[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!

Playlist

[2026] Many classic tracks! A compilation of nostalgic Japanese video game music
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Overturesugiyama kouichi		The significance of the Dragon Quest theme song
2	Overworld BGMKoji Kondo		The Cultural Value and Appeal of the Mario Theme Music
3	CHRONO CROSS ~Scars of Time~Mitsuda Yasunori		The moving main theme of Chrono Cross
4	The sun rises.Kondō Rei		The epic final battle theme of Okami, where Japanese and Western styles fuse
5	Ryu’s ThemeShimamura Yōko		Street Fighter II revolutionizes the versus fighting game genre
6	Green Hill ZoneNakamura Masato		A classic from early Sonic days, a masterpiece by Masato Nakamura
7	Dr.WILY STAGE 1Tateishi Takashi		A classic tune from the Famicom era: Mega Man 2
8	One-Winged AngelUematsu Nobuo		Epic music, the final boss theme of FF7
9	You Were ThereŌshima Michiru		ICO’s moving theme song, a fantastical melody
10	Bloody TearsMatsubara Kenichi		The masterpiece from Dracula 2, a moving melody
11	Chop Chop Master Onion RapMatsuura Masaya		Parappa the Rapper's classic, a rhythm game
12	Dearly BelovedShimamura Yōko		An emotional piano piece from Kingdom Hearts
13	Katamari on the Rocks ~ Main ThemeTanaka Masayuki		A groovy arrangement from Katamari
14	Lavender Town ThemeMasuda Junichi		The Lavender Town BGM from Pokémon Red and Green is a masterpiece
15	Theme of LauraYamaoka Akira		Akira Yamaoka’s masterpiece echoing through the misty city
16	MAGICAL SOUND SHOWERKawaguchi Hiroshi		The quintessential exhilarating track from Sega’s OutRun
17	Prologue ~To the Ancient Land~Ootani Miyuki		The majestic opening music of Shadow of the Colossus
18	On the journeyUematsu Nobuo		Piano Masterpieces from FINAL FANTASY VII
19	The Hero’s Challengesugiyama kouichi		A legendary song that embodies a hero’s fighting spirit
20	Start Demo ~ Main ThemeKimishima Masashi		A game where you trap enemies with bubbles
21	Demon Lord ShowdownMitsuda Yasunori		The iconic, tension-filled masterpiece from Chrono Trigger
22	Dragon Quest V: Overture Marchsugiyama kouichi		The Grand Overture of Dragon Quest V
23	Longing of the WindMitsuda Yasunori		Popular songs from Chrono Trigger
24	Melody of the Bladesugiyama kouichi		Memorable battle themes from Dragon Quest X
25	Heavenly Prayersugiyama kouichi		The moving Angel Realm BGM from Dragon Quest IX
26	This feeling…sugiyama kouichi		The essence of the moving music in Dragon Quest VIII
27	Let out a battle crysugiyama kouichi		A powerful battle theme that stirs excitement for the fight
28	Chrono TriggerMitsuda Yasunori		The highly polished masterpieces from Chrono Trigger
29	Gran TurismoAndo Masahiro		Creating background music for Gran Turismo
30	Robo’s ThemeMitsuda Yasunori		A refreshing and cheerful theme song for a robot
31	Ole! Silvia!sugiyama kouichi		Sylvia's theme, a glamorous and bright musical tone
32	Glimmers of Lovesugiyama kouichi		The moving masterpiece from Dragon Quest XI resonates with the heart.
33	To the endless skyUematsu Nobuo		A melody that resonates with the heart, conveying the excitement of adventure
34	Epilogue ~To Dear Companions~Mitsuda Yasunori		The farewell scene in Chrono Trigger
35	Evergreen WindUematsu Nobuo		Granblue scenes colored by Celtic music
36	CastlevaniaYamashita Kinuyo		Castlevania is a major hit by Konami.
37	GradiusHigashino Miki		Gradius is a side-scrolling revolution.
38	Ghosts ‘n GoblinsMoriyasu Yako		Ghosts 'n Goblins established Capcom's popularity.
39	Metal Gear Solid 2Harī Guregguson=Wiriamuzu		Infiltrate without being detected by the enemy and carry out the mission
40	Fantasy ZoneKawaguchi Hiroshi		Fantasy Zone is a pop-style shooting game.
41	Player SelectShimamura Yōko		The character select screen music from Street Fighter II is memorable.
42	Memory of the Seasugiyama kouichi		The majestic music of the vast ocean stirs the heart.
43	Ace Combat 4Kobayashi Hiroki		Graphics improved with PS evolution, AC4 appears
44	The midday crescent moonHamada Seiichi		Saburo Jinguji evolved on the PS version and became more mature with jazz BGM.
45	XanaduTakahashi Toshiya		Xanadu, a blockbuster domestically-produced PC game
46	Star CruiserYamanaka Tokiya		Star Cruiser is the first fully polygonal game
47	Baroque of Puyo PuyoMATS		A fun theme song with the game-like feel of Puyo Puyo
48	WizardryHaneda Kentarō		Kenichiro Haneda, the composer for the Japanese version of Wizardry
49	A tranquil row of housessugiyama kouichi		A heartwarming piece that paints the tranquil scenery of my hometown
50	Fivefold Demon Towersugiyama kouichi		Mystical Japanese-style BGM from Dragon Quest X
51	The hero sets forthsugiyama kouichi		BGM that depicts the hero’s hope and determination
52	The Lost Worldsugiyama kouichi		A melancholic melody that colors the world of the past
53	To the wide worldsugiyama kouichi		Anticipation of an adventure into the vast world of sky, sea, and earth
54	In Search of Lost Timesugiyama kouichi		The moving music of Dragon Quest XI
55	The strong onessugiyama kouichi		The tension and playfulness of the Dragon Quest battle theme
56	Adventure journeysugiyama kouichi		Adventure Theme of Dragon Quest III
57	Final Fantasy X “To Zanarkand” (Piano Collections ver.)Uematsu Nobuo		A poignant piano piece with a beautiful melody
58	Rondo of the Royal Palacesugiyama kouichi		A dignified, high-class castle theme from Dragon Quest III
59	Embrace the seasonsOfuji Fumi		Ending theme song of a pure love story in spring
60	One and OnlySuzuki Yume		Ending theme of the sound novel “Machi”
61	KarmaAho Tsuyoshi		The sad masterpiece song from Ever17
62	Metro-CrossŌnoki Nobuyuki		Namco game, minor-key BGM
63	Sonic the HedgehogNakamura Masato		Sonic, Sega’s flagship character who rivals Mario
64	XeviousKeino Yuriko		Xevious revolutionizes shooting with background changes
65	Wolf of the BattlefieldKawamoto Yoshiyo		Evolution and Popularization of Video Game Music
66	God of CourageNoda Junko		Tokimeki Memorial 2 opening theme
67	Final Fantasy VIIUematsu Nobuo		Final Fantasy is Nobuo Uematsu BM
68	FlightMitsuda Yasunori		Xenogears is a profound, mature-oriented RPG.
69	confessionYamazaki Jun		The confession scene song from Tokimeki Memorial
70	theme songKunikatsu Murayama		The catchy theme song of Doko Demo Issyo
71	Eyes on me(Piano collections ver.)Uematsu Nobuo		Piano-arranged love song from FF8
72	Ganbare Goemon: Yukihime Kyūshutsu Emaki (The Legend of the Mystical Ninja: The Rescue of Princess Yuki)Uehara Kazuhiko, Kamitaka Harumi		Yuki-hime Rescue Picture Scroll: Super Famicom First Installment
73	Torneko’s Themesugiyama kouichi		Theme song of Torneko no Daibouken
74	chunk of Nanananyuu-sama		A uniquely arranged version of Katamari Damacy’s main theme
75	doorObata Yukari		The sexy ending theme of Double Cast
76	Main 1 (Momoko-chan Love Song)Tōkaidō Gojūsantsugi		The catchy BGM of Momoko-chan’s love song
77	As many as there are memories…Akiyama Koichi Ishii Tameto		Shiori Fujisaki’s theme song. A calm, high-quality melody
78	Overworld BGMKoji Kondo		The bright and cheerful overworld BGM of Super Mario World
79	JuliaUematsu Nobuo		An arrangement of Eyes on Me
80	Staff RollUematsu Nobuo		Representative song of Final Fantasy
81	Aerith’s ThemeUematsu Nobuo		A piece that expresses Aerith’s tragedy and hope
82	EternalChiharu Sugiyama, Shingo Yasumoto		A game about searching for a missing lover
83	Title ScreenAkabori Masanao		The famous song from the SNES version of Where’s Wally?
84	Donkey KongKaneoka Yukio		Donkey Kong is one of the early game titles in which Mario appeared.
85	Warriors of ArgosMasuko Tsukasa		Game music needs to be subtle yet crafted to stick in the listener’s ear.
86	G-DariusOgura Hisayoshi		Taito’s Darius music is amazing.
87	BiohazardHiroki Terukazu		Biohazard was a smash hit on the PS.
88	Dream Continent AdventureMatsubara Kenichi		During the golden age of the MSX, Konami released one masterpiece after another.
89	Gain GroundHayashi Katsuhiro		Sega’s classic game, era-based BGM changes
90	Wandering Theme ~Drifting in Silence~ Another Worldsugiyama kouichi		The fantastical field theme from Dragon Quest VI
91	Thank you, everyone.Mori Akihiko		A bittersweet, gentle ending BGM
92	The BattleUematsu Nobuo		The intense battle theme from Final Fantasy V
93	The Tower of DruagaOzawa Junko		The Tower of Druaga is a challenging work full of mysteries.
94	TwinBeeFukutake Shigeru, Sasaki Yoshinori		Music production for games tends to be deprioritized in the budget.