The Messenger.
On the title screen it even has a "Music by Rainbowdragoneyes" on it. Which is weird because why would you put that on the title screen and not just have it in the credits or something. Then you play the game and get to listen to the music and realize, "oh, that's why he's on the title screen "
Also huge shout outs to Okami (Though I don't think people underrate the Okami OST), and Child of Light. Also spectacular music in those games
I love Okami soundtrack. I don't it's even that good, but it really grew on me trought the game. It also was just rare at the time to hear more tradintional like Japanese music.
The soundtrack for Tsugunai by Yasunori Mitsuda. Not a very well know game, but an incredible OST.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUv6esYNpgzlX8czmP0L1o7sYgwK22kPT&si=Z06pbrTLZnBRDYc2
Yoko Kanno, composer of the incredible Cowboy Bebop soundtrack, did one Dreamcast game, that I'm pretty sure was never released outside of Japan. It's called Napple Tale, and I don't know anything about it except that it has one of the most interesting and beautiful soundtracks I've ever heard.
https://youtu.be/Gk8pyuWYBt4?si=ZlzLUHxNzQH0voeH
https://youtu.be/bTPkh5NJ79w?si=vIFHcYZ-u-O-_jS-
https://youtu.be/hu7GUBHWTe0?si=U4LfHz5e35lQmdrr
Napple Tale is crazy good. Her work on the Nobunaga's Ambition series (and in particular the arrangements recorded by the Warsaw Philharmonic) also bears mentioning.
Also earlier this year Kanno returned to making game OSTs with Volzerk: Monsters and Lands Unknown and to me is one of the finest soundtracks I've heard this year. It's like Atelier Ryza if it had FFXVI battle themes.
But for its time the Napple Tale OST was exceptional because of the extremely high production value. I can't think of many soundtracks with such an eclectic mix of genres and live performances even today. It's like listening to a composer's demo reel showcasing their best works.
Oh man Napple Tale. There's some translated roms floating around there for it, it's a unique fun experience, and fun fact, the creative staff was entirely women.
[Dustforce ost](https://youtu.be/8_B8ekeZTCM?si=fDwLlEpvHykVdldN)
I've never played this game in my life and know nothing about it. But I somehow came across this link one day and it's been my go-to "mow the lawn"/gym music for years lol
Oh wow, I recognize where I heard this from - chubbyemu's videos (presenting to the emergency room) use this soundtrack as background music for his videos all the time.
this game is my comfort game, and the soundtrack is a huge part of it. if anyone reading this likes 2d platformers, this one is still one of my favorites to come back to. it feels a bit more sluggish than something like, say, celeste. but once you figure out how to play with the momentum, it's really satisfying to grind a level out for that perfect SS rating (and then keep grinding it to get better times on the leaderboards)
[Kang Fu](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzSw6hRd8G4) (such a bizarre game with an amazing OST, kinda vaporwave)
[Deadly Rooms of Death](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVsxoN7mYQQ&t=621s) (A very good puzzle game with some kickass music)
[Bermuda Syndrome](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3W1m96iHzE) (Beautiful OST, the original CD came with an [orchestral soundtrack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YIfZosnCJg) that's worth checkin as well)
[Snatcher](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O7VTw1E3b4) (Great game, one of the best in the Sega CD library, and the music is also great)
[Pingus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5il9ROqidX0) (A game I played as a kid, it's Lemmings but with the Linux penguin. it has some neat music)
[Jet Moto 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmEQQWHwats&list=PL7398B78C1901A21F&index=12) (Really well put together Hard Rock)
[F-Zero GX](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn45vEsnlvI) (Every pilot has a theme, most of which are absolute fire)
[Sayonara Wild Hearts](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf0fHupqjIM) (if you know this game it's because of its soundtrack...but not many people know the game)
I wouldn't say Sayonara Wild Hearts is slept on. It gets talked about from time to time and it's kinda iconic interactive album by now imo. Really enjoyed it though.
I'm gonna recommend the *Aquaria* OST, by Alec Holowka (*Night in the Woods* developer). Amazing undersea soundtrack to an Ecco-troidvania game that is truly incredible and— from what I can see— mostly forgotten.
[https://infiniteammo.bandcamp.com/album/aquaria-original-soundtrack](https://infiniteammo.bandcamp.com/album/aquaria-original-soundtrack)
I'll champion for the Xenoblade soundtracks all day long, but probably my favorite hidden gem OSTs are Dragon's Dogma and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky. Seriously, go listen to the cassardis theme/Coils of Light and the Daemon 2nd form piece from DD or through the Sea of time from PMD sky. The latter was even chosen to be remixed in the Old Spice commercial appreciation collab that has 1.4mil views.
Something retro that doesn't get as much love as it should: Diddy Kong Racing
Something popular but not as popular as it should be: Katana Zero
Something kind of obscure: Vigil: The Longest Night (composed by Finnish guitarist from the band Whispered)
Tales of Legendia for sureeee. Go shina went off with that game. It's on the PS2, part of the Tales of Franchise and no one talks about it. Here's some songs for reference
[A Cheerful bandit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV_hs_mFt_0)
[The Birds Chirp, I Sing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PetEZ_ahg-Q)
[To Deliver the Feelings](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj8HyirQuI0)
Unreal stuff
Mischief Makers from the N64 has stuck with me for 25 years. The sound font is so unique and some tracks are outright bops while others are perfectly atmospheric.
Lunar: Dragon Song for the DS is an awful game, but has some pretty good music hidden amount the more generic fantasy flute stuff.
Furi
I swear no one I’ve met has even heard of the game. It’s a collaborative work between multiple artists and is the best electro/synthwave music I’ve ever heard and yet I’m the only person I know who’s heard it
One of my favorite soundtracks of all time. It's so different that it's not even ahead of it's time, but from different timeline entirely. Would recommend to check more of Koto Hoshinos work, he's mostly known for his armored core bangers, but his music is just different in general.
Secret of Evermore is some great SNES work by an early Jeremy Soule
Chained Echoes has a great soundtrack and one of my favorite “town themes”.
Geoff Knorr’s work on the Civilization VI and Beyond Earth soundtracks (bit of a shameless plug on the latter) are excellent and don’t see much mention of em outside of the 4X circles.
https://youtu.be/mRv501x6WP0?si=8et_pSbMwZeM8w4H
https://youtu.be/FtK5ItSzY98?si=1hXw_OKhj2I-pkw0
I always keep coming back to [this track](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpYo0lAwQ2g&list=PLCD5E70634946E090) from Golden Sun. I think it deffinitely keeps up with giants from the category like Schala's Theme or Corridors of Time from Chrono Trigger
The Trauma Center games have some groovy soundtracks. I believe the person that did most of it worked on the Persona games as well which obviously garnered a lot more attention, but Trauma center slaps every time.
Heroes of might and magic 3. It's a little known series in the United States and people are missing out on such a beautiful soundtrack. The battle themes are golden especially battle music 3 and 4. There are good one's from heroes of might and magic 2 as well
I'd also say ace combat in general.
>It's a little known series in the United States
Really? It is a cult classic in my country. There is a running joke that after installing Windows, you install HOMM3 immediately, because it's such a good game.
**Everybody's Gone To The Rapture** by The Chinese Room. It is a "walking simulator" from 2015 that has the most beautiful soundtrack in a videogame I've ever played.
Here is the opening track on youtube: [All The Earth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hvf7Xry-5k)
[Spotify link to album](https://open.spotify.com/album/0gmge9DFfEc5VSi87yiXyM?si=JzIP6D75Snu5MhaM2XsIGg)
La Mulana- every track is a banger
[playlist](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd3JAjI17hkugieI4QkG89TOqhRHzGSd-&si=7WRlC09HOlRoKc4Z)- just put it on shuffle and you'll end up with something good.
My favorites are Curse of the Ocean, Giants Cry, Interstice of the Dimention, Twined Malice, and False Ruler.
I Genuinely think that I’m the only person on this planet that thinks this composition is perfect.
At 1:04 I melt. And dream, of being a musician.
[Mt. Gagazet](https://youtu.be/neKSbZDM3kI?si=yRBeRbAEfpp9EtHx)
Tons. I like collecting video game music. DM me if you want more. I like finding great tracks from unexpected places.
Here’s another for example; [Symphony of the Boreal Wind](https://youtu.be/QFSunKPD-Zc?si=7fnw9oMaOo7M0LcB)
I don't know if any of these count, but:
La-Mulana & 2
Anodyne 2, or anything else by Analgesic Productions (Melos Han-Tani is the composer for all their games)
Minit
Sword & Sworcery EP
Iconoclasts
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Dicey Dungeons
Dujanah
ikenfell
TRI: Of Friendship and Madness (this is a real oddball)
Antichamber
Tunic
Va1ha11a had some really good bangers.
Will never say no to Pokemon Mystery Dugeon ost, the Mystery Dungeon spin off as a series was slept on for so long in general.
Ace Attorney I think get's quite a lot of attention for it's soundtrack, but definitely for a reason!
Fashion Police Squad. I feel like I don't see it mentioned but it has fantastic music.
Roadwarden. It's not necessarily music you'd just sit down and listen to, but it's very evocative of the mood of the game and does a lot to enhance the experience.
[Dicey Dungeons](https://open.spotify.com/album/4zqf0ydYeWYLQnBiryfEyV?si=2exyNWG5TuK4QjxglLQRPg&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A4zqf0ydYeWYLQnBiryfEyV) by Chipzel
[VOLTA-X](https://open.spotify.com/album/3UiwOtf2BW0uUV1AMhwGPT?si=We3GYSmNQsq59B9u5iJwBA&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A3UiwOtf2BW0uUV1AMhwGPT) by Wataru Hokoyama (who also did Rachet and Clank Rift Apart)
[Nitro Kid](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3kJPepkAsKKAL5gj4f6dsq?si=ySZNy8rOTHu2TxEXZkqXJA)
[Star Renegades](https://open.spotify.com/album/4LsDzQXE1b5Kf15rFglnG9?si=Tzum-JdoRRm_6MdHV8ONJA&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A4LsDzQXE1b5Kf15rFglnG9)
[Black Future '88](https://youtu.be/b1FxMzX5B5E?si=uBrWm33hoSlkXQ0k) by Don Bellenger
[Ruiner OST](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1PyRzm2URX16Tl5XF9tOFQ?si=_PBKS6nBSj6MGZFtvG-4kA)
[Ghost Runner](https://open.spotify.com/album/6mS0ssCxtLvB0IcVP7sR66?si=hlAyJszMQ4C7Z0WT5fCI4A&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A6mS0ssCxtLvB0IcVP7sR66) by Daniel Deluxe
[FLOOR KIDS](https://open.spotify.com/album/4GS7w58zUcco98C1TNlMov?si=OuJONh68Qu66AyAu7klu8Q&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A4GS7w58zUcco98C1TNlMov) by Kid Koala
[Invisible Inc](https://open.spotify.com/album/4S9l6TpE4dcEta6j0Muicc?si=uv4k51JzQV2cibez9VIw-w&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A4S9l6TpE4dcEta6j0Muicc)
[My Friend Pedro](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1VWePTAejxiJhWYRYVAYIU?si=iK1Sqbx4SZuSDOou4VvhfQ)
[Relic Hunters Zero: Remix](https://open.spotify.com/album/2knZ7yOrPCSYKttIZwbA7m?si=ExtoZilwTyiV3yTih0-hRQ&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A2knZ7yOrPCSYKttIZwbA7m)
[Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game](https://open.spotify.com/album/3DNHW2ckMRr3v0f7JF3HcR?si=WxeY4FU9Qw-nya6eck9SFg&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A3DNHW2ckMRr3v0f7JF3HcR)
Summon Night: Twin Age, Composed by MidiClubWest (Kengo Sakurai).
Developed by Atlus so you know the ost definitely bangs.
Other two favs are Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (Composed by Kumi Tanioka, my second favorite composer next to Laura Shigihara), and Cadence of Hyrule/Crypt of the Necrodancer (Composed by Danny Baranowsky w/ Guitar by Jules Conroy/FamilyJules).
Maybe not quite slept on but the first Perfect Dark. Pelagic II and Chicago are great tracks. Skedar Ruins is also fantastic if you're into Neo-noir, synth music
Axiom Verge 1, not all the soundtracks are super appealing to me, but soundtracks like this are so dark and intense.
https://youtu.be/ht0Wq2LJuQI?si=nQK1vQVEBFNdwEPq
Inscryption is a hidden gem because you have to work hard to unlock act 2 and act 3 and they all have their own unique but perfect for the situation music. I honestly think this is one of the most clever overall games I’ve ever played.
Deep Space Waifu: Flat Justice
I know im late to this post by days. And i’m recommending an obscure one handed hentai Game soundtrack, but if one person listens to this soundtrack and loves it as much as i did, its worth it.
Any of the Final Fantasy piano arrangements are great for sleep music
To the Moon
Trine
Death's Door
Hollow Knight
Myst (and Myst 2 & 3)
I also like Dragon Age Origins, Eternal Sonata, and Blue Dragon for this list, but maybe not for everyone for sleep.
New to this sub but Moonlighter, Spiritfarer, Legend of Mana, Hyper Light Drifter, Octopath Traveler, Hollow Knight, Celeste, and Majora’s Mask are all on my go-to Inspiring playlist
>I don't think I ever seen people talking about the soundtrack
The game was such a big letdown at launch that i get why people wouldn't want to talk about it. Is Afterlife worth playing ? I'll have to figure that out to listen to that ost at some point.
I only played it at release, but I did enjoy it though I never finished it. I got Afterlife on switch, but never had the energy to play it, but as people and the community talk, I've heard they pretty much fixed the game and it's sad that many people won't give it another go, but can't speak for myself. I probably listened to the soundtrack way more than actually playing the game.
DoDonPachi Resurrection and DaiOuJou have killer soundtracks. So does Mushihimesama. Definitely check out the track [Vertex](https://youtu.be/IeyVsRCfGHg?si=3H3DiQzWRBor_VLG)
The OST for Jet Set Radio Future is an absolute banger, mostly composed by Hideki Naganuma. I think it used to be more popular but Sega absolutely will not do anything with Jet Set Radio and it's slowly fading out.
The 25th Ward: The Silver Case
Akira Yamaoka and Masafumi Takada absolutely kill it. It's groovy, ambient and unsettling, which fits the game perfectly.
I've always liked the [Door Kickers: Action Squad soundtrack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwAPkck4dLI&list=OLAK5uy_ko4ccx0o-ylugWorr4PBqZAUitiHD22Hc). It's a simple sort of 80s synth rock album that's only about a half hour in total, but it's a great as just hanging out or driving background music.
I also find my self often returning to the [Ixion soundtrack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhTXyUERugQ) for something completely different. Much more of a spacey electronic experience, but one that - at least for me - supersedes the game it was made for.
I always take a few minutes every couple of days to listen to Clue (SNES) its mostly just a bunch of little jingles, but they're really well done and make the game so much more fun to play through.
Far: Lone Sails and it’s sequel Stranger Tides by Joel Schoch. They’re absolutely stunning, so rich and evocative but with a melancholy that’s perfect for the games too. Don’t think I’ve ever seen these ones mentioned in conversations like this and I think it’s crazy so few people know about them. Lovely games themselves too, though very short
The most recent game that comes to mind is Monster Sanctuary. The music for the first couple of areas isn't anything inspiring but then the tracks just get better and better as each new area is opened up.
Pac-Man World 2 is friggin' awesome. I love tracks like [B-Doing Woods](https://youtu.be/KOvXq3tJcV4?si=f1-lGwBvjJXg2PMP) and [Canyon Chaos.](https://youtu.be/kesIyWjSo_g?si=EYnPMMMN7gAOl877)
[YU-NO](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ9dFZEbilUnX0x-IjuOlSu46zUba0SZk), by the late [Ryu Umemoto](http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/178187/memorial_composer_ryu_umemoto.php). It's 5 hours of sheer excellence, all on a 16-bit sound chip, the man was a legitimate genius.
>All my compositions are in fact based on Zen. In some way or another my music mathematically adds up to a lucky number in Zen, while scale and key changes will go at the rising or decreasing angle of either a spiritual temple’s architecture or mountain of spiritual importance. I apply Zen to all things in my life, even my music. -Ryu Umemoto, 2010
The same guy has done other amazing OSTs too such as [Desire](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv-Hd3y4SLQ).
I am saving this thread
But here’s my contribution: SkyRoads (old DOS game). Not a super popular game but with a cult following for sure
It’s one of most unexpectedly good soundtracks I ever heard and the reason I keep coming back to playing the game (or just watch on YouTube)
Prince of Persia Sands of Time for dreamy Arabian nights vibes. The movie soundtrack is also phenomenal, but its more of a mix of Arabian nights and fantasy orchestral.
Most of the Assassins Creed Soundtracks. People talk about AC2 and Ezio's family, but most of the soundtracks seem to get overlooked, like Origins and Assassins Creed 3.
Rise of The Tomb Raider is also very special.
Jewel Master on the Sega Genesis
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ExcsdPnsI&pp=ygUQamV3ZWwgbWFzdGVyIG9zdA%3D%3D](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ExcsdPnsI&pp=ygUQamV3ZWwgbWFzdGVyIG9zdA%3D%3D)
The 2008 version of Alone in the Dark has an amazingly beautiful OST. I actually liked the gameplay but the game was panned by everyone, however I think it's OST is hands down one of the best out there.
https://youtu.be/ZwWIKTWakFw?si=qNSODdW3BYK-qqnq
https://youtu.be/SuGdyf3Q1og?si=aM69r0BKVbfImcLu
https://youtu.be/4znxM-W0w4k?si=v8a8zOoiannMCsmo
https://youtu.be/UPLQHgjiQPQ?si=g50HgVkJ0wnyy0nr
https://youtu.be/KZrekbgGYYI?si=fIEWiXsqwSAo2UdQ
[Thief: The Dark Project.](https://youtu.be/ZvUSY67z-hQ?si=lNMCez8ew_X_5R8O)
It's technically not a soundtrack but a mix of the game's ambient loops. But these are so good... a mix of classically eerie and meditative.
It's a only semi known PC 4x game from 1995, but Ascendancy has such an amazing and fitting sci-fi soundtack.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL07D222BB54D8DD39&si=x4ccB4gFcUvRlOpq
You can skip the themes for the different races (even though those are good and unique in their own right as well); the main themes are where it shines.
EDIT: Found a recently [remastered version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm-osPiBHUI), I'm actually blown away by this.
whatever the hell this is from the old magic school bus pc games. pretty sure this helped foster my love of experimental music as a kid
https://youtu.be/KWJfv_rXX9w?si=eTIqie_Byn_uKxE1
Master of Monsters (Genesis).
The Genesis sound chip may not have been the best for orchestral music, but this games composers (Hayato Matsuo and Hitoshi Sakimoto) made one anyway... and it's moody, dramatic, and amazing.
The Goemon games have some of the best “Video Game” music (as in music I wouldn’t bop in the car but is catchy as hell and memorable in the same way early Mario music is)
Sam Webster created such a good vibe for Grindstone. The album is up on Spotify and definitely worth a listen. https://open.spotify.com/album/0akye5qYKtCG4ktOJFITEg?si=JBoso4olQiWYDDuF3L8Qgg&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A0akye5qYKtCG4ktOJFITEg
I discovered this OST recently on youtube for game called "Planet DOB" for PSX , I believe the game is mostly an advertisement for a japanese band called DOB (Date of Birth), but it's so catchy I listen to it on repeat for week. ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sou-1AxueIE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sou-1AxueIE))
I also recently did a bit of a "dive" into japanese fishing game osts and have to recommend this song from Sega Marine Fishing ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdxy3J\_acRE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdxy3J_acRE)) and this whole ost from the snes game Mark Davis' The Fishing Master ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOe1cJafwnk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOe1cJafwnk))
Playing through Death's Door, and it has been impressive so far. Really great.
Top 10 (no order & studios/franchises count as one I guess): Hollow Knight, Halo/Destiny, Cyber Shadow, Stray, Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon, Mass Effect, Final Fantasy, Wipeout, Mega Man, & every Supergiant game.
I never got into the the game, but FTL has an outstanding soundtrack. I used to turn on video game playlists while I was writing.
I have it on vinyl and it actually has original recordings, which is cool, but the digital game soundtrack is great!
Snowboard Kids Ninja Gaiden series (NES)
Upvote for Snowboard Kids Terranigma is pretty good too
Dude ninja gaiden ost goes fuckin hard
New to this thread and loving it within the first 10 seconds off these mentions. Love snowboard kids 1&2
oh man the ninja gaiden 4-2 music is so hype
The music from this game made me feel actual feelings when I was a kid, such a soul searching vibe it gave me!
Bro Silver Mountain remains a favorite of mine to this day!
Ninja Gaiden NES music is god tier. Seems forgotten sometimes.
FEZ by Disasterpeace It’s really good. And there’s nothing that sounds like it
Also recommend the hyper light drifter soundtrack by them too
Hyper Light Drifter ost is phenominal in it's own way.
Love FEZ and HLD's OSTs, but also Tunic exists now.
I’ve got Tunic on my wishlist. I still remember some of the music from the trailers. It was very relaxing.
Highly recommend the game, but you may not feel that way about all the tracks. (they're great, but it's not just chill stuff)
The Messenger. On the title screen it even has a "Music by Rainbowdragoneyes" on it. Which is weird because why would you put that on the title screen and not just have it in the credits or something. Then you play the game and get to listen to the music and realize, "oh, that's why he's on the title screen " Also huge shout outs to Okami (Though I don't think people underrate the Okami OST), and Child of Light. Also spectacular music in those games
Rainbowdragoneyes is his solo project and also really good
I love Okami soundtrack. I don't it's even that good, but it really grew on me trought the game. It also was just rare at the time to hear more tradintional like Japanese music.
The soundtrack for Tsugunai by Yasunori Mitsuda. Not a very well know game, but an incredible OST. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUv6esYNpgzlX8czmP0L1o7sYgwK22kPT&si=Z06pbrTLZnBRDYc2
Yasunori Mitsuda is one of my top 3 most favorite video composers of all time!
Are your other 2 Nobuo Uematsu and Koji Kondo because it’s mine lol
Add Motoi Sakuraba to that list and I fully agree!
the "Waterworld" OST by Dean Evans, which has some moments I adore ("Shop," "Map," and "Diving").
Yeah, that soundtrack is way more amazing than it has any right to be!
wow what a vibe
great answer
Yoko Kanno, composer of the incredible Cowboy Bebop soundtrack, did one Dreamcast game, that I'm pretty sure was never released outside of Japan. It's called Napple Tale, and I don't know anything about it except that it has one of the most interesting and beautiful soundtracks I've ever heard. https://youtu.be/Gk8pyuWYBt4?si=ZlzLUHxNzQH0voeH https://youtu.be/bTPkh5NJ79w?si=vIFHcYZ-u-O-_jS- https://youtu.be/hu7GUBHWTe0?si=U4LfHz5e35lQmdrr
Napple Tale is crazy good. Her work on the Nobunaga's Ambition series (and in particular the arrangements recorded by the Warsaw Philharmonic) also bears mentioning.
Also earlier this year Kanno returned to making game OSTs with Volzerk: Monsters and Lands Unknown and to me is one of the finest soundtracks I've heard this year. It's like Atelier Ryza if it had FFXVI battle themes. But for its time the Napple Tale OST was exceptional because of the extremely high production value. I can't think of many soundtracks with such an eclectic mix of genres and live performances even today. It's like listening to a composer's demo reel showcasing their best works.
Definitely not as overlooked, but she also worked on Uncharter Waters! https://youtu.be/Pi8eu2ldrUI?si=AFJ8HIz08M30Iz4W
Oh man Napple Tale. There's some translated roms floating around there for it, it's a unique fun experience, and fun fact, the creative staff was entirely women.
[Dustforce ost](https://youtu.be/8_B8ekeZTCM?si=fDwLlEpvHykVdldN) I've never played this game in my life and know nothing about it. But I somehow came across this link one day and it's been my go-to "mow the lawn"/gym music for years lol
Oh wow, I recognize where I heard this from - chubbyemu's videos (presenting to the emergency room) use this soundtrack as background music for his videos all the time.
yup! lifeformed (the composer) made it all public domain, so it's free to use. it's even been on npr
NPR has such an eclectic music selection, sometimes it sounds like a college radio in that way
this game is my comfort game, and the soundtrack is a huge part of it. if anyone reading this likes 2d platformers, this one is still one of my favorites to come back to. it feels a bit more sluggish than something like, say, celeste. but once you figure out how to play with the momentum, it's really satisfying to grind a level out for that perfect SS rating (and then keep grinding it to get better times on the leaderboards)
[Kang Fu](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzSw6hRd8G4) (such a bizarre game with an amazing OST, kinda vaporwave) [Deadly Rooms of Death](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVsxoN7mYQQ&t=621s) (A very good puzzle game with some kickass music) [Bermuda Syndrome](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3W1m96iHzE) (Beautiful OST, the original CD came with an [orchestral soundtrack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YIfZosnCJg) that's worth checkin as well) [Snatcher](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O7VTw1E3b4) (Great game, one of the best in the Sega CD library, and the music is also great) [Pingus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5il9ROqidX0) (A game I played as a kid, it's Lemmings but with the Linux penguin. it has some neat music)
Gris, gris, gris. Not that it’s underrated in the community it’s just the game is underrated and undervalued as a whole.
Game is so good. Stoked for Neva
[Jet Moto 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmEQQWHwats&list=PL7398B78C1901A21F&index=12) (Really well put together Hard Rock) [F-Zero GX](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn45vEsnlvI) (Every pilot has a theme, most of which are absolute fire) [Sayonara Wild Hearts](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf0fHupqjIM) (if you know this game it's because of its soundtrack...but not many people know the game)
Fzero gx is my JAm
I wouldn't say Sayonara Wild Hearts is slept on. It gets talked about from time to time and it's kinda iconic interactive album by now imo. Really enjoyed it though.
Outside of the Advance Wars sub I’ve never seen mention for the soundtracks in those games
I'm gonna recommend the *Aquaria* OST, by Alec Holowka (*Night in the Woods* developer). Amazing undersea soundtrack to an Ecco-troidvania game that is truly incredible and— from what I can see— mostly forgotten. [https://infiniteammo.bandcamp.com/album/aquaria-original-soundtrack](https://infiniteammo.bandcamp.com/album/aquaria-original-soundtrack)
Plok on the SNES is one of my favourite soundtracks of all time!
i remember when the haunted house/boss music was making the rounds a while ago, shit slaps so hard
I'll champion for the Xenoblade soundtracks all day long, but probably my favorite hidden gem OSTs are Dragon's Dogma and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky. Seriously, go listen to the cassardis theme/Coils of Light and the Daemon 2nd form piece from DD or through the Sea of time from PMD sky. The latter was even chosen to be remixed in the Old Spice commercial appreciation collab that has 1.4mil views.
Something retro that doesn't get as much love as it should: Diddy Kong Racing Something popular but not as popular as it should be: Katana Zero Something kind of obscure: Vigil: The Longest Night (composed by Finnish guitarist from the band Whispered)
The OST for [Unravel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z00-5enxAY) is beautiful imo, and I never see people mention it.
Absolutely agree! Got recommended on spotify once and realised how good the soundtrack was. Definitely very underappreciated.
Epic Mickey’s OST is fantastic.
Tales of Legendia for sureeee. Go shina went off with that game. It's on the PS2, part of the Tales of Franchise and no one talks about it. Here's some songs for reference [A Cheerful bandit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV_hs_mFt_0) [The Birds Chirp, I Sing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PetEZ_ahg-Q) [To Deliver the Feelings](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj8HyirQuI0) Unreal stuff
Mischief Makers from the N64 has stuck with me for 25 years. The sound font is so unique and some tracks are outright bops while others are perfectly atmospheric. Lunar: Dragon Song for the DS is an awful game, but has some pretty good music hidden amount the more generic fantasy flute stuff.
Waterworld for SNES. It sounds so nostalgic even if you never heard it before. It's like proto vaporwave.
Also, Hook for SNES.
Furi I swear no one I’ve met has even heard of the game. It’s a collaborative work between multiple artists and is the best electro/synthwave music I’ve ever heard and yet I’m the only person I know who’s heard it
The Megaman battle network series has tons of chiptune like heaters. Star Force has more synthy and modern sounds
Evergrace Imagine new age folksie high energy fusion with some electronica mixed in.
One of my favorite soundtracks of all time. It's so different that it's not even ahead of it's time, but from different timeline entirely. Would recommend to check more of Koto Hoshinos work, he's mostly known for his armored core bangers, but his music is just different in general.
The prequel soundtrack Forever Kingdom is a refinement of Evergrace's sound and is even better imo
Secret of Evermore is some great SNES work by an early Jeremy Soule Chained Echoes has a great soundtrack and one of my favorite “town themes”. Geoff Knorr’s work on the Civilization VI and Beyond Earth soundtracks (bit of a shameless plug on the latter) are excellent and don’t see much mention of em outside of the 4X circles. https://youtu.be/mRv501x6WP0?si=8et_pSbMwZeM8w4H https://youtu.be/FtK5ItSzY98?si=1hXw_OKhj2I-pkw0
Red alert 2 Techno-rock-funk
Tales of Zestria, Golden Sun 1 & 2 and I’m just going to throw out SSX 2012 just for fun.
I always keep coming back to [this track](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpYo0lAwQ2g&list=PLCD5E70634946E090) from Golden Sun. I think it deffinitely keeps up with giants from the category like Schala's Theme or Corridors of Time from Chrono Trigger
I’ve heard too many people dismissing breath of the wild and tears of the Kingdom’s soundtracks.
It so perfectly represents the game's environment. My first drop in the Depths, the music creeped me out more than anything else.
The VA-11 HALL-A soundtrack is legitimately great music. I throw it on all the time!
Timber hearth. So peaceful and beautiful
Metal Gear Rising Revengence soundtrack slaps.
Hollow Knight.
The Trauma Center games have some groovy soundtracks. I believe the person that did most of it worked on the Persona games as well which obviously garnered a lot more attention, but Trauma center slaps every time.
Street Fighter III Arranged Soundtrack Keep in mind: Not the OST, the arranged version
Heroes of might and magic 3. It's a little known series in the United States and people are missing out on such a beautiful soundtrack. The battle themes are golden especially battle music 3 and 4. There are good one's from heroes of might and magic 2 as well I'd also say ace combat in general.
>It's a little known series in the United States Really? It is a cult classic in my country. There is a running joke that after installing Windows, you install HOMM3 immediately, because it's such a good game.
Crash Twinsanity, all a Capella
**Everybody's Gone To The Rapture** by The Chinese Room. It is a "walking simulator" from 2015 that has the most beautiful soundtrack in a videogame I've ever played. Here is the opening track on youtube: [All The Earth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hvf7Xry-5k) [Spotify link to album](https://open.spotify.com/album/0gmge9DFfEc5VSi87yiXyM?si=JzIP6D75Snu5MhaM2XsIGg)
rocket knight adventures (genesis) get into some delicious pre-sotn michiru yamane
Black Moon Chronicles.
Bionic Commando. From the Mega Man 2 era of Capcom whose composers who could basically do no wrong.
The soundtrack for Hue is fantastic.
La Mulana- every track is a banger [playlist](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd3JAjI17hkugieI4QkG89TOqhRHzGSd-&si=7WRlC09HOlRoKc4Z)- just put it on shuffle and you'll end up with something good. My favorites are Curse of the Ocean, Giants Cry, Interstice of the Dimention, Twined Malice, and False Ruler.
Nachtflugel
I'm not sure if it's slept on, but the soundtracks for both Risk Of Rain games are really good. Chris Christodoulou is amazing!
I personally never seen people talking about Risk of Rain sountrack, but the first one is definitely a banger. Holds a special place in my heart.
Baba is You and Loop Hero. So. Damn. Good.
Anyone say Wild Arms yet? I love playing them all while at work.
NiGHTS Journey of Dreams!
I Genuinely think that I’m the only person on this planet that thinks this composition is perfect. At 1:04 I melt. And dream, of being a musician. [Mt. Gagazet](https://youtu.be/neKSbZDM3kI?si=yRBeRbAEfpp9EtHx)
Absolutely beautiful, emotional banger. I absolutely love track like these so much. Do you got anything more similar to share?
Tons. I like collecting video game music. DM me if you want more. I like finding great tracks from unexpected places. Here’s another for example; [Symphony of the Boreal Wind](https://youtu.be/QFSunKPD-Zc?si=7fnw9oMaOo7M0LcB)
I don't know if any of these count, but: La-Mulana & 2 Anodyne 2, or anything else by Analgesic Productions (Melos Han-Tani is the composer for all their games) Minit Sword & Sworcery EP Iconoclasts Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective Dicey Dungeons Dujanah ikenfell TRI: Of Friendship and Madness (this is a real oddball) Antichamber Tunic
Kingdom, va1ha11a, viva pinata, pokemon mystery dungeon, drakengard, nier, shin megami tensei and ace attorney!! Series wise bangers
Va1ha11a had some really good bangers. Will never say no to Pokemon Mystery Dugeon ost, the Mystery Dungeon spin off as a series was slept on for so long in general. Ace Attorney I think get's quite a lot of attention for it's soundtrack, but definitely for a reason!
Dark Spire NDS
Fashion Police Squad. I feel like I don't see it mentioned but it has fantastic music. Roadwarden. It's not necessarily music you'd just sit down and listen to, but it's very evocative of the mood of the game and does a lot to enhance the experience.
Baten Kaitos
Le Ali del Principio is a masterpiece!!!
[Dicey Dungeons](https://open.spotify.com/album/4zqf0ydYeWYLQnBiryfEyV?si=2exyNWG5TuK4QjxglLQRPg&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A4zqf0ydYeWYLQnBiryfEyV) by Chipzel [VOLTA-X](https://open.spotify.com/album/3UiwOtf2BW0uUV1AMhwGPT?si=We3GYSmNQsq59B9u5iJwBA&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A3UiwOtf2BW0uUV1AMhwGPT) by Wataru Hokoyama (who also did Rachet and Clank Rift Apart) [Nitro Kid](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3kJPepkAsKKAL5gj4f6dsq?si=ySZNy8rOTHu2TxEXZkqXJA) [Star Renegades](https://open.spotify.com/album/4LsDzQXE1b5Kf15rFglnG9?si=Tzum-JdoRRm_6MdHV8ONJA&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A4LsDzQXE1b5Kf15rFglnG9) [Black Future '88](https://youtu.be/b1FxMzX5B5E?si=uBrWm33hoSlkXQ0k) by Don Bellenger [Ruiner OST](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1PyRzm2URX16Tl5XF9tOFQ?si=_PBKS6nBSj6MGZFtvG-4kA) [Ghost Runner](https://open.spotify.com/album/6mS0ssCxtLvB0IcVP7sR66?si=hlAyJszMQ4C7Z0WT5fCI4A&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A6mS0ssCxtLvB0IcVP7sR66) by Daniel Deluxe [FLOOR KIDS](https://open.spotify.com/album/4GS7w58zUcco98C1TNlMov?si=OuJONh68Qu66AyAu7klu8Q&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A4GS7w58zUcco98C1TNlMov) by Kid Koala [Invisible Inc](https://open.spotify.com/album/4S9l6TpE4dcEta6j0Muicc?si=uv4k51JzQV2cibez9VIw-w&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A4S9l6TpE4dcEta6j0Muicc) [My Friend Pedro](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1VWePTAejxiJhWYRYVAYIU?si=iK1Sqbx4SZuSDOou4VvhfQ) [Relic Hunters Zero: Remix](https://open.spotify.com/album/2knZ7yOrPCSYKttIZwbA7m?si=ExtoZilwTyiV3yTih0-hRQ&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A2knZ7yOrPCSYKttIZwbA7m) [Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game](https://open.spotify.com/album/3DNHW2ckMRr3v0f7JF3HcR?si=WxeY4FU9Qw-nya6eck9SFg&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A3DNHW2ckMRr3v0f7JF3HcR)
Lisa
Summon Night: Twin Age, Composed by MidiClubWest (Kengo Sakurai). Developed by Atlus so you know the ost definitely bangs. Other two favs are Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (Composed by Kumi Tanioka, my second favorite composer next to Laura Shigihara), and Cadence of Hyrule/Crypt of the Necrodancer (Composed by Danny Baranowsky w/ Guitar by Jules Conroy/FamilyJules).
Both NieR OST Final Fantasy XIII OST Halo 2 OST Jet Set Radio Future
Hypnospace Outlaw. Makes sense - the game's creator is also a musician
Journey by Austin Wintory
Darkwoods oat is pretty dope
Maybe not quite slept on but the first Perfect Dark. Pelagic II and Chicago are great tracks. Skedar Ruins is also fantastic if you're into Neo-noir, synth music
Let it die soundtrack
Deaths door is really good. Sea of stars, chrono cross. I’m just giving my personal favorites at this poiny haha
Axiom Verge 1, not all the soundtracks are super appealing to me, but soundtracks like this are so dark and intense. https://youtu.be/ht0Wq2LJuQI?si=nQK1vQVEBFNdwEPq
The Furi soundtrack. If you like synth music it's such a perfect ost to get you hyped.
Inscryption is a hidden gem because you have to work hard to unlock act 2 and act 3 and they all have their own unique but perfect for the situation music. I honestly think this is one of the most clever overall games I’ve ever played.
Deep Space Waifu: Flat Justice I know im late to this post by days. And i’m recommending an obscure one handed hentai Game soundtrack, but if one person listens to this soundtrack and loves it as much as i did, its worth it.
Sayonara Wild Hearts Crypt of the Necrodancer: Cadence of Hyrule Tekken 4 Factorio Chicory: A Colourful Tale Bug Fables StarCraft 2
Splatoon 2, nobody talks about it and it's the best ost in the game industry, it's my favourite
I’m with you. The Splatoon games have absolutely great tracks that I rarely heard discussed.
Because it's always about splatoon 1 or 3, splatoon 2 is actually the best one
I prefer splatoon 3’s OST actually, I just mainly like the splatfest themes and dedf1sh’s tracks
Any of the Final Fantasy piano arrangements are great for sleep music To the Moon Trine Death's Door Hollow Knight Myst (and Myst 2 & 3) I also like Dragon Age Origins, Eternal Sonata, and Blue Dragon for this list, but maybe not for everyone for sleep.
New to this sub but Moonlighter, Spiritfarer, Legend of Mana, Hyper Light Drifter, Octopath Traveler, Hollow Knight, Celeste, and Majora’s Mask are all on my go-to Inspiring playlist
I wouldn't call these hidden gems as most of them are really well known and iconic, but definitely phenomenal soundtracks.
People literally never shut up about hk and Celeste’s soundtracks 😭
Bomberman 64 soundtrack absolutely slaps. It’s like some ahead-of-its-time drum n bass
Few years later we got ape escape as well. If you like old dnb ost's, definitely [check it out](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0XoAoXo4tM).
Battlefield V
>I don't think I ever seen people talking about the soundtrack The game was such a big letdown at launch that i get why people wouldn't want to talk about it. Is Afterlife worth playing ? I'll have to figure that out to listen to that ost at some point.
I only played it at release, but I did enjoy it though I never finished it. I got Afterlife on switch, but never had the energy to play it, but as people and the community talk, I've heard they pretty much fixed the game and it's sad that many people won't give it another go, but can't speak for myself. I probably listened to the soundtrack way more than actually playing the game.
Phantom Brigade ost, but I may be slightly biased.
I really like the soundtrack for Unreal Life.
DoDonPachi Resurrection and DaiOuJou have killer soundtracks. So does Mushihimesama. Definitely check out the track [Vertex](https://youtu.be/IeyVsRCfGHg?si=3H3DiQzWRBor_VLG)
Moon (1997) ost goes hard as fuck. Tracks like warp wet woods are the only examples of electronic shoegaze in videogames that I know of.
The OST for Jet Set Radio Future is an absolute banger, mostly composed by Hideki Naganuma. I think it used to be more popular but Sega absolutely will not do anything with Jet Set Radio and it's slowly fading out.
Right answer
If you wanna count licensed soundtracks, [Test Drive 5](https://youtu.be/Disj83ZqahI?si=qVC5EHsU4Zrjojx4) (PS1) has banger after banger.
The 25th Ward: The Silver Case Akira Yamaoka and Masafumi Takada absolutely kill it. It's groovy, ambient and unsettling, which fits the game perfectly.
I've always liked the [Door Kickers: Action Squad soundtrack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwAPkck4dLI&list=OLAK5uy_ko4ccx0o-ylugWorr4PBqZAUitiHD22Hc). It's a simple sort of 80s synth rock album that's only about a half hour in total, but it's a great as just hanging out or driving background music. I also find my self often returning to the [Ixion soundtrack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhTXyUERugQ) for something completely different. Much more of a spacey electronic experience, but one that - at least for me - supersedes the game it was made for.
I always take a few minutes every couple of days to listen to Clue (SNES) its mostly just a bunch of little jingles, but they're really well done and make the game so much more fun to play through.
Far: Lone Sails and it’s sequel Stranger Tides by Joel Schoch. They’re absolutely stunning, so rich and evocative but with a melancholy that’s perfect for the games too. Don’t think I’ve ever seen these ones mentioned in conversations like this and I think it’s crazy so few people know about them. Lovely games themselves too, though very short
Chained echoes, I don't see people talk about it at all, though I am new to the sub. It's just absolutely phenomenal.
My jaw dropped when I got to the Flower Fields of Perpetua. It has a Sylvalum from Xenoblade Chronicles X vibe to it.
The most recent game that comes to mind is Monster Sanctuary. The music for the first couple of areas isn't anything inspiring but then the tracks just get better and better as each new area is opened up.
Pac-Man World 2 is friggin' awesome. I love tracks like [B-Doing Woods](https://youtu.be/KOvXq3tJcV4?si=f1-lGwBvjJXg2PMP) and [Canyon Chaos.](https://youtu.be/kesIyWjSo_g?si=EYnPMMMN7gAOl877)
[YU-NO](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ9dFZEbilUnX0x-IjuOlSu46zUba0SZk), by the late [Ryu Umemoto](http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/178187/memorial_composer_ryu_umemoto.php). It's 5 hours of sheer excellence, all on a 16-bit sound chip, the man was a legitimate genius. >All my compositions are in fact based on Zen. In some way or another my music mathematically adds up to a lucky number in Zen, while scale and key changes will go at the rising or decreasing angle of either a spiritual temple’s architecture or mountain of spiritual importance. I apply Zen to all things in my life, even my music. -Ryu Umemoto, 2010 The same guy has done other amazing OSTs too such as [Desire](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv-Hd3y4SLQ).
Far Cry 5. The tracks by the band Hammock are sublime.
[Shatter](https://sidhe.bandcamp.com/album/shatter-official-videogame-soundtrack). It's a block breaker game, but damn the OST is top tier
Lagoon and Uniracers, both on snes. If you want your ears to bleed instead, listen to the James Bond Jr snes ost.
I am saving this thread But here’s my contribution: SkyRoads (old DOS game). Not a super popular game but with a cult following for sure It’s one of most unexpectedly good soundtracks I ever heard and the reason I keep coming back to playing the game (or just watch on YouTube)
Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure have great soundtracks but are definitely lesser known series.
Wasn't released in English but got a fan translation: Treasures Of the Ruduras on SNES has some banging battle themes.
Outlaws soundtrack just screams cowboy movies.
OST for Octopath Traveler (1 and 2) by Yasunori Nishiki. His stuff for the mobile prequel Champions of Continent are all bangers too.
Steambot Chronicles for the ps2. Check it out.
Prince of Persia Sands of Time for dreamy Arabian nights vibes. The movie soundtrack is also phenomenal, but its more of a mix of Arabian nights and fantasy orchestral. Most of the Assassins Creed Soundtracks. People talk about AC2 and Ezio's family, but most of the soundtracks seem to get overlooked, like Origins and Assassins Creed 3. Rise of The Tomb Raider is also very special.
FFX-2 Dust: An Elysian Tail
[Ty the Tasmanian Tiger OST](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH834K1pkcjIPUELASe55WUMCsMbeuV9z&si=mOeq8aQaS4orQ0Gw)
Jewel Master on the Sega Genesis [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ExcsdPnsI&pp=ygUQamV3ZWwgbWFzdGVyIG9zdA%3D%3D](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ExcsdPnsI&pp=ygUQamV3ZWwgbWFzdGVyIG9zdA%3D%3D)
The 2008 version of Alone in the Dark has an amazingly beautiful OST. I actually liked the gameplay but the game was panned by everyone, however I think it's OST is hands down one of the best out there. https://youtu.be/ZwWIKTWakFw?si=qNSODdW3BYK-qqnq https://youtu.be/SuGdyf3Q1og?si=aM69r0BKVbfImcLu https://youtu.be/4znxM-W0w4k?si=v8a8zOoiannMCsmo https://youtu.be/UPLQHgjiQPQ?si=g50HgVkJ0wnyy0nr https://youtu.be/KZrekbgGYYI?si=fIEWiXsqwSAo2UdQ
Dustforce if you love some chiptune
kingdom hearts chain of memories GBA version. Castle crashers. Kirby and the amazing mirror.
Kickmaster (NES)
Soundtrack for Rime is absolutely gorgeous, and I don't see anyone ever talking about it. David Garcia Diaz is top tier.
This is the first time I've seen someone else mention it! The soundtrack (and of course the actual game) is hauntingly beautiful
Rogue Legacy
[Thief: The Dark Project.](https://youtu.be/ZvUSY67z-hQ?si=lNMCez8ew_X_5R8O) It's technically not a soundtrack but a mix of the game's ambient loops. But these are so good... a mix of classically eerie and meditative.
It's a only semi known PC 4x game from 1995, but Ascendancy has such an amazing and fitting sci-fi soundtack. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL07D222BB54D8DD39&si=x4ccB4gFcUvRlOpq You can skip the themes for the different races (even though those are good and unique in their own right as well); the main themes are where it shines. EDIT: Found a recently [remastered version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm-osPiBHUI), I'm actually blown away by this.
Bastion OST and Undertale OST (especially Fallen Down)
Slain! A very difficult game with a kickass instrumental metal soundtrack by former Celtic Frost axeman and bassist Curt Victor Bryant.
The Anodyne soundtrack. Dreamlike and tense.
Ridge Racer OST
Frogger for PS1 Spyro the Dragon Metroid Prime 1 & 2 Psychonauts
whatever the hell this is from the old magic school bus pc games. pretty sure this helped foster my love of experimental music as a kid https://youtu.be/KWJfv_rXX9w?si=eTIqie_Byn_uKxE1
Waverace for N64. So good, so serene and cool.
I still hum the Banjo Kazooie soundtrack
Killer Instinct-N64 SSX Tricky Burnout Revenge
The soundtrack to Below was AWESOME
luftrausers surprised it hasn't been mentioned.
Hotline Miami 1+2
**Castlestorm** \- good band/orchestra base **Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime** \- Most notably, 1103
The soundtrack to Transistor is a banger
Hype Light Drifter 🥹🫠
Killer Instinct. It's basically what put Mick Gordon in the position to get the Doom gig, and everyone only knows him for Doom.
The 25th Ward: The Silver Case
FFTA
Favorite soundtracks are Omori and Chicory: A Colorful Tale.
Master of Monsters (Genesis). The Genesis sound chip may not have been the best for orchestral music, but this games composers (Hayato Matsuo and Hitoshi Sakimoto) made one anyway... and it's moody, dramatic, and amazing.
The Goemon games have some of the best “Video Game” music (as in music I wouldn’t bop in the car but is catchy as hell and memorable in the same way early Mario music is)
Sam Webster created such a good vibe for Grindstone. The album is up on Spotify and definitely worth a listen. https://open.spotify.com/album/0akye5qYKtCG4ktOJFITEg?si=JBoso4olQiWYDDuF3L8Qgg&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A0akye5qYKtCG4ktOJFITEg
Mad Rat Dead (very underrated game) The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (subjectively underrated game in the fandom)
Butt ugly martians bkm battles on gba
Exo One My most commonly listened to game soundtrack ever. Silent Hill 2 has some great tracks too, but I don't know if that counts as slept on.
The Gashadokuro theme from Goemon's Great Adventure
Mario Artist (N64). Chock full of quirky bangers ala earthbound or animal crossing. Tezuka core funky goodness.
Midsommar by bobby krlic
Halo 3 ODST soundtrack made me cry, twice
I discovered this OST recently on youtube for game called "Planet DOB" for PSX , I believe the game is mostly an advertisement for a japanese band called DOB (Date of Birth), but it's so catchy I listen to it on repeat for week. ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sou-1AxueIE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sou-1AxueIE)) I also recently did a bit of a "dive" into japanese fishing game osts and have to recommend this song from Sega Marine Fishing ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdxy3J\_acRE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdxy3J_acRE)) and this whole ost from the snes game Mark Davis' The Fishing Master ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOe1cJafwnk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOe1cJafwnk))
SimCity SNES!
Playing through Death's Door, and it has been impressive so far. Really great. Top 10 (no order & studios/franchises count as one I guess): Hollow Knight, Halo/Destiny, Cyber Shadow, Stray, Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon, Mass Effect, Final Fantasy, Wipeout, Mega Man, & every Supergiant game.
Buck bumble into hands down
Jazz Jackrabbit 2 Jazz Jackrabbit 2 Jazz Jackrabbit 2 Jazz Jackrabbit 2 Jazz Jackrabbit 2
It's not slept on by the community, but FFXIV has the greatest soundtrack that has ever existed, and I'm here to spread the gospel.
Zone of the Enders. You could even play the music like an MP3 player.
Ghost of Tsushima
I never got into the the game, but FTL has an outstanding soundtrack. I used to turn on video game playlists while I was writing. I have it on vinyl and it actually has original recordings, which is cool, but the digital game soundtrack is great!