Does Super Mario 64 have one of the best/most efficient soundtracks in gaming?

[CM30]

And by efficient, I mean it. Really, how many unique level songs were there again?

About 5/6?

Really though, that's some excellent composing if you can make a limited selection of music work in multiple entirely different circumstances without it feeling out of place.

Like how this track manages to work in both a volcanic wasteland and a desert without any changes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6NgA48KWc0

How this one manages to work in both a cave and Wet-Dry World and feels completely right for both situations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPJcOybiCKM

Or the good old Bob-omb Battlefield theme which works in a whole ton of levels:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKtFsLyz6Zo

(Bob-omb Battlefield, Whomp's Fortress, Tall Tall Mountain and Tiny Huge Island).

Kudos Nintendo for making a soundtrack that sounds so good you didn't even need a particularly long track listing to give the whole game an appropriate atmosphere.

You have to admit its quite impressive how you can fit the Mario 64 music in just about any situation, right?

 

[SpoonySage]

I agree with efficiency, but not so much with "best". I think the Mario games are always very efficient with their music options, but most of the main series games do not have soundtracks that wow me like some other games I enjoy listening to/buying soundtracks for.

 

[Super Leaf]

Don't forget this one! One of my favorite credits themes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ruqn1Lnexs&feature=related

One of y others is this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_rLd2RL7w0

 

[SirLudicopro]

I agree with efficiency, but not so much with "best". I think the Mario games are always very efficient with their music options, but most of the main series games do not have soundtracks that wow me like some other games I enjoy listening to/buying soundtracks for.

I agree with you, except for the Mario Galaxy series and the Paper Mario series. The songs in these games are amazing!

 

[Link 70222]

Definately not anymore. There are far better.

 

[Sasori]

I loved the soundtrack for Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, especially the Throwback Galaxy theme, it brings back good times. Even though those OSTs were great, the first OST I actually wanted to buy was the one for FFXIII-2.

 

[SpoonySage]

I agree with efficiency, but not so much with "best". I think the Mario games are always very efficient with their music options, but most of the main series games do not have soundtracks that wow me like some other games I enjoy listening to/buying soundtracks for.

I agree with you, except for the Mario Galaxy series and the Paper Mario series. The songs in these games are amazing!

That's exactly what I am saying. Galaxy and Paper Mario/Mario RPG are entirely different offshoots with much better music then the main series imo.