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View Back Cover	Star Fox 64 Original Soundtrack
	Composed by: Koji Kondo, Hajime Wakai
	Arranged by: N/A
	Publisher: Pony Canyon
	Catalog Number: PCCG-00421
	CD Info: 1 CD - 39 Tracks
	Released: October 17, 1997

Review by: XISMZERO (Visitor Review)

Generally, I think of Nintendo's soundtracks as memorable, superb, catchy and felicitous of the game it's presented in. But, when it comes to owning the original soundtrack itself, it often falls short from there (unless there are extras on the disc such as arranged tracks). Usually, Nintendo's lead composer, Koji Kondo, who has worked on many of Nintendo's big name games, as well as most other of Shigeo Miyamoto's projects, does an extraordinary job. The man is talented, which turns listening to his music into a journey through the game you're playing. However, Koji Kondo had not worked on Star Fox, which was composed by a Hajime Hirasawa. But this time around, Hirasawa was not available to work on the series' newest game, so Kondo jumped aboard and helped create a small portion of the soundtrack while the rest of the presentation went to Hajime Wakai. Unfortunately, despite this being a classic soundtrack, it does not excuse it from hindering problems.

As Nintendo's soundtracks usually do, Star Fox 64's has the 'game' soundtrack feel all over it; basically meaning, you'll know right off when you hear it that it came from a video game, which is a result of the composers using minimal means to pull off a fantastic or sophisticated sound. Star Fox 64's entire composition was actually inspired and rearranged from the original Super Famicom score by Hirasawa. However, the MIDI-esque composition with synthesized mock symphonic is so unrecognizable from its roots that you may have to listen closer to identify key tracks. The music throughout the game is very thematic - like a movie score - and is very similar to the original Super Famicom soundtrack. And like the original, Star Fox 64's music complements the scenes well; that, of course, makes it a successful listen right off.

The first seven tracks, pieces such as "Title", "Opening," "Map" and "Select," are rather terse opening bits, and all mostly short "filler" tracks, and are some of the only ones composed by the brilliance of Mr. Kondo. Then we move into the stage themes, composed and performed by Wakai. These make up the bulk of the CD as the referable music most will want the album for.

Now, here's my main complaint - the music from the game has a very 'lost' and empty feeling to it, unlike the original Star Fox soundtrack released earlier in the 90's. That soundtrack was pumped and really pushed the envelope for Super Famicom's synth. Hajime Hirasawa created a surprisingly powerful, epic game soundtrack that survived even outside of the game. With Star Fox 64's OST, you have nothing but a monaural score that feels shallow and wafer-thin in presentation, as it lacks the bombast and punch that the original had. You'll know it when you pop this disc in expecting to hear that roaring, energetic sound, only to be let down by the lack of ambiance, mayhem and dialogues that are so much of the game's nature.

The music isn't all bad, but tracks like "Corneria" cannot be compared with it's original fast-paced, go-getter rockin' version, and the same goes for "Meteo." Albeit moody and compelling, these tracks come off as plain and flat - and all because of the composition. While you can feel its power trying to surface within the music, the orchestral power just isn't there to convey the intentions of the composer. The result is a boring listen outside of the game. That's not to say these tracks have been ruined, or are completely bad, but they simply don't work outside of the game like the original Star Fox's score, which doesn't seem right considering the original Star Fox was almost five years behind in technology. Still, each track, although taken from Hirasawa's compelling original, is still uniquely and completely rearranged, and fits the game's atmosphere well. Surely, these will serve well for those who are interested in the nostalgia.

A notable favorite is "Area 6", which plays while you're storming Venom's defense system, and perfectly conveys the mood and determination of the situation. "Aquas" is a beautiful new-age-genre-inspired piece with a serene and peaceful score that later heightens to portray the havoc further into the level. "Katarina" (Katina), or the infamous "almost cut-out-and-ripped-off" "ID4" invasion level theme, actually sound like movie pieces, as they're very hectic and intense sounding tunes. "Sector X" nicely portrays the setting of a stealthy infiltration into an abandoned territory. "Zoness," as well, does a fine job at fitting its scene well; with its downtrodden, melancholy hum, it perfectly conveys the atmosphere of a planet that's been transformed into a endless wasteland.

Of course, "Star Wolf's Theme" is highly memorable, albeit sinister and hyper. And, you cannot complete Star Fox 64 without hearing the band of alter-ego Star Fox team wannabes. "Bolse" is also a great, quick-paced theme, which gives off an energetic feel to help pep you into finishing the objective you're challenged with. "Venom", which is unmistakably familiar, yet hardly altered at all from its original epic theme. There are very few dislikable tracks, but "Solar" might be one of them. It's just a little clichÃ©, albeit a tense and melodramatic one. You'll most likely feel the same about it when hearing it play in the game. "Versus" is very memorable as well, with its dramatic feel - I found it very similar to the infamous Star Trek battle-to-the-death scene. We can't forget about "Titania & MacBeth," one of the few worthy orchestral attempts on the soundtrack.

At the end of the disc, you have but another barrage of terse little musics, almost like "guest character" theme songs from past acquaintances of the Star Fox team members, like Bill and Katt, and then the mission complete and failed themes. Disappointingly enough, the team didn't add a thing to the disc - there's absolutely nothing of a surprise that Nintendo fans have often found on their soundtracks over the years. The most notable difference, in the original Star Fox Original Soundtrack there were three well-done arranged tracks, but sadly there's nothing of the like to speak of here. It makes the disc seem very basic with nothing to highlight aside from the soundtrack itself, yet again hurting the presentation.

Speaking of contents, this "Nintendo Sound Series" CD, like the ones before it, is chock filled with the entire soundtrack from the game, and is the most definitive Star Fox 64 album you can buy. Unlike the American released Star Fox 64 music CD's, the original Japanese release contains 39 tracks, which is basically everything from the game crammed onto one disc. Each major BGM track is given plenty of time to shine at around two and half minutes a piece. The only other production problem here, which has also been a problem with many of Nintendo's other discs, is the low sound volume. This can be a little annoying for those who wish to blast their music.

Overall, the Star Fox 64 OST is a great collector's item - especially if you've played the game and are interested in the nostalgia - which they're certainly nostalgic. Even if the Star Fox 64 OST sounds like a sub-par mock symphonic album it's still a very worthy, if somewhat underwhelming, package. It's quite sad really, this disc could have been golden had it been arranged with a live symphony orchestra instead of low-grade synth. In the end, it's still a great piece to have sitting in a collection of soundtracks, and I don't have any regrets on the purchase - it's just that putting a little more effort into it wouldn't have of hurt.

Bottom Line: C+