Ever since the first game’s release in 1986, the Zelda series’s fans lauded the games for their outstanding and iconic soundtracks. The Legend of Zelda introduced themes that have persisted for decades, Ocarina of Time is full of unique musical motifs that brought different environments to life, and Skyward Sword’s lush orchestration has prompted many people to praise its soundtrack as the best in the series. It would seem that every Zelda soundtrack gets the recognition it deserves.
Or should I say almost every soundtrack? Because when it comes to music, the Oracle games, yet again, find themselves overlooked by the masses.
Upon entering the fourth dungeon in Oracle of Seasons (with a little help from Moosh), the player is met with an irresistible groove. The bass is harmonized in fifths, and the melody slithers mischievously along arpeggios and scales (in the mode of A Dorian, for those who may have been curious). Though it sounds full and busy, those are the only layers in the piece aside from that classic 8-bit snare.
About halfway through, the higher voice lets out a lengthy trill with all the ferocity of a dragon setting its surroundings ablaze. The bass is given a little extra flourish the final time around, and the trill resolves in a satisfying way as the loop repeats. It’s not a long track by any means, but it’s quite catchy.
Although there aren’t actually any dragons in the Dancing Dragon Dungeon, this music gives the impression that the dungeon itself is a dancing dragon. It’s incredible how the game’s composers were able to create such an alluring track with so few tools at their disposal. Despite the Game Boy Color’s limitations, this is easily my favorite dungeon theme in the entire series, and I’m desperately hoping for a new arrangement of it to appear in a future Zelda title. It may be unlikely, but if it does happen, I can guarantee that the dragons won’t be the only ones dancing.
