[arthurgolden]

Welcome! Thanks to Sarah and the moderators for their approval of this thread.

Here’s how this works.
- Each round will be open for 48 hours, more or less. The winner is the song with the most votes.
- If there’s a tie, I’ll make an announcement stating that the next song to get a vote will win.
- If there’s a blow-out, I’ll end the round early.
- This thread is for voting only, so no discussion or off-topic banter is allowed. However, in the post in which you vote, you may mention why you voted the way you did.
- Please put your vote—and only your vote—in BOLD. You get one vote per fight.
- All participating songs will be linked to YouTube.
- The match-ups will be made randomly (currently via this ( http://www.random.org/ )).

As we get started, please let me know through PM if you have questions or suggestions. My goal is to make this thread interesting and worth your time.


Battle 1: Un-themed
Banjo-Kazooie – Main Theme
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Dance of the Pales
Chrono Cross – Time’s Scar
Contra – Stage 1
Diablo – Town
Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambience
DOOM – At Doom’s Gate
Dr. Mario – Chill
Final Fantasy V – Clash on the Big Bridge
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme
Final Fantasy X – To Zanarkand
Kingdom Hearts – Hikari (orchestrated)
Kirby’s Adventure – Green Greens
Kirby Super Star – Candy Mountain
Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily 1-2
Mother 2 (Earthbound) – Buy Something, Will Ya!
Okami – Northern Country Kamui II
Pokemon – Main Theme
Portal – Still Alive
Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse
Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone (winner ( /e4fca3110172bcfb40e72593fcf1c526/showpost.php?p=1281618&postcount=125 ))
Sonic Adventure – Open Your Heart
Street Fighter II – Guile Stage
Super Mario Bros. – Overworld
Super Mario Galaxy – Good Egg Galaxy
Super Mario 64 – Dire, Dire Docks
Super Mario World – Athletic
Super Metroid – Main Theme
Super Smash Bros. Brawl – Main Theme
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld Theme
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Dark World
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Lost Woods

Battle 2: Koji Kondo soundtracks
Star Fox 64
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. 2
Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario World
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars
Super Mario 64
Super Mario Sunshine
Super Mario Galaxy
The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (winner ( /e4fca3110172bcfb40e72593fcf1c526/showpost.php?p=1307820&postcount=230 ))
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess


Battle 3: Aquatic Level themes
Banjo-Kazooie – Treasure Trove Cove
Blinx the Time Sweeper – Hourglass Caves
Chrono Cross – Jellyfish Sea
Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambiance
Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future – The Shrine of the Conservatory
Endless Ocean – Prayer
Final Fantasy V – Beyond the Deep Blue Sea
Final Fantasy VII – A Secret Sleeping in the Sea
Golden Sun – Set Sail! Through the Karagol Sea
Kirby’s Adventure – Orange Ocean
Little Nemo: The Dream Master - Night Sea
Mario Party 3 – Deep Bloober Sea
Mega Man 2 – Bubble Man
Mega Man X5 – Duff McWhalen Stage
Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate (winner ( /e4fca3110172bcfb40e72593fcf1c526/showpost.php?p=1339367&postcount=388 ))
Okami – Dragon Palace
Pikmin 2 – Perplexing Pool
Plok – Beach
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald – Dive
Ristar – Splash Down
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Aquatic Ruin Zone
Sonic Adventure 2 – Dive into the Mellow (Aquatic Mine)
Sonic CD – Tidal Tempest/Bad Future (US)
Super Mario Bros. – Underwater
Super Mario 64 – Dire Dire Docks
Super Metroid – Maridia (Rocky Underwater Area)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Defuse Bombs (Area 2-2)
Tetris Attack – Water World
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Water Temple
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker – The Great Sea
Treasures of the Deep - Wreck of the Concepcion
Waterworld – Diving

Battle 4: Castlevania songs
Castlevania — Vampire Killer
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest — Bloody Tears
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest — Dwelling of Doom
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest — The Silence of the Daylight
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest — Within These Castle Walls
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse — Beginning (winner ( /e4fca3110172bcfb40e72593fcf1c526/showpost.php?p=1386730&postcount=709 ))
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse — Demon Seed
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse — Flashback
Super Castlevania IV — Clockwork Mansion
Super Castlevania IV — The Cave
Super Castlevania IV — Theme of Simon
Castlevania: Bloodlines — Iron-Blue Intention
Castlevania: Bloodlines — Requiem for the Nameless Victims
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — Abandoned Pit
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — Dance of the Pales
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — Marble Gallery
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — Requiem for the Gods
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — Wood Carving Partita
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon — Awake
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon — Repose of Souls
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow — Heart of Fire
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence — House of Sacred Remains
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence — Leon’s Theme
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow — Subterranean Hell
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness — Abandoned Castle
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness — Cordova Town
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness — Followers of Darkness the Second
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness — Garibaldi Courtyard
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin — The Hidden Curse
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia — A Clashing of Waves
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia — Edge of the Sky
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia — Jaws of a Scorched Earth

Battle 5: NES soundtracks
Alien 3
Astyanax
Batman
Batman: Return of the Joker
Battle of Olympus
Battletoads
Bionic Commando
Blaster Master
Bubble Bobble
Bucky O’Hare
Castlevania
Castlevania II
Castlevania III
Chip n’ Dale’s Rescue Rangers
Contra
Darkwing Duck
Dr. Mario
Duck Tales
Faxanadu
Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy II
Final Fantasy III
Ghosts and Goblins
Goonies II
Gradius
Gremlins 2
Guardian Legend
Jackal
Journey to Silius
Kid Icarus
Kirby’s Adventure
Legend of Zelda
Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Life Force
Little Nemo: The Dream Master
Little Samson
Maniac Mansion
Mega Man
Mega Man 2 (winner ( /e4fca3110172bcfb40e72593fcf1c526/showpost.php?p=1443546&postcount=1069 ))
Mega Man 3
Metal Gear
Metroid
Mike Tyson’s Punch Out!
Mother
Nightmare on Elm Street
Ninja Gaiden
Ninja Gaiden III
Rygar
Shadowgate
Shadow of the Ninja
Silver Surfer
Solstice
Star Tropics
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. 2
Super Mario Bros. 3
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: The Manhattan Project
Tetris
Willow
Wizards and Warriors
Wizards and Warriors II
Wizards and Warriors III

Battle 6: Nobuo Uematsu soundtracks
Anata o Yurusanai
Blue Dragon
Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy III
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy V
Final Fantasy VI (winner ( /e4fca3110172bcfb40e72593fcf1c526/showpost.php?p=1424858&postcount=916 ))
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy X
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
Lord of Vermilion
Lost Odyssey
Rad Racer

Battle 7: Metal Gear songs
Metal Gear – Building
Metal Gear – Jungle
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake – Level 1 Warning
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake – Night Fall
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake – Red Sun
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake – Theme of Solid Snake
Metal Gear Solid – Cavern
Metal Gear Solid – Encounter
Metal Gear Solid – Main Theme
Metal Gear Solid – Mantis' Hymn
Metal Gear Solid – The Best Is Yet to Come (winner ( /e4fca3110172bcfb40e72593fcf1c526/showpost.php?p=1485511&postcount=1419 ))
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Can’t Say Goodbye to Yesterday
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Electronica Emma
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Fortune
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Main Theme
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Revolver Ocelot
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Twilight Sniping
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – Main Theme
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – Old Metal Gear
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – On the Ground ~ Battle in the Jungle
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – Operation Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – The Fury
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops – Calling to the Night
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops – Cunningham
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops – Gene
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops – Sad Man’s Theme
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Desperate Chase
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Everything Begins
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Guns of the Patriots
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Love Theme
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Old Snake

Battle 8: SNES soundtracks
7th Saga
ActRaiser
Axelay
Bahamut Lagoon
Blackthorne
Breath of Fire
Breath of Fire II
Bust-A-Move
Chrono Trigger
Contra III: The Alien Wars
Demon’s Crest
Disney’s The Lion King
Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Country 2
Donkey Kong Country 3
Dragon Quest VI
Earthbound
E.V.O.: Search for Eden
Earthworm Jim
F-Zero
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy V
Final Fantasy VI (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
Gradius III
Illusion of Gaia
Kendo Rage
Killer Instinct
Kirby Super Star
Legend of the Mystical Ninja
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Live A Live
Lost Vikings
Lufia
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
Mario Paint
Mega Man X
Ninja Gaiden Trilogy
Ninja Warriors Again
Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
Plok
Secret of Evermore
Secret of Mana
Seiken Densetsu 3
SimCity
Soul Blazer
Star Fox
Star Ocean
Street Fighter II
Super Castlevania IV
Super Mario Kart
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Super Mario World
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
Super Metroid
Super Turrican
Tactics Ogre
Tales of Phantasia
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time
Terranigma
Tetris Attack
Treasure Hunter G
Zombies Ate My Neighbors

Battle 9: Genesis soundtracks
Adventures of Batman and Robin
Alien Soldier
Altered Beast
Beyond Oasis
Castle of Illusion
Castlevania: Bloodlines
Columns
Comix Zone
Contra: Hard Corps
Devilish
Dynamite Headdy
Earthworm Jim
Earthworm Jim 2
Ecco the Dolphin
Ecco: The Tides of Time
Elemental Master
Eternal Champions
Gley Lancer
Golden Axe
Golden Axe II
Golden Axe III
Gunstar Heroes
Herzog Zwei
High Seas Havoc
Jewel Master
Kid Chameleon
Landstalker
Master of Monsters
Mega Man: The Wily Wars
Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker
Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat II
Ooze
Out Run
Phantasy Star IV
Pulseman
Quackshot
Revenge of Shinobi
Ristar
Rocket Knight Adventures
Shining Force
Shining Force II
Shinobi III
Sonic the Hedgehog (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Sonic 3D Blast
Splatterhouse 2
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Strider
Sub-Terrania
Super Fantasy Zone
Street Fighter II Super Championship Edition
Sword of Vermillion
Thunder Force II
Thunder Force IV
Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure
ToeJam & Earl
Uncharted Waters: New Horizons
Valis III
Vectorman
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
Zero Wing

Battle 10: Yasunori Mitsuda soundtracks
Arc Rise Fantasia
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack
Chrono Cross (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Chrono Trigger
Deep Labyrinth
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
Graffiti Kingdom
Legaia 2: Duel Saga
Mario Party
Sands of Destruction
Shadow Hearts
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Soma Bringer
Tsugunai: Atonement
Xenogears
Xenosaga Episode 1: Der Wille zur Macht

Battle 11: Mega Man songs
Mega Man — Bomb Man
Mega Man — Fire Man
Mega Man 2 — Air Man
Mega Man 2 — Bubble Man
Mega Man 2 — Flash Man
Mega Man 2 — Metal Man
Mega Man 2 — Wily Stage 1
Mega Man 2 — Wood Man
Mega Man 3 — Shadow Man
Mega Man 3 — Title (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Mega Man 3 — Top Man
Mega Man 3 — Wily Stage 1
Mega Man 4 — Dive Man
Mega Man 5 — Proto Man Fortress
Mega Man 5 — Wily Fight
Mega Man 5 — Wily Fortress
Mega Man 6 — Flame Man
Mega Man 6 — Knight Man
Mega Man 6 — Mr. X Stages
Mega Man X — Armored Armadillo
Mega Man X — Password Screen
Mega Man X — Spark Mandrill
Mega Man X — Stage Select
Mega Man X2 — Bubble Crab
Mega Man X5 — Grizzly Slash
Mega Man X5 — X vs. Zero
Mega Man X6 — Blaze Heatnix
Mega Man X6 — Commander Yammark
Mega Man 9 — Concrete Man
Mega Man 9 — Galaxy Man
Mega Man 9 — Hornet Man
Mega Man 9 — We’re the Robots

Battle 12: Suikoden songs
Suikoden – Beautiful Golden City
Suikoden – Distant Mountain
Suikoden – Eternal Flow
Suikoden – Forgotten Days
Suikoden – Rising Tide
Suikoden – Tropical Bath
Suikoden II – Amid the Silence
Suikoden II – Gothic Neclord
Suikoden II – Imprisoned Town (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Suikoden II – Nahala Yam Koong
Suikoden II – Opening
Suikoden II – Reminiscence
Suikoden II – The Outskirts of Tinto
Suikoden II – Two Rivers
Suikoden III – Exceeding Love
Suikoden III – Noisy Wind
Suikoden III – Searching for a Hero
Suikoden IV – Base 2
Suikoden IV – La Mer
Suikoden Tactics – Once Upon a Time
Suikoden Tactics – Studying the Battle
Suikoden V – A Nap
Suikoden V – Crossing the Mountain River
Suikoden V – Into a World of Illusions
Suikoden V – Sealed Room
Suikoden V – The Deep Forest
Suikoden V – Town on a River
Suikoden V – Traces of the Sindar Civilization
Suikoden V – Warmth
Suikoden V – Wind of Phantom
Suikoden Tierkreis – Citro Plains
Suikoden Tierkreis – Mining Village

Battle 13: PlayStation soundtracks
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere
Brave Fencer Musashi
Breath of Fire III
Breath of Fire IV
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Chrono Cross
Crash Bandicoot 2
Crash Bandicoot 3
Dragon Warrior VII
Einhander
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy Tactics
Front Mission 2
Front Mission 3
Gauntlet Legends
Grandia
Gran Turismo
Gran Turismo 2
Intelligent Qube
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Koudelka
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
Legend of Dragoon
Legend of Mana
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete
MediEvil
Mega Man X5
Mega Man X6
Metal Gear Solid
Monster Rancher
Monster Rancher 2
Parappa the Rapper
Parasite Eve
Persona
Persona 2
Policenauts
Rage Racer
Resident Evil
Resident Evil 2
Silent Hill
Skullmonkeys
Soukaigi
Soul Edge
Spyro
Spyro 2
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Suikoden
Suikoden II
Tales of Destiny
Tales of Eternia
Tekken 3
Threads of Fate
Thunder Force V
Tomb Raider
Treasures of the Deep
UmJammer Lammy
Vagrant Story (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Valkyrie Profile
Wild Arms
Wild Arms 2
Xenogears

Battle 14: Hitoshi Sakimoto soundtracks
ASH: Archaic Sealed Heat
Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter
Devilish
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Final Fantasy XII
Gradius V
Legaia 2: Duel Saga
Odin Sphere
Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
Radiant Silvergun
Stella Deus: The Gate of Eternity
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
Treasure Hunter G
Vagrant Story (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Valkyria Chronicles

Battle 15: PlayStation 2 soundtracks
Arcana Heart
Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2
Beyond Good & Evil
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry 3
Disgaea 2
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3
Dragon Quest VIII
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy XII
God of War
God of War II
Gran Turismo 3
Grandia 3
GrimGrimoire
Guilty Gear XX
Gungrave
ICO
Jak and Daxter
Jak 3
Katamari Damacy
Killer7
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts II
Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil
Metal Gear Solid 2
Metal Gear Solid 3
Odin Sphere
Okami
Phantom Brave
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Radiata Stories
Ratchet and Clank
Ratchet and Clank 2
Ratchet and Clank 3
Rule of Rose
Shadow Hearts
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Shadow Hearts: From the New World
Shadow of the Colossus (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Shinobi
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 3
Silent Hill 4
Sly Cooper
Sly Cooper 3
Soul Calibur 3
Star Ocean: Til the End of Time
Suikoden III
Suikoden V
Tales of Legendia
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und B�se
Zone of the Enders

Battle 16: Composer vs. Composer
Hirokazu Ando
Robin Beanland
David Bergeaud
Russell Brower
Howard Drossin
Tim Follin
Yasuaki "Bun Bun" Fujita
Martin Galway
Masashi Hamauzu
Miki Higashino
Chris H�lsbeck
Daisuke Ishiwatari
Kenji Ito
Noriyuki Iwadare
Hiroki Kikuta
Grant Kirkhope
Frank Klepacki
Naoki Kodaka
Koji Kondo
Yuzo Koshiro
Jesper Kyd
Michael Land
Gerard Marino
Junichi Masuda
Noriko Matsueda
Manami Matsumae
Hayato Matsuo
Shoji Meguro
Yasunori Mitsuda
Yu Miyake
Junya Nakano
Michiko Naruke
Spencer Nilsen
Martin O'Donnell
Soyo Oka
Michiru Oshima
Kow Otani
Bobby Prince
Stephen Rippy
Paul Ruskay
Shogo Sakai
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Motoi Sakuraba
Ryuji Sasai
Tenpei Sato
Jun Senoue
Yoko Shimomura
Jeremy Soule
Glenn Stafford
Koichi Sugiyama
Motoaki Takenouchi
Tommy Tallarico
Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka
Masami Ueda
Matt Uelmen
Nobuo Uematsu (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Hajime Wakai
Jack Wall
David Wise
Kenji Yamamoto
Michiru Yamane
Toshiharu Yamanishi
Akira Yamaoka
Inon Zur

Battle 17: Final Fantasy songs
Final Fantasy I – Gurgu Volcano
Final Fantasy I – Matoya's Cavern
Final Fantasy II – Ancient Castle
Final Fantasy II – Main Theme
Final Fantasy II – Tower of Mages
Final Fantasy III – Battle
Final Fantasy III – Cloud of Darkness
Final Fantasy III – Crystal Cave
Final Fantasy III – Eternal Wind
Final Fantasy III – The Invincible
Final Fantasy IV – Fight 2
Final Fantasy IV – Main Theme
Final Fantasy IV – Mystic Mysidia
Final Fantasy IV – Prelude
Final Fantasy IV – Prologue
Final Fantasy IV – Red Wings
Final Fantasy IV – The Dreadful Fight
Final Fantasy IV – The Final Battle
Final Fantasy IV – The Lunarians
Final Fantasy IV – Troian Beauty
Final Fantasy IV – Within the Giant
Final Fantasy V – Clash on the Big Bridge
Final Fantasy V – Cursed Earth
Final Fantasy V – Dear Friends
Final Fantasy V – Harvest
Final Fantasy V – Home Sweet Home
Final Fantasy V – Sealed Away
Final Fantasy V – The Day Will Come
Final Fantasy VI – Dancing Mad (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Final Fantasy VI – Devil's Lab
Final Fantasy VI – Kefka
Final Fantasy VI – Last Dungeon
Final Fantasy VI – New Continent
Final Fantasy VI – Opening Theme
Final Fantasy VI – Phantom Train
Final Fantasy VI – Save Them!
Final Fantasy VI – Slam Shuffle
Final Fantasy VI – The Decisive Battle
Final Fantasy VI – The Empire
Final Fantasy VI – The Fierce Battle
Final Fantasy VI – The Mines of Narshe
Final Fantasy VI – Troops March On
Final Fantasy VI – Wild West
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith's Theme
Final Fantasy VII – Birth of a God
Final Fantasy VII – Bombing Mission
Final Fantasy VII – Chasing the Black-Caped Man
Final Fantasy VII – Gold Saucer
Final Fantasy VII – J-E-N-O-V-A
Final Fantasy VII – JENOVA Absolute
Final Fantasy VII – Off the Edge of Despair
Final Fantasy VII – On the Other Side of the Mountain
Final Fantasy VII – One-Winged Angel
Final Fantasy VII – Still More Fighting
Final Fantasy VII – The Forested Temple
Final Fantasy VII – The Nightmare Begins
Final Fantasy VII – Valley of the Fallen Star
Final Fantasy VIII – Blue Fields
Final Fantasy VIII – Breezy
Final Fantasy VIII – Eyes on Me
Final Fantasy VIII – Find Your Way
Final Fantasy VIII – Force Your Way
Final Fantasy VIII – Liberi Fatali
Final Fantasy VIII – Martial Law
Final Fantasy VIII – Maybe I'm a Lion
Final Fantasy VIII – The Castle
Final Fantasy VIII – The Extreme
Final Fantasy VIII – The Man with the Machine Gun
Final Fantasy VIII – The Spy
Final Fantasy VIII – Under Her Control
Final Fantasy IX – Awakened Forest
Final Fantasy IX – Dark Messenger
Final Fantasy IX – Eternal Harvest
Final Fantasy IX – Final Battle
Final Fantasy IX – Freya's Theme
Final Fantasy IX – Frontier Village Dali
Final Fantasy IX – Kuja's Theme
Final Fantasy IX – Melodies of Life
Final Fantasy IX – Song of Memories
Final Fantasy IX – Theme of the Tantalus
Final Fantasy IX – The Place I'll Return To Someday
Final Fantasy IX – Vamo Alla Flamenco
Final Fantasy IX – Vivi's Theme
Final Fantasy X – Attack (Raid)
Final Fantasy X – Auron's Theme
Final Fantasy X – Besaid Island
Final Fantasy X – Between Ordeals
Final Fantasy X – Daughter of the Great Summoner
Final Fantasy X – Decisive Battle
Final Fantasy X – Otherworld
Final Fantasy X – Seymour Battle
Final Fantasy X – Sprouting
Final Fantasy X – Suteki da ne
Final Fantasy X – The Sight of Spira
Final Fantasy X – The Silence Before the Storm
Final Fantasy X – To Zanarkand
Final Fantasy XI – Airship
Final Fantasy XI – Anxiety
Final Fantasy XI – Chateau d'Oraguille
Final Fantasy XI – Despair
Final Fantasy XI – Gustaberg
Final Fantasy XI – Selbina
Final Fantasy XI – Sometime, Somewhere
Final Fantasy XII – Ashe's Theme
Final Fantasy XII – Eruyt Village
Final Fantasy XII – Esper Battle
Final Fantasy XII – Nalbina Fortress Underground Prison
Final Fantasy XII – Rabanastre Downtown
Final Fantasy XII – Rebellion
Final Fantasy XII – Seeking Power
Final Fantasy XII – The Forgotten Capital
Final Fantasy XII – Theme Of The Empire
Final Fantasy XII – The Phon Coast
Final Fantasy XII – The Royal City Of Rabanastre
Final Fantasy XII – The Skycity of Bhujerba
Final Fantasy XII – To the Place of Gods
Final Fantasy XIII – All the World Against Us
Final Fantasy XIII – Barthandelus Battle
Final Fantasy XIII – Born Anew
Final Fantasy XIII – Mysteries Abound
Final Fantasy XIII – Saber's Edge
Final Fantasy XIII – Taejin's Tower
Final Fantasy XIII – Will to Fight
Final Fantasy XIV – Aetherial Slumber
Final Fantasy XIV – Desert Moon Defied
Final Fantasy XIV – On Windy Meadows
Final Fantasy XIV – Track 27
Final Fantasy XIV – Track 42

Battle 18: Metroid songs
Metroid – Title
Metroid – Brinstar
Metroid – Norfair
Metroid – Kraid's Lair
Metroid II – Title Theme
Metroid II – Surface of SR388
Metroid II – Metroid Hatchling Theme
Super Metroid – Title Screen
Super Metroid – Mother Brain
Super Metroid – Lower Brinstar
Super Metroid – Upper Brinstar
Super Metroid – Item Room Ambience
Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate
Metroid Prime – Ice Valley (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Metroid Prime – Data Selection
Metroid Prime – Tallon Overworld
Metroid Prime – Impact Crater Core
Metroid Fusion – Serris X
Metroid Fusion – Sector 5
Metroid Fusion – SR388 Return Area
Metroid Prime 2 – Title
Metroid Prime 2 – Torus Bog
Metroid Prime 2 – Emperor Ing (first and second form)
Metroid Prime 2 – Emperor Ing (final form)
Metroid Prime Hunters – Menu
Metroid Prime Hunters – Gorea Final Boss Theme
Metroid Prime 3 – Dark Samus on Norion
Metroid Prime 3 – Bryyo Ice
Metroid Prime 3 – GFS Valhalla
Other M – Uncovering the Bioweapons Plot
Other M – Approaching Sector Zero
Other M – Ridley Theme

Battle 19: Tim Follin songs
Agent X
Agent X II
Agent X II - Level 1
Arcade's Revenge - Title
Arcade's Revenge - Spider-Man
Arcade's Revenge - Gambit
Bionic Commando - Stage 2
Black Lamp - In-Game Theme
ChesterField: Challenge to Dark Gor
Chronos
Equinox - Boss
Future Games
Future Tactics: The Uprising - Enemy Attack 1
Gauntlet III - Title (C64)
Gauntlet III - Title (Amiga)
Gauntlet III - Character Select
Ghouls 'n Ghosts - Title (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Ghouls n' Ghosts - Level 2
Ghouls n' Ghosts - Level 5
Magic Johnson's Basketball
Pictionary - Title
Pictionary - Drawing Game
Plok - Akrillic
Plok - Cotton Island
Plok - Venge Thicket
Puzznic
Scumball
Silver Surfer - Level 1
Solstice - Title
Time Trax
Treasure Master - Title
Treasure Master - World 4

Battle 20: Motoi Sakuraba soundtracks
Baten Kaitos
Dark Souls
El Viento
Golden Sun
Golden Sun: The Lost Age
Infinite Undiscovery
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Shining Force III
Star Ocean
Star Ocean: The Second Story (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Tales of Destiny
Tales of Eternia
Tales of Phantasia
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria

Battle 21: Game Boy songs
Battle Bull - Title Theme
Battletoads - Stage 3
Burai Fighter Deluxe - Stage 1
Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge - Evil Gods
Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge - Praying Hands
Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge - Ripe Seeds
Final Fantasy Legend II - The Legend Begins
Final Fantasy Legend III - Holy Ruins (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Final Fantasy Legend III - Oasis
Final Fantasy Legend III - Setting off into the Future
Final Fantasy Legend III - Theme of Another Dimension
Fist of the North Star - Heart, Uygur
Gargoyle's Quest - Breager's Castle
Gargoyle's Quest - Dark Road
Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru - The Prince's Adventure
Kirby's Dream Land - Green Greens
Kirby's Dream Land 2 - Big Forest
Link's Awakening - Tal Tal Heights
Link's Awakening - Sword Search
Mega Man II - Air Man
Mega Man II - Clash Man
Metroid II - Metroid Hatchling Theme
Metroid II - Surface of SR388
Metroid II - Title Theme
Ninja Gaiden Shadow - Stage 3
Pokemon - Gym Leader Battle
Robocop - Title
Spot: The Video Game - Your Turn
Super Mario Land - Rocket Ship Ride
Tetris - Music A
Yakuman - Main Theme
X - Tunnel Scene

Battle 22: N64 soundtracks
1080� Snowboarding
Animal Crossing
Armorines: Project SWARM
Banjo-Kazooie
Banjo-Tooie
Blast Corps
Body Harvest
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack
Bomberman Hero
Buck Bumble
Castlevania 64
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
Chameleon Twist
Command & Conquer
Conker's Bad Fur Day
Diddy Kong Racing
Donkey Kong 64
Doom 64
Extreme-G
F-Zero X
Gauntlet Legends
Gex 64: Enter the Gecko
Glover
GoldenEye 007
Harvest Moon 64
Hydro Thunder
Jet Force Gemini
Killer Instinct Gold
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Magical Tetris Challenge
Mario Golf
Mario Kart 64
Mario Party
Mario Party 2
Mario Party 3
Mischief Makers
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon
Mystical Ninja 2 Starring Goemon
New Tetris
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Paper Mario
Perfect Dark
Pilotwings 64
Pok�mon Stadium
Quake 64
Quake II
Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Ridge Racer 64
San Francisco Rush 2049
Shadow Man
Snowboard Kids
Space Station Silicon Valley
Spiderman
Star Fox 64
Super Mario 64
Super Smash Bros.
Tetrisphere
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil
Wave Race 64
Wipeout 64
Yoshi’s Story

Battle 23: The Legend of Zelda songs
The Legend of Zelda – Death Mountain
The Legend of Zelda – Intro
The Legend of Zelda – Overworld (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
The Legend of Zelda – Underworld
The Adventure of Link – Battle
The Adventure of Link – Great Palace
The Adventure of Link – Guardian
The Adventure of Link – House
The Adventure of Link – Overworld
The Adventure of Link – Palace
The Adventure of Link – Title
A Link to the Past – Battle with Ganon
A Link to the Past – Boss
A Link to the Past – Church
A Link to the Past – Dark Mountain Forest
A Link to the Past – Dark World
A Link to the Past – Dungeon
A Link to the Past – Forest
A Link to the Past – Hyrule Castle
A Link to the Past – Overworld
A Link to the Past – Priest
A Link to the Past – Title/Opening
Four Swords – Vaati
Link’s Awakening – Ballad of the Wind Fish
Link’s Awakening – Color Dungeon (DX)
Link’s Awakening – Kanalet Castle
Link’s Awakening – Level 1/Tail Cave
Link’s Awakening – Link's Awake
Link’s Awakening – Mt. Tamaranch
Link’s Awakening – Mysterious Forest
Link’s Awakening – Nightmare Battles
Link’s Awakening – Overworld
Link’s Awakening – Sword Search
Link’s Awakening – Wind Fish's Egg
Ocarina of Time – Chamber of the Sages
Ocarina of Time – Deku Tree
Ocarina of Time – Fire Temple
Ocarina of Time – Forest Temple
Ocarina of Time – Ganon's Castle
Ocarina of Time – Ganon's Castle Tower
Ocarina of Time – Ganondorf Battle
Ocarina of Time – Ganondorf's Theme
Ocarina of Time – Gerudo Valley
Ocarina of Time – Goron City
Ocarina of Time – Great Fairy Fountain
Ocarina of Time – House
Ocarina of Time – Hyrule Field Main Theme
Ocarina of Time – Kakariko Village
Ocarina of Time – Kokiri Forest
Ocarina of Time – Koume & Kotake's Theme
Ocarina of Time – Last Battle
Ocarina of Time – Lost Woods
Ocarina of Time – Potion Shop
Ocarina of Time – Spirit Temple
Ocarina of Time – Temple of Time
Ocarina of Time – Title Theme
Ocarina of Time – Zora's Domain
Majora’s Mask – Chase
Majora’s Mask – Clock Town, Third Day
Majora’s Mask – Deku's Palace
Majora’s Mask – Ghost Attack
Majora’s Mask – Ikana Castle
Majora’s Mask – Ikana Valley
Majora’s Mask – Last Day
Majora’s Mask – Majora’s Mask Battle
Majora’s Mask – Majora's Wrath
Majora’s Mask – Mayor's Meeting
Majora’s Mask – Stone Tower Temple
Majora’s Mask – Title Theme
Oracle of Seasons – Gnarled Root Dungeon
Oracle of Seasons – Knowledge of the Maku Trees
Oracle of Seasons – Miniboss Battle!
Oracle of Seasons – Samasa Desert
Oracle of Seasons – Secrets of the Oracles
Oracle of Seasons – Sword & Shield Maze
Oracle of Seasons – Tarm Ruins/The Lost Woods
Oracle of Seasons – Temple Ruins
Oracle of Ages – Final Quest/The Room of Rites
Oracle of Ages – Nayru's Song
Oracle of Ages – Queen Ambi's Palace
Oracle of Ages – Sadness
Oracle of Ages – Secret Maze on the Sea of No Return
Oracle of Ages – The Black Tower
Oracle of Ages – Top Floor/General Onox's Castle
Oracle of Ages – Trouble on the Raft!
The Wind Waker – Battle
The Wind Waker – Dragon Roost Island
The Wind Waker – Farewell Hyrule King
The Wind Waker – Hyrule Castle
The Wind Waker – Molgera
The Wind Waker – Ocean
The Wind Waker – Outset Island
The Wind Waker – Sealed Hyrule Castle
The Wind Waker – The Legendary Hero
The Wind Waker – Title
The Wind Waker – Windfall Island
The Minish Cap – Castor Wilds
The Minish Cap – Deepwood Shrine
The Minish Cap – Vaati
Twilight Princess – A Beast in the Village
Twilight Princess – Blizzeta Battle Second Half
Twilight Princess – Dark Grotto
Twilight Princess – Gerudo Desert
Twilight Princess – Hidden Village
Twilight Princess – Hunting the Monkey
Twilight Princess – Hyrule Field Night Theme
Twilight Princess – Hyrule Field Main Theme
Twilight Princess – Kakariko is Saved
Twilight Princess – Lake Hylia
Twilight Princess – Midna's Desperation
Twilight Princess – Midna's Theme
Twilight Princess – Ordon Ranch
Twilight Princess – River Game
Twilight Princess – Stallord
Twilight Princess – The Sacred Grove
Twilight Princess – The Twilight Realm
Twilight Princess – Wise People
Phantom Hourglass – The Great Sea
Spirit Tracks – Papuchia Village
Skyward Sword – Ancient Lanayru
Skyward Sword – Before the Journey
Skyward Sword – Duel at the Temple of Time ~ Impa vs. Ghirahim
Skyward Sword – Earth Temple
Skyward Sword – Faron Woods
Skyward Sword – Lanayru Desert
Skyward Sword – Mini Boss Battle 2 ~ Lizalfos
Skyward Sword – Prologue ~ Legend of the Goddess
Skyward Sword – The Demon King Demise Battle ~Finale~

Battle 24: World of Warcraft songs
World of Warcraft - Enchanted Forest
World of Warcraft - Ironforge
World of Warcraft - Legends of Azeroth (Log-in Screen)
World of Warcraft - Orgrimmar
World of Warcraft - Stormwind
World of Warcraft - Tavern (Alliance)
World of Warcraft - Tavern (Pirate)
World of Warcraft - Slaughtered Lamb
Assault on Blackwing Lair - Darkmoon Faire
Rise of the Blood God - Zul'Gurub Voodoo
Shadow of the Necropolis - Fire Festival (Horde)
Shadow of the Necropolis - Naxxramas Walk
The Burning Crusade - Echoes of the Past
The Burning Crusade - Outlands Alliance Base
The Burning Crusade - Outlands Horde Base
The Burning Crusade - Silvermoon
The Burning Crusade - The Burning Legion (Log-in Screen)
The Burning Crusade - Hellfire Peninsula
The Burning Crusade - Karazhan Opera House
Black Temple - The Storm Summit
The Gods of Zul'Aman - Zul'jin
The Gods of Zul'Aman - Victory
Fury of the Sunwell - Distraction at the Dead Scar
Fury of the Sunwell - Kael'thas
Wrath of the Lich King - Wrath of the Lich King (Log-in Screen)
Wrath of the Lich King - Dragons' Rest
Wrath of the Lich King - Crystalsong
Wrath of the Lich King - Dalaran
Wrath of the Lich King - Garden of Life
Wrath of the Lich King - Northrend Transport Night
Wrath of the Lich King - Totems of the Grizzlemaw
Wrath of the Lich King - Angrathar's Shadow
Wrath of the Lich King - Culling of Stratholme Battle Walk
Secrets of Ulduar - The Siege
Call of the Crusade - The Argent Tournament
Call of the Crusade - The Horse and Lance
Call of the Crusade - Joust
Call of the Crusade - Isle of Conquest
Call of the Crusade - Into the Coliseum
Call of the Crusade - The Black Knight
Fall of the Lich King - Operation: Gnomeregan Intro
Fall of the Lich King - Plagueworks
Fall of the Lich King - San'layn
Cataclysm - Xaxas
Cataclysm - The Shattering (Log-in Music) (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Cataclysm - Tempest's Wake
Cataclysm - Depths of Vashj'ir
Cataclysm - Thaurissan's Reach
Cataclysm - Nightsong
Cataclysm - Kezan/Lost Isles 09
Rise of the Zandalari - Bloodlord Mandokir
Rage of the Firelands - Druids of the Flame
Rage of the Firelands - Air
Hour of Twilight - Cannonballs and Parties and Magic Cards!
Hour of Twilight - Thrall's Might
Hour of Twilight - Dragon Soul
Hour of Twilight - The Fall of Deathwing
Mists of Pandaria - Heart of Pandaria (Log-in Screen)
Mists of Pandaria - Temple of the Five Dawns
Mists of Pandaria - Way of the Monk
Mists of Pandaria - Thunder King
Mists of Pandaria - Going Hozen
Mists of Pandaria - Serpent Riders
Mists of Pandaria - Wisdom of Yu'lon
Landfall - For the Alliance
Landfall - Garrosh's Theme
Landfall - Jaina's Ode to Theramore
Landfall - The Dark Moon Faire's Merry-Go-Round
Rise of the Thunder King - The Zandalari
The Siege of Orgrimmar - Finality
Warlords of Draenor - Patience Point
Warlords of Draenor - Family
Warlords of Draenor - Wolf at the Gates
Warlords of Draenor - Elune's Shadow
Warlords of Draenor - Fel Wasteland
Warlords of Draenor - Tides of War
Warlords of Draenor - Magnificent Desolation
Warlords of Draenor - A Hero's Sacrifice
Warlords of Draenor - Stormlords on the March
Warlords of Draenor - Allegiances

Battle 25: ArthurGolden's Custom Rumble
Adventures of Bayou Billy - Street Fighting
Armored Core: For Answer - Someone Is Always Moving on the Surface
Darksiders II - The Death Plains
Digital: A Love Story - Paper Dolls
Flight - I'm Feeling Lovely
Dustforce - Elvish Piper Academy
Grandia - The Theme of Grandia
Guild Wars 2 - The Great Wall Has Fallen
Lord of Vermilion 2 - Lord of Vermilion 2
Minecraft - Subwoofer Lullaby
Monkey Island 2 - The Crypt (Rapp Scallion)
Mystic Ark - First Step Towards Adventure
Plok - Flea Pit
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game - Another Winter
Total Distortion - You Are Dead
Tower of Heaven - Luna Ascension (winner ( Thread 66118 ))

Battle 26: Yoko Shimomura soundtracks
Front Mission
Heroes of Mana
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts II
Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep
Last Ranker
Legend of Mana (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Live a Live
Luminous Arc 2
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
Nemo
Parasite Eve
Radiant Historia
Street Fighter II
Super Mario RPG
Xenoblade Chronicles

Battle 27: Shad's Custom Rumble
Alien Soldier - Flashback
Bombuzal - Title Screen
Crystal Hammer - Title Screen (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Darius - The Sea
Forgotten Worlds - Title Theme
Future Games - Title Screen
Gauntlet - Stage 1
Illusion City - Noises of the City
Mother - Humoresque of a Little Dog
R-Type - Title Theme
Shinra Banshou - The Universe
Snatcher - Pleasure of Tension
Ultima III - Town
Ultima IV - Castle
Wizards and Warriors - Outside the Castle
Yie Ar Kung-Fu - Title Screen

Battle 28: Akira Yamaoka songs
Black Knight Sword - Catgrass Greenhouse
Contra: Shattered Soldier - Dearest
Shadows of the Damned - Great Demon World Forest
Shadows of the Damned - It's A Bughunt
Shadows of the Damned - Suburban Nightmares
Silent Hill - Ain't Gonna Rain
Silent Hill - Killing Time
Silent Hill - Over
Silent Hill - Silent Hill
Silent Hill - Tears of... (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Silent Hill 2 - Alone in the Town
Silent Hill 2 - Betrayal
Silent Hill 2 - Laura Plays The Piano
Silent Hill 2 - Ordinary Vanity
Silent Hill 2 - Pianissimo Epilogue
Silent Hill 2 - Theme of Laura
Silent Hill 2 - True
Silent Hill 3 - Breeze ~ In Monochrome Night
Silent Hill 3 - Never Forgive Me, Never Forget Me
Silent Hill 3 - Please Love Me...Once More
Silent Hill 3 - Sickness Unto Foolish Death
Silent Hill 4: The Room - Nightmarish Waltz
Silent Hill 4: The Room - Tender Sugar
Silent Hill 4: The Room - Wounded Warsong
Silent Hill: Origins - Illusion in Me
Silent Hill: Origins - Passion That Binds Me
Silent Hill: Origins - Town of Mysteries
Silent Hill: Origins - Tribal Curse
Silent Hill: Homecoming - Elle Theme
Silent Hill: Homecoming - Regards
Silent Hill: Homecoming - Witchcraft
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories - Always On My Mind

Battle 29: Commodore 64 songs
Adidas Championship Football - Intro / Game Options
Ark Pandora - Title Screen
Armalyte - Title Screen
Ball-Blasta - Name Entry
Battle Ships - Title
Bee 52 - Main Theme
Cataball - Title Screen
Chimera - Ending
Comic Bakery - Loading Tune
Cybernoid - Main Theme (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Cybernoid II - Main Theme
Dark Side - Main Theme
Defcom - Main Theme
DJ Puff's Volcantic Capers - Title Screen
Dominator - Loading Tune
Driller - Main Theme
Eliminator - In-Game
Escape from Paradise - Main Theme
Fist II - The Legend Continues - BGM #1
Flimbo's Quest - Loading Screen
Forbidden Forest - Title Screen & Main BGM
Fourth Protocol - Main Theme
Frightmare - Main Theme
Gordian Tomb - Title Screen
Grand Monster Slam - Title Screen
Hawkeye - Load Next Level
Hypa-Ball - Title Screen
Hysteria - In-Game BGM
Krakout - Title Screen & BGM #1
Last Ninja 2 - Central Park (In-Game)
Last Ninja Remix - Central Park - The Wastelands (Remix 1)
Loopz - Tune A
Monty on the Run - Main Theme
Ocean Loader - Ocean Loader #2
Odysseus: Trojan Warrior - Title Screen
Puzzlenoid - Title Screen
Quedex - Title Screen
Rambo: First Blood Part II - Loading Screen
Revolution - Aggressor Theme
RoboCop - Main Theme
Rock'n Roll - Take Off Song
Rolling Ronny - The Sewers
R-Type - Title Screen
Rubicon - Loader
Sanxion - Loader (Thalamusik)
Slightly Magic - Title Screen
Sly Spy: Secret Agent - Stage 9: Enemy Headquarters
Spellbound - In-Game Music
Startrash - Intro
Stormlord - In-Game Tune
Stormlord - Title Tune
Street Surfer - Main Theme
Tales of Boon - Name Entry
Tarzan Goes Ape! - Title Screen
Tetris - Main Theme
The Last Ninja - The Wilderness
Traz - Main Theme
Troll - In-Game BGM
Turrican - Intro
Turrican 2: The Final Fight - Title Screen
Underground - In-Game
Wizball - Title Screen
Xenophobe - BGM #3
Zamzara - Main Theme

Battle 30: 7th Gen Console soundtracks
3D Dot Game Heroes
A Boy and His Blob
Arc Rise Fantasia
Assassin's Creed II (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Bastion
BioShock
BioShock Infinite
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
Blue Dragon
Br�tal Legend
Create
Crysis 2
Darksiders II
Dark Souls
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Diablo III
Double Dragon: Neon
Dragon Age: Origins
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron
Fallout: New Vegas
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Fez
Final Fantasy XIII
God of War III
Grand Theft Auto V
Guacamelee!
Halo 3
Halo 4
Heavy Rain
Hotline Miami
Journey
Killzone 2
L.A. Noire
The Last Story
The Last of Us
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Lost Odyssey
Mass Effect 3
Max Payne 3
Mega Man 9
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Minecraft
Mirror's Edge
Monster Hunter Tri
Nier
Ni No Kuni
Portal 2
Red Dead Redemption
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game
Sengoku Basara 3
Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time
Steins;Gate
Super Mario Galaxy
Team Fortress 2
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
The Unfinished Swan
Valkyria Chronicles
Viva Pi�ata
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Xenoblade Chronicles

Battle 31: David Wise soundtracks
Battletoads (NES)
Battletoads (Arcade)
Battletoads & Double Dragon (NES)
Captain Skyhawk (NES)
Diddy Kong Racing (N64)
Donkey Kong Country (SNES) (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (SNES)
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (NES)
Solar Jetman: Hunt for the Golden Warpship (NES)
Star Fox Adventures (GCN)
Tengami (Wii U)
Viva Pi�ata: Pocket Paradise (DS)
Wizards & Warriors (NES)
Wizards & Warriors II (NES)
Wizards & Warriors III (NES)

Battle 32: Sonic songs
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) – Green Hill Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) – Marble Zone (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) – Spring Yard Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) – Star Light Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) – Emerald Hill Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) – Chemical Plant Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) – Aquatic Ruin Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) – Hidden Palace Zone
Sonic CD (1993) – Tidal Tempest Present (JP)
Sonic CD (1993) – Stardust Speedway Good Future (JP)
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (1994) – Angel Island Zone 1
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (1994) – Icecap Zone 1
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (1994) – Lava Reef Zone Act 2
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (1994) – Chrome Gadget
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (1994) – Hydrocity Zone Act 1
Sonic 3D Blast (1996) – Panic Puppet Zone Act 1
Sonic 3D Blast (1996) – Volcano Valley Zone Act 2
Sonic 3D Blast (1996) – Rusty Ruins Zone Act 2
Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) – Dive Into The Mellow (Aquatic Mine)
Sonic Heroes (2003) – This Machine
Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) – Solaris Phase 2
Sonic Unleashed (2008) – Jungle Joyride (Night)
Sonic Unleashed (2008) – Holoska Cool Edge (Night)
Sonic Unleashed (2008) – Temple
Sonic Unleashed (2008) – Shamar Town (Day)
Sonic Unleashed (2008) – Spagonia Rooftop Run (Day)
Sonic Colors (2010) – Aquarium Park Act 1
Sonic Colors (2010) – Planet Wisp Map
Sonic Generations (2011) – Crisis City Act 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 (2012) – Metal Sonic
Sonic Lost World (2013) – Island Relics
Sonic Lost World (2013) – Sea Bottom Segue

Battle 33: Jeremy Soule soundtracks
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Guild Wars Prophecies
Guild Wars Factions
Guild Wars Nightfall
Guild Wars: Eye of the North
Guild Wars 2
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey
Landmark
Neverwinter Nights
Secret of Evermore
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
zOMG!

Battle 34: 90s End Credits Themes
Bucky O'Hare
Castlevania 64
Chrono Trigger (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Comix Zone
Dengeki Division
Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Country 2
DOOM
The Dynastic Hero
Earthbound
Elemental Master
Explosive Breaker
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy VI
Fly Harder
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
F-Zero
G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor
Goldeneye
Gremlins 2
Hinadori no Saezuri
Kaze Kiri: Ninja Action
Kirby's Dream Land
The Last Express
Laura Bow 2: The Dagger of Amon Ra
Legend of Mana
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Little Big Adventure
Lotus Land Story
Mega Man 4
Mega Man 5
Monster Maulers
Mystic Square
Ninja Warriors
Outlaws
Panzer Dragoon
Phantasmagoria of Dim. Dream
Planescape: Torment
Princess Maker 2
Ristar
Secret of Evermore
Secret of Mana
Shadows of Cairn
Shadow of the Ninja
Silver Surfer
Solstice
Sonic 3D Blast
Star Fox
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Super Dodge Ball
Super Gem'Z
Super Mario RPG
Super Mario World
Super Tennis
Super Turrican
TMNT III: The Manhattan Project
TMNT IV: Turtles in Time
Totsugeki! Mix
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil
Uridium 2
Vantage Master
Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom

Battle 35: Fire Level Themes
Aladdin - Arab Rock 2
Axelay - Burning
Bucky O' Hare - Red Planet
Chrono Cross - Death Volcano (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Clustertruck - Hell Is Other Trucks
Contra - Energy Zone
Crash Bandicoot 3 - Stone Age
Donkey Kong Country 2 - Hothead Bop
Elemental Master - Dance of Flame
Final Fantasy VI - Another World of Beasts
Fire Emblem: Awakening - Chaos Ablaze
Genocide 2 - Red-Hot Atmosphere
Gradius 2 - Burning Heat
Granada - Bumpy Road
Granstream Saga - Lava Cave
Illusion Blaze - Stage 3
Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy - Volcanic Crater
Kid Chameleon - Underground Cave
Kirby's Epic Yarn - Lava Landing
Kirby's Return to Dream Land - Volcano Area
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Fire Temple
Lethal Xcess - Volcanic Plateaus
Life Force - Fire Field
Lords of Magic - Theme of Fire
Lords of Thunder - Lavadara
Mario Kart 64 - Bowser's Castle
Mario Party - Bowser's Magma Mountain
Mega Man - Fire Man
Mega Man 2 - Heat Man
Mega Man 3 - Shadow Man
Mega Man 8 - Sword Man
Mega Man X6 - Blaze Heatnix
Mortal Kombat Deception - Hell's Foundry
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe - Netherrealm
Musashi Samurai Legend - Meltdown
Musha Aleste - Offensive Overdrive
New Super Mario Bros. Wii - Volcano
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald - Mt. Chimney
Prophecy I - Level 7
Resident Evil 5 - Majini IX in Flames
Salamander 2 - Sensation
Shovel Knight - Lost City
The Smurfs - Inside the Volcano
Sonic 3 & Knuckles - Lava Reef Zone Act 2
Sonic 3D - Volcano Valley Zone Act 2
Sonic Adventure - Red Hot Skull
Spyro 3 - Molten Crater
Star Ocean 3 - Evil Shade Crept
Star Trader - Ugly Beauty
Super Mario 64 - Lethal Lava Land
Super Mario Galaxy - Melty Molten Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Melty Monster Galaxy
Super Mario RPG - Barrel Volcano
Super Metroid - Norfair
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz - Volcanic Pools
Sword of Mana - Guide to a Strange World
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game - Fire
Thunder Force 3 - Gorgon
Undertale - Another Medium
Wings of Death - World 4
Wonder Boy In Monster World - Pyramid
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm - Burning Steppes
Ys II - Lava Colony
Zwei!! - Kenopi Volcano

Battle 36: 1997 soundtracks
Age of Empires
Alundra
Blade Runner
Blast Corps
Breath of Fire III
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
The Curse of Monkey Island
Diddy Kong Racing
Dungeon Keeper
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy Tactics
GoldenEye 007
Grandia
Hinadori no Saezuri
IQ: Intelligent Qube
Interstate '76
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Little Big Adventure 2
Mischief Makers
Monster Rancher
Outlaws
Quake II
Shining Force III
Star Fox 64
Tales of Destiny
Tekken 3
Thunder Force V
Tomb Raider II
Total Annihilation
Treasures of the Deep
Ultima Online
Vantage Master

Battle 37: OSTGeek64's Custom Rumble
Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia - EXEC_CHRONICLE_KEY/.
Banjo-Tooie - Jinjo Village
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - Wood Carving Partita (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Cuphead - Elder Kettle
NieR: Automata - Weight of the World
Parasite Eve - Main Theme (Orchestral Version)
Persona 5 - Beneath the Mask
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Justice for All - Announce the Truth 2002
Snowboard Kids - Big Snowman
Sonic Colors - Reach for the Stars
Soul Calibur III - Healing Winds
Stardew Valley - Summer (Tropicala)
Suikoden - Main Theme Arrange (Guitar Version)
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect - Menu Theme
The World Ends With You - It's So Wonderful
Ys I & II (PCE) - First Step Towards Wars

Battle 38: nx666's Custom Rumble
Black It! (C64) - Title Screen
Dokkaebi-ga Ganda (MS-DOS) - Stage 4
Eve Burst Error (PC-9801) - Room (Marina)
Hioden II Dash (PC-9801) - Opening Demo [MT-32 version]
Hoi (Amiga) - Level 1
Inferno (MS-DOS) - Inferno
Kimi Dake ni Ai o... (X68000) - No Regrets
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver (X68000) - Boss Theme (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
The Light Corridor (ZX Spectrum) - Rockin'
Metal Head (32X) - Final Boss
No Mercy (C64) - Ending
Pinball Illusions (Amiga) - Menu Theme
Providence (PC-8801) - Purifimia Country - Underground Cave
Trophy Bass 3D (Windows) - Menu Theme [SC-88 version]
Tyran (Amiga) - Easy Control
Ultima IX: Ascension (Windows) - Stones

Battle 39: 2016 soundtracks
Abzu
Another Metroid 2 Remake
The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human
Battlefield 1
Brigador
Civilization VI
Dark Souls 3
Final Fantasy XV
Firewatch
Furi
Hyper Light Drifter
Kentucky Route Zero: Act IV
The Last Guardian
Mother Bleeds Russia
No Man’s Sky
Overwatch
Owlboy
Oxenfree
Pok�mon Sun & Moon
Samorost 3 (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Small Radios Big Televisions
Stardew Valley
Star Fox Zero
Stellaris
That Dragon, Cancer
Thumper
Titanfall 2
Tom Clancy's The Division
Trials of the Blood Dragon
Unravel
VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
Virginia

Battle 40: ArthurGolden's Custom Rumble of VGM Covers
Franco Albertini - A Mighty Enemy Appears (from Lost Odyssey)
Banjo Guy Ollie - Beautiful Golden City (from Suikoden)
BKMJMBOX - Eternal Wind (from FFIII)
brentalfloss - Wii Shop Channel (from Wii)
CelloBassett - Into the Thick of It (from Secret of Mana)
diddygt - Hateno Village (from Breath of the Wild)
Carlos Eiene - Eterna Forest (from Pokemon Diamond / Pearl / Platinum)
Sebastian Freij - The Place I'll Return to Someday (from FFIX)
GICCO - Baba Yetu (from Civilization IV)
怪盗v - Heart of Fire (from Castlevania)
Ryan Lafford - Summers (from EarthBound)
Janne Lassila - By the Bay (from SimCity 4)
LONELYROLLINGSTARS - Lonely Rolling Star (from Katamari Damacy)
lonlonjp - Corridors of Time (from Chrono Trigger)
Malukah - The Dragonborn Comes (from Skyrim)
Meine Meinung & Sanzen-Sekai - Shachimaru's Theme (from Okami)
The Minibosses - Metroid medley (from Metroid)
Mree - Simple and Clean (from Kingdom Hearts)
NESkimos - Dark World (from A Link to the Past)
Jackson Parodi - Fallen Down (from Undertale)
Doug Perry - Flow (from Fez)
Pixel Harp - Turret Opera (from Portal 2)
Pok�rus - Dreamer (from Streets of Rage 2)
PPF - Hot Head Bop (from DKC2) (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
The Returners - Terran 2 (from StarCraft)
RichaadEB & ThunderScott - Chemical Plant Zone (from Sonic 2)
Songe - Mines Medley (from Spelunky)
Soundole - A Wish (from Secret of Mana)
Super Guitar Bros - Castle / Boss (from Super Mario World)
Super Soul Bros. - Megalovania (from Undertale)
Synthpeter - Main Theme (from International Karate)
Les Vieilles Biscottes - White Deer Inn (from Suikoden II)

Battle 41: Shad's Custom Rumble of VGM Covers
Bit Brigade - Dr. Wiley's Castle Stage 5 (from Mega Man 3)
Kagan Breitenbach - Title Screen (from Pictionary)
Diwa de Leon - Gourmet Race (from Kirby Super Star)
Motoaki Furukawa & Koichi Namiki - My Love (from Policenauts)
GUIDO - Outskirts of Time (from Chrono Trigger)
Fabio Lima - Dance of Pales (from Symphony of the Night)
Malcura - Gerudo Valley (from The Ocarina of Time) (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Markdoom - Main Theme (from Yie Ar Kung-Fu)
RichaadEB - U.N. Owen was her? (from The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil)
Skull Kids - Battle with Magus (from Chrono Trigger)
Andrew Thompson - Meridian Dance (from Secret of Mana)
Kazz Toyama - A Night Without a Lover (from Soul Blader)
Verdegrand - Capital (from SimCity)
Vinheteiro - Tristram (from Diablo)
Yuji Yoshino - Days Past (from Suikoden II)
Zuntata - Daddy Mulk (from The Ninja Warriors)

Battle 42: 10th Anniversary Encores
Banjo-Tooie - Jinjo Village
Black It! (C64) - Title Screen
Castlevania - Vampire Killer
Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge - Evil Gods
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse - Beginning
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness - Abandoned Castle
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - Wood Carving Partita
Chrono Cross - Death Volcano
Chrono Trigger - To Far Away Times
Contra - Energy Zone
Crystal Hammer - Title Screen
Cybernoid - Main Theme
Darksiders II - The Death Plains
Dokkaebi-ga Ganda (MS-DOS) - Stage 4
Donkey Kong Country 2 - Hothead Bop
Final Fantasy VI - Dancing Mad
Final Fantasy VI - Decisive Battle
Final Fantasy VII - Aerith’s Theme
Final Fantasy VIII - Find Your Way
Final Fantasy X - Decisive Battle
Final Fantasy Legend III - Holy Ruins
Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Amiga) - Title
Granstream Saga - Lava Cave
Hypa-Ball - Title Screen
Illusion City - Noises of the City
Kyuukyoku Senki Gikadiver (X68000) - Boss Theme
The Last Express - End Titles
Legend of Mana - Nostalgic Song
The Legend of Zelda - Overworld
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Forest Temple
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker - Ocean
Lord of Vermilion 2 - Lord of Vermilion 2
Mega Man 2 - Dr. Wily Stage 1 & 2
Mega Man 2 - Flash Man
Mega Man 2 - Metal Man
Mega Man 3 - Title
Mega Man X - Spark Mandrill
Metal Gear Solid - The Best Is Yet to Come
Metal Gear Solid - Encounter
Metal Gear Solid - Main Theme
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops - Gene
Metroid - Kraid's Lair
Metroid II - Surface of SR388
Metroid Prime - Data Selection
Metroid Prime - Ice Valley (Phendrana Drifts)
Metroid Prime - Underwater Frigate
No Mercy (C64) - Ending
Parasite Eve - Main Theme (Orchestral Version)
Planescape: Torment - Credits Track
Plok - Akrillic
Ristar - Splash Down
Shadow of the Colossus - Swift Horse
Shinra Banshou - The Universe
Silent Hill - Silent Hill
Silent Hill - Tears of...
Silent Hill 2 - Laura Plays the Piano
Silent Hill 2 - True
Silver Surfer - Level 1
Snatcher - Pleasure of Tension
Sonic the Hedgehog - Green Hill Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog - Marble Zone
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - Emerald Hill Zone
Sonic Unleashed - Temple
Stormlord - Title Tune
Suikoden - Forgotten Days
Suikoden - Main Theme Arrange (Guitar Version)
Suikoden - Rising Tide
Suikoden - Tropical Bath
Suikoden II - Imprisoned Town
Suikoden III - Exceeding Love
Super Castlevania IV - Clockwork Mansion
Super Metroid - Maridia (Rocky Underwater Area)
Super Metroid - Upper Brinstar
Tetris - Type A
Time Trax - Main Theme
Total Distortion - You Are Dead
Tower of Heaven - Luna Ascension
World of Warcraft - Enchanted Forest
World of Warcraft - Legends of Azeroth
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm - The Shattering (Log-in Music)
World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor - Stormlords on the March
Zamzara - Main Theme
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link - Palace

Battle 43: NARFNra's Custom Rumble
The 7th Saga - Battle in a World of Fading Hope
Acrobat Mission - Countryside
Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer - Stage 1 (winner ( Thread 66118 ))
Arcana - Second Armageddon
Battle Kid 2 - $1966 Volt Tower
Darius Force/Supernova - Lame
Gimmick! - Long Tomorrow
Gokujyo Parodius - What Do You See When You're Jumping?
Live A Live - Knock You Down!
Maka Maka - Boss Battle
Over Horizon - Stage 2
Space Manbow - Fire Warning
Sparkster (SNES) - Steel Works
Super Aleste - Space Cruiser
Thunder Force III - The Grubby Dark Blue
Zombie Nation - Exodus

Battle 44: Danganronpa songs
Danganronpa - Danganronpa
Danganronpa - Beautiful Days
Danganronpa - Beautiful Dead
Danganronpa - Despair Syndrome
Danganronpa - Welcome to Despair Academy
Danganronpa - SUPER FINAL M.T.B.
Danganronpa - Discussion -HEAT UP-
Danganronpa - BOX 15
Danganronpa - Desire for Execution
Danganronpa 2 - Beautiful Ruin
Danganronpa 2 - Third Island Theme
Danganronpa 2 - Welcome DANGAN IsLand!! (OP Version)
Danganronpa 2 - Rebuttal -CROSS SWORD-
Danganronpa 2 - Kill Command
Danganronpa 2 - Homicide (8bitbug)
Ultra Despair Girls - Wonderful dead001
Ultra Despair Girls - secret base ~Left Behind by the Adults~
Ultra Despair Girls - Welcome to TOWA Tower
Ultra Despair Girls - This is the Path We Follow
Ultra Despair Girls - Let's Play with Monokuma
Ultra Despair Girls - Shō's Fever Time
Ultra Despair Girls - It's a Kids' World
Danganronpa 3 - Beautiful Afternoon
Danganronpa 3 - Death Parade
Danganronpa 3 - Old World Order
Danganronpa 3 - Steric Confrontation
Danganronpa V3 - Becoming Friends
Danganronpa V3 - Beautiful Lie
Danganronpa V3 - Darkness Time
Danganronpa V3 - Monomono Slots
Danganronpa V3 - Discussion -SCRUM-
Danganronpa V3 - Trial END

*Fighting Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Finals

[DragonKazooie89]

I nominate:

Zelda Overworld Theme
Super Mario Theme (SMB Overworld)
Pokemon Theme
Banjo-Kazooie theme
Green Hill Zone (Sonic 1)
Lost Woods (Saria's Theme, Ocarina of Time)
Open Your Heart (Sonic Adventure)
Live and Learn (Sonic Adventure 2)
Fountain of Dreams (Melee, Nightmare in Dreamland)
Green Greens (any Kirby Game)
Mona Pizza (WarioWare)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Theme
Athletic (Super Mario world and Yoshi's Island)
Ai no Uta (Pikmin)

(these are all from the Mother series)
Pollyana
Bein' Friends
Eight Melodies
Frank comes out Swinging (New Age Retro Hippie battle)
Buy Something, Will ya! (drugstore)
Smiles and Tears
Theme of Love
Porky's Theme (Brawl version)
Theme of King P

[arthurgolden]

Thanks DragonKazooie. Now what about everyone else? Type the name of your favorite video game song. It doesn't hurt...

Or are people still wondering what a rumble is?

[Heffy]

Guess I'll go ahead and nominate a few of my faves... I'll try not to go overboard. XD;

[Banjo-Kazooie] Freezeezy Peak; Rusty Bucket Bay
[Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts] Showdown Town
[Banjo-Tooie] Mayahem Temple
[Cave Story] Main Theme
[Diddy Kong Racing] Crescent Island; Darkmoon Caverns
[Donkey Kong 64] Angry Aztec
[Donkey Kong Country] Aquatic Ambience; DK Island Swing
[Donkey Kong Country 2] Hot Head Bop; Krook's March; Stickerbrush Symphony
[Dr. Mario] Chill; Fever
[Kingdom Hearts] Hikari (Orchestrated)
[Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards] Zero-Two
[Kirby Super Star] Candy Mountain; Halberd Themes (First and Second, can't remember the official titles); Underground Jungle
[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past] Dark World; Hyrule Castle
[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask] Song of Healing; Stone Tower Temple
[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time] Hyrule Field; Last Battle; Lon Lon Ranch (Epona's Song); Windmill Hut (Song of Storms)
[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess] Hyrule Field
[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker] Dragon Roost Island; Molgera; Ocean
[Mario Kart 64] Rainbow Road
[Metal Slug] Final Attack; Main Theme
[New Super Mario Bros.] Main Theme
[Okami] Crimson Helm's Extermination (Boss Theme); Dragon Palace; Kusa Village; Northern Village Kamui; Reset; The Sun Rises
[Pokemon Diamond & Pearl] Battle Vs. Dialga/Palkia
[Pokemon Gold & Silver] Battle Vs. Gym Leader
[Pokemon Red & Blue] Battle Vs. Champion
[Star Fox 64] Area 6; Star Wolf
[Super Mario 64] Dire Dire Docks; Koopa's Road; Main Theme; Slider
[Super Mario Bros. 2] Overworld
[Super Mario Bros. 3] Airship; Ending
[Super Mario Galaxy] Battlerock Galaxy; Buoy Base Galaxy; Good Egg Galaxy; Gusty Garden Galaxy; Melty Molten Galaxy
[Super Mario World] Castle; Ending
[Super Metroid] Main Theme
[Super Smash Bros.] Credits
[Super Smash Bros. Brawl] Main Theme
[Super Smash Bros. Melee] Opening; Menu 2
[Yoshi's Island] Flower Garden

... Uh, okay, maybe I went overboard...

[arthurgolden]

Great suggestions. Overboard is good. One day left! Keep 'em coming.

[arthurgolden]

Nominations are closed. The rumble will soon start. =)

[Zak]

"Video Game Music"... meh, this selection sucks from the point of view of someone who grew up on Sony PS1 titles. Damn them being overlooked.

[arthurgolden]

Round 1

Fight 1

Okami – Northern Country Kamui II ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaivYMd1XNQ )
The second half of a song from the expansive five-CD Okami soundtrack, this piece fits scenes of open-field running quite well. The melody trades off between the flutes and brass over a surprisingly heavy percussion, and the result is a song that is distinctly Eastern while also seeming almost mysteriously appropriate for the closing credits of a spaghetti western. This interweaving of genres is true of the rest of the soundtrack, which has been described as “a startling fusion of techno tracks and traditional flute, shamisen and koto music. The composers attempt to refine Jpop into tasteful compositions, while pumping some life into the traditionally funereal kabuki fare, attaining surprisingly successful results. The soundtrack takes a stab at every Japanese genre in arm's reach, for the most part succeeding brilliantly. The music composition by Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Masami Ueda, and Rei Kondou, is both distinctive and tasteful.” Awards: At the 2008 BAFTA Video Games Awards, Okami won Best Score.

Street Fighter II – Guile's Stage Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mRKXhwxxLQ )
Equally rocking and melody-driven is the Goliath to Okami’s David, the famous “Guile’s Stage Theme.” This song probably conjures images of late adolescence, hanging out in arcades or staying up late with your SNES and a couple friends who you drifted away from after high school until waking up one day to see a Facebook friend request from one of them. This song is an epochal piece in that way, one that helped define an era of head-to-head fighters and just plain ol’ good times. It also was something cool to whistle along to while your friend sat crouched at the other end of the screen, waiting to do a flash kick the minute you came close.

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Round 1

Fight 2

The Legend of Zelda – Overworld Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XI0m8bhpWM )
Wow to this match-up. Two classic pieces, with probably a slight edge in familiarity to Zelda. This is, of course, the piece that most of us heard in 8-bit form at the beginning of one of Nintendo’s first open-exploration games. It has been covered countless times, and covers have been attributed to famous musicians countless times. In terms of worldwide familiarity, it must rank just under the Super Mario Bros. “Overworld” theme. Its melody is eminently hummable, and suggests something heroic and, with that little drop at the :06 mark, maybe even the beginning of an adventure. Plenty more is said about Zelda’s importance to gaming here ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legend_of_zelda ). Suffice it to say, the series goes on, which is something only precious few properties from that era can claim.

Final Fantasy V – Clash on the Big Bridge ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtdQl6WuFeI )
This one, too, seems to suggest the beginning of something big with that seventeen-second opening, hanging on until the main melody comes in at :34. One thing to note is the impressive quality of the arpeggiated sound, created all the way back in 1992. The song is capable of sounding monstrous on headphones even with the limiting technology used to create it. The song also is somewhat emblematic of things to come for Uematsu, who now uses his Black Mages band to feature his more heavy-metal-friendly compositions. Though certain parts of the world had to wait until 1998 to play this game, this song quickly rose to “fan favorite” status and has remained there.


Thanks go to my wife for choosing four random numbers between 1 and 32. She is responsible for these match-ups. Please note the rules in the OP and PM me if you have any questions.


My votes are for Okami - Northern Country Kamui II and The Legend of Zelda – Overworld Theme.

[The Anti-Existence]

Fight 1:
Guile's Stage Theme

Fight 2:
Clash on the Big Bridge

[Jessie]

Okami – Northern Country Kamui II & The Legend of Zelda – Overworld Theme

[Shadow mage]

Fight 1:
Guile's Stage Theme

Fight 2:
Clash on the Big Bridge

[wolfmaster913]

Fight 1:

Okami – Northern Country Kamui II --- It just sounds so epic and amazing.

Fight 2:

The Legend of Zelda – Overworld Theme --- I probably would have gone with the one from A Link to the Past, but this works.

[Lackadaisical]

Fight 1:
The clear winner is "Guile (U.S.A.)" as the original, and its numerous remixes, have proven themselves to stand the test of time quite well. It's more well-known, it's more versatile (instrumentation), and its melody is far more appealing/accessible. Ookami's Nothern Country Kamui II, on the other hand, sounds like an updated version of something that could have come off the VM Japan soundtrack. That's not to say that it's bad, but having heard the VM Japan soundtrack before the Ookami one, it just feels like it lacks originality.

Fight 2:
Not much of a standard console RPG fan anymore, but I'll go with Zelda's "Overworld" track as it epitomizes game music almost to the same degree as "Above Ground BGM" from the original Super Mario Bros. game.

[Szczepan]

Okami and Zelda

[Purrr]

Fight 1:
Guile's Stage Theme

Fight 2:
Clash on the Big Bridge

[Denny]

Street Fighter II – Guile's Stage Theme

The Legend of Zelda – Overworld Theme

[Lens of Truth]

My votes:

1. Street Figher 2 - Guile's Theme
Much as I do like Okami's soundtrack, it has to give way to the classicness and cool of one of SF's best tunes.

2. The Legend of Zelda - Overworld
What can you say about this piece?!! It has a heroic, noble quality that's conveyed entirely by the melody - no fancy orchestrations requied! I mean, as a theme it's as memorable as some of John Williams' greats. I believe Willaims admired Koji Kondo's Zelda music and conducted his own arrangement with the Boston Pops Orchestra :)

[arthurgolden]

A close opening round!
Guile's Stage Theme eked out the rumble's first victory 6-4 and Zelda's Overworld Theme won 7-3. On to the next two fights.

Round 1

Fight 3

Super Mario World � Athletic ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC7ILAUyeGg )
Even if you don�t know this piece by name, you�ve definitely heard it. As Mario graduated onto the next gen of home consoles, Koji Kondo�s sophistication in musical arrangement took the leap with him. Good thing, too, because Kondo wrote surprisingly few tracks for Super Mario World when you come right down to it. In fact, almost all of the stage music is the same theme played in different styles. However, the durability of that theme is proven by the stellar legacy of the game. Across 80+ stages, the music (arguably) does not get stale. Of course, this is a sad tale since Kondo went on to obscurity after this title�

Mother 2 (Earthbound) � Buy Something, Will Ya! ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoszKBLit6M )
This charming song, played whenever Ness and friends entered a drugstore, showcases the playfulness and simplicity of Earthbound. Though not everyone�s cup of tea, the game is hilariously irreverent towards the normally invisible conventions of RPGs and a blast to play even today�that is, if you can appreciate a well-timed non-sequitur. The series took a darker tone with the third installment in 2006, but the musical fun started here was a inspiration to many of the pieces in that game anyway, and a whole new audience may have been opened up to Earthbound in general and this song�s soundtrack in particular because of the Super Smash Bros. Brawl remixes of several of the game�s tracks.

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Round 1

Fight 4

Super Smash Bros. Brawl � Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbtqmAOwfS0 )
Though often-used, the term "epic" feels right when describing Nobuo Uematsu�s theme song for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Fans of �Aria de Mezzo Carattere� from Final Fantasy VI and �One Winged Angel� from Final Fantasy VII will dig into this one, which gets a little more umph than the others with its snare drum tattoo. Also, the male and female vocalists converse with each other beautifully, although the lyrics of the song, when translated from the Latin, give one pause. The song is apparently about a feared and triumphant warrior who roams the lands seeking battle and destroying everything in his path until one day he shows up unexpectedly behind the song�s speaker. Kind of a terrifying image�to turn around and see a bloodthirsty mass murderer coming towards you. Regardless, the song serves as an appropriate opening to a game about beating people up.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time � Lost Woods ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs )
This is a tough choice. Paired against Uematsu�s Brawl theme is another piece by Koji Kondo, this one a beloved song from a beloved game�perhaps the most revered in the entire Zelda series. Like so many other songs in the game, Kondo uses the ocarina sound to great effect, hiding the cheesiness of the ocarina patch with a catchy melody and great percussion, a feat he admitted was �a major challenge.� Also notable is that this song is an example of �leitmotif in reverse.� Normally, a leitmotif announces the entrance of a character. Here, however, the leitmotif announces a stationary environment as the player approaches. This became a typical convention of the Zelda aural landscape, and showcased Kondo�s talent at characterizing an entire way of life in a few notes (think of the Goron or Zora themes).


My votes are for Mother 2 (Earthbound) � Buy Something, Will Ya! and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time � Lost Woods.

[Sarah]

super mario world & oot. even though the brawl theme probably has more merit.

bit of a nostalgia whore ;(

[Jessie]

Super Mario World – Athletic & The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Lost Woods

[wolfmaster913]

Fight 3:

Mother 2 (Earthbound) – Buy Something, Will Ya!, Earthbound was such an amazing game.

Fight 4:

Super Smash Bros. Brawl – Theme, holy crap, I had no idea that Uematsu made this one.

[Denny]

Super Mario World � Athletic & The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time � Lost Woods

[Purrr]

Super Mario World – Athletic and Super Smash Bros. Brawl – Theme

[Lens of Truth]

It's the two Kondos for me
Super Mario World – Athletic
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Lost Woods

Wonderful descriptions arthurgolden!! I love all these pieces so it was a hard choice. However.. Uematsu's Brawl theme has always seemed a bit odd and 'faux-epic' to me - the choral writing is pretty basic and the japnese inflected latin just sounds cheesy as hell. I still enjoy it though, but Lost Woods definately has to take it. Speaking a little more literally of 'leitmotifs in reverse', listen to the Song of Healing/Clocktower in Majora's Mask: it's the first notes of Lost Woods backwards (befitting the fact that link enters the topsy turvy world of Termina though the woods; and, of course, it is the skull kid who must ultimately be 'healed').

[Shadow mage]

Super Mario World - Athletic and The Legend of Zelda: Oracina of time

[arthurgolden]

Clear victors this round. Both Super Mario World � Athletic and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time � Lost Woods win 6-2. On to the next two fights.

Round 1

Fight 5

Final Fantasy VII � Aerith�s Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ )
This fight marks Uematsu�s third and Kondo�s fourth appearance in this rumble already (!). At this rate, they�ll be absent from the entire second half of Round 1. At least, that�ll give some other composers a shot. Anyway, this is one of the most famous songs in video game history, as I�m sure you already know. It accompanies the iconic death of (is it really a spoiler 12 years after the game�s release?) Aeris/Aerith. Possessing the useful super-power of reducing grown men to tears, its significance in deepening the game�s emotional wallop also (indirectly) helped more widely popularize the RPG genre. It�s now a staple of orchestral readings of video game music and YouTube tributes to unrequited love alike.

Super Mario Galaxy � Good Egg Galaxy ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l7uFETC-Yc )
Standing in Aerith�s way is the popular �Good Egg Galaxy.� Featuring a snare drum pulse and a bouncy melody, it is a clear contrast in mood with Aerith�s piece. There�s an interesting back story to the musical direction of the Galaxy soundtrack, a little tug of war between Kondo and Mahito Yokota that eventually dragged designer Yoshiaki Koizumi and Shigeru Miyamoto himself into the disagreement. That can be found here ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Mario_Galaxy ). But all�s well that ends well, because the game has kept the Mario franchise as vital as ever.

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Round 1

Fight 6

Shadow of the Colossus � Swift Horse ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARW91qriEqw )
Even superlatives seem inadequate in describing the soundtrack for Shadow of the Colossus. It makes one want to use words typically phased out of common speech, like �majestic.� The game shows what is possible if you give an outstanding game development team and an outstanding composer uncompromised direction in their artistic vision. There are several pieces from the soundtrack that could stand toe to toe with the other contenders in this rumble, but rather than capturing terror, exhaustion, fragility, or sorrow like so much of that music does, this song stands out for its huge, romantic theme and steadily building percussion. What does it sound like to charge a twenty-story tall colossus and plunge your sword into it? Just take a listen.

Super Metroid � Main Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7nEZWqG92Q )
Speaking of superlatives, Super Metroid is one of the all time great games for the SNES, particularly because of its engrossing score. Back in 1986, Hirokazu �Hip� Tanaka decided that he wanted to attempt a less melodic, more horror-movie-like soundtrack than what had previously been heard on the Famicom. What he ended up with was a groundbreaking score for Metroid, which set the tone for the whole series. Here again is Tanaka doing his best to freak us out with a chugging bass line and a ghostly moaning chorus. Even when the heroic trumpet line comes in, it�s undercut by the intense drumming that stops it in its tracks. This will be an interesting fight.


My votes are for Final Fantasy VII � Aerith�s Theme and Shadow of the Colossus � Swift Horse.

[Shadow mage]

Aerith's Theme and Super Metroid.

[Jessie]

Aerith's Theme & Super Metroid.

[wolfmaster913]

Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme

Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse

[Szczepan]

FFVII - Aerith’s Theme and Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse

[Lens of Truth]

Super Mario Galaxy – Good Egg Galaxy
and
Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse

Both games that wowed me, and my appreciation of the music is inextricably tied to the sheer joy and wonder that they gave me. Such creativity amidst all the anonymous shooters nowadays. Feel guilty for neglecting Super Metoid, as I also ove that too.. Aerith’s Theme, however, has always seemed like an overrated piece of fluff to me.

[Lackadaisical]

Super Metroid and Final Fantasy VII. Don't have any time to make detailed comments about either choice, but I will say that Super Metroid is Super Metroid.

[arthurgolden]

Aerith’s Theme easily wins 6-1. But the big surprise for this round is Swift Horse, which has defeated perennial favorite Super Metroid 4-3.

Round 1

Fight 7

DOOM – At Doom’s Gate ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr9HuE4o5sY )
You don’t play Doom for the story; you play it for the kick ass music and the opportunity to blow stuff up. This song in particular has been the anthem to many parents’ nightmares since the nineties when the game became an early totem for the violence in video games debate. It didn’t help that the game was so widely available for free, as many gamers discovered the joys of heavy metal and shooting virtual guns without having to let mom and dad know. These days, the series has lost some of its momentum, but the music is still able to conjure the excitement of holding a BFG and charging a room full of demons.

Super Mario Bros. – Overworld ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEKDF_WbMlg )
Before we knew that you could crush the goombas by jumping on them, before we discovered that you’re not supposed to fall in the holes in the ground, or that slamming your skull into the question mark box would release a mushroom that would transform you into an adult, before we even saw the face of Bowser, there was this song: a simple, catchy melody lacing through a Latin beat. Of course, it means something now that would take longer to unravel than we have space for. Perhaps the existence of these forums, and the inspiration of a generation of video game composers, and an increasingly receptive global culture that doesn’t treat gaming as a cliquish or inscrutable or potentially dangerous fad anymore rests on the shoulders of this one song? Somehow, it doesn’t seem outrageous to suggest so, or assume that for many of us this song was effectively a gateway drug. It played a part in resurrecting an industry. Thousands of covers exist on YouTube. Nobuo Uematsu said it should become the Japanese national anthem. But what do we think?

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Round 1

Fight 8

Kirby Super Star – Candy Mountain ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu7n551Oy5w )
Next up is a song that is as frenetic and cute as Kirby himself. "Candy Mountain" takes inspiration from Mario's star theme, but utilizes the SNES's superior technology to hand off the melody from instrument to instrument over a hi-hat-driven dance beat. The result is a song that perfectly captures the speed and fun of all the Kirby games. Like Mother, this series is the brainchild of Hal Laboratory, but thankfully this one found a solid worldwide following. Kirby has become an icon along with the biggest names in the business, appearing in 17 games, and Kirby Super Star itself, an eight-in-one minigame collection, has sold several million copies and received a lucrative resurrection on the DS.

Contra – Stage 1 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqFhczSljwM )
I remember the first time I heard the Minibosses cover of this song. It felt as if something precious from my childhood had been returned to me stripped of sentimentality to instead showcase how brilliant the music was. Whether that was the band’s intention or not doesn’t seem to matter. The end result was that I discovered why I spent so many hours playing a cruelly difficult game. Hidenori Maezawa's acrobatic harmonic lines are compelling to the point that it’s hard to stop listening to the music over and over again. Though the game is blatantly derivative of Rambo, Predator, and Aliens--hugely popular movies at the time--the music resists comparison to a lot of other soundtracks from the era. 1UP.com eventually tracked down Maezawa to get his thoughts on his legacy, which can be found here ( http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3172388 ).

Both fights should be good ones. My votes are for Super Mario Bros. – Overworld and Contra – Stage 1.

[Shadow mage]

Super Mario Bros. - Overworld and Contra Stage 1.

[wolfmaster913]

Super Mario Bros. – Overworld

Kirby Super Star – Candy Mountain

[Szczepan]

Super Mario Bros. - Overworld and Contra Stage 1.

[arthurgolden]

I'm going to let this run a little longer because we need more votes.

[Lens of Truth]

Super Mario Bros. – Overworld
Contra – Stage 1

[arthurgolden]

It was slow-going last round, but we have two clear winners. Super Mario Bros. - Overworld gives the rumble its first sweep, and Contra - Stage 1 wins 4-1. Onward and upward.

Round 1

Fight 9

Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambience ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVrorgoCrKU )
Donkey Kong Country received well-deserved praise for its stunning pre-rendered 3D graphics, but it was equally hard to ignore the game’s electronic, ambient, and Caribbean-peppered soundtrack. Like the visuals, the music expanded player perceptions of what a Donkey Kong game could be, and, in particular, “Aquatic Ambience” lent emotional complexity to the series that hadn’t been there before. The opening arpeggio that fades in and out, the faux-guitar distortion and piano that follow it, the harp that sweeps upward and gives way to an almost country twang, and then the way that twang recedes into the distance as a little coda finishes off the melody—all cumulatively give the impression of mystery and allure that befits something so mysterious and alluring as the vast ocean.

Kirby’s Adventure – Green Greens ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdwID0m2tLU )
Kirby’s back after “Candy Mountain” lost the previous fight. Much of what I wrote there is applicable here. Kirby’s games are about fun, and that’s what this simple theme conveys. The simplicity should not be read as a deficiency of Hirokazu Ando or Jun Ishikawa, however. This song is a perfect example of the genius of the early composers, creating memorable pieces despite the technical limitations they were faced with. The moment the second half of the melody and the broken chords begin, the song takes on a vertiginous intensity that is interesting and appropriate for a game where you’re trying to stay airborne a lot of the time.

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Round 1

Fight 10

Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFHvxuuOymo )
This was the song that started off the Sonic series and also proved the Genesis’ technical dominance over the NES as the 16-bit era began. When the high-pitched string shows up in the first repetition of the melody, adding a fifth instrument to the mix, a world of possibility opened up with it. Fifty-nine games later, with millions of copies sold, Sonic is as recognizable as Mario, and his music has enjoyed a powerful legacy that has enticed many famous composers to score one of his games: Masato Nakamura (the composer responsible for this tune), Yuzo Koshiro, Jun Senoue, Richard Jacques, and even former Megadeath guitarist Marty Friedman.

Chrono Cross – Time’s Scar ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8 )
Yasunori Mitsuda makes his only appearance in the rumble with one of his most well-known pieces. Though not technically his follow-up to Chrono Trigger (Radical Dreamers came first, but only in limited release), this was the sound of the Chrono series’ triumphant return as far as most of the world was concerned. Alongside “Liberi Fatali,” this is also one of the songs most often cited as a representation of what was possible with the Playstation’s sound hardware. The doubled flute and violin motif erupts from the gentle opening and, as is the case with fewer and fewer video game songs these days, adds intensity by sheer force of melody rather than volume or superfluous brass. Mitsuda’s frequently Celtic instrumentation and powers of arrangement here and since have proven him to be one of the greatest living video game composers, even if his projects haven’t been so high-profile in the last few years.


My votes are for Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambience and Chrono Cross – Time’s Scar.

[wolfmaster913]

Kirby’s Adventure – Green Greens

Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone

[Szczepan]

Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambience

Chrono Cross – Time’s Scar

[Jessie]

Kirby�s Adventure � Green Greens

Sonic the Hedgehog � Green Hill Zone

[Shadow mage]

Donkey Kong Country � Aquatic Ambience

Chrono Cross � Time�s Scar

[Lens of Truth]

Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambience

Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone

Tough call on these, especially Sonic and Chrono Cross! Time's Scar is a lovely piece, but for me Green Hill (and all Nakamura's Sonic music) is just genius - funky and sort of 'dreamy' at the same time :)

[DragonKazooie89]

Green Greens and Green Hill Zone get my vote.

[arthurgolden]

Close round this time. But Donkey Kong Country � Aquatic Ambience and Sonic the Hedgehog � Green Hill Zone take it, each with a victory of 4-3.

Round 1

Fight 11

Sonic Adventure � Open Your Heart ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7997StUCDc0 )
Sonic returns in a big way with the bumptious (how often do you get to use that word?) main theme to this sixth-generation game. The opening and overall texture bear a resemblance to Guns n� Roses� �Welcome to the Jungle� and effectively suggest the speed of the game. On a bigger note, rock music has always been an important influence on video game music, providing inspiration for the structures of early compositions as well as the provocateur attitude that came later, in songs like this one and �At Doom�s Gate,� as technology developed. Now, the countless iterations and fusions of rock music are ubiquitous thanks to the relative ease of recording a distorted guitar well. Nobuo Uematsu, just as one example, has exemplified this.

Dr. Mario � Chill ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsBtQCDbTWc )
One of the few stack �em up puzzle games to challenge Tetris� popularity, Dr. Mario is well known for Hip Tanaka�s score. This tangy little number builds slowly, just like the pills in the game, and culminates in a jazzy solo at the 1:15 mark only to then transform into a hard-rock-inspired bridge. I mentioned the fusion of rock with other genres in the �Open Your Heart� description, and that seems especially relevant here, as the �open borders� attitude of video game developers towards game soundtracks was present right from the beginning. Another recent example is the Final Fantasy: Crisis Core soundtrack, in which heavy metal tracks pair up nicely with string quartet pieces and trip-hop beats. Because of such examples, I sometimes wonder if �video game music� as a genre has any definition.

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Round 1

Fight 12

Kingdom Hearts � Hikari (orchestrated) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZVAvHah9io )
The stress of having the legacy of both Disney and Final Fantasy�s major themes hovering over you while you compose a new soundtrack must have hit Yoko Shimomura at some point. After all, this was a high-profile, big-budget experiment and (arguably) the limited number of recognizable tunes would have angered fans if the other music didn�t stand up. Perhaps expectedly, but no less inspirationally, Shimomura delivered big, as did the other members of the development team, and expounding on their accomplishments hardly seems necessary. The critical and commercial success of the series speaks for itself. This song is a good example of Shimomura�s evocative powers, romantic themes, lush orchestration, and flair for the dramatic.

Super Mario 64 � Dire, Dire Docks ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcPSbkS9TQ )
Speaking of legendary titles, here�s one of the most popular tunes from one of the most popular Mario games. �Dire Dire Docks� has Kondo stepping out of the heroic mode without sacrificing any of his strengths in melody or arrangement. Also notable is the surprisingly busy percussion, perking up around the 1:45 mark, which adds momentum to the piece very nicely. This song is relaxing and compelling and warm�a wonderful combination. AS an added bonus, there's a cover of the song by the OneUps, which can be found here ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1tsGU3ix-g ).

My votes are for Dr. Mario � Chill and Super Mario 64 � Dire Dire Docks.

[Shadow mage]

Sonic Adventure - Open Your Heart
and
Kingdom hearts - Hikari

[Jessie]

Sonic Adventure – Open Your Heart
&
Super Mario 64 – Dire, Dire Docks

[Szczepan]

Sonic Adventure � Open Your Heart
&
Super Mario 64 � Dire, Dire Docks

[arthurgolden]

Minimal votes on all of the Shrine rumbles. Must be a busy time for people. Nevertheless, it�s time to march on. It was an easy win for Sonic Adventure � Open Your Heart and Super Mario 64 � Dire, Dire Docks, both of which grabbed 3 votes.

Round 1

Fight 13

Diablo � Town ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fyNafrUqTc )
Also known as �Tristram,� this is the song you start off the playable part of the game with. It�s a moody, guitar-driven piece with a lot of delay, harmonics, horns, and flute. Interestingly, it manages to sound both folksy and menacing once the bowed bass comes in. The overall production of the piece is fantastic, adding subtle fills, effects, and nuances across the first two and a half minutes to keep things engaging until the second section begins and it becomes a dance (sort of). I first encountered this game through speedruns ( http://speeddemosarchive.com/Diablo.html ) (the current one beats the game in 3:12) and fell in love with Matt Uelmen�s soundtrack instantly. Unfortunately, Uelmen doesn�t get a lot of recognition and recently split with Blizzard.

Pokemon � Main Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVkGpGm758Q )
Pokemon is the second most successful and lucrative video-game based media franchise in the world, second only to Mario. It is an industry consisting of twenty-five video games, thirteen anime series, fourteen films, five Manga series, and a trading card game. The series has also been a lightning rod for controversy, from the infamous epileptic seizures caused by one of the TV episodes that sent 635 Japanese children to the hospital to the standard accusations of occultism and underground violence that go back to the days of Dungeons and Dragons. As such, this song needs no introduction. The power of the franchise is right there in the guitar opening.

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Round 1

Fight 14

Portal � Still Alive ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ljFaKRTrI )
This will be an interesting fight, since both of these pieces are well known and well loved. Here is Jonathan Coulton�s catchy, dark, and funny closing credits tune to Portal in which GLaDOS celebrates herself. The song has made its way into pop culture at large, being performed ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL1XnLPqwrs ) last year by the University of Maryland Gamer Symphony Orchestra, as well as appearing in various YouTube videos, ringtones, and covers (including one in Mario Paint). Funny little tidbit: the composer credited on the soundtrack is GLaDOS, not Coulton. Additionally, it should be pointed out that Coulton�s only contribution to the soundtrack was this song. Otherwise, the music was done by Kelly Bailey and Mike Morasky.

Mega Man 2 � Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKtYCcMWT4 )
Practically any of the songs from this landmark soundtrack could have participated in the rumble. But what makes this song particularly worthy is the absolutely stunning way in which the NES�s sound hardware is bent different ways to create several moods. The piece is simultaneously driving, mysterious, exciting, anxious, sad, and heroic. When the main melody gives way at the 22 second mark to a high-pitched guitar sound with a faux-reverb effect, a split occurs between the hyperactive bass line and the much slower guitar that is unnerving. This was released in 1988, and over twenty years later it�s still moving to listen to. ScrewAttack started their list ( http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-screwattack/41663 ) of the greatest video game themes of all time, in which this song placed second, with this sentence: �Music is one of the most powerful mediums in the world, and ever since video games became mainstream it has played a huge role in not just shaping gaming, but the gamers who play the games.� That is probably true for many of us in relation to this song.


These are the penultimate fights for the first round, and they should be good ones. My votes are for Diablo � Town and Mega Man 2 � Dr. Wily Stage.

[Shadow mage]

Pokemon- Main Theme and Portal

[ravenous19]

Pokemon and Mega Man 2

[nibbish]

Diablo and Portal

[Lens of Truth]

Pokemon - Main Theme

Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2

[Jessie]

Diablo - Town
&
Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2

[Szczepan]

Diablo - Town
and
Portal

[arthurgolden]

Interesting�The two slugfests end with Diablo - Town and Mega Man 2 - Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 moving on by identical 4-3 margins. Now for the last two fights of the first round.

Round 1

Fight 15

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night � Dance of the Pales ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3zIJ5wgaA8 )
The Castlevania series has produced numerous unforgettable songs. But the Symphony of the Night soundtrack, composed by Michiru Yamane, holds a special place in the hearts of fans. �Dance of the Pales� is a waltz that has a ballroom�s stateliness, with a fanciful second section punctuated by a glockenspiel. The piano sound is also a bit spooky. At a time when 2D games were falling out of favor, and with a new title that changed the series by introducing open-ended exploration and RPG elements into the mix, this soundtrack played a big part in retaining Castlevania fans during the changes.

Banjo-Kazooie � Main Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzIZ4zezRTQ )
Competing against Yamane�s waltz is Grant Kirkhope�s polka. This song opens Banjo-Kazooie and�fun fact�helped the soundtrack gain a nomination for the �Most Journey-Worthy Music� award. It�s fun, silly, and extremely catchy and was recently given lyrics by Brentalfloss. Of greater importance, the entire soundtrack is notable for being interactive during game play. This means that if you jump in the water, the music changes into a harp arrangement. If you enter a haunted mansion, an organ starts playing the theme. That allows the music to reflect the environment around the character and, consequently, create a more immersive experience.

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Round 1

Fight 16

Final Fantasy X � To Zanarkand ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-0G_FI61a8 )
It�s Uematsu versus Kondo for the fourth and last time this round. It is sometimes noted that this song bears similarities to �Silent Night.� Nevertheless, it�s a classic in the Uematsu catalogue and serves as central theme for the first Playstation 2 game in the Final Fantasy series. It�s a lovely piece with a memorable melody that suggests both sadness and hopefulness (or maybe I�m just projecting). Although this soundtrack was the beginning of Uematsu�s diminishing involvement with Square Enix�until the announcement at E3 that he�ll be returning as principle composer of Final Fantasy XIV�his tracks ( http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/cds/finalfantasy10_ost.htm ) are very strong and also, in the case of many of them, introduced us to his current tendencies towards heavy metal.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past � Dark World ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw )
It�ll be a battle of the giants here. It is theorized that in the exact middle of most great stories something completely unexpected happens. With A Link to the Past, it�s Link�s banishment to the Dark World, which became a plot point in many of the later Zelda games. What also became major components of the subsequent games were songs from this soundtrack, including �Zelda�s Lullaby,� �Ganondorf's Theme,� �Hyrule Castle,� �Kakariko Village,� and �Fairy Fountain.� Standing shoulder to shoulder with those easily recognizable pieces is our competitor in this fight. This fantastic piece sets the mood for adventuring and danger and is one of Kondo�s most beloved pieces. But will it win here?


My votes are for Castlevania: Symphony of the Night � Dance of the Pales and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past � Dark World.

[Szczepan]

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Dance of the Pales FTW One of the best VGM ever!!!

Final Fantasy X – To Zanarkand Love them both .. too bad one will be eliminated so early

[Shadow mage]

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Dance of the Pales
and
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Dark World

[ravenous19]

Damn, those are 4 good songs.

Banjo-Kazooie - Main Theme - The BK soundtrack really left a lasting impression on me as a kid.
Final Fantasy X - To Zanarkand - Real shame I couldn't pick both here.

[arthurgolden]

There is a tie in Fight 16 between The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past - Dark World and Final Fantasy X - To Zanarkand.

The next person to vote will determine the winner and after that voting for this round will be closed.

[Lens of Truth]

I guess that's my cue...

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Dance of the Pales
&
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Dark World

Banjo has brilliant music all round, but there are much better tracks than the title theme which 'pales' (haw haw) in comparison to the gorgeously haunting SoN.

Second choice is easy. It would be madness for me not to go for 'Dark World'! I have a particular thing for heroic themes cast in a minor key (see also Dvorak and Goldsmith - though this is nothing like them of course). It funny that so many of the themes from Link to the Past have cropped up in later Zelda's but not this one. Also a shame that the rendition in Brawl had to be so horrendous :(

[arthurgolden]

And the winners are Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Dance of the Pales (4-1) and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Dark World (3-2). Let’s start Round 2!

Round 2

Fight 1

Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFHvxuuOymo )
Composer: Masato Nakamura
Year: 1991
Tech: Zilog Z80 and Yamaha synthesizer sound chips
Fun Fact: The opening “SEGA!” ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1zdPhVrbh8 ) chant took up 1/8 of the four-megabit game cartridge.

Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARW91qriEqw )
Composer: Ko Otani
Year: 2005
Tech: Various synthesizers, plus studio recordings featuring Otani himself, the Otohiko Fujita Group (horns), and the Masatsugu Shinozaki Group (strings)
Fun Fact: Won “Soundtrack of the Year” in Electronic Gaming Monthly

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Round 2

Fight 2

Super Mario World – Athletic ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC7ILAUyeGg )
Composer: Koji Kondo
Year: 1990
Tech: Sony SPC700
Fun Fact: This is the fourth highest-ranked game of all time on GameRankings with a score of 96.7% ( http://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html ).

Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ )
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Year: 1997
Tech: MIDI played through the CXD2922Q sound chip
Fun Fact: Uematsu completed the 85-track score for Final Fantasy VII in less than one year.

My votes are for Shadow of the Colossus – Swift Horse and Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme.

[Lens of Truth]

Predictable I know but 16-BIT MASCOTS FTW!

*ahem*

Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone

Super Mario World – Athletic

[ravenous19]

Shadow of the Colossus - Swift Horse

Super Mario World - Athletic

[Jessie]

Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone
&
Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme

[nibbish]

Sonic the Hedgehog - Green Hill Zone
&
Final Fantasy VII - Aerith's Theme

[arthurgolden]

Close fights, but Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone and Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme emerge victorious by 3-2 margins. Moving on…

Round 2

Fight 3

Contra – Stage 1 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqFhczSljwM )
Composer: Hidenori Maezawa
Year: 1987
Album sound: 2A03 APU sound chip
Fun Fact: This song is officially titled “Battle in the Dense Forest” but is more commonly known as “Stage 1” or “Stage 1: Jungle.”

Super Mario 64 – Dire, Dire Docks ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcPSbkS9TQ )
Composer: Koji Kondo
Year: 1996
Album sound: R4300i processor and RSP together
Fun Fact: Many of the game’s details were inspired by real life. For example, one enemy is based on assistant director Takashi Tezuka’s wife, who, as Miyamoto explained, “is very quiet normally, but one day she exploded, maddened by all the time [Tezuka] spent at work. In the game, there is now a character which shrinks when Mario looks at it, but when Mario turns away, it will grow large and menacing.”

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Round 2

Fight 4

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Dance of the Pales ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3zIJ5wgaA8 )
Composer: Michiru Yamane
Year: 1997
Album sound: Various synthesizers, plus studio recordings featuring Yamane herself, Takayuki Fujiki (electric guitar), Kahori Yamane (vocals), and Nishimura Oh. Ya. Zi (electric guitar)
Fun Fact: Kogi Igarashi supposedly came up with the gameplay changes in Symphony of the Night after seeing dozens of Castlevania games in the “used” bargain bin in Japanese video game stores, which made him realize that linear Castlevania games offered limited replay value.

Super Mario Bros. – Overworld ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEKDF_WbMlg )
Composer: Koji Kondo
Year: 1985
Album sound: 2A03 APU sound chip
Fun Fact: Nobuo Uematsu believes this song changed Japanese culture forever and should be the national anthem.

I feel bad for turning my back on Mario, but my votes are for Contra – Stage 1 and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Dance of the Pales.

[Szczepan]

Contra and Castlevania

[Shadow mage]

Contra Stage 1 and Super Mario Bros. Overworld.

[ravenous19]

Contra

Super Mario Bros.

[wolfmaster913]

Super Mario 64 – Dire, Dire Docks

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Dance of the Pales

[Lens of Truth]

Super Mario 64 – Dire, Dire Docks

Super Mario Bros. – Overworld

[arthurgolden]

There is a tie in Fight 4 between Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Dance of the Pales and Super Mario Bros. – Overworld.

The next person to vote will determine the winner and after that voting for this round will be closed.

[nibbish]

Gotta go with Super Mario Bros!

[arthurgolden]

Thanks to everyone for voting! Contra – Stage 1 got an easy win (4-2), but Super Mario Bros. – Overworld just barely squeaked by (4-3). We’ll see both in the quarterfinals. Now for the penultimate fights in this round.

Round 2

Fight 5

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Dark World ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw )
Composer: Koji Kondo
Year: 1991
Album sound: Sony SPC700
Fun Fact: A comic book miniseries inspired by A Link to the Past ran in Nintendo Power for 12 issues. That comic can be found here ( http://www.ganonstower.com/lttpcomic.shtml ).

Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKtYCcMWT4 )
Composer: Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi
Year: 1988 (aka 200X)
Album sound: 2A03 APU sound chip
Fun Fact: All three of the soundtrack’s composers were credited under aliases: “Ogeretsu Kun” for Tateishi, “Manami Ietel” for Matsumae, and “Yuukichan’s Papa” for Sakaguchi.


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Round 2

Fight 6

The Legend of Zelda – Overworld ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XI0m8bhpWM )
Composer: Koji Kondo
Year: 1986
Album sound: 2A03 APU sound chip
Fun Fact: Zelda is named after the author Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s infamous wife.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Lost Woods ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs )
Composer: Koji Kondo
Year: 1998
Album sound: R4300i processor and RSP together
Fun Fact: The game is cited as the “first contemporary nondance title to feature music-making as part of its gameplay.”

These are the toughest fights for me so far, because I love each of these pieces. But if I have to choose, my votes are for Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 and The Legend of Zelda – Overworld.

[ravenous19]

Damn, why are the choices so hard?


But if I have to choose, my votes are for Mega Man 2 � Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 and The Legend of Zelda � Overworld.

Going to have to second your votes on this one; although it physically pains me not to pick Lost Woods.

[Shadow mage]

Zelda - Dark World and Zelda - Lost Woods.

[wolfmaster913]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Dark World

The Legend of Zelda – Overworld

Too many Zelda pieces in these two rounds.

[Szczepan]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Dark World

The Legend of Zelda – Overworld



but... Dance of the Pales eliminated.. no.........TT_TT Lost my faith in humanity ;P

[Jessie]

Mega Man 2 � Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 and The Legend of Zelda � Overworld.

[nibbish]

Mega Man 2 - Dr, Wily Stgae 1/2
Legend of Zelda - Overworld

[arthurgolden]

No surprise that the fight between Dark World and Dr. Wily Stage was so close (4-3), but I am a little surprised that Overworld beat Lost Woods so badly (6-1). So it’s Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 and The Legend of Zelda – Overworld moving on to the quarterfinals. Now for the final fights of this round.

Round 2

Fight 7

Street Fighter II – Guile Stage ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mRKXhwxxLQ )
Composer: Yoko Shimomura and Isao Abe
Year: 1991
Album sound: Sony SPC700
Fun Fact: Street Fighter II holds three Guinness World Records: “First Fighting Game to Use Combos,” “Most Cloned Fighting Game,” and “Biggest-Selling Coin-Operated Fighting Game.”

Diablo – Town ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fyNafrUqTc )
Composer: Matt Uelmen
Year: 1996
Album sound: Various synthesizers, plus studio recordings
Fun Fact: After Diablo came out, a rumor was started that there was a secret “cow level.” This didn’t exist, but because of the rumor’s popularity Blizzard put one into Diablo II and also made the phrase “there is no cow level” the cheat code for skipping levels in Starcraft.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 2

Fight 8

Sonic Adventure – Open Your Heart ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7997StUCDc0 )
Composer: Jun Senoue, Kenichi Tokoi, and Fumie Kumatani
Year: 1998
Album sound: Various synthesizers, plus studio recordings
Fun Fact: Each heroic character in the game, aside from Gamma, has an instrumental motif that is turned into a vocal theme song and played during the end credits of his/her story.

Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambience ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVrorgoCrKU )
Composer: David Wise, Eveline Fischer, and Robin Beanland
Year: 1994
Album sound: Sony SPC700
Fun Fact: Around the time of the game’s release, a 15-minute VHS tape called Donkey Kong Country: Exposed was sent to Nintendo Power subscribers to tout the game’s graphical sophistication and to give players tip and tricks for finding several of the game’s secrets.


My votes are for Street Fighter II – Guile Stage and Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambience.

[Jessie]

Street Fighter II – Guile Stage and Sonic Adventure – Open Your Heart

[wolfmaster913]

Diablo – Town

Sonic Adventure – Open Your Heart

[Master Megatron]

Street Fighter II – Guile Stage

Sonic Adventure – Open Your Heart

[Shadow mage]

Street Fighter II � Guile Stage and Sonic Adventure � Open Your Heart

[nibbish]

Looks like I'm repping the underdogs this time.

Diablo - Town & Donkey Kong Country - Aquatic Ambience

[ravenous19]

Diablo � Town

Sonic Adventure � Open Your Heart

[Szczepan]

Diablo

Sonic

[Lackadaisical]

The songs representing Street Fighter II and Sonic Adventure are my choices.

[arthurgolden]

Another close round, at least between two of the songs. These have been good fights! Street Fighter II � Guile Stage (5-4) and Sonic Adventure � Open Your Heart (7-2) are the last winners of this round, so let�s get started with the quarterfinals.


Quarterfinals

Fight 1

Super Mario Bros. � Overworld ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEKDF_WbMlg )
by Koji Kondo (1985)

Final Fantasy VII � Aerith�s Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ )
by Nobuo Uematsu (1997)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quarterfinals

Fight 2

Sonic Adventure � Open Your Heart ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7997StUCDc0 )
by Jun Senoue, Kenichi Tokoi, and Fumie Kumatani (1998)

Mega Man 2 � Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKtYCcMWT4 )
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)


My votes are for Final Fantasy VII � Aerith�s Theme and Mega Man 2 � Dr. Wily Stage 1/2.

[Shadow mage]

Final Fantasy VII-Aerith's Theme and Mega Man 2 – Dr. Wily Stage 1/2

[ravenous19]

Super Mario Bros. - Overworld

Mega Man 2 - Dr. Wily Stage 1/2

[Lens of Truth]

Super Mario Bros. - Overworld

Mega Man 2 - Dr. Wily Stage 1/2

[nibbish]

Super Mario Bros - Overworld
Mega Man 2 - Dr. Wily Stage 1/2

[wolfmaster913]

Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme

Sonic Adventure – Open Your Heart

[Szczepan]

Final Fantasy VII � Aerith�s Theme

Sonic Adventure � Open Your Heart

[Jessie]

Final Fantasy VII � Aerith�s Theme

Sonic Adventure � Open Your Heart

[Withope]

Final Fantasy VII-Aerith's Theme and Mega Man 2 � Dr. Wily Stage 1/2

[arthurgolden]

All right. Good round. We�ll see Final Fantasy VII � Aerith�s Theme (6-3) and Mega Man 2 � Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 (6-3) in the semifinals. Now for the last two fights of the round.


Quarterfinals

Fight 3

Contra � Stage 1 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqFhczSljwM )
by Hidenori Maezawa (1987)

The Legend of Zelda � Overworld ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XI0m8bhpWM )
by Koji Kondo (1986)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quarterfinals

Fight 4

Sonic the Hedgehog � Green Hill Zone ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFHvxuuOymo )
by Masato Nakamura (1991)

Street Fighter II � Guile Stage ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mRKXhwxxLQ )
by Yoko Shimomura and Isao Abe (1991)


My votes are for The Legend of Zelda � Overworld and Sonic the Hedgehog � Green Hill Zone.

[ravenous19]

My votes are for The Legend of Zelda � Overworld and Sonic the Hedgehog � Green Hill Zone.

[Jessie]

The Legend of Zelda � Overworld and Sonic the Hedgehog � Green Hill Zone.

[Szczepan]

The Legend of Zelda – Overworld and Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone

heh..

[wolfmaster913]

The Legend of Zelda – Overworld

Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone

[Lens of Truth]

Much as I like to be a dissenting voice, now is not the occasion for it ;)

The Legend of Zelda – Overworld

Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone

[Withope]

The Legend of Zelda - Overworld

Street Fighter II - Guile Stage

[nibbish]

Zelda, Sonic

[arthurgolden]

I'm going to end this a little early since we've got landslide victories in both fights. The Legend of Zelda - Overworld (8-0) and Sonic the Hedgehog � Green Hill Zone (7-1) are both big winners. Now for the semifinals.


Semifinals

Fight 1

Mega Man 2 � Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFKtYCcMWT4 )
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988)

Sonic the Hedgehog � Green Hill Zone ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFHvxuuOymo )
by Masato Nakamura (1991)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Semifinals

Fight 2

The Legend of Zelda � Overworld ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XI0m8bhpWM )
by Koji Kondo (1986)

Final Fantasy VII � Aerith�s Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ )
by Nobuo Uematsu (1997)


My votes are for Mega Man 2 � Dr. Wily Stage 1/2 and The Legend of Zelda � Overworld.

[wolfmaster913]

Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone

Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme

[Jessie]

Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone and Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme

[ravenous19]

Sonic the Hedgehog - Green Hill Zone

The Legend of Zelda - Overworld

[Lens of Truth]

Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone

The Legend of Zelda – Overworld

[nibbish]

Megaman 2 - Dr. Wily 1/2
Final Fantasy VII - Aerith's Theme

[Shadow mage]

Sonic the Hedgehog � Green Hill Zone

Final Fantasy VII � Aerith�s Theme

[Withope]

Megaman 2 - Dr. Wily 1/2
Final Fantasy VII - Aerith's Theme

[arthurgolden]

All right, folks. This is it. And I gotta say, I’m a little surprised by the final two. Kondo seemed like a shoe-in to get at least one of his pieces to the end. But they’re both strong contenders, and I’m looking forward to seeing who the winner is. So let’s get this started.


Finals

Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFHvxuuOymo )
by Masato Nakamura (1991)

vs.

Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85KIhPXrIQ )
by Nobuo Uematsu (1997)


My vote is for Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone.

[nibbish]

Yup, gotta go with the green hill zone.

[Jessie]

Even though i'm a huge FFVII lover, i'm still goin to have to say...

Sonic the Hedgehog – Green Hill Zone

[Withope]

Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme

[wolfmaster913]

Sorry Sonic, Aerith just has a big place in my heart. So...

Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme

[ravenous19]

Sonic the Hedgehog - Green Hill Zone

[Lens of Truth]

Sonic the Hedgehog - Green Hill Zone

[Link006]

Sonic the Hedgehog - Green Hill Zone.

[arthurgolden]

The honor of being the first winner in a battle in the Official Video Game Music Rumble goes to�



Sonic the Hedgehog � Green Hill Zone ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFHvxuuOymo )!
by Masato Nakamura (1991)

This was the song that started off the Sonic series and also proved the Genesis� technical dominance over the NES as the 16-bit era began. When the high-pitched string shows up in the first repetition of the melody, adding a fifth instrument to the mix, a world of possibility opened up with it. Fifty-nine games later, with millions of copies sold, Sonic is as recognizable as Mario, and his music has enjoyed a powerful legacy that has enticed many famous composers to score one of his games: Masato Nakamura, Yuzo Koshiro, Jun Senoue, Richard Jacques, and even former Megadeath guitarist Marty Friedman.

Fun Fact: The opening �SEGA!� ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1zdPhVrbh8 ) chant took up 1/8 of the four-megabit game cartridge.

Record: 4-3, 3-2, 7-1, 5-3, 6-2

Well, that was a great opening battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.

I�ll post details about the next battle tomorrow.

By the way, if you have an idea for a theme that you�d like to do, shoot me a PM. I�m open to anything.

[arthurgolden]

The next battle is going to be themed around Koji Kondo soundtracks--not individual songs. This will be a short one (16 starting entries instead of 32) that will give me time to work on a much larger and more diverse battle that I’m planning. What I’ve put together so far is the list of 16 soundtracks and 3 songs apiece that will serve as representatives for the entire soundtrack. The song choices were made off the top of my head, so if you would rather another song serve as one of the three for any of the soundtracks, just let me know. I’ll give this a day or two and then we’ll get started. Here’s what the list looks like right now:

Star Fox 64
- Area 6
- Star Wolf’s Theme
- Corneria

Super Mario Bros.
- Overworld
- Underworld
- Underwater

Super Mario Bros. 2
- Overworld
- Underworld
- Ending

Super Mario Bros. 3
- World Map 1
- Overworld 2
- Airship

Super Mario World
- Forest of Illusion
- Athletic
- Underground

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
- Flower Garden
- Athletic
- Final Boss

Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars
- Hello, Happy Kingdom
- Beware the Forest’s Mushrooms
- The Starlight’s Flower

Super Mario 64
- Main Theme
- Dire, Dire Docks
- Bowser’s Theme

Super Mario Sunshine
- Platforms a Plenty
- Delfino Plaza
- Bianco Hills

Super Mario Galaxy
- The Bunnies
- Good Egg Galaxy
- Melty Molten Galaxy

The Legend of Zelda
- Intro
- Overworld
- Labyrinth

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Hyrule Castle
- Dark World
- Kakariko Village

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Gora’s Theme
- Lost Woods
- Bolero of Fire

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
- Last End
- Song of Healing
- Giant’s Theme

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
- Title
- Dragoon Roost Island
- Forest Haven

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Midna
- Hyrule Field
- Twilight Realm

[arthurgolden]

Well, let’s get started then! This is Battle 2: Kōji Kondō soundtracks. You'll notice as we go along that I changed the song selections for some soundtracks listed in my previous post, but I imagine that probably won't alter anyone's voting. That aside, here we go...


Round 1

Fight 1

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
- Flower Garden ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0exe1s8TTI )
- Athletic ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qs3NLa1Gog )
- Final Boss ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9THf5QlXuyo )

vs.

The Legend of Zelda
- Overworld ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajYFOBWOBKs )
- Labyrinth ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH7ma8TPnE8 )
- Ending ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfQs_dFdCug )


My vote is for Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island. I just find the music so charming and enjoyable, with its smidges of jazz and ragtime. Of course, I'm slighting The Legend of Zelda, which contains one of the greatest video game songs ever written. But I'm not as impressed by the rest of that soundtrack, even taking into account the technical limitations of the NES. What do you guys think?

[DragonKazooie89]

My vote goes to Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.

[wolfmaster913]

The Legend of Zelda

[nibbish]

Yoshi's Island. I've got to echo AG's sentiments. One epic song doesn't catapult an entire soundtrack over Yoshi's overall consistent greatness.

[Withope]

The Legend of Zelda

[Shadow mage]

The Legend Of Zelda

[arthurgolden]

We've got a tie.

The next person to vote will determine the winner and after that voting for this round will be closed.

[ChazA4]

*scratches chin* I grew up playing Zelda. Not once, even in this day and age of emulators and ROMs, have I touched Yoshi's Island. You would think the choice would be easy.

It's not.

Despite a very close contest between the two, I have to give the edge to Yoshi's Island. Arthur's got a very valid point; no matter how good one song in a game is, it's still just ONE SONG. Yoshi's Island, overall, was much more impressive and catchy(and as the YT uploader said, Athletic makes you wanna dance, lol).

[arthurgolden]

Thanks to ChazA4 for the tie break. The Legend of Zelda – Overworld was in the semifinals in our last battle, so it’s strange to see its soundtrack fall out of contention so early. Moving on is Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island by a slim margin of 4-3. Next up…


Round 1

Fight 2

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Midna's Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTGgZdlv7f8 )
- Hyrule Field ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZmBHQTn8V8 )
- Twilight Realm ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWTkd9Uskzo )

vs.

Super Mario 64
- Main Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ulMNR79P04 )
- Dire, Dire Docks ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcPSbkS9TQ )
- Bowser’s Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_-Ea7D9O30 )


I’m going to vote against the classic in this fight, too. While I love Super Mario 64 and its songs, I find myself listening to Twilight Princess much more frequently. Maybe I'm alone, but I thought Midna's Theme was another Kondo classic as soon as I heard it—and it was surprising to hear, too. Unlike some of Kondo's other famous pieces, it's hard to pinpoint what emotional effect this song is supposed to have on us. It's slow, almost dirge-like, but also mysterious, noble, sad, and tense. The way the strings pull and sweep underneath the melody is unsettling, and yet you can still whistle along. It's a really odd listening experience, and I like that. I feel as strongly about several other songs on the soundtrack, too. So my vote is for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

[wolfmaster913]

I really didn't like The legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. On the other hand, Super Mario 64 was a great game that I spent hours upon hours playing. Easy choice for me: Super Mario 64.

[nibbish]

Mario 64 is the most well-rounded of all the mario soundtracks, I've got to go with it.

Wow. You'd think I hate Zelda from the way I've been voting. Once the N64-era soundtracks come up, I assure you that'll change.

[Marceline]

Super Mario 64

[arthurgolden]

Participation has been off in all of the rumbles. I wonder where everyone is? Well, we’ve gotta move on, and things seem pretty securely in favor of Super Mario 64 (3-1). Next up is…


Round 1

Fight 3

Super Mario Galaxy
- The Bunnies ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mun2Wut77Gs )
- Good Egg Galaxy ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l7uFETC-Yc )
- Melty Molten Galaxy ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE0DSlPF6Pc )

vs.

Star Fox 64
- Area 6 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sVtZmt-_kc )
- Star Wolf’s Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWZ8jEZd5uI )
- Corneria ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XozTfuvFd7o )


I heard a lot about Galaxy's soundtrack before I ever got a chance to listen to it. To be honest, after Super Mario Sunshine I was getting kinda bored with Mario games and Mario music and wasn't expecting much. But I think Kondo (with Mahito Yokota's help) reinvigorated the series with this turn towards orchestral music. The songs contain Kondo's strong melody writing but are unusual for their sparse percussion. With better patches at his disposal, Kondo seemed to want to feature the diverse sounds he was creating more prominently, which is evident in "Bunnies," "Good Egg Galaxy," and many others. I'm a big fan of most of this soundtrack, and don't have any specific favorites from Star Fox 64, so my vote is for Super Mario Galaxy .

[arthurgolden]

Well, this is getting depressing. Did people just not see this one? Or does the theme suck? Or are people tired of voting on rumbles?

[Szczepan]

Star Fox 64 Maybe it's just me, but orchestral music in a Mario game is an unnatural combination... Even though it sounds nice.

btw What happened to everyone? I think summer holidays happened ;)

[wolfmaster913]

Well, this is getting depressing. Did people just not see this one? Or does the theme suck? Or are people tired of voting on rumbles?

It didn't show up in bold white like all of the other new posts do. But my vote would have to go to Star Fox 64.

[ravenous19]

btw What happened to everyone? I think summer holidays happened ;)

Yep, seconded. I know when I don't have assignments/study I don't get on the computer as much and find things to distract me.

Anyway, I really like both soundtracks, but Super Mario Galaxy is simply brilliant and gets my vote.

[Lens of Truth]

I've been neglecting this thread. Apologies for the lack of participation!

Both classic scores, but my vote goes to Super Mario Galaxy. The most stunning, joyful soundtrack to any game this generation, if you ask me.

[arthurgolden]

Welcome back to everyone! Another two days made all the difference. I didn�t even think of summer holidays, since I�ve been teaching summer school this whole time. But I hope everyone had a good break. Fight 3 was a close match-up, but Super Mario Galaxy took it 3-2. Next up�


Round 1

Fight 4

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Goron City ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmHQzrIg1Pc )
- Lost Woods ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs )
- Hyrule Field ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SovM_ExoVg )

vs.

Super Mario Bros. 2
- Overworld ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUYQNIiNjq4 )
- Underworld ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd9Ufvc3vcw )
- Ending ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op8lib6t6FY )


This is an easy one for me. As much as I like the Super Mario Bros. 2 soundtrack, Ocarina of Time gave us the House theme, the Hyrule Field theme, Lost Woods, Zora�s Domain, an even better Great Fairy�s Fountain and Zelda�s Theme, Temple of Time, Windmill Hut, Gerudo Valley, Bolero of Fire, Goron City, Inside Jabu Jabu�s Belly, Sheik�s Theme�and that�s just getting us started. My vote is for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

[ravenous19]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Like you said, easy choice really; Ocarina is one of the greatest soundtracks.

[wolfmaster913]

Super Mario Bros. 2

[Link006]

Wow; wish I had checked this page sooner. A travesty that TWO Zelda soundtracks have already been eliminated, including Twilight Princess, which may have the best soundtrack in the series.

No question where I'm going here: Ocarina of Time.

[nibbish]

Ocarina of Time. I love the SMB2 soundtrack, but N64-era Zelda just cannot be topped.

[arthurgolden]

Thanks to all who voted! It was an easy 4-1 win for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Next up�


Round 1

Fight 5

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Hyrule Castle ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQppjFksfxM )
- Dark World ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw )
- Kakariko Village ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xCp6ngH_mQ )

vs.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora�s Mask
- Last End ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4YwTVEKuog )
- Song of Healing ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUNbm3vO4Cg )
- Giant�s Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCGH4mFy3KA )


The first Zelda on Zelda battle created by the random number generator�and it's SNES vs. N64, too. As I said in the last edition of the rumble, the A Link to the Past soundtrack introduced many of the series� major themes, including �Zelda�s Lullaby,� �Ganondorf's Theme,� �Hyrule Castle,� �Kakariko Village,� and �Fairy Fountain.� As interesting as the Majora�s Mask soundtrack is, I have to give it to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for its importance to the series and also because I find it more enjoyable to listen to outside the context of the game.

[Eshvoide]

I'm going for "A Link to the Past". Yay for Four Swords for bringing the music back twice! I was kinda disappointed the remixed songs from SSMB though.

Out of all the Zelda songs, nothing beats Alternate Overworld for me. 2nd favorite song has to be "whatever this song is called ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0cWFIVJdys&feature=related )" I think. (I know that it says Four Swords, but it is also in "A Link to the Past".) If you don't remember it, it's Death Mountain when going to Turtle Rock. From one of the soundtracks that I downloaded from Skylagoon it was called "Sky".

It was probably one of my first few games where I'm like "there's another world?!" After being disappointed with Zelda 2 this one totally blew me out of the water. Besides Lufia 2, this game had some nifty puzzles.

[Szczepan]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past



It was probably one of my first few games where I'm like "there's another world?!"
Same here. It felt so nice to know that it's just a half of the game , when i was expecting to see ending and credits.

[Shadow mage]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

[wolfmaster913]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, one of my favorite games and soundtracks.

[Lens of Truth]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

For establishing so many amazing themes in the series, and being an epic game to boot! The Lost Woods, Dark World and Hyrule Castle are some of my favs.

Majora's Mask has many great tracks too (Ikana Valley, Sonata of Awakening, Song of Healing, Pirate Fortress), but it also reuses without variation much music from Ocarina.

[arthurgolden]

Thanks to Eshvoide for the memories I'm sure we can all relate to. I’m going to call this one a blow-out. A Link to the Past’s entrance into the competition got it six votes within a couple hours. We’ll see if it can maintain that momentum in the second round. But for now, we’ve got another intra-series battle…


Round 1

Fight 6

Super Mario World
- Forest of Illusion ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOHQopJ8_8E )
- Athletic ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC7ILAUyeGg )
- Underground ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq-d1fwaaqI )

vs.

Super Mario Bros. 3
- World Map 1 (Grassland) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK3FnQA0kOE )
- Overworld 2 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYNUVsIeDW4 )
- Airship ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFGYwKpETlc )


This is a tough one. Super Mario World is a great soundtrack, but my vote is for Super Mario Bros. 3. The game's reputation hasn't diminished in the last two decades—and for good reason. The themes, like the level designs, are still vital and (despite the limited technology) in my opinion cover broader territory than the SNES game's soundtrack. While Super Mario World seemed like an experiment for Kondo to see how many ways he could do one theme, with Super Mario Bros. 3 he played to his strengths and delivered songs that captured many different environments and moods.

[Withope]

This one surely is tough; however Super Mario World has memorable songs for me.

[Shadow mage]

Super Mario World as well.

[ravenous19]

Tough choice, but has to be a vote for Super Mario World.

[Szczepan]

SMW

[wolfmaster913]

Super Mario World

[Eshvoide]

Wow, this is a toughie... I would have to go "Super Mario Brothers 3", the reason... I dunno, but it was the first debut of "Overworld 2". Because of the difficulty of Super Mario Brothers 3, I think I had to focus it more than Super Mario World. As for Super Mario World, I was more confused and trying to think how do you get there because back then you only had to rely on Nintendo Power or your friends, gameFAQs was still starting anew.

I hated World 5 "Earth & Sky" as well as World 7 "Pipe World". World 6 "Ice" was one of those stages were I pushed the button a tad bit late. World 8 was oh that was dumb mistake, but the only thing that disappointed me was the Bowser Battle (and yes I did fly over the wall to fight the harder one). My favorite stage was probably World 4 "Giant" world.

I think SMB3 started (within the Mario Series)
- instant side scroller (why I hated 5)
- the koopa kids
- mario can fly

[arthurgolden]

Wow. Super Mario World got a big win there (5-2). It might have an easy ride to the finals. Keep an eye on it. Next up we have the penultimate fight of the round�


Round 1

Fight 7

Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars
- Super Pipe House ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmwjH9hvfD0 )
- Fight Against Koopa ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_nVPUkX3Tc )
- Koopa Castle (Second Time) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocS4-XF0wFY )

vs.

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
- Title ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OkFb0pISJQ )
- Dragoon Roost Island ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIu5LvkSKl4 )
- Forest Haven ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VctRwjnyPG8 )


Two big soundtracks�61 tracks and 133 tracks, respectively�and both with extra composers attached. This is a difficult one, and I can see it going either way, but my vote is for Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars. While Kondo�s contributions to the soundtrack pale in comparison to Shimomura�s (see composer credits here ( /3a92c9f325f88050ee4252e49b67660c/soundtracks/smbrpg/index.php )), Kondo still offered several great themes. I love the melodic percussion ideas he was experimenting with, and I feel like his main themes proved themselves again in this soundtrack. Although the same can be said of Wind Waker, I've just never been as interested in those pieces. But it might just come down to whether you're more in the mood for electronic music or jigs. What do you guys think?

[Szczepan]

The Legend of Zelda : Wind Waker

Super Mario RPG soundtrack is ok but not even close to what Shimomura created for Legend of Mana and Parasite Eve IMO.

[wolfmaster913]

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

[Eshvoide]

My vote is "Super Mario RPG." I liked this RPG a lot, and it offered a lot of variety and it fit the mood of the game, now as for Wind Waker it has some pretty good songs in it, but still the music in Super Mario RPG still tops Wind Waker.

[Lens of Truth]

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker for me. It's an enormously varied soundtrack with many brilliant themes, and expands on the sound of the Zelda universe in interesting ways. In addition to the pieces mentioned above, stand-outs are:

The Legendary Hero ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcSkeRFYJeo )- a brilliant medieval-sounding opener, with the Gamecube midi doing an admirable job of imitating a harpsichord.
Outset Island ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvRSuO8DX1c )- a bouncy rendition of Aryll's theme mix with the odd backward glance to 'Kokiri Forest'.
The Great Sea ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGal2fBQ3EM )- sweeping, expansive variation on the original Zelda overworld theme with undulating 'cellos' and 'horns'. What I wouldn't give to hear this played by a real orchestra!
Gohdan ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmhIGvM9ZPw )- like a labyrinthine Bach organ piece. Fits with the stylised graphics perfectly.

There's alo a Bernard Herrmannesque new theme for the Deku Tree, a touching piano rendition of the Hyrule Castle theme from LTTP, and a tour de force end title, combining variaious themes together in counterpoint.

Look out for a FLAC of this soon in the downloads section :)

[Shadow mage]

Legend of Zelda

[Link006]

The Wind Waker.

[Withope]

Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars

[arthurgolden]

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker comes out on top (5-3) and gets the winners a little closer to an even split between Mario and Zelda games. Now for the final fight in Round 1�


Round 1

Fight 8

Super Mario Bros.
- Overworld ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEKDF_WbMlg )
- Underworld ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDPLZzJKFuo )
- Underwater ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntlQpNRfst4 )

vs.

Super Mario Sunshine
- Platforms-A-Plenty ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCwZPn2sJg0 )
- Delfino Plaza ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwemkM-vBmc )
- Bianco Hills ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0LhCF8bx8E )


You all have heard this before, but one of my favorite details about the Super Mario Bros. soundtrack is that Nobuo Uematsu said �Overworld� should become the Japanese national anthem. Perhaps that�s enough to suggest its importance? My vote is for Super Mario Bros.

[wolfmaster913]

I'm gonna have to go with Super Mario Sunshine here.

[Lens of Truth]

Super Mario Bros.

It's a total classic that defined Nintendo and videogames in general vs the pleasant but relatively disappointing soundtrack for Sunshine. Easy choice.

[Szczepan]

Super Mario Bros

Ultimate classic of all classics. This or Zelda : A Link to the Past will win this rumble i think .

[Eshvoide]

I will vote for "Super Mario Bros". It's the game that started it all. Sunshine really had a good OST (imo) but you can still hear some of the original music in it.

[Shadow mage]

Super Mario Bros.

[nibbish]

Super Mario Bros. - Only a couple songs on it, but every one is an absolute undeniable classic.

[arthurgolden]

No surprise there. Super Mario Bros. wins 6-1. And I agree with Szczepan that it has a shot to win the whole thing. But it has to pass through some much stiffer competition this round…


Round 2

Fight 1

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Goron City ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmHQzrIg1Pc )
- Lost Woods ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs )
- Hyrule Field ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SovM_ExoVg )

vs.

Super Mario Bros.
- Overworld ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEKDF_WbMlg )
- Underworld ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDPLZzJKFuo )
- Underwater ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntlQpNRfst4 )


Should be a slugfest between the two. I have a lot of love for Super Mario Bros., and it has undoubtedly the most influential soundtrack in video game history, but in terms of which game has the better music in my opinion, my vote has gotta be for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

[wolfmaster913]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

[Lens of Truth]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Quite simply Kondo's masterpiece. Everything from the ocarina songs themselves (such variety using only a few simple notes) to classics like Gerudo Valley, Lon Lon Ranch and the Spirit Temple. Also it's a rare instance of a game soundtrack on such a scale that he composed almost entirely himself. You can say it's aged well too because of the subtle, through-composed, unified nature of its soundworld, compared say to the more schizophrenic nature of the Final Fantasy scores of the same period.

[Szczepan]

Even Ocarina of Time is not enough to shake my memories of Super Mario Bros ;)

[ravenous19]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

[Shadow mage]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

[Eshvoide]

I'm going with "Super Mario Brothers" here. I do not own a N64 and have been terribly missing some of the good games that have been released for the N64 (though they were re-released for the GC). I remember my friends telling me that OoT is one of the best Zelda games out there. I have heard some soundtracks from the game and "Gerudo Valley" is probably my favorite song out of the whole bunch.

But I sometimes wonder with a somewhat 10 track versus a somewhat 30 track list. There could be a lot of variety within what a 10 year time span? Yeah they did a remake of the Super Mario Brothers for the NDS I think, but I don't think I've heard the soundtrack for that game, and I'm pretty sure there are some memorable OoT songs heard in other games OTHER than SSB.

Usually the way I think is, the game that produces the most memorable songs for it to appear in another game is extraordinary because it gives us some old gamers a chance like hey, I remember this song versus to the new generation where they have been exposed to a variety with more instruments, but to each their own as they say.

Forgive the ruses of a curious shark.

[arthurgolden]

Because the forums were down, I'll let this run a little longer to give everyone a chance to vote.

[nibbish]

Since it's about better music, I'll go with OoT.

[arthurgolden]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time just took down the most important soundtrack in video game history 6-2. That puts it in a pretty good position to win this. Now for another battle between giants�


Round 2

Fight 2

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
- Title ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OkFb0pISJQ )
- Dragoon Roost Island ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIu5LvkSKl4 )
- Forest Haven ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VctRwjnyPG8 )

vs.

Super Mario 64
- Main Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ulMNR79P04 )
- Dire, Dire Docks ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcPSbkS9TQ )
- Bowser�s Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_-Ea7D9O30 )


I voted against Wind Waker last round, but I�m going to make up for it here. While Super Mario 64 is a lot of fun and I really enjoy its music in-game, I feel Wind Waker is more impressive. Beyond anxiety and happiness�the two emotions most of the Mario 64 soundtrack appeals to�Wind Waker creates something much more complex in examples like �The Legendary Hero� and �Forest Haven� and additionally reflects new influences on Kondo, like Irish bagpipes and Andean pan flutes, that are exciting to hear him try out. He and the other composers seemed to want to push themselves with this soundtrack, both in style and quantity (Wind Waker�s soundtrack has 133 tracks), and in comparison Mario 64 seems safe and familiar. Delightful, fantastic, a classic�but familiar, and a little underwhelming because of it. So my vote is for The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker.

[wolfmaster913]

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. I definitely enjoyed Super Mario 64, but Wind Waker's music was so much better.

[ravenous19]

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker - both good soundtracks, but WW definately beats SM64.

[nibbish]

Mario 64 has some of my favorite VGM tracks, so I have to go with it.

[Eshvoide]

I would have to say "Wind Waker". I hardly know any of the tunes in Mario 64. I guess my only favorite theme from Mario 64 is Shipwreck song (but it was a remix version though)?

[Szczepan]

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker easily

[Link006]

I'll take The Wind Waker

[arthurgolden]

Thanks to everyone who voted. I�m shocked at how easily The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker beat Super Mario 64 (6-1). The Zelda soundtracks now have a good shot at dominating Round 3. On to the next fight�


Round 2

Fight 3

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Hyrule Castle ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQppjFksfxM )
- Dark World ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw )
- Kakariko Village ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xCp6ngH_mQ )

vs.

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi�s Island
- Flower Garden ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0exe1s8TTI )
- Athletic ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qs3NLa1Gog )
- Final Boss ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9THf5QlXuyo )


Nostalgia, an appreciation for the historical significance of this soundtrack, and the belief that it has the better music of the two contestants are all converging for me right now. This one is easy. My vote is for The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

[Szczepan]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

I love Yoshi's Island specific graphic style, but that's not what we judge here.

[wolfmaster913]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. In fact, I was just listening to that one before I posted this.

[Eshvoide]

The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0cWFIVJdys )

[ravenous19]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past easily in my books. Love them both, but Zelda is the clear winner.

[Withope]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past

[arthurgolden]

6-0. This one�s over. A Link to the Past won its last fight by blowout, too, so it remains undisputed. Next up is the final fight of Round 2, and it�s a big one.


Round 2

Fight 4

Super Mario World
- Forest of Illusion ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOHQopJ8_8E )
- Athletic ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC7ILAUyeGg )
- Underground ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq-d1fwaaqI )

vs.

Super Mario Galaxy
- The Bunnies ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mun2Wut77Gs )
- Good Egg Galaxy ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l7uFETC-Yc )
- Melty Molten Galaxy ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE0DSlPF6Pc )


While Super Mario World is a great soundtrack and shows off Kondo�s arrangement skills, in my mind it can�t hold a candle to Galaxy. First off, Super Mario World is almost entirely one theme, which is impressive since the game�s music doesn�t quickly become boring, but also uninspired in comparison to Galaxy�s 81 tracks. Secondly, Galaxy represents a major evolution (and in my opinion a successful one) for what a Koji Kondo soundtrack can be. The sweeping orchestral pieces are grand and wonderful, and the imaginative power used in selecting patches for the songs is inspiring. Just as one example, listen to how many elements are in play in �Melty Molten Galaxy.� Finally, I think Galaxy�s music is just as enjoyable in the car as it is in-game; I can�t say the same about Super Mario World�s. So I think the big question here is whether the main theme of Super Mario World is so good that it trounces all of the 81 themes in Galaxy. For me, it�s not. So my vote is for Super Mario Galaxy.

[Eshvoide]

I really haven't played Galaxy that much, so my vote goes to "Super Mario World".

Now, I'm reminded of the cartoon title theme :/ ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnUlJi3ect4 )

[wolfmaster913]

Super Mario World

[nibbish]

Super Mario World, though it's close.

[Lens of Truth]

Super Mario Galaxy

[ravenous19]

Super Mario Galaxy

[Szczepan]

Super Mario World

[arthurgolden]

That was a tough fight for Super Mario World, which just barely edged out Super Mario Galaxy 4-3. Now it has to go against A Link to the Past, which hasn�t had a single vote cast against it this rumble. Will anything change here?


Round 3

Fight 1

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Hyrule Castle ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQppjFksfxM )
- Dark World ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw )
- Kakariko Village ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xCp6ngH_mQ )


Fun Fact: Development for A Link to the Past started all the way back in 1988. Three years later it came out on a cartridge twice the SNES�s typical 512 KB size.

vs.

Super Mario World
- Forest of Illusion ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOHQopJ8_8E )
- Athletic ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC7ILAUyeGg )
- Underground ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq-d1fwaaqI )

Fun Fact: Miyamoto wanted Mario to have a dinosaur companion back in the days of Super Mario Bros., but was hindered by the technical limitations of the NES.


My vote is for The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

[Eshvoide]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

[Jessie]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

[ravenous19]

Has to be The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past easily.

[Link006]

Even though I wasn't as big of a fan of the game as I was of others in the series, the music was still absolutely fantastic.

A Link to the Past.

[Szczepan]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

I don't think there is a reason to prolong this. We have a clear winner so let's go with another fight.

[arthurgolden]

Agreed. 6-0 again. We�ll see A Link to the Past in the finals. And now for the penultimate fight in this rumble�


Round 3

Fight 2

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
- Title ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OkFb0pISJQ )
- Dragoon Roost Island ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIu5LvkSKl4 )
- Forest Haven ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VctRwjnyPG8 )


Fun Fact: Wind Waker is one of only eleven games to receive a perfect score from Famitsu.

vs.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Goron City ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmHQzrIg1Pc )
- Lost Woods ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs )
- Hyrule Field ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SovM_ExoVg )


Fun Fact: Ocarina of Time was developed alongside Super Mario 64, just as the original Legend of Zelda was developed alongside Super Mario Bros. ten years prior.


My vote is for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

[Eshvoide]

Uh... OoT, I guess? I'm so bad, I really haven't beaten these two games yet. It's always nice to have friends who spoil you the good parts of the games. >.>

[ravenous19]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Maybe it's just cause I've never played it, I don't know, but the Wind Waker soundtrack just doesn't compare to OoT.

[wolfmaster913]

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. Awww...I missed voting for A Link To The Past. At least it didn't lose because of that.

[Szczepan]

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

Maybe it's just me but i really like it more than Ocarina of Time...

[Shadow mage]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

[nibbish]

Ocarina of Time, without question

[arthurgolden]

So it comes down to these two: A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time. SNES vs. N64. Both are great soundtracks, and both beat a lot of other great soundtracks to get here. But who is the winner?


Final Round

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Opening Demo ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmZ9CPu-8eU )
- Overworld ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDDZkrmOwlI )
- Hyrule Castle ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQppjFksfxM )
- Sanctuary Dungeon ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1UyVXN13SI )
- Church ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX4342UkCr8 )
- Kakariko Village ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xCp6ngH_mQ )
- Lost Woods ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WArWo_FwGY )
- Cave ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2wLk4K-jlU )
- Dark World ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslj06K-Nlw )
- Crystal ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb-3CBqQ3vU )

vs.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Title Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVY55e7UDWM )
- Hyrule Field ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SovM_ExoVg )
- Zelda's Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GY-18c-v08 )
- Kakariko Village ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkFhCZL6qp4 )
- Goron City ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmHQzrIg1Pc )
- Lost Woods ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs )
- Zora's Domain ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIqailPd89I )
- Temple of Time ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc7BCZFP9Ww )
- Sheik's Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yc7kp_ETGU )
- Gerudo Valley ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1QLfSOUiHU )


I started gathering song links with the intention of voting for A Link to the Past, which is one of my favorite games and soundtracks. But when I realized how hard it was going to be to shave down the songs from Ocarina to a list of ten, I changed my mind. Not only is this the more ambitious and superior soundtrack in my mind, but the ways in which Kondo overcame the game’s limitations are astounding. We could go on and on just about the ocarina songs—all of them memorable, and with only a few notes to work with. So my vote is for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as Kondo’s best work.

[nibbish]

Ocarina of Time is the soundtrack that I figured I wanted from the very start, so I'm happy to vote for it to win it all.

[Szczepan]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Easy choice for me...

[Eshvoide]

A Link to the Past

[ravenous19]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

[wolfmaster913]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Easy choice for me...

[Shadow mage]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

[Lens of Truth]

I started gathering song links with the intention of voting for A Link to the Past, which is one of my favorite games and soundtracks. But when I realized how hard it was going to be to shave down the songs from Ocarina to a list of ten, I changed my mind. Not only is this the more ambitious and superior soundtrack in my mind, but the ways in which Kondo overcame the game�s limitations are astounding. We could go on and on just about the ocarina songs�all of them memorable, and with only a few notes to work with. So my vote is for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as Kondo�s best work.

Spot on! :) Count that as a vote for Ocarina of Time from me too. A stunningly developed, varied and memorable score. The disembodied, ethereally floating 'vocal' of Malon at the end almost brings me to tears.

[arthurgolden]

Wow. We've got a tie. I'll extend the regular voting until midnight and if there's no tie-break we'll go into sudden death mode (where the next vote ends the round and determines the winner). Thanks to all who have participated so far.

[Link006]

I can break the tie;

Ocarina of Time.

[arthurgolden]

And the winner of the Kōji Kondō battle is…



The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time!
(1998)

Title Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVY55e7UDWM )
Hyrule Field ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SovM_ExoVg )
Zelda's Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GY-18c-v08 )
Kakariko Village ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkFhCZL6qp4 )
Goron City ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmHQzrIg1Pc )
Lost Woods ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs )
Zora's Domain ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIqailPd89I )
Temple of Time ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc7BCZFP9Ww )
Sheik's Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yc7kp_ETGU )
Gerudo Valley ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1QLfSOUiHU )


It's a deserving winner. Ocarina of Time gave us the House theme, Hyrule Field, Lost Woods, Zora’s Domain, Temple of Time, Windmill Hut, Gerudo Valley, Bolero of Fire, Spirit Temple, Lon Lon Ranch, Goron City, Inside Jabu Jabu’s Belly, Sheik’s Theme, an even better Great Fairy’s Fountain and Zelda’s Theme—and that’s just getting us started. It is ambitious and inspiring, and the ways in which Kondo overcame the game’s limitations are astounding. Just take the ocarina songs as an example: all of them are memorable and in each case Kondō only had a few notes to work with. The music is a big part of why Zelda fans often call this the greatest installment in the series.

Fun Fact: Ocarina of Time was developed alongside Super Mario 64, just as the original Legend of Zelda was developed alongside Super Mario Bros. ten years prior.

Record: 4-1, 6-2, 5-2, 5-4

Well, that was another great battle. Thanks to all of you who voted! I hope you enjoyed it.

I’ll post details about the next battle soon.

Just a reminder: if you have an idea for a theme that you’d like to do, shoot me a PM. I’m open to anything.

[Eshvoide]

Bah... oh well. -wonders what is the next battle-

[wolfmaster913]

Actually, seeing A Link To The Past lose is a bit of a disappointment. Not much though, since it put up a good fight.

[arthurgolden]

First off, a big THANKS to everyone who sent me suggestions. We now have a bank of about 25 ideas, many of which are way better than anything I had planned and which I�m really interested in starting. In fact, I�m interested enough that I�m now considering shelving the idea I�ve been working on since before the Kōji Kondō battle started. My plan was to do Aquatic Level Themes next because�


1) that has been the most popular themed thread
2) I wanted to alternate between composer rumbles and individual song rumbles
3) and I thought it�d be a good opportunity to hear a lot of songs I hadn�t heard before.

However, you may not be so excited about it. So here�s the deal. I�ll post the details about the Aquatic Level Themes rumble below. Take a look at the list of songs and tell me if you�re interested in doing this rumble next. If I hear �no� a lot, we�ll switch to another idea (like the best songs of the NES or the best songs of the Castlevania series) and go with that. The only downside is that I might not be able to start the new idea for a week or so. But it doesn�t matter to me whether we do Aquatic Level themes now or later. Let me know what YOU want to do. Majority vote rules.

Below is the list of 32 songs I chose. My goals included representing the different generations of consoles equally (or close to it), including songs from major franchises while also acknowledging the occasional song from a lesser-known game, limiting all franchises to three or fewer entries, and making the most interesting and diverse selection possible. Obviously, no list is going to please everybody, but if you see something on the �leftovers� list that you definitely would like to include in the rumble, let me know and I�ll switch something out.

Here are the songs I think should go in the rumble:


1. Banjo-Kazooie � Treasure Trove Cove ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DQfnj33-QU )
2. Blinx the Time Sweeper � Hourglass Caves ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqD7VqHF6Fk )
3. Chrono Cross � Jellyfish Sea ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1xL3BwRg00 )
4. Donkey Kong Country � Aquatic Ambiance ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PIijGwV5JY )
5. Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future � The Shrine of the Conservatory ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nLaQFcr7XU )
6. Endless Ocean � Theme ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsGWieSIxW8 )
7. Final Fantasy V � Beyond the Deep Blue Seas ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvECfse9yR4 )
8. Final Fantasy VII � A Secret Sleeping in the Sea ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_5zD7rhwPo )
9. Golden Sun � Set Sail Through the Karagol Sea! ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyIOgjniohA )
10. Kirby�s Adventure � Orange Ocean ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv7UobGx9FU )
11. Mario Party 3 � Deep Bloober Sea ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1OSWOvIDME )
12. Mega Man 2 � Bubble Man ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaJvNNWO_OQ )
13. Mega Man X5 � Duff McWhalen Stage ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdBsmlGT0so )
14. Metroid Prime � Underwater Frigate ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmJTk3WZ-GM )
15. Okami � Dragon Palace ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BzfgI1VqtI )
16. Pikmin 2 � Perplexing Pool ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIQzfS1qmh4 )
17. Plok! � Beach ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODKKILZiYY )
18. Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald � Dive ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9vqvfxoRBg )
19. Ristar � Splash Down! ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdp6rZgidE0 )
20. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 � Aquatic Ruin Zone ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhHa7ph5GLg )
21. Sonic Adventure 2 � Dive into the Mellow (Aquatic Mine) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYoyQ7uVuo4 )
22. Sonic CD � Tidal Tempest/Bad Future (US) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oi8R4Bnjsw )
23. Super Mario Bros. � Underwater ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntlQpNRfst4 )
24. Super Mario Bros. 3 � Water Land ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uupQ-tCqjQ4 )
25. Super Mario 64 � Dire Dire Docks ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcPSbkS9TQ )
26. Super Metroid � Maridia (Swampy Caverns) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIwG-BH3DeE )
27. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Defuse Bombs (Area 2-2) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etW_CZ3-3Z4 )
28. Tetris Attack � Water World ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir6qqm_AmY8 )
29. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time � Water Temple ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPPgtw887NY )
30. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker � The Great Sea ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGPBRaD4VWU )
31. Uncharted Waters II - Mast in the Mist ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64goFHZCDgY )
32. Waterworld � Diving ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H5YoFv09uQ )

And here is a list of most of the other songs from the Aquatic Level Themes thread ( Thread 65743 ) (minus the most recent suggestions). See if there�s anything on here that you really want to see in the rumble.


Banjo-Tooie � Atlantis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1h3Pr6fdNM
beatmania IIDX 13 DistorteD � Ganymede
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tK3HfXgwZc
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow � Underground Reservoir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhELDOL_i8w
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow � Subterranean Hell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6zit_JLm0A
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia � Azure Wanderings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2iV4oxEMU4
Crash Bandicot 3 � Underwater
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=381DqKrnHOk
Crash Bash - Beach Ball
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD94_CwF0A0
Dark Cloud - A Sinking Ship
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5uV00yaY1Y
Devil May Cry 2 � Chambers of Water
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlYEJZnIKJU
Donkey Kong Country 3 � Water World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc2bNs8qbek
DuckTales 2 - Bermuda Triangle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-g1tc8aoN8
Dune: Spice Opera � Water
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW3JVXe-SfM
Earthbound - Kraken of the Sea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd8gwYJA6Y4
Ecco the Dolphin (Sega CD) - Aqua Vistas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDg5UIXnONE
Final Fantasy I � Ocean Shrine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu1E8CzJ2pg
Final Fantasy VI � Serpent Trench
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTS0Qncarho
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core - An Ancient Hymn Sung by the Water
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvHf6ap5M-o
Final Fantasy X - Blitz Off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO-890Yg0Gk
Final Fantasy XII - The Garamscythe Waterway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpDVXJBzC_g
F-Zero GX � Infinite Blue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4RloO-wc3E
Golden Sun and the Lost Age � Aqua Rock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj9k8egvdyw
Grandia - Palm Harbor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vTGr2IzZaY
Guardian Legend - Aqua Sector
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XxmFd6CaE0
Kingdom Hearts � An Adventure in Atlantica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFj1HwtLAew
Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga � Oho Ocean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6WDQ3AsZ7w
Metroid Fusion � Sector 4 (Water Zone)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVu60jYVUKI
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes � Torvus Bog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfagDN5lmNo
Mother 3 - Oxygen of Love (Ocean Bottom)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEIb2kF2KdY
Perfect Dark � Deep Sea (Nullify Threat)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u42Fc6igRNQ
Phantasy Star Online: Episode II � Abysmal Ball
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv27g5NFtv4
Pikmin � The Distant Spring
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDH8yv9GFHE
Pokemon Gold/Silver � Surf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Pfu5fPsvFA
Ragnarok Online � Watery Grave
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y76lJhoKBd8
Secret of Evermore � Pirates of Crustacia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfMCLMT_iCE
Shadow of the Colossus � Silence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32SUb4Pvvi8
Sonic the Hedgehog � Labyrinth Zone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSKgprdDRTY
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 � Hydrocity Zone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K1rV9kFs6I
Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity - Aquatic Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8koE81_VQAY
Spyro 2 � Ocean Speedway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOGB5alXmzU
Star Fox 64 � Zoness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLYxBI1twLY
Super Mario RPG � Sunken Ship
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXcrEuN2JAs
Super Mario Sunshine � Underwater Exploration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=148sXyTRDJI
Super Mario Galaxy � Beach Bowl Galaxy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJfRxqc9wqo
Tales of Phantasia � Hydropolis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBEzqu2J8lY
Tales of Symphonia � Water Symphony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3tYOWV69ec
The Legend of Zelda: Majora�s Mask � The Great Bay Temple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xt7Zngi2VU
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess � Lakebed Temple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-Sh5vv0c2Q
Turok 2 - Death Marshes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXLMuvVQg54
Unreal Tournament 2004 � Level 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-YtLYbEJbE
Vectorman � Ocean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZDR2yNuS98
Wario Land Shake It � Creep Blue Sea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0sP0Uc0qhM
X-Com: Terror from the Deep � Geoscape Music #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lOVLY5UbQ4


If you get through the list and you�re not interested in any of the songs or games, let me know. We�ll do something else.

So to summarize, choose one:

A) I want do an Aquatic Level Themes rumble next.
B) I want do an Aquatic Level Themes rumble next, but I�d like to add a song to the list.
C) I want to do a Best of the NES rumble next.
D) I want to do a Best of Castlevania rumble next.

[ravenous19]

While I'm really looking forward to a NES rumble, I think going with the aquatic rumble first is probably a better idea since you can start it right away. This way it gives you time to get the next one ready while this rumble is being held.

Realistically though, I don't mind which rumble we have next; I enjoy them all the same.

[wolfmaster913]

And my final answer is:

A) I want do an Aquatic Level Themes rumble next.

:)

[Eshvoide]

I guess I'll go with Aquatic Themes... I dunno if I want to add a song though.

Gyeh, to fight with Bubbleman. O.o

---

- Little Nemo The Dream Master - Dream 4: Night Sea ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIwDpdPiFd0 ) (NES)
- Riveria: The Promised Land - Tetyth, the Underwater City ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cd05G7yNiA&feature=PlayList&p=7848D11D64312B5C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9 ) (DS & PSP)

(If there is water on the stage but you don't go through th water, there are more songs I can add)

For instance:
- Chrono Cross: On The Beach of Dreams (Another World's Theme) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn4fzRK8Ze8 ) (PSX)
- Chrono Trigger: Ocean Palace? (Sealed Door) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfERAdq5GnI&feature=PlayList&p=29411BD21C76F705&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=28 ) (SNES, PSX)
- Guardian Recall: The Great Ocean (I think it's a theme for somebody though) (PSX)
- Headhunter: Ramirez at Bay ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl4ItX-oM0w ) (Level: Going through the Queen of Hearts ship) (DC, PS2)
- Phantasy Star Online: From Seeing the Rough Wave ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9aXReefGLc ) (Boss Fight with De Rol Lie in the waste deposit sewer) (DC, GC, XBOX)
- Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon: Water Paradise ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mztptb7P5Z8&feature=PlayList&p=17865F460CD3AE9E&index=14 ) (the youtube video is bad quality :/ ) (Saturn, PSX)

[Szczepan]

My vote for Aquatic Themes , but Best of Castlevania sounds nice too (maybe in next rumble? ).
I'll add my Aquatic Themes suggestions here:

Treasures of the Deep - Wreck of the Concepcion ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ES62nkJP_Y&feature=related )

Chrono Cross- Garden of the Gods (title screen song) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lwKezMcQtc )

and maybe

Xenogears - June Mermaid ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCmED_YDqs )

Legend of Mana - To the Sea ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqqTFqYLjMg&feature=related ) or Southern City Polpota ( Polpota Harbor) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_0xb3Y1nE0&NR=1 )

[Eshvoide]

The Treasures of the Deep one, sounds nice (crap... now I want that song :/ )

[arthurgolden]

Aquatic Level Themes it is then! Thanks for all your nominations. Below is the final list of songs.

1. Banjo-Kazooie – Treasure Trove Cove ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DQfnj33-QU )
2. Blinx the Time Sweeper – Hourglass Caves ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqD7VqHF6Fk )
3. Chrono Cross – Jellyfish Sea ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1xL3BwRg00 )
4. Donkey Kong Country – Aquatic Ambiance ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PIijGwV5JY )
5. Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future – The Shrine of the Conservatory ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nLaQFcr7XU )
6. Endless Ocean – Prayer ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsGWieSIxW8 )
7. Final Fantasy V – Beyond the Deep Blue Seas ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvECfse9yR4 )
8. Final Fantasy VII – A Secret Sleeping in the Sea ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_5zD7rhwPo )
9. Golden Sun – Set Sail Through the Karagol Sea! ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyIOgjniohA )
10. Kirby’s Adventure – Orange Ocean ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv7UobGx9FU )
11. Little Nemo: The Dream Master - Night Sea ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LS3rLwtqA0 )
12. Mario Party 3 – Deep Bloober Sea ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1OSWOvIDME )
13. Mega Man 2 – Bubble Man ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaJvNNWO_OQ )
14. Mega Man X5 – Duff McWhalen Stage ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdBsmlGT0so )
15. Metroid Prime – Underwater Frigate ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmJTk3WZ-GM )
16. Okami – Dragon Palace ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BzfgI1VqtI )
17. Pikmin 2 – Perplexing Pool ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIQzfS1qmh4 )
18. Plok! – Beach ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODKKILZiYY )
19. Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald – Dive ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9vqvfxoRBg )
20. Ristar – Splash Down! ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdp6rZgidE0 )
21. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – Aquatic Ruin Zone ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhHa7ph5GLg )
22. Sonic Adventure 2 – Dive into the Mellow (Aquatic Mine) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYoyQ7uVuo4 )
23. Sonic CD – Tidal Tempest/Bad Future (US) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oi8R4Bnjsw )
24. Super Mario Bros. – Underwater ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntlQpNRfst4 )
25. Super Mario 64 – Dire Dire Docks ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcPSbkS9TQ )
26. Super Metroid – Maridia (Swampy Caverns) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIwG-BH3DeE )
27. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Defuse Bombs (Area 2-2) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etW_CZ3-3Z4 )
28. Tetris Attack – Water World ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir6qqm_AmY8 )
29. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Water Temple ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPPgtw887NY )
30. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker – The Great Sea ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGPBRaD4VWU )
31. Treasures of the Deep - Wreck of the Concepcion ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ES62nkJP_Y )
32. Waterworld – Diving ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H5YoFv09uQ )

Okay. Hold on for just a little bit. We’ll be starting soon…

[arthurgolden]

Let’s get started.


Round 1

Fight 1

Tetris Attack – Water World ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir6qqm_AmY8 )
by Masaya Kuzume and Yuka Tsujiyoko (1996) for the SNES
Fun fact: This game started life as Panel de Pon in Japan, but was given Super Mario World 2 sprites, Tsujiyoko’s arrangements of several songs from that game, and renamed Tetris Attack for its US release.

How should a water level sound? Video game composers have answered this question in as many diverse ways as there are musical styles. Tetris Attack gives us the first example of a calming approach with a simply structured, glockenspiel-and-bass-driven song. What makes this interesting is the held chord hanging over the composition and the pitter patter bass drum, which both lend a dreamlike and playful quality to the music.

vs.

Okami – Dragon Palace ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BzfgI1VqtI )
by Masami Ueda, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Rei Kondo, and Akari Groves (2006) for the PS2 and Wii
Fun fact: At the 2008 BAFTA Video Games Awards, Okami won Best Score.

From the five-CD Okami soundtrack, we get another calm song, also using sustained notes in the background to lend a dreamy quality to the music, but this time to set up the chord progression rather than merely establish tension with it. In the second section, the koto/harp/vocal patches give way abruptly to a quick arpeggiated harp part, a flute melody, and slightly piercing strings that, strangely, are equally suited to a moment of quick action or the slow rise and fall of objects in the water. This is one of many examples of the way the composers of Okami masterfully took rock structures and traditional koto and flute music and fused them together into beautiful pieces.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 1

Fight 2

Mega Man 2 – Bubble Man ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaJvNNWO_OQ )
by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae, and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (1988) for the NES
Fun fact: Mega Man 2 was novelized by Scholastic in 1990, and in the story Mega Man is turned into a human accidentally.

Mega Man 2 takes us in a decidedly new direction for aquatic level music. Without the technical ability to do dense strings, the composers instead created an appropriately bubbly ascending bass line paired with the strong melody writing that is a feature of every song on this soundtrack.

vs.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Defuse Bombs (Area 2-2) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etW_CZ3-3Z4 )
by Keizo Nakamura (1989) for the NES
Fun fact: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is one of the all-time best-selling NES games not made by Nintendo.

This song uses many of the same techniques as the Bubble Man music—the build-up opening, the quickly arpeggiated bass line, and the strong melody—to create a similar impression of forward motion and danger. Appropriate since it accompanies the notorious “defuse bomb” stage in TMNT: a difficult, time-limited challenge near the beginning of a very difficult game. The song’s quality as well as the quality of the rest of the soundtrack seems to be one of the few plausible explanations for why kids kept playing this game despite stages like this.


My votes are for Tetris Attack – Water World and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Defuse Bombs (Area 2-2) .

[Szczepan]

Okami – Dragon Palace so beautiful that i can not describe

and

Mega Man 2 – Bubble Man

[wolfmaster913]

Okami – Dragon Palace

Mega Man 2 – Bubble Man

[Dr Shaneman]

^Same as these 2 for this one.

[Eshvoide]

Okami: Dragon Palace & Megaman 2: Bubbleman

About TMNT (NES), I hated that defusing bomb stage (mainly because of the electrical seaweed), but compared to some other levels, it should be a piece of cake after a few tries.

[Shadow mage]

Okami � Dragon Palace

Mega Man 2 � Bubble Man

[ravenous19]

Okami � Dragon Palace

Mega Man 2 � Bubble Man

[arthurgolden]

Wow. I'm ending this early since I'm the only one who voted against the majority and we've got six votes in a row for the same two songs. Okami and Mega Man 2 are the first to move on, both winning 6-1. Next up...


Round 1

Fight 3

Donkey Kong Country � Aquatic Ambiance ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PIijGwV5JY )
by David Wise, Eveline Fischer, and Robin Beanland (1994) for the SNES
Fun fact: Around the time of the game�s release, a 15-minute VHS tape called Donkey Kong Country: Exposed was sent to Nintendo Power subscribers to tout the game�s graphical sophistication and to give players tip and tricks for finding several of the game�s secrets.

To crib my description from the first rumble: Donkey Kong Country received well-deserved praise for its stunning pre-rendered 3D graphics, but it was equally hard to ignore the game�s electronic, ambient, and Caribbean-peppered soundtrack. Like the visuals, the music expanded player perceptions of what a Donkey Kong game could be, and, in particular, �Aquatic Ambience� lent emotional complexity to the series that hadn�t been there before. The opening arpeggio that fades in and out, the faux-guitar distortion and piano that follow it, the harp that sweeps upward and gives way to an almost country twang, and then the way that twang recedes into the distance as a little coda finishes off the melody�all cumulatively give the impression of mystery and allure that befits something so mysterious and alluring as the vast ocean.

vs.

Little Nemo: The Dream Master - Night Sea ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LS3rLwtqA0 )
by Junko Tamiya (1990) for the NES
Fun fact: The game is based off an animated film, which was itself based off Winsor McCay�s dark, violent, surreal comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland.

This jaunty and pleasant piece has inspired a lot of comments about nostalgia and childhood on its YouTube page, and I think there�s something to that. Its simplicity is charming, and it fits the game perfectly.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 1

Fight 4

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time � Water Temple ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPPgtw887NY )
by Kōji Kondō (1998) for the N64 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFlcqWQVVuU )
Fun fact: Songs from this soundtrack have a habit of winning around here.

A little sprinkling of notes and some occasional clashes of wind chimes go a long way here because of Kondo�s always-interesting choice of patches. While playing the game, you probably heard this song a lot, too, because of how difficult this dungeon is. Also of note: this is the first song in the rumble attempting a scary atmosphere for a water level.

vs.

Sonic Adventure 2 � Dive into the Mellow (Aquatic Mine) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYoyQ7uVuo4 )
by Jun Senoue, Kenichi Tokoi, Fumie Kumatani, and Tomoya Ohtani (2001) for the Dreamcast and GameCube
Fun fact: Sonic Adventure 2 won GamePro and IGN�s Editors� Choice Awards.

The clavi-like bass line, organ, flute, and percussion give this song a mellow feel just like the title promises. It also represents the larger change in sound that accompanied many of the turn-of-the-century Sonic games, which moved away from the playful sense of adventure the series shared with the Mario games into perhaps edgier territory. Along with that experimentation came some questionable choices, though, like these head-scratcher lyrics: �Guaranteed, though, Imma find the em-e-ralds / They don't call me Knuckles for nothing. I can�t lose.�


My votes are for Donkey Kong Country � Aquatic Ambiance and Sonic Adventure 2 � Dive into the Mellow (despite the lyrics).

[Szczepan]

Little Nemo: The Dream Master - Night Sea
a suprisingly catchy tune from a game that i never heared before :D
&
Sonic Adventure 2 – Dive into the Mellow

[Dr Shaneman]

Donkey Kong & Sonic for me.

[wolfmaster913]

Little Nemo: The Dream Master - Night Sea
a suprisingly catchy tune from a game that i never heared before :D
&
Sonic Adventure 2 � Dive into the Mellow