VGM Saturdays #290: We Made it to 2021

Give yourself a round of applause. You survived 2020! Holy moly, what a brutal year that was. I would like to say the worst is over but, well, the COVID-19 pandemic is still very much a real threat. I realize you may be sick of hearing about it, but you need to stay safe. Wash your hands, social distance, wear a mask, all that stuff. I tried to go with some celebration music this week. And since Staff Roll themes represent accomplishment, get ready to listen to a lot of those. 

Main Theme of FINAL FANTASY VII [New Remix] - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (NSW)

When Sepiroth was revealed for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, I thought we were only going to get 2 new songs and not a single remix. I couldn't have been more wrong an I'm happy that I was. Sephy came with nine songs, four of which are brand new remixes. The Main Theme of FFVII has long been a huge favorite of mine. This remix is so celebratory and even contains the key change of the original theme. So, so, soooo good.

Staff Roll - Streets of Rage 4 (PS4, XBO, NSW, PC)

Play as old and new characters as well as the original sprite versions of the caste from the Genesis Streets of Rage trilogy. This super late fourth entry did not disappoint an was certainly a high point in 2020 for me. After multiple playthroughs, I'm still jamming out to then soundtrack. 

Staff Roll - Mega Man 2 (NES)

At first it sounds like Mega Man 2's Staff Roll is merely the Title theme being reused. But at the 43 second mark, you hear something new. And just before closing out, it returns to the Title theme.

Staff Roll - Street Fighter II': Special Champion Edition (SGEN)

The Genesis soundtrack of SFII sounds the closest to the CPS-I hardware, though I'm still quite fond of the SNES music. Yes, it is possible to like two things, despite what fanboys of the 16-bit console wars might tell you.

Guided Tour (Credits) - Sonic Mania (PS4, XBO, NSW, PC)

"Best Sonic game ever!" Not a claim I agree with but Sonic Mania is really, really good. The music, which featrures remixes and new tracks by the very talented Tee Lopes is on par with the soundtracks of previous Sonic games. Of course everyone remembers the Stardust Speedway remixes and Press Garden tracks but this credits tune needs more love.

Ending Theme - FINAL FANTASY V (SFC)

FF VII, VIII an IX are great on Switch but can we get some SNES FF games, please? I see you with those Collection of Mana an SaGa games, Square Enix. So how about some Collection of FINAL FANTASY? FFV has been re-released several times but it sounds the best on the SNES or SFC hardware.

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VGM Saturdays #286: Ain't Nothing Like a Funky Beat

This is one of those VGM Saturdays where I give away one of the songs in the subtitle. Some of you may already know the song or game to which I am referring. 

Everybody Jump Around - Jet Set Radio (DC)

Though it was short lived, the SEGA's Dreamcast was some to some truly fantastic games. One that is frequently mentioned is Jet Set Radio, known for it's highly stylish cel-shaded visuals and very distinct soundtrack. Hideki Naganuma did the bulk of song writing for the game but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Richard Jacques fire contribution that is Everybody Jump Around.

Valhalla - Super Valis IV (SNES)

Super Valis IV has one of those underrated soundtracks. I may not even know of the game if it weren't for my dad renting this one back in the day. Castle Vanity is my favorite track from the game but Valhalla is a very close second. The bass is working major overtime in this one.

AIN'T NOTHIN' LIKE A FUNKY BEAT - Lethal League Blaze (PS4, XBO, NSW, PC)

I know nothing of this game. I was listening to music from the Jet Set Radio games while working and this popped up in my recommended tab. So I clicked and fell in love. It sounds like it came right out of a JSR game. The song was even scored by Hideki Naganuma.

Call the Cops - Streets of Rage 4 (PS4, XBO, NSW, PC)

As of stage 2, cops become some of the regular enemies you trade blows with in Streets of Rage 4. The worst of the bunch are packing tasers. Seeing as how the cops are working for the bad guys in this game, I have no qualms about taking a fist or blunt object to their face. Pretty rad how this song makes use of police sirens. 

Sponge Cave Spelunking - Yoshi's Woolly World (Wii U)

Yoshi has been receiving a lot of love over the years. The hungry dino has had an outing on the past 3 Nintendo consoles with latest being Yoshi's Crafted World for the Switch. The previous game, Yoshi's Woolly World was ported to the 3DS. With Wii U games getting a second shot on the vastly more popular Switch, I would so be down to buy Woolly World a third time. 

Harbinger - DOOM 2016 (PC, PS4, XBO, NS)

What could be better than slaying demons? Slaying demons to a banger of a soundtrack, that's what. The madlads at Panic Buttons somehow managed to port this beast of a game over to the Switch. It doesn't run at 60fps, rather 30, but the feat is still impressive. Rip and tear anywhere. 

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VGM Saturdays #282: New Name, Same Game

Favorite Tunes is no more. Say hello to VGM Saturdays! Basically Favorite Tunes under a different name. I considered starting over with a new #1 but too many comic books do that and I like those high numbers I've built up over the years, so the legacy numbers stay. 

The new title also marks the return of me regularly posting my favorite video game music on a weekly basis. The last time I did this was back in February. In the place of it was VGM Soundtrack of the Day, which I did less of when I went back to work and then halted all together. I may revive that feature someday. For now, enjoy VGM Saturdays. Music is now embedded right here on this very page. So just lick the YouTube play button and let the good tunes roll.

Replay - SEGA AGES Virtua Racing (NSW)

Virtua Racing Deluxe, released on the SEGA 32X came with a system exclusive song, Replay. This song was an absolute banger. Well now you can listen to that banger in the sound font of the arcade version of Virtua Racing via the Switch SEGA AGES release. All racing replay music in racing games should use this theme.

1991 - Hotshot Racing (NSW, PS4, XBO, PC)

A racing game clearly inspired by the early '90s polygonal racers. 2020 has sucked so I welcome anything that takes me back in time for a bit. And thankfully, Hotshot Racing plays as great as it looks. The game's soundtrack is very SEGA-esque so you can expect me to pick more tracks from this game in the future. 

USA - Panzer Paladin (NSW, PC)

Mechs, waifus, rad 8-bit style visuals and tons of different weapons to arm yourself with! What more could you ask for? The action is a bit more slow paced but more often than not, you're required to be quick on the controls or be dead. Panzer Paladin's music had me from the intro. USA is a theme that is stuck in my head in part to how many times I played the level (it was tough for me, OK?) and because it is such a good tune.

Garden of Hope - Pikmin 3 (Wii U)

If you missed out on Pikmin 3 (most did due to the system it was on), you're in luck. The game is coming to the Switch at the end of this month under the title Pikmin 3 Deluxe. This song is in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate but I don't think I've ever really paid much attention to it until I played the demo of Pikmin 3 Deluxe. It really is a smooth jam.

Enemy's Arsenal (Mission 2) - Sol-Feace (X68000)

Sol-Feace (Sol-Deace depending on which version and region you played) was released on multiple systems. I first came to know of it from the SEGA Genesis version. I like the soundtrack across all versions but when I'm in the mood for some chiptune Sol-Feace, the X68000 hits the spot. Mission 2 is my favorite track across all versions of the game. 

The Commissioner - Streets of Rage 4 (NSW, PS4, XBO, PC)

Streets of Rage came back with a vengeance. This just might be the SoR to top SoR2. There are new and old characters to play as and since this is a SoR game, of course the music is fire. This is one one of my three favorite boss tracks, the others will pop up in VGM Saturdays all in good time.

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