Game music is really critical in setting the mood for a game. Sometimes, the music will be too overblown, and will completely break the mood of the game. Other times, the music will be bland and repetitive, making you want to claw your eyes out. Good game music must be able to enhance the game's current mood to an entirely new level. Usually, success is hit and miss, unless you're working on a franchise. So today, let's look at some of the video game soundtracks that meet two criteria: 1. They're awesome 2. Not composed by Nobue Uematsu Metroid Prime This music creeped me out so much while playing Metroid Prime. The mood for the game was reflected accurately in the music, being eerily mysterious. The music played a big part in my enjoyment of the game. I was afraid to open every door, walk through every room, and approach every dead body suspended in liquid for fear of being mauled to death, and the music helped that feeling immensely. Katamari Damacy/We Love Katamari Ah, the music for Katamari...it's just so upbeat and fun. To go along with the quirky gameplay, an equally odd soundtrack was neccessary. With songs like Katamari on the Swing, A Crimson Rose and a Gin Tonic, and Katamari on the Rocks, you can't help but enjoy the game due to its energizing nature. I was especially excited to see Katamari on the Rocks featured in Namco's Taiko Drum Master (a wonderful game that not enough people play). La Pucelle: Tactics I'm a big fan of orchestral and religious music, and La Pucelle has both, so it's my pick from the Nippon Ichi game set. The religious theme of the game is well accentuated by the music, creating a great atmosphere right from the title screen. The music jumps between serious and fun, and does it well. The more upbeat music sounds like your typical fanfare coming from an anime, but I like it nonetheless. Listen Nippon Ichi's Phantom Brave soundtrack, it's a nice upbeat listen, even though I've heard the game is not like that. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Who doesn't love going into Goron City just to hear the music? For a game with an instrument in the title, the music had better be good. I love all the Zelda music, but I think by far, this soundtrack is one of my favorites. Plus, I loved playing all those tunes on the Ocarina; the music always seemed so hauntingly good. Shadow of the Colossus This one I actually have to base off of just listening alone, and my own imagination as to what happens in the game (I swear I'll buy it!). The music gives me the feeling as though I'd be watching an epic fantasy movie as opposed to playing a video game. It wants to put me into a passive mode and just absorb all that's going on in my surroundings. Music this powerful is extremely rare, and I'm glad to be listening to it. Halo Halo's music is simply jaw dropping. It seems to be composed on an epic scale, and certainly delivers as so. My only complaint is that while I play through the game, the music really only catches my attention once in a while. When you hear it in game, sure it's wonderful, but a lot of times, it just doesn't make itself prevalent enough. I think the reason is because there really isn't much "combat" or "boss" type music, where the music is a lot more active and intense. Kingdom Hearts I have a soft spot for Disney music. I lived fairly close to Disneyland as a child, and could go there once a month or so if my parents decided on it. So, getting to hear a mix of kickass music with Disney music just makes my day. The music for the battles was great, although not all the fights were so enjoyable. Definitely one that makes me happy to hear when playing. Now I know I'm not the end-all-be-all on this. Those in the community had their own voice on this issue. Some of the other soundtracks suggested by those in the forums: Savant's Picks: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Being a big fanboy of the Castlevania series, it is no secret that this is by far the best in the series, both gameplay-wise and soundtrack-wise. I loved the fact that you could unlock the music test mode and just listen to everything. The "Prologue" guitar track for when you play as Richter in the beginning I listened to constantly. Not to mention the Clock Tower (Bloody Tears) music. Everything in this game just went so perfectly, it's scary. This is by far the best video game soundtrack. Ever. Super Metroid Another class-act when it comes down to memorable music. Remember the first time you heard the Miridia music, dark and moody. or how about when you faced Ridley for the first time? I bet you all can remember exactly how the music sounded... I certainly do. Poopface Morty's number one would be... F-Zero GX Before all else, I think F-Zero GX has one of the best soundtracks out there. It does what it should, provides fast paced heart-pumping tunes to a fast paced twitch racer, and personally I love all the music for it. Hell, each character in the character select screen has their own theme music (the monkey has hilarious thrash metal shit, it's awesome) which is phenomenal attention to detail. Cosmo Tunnel, Port Town, and Aeropolis are probably the highlights for me, although Mute City still rocks as always. Have your own favorite soundtrack? Go post it up in the forum! Also see Niero's top 10 video game soundtrack poll from April.