Early CD Game Soundtrack Energy

Games with soundtracks which exude early CD game soundtrack energy. OSTs composed at a time where the CD format was still novel, where you could tell that there was genuine excitement over the fact that game music could be produced with "real" instruments and samples. An emphasis on garage bands over large orchestras, with occasional experimental usage of sampling techniques. Expect a lot of rock, funky beats, syncopated piano chords, house music and drum n' bass.

The timeframe here is between 1989-2000, but a few games released after 2000 fit the bill if they were released on 5th gen consoles.

Ys: Book I & II
Ys: Book I & II
One of the first to ever do it
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys
Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania Chronicles
Castlevania Chronicles
Arrange soundtrack
Gate of Thunder
Gate of Thunder
Lords of Thunder
Lords of Thunder
Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams
Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams
PC Engine version.
Daytona USA
Daytona USA
Sega Rally Championship
Sega Rally Championship
game over YEAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sega Rally 2
Sega Rally 2
Ridge Racer
Ridge Racer
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Sonic CD
Sonic CD
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic the Fighters
Sonic the Fighters
Sonic R
Sonic R
Sonic Adventure
Sonic Adventure
Einhänder
Einhänder
Ridge Racer Type 4
Ridge Racer Type 4
Rage Racer
Rage Racer
Salamander 2
Salamander 2
Gradius Gaiden
Gradius Gaiden
Gradius IV: Revival
Gradius IV: Revival
Xexex
Xexex
Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike
Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike
RayForce
RayForce
RayStorm
RayStorm
RayCrisis: Series Termination
RayCrisis: Series Termination
Ape Escape
Ape Escape
Wipeout
Wipeout
Wipeout XL
Wipeout XL
Wipeout 3
Wipeout 3
Gran Turismo
Gran Turismo
Border Down
Border Down
Jet Set Radio
Jet Set Radio
Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid
Pepsiman
Pepsiman
Guilty Gear
Guilty Gear
G-Darius
G-Darius
Thunder Force V
Thunder Force V
Bomberman 64
Bomberman 64
Technically not CD but it has the energy
Tekken
Tekken
Tekken 2
Tekken 2
Tekken 3
Tekken 3
Virtua Racing
Virtua Racing
Virtua Fighter
Virtua Fighter
Virtua Cop
Virtua Cop
Virtual-On
Unreal
Unreal
Unreal Tournament
Unreal Tournament
Killer Instinct
Killer Instinct
Dangun Feveron
Dangun Feveron
Blazing Star
Blazing Star
Umihara Kawase Shun
Umihara Kawase Shun
Densha de GO!
Densha de GO!
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Rollcage
Rollcage
Xevious 3D/G
Xevious 3D/G
Jumping Flash!
Jumping Flash!
PaRappa the Rapper
PaRappa the Rapper
Soul of the Samurai
Soul of the Samurai
Karous
Karous
F-1 World Grand Prix
F-1 World Grand Prix
Zupapa!
Zupapa!
Pochi and Nyaa
Pochi and Nyaa
Guardian Heroes
Guardian Heroes

3 Comments


10 months ago

Funky list! Have you played Jumping Flash? It gives me similar vibes as the games on this list I've played/heard.

10 months ago

Just a whole lot of extremely good soundtracks on this list. Nice!

10 months ago

@JetSetSet can't say I have, but from listening to the ost it definitely fits on this list so thanks!


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