Here is the first soundtrack review that I have prepared for this forum. To complement my review, I also prepared an NSFe file as an attachment, allowing users to listen to the soundtrack I’m reviewing. For those of you who do not know what an NSFe file is, I recommend that you read up on the subject of video game music emulation. An NSFe file is an enhanced variation of the NSF file, allowing the storage of data such as track names and custom play lengths into the file. I personally invested in the Pro version of Winamp and had researched available plug-ins to listen to various video game soundtrack files. What you wish to use to listen to my NSFe file is up to you.
Also, you might have an issue in regards to the naming of tracks in these soundtracks. Often lacking an official source in regards to what the working titles or official titles of these game tracks are, I take the liberty to create my own titles that best suit my purpose. Sometimes the title might be very straightforward, and at other times the title might be kind of abstract. If you are not fond of the titles I invented, you are always free to rename them to your own liking.
Furthermore, looping tracks in these files had been programmed by me to play from lengths ranging from one minute to ten minutes, based on my personal preference. Feel free to edit these play lengths to your personal preference as well.
Mega Man
Nintendo Entertainment System
Capcom © 1987
Composed by: Manami Gotoh, Yuukichan's PapaI suppose I would consider myself something of a fan of Capcom’s Mega Man series. I believe I was first introduced to the blue bomber when I watched my cousins playing
Mega Man 3 during a Christmas vacation. I believe I noted that critics lambasted the series as being repetitive, which I find ironic now that critics praise Capcom’s efforts to emulate its 8-bit roots.
For this entry, we have the soundtrack to
Mega Man, the humble (and, to be frank, flawed) origins of this favorite series of mine.
Mega Man’s soundtrack helps establish many of the staples of the series: music for the stage select, fanfare introduction preceding each stage, separate themes for each Robot Master’s stage, a boss theme, and a victory fanfare.
Mega Man’s soundtrack is interesting and has a certain appeal that grows as I get older, but, as you will note from the custom track lengths that I have already set up for the NSFe file, this is far from my favorite soundtrack.
Now, you will note that there is no title theme, nor a demo mode for that matter; I consider that a very notable flaw in this game. “Stage Selection Screen” for
Mega Man sets the precedent for short-looped themes during this mode in gameplay.
Mega Man’s theme, though, is not particularly great to listen to. I have to say, though, that I once heard a very interesting and thoughtful MIDI variation of it that helps vindicate the theme.
Mega Man’s “You Have Selected a Stage” is frequently reused throughout the series; it is even featured in
Mega Man X. However, there are soundtracks within the series (notably
Mega Man 3,
5, and
6 off the top of my head) that feature their own theme for this particular event.
Now, let’s get down to what is, in my opinion, the real meat of the soundtrack worth discussing: the Robot Masters’ stage themes. Right off the bat, I’m going to dare say that
Mega Man’s themes are not highly memorable. They don’t quite have the punch or express a level of emergency or action that later soundtracks would achieve. This is not to dismiss them completely, though.
When I typically start a game of
Mega Man, I usually choose Bomb Man’s stage to begin my adventure. Now, “Bomb Man Stage” is somewhat symptomatic of this overall issue that I have with the soundtrack. Nevertheless, I still rather find that this particular theme is very enjoyable and clever, making it one of
Mega Man’s better tracks.
“Elec Man Stage” would rather be my favorite theme of the six Robot Master themes. In fact, I look at “Elec Man Stage” as being the great reward of engaging what is a rather difficult level in the game. I find it to be a very fun and fantastic theme, and perhaps even the best theme of this soundtrack.
Each game in the Mega Man series would feature their own unique theme for battles with the Robot Masters. “Robot Master” from
Mega Man is not the worst of the series’ battle themes, but it is pretty close. I just find it too eclectic and random-sounding. “Big Boss” is a far better battle theme and successfully communicates the dire danger of the battle; “Big Boss” also appears in
Mega Man X5.
A final redeeming track from this game is “Dr. Wily’s Stage (Part I)”, which impresses the seriousness of the final boss’ lair.
Overall,
Mega Man is a dated, but still very competent, soundtrack. Soundtracks to future Mega Man games would be more creative and employ better instruments, but this soundtrack can still be enjoyed for its nostalgic value and for the couple of excellent tracks that did come from it.
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