Three of the most memorable video game soundtracks of all time

Great graphics and a compelling story line aren't enough to make a truly memorable video game. Videogame music, whether it's a wee 8-bit melody or a full orchestra score, is an important part of the gaming experience. Would a Final Fantasy battle victory taste as sweet without the short victory tune at the end?

The following are three examples of video game soundtracks that have made their mark on the collective psyche of hardcore gamers everywhere.

1. Tetris

Image Source: geeky-gadgets.com

 
Thanks to Tetris, a 19th century Russian folk song about courtship called “Korobeiniki” became an instantly recognizable tune especially among puzzle-loving gamers.

The song was based on a poem by Nikolay Nekrasov, who was well known in Russia for penning poetry about the Russian peasant class. An arranged version was used for the Tetris soundtrack.

The soundtrack for the original Tetris game was scored by composer Hirokazu Tanaka, who also created the soundtracks for other classic games like Metroid, Super Marioland, Doctor Mario, and Duck Hunt.

2. Final Fantasy VI

Image Source: androidheadlines.com

Composer Nobuo Uematsu has a huge body of work, but one of his memorable projects is arguably the soundtrack for Final Fantasy VI, considered by many as one of the best Final Fantasy games in the franchise. The soundtrack consists of themes for each major characters and boss battles, as well as music for standard battles and cut scenes. One of the more unforgettable pieces in this soundtrack is “Dancing Mad,” the theme music for the game's psychotic villain, Kefka. The song is 20 minutes long and separated into four movements, with each one representing periods in Kefka's rise into power and eventual downfall. Critics have called the theme a masterpiece.

3. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Image Source: hsmagazine.net

The soundtrack's composer, Michiru Yamane, is a well-regarded name in her field, but her best work is arguably the soundtrack for the action RPG Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Yamane pulled out all the stops, combining elements of gothic rock with classical music and opera, punctuated with ambient sounds like the sound of raindrops falling and the toll of funeral bells. The results are a dark, grandiose, and overwhelming auditory experience that's a perfect complement to the game.

A videogame soundtrack creates atmosphere, builds tension, furthers a narrative, and helps flesh out the game's characters.

For discussions about the importance of music in other areas, follow this Mark Begelman Twitter account.