LMH Mixtape #281: AI

The subject of artificial intelligence was a loose theme in Episode 281.  But don't worry, no A.I. was used to create this mixtape.  Just some great taste and a lot of great music.  Things start off with "Boat Fishing at Kenzaki" from Fishing Koushien.  You can always count on fishing games to bring the jams.  "Military" from Rise of the Robots features some distinctive western style arpeggios.  "The Sky’s Brilliance" from Energy Breaker has a really rich and smooth sound, with a country style.  This is real and good music here, nothing artificial about it.

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MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Popful Mail - Jungle

Another Favorite: Fishing Koushien - Boat Fishing at Kenzaki

Sounds like a peaceful country field: Energy Breaker - The Sky’s Brilliance

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2025/02/episode-281-ai.html

LMH Mixtape #280: Making Connections

The unofficial theme of this episode was "making connections."  For one, Rob had a running theme through his choices.  Did you catch the theme?  There were also a lot of connections made between tracks and other media of which those tracks were reminiscent.  For example, "Burning Fighter (Stage 3)" from Surprise Attack had parts that reminded the boizz of music from the movie Bloodsport.  Additionally, a specific part of that track reminds me (ManaTree) of a section from "Land of Confusion" by Genesis (the band, not the Sega console).  There's a lot of great music in this mix to explore, so take a listen and start making your own connections!

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MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant Favorite: Surprise Attack - Burning Fighter (Stage 3)

Another Favorite: Hexion - 2P Co-op Mode (“Penguin Dance”)

Metal to the max!: Metal Max 2 - Wanted Person Battle

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2024/12/episode-280-making-connections.html

Episode 292: Orchestral Music

The focus here is orchestral music in games from the third and fourth generation.  What does "orchestral" even mean?  How many instruments are needed to form an orchestra?  The boizz have some trouble answering these questions, so maybe you can figure it out for yourself while listening to their selections.  Full track listing below.

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Game - Composer - Track - Company - Console - Year (North American release unless otherwise indicated)

Jungle Wars 2 - Toshio Okamoto - Field (Night) - Atelier Double/Pony Canyon - Super Famicom - 1993

Albert Odyssey - Naoki Kodaka - Hometown Tibelis - Sunsoft - Super Famicom - 1993

Dark Kingdom - Jimmy & Patty - Ending - Nippon Telenet - Super Famicom - 1994

Heracles no Eikou IV: Kamigami-kara no Okurimono - Shogo Sakai - A New Sky - Data East - Super Famicom - 1994

Mickey Mania: The Timeless Adventures of Mickey Mouse - Matt Furniss - Whirlwind - Traveller's Tales/Sony Imagesoft - Genesis - 1994

Robotrek - Ayako Yoda - Hometown in Autumn - Quintet/Enix - SNES - 1994

Shining in the Darkness - Masahiko Yoshimura - The Ancient Temple - Climax Entertainment - Genesis - 1991

Super Metroid - Kenji Yamamoto - Space Warrior (Samus Aran's Theme) - Nintendo - SNES - 1994

Heracles no Eikou III: Kamigami no Chinmoku - Seiji Momoi - Glory of Ancient Times - Data East - Super Famicom - 1992

Phelios - Yoshinori Kawamoto - Beast Typhon (Intermission 2, Chapter 7-2) - Namco - Genesis - 1990

Monster World IV - Jin Watanabe - Try the Trial (Tower of Silence) - West One/Sega - Mega Drive - 1994

Famicom Tantei Club Part II: Ushiro ni Tatsu - Kenji Yamamoto - Lyricism - Nintendo/TOSE - Super Famicom - 1998

Zig Zag Cat: Ostrich Club mo Oosawagi da - Masako Inata - More Paths to Go Down - Opera House/Den'Z - Super Famicom - 1994

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past - Koji Kondo - Kakariko Village - Nintendo - SNES - 1992

LMH Mixtape #278: Best Of Year In Review 13

Another LMH year (plus one extra month) in the books.  Brent and Rob count down their top ten (third and fourth generation) tracks that they discovered within the year, and Gabe counts down his top three.  This mixtape is loaded with great music.

Download and listen NOW

Partial track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2024/10/episode-277-far-out.html

LMH Mixtape #277: Far Out

Get ready for some far out music, ya dig?  It's a free play, so we've got a nice variety of music on which to groove.  That includes classic NES games like Ninja Gaiden as well as lesser known Japanese exclusives like Sangokushi Seishi: Tenbu Spirits on the Super Famicom, and everything in between.  There's no knowing where this trip will take you, or how it might expand your MegaMind, so listen to a full dose and see what happens!

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MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Hexion - Form Select Mode (“The Hexagon I Dreamed Of”)

Another favorite: Sangokushi Seishi: Tenbu Spirits - Flow the Yellow River

Bass slappin' greatness: Over Drive - Magic Lady

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2024/10/episode-277-far-out.html

LMH Mixtape #276: Repetition

This episode's theme is repetition.

That means tracks that use repetition as an element of the music.

For example, this helps add an element of suspense and fear for tracks such as "Stage One" from Alien 3 or "Delusion (Round 3-2)" from Zombie Nation.  It can also be a steady driving force for tracks like "Character Presentation" from Mini-Yonku Let's & Go!! Power WGP 2 or "Placings" from Power Drive.

As you know, this episode's theme is repetition, but that doesn't mean boring.

For instance, "Name Entry" from Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair and "Menu Select" from Kat's Run: Zen Nihon K Car Senshuken are very lively and exciting tracks.

So to summarize, this episode's theme is repetition.

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MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

A favorite: Mini-Yonku Let's & Go!! Power WGP 2 - Character Presentation

A favorite: Kat's Run: Zen Nihon K Car Senshuken - Menu Select

A favorite: Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair - Name Entry

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2024/09/episode-276-repetition.html

LMH Mixtape #275: Rock Music 3

For those users about to rock, we salute you!  This was the third time the boizz focused on rock music.  That means tracks that feature elements like punchy drums, electric guitars, and driving bass lines.  "Final Boss" from Jackal features those nice punchy NES drums, for example.  "Hercules" from Mahjong Taikai II has classic "crunchy" electric guitars.  And you get the driving bass on "Caverns & Mines" from The Great Battle V.  So hit play and throw those horns up!

Download and listen NOW

MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: The Great Battle V - Caverns & Mines

Another favorite: Batman Returns - Stage 1: Gotham Plaza

Is it rock? Funk? I don't know, but it's bonk!: Shin Nekketsu Kouha: Kunio Tachi no Banka - Shinji's Hideout

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2024/08/episode-275-rock-music-3.html

LMH Mixtape #274: The Big Wave

The boizz returned from the beyond, with a new classic free play of third and fourth generation tracks.  Diving right in, we're starting out with a golf game, so you already know you're in for some good music.  "Hole Overview" from New 3D Golf Simulation: Waialae no Kiseki is a really uplifting and energetic track, making it different from the usual smooth jazz sound you probably expect from golf games.  "Stage 4" from Shadow of the Ninja has that special Natsume touch that always manages to elevate a track to a higher level.  Of course, these are only a small sample of the Big Wave of great tracks coming your way, so let the tunes wash over you, and prepare to ride the wave!

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MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Shadow of the Ninja - Stage 4

Another favorite: The Legendary Axe - Zone 5

A shame it was unused: Uchuu Keibitai SDF - Unused (BGM 11) 

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2024/07/episode-274-big-wave.html

LMH Mixtape #273: Beyond 16-Bit 10

The boizz went beyond once again, for the tenth Beyond 16-Bit episode.  Of course there are still tracks that sound like they could have come from the third and fourth generation.  Jake Kaufman's distinct retro style shines in "Credits" from Regular Show: Mordecai and Rigby in 8-Bit Land.  Enrique Martin (Pentadrangle) also kills it with a modern take on the classic approach in "Mekacity Docks (Chapter 4)" from Cyber Shadow.  You can go even further beyond with tracks like "Ropey Jungle" from Wario Land: Shake It!, brought to you by the always fantastic Tomoya Tomita.  There's so much great music in this mixtape, that you'll probably want to go BEYOND just a single listen!

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MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Cyber Shadow - Mekacity Docks (Chapter 4)

Another favorite: Regular Show: Mordecai and Rigby in 8-Bit Land - Credits

Favorite track to shake it to: Wario Land: Shake It! - Ropey Jungle

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2024/05/episode-273-beyond-16-bit-10.html

Episode 290: Peace

Rob brings a message of peace to this episode of the Legacy Music Hour.  Enjoy the music!  Full track listing below.

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Game - Composer - Track - Company - Console - Year (North American release unless otherwise indicated)

Ramos Ruy no World Wide Soccer - Bob Dayley, Eric Nunamaker, Kingsley Thurber - Match BGM - Sculptured Software/Pack-In-Video - Super Famicom - 1994

Hany on the Road - Atsuko Iwanaga (Ako Matsudaira) - Hany on the Road - Arc System Works/Face - PC Engine - 1990

Lady Stalker: Kako kara no Chousen - Eri Sugai - Big Action Shot (Educational Film) - Climax Entertainment/Taito - Super Famicom - 1995

Super Black Bass 3 - Tsukushi Sasaki (Chikufan Sasaki) - Waiting For A Bite/Setting Fish Free (Bassa Mode) - Starfish - Super Famicom - 1995

Rushing Beat Shura - Atsuyoshi Isemura, Hyu - Deadly Desert Island - Jaleco - Super Famicom - 1993

Roller Jammer - Ichiro Takagi - Professional Class Time Trial - Nichibutsu - arcade - 1984

Vendetta - Michiru Yamane - The Theme of "THE COBRAS" (Player Select) - Konami - arcade - 1991

Pachi-Slot World Cup '94 - unknown - Japan’s Pride - I'Max - Game Boy (Japan) - 1994

Nage Libre: Seijaku no Suishin - Yusuke Takahama, Michihiko Shichi - Title - Varie - Super Famicom - 1995

Armadillo - S. Big Land (Shunichi Ooshima?) - Stage Music 3 (Casino, Amusement Park, Ruins) - AIM/IGS - Famicom - 1991

G.O.D: Mezameyo to Yobu Koe ga Kikoe - Yuuichi Matsuzaki, Manami Matsumae, Kimitaka Matsumae, Demon Kakka (Demon Kogure) - Mt. Tsukubane - Infinity/Imagineer - Super Famicom - 1996

Sailor Moon S: Kondo wa Puzzle de Oshioki yo! - Harumi Fujita - Underwater and Outer Space - Tom Create/Bandai - Super Famicom - 1994

WEC Le Mans 24 - Atsuko Iwanaga (Ako Matsudaira), Miyaju Satomi - Unused 4 - Konami - arcade - 1986

LMH Mixtape #272: Jazz Music 3

Time to get jazzed for another quality packed mixtape!  After twelve years, the boizz returned to the topic of Jazz Music.  "Battle" from Gokinjo Boukentai has a full, big-band, swing sound, featuring many cool instrument solos.  "Swing! MQ!" from Party Quiz Mega Q is a straight-up jazz number with a game show vibe.  "Racing" from Mini-Yonku Let's & Go!! Power WGP has a smooth, jazzy sound similar to Super Mario World or Super Mario Kart.  This mixtape features some pretty sophisticated licks (and all that jazz), so go on and get in on the jam session!

Download and listen NOW

MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Gokinjo Boukentai - Battle

Another favorite: Sailor Moon S: Kondo wa Puzzle de Oshioki yo! - Original Game

Jazz-ish favorite: Sonic Boom - Stage 3, 5

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2024/04/episode-272-jazz-music-3.html

LMH Mixtape #271: Shooters

Not to be confused with "Flying and Shooting," this episode topic includes ANY type of shooting, and with that in mind, we're gonna shoot right out of the gate with an incredibly bonk track.  Or more accurately, a Super Bonk track!  "Shoot the Smiley!" from Super Bonk on the SNES has an infectious and uplifting melody that gets this mixtape started right.  "Team/Settings Select" from Double Dribble: 5 on 5 features some great, crunchy bass that you can only get on the Game Boy.  And of course "Mother" from Axelay is a classic Konami banger.  Check out the "dog barks" on that one.  There's a ton more in this mixtape, so why not hit play and give it a shot?

Download and listen NOW

MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Super Bonk - Shoot the Smiley!

Another favorite: Double Dribble: 5 on 5 - Team/Settings Select

Longtime favorite: Axelay - Mother

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2024/04/episode-271-shooters.html

LMH Mixtape #270: Court

All rise, court is in session.  Today we will be presenting evidence that the Legacy Music Hour is guilty of spreading video game music of the "tenner" variety.  Exhibit A: "Title Screen" from Honkaku Mahjong: Tetsuman II.  This track clearly demonstrates a smooth and jazzy tone which builds into a fantastic sax piece at the end.  Exhibit B: "Stage 5" from Shadow of the Ninja is a very energetic tune that you will find yourself coming back to over and over due to its addictive nature.  You don't have to take my word for it though, as this mixtape is all the proof needed.  I rest my case.

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MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Shadow of the Ninja - Stage 5

Another favorite: Honkaku Mahjong: Tetsuman II - Title Screen

Guilty of being a favorite: Panorama Cotton - Stage 3 Midboss: Alabbin

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2024/03/episode-270-court.html

LMH Mixtape #269: Tracks That End

This episode had a fun theme: tracks that end.  Meaning, tracks that don't loop indefinitely.  That's right, you'll find a lot of title themes and ending/credits tracks here, as opposed to stage BGMs which usually loop.  "Opening" from Shadow of the Ninja is a great example of a title piece that can get you pumped to start a game.  And "Opening" from Track & Field on the Game Boy is another example of music with a strong ending that echoes out at the end.  Of course, one track's ending that needs to be mentioned is "Marginal Power (Title)" from Kaizou Choujin Shubibinman, which finishes with an amusing voice sample -so be sure to listen for that.  These tracks may all end, but the mixtape is just about to begin, and once it's all over, you can keep replaying it over and over again on loop indefinitely.  So, really, these tracks don't HAVE to end -it's up to you!

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MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite:  Shadow of the Ninja - Opening

Another favorite:  Track & Field - Opening

Favorite end:  Kaizou Choujin Shubibinman - Marginal Power (Title)

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2024/02/episode-269-tracks-that-end.html

Episode 289: Best Of Year In Review 14

You know the drill.  Brent and Rob share their top ten favorite newly discovered tracks that were played on the show over the past year.  Gabe does his top five.  You think there'll be some crossovers?  Partial track listing below.

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Game - Composer - Track - Company - Console - Year (North American release unless otherwise indicated)

Abadox: The Deadly Inner War - Kiyohiro Sada - Ending - ITL/Milton Bradley - NES - 1990

LMH Mixtape #268: Secrets

It's a secret to everybody.

Well... not everybody.  The LMH users know the secret to finding great music, because this week's mixtape is filled with lots of secret hits!  We start off with the cheerful and upbeat "Tea Time" from Panorama Cotton on the Mega Drive.  "Final Race" from Mini-Yonku Let's & Go!! Power WGP 2 on the Super Famicom features some excellent bass, and it's no secret that it's tenner material for sure.  And "Stage 6: Purple Cave" from Coryoon: Child of Dragon has a very infectious melody with lots of catchy parts that will secretly stick in your mind.

It's safe to say the secret is out, so it's time to hit play and hear this latest mixtape out!

Download and listen NOW

MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Hana Taaka Daka!? - Chieko

Second favorite: Mini-Yonku Let's & Go!! Power WGP 2 - Final Race

Another favorite: F-1 Sensation - Menu

Secret fourth favorite: Coryoon: Child of Dragon - Stage 6: Purple Cave

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2024/01/episode-268-secrets.html

LMH Mixtape #267: Wishing There Was More

Have you've ever listened to a track and liked it, but wished there was more?  That was the theme for this episode.  For example, the short, twenty second long track from Gomola Speed sounds like the beginning of an 80's goth or new wave track.  While still good on its own, it leaves you wishing there was just a bit more.  Of course, these opinions are all subjective.  So, do you agree?  Do these tracks leave you wanting more, or do they feel complete?  If you finish this mixtape and wish there was a little more, feel free to hit restart, and play it again!

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MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

Instant favorite: Dragon Fighter - Stage 1

Second favorite: Gomola Speed - Act 1, 2, 9, 10, 14, 18, 19

Still wanting more: Kirby's Block Ball - Stage 7

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2023/12/episode-267-wishing-there-was-more.html

LMH Mixtape #266: The Three Tenners

Fresh off the Best Of Year In Review, the boizz hit the new year running with so many new potential top ten tracks and thus, as the title implies, this episode was packed with tenners.

"Commission (BGM 1)" from Kaizou Choujin Shubibinman has tenner potential written all over it.  Be sure to listen for the cool, bluesy breakdown towards the end of the track.  "Ending" from Panorama Cotton feels right out of an 80's movie soundtrack, and will definitely get you straight bumpin' (goose bumpin' that is).  There are even a couple great back-to-back sports tracks, and you know those are always hits.  Basically, if you're looking for tenners, look no further, because this mixtape is full of them (and has more than just three)!

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MANATREE'S AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

First Tenner: Panorama Cotton - Ending

Second Tenner: Shijou Saikyou League Serie A: Ace Striker - Let’s Play Italian Soccer!

Third Tenner: Battle Mania: Daiginjou - Sun Rise Purple

Sneaky Fourth Tenner: Kaizou Choujin Shubibinman - Commission (BGM 1)

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2023/10/episode-266-three-tenners.html

Episode 288: Castle Areas 2

Not since 2013, has the Legacy Music Hour done a focus on castle music in video games, but here's one now, twelve years later.  So this all music from either castle-themed stages or castle areas (in role-playing games, for example).  Full track listing below.

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Game - Composer - Track - Company - Console - Year (North American release unless otherwise indicated)

Golden Axe - You Takada (Dolphin), Tohru Nakabayashi - Death Adder - Sega - Genesis - 1989

Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals - Yasunori Shiono - Castle - Neverland/Natsume - SNES - 1996

Rampart - Satoshi Murata, Tomoko Sumiyama - Place Cannons (Practice/Normal/Hard) - Konami/Atari Games - Famicom - 1991

Tenshi no Uta: Shiroki Tsubasa no Inori - Motoi Sakuraba, Shinji Tamura, Ryota Furuya, Hiroya Hatsushiba - Dark Castle - Telenet Japan - Super Famicom - 1994

Milon's Secret Castle - Takeaki Kunimoto - Inside Castle - Hudson Soft - NES - 1988

The Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle - Hiroyuki Masuno - Building - Kemco - NES - 1989

Rock'n Rage - Shigeru Fukutake (Fancy Furutake), Iku Mizutani (Can Mizutani), Satoe Terashima (Drum Terashima), Noriko Gushiken (River Gushiken), Kazuki Muraoka (Sand Muraoka) - Castle (Stage 2-2A) - Konami - arcade - 1986

SmartBall - Yasuhiko Fukuda (Hirohiko Fukuda), Manabu Saito, Akira Yamaoka - Castle - Game Freak/Sony Imagesoft - SNES - 1992

Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle - Chikako Kamatani - Castle - Sega - Genesis - 1989

Madoola no Tsubasa: The Wing of Madoola - Naoki Kodaka - Castle - Sunsoft - Famicom - 1986

Neugier: Umi to Kaze no Koudou - Yukihiro Takahashi - Retake the Castle! - Wolf Team/Nippon Telenet - Super Famicom - 1993

Stone Protectors - Steve Duckworth - Stage 8 (In the Castle/Tension/Sucker Puncher/Completed) - Eurocom/Kemco - SNES - 1994

Final Fantasy - Nobuo Uematsu - Castle Coneria (Cornelia Castle) - Square - NES - 1990

LMH Mixtape #265: Best Of Year In Review 12

Time for another Best Of Year In Review episode.

The boizz reached their twelfth annual review.

Brent and Rob count down their top ten tracks, and Gabe counts down his top five.

Will they have any overlapping tracks this time causing back-to-back repeats?

Listen and find out.

Download and listen NOW

Track listing and original episode:

https://www.legacymusichour.com/2023/10/episode-265-best-of-year-in-review-12.html