[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 (41–50)
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.
A tranquil row of housessugiyama kouichi
A heartwarming piece that plays in the hero’s hometown in Dragon Quest VII: Warriors of Eden.
It conjures up images of a tranquil port town and its rows of houses, filling the player’s heart with peace.
The oboe’s gentle yet faintly wistful melody seems to tell of the importance of a calm everyday life and a deep affection for one’s hometown.
Listening to this piece may bring back nostalgic scenes and gently warm your heart.
To the wide worldsugiyama kouichi
The background music that plays when you walk across the vast, fully explorable 360-degree field in Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is one of the most beloved tracks in the series.
Its quietly opening melody evokes the hero’s very first step into an unknown world.
From there, the layers of sound gradually build, giving you the sensation that the endless horizon and grand scenery are unfolding before your eyes.
Even without lyrics, it conveys a clear sense of anticipation for the adventure to come.
Koichi Sugiyama himself reportedly called it “one of my best works,” which further speaks to the game’s high level of polish.
In Search of Lost Timesugiyama kouichi
This is the ending theme that is deeply etched in the hearts of players who saw the story of Dragon Quest XI through to the very end.
As a work that could be called the culmination of the series, it is sprinkled throughout with nostalgic melodies from past entries.
It is also included on the album Symphonic Suite “Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age,” released in January 2018, where the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra’s magnificent performance brilliantly adorned the finale of a long-running adventure.
Please take your time and savor the lingering afterglow of this grand tale!
The strong onessugiyama kouichi
This is the battle theme that plays when you face boss-level enemies in Dragon Quest VII: Warriors of Eden.
From the opening, the dissonance and the pounding timpani rolls foreshadow the fierce fight to come and instantly heighten the tension.
It’s not just intense, though—the piece develops into a slightly comical phrase in the latter half, showcasing Koichi Sugiyama’s signature playful touch.
It’s included on the album Symphonic Suite “Dragon Quest VII” Warriors of Eden + Original Soundtrack, released in September 2000.
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.
Adventure journeysugiyama kouichi
This is the field theme from Dragon Quest III.
It’s the piece the heroes will hear the most, with a powerful finish that seems to express a courageous heart.
It has become very popular—recently even used as BGM in TV commercials.
It’s truly a famous masterpiece, renowned as the definitive theme of adventure.