Top 12 Video Game Soundtracks of All-Time
When thinking about video games, we often remember the gameplay, the characters, or the worlds we explored. However, something that is just as important to worldbuilding as how the game looks, is how it sounds.
Video game soundtracks have evolved from simple bleeps and chiptunes into full orchestral scores and genre-defining compositions that rival even the best of film and television.
Today, video game music isn’t just background noise. As a Singaporean sound studio, we know that music production and sound design are at the heart of immersive storytelling. Just like the movies with the best sound design, game soundtracks do more than just support the story, they become a part of it.
This article dives into 12 of the best video game soundtracks of all-time, from timeless classics to underrated gems you may have forgotten about.
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
- Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
- Persona 5 (2016)
- Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
- Chrono Trigger (1995)
- NieR: Automata (2017)
- Journey (2012)
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
- Doom (2016)
- Undertale (2015)
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (2025)
- Shadow of the Colossus (2005)
1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
Initially released on the Nintendo 64 in 1998, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time follows Link as he journeys to defeat Ganondorf and restore peace to Hyrule. The game is widely regarded as one of the greatest video games ever made, setting the standard for 3D adventure games with a mix of action, puzzle-solving, and storytelling that keeps players invested to this day.
Its soundtrack encapsulates the magical tone of the world and all its diversity, from the lighthearted melodies of the Kokiri Forest, to the intensity of each dungeon theme. By using the titular ocarina as both an instrument and gameplay mechanic, the Ocarina of Time was able to blur the line between music and storytelling, creating one of the most memorable soundtracks in gaming history.
2. Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
Launching on the original Xbox, Halo: Combat Evolved revolutionized first-person shooters and helped define multiplayer gaming on the console. Players step into the armor of Master Chief, through whom they explore alien landscapes and fight against the Covenant while uncovering the mystery of the Halo ring.
With its iconic Gregorian chants and orchestral arrangements, it doesn’t matter if you’re sneaking through cramped alien corridors or battling in wide open fields, the music creates both tension and a sense of majesty, making each encounter feel monumental. For a game largely set in space, where it can be easy to feel small, the soundtrack truly serves to elevate the scale of the story.
3. Persona 5 (2016)
Available on the PS3 and PS4, Persona 5 blends daily life simulation with stylish dungeon crawling as players join the Phantom Thieves to steal hearts. Composed by Shoji Meguro, its soundtrack is one of the most chic in gaming.
Funky jazz and acid rock tracks inject energy and swagger into every mission, and the upbeat menu and intermission music make sure that even the downtime stays lively. From the opening track aptly titled “Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There” to the groovy battle anthem “Last Surprise”, the score gives the entire game a sense of coolness that that meshes really well with its themes.
4. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
Released on the PS4, Xbox One, and later PC, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an open world Western epic that lets players live out the fading days of the outlaw era. Following Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang, the third installment to the Red Dead series is as much about quiet moments as it is about the action.
This gaming soundtrack shifts seamlessly between reflective acoustic tracks and explosive orchestral pieces depending on the player’s actions. Songs like “Unshaken” resonate with Arthur’s more personal struggles, while subtle background scores adapt to exploration, making the music feel like a living part of the frontier.
5. Chrono Trigger (1995)
Launched on the SNES back in the 90s, Chrono Trigger is a time-traveling RPG masterpiece where players get to travel across eras to prevent global catastrophe. Each time period has its own distinct atmosphere and the soundtrack captures each of these differences brilliantly.
From the medieval heroics of “Frog’s Theme” to the ethereal, almost dreamlike, quality of “Corridors of Time,” Chrono Trigger, despite being 30 years old, has a gaming soundtrack that works to reinforce the emotional depth of the story and its scale through time.
6. NieR: Automata (2017)
Available on the PS4 and PC, NieR: Automata is quite a unique action RPG set on a post-apocalyptic Earth where androids battle alien machines. The game is known for its philosophical themes and Keiichi Okabe’s soundtrack reflects that depth.
This game soundtrack moves effortlessly through haunting vocal pieces to sweeping orchestral tracks and industrial beats, with each aspect highlighting the story’s tension between hope and despair. At times, the music on its own is able to convey more emotion than dialogue, underscoring just how essential it is to the game’s identity.
7. Journey (2012)
Released for the PS3 and later PS4, Journey tells a wordless story of connection and discovery as players guide a robed traveler toward a distant mountain. The minimalist gameplay is paired with one of the most emotionally impactful scores in gaming.
The game soundtrack, crafted by Austin Wintory, is led by soaring cello melodies and orchestral swells, evolving with each stage of the journey you play through. It masterfully reflects the player’s progression from solitude to companionship, and in 2013 it became the first video game soundtrack to earn a Grammy nomination.
8. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
Released on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360, Skyrim very quickly became one of the most iconic open world RPGs of all time. It offered everything from epic quests, immersive world building, and a freedom of exploration that wasn’t common in 2011.
Composed by Jeremy Soule, this gaming soundtrack perfectly captures the sense of vastness and wonder that defines the game. The “Dragonborn” theme, with its booming, Nordic-esque chanting is incredibly effective at setting the tone for epic battle sequences. The soundtrack doesn’t skimp out on the calmer moments either, with softer tracks that highlight the serenity of the snowy landscapes and the bustling villages.
There are few game soundtracks that feel as alive and expansive as that of Skyrim’s, making its music an integral part of its legendary status.
9. Doom (2016)
Rebooted for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC, Doom is a relentless demon slaying first-person shooter that thrives on chaos, its gaming soundtrack does the same. Mick Gordon’s industrial-metal soundtrack is just as aggressive as the gameplay, with heavy riffs and pulsing synths that sync perfectly with the rhythm of combat.
The music doesn’t sit in the background with Doom, it actively drives the gameplay forward. Pair that with teammates yelling over each other in the midst of battle, and every fight feels like you’re in the middle of a mosh pit.
10. Undertale (2015)
Originally released on PC and later brought to the Nintendo Switch and PS4, Undertale is an indie RPG that became a cult classic for a variety of reasons, from its humor and moral choices, to the game’s unique mechanics.
Composer Toby Fox, who also created the entire game, crafted a soundtrack that blends nostalgic chiptunes with a more modern sound. Tracks like “Megalovania” keep battles exciting and high-energy, but Fox’s compositions have range. Softer pieces like “His Theme” allow Undertale to really resonate with audiences on a deeper, emotional level, proving that indie soundtracks can go toe-to-toe with AAA productions.
11. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (2025)
Launched on the PS5, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach continues Hideo Kojima’s tradition of blending innovative gameplay with cinematic storytelling. Building off the atmospheric and emotional foundation of the first game, the soundtrack weaves haunting vocals and ambient soundscapes with powerful arrangements.
The music serves as another layer to the strange and beautiful world players inhabit in Death Stranding 2, enhancing the loneliness, mystery, and the fleeting moments of connection that define the game. Much like its predecessor, the score blurs the line between being a video game soundtrack and a full scale cinematic experience.
12. Shadow of the Colossus (2005)
First released on the PS2 and later remastered for the PS3 and PS4, Shadow of the Colossus is a haunting tale of a young warrior who must slay towering colossi to bring a loved one back to life. It’s set in a sparse, lonely world that is contrasted beautifully by Kow Otani’s grand orchestral score.
Every battle theme swells with intensity and makes every run-in feel larger-than-life, which is fitting given your opponents. However, the music then gives way to quiet, mournful pieces that emphasize the emotional weight of each victory.
From sweeping orchestral masterpieces to electronic experiments, the video game soundtracks on this list prove that music in video games is a vital part of the experience. Just like these Singapore ad jingles capture the spirit of a brand, a great game soundtrack captures the soul of a video game.
If you’re working on your next project and want to craft a sound as iconic and memorable as the ones above, reach out to Zynth Studios today.
