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

TitleOdaka Naoki

Atlantis no Nazo BGM Collection

The title track from Sunsoft’s Famicom game “Rough World,” created by the company behind the cult classic Ikki.

Even from the title alone you can tell its high quality; it’s regarded as a hidden gem both as an action game and as game music.

There’s an anecdote that it originally started as a Terminator game, and you can still see traces of that lineage.

The Buster!Asakura Noriyuki

The Buster! ~Song from Kyouya Suda's Siren Ending~ FULL

The innovative horror game SIREN.

Although its initial sales were sluggish, word of mouth spread that “that game is scary,” turning it into a long-running hit.

A sequel was made, and it gained enough recognition to be counted among Japan’s notable horror games.

This is the BGM for the genocide ending of the protagonist, Suda.

At least let there be flowers in the heartHayashi Shigeki

Blaze Union-Siskier’s Theme-At Least Flowers for the Heart extended

A track from Blaze Union that brilliantly combines contrasting sounds: a sorrowful piano melody and an intense guitar line.

Its brave, sorrow-tinged tone even conveys a sense of fortitude, making it a masterpiece—one I highly recommend to anyone who loves video game music.

angry flamesHayashi Shigeki

Blaze Union-Garlot’s Theme-Angry Flames extended

A track from Blaze Union, the sequel to Yggdra Union—a game released on the GBA that astonished video game music fans.

While retaining a tone befitting the protagonist, its intensity and ferocity, worthy of the title, reveal the composer’s remarkable expressive power.

Inferia MapSakuraba Motoi

Tales of Eternia OSV: Inferia Map

The field music in Inferia from Tales of Eternia.

From the peaceful opening to the sudden crash of an object from Celestia, the girl who can’t speak the language, and the battle with the mysterious figure who was pursuing her.

After making it through that whirlwind of an opening scenario, the moment you step out of town this liberating BGM starts to play! It gives me chills with the sense that the world is vast and full of possibilities.

Treasure Chest of the HeartHamaguchi Shirō

Chocobo Racing ED “Kokoro no Takarabako”

One of the tie-in games featuring Chocobos from the Final Fantasy series, Chocobo Racing.

It’s a simple racing game, but with each character’s distinctive vehicle and items that spotlight the original works, it’s packed with touches that will make fans grin.

This is the ending theme.

Crimson Asura GodYumura Wataru, Okada Satoru, Saramandā Fakutorī

SRW BGM: Crimson Asura God

The theme song of Folka Albark, the protagonist who appeared in Super Robot Wars COMPACT 3 for the WonderSwan, caused a huge sensation in Super Robot Wars OG.

Combined with his in-story strength and the awesomeness of his battle animations, it’s the track that the most players have listened to more than any other.