We’ve been posting a lot of FM albums lately, but don’t think for a second that we’ve forgotten about those lovable square and triangle waves. The folks over at Chiptunes = WIN sure haven’t. Just last June they put together a massive 51 track, pay what you want collection on Bandcamp.

Now they’re back with 22 more nostalgia-inducing tracks in the ChipWIN Expansion Pack. Like the original, Expansion features tons of artists bringing their own unique styles and tool sets into the mix. You’ll hear both pure chip and hybrid chiptunes featuring wailing guitar solos and even some vocals. Between the two albums, you’ll hear great artists old and new including C-jeff (Preschtale), Disasterpeace (FEZ, Puzzle Agent), Danimal Cannon (Metroid Metal, Armcannon), and many others.

(more…)

Continuing the deluge of 25th anniversary game albums of 2011 comes a tribute to The Legend of Zelda. No, not the symphonic concert series CD packaged with Skyward Sword. This one is far more eclectic (not to mention free).

25YEARLEGEND reinterprets memorable tunes from all across the franchise including some of Link’s less covered, portable adventures like Link’s Awakening and Oracle of Seasons. It’s a loving tribute to the music of a series that inspired each of the indie (and not so indie) game composers involved. Disasterpeace (Fez), Laura Shigihara (Plants vs. Zombies), C418 (Minecraft), Souleye (VVVVVV), and Big Giant Circles (Mass Effect 2) are just a few of the talented contributing artists.

(more…)

Big Giant Circles (who you may know as Jimmy Hinson, co-composer of Mass Effect 2) has just released his debut album and it is a doozy. While it may not be video game music in the strictest sense, Impostor Nostalgia features heavy use of 8-bit chip sounds combined with modern electronica inspired by classic video games.

Not enough of a gaming connection for you? It also guest stars other video game composers including C418 (Minecraft), Souleye (VVVVVV), Disasterpeace (FEZ), Alex Brandon (Deus Ex), Mick Gordon (Need for Speed Shift), and zircon (Monkey Island 2: Special Edition).

It’s almost criminal that he only asks $4 for this 20 track prescription for happiness. Fortunately, the album is available on Bandcamp so you can throw as much extra money at him as you want to more closely match the quality of the album. Seriously. It’s really good.

(more…)