Summary
Nintendohas created what is arguably the best-known music library in video gaming. The company’s game soundtracks dominate pop culture, fromSuper Mario Bros.all the way up to YouTube mixes of tunes fromAnimal Crossing. These are compositions so singular they can be enjoyed without playing the games they’re taken from.
For years, Nintendo withheld its game music from music-streaming services. However, that has all changed with the surprise unveiling ofNintendo Music, an app that dropped recently to the delight of fans around the world. There is a stack of playlists ready to enjoy, so here is a ranked list of the standout selections.
All playlists at the time of writing are subject to regular changes by Nintendo so the track-listing and length may look different in the future.
10Victory!
Winners Only In This Short-But-Sweet Mix
Many gamers will be familiar with the feeling of plugging away at a level orboss battle, again and again, only to be met with failure every time. When they triumph, however, the sense of joy is palpable and the celebratory jingle that drops at this moment only adds to the sense of achievement.
“Victory!” is 30+ tracks dedicated to this very feeling, with level completion fanfare like “Kirby Dance” inKirby’s Dream Landsitting next to more dramatic selections like the track “Boss Defeated” theme fromThe Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time. These micro-tunes add up to only 20 minutes, but it’s a great selection to inspire the urge to win in the listener.
9Good Night
Take A Train To Sleepytown With These Soothers
Nintendo excels atcozy gaming, and that’s reflected in this diverse selection of music taken from a slew of titles across the gaming spectrum. All of them are downtempo and intended to soothe the listener and help them wind down at the end of the day, and there are some truly great cuts in this mix.
There are some obvious inclusions like “K.K.’s Lullaby” fromAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsbut also some deeper cuts like “Record: Naptime” fromNintendogs, and the aural ambient hug that is the Wii Menu theme. The result is a warm, relaxing experience that provides nearly 90 minutes of relaxation.
8Splatfests
The Splatoonverse Comes To Life In A Thumping Compilation
AlthoughSplatoonis a relatively new IP for Nintendo, it already has a dedicated following, and its in-game aesthetic is a world unto itself. The game’s music is influenced by techno, hip-hop, idol singers, and world music, all of which instantly bring to mind images of Inklings and Octolings doing battle.
“Splatfests” is a jubilant, celebratory best-of which takes a selection of themes found inSplatoon 3and throws them all together for an energizing mix, whether it’s the Squid Sisters dropping “Tomorrow’s Nostalgia Today” or supremely pumping “Fins In The Air/Deep Cut.”
7Friends Of The Island
Animal Crossing’s Service Industry Gets Its Time To Shine
Animal Crossing’s music is such that it has inspired a host of dedicated fans. YouTube has plenty of love letters from the game’s followers, whether it’s live cover versions or long-form mixes of the best music from the games, going all the way back to the very first game for Nintendo 64.
“Friends Of The Island” is dedicated tothe hard-working villagerswho appear inAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, with the many pieces of music that accompany them while they’re getting the job done. “Isabelle’s Broadcast” is in there, as is music from popular coffee spot The Roost and perpetually busy haberdashers The Able Sisters.
6Hyrule Life
It’s Not All Moblins And Boss Battles
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wildwas seen by many as not only a return to form for theZeldaseriesbut also a huge leap forward in gameplay and atmosphere. Several aspects of the beloved franchise were reinvented for the game, including its approach to music.
“Hyrule Life” does a similar job to “Friends Of The Island,” with music from the NPCs who meet, assist or sometimes confront Link as he tries to save Zelda and the kingdom. The more mystical tracks include venerable entries like “Impa Speaks” and “Meeting The Deku Tree” but there are also more upbeat selections like “Bolson Construction” and “Hateno Ancient Tech Lab.”
5Galaxy Tour
One Of Mario’s Finest Hours Is Given Special Treatment
Super Mario Galaxyis one of the best Mario games ever made, no mean feat consideringhow many impressive titles in the seriescame before it. One of the best new additions was a stunning orchestral soundtrack, which created a suitably epic sense of scale in line with the game’s cosmic setting.
“Galaxy Tour” is a Greatest Hits of that soundtrack, running in chronological order from Mario’s arrival at the Star Festival all the way through to his epic final showdown with Bowser. Along the way, there are some sublime pieces and level themes and they conjure up a cinematic atmosphere.
4K.K. Slider (Performances)
A Setlist Of Bangers From Animal Crossing’s Chillaxing Songsmith
Laid-back minstrel K.K. Slider is synonymous with theAnimal Crossingseries, and his music is throughout the game, notably over the credits forAnimal Crossing: New Horizons. Completionists who are familiar with the game will have spent several hours hunting high and low for the many discs that can be played at home.
His “Performances” playlist removes the hard labor in sourcing the music. With a hefty 110 tracks clocking in at over 4 hours, it’s a thoroughly comprehensive round-up of K.K.’s efforts across many different genres, from K.K. Samba to K.K. Disco. For anyone who fears oversaturation of K.K.’s vocals, there’s also an “Instrumentals” playlist available in the app.
3Running
Get Some Good Cardio In With An Array Of Nintendo Classics
Taking inspiration from themed playlists, which are now the standard in Spotify and Apple Music, Nintendo Music’s Running playlist enables listeners to strap on their shoes and put their best foot forward with over an hour of tunes whose upbeat tempo is well-suited to runners.
Listeners will be able to get off to a high-tempo start with selections like “Rainbow Road” fromMario Kart 8 Deluxe, before enjoying some of the more cartoonish inclusions like “The Bound Bowl Grand Prix” fromSuper Mario Odyssey. As they cross the finish line they can enjoy cuts fromThe Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of TimeandPokemon Scarlet/Violet.
2Break Time
Perfectly Crafted For Relaxing
Listeners can concoct their favorite hot beverage, sit back and enjoy some of the most relaxed music in video games, with this playlist that harks back to bespoke chill-out playlists, many of which are crafted specifically to help people chill, work, or study. Whether listeners need a soundtrack to their coffee break or something gentle to help them stay focused, this is the playlist for the job.
Some of the most ear-pleasing tracks that Nintendo has to offer were hand-picked for this mix, which throws in the more gentle offerings from games likeThe Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The WildandAnimal Crossing: New Horizons.
1The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Top Tracks
The Best Selections From A Video Gaming Legend
Not only isThe Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Timewidely regarded as one of the best games ever made, it’s music is also hailed as one of the greatest gaming soundtracks ever created. Nintendo’s in-house composer Koji Kondo came up with a mind-blowing assortment of epic themes and earworms, which are now as loved as the game they’re taken from.
The Top Tracks playlist for this game leads the listener through all the most well-known or distinctive tracks from the soundtrack, from the unforgettable title theme to the exhilarating “Hyrule Field Main Theme” and the climactic final gauntlet of “Ganon’s Tower,” “Ganondorf Battle” and “Last Battle.” Game music doesn’t get any better than this, and it deserves its ranking at no. 1.
