20 Video Games with Soundtracks So Good They Charted on Spotify

Video game music has come a long way, starting with basic electronic tunes and now including elaborate orchestral pieces and popular songs. Thanks to streaming services, composers are reaching listeners beyond just gamers. Many game soundtracks are now incredibly popular, earning millions of plays and appearing on the same charts as mainstream music. Here are some titles with scores that have become particularly successful and well-known on these platforms.

‘Minecraft’ (2011)

C418’s soundtrack is considered a classic of ambient music. The album, ‘Minecraft – Volume Alpha,’ is filled with simple, beautiful piano pieces that create feelings of peacefulness and quiet reflection. Popular tracks like “Sweden” and “Subwoofer Lullaby” are often used in playlists for studying or relaxing. The music enhances the creative experience of playing Minecraft, but it’s also enjoyable to listen to on its own. Even years after it was first released, it remains incredibly popular and consistently appears on streaming charts.

‘Undertale’ (2015)

Toby Fox single-handedly created the music for this popular indie game, resulting in a soundtrack that’s become iconic in gaming. One track, “Megalovania,” became a huge internet sensation, racking up hundreds of millions of listens. People love how the music seamlessly blends funny themes with heartfelt songs. The soundtrack perfectly matches the game’s unique characters and features tunes you won’t forget. Its popularity also helped introduce many people around the world to chiptune music.

‘Persona 5’ (2016)

The music of this role-playing game is known for its cool style, blending acid jazz and funk. Songs like ‘Last Surprise’ and ‘Rivers in the Desert’ quickly became popular with both fans and new listeners. The combination of strong bass and smooth vocals gives the game a unique sound, moving away from typical fantasy music. ‘Persona 5’ demonstrated that music from video game battles could be as enjoyable as popular pop songs. The soundtrack continues to be a favorite for anyone looking for energetic and refined background music.

‘League of Legends’ (2009)

Riot Games, the creators of popular games like League of Legends, successfully entered the music world with K/DA, a virtual K-pop group made up of their game characters. Their first song, “POP/STARS,” quickly rose to the top of digital sales charts and became incredibly popular online. The music was high-quality, comparable to mainstream pop artists, and even attracted people who didn’t play the game. K/DA’s later songs also performed well internationally, proving how much potential there is for collaboration between gaming and the music industry.

‘Cyberpunk 2077’ (2020)

The team building the world of Night City worked with many artists to design a unique radio experience. One song, “I Really Want to Stay at Your House” by Rosa Walton, unexpectedly became incredibly popular after the anime came out, hitting global charts and becoming a deeply emotional song for fans of the series. The music throughout the game and anime varies widely, from hard-hitting industrial rock to pulsing electronic music, all of which perfectly matches the dark, futuristic setting. This mix of existing songs and original compositions keeps the soundtrack popular with science fiction enthusiasts.

‘Doom’ (2016)

Mick Gordon’s heavy metal soundtrack is a perfect fit for this fast-paced shooter. He blended electronic sounds with powerful, distorted guitars to create a raw, industrial feel. Songs like ‘BFG Division’ became popular both with metal fans and as workout music. The music changes based on what’s happening in the game, but it’s still incredibly energetic even when you listen to it on its own. This soundtrack really set a new standard for music in action games.

‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ (2015)

Marcin Przybyłowicz and his team created a captivating fantasy soundscape using traditional Slavic folk instruments. The song “Silver for Monsters” highlights the unique vocals and drumming that characterize the game’s world. Many fans listen to the soundtrack to fully experience the game’s raw beauty and emotional weight. The music has gained widespread praise for its genuine feel and emotional resonance, and live concert performances of the music continue to be incredibly popular, selling out shows globally.

‘Cuphead’ (2017)

Kristofer Maddigan created a lively and genuine big band jazz soundtrack for this fast-paced platformer game. He recorded the music with a real orchestra to recreate the feel of 1930s cartoon soundtracks. Tracks like ‘Floral Fury’ feature quick rhythms and intricate brass sections that jazz fans will love. The soundtrack was highly praised by critics and even charted on jazz music lists, making it a rare and authentic example of vintage-style music in today’s games.

‘NieR: Automata’ (2017)

Keiichi Okabe created a strikingly beautiful soundtrack that blends traditional orchestral music with invented languages. The singing isn’t meant to be understood as specific words, but rather to express feelings and atmosphere. Songs like “Weight of the World” powerfully move those who hear them. Many consider the soundtrack a masterpiece, and its popularity online shows how strongly fans connect with the game’s story.

‘Final Fantasy VII Remake’ (2020)

Nobuo Uematsu and Masashi Hamauzu refreshed familiar melodies with a rich, orchestral sound. The iconic battle theme, “Let the Battles Begin!”, was revamped to feel more exciting and epic. The soundtrack blends electronic music with traditional orchestral arrangements, making it enjoyable for many listeners. When the original soundtrack became available on streaming platforms, it was a huge moment for fans, skillfully combining the beloved music of the original game with current musical quality.

‘Hollow Knight’ (2017)

As a huge fan, I have to say the music in this game is incredible. Christopher Larkin created a score that’s just so beautiful and sad, really capturing the feeling of a lost world beneath the surface. He uses a lot of piano and strings, which perfectly tells the story of everything that happened before you even start playing. I’ve seen tracks like ‘City of Tears’ pop up on so many playlists for studying or when people are just feeling a bit down – it’s that good! Honestly, the music really takes this indie game and turns it into something truly special, a real work of art. It’s no surprise it’s still so popular on streaming services, it’s just so calming and atmospheric.

‘The Last of Us’ (2013)

Gustavo Santaolalla crafted a deeply moving and personal sound for the music using a ronroco and acoustic guitar. The central melody is immediately memorable due to its simplicity and emotional impact. Instead of relying on dramatic, over-the-top music, the soundtrack emphasizes quiet moments and spaciousness. This artistic approach earned it praise as a legitimate musical work, extending its reach beyond video games. Later, the popularity of the TV series brought these songs back into the spotlight, years after their initial release.

‘Celeste’ (2018)

Lena Raine’s soundtrack blends synth sounds with piano music to capture the main character’s inner turmoil. The song “Resurrections” grows more powerful as the game gets harder, reflecting the increasing challenges. People connect with the feelings of worry and success woven into the electronic music. The soundtrack is praised for its storytelling through music alone, and it’s still very popular with fans of electronic and ambient genres.

‘Skyrim’ (2011)

Jeremy Soule’s incredible music defined the sound of open-world games for ten years. His composition “Dragonborn” is famous for its powerful choir singing in a made-up dragon language. Many people also use the game’s calming background music to relax or fall asleep. The soundtrack perfectly evokes the game’s huge world and cold, wintry atmosphere, and continues to be widely streamed and enjoyed today.

‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ (2020)

The game’s music changes every hour to match the time of day. During lockdowns, its cheerful, acoustic sound brought comfort to many players. Now, fans often listen to the music to bring a sense of calm and the game’s relaxing island vibe into their everyday routines. The main theme has become well-known as a source of positivity and a way for players to feel connected. Its soft melodies also make it perfect for listening to while working or studying.

‘Hades’ (2020)

Darren Korb calls the soundtrack’s genre Mediterranean prog rock. It’s a blend of traditional sounds, using instruments like the bouzouki alongside distorted electric guitars. Songs like ‘In the Blood’ feature strong vocals that tell the story’s themes, and the energetic music fits the game’s quick, action-packed combat. This unusual mix of styles has gained a lot of attention online.

‘Hotline Miami’ (2012)

The game features a carefully chosen collection of energetic synth-wave songs from different artists. Tracks like M.O.O.N.’s ‘Hydrogen’ perfectly capture the game’s vibrant, neon style. These fast-paced, retro-sounding tunes have helped bring synth-wave music back into the spotlight. Listeners love the exciting energy of this powerful electronic music. The soundtrack is a must-hear for anyone who enjoys electronic music inspired by the 1980s.

‘Journey’ (2012)

Austin Wintory’s soundtrack for a video game was the first of its kind to be nominated for a Grammy. The music is known for its beautiful cello solos, which echo the character’s journey, and changes to match the emotional tone of the game. Many listeners find the compositions deeply moving and spiritual. It’s now considered a high standard for orchestral scores in video games.

‘Genshin Impact’ (2020)

Yu-Peng Chen and HOYO-MiX create unique orchestral music for each area in the game. They use instruments from different cultures to capture the feel of each nation. The game consistently releases a large amount of high-quality music, which keeps it popular on streaming platforms. Players are always excited for new character themes and battle tracks, and the overall musical quality is comparable to that of big-budget movie soundtracks.

‘Grand Theft Auto V’ (2013)

Tangerine Dream and other composers crafted the game’s original music, while radio stations played popular, licensed songs. One instrumental track, ‘The Setup,’ became particularly well-loved for its building suspense. These stations also exposed millions of players to both new and classic music. Songs included in the game frequently experience a surge in online streams, and the overall musical choices are essential to the unique, satirical world Rockstar Games built.

2025-12-06 03:16