Ooo, I was excited to get to this one. Mega Man 5's soundtrack is often regarded as one of the weakest in the series because it's a lot more laid-back and chill, and I think that's doing the soundtrack a big disservice. Sure, it's not the hard-rock of MM2, but from a compositional standpoint, MM5's music is some of the most impressive on the NES, boasting impressively dynamic melodies, tight key changes, and a wonderfully crisp sound. Mari Yamaguchi has such a distinctly energetic and rhythmic style that makes every track a joy to listen to. Mega Man 3's soundtrack is great, but I think MM5 has my absolute favorite music out of the classic games, and it's time I properly defend it.
Mega Man 5
Title Screen
Bursting out of the gate, we have easily one of the best title themes in the series. It's a head-banging little tune with an epic-sounding main melody and a frenetic guitar solo to end it off on a high.
5/5 Stars
Password
Even the password theme isn't too bad! MM5's password theme is still a fairly short loop, but it has a very laid-back and chirpy vibe that's easy on the ears and does a good job at putting the player at ease for a bit.
3/5 Stars
Stage Select
The stage select theme is pretty good too. Way too short, but it has a nice, upbeat melody that screams adventure.
4/5 Stars
Gravity Man
Even MM5's detractors love Gravity Man's theme. It's one of the most iconic tracks of the second NES trilogy, with a pure, classic minor Mega Man melody. It's just so catchy throughout, and the sporadic breakdown at the end is not only a jam but fits the topsy-turvy level design perfectly.
5/5 Stars
Wave Man
Wave Man has easily one of the most laid-back themes in the series, but I love it regardless. The main theme is already a very pleasant tropical-inspired tune, but the key shift into the chorus elevates the track even more and lends the track a small hint of melancholy.
5/5 Stars
Stone Man
Stone Man's theme is also pretty laid-back, but it has so much going on. The groovy verse, the satisfying pitter patters in the background, the heroic-sounding pre-chorus, and yet another perfectly executed key change for the climax of the track. It's a summation of everything that makes Mega Man 5's soundtrack so stellar.
5/5 Stars
Gyro Man
Gyro Man's theme isn't quite as remarkable as the last few Robot Master themes, but it still has everything that made them great. An upbeat and laid-back vibe, a catchy melody, a heroic chorus, and an overall smooth progression throughout.
4/5 Stars
Star Man
Star Man's theme is easily the most love-it-or-love-it track in the entire series. It's a very experimental piece going for a frenetic, spacey feel. For some, it's very ear-grating and harsh on the ears, and I felt that way at first. Now, I'm a bit more mixed. Star Man's theme has some really clever parts like the key change early on and the trilly notes halfway through, but I still can't say it's the most pleasant track to listen to.
3/5 Stars
Charge Man
Train levels always have incredible music, and Charge Man is no exception. This theme is overflowing with energy and propulsion, with a rhythmic background track that sounds like the click-clacking of train wheels, an infectiously upbeat and catchy main melody, and an absolutely incredible intro.
5/5 Stars
Napalm Man
I go back and forth on my favorite Robot Master theme in MM5, but I've currently settled on Napalm Man's. It's a lot more intense than the other Robot Master themes in this game, with a powerful and dramatic main melody, and a more rocking feel to it.
5/5 Stars
Crystal Man
Crystal Man's theme is a very toned down track, but I think that works to its benefit. The sparse verse does a great job of capturing the feeling of venturing into an undiscovered area, and the heroic chorus is incredibly addicting. There's just something about this soundtrack that really hits the nostalgia pangs for me, maybe it's all the crazy key changes in every single track.
5/5 Stars
Boss Battle
Mega Man 5's boss theme is one of the more interesting in the series as it almost sounds like dancing music, there's an elegant tango feel to it. I've often compared Mega Man fights to dances, so yeah, this fits pretty perfectly. And props for delaying the intro until the boss's health bar fills up.
4/5 Stars
Get New Weapon
Another solid weapon upgrade track in the same vein as the one from MM4, going for a heavy rock feel with a lot of intense hard-hitting notes.
3/5 Stars
Proto Man Fortress
But what really solidifies MM5's soundtrack as my favorite are the fortress themes, both of which rank as two of the best in the series. Proto Man Fortress has a similarly powerful energy to Napalm Man, with a fast pace, dramatic main melody, and an absolutely godly chorus that feels ridiculously climactic.
5/5 Stars
Wily Fortress
Here it is, my favorite Wily Fortress theme in the entire series. It's just perfect. I love how melancholic it is, how smoothly the different melodies transition together, how dramatic the chorus is, and just how quintessentially Mega Man-y it feels. It's equal parts somber and catchy, and gives off a strong feeling of determination. There are rumors that Yoko Shimomura made this track, which would be awesome, but regardless, it's an absolute musical high point in the series.
5/5 Stars
Last Boss
The final boss theme for MM5 has the same elegancy and freneticism that the standard boss theme has, but with a very smooth escalation in the chorus. It's not one of my favorite final boss themes out there, but it's still pretty great and much longer than any of the previous ones.
3/5 Stars
Staff Roll
This is a really good credits theme that once again has everything that made the rest of the soundtrack great, from heartfelt melodies that toe the line between being uplifting and melancholic, a blistering pace, and a a ridiculous amount of key changes even by this soundtrack's standards.
4/5 Stars
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