Gokinjo Boukentai (Neighborhood Adventure Squad)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWni8c1X2Ms

This song fucking rocks. It's so fun and interesting, and the silly instruments just add to it. It's like the joy of Sophisticated Fight was mixed with the chaos of Team Plasma Battle. This was one of the first nominations but I listened to it nearly daily since I first heard it. Like I said, there was a lot of indecision upon the exact placement of these songs, but this one was probably doomed to #1 early. This placement was irrevocable when it showed up in the VGM Guessing Game and I realized how excited I was for such an obscure, great song to show up. I think one of the comments describes my feelings best: "Youtube now almost exclusively recommends me weird Japan-only RPG music but I frankly couldn't be happier"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UJqW3rH6o8

Gen 5's soundfont is legit, and the weird-ass instruments that start around a minute in just add to it; I've been listening to Star Control 2's OST so much recently I've grown to love weird samples just tossed in. It has all of the tension of most battle themes with even more fun and chaos mixed in. This is more interesting than Pokemon themes tend to be, and I enjoyed it a lot more than I was expecting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um5EbReY7rA

I love Trails and am probably biased towards it, but in my defense, during the first VGMC I participated in before playing this game I voted for this song every time. This song is so fucking good. It's unpretentiously jazzy, gloriously upbeat and so much fun to fight and listen to. During said VGMC, I was told that it gets old after hearing it several hundred times, but it never did. I'm even starting to regret its low placement after, in Trails the Third, it replaces the normal fight theme during one section of the game and I realized how much I'd missed it. Honestly, it would probably have been one higher if I hadn't played the game and felt guilty for having it this high, but the top two songs are still so good that I can't be sure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMS5DLASt8I

I love the mixing in this. The strings/guitar/piano fading in and out creates an actiony, exciting theme that sounds great. Usually I dislike ugly electric sound effects, but, when used sparingly like in this, they just add to it. I'm getting a Sonic vibe from it for some reason? Anyway, primo stuff. I really lucked out by doing this topic so soon after the game came out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jp3F1uK1eo

The flamenco style works really well as a battle theme. Nothing else really to say. Flamenco rocks and so does this song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtnKeTQGFUg

The song is kind of basic and repetitive, but the instrument choices and atmosphere carry it. I suppose this one takes virtue in its simplicity. I fucking love the clapping and it's relentless in its cheeriness. This song makes me pumped.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js_URZleugc

The guitar/flute/weird jrpg plucked string combo rules. This song is fantastic on all fronts. I can't stop listening to it. Fun fact: Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains is the salamander capital of the world, with as many as 30 species and the majority of vertebrate individuals being salamanders in the park.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuLLI8mfqQc

The guy on the violins needs to chill a bit. Besides that, it's a really good theme. Not sure why I liked it so much more than Mikazuchi, but whatever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GB-xej4GFc

Wanna see what I've got? COME FORTH, WHEEL OF TIME! I will run no more. HYAH! PHANTOM RAID!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cdrVVYr7EA

I like this one. Just an all-round solid theme. Also kind of generic but we're in the realm of gut opinions now boys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCGI48QaZTU

The intro is sick, and this is kind of generic and should probably go in the high 60's but it rocks so screw you. It says "GBA Version", but I couldn't find the song in when I ripped the game and this sounds way too high quality to be gba ah well. Also, if the uploader found 60 better alternative battle themes, he either has super weird taste or I really need to check this channel out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eqMszMGUww

Ah, brings me back to an early-ish rip I loved that I'd completely forgotten about. The Western feel is great; it's a genre weirdly unexplored in terms of videogame music. When made well and used right, like in Rebel Galaxy, it cultivates a really unique feel. This song was made well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGUJBWipxOw

Alright this is intense for a normal battle theme. It's got a lot of stuff going on and all of it works. Oops wrote this part before the chanting that's even better. Even the more sparse parts have a great bass/drums combo which I really like for some reason (http://picosong.com/wRqXt/). Parts remind me vaguely of Become as Gods, which is weird (and likely erroneous) as I've only heard that song like once. Anyways this is good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syeudRZuuMo

I somehow don't think I've ever heard it before, but it just screams "classic". Fairly simple, but it nails all of the essentials perfectly. Favorite FF theme nominated.

https://youtu.be/XXe37XCnn-E

God, vocalization in Pokemon songs feels so strange to me. It took a bit to get used to the very beginning, but the song proper is pretty great. They use fucking square synths in this! One of the better Pokemon team themes, and having a kazoo'd version always helps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTj4n0L9Uh0

This is a good'un. The bass feels good, and the violin adds some excitement to the fairly calm song without overdoing it. It sticks to the basics and everything just sounds nice together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V81DlvZkxGE

This song is so dumb I don't know why I like it. It's simultaneously weirdly upbeat and sinister and weird, so I guess I just think it's interesting. I like the strange horn thing it's go going on, and how it just melts at the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jmty_NiaXc

A classic for a reason. I might be biased towards it since I had to dissect it when using it for a melodyswap with another song <youtube link>, but it's still great. The way the two melodies play off each other to create tension is pretty cool, and it's fun to listen to. I ignored the Pokemon cries that this version has

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpNHmSG80RY

I've got a weakness for violins and I like that other weird string. 1:00 was an interesting change. Slag Dance in VGMC misled me. I think I like Atelier music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCZjnuS6ESc

The bass breakdown in the middle was great. I love battle themes with triumphant guitars and an uplifting feel. I like this better than some random song from Etrian Mystery Dungeon I put on my phone after a VGMC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuL8yuN3vkc

The bagpipes are pretty cool. The melody is done extremely well, too. I feel like I'm playing End War for the DS, so I'm guessing this is an SRPG.

Snake555-555-5556

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1gyGqe94-w

I really like the instruments they used. Honestly, I think with any different set of instruments I'd find this song completely unworkable. They create the kind of atmospheric music I know Snake tends to like while still allowing for an interesting enough melody and song as a whole.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EXJiNH7QbU

Another very emotional theme that focuses more on the reasons we are forced to fight than on the fight itself. The violin part at the beginning sounds almost too uplifting, but it isn't a major detriment. On relistening, right before the violin starts you can hear a small gasp, and there a few others spread throughout. That's actually kind of brilliant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcFtjdpDOtA

<copypasta of the intro>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNORnKsigdQ

Pretty nice. They did good work making the horns and strings play off of each other well. I'd be happy to battle to this. I seem to remember this song being worse when it was in a VGMC?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jho-peCAKs

The opening is the stuff of legends, and the song as a whole is pretty good. I think the accompanying melody's instrument is silly as hell, but otherwise, this is a damn good theme.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXjOs8gjOjQ

This song is ridiculous, in a good way. It's like Ozzy Osbourne mixed with ZZ Top with some Lynyrd Skynyrd mixed in for good measure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-0MSxaYqes

Good, don't have much to say. Revisit when sober. Editor's note: Keep this writeup

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OfNgkxkM_o

I've never played the game, but this song feels very Xenoblade. I feel like this could get old after a little while, but it's rocking right now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4FdfaRX8EM

Organs + choir always good. It felt... soulful? Another song that makes it seem like you're struggling for something important. It's still got things going on while being somehow somber and muted. Good instrument choices here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdehDuAyXNo

Super tense and exciting. It isn't long, but it has enough variety within it to remain interesting . It's one of those themes that I can vividly imagine fighting to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM3Kf4L7gnY

Cool. I get a nice sense of the stakes, and the whooosh that's present throughout most of it is great. It's got style.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQX9aD6Gwhg

Within the first two seconds I could name the year this game came out in. I actually spent a few minutes looking for the .mod files to dick around with, but was unsuccessful. This song has a nice feel to it, and its take on a battle theme is surprisingly uncommon. Pretty nice.

https://youtu.be/HZ9O1Gh58vI

I gotta say, the organs that like to pop up in FF battle themes are always nice to hear. This is a good theme. It doesn't stand out a whole ton, but it's just solid. Unfortunately, VGMTrans doesn't want to rip the instrument set, so I can't dick around with it which usually nets songs extra points. It's a known issue on the Github too, so given a few months this would probably have worked. Oh well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5toVjFq0O_4

Fuck, this song just screams Smash. It has such an atmosphere of glories to be gained and triumphs to be won and I'm probably a bit biased despite never really playing Melee as a kid but really who's gonna dispute a good placement for this song?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfJruaNzMaE

You said that this music was kind of unique, didn't you? There's no way this is a regular battle theme. It's pretty good, but the tension doesn't feel as, I dunno, natural? Overdriven guitars are always a plus. Oh shit I own this game now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmsVbOJT9VQ

This is kind of great. All of the individual silly parts work together to make an actual coherent whole.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxXfJR-6ry0

I like the melody, and it has that swoosh that I love. Beat's a bit aggressive, but it does get me pumped.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL3YMZ-Br0o

It's got a pretty good buildup. There's a classic, dramatic movie-trailer feel to this, but it's unique enough in this genre not to feel a wholly tired and overplayed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFQ0gZikmZQ

The drums and bass really add to the feel of this. I kind of feel like I'm playing Fire Emblem... is this a JRPG? SRPG? I really have no idea. Anyways, it all comes together pretty well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlfCIBZy4Yw

Organ and choirs always good, even when they're just used as generic instruments rather than ones meant to evoke a specific feel. It's a nice song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ClcFbMk0o

Good bass. Kind of repetitive, but in a way, it adds to it. Gives it a grandoise feel, especially with the trumpets. Feel pumped to save a country or two

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n10fyQQFR1M

I like the progression of the song. Gives an epic feel despite it being fairly short, and it's just cool in general. Lots of neat little tricks spread throughout.

https://youtu.be/eFVj0Z6ahcI

It's a nice song, and fun to battle to, but I oddly find myself missing the narmyness of the other battle themes of the series despite me preferring this one. BABY BABY BABY BABY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-IuvOoXB_g

Sounds like Scatman. Actually, it kind of sounds like a HQ Rip, with a few different melodies that sound almost like other works. Nice sounding, but a bit incoherent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE8vKLEK6A8

DOOO DO DO DO DODO DOOO DO DOOO DO DO DO DOOO DO DO DO DODO DOOO DO DOOO DO DODO DOOO DO DO DO DO DO DO, DO DO DO DO DODO, DO DO DO DODO DOOOOOOO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gxN5jD2SxY

This is probably the one song I am biased towards. Emerald was my first Pokemon game, and I played the shit out of it. I fucking love the Gen 3 french horns, to the point where I find midis that use them tolerable. And, of course, the first song SiIva ever ripped was this one. Probably not as "objectively" good as other songs below it, but fuck you, it's my ranking!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFvwTKzWrLg

I like the Seinfeld-esque boops that are in the background. Nothing else about it stands out much. Just a quality SNES battle theme hitting all of the checkmarks strong

Snake555-555-5555

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNDXw9og9mM

I'm getting a bit of a System Shock 2 vibe from this. I like the contrast between the calm main melody and synths with the electronic instrument in the background adding to tension. It's relaxing while still reminding you shit is going on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAVePrZeGTc

It's a got FF-esque bass and I dig the melody, although one of the accompanying instruments irks me a bit. Decent enough overall.

https://youtu.be/PZZA-ElsORk

Fucking 8 minutes Jesus. It's got a nice bassline and the indistinct voices that play are pretty cool. This seems to basically be the same section repeated a bunch but whatever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byxuymAhtfI

The melody is accompanied pretty well. Makes it pretty enjoyable, and there's enough going on to make up for its length

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM3BIOvEJSw

It's generic, but not? I started it and thought that I heard it a million times, and it never really deviated from that, but it still somehow held my attention, and must've brought something new into the world. Good regardless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCPBVBtJTeI

I often find super aggressive instruments obnoxious. This is not one of those times. This song isn't super complex, but they pulled off a miracle with their instrumentation. Dramatic and hype as all hell, and the end of the loop just gets me; I think it reminds me of Machine Passage from Kirby Air Ride?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y7jDRRAwbw

On the borderline between acceptable and unacceptable edge. I suppose SMT games have the right to be edgy, so I'll give it a pass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0401K9cn-c

I wasn't paying attention and this extended song was playing in the background for like ten minutes. I enjoyed myself. I guess that's something.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxaCrib_qWo

It's nice. "Pleasant". It's pretty enjoyable, but fairly generic. Even the crazy violining is kind of overplayed at this point (and especially in Ar Nosurge). Still, we're making progress towards uniqueness once more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CiUoOnxDsE

Melody is a little basic. Like the string thing going on. Horn melody is better, gives a sense of gravitas. 1:30 on is pretty good. it's aight. I apparently was tired when doing this writeup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAs7dk_E5jg

Ok, that guitar that starts at 40 seconds is just silly. The flute that comes in after makes up for it. It's pretty solid except for that one ridiculous instrument.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sahnZAUlc1E

It's good? Generic? I don't know, what do you people want me to say!?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkQXQLPrCqo

A very Fire Emblem song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SyRxxvi3Vs

The timing feels a little off to me for whatever reason. It started strong but devolved into genericism after the bells. I feel like the video's description said it best: "Another battle theme".

https://youtu.be/pI4SyuVcRk0

This song honestly deserves to go higher but I've spent at least an hour listening to it and have nothing to say so fuck it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BknaSieSyBw

Odd for a battle theme, but I think it'd work. It's got enough tension to evoke the feel of combat without ruining the atmosphere I assume the game is going for. It's a bit repetitive, but as a whole it's pretty good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrfhwpdjbPQ

Like many of the songs in the 60's, to bother azuarc's term, it's "pleasant". Got a nice thing going on with the Cipher theme in the second half (whose HQ Rip has forever corrupted me), but it's nothing particularly special.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-uwhNNhdQ0

the melody at the beginning reminds me of some christmas song i think so thats appropriate (or was when I wrote this). It's nice, but a bit basic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5IF0NOLoEg

LOL with all that reverb and also it being KH, I know exactly who nominated this one. Good stuff my dude.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvYoV_q3pvA

Pretty jamming, but also generic. Really nice instruments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6pvnwwbNFA

It's got a good progression and virtue in simplicity, plus it fits the setting fairly well. Not anything too special, however, and 2001 still holds a special place in my heart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfB5B2bJbIU

This song's alright; I like Earthbound's OST.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iy47Q--EbU

I liked the beginning, but god, Persona vocals are so fucking goofy. I give it points for style, and I guess it's better than I expected, but... actually it's grown on me a lot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnt-SEg9J9Y

Oh this is weird. Last year my friend told me to listen to this soundtrack and I heard this song half-delirious from exhaustion at like 3 in the morning while working on a Physics lab. Every time I relistened to it I ended up moving it higher in the rankings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI1VpElKWF8

A song that has a vertical line in its emotion anchor chart pointed straight at "tension". I can tell this works great in game, with its fairly short loop probably even helping it. Its melody is alright too, though it isn't too fun to listen to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WqjLJ-Kdz4

Like all too many Fire Emblem songs, it rocks, but lasts no time at all (though the way battles work, this makes sense, I suppose). Knight of Nee felt the reason to make this remix for a reason: https://youtu.be/e9UkTy5iLa8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfu0XBf8kmk

Blinded by the light. Revved up like a duece, another runner in the night. Blinded by the light. Kind of generic until a minute in, and then it becomes more interesting and generally better, but still not amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcDPu3MAn4E

Oh hey a Cyberman. This is weirdly atmospheric for a battle theme, but I dig it. Chanting is always good too, of course.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ-caogAaS8

Reminds me of the Blitzball theme for some reason at points. I can't say I love everything that it does, but it definitely gets points for originality. I didn't know Zelda had a crossover with Clock Tower.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2dwXE8_ryI

I'm not sure I'd like this for a normal battle theme. It makes me feel helpless at points. Besides that, it was pretty cool

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgIjcGYmoyc

The retro soundfont's kind of falling flat for me. Getting a weird Sonic vibe too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZOQ8sLO-vU

People say that the OST is the only good part of Mystic Quest, but this song, at least, wouldn't be able to carry the game. Maybe the overdriven guitars don't jive super well with the rest of it; I like the second half much more than the first.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY1Vetd7OCs

It's got a good dramatic Final Fantasy feel, and the instruments have charm. For whatever reason I'm still not really into it, and it just kind of seems to be missing something other FF battle themes have.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXevGJoFTBM

It's trying to go places but never really gets there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIXedqHyWNY

Freddie Merchantry doesn't fit super well in this, and the song as a whole is a little much, but still decent.

https://youtu.be/aMzvFmBqu-o

The main riff makes me feel like I'm falling? And then it gets weirdly uplifting? Parts of it just come together weird for me. Other than that, it's fine, if kind of unremarkable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whj-w4YLdqA

Everybody get up, it's time to slam now. We've got a real jam going on. This feels like it's missing an instrument, or not enough octaves are in use. It kind of works, but I dunno. My ears feel sad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQEf2Cy_TlA

Only the classic Mario songs within the game are saved in an easily rippable format for some reason. Too bad, it's a pretty fun song. Not quite fun enough to make up for it only being 40 second loop, however, and the degree to which it sounds like a minigame song disconcerts me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIj55GZ0lss

The instrument set isn't my favorite. They're largely low-quality in a disconcerting way, and some just sound unpleasant. The melody itself is fine, if somewhat generic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrxoshg9ma0

It's short and doesn't utilize what little time it has well. Just some boring, repetitive riffs for the most part. It gets good for like 15 seconds, at least.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMvBjHxVDDI

Not spectacular. Only a select few songs that are only 30 seconds long can truly be great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK9Y1EqjDpY

Not a huge fan of the singer, and it kind of sounded like a generic pop song. Good bass though, and it had a bit of quality Engrish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRU6GnETSN4

I love Undertale and it's soundtrack as a whole, but the battle theme was always kind of underwhelming for me. It's serviceable, but doesn't stand out too much

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu1LCUJMnF0

It's alright. I dunno. Not really my type of music. Kind of the theme of this group of songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxvfieTkARI

Same issues with Bayonetta's Theme. Singer is better this time, but really not my thing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjCxwdQHFP4

This one kind of bores me. When I was kind of listening to it in the background* I thought it was like a 20 second loop, but when I actually paid attention it was actually surprisingly long. Seemed repetitive and not particularly interesting. Not especially in love with the melody or transitions either.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWcuGFY6BL4

Upon hearing the first few notes and seeing the image my first impression was "oh". It's cloying in some parts and ugly in anothers, making it kind of seem all over the place. It isn't terrible, and some parts are nice; it just isn't to my style.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-nXNfBTznE

Butt rock only works in SA2

Snake555-555-5558

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCS3VvYtGho

This song exists. Especially disappointing considering that had somebody nominated it, FFX's Battle Theme would have gone far.

Snake555-555-5559

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTsPG4sdYp0

I didn't like the singer, which is the main focus of the song. Not much else to say besides that.

Snake555-555-5557

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v-9BBiC0VU

I CAN FEEL THE EDGE. I give it 3 Shadow the Hedgehogs and 1 Infinite the Jackal