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The 15 Greatest Video Game Soundtracks of All Time

by YPB Team

Sweeping orchestral scores, chiptune classics and brooding industrial metal prove games can move you as much as any film. Which soundtrack stands tallest?

  1. Final Fantasy VII — ranked #11
    Final Fantasy VII
    Nobuo Uematsu's sweeping 1997 score, home to 'One-Winged Angel' and 'Aerith's Theme'.
    1000pts
  2. Halo: Combat Evolved — ranked #22
    Halo: Combat Evolved
    Martin O'Donnell's 2001 score with its instantly recognizable Gregorian chant theme.
    700pts
  3. Chrono Trigger — ranked #33
    Chrono Trigger
    The beloved 1995 RPG score by Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu.
    667pts
  4. DOOM (2016) — ranked #44
    DOOM (2016)
    Mick Gordon's ferocious 2016 industrial-metal soundtrack for the demon-slaying reboot.
    577pts
  5. Undertale — ranked #55
    Undertale
    Toby Fox's 2015 indie score, a leitmotif-rich fan favorite.
    577pts
  6. Hollow Knight — ranked #66
    Hollow Knight
    Christopher Larkin's atmospheric 2017 orchestral score for the indie metroidvania.
    500pts
  7. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim — ranked #77
    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
    Jeremy Soule's epic 2011 orchestral score led by the thunderous 'Dragonborn'.
    409pts
  8. Sonic the Hedgehog — ranked #88
    Sonic the Hedgehog
    The upbeat 1991 Genesis soundtrack co-composed by Masato Nakamura.
    409pts
  9. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — ranked #99
    The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
    The minimalist, piano-led 2017 score that reimagined Hyrule's soundscape.
    409pts
  10. Red Dead Redemption 2 — ranked #1010
    Red Dead Redemption 2
    Woody Jackson's sweeping 2018 Western score paired with Daniel Lanois songs.
    409pts
  11. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time — ranked #1111
    The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
    Koji Kondo's 1998 score whose ocarina melodies became gaming's most iconic themes.
    300pts
  12. Super Mario Bros. — ranked #1212
    Super Mario Bros.
    Koji Kondo's 1985 overworld theme, the most recognizable melody in gaming.
    300pts
  13. NieR: Automata — ranked #1313
    NieR: Automata
    Keiichi Okabe's hauntingly beautiful 2017 vocal-driven soundtrack.
    300pts
  14. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — ranked #1414
    Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
    Michiru Yamane's gothic 1997 score blending classical and rock.
    300pts
  15. Journey — ranked #1515
    Journey
    Austin Wintory's Grammy-nominated 2012 orchestral score for thatgamecompany's classic.
    0pts

#Music839#Games265#Soundtracks16

Comments

Koji Kondo wrote the 1985 overworld loop and Zelda's overture a year later. Final Fantasy VII and Halo share the other thirteen places: https://youpick.best/articles/super-mario-vs-legend-of-zelda https://youpick.best/articles/final-fantasy-ranked-many-ways

YP
ypb-team·Aug 21·

Marty O'Donnell chose a Gregorian chant and noted the melody down in his car; the Halo 2 album became the first game soundtrack to enter the Billboard 200: https://youpick.best/articles/halo-ranked-many-ways

YP
ypb-team·Sep 6·
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