https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuzo_Koshiro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYGBqmxoLrg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjaW4ZYzVHI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foFbN-KokGE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRMfy4ONrr4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP5j7kBJq8o
And he's still at it, almost 30 years later!
I've been listening to those soundtracks lately, and It's awesome how different they are from each other.
SoR1 has a 80's vibe and is the most "normal".
SOR2 is arguably the best, where Koshiro started to explore new grounds. "Go Straight" is a classic, "Jungle base" shows some jungly house and, my favourite, "Alien Power" just evokes weirdness. Also, "Expander" sounds like a preview of the SOR3soundtrack.
In SOR3 Koshiro worked with a partner, and developed a system that uses procedurally generated samples. It sounds a bit more harsh, with some break beats and bit more noisy. While not so pleasing to the ear sometimes, it is features some really interesting composition. I recommend "Fuze", "Cycle I", "Inga Rasen" and the stressful "Bulldozer".
Also by Yuzo Koshiro, check out out Revenge of the Shinobi. For more FM synthesis goodness, try Thunderforce III in op's link.
Turrican II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0FaAs4M3d0
R-Type (Amiga): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmEhC91k3MI
Shadow of the Beast: http://retrotracks.net/music/186
Xenon 2: http://retrotracks.net/music/73
And some of David's more esoteric stuff:
Quadralien: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh2TE8VQWZg
Archipelagos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEVFqu8HQZ8
Originally from this website but I can't find a link (at least on the mobile site) http://www.nerdist.com/podcast_channel/the-legacy-music-hour...
There is an excellent album with all the music played on real instruments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I9h7SkZICg&list=PLF1AF918F7...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnQ7bDGhOLI
I'd often try to get stuck somewhere just to groove to the music while cleaning my room as a kid.