Music
One of the things I have grown to love about video games is the music. Playing video games in the nighties a lot the games from that generation have had such iconic music which to this day is still some of the best music I’ve heard and still listen to. Street Fighter 2 (all versions) and Mortal Kombat are prime examples from the 16 Bit Generation.
With the PlayStation and Nintendo 64, is where a lot more of the soundtracks got clearer and CD quality. This is where a lot of people began to start to appreciate video game music. I feel a lot of the time I got sick of the music. As this was the time when I played games more frequently and got a little annoyed of some the nonsense music. In retrospect a lot these tracks now make appears in my gaming music playlist, such as WWF Smackdown 2.
Tony Hawks Pro Skater brought popular songs to video games, and when I started to listen to different kinds of music. A lot of games followed suit using popular music, including games up today. One of my favourite games using this idea SSX 3. Which, fun fact made me get into The Black Eyed Peas. While Jet Set Radio and Jet Set Radio Future have a lot of new songs created for the games, and have a few popular songs thrown in.
I do still love the original game score, especially with gaming into the modern day. Which have now gone to have game scores on the level of movies. Which have large orchestras and music created to fit within the large-scale photo realistic video games. Which really help back the game play and cut scenes. Some of my favourites of these are, Super Mario Galaxy and Uncharted Series. Also appreciate the return to a sound resembling of 8-bit and 16-bit soundtracks. With Sonic Mania recreating a lot of the classic Sonic sound, by adding in more instruments. DMC Devil May Cry soundtrack I enjoy as the album was created by Nosia.
I like all kind of different music, which is why I have a gaming playlist which is over five hours long. Which I like because it reminds me a lot of the Super Smash Bros soundtracks. It allows so many different types of games soundtracks to be heard during a play through. Which goes from classical, to jazzy to who knows next. While listening helps me remembering the times I played the games I played and the fun I’ve had.
Video gaming music is becoming a big business, when i worked within the record industry the number of soundtracks being sold on vinyl is massive. This isn't a cheap hobby to have, but neither is gaming. The release of collector editions, and limited colour vinyl is a very cutthroat business of collecting. As out of the many soundtracks out, I own two which happen to be Sonic soundtracks. The Mortal Kombat vinyl soundtrack is one that eludes me and is currently going for £61 for the Reptile Green edition on eBay. The version I want is dragon picture disc edition.
Any time I hear a piece of gaming music I like; I check Spotify and add it to my playlist. If it’s not available, I will search the internet for game rips, just so I can listen to it. I would also like to go to one of the many gaming concerts when I am able and meet other gaming music enthusiasts. While also constantly looking for news to see when new albums are coming. While YouTube is a great resource for fan recreations. Taking a classic sound and making a jazz, dubstep or classical remix is nice to hear people’s creative interpretation.
If you love a video game soundtrack let me know in the comments below, or tweet at me. I’d love to hear them. Yes, I know I didn’t mention any Zelda, as Breath of The Wild was my first title and the soundtrack kicked ass.
