Steller Soundtracks

[Drixxel]

There's a good discussion going on in a parallel thread about the audio capabilities of the ol' Genesis/Mega Drive, and it got me to thinking about Genesis soundtracks that really stand out to me above the rest. What are some of your personal favourites?

It's hard to argue the classic awesome of Golden Axe. The game's musical score isn't notably complex, but it aids the fantasy asskicking Golden Axe atmosphere considerably. Path of the Fiend in particular feels like an epic, dramatic struggle that your hero probably won't live to tell the tale about. One cool Genesis soundtrack.

[crazyjoedavola]

Thunder Force III has some killer tracks. They're among my favorite game tunes of all time. I also thought that Shining in the Darkness had standout music.

[IronKnux]

Cool Spot has some imaginitive lounge and reggae tunes... catchy and fun!

Ranger X has an adrenaline rush for a soundtrack... the techno beats and synths are awesome!

[Genesis Knight]

Ranger X, Vectorman 1, S3&K.

Lots of games.

[j_factor]

Contra Hard Corps is, well, hardcore. I never even notice the soundtrack in the other Contra games, but HC has this really awesome techno/rave score. It's great.

Phantasy Star IV is too. Most RPG soundtracks (for all consoles) are so... RPGish. PS4 isn't. I especially love that bassy title theme.

Also of mention are Comix Zone and The Ooze. I'm not sure what technique was employed, but it sounds really cool.

Both Toejam & Earl games and both non-Jr. Ecco games have sweet soundtracks.

This thread makes me sad that I don't own the Sega Tunes CDs.

[Melf]

I also recommend Golden Axe and PSIV. Hearing them arranged just shows how well composed they were. The PSIV music is especially amazing orchestrated.

I have to give a thumbs up to MUSHA's soundtrack too. I DLed it from SegaXtreme, and let me tell you, it is absolutely incredible. Beautiful compositions that push the Genny's synth guitar to the limit!

[Sega Uranus]

besides the mentioned games there is Shining Force 1 & 2 (expessially 2).

[crazyjoedavola]

I forgot about the Streets of Rage games. I have SOR 2 and it does have an awesome soundtrack. Can't imagine why I didn't think of that before. Also M.U.S.H.A has some awesome music. I actually have some MP3s of that on my computer that I listen to on a regular basis.

You know, for awhile there, I defected to the SNES camp mainly because of their graphics and sound, but now that I've started buying Genesis games again, I realize that the Genny can definitely hold its own against the SNES in both sound and graphics. I think it's interesting that after a few years of being away from games, the first system that I wanted to get again was the Genesis. There is someting magic about this system that I can't quite explain, but it's got a hold of me.

[janus]

The Shinobi series has some great music, too. And personally I think Bloodlines's soundtrack is superior to the Castlevania IV's -- the first level tune in the SNES game is tremendous but past that it is fairly dull.

[Electroman]

Games whos BGM's excel:
Thunderforce 3 & 4
Herzog Zwei
MUSHA
Streets of Rage 1 & 2
Combat Cars (recall this having a very loud, thumping techno/dance soundrack with good fidelity)
Batman 1
Altered Beast
Revenge of Shinobi
Forgotten Worlds
Gauntlet IV
Ghouls N Ghosts
Mega Turrican
Trouble Shooter
Golden Axe (SCD version)
Golden Axe 2 (I love the 1st level music only, rest is crap)
MERCS (some trax in original mode are real good, mostly level 2)


I think just about all Sega CD games with Redbook audio excel in the BGM department. Those that I think are exceptional are:
Android Assault (A decent offering of music)
Batman Returns (BGM is as good as the game is bad, IMO)
Final Fight CD (a bit "partyish" for my tastes but some trax are kickin)
Lords of Thunder (light metal, great stuff)
Robo Aleste (I like this music on its own, but hate it within the game)
Stellar Fire (game sux but good 80's electronica)
Soul Star (always gets me in an Astronomy mood. Beautiful)
Terminator (One of the finest 80's inspired soundtracks I've ever heard)

32X:
Afterburner Complete
Blackthorne

[Wampaa]

Techno Soft!
Thunder Force 2-4
Herzog Zwei

Target Earth

Air Diver (bad game but really great music. Rocking tunes with very heavy bass)

The Immortal
Mystic Defender

[StRiDA CoL]

Anything with yuzo or mr. tallarico is fine with me.

and strider had some real nice soundtracks.

[Genesis Knight]

I don't care for the genre, but Soldiers of Fortune is...well...

Rockin'.

[Vorty]

The Revenge of Shinobi. 'Nuff said.

[Genesis Knight]

Sonic 3D Blast has some incredible tunes.

[j_factor]

I forgot Tempo. Tempo's soundtrack rocks the hizouse.


Sonic 3D Blast has some incredible tunes.

That Saturn version's tunes are better.

[Genesis Knight]

We're talking about Genny tunes, though, so I figure I was justified.

[StealthNinjaScyther]

I think Biohazard Battle deserves some props for its soundtrack. Unique and a tad creepy to boot.

[ROBOTRON]

Thunderforce series

Herzog Zwie
Revenge of Shinobi
Hellfire
Gunstar Heros
MUSHA
Streets of Rage series

[StRiDA CoL]

If i could say any other soundtrak in a game for this generation, for licsend music, hands down WWE Day of Reckoning, but for original it would be the Metal Gear solid games and Halo 1

[Samudra]

It doesn't seem to be in high esteem by the writer of the review on this site, but the Adventures of Batman and Robin has a great soundtrack. I've been a lover of electronic music for ages.

Other games of note not mentioned yet:

Alisia Dragoon
Ecco the Dolphin
Gaiares
Rocket Knight Adventures
Sonic 2

[Genesis Knight]

AoBaR is good for game music itself, but that sort of thing kind of gives me a headache if I just listen to it. Go figure. ^_^

[ROBOTRON]

Oh I forgot...any of the SNK products that were ported to the Genesis rocked...Like SS1.

[Drixxel]

The forgetfulness continues.. Decapattack had totally slipped my mind. That game has some rocking tunes, especially songs 15 and 16 in the sound test. I'm always looking for some great game music to arrange for guitar, and one or either of these might be the next on the ol' chopping block. Offensive Overdrive from the M.U.S.H.A. soundtrack is also a bloody awesome song.. I can only imagine how awesome that game's soundtrack would sound with live instruments and a crushingly heavy metal production. I may have to undertake the recording of Offensive Overdrive, at least for guitar.

[Wampaa]

You are right StealthNinjaScyther. BioHazard Battle has an awesome soundtrack! I just recentley discovered this fantastic game.