The 1990s were a golden era for video games. Nintendo hit its stride with the SNES and the Nintendo 64. The first PlayStation was released to the world. Several successful series began, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Doom, Pokemon, and more. Mario and Final Fantasy released some of their most iconic games, too.
Video game music only adds to a game’s status and reputation. In the 1990s, with improvements to console technology, video game soundtracks were evolving and becoming a more recognized area of musical brilliance. Several games from the 90s have incredible soundtracks that absolutely hold up today.
10 Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger is one of the best 90s-era RPGs. Released in 1995, this classic game takes you on an adventure across time. Its legacy on gaming is felt not just through its incredible storytelling, but also through its distinct music.
Chrono Trigger’s soundtrack incorporated a number of unique sounds and melodies to add to the other-worldly feel of the game. The songs add to the immersion of each location and time you travel to in the game. It was also one of the most ambitious video game scores of the time, as it had the most tracks of any other gaming soundtrack at the time.
9 Sonic The Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog’s first game kicked off the whole series in 1991, introducing the world to the blue speedster and his high-energy platforming. To match Sonic’s speedy playstyle, the game needed a strong soundtrack with a steady, fast-paced rhythm.
Sonic the Hedgehog’s first soundtrack accomplishes this goal very well, setting the tone for Sonic’s musical style from the very start. With quick beats and a J-Pop flair, Sonic’s first soundtrack is distinct and influences Sonic’s rock-and-roll scores in the decades to come. Green Hill Zone is among the best and most memorable of Sonic’s signature tracks.
8 Final Fantasy 7
The Final Fantasy series hit its stride in the 90s, and for many, Final Fantasy 7 is the ultimate game in the series. The original game released in 1997 and, just as with other aspects of the game, the music is among the best of the Final Fantasy games.
Final Fantasy 7’s music is epic in scope, fitting with the dystopian setting and intense action sequences. Its soundtrack also contains one of the most recognizable tracks in all of gaming: “One-Winged Angel” — Sephiroth’s theme.
7 The Secret Of Monkey Island
The Secret of Monkey Island, a classic point and click game first released in 1990, has a lot of nostalgia for 90s kids. Its tropical pirate adventure is intriguing to play through, and part of the game’s magic comes through its soundtrack.
The music for The Secret of Monkey Island perfectly captures the Caribbean vibe of the game, particularly with its use of percussion instruments and interesting rhythm. The tracks for the game also add to the tension, giving the adventure a sense of urgency.
6 The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
The Legend of Zelda series boasts many classic video game musical tracks across its many games. Among them, Ocarina of Time, which released in 1998, contributes to Zelda’s musical fame.
Link’s first 3D adventure introduces many iconic Zelda tunes, including “Great Fairy Fountain,” “Lon Lon Ranch,” and “Kokiri Forest,” among many others. Ocarina of Time has had perhaps the greatest musical impact on The Legend of Zelda series ever since, and is one of the best soundtracks in all of gaming.
5 Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
The Castlevania series has fundamentally impacted the platforming genre, becoming one of the two namesakes for the Metroidvania sub-genre. One of the best games from the series is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, released in 1997. Fitting with its musical name, it also has one of the best video game soundtracks.
Symphony of the Night’s score adds perfectly to the game’s story, providing a mix of haunting tracks and heavenly choral music. It is somber and beautiful throughout, yet intense in big boss battle moments.
4 Super Mario World
Mario Bros. music is among the most recognizable of all video game music, starting from the very first entry in the series. Super Mario World, first released in 1990, is no exception to this trend in iconic Mario music.
Super Mario World innovates from the earliest Super Mario Bros. music, yet still maintains a classic Mario feel. From chipper beats in the overworld and earliest levels, to haunting themes for the Ghost Houses and Castles, the game covers a wide range of musical tones as Mario embarks across the land to save the Princess.
3 Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
The stealth game Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake from 1990 has an incredible soundtrack. Despite the game’s focus on espionage, the score includes many fast-paced, intense tracks that encourage action and attack. Its rapid beats and rhythms drive the game forward, adding to the tension of the mission.
While most of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake’s tracks echo the game’s sense of adventure and action, the game also has a few slower songs for certain sad story beats, giving the soundtrack a bit of emotional range.
2 F-Zero X
While F-Zero today is largely known because of Captain Falcon’s place on the Super Smash Bros. roster, back in the 90s, it was a well-known racing game set in the distant future. F-Zero X, released in 1998, improved upon the original, including with its high-energy soundtrack.
Fitting with the futuristic setting and racing game genre, F-Zero X’s soundtrack takes on the rock and roll genre rather than the typical orchestral sounds most games opt for. Its songs feature intense electric guitar solos and riffs to go with the tone of the game.
1 Pokemon Red And Blue
Pokemon also launched in the ‘90s, with Red, Green, and Blue first releasing in Japan in 1996, followed by Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue coming to North America in 1998. Pokemon Red and Blue’s soundtrack is one of the best, not only of the 90s games, but also of all Game Boy games.
Despite the Game Boy’s limits, the first Pokemon game’s music is energetic, rhythmic, and unique. Though later Pokemon generations’ music is absolutely stellar compared to the simpler music of Generation 1, Red and Blue’s score establishes the series’ playful, adventurous tone.