Earjack's top ten video game remix tracks

It's hard to put my finger on it, but the remix community has grasped me for the last several years and shaken me into a frenzy of nostalgia and delight. From mixes ranging from string-quartets to earth shattering metal, the remix artists scattered across the web display a wide variety of entertaining and mesmerizing music, cataloguing their love for the video game medium through music once and for all declaring that video game music can be more than just bleeps from a device and proclaiming instead that it can be emotionally driven masterworks to which they fully intend to revisit through their own interpretations. The list I have compiled is not necessarily the greatest mixes of all time, but rather a gesture towards ten mixes that point you in the direction of artists deserving of the recognition who produce quality music, and mixes that all-around entertain, above all others.


Housethegrate - Castlevania III - La Hora es Tarde

This mix by housethegrate kicks off the list with Spanish flair. One thing I can tell you outright, this motherfucker can play some guitar! Describing this mix is difficult, but when you hear this rendition of one of the more prominent themes from Castlevania III, you'll notice the original tune has been turned upside down in a beautiful storm of acoustic and electric guitar, featuring melodic solos that are out of this world. Check out housethegrate at his myspace page, OCremix, or his website!


Kid Overdrive - Mega Man II - Crash Man

Throwing some jazz and rock together is never a bad thing! The first album from kid overdrive (Get Equipped with Kid Overdrive) is definitely worth the purchase. this mix, heavy on drums and Saxophone, has just the right amount of tempo to keep your toes tapping. Production values are decent. Tracks are not available online, however you can hear this track, along with several others, on the group's myspace page. Check out Dr. Wily's theme while your there and consider buying the CD, it's Kickass!

Siamey - Donkey Kong country II - Tricky Swamp Style

Usually, the mixes you hear about from Donkey Kong Country are techno mixes of the awesome water theme from the original title, however, Siamey has strayed from the flurry of watered down themes to deliver a truly awesome techno remix from the sequel, Donkey Kong Country II. The mix, heavy on drums and bass, hooks you in from beginning to end, and like all good video game remixes, works in the original sounds from the game into the track's melody! Awesome! Check out Siamey's other tracks at his website, www.siamey.com . HighwindThrowdown and Redemption are HIGHLY recommended!


Mega Ran (AKA-Random Beats) - Mega Man II - Shadowman

from the game, Random has Not many remixers are quite like Random, and he brings his unique talent to the remix community in the form of Mega Ran, a Mega Man II remix album. Using the original chip tuneslaid beats over the songs, added some other effects, then he raps to the tracks. With clever lyrics and a style all his own, the album was released over the Internet to critical acclaim. Shadowman is one of my personal favorite tracks, though the melodic 'Megalude' (featuring the aforementioned Kid Overdrive on Sax) is also a must-hear. You can check out Random at his myspace page.


NESkimos - Mega Man II - Woodman

The NESkimos have been around almost as long as the remix community themselves. Covering all kinds of songs from Contra to Metal Gear, their style is very recognizable. Woodman comes from their MegamanII remix album and it really shows the best of what they are capable of. Since all their tracks are made available over the Internet for FREE, there is absolutely NO reason why you shouldn't be listening to this song right now. check them out at their website.

BliNd - Final Fantasy VII - JENOVA Celestial

This mix comes from a compilation of Final Fantasy VII tracks called Voices of the Lifestream, and captures the Sci-Fi alien feel that came with the original JENOVA theme. Most Jenova-centric tracks seem to branch off into their own melodies, or lose the emotion the original track. this mix, however, hits the nail right on the head. IF your in a techno mood, this track never gets old. You can download it, along with many other fantastic FFVII mixes over at the Voices of the Lifestream page at OCremix.

McVaffe - Tetris - McVaffeQuasi Ultimix

A tetris remix of the highest quality, McVaffe has produced a remix incorporating various themes of the original tetris, used the original tetris sounds IN A SOLO, AND still leaves room for a piano in this brilliant tetris mix. McVaffe has other tracks at OCremix, including another tetris mix, the water theme from Donkey Kong Country and several Street Fighter mixes that deserve attention.


AE - Mega Man II - With the Quickness

I know, Lots of Mega Man tracks...this particular artist needs special attention however, as all of his techno tracks are superbly done. this track in particular is noteworthy for not only using the original sounds from Mega Man II, but also for blending genres together. Midway through the song, it seems to stop, only to bring in a piano solo, then gets back into action. the song ends with a violin solo...did I mention this is a techno track? AE has since moved on to produce tracks for Planetskill (another remix project that incorporates lyrics, which isn't as good to be perfectly honest), but you can check out his megaman tracks at OCremix.

Powerglove - Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - So Sexy Robotnik

The first track off of 'Metal Kombat for the Mortal Man' grabs you and doesn't let go. It was hard to pick this song for this list, mainly because the album itself could fill up the entire list, but what other metal song do you know of that uses a Sax AND a gong? Featuring tracks from Super Mario, Final Fantasy IV, the Legend of Zelda and even DUCK HUNT, this band not only puts an original metal spin on old classics, they make it look GOOD. Crazy Good. They also put on a fucking awesome show, donning koopa spiked armor, throwing Styrofoam swords for the crowd to duel with...the metal madness never ends. The band is currently on a US tour, and you can check out their Myspace for details on buying their CD (WHICH YOU SHOULD!), and their website is an actual video game! Get to it!

Ryan8bit - CastleVania: Symphony of the Night - Alucard Risen

This mix reminds me of playing the original Symphony of the night. Recalling memories is what videogame music is all about. This mix combines heavy guitars and guitar solos with synth orchestral elements to recreate the feel of Castlevania at its best. Unfortunately, Ryan8bit's website is down, his music is still available for download through his website's directory here : http://ryan8bit.com/music/


For those of you attempting to find remixes of great quality, or simply trying to find good music, all of the places mentioned in this list is a GREAT place to start. I know a bunch of you are thinking I left a bunch of stuff out, if you'd like to help, post your favorites or suggestions in the comments below!