In the Resources series we will create an ongoing, frequently updated list of curated selections on one game related topic. In VGM we will be focusing on the soundtracks and bands that create some of the best backing tunes to your video adventures. For an expanded playlist Spotify users can go here and check out more tunes!
Notable Soundtracks
Ever since the beginning talented composers have been making masterpieces with the limited hardware they had available so that games could fully immerse the player in the gameplay and story. The following is a list of games organized by decade with phenomenal sound design and catchy tunes.
1980s
Super Mario Bros. (NES)
Starting off strong, the soundtrack for the Nintendo Entertainment System’s Super Mario Bros. series is so iconic its recognizable even to people outside the hobby. Composed by Koji Kondo, the following two tracks are the main background tracks for the first game, the world 1-1 theme and the 1-2 underground theme.
Archive.org – Super Mario Bros Soundtrack
The Legend of Zelda (NES)
Another NES classic, the original Legend of Zelda’s soundtrack was also composed by Koji Kondo and featured several tracks that even gamers today know. The first track is the Introduction and the second is the Overworld theme.
Archive.org – The Legend of Zelda Soundtrack
Mega Man (NES)
Very few game soundtracks get people more hyped then the rocking chiptunes of the Mega Man series. Composer Manami Matsumae created a pretty good soundtrack for the original, but Mega Man 2 is where most of the classic tunes originate. Just try and not get hyped by the Introduction / Title Screen and Dr. Wily’s Castle.
Castlevania (NES)
While it may be a horrible night for a curse, its a great time to listen to the amazing tracks composed by Kinuyo Yamashita (credited as “James Banana” in the game!) In a title that relied quite a bit on setting the right tone and mood, Kinuyo nailed it with tracks like Vampire Killer and Walking Edge.
Dragon’s Quest (NES)
Koichi Sugiyama composed several light hearted and whimsical tracks for the Dragon Quest series. The following tracks are Overture March, Chateau Ladutorm, and Around the World
KH Insider – Dragon Quest (Symphonic)
Metroid (NES)
Hirokazu Tanaka set the tone for the series, and while Kenji Yamamoto picked up the series starting with Super Metroid, it’s the original tracks that I believe are the ones that stand out the most. The following tracks are Brinstar, Norfair, and Kraid’s Lair
1990s
Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega)
Sega’s mascot with the 90s attitude featured several great tracks over the course of his many games. The original composer Masato Nakamura set the tone for the classic series, and Jun Senoue and Tomoya Ohtani took over for the post 2000s games. The following two tracks are Green Hill Zone from the original and Mystic Cave Zone from Sonic 2.
Archive.org – Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Chrono Trigger (SNES)
One of the greatest games of all time, Chrono Trigger’s soundtrack is full of phenomenal tracks scored by Yasunori Mitsuda with contributions from Nobuo Uematsu. The following three songs are Peaceful Days, Guardia Millenial Fair, and Frog’s Theme.
Final Fantasy (NES/SNES/PS)
Nobuo Uematsu’s main contribution to video games helped elevate Final Fantasy above most other RPGs and solidified the series as a source for vibrant battle themes, fun light hearted tunes, and moving dramatic pieces. The first track is the Battle Music from the original Final Fantasy, Edgar and Sabin’s theme from FFVI, and of course One-Winged Angel from FFVII.
Zophar.net – Final Fantasy VII
2000s
Katamari Damacy
One of the most unique games ever made, and a personal favorite Katamari Damacy’s soundtrack is just as wild and whimsical as the game’s design. The soundtracks were composed by multiple people including Yuu Miyake, Asuka Sakai, Akitaka Tohyama, Yoshihito Yano, Yuri Misumi, and Hideki Tobeta. The following tracks are Katamari On The Rocks (Main Theme) and Crimson Rose and Gin Tonic from Katamari Fortissimo Damacy.
Kingdom Hearts
Filled with original tracks, remixed Disney themes, and even a few Final Fantasy songs, the Kingdom Hearts soundtrack is a cool mix that fits perfectly for the game. Yoko Shimomura composed with orchestral music arranged by Kaoru Wada. The following tracks are the orchestral Simple and Clean and Hikari – PLANITb Remix.
Guilty Gear X (DCST/PS2)
Daisuke Ishiwatari’s heavy metal soundtrack for the high speed 2D fighter Guilty Gear X always delivers with unique character themes and great music to bash heads to. The following two tracks are Ky Kiske’s Theme (Holy Orders – Be Just or Be Dead) and Dizzy’s Theme (Awe of She).
Runners Up
It really seems like during this period many games went with assembling soundtracks from popular existing music over original scores like most of the games above. Some examples include Tony Hawk, SSX Tricky, Apocalypse, Grand Theft Auto, Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, and Def Jam. Marvel vs Capcom 2 and Halo have one or two original tracks of interest but not enough to recommend. There’s only one track that is so iconic that it stands alone as a recommend and it is of course Kazumi Totaka’s Wii Shop Theme.
2010s
Hotline Miami (PC)
Pulse pounding vibes to murder thugs to, the Hotline Miami soundtrack was assembled by Jasper Byrne, M|O|O|N, and a half dozen other artists. While many songs appear on other albums, they are difficult to find and there’s enough original tracks to make it to this list. The following tracks are Sun Arwa’s Deep Cover and M|O|O|N’s Paris.
Doom (2016 – PC)
Mick Gordon’s tenure on DOOM helped define the game for a new generation and adds a heavy, thrashing metal background to the classic high speed FPS. The following tracks are At Doom’s Gate and BFG Division.
Undertale (PC)
One of the only developers to also score their own game, Toby Fox wore many hats while making indie hit Undertale. The following tracks are NGAHHH!! and of course MEGALOVANIA.
Super Mario Kart 8 (Switch)
Atsuko Asahi, Ryo Nagamatsu, Shiho Fujii, Yasuaki Iwata made a flawless soundtrack that covers classics from decades of Mario Kart games, a repository of amazing themes with not one bad song. The following tracks are Mute City and the Main Menu theme.
Archive.org – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Risk of Rain (PC)
Chris Christodoulou absolute rips on this soundtrack with space synth tunes that will live in your brain for the rest of your life. The following tracks are Risk of Rain and Dew Point.
