NerdMentality | Jake's Top 10 Video Game Songs

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Jake's Top 10 Video Game Songs

Posted July 11th 2009 by Jacob Barnes.

We all love The Legend of Zelda theme, right? For me, listening to Mario and Zelda tunes is like watching Forrest Gump. I've seen it so many times now I just don't know what to think of it. And now those classic songs are being played on instruments like theremins and even carrot ocarinas. So with this list I've tried my best not to beat you over the head with songs you've listened to countless times in other lists, and this is not to be considered THE ultimate list to end all other lists. These are just my personal favorites picked out from a wide range of songs narrowed down to 10 because, hey, that's how these things work. With that said, you can view my personal top 10 after the break.

10. Sonic Advance 3 – Chaos Angel Zone Act 3

-I apologize to Masato Nakamura for this one. I could've picked almost any song from the original two Sonic games, but this song itself is so dark and cool. This is a type of song you could listen to countless times and interpret it differently each time because it's so fast and busy. There are a lot of things going on in this piece.

9. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance – Mysterious Shop

-This song plays in the shop and also in the snowball fight at the beginning of the game. It's surprisingly bouncy and seems almost out of place here, but maybe that's why I like it.

8. Soukaigi – Fire Wire

-You're probably wondering what this game is about or how this song fits the game. Hell if I know. Soukaigi never saw a release outside of Japan, but I can still appreciate this song without context. The live strings, piano and smooth bass keep this flowing right to the end.

7. Puyo Pop Fever – Taisen 4

-Puyo Pop Fever had an amazing, cheery soundtrack. The beginner's course boss music is pretty catchy, but I think the final intermediate course stage music heard here is slightly better. This song blends some of that cheerful melody with a fast electric guitar.

6. Beyond Good & Evil – Home Sweet Home

-That's right. Beyond Good & Evil made my top 10 list and it's getting a sequel, so please stop calling this an underrated game. This song is beautiful. It really sums up the game during the credits after going through all of the twists and conspiracy elements throughout the game.

5. Mega Man III – Title Theme

-The title theme to Mega Man III can be summed up with the word epic. It starts off slow like a blues song filled with tiny trills but really gets going about a third of the way through. The melody is so upbeat that it's easily one of my favorites. The Mega Man III soundtrack is not nearly as good as II, but this makes up for everything.

4. No More Heroes – Pleather for Breakfast

-It's difficult to pick just one song from Masafumi Takada, and I'm sure many people disagree with this choice, asserting that "Rave On" from Killer7 is better. I guess I prefer the heavy, dirtier feel of the song, along with the vocals in this one. I can't think of a more appropriate tune that would make me want to beat the shit out a baseball bat-wielding alcoholic loligoth like this one.

3. Resident Evil (GameCube) – Safe Haven

-Who would've thought the best music from the entire Resident Evil series could come from a little save room under the staircase. It's a pretty relaxing song, but at the same time a bit eerie knowing what awaits outside the room. I think I've spent a good couple of hours listening to this while reading Umbrella's files, hoping somehow the zombie outbreak would fix itself when the sun came up while I hid in my room.

2. Chibi-Robo – Abandoned Memories

Is it just me or is Chibi-Robo a really depressing game beneath the surface? I got a feeling of extreme isolation playing this and I thought that Chibi-Robo could've taken out a gun at any moment and shot Telly and himself in the head. What's more, my fear of inanimate objects coming to life is now at an all-time high. I think the brief moments of traveling back in time to learn about Giga-Robo with this song playing is well-suited for a game like this.

1. Pokemon Red/Blue Version – Gym Leader Battle Music

-What a perfect song for eight amazing battles. I always liked how the music seemed to match the trainer's actions as the battle played out. The first few seconds start with that "spiraling" as the screen goes black, eventually showing the over-the-shoulder battle view. The timing of the melody also perfectly coincides with the first attacks and keep going from there. I can't think of a more perfectly suited battle theme than this.

Tags: Top 10 Video Game Songs