100 Hard Nostalgia Soundtracks

You probably don't know, but I have a ton of game soundtracks. Some official, some fanmade. These are the ones I have the most attachment to due to growing up with them. They almost never fail to help pick me back up after a bad day, or a depressing sleepless night.

I'll link to my favorite track for each in their notes.

100 Games

Metroid
Metroid
I still remember the first time I took that elevator and first heard this piece of music, to this day I still kinda stop for a bit to listen.
R.C. Pro-Am
R.C. Pro-Am
My very first video game, maybe. I dunno, it could've still been SMB1/Duck Hunt.
Double Dragon
Double Dragon
Yeah yeah, blah blah. Hate on this game as much you want, I still like this version of it at least.
Gain Ground
Gain Ground
Still goin' nuts for when it hits two minutes in here.
Godzilla: Monster of Monsters
Godzilla: Monster of Monsters
This game was my first experience ever with Godzilla, for a bit I thought he was a video game character. Gigan's theme in this kicks ass, he's forever holding that W it looks like.
Super Mario Land
Super Mario Land
hums along
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
"Theme of cleaning your room on a Saturday in the 1980s"

I wasn't actually around during the 80s, but I had this game and did the same thing so it still checks out.
Fester's Quest
Fester's Quest
Seriously why did this music go as hard as it did? They had no reason to, but they did anyway. Absolute king.
Time Lord
Time Lord
I hated this game, but the title theme kicked ass.
Balloon Kid
Balloon Kid
Probably the second piece of music I fell in love with perhaps? I definitely paid attention to it a lot while playing.
Sol-Feace
Sol-Feace
My most expensive childhood cartridge probably, shame it's loose. Not like I'd ever sell it anyway.
Granada
Granada
Was my dad's favorite game on Sega Channel back then, was happy to finally beat it for him when I found out what it was called and got the "PC version" to play for myself.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog
I danced to this one a lot.
Super R-Type
Super R-Type
Thank you Super R-Type, you've made me a hardened veteran of the punishment committee.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog
Illegal to play this within five meters of me without warning.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Getting to hear this after the pain that was Metropolis Zone was a great reward, always loved this one and thought it was underrated.
The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse
The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse
I really did think this game was gorgeous, and really it still is. Beautiful spritework goes a long way, as does a beautiful soundtrack.
Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Busts Loose!
Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Busts Loose!
I always thought the space music went unnecessarily hard for no reason.
Ecco the Dolphin
Ecco the Dolphin
................
Cyborg Justice
Cyborg Justice
Still slaps.
Star Fox
Star Fox
It's a shame this doesn't play well for people these days, I had a ton of fun with it back then when it was state of the art.
Cool Spot
Cool Spot
That's right.
Battletoads / Double Dragon
Battletoads / Double Dragon
SNES version of course, I played through it so much just to listen to it!
Disney's Goof Troop
Disney's Goof Troop
This right here? Sleepover music.
Super Mario All-Stars
Super Mario All-Stars
Playing along with your dad music.
Daytona USA
Daytona USA
My very first 3D game ever that wasn't an FX chip thing or Hard Drivin'? Despite the bad performance it impressed little old me back then.
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
Me and my grandma used to play this all the time.
Kirby's Pinball Land
Kirby's Pinball Land
Poppy Bros still rule, those chicken kicking assholes are the best.
Mega Man X
Mega Man X
Another "music constantly on in the background as I did stuff in my bedroom" type thing.
Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends
Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends
You're probably laughing, but you'd most likely understand as I did when I found out who composed this game. Thanks Tim.
Stunt Race FX
Stunt Race FX
It sucks playing this these days, but I used to really love it back then.

Look at how cute this is!
Taz in Escape From Mars
Taz in Escape From Mars
What? Escape From Mars is okay-ish?!
Virtua Cop
Virtua Cop
I think we got the pack with this, Daytona and Virtua Fighter 2. It's an excellent trio imo.
Sega Rally Championship
Sega Rally Championship
I played on the Mountain track so much to listen to this one, I zone out a lot and relax in racing games probably thanks to this even if I'm crashing into walls constantly.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles
Still will never forget all those times I had this blaring in my room for hours at the sound test in the stage select menu.
Animaniacs
Animaniacs
This is for the Genesis version, screw the SNES one.
Virtua Fighter 2
Virtua Fighter 2
My first 3D fighter, all the nostalgia is with this one. To hell with VF1.
Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Country
Is it cringeworthy to think of sad lyrics to this? I hope not, been at it for a while.
Biker Mice From Mars
Biker Mice From Mars
Another piece of music that would constantly play in the background of my bedroom as I did something else.
Mega Man X2
Mega Man X2
Green Biker Dude! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Mega Bomberman
Mega Bomberman
First Bummerman, I always hated the boss of this stage.
Looney Tunes B-Ball
Looney Tunes B-Ball
Hollywood Video, that's all I think of for this game. I think I rented it like five times, shame I never owned it.
Kirby's Dream Land 2
Kirby's Dream Land 2
You can try your best to convince me that this is mediocre, but it's not gonna work. I'm sorry.
Jumping Flash!
Jumping Flash!
My mom randomly got this for me when my dad got the PS1, I assume for something a bit more kid-friendly. Needless to say, massive W for her.
Tekken 2
Tekken 2
This soundtrack is seriously unreal, a huge recommend to check the whole thing out. Still have a huge attachment to Tekken 2 thanks to it.
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
This and Goof Troop were the ones I'd play the most when staying at my cousins' house. For some reason Bert The Bashful is who I remember most from those days, despite the point of his fight being to take his pants off.
Zero Divide
Zero Divide
I think I've shoved this game's OST down everyone's throats enough as is, but regardless I don't feel too bad about it.
Marvel Super Heroes
Marvel Super Heroes
Loved this stage.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
I know it's probably cliche to use this one, but there's a reason it always sticks out to most of us...
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness
Believe it or not, I first played Warcraft II on Playstation. It kinda blew my mind when I played the PC version at a friend's house and found out how much more playable it was there. Not my favorite of the early Blizzard titles, but it was my entry to PC gaming.
Assault Rigs
Assault Rigs
This game actually has a bunch of different music styles to reflect the different stage/tank themes it goes through, it's just one of a bunch of arbitrary reasons why I love it a bunch.
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64
Oh god...I swear I was just chopping onions...I'm not crying.
Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
Number one dad game, I loved this particular track for the percussion.
Wave Race 64
Wave Race 64
Probably a top three favorite title theme for me. I always feel something for it.
Pokémon Blue Version
Pokémon Blue Version
sighs
Twisted Metal 2
Twisted Metal 2
Challenge for Sony to finally bring back Twisted Metal as a battle royale game, apparently impossible!
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic 3D Blast
This one mesmerized me a bit, low-key might actually be a top three 16-bit Sonic favorite.
Diablo
Diablo
Do I miss old Blizzard? Do tears start being shed if I hear this theme for too long?
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
Turok's OST is still one of the coolest sounding soundtracks I've ever heard. If you want Vee to go nuts for your soundtrack put in really really good drums.
Game & Watch Gallery 2
Game & Watch Gallery 2
This was one of two games my grandma got me to go along the purple GBC she had bought me for Christmas, I think the other one was Rampage. I played Helmet the most during car trips.
Steel Reign
Steel Reign
Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for the third tank game that has made the list!
Top Gear Rally
Top Gear Rally
My dad got a car game for our first lineup of N64 games when we first got the system, this menu theme still blows me away each and every single time.
Jet Moto 2
Jet Moto 2
I used to play this at my uncle's house all the time, I ended up inheriting that copy for my collection thankfully. Yes, it still works.
WCW vs. nWo: World Tour
WCW vs. nWo: World Tour
One of the hardest themes I've heard come off the N64. This is when wrestling games finally became great.
Yoshi's Story
Yoshi's Story
I'm still sending the Yoshi Police after anyone who dares besmirch this game's music.
Wario Land II
Wario Land II
I always loved this one, I can already think of those dumb little guys in helmets punching in the air along with the music.
StarCraft
StarCraft
Yes, I was among many playing this game online when it was new-ish. I wasn't for sure breaking online TOS or anything due to being a kid, no sir.

ssjtails lives.
Spyro the Dragon
Spyro the Dragon
One!
Wild 9
Wild 9
God, it sucks so much that Tommy is legitimately a piece of shit, I was convinced it was a total troll act.
WCW/nWo Revenge
WCW/nWo Revenge
Me and my friend would play Battle Royal with 40 entrants for AGES, we always played in Starrcade.
Super Smash Bros.
Super Smash Bros.
It's hard for me to play Smash 64 anymore these days, but I'll always make time to listen to the Metal Mario fight music and pump it to 100% in Smash Bros Ultimate.
Bloody Roar 2
Bloody Roar 2
I still remember my time playing the demo that only had Long and Stun playable, me and my friend were at it for ages.
Pokémon Stadium
Pokémon Stadium
Lickitung: "EUUUUUUUUUUUUGH!"
Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!
Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!
Two!
Pokémon Silver Version
Pokémon Silver Version
melts
Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim
Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim
I think I talked about this music once, not sure. It has two other parts which the game flows into as the mission continues and your kingdom develops. This one here plays during early game, and it's just way too pleasant for it's own good. I love it.
Wario Land 3
Wario Land 3
Theme song for childhood
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
I feel like I ask myself the same question whenever I hear this music, "is this my favorite piece of game music ever?". It's funny, because I feel like I answer my own question due to that every single time.
Power Stone 2
Power Stone 2
A big regret I have in life is never getting a hold of a physical copy of this game, I rented it too many times to count though.
Mario Tennis
Mario Tennis
Someone please ask Motoi Sakuraba why they went so hard on the soundtrack for a game involving Mario and friends having friendly tennis matches.
Spyro: Year of the Dragon
Spyro: Year of the Dragon
Three!
Crash Bash
Crash Bash
Don't laugh! The polar bear games ruled!
Dynasty Warriors 3
Dynasty Warriors 3
I'm still so happy I got this for Christmas with my PS2 instead of DW2, I seriously feel like I logged thousands of hours into this.
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 - Yuri's Revenge
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 - Yuri's Revenge
Gotta get the Frank Klepacki love in there.

"Your feeling of helplessness is your best friend, savage!"
Guilty Gear X2
Guilty Gear X2
My first Guilty Gear was actually Isuka, weird eh? Anyways, glad I eventually got XX, and glad the downright ancient upload of this music is still up on youtube after all these years.
The King of Fighters 2002
The King of Fighters 2002
My first KoF, on Xbox of all systems since my Blockbuster carried that version. 99 has a better version of Tears, but I'm still close to this one.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai
They took this soundtrack out of the HD remaster on 360, and now it's just entirely pointless to play that version. Fuck'em.
Metroid Prime
Metroid Prime
Bliss...
Dynasty Warriors 4
Dynasty Warriors 4
I feel like I linked this music at least twice in my time being here, but nevertheless it deserves it's spot on the list.
Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut
Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut
I had this on repeat in the sound test a bunch while I was doing my shitty fanart drawings.
Kirby Air Ride
Kirby Air Ride
Sorry, but it's gotta be here!
F-Zero GX
F-Zero GX
I used to hang out in the bio sections for the racers and work out to the music.

By "working out" I mean like ten sit ups or something, because when you're that young you don't realize how much you actually need.
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour
I remember this music was missing from the gamerip on Galbadia Hotel for ages, I was so pissed off and dealt with a youtube rip.
Sonic Battle
Sonic Battle
This is still the best version of Green Hill Zone, you can't change my mind.
WarioWare: Twisted!
WarioWare: Twisted!
This here is Mona Pizzaaaaaaaaaa~
Sonic Gems Collection
Sonic Gems Collection
I listened to the jukebox section of the gallery mode so much!
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
One of these days I'll make some lyrics for this one too. Was the first DS game I completed.
Mega Man Powered Up
Mega Man Powered Up
Countless hours...
WarioWare D.I.Y.
WarioWare D.I.Y.
I SPENT SO MUCH TIME MAKING STUFF.

Forever keeping that save file.
Pokémon Black Version
Pokémon Black Version
I remember playing this via fan translation because worldwide releases weren't a thing yet for Pokemon.

12 Comments

Dreamboat

1 year ago

Very glad to see recognition that Gigan is clearly the greatest. Also I have only ever met one other person that played Time Lord and they were my cousin lol

Vee

1 year ago

I'm convinced my dad only got Time Lord for the cover, he was always into that medieval stuff.

Reddish

1 year ago

one ost that's really nostalgic for me is Wind Waker especially the Great Sea and Outset Island themes

DJSCheddar

1 year ago

Dude some of those F-Zero GX character bio tracks get me so pumped it's ridiculous

Vee

1 year ago

I still can't get over that they went out of their way to make theme music for every character, like it's ridiculous.

DJSCheddar

1 year ago

Vocal tracks and shit!! There's like 40 freakin characters!! What percentage of people even look at the bios??Alright that's it, time to go listen to some Mrs. Arrow

DJSCheddar

1 year ago

And no, there's absolutely no other reason I spent a lot of time on her bio screen, thank you

Detchibe

1 year ago

THANK YOU STEWART COPELAND

Vee

1 year ago

Thank you Amusement Vision Sound Team!

Thank you Mr. Copeland!!!!

Nightblade

1 year ago

I find the wario-man stage theme transitions frok twisted getting stuck in my head frustratingly often lmao

Nightblade

1 year ago

*from

Vee

1 year ago

No joke, I actually did put a ton of Warioware microgame themes and transitions into my playlist just to hear them randomly between songs with actual length to them. It's oddly funny.
Vee

12 Comments

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