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.

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

3 Comments


1 year ago

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

1 year ago

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

1 year 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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