Good boss themes make the boss fights very dramatic. Here are some of my favorites:
*Ikaruga (Boss 1, 3, and 4): Very engaging energetic symphonic music. Keeps you on your toes.
*Gemini Wing: Each boss has its own theme, ranging from striving and adventurous (Boss 1 and Boss 5) to minimalistic (Bosses 2, 4, 6, and 7).
*Gradius series: Come on, who can forget the famous Gradius Boss theme (titled "Aircraft Carrier") which is in every Gradius game, Life Force (Salamander), and all the Parodius games?
*Raiden ("Go to Blazes!"): This is another high-energy theme.
*Battle Bakraid ("Terrible Object" and "Crisis"): Some of the more melodic boss themes. Heck, all of Bakraid's music is awesome since they are extremely melodic.
Your favorite shmup boss theme?
Your favorite shmup boss theme?
The age of Alluro and JudgeSpear is over.
Blazing Star. It just screams "MASH THE FIRE BUTTON!!!!111" at you.
Raystorm. (Stages 4 and 5 especially) Perhaps a bit too epic, but nothing's wrong with that.
Chaos Field. No real explaination for this one, it just sounds fucking badass.
DoDonPachi. Hardcore. I always like when the music goes along with the action onscreen...in this case, the boss swoops down just as the theme starts.
Night Raid. I used to rock out during boss battles back when I actually liked this game.
Sonic Wings 3. "Show me what you've goooooooooooooooooooooot"
-DISHONORABLE MENTION-
Worst boss music: Trizeal, Final Boss "CORE". Is that even music?
Raystorm. (Stages 4 and 5 especially) Perhaps a bit too epic, but nothing's wrong with that.
Chaos Field. No real explaination for this one, it just sounds fucking badass.
DoDonPachi. Hardcore. I always like when the music goes along with the action onscreen...in this case, the boss swoops down just as the theme starts.
Night Raid. I used to rock out during boss battles back when I actually liked this game.
Sonic Wings 3. "Show me what you've goooooooooooooooooooooot"
-DISHONORABLE MENTION-
Worst boss music: Trizeal, Final Boss "CORE". Is that even music?
Last edited by Skyline on Sat Apr 30, 2005 5:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
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black mariah
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Tar-Palantir
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Armed Police Batrider - "Let Ass Kick Together" and "Chop U". Nothing needs to be said about them. You know the bosses will do what the titles say to you.
Darius - The 1st and 5th-tier boss themes. The first provides a good sense of emergency and the second menace.
Super Darius II - Whatever the boss theme for Revenge Shark is.
G-Darius - "Adam".
Metal Black - "Yueez" (level 2 boss). Quietly menacing.
Darius Force - Boss theme #2. See above.
Mahou Daisakusen - Bashinet's boss theme. The little intro is very dramatic!
Dimahoo - Driatron's boss theme. Pumped-up, and has an excellent feel of urgency to it.
Bakraid - "Terrible Object" and "Crisis". Alluro, you hit the nail on the head.
Darius - The 1st and 5th-tier boss themes. The first provides a good sense of emergency and the second menace.
Super Darius II - Whatever the boss theme for Revenge Shark is.
G-Darius - "Adam".
Metal Black - "Yueez" (level 2 boss). Quietly menacing.
Darius Force - Boss theme #2. See above.
Mahou Daisakusen - Bashinet's boss theme. The little intro is very dramatic!
Dimahoo - Driatron's boss theme. Pumped-up, and has an excellent feel of urgency to it.
Bakraid - "Terrible Object" and "Crisis". Alluro, you hit the nail on the head.
Some good ones were already mentioned... some more:
Robo Aleste's 1st boss theme kicks so much ass
Ketsui's true last boss theme does as well
Man, there are too many :P
From memory, R-Type Delta has some rockin' boss themes...
Oh, Gigawing 2 final boss was mentioned, and rightly so, but Gigawing 1's last boss also deserves a big mention, man is it awesome :P But I'm talking about the DC's remake, because the original arcade themes, while similar, weren't anywhere near as good I thought... and it sucks that the DC versions weren't on the OST.
Darius Gaiden first (I think) level boss... ownz. (eyes eyes eyes.... hair hair hair)
Raystorm final boss theme is beyond epic...
Mushi true last boss, superb :P
Donpachi true last boss, neato. It really does sound like bee music :P
Man, I wish I remembered the music from all the oldschool 16 bit shmups I haven't played in forever... they rocked so hard... I've got to play them again, or at least get their music.
Robo Aleste's 1st boss theme kicks so much ass
Ketsui's true last boss theme does as well
Man, there are too many :P
From memory, R-Type Delta has some rockin' boss themes...
Oh, Gigawing 2 final boss was mentioned, and rightly so, but Gigawing 1's last boss also deserves a big mention, man is it awesome :P But I'm talking about the DC's remake, because the original arcade themes, while similar, weren't anywhere near as good I thought... and it sucks that the DC versions weren't on the OST.
Darius Gaiden first (I think) level boss... ownz. (eyes eyes eyes.... hair hair hair)
Raystorm final boss theme is beyond epic...
Mushi true last boss, superb :P
Donpachi true last boss, neato. It really does sound like bee music :P
Man, I wish I remembered the music from all the oldschool 16 bit shmups I haven't played in forever... they rocked so hard... I've got to play them again, or at least get their music.
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theevilfunkster
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BulletMagnet
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Though the game itself is lackluster, one of Game Tengoku 2's boss themes always makes me laugh: it sounds just like a theme song from an old 70's giant robot anime, complete with a male vocalist singing in a cheesy, "heroic sounding" voice. Always nice to have something different than the usual "music gets more sinister sounding" boss bit going on.
Otherwise, though it's not really "boss" music since it starts at a boss and then plays through the remainder of the stage (including a few other bosses) I like the music for the second half of Radiant Silvergun's third stage...very gung-ho, energetic, makes you really feel as if you're in the middle of something important. Soukyugurentai's fifth boss's music also tends to stick in my head a lot.
Otherwise, though it's not really "boss" music since it starts at a boss and then plays through the remainder of the stage (including a few other bosses) I like the music for the second half of Radiant Silvergun's third stage...very gung-ho, energetic, makes you really feel as if you're in the middle of something important. Soukyugurentai's fifth boss's music also tends to stick in my head a lot.
My turn...
--Raystorm: "Intolerance" (Yggdrasil, phases 2 and 3)
--Blast Wind: "Sodom" (boss 3), "Dread" (boss 5)
--G-Darius: "Nonsense Codon" (Dimension Diver, Absolute Defender, Lightning Coronatus), "Adam" (Fire Fossil, Heavy Arms Shell, Embryon, Accordion Hazard, Great Thing)
--Thunder Force IV: "Attack Sharply" (Ruins boss), "Simmer Down" (Air Raid boss), "Strike Out" (Daser boss), "Warlike Requiem" (final battle)
--Thunder Force V: "A3", "Guardian's Knight"
--Hyper Duel: "I.W.A.O." (st. 3 boss), "Black Angel" (st. 4 boss), "Nightmare" (st. 6 boss), "Hyper Duel" (final battle)
--Battle Garegga: "Stab and Stomp!" (aerial bosses)
--V-Five: "Night Bird"
--Varth: "Dragon Fly", "Steel Golem"
--Zed Blade: "Termination4U"
--Last Resort: "Cold Machine" (third boss), "Dusky" (fourth boss)
--Area 88: Bosses 1/6, bosses 4/7, final battle (note: this is according to the arcade version)
--Blast Wind: "Sodom" (boss 3), "Dread" (boss 5)
--G-Darius: "Nonsense Codon" (Dimension Diver, Absolute Defender, Lightning Coronatus), "Adam" (Fire Fossil, Heavy Arms Shell, Embryon, Accordion Hazard, Great Thing)
--Thunder Force IV: "Attack Sharply" (Ruins boss), "Simmer Down" (Air Raid boss), "Strike Out" (Daser boss), "Warlike Requiem" (final battle)
--Thunder Force V: "A3", "Guardian's Knight"
--Hyper Duel: "I.W.A.O." (st. 3 boss), "Black Angel" (st. 4 boss), "Nightmare" (st. 6 boss), "Hyper Duel" (final battle)
--Battle Garegga: "Stab and Stomp!" (aerial bosses)
--V-Five: "Night Bird"
--Varth: "Dragon Fly", "Steel Golem"
--Zed Blade: "Termination4U"
--Last Resort: "Cold Machine" (third boss), "Dusky" (fourth boss)
--Area 88: Bosses 1/6, bosses 4/7, final battle (note: this is according to the arcade version)
Some favorites:
Blast Wind - The Justice Ray
Thunder Force V - The Justice Ray Part 2
, A3
Darius Gaiden - Burst Out
R-Type Delta - Last Dance
Steam Hearts - I don't know which track is the boss battle theme, but I have a rip of the redbook audio and most of the music is good in a cheesy sort of way
Blast Wind - The Justice Ray
Thunder Force V - The Justice Ray Part 2
, A3Darius Gaiden - Burst Out
R-Type Delta - Last Dance
Steam Hearts - I don't know which track is the boss battle theme, but I have a rip of the redbook audio and most of the music is good in a cheesy sort of way
Very surprised Axelay was not mentioned yet, with its amazing, atmospheric variations on the level theme for each boss.
Ikaruga's Butsutekkai, Recapture, and The Stone-like are also excellent, very emotional tunes that feel like they're describing a great personal conflict or test, rather than a boss more specifically- which is backwards from how most games seem to do it.
I've always felt Hitoshi Sakamoto really had a knack for boss music, his Space Battleship theme from Radiant Silvergun being one of his finest works of that type. I also really like Gradius V's new boss theme, actually prefering it over the game's remixed boss music.
Also Cho Ren Sha's boss music; that really struck a chord with me for some reason. It feels traditional but without seeming bland.
Ikaruga's Butsutekkai, Recapture, and The Stone-like are also excellent, very emotional tunes that feel like they're describing a great personal conflict or test, rather than a boss more specifically- which is backwards from how most games seem to do it.
I've always felt Hitoshi Sakamoto really had a knack for boss music, his Space Battleship theme from Radiant Silvergun being one of his finest works of that type. I also really like Gradius V's new boss theme, actually prefering it over the game's remixed boss music.
Also Cho Ren Sha's boss music; that really struck a chord with me for some reason. It feels traditional but without seeming bland.
Agreed. Especially Recapture, I think that's a very emotional boss theme for a shmup. Out of the whole game only the second boss has that tune, weird it's almost as if that boss battle had a different, maybe deeper meaning than all the others or something.WarpZone wrote: Ikaruga's Butsutekkai, Recapture, and The Stone-like are also excellent, very emotional tunes that feel like they're describing a great personal conflict or test, rather than a boss more specifically- which is backwards from how most games seem to do it.
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OmegaFlareX
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Darkcomet72
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Noone mentioned any of the Rayforce boss music... Especially the music for stage 5 and 6 boss battle, and of course "Doomsday" final boss battle music.
One of the more interesting tunes is Dimahoo's stage 1/3/4 boss music. It's really funny to listen to, at the same time it's Adrenaline pumping!. Just like most of Namiki's boss themes.
JP, I would be interested in knowing why you think Blast wind's "The justice ray" is better than Thunderforce V's "The justice ray part 2"
For me, part 2 seems much better that part 1.
One of the more interesting tunes is Dimahoo's stage 1/3/4 boss music. It's really funny to listen to, at the same time it's Adrenaline pumping!. Just like most of Namiki's boss themes.
JP, I would be interested in knowing why you think Blast wind's "The justice ray" is better than Thunderforce V's "The justice ray part 2"
For me, part 2 seems much better that part 1.
Ed: He asked for mustard Eddy! Do you have corn in your ears mister?
Darkcomet72 wrote:Noone mentioned any of the Rayforce boss music... Especially the music for stage 5 and 6 boss battle, and of course "Doomsday" final boss battle music.
One of the more interesting tunes is Dimahoo's stage 1/3/4 boss music. It's really funny to listen to, at the same time it's Adrenaline pumping!. Just like most of Namiki's boss themes.
JP, I would be interested in knowing why you think Blast wind's "The justice ray" is better than Thunderforce V's "The justice ray part 2"
For me, part 2 seems much better that part 1.
Because I've 1CC'd Blast Wind 40 or so times and I've 1CC'd Thunder Force V... once. And after that I don't think I ever played it again. So its possible I just don't remember the music for the final boss of TFV.
Maybe I'll sit down with it this weekend.
RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!!!!!!
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Guest
I'm suprised nobody has mentioned the Hyper Great-Thing music from Darius Twin What a great remix of the original tune.
Also...I guess it can be considered a boss theme...but that music in the last level in Twin is awesome too.
In Darius Force, the 1st and 3rd boss music.
In Darius Gaiden, the music that plays when you face Neon Light Illusion.
And of course, the music when you face that round ship in Level 8 in Gradius 3 always sticks in my head for about a week. The Level 9 boss music kicks too.
What a great remix of the original tune.Also...I guess it can be considered a boss theme...but that music in the last level in Twin is awesome too.
In Darius Force, the 1st and 3rd boss music.
In Darius Gaiden, the music that plays when you face Neon Light Illusion.
And of course, the music when you face that round ship in Level 8 in Gradius 3 always sticks in my head for about a week. The Level 9 boss music kicks too.
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The Bullet Dodger
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The final boss in Giga Wing 2 always brings a smile to my face. I love the symphonic soundtrack in that game.
And I can't forget the final bosses in Ikaruga.
That last level has some of the most amazing eye candy I've ever seen in any video game.
That Queen Bee in DoDonpachi was quite a sight. Not to mention the boss right after it.
All the bosses in G. Darius are awesome. And those laser battles you get into with them......OMG!
I'd have to say that the Darius series is my favorite when it comes to boss themes.
And I can't forget the final bosses in Ikaruga.
That last level has some of the most amazing eye candy I've ever seen in any video game. That Queen Bee in DoDonpachi was quite a sight. Not to mention the boss right after it.
All the bosses in G. Darius are awesome. And those laser battles you get into with them......OMG!
I'd have to say that the Darius series is my favorite when it comes to boss themes.
1945 Strikers Plus - Boss 1-4 Music
Axelay - All Boss Music
Agony - All Boss/Level Music
Apidya - Praying Mantis Boss
Apidya - Techno Party
Armed Police Batrider - Let Ass Kick Together!
Darius Gaiden - All Boss
Gaiares - Death Boss
Gokujou Parodius Da! - Panda Boss
G-Darius - All Boss Music
Gradius 3 - Tape Worm Boss 1
Esp.Rade - Boss Music
In The Hunt - Boss Music (PSX Console Arranged)
Ikaruga - Boss 1
Lords of Thunder - All Boss music
Life Force - Nes Boss 1
Metal Slug 1,2,3 & X Boss Theme i sjust too cool! Stupid that they removed it form MS4 & 5!
Panzer Dragoon - Boss 1 Music
Parodius Series - All Boss music
Project X2 - Criticus - Final Boss
Project X2 - Alien Instalation - Boss
Project X2 - Techno Storm Boss
R-Type II - All Boss Music (Amiga Boss music is better than the Arcade)
RayForce - Huge Mecha Boss Descending into Pit ?
RayStorm - Boss 1-3 Music (Arranged)
Raiden I - Boss PSX Arranged
Raiden II - Boss PSX Arranged
Sol Feace - Boss 1 Theme - Why didn't mention this? It's so cool!
Sonic Wings 3 - Boss 1 - Show me what you've got!
Starfox - Boss 1 Music
Super Stardust - All Boss Music
Thunder Force III - Twin Vulcan Boss
Thunder Force III - King Fish Boss
Thunder Force III - G Lobster Boss
Thunder Force V - Boss 2 - Iron Maiden
Thunder Force V - Boss 1 - Deep Purple
Thunder Force V - Boss 5 - Vastian Steel (Thunder Force IV Title Remixed)
Xexex - Boss 1 Theme
Axelay - All Boss Music
Agony - All Boss/Level Music
Apidya - Praying Mantis Boss
Apidya - Techno Party
Armed Police Batrider - Let Ass Kick Together!
Darius Gaiden - All Boss
Gaiares - Death Boss
Gokujou Parodius Da! - Panda Boss
G-Darius - All Boss Music
Gradius 3 - Tape Worm Boss 1
Esp.Rade - Boss Music
In The Hunt - Boss Music (PSX Console Arranged)
Ikaruga - Boss 1
Lords of Thunder - All Boss music
Life Force - Nes Boss 1
Metal Slug 1,2,3 & X Boss Theme i sjust too cool! Stupid that they removed it form MS4 & 5!
Panzer Dragoon - Boss 1 Music
Parodius Series - All Boss music
Project X2 - Criticus - Final Boss
Project X2 - Alien Instalation - Boss
Project X2 - Techno Storm Boss
R-Type II - All Boss Music (Amiga Boss music is better than the Arcade)
RayForce - Huge Mecha Boss Descending into Pit ?
RayStorm - Boss 1-3 Music (Arranged)
Raiden I - Boss PSX Arranged
Raiden II - Boss PSX Arranged
Sol Feace - Boss 1 Theme - Why didn't mention this? It's so cool!
Sonic Wings 3 - Boss 1 - Show me what you've got!
Starfox - Boss 1 Music
Super Stardust - All Boss Music
Thunder Force III - Twin Vulcan Boss
Thunder Force III - King Fish Boss
Thunder Force III - G Lobster Boss
Thunder Force V - Boss 2 - Iron Maiden
Thunder Force V - Boss 1 - Deep Purple
Thunder Force V - Boss 5 - Vastian Steel (Thunder Force IV Title Remixed)
Xexex - Boss 1 Theme
Last edited by ST Dragon on Tue May 03, 2005 5:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
A (very short) list of my favourite boss tracks (in order of preference).
Stab and Stomp! (Arcade Version)
Raizing // Battle Garegga
The best boss track I've ever heard. Original arcade version is tons better than the arranged version.
Levi = Sense
Cave // Mushihimesama
Now that the OST has arrived home, I got to hear it in high quality, and really like it. Love the skritchy reverb, sends a shiver up the spine.
Duel Of Top
Technosoft // Thunderforce 5
Awesome remix of the TF4 intro music. If only the bosses in TF5 lasted longer though
Darkened
Cave // Ketsui Kizunajigokutachi
A really dark, bassy boss track to accompany some of the most fun boss battles in any Cave shmup.
Hibachi (Arranged Version)
Cave // Dodonpachi Daioujou
I'll never get to hear this in-game, but the track itself is awesome, superfast paced rock guitar, very energetic.
Stab and Stomp! (Arcade Version)
Raizing // Battle Garegga
The best boss track I've ever heard. Original arcade version is tons better than the arranged version.
Levi = Sense
Cave // Mushihimesama
Now that the OST has arrived home, I got to hear it in high quality, and really like it. Love the skritchy reverb, sends a shiver up the spine.
Duel Of Top
Technosoft // Thunderforce 5
Awesome remix of the TF4 intro music. If only the bosses in TF5 lasted longer though
Darkened
Cave // Ketsui Kizunajigokutachi
A really dark, bassy boss track to accompany some of the most fun boss battles in any Cave shmup.
Hibachi (Arranged Version)
Cave // Dodonpachi Daioujou
I'll never get to hear this in-game, but the track itself is awesome, superfast paced rock guitar, very energetic.
