10 Best Game Soundtracks of All Time

Minecraft

Minecraft isn’t the first game you might think of when it comes to original soundtracks, but it has some undeniable and emotional masterpieces. Nothing transports us back to simpler times in our favorite sandbox world than Mice on Venus.

Chrono Trigger

A time-torn hero in a timeless tale, Chrono Trigger‘s soundtrack is as replayable as the game itself. Although the entire soundtrack is masterful, the Frog’s theme remains one of the most heroic scores we’ve ever heard. It’s a truly encouraging theme for our underdog (underfrog?) companion that speaks to his heroism.

The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time

Our introduction to 3d Zelda was also our introduction to one of the most beautifully crafted soundtracks of all time. The Ocarina of Time has several leitmotifs that give the world a fascinating ambiance. Our introduction to this inspiring soundtrack is nearly 27 years old, but the impact is timeless. All the themes from this soundtrack are equal in their own right, but we’re choosing the title theme for its powerful introduction to the world of 3d Zelda.

Pokémon Heart Gold/Soul Silver

Who knew a simple rock, paper, scissors monster-catching adventure game could host so many touching soundtracks? Each town and route in this series has memorable themes, but HG/SS holds a special place in our hearts for its iconic and emotional resonance. This entire series could have a top 100 list of the greatest themes because if there’s one consistent mark that Game Freak hits, it’s the original Pokémon soundtracks.

Halo 3

Halo 3 ruled the world immediately following its release, and although the servers are permanently offline, the original soundtrack remains as popular as the night it launched. With themes of heroism and triumph, the signature chant that comes from Halo 3‘s title theme is devastatingly gorgeous.

Assassin’s Creed II

Assassin’s Creed II may have the greatest opening title sequence ever. After scaling a high tower, the opening greets with a panoramic view of 15th-century Venice. As the anticipation of discovery swells around us, so too does the enchanting orchestral theme known as Ezio’s Family. This poignant theme instills an unmistakable sense of sorrow in the player – a sort of foreshadowing of our protagonist’s tragic future. Ezio’s Family became instantly iconic and had its DNA carried on to most other Assassin’s Creed soundtracks.

Kingdom Hearts

The entire Kingdom Hearts franchise is comprised of many enthralling melodies, but the most beautiful of them all has to be Dearly Beloved from Kingdom Hearts II. While this is the main title theme for all the Kingdom Hearts games, this slower, more melodic version evokes deeper emotions that will resonate with us forever.

World of Warcraft

Each zone in the expansive World of Warcraft has a signature and immersive theme. This was a monstrous feat on Blizzard’s behalf and shows their dedication to world-building. It’s almost impossible to narrow it down to one particular track, as even the title screens and loading screens boast their own high-quality themes. With World of Warcraft continuing to release new expansions and content, we can expect a consistent quality that feels natural in this extensive and established world.

Honorable Mention: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

This list couldn’t be made without mentioning Wind Waker, and it would be here if we weren’t limiting our picks to one per franchise. The margins are minuscule when it comes to choosing our favorite Legend of Zelda soundtrack, and the choice tends to waver, given the season. However, Wind Waker deserves mention in the top game soundtracks of all time.

Donkey Kong Country (1994)

Where do you even begin with this masterclass of a game soundtrack? Aquatic Ambience is possibly the most nuanced and transcendent piece of music in gaming soundtrack history. It’s no surprise that this 31-year-old soundtrack has regained popularity over the years.

Conclusion:

Game soundtracks are meant to linger long after the credits roll. They leave us filled with emotions unobtainable from other forms of media. Remember, this is not a definitive list, and it’s all subjective. Most of our favorite gaming soundtracks correlate with a particular time in our lives, and that’s why the connection is so meaningful.