I don't usually think of VGM as it's own genre, I listen to certain soundtracks because they are good even outside the context of being from a game, some VGM is better suited to be listened to within the game and those don't interest me as much.
As for artistic merits I think VGM does have it, as I mentioned before if the music works in it's own context and is composed skillfully and creatively I think it does have artistic merit, even if some of the sound hardware used gives it a specific sound.
I'd say I listen to VGM on it's own about half of the time, the soundtrack CDs I own get a lot of use, I listen to a mix of Soundtracks from Super Nes/Genesis, Arcade games, and orchestra/arranged cover albums.
Some of my favorites:
Terranigma
Bomberman Hero
Ristar
Grandia 1 and 2
Iridion II
Journey to Silius
Verytex
Mr gimmick
Thunder force series
Xenoblade
Ikaruga
Plok
Lords of thunder
Treasure hunter G
Baten Kaitos 2
Some arranged albums I listen to:
Eschatos arranged
Symphony Ys
Actraiser symphonic suite
Metal Black -the first-
Game Music Concert series
Chrono trigger to far away times
Sega tunes series
Dracula Battle
Energy breaker
Last edited by 112B2018; Nov 19, 2019 at 02:42 PM.
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