My Top 15 Zelda Songs

To all who know me well, The Legend of Zelda series is by far my favourite game series. Link's Awakening happened to be one of the first games I actually remember when I first started to get into gaming as a child. Ever since then, I've played through almost every title, sat through (and enjoyed) the Zelda 25th Anniversary concert, read the mangas, laughed through the so bad-it's-sort-of-good cartoon series, and much more. 


I've always loved the music in Zelda games, so join me as I count down my top ten favourite Zelda tunes in the series so far. 


15. Knight's Academy (Skyward Sword)
Like many Zelda tunes, especially at the beginning of the game, Knight's Academy from Skyward Sword is a cheery one. I cannot help but smile when I hear this!




14. Deku Palace (Majora's Mask)
I love the stomping sound to this one, plus I love Deku's, so this one is a winner!




13. Ballad of the Goddess (Skyward Sword)
Skyward Sword's orchestral score is a brilliant accompaniment to the game. Sweeping, adventurous and bold...the "Ballad of the Goddess" works perfectly!




12. Hyrule Field (Twilight Princess)
Whenever I hear this song, I always picture Link, atop his trusty steed Epona, as he gallops off into his next adventure. Good times.




11. Fairy Fountain Theme (Multiple Zelda Games)
There is no denying that the music in the Zelda series often carries a lot of beauty. The Fairy Fountain theme is definitely an example of this. 




10. Main Theme (Multiple Zelda games)
No "favourite Zelda tunes" list is complete without one of the most famous of them all-the main Zelda theme. Used in so many of the games in the series, this is such an adventurous, sweeping sounding piece. Go Link!




9. Zelda's Lullaby (Multiple Zelda games)
Zelda's Lullaby is a beautiful, peaceful and harmonious sounding piece that brings back a lot of fond memories of playing through the Zelda series.




8. Saria's Song / Lost Woods (Ocarina of Time)
This one never fails to put a smile on my face. It's so upbeat, and definitely one of the more memorable of Zelda tunes.




7. Dark World (A Link to the Past)
Another fan favourite, the Dark World theme is definitely worth a listen!






6. Title Screen (Wind Waker)
Wind Waker's main theme has a sort of Celtic sound to it, which works well with look and feel of the game. 




5. Ballad of the Wind Fish (Link's Awakening)
We first hear "Ballad of the Windfish" when island dweller Marin is singing it near the Rooster weathervane. However, the majesty of this track is realised fully at the end of the game (spoilers!) when Link awakens the Windfish by playing the ballad with the full set of instruments. 




4. Song of Storms (Ocarina of Time)
Anyone who has ever played Ocarina of Time may remember the first time they encounter the music man inside of the Windmill who is playing "Song of Storms". It's a memorable tune!




3. Dragon Roost Island (Wind Waker)
I love the music in Wind Waker, and this is my favourite from the game! A great piece that takes me back to all the traversing around the sea the game gets you doing.




2. Gerudo Valley (Ocarina of Time)
I am sure that many of you Zelda fans agree with me when I say that Gerudo Valley is definitely one of the most loved tracks in the Zelda series. Just listen to this, it's a great one!




1. Tal Tal Heights (Link's Awakening)
Of course, my favourite Zelda track had to come from my favourite (and first played) Zelda game! I never forget the excitement I felt when walking up the steps on the way to entering the Wind Fish's egg. This music has stuck with me ever since!

My Top 10 Game Tunes

After getting a new iPod last week, I asked my followers on Twitter for some recommendations for game music to stick on it. I've got my fair share, but there is no harm in adding to the collection!


Well one follower, Mr. Bradley Fish of Fishy's View took this on board, recommended me some great tracks, then created a top 10 list of his own on his blog. Inspired by his top ten list, here are my top ten favourite game tracks of all time. 


Pretty much all of these tracks hold some kind of memory, especially from my childhood. 


Now bare in mind I love my Zelda music, so I have decided to do a similar list dedicated to Zelda tracks in a few days (keep checking back!). So, I hope you all enjoy my list! What would make up your top ten?


10. Never Ending Journey from Dragon Warrior Monsters


I have many good memories of playing this game when I was younger. This track in particular has stuck with me the most, as I'm instantly taken back to the wandering around in the various locations, picking up beefjerky, "an herb" (gotta love bad English in games) and encountering new monsters.


9. Hog Wild from Crash Bandicoot


One of my favourite levels in Crash Bandicoot, the Hog Wild theme brings back some great memories of taking it in turns to complete levels with my brother when we were first bought our PS1. Fun stuff!


8. Delfino Plaza from Super Mario Sunshine


Delfino Plaza is a cheerful, summery piece that reminds me of the hours I spent on this great Mario title for the Gamecube. 


7. Fly Me To The Moon from Bayonetta


Whilst this may be a cover track, I had to include this. It's a fun take on a classic track, and reminds me of the crazy gameplay that Bayonetta had. 


6. [Ending] Tribute from Halo 3


Halo 3 ends with this rousing, quite emotional ending theme. Great stuff.


5. Gerudo Valley from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time


This one had to get a mention! No doubt a favourite for a large majority of Zelda fans, Gerudo Valley has a great guitar heavy sound. 


4. Neverending Journey from Lost Odyssey


A truly under-rated game, not only is Lost Odyssey a joy to complete, but it has a fantastic accompanying soundtrack too. Neverending Journey plays during the map/location select screen, and whilst we only hear a snippet of it (unless you stay on the map screen for quite some time), it's a great piece that switches from a relaxing acoustic piece into a full-blown guitar riff by the 1.38 mark. Give it a listen.


3. Lullaby from Braid


The music in quirky time meddler Braid is in it's entirety beautiful, but this one seems to resonate emotion from me than the rest. A hauntingly beautiful piano piece.


2. Main Theme from Tomb Raider


Many tracks in my top ten make it there in the first place due to some kind of nostalgic gaming memory. This is definitely true when it comes to my reason behind choosing the Main Theme from Tomb Raider. As a child I had many fond memories watching my Dad (an avid gamer himself) play through countless games such as the Resident Evil series, and in this instance, the Tomb Raider series.


The main theme reminds me of the first time he loaded up that game back in our brand new PS1, and from that moment on, I was hooked. It's a beautiful piece with some great memories for me of my Dad having what we coined "Tomby Rage" (come on...that game has many frustrating puzzle moments!), freaking out at the mythological beasts and all of us working together to decipher where to go next.


1. Dragon Roost Island from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.


Aww...of course when I think of my favourite game tunes, a Zelda one had to take the top spot. Although Link's Awakening was the game that started my love for Zelda, I adore the Wind Waker soundtrack. So, here's Dragon Roost Island. 


Want to see me do more features? Feel free to email me any suggestions!

Hyrule Reaches Minecraft

One of Nintendo's most loved games, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, has been recreated in Minecraft. 


Minecraft is a PC title that has earned quite an impressive following, due to it's simplistic exploration and crafting gameplay. Since it's launch, many users have created their own worlds, or replicated classic games in these sprite-based graphics, and now, "HyruleCraft" is here.


HyruleCraft will be placed on the multi-player server, and will feature quests, classes, experience and leveling, with a fan-written storyline that proceeds the events of the Ocarina of Time child timeline. 


Check out the trailer for HyruleCraft below, and let us know what you think in the comments below!

New Skyward Sword Manga Emerges

There are several Japanese Zelda manga's available to read (personally, the Ocarina of Time manga's are some of the best), and now there's a brand new one to peruse.

Based on the series most recent addition, Skyward Sword, the first ten pages of the Skyward Sword manga has been translated from Japanese to English, and scanned over at GlitterBerri. The site promises that they will continue to translate and scan the rest of the manga, so keep checking back for a new page!

Click here to download the Skyward Sword manga at Glitterberri.

Alice Madness Returns Review

Eleven years ago, American McGee's Alice was released on the PC. The game featured a much creepier, sinister and nightmarish version of Lewis Carroll's Wonderland, with a distinct American McGee style. This year signalled the long-awaited sequel, Alice: Madness Returns.


Whilst the début game was great, it definitely suffered from a few flaws within the gameplay itself, but has Alice: Madness Returns managed to avoid this? Thankfully, on the whole, this is a worthy sequel that is much, much better than it's predecessor.

In Alice: Madness Returns, Alice, the games returning protagonist, has not managed to escape the demons and hallucinations that plagued her throughout the first game. This time around, Alice's own Wonderland creation inside of her mind has merged with her real Victorian London surroundings, thus creating an even darker and deeper caricature than we have seen before. 


Soon after the games initial cut scene, it is clear to see that the game is a visual treat. Surroundings are packed with plenty of detail, and Alice's Wonderland gives off a surreal, twisted and damn right sinister vibe. Fans of the dark and macabre will love this. Not only does it show off American McGee's now recognised aesthetics, but it also, at least for me, presents itself as a darker version of Tim Burton. Think Tim Burton on acid perhaps. Players are thrust into a world full of gory creatures, great platforming moments, and some brilliant level design. 

To fully understand the significance of Alice's mental struggles in this sequel, it is probably best to take a step back and mention the ending of American McGee's Alice. In Alice, this troubled dark child had apparently won her battle with her insanity. She has visited Wonderland and successfully fought the evil Red Queen. It appears that her insanity, which was provoked after a fire at her home killed her parents and sister, has been sedated. Or has it?


Race forward a few years and we find in Alice: Madness Returns that her recovery has not been a speedy one. Alice is still under psychiatric care, and her own memories of her families tragedy, combined with her visions of Wonderland, are in tatters. Whilst her psychiatrist pushes her to forget her troubled past, Alice has trouble doing just that, and soon enough, she finds herself once again duelling in her imagined world of Wonderland. However, Wonderland is not what it once was. The Wonderland she once remembered as a magical, wonderful place has been replaced by a ruined, terrifying and sinister world. Alice soon realises that Wonderland is in danger from the evil that lurks within. A product of her disturbed and fragile mind, Alice must save Wonderland in order to save herself, and vice versa. Rather than taking the quirky route of Lewis Carroll's classic novel, this Spicy Horse developed game has turned Wonderland into a world of nightmares, with plenty of psychological links. 

Whilst the Wonderland segments of the game, which take up a vast proportion of the gameplay, are excellent, Alice's wanders through the grimy, soot-riddled streets of Victorian London is where the game thrives as well. Alice: Madness Returns manages to convey the seedier side of London, such as the brothels, as well as portraying a stark black and white, miserable, but somewhat darkly amusing depiction of London during the Industrial Revolution. Alice's London is full of filthy, craggy looking people, and is even less attractive than London depicted in Charles Dickens novels.


However, Wonderland itself is definitely Madness Returns' highlight. The game is divided up into chapters, which present a different theme in each one. For example, one area is set in the Mad Hatter's domain, a steampunk style factory where a clockwork style Mad Hatter resides alongside the a robotic March Hare and mechanical Dormouse. Another is an oriental style area, where Alice battles samurai wasps, and one of my personal favourites is the underwater level, where Alice uses her variety of weapons against drowned sailors, sharks and sinister fish. Alice: Madness Returns definitely thrives on it's visuals-from the excellent themed level design, to the Alice's matching clothing which changes from chapter to chapter. 

Another great aspect of Madness Returns is the music. The score is full of creepy tinkling noises, and sounds atmospheric and creepy for the most parts. The tense thumping boss battle music also fits perfectly. Like American McGee's Alice though, occasionally some characters dialogue is drowned out by the overly loud music. I found this is particularly evident during the Cheshire Cat dialogue sections. 


For the most part, the gameplay feels rather fluid, and is a vast improvement on the controls in the previous game. Alice initiates a graceful floating jump which floats her down to the next platform, which is fun to engage in. The combat is also much smoother this time around. Alice locks on to the chosen antagonist then selects one of her weapons-the Vorpal Blade, Hobbyhorse, Pepper Grinder or the Teapot to defeat them. Being a huge Zelda fan, a lot of the gameplay for myself reminded me of the Zelda series, from the lock-on combat, to one musical section in the underwater segment of the game. This section involved playing a tune by pressing the buttons on screen in the correct order. The way this was set out is clearly reminiscent of the Ocarina playing parts of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. As well as the combat and floaty sections, Alice can also shrink down to a minute size to enter keyholes, where memories or treasures can be found. Come across a floating pig snout (I did mention this game was bizarre, didn't I?) and shoot them full of pepper in order to unlock new pathways which Alice can manoeuvre. The gameplay is a little challenging at times which helps to make things that bit more interesting, but occasionally mini-bosses are repeated which become incredibly easy to beat after a while (the large black ooze dripping creations being one of them). There are a few moments of "fetch" style quests which can get a tiny bit repetitive, but on the whole, it's a lot of fun. 

Alice: Madness Returns platforming sections are broken up by the occasional puzzle, and different gameplay ideas, such as a side-scrolling underwater shooting section, and the paper-craft style oriental side-scrolling platforming. Whilst these sections are only brief, they help to keep the game refreshing, and break up the repetitiveness which sometimes is felt in parts of the gameplay.


Although Alice: Madness Returns is a great game, it is not perfect. The game suffers from a few frame-rate issues at times (most notably during the London sections), and sometimes the textures do not seem to flow as fluidly as perhaps they should. Sometimes the platforming gameplay can get a little frustrating (it can be hard to judge a jump at times, due to a badly placed camera angle). Levels can get a little repetitive at times, but on the whole, Madness Returns is a fun game to endure. The game is certainly a visual treat which is full of macabre imagery, and thrives on creative ideas. It also largely improves on it's predecessor in style, graphics and gameplay. 

Alice: Madness Returns can be completed in around 9 or 10 hours, but thankfully the game comes with a code to download the original Alice, a port of the original PC version. This version has not been updated for a HD audience, and the gameplay may seem a little dated and flawed at times, but this sinister, creepy and eye-catching style is present once more. Oh, and it includes a few bonus achievements/trophies, if you're into that kind of thing. Sadly this game did get a little overlooked upon it's June 2011 release, so I urge you to check it out now.