Recommended video game music: compelling masterpieces and popular tracks you’ll want to listen to.

ghostly wailsRESONATOR

06 – Dreadful Atmosphere (Stage 2)

Among the tracks composed by the star-studded duo of Kenji Ito—famed for Romancing SaGa—and Kota Takahashi—known for R4 and Klonoa of the Wind—for the Xbox 360 shoot ’em up Bullet Soul, there’s one that truly stands out.

It’s packed with phrases that will make fans of Kenji Ito’s music grin, and it’s a must-listen for anyone who loves his work.

Title ThemeTim Follin

FC: Solstice – Opening

The title track from the Famicom game “Solstice,” developed by a British game company.

Despite being on the Famicom, it attempted 3D representation, and both the visuals and music made me marvel at the high level of technical skill from an overseas manufacturer.

This, too, was created using only the Famicom’s built-in sound source, a feat of craftsmanship that makes it hard to believe it was expressed with such limited audio resources.

Stage 1Tim Follin, Geoff Follin

Silver Surfer Music (NES) – Background Game Music I [Level 1]

This piece, hailed as an FC soundtrack that surpasses the limits of the FC, is a stage theme from Silver Surfer, released overseas on the FC (NES).

It’s hard to believe it doesn’t use any expansion audio.

With overwhelming flair, it delivers an astonishing sound that rumbles with deep bass.

Demon’s Worldmatsumoto hiroshi

Lord Monarch (SFC) – Demon’s World

This is the title track from the Super Famicom strategy game, Lord Monarch.

Its catchy, seemingly J-pop-inspired style—very much in vogue at the time—feels forward-thinking! The game is simple yet demands deep strategic thinking depending on the stage, and it was later released as a free game for PC.

Warriors of SorrowKonami Kukeihō Kurabu

Lagrange Point Music (FC VRC7) – Fighters’ Sadness

The boss theme from Lagrange Point, a late Famicom title created in response to a Famimaga feature by Konami.

While the Famicom generally relied on PCM sound, some larger ROMs included expansion sound chips yet still couldn’t break free from PCM.

Remarkably, this game features an FM sound chip, delivering tones you wouldn’t expect from an FC title.

Pietro’s DepartureSahashi Yoshiyuki

PoPoLoCrois Story: Pietro’s Departure

A theme that serves as the title track throughout the PoPoLoCrois series.

In the original, it plays during the ending with vocals, but in 2 it was used as an instrumental from the opening animation.

It also plays at key moments during gameplay, conveying Prince Pietro’s renewed resolve.

A HypothesisKatou Kakita

14. A Line of Reasoning

These are tracks used in Chunsoft’s proud masterpiece of sound novels, Kamaitachi no Yoru.

They further heighten the atmosphere where suspense and horror intertwine.

You’ll occasionally hear them outside the game as well, such as on news programs and talk shows.