[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 tracks appear! A roundup of nostalgic Japanese video game music (31–40)
CastlevaniaYamashita Kinuyo
Castlevania was also a Konami game that became a big hit on the Famicom.
While ROM cartridges were the main medium for consumer game software at the time, this game was released on the Disk System, a rewritable medium.
A ROM version was later released as well.
GradiusHigashino Miki
Until then, vertically scrolling arcade shooters were mainstream, but with the arrival of Gradius, the number of side-scrolling games increased.
The system where your ship powers up, and the fact that the BGM changes with each stage, were also revolutionary.
Ghosts ‘n GoblinsMoriyasu Yako
The smash-hit action game Ghosts ’n Goblins, in which you infiltrate the Demon World to rescue a princess kidnapped by demons, solidified Capcom’s popularity.
Its ominous BGM left a lasting impression on many people, didn’t it?
Metal Gear Solid 2Harī Guregguson=Wiriamuzu
When it came to action games, the standard was to beat one opponent after another and push forward.
But in Konami’s Metal Gear series, there was a spy-movie-like tension as you infiltrated without being detected and carried out your mission.
Fantasy ZoneKawaguchi Hiroshi
Fantasy Zone was an arcade shooting game with free left-right scrolling.
Its graphics used many pastel colors, and the music was very pop; in many ways, it was a game that seemed to symbolize the bubble era of the 1980s.
[2026] Many classic tracks appear! A roundup of nostalgic Japanese video game music (41–50)
Player SelectShimamura Yōko
The Street Fighter II player select screen.
Even though each stage has its own track, it’s strange that this is the one that sticks in my head.
It has a strong, valiant vibe, and I really like the smooth, game-like melody line.
Simply put, it just sounds cool.
Memory of the Seasugiyama kouichi
A bittersweet yet magnificent orchestral sound, evocative of the boundless ocean and the timeless tales that slumber within it, resonates in the heart.
This piece is one of the background tracks from the game Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, released in November 2004.
The delicate timbre of the harp captures the sparkle on the water’s surface, while the rich strings portray the ocean’s depths, instantly drawing listeners into the world of the story.
If you’ve played the game, vivid scenes will surely rise in your mind, moving you all over again.