So GR, what is the most iconic piece of music associated with a game of all time. Well, it's time we all decided. The idea is to pool together 16 top notch, iconic tracks and then face them off against each other until only one remains. But there are some rules that go along with this.
1) Each forum member can only nominate ONE piece of music so choose wisely.
2) Multiple pieces can be nominated from a series but only one can go through to the eliminator. There will be a poll of titles from the same series to decide on which goes forward.
3) Games that aren't directly linked to a main series may still only qualify as the main series (I can't think of any examples but I'm sure there are some). Where that game gets put is entirely down to me (I had an election this morning to decide who would be in charge and I received 100% of the votes, that's democracy folks).
4) If we don't get 16 individual pieces of music then I'll open it up to a 2nd vote per forum member.
5) There are probably many things I've not considered and so reserve the right to add new rules depending on how I feel at any given point.
What is an iconic gaming track?
Herdanos wrote:That's open to interpretation, though. You're assuming that by "iconic", we are voting on which games are most synonymous with the gaming industry / associated series i.e. most likely to "strike a chord", if you like, with the listener by evoking particular feelings / memories (both!) By this same approach any piece of music - indeed, any sequence of sound(s)! - could be arguably deemed "iconic" because it's largely subjective, and intrinsically tied to the gaming experience. It's therefore reasonable to assume that those games considered to be more "iconic" within gaming - i.e. more popular, famous, historically noteworthy, and/or just plain better, games - are more likely to have their nominated tracks do well here.
However, another interpretation of "iconic" in regards to music relates to the nature of the piece of music itself, and its potential ability to, again, "strike a chord" with the listener, devoid of any context or previous associated memories. Think of those folk who buy Hans Zimmer soundtracks but haven't seen the adjacent film. Certain tracks are simply more "iconic" by nature. On this basis I think the Halo tune is the most iconic track left in the contest. It's not my favourite piece of music remaining, nor the one with which I have associated the fondest memories. But it's stirring, bombastic, and, well, epic in nature, and would lend itself well as the soundtrack to any number of iconic moments.
So, to get the ball rolling, the single greatest piece of video game music of all time (IMHO).
It's over to you!
Main draw:
Super Mario Bros: Theme vs Soul Blade: The Edge of Soul
Final Fantasy VII: J-E-N-O-V-A vs Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Zone
Chrono Trigger: Main Theme vs Red Alert C&C: Hell March
Resident Evil Remake: Save Room vs Tetris: Song A
Doom: At Doom's Gate vs Monty on the Run: Main Theme
Streets of Rage: Intro vs Wii: Mii Channel
Dynamite Headdy: You're Izayoi vs Jet Set Radio Future: Intro
Metroid Prime: Phendrana Drifts vs Fable 2: Summer Fields
Cannon Fodder: Narcissus vs Pokemon Gold: Battle! Champion & Red Music
Tomb Raider: Main Theme vs Super Castlevania IV: Stage 1
Donkey Kong: TBC vs OutRun: Magical Sound Shower
Rocket Knight Adventures: Boss Theme vs Banjo Kazooie: Gruntilda's Lair
Street Fighter 2: Guile's Theme vs Metal Gear Solid 1: Main Theme
Halo: Main Theme vs Age of Empires 2: Main Theme
Half Life: Hazardous Environments vs Super Ghouls and Ghosts: Main Theme
F-Zero: Mute City vs Legend of Zelda: Main Theme