Many classic video games incorporate a lot of music and soundtracks to their gameplay. Some are used as background music while traveling through different areas, while the characters and their storyline often prompt others.
With that in mind, many of these classic game songs often evoke a lot of memories when playing the game.
Mortal Kombat Theme Song
Probably the most iconic theme song of all time - the Mortal Kombat theme song is the ultimate soundtrack for any player who wants to get pumped up when loading into the fighting game.
Mortal Kombat is known for its violent graphics and kung fu martial arts action, and the soundtrack compliments everything within the game. Want to get those adrenaline pumping before getting into a fight? Check out the soundtrack, and you'll find yourself bopping and pumped up.
Pallet Town Theme - Pokemon Blue/Red
The Pallet Town theme brings many childhood memories as you load up the game on your Gameboy. As soon as you load the game, the 8-bit score begins, and you are treated to an adventure of a lifetime.
The theme perfectly captures the feeling of adventure and optimism as you begin your quest to become a Pokemon master. This classic theme became popular as it is where you get to meet Professor Oak and choose your starting Pokemon to begin your adventure.
Suicide Mission - Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2 has always been a grand suicide mission. In the game, Commander Shepard rallies a group of powered and skilled individuals to stop a race of aliens from invading the entire galaxy and ending all life.
As the game draws to a close and the entire team realizes that their fate is sealed in battle, the score comes in, and players are bound for a heroic fight against a whole swarm of alien creatures.
The theme feels like we all know what we've signed up for but let's do our job and save the entire galaxy while riding off into battle, knowing this would be the last. Heroic, inspiring, and ultimately, hope-inducing, this theme captures what Mass Effect 2 is all about.
GTA San Andreas Theme Song
If there is one iconic theme that you want to play repeatedly while the game is loading up, it's GTA San Andreas' theme song. Its groovy, funky music entertains you while waiting for the game and feels as if you are about to dive deep into a vibrant yet violent world.
The theme itself represents what San Andreas is all about - a smorgasbord of action and violence told through the lens of an ex-convict searching to find redemption in this Los Angeles-like metropolis.
Song 2 - Fifa 98
Blur's Song 2 perfectly embodies FIFA games' action and chaos and is the perfect fit as the theme song for FIFA 98. Played as an intro as you load up to the game, the song sets players up for the mayhem that FIFA is known for.
Set in a montage of football players making plays and featuring a bird's eye view of the different stadiums used in the game, Song 2 captures what it's like to be standing in those bleachers screaming and shouting for your favorite team.
Ain’t Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang - GTA San Andreas
Played as part of a mission within the game, Ain’t Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang was one of the songs played as you try to hit all of the beats while dancing to this hip-hop tune. Snoop Dogg's original bop finds itself in a comfortable spot within GTA San Andreas's world as the song fits perfectly into the aesthetics of the game.
Players will find this song nostalgic as you reminisce the days playing GTA San Andreas, and you get to this mission. It may be one of the most difficult missions to complete in the game, but it sure is one of the most entertaining games.
Super Mario Theme Song
The Super Mario theme will always be the most popular classic game song of all time. Played at the start of almost every level in the game, the theme song provides a sense of adventure as you jump through obstacles and squash enemies or collect power-ups along the way.
The theme song's retro-style vibe is highly reminiscent of the days when you sit in front of your Nintendo console all day long and figure out how you can rescue your Princess on every stage.
Far Away - Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption is a violent Western game where you get to play a lone ranger who completes different tasks along the way as a hired gunman. The theme is played as soon as you finish off a mission and ride into the borders and the wilderness of Mexico.
The theme is both poignant and fitting for such a classic Western video game. For a more captivating experience, enter Mexico during sunset, and you'll be feeling different things about the game and this theme for a long time.
Leliana's Song - Dragon Age: Origins
For a game filled with despair, violence, and anguish, no other song captures the true meaning of those words other than Leliana's Song. Leilana talks about how an elven song captures the essence of what she truly feels about her death, including her mother's demise, where the song was also played.
When translated from its elvish version, the song talks about the sorrows of death and the longing and provides a sense of hope that one day we can sing, love, and rejoice once more.
The Legend of Zelda Theme Song
The Legend of Zelda Theme Song is a recurring theme song in many Zelda games of the series. It serves as part of the main opening theme and is composed by Koji Kondo for the original game.
Many people did not know about this song because it wasn't supposed to be the theme song for the game and was meant for another game but were not allowed; hence, the song was revamped into what is now one of the most beloved theme songs of all time.
Prontera Theme- Ragnarok Online
Ragnarok Online is one of the most popular online games that started it all. This classic massively-multiplayer online role-playing game uses 2.5D pixies but what truly makes the game popular and nostalgic to players is its original soundtrack.
Each map in the game has its soundtrack, which was already a major feat for an online game set in such a decade. But what defines Ragnarok Online is the theme of Prontera. Prontera is considered the game's capital city where players gather to either sell items or meet with their guildmates.
The theme keeps rolling as you go through several minor streets but continue to be filled with players and travelers. Nostalgic, magical, and comforting, Ragnarok's Prontera theme is a soundtrack that evokes many emotions and memories to players who have played this game years ago.
Fear Not This Night - Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 is a long-running MMORPG that heavily focuses on its high fantasy medieval world. The world of Guild Wars 2 is an immersive experience that this theme makes it an even more personal experience as you tread through dangerous paths together with your party.
The theme is played as a song of hope for those who defend Tyria from the Elder Dragons. As an ode to the Sylvari race, Fear Not This Night invokes a sense of pride and heroism to every player as they make their last stand against a powerful enemy.
Tetris Theme Song
Another classic video game song that, when played, should evoke a sense of nostalgia for a lot of players. The Tetris theme song is played during a match as you try to solve block puzzles to get the highest score or beat your opponent.
The 8-bit music elicits a memory from the past where everything was straightforward, and loading the game up on your Gameboy and listening to this theme was the best way to spend your weekend afternoons.
Ori and the Blind Forest Main Theme
Played at the moment you start the game, the main theme of Ori and the Blind Forest offers a bleak and haunting score that manages to take the player on an emotional journey as Ori begins his new life as he is adopted.
The theme then snatches you away from underneath as the score begins to delve deeper into the tragic backstory of our small and feeble protagonist. You can't help but feel sad for Ori and all that he has lost in a span of minutes, and to top it all off, it's just the first few minutes of the game.
Chrono Trigger Theme Song
The Chrono Trigger Theme Song is one of the most popular classic game songs and is a recurring piece within the Chrono Trigger series of games. Oftentimes used as an opening theme at the title screen, the theme song inspires its players with a sense of adventure, which Chrono Trigger is known for.
Once you hear that music from the opening title screen, you know you are about to go on the adventure of a lifetime.
Theme of Laura - Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2 is a dark and broody game that tells the mind-twisting tale of a young husband who travels to the town of Silent Hill as a promise to his late wife only to meet the horrors of his past in the form of otherworldly creatures.
The Theme of Laura is played right at the end of the game, where James, our protagonist, survives the entire encounter together with the 8-year old girl named Laura. Composed by Akira Yamaoka, the song is considered to be the game's main theme.
One Winged Angel - Final Fantasy VII
One Winged Angel - Final Fantasy VII is a special theme for many Final Fantasy fans. This is the first theme that uses vocals and the most iconic final battle theme of all time.
Its marching tune elevates the hype, and when the choir vocals kick in, players are treated to an all-out experience with the battle against the One Winged Angel himself.
The theme has had many versions, but the original always take the cake for its anxiety-inducing yet awesome introduction to one of the best villains in the series.
Conclusion
Many of these instant classic game songs enact a feeling of nostalgia. These themes take us to a time when games brought an entire experience with them that made us feel like we are part of their world.
