Tuesday, August 24, 2010

My iPod Sounds Like My Console


We all enjoy the nostalgic and hummable tunes from Mario and Zelda, but they aren't exactly songs you can sing along with. There are some modern twists provided by various DJs, rappers, and other artists. While those can be really cool, it's not what I'm talking about. I'm referring to the ability to sign along with the music in the game and still want to listen after you use that save file.

As most of the regular readers know, I have a rather unhealthy obsession with Fallout 3. There is just so much to love about this game ! The gameplay, the story, and absolutely the music. The little bouncing radio that is spotted throughout the game is totally wo
rth following. And there is nothing better than listening to Three Dog on my Pip-Boy . The makers of Fallout 3 realized how this little addition has made the experience even more enjoyable and released the tracks. The soundtrack to this game is available for purchase in the iTunes store. You get five fantastic songs on the album The Songs of Wasteland. You will even get the title track from the game opening and the trailer "I Don't Want to Set the World On Fire" by The Ink Spots.

And that brings me to some other games. I don't play Gears of War, its just not my style. But I have the music ! I don't even know what's in the game but the trailers alone introduce me to some fantastic new songs. I now proudly have Heron Blue on my iPhone. And sometimes the songs from games are old and well known, but I would never have thought to buy "Mad World" until I heard it in the game trailer. And I'm sure that "How It Ends" by DeVotchKa isn't new, but its new to me and it completely rocks my world.


Lets not forget the games that have entire radio stations or playlists you can't walk away from. I remember playing SSX 3 (my first ever gaming obsession), and loving the music so much that I went out and bought the CDs. Nothing like plunging down a rugged slope while listening to N.E.R.D. and Chemical Brothers. And who doesn't want to drive around Vice City while bouncing to the beats of Kool and the Gang or INXS in the Grand Theft Auto series.


I can't even begin to count how many songs I have added because I liked it so mu
ch on Rock Band or Guitar Hero. There are so many popular songs that have made it under my radar, but luckily the music games were there to help me out. I'm not much of a rock type of person, but I will tell you right now that my collection of 70s and 90s rock singles grows every time I play a rhythm title. Lindsey can testify first hand that I wasn't much of a Beatles fan, but once I bought Beatles rock band, I was begging her to play "Do You Want to Know A Secret" with me in co-op over and over again.

My point is that if you love the song, track it down ! You probably aren't the only one who loved it. Be it an old classic or an original for the game, almost any song can be downloaded. Pick up your controller and expand your musical horizons.

1 comment:

Linz said...

I have "I Don't Want to Set the World On Fire" as a ringtone. I have to say, Fallout probably wins at songs. I just wish there had been more variety, because after 120+ hrs of gameplay you kind of get sick of the same few songs over and over. Luckily 3-Dog is always hilarious. And I have to say that I have played music games, like Guitar Hero Metallica, and I don't even like Metallica but playing the game increased my enjoyment of their music.