Your 5 favorite memorable chiptunes by platform

[Ack]

I've been thinking this over, and much like Bone is going in a console at a time, I will want to focus more on each individual one. Seeing as what I love is the Super Nintendo, I figure why not start there?

Donkey Kong Country - Aquatic Ambiance
I enjoyed most of the DKC soundtrack, but this is my favorite track in the game and one of the best produced for the SNES in my opinion. It is mellow yet mysterious, both soothing and yet makes me yearn to continue on my journey. I sometimes like to put on an extended version of this theme and just sit with my eyes closed and lose myself in it. Fantastic.

Lufia 2 - Battle Theme
Yeah, this one is totally different from the last. The battle theme from Lufia 2 has a lot of energy, and while it's a bit repetitive, there's no denying that this music got me pumped for every random encounter in the game. Of the SNES RPG collection, there are lots of good battle themes, but this is one of the ones I enjoy the most.

Killer Instinct - Main Theme
You're ten. You've just gotten your hands on a shiny new fighting game. You plug it into your SNES, turn it on, and this is what greets you. Listen to that synth version of a wailing guitar, and tell me you don't want to go kick some ass in the most '90s way possible. This...this is better than the Highlander TV show.

Weaponlord - Dragon Arena
This track is relentless, despairing, and grungy. It sounds like a hypnotic call to crush your enemies spewed through crud-covered speakers. And it will not let you stop until you have used your knuckles to make a pulp brain and bone fragment sandwich out of your friend's face. Weaponlord is better than you, and it knows it.

Final Fantasy VI - Edgar & Sabin's Theme
Bone and Sload both already posted an FF6 track, and in truth, you could put together a top 5 song list for the Super Nintendo with only tracks from that game. While I do have a lot of love for the overworld theme, I instead chose to focus on the theme for Edgar and Sabin. Edgar is my favorite character in the game, and I always enjoyed the grandiose regality of this track. It's good to be the king.

Well, that's five for the SNES, although with so many great songs across so many games, I could easily come in with a different set tomorrow. There is a lot of wonderful 16-bit music on the console, even if you're not a fan of it's sound chip.

[NotLuke]

Donkey Kong Country - Aquatic Ambiance
I enjoyed most of the DKC soundtrack, but this is my favorite track in the game and one of the best produced for the SNES in my opinion. It is mellow yet mysterious, both soothing and yet makes me yearn to continue on my journey. I sometimes like to put on an extended version of this theme and just sit with my eyes closed and lose myself in it. Fantastic..

With DKC now on the Switch I have listened to Aquatic Ambience on Dolby ATMOS full blast, and it is one of my favorite ways ever to decorate time. When Ewan skips down the toilet in TRAINSPOTTING they could have swapped the music and it would fit just fine.


I don't know if this needs to be a different topic, but I am consistently figuring out ost for my favorite games. I'm currently playing Kraid's Theme from Metroid and the Dungeon theme from the Legend of Zelda. Here's me goofing with various Mario themes back in March.

Mega Man 2 is slap after slap of constant bagerz and Capcom in general has a library of whistle worthy tunes. Probably could say the same for Konami as their action games always had amped up themes. Let's not forget Anticipation!

[BoneSnapDeez]

If my SNES list was extended to Top 10 it would certainly include Aquatic Ambiance.

I love Commodore 64 music. Considered mentioning my favorites, but I really haven't played enough C64 games. Most of my favorite tracks from the system are ones I've simply heard on YouTube and whatnot. Divorced from the actual gameplay experience, I don't think I could craft an authentic list. But yeah, the SID chip is godly.

Nice piano playing, Luke.

[NotLuke]

Nice piano playing, Luke.

Thank you.

I can't believe I didn't mention Blaster Master, Journey to Silius, Dragon Warrior, Jackal, Fester's Quest, and Batman. The Jam in Skate or Die. Metal Gear and Shatterhand.
So many.

[pook99]

Nice piano playing, Luke.

Thank you.

I can't believe I didn't mention Blaster Master, Journey to Silius, Dragon Warrior, Jackal, Fester's Quest, and Batman. The Jam in Skate or Die. Metal Gear and Shatterhand.
So many.

I think Blaster Master has one of the most hype opening soundtracks of any video game ever, the way it kind of builds up as sophia launches out in 3rd person and leads directly into the first level is pretty amazing.

I haven't thought about skate or die in over 20 years and as soon as I read your post the theme song immediately popped into my head, I forgot how much I used to love that as a kid.

[NotLuke]

I've been giving the snes some thought with this thread in mind, and, with every system, it's so difficult to pick out from so many great pieces of music. I do want to put out there that the Super Scope Six pack-in game contained some amazing music.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Genesis

Yeah, this list is kinda goofy. Three title screen themes, and all three Phantasy Star games. That's just how it all shakes out for me though.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - Chemical Plant Zone
Pure Genesis. One of the most "hummable" gaming tracks ever. My poor wife and kids have never played Sonic 2 but know this tune because I'm always humming/singing it when I'm doing housework.

Streets of Rage - Intro
Such a slick and cool way to kick off a game. Absolutely iconic.

Phantasy Star IV - Motavia Town
PSIV actually has my least favorite soundtrack of all the classic series entries. But the Motavia music (both the overworld and town) is gorgeous. The town theme ultimately gets the nod; it's so pretty and wistful.

Phantasy Star II - Intro
This rules. It syncs up so well to the "fade in" intro too.

Phantasy Star III - Intro
Such a painfully nostalgic sounding track. Really impressive stuff. I'm actually one of those people that seems to like PSIII, so that enhances my appreciation.

[o.pwuaioc]

Need more Game Boy love! For having integrated sound, the Game Boy always sounds so amazing, and really good chiptunes come from it. I don't know if I could pick just 5, as so many are stuck in my head, even when the game isn't all that great (like Rhino Rumble's Jungle Theme). Operation C and Castlevania first stages I still find myself humming, along with Ballad of the Wind Fish, Jurassic Park, Kirby, Balloon World, etc.

That PSIII intro track (with the intro cutscene) is better than the actual game to me. I also like the SST band version on YT though it is a kind of cheesy 80s pop arrangement.

GB/GBC:
Project S-11 - Level 2: https://vgmrips.net/packs/pack/project- ... l-badlands
A really creative and contemporary sounding song and OST - particularly sound design-wise - which deserved a more interesting game; it's like the musicians' aim was to make the most ambitious action game OST for GB ever while the other devs were content with copying 1943. Headphones are recommended.

Turok 2 - Scrolling Stage:
All these GB Turok OSTs by Alberto Gonzales are great but this was the first track that came to mind. You can expect punchy drums, good use of the wavetable channel, fun beats, dynamic use of arps and (usually) strong melodies throughout these.

Castlevania 2: Belmont's Revenge - Ending:
Here's a more nostalgic pick. A nice, bittersweet folk ballad. Original Sin, Praying Hands, New Messiah and Ripe Seeds are also excellent but sometimes simplicity and feels win out.

Metal Masters - Theme:
Another Gonzales one. Besides how massive it sounds it's also a bit reminiscent of the Sunsoft Batman OSTs (which I love) except techno-fied.

DokiDoki Sasete!! - Track 4:
I mainly picked this one because it's like a cute eurovision-style remix of Be My Head by The Flaming Lips, lol. It's also a rare case of a JP composer using fast arps for chords and figuring out strong percussion on GB.

[Syndicate]

...I really had to give this one a bit of thought b/c the Genesis is home to quite a few memorable tunes.

Shinobi III - Whirlwind
Other than some of the Streets of Rage and Sonic selections, this is a track that puts to bed the myth the Genesis doesn't or can't do great music. I still listen to this from time to time and definitely turn it up when I do.

Thunderforce III - Gorgon
Technosoft is a developer that was always able to get some awesome sound out of my preferred 16-bit platform and this gem came early in the life of the platform.

Sonic 3 - Ice Cap Zone
There are a lot of Sonic tracks that could get the nod here, w/the iconic Chemical Plant zone theme already mentioned I figured some other themes deserve attention as well. It was a tough choice between the driving Ice Cap Zone and atmospheric Lava Reef/Hidden Palace themes, the Ice Cap zone theme is just a little better imo.

Castle of Illusion - Clocktower
Another early Genesis gem, the entire game has great atmosphere but the clocktower theme is just really good imo. I'll just listen to this one in the sound test from time to time.

Revenge of Shinobi - Chinatown
A Genesis chiptune list probably isn't complete w/o a contribution from Yuzo Koshiro. Before he worked his magic on the Streets of Rage games he definitely put in some work on the Revenge of Shinobi and Chinatown is one of my favorite selections from the game, I think it's atmospheric and iconic. Revenge of Shinobi was the first Genesis game that made me use the headphone port so that I could really enjoy what I was listening to.

[marurun]

A late submission brings life back to the thread! Excellent picks. In fact, everyone has such interesting taste and selections. It’s lovely to read and listen.