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| A screen shot of Skyward Sword. Provided by Game Informer. |
Zerbraxi's Top 10 Zelda Songs
Without further delay, I give you my own personal top 10 favorite Zelda songs!
DISCLAIMER: Just a heads up, I have no qualms about revealing spoilers, so natrually they exist in this Top 10.
Number 10 - The Palace of Winds (The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap)
Let me just take a second and say that Minish Cap, like Chaz said in his count down, is an extremely underrated Zelda game. I can see why because it picks up kind of slow and the first few dungeons range from 'Meh' to almost 'This is boring'.
It wasn't until this dungeon, which was like the 5th in the game, that I was able to sit back and realize how amazing this game really was. The Palace of Winds stands out as one of my favorite 2D Zelda Dungeons ever, and the music that supports it is really unique in a way where it knows it's place; It's not trying to be overly epic, its simple and melodic, and all at the same time it still has that hint of anxiety that you need to find the last element hidden here to save Hyrule.
Number 9 - The Shadow Temple (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time)
Holy sweet owl feathers... When I was around 12 years old I had finally gotten to this temple, and boy did it give me nightmares. Of course, now it stands out as my single favorite temple in Ocarina of Time and quite possibly one of my favorite dungeons, period. How much Chaz likes the Spirit Temple is my comparison for this place. It is captivatingly creepy and sends thrilling chills up your spine several times during your tour of the so called "The House of the Dead". (As Sheik puts it.)
The music here really sets the tone for how creepy this place is, and even has an edge of mystery that helps suggest you aren't really sure what this place was used for when the Sheikahs weren't extinct...
Number 8 - Sacred Grove (The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess)
The events that lead up to getting the Master Sword are among my favorite in the Zelda games, and I think it's fair to say Twilight Princess does it the best. For a long time I didn't understand why I thought it did until I realized something, because it reminds me of getting the master sword in A Link To the Past, which makes it incredibly nostalgic.
In fact, I'd go as far to say that one of the many reasons why Twilight Princess is one of the best games in the series is because of how many times it nods to it's previous games. The whole game feels like a nostalgic overload of the entire Zelda franchise.
Seriously. Example time.
-The Forest Temple: Although completely different, The Kokiri Emblem is on pretty much every door.
-The battle with Possessed Zelda is very similar to the fight with Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time, which uses the reoccurring "Deadmans Volley" strategy.
-Both the Sacred Grove and The Gerudo Desert have a very similar vibe to the Desert of Mystery and the Haunted Grove in A Link to The Past.
There are many other of these "vibes" that can be felt or seen while playing the game. Next time you do a play through of Twilight Princess I urge you to watch out for these.
But yeah, anyway, back to the song. In short, it's an offical remastered version of the Lost Woods theme from Ocarina of Time. The song itself invokes a sense of wonder and mystery the expands on the already impressive Lost Woods theme.
Number 7 - Stone Tower Temple [Inverted] (The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask)
I still remember how I squealed in gamer glee the first time I flipped the Stone Tower Temple upside down. The whole concept for this temple was genius. This music is creepy and sinister while having that almost mountain tribal feel and sticks to the style of the dungeon really, really well.
On a side note: As much as I love Majora's Mask, Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess and The Minish Cap, none of the songs from these games made into my top 6. My top 6, in fact, is entirely dominated by just 3 games...
Number 6 - Ancient Cistern (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword)
Holy crap the music in this game is awesome. While many aspects of Skyward Sword seem to pale before it's predecessors, it's music does not. In fact, I might go as far as to say that Skyward Sword has the best music in the entire series as a single game.
As far as the dungeon goes, Ancient Cistern is one of the highlights of the game. The temple is really well designed and the concept was incredibly unique, even by Zelda standards.
Number 5 - Sword Search (The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening)
So you just started your adventure on the dream island Koholint. You wake up and get your shield back, and find out you have to work your way to the wreckage of your ship on the beach in order to find your sword. During that entire sequence this music plays. It really sets the tone for the entire game, and it goes to show that one of the many strengths of the Zelda series is how well they set you up for adventure from the get go.
To me, this song is comparable to how Chaz reviewed the Hyrule Castle Town theme from The Minish Cap.
I love this game with a burning passion. Like seriously. It's amazing.
Number 4 - Fi's Farewell (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword)
All my feels. This song. Seriously, this song makes the song of healing sound like freaking elevator music, and that is NOT easy to do. This song is simply gorgeous, and is easily one of the greatest touchy-feely songs in the series.
I really don't have much else to say. Chaz's review on this song was spot on.
Number 3 - Makar's Prayer (The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker)
If I had to pick one scene in the entire game, which contained this one song, which was the sole reason for me replaying the game over and over it would be this song. The twin violins and the deep vocals in the background when it drops is absolutely awe-inspiring.
I know it's only 30 seconds long, and I know it's only a piece of the Wind Waker main theme, but this version of the famous main theme of Wind Waker left it's impression on me more than any other song in this game, and it goes to show how powerful it is considering it's length.
Number 2 - Tal Tal Heights (The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening)
Remember how much I said I loved this game a few spots ago? I wasn't kidding. In fact it just might be my favorite game in the entire series. I truly feel like if someone asked me "Hey, I've never played Zelda. What game should I play first?" I would throw this game at them.
Now, about the song. After 6 grueling dungeons, you're on your way to the final real test (Eagle Tower in the East and Turtle Rock to the West) before you go to the Wind Fish's Egg. The entirety of your climb up the hazardous Tal Tal Heights is accompanied by this 8-bit master piece. It's hard to believe this song was on the original Game Boy. Not the Color, the FIRST Gameboy, you know, black and white and stuff.
Anyway, I always looked forward to this part of the game. Simply for the music, and I feel that's saying a lot for my favorite game in the series.
Number 1 - Lanayru Mining Facility [Past] (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword)
Maybe, I'm biased. Maybe, I love mallet instruments such as the Marimba, Xylophone, and the Vibes. Regardless, these instruments give a really toned sound that I've always thought would be perfect for a Zelda dungeon. And I apparently I was right: this song is literally flawless. I could listen to this for hours...
No seriously, I've used this song to listen to while working on stuff in Minecraft, spriting, and even while writing KH: Concrete Hope. I freaking love how well this song meshes with exploration, discovery, and adventure.
So anyways, for any of you that read this far thanks! Leave some comments as to what your favorite songs are from this beloved series, and remember, I'm never trying to make a point, I'm just cooking food for thought.
Cheers,
Andrew
Awesome picks man! I would really like to see more stuff like this from you. It feels nice and personal while also being analytical whether bias or unbias. Keep it up man, I love reading these.
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