[2026] Many classic tracks! A compilation of nostalgic Japanese video game music
From the era when chiptunes echoed to the time game music earned the artistry to be performed by full orchestras.
When we think back to those days playing on the Famicom, Super Famicom, and PlayStation, the excitement of the time comes flooding back with the melodies, doesn’t it? The countless adventures we dove into, controller in hand, were brought to life by unforgettable game BGM.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected nostalgic game music born from the Showa era through the mid-2000s.
From works lauded overseas as art to tracks with a devoted cult following, immerse yourself in the full allure of game soundtracks!
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[2026] Many Classic Hits Appear! A Compilation of Nostalgic Japanese Video Game Music (61–70)
XeviousKeino Yuriko
Until then, shooting games typically featured enemies flying around against a solid black background, but Xevious revolutionized the genre.
The background kept changing, and as you advanced, you broke out over the sea, then the desert, and a massive fortress emerged.
Many people probably still remember the music that plays at the start.
Wolf of the BattlefieldKawamoto Yoshiyo
In arcade games, there weren’t many titles where the BGM kept playing continuously during gameplay after Space Invaders.
However, starting with Gradius in the mid-’80s, the number increased rapidly, and many classic tracks were born.
This piece, too, resounded throughout arcades.
God of CourageNoda Junko
The opening theme song of Tokimeki Memorial 2.
Junko Noda, the voice actress for the main heroine, Hikari, performs the vocals.
With a catchy, bright, anime-style opening vibe and an upbeat tempo, the song remains enduringly popular and is still frequently sung at karaoke.
It’s easy to memorize, and it’s also well-suited for call-and-response interjections.
FlightMitsuda Yasunori
Xenogears is a game announced by Square, the company that created Final Fantasy, as a role-playing game with a weighty, complex story that is not aimed at children.
A lot of effort was also put into the music, and it’s full of masterpieces.
Main 1 (Momoko-chan Love Song)Tōkaidō Gojūsantsugi
This is the BGM for the odd-numbered stages of the Famicom game “Tokaido Gojusan-tsugi.” In the manual, the track is titled “Momoko-chan Koiuta,” and it actually has proper lyrics prepared.
If you try singing them to the tune, the key is high and the tempo is fast, so it’s tough—but once you can pull it off, it feels oddly satisfying.
After you sing it with the lyrics once, it gets stuck in your head and won’t let go.
Maybe that just shows how catchy it is.
confessionYamazaki Jun
A song that plays during the happy ending of Tokimeki Memorial, in the scene where the girl confesses to the protagonist.
The gentle main melody, reminiscent of a music box or xylophone, and the softly supportive orchestration are beautiful, making it an easy-to-listen-to piece.
It conveys a tender, fluttering feeling.
theme songKunikatsu Murayama
The opening theme song of “Doko Demo Issyo,” whose adorable characters became hugely popular.
It’s such a catchy, energetic, and upbeat track that it wouldn’t be surprising even if it had vocals.
The smiling characters bursting onto the screen to this music are so cute, and I can’t forget that opening.