The Greatest Video Game Music
London Philharmonic Orchestra · 2011
69 min · 21 tracks · classical music
Orchestral arrangements breathe life into iconic video game themes, transforming nostalgia into grand symphonic experiences.
Top tracks — play these first
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Advent Rising: Muse Start here — accessible entry with immediate orchestral hook
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Legend of Zelda: Suite — This track encapsulates the adventurous spirit of the Legend of Zelda series, bringing its memorable melodies to a grand orchestral scale that resonates with fans old and new.
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Final Fantasy VIII: Liberi Fatali — The dramatic arrangement of Liberi Fatali highlights the emotional depth of Final Fantasy VIII, showcasing the power of orchestration in conveying the game's narrative intensity.
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Halo 3: One Final Effort — With its powerful crescendos and sweeping melodies, this track captures the epic nature of the Halo series, illustrating how video game themes can evoke strong emotional responses through orchestral performance.
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Super Mario Galaxy: Gusty Garden Galaxy — This piece transforms the playful essence of Super Mario Galaxy into a lush orchestral experience, highlighting how joyful and whimsical video game music can be elevated through classical interpretation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album effectively transforms video game music into orchestral pieces, showcasing both craftsmanship and distinctiveness.
What we noticed
- Tracks vary in tempo and mood, with some like 'Final Fantasy VIII: Liberi Fatali' featuring dramatic crescendos, while others like 'Tetris: Theme' maintain a lighter, more playful tone.
- The arrangement often includes dynamic shifts, such as transitioning from solo instruments to full orchestral sections, enhancing the emotional impact of each piece.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- nostalgic gaming memories
- immersive orchestral soundscapes
- dynamic emotional storytelling
- epic, cinematic listening experience
- varied pacing and moods
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album brought wider recognition to video game music in orchestral form.
- Themes
- nostalgic orchestration· video game artistry
- Career context
- Released in 2011, The Greatest Video Game Music marked the London Philharmonic Orchestra's innovative foray into the realm of video game soundtracks. This album came at a time when video game music was gaining recognition as a legitimate art form, bridging gaps between classical and contemporary genres and reaching new audiences beyond traditional concert halls.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jaroslav Krček· musicAeterna· Wojciech Kilar
Tracklist
- 1 Advent Rising: Muse Start here 3:42
- 2 Legend of Zelda: Suite 4:17
- 3 Call of Duty - Modern Warfare 2: Theme 3:30
- 4 Angry Birds: Main Theme 3:17
- 5 Final Fantasy VIII: Liberi Fatali 3:08
- 6 Super Mario Bros: Themes 4:11
- 7 Uncharted - Drake's Fortune: Nate's Theme 1:49
- 8 Grand Theft Auto IV: Soviet Connection 3:04
- 9 World of Warcraft: Seasons of War 3:12
- 10 Metal Gear Solid: Sons of Liberty Theme 3:55
- 11 Tetris: Theme 3:26
- 12 Battlefield 2: Theme 4:39
- 13 Elder Scrolls: Oblivion 1:51
- 14 Call of Duty 4 - Modern Warfare: Main Menu Theme 2:16
- 15 Mass Effect 2: Suicide Mission 4:48
- 16 Splinter Cell: Conviction 2:47
- 17 Final Fantasy: Main Theme 2:40
- 18 Bioshock: The Ocean on his Shoulders 2:16
- 19 Halo 3: One Final Effort 4:00
- 20 Fallout 3: Theme 2:20
- 21 Super Mario Galaxy: Gusty Garden Galaxy 3:49
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Journey – Original Soundtrack
Austin Wintory
Shares the same orchestral lushness and emotional depth, enhancing the gaming experience through music.
Final Fantasy VII – Original Sound Track
Nobuo Uematsu
Features intricate orchestration and nostalgia, elevating video game themes to symphonic heights.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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