The Physics of Video Games column is now onto soundtrack reviews. Why? Sound is physics. Also, the lovely Jeremy (the Gaming Futurist) told me to. We’ll review the horrendous, the masterpieces, and everything in between. If you have any suggestions, let me know. Obscure, popular, appalling, it doesn’t matter.
Oh, Cowboy Kid. I have fond memories playing this game with a childhood friend. I know nothing about this game’s back story, or what legacy it has. The credits of the game provide no insight into the development, shy of a producer. There is something comforting about my ignorance with this game. I just know that it is fun, and I dig the tunes. I am doing this review and replayed this game recently, mostly due to the soundtrack.
Gameplay is nothing special. Aside from an Ikari-inspired level, each of the seven levels has the player run around gathering clues and resources in order to find and fight the level boss. Players can choose their path in this isometric, western game, Mega Man style (aside from the last level of course). While it can be easier to go in a certain order, nothing restricts the player from choosing a certain path. You can choose based on the weapons you get, where you can farm money, or even pin the tail on the donkey style.
Before moving on, I just want to quickly mention the elephant in the room about the insensitive portrayal of Indigenous people. There is a lot wrong about some parts, but we can’t change the fact that these inaccurate portrayals exist. They were wrong then, and still are today. But we can’t ignore our history, and should use it as an opportunity for respectful dialogue to press onwards. I urge you to engage in these types of discussions, or progress will never be made.
Compared to other sections, this flew under the radar.
That all being said, we’re not here to point fingers and explore why Indigenous people shouldn’t be portrayed as spear-chuckers who control river flow, we’re here for a soundtrack. If you wish to discuss the issue, I will gladly do so in the comments. So let’s look at the soundtrack. And the review will be all the better, all thanks to our special guest writer, Nikola Emerson Gutierrez, AKA WiiGuy309 (check out his channels and such at the end of the review). You’re probably familiar with his work. Whether it be due to his awesome stereo remixes of retro games that you’ve heard in this column, or some retro reviews on his GamingGoingGone channel, you’ve probably heard of him online since he’s a busy guy. Without further adieu, here’s Nikola.
Well I’d personally like to say first off, thank you to Daniel Laughton for allowing me to have me write a bit for this post, and talk about a fantastic, underrated, and underappreciated soundtrack on the NES! So to start, Cowboy Kid was published in 1992 by Romstar here in the US (and in 1991 in Japan under the title Western Kids by Visco), and is an action adventure game in the same style as the Ganbare Goemon games. It was developed by the company Pixel, known for doing other under the radar games such as the NES port of Might & Magic, the JP and PAL exclusive Over Horizon, and a obscure boxing game, World Champ. But of course, they housed the primary composer who did most the music to Pixel’s NES titles, Masaharu Iwata.
Masaharu Iwata (at least that’s what Wikipedia told me) – Dan
Born on October 26, 1966 in Tokyo, Japan, Masaharu Iwata is a Japanese composer who is most well known for his compostions in the 16 and 32-bit era of video games, with games in the Orge Battle and Tactics Orge series, and the popular Final Fantasy Tactics. He typically also works with Hitoshi Sakimoto on a lot of his projects, and continues to compose music for games to this day. Iwata got his start when being hired by Bothtec, where he did his first video game compsotion on the Famicom title, Bakusou Buggy Ipatsu Yarou. A lot of Iwata’s NES compositions have sadly gone underrated the radar, as projects he was attached on were typically on titles that got overshadowed, his most popular contributions to NES soundtracks would be on Conquest of the Crystal Palace, where he was credited as the “Sound Manipulator”, or in other words, Arranger/Sound Programmer of the compositions done by Tomohisa Mitsuyasu. But today, we shall be talking about another one of Iwata’s NES soundtrack compositions that went unnoticed in the uncommon and sought after, Cowboy Kid. These are some of my favorite tracks I will talk about with Daniel, and what we both think of this game’s music!
And so it begins! Click on the picture to hear an awesome version of the soundtrack.
Opening Town: It’s as it sounds, after the Title Screen, you are introduced immediately to a catchy tune, which I am sure is based off a popular western tune (can’t think of it at this time), and is the perfect introduction to this light-hearted and fun adventure!
Stages 1, 3 & 6: Slash Joe / Billy Morgan / Keith: This is the real first taste of the Masahara Iwata flair that is present in most of his soundtracks, having that high energy and perfectly capturing the spirit and essence of adventure! The Square channels going at it with the beat of the Triangle and Noise channels, and his pitch shift (0:31-0:55) is a trademark of Iwata’s compsotions.
Stages 4 & 7: Coyote Jim / Scorpion Master: This is another great track that follows in vain of the previous track mentioned, given Scorpion Master is the last bad guy to defeat in this game, this track also perfectly captures the tone of the “final stage”. Iwata’s compostion traits are ever more present in this track, the nice beat and the Square Channels showing off Iwata’s catchy and melodic compositions.
Thanks Nikola! You did a much better job on this soundtrack than I ever could. I couldn’t agree more about how catchy this soundtrack is. It truly is a hidden gem that I continue to hum to myself now and then. So rather than repeat Nikola’s amazing sentiments, let’s pay homage to the soundtrack with some food, as usual.
If Cowboy Kid’s soundtrack was a food experience, it would be a dated ethnic food restaurant that serves comfort food. Looking around, you can’t help but feel a little uncomfortable, and that something is a little off. But the food is satisfying, and the experience is mostly pleasant. It isn’t your favourite restaurant, but you will check it out now and then. Sometimes you’re hungry, and some simple comfort food can be most satisfying.
Dan
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Nikola
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