Wonderful game music

[2026] Many classic tracks! A compilation of nostalgic Japanese video game music

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

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!

[2026] So Many Classics! A Collection of Nostalgic Japanese Video Game Music (81–90)

Warriors of ArgosMasuko Tsukasa

[BGM] [AC] Rygar: The Legendary Warrior

Warriors of ArgosMasuko Tsukasa

Because game music always plays alongside the game, depending on the content, it can be important not to be too intrusive.

The background music for Rygar, which was a free-scrolling action game, managed to be memorable without being overbearing.

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G-DariusOgura Hisayoshi

DARIUS II Taito Masterpiece (ZUNTATA) OLGA BREEZE Music by Hisayoshi Ogura #Shorts

G-DariusOgura Hisayoshi

Darius, the monumental arcade shooting game released by Taito, initially featured a special cabinet with the equivalent of three horizontal screens, and its BGM was spectacular.

The music throughout the Darius series is excellent, and the BGM of G-Darius is likewise remarkable.

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BiohazardHiroki Terukazu

eri koo RadioTV Vol.5 Guest: Hiroki Kiichi “A-dō, Tenpare-bō, Shakuhachi, Resident Evil”

BiohazardHiroki Terukazu

On PlayStation, alongside Gran Turismo, another game that became an explosive hit and spawned a series was the horror game Resident Evil.

Many of its background tracks heighten anxiety, and hearing them likely brings back that tense feeling for many people.

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Dream Continent AdventureMatsubara Kenichi

[#AI Kiritan] MSX “Yume Tairiku Adventure” Medley [#Tried making it sing with added Japanese lyrics]

Dream Continent AdventureMatsubara Kenichi

There was once a personal computer standard called MSX, which pioneered the idea of creating a common standard across manufacturers—an early precursor to Windows.

Although MSX was affordable, it was less powerful than other PCs and gradually became a gaming computer.

Konami kept releasing high-quality titles for it, and this one is a masterpiece.

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Gain GroundHayashi Katsuhiro

Europe in the Middle Ages ~Receiving~ – Gain Ground

Gain GroundHayashi Katsuhiro

Gain Ground is a classic Sega game that achieved cult popularity as a two-player simultaneous arcade title requiring advanced strategy.

Across 30 stages set in the Ancient, Medieval, and Future eras, the BGM changed to match each period.

Additionally, the Mega Drive version includes 10 extra Modern-era stages.

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