Recommended video game music: compelling masterpieces and popular tracks you’ll want to listen to.

Dona Nobis PacemSakuraba Motoi

Tales of Destiny 2 OST – Dona Nobis Pacem

Game music is often described as progressive, and among that, this is one of the finest masterpieces by Motoi Sakuraba, a hugely popular composer known for his uniquely full-on prog style.

It’s astonishing that this was used as a regular battle theme.

With no holding back, the soundtrack is truly worthy of being called a classic.

Plains BGMMoriyasu Yako

[SFC] Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts – Plains BGM

A musical piece used in Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, the third installment of the Ghosts ‘n Goblins series developed by Capcom.

It’s a masterpiece that stands out even more in this title, which fully captures the high level of polish of an action game and the atmosphere of the demon realm.

The Final MatchSatō Naoyuki

Manager Shinjo lying down #shorts

From the popular baseball game Power Pros series, Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 8.

This is the track that plays during the so-called final boss battle in the series’ hallmark Success Mode, and together with the quality of this title’s story, it plays a highly memorable role.

Battle 2Ando Masahiro

"Battle 2" Arc the Lad / Clarinet Multi-track Recording

A piece by Masahiro Ando, who also composed for Arc the Lad II.

It’s serious and tragic, building tension while pulling you deeper into the story.

Even within such a grand work, this is a track that especially leaves a strong impression on players.

20:00Todaka Ikusei

I had the theme song from Animal Crossing: New Horizons performed.

This is the field BGM that plays in the village for only one hour from 8:00 PM in the Nintendo DS game Animal Crossing: Wild World.

The music changes every hour, so many people probably turned on the game just to listen to it.

It’s a track that evokes the feeling of night beginning to fall.

Happy KitchenTsutsumi Kyohei

02 Menu Screen - Happy Kitchen

This is a piece used in Itadaki Street 2: The Neon Sign Is Rose-Colored from the Itadaki Street series, which has a solid presence in the board game genre.

In addition to its pop and gentle melody, it’s noteworthy that the sound was produced by Kyōhei Tsutsumi, a heavyweight in the Japanese music industry.

At the summit of this worldKanasaki Takeshi

Fire Emblem: Three Houses — At the Peak of This World: Empire Final Boss BGM

This is a grand battle BGM whose overwhelming orchestral presence stirs the heart.

Composed by Takeshi Kanazaki, it vividly colored the final battle of Fire Emblem: Three Houses.

With the weighty resonance of strings and the powerful sonority of brass, it conveys the protagonist’s resolve as they face a fateful duel with an old friend.

It’s a track that will resonate when you want to awaken the fighting spirit within, or when you’re confronting a major obstacle in life.