With the main criterion not to mention the same franchise or composer twice, here is the greatest music composed for video games released between 1988 and 2023: some cult classics, some lesser known. A passionate and knowledgeable selection of beautiful and varied themes among thousands of listened game soundtracks! Check each track description for more information.

The 100 Best Video Game Music

Composer: Ilan Eshkeri (The Sims 4) / Other composer on the album: Shigeru Umebayashi

This theme can be heard in the menu and at the end of the prologue. Tsushima Island is all that stands between mainland Japan and the massive Mongol invasion fleet led by Khotun Khan. Jin, a traditional samurai, is one of the last members of his clan standing after the first wave of Mongolian attackers. Determined to protect his home and people, Jin must abandon the orthodox ways of the samurai taught to him by his father, and instead utilize other methods of warfare to overcome the Mongols, earning him the moniker "The Ghost".

This is a shortened version (original track length: 2'51).

Ghost of Tsushima OST

Ghost of Tsushima OST - Jin Sakai

Composers: Joris de Man (Killzone series, Horizon series), James Marsden

Sequel to Velocity (2012), this sci-fi shoot 'em-up/platformer is better in every way, including its soundtrack (which was already great).

This is a shortened version (original track length: 4'26).

Velocity 2X OST

Velocity 2X OST - Frontier

Composer: Gerard Marino (GoW series) / Other composers on the album: Mike Reagan, Cris Velasco, Ron Fish

The best track to represent the saga and its music, with its powerful choirs that follow both rhythm and melody, making the orchestrations even more dizzying and fitting in perfectly with the epic fate of Kratos, the Spartan warlord who became a Greek god. The making of music https://youtu.be/wRyVH927yLk

This is a shortened version (original track length: 2'55).

God of War II OST

God of War II OST - Main Titles

Composer: Joe Hisaishi (Tengai Makyō II, NnK II: Revenant Kingdom, and composer of Studio Ghibli’s films) / Performer: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Ni no Kuni was subtitled Dominion of the Dark Djinn on Nintendo DS (2010) then Wrath of the White Witch on PS3 in enhanced version (2011).
The making of music https://youtu.be/_Bcf0X7Vlh4

Ni no Kuni OST

Ni no Kuni OST - World Map

Composer: Nathan McCree (Tomb Raider II and III)

This theme, which uses a four-note motif, can be heard in the main menu and continues to appear through the game and series. In 1996, there was not enough space and budget for live orchestra recording, so the soundtrack was produced using synthesizers. To make the choir sound realistic, McCree inserted recordings of himself breathing at the right points.

This is a shortened version (original track length: 3'16).

Tomb Raider (1996) OST

Tomb Raider (1996) OST - Main Theme

Composer: Yuka Kitamura (DS II, Bloodborne, Sekiro, Elden Ring…) / Vocals: KOKIA, Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus / Other composers on the album: Motoi Sakuraba, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Tsukasa Saitoh

Can be heard in the game menu.

This is a slightly shortened version (original track length: 2'46).

Dark Souls III OST

Dark Souls III OST - Dark Souls 3 (Main Theme)

Short extracts of S-tier game soundtracks

Dark Souls III OST - Dark Souls 3 (Main Theme)

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