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 this list of fifteen iconic video game songs that transcend gaming.
15 Weight of the World
NieR: Automata
I haven’t cried at many video games in my life, but NieR: Automata is among the ones that broke me. PlatinumGames knew how to pull at my heartstrings, particularly through the song Weight 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 of NieR: Automata so perfectly that you can’t help but be blown away.
Overall, the video game’s soundtrack is among the best of all time, but Weight of the World is a song for posterity.
14 Bury the Light
Devil May Cry 5
Knowing Devil May Cry was bound to appear on this list no matter what, I had a hard time choosing between Devils Never Cry and Bury 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 play Devil May Cry, which is precisely what you would expect from the soundtrack of one of the best fast-paced games ever created.
13 It 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: Revengeance is definitely an icon.
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I could pick several tracks from it for this list, but I’ve decided to stick with It 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.
12 Ezio’s Family
Assassin’s Creed 2
I thought so right after I experienced it, and I still maintain that Assassin’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 is Ezio’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 despite Assassin’s Creed becoming something different, thus confirming the great value it possesses.
11 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Theme Song
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Given that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is one of those games that even grandmas know, it’s only natural to think that its Theme Song is among the most seminal.
Michael Hunter’s work is outstanding in each of his appearances, but the 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 playing San Andreas. Therefore, its transcendence was guaranteed, but it remains a classic.
10 One-Winged Angel
Final Fantasy 7
Nobuo Uematsu is one of the most important composers in the gaming industry, mainly due to his unparalleled work with Final Fantasy.
However, I would say that there is a consensus that One-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 as Final Fantasy 7 is 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.
9 The Last of Us Main Theme
The Last of Us
Even though it took me a long time to try the series, I admire The Last of Us, but more than anything Gustavo 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 as one 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.
8 Rip and Tear
DOOM
If the soundtrack is an instrument developers use to enhance the sensations they want to convey through gameplay, there is nothing quite like DOOM‘s Rip 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 know DOOM or like video games, there are many convincing reasons to listen to this magnificent song while doing your office work.
7 Gerudo Valley
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Even though I’m not a fan of The Legend of Zelda, I can’t deny the importance of Ocarina of Time or the prestige of Gerudo 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.
6 Korobeiniki
Tetris
Tetris is 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 about Tetris as if it came out yesterday, which is undeniable testimony to its ability to stand the test of time.
5 Sweden
Minecraft
I ended up trying Minecraft for the first time just a few months ago, and I’ve concluded that its transcendence is justified; it’s too overwhelming for an old man like me, but its soundtrack is pure perfection.
While I can’t comprehend the hundreds of variations of materials and combinations, I understand how happy I feel when I listen to songs like Sweden.
The same could be said about the vast majority of the game’s tracks, but that one is by far the most popular on music platforms, and it makes perfect sense.
Although I may never fully exploit the endlessness of Minecraft, I will enjoy Sweden and the rest of the themes for as long as I can to keep enjoying the unprecedented peace they convey to me.
4 Megalovania
Undertale
You know you’ve reached a new level of significance when even the Pope knows you, and that’s specifically what happened to Undertale‘s Megalovania song.
The theme that accompanies the fight against Sans, one of the best and most challenging bosses in gaming, is the ultimate definition of the word iconic.
Mainly, because it’s a majestic composition that reflects how incredible Toby Fox’s work is, but also because its context was just right for it to become known.
Due to Undertale’s quality, relevance, and popularity, the size of its fan base, and the influence it exerted on independent developers worldwide, Megalovania is as distinctive as it is unique.
3 Opening Suite
Halo: Combat Evolved
Over the past 20 years, Halo has established itself as a historic video game franchise, so we cannot understand the industry without its presence.
Simultaneously, we cannot understand Halo’s imposing nature without Opening Suite, the legendary theme that leads the start of Halo: Combat Evolved and is part of the lives of millions of players.
Between being sung by dozens of students in a school bathroom and being played by the best orchestras, Martin O’Donnell’s composition will never be forgotten.
It helped its notoriety a lot that Halo: CE was one of the best shooters of the 2000s, but I think the greatest merit is entirely its own because of its majesty.
2 Gwyn, Lord of Cinder
Dark Souls
I know I always try hard to sneak a FromSoftware game into my lists, but Dark Souls‘ Gwyn, Lord of Cinder was a clear choice for this list.
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For one of the most important games of the last few generations, everything about Dark Souls has iconic status, but few elements are on the level of the song that plays during the final fight.
Considering its narrative impact, how it makes us feel about Gwyn, the way it breaks the fourth wall, and how fantastic it is, it’s one of the most timely, well-crafted, and memorable musical themes in the gaming industry.
In time, I’m sure we’ll look back on Gwyn, Lord of Cinder like we look back on Korobeiniki or Gerudo Valley today. That’s how outstanding this song is.
1 Ground Theme
Super Mario Bros.
As much as I looked at it, there was no other alternative for the top spot on this list than Ground Theme, better known as Main Theme from Super Mario Bros.
The most well-known figure in the history of video games also has the most iconic song, as there is no human being on this earth who, regardless of their background, doesn’t know it.
Even if you have not played a Mario game or know anything about the interactive medium, it’s highly unlikely you haven’t heard of Ground Theme. It’s so historical and enjoyable that it’s difficult not to identify it immediately.
Because of its legacy, quality, what it represents, and how long it has lasted despite being four decades old, the main theme of Super Mario Bros. is the most transcendent song of all video games.
