Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Animal Crossing: Wild World

"Aw crap! Tom Nook better not close!"- domodragon53

Animal Crossing, made by Nintendo, plays out a lot like Harvest Moon. But the only difference, you don’t have to farm. Animal Crossing is my personal favorite “stress-reliever” game. The fact that Animal Crossing is so peaceful is the music. Here are my favorites, in no particular order, from Animal Crossing: Wild World (DS).

Title Screen (Extended)

This track is really relaxing, perfect for a stressful day. I love the use of string instruments, and the pauses from this track. Perfect for a summer stroll in a field, this track is a must for those lazy days.

The Roost

A tune that can differentiate from person to person, The Roost is a café in Animal Crossing: Wild World. Some people find this track sad, others find it romantic. I find it relaxing for the hot summer nights, just gazing at the stars.

2 AM

Animal Crossing: Wild World had a 2 minute track for every hour of the day. From 6 AM to 5 AM, my favorite is 2 AM. Just staying up late, fishing for fishes, shaking and collect fruits from trees, collecting bugs, 2 AM is a track that is just reserved for the player to walk around the night, and enjoy the silence. Perfect song for thinking on a stressful day.

There are plenty of songs from the game that are soothing. I recommend you to check them all out.

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Resident Evil 3

"Aww F*&K!! Ran out of ink ribbon!"- domodragon53

Resident Evil 3 is one of the best games in the survival horror genre. I am currently playing RE3, and I love the soundtrack for the game. The music is very dark and scary which sets the mood for the game very well. From the eerie police station hallways to the intense boss fights, RE3 delivers an amazing array of music. Here are my personal picks, in no specific order, from the RE3 soundtrack.

The City of Ruin/ Raccoon City Up-Town Theme

Cars are on fire. Dead bodies littered on the ground. The stench of rotten flesh in the air.  This track basically says “Everyone’s dead. You are all alone. And… there’s a zombie behind you.”A very depressing theme and makes me feel empty inside, which makes this track a good example of the game setting the dark mood.

Nemesis’ Theme 1

“Jill...Jill..”-wounded Brad slowly walked toward Jill.

"Brad?" Jill walked up to Brad.

"We gotta-“

Jump sound-Nemesis came from the rooftop of the police station.

“Rahhhh!!!" Brad quickly runs to a corner while Jill quickly back up.

"Jill...Jill help! NOOOO!!!"-Nemesis picks up Brad by his right shoulder,

smashes his tentacles vein through Brad, killing him as Nemesis tosses Brad aside.

"Brad…?" Jill walked towards the dead body.

"S.T.A.R.S." Nemesis walked toward Jill.

-“Fight the monster.”

-“Enter the police station.”

Nemesis’ first appearance and you already crapped your pants, good job. When you hear this track for the first time, you knew you were dead because you had nothing bigger than a pistol. This track set the mood for the battle and his first appearance.

Free From Fear- Save Room Theme

Well hearing this track puts me at ease because I know that Nemesis can’t break into this room. This track is not only a safe haven, but it sets the tone of imminent danger that lies ahead. Another memorable track from the game.

Staff and Credits

Well from hearing this amazing track, I was surprised that there was such an uplifting song in the game. This track gives a feeling of “Ah… it’s over. It’s finally over…”. Many RE fans agree that RE3 “credit” music is one of the best in the series. Perfect song to end a fantastic game.

The Doom City/ Mercenaries Theme

After the game is finished, a “mini” game will be playable, The Mercenaries. You can play as the mercenaries Jill met throughout the game. A badass theme for a badass group of people.

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Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Secret of Mana

Secret of Mana is one of the most memorable games for the SNES. Easy gameplay, unique storyline, and a great presentation, Secret of Mana have drilled itself into the hearts of many gamers. But the number one thing that keeps gamers coming back for Secret of Mana is the music itself. The music from this gem is magical.

Fear of the Heavens/Title Theme

One of the most recognizable music in Secret of Mana, Fear of the Heavens is played at the title screen, foretelling what the game has in store for the player. Due to its popularity, Fear of the Heavens also has an orchestral version. I believe the orchestral version is the more powerful version, but due to nostalgia, many gamers prefer the 16bit version.

Original

Orchestral

Danger AND Mana Beast Battle Theme

Both are epic pieces of music that really sets the mood for a boss battle.

Danger

Mana Beast Battle Theme

I Won’t Forget

Maybe the saddest piece in Secret of Mana, I Won’t Forget is another version of Fear of the Heavens, but slower. This music piece leaves the player the memorable adventure they experienced in Secret of Mana. If anymore is said, the story would be spoiled.

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Final Fantasy Adventure

From my review of the game, I enjoyed the soundtrack of Final Fantasy Adventure. In no particular order, here are my favorites!

Endless Battlefield: This is Final Fantasy Adventure’s overworld theme. From playing the game, the title of the song really tells a lot about the game. There is an endless amount of enemies, which turns the land into an Endless Battlefield.

Battle 2/Fight 2: Played for the later bosses, and it should be played for the later bosses, because this music makes the battles tenser. The boss battles are already hard enough, and Battle 2/Fight 2 only makes your hands sweatier than before.

In Sorrow- This music just makes the emotional piece sadder. The song tells about the sacrifices made to prevent evil from rising.

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Brink

The soundtrack in this game is awesome. It's actually a VERY calm soundtrack for a game about killing people, hahahaha. I love playing this game just to listen to its music. I hope you enjoy it too.

Resistance Weapon Theme - The emotions that you feel when you choose a weapon to use out in the battlefield... wow...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAiN5yxH-lM

Intro and Loading Theme - The song you hear when you first load the game. Totally sets up the mood.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0U3P33JpVY

Resistance Character Theme - Feel like a badass as you create and choose your character to fight with.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvfsCpXUtkU

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Age of Empires 2

Age of Empires is not really known for having strength in music. For most of the game, there is very little if any music. However, there is one very good track. And it plays in the menu screen, too. Listen and you will hear the power of this piece.

Opening Theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUQSxmgs5hI

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Need For Speed Shift 2: Unleashed

Despite it's horrible controls on the PC, this game had a great soundtrack. Unfortunately, gameplay wasn't spot on, thus leaving me to only enjoy the soundtrack and not the actual game itself.

Help Is On The Way - the epic song that played in its launch trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jc2KRoiZfQ

Ambient Themes - random but epic ambient themes in the game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwVDLfDOeys

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Breath of Fire 2

Breath of Fire 2, composed by Yuko Takehara (of very little fame), has a damn good soundtrack. The music pieces are very standalone, but together with the game, they enhance the story immensely. In particular, the White Wings and Cross Counter Piece as well as Memories and, well, you get the point.

White Wings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ9L5WJ3YAc

Cross Counter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxt-d3iZaTU

Memories: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETM9xpTgdE0

Destined Child: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRST2N5ZZuI

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Tekken 5

The Tekken series has not been known for its memorable soundtracks. In fact the first four in the series had very average soundtracks to accompany its releases. Then Tekken 5 came along and the soundtrack just sung itself naturally. Tekken 5 to date, still has the best soundtrack in its series according to its fans.

Moonlit Wilderness - Probably the most famous track in this game, a favorite of mines.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-6e-mjsqxs

Sparking - The Tekken 5 opening theme. Too bad it's a short song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gXMonktHKM

Hall of Fate - Probably the 2nd most famous track in this game. Loved by many people, me included.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgXcxMMuE44

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening

The music from Links Awakening is beautiful. It is my favorite out of the series, and one of the reasons is the music.

Zelda: Link's Awakening - Ballad of the Wind Fish/Marin sings the Ballad of the Wind Fish:This song is magical. It expresses the freedom that both Marin and the Wind Fish desires. It was to be released as a remake for Super Smash Brothers: Brawl, but it didn't make it. It did make it as a lost track for SSBB.

Orignal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDEKGOyLpUc

SSBB Remake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDEKGOyLpUc

-Link and Marin's Song: Similar to Spirit Tracks, Links and Marin do a duet together. I could not find the song on Youtube so i'll just post a download link instead.
Download Link:http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SKXRDJR1

-Staff Roll(Credits): This song is cheerful and is, of course, played at the end. It tells you that you just finished another Legend of Zelda adventure, but this adventure shall always be remembered.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMLcGmC6ozc

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Starcraft 2

Starcraft 2 is an amazing game. Built from the foundations of Starcraft:Brood War, Starcraft 2 added many new gameplay mechanics, new design on its units, and most importantly, new music. These are my picks from the Starcraft 2 soundtrack. I will also post the cutscene the song is used in.


-Card to Play: This song pumps the Terran Marine solders everytime. Makes me want to punch a Hydralisk everytime I hear it.

Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qfh4ukwbpI

Cutscene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSK9lIM1CSg&feature=related

-The Deal: This song is what the Starcraft series has revolved around, back stabbing each other in the back. But the next song defies this one's meaning...

Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JErCGl6_hfE

Cutscene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk7LcSPb0kM

-Fire and Fury: This song expresses the unity of mankind. When humanity is pushed beyond its limits against a common enemy, rival nations will band together to fight for each other. When we have our backs to the wall, that wall will be friendly soldier that has his back on a "wall" too.

Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVpWcyy_dBM

Cutscene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfMr_UBb0QQ

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Saga 2

Saga 2 has a lot of good scores because it is composed by Kenji Ito and Nobuo Uematsu. Those two are big names in the video game music industry, so it's hard to find any bad songs. Nevertheless. I picked out two outstanding tracks. However, I am including them from both the original and the remake, so that you can compare them.

Lethal Strike:

Old

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gQrTrK5c78

New

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5re_YfjDJgE

Heartfelt Tears:

Old

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_1kKNi4kGQ

New

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYX5c1xld5M

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger was a perfect game. Perfect story, perfect gameplay, and perfect design. And to accompany the perfection of the game, is my personal picks from the Chrono Trigger's OST, as promised.

-Chrono Trigger: This song sets you for an epic adventure. It makes you feel that everything you are about to do on the adventure, will change the world in one way or another.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-s-VQBoUdc

-Battle 1 and Battle 2: I couldn't decide which battle song to choose from so I chose both. Both songs gets you pumped for the battle ahead.

Battle 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeNkqEOQ15I

Battle 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p07AghKvuA

-Frog's Theme:Frog is one of the baddass in the game. His theme has a "chivary" feel to it. It so good makes me want to cut a mountain in half. So epic that I will post one original and one in orchestral form.

Original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5FFDj7vH6E

Orchestral: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOLqO56fiFA&feature=related

-Far Off Promise: This song summarizes the whole game. The song reminds you to not dwell on the past, do right in the present so the future will be promising.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRhS0Y-jApM

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Final Fantasy 4 DS

Final Fantasy 4 is my favorite out of the series because of its complex plot and great character development. What accompanies best with those elements are the music from the game.

-The Final Battle: This song gets me pumped for the long hard final battle ahead. All the work your party has been through all depends on this final battle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUGoPBQmVVs&feature=related

-Theme of Love:This song is my favorite from this game. It expresses the love that Cecil and Rosa share together. This song is so good that I decided to also post its orchrastreted form.

Original:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h2V8CFtGZE

Orchastra:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSxrh0_khfU&feature=related

-Prolouge/Opening: This song expresses the entire game. The song gives a feeling of adventure, fulled with danger, but together with friends, the anything is possible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEti8uugFSE

Bonus-Opening: Mix the Prolouge and the Theme of Love and you end up with this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rcJx5ueJWw

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Although Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks have been bombarded with above average ratings, its music was amazing to me. I loved the "western" feel of the music because Links was able to use a train.

-Overworld Adventure: This song always made me pull the train's horn. It has a "pioneer" feel to it like as if I am about to explore the world of the Spirit Tracks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izbMZay_8Dk&p=D7893122E08F09E6

-Link and Zelda's Duet: Throughout Links' and Zelda's adventure, they collect instrument to stop the evil forces. In this song, they both do a duet with the "spirits" of the instruments, and allows you to feel all the work and time you put in this game had payed off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBCAJxUm14k&p=D7893122E08F09E6

-Final Battle: Malladus: Following directly after Link and Zelda's Duet is this song. Of course it is the final battle, and damn this song gets me pumped every single time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-YTiGWc56c&p=D7893122E08F09E6

-The Spirit Flute: The last song is The Spirit Flute. This song basically summerizes the whole game. It is enchanting and mystical, like the land of Hyrule. It has the gentle nature of Links, yet strong as the Lokomo Sword that Links uses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StUwtNOwV50&p=D7893122E08F09E6

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Phoenix Wright (The First 3 Series)

The Phoenix Wright series have always been my favorites. One of the main reason why it is my favorite series is the music. Here are

-Turnabout Sister(PW:AA): This theme is very soothing for the game. I like it because it shows the lighter side of the game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C4yBssyoTY

-Examination Allegro(PW:AA): This song brings out the tension during a critical time in the cross examinations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp3RaRI_sQA

-End(PW:TT): This song summarizes the feeling the player has after the game. The player feels everything is concluded and now can be left in the past. I felt, from this song, that the Phoenix Wright series have matured, along with its characters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z3sTwsC4Q4

-Because the music, "Cornered" is so good and different from each game, here is a bonus link to all three of them, in orchestra form.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYMDQRVuXtA

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Crysis 2

In Crysis 2, you feel like such a badass in your super-powered nano suit. The soundtrack adds more to your badass-ness if that's even a word and I don't even think you can be more of a badass than just sitting in that nano suit. What's more to say? Badass soundtrack is badass!!

Insertion (with intro)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF_nVZzn82I

New York Aftermath
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxJHbsXJzPY

No Escape
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv69M9kxnk4

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Street Fighter IV

Sure the Street Fighter franchise has a ton of memorable tracks, but no one expected it to be of this scale when SFIV finally revealed its fangs. Every track got a makeover and the new theme is just ridiculously epic. Unfortunately Super Street Fighter IV's soundtrack was unable to surpass the bar which was set so high by SFIV.

Sakura's Theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsW3Zth-h7A

Shop PV Theme (2nd intro song) - My personal favorite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU0MZ9ONxw4

Guile's Theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFsuHmrWf6o

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Killer Instinct

Killer Instinct is one of the few fighting games with memorable soundtracks. Each character has his or her own theme, with stage themes to boot. What's the only game that makes you feel like a badass just from selecting a character because of its music? Killer Instinct.

Character Selection Theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bimYI4ZE_SA

Title Theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avPSzGVCPH0

Glacius Theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8eTrl4_zOM

Bonus: Character Selection Theme Remix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y09DgNHOQk0

Best of Video Game Soundtracks: Mirror's Edge

Mirror's Edge has one of the best soundtracks in video games in recent memory. The first thing people asked after they saw the debut trailer was "What's the name of that song?" then "When's the release date?" I wouldn't blame them. The ambient music in Mirror's Edge is as relaxing as can be.

Still Alive (Instrumental)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjsE1JZCSno

Still Alive Theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TERyxFfMqDk

Menu Theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V0N-OKegB4