VGChartz has graciously tried to create a top 20 original soundtracks in gaming. As with all lists, they are very subjective. Some love midi music, others hate it. Can you really listen to Super Mario theme all day long? I would go bonkers! Speaking of, where is Super Mario on that list? Even though it’s annoying as hell, it is catchy and definitely a tune you will remember for all time.
Here’s the list, and I hope you don’t mind that I have commented on them all.
20. The Sims
The Sims can definitely defend a place in the top 20. It has a very distinct style, very playful. The bouncy tunes have to make you happy at least and they are (to my surprise) not annoying at all.
19. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Zelda fanboys… scoff all you want, I can’t give this the thumb up. Perhaps I am a music snob with no tolerance of midi, but I want to live in 2009 and beyond. It was fun, but I just can’t listen to that anymore.
18. Chrono Chross
This is not bad at all. Very new age and quite good for a listen or five. Ok it does explode in fiery rhythms along the cue, but I can listen to this again some other day.
17. Ico
When it comes to actual singing over a nice score, I’m not so fond of in most cases. In Ico’s case it does work. I can barely hear, actually I can’t hear what the thin voice is singing which is great! It’s almost like an instrument itself.
16. Mirror’s Edge
Quality! This score is purely made to make me feel all happy and calm, almost like flying. It’s one of the best game scores I have heard and Solar Fields have earned my full respect. Sounds like Hybrid and BT got together to mix the ultimate music album. Well done! Why is it only at 16!?
15. Persona 4
Well… don’t like it! It’s just a Japanese sounding guitar endlessly trying to be cooler than it is. Nothing to jump my music bone there. NEXT!
14. de Blob
Want to hear something catchy and annoying? de Blob got you covered. It’s cheerful funky bossa nova style is a tad to irritating. At least The Sims knew how to tone it down. Meh, it’s ok, but I’ll pass.
13. Earthbound
Aaaaaaaaaargh! My ears!
12. Halo Series
To be fair, Halo is a great game series for music. There has been some great and some dire stuff in there so this series deserves to be here, but if the Halo Series is here, where is Call of Duty or Medal of Honor? Metal Gear Solid!? Booooooooh!
11. Starcraft
Now here’s more like it. A game music soundtrack with personality. The three races had different music that suited their personalities and although it can’t match modern music, I don’t mind seeing it in the top 20, but perhaps not at 11.
10. Goldeneye 007
Only for Eric Serra lovers! No seriously, it sounds like a lower quality version of his hated James Bond soundtrack. I was one of the few who did like it… so there!
09. The Orange Box
The Orange Box is a massive collection of music from the Half-Life series, Team Fortress and Portal. It’s a varied and nice collection, although nothing spectacular.
08. Katamari Damacy
Another cutesy (and crazy) Japanese game with loony music. Really, it’s crazy stuff and I’m not sure my brain is wired for this. Gotta love Japan though… craaaazy!
07. Donkey Kong Country
Nice theme, but again I can’t listen to this for long. Maybe if they made a modern version of it with a proper orchestra…
06. The World Ends With You
Pumping techno stuff. I’m afraid the world doesn’t end with you, it ends with this music. We’ll all be crying, no really, I am related the great late Nostradamus. I have seen it!
05. LocoRoco
How can these people listen to this and sing along to this nonsense? Seriously! I think they must be aliens. Good game though.
04. Mass Effect
Now we’re talking! After listening to all that brain destroying music, this is what the brain needs. Atmospheric, powerful stuff that doesn’t sound like my sister’s Duran Duran tapes flushed down the toilet. This is seriously great stuff, inspiring music.
03. Shatter
Aaaand we’re back in koko land! It was fun while it lasted… Ok I’m being a bit harsh. This is slightly less annoying than the other annoying scores, so… I guess that’s good.
02. Total Annihilation
This is not bad at all, pretty good stuff actually. Very heroic and militaristic game music that really sounds impressive when playing the game and listening to it on its own.
01. Shadow of the Colossus
This is one crazy game, but the music is surprisingly sane. It’s great game music, no doubt about it. Ko Otani should consider writing more and more often. Very powerful.
So now that we are done with this list, what is missing? What is not missing is my question. They do have a disclaimer in the beginning of the article saying that the list is subject to change and it’s based on very personal opinions. I respect that, I really do, but overall it is a very poor list when compared to my personal taste.
Where’s Call of Duty, Medal of Honor, Metal Gear Solid, Fable, Civilization, Command & Conquer, Lair, Uncharted, Spellforce, Ace Combat, Assassin’s Creed? Some huge misses here…
What do you all think?
Source: VGChartz
Popularity: 59% [?]
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“Where’s Call of Duty, Medal of Honor, Metal Gear Solid, Fable, Civilization, Command & Conquer, Lair, Uncharted, Spellforce, Ace Combat, Assassin’s Creed? Some huge misses here…”
Indeed! Or majority of Jeremy Soule scores, like Oblivion, Morrowind or Guild Wars! I disagree with this list.
Oh yes. Where’s Soule? You can’t have a top 20 without some Soule.
yeah, no jeremy soule is ridiculous. morrowind alone…jeez.
that said…no diablo? really? the throne of baal soundtrack alone just towers above most of this stuff.
and no ‘outlaws’, ‘the dig’ or any of the monkey island scores…c’mon. that’s epic-grade fail.
Ooh Diablo. Then there’s a few Star Wars games that had great scores, and where’s Guild Wars!?
Well it was good to see the Orange Box on their. Aside from the heavy techno of the Half-Life games I totally loved the retro spy-groove theme from Team Fortress 2 and of course the end song from Portal. But where or where is Homeworld & God of War?
There are so many great soundtracks missing from this list, essential soundtracks. Shame to see that only a few really good ones made the list.
Age of Conan!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kn99vRCbww -singer is Helene Bøksle (don’t know who she is, but she seems to be Norwegian)
don’t know the game, but i’ve heard the soundtrack while listening to cinemix.us. it’s my first (and only) game soundtrack in my collection, so it’s definitely my number one game soundtrack
Age of Conan is indeed quite the score. Wrote a review of it here: http://soundtrackgeek.com/2008/08/11/soundtrack-review-age-of-conan-hyborian-adventures-2008/