The Greatest Original Video Game Soundtracks: 1987–1997 Edition

It was a summer day in 2018 when I published an article on the greatest soundtracks in video games. I chose the awkward 11-year range of 1998 to 2008 as an excuse to include both Final Fantasy VIII and Barkley Shut Up and Jam Gaiden, slapping “Edition” on the title to give the impression there was a greater vision and that the odd timeframe would make more sense once that vision was realized.

In truth, there was no plan, nor even a semblance of one. As the years went by, I had forgotten about the article entirely. That is, until a quiet evening in November 2025, when I once again found myself reminiscing about the power of video game music, and a rush of familiarity ran over me.

While browsing the archives of PixlParade, I found the article I had written more than seven years earlier. I felt it was only right for the readers, and for myself, to take the deceptively named article and finally turn it into a series worthy of its title. At long last, this is the 1987 to 1997 edition of the greatest video game soundtracks.

Wild Arms (PlayStation, 1997)

Wild Arms; Image credit: Sony Computer Entertainment

Wild Arms never reached the status of Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, or Persona. But with four sequels, a remake, an anime, and a crowdfunded spiritual successor in development hell, it was certainly successful in its own right. What sets Wild Arms apart from its contemporaries is its influence from the American Wild West. This is reflected in both its settings and soundtrack, with the “Migrant Bird of the Wilderness” overworld theme sampling “The Ecstasy of Gold” from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Our pick: Migrant Bird of the Wilderness

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (Game Boy, 1994)

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3; Image credit: Nintendo

With all the Super Mario games released in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, choosing Wario Land might seem like sacrilege to some. However, Wario Land offered a fairly significant departure from the Super Mario Land series it spun off. Wario, being bigger, heavier, and greedier than Mario, couldn’t have the same aerodynamics or motivations. Searching for the pirates who stole his treasure, Wario charges and stomps his way to Syrup Castle behind a soundtrack comprised of tunes that sound almost exclusively like the theme that plays whenever a blundering cartoon villain appears.

Our pick: Lava Course

Policenauts (Japan Only, 1994)

Policenauts; Image credit: Konami

Before Hideo Kojima was known for Metal Gear Solid or Death Stranding, he directed Policenauts, a sci-fi visual novel. The game was never released officially outside of Japan, but its legacy — and soundtrack — has garnered it worldwide attention. You know that little jingle that plays when you boot up the original Metal Gear Solid? That’s from “End Title” of Policenauts!

Our pick: Policenauts End Title

Tetris (Game Boy, 1989)

Tetris; Image credit: Nintendo

The Tetris theme is just an 8-bit version of the Russian folk song “Korobeiniki.” Funny enough, it wasn’t even in the original version of Tetris. Given that Tetris was a Soviet product, developers added various Russian-sounding songs to their version of the game, with Nintendo even using “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” for the NES version before using “Korobeiniki” for the Game Boy iteration. As a pack-in title for the Game Boy, this version of Tetris became the best-known, and “Korobeiniki” — unknown to most of the world in its original form — gained international recognition as the Tetris theme.

Our pick: A-Type

Donkey Kong Country (Super Nintendo, 1994)

Donkey Kong Country; Image credit: Nintendo

Video game music was always an art form, but Donkey Kong Country set a new standard. David Wise, inspired by the feeling of drowning after a recent breakup, composed a track so visceral that it would go on to earn praise from such artists as Trent Reznor and Childish Gambino. Of course, I’m talking about “Aquatic Ambience” — a track so good that it’s become a meme.

Our pick: Aquatic Ambience

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Game Boy, 1993)

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening; Image credit: Nintendo

Prior to Link’s Awakening, the Game Boy was seen as a device that you could use for a few minutes at a time, like playing Tetris on a train. If a major series received a handheld version or spin-off, it often felt like a stripped-down experience meant for a younger audience. Nintendo could have scaled back Link’s Awakening just the same, but instead gave it the full Zelda treatment with eight dungeons, plenty of collectables, and even a trading game. They didn’t skimp on the soundtrack either. To this day, songs like “Ballad of the Wind Fish” and “Tal Tal Heights” appear in Zelda titles and the Super Smash Bros. series.

Our pick: Tal Tal Heights

Super Metroid (Super Nintendo, 1994)

Super Metroid; Image credit: Nintendo

I’ll admit Prime was my first Metroid game. My admiration for its immersiveness had me convinced that I’d never be able to appreciate its predecessors. However, once I finally warmed up to its original 2D format, I was surprised by how atmospheric a 16-bit game can be. The soundtrack played a major role in that revelation. From the anxiety-building “Arrival on Crateria” when your ship first lands, to the sense of urgency “Escape” creates as you flee Zebes at the game’s conclusion, the Super Metroid soundtrack is an early example of a truly visceral experience.

Our pick: Arrival on Crateria

Final Fantasy VII (PlayStation, 1997)

Final Fantasy VII; Image credit: PlayStation

“Searching for the Man in Black” may have been released in 1997, but it’s not about Will Smith; it’s about Sephiroth. Final Fantasy VII is iconic for its characters, story, graphics, size, and, of course, soundtrack. So much so that it’s received a three-part remake. Nobuo Uematsu secured his legacy as the greatest video game composer of all time with this game. From the seedy sounds of “The Oppressed” in the Midgar slums to the high-energy “Gold Saucer” music and the intense “Fight On!” boss battle theme, the FF7 soundtrack excels in every way.

Our pick: Cosmo Canyon

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis, 1992)

Sonic the Hedgehog 2; Image credit: Sega

Nowadays, it’s fairly common for a popular musician to score a video game or at least contribute a song. When SEGA tapped Masato Nakamura, the bassist from then-popular Dreams That Come True, to score the original Sonic the Hedgehog, it was a big deal, and it worked out. Following the success of the original Sonic, Nakamura demanded more money to score the second game. Fortunately for SEGA, he delivered, improving on his work from the first, establishing SEGA’s role in the ‘90s console wars, and proving Sonic’s popularity wasn’t just a fluke.

Our pick: Boss

Those are my favorite soundtracks from 1987 to 1997. What are yours? Let us know in the comments and make sure to check back for the next installment of this series. Hopefully, it won’t take me another seven years to write one.

See more:

Featured image photo credit: Nintendo