Batman: The Video Game (NES) Soundtrack - 8BitStereo

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

Were keeping this revamp train going with another classic of the 8BitStereo uploads, Sunsoft's popular and beloved Batman: The Video Game! What has become one of the most well known and praised soundtracks by Sunsoft due to its heightened energy and fantastic compositions. Every song is just damn near perfect, with the Stage Themes being some of the best action tracks for a sidescroller, along with the intense "Boss Battle" tune and superb "Ending" theme which is one of the best themes to end any NES game. While Kodaka composed for majority of the OST, one of the most well known tracks from this game, Stage 1 & 5's "Streets of Desolation" was actually composed by Nobuyuki Hara himself (along with the Prologue theme), while known for mostly arranging Kodaka's music, he would have the rare instances such as this contributing a few compositions. The Sound Driver is actually attributed to Akito Takeuchi (on Version 3 of his driver), though Morota likely still had contribution as this was around the time the Driver was being updated to include Sample usage, though his credited contribution wouldn't be til the infamous "Sunsoft Bass" on Journey to Silius. What can we say that hasn't already for this great movie licensed game, the source material pays good respect to the movie, the graphics and dark yet still colorful and represent the tone of the movie wonderfully, the gameplay kicks ass with your utility of weapons and wall jumping mechanic, and of course, the brilliance and beloved soundtrack from Naoki Kodaka and the two song contributions from Nobuyuki Hara! It's a beloved game and soundtrack for a reason, give it a play if you haven't!

[@o1cloud]

i tried to download the .rar files and im having trouble, its telling me its an unknown format or damaged ill hit u up on twitter buddy..

[@rocko7711]

❤️🦇🎮🕹️👾❤️

[@crkvend]

You guys think the composers of these old soundtracks have any idea just how beloved their work still is? I don’t think they could even imagine people would still listen to them some 30 years later.

[@KBMaximus]

I would hope to think so. Others might not care as much, I'd assume.

[@simondaniel4028]

That's a very interesting question, I've actually never thought about it. While I do appreciate this channel, KZbin is a big place and you can find game OSTs here and there (without the unique draw and extra effort by WiiGuy of course), but what I'm saying is that if they do, there are so many avenues by which that we may never read the comments. Also, I'm American, so I speak and read slightly over one language, even if there was a comment from anyone listed in the vid, I'd miss it about as much as I do good advice regarding gun legislation. I see comments from Tim Follin here and there. But they read less like 'omgthx for the likes' and more like 'yeah it was weird back then because we only had ___ so i had to do things like ___ and ____ to get this sound.' Actually I'd like to know that about every chiptune game.

[@famitronic9870]

@Caterina Valentine I feel you on this one. People at work always ask “what kind of music do you listen to?” I always tell them video game OSTs, and they either go “oh cool…” or find it weird. I can’t blame them if they aren’t into video game osts, but music is music at the end of the day.

[@avalonjustin]

Aye. Amazing talent.

[@JayByrd83]

​@famitronic9870 I tell them I listen to "instrumentals".

[@crkvend]

“Streets of desolation” is as amazing as the game itself, one of my all time favorite nes soundtracks!

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

It's pretty remarkable, especially for being a theme not composed by Naoki Kodaka, one of Nobuyuki Hara's rare instances of composing on an OST, but it shows how good he is as a composer!

[@elrondhubbard9127]

Streets of Desolation is some of the most iconic music for me. It's just incredibly nostalgic.

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

It's pretty damn awesome, and considering it was only recently discovering Nobuyuki Hara composed that specific track, it's fantastic!

[@VahanNisanian]

The most badass Game Over theme ever.

[@SamBriacatu]

super!!! io l'ho scoperto solo oggi

[@applescruff1969]

Sunsoft were clearly gods at making Chiptune music.

[@Kajichuu]

Make a fucking banger of an OST on NES and people will WANT to play it~ I argue megaman 5 and 6 sound boring as fuck cause the OST feels uninspired and just tacked in. These guys CRAFTED you an experience! Sunsoft blew everyone outa the water in their music department.

[@scorpionwins6378]

@@Kajichuu I grew up loving the Megaman series and the NES games in particular hold a special place in my childhood memories. Though I have to agree that 5 and 6 felt a bit too lackluster and unimaginative in terms of soundtrack quality. I feel like since those titles were released near the end of the life of the NES and with all the hype of the upcoming and highly anticipated Super NES console, developers probably felt uninspired and bored with the hardware limitations of the 8-bit cartridge. Just my own thoughts on it.

[@jeffreywilliams7641]

@@scorpionwins6378 Megaman 6 OST is only eclipsed by Megaman 2. It has one of my favorite soundtracks of the megaman series.

[@scorpionwins6378]

@@jeffreywilliams7641 Dude totally. MM2 was freakin outstanding in all aspects. It was a kickass sequel that was far superior to the predecessor title. You can tell the devs put a ton of effort into making it an experience for gamers. I still remember how blown away I was as a kid working my way through the bosses one after another, figuring out the weakness weapons, sampling some killer soundtracks along the way. Then once you reached stage 1 of Wily's fortress, by that time you just felt so charged up. That game had an awesome soundtrack, no question about it. Megaman 3 was equally astounding, though I can't pick a favorite among the two of them.

[@StoneStephenT]

dat Sunsoft bass, tho'

[@ShuriBear]

12:00 You know it's on when this song hits.

[@noaht2005]

Sounds like bloody tears but even better

[@andypae]

The end part of the melody rotation is same as boss fight from Journey to Silius. :-)

[@jaynine454]

This game was the first one that my dad bought for my brother and I as young kids. This game was instrumental in my gaming years, from 3-4 years old to 36! I think this is one of the most musically impressive and complicated soundtracks in all of gaming to this DAY!

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

You got that right, it definitely helps Naoki Kodaka majored in modern and classical music when he was in college, these compositions certainly feel professional in that aspect.

[@jaynine454]

@ incredible, I never knew that but it makes perfect sense! The Laboratory Ruins immediately comes to mind, it could easily work perfectly as a string piece.

[@majikmonkee]

The first stage and the underground conduit have stuck with me forever. Sunsoft had a real mastery of video game music between this, Blaster Master and Gremlins 2. Some of the best music on the NES hands down.

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

I always felt Underground Conduit was the most underrated of the Stage themes, clearly gets the least amount of talk, but its probably the most moody and fitting track of the stage its associated with. But Sunsoft will forever have there legacy remembered thanks to these superb OST's! :D

[@Nodnarb518]

One of the best nes soundtracks imo

[@joshdillon9637]

One of my all time favorite NES games and soundtracks, which in a way is kinda funny because I never heard of or played it until 2016. I guess that's just testament to how amazing Batman: The Video Game truly is.

[@koolandblue]

Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?

[@enriquegomez8114]

Bang!!

[@anthonyp6823]

You wanna get nuts!?

[@CaptainDope]

2:02 Fucking love this part

[@avalonjustin]

Naoki Kodaka composed this. What a legend.

[@mmmonster6891]

and still 0 video interviews with him on internet

[@weapoolx182]

He would've deserved a recognition for this and for other music artworks at least. 🦇

[@MaddMountains]

I used to play this game not only because it was so good, but the music was phenomenal.

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

Can't go wrong when its a game that's fun to play AND has outstanding music! :D

[@bunnybismuth]

He is vengeance. He is the night. He is BATMAN! And he has one of the greatest NES soundtracks, that also proves a licensed game can be good. Now if I could actually beat it...

[@chrisrj9871]

I find that TMNT and Disney also prove that licensed games can be good.

[@joshdillon9637]

@@chrisrj9871 That's because TMNT games were made by Konami back then and Disney games were made by Capcom. :)

[@Megatyrant]

Don't feel too bad about it, this game is HARD. It might not be the hardest title on the NES, but it is by NO means easy. The last stage especially is absolutely brutal.

[@chrisrj9871]

@@joshdillon9637 - Japanese companies tend to take their games seriously (enough). American companies I guess cut a lot of corners back then.

[@grizz7271]

My siblings used to always say “Oh my goodness, Batman!” Whenever we died, haha. (14:51)

[@jodiebagwell2639]

At 8 years old I was enamored with the music in this game. My brother's and I would go to sleep with the music playing in the background from the game over tune. It was so peaceful and relaxing. Not the game, it was hard as heck. I miss those days. Hard to believe that now as an adult I sense the same adulation as I did when I was 8 for this music.

[@luxtenax9175]

One of the best soundtracks for the NES

[@noaht2005]

This game has no right to be a good as it is. This soundtrack is on of my favourites in any game. Stage 4 reminds me of Bloody Tears, and stage 1 is a masterpiece

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

For the properties and IP's they got to make games for, I'm glad they made them as unique and fun as they did, and of course had such a talented Sound Team, Sunsoft Music is forever! :)

[@Satsui_No_Hado]

Without question one of the best NES soundtracks to have ever graced the system, such a masterpiece, thank you for putting in the work of getting it on here 👊

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

It's my ultimate pleasure, these soundtracks deserve all the attention and praise! :)

[@romarqable]

I pop this on every once and awhile and just enjoy the sheer awesomeness, and now it sounds better than ever. Thank you for the revamp!

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

Heck yeah, most Sunsoft soundtracks have that great experience listening from beginning to end. Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@elvisrobotbeta3299]

One of my favorite NES games. I bought it with its original box and still play it a lot. To beat it the first times was so hard, but very funny to learn how to do that. Now I can beat it in few hours. I like to know that Nobuyuki Hara was involved as a composer. Now he deserves my respect too.

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

Its amazing the information that is still being discovered and found, I didn't know he composed the Prologue and of course Stage 1 (& 5) that everyone loves so much, truly a mastercrafter of sound not just as a arranger/programmer but composer too! :)

[@abikk5901]

Childhood punch 💥

[@Harri927]

My favorite NES game of all time.

[@docdrilla]

That Axis Chemical Factory theme for Stage 2 I used to just sit the gamepad down just to let the music jam!

[@RavenCap0807]

I used to do the same. This games music is amazing!! Found I was listening more than actually playing the game.

[@ChiefCoralcola]

Such a kickass OST... and sounds great as ever here. Thank you Niko! 🥰

[@michael-johnbrown2881]

Tell me bout it I lost so much at this game because I spent so much time moshing to the music I almost forgot I was not at a rock concert I was playing a nes game who says the nes can't have a rocking soundtrack and for this time the soundtrack was very groundbreaking hardly any games had such a progressive sounding soundtrack🤘

[@coreywalder1561]

Laboratory level best music besides the Batmobile driving parts

[@chikish]

That game over theme is a masterpiece. It's mindboggling what these guys were able to do with the limited technology of the time.

[@chrisrj9871]

Sometimes, the best things in art come from limited resources.

[@justanotherlikeyou]

Loved this game! Got so good at it I could beat it with one life. Ah, good memories😊

[@aricwilson9711]

This is THE updated soundtrack I was waiting for the most from you. Thanks for all your work Niko, showcasing these soundtracks and giving deserved credit to the staff that brought them together. This is a valuable thing you're doing to help preserve gaming history.

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

Thank you very much, it is my goal to give these soundtracks a nice sounding mix that's pleasant to hear (and present them in a colorful and professional manner) and give all the information and credit to those that worked on these wonderful pieces of art. I hope to not be alone in the cause to keep these games and soundtracks preserved.

[@Gregimus]

The boss and game over theme is legendary!!!!!

[@ChaoticHoly]

Batman has one of the weirdest jumps in gaming (where he'll duck for a split second before he leaps), yet it's also damned responsive. Voodoo, I tell you!

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

Some damn good game design I tell ya what, the Ninja Gaiden-esque feel of his wall jump too was a nice choice!

[@KingoKings365]

Wow I caught one of these early, been a fan of these for ages, and look forward to more revamped content

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

Thanks, the beginning was off to a good start, had unfortunate slowdown for the last year, but I'm hoping to really ramp things up here soon! :)

[@howieg2019]

always gonna have love for this

[@TheZmusicGroup]

Ah ! I knew that Streets of Desolations was likely not a Kodaka tune, since it's also present in the PC Engine version. Interesting to discover years later who made what, also tends to show that the whole audio dept for all versions of Batman games by Sunsoft was rather competent

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

I don't think many have made that connection, and of course for myself I thought Hara liked it so much from this game he arranged it for the PC-Engine version he did, but it has been confirmed he did the original composition for the NES version, which is awesome. And yes it helps the whole Sunsoft sound team were just so good at knowing how to program and work with the soundchips of various consoles! :)

[@AlienSymbiote]

Thank You for these Unforgettable and Magical time traveling moments✨

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

Let's hope they never are forgotten, let's keep up the cause of helping keep these soundtracks relevant and alive! :)

[@baustin1215]

Before there was Sunsoft bass there was...Sunsoft percussion! Sounds so bad ass here. Too bad we can't have both!

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

Oh hell yeah, but percussion still sounded pretty good on the games with the Sunsoft bass, probably cus of not needing to worry about making a bassline with the Triangle channel, they made the best sounds they still could! :)

[@ЮлдашГалин-ы7д]

Love music for this game/ Boss theme sounds like 8-bit cover of Ace of Spades of Motorhead

[@YousufKhan-xk1bm]

Oh my childhood, where have you gone. -Lost

[@larrylaffer3246]

I am the night!

[@nostalgiagames7985]

sound 3d stereo 😍

[@pakasack]

Amazing soundtrack for sure

[@RonaldVegan67]

Dudes with NES audio hardware were doing better music than the 2023 auditive crap that are raping our ears nowadays

[@TheNaturalPatHarris]

The Absolute best Nintendo Game

[@michael-johnbrown2881]

Hell yeah this rocks 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@midimusicforever]

Good stuff!

[@LiRoX93]

Stage 4 beginning just 1in1 like Castlevania, lol

[@fivestringpat]

14:51 I heard this one many many times

[@f3rns]

Amazing. Thank you.

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

As amazing as people like you that enjoy this goodness! :)

[@topfranluis1]

Getting good retro superhero retro games is rare

[@gaucheplays4763]

YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!

[@MagnumDragon]

That one person who voted down obviously found the 2nd boss too hard as a child.

[@はみ柿]

サンソフトのBGMは本当にカッコイイな。特にバットマンシリーズにハズレなし。

[@stroumen2406]

Трек с 1 уровня, мое почтение!

[@matttumberman2191]

His avatar has canonically grown huh.

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

It's a new era, and I'm much more proud of it 😎

[@Games-qi4ru]

I love this. 10x man.

[@quoisegames1937]

Listen to 2:02 while driving for a Batmobile experience

[@benkama2636]

Have you ever danced with the devil... in the pale moonlight?

[@therealhardrock]

The Famicom came out in Japan in 1983. Could you imagine having this game back then? Everyone would immediately see what a giant leap it was over Atari. Too bad it took until the end of the 80s to make games this good.

[@Torico94]

😌🎮

[@kikihideout4966]

You forgot the unique track from the Beta

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

In the beginning of doing these Revamps I was in the state of mind to keep those tracks to the MP3 download and when I eventually got to like a Compilation video for Naoki Kodaka/Sunsoft tracks, but I realize that was a stupid decision, and I already broke the rule including the Prototype tracks from DuckTales (except the Stage Select as that one I discovered shortly after that upload), so now I try to make sure and include any Prototype tracks in an upload UNLESS a prototype version has an entirely different and unique soundtrack to have its own upload. Only thing I will say for the Ending music from the Prototype version (which technically counts as two tracks/parts), is no one is missing anything special :P Not to diss on the tracks, but I can see why they weren't included or re-worked into the final release.

[@KBMaximus]

This game was harder than tyrannosaurus shit

[@TheTrueBro]

I can tell you love Sunsoft's stuff :p Quick question: what do you think of their most recent works? AKA the Blaster Master Zero series (done alongside Inti Crates). I think the same composer that worked on a lot of Sunsoft NES games is on board on those.

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

Sunsoft are among some of the best in this era, they are definitely among my favorite. And I have played Blaster Master Zero, loved it. Naoki Kodaka I see is credited with only composing the Area 1 track in that game, as it of course is an updated version to the classic Area 1 track on Blaster Master, good stuff, wish he was able to do more or be more in charge of the soundtrack, but the Inti Creates soundteam is almost very similar to Sunsoft, very large and of course being very well versed in 8Bit sounds, love that bass they brought on Zero! :D

[@SuperKokuJin916]

It's crazy that Blaster Master Zero is a trilogy already. I haven't even started it yet (I do have 1&2 ready to go on my Switch though)!

[@takilee5643]

说实话，这游戏是真难，小时候最多玩到stage-3，但音乐水准一流

[@carlile2316]

🤩🤙❤️

[@3dfan008]

0:37 sounds like Cirno’s theme.

[@jaysanj152]

What's the difference between this and the OG upload ?? Remastered Perhaps ?

[@enriquegomez8114]

Revamp.

[@RagingRowen]

I know this is a lil' old now, but would you consider adding the ending themes from the Beta, which had different cutscenes and an ending where there's no Joker battle?

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

They are at least added in the MP3 download link in the description, next time I'm able to do an upload of this OST via a compilation of the 3 Batman NES games they will be included.

[@RagingRowen]

@@Nikos8BitStereo Ah... gotcha!

[@benjiroberts4434]

Does the Japanese version have different tracks or are they just in different order?

[@redder3076]

The music for the first two stages were switched.

[@nalacha]

I'm confused.... What's revamped? You already released this..

[@ff11dream]

Mega Man

[@timothywenners936]

Why are you reposting the same link you have from your 8 year old video?

[@lukelaser5397]

2:02 enough said lol so dam good

[@michael-johnbrown2881]

Hell yeah this rocks🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘