Favorite Tunes #224: Industria

April is nearly outta here and crazy video game releases for May are almost upon us. Hopefully the April weather has treated you well because for us here in Virginia, it's been a bit of a mixed bag, hardly ever feeling like spring. For the last of April's Favorite Tunes, we've got music from one of my new favorite SHMUPs, Kirby's latest adventure and some Mega Man, but not the Blue Bomber you're expecting.

Airspace - Danmaku Unlimited 3 (PC, NS)

The Switch is loaded with SHMUPs so if you love that genre like me, you will not be disappointed. A PC release in 2017, Danmaku Unlimited 3 came to the Switch last month and it is well worth your time and money. This bullet hell shooter can be enjoyed by novice and vets alike and the rocking soundtrack by BLANKFIELD is nothing short of awesome.

INDUSTRIA (Remind Remix) - Rage Racer 20th Remix

In 2014, SuperSweep released a Ridge Racer 20th Anniversary Remix album, covering various games in the series, including Rage Racer. Last year, the same publisher rolled out a 20th anniversary album dedicated solely to Rage Racer. Of the many games in the Ridge Racer series, Rage Racer was the last one I expected to get super special treatment, but I love that game and the music from it, so I ain't complaining. The Industria is hands down my favorite track in that game and the this remix sounds pretty close to the original but has some subtle differences.

Digital Strider - Mega Man Battle Network 6: Cybeast Falzar (GBA)

The music of Mega Man Battle Network 6 was recently brought back to my attention thanks to +TEK's wonderful FM Arrangement Project. Central Town and Battle Field were always stand out tracks in my mind, but I'd forgotten just how good the rest of the soundtrack was. It certainly was a huge step up after Battle Network 4's disappointing soundtrack.

Title Screen - #Breakforcist (iOS, AND, NS)

Breakout may have been the father of blocking breaking, but Taito's Arkanoid, which added weapons and power ups to your paddle, really blew the doors off. Original an Android game, #Breakforcist made it's way to the Switch a few weeks ago under the title #Breakforcist Battle, allowing up to four players to battle to save breakfast. It's a pretty dang good Breakout clone with some funky beats.

Honey Hills (Forest Area) - Kirby Star Allies (NS)

I know Star Allies isn't the greatest Kirby game but calling it trash or saying it sucks is quite the stretch. I do think $60 is asking a bit too much, however. $40 would have been a more reasonable price point. Having said all that, even for the lofty standards of a Kirby game, the soundtrack to this one is absolutely amazing. From the new tracks to the arranged material, there is plenty here to leave you in awe.

Fossil Falls (8-bit) - Super Mario Odyssey (NS)

Selling 3 million copies in just a matter of days, Super Mario Odyssey is not only one of the best selling games on the Switch but the fast selling Super Mario game. The game is probably already in the double digits as of this post. I've already completed the game but I still fire it up to hunt for more moons, and hide balloons while I (im)patiently wait for Nintendo to give me my dang Frog Suit. Best 8-bit rendition of Odyssey's music? You betcha!

Favorite Tunes Database

Mega Man Battle Network 6 FM Arrangement Project

It has been quite some time since we've had a Mega Man soundtrack to talk about. There are no shortage of Mega Man arrangements, especially when it comes to the classic series. This one comes as quite a surprise since it does not pertain to the most well known Mega Man series, but the Battle Network games, in particular, Battle Network 6.

Arranged by +TEK, Mega Man Battle Network 6 FM Arrangement Project is exactly what it sounds like: the soundtrack of Battle Network 6 in the FM Genesis/Mega Drive sound font. I'll admit that much of the music from Battle Network 6 wasn't fresh in my mind before listening to this album, but themes like Central Town and Battle Field were always standouts to me. They sound really good in the FM sound font as does the entire soundtrack. This is my first exposure to +TEK's work, but I'd wager this arranger really knows the ins and outs of the Genesis sound system. The bass and synth in these tracks sound phenomenal. I really love his rendition of Digital Strider among others.

Mega Man Battle Network 6 FM Arrangement Project is a name-your-price download so it can be yours for free. It really is nice to see one of the lesser appreciated Mega Man games get a soundtrack arrangement in the not-so-usual format. Other than LegendofRenegade, I haven't come across many Mega Man Genesis arrangements done this well. I'm hoping +TEK does more stuff like this in the future.

Mega Man Battle Network 6 FM Arrangement Project

Favorite Tunes #162: Bonus Edition

As promised, here is the bonus Favorite Tunes. It was tempting to make this one all Halloween themed, but I decided to just stick with one tune from a game that would fit the spooky holiday. Enjoy.

Demitri Maximoff Stage - Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge (ARC, SAT)

I wonder when Capcom is gonna wake up and realize that they do have other fighting game franchises besides Street Fighter that they can do. I mean, when was the last time the Darkstalkers crew showed up in a game that wasn't a spin off or crossover? Anyway, Demitri brings with him some sweet beats.

Bonus Screen - Super Mario World (SNES)

I've beaten Super Mario World dozens of times, but this year was the first time I ever cleared all 96 level exits, thus finishing the game 100%. The Bonus music in this game is so good it's a shame you don't get to hear it unless you're in a hidden bonus area or a Switch Palace. This music is accessible for use in Super Mario Maker via the Sound FX tools.

Armed Ghost - Cybernator (SNES)

Take control of a giant mech that is armed with gun and melee combat abilities. The missions that use zero gravity change things up a bit and the objective isn't always as simple as get from point A to point B. Despite the game's brevity, Cybernator is a blazing adventure that doesn't let up until the credits roll.



The Last Springsteen - Contra: Hard Corps (GEN)

The road to the final boss of Contra: Hard Corps isn't hard. It is absolutely ball busting, tear your hair out, break your controller, rage quit hard. But press on and you'll be treated to this sicker than sick heavy metal jam. Or you could just, you know, hear it on YouTube. That works, too.

Shadow Man's Stage (Demolished Area) - Mega Man: Network Transmission (GCN)

When people think of Mega Man: Network Transmission, often frustration comes to mind. Oh and Fire Man's killer theme. But Blazing Internet isn't the only badawesome music from that game. Really, the whole soundtrack is pretty boss, but if you're looking for some more stand out themes, Shadow Man has you covered.

Guile Stage (Arranged)

Closing out this bonus edition, I thought I'd treat you all to something special. This smooth rendition of Guile's theme was part of the Hyper Street Fighter II ~The Starting Over~ Remix Tracks that was part of the Insanity DVD release line. These DVDs usually contained a bonus disc of music that was either original music from the game or remixed tunes. It may not go with everything as the CPS-II theme does, but dang it if it doesn't sound freaking sweet.

Favorite Tunes Database