Official Nintendo Consoles Music Thread (Thanks for Listening!)

Voted Joint-Best Thread on the NGamer Forum 2012!

Featuring the GNamer Forum Music Weeks Time Periods!

Also Featuring Any Nintendo Music (or Non-Nintendo Music on Nintendo Consoles) That Anyone Else Would Like to Link to!

Generic music thread a-go-go!  Post lots of beautiful links to nice music videos here.  

Music Week List:

1	Pokémon RSE (Verdanturf)	GBA
2	Meteos (Gigantis)	DS
3	Mother 3 (Love Theme)	GBA
4	F-Zero X (Silence)	N64
5	Tetris (A)	GB
6	Mario Sunshine (Manta Storm)	GC
7	Wii Sports (Wii Sports)	Wii
8	MKDS (DK Pass)	DS
9	SSB (Dreamland/Results)	N64
10	Rhythm Paradise (Various)	Wii
11	FFIII (Ocean)	DS
12	LoZOoT (Gerudo Valley)	N64
13	Pokémon Colosseum (Miror B)	GC
14	M&L:SS (Popple)	GBA
15	Yoshi’s Island (Title)	SNES
16	X (Tunnel Scene)	GB
17	Spirit Tracks (Train)	DS
18	MK7 (Koopa City)	3DS
19	Wario World (Mean Emcee)	GC
20	WW (Various)	GC
21	Okami (Divine Intervention)	Wii
22	Layton 5 (Title)	3DS
23	FFIV (Fiends)	SNES
24	Last Story (Flying One)	Wii
25	Metroid Prime (Phendrana)	GC
26	SML2 (Star Maze)	GB
27	Power Paintbrush (Silent Seabed)	DS
28	SSBM (Various)	GC
29	SMRPG (Mushrooms)	SNES
30	BK (Various)	N64
31	Toadstool Tour (Peach's Castle)	GC
32	XC (Gaur Plains)	Wii
33	SMB (Underwater)	NES
34	PMSS (Snow Rise)	3DS
35	KEY (Outer Rings)	Wii
36	Pokémon RBY (Route 3)	GB
37	Monkey Ball 2 (Expert Track)	GC
38	SMK (Rainbow Road)	SNES
39	Luigi's Mansion (Humming)	GC
40	SSBB (Various)	Wii
41	Yoshi's Story (Intro)	N64
42	Wii U (System Settings)	Wii U
43	LM2 (Haunted Towers)	3DS
44	MKWii (Mushroom Gorge)	Wii
45	SMG2 (Puzzle Plank)	Wii
46	M&L:BIS (Final Boss)	DS
47	Minish Cap (Cloud Tops)	GBA
48	SMW (Ghost House)	SNES
49	Majora (Clock Town Day 3)	N64
50	SMG (Various)	Wii
51	Hotel Dusk (Various)	DS
52	GHIII (Cliffs of Dover)	Wii
53	ACWW (KK Dirge)	DS
54	DD!! (Peach Beach)	GC
55	Mega Man II (Wily)	NES
56	Pokémon GS (Ecruteak)	GB
57	Rhythm Tengoku (Bon Odori)	GBA
58	KIU (Dark Pit)	3DS
59	TTYD (Petal Meadows)	GC
60	LoZTP (Various)	Wii
61	Nintendo Land (Balloon Trip Eve)	Wii U
62	Pokémon DP (Pokémon League)	DS
63	PWAA (Objection!)	DS
64	FFVI (Shadow)	SNES
65	SM64 (Water)	N64
66	Pokémon XD (Greevil)	GC
67	SML (Chai)	GB
68	Phoenix Wright (Various)	DS
69	3DS (Puzzle)	3DS
70	Super Circuit (Various)	GBA
71	Wii Music (Title)	Wii
72	101 (Theme)	Wii U
73	Ghost Trick (Fate Updated)	DS
74	LttP (Dark World)	SNES
75	PiT (Final Boss)	DS
76	WWSM (Tomorrow Hill)	GC
77	Layton 6 (Drones)	3DS
78	Mother (Snowman)	NES
79	RLegends (Gloo Gloo)	Wii U
80	Pokémon XY (Various)	3DS
81	FFV (Big Bridge)	SNES
82	Okamiden (Thundercloud)	DS
83	Gunman Clive (FMttM)	3DS
84	SCII (Hubris)	GC
85	DK64 (DK Rap)	N64
86	PWDD (Objection)	3DS
87	SM3DW (Savannah)	Wii U
88	Hatsworth (Banson)	DS
89	Lylat Wars (Accomplished)	N64
90	ALBW (Various)	3DS
91	TWEWY (Calling)	DS
92	Pokémon Stadia (Kids' Club/Chansey)	N64
93	Resort (Main Theme)	Wii
94	Pikmins (Various)	GC/Wii U
95	LoZSS (Ballad of the Goddess)	Wii
	Ouendan 2 (Samurai Buruu)	DS
96	BD:WtFF (Specials)	3DS
97	F-Zero GX (Green Plant)	GC
98	Layton 1 (Layton's Theme)	DS
99	MK64 (Rainbow Road)	N64
100	DKCTF (Various)	Wii U
101	SMG (Redux) (Various)	Wii
102	Metroid (Various)	NES
103	DKonga (Mario/Zelda)	GC
104	Chibi-Robo (Memories)	GC
105	Disaster DoC (Various)	Wii
106	Metroid II (Various)	GB
107	K3D (Mysterious Trap)	3DS
108	LKS (Various)	Wii
109	CoL (Various)	Wii U
110	Super Metroid (Various)	SNES
111	Advance Wars (Battle Over)	GBA
112	XC (Redux) (Gaur Plains et al.)	Wii
113	Mother 3 (Redux) (Various)	GBA
114	Zelda Covers	NES?
115	Resi 4	GC
116	Metroid Fusion	GBA
117	Snake Eater (Snake Eater)	3DS
118	MM2	NES
119	WWFNM	N64
120	Happy Week!	Various
121	Bayonetta	Wii U
122	SSB3D	3DS
123	Indies	Wii U
124	Bayo 2	Wii U
125	LoZ	NES
126	LoZ2AoL	NES
127	LttP (Redux)	SNES
128	SSBU	Wii U
129	SMG2 (Redux)	Wii
130	MK8	Wii U
131	Conker's BFD (Sloprano)	N64
132	Guacamelee	Wii U
133	K3D (Redux) (Moonstruck Blossom)	3DS
134	Pokémon ORAS	3DS
135	AAI2 (Ray Shields)	DS
136	MK8 DLC	Wii U
137	M&LPJB	3DS
138	LoZTP(HD)	Wii U?
139	SSBU DLC	Wii U
140	XCX	Wii U
141	WWSM (Redux)	Wii
142	YKW (Title Theme)	3DS
143	AASoJ	3DS
144	Pokémon SM	3DS
145	PMCS	Wii U
146	Picross 3D 2	3DS
147	HW Legends	3DS
148	MonHun	Various
149	LoZTFH	3DS
149.9	Splatoon	Wii U
149.99	MK8D (Lunar Colony)	Switch

Balladeer's Music Week 1: Verdanturf Town, Pokémon RSE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUXShzvvNGg



RSE had one of the colder, more stark-feeling Pokémon worlds, what with routes covered with falling ash, a sandstorm-ravaged desert, miles of ocean and the creepy Mt. Pyre. Verdanturf was an oasis of calm and greenery in the middle of it all, even if it was useful for sweet FA if you weren't into contests. Its music reflects that. In my opinion, RSE had some of the best music in the series, so I'll probably post up some more links to it later.

Well... that's what I said first time around, and then it became a weekly thing with a different game each week. So to highlight how brilliant the music is, explore the eerie Mt. Pyre, get your ears massaged by sand in the Route 111 Desert, or take an ash bath on Route 113. All great. How the mighty have fallen...

Balladeer's Weekly Music Week 2: Gigantis (or Yooj), Meteos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCDpDCADBhU



This was always going to be a hard one, but one I had to mention.  The crazy, ever-changing soundtrack practically made Meteos what it was, instead of just another match-three puzzler; but due to the aforementioned ever-changing soundtracks, there weren't many significant one-off pieces.  Gigantis, or Yooj for Americans, was one of the few that had a proper piece of background music.  It's the first piece here, and it's really quite pretty.  The track then plays the other musics, which occur as you get closer to disaster.

Balladeer's Motherly Weekly Music Week 3: Love Theme, Mother 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idULzIIF950



This game is absolutely mad. It also has some of the most beautiful music. I must admit that I played it a while ago, so I can't remember all the tracks: just some really catchy battle themes that are deeply annoying to hit enemies to. But this one is absolutely beautiful. Don't be afraid to cry, especially if you know the context.

Balladeer's Hard Rawk Weekly Music Week 4: Dream Chaser, F-Zero X: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=degvSbUWuOU



You don't play F-Zero X, F-Zero X plays you! Actually, it doesn't play you as much as its rock-hard sequel, but it's still pretty excellent. The music's a hit-and-miss collection of rawk tunes, but this rather more melodic one is a definite hit, albeit a bit Euro-ey. It perfectly sums up the speed that builds as you race along the massive oval that is the first Silence track, although it's not all that silent.

Balladeer's Weekly Music Week of Weekness and Music 5: Type A, Tetris...

Is there a single person on the forum who doesn't know this song? I think probably not, and with good reason. So this week, to do something a little different, here's Complete History Of Soviet Union to Theme of Tetris.



It's the classic tune we know and love (and near the end, a not quite so classic one), accompanying a rather witty look at Russian history during the 20th century. Fun fact: Type A was originally a Russian folk song, called "Korobeiniki". You can hear the Red Army Choir singing it here. They're quite good.

Balladeer's Music Week of the Unamusing Title 6: The Manta Storm, Super Mario Sunshine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZaL95n2Isc



Waaaah! Youtube, what have you done to all my favourite relaxing Sunshine musics? Sea and Sky, Noki Bay: were they always so plinky-plonky? You've just ruined my teenage years for me, and they weren't great to start with.

Happily, while searching for replacement tunes, I found this, the accompaniment to one of the most annoying stars in the game. Possibly I was so frustrated with being constantly electrocuted by tiny ectoplasmic rays that I didn't noticed that the music was actually pretty fun and bouncy!

Oh, and this being great but really weird didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Balladeer's Nintendo Music Week 7: Main Theme, Wii Sports: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5c4KOopwLs



You can love or hate the direction Nintendo's gone in since this, but you can't argue with one of the chirpiest, most triumphant starting tunes ever to bless a console launch game. If this doesn't get the entire family in the mood to smack a ball back and forth across some grass, then you have an awfully sedentary family. Was soon to be re-used in Brawl despite the lack of a Mii-based course, because it's that good.

Balladeer's Nintendo Music Week 8: DK Pass, Mario Kart DS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1GXvyeDZ_o



The Mario Kart series has some pretty decent snowy tunes, what with Frappé Snowland, Snow Land, Rosalina's Ice World, and That One With The Shy Guys.  But none have quite the same level of "what were you THINKING?" as this one.  It's DK's course, for crying out loud!  He's an ape!  He lives in the jungle!  Unless you're using the white DK from SSBB, I suppose.  Whatever: enjoy your jingly waltz thing.

Also, because I'm trying to limit how many of the same sort of tune I post, two great Mario Kart snow musics which won't get their own Music Weeks are Frappé Snowland, which is still my favourite MK snow music, and DK's Snowboard Cross...  Wait, another one?  Does DK secretly own some Alpine resort or something?  (Also this one apparently has KK Slider in.)

Balladeer's Smash-tastic Music Week 9: Super Smash Bros.

The SSB series are famed for doing wonderful things with old Nintendo tunes, but it seems a shame to steal the glory from other games by using their music for SSB when it has so much to choose from. Therefore, for each Smash game I'm going to give a "best remix" and a "best original tune". Starting with the 64 era:

Dreamland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmX_xajbW6w



If you say this isn't your favourite piece from the original Super Smash Bros., you're lying. In my personal opinion, this is the best remix of Gourmet Race out there, despite the N64-era instrumentation. Awakens memories of being beaten up by a team of multi-hatted puffballs halfway through the one-player, but other than that, excellent.

You Win! (my title): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJhz3WTn4Mc



One of the few things I missed in the transition from SSB to M was having a cheery jingle after the match end, although the plethora of awards more than made up for it (bring them back next gen. please!). This remains a personal favourite, as well as a great way of rubbing it in friends' faces!

Balladeer's Music Week 10: Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise

Special because I can't possibly post one tune only for this, and even then it's difficult. So, top five:

5. Flipper Flop: is this my fifth favourite song? Perhaps not: it's got some stern competition. But it's adorable, and that gets it bonus points, and it gets amazing at around 1:16.

4. Air Rally: mostly due to that cat shouting about bombs on aeroplane, crazy moggy. Either way, what a catchy tune.

3. Hole in One 2: yes, I call this one better, and not just because of Mando's new hair. Quicker, and with a more interesting harmony, this gets the third slot over its predecessor, although both are deserving.

2. Samurai Slice: despite the slower pace, this one beats its successor on instrumentation and setting, and especially the hornpipe opening. That said, the second one has more intimidating demons.

1.



Okay, Stu, you were right. Why do I love this one the most? The catchy song? The crazy setting? The monkeys? The fact that my girlfriend hates it? Possibly all of the above, plus that monkey in a balloon being cute; but regardless of the reason, Monkey Watch is my favourite BtB:RP song. You can debate this if you wish, but bear in mind that if you disagree you're probably wrong.

Balladeer's Music Week 11: The Boundless Ocean, Final Fantasy III DS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S88x6iLY3_8



Credit for this week went to dear departed Jayseph Moyles for reminding me how amazing the FFIIIDS soundtrack is. Including the epic final dungeon music, and the creepy strings that accompany the journey through the hidden land. What a game, what music. But nothing compares to the feeling of loneliness as the world is flooded, leaving the player in a tiny airship out in the middle of a vast an unforgiving ocean. Cue some of the most desolate-sounding music on the DS.

Balladeer's Music Week 12: Gerudo Valley, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy0aEj85ifY



Surprisingly easy, this one. That might surprise some - "Lozoot" has some great tunes, from the jaunty and catchy (actually there are a couple of these) to the sweetly melancholic to the poop-yourself terrifying - but none of them come anywhere near this. Possibly the catchiest theme in the entire series, later games got rid of it for no readily-apparent reason. Remix for WiiU please? Just not the annoyingly slow one from the free-with-TP CD.

Balladeer's Music Week 13: Miror B's Theme, Pokémon Colosseum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAHHFc-gIeI



Another easy one, this surprisingly was not the music I originally had in mind. That would be the lovely Relic Forest music, the only fault of which is the sudden and jarring loop. Realgam Tower has some nice holiday-like music too. But nothing can beat Miror B's dancing Ludicolo music. "Move it, girl!"

His XD music is pretty special as well. I have another piece lined up for that music week, though.

Balladeer's Turn-based Music Week 14: Popple's Theme, Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLA9G3RjJso



The catchiest battle tune in the game, heralding two of the best characters (Popple and You Know Who). Honourable mention goes to the theme for one of the most annoying Mario bosses. Also Teehee Valley. I miss Superstar Saga: second-best Mario RPG out there.

Balladeer's Heavily Delayed Music Week 15: Title theme, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COZFtqciZkw



I may be cheating a little bit, because I actually played this for the first time on the GBA, and I'm not sure this isn't the GBA version of the tune. Oh well: don't wish to imply that I care. This is some of the brightest breeziest starting music in a Nintendo game, and it made me very happy when it got a revival for Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time. (Also in Paper Mario, but that's a bit different.) The only possible competition it had was from the cave music, but this takes it.

Balladeer's Retro-Japan Music Week 16: Tunnel Scene, Ekkusu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTzPj_RcIy4&fmt=18



Ever heard of Ekkusu, or X for those of us who don't speak Japlish? I don't blame you... unless you've played Smash Bros. Brawl, where this music can be unlocked for the Star Fox stage. Fittingly, the original game was also a "3D" space shooter, albeit one even more basic-looking than Star Fox. Obviously the original music lacks some of the fancy effects, but it's still surprisingly good for an 8-bit tune. There's now a sequel out on DSiWare called X-Scape (or the much less impressive 3D Space Tank over here), although I can't say I think much of its version of the music. The drum annoys me.

(Also, Ekkusu was the first known game to feature Totaka's Song.)

Balladeer's Train-tastic Music Week 17: TRAIN, Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W_bFLwB0WY



The poor old DS, my favourite console in many respects, got unfairly shafted when it came to Zelda games.  The new controls couldn't prevent me from being annoyed at the lack of overworld, disappointing boss battles, unimaginative items (at least the second time around), and lack of variety in the enemies.  There were a couple of things that did stand out, though (apart from catching those god damn rabbits), such as Zelda being actually useful and the TRAIN!  Much much more fun the PH's boat, it also came with a nice jaunty tune.  Sadly, I can't remember many other Spirit Tracks pieces, although having browsed YouTube the opening music is quite nice.

Balladeer's Pandering to the Masses Music Week 18: Koopa City, Mario Kart 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS617_umZ-w



Apparently known to the Americans as "Neo Bowser City", which is bizarre because I've called it "Neon City" pretty consistently. This dirty rainy track makes the part of me longing for another F-Zero wild with glee, and its electronic soundtrack has a similar effect.

Also worthy of mention are the chirpy rock of Alpine Pass ("Rock Rock Mountain", NoA? Really?) and the rendition of the classic DK theme found in his jungle. And there's the obvious plinky-plonkiness of Melody Motorway, although without the keyboards to drive along the Youtube clip isn't as good.

Please, tell me I'm wrong! Tell me the forgettable Arabian stylings of Shy Guy Bazaar ought to be here! (Yes, even now, several weeks later!)

Balladeer's "Who Developed This?" Music Week 19: The Mean Emcee, Wario World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvoWsHW0In0



If you ever played this game, congratulations! You're one of about three people. (Invite the third one in so that we can talk about it, will you?) It's Wario Land, brought into 3D (kinda), and developed by Treasure. It involves lots of violence and coin-collecting, but gets a hell of a lot more cerebral when you're trying to get all the treasures. NGC gave it 86%, calling it short (it is) but great fun.

Anyway, if you are one of those three people, you're probably sweating bullets right now, because the ugly green chap up there is the hardest boss in the game. He has a really nice tune, though: improvised jazz, interspersed with triumphant brass. If you want something more Wario-ish, try the first level/trailer music (have a rrrotten day!). On the other end of the scale, there's Shivering Mountains, notable for its obese enemies called "Fattingtons" and its terrifying boss (go to 3:04).

Balladeer's Super Special Awesome Music Week Special Edition 20: The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

There are some games I feel would be better off as films. They put noticeably less effort into gameplay than they do into spectacle, ambience or story. Wind Waker... isn't quite one of those, but it's close. The pains of the Triforce Hunt, the obviously missing dungeons and a misguided early stealth section are counterbalanced by the most moving story (and most sympathetic Ganon) in a Zelda game, the most expressive and beautiful Link, and some of the best musics.

This was originally going to be SSBM, then Twilight Princess. But this week I started listening to the Wind Waker "symphonic movement" that came on the CD free with Skyward Sword, which reminded me of one great song, then another, then another... At the end of which, there was a feeling of "Twilight what"? The only thing missing is any really memorable dungeon music.

Oh, by the way: spoilers. Here we go:

6. The Crystal Maze Theme



5. Molgera



Hear that rumbling, that flute, that... kinda weird beat-boxing maraca-esque noise? That's the noise of a giant sandworm that could eat those wusses from Tremors up a blink of its no eyes. Unless you wrench its tongue out.

4. Dragon Roost Island



Obvious one, innit? Nintendo tried to make the lightning from Gerudo Valley strike twice, and it worked... almost. Not quite as catchy, it's still plenty of toe-tapping, flute-hooting, castanet-snapping island magic.

3. Outset Island



Despite Dragon Roost being so catchy, it's far from my favourite island music. That accolade goes to the very first island in the game, famous for its pigs (mini-porker pictured). It's the nicest, happiest, most rousing opening music.

2. The Great Sea



You want epic? How about strings, brass and seagulls (seagulls absent from Youtube link) all up in your ears, while you take to the colossal seas in your sailboat? You feel immortal, heroic, amazing - and then Ganondorf makes it all too clear that you're nothing of the sort.

1. End Credits



Why haven't I included the frankly wonderful title screen music? Because this is it, only more epic. As bubbles gently float up from sunken Hyrule (I warned you about spoilers!), containing the faces of everyone you know and have grown to love, this gorgeous old-timey piece plays. It's a fine reward for finishing the game, and one of my favourite end credits pieces.

Balladeer's Japanese Music Week 21: Great Divine Intervention, Okami: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkXJ53_u5iY



The poor image quality does not to justice to the glorious music at all. Amaterasu restores Shinshu Field to its former glory in a burst of cherry blossom, and the player wells up a little and feels like a god(dess) themself.

Okami has some brilliant musics, but sadly I can't remember many of them due to having last played this a long time ago. There's the epic exploration music of Ryoshima Coast, the theme tune of Lucario (pretty much), and the glorious lead-up to the final battle. And I haven't even mentioned the fight with two clockwork owl demons...

...I need to play this again. (NB: I tried. Then the Wii U came along.)

Balladeer's Topical Music Week 22: Main Theme, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr7Dvuq2sX4



Topical at the time, this week being the one I both got and finished this game! I don't usually remember Layton tunes, so I jumped on the quite good title theme while I had the chance. It moves away a bit from standard Layton accordion-esque stuff, and has a mystic quality which ties in well with the Azran references (not a spoiler, I don't think).

Also quite good is the end credits music, Mysterious Frower. I can't find the instrumental version which plays in the UK version, so enjoy the sounds of a Japanese lady being unable to pronounce 'flower' repeatedly. (Spoiler-free apart from the music, but I take no responsibility for the video comments.)

Balladeer's Less Topical Music Week 23: Battle with the Four Fiends, Final Fantasy IV (DS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVGCvmWM4Zc



Terrifying enough when you have to fight them one at a time, big bad Golbez later sics all four of these on you at once. Cue swearing, and deaths, but hey! At least you're dying to a brilliant theme.

There's another boss theme from this game that merits a mention: that of the utterly terrifying puppet, Calcobrena. Dolls that want to rip your head off and give it to Golbez as a present, then form into one giant evil puppet. Brr.

Balladeers "Not More JRPGs!" Music Week 24: The Flying One, The Last Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ2PTdHmNtE



Another incontestable choice - the theme song for the game is hauntingly beautiful, and nothing else from it is really that memorable (EDIT: okay, so General Ashtar's boss theme isn't bad either, but it's really short).  The only problem is finding the version to link to, but the instrumental version lacks the singing that really makes this song, in my opinion.  Having been relatively apathetic about the plot for most of the game (a game that was overshadowed by Xenoblade, poor thing), this song made me well up.  Listen, and if you've played the game already, have tissues handy.