10 Video Game Songs to Listen to Beyond the Game

Whether it’s for studying, relaxing, or jamming out, these songs from video game scores are definitely worth checking out when you aren’t holding the controller.

Written by Haley Kennis

10. “BUBBLAINE” from “SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY” (2017)

The world music for the Seaside Kingdom in “Super Mario Odyssey” captures the feeling of relaxing at the beach. As Mario runs around on the sand and swims through the clear water, the gentle guitar rhythm and twinkling chimes play in the background. The land is in a perpetual sunset, so the music paired with the stunning sight of the sun rays adds to the calming atmosphere of the level. “Bubblaine” is extremely relaxing, peaceful, and a great tune to listen to while you have your toes in the sand this coming summer vacation.

9. “SOFT BREEZE” from “OFF” (2008)

“OFF” is an role-playing game free for download online that was originally released by artist Mortis Ghost in 2008. The game was translated from French to English a few years later and gained a significant online cult-following for its off-kilter storyline, art style, and –– most notably –– its soundtrack by Alias Conrad Coldwood. The soundtrack has countless stand out tracks, with one gem being the song “Soft Breeze.” The atmospheric Radiohead-esque track is calming yet unsettling,driven by a distorted drum beat and a strong bassline that eventually erupt into a ghastly choir of synthesized voices. The game and the soundtrack are worth checking out, and the simple but powerful “Soft Breeze” definitely showcases why.

8. “FLOWER GARDEN” from “SUPER MARIO WORLD 2: YOSHI’S ISLAND” (1995)

“Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island” formally introduced the world to the Mario franchise character Yoshi in 1995, who quickly became a fan favorite. The song “Flower Garden,” which plays over the very first level in the game, introduces the player to the unique style and setting that set the Yoshi games apart from the regular “Super Mario” games. A jaunty marimba beat starts the song off and the iconic melodica-like instrument sings the cheerful main melody. The instantly recognizable tune sounds just like a sunny day and is guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face.

7. “MAIN THEME” from “ANIMAL CROSSING: WILD WORLD” (2005)

Since the series’ debut in 2001, the cheerful world of “Animal Crossing” captured the hearts of players across the globe and remains beloved by adults who once played the game as children. A major reason the series is still so cherished today are the soundtracks. The main themes, hourly music, and tunes played by guitar playing dog, K.K. Slider, all capture the kind-hearted spirit of “Animal Crossing” that make the games so special. The “Main Theme” from the Nintendo DS game “Animal Crossing: Wild World” encapsulates that kindness the best in a sweet, tender guitar melody that will fill anyone with nostalgia.

6. “LAYTON’S THEME” from “PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE CURIOUS VILLAGE” (2007)

“Professor Layton” is a series of puzzle and adventure games where players have to solve logic puzzles to piece together the many mysteries the two main characters, Professor Layton and his apprentice Luke, come across during their travels. The music of the games expresses the sophisticated and inquisitive setting of a fictionalized London. The main theme from “Professor Layton and the Curious Village” especially captures the game’s atmosphere. A driving piano rhythm introduces the song alongside a forlorn violin melody, which then bursts into a fun, up-tempo song filled with battling accordion and violin solos. “Layton’s Theme” is a great song to listen to whether you want to dance or need a rush of inspiration while studying.

5. “THE MEANING OF HIS TEARS” from “OFF” (2008)

Although another song from the “OFF” soundtrack, “The Meaning of his Tears” could not be more different from “Soft Breeze.” A boss battle theme, this track plays over one of the most important battles of the game: the fight between the Batter and the Queen. Unlike many boss battles, there are no booming drums or shredding electric guitars to drive the emotion of the fight. Instead, the song is a lone piano playing a haunting, dark melody supported by quiet, distant orchestration. The song stands out since it subverts the expectations for what was established as climax of the entire game by being so quiet and tragic. It sets the weight of what is happening in the scene on the player’s shoulders, forcing them to decide if they want to continue the fight at all. “The Meaning of His Tears” is on an entirely different level than most battle themes and is also a powerful piano piece on its own.

4. “1 AM” from “ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW LEAF” (2012)

The “Animal Crossing” series is full of beautiful music, with each hour of the game given its own individual theme. Each game is set in real time, so the theme of each hour is repeated for the entire hour as the player’s character moves outside in their town chatting with neighbors, fishing, catching bugs, or digging for fossils. The “1 AM” theme from “Animal Crossing: New Leaf” is one of the best hourly songs from the entire series because it perfectly encapsulates the unique feeling of staying up late. This song tries to lull the player back inside their house to sleep, but the music is so hypnotic you want to keep walking around in the dark to keep it playing. If you want a song to calm your mind as you go to bed, or one to have in the background while you stay up late doing things you love, “1 AM” from “New Leaf” captures both those feelings simultaneously.

3. “AQUATIC AMBIENCE” from “DONKEY KONG COUNTRY” (1994)

Water levels from video games are famous for having some of the best music, despite being notoriously difficult. Many game composers take inspiration from the vastness of the ocean or the beauty from rivers and lakes when crafting the songs for water levels, and composer David Wise’s “Aquatic Ambience” from “Donkey Kong Country” shows that inspiration. The song begins with a tone that rises almost as endlessly as the ocean itself, expanding the song into swells of low and high notes and twinkling synths that mimic the flow of the ocean’s tides. The haunting atmosphere of “Aquatic Ambience” sets it apart from many other water themes, emphasizing more of a mournful tone than one would usually associate with the ocean. However, the darker sound fits right in with maneuvering Donkey and Diddy Kong through a tight underwater maze while avoiding sharks and octopi.

2. “DIRE, DIRE DOCKS” from “SUPER MARIO 64” (1996)

“Dire, Dire Docks” is yet another water level theme from “Super Mario 64.” While more in line with what is expected from water themed music, this song is a classic in its own right. The theme first plays in the Jolly Roger Bay level, conveying a magical, soaring feeling as the player guides Mario through the water, onto a pirate ship, while avoiding huge red eels. A simple piano melody begins the song, along with more swells of synth sounds that are common in water music. However, the song erupts past the simple beginning as a drum beat and bass groove kicks in and a marimba sounding melody plays as the tempo picks up speed. This song emphasizes the more fun and lighthearted side of water levels, while still portraying the vast, mesmerizing feeling of swimming in a big lagoon. “Dire, Dire Docks” soars, and is a very inspiring song to listen to whenever you need a burst of energy.

1. “FOREST INTERLUDE” from “DONKEY KONG COUNTRY 2: DIDDY’S KONG QUEST” (1995)

The “Donkey Kong Country” series is widely known for its groundbreaking soundtracks made by composer David Wise. “Forest Interlude” is an even more hypnotic and atmospheric song that plays over two levels in the second “Donkey Kong Country” game. Beginning with a massive, low swell of synthesizers, the song immediately immerses the listener in a deep wave of sound as a high pitched scale rises above. The melody is even more poignant than “Aquatic Ambience,” adding to the high stakes and darker level designs of the second game. The song continues to open up into an even larger landscape of music, the melody rising above the dark drum cadence and swirling like magic before the enormous swell kicks in yet again. Ghosts and crocodiles try to attack Diddy and Dixie Kong as they jump around the dangerous levels –– all while this haunting and dense song plays in the background.

Afterglow ATXMay 21, 2019