Top 10 Video Game Soundtracks

Image Credit: ShardsOfBlue

Avid gamers across the globe are spending an average of 23 hours per week playing video games. With so many hours spent in front of a screen, a decent soundtrack is essential in order to elevate atmosphere, or provide the right kind of mood. Whether you’re a nostaligic 8-bit freak, or a lover of mega budget orchestral works, here is a rundown of the finest gaming soundtracks ever to grace our consoles.

1. Final Fantasy VII – Nobuo Uematsu

Thought to be the Mozart of our age, Nobuo Uematsu has composed the soundtracks for all the Final Fantasy’s entirely by himself. Although all are amazing, VII probably has to be the best including one song “One Winged Angel” which is the theme to the final battle and was composed on a synthesiser thought to be deep in Satan’s world.

[youtube width="550" height="343"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7wJ8pE2qKU[/youtube]

2. Halo 2 – Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori

Praise does not get much higher than a legend covering your track, but this is what happened to Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori when guitarist Steve Vai remixed the Halo theme to be used on the follow up game. On the same wavelength as the game, a great soundtrack allows you to completely immerse yourself in the game.

[youtube width="550" height="343"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu6PxjkU5R0[/youtube]

3. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Although not an original sound track, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, includes all the important tunes to help you slay the baddies, or innocent people, depending on how you choose to play it. Including songs from Iron Maiden, Anthrax and Slayer, they are played through different radio stations so all you need do is pick one to match your mood. Transporting you back to the 80′s, it will definitely bring back those memories while killing those innocent bystanders.

[youtube width="550" height="343"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8KAySLxMBU[/youtube]

4. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Koji Kondo

From the same composer as Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, actually includes the soundtrack as part of the game. The aim of the game is to learn songs and then play them on the Ocarina. This ancient woodwind instrument is thought by many to have produced the best Zelda soundtrack ever.

The Legend Of Zelda Ocarina Of Time – best of

5. Shadow of Colossus – Kô Ôtani

Released on the Playstation2, Shadow of Colossus, features extensive orchestral music only played during the limited play and Colossus battles. Although the game also includes background noise, the crescendo of the orchestra makes you really feel like you are living the game. Music from the game was released in 2005 and won Electronic Gaming Monthly’s soundtrack of the year award.

[youtube width="550" height="343"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yng-bkl94aQ[/youtube]

6. L.A. Noire – Andrew and Simon Hale

Based in 1940′s Los Angeles, the player is tasked with becoming an LAPD officer required to solve various crimes. The soundtrack consists of an original score by Andrew and Simon Hale, plus songs in the style of the 40′s by The Real Tuesday Weld and sung by Claudia Brücken. A second remixed album followed including reworks of songs by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

[youtube width="550" height="343"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiGKxCAg_0o[/youtube]

7. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – Michiru Yamane

Set within a castle in Transylvania after Dracula has been defeated, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was composed by Michiru Yamane who included influences from classical, jazz, techno, new age and metal. Credited with creating the sound of vampirism, it sets the tone for the action and follows the theme while characters are resurrected and the castle takes on new forms.

[youtube width="550" height="343"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgkxSkF7QOU[/youtube]

8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe

With the title theme produced by highly acclaimed Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer, and the remaining soundtrack composed by Lorne Balfe, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2′s soundtrack was released in June 2010. It aids the player’s intensity within the game and makes it memorable. It is a mix between military marching and classical ad would appeal to those that haven’t even played the game.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA6zH7gKSr4[/youtube]

9. Super Mario Bros – Koji Kondo

With probably one of the most recognisable soundtracks, Super Mario Bros sounds a little dated now. At the time, however, it was at the forefront of video game soundtracks. Interspersed with bleeps and burps and with only six songs, which speeded up towards the end of a level as time ran out, why would you want anything more?

[youtube width="550" height="343"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7dX7kZlzUY[/youtube]

10. Tetris – Hirokazu Tanaka

Originally a Russian folk song, “Korobeiniki” is more commonly known as the theme from Tetris. In the game, it is simply known as “Type A”. The original song includes the lyrics “Bring your scarlet lips to me, sit closer to this fine lad.” Since appearing in Tetris, it has been remixed by a number of DJ’s including Scooter, Doctor Spin and is sung by Borat as this theme tune.

[youtube width="550" height="343"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmCCQxVBfyM[/youtube]

[youtube width="550" height="343"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzqnIzyaveo[/youtube]

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