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8. Termina Field
The Legend of Majora’s Mask
Easily the superior version of the two “Field” themes from the Nintendo 64 era, Termina Field is also my favourite rendition of the traditional Zelda fanfare too. Why, I hear you ask? Well, that’s all down to the beautiful, beautiful counter-melody that snakes its way through the entire track. It’s reasonably understated at first, sitting discreetly in the horn section, but then at 0.57 it breaks through into a much louder, oboe-esque kind of melody that runs parallel to the main theme right through until it loops back on itself.
There’s just something about it that gives the main theme a new lease of life– it was nearly fifteen years old at this point– but while you may not think that the main theme needs any kind of oboe-esque meddling to make it a better song, another reason why I like this version so much is because it also fits the game right down to a tee. After all, while Termina certainly looks and feels a lot like the Hyrule we know and love, we also know it’s also a rather uncanny and distorted version of it too, so having another melody sneak in halfway is the perfect musical cue to remind players that all is definitely not what it seems in this strange and foreign land. That and I’m also rather partial to the added snare drum!
Great list! I don’t think I could pick 10, there’s just been so much great music in the Zelda series. Zelda 2’s warbly “instrumentation” (if you can call it that) bugged me when I was young, but I’ve come to appreciate it and it made me smile to see its main palace music on the list.
I’d love to hear a modern take on the original Zelda’s Level 9 music. Many previous dungeon themes have resurfaced in one way or another but unless I’m forgetting something, I can’t say I’ve heard that particular melody of dread and danger come up again.
Thanks! Ah, yes, Level 9. Man, that music’s creepy. It did, in fact, reappear in Four Swords Adventures in the Tower of Flames, but I know what you mean – it would be great to hear it used more often! :)
My 10 favorites in no particular order.
1. Main Hyrule field theme
2. Gerudo valley
3. Temple of time
4. Fairy fountain
5. 4 gods from majoras mask
6. Bolero of fire
7. Ballad of the goddesses.
8. Song of healing
9. Ganondorf thheme from Twilight Princess
10. Serenade of water.
All great tunes, Lukas! I was actually this close to including Queen Rutela’s Theme from Twilight Princess in the honourable mentions (a re-working of the Serenade of Water), but if I decided that if I included any more then I’d have a never-ending list!
I’m also a very big fan of Ganondorf’s Theme, especially the Twilight Princess version (that final battle music is just epic!), but it’s a close tie between that one and The Last Battle from Ocarina of Time when it comes to my top Ganon music!
Woah, I completely forgot about the Four Swords Adventures rendition! I think I played through that level exactly once… Thanks for the tip! :^)