Basement Themes: The All-Time Worst Video Game Music

[Magical_Isopod]

Had a bit of an idea for a goofy little topic - why not archive the absolute worst video game music ever made? Could be a nice little archive to have on hand for arguments, for playing at a party you don't want to be at, or for bothering your significant other.

I'll get started with the absolutely cringe-inducing boss music to Blue Dragon. It starts off fine - it is Uematsu after all - but the vocals are just terrible. It sounds like 90s anime voice talent Scott MacNeil (Duo Maxwell in Gundam Wing, Rat Trap in Beast Wars, that bandit guy in Inuyasha) making fun of 80s power metal... But it's actually just an aged 80s power metal singer, bless his heart.

[dezm0nd]

I'm in the minority here but this track is just a bit guff.

[Magical_Isopod]

Oh God, those poor violins.

[JaySevenZero]

I've moved this thread into general game chat, the Sound of Play thread is for the episodes themselves with the exception being the submission thread that's stickied at the top.

[Magical_Isopod]

Thanks Jay! I wasn't sure, I figured Sound of Play would be locked if that were the case. I was wrong. Appreciate the course correction.

[KSubzero1000]

How about some poor trombones instead?

[Flabyo]

I actually kinda like the Blue Dragon boss battle theme, but then I like the cheesy rock of the Dynasty Warriors games so...

Last time I had this particular discussion I think me and my friends settled on Transbot as being the worst:



But to be honest there are hundreds of C64, nes and master systems games with worse than that.

[Flabyo]

(To be honest you probably want to put a game age cap on this or I’ll just be posting endless 8-bit horror shows)

[ThirdDrawing]

But it's actually just an aged 80s power metal singer, bless his heart.

That "aged 80s power metal singer" is Ian Gillan from Deep Purple!

Fair enough if you don't like it, but at least get your facts straight!

[DomsBeard]

Will post some on later but Dino Crisis has an awful soundtrack

[KissMammal]

BEHOLD:

[Magical_Isopod]

Oh man... God's bless the unfortunate children who had to explain that to their parents.

[Flabyo]

Don’t make me post Buck Bumble.

Oh, too late.

[Jobobonobo]

There might be some that might disagree with me on this but the intro song to SF 4, "Indestructible" is the most cheesy, boy band shite I have ever heard in a videogame. It even has some obnoxious autotune near the end and all. I unironically prefer the DK rap to this.

[Flabyo]

I find jpop cheese has a certain charm, but yeah, a lot of people did not like that. Some people say the same about ‘into free’ from dragon’s dogma, these people are wrong.

[Jobobonobo]

Ha have to say I feel similar about the Buck Bumble theme, it's nonsense but it's lovable nonsense to me.

Just listened to the first few second of the BALLZ soundtrack. Christ, almost feels like the developer was trolling the player, especially kids, by putting that in the game.

[Flabyo]

I’m only being half hearted with what I’m posting to be honest, I love game music so much that I like most stuff, and the genuinely horrible stuff I know about from 30 or more years ago is unlikely to be something anyone would bother uploading to youtube anyway.

[Jobobonobo]

Don't worry, protecting the honour of the Buck Bumble theme is not really a hill I am going to die on . Though it is nice to acknowledge some of the less beloved tunes in VGM. I think this could even be a good idea for a Sound Of Play special, just playing guff and breaking down why it is bad.

[Magical_Isopod]

Honestly, that Buck Bumble one doesn't really offend me. Just sounds like 90s eurodance. A little generic, but not the worst thing.

Also, what's Deep Purple?

[dezm0nd]

Heh that Buck Bumble track was an on going mockery back in the day.