There is something oddly alluring about gaming music from the age of the NES. The undeniable fact is that if I were to play a random gamer a snippet of just about any retro gaming tune, they would likely recognize it. This all stems from the fact hardware at the time was extremely limited, normally only able to emit three tones at once. This forced composers(if they were ever called such, in that era) to focus on crafting unique and memorable melodies above all else. While I’m not going to play the old-time curmudgeon card and claim that music back then was better, there was a certain charm and uniqueness to the sound that just doesn’t exist today.
So in the spirit of looking back, lets take a look at my personal Top Ten list of Retro Gaming Tunes.
10. TailSpin – Intro Music
The intro theme to TailSpin is a fun, rolling melodic line that you will catch yourself humming sometime later in the day. A tune that simply makes you feel happy, it more than earns its place at the start of this Top 10.
9. Wonder Boy III – Side Crawler’s Dance
There is something distinctly unexplainable about this theme from a game no one has played, nor heard of, ever. The bubbly, simple melodic lines are strangely compelling. Check it out, and you’ll see what I mean.
8. Mike Tyson’s Punch Out – Bicycle Training
The song that plays over any bicycle training sequence in Mike Tyson’s Punch Out fills you with an inexplicable feeling of being able to conquer the world. Great if you want to psych yourself up for something.
7. Double Dragon Theme
Double Dragon is one of those themes that everyone swears they know from somewhere, even if they can’t quite place it. A constantly rising melodic line makes you want to keep pushing forward.
6. Sonic 2 – Emerald Hill Zone
Could you ever forget the classic theme from Sonic 2? If you’re like me, and found yourself playing the Emerald Hill Zone over and over, then the answer is: no, never.
5. Chrono Trigger – Main Theme
In addition to being one of the single greatest games to arrive for the Super Nintendo, Crono Trigger was filled to the brim with both sweeping, epic themes and light, charming tunes. The Leene Square theme was a solid contender for this spot, but I felt the main theme had an appropriate level of gravitas.
4. Super Mario Bros. Theme
And the winner of the ‘Most Obvious Addition to this List’ category is….of course its Mario! I would be remiss if I didn’t include the memorable video game theme that defines the notion of memorable video game themes.
3. Legend of Zelda – Overworld Theme
If anyone spent hours hacking, slashing and shooting strangely sword-shaped projectiles during their childhood, then the Zelda Overworld theme tends to provide a very visceral reaction of accomplishment and nostalgia.
2. Duck Tales – The Moon
One of the greatest adaptations of a Disney property, and rightly containing one of my favorite video game tunes of all time. The Moon theme from Duck Tales is has a driving beat, provides dramatic weight and manages to be happy at the same time. Seriously, I could listen to this song for hours.
1. Dr. Wily’s Theme(Megaman 2)
I think I could have filled this list with every song from Megaman 2 and knocked off for lunch, and very few people would have a problem with that. It’s undeniable that Megaman 2 had some of the most enjoyable, epic and fun themes in video gaming history. In my opinion, Dr. Wily’s Theme is the gold standard of the lot.
So that’s my personal top 10 retro gaming tunes! Hopefully this gave you a tiny bit of nostalgia for the days of yore…and now every one of these is going to be stuck in my head for the rest of the day. The things I do for you guys… I’m sure I left out a few themes you may have expected, in fact, I know I did!(Castlevania, Metroid, anyone?). So tell me, what is your favorite song from the good old days?
