There's an action RPG series that many of you might not be familiar with called Ys (pronounced "ease"). The games are fairly popular in Japan, but are only modest sellers out west. It's a fun, if shallow, series in which you will wash up on shore, you will be nursed back to health by a girl you'll shortly save, and you will defeat some ancient evil that just happens to threaten the sleepy little hamlet you've wandered into.

More importantly for this thread, it's a series that has some of the most consistently good music I've heard in video games. Granted, none of these songs would ever win a Grammy, but it's had dozens of catchy tunes over the course of twelve games and twenty years, which is no mean feat. I've posted some links to Youtube samples.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDm9LaJeN9w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0odS0Ucw1M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uxBPDYg14c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GalGNBExNdU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CuXRyy-t4M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smHagLq08yM

So how about you? What series do you feel has consistently good music, whether it's got catchy synth tunes or epic, dramatic scores? My personal runner up is the Ace Combat series, but I know we'll have as many different tastes in music as we do in games, so please share your favorites, with links when possible.

Halo series. Marty O'Donnell is a god among mortals.

Halo's a good one. I especially like the opening for the first game, but then I'm a sucker for a good choir.

 Y's had FANTASTIC music.  I had the first 3 for the Turbo-Grafx CD.  It blew me away.  At the time I never knew a videogame could sound so good.  Some other game music that stands out for me is the end theme for Nights on the Saturn (the kids singing are very cute and the tune is catchy) and Simple and Clean from the original Kingdom Hearts.  I also really like the Metal Gear Solid theme.

The Castlevania series, especially Symphony of the Night, have some amazingly epic soundtracks that I've heard. Sonic the Hedgehog Gen/MD, Donkey Kong Country, Zelda, Streets of Rage... there's just too many for me to list. I appreciate video game music way too much.

Here are just a few of my fav's

(Castlevania:SOTN)
Dracula's Castle http://youtube.com/watch?v=-Qh_uhV0ta0
Lost Painting http://youtube.com/watch?v=-h3BG94IoBA
Tragic Prince http://youtube.com/watch?v=RO34ixsNZaE

(Sonic 3&K)
Chrome Gadget http://youtube.com/watch?v=LseIASl1Pbk
Lava Reef http://youtube.com/watch?v=wo_4R17gYSY

 DKC FTW!  Amazing what they were able to do on the cartridge format with the music in that game.  Just proves that the SNES' reputation for sound quality is well earned.

I can't believe I forgot about Castlevania! One of the biggest reasons I bought Dawn of Sorrow was because I heard the Village music, and had to have the game.

And Donkey Kong Country is a great series. I especially enjoyed the Orchestral Game Concert's version of Water Music, when it transitioned between the water levels and the main theme.

And Symphonia had a nice one too. I was especially taken with the ninja woman's theme (her name escapes me right now).

Another series is the Chrono one (even if there are only two games in it so far). The main theme in particular puts a smile on my face.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPr-YAOZE7I

Ar Tonelico is number 1 for me. The hymns touch the spirit.
The theme song of Grandia II
SMT:Digital Devil Saga's intro song "danger" by Etro Anime
The Old Snake theme in MGS4 is pretty good too

Well, not any series. I loved Rob Hubbard's music on C64. :)

Wow, it sounds just like a synth version of Iron Maiden! The songs have the same arrangements, and most of them even have Maiden's trademark galloping rhythm lol.