Favorite Tunes #43: Girls Bravo

No, this isn't focusing on the anime series. This Favorite Tunes is a tribute to some of the girls in gaming. Female characters whether they be main characters or side characters are taking center stage. Step aside, gents. This one's for the girls. Of course if you like good game music, you're more than welcome to stick around and listen. I encourage that, really.

Turnabout Sisters Theme 2001 - Phoenix Write Ace Attorney (DS ver.)

Originally released for the GBA along with it's two sequels, Phoenix Write Ace Attorney was later ported to the DS where it received some nifty upgrades such as making excellent use of the DS touch screen and enhanced audio. I was quickly won over by the game's touch controls, writing and endearing characters.

Sakura Stage - Street Fighter Alpha 2 (ARC, PS, SAT)

I don't wanna live in a world where Sakura isn't part of the Street Fighter universe. This spunky teen has been a fan favorite since her debut in Street Fighter Alpha 2. Self taught, Sakura has always been a big admirer of Ryu and has imitated many of his signature moves. Sakura's theme seems to represent her highly energetic, optimistic nature.

Princess Zelda's Rescue - The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES, GBA)

OK so the title of this theme kinda makes Zelda seem like a damsel in distress and in a great deal of earlier games she was, but later installments saw her become more of an action girl. This lovely music would go on to be a reoccurring piece of music in the Zelda series and it sounds good in a lot of later games, but there's just something special about the original.

Celes Theme - Final Fantasy VI (SNES, PS, GBA)

This former general of the Gesthalian Empire has so many great character scenes. Her interaction with Locke, the Opera, her attempt at suicide in a world where she truly believes she's alone, there's so much to like about Celes, including her musical theme. Of all fourteen Final Fantasy characters, she's the only one to be introduced without her theme playing. You don't hear it until Locke tries to reconnect with Celes when she's deeply hurt because he thought she had betrayed him.

Lenna's Theme - Final Fantasy V (SNES, PS, GBA)

Final Fantasy V had not one, not two, but three, count 'em three female protagonists. The first one the game introduces you to, Lenna really loves animals. She loves them so much that she has no qualms about putting her own life in danger just to save them. In fact she eats a poisonous plant just to convince a Wind Drake to eat it so it'll get better. Lenna, I love you and all, but that's being a little too dedicated to your cause.

Morning Field  - Tekken 2 (PS Arrange ver.)

When Tekken 2 was ported to the PlaySation Namco included some nice bonuses such as additional characters and the option to play with the arcade soundtrack or the PS exclusive arranged soundtrack. The arcade version's music is really good but whenever I played Tekken 2, I would always opt for the PS arranged soundtrack. It's just so amazingly awesome on so many levels. This soul soothing theme belongs to Jun Kazama.

Theme of Samus Aran, Space Warrior - Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)

When you're introduced to Samus in the Subspace Emissary mode, she's in her Zero Suit, having her Power suit taken away, presumably by the R.O.B drones. When she gets it back, her first order of business is to blast a ton of R.O.B drones into nothing off screen as an arranged version of her theme tune plays. Awww, yeah. Space pirates, beware.

Love You Love You Love - Mighty Switch Force (3DS, Wii U)

The third game in the Mighty series, Mighty Switch Force pits the player in the cyborg shoes of officer Patricia Wagon to hunt down escaped female convicts. Along with the Mega Man-like ability to jump and shoot, Patricia can switch the direction of the playing field she's on, meaning one minute up and be down and down can be up. The music, which contained a healthy dose of funk and jive was written by Jake Kaufman.

Chun Li Stage - Street Fighter II Turbo (SNES)

Wallpaper by Ishily

The woman with the lightening legs and freakishly large thighs, Chun Li has always been one of my favorite female characters in video games. Her play style hasn't changed all that much througout the Street Fighter series so I can generally pick her up in any Street Fighter game and feel right at home. Nothing is more satisfying than kicking an opponent into unconsciousness. Since Street Fighter II was ported to nearly every system in the 1990s, her theme varies from platform to platform but I'd have to give the nod to the SNES version as the best one.

Wind, Carry My Words (Original Mix) - Mega Man Battle & Chase (PS)

Roll, Mega Man's sister made her first appearance at the very end of the original Mega Man's end credits. Since then, her main role has been that of a supporting character, always staying in the background. Ironically, she was given more screen screen time than her brother in fighting games. While she was a joke character in Marvel vs. Capcom, she really came into her own in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom. The finisher on one of her combos involves her picking up a huge bucket of water and dumping it on her opponent. And years before all this she was a playable character in Mega Man Battle & Chase. She was even given her own special them, Kaze Yo Tsutaete, roughly translated to Wind, Carry My Words, also known as Where the Wind Blows. The soundtrack to Battle & Chase contains numerous versions of this theme, including a shorter game version and an instrumental version. This theme proved so popular, remixes of it have appeared in numerous titles where Roll is playable. Not bad for a character that was originally sweeping up messes in the lab while her bother was out playing hero.