Forty years ago, one of the most beloved icons of all time was born: Super Mario Bros., the video game that revolutionized the world of digital entertainment.
Developed and published by Nintendo for the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) in 1985, the game defined a genre, launched an endless saga, and—above all—gifted us one of the most recognizable soundtracks in history.
There are melodies that take just a few seconds to transport us back in time; sounds that defined an era and continue to live in the minds of millions of now-grown children. We’re talking about the Super Mario Bros. main themes, as well as other intros from classic games that still manage to spark emotions, memories, and moments of pure magic.
Here are five legendary soundtracks that made history and continue to make us dream.
Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Not everyone knows that the story of the world’s most famous mustachioed plumber actually began a few years earlier, in 1981, with Donkey Kong. At the time, the protagonist was still called Jumpman, and his mission was to rescue his girlfriend from the clutches of a gorilla.
That game, simple yet brilliant, laid the foundations for what would become Super Mario, the ultimate adventure hero.
In Super Mario Bros., Mario and his brother Luigi must travel through eight worlds to save Princess Peach from the evil Bowser, facing enemies like Goombas, Koopa Troopas, and Bullet Bill.
The success was immediate: within ten years, it sold over 40 million copies, cementing Nintendo as the undisputed leader of the industry.
One of the key elements of its triumph was undoubtedly the music. Composed by Koji Kondo, the Super Mario Bros. soundtrack brought something entirely new to video games: a musical theme designed to accompany and amplify the gameplay, not just fill the silence.
The famous Overworld Theme, with its cheerful and syncopated rhythm, has become a universal symbol of pop culture. Kondo was inspired by a Japanese fusion song but turned it into a unique and instantly recognizable masterpiece.
In 2023, the Super Mario Bros. soundtrack was even added to the National Recording Registry of the U.S. Library of Congress—the first video game music ever to receive this honor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
2. Tetris – Korobeiniki (1984)
The well-known Tetris theme—one of the most iconic video game melodies of the late ’80s—has much older origins: it is based on Korobeiniki, a 19th-century Russian folk song.
When programmer Alexey Pajitnov chose it as the background music for his puzzle game, he probably never imagined it would become one of the most recognizable tunes in video game history.
As American Songwriter recounts, its power lies in its simplicity: a few notes that repeat, accelerate, and capture your attention almost magnetically. Hypnotic, urgent, unstoppable—the track accompanies players as the falling blocks speed up.
In 1992, something curious happened: producer Nigel Wright and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber—known for musicals like Cats and The Phantom of the Opera—decided to fuse the famous game melody with the then-popular Eurodance sound.
The result was the cover Tetris by Doctor Spin, released with Nintendo’s official endorsement, which quickly became a hit on dance floors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Legend of Zelda (1986)
Epic, adventurous, and timeless: the main theme of The Legend of Zelda is a true symphony of exploration.
Koji Kondo (once again!) composed this music to evoke the sense of discovery and mystery that runs through every chapter of the saga.
The Legend of Zelda is one of the most beloved and long-running video game franchises in history. Created by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka in 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, it redefined the adventure genre, winning over generations of players and selling more than 150 million copies worldwide.
As Pianote explains, Kondo blended jazz and classical influences to create a theme that not only accompanies the gameplay but also tells its emotional story.
The Main Theme has become synonymous with adventure. It begins with heroic tones and builds into a crescendo that conveys discovery and courage. It’s the music that accompanies Link in his early explorations—and even today, in every new iteration of the game, it still makes fans’ hearts beat faster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (1991)
With Street Fighter II, video game music officially entered the ’90s. Released by Capcom in February 1991 for arcades, the iconic fighting game not only redefined the 2D fighting genre but also gave video game soundtracks a new sonic dimension.
Its opening theme—a powerful 16-bit electronic track—is a burst of energy and adrenaline that immediately captures the essence of the game: tension, determination, and competitive spirit.
It’s music that still brings back memories of battles with friends at arcade cabinets or on a Super Nintendo hooked up to an old CRT television.
Each character is accompanied by a distinctive theme designed to match their personality and setting. From Ryu and Ken to Chun-Li, and especially the famous Guile Theme—which became a true musical meme thanks to its iconic, heroic sound—every track has earned a place in gamers’ collective memory.
Final Fantasy I & II (1987–1988)
When Final Fantasy arrived on Japanese consoles in 1987, few could have predicted that the RPG would give rise to one of the longest-running and most beloved sagas of all time.
The success was such that just one year later, in 1988, Final Fantasy II was released.
Composed by the legendary Nobuo Uematsu, the music elevated video games into a true musical art form.
The Main Theme—introduced in the very first titles—is an anthem of hope and adventure, capable of conveying both epic and melancholic emotions.
Those simple yet powerful 8-bit sounds eventually became orchestral, transforming into full symphonic concerts performed around the world.
A track that marks the beginning of one of the most cherished sagas in history, and one that continues to make generations of players dream.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Download the soundtracks here and let yourself be carried away by the melodies that have made millions of gamers’ hearts beat.
