Just as movies feel incomplete without an accompanying soundtrack, in the same way, video games feel without them. Music is an important tool that makes the gaming experience even more immersive. Usually, the best video games often come with upbeat and catchy tunes. These soundtracks produced by expert musicians and composers evoke nostalgic emotions that enhance the gaming quality.
So in exploring the world of video games, here are five of the most iconic video game soundtracks. Super Mario Bros – Koji Kondo Number one on this list, the Super Mario Bros is a good example of such an iconic soundtrack. Produced by Koji Kondo, this soundtrack was released alongside the game in 1985. And of course, players enjoyed the catchy tunes that introduced them to the world of plumber Mario and his adventures in the Mushroom Kingdom.
Moreover, while every song in the track is an integral part of the game, the most popular is arguable “Overworld Theme”. It rightly encompasses the adventurous and explorative theme that defines the Super Mario series. And for generations past, the theme song has been a fan-favorite and this is sure to be the case even in subsequent generations.
All of this is evidence of Koji Kondo’s expertise in music as he had very limited hardware at his disposal. But yet he was able to create this musical masterpiece. He perfectly imbued the game’s music with cheerful tones and fast tempo notes for conveying the right emotions at every level.
Final Fantasy – Nobuo Uematsu
A series well known for its exciting storyline and impressive gameplay features, Final Fantasy also stands out due to its immersive music. And the credit for the mesmerizing soundtrack rolls out to none other than Nobuo Uematsu. Nobuo’s abilities as a composer make it possible to create music that unlocks a wide range of emotions ranging from nostalgia to triumph. And this is quite evident in the game’s soundtracks. For fans worldwide, tunes like the Main Theme and the Prelude are well-known anthems of the franchise.
And just when it seemed impossible for Nobuo to outdo himself any further, he did so in the making of the “Final Fantasy VII” soundtrack. Now, both within the gaming community and in general pop culture, two sounds in particular – “Aerith’s Theme” and “One-Winged Angel” – have become nostalgic and iconic sounds. The Legend of Zelda – Koji Kondo Once again, Koji Kondo pops up on this list but this time, in relation to a different game franchise. He works his magic again on the “The Legend of Zelda” series. And now, players can’t do without the theme music which has now become an integral part of the gaming adventure.
In this series, Koji succeeds in making music that rightly goes along with the world-building process involved in the game. The orchestra tunes in the Main Theme and the Hyrule Field Theme further capture the sense of heroism and exploration for the unknown. And for each game in the franchise, there’s different music to accompany players on Link’s epic adventures.
In addition, one other tune in particular – Zelda’s Lullaby – has turned out to be one of the most popular. And the beautiful melody it projects acts as a thread that knots the entire series into one.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – Various Artistes
The Grand Theft Auto series is another franchise that justifiably boasts an exceptional music track. And in particular, the “Vice City” soundtrack is arguably the finest in the franchise. Released in 2002, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City displays mature gameplay with background music that further enhances the game’s ambiance.
However, contrary to the trend on this list, Vice City’s musical tunes are not from a single composer. Rather, it is a compilation of different songs made by different artists. On this soundtrack, artists like Michael Jackson, A-ha, Hall & Oates, and others have their hits featured.
While this may seem like no big deal, it is quite a difficult feat to pull off but the producers were able to do so. And it shows their commitment to making music that enhances immersion in a video game. The blend of music, open-world gameplay, and storytelling does a great job of transporting players to a bygone era.
Chrono Trigger – Nobuo Uematsu And Others
Chrono Trigger’s soundtrack was composed through a collaboration between Nobuo, Noriko Matsueda, and Yasunori Mitsuda. This trio worked hard to create tunes that encapsulate the game’s time-traveling plot as well as the cast diversity. To show how much dedication this project required, it is commonly reported that Mitsuda passed out multiple times to the point of getting hospitalized.
And the reward of their dedication is in the track’s widespread popularity. It has been re-released on tape performed at live concerts, and also redone for numerous remakes. A true piece of art.
Final Words
Beyond gameplay and pixels, soundtracks play an important part in every video game. The nostalgic tunes featured in these games add emotions and adventure to the experience. And so, the above-mentioned tunes have moved from being just background songs to iconic music.