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• Video Game Music that "Brings You Back"

  Because I've been playing video games since I started retaining memories (roughly age 3), a disturbing amount of my personal history can be linked to my lifelong hobby. The past, for me, is not defined by important world events, but rather, what I happened to be playing at that moment in time. Case in point: September 11th was the first day I was able to get my hands on the original Advance Wars. Coincidence? I really hope so. That being said, going back to Mario Kart 64 (which has aged pretty terribly) recently reminded me how much of my goddamned mid-to-late teenage years were spent playing this game. Let me point out that A.) I didn't own an N64 until said teenage years had passed and B.) I never even owned Mario Kart 64. But just upon hearing one specific song from the game's soundtrack, I'm immediately brought back to my days of teenage nerd solidarity replete with endless pizzas, soda, and other body-destroying substances we used to shield ourselves from the outside world. The funny thing is, back when there were only two Mario Karts in the world, I preferred the SNES one by a pretty big margin. Yet I still distinctly remember accompanying one of my friends to Toys R Us to buy the game nearly 12 years ago, as well as the pizza that was consumed afterwards. I'm honestly surprised that I didn't grow up to be a 400-pound shut-in. So what song from Mario Kart 64 whisks me away to the wonderful and awkward world of puberty? The answer lies after the cut. Read More... Posted Jan 28 2009, 04:00 PM by Bob Mackey with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: nintendo, mario kart, ost, music, nostalgia, bob mackey, soundtrack

• Whatcha Listening To?: Ebben Flow Soundtrack

  Behold, the Spinal Tap of JRPG music! Ebben Flow is a nonexistent Japanese role playing game that serves to provide a conceptual backdrop for the music of one Michael Chadwick. Here's a synopsis of the game, which I repeat, doesn't actually exist: Join Olos, Claire, and Senegal as they try to make sense of a world now mostly underwater, save for a few dry patches of land known as The New United Islands which they each call home. Vast cityscapes loom in the murky depths and hidden treasures pocket the sea floor which has now become dangerously low to visitors. Each of the characters you will meet and control have their own agenda in the land of Ebben Flow. Their paths may cross and diverge at will, leading to exciting new tangents and side stories. Several factions desire to rule their local and remote islands, as well as the depths below, and they're not above treachery or chaos to achieve it. Read More... Posted Jan 27 2009, 05:00 PM by Cole Stryker with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: music, cole stryker, jrpg, soundtrack, whatcha listening to?: cole stryker, ebben flow

• The Best of Wintry Video Game Music

  When you live in something called "the snow belt," your tolerance for inclement weather wholly determines your sanity. We've gotten so much of the fluffy white stuff recently that traveling anywhere in my town now involves following a carved-out snow trench to its logical end, all while hoping you don't end up in another state or the fabled Canadas. But even with nature trying to snuff me out under a thick pillow of precipitation, I've gone through most of my life without hating this time of the year; in fact, winter-themed video game levels have always been a favorite of mine, despite their irritating qualities. And for some reason, they always seem to have great music--which I'd like to share with you today. Read More... Posted Jan 19 2009, 12:00 PM by Bob Mackey with | with 6 comment(s) Filed under: ost, music, final fantasy vi, super mario 64, donkey kong country, earthbound, bob mackey, soundtrack

• Bad Games With Good Music: Eternal Sonata

  Fun fact: I'm such a video game music nerd that I'll usually slog through the worst of experiences if the tunes happen to tickle my fancy. This should serve to explain why I spend so much time with mediocre titles better left unplayed--and also why I keep the contents of my iTunes library far, far away from people who respect me.  One game this past summer is a perfect example of this phenomenon: Namco's Eternal Sonata, a pretty-yet-underdeveloped JRPG with one of the more embarrassing plots I've ever had to sit through.  Because I've played many Tales of games, I was familiar with composer Motoi Sakuraba's previous work; though most of the time I found his soundtracks to be a little too droning and bombastic for my tastes.  I guess it shouldn't be too shocking to find out that a game about one of history greatest composers would have such a fantastic soundtrack, but I was definitely surprised and highly impressed by Sakuraba's work on Eternal Sonata.  It's kind of a shame that this soundtrack might get overlooked in the future, what with it not being in Sakuraba's top-tier Tales of and Star Ocean soundtracks, but it's definitely worth a listen. Here's a little sampler of the music from the first disc of the Eternal Sonata soundtrack. If you'd like to find more, you'll probably get more results by search for the game's Japanese name, Trusty Bell. Related Links: OST: Mother OST: Chrono Cross OST: Everyday Shooter Read More... Posted Jan 06 2009, 02:15 PM by Bob Mackey with | with 3 comment(s) Filed under: ost, namco bandai, jrpg, bob mackey, soundtrack, motoi sakuraba, eternal sonata

• The Monkey's Paw of Pre-Order Bonuses?

  And now, a conversation between me and the Internet: Internet: Hey, Bob; Chrono Trigger is coming out for the DS! Bob: That's good. Internet: But it's just a port with no major additions that will cost 40 dollars. Bob: That's bad. Internet: But you reserve it at GameStop, you get a free CD soundtrack! Bob: That's good. Internet: The bonus CD only has two songs. Bob: Can I go now? Read More... Posted Sep 30 2008, 08:00 PM by Bob Mackey with | with 5 comment(s) Filed under: pre-order bonuses, soundtrack, chrono trigger ds

• EPIC Cave Story Medley on Piano

  He's not the first to adapt Cave Story's EPIC score to piano, but he's the first to post it to Youtube in a giant 24 minute suite. Check out Sebastian Wolff's video: It must have taken forever to transcribe those battle scenes! If there was any justice in the world, this cat would be invited to tour with Video Games Live and Daisuke Amaya, aka Pixel, would be given whatever award that goes to digital music composers (they have that, don't they?). This game was created by one dude, and his compositions rival those of any game. In the words of esteemed "dirty south" hip hop star T.I., "Creme de la creme, homey. Top shelf, ya know?" Download sheet music at Sebastian's site.   Related Links: Spelunking Through Cave Story Underpowered Cave Story "Ports" Action Button Top 25 Games Ever List Up Posted Sep 22 2008, 03:54 PM by Cole Stryker with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: cole stryker, cave story, video games live, soundtrack

• Whatcha Listening To: The Earthbound Soundtrack

  I'm in an Earthbound frame of mind these days, which is a good place to be. With the release of the Mother 3 fan translation inching closer and some very pleasant message board conversations that remind me why I actually sacrificed precious naps to play through Itoi's masterpiece, I've taken to thinking about what makes Earthbound special. I could sit here for hours relaying all the reasons (okay, twenty minutes--I type fast), but one of the main reasons warrants its own entry: the music. Earthbound is probably the most underappreciated title in video gaming's short but passionate history. Everything was overlooked: the expressive graphics, the innovative battle system, the emotional story that perfectly balances bizarre fun with a deep, subtle story about growing up and leaving home...and, of course, the music. Earthbound is not a game that can be appreciated with a glance ("God, what baby graphics. Who made them, Crayola?") or a quick listen ("This music is too cutesy"). You're required to experience it from beginning to end. Admittedly, the music took a while to grow on me, but when it did, it hit me like a Mr Saturn to the face. Read More... Posted Aug 25 2008, 07:01 PM by Nadia Oxford with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: snes, earthbound, game music, super nintendo, 16-bit, nostalgia, nadia oxford, whatcha listening to, soundtrack