons upon tons of cameos from Mario to Yoshi and even Wart. The music is some of the GB's best chiptunes.

Favorite Tunes Database

Favorite Tunes #9: Tutorial Themes

It's important to know how to play a game so we have tutorials. Though not featured in every game, they are far more common in today's mainstream gaming industry. Sometimes these training sessions are quick and to the point. Other times they are drawn out, making us wish we could just start the game already. Tutorial music tends to be overlooked in the world of video game music and that's a real shame because some of my favorite gaming tunes have come from learning how to play a game.

                                   Time to Learn - Kirby Super Star (SNES, DS)

One of the best Kirby games, Kirby Super Star's Time to Learn reminds me of children sitting in a classroom, eager to be taught. Oh, the harsh reality of school. If this tune played in classrooms, I'm positive most kids wouldn't mind being stuck in a desk for hours. For some odd reason, you would be sent to the tutorial in Kirby Super Star whenever you started a new game, regardless of whether you selected yes or no. So there was no way you could miss hearing this delightful tune.

                                            Training - Luigi's Mansion (GCN)

Launching right alongside the GameCube, Luigi's Mansion was an incredibly fun ghost catching game that was unfairly slammed by critics for not being a Mario game. This was the first time a Nintendo system launched and Mario was absent. Luigi's Mansion may not have featured the same platforming exploits that Mario showed off with new Nintendo hardware in the past, but it was not a bad game in the slightest. Most of the music in Luigi's Mansion are creepy horror themes, but there are a few funky tunes thrown in there like the excellent Training theme. You learn everything you need to know about catching ghosts and moving around as this sweet club-like tune plays.

                          chatterbox - Radirgy (Arcade, Dreamcast, GCN, Wii)

When the North American GameCube release of this title was canceled in 2005, it seemed like gamers in the west would never get to experience this shooter. But 2009, saw the release of Ultimate Shooting Collection for the Wii, collecting three of Milestone's shooters, Karous, Chaos Field, and Radirgy (a compilation I need to pick up.) Radigry features some of the most cartoony visuals ever seen in a shoot 'em up and a standout soundtrack by Daisuke Nagata and Kou Hayashi. If I were ever got to introduce myself in front of an audience on camera or in person, this is the music that I would have playing. Not because I'm overly happy and optimistic (because I'm certainly not) but because I think it makes a great intro tune as well as a one for teaching.

                                   Tutorial - Final Fantasy Tactics (PSX, PSP)

What can be said about Final Fantasy Tactics that has not already been said? It has an incredibly deep combat system, memorable characters and a wonderful soundtrack. Composed by Masaharu Iwata and Hitoshi Sakimoto, Final Fantasy Tactics has one of my favorite scores from a video game. The excellent tutorial theme tends to get overlooked in favor of the exceptional battle tracks and more moving themes. It's a very upbeat theme in a game that has a story that can be quite melancholy at times.