Hello all, I'm putting together a 1-hour special 'boss rush' show for a little community radio station I DJ on, and I'm looking for a bunch of good boss battle tunes. Can you guys bung some favourites at me? I have a few in mind already, naturally, but there are a whole bunch of games I've never even played let along heard the boss musics from so I'm sure there are plenty of cracking tunes out there. Doesn't have to be end bosses either - anything will do.

Thanks

Here are a few of my recommendations. I'll try to mix up some differing styles of music here, and throw in a few arranged tunes, just in case you're considering those, too.

- "Relic of Moirai", Shincontra
- "The 3Karma - Cogito, ergo sum" or "The 3 Karma", Shadow Hearts Arrangetracks, Shadow Hearts II (respectively)
- "VS. Meta Ridley", Metroid Prime
- "VS. Ishtar, Gedo", Metroid Fusion
- "The Midnight Carnival (Last Battle)", Guilty Gear XX #Reload Korean Version
- "The Decisive Battle", Final Fantasy VI, both the original and Black Mages version
- "A War to End All Wars", Eternal Darkness
- "Challenge", Final Fantasy X

*cracks knuckles*

"Regret" - Soukaigi
"Challenge to the Seven Wonders" - Unlimited SaGa
"Todesengel" - SaGa Frontier II
"Pain the Universe" - Seiken Densetsu:  Legend of Mana
"U.B." - Parasite Eve
"The Final Battle" - Final Fantasy IV
"Last Battle" - Chrono Trigger

...that should tide you over for now.  I apologize for being focused on SQEX releases.

How the F did I forget that one? Dammit!

Square Enix Battle Tracks Vol.1

oh man... here it goes:

Brave Fener Musashiden
"Skullpion," "Vambee Church Battle," "Frost Dragon," and "My Name's Ben!"
Demon Castle Dracula Curse of Darkness
"Followers of Darkness -The First-," "Belmont, The Legend," "Insane Aristocracy (The Tragic Nobelman)"
Castlevania (Lament of Innocence)
"Melancholy Joachim"
Demon Castle Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight
"Festival of Servants," "Blood Relations"
Final Fantasy IV
"The Final Battle"
Final Fantasy IX
"Hunters Chance," "Sword of Confusion"
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
"Mystic Re-Quest II," "Battle 1," "Battle 2," "Battle 3"
Final Fantasy Tactics
Well, most of the album consists of battle tunes; "Run Past Through the Plain" "Battle on the Bridge"
Final Fantasy V
"The Decisive Battle"
Final Fantasy VI
"Battle Theme," "The Decisive Battle," "Dancing Mad"
Legend of Mana
"Pain the Universe," "Marginal Beast," "The Darkness Nova," "Irwin on Reflection," "Silence of Time"
Rockman DASH
"Marlwolf!," "The Gesellschaft!," "Fokkerwolf!," "Theodore Bruno!," "Juno - Last Battle Physique" = (love the Bach goodness)
Rockman X Arrange
"Reproid King ~Vs Last Boss Stage~"
Rockman X Command Misison
"Steel Massimo," "Marino the Thief," "Maverick Hunter 2," "Epsilion, Second Movement," "Redips, Third Movement"
Rockman X Game Music Generation
X1: "Sigma 1st," "Sigma 2nd"
X2: "Zero," "Sigma 1st"
X3: "Doppler Stage Boss"
X4: "Eregion," "Colonel & General," "Double," "Iris," "Sigma 2nd"
X5: "X Vs Zero"
X6: "Boss," "Sigma 2nd"
Rockman X7
"Our Blood Boils ~ Vs Sigma 1st"
Rockman X8
"VS Maverick," "VS 8Boss," "Angry 8Boss," "VS Copy Sigma," "VS Lumine ~ The Second Form"
Rockman Zero 3 (Telos)
"Omega Battle"
Rockman Zero 4 (Physis)
"Falling Down"
Panzer Dragoon II Zwei
"The Empire's Transport Ship," "Hanuman," "Rando Doura"
Parasite Eve
"Plosive Attack," "U.B."
Biohazard 2
"The Second Malformation of G," "The Third Malformation of G"
SaGa Frontier
"Battle #3," "Battle #5," "Last Battle - T260G"
Star Ocean: The Second Story
"Stab the Sword of Justice," "Dynamite," "Tangency"
Wild Arms
"Critical Hit! (Fight Theme)," "Power fighter"
Wild Arms 2nd Iginition
"Battle Force," "Battle: Knightblazer," "Battle VS Lord Blazer"
Wild Arms Alter code:F
"The Power to Control," "G's Roar," "Game," "Murdering Princess"

Sorry for writing a book, I just think battle themes are a part of a healthly, balanced breakfast.

If you want to go retro I'd definately suggest Final Fantasy Mystic Quest.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I'm going to check all of these out. As for retro, anything is welcome from the latest stuff right back to blippy chiptunes.

The ones that come to mind immediately for me are these:

Final Battle, Ys Book I & II redbook CD (preferably) or Perfect Collection Ys
Termination, Perfect Collection Ys II
The Strongest Foe, JDK Band 2 or  the Ys III redbook CD
The Awe of She, Guilty Gear X Heavy Rock Tracks

I think I've got Ys on the brain.

If you are also looking for great Japanese-sounding boss battles, Okami has some: Yamato-no-Orochi's Extermination II, Demon Lord Nine-Tail's Extermination, Twin Devils Moshirechik and Kotanechik's Extermination, The Emperor of Eternal Darkness and The Sun Rises. The last one is my absolute favorite.

Otherwise, Ian Gillan's Eternity for Blue Dragon might be an interesting one, since it is very unusual. Zone of the Enders 2 has some excellent boss battle themes too, especially Ardjet and Zakat. The final battle from Front Mission 5, Deliverance is not really well known, but features an incredible ending. Suikoden 2's Gothic Neclord is a classic in VGM -- I would especially recommend the arrangement produced by Kentaro Haneda.

And finally, I am surprised no one mentionned Sakuraba. For example, Star Ocean 3's Influence of Truth Appearance and The Divine Spirit of Language are both excellent choices, but in different genres! And why not Scrap and build ourselves from Trusty Bell/Eternal Sonata?

Does that have any relation to the track "Scrap and Build" from Gikyokuonsou?

Woah, it never occured to me that the titles were almost the same. Well, they have nothing in common, outside the composer. Actually, Scrap and build ourselves is an arrangement of Chopin's Revolutionary etude by Sakuraba himself.

"Golem" - Vagrant Story
"Kaldea Orchid" - The Bouncer
"Theme of the Tyrant Ver. B" - Resident Evil: Code Veronica
"Violent Emotion" - Phantom Brave
"Metatron" - SMT3 Nocturne Maniacs
"Ooze" - Phantasy Star IV
"Battle with Magus" - Chrono Trigger
"Four Demonic Aristocrats Battle 2" - Romancing SaGa 3
"Faith Total Machine" - Seiken Densetsu 3
"The Fierce Battle" - Final Fantasy VI

Yikes, I think you have enough for a 24-hour marathon here!

Mine, going up and down my "OST" playlist on my Ipod at random:

Strongest Foe - Ys III Turbo Duo Redbook
Boss - Mickey Mouscapade
Vs Copy Sigma, Maverick Battle - Rockman X8
Battle on the Big Bridge - Final Fantasy V (you KNOW you want to use this one!)
Zeromus - FFIV
Battle #58, Final Decisive Battle - Ys IV Perfect Collections
Sodom - Final Fight
Battle with Zindigue - Emerald Dragon (SPC version)
What I'm Made Of - Sonic Heroes
Deceitful Wings - Atelier Iris 1
XXX - King of Fighters 98 OST
Rain of Blossoms, Desire and Commandments - Atelier Iris Grand Fantasm
Boss - River City Ransom
Mid-Boss, Big-Boss, Final Boss - Cotton 100%
Boss - Darius Twin
Stage 5-3 (Ashtar) - Ninja Gaiden 2
Dinosaur Battle, Devil Battle - Joe and Mac (SNES)
Battle with Robot - Makaruna Makendo 2

I remember that track.  It has kind of a funky 80's vibe to it.  Does the arcade version sound the same as the Sega CD version?

Not sure...Mine's a converted SPC. From playing the game on Capcom Classics, I thought the SNES version sounded much cleaner than the arcade.

"Shudder" - Einhander (techno boss music)

How come has everyone forgotten all the great battle tunes that Iwadare has composed? I seem to need to remind you of such gems as Battle with Gadwin from Grandia, FIGHT!! ver. 3 and FIGHT!! ver. 4 ~final battle~ from Grandia II or Combat 4 from Grandia Xtreme. Der Endkampf of Langrisser II is nothing short of excellent, either.

Some of Sakuraba's battle music already got recommendations, but there are lots of more awesome tracks from him. From Baten kaitos I'd pick Survival from the force and Violent storm, and from Baten kaitos II my choices would be Iconoclasm, Evidential material and Linguistic power of the ancient spirit. From the first Valkyrie profile pretty much any boss battle tune is an instant win. With Valkyrie profile 2 you just can't go wrong with Celestial troupe or In order to obtain the light in that hand. Furthermore, Highbrow from Star ocean 3 is probably the best battle track ever created. Or any piece of music, for that matter. I have to recommend Beast of prey, Mighty blow and Integral body and imperfect soul from Star ocean: the second story, too.

Falcom has many wonderful pieces in their games. Ys VI delivers you Mighty obstacle, Ernst and The depth Napishtim, not to mention previous games in the series. Sorcerian has numerous magnificent boss tunes both original and arranged - in numerous ways. You might want to check out The legend of Xanadu, too.

Of other games, don't forget Last battle of The legend of Zelda: ocarina of time, either original or arranged. Rose of Versailles from Cyber org is a gorgeous rock piece. Additionally, Danger, Sorcerer and Meridian worship from Secret of mana are sure to please. And why not choose something from Shadow of the colossus for a more sweeping listen?

That's my suggestions, and I just only got started. At least there is no lack of good boss tunes in vgm.

Edit: I almost forgot to add "IDOLA" the strange fruits, the glorious last boss piece from Phantasy star online III and Versus 2 -a longing to ancient times- from PSO episode 1. In fact, Phantasy star online trilogy and Phantasy star universe contain some very excellent boss music. Not believe me? Hear for yourself.

I was going to mention Battle 3 from Grandia before it occured to me that it wasn't a boss theme.  I suppose that I could've gone for one of the others though.  I believe that Dungeon 2 on the second disc of the second OST is actually one of the boss themes from the game that I've always liked.

For SOTC, The Opened Way would be my choice.

And I'll throw in Pokey Means Business! from Earthbound while I'm at it.  I've always thought the the NES-style intro and development into a rock'n track made that fight one to remember.

umm...

Dancing Mad - FFVI

particularly parts II and IV. But I like all 4 parts.

Ramza

I didn't say this because he only had an hour and it's 16 minutes long.

But yeah, this is definitely among the top ones I normally think of.

(no OWA from anyone?)

Well if he just cuts it down to the last section (and they are VERY easy to separate, there's basically empty space between each part), he could add part IV as a 4 minute piece. That's the *actual* Kefka fight, and it's in this fierce, ridiculous time signature of 15/8 throughout the opening section. It screams awesome prog-rock.

One-Winged Angel ... ehhh ... there are a lot of versions to choose from. There's no doubt it rules though. I'd be partial to taking the Advent Children version.

Ramza

... thankfully.

Good oldschool poll. I'll make a great list for you:

"Slave Beast Taka (extended)" -- Shin Contra
"Dark Beasts as Black as Night" -- Ys 3 Turbo Duo
"The Expected Enemy" -- Panzer Dragoon Zwei
"One who Bares Fangs at God" -- Xenogears
"Last Battle" -- Musashiden II
"The Strongest Foe" -- Ys Oath of Felghana
"Dracula Battle" -- Castlevania IV
"Regret" -- Soukaigi
"Kokubo Sosho" -- Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
"Last Battle" -- Chrono Trigger

I always preferred the redbook version myself. Actually I'm not even that fond of the main melody, but oh man, at the 2-minute mark Ryo places his most sickest guitar solo over an erratic drum intermezzo..crazy stuff. Even more crazy is that some people were actually hearing this stuff in a game at that time. ^_^

The music from the final dogfights in Ace Combat games could also be recommended.

.

Wouldn't that one kind of disrupt the pace or something?  It's more of a mood-setting track than a boss track.  I think Awakening from the same game might be better for a one hour "boss rush".

As for Dancing Mad, although I consider it to be my all time favorite boss battle music, it isn't the most accessible sort of track, which is why I didn't mention it.  I still remember a battle music tourny at Gamingforce where some people shot it down because it was too long.

In a certain sense I agree because "June Mermaid" er... "October Mermaid" or "whatever month Mermaid" (at this point the translations and re-translations have me so confused) would more or less fall into the same category since it plays during the game's final battle. Awakening would probably be more flush with what ever else was included... but then you might actually want the contrast.

I think it might be cool to use, like, a one minute clip of "One Who Bares Fangs" at some point, but not the whole thing. "Awakening" though...One of the few truly "bad-ass" Mitsuda themes.

Hmm, guess you are right about the flow issue, but then wouldn't "Dracula Battle" also be somewhat out of place? Still, "Awakening" would suit this poll better indeed. You know, I was actually thinking of putting 'Flight' in there as well, since it does get played during a boss battle sequence. Sigh, so many legendary tracks on Xenogears.

PS: I'm suprised nobody mentioned "Still more Fighting" from FF7. I used to love that track.

"Illusionary Dance" - Dracula Battle II
"Great Heli - Ruin Base" - Konami Battle the Best

That works for me in a "boss rush". I think those are the only two DB tracks that would count as proper "boss" themes. Not exactly "mood" music.

And just to be different:

"Bubblegum Dragon" - Rejoice - Aretha.

Nothing for Metal Gear yet?  Sacrilege!

MGS1: Duel, Escape
MGS2: Yell Dead Cell!
MGS3: The Pain, The Fear, Clash With Evil Personified, The Treading Behemoth, Ocelot Youth ~ Confrontation
MGS TTS: Psycho Mantis
MGS PO: Cunningham, Gene, RAXA

No Viewtiful Joe either?  Preposterous!

VJ1: Aquatic Terror, Another Joe, Blade Master Alastor, Inferno Lord
VJ2: Drill Sergeant, Ancient Guardian, Blizzard Hazard, True Heroes

I second that.

I'm pretty sure that he meant Dracula Battle as a track title rather than an album title.  As in his pick from Super CV4.

To Yuvraj: Yeah, it might be somewhat inappropriate as well.  I love the track for its mysterious and minimalistic feel that establishes how tough Dracula is without being over the top (love that fight, especially when Drac is on his last legs and Simon's Theme starts playing), but it could be a bit too slow and quiet for this sort of thing.  I guess it depends on what the topic creator wants to do.

Since I don't think it's been mentioned yet:

Secret of Mana - Meridian Dance

Recently I've been checking out the doujin stuff and I like Meridian Prayer.  This one's another odd track in that it's not the final boss fight one would expect.  Instead it has a sadness to it for more than one reason.  That is of course what makes it great in its own unique way.

I have two more:

"Fighting Ace Vince" from Voodoo Vince, and "CYBER PHANTOM" from Viewtiful Joe 2.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'm giving them all a listen - lots of good stuff here.

I've expanded the show to 90 minutes. My plan is to start big and loud, have a handful of quieter, more unexpectedly mellow boss musics in the middle, then ramping up again to a fast and exciting finish.

I have a question about the Digital Devil Saga 2 soundtrack with regard to this - could someone tell me which of the tracks are boss fights? I really love the tracks 'Epic Battle' and 'Heroic Battle' among others. Are they regular fight music or bosses?

Thanks.