I love me some lofi, so I've included two tracks this week along music from 2021's Cyber Shadow and SEGA's Fantasy Zone II among others.
Ridley - Tune in with Chewie
This song was first heard in the 1994 mega classic, Super Metroid under the title Big Boss (no relation to the dude from the Metal Gear series). The theme would be so heavily associated with Ridley over the years that it would go on to become his theme with an arrangement of it playing during his reveal trailer for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This lofi remix turns the tense, fist pumping track into a more chill piece and it works really, really well.
Apparitor, Pt 1 - Cyber Shadow (Multi)
Cyber Shadow is like the NES Ninja Gaiden games. Except there's way, way less cheap bull to keep you from rage quitting. The game can be tough but fair. I'm hoping for a physical release of this game but a year later and still no luck.
Secret of the Forest - Pontus Hultgren - Beyond the Flow of Time: Music from Chrono Trigger
I've come across the music of Pontus Hultgren through his FINAL FANTASY VI arrangements. Eventually, the YouTube recommended section placed his Chrono Trigger album before me. Check out the rest of his music on Beyond the Flow of Time. It's nearly an hour's worth of Chrono Trigger arranged goodness.
FLY HIGH [RD.6] - Fantasy Zone II (AC)
Unlike some game companies (Nintendo), SEGA is quite good at making their music available on streaming platforms like YouTube and Spotify. I would argue that they need to get more of their catalog out there, but some of the biggest names are already up, such as Out Run, Super Hang-On and a plethora of Fantasy Zone music. If you have a playlist for happy game music, be sure to add this track.
Power and Beats - Final Vendetta (Multi)
Despite the difficulty that I've heard it brings, Final Vendetta has been on my radar for some time now. The soundtrack is a banger and a half with this track oozing '90s sickness.
Prologue - Curly - Animal Crossing: New Horizons (NSW)
The usual hourly music you get in Animal Crossing games is, at first, absent during your first few days on your island in New Horizons. What music you do get is serviceable, but I could see how quickly it would grate on the nerves for other players. Curly managed to make a head bopping arrangement out of that music most player probably tired of hearing. It is the track that kicks off GameChops Nook & Chill and as much as I loathe Tom Nook, I can let the name of the album slide when the music is packing this much dope chill.
Here's a little behind the scenes info. These VGM Saturday posts? I have the songs picked out in advance. In the past I wouldn't have the songs picked until the very day I post. Now? I have songs picked out weeks and weeks ahead. It makes things a lot easier on me since I'm working on multiple different blog posts at a time.
Ahem.
Anyhoo, enjoy this week's tunes!
Johnny's - Eastward (Multi)
I almost bought Eastward on the Switch digitally last year, but that physical version kept me from double dipping. And it is yet another game I have not gotten around to playing. Johnny's quickly earned a spot on my Relaxing playlist on both Spotify and YouTube Music. Lofi artists, where is the cover of this banger already?
Spark Man - Mega Man 3 - Neon X
Synth wave is something I've really fallen in love with over the past few years. YouTube ended up recommending videos by Neon X. I've been subscribed to him for about two months now. This is the first of many tracks I'll be posting from the arranger. He's on Spotify as well. If you love his take on Spark Man's theme, you should definitely check out the rest of his Mega Man 3 covers.
The wait for this game seemed so long. I've done multiple plays of this beat 'em up (Mikey and April are my faves) and the soundtrack never fails to impress. Tee Lopes got wide recognition for his work on Sonic Mania back in 2017 and since then, he's popped up or now projects, even doing arrangements with Sonic music composer Jun Senoue. The music from Shredder's Revenge carries a lot of that super high energy from Sonic Mania. If not for the jingle from the Channel 6 News theme and the bit of the 1987 opening theme tune included, this could easily be mistaken for an unused Sonic Mania piece.
Cyber Space 2-6: Transparent Highway - Sonic Frontiers (Multi)
Just so you know, I could easily go each week with of VGM Saturdays tossing in a track or two from Sonic Frontiers. I choose not to because it is an easy route to take and I don't want to have tracks from that game every single week, as it would take away from other That said... Maaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyynnnnnn, THIS SOUNDTRACK IS SO GOOD!!! I've been jamming out to tracks from this game daily. Transparent Highway plays on, from what I've read, Sky Rail, a level from Sonic Adventure 2. This is one of the longer Cyber Space levels with lots of rail grinding. I've never played much of Sonic Adventure 2 beyond City Escape (where are our Sonic Advneure 1 and 2 remakes, SEGA?) so a lot of those levels are unknown to me. As someone who has never played the level 2-6 is based on, I really got a kick out of this one, both design and music wise.
Chill-pede - Atari Recharged (Original Video Game Soundtrack)
The Recharged line of Atari games offer fresh takes on classic arcade titles like Asteroids, Break Out, and my personal favorite, Black Widow. Each game has smooth vector graphics, is easy to play but difficult to master and comes with music from Megan McDuffee. If you've played the River City Girls games, you're familiar with some of her excellent work.
LAST WAVE - Out Run (AC)
Most arcade games of the day didn't let you pick your levels or your music. Not only did Out Run let you choose your next destination via a fork in the road before each new stage begins, you also had a selection of three music tracks to choose from before you began each run. The music is of exceptional quality, composed by SEGA music legend Hiroshi Kawaguchi, or as he is often referred to, HIRO.
Normally, I would go with all winter themed music for this time of year and I had very much considered going that route, but as I as compiling tracks for this week's music, it had completely slipped my mind to include all cold type music. So enjoy the very mild selection of winter tracks this week.
Walking the Beat - Cosmic Star Heroine (Multi)
I was recommended this game by a good friend of mine, so I scooped it up on PS4 and never got around to playing it. When it came out for the Switch, I bought it for that system. Neeeeeveeeeer got around to playing it. What I did get around to is listening to the soundtrack or some of it, at least and it is very impressive stuff. I probably should get around to playing the game at some point.
The indie scene is overrun with Metroidvania games. Hollow Knight manages to stand out from the pack with a huge map, tough bosses and highly memorable areas to explore. Oh and the music is all kinds of awesome, with some of the very best in relaxing musical pieces coming from this game. One of my favorite tribute albums is Collosia's Hollow Knight Lofi. The album is up on Spotify as well as YouTube.
Snowy Mammoth - Ape Escape Origineape Soundtracks
I often think of how Nintendo and SEGA are so neglectful of their IPs but Sony isn't much better. How long has the Ape Escape IP been rotting away in an attic? Those of you that have played the original Ape Escape might be familiar with this track. The first Ape Escape hit the PS in 1999 and would get a PSP port in 2011. The music here is from the PSP port and its been enhanced. While I do prefer the original PS music, the PSP port does a commendable job on one of my favorite tracks.
I was fighting the urge to include a track from Sonic Frontiers this week. You have no idea how much I freaking love that soundtrack. So I made a compromise by including a Sonic track from a different Sonic game with a different sound font. This is the first of many JX arrangements. Who is JX? A super cool composer that does bang up work on retro video game covers. Bet you never knew how much you needed Sonic Colors' Terminal Velocity Act 1 with the Sonic Advance 3 instruments in your life until you heard it.
DANCIN' SWORD - Star Ocean (SFC)
In late October a bunch of the Star Ocean soundtracks officially made their way to Spotify and YouTube. Hooray! More SQUARE ENIX music to listen to without worrying about it being removed. When I found out Star Ocean music was on Spotify, I immediately added this to my SQUARE ENIX battle music play list. The enhanced version from First Depature is really nice and all but I looooove the Super Famicom original.
Next Chapter - Tetris Effect (Multi)
Tetris Effect was one of those coveted games I wished would make it to the Switch. It just seemed like one of those games that was a perfect fit for the system. Once again, the waiting game paid off. In 2021, the game came to the Switch under the name Tetris Effect: Connected. A physical version was released in 2022. Like the cool visuals, the music plays a large part of the game's appeal. Changes in the songs are based on the player's progress. You'll have to clear a certain amount of lines before the claps kick in on this track.
The 2022 Game Awards have come and gone and for a yearly event I have never really cared about, I did find them interesting for a number of reasons, but mainly for the Player's Voice award.
The Player's Voice award is exactly what it sounds like: fans get to vote for the game they wish to get recognition. It got quite heated between Sonic fans and Genshin Impact fans for the award but in the end, the gotcha game that was released in 2020 emerged victorious. To say that some Sonic fans weren't pleased would be an understatement. I would have liked it if Sonic Frontiers did get the Player's Voice award, but at the end of the day, I'm not really bothered by Genshin winning.
One of my favorite games of 2022 (spoilers for a future blog post, BTW) is Kirby and the Forgotten Land and it won Best Family Game from the Game Awards. As great as that is, that isn't what I or for that matter, most people will remember Kirby's 30th anniversary game for. Kirby's first big 3D adventure will be remembered for it's large levels, sweet Copy Ability upgrades, the new lore it added to an already lore rich series and that unforgettable finale that hits like a freaking truck.
Sonic Frontiers may not have won the Player's Voice award but look at all the acclaim the game has received from fans and critics. Yes, you'll find some critics that didn't give Sonic Frontiers high marks but on the whole, the reception has been mostly positive. When you think of Sonic Frontiers, what comes to mind? The insanely epic fight with Giganto and the other titans? Or how about the time you were minding your own business on Kronos island and Squid gets all up in your face because the whole concept of personal space is lost on it? The struggle of trying to S rank Cyber Space 1-2, the character interactions with Sage, Tails, Amy Knuckles, fishing with Big and that absolute banger of a soundtrack; Sonic Frontiers is such a blast of a game and it has given me memories that will last a lifetime.
Call me crazy for not being upset that Sonic Frontiers lost to Genshin Impact, even under questionable circumstances. But all the enjoyment I've gotten from the game and the super warm reception from fans put me in too good of a mood to be mad about an award snub. Between Sonic Frontiers, the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie and Netflix Sonic Prime, 2022 was a banner year for the world's most famous hedgehog. With Sonic Frontiers set to get a ton of free DLC in 2023, Sonic fans will stay eating well.
I'm doing something I've thought about doing for a long time now: starting VGM (Video Game Music) Saturdays fresh. The original had a good run and as much as I love milestone numbers, the landscape of game music has changed a lot over the past decade on YouTube and I'd like for Volume 2 to reflect that. This means that whenever possible, official track uploads will be embedded from YouTube here. Of course, there's a lot of game music that isn't on YouTube officially and Nintendo still refuses to get with the freaking times and post their music like other game companies do, whuch has made me question whether I should even post unofficial video embedding of their music. In the end, I decided to post what I can from the Big N while it is available.
Since we're starting over, you'll see music from the original run of VGM Saturdays along with a slew of new music. The world of game music is vast and I hope more and more of it will be officially posted on streaming sites and apps. Get ready for arrangements from musicians all over the globe. We're opening up the floodgates, baby.
Vol. 2 of VGM Saturdays begins now.
Cyber Space 1-2: Flowing - Sonic Frontiers (Multi)
Sonic games pretty much always have soundtracks that are bursting with top quality jams. But dang, son, the music in Sonic Frontiers, even by the series exceptional standards, is truly something special. The open zone areas have calming piano music, led by piano pieces while the Cyber Space levels are high energy tracks designed to push you onward. I think pretty much everyone can agree that Cyber Space 1-2 is a certified banger of a song. I've seen streamers that have never played a Sonic game say this one track is fire. You want a track that's gonna get you moving, Flowing is it. Good lucking getting that S rank!
It isn't perfect but I really like Mega Man 8. One of my favorite songs is the Opening Stage. Metatllool has been on YouTube for years but I didn't become aware of him until a few months back. He's done some really good video game arrangements and I'm especially impressed with his work on this piece. The guitar solo and piano solos are just everything in this song for me. Do yourself a favor and subscribe to him on YouTube and follow him on Spotify. Guy deserves way more love than he's getting.
Ground Theme (From "Super Mario Bros. 2") - Lofi Lia
Some of the game music I listen to most frequently is on the more soothing, relaxing side of things. I love a pulse pounding beach as much as the next person, but sometimes you just want some music to chill to. Over the past few years, lofi has become one of my favorite genres, so expect to see more lofi music recommendations from me either with soundtracks or right here on VGM Saturdays. This interepiritation of Super Mario Bros. 2's famous Ground Theme is by the amazingly talented Lofi Lia. Follow her on Spotify and subscribe to her on YouTube if you haven't already.
Penny's Song (English Version) - WarioWare: Get It Together! (NSW)
A year ago, Nintendo did something crazy: they uploaded one of their very own music tracks to YouTube. This is one of, if not the only time I'll post a track that Nintendo, the company that is super stingy with their game music, has chosen to actually share with the world. Man, it sure would be nice if Nintendo did this with, I dunno, all of their music. Anyhoo, Penny's Song is a bop. I've posted the English version but Nintendo has it up in Spanish as well.
Originally released as Nintendo Switch exclusive, Octopath Traveler wound up being a surprise success, to SQUARE ENIX, anyway. It turns out fans are quite hungry for retro inspired RPGs with modern game design. Who knew? The game would later be ported to PC and Xbox One. Why Sony platforms got left out in the cold, I have no idea, especially when the sequel is set to release next month and land the Switch and PS4 and PS5 respectively. Even if you haven't played the game yet, do yourself a huge favor and let your ears get to hear the game's soundtrack.
Roar of Dedede - Kirby and the Forgotten Land - FamilyJules
King Dedede's theme has been a series staple since the very first Kirby game. The composers at HAL have managed to refine and reinvent the track on numerous occasions. For Kirby's big 30th anniversary game, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, they decided to go hard. No, like, really, really freaking HARD. I don't know what I was expecting before I fought D3, but a rock/metal version of his theme was not it. FamilyJules added even more metal to this track. There have been numerous covers of this theme since the game dropped but this one really stands out to me.
WARNING: The following post contains spoilers for Sonic Frontiers. If you have any interest in playing the game and do not wish to be spoiled, do not proceed any further.
3D Super Sonic boss fights. Since Sonic Adventure, Super Sonic boss fights have served as a final battle for dedicated players. These showdowns are often accompanied by stellar music tracks like Open Your Heart, Live and Learn, What I'm Made Of or outstanding orchestrated versions of the game's main theme such as the Sonic Unleashed theme song, Endless Possibilties. I've heard these music tracks and seen clips of these clashes on YouTube but I've always been on the outside looking in.
And then I played Sonic Frontiers.
The first time I ever participated in a 3D Super Sonic boss fight and it just so happens to be in Sonic's latest outing that has received much acclaim from both fans and critics. It was better than anything I could have imagined. And I didn't have to wait until the end of the game to throw down as the golden hedgehog. This fight was waiting for me at the end of Kronos Island.
But first, some background.
That's a big boy. Image: SEGA
The boss of the first island is Giganto, a towering goliath. This thing doesn't even flinch at Sonic's Homing Attacks and repays the hero's pitiful attempts to defeat it by grabbing Sonic and chucking him through two ruined towers like a fast pitch. Neither Sonic nor I was prepared for that work.
After getting curb stomped, I resumed exploring Kronos Island. At one point, I looked off and spotted Giganto, remembered the beating he gave me and said one word, "Nope!" I went back to collecting Kokos, Purple Coins and doing Cyber Space levels. I didn't even wanna look at Giganto. Like, that thing put the fear of God into me.
Eventually, I collected six Chaos Emeralds and would have to face Giganto again, which, in case you couldn't tell, was something I was very much dreading. I don't think I've felt this uneasy about a boss since after getting my metal cheeks handed to me by Vile in Mega Man X when I was a kid. As a climbed Gigant to the building music, my mind wasn't any more at ease.
"Boy, do you really want to catch this smoke a second time?" Image: SEGA
I had a feeling Giganto had the final Chaos Emerald and yup, it turned out he did. That sucker was resting on the back of his dome. "OK, I've got the last Chaos Emerald, but now what?" I thought to myself. I still have no idea how I'm going to beat this thing.
*Sonic transforms into Super Sonic*
I'm hanging on to the other side
I won't give up til the end of me
You know that feeling that swells throughout your mind, when you know without a shadow of as doubt, "YOU GOT THIS!!!"?? That is how I felt once Sonic activated his super mode. He floats in front of Gigant as Undefeatable, one of the greatest vocal bangers in Sonic history begins playing and Sonic just smirks at him as if to say "It ain't gonna be like last time."
At this point, I really need no instructions on how to take down Giganto. Yeah, there's some text on the screen that tells me rings will deplete as the battle goes on and I need to deal heavy damage but my take away from all of that is HIT. HIM. Andrelaline, the likes of which I have rarely felt before, courses through my entire body as I fly towards the titan and start whaling on him. Whereas Giganto felt nothing from normal Sonic's Homing Attack, every blow from Super Sonic deals clear, undeniable damage to him as he is knocked back. He's showing those chompers, but he sure ain't smiling. Every punch Sonic throws shows a transparent, golden fist connecting to Giganto's oversized jaw, accompanied by the most beautiful punching sound effects that an ultra powerful supped up hedgehog can deliver.
Oh sure, Giganto fought back. He tossed out some long ranged swipes but, you know the scene in Dragon Ball Z where Frieza hits Super Saiyan Goku with his Death Beam and he literally just takes it on the chin like it is nothing? That's how Super Sonic reacts to anything Giganto throws at him. You get knocked back, sure, but Super Sonic just shrugs it off. Every time Giganto knocks me back, I fly back up to him and punch the ever living crap out of his giant, metal can.
Image: IGN
Giganto tried lasers, but he clearly has no idea who he's screwing with. To keep from getting laser blasted in the face, you just have to button mash. I messed up my hands on mini games in the original Mario Party, so this was nothing to me. When successful, Super Sonic caught them and tossed them away. Giganto also tried to eat me and once again, mashing is required to keep from becoming a Super Sonic meal.
When you deplete Giganto's life bar, the fight isn't simply over. You get this bad awesome cutscene where Super Sonic flies right through Giganto, finishing him off in a scene that was more than likely meant to pay homage to how Demon King Piccolo died in Dragon Ball and it is so freaking cool!
My first ever 3D Super Sonic boss fight and it was one of the hypest things I've ever experienced in a video game. I was so jazzed after that fight, I immediately went to YouTube to get other people's reactions and it was more excitement for me to feed on. By watching reactions, I also learned that you can parry some of Giganto's attacks and counter with this sick after image strike. Actually, all of Sonic's moves you've learned up to this point in the game can be used when fighting Giganto. Yes, I cannot wait to fight him again with this knowledge.
In an age where so many things are spoiled become some little snot has to have their 15 seconds of internet fame, I am so, so, soooooooooo happy I was able to go into Sonic Frontiers without having this moment spoiled for me. This is one of those gaming experiences that will always stick out for me, much like my first battle with a Lynel in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
After hearing about 3D Super Sonic boss fights, it feels great to be able to participate in one. I legit wish I could do the Giganto fight for the first time all over again.
