Just like in TV and cinema, a good soundtrack can make a good game a great one.
Be it classical scores, addictive MIDI bleeps, or just well-curated selections of pop tracks, these games’ musical selections have stuck with us for years.
Here’s our choices for the best video game soundtracks around.
Tetris
Let’s start off with a game theme that everyone should recognise. Tetris is one of the most freely available, most-played video games of all time. In fact you can do play it right here, now for free.
Now we’ve ruined your work day, remember how much of an earworm the original theme music is? That’s why it makes our list.
Gran Turismo – @TomVictor
“I heard ‘Lose Control’ by Ash come on in a bar last year and immediately got flashbacks to braking too late and sliding my Dodge Viper into that pixellated sand.”
OutRun
One of the original SEGA arcade classics, OutRun dominated arcades in the late ’80s and early ’90s thanks to its slick racing system (always powerslide) and upbeat music. Back in the day, this was one of the coolest games around.
Final Fantasy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UARM4q7hHU
For nearly 30 years the Final Fantasy games have captivated gamers thanks to their gripping storylines, deep RPG gameplay and stunning orchestral scores.
Head Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu now tours the world playing sell-out concerts of the game’s music. We want tickets.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ0zRUbiCtA
For some, Vice City remains the pinnacle of the Grand Theft Auto series. Boasting a Scarface-inspired plot and sun-kissed visuals, the rags-to-riches tale of drug pusher Tom Vercetti will stick with them forever.
The ’80s-flavoured soundtrack is a gem too, with the car radio offerings offering wall-to-wall bangers of the best soul, pop and rock music from that era. Our pick of the bunch is ‘Fever FM’. Play it full blast in your office and watch how many people notice it’s a fake radio station.
Sonic The Hedgehog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq6hRESYbx0&list=PL68FC1F19D6353F7F
Sonic might not be the gaming heavyweight he used to be, but his games have always boast stellar soundtracks. In January 2016 we found out that Michael Jackson composed 40 tracks for the soundtrack of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and games like Sonic Adventure Battle were packed full of J-Pop bangers.
Let’s not forget how terrifying the sound effect Sonic drowning was.
Super Mario
You can’t have Sonic on a video game list without featuring Mario. Everyone’s favourite plumber has appeared in over 200 games through the years with nary a dud. Mario Kart 8 is a recent entry to the “video game banger” collection, but for us the original Super Mario Bros. theme can’t be topped. Hit play and be transported to playing Nintendo on rainy weekends as a kid.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 – @Mattt8_91
“It’s definitely a close call between Tony Hawk 2 and 3, but I’d just give 2 the edge. Songs like Millencolin’s ‘No Cigar’ and ‘You’ by Bad Religion are so synonymous with early Noughties skate culture because of that game. You had the rebellious edge from Rage Against The Machine, and smashing your combo high score just as the the chorus of ‘Bring The Noise’ kicks in has rarely been surpassed as one of the most satisfying moments in gaming.”
Portal
The first Portal game might be the closest thing to a perfecting gaming experience. Small, but perfectly formed, the game closes with unhinged A.I. antagonist GLaDOS singing about her downfall. Maybe the finest ending to a game ever.
Red Dead Redemption
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IkvAb6THQY
Here’s your controversial list statement: Red Dead Redemption is the best game Rockstar ever made. Sorry Grand Theft Auto, sorry Max Payne, sorry L.A Noire – Red Dead Redemption is the big dog.
Mature, involving, and at times heartbreaking, Red Dead Redemption was nothing short of an awe-inspiring video game. Its soundtrack, composed by Jose Gonzales, is gorgeous, with song ‘Far Away’ chiming in at an iconic moment in the game when you first cross the border to Mexico.
Have we missed your favourite game soundtrack? Send in your suggestions to hello@JOE.co.uk, or drop us a message on Facebook.
