When one thinks of Nintendo's Super Mario Bros., what is the first thing that comes to mind? For many, it is the bright colors and jovial landscapes, the round and fun character designs, or the snappy platforming gameplay. For others, it is the jaunty, unmistakable theme that has followed the series since the launch of its first entry in 1985. Music is inextricably tied to the gaming experience. Consider Animal Crossing's soothing soundtrack, matched with its easygoing play of talking to friendly animal neighbors: or, perhaps, the heart-pounding heavy metal of Doom , where one tears through hell itself to gun down demons. Both these games' soundtracks, in combination with other factors such as visual style, contribute artistically to the tone of and enhance gameplay. What, then, makes a good song for a video game? For one thing, the theme must be varied and interesting enough so as to not become grating as it plays on repeat through a scene or level. Secondly, it must b...