20 Best Video Game Soundtracks of All Time

Best Video Game Soundtracks of All Time

Video game soundtracks play a critical role in shaping the gaming experience. From sweeping orchestral compositions to minimalist ambient tracks, these soundtracks have captivated players and become iconic in their own right. Whether you’re a gamer or a music lover, here are 20 of the best video game soundtracks you should listen to:

1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

• Composer: Koji Kondo
• Notable Tracks: “Gerudo Valley,” “Zelda’s Lullaby”
• Why It’s Great: Koji Kondo’s score for Ocarina of Time is a timeless masterpiece that combines adventure and nostalgia, with memorable melodies that have become synonymous with the Zelda series.

2. Final Fantasy VII

• Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
• Notable Tracks: “Aerith’s Theme,” “One-Winged Angel”
• Why It’s Great: Uematsu’s sweeping orchestral and synthesized compositions capture the emotional highs and lows of one of gaming’s most beloved RPGs.

3. Chrono Trigger

• Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
• Notable Tracks: “Frog’s Theme,” “Corridors of Time”
• Why It’s Great: A beautifully crafted soundtrack that enhances the sense of adventure and timelessness in one of the greatest JRPGs ever made.

4. Halo: Combat Evolved

• Composer: Martin O’Donnell, Michael Salvatori
• Notable Tracks: “Halo Theme,” “Brothers in Arms”
• Why It’s Great: Halo’s orchestral score elevates the grandeur of intergalactic warfare, making it one of the most iconic soundtracks in gaming.

5. Journey

• Composer: Austin Wintory
• Notable Tracks: “Nascence,” “Apotheosis”
• Why It’s Great: A deeply emotional soundtrack that enhances the silent, atmospheric storytelling of Journey, creating an unforgettable experience.

6. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

• Composer: Jeremy Soule
• Notable Tracks: “Dragonborn,” “Far Horizons”
• Why It’s Great: Epic and atmospheric, Soule’s score perfectly complements the vast, open world of Skyrim.

7. Undertale

• Composer: Toby Fox
• Notable Tracks: “Megalovania,” “Asgore”
• Why It’s Great: With its quirky yet emotional tone, Undertale’s soundtrack blends catchy melodies with emotional depth, enhancing the game’s unique narrative style.

8. NieR: Automata

• Composer: Keiichi Okabe
• Notable Tracks: “Weight of the World,” “City Ruins”
• Why It’s Great: Haunting and beautiful, Okabe’s score perfectly mirrors the melancholic atmosphere of NieR: Automata.

9. Shadow of the Colossus

• Composer: Kow Otani
• Notable Tracks: “The Opened Way,” “Revived Power”
• Why It’s Great: The soundtrack captures both the awe and tragedy of battling giant colossi, making it a deeply moving experience.

10. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

• Composer: Marcin Przybyłowicz, Mikolai Stroinski
• Notable Tracks: “Geralt of Rivia,” “Ladies of the Woods”
• Why It’s Great: A masterful blend of Slavic folk influences and epic orchestration that perfectly complements Geralt’s world.

11. Dark Souls

• Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
• Notable Tracks: “Gwyn, Lord of Cinder,” “Firelink Shrine”
• Why It’s Great: Dark and atmospheric, Dark Souls’ soundtrack intensifies the game’s somber and ominous atmosphere.

12. Metal Gear Solid

• Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams, Takanari Ishiyama
• Notable Tracks: “Main Theme,” “The Best is Yet to Come”
• Why It’s Great: The cinematic score of Metal Gear Solid enhances the tension and drama of its stealth-action gameplay.

13. Super Mario Galaxy

• Composer: Mahito Yokota, Koji Kondo
• Notable Tracks: “Gusty Garden Galaxy,” “Comet Observatory”
• Why It’s Great: A fully orchestrated score that brings a new level of epic adventure to the Mario franchise.

14. Persona 5

• Composer: Shoji Meguro
• Notable Tracks: “Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There,” “Rivers in the Desert”
• Why It’s Great: A blend of jazz, rock, and pop that matches the stylish, rebellious tone of the game.

15. Celeste

• Composer: Lena Raine
• Notable Tracks: “First Steps,” “Resurrections”
• Why It’s Great: Emotional and reflective, Celeste’s soundtrack mirrors the game’s themes of struggle and triumph.

16. Bloodborne

• Composer: Tsukasa Saitoh, Yuka Kitamura
• Notable Tracks: “Cleric Beast,” “Lullaby for Mergo”
• Why It’s Great: A dark, gothic orchestral score that enhances the eerie, horror-filled world of Bloodborne.

17. Hollow Knight

• Composer: Christopher Larkin
• Notable Tracks: “City of Tears,” “Greenpath”
• Why It’s Great: Atmospheric and haunting, Hollow Knight’s music adds to the exploration of its intricate, melancholic world.

18. Cuphead

• Composer: Kristofer Maddigan
• Notable Tracks: “Floral Fury,” “Die House”
• Why It’s Great: A lively, jazz-infused soundtrack that perfectly matches the game’s 1930s cartoon aesthetic.

19. Red Dead Redemption 2

• Composer: Woody Jackson
• Notable Tracks: “Unshaken,” “Outlaws From the West”
• Why It’s Great: A western-inspired score that amplifies the emotional depth and atmosphere of the American frontier.

20. Street Fighter II

• Composer: Yoko Shimomura
• Notable Tracks: “Guile’s Theme,” “Ryu’s Theme”
• Why It’s Great: Energetic, iconic music that enhances the excitement of Street Fighter’s fast-paced combat.

These soundtracks have left an indelible mark on both the gaming and music worlds. Whether through orchestral grandeur or emotional melodies, these compositions stand as a testament to the power of music in gaming.

Additional Reading

More blog posts can be found here. Consider following Breve Music Lessons on Facebook.