Another post about music? Sure, why not! This one courtesy of mgzettler, who stepped up to the plate on Twitter when I asked for post suggestions. His reply?

the evolution of music in video games and how it adds/detracts from the game itself!

As I’ve said before, I’m a music nut. I love listening to all manner of music and giving anything a try before judging whether it’s something I care to listen to anymore. And video game music is no different. Let’s jump in the Wayback Machine for a minute and go back to my youth; a youth filled with feathered hair, ill-advised parachute pants, ATARI 2600 consoles and countless rolls of quarters spent at the arcade.

There are some that say Pong was the start of the arcade generation. While it might be true in the sense that it was the first, I would argue that Pac Man is where the arcade generation (and as a by-product the console/PC gaming generations) really found their beginnings. Who doesn’t remember Pac Man? A yellow mouth being chased by ghosts while eating dots. Doesn’t sound so exciting when spelled out that way, does it? But in its time, Pac Man was a shining example of how games could draw the masses and become the multi-million dollar industry they are today.

And who can forget the music?

Anyone who’s played Pac Man more than once can certainly remember the soundtrack. It never changed, it was on a constant loop, and if you heard it today, you’d recognize it immediately.

Other easily recognized soundtracks from video games include Donkey Kong and its even more successful follow-up Mario Bros and its sequels. Heaven forbid we forget The Legend of Zelda.

It wasn’t too much later that things evolved. Games and their associated systems gained more processing power. The amount of data that could be stored on a disc or cartridge multiplied allowing game developers to be even more experimental and unique. I remember well playing the original Grand Theft Auto. The ability to change the in-game radio stations was a unique, fun twist and ensured you didn’t fall asleep with the same 8-bit soundtrack running through your head. The GTA sequels went even further by putting in real music you might hear by turning your radio on. (When I heard Flock of Seagulls “I Ran (So Far Away)” in GTA: Vice City, my inner-80′s child geeked out.)

There’s little doubt that music plays a big role in the games we play. They add an element to the game we may not be consciously aware of until it’s too late and you’re in another room when the South Park WoW episode comes on and you instantly recognize the background music.

So what video game music resonates with you? Is it something completely out there from a game no one played? Or are you like me and recognize the same songs everyone else does?