I'd personally have to go with the soundtrack to Pok�mon Trading Card Game. I've never even seen it get mentioned on these forums, but I like it.

What about everyone else?

Parasite Eve 2 gets no love despite it being a very good soundtrack.

Total Distortion. That soundtrack is hilarious. I have no idea how the composers convinced the producers to allow them to do a soundtrack of long, cheesy hair metal knock-offs and Monster Mash-style songs. But what they created was great. I can't think of another game where you are taunted and called "pathetic" for dying.

Napple Tale, since it never came out in the states and was such a quirky title. Easily in the top 10 best video game soundtracks of all time.

Napple Tale, since it never came out in the states and was such a quirky title. Easily in the top 10 best video game soundtracks of all time.

Oh really? What makes you think so?

Oh really? What makes you think so?

Well, of course it all comes down to personal taste, so all I can do is give reasons for my opinion. I love that it's (almost) all real instruments, including a huge variety of instrumental combinations between different tracks. (Rather than most American games using live instruments, in which every single track seems to be epic full symphony orchestra and chorus) The music itself is both very well crafted, showing a genuine, thorough musical knowledge of several established styles and a knack for combining them in inventive ways. It's one of the more unique soundtracks out there. (Although perhaps not as off-the-wall as Katamari) Finally, it does a wonderful job fitting in with the theme and style of the game: the music is sometimes childlike, innocent, and naive, but never insipid or disgustingly saccharine like most of the music written for children's programs.

Ah, well I'm not sure I'd go for the "kiddy" angle, but it sounds like it's worth a listen now. Thanks.

Blinx 1.

The soundtrack to Warzard/Red Earth is often overlooked, even when the discussion is limited to Capcom soundtracks, and while it's music is not as a memorable as Street Fighter's, it's still relatively good. The theme of Leo alone is almost worth the price of admission.

How about Katamari Damacy (Katamari Damashi)? I think it's varied, fun, sticky... Yep, really sticky.

How about Katamari Damacy (Katamari Damashi)? I think it's varied, fun, sticky... Yep, really sticky.

That soundtrack is great, but I don't think it's underrated. I often see people talking about how great it is. (and rightfully so!)

The music from the Mortal Kombat games doesn't get anywhere near the level of recognition it deserves. Not even people who are specifically into Western VGM mention it. It frustrates me to no end. Dan Forden is too damn talented to be completely ignored like that.

All the MegaMan Battle Network games' soundtracks for the GBA were awesome. Hard to find though.

As with everything, LoK is underrated in its music.

I got two bids, given that the games themselves aren't actively talked about(not NEARLY as much as they should be, IMO).

First contestant is Elemental Gearbolt. That has so much varied and beautiful music that it's a crime not to listen to it when you have the chance. Yet, in all the BGM threads I've seen in the past, not once has it been mentioned.

Second contestant is the cult classic Zombies Ate My Neighbors. MOST of the time, people talk about the game for its wacky humor and odd weaponry, but realistically, there aren't enough people who realize the brilliance of its simplistic soundtrack. Urgent, creepy, but still maintaining the cartoony flavor that ZAMN is known far and wide for.

i think the Rules of Rose OST is good too

Amen to the Pokemon Trading Card Game and Blinx soundtracks.
I personally say Rayman for PS1.

Jets'n'Guns Gold has an amazing soundtrack,i also love The Matrix:Path Of Neo soundtrack

soukaigi

I would have to say 8 Eyes for the NES. Terrible game but it has a great soundtrack.

The soundtrack of Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance. The sound quality is inferior compared to other CV games, but the compositions aren't really that bad.

Headhunter, though I do agree with Soukaigai (since I went online to order the OST almost ASAP after beating the STUPID HARD F---ING GAME)

Anything game with Jeremy Soule's name on it. A fantastic composer, but he gets so little respect.

Shining Force 1/2 for Sega Genesis have awesome soundtracks. Due to the system, the sound quality isn't amazing but they're still likeable songs.

Jurassic Park SNES

Lufia Series and Terranigma (Tenchi Suzou). There are a lot of old snes soundtracks that are relatively obscure but really nostalgic to those who played them and remember.

Grandia
Klonoa 1 & 2
Napple Tale, mentioned above, which is a fantastic soundtrack
Tales of Phantasia
Earthworm Jim 1 & 2
Batman Return of the Joker (Batman for the NES is always mentioned, but not this one for some reason)

Wolfenstein 3D (I hardly hear ANY popular mention of it)
Quake II soundtrack
The Terminator Sega CD Soundtrack
Die Hard Trilogy (The video game obviously)
Duke Nukem Total Meltdown

Digimon Card Battle for the psx, and Monster Rancher Card Battle had some pretty addicting tunes :)

I agree with soukaigi being a really underrated vgm, nobody knows the game but the OST is excelent, one of the best ive heard, a great game with great music and great difficulty... really really stupid hard difficulty!

How about Tuff E Nuff for SNES (Dead Dance in JP version)? Really cool music for a fighting game.

I'll throw in three more soundtracks:

1. Riviera - The Promised Land
2. Yggdra Union
3. Knights in the Nightmare

Underrated RPG soundtracks that should be given more praise due to their [mostly] upbeat fusion of rock/orchestra/piano synth tracks. The soundtracks also have that distinct "game music" vibe (chiptune) to it and that's something you don't hear very often nowadays.

Quake II soundtrack


PC or N64?

Add Soukaigi (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=74A294E9C891A8C2&search_query=soukaigi+music) to my list, which I first head of on this thread. :)

And Plok (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRarpk3WaR0). The way the Follin Bros. manipulated the SNES's sound hardware is amazing (for a quick example, check out "Beach" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODKKILZiYY)).

I'll throw in three more soundtracks:

1. Riviera - The Promised Land
2. Yggdra Union
3. Knights in the Nightmare

Underrated RPG soundtracks that should be given more praise due to their [mostly] upbeat fusion of rock/orchestra/piano synth tracks. The soundtracks also have that distinct "game music" vibe (chiptune) to it and that's something you don't hear very often nowadays.

I completely agree, although the reason the soundtracks are underrated is mostly likely because those games and Sting aren't very well known and they aren't made for the average gamer.

And Plok (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRarpk3WaR0). The way the Follin Bros. manipulated the SNES's sound hardware is amazing (for a quick example, check out "Beach" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODKKILZiYY)).
That was a Follin brothers work? FUCK YEAH.

They write amazing stuff,but dear god,they have the worst luck picking games to feature them in. =) Silver Surfer,Wolverine,Spiderman and the X-Men...

I agree. Silver Surfer, just as one example, has one of the best NES soundtracks out there, yet the game is virtually unplayable.

Did you know all of the Follin Bros. have now quit writing video game music because of how unpredictable the industry is? They've all moved on to other things.

I'd personally have to go with the soundtrack to Pok�mon Trading Card Game. I've never even seen it get mentioned on these forums, but I like it.

What about everyone else?

I totally agree with you, nobody ever talks about it (maybe because not much people played it) but i really think the music is great :). and well i don't know if it is underrated but i don't hear people talking much about Snow Board Kids

I agree. Silver Surfer, just as one example, has one of the best NES soundtracks out there, yet the game is virtually unplayable.

Did you know all of the Follin Bros. have now quit writing video game music because of how unpredictable the industry is? They've all moved on to other things.
Goddamn shame. I think their last effort was Future Tactics - The Uprising. Have it,haven't gotten around to playing it. Bought it purely on the merits of having the soundtrack by the Follin bros. =) That,and I hear it's actually a pretty decent game in its own right.

i suppose i could say Tomb Raider 1.

maybe it's just nostalgia but i think Nathan McCree did a great job with it.

i would like to hear more of his music.

All the MegaMan Battle Network games' soundtracks for the GBA were awesome. Hard to find though.

Awesome, yes! Hard to find...no
http://www.themmnetwork.com/wiki/index.php?title=Music_Archive

Saga Frontier II ( Masashi Hamauzu )

The Shining Force games for the Game Gear! Great melodies, and anyone who can write compelling music with such a limited palette of sounds, as with the game gear and most earlier sequenced console music, gets an A in my book.

Anything in World of Warcraft.
A lot of people think it's a nerdy, crappy, bleh, meh, game.
But the soundtrack is so amazing.
Check out Mountains of Thunder & Totems of the Grizzlemaw and tell me they suck =D

Rogue Galaxy. Possibly one of my favorite soundtracks ever. One of the few games where I actually listened to and can remember alot of the dungeon themes.

Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is personally one of my favorite OSTs.

most western osts from playstation era.

because there is no official ost they're often totally forotten about.

Drakengard???? :P

I've got an underrated soundtrack that i bet NOBODY else has ever thought about. Yogi Bear on the Super Nintendo. It's gotta have one of my favorite soundtracks of all time. Unfortunately, I've never found a mp3 rip of it, so you'd probably need an spc file to hear it (sorry if its illegal to talk about SPCs here, i'm new.)

anyways, check it out if you can.

EDIT: Somebody uploaded the title screen music on youtube. It's not the BEST song (I believe the song from the snow levels is) but still pretty good. It's here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvH73gGDQtc

Supreme Snowboarding (US Title: Boarder Zone)
SWING (US Title: Marble Master)
Civilization II & III (I absolutely ADORE these soundtracks)
Disaster: Day of Crisis (I'd die for an official OST)
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin

Elemental Gearbolt. Wow good thing somebody remembered this game and its music.
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin is sick! I wish they would remake the music just for quality purposes.
Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance had some really memorable music in my opinion...now if it was orchestrated OMG?
Same with Batman Return of the Joker. That game played well and the music was BATMAN. Needs orchestration for EPICNESS.

Elemental Gearbolt. Wow good thing somebody remembered this game and its music.
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin is sick! I wish they would remake the music just for quality purposes.
Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance had some really memorable music in my opinion...now if it was orchestrated OMG?
Same with Batman Return of the Joker. That game played well and the music was BATMAN. Needs orchestration for EPICNESS.
I would argue with you on Harmony,but Batman Beyond had fucking awesome music. As far as I remember,it was actually done by Kris Carter,Gabe Moses and other guys who worked on the actual show. Certainly sounded like it,anyway. I wish there was rip of it somewhere. ;_;

Well, I can't say for sure if they are but these are ones that I think that could be underrated.

7th Legion
Extreme G
Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA
San Francisco Rush 2049
Top Gear Rally
Tribes
Starseige

If any of these deserves love it's Extreme G. Soundtrack was flawless, IMO. Top Gear Rally had that going for it for me, too.

Speaking of AW: DoR, a remake would be nice. I'd love to hear that soundtrack with top notch instrumentation.

I'd have to say the Medievil soundtracks from both Medievil 1 & 2 from PS1. I especially liked the first Medievil soundtrack on PS1, definitely one of the more darker soundtracks I've heard in a game.

The VGM from Descent 3, Descent 3: Mercenary, Tyrian 2000, Descent: FreeSpace, FreeSpace 2 and Bejeweled Twist are all underrated, in my opinion.

Descent 3: Mercenary

Agreed. 'Pink Slip' is awesome, as is the rest of the 'Mercenary' soundtrack.

donkey kong 2:diddy kong's country

ima go with sonic R. best sonic soundtrack, only problem was that the game was not so good and the songs had singing. if you listen to the instrumentals of each, you would zone out in xtasy

Oboro Muramasa is quite unknown to people, despite being #1/#2 on Wii, The Legend of Lomax is quite good for a PSOne game

Also funny towns music but good fighting music of Princess Crown (Vanillaware my LOVE)

ima go with sonic R. best sonic soundtrack, only problem was that the game was not so good and the songs had singing. if you listen to the instrumentals of each, you would zone out in xtasy

really? i gotta check it out

The soundtracks of the SoulCalibur series. They have some of the best music in videogame history, but RPGs get all the popularity.

I think the Phoenix Wright series. The games got a bunch of good tracks. Plus the new Miles Edgeworth game takes it to the next level :)

Ape Escape for the PSOne. Awesome game with awesome music!

Donkey Kong Country Series, Gundam Wing: Endless Duel, Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers (SNES), and Unreal Tournament 99-04 (PC).

Tee Off for the Dreamcast

Also, it seems that the Monkey Island series isn't brought up very often here...

If we're talking about most underrated VGM of recent time, the only one I can think of is 3D Dot Game Heroes. An incredible soundtrack and a total blast to the past.

Does newer stuff count? If so then Super Street Fighter IV & Sonic the Hedgehog Planetary Pieces

Chaos Legion,Ace Combat & FF XI-XIII

Grandia 2

Shining Force 1/2 for Sega Genesis have awesome soundtracks. Due to the system, the sound quality isn't amazing but they're still likeable songs.

Fricken' quoted for the truth. I LOVE those games and their music XD

I also feel the Suikoden soundtracks are excellent... even IV which I disliked but enjoyed its soundtrack quite a good deal.

Guardian Heroes I guess I don't really know whats underrated but Non & Nazo did a good job so I'm just giving kudos!

Narcissu. The game wouldn't be half as sad as it is without the music.

This is a topic that really interests me; I'm currently working on a YouTube channel where I hope to highlight selections from game soundtracks that are from obscure or more modern games that I think deserve much more attention than they currently get. In particular, there are some great works coming out of the downloadable game and indie game scenes that I wish had more exposure.

Super Meat Boy, 'Splosion Man, the Bit.Trip series, PixelJunk Eden, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, Osmos, Canabalt, Castle Crashers, Cloud, Echochrome, Flower, Braid, Cave Story, Another Bound Neo and PiCTOBiTS are all examples of games with great soundtracks that I rarely see mentioned. Even free flash games like Robot Unicorn Attack and Winterbells have either great original soundtracks or clever implementations of existing music. If nothing else, I think that these two tracks are musts:

1) Trample Machine (from Another Bound Neo): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7PlqurqNtk&fmt=22

2) Transition (from Bit.Trip Beat): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61wxyfOlnj0&fmt=22

I can't believe you people. No one's mentioned Glover?!

Glover (n64)
Super Bubble Pop (ps1 version)
Yoshi's Cookie (nes)
1943 (nes)

I'm not sure if .hack has underrated music. Definitely an underrated game.

Rumble Roses....I just like them songs.

Totally agree with Pokemon TGC music being awesome, though.

I think wild arms should get a say in here, underrated series and soundtrack

Wild Arms: The V'th Vanguard. Just check out the battle theme for Fereydoon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbytEsefBrs

Most stuff dynamedion made like:
Spellforce 1+2
The Settlers 4?5?6?
Anno 1404
The guild 2

And don�t forget about Rez... great game for DC but only with vibration.

Elemental Gimmick Gear
and I do believe Shenmue counts as well

I'd personally say the mega man games, 1 through X. X especially has some great tunes!
and F-Zero (SNES)

I agree with WoW; doesn't get enough recognition. I'm through the first 300 tracks on the upcoming Wrath of the Lich King soundtrack though. : p

My pick for most underrated; Jet Force Gemini.

Brave Fencer Musashi. Amazing soundtrack to a really overlooked game. I suggest everyone go find it and give it a listen if they haven't already. The synthesized harp sections are quite catchy and will stay with you for a long time.

Agreed SS4Jake, Well most underrated by me since 2001 is The Bouncer & Final Fantasy X-2 Noriko Matsueda is pure GOLD!

Wild Arms 5.

Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare, Shadowman 1-2, Syberia, Bishi Bashi Special:) and many others...

The Live a Live soundtrack by Yoko Shimomura (SNES game). IMHO Just as good as more famous/liked soundtrack like Chrono Trigger, FFIV or FFV. (not better then FFVI though!).

I agree it has it's share of filler tracks that aren't too interesting, but most of it is classic Shimomura! (my all-time fave is "Difficult Fight")

Madden NFL series and NFL Head Coach series (no, seriously. There are some epic themes on there once you get past the pointless hip-hop. And keep in mind I'm only counting the instrumentals, not the "real" songs.)

Definitely Spider the Videogame from PSX. By Barry Leitch.
I haven't found a single copy of it on the net, no stand-alone soundtrack was ever released, and the soundtrack is a masterpiece in my books.

YouTube - Spider The Video Game - 11 - Display Cases, Dinosaur Bones (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3DnPJV6bcQ)

Download the soundtrack here (Thread 81225), I guarantee ear pleasure.
I couldn't stand seeing Galbadia without this gem of a soundtrack.

Also, Shinobi / Nightshade for PS2 pack quite a punch in their soundtracks. Not the MOST underrated, but underrated.

And yeah, I have to mention Skullmonkeys / Neverhood, both are underrated games and VERY underrated soundtracks, mostly because the games went under the radar.

Contra: Hard Corps, or Probotector in Western countries. You MUST go listen! It's the best OST for SEGA (yes, that old). And I bet you can't produce a better sound experience with any other newer music technology. By the way you must listen to the Youtube versions or download the emulator and listen from the options menu of the game or something, because rips and stuff sound unbelievably bad.

Whow, someone mentioned 1943! I also love that one.

Combatribes has an awesome OST

Whow, someone mentioned 1943! I also love that one.


YA! High five!

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/9390/7242c064.gif

NES: Blaster Master, Dragon Fighter, Guardian Legend, Life Force, Target Regenade
PC-98: Sorcerian, Brandish
SNES: Breath of Fire, Madara 2, Majin Tensei 2, Pop'n Twinbee, Tenshi no Uta
etc., there are so many

Recently? Radiant Historia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdM6dq-ghnA

YouTube - Wizards and Warriors Theme for Strings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5uDgWQOADk)

Claymates from the SNES. Unfortunately, I can't find the soundtrack anywhere that's free of sound effects because it's one of those few games where you can't rip it straight from the SPC..

^^ Yep. I've run into that problem, too, which is one of the reasons why the soundtrack isn't better known. Same deal with Plok. Several of the songs seem to be impossible to rip correctly.

Umineko no Naku Koro ni has quite a bit of songs with many differnet composers and different styles with songs everyone should be able to find and like

here are some examples of really liked songs:

YouTube - Umineko no naku koro ni BGM - hope(Ver1.00) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOq7ZNTPVug&fmt=18)

YouTube - Worldenddominator (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jbkk-VlOkA&fmt=18)

YouTube - Umineko BGM - Dread of the Grave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tICKoZ18zHk&fmt=18)

YouTube - VGMusic of the Day 58: Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru 6 - Life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BhvHC6DU6I&fmt=18)

YouTube - Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru BGM - discolor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hJ7SfceTWw&fmt=18)

YouTube - Umineko no naku koro ni BGM - Happiness of marionette (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J5LF2Udf20&fmt=18)

YouTube - VGMusic of the Day 121: Umineko no Naku Koro ni 4 - dreamenddischarger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK6MK3LTGG4&fmt=18)

Mortal Kombat 2011. Most of the tracks were new arrangements of old tracks (yet were brilliant), but were other exciting new tracks as well (such as Street, Hell and Desert). Dan Forden should get more love. His percussion and guitar compositions are excellent. Sad that this guy doesn't get to work in more games.

Anything that Tim Follin, Matt Furniss, Virt "Jake Kaufman", and Yousuke Yasui has ever put out!