10 Best Nintendo Soundtracks, Ranked

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that compiling this list has been quite the journey! It’s not every day you get to reminisce about the melodious symphonies and catchy tunes that have soundtracked some of the most memorable moments in gaming history.

Nintendo, known for its iconic melodies spanning over several decades, is now set to produce the music themselves with their recently demonstrated Nintendo Music platform.

Since they excel at offering a wide range of music, it seemed fitting to highlight a diverse selection of ten exceptional soundtracks from Nintendo. While there were many more options available, these standouts represent my top picks among the best.

To ensure diversity among the choices and make it more interesting, I will select just one track from each franchise. The ranking process will primarily focus on the quality of the music, although the volume or number of masterpieces (quantity) might also play a role in determining the final order.

10 Pokémon: Scarlet and Violet

Featuring Toby Fox

Pokemon’s music has always been exceptional, and when they managed to bring on board the creator of Undertale, Toby Fox, the result was nothing short of phenomenal.

These feature lively battle tunes, captivating melodies for towns and routes, along with a variety of stunning and unforgettable compositions throughout.

This soundtrack is consistently strong within Nintendo’s entire collection, avoiding any disappointing tracks. However, while it doesn’t contain any truly exceptional or groundbreaking songs.

Additionally, I lean towards soundtracks that gradually build up and incorporate some orchestral elements occasionally, and it seems that these games lack a standout theme song that instantly stands out, yet the Tera Raid music certainly shines.

9 Kid Icarus: Uprising

A Heavenly Melody

For some of the best-orchestrated pieces you’ve ever heard, you’ve got to turn to the 3DS for Kid Icarus: Uprising. It’s an action-packed soundtrack that delivers the heavenly tracks you’d expect from a series about .

These tracks range from bombastic pieces that get your blood flowing to more sinister and incredible melodies like Dark Pit’s theme.

It genuinely has it all; I just wish we had more, as there are not that many full-length tracks, and ultimately, the instruments used for a majority of songs get a little stale.

8 Metroid Prime

Slow-Going but Sublime

If you’re looking for a unique blend of melodious tracks that evoke a profoundly emotional atmosphere, along with energetic, electronic, and instantly recognizable tunes reminiscent of Metroid, then Prime offers just the right combination.

It goes from tracks like Tallon Overworld which are a vibe and a little unsettling, to tracks like Phendrana Drifts with a melody you’ll never forget.

As a music enthusiast, I find myself yearning for a harmonious blend of authentic instruments and powerful synthesizers, much like the enchanting melodies found in Minecraft’s soundtrack. Yet, even with the current composition, it’s clear that we’re dealing with some truly remarkable musical craftsmanship.

If you’re seeking some tunes for dancing around or simply soothing melodies, Prime offers a fantastic blend of both options.

7 Splatoon 3

Funky Fresh beats.

Sure thing!

Besides this, the Side Order DLC made up for its less striking visuals with lively, vibrant, and high-spirited music. The one issue I find is that many of the songs are excessively chaotic, even for someone like me.

If I hand over the control of the music (auxiliary), and you choose “Toxic Anoxic”, you’ll be asked to leave the vehicle, but if your selection is from the Story Mode, we’re good to groove together.

6 Super Mario Galaxy 2

Soaring Above the Rest.

Among the Mario soundtracks from the past fifteen years, there are plenty that I could include in this list, be it from “3D World” or “Odyssey”, but I opted for “Super Mario Galaxy 2”.

This OST is consistently one of the most remarkable in history, as every new track becomes an unforgettable classic hit.

Each tune is lively, cheerful, and fills me with a delightful whimsy. While there may not be as many enchanting orchestral pieces as the first game, I find that it compensates for this with an even broader range of fantastic level themes, pleasant hub world music, and overall enjoyable tunes.

5 Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The Most Immaculate Vibes

Animal Crossing offers an unmatched collection of soothing tunes ideal for creating a tranquil playlist. The music in this series often combines its typical jazz and upbeat melodies with a touch of Acid Jazz.

Among all the series, this one stands out with an exceptional charm. While I rate New Leaf very highly for its quality, I personally find the musical instruments in New Horizon more appealing. It’s always a delight to listen to and serves as excellent background music when you want to unwind, focus, or simply immerse yourself in work.

4 Kirby Planet Robobot

Dramatic Digitized Dancing

Throughout his extensive career, Kirby has produced a multitude of exceptional melodies, and the series boasts a rich musical legacy encompassing numerous outstanding electronic remakes, all while maintaining its unique identity.

If you’ve completed this game, there’s a good chance you’ll be caught humming its signature melody towards the end – it’s incredibly memorable and distinctive.

The selection boasts an astonishing range of tunes, each one contributing significantly to the storyline. What’s more, there are unsettling tracks that add a chilling touch, while the usual upbeat, cheerful melodies are also included.

I really hope it could be expanded a little, because there are already many charming melodies present, yet I yearn for even more.

3 Xenoblade Chronicles

Emotionally Moving

Xenoblade Chronicles boasts an abundance of strikingly beautiful compositions, intense battle music, and melodies such as Gaur Plains, which are captivatingly repeatable and simply awe-inspiring.

As a captivated fan, each fresh theme unfolds feels like stepping into an alluring, enchanting realm that instantly casts its spell on me.

This composition shares an analogous symphonic vibe reminiscent of Kid Icarus Uprising, boasting additional memorable and captivating melodies that could inspire feelings of determination, joy, or even tears.

I’d like to highlight the credit theme, which is like a delightful cherry on a delicious sundae, making it one of the standout soundtracks in Nintendo’s collection thus far.

2 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

A Ballad to Behold

Picking just one Zelda game proved quite challenging due to each one’s unique qualities and captivating soundtracks. However, after careful consideration, I opted for Skyward Sword.

Specifically, the grandiose orchestral background music, such as The Ballad of the Goddess, consistently leaves an impact. However, there are also tracks with a variety of instruments that never lack excitement.

Each tune in this game seamlessly enhances both the gameplay and narrative experience, and boasts a comprehensive collection of some top-notch tunes from the Zelda franchise.

Each dungeon seems to transport you into an entirely unique civilization unseen elsewhere on our planet, and the beauty is undeniable; indeed, it’s an artistic marvel beyond doubt.

1 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

A Smash Hits Album

One could argue that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate seems like it’s cheating, given its extensive content, but a more objective perspective acknowledges that it boasts a vast array of tracks from many games on this list, plus even more.

It’s got the best of every Nintendo franchise and even more from third parties like Sonic, Persona, Metal Gear, and Kingdom Hearts.

Regardless of whether you consider the music as being similar to that found in other games, or not, the remixes, original compositions, and selection process ensure that it’s always enjoyable.

Lifelight is one of the best main themes for a Smash game, and even if you don’t like it, you’ve got a few thousand other songs in this OST to listen to.

2024-11-08 23:09