TNL's Game Music Radio

[Kohan]

Hey, folks. After making sure the big cat didn't mind, I'm here to tell you about a little something known as TNL Radio. Coincidentally, SNK here on the forums mentioned being familiar with TNL -- it's an enthusiast site that's been around for a little over ten years, and its radio is something I've helped put together.

To note, this radio doesn't have commercials or anything of the like. Doesn't even have an announcer. Someday, we'd like to put radio shows on it, but that's been delayed over and over again -- I don't know if it'll actually happen. In the interim, it's gaming music 24/7, and I think most of you will find it worth your listening while.

The icons for it are in the lower right corner of the front page, which is found here: The Next Level

As for what it plays, the tracklist is extremely varied. There's techno, orchestral, jazz, new age, chiptune, rock, synthpop -- you name it, it's probably there. Usually, there's only one to four songs included from each game -- a few, like "Chrono Cross," had exceptions made -- and the selections don't strictly include soundtracks. There's theme songs from game-related anime, television shows, special release soundtracks, remixes, and so on, so forth.

System that songs were picked from range from Commodore 64, to Sega Saturn, to Xbox 360, and practically everything in between -- even systems like the Atari Jaguar -- is included. There's tracks from shmups, RPGs, platformers, puzzlers... you get the idea, eh?

With all that said, please check it out. It's great to leave on when you don't know what else to play, and there's a fair chance you'll discover a lot of gaming music you didn't know about before, while also taking a trip down memory lane. This is also professionally hosted -- it's not running off of someone's machine on a shoddy connection -- so it should never quit out on you inexplicably.

Enjoy.

[MisterBob]

I tried this, the first song that played was from Type Moon, immediately shut it off

[Kaylia]

Listened to it a lot last night. The concept is pretty cool, but they are playing way too much garbage techno without any melody. The kind of mus...noise that get pretty annoying to listen at. Best song I got was Halo theme (love that one) over the 2 hours I listened.


[edit]
Gdi, one megaman 2 track, but it's not Willy castle.

[edit2]
Much better today I guess. MGS theme now. Still a lot of really shitty song tho.

[MisterBob]

Ok, decided to try one more time, and now it's a David Bowie song? I like Bowie, but this is not a video game music station, sorry.

[Charismatic]

I tried this, the first song that played was from Type Moon, immediately shut it off

Ok, decided to try one more time, and now it's a David Bowie song? I like Bowie, but this is not a video game music station, sorry.

These posts made me laugh far harder than I should have, and I'm at work so that makes it even worse.

[Kohan]

Ok, decided to try one more time, and now it's a David Bowie song? I like Bowie, but this is not a video game music station, sorry.

This is why there's David Bowie music in there: Omikron: The Nomad Soul - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As mentioned in the original post, it's not strictly game music, but anything which doesn't come from a game itself must be a close relative.

There's Devo in there as well, for example, because of their CD ROM release "The Adventures of the Smart Patrol."

To be honest, I do personally think there's too much Bowie and Devo, but that was all piled in by the other contributor, and he absolutely loves them. I don't believe there should be absolutely none of it however.

EDIT: Last I checked, there's about four or five songs per artist.

We don't want to have nothing but conventional music, because then, there would be nothing special about the station. There is a pretty fair amount of mainstream stuff, but the majority of tracks don't fall under that.

[Kohan]

Listened to it a lot last night. The concept is pretty cool, but they are playing way too much garbage techno without any melody. The kind of mus...noise that get pretty annoying to listen at. Best song I got was Halo theme (love that one) over the 2 hours I listened.

Do you remember any of the songs you didn't like specifically? There really is very little strict techno, so I'm wondering if what you heard were some of the remixes.

I'm one of only two people that's been working on this radio station over the past couple of years, so I'm directly involved in what sorts of music go into it. What suggestions do you have?

The one thing we really can't put any more of is RPG music, there's way too much of that as it is. Probably too much adventure ("Sam & Max," et cetera) music too.

The genres we have the least amount of representation from are probably fighting, puzzle, and FPS.

[Charismatic]

Can't put any more RPG music?
Well, I won't be tuning in!

[Kohan]

Can't put any more RPG music?
Well, I won't be tuning in!

There's already music from practically every RPG series imaginable. Both the other guy and myself are huge Tales fans, so that's in there. On top of that, there's Grandia, Phantasy Star, Final Fantasy, "Chrono Trigger," "Chrono Cross," and even various Western RPGs.

If you can think of something that's not already there, I'll add it, but chances are it's there already. There are hundreds of games represented in the track list, but we try to keep it to only one to four songs per game.

[Charismatic]

Well, I was just thinking though that "no more RPG music" pretty much means "no more Yoko Shimomura" and I could not live with that.

[Kaylia]

Do you remember any of the songs you didn't like specifically? There really is very little strict techno, so I'm wondering if what you heard were some of the remixes.

I'm one of only two people that's been working on this radio station over the past couple of years, so I'm directly involved in what sorts of music go into it. What suggestions do you have?

The one thing we really can't put any more of is RPG music, there's way too much of that as it is. Probably too much adventure ("Sam & Max," et cetera) music too.

The genres we have the least amount of representation from are probably fighting, puzzle, and FPS.

I didnt really pay attention to the title when I didn't like the song (was usually pausing it whenever it was bad). Also, could you post a link to the music collection, I can't find it anywhere.

Obviously, I can't speak for everyone and music taste varies greatly from people to people, but I usually prefer track with powerful melody, instead of some techno beat (or song with remixed beat). It makes much better background music to listen.

Not the best example maybe because I never heard the original, but something like "Darius Gaiden - EEG" can get pretty annoying just because of the beat. The melody isnt too bad, but the only thing you hear is the drum..kinda annoying.

Another example of stuff that I would rather not hear is "unknown - water world" and Nobuo Uematsu's "trip" (or was it travel...forgot). Happy old school music is not that good, and it doesn't make great music to listen.


Oh, and less David Bowie. Think I got 4 of his song in ~40 tracks.

[Charismatic]

Do you have "Let's get it on" from SF3?

[Kaylia]

I'm complaining a lot, but there is still some pretty damn good track I never heard before. Make me want to play those game.


No clue if those are on your list, but if they are not, you should add them now >_>
YouTube - MUSIC: Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest - Boss Battle Theme
YouTube - Hellion Sounds ~ 11. Battle 1 (Final Fantasy Mystic Quest)
YouTube - MUSIC: Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest - Doom Castle Theme


And the best two NES track...I'm sure they are already there, but I would be happy if they were comming back more often than David Bowie's song.
YouTube - Castlevania II: Simon's Quest - Bloody Tears
YouTube - Best VGM 153 - Mega Man 2 - Dr. Wily Stage 1 / 2


Is it normal to cry nostalgia's tears every time I hear wily's stage music?



[edit]
Or some donkey kong. Loved the track in that game
YouTube - Donkey Kong Country 2 Soundtrack: Bramble Blast
YouTube - Donkey Kong Country 2 Music: Hornet Hole (2min30+)
YouTube - Donkey Kong Country - King K.Rool

And a last one for now from mother 3
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-C3T8...eature=related

[Charismatic]

All of those are good, only real suggestion I can make if it's not there is The 13th Reflection from KH2 which is probably there already.
YouTube - The 13th Reflection

[Kohan]

None of those FF songs you recommended are there. Actually, I should've asked for FF suggestions outright, as I have never been a FF fan and do not know what people's favorites are. Of course, I've listened to the various soundtracks over the years -- I gather videogame music like nobody's business, at the rate of gigs per week usually -- and I've included the tracks I enjoyed. However, they have no sentimental value in terms of a personal gaming experience, as I couldn't tell you what they're related to.

Also, there's probably a dozen or more different renditions of "Bloody Tears" already on the radio, and there's a bunch of music from the different Castlevanias (including the most recent Ecclesia). There's also about five different versions of the Dr. Wily music.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will look into getting some FFMQ music. Shouldn't be too hard. Oh, and since I also think Bowie plays way too often, I'll go argue with my friend some more and hopefully get most of that taken out (but I think we'll leave in the two Omikron songs at the very least).

Does anyone (or do you) have any more suggestions?

EDIT: No music from KH2 in there, only KH. I'm not much of a Square fan and I don't like KH, so actually, I'll take suggestions for that too. Remember though, trying to keep it under five songs per game.

[Kaylia]

All of those are good, only real suggestion I can make if it's not there is The 13th Reflection from KH2 which is probably there already.
YouTube - The 13th Reflection

Yeah, was a good one. Love the 1min20+ part My favorite KH track was the one played with one of the first trailer for KH1...but I don't remember the title and can't find it. >_>

[Kaylia]

None of those FF songs you recommended are there. Actually, I should've asked for FF suggestions outright, as I have never been a FF fan and do not know what people's favorites are. Of course, I've listened to the various soundtracks over the years -- I gather videogame music like nobody's business, at the rate of gigs per week usually -- and I've included the tracks I enjoyed. However, they have no sentimental value in terms of a personal gaming experience, as I couldn't tell you what they're related to.

Also, there's probably a dozen or more different renditions of "Bloody Tears" already on the radio, and there's a bunch of music from the different Castlevanias (including the most recent Ecclesia). There's also about five different versions of the Dr. Wily music.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will look into getting some FFMQ music. Shouldn't be too hard. Oh, and since I also think Bowie plays way too often, I'll go argue with my friend some more and hopefully get most of that taken out (but I think we'll leave in the two Omikron songs at the very least).

Does anyone (or do you) have any more suggestions?

EDIT: No music from KH2 in there, only KH. I'm not much of a Square fan and I don't like KH, so actually, I'll take suggestions for that too. Remember though, trying to keep it under five songs per game.

Figured you already had Wily and Bloody tear..but i have yet to hear them

I will post a list of the FF track that are the most memorable to me. I supose it's biased with my personal taste, but those are the one I usually see posted by people. Not everyone played and like FF game, but I'm sure you could reach a lot of people with those track...they still have a huge fanbase.

Crystal Theme: YouTube - Final fantasy Crystal Theme
Pretty much a classic in the FF series...can pick any version, this one kinda blow



FF4
Overworld YouTube - Final fantasy IV Overworld theme remix
Theme of love (might be too soft, dunno? YouTube - Final Fantasy IV Music: Theme Of Love
Opening YouTube - Final Fantasy IV - Opening Music
Can probably add 1 battle track as well

FF5
Clash on the big bridge YouTube - FF5 Boss Series - #16: CLASH ON THE BIG BRIDGE!!!
^This or the remix version in FFXII. It's one of the most loved song in the series.
Main theme: YouTube - Final Fantasy V Music - Main Theme of FINAL FANTASY V
Battle theme: YouTube - Final Fantasy V Battle Theme



FF6
Boss theme: YouTube - Final Fantasy 6 - Decisive Battle
Battle theme: YouTube - Final Fantasy 6 - Battle Theme
Shadow's theme YouTube - Shadows Theme
^Everyone loved shadow, right? can't go wrong with this one I think
Overworld: YouTube - #5 - Terra's Theme (Overworld) - Final Fantasy 6

errr..Nostalgia is still too strong for this one. The soundtrack is pretty good in overall, but I'm probably biased. There is at least 10-12 track that I consider worthwhile, but maybe it would be better for someone without bias to pick them.


And Lufia to end this post >_>
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=45uvU1...eature=related

[Kohan]

Thank you again for the suggestions, I'll see about adding those. I probably won't add any more per the games mentioned, this is enough. However, more ideas for other entries in the franchise would be fine.

[Akiyama]

Yeah, was a good one. Love the 1min20+ part My favorite KH track was the one played with one of the first trailer for KH1...but I don't remember the title and can't find it. >_>

Agreed. I love The 13th Reflection. D:

[chazzyphizzle]

If you don't already have it I'd put Snake Eater on there, that is a pretty epic song. Made MGS3 feel all James Bond-y.