The albums that define
video game music.
Our picks for where to start with video game music — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top video game music artists
Start with one of these.
The video game music essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Chris Hülsbeck
Number Nine
A serene blend of ambient textures and melodic motifs, evoking a reflective journey through soundscapes inspired by nature and nostalgia.
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Yasunori Mitsuda
kiЯitɘ
Ethereal melodies intertwine with organic textures, creating a lush soundscape that evokes both nostalgia and tranquility.
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The Protomen
Act II: The Father of Death
A rock opera blending narrative depth with hard-hitting riffs, evoking a dystopian future through theatrical storytelling.
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The Protomen
The Protomen
A rock opera infused with video game nostalgia, blending theatrical storytelling and hard-hitting melodies into a cohesive narrative experience.
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Michiko Naruke
Wild Arms Music the Best -rocking heart-
A dynamic fusion of orchestral arrangements and evocative melodies that capture the essence of adventure and emotion in gaming.
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Kevin MacLeod
Mystery
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Koichi Sugiyama
Suite Dragon Quest II -Gods of the Evil Spirits-
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Koichi Sugiyama
Dragon Quest Suite
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C418
72 Minutes of Fame
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Crush 40
Rise Again
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Crush 40
Crush 40
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Tsunku
TAKE1
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Tsunku
V3〜青春カバー〜
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S.I.D-Sound
Decibe1 Magic
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S.I.D-Sound
Miracle Planet
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Milky Holmes
Dreamin'
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Milky Holmes
Colourful Garden
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Kevin MacLeod
Carpe Diem
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Hans Zimmer
Film Music of Hans Zimmer
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Hans Zimmer
Music From the Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy
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Adjacent sounds
By decade
Where video game music landed in each era.