Notable for its distinctive electronic sound and colorful melodies, chiptune music has been around since the early video game consoles of the 1980s and has continued to play a significant role in influencing modern video game soundtracks.
The SNES remains a critical console for old-school gamers, beloved for its countless games, many of which still hold up even to this day. The classic games that blessed the SNES may be known for their iconic gameplay and graphics, but their soundtracks hold a special place in many gamers' hearts too.
10 Earthbound
One of the greatest RPGs to grace the SNES, Earthbound is still considered by many classic video game aficionados to be one of the greatest games ever made. The soundtrack is one of the most critical elements of the game. With a diverse mix of catchy tunes, atmospheric ambiance, and vibrant soundscapes, the soundtrack is quite varied and players are unlikely to ever get bored with the continuous flow of great music.
9 Super Metroid
Another SNES essential, Super Metroid has a stellar soundtrack filled with techno beats and intense choirs. The instrumentation is really unique, including jarring pianos, shuffling drums, and tense electronic progressions. There is always an impending sense of doom in the soundtrack and every song seems to fit the game perfectly as Samus makes her way around the mysterious planet Zebes.
8 Chrono Trigger
The SNES was truly innovative in terms of how many RPG series started on the console. The genre owes a lot to the SNES for bringing a higher standard to the world of RPGs. Chrono Trigger is a shining example of just how important the early days of the genre were in terms of gameplay and story, but the soundtrack is nothing to be scoffed at either.
The music is beautiful and makes full use of the chiptune sound to craft some incredibly lush and memorable songs alongside some frighteningly intense tracks.
7 Donkey Kong Country
The music in Donkey Kong Country is downright hypnotic. A staple of the platformer genre on the SNES, DKC is a great time thanks to the catchy songs composed for the game. Constantly jumping around from catchy beats to melodic ambient tracks, the game changes things up for each level as the player progresses. The songs each have a unique structure to them and they tend to stick in one's head for several days.
6 Super Mario World
What would the SNES be without Super Mario World? An iconic game on so many levels, Super Mario World is one of the best 2D platformers to ever land in gamer's hands. The goofy soundtrack is just as iconic, and it brings forth some of the most memorable Mario music. It might not be the longest or most diverse soundtrack to come from an SNES game, but it is arguably the catchiest and most influential.
5 F-Zero
Perhaps the coolest soundtrack on the SNES, F-Zero has some of the most extreme chiptune songs featured in any classic game. The cherished futuristic racing game is renowned for its difficulty and memorable courses, but it's the soundtrack that ties it all together. Each course has a unique sound to it and the constant barrage of beeps is a perfect match for the high intensity of the racing.
4 Kirby Super Star
Every Kirby game seems to have a knockout soundtrack and Super Star is no exception. Many of the songs are similar to previous game soundtracks, but the crisp beeps and boops are mesmerizing nonetheless.
It's a light-hearted group of tracks, but there is still something remarkably beautiful in just how perfect each song is. Players are liable to just stand around and listen to the songs without moving forward.
3 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time
When the Turtles are involved, the music has to be cool. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles go back in time in this SNES beat 'em up classic featuring a stellar soundtrack that is just as radical as the Turtles are. The catchy nonstop action of the songs fit the brawler gameplay well and the wall of sound in each level is darn near psychedelic. The fun never ceases with this gem of a game.
2 Star Fox
It is only fitting that the soundtrack for Star Fox matches the eerie outer space atmosphere of the game. The extraordinary soundtrack of the original 3D space shooter is gripping, catchy, and oddly funky. Songs have a way of meshing together nicely and the whole game feels all the more complete thanks to these killer tunes. The wide range of sound effects and rhythms help solidify this game as an SNES essential.
1 Secret Of Mana
This entire list could have been comprised of SNES RPGs. Secret of Mana is a beautiful video game with an equally beautiful soundtrack that still sounds as fresh as it did almost thirty years ago. The songs are inspired, nostalgic, and filled with life. Every track is a breath of fresh air that further ties the game together. It's a great soundtrack for a great game that will hopefully continue to find an audience well into the future of gaming.