Criminally Underrated/Overlooked Game Soundtracks

[Key-Glyph]

Final stage of Magical Chase.

I only heard this track for the first time about a year ago, and it knocked my socks off. It actually inspired me to start listening into PCE/TG-16 music, which I'd been almost entirely ignorant of beforehand. I'll have to make a point of checking out your other recommendations!

[Gunstar Green]

I see Rolling Thunder 2 has been mentioned on the first page but both Genesis Rolling Thunder games have really fantastic music.

The second game is stylish and jazzy, very fitting of its James Bond influence. A really classic soundtrack that even got its own CD release from Namco.

The third game is a bit more interested in rocking your face off almost like a Technosoft title.

Rolling Thunder 3
Bad Elf 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDPBuSWMAAg
Dammbad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8a_Bvj3JcU
No Way Out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XESY03cs04

[jvalentine98]

I'm not going to read through 9 pages or whatever of discussion, instead I'll say what I came to say regardless if it's been mentioned. I don't have a lot of free time as it is...

My favorite soundtracks ever are Resident Evil 2 and Sonic 1 for Genesis. Those are obviously popular games but it seems only RPGs ever get mentioned for their music. So there's my two cents.

[BogusMeatFactory]

Eternal Champions CD...

Senator's Theme

The whole soundtrack is awesome.

The Entire Albert Odyssey for the Sega Saturn

Really really really good stuff!

[Sload Soap]

I'm not going to read through 9 pages or whatever of discussion, instead I'll say what I came to say regardless if it's been mentioned. I don't have a lot of free time as it is...

My favorite soundtracks ever are Resident Evil 2 and Sonic 1 for Genesis. Those are obviously popular games but it seems only RPGs ever get mentioned for their music. So there's my two cents.

If you had bothered to read at least one of those nine pages you'd notice that everything from racing games to shmups to strategy titles were getting mentioned.

OT: I'm currently playing Exhumed/Powerslave for the summer games challenge and it has a pretty snazzy Arabian themed soundtrack. Here's a few good ones.

Karnak Shrine
Set Shrine
Sobek Mountain Shrine

[insanecow0]

I really like the OST for Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero/Tokyo Xtreme Racer 3.
Zero:
3:

I'd also say Madworld and Anarchy Reigns, as I consider them to be underrated, as well as their soundtracks.

[Sload Soap]

I love this thread! It needs more love IMO.

I'm not sure if it counts but Tekken 2's console soundtrack doesn't get enough love in my opinion. Or does it? The youtube vids below have a healthy amount of views but I never hear or read anyone singling it out for praise.

Lots of variety in the compositions. It's extremely mid-nineties but that's not always a bad thing. (Off topic, I think fighting games nowadays have pretty poor soundtracks with an irritating emphasis on techno and hard rock that lack catchy hooks and melodies.)

Couple of my favs:

Lee/Chicago (There's someting a bit Bomberman about this one).

Jun (Pretty relaxing considering the face/dick punching game context).

Kazuya Mishima (Nicely balances being sweeping with catchy).

There's this track from Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen. It's an interesting piece of music as it is both the title theme and final boss music. Unlike a lot of boss themes it isn't meant to get your heart pumping or sound intimidating. It is trying to make you feel some sympathy for the monster you have to destroy and I find it very moving. There is also a japanese language version if you prefer.

Another great final boss theme. My brother amusingly called it a "coked up One Winged Angel". I think mentioned elsewhere in this thread that it's probably impossible for a Uematsu soundtrack to be underrated. However I think his work on Lost Odyssey may have slipped people by, even JRPG aficionados, owing to LO being exclusive to one of the most JRPG unfriendly consoles since the Neo-Geo.

Now to regain some slight credibility by name checking an obscure Xbox live indie game.

Ian Stocker's (of Escape Goat fame) earlier work on the Soulcaster games is pretty great. Possibly the most badass shop theme ever? Check out his bandcamp page for more, it's worth it.

[emz998]

My vote goes to Space Harrier and Gradius. They are recognized but over here in the US it definitely feels like they get overlooked.

[TSTR]

I really like the OST for Tokyo Xtreme Racer Zero/Tokyo Xtreme Racer 3.
Zero:
3:

I'd also say Madworld and Anarchy Reigns, as I consider them to be underrated, as well as their soundtracks.

Bedroom moshing to that TXR 3 track right now.

[Xeogred]

Jurassic Park 2: The Chaos Continues

Ocean games always had a really cool sound to them. Didn't they have a special chip for their stuff or something?

Always thought this was some of the creepiest music to ever come out of the SNES. I could picture it in Super Metroid:

- Shinobi!