10 Best Original Songs Created for Video Games

Music is often a key ingredient in making a video game truly unforgettable. Great music can powerfully enhance a story, and video game soundtracks are consistently praised as being even better than those found in movies and TV shows.

Creating original music is a fantastic way to make a video game soundtrack truly stand out. A custom-made song demonstrates a strong commitment to audio quality and can really take the entire project to the next level. As someone who loves video game music, I’m always searching for exceptional tracks.

Video game soundtracks often feature beautiful orchestral music, but a memorable vocal song can really make a lasting impact. The best songs appear at just the right moment, creating powerful feelings that stay with players for years.

10. Still Alive

Portal

The song ‘Still Alive’ perfectly captures the quirky and unusual humor of the game Portal. Interestingly, it was sung by Ellen McClain, the same actress who voiced the game’s villainous AI, GLaDOS.

The song plays during the credits and is sung from GLaDOS’s perspective, revealing her self-centered personality and unwillingness to accept she’s lost. It’s genuinely funny, but also surprisingly poignant at times. You can still feel her intense dislike for Chell, as she continues to insult her even after being defeated.

Still Alive includes clear nods to the broader Half-Life story. This happened as Valve was starting to link the two universes together, and the reference to Black Mesa is a major reason why the worlds of Half-Life and Portal are connected even today.

9. Herald of Darkness

Alan Wake 2

It’s been three years since I first played Alan Wake 2, and I still haven’t experienced another game with such a powerful impact – especially the unforgettable musical sequence. It truly stands out as one of the best gaming moments of the last ten years.

The song ‘Herald of Darkness’ is a major highlight, performed by the band Poets of the Fall while playing the roles of their fictional alter egos, the Old Gods of Asgard. The exceptional talent of each band member is clearly evident throughout the track.

The music isn’t just background noise; it’s deeply connected to everything happening in the game. ‘Herald of Darkness’ not only highlights the strangeness of the story, but also adds layers to the rich, almost theatrical, mythology of Alan Wake 2.

8. Devil Trigger

Devil May Cry 5

Devil May Cry 5 built on the series’ tradition of fantastic music, and Casey Edwards’ “Devil Trigger” stands out as a real highlight. It perfectly captures the sound of its time, blending that signature DMC energy with the qualities of a truly great rock song.

Casey Edwards wrote “Devil Trigger,” but his wife, Ali Edwards, and Cliff Lloret did most of the performing. Ali’s vocals are really what make the song stand out and are a key part of its unique sound.

This song is Nero’s primary battle theme and is considered one of the greatest in the Devil May Cry series. The line “pull my Devil Trigger” has become a defining phrase for the games, and the song itself is incredibly energetic and exciting.

7. Snake Eater

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater significantly changed the Metal Gear formula. It removed the standard radar, added new ways to fight, and for the first time, players didn’t control Solid Snake. These changes represented a major departure for the series.

The game didn’t compromise on music, especially when it came to original songs. “Snake Eater” isn’t just a great track – it’s deeply connected to the game’s story and atmosphere. It perfectly captures the feel of a 1960s spy thriller, much like a classic James Bond theme song.

Cyntha Harrel’s performance of “Snake Eater” captures the powerful, dramatic feel of classic James Bond theme songs. It’s arguably one of the most striking and memorable opening songs ever created for a video game.

6. Escape from the City

Sonic Adventure 2

The Sonic the Hedgehog series has always been closely linked to great music. While even the original games featured memorable soundtracks, Sonic Adventure 2 truly took things to the next level.

Honestly, almost any song from Sonic Adventure 2 could be on this list – they’re all great. But “Escape from the City” stands out not only as a fantastic track, but also because it perfectly complements one of the most memorable scenes in the game.

This song is enjoyable on its own, but it becomes truly special when you’re playing as Sonic, speeding through the city with the military in pursuit. While the Sonic games feature many fantastic tracks, this one stands out as particularly impactful.

5. Everything or Nothing

James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing

As a huge Bond fan, I’ve played a lot of 007 games over the years, going way back to the 80s. Honestly, most of them just don’t feel like a Bond movie. There have been a few that got close, like the older Agent Under Fire and Nightfire games, but for me, James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing is the one that truly captured that big-screen, cinematic Bond experience. It’s the best one, hands down.

The game immediately grabs your attention with its iconic gun barrel opening and a thrilling action sequence, followed by a stylish introduction reminiscent of a James Bond film. The theme song, “Everything or Nothing,” perfectly complements this cinematic feel.

Mya, a truly talented singer, delivers a fantastic performance on “Everything or Nothing.” The song perfectly captures the feel of a classic Bond theme from that time, with a chorus that will stick in your head. It’s simply a great track.

4. Rules of Nature

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Music plays a huge role in the Metal Gear series, which boasts a fantastic soundtrack. One of the very best tracks actually premiered in the strangest Metal Gear game, and that’s really saying something given how wild the series often gets. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance stands out as the most unique and unconventional game in the entire franchise.

The song ‘Rules of Nature’ is directly linked to the game’s story and plays during the battle against Metal Gear RAY. Throughout the game ‘Rising,’ Raiden fights a variety of monstrous enemies and natural forces, creating a sense of a chaotic, wild world.

Rules of Nature features a fantastic blend of powerful, distorted guitars and electronic sounds. It’s a perfect match for a game about struggling to survive in a chaotic and dangerous world – a true fusion of organic and artificial, like a cyborg’s hand in a glove.

3. Eyes on Me

Final Fantasy 8

Romance is common in Final Fantasy games, but the connection between Squall and Rinoa stands out as particularly memorable and popular with fans. A great couple needs a beautiful theme song, and that’s exactly what they got when composer Nobuo Uematsu collaborated with singer Faye Wong.

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“Eyes on Me” is a truly memorable song from Final Fantasy 8. It’s a beautiful and romantic piece that’s central to the game’s story. Faye Wong’s sweet vocals perfectly complement the touching lyrics and make the song especially captivating.

Final Fantasy has many fantastic songs, but “Eyes on Me” is truly exceptional. It perfectly complements the heartfelt scenes between Squall and Rinoa, and it’s easy to see why this game captured the hearts of so many teenagers when it was released.

2. No Promises to Keep

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

The Final Fantasy series is known for its memorable music, and has featured many fantastic original songs throughout its history. Recently, the emotional finale of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was accompanied by what many consider to be one of the best original songs ever created for the franchise.

The song “No Promises to Keep” plays during the emotional final moments of Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, as Cloud and his friends grapple with Aerith’s death. It’s a deeply moving piece that explores themes of destiny and free will, questioning whether our lives are predetermined or shaped by the decisions we make.

Okay, so the new song in Rebirth? It was written by Kazushige Nojima, who’s done music for the series for ages, and sung by Loren Allred. Honestly, it’s just gorgeous – it seriously made the ending even more emotional and perfect. It really hit me!

1. The Best is Yet to Come

Metal Gear Solid

The Metal Gear series has always been known for its fantastic music, featuring memorable tracks like ‘Snake Eater’ and lesser-known but equally great songs like ‘Calling to the Night.’ But even with all these incredible pieces, ‘The Best is Yet to Come’ stands out as truly exceptional.

Rika Muranaka, known for creating some of the most memorable music in the Metal Gear Solid series, wrote “The Best is Yet to Come,” which was prominently featured in the original PlayStation game. The song is powerfully performed by Aoife Ni’Fhearraigh, delivering a truly stunning vocal performance.

Her voice is incredibly soothing and pleasant to hear. The beautiful melody it creates is featured throughout the game, often during its most heartfelt scenes, almost as another main theme. It’s easily one of the best original songs ever made for a video game.

2026-03-29 20:41