And I’m talking about all genres . I’m an active OST listener since the beginning of the N64/PS1-era to this generation (and upcoming if you count Vita/3DS/Wii U games). I’ve always liked Nintendo music but most other companies like Sony/Microsoft and smaller game developers seem to go a similar way: going to a movie-like experience and therefore all their music sound the same. Of course, there are some exceptions like God of War and the first Halo-games. But most are losing their thematic tunes and are going into an orchestral cinematic experience. Nintendo has music you never hear anywhere else of almost any kind. Epic, fun, happy, calm, beautiful and simple but clever. So I’ve been listening almost solely the OST of Nintendo games the last few years.  Especially Xenoblade and Super Mario Galaxy are extraordinary and instant classics (also the games themselves). I’m now enjoying the Mario&Luigi Dream Team OST a lot. My favorites are listed below.

Do you guys agree, or are there some beautiful soundtracks from Sony/Microsoft I should try?

 Xenoblade Chronicles

Satorl Marsh Night (Orchestrated): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kik9wY7RMgo

Agni Ratha (day): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWnTwlH0DNc

Super Mario Galaxy 1/2

Battlerock Galaxy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYhmHovdBxY

Bowser Battle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zSaeutJ7Ws

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

Victory in the Dream World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B43bXrRVPFE

Dreamy Castle Rendezvous: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WqjW-J1jBo

Animal Crossing New Leaf

1PM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3rtW1G2Ixg

7PM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmtKHo7GB64

Pikmin 3

Main Theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXdNLpOrwFQ

Rainy Weather: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1QdVLJJVjw

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

The Sky: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRbROTdOgj0

Ballad of the Goddess: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23hJeaLotEw

New Super Mario Bros. Series

Acorn Plains: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z7t5ht8JOg

Sparkling Waters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq-sk_Nm42Y

Donkey Kong Country Returns

Tree Top Rock Returns: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dyqM9vu81s

Forest Frenzy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGf7Px8Bavk

Of course, tastes are pretty much subjective. But I find that all three companies have enjoyables OSTs.

Xenoblade and M&L OST are by a 3rd party composer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Shimomura#Biography

Nintendo hires composers that can create memorable soundtracks (Koji Kondo (Mario, Zelda), Kenji Yamamoto (DKCR, Metroid), Mahito Yokota (Galaxy), and Hirokaza Tanaka (Animal Crossing) did the games you listed, and I also like Yuka Tsujiyoko (Fire Emblem), Jun Ishikawa (Kirby) and Junichi Masuda (Pokemon).

But there are others in the industry that can do this. Yoko Shimomura who worked on Dream Team and Xenoblade that you listed has plenty of other games. Also look at Motoi Sakuraba (Tales of), Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy) and Yuzo Koshiro (Ys).

It's more like, only Japan can do it. As you say, the West are more interested in background, film score like composers. Again though, there are a few who are capable of being memorable. Jeremy Soule (Skyrim) is someone who does both.

Lately, I feel games are ashamed of BEING games and all want to be cinematic. From Versus XIII to Skyward Sword to Starcraft II, everything wants to be a film now. So memorable soundtracks are getting rarer. Plus all of the 80s composers are retiring/moving away from composing.

Many Nintendo sountracks give a good feel for the game im playing, and they are varied. Koji Kondo is a freaking genius.


The only soundtrack i can remember from Uncharted 1 & 2, is the main theme though. I cant remember any other Sony soundtracks unless they are older Playstation titles like Ape Escape

I think Halo games have pretty good Ost but the most memorable are usually the main themes.

Valak Mountain (Night)

I thought Skyward Sword OST was indeed a bit dissapointing, but I can't say it was cinematic? Do you have some examples?

I only listed 2 Xenoblade songs but believe me I've more than 20 and they're all beautiful. Never expected a modern game to have such beautiful music. It feels new but also retro JRPG-like.