In terms of its music, Mega Man 8 is very much the black sheep of the classic Mega Man games. Shusaku Uchiyama of Resident Evil went for a very synth-heavy sound that dabbled in genres like DnB, house, and generally abstract music. It's not at all like any of the previous games, but it's still genuinely one of the most incredible soundtracks in the entire franchise if you're open to something new.
Mega Man 8
Opening
What a banger opening! Mega Man 8 puts its best foot forward with an incredible DnB piece fit with wailing guitars, airy synths, and plucky pianos. It sounds equal parts futuristic and of its time,
5/5 Stars
Electric Communication
As for the Japan opening theme, it's pretty good. Electric Communication is certainly energetic, the chorus is super catchy and fun, and the whole track has a cool anime opening feel to it, but I still think I like the US's Opening theme a bit more.
4/5 Stars
Title Theme
Definitely a lot more laid-back than your average title theme, but MM8's title music makes up for that by being ungodly levels of catchy. The satisfying synths, the earwormy melody, that "whirrrrrrr" noise, it's all so pleasing to listen to. No wonder I hear it in so many Youtube videos.
5/5 Stars
Stage Select
Like the title theme, MM8's stage select is chill but really memorable and iconic in its own ways, from the squelchy background synths to the simple but catchy main melody.
4/5 Stars
Dr Light's Laboratory
What a turnaround after the previous game's shop theme. Dr Light's Lab is a bit on the sparse side, but it's an incredibly relaxing and almost lofi-sounding track that does a great job at putting you in a good mood.
3/5 Stars
Above Ground
We're two for two as far as classic Mega Man's opening stage themes go. Above Ground isn't as much of a banger as Ruined Street, but it's an incredibly catchy track that serves as the introduction of MM8's distinct trumpets. I also like how it carries over the synths from the stage select.
5/5 Stars
Underground
Huh... this theme kinda sounds a lot like the Super Mario Bros underground theme. Anyway, it's fine. The thick synth lead sounds pretty neat, but the track itself is pretty short and simple.
3/5 Stars
Frost Man
Easily one of the most iconic tracks and for good reason. That bass! That synth!! Those trumpets!!! Every instrument feels deliberately chosen to make Frost Man's theme feel as cold and icey as possible, while also having a ridiculously catchy and memorable melody. It's pretty crazy how much of Mega Man 8's music just sticks with you.
5/5 Stars
Clown Man
Clown Man's theme is easily the most unfitting Mega Man track of all time. It's so comically upbeat and cutesy, but it's also genuinely pretty good too. The melody itself is quite fun, and the chimes used as the instruments remind me a lot of Puyo Puyo music.
3/5 Stars
Tengu Man - PS1
Tengu Man is an oddball due to having two themes, one for each version of the game. Personally, I prefer the PS1 version. It has so much unbridled energy, and the melody is so instantly iconic and memorable. I especially love the frenetic sitar playing that caps off the track.
5/5 Stars
Tengu Man - Saturn
So apparently a lot of people really like the Saturn version of Tengu Man's theme and vastly prefer it to the PS1 version. I strongly disagree, but that doesn't mean it still isn't a great track. Tengu Man's Saturn theme is certainly a lot more intense and rocking than most of the other MM8 tracks, and some of the instrumentation like that absolutely nuts bass and the chilling chimes in the chorus are great. That being said, the PS1 theme is just more memorable and cohesive to me.
4/5 Stars
Grenade Man
Grenade Man's theme is yet another strong track, though it starts out pretty unassuming, mostly being carried by a noticeably groovy bassline to carry it. However, once that echoey synth shows up halfway through, the track gets so good, especially in that powerful chorus at the end.
5/5 Stars
Theme Of Duo
Duo's theme is very short and simple, but it manages to do so much with so little. The heavy usage of trumpet makes it sound so triumphant and heroic, but the tense background track gives the tune the menacing edge it also needed.
4/5 Stars
Cut Man
This is a cute version of Cut Man's theme. It's not quite as intense as the original version, but the echoing synths and tight percussion still makes for a really fun and solid remix.
4/5 Stars
Wood Man
Wood Man's remix, on the other hand, is pretty great. I love how tense and melancholic it sounds, taking the same catchy melody of the original but throwing in a more frenetic and strained background track to create this unique mix of emotions.
5/5 Stars
Sword Man
Now this is a weird theme. It goes for a really mysterious sound, with the first half sounding somewhat spooky and quirky, and its second half being really ethereal. I'm still a bit mixed on the track overall, but that second half is really good.
4/5 Stars
Aqua Man
Aqua Man's theme is pure lofi, and it's phenomenal. It's so chill and relaxing, and just keeps getting better, from the pleasant echoing piano in the pre-chorus to the really nostalgic and melancholic sounding chorus.
5/5 Stars
Astro Man
This is one of my favorite Mega Man tracks of all time, it's such a banger. The ticking clocks in the background, the quirky but incredibly catchy piano melody, and that chord progression. This track is Sonic CD as heck and I love that about it.
5/5 Stars
Search Man
If there's one word I would use to describe this track, it's effortless. Everything about Search Man's theme sounds so smooth, every part weaves together so elegantly. I don't even know what kind of synth is being used for the main melody, but it's so satisfying to listen to. It's a fantastic piece of house.
5/5 Stars
Mini-Boss Battle
This theme's alright, but it works better in context. The miniboss theme is tense and frantic, and does a good job at that. You can definitely see Uchiyama's Resident Evil show here, but it can be a bit too much to listen to on its own.
3/5 Stars
Boss Battle
Mega Man 8's boss battle theme is very silly and sploinky, but like the rest of the soundtrack, it's also incredibly catchy and memorable. It has the same frantic energy of the mini-boss theme while being a lot more pleasant to the ears.
4/5 Stars
Boss Appearance
Surprisingly really good! It's got those same smooth chords that Astro Man's theme has, which leads to a really groovy track despite being such a short loop.
4/5 Stars
Get Weapon
Now this is a good weapon upgrade theme. Incredibly badass and intense, complete with a shredding electric guitar and some orchestra hits to make you feel really cool.
3/5 Stars
Wily Stage 1
Say what you will about the stage... its theme is incredible. It's so intense and menacing, and the synth lead Uchiyama picked is so perfect. It's so heavy, buzzing and stuttering out the melody, all the while a more haunting and airy background plays that slowly grows more prevalent.
5/5 Stars
Wily Stage 2
This is a pretty great Wily Castle theme. It's a lot more upbeat than the previous track, but it has a nice hint of melancholy to it. I especially love the flute and synth solos in the second half, they do such a great job at keeping the momentum going.
5/5 Stars
Wily Stage 3
Not one of the more memorable Wily Castle themes, but it's still pretty alright. The bass goes off, and I like the menacing melody in the second half, but I don't find it all that remarkable.
3/5 Stars
Wily Stage 4
Boss Appearance but longer and more energetic, which makes it better.
4/5 Stars
Bass Battle
Look, I love the bass-heavy original version of Bass's theme, but I think the Mega Man 8 version wins out here. It's way more chaotic and tense thanks to that frenetic background track, and the MM8's distinctly airy instruments fit the main melody so well.
5/5 Stars
Wily Battle
The first Wily Battle theme is fine. I like the whirring and beeping noises that show up every once in a while, but the track is kinda lacking in a central melody, it's kinda just all over the place.
3/5 Stars
Final Wily Battle
The other Wily Battle theme is similarly chaotic, but it's a bit more memorable. The crashing drum loop is very distinct and lends the track a lot of intensity, and the way it spirals out of control in the chorus does a good job at unnerving you. Shame the track is so short.
3/5 Stars
Staff Roll
And thus, Mega Man 8 ends just as it began, with an incredible DnB track. The juxtaposition between the laid-back piano and wild drums is so satisfying, and the laid-back melody is super pleasing to listen to. What a great end to a great soundtrack.
5/5 Stars
Brand-New Way
Oh yeah, and there's the JP ending theme too. The energetic tropical-sounding background track really makes Brand-New Way, it's just so fun and upbeat. Once again, it can't really top the DnB, but it's definitely a great ending theme on its own merits.
4/5 Stars
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