[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!
- [All-Time] A Collection of Masterpieces in Video Game Music [Up to the Latest Tracks]
- [Game Battle Music Compilation] Burning Fighting Spirit! Recommended Battle BGMs
- [Dragon Quest BGM] Iconic and popular tracks from the Dragon Quest series
- Cool classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
- [Orchestra] Introducing famous and popular pieces
- A collection of video game music I want to perform in a wind ensemble
- [Kirby BGM] Iconic and Popular Tracks from the Kirby Series
- [Game Music] UNDERTALE’s masterpiece. A BGM that leaves a mark on the heart.
- [Masterpiece Classics] A special showcase of gem-like masterpieces so beautiful they’ll move you to tears
- [Animal Crossing BGM] Iconic and Popular Tracks from Animal Crossing
- [Game Music] Splatoon BGM and Popular Songs Compilation
- [2026] Many classic tracks! A compilation of nostalgic Japanese video game music
- Soundtracks that Color the Game [Roundup]: From Classics to the Latest Releases
[Epic] A Collection of Game Music to Enjoy with an Orchestral Sound (31–40)
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.
Main themeZenobureido
The piece with a beautiful piano-and-orchestra sound is the “Main Theme” from Xenoblade, a game released by Nintendo in 2010.
The violin and oboe take turns carrying the melody, and when the string section comes in, the sound expands into something grand.
In 2015, the official Nintendo YouTube channel released a studio live video featuring a chamber arrangement for piano and string quartet.
Boss ThemeSonikku za Hejjihoggu
Boss Theme is the theme song of the villain Dr.
Eggman from the action game starring Sega’s popular character, Sonic the Hedgehog.
Games & Symphonies, a Spanish orchestra specializing in video game music, performed a medley to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sonic series, which included Boss Theme.
The powerful, heavy brass sound is really cool.
Boss Battle 2Nishiki Yasutomo
This is a battle theme notable for its powerful horn section and rich string sonorities.
Composed by Yasunori Nishiki, it was used for mid-boss battles in the RPG OCTOPATH TRAVELER.
It underscored key turning points in the stories of the eight protagonists, including Ophilia and Cyrus.
The brisk rhythm and an arrangement that strategically employs electric guitar and drums create a mix of tension and exhilaration.
In addition to appearing on the OCTOPATH TRAVELER Original Soundtrack, an alternate arrangement can be enjoyed on the album OCTOPATH TRAVELER Arrangements -Break & Boost-.
New Battle!!!Hiramatsu Kenji
An orchestral piece where fiery fighting spirit blazes! Composed by Kenji Hiramatsu, this is the battle-scene BGM from Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed.
Its youthful sound arrangement shines as drums and guitar inject dynamism into the majestic resonance of strings and brass.
Carrying on the lineage of the series’ standard battle themes, its passionate sonic character ramps up the tension! Highly recommended when you want to boost your motivation!
[Grand/ Epic] A Compilation of Video Game Music Enjoyable in Orchestral Sound (41–50)
Weight of the WorldNieR:Automata
The theme song used for the PlayStation 4 game NieR:Automata is “Weight of the World.” The composition and arrangement were done by Keiichi Okabe, known for his work on the Tekken series and Taiko no Tatsujin, and four versions were produced, including an English version sung by J’Nique Nicole and a Japanese version sung by Marina Kawano.
Its grand piano-and-strings sound makes it a deeply moving, heartfelt ballad.
Be sure to listen to and compare all four versions of the theme song!
lightKINGDOM HEARTS
The theme song chosen for Square Enix’s popular Kingdom Hearts series is Hikaru Utada’s “Hikari.” Released in 2002 as her 10th single, it topped the Oricon Singles Chart for three consecutive weeks.
The Kingdom Hearts original soundtrack also includes an orchestral version of “Hikari,” arranged to transform the original track’s programmed sound into a rendition with sweeping, grand dynamics.