Board 8 > Ranking 200 User-nominated Final Boss Themes

(+) Yeah! (+)

125. Heart of Chaos
Final Fantasy XIII-2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFPADuQpwJE
@GavsEvans123 (4/5)

Probably a bit over-ranked upon re-inspection but TOO LATE. I do enjoy this one well enough compared to many similar tracks that have fallen out already. I think the choir actually adds a bit of substance here, and the intro with those drums and horns just rules.

124. The Azure Arbitrator
Legend of Heroes: Ao no Kiseki
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8CmfRgxvVQ
@MacArrowny (3/5)

Just some classic Falcom rocking out with the cocking out. Its not quite as good as some of the LEGENDARY songs like Sunshine Coastline or To Make the End of Battle, but its pretty fun despite the lame introduction. Recently I went through a bunch of gaming franchises to illegally download songs to my phone so that I could listen to them uninhibited by Youtube restrictions, and wow, Ys games sure are a lot better in the music department arent they? Like, its not even really close.

123. An Earnest Desire of Grey
Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdr-usgDcDs
@Lord_Bob_Bree (3/5)

This was nominated as a song for the original RH, but this mix doesnt sound like a DS song, and the upload uses the remaster, so Im just gonna change that distinction because it could be somewhat important. Maybe if someone with taste were ranking there would be a need for distinction, but I dont have that and think this is kinda boring. One of those, gets the job done type tracks. Would a lower fidelity version have done better or worse? Maybe.

122. vs. Marx
Kirby Super Star
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnfL3tzFx1Y
WhiteLens (4/4)

Man, Kirby games have a lot of great music. I feel like it never gets talked about on the level of other classic gaming soundtracks, but its generally usually better than most of Nintendo's fare. Unfortunately, this particular theme is lower on the totem pole in my eyes. Stinks, because it is immediately followed by a phenomenal credits theme. Anyway, this lacks a lot of the creativity found in some later themes like Zero-Two or any of the others which got nominated, as well as the energy and fun found in those same songs. List spoilers I like them way better. This is pretty average and not on the level of Kirbys usual best.

121. Twilight of the Gods
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3msSeE7VtM
@andylt (2/5)

Fire Emblem music rarely does it for me. I feel the franchise has a tendency to rely on bombastic energy and thats rarely my thing without some catchy hook. That hook isnt really here, though each movement sounds pretty nice on it's own. As a whole? Not really getting much. The piano 53 seconds in is the best part, but, it doesn't last long, which makes me SAD.

as somebody who just listened through every ys soundtrack in order to make a bracket of the best songs, it's btfoed by trails hard

I only played p3 but that is some good songs

120. Blighted Lord
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90P_6Ha0mXQ
@Simoun (3/5)

Link provided was dead by the time I got to it. I think this is the correct song but I may be wrong. If Id have finished Ender Lilies I wouldve known, but that game sure was boring. This song isnt all that boring though, just a little boring. I particularly like how heavy the percussion is at times. I would like it more if it were heavy ALL THE TIME, but cant complain too much I guess.

119. Katrinas Sacrifice
Quest for Glory: Shadows of Darkness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmRBG-9Uto4
@azuarc (3/5)

What is this Mega Man X-ass song? Not saying that as an insult, its just taken me aback because I dont associate this type of music with what I know about Quest for Glory. Also Shadows of Darkness is a dumb and redundant subtitle. The song itself is alright. Certainly not what I expected, but I dont really have any thoughts on it beyond being surprised it sounds like it does. Its decent but not much else.

118. Battle -Oni-
Oninaki
https://soundcloud.com/videogamescores/47-battle-oni
@Player_0 (4/5)

Somewhat standard fare. Its got some nice melodies and uses its instrumentation in interesting ways, especially the flute. That thing rules and I think Id like it less if it were more present in every part of the song. Its a bit too busy most of the time, which keeps it from having anything about it that stands out, but its a solid listen.

117. After Despair and Hope
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG_AYk4Fa38
@HanOfTheNekos (1/1)

This song is a bit frustrating. There are bits that are really fucking cool, but then it just never builds on those, electing to instead drone on with its operatic vocals and shitty guitars, almost like its refusing to allow the melodic swell of violins to have any legitimate value to the situation. Why the fuck would you waste such a good melody on whatever the hell this is? What exactly is trying to be accomplished? Let the piano part remain its own thing and work around it, rather than having these awkward transitions into substantially worse zones of quality. Like, the gap in strength on display is fucking absurd. Like two people were working on the song and only one of them knew it was a boss theme. Sorry, this was quite negative for this point in the list, theres just a lot of really engaging ideas that flare out far too quickly.

116. Battle with Mewtwo
Pokemon Stadium
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saJx-F7SmqY
@-hotdogturtle-- (2/4)

It does some fun stuff with that MIDI keyboard and guitar but its not a particular engaging melody to latch onto. Its more fun parts would also be a lot better if this wasnt made for the Nintendo 64. Unfortunate reality is N64 music just needs some specific types of melodies to shine and this aint one of them.

tazzyboyishere posted...

120. Blighted Lord
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90P_6Ha0mXQ
@Simoun (3/5)

Link provided was dead by the time I got to it. I think this is the correct song but I may be wrong. If Id have finished Ender Lilies I wouldve known, but that game sure was boring. This song isnt all that boring though, just a little boring. I particularly like how heavy the percussion is at times. I would like it more if it were heavy ALL THE TIME, but cant complain too much I guess.

Can confirm this is final boss music. It does have two phases, but the one that might also be referred to as Blighted Lord is this one. (The other is more of a music box.)

Imagine calling Ender Lilies boring, though. I just watched a dude who calls himself a metroidvania guru rank his top ten and he put Ender Lilies at #1. (I was a little surprised, too, but I wouldn't fight him on it.) The story is maybe boring, and the art is heavily centered around grays, but the game itself is really good.

azuarc posted...

I just watched a dude who calls himself a metroidvania guru rank his top ten and he put Ender Lilies at #1.

Haha, I didn't give it much of a chance, but it wasn't engaging me after about an hour or so.

115. Bowser, King of the Koopas
Paper Mario
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uae554l3pE
@xx521xx (5/5)

The guitar and organ dont really mesh well with the otherwise subdued driving melody. I kinda wish theyd have gone in different directions there, because the sinister drums and that initial, uh, horn thing? are really cool. Its a good song, but weird choices were made that kill my vibing with it.

114. Battle Theme 3
Destiny of an Emperor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGAN5JjQBtA
@FLOUR (3/5)

Not bad. I like the shriller bit that comes in after the first verse. Its not very catchy otherwise, which is unfortunate since I like that part a lot. It does have a pretty unique sound all things considered, but it doesnt do enough for me.

113. Sigma 2nd (Hell Sigma)
Mega Man X6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqQuyqES_RM
@MXCM (3/3)

Unfortunately not a very exciting song. Shame, classic Mega Man games usually have great final boss themes, but I dont know that Id say any MMX game has a memorable one. It's a fun guitar song, which is almost always a good time, and I'd say yeah, this is a good time, but good times can only go so far I think I guess maybe?

112. Final Boss
Sonic Battle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56zT5Tlnh0g
@xx521xx (4/5)

I really like the sound of the GBA, and when music is able to capitalize on the inherent disadvantages, it can create genuinely compelling songs. This is, unfortunately, not a great showcase of that. It has flashes of some really cool ideas, like when the booming guitar and sharper guitar are alternating, but ultimately it is trying to do way too much elsewhere. It doesnt really build on the harshness in clever ways, it merely adds pieces together, which would probably sound good with more advanced tech, but just feel washed out in this particular song. I do think it sounds solid, and, like every GBA game, it probably sounds a lot better through a GBA speaker, but I cant say this feels all too impressive given some of the more clever ideas on display.

111. -{EDGE OF THE FUTURE}
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWuuA0lSTRA
@TheArkOfTurus (3/5)

13 Sentinels didnt stick with me in the same way it seemed to stick with a majority of people. I thought the story was fun but the gameplay kinda sucked, and the strange setup of having them separated from each other hurt my simple brain. So I dont honestly remember what the final boss felt like, much less what it sounded like. I couldve sworn it was -[DEOXYRIBOSE]-, which is one of the GOATs, but apparently no, its this much less interesting track. Its still solid, but doesnt do anything particularly exciting beyond having a similar uniqueness to the better songs in the phenomenal soundtrack. That instrument that sounds like a stuttering, broken computer sounds cool as fuck in every song.

Only 2 users left with 5/5

tazzyboyishere posted...

My hot take is that Persona 5 had a weak soundtrack. Like, most of it is fine, but it was being put on a pretty high pedestal upon it's release, and I think it's weaker than 4, and significantly weaker than 3.

Yeah, totally agreed.
IIRC I only nominated this one since the final boss themes from P3/P4 had already been nominated.

tazzyboyishere posted...

Only 2 users left with 5/5

I can't believe you disliked BG2's final boss theme so much compared to some of these.

5 is my least favorite out of the Persona 3/4/5 soundtracks but I still think it's pretty reasonably solid.

me last week: "oh cool i can check back in like a week and read writeups on all my stuff in the bottom tiers"
me now: "oh all my songs are alive"

did not see that one coming

110. Last Stand
Senko no Ronde: Carpe Diem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zevFQyQNRA
@NFUN (4/5)

This sounds more like a beach level than a final boss theme. Its alright I suppose. I liked where I thought the intro was taking me more than the end result, but thats just the nature of assuming I suppose. The saxophone kicking in halfway through was super neat and I appreciate that.

109. Hand of God
Neon White
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpkWA2r7TDU
@MacArrowny (2/5)

I never really noticed the music in Neon White. Usually thats not a bad sign, since it means its done the job it needed to do, providing the necessary atmosphere to complete the whole of the game, without getting in the way. This song in particular opts far more for a methodical atmosphere, which is probably the correct choice, given how the boss fight plays out. But listening to it on its own is challenging for me to engage. I typically like breakbeat, but have always struggled to engage the heavier, more sinister hardcore type productions. But yeah, this sounds solid, just aint my thing. If you like hardcore breaks, you should check out Golden Boys I Never Meant for This to Happen. Great album.

108. The Prophet
Enderal: Forgotten Stories
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88DxouIKUyo
@Simoun (2/5)

One of those songs where it feels like Im constantly being teased for something greater, only for it to end before getting to where it should have gone.There are two points in the song where I expected it to go into something much broader. The first time it launched back into subtlety and the second time it was over. Its extra disappointing because I like the swelling melody, it just doesnt pop that boil.

107. The Star Graal
The Legend of Legacy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G3QLuvCFbA
@NFUN (3/5)

Not gonna lie, I was ready to dismiss this as dull, but it gets pretty cool later on. I like how all the pieces begin to crush together, though Im taken out of it by the transition to a more mellow tone. Still, parts of this are quite good, just wish it was consistent with that power.

106. Accelerator
Acceleration of Suguri 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg5uhax3OMs
@Player_0 (3/5)

Not gonna beat around the bush, this vocalist blows. Sounds like shes having an allergic reaction but was also just woken up from an 80-minute nap. Certifying this person as a bad singer because that is definitely my job and what I critique best. Anyway, the AoS songs Ive heard are pretty good for the most part. Deku seems to excel at creating these warm synth melodies that just make me feel happy. I just wish the singer wasnt here, because this is quite good otherwise. Like, at least a tier higher, maybe two. Ow well.

I will not lie OR beat around the bush people

damn haste is gonna take those hard

Damn, almost toast already. Knew I should've nominated A to Z instead of Hand of God...

I love Neon White's OST in general, though I'd consider HoG one of its weaker tracks.

105. Sayonara -Kami Musubi-
Blue Reflection
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiA938h4H8g
@Player_0 (2/5)

Another one of those songs I want to say was snuck past me and isnt actually a final boss theme. I mean, if it is, its probably a bad fight. But this is a nice song. Its very pretty, and I love the constant piano loop. It never really does anything, so it loses it's luster quite quickly.

104. One-Winged Angel
Final Fantasy VII
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzQE_7mn8ts
@Anagram (4/5)

I noted in the VGMC champion rankings (fucking ages ago) that this era of FF music is plagued by the technology available to work with. Those farting MIDI trumpets have not aged well. In fact, they never sounded good, you were just fooled by Uematsu being a pretty good composer (Thats the actual hot take here). Regardless of how corny this song sounds all the time, the segment at 3:20 is glorious. Anyway, this song pretty aptly proves my take since basically any official version of this song using real instruments is actually a banger. I saw an orchestra perform it live recently and it slapped. That doesnt really apply to the original, and thats quite unfortunate.

103. Dramatic Devil Story
Disgaea D2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhbBNq2NduQ
@TheArkOfTurus (2/5)

This has a lot of really good stuff like heaviness of the guitars and quick, punchy melodies, but there is way too much going on at any given moment. Hard to feel engaged with those more pleasurable aspects when Im also hearing roughly 13 instruments playing the exact same melody at the exact same time. Am I being facetious? Yes. Does it change my point? Yes.

102. Cronus
Full Metal Furies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QNGLqy_5vM
@Mihark (1/5)

I like A Shell in the Pits work on Wandersong, but the more epic battle scores dont really seem to be his greatest skill. Its the same here, since he does well with creating catchier atmospheric tracks, but it lacks intensity which one would expect from a battle theme. This is a good song, potentially even great depending on how high I am (Im not high at all at the time of this writing, so this is basically hard mode for songs), but its not going to stick like Im sure other tracks in this game do. Play Wandersong though, its brilliant, in part because of the music.

101. CLAMARE
REFLEC BEAT colette -All Seasons-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pniUY2Cx71c
@banshiryuu (5/5)

Its quite intense, and I was thinking I was liking where it was going, but the last quarter loses me. For such a short song, its hard to do set-up and payoff, and I feel this didnt have a chance at making it work. The first 1:25 is great though. I like how freaky it sounds. I just cant get into what it decides to become.

Yeah, I've got a song I'm regretting not nominating too, Severing the Chains of Fate from Trauma Center Under the Knife 2

nobody nommed world of spirit :(

tazzyboyishere posted...

Another one of those songs I want to say was snuck past me and isnt actually a final boss theme. I mean, if it is, its probably a bad fight. But this is a nice song. Its very pretty, and I love the constant piano loop. It never really does anything, so it loses it's luster quite quickly.

It's a three phase final boss. The is the song from the first phase. Would be kinda like nominating the first phase of Dancing Mad I guess.

The Top 100:
A Hat in Time | Mustache Girl EX
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War | The Unsung War
Ace Combat Zero | Zero
Arcana | Second Armageddon
Banjo-Kazooie | Final Boss
Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean | Violent Storm
beatmania IIDX 27 HEROIC VERSE | EROICA
Blue Dragon | The Seal Is Broken
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon | Silent Howling
Bravely Default | Serpent Eating the Ground
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling | Transcending, Overpowering, Everlasting
Cave Story | Last Battle
Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams | Final Boss
Crash Twinsanity | The Evil Twins
Deltarune | BIG SHOT
Demon King Chronicle | Finalize (void's romantix mix)
Dicey Dungeons | Fortune Favours the Bold
Digimon Rumble Arena | The Biggest Dreamer
Donkey Kong Country | Gang-Plank Galleon
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest | Crocodile Cacophony
Epic Battle Fantasy III | Divine Madness
Final Fantasy IV | The Final Battle
Final Fantasy VI | Dancing Mad
Final Fantasy VIII | The Extreme
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker | With Hearts Aligned
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest | Battle with the Dark King
Fire Emblem: Three Houses | The Apex of the World (Rain)
Genetos | Origin
Gitaroo Man | Resurrection
Grandia II | FIGHT!! Ver.4 ~ The Final Battle
Great Ace Attorney Chronicles 2: Resolve | Great Pursuit ~ The Resolve of Naruhodou Ryuunosuke
Guilty Gear X2 | The Midnight Carnival
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock | Devil Went Down to Georgia
Hades | God of the Dead
Kingdom Hearts II | Darkness of the Unknown
Kirby and the Forgotten Land | Two Planets Approach the Roche Limit
Kirby: Planet Robobot | Vagrant Counting Song of Retrospection
Kirby Triple Deluxe | Moonstruck Blossom
Kirby's Return to Dream Land | C-R-O-W-N-E-D
Koumajou Densetsu II: Stranger's Requiem | Rose-Killing Carmilla
La-Mulana 2 | 9th Child
Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd | Dreamy and Boisterous Holy Land
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Last Battle
Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks | Final Boss
Lenna's Inception | The Usurper
Lost Judgment | Unwavering Belief
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story | In the Final
Medarot 4 | Do or Die
Mega Man Battle Network 5 | Nebula Gray
Mega Man Zero 3 | Cannonball (Omega Zero)
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance | It Has to Be This Way
Monster Girl Quest 3 | Ilias Final Form
Mother 3 | Battle Against the Masked Man
NieR | Shadowlord
Okami | The Sun Rises
One Step From Eden | Eden's Door
Parasite Eve | U.B.
Persona 3 | Battle Hymn of the Soul
Persona 4 | Mist
Phantasy Star Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution | IDOLA' The Strange Fruits
Plants vs. Zombies | Brainiac Maniac
Pokemon Black 2 & White 2 | Battle! (Champion Iris)
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky | Dialga's Fight to the Finish!
Pokemon Puzzle League | Gary's Theme
Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow | Champion Battle
Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon | Second Dark Matter Battle
Puyo Puyo | Final of Puyo Puyo
Puyo Puyo! 15th Anniversary | Advent of Primp! Satan-sama!
Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song | Decisive Battle! Saruin -Final Battle with Saruin-
SaGa Frontier | T260G's Last Battle
Secret of Mana | Meridian Dance
Sengoku Rance | Rebirth the edge
Shadow Hearts: Covenant | The 3 Karma ~ Decisive Battle
Shadow Hearts: From the New World | Lady Tears II
Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces | Final Duel
Sonic Adventure 2 | Live and Learn
Sonic Colors | vs. Nega-Wisp Armor (Phase 2)
Sonic Mania | Egg Reverie
Sonic Rush | Wrapped in Black
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Final Boss
Sonic Unleashed | Perfect Dark Gaia
Splatoon 2 | Tidal Rush
Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion | Fly Octo Fly / Ebb & Flow (Octo)
Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition | Theme of G
Tenshi no Uta II: Datenshi no Sentaku | Last Battle
Touhou 7: Perfect Cherry Blossom | Border of Life
Tsugunai: Atonement | Battle with the Devil
Tunic | The Heir
Twinkle Crusaders -Passion Star Stream- | Turbulence of Majesty
Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru | lastendconductor
Undertale | Hopes and Dreams
Undertale | MEGALOVANIA
Unlimited SaGa | BT "ultimate"
Wild Arms 2 | Battle vs. Lord Blazer
Wild Arms 3 | The End of the Beginning
Xenoblade Chronicles X | The key we've lost
Yo-Kai Watch | Final Battle, Are You Ready?
Ys: The Oath in Felghana | The Strongest Foe
Zwei: The Arges Adventure | Final Battle -Demon Vesper-

Woo, I made it into the top 100 (barely)!. Pleasantly surprised to see Live & Learn still in, too (and 5 other Sonic songs :O).

tazzyboyishere posted...

108. The Prophet
Enderal: Forgotten Stories

I really like this one! Cronus and Dramatic Devil Story are good too.

Oh yes only lost one song so far. The fact that it's 1 out of 2 does not matter why do you ask

andylt posted...

Woo, I made it into the top 100 (barely)!. Pleasantly surprised to see Live & Learn still in, too (and 5 other Sonic songs :O).

I really like this one! Cronus and Dramatic Devil Story are good too.

Sonic music bangs, no lie

Edited the spreadsheet a bit for legibility purposes and added a franchises tab to compare the different series' with 2+ songs for funsies. Here it is again:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1azDQFmeWu5xTKGaibGraRoHnTZPPQkbFSLXuh7dM2CY/edit?usp=sharing

I'll be adding the bottom 100 in hopefully tonight. For write-ups I'm gonna be doing 10 a day until we finish, baby. New write-ups tonight

Late replying to all of this because the last few weeks have been insane, but I'm very pleasantly surprised to still have 3 songs in the upper half. My VGM tastes have never seemed to do all that well in related board projects.

For A Place in the Sun, you're definitely right that "Like, this song is designed specifically to build to something greater, without doing anything particularly special itself." It's the second phase of the final boss out of three, so the big finish is still to come. I've always really loved it anyway, though. The melody just has a tendency to get stuck in my head.

I was a little worried when you said that The Usurper was a little too bombastic for you, because I tend to like bombast. Especially for final bosses and so forth. But I guess it hasn't destroyed me yet! I figured there probably wouldn't be a whole lot of flutes in these noms, so I'm glad you enjoyed that aspect of it. King's Bird's OST doesn't have many individually memorable pieces but it's so nice to listen to.

I can't imagine my songs are long for this world but let's go top 100

100. Crocodile Cacophony
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddys Kong Quest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9c4yIvVq3c
@RySenkari (3/5)

Topping Gangplank Galleon was going to be a hard ask regardless of the effort put in. This honestly sounds like a standard boss theme as opposed to a more sinister or threatening sound I personally expect from my final battle themes. Its a shame, because it still sounds solid, just not inspiring when put up against what the first game offered. DKC2 will forever be one of gamings greatest soundtracks, but it was definitely through the strength of its level themes as opposed to its battle music.

99. BT ultimate
Unlimited SaGa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wA2gT_hEbc
Haste_2 (3/5)

I really enjoy what that trumpet is doing. Like a soft call from a mesh of noise. Very cool indeed. Unfortunately, the song doesnt really take the time to develop as a whole. The melody is really good for how much is there, but I would've liked a bit more. That trumpet tho, god damn.

98. Rose-Killing Carmilla
Koumajou Densetsu II: Strangers Requiem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfGbyEzHlMo
@dowolf (2/5)

I feel like I shit on vocals a lot in these write-ups, but I quite enjoy the performance here. Unfortunately, the song doesnt quite deliver on the whole. The song I think Im getting at the start is far different from the fairly standard anime fare we get. Its solid but not particularly exciting or impressive, but the singer is definitely fantastic! Watch it be the same vocalist from a song I trashed earlier or something

97. Meridian Dance
Secret of Mana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IB_acN0M5M
@RySenkari (2/5)

While I prefer The Oracle, this one is pretty solid too, and more appropriately in line with the theme of the series. Pretty much any Secret of Mana song is going to sound good simply by virtue of how well-made the soundtrack is. Every song in this game is layered so beautifully. That technique is less on display here, but its nevertheless present. Solid jam to wrap the games shitty combat up.

96. Battle Against the Masked Man
Mother 3
https://youtu.be/2L4NjsuQoHM?si=GjPKjYYwW9JjAm_x
@DragonGargoyle (4/5)

That constant bassline haunts me. It's so fucking good. I think at this point I've talked about how the GBA has potential to produce downright masterpieces when it's sound is used appropriately. It just rarely is. I wouldn't call this a masterpiece (though that may change if I ever play Mother 3), but this is the type of song I'm talking about. Its highly experimental industrial rock with no intent to work beyond its limitations. It sounds creepy, it sounds heavy, and it would be impossible to appropriately replicate with cleaner production. I do prefer my songs to have more pop to them, so I don't get much out of it on its own, but I respect the hell out of this. Looks like the composer also did the Nightmare in Dreamland music, which is among the best I've heard from the system, so the dude clearly has an understanding of the tech.

95. The Heir
Tunic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f3_aB2-nRA
@Simoun (1/5)

It took a couple listens for me to really peg my thoughts down, and I still dont know what to say. The synths are very warm, and even feel a bit cozy, and it sounds really nice all mixed together. It does have some dull bits, but this is mostly a pretty solid comfort song.

94. Dancing Mad
Final Fantasy VI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6UgxJtHIVY
@RySenkari (1/5)

The moment at 1:22 fucking slaps and will never not slap. I wish the entire song were this way, but this is unfortunately a four-part song which stretches to 17+ minutes. While the context of having this length is pretty cool, it doesnt translate into a song that is easy to listen to. At least, not in full. I enjoy parts 1 and 4 significantly more than parts 2 and 3. Id even argue part 2 kinda blows, to be honest. Uematsus talent cannot be understated regardless of my feelings however. No other SNES song manages to create the type of soundscapes Dancing Mad pulls you into, and thats pretty impressive. The scope of the song alone is an achievement worth celebrating. Its just I wish this werent all the same song. Someone should upload a version without any looping of the phases. Thatd be far better than what everyone has chosen to identify as the official song length.

93. The Biggest Dreamer
Digimon Rumble Arena
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBS70leI4YY
@GavsEvans123 (3/5)

Very cheesy, but fun, song. The synths are loud as fuck and the guitar is wailing for no reason and it sounds annoying as shit but in the good ways. Don't have much else to add, this is a bop through and through.

92. Advent of Primp! Satan-sama!
Puyo Puyo! 15th Anniversary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpF38PZjPM8
@Fluttershy_Pony (2/5)

Great song title! The song itself is pretty fun as well. Its solid, noisy, prog metal junk and pretty catchy. Feels like I'm just being relentlessly attacked for my bad takes or something. It just doesn't let up when that organ pops in and it's harsh and brutal and VERY coolio.

91. Mist
Persona 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxjpvK8xHIo
@bebr117 (3/5)

Never been too fond of Persona music, Not sure I can give much of a reason, but nothing ever really latches on as being particularly great for me. Not even in the supposed greatest soundtrack ever of Persona 5. But Mist is pretty great. Probably the best song in the original P4, but Shadow World still slaps everything else from the game. It kinda sounds like dad rock, so maybe thats my general vibe from Meguro. Just a dude whos favorite band is like, Journey or some shit. As much as I mean that as an insult, it's not really. This is one of the GOOD Journey songs, like Separate Ways, and NOT Don't Stop Believin'. But yeah, the guitar part 1 minute in rules and would've been even better with some different guitars I think.

tazzyboyishere posted...

Its just I wish this werent all the same song. Someone should upload a version without any looping of the phases. Thatd be far better than what everyone has chosen to identify as the official song length.

That's the version that retired last VGMC :p

Wait did Perpetual Round 2 Loser Dancing Mad finally retire from VGMC? I stopped following it when my normie noms / favorites kept getting shit on

hey it only lost in round 2 once!

...it lost in round 1 every other time

tazzyboyishere posted...

97. Meridian Dance
Secret of Mana

While I prefer The Oracle...

Not a popular opinion, but I'm here for it. Dark Lich isn't technically a final boss, though.

MacArrowny posted...

That's the version that retired last VGMC :p

Tbf I wrote that prior to the last VGMC, and also tbf I think I only voted in 3-4 matches this last time around.

Is there a link to that?

The version of Dancing Mad that loops the first parts sucks

tazzyboyishere posted...

Tbf I wrote that prior to the last VGMC, and also tbf I think I only voted in 3-4 matches this last time around.

Is there a link to that?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltu96KBTWZk

Genuinely pleased to see a mostly positive reception to Battle Against the Masked Man.

Indeed, Masked Man is awesome.

90. Final Boss
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk_xjIFlfZA
@pjbasis (2/5)

Pretty solid jam with a nice throwback to the absolute bop that is the overworld theme. A stripped down version, but a version no less. The biggest problem is it makes me want to listen to the Overworld theme instead, which is NOT GOOD for this songs memorability.

89. The Evil Twins
Crash Twinsanity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIeg07SVUJ0
@DireKrow (4/5)

Ha, this is a pretty cool bop. Reminds me of Smooth McGroove. I remember when he was the shit but idk if hes even doing anything anymore, and I will not be checking. Anyway, its catchy and fun while being incredibly unique.

88. 9th Child
La-Mulana 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_buxVAP7m38
@NBIceman (3/5)

Some great energy on display here. While it gets a bit busy and bloated as you continue through it, the overall drive is a fun one. Reminds me of Castlevania but not as distinct I guess, if that makes any sense? (It doesn't)

87. Fly Octo Fly / Ebb & Flow (Octo)
Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an7GOmJE7Ao
@-hotdogturtle-- (1/4)

Splatoon music is pretty fucking lame, but sometimes it hits in the good-lame way, whatever that means. I think this is one of those occasions. Super silly and catchy, and the second part of the song rules. Not enough eurobeat appears in VG music, so this is a pretty cool song in my book.

86. God of the Dead
Hades
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVukkhUI-xM
@Disillusion (5/5)

Not enough VG composers really go for this sludge metal sound, so its cool to see, I just wish it leaned a bit more into it. The synths really detract from how hard the rest of the song is going. They just sound silly, Darren, you silly man. Remove them and this probably goes a bit higher. You really fucked up, Darren, I know youre reading this. But yeah, the rest is great stuff.

tazzyboyishere posted...

Ha, this is a pretty cool bop. Reminds me of Smooth McGroove. I remember when he was the shit but idk if hes even doing anything anymore, and I will not be checking. Anyway, its catchy and fun while being incredibly unique.

Well, you wouldn't have to try hard at all to see if he's still active ... He just came back from another long hiatus a few weeks back and even posted a video today.

the theremin?

NFUN posted...

the theremin?

Had no clue this was a thing, gotta love it. fixed

85. Unwavering Belief
Lost Judgment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcbR3TKN5Dc
@azuarc (2/5)

Oh cool, I feel like every Yakuza and/or Yakuza-adjacent song Ive heard is a bit corny and not very good, but this one is only the former. The dubstep vocals are cheesy as fuck, but somehow sound really cool here. I dont need to explain myself, so I wont, but more because I cant really describe the exact feeling it gives me, but that feeling is good, unlike this run-on sentence. But yeah, this isnt lighting my world on fire but I have a lot of fun listening to it. I do feel it goes on a bit too long, and the section around 3:15 especially overstays its welcome. Once the song regains its energy at 6:26 Ive kinda checked out. I guess thats the struggle of creating one singular song for a multiphase battle. At least Im assuming thats what this is, I havent played the game. Great song though!

84. Edens Door
One Step From Eden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m46ivfO_zWU
@bebr117 (2/5)

This is a pretty fun song. Has super quick synths with a thumping, catchy melody. The guitars are super fun too. Really fun. Fun. But yeah, this is a good song and one which bangs pretty hard, I just don't have much else to say.

83. vs. Nega-Wisp Armor (Phase 2)
Sonic Colors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vup0FSZH4W8
@hbthebattle (3/5)

I always have felt Reach for the Stars had an excellent melody ruined by abysmal production, so its cool to know they did something like this. It results in a much better song for sure. Im not huge on the instrumentation, and the mixing feels a bit off, but overall its a great song with enough of that inspirational charm these Ohtani epics have a knack for.

82. The key weve lost
Xenoblade Chronicles X
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8pFzQ1lyF8
@MaxGalactica (2/5)

I'm glad I get to speak positively about at least one Xenoblade song. I was worried when I heard them teasing the types of vocals I'm usually not fond of (the guy who's doing that weird muttering, the woman is fine), but it's kept pretty short and in the background, though the song still likely sounds better without them. Regardless this is a fairly solid song that feels very punchy despite having the bombast I usually complain about. A fun melody can work wonders for my pop-loving ass.

81. Dreamy and Boisterous Holy Land
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USwjWuD0YBg
@tgs2 (4/5)

Has that classic Falcom sound where its the most inspiring shit you hear even though its not too strayed away from generic JRPG battle music. Not sure how to describe that, Im pretty tired. This is good stuff though, probably the best LoH track I've heard at this point in my life. This is primarily because it sounds like an Ys song. The synthesizer or whatever that is fucking rules, and with the guitar helping it, everything about the song just makes me want to bump into shit.

As much as I like 9th Child, it's probably my least favorite of all the boss themes from LM2. La-Mulana music is just so great.

9th Child sounds noticeably worse than I remember it

...but considering one of the updates messed up a lot of the music, that doesn't surprise me

80. Final Boss
Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZVSqgehWfQ
@xx521xx (3/5)

Pretty fun song. I especially enjoy when the horns come in. I dont have much to say here, its a solid jam. It's a bit repetitive, but that repetition is of a great melody, and they switch up the instrumentation enough to keep it feeling fresh.

79. Turbulence of Majesty
Twinkle Crusaders -Passion Star Stream-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew1oJhwFKhw
@banshiryuu (4/5)

The very beginning of this song hitting as that first image fades into view is lowkey one of the greatest things Ive ever seen. Absolutely beautiful editing job. This goes pretty hard for such a horny-looking game, which I guess makes sense now that I say that. The part at 1:30 in particular is quite fun.

78. Vagrant Counting Song of Retrospection
Kirby: Planet Robobot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3kaVLT9rBU
@DragonGargoyle (3/5)

I guess it speaks highly to the quality of this franchises final boss themes that one of the weaker themes, this one in particular, is still quite good. It leans pretty heavily into the robotic theme of the game, and it sounds pretty neat, but I feel it loses a bit of the whimsy present in most of these songs. That being said, this still rules. The way it quickly goes through it's set-up to that super catchy bit 40 seconds in is great, and it never really lets it's foot off the gas at that point.

77. U.B.
Parasite Eve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MURppPJVq5o
@Snake5555555555 (1/5)

Ive heard this song before but idk where. Probably in a different ranking topic 10 years ago. This is significantly better than the other Snake noms, mostly because theres a legitimate song in here. Reminds me of something out of Shadow Hearts, which is the highest honor I can give horror JRPGs I think. Just a lot of solid parts that make this song fun to listen to. I especially like the part at 2:36.

76. Final of Puyo Puyo
Puyo Puyo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvJcCEKa2Io
@Xeybozn (1/2)

Oh man, thats some good crunchiness. Genesis music is great, but a lot of people are lame and dont realize it. Probably because most composers didnt get how to draw the sound out of it. This isnt up there with some of the all-timers the Genesis created, but its pretty solid. It's great, intense work, and it uses all of that classic Genesis brutality to deliver something quite exciting.

75. Rebirth the edge
Sengoku Rance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLW78ZV2RSY
@FL81 (3/5)

Isnt this some porno game? Is the final boss losing your virginity? Makes sense because once that occurs you cant really do anything else interesting. Ive never played Rance. Ive also never had sex, but Ive heard its pretty cool. Speaking of pretty cool, this song sure is. I like how unashamed it is to be itself, which I guess makes sense in a porn game. Its fun to listen to, and it also might be fun to fuck to, who knows?

74. Final Boss
Banjo-Kazooie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eKK3CZPKac
@pjbasis (1/5)

I quite like Banjo-Kazooies soundtrack almost exclusively due to how well its melodies fit the atmosphere of the game. Its a perfect soundtrack I would never change, and it plays a heavy hand in Banjo-Kazooie being one of the greatest games ever made. Now, rip these songs from the game and play them on their own, and much of the charm is lost. This is still a solid enough jam, and Im always into final boss themes which play on melodies weve heard throughout the game. This delves a bit into some over-reliance, but none of the melodies overstay their welcome, and they're all pretty great. This is a solid song to fight a dumb witch to.

73. Mustache Girl EX
A Hat in Time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg2utHOMapQ
@GavsEvans123 (2/5)

A Hat in Time is always good for delivering solid tracks. This is no different here, as it goes quite strong from start to finish. It's a bit corny, but, I mean, this is a boss fight against a villain named Mustache Girl, so it checks out. It bangs, and I especially like the parts where the drums get heavy, like always.

72. Battle Hymn of the Soul
Persona 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK8vpWIvA9o
@WhiteLens (3/4)

I used to hate this song, primarily because of the part at 1:43 which I used to think was garbage, but now I understand it to just be pretty bad and almost song-ruining. Fortunately, the rest of the song is fantastic. Great mixing of Meguros styles to create a truly surreal piece of music. But we need to talk about the part at 1:43. It derails the flow of the song completely, killing all of the momentum it has going for it. I get the appeal of putting in a reference to a song the player has heard throughout the game to create thematic motif, but it just isnt working here, Shoji. Burn My Dread does the same thing and I'd have ranked that higher tbh.

71. The Unsung War
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjY6awCr2_c
@hbthebattle (2/5)

I truly do appreciate how hard the Ace Combat franchise goes on its music. I feel its style of music is typically prone to be more bombastic and less, yknow, good. But the composers typically do a solid job of recognizing the need to supplement that bombast with phenomenal instrumentation and engaging melodies. This isnt quite on the level as some of the best epics Ive heard from the franchise, but its pretty damn good. I should play the Ace Combat games at some point. The music kicks ass.

tazzyboyishere posted...

Not gonna beat around the bush, this vocalist blows. Sounds like shes having an allergic reaction but was also just woken up from an 80-minute nap. Certifying this person as a bad singer because that is definitely my job and what I critique best. Anyway, the AoS songs Ive heard are pretty good for the most part. Deku seems to excel at creating these warm synth melodies that just make me feel happy. I just wish the singer wasnt here, because this is quite good otherwise. Like, at least a tier higher, maybe two. Ow well.

tbh the vocalist was just the seiyuu for the final boss of Sora and i'm pretty sure she otherwise wasn't a singer at the time. She's pretty good nowadays actually, I'm hoping she returns on deku's next soundtrack (for Fight Crab 2)

tazzyboyishere posted...

Its a perfect soundtrack I would never change, and it plays a heavy hand in Banjo-Kazooie being one of the greatest games ever made

*nods head emphatically*

MacArrowny posted...

Damn, almost toast already. Knew I should've nominated A to Z instead of Hand of God...

I love Neon White's OST in general, though I'd consider HoG one of its weaker tracks.

A to Z is a good one.