Game music worth putting on your iPod

Not all game music sucks. Check out these beauties

Words: on December 6, 2007

Dec 6, 2007

With Super Mario Galaxy being critically acclaimed not only for its timeless platforming gameplay but also for its brilliant musical score, we got to thinking about other games that had great music. In fact, music so good it's worthy of listening to in its own right, outside of the context of a game.

Now, we must stress that musical opinion is different for every single person, so you may disagree entirely with the examples we've got here. But, with the variety we've got on offer, you may also find something new (like we did in the process of researching this feature) that you absolutely fall in love with. So, without further ado, let's get some tunes on.

Jet Set Radio (Dreamcast, 2000)
Forget the Xbox pseudo-sequel, it's the original that gets the mix of audio and visual style absolutely right. This tune 'Everybody Jump Around' from games music man Richard Jacques is just one of a multitude of awesome tracks in the game. With some funky guitar and genuinely phat beats, this really is cool, without sounding like it's trying to be. Check out the mp3 clip below:

JetSetRadio_EverybodyJumpAround.mp3 

NOTE: Firefox/Quicktime users may want to open each clip in a new window. If you're using Windows Media Player, it opens automatically so you can listen and read at the same time. Bonus. 



Above: Look, everyone, it's Professor K! But would you stop playing with that radio?

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Kingdom Hearts (PS2)

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19 Comments
Order Comments: Newest First | Oldest First
  • Digidabee

    Digidabee  - 3 years, 2 months ago  - Report

    They forgot Zeldas gr8 music.
  • ryno

    ryno  - 3 years, 2 months ago  - Report

    you forgot the Golden axe music and the level music for the original Crash Bandicoot
  • Motherload

    Motherload  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    you missed a bunch. i've never played most of those games but i like Sonic Adventure music. infact all the music in Sonic games on the Dreamcast and up is pretty good! i haven't played Sonic for the 360 or PS3 though so i'm not sure for that.
  • troglydyte

    troglydyte  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    if you look at the parappa the rapper picture, in the right hand corner it says "u rappin awful!"
  • tayls

    tayls  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    When I was a young lad, maybe 13 or so, Soul Blade came out for the PSX. I found myself so pumped up by the intro that I called my mom and baby sister up to see "how amazing this video is." If you've ever been excited around someone who's idea of gaming is what they've gathered from sit-coms, you know: it totally doesn't get them excited and also, coincidentally, sucks ass.

    My mom spent the entire time laughing hysterically because it wasn't like "Toy Story" but was made using a similar technique. The idea of 3D animation being used for something other than Pixar movies was just laughable to her. I ended up going to school for 3D animation, and now she's paying my student loans back on a monthly basis. I like to think it's my way of getting back at her for that day.

    Anyway, awesome tune!
  • KHfan

    KHfan  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    ah yeah simple and clean rocks
  • Cynwyddon

    Cynwyddon  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    OH SNAP! Master Onion was the shit.
  • rasty

    rasty  - 3 years, 5 months ago  - Report

    Diablo's OST was AWESOME.It had music form evreything-from peaceful desert towns to the swampy jungle.Unfortunately Matt Ulemen left Blizzard and now Diablo 3 will sound like crap.Even the music from the trailer and gameplay reminds me of that.
  • Gavo

    Gavo  - 3 years, 2 months ago  - Report

    Metroid Prime 2 and Snake Eater. Amazing.

    No Fire Emblem though...that had good music.
  • Weasel

    Weasel  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    What, no Gitaroo Man? Travesty! That whole game is worth tracking down the soundtrack for! Well, maybe not that song vs. the giant shark mech thing, but the rest is awesome!
  • tayls

    tayls  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    When I was a young lad, maybe 13 or so, Soul Blade came out for the PSX. I found myself so pumped up by the intro that I called my mom and baby sister up to see "how amazing this video is." If you've ever been excited around someone who's idea of gaming is what they've gathered from sit-coms, you know: it totally doesn't get them excited and also, coincidentally, sucks ass.

    My mom spent the entire time laughing hysterically because it wasn't like "Toy Story" but was made using a similar technique. The idea of 3D animation being used for something other than Pixar movies was just laughable to her. I ended up going to school to be a 3D animator, and now she's paying my student loans back. I like to think it's my way of getting back at her for that day.

    Anyway, awesome tune!
  • jackf-11

    jackf-11  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    Still Alive is possibly the greatist video game song ever, but when I got my friend to download it on rock band (ps3) and his dad sung it horribly.
  • GamesRadarJustinTowell

    GamesRadarJustinTowell  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    @smallberry - there's a poorly-synched version still on YouTube. Try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RefdhRjRSM
    It's well worth it - what an amazing performance :)
  • smallberry

    smallberry  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    Huzzah! For Hikaru Utada. Wish that video was still available.
  • zabu_san

    zabu_san  - 3 years, 4 months ago  - Report

    Utada Hikaru rocks out loud!!
    And i am so glad to see others appreciate Jet Set/Grind Radio.
    I was able to find the OST for those games and i am in live all over again with that series and am begging Sega to make a sequel for PS3 or Wii or something...
  • Arachidus

    Arachidus  - 2 years, 6 months ago  - Report

    You must be kidding.. what kind of a list is this without FF music? (I consider Uematsu to be a god of composing catchy stuff right next to Morricone) AND an honourable mention to THPS series and Road Rash Jailbreak that had the most awesome OST composed of unknown demo bands..
    Yeah, and one of my favorite cheesy J-electro/rock music is from Bloody Roar 2...
  • Kaz993

    Kaz993  - 2 years, 10 months ago  - Report

    Ive had the song "you're not here" for quite awhile now. I love SH3 :). good article.
  • helloimgaydo

    helloimgaydo  - 2 years, 10 months ago  - Report

    I remember buying the jet set soundtrack when the game came out, I still listen to it on a regular basis. Its one of very very few soundtracks that has genuine musical integrity outside of the game it was written for.
  • earthvampire

    earthvampire  - 2 years, 10 months ago  - Report

    @Digidabee

    i know they bring all the awesome music out and forget zelda -_- hopefully it makes it next time
    im going to be singing master onions rap all day now XD
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