100 Greatest Video Game Soundtracks

Sherick · **Posted:** Sun Jan 01, 2012 2:08 pm

Honestly when I think top game soundtracks I think more like

1. Ocarina of Time
2. Super Mario Bros
3. FFVII
4. FFVI
5. Chrono Trigger

Really 2-5 is largely interchangable to me. I don't know much about Symphony of the Night though, or Earthbound. I really do think Ocarina is a better candidate for #1.
Aside from that I think your top 10 looks good overall. If there was just one I would take out it would be Wing Commander, to make room for CT or Earthbound.

beaverteeth92 · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:09 pm **Posts:** 1163

Ocarina probably could be at 3, but Castlevania deserves to be Top 5 based on the acclaim its soundtrack has gotten. I'm thinking:

1. Super Mario Bros.
2,3. Ocarina of Time and Final Fantasy VII (not sure about order, but they're basically interchangable)
4. Castlevania
5. Earthbound
6. Final Fantasy VI
7. Chrono Trigger

Not sure about the rest of the Top 10, but Shadow of the Colossus may be eligible, as its soundtrack essentially makes the game and has considerable critical acclaim. Super Mario Bros. is at #1 because it's creative, original (when it came out), and THE video game soundtrack. As in it's basically become a part of pop culture, which no other soundtrack other than Ocarina of Time has managed to do.

Sherick · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 2:14 pm

I agree with that but I don't think anything beats the admiration and acclaim for Ocarina as an overall soundtrack. With Mario it's basically the first two songs on the soundtrack and a couple jingles that are spread out, albeit those two songs are two of the most well known pieces of music in the world. However, The Lost Woods, Zelda's Lullaby and Epona's Song have to rank up there somewhere as well.

beaverteeth92 · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:09 pm **Posts:** 1163

Yeah, hence the reason I suggested second place. Again, the Super Mario Bros. soundtrack is the kind of soundtrack where every part of it (as in not just the first piece) is instantly recognizable. Those jingles are a big deal. I played the coin jump music (just B-E fluttered really fast) on a piano once and virtually everyone in the room recognized it. Kondo pulled a John Williams with that sound effect. Ocarina is an incredible soundtrack, and yes, it has considerable admiration and acclaim, but it doesn't shine a candle to Super Mario Bros.

Also, I just noticed a massive oversight on this list. Where's Pokémon Red/Blue? Masuda's soundtrack is probably Top 10-worthy. I'd probably put it at 8 or 9.

Sherick · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 2:34 pm

You'd put it in the top 10? Hm, hadn't seen that coming. I guess I could see it though, most of the famous Pokemon songs began in that game.

boo boo · **Joined:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:36 pm **Posts:** 11093

Sonic 1 below Sonic 3?

Strange, popular consensus among gamers from what I have observed (not that gamers know their ass from a hole in the ground because they sure as fuck don't) seems to be that Sonic 3 had the weakest soundtrack of the 16 bit era and Sonic 1 is by far the most iconic. I love the Sonic 3 soundtrack, but I'm just saying, how can any track in that game compare to Green Hill or Scrap Brain?

beaverteeth92 · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:09 pm **Posts:** 1163

Anyone else agree? I've actually never played through a Sonic game so I feel unqualified to comment.

pgm · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 1:28 am

No Donkey Kong?

beaverteeth92 · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:09 pm **Posts:** 1163

Not as iconic as the game itself. Plus I'm not sure if this list is going to include arcade games. But again, this is a revision and I encourage debate.

pgm · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 2:19 am

Maybe not. It's my favorite soundtrack ever, though. I always viewed it as integral to the game experience, but I may be unique in finding it iconic.

boo boo · **Joined:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:36 pm **Posts:** 11093

Pgm. Do you mean the arcade classic or the Donkey Kong Country series?

Seriously beev, how in the heck can you leave out Donkey Kong Country 2?

Just to give you an idea of how highly regarded this soundtrack is.

http://rateyourmusic.com/customchart?pa ... countries=

pgm · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 2:59 am

Donkey Kong Country. Also, DKC2. Those are neck and neck for me.

beaverteeth92 · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:09 pm **Posts:** 1163

boo boo wrote:

Pgm. Do you mean the arcade classic or the Donkey Kong Country series?

Seriously beev, how in the heck can you leave out Donkey Kong Country 2?

Just to give you an idea of how highly regarded this soundtrack is.

http://rateyourmusic.com/customchart?pa ... countries=

Where would you place it? I haven't played the game so, again, I don't feel qualified to make any kind of decision regarding it. Also how do you guys feel about putting Mother 3 on this list?

Dubrow555 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 15, 2011 8:51 pm **Posts:** 203

Some other games with great soundtracks

Kingdom Hearts
Okami
Final Fantasy X
Beyond Good and Evil
Fable
Super Mario 64
Super Mario Galaxy
Donkey Kong Country

Sherick · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:59 pm

FFX does in fact have an amazing soundtrack. After VI, VII and IX, it may be the series' best.
Kingdom Hearts is very good as well.

100 Greatest Video Game Soundtracks

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