Imagine sitting down to play a game and hearing nothing. Even if you’re a casual gamer who would rather slice virtual fruit in a mobile game like Fruit Ninja than take headshots at enemies in a first-person shooter like Call of Duty, you’re going to expect a bit of audio feedback. That’s because video games, great and small all include soundtracks.
For example, even casual gaming titles like slots have audio production teams that work to piece together a great soundtrack. Most platforms offer dozens of online slots that cover a huge range of themes, from the fantasy-based Gates of Olympus to action-adventures like Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead. Each has a soundtrack that’s tailored toward the game’s genre, which adds to the overall gameplay experience.
Some slots, like the Guns N’ Roses video slot, take things even further by focusing directly on the music. Clearly, there’s great emphasis placed on a game’s audio—even if it’s playing in the background at a low volume. However, some developers go the extra step by creating soundtracks that stand up on their own.
In other words, some games do such a spectacular job in producing proprietary songs or piecing together killer playlists that it becomes part of the game’s overall fame. Want to dive into the best gaming soundtracks out there? Get started below with a list of all-time greats from each decade, starting in the 1980s.
The Legend of Zelda (1986)
From Koji Kondo
Japanese producer Koji Kondo is behind some of video gaming’s most infamous soundtracks, including the original Super Mario Bros. and Nintendo’s next-greatest title, The Legend of Zelda. Upon its release in 1986, it was one of the first fantasy titles to hit the market—and Kondo’s composition has become a classic just like the game.
In fact, ‘The Legend of Zelda’ has become such a titular hit that it’s been reproduced by other musicians around the world. It’s even been adapted into a four-part classical symphony, retitled ‘Symphony of the Goddesses’.
DOOM (1993)
From Bobby Prince
For the uninitiated, DOOM changed the video gaming world and audio production in gaming when it was released in 1993. The game itself is a highly violent shooter that pits players against thousands of hellish monsters. Unsurprisingly, producer Bobby Prince relied on aggressive heavy metal to complement the game’s action. On the portal casinoudendansklicens.org, you can independently choose tracks during your game.
Rather than compose his own songs, he compiled some of the most intense punk and metal music of the time, bringing together Metallica and Slayer, to name a few. To give players a reprieve from the brutality, Prince also made sure to layer in some more atmospheric tracks, which add depth and complexity to an otherwise insane tracklist.
FIFA Football 2004 (2004)
From Steve Schnur (and others)
Like DOOM, not all soundtracks require unique composition. In fact, EA Sports’ FIFA franchise is famous for its pop culture tracks, which draw on old and new classics. One of its standout soundtracks comes from FIFA 04. Some of the best tracks come from artists like Kings of Leon, Radiohead, Asian Dub Foundation, and Caesars.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
From Jeremy Soule
Some might remember the Halo soundtrack as the greatest choral orchestra in gaming—and many critics would agree. Halo’s soundtrack remains the best-selling video game accompaniment of all time. Still, Skyrim’s 2011 release might not have been the first, but it is the best—here’s why.
First, the game’s main theme is recorded by a 30-man choir, which delivers a spooky and almost inhuman feel that pairs well with slaying dragons. Second, that 30-man choir is singing in the game’s made-up dragon language. Third, the soundtrack picks up at exactly the right places, complementing the gameplay seamlessly.
Cuphead (2017)
From Kristofer Maddigan
This game draws on the cartoons from the early 1900s, which composer Kristofer Maddigan kept in mind when creating the soundtrack. The soundtrack was created by a 13-piece band that draws on jazz and ragtime music, which fits seamlessly with the game’s funky and throwback theme. One of the standout elements used by Maddigan was a tap dancer.
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