Yesterday we wrapped up our Top 30 NES soundtracks, as voted and ranked on by members of the shizz message board. As a quick follow-up, I’d like to offer a quick review of the list itself, and a link to download and enjoy all of the complete soundtracks in their entirety.
One thing I’d like to [...]
#1 – Castlevania III (137 Votes)
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami (JP + US), Palcom (EU)
Year: 1989 (JP), 1990 (US), 1992 (EU)
AKA: Akumajou Densetsu
Taking the #1 spot as our voters’ all time favorite NES soundtrack is Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse. Having a score over two to three times the size of previous Castlevania titles, with a quality of [...]
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #02: Mega Man 2#2 – Mega Man 2 (125 Votes)
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Developer, Publisher: Capcom
Year: 1988 (JP), 1989 (US), 1990 (EU)
AKA: RockMan 2: Dr. Wily no Nazo
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Yesterday, Mega Man #3 was revealed as the #3 entry in our top 30 list. What I failed to mention was that it actually tied Mega Man 2 with 125 votes, and it was only [...]
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #03: Mega Man 3#3 – Mega Man 3 (125 Votes)
Developer, Publisher: Capcom
Year: 1990 (JP + US), 1992 (EU)
AKA: RockMan 3: Dr. Wily no Saigo!?
Near the top of our list is Mega Man 3, reminding us that no matter who you ask, the Mega Man series is widely regarded as one of the top franchises for having the best [...]
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #04: Contra#4 – Contra (74 Votes)
Developer, Publisher: Konami
Year: 1988 (JP + US), 1990 (EU)
AKA: Probotector (EU)
Entering our list at #4 is Contra, a classic title which should need no introduction. Contra boasts some of the most remembered themes for the NES, like the Jungle stage, which cements its place this high in our top list.
What Contra [...]
#5 – Ninja Gaiden II (74 Votes)
Developer, Publisher: Tecmo
Year: 1990 (JP + US), 1994 (EU)
AKA: Ninja Ryuukenden II / Shadow Warriors II
Personal anecdotes, for the most part, have been absent from the reviews in this Top 30 list. It’s not that I haven’t been offering opinion, but I prefer to speak factually whenever possible, leaving [...]
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #06: Castlevania II#6 – Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest (66 Votes)
Developer, Publisher: Konami
Year: 1987 (JP), 1988 (US), 1990 (EU)
AKA: Dracula II: Noroi no Fuin
The second entry in the Castlevania series enters our list at #6, with 66 votes. The score is shorter in length than its predecessor, which is a bit odd for a sequel, but Castlevania 2 [...]
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #07: Metroid#7 – Metroid (64 Votes)
Developer, Publisher: Nintendo
Year: 1986 (JP), 1987 (US), 1988 (EU)
Perhaps one of the most nostalgic selections of NES music, Metroid places at #7 on our list.
The music is composed by Hirokazu Tanaka (aka ‘Hip Tanaka’), who has reflected upon his work with some interesting perspective.
“…sound designers in many studios started to compete [...]
Top 30 NES Soundtracks #08: Shatterhand#8 – Shatterhand (60 Votes)
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Developer: Natsume
Publisher: Angel Studios (JP), Jaleco Entertainment (US + EU)
Year: 1991 (JP + US), 1992 (EU)
AKA: Tokkyuu Shirei Soul Brain
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Entering our list at #8 is Shatterhand. This soundtrack is recognized for boasting an energetic display of rock and heavy metal, re-imagined for the NES soundchip. It’s quite fitting for a game [...]
#9 – Gimmick! (59 Votes)
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Developer, Publisher: SunSoft
Year: 1992 (JP), 1993 (EU)
AKA: Mr. Gimmick
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Never released in the United States, Gimmick! is jump-and-run / puzzle platformer from SunSoft. Like Journey to Silius, it is another one of the handful of SunSoft soundtracks that employs the use of bass samples. Although perhaps a bit more akin to Hebereke [...]