Top 10 Video Game Soundtracks of the 2000s

You were all thinking it, so we thought we’d get it out of the way first. Right from the beginning, “Sonic Adventure 2” hits you with an all-time classic like “Escape From the City.” But even after you’ve been “set free” from that infectiously catchy song, the rest of the soundtrack is full of bangers! While the early 2000s vibe is carried through with other tracks, like “Live and Learn,” there are also more eclectic offerings, like the hip-hop of Pumpkin Hill. “Sonic Adventure 2” remains an absolute jam that’s both a product of its time and “fighting on the edge of tomorrow!”

“Tekken” is a franchise with a diverse cast of fighters and locales, so it’s only fitting that its fifth main installment has so many composers attached to it. With so many different people involved, “Tekken 5” has a wide variety of different flavors, even within individual tracks. The intro songs alone (“I’m Here Now and “Sparking!”) weave between multiple genres seamlessly, while still feeling like “Tekken” distilled. Maybe you like the intensity of “Secret Garden.” Or perhaps a still intense, yet somehow chill track, like “Formless Like Water,” is more your taste. Regardless, “Tekken 5” has put an “iron fist” through our hearts with its fantastic selection of tunes.

The “Kingdom Hearts” series has some spectacular tracks throughout its millions of entries, but the first is our pick. The mix of original tracks, Disney music, and “Final Fantasy” themes is a dynamite recipe for a great soundtrack. Still, as wild as it is to hear songs like “One-Winged Angel” and “This is Halloween” in the same game, the original music is also incredible. While level themes like “Hollow Bastion” and “Destiny Islands” are certainly standouts, they all pale compared to the incredible “Hikari,” or “Simple and Clean” if you prefer the English version, which has both a vocal and orchestral version. “Kingdom Hearts” may be a confusing franchise, but its music is, well, “simple and clean.”

This epic sci-fi franchise has music as epic as its games. But it took until the finale of the original “Halo” trilogy to go fully orchestrated. While many of the tracks are remixed versions of older tracks from previous games, the orchestral score and emphasis on piano lend an added sense of grandness and scope to familiar melodies. Would the final warthog run or huge alien structures doing terrifying, yet amazing things be as epic without that full choir and all those instruments? Maybe - but we’re glad we don’t need to find out.

When most people think of fighting game soundtracks, jazz usually isn’t the genre that comes to mind. However, the folks behind “Marvel vs. Capcom 2” did and we’re eternally grateful for that! And while funky may be the order of the day, even within the same genre, “MvC 2” has different flavors to choose from. Whether you like the fast pace of the Carnival stage or the smoother tones of the Clock Tower or Airship, or somewhere in the middle with the River stage, “Marvel vs. Capcom 2” is sure to “take you for a ride!”

Composed by the “Persona” series’ virtuoso Shoji Meguro, “Persona 4” is arguably his best work…in the 2000s, at least. “Persona 4”’s soundtrack delves into so many different genres and sounds. The dungeon themes range from the synthy grunge of Yukiko’s Castle, to the sultry seduction of Striptease. Meanwhile, the battle themes include both the upbeat “Reach Out to the Truth” and the more slow-paced “I'll Face Myself.” Regardless of whether you’re looking for something to pep you up or something to just vibe to, “Persona 4” has a little bit of everything.

“Zelda” is another franchise whose soundtracks are among the best of all time. “The Wind Waker” is not just the best entry from the franchise in the 2000s, it’s also one of the best “Zelda” OSTs ever! “The Wind Waker” in general takes a more folk-oriented approach to music, with Irish music being a notable inspiration. But while that may make it “simpler” that only makes them hit closer to home. There are obvious standouts, like Dragon Roost Island’s snappy tune, or the soaring Great Sea, yet even the subtler themes are fantastic. Who doesn’t love the homey atmosphere of Outset Island, or the understated mystery of the Wind Temple? And the staff credits theme interweaving many of the other songs from the game? Masterful!

The ninth main installment of this storied RPG series is something of a black sheep of the bunch, but it’s a dark horse pick for us. The last “Final Fantasy” game to be composed solely by legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu, “Final Fantasy IX” feels like a culmination of all his previous work in the series, drawing inspiration on some themes from previous games. There’s the usual catchy battle music, and the overworld theme is breezy and adventurous. But the game also features some incredibly hard-hitting emotional songs, like the love theme “Melodies of Life,” and “You’re Not Alone,” which plays during arguably the most impactful scene in the whole game. “Final Fantasy IX”’s soundtrack deserves all the recognition its game doesn’t get.

In a desolate game like “Shadow of the Colossus,” the story is carried by its grand and powerful soundtrack. Every single track in the game lends gravity to the situation and transports you to the fantastical realm of colossi. There’s intense battle music like “The Opened Way,” “A Despair-Filled Farewell,” or “Counterattack.” Tracks like “The End of the Battle” lend each new victory a sense of heartbreak. And the absolute, haunting nature of “Demise of the Ritual” cannot be overstated! “Shadow of the Colossus”’ soundtrack elevates an already fantastic action game to a stunning work of art.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

It May Be 20 Years Old, But Soundtracks Still Haven’t Caught Up to This Future!

How Does a Horror Game Have a Soundtrack THIS Good?!

“What a Thrill~”-ing Selection of Music!

Exploring Rooftops & Killing Villains Has Rarely Sounded So Cool!

The “Mario” games had never had an orchestral score before “Mario Galaxy,” but the team behind this “out of this world” title hit the ground running and leaped out of the stratosphere! The first level, “Good Egg Galaxy” hits you with a beautiful, adventurous theme. Then, there are remixed throwback tracks, like “Toy Time Galaxy.” The overworld “Comet Observatory” is dynamic, gradually becoming more complex as you unlock more of the map. “Space Junk Galaxy” is enchanting, while “Beach Bowl Galaxy” is festive. And “Gusty Garden Galaxy” is one of the most joyous, grand, uplifting pieces of music ever to grace video games! “Super Mario Galaxy” is a masterclass of not just video game songs, but music in general!