[All-Time] A Collection of Masterpieces in Video Game Music [Up to the Latest Tracks]

Dearly BelovedShimamura Yōko

Kingdom Hearts Dearly Beloved (Original Version)

This piece is a piano track that plays on the title screen of the Kingdom Hearts series and has continued to be loved by fans around the world.

Composed by Yoko Shimomura, it was included on the 2002 album KINGDOM HEARTS Original Soundtrack.

Its gently undulating arpeggios and wistful melody evoke both the anticipation of the adventure to come and the feelings you have for those dear to you.

Across the series, various versions—such as orchestral and jazz arrangements—have been produced, each beautifully expressing the story’s themes of “heart and bonds.” The piece is frequently performed at concerts like KINGDOM HEARTS Orchestra, moving even those who aren’t familiar with the games.

It’s a song that quietly stays by your side when you want to bask in the memories of a nostalgic adventure.

Winged HopeKexin Wang

[Honkai: Star Rail] EP "Hope with Wings"

This piece is striking for its grand melody, as if spreading its wings and soaring into the open sky.

Composed by Wang Kexin, it was used in the climactic scene of the Penacony arc in Honkai: Star Rail.

The fusion of orchestral and rock soundscapes, layered with Chevy’s clear, translucent vocals, creates an overwhelming sense of immersion.

It’s an inspiring battle theme that enriches a weighty story where fate and order—and the wishes of the people—intertwine.

The strong onessugiyama kouichi

[DRAGON QUEST VII] The Strong Ones

This is the battle theme that plays when you face boss-level enemies in Dragon Quest VII: Warriors of Eden.

From the opening, the dissonance and the pounding timpani rolls foreshadow the fierce fight to come and instantly heighten the tension.

It’s not just intense, though—the piece develops into a slightly comical phrase in the latter half, showcasing Koichi Sugiyama’s signature playful touch.

It’s included on the album Symphonic Suite “Dragon Quest VII” Warriors of Eden + Original Soundtrack, released in September 2000.

Battle! Zero LabToby Fox

[Pokemon SV] Final Boss Battle [Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Gameplay Video / BGM]

A masterpiece of electronic music that fuses tension and exhilarating speed.

Composed by Toby Fox, this track colored the climax of the story in the Nintendo Switch titles Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.

Its soundscape, combining grandeur and uplift, is striking.

As the theme that plays during the final boss battle, it brilliantly heightens the scene’s intensity.

If you’re seeking a heated showdown, this song will give you a powerful push forward.

Included on the album “Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet + The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Super Music Collection.”

You Were ThereŌshima Michiru

You Were There (Original Mix)

A gem of a vocal piece by Michiru Oshima that graces the ending of the PlayStation 2 masterpiece action-adventure ICO.

Released in February 2002 as part of the official soundtrack “ICO: Melody in the Mist,” the song is distinguished by the pure, translucent voices of members from the British boys’ choir Libera.

Its lyrics, evoking fantastical landscapes like a solitary island and mist-shrouded hills while quietly revisiting memories of an irreplaceable presence, resonate deeply with the brief yet intense journey shared by the boy and girl in the game.

In stark contrast to the main game’s largely minimal, ambient soundscape, the orchestral arrangement and boy soprano that swell during the ending leave a profound afterglow in the player’s heart.

Beloved even after many years—ranking 11th in the PlayStation Game Music Awards 2018—this is a track recommended for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a tranquil world or is seeking a melody that truly touches the soul.

Ryu’s ThemeShimamura Yōko

Street Fighter II OST Ryu Theme

In March 1991, a shockwave hit arcades.

Capcom’s arcade game Street Fighter II: The World Warrior began operation, and the history of versus fighting games started to move in a major way.

Ryu’s theme, which plays on the Japan stage, is one of the most iconic tracks composed by Yoko Shimomura.

It opens with percussive attack sounds reminiscent of taiko drums and hyoshigi clappers, then electric guitar and synth lead deliver a powerful melody.

While expressing the stoicism of a “seeker of the way,” the somewhat wistful tune also conveys a distinctly Japanese flavor—wonderful stuff.

The piece continued to be arranged across numerous ports, including the Super Famicom and Mega Drive versions, and in 2015 it was included on the album Street Fighter II The Definitive Soundtrack.

It’s a classic that fighting game fans—and anyone nostalgic for ’90s arcade culture—should absolutely hear.

Green Hill ZoneNakamura Masato

Sonic The Hedgehog OST – Green Hill Zone

This track, which plays in the first stage of the side-scrolling action game Sonic the Hedgehog for the Mega Drive, was released to the world alongside the game in July 1991 in Japan.

The composer is Masato Nakamura, leader of DREAMS COME TRUE, who is active as a bassist and producer.

Created under the constraints of a 16-bit FM sound chip, the piece aimed for a melody that would stand on its own as pop music, and it’s notable for its bright, bouncy rhythm and sophisticated chord progressions.

It brilliantly conveys, through music, the exhilaration of sprinting across grassy fields.

A piano arrangement was used in the 2020 live-action film Sonic the Hedgehog, and when the sequel was released in Japan, a vocal version by DREAMS COME TRUE was featured as the theme song.

It’s a track we recommend not only for those who want to revel in retro game nostalgia, but also for anyone interested in the fusion of chiptune and J-pop.