6. Rolo To The Rescue (1992)

Though it’s possibly one of the saddest games of this era, Rolo To The Rescue has a very memorable soundtrack. The background music in the levels gives you hope and a sense of whimsy, while the boss tracks are menacing and a little frightening.

Even though the game is set in a circus, we don’t get many circus-esque tracks. Personally, I find this fantastic as I am afraid of clowns, though I do kind of want to dress like one lately. It could’ve been a welcome addition to increase the atmosphere of the game; as a child, I never realised that Rolo was helping his friends escape the circus.

Nevertheless, Rolo has a great soundtrack that won’t ever leave your head. You’ll be singing the tunes in years to come and wonder, “Where the hell is this song from?”, only for you to ask everyone in your life, and they won’t know because Rolo wasn’t very popular and is possibly deemed a cousin game and… Uh… I might be projecting a little.

Favourite Tracks:
1. Special Stage
2. Overworld Map Theme
3. Title Screen
4. Level Background Music 4
5. Boss 1 – Knife Thrower

7. Thunder Force III (1990)

I have never heard of this game, but my older brother sent me his music playlist, which has a lot of game soundtracks thrown into the mix. This soundtrack instantly stood out to me, specifically ‘Venus Fire’. I also found it pretty cool that all of the stages were named after Classical mythology.

The music in this title sounds like it would get you really hyped, and while I’ve not played this game, I assume it could help you focus on shooting a load of enemy ships. Since looking at gameplay, I can confirm that the bullets, lasers, and what-have-you slide in well with the background music. It’s not jarring in the slightest, and the way the visuals connect with the OST is just a classic combination; exactly what you’d expect when looking up a retro scrolling-shooter for aesthetic reasons.

Favourite Tracks:
1. Venus Fire (Stage 2: Gorgon)
2. His Behavior Inspired Us With Distrust (Stage 6: Cerberus)
3. Twin Vulcan (Stage 2: Boss)
4. Final Take a Chance (Stage 5: Ellis)
5. Hunger Made Them Desperate (Stage 7: Orn Base)

8. Street Fighter II (1991)

Here’s the one that is an obvious choice for the list. For that reason, I think I would be cancelled if I didn’t add Street Fighter II. Composed by a younger Yoko Shimomura, also known for her early work at Capcom and later at Square. This soundtrack is one of her earlier works and it is a true showcase of how naturally talented Shimomura is at her craft. Though it doesn’t seem as special as the Kingdom Hearts score—Shimomura has claimed that the KH score is her most “special” work—Street Fighter II is classed by herself as a significant point in her career.

Since this soundtrack truly does capture a lot of gamers’ hearts, it is classed as the best soundtrack of its era by many players. It’s very clear that Shimomura did her research whilst creating this OST, because each character’s stage music really does relate to where the character is from. For example, E Honda’s stage emanates ‘Japan’, and Ken’s stage 100% feels like a track from the early ’90s USA. However, I’m not sure why Guile’s theme became such a meme. Especially since there are much better tracks in the OST.

Favourite Tracks:
1. Vega Stage
2. True Ending Theme
3. Ken Stage
4. E Honda Stage
5. Balrog Stage

9. Pandemonium! (1996)

The soundtrack of Pandemonium! takes you on a journey, that’s for sure. Initially, the game starts with a voiced-acted cutscene. More importantly, in the background, we hear the festive music that sounds like you’re back in medieval times. Though there are tracks that feel like you’re floating through time and space, and some that feel like you’re in the darkest depths of fantastical forests or caves, the game implements them well, having the tracks appear in the appropriate levels.

Despite being the only PS1 game on my list, and one of the most recent games, Pandemonium! does have an older feel to it. This is possibly due to the game being released at the latter end of the ’90s when sound chips were being phased out due to the rise of CD-based consoles. However, this is strange as it is on a CD-based console itself. Despite this, the game is definitely in the style of a sound chip-based OST.

As the soundtrack is so out there, I have to wonder if the composer, Burke Trieschmann, was possibly smoking something a little green, or indulging in um… Shall we say, licking stamps? I mean, at least it would fit with the vibes of the game. Just to clarify: I am NOT saying he definitely partook in these activities, I’m just wondering if maybe he did. If you know Trieschmann, ask him for me. I won’t tell anyone, of course.

Favourite Tracks:
1. Acid Pools
2. Skull Fortress
3. Main Menu
4. Branky Wastes
5. Boss 2 (Goon Honcho)

10. Streets of Rage 2 (1992)

A beat-’em-up set in a city arguably has to have a soundtrack that goes off, and luckily, Streets of Rage 2 gets this spot-on. The energetic jazziness of the tracks is iconic, to say the least. On top of this, we get some more relaxed, chill tracks, so there is music for many playlists. Working out? ‘Never Return Alive’. Having a cup of coffee in the garden? The ending track, or ‘In the Bar’. Having some pals over for drinks? ‘Ready Funk’. It’s all available in this OST.

Yuzo Coshiro, the main composer, absolutely hit the ball out of the park when making masterpieces for this game. Also, his sister being the lead graphic designer and one of the game design planners shows that working with your siblings isn’t always bad. However, I’d still not like to work with any of mine.

Favourite Tracks:
1. Alien Power
2. Never Return Alive (Boss)
3. Go Straight
4. Expander
5. Intro