The Best Video Game Soundtracks?

[Jibar]

So, in a writing mood I wanted some musics without lyrics so that I didn't start subconsciously copying it. This naturally led me to the Kingdom Hearts soundtrack.

So, my query for the Playground is what are the best video game soundtracks and do you have any recommendations?

[Dhavaer]

The menu music from Deus Ex. Also, the music in Mass Effect that plays when you're going to rescue Tali.

[Emperor Ing]

My personal favorites:
The Moon: Duck Tales (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPkhhLC1tf8&feature=related)
Reclaimer: Halo 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R18p93q00vo)
Omega Pirate Battle: Metroid Prime (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDlpaK4ScJw)

[Corlindale]

I really like the soundtrack of Final (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kia3MaNO60&feature=related) Fantasy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h8ZeYyRkIU&feature=related) VIII (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpZ3lCJ1TVM&feature=related). A great mix of very calm and tranquil stuff, and adrenaline-pumping action themes.

Other contenders would be World of Goo, Little Big Adventure 2, Beyond Good & Evil and Might & Magic VI. I also have a great fondness for the zany Katamari soundtracks:smallsmile:.

[Innis Cabal]

Guilty Gear, and its spirtual sequel Blazblue...really. Look up almost any song done ever from those games. You'll understand

[Dogmantra]

Total Annihilation.

Jeremy Soule's finest.

[Armonis]

Total Annihilation.

Jeremy Soule's finest.

Here here!

I also deeply enjoyed the music of Final Fantasy VI.

[Castaras]

The might and magic 6-8 soundtracks are beautiful, in my opinion. Especially 8.

[Phase]

There is no equal to the Katamari Damacy theme track.

Bioshock/Fallout 3 come close, though.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Final Fantasy. Just about all of them, but particularly I, IV, and VI

Chrono Trigger. If you get Final Fantasy Chronicles (with IV and Chrono Trigger), you can unlock all soundtracks when you beat it at certain points in the game. Just... wow.

Secret of Mana. Seriously, this. Just the opening theme is... wow.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Good blend of creepy and action-pumped.

[Querzis]

The Sonic 3D games might have been going downhill but they still got the best soundstracks.

Live and learn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9zZus_1_ag)

Open your hearth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH_MCPcjxP0&feature=related)

What I'm made of (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuVAaU63K7k&feature=related)

Sonic Heroes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw6KRkx0vNg&feature=related)

I am all of me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VpYfMxIoR4&feature=related)

Waking up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBU3-NxeAyw&feature=related)

His World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnKb6GZcnLg&feature=related)

I am the Eggman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWiSEyU76M4&feature=related)

I could post lots of other awesome songs from the Sonic games but I would just end up showing you all the songs in the Sonic games.

[ObadiahtheSlim]

Halo had some really good tracks.
Morrowind's Main Theme.
Final Fantasy 6, particularly the boss battles.
Chrono Trigger
Homewold (I really like their inclusion of Angus Dei)
World of Warcraft. (Enchanted Forest really brought me into the game and Stormwind's Theme really is top notch)

Franchises that have consistently been good from 8 bit to present:
Legend of Zelda
Castlevania

Left 4 Dead deserves honorable mention because the soundtrack really adds atmosphere to the game.

[Llama231]

Super Mario Galaxy
Brawl? Does it count?
Any Legend of Zelda
Fire Emblem
Kirby? I challenge you to do O2. Just try it. You will fail.

Pretty much anything Nintendo?

[Winthur]

Baldur's Gate, Diablo, Fallout (if only for "Maybe" and "A kiss to build a dream on"), 4chan Adventures Mario Bros. and Contra. Hands down.

[13_CBS]

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura.

Lovely, lovely string quartet music.

[MrPig]

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Homeworld 1. Homeworld: Cataclysm is there too.

[Dogmantra]

Here here!

I love you.

Sexually.
:smalltongue:

[Seonor]

Most of this (http://www.gamemusicjukebox.com/) site, but especially:

Beyond Good&Evil
Deus Ex
Homeworld
Spellforce 1&2


If you liked Nightmare before Christmas, the game has a few new songs by the original VAs.

[Geno9999]

Let's see if my character top music sheet has anything to tell us...
+2 to Fire Emblem (it's like FE is Nintendo's answer to Square-enix's FF series)
+2 to 3D Sonic game music.
+3 to Super Mario Galaxy.
+10! to Super Smash Bros Brawl if it counts.
AND!
+7 to Beware of Forest Mushrooms (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLCaigIBELE) (SMRPG.)

[Jahkaivah]

Naming some that spring to mind.

Baldur's Gate II - Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U88zyFLzIXQ&fmt=18)
Planescape: Torment - Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfEjKBPZNYU&fmt=18)
Planescape: Torment - Annah's Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCpk7HIryK0&fmt=18)
Starcraft - 2nd Terran Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxcs5wJ4DEU&fmt=18)
Starcarft - 3rd Terran Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD_4V8mPv8w&fmt=18)
World of Goo - Screamer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOaZ2ntD8RY&fmt=18)
Braid - Downstream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiWXrVXOMAU&fmt=18) (Good thing it's nice otherwise I would hate to constantly hear it back and forth)
Half Life 2 - Vortal Combat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swM2fWu9cnA&fmt=18) ("The whole place is lit up!")
Not officially released yet Half-Life 2 - Path Of Borealis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyKcicpkRfU&fmt=18)

[Morrandir]

Dangit, Jahkaivah, I was going to recommend the Planescape: Torment music.

So instead I'll toss out the Icewind Dale (and sequel) musics.

Sample. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrWfJ9-zMCU&feature=related)

[hustlertwo]

The final boss music from Illusion of Gaia, most anything from either Chrono game (Cross may have been lacking in some areas, but the music wasn't one of them), EarthBound is always pleasant, the piano theme for Max Payne, and above all, the overworld theme from Faxanadu. I went years without playing that game, yet I would still find myself whistling the tune (without remembering where it was from most of the time, which drove me nuts).

[Fayd]

Not a strict "soundtrack" exactly, more like HIGH quality reorchestrations.

www.zreomusic.com

They recreate the music from the Legend of Zelda. All of it, at least, that's the goal. And they've got a good portion done.

[KBF]

The World Ends With You for DS hasn't been mentioned yet? For shame.

I have it's soundtrack on my MP3 player and listen to it regularly. It's available on iTunes and it's smallish cult following put the songs up on Youtube if you want to check them out.

[Athaniar]

Super Smash Bros Brawl, definitely. It has a plethora of music from a great number of games, much of it (beautifully) updated. Also, World of Warcraft. Beautiful tunes. And we must not forget the Legend of Zelda and Super Mario series, who have brought us some of the most memorable gaming music in existence.

[Player_Zero]

Doo do do do do... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT4ksAgQouc)

Incidentally. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etw3aSumBEU)

[Om]

Leaving aside the likes of GTA, Vampire:Bloodlines, Civ IV, or EUII (which used third party music) some of the best themes from games would have to be...

Sonic 2: Final Boss Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzXwutv0yy8). I still whistle this when under pressure

Planescape has also been mentioned so I'll briefly note the credits (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gVtPrtJCiE&feature=related) and Deionarra's theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZOuy4YM0AI)

It was great fun running into battles with grunts in Half Life with this theme in the background (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKzHLW9DAXo). The sequel wasn't half bad in this regard either

I hated Red Alert 3 as a game but then it did give this classic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUy8uX7thJ4)

[Player_Zero]

Sonic 2: Final Boss Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzXwutv0yy8). I still whistle this when under pressure

Boss music eh? Who doesn't remember this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDGBUp25i8U) then?

[tribble]

I would like to recommend the classic Gourmet Race, as opposed to that stupid guitar version from brawl.

[Copper8642]

Yes, The World Ends With You was great, and generally I don't even enjoy that style of music.

Smash Bros. Brawl was nostalgic if you're a Nintendo fan.

Shadowgrounds is (supposedly, I haven't played it myself) not a great game, but the guitarist from Lordi played guitar on the soundtrack, so I looked up the music, and it's pretty good.

Most Final Fantasy games tend to have good soundtracks.

[Jinura]

Can't believe nobody has mentioned Guitar Hero :smallwink:

[potatocubed]

Another vote for The World Ends With You.

Also, if you're looking for soundtracky music, try a group called ES Posthumus. Or Posthumous. I can never remember if they spell it right or not. Anyway, do an iTunes search for Nineveh and you should find them.

[Player_Zero]

I found the TWEWY music annoying to be honest.

[Om]

How did I ever forget Monkey Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKWT5wW4gdY)?

[Bayar]

The terran soundtrack from Starcraft.
The Tiberian sun soundtrack.
Battlefield 2142 intro/highway Tampa song and the Wake Island rock remix.
The Doom 3 theme song.
The Dunes combat song from Serious Sam.
World of Warcraft WotLK menu song.
The Hyperblast redux, Mothership and Robot Factory from Unreal Tournament 2004.

[d12]

Probly going to be some repetition without crediting whoever mentioned them first cuz I don't want to scour the thread again, so sorry if I jack some of your choices--it's a personal preference thread, after all.

Sim City 4 (or the expansion, don't remember) had a couple nice tunes
Contra (know I've seen it mentioned elsewhere in the thread..still, awesome :smallbiggrin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwlXlili6Zk)
Oblivion: some of the town & wilderness songs were nice
Shadow of the Colossus: I've only personally played it a very little bit and sucked horribly cuz of issues with remembering the controls but the tunes are epic
Mass Effect (seen this mentioned too)
Super Mario Land (on gameboy :smalltongue: probably not quite in the spirit of the thread, but I remembered some of the music despite not playing for something like 10-12 years)
Kirby's Dreamland (ibid)
GTA games tend to have some good tunes (I think someone earlier in the thread said they don't count, but I'll include them just to cover my bases :smalltongue:).

Edit: Oh man, how could I forget Megarace!! ^_^ It was kind of a rail shooter I suppose where you were supposed to be on some kind of weird futuristic TV gameshow where you played the part of somebody known as The Enforcer, who would race around on "virtual" tracks in his car shooting up members of what were described as "speed gangs" (think biker gangs, except they drive cars I guess). That game had some awesome tunes. :smallbiggrin:

[Mystic Muse]

devil may cry four OST http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLBAFJWbd30

[Fri]

For me, the game with the best overall soundtrack is Brave Fencer Musashi on PSX.

A rather trivial action/rpg. Nothing groundbreaking. It's not even in my favourite game list. Other game got better single track or ost. But for some reason, that game got the best overall soundtrack ever for me.

some examples (I picked it at random because ALL of the music is great. But My absolute favourite is the mountain bgm:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlG3uUCPyuM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNgFZr47Cfc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5RDIkgbog0&feature=related

[Castaras]

Another good soundtrack I forgot to mention is the Spellforce soundtracks.

[Cyrano]

I'm going to second a post on the first page for Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magic Obscura. Some beautiful, melancholy stuff there if I recall correctly, although that might be nostalgia. Anyway, it's available for free download. Legally too! I could find it but I don't want to.

[Jinura]

Oh yeah and Oblivion.. That one is nice.

[Dogmantra]

Oh yeah and Oblivion.. That one is nice.

I prefer the Morrowind tracks.

Basically, anything by Jeremy Soule.

[Soniku]

The entire soundtrack of every game in the Touhou series is generally regarded as awesome, at least by the series fans, so it's worth having a look through the collection. A few extremely popular pieces of music are Phantom Ensemble (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9wHYiicY5I), Steptette for the Dead Princess (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKbKOC2QNgg) and History of the Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAy3nlATLkk&feature=related).


Though, every song has been remixed so many times even if you don't like the OST there's certainly a remix you'll enjoy of most of the tracks, I'm currently listening to an awesome arrangement of Doll Judgment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0oODWRVsis), which followers of internet memes will know well.

[MrPig]

Oh, how could I forget. The theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4FHaDT5mMs) to the 3 Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver games.

[JerryMcJerrison]

I enjoyed the Jade Empire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rJ4vODq1Tk) soundtrack enough to buy the CD, and was not disappointed. I think my favorite was the tea house fight music.

OH, and how could I have forgotten Jet Set Radio Future (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ABhIl9ZrQc)! Out of the 30 something songs, I think there was only like 2 songs I didn't like. Avoid if you hate j-pop or techno.

[Tyracus]

I'll cast another vote for Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Secret of Mana, and the earlier Final Fantasy games.

I'm also surprised to see nothing from Xenosaga or Xenogears. Fatal Fight (Jin and Margulis), Communication Breakdown, In the Beginning there was..., Here she Comes (KOS-MOS), Sweet Song, Kokoro, Pain, Promised Pain, Hepatica (Kos-Mos), She's Coming Back (which is also tied to some rampant testament bashing), and Maybe Tomorrow. Those are all just from the Xenosaga games. Xenogears adds in Shevat, The Small of Two Pieces, and a whole lot more.

Stalker also has some interesting music that adds a nice ambiance to the long distance travel which they drop at the appropriate moments so that the area sound effects can really show through. The two Lunar games have some good music (I love Wind's Nocturne even if I can't disassociate it from the Shii's Song flash) as does Super Metroid, heck all the Metroid games have fun music.

The Persona games have some fun music and I'm partial to the Hymns from the Ar Tonelico games as well. Asides from that I'm pretty much tapped besides for the big classics (I'm talking your Mario/Zelda music and others of it's stature).

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

I actually saw Video Games Live a few months ago. It was epic. Halo has some good songs, but my favourite has to be Castlevania.

[Dorizzit]

Golden Sun. Those games had amazing music.

[Zeful]

Icewind Dale also had pretty epic music.

[Cyrano]

I actually saw Video Games Live a few months ago. It was epic. Halo has some good songs, but my favourite has to be Castlevania.

VGL is great. Halo was of course on the menu, with a Tallarico electric guitar solo, whatever. But I was shocked to discover that Myst? Awesome. Warcraft 3? Awesome. Civilizations? Awesome.

[Rutskarn]

The menu music from Deus Ex.

You are my favorite.

Also Morrowind, TF2.

[Volug]

lol fanboy: Okami had a great one, not one isn't considered "bad" by pretty much everyone I've heard talk about it, even people who don't like the game. Also the only soundtrack to have musical scores to have an actual mental/emotional effect on me, twice.

Anything else: FF and FF related games (Square enix/soft whatever they are called now days) produces quite amazing music for their games.

Fire Emblem has a few tracks that are loved, yet most of their current music is just "okay" and nothing you really think about.

Castlevania (particularly Judgment) has amazing music. Their first song in their first game is an instant classic that should be standing right beside the main Mario theme in the hall of fame music wise.

Shadow of the Colossus had epic themes, the final boss one really sets the mood on "omahlawdimgunnadie" depressing-ness >.> Yet it suffers from sounding too similar, I always get comments on my soundtrack videos asking where this song plays in the game (for MOST, not all), particularly boss themes that are not colossus 18. Where as my Okami ones everyone seems to know where it is at and I have never gotten a question like that, I assume the same from most final fantasy games.

EDIT: Forgot to mention Golden Sun, Nobuo (or however you spell his name) better watch out.

[Armonis]

Mass Effect had music unlike most other stuff I hear these days, and therefore I ate it up, nomnomnomnomnom. I would like to add it to the list as well.

[Terraoblivion]

There are quite a few i have enjoyed. Of those mentioned here Monkey Island, The World Ends With You, Zelda and the Icewind Dales all deserve mention for example.

What comes out on top though is probably Persona 4. It did have some annoying bits such as the strip club music and the old school beeping music. But there are some highlights, including both the main battle theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzFl6sWHmXI) and the boss theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_58-XYXuJMs&feature=related). J-Pop works surprisingly well as background music, actually.

[Kobold-Bard]

Final Fantasy VII - Cosmo Canyon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei3i996VsNQ)

Final Fantasy X - Away To Zanarkand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa2dequnlu0)

Metal Gear Solid Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECjDfQd8QVc)

I'm not really a soundtrack person but I do like individual songs, and these three are a few of my favourites (yes I'm a Final Fantasy fanboy).

[Frog Dragon]

Baldur's Gate series. Just... Baldur's Gate series'

Edit: My favourites from BG are both tracks from the second game
Bhaalspawn Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V6ayeiKkT4)
Plains Battle II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWFgFOdMXAo&feature=related) Though I most often heard it during city waylaids. Especially the beginning. Dum Dum Du-Du-Du-Dum Dum Du-Du-Du-Du-Dum Dum Du-Du-Du Dum Dum

the beat just gets me.

[Ghastly Epigram]

Diablo II (Example) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONWo3aMRgXo) and Psychonauts (Example) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfujG_VDzfc&feature=PlayList&p=F261215C4D4B47D4&index=32) are the two games that popped into my head.

[Lord Seth]

Super Mario Bros.
The World Ends With You
Sonic Adventure 2

[Jelvoden]

As was said before, Touhou. Any game that can field a song like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2VwFqDV2ak) for an opening boss is doing something right.

Also, Soul Nomad and the World Eaters had some great tracks, particularly the themes for said (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6IU7ydihQQ) world (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOxXiyuxPaU) eaters. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtvdQkS-Fjc)

[nanobot_swarm]

The surreal action/adventure game Killer 7 had an amazing soundtrack. It boasted sweet techno songs and other genres as well.
Some of the best:
Rave on (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmNwawd5aG4)
Russian Roulette (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeFsV2aHRg8&feature=related)
Where Angels Play (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poquxY0u2KE&feature=related)
White Sugar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnNccqY6PMA&feature=related)
Sweet Relief (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FR8t8ETyrE&feature=related)
When the May Rain Comes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfmr3iMeREk&feature=related)
Windmill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIijxI8SBxY&feature=related)
Elegant Petal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeryhJKih_0&feature=related)

[Lord Seth]

*slaps self* How could I forget?

Every game in the Ace Attorney series.

[Hida Reju]

Emperor: Battle for Dune, best video game soundtrack ever

Battle of the Atreides (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0CIw6vYSpY&feature=PlayList&p=2D5C54DF0E774C96)

Surrounded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IEqHOPeEhg&feature=PlayList&p=2D5C54DF0E774C96&index=9)

Ghola (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6m-HydLWV0&feature=PlayList&p=2D5C54DF0E774C96&index=19)

Three different composers of epic quality got to work on this album.

[UnChosenOne]

I liked quite lot from NWN2:MotB's soundtrack.

[Aotrs Commander]

What? No-one's mentioned C&C (pretty much any version) or Universe At War (the soundtrack was by the chap who did most of the C&Cs and was easily the best bit of the game). But, most awesomely of all, TIE Fighter?

Actually, computer, movie and series soundtracks make up 99.9% of all my music collection...

[Shifty]

LOOM. Absolutely heartbreaking soundtrack to go with a bittersweet game. The entire game was inspired by Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. If you can find it, play the game, too.

[MickJay]

Most tracks by Jeremy Soule (e.g. Total Annihilation, Morrowind, Oblivion); Monkey Island themes; a number of tracks from Baldur's Gate (all parts); Jade Empire; songs and some of the tracks from Vampire:tM Bloodlines; Arcanum, of course; a number of tracks from Heroes of Might and Magic series; about 2/3 of the city themes from MMOG Lineage II (if MMOGs count); some of the tracks from Fallout series; a number of themes from the RPG/adventure Quest for Glory series; probably I'd add a lot more if I thought about it longer.

[hanzo66]

Dawn of War: Love the leitmotifs for the different armies, from the drums of the Orks, the Asian string instruments of the Tau to the haunting chorus of Chaos.

Okami: The songs are really mood-twisty. They make the cutscenes even more dramatic, with the ones at the endgame invoking a bit of tears and the Final Boss Theme made it a complete Crowning Moment Of Heartwarming, a true battle of Light Vs. Darkness that I actually wanted to win.

Overlord II: Surprisingly some of the songs of this game are quite good. The Main Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw4Lnw_cYHo) has a rather threatening tune to it balanced by the Minions' little singing. The combat music can also get quite epic.

Persona 3/4: Both have really good songs, especially the Endgame Final Boss themes.

MadWorld: The best all-rap Soundtrack I've ever heard, especially "Look Pimpin'" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOjOj25CywY)

[Katuko]

Heh, I actually made a loooong list on another forum about game music. Here it is, copy-pasted from the other topic (thank God both boards use the same code tags):


Before I start, I would like to recommend these two sites:
http://www.ocremix.org/
http://dod.vgmix.com/index.php

Now, then...

SUPER MARIO

Dire Dire Docks - Mario 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgnhrAxaz9E)
Metal Cap theme - Mario 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hxh2h3P70Q)
End Credits theme - Mario 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5EG38Is0-Y)

Koopa Bros theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNZq_0kvtxk)
Rawk Hawk - Paper Mario 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mll2EwvxnrM)
Battle with Doopliss - Paper Mario 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EDhb2m8qhk)
X-Naut Base - Paper Mario 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbPiRVUPkds)

Rainbow Road - Mario Kart 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5xdue7GFcc)
Rainbow Road - Mario Kart: Double Dash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY7eXge0wwA)
Credits part 2 - Mario Kart Wii (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YNeYSR1TV4)


CASTLEVANIA

"Rude Awakening" - Circle of the Moon (http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR00854/) (Remix of "Awake", or the Catacombs theme, but still very similar to the original.)
"Who's That Child?" - Castlevania (http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR01810/) (Remix of "Wicked Child".)
"Bloody Hell" - Simon's Quest (http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR00355/) (Awesome remix of one of Castlevania's most awesome songs: Bloody Tears.)
"Nothing But A Pile of Dance Moves!" - Symphony of the Night (http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR01576/) (Dance remix of Dracula's Castle. Original here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qh_uhV0ta0))
Vampire Killer - Castlevania (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AZ5XZHIDh0)
Cross A Fear - Rondo of Blood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxfH4qcbtZ4) (Rock cover.)


METROID

Main Theme Orchestrated - Super Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhAQfpbsymU)
Theme of Samus Aran (Crateria) - Super Metroid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBeqr40mW6w)
Brinstar theme - Super Metroid (http://www.metroidmetal.com/songs.html) (It's a list of covers, I didn't want to direct-link.)
Tunnel Theme - Metroid 2 (http://www.metroidmetal.com/songs.html) (ditto)
"Just A Little More" - Metroid Prime (http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR01286/)(Remix of Phendrana Drifts)
"The Ice Beam Cometh" - medley (http://www.powergoat.com/page3.html) (Awesome medley of many Metroid tunes.)
Ridley fight theme - Metroid: Zero Mission (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3haoEAj8PVo)


CHRONO TRIGGER

"Chrono Picker" - Chrono Trigger (http://dod.vgmix.com/past/jul08/) (Remix of main theme, number 18 on the list.)
"The Righteous Path" - Chrono Trigger (http://dod.vgmix.com/past/jun08/) (Remix of Frog's theme, number 9 on the list.)
"Atonement" - Chrono Trigger (http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR01377/) (Remix of Magus battle theme)
"Winds of Time" - Chrono Trigger (http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR00269/) (Mix of main theme and Green Memories.)
"Fight for Our Future" - Chrono Trigger (http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR01826/) (Remix of normal battle theme)
Dragon Knight - Chrono Cross (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuwK6vn6lBA)


MEGAMAN

"Carved From Mighty Oak (Woodman)" - Mega Man 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx7T8q_6iG0) (Song by The Megas)
"Metal Dance (Metalman)" - Mega Man 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV7jV2QIFpk) (Also by The Megas)
"The Quick and the Blue (Quickman) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NkKNOhIYTU) (Ditto.)
"The Annihilation of Monsteropolis (Airman)" - Mega Man 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOwnGGZEKkw) (Again.)
"Programmed to Fight (Crashman)" - Mega Man 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIH8rrnL7Ng) (Almost done...)
"Man on Fire (Heatman)" - Mega Man 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EUtzlClTmE) (Finally, The Megas again.)
Dr. Wily stage - Mega Man 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xm19FjBydI)
Title Theme medley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeMQTGtEP1g) (First is MM3, last is MM2, at least.)


FINAL FANTASY

Battle Theme - FF1, 4 and 6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UXx6bGSpMo)
Overworld - FF1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aua4qZwW29k)
Overworld - FF4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlLxN2QqDZc)
Battle on the Big Bridge - FF5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtdQl6WuFeI)
Blackjack Airship - FF6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNix05L--wM)
Setzer's theme - FF6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSQ4hcevUxI)
Terra's theme (overworld) - FF6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joRZL671Esk)
Locke's theme - FF6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QazWtO7wZg)
Edgar & Sabin's theme - FF6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyPVit8Mveo)
Searching for Friends - FF6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGwrbXGq7Tc)


F-ZERO
Mute City - F-Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1brLxtr2_I) (Brawl remix)
Dream Chaser - F-Zero X (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMPUdeBM-gQ)
Big Blue - F-Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AvTPNQnBSo)
Rainbow Road - F-Zero EX (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXqJEEAA-sw9) (Mario Kart remix, actually.)


SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
Live and Learn - Crush 40 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTSr_2AyQ2Q)
Open Your Heart - Crush 40 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da6aPOyevRw[/url)
Sonic Boom - Sonic CD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPC8W672mXc[/url)


GOLDEN SUN

Venus Lighthouse - Golden Sun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-EQ8rB-LgM)
Forging Ahead - The Lost Age (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKaJRdwap-8)
Title theme - The Lost Age (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgFLlvkxv0M)
Credits theme - The Lost Age (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8U4yCZxmVM)


THE LEGEND OF ZELDA

"A Storm In The Desert" - Ocarina of Time (http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR01153/) (Wonderful remix medley of a lot of OoT themes.)
"Temple of Rock" - Adventure of Link (http://beemp3.com/download.php?file=4465800&song=Temple+of+Rock) (Temple theme remix.)
"Sword of Hope" - Legend of Zelda (http://dod.vgmix.com/past/apr08/) (Number 7 on the list, remix of main theme and Dungeon.)
Hyrule Field - Ocarina of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SovM_ExoVg)
"Braving Tal Tal Heights" - Link's Awakening (http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR01020/) (Remix.)
Dragon Roost Island - Wind Waker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIu5LvkSKl4)
Sailing - Wind Waker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1-EpOiH3K0)
Molgera battle - Wind Waker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBxSG_0o-WY)
Midna's Lament/Desperate Hour - Twilight Princess (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7GWf3e_I3w)
Dark World - A Link to the Past (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgQaK7TGjX4)
Lost Woods/Saria's Song - Ocarina of Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dt3QWsJ0Bs)


OTHER

"Harden the Duck Up!" - Ducktales (http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR01686/) (Moon theme remix.)
Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lceOdKYFzrw)
Still Alive - Portal (http://www.thesixtyone.com/XMark/song/Still+Alive/15545/) (Original by Jonathan Coulton, rock cover by XMark.)
Sector 5 - Iji (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jeseneDq5o) :)
Tor - Iji (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGDKg7hUbFI) :D
Corneria - Star Fox 64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXc2vUQKWCQ)

Cave Story remix project: http://kwix.shackspace.com/cavestory/index.html


...

*Phew*

And then there's all those I like, but didn't mention because they are not my favorites per se.

I love video games and there is nothing you can do about it! Ahahahaha!

[Inarius]

Portal's endsong "Still Alive", Homeworld 1, and Baldur's Gate 2 Music are all up there for my favorite video game music.

[Zevox]

BRAWL! The largest video game soundtrack ever (literally hundreds of tracks), with many, many great songs. Including some of Sonic's best (Live and Learn, Sonic Heroes, Super Sonic Racing, several old-school tunes, and an absolutely fantastic remix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1fqEW3taD4) of the Angel Island Zone music from Sonic 3). I highly recommend King Dedede's Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3QRoUTAUco) as well, just to force myself to name only one so I don't wind up spending too long rounding up song links.


Persona 3/4: Both have really good songs, especially the Endgame Final Boss themes.
Agreed. I was actually quite pleased to discover Persona 4 had its soundtrack come with the game. Especially liked the fight theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB4QkOLe9AI) and music played during the credits/epilogue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbXUZ3EL4cw&feature=related). Can't understand a word they're saying, even though I'm pretty sure the fight theme at least is supposed to be in English, and yet somehow I still love them.


MadWorld: The best all-rap Soundtrack I've ever heard, especially "Look Pimpin'" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOjOj25CywY)
Also definitely agreed - that game is the only thing that has ever managed to make me actually enjoy any rap music. Though my personal favorite was Ain't That Funnny (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NuISynXwCo&feature=related). Might just be because it's the theme for one of the levels I keep going back into for the sheer fun of it most often though.

Zevox

[Winthur]

Every game in the Ace Attorney series.

Cornered. Just Cornered.

[Nerd-o-rama]

Super Robot Wars.

Everyone who's played and enjoys it probably knows what I'm talking about.

I'd nominate either SRW Alpha 3 or SRW Advance for the best OSTs out of the series. SRW Alpha 3 because it includes some of the best anime soundtracks of the 70's through the 90's, and Advance because it has some really obscure but great anime music (like Ai Senshi, Here Comes Char, and Shine in the Storm as non-representative examples) as well as four (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLOoxJJMLN0) totally (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew6qtsCjULE) solid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdfcFuiiv2s) hits* (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5Mtar0CdEw) as music for its original characters.

*couldn't find the original GBA version of this one, but unlike Code ATA and Dark Knight, the PS2 version isn't super-boring.

[banjo1985]

Final Fantasy VIII and Eternal Sonata.

Anything with Chopin in has to be pretty special as far as soundtracks go.

[Tengu_temp]

Final Fantasy - you can like these games or not, but it doesn't change the fact that they have really great music. MY favorites in that regard are, undoubtedly, 6, 7 and 9, although the others have some great tracks too.
Chrono Trigger - the same as above, except that you can't not like this game. Unless you lack a soul.
Persona 3 and 4 - Persona 3 has some a bit annoying J-pop songs (inluding the battle theme, natch), but when it's not J-pop it's awesome. In Persona 4, on the other hand, even the J-pop is awesome.
Guilty Gear - if you played it, you don't need an explanation. My favorite songs are probably Noontide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw9yB5rC27A) and Prime and Glory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OUHUnOAxaA).
Super Robot Wars - listing all the awesome themes from these games would be a physical impossibility. They're also home to the song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot-0-KyPd0Y) that can overwrite anything, including the end of the world.
Disgaea - I like its soundtrack mostly for the lighter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bWk_wYny0I) themes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_M-73AY4Ng) and the deliciously (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ3sMdOsT-k) hammy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM2tp2VgZZU) ones (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJDlD8yY-Us).
Bahamut Lagoon - an unknown gem with some really (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms-fY90TEHE) cool (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTbg2_KdgXM) tracks.
Okami - most of the soundtrack is good, but not super-awesome, but the theme during the final battle? Epic. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZxK58tPU4I)
Xenogears - a lot of great tracks, but most notably Flight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxAzuUgI460), which is close to being my favorite video game theme ever. It helps that it plays during some of the most powerful scenes in the game.
Shadow of the Colossus - very epic. I especially like The Opened Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3PRXFLJYcw), an awesome theme for fighting a gargantuan, powerful opponent.
Ico - it barely has any music, but the ending theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mI3X87rUWE) is beautiful. Combine it with the huge emotional impact the game has on you, and I nearly cried.

Non-Japanese games? Huh? What non-Japanese games?

[Swordlol]

Can we count Death Note?

Technically there is a Death Note game for the Gameboy which is basically "mafia".

[Tengu_temp]

Oh, I remember one more! The Tales series. Well, I only played Tales of Phantasia, but I assume the other positions have similarily awesome music. The battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll7aFd8c6jk) themes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsMZXl15FRU) are the most famous parts of the soundtrack, but not the only great ones in the slightest.

[Setra]

I liked the music from Xenosaga II...

[revolver kobold]

Quake and to a lesser extent, Quake 2.

[Innis Cabal]

How could I forget the .hack// franchise. Very gaelic, very earthy. Very...wonderful.

[hanzo66]

The Ratchet and Clank series also has a few really catchy songs, particularly the Blackwater City tune. Love this little ditty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIpKc27Bh_Y) in the third one (peppiest song on genocide and slaughter next to the theme to Dai Mahou Touge).

Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure also has a cool soundtrack. What other game has an aging adventurer made of Britishness and Awesome summoning a steampunk mech through the power of Tea Time and rock?

[Lord of Syntax]

Paper Mario: The One Thousand Year Door
Just... yeah

[Opeth_Freak]

Ace Attorney series in general. Cornered takes the top spot in epicness, especially here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYMDQRVuXtA)

Tekken 5 and Dark Resurrection - Just wow. The moment, I heard tracks like Shattered Dreams (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-S3mXUHtng), Snow Castle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj5fezE20XA&feature=related), Ground Zero Funk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl1nJ2gqD-I&feature=related) or Moonlit Wilderness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-6e-mjsqxs&feature=related), I just knew, that I will buy those OST. Totally worth it. Awesome, awesome, awesome.

Castlevania series has lots and lots of great tracks. I like especially Wandering Ghosts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls0DMEwMO0M) from SOTN and Anti-Soul Mysteries Lab (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDSP9Tq8RJA) from Lament of Innocence (note: I hate techno and similar kinds of music, so that's a bonus point for ASML)

Battlefield Vietnam - Hell Yeah! Remixed White Rabbit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qiv11eQjdlQ), or War (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX7V6FAoTLc) or, heck, EVERYTHING.

Knights of the Old Republic 1 and 2 - Dantooine Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4IXY11kc0M) especially.

And finally, last but not least - Hitman games. Especially Hitman 2. Especially Main Menu Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQTsj8c-RHM).

EDIT: Oh yeah, I forgot about Lineage II. Too much to link though, so just believe me - it's awesome :smallwink:

[Corvus]

The songs from GNR in Fallout3 are seriously seriously awesome.

My vote goes for an obscure game from the mid-90s which to this day remains one of my all time favourites, despite the bugs with it. A large part of that was due to the music, which I ripped from the CD and played a lot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWJiIcew4VE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf5Th9s2RAc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zwmL5iwn9U

[Drascin]

Ninja'd on pretty much everything I wanted to say - Zelda, Disgaea, SRW... However, since it's only been mentioned once and might be overlooked, gotta second .Hack as a franchise. For all their gameplay faults at times, the music is just top notch almost every time.

Also, with the new game just out, I just plain wouldn't feel right if I didn't back up Touhou Project as well. The author's weird in the head and can't draw for beans, but he's a damn good composer - and then people take (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1GxJLSE3E8&fmt=18) his (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_ddYfjBrtM&fmt=18) melodies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMVmDyOSdBY) and (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx-_JijsrRE&fmt=18) remix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfMIFgUF3UE&fmt=18) them (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha_BS0lQfHY) into (http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=ES&hl=es&v=59HqLaHEhJI&fmt=18) sheer awesome (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yq2Z4ZaTkt4&fmt=18).

(That was me just copypasting the first ones in my favorites folder, btw - there's just too many thousands of Touhou remixes. The only one I chose was the last because I particularly love it)

[Mando Knight]

http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/2/2f/Spr_4h_025_m.png

Seriously.

Ever fight smash through Lance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I11fdeURWS8), then realize that Green beat you to the punch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhfJO366AM4)?

Or look at a TV and get met with WTF EPIC (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL2rzRqnjOA)?

Then there's Sinnoh's E4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u_PUkV6nXI), and Cynthia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whX6TVUDF-E), and the 90% percussion GOD?! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6z_1cCvVjA) battle music... And Platinum's new tune for Giratina (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uBg9qpwz-U)...

[GolemsVoice]

Well, Arcanum, sweet Arcanum. The soundtrack really haunts me, and I still find me humming along to it. Beautiful and very fitting for the game.

Baldur's Gate, especially the second part of the series, has some VERY good music that really fits the roles it is employed to fill. Sad, upbeat or martial, there's something for you.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. SoT also has some very good background tracks that help you visualize the bleak and somewhat haunted land that the Zone is, from crumbling ruins of soviet industry to dark, damp tunnels.

Heroes of Might&Magic V, especially the standard academy city theme. The other ones I've heard somewhat too often, but they are still good.

[Galileo]

Another vote thrown in for Persona 3. I love the end boss theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdMhTL5bZrs). It even has an awesome name, The Battle For Everyone's Souls. Informative too. The credits music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhXXJRRHKGw) makes me sad though. :smallfrown:

Also, Grandia II has some nice music. Again, the last boss music is awesome, even if your opponent is... somewhat lacking in difficulty. The Sonic Adventure 2 last boss theme is cool too.

...Alright, I'll admit it. I just like last boss themes.

[littlebottom]

my jaw hit the floor upon trawling through this thread when so many people have (rightly) mentioned the FF series, but not one seems to know the composers name, you might know it, but simply didnt mention it, but it sickens me to think the poor guy goes about with so little recognition for his work, his name is Nobuo Uematsu and he deserves a lot more credit than "from FF6" etc

incedently, my personal favorites were both from FF7, and composed by said above artist :smallwink: thanks Nobuo!

One-Winged angel

Areis' theme/Areith's theme

they are my personal favorites as i proformed them on piano to pass my music exams a little while back, and sound beautiful as piano solo, as well as a whole orchestra... and one-winged angel is quite difficult so i got high marks for that:smallbiggrin:

thanks again Nobuo!

[T.G. Oskar]

How odd...I just gave my answer in another forum I visit, and now I see this? Time to copy-pasta. In either case, that copy-pasta has the username I use here, so you will know it's me:

I'd say any game that has either Motoi Sakuraba, Yoko Shimomura, Kenji Ito, Noriyuki Iwadare or Yasunori Mitsuda. They're my top 5 composers, and I find that I often enjoy their compositions despite not listening each and every one of its songs.

For your information, that means:
Star Ocean series
Valkyrie Profile series
Golden Sun series
Baten Kaitos series
some of the Tales of... games
mostly, any tri-Ace game (with some exceptions)
Parasite Eve
Legend of Mana
any Capcom game of the time where Mrs. Shimomura was with Alph Lyra
nearly every SaGa game except SaGa Frontier II and Unlimited SAGA (and the first SaGa games which had main composition by Nobuo Uematsu)
Grandia series
Chrono series
Xenogears and the Xenosaga

...and that's what comes to mind. I reckon Mrs. Shimomura will collaborate with the FFXIII soundtrack, but I must be wary since I don't stand Masashi Hamazuzu too much, and he was placed as the main composer.

...yes, I pay attention to composers. And no, I don't know the composers of the Super Robot Wars games; it is a tidbit of data I'd desire to have, but not pay to work so.

And no, Nobuo isn't on my top five. It's on the top ten (along a few ties around), but not my top five. Even then, it's a bit pointless since it's pointing at a legend; you're going to either hear about him one moment or not, you'll probably enjoy his songs, and even though he won't be on your faves, he'll be somewhere nearby. Like...Koji Kondo.