The title of the list says it all, really. Ever since middle school, I've had a deep fondness for orchestrated music. However, that appreciation was mostly fueled by my band teacher (ironically, his last name was Bandman) and the amount of passion he put into conducting. While our humble middle school band stayed true to the dynamics and tempos, the conducting was so enthused it seemed our performances were elevated to a much higher level. Not only did the conducting seem exciting, it also looked pretty fun.
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"Egg Planet" by Koji Kondo The Egg Planet (or Good Egg Galaxy) theme is a song that perfectly encapsulates the pure and whimsical fun to be had in Super Mario Galaxy. As I listen to this on my MP3 player or while playing the game, I feel like a five-year old walking around a theme park or a much younger version of myself sitting down in front of a television experiencing the innocent joy of a video game.
"Chrono Trigger Orchestra Extra Soundtrack" by Yasunori Mitsuda I was late to the Chrono Trigger party and, in regards to its music, I suppose I was pretty fortunate. I hastily put down a reserve for the DS entry to ensure I wouldn't miss the game a second time around. Lo and behold, the bonus for reserving was a two-track disc of orchestrated themes. Even without the aid of a full orchestra, Chrono Trigger's music still remains iconic (though secondary to Chrono Cross' soundtrack). However, hearing the them redone shows how eloquently Mitsuda can write a soundtrack, even if it was his first.
"The Gauntlet" by Jamie Christopherson Bionic Commando: Rearmed stole the gaming community's heart in terms of music, but the series' most recent retail release was done just as well, if not better in some parts. This song sounds powerful, and plays during one of the most creative, fast-paced boss battles I've experienced this generation. It lends itself well to the action and makes the momentum of swinging seem much more dynamic.
"Garden Forgotten by Time" by Michiru Yamane I'll agree that Konami has yet to release a 3D title worthy of its storied Castlevania franchise, but I believe Lament of Innocence is the closest success so far. If there's anything that translates from the 2D entries to the 3D ones well, it'd be the music. While not as upbeat, creepy or brooding as previous songs, Garden Forgotten by Time is a track of the same high pedigree I've come to expect from the series.
"Scorching Savanna" by Horikoshi High School Band To be blunt, I don't like the soundtrack to Katamari Forever. I'm fine with certain remixes but, in most cases, it effectively dismantles the charm of the original tracks. One of very few pieces stuck out, and it was a high school's performance of some of Katamari's themes. It doesn't sound complex, but it does show how beloved the games and its songs are.
"Memories of You ~Orchestra ver.~" by Yumi Kawamura I have no idea what the lyrics mean, and maybe I should look up a translation some time, but it sounds nice. Beyond being listenable on its own, this song was a great way to end the long task of completing a Shin Megami Tensei game; the orchestrated version even more so.
"Overture" by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori You probably noticed I currently don't acknowledge a lot of stuff from Western composers, let alone anything from franchises started by Western development studios. Halo 3: ODST's soundtrack came as a surprise to me because it shed what the series was known for in favor of a muted, noirish (yes, it's a word) tone. It's seemingly more mature, and I like that a lot.
"Ending Theme" by Takeharu Ishimoto A list of great game music would not be complete without even a slight mention of the Final Fantasy series; even Giant Bomb's quest system acknowledged it, which shocked me. It's hard to whittle away the abundant amount of themes that would easily make this list, but a compilation of some of the best gets the job done nicely. Much like the game itself, the medley selection is subject to approval depending on where you stand. Still, Eyes on Me with no lyrics makes me happy.
"Who Is He Anyway?" by Masashi Hamauzu It's hard for me to comment on this song because I've never played Sigma Harmonics and can't provide the context. Despite that, "Who is He Anyway?" seems, to me, a perfect example of the game's namesake. The two strings come together in a very soothing melody that has put me to sleep for many a night. I mean that in the best way possible.
"Staff Roll 2" by Koji Kondo Since the last time I touched this list, Nintendo made a really good orchestral medley for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. I remember hearing this track before the game came out and was saddened when the first set of credits finished and the song was nowhere to be heard. Then, a second set of credits rolled by for the folks at Grezzo and all was good as orchestrated nostalgia hit me faster than a 3D screen's refresh rate.