Metroid music was different from the beginning

The original Metroid soundtrack has aged astonishingly well

[jamreviews]

It helps explain why the music feels like it’s a part of the world. It’s astounding how well that soundtrack fits and works within the games. It’s so atmospheric, and to this day it is very different from most other gaming soundtracks

[loool]

amazing how they made the world feel so alien and unsettling considering the limitations they worked with.

i rarely ever played NES games but this one makes me feel much more immersed than any other, largely because of this music

[ShinigamiKristak]

Meanwhile, in Kraid's Lair: *valse intensifies*

[LoDart]

“Only winners deserve the catharsis of an upbeat melody”

They don’t make ‘em like they used to. Remember when cutscenes were the prize and not the gameplay? Good times.

[jcmick]

One of the all time greats. Kraids lair and just the regular theme are masterpieces

[Bored_Overthinker]

This is why Metroid has an S tier soundtrack.

[zuixyqw]

He nailed that feel. It does feel like you're encountering a living creature.

[jess]

that quote at the end is interesting, perhaps that’s why the ending theme is so triumphant

[ShaggyWaggy]

Lower Brinstart Overgrowth goes hard tho

[Virtuoso]

Metroid has some of the best video game music along with Rygar, Strider, Kid Icarus etc

[zekeram]

Dread's soundtrack isn't very distinctly memorable, but I feel like it achieves what the original game's music set out to do. It feels like it's designed to melt completely into the world and feel like an intrinsic part of it.

[Skotzenn]

My taste in music originated with this soundtrack and Zelda’s

[JaceAce]

Well, Brinstar is pretty upbeat. And the title screen theme has that short little part that sounds hopeful.

[GuyPerson-jttv]

Did you know Tommy Tallerico did all the sound design for Metroid Prime? He worked very closely with Shigeru Miyamoto for several years (his mother is very proud).

[MORTIFICER]

Interesting. I've always thought that for the most part chiptunes are too limited and formulated in the sense that its usually always up beat, hyper, poppy, and happy with not much reflection in darkness. Although I think Tanaka thought more of this in the way that he wanted the music to feel like an encounter rather than a formulaic/academic piece.

[crazy]

Doesn't the "Item Acquired" theme have a positive melody?

[Nessthegreat]

Mm, I dunno Hip Tanaka. You wrote Kraid's Lair, that's a super strong melody. Not upbeat but definitely not sparse

[Zyborggian]

This doesn't even make sense I mean respect to Tanaka-san obv he's a legend but like Kraids Lair is melodic as fuck lmao

[zarodgaming]

in fact the victory melody is just ... bad xD

[CarbonRollerCaco]

This is part of why Zero Mission doesn't do it for me. Its takes on the themes edgily tried to make them grandiose, just like with nearly everything else about that accursed remake, and as a result miss the point of what the originals were going for. And it's from the same team that turned out the excellent Metroid Fusion, even. I get that the original game could've stood to be more accessible, but Sakamoto should've kept a tighter leash on ZM's integrity.