SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Back to Cool Edition

This week we're kicking things off with a new game to the list of VGMs, Rune Factory Frontier. We also have a rare performance from the Japan Philharmonic playing a track from Mother 2. All this and a hedgehog with a gun makes this an interesting edition of the VGMs!

v376. Rune Factory Frontier - Trampoli Square

This tranquil song is from Rune Factory Frontier for Wii, the very first and hopefully not last console-iteration of the Harvest Moon spin-off. I personally thought most of the game was a long grind with illogical progression, but I know a lot of you loved it. This song starts off with a piano playing a Frere Jacques like phrase followed shortly by the clarinet playing the mellow melody.



v377. Mario Party - Everyone's A Superstar!

Composed by Yasunori Mitsuda, this is the credits theme of Mario Party-- a well-earned song after weeks of sore thumbs and blistered fingers. It's bouncy and march-like at some parts, slow at others with a touch of the Super Mario melody. Now sit down and cool those thumbs off!



v378. Mother 2 - Theme of Eagle Land (Concert Version)

In Japan, there were a series of five game concerts from 1991-1996. The concert this piece originates from is the one from 1992 where songs from SimCity, Final Fantasy V, and Dragon Quest V were performed by an orchestra as well. Theme of Eagle Land comes from the Mother/Earthbound franchise. I can't imagine what some of the fanbase would give for a localized sequel.



v379. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest - Lockjaw's Saga

The first time this song is played is during Lockjaw's Locker, the opening underwater level of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. It was and still is a tremendous cinematic score for a video game. What Rare's composers got out of the SNES is just amazing.



v380. Shadow the Hedgehog - Cosmic Fall

I didn't find Shadow the Hedgehog very poor. I played through the game without problems and enjoyed it. Shadow the Hedgehog had an interesting level structure. You played six levels until the end of the game where you got one of twelve endings. What levels you played depending on what choices/objectives you performed in the previous level. This song is Cosmic Wall, one of the final levels and a wonderful climax to the game.



Next week we're going to be playing songs all from one series. Until then, have a great week!