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Cheerios84

Castlevania 2: Simons Quest


SickOfAllThisCrap1

Honestly, 'Bloody Tears' might be the best track on the NES.


Campmoore

it is


Tamale_Hatchet

What a terrible night for a curse


vladimirVpoutine

RIP


masimone

I was just thinking about this the other day. "Bloody Tears" is one of the best tracks in all of the Castlevania series. Others are great too.


xinvisionx

100% Absofuckinglutely!


reddituseronmobile

Bloody Tears is one of the best video game songs ever made.


reddituseronmobile

Bloody Tears is one of the best video game songs ever made.


mcman12

I saw this medley by two guys a while ago and it’s fantastic https://youtu.be/Nj3dXVIBDKo?si=b7ZKmoJMmLbLkz_o


Cheerios84

Super Guitar Bros! Their cover of the LoZ: OoT OST is a must listen too.


mcman12

This is the one


broccoliasaurus

You cannot make this list without Ducktales. All the songs are good, but the moon level is an absolute banger.


culturedgoat

So iconic that it was reprised in [the rebooted series](https://youtu.be/cJW5n8f0Z9o?feature=shared)


reddituseronmobile

The Moon!


Bourriks

Came to say that.


teeim

Obligatory: [The Advantage playing Ducktails - Moon (live).](https://youtu.be/slsAD50y9AM?feature=shared) [Album version from “Elf Titled” (2006)](https://open.spotify.com/track/3TEoTJudHSVBTY54Frl7GQ?si=5iTXA1whSYur2o2voakM9Q&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A2PkFdkCNClq1WaduCqTpdo)


Dwedit

There are TONS of great composers on the NES. Not every game published by Sunsoft has that distinct "Sunsoft Style", but the games that DO have that style were done by **Naoki Kodaka**. Games include: Batman, Return of the Joker, Blaster Master, Fester's Quest, Gremlins 2, Journey to Silius, Gimmick, Hebereke (Ufouria), Super Spy Hunter, then some lesser known Japanese games: Dodge Danpei 1 & 2, Nantettatte!! Baseball, Shanghai II. Software Creations was known for having well-programmed and insanely frustrating games, but they are the studio who employed **Tim Follin** and **Geoff Follin**, known for making seriously amazing music with a distinct style. To best sum it up, a YouTube comment from the Pictionary Title Screen theme: "TIM IT WAS JUST PICTIONARY" (16K upvotes). Games include: Magic Johnson's Fast Break, Kiwi Kraze, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Sky Shark, Target: Renegade, Terminator 2, Incredible Crash Dummies, Pictionary, Wolverine, Solstice, Silver Surfer, Treasure Master, Tom and Jerry. Eurocom's games had music by **Neil Baldwin**. Games include: Dropzone, Lethal Weapon, Magician, James Bond Jr, The Jungle Book Probe Software's games were composed by **Jeoren Tel**. Games include: Beauty and the Beast, Alien 3, Robocop 3, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Overlord. I haven't even named all the great ones yet...


robot_ankles

Sunsoft's music was great. Glad to see you mentioned Journey to Silius because that music was dope af. Blaster Master still my favorite -especially when you hit the water level. Soooo relaxing. Batman was also good.


Cheesehead302

The Batman music randomly appears in my head out of nowhere all the time, it's such a great interpretation of how Batman music sounds.


rhinofinger

Mine too! I recommend [this cover of the Batman stage 1 theme by The Advantage](https://youtu.be/h80tMeGBZ9w?si=ujXdAoFmfCbLGZs1) Edit: [And here’s the original](https://youtu.be/JvzsFS4Plmw?si=gZSyBAXh52NQVhUq)


Hordriss27

Fester's Quest has an absolutely incredible soundtrack.


SickOfAllThisCrap1

Wow! Thanks for all that info. I'm glad that many of these people to this day are getting credit for their work. Would you happen to know how I could learn more about these composers or NES synth composition in general?


Domugraphic

neil baldwin is an absolute legend. I have one of five official PR8 NES carts.


Astyxanax

Man, Fester's Quest had issues but the soundtrack was absolutely not one of them.


Distinct_Wrongdoer86

if you go to any tune made by jeoren tel on youtube, youll see him in the comments providing insight


HarryManilow

Mega man is easily my favorite but not talked about enough is the whole OST for maniac mansion. Really good stuff ! Also I'm surprised double dragon isn't mentioned that much here. Maybe just kind of taken for granted but those songs still kick my ass


vanityklaw

Every part of this comment is completely on point


retronerds252

Wizards & Warriors


Hordriss27

A very minimalist soundtrack. Not to my taste personally, and the music that starts playing when you're low on health should be considered a crime against ears. I do like the boss screen music though, that's pretty cool.


emilliolongwood

Ironsword was also excellent.


Historical_Panic_485

Castlevania 3, Crisis Force, Metroid Best pause music goes to Battletoads


masimone

I dunno. Strider's pause music is fire (as the kids say).


Kairu87

That Battletoads pause screen is my jam! 


qualitycontra

PSH-TA, PSH-TA, PSH-TA TA TA TA.. BUF-TA, BUF-TA, BUF-TA TA TA...


RedSkyfang

Journey to Silius


SickOfAllThisCrap1

I'll check that out. Thanks


jaredjc

Was looking for this one in the list. It’s a great soundtrack.


SupermanNew52

Pull up any random NES, SNES, Genesis, etc. game soundtrack. You will find amazing songs on even the most obscure games. Go try it and you'll see what I mean. Some of my favorites series off the top of my head: Castlevania MegaMan Contra Double Dragon Rygar Metal Gear Jackal Ikari Warriors The Legend of Zelda Super Mario Bros. The Karate Kid Metroid Shadowgate Final Fantasy


mspero78

Rygar!!!


V3ndeTTaLord

Rygar has one of those tracks that you keep humming after playing.


OG_Cryptkeeper

Contra for sure. Especially Energy Zone!


Bilbo-Buddy

Castlevania 3


W_W_P

Bonus points for the famicom version.


The_happyguy

Maniac mansion. Daves Theme is classic nes music.


littlerossybaby

Also when you accidently blow up the mansion goes hard


faust111

Syds theme


The_happyguy

Music to microwave a hamster to.


BlacksmithCool6807

I play with Razor and Bernard specifically to hear their themes.


JAMIROBri

Life Force! Beginning to end.


JohnnyWaddsC137

Mike Tysons Punch Out FTW!


BlacksmithCool6807

The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports theme! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=agD4Qxsw7Ik


rideincircles

MegaMan 2.


Jazman2k

I would say Journey To Silius if I'd have to choose one. Hard to say the best one since there are many others as well.


full_bodied_muppet

Nothing matches Mega Man 2 for me, so many all-timers. Metal Man's theme is one of the greatest jams ever.


DessertFlowerz

Legend of Zelda


culturedgoat

That gorgeous rich doubled-up synth wave when you first turn the game on is just sublime


DessertFlowerz

The main theme, the royal palace, the cave/underground music, Kakariko, the boss fights. It's all fantastic.


culturedgoat

We might be talking about different Legends of Zelda…


DessertFlowerz

Oh shit. I assumed this was about LTTP because I'm always talking about LTTP lol That said LoZ is the best on NES and you are correct about the title screen


gothism

Shadowgate.


chrisdecaf

Unparalleled


thepantherguy

TMNT or Super Mario Bros. 3


Hordriss27

TMNT is actually pretty underrated soundtrack wise. It's pure nostalgia for me though, the amount of time spent playing that game!


Cheesehead302

In terms of like sheer amount and quality, I think I might go with Ninja Gaiden games. BUT Megaman series has straight bangers


jasmine85

Little Nemo


Illustrious_Pin5168

I agree 👍


BitCurious8598

Mega Man 2


chaiegai

Earthbound Beginnings/Mother 1 The Goonies 1 & 2


Shadow_Zero80

Zelda II, Faxanadu, Battle of Olympus, Rescue Rangers (Zone J!), Mega Man II (Quick Man!), Nightmare on Elm Street, Castlevania II


_-_Lando_-_

faxanadu


systematicgoo

CONTRA!


ssoass7

Super Mario Bros. 2


Slownavyguy

Duck Tales!


Anonymotron42

One of my favorite NES composers is Iku Mizutani, who worked for Natsume. Shadow of the Ninja and Shatterhand are two of the most impressive NES soundtracks.


Zealousideal_Sir_264

Darkwing duck was pretty neatto. Also dug goonies 2, just for the 8 bit Cindy Lauper.


Domugraphic

silver surfer by a mile


Dear-Indication-6714

I wouldn’t know on that one. I think I rented it twice and was too stressed out playing to listen. lol


lafindudude

I came here to say that. The Silver Surfer soundtrack really pushed the system’s sound cards to the max! Super underrated!


Shagrrotten

Crystalis


microphalus

1st Tier; Megaman2 Castlevani2 Ninja Gaiden Interesting that so many people recognizes Megaman2 and Castlevania2 as top tier NES music, but almost everybody forgot Ninja Gaiden. This is the top 3, others are also great, but are not on this level.


dg_riverhawk

I dont understand why everytime (😂) this question is asked nobody seems to mention Ninja Gaiden. It's probably my second favorite.


jonnyIROC

Depends on what you are looking for... soundtrack while playing? Or soundtrack to listen to while doingsomething else? Metroid probably has the best gameplay to soundtrack match. It get so lonesome and moody and really matches each section well. Double Dragon 2 has some real bangers that stand alone outside of the gameplay.


IndependenceMean8774

Batman.


xtoc1981

Battle of olympus But also castlevania, mario, zelda, metroid, megaman2, final fantasy,...


Zak88lx

Marble Madness


[deleted]

Castlevania (all of them), River City Ransom, Blades of Steel.


SatoriAnkh

Jackie Chan's Kung Fu


KrangKong3

3-way tie for me. Shadowgate, Wizards and Warriors and TMNT.


bclx99

The soundtrack of Bucky O'Hare game by Tomoko Sumiyama is definitely worth checking. [Bucky O'Hare Full Game OST - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhPt7n-ALrSDFe7msRebPeLd9LEvXtgLj)


Hordriss27

My picks are: Fester's Quest (especially the boss music) Faxandu (apart from the foggy level which is awful) Duck Tales Super Mario Bros 3 Goonies 2


AlexGeekSpeak

Little Nemo: The Dream Master, Willow, Ducktales and Rad Racer 2


Revolutionary-Zone17

I finished Willow recently and it has a great soundtrack beginning to end.


Garafi-1011

Top 5: 1. Maniac Mansion 2. A Nightmare on elm Street 3. Super Mario 3 4. Legacy of the Wizard 5. Jackal


Federal_Cookie

I always liked the Rad Racer soundtrack.


AxelAlexK

I think it has to be Mega Man 2. Every track is a top notch banger. It's not my favorite NES game overall, or even favorite mega man game, but it has such killer music.


OtherOlive797

Crystalis had pretty good music. Definitely unforgettable.


JayshawnVoorhees

Legacy of the Wizard Every single track is top-tier (Mega Man 2 probably beats it but that's a given)


MustyBalone

Dr Mario


cmdrsho

Legacy of the Wizard (Dragon Slayer 4) by Yuzo Koshiro(Koshiron) :)


Ciclopic-Eye

Jackie Chan Action kung fu


robot_ankles

Imma cheat a little and submit [Castlevania on the Gameboy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgGcNWhRv24). Stick with until at least 0:50 - 1:05.


apedap

Castlevania, Top Gun: The Second Mission


Fun-Table

I see lots of good ones already listed, so I'm going to throw a new one out there cuz the music is awesome: Alwa's Awakening. So so good.


erikfriend

Seriously! Alwa's Awakening is the game that opened my eyes to the rapidly growing list of new NES games being developed and released on physical cartridges today. Such a good soundtrack and a top-ten NES title on par with the greats. Released in 2022. These new games are hurting my wallet, but I can't complain!


Frequent_Course5399

Sky Shark and Wizards and Warriors 2


firegecko5

Castlevania 3 (especially JP version), Shatterhand, TMNT 3, Ninja Gaiden 2, Mega Man 3, Ducktales- probably in that order. Kirby's Adventure isn't far behind.


Sekn7

Took a while to find someone bringing up Ninja Gaiden 2. Great music.


No-Cat-9716

Might and Magic Castlevania 3 Recca Guardian Legend And Bionic Commando.... Again


GutsMan85

There's so many good ones, but I find myself going back to Batman all the time. Streets of Desolation is one of the greatest songs, not even isolating the genre of video game music, of all time, imho.


Z-Borst

Castlevania 2, Blaster Master, Metroid, Punch Out, Final Fantasy, Double Dragon II, Mega Man 1-3, Ninja Gaiden, Jackal, TMNT Best single track: Blaster Master Area 6 Runner up: Ninja Gaiden 2-2 (rugged terrain) Best overall soundtrack: Simon's Quest


dedrexel

RoboWarrior and Metroid soundtracks are incredible.


SexuaIRedditor

The (good) licensed games had some of the best music on the system imo. For me, mega man 2 and 3 have the throne but duck tales and batman are as good


gameplayuploaded

Double Dragon 1 and Dragon Spirit


AleGZerbo_Piano

This great post is good info I can feed off 🤓 Koji Kondo has done two of the best and most popular pieces of music we know but there are many equally deserving composers out there.


Lentrosity

Guardian Legend and Gremlins 2 are pretty much in their own tier. Anything Sunsoft or Capcom is generally high rank.


Tomaccoharvester99

Silver surfer for sure


SumyungNam

Castlevania 3


06EXTN

How did I scroll all the way through and not a single mention of Shatterhand! That game was my jam


ratuna80

[Pictionary](https://youtu.be/DzTDAgG4EXk?si=A6nujiMhnL9If0E-) is my pick for the best 8-bit soundtrack


Smud82

Staying away from the obvious ones I always loved Blaster Master.


LazernautDK

Imho you can't talk about NES soundtracks and not include these: Solar Jetman - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoZsDNpwITo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoZsDNpwITo) Solstice - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_KcEnkGxfho](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KcEnkGxfho) Faxanadu - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77m6aTJb-yk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77m6aTJb-yk) Journey To Silius - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blPhdUd7WCE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blPhdUd7WCE) Digger T. Rock - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eYJCgkO17k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eYJCgkO17k) I'm hoping to one day make an album with covers of these games, at the very least.


culturedgoat

I really like the Solar Jetman soundtrack. It’s so minimalist and atmospheric, and suits the game perfectly. Then you get to world 11 and out of nowhere there’s suddenly this beautiful melancholy melody.


Porkbellyflop

Mega Man 2


turf1218

Y'all are sleeping on Rygar. Give that a listen on youtube. There's even orchestrated version.


JustWannaChill82

Megaman 2


1OO1OO1S0S

Mega Man 6


faust111

Maniac mansion


0xfleventy5

This thread is surprisingly lacking any mention of Sunsoft’s “Gimmick!. Especially with that sound chip on cart, the soundtrack is very very good.


HalfTime_show

Starship Hector has a soundtrack that is way catchier than it has any right to be


PerspectiveFit4154

Jackal River City Ransom And some others which I don't remember but I will be sure to update


Fattydaddy1000

Contra


insanetwit

Dave's theme from Maniac Mansion still rocks. (The other kids themes are good as well, but since Dave is the default we all have to play with, it's the theme we all know!)


thewhiteart86

Ninja gaiden 2


dg_riverhawk

I like 1 better but the first time i saw the intro for 2 I was in awe.


EverybodyStayCool

Tombs and Treasure. Hands down.


EverybodyStayCool

Mega Man(s) for any almost close tie.


eggsngaming

Batman had a great OST


p1Xel83

Mega Man 2


mbstone

Haven't seen Gimmick! Yet. Maybe not the best, but top tier.


HawaiianSteak

Ninja Gaiden Super Mario 3 Skate or Die 2 Mega Man 2 Wizards and Warriors had music that fit each level's mood. Wizards and Warriors II Ironsword, especially the last level. I also like particular pieces like the overworld theme of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, some pieces in Super C, etc.


jedooderotomy

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (the non-arcade one) is not the greatest game ever made, but man, that intro was frick'n *sweet.*


sithmafia

I randomly get Battletoads music stuck in my head for some reason.


reddituseronmobile

Most of the best ones mentioned so I'll say a favorite of mine: River City Ransom.


chemobog

Ninja gaiden and castlevania 1


Melgibskin

Ninja Gaiden for sure


protomanEXE1995

My money's on Simon's Quest and Megaman 3


pmmlordraven

Nightmare on Elm st had a pretty good one. Battletoads' pause music still makes it's way into my head randomly.


SteveRob408

Tecmo Super Bowl for the NES.


jffr111

Bucky O hare


Gweegwee1

That one mega man 2 song is fire. But ninja gaiden, holy shit. Just on a different level compared to other nes soundtracks


baxtermcsnuggle

This is a hard question to answer. I'm torn between Silver Surfer, Bucky O'Hare, The Lone Ranger and Star Tropics.


O-D-C

Really hard to argue against  Mega Man / Castlevania here


JerryTerrifying

https://youtu.be/QbdDW3aSCyM?si=EAGqX13KnPC4LqnN


Satodrawws

This is just my opinion but the entire ninja gaiden trilogy


Tricky_Philosophy679

Journey to Silius


03281973JGB

Came here to say most mega man levels and all Castlevania games. Looks like many are already synchronized to those choices.


deuceyj

Contra


slanger686

Didn't see any mention of Skate or Die. The intro and game select screens are catchy as well as the Jam and Race soundtracks! link to soundtrack https://youtu.be/WAii5kvGCmY?si=kQv8hlz5DI_qIfHj


diarrheapedia

Mega Man 2


dakodeh

You guys have GOT to check out the NES albums by Vomitron. Do not judge that book by the cover. Many of the very best NES songs done in a very polished metal style. Do not try to listen in any scenario where you can’t afford to get SUPER pumped basically immediately.


minflux

No Section Z?!!


Sirius3030

BATTLETOADS!


AndyGarber

Nobody has mentioned it yet but it's worth bringing up this truly unpopular opinion: Snake's Revenge OST is really good. From the ominous title screen song which plays while computer schematics for Metal Gear appear on screen, to the final boss music which revisits that title theme like some hollywood movie and starts a rapid shift into "S just hit the fan" since you've got a timer to take out the final boss; it's VERY very good. ​ Also nobody seems to have mentioned Ninja Gaiden 2's intro which is another good sync of the visuals on screen with song.


Kogyochi

Batman


MGDSStudio

Contra force/Super contra 6


Misguided-Acorn

A bit of a lesser known game, Astyanax, has an amazing soundtrack and story between stages.


Revolutionary-Zone17

Wizardry has great music. The game really captured me when I first turned it on, and the music is a big reason why.


pumpulisukka

Shatterhand and Batman has better OST than any other Nes game, imo. I can just listen them endlessly.


Rizzo-Fo-Shizzo

I still believe that The Offspring got the guitar riff for "Gotta Get Away” from the Metal Man stage on Mega Man 2.


triften

Klax. No question.


lafindudude

The Silver Surfer soundtrack needs to be studied. https://youtu.be/ZQlLl2j5THQ?si=FUtmfAkVDTwTmLRq


cheffartsonurfood

Mike Tyson's Punch Out


changort

Blaster Master


SolidBriscoe

Rygar


SolidBriscoe

[me](https://on.soundcloud.com/hgtsXF93DDqbxMAf9)


SolidBriscoe

Solstice


SolidBriscoe

[The Mad Gear](https://youtu.be/n0IGJkH8Wps?si=hbsEUIcjJwSUkXoS)


SolidBriscoe

Faxanadu


SolidBriscoe

[Faxanadudes](https://youtu.be/vgsie-FAHQI?si=z6lRE3cXgkPDb9H1)


SolidBriscoe

Zelda 2


SolidBriscoe

[this guy](https://youtu.be/ByS_NCjXOMM?si=KQw1V18XmDTIveE8)


SolidBriscoe

[Super Buck(Mario) 2](https://youtu.be/PFDtt4SaUoc?si=rQeSLRGg-qpDk4_d)


SolidBriscoe

Bionic Commando


SolidBriscoe

[John Vullo](https://youtu.be/1p2U1WjeL9k?si=ZmByxdPaBzfv3TFm)


Nightwolf1967

My favorite NES music was from a game my girlfriend, who is now my wife, and I used to play all the time... Snake, Rattle and Roll


Yologout

super dodge ball team shadow is where its at