12 Iconic Video Game Theme Songs of All Time

If you are a gamer, you might find yourself mindlessly humming video game theme music. The best theme tunes are irresistibly catchy and tremendously entertaining to sing.

Do you remember the Super Mario or Packman’s theme song? Are you already humming the melody, or are you normal?

The general trend aligns with classic video game theme music and sales data. So sure, that’s how they extract money from your pocket.

12 Iconic Video Game Theme Songs of All Time

The theme songs included in this list are catchy, memorable, irresistible to sing, and popular games. So if you have a wonderful voice, grab a microphone, otherwise close the doors and windows.

S.N. Name Composer
12 Medal of Honor Frontline Micheal Giacchino
11 Mortal Kombat Olivier Adams, Maurice Engelen
10 The Sims Jerry Martin and Marc Russo
9 FireWatch Chris Remo
8 Crash Bandicoot Josh Mancell
7 The Last of Us Gustavo Santaolalla
6 Dune II Frank Klepacki and Dwight Okahar
5 Do I Robert Prince
4 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Koji Kondo
3 System Shock 2 Eric Brosius, Ramin Djawadi, Josh Randall
2 Metal Gear Solid Kazuki Muraoka, Hiroyuki Togo, Takanari Ishiyama, Lee Jeon, Maki Kirioka
1 Super Mario Bros Koji Kondo, Mahito Yokota

12. Frontline Medal of Honor

When compared to other games, the soundtrack of war games is challenging. It must be exciting and motivating, but it must not glorify conflict.

The soundtrack should have a sorrowful tone to it. Medal of Honor Frontline is also a first-person shooting game. As a result, it should contain aspects of terror as well.

Furthermore, first-person shooting games were not as good as they are now. As a result, Micheal Giacchino was given the task.

The gifted composer, who later won an Oscar for his work on Up, was the ideal choice for the soundtrack. The major tune, which begins with a literal bang and is followed by a quiet humming and melancholy violin, perfectly depicts the tragedy and horror of World War II.

The soundtrack finished second in GameSpot’s Best Music on PlayStation 2 poll.

The game and music may be purchased on Amazon.

Find out more about the Top 15 Best Online Games right now.

11. Mortal Kombat

If the previous video game’s theme song represented Hollywood aesthetics, Mortal Kombat’s theme song portrays the polar opposite.

Engelen and Adams were members of the Lords of Acid band. The band specialized in techno and net beat music, which was gradually gaining popularity.

While composing an album for the band, the composers provided a knockout, fantastic CD. From the start, the newness of the sound is evident or heard through the famous gong sound.

They replaced the martial arts tournament bell sound with a gong and filled the entire music with techno sounds. It’s honestly as catchy as a dance tune.

For 2021 revamp, the main theme was remixed. The remixed version peaked at number five on Billboard’s Electronic Digital Songs Sales chart.

The game’s latest version is now available on Amazon.

10. The Sims

During the late 1990s, video games emphasized action and adventure. It seemed ludicrous that players would spend time managing virtual life and meeting the wants of imaginary individuals.

The Sims is likely the most well-known game in this category. It just appears so relaxed and casual. Even casual female gamers were drawn to the game.

As a result, Sim’s music had to be informal, breezy, and entertaining. Jerry Martin and Marc Russo’s main theme is light and breezy.

It’s a relaxing sound rather than imposing or disturbing music. However, the composers were not well recognized by the general population.

Amazon has the most recent version of the game. You may also listen to the main theme on YouTube.

9. FireWatch

Many of the video game theme tunes on this list are well-known. Firewatch, on the other hand, is an indie game created by Campo Santo.

The players take on the role of Henry, a fire lookout in a national forest. For further development, the players must consult with Delilah. It also contains aspects of mystery, similar to last year’s massive fire in the national forest.

Firewatch’s music was written by Chris Remo. Beautiful compositions can be found in the soundtrack. The finest tune, though, is the major subject.

It moves at a leisurely speed at first. The rhythm then gradually increased in speed, building to a large crescendo.

It excellently depicts the game’s leisurely pace at the beginning and the fast pace as events unfold.

The sound can be heard on Amazon.

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8. Crash Bandicoot

Crash Bandicoot on Android or iOS may be more recognizable to modern smartphone users. Crash Bandicoot, on the other hand, is one of the top games of the 1990s for PlayStation users.

For something so simple, the game’s primary tune is immensely iconic. The players take on the role of Crash, who must overcome Neo and save Tawna.

Josh Mancell composed the primary theme tune for the video game. He also composed for Jak and Daxter in addition to Crash Bandicoot.

In terms of gameplay plot, the game brought very few innovations. However, the music and main tune were instantly recognizable.

The sound of crushing opponents and jumping on the box was instantly recognizable.

The game is available on Amazon.

7. The Last of Us

The game’s title alone is depressing. The game (The Last of Us) takes place in a post-apocalyptic America. Joel, the primary player, is rescuing a teenage girl named Ellie from hostile people and cannibal monsters.

Despite being an action-adventure game, it lacks loud or rock theme songs. Gustavo Santaolalla composed the theme tune, which is extremely melancholy.

Gustavo Santaolalla is a phenomenally gifted composer. He even won two Academy Awards in a row for Brokeback Mountain and Babel.

The theme song demonstrates his mastery of the trade. He makes almost operatic music with guitar and violin.

The main tune of the video game represents the protagonists’ sorrow, optimism, and unwavering determination to survive.

Amazon sells the PlayStation 4 game Part II.

6. Dune II

Hans Zimmer’s score for Dune (2021) is superb. However, you’d be surprised to hear that the core topic of the Dune II video game is equally wonderful.

Almost every video game on this list is the first in a series. It’s general knowledge that the first installment is fantastic, and the second installment is essentially the same.

However, in the case of Dune 2, this is not the case. Dune 2 was superior in terms of gameplay as well as the overall theme.

Frank Klepacki and Dwight Okhara’s core theme is both broad and deep. The primary tune, which features vibrating music and drums, communicates the dread and expanse of space.

The gameplay would have felt off without the classic sound. New installments are available on Amazon.

5. Doom I

Do I’s the primary theme, with its funky electronic music, became an immediate hit. Fighting demons from hell seemed great.

The game was created by ID Software for MS-DOS (remember MS-DOS?). It was re-released nearly two decades later with the same classic theme.

The primary theme, composed by Robert Prince, is cheerful and appealing. In addition to Doom, he worked on Wolfenstein 3D and Doom II: Hell on Earth.

It was also the most technologically advanced game available at the time. More than 15 million copies were sold in the first two years, according to estimates.

The distinctive theme tune was a major cause of its success.

More information about the Top 12 Online Games may be found here.

4. A Link to the Past: The Legend of Zelda

This list may bring back memories for gamers from the 1990s. One of the most recognizable games of the 1990s is The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

The Japanese business Nintendo created it. The Legend of Zelda is often recognized as the game that propelled Nintendo to prominence.

Koji Kondo’s theme music is likewise very different from the western gaming theme song. It sounds like a marching order.

The players take on the role of a link in the game on a quest to save Hyrule. He must vanquish a demon king to save Hyrule.

As a result, the nearly military-style music fits the game perfectly. In addition, it was the first time characters had their theme tune.

3. System Shock 2

The player is on a starship in System Shock 2 and must stop the spread of a genetic infection. It illustrates the dangers of technology and mass outbreaks once more.

As a result, the composers faced a unique difficulty when producing the theme music for System Shock 2. Josh Randall, Eric Brosius, and Ramin Djawadi are among the composers.

They are all prolific composers, especially Ramin Djawadi, who has also composed for Marvel films. The composers did an excellent job of portraying the technological horrors of the game.

2. Metal Gear Solid 2

The list is dominated by American composers, however, Japanese composers have created some of the most iconic theme tunes of all time. Metal Gear Solid game composers employed drums and electric guitar to create the music.

To defuse the threat, the player must infiltrate a nuclear weapon facility in the game. The sound effects enhance the player’s appearance.

Metal Gear Solid’s rock theme is stirring. Aside from that, the main theme contains scary themes.

It also effectively depicts the game’s risks and terror components. The overall soundtrack has a James Bond vibe to it as well.

1. Super Mario Bros.

As you read this, we’re sure you’re thinking of Super Mario’s main tune. Remember the sound Mario makes when he collects a coin?

There are probably very few individuals on the planet who haven’t heard about Super Mario. After all, it’s one of the most well-known video game theme music.

The most famous theme in Super Mario (Source: Wikimedia.com)
Koji Kondo is once again the brain behind the theme music. With these two theme songs, he has secured his position as one of the top video game main theme composers.

The primary theme lacks operatic quality and production value. However, it is straightforward to memorize.

Conclusion

Did we leave out any classic theme songs? Which video game theme tune is your favorite?

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