My brother was lucky enough to snag a Nintendo Classic during the few weeks they were available. I’ve played it a few times and the nostalgia is pretty powerful. Last weekend, I was there for Father’s Day (he lives with my folks) and put in a good few hours on the thing. Lots of music has really taken me back, even with only the couple dozen games this system offers.
In no particular order:
Punch Out, title bout cut scene;
SMB2, desert tune;
SMB3, toad house;
Metroid, when you collect a new weapon or ability. The title screen theme is great, too;
Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest, mansion music;
Tecmo Bowl, between quarters;
If I had to pick the most spine tingling, it would be that weird, wobbly song that plays when a Reaper spots Pit in Kid Icarus. Side note, this game is a lot harder than I remembered.
The Cosmo Canyon theme from FFVII.
Eyes On You, from FFVIII.
There’s a lot of great music in other games, but those are the only two I can think of that stir any emotions other than general happiness or ‘gogogogogo!’
Defcon, from Introversion Software, has a eerily effective soundtrack; it was available on iTunes, and I got it.
Imperium Galactica II had an awesome soundtrack, if you like electronica in the least bit.
People of the North Pole from Final Fantasy X, as the party climbs Mount Gagazet.
Besaid Island from the same game. Really, the entire FFX soundtrack is phenomenal.
The soundtrack for Horizon Zero Dawn is simply amazing. Like, Hollywood-blockbuster-oscar-winning-quality amazing.
My favourite is #39, A Wanderer’s Work.
Now that is a creepy piece of music.
This occurred to me: Baba Yetu by Christopher Tin as played in Civilization IV.
Some of the Ecco the Dolphin soundtrack, this being the crown jewel
Troubled Souls had amazing background music.
Melodies of Life from Final Fantasy IX. There are many renditions but this particular piano recording is the only version, I think, that really captures the essence of the piece.
Red Dead Redemption: “Far Away”
Planescape: Torment. All of it, really.
In terms of actual chills (as opposed to just “video game music that you like”), I submit:
The full soundtrack to Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture
This song from Valkyrie Profile
The first PC game that was released solely on CD-ROM was The 7th Guest; it even came with a second (music) CD of just the theme. This should bring back some memories!
That is one of my favorite games, sad that the design team and the sequal fell apart so badly
+1. It’s an amazing piece of music.
I love Christopher Tin’s music in Civilization.
Civilization VI’s opening theme makes me want to go out and plant my flag in a heretofore undiscovered continent.
When I was little I found the music to Marble Madness scary, but I guess that’s not what you’re asking.
The entire soundtrack of Ori and the Blind Forest was amazing.
This is a cheat, but on the spine-chilling scale nothing beats Barber’s Adagio for Strings, which appeared in Homeworld.