"Battle at the Big Bridge" (ビッグブリッヂの死闘, Biggu Buriddji no Shitō?, lit. Big Bridge Battle to the Death), also known as "Clash on the Big Bridge" or "Battle with Gilgamesh", is a recurring theme originally from Final Fantasy V. It was composed and arranged by Nobuo Uematsu in 1992.
"Battle at the Big Bridge" is a popular theme due to being the leitmotif of the recurring character Gilgamesh, an installment-traveling mascot of the series, and has been remade into different versions for several of his cameo appearances. As such, it is a theme with many arrangements and remixes, only surpassed in number by prominent motifs of the series itself, such as the "Prelude", the "Opening Theme", the "Chocobo Theme" or the "Victory Fanfare".
Game appearances[]
Final Fantasy[]
"Battle at the Big Bridge" was remixed for the 20th Anniversary edition. It plays when fighting Gilgamesh in the Lifespring Grotto bonus dungeon.
Final Fantasy V[]
"Battle at the Big Bridge" plays as the background theme for the eponymous location and during the battles taking place there. This makes "Battle at the Big Bridge" one of the few themes to play seamlessly in early installments of the series, other than the recurring "Hurry!" themes. The theme further returns for every encounter with Gilgamesh.
It is track 3 of disc 2 on the Final Fantasy V: Original Sound Version. Its arrangement by TOSE for Final Fantasy V Advance is track 3 of disc 3 on the Final Fantasy Finest Box.
The track was released again on the Final Fantasy V Original Soundtrack Remaster Version and later on the Final Fantasy V Original Soundtrack Revival Disc.
"Battle at the Big Bridge FFPR Ver." is a version arranged by Yuko Komiyama and Hidenori Miyanaga that appears in the Pixel Remaster. It is track 36 on the Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster Original Soundtrack.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth[]
"Battle on the Big Bridge - Rebirth" (ビッグブリッヂの死闘 REBIRTH, Biggu Buriddji no Shitō REBIRTH?) is an arrangement by Shoya Sunakawa. It plays during the battle against Gilgamesh at the end of the protorelics questline. It is an orchestral version with a prominent electric guitar that leads the melody and includes leitmotifs from Final Fantasy VII. It is track 24 of disc 5 on the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Original Soundtrack. The game also includes multiple other arrangements of the theme that all play in cutscenes and battles involving Gilgamesh.
Final Fantasy XII[]
"Battle on the Big Bridge (FFXII Version)" in arrangement by Hitoshi Sakimoto. It is the background theme for the two encounters with Gilgamesh and Enkidu at the Lhusu Mines.
The theme was released as track 13 of disc 3 on the Final Fantasy XII: Original Soundtrack.
"Battle on the Big Bridge (Zodiac Age Version)" appears in The Zodiac Age and is track 85 on the Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age Original Soundtrack.
Final Fantasy XIII-2[]
"Battle at the Big Bridge - Oriental MIX" is a rearranged version by Hiroyuki Togo. It was performed by the trio Yui, one of the members being Chie Hanawa, a tsugaru-shamisen player.[1] It plays during the downloadable content Coliseum battle Clash on the Big Bridge featuring Gilgamesh. It is performed on Japanese native instruments combined with traditional Japanese music with a rock and roll beat.
The track is included in the Final Fantasy XIII-2: Original Soundtrack PLUS as its 15th track.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII[]
The man in Yusnaan who sells the player the ticket to the show in the Augur's Quarter can be heard playing this song. "Battle at the Big Bridge - Yusnaan Ver." was arranged by Mitsuto Suzuki who also played the kazoo.
It is track 18 on the Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII: Original Soundtrack PLUS.
Final Fantasy XIV[]
"Battle on the Big Bridge" plays during the battle against Gilgamesh. It has similar beat to the original theme from Final Fantasy V with hard rock drums added. It was arranged by Masayoshi Soken.
It is track 13 on the Before the Fall: Final Fantasy XIV Original Soundtrack.
The original version of the theme from Final Fantasy V is used in the first part of the battle against Gilgamesh and Enkidu in 
Battle in the Big Keep.
Final Fantasy XV[]
I was asked to arrange the fan favorite "Battle on the Big Bridge," but I was too scared to make any drastic changes to such a popular piece, so my first demo essentially followed the original note for note. (Looking back, it was a pretty uninspired arrangement.) The FFXV Team had a listen, and offered me some advice: "Go ahead and change it up; really make it your own." Their kind words helped dispel my fears and gave me the courage to write an arrangement that showcased my style while paying respect to the original piece.
"Battle on the Big Bridge (EPISODE GLADIOLUS Version)" was arranged by Keiichi Okabe as the boss theme against Gilgamesh for the Episode Gladiolus DLC. The game's team encouraged Okabe to incorporate his own style into the composition, resulting in the addition of vocals and elements from his previous work with the NieR series.[2] It is track 6 on disc 1 of the Final Fantasy XV Original Soundtrack Volume 2.
The original Final Fantasy V version is included in the music player. It is on the Memories of FFV album bought for 100 gil from Aldare's shop in Galdin Quay. Final Fantasy XII version is the seventh track of the Memories of FFXII album bought from Verinas Mart - Ravatogh for 100 gil. "Battle at the Big Bridge -arrange- (from FINAL FANTASY V)" appears as part of the Memories of DISSIDIA FF album bought from Old Lestallum for 500 gil. "Battle on the Big Bridge (EPISODE GLADIOLUS Version)" is also in the music player, added via a patch.
Final Fantasy Type-0[]
Gilgamesh
"Battle at the Big Bridge -arrange- from FINAL FANTASY V" from Dissidia Final Fantasy is heard during all battles against Gilgamesh. It was not included in the original soundtrack release.
Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008)[]
"Battle at the Big Bridge -arrange- from FINAL FANTASY V" is an arrangement by Takeharu Ishimoto. It is the 23rd track of the original soundtrack's first disc.
The track can be selected automatically for battles including Bartz Klauser or Exdeath, or any battle with the Interdimensional Castle as the arena.
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy[]
"Battle at the Big Bridge -arrange- from FINAL FANTASY V" can be selected automatically for battles including Bartz Klauser or Exdeath, or Gilgamesh, or any battle with the Interdimensional Rift as the arena.
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT[]
The Dissidia arrangement, SNES version, and the "Battle at the Bridge Ver. 2" Final Fantasy Record Keeper remix appear, combining the multiple aspects of all three versions from Record Keeper, including the remixed portion of "Lenna's Theme". The Dissidia-arranged track and the original SNES version are available for 3,600 gil from the shop, and the Record Keeper version was available for 1,500 gil for limited time.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy[]
For the Nintendo 3DS version, "Battle at the Big Bridge" was selected as the theme for the Final Fantasy V series play's respective Battle Music Sequence. The game's director, Ichiro Hazama, has noted that "Battle at the Big Bridge" was one of the two main songs the team was told to include when the development on the game was started. The other song was "One-Winged Angel".[3]
For the iOS version "Battle at the Big Bridge" is included in the Final Fantasy V Battle Music Basic Bundle along with the "Battle 1".
An arrangement of "Battle at the Big Bridge" by Hiroyuki Maruyama plays as the Music Select BGM.
Both versions of the theme are included in Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Compilation Album.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call[]
Big Bridge
Lostime (Ver. 2)
"Battle at the Big Bridge" is a Battle Music Sequence.
This section is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy All-Star Carnival[]
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Battle at the Big Bridge
"Battle at the Big Bridge" is a playable Battle Music Sequence. It is available by default.
| Difficulty | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Basic | Expert | Ultimate | Transcendent |
| 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 14 |
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Battle at the Big Bridge -TFF MENU Ver. arrange- from FINAL FANTASY V
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Battle at the Big Bridge -TFFAC Ver. Arrange- from FINAL FANTASY V
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Battle at the Big Bridge (Ver. 2) [FFRK Ver. Arrange]
The Final Fantasy Record Keeper arrangement of "Battle at the Big Bridge" is also playable as a Battle Music Sequence. It is available by default.
| Difficulty | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Basic | Expert | Ultimate | Transcendent |
| N/A | 3 | 5 | 10 | 14 |
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Battle at the Big Bridge Medley
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Raffaello Battle
The "Raffaello Battle" arrangement of "Battle at the Big Bridge" from Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon also appears as a playable Battle Music Sequence. To unlock it, the player must first unlock Chocobo as a playable character. It can then be purchased from the song store for 10 sound medals.
| Difficulty | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Basic | Expert | Ultimate | Transcendent |
| N/A | 3 | 5 | 10 | 14 |
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"Battle at the Big Bridge (FINAL FANTASY V)" from BRA★BRA Final Fantasy Brass de Bravo 2
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Theatrhythm Final Bar Line[]
The original composition of "Battle at the Big Bridge" from Final Fantasy V, as well as its arrangements from Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy All Star Carnival, Final Fantasy Record Keeper, and the "Raffaello Battle" arrangement from Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon all return from All Star Carnival. Three other arrangements of "Battle at the Big Bridge", namely from the BRA★BRA Final Fantasy Brass de Bravo 2, The Black Mages, and Modulation - Final Fantasy Arrangement Album appear in the game, the latter two being exclusive to the Digital Deluxe Edition.
A piece from "Battle at the Big Bridge" appears in the "THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE Special Battle Arrange Medley".
Final Fantasy Record Keeper[]
There exist 3 versions of this theme slightly re-arranged: slightly classic version, a choir-based version and a guitar-focused version. Unique to this game, is that all three of these versions past 1 minute and 25 seconds incorporate an arrangement of both "Lenna's Theme" and the beginning portion of the original battle theme afterwards before looping again. They were all arranged by Yoshitaka Suzuki. For Ver. 2 and Ver. 3, the guitar was played by Shotaro Kaizuka.
All three versions are tracks 2, 3 and 4 on the Final Fantasy Record Keeper Original Soundtrack.
"Battle at the Big Bridge" is included as part of "FF 30th Anniversary Medley (FFRK Ver. arrange)", arranged by Yoshitaka Suzuki. It is track 12 of disc 1 on the Final Fantasy Record Keeper Original Soundtrack Vol.2.
"Battle at the Big Bridge" is included as part of the 6th anniversary special arrange medley, taken from the top 10 music from All Final Fantasy Big Vote.
This section about an album in Final Fantasy Record Keeper is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Final Fantasy Explorers[]
Gilgamesh
An arrangement of "Battle at the Big Bridge" appears in the game. It was not officially released.
This section is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Mobius Final Fantasy[]
"Battle at the Big Bridge -Oriental MIX- From FINAL FANTASY XIII-2" appears in the game. It is track 12 of disc 1 on the Mobius Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack 2.
World of Final Fantasy[]
There are three arrangements of "Battle at the Big Bridge". The first one, titled "Prismelody: Clash on the Big Bridge -F-" plays on the overworld of the Big Bridge. The second one, titled "Prismelody: Clash on the Big Bridge -C-" plays during battles with Gilgamesh and when Bartz uses his Champion summon ability. The last one, titled "Prismelody: Clash on the Big Bridge -E-" plays during cutscenes involving Gilgamesh.
The "-F-" and "-C-" versions were arranged by Shingo Kataoka and the "-E-" version was arranged by Hayata Takeda. All three versions are tracks 12, 13 and 14 of disc 3 on the World of Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack.
Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin[]
Gilgamesh
"Battle: Gilgamesh – Motif from "Battle at the Big Bridge"" is an arrangement that plays during the first phase of the fight against Gilgamesh in the Wanderer of the Rift DLC expansion. "Battle: Wandering Hero – Motif from "Battle at the Big Bridge"" is an arrangement that plays during the second phase of the fight. Both are arranged with additional composition by Takaaki Nakagawa. They are tracks 5 and 6 respectively on the Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin Original Soundtrack Volume 2.
Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales[]
An arrangement of "Battle at the Big Bridge" by Yuzo Takahashi, plays during the minigame of Legend of the Crystals, the final storybook. It is the 27th track of the original soundtrack, the first disc of Chocobo to Mahou no Ehon Series Original Soundtrack.
Chocobo to Mahou no Ehon: Majo to Shoujo to Go-nin no Yuusha[]
Another arrangement of "Battle at the Big Bridge" by Yuzo Takahashi appears. It is included in the second disc of the original soundtrack as the 12th track.
Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon[]
"Raffaello Battle" (ラファエロ戦, Rafaero Sen?) is an arrangement by Yuzo Takahashi and serves as the penultimate battle theme against Raffaello, Priest of Darkness, possessed by the Destroyer. It was released as the 27th track of the original soundtrack.
"Battle with Raffaello" was remastered for Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon Every Buddy!. It is track 18 on the Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon Every Buddy! Original Soundtrack.
Arrangement album appearances[]
Piano Collections: Final Fantasy V[]
The track was included in the Final Fantasy V Piano Collections album as "Battle with Gilgamesh". The track was rearranged on piano by Shiro Satou and performed by Toshiyuki Mori.
The Black Mages[]
"Clash on the Big Bridge" received a hard-rock arrangement by The Black Mages, and was included in their first, eponymous album as the 2nd track.
Guitar Solo Final Fantasy Official Best Collection[]
"Clash on the Big Bridge" is the 11th track on the album, which consists entirely of solo classical guitar arrangements of tracks from the Final Fantasy main series, performed and arranged by Yuji Sekiguchi.
Cellythm - Those Who Distorted[]
"Clash on the Big Bridge" was arranged by L.Gallardo and performed by Cellythm.
Love SQ[]
A battle medley of "Battle at the Big Bridge", "Dancing Mad", and "One-Winged Angel" appears on the album, remixed by →Pia-no-jaC←.
It is also included on the Last SQ album.
Piano Opera Final Fantasy IV/V/VI[]
Another piano arrangement of "Battle at the Big Bridge", arranged and performed by Hiroyuki Nakayama, is included in this album. It is the 10th track.
It is also included on the Piano Opera Final Fantasy I-IX album.
SQ Chips 2[]
The track appears in the 8-bit arrangement album as its 2nd track, arranged by pocomeko.
Final Fantasy Tribute ~Thanks~[]
A Japanese folk arrangement of "Battle at the Big Bridge" by Sekizima Takero and performed by the Kuricorder Quartet is included on this tribute album to Final Fantasy music as the 2nd track of its second disc.
It is also included on the Cure SQ album.
Rare SQ[]
An arrangement of "Battle at the Big Bridge" by Ryoji&Beta appears on the album.
BRA★BRA Final Fantasy Brass de Bravo 2[]
An arrangement of "Battle at the Big Bridge" by Yasumasa Sato was conducted by Hirofumi Kurita and performed by the Siena Wind Orchestra and was recorded on the album.
Square Enix Jazz -Final Fantasy-[]
"Battle at the Big Bridge Jazz Arrangement (FINAL FANTASY V)" was arranged by Ryu Kawamura and recorded on the album.
Distant Worlds V: more music from Final Fantasy[]
"FINAL FANTASY V: Clash on the Big Bridge" is a recording which appears on this album. It was conducted by Arnie Roth and performed by the Distant Worlds Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.
Electronica Tunes -Final Fantasy Series-[]
"Battle at the Big Bridge (FINAL FANTASY V)" is arranged by Iyowa and appears as track 4 on the album.
Modulation - Final Fantasy Arrangement Album[]
"Battle at the Big Bridge -Modulation ver.- from FINAL FANTASY V" is an arrangement sampled and reconstructed from the original sound source by composer Nobuo Uematsu himself. It is track 5 of side B on the album.
Final Fantasy Series Acoustic Arrangements[]
One of the staples of the acoustic arrangement series is the string quintet arrangement. This time, I'm honored to try my hand at a song that I've always been a huge fan of!
Among arrangers, the key phrase that we always lead off with is "It's difficult to recreate a song without using keyboard instruments." Although there is a limit to what a human can accomplish, I discovered that using the violin was just enough to accomplish the goals I set out for myself (laughs.)
This song is one of the FF series' most popular, so while I did feel a certain amount of respect and pressume [sic], I actually didn't let it get to me and went with a technical rock feel, which I liberally inserted into this arrangement.
The final product is incredibly powerful thanks to the stellar technique of artists whose experience in these acoustic arrangements is beyond compare. I hope you are able to feel the thrill of battle come right to your ears as you listen to it.Atsuki Yoshida
"Battle at the Big Bridge" was arranged by Atsuki Yoshida and performed by Yoshida (violin), Erika Aoyama (violin), Mei Mishina (viola), Kirin Uchida (violoncello), and Seiya Yoshida (contrabass). It is track 5 on the album.
Final Symphony II - music from Final Fantasy V, VIII, IX and XIII[]
"Encore: Final Fantasy V (Battle at the Big Bridge)" is an arrangement by Jonne Valtonen that also includes "Chocobo Theme". It is conducted by Andreas Hanson, performed by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and recorded inside the Stockholm Konserthuset in June 2023. It is track 7 on the album.
Piano Cover Collection from Square Enix Music Channel[]
A piano cover of "Battle at the Big Bridge" arranged and performed by Yui Morishita is track 2 on the album, taken from the Square Enix Music Channel.
SQkawaii Sounds -Final Fantasy-[]
An arrangement of "Battle at the Big Bridge" by Yoshinori Nakamura appears as track 8 on the album.
Live performances[]
The Black Mages Live[]
The Black Mages' arranged "Clash on the Big Bridge" from their debut album was performed live at this 2003 concert that took place at Shibuya-AX and Kanagawa University. It was the 9th song of the line-up.
The Black Mages Live "Above the Sky"[]
The Black Mages' "Clash on the Big Bridge" was again performed at their 2005 concerts at Club Citta in Kawasaki City, Japan and Namba Hatch in Osaka City, Japan. It was the 10th song of the concert.
The Black Mages III Darkness and Starlight Live[]
"Clash on the Big Bridge" was performed live by The Black Mages and recorded on the album.
Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy Returning Home[]
"Clash on the Big Bridge (Battle at the Big Bridge)" is included on this orchestral concert tour. It is the 16th and final song of the live recording of the concert performed as the encore by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Arnie Roth held in Tokyo, in November 2010. It was arranged by Roth.
Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy Jiritsu[]
"FINAL FANTASY V : Battle at the Big Bridge" is a concert performance performed and recorded for the Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary. It was orchestrated and conducted by Arnie Roth and performed by the New Japan Philharmonic and the Tokyo Art Academy Singers.
3×4×S [SA-SHI-SU][]
"Clash On The Big Bridge" was performed by 3×4×S (Shamio and Nubia) and collaboration with Nobuo Uematsu during a performance on October 22, 2023.[4] Uematsu performed on the keyboard, Shamio performed on the shamisen, and Nubia performed on the cello. The performance video was released on the 3×4×S YouTube channel on October 28, 2023.[5][6]
Video performances[]
Square Enix Music Channel[]
A piano cover of "Battle at the Big Bridge" was arranged and performed by Yui Morishita and uploaded on the channel on March 18, 2022 in celebration of Final Fantasy 35th Anniversary.[7][8] On September 3, 2024, the video has exceeded 1 million views.[9][10]
Conamon Beats[]
"Battle at the Big Bridge" appears a number of times on the YouTube sound exploration variety show Conamon Beats with the Square Enix Osaka Sound Team featuring Yoshino Nanjo (Nan-chan), Tsuyoshi Sekito (Sekky) and Hidenori Miyanaga (Miyanu).
In Conamon Beats Vol.1, Sekito performs "Battle at the Big Bridge" on a sushi tub guitar made by him from a sushi-oke.[11]
In Conamon Beats Vol.2, "Battle at the Big Bridge" is performed by Osaka Sound Team sound designer Nao Oe on a sushi tub piano also made by Sekito.[12]
In Conamon Beats Vol.3, Sekito performs "Battle at the Big Bridge" on the electric guitar while Miyanaga plays "Battle at the Big Bridge" on the "Supreme" difficulty level in Theatrhythm Final Bar Line at the same time.[13]
Compilation album appearances[]
Square Enix Battle Tracks Vol.1[]
The theme was included in this compilation of Square Enix battle themes from Nintendo-console titles released between 1985 and 1996. It is the eleventh track of the album.
Final Fantasy Vinyls[]
"Battle at the Big Bridge" is included on disc 5 of this collector's edition set.
Battle at the Big Bridge: Bombastic Bonanza[]
This is a compilation album of arrangements of "Battle at the Big Bridge" from various games.
Untempered: Final Fantasy XIV Primal Battle Themes[]
"Battle on the Big Bridge" from Final Fantasy XIV is track 14 of disc 1 on the album.
Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Tracks 1987-2017[]
"Battle at the Big Bridge" from Final Fantasy V is track 40 of disc 1 on the album celebrating Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary.
Final Fantasy XIV - The Best[]
"Battle on the Big Bridge" from Final Fantasy XIV is track 38 on the album.
Heroes and Villains[]
"Battle at the Big Bridge" from Final Fantasy V is track 4 of side B on the Heroes and Villains Second album.
Non-Final Fantasy appearances[]
Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Special[]
An arrangement of "Battle at the Big Bridge" plays as the background theme for the "Battle Colosseum" minigame.
Citations[]
- ↑ http://blog.jp.square-enix.com/music/cm_blog/2012/09/post_183.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8kkCfI0hEI
- ↑ http://www.destructoid.com/theatrhythm-producer-gives-us-the-dirt-on-development-230659.phtml
- ↑ https://x.com/nubiahistoria/status/1716044045611569352
- ↑ https://x.com/nubiahistoria/status/1718095804634919284
- ↑ https://x.com/nubiahistoria/status/1718191372518519107
- ↑ https://x.com/sem_sep/status/1504747178429870081
- ↑ https://x.com/morige/status/1504774306181824517
- ↑ https://x.com/sem_sep/status/1830910950041587906
- ↑ https://x.com/morige/status/1830935433255231722
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdDpAKZ3gxA
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j99dH7RpWEk
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWOxlEs3OS4