TimeSplitters to Tetris to Wario to Wind Waker.
P.N. 03
Appropriately clean and dance-y, this soundtrack matches the rhythmic style of the game with a toe-tapping techno sensibility.
Resident Evil 4
While revelatory in its overhauling of the series’ creaky mechanics, RE4 also offered up an equally frightening mass of music. Whether through ambient whispers or all-out strains of fear, the soundtrack matches the horrific, shambling dread of the game.
Skies of Arcadia: Legends
Though Legends is a port of the Dreamcast original, its music is still some of the best on the ‘Cube. A boundlessly optimistic disposition and proficient execution never get stale, and make the audio package a treat.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Until it was surpassed by Brawl, Melee was arguably the finest collection of Nintendo-specific music available. With a robust musical catalogue that celebrates the standbys as well as the lesser-knowns, Melee acts as the de facto comprehensive box set for some of the best Nintendo-related tunes.
Super Mario Sunshine
Though the main game often receives some arguably undeserved antipathy, it’s much harder to debate the merits of its one-of-a-kind musical style. The tropical setting and visuals are matched by the plucky, laid back swing of the audio, as well as a few abstractly appropriate cuts.
Tales of Symphonia
The soundtrack to this RPG is both energetic and eloquent, moving from high-speed battle pieces to quietly contemplative melodies without feeling disjointed.
Tetris Worlds
The standard Tetris songs and style are absent here, replaced by a steady stream of electronic beats. It may lack the nostalgia of the block game’s original ditties, but it’s an extremely tight bundle of catchy songs.
TimeSplitters 2
The multiple locales of TS2 directly impact the music in some particularly diverse ways. You’ll hear strains of saxophone-laden noir jazz in Chicago, thumping techno on Planet X, and a sublime/roaring spaghetti anthem in the Wild West.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
As dictated by much of its presentation and subject matter, Twilight Princess’s music often exudes a somber maturity, though it’s hardly bereft of the series’ sense of wonder.
Viewtiful Joe
A game of this amplitude deserves a fun action movie soundtrack, and Viewtiful Joe has that in spades. It’s full of dorky-cool pseudo-rock tracks that, in addition to playing off the innocent ego-driven traits of Joe, are just fun to listen to.
Wario World
Wario’s 3D treatment is a bit more mischievous than Mario’s, a fact that comes across in the funky bombast of the soundtrack. While a little of the character’s attitude finds its way into the music, it doesn’t hinder the creativity or enthusiasm of the songs at all.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
If Twilight Princess and its music represent the realistic, mature incarnation of the series, then Wind Waker is undoubtedly the timeless, abstract portrait. The high-seas conceit of the game impacts the whole soundtrack, imbuing many a moment with musical grace and resonance.