Which songs would be in your fantasy gaming concert?

By now, most of you have likely heard of Video Games Live, the popular event where professional orchestras play video-game music. But what would your own personal gaming-themed concert sound like?

It's not just about picking your favorite songs; it's about trying to figure how to best organize them. You want each song to lead into the next, helping to create a perfect evening of musical bliss...or something like that. Music theory was never my strong point.

Still, I think it would be fun to see what the Bitmob community would come up with if asked to create a five-song set list for a concert. Would you theme it around an entire series? Would you try your best to diversify your songs between generations, genres, and platforms? Or would you just care about picking your absolute favorite songs? Share your set list in the comments below.

To start off, here are the five songs that would appear in my fantasy gaming concert:

1. Main Theme from The Curse of Monkey Island

I think every concert should open with a strong, melodic piece. I also really like Monkey Island.

2. Gusty Garden Galaxy from Super Mario Galaxy 2

The Super Mario Galaxy games have produced some of my favorite soundtracks, and this piece always puts a smile on my face.

3. Dear Friends from Final Fantasy 5

Here's a more melancholy piece to break the trend of upbeat, melodic songs. Also, how can you not have Final Fantasy represented in a gaming concert?

4. Main Title from World of Warcraft: The Wrath of the Lich King

This song has a lot of dark tones in it. If this was Fantasia, this would be the "Night on Bald Mountain" before "Ave Maria."

5. Baba Yetu from Civilzation 4

This may be the happiest sounding video-game song ever. Just hearing it makes me want to go plant a tree or something. It'll be sure to send the crowd home happy. Also, it won a Grammy.

That's my set list. Now show us what yours would look like!

(3)

Jonathan Oyama

February 18, 2011

I actually attended a Video Games Live concert, back when I was a student newspaper editor who managed to earn free tickets. It's a completely different experience to hear video game music played by an orchestra.

The most stunning part of the night took place when the orchestra performed the theme of Chrono Cross. I would have preferred Chrono Trigger, but it still sounded magical, with the pan-flutes and Tommy Tallerico playing the guitar.

My five choices for a gaming concert are pretty challenging to pull off. However, they're not impossible. Here they are:

1. "The Almighty" from Persona 4 - This was one of my favorite pieces at the emotional climax of the game. It's pretty heavy with all the synths and guitars, but I still like how the strings and the guitars come together. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGUGAHTPcak

2. "Bullet Dance" from Blazblue - Okay, this is also a big challenge. I have no idea whether the orchestra can even pull off a fast tempo with heavy metal and sweeping violins. But if Tommy Tallerico can play guitars, they might be able to do it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWQdltUMid4

3. "Can't Catch a Break" from Final Fantasy 13 - This guitar piece comes after Sazh goes through an emotional breakdown involving guns and his traveling buddy. It's a great instrumental that lightens the mood after those songs with heavy electric guitars. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF0ibg01rxw

4. "You Were There" from Ico - This is better known for its simplicity. It's an intimate piece that really touched me when I first heard it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWVij6r4QBw

5. "Super Smash Bros. Brawl Theme" - This was one of the more fantastic fighting game themes. I still think it's a little silly, but it would be a fun, light piece to end the concert with. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYitYCOYK1Y

Layton Shumway

February 19, 2011

Chrono Cross. The end.

Jim Malamen

Into the Wilderness, the main theme from Wild Arms. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWgPX9yTtQg I was whistling that for months, and now that I've just heard it again, I'll be whistling it all day.

Edit @ Jonathan: I just listened to that Bullet Dance song. I liked it. I don't know much about music, but some really interesting mixes of styles and instruments seem to come out of Japan.

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