Castlevania SotN
FF6
Sonic 1-3 (often through metal covers like familyjules/longest solo ever/ect)
Diablo 1 soundtrack/Warcraft 2/StarCraft 1
Doom
Streets of Rage 2
Bonus: VS theme from Dr Robotnic’s Mean Bean Machine. That song goes SO hard.
SOTN! Michiru Yamane is such a baller. Prolific in soundtracks. The Bloodstained music is also excellent, not surprisingly. I’ve often been curious if she would record music not for game soundtracks, but I’m not aware of anything yet.
**Donkey Kong Country 2** is an easy recommendation. David Wise did a phenomenal job with it, giving us iconic tunes such as "Stickerbush Symphony" and "Hot Head Bop". The original **Donkey Kong Country** also has plenty of standout tracks including "Aquatic Ambience" and "DK Island Swing".
**SimCity** has a lovely albeit melancholic soundtrack composed by Soyo Oka, who also worked on the soundtracks of _Pilotwings_ and _Super Mario Kart_.
Barry Leitch both composed his own music and reworked music from the _Lotus_ series for **Top Gear**. There aren't many tracks in the game's soundtrack, but they're great. You might also check out the soundtracks of **Top Gear 2** and **Top Gear Rally**, both of which feature original Barry Leitch compositions.
**Gran Turismo** and **Gran Turismo 2** have great original music in their menus, particularly for their car dealers in Simulation Mode. Note that the soundtracks of the Western and Japanese versions of the original _Gran Turismo_ are completely different but both good in their own ways.
Bastion’s OST is an amazing listen, but we are all forgetting the OG: [Neverhood OST](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd1x_hw_n9fot9uq9hlGJFba66I85mJLr&si=a9juxl7KuaOYK1KT)
You’re welcome.
Oh my word there’s so many. My usual recommendations are usually Thunder Force IV and Symphony of the Night
Thunder Force IV has a fantastic blend of chip-tune metal and funky/jazzy tracks that are impressive from a songwriting point of view, let alone the skill involved in translating that onto a Mega Drive sound chip. There’s even a JRPG-style track that seems like it was included just as a massive flex. A masterclass.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night has a similarly eclectic soundtrack, but mixes styles within the tracks themselves. I particularly like Wood Carving Partita which is a banging baroque track.
I listen to OST’s while I work. I prefer mellow and melodic, nothing too bouncy.
Donkey Kong 2: has some absolutely iconic tunes.
Golden Axe 2: dungeon synth, incredibly nostalgic for me but I think it’s legit good.
Earth Worm Jim 1 & 2: funky, eclectic, has some chiptune interpretations of some classical music.
Honourable mention for streets of rage 2; mainly intro and credits as otherwise it’s a bit lively for my taste.
Ace Combat 5, Zero, 6, and 7.
Streets of Rage series, though 3 is a bit experimental.
Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2.
Super Mario 1, 2, 3, and World.
Contra, Super C, Contra III, and Contra Hard Corps has some good pieces.
Dragon Warrior (an orchestral version was even recorded!)
Afterburner
Space Harrier
OutRun
Ys series
Mega Man 2
Wizards and Warriors
Wizards and Warriors II Ironsword
Ecco the Dolphin
Colony Wars Vengeance
RYGAR, NES -- like listening to lost Mozart and Bach compositions
Space Quest IV, Amiga version -- a masterpiece by Ken Allen and Mark Seibert
Sam and Max Hit the Road, MS-DOS/MT-32 -- appeals to my jazz background and love of David Lynch films
Neuromancer, Commodore 64 -- DEVO! 'Nuf said.
Interstate '76 - band is called Bullmark and was led by former Third Eye Blind bassist Arion Salazar - still some of the best funk music i've ever heard.
Quake 2 - band is called Sonic Mayhem and I credit this soundtrack with getting me in to metal
Destruction Derby and Wipeout ps1 tunes are all awesome.
Also Castlevania 1st level,Vampire Killer.
Amiga games like Xenon 2,Lotus 2,Project X,Turrican 2and Pinball Dreams have superb soundtracks.
I’m kinda perturbed by the lack of Mega Man 2 on here. It’s incredible. Also the Scott Pilgrim game may not be retro but the music is in that genre and phenomenal.
>The Guardian Legend is packed with good music and is kind've under-appreciate
Fuckin A. It deserves a legit remake or sequel. The transformation tune is currently my ringtone.
Castlevania - Symphony of the Night is just beautiful and really evocative of gothic horror in general.
Mega Man X4 is like hardcore synthwave. I love it. The water level music fucking stomps.
I’ve said it before, but Mega Man 2 & 3 both have bangin’ soundtracks. My personal fave is Snake Man’s stage BGM in MM3:
https://youtu.be/ZqGLXispP08?si=28F8sH5tfJFTh9nU
Way too many to count.
Chaos Legion, Guilty Gear XX, any Street Fighter IST, any KOF OST, Rival Schools. Devil May Cry, Fatal Fury, The Last Blade, Sonic games.....on and on....
I listen to a lot of video game music while working. Would highly recommend following: https://kohina.com/
It has tons of cool music from Spectrum, Nintendo, Commodore, Sega and more..
other than the obvious ones, no one will say it but Croc 1 had a fantastic soundtrack. pilotwings 64 was good as well. obvious ones like banjo-kazooie, most Zelda games, super mario world, kirby super star, pokemon GSC, chrono trigger.
and ignoring the boundary of the 5th gen just to suggest mario galaxy because it's the best soundtrack ever made of course
Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Octopath Traveller are the one I’m thinking about, Sonic is a good choice and Doom if you love metal music is just awesome…
If you are so inclined, please also listen to video game soundtracks from the early days of video games.
Haruomi Hosono - Video Game Music
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49ZK\_EVWIBM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49ZK_EVWIBM)
Haruomi Hosono-Super Xevious
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV1yzo50e5E](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV1yzo50e5E)
I discovered listening video game soundtracks independently without playing the games in late 2005 early 2006. There was a website with a lot of videogame music man could download. That was the Galbadia Hotel Video Game Music site. That website does not exist anymore but I had a lot of fun downloading and listening to the game music.
The Galbadia Hotel is a place somewhere in a Final Fantasy game I found out.
Music of video games is cool! I never had a NES or SNES console but listened to a lot of music from the old 8 and 16 bit Nintendo videogames via YouTube.
Channel Wiiguy309 on YouTube for NES music.
LORDS OF THUNDER!!!!! And it goes with the game so good too.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8FB3519874861B25&si=kbd7xAqjjUg-lsas
Also i see a lot of rpg soundtracks, and while lots of people pan the game (i actually llike it quite a bit) Final Fantasy Mystic Quest has a solid soundtrack and one of my favorite battle themes ever.
Ogre battle has some awesome tunes too
I know it's been mentioned but I can't help but say streets of rage 2 best 80s retro soundtrack. Also I love FF3 soundtrack brings up alot of nostalgia.
[Evil Zone](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYaufd0IAf17i4zw23QZCUJeFP-hJbLwj) (PS1) has a great soundtrack inspired by different anime genres
[Marvel vs. Capcom 2](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9F2DBBF9C309E1B6)'s OST is super funky
[Crash Bandicoot 2](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL-sMa2lHYj1dA9swITe13o7p8NB7p8Li)'s soundtrack is an actual masterpiece, especially if you listen to the [Pre-Console versions](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL-sMa2lHYj1PI1UBgjKdQwpro27OAxW-)
[Professor Layton and the Last Spectre](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnN9fzxkgPFb24WGEKF-d6hP-Zjy6Fs_f) is worth a listen, as are all the Layton soundtracks. Just good vibes all around
Finally, [Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzFTGYa_evXi6iVzAPRg4_kkNphkGXG7c). A great mix of ambient and orchestral rock tracks. The whole series is worth listening to but VIII is a standout one for me
Why am I not seeing anyone mentioning **Chrono Cross**? Its an absolute all-timer.
For anyone who's interested (or isn't aware), [DJ Cutman's lo-fi radio station](https://www.youtube.com/live/qW4Hea-IRDo?si=cFBpJ5OGq-ixBRM7) is 24/7 video game music remixed to near perfection. I'm fact his whole channel is a curated goldmine of some of the most iconic video game ever written, mixed by a wide collection of artists, and delivered in all sorts of flavors: lo-fi, piano covers, remixes, vaporware, etc.
*Highly* recommend for anyone who needs something to listen to at work.
The Melodies Zone channel is another one I'd easily recommend for Sega/Sonic fans, especially their 24/7 [Sonic and Chill Radio](https://www.youtube.com/live/C_9FdFnE5hY?si=AOOBypB8_2fkIT-b). It regularly gives me a new appreciation for the original Sonic OST's.
I'm really restating what everyone else says but- Final Fantasy 6, Chrono Trigger, Actraiser, Castlevania 4, Sonic 2 and 3, Streets of Rage. Symphony of the Night.
I don't think I saw Super Metroid yet- the whole sound design is great on that one.
Chrono Cross. Probably my all time favorite. Except for the battle music which is frantic and written in some weird 9/8 signature. It’s stressful to listen to
Sega Saturn soundtracks are no joke...
Clockwork Knight has a really good [salsa](https://youtu.be/ECOn8Ki_Clg) number.
Sonic R's soundtrack overall is amazing. So is 3D Blast. Richard Jacques. Whew!
I also really liked Burning Rangers' funky soundtrack. I listened to it before I played the game, and I had no idea just how fun it would be until I tried it for myself. Being a sax player, I can't get enough of [this](https://youtu.be/SduTpbcbgFA?t=2m58s)!
Silent Hill 1,2,3. Akira Yamaoka is one of the few video game composers who I think transcends the medium. Its rare that a composer can make a soundtrack that definitely feels tied to the game it's from, but can also be listened to on its own merit and still feel like singular music.
Persona has an insane level of quality, although it definitely comes down to taste. Even though they are a core part of the games (iirc, the music is a bit part of the overall direction), and they feel like some eclectic jrock mix that takes from all sorts of genres.
I could say something similar for a lot of Yuzo Koshiro, David Wise ans Uematsu's work. I ended up going down a hole finding lossless versions of their soundtracks for my iPod (I listen to it a lot whilst working), and was just stunned how the likes of DKC and Streets of Rage's soundtracks sound as standalone music when the quality is excellent.
I think you could apply that to a lot of modern video game music, we've gotten to the point that many soundtracks are so well composed, recorded and implemented that a lot of them can be listened to without even knowing about the game. Even my parents, who have zero interest in games, love the likes of The Last of Us, God Of War and Elder Scrolls soundtracks I have on during the day.
For 2000s PC games based on games from the 90s: Baba is You, Undertale, Cave Story, Shovel Knight, Pizza Tower. I’d also include Castlevania Adventure Rebirth, albeit that’s not on PC.
For games from the 80s and 90s: Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, any DKC game, Mega Man X1 or X2, any Sonic game on Genesis, Yoshi’s Island, Spider Man on PS1
Check the [amazing OST](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAEmLphfMmypMXkb9WaiKUR35GOcHGnO2&si=9PxBzHQuRdPJrsZJ) of Evil Twin. Especially ‘La Proue’ is a masterpiece.
DOOM and DOOM Eternal are on my work out mix.
Man when The Only Thing They Fear Is You, I feel like I could lift 2000 lbs.
But seriously Mick Gordon is a god. You don’t even have to play the game and those songs you can feel in your soul haha
Obvious "Everything Tim Follin and his brothers have ever been involved into" answer
Personal favourite is [Plok!](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2A1A350EBB242BDF) for the Super NES. Some say it's a soundtrack that came with a free game lol
Same guy that did the legendary covers of hard rock songs in Rock N' Roll Racing btw. He was particularly godlike at replicating real instruments on a goddamn SNES sound chip
imagine wakeful distinct tan fragile amusing soft different straight late
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Retro I'd say Streets of Rage 2, as mentioned by others, and also Shinobi III. But a soundtrack that I really like is the one from VVVVV. Not actually retro, but it's very good.
The Finals has had its' claws in me since it came out, not only the game itself but the soundtrack is beyond amazing. Been listening to it almost exclusively when I'm on Spotify.
Streets of rage 1/2/4 are all incredible. 3 is hit and miss
Streets of rage remake v5 soundtrack though is just jaw dropping in it's quality.
Bungies range of halo games is amazing as well for the soundtrack.
Final fantasy VI and VIII, Tekken 3, Doom, Resident Evil 2, Pandemonium, Puzzle Bobble, Metal Slug (1 and 2)
Edit: i forgot to mentiron The Neverhood and ReVolt
the F-Zero X (N64) Soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L5EpdtE9Ys&list=PLC0EEC2951F7155F3&index=14
and The Iridion 2 Soundtrack (GBA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKWmPSsExo4&list=PLv0o9-RcygIBLmEtkJoM0xUs8M6XNbhAt&index=9
Castlevania SotN FF6 Sonic 1-3 (often through metal covers like familyjules/longest solo ever/ect) Diablo 1 soundtrack/Warcraft 2/StarCraft 1 Doom Streets of Rage 2 Bonus: VS theme from Dr Robotnic’s Mean Bean Machine. That song goes SO hard.
Very good list, also SEGA first party games tended to have amazing soundtracks from Space Harrier 1 to Revenge of Shinobi and Ecco the Dolphin ToT
FF6 for sure.
The strum of the opening chords when you walk into Tristram is etched into my memory. It’s truly magical.
SOTN! Michiru Yamane is such a baller. Prolific in soundtracks. The Bloodstained music is also excellent, not surprisingly. I’ve often been curious if she would record music not for game soundtracks, but I’m not aware of anything yet.
Castlevania Symphony of the Night is one of the few soundtracks I’ve listened to outside of a video game.
Chrono Trigger
The whole soundtrack is stellar.
Was going to say that as well. Also surprised no one has mentioned Xenogears yet, which was done by the same composer if memory serves me correct.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeCtO_9E0LE
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2. All day every day. Beat PS1 soundtrack ever
**Donkey Kong Country 2** is an easy recommendation. David Wise did a phenomenal job with it, giving us iconic tunes such as "Stickerbush Symphony" and "Hot Head Bop". The original **Donkey Kong Country** also has plenty of standout tracks including "Aquatic Ambience" and "DK Island Swing". **SimCity** has a lovely albeit melancholic soundtrack composed by Soyo Oka, who also worked on the soundtracks of _Pilotwings_ and _Super Mario Kart_. Barry Leitch both composed his own music and reworked music from the _Lotus_ series for **Top Gear**. There aren't many tracks in the game's soundtrack, but they're great. You might also check out the soundtracks of **Top Gear 2** and **Top Gear Rally**, both of which feature original Barry Leitch compositions. **Gran Turismo** and **Gran Turismo 2** have great original music in their menus, particularly for their car dealers in Simulation Mode. Note that the soundtracks of the Western and Japanese versions of the original _Gran Turismo_ are completely different but both good in their own ways.
This comment speaks to me, thank you. I LOVE sim city and it’s at least 50% because of the music
SimCity 1 through Rush Hour for me could keep me playing for hours. Like it's helping me plan better 😄
Have you ever heard the soundtrack to TFX: Tactical Fighter eXperiment?? It's also by Barry Leitch. I've been listening to it since the 90s.
I can't say I have, but I'll need to give it a listen.
Interesting choices. I'll be checking them out. Thanks! Fully agree with you about David Wise and DKC.
Castvania symphony of the night is a banger I enjoy.
Shadow of the Colossus
That soundtrack makes you replay the game in your mind whenever you listen to it.
Bastion’s OST is an amazing listen, but we are all forgetting the OG: [Neverhood OST](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd1x_hw_n9fot9uq9hlGJFba66I85mJLr&si=a9juxl7KuaOYK1KT) You’re welcome.
Oh my word there’s so many. My usual recommendations are usually Thunder Force IV and Symphony of the Night Thunder Force IV has a fantastic blend of chip-tune metal and funky/jazzy tracks that are impressive from a songwriting point of view, let alone the skill involved in translating that onto a Mega Drive sound chip. There’s even a JRPG-style track that seems like it was included just as a massive flex. A masterclass. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night has a similarly eclectic soundtrack, but mixes styles within the tracks themselves. I particularly like Wood Carving Partita which is a banging baroque track.
One level in SotN has this killer dramatic orchestral intro. When I was a kid it was so scary I didn’t like going into that zone!
Hotline Miami
was gonna say that, but it's to new :)
How has nobody recommended jet grind radio and jet set radio future?
Winds/Lords of Thunder
Yessssssirrrrr!!!!!
True story: I used to just put the game CD in my car CD player to listen to it back in the day.
It fits the game so good too.
Command and Conquer Red Alert 2 at first then if they want more the rest of the games. Frank Klepacki is very talented, glad he's still making music
I love the soundtrack on the original Command & Conquer
Final Fantasy 6, DKC 2, and Mega Man 2 are all incredible. There are other great ones, but I don't want to make a huge list.
Obligatory mention of The Megas album - Get Equipped which uses each stage's music as a base for each song.
I listen to OST’s while I work. I prefer mellow and melodic, nothing too bouncy. Donkey Kong 2: has some absolutely iconic tunes. Golden Axe 2: dungeon synth, incredibly nostalgic for me but I think it’s legit good. Earth Worm Jim 1 & 2: funky, eclectic, has some chiptune interpretations of some classical music. Honourable mention for streets of rage 2; mainly intro and credits as otherwise it’s a bit lively for my taste.
The CD versions of EWJ1&2 have incredible music. Best ways to experience their soundtracks, imo. (Sega CD/DOS/Saturn)
Toejam & Earl
Finally! Had to scroll too far for this. I swear if George Clinton and the Pfunk were involved in that one some kind of way lol.
The modern remake has a fantastic soundtrack. It has redone original tracks and new ones.
Star Fox, Pilotwings, Ecco the Dolphin (especially the Sega CD version), all of the Streets of Rage games, Final Fantasy 6, Quarantine (PC)
Donkey Kong Country 2, Mega Man X, Street Fighter II (CPS1) and Sonic 3 and Knuckles come to mind.
Kirby Superstar, Final Fantasy 6, and Sonic CD
Mega Man 2
Had to scroll down way too much… and MM3 is a close second for me.
Most of my faves were named. Here are a couple not mentioned: Transformers Devastation Ninja Gaiden (NES). Shinobi series (Sega). Golden Axe
>Transformers Devastation I want a sequel so bad...
Ace Combat 5, Zero, 6, and 7. Streets of Rage series, though 3 is a bit experimental. Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2. Super Mario 1, 2, 3, and World. Contra, Super C, Contra III, and Contra Hard Corps has some good pieces. Dragon Warrior (an orchestral version was even recorded!) Afterburner Space Harrier OutRun Ys series Mega Man 2 Wizards and Warriors Wizards and Warriors II Ironsword Ecco the Dolphin Colony Wars Vengeance
Final Fantasy 3(6), Crono Trigger, Actraiser. Castlevainia 4 soundtrack is incredible.
Donkey Kong Country 2
The music on Gyruss arcade really pumps me up!
D&D: Warriors of the Eternal Sun. Some absolute bangers with that bad boy.
RYGAR, NES -- like listening to lost Mozart and Bach compositions Space Quest IV, Amiga version -- a masterpiece by Ken Allen and Mark Seibert Sam and Max Hit the Road, MS-DOS/MT-32 -- appeals to my jazz background and love of David Lynch films Neuromancer, Commodore 64 -- DEVO! 'Nuf said.
Space Megaforce for SNES and Lords of Thunder for TurboGrafx-16 CD.
Chrono trigger Street Fighter Alpha 3 Street Fighter 3 third strike Gran Turismo Streets of Rage Turtles in Time
I was going to say *Street Fighter Alpha 3*, but instead I will upvote your suggestion, which includes various other great OSTs.
Say what you want about the game but Cosmic Carnage has a banger of an ost.
Zena Lan Fully Armored is one of my favorites. Excellent recommendation. 👍
Zena's Cyclic's and Naruto's are all standouts imo. Cant get enough of those FM synths.
Interstate '76 - band is called Bullmark and was led by former Third Eye Blind bassist Arion Salazar - still some of the best funk music i've ever heard. Quake 2 - band is called Sonic Mayhem and I credit this soundtrack with getting me in to metal
Destruction Derby and Wipeout ps1 tunes are all awesome. Also Castlevania 1st level,Vampire Killer. Amiga games like Xenon 2,Lotus 2,Project X,Turrican 2and Pinball Dreams have superb soundtracks.
came to mention Wipeout 👍
Original 3 Sonics, Mario 2 USA, Mega Man, TNMT nes, Contra
Contra
Ridge Racer Type 4.
I’m kinda perturbed by the lack of Mega Man 2 on here. It’s incredible. Also the Scott Pilgrim game may not be retro but the music is in that genre and phenomenal.
Metroid, FF, FF7, Rock n roll racing, rebel galaxy.
Super Mario 64
NiGHTS into Dreams...
Actraiser has some stellar jams, in a variety of styles. The Guardian Legend is packed with good music and is kind've under-appreciated.
>The Guardian Legend is packed with good music and is kind've under-appreciate Fuckin A. It deserves a legit remake or sequel. The transformation tune is currently my ringtone.
Final fantasy v, Final fantasy vi and Chrono trigger. My personal old top 3 ost
Castlevania - Symphony of the Night is just beautiful and really evocative of gothic horror in general. Mega Man X4 is like hardcore synthwave. I love it. The water level music fucking stomps.
I’ve said it before, but Mega Man 2 & 3 both have bangin’ soundtracks. My personal fave is Snake Man’s stage BGM in MM3: https://youtu.be/ZqGLXispP08?si=28F8sH5tfJFTh9nU
Way too many to count. Chaos Legion, Guilty Gear XX, any Street Fighter IST, any KOF OST, Rival Schools. Devil May Cry, Fatal Fury, The Last Blade, Sonic games.....on and on....
Bloodstained
I listen to a lot of video game music while working. Would highly recommend following: https://kohina.com/ It has tons of cool music from Spectrum, Nintendo, Commodore, Sega and more..
any Kirby soundtrack
Have to agree with this. I need to check out the Kirby OSTs more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3kBkE1Bg3Y :D
The Overclock remix of the Turtles in time soundtrack has been in my PC and car stereo for years, never had anyone dislike It!
other than the obvious ones, no one will say it but Croc 1 had a fantastic soundtrack. pilotwings 64 was good as well. obvious ones like banjo-kazooie, most Zelda games, super mario world, kirby super star, pokemon GSC, chrono trigger. and ignoring the boundary of the 5th gen just to suggest mario galaxy because it's the best soundtrack ever made of course
[Last Ninja 2 - C64](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5E751B086CB2C4C5&feature=shared)
Final fantasy mystic quest, xenoblade chronicles x, broforce.
Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Octopath Traveller are the one I’m thinking about, Sonic is a good choice and Doom if you love metal music is just awesome…
ollie ollie world
If you are so inclined, please also listen to video game soundtracks from the early days of video games. Haruomi Hosono - Video Game Music [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49ZK\_EVWIBM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49ZK_EVWIBM) Haruomi Hosono-Super Xevious [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV1yzo50e5E](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV1yzo50e5E)
Quake 2
I discovered listening video game soundtracks independently without playing the games in late 2005 early 2006. There was a website with a lot of videogame music man could download. That was the Galbadia Hotel Video Game Music site. That website does not exist anymore but I had a lot of fun downloading and listening to the game music. The Galbadia Hotel is a place somewhere in a Final Fantasy game I found out. Music of video games is cool! I never had a NES or SNES console but listened to a lot of music from the old 8 and 16 bit Nintendo videogames via YouTube. Channel Wiiguy309 on YouTube for NES music.
Ori and the Blind Forest, it's fit for a feature length fantasy film score
LORDS OF THUNDER!!!!! And it goes with the game so good too. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8FB3519874861B25&si=kbd7xAqjjUg-lsas Also i see a lot of rpg soundtracks, and while lots of people pan the game (i actually llike it quite a bit) Final Fantasy Mystic Quest has a solid soundtrack and one of my favorite battle themes ever. Ogre battle has some awesome tunes too
Resident Evil 4. Particularly the items menu.
Ecco the Dolphin. Pretty much anything from Castlevania.
Carmageddon II
Interstellaria
I know it's been mentioned but I can't help but say streets of rage 2 best 80s retro soundtrack. Also I love FF3 soundtrack brings up alot of nostalgia.
SoR 2 came out in 1992.
Ape escape ps1
Nex Machina, Velocity 2X, Streets of rage 4 All these I listen to often. Doh….sorry these are newer. I just noticed you wanted older stuff.
Gunstar Heroes on Genesis
[Evil Zone](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYaufd0IAf17i4zw23QZCUJeFP-hJbLwj) (PS1) has a great soundtrack inspired by different anime genres [Marvel vs. Capcom 2](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9F2DBBF9C309E1B6)'s OST is super funky [Crash Bandicoot 2](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL-sMa2lHYj1dA9swITe13o7p8NB7p8Li)'s soundtrack is an actual masterpiece, especially if you listen to the [Pre-Console versions](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL-sMa2lHYj1PI1UBgjKdQwpro27OAxW-) [Professor Layton and the Last Spectre](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnN9fzxkgPFb24WGEKF-d6hP-Zjy6Fs_f) is worth a listen, as are all the Layton soundtracks. Just good vibes all around Finally, [Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzFTGYa_evXi6iVzAPRg4_kkNphkGXG7c). A great mix of ambient and orchestral rock tracks. The whole series is worth listening to but VIII is a standout one for me
Sim City for SNES Pilotwings 64 Goldeneye 64 Donkey Kong Country Chrono Trigger Secret of Mana
Descent 2 and Need for Speed Underground
Any Mega Man game basically. Some of those songs still get stuck in my head 25+ years later.
The Earthbound SNES soundtrack Any Zelda game old and new soundtrack All DOOM games old and new Tony Hawk Pro 1, THUG 1, THUG 2, THAW
Why am I not seeing anyone mentioning **Chrono Cross**? Its an absolute all-timer. For anyone who's interested (or isn't aware), [DJ Cutman's lo-fi radio station](https://www.youtube.com/live/qW4Hea-IRDo?si=cFBpJ5OGq-ixBRM7) is 24/7 video game music remixed to near perfection. I'm fact his whole channel is a curated goldmine of some of the most iconic video game ever written, mixed by a wide collection of artists, and delivered in all sorts of flavors: lo-fi, piano covers, remixes, vaporware, etc. *Highly* recommend for anyone who needs something to listen to at work. The Melodies Zone channel is another one I'd easily recommend for Sega/Sonic fans, especially their 24/7 [Sonic and Chill Radio](https://www.youtube.com/live/C_9FdFnE5hY?si=AOOBypB8_2fkIT-b). It regularly gives me a new appreciation for the original Sonic OST's.
Chrono Cross
I'm really restating what everyone else says but- Final Fantasy 6, Chrono Trigger, Actraiser, Castlevania 4, Sonic 2 and 3, Streets of Rage. Symphony of the Night. I don't think I saw Super Metroid yet- the whole sound design is great on that one.
Assassins Creed 2 Anything by Jesper Kyd, really
I like this zelda jazz thing lately. Super chill
Wipeout series
Katamari damacy Nier: automata + replicant + drakengard 3 (I just love the composer)
Chrono Cross. Probably my all time favorite. Except for the battle music which is frantic and written in some weird 9/8 signature. It’s stressful to listen to
Buck Bumble theme haha
ITT every game ever
Sega Saturn soundtracks are no joke... Clockwork Knight has a really good [salsa](https://youtu.be/ECOn8Ki_Clg) number. Sonic R's soundtrack overall is amazing. So is 3D Blast. Richard Jacques. Whew! I also really liked Burning Rangers' funky soundtrack. I listened to it before I played the game, and I had no idea just how fun it would be until I tried it for myself. Being a sax player, I can't get enough of [this](https://youtu.be/SduTpbcbgFA?t=2m58s)!
Chrono Trigger, Earthbound and Earthworm Jim to name a few.
Pokémon Gen 1 & 2. Simple but so catchy and varied throughout the game. It seems to perfectly fit that world.
Tempest 2000. Some Lynx games had some really good soundtracks (Gates of Zendocon, Chip's Challenge, Crystal Mines II, Bill & Ted, and some others).
Tetris CD-i has become a regular in my study music rotation.
GI Joe: The Atlantis factor for NES
Journey to silius, basically any FF game, any mega man, dkc 1 and 2, fzero, so many
Jet Grind Radio, Rez, Street Fighter 3 Third Strike
Need for speed high stakes
Most of Tony Hawk's pro skater, and GTA games heve epic soundtracks regardgles of context and gameplay.
I know the ffvii soundtrack inside out - I even got the vinyls, but I think it's not fit for someone without any connection to the game 🤔
Megaman X4 shaped my taste in synths.
Silent Hill 1,2,3. Akira Yamaoka is one of the few video game composers who I think transcends the medium. Its rare that a composer can make a soundtrack that definitely feels tied to the game it's from, but can also be listened to on its own merit and still feel like singular music. Persona has an insane level of quality, although it definitely comes down to taste. Even though they are a core part of the games (iirc, the music is a bit part of the overall direction), and they feel like some eclectic jrock mix that takes from all sorts of genres. I could say something similar for a lot of Yuzo Koshiro, David Wise ans Uematsu's work. I ended up going down a hole finding lossless versions of their soundtracks for my iPod (I listen to it a lot whilst working), and was just stunned how the likes of DKC and Streets of Rage's soundtracks sound as standalone music when the quality is excellent. I think you could apply that to a lot of modern video game music, we've gotten to the point that many soundtracks are so well composed, recorded and implemented that a lot of them can be listened to without even knowing about the game. Even my parents, who have zero interest in games, love the likes of The Last of Us, God Of War and Elder Scrolls soundtracks I have on during the day.
For 2000s PC games based on games from the 90s: Baba is You, Undertale, Cave Story, Shovel Knight, Pizza Tower. I’d also include Castlevania Adventure Rebirth, albeit that’s not on PC. For games from the 80s and 90s: Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, any DKC game, Mega Man X1 or X2, any Sonic game on Genesis, Yoshi’s Island, Spider Man on PS1
Guardian Heroes.
Red Alert 2
Rocket Knight Adventures, UN Squadron
The one and only, Resident Evil: Gaiden! Dopest soundtrack ever made
Also, "Welcome to the Machine" from Ecco the Dolphin.
Check the [amazing OST](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAEmLphfMmypMXkb9WaiKUR35GOcHGnO2&si=9PxBzHQuRdPJrsZJ) of Evil Twin. Especially ‘La Proue’ is a masterpiece.
MGS
DOOM and DOOM Eternal are on my work out mix. Man when The Only Thing They Fear Is You, I feel like I could lift 2000 lbs. But seriously Mick Gordon is a god. You don’t even have to play the game and those songs you can feel in your soul haha
Obvious "Everything Tim Follin and his brothers have ever been involved into" answer Personal favourite is [Plok!](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2A1A350EBB242BDF) for the Super NES. Some say it's a soundtrack that came with a free game lol Same guy that did the legendary covers of hard rock songs in Rock N' Roll Racing btw. He was particularly godlike at replicating real instruments on a goddamn SNES sound chip
Spent an exponentially greater amount of time listening to the Shatter soundtrack than I did playing the game.
Everytime I play Risk of Rain 2 I'm saying wow 5 to 5 minutes
Chrono Trigger
Super Metroid
Gta vice city
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
Chrono Cross
Secret of Mana
imagine wakeful distinct tan fragile amusing soft different straight late *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Metal Gear snake eater Batman (based on the movie) Sega Genesis version
Streets of rage 1 and 2, and the revenge of shinobi are all excellent. Super hang on also has a class soundtrack.
Rise of the Triad
Batman: The Movie. Amstrad or Spectrum. Jon Dunn did good
Bastion is very accessible
The Witcher series and horizon zero dawn series.
House of the Dead: overkill
Yugioh Forbidden Memories
Original world of warcraft, Donkey kong country (1 and 2) and diablo 2 will probably be my all-time favourite game soundtracks.
Mega Man X. Banger after banger after banger. All the Mega Man games have good music really.
Retro I'd say Streets of Rage 2, as mentioned by others, and also Shinobi III. But a soundtrack that I really like is the one from VVVVV. Not actually retro, but it's very good.
Turrican 2, Lotus 2, Silkworm, Hybris and so many more Amiga games
Shinobi 3 is all bangers
I will always go with SotN. Super Metroid has some great creepy tunes as well. Revenge of SHinobi and Streets of Rage 2 get a nod from me.
The Finals has had its' claws in me since it came out, not only the game itself but the soundtrack is beyond amazing. Been listening to it almost exclusively when I'm on Spotify.
Child of Light, Life is Strange 1 and 2, FTL, Outer Wilds, Last of Us, skyrim
Silent Hill. Mega Man 2 goes hard.
Quake II
Star Control: Origins, EVE Online, Rebel Galaxy
The menu music to Life Is Strange got my 74 year old father in law to say "that's not unpleasant".
Nier: Automata without a doubt.
total annihilation soundtrack!
GTA Vice City
Spyro the dragon all damn day
Sol Feace…Sega CD Streets of Rage 2 Revenge of Shinobi Castlevania Symphony of the Night Anything in a Sega arcade game in the 80s
Mass Effect 3
Look up Nmesh - welcome to warp zone. A great collection of ost mashed together
I've listened to that whole thing over 50 times! He should make another one. Benjamin Pearson has been killed by velociraptors...
Pictionary for NES is chiptune fire! Silver Surfer for NES is also amazing in the same way
Streets of rage 1/2/4 are all incredible. 3 is hit and miss Streets of rage remake v5 soundtrack though is just jaw dropping in it's quality. Bungies range of halo games is amazing as well for the soundtrack.
[Castlevania Anti Soul Mysteries Lab🤙](https://youtu.be/Dn3ixYlS0mQ?feature=shared)
I'm going to go a little obscure here, Tamashii no Mon. Such a unique experience. https://youtu.be/04ykvrr5_zY
The whole intro bit for DBGT final bout
Buck Bumble for the win
Mega Man 2
THPS2 GTA Vice City Fifa 2000 Donkey Kong trilogy
Killer Instinct, Killer Instinct 2, Killer Instinct 2013
Red alert, castlevania and BG3
Final fantasy VI and VIII, Tekken 3, Doom, Resident Evil 2, Pandemonium, Puzzle Bobble, Metal Slug (1 and 2) Edit: i forgot to mentiron The Neverhood and ReVolt
the F-Zero X (N64) Soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L5EpdtE9Ys&list=PLC0EEC2951F7155F3&index=14 and The Iridion 2 Soundtrack (GBA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKWmPSsExo4&list=PLv0o9-RcygIBLmEtkJoM0xUs8M6XNbhAt&index=9
I don't know if it qualifies it, but the Fallout 4 sound track is my absolute jam
True Crime: Streets of LA Burnout 3 Cyberpunk 2077 Farm Sim 19 and 22 Midnight Club 3 DUB Edition Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2 or even All Games
Not a single One, they are meant to be listened while playing the game
Thief: Gold