This week, our friends over at Nintendojo.com are running a series of articles about the SNES and their undying love for the system.  I have a special place in my heart for my favorite old console as well.  I’m hijacking their idea today so I can talk about my absolute favorite SNES title of all time…

To say that I love Super Castlevania IV would be a gross understatement.  I’ve probably clocked in more hours with Simon Belmont than I’d care to admit.  The levels were hard, but not insanely so and the psuedo 3D Mode 7 graphics were great.  However, whenever I talk about this game, the first thing I always bring up is how awesome the music was.  It was the first time I actually noticed the music in a video game and  how it could impact the overall experience.

The composers (Taro Kudou and Masanori Adachi) did a masterful job of setting the tone for each level.  At times, the music is subtle and serene, like in “The Waterfall.”

That was some incredibly bold music for the time.  Did you ever think you would hear a jazz piece while you were slaying the minions of Dracula?  Me neither, but it’s there and it’s beautiful.

Those are just a few samples of what the old timers had the pleasure of listening to while we jumped, whipped, and climbed our way though Dracula’s castle.  You can tell that a ton of love went into the music of Castlevania IV.  I’ll put it up against anything that’s made today.  It’s complex, vital, and 16-bit.

Just the way nature intended for us to hear our video game music.