The Surprising Power of Music in Video Games



The unsung hero of video games

Check out our full site: https://www.nintendolife.com
Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/8aupyFg4DE
Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/nintendolife
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nintendolife
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nintendolife

#Music #Nintendo #VideoGames

source

49 thoughts on “The Surprising Power of Music in Video Games”

  1. I agree most people have shit taste and think games like Elden Ring are GOTY contenders when in reality they are highly lacking in certain regards like music.

    It most certainly should not be surprising. You can't have a perfect scored game without every aspect on point which includes the music.

    Reply
  2. I've always had a huge appreciation for video game music since I was a kid. It seems like developers often completely overlook how much it adds to the quality of a game–one example I always think of is the difference between the OST of Yoshi's Woolly World (amazing) and that of Yoshi's Crafted World (slightly irritating). I'm much more likely to revisit Woolly World, and the music is a huge part of that.

    Reply
  3. Celeste… just Celeste. I feel like myself in ways I can't express to others. The sound design and each individual resonance just hits me with a wav of conflicting emotions that I embrace. No other OST has done that to me before.

    Reply
  4. Super Metroid’s soundtrack is pure genius. Not my favourite soundtrack (one of them though!) but it’s one that I feel matches the game perfectly, it’s almost hard to describe.

    Silent Hill 2 would probably be another example of that sublime mix.

    My actual favourites are the Xenoblade series too (specifically 2) and Persona series (4 or 5) but that’s for different reasons and Hollow Knight for the same reasons!

    I adore video game music nearly

    Reply
  5. Xenoblade chronicles. All three games are an absolute master class when it comes to their soundtracks. If it wasn’t for the amazing trailer music in 2’s debut trailer, I would’ve never discovered my favorite series of all time

    Reply
  6. Movies need to take inspiration from video game music honestly. Im tired of hearing the same cliche orchestral shit every time. Give us some unique sonic character plz

    Reply
  7. Video game music is my favorite music group. I listen to them more than most . Christian music is the only thing tied for that.
    I always love VGM..

    I wish Nintendo would release music on CD's or for downloading..or old records

    They would make a killing.

    This VGM is a untapped market..

    They company that made the music would make a lot of $. .
    Everyone buying the VGM.

    But it seems like companies hate us just listening to the music only . but the music reminds us of the game. And makes us want to play the game..

    It reminds us of certain parts in the game . certain memories.

    Reply
  8. Very controversial take here Felix, but luckily it's backed with rigorous argumentation and in-depth analysis. I just wished you had gone on for a whole hour with this innovative –nay, revolutionary– proposal.

    Reply
  9. Videogame music is literally a make it or break it kind of deal for me. Almost every game in my top 10, hell, even top 50 games have incredible music, even ones you wouldnt belive have a banger ost like resident evil 4 or gears of war 1. If they ignore it or go for a "realistic silence or ambiance music" like most FPS nowdays or even the last 2 zelda games they just dont really leave a very lasting impression on me, which is what makes me love games, remembering my time with them (which usually is trough music)

    Reply
  10. Hollow knights soundtrack has been in my top 5 albums the past 4 or 5 years in a row! It is probably my favorite album of all time, and definitely my favourite video game soundtrack. That game would not be what it is without it. Christopher Larkin did a stupendous job and I can't agree more that video game music is real music!

    Reply
  11. As someone who composes video game music myself as a hobby, i gotta say this video is amazing! One of my personal favorite lines to describe the inherent difference between "regular" music and video game music is "regular songs have to grip your mind on your very first listen. Video game songs have to grip your mind on your 1000th listen." Sure, they aren't the same thing as "normal" music but that's cause they're not trying to be.

    Also, I wanna say you did fantastic with that piece of yours you showed off in the video! Real earworm, as soon as i heard it i was curious what game it was from so i could potentially check it out lol. 10/10!

    Reply
  12. Super Mario World, Sonic and Sonic CD, Streets of Rage 1&2 and best of all Streets of Rage Remake, Final Fight CD, Mario Kart Double Dash, Metroid Prime, SEGA Rally for Saturn, Panzer Dragoon and Panzer Dragoon Zwei, Sonic Adventure, Thunder Force III and 4, has the most memorable music for me. Some of them are my favourite songs of all time, especially Streets of Rage Remake and the Super Mario World tunes. ❤

    Reply
  13. One of my favourite things with soundtracks of games, TV shows, or Movies is that, if the music is done well, you can relive the experience of playing/seeing it.
    Sometimes, if I listen to the music of an emotional or impactful moment of a game, and I can look back to the game and think "Man, wasn't that a cool/sad thing this character did."

    Reply
  14. Music is very powerful. Games like Ori and Skyrim just wouldn't be the same without the awesome soundtrack…. and then there are games like Mario Kart 8 where the psycho-jazz just gets faster and more annoying. Oh, didn't I tell you? Nintendo games don't have audio sliders so you can't lower or mute the music. Just mute your whole TV/receiver. Let's not forget about Splatoon 2. That music was so bad, I refused to buy Splatoon 3. Come on Nintendo. Give us audio sliders. What year is it?

    Reply
  15. Video games have some of the best music that Humankind has ever produced. No exaggeration. People who diss video games have not heard some of the music that is made for them, because if they had, they would appreciate or at least respect them a lot more.

    I am one to be won over by a game in large part because of its music and sound effects.

    Reply
  16. Music is so important in my enjoyment of a game and its atmosphere. I was mad at a friend when he told me he was playing most of his games without the music 😅
    I can't agree more, thanks Felix for this.

    Reply

Leave a Comment