Track of the Week: Sunny Beach (Wave Race 64)

If you’re a frequent reader of our “Track of the Week” column, you know that our music picks often relate not only to the way they make us feel while playing the games themselves, but the way that they make us feel outside of them, as well. The best video game music transcends the title, and can sneak into our subconscious in unique and interesting ways. Sometimes, you’re dusting off your car on a snow-covered morning, and the music from Phendrana Drifts springs to mind. For me, the first time I went jet-skiing I couldn’t help but hear the music from Wave Race 64 prominently playing in my head throughout the experience. Granted, learning to jet-ski wasn’t nearly as exciting in real-life as it was in the Nintendo 64 classic, but the fact remains that the game’s tracks had left a considerable impact on me.

The reason such an impact was probably left is that Wave Race 64‘s tracks perfectly fit the watery locales, while also adding a sense of fun and discovery. Sunny Beach is probably the best example of this. There’s something inherently fun about the track, and, as the track featured in the first level of the game, it set a strong tone for what was ahead for gamers. While the music in most racing games tends to encourage speed, the track from Sunny Beach is a bit more lighthearted. Later tracks in the game, such as Marine Fortress, would be a bit darker and faster, but that first level’s sense of wonder remained throughout the title.

What video game music tends to stick the most with you? As always, let us know in the comments below!