CoN 25th Anniversary: 1997-2022
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R1: #1 Dancing Mad (FF6) v. #16 Boss Battle (FF3)

 
Which song is your favorite?
Dancing Mad [ 8 ]  [66.67%]
Boss Battle [ 4 ]  [33.33%]
Total Votes: 12
  
Posted: 11th November 2017 15:47

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We start the 1/16 matchups with the last champion, Dancing Mad. It's a final boss battle theme, it's three tracks in one, it took on all comers many years ago and came out on top. It's got some synthesized evil Kefka laughs in it. You've probably heard this song before.

Any first-round matchup against Dancing Mad would be considered an underdog, and this time around it's another battle theme, the boss battle theme from Final Fantasy III. It's got that boss battle feel, with rolling melodies and layers of drums - some fast, some loud - and it's a theme that even a lot of Final Fantasy fans probably haven't experienced often.
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Posted: 11th November 2017 15:48

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Listen Here!
Dancing Mad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbXVNKtmWnc
Boss Battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdCQEsRw-oA

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Posted: 15th November 2017 18:28

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Correction: Dancing Mad is four tracks in one. (Five if you count the intro to part 4 separately, since they are separate SPC files.) And yes, it is impressive, and also needs no introduction for most people who are at a site called "Caves of Narshe".

As for the FF3 boss battle, I doubt many listeners here are familiar with it so I figured I'd write a few words about it.

Something you won't notice from just listening to the FF3 boss battle theme is that almost the entire NES soundtrack of FF3 except the battle themes uses no percussion. (Aside from sound effects, I think the only other use of the noise channel is drums in the ending theme?) The sudden entry of drums in the game's battle themes is very noticeable.

Given that rich instrumentation is a staple of soundtracks today, I suggest that listeners also check out this version from the PSP release of FF1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKyShJsAPWs

While this version obscures the alto melody in the latter part of the track, I think it preserves the original's rockin' beat far better than the other version (which I've also linked below), which means it really brings out that aggressive "boss battle spirit". Those drumbeats still mean a darned lot, even with the richer instrumentation!

There's also this version which alters the drums, from the DS (and PSP) remake of FF3, but I don't like it as much: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQThaYzqKDQ

This keeps the alto melody (albeit slightly modified) but loses that rockin' beat so in my opinion it becomes a slightly less intense track. It also gives it a more military and hurried feel to it, so the result is a bit different -- perhaps better suited for some bosses that feel overwhelming, but less suited for a sense of direct, hot-blooded confrontation.

Anyway, as in my stated promise earlier, my vote goes to the FF3 boss theme. It's not even a minute long yet packs such a punch!

I remember being disappointed that it wasn't in the 2010 tourney, or something of that sort. To be fair, FF3 has gotten a lot more attention in recent years, but it's still one of the more obscure FF games. (...I should finish my playthrough of it. I was like halfway done when I stopped years ago...I'd have to restart at this point...)

This post has been edited by Glenn Magus Harvey on 15th November 2017 18:30

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Posted: 15th November 2017 22:49

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GMH, thank you for your thoughtful analysis of the FFIII boss theme. The PSP version plays pretty well, and I find it incredible that the original can do a lot with the limitations of the system. But as someone who loves a good progressive track...I couldn't say no to "Dancing Mad".

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Posted: 17th November 2017 07:06

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This was tough, as someone who has actually played FFIII on DS and been reminded of it because of FFT:CC, it has grown on me with its wavy vibes! But, Dancing Mad is so very iconic and hecka dramatic! Such weight and so many variations in the piece to keep it driving, it's just so well put together. Thus, it takes my vote.

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