Top 25 Nes Games with Underrated Boss Themes, Part 2

Last month we started talking about some very underappreciated boss songs from the Nes library, with the first part of a list of 25 games. Today, we are continuing the subject of our analysis with part 2 of the Top 25. I present you now song # 15 to # 6 on the list, please enjoy the musical journey!

Reminder -
* Picks based on:
- Uniqueness of Melodies and Key Usage
- Richness of Sound/Tone
- Lenght of Music Loop
- Tempo/Time Signature Changes
- Sheer Variety (Multiple Boss Songs)

15. Godzilla: Monster of Monsters

Each Kaiju/monsters in this game have their own individual songs, which shows great effort and give it several hypothetical points for this list. It is always impressive to hear and it gives all the fights more personality and uniqueness, for sure! If the game has some questionnable gameplay, you will at least be entertainned by the huge musical variety, here!

14. Fester's Quest

Starting ominously with a sustained low pitched note, it is quite an epic song with a very decent musical loop (for the lenght of it). There is also a sense of duality with this one (almost as if the song was about both perspectives, from the hero point of view and from the monsters' also).

13. S.C.A.T. Special Cybernetic Attack Team

This one has a rather short loop, but it is saved by the fact it has SUCH a melodic and catchy twin guitar esque riffs, that stays in your head for a while, even just after your first listen! This song would be absolutely perfect for a guitar cover from someone on the internet (wink wink to all guitarists reading this, take the hint hahaha, I want this). On an unrelated note (musically): it's such a shame the name of the American version of the game is what it is, it surely did hurt its popularity.

12. Adventure Island 2 and 3

A very sinister boss theme that really contrasts with the mostly upbeat/positive sounding OSTs (both games have the same Boss song and also a lot of common songs). You only die in one hit in Adventure Island 2, during the boss fights (even when you have a dino friend, you unmount from it during the battles). Somehow, they were able to put that tension into the music, with something drastically more stressful than what its music usually does!

11. Whomp 'Em

Another extremely sinister boss theme (similar to the last one) that just oozes stress and tension. The bosses in this game are not easy, if you are not properly leveled up (or know about the bosses' weakness) and they were able to translate the gameplay into music form perfectly. The sense of dread and hopelessness of the hero is palpable and present to the max, aurally speaking!

10. Bucky O'Hare

This one is probably in my personal Top 5 for best Konami OST on the Nes... with the normal boss song being particularly memorable. With an extremely ominous slow intro (that actually gave me panic attacks and nightmares, as a kid) it soon raises the stakes with a FAST and CONSTANT barrage of notes! This game is ALL ABOUT crushing difficulty that can ONLY be overcome by your tenacity and patience (and infinite continues as well, hahaha). Like (former) masters of their arts, this boss theme as been perfectly paced by Konami, with the feeling of the fights themselves!

9. Monster in my Pocket

Yet another Konami games, this one also doesn't quite get talked as much as it should (like Jackal and Bucky). Funky and whimsical sounding, it is absolutely perfect for a game about a monster toy line from the early 90's! This is such a fun and delightful song (as is also the game itself) and it almost makes you want to dance as the bosses attack you, check it out!

8. Rollergames

This song really puts me in a good mood, each and every time I hear it! Konami really was all about bangers that just bumps and jumps all around (bowing after the dad joke). I wish the company (nowawdays) wasn't all about spinning roulettes and instead made actual fun rides. *canned laughter from the roller skate and pachinko dad joke*.

7. Disney's TaleSpin

One of the lesser known/played good SHMUP on the Nes, we can also hear the polish in the music as well! This one is a unique spin on a boss fight theme... no pun intended (actually, it WAS TOTALLY intended)! *yet more canned laughter* Seriously though, this is a very unique piece, with a very noticeable panic that is a cross between dissonance and melodic. The tempo is also very rapid to boot and it is quite surprising for a Disney/children game!

6. Dragon Fighter

A very well thought of game overall (a cross between a platformer and a shmup, when you get into your dragon form) this game also has a stellar OST, with one of the best tracks being the regular boss song. From the get go, the rush of energy we get from this one is very strong and it absolutely never stops pumping the adrenaline into the player, in such a pure and unadulterated form!

*TO BE CONTINUED, STAY TUNED FOR THE FINAL PART 3*

*Uploading credits go to GBelair, NintendoCompleteVGM explod2A03 and kinbajofire thank you.*

*All songs we talked about in this article are owned by their respective copyright holders and are discussed here for educationnal purposes, counting as fair use.*