NationStates Jolt Archive

Come on guys, I want to hear opinions!

Videogames, as they are getting bigger and bigger, are getting better and better musical scores. Today, musical scores from videogames more than rival film scores, even rival the great musical pieces in history. So, which ones do we think are the best? (note; fitting into a game well does not qualify it for the right alone, the piece must be great within it's own right)

Personally, my vote is for 'One-Winged Angel', otherwise known as the Sephiroth Theme. This features in Final Fantasy 7, in the final battle against Sephiroth, one of the most infamous of videogame villians. 'Play', the currently running tour of videogame themes played by a classical orchestra, saves this piece until last in its set, and what is it people say about saving the best til last?

While youre entitled to your opinions, the first person to say the Halo theme will be shot in the head. Repeatedly. :sniper:

Halo theme.

*throws bubble shield to the ground, deflecting bullets*

Sephiroth theme is also good.

I am the second so I say HALO.

Battlefield 1942.

Halo ain't got nothin' on that.

For your hearing pleasure:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg0Tmydj29M

System Shock 2's score is delicious.

Most of the Morrowind soundtrack is awesome.

The opening theme to FFVIII

And also Aria de Mezzo Carratere from FFVI. It's the song that Celes sings during the Opera scene, just before you get Setzer.

I vote for some of the softer songs in Chrono Trigger, for nostalgia sake. Also- Chocobo Theme is pretty win.

Did anyone say HALO yet???!

Click Stand;13156695']Battlefield 1942.


I agree, but I would also like to put the title/menu/intro music for
Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind up there as well.

You can't beat Chrono Trigger. Sure, the soundtrack may not be as technically good as other video game songs, but it fit the game perfectly, and that is the best that you can do with a video game soundtrack.

Halo theme.

*throws bubble shield to the ground, deflecting bullets*

Sephiroth theme is also good.

*Waits patiently for shield to dissapate, then fires repeatedly with semi-automatic sniper rifle (the currently existing SVD rifle, featured in Metal Gear and somehow superior to Halo's super-futuristic rifle). A succession of paintballs explodes over Mirkana's head, and now his / her shirt is covered in paint and forehead dotted with welts*

Ok, youre entitled to your opinion, but on what grounds?

'One-Winged Angel' was the first piece of its kind composed for a videogame (the original and the best). Furthermore, it is longer than the Halo Theme, has a name unlike the Halo Theme, makes use of a greater range of instruments and greater range of classical techniques, makes use of more tunes and is more deeply layered. It also features freaky chanting in Latin, reminiscent of the soundtrack of the Omen films. Furthermore, the theme is not centred vaguely around a game and just a cool-sounding piece of music, its about Sephiroth. The Latin chanting is about him, and the name 'One-Winged Angel' reflects Sephiroth's appearance in the battle as an angel-like with one wing, and adds to Sephiroth's appeal as both a higher form of life and a source of evil (paralleling Satan, the Fallen Angel).

Your grounds for the Halo Theme?

Metal Gear Solid 2 theme. :)

Metal Gear Solid 2 theme. :)

I love you! Its my personal favourite, but i think One-Winged Angel probably stands higher for a number of reasons.

Metal Gear Theme murders Halo Theme!

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

I vote for some of the softer songs in Chrono Trigger, for nostalgia sake. Also- Chocobo Theme is pretty win.

Chocobo theme is cool, but which one? Just saying 'chocobo theme' i think is a little vague for it to stand, so please clarify

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Single piece, not a whole game's score

Many of the pieces from FF games 7-10 are among my fav. pieces of music.

Many of the pieces from FF games 7-10 are among my fav. pieces of music.

Final Fantasy XII has some outstanding music. Why people won't recognise that fact, I have no idea. But Hitoshi Sakimoto gives a much greater orchestral feel to his music than Nobuo Uematsu ever has... Though Uematsu is clearly a stronger composer for the more personal pieces. Mostly.

I'd probably go for this (http://dl1.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/dl/1010/f2c58d/Ace%20Combat%205%20The%20Unsung%20War%20Original%20Soundtrack/313_the_unsung_war.mp3) from Ace Combat 5 - The Unsung War. Mainly due to the way it's the culmination of a developing theme throughout the ingame music and cutscene music. The music in that game is particularly expressive, and ties in very well with the mood of each mission.

EDIT: Sorry I can't find a stream anywhere, youtube is full of fanboys. That site is where I got the soundtrack from, so its clean.

Still Alive, Portal.

WCC FTW.

Super Mario Bros.: Come on, you all know the words!

"Do do do do do da do da do da da,
Do do do do do do-da-do!
Do do do do do do da do da,
Doo da do"

Mega Man 2. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=eOokbBMKzqE)

Although TLoZ‘s main theme is a classic, I’ll always love Road Rash 2: Hawaii (http://youtube.com/watch?v=tw1634xjvNo).

Which came first Plastikman or Road Rash?

I regret to say that I must pass on this one, as there are far too many VG musics I simply love...

The greatest VG music scores belong to the Legend of Zelda series. The opening and overworld themes, Mabe village, the Link to the Past flute solo, the list just keeps going. And hearing them on a piano or from a string quartet is wonderful.

The Hymn of the Fayth is strangely addicting.

The Hymn of the Fayth is strangely addicting.

That quickly became incredibly annoying.

Today, musical scores from videogames more than rival film scores, even rival the great musical pieces in history.

I would fully disagree with this statement. Videogame music has been improving alot in the last decade but is still nowhere near the level of film music and even further from 'the great musical pieces in history'.

Games I liked the music from: The Settlers, Flashback, Lemmings (all amiga), BF1942, I've heard some of the FF music (though never played the games) which was ok.

I love you! Its my personal favourite, but i think One-Winged Angel probably stands higher for a number of reasons.

Metal Gear Theme murders Halo Theme!

Snake Eater is also winful. Not because it's all that great, but because it's such a blatant attempt to be a 'Bond theme'.

Also, Jesper Kyd's stuff for the Hitman series is good.

Tomb Raider: Last Revelation was pretty good.

Click Stand;13156695']Battlefield 1942.

Halo ain't got nothin' on that.

For your hearing pleasure:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg0Tmydj29M

Totally - we'd all be humming that for hours after a session :)

Baldur's Gate II opening theme is good.

Though, the very best is Turrican 2 intro for C64, followed by the musics of Star Control 2 and Betrayal at Krondor :p

Baldur's Gate II opening theme is good.

I've always been torn between the Shadows of Amn theme and the Throne of Bhaal theme.

The musical score for Kingdom Hearts - a Japanese composer and another guy who helped out with the orchestral arrangement, I think? The soundtrack is a monster - lots of gorgeous little pieces of music [Beloved comes to mind] plus that song by Utada Hikaru [might not have spelt the name right]. Very emotive, beautiful music - classic stuff.

I've always been torn between the Shadows of Amn theme and the Throne of Bhaal theme.

I personally prefer and was referring to the Shadows of Amn theme.

However, like I said...
Turrican II intro for C64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PJRdkhkcpA) simply ruulz :cool:

edit:
And here's the game with best overall soundtrack: Star Control II for PC (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_EaN2vsCFg) :cool:

It is EXTREMELY difficult to go past One Winged Angel. If FF7 were remade today, the productions values on OWA would be incredible.

The greatest VG music scores belong to the Legend of Zelda series. The opening and overworld themes, Mabe village, the Link to the Past flute solo, the list just keeps going. And hearing them on a piano or from a string quartet is wonderful.

The Wind Waker's Title Theme fits the game perfectly. But I don't have an opinion on the greatest theme ever. I think the Metroid series is under-appreciated musically and the music really helps create the atmosphere of being alone and isolated on an alien planet, also the soundtracks to Mr Driller Land and Mother are amazing.

The Wind Waker Title Theme (Extended Credits Version) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW8KhZPaztE)
The Wind Waker's Title Theme Live (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibkZdr-YPvo)

Theme of Super Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhAQfpbsymU)
Brinstar - Metroid (Super Smash Bros Melee Version) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dChahy7tvuY)
Brinstar (Super Metroid) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf4iI3kgP-o)
Brinstar - Red Soil (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyFcSHHdIQE)
Metroid Prime - Menu Select (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLLE_PvJ5mY)
Metroid Prime - Title Screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42u0KB6f5eU)
Metroid Prime 2 - Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLOkc9MwFHs)
Metroid Prime 3 - Title Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1y8bq_2X2g)
Metroid Prime - Phendrana Drifts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFAMNz-eNkQ)

Come on guys, I want to hear opinions!

Videogames, as they are getting bigger and bigger, are getting better and better musical scores. Today, musical scores from videogames more than rival film scores, even rival the great musical pieces in history. So, which ones do we think are the best? (note; fitting into a game well does not qualify it for the right alone, the piece must be great within it's own right)

Personally, my vote is for 'One-Winged Angel', otherwise known as the Sephiroth Theme. This features in Final Fantasy 7, in the final battle against Sephiroth, one of the most infamous of videogame villians. 'Play', the currently running tour of videogame themes played by a classical orchestra, saves this piece until last in its set, and what is it people say about saving the best til last?

While youre entitled to your opinions, the first person to say the Halo theme will be shot in the head. Repeatedly. :sniper:

I agree, though I don't like the original version of 'One-Winged Angel' as much as I like the Black Mage's rendition of it.

Also, I sometimes find myself humming Guile's theme from Street Fighters 2 alot lately.:)

the sound track to Crusader Kings

The opening theme to FFVIII
And Edea's theme (Succession of Witches)..

Most of the Morrowind soundtrack is awesome.

Agreed. It is teh pwn.

Agreed. It is teh pwn.

thirded and Breaking Benjamin Blow me away Halo 2

One Winged Angel is a good piece.

However, I hate you all for not mentioning Dancing Mad, or at least the orchestrated one that was done by The Black Mages. Yeah, it's long, but fuck you. It's an awesome song and Kefka was a Grade A Nutjob. Sephy had NOTHING on Kefka.

The opening theme for Civilization IV is most excellent.

The Tetris music.

The Tetris music.

Tetris had music? :eek:

I liked the music in Halo. It set the mood very well, and the opening chant is very effective. I don't see how that entitles me to a lead lobotomy.

However, my favorite overall would have to be the soundtrack and mood pieces for an unheralded game called Beyond Good and Evil. The song for the hovercraft races and the music wafting through the bar were both pitch-perfect for their respective scenes.

Tetris had music? :eek:

All that Russian stuff, yeah.

Tetris had music? :eek:
Deee dada deeee dada daaa da da da daa dada da DUM DUM DUM

*nods*

Zero. the final mission song from Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War. Why? the Spanish guitar and vocalisations are enough to evoke the emotion of a dogfight.

Best non-original soundtrack: Elite (and Frontier)
Best original soundtrack: Ultima IV

Best game music (even without the game): Supremacy by Jeroen Tel on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supremacy_(computer_game)

The whole Stronghold soundtrack.

The menu theme for Homeworld : Cataclysm. It was really, really good.

Actually, the Ace Combat 5 intro is probably the best I've heard. I've never played the game, and I know squat about it, but I found the music on YouTube.

As for Halo, I'll admit it isn't the best, but it is still great. Also, it was played as part of the 2005 New Years' celebrations in Seattle.

I also agree with the Battlefield 1942 music.

The loading music for EVE Online is quite good. EVE Online also wins the award for 'Most Diverse Soundtrack' by featuring an in-game jukebox with about 50 pieces on it - all originally composed for the game.

Unfortunately, I cannot seem to find an out-of-game source for the music.

Still Alive, Portal.

WCC FTW.

That song is just friggin' awesome!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ljFaKRTrI

The song for those of you wondering.

The musical score for Kingdom Hearts - a Japanese composer and another guy who helped out with the orchestral arrangement, I think? The soundtrack is a monster - lots of gorgeous little pieces of music [Beloved comes to mind] plus that song by Utada Hikaru [might not have spelt the name right]. Very emotive, beautiful music - classic stuff.

I think you spelt it right. I've got the orchestral for the main theme to KH1 and 2 on my iPod.

Also: Blue Laguna is a really great place to find MP3s of game music. http://www.bluelaguna.net

But really, as far as seamless immersive delight, the in-game music of the old Tie Fighter. Each clip was like 3 seconds long, so that the music was constantly shifting and changing as the battles progressed.

MGS

http://youtube.com/watch?v=W_6LG8dyE0U

God of War is pretty good too

Deee dada deeee dada daaa da da da daa dada da DUM DUM DUM

*nods*
Repeat ad suicidium
Zero. the final mission song from Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War. Why? the Spanish guitar and vocalisations are enough to evoke the emotion of a dogfight.
That was a good single piece, but I don't think it matched up to Ace Combat 5's developing theme.
But really, as far as seamless immersive delight, the in-game music of the old Tie Fighter. Each clip was like 3 seconds long, so that the music was constantly shifting and changing as the battles progressed.
Oooh, I can't even remember that.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms III for the super nintendo

Tetris had music? :eek:

Yes, the music by Tsichov...Tschok...Tchivovos...Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

I just realised, I didn't post what I think is the greatest musical piece...

Now mind you, I have a few favourites.

I like Sands of Kryta from Guild Wars.

The best song ever written for a video game is Katamari March Damacy from Katamari Damacy. :) followed closely by Katamari on the Rock, Baby Universe, You Are Smart... Katamari on the Swing. Best. Game. EVAR!

I thought I was going to have to be the first to mention Katamari Damacy. Still angry that it took four pages for it to be mentioned though.

And my other choice is Need for Speed 5: Porsche Unleashed. Underground-Brit-techno-funk is better than what one would expect.

I would fully disagree with this statement. Videogame music has been improving alot in the last decade but is still nowhere near the level of film music and even further from 'the great musical pieces in history'.

Games I liked the music from: The Settlers, Flashback, Lemmings (all amiga), BF1942, I've heard some of the FF music (though never played the games) which was ok.

This depends entirely on which films or historical pieces youre talking about; after all i merely said rivals, not that its superior. Take for instance the Beverly Hills Cop theme. Outdone by a lot of games.

Besides, i personally think that 'One-Winged Angel' (or the version played by an orchestra, as it was originally intended, rather than the synthesiser version from the actual game) is a better composed piece of music than a good number of films or even old classical pieces (any that survive this long could be defined as great). But dont take my word for it, im a biased gamer.

My father is a pianist, and a huge fan of Rachmaninov, Mozart, Beethoven and many other classical composers. When played 'One-Winged Angel', he had a more positive response than he did to the Star Wars theme, and found it an absolutely incredible piece and could not believe it was made specially for a game.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn71hIsm0U8

As for the Halo theme, is it a great one and i dont deny it. But anyone who thinks its the best game theme composed never played many Square games, or Metal Gear games for that matter. In fact id bet theyre like the majority of people that think halo is the greatest game in every respect and havent played any other good game (and im not saying its bad, its just overrated)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jzz5cVt70j8

I honestly believe that this trumps "One Winged Angel"... Then again, I'm a bigger fan of more epic, emotional pieces.

My personal favorite sountracks include those from the Ace Combat series, Halo (especially Halo 3's fanfare), and Final Fantasy X's theme.

But...I'd have to say the winner goes to Okami's soundtrack. Simply amazing. The game is pure art.

Tetris had music? :eek:

I have Tetris's unrecognisably sped up version of Korobeiniki as my message tone.

I thought I was going to have to be the first to mention Katamari Damacy. Still angry that it took four pages for it to be mentioned though.

I was going to but forgot.

Hill Top Zone from Sonic The Hedgehog 2. I've learnt how to play a number of Sonic music over the summer...

Yes, the music by Tsichov...Tschok...Tchivovos...Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

The famous Tetris theme is a synthesised version of 'The Song of the Volga Boatmen'. Tchaikovsky's piece may have featured in other things but is not the famous link to Tetris.

This depends entirely on which films or historical pieces youre talking about; after all i merely said rivals, not that its superior. Take for instance the Beverly Hills Cop theme. Outdone by a lot of games.

Besides, i personally think that 'One-Winged Angel' (or the version played by an orchestra, as it was originally intended, rather than the synthesiser version from the actual game) is a better composed piece of music than a good number of films or even old classical pieces (any that survive this long could be defined as great). But dont take my word for it, im a biased gamer.

My father is a pianist, and a huge fan of Rachmaninov, Mozart, Beethoven and many other classical composers. When played 'One-Winged Angel', he had a more positive response than he did to the Star Wars theme, and found it an absolutely incredible piece and could not believe it was made specially for a game.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn71hIsm0U8

It's a good piece, but rather an exception when it comes to most games. I'd say game music is still a derivative of film music and has yet to find it's own voice fully, though this is happening slowly as music is given more importance in production of games. A game composer could soon be as famous as a film one, certainly interesting times are ahead for gaming.

If you really want to compare: try that piece, Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and Bernstein's music for On the Waterfront.

The famous Tetris theme is a synthesised version of ‘The Song of the Volga Boatmen’. Tchaikovsky’s piece may have featured in other things but is not the famous link to Tetris.
Are you sure? Volga Boatmen sounds nothing like any of the songs in Tetris.

According to WP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetris_(Game_Boy)), the three songs featured are Korobeiniki by Nikolai Alekseevich Nekrasov (the famous one that I referenced above), Csikos Post by Hermann Necke and French Suite No. 3 in B-Minor, BWV 814: Minuet by Bach.

Are you sure? Volga Boatmen sounds nothing like any of the songs in Tetris.

According to WP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetris_(Game_Boy)), the three songs featured are Korobeiniki by Nikolai Alekseevich Nekrasov (the famous one that I referenced above), Csikos Post by Hermann Necke and French Suite No. 3 in B-Minor, BWV 814: Minuet by Bach.

I never realised Bach wrote specifically for video games...

I never realised Bach wrote specifically for video games...
Only in his later years, after his failed biopic.

Casting Tom Hanks was a mistake.

Ho ho.

Casting Tom Hanks was a mistake.

Ho ho.

...isn't it always.

Pfft, Aerith's theme blows One Winged Angel away, though the entire FFVII score is wonderful. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dod4nENU7kM

Also, "Enclosure" - the background theme when Sniper Wolf dies in Metal Gear Solid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyKbgAAwn28

Are you sure? Volga Boatmen sounds nothing like any of the songs in Tetris.

According to WP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetris_(Game_Boy)), the three songs featured are Korobeiniki by Nikolai Alekseevich Nekrasov (the famous one that I referenced above), Csikos Post by Hermann Necke and French Suite No. 3 in B-Minor, BWV 814: Minuet by Bach.

I must be mixing up my Russian folk tunes again....

I liked the one in Total Annihilation. It even won a prize.

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=FSAXi44_3GY

Sorry I'm late, but I'd best throw in my two cents.

I'm not sure if you've heard of this game, but Fahrenheit (Known as Indigo Prophesy in the states), an adventure game/interactive movie, had one of my favorite original scores. Very chilling, very distinct.

Aside from that, the Metal Gear and Final Fantasy soundtracts always blow my mind, as does Halo and the Zelda series.

Sorry I'm late, but I'd best throw in my two cents.

I'm not sure if you've heard of this game, but Fahrenheit (Known as Indigo Prophesy in the states), an adventure game/interactive movie, had one of my favorite original scores. Very chilling, very distinct.

Aside from that, the Metal Gear and Final Fantasy soundtracts always blow my mind, as does Halo and the Zelda series.

The music (the ambient music) for Fahrenheit is really good. The official OST stinks; all popular music and none of the actual game play music.

The music (the ambient music) for Fahrenheit is really good. The official OST stinks; all popular music and none of the actual game play music.

Theory of a Deadman...

Friggin' buttrock...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7Ewd8OeYEA&feature=PlayList&p=F609B6F59705341E&index=1

It`s the title "Unsung War" from "Ace Combat 5". Absolutley awesome.

Doom 3 Theme Song

I sadly have to say that i have never played the Final Fantasy games, though i have always meant to, just never got round to it. I have played MGS and MGS 2, but for some odd reason cannot remember any of the soudtracks from it.

Though as mentioned before by other people Halo's theme tune and Blow Me Away by Breaking Benjamin which was in Halo 2 are both awesome. Though i do not claim they are the best.

Well, I like lots of themes from games, but one of the latests downloads is Credits Forever from Rome: Total War.

Diablo 2 had an excellent overall soundtrack, particularly in act V. Mafia also had a great soundtrack, specifically its opening theme. One Winged Angel has already been mentioned many times, and for good reason. There are some other good soundtracks in the classic SNES RPGs, Guilty Gear, Okami, and Shenmue. Though, I would have to say my favourite soundtrack is the one from God of War.

I bet I'm the only one who thinks this, but I like the music from the old ecco games.

I bet I'm the only one who thinks this, but I like the music from the old ecco games."Old" as in the original Sega Master System versions of those games, or the 16-bit remakes? If the latter, I think it's pretty decent (though not quite the greatest ever), particularly for the second game.

16 bit, I didn't know there was an older version. It's not the greatest score ever, but it was pretty original music, especially for a video game.

If the latter, I think it’s pretty decent (though not quite the greatest ever), particularly for the second game.
Oh Ecco!

What a wonderful game. Such a pleasure to play.

Halo theme.

*throws bubble shield to the ground, deflecting bullets*

Sephiroth theme is also good.

:p<click me!) Mario paint/halo theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxlCfJGduis)

16 bit, I didn't know there was an older version. It's not the greatest score ever, but it was pretty original music, especially for a video game.

I can't remember what the regular Genesis/Mega Drive version sounded like anymore, but the Sega CD version kicks all kinds of ass.

Now, I haven't tried this myself, but I heard from a friend that you can google this:
"ecco the dolphin" sega cd ost

... and find the whole soundtrack on the 8th hit. It's definitely worth a download.

The Hymn of the Fayth is strangely addicting.

Mhm! I love that. I often find myself humming it when I am out walking about.

Still Alive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ljFaKRTrI)

Hill Top Zone from Sonic The Hedgehog 2. I've learnt how to play a number of Sonic music over the summer...

Ah, you mean the one that sounds like a long, squeaky fart at the beginning? Yeah, that one's a classic.

Thinking about it, I'd say people like Harry Gregson-Williams are blurring the line between film and game music more and more. His discography (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Gregson-Williams#Discography) includes Chicken Run, Kingdom of Heaven, Metal Gear Solid and Call of Duty 4.

Thinking about it, I’d say people like Harry Gregson-Williams are blurring the line between film and game music more and more. His discography (“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Gregson-Williams#Discography”) includes Chicken Run, Kingdom of Heaven, Metal Gear Solid and Call of Duty 4.
Plus, Amon Tobin’s Chaos Theory, the soundtrack to Splinter Cell 3, was released on Ninja Tune as a fully fledged Tobin album, several months before the release of the game.

According to WP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_Theory_-_Splinter_Cell_3_Soundtrack), “technically speaking, the album is not a soundtrack. In the game, each track is split into individual components that are independently layered over one another to correspond with a player’s actions. Thus, none of the songs on the album would ever be heard in the game except in small fragments.”

Game music is progressing. Fast.

Devil May Cry 3 had some good ones
http://www.devilmaycry.org/devil-may-cry-3/music/

Personally, my vote is for 'One-Winged Angel', otherwise known as the Sephiroth Theme. This features in Final Fantasy 7, in the final battle against Sephiroth, one of the most infamous of videogame villians. 'Play', the currently running tour of videogame themes played by a classical orchestra, saves this piece until last in its set, and what is it people say about saving the best til last?

I would normally cite some of the smaller, less epic FF songs that made more use of the keys, but recently one of my favorite bands (Machinae Supremacy) played this one with Play!, so I'll agree.

I can't remember what the regular Genesis/Mega Drive version sounded like anymore, but the Sega CD version kicks all kinds of ass.

Now, I haven't tried this myself, but I heard from a friend that you can google this:
"ecco the dolphin" sega cd ost

... and find the whole soundtrack on the 8th hit. It's definitely worth a download.Awesome, it works. http://downloads.khinsider.com/game-soundtracks/album/ecco-mega-cd-redbook-

Kraid(Metroid-NES)

Sure, the sequals had amazing music and Nintendo's other franhises had some of the best songs ever played, especially Zelda and F-Zero, but Kraid's theme is simply the best.

Ocarina of Time ftw!

Honorable Mention: All the scores from the Super Mario Games, Morrowind and Oblivion, and Final Fantasy 7.

So many pages and nobody said this one yet:

Scars Of Time (Chrono Cross)

I really love the opening theme to Chrono Cross... but even more than that, my fav bit of video game music is the Hymn of the Fayth from FFX, especially Shiva's rendition (the solo female.. I think she's an alto). It's haunting, and I found that if I listen to it on a continuous loop when I go to bed, so that it's the last thing I hear as I fall asleep and the first thing I hear when I wake up, I rememer much more of my dreams (in number, and in details).

i have trouble saying what is and isn't best, but stuff i really like funs thusly:

Hearts of Iron 2 soundtrack
Europa Universalis 3 soundtrack
Crusader kings soundtrack [though not as much as the other two]

Wild Arms Three, specifically the song you get when you load up the game [complete with anime-esque opening intro thingy] and the one you get when you quit the game [at least near the beginning. it changes]. Unfortunately, so far as i can tell, you can't get the English version of either on the soundtrack. . . which sucks, because the English version is Really good.

what else... ahh yes. the hymn of the fayth. i sing that one sometimes, though i probably get it wrong more often than not. great song.

never did get to one winged angel in FF7, but FF7's music over all is very, very good. i mean, the in game music isn't Good music due to the technological limitations, but it's good Enough, and it fits what's going on so well.

the whole bit with Aries[sp. and that's the European version with an S, NOT a TH...] getting stabbed? personally, i found the music so fitting that the shear ridiculousness of the fact that no on used a phoenix down on her completely escaped me at the time, and for some time after as well *laughs*

'eyes on me' in FF8 is just... ... i dunno... it fits so well. loved it.

i think that's about it.

Still Alive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ljFaKRTrI)

Yes, I spoke too soon. No amount of monk chanting, beautiful orchestral music, or ingenious music can out-due a singing AI insulting you. *nod*