The files on this page have been chosen by the webmaster as Silver Award pieces. These are a notch below the Gold Award. They aren't quite the best, but each composer listed here deserves a pat on the back for a job well done.

KEY:
• These files are new since the last update.
• These are older files.

• Blast Corps- Simian Acres: This is a level theme for Blast Corps, Rare's first game for the N64 and a true sleeper hit. Simian Acres is the game's first level, and this tune, although used on many other levels, sets the mood very well ('simian' is a synonym for ape.) The tune itself is a British take on traditional American bluegrass and folk music, with synth effects added to modernize it. Very cool, in my opinion.
• Faxanadu- Overworld Theme: Faxanadu is an old-time NES side-scrolling RPG by Falcom. The overworld theme is very bright and ebullient. Don't be deceived by the somewhat obtrusive bass at the beginning; this is a very well-developed song, with the flute interlude in the middle its high point. It reflects the attitude, I think, of most videogame adventurers who are about to depart into the "over"world (excepting, of course, the inevitable case where said adventurer's parents have just been murdered by the villains, who are now out to get him/her).
• Seiken Densetsu 3- Meridian Child (SPC): Seiken Densetsu 3 is one of the many Super Famicom RPGs that never hit U.S. shores. It's the Japanese sequel to the action-RPG Secret of Mana, with less action and more RPG. The soundtrack isn't as good as Chrono Trigger's, but this piece, which plays during the opening credits, is a real standout. I almost placed this one at gold level.
• Chrono Trigger- Magus (SPC): You can tell that I like Chrono Trigger music, can't you? Magus is Chrono Trigger's "hidden character", although he isn't hidden very well. He is also one of your biggest foes for the first half of the game. His theme, which also plays when you fight him, is very dark and evil-sounding (obviously to match the character.) It's the second-best character theme in CT. Check it out.
• Chrono Trigger- Time Circuits: Time Circuits is the background theme for the airborne islands of Zeal, which serve as a setting for one of the game's most intriguing subplots. The theme is rather laid back and introspective, with sitar melody, glockenspiel harmony, and synth effects. Another CT standout.
• Chrono Cross- Scars Left By Time: Just when you thought I was finished with Mitsuda, here's the opening theme for Chrono Cross, the Playstation sequel to Chrono Trigger. Nice use of guitar notes here, not as much sad as introspective. This piece totally changes pace almost a minute in, which would be totally unforgiveable, except that this is the title piece. That said, it's pretty spiffy.
• Final Fantasy IV- Castle Baron: This one's known as Final Fantasy II in the States. I generally prefer the work of Yasunori Mitsuda to that of Nobuo Uemastsu, his coworker at Square. I'm particularly fond, however, of Uematsu's marches, of which this is a sterling example. Castle Baron is the seat of government for Baron, the most powerful country in FFIV's world. This music is very fitting. At a point, Uematsu integrates the theme of another FFIV character, a very clever move. Bold is really the word for this piece.
• Final Fantasy IV- Boss Battle: This is the quintessential RPG boss battle theme-- aggressive, powerful, and massively orchestral. What more needs to be said? Give it a listen.
• Final Fantasy IV- Dreadful Battle: Yup, another FFIV battle theme. This one is used for when you're fighting an elemental fiend. FFIV is in many ways the quintessential RPG, not in the least because of its music. Another epic piece in the vein of the Boss Battle theme, this one has the same sort of feel to it.
• Final Fantasy VI- Devil's Lab: This is the background theme for FFVI's Magitek Factory. A very angry-sounding theme, with powerful percussion and a deep melody instrument. An excellent sequence, too. It's hard to come up with a genre for this tune. Very evil-sounding nevertheless.
• Final Fantasy VI- AtmaWeapon (The Fierce Battle): Final Fantasy has battle themes for regular enemies. It has boss battle themes for bosses. But the REALLY mean bosses don't get just any battle theme. For those bosses that necessitate an even more powerful theme, there are Fierce Battle themes. FFVI's Fierce Battle theme is first used for the fight with AtmaWeapon, the culminating boss of the first half of the game (I beat him with Vanish/Doom.) This is a sort of wacky-sounding boss theme, but it's still fast, furious, and FIERCE.
• Terranigma- Leim's Test (SPC): What, you've never heard of Terranigma? In a bizarre twist of fate, Enix released the third, culminating game in its Soul Blazer series in Europe, but not America (most games don't see European release until well after American release, if ever). The game is an action-RPG that plays somewhat like Zelda and Secret of Mana. The soundtrack is nothing to write home about overall, but this song stands out. It's the BGM for one of the game's more entertaining sequences, when you have to protect Leim the Lion Prince from enemies. The elements of this tune mesh nicely, and there's a very nice echo effect somewhere in there. A bright, bouncy piece with teeth.