The Metroid series has always been known for crafting an effective atmosphere, there's just no other game that manages to capture that same sense of creepy isolation. Environment design plays a large role in this, but the soundtrack also contributes in no small way.
Considering that we just passed the 30th anniversary of Metroid, "Hip" Tanaka -- the composer from the original Metroid -- recently shared a message on Twitter about the series' landmark and music. Here's what he had to say:
I can only speak about the first Metroid game, but…
Around the time of the original release, I never got the impression the game was especially popular. However, as time passed and the internet came around, I became aware of just how popular it was, especially overseas.
The music in Metroid, I feel personally, was very different to the music in other games of the time; the sense of an individualistic sound design is very strong. I received some criticism, about the lack of melody, or how dark it sounded, but I felt I adhered to the tone of the game's story as I composed.
The fact that a piece of music containing only three notes has remained with everyone for so long is really surprising to me. I think it's because that even before music was in place, the game world of Metroid was fascinating. I have a lot of respect for the development staff from back then.
Knowing that even after thirty years the game is still supported by all sorts of people from around the world is a continuing source of courage for me as I continue to compose music, and gives me the confidence to believe in my own abilities, and push me forward.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all the fans. The Metroid series continues to this day. I hope you will all continue to enjoy playing it.
Also, Tanaka put together a short music track mashing up various sounds and songs from across the series' history. Check it out here.
What do you think? What's your favorite Metroid track? Would you like to see Tanaka come back for a future Metroid game? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 29
Has it really been that popular though? I mean, none of the games ever sold more than 3 million units.
Yeah, sales units aren't everything, but I still wouldn't call the series popular.
"The Metroid series has always been known for crafting an effective atmosphere, there's just no other game that manages to capture that same sense of creepy isolation. Environment design plays a large role in this, but the soundtrack also contributes in no small way."
This.
Great remix!
Favourite Metroid track is definitely Tallon Overworld from the original Prime
@Mega_Yarn_Poochy It influenced gaming to the point where the term "metroidvania" exists and Samus is one of the best known characters in the industry, so I believe it's known enough to be considered popular. Still, it deserves more, a lot more recognition.
Playing through the new Metroid 2 remake that just came out. SO GOOD. (Metroid AM2R.)
@Mega_Yarn_Poochy I know it's hard to quantify "popularity", but it IS responsible for the whole Metroidvania genre. I don't think an unpopular game would have a genre named after it.
@roy130390 that credits go more to Castlevania. If castlevania didn't used that kind of gameplat very few people will evern know about it. Not to mention that it also took a lot from zelda.
Also, to be honest, the "metroidvania" "genre" isn't that popular. Is mostly used by "indie" developers that cannot do something new and fresh and instead keep reheashing old games with "retro grafx" and quirky styles while keep selling under a dollar. It is, if any, a niche subgenre that is getting old.
@Mega_Yarn_Poochy Metroid was created to give more challenge to the "mature" NES users that mastered Super Mario bros and Zelda. It has never been a mainstream series. They have tried to make it more mainstream with Super Metroid and Metroid Prime and only the latter was truly succesful. But besides that, it is a niche game for niche users inside Nintendo.
@Minotaurgamer According to you. The credits definitely should go to the one that invented it, which is Metroid. Castlevania making it popular does deserve some recognition too but I see no point in debating who deserves more credit and it's as simple as being based on opinion. I see nothing taken from Zelda personally.
So creating a game that is part of a genre isn't fresh? Then pretty much any game that is part of an already created genre follows the same fate, including any Mario, Zelda and Donkey Kong.
It's a game for people that like it, period. I don't see why you have to classify the people that enjoy it as niche. Much of the stuff you mention is your opinion, which is fine but shouldn't be managed as truth.
Even if the games aren't that popular, Samus is recognized in the gaming industry.
Wow, it's been almost 30 years since that Christmas when I got Metroid, Kid Icarus and The Legend Of Zelda on the same day...now I feel old...
If you are a Super Mario Maker fan and if you like music levels, here's my rendition of my favorite musical piece from the Brinstar Depths (aka Kraid's Lair):
https://supermariomakerbookmark.nintendo.net/courses/13F8-0000-0114-4EBF
Bookmark it, play it, and enjoy!
to help celebrate metroid, they just hit the host of the fan remake with a dmca takeown notice.
@Jamotello
If anyone was expecting different then they're delusional.
"The fact that a piece of music containing only three notes has remained with everyone for so long is really surprising to me."
Tanaka, c'mon man! There were more than three notes...too modest!
@3MonthBeef O_O That puts things more into perspective.
I'm not going to get into what defines popular but for those of us 10 and up when the NES was new, I can say that everyone I know wanted it, but almost no one had it! Nintendo let it go out of print and moved on to other stuff. They did reissue it in 92 (?) which would mean there had to be enough demand for it to allow that
@Mega_Yarn_Poochy It's very cult statis and I would call that popular, or even more than cult honestly
..like Big Trouble in Little China (the movie)
@shaneoh Very true: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U91hN0r32s (Or did you mean the first theme which is also great: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mziw3FQkZYg )
Metroid Prime did a great job in every regard but especially in music. They covered known tracks beautifully and add new ones like Tallon Overworld with old music samples.
I should play all Metroid games again. Maybe this could be a run trough all games in two days
@Chandlero
Yeah the first link. I had to acquire the Prime soundtrack because I enjoyed the music so much.
I love the soundtrack of the original Metroid. That's the only reason I really play it.
Tanaka's comments on sound design and criticism kind of remind me of the negative reaction Ennio Morricone got when he composed for John Carpenter's The Thing. They're both now seen as iconic elements of the overall game/film.
I never had the chance to play the original metroid because I was only one when it released. When super metroid released me and my friend would watch his uncle play. The times spent playing and watching instantly made me a metroid fan. Then I found out about castlevania and for me metroidvania was born. Can't wait to play axiom verge and blood stained on the wii u!!!
Cool read. Thats what's up!
Metroid and Samus are old school classics if you played Metroid back in the day then you know why it's so popular but my fave is Super Metroid tho blow my mind as a kid and took the franchise too new heights.
@Mega_Yarn_Poochy
This story is about the original Metroid only and it hit 11th place on the NES/Famicom all-times sales list. It was famicom-disk only in Japan, weakening sales. Hitting close to 3 million sales back then in that environment with such a punishing difficult and unforgiving game is a great achievement. Like others I think Tanaka's soundtrack had a significant effect on it's initial reception and it's lasting appeal.
Oh, and to get stupidly technical, if you add the Wii trilogy to Metroid Prime's standalone sales it does break 3.4 million.
There's a special atmosphere in Super Metroid. It feels hopeless, like you're alone in a planet in space and nobody is there to help you, not even your parents. It's so dark, but sometimes, a little bit of hope shows up in the music. It's so emotional!
Opening track for me at the title screen... it sometimes gives me chills! I remember seeing my friend play it for the very first time (he was using the red and white Famicom). Left such an impression on me that I never forgot those opening lines of music and I got to play it again myself a couple of years later.
The music and sound effects definitely made that game. But the whole "starting with only 30 points of life" was a headache back then...
Heh, a composer shares a NOTE... Nice one.
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