The Greatest Video Game Music cover

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.

Instrumental
58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The 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
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

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

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata