Video Game SotW #007 – Super Mario RPG – “Boss”

"If you defeat me, you STILL won't beat me! Beware the flood!"

If you’ve ever played Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on the SNES (or Virtual Console), it is more than likely that this song will ring some bells as “the one where that guy was mean and unfairly depleted my health points after illegally reappearing stronger a third time for no apparent reason.” Maybe.

Despite many songs in the SMRPG soundtrack are somewhat awesome in their own right, this piece stands out as being super catchy, memorable, and setting the mood nicely. Everyone likes complicated, suspenseful beginnings and simple but somewhat epic melodies! 😉

YouTube

Audio File (MP3)

Boss Battle

Composer: Yoko Shimomura

Hint for Next Week Update (sometime this week, along with two more!!):

Apples in Whispy Woods?

Video Game SotW #006 – The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – “Lost Woods”

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Box Art

One of the most famous Zelda pieces and one of the catchiest tunes in existence, the Lost Woods theme, also known as Saria’s Song, is a light-hearted masterpiece from Koji Kondo which shows that video game music has some of the best music out there. I’m not going to ramble, though; let the music do the talking! 😀

YouTube

Audio File

“The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Lost Woods”

Composer: Koji Kondo

Fun Facts:

• The song was composed using a MIDI system.
• This song first appeared in Ocarina of Time. It also plays in Majora’s Mask, ‘Woods of Mystery’, and in Twilight Princess in the ‘Sacred Grove’. Needless to say, it has become an iconic melody in the Zelda series.

Hint for Next Week:

Fight Against A Somewhat Stronger Monster

Video Game SotW #005 – Rad Racer – “Music A”

Dum Dum Dum- Dum Dum Dum- Dum Dum Dum- Dum Dum Dum- Duuuuuuum.... dfbjneigbjeionjdoenboen!

I know, nothing to do with Raving Rhinoceros. I’ll rethink my hinting strategies for next time.

Rad Racer has a soundtrack that at time of release was rather forgettable, which is hard to believe seeing as four months later, composer Nobuo Uematsu created the epic music for the original Final Fantasy. Nevertheless, if there was one song that needs attention, it’s Music A, which is a simple yet catchy tune. Take a listen!

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In Action

Audio File

Rad Racer – “Music A”

Piano Arrangement

MUS | MID

Composer: Nobuo Uematsu

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Fun Facts:

• This song is also used as Stinkoman’s Theme in the HomestarRunner Universe.
• The Rad Racer soundtrack was to mark Uematsu’s 15th video game soundtrack.

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Hint for Next Time:

The Musical Swordsman.

Video Game SotW #004 – Final Fantasy X – “Attack”

One of the many places where this music plays

For those who got the hint from last week’s entry, well done (although I guess the boldened first characters made it obvious, and the actual words made no sense whatsover), but that’s all irrelevant now, isn’t it? Because the next song is here, and it’s a song you’ll absolutely adore (like me) or hate.

Final Fantasy X – “Attack”

Composer: Masashi Hamauzu

Quite an epic piece, with simple melodies fighting through the backing instruments as though there is conflict between them, in a good way, so it feels quite suiting to where and when the music plays in the game, as well as its title. But anyone could have told you that. 😛

For you readers who are absolutely dying for a hint to the next song… Raving Rhinoceros. 😀

Video Game SotW #003 – Banjo-Kazooie – “Rusty Bucket Bay”

Banjo-Kazooie Box Art

This time we’re looking at an older game, but one which has accumulated a lot of love over the years. This is just one of the great tunes from the game, Banjo-Kazooie, but I chose this one because it’s just too awesome not to appear here first. I know, my motives are screwed up, but nevertheless, take a listen!

Banjo-Kazooie – “Rusty Bucket Bay”

Composer: Grant Kirkhope

Playing hint: For the bass line that’s mostly heard at the very beginning, play the notes (C, Bb, Ab, G) with an octave together and you’ve also got yourself a Space Invaders sound effect in addition! 😛

You know what? I’m in a good mood, so here’s a hint for next week’s song: Fried Freaking Xylophones.