| Best Music
Metroid
Metroid had
great gameplay and a chilling theme--that of being trapped in the bowels
of an alien world. The malevolence of the mysterious corridors was second
to none. These small, cramped passages filled with strange monstrosities
were enhanced, however, by the amazing ambience of the game's soundtrack.
The blips, bleeps, and tinkling chimes that the NES was capable of producing
melded with the stark aesthetics to present a credible alien landscape.
The oppressive opening theme immediately sets the tone.
At first the
soundtrack is buoyant, urging Samus forward on her quest into the depths
of Zebes. From then we go through a number of motifs: melancholy, playful,
oppressive, droning and discordant. As we get further to the truth of the
hideous Mother Brain, the game's music gets darker and more ambient, a
collusion of rhythmic sounds and bass tones that underscore the evil of
the planet's harsh mistress. When you finally encounter the pulsating monstrosity,
the soundtrack devolves into nervous burbling and stutters. With one foot
in the avant-garde and way ahead of its time, Metroid's soundtrack hums
on eternally in the back of our brains.
Runners up:
Castlevania
III: Dracula's Curse
 By
the release of Castlevania III, the series had already been known for its
amazing soundtracks. To this day, Castlevania games have provided us with
some of the most amazing sonic experiences on consoles. Castlevania III
was the culmination of the jazzy, "rocky horror" tracks that had accompanied
Konami's number one series until that time. The game gets you off to an
amazing start with the very first track and rarely lets up; the music's
active presence in the game makes it that much more enjoyable. The tunes
move along quickly and keep the game's pulse flowing. Konami's composers
conveyed both the importance of Trevor's quest and the horrors of the undead
foes through their music.
Mega
Man II
 Ask
many gamers what series has the best music on NES and Mega Man will often
be nominated. We had a hard time coming to agreement on the placement of
games in this list and that's because these games all have amazing music.
Mega Man II has a smooth and quick soundtrack that begins with an amazing
opening theme and concludes with its breathtaking ending reprise of that
tune. From level to level you're ushered onward with swift urgency. With
a mixture of jazz riffs and quick beats, the game's soundtrack never lets
up or ceases to impress. The transcendent beauty of Bubble Man's theme
alone makes this one a true classic.
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