 
BANJO-KAZOOIE
(Nintendo 64)
Composer: Grant Kirkhope
I'll give you fair warning that this game's music isn't going to be for everybody and I'm mainly making it available for those already familiar with it. It's a lot of bouncy calypso/carnival-style fare, which usually isn't my favorite type of game music, but Rare pulls it off rather well due to the excellent sound quality and the catchy, memorable melodies.
Music Also Featured On:
Unused Game Music Oddities
"Advent (Unused Track)"
Time: 1:46
Size: 2.42 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: This one's not really much of a song and it sounds very unfinished, but I'm making it available because it's sort of interesting. It's an unused track left over from the beta version of the game that was (supposedly) to be used in a cut level (Fungus Forest). For more unused Banjo-Kazooie music, see Oddities 27. (Omitted from the official soundtrack.)
"Bubblegloop Swamp"
Time: 4:14
Size: 5.83 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: This one's VERY catchy. Lots of croaking frogs, too.
"Clanker's Cavern"
Time: 4:04
Size: 5.60 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: A rather dismal-sounding song for one of the game's more depressing areas.
"Click Clock Woods (Autumn)"
Time: 4:11
Size: 5.75 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The Autumn area version of the Click Woods theme. This one has less instruments and more animal noises. (Omitted from the official soundtrack.)
"Click Clock Woods (Spring)"
Time: 4:50
Size: 6.65 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The most upbeat version of the Click Clock Woods music. This one is also my favorite, and was the only CCW variation to appear on the official soundtrack. I like the part with the chirping robins the most.
"Click Clock Woods (Summer)"
Time: 4:41
Size: 6.45 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The Summer area version of the song is the only one that was revamped as a 3-step waltz. The bees buzzing along with the tune are a nice touch. (Omitted from the official soundtrack.)
"Click Clock Woods (Winter)"
Time: 4:33
Size: 6.26 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The icy winter version of the CCW theme has a Christmas carol-like flavor. My least favorite of the CCW variations, but didn't want to skip one. (Omitted from the official soundtrack.)
"Final Battle"
Time: 3:29
Size: 4.33 MB
1 loop with fadeout
Comment: The extremely long and aggressive boss music for the final battle with Gruntilda.
"Freezeezy Peak"
Time: 4:06
Size: 5.63 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: My old review of this game described this song as sounding like a "long-lost Christmas carol", and you'll see what I mean if you download it.
"Gobi's Valley (Complete!)"
Time: 4:18
Size: 5.92 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: I'm very proud of this one! I spliced together the normal track and the dynamic track so that it plays the normal stage music on the first loop, but goes into what it sounds like when you're near the Sphinx for the second loop. The transition is completely smooth! I don't think you can get this track in this form anywhere else, not even on the official soundtrack.
"Gruntilda's Lair"
Time: 4:02
Size: 5.55 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The hub world's music is a remix of "Teddy Bear's Picnic". I seriously doubt it's coincidence considering the similarities of the two songs and the species of the main character.
"Inside Clanker"
Time: 4:18
Size: 5.92 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The inside of Clanker is one of the few areas-within-an-area that has its own theme music that's not only as long and complete as a normal stage theme, but isn't just a remix of the normal stage theme, either. This is very unique and I like it more than the normal Clanker's Cavern stage music. (Omitted from the official soundtrack.)
"Mad Monster Mansion"
Time: 4:17
Size: 5.89 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: Spooky song that would be great for Halloween!
"Mumbo's Mountain"
Time: 4:16
Size: 5.88 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The first area has that oompapa-oompapa calliope jive.
"Rusty Bucket Bay"
Time: 3:53
Size: 5.35 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: This is my least favorite of the stage themes, but I didn't want to skip one.
"Spiral Mountain"
Time: 4:19
Size: 5.94 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The opening area has another carnival-like tune with plucky banjo accompaniment.
"Treasure Trove Cove"
Time: 4:03
Size: 5.58 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: This is my favorite stage level theme. Calypso and maritime bursting with explosive marimba energy, or something like that.
"Treasure Trove Cove (Alternate)"
Time: 4:03
Size: 5.58 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The TTC music becomes an accordian-driven number when you're near Captain Blubber's Ship. Although I could have spliced them into one track like I did for Gobi's Valley, the instrumentation is so completely different that it's better to have them separate. (Omitted from the official soundtrack.)
BATMAN
(NES)
Composer: Naoki Kodaka
Although the Batman NES game didn't use any music from the movie it was based on, nor any other Batman-related media, Naoki Kodaka (one of the best composers of the NES era) took to writing Batman-style music like a fish to water.
"Laboratory Ruins" - Music from that level with all the creepy Joker faces appearing on the monitors in the background. Possibly the best song from this game.
"Streets of Gotham City" - The hard-hitting Level 1 music. A perfect blend of NES rock and Batman roll.
 
BATTLE CLASH
(Super NES)
Composer: Yuka Tsujiyoko
Unfortunately, Battle Clash's soundtrack suffers from poor sound samples, too many similar-sounding songs, and an ending theme I might actually like if it wasn't dreadfully offkey. But here are a couple of songs I thought were okay, especially Valius's theme.
Music Also Featured On:
NES & SNES Midi Conversions
"Scarab's Theme"
Time: 1:20
Size: 1.84 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: I sometimes have a soft spot for these middle-eastern style videogame songs.
"Valius's Theme"
Time: 1:50
Size: 1.68 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: This one is especially outstanding! It's amazing they got the organ to sound halfway-decent considering the rather poor quality of most of the other sound samples.
BLAST CORPS
(Nintendo 64)
Composer: Graeme Norgate
"Angel City" - I think this was actually called "Tempest City" in the game, but I'm going by my OST song titles. Are you ready to rock out?
"Helicopter Fly Thru" - The stage intro music.
"Simian Acres" - Heh. This one's kind of silly. Whoever heard of rockin' out to banjo, fiddle, and jaw harp music?
 
BLASTER MASTER
(NES)
Composer: Naoki Kodaka
One of the most impressive and catchy NES soundtracks, courtesy of Sunsoft's composer legend, Naoki Kodaka. (Where the hell is he now??)
Music Also Featured On:
Game Ending Songs Extravaganza
"Ending Theme"
Time: 1:36
Size: 1.48 MB
Automatic ending
Comment: This made my original Top 50.
"Level 1: Forest Zone"
Time: 2:23
Size: 3.29 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The music catches your attention right away.
"Level 2: Medieval Zone"
Time: 1:08
Size: 1.57 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: This one's shorter than most of the others, but thumps right along on its merry way.
"Level 3: Fortress Zone"
Time: 2:32
Size: 3.48 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: That really space-age area. The electric toms on this one are pretty cool.
"Level 6: Ice Zone"
Time: 1:40
Size: 2.29 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: This is my second-favorite Blaster Master song. I really like the unique style and echoes.
"Level 7: Volcanic Zone"
Time: 1:33
Size: 2.15 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: This is also used for the final boss fight and it is my #1 favorite Blaster Master song. Pure fiery-hot electric energy!
BRANDISH
(Super NES)
Composer: Mieko Ishikawa & Atsushi Shirakawa
I never really got into playing this game, but I remember really liking the first two songs in the game, which are the opening and the ruins themes. As it turns out, those are pretty much the only ones worth listening to, as this game seems to pull an "E.V.O" in the sense that the rest of the songs aren't anywhere near up to par in quality with the first few.
"Opening Theme" - This beautiful orchestral 3-step melody accompanies the colorful opening cinema sequence. Has to be heard to be believed.
"Ruins Theme" - The first level theme. A pretty little jingly tune.
 
BREATH OF FIRE
(Super NES)
Composers: Yasuaki Fujita, Yoko Shimomura, Minae Fujii, & Mari Yamaguchi
This game has really excellent sound quality. You'd swear those were real grand pianos.
Music Also Featured On:
Unused Game Music Oddities
Game Ending Songs Extravaganza
"Alan and Cerl Forever"
Time: 1:55
Size: 1.75 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The really sad song. A lovely piano melody that touches the very soul.
Rating: 
"Breath of Fire"
Time: 1:52
Size: 1.71 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The first overworld theme and the song that I most associate with this series. One of my favorite game songs. This was reused in Breath of Fire 2, which I also have available below, but I like this version more.
Rating:
"Decisive Battle"
Time: 2:02
Size: 1.87 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The really, really big boss music, used for such fights as Zog and Jade and the true final boss. I've always liked the use of strings near the end of this one.
Rating:
"Deep Within the Dungeon"
Time: 1:09
Size: 1.05 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: One of the few "jazzy" pieces of music in this game.
Rating:
"End of the Journey"
Time: 2:18
Size: 2.12 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The third overworld theme. Outstanding stuff! Especially on the finale.
Rating:
"Finale ~ Epilogue to the War"
Time: 2:45
Size: 2.51 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The slower, prettier of the two ending songs. This one's only heard if you get the true ending.
"Lands Beyond the Ocean"
Time: 1:58
Size: 1.80 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The second overworld theme. This is another favorite of mine and one thing that was annoying is that once you reach a certain point in the game, you can never hear this song again. Thank goodness for spcs and mp3s!
"Misty Forest"
Time: 1:45
Size: 1.60 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: This is one of my favorite Breath of Fire songs. What's interesting about it is that it uses symphonic instruments with a jazz style, which creates a weird sort of "gospel" feel. Very unique.
"Musical City Tunlan"
Time: 1:16
Size: 1.16 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: I could not possibly put up music from this game without including this one. It used to get stuck in my head all the time.
"Opening Title"
Time: 2:36
Size: 2.39 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: Powerful, in-your-face opening title song.
"Staff Roll & True Ending"
Time: 3:31
Size: 3.23 MB
Automatic ending
Comment: The full symphonic ending song that you'll hear if you get the true ending to the game. I had to splice together two different wav files to get this one.
"That Fateful Day"
Time: 1:25
Size: 1.30 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: This is only heard very briefly during a story sequence near the beginning of the game, right after Sara is kidnapped by Jade. It's a lovely song that I'm glad I can listen to now without having to start the game over.
"The Dark Dragons"
Time: 2:39
Size: 2.43 MB
Automatic ending
Comment: Terrifying march that's used for the third part of the opening sequence, and also for any cinema scenes dealing with the Dark Dragons.
"Windy City Winlan"
Time: 0:59
Size: 924 KB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: A short song, but one that's kind of catchy and memorable nonetheless.
BREATH OF FIRE 2
(Super NES)
Composer: Yuko Takehara
To be honest, I felt that Breath of Fire 2's soundtrack wasn't quite as good as the first one's, but it does have a number of very memorable, stand-out songs. I also love how it uses guitar rock for the battle themes and more traditional RPG stuff for the rest of the soundtrack.
"Breath of Fire" - The second overworld theme is a remake of the first overworld theme from the original Breath of Fire game. Eh, I thought it sounded better in the original, but this is okay, too.
"Evan ~ God of Death" - The intense final boss music.
"Finale" - The really, really long ending credits song. It's a huge remix of several different songs from throughout the rest of the game.
"I'll Do It!!" - The boss theme. This is one of those distorted guitar songs I was talking about.
"Our Journey" - The third overworld theme. Despite how short this song is, it might be my favorite original composition from this game.
"Silence of the Sands" - TOTAL rip-off of the Lawrence of Arabia theme! But what else is more appropriate for desert music?
"The Flower" - Beautiful song from the area the White Dragon is protecting.
"The White Wings" - Music for flying around on the giant bird. Might be my 2nd-favorite after "Our Journey".
"The Wonder" - The mountains music. Lovely melody on this one.
BRUTAL: PAWS OF FURY
(Super NES)
Composers: Doug Brandon & Neil Baldwin
Unfortunately, I felt the odd play control sort of killed this game for me, but at least it still has a good soundtrack, all done with a spectacular far east style.
"Bridge in the Mountains" - Catchy bass and steady pace. That about describes the nature of this (rather gentle for a fighting game) music.
"Far East Coast" - Stronger and faster than "Bridge in the Mountains", this one's just plain breathtaking.
"Title Theme" - I wouldn't have guessed from listening to this music that the game is about cartoon animals.
 
BUBSY IN CLAWS ENCOUNTERS OF THE FURRED KIND
(Super NES)
Composer: Matt Berardo
Bubsy inspires such vitriol in some gamers that it was enough to make one of them register an account at my forums just to yell at me for having a sprite of him on my site. (I'm not making this up.) Yes, a sprite. I never even said what I thought of the actual game, but somehow the presence of a sprite is cause for flaming me. The problem is, I'd be hesitant to say Bubsy is a good game, but I do think people are too hard on it. Most people hate it for the sole reason of being a Sonic the Hedgehog rip-off, but while there's no doubt that Sonic heavily inspired it, the game is also meant to be a parody of cartoon conventions as much as Sonic. Things like the death animations and falling down the waterfalls are right out of Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoons, but most people fail to acknowledge that. Ah, well, anyway, love it or hate it, here are some decent songs from this footnote of failed mascot platformers.
"Bluegrass Bobcat"
Time: 4:23
Size: 6.04 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: Banjo and fiddle music from the forest stages. This is something I can almost imagine those jug bands on The Muppet Show performing.
"Hill Stream Blues"
Time: 4:11
Size: 5.76 MB
1 loop with fadeout
Comment: One time I was playing this game and left it sitting paused for awhile. Had I not done that, I never would have known you have to listen to this song for about 3:40 before you hear its true ending. Makes me wonder how many other videogame songs may have "true endings" we're unaware of...
"Tunnel Vision"
Time: 2:19
Size: 3.20 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The cave theme from first few areas is rather neat remix of the first level theme.
"Wool Wool West"
Time: 1:50
Size: 2.54 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: Music for the desert canyon stages. Glad it's not me doing that whistling.
"Woolering Heights"
Time: 4:21
Size: 5.99 MB
2 loops with fadeout
Comment: The bamboo forest area. This one's my favorite song from this game (and it's a pretty area, graphically, too.)
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