Yasunori Shiono is a name I’ve become quite familiar with thanks to games like Lufia and Chaos Seed. But Shiono, during those days, had a close-knit group of co-composers working with him. One of those composers is Yukio Nakajima, who wrote almost all of the music for Energy Breaker, another RPG for Super Famicom.
Nakajima’s music is simply fantastic. This composer is clearly a master of composing for the SNES FM-Synth. Some of these tracks rival Squaresoft classics such as Secret of Mana and Chrono Trigger. Yet, for many VGM fans, music from games like Chaos Seed and Energy Breaker has fallen under the radar. In fact, I’m a little disappointed in myself that I’m only now discovering the greatness of this music, more than a decade after its original release.
There are a few different types of songs that really catch my ear. Of course, the well-done battle themes are a treat. But the songs that really catch my attention are the rhythmic, vaguely-chordally-defined pieces that serve for a variety of environment and event themes. The first one of these to really catch my attention was “The Guiding Fortuneteller” (track 7), and I was happy to find throughout listening to the soudntrack that Nakajima had composed many other pieces in this same style. Here I have to say I am reminded of Quintet’s SNES classic Terranigma.
Now for some bad news, and some really good news, regarding availability. This particular soundtrack, being quite old, is a huge rarity. But, many of Taito’s games (as part of the Scitron’s “Game Sound Legend” series a few years ago) had complete soundtracks released for them. Energy Breaker is one of those games fortunate enough to see a full soundtrack reprint. That version is the one you want, and it’s also the one you’re far more likely to find. Check out the audio samples, and make your decision from there. But it’s as simple as this: if your tastes include a penchant for SNES FM-synth, you will not be disappointed with this music. Yukio Nakajima made a most memorable soundtrack for Energy Breaker, and you’ll do well to add that soundtrack to your collection.
