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

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.

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.”

Decisive Battle! Champion DandeIchinose Tsuyoshi, Masuda Junichi

[Pokémon Sword and Shield] Champion Leon Battle BGM [Pocket Monsters Sword & Shield]

A masterpiece battle song that ignites your fighting spirit, where the grand sound merges with the crowd’s cheers.

Composed by Go Ichinose and Junichi Masuda, this track is the battle theme for Leon, the Champion of Pokémon Sword and Shield.

It’s included in the album “Pokémon Sword & Shield + Expansion Pass Super Music Collection.” The piece brims with the atmosphere of a sports event, and it incorporates an arrangement of the series’ traditional Hall of Fame theme.

Perfect for when you want to boost your drive toward a goal or experience a heart-stirring thrill.

Demon Lord ShowdownMitsuda Yasunori

Demon Lord Showdown

This piece draws you in with its weighty sound steeped in tension and intimidation.

Composed by Yasunori Mitsuda, it was used for a climactic boss battle in the Middle Ages chapter of the Super Famicom RPG Chrono Trigger, released in March 1995.

Fiery percussion layered with a majestic arrangement makes it perfectly suited to a decisive showdown.

It’s one of the great works of game music, also featured on albums such as the CHRONO Orchestral Arrangement BOX.

Boss Battle 2Nishiki Yasutomo

Boss Battle 2

This is a battle theme notable for its powerful horn section and rich string sonorities.

Composed by Yasunori Nishiki, it was used for mid-boss battles in the RPG OCTOPATH TRAVELER.

It underscored key turning points in the stories of the eight protagonists, including Ophilia and Cyrus.

The brisk rhythm and an arrangement that strategically employs electric guitar and drums create a mix of tension and exhilaration.

In addition to appearing on the OCTOPATH TRAVELER Original Soundtrack, an alternate arrangement can be enjoyed on the album OCTOPATH TRAVELER Arrangements -Break & Boost-.

Proof of a Hero ~from Monster Hunter~Kōda Masato

Eiyuu No Akashi (From “Monster Hunter”)

An instrumental piece representing Capcom’s acclaimed game series! Composer Masato Kouda crafted a powerful melody that inspires a spirit of adventure and determined challenge.

Its graceful themes, woven with rich brass, harp, and strings, continue to lift players’ spirits.

Since its debut in March 2004, it has been featured in Toyota commercials and performed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Opening Ceremony, delivering emotion that transcends the realm of games.

Striking a perfect balance between tension and release, this track is ideal for moments when you want to rally yourself or take the first step toward a new challenge.

Stickerbrush SymphonyDavid Wise

Stickerbrush Symphony (Super Donkey Kong 2)

This is a track from Donkey Kong Country 2, developed by Rare in the UK.

Among the game’s many acclaimed features—its grand, almost unbelievable-for-an-action-game graphics and its clear, airy sound—this particular piece is especially popular.