The problem is that ship already sailed because they re-used it as the second Stage Select theme, and for the Zero Virus reveal cutscene. The tune is repetitive enough in itself, so I really feel that was uncalled for. Nor do I feel the extra bit for stage BGM contributed any to the atmosphere.
Oh, I'm not fully defending the Zero Stage 1 song. I agree with you on that part. Even so, the Final Stage music for X4 does absolutely nothing for me. Especially if you compare it to the SNES tracks, Gate's Theme, Jacob, RAVE ZERO STAGE 2, and so on!
Call me nitpicky, but I don't consider that Zero Virus music. I consider that Sigma music.
Hey, it says ZERO STAGE 2 on my X1-X6 Collection Soundtrack, so that's what I call it!
My personal opinion, so far as generic boss themes go:
X8 (first part)>X1>X7>X6>X4>X3>X2>X8 (second part)>X5
X5's is just entirely too screechy for me to consider it good fight music. If it was the villain making a speech, maybe...
Wow. You rate X3's boss theme a LOT higher than I do, as I think it's the worst...in possibly all of MM. It goes absolutely nowhere. And as I said, I can fully understand why people don't like X5's boss theme. I just love the technological bizarre-ness of it.
As for Zero, the "needs to be deeper" shpiel is what I think of X3's. Pretty much every other Zero theme we've ever heard IS deeper, so X3's comes off as unfitting to me. Heroic, sure, but it just sounds like it should belong to a different character. Darkesword's Beamsaber Beat helped me warm up to it a little better, but I still think that most any other Zero theme is superior (granted I also don't think that's saying a lot as pretty much every Zero theme kicks ass).
I think X3's is the best because of the heroism behind it, plus it's fantastic intro and great drum & guitar work throughout it. It the same reason I like X1's a lot (both the Heroic intro & the soft "One day you'll be as powerful as me" arrogant theme), along with X4's. X5's Opening Zero theme sounds like they were going for a whole "mysterious" type vibe to it, which works for the game, but overall not one of my favorites. And again, X2's is fantastic, but it just sounds way too boss battle-ish, and it doesn't even last that long. It's done in 15 seconds before the loop starts up again. LoL, but you and I have been over this in many a topic, and it's clear we're getting nowhere!
I'll do it.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP1TkBr5OSY&fmt=18[/youtube]
Somebody had to do it.
I'm thinking of making a video of me dancing to this!