2023 hasn’t simply been a banger 12 months for high quality online game releases — it is also been a bloomin’ good 12 months for online game music.
At Nintendo Life, we normally give online game soundtracks somewhat shout-out in our general lists, however this 12 months, we need to do issues a bit otherwise, as a result of frankly, there’s simply an excessive amount of good music on the market to squeeze it into one part of one other record, proper?
We’ve chosen 16 — or 14, with two particular choices — of the best musical medleys on Nintendo Switch. From RPGs to traditional 2D platformers, and heavy rock to sweeping orchestras, there’s one thing for everybody. And even in case you do not love the sport, you may simply love the music. We’ve largely stayed away from ports for this record, with one exception, however we’ll give some others a particular point out on the finish.
Have a have a look at our picks under, after which ensure you select your favorite soundtrack of 2023 in our ballot on the finish.
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is 2D Mario again on prime type — and that features its splendidly eclectic soundtrack. From the very first trailer and the acoustic guitar cheerfully strumming away, we knew the music would seize the attraction and weirdness of Wonder completely. Each “World” has its personal theme or choice of devices that feels fairly completely different from earlier 2D Mario music whereas additionally evoking that nostalgic “fun” that all of us felt rising up and taking part in Mario.
Recommended tracks: ‘Athletic Theme‘, ‘Piranha Plants on Parade’, ‘Petal Isles’, ‘Shining Falls’
Publisher: Team Reptile / Developer: Team Reptile
It’s solely proper that Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, which was closely impressed by Jet Set Radio, is on this record. A handful of unbiased musicians joined with Jet Set composer Hideki Naganuma to curate a contemporary and funky sound for this skating journey sport that oozes fashion and charisma. Notable names embody 2 Mello, GRRL, Knxwledge, and KiloWatts, making a soundtrack that’s going to be on our summer season playlist for years to return.
Recommended tracks: ‘I Wanna Kno‘, ‘Condensed Milk’, ‘Feel The Funk (Computer Love)’, ‘GET ENUF’
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Publisher: Sabotage / Developer: Sabotage
If you’ve got performed The Messenger, you then should not be shocked to see Sea of Stars sail onto this record. Eric Brown has established himself as a retro-style grasp, however whereas Sea of Stars’ music actually evokes the classics with its epic boss music, catching overworld themes, and chirpy city themes. Music embodies a lot of Sea of Stars — to the purpose that there is a complete CD’s value of canopy songs by the in-game pirate musicians. Even with out Yasunori Mitsuda’s fantastic contributions, Sea of Stars would sit comfortably as among the finest soundtracks of 2023.
Recommended tracks: ‘Trials within the Mist‘, ‘Encounter Elite!’, ‘Serenade of Respite (Night)’, ‘Volcanic Pursit’
Publisher: Humble Bundle / Developer: Summerfall Studios
What a novel idea for a role-playing visible novel — a musical! — and it really works tremendously. We should not be shocked as a result of Austin Wintory (composer of Journey) stands on the conductor’s podium, and Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is proof that the musical fashion can completely work as a online game. While the highlights of this Greek God-starring, Buffy: The Vampire Slayer-inspired musical are certainly the vocal tracks, there are many lovely, calming, and heartfelt instrumental songs to assist tie the entire thing collectively in a cohesive approach.
Recommended tracks: ‘Adrift‘, ‘Pan’s Garden‘, ‘Look into Me‘, ‘I Can Teach You‘
(*16*)
Publisher: Team17 / Developer: The Game Kitchen
Carlos Viola has as soon as once more taken our breath away with beautiful flamenco-style guitars and sombre strings with Blasphemous 2’s gorgeous soundtrack. And whereas Carlos builds on the fashion that made Blasphemous’ soundtrack successful, there’s much more selection this time round — extra piano, extra organ, extra electrical guitar, and so on. The Game Kitchen’s in-house composer deserves extra recognition for his gorgeous work on these two video games (and The Last Door).
Recommended tracks: ‘Sobre Sus Costales‘, ‘Corona de Siete Azahares’, ‘Clavada’, ‘Lamentos de Arena’
Publisher: Raw Fury / Developer: Bytten Studio
Cassette Beasts is one other sport on this “best of” record the place the sport is firmly rooted in music — you remodel into creatures by utilizing a cassette, in any case! Joel Baylis determined to embrace this within the sport’s music, notably the battle themes. Each battle track is available in two variations — one instrumental model, which performs in common fights, and a vocal model, which kicks in if you and your companion’s Cassette Beasts fuse collectively. Some of the sport’s most poignant moments go hand-in-hand with these lyrical moments, making a British pop-punk soundtrack that may resonate with a complete technology of adults.
Recommended tracks: ‘Wherever We Are Now‘, ‘New Wirral (Night)‘, ‘Same Old Story‘, ‘Like Chimeras‘
Publisher: Square Enix / Developer: Square Enix
In this humble writer’s opinion, Octopath Traveler II may simply have the greatest soundtrack of the 12 months. Yasunori Nishiki already blew us away in 2018 along with his rating for the primary sport, however by some means, he exceeded himself in Octopath Traveler II. The OST boasts a staggering 131 songs over six discs. While there are day and evening themes for every space, and completely different variations of boss themes interwoven with character motifs, that assist bolster that quantity, what’s really superb is the quantity of variation on provide right here. From jazz to rock opera to lovely piano items, Octopath Traveler II’s music merely doesn’t miss.
Recommended tracks: ‘Critical Clash II’, ‘Partitio, the Merchant‘, ‘Ku, Land of the Scarlet Sunset‘, ‘Octopath Traveler II (Main Theme)‘
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo
Yes, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom makes use of a variety of Breath of the Wild’s music — which has proved controversial to some Zelda followers over time. At the identical time, Tears of the Kingdom listened to a few of these criticisms and exploring Hyrule a second time round, you may discover there’s much more music to please your ears. Zelda has at all times been a grasp at musical callbacks, and explicit dungeon and boss themes play to that power immensely. There’s additionally the superbly weightless piano as you dive to the floor, the catchy theme of your base city, and all of these eerie sounds as you discover the Depths. Put it on a disc, Nintendo — now!
Recommended tracks: ‘Sky Islands’, ‘Colgera Battle’, ‘Water Temple’, ‘Flux Construct’
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