Early CD Game Soundtrack Energy

Games with soundtracks which exude early CD game soundtrack energy. OSTs composed at a time where the CD format was still novel, where you could tell that there was genuine excitement over the fact that game music could be produced with "real" instruments and samples. An emphasis on garage bands over large orchestras, with occasional experimental usage of sampling techniques. Expect a lot of rock, funky beats, syncopated piano chords, house music and drum n' bass.

The timeframe here is between 1989-2000, but a few games released after 2000 fit the bill if they were released on 5th gen consoles.

Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Sonic Adventure
Sonic Adventure
Jet Set Radio
Jet Set Radio
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Sonic CD
Sonic CD
Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike
Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike
Tekken 3
Tekken 3
Ridge Racer Type 4
Ridge Racer Type 4
Ape Escape
Ape Escape
PaRappa the Rapper
PaRappa the Rapper
Tekken 2
Tekken 2
Tekken
Tekken
Pepsiman
Pepsiman
Sonic the Fighters
Sonic the Fighters
Sonic R
Sonic R
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic 3D Blast
Jumping Flash!
Jumping Flash!
Killer Instinct
Killer Instinct
Gran Turismo
Gran Turismo
Guilty Gear
Guilty Gear
Castlevania Chronicles
Castlevania Chronicles
Arrange soundtrack
Bomberman 64
Bomberman 64
Technically not CD but it has the energy
Einhänder
Einhänder
Daytona USA
Daytona USA
Unreal Tournament
Unreal Tournament
G-Darius
G-Darius
Unreal
Unreal
Gradius Gaiden
Gradius Gaiden
Gradius IV: Revival
Gradius IV: Revival
Wipeout
Wipeout
Virtua Fighter
Virtua Fighter
Dangun Feveron
Dangun Feveron
Rage Racer
Rage Racer
Wipeout XL
Wipeout XL
Sega Rally Championship
Sega Rally Championship
game over YEAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Guardian Heroes
Guardian Heroes
Virtua Cop
Virtua Cop
Salamander 2
Salamander 2
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams
Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams
PC Engine version.
Ys: Book I & II
Ys: Book I & II
One of the first to ever do it
Sega Rally 2
Sega Rally 2
Border Down
Border Down
Wipeout 3
Wipeout 3
Ridge Racer
Ridge Racer
Densha de GO!
Densha de GO!
RayForce
RayForce
Gate of Thunder
Gate of Thunder
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys
Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys
F-1 World Grand Prix
F-1 World Grand Prix
Thunder Force V
Thunder Force V
Lords of Thunder
Lords of Thunder
Zupapa!
Zupapa!
Rollcage
Rollcage
Pochi and Nyaa
Pochi and Nyaa
Blazing Star
Blazing Star
Xexex
Xexex
Umihara Kawase Shun
Umihara Kawase Shun
Virtual-On
RayCrisis: Series Termination
RayCrisis: Series Termination
RayStorm
RayStorm
Xevious 3D/G
Xevious 3D/G
Virtua Racing
Virtua Racing
Soul of the Samurai
Soul of the Samurai
Karous
Karous

3 Comments


1 year ago

Funky list! Have you played Jumping Flash? It gives me similar vibes as the games on this list I've played/heard.

1 year ago

Just a whole lot of extremely good soundtracks on this list. Nice!

1 year ago

@JetSetSet can't say I have, but from listening to the ost it definitely fits on this list so thanks!


Last updated: