From cinema to photography, video games benefit greatly from other artistic sectors, borrowing several elements to develop their works.
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Among these,music has always been one of the most prominent, as it has accompanied the industry’s growth since its origins decades ago.
Thanks to this, a wonderful relationship has been formed between both spaces, allowing us to enjoy titles with wonderful soundtracks that go beyond our borders.
Therefore, including classic and modern titles, we celebrate our precious bond with music through thislist of fifteen iconic video game songs that transcend gaming.
15Weight of the World
NieR: Automata
I haven’t cried at many video games in my life, butNieR: Automatais among the ones that broke me. PlatinumGames knew how to pull at my heartstrings, particularly through the songWeight of the World.
Given the ending’s context (which I won’t spoil), this theme becomes extremely sensitive.Its beauty and relevance are so elevated that crying feels like the only logical action.
Both its Japanese and English versions, of which I prefer the former, are simply an ode to video games. Both encapsulate the message ofNieR: Automataso perfectly that you can’t help but be blown away.
Overall, the video game’s soundtrack is among the best of all time, butWeight of the World is a song for posterity.
14Bury the Light
Devil May Cry 5
KnowingDevil May Crywas bound to appear on this list no matter what, I had a hard time choosing betweenDevils Never CryandBury the Light. However, in the end, I went with the latter.
While I think both are masterpieces of video game songs, Casey Edwards' work transcended more notably outside our medium, becoming popular with great ease around the world.
There are obviously plenty of reasons for this, as it is an iconic song that you can’t stop listening to on a loop once you’ve discovered it.
The epic, adrenaline-pumping impressions it generates, even out of context,sum up very well what it feels to playDevil May Cry, which is precisely what you would expect from the soundtrack of one of thebest fast-paced gamesever created.
13It Has to Be This Way
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Speaking of games with memorable soundtracks that have managed to embed themselves in modern humanity’s culture,Metal Gear Rising: Revengeanceis definitely an icon.
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I could pick several tracks from it for this list, but I’ve decided to stick withIt Has to Be This Way,both for the memes and the fact that it’s the most popular.
Whether it’s the jokes on social media or the song’s heavenly quality,it’s a transcendent piece that fully conveys the messages the game wants to manifest.
We’ve all seen Raiden incessantly beating Senator Armstrong with this theme playing in the background, even those who don’t know the game, so it’s an obvious choice.
12Ezio’s Family
Assassin’s Creed 2
I thought so right after I experienced it, and I still maintain thatAssassin’s Creed 2’s intro is one of the most iconic in the history of video games.
The sequence is practically perfect, setting the adventures' pace, the characters' identity, and the plot’s core in a matter of minutes.
Yet, what brings the scene together isEzio’s Family, which gradually appears as it takes center stage alongside the game’s memorable title drop.
Jesper Kyd’s composition is still fondly remembered today despiteAssassin’s Creedbecoming something different, thus confirming the great value it possesses.
11Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Theme Song
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Given thatGrand Theft Auto: San Andreasis one of those games that even grandmas know, it’s only natural to think that itsTheme Songis among the most seminal.
Michael Hunter’s work is outstanding in each of his appearances, butthe leading tune of Rockstar’s title is still popular after twenty years, thanks to its catchy composition.
Just a few main themes capture the essence and identity of the video game they represent with such affinity, and it has become embedded in gaming culture.
Of course, the loading screens were eternal, and we spent as much time listening to the song as playingSan Andreas. Therefore, its transcendence was guaranteed, but it remains a classic.
10One-Winged Angel
Final Fantasy 7
Nobuo Uematsuis one of the most important composers in the gaming industry, mainly due to his unparalleled work withFinal Fantasy.
However, I would say that there is a consensus thatOne-Winged Angel, probably the most recognized antagonist theme in history, is his most well-known and notable creation.
With the bonus of being the first theme in the franchise to feature vocals,no theme in this medium gives such a vivid feeling of being in front of the final boss as this one.
Its sound is worthy of an orchestra, just asFinal Fantasy 7is worthy of a museum, and Sephiroth is worthy of recognition as one of the best villains in video games. Thus, a masterpiece by any measure.
9The Last of Us Main Theme
The Last of Us
Even though it took me a long time to try the series, I admireThe Last of Us, but more than anythingGustavo Santaolalla’s participation.
Every time I listen to the main theme of the franchise’s first title, I feel a cluster of almost inexplicable sensations, as if it transmits so much that I can’t understand it but feel it.
As I have said in other instances, I am not a Naughty Dog’s faithful follower, but I would fight anyone to justify this composition asone of the most beautiful in our medium.
It’s amazing how simple yet profound the theme is, and HBO’s adaptation brought it to an entirely new audience that, like the players, ended up falling in love with the soundtrack.
8Rip and Tear
If the soundtrack is an instrument developers use to enhance the sensations they want to convey through gameplay, there is nothing quite likeDOOM’sRip and Tear.
The power with which it can make me, a person who has never had a physical altercation ever, want to destroy everything in my path, is as surprising as it’s fantastic.
Like me, millions of people have experienced these sensations, as it’s one of the most listened-to video game songs on Spotify.
Even if you don’t knowDOOMor like video games,there are many convincing reasons to listen to this magnificent song while doing your office work.
7Gerudo Valley
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Even though I’m not a fan ofThe Legend of Zelda, I can’t deny the importance ofOcarina of Timeor the prestige ofGerudo Valley.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve listened to this song against my will, but also of how many times I’ve enjoyed it.
Since hundreds of thousands of people grew up with the series,it’s very common to see references to Gerudo Valley everywhere, especially in the realm of internet content creation.
It’s not among my favorite video game songs, but denying its relevance is trying to cover up the sun with one finger.
6Korobeiniki
Tetrisis one of the most popular video games of all time, known by so many people around the world that we can now speak of it as a cultural symbol.
Likewise,Korobeiniki, its main theme, is a legendary theme among gamers. As with many classics of the time, players spent so much time listening to its loop that it was etched into their souls even hours after playing.
From something as simple as humming it to something more complex, like seeing it adapted hundreds of times by other media and works,Korobeiniki is video game history, even if many don’t know it formally.
Years go by, and we still talk aboutTetrisas if it came out yesterday, which is undeniable testimony to its ability to stand the test of time.
