Contra 3: The Alien Wars [Music] - Ground Zero

[Akyla0177]

I was such a proud little owner of this game for the SNES <3

[MrPyroguru]

Very military like especially right here:

2:10

This is my favorite!

[GUSTAVTT]

sounds like METAL SLUG!

[kyo221]

@GUSTAVTT

and reminds me of Final Fight theme at 0:59

[blaster00000]

@GUSTAVTT the darker version of metal slug being that the metal slug series has a more comedic atmosphere

[omegablast]

@GUSTAVTT In that case, Metal Slug sounds like Contra...

[Lugo428]

This also works for a zombie apocalypse.

[mrbrockpeters]

This soundtrack is so freaking good and grandiose for the 16 bit technology implemented it. It's super ambitious. If this piece were made into an orchestration I wonder how much better it could be? This music totally established the ambience of insanity for the first level. You knew what you were in for after the first 10 seconds of music, that this game would be an epic ride!

[richardsdead]

My Euro-Australian copy of this game was redubbed "Super Probotector" and had different sprites (the two main guys were robots) but was otherwise the same. CLASSIC engrish in the instruction booklet!

[Yakuza951486007]

love part 0:59 - 1:24

[heerogunkenobi]

you know contra III soundtrack is so badass that video games live should do a orchestrated version of the contra III score if video games live could do a orchestrated version of the first contra game for the nes and arcade why not orchestrate contra III music maybe they could make a medley of all the songs from contra III they did the same thing for sonic and street fighter II why not make a medley of the contra III soundtrack

[AgentDC76]

@heerogunkenobi They should. Although finding the lead instrument for stage 3 would be a bit tricky.

[heerogunkenobi]

@AgentDC76 well what lead instrument for stage 3 are you refuring to the guitar or the bells sounding instrument

[AgentDC76]

@heerogunkenobi I don't hear a guitar in that stage, but I do hear a very high-pitched synth horn. Go to 0:37 of Stage 3's music (the version Pseudopathaso posted - he has it named Neo Kobe Steel Factory). That is what I'm talking about. If one were going for a strictly symphonic approach, you'd have to do that line with a trumpet, perhaps even a custom one. As for the bell section, that is easily done with either the low end of a glockenspiel or a celesta. :-)

[heerogunkenobi]

@AgentDC76 i see well video games live need to find a really damn good trumpet player the only good trumpet player that im aware of who could make the trumpet playing really high and also fast is the british main trumpet player that used to work for the london symphony orchestra name maurice murphy who performed the principal trumpet playing in film soundtracks like all six star wars films,superman the movie,raiders of the lost ark,the alien movies and batman 89

[heerogunkenobi]

@AgentDC76 but in case you havent heard he sadly died last year in october 28th so who knows how video games live is going to find a really damn good trumpet only time will tell

[AgentDC76]

@heerogunkenobi Yeah. But you never know with classical music. The next great trumpetist could be waiting just around the corner.

[heerogunkenobi]

@AgentDC76 true

[AgentDC76]

Crazy time signatures ftw. ;-) You notice that the opening section is in 7/8 time. Perfect opening for an awesome game.

[Karmoon7]

@AgentDC76

Actually, I didn't notice that at all, but i'm glad that you pointed it out.

This only further supports my theory that the music in this game is worthy of being a film score. It's still miles more engaging than most modern game music - which I actually like.

This just has an insane edge, techniques like the one you mention really place the player in the thick of it. Graphics, gameplay and music all as one as you blow the living shit out of gribblies. :D

[AgentDC76]

@Karmoon7 You'd be surprised how many music themes from good games of this era are worthy of film scores. Or not. :-p And Konami released a double whammy in the same month, because the same time they turned this loose on us they also gave us Axelay, which has the best soundtrack of any flight-shooter from the SNES era bar none.

[AgentDC76]

@AgentDC76 Correction - they were supposed to :-p Nintendo Power featured both in the May 1992 issue but Axelay apparently didn't hit shelves until September.

[Karmoon7]

@AgentDC76

Well thanks for the recommendation - I listened to some Axelay stuff, it's really good. Quality stuff indeed.

I personally slightly prefer Thunderforce IV music (despite that using the Megadrive sound chip), or that from Macross Scrambled Valkyrie (but only because the music from that is inspired by the series itself).

Thanks again :)

[blackflame100]

Oh, man, using the tank and destroying EVERYTHING !!!

[CNRhKXtreme]

This game's soundtrack is so good that I had to make a separate playlist for it.

[xxmuraxx]

I REMEMBER FIGHtING DEMONS TO THIS ONE EEEEEH

[BigEasyWinger]

Intense. I need tihs for a workout tune as well like the Gauntlet music on Stage 6! Hehe. This was one of the best games I ever played on SNES, could never get tired of this one.

[straightMKchamp]

This song helped make a great 1st stage

[kelmorian178]

Like hell we'll ever forget this song.