2023 hasn’t simply been a banger yr for high quality online game releases — it is also been a bloomin’ good yr for online game music.
At Nintendo Life, we often give online game soundtracks a bit shout-out in our general lists, however this yr, we need to do issues a bit in a different way, as a result of frankly, there’s simply an excessive amount of good music on the market to squeeze it into one part of one other record, proper?
We have chosen 16 — or 14, with two particular alternatives — of the best musical medleys on Nintendo Swap. From RPGs to basic 2D platformers, and heavy rock to sweeping orchestras, there’s one thing for everybody. And even when you do not love the sport, you may simply love the music. We have largely stayed away from ports for this record, with one exception, however we’ll give some others a particular point out on the finish.
Take a look at our picks beneath, after which ensure you select your favorite soundtrack of 2023 in our ballot on the finish.
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo
Tremendous Mario Bros. Marvel is 2D Mario again on prime type — and that features its splendidly eclectic soundtrack. From the very first trailer and the acoustic guitar cheerfully strumming away, we knew the music would seize the appeal and weirdness of Marvel completely. Every “World” has its personal theme or collection of devices that feels fairly totally different from earlier 2D Mario music whereas additionally evoking that nostalgic “enjoyable” that all of us felt rising up and enjoying Mario.
Beneficial tracks: ‘Athletic Theme‘, ‘Piranha Vegetation on Parade’, ‘Petal Isles’, ‘Shining Falls’
Writer: Crew Reptile / Developer: Crew Reptile
It is solely proper that Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, which was closely impressed by Jet Set Radio, is on this record. A handful of unbiased musicians joined with Jet Set composer Hideki Naganuma to curate a recent and funky sound for this skating journey recreation that oozes fashion and charisma. Notable names embrace 2 Mello, GRRL, Knxwledge, and KiloWatts, making a soundtrack that’s going to be on our summer season playlist for years to return.
Beneficial tracks: ‘I Wanna Kno‘, ‘Condensed Milk’, ‘Really feel The Funk (Laptop Love)’, ‘GET ENUF’
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Writer: Sabotage / Developer: Sabotage
For those who’ve performed The Messenger, then you definitely should not be stunned to see Sea of Stars sail onto this record. Eric Brown has established himself as a retro-style grasp, however whereas Sea of Stars’ music actually evokes the classics with its epic boss music, catching overworld themes, and chirpy city themes. Music embodies a lot of Sea of Stars — to the purpose that there is a complete CD’s price of canopy songs by the in-game pirate musicians. Even with out Yasunori Mitsuda’s fantastic contributions, Sea of Stars would sit comfortably as the most effective soundtracks of 2023.
Beneficial tracks: ‘Trials within the Mist‘, ‘Encounter Elite!’, ‘Serenade of Respite (Night time)’, ‘Volcanic Pursit’
Writer: Humble Bundle / Developer: Summerfall Studios
What a novel idea for a role-playing visible novel — a musical! — and it really works tremendously. We should not be shocked as a result of Austin Wintory (composer of Journey) stands on the conductor’s podium, and Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is proof that the musical fashion can completely work as a online game. Whereas the highlights of this Greek God-starring, Buffy: The Vampire Slayer-inspired musical are certainly the vocal tracks, there are many stunning, calming, and heartfelt instrumental songs to assist tie the entire thing collectively in a cohesive means.
Beneficial tracks: ‘Adrift‘, ‘Pan’s Backyard‘, ‘Look into Me‘, ‘I Can Train You‘
Writer: Team17 / Developer: The Recreation Kitchen
Carlos Viola has as soon as once more taken our breath away with attractive flamenco-style guitars and sombre strings with Blasphemous 2‘s gorgeous soundtrack. And whereas Carlos builds on the fashion that made Blasphemous‘ soundtrack successful, there’s much more selection this time round — extra piano, extra organ, extra electrical guitar, and many others. The Recreation Kitchen’s in-house composer deserves extra recognition for his gorgeous work on these two video games (and The Final Door).
Beneficial tracks: ‘Sobre Sus Costales‘, ‘Corona de Siete Azahares’, ‘Clavada’, ‘Lamentos de Area’
Writer: Uncooked Fury / Developer: Bytten Studio
Cassette Beasts is one other recreation on this “better of” record the place the sport is firmly rooted in music — you remodel into creatures through the use of a cassette, in any case! Joel Baylis determined to embrace this within the recreation’s music, significantly the battle themes. Every battle track is available in two variations — one instrumental model, which performs in common fights, and a vocal model, which kicks in once you and your companion’s Cassette Beasts fuse collectively. A number of the recreation’s most poignant moments go hand-in-hand with these lyrical moments, making a British pop-punk soundtrack that can resonate with a complete technology of adults.
Beneficial tracks: ‘Wherever We Are Now‘, ‘New Wirral (Night time)‘, ‘Identical Previous Story‘, ‘Like Chimeras‘
Writer: Sq. Enix / Developer: Sq. Enix
On this humble writer’s opinion, Octopath Traveler II may simply have the finest soundtrack of the yr. Yasunori Nishiki already blew us away in 2018 together with his rating for the primary recreation, however in some way, he exceeded himself in Octopath Traveler II. The OST boasts a staggering 131 songs over six discs. Whereas there are day and evening themes for every space, and totally different variations of boss themes interwoven with character motifs, that assist bolster that quantity, what’s actually superb is the quantity of variation on supply right here. From jazz to rock opera to stunning piano items, Octopath Traveler II’s music merely doesn’t miss.
Beneficial tracks: ‘Important Conflict II’, ‘Partitio, the Service provider‘, ‘Ku, Land of the Scarlet Sundown‘, ‘Octopath Traveler II (Major Theme)‘
Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo
Sure, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom makes use of numerous Breath of the Wild‘s music — which has proved controversial to some Zelda followers over time. On the identical time, Tears of the Kingdom listened to a few of these criticisms and exploring Hyrule a second time round, you may discover there’s much more music to thrill your ears. Zelda has at all times been a grasp at musical callbacks, and specific dungeon and boss themes play to that power immensely. There’s additionally the fantastically weightless piano as you dive to the floor, the catchy theme of your base city, and all of these eerie sounds as you discover the Depths. Put it on a disc, Nintendo — now!
Beneficial tracks: ‘Sky Islands’, ‘Colgera Battle’, ‘Water Temple’, ‘Flux Assemble’
