Any fans of video game remixes here?

[SHMUPGurus]

So yeah, I've been wondering if I'm the only one that likes to listen to video game remixes around here, and probably like it more than all the over-commercialized stuff we hear out there on the radio. I do prefer the more rock/metal songs, but there's pretty much songs for every style from Jazz to Techno, etc. I think video games is the best form of entertainment to express this art called music. Besides, I'm not considered more a ''geek'' if I listen to ''game music!''

I just like to think that the artists creating these remixes put all their heart into honoring some of the greatest pieces of music ever created that sometimes don't get that much attention from people (this is unfair). I mean, music is for me one of the most important things when I play video games, and I really recognize it when I decide to replay some old games that were worth playing at the time (and still now). Anyone remember Star Fox's Corneria theme on the SNES, Contra's jungle level on the NES or even Chrono Trigger's theme song? I hum some of these melodies in my head all the time...!

These artists are very talented (some of them are young), and I think it's just easy to enjoy their work (it's about what we like!). There's a reason that they do this stuff, and it's obviously because they are gamers as well! What's cool is that they do it for free (well, they can't really make a profit out of it), in their spare time, and they still manage to produce something of great quality and original while keeping that same melody the original composers of the songs wrote. I mean, even if they would be allowed to charge money for their pieces, I wouldn't mind paying for them at all! I just like to encourage people that have real talent. Well, I did pay for Jake Kaufman's soundtrack by buying Contra 4...! ;)

My favorite remixers are Grant Henry (Stemage), Jake Kaufman (virt), Christophe Blondel (CarboHydroM), Andreas Kotsamanidis (SnappleMan) and Daniel Liss (Ashane). Some of them even create their own music, and it's pretty cool to see that they are putting their talent to good use and expose themselves to the public and show what they're worth (or yeah, once again, Jake Kaufman and Contra 4)! My personal favorite remixes are (huge list!!!):

- Castlevania 3 - Once Upon a Time in Transylvania by Jake Kaufman;

- Duke Nukem 3D - Nuklear Duke by Christophe Blondel;

- Metroid 2 - The Tunnel by Grant Henry w/ goat on guitar and Dan Taylor on bass;

- Chrono Trigger - Rose of Solemn by Daniel Liss;

- Super Metroid - Crystal Flash by Jake Kaufman (I highly recommend this one, 22 minutes of awesomeness);

- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past - Unsealed by Christophe Blondel (once again, another awesome medley);

- Super Metroid - Prelude / Theme by Grant Henry w/ Dan Taylor on bass;

- Gradius 1, 3 - Power Up! by prozax

- Chrono Trigger - Crossin' Time by Daniel Liss (this medley brings tears to my eyes, really);

- Day of the Tentacle, Monkey Island - Look Behind You! by Jake Kaufman;

- Metroid Prime - Phendrana Drifts by Grant Henry;

- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time - Let's Kick Shell! by Daniel Liss;

- Chrono Trigger - Zealous Entropy by Daniel Liss;

- Metal Gear - My Frequency is 140.85 by Jake Kaufman;

- Goemon's Great Adventure - Devil's Heaven by Andreas Kotsamanidis;

- Thunder Force III - Dual Storm - by Christophe Blondel and BrainCells;

- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past - Blood of Ganon by Jake Kaufman;

- Ninja Gaiden - Ninjascape by Daniel Liss; etc.

There's also some great video game remix sites out there like VGMix, Dwelling of Duels (friendly video game remix competition) and OverClocked ReMix (which has more traditional non-rock/metal songs). So yeah, there's pretty much an enormous community of non-profit artists out there that just like to do what they prefer the most: do some great covers of the best songs in the video game history (and history itself) that just marked their childhood! I also listened to some songs from games I've never played before, so I learn that there are more great themes out there (Goemon for example) instead of the same ones I always hear!

So, yeah, what about you guys? Any preferred artist out there or do you create your own tracks as well?