[Epic] A Collection of Game Music to Enjoy with an Orchestral Sound
If you’ve found your way to this article, you must be a true game music enthusiast! This is a roundup of game music you can enjoy in orchestral sound.
We’ve focused on staples and well-known tracks.
Performances range from concerts in halls overseas to some that feel like studio live sessions.
Even songs you always listen to can move and overwhelm you when arranged for orchestra, letting you experience a different kind of charm.
It’s also recommended for those involved in wind ensembles and the like who are looking for pieces to perform themselves!
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[Epic] A Collection of Game Music to Enjoy with Orchestral Sound (21–30)
Overturedoragonkuesuto
A piece often described as the very emblem of Dragon Quest—the masterpiece RPG Japan proudly presents to the world—that continues to captivate fans whenever a new sequel is announced.
Composed by Koichi Sugiyama, who passed away in 2021, it also drew attention for being used during the athletes’ entrance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games opening ceremony.
Its grand melody, celebrating the adventure about to begin, seems to reveal its true brilliance through the rich depth of a full orchestra.
This is BGM loved beyond the realm of video game music—something almost every Japanese person has likely heard at least once.
~Opening~Poketto Monsutā
Isn’t this the kind of track that gets any game lover fired up, no matter their age? It’s the opening BGM that’s been used since the very first entry in the globally popular Pokémon series.
That rousing tempo that screams “An adventure and battles are about to begin!”—it’s irresistible, right? It brings back memories of me staring intently at my Game Boy screen.
The composer is Junichi Masuda, a familiar name to series fans and one of the founding members of Game Freak.
Main themeZeruda no Densetsu
Which Link will you think of? It’s the main theme from Nintendo’s popular series The Legend of Zelda.
The piece has been used since the very first game and was composed by Koji Kondo, who also did the music for Super Mario Bros.
It really makes you think that great composers create great masterpieces.
Now, as for The Legend of Zelda’s main theme, an orchestral sound couldn’t be a better fit.
You can feel its fantastical, grand world just from the sound alone.
Gensokyo Millennium ~ History of the MoonTōhō Project
The theme song of Eirin Yagokoro, the Stage 6A boss in the shooting game “Touhou Eiyashou ~ Imperishable Night.” by Team Shanghai Alice, is “Gensokyo Millennium ~ History of the Moon.” The original track is characterized by its piano and synth lead melody.
In the orchestral version, the clarinet melody and the drum-driven beat create a jazz-like atmosphere reminiscent of a big band.
It’s a fast-paced piece, so it’s also a great recommendation for wind ensembles!
Green GreensHoshi no Kābi
As the title suggests, can’t you just picture Kirby dashing through green fields? The Kirby series, which drew attention when it celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022.
“Green Greens” is the piece used in Stage 1 of the very first Kirby’s Dream Land, released for the Game Boy.
Since then, various arrangements have been included across many entries in the series, so many of you are probably familiar with it.
Its bright yet somewhat pastoral tone evokes that pink, perfectly round little body.
When it’s performed with an orchestral sound, it feels moving—almost like you’re listening to Kirby’s history itself.
Prologue ~To the Ancient Land~Ootani Miyuki
The moment the game boots up, a majestic orchestra resounds as if the doors of an ancient ruin were opening.
This piece, which graces the opening of Shadow of the Colossus—released in October 2005 for the PlayStation 2—is the pinnacle of Koh Ohtani’s symphonic scoring.
The weighty harmonies woven by the low strings and brass, layered with choral resonance, brilliantly convey the protagonist’s resolve and apprehension as he steps into a forbidden land.
Though it carries the grandeur of a Hollywood film, its faintly mournful melody tightens the chest.
Included on the album Shadow of the Colossus: Roar of the Earth, this track became a key piece underpinning the game’s world—a title that won five awards at the 2006 Game Developers Choice Awards.
It’s a masterpiece I highly recommend to anyone drawn to epic adventures and mythic tales.
Beast Ganon BattleKataoka Mao
This is a piece woven from grand piano and rugged strings.
Composed by Nintendo’s Mao Katoaka, it’s the track that colored the final boss battle in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and is included on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Original Soundtrack.
With its dynamic development, the piece is highly effective at stoking the player’s fighting spirit.
It fully conveys, through music, the climactic showdown fought on horseback.
Perfect for when you want to fire yourself up!