Games with soundtracks/music that you'll NEVER forget.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

The Total War Series.
Shogun, Medieval, Rome, and Medieval II, all had memorable soundtracks. Yes I left out Empire. Honestly I think it's worst one in the series, however not exactly bad. The absence of Jeff van Dyck is OBVIOUS in Empire.

Samples:
Medieval: Total War:
Arab Battle 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6WpApQn_30&feature=related&fmt=18)

Rome: Total War
One of my faves:
Frontend (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unO6cjgf-Do&fmt=18)

One of the battle themes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK6OyLsgfzA&fmt=18) from: Medieval II: Total War

Dynasty Warriors 4
Awesome themes; the instrumentals are beautiful.
Here's a whole playlist (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krL4EsofFwk&feature=PlayList&p=E6751943969EE429&index=6) of my favorite DW soundtracks.

Stronghold / Stronghold Crusader
A great RTS that not many know about. Really good soundtrack. Provides a great atmosphere, especially for a 2-D game.
A mix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=verfkYZUwDI&feature=channel_page&fmt=18) of songs from both Stronghold and Stronghold: Crusader.

Halo series
I just love the chants, and instrumentals in this one. Beautiful.
Halo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xufR_zt9o10&fmt=18)

Halo 3:
Never Forget (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyDZscyf8lU&feature=response_watch&fmt=18)

Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven.
Sadame (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPixDlYRfHs&fmt=18)
Character Selection (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDeEfyBFh9Y&feature=related&fmt=18)
Tatsumaru's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRD-PXzdhCI&feature=related&fmt=18)
Last Decisive Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haTruU-V7U0&feature=related&fmt=18)
Bamboo Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaZVVGxuEZ8&feature=related&fmt=18)
Oninage 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm6p-0VpW2c&feature=related&fmt=18)

Hitman: Blood Money

Finally, my absolute favorite, the Kingdom Hearts series.
Kingdom Hearts, is a great example how music can "make" the game or break it. To those of you who played Kingdom Hearts, do you think you can imagine the game with a whole different soundtrack? I definitely can't. I can almost say, that, the music of Kingdom Hearts IS the game. If it wasn't for the music in Kingdom Hearts, I could have possibly, dismissed it as a mere "kiddy" game (which unfortunately is what some people think of Kingdom Hearts, that didn't enjoy the story). With Kingdom Hearts, you either loved it or hated it, and the music is a big factor in loving Kingdom Hearts.

Kingdom Hearts:
Dearly Beloved (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g25QXnhVijQ&fmt=18)
Simple and Clean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HeBAnlPNqA&fmt=18)

Kingdom Hearts II:
Dearly Beloved (KHII version) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyatdg2USLI)
Sanctuary (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbnD7sVCBOE&fmt=18)
Sanctuary/Passion Instrumental (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3sfBwJIUK8)
The 13th Struggle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibazsmP19cY&fmt=18)


Honorable Mentions:
Age of Empires Series
Beautifull Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD6EUdo8PGI&fmt=18)

Bioshock

Elder Scrolls Series
Oblivion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3EOibiVzq4&fmt=18) theme

Tekken 3 and upwards series:
Exception Lei Wulong's theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha1g0WVPeiM&feature=related&fmt=18) from Tekken 2

Tekken 3:
Law's theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4LCr2fyx6I&feature=related&fmt=18)
Lei Wulong's theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_EoRHyK4dk&feature=related&fmt=18)
Ling Xiaoyu's theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbghGzTS5po&feature=related&fmt=18)
Tekken 5:
A mix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEPBR6DGqaE&feature=related&fmt=18) of songs

Golden Sun Series
Golden Sun:
Venus Lighthouse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdY0TDYNV2w&feature=channel&fmt=18)
Saturos Battle Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEjqqUTz-us&fmt=18)
Golden Sun: The Lost Age:
Felix's Battle Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYnhq0Ye0y4&feature=related&fmt=18)

Pokemon (Portable Nintendo series)
Pokemon Red/Blue:
Opening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2d-mGpMYQk&feature=related&fmt=18).

Well that's all that I can think for now, as I'm in a hurry. I'll try to add more later.

[Monk]

You cannot have a thread about music in video games without this masterpiece (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUCbflBkIgo). I have this on my mp3 and kick it on every now and then. The glory days of Duke, never forget.

When it comes to SNES memories of some of the best music i always think of Donkey Kong Country (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrOsS3EV_lA), that game had such good music it's crazy.

Another game is F-Zero (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvjCgzm1Uz4), you just cannot get much better than this with only few exceptions.

[pevergreen]

For me:

F-zero X (the 64 version.)

Mute City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhUrWv3c63Y&feature=related) among others, simply amazing.

Fire Emblem (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWo-azI6eL0&feature=related) (GBA series)
The attack music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yTEoDv7tY4&feature=related)alone is beautiful

Legend of Zelda: O (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-ZPpGdt1xQ)o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iixCkzibSEs)T (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SovM_ExoVg) and Majoras (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRatRGwTqts)Mask (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyKcSVfGIhc)

Rock 'n' Roll Racing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3kYqIui_Xc)

Black Sabbath & others I can't remember, it was basically a rock album with a nice game too.

[Xiahou]

Some good mentions here. :bow:

I'll submit the Persona3 soundtrack (https://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Slayer0&view=videos&query=persona+3). A very memorable soundtrack for a very memorable RPG. :yes:

[Pannonian]

Bubble Bobble (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-pUAK1gR2M)
Tetris (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whBg7IF5JUg)

[Ramses II CP]

I bring this game up every time there is a gaming music thread, but the Descent 2 sound track is unforgettable. It amps you up so much it's actually harder to play the game when it kicks in. It suit the game atmosphere perfectly, and it's the only game soundtrack I still listen to today.

Halo is worth a mention too, but it's Bungie's previous series, Myth & Myth II that I remember most fondly.

[Fragony]

Just about everything Homeworld, space so big, you so alone

[CountArach]

TETRIS!

[drone]

Master of Orion 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q21g_giYUhI&feature=related)

The sound when the main menu flipped onto the screen at the start was the best. :smitten:

[Jolt]

Metal Gear Solid. No doubt.

[seireikhaan]

Prince (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npUIfAYakMA&feature=related) of Persia: Sands of Time

[The Spartan (Returns)]

You cannot have a thread about music in video games without this masterpiece (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUCbflBkIgo). I have this on my mp3 and kick it on every now and then. The glory days of Duke, never forget.Awesome theme. Definitely reminds me of the Dynasty Warriors 4 soundtrack.


Mute City (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhUrWv3c63Y&feature=related) among others, simply amazing. Haha, I was looking for that one!

***
If you wanna be more nostalgic, try the Pokemon Red/Blue Opening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2d-mGpMYQk&feature=related&fmt=18).

Also Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven.
Sadame (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPixDlYRfHs&fmt=18)
Character Selection (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDeEfyBFh9Y&feature=related&fmt=18)
Tatsumaru's Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRD-PXzdhCI&feature=related&fmt=18)
Last Decisive Battle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haTruU-V7U0&feature=related&fmt=18)
Bamboo Forest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaZVVGxuEZ8&feature=related&fmt=18)
Oninage 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm6p-0VpW2c&feature=related&fmt=18)

*Updated first post

[Greyblades]

Civ 4 main menu music was quite good.

[Caius]

Civ 4 main menu music was quite good.
Yes. But Nothing is better than the whole Empire Earth I soundtrack.

[Martok]

The Total War series definitely tops my list -- particularly Shogun, Medieval, & Rome. There are very few games whose soundtracks grip me like those do. :2thumbsup:

I would also have to add two Star Trek titles to the list: Klingon Academy and Birth of the Federation. The former game's music is positively soul-stirring at times, and while the latter's soundtrack doesn't grab me emotionally per se, it is very atmospheric and feels appropriately "Trek-ish".

Finally, I must grant an "honorable mention" to the first two Command & Conquer: Red Alert games. While they don't have the epic feel of the other titles I just mentioned, their soundtracks still somehow seem appropriate to the setting, plus they do a pretty good job of making the player feel tense (in a good way) and that time is of the essence.

[FactionHeir]

I liked the Morrowind theme better than the Oblivion one. They were pretty much one and the same, except that Oblivion was a bit more modernized.

[Chimpyang]

Zelda - Overworld has to be a classic in my book.

[rajpoot]

I was recently playing Morrowind and had added this 'Epic Soundtrack' extension mod.
So the first time I walk into Vivec and reach the far end of the city, from where you can see Vivec's temple and that big rock hanging in the air, when this
http://rapidshare.com/files/238407835/Kirill_Pokrovsky_-_Divine_Divinity_-_Stone_and_Trees.mp3
starts playing......somehow it so fitted that moment, when those large statues appear out of the mist, and then you see that large boulder up there......it added an awing feel to that moment, making everything seem mystical.

(Since the files are free, from a mod I'm uploaded them to rapidshare, can't think of any other way to make them available)

[aimlesswanderer]

Heroes of Might and Magic I-IV had excellent music.

Diablo I

the original C&C

Battle Isle 2220 - despite being only midis

Mechwarrior 2 and Mech 2 Mercenaries

The original Civ, I can still remember some of them, goodness knows how many years later.

[Guru]

Deus Ex.
Thief 3.
Morrowind.
Probably the most atmospheric games I've played, and no small thanks to the music.

Edit: I forgot two awesomes. The original Red Alert. And Operation Flashpoint. I just found the soundtrack on Youtube and now I really feel like installing Flashpoint and its expansions again.

[Caius]

C&C:Tiberian Sun had a good sountrack, excelently done to get the distopy feeling. I would faint if that game was going to be launched as a gift for the 14th birthday of the C&C series.

[Reverend Joe]

DOOM. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEECC3xoCVU) MIDI metal.

C'mon, you can't tell me there's ever been a better-fitting soundtrack.

[Hooahguy]

Crysis Warhead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEQj0MPy3Yw)
Europa Barbarorum

[Ciaran]

Zelda 3
Colonization
Pirates Gold!
Knights and Merchants

and if Mod soundtracks count as well:
Fourth Age TW
Napoleonic II TW

[scotchedpommes]

Only game-specific tracks that immediately spring to mind are from the menu screens of Crusader: No Remorse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwG5BJtZBCU) and the remix from its sequel, No Regret (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkEdivkn4UA). Couple of hotkeys to switch tracks and play it in-game... [Lost hours of repetitive and quite pointless sprite slaughter locked in those for me.]

Moving forward [more than] a few years, there're several tracks used in Operation Flashpoint (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nY_FuIHH6E) that probably won't be leaving me any time soon. Though if pressed for a bit more digging through the grey matter, I suppose the only other memorable tracks besides the predictable would be taken from Homeworld.

[Centurion1]

Oh god, im going to have to say halo, it was just beautifully done, i liked fire emblem for my gameboy advance lol, and of course i enjoyed any lord of the rings game with movie music.

didn't play it but if the three hundred game had music like the movie than i love that too

[Marshal Murat]

I won't forget the RTW theme not because it's so very good (it is, don't get me wrong). It's just that after I got the game, I was so excited that I played it all night, and I accidentally fell asleep at my computer desk, while moving troops (I think I was the Greeks or Brutii). I wake up the next morning, see the game, which has been running for about 5+ hours without being touched. With that theme, playing. Over and over and over.

[professorspatula]

Dune by Cyro. Fantastically atmospheric and still sounds great today.
Ultima 7 - So many nice little tunes.
Barry McGuigan's Boxing - on the old ZX Spectrum/C64 etc. Everyone I mention the game to who played it back in the day can still remember the theme tune.
Doom - E1M1 tune still fantastic, the rest are too.
Last Ninja 2 (C64 ) - Opening level has probably the best music in any of the old 8-bit era games.
Hitman 2 - some great music, especially the exploration tune.
GTA - So many great songs, you could also add the other GTA games to the list.

[Veho Nex]

Age of Conan...
The entire soundtrack rocked.

[Duke John]

Full Throttle music by the Gone Jackals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doP8gF2rais Excellent rock music fitting the game theme.

Mechwarrior 2 soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C42xCauM9jU&feature=related Played this so many years ago and can still recognize that typical sound of all tracks.

[Major Robert Dump]

Gotta agree with a lot of the previous posts, but original Homeworld takes the cake, especially the Bentusi segments, and particularly when you are on the final mission with Adagio blaring and the "enemy" hyperspaces right above your mothership just when you are locked into the fight like never before

I also like the old synthesizer XCOM Terror From the Deep music, as well as MAsters of Orion Music.

[Hooahguy]

id like to add the Rainbow 6 Vegas soundtrack to my list. ive never heard such intense music before.

[Meneldil]

The game is not released yet, but I absolutely love "Someone Special", the soundtrack used in Edge of Twilight E3 trailer.

You can see the trailer here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5SateAymKo&feature=PlayList&p=050913D84E2152F6&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=24) and grab the music here (http://www.mick-gordon.com/SomeoneSpecial-MickGordon.zip)

Mick Gordon, the guy who made it, asked me to share it on the net, and this I do with pleasure. The soundtrack is IMO gorgeous. I'm crossing my fingers, hopefully, the game will kick some butts. A mix of God of War and Arcanum looks badass.

[Lemur]

Road Rash 3D. I never really got into metal, but the choices for the soundtrack were very good, and I've had a soft spot for Soundgarden ever since.

[UltraWar]

Seiken Densetsu 3 (https://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1D953CBBAFA20DDD)

I mean seriously, I can literally remember every track from that game.

[Ignoramus]

Castle Dance (http://www.imeem.com/people/Qucpp3P/music/65MtpiaX/glorian-castle-dance) from Knights of Honor.