GameTracks: Bit Brigade Play The Mega Man 2 Soundtrack Live

Since I mentioned it in my previous post, I thought I'd give a little love to the Mega Man 2 soundtrack in this edition of GameTracks. For my money, the soundtrack for MM2 is easily the best in the series, and the video below features an excellent live performance of the entire soundtrack by the Athens, GA-based band, Bit Brigade. One of the coolest aspects of Bit Brigade's performances is that they play video game soundtracks live while a speed runner plays the game in real time. It's a great gimmick and these cats have some serious musical (and gaming) chops.

Enjoy the set, and be sure to check out Bit Brigade's other performances of the soundtracks to Contra, Castlevania, Metroid, and Ninja Gaiden.

GameTracks: The Punch-Out!! Theme is a Jingle for Gillette Razors

I've never understood why they made him look so much like The Incredible Hulk.

Here in 2016, I thought I'd revive my long dormant GameTracks series. This is only the second time I've done it, so to refresh everyone's memory, the GameTracks series focuses on songs from video games that were based on songs from the real world. Wait, that doesn't sound right...the real world? To hell with it, you know what I'm talking about!

This time, let's start by having a look at this Gillette "Cavalcade of Sports" feature from 1958. Pay particular attention to the jingle at the beginning...

Recognize that catchy little number? Yep, that's the theme to Nintendo's Punch-Out!! From what I gather, the jingle was created in the 1950's by ad agency BBDO for Gillette. Why composer Koji Kondo (Super Mario Bros. The Legend of Zelda) decided to use it for Punch-Out!! is anyone's guess, but I'll give you even money that he didn't get permission first!

Anyway, listen for yourself. Nintendo totally nicked it!