Monday, December 17, 2012

SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Mega Man Mania Edition

Today is a special edition of SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs. Today we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Blue Bomber, which just happens to be today. Yes, twenty-five years ago the gaming world was introduced to Mega Man. Because today is a special occasion, I have doubled the amount of VGMs for the day to ten. From Mega Man to Mega Man Legends, your Mega Man needs are taken care of. Let's start the celebration!

v261. Mega Man X (SNES) - Take Back the Tower (Arranged)


This theme from Mega Man X comes off a special arrange album. All of the songs featured on the album are jazz pieces. This particular theme is from Boomer Kuwanger's stage. I encourage you to track down all of the other themes from the CD as it is quite good.

v262. Mega Man ZX Advent (DS) - Twisted Vine (Arranged)


Mega Man ZX Advent was a Metroid-like-in-design game for the Nintendo DS that had two playable characters who could utilize different armor each with their own capabilities. ZX Advent introduced the ability to transform into defeated bosses to access new areas. Twisted Vine is one of my favorite themes from the game, and this version comes from an arranged soundtrack.

v263. Mega Man Network Transmission (GCN) - Color Man's Stage


Mega Man Network Transmission was a game that was unlike the other entries in the Mega Man Battle Network franchise. It was a 2D platformer-- a hard one at that-- which featured Mega Man.EXE in all of his virus-busting glory. The game contained numerous levels, each with a net navi as the boss. If you're looking for a challenging platformer, Mega Man Network Transmission is an often forgotten game.

v264. Mega Man 4 (NES) - Skull Man, Soldier of the Underworld (Special CD)


Like Take Back the Tower and Twisted Vine before it, this is an arranged track as well. This VGM volume comes from a special Mega Man arranged compilation. The subject of this theme is Skull Man, and it has a wonderfully rockin' tone to it.

v265. Mega Man X4 (PS1, SAT) - Slash Beast Stage (Military Train)


Mega Man X4 probably possesses what I consider to be the best soundtrack in the X series's history, right next to the original Mega Man X. Slash Beast's stage takes place aboard a chugging military train (as if the name of the track did not already specify that).

v266. Mega Man X6 (PS1) - Sigma 2nd


The final boss of Mega Man X6, one of my least favorite entries in the franchise, is a gold Sigma golem that shoots laser beams out of its mouth. The theme that accompanies the boss is a heavy metal cacophony, perfect for a final battle.

v267. Mega Man 7 (SNES) - Wily Stage 1


Mega Man 7 was the sole 16-bit entry in the mainline Mega Man games. Wily Stage 1 features synth electric guitars and bass. In my view, Mega Man 7 features the most difficult final form of Dr. Wily in series history. What do you say?

v268. Mega Man Legends (PS1) - Apple Market


Let us peacefully stroll through the outdoor corridor known as Apple Market for this VGM volume. Mega Man Legends was a spinoff series that took Mega Man into three-dimensions. The game was not without its issues, namely the controls and camera, but it was a wonderful effort nonetheless. Too bad about that third game in the series, though.

v269. Mega Man X8 (PS2) - VS. Lumine - The Second Form


Unlike every other game in the Mega Man X franchise, Sigma is not the true final boss of Mega Man X8. Instead, that honor goes to a character named Lumine. In the final boss fight, players only have a limited amount of time to defeat Lumine before he destroys the entire battlefield, costing the player a life. Lumine's second form's music is intense and high octane.

v270. Mega Man 3, 4, & 6 (NES) - Wily Boss Medley (25th Anniversary Rock Version)


As if this edition of SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs didn't have enough arrangements on it, this medley features music from Wily boss fights from Mega Man 3, Mega Man 4, and Mega Man 6. Exactly why Mega Man 5 was omitted is beyond me, but the music more than makes up for it. Heavy rock guitar with a choir chanting? Yes, please!

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Happy birthday, Mega Man. I think this celebration was better than Capcom's even! At least you still have millions of  fans that love you, Mega, regardless of whether your publisher does. Next week we will be celebrating the holiday season with ten wintertime themes. Look forward to that. Until then, check out my VGM Database for every song I have spotlighted. Toodles!

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