The Most Underrated Game Soundtracks You Need to Hear

19 February 2026

Let’s be real for a second—game soundtracks don’t always get the credit they deserve. When you think of unforgettable game music, your mind probably jumps to the colossal names: The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, Halo, or The Elder Scrolls. And yeah, those are absolutely iconic, no doubt. But what about the hidden gems? The melodies that sneak into your soul without fanfare, the tracks that get stuck in your head long after the credits roll—those that never really made it to the limelight?

That’s what we’re diving into today. I’ve handpicked some of the most underrated game soundtracks you absolutely need to hear. These aren’t “just good for a game”—they’re excellent, period. So grab your headphones, crank up the volume, and get ready to uncover some musical gold.

Why Game Soundtracks Matter More Than You Think

Think about the last time a game really moved you. Was it the story? The characters? Maybe. But I’d bet the music had a lot to do with it too.

Soundtracks are the emotional backbone of games. They guide your feelings, pump up your adrenaline, hit you right in the feels, and sometimes… they go completely unnoticed.

That’s a shame—because some of the best composers out there are quietly scoring games that don’t always get the spotlight. Let’s change that.

1. Transistor – Darren Korb's Electronic Poetry

If you’ve played Transistor, you already know where I’m going with this. If not—good news, you’re in for a treat.

Darren Korb (who also composed Bastion and Hades) crafts a lush, hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that fuses electronic, jazz, and acoustic elements in a way that feels both futuristic and emotional. Tracks like “Old Friends” and “In Circles” make you feel like you're floating through a neon-lit dreamscape.

What makes it underrated? People often praise Hades now (as they should), but Transistor walked so Hades could run. This soundtrack is a full-on vibe.

🎧 Recommended Track: “The Spine”

2. Nier – Keiichi Okabe’s Masterpiece Before It Was Cool

Okay, before Nier: Automata made waves, there was the original Nier on PS3 and Xbox 360—a quirky, bizarre, yet oddly touching RPG that was mostly ignored upon release. But the soundtrack? Pure magic.

Composed by Keiichi Okabe, the Nier OST blends haunting vocals, invented languages (yes—made-up ones), and sweeping orchestral arrangements into something that feels heartbreakingly beautiful. It’s the kind of music you don’t forget. Even if you didn’t play the game, this music will mess with your emotions—in the best way possible.

🎧 Recommended Track: “Song of the Ancients – Fate”

3. Fez – Disasterpeace’s Pixelated Chill

Fez is a game all about perspective, and so is its music. The soundtrack, composed by Disasterpeace (who later did the score for cult horror film It Follows), is a minimalist, atmospheric blend of ambient synths that feels like drifting through a dream.

What makes this soundtrack special is how perfectly it aligns with the game’s vibe. It’s not trying to overpower. It’s there in the background like a soft pulse, reminding you that you’re somewhere mysterious, outside of time.

🎧 Recommended Track: “Adventure”

4. Shadow of the Colossus – Subtlety Done Right

Look, Shadow of the Colossus has one of the most emotionally charged and dynamic soundtracks ever created. And still, somehow, it gets overshadowed in mainstream lists.

Kow Otani’s work here is jaw-dropping. It’s orchestral, it’s powerful, but it knows when to shut up too. The silence in this game is as poignant as the music. Then when the battle theme kicks in as you face a towering colossus, it’s like the orchestra punches through the clouds.

🎧 Recommended Track: “Revived Power”

5. Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean – RPG Music You Never Heard

This GameCube RPG is practically invisible today, but composer Motoi Sakuraba (also known for Tales series and Dark Souls) went absolutely off with this soundtrack.

What makes it special? It doesn’t stick to RPG norms. It brings in jazz, flamenco, and even metal influences. It’s like a mashup of musical genres having a beautifully chaotic party.

🎧 Recommended Track: “The True Mirror”

6. Risk of Rain – Lo-Fi Excellence in Outer Space

Don’t let the pixel art fool you. The soundtrack of Risk of Rain, composed by Chris Christodoulou, is a masterclass in blending lo-fi, sci-fi, and straight-up groove.

It’s got a lonely, desolate kind of feel—exactly the mood you want when you're fighting for your life on an alien planet. Yet underneath it all, there’s something oddly hopeful. It’s the kind of music you could study to, or cry to, or both.

🎧 Recommended Track: “Coalescence”

7. Vagrant Story – PS1 Cult Classic, Timeless Score

If you grew up during the PS1 era and you missed this gem, don’t worry—you’re not alone. But Vagrant Story had one of the most atmospheric and mature scores of the time.

Composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto (also known for Final Fantasy Tactics), the music is dark, cinematic, and emotional. It feels more like a film score than a traditional game soundtrack, and that’s what makes it stand out.

🎧 Recommended Track: “Graylands Incident”

8. Turrican II: The Final Fight – Old-School Banger That Still Slaps

Let’s roll it back to the early ‘90s. Turrican II might not ring a bell unless you were deep into the Commodore Amiga scene, but let me tell you—the music, composed by Chris Hülsbeck, is legendary.

It’s energetic, melodic, and has that perfect nostalgic synth-rock vibe that still holds up today. If you love chiptunes or retro gaming music, this is the gold standard.

🎧 Recommended Track: “The Final Fight”

9. ICO – Whispers in the Wind

ICO didn’t need booming orchestras or thumping beats. It needed nuance—and that’s exactly what we got. Michiru Oshima and Koichi Yamazaki created a delicate, emotional, and minimalist score that feels more like poetry than music.

It’s sparse, lonely, and achingly beautiful. Just like the game itself.

🎧 Recommended Track: “You Were There”

10. Furi – Synthwave Heaven

This game is criminally underrated in every department, and the soundtrack is no exception. A collaboration between several synthwave artists like Carpenter Brut, Danger, and The Toxic Avenger, Furi’s soundtrack is a relentless barrage of high-energy beats and retro-cool vibes.

Perfect background music for workouts, late-night drives, or fighting neon-drenched bosses.

🎧 Recommended Track: “You’re Mine” – Carpenter Brut

Why These Soundtracks Deserve More Love

Here’s the thing: music is personal. Some of these soundtracks may not have made big waves commercially—but they hit hard emotionally. They’re unconventional, experimental, and often overlooked simply because the game itself didn’t top the charts.

But music isn’t about popularity contests. It’s about the feeling it gives you—the immersive power, the goosebumps, the nostalgia, the connection. And all of these soundtracks? Yeah. They’ve got all that in spades.

How to Listen to These Masterpieces

Not sure where to start? Here are a few tips to soak in these underrated gems the right way:

- Use headphones – Trust me, it makes a huge difference.
- Listen while working or studying – Many of these tracks were designed to help you focus and feel.
- Add them to playlists – Great for “lo-fi vibes,” “epic focus,” or “late night drives.”
- Support the composers – If you fall in love with any track, go buy the album or follow the artist. They deserve it.

Final Thoughts

Game music is way more than background noise—it’s the soul of the experience. It takes the pixels on screen and fills them with emotion, energy, and depth. And while mega-hits like Skyrim and Mario will always be front and center, these underrated soundtracks deserve to share the stage.

So go ahead. Dive into these lesser-known sonic worlds. Who knows? You might just find your new all-time favorite.