Keeping this particular tradition alive, just like I've done the last few years, I am going to start keeping track of this year's best video game soundtracks in this thread. It's often very easy to forget or simply overlook some of the year's best video game scores when the award season comes along at the end of the year, especially if the game in question was released very early in the year. It's definitely happened to me in the past.

As such, in order for that not to happen at least as much, I will put together a single, hopefully handy chart that lists as many of the best soundtracks of 2026 as possible in an easily readable form that also contains links to songs from each soundtrack, so people can have a listen for themselves.

I will naturally add to the list on my own whenever I come across video game soundtracks that I think deserve to be heard, but I would also like for everyone else to leave their suggestions in this thread as well, with links to some music tracks from the games if possible. I will collect them all into the list throughout the year as well. The only limitation is that the game has to be released in 2026. All suggestions are appreciated.

I've been taking a listen to a few OSTs these last few days, and the one that stood out from them was Code Vein II. Some excellent music in this one.

Not really new but still a great soundtrack.  Going to post some songs from Forza Horizon 6 in May. 

Been ages since I last updated this thread, busy year I guess. Anyway, here's a few very good scores I've had the chance to check recently. Let me know of any great new scores you've come across this year so I can add them to list.

SAROS:

TRAILS BEYOND THE HORIZON

MARATHON

Would Starfox (2026) be eligible? It's music is based on the 1997 game but its been remade with new intrumentation.

Generally the idea with this thread has always been that any score that would be eligible for the site's best original score award at the end of the year is fine. In the past that has included titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which featured plenty of rearranged versions of the original's music, but also tons of entirely new stuff. I guess it depends on whether it's all just new versions of old music, or if there's some new original pieces as well.

All the music from the Yoshi and the Mysterious Book trailers sounds very much up-my-alley. I anticipate this game to be a top contender, though we’ll see about that once it releases. I haven’t played enough games from 2026 to give much of a meaningful answer at the moment, though the Mina, Bubsy, Yoshi, Star Fox, Rhythm Heaven, Splatoon Raider combo should give me something. (Though if OoT is getting remade, yeah nothings touching that lol.)

Had time to check another score I'd had good things about in Cairn, and I'd say it is genuinely great. The music in the game has a nice, unique style that mixes various different genres together, likely owing to the fact that the three people who put the score together each have a very distinct sound as well.