Recommendation of 8-bit: A collection of classic chiptune tracks
Have you heard of chiptune, a music genre with a rather cute-sounding name?
It’s a general term for music created using sound chips found in personal computers and home game consoles from the 1980s—like the Famicom (NES) and Game Boy—characterized by its bleepy, electronic tones.
That said, a wide range of music has emerged that employs chiptune techniques, making it a fascinating genre that defies easy categorization.
In this article, we’ll showcase classic tracks from representative chiptune artists from a variety of perspectives.
If you’ve only recently become interested in chiptune, be sure to check it out!
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Recommendation of 8-bit: A collection of classic chiptune tracks (21–30)
Rainbow TylenolKitsune²
Rather than Famicom-style, it’s a chiptune track leaning more toward Super Famicom and FM-synthesis vibes.
Still, the abundant noise and the rapidly shifting motifs make for a playful feel that I found really interesting.
It’s a tune that makes you want to nod your head to the rhythm before you know it.
DMG GuitarAnimal Style
This track has a rhythm that feels like it would fit a late-era Famicom action game boss fight or boss stage.
Its fast tempo, layered sounds, and noise-heavy percussion give it an authentic feel.
Before I knew it, three minutes and thirty seconds had flown by.
Vacation Wasteland (Full Album)Slime Girls
It’s a bit noisy, but that actually evokes the feel of nostalgic video game sound effects.
They have a site on Bandcamp where you can buy tracks and listen to other sample songs.
You can clearly see influences from Japanese culture here and there, and as a Japanese person, I can’t help but feel a sense of affinity, thinking they must have liked those kinds of things.
Rage Against the IndustryUSK
At first it seems like it might just be a loop with the same melody repeating, but as you listen, layers of sound are gradually added and the tempo shifts, turning it into a track that really showcases the charm of retro game chiptunes.
The vibe reminded me more of the Game Boy than the Famicom.
Shine, into my hands (Theme of Phantom Thief YMCK)YMCK
It’s a chiptune track with relatively little vocals.
The pixel-art-style video that goes with it is comical and fun, too.
The timbre and musical characteristics are close to those of early Famicom games, and you can tell it was made by someone who quietly understands the essentials.
It’s one of the few tracks with a Japanese title.
MikuAnamanaguchi
If anything, the timbre leans more toward the Super Famicom side and strays a bit from true retro chiptune, but since it was a vocal track using Hatsune Miku, I included it for its novelty.
I was surprised that the pronunciation sounded convincing, even though Hatsune Miku is supposed to be quite bad at English pronunciation.
The Geeks Will Inherit The EarthI Fight Dragons
This track isn’t a pure chiptune either; it’s a power-pop song that skillfully blends in PSG sound effects with a conventional arrangement.
To put it simply, imagine the kind of song that might play over the end credits of a movie like Pixels (a film featuring retro games).
It has a refreshing, strong, and bright tone, and the well-placed sound effects make it especially engaging.