Friday, November 30, 2012

Entry #41 (Adventure Games) Maniac Mansion (NES) "Opening Theme"



 This next track ensures I sneak a chiptune into this focus. This track from the 1987 classic Maniac Mansion  is just awesome.
Developer: LucasArts
Composer(s): David Warhol
George Sanger

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Entry #40 (Adventure Games) Myst III: Exile "Main Theme"


 This next track is an epic orchestral track from Myst III: Exile complete with all the singing children and loud adults you could want, plus plenty of percussion and strings.
Developer: Presto Studios
Composer: Jack Walls (performed by Northwest Sinfonia)
You can pick up the soundtrack on Amazon right here

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Entry #39 (Adventure Games) Monkey Island 2: Leechuck's Revenge Special Edition "Woodtick"


 This track comes from the Monkey Island 2 Special Edition. This track has a fun, islandy, jazzy feel.
Developer: Lucasarts
Composer(s): Michael Land
Peter McConell
Clint Bajakian

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Entry #38 (Adventure Games) Grim Fandango "Mr. Frustration Man"



 This next track comes from the classic 1998 Lucasarts Adventure game Grim Fandango. This whole soundtrack is full of saucy, jazzy tracks and this particular one is no exception. This track is without a doubt one of the jazziest tracks I've ever heard from a game. 
Developer: Lucasarts 
Composer: Peter McConell 
The soundtrack can be purchased on Amazon, however it'll run you a hundred dollars, or 400 new. 


Monday, November 26, 2012

Entry #37 (Adventure Games) Gabriel Knight: The Beast Within "The Hunt Club"


 This week's first track is an emotional piece in Gabriel Knight: The Beast Within. 
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Composer(s): Robert Holmes
Jay Usher

Sunday, November 25, 2012

This Week's Topic: Adventure Games!



 To celebrate the completion of Telltale's The Walking Dead series (games that are reinvigorating the adventure game genre) I'm going to be taking a look back on adventure games. If you were wondering what an "adventure game" really is, here's a definition from Adventure Gamers
Adventure games focus on puzzle solving within a narrative framework, generally with few or no action elements. Other popular names for this genre are “graphic adventure” or “point-and-click adventure”, but these represent only part of a much broader, diverse range of games.
Adventure games are not based on what the dictionary defines as “adventure”. Some are, but many forsake danger and excitement for more relaxed, thoughtful endeavours. They are also not: role-playing games that involve extensive combat, team-building and points management; action/adventures such as Uncharted and Prince of Persia where puzzle-solving is clearly a secondary focus; side-scrolling platform games such as Mario or LittleBigPlanet; pure puzzle games like Bejeweled or Tetris.
Enjoy the focus!

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Entry #36 (Nintendo Launches) F-Zero "Mute City"



This final track comes from the 1990 racing game that launched with the SNES/Super Famicom F-Zero. It's a fast song with plenty of kickin' riffs. 
Developer: Nintendo EAD 
Composer: Yumiko Kanki
Naoto Ishida 


Friday, November 23, 2012

Entry #35 (Nintendo Launches) Super Mario 64 "Bob-omb Battlefield"



 This track comes from another N64 launch title that has been featured before, Super Mario 64. It's a weird, quirky track that is classic Mario and makes you want to dance.
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Composer: Koji Kondo
The soundtrack is available here

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Entry #34 (Nintendo Launches) Red Steel "Katana Giri Theme"



 This track from Ubisoft's 2006 Wii launch game Red Steel deftly balances Asiatic influences, orchestral influences, and shrill electric guitars. An epic gem.
Developer: Ubisoft Paris
Composer: Tom Salta
The soundtrack is available here

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Entry #33 (Nintendo Launches) Luigi's Mansion "Dark Rooms"


 This track comes from Luigi's Mansion a Gamecube pack-in title. This is, in my opinion, the best Ghostbusters game and the best game starring Luigi. This track captures some Halloweeen spirit.
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Composer(s): Kazumi Totaka
Shinobu Tanaka

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Entry #32 (Nintendo Launches) Pilotwings 64 "Birdman"


 Pilotwings 64 (the follow-up to the SNES title Pilotwings) was one of the launch titles on the Nintendo 64. This particular track could almost fit into the Tranquil Tracks topic; the sound is cool and jazzy. It's a series with excellent music.
Developer: Nintendo/ Paradigm Simulations
Composer: Dan Hess

Monday, November 19, 2012

Entry #31 (Nintendo Launches) Super Mario World "Athletic Theme"


 Super Mario World was a 1991 pack-in title for the Super Nintendo/ Super Famicom (known in Japan as Super Mario Bros. 4). Not only was this a pack-in game for the SNES, it is still hailed today as a platforming classic. This track is also a classic.
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Composer: Koji Kondo

Sunday, November 18, 2012

This Week's Topic: Nintendo Launches!


 Today the WiiU hits North America. While I obviously don't have enough music from the WiiU yet (or any, actually) I feel it's time to reminisce about previous Nintendo launches. This week, I'm going to feature music exclusively from launch games on Nintendo consoles. 
Enjoy the focus! 

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Entry #30 (Xbox 360) Halo 3 "Arrival (Luck)"



 The final track in the Xbox 360 focus is rather fitting, I think. It's from the first-person-shooter series that put Microsoft on the gaming map; it is without a doubt the most important series in Microsoft's library. This symphonic track comes from the 2007 title Halo 3. The track balances whimsy and grand scale in a way that I love.
Developer: Bungie
Composer(s): Martin O'Donnell
Michael Salvatori
You can buy the soundtrack here

Friday, November 16, 2012

Entry #29 (Xbox 360) Kameo "Enchanted Kingdom"


 This next track comes from the 2005 Rare-developed action game Kameo: Elements of Power. Another beautiful Rare track.
Developer: Rare
Composer: Steve Burke
You can buy the soundtrack here

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Entry #28 (Xbox 360) Viva PiƱata "Night Three"



 This track comes from Rare's 2008 life sim Viva PiƱata. A beautiful game with an equally beautiful score. 
Developer: Rare
Composer(s): Grant Kirkthrope
Steve Burke
You can buy the soundtrack here 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Entry #27 (Xbox 360) Crackdown "Halfway 'Til Bliss"


 Generally, I don't allow remixes of non-original game music on the blog. However, since I love this song from Crackdown so much and it's a nice change of pace, I'll let it slide.
Developer: Realtime Worlds
Composer: Atlus Plug


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Entry #26 (Xbox 360) Fez "Beacon"


 This track comes from a game we've seen before on the blog. Fez, Polytron's 2012 platformer, has an excellent retro-tastic soundtrack.
Developer: Polytron
Composer: Rich Vreeland
The soundtrack is available for download here

Monday, November 12, 2012

Entry #25 (Xbox 360) Lost Odyssey "Parting Forever"


 This week's first track comes from the 2007 Japanese RPG called Lost Odyssey. This track is heartbreaking and simple; it as good as anything Nobuo Uematsu did on the Super Nintendo- perhaps even better.
Developer: Mistwalker and feelplus
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
You can buy the soundtrack here.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

This Week's Topic: Xbox 360


 The Xbox 360 launched in North America on November 22nd, 2005. Now the console is on the verge of celebrating it's seventh anniversary. In celebration of seven years of existence, I am going to share six tracks from six games only available on the Xbox 360. 

Enjoy the tracks! 

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Entry #24 (Tranquil Tracks) Ecco The Dolphin "Island Zone"


 This week's final track comes from the 1992 Sega Genesis game Ecco The Dolphin. It's a weird, experimental track that sounds like elevator music. It also has a jazzy edge.
Developer: Novotrade International
Composer(s): Spencer Nilsen
Brian Coburn
AndrƔs Magyari

Friday, November 9, 2012

Entry #23 (Tranquil Tracks) Donkey Kong Country 2 "Forest Interlude"


 This track comes from the 1995 SNES platformer Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong's Quest. It is yet another New-Age-sounding track that is chock full of great naturalistic sound effects. A beautiful piece.
Developer: Rare
Composer: David Wise

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Entry #22 (Tranquil Tracks) Okami "Kamiki Festival"


 This track comes from the 2006 PS2 RPG Okami. It is more busy than other tracks in this theme, but I like it for it's Asiatic qualities.
Developer: Capcom
Composer: Hiroshi Yamaguchi (this is the knowledge I got from the game's wiki)
You can buy the soundtrack on Amazon here

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Entry #21 (Tranquil Tracks) Secret of Mana "Spirit of the Night"


 This track comes from the 1993 SNES classic Secret of Mana. Like many of the classic RPG's of that time, this game has an incredible soundtrack that is well worth listening to. There is a New-Age feel to this track, which I adore.
Developer: Square
Composer: Hiroki Kikuta
You can buy the soundtrack for the Japanese version Seiken Densetsu 2 here

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Entry #20 (Tranquil Tracks) Super Mario 64 "Dire, Dire Docks"


 This next track comes from the classic Nintendo 64 title Super Mario 64. Following in the Tranquil Tracks theme, nothing about this particular track is very demanding- it's just chill enough to be enjoyed in quiet time.
Developer: Nintendo
Composer: Koji Kondo
The simplest way to get a physical soundtrack would be through Amazon. Check out your prospects here

Monday, November 5, 2012

Entry #19 (Tranquil Tracks) Knytt Stories "Snow Is A Chiptune"


 I thought it would be appropriate to start this week off with a personal favorite of mine. I can't articulate exactly what I love about this track; I can ultimately only describe the tune from Knytt Stories as jazzy and cool. A great tune for chilling to for a few minutes. 
Developer: Nifflas 
Composer: Nurykabe (a.k.a Yaan van der Crussyen) 
You can check out the game for free here 


Sunday, November 4, 2012

This Week's Topic: Tranquil Tracks


 This is a stressful time of year for everyone. Whether you are worried about the holidays, the well-being of your family in endangered areas, or anything else- there is great merit in finding time to just relax. This week's topic is all about video game music that can facilitate relaxation. So take a few moments every day for yourself to enjoy these great tracks.

Enjoy.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Entry #18 (Halloween) I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream "That Hole In My Chest"

  


 This 1995 Point-And-Click survival horror game's title is provocative enough to get in the running for this week's focus. This swelling orchestral track speaks for itself, listening to it is like going on a short journey. 
Developer: The Dreamer's Guild 
Composer: John Oltman 

Friday, November 2, 2012

Entry #17 (Halloween) Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly "Crimson Butterfly"



 This track comes from the Playstation 2 game Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly. In a week centered around Halloween, the beauty of this track starkly contrasts some previous music selections. Regardless, I would be silly not to include this gem. 
Developer: Tecmo
Composer: Shigekiyo Okuda 

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Entry #16 (Halloween) Clock Tower "Don't Cry, Jennifer"


 This track comes from Clock Tower, the first installment in the point-and-click survival horror series of the same name. This game was released in 1995 on the Super Famicom, and was subsequently re-released on the Playstation, Wonder Swan, and PC. I love this particular track for its balance of ambiance and melody. In a lot of horror-themed games the music is very slow and atmospheric. This track certainly has some chilling personality, but it's also driven forward in a compelling way.


Developer: Human Entertainment 
Composer: Kouji Niikura (side note: the game has two possible composers. Ultimately, the choice came down to the listings by Brent Weinbach over at the Legacy Music Hour- he's an expert on this stuff, and I feel I can trust him)