It's E3 season. A time when new games get debuted and companies embarrass themselves with a dance-off to demonstrate their newest product. We thought we'd take the time to appreciate the tunes that danced their way into our hearts and our minds from some of video gaming's biggest franchises. Despite how recognizable some music from video games can be, it can often go under-appreciated. Here we present the top 5 "Most Unforgettable Video Game Themes." New! If you're a Spotify user, you can play the songs as you read below.
1
Super Mario Bros. - Ground Theme
I don't think it'll come as any surprise to anyone that this would be at the top of the list. It's a tune that will never go out of style and certainly never be forgotten. I can still remember sitting down at lunch with my Nokia phone figuring out how to play it on my touch tones. It's probably the only video game song that's as culturely iconic as the character.
2
Tetris - Theme A
So maybe this one doesn't necessarily count? Although this track is ultimately an 8-bit version of the Russian-folk song, "Korobushka," more people are likely to recognize it as the main theme for Tetris. Often times, its specific rhythm aided in my attempt to line up the blocks just right to avoid having a cluttered box. There's something calming about it that kept me focused.
3
Legend of Zelda - Overworld Theme
While I may not think it's the most unforgettable theme song, it's certainly my favorite. Koji Kondo set the bar so high with this one. In my opinion, the greatest piece of music in video game history. Not only did it help define a game series, it helped set the tone for the action-RPG genre. It's a beautiful composition that sounds majestic no matter what it's played on.
4
Final Fantasy - Crystal Theme
Since the first Final Fantasy, the series has ultimately had 2 main themes: the "prelude"--also known as, "The Crystal Theme"--and the actual theme song that plays during the title sequence. Both have been apart of nearly every main title in the series, however, the prelude is much more distinct and identifiable. The dream-like arpeggio which is often placed at the "new game" screen, does a perfect job of making you feel like you're about to drift off to sleep and fall into fantasy.
5
Tony Hawk Pro Skater - Goldfinger's "Superman"
I know, this isn't really a theme song. Hear me out though. When you think about playing the first Tony Hawk game, what song do you usually think about? Anyone who has played Tony Hawk, knows how important its soundtrack is. Back when the first game was released, this was usually the song of preference to skate to. There's so much nostalgia associated with "Superman," and playing Tony Hawk that it's hard not to make them go hand-in-hand. I can't wait for the HD release to come out, just so I can relive those childhood years again.
