Forever Sound Version

It’s our second system-specific episode on the bounce, following on from Episode 9’s Speccy focus by pressing fast forward and landing on the mighty Nintendo 64! Nintendo’s cartridge-based 64-bit beast was big on graphics and pure gameplay, not necessarily making sound and music a priority, but many VGM composers still managed to produce some great pieces for this much-celebrated machine. For this episode, I’m joined by special guest Michael Thorne!

Listen:

https://ia601406.us.archive.org/26/items/fsvep10/fsvep10.mp3

Mario Kart 64 (1997, Nintendo 64) ‘Rainbow Road’ composed by Kenta Nagata

Top Gear Rally (1997, Nintendo 64) ‘Mountain’ composed by Barry Leitch

Super Mario 64 (1996, Nintendo 64) ‘Dire, Dire Docks’ composed by Koji Kondo

Banjo-Kazooie (1998, Nintendo 64) ‘Clanker’s Cavern’ composed by Grant Kirkhope

Lode Runner 3-D (1999, Nintendo 64) ‘On the Moon’ composed by Julian Soule

Goldeneye 007 (1997, Nintendo 64) ‘Dam’ composed by Grant Kirkhope and Graeme Norgate

Buck Bumble (1998, Nintendo 64) ‘Buck Bumble Main Theme’ composed by Justin Scharvona

Killer Instinct Gold (1996, Nintendo 64) ‘T.J. Combo’s Theme’ composed by Robin Beanland

Get in touch via email on [email protected]

Forever Sound Version is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://foreversoundversion.wordpress.com/

What we’re gonna do right here is go back… How far are we gonna go back? Way back! It’s time for some chip music from a highly esteemed home computer system, Sinclair’s ZX Spectrum. Lock in and enjoy tracks that make use of the Speccy’s built-in beeper, as well as some tunes from the 128k version’s square wave sound chip. Extra special thanks to Daz for helping me to put this show together – most of the tracks that feature on this show are his suggestions!

Listen:

https://ia601402.us.archive.org/30/items/fsvep9/fsvep9.mp3

Stainless Steel (1986, ZX Spectrum) ‘Main Theme’ composed by Nick Jones

Chronos (1987, ZX Spectrum) ‘Title Music’ composed by Tim Follin

Agent X (1986, ZX Spectrum) ‘Title Music’ composed by Tim Follin

Robocop (1988, ZX Spectrum) ‘Title Music’ composed by Jonathan Dunn

Deathwish 3 (1987, ZX Spectrum) ‘Title Music’ composed by Ben Daglish

Byte Me (2011, ZX Spectrum) ‘Title Music’ composed by Yerzmyey

180 (1984, ZX Spectrum) ‘Title Music’ composed by David Whittaker

Raw Recruit (1988, ZX Spectrum) ‘Title Music’ composed by Tim Follin

Get in touch via email on [email protected]

Forever Sound Version is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://foreversoundversion.wordpress.com/

Snake? Snake? Snaaaaaaaaaaaaaake?!

It’s time for some top drawer ‘tactical espionage action’, as I am joined by ace FOXHOUND luminary John Baldasera to explore the utterly fantastic music of Metal Gear Solid on the Sony Playstation!

Listen:

https://ia601400.us.archive.org/26/items/fsvep8/fsvep8.mp3

Metal Gear Solid (1998, Sony Playstation) ‘Introduction’ composed by Kazuki Muraoka, Hiroyuki Togo, Takanari Ishiyama, Lee Jeon Myung, and Maki Kirioka

Metal Gear Solid (1998, Sony Playstation) ‘Cavern’ composed by Kazuki Muraoka, Hiroyuki Togo, Takanari Ishiyama, Lee Jeon Myung, and Maki Kirioka

Metal Gear Solid (1998, Sony Playstation) ‘Encounter’ composed by Kazuki Muraoka, Hiroyuki Togo, Takanari Ishiyama, Lee Jeon Myung, and Maki Kirioka

Metal Gear Solid (1998, Sony Playstation) ‘Mantis’s Hymn’ composed by Kazuki Muraoka, Hiroyuki Togo, Takanari Ishiyama, Lee Jeon Myung, and Maki Kirioka

Metal Gear Solid (1998, Sony Playstation) ‘Duel’ composed by Kazuki Muraoka, Hiroyuki Togo, Takanari Ishiyama, Lee Jeon Myung, and Maki Kirioka

Metal Gear Solid (1998, Sony Playstation) ‘Hind D’ composed by Kazuki Muraoka, Hiroyuki Togo, Takanari Ishiyama, Lee Jeon Myung, and Maki Kirioka

Metal Gear Solid (1998, Sony Playstation) ‘Enclosure’ composed by Kazuki Muraoka, Hiroyuki Togo, Takanari Ishiyama, Lee Jeon Myung, and Maki Kirioka

Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (2000, Ninetendo Game Boy Color) ‘Departure’ composed by Norihiko Hibino and Kazuki Muraoka

Metal Gear Solid (1998, Sony Playstation) ‘The Best is Yet to Come’ composed by Rika Muranaka

Metal Gear Solid (1998, Sony Playstation) ‘Metal Gear Solid Main Theme’ composed by Tappi Iwase

Get in touch via email on [email protected]

Forever Sound Version is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://foreversoundversion.wordpress.com/

Whilst the Shadowrun video games of the nineties might be considered fairly obscure – they didn’t exactly fly off the shelves at the time – they possess some very special charms, their soundtracks being among them. In this episode, I cover the music from the Shadowrun franchise’s games for the SNES, Mega Drive, and Mega CD.

Listen:

https://ia601507.us.archive.org/13/items/fsvep7/fsvep7.mp3

Shadowrun (1993, SNES,) ‘Seattle 2050’ composed by Marshall Parker

Shadowrun (1993, SNES,) ‘Morgue’ composed by Marshall Parker

Shadowrun (1993, SNES,) ‘Seems Familiar…’ composed by Marshall Parker

Shadowrun (1993, SNES,) ‘Ghouls’ composed by Marshall Parker

Shadowrun (1993, SNES,) ‘Uptown’ composed by Marshall Parker

Shadowrun (1994, Sega Mega Drive) ‘Title Screen’ composed by Sam Powell

Shadowrun (1994, Sega Mega Drive) ‘Downtown Seattle’ composed by Sam Powell

Shadowrun (1994, Sega Mega Drive) ‘Bar 2’ composed by Sam Powell

Shadowrun (1994, Sega Mega Drive) ‘Bar 4’ composed by Sam Powell

Shadowrun (1996, Sega Mega CD) ‘Silver Moon’ composed by Tomonori Minami, Akiyoshi Nagao, and Tsuyoshi Matsushima

Shadowrun (1996, Sega Mega CD) ‘Tokyo Streets’ composed by Tomonori Minami, Akiyoshi Nagao, and Tsuyoshi Matsushima

Shadowrun (1996, Sega Mega CD) ‘Triple Z Store’ composed by Tomonori Minami, Akiyoshi Nagao, and Tsuyoshi Matsushima

Shadowrun (1996, Sega Mega CD) ‘On Fall Club’ composed by Tomonori Minami, Akiyoshi Nagao, and Tsuyoshi Matsushima

Get in touch via email on [email protected]

Forever Sound Version is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://foreversoundversion.wordpress.com/

Bomb Jack was one of the very first video games that I ever played, so it’s a title that is particularly close to my heart. This episode turned out to be a diverse one in terms of music, featuring cheerful retro arcade jingles, driving SID chip jams, and some truly inspired moments from Alberto Jose Gonzalez.

Listen:

https://ia601502.us.archive.org/12/items/fsvep6/fsvep6.mp3

Bomb Jack (1984, Arcade) ‘Track 1’ composed by Tsukasa Masuko and Michiharu Hasuya

Bomb Jack (1984, Arcade) ‘Track 4’ composed by Tsukasa Masuko and Michiharu Hasuya

Bomb Jack (1984, Arcade) ‘Track 6’ composed by Tsukasa Masuko and Michiharu Hasuya

Bomb Jack (1986, Commodore 64) ‘Elite Loader’ composed by Mark Cooksey

Bomb Jack (1986, Commodore 64) ‘Title Screen’ composed by Mark Cooksey

Bomb Jack (1986, Commodore 64) ‘Level Theme’ composed by Mark Cooksey

Bomb Jack (1992, Game Boy) ‘Title’ composed by Alberto Jose Gonzalez

Bomb Jack (1992, Game Boy) ‘BGM’ composed by Alberto Jose Gonzalez

Bomb Jack (1992, Game Boy) ‘Game Over’ composed by Alberto Jose Gonzalez

Bomb Jack II (1987, Commodore 64) ‘Title Screen’ composed by Mark Cooksey

Bomb Jack II (1987, Commodore 64) ‘BGM’ composed by Mark Cooksey

Mighty Bomb Jack (1987, NES) ‘Round Theme 02’ composed by Tsukasa Masuko and Michiharu Hasuya

Mighty Bomb Jack (1987, NES) ‘Ending Theme’ composed by Tsukasa Masuko and Michiharu Hasuya

Mighty Bomb Jack (1991, Commodore Amiga) ‘Title Screen’ composed by Mark Cooksey

Get in touch via email on [email protected]

Forever Sound Version is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://foreversoundversion.wordpress.com/

The Sharp X68000 was a real monster of a home computer for its time. It was only available in Japan, but it boasted a wealth of great arcade ports as well as some inventive original titles. This episode features some of my musical picks from Sharp’s 16-bit powerhouse, incorporating both the system’s built-in FM synthesis chip, and the optional MIDI card expansions.

Listen:

https://ia601503.us.archive.org/2/items/fsvep5/fsvep5.mp3

Star Cruiser (1989, Sharp X68000) ‘Star Cruiser (Drastic days will come ～ オープニング)’ composed by Toshiya Yamanaka

Ys III: Wanderers from Ys (1989, Sharp X68000) ‘The Theme of Chester’ originally composed by Mieko Ishikawa, arrangement for X68000 by Masaaki Kawai

Spindizzy II (1992, Sharp X68000) ‘Arrow Maze’ composed by Toshiya Yamamaka and Tetsuya Nakano

Metal Sight (1989, Sharp X68000) ‘Archive Of Dimension (ステージ9)’ composed by Keishi Yonao and Izuru Aki

Parodius Da! (1990, Sharp X68000) ‘Ranking Da!’ composed by Kazuki Muraoka

Super Hang On (1989, Sharp X68000) ‘Outride a Crisis’ originally composed by Katsuhiro Hayashi and Koichi Namiki

Namachuukei 68 (1991, Sharp X68000) ‘User Disk’ composed by Yuji Takenouchi

Get in touch via email on [email protected]

Forever Sound Version is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://foreversoundversion.wordpress.com/

I’ve been looking forward to this one…! For episode 4, I get my old friend and fellow Samus fanatic Stuart on board to tackle the exceptional soundtracks of the 2D Metroid games from Nintendo. Lock in and enjoy the best of the franchise’s sinister soundscapes and rousing anthems! Deer force!

Listen:

https://ia601508.us.archive.org/25/items/fsvep4/fsvep4.mp3

Metroid (1986, NES) ‘Title’ composed by Hirokazu Tanaka

Metroid (1986, NES) ‘Brinstar’ composed by Hirokazu Tanaka

Metroid (1986, NES) ‘Kraid’ composed by Hirokazu Tanaka

Metroid (1986, NES) ‘Escape’ composed by Hirokazu Tanaka

Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991, Nintendo Game Boy) ‘Surface of SR388’ composed by Ryoji Yoshitomi

Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991, Nintendo Game Boy) ‘Metroid Queen Boss Theme’ composed by Ryoji Yoshitomi

Super Metroid (1994, SNES) ‘Theme of Super Metroid’ composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano

Super Metroid (1994, SNES) ‘Brinstar Vegetation’ composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano

Super Metroid (1994, SNES) ‘Brinstar Main’ composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano

Super Metroid (1994, SNES) ‘Big Boss Confrontation 1’ composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano

Super Metroid (1994, SNES) ‘Theme of Samus Aran the Galactic Warrior’ composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano

Super Metroid (1994, SNES) ‘Mother Brain’ composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano

Metroid Fusion (2002, Nintendo Game Boy Advance) ‘Sector 1 (SRX)’ composed by Minako Hamano and Akira Fujiwara

Metroid Fusion (2002, Nintendo Game Boy Advance) ‘Sector 4 (AQA)’ composed by Minako Hamano and Akira Fujiwara

Metroid Fusion (2002, Nintendo Game Boy Advance) ‘Crisis Mission’ composed by Minako Hamano and Akira Fujiwara

Metroid Fusion (2002, Nintendo Game Boy Advance) ‘Underwater Depths’ composed by Minako Hamano and Akira Fujiwara

Metroid: Zero Mission (2004, Nintendo Game Boy Advance) ‘VS. Ridley’ composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano

Metroid: Zero Mission (2004, Nintendo Game Boy Advance) ‘Space Pirate Mother Ship’ composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano

Super Metroid (1994, SNES) ‘Ending’ composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano

Get in touch via email on [email protected]

Listen to this episode on Mixcloud at mixcloud.com/foreversoundversion/forever-sound-version-episode-4-in-samus-we-trust-the-2d-metroid-series/

Forever Sound Version is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://foreversoundversion.wordpress.com/

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: the premier brightly-coloured roundhouse-kicking zord-summoning crusaders of the mid-nineties. They captured the hearts and minds of many a youngster (myself included, I have to admit) and probably made Saban and Bandai mind-boggling amounts of money with their official Power Rangers toys and games, including video games for the Game Boy, Mega Drive, and SNES. Are these games any good? Some of them are! The soundtracks of said games? Packed with burners – packed! So, lock in and jam on this barrage of thoroughly righteous heavy metal chiptunes until your brain changes shape. After all, as the famous catchphrase goes: it’s time to morph!

(That was the catchphrase, right?)

Listen:

https://ia601409.us.archive.org/15/items/fsvep3/fsvep3.mp3

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1994, SNES, Natsume, Bandai) ‘Main Theme’ composed by Iku Mizutani and Kinuyo Yamashita

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1994, SNES, Natsume, Bandai) ‘City’ composed by Iku Mizutani and Kinuyo Yamashita

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1994, SNES, Natsume, Bandai) ‘Depot’ composed by Iku Mizutani and Kinuyo Yamashita

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1994, SNES, Natsume, Bandai) ‘Cave’ composed by Iku Mizutani and Kinuyo Yamashita

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1994, Sega Mega Drive, Banpresto, Sega) ‘Minotaur Stage’ composed by Hiroshi Ebihara and Kennosuke Suemura

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1994, Sega Mega Drive, Banpresto, Sega) ‘Goldar Stage’ composed by Hiroshi Ebihara and Kennosuke Suemura

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1994, Nintendo Game Boy, Tom Create, Bandai) ‘Level 1’ composed by Kinuyo Yamashita

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1994, Nintendo Game Boy, Tom Create, Bandai) ‘Level 2’ composed by Kinuyo Yamashita

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1994, Nintendo Game Boy, Tom Create, Bandai) ‘Level 5’ composed by Kinuyo Yamashita

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995, SNES, Natsume, Bandai) ‘Shopping Center’ composed by Hiroyuki Iwatsuki and Haruo Ohashi

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995, SNES, Natsume, Bandai) ‘Frozen Mountains’ composed by Hiroyuki Iwatsuki and Haruo Ohashi

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995, SNES, Natsume, Bandai) ‘Boss Battle’ composed by Hiroyuki Iwatsuki and Haruo Ohashi

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995, Sega Mega Drive, Banpresto, Sega) ‘Fight’ composed by Hikoshi Hashimoto

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995, Sega Mega Drive, Banpresto, Sega) ‘Combat’ composed by Hikoshi Hashimoto

Get in touch via email on [email protected]

Forever Sound Version is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://foreversoundversion.wordpress.com/

The subject of episode 2 requires absolutely no introduction! I am joined by my friend – and co-host of the Pre-Alpha Podcast – John for a review of the soundtrack from one of the most iconic games of all time, Street Fighter II. We cover well-known tunes from the original CPS arcade versions and the SNES ports as well as some deeper cuts from systems such as the Commodore 64 (yes, really) and the Game Boy.

Listen:

https://ia601506.us.archive.org/13/items/fsvep2/fsvep2.mp3

Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (1991, CPS1) ‘Title Theme’ composed by Yoko Shimomura

Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (1991, CPS1) ‘Ryu’s Theme’ composed by Yoko Shimomura

Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (1991, CPS1) ‘Ken’s Theme’ composed by Yoko Shimomura

Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting (1993, Super Nintendo) ‘E Honda’s Theme’ composed by Isao Abe, Yuki Iwai

Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers (1994, Super Nintendo) ‘Fei Long’s Theme’ composer unknown

Street Fighter II (1992, Commodore Amiga) ‘Track One’ composed by Dave Lowe

Street Fighter II (1992, Commodore Amiga) ‘Track Six’ composed by Dave Lowe

Street Fighter II (1992, Commodore 64) ‘Track One’ composed by Dave Lowe

Street Fighter II (1992, Commodore 64) ‘Track Three’ composed by Dave Lowe

Street Fighter II: Champion Edition (1993, NEC Turbografx-16 / PC Engine) ‘Zangief’s Theme’ composed by Mari Yamaguchi, Isao Abe

Street Fighter II: Champion Edition (1993, NEC Turbografx-16 / PC Engine) ‘Ryu’s Ending’ composed by Mari Yamaguchi, Isao Abe

Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition (1993, Sega Mega Drive / Genesis) ‘Guile’s Theme’ composed by Tatsuya Nishimura, Tadashi Joukagi

Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition (1993, Sega Mega Drive / Genesis) ‘Vega’s Theme’ composed by Tatsuya Nishimura, Tadashi Joukagi

Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers (1994, Sega Mega Drive / Genesis) ‘Cammy’s Theme’ composer unknown

Street Fighter II (1997, Sega Master System) ‘Chun Li’s Stage’ composed by Tadashi Joukagi, Setsuo Yamamoto

Street Fighter II (1997, Sega Master System) ‘Dhalsim’s Stage (Unused)’ composed by Tadashi Joukagi, Setsuo Yamamoto

Street Fighter II (1995, Nintendo Game Boy) ‘Blanka’s Theme’ composer unknown

Street Fighter II (1995, Nintendo Game Boy) ‘Sagat’s Theme’ composer unknown

Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers (1993, CPS2) ‘Vega’s Ending’ composed by Yoko Shimomura

Get in touch via email on [email protected]

Forever Sound Version is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://foreversoundversion.wordpress.com/

In Forever Sound Version’s maiden voyage I cover tracks from a variety of systems to offer an idea of what’s to come. Chip music versus redbook audio! Eighties versus nineties! Bona fide classics versus some more obscure deep cuts!

Listen:

https://ia601407.us.archive.org/15/items/fsvep1/fsvep1.mp3

Urban Strike (1994, Sega Mega Drive / Genesis) ‘Main Title’ composed by Don Veca

V-Rally (1997, Sony Playstation) ‘African Vibes’ composed by Moby Dick and Cacaouhete

V-Rally (1997, Sony Playstation) ‘Seventies Drive’ composed by Moby Dick and Cacaouhete

Turrican (1990, Commodore Amiga) ‘Shoot or Die’ by Chris Hülsbeck

Killer Instinct (1994, Super Nintendo) ‘Jago’ by Robin Beanland and Graeme Norgate

Killer Instinct (1994, Super Nintendo) ‘Orchid’ by Robin Beanland and Graeme Norgate

Street Hoop (1994, Neo Geo MVS) ‘Just 3 on 3’ by Tatsuya Kiuchi

Street Hoop (1994, Neo Geo MVS) ‘Yo! What’s Up?’ by Tatsuya Kiuchi

Military Madness (1989, NEC TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine) ‘Player’s Victory’ by Jun Chikuma

Military Madness (1989, NEC TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine) ‘Ending’ by Jun Chikuma

Pokémon Red and Blue (1996, Nintendo Game Boy) ‘Battle! (Trainer Battle)’ by Junichi Masuda

Pokémon Red and Blue (1996, Nintendo Game Boy) ‘The Sea’ by Junichi Masuda

Delta (1987, Commodore 64) Loader music module by Rob Hubbard, played by Michael

Get in touch via email on [email protected]

Forever Sound Version is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://foreversoundversion.wordpress.com/