Encyclopedia of Game Music

[kaBoMBer's Notebook]

I propose we make an extensive list of great video game music by series. I'll start off with a bunch, and then we can post more. Live orchestrations, arrangements, and anime music is fair game. We can generally discuss game music here too, of course.

The Legend of Zelda
-Ballad of the Goddess-Skyward Sword
-The Legend of Zelda Part 1-PictoBits
-Termina Field-Majora's Mask
-Hyrule Field-Ocarina of Time
-Overworld-Spirit Tracks
-Stalfos-Skyward Sword
-Deku Palace-Majora's Mask Orchestrations
-DarkWorld-A Link to the Past
-Hyrule Castle-Tokyo City Philharmonic
-The Legend of Zelda Theme-Tokyo City Philharmonic
-Wind Waker Symphonic Movement-Symphony of the Goddesses
-The Goddess Sword-Skyward Sword
-Credits Orchestra-Ocarina of Time 3D
-Menu Theme-Zelda Collector's Edition
-Stone Tower Temple-Majora's Mask
-Lost Ancient Ruins-A Link to the Past

Megaman
-Can't Defeat Airman-Team Nekokan
-Dr. Wily Stage 1/2-Megaman 2
-Air Man-Megaman 2
-Magma Man-Megaman 9

Luminous Arc
-Luminous Arc - The Interstice of Light and Darkness
-Luminous Arc - Existence
-Luminous Arc - Prayer
-Luminous Arc 2 - Cherry Blossoms Falling in the Snow
-Luminous Arc 2 - Oh Wings of Darkness, Wrap Me in Your Cold Embrace
-Luminous Arc 2 - Demise of a Dream
-Luminous Arc 2 - Raging Flame of Madness
-Luminous Arc 2 - Taking a Hold of the Future!
-Luminous Arc 2 - The Day The World Falls

Pokemon
-Galactic Commander Battle-Diamond/Pearl/Platinum
-Kanto Champion Battle-Black/White (Beta)
-Kanto Gym Battle-Heartgold/Soulsilver
-Flood-Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald
-Sky Tower-Red/Blue Rescue Team
-Temporal Tower-Explorers of Sky
-Route 1-Red/Blue
-Giratina Battle-Platinum
-Ho-Oh Battle-Heartgold/Soulsilver
-Route 42 (Sevii Islands Route)-Leafgreen/Firered
-Route 38-Gold/Silver/Crystal
-Route 38-Pokemon Anime
-Route 113-Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald
-Johto Rival Battle-Pokemon Anime
-Deoxys Battle-Leafgreen/Firered
-Frontier Brain Battle-Heartgold/Soulsilver
-Through the Sea of Time-Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Sky
-Team Plasma Battle Music- Pokemon Black/White
-Corless Battle-Black 2/White 2

Final Fantasy
-Bad Fantasy-FF4+Touhou Mix
-Main Theme-FFVII
-A Place to Call Home/Melodies of Life- FFIX
-One-Winged Angel-FFVII
-J-E-N-O-V-A -FFVII
-Terra-FFVI
-Terra-Distant Worlds
-The Promised Land- FFVII Advent Children.
-Liberati Fatali- FFVIII
-Opera "Maria and Draco"- FFVI
-Ending Theme- FFX
-Swing de Chocobo

Professor Layton
-Professor Layton and the Last Specter - Puzzles (Live Version)
-Professor Layton and the Last Specter - Theme of the Last Battle (Live Version)
-Professor Layton and the Lost Future - Theme of the Last Time Travel (Live Version)
-Professor Layton and the Lost Future - Pinch!
-Professor Layton and Pandora's Box - Folsense (Live Version)

Touhou
-Bad Apple!!-8-bit LSDJ
-Bad Fantasy-FF4+Touhou Mix
-Touhou UNL - The Scenery of Living Dolls
-Touhou UFO - Fires of Hokkai
-Touhou UFO - The Sealed Cloud Route
-Touhou EoSD - Septette for the Dead Princess
-Touhou EoSD - The Maid and the Pocket Watch of Blood
-Touhou EoSD - Voile, the Magic Library
-Touhou SA - The Bridge People No Longer Cross
-Touhou SA - Awakening of the Earth Spirits
-Touhou SWR - Drunk As I Like
-Touhou SWR - Catastrophe in Bhava-agra ~ Wonderful Heaven
-Touhou IN - Extend Ash ~ Hourai Victim
-Touhou IN - Reach for the Moon, Immortal Smoke
-Touhou IN - Song of the Night Sparrow
-Touhou IaMP - Silence
-Touhou IaMP - Onigashima in the Fairyland ~ Missing Power
-Touhou IaMP - Demystify Feast
-Touhou IaMP - Lunar Clock ~ Lunar Dial
-Touhou TD - Futatsuiwa from Sado
-Touhou TD - Desire Drive

Misc Games/Anime
-Credits-PictoBits
-Okamiden - Boss Fight
-Okamiden - Preparing for Action
-Okamiden - Kurow Loses Faith
-Okamiden - Akuro Beaten
-Custom Robo - Are You Ready
-Custom Robo - Our Departure
-Custom Robo - Thank You
-Custom Robo - Forest of Nostalgia
-Custom Robo - The Dark
-Custom Robo - The Door to a Journey Unknown
-Custom Robo - Samsara
-Radiant Historia - Main Theme
-Radiant Historia - Blue Radiance
-Radiant Historia - The Edge of Green
-Radiant Historia - The Red Locus
-Radiant Historia - Where the Wind and Feathers Return
-Radiant Historia - An Earnest Desire of Grey
-Radiant Historia - HISTORIA
-Muramasa: The Demon Blade - Yamato Plains: Travel at 0:00, Battle at 6:50
-Muramasa: The Demon Blade - Road to Heaven: Travel at 0:00, Battle at 3:40
-Muramasa: The Demon Blade - Powerful Looking
-Muramasa: The Demon Blade - Tacit Understanding
-Last Engage-Disgaea 4
-Makai Whisper-Disgaea Anime
-Prinny Action-Prinny
-Witch Hunting-Disgaea Anime
-Prinny My Love-Disgaea 2
-Dear Comrade-Disgaea 4
-Chun-Li's Theme
-Ghost Trick - Trauma
-Power Scale-Dragonball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3
-Roof Stage-Plants vs Zombies
-M.O.D.O.K Theme-Marvel vs Capcom 3
-Main Theme-Animal Crossing Anime
-Time Hollow - The Dream Must Have Existed
-Time Hollow - Investigation Start
-Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume - Behave Irrationally
-Reset (Thank You)-Okami
-Balrog's Theme-Cave Story
-Mischievous Robot-Cave Story
-Cemetery-Turok 2
-Sburban Jungle-Homestuck
-MeGaLoVania-Homestuck
-Time on My Side-Homestuck
-Phantom Troupe vs Mafia-Hunter X Hunter
-Tank!-Cowboy Beebop

Metal Gear
-Main Theme (E3 1997)-Metal Gear Solid
-Snake Eater (Instrumental)-Metal Gear Solid 3

Kingdom Hearts
-Sinister Sundown-Kingdom Hearts
-Byte Bashing (Tron)- Kingdom Hearts 2
-Roxas' Theme- Kingdom Hearts 2
-Passion (After the Battle)- Kingdom Hearts 2
-Hikari Kingdom Orchestra-Kingdom Hearts
-Kingdom Hearts - Dearly Beloved

Super Mario Bros (+Spinoffs)
-X-Naut Fortress-Paper Mario TTYD
-Flower Garden-Yohi's Island
-Windblown Wilderness-Yoshi's Island DS
-Easton Kingdom-Super Mario Land
-Yold Ruins-Super Paper Mario
-Deeper Into the Shadows-Paper Mario TTYD
-smw_hiath-Super Mario World Hack
-Castle-Itadaki Street DS
-Super Mario World-Tokyo City Philharmonic
-Koji Kondo Piano Solo
-Galactic Suite-Symphonic Legends
-Retro Suite-Symphonic Legends
-The Wind is Blowing at Cavi Cape-Bowser's Inside Story
-Credits-Mario Kart 7
-Happy Adventure, Delightful Adventure-Super Mario RPG
-Super Mario 64 Medley-Big Band of Rogues
-Big Boss-Yoshi's Island
-Arabian Night-Wario Land 4
-Large Fry Cookoff-Wario Land Shake It!
-Rogueport Sewers-Paper Mario TTYD

Kirby
-Butter Building-Kirby's Adventure
-Happy 20th Anniversary, Kirby!
-King Dedede Theme-Kirby's Return to Dreamland
-Meta Knight's Revenge-Super Smash Bros Brawl
-Halberd-Kirby's Epic Yarn

[Mikachu Yukitatsu]

*F3 fin*

No results!

I can name some, and all from the same game:

Main Theme of Final Fantasy VII
J-E-N-O-V-A
One-Winged Angel

[kaBoMBer's Notebook]

Funny story about One-Winged Angel. During the triple-encore played at the Symphony of the Goddesses concert in Canada, some guy got up while the MC was talking and requested they play One-Winged Angel. "Sorry, wrong concert!" was the response he got.

[classy_cat18]

Funny story about One-Winged Angel. During the triple-encore played at the Symphony of the Goddesses concert in Canada, some guy got up while the MC was talking and requested they play One-Winged Angel. "Sorry, wrong concert!" was the response he got.

Someone got up during a Zelda concert and asked for Final Fantasy music? Sounds like a bad joke to me.

[PNT510]

*F3 fin*

No results!

I can name some, and all from the same game:

Main Theme of Final Fantasy VII
J-E-N-O-V-A
One-Winged Angel

JENOVA might be the best song from any game ever.

[Kumori]

Finally time to let out my inner geek and also love of music!

Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume - Behave Irrationally
Professor Layton and the Last Specter - Puzzles (Live Version)
Professor Layton and the Last Specter - Theme of the Last Battle (Live Version)
Ghost Trick - Trauma
Professor Layton and the Lost Future - Theme of the Last Time Travel (Live Version) {Anyone who played this game will probably know why this is a tear-jerking song.}
Professor Layton and the Lost Future - Pinch!
Professor Layton and Pandora's Box - Folsense (Live Version)
Time Hollow - The Dream Must Have Existed
Time Hollow - Investigation Start
Luminous Arc - The Interstice of Light and Darkness
Luminous Arc - Existence
Luminous Arc - Prayer
Luminous Arc 2 - Cherry Blossoms Falling in the Snow
Luminous Arc 2 - Oh Wings of Darkness, Wrap Me in Your Cold Embrace
Luminous Arc 2 - Demise of a Dream
Luminous Arc 2 - Raging Flame of Madness
Luminous Arc 2 - Taking a Hold of the Future!
Luminous Arc 2 - The Day The World Falls {I swear to God this is one of the best video game songs I have heard. Yoko Shimomura is amazing!}
Kingdom Hearts - Dearly Beloved {A real classic, but still AMAZING.}
Touhou UNL - The Scenery of Living Dolls
Touhou UFO - Fires of Hokkai
Touhou UFO - The Sealed Cloud Route
Touhou EoSD - Septette for the Dead Princess
Touhou EoSD - The Maid and the Pocket Watch of Blood
Touhou EoSD - Voile, the Magic Library
Touhou SA - The Bridge People No Longer Cross
Touhou SA - Awakening of the Earth Spirits
Touhou SWR - Drunk As I Like
Touhou SWR - Catastrophe in Bhava-agra ~ Wonderful Heaven
Touhou IN - Extend Ash ~ Hourai Victim
Touhou IN - Reach for the Moon, Immortal Smoke
Touhou IN - Song of the Night Sparrow
Touhou IaMP - Silence
Touhou IaMP - Onigashima in the Fairyland ~ Missing Power
Touhou IaMP - Demystify Feast
Touhou IaMP - Lunar Clock ~ Lunar Dial
Touhou TD - Futatsuiwa from Sado
Touhou TD - Desire Drive

Thank God, my Touhou fangirl session has ended. I go on forever with Touhou... XD

[kaBoMBer's Notebook]

Ok, I think I may start organizing the list by series now. I won't be able to update it now, but I'll get around to it...

Kumori, have you played Disgaea? I feel like you might like it...

[Kumori]

Ok, I think I may start organizing the list by series now. I won't be able to update it now, but I'll get around to it...

Kumori, have you played Disgaea? I feel like you might like it...

I've tried to play it a couple of times, but never really got into it.

[ChobiChibi]

Kay, I'm gonna geek out on you all now. You've been warned.

Final Fantasy
-Terra-FFVI

I hardly recognised this. I've not played 6, but I'm a music graduate/student, I thrive off this stuff. I've also been to Distant Worlds (*brag brag*), so the orchestral version is just... Mmmmph. So much better. One of my fave themes (it's on a CD in my car atm lol).

I don't think I'll bother reposting the other orchestral versions of FF7 songs mentioned. Advent Children, Tour de Japon or Distant Worlds versions will do.

That being said, Advent Children needs a massive mention. Divinity I and II are epic. But this is my favourite:
The Promised Land- FFVII Advent Children.
Sends shivers down my spine.

Moving to FFVIII...
Liberati Fatali- FFVIII
Just so epic...

I love how Nobou Umeatsu writes this like a Western Opera. And I love this in Japanese rather than English (seen it at Distant Worlds, just wasn't the same. But can't wait to see it again).
Opera "Maria and Draco"- FFVI

Instead of picking To Zanarkand (Piano collection edition= yum), I will give you this from X...
Ending Theme- FFX

My favourite Chocobo theme:
Swing de Chocobo

Gonna try and step away from Final Fantasy now (if that's even possible XD)

Wind Waker Symphonic Movement- LoZ
(If anyone ever buys me tickets to a Zelda orchestral concert, I will worship them)

Instead of giving you standard Kingdom Hearts songs everyone remembers, I'm gonna select a few of my random faves
Byte Bashing (Tron)- Kingdom Hearts 2

Roxas' Theme- Kingdom Hearts 2

Passion (After the Battle)- Kingdom Hearts 2

And finally... Because I should be in bed due to assessments tomorrow:
Team Plasma Battle Music- Pokemon Black/White

I feel there needs to be more discussion about why we like things...

Edit: OMG HOW DID I FORGET THIS. I HAD IT IN MY HEAD FOR LIKE 3 WEEKS.
A Place to Call Home/Melodies of Life- FFIX
A voice from the past, joining yours and mine, adding up the layers of harmony~

[CaptainJigglypuff]

Legend of Zelda Oracle of Seasons:

[kaBoMBer's Notebook]

Kay, I'm gonna geek out on you all now. You've been warned.


I hardly recognised this. I've not played 6, but I'm a music graduate/student, I thrive off this stuff. I've also been to Distant Worlds (*brag brag*), so the orchestral version is just... Mmmmph. So much better. One of my fave themes (it's on a CD in my car atm lol).

ASDFGHJKL I WAS JUST ABOUT TO POST THAT SONG.

Another story regarding gaming orchestras in Canada! I was at Otakuthon in Montreal this summer, and an orchestra was playing VGM music. Sadly, I made it late to the convention and was only able to hear part of the Legend of Zelda theme and Terra, the last song played. It was glorious. So glorious that I looked up orchestrated versions of Terra and ended up finding the Distant Worlds version.

...I really want to go to another Symphony of the Goddesses concert now...

EDIT: Ok, I'm updating the list. It may take a while...

DOUBLE EDIT x2 COMBO: Added more of my own stuff, including the Animal Crossing Anime theme, Homestuck's Sburban Jungle, Kirby's 20th Birthday Medley, and two versions of Pokemon GSC's Route 38.

[ChobiChibi]

I like you more now I know you're Canadian XD

I really don't like some of the old retro sounds... I think sometimes it's cos of hearing the orchestral versions, or just cos they're not Pokemon... I think I'd appreciate them more if I were playing the game at the time of listening.

Appologies if this has been posted already, but Route 1. Or Routes in Kanto in General. Love it.

[CaptainJigglypuff]

You have to admit that Oracle of Ages and Time had some of the most epic music ever fro the Gameboy Color and for being 8 bit. There were sometimes about four layers to the music in the dungeons and they all went well together and sounded like actual music and not something produced on a $5 electric keyboard that breaks easily.

[kaBoMBer's Notebook]

I like you more now I know you're Canadian XD

I really don't like some of the old retro sounds... I think sometimes it's cos of hearing the orchestral versions, or just cos they're not Pokemon... I think I'd appreciate them more if I were playing the game at the time of listening.
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I'm not Canadian, I just spend a lot of time in Canada. I love Canada so much you don't even know. Especially Quebec.

I admit, most video game music has no effect on people unless you know what kind of situation to play it in or if you have a nostalgic attachment to it. Orchestrations, to me, can do one of two things:
-Sucker punch my heart with nostalgia.
-Entrance me in the sheer emotion of the song, regardless of whether or not I've heard it in-game.

I personally love both chiptune and orchestrations about equally, as I've developed an emotional attachment to retro, but have always thought live performance leaves a satisfying feeling in your gut, like a good Thanksgiving meal.

You have to admit that Oracle of Ages and Time had some of the most epic music ever fro the Gameboy Color and for being 8 bit. There were sometimes about four layers to the music in the dungeons and they all went well together and sounded like actual music and not something produced on a $5 electric keyboard that breaks easily.

ASDFGHJKL all of the GB Zelda (and Mario, to an extent) songs were amazing, and stood out among all retro soundtracks. They did an impeccable job of getting the mood across. That's coming from a guy who's iPod is 40% comprised of chiptunes and stuff. Seriously, Phantom Hourglass and New Super Mario Bros 2 did a pitiful job of that compared to those.

Also, sorry I haven't gotten to updating your requests, Captain. It's a lot that wasn't posted as url.

[ChobiChibi]

Awwww D: I'd like to spend a lot of time in Canada too. Alas!

[kaBoMBer's Notebook]

Just added some songs, most notably the ones performed by the Tokyo City Philharmonic and the Route 42 cameo song in Pokemon Leafgreen and Firered. I feel like that version of Route 42 did the original even more justice than the one in HGSS...

Oh, and Disgaea's Last Engage is pretty awesome and Japanese.

[Mikachu Yukitatsu]

JENOVA might be the best song from any game ever.

Just remembered something. Back when I lived in the substitute family, there was also this girl with musical talent, she played cello, piano, and sang, and she hummed Final Fantasy VII's JENOVA although she didn't take it up and play the game itself until as late as 2004.

And more cool Japanese songs please!

[kaBoMBer's Notebook]

Well, as requested, I added some Japanese things. I didn't have much...
However, Can't Defeat Airman remains as one of my favorite Japanese songs.

Also, I've added a Megaman section.

[Kumori]

Ghost Trick has nothing to do with Layton :O

[kaBoMBer's Notebook]

Oops, my mistake! Fix'd.

[DivineAll]

Here's some obsure-ish music tracks from some games that not a lot of people know about, but should because they are awesome.

Muramasa: The Demon Blade - Yamato Plains: Travel at 0:00, Battle at 6:50
Muramasa: The Demon Blade - Road to Heaven: Travel at 0:00, Battle at 3:40
Muramasa: The Demon Blade - Powerful Looking
Muramasa: The Demon Blade - Tacit Understanding
Radiant Historia - Main Theme
Radiant Historia - Blue Radiance
Radiant Historia - The Edge of Green
Radiant Historia - The Red Locus
Radiant Historia - Where the Wind and Feathers Return
Radiant Historia - An Earnest Desire of Grey
Radiant Historia - HISTORIA
Custom Robo - Are You Ready
Custom Robo - Our Departure
Custom Robo - Thank You
Custom Robo - Forest of Nostalgia
Custom Robo - The Dark
Custom Robo - The Door to a Journey Unknown
Custom Robo - Samsara
Okamiden - Boss Fight
Okamiden - Preparing for Action
Okamiden - Kurow Loses Faith
Okamiden - Akuro Beaten

[kaBoMBer's Notebook]

Why does Yoko Shimomora have to be so good at everything... I'll add this ASAP! I really like the hollow-ish instruments in the Radiant Historia Theme!

EDIT: Just added my two favorite songs from the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series, Sky Tower and Temporal Tower, among many other songs. I also just added the PictoBits Credits, which is the absolute best credits theme in any game ever.

Betcha didn't know the Kanto Champion Battle music is in the files of Black and White (a different and better version than the one in BW2).