Mega Man 9... is still a game I'm incredibly mixed on. It's got some of the best level, weapon, and boss design in the entire franchise, but it's so hard to look past just how regressive it feels, how much it takes from MM2, and how much it feeds into the mindset that Mega Man should only be 8-bit and never make any mechanical improvements. It's born solely from the idolization of MM2, and the most frustrating part about it is that it's so much better! The soundtrack encapsulates this. It's trying so damn hard to be like Mega Man 2's soundtrack and I'd say it far surpasses it... but that also leads to it not really having much of an identity beyond sounding like Mega Man 2's soundtrack. That's not to say MM9's music is bad, hell no, it's incredible. Inti Creates has a stellar sound team and they did a fantastic job here, but it's just not a soundtrack I go back to listen to as much as I do with 5-8.
Mega Man 9
Opening
Mega Man 9 starts with a lengthy three-part opening that's... fine. I like the melancholic first third, but the rest of the track isn't super memorable.
3/5 Stars
Title Theme
Great title theme, easily one of the best in the series. It matches the MM2 title theme in terms of sheer energy and momentum, while also feeling instantly iconic in its own right.
4/5 Stars
Menu Theme
This is just the password theme from Mega Man 2.
2/5 Stars
Stage Select
This is a pretty groovy piece, and it's one of the longer stage select themes to boot. The main melody is catchy, and the arpeggios coming in at the second half is a pleasant surprise.
4/5 Stars
Concrete Jungle
Concrete Jungle sounds like a fuller version of the title theme, and it sounds really good. It definitely has that Mega Man sound to it with the banging background track, the catchy and energetic main melody, and the general sound of all the instruments.
5/5 Stars
Thunder Tornado
This is easily one of the most memorable Robot Master themes in Mega Man 9 because of how unique it sounds. The head-banging opening, the melodic verse, that iconic chorus, and those distinct whistle sounds. At the hands of a lesser composer, Thunder Tornado could've sounded way too shrill for its own good, but Ippo Yamada really pulled it off.
5/5 Stars
Splash Blue
Splash Woman's theme is probably my favorite of the Robot Master themes, it sounds so pretty and melancholic. The syncopation in the melody is super well-done, and that whistle sound is beautiful. A worthy successor to Bubble Man, in my opinion.
5/5 Stars
Plug Electric
This is probably the most MM2-sounding track, even bringing back that iconic buzzing sound in the background. The melody is just as energetic and bopping as always (even if I get it confused with Concrete Man's theme for some reason), and the triumphant climax at the end is fantastic.
5/5 Stars
Jewel Temptation
I adore Jewel Man's theme, it's up there with Tornado Man's theme in terms of how fresh-sounding it is. This is an incredibly groovy track with some sick guitar solos, and a very distinct clinking sound that really gives off the feel of a mineshaft.
5/5 Stars
Hornet Dance
Hornet Man's theme is sadly one of the less memorable tracks for me, but it's still a very pleasant and upbeat theme. Befitting the name, it has a very balletic feel to it, and the chorus is ridiculously catchy.
4/5 Stars
Magma Burning
Magma Man's theme is pretty handily the weakest of the Robot Master themes, even if it's still overall a really good track. The chorus is a fantastic cap to the entire piece, but the muted first half is a bit underwhelming with how much it sounds like any other NES Mega Man track.
4/5 Stars
Galaxy Fantasy
Okay, I have a bit of a hot take. I don't adore Galaxy Man's theme like everyone else seems to. That being said, though, it's a great track. The opening is absolutely iconic, the chorus is stellar, the whole track is super groovy, and it nails that off-beat minor tone that many associate with NES Mega Man. It's just not a top tier track for me. A Tier, maybe.
5/5 Stars
Boss
This is a pretty well-known boss theme, one might even call it iconic. It's certainly memorable and distinct, but as a boss theme, it's kinda underwhelming. It lacks the energy of the series' best boss tracks, instead feeling somewhat muted and sleepy.
3/5 Stars
Get A Weapon
It's the same weapon theme as in Mega Man 2.
2/5 Stars
Shop
Oh, I love this theme, it's absolutely adorable. It's so light and happy, and it captures Roll's personality perfectly.
5/5 Stars
Rush Jet
It's the MM2 weapon theme but a bit dreamier.
2/5 Stars
Suspense
This sure is a suspenseful piece of music. The pittering notes do a good job at putting you on the edge, as does the way it keeps slowly escalating. Solid cutscene track.
3/5 Stars
Flash In The Dark
If there's one thing Inti Creates absolutely nails, it's the Wily Castle themes. With Flash In The Dark, Ryo Kawakami (of ZX and ZX Advent fame) managed to outdo Wily Castle 1. This was the first Wily Castle theme since then that actually managed to make people stop and pay attention, and for good reason. It's so close to being the best Wily Castle theme (if only MM5 didn't exist), and even still it's one of my favorite tracks in the franchise. It perfectly balances the energetic rock and sheer drama that marks all the best Wily tracks, and that chorus is absolutely divine.
5/5 Stars
We're The Robots
We're The Robots isn't half bad either, though. The main motif is phenomenal, both heroic and melancholic, and the chorus at the end has such a strong sense of gravitas and finality to it. Another solid pick for one of the best Wily Castle themes out there.
5/5 Stars
Strange World
Strange World fits the name pretty well, it's got a great sense of chaos to it without feeling all over the place. It's actually a pretty groovy track, though none of it really tops that panic-inducing opening.
4/5 Stars
Castle Of Evil
Castle Of Evil is a pretty short loop meant to hype you up for the final boss, but it's still got a series groove to it, especially with those trills that occasionally pop up.
3/5 Stars
Wily Machine
This is definitely one of the better final boss themes, up there with 6 and 7. The militaristic sound it goes for fits with Wily perfectly, and helps lend the track a strong feeling of finality and urgency.
4/5 Stars
Ending
I don't really have much to say about this one. It's a decent loop but I feel like I've heard dozens of other NES tracks that sound almost exactly like it.
3/5 Stars
Staff Roll
Mega Man 9 has one of the best credits sequences in the entire series if not the best... but the actual staff roll theme isn't super memorable to me. It's very upbeat, but the melody doesn't really stick with me.
3/5 Stars
Overdrive Scramble
This is a pretty good bonus stage theme, but I don't have too much to say about it. The main melody is both catchy and has a nice sense of intrigue to it, but the track is also kinda just there.
4/5 Stars
Maze Of Death
Maze Of Death is an awesome track. It sounds like a techno rave, with a sprinkling of glitchcore to really keep you on toes. It can be very repetitive, but it's certainly one of the most unique tracks in the soundtrack.
4/5 Stars
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