VGM Saturdays Vol. 2. No. 005

Dranius, Tales of Symphonyia Remastered, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Octopath Travler II, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line. This month is packed with releases, so much that I don't know if I'll be able to afford them all. Heck, I didn't even list them all. Momentary distractions are one of life's treasures, so here's some music to take your mind off of this month's wallet apocalypse.  

Ordinary People - Trials of Mana (SNES)

In 2019, the sequel to Secret of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 2 in Japan) was at long last released officially outside of Japan in the Collection of Mana anthology under the name Trials of Mana. In 2020, the game got a full remake and from what I hear, it was received much better than 2018's Secret if Mana remake. I'm nowhere near as familiar with the soundtrack to Trials of Mana as I am Secret of Mana's score, but Hiroki Kikuta wrote the music for both games. If you haven't heard the music to Trials of Mana and need an invitation, there ya go. One of my favorite tracks from the game, Ordinary People is a jolly, jovial town track.

SS Anubis - Jet Force Gemini (N64)

The N64 was the subject of much criticism. Since Nintendo stuck with cartridges and Sony went with CDs, the 32-bit machine one uped the 64-bit machine in the sound department. This didn't stop talented composers from bringing out some incredible sound. Rare had some of the most skilled composers in the field and while Goldeneye and Banjo-Kazooie often steal the show for Rare N64 titles, Jet Force Gemini remains one of the company's best works. Just hearing this one makes me feel like a teenager again, N64 controller in hand, stealthily walking around the Anubis. Snag a copy of Rare Replay on the Xbox One to get a plethora of Rare goodness, which includes Jet Force Gemini.

Step Careful (Lexis Theme) - 2064: Read Only Memories (Multi)

Cyberpunk is a genre I really get a kick out of, so when I heard that an enhanced edition of 2064: Read Only memories was headed to the Switch in 2018, I downloaded that sucker. Like any good adventure/mystery game, this one is loaded with interesting, memorable characters (that are superbly voiced), stylish retro visuals and tons of choices which can lead to numerous endings. Futuristic cop music is a head boper. 

Clickbait - Lame Genie, LongestSoloEver - Splatoon 3 (NSW)

In what comes as a surprise to no one, the music in Splatoon 3 is freaking amazing. I'm not just talking about the jams in multiplayer. Well, I am today, but the music in Hero mode is also dance worthy stuff. Lame Genie came to my attention thanks to his metal covers of songs from Kirby and the Forgotten Land. For this metal version of Clickbait, he collaborated with LongestSoloEver. Here's hoping they do more projects together and more Splatoon 3 covers.

Get a Weapon - Neon X - Mega Man 3 (NES)

Mega Man 3 has THE GREATEST Get a Weapon theme from ANY Mega Man game. That is an indisputable fact. Even if Mega Man 3 isn't your fav Rock game, you cannot deny that this theme is 11 different kinds of awesome. Neon X knows this theme is a super banger so he gave this synth cover everything he had.

The Shinobi - The Revenge of Shinobi (Remastered) 

What more needs to be said about the music of The Revenge of Shinobi? It is often praised as one of the greatest gaming soundtracks of all-time and that praise is very much deserved. In 2021, a digital version of the remastered soundtrack was released. If you're used to the audio from the Genesis version, it might be a bit strange to hear it on the NEC-PC 88 files, where it sounds more clear and uncompressed. 

VGM Saturdays Vol. 2 Database

VGM Saturdays Vol. 2. No. 003

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.

Jaw Breaking News - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge (Multi)

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.

VGM Saturdays Vol. 2 Database

VG Soundtrack of the Day 008: Mega Man 3

The first of many soundtracks from the Blue Bomber's massive catalog that will be showing up here, Mega Man 3 is my personal favorite Mega Man game and the music ranks among not only some of the best in the series but some of the best in gaming as a whole. Really, the soundtrack is that good. Pick a theme; Magnet Man, Spark Man, Shadow Man, Snake Man, Dr. Wily Stage 2, you'll be humming these tunes all day. Ahhhhhh, I love Mega Man 3's soundtrack soooooo muuuuuch!!!


Mega Man 3 (Mega Man Soundtrack Vol. 3 - Spotify)

Mega Man 3 (YouTube)

VG Soundtrack of the Day Database

Favorite Tunes #242: Mega Man Returns

After almost a decade, Mega Man has finally returned in a brand new game. I have been playing and loving Mega Man 11 and the Blue Bomber's triumphant return has gotten me in the mood for some Mega Man jams.

Note: A few tracks are from past Favorite Tunes.

Fuse Man Stage - Mega Man 11 (NS, PS4, XBO, PC)

During the Mega Man 30th anniversary live stream, Capcom took us through a visual timeline of all of the previous Mega Man games from 1987 to 2017. Doubtful watchers that thought 2018 would hold nothing new for our favorite blue android were proven wrong as Capcom unveiled Mega Man 11 and with Fuse Man's stage music playing for the trailer. I don't think Mega Man could have come back with better music playing.

Cut Man Stage - Mega Man (NES)

It has horrible North American box art and is a bit rough around the edges. Having said that, the first ever Mega Man game is a pretty solid title. If you're playing the first Mega Man game and don't know which Robot Master you should tackle first, go for Cut Man. The cursor is on him by default and rock beats scissors. "But I don't have Guts Man's Super Arm!" Silly goose. Mega Man's name is also Rock.

Magnet Man Stage - Mega Man 3 (NES)

Whenever I boot up Mega Man 3, I usually go for Magnet Man first. I like his weapon, his stage is a blast to go through and his level theme is one of the most cheerful, upbeat songs in video games. Even as I type this, I can clearly hear those 8-bit notes playing in my head.

Dr. Wily Stage 1 - Mega Man 7 (SNES)

You didn't think it was going to be purely 8-bit music after the initial Mega Man 11 track, did you? As much as I love me some 8-bit Mega Man songs, many of my favorites are from Mega Man 7 and 8. Meg Man 7 has some very strong, distinct baselines throughout it's soundtrack.

Tengu Man Stage - Mega Man 8 (SAT)

For whatever reason, Tengu Man has an entirely different track in the Saturn version of Mega Man 8. While the tune is very jovial in the PS version, the song is far more serious, contrasting with what looks like a mostly happy go lucky stage. While I do enjoy both tracks, I have to give the nod to the Saturn version.

Fuse Man (Instrumental) - Mega Man 11 (NS, PS4, XBO, PC)

If you pre-ordered Mega Man 11, you got a very special bonus: instrumental arrangements of the eight Robot Master stages that you can hear in-game. I didn't think too much of it at first until after I finished Block Man and Fuse Man's levels and turned on their instrumental versions and holy crap are these arrangements impressive. I'll have more to say about these instrumentals in an upcoming post.

Favorite Tunes Database

Favorite Tunes #228: Cut Short

Ever find a music track playing in a game you really like but the game cuts it off to drop you into some gameplay? My favorite game in the Mega Man series has a track that this happens to (Hint for you new readers: it isn't Mega Man 2). Also in this week's music is a track from Chrono Trigger that is long overdue to be represented here as well as one of the more comical Final Fantasy games. Also, this was meant to be posted on May 26th, but by the time I realized I didn't post it, two days had already passed. I decided to just hold off until June 2nd, which gave me time to get ahead on future FT posts.

Set Up - Axelay (SNES)

Probably not the jam that springs to mind when you think of music from Axelay, but I really dig this one. I've been listening to a lot of SNES soundtracks as of late and I caught myself hitting repeat on this short tune a few times.

Schala's Theme - Chrono Trigger (SNES)

I know I've posted a lot of music from Chrono Trigger in Favorite Tunes over the years. To my surprise, I've never posted Schala's Theme. Well, that is a tragedy I'm making up for right now. This melancholy theme has been sampled by several hip hop artists. While I'm not a fan of a lot of today's hip hop music (I prefer the older stuff), I cannot fault them for using this theme.

Main Theme - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U, NS)

It has been a while since I've listed a track from my favorite game of 2017. I've heard some complaints that Breath of the Wild's soundtrack is either too quiet or that there aren't enough remixes from past games. I disagree. Not every game needs to have every track set on blast and what few arrangements are here are really good. Much as I enjoy a soundtrack filled with remixes, its nice to let new music breath. The Main Theme of Breath of the Wild is a powerful, moving piece of music. The 1:06 mark of this song gives me chills.

Dr. Wily Stage Map - Mega Man 3 (NES)

This right here. This is the best Wily Map theme. At a run time of 20 seconds, it also happens to be one of the longest and you never get to hear all of it in game. I can see why that is because no one would want to be sitting at the Wily Stage Map for 20 seconds six times in a row. Then again, this short tune is so good, I could see myself doing that.

Schrage Musik - Danmaku Unlimited 3 (PC, NS)

I still haven't managed to beat this game on the easy setting but I am getting better and I managed to get over 12 million points, breaking my previous record of over 11 million. If you can actually stop sweating from all the bullets your evading, the music in Danmaku Unlimited 3 by BLANKFIELD is really enjoyable stuff.

Lenna's Theme - Final Fantasy V Dear Friends

The Main Theme of Final Fantasy V is a splendid piece of music. Like many main themes it was reused numerous times throughout the game. One of my favorite versions comes in the form of Lenna's Theme. Since I already posted her theme some time ago in Favorite Tunes, here's an arrangement from the album Dear Friends, which is named after one of the ending themes of the game.

Favorite Tunes Database