10 Songs That Video Games Made Famous

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can wholeheartedly say that these three songs are absolute bangers! Each one has a unique place in my heart (and playlist) for different reasons.

Gaming soundtracks have always found a way to serve as earworms stuck in our brains, from the primitive arcade days to the modern open-world epics of today.

You can find yourself humming chiptune ditties like the Green Hill Zone theme, or, equally, you could lose yourself mesmerized by an award-winning orchestral performance like Austin Wintory’s score for Journey. The depth and possibilities of gaming audio are boundless.

To such an extent that numerous real-world artists have leveraged games as a platform to boost their visibility, often making the games themselves more renowned than they would have been without this artistic involvement.

Let’s bring attention to some fantastic tunes that may not have achieved such widespread popularity if they weren’t part of the gaming world.

To ensure precision, we won’t incorporate background tunes created specifically for video game soundtracks or well-known tracks unrelated to the games themselves. Instead, our focus lies on songs that gained popularity through their association with specific games, rather than the other way around.

10 Goldfinger – Superman

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

The THPS series significantly influenced the musical preferences of numerous gamers, myself among them, primarily because it showcased an outstanding variety of punk bands. Among these, Goldfinger’s catchy tune “Superman” is arguably the one that left the most lasting impression on fans.

This one was showcased in the initial Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater game, contributing to the significant success of Birdman’s debut skating title within the expansive series.

Admittedly, I had numerous options to pick from when it comes to punk and alternative anthems throughout the show, but what truly stood out for me as a trailblazer was the use of “Superman” in the soundtracks, which set the stage for all subsequent tracks being incredibly stylish.

9 Sanctuary – Hikaru Utada

Kingdom Hearts 2

When it comes to selecting soundtracks from popular franchises, I must say the Kingdom Hearts series stands out due to its exceptional music quality.

Nevertheless, amidst the awe-inspiring music reminiscent of Disney, there is one female artist who has made an impression by composing signature tunes that mark each primary installment in the series.

Hikaru has created some truly outstanding songs, such as Simple and Clean, her duet with Skrillex for Face My Fears. For my personal preference, though, I find her most impressive work to be Sanctuary – a tune that brings back fond memories for many, particularly from the opening of Kingdom Hearts 2.

This lively, heartfelt song perfectly captures the mood of the show, and I strongly recommend adding it to your Spotify playlist for video games without delay.

8 Blow Me Away – Breaking Benjamin

Halo 2

If you’re into the style of music I refer to as “Wolf T-Shirt” kind, it’s no wonder that Breaking Benjamin is a band I find particularly enjoyable.

It’s reasonable to assert that they may not have achieved mainstream success without the influence of Halo 2. Their iconic rock anthem, ‘Blow Me Away,’ reached the masses of first-person shooter gamers in the 2000s, providing them with a stepping stone for their rise to fame.

Exceptional songs such as “Diary of Jane,” “Breath” and “Dance With The Devil” solidified this band as a pillar of 2000s rock music.

Yet, it was Bungie’s game about alien warfare that paved the way for what we have now. If reminiscing about your past battles against The Covenant brings a smile to your face, then give this track a spin and let the memories flood back.

7 All My Ex’s Live In Texas

GTA: San Andreas

In every installment of the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series, the collection of music has consistently stood out, with the numerous radio stations featuring a variety of popular, modern songs that often become memorable highlights.

Many of these melodies achieved their status as successful songs independently, not requiring GTA for recognition. However, some tunes gained renewed popularity, emerging from lesser-known status due to the series. Let’s delve into a country hit that emerged from GTA: San Andreas.

George Strait, renowned in the realm of country music, discovered a fresh audience beyond his expectations with the addition of this honky-tonk classic to his repertoire, as a native of Nashville.

The next time K Rose plays this song, feel free to turn it up loud and embrace your inner cowboy spirit while driving through Red County.

6 Iron – Woodkid

Assassin’s Creed 3

It’s worth mentioning that the tune wasn’t featured in the Assassin’s Creed games themselves, but it was the music utilized in the promotional campaign for Assassin’s Creed 3.

Making a decision that would catapult Woodkid into prominence, all the while igniting excitement among enthusiasts of the assassin-themed historical series, eagerly anticipating the upcoming episode.

Because Ubisoft hasn’t been managing the series as well in recent times, there’s been a noticeable decrease in excitement about it since then. However, Woodkid’s powerful song “Iron” perfectly fit the bill.

After that point, the musician has consistently grown more powerful, with standout pieces such as Run Boy Run and Guns For Hire, particularly noteworthy for being included in the League of Legends series Arcane, serving as key achievements.

5 The Ink Spots – I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire

Fallout 3

In a fresh take: The contemporary Fallout games are famed for their exceptional questlines, characters, and weaponry. Yet, the franchise is equally recognized for its collection of songs from the 1950s that were revived from the archives and have regained popularity through these games.

In simpler terms, while Fallout New Vegas introduced “Big Iron” and Fallout 4 offered “Orange Colored Sky”, many might find it difficult to dispute that the standout tune from Fallout 3 is most fitting as a symbol of this series.

The opening sequence of Fallout 3, which expands to unveil the decay and disorder of the Capital Wasteland, prepares you for the melancholic narratives and menacing environment where you will strive to establish a life.

It’s not anyone’s wish for the world to perish, but if destruction is inevitable, people can only wish for it to happen within the context of a video game, as such scenarios often depict an incredibly grim reality.

4 José González – Far Away

Red Dead Redemption

Read Dead Redemption offers a deeply emotional gaming experience, and its overall impact is incredibly intense. This strength stems from exceptional storytelling, compelling character development, and numerous other factors.

Alternatively, it can be contended that the score significantly tugs at the heartstrings, and this sentiment is particularly evident in the employment of José González’s “Far Away” in the original Red Dead Redemption.

One could recognize José Gonzáles from the popular song “Heartbeats,” which gained notoriety through the Sony Bravia advertisement featuring multi-colored, bouncing balls. Yet, it is possible that his most profound piece of music lies within this expressive melody instead.

As you embark on your lengthy, solitary journey towards Mexico, this tune adds an intense and movie-like feel to it. If you haven’t experienced John Marston’s story yet, now is the perfect moment to do so.

3 Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked – Cage The Elephant

Borderlands

These days, Borderlands is renowned for various aspects. One notable recognition it receives is for delivering one of the poorest quality gaming films ever made. Another accolade it earns is for providing top-notch Looter Shooter gameplay within the industry.

Moreover, it’s recognized for its pop culture allusions and a bothersome character called Clap-Trap. At its finest, the Borderlands franchise is a subject of debate, but there’s no argument about one thing: Its opening sequences are truly spectacular.

In the initial game, it established a pattern by presenting the player with an unforgettable introduction showcasing the diverse characters. Meanwhile, the melodious backdrop was provided by Cage the Elephant and their song “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked,” which perfectly complemented the scene.

It’s a killer tune fitting of a bounty hunter, and one that Borderlands helped put on the map.

2 Jaimes – Wide Awake

Alan Wake 2

As a gamer, I can honestly say that when it comes to memorable tunes, Alan Wake 2 is absolutely packed with potential contenders. You’ve got the Old Gods of Asgard blasting their rock anthems, and then there’s the hauntingly beautiful rendition of “Yötön Yö” by none other than the janitor Athi.

In my opinion, among all the choices, Jaimes’ song “Wide Awake” stands out the most. Without knowing its background, it has the potential to reach the top of the billboard charts based solely on its quality.

This title signals the beginning of a chilling new phase in the tale of Alan Wake 2, effectively capturing the mood of the narrative and the development of characters who are now aware of the enchanting parallel dimensions.

This one is captivating, impactful, and certainly deserves repeated listens. Make sure to pay close attention before diving into the next installment of Alan Wake; it’s worth your time to hear it again.

1 Dragonforce – Through The Fire & The Flames

Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock

One game that often springs to mind when considering titles with numerous licensed songs is Guitar Hero, and it’s not hard to see why this is so.

The show offers a selection of iconic rock anthems from different eras, but it’s also recognized for bringing lesser-known quirks to the forefront that may have gone unnoticed otherwise.

Among all these hidden treasures I’ve discovered, the one that I’ll likely recall with the most fervor or nostalgia is mastering “Through the Fire and the Flames.

Among enthusiasts, this melody is famously known as the quickest and most difficult track across the whole collection. If you’re up for it, dust off your old Guitar Hero controller and demonstrate your impressive guitar skills by mastering this high-speed tune!

2024-11-04 19:39