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[Afro Republican]

(original music only) Video Game Music has evolved over the years, and has become one of the most important subject in the medium. From the catchy chip-tune to the booming arcades, to the CD's allowing us to hear those hard drum beats and violins for the first time, or at least more clearly. Video game music has even been placed for sale and many people put in effort to modernize old chip tune music with modern instruments.

My question is, which genre do you believe, through the history of video games has put out, consistently, the highest quality output? Which genre do you think best represents what the genre has to offer? (please list your opinion and tracks with a post below.

___________________________________________________________

In my personal opinion I would go with Racing/driving games. Racing games for some reason produce imo, the best music the industry has to offer. Please take a listen to the following examples and you may find that you also may agree with me that Racing games may have the best output. Below list is not in order except for the first one which is my favorite OST of all time currently:

Speed Punks (PSX):

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

L.A. Rush (PS2)(Only includes original tracks):

1.

2.

3.

Rave Racer (Arcade):

1.

2.

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqoCThlZX7M&list=PLryS3385ZWcRBnZQx5_Q58QyYZbJoro1e&index=15

Crash team Racing (PSX):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UN2AOZ2xzg&index=31&list=PL2FFEAF81AFD890B3

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CveutfesOqM&index=12&list=PL2FFEAF81AFD890B3

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKaovPOZro0&index=35&list=PL2FFEAF81AFD890B3

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgCqftQ1FW4&index=34&list=PL2FFEAF81AFD890B3

Crash Nitro Kart (PS2):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFwSQXyNFJk&list=PLm2Yr_AvxgtUuMxGFnFOw3yGxkp3bJ4R9&index=9

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3BBzK-SqFE&index=11&list=PLm2Yr_AvxgtUuMxGFnFOw3yGxkp3bJ4R9

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD-oURaZwCE&index=3&list=PLm2Yr_AvxgtUuMxGFnFOw3yGxkp3bJ4R9

Ridge Racer 4 (PSX):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBWKwbjj020&list=PL6PHQCxAqpJTLqJjrDXhr_rXx0ta5rv4M

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uisc9tp7DQ&index=3&list=PL6PHQCxAqpJTLqJjrDXhr_rXx0ta5rv4M

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFSxWVuqp50&list=PL6PHQCxAqpJTLqJjrDXhr_rXx0ta5rv4M&index=4

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC8UyYIfASk&index=19&list=PL6PHQCxAqpJTLqJjrDXhr_rXx0ta5rv4M

DayTona (Arcade):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuRSgZIPdtQ&list=PL4608A587586F1DDE

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrltm5LfUrQ&index=5&list=PL4608A587586F1DDE

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYRfBISyu9o&index=11&list=PL4608A587586F1DDE

OutRun (Arcade):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdSDIw8uTxo&list=PL-vD6rIjXrcJc7oMs-5gCmnJA7d3o24ak&index=3

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4IMKJ1r6sU&list=PL-vD6rIjXrcJc7oMs-5gCmnJA7d3o24ak&index=1

Ray Tracers (PSX):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIEwltUtUDo&list=PLc76ZXfCgGO9ULCebUlyRcuSwZaUMYNlZ

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuYANf2U-bw&index=4&list=PLc76ZXfCgGO9ULCebUlyRcuSwZaUMYNlZ

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7UQ9D2az5w&list=PLc76ZXfCgGO9ULCebUlyRcuSwZaUMYNlZ&index=3

Crash Nitro Kart (GBA):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNyJpDA4Q4g&index=16&list=PLl6W9BHSoDW7LBe4B7g_-WZSrWEr4TpXf

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LH5_Wmm3Fs&index=13&list=PLl6W9BHSoDW7LBe4B7g_-WZSrWEr4TpXf

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix5ZxrL5oV4&index=11&list=PLl6W9BHSoDW7LBe4B7g_-WZSrWEr4TpXf

F-Zero (SNES):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbE0GVVStQs&list=PLB0xooEkKbSa0bnwqGixlXc-fdmydOcAx

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dwjkb71zW4&index=11&list=PLB0xooEkKbSa0bnwqGixlXc-fdmydOcAx

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldbVyorSOok&list=PLB0xooEkKbSa0bnwqGixlXc-fdmydOcAx&index=15

Forza Motorsport 3 (Xbox 360):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVtJLCFa2Yo&index=33&list=PL568F84A985919F68

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4naKxkz0Qoo&list=PL568F84A985919F68&index=11

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtLikVwYo3k&index=6&list=PL568F84A985919F68

Mega Man Battle and Chase (PSX):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUjds0NO2JE&index=29&list=PL7A432A7635643B1F

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6sHprmrVZk&index=32&list=PL7A432A7635643B1F

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddz22JYNk3A&index=30&list=PL7A432A7635643B1F

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOq_EUpjIOs&index=34&list=PL7A432A7635643B1F

City Bomber (Arcade):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oqu7XNLtLrc&list=PLxL-EW45_ZNT4W1lF_TmGpsF636ewUXHU

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D2taKysI6w&list=PLxL-EW45_ZNT4W1lF_TmGpsF636ewUXHU&index=3

Atari Karts (Jag):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a3GJVBo0t4&list=PLiRSVNpKQ5EceHQ_bHcWenWppIG1xujX_&index=3

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKOWlpp_tW4&index=2&list=PLiRSVNpKQ5EceHQ_bHcWenWppIG1xujX_

Super Burnout (Jag):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FP_LCP-br0&index=2&list=PLPQbOU_K5tLmpivJDciUZQd6oJ9qHqqVH

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_Z3IH-Qadc&list=PLPQbOU_K5tLmpivJDciUZQd6oJ9qHqqVH&index=13

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FJb7fxgboY&index=8&list=PLPQbOU_K5tLmpivJDciUZQd6oJ9qHqqVH

California Speed (Arcade):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R6KWKokl6Q&list=PL7Vzokt6LOeoEKEV8UXxXKyCxyGjfY6V2

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqo5WPx5Zqw&index=5&list=PL7Vzokt6LOeoEKEV8UXxXKyCxyGjfY6V2

Super Chase (Arcade):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDPZAdBZk80&list=PL7y4p6GYsXe722w5R5Zv3KuxUnthDzzX3

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sfu6GxzeZHU&list=PL7y4p6GYsXe722w5R5Zv3KuxUnthDzzX3&index=3

World Tour Racing (Jag):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ll2eO99boc

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuVbfm_-5xE

Autobahn Tokio (3DO):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIX96fX4mtE

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujxKwPJE8IA

Mega Race (3DO):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecaY4Ebp9tc&list=PL6F9446A70251AFD4&index=1

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f-uyybtG_4&list=PL6F9446A70251AFD4&index=4

Checkered Flag (Lynx):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrf9oehGHXY

Sonic Drift (GG):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQovZ2MZDZg&t=0s&list=PL4E4C447917C26EF6&index=10

Accelerator (CD-i):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvhJgWUdoes

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbqCRVm6ZWA

3, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV0KEDQRKC4

Zero 4 Champ (TG16):

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCBHQA7D_5k&t=68s

 

[JohnnyFootball]

Whatever Michael McCann is scoring.

 

[LittleBusters]

Seems like RPG has consistently had amazing soundtracks. F.e., Nier Automata easily had the best OST of 2017.

 

[Athena~]

Love simulation and visual novels. Wonderful songs and music in all of them.

 

[LittleBusters]

There is an adventure game from 2014 'Lifeless Planet' with a really great orchestral-oriented OST.

 

[Z..]

Honestly? None in particular. I see great soundtracks coming from all genres all the time.

Seems like RPG has consistently had amazing soundtracks. F.e., Nier Automata easily had the best OST of 2017.

It was great, but far from "easily being the best of 2017". Let's not forget Sonic Mania and Persona 5 also released that year, along with a ton of other fantastic soundtracks. N:A was great, but so were plenty of others.

 

[Danjin44]

Honestly? None in particular. I see great soundtracks coming from all genres all the time.



It was great, but far from "easily being the best of 2017". Let's not forget Sonic Mania and Persona 5 also released that year, along with a ton of other fantastic soundtracks. N:A was great, but so were plenty of others.

Persona 5 also had fantastic soundtrack and don't forget we had Octopath that had amazing OST for this year.

 

[#Phonepunk#]

RPGs, because they know you are going to be sitting hearing these songs for hours, so they make them count. there is a lot of time where you are just traversing a landscape and not fighting, hours and hours spent hearing town and overworld themes. even in the new games (DQXI, Octopath) i am enjoying the soundtracks. for classic games like Final Fantasy VI, VII, and VIII it is some of my favorite music ever. i like when they go really prog rock, and many of the battle themes fit this description.

feel like other genres can afford to cheap out on music tbh. action games you have all those action sound effects of punching or shooting, you don't even really need music. puzzle games can use some good music but imo it's more of an exception than a rule (there aren't that many well known Tetris -style puzzle themes). FPS is all shooting, the music isn't that noticeable to me, even when i like it. i will listen to the 90s DOOM soundtrack (it's on my iPhone) but the new one, not really, despite it being good.

 

[DeleteriousObnoxious]

I have to say Racing genre does fit the bill pretty nicely, but i voted RPG's as well most specifically JRPG's just seems to have such a fundamental knowledge in what connects the brains patterns to musical emotions. however no denying Motorstorm, Wipeout, Rollcage licensing godlike state of track selection for there racing games.. heck even Burnout 3 did pretty well there despite EA. then there are all the nice customized ones like NFS 3 Hot Pursuit which had like different music style of the same racing track theme. Techno, Rock and Pop i think the choices were... overall it seems that racing genre does do a pretty well job on keeping you pumped through the racing. Driveclub was also great in this but i get that some people don't share the same love for EDM as i do so it will split people pretty badly there.

also this one:

 

[danielberg]

rpgs for me.. and its kinda not even close lol

 

[nkarafo]

Can't think of a single genre. But lately i like to listen to some older strategy OSTs from PCs:

- Dungeon Keeper
- Red Alert 1-2
- Starcraft
- Warcraft 2-3
- Disciples II

Also, it's been a long time since i loved a soundtrack that much. I feel like memorable music has taken a back seat for the sake of "realistic silence" or cinematic stock music. The last game i played with a soundtack that floored me was Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze...

 

[Danjin44]

Honestly? None in particular. I see great soundtracks coming from all genres all the time.



It was great, but far from "easily being the best of 2017". Let's not forget Sonic Mania and Persona 5 also released that year, along with a ton of other fantastic soundtracks. N:A was great, but so were plenty of others.

also dont forget about Xenoblade Chronicles 2. both base game and Torna the Golden Country had fantastic soundtrack.

 

[brian0057]

Platformers, easy.















Bonus material (because I love this so much):

 

[TacosNSalsa]

I wanna say fighting games but that feels like a cop out really...most of the time character themes are changed very little if it all from iteration to iteration .

That said Ryu and Kyo , 2 of my favorite characters , have had some of great ones that were completely different from one another..

 

[Afro Republican]

Rpgs are very popular in music I see.

Reminds me of Slayer for 3DO:

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Racing games seem consistently good as it keeps your heart pounding.

Not a genre, but a franchise. I haven't played every Castlevania game, but every one I've played has great tunes. Even though they recycle some songs into different ways, still sweet.

 

[Mr Hyde]

RPGs. It´s not even a contest.

 

[SlashBringingHasher]

asking a question like that when you know most of the internet communities are weebs. what result did you really expect?

 

[Mihos]

I don't see how you can argue against RPGs. There are even long running touring concerts around particular games. I missed out on a chance to go to Persona Super Live, but have been to Distant Worlds a few times.

Most the racing games I have played have just used licensed music.

 

[Afro Republican]

asking a question like that when you know most of the internet communities are weebs. what result did you really expect?

Well I was expecting SOME of them to check out the tunes in the OP but I suspected Rpgs would win though (though not as much) especially since I was originally planning to split it into W and J and decided not to so there may be some Wrpg fans voting Rpg as well.

 

[Afro Republican]

I don't see how you can argue against RPGs. There are even long running touring concerts around particular games. I missed out on a chance to go to Persona Super Live, but have been to Distant Worlds a few times.

Most the racing games I have played have just used licensed music.

To be fair that's more of a modern thing. Pre-2010 you still had a lot of original racing tracks including with lyrics, and very much so pre-2003. But these days racing has been falling a bit. Wrpgs and Jrpgs(that sell) seem to have some decent tracks.

 

[Mihos]

To be fair that's more of a modern thing. Pre-2010 you still had a lot of original racing tracks including with lyrics, and very much so pre-2003. But these days racing has been falling a bit. Wrpgs and Jrpgs(that sell) seem to have some decent tracks.

Yes, but from around the mid early to mid 90s there was a long period where you would have good quality music in the menus and intro, but an often tedious midi track that didn't eat up much resources during the race. Pretty much every early CD system had this problem, outside of a few standouts. Not what I would call 'consistently good' RPGs during the same era was exactly reversed, sketchy on the visuals, but original CD orchestration throughout, even if it was sometimes little repetitive.

 

[Afro Republican]

Yes, but from around the mid early to mid 90s there was a long period where you would have good quality music in the menus and intro, but an often tedious midi track that didn't eat up much resources during the race. Pretty much every early CD system had this problem, outside of a few standouts. Not what I would call 'consistently good' RPGs during the same era was exactly reversed, sketchy on the visuals, but original CD orchestration throughout, even if it was sometimes little repetitive.

Uh a lot of the games I posted in the OP were CD. I'm not sure what systems your talking about. PSX/3DO/JAGCD/SAT had plenty of great racing ost's. I only really see your problem with early PC CD racing games but even they got better around post 95. Considering your resource comment PC is likely what you were thinking of.

 

[Mihos]

Uh a lot of the games I posted in the OP were CD. I'm not sure what systems your talking about. PSX/3DO/JAGCD/SAT had plenty of great racing ost's. I only really see your problem with early PC CD racing games but even they got better around post 95. Considering your resource comment PC is likely what you were thinking of.

Since you brought up 3DO, look at Road Rash for an example of great menu and intro music, then a midi loop. The Need for Speed also. There is barely any music in it. Unless you going to try and say Crash and Burn had a memorable soundtrack

 

[Afro Republican]

Since you brought up 3DO, look at Road Rash for an example of great menu and intro music, then a midi loop. The Need for Speed also. There is barely any music in it. Unless you going to try and say Crash and Burn had a memorable soundtrack

Road rash had a licensed OST and NFS is(was) a SIM.

There are other racing games on the 3DO you know that right?

 

[Mihos]

Road rash had a licensed OST and NFS is(was) a SIM.

There are other racing games on the 3DO you know that right?

If BC racers or MegaRace's soundtrack is the hill you want to die on, then sure. I am still not voting for racing games, especially when looking for consistency.

 

[jshackles]

How could this be anything other than RPGs?

 

[Afro Republican]

If BC racers or MegaRace's soundtrack is the hill you want to die on, then sure. I am still not voting for racing games, especially when looking for consistency.

And there are still more racing games. 3DO has an around 400 game library. Almost all the lists online are incomplete except for one that uses and XLS spreadsheet chart.

And you didn't really disprove my point either. It's basically just PC you've seen this issue on. The other early CD systems don't seem to have this problem. But you can still choose a different genre if you want either way, polls a poll.

 

[Afro Republican]

Speaking of the poll, Someone voted other. Wonder what genre their thinking of.

 

[Fuz]

Seems like RPG has consistently had amazing soundtracks. F.e., Nier Automata easily had the best OST of 2017.

Automata is not an RPG, though.

 

[Danjin44]

Automata is not an RPG, though.

But it is, same way as Kingdom Hearts is. you pretty much can customize your character to do more critical hits and do more damage with weapon or projectiles. the game even have status elements can effect your visuals. Combat being fast pace doesn't make it less RPG.

 

[Fuz]

Aaaaand they're not. They're action games. Doesn't matter if they have statistics and (video)gamers are (wrongly) trained to associate statistics to RPGs.

 

[Danjin44]

Aaaaand they're not. They're action games. Doesn't matter if they have statistics and (video)gamers are (wrongly) trained to associate statistics to RPGs.

I guess you also do not consider Star Ocean and Tales series and RPG as well? And I guess Cyperpunk 2077 is a shooter and not RPG because it looks like shooter to me.

 

[Fuz]

Star Ocean and Tales series

Never played.

Cyperpunk 2077

Straw man.

 

[Afro Republican]

Aaaaand they're not. They're action games. Doesn't matter if they have statistics and (video)gamers are (wrongly) trained to associate statistics to RPGs.

This is pointless at this point though. TEHCNICALLY probably 85+% of Jrpgs and 20%+ of Wrpgs aren't rpgs, but if you were to say those games were rpgs most people would shrug but put it in the same category anyway. The definitions been screwed up to have a "real" rpg debate anymore.

Like did even 5 "technically" real rpgs even release in 2018?

 

[Danjin44]

Never played.

Those two series among well known ARPG they as fast pace as Automata and they even have combo count.

granblue fantasy - project re:link is also consider ARPG.

 

[SlashBringingHasher]

the definition of RPG is so outdated we need a change to it asap.

 

[Afro Republican]

the definition of RPG is so outdated we need a change to it asap.

Actually the problem has been we haven't kept the definition of rpgs. Issue is we KEEP changing it.

For example and here's a controversial one: How is Pokemon "technically" an rpg? Because it has numbers and levels ups? So did old adventure and strategy games. We started calling what USED to be years ago common cross-genre elements "rpg elements" over time because people don't know what RPGs are.

Remember when some Japanese devs and some NES american fans/journalists back in the day called any NES game with text boxes an rpg almost?

 

[Rhazer Fusion]

Most fighting games honestly have good to great soundtracks.

 

[Atanascovich]

For me is Survival Horror. games like Resident Evil and SH. They are actually the only OST that stay forever in my mind. Second is fighting games.

 

[SlashBringingHasher]

Those two series among well known ARPG they as fast pace as Automata and they even have combo count.

granblue fantasy - project re:link is also consider ARPG.

RPGs initially were meant for games that combat wasn't the main means of play but rather going around and solving problems and missions usually with other characters

I consider that and nier a character action game

 

[Danjin44]

RPGs initially were meant for games that combat wasn't the main means of play but rather going around and solving problems and missions usually with other characters

I consider that and nier a character action game

I guess with that logic, you also don't consider Dragon Quest XI as an RPG as well? Because in that game you solve most problem by fighting even tho the combat is not real time.

 

[Afro Republican]

The first 3 Dragon Quest games are more rpg than the rest of the franchise honestly.

I also think that hack,slash/beat em ups are starting to be erased as genres and are starting to fuse with Rpgs with these new classifications.

 

[petran79]

I would say adventure games. From 8-16bit era to PC CDROM revolution, they had some of the best output and variety, no matter the genre. From comedy to horror. Because their script was phenomenal and was for older audiences. Whereas it was difficult for other game genres to switch to one or another. Eg not many comedy FPS or horror racers.
Contrast this to the comedy of Lucasarts and the seriousness of Sierra (except Loom and Larry)

 

[Afro Republican]

I would say adventure games. From 8-16bit era to PC CDROM revolution, they had some of the best output and variety, no matter the genre. From comedy to horror. Because their script was phenomenal and was for older audiences. Whereas it was difficult for other game genres to switch to one or another. Eg not many comedy FPS or horror racers.
Contrast this to the comedy of Lucasarts and the seriousness of Sierra (except Loom and Larry)

Well i wouldn't call Kings Quest serious.

 

[petran79]

Never played a single game of KQ unfortunately so it slipped!

Also worth noticing that many adventure games had the best voice acting, at a time when consoles had Resident Evil 1 dubs.

 

[Spukc]

Sonic

 

[SlashBringingHasher]

I guess with that logic, you also don't consider Dragon Quest XI as an RPG as well? Because in that game you solve most problem by fighting even tho the combat is not real time.

non real time combat does not make a character action game. DQ is squad based and has a lot more exploration and fetch questing and classic rpg elements

 

[Danjin44]

non real time combat does not make a character action game. DQ is squad based and has a lot more exploration and fetch questing and classic rpg elements

Nier Automata also has lots of side quests and exploration. by exploring you will find weapons and Pod programs that cant buy in game's store and even find two extra Pod itselves. Also I'm guessing "squad based" you mean party members, and there lot of RPGs out there that has no party system like Fallout and Witcher. In Nier Automata you have either 9S or 2B coming with you in battle.

 

[Dr. Claus]

Consistently? RPGs have always had killer soundtracks, more so than most other genres. Though I would also add Kirby games as, for some reason, they have some of the most killer final boss themes out of almost all games.