From Mario to Zelda, to Final Fantasy and Undertale, there’s no doubt that music plays a huge role in the video games that we all know and love. But what about the music from lesser known video games? What about the jamming tunes and fire tracks that may have gone under the radar of most gamers? Join us, Fair Gamers, as we dig through the crates and uncover some amazing games and music you might have missed… This is Hidden Tracks!
Hidden Tracks Vol. 7: Mad Gear/LED Storm (Arcade)
Game: Mad Gear (JP)/LED Storm (US)
Release Year: 1989
System: Arcade
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Composer(s): Takashi Tateishi aka Ogeretsu Kun
Selected Tracks: Capital, Big Cave Tunnel, Million Valley
What do you get when you mix Speed Racer with Mad Max, then throw them into a blender with Mega Man and a pumping 80s-style soundtrack? Why, you get Mad Gear, of course!
Mad Gear, known as LED Storm in the US, is a top-down racing game developed by Capcom, released to arcades in 1989. Similar to Bump n’ Jump, Mad Gear has the player choose one of three vehicles (one of which is the Porsche 959) to enter a dangerous racing tournament, where they have to battle other racers and dodge obstacles in order to win. It’s a fast paced, high-octane racing game that, sadly, never got much attention. When most gamers think of the words “Mad Gear,” they think of the villains from Final Fight, another Capcom title more gamers are familiar with.
It’s sad since there’s a lot to love about Mad Gear - the challenging gameplay, the cheesy-but-lovable 80s aesthetic, and a super underrated soundtrack provided by one of Capcom’s great composers: Takashi Tateishi.
Tateishi, aka Ogeretsu Kun, is a Japanese musician who worked at Capcom from 1988-1990, then at Konami from 1992-2000, before leaving the video game scene altogether. While his time working on video games was brief, Tateishi left behind some classic soundtracks, including his work on one of the most legendary soundtracks in all of video games: Mega Man 2.
Mega Man 2 was released one year before Mad Gear, and when you listen to the games back to back, you can hear Tateishi’s signature style in both - Heart pumping tunes that are heavy on percussive elements, guitar-esque hooks, and melodies that are almost guaranteed to get stuck in your head. All of these elements play a part in the soundtrack to Mad Gear, whether it’s the introduction to the game, levels like the Big Cave Tunnel, or tunes like Million Valley, which… Hey, doesn’t that melody sound kind of familiar?
Sadly, Mad Gear/LED Storm didn’t get a major home port, aside from smaller, less impressive versions on systems like the Amiga or the ZX Spectrum. Mad Gear has never even seen a re-release on any of Capcom’s game compilations. We can only hope that changes in the future, and a new generation of gamers can see the madness of Mad Gear and listen to the fantastic soundtrack that comes with it.
For more classic Capcom games, classic racing games and more, check out FairGameRetro.com!