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

Overworld BGMKoji Kondo

Super Mario Bros. Theme Song

In the game that sparked an unprecedented boom, Super Mario Bros., the music that plays from the very first steps of World 1-1 is the signature theme of the series composed by Koji Kondo.

Within the constraint of the Famicom’s mere four sound channels, it employs syncopation rooted in calypso and Latin music, resulting in a sound that perfectly synchronizes with Mario’s energetic running and jumping.

In 2023, it became the first piece of video game music to be inducted into the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry, officially recognizing its cultural significance.

The piece has been used across all kinds of media, including TV commercials, theme parks, and The Super Mario Bros.

Movie.

It’s a must-listen not only for those who want to experience the origins of chiptune, but for anyone who wants to feel the history of video game music.

Overturesugiyama kouichi

[GAME BGM] Overture – Dragon Quest (FC)

An indispensable piece in any discussion of video game music history, this iconic theme from the Dragon Quest series is built on a sweeping fanfare and a rousing march.

Composed by Koichi Sugiyama, it first appeared in May 1986 as the title-screen BGM for the Family Computer release and has been cherished across the entire series ever since.

In October of the same year, an orchestral arrangement was recorded as the Suite “Dragon Quest,” marking a turning point in which game music began to be evaluated on par with classical music.

More recently, at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic opening ceremony in July 2021, it was chosen for the athletes’ parade, its melody resonating around the world.

Brimming with the excitement that heralds the start of an adventure, this piece is recommended not only for those who have played the games but also for anyone who wants to enjoy a grand orchestral sound.

CHRONO CROSS ~Scars of Time~Mitsuda Yasunori

CHRONO CROSS ~Scars of Time~

This is the main theme that opens Chrono Cross, an RPG released for PlayStation in November 1999.

The composer is Yasunori Mitsuda, also known for Chrono Trigger and Xenogears.

It showcases his unique “Radical Trad” sound, which fuses Celtic music with folk traditions from the Balkan Peninsula.

In addition to ethnic instruments like tin whistle, Irish bouzouki, and fiddle, the layering of shakuhachi lends an exotic atmosphere that leaves a strong impression.

It even claimed first place in the fan-voted project “Top 100 Video Game Music,” and continues to be cherished as a masterpiece in the history of game music.

Many listeners likely remember hearing it alongside the beautiful CG sequence that plays right after booting up.

It’s a perfect track to cue up when you want to fill your heart with the promise of a grand adventure.

The sun rises.Kondō Rei

Okami - The Sun Rises

A masterpiece of Japanese-style symphonic music composed by Rei Kondoh, this track serves as the grand battle theme that colors the climax of Capcom’s action-adventure Okami.

The resonant tones of traditional Japanese instruments like taiko drums and shinobue flute blend beautifully with the weighty sound of a full orchestra, creating a rousing sense befitting the story’s final showdown.

From a quiet flute introduction, instruments gradually layer in, then burst open at the chorus—almost as if expressing, in sound, sunlight dispelling darkness.

Included on the album Okami Original Soundtrack released in May 2006, it was voted “Greatest Game Music Track” by readers of Weekly Famitsu in 2019.

Its appeal also lies in the variety of arrangements—piano renditions, jazz versions, and more.

It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a Japanese aesthetic or experience the depth of game music.

One-Winged AngelUematsu Nobuo

Advent: One-Winged Angel

This is a grand piece by Nobuo Uematsu that colors the final battle of Final Fantasy VII, released in 1997.

Its sound—woven from full orchestra and Latin chorus—was an unprecedentedly bold experiment for game music at the time.

Influenced by Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring and Jimi Hendrix, the piece creates a unique tension through a fusion of ominous chords and rock-like riffs.

The Latin lyrics, echoing Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, accentuate the last boss’s presence as both divine and terrifying.

In addition to appearing on the album FINAL FANTASY VII Original Soundtrack, it was reimagined with a heavier arrangement for the CGI film FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN.

It has also found love beyond the series, appearing in Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate.

A must-listen for anyone who enjoys epic orchestral works.

Ryu’s ThemeShimamura Yōko

Street Fighter II OST Ryu Theme

In March 1991, a shockwave hit arcades.

Capcom’s arcade game Street Fighter II: The World Warrior began operation, and the history of versus fighting games started to move in a major way.

Ryu’s theme, which plays on the Japan stage, is one of the most iconic tracks composed by Yoko Shimomura.

It opens with percussive attack sounds reminiscent of taiko drums and hyoshigi clappers, then electric guitar and synth lead deliver a powerful melody.

While expressing the stoicism of a “seeker of the way,” the somewhat wistful tune also conveys a distinctly Japanese flavor—wonderful stuff.

The piece continued to be arranged across numerous ports, including the Super Famicom and Mega Drive versions, and in 2015 it was included on the album Street Fighter II The Definitive Soundtrack.

It’s a classic that fighting game fans—and anyone nostalgic for ’90s arcade culture—should absolutely hear.

Green Hill ZoneNakamura Masato

Sonic The Hedgehog OST – Green Hill Zone

This track, which plays in the first stage of the side-scrolling action game Sonic the Hedgehog for the Mega Drive, was released to the world alongside the game in July 1991 in Japan.

The composer is Masato Nakamura, leader of DREAMS COME TRUE, who is active as a bassist and producer.

Created under the constraints of a 16-bit FM sound chip, the piece aimed for a melody that would stand on its own as pop music, and it’s notable for its bright, bouncy rhythm and sophisticated chord progressions.

It brilliantly conveys, through music, the exhilaration of sprinting across grassy fields.

A piano arrangement was used in the 2020 live-action film Sonic the Hedgehog, and when the sequel was released in Japan, a vocal version by DREAMS COME TRUE was featured as the theme song.

It’s a track we recommend not only for those who want to revel in retro game nostalgia, but also for anyone interested in the fusion of chiptune and J-pop.