I'm sure some people will disagree with what I'm about to say, but I mean no harm. This post is only based on my opinions.

It seems to me that in the last few Zelda installments the music has been getting weaker. I'm not sure what's causing it. Twilight Princess had about two memorable songs, and Phantom Hourglass's soundtrack is full of poor remixes of classic Zelda tunes. The only song I can remember from PH is the one you hear while sailing, and I didn't even like it. I beat TP four times (once with 3 heart containers) and I still remember only three songs. The music wasn't abd, it just isn't up to Zelda standards.

If Zelda Wii is to be what everyone wants it to be, that is, a fresh experience that changes things up and is overall a great game, it's going to need some fresh and memorable music. If it's soundtrack is anything like PH, which it shouldn't be as it's a disc based game, it's going to be disappointing and could really bring down what will probably be a great game.

So, who agrees or disagrees? Any theories on why the music is getting worse? Will Zelda Wii have great music?

I agree... but at the same time, did Zelda ever have any memorable music other than the main theme?

It would definitely be a plus though. Music makes games even more memorable (along with story and gameplay).

I have been whistling the Windwaker title theme recently... awesome tune.

As for Twilight Princess, I thought it had really nice music, but it not beine memorable is probably in part due to it not having a playable instrument.

Majora's Mask I only played a couple of weeks ago and I can't remember any tunes from it, despite is having the ocarina and the pipes/drums/guitar. but it doesn't stop me thinking of it as a far better game than OoT.

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P.S. Bolero of Fire is an awesome tune.

Hmmm I'm very much a Zelda fan but I have to agree... I remember more songs from ALttP, OoT and Majora's Mask than newer Zeldas I played. In TP, there's only four songs I can recall, WW about the same amount... I can't remember any from PH... It's quite bad, actually.

I really hope they made the next soundtrack more memorable. They need to make some new catchy music!

Yeah, it's time for some orchestral music in the Zelda universe. Twilight Princess' soundtrack sound quality was a bit iffy due to its use of MIDI.

For example, here's Midna's lament in Twilight Princess (MIDI):



And here it again, but as part of Brawl's soundtrack (Orchestral):



I dunno, I don't really know much about MIDI, so maybe it's just the quality of the recorded video on youtube. All I know is that the use of MIDI was one of the complaints in many TP reviews.

Perhaps it is a memory problem rather than a music problem.... because I only recently played Majora's Mask and the only tunes I can remember are those little ditties that are also from OoT (Song of Storms, Epona's Song)

Maybe Zelda tunes are not easily memorable for recent memories?

Ah wait... I think I remember one of the other tunes... the one that leaves a statue of yourself behind (the number of times you have to play that tune it makes good sense I can remember it)

I like TP's MIDI tracks.. I guess I'm a minority here.

-walks away-

I absolutly agree. I've been thinking the same thing myself. Wind Waker had some nice tunes, like dragon roost and outset island, but it still wasn't as good as Ocarina or Majora. But TP only had about 3 or 4 'good' tracks and the rest were completely forgettable.

@SHMUPGurus

Hell Yeah. Ocarina and Majora's Mask are some of the best soundtracks in video games.

@Smeags.

??? I thought the MIDI one sounded better... it sounded cleaner.
I think I prefered the string instument parts in the orchestra though.

All the Zelda games have good music.