Ok, that's a BAD parody on Nirvana and Wired Al but it'll have to do for now. When playing my NES I ask myself, what makes a game nostalgic? I think that certain sound effects have that nostalgia built into them to make a good game a great game. Heck, they might even be hypnotizing us without us knowing. Yeah, right....

Back to the topic... When playing video games one experiences quite a spectrum of new sounds. Some sounds are loved and others loathed. I'm writing this as one of those, "Yeah you know what kind of song/SFX I'm talking about," articles. You may recognize some these and you may not, but, you have to stop and think if they DO have a hypnotic effect one us.

Damn did it again...

Time to start the process...

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Song Exhibit #1: Do-do-do-do-do-do-do songs

Games exhibited in: Super Mario Brothers, trace of it in the Legend of Zelda title theme, trace in Casltevania.

This is the type of thing that makes some sound tracks unforgettable. You know that certain song that the only way to describe it is a do-do-etc. begining or end. This is used on some of the more popular games. This is probably because that do-do rhythm is quite simple to learn and IMPOSSIBLE to get out of your head once it's in. I find it quite enhancing to hear it.

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Song Exhibit #2: Ping-Ping songs

Games Exhibited in: Quite a few games like Super Dodge Ball, Double Dragon 3, and any other game that represents an oriental country.

You've probably heard the Ping-Ping type of songs hen you've played these games and found them quite laughable haven't you? I mean it fits the stereotype (probably not a very good one) of the people in an oriental country like China or Japan for example. Some of the Ping-Ping type songs are better than others. But, they all seem to set the appropriate mood for the place your character is in.

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Song Exhibit #3: Bupa/Bupa-Chika Songs

Games exhibited in: Battle Toads level 3. Captain Skyhawk Boss theme.

You know this song and probably hate it if you've ever tried to beat Battletoads with or with out the Genie. That bupa-chika music plays over and over again... In other games it isn't quite as prevalent but it is memorable if you hear it.

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Song Exhibit #4: USSR tracks

Games Exhibited in: Super Dodge Ball, Super Spike V'ball, Tetris B

The USSR was around during the time of the NES so some of the games reflect their culture with quick beats and that unmistakable Russian kick that makes it one of those songs that you immediately identify with or just pause to say, "Gee, that sounds like..."

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Song Exhibit #5: Kung-Fu fighting songs

Games Exhibited in: Double Dragon series, Kung Fu, Kung Fu Heroes, Super Dodge Ball, etc.

Yeah, you know those songs. The ones that sound like that unmistakable Kung-Fu Fighting theme. That is probably why those games are so damn addictive.

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Song Exhibit #6: Bad Guitar Imitations

These things sound laughably horrible. If you hear of have heard one you will remember it for the rest of your gaming career. These are they type of songs that just go absolutely crazy. You know what I'm talking about.

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Song Exhibit #7: Wavy Notes

Games Exhibited in: Marble Madness, Bad Dudes

This is interesting. Ever hear one of those notes that just never seems to stay in one spot on the musical EFGABCDF scale. I hope you know what I'm talking about.

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Song Exhibit #8: Epic Songs

Game Exhibited in: Zelda series, FF, and any other RPG

You know... those songs that just make a quest of some sort seem more noble and righteous. You definitely know what I'm talking about if you have ever played the Zelda series.

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Song Exhibit #9: Empty Songs

Games Exhibited in: Casltevania 2, other games I can't think of at the moment.

These songs usually set the mood for one of those quiet...too quiet rooms. So eerie and yet so logical and yet so blatantly obvious that something is going to happen all of a sudden and scare the crap out of you.

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That's all for now...If I feel inspired I might just add to the list. You know what I'm talking about!