VGM Saturdays #282: New Name, Same Game

Favorite Tunes is no more. Say hello to VGM Saturdays! Basically Favorite Tunes under a different name. I considered starting over with a new #1 but too many comic books do that and I like those high numbers I've built up over the years, so the legacy numbers stay. 

The new title also marks the return of me regularly posting my favorite video game music on a weekly basis. The last time I did this was back in February. In the place of it was VGM Soundtrack of the Day, which I did less of when I went back to work and then halted all together. I may revive that feature someday. For now, enjoy VGM Saturdays. Music is now embedded right here on this very page. So just lick the YouTube play button and let the good tunes roll.

Replay - SEGA AGES Virtua Racing (NSW)

Virtua Racing Deluxe, released on the SEGA 32X came with a system exclusive song, Replay. This song was an absolute banger. Well now you can listen to that banger in the sound font of the arcade version of Virtua Racing via the Switch SEGA AGES release. All racing replay music in racing games should use this theme.

1991 - Hotshot Racing (NSW, PS4, XBO, PC)

A racing game clearly inspired by the early '90s polygonal racers. 2020 has sucked so I welcome anything that takes me back in time for a bit. And thankfully, Hotshot Racing plays as great as it looks. The game's soundtrack is very SEGA-esque so you can expect me to pick more tracks from this game in the future. 

USA - Panzer Paladin (NSW, PC)

Mechs, waifus, rad 8-bit style visuals and tons of different weapons to arm yourself with! What more could you ask for? The action is a bit more slow paced but more often than not, you're required to be quick on the controls or be dead. Panzer Paladin's music had me from the intro. USA is a theme that is stuck in my head in part to how many times I played the level (it was tough for me, OK?) and because it is such a good tune.

Garden of Hope - Pikmin 3 (Wii U)

If you missed out on Pikmin 3 (most did due to the system it was on), you're in luck. The game is coming to the Switch at the end of this month under the title Pikmin 3 Deluxe. This song is in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate but I don't think I've ever really paid much attention to it until I played the demo of Pikmin 3 Deluxe. It really is a smooth jam.

Enemy's Arsenal (Mission 2) - Sol-Feace (X68000)

Sol-Feace (Sol-Deace depending on which version and region you played) was released on multiple systems. I first came to know of it from the SEGA Genesis version. I like the soundtrack across all versions but when I'm in the mood for some chiptune Sol-Feace, the X68000 hits the spot. Mission 2 is my favorite track across all versions of the game. 

The Commissioner - Streets of Rage 4 (NSW, PS4, XBO, PC)

Streets of Rage came back with a vengeance. This just might be the SoR to top SoR2. There are new and old characters to play as and since this is a SoR game, of course the music is fire. This is one one of my three favorite boss tracks, the others will pop up in VGM Saturdays all in good time.

VGM Saturdays Database

Favorite Tunes #218: Inkwell Isle One

One of my favorite robots in gaming is getting some love in Favorite Tunes this week. No, it is not Mega Man. Or Proto Man. Or even X. There's also a rendition from Secret of Mana, the flying opossum, Sparkster and a lesser known Nintendo racer.

Fear of the Heavens - Secret of Mana (PS4, PSV, PC)

I have not read any reviews for this remake but I'm well aware that is has been getting blasted both by fans and critics. Nevertheless, I bought the game on release day and as a big fan of the original, I've really been enjoying it. The music seems to be a miss with most folks, but you have the option to switching over to the original SNES score. Not every arranged track is a winner but I've liked most of what I've heard.

Stage 3 - Sparkster (GEN)

There's an SNES version of Sparkster that released the same year as this Genesis version did. They are two completely different games, however. Both games do use some of the same themes so it is nice to see how certain tracks come out on their respective hardware. Much like the original Rocket Knight Adventures, Sparkster was largely overlooked.

Inkwell Isle One - Cuphead (PC, XBO)

Beautiful, cartoonish visuals, chaotic run and gun gameplay and a a plethora of bosses. Cuphead has done extremely well on numerous fronts. I picked up some Cuphead merch in the form of adorable plushies of the two main characters, Cuphead and Mugman. Just a few days ago, I snagged the Devil. If a physical release of the Cuphead soundtrack became available en mass, I would cop that with the quickness.

Mission 2 (Cilius Moon Weapon Factory) - Sol-Feace (SCD)

In the monumental Favorite Tunes #200, I posted the Genesis rendition of Mission 2 from Sol-Deace (no idea why the two versions go by different names). Well, here's the arranged SEGA CD (MEGA CD for my Japanese and European readers) version of that very same track. It does not lose a single ounce of bounce on CD quality audio.

Monster Dance - Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally (NES)

Released only in Japan, you'd think this baby would get more exposure on Nintendo's eShop but no such luck. At least not yet. That cool backwards hat and mechanic uniform Mario is sporting in Super Mario Odyssey is taken from this very game. The composer of this super catchy, highly upbeat track is Soyo Oka. You may have heard of her. She wrote the music to a little game called Super Mario Kart.

Planet Brainwave - Super Bomberman R (NS)

Hopefully last year's Super Bomberman R isn't the last we've seen of our favorite little blaster. But this is Konamiw we're talking about. The game may not have set the world on fire but at least Konami managed to not screw it up with microtransactions or charging for additional save slots. Heck, one of the updates included some Konami costumes such as characters from the Mystical Ninja Games and the Vic Viper from Gradius.

Favorite Tunes Database

Favorite Tunes #200: Towards Another 200

Well, here we are, Favorite Tunes numero 200. Back when I was still trying to decided the direction I wanted my blog to take, I think I always knew in the back of my mind that video game music would play a large part in it. Heck, the name of my blog comes from a self compiled compilation album that I never got around to putting together. My love for video game music and video games in general is why I continue to do this. Originally, Favorite Tunes would consist of ten tracks per post to make things easier on myself, I trimmed it down to six. For special occasions like this one, however, I crank the number back up to what it was originally. So here are 10, count 'em 10 video game jams that range all across the board.

Undertale - Undertale (PC, PS4)

Undertale is another example of a worthwhile Kickstarter. This RPG is loaded with characters that burst with personality and turned based battles that are really fun. The soundtrack is a mix of modern and chiptune music, the later which uses multiple sound fonts from games like Mega Man X and Final Fantasy VI. The game's main theme, Undertale, is arranged many times over throughout the game and it never gets old.

Threatin' Zepplin - Cuphead (PC, XBO)

For a mere $20, you can own one of the most gorgeous, punishing, boss filled, run & gun games on your PC or Xbox One. (I'm really hopping this baby comes to other consoles). Cuphead is a living cartoon with a fantastic old timey jazz soundtrack. Sonic Mania, you've got some competition  for game soundtrack of the year because I loooooove jazz.

Super Sonic - Sonic Mania (PS4, XBO, NS, PC)

Wallpaper by NuryRush

Speak of the devil. (Heh). I have played through Sonic Mania numerous times since it released. While it isn't my favorite Sonic game (Sonic 3 & Knuckles still holds that title), it is an superb effort and joins the ranks of one of my favorites. One of the issues for console versions of Sonic Mania was that it lacked a button for super form transformations. Depending on the character you are and where you're at, accidentally triggering your super form could get you killed. This, thankully is no longer an issue. As much as I love Sonic 3 & Knuckles, it sucks that the super music is nothing but the short looping invincibility music. Sonic Mania has a whaling guitar arrangement of the game's main theme that is so dang good that I don't mind it replacing the normal background music.

Rito Village (Day) - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U, NS)

Music from Breath of the Wild has appeared many times in Favorite Tunes this year. The soundtrack may be more subdued compared to other games in the series but it still stands out in my mind. Players that arrived in Rito Village were met with a wave of nostalgia rushing over theme. The theme for Rito Village an arrangement of Dragon Roost Island from Wind Waker, a big fan favorite theme. The Night variation is cool but for me, make mine all Day every day.

Moon Song - Cave Story (NS)

The Switch version of Cave Story is the latest release in the game's 13 year history. It comes with all the features from Cave Story+ and a new arranged soundtrack by RushJet1, which is pretty rad, I must say. Moon Song is sad, yet beautifully soothing song that plays as you make you way up the Outer Wall, making it an area in the game you won't forget.

Mission 2 (Cilius Moon Weapon Factory) - Sol-Deace (GEN)

Released on other platforms such as the Sharp X68000 and the Sega CD under the original title Sol-Feace, the Genesis version was the first time I'd ever heard of this game. I saw a complete copy and the box art intrigued me. Without knowing anything about the game, I picked it up and was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't anything ground breaking, but I was just glad I didn't walk out with a turd. What might surprise you if you've never heard of this game is that the soundtrack is done by the man that is mainly known for his work on Bandai Namco's Tales series, Motoi Sakuraba. Even on the Genesis version of this game's score is freaking awesome.

Daddy Mulk (Stage 1, 6) - The Ninja Warriors (ARC)

Fed up with the awful state the president has put the world in, Mulk builds to android ninjas and sends them out to end his existence. For years, the best version of the original Ninja Warriors was the Sega CD version, which was not only on a platform that not many owned, but this version also stayed in Japan. Hamster recently released The Ninja Warriors under the Arcade Archives line, which perfectly recaptures the original game's three screen format. If you want to play this game without coughing up a huge chunk of change for arcade cabinet or resorting to MAME, $7.99 on the PSN store can't be beat. Daddy Mulk is still one of the best first level songs, like, ever.

Step Into It! - Strider Hiryu (ARC)

He may be one of the many inaccurate representations of a Ninja, but Strider is still freaking cool. That sick scarf, that awesome blade and that astoundingly good stage one theme! Cows that are holy, it is SO good! CPS I soundtracks may sound a bit rough compared to CPS II soundtracks but Capcom's sound team was well versed in composing memorable scores. When one thinks of Strider, this is the theme that comes to mind.

Mute City - F-ZERO (Arranged album version)

You remember F-ZERO, don't you? It's that killer futuristic racing series that Nintendo refuses to bring back because Shigeru Miyamoto can't think of a new way for us to control Captain Falcon and company's racing machines. This particular arrangement of Mute City comes from a very old album titled, F-ZERO, a soundtrack that was released only in Japan with jazzy arrangements of all of the track themes. If you ever wanted proof that the Land of the Rising Sun gets all the cool stuff, well, here ya go.

Tea With Ellie - For Cyan City Act 1 - Sonic After the Sequel (PC)

If you have not played Sonic After the Sequel, well, first play Sonic Before the Sequel, then play After the Sequel. These are both excellent fan games with amazing soundtracks on par with official Sonic titles. This past August a DX version for After the Sequel was released with some improvements among them being the Drop Dash that was used in Sonic Mania. Falk was one of the composers for both Before and After the Sequel and I'd love to see him compose some tunes for an official Sonic game someday. This track in particular is one that I listen to on repeat. I love how the second loop of this song mixes things up a bit.

Favorite Tunes Database