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Favourite Video Game Soundtracks

Ian

Ian

TS Team
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Music and sound design is such a huge part of gaming. Over the years it’s evolved from simple 8-bit chiptunes to lavish, full orchestral compositions. What are some of your favourites?

A couple that have been in my head lately to get things started:


Rooftop Run Remix - Sonic Frontiers​


From: https://youtu.be/vuZvGiEC5Rg?feature=shared

Rooftop Run might just be my favourite piece of music from the Sonic franchise, along with Casino Park (Sonic Heroes) and Star Light Zone (Sonic The Hedgehog), and I just love this version of it! It sounds so polished and elevated 😍


Main theme - Jack Bros​


From: https://youtu.be/uhOd1ax_qtQ?feature=shared

Short and sweet. Sometimes I find myself clicking my Virtual Boy on just to hear this one (I mean, what sort of monster actually wants to play games on VB?!)


Vampire Killer - Castlevania Chronicles​


From: https://youtu.be/ilS8HwyRZ1E?feature=shared

As a series Castlevania has some superb music, and I love that so many of the themes from the early games have stood the test of time and frequently reappear in new forms. This cover of Vampire Killer (the first level theme from the original NES Castlevania) is a favourite of mine. I always think it’s great to see composers take the most simple chiptunes and build on them.


Main (only?!) theme - Cheetahmen​


From: https://youtu.be/WZlYGN5W2Yg?feature=shared

I often ask myself, how did one of the worst games made manage to get such a good theme tune?!
 
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Moving into marital harmony, the Tomb Raider original music was a fantastic background to early married comfort and joy.
You know what's coming.
The harmony ended with the original series.
 
I'm a big fan of sweeping orchestral scores and from the gaming world there's really nothing that touches Jeremy Soule's Skyrim soundtrack. I'll put this on loop for hours sometimes to help me focus at work.


From: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xWtfo9kuRTU&t=714s&pp=ygUVU2t5cmltIHNvdW5kdHJhY2sgbWl4


The Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo soundtracks are also a firm favourite, a little more upbeat and whimsical. Have to say I spend a lot more time listening to the soundtrack mixes than playing either game these days!


From: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p5-HxSBO4gU&t=1255s&pp=ygUUcGxhbmV0IGNvYXN0ZXIgbXVzaWM%3D



From: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aGqnjC-M8_4&pp=ygUQcGxhbmV0IHpvbyBtdXNpYw%3D%3D
 
Shaggy_Dog_ said:
Streets Of Rage and its sequel were astonishing when they came out. Yuzo Koshiro worked wonders with the Mega Drive’s sound chip.


From: https://youtu.be/MXjaCkPWpvU?si=V0LcDwG0l_Z1QP5H
Click to expand...


It’s such a shame more composers didn’t really know how to sweat the Mega Drive’s sound chip (supposedly due to poor technical documentation on Sega’s part), as it can produce some incredible music in the right hands.
 
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The Yamaha YM2612 synthesiser chip used in the Mega Drive was born out of Yamaha's keyboards and synthesisers that they developed in the 1970's and 80's, shrunk down into a small chip to provide the similar quality within a console. Whilst Nintendo had a different approach with the SNES and went for a sound chip that mimicked real life instruments (and did a sterling job of it, the SNES sounds amazing for it's age), the Mega Drive was left with a very unique sound.

As stated, Yuzo Koshiro was a master at getting the best out of it, here's him playing a set in a Tokyo Nightclub.
From: https://youtu.be/DwO4SJGd1zE?si=u2kw70wLJPb4GzY6


My favourites from that era include Streets of Rage 2, and the entirety of the mainline Sonic series. One of the best tracks from Sonic 2 in my opinion was actually never used, but remains on the ROM of the final retail version of the game in the sound test under track 10. It was for Hidden Palace Zone, one of the many zones in Sonic 2 that was cut from the final version. You can still access Hidden Palace on the final retail version with a Game Genie (code ACLA-ATD4) but it's scrambled and Sonic just falls to his death.
From: https://youtu.be/L8_LFF67RSE?si=aAjvoaoKTnwVHDMA


I actually have one of the Beta versions of Sonic 2 on my PC. It was mistakenly left on the back seat of a Taxi cab in 1992 before the game released. It's mostly playable but is unfinished.
From: https://youtu.be/xyhkJEasqGc?si=xwLJ_KRLl-UKo4eR


Hidden Palace Zone has been finished and is now playable in Christian Whiteheads version of Sonic 2 from 2016 (the one that appears in Sonic Origins) but for some reason (maybe licensing?) it does not use the original intended sound track, opting to use the 2p Mystic Cave track instead. The finished zone in Christian Whitehead's version of the game is what it would have looked like but with the original playing track playing over it
From: https://youtu.be/X7OPt9RMYq0?si=3QjB8WBkC8T4Qx83
.

J-pop band Dreams Come True released the Song Sweet Sweet Sweet in Japan
From: https://youtu.be/Ie7-MRFv79U?si=ZTk3JwQl-b0j_9tY
and this is what it sounded like in Sonic 2
From: https://youtu.be/zEtnJnGC1es?si=UZ80doyKV6tTO-Rs
. An Akon cover of Dreams Come True's Sweet Sweet Sweet for Sonic06 called Sweet Dreams (it's terrible)
From: https://youtu.be/895wU4jtEdY?si=0LD3IYjrgyhBtnXo
.

Yet my favourite Sonic Soundtrack from that era didn't use the Mega Drive Sound chip as it's based. And that was the Japanese/EU version of Sonic CD (I didn't like the American version as much). Half of Sonic team, disgruntled with Sega of Japan, went to California after Sonic 1 to develop Sonic 2 with the Americans. Sonic CD was developed by the remaining team in Japan for a 1993 release and went for CD quality J-pop style music of the time, using Redbook audio from the Mega CD's sound chip for the Past stage music. You can actually put the retail game of Sonic CD into a regular CD player and play all the CD tracks from it. Rare and expensive game these days though. Fantastic sound track.
From: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYB-fhFqp3J88ZLXAxX3Lvwd1zW6DIEne&si=PYNqCnsoYnBlM3EY


But one of the finest Sonic soundtracks ever created was wasted on one of the worst games (I mean ever, not just Sonic series) ever made. That comes from Sonic 06, a terrible, broken, and unfinished game that had a superb mostly orchestral score from Tomoya Ohtani.


From: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvNp0Boas723k0aBhOnIBp1cYAp8S89i7&si=_zozGKL44AY9lNja
 
I'm not a massive Zelda fan, but I love A Link to the Past partly because of its soundtrack! My personal favourite:



Being a big fan of Spyro and especially it's OG games, they all had amazing soundtracks but my favourite by far is the first one. Couldn't do it justice picking just one or two, so here's the whole thing!



However the music from the hub worlds of the second game were wonderful too







Sonic games have consistently had such a great soundtrack and along with Sonic CD, The First Adventure game is excellent, Station Square is a highlight of mine



Unleashed deserves a shout too. The upbeat tunes of the day stages and the calmer serenity of the night ones is such a brilliant variety and the pacing of them depending on if you're in a stage or hub world is great!



Matt.GC said:
Yet my favourite Sonic Soundtrack from that era didn't use the Mega Drive Sound chip as it's based. And that was the Japanese/EU version of Sonic CD (I didn't like the American version as much). Half of Sonic team, disgruntled with Sega of Japan, went to California after Sonic 1 to develop Sonic 2 with the Americans. Sonic CD was developed by the remaining team in Japan for a 1993 release and went for CD quality J-pop style music of the time, using Redbook audio from the Mega CD's sound chip for the Past stage music. You can actually put the retail game of Sonic CD into a regular CD player and play all the CD tracks from it. Rare and expensive game these days though. Fantastic sound track.
From: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYB-fhFqp3J88ZLXAxX3Lvwd1zW6DIEne&si=PYNqCnsoYnBlM3EY
Click to expand...


Both versions of CD are incredible. I think the US soundtrack is really underrated and almost as good as the Japanese one. Tidal Tempest is one where I love both versions for completely different reasons!



Relaxing and atmospheric



The US version by contrast had something that reminded me of The Fresh Prince! Fun and bubbly (pun not intended)

Damn the 10 media limit, I would love to post more!
 
Matt.GC said:
Whilst Nintendo had a different approach with the SNES and went for a sound chip that mimicked real life instruments (and did a sterling job of it, the SNES sounds amazing for it's age), the Mega Drive was left with a very unique sound.
Click to expand...

It’s one of my favourite things about that generation of consoles; how different the two big players sound. Synth vs Sample going head to head!

In general I slightly preferred the MD’s audio, as I sometimes think the SNES can sound a bit “wooly” and compressed, vs the sharp synth the Sega offers. That’s not to say it doesn’t have some excellent soundtracks. The SNES version of A Friend Like Me from Aladdin for instance is brilliant and craps all over the MD version.


From: https://youtu.be/RZGf-_MCdrE?feature=shared



From: https://youtu.be/YtwKLMQYFF8?feature=shared


For a game so late into the MD’s lifecycle it’s a pisspoor effort. Someone at Virgin really phoned it in on that one 🤣


Ristar is a soundtrack (and game!) that I don’t think ever quite gets the love and attention it deserves. The boss music and world complete music are probably my favourites.


From: https://youtu.be/kWTI5X9TuwE?feature=shared



From: https://youtu.be/G3CC7xclU0o?feature=shared
 
Ted said:
Both versions of CD are incredible. I think the US soundtrack is really underrated and almost as good as the Japanese one. Tidal Tempest is one where I love both versions for completely different reasons!



Relaxing and atmospheric

Click to expand...

I completely agree. The soundtrack for the US version isn't bad at all. In fact, it's great and has a better intro song - Sonic Boom, in my opinion.


From: https://youtu.be/hi3mCEfgBsU?si=k2bKHvhf5nQABfWS


Whereas the Japanese and European song features terrible lyrics like "if you try, you can do anything", and "toot toot Sonic Warrior" which is just awful. I put it down to Japanese translations into English (I hope I'm right?). The singer that sang the Japanese version sadly died a few years ago, so they had to remove her lyrics (which I think she did a great job of singing with such a beautiful voice) from further releases until recently, and now her vocals are back in Origins. Inferior song that the US version but a lovely melody
From: https://youtu.be/G2frHKD9DPo?si=om_yKDLHoFsncw8B


I also think it sounds better when used in the rest of the game, despite being the inferior song. The title screen of JP/EU Sonic CD sounded excellent for example. When loading up the first Sonic game made for your brand spanking new, sparkly lights Mega CD for the first time, you really felt like this was the future. No more chip tunes, bloops and blops. But full on high energy CD audio in it's full gradure, right in your face as if it was "real" music, with more colours than you're used to, shiny stuff, and psydo-3d clouds in your face (1993, far more simple times)
From: https://youtu.be/q3eTkXt3zGQ?si=6nZZqblCbshYO4hC


Interestingly, a version was also made for (the terribly named) 'Green Hills Zone' for the Master System and Game Gear version of Sonic 2 (presumably because Sonic 2 on the MS was developed in Japan alongside Sonic CD, unlike the Mega Drive version)

From: https://youtu.be/Ejt94RWhq5s?si=am4hqEdNWbe-vp4v


I think I'm biased towards the JP/EU version for a number of reasons. I prefer the style of music, there's heaps of nostalgia because I didn't even know the American version existed until Sonic Gems collection was released, and the fact that the US version kept the Redbook audio from the Japanese version in fact, even though they sometimes clashes with the new tracks. My favourite 'Past' track is Stardust Speedway. A beautiful track that completely recreates the feeling of the past, but is also faithful to other JP versions of the present, Bad future, and good future.

https://youtu.be/-uI83qLq5Lk?si=DWE3YxHrXFvAw1Ca

However, although I think that Stardust Speedway is the musical highlight in both versions, I do prefer the drama and sense of dread felt in the US Bad Future version....

https://youtu.be/XUW8QXUQGRA?si=vEvf_ZWIPUWmMPzC

..... although the JP/EU version is what I grew up with, and is completely consistent with the tone of the other versions of the level, and in my memory is how I'll always remember the race with Metal Sonic.

https://youtu.be/qVXeWfFTFGo?si=2WefaMVqyXYiyxgI

I also prefer the US stage clear jingle, which gives off more of a dramatic sense of achievement vibe...

youtu.be

Sonic CD (US) "Stage Clear" Music

Sonic CD (US) "Stage Clear" Music I'm doing requests for sonic music. If you want to hear any sonic song give a request in the comments. I ask that you don't...
youtu.be youtu.be

....than the weird and cheesy JP/EU version

https://youtu.be/2NE82FdBuCc?si=oEZRW4PWFf5ij-fq

Ian said:
It’s one of my favourite things about that generation of consoles; how different the two big players sound. Synth vs Sample going head to head!

In general I slightly preferred the MD’s audio, as I sometimes think the SNES can sound a bit “wooly” and compressed, vs the sharp synth the Sega offers. That’s not to say it doesn’t have some excellent soundtracks. The SNES version of A Friend Like Me from Aladdin for instance is brilliant and craps all over the MD version.


From: https://youtu.be/RZGf-_MCdrE?feature=shared



From: https://youtu.be/YtwKLMQYFF8?feature=shared


For a game so late into the MD’s lifecycle it’s a pisspoor effort. Someone at Virgin really phoned it in on that one 🤣


Ristar is a soundtrack (and game!) that I don’t think ever quite gets the love and attention it deserves. The boss music and world complete music are probably my favourites.


From: https://youtu.be/kWTI5X9TuwE?feature=shared



From: https://youtu.be/G3CC7xclU0o?feature=shared
Click to expand...

Agreed. The MD version of Aladdin was better in every single other way, but the sounds of the SNES really did A Friend Like Me some justice. Whereas songs like Prince Ali where awesome on the Mega Drive

https://youtu.be/CpM9z-rSMZo?si=pP3GOtsptoO7E6YB

Songs like A Whole New World sounded absolute garbage!

https://youtu.be/LWnu-uBHy6w?si=JQIxkvS-3tGgDKFU
 
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@Matt.GC Aside from the fact that I like the Japanese/European theme song, I agree with you completely! I had the Gems Collection on PS2 for years which had the US version only (Although only in Europe, Japan had their original ones!) so I had a lot of exposure to it.

The fact that the 2011 re-release and Origins have both soundtracks is great, but I'd love a "mix and match" option if they ever did another re-release. Like for example you could have that US clear theme after a JP/EUR main stage theme. Be fun to play through!
 
Ted said:
The fact that the 2011 re-release and Origins have both soundtracks is great, but I'd love a "mix and match" option if they ever did another re-release. Like for example you could have that US clear theme after a JP/EUR main stage theme. Be fun to play through!
Click to expand...
Absolutely mate. Pretty much sums up Sonic Origins and the whacky story of Sega as company itself. Origins is very much a typical Sonic game, mostly brilliant, and at times magical. Yet so flawed, rushed, and unfinished. So many missed opportunities like your suggestion. I take particular issue with the fact that the only way to play the games in wide-screen is in the silly anniversary mode, with all it's hand holding "don't worry poor child, have another go poppet", super easy coin stuff. As if the games weren't easy enough to begin with in the 90's!

Only Sega, the company that gave us some of the most exciting and imaginative games, soundtracks, and consoles of all time, can forget how to make their own games, contract them out to fans who now make them better then they do, and still manage to inject an unhealthy dose of their old school Crunch Culture into them!

DistortAMG said:
I always loved the LA Noir soundtrack. It fitted the 1940's City of Angels theme so well. Mainly jazz I think, but worked so well within the game. It was a highlight of playing the game infact.


From: https://youtu.be/IEfA9GccfWI?si=dH7QD0_ZGRyVx5tT
Click to expand...

How could I forget LA Noire! Incredible game that I haven't played in years. The soundtrack really took you back to that era. It really felt like you were Detective Phelps back on 1940's Los Angeles, investigating all these murders and conspiracies.
 
I've always adored Crypt of the Necrodancer's soundtrack. For a game all about the music they absolutely nail it.

The first three tracks for stage 1 do an astonishing job of setting the game's tone and hyping the gameplay, especially Mausoleum Mash. An excellent first impression.

They're all good though. It's a good soundtrack to have on while working or doing house chores.

The game itself is good fun with unique gameplay, but it's hard. I love playing but I suck :tearsofjoy:

Disco Descent​



Crypteque​



Mausoleum Mash​

 
I think for me, Tetris Effect has the most impactful soundtrack of any game I've ever played.

That game in VR is one of the most euphoric, transcendental experiences I've had sober.

It's not something that I can personally listen to when not playing, not having everything revolve around your actions doesn't hit the same. You just have to play it to hear it properly.


From: https://youtu.be/yGWIjV7BNEw?si=pi2EHzTA5l_WKTbe
 
I've always loved how the Resident Evil series captures the atmosphere of what you are playing. Really random, but the Mansion upstairs hallway background track actually played in Cariba Creek at Scarefest a few years ago when I was queueing for the Master Blaster.


From: https://youtu.be/6d4sXE5oAvI?si=2r_S2c4i-F69MU0f

Tracks like this from the Training Facility in Resident Evil Zero are just pure atmospheric horror!


From: https://youtu.be/fmIJ9MCzTdY?si=Bx80QgyE42iElC99


But most of all, I love the Save Room themes for each game. The RE series has it's origins as a true survival horror series (before it went crazy for a bit, culminating in RE6). Enemies and dangers don't exist in Save rooms, they're designed as sanctuaries from all the bruising punishment you've been enduring. In the very first 1996 game, ammo is so limited and the game map is designed in a way to make the simplest journey to somewhere stressfully dangerous. Hearing this theme upon triggering to door opening cut scene finally meant you've managed to limp to brief safety you've survived, you can save your progress, and manage your limited inventory for health and ammo supplies.


From: https://youtu.be/wai-VvMv93c?si=xzq4p_JhX9McX-Bg


And how it sounds on the 2002 REmake.


From: https://youtu.be/dLX6reRrD88?si=OlT8sAb4VeMRjRDo


In the original RE, you're trapped inside an isolated mansion located in a forest, lonely, with extremely limited supplies, not having a clue what's gone wrong (obviously, there's an explanation later in the game). In 1998's Resident Evil 2, you arrive in a city, where the infection has spread. After briefly surviving the streets, you manage to seek the "sanctuary" of a police station (where things aren't much better, of course). The RE2 save room theme is excellent, and captures the feeling of limping into a safe space during your ordeal, but keeps the grim reality of your situation in focus. Those deep piano chords!


From: https://youtu.be/53aDI5K49F4?si=ae0SCIWcr62GnPIV


Resident Evil 3: Nemesis started life as a spin-off to RE2, and goes for a similar style for it's save rooms, keeping the reality of the situation quite grim, but relieving.


From: https://youtu.be/8tMIOyDI_BY?si=RmEIBJM__mORTWhO


Fast forward all the way to 2017's Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, and it's a true return to form for the series. We're back to being hopelessly vulnerable and underpowered, where running away and desperate hiding is the only option. We're now in Louisiana, in a creepy house in the middle of the rural deep south. You encounter your first save room with no means to defend yourself, whilst being hunted down by Jack carrying an axe. You can hear his footsteps and distant taunts as he searches for you everywhere around you. I like the way the style of this theme captures the essence of the deep south location, whilst still being a highly comforting theme to hear when you walk through that door, where you know he can't find you.

From: https://youtu.be/lvsxfgABQss?si=b8UAOp7TFtpd6STV


In 2021's Resident Evil Village (RE8 basically), we're in Romania. There's some weird cult thing going on, there's half werewolf like creatures trying to kill you, and we're now in a strange castle and 3 vampire like women hunting you down,. whilst you have little means to defend yourself.


From: https://youtu.be/ioEBClyhJZU?si=fVz6X8OKb3I0DPSD


But my favourite has to be that from 2004's Resident Evil 4. Not technically a 'Save' theme as it actually has one of these separately as well. But it has the same meaning. It's always played in an area where the merchant is, that's completely safe from enemies. We're in rural Spain, and where you see the comforting blue flames of the merchant, it's time regroup, retool, and strategise in the welcoming safety from being constantly assaulted by crazed villagers.


From: https://youtu.be/c6yFmx2ABWg?si=o8FaP1_iM8Z8EqkX


This track is called 'Serenity', and it appears to be a variation of a track Capcom have used before. It's appears in a more sinister form for the castle in Devil May Cry, and appears in a more tranquil form in Monster Hunter World for the forest where it has a more tranquil flavour.


From: https://youtu.be/fFcDQr0Cwj0?si=fLVOQsEWS6C2vhsV
 
When I was younger, my favourite PS2 game by far was the original Need for Speed: Most Wanted. I played it so much to the point where I completely ruined the disc. :p I rather enjoyed the soundtrack, with one of the highlights being 'Blinded In Chains' by Avenged Sevenfold.

From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYgxM_suaUw

Back in September last year when I was getting my second tattoo done, I knew the studio had Avenged Sevenfold playing at the time thanks to the wonders of Shazam while I was waiting for my artist to set everything up. This song came on, and I thought it sounded familiar. Think it took me until I got home and did a bit of Googling for me to work out where I remembered it from, and the memories just came flooding back.
 
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