#365daysofvgm

Keep The Flag Flying (Guilty Gear XX Λ Core [2006])

How about a mix of Electric Guitar, an imposing Organ, and delightful Violins for an explosive yet “regal” take on battle music? They aren’t always used in the track either, making the section at the 88 second mark, all the more impactful; I got goosebumps listening to it, taking in those longer Strings with the descending melodies, especially the 1st time around! That section also makes me think of the long history between Sol and Ky for some odd reason, maybe it’s the way all the instruments reunite during that specific moment, makes me think that way. The Drums progress into higher levels of intensity as the track progresses too, this is a keeper for sure!

(Length: 3+ minutes)

Map Theme 2 (Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition/Pokémon Conquest [2011])

Not only is this one of the best “Eastern”-based compositions I’ve ever heard on the DS, but I can’t think of a better way to hype the player up for the very final battle. The constant melody is like your army marching towards the very last area, with full confidence.

Just when you think it’s going to end, it keeps going for about 26 more seconds with another emotional section that loops so well back into the beginning so well that it’s mind-blowing! Even if you don’t like this crossover, the music was well worth it, just listing 1 track from it isn’t enough for me to express that, let me tell ya!

(Length before loop: 1.5+ minutes)

LieN - Gentle Hands (.hack//G.U. Vol. 1//Rebirth [2006])

I know I won’t be able to play this game for a good few months at least, but hearing this song after originally hearing its shorter version in Project X Zone 2 impressed me even more than Stairs of Time from 19 days ago, which had just about the same personal history of discovery too!

Since I’m planning to play G.U. after the original saga, wanting to take in its story and other aspects, I don’t want to waste your time with an incomplete description that’d do the music a disservice. Instead, you should simply know that this is one of the most emotional themes I’ve ever heard in a video game, and I look forward to finding the respective context on my own!

(Length: 4+ minutes)

Struggle III (Radiata Stories [2005])

What do you think fighting enemies in concert halls should sound like? Dramatic orchestra? For me, I'd rather hear something clean and energetic like this

(Length before loop: Nearly 1.5 minutes)

Ice Valley [Phendrana Drifts]/Phendrana Deep Lake Area (Metroid Prime [2002])

This is Metroid’s big chance for a top favorite, and it doesn’t waste that opportunity! Set in the ice-themed locale of the planet Tallon IV, the 1st track of today’s double-feature, loves its Pianos, ambient sounds mixed with Reverb, and Strings to express peace, intrigue, and unfamiliarity together so fluently. As the track progresses, it gets more melancholy, helped by the Choirs that kick in around this point too, which I think is fair to interpret as a nod towards the Chozo race’s tragic past, which Samus is here to put an end to, whether she knows it or not.

The Deep Lake Area track is nearly just as good, in a more action-packed manner with a constant Techno Drum mixed in, since it’s set in areas filled with enemies to fight against; if you’re not into slow tracks, this one’s also got most of the same traits that made the original good!

I heard the Metroid Prime Remastered Switch release did well, so, while I’m only really interested in the 2D titles from a gameplay perspective as of this writing, it’s good to hear that the franchise has been doing notably well lately

(Length before loop [Ice Valley]: 3.5+ minutes, [Deep Lake Area]: 2.5+ minutes)

Kenshakou [Swordray/The Hole of Druaga] (Mr. DRILLER Drill Land [2002])

A top-favorite of mine that I consider nothing short of legendary. When Skeletonmanners (Discord, thank you by the way) reminded me of this track’s existence just a bit over a month before 2023 began, I knew I HAD to include it in the list!

The Violins are the main stars that can make just about anyone feel the desire to go out into a risky adventure, but we can’t forget the heroic Horns, acoustic Guitar, marching Drum rolls, and well-placed Piano rhythms! My favorite part has to be about 115 seconds into the track, it alone can stand as its own epic RPG title screen theme! Considering the in-universe park attraction’s Tower of Druaga theme-ing, there was no reason to even make a track this unique and long when they could’ve simply remastered source material music, but instead, we got this. May I call this high-level talent and dedication?

(Length: Nearly 5.5 minutes)

Fei Long Stage (Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers; “Super Street Fighter IV” Theme of Fei Long ~SSFIV Arrange~ version [2010])

I liked the heroic melody of the original, but it lasted too short, and felt like the Electric Guitar was getting in the way of it. With this version, the Electric Guitar is put further into the background, and only takes up the majority of attention around the looping part, allowing the other instruments to truly shine, especially in the context of a remaster with more sounds available. That calm section in the middle where it's almost a solo is my favorite part of this whole track! With all that in mind, I believe the extra long wait for Fei Long’s theme to get a followup after not having his own theme in the initial Street Fighter IV console release, was well worth it!

(Length before loop: 1.5+ minutes)

Fortress (Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters [1991])

Also in my backlog is this little Gameboy game not released in Japan until the 3DS EShop’s eventual rerelease (Which I got before it stopped accepting purchases). I don’t think I’ve seen a Gameboy track make long sounds like this before, let alone to great effect. It’s just really catchy and sinister at the same time; an endearing misfit duo not heard often in this list. That also makes it a fine atmosphere for Halloween scenario shenanigans, I wildly imagine

(Length before loop: Nearly 2 minutes)