Hello, Dear Reader, and welcome to this celebration of the best gaming soundtracks of all time.
Whilst sometimes overlooked, music is an integral part of the gaming experience, helping to further immerse players in their favourite virtual worlds. With this list, I wanted to round up some of the greatest soundtracks ever composed, from the roguelike genre and beyond.
One thing to note before we begin is that I’ll be limiting my choices to just one game per franchise. This list would be far less interesting if it were filled with multiple entries from series such as The Legend of Zelda or Final Fantasy. I’ll also do my best to embed Spotify links where I can, but I’ll only link to official sources where available.
The Best Nintendo Soundtracks
Many of the soundtracks mentioned below can be found in the Nintendo Music App. Available on smartphone devices, the app is available exclusively to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers and features a steadily expanding line-up of classic Nintendo soundtracks. These are some of the best gaming OSTs out there, and range from the NES all the way up to the newly released Switch 2.
Super Mario 64 | Nintendo EAD | 1996
[Recommended tracks: Dire, Dire Docks, File Select, Peach’s Castle]
Starting with Level 1-1 in the original Super Mario Bros., the Mario series has delivered some of the most beloved music in gaming. For me, though, Super Mario 64 captures that childlike sense of wonder and exploration better than any other entry.
Thirty years on from its original release on the Nintendo 64, the soothing aquatic tones of Dire, Dire Docks, the catchy, laid-back pan flute melody found in the file select screen, and the wacky, banjo-driven theme of the slide levels all still stand as memorable as ever, bringing back distant memories of gaming as a child during summer nights.
Where to listen: Nintendo Music app.
Pokémon Black and White | Game Freak | 2010
[Recommended tracks: Battle! Ghetsis, Farewell, N’s Castle]
Music is such a core part of the experience in Pokémon games, from capturing the intensity of battles to communicating the feel and charm of the new towns you visit on your journey.
I adore the horn-heavy Ruby and Sapphire score and the original, yet now slightly primitive chiptune accompaniments from Red and Blue. However, I think Pokémon Black and White finally deserve acclaim.
I love how each route has its own unique arrangement depending on the season, and how the music ramps up in intensity mid-battle when your Pokémon are running low on health. The Gym Battle theme is the best it has ever sounded, complete with a triumphant celebratory flourish when your opponent is down to their final Pokémon.
There are also NPCs in Nacrene City and Castelia City who, when spoken to, begin playing instruments that blend into the town’s themes, enhancing the sense that the world feels alive.
A special shout-out also needs to be given to Ghetsis’ battle theme, which really works to spike the anxiety with its pulsing drums and shouting vocal chants of his name.
Please, Nintendo, add this one to the Nintendo Music app soon.
Where to listen: YouTube.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker | Nintendo EAD | 2002
[Recommended tracks: Windfall Island, The Great Sea, Zelda’s Theme]
One incredible soundtrack that you can find on the Nintendo Music App, however, is The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker.
Perhaps The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time would have been the more obvious choice, but I love how whimsical and fun this soundtrack feels, and how it perfectly complements the game’s more cartoonish art style and nautical themes.
The Great Sea is a track I never tire of, despite my many journeys across the ocean, and I have to give a nod to Forbidden Woods and Windfall Island for helping to make each new island feel like a landmark event.
Where to listen: Nintendo Music app.
Donkey Kong Country | Rare | 1994
[Recommended tracks: Aquatic Ambience, Theme, Simian Segue]
I’m convinced that David Wise is a genius, and I could have dedicated an entire section of this round-up to his compositions at Rare, where he consistently put out really good video game soundtracks.
Whilst he created iconic soundtracks for classics like Super Smash Bros., Battletoads, and Diddy Kong Racing, his work on the Donkey Kong Country series is iconic (and the sound of my childhood).
Aquatic Ambience, with its shimmering synths and entrancing melody, is one of the best underwater themes I’ve ever heard, while Fear Factory highlights the soundtrack’s range with its darker, more ominous atmosphere.
Where to listen: Nintendo Music app.
Mario Kart 8 | Nintendo EAD | 2014
[Recommended tracks: 3DS DK Jungle, Mute City, Hyrule Circuit]
As soon as that crazy slap bass menu music kicks into gear, you know you’re in for a hell of a ride with the soundtrack to Mario Kart 8.
The OST is a joyous celebration of Nintendo’s musical history, with courses remixing and reimagining the iconic motifs we all know and love. Remade tracks such as GBA Mario Circuit and N64 Royal Raceway have also had their arrangements completely revamped, breathing new life into classics that longtime fans will instantly recognise.
It might be a little cringey to admit, but since I’ve recently taken up running as a hobby, these fast-paced tracks have regularly found their way into my training playlist. Before you judge me, give them a listen.
Where to listen: Nintendo Music app.
Cinematic scores
DOOM (2016) | id Software | 2016
[Recommendation tracks: Rip & Tear, At DOOM’s Gate, SkullHacker]
I’m shifting gears massively with this next pick! The fist-pumping DOOM (2016) OST is so great that I would often turn down the in-game sound effects just to hear its explosive guitar riffs in their full glory.
The action in DOOM (2016) is fast-paced, with you having to constantly move to avoid projectiles and rip and tear your foes for consumables. With its detuned guitars, brisk tempos, and pounding drums, the soundtrack captures this intensity beautifully with its genre-spanning mix of industrial djent and prog metal by composer Mick Gordon.
I’d also highly recommend watching Mick Gordon’s incredible live performance of the soundtrack from the 2016 Game Awards.
The Last of Us | Naughty Dog | 2013
[Recommended tracks: The Last of Us, All Gone (No Escape), The Path (A New Beginning)]
The title music to The Last of Us still gives me chills, even all these years later. What I admire most about its soundtrack is how Gustavo Santaolalla avoids the obvious route of dissonant, horror-driven scoring. Instead, it leans into a sparse, minimalist style that feels far more haunting, capturing the game’s quiet desolation rather than relying on tension.
I was really pleased to see that much of the game’s original score was reused in the recent TV adaptation, demonstrating how core it is to the identity of the series and why it is already considered one of the great video game soundtracks.
Halo: Combat Evolved | Bungie | 2001
[Recommended tracks: Opening Suite, Rock Anthem for Saving the World, Brothers in Arms]
The cinematic score of Halo helped redefine how ambitious video game soundtracks could be after its release nearly 25 years ago.
Its Opening Suite, inspired by Gregorian chanting, is one of the most recognisable tracks in gaming, and the rest of the soundtrack is no slouch either. The shredding guitars in ‘Rock Anthem for Saving the World’ make for a great head-banging accompaniment to combat, while the more synth-driven ‘Under Cover of Night’ perfectly captures the game’s slower, exploration-focused segments.
It’s a different game in the same series, but Mike also wanted to shout out the Incubus-written instrumental from Halo 2. The in-game track is called Follow (1st Movement of the Odyssey), and you hear it during The Arbiter, a memorable level when you’re attempting to take down a heretic while playing as an Elite. There are four variations, or Movements, but only one made it into the final game. It’s good, though.
In fact, the whole Halo 2 soundtrack is great, with the series’ iconic bass-driven riffs backed up by screeching guitar solos and the usual serving of atmospheric choral chanting.
Licensed soundtracks
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | Rockstar | 2002
[Recommended tracks: Slayer – Raining Blood, Roxy Music – More Than This, Yes – Owner of a Lonely Heart]
I was stuck between Vice City and San Andreas when deciding this entry, but I ultimately sided with the former, as few manage to capture the essence and the feel of an era so beautifully.
Vice City is a bit of an outlier here in that its songs are not original compositions, but this mixtape of 80s classics is so well curated with hits spanning multiple popular genres from the era, ranging from the aggressive thrash metal of Slayer to the glossy synth pop of Blondie.
Sadly, one of the remastered trilogy’s many flaws is that some of the soundtrack’s highlights were absent. This notably included omissions from Ozzy Osbourne, Michael Jackson, and Kate Bush.
Burnout 3: Takedown | Criterion Games | 2004
[Recommended tracks: The Ramones – I Wanna Be Sedated, My Chemical Romance – I’m Not Okay (I Promise), Franz Ferdinand – This Fire]
I might be massively dating myself here, but as a wee lad, sports and racing game soundtracks were often my introduction to the latest artists, helping to shape my musical tastes for years to come.
There are plenty of fantastic options that I could have chosen from Forza Horizon to Need for Speed: Underground 2 and FIFA 14, but the top spot has to go to Burnout 3: Takedown.
Packed with high-tempo punk, emo, and indie tracks from artists such as The Ramones, My Chemical Romance, and Fall Out Boy, the Burnout 3 soundtrack helped sustain the intensity during those blisteringly fast races and spectacular crash moments.
Where to listen: Spotify.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 | Neversoft | 2000
[Recommended tracks: Rage Against the Machine – Guerilla Radio, Papa Roach – Blood Brothers, Bad Religion – You]
Another Mike-enforced entry is Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, an anthem-stuffed skating game that practically lived in the ol’ PlayStation for about a year. And it wasn’t just in there because of all the tricks and unlocks, we played it because it had one of the best punk rock soundtracks of all time.
Headline tracks that stick in the memory include bangers by Bad Religion, Papa Roach, and there’s even one from Rage Against the Machine in there.
The more recent Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 remake also includes new songs, but also a bunch of tracks from the first game, which also boasted a fantastic OST thanks to tunes from bands such as The Vandals, Primus, and Dead Kennedys. This truly is one of the most epic game soundtracks ever collected together for the enjoyment of ears.
Where to listen: Spotify.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock | Neversoft | 2007
[Recommended tracks: DragonForce – Through the Fire and the Flames, Dead Kennedys – Holiday in Cambodia, Rage Against the Machine – Bulls on Parade]
Looking back twenty years later, it’s strange to think there was a time when I would spend hours perfecting my reflexes on plastic instruments.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock was the absolute pinnacle of this 2000s trend, with a soundtrack that delivered a near-flawless mix of air-guitar anthems. From the bluesy instrumental brilliance of Cliffs of Dover to the iconic metal power of Metallica’s One, the tracklist showcased impressive diversity while still feeling tightly and intentionally curated.
The game even featured battles against legendary guitarists such as Slash and Tom Morello, blurring the line between fantasy and rock history. And then there was the infamous final gauntlet of Through the Fire and Flames, a track so punishing that simply surviving it became a teenage ambition many of us never quite achieved.
Where to listen: YouTube
Crazy Taxi | Hitmaker | 1999
[Recommended tracks: The Offspring – All I Want, Bad Religion – Them and Us, The Offspring – Way Down the Line]
With you hurtling through the streets to pick up and drop off passengers against the clock, Crazy Taxi demanded a soundtrack that matched its relentless urgency.
The original Dreamcast release delivers exactly that, with a blistering lineup of punk tracks from 90s heavyweights Bad Religion and The Offspring. The result is a soundtrack that perfectly amplifies the game’s chaotic energy and sense of speed.
Of course, this refers to the original Dreamcast version. Later ports on GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox replaced the licensed tracks with more generic rock instrumentals, significantly dulling the game’s frantic atmosphere in the process.
Where to listen: YouTube
Indie darlings
Hades | Supergiant Games | 2020
[Recommended tracks: Good Riddance, God the Dead, The Unseen Ones ]
Finally, some roguelike representation, starting with the best of the best! Nominated for Best Score & Music at The Game Awards 2020, this modern-day classic truly makes you feel like a god as you fight your way through the underworld, run after run.
Composer Darren Korb’s genre-blending score reflects the personality of each Olympian you encounter, with the motifs for Zeus and Athena standing among my personal highlights. Vocal tracks such as ‘Good Riddance’ and ‘In the Blood’ add an emotional weight that elevates them beyond the game itself, standing comfortably as standalone pieces of music.
It’s worth mentioning that we recently included the physical version of the soundtrack in our roguelites on vinyl feature.
Vampire Survivors | poncle | 2022
[Recommended tracks: Vampire Survaivors, Needs More Fighting, Moms Are Tough]
With a gameplay loop like the one in Vampire Survivors, the soundtrack has to do a lot of heavy lifting to prevent runs from feeling repetitive.
Composer Daniele Zandara goes further still, crafting infectious tracks that never lose their impact, no matter how often they loop. Drawing clear inspiration from Castlevania, the eerie, retro-inspired melodies keep the adrenaline high while matching the relentless onslaught of monsters.
Undertale | Toby Fox | 2015
[Recommended tracks: MEGALOVANIA, Hopes and Dreams, Shop]
One of the greatest indie soundtracks of all time, its signature hit ‘MEGALOVANIA’ transcended the game itself, achieving full-blown meme status back in the 2010s.
Outside of this smash hit, though, the soundtrack is a consistently eclectic mix of chiptune, EDM, and ambient tracks, drawing influence from the likes of The Legend of Zelda and Chrono Trigger.
In related news, a new Undertale Music Pack was recently released for the rhythm roguelite Rift of the NecroDancer.
Crypt of the NecroDancer | Brace Yourself Games | 2015
[Recommended tracks: Disco Descent, Mausoleum Mash, Dance of the Decorous]
In that last section, we closed with a mention of Rift of the NecroDancer, which is the musical follow-up to another roguelike with a stellar soundtrack, Crypt of the NecroDancer.
This turn-based roguelike brings the music into the experience itself, and you must move to the beat if you want to keep that multiplier going. It is this connection between your score and the soundtrack that means that you truly feel the music here, and it won’t be long before you’re able to remember every bouncy beat of Danny Baranowsky’s OST in your sleep.
Super Hexagon | Terry Cavanagh | 2012
[Recommended tracks: Courtesy, Focus, Otis]
Super Hexagon is a simple arcade game on the one hand, but on the other, it has one of the most mesmerising chiptune soundtracks in all of gaming.
While this is the handiwork of legendary indie dev Terry Cavanagh, it is the soundtrack by Chipzel that really steals the show.
Super Hexagon is simple and supremely challenging, and it takes a while to find your eye and start moving with the patterns. Throughout this baptism of digital fire, the action is accompanied by a pulsating musical bombardment that fuels the game’s compulsive loop.
Where to listen: Just buy it!
Journey | thatgamecompany | 2012
[Recommended tracks: Nascence, The Road of Trials, The Ancient Sun]
We couldn’t miss the first-ever video game soundtrack to be nominated for a Grammy! Yup, that’s right, Journey was up for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media in 2013, but sadly, Austin Wintory’s masterpiece lost to Trent Reznor.
Commiserations aside, the score in Journey is an absolute triumph, with players able to influence it through their actions. As they slide down dunes and glide through the air, the instruments swell and build, making it feel as though they’ve stepped into the role of a conductor.
The music is a huge part of what makes Journey one of the most tranquil experiences on the PS3, and a clear lesson in how sound can shape game design itself.
Hotline Miami | Dennaton Games | 2012
[Recommended tracks: Hydrogen, Crystals, Miami]
Dennaton Games sifted through nearly 2,000 tracks on Bandcamp to find the right additions for Hotline Miami’s now-iconic soundtrack.
This collection of electronic, vaporwave, techno, and synthwave tracks perfectly captures the game’s neon-soaked action, reinforcing its surreal atmosphere and relentless pace.
It also acted as an excellent platform for independent artists, helping to push synthwave to the mainstream at the start of the last decade.
Where to listen: YouTube
Epic RPGs
Final Fantasy VII | Square | 1997
[Recommended tracks: One-Winged Angel, Aerith’s Theme, Midgar Theme]
Few game soundtracks felt as ahead of their time as Final Fantasy VII. Whereas many titles from the era were built around loop-heavy MIDI tracks, FFVII delivered a score rich in emotional storytelling and cinematic ambition.
Aerith’s Theme adds real emotional weight to one of gaming’s most devastating moments. Elsewhere, ‘One-Winged Angel’ elevates the final battle against Sephiroth with its Latin choir vocals and rock-infused intensity.
If you’re after a series that offers a treasure trove of tunes and some of the best video game music compositions ever written, then Final Fantasy is the one I’d recommend you explore.
Bloodborne | FromSoftware | 2015
[Recommended tracks: Cleric Beast, Blood-Starved Beast, Father Gascoigne]
Bloodborne also recently appeared in our best Souls-like round-up, and it comes from a studio renowned for its attention to detail when it comes to the music that accompanies its relentless action.
The Bloodborne OST is home to some of the strongest boss themes in the entire FromSoftware catalogue, perfectly capturing the bleakness and sense of dread of its cosmic horror-inspired world through dissonant strings and choral arrangements.
Bloodborne’s haunting music also shines through during its more delicate moments, with the theme for The Hunter’s Dream standing as a particular highlight I recommend you check out.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | Bethesda Softworks | 2011
[Recommended tracks: Dragonborn, Secunda, Far Horizons]
I know the pitchforks would have been out if I’d dared to exclude the masterpiece that is Skyrim in this collection of great videogame OSTs.
I’ll be honest, The Elder Scrolls games largely passed me by, but when putting this list together, I couldn’t help but be pulled into the world of Skyrim from its music alone. That and Mike made me.
Just hearing the main theme, ‘Dragonborn’, made me want to set out on an epic adventure and maybe even slay a dragon or two. I was also surprised to learn it was recorded with a 30-piece choir singing in a fictional dragon language.
The grand scale of this all-time classic RPG is matched in musical form with sweeping orchestration and thunderous choral vocals, while the rest of the soundtrack ranges from serene, ambient exploration themes to more dramatic, cinematic set pieces. A classic nobody should miss.
NieR: Automata | PlatinumGames | 2017
[Recommended tracks: City Ruins, Amusement Park, Vague Hope]
Revisiting Nier’s soundtrack as I was doing my due diligence for this feature has made me want to go back and have another crack at Platinum’s cult classic.
With soaring vocals and haunting melodies throughout, the score combines orchestral and electronic influences to create a rich, atmospheric soundscape that never overwhelms. It blends effortlessly into the background, making it an ideal companion for studying, working, or simply unwinding.
Honourable mentions
Before I conclude, I wanted to give a nod to some of the other incredible soundtracks we didn’t get a chance to delve into above. Of course, music is hugely subjective, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you had any of these or any other soundtracks for that matter on your top list.
Saints Row 2 – There might be a bit of personal bias here, but I think Saints Row 2 perfectly captures what it sounded like to be a teenager in the late 2000s. From emo hits by The Used and Paramore to metal anthems from Lamb of God and Avenged Sevenfold, it reflected the era’s core musical tastes almost perfectly.
Life is Strange – The soundtrack to Life is Strange perfectly captures teenage nostalgia and emotional uncertainty.
Destiny – The soundtrack to Destiny is a masterclass in scale and atmosphere. Blending sweeping orchestral themes with haunting ambient textures.
Tetris – It might feel a little primitive compared to other entries on this list, but good luck getting that main theme out of your head. Derived from a 19th-century Russian folk song, it’s one that never grew tiring for me, looping endlessly on my Game Boy during long car journeys.
