The Best Video Game Soundtracks

Video games have come a long way from the days of two-dimensional arcade gaming.  Nowadays, many modern video games are considered unique forms of art. Gaming companies also put tremendous effort into creating games, complete with cutting-edge graphics and captivating storylines. 

One impactful aspect of video games is the soundtrack. While the soundtrack is often overlooked, some of the most iconic games in history (like Super Mario and PAC-MAN) have signature tracks that survived the test of time.

In this article, we've put together a shortlist of the best video game soundtracks of all time.

Journey

We couldn't put together a list of the best video game soundtracks and not mention Journey. What sets Journey apart is its dynamic soundtrack.

While the soundtrack is undoubtedly great from a purely musical standpoint, its ability to seamlessly change with every action you take in the game makes a truly unique musical experience. In fact, we highly doubt that Journey would feel like the same game if you played it without the soundtrack — as the game's music lends so much when it comes to player immersion.

Indiana Jones

Despite coming out in 1981, the Indiana Jones film franchise continues to be one of the most exciting adventure stories to hit the big screen. It's no surprise the film franchise has inspired multiple games, that make use of its distinct soundtrack. The massive selection of games on Foxy Bingo includes the super-popular Tomb of Dead - a title inspired by this iconic adventurer. Between the free cards, leaderboard tourneys, and in-game chatrooms, it's sure to give any player an experience as vibrant as the films. However, one of our favorite renditions of the soundtrack has to go to Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings, as it takes music from Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Temple of Doom, and The Last Crusade.

Fellow fans of Indiana Jones will be glad to know that a new game has been teased. Ars Technica details that Bethesda and Lucas Films are working on a new Indiana Jones game, the first game in the series in over a decade. The teaser material also features John Williams' Raiders March.  We can only hope the tracks from the original soundtrack will also be included in this game.

Alien: Isolation

It might feel like cheating to only list games based on movies with great soundtracks, but we just had to add Alien: Isolation to this list. Based on the legendary sci-fi film Alien, Alien: Isolation perfectly captures the experience of seeing a Xenomorph for the first time.

While you could attribute some success to the game's stellar graphics, it's the music that sets the mood and creates a menacing atmosphere. Now, the game doesn't just take the movie's original soundtrack and put it into the game. While the soundtrack is heavily influenced by the movies, the team deconstructs the original music in order to better fit a video game. To get the full experience, you should try playing the game in VR mode.

Wrap-Up

If you enjoyed reading this article and want more video game-related content, we highly recommend Building The Game, a podcast we mention in our article on the best podcasts to listen to while working!