SOR2 is arguably one of the best soundtracks ever produced on a 16bit cartridge, the transition in "go straight" is just crazy, truly amazing with what restrictions he was working within to create such a wide range of variations and complicated melodys
Mr. Koshiro was not only involved in music production but with his family he was involved in the business side of game development. The man is a legend of music and microelectronics. He knows the ins and outs of various chips of different eras.
I'm being blown away more and more with every iconic track that I find out is Koshiro's! I found him after learning he originated the music of the Ys series AND guest-composed on one of my favourite indie games of all time, 198X. His name needs to be on the lips of everyone who talks about the best VGM composers
This is an excellent representation of Yuzo's work. I love the 7th Dragon 2020 OST and it unfortuantely hardly gets a mention when it comes to Koshiro's work. Thank you for the video!
long time no see! I remember you let us use a 10 second snippet of one of your tracks, it was like 2 or 3 years ago... and I don't remember which one lol
@@Yologuy0123 Ah nice, I'm more of a 3DX+ kinda guy personally (it was the one around when I was in High School, and when Arcades where more plentiful... I think I'd need to go into the City now to play so screw that tbh 🤷 would love a new WMMT Console Game for PS4/PS5)
@MrRhysReviews He's been making music for those games for almost 25 years now. Thats why he's well versed in many modern electronic music genres like trance, drum and bass, house and even eurobeat.
My Top 10 Yuzo Koshiro themes: 1. MY LOVER: REVENGE OF SHINOBI 2. NEVER RETURN ALIVE: SOR2 3. TERRIBLE BEAT: ROS 4. UNDER LOGIC: SOR2 5. MOON BEACH: SOR 6. LIKE A WIND: ROS 7. STAGE 4: SOR 8. FILLMOA: ACTRAISER 9. ELEVATOR STAGE 3: SOR 3 10. I WILL CLOSE TO YOU: MISTY BLUE. THESE ARE HIS ABSOLUTE BEST. SERIOUSLY
Great video, ICC! Yuzo Koshiro is truly a legendary composer. It's great to learn more from him. About ActRaiser, I would have chosen Fillmore over Birth of the people, though, because it's an underrated epic theme.
I think SOR 1 will always be my favorite Yuzo soundtrack. SOR 2 being a close 2nd and Super Adventure Island probably being 3rd. I was a little disappointed Yuzo didn't have a bigger role in SOR 4. With him not being the main composer it just doesn't have the same soul but what is there from him is great.
When i listened to Act Raiser 1 soundtrack, I thought "this is so wonderful!". I would never think Yuzo composed themes that aren't for rpgs or stuff like that. Great vídeo!
Great video about a great composer! I never realised that the same man who wrote the Streets of Rage music also wrote Sonic 1 on the Master System, which I loved as a kid! My fave SOR song? Dreamer
Always felt Chinatown was the best in Revenge of the Shinobi. And I do think he was the first one to get his name on the title screen. At least as a Japanese developer. I do believe that happened previously with European developers on C64, and Amiga.
Big Koshiro fan unknowingly. Loved Etrian because it's a dungeon crawler. Green green woodlands is one of the best dungeon themes I've ever heard. After I found out it was Yuzo, it all made since. Great vid.
My number one is the one from Etrian Odyssey 1 for Green Green Woodlands. Love the battle themes, but this theme gives me real peace. A peaceful preface to the dread ahead.
10:16 Revenge of Shinobi - "Chinatown" is the best Shinobi theme. well, it's pratically MJ's "Beat it" song. Go on, just star the music chinatown and sing: They told him, "Don't you ever come around here" "Don't wanna see your face, you better disappear" The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear So beat it, just beat it You better run, you better do what you can Don't wanna see no blood, don't be a macho man You wanna be tough, better do what you can So beat it, but you wanna be bad Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it) No one wants to be defeated Showin' how funky and strong is your fight It doesn't matter who's wrong or right Just beat it (beat it) Just beat it (beat it) Just beat it (beat it) Just beat it (beat it, uh) 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Shout out to the narrator who clearly was not very familiar with Koshiro's work, but did his best to put together this video for us anyway. I really enjoyed your selections!
Castlevania fun fact: as a Castlevania fan I was really surprised to see Koshiro and his name right next to yamane and her name but it makes sense and let me explain. Portrait of ruin is the sequel to the sega genesis title, Castlevania bloodlines, in which the father of Jonathan(main character in portrait), john is the main character. This being the only genesis Castlevania, it really is a cool reference to have koshiro work on it since his biggest work is synonymous with the genesis system, also, this was yamanes first soundtract as well in the series and her debut iirc, so that's a double reference if I have ever seen one.
Man I love yuzo's work. Dreamer is one of my favorite, like tons of others. I often play a retro game and thinking this is music is good, who made it ?? Damn! Yuzo ?! Again?!
Стритс оф рейдж - одна из лучших серии игр! Музыка в ней играет важнейшую роль, она отлично дополняет геймплей и вызывает бурные эмоции. Юзо Коширо - лучший чиптюновый музыкант и композитор!
Nice list, there's a few games on here I had no idea were Koshiro! i'm a big fan of the SoR3 ost though so personally, I'd have put a few tracks from that on here, as well as one or two more from the Shinobi series :)
I know that this is a personal Top 10, but... To my ears, the soundtracks that he's made for the PC-88 are, by far, some of the most essential Yuzo Koshiro's works. The Source wasn't remembered here and my very favorite Koshiro's music, the opening theme for Ys: The Vanished Omens deserved a better place in a Top 10 list.
Im not sure if anyone did mention this (or if youve covered this in a previous oddly familiar episode), but Go straight from Streets of rage 2 may have been influenced by a lot of different early 90s dance music (Streets of Rage 2 was released in 1992). Id say the 2 songs that most influenced this is "get ready for this by 2 unlimited" and "gypsy woman by crystal waters."
Hello, Quantom X! Could you hear that both the "Ski Slop" theme of "Tonic Trouble" of Nintendo 64 and the "My Prerogative" song by Bobby Brown sound similar?
Something I feel is missing from this list is the "Eye of the Beholder" soundtrack for the Mega CD (or Sega CD, depending on your location). Look up "Eye of the Beholder (Sega CD) - Dungeon Theme" on youtube and I think you'll see why. edit: There's also the Story of Thor (or "Beyond Oasis") soundtrack.
Koshiro-san is still my favorite game composer due to his versatility and evolution as an artist!! My favorite track of his has to be the intro/main theme of NamcoXCapcom. The combo of his music, nostalgia for Namco and Capcom's IPs and Studio Trigger's unique animation style still blows me away! The Super Adventure Island OST definitely changed my mind on the SNES sound chip being able to do techno beats with a great bass line. Only Koshiro-san could do that.
which party do you want to go to? -the MC keeps getting on the mic to tell you why the next song coming up is so hype, who made it, why its great, how much it sold so far, what the MC ate for lunch today.... or -there is no MC, nobody uses the mic ever; pure music.
An alternate opinion no thanks to the dearth of Falcom era stuff on your list. 1. "Feena" (Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished) 2. "Fighting in the Streets" (Streets of Rage) 3. "Long Distance" (Revenge of Shinobi) 4. "Battlefield -- Swords Bursting" (7th Dragon) 5. "Bloodpool" (ActRaiser) 6. "Dreamer" (Streets of Rage 2) 7. "Dungeon" (Sorcerian) 8. "Moat of Burnedbless" (Ys II: The Final Chapter) 9. "Main Dungeon Theme" (Dragon Slayer IV: Drassle Family/Legacy of the Wizard) 10. "ChR0NiClESeVen" (7th Dragon III: Code VFD)
Missed some pure classical work on Story of Thor 2, his trance music in Wangan, Zelda theme from Smash Brawl etc... At least, if you wanted to show more diversity in his works.
Several things I noticed by watching your channel for 3 years: 1- You LOVE Yuzo Koshiro. Hardly a video goes by without him appearing or being mentioned. I’ve no objections. 2- You love Capcom (who doesn’t?). 3- You absolutely despise Kenji Yamamoto (DBZ). Man‘s got talent, but used it for the wrong reasons. I wonder what he’s doing now. Lastly, you should a top 10 or 20 video of Bobby Prince‘s best works excluding the Doom games.
3 years huh? nice! and thanks for still being here after so long... I agree with everything you said but lemme just say "despise" might be too strong of a word... I actually feel sorry for the guy because he lost his job over it, and a ton of people did the exact same thing, just not in CDQ audio, they did it with chiptunes so they got away with it
Here is my list. To make the end of battle Long distance Dreamer Island of everlasting summer Filmoa Spacefight The Shinobi Brave new world Feel the passion Ending My lover Morning grow China town
@@uncannyx in that case, and as with all compilation albums, i'm looking forward to part 2! Great video series btw, I really enjoy the no-nonsense style and the variety of the music you select in your videos
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Fact: Koshiro-san’s mother insisted that he add his name on the Revenge of Shinobi title screen.
Instablaster
Good
SOR2 is arguably one of the best soundtracks ever produced on a 16bit cartridge, the transition in "go straight" is just crazy, truly amazing with what restrictions he was working within to create such a wide range of variations and complicated melodys
Mr. Koshiro was not only involved in music production but with his family he was involved in the business side of game development. The man is a legend of music and microelectronics. He knows the ins and outs of various chips of different eras.
I wonder if he ever tried Amiga or PC trackers of the 1990s.
8:38 - I think I cried of nostalgia, what a masterpiece.
I'm being blown away more and more with every iconic track that I find out is Koshiro's! I found him after learning he originated the music of the Ys series AND guest-composed on one of my favourite indie games of all time, 198X. His name needs to be on the lips of everyone who talks about the best VGM composers
This is an excellent representation of Yuzo's work. I love the 7th Dragon 2020 OST and it unfortuantely hardly gets a mention when it comes to Koshiro's work. Thank you for the video!
long time no see! I remember you let us use a 10 second snippet of one of your tracks, it was like 2 or 3 years ago... and I don't remember which one lol
WMMT Introduce me to Yuzo Koshiro, I'm not dissapointed.
Do you mean WMMT as in Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune??? If so, fucking WHAAAAAAT 😁
Yeah this man actually made tracks for the 5dx machines
@@Yologuy0123 Ah nice, I'm more of a 3DX+ kinda guy personally (it was the one around when I was in High School, and when Arcades where more plentiful... I think I'd need to go into the City now to play so screw that tbh 🤷 would love a new WMMT Console Game for PS4/PS5)
@MrRhysReviews He's been making music for those games for almost 25 years now. Thats why he's well versed in many modern electronic music genres like trance, drum and bass, house and even eurobeat.
My Top 10 Yuzo Koshiro themes:
1. MY LOVER: REVENGE OF SHINOBI
2. NEVER RETURN ALIVE: SOR2
3. TERRIBLE BEAT: ROS
4. UNDER LOGIC: SOR2
5. MOON BEACH: SOR
6. LIKE A WIND: ROS
7. STAGE 4: SOR
8. FILLMOA: ACTRAISER
9. ELEVATOR STAGE 3: SOR 3
10. I WILL CLOSE TO YOU: MISTY BLUE.
THESE ARE HIS ABSOLUTE BEST. SERIOUSLY
Wait, no Wangan Midnight maximum tune?
It's weird not having that series on the list. I would've easily put "Feel the Moment" on there.
the way there is no mention to Super Adventure Island is a travesty.
Not even a moment mention of WMMT series ? Sheesh that's like yuzo's best work
Guys, look up "Taillight - Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 4 Soundtrack
". Or maybe it's just me.
Dude everything from WMMT is legendary in my book.
Great video, ICC! Yuzo Koshiro is truly a legendary composer. It's great to learn more from him. About ActRaiser, I would have chosen Fillmore over Birth of the people, though, because it's an underrated epic theme.
We almost picked Fillmore, it's for sure an epic theme!
I think SOR 1 will always be my favorite Yuzo soundtrack. SOR 2 being a close 2nd and Super Adventure Island probably being 3rd. I was a little disappointed Yuzo didn't have a bigger role in SOR 4. With him not being the main composer it just doesn't have the same soul but what is there from him is great.
Yuzo Koshiro is just flat out masterful… If I was a R&B singer I would have him compose my entire album lol
When i listened to Act Raiser 1 soundtrack, I thought "this is so wonderful!". I would never think Yuzo composed themes that aren't for rpgs or stuff like that. Great vídeo!
Bridge Zone took me completely by surprise, I had no idea it was Yuzo's! What a banger track, I also have it burned in my memory.
He is absolutely my favorite videogame music artist ever, every tune he produced or arranged is recognizable and unique. Thank you for this video ❤
I swear this dude sounds like Guga. I'm half expecting him to pause for a steak break.
7:42 go straight is the Goat from sor2!
I have t played etrian odyssey but they track is instantly going to be one of my favs thanks for sharing it sounds amazing
no prob! I am glad you were able to find something new that you can enjoy because of the video, that's a fantastic track there!
I'll Save You All My Justice is a really good one that often gets brought up.
I'm so glad, not only Etrian helped to revive our beloved old-school western DRPGs like Wizardry and Might&Magic, but we also got a amazing composer
I had no idea that he composed Portrait of Ruin. Given his work on Actraiser, it's not as left field for him as it first seems.
yes, that's true. I think many people forget about that Actraiser OST and only think about his SOR stuff
He didn't do all of Portrait of Ruin, only a handful of tracks.
6:35 i wonder which song came first, that song or Janet Jackson’s “Together Again”… 🫨
Not a lot of people remember Actraiser these days. You almost made me cry for that. Thank you for adding it!
that soundtrack is great! and highly underrated
Great video about a great composer! I never realised that the same man who wrote the Streets of Rage music also wrote Sonic 1 on the Master System, which I loved as a kid! My fave SOR song? Dreamer
Dreamer is really good. There were tough decisions made with the SOR2 OST just because there are so many really good songs!
My best, the classic, "FIGHTING IN THE STREET"
I can't argue with that one!
yuzo koshiro also composed music for wangan midnight maximum tune 2 5 and 6
Always felt Chinatown was the best in Revenge of the Shinobi. And I do think he was the first one to get his name on the title screen. At least as a Japanese developer. I do believe that happened previously with European developers on C64, and Amiga.
Big Koshiro fan unknowingly. Loved Etrian because it's a dungeon crawler. Green green woodlands is one of the best dungeon themes I've ever heard. After I found out it was Yuzo, it all made since. Great vid.
My number one is the one from Etrian Odyssey 1 for Green Green Woodlands. Love the battle themes, but this theme gives me real peace. A peaceful preface to the dread ahead.
10:16 Revenge of Shinobi - "Chinatown" is the best Shinobi theme. well, it's pratically MJ's "Beat it" song. Go on, just star the music chinatown and sing:
They told him, "Don't you ever come around here"
"Don't wanna see your face, you better disappear"
The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear
So beat it, just beat it
You better run, you better do what you can
Don't wanna see no blood, don't be a macho man
You wanna be tough, better do what you can
So beat it, but you wanna be bad
Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it (beat it)
Just beat it (beat it)
Just beat it (beat it)
Just beat it (beat it, uh)
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
It is hard to argue with China Town, but Over the Bay is a really underrated gem from the Shinobi soundtrack as well. Great list!
over the bay is one of my favs!
I was afraid that there wouldn't be any Legacy of the wizard on your list, but you at least gave an honorable section.
Shout out to the narrator who clearly was not very familiar with Koshiro's work, but did his best to put together this video for us anyway. I really enjoyed your selections!
I am perfectly familiar with his work. There's a reason he follows and subscribes to us.
where wmmt
I can't believe I got a chance to jump on it only a minute after release
Aww man... you forgot super adventure island!
That ost was sick!
On Snes yup
Castlevania fun fact: as a Castlevania fan I was really surprised to see Koshiro and his name right next to yamane and her name but it makes sense and let me explain.
Portrait of ruin is the sequel to the sega genesis title, Castlevania bloodlines, in which the father of Jonathan(main character in portrait), john is the main character. This being the only genesis Castlevania, it really is a cool reference to have koshiro work on it since his biggest work is synonymous with the genesis system, also, this was yamanes first soundtract as well in the series and her debut iirc, so that's a double reference if I have ever seen one.
The stickman theme sounds rad as fuck! It has kinda like a Soprano's/mob/heist movie feel
Where is the Tower of Souls and Modero / Demon's Cave themes from ActRaiser 2? Those sound almost symphonic/orchestral on the SNES' sound chip!
Yuzo, "THE MASTER", " THE LEGEND" Koshiro!!! 🤩
I'm here because he made Inugami Korones new BGM for her streams, especially for her playing Sonic. His music is very good
He made the original too
@@Idiomatick Hehehe I know, but I heard he made the new one which prompted me to check him out c:
Thankyou for all info
Man I love yuzo's work. Dreamer is one of my favorite, like tons of others. I often play a retro game and thinking this is music is good, who made it ?? Damn! Yuzo ?! Again?!
No Blue Blazes from WMMT?
Стритс оф рейдж - одна из лучших серии игр! Музыка в ней играет важнейшую роль, она отлично дополняет геймплей и вызывает бурные эмоции.
Юзо Коширо - лучший чиптюновый музыкант и композитор!
Nice list, there's a few games on here I had no idea were Koshiro! i'm a big fan of the SoR3 ost though so personally, I'd have put a few tracks from that on here, as well as one or two more from the Shinobi series :)
I knew etrian odyssey music would be on here. absolutely legendary. end of raging waves is number one though!
No attack of the barabrian?
I know that this is a personal Top 10, but... To my ears, the soundtracks that he's made for the PC-88 are, by far, some of the most essential Yuzo Koshiro's works. The Source wasn't remembered here and my very favorite Koshiro's music, the opening theme for Ys: The Vanished Omens deserved a better place in a Top 10 list.
The song that plays during The Submerged City level in Super Castlevania IV sounds oddly familiar to the song Libertango by Tallari.
Dreamer not being on the list is wild AF
No Beyond Oasis (Story of Thor in Europe)?
One if my fav vgmusic composers!!
Street of rage 1 and street of rage 2 had in your diplays " yuzo koshiro music" . I notice that after 30 years.
what name of castlevania bgm?
going to meet him in a couple of days!
portrait of ruin ost is a frekking masterpiece
Im not sure if anyone did mention this (or if youve covered this in a previous oddly familiar episode), but Go straight from Streets of rage 2 may have been influenced by a lot of different early 90s dance music (Streets of Rage 2 was released in 1992). Id say the 2 songs that most influenced this is "get ready for this by 2 unlimited" and "gypsy woman by crystal waters."
Not mentioning maxi tune is an insult.
where's the wmmt ost?
So many good video game music composers: Yuzo Koshiro, Junya Nakano, Masashi Hamauzu, Yasunori Mitsuda, Masafumi Takada, Akira Yamaoka...list goes on
Hello, Quantom X! Could you hear that both the "Ski Slop" theme of "Tonic Trouble" of Nintendo 64 and the "My Prerogative" song by Bobby Brown sound similar?
Something I feel is missing from this list is the "Eye of the Beholder" soundtrack for the Mega CD (or Sega CD, depending on your location). Look up "Eye of the Beholder (Sega CD) - Dungeon Theme" on youtube and I think you'll see why.
edit: There's also the Story of Thor (or "Beyond Oasis") soundtrack.
further edit: yeah, I'm aware that nearly every fan of his music will think their favourite is missing from a list...
My favorite composer of all time 🔥
Legacy of the Wizard soundtrack doesnt get enough love.
Koshiro-san is still my favorite game composer due to his versatility and evolution as an artist!!
My favorite track of his has to be the intro/main theme of NamcoXCapcom. The combo of his music, nostalgia for Namco and Capcom's IPs and Studio Trigger's unique animation style still blows me away!
The Super Adventure Island OST definitely changed my mind on the SNES sound chip being able to do techno beats with a great bass line. Only Koshiro-san could do that.
his versatility really sets him apart!
No Wangan Midnight. It's considered the Magnum Opus, specially in Japan.
I have streets of rage 2 on vinyl . It slaps
The Dr Dre of video game sound tracks!
which party do you want to go to?
-the MC keeps getting on the mic to tell you why the next song coming up is so hype, who made it, why its great, how much it sold so far, what the MC ate for lunch today....
or
-there is no MC, nobody uses the mic ever; pure music.
-this isn't a party.
-welcome to youtube.
Jungle Chase from Super Adventure Island is a banger too.
Just wished that Kushiro's music featured a lot more in SOR 4.
Fighting in the streets
Moon beach
Attack of the barbarian
Under logic
Character select theme (SOR4)
Just some of my favorites of his :)
No Super Adventure Island?
I love his Soundtrack for Game Gear Shinobi I and II ❤️
Someone remembered 7th Dragon! Has amazing music in 2020 and 3!!!
Legend
streets of rage Good Ending music: music to chill with your lover
Just Actraiser should demonstrate he’s got castlevania in the bag.
An alternate opinion no thanks to the dearth of Falcom era stuff on your list.
1. "Feena" (Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished)
2. "Fighting in the Streets" (Streets of Rage)
3. "Long Distance" (Revenge of Shinobi)
4. "Battlefield -- Swords Bursting" (7th Dragon)
5. "Bloodpool" (ActRaiser)
6. "Dreamer" (Streets of Rage 2)
7. "Dungeon" (Sorcerian)
8. "Moat of Burnedbless" (Ys II: The Final Chapter)
9. "Main Dungeon Theme" (Dragon Slayer IV: Drassle Family/Legacy of the Wizard)
10. "ChR0NiClESeVen" (7th Dragon III: Code VFD)
suggestion mj smooth criminal and ice cap zone from sonic 3 or beat by mj and wily stage 1 mega man 2
Whoa Sonic bridge song too damn Yuzo
Is he who composed the ost from Dragon Ball Online?
yup! that's the same guy
Odd choice for number one but great video
i realize its tough to pick a song for sor2 and you did pick a banger but expander is insane.
Missed some pure classical work on Story of Thor 2, his trance music in Wangan, Zelda theme from Smash Brawl etc... At least, if you wanted to show more diversity in his works.
Legacy of the wizard theme sounds like "when will I see you again " from Three Degrees. Or is it just me?
Really liked the video, but Fillmore should've won for Actraiser.
Several things I noticed by watching your channel for 3 years:
1- You LOVE Yuzo Koshiro. Hardly a video goes by without him appearing or being mentioned. I’ve no objections.
2- You love Capcom (who doesn’t?).
3- You absolutely despise Kenji Yamamoto (DBZ). Man‘s got talent, but used it for the wrong reasons. I wonder what he’s doing now.
Lastly, you should a top 10 or 20 video of Bobby Prince‘s best works excluding the Doom games.
3 years huh? nice! and thanks for still being here after so long... I agree with everything you said but lemme just say "despise" might be too strong of a word... I actually feel sorry for the guy because he lost his job over it, and a ton of people did the exact same thing, just not in CDQ audio, they did it with chiptunes so they got away with it
Here is my list.
To make the end of battle
Long distance
Dreamer
Island of everlasting summer
Filmoa
Spacefight
The Shinobi
Brave new world
Feel the passion
Ending
My lover
Morning grow
China town
and a good list that is
Some nice choices, but we need some Beyond Oasis picks!
flash flash flash for bosconian on the x68000 is my pick, great tune
this one is fantastic, and if we did a top 11, it would have made it!
@@uncannyx in that case, and as with all compilation albums, i'm looking forward to part 2! Great video series btw, I really enjoy the no-nonsense style and the variety of the music you select in your videos
Nobody remembers island of everlasting summer. And also listen to spacefight.
Another excellent soundtracks are: Shinobi GG and Streets Of Rage 2 GG.
Good list but you could easily replace that unreleased game music with something from wangan midnight.
a true og
I was waiting for the super adventure island 🏝️ soundtrack to be on the list but I was disappointed it wasn’t 😢