PS1 JRPGs that Have the Best Soundtracks

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The 1990s were a pivotal era for video game music. New consoles like the SNES and Genesis had impressive sound technology, allowing composers to create real, quality music for games.

By the time sixth-generation consoles arrived, CDs allowed for much more storage space, giving composers incredible creative freedom. They really embraced this potential, particularly on the original PlayStation, where renowned musicians like Nobuo Uematsu and Yoko Shimomura pushed the boundaries of what was possible with CD-quality music in games.

This was especially true for Japanese role-playing games, or JRPGs, on that console. If you ask people about the greatest video game music of that time, a JRPG soundtrack will almost certainly come up.

Even today, the music from those classic PlayStation 1 (PS1) role-playing games remains incredibly powerful. These games boasted some of the most gorgeous and skillfully written soundtracks ever created, and they continue to inspire musicians and composers after all these years.

8. Wild Arms

Big Soundtrack with Big Feelings

Wild Arms didn’t just look like a western; it sounded like one too. Composer Michiko Naruke created a soundtrack that captured the grand, sweeping feel of classic western movies, but with a modern twist. The game’s music, like its visuals and gun-focused gameplay, strongly embraced the Wild West aesthetic.

The Wild Arms soundtrack is truly exceptional, featuring grand, sweeping melodies, rich arrangements of strings and brass, and subtle touches of modern science fiction. It’s the kind of music that stays with you long after you’ve finished playing, and you might even find yourself humming the memorable main theme.

Later Wild Arms games followed this pattern, but the combination of classic Western music and energetic JRPG soundtracks remains incredibly effective.

7. Dragon Quest VII: Fragments Of The Forgotten Past

The Theme of Adventure

The iconic opening theme of Dragon Quest has become a staple in many Japanese role-playing games, and the game’s PlayStation 1 release is no different. Because the PS1 was a significant upgrade over older consoles, Dragon Quest’s music sounded fantastic on the system.

As a long-time Dragon Quest fan, I always loved how Dragon Quest VII really stuck to what made the series special. And honestly, the music was amazing! Composer Koichi Sugiyama really pushed the PlayStation to its limits – it didn’t sound like typical, tinny MIDI music at all, which was a huge step up for console RPGs at the time.

The music in Dragon Quest VII is powerfully dynamic. It effortlessly shifts between grand, exciting themes and the charming, lighthearted tunes that have become a hallmark of the series, and it achieves this thanks to the advanced sound capabilities of the PlayStation 1.

6. Valkyrie Profile

One of the Most Innovative Soundtracks Ever Produced

While not every game ages well, Valkyrie Profile stands out. Beyond its strong gameplay, the music remains incredible—it’s one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever experienced, and that’s saying something after twenty years.

The game’s music features a wide variety of distinct sounds. Rather than using typical fantasy themes, it crafts a soundscape that feels remarkably modern and original.

The music of Valkyrie Profile blends traditional instruments with energetic beats and bursts of electric guitar. Its fast-paced gameplay is perfectly complemented by a powerful, unique soundtrack that stands out from other games of its time.

5. Vagrant Story

Proof that the Old-School Methods Still Work

Out of all these games, the music in Vagrant Story really stands out to me as feeling the most… classic. A lot of games back then were trying to be super innovative with their sound, experimenting with new stuff. But Vagrant Story? It went in the opposite direction, and honestly, I appreciate that. It feels like they were aiming for a timeless, more traditional score, and it totally works.

Hitoshi Sakimoto, a frequent composer for Square-Enix, creates music with a grand, orchestral sound – similar to what you’d hear in a major Hollywood film. The music heavily features strings, brass, and woodwinds to capture the game’s vastness and epic scope.

The music effectively matches the game’s changing atmosphere. When you explore the decaying areas of Lea Monde, the soundtrack shifts to eerie, synth-based sounds. It’s a well-crafted soundtrack with a distinct and memorable style.

4. The Legend Of Dragoon

Tradition Meets EDM Nightclub

Many PlayStation 1 role-playing games blended traditional orchestral music, reminiscent of the Super Nintendo era, with contemporary electronic sounds. This often resulted in soundtracks that sounded like a symphony orchestra performing in a club.

This is particularly noticeable in The Legend of Dragoon. The game’s music effectively uses well-known orchestral sounds, creating a feeling similar to that of classic fantasy and adventure movies with its powerful, brass-heavy arrangements.

But at its best, The Legend of Dragoon’s soundtrack is a really strong blend of electronic and orchestral music. It’s the kind of music that sticks with you from childhood – I still remember tracks like Dart’s Theme and Hokes Village vividly.

3. Chrono Cross

Continuing a Strong Legacy of Great Music

Even before the PlayStation 1, the Chrono series was known for its amazing music. Chrono Trigger on the Super Nintendo had a legendary soundtrack, which meant any future games had a lot to live up to.

Fortunately, Yasunori Mitsuda delivered a fantastic soundtrack for Chrono Cross. It’s considered one of the most beautiful and polished soundtracks on the PlayStation 1.

The album starts with the incredible track “Time’s Scar,” and consistently gets better from there. Songs like “Prisoners of Fate” and “Lost in Time” really demonstrate the skill and precision composers had when creating music for the PlayStation 1 by the year 2000.

2. Parasite Eve

Orchestral Horror Meets the Opera

Yoko Shimomura is more than just a well-respected composer; many consider her one of the best video game music creators ever.

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A big reason I admire her work is her music for Parasite Eve, which remains a favorite game of mine. Her score isn’t just good—it’s essential to the game’s overall feel and identity.

Instead of typical scary game music, Yoko Shimomura brilliantly mixes classic orchestral sounds with electronic dance music and even opera. It’s a surprising combination that somehow works incredibly well.

Parasite Eve’s soundtrack is a truly original and striking blend of dramatic vocals, energetic rhythms, and traditional orchestral sounds. It’s unlike anything else available on the system.

1. Final Fantasy 7

Nobuo Uematsu’s Finest Work

Most people agree that Nobuo Uematsu is the best video game composer ever. He’s created music for many iconic games, including Final Fantasy and Lost Odyssey, but one game stands out as his masterpiece.

The music in Final Fantasy 7 is incredibly impressive, both in its size and quality. Every song has something special and memorable about it.

This soundtrack is incredibly diverse and well-made, exploring everything from classic orchestral pieces to jazz and swing. It truly covers all musical bases with remarkable skill.

The iconic song ‘One-Winged Angel,’ composed for the character Sephiroth, is widely considered one of the best video game soundtracks ever made. It’s become closely linked with the game series and is a major reason why the soundtrack remains popular and influential almost thirty years later.

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2026-01-24 16:41