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The 10 best Zelda songs EVER

It's a bigger controversy than you think

Words: Brett Elston, GamesRadar US

Videogame music has grown tremendously over the years. From humble bleeps and blorps that could have doubled as fart noises to sweeping soundtracks that fill two discs with ease, gamers have grown increasingly fond of the melodies chirping out of their TV. And there's perhaps no set of tunes more adored than those that ring throughout the many adventures of Link.

Anyone who's even held a controller in the past 20 years should instantly recognize the main theme from Zelda. It's been played everywhere from dingy basements to football stadiums. But where does it rank in our countdown of the 10 best Zelda songs of all time? Not as high as you'd think.

 

Link's harrowing trip through a stormy night, from cozy hut to the snake-infested, waterlogged sewers of Hyrule Castle, owes much to the SNES's superior sound technology. The sound of pouring rain, distant thunder and watery footsteps made the trip more intense than anything we'd seen in Zelda up to that point. Then, after finding his dead uncle and taking the family's sword and shield, Link enters the castle, and we're treated to the epic song that narrates his first real quest.



From its dramatic opening to the crescendo 55 seconds in, this song gets it done. It beautifully recreates the same feeling that Link must have had walking into an ominous, overrun castle. It's one of the game's first songs, but still elicits a powerful response 16 years later.

Official soundtrack

While Game Music Online doesn't have an official way to purchase the song, this site lists Sound & Drama as the Japanese release. Good luck tracking it down!

Remixes of note

Disco Dan's Triforce Majeure is phenomenally good, capturing everything that makes Hyrule Castle special while also adding a personal, electro-orchestra flair. A must-hear.

If you like your re-imaginings a little more mellow, a remixer by the name of po! submitted hyrulecastledarkworld back in 2000.

 
16 Comments
Thequestion 121 - 3 months 5 days ago
I love this theme!!! When I played Link to the Past/Four Swords on GBA, this one is in my top ten!!
Da-Ku - 3 months 3 days ago
Zelda And Final Fantasy Are My Two Fave Games For Soundtracks Followed By Smash Bros
lynx987 - 3 months 2 days ago
zelda is the best 4 music
Gavo - 2 months 23 days ago
Gerudo Valley = Best video game song ever created.
BHT128 - 2 months 22 days ago
I recognized Bretts file name in the File Select video before I read the author of the article. Perch! Frog! FIGHT! Your fame is spreading...
MacGyver1138 - 2 months 19 days ago
@Gavo: Gerudo Valley's theme was awesome!

I think I still have the soundtrack disc that came with my preorder of Ocarina of Time somewhere. I should bust that out again!
Jokebox231 - 2 months 19 days ago
I love Zelda music, but why is Twighlit Princess Hyrule Field not on the list, it may not be classic, but it is awesome!
GamesRadarBrettElston - 2 months 18 days ago
Funny that you should mention TP's Hyrule Field... I actually had that on the list for quite some time. Had to whittle them down, y'know.
michelle-88 - 2 months 15 days ago
Wooooooooooow it's amazing work ^_^ , In my opinion Zelda Ocarina of time is the best & it's Songz also the best songs eveeeeeeeeer :D <3 i luv it & i adoooooore Gerudo Valley's theme
chaosdriver - 2 months 9 days ago
michelle, i TOTALLY agree with you!! youre SO DAMN RIGHT!!!!! and Gerudo Valley's theme.... my god i hear it like 10 times a day..... when i play zelda, im always in the desert just because of that song!!!!
chaosdriver - 2 months 9 days ago
and true... why isnt the hyrule field of TP in this list?? i was hoping to find it.... its so great!
FierceDeity - 1 month 19 days ago
how the fuck could you have not included ANY songs from majoras mask, theres plenty of amazing ones
the sorrowful song of healing
the hopeful but sad astral observatory
the powerful oath to order
the chirpy tunes of clock town day 1 + 2 and the dark undertones of day 3
:(
zatch - 1 month 18 days ago
all of you suck
Digidabee - 26 days 12 hours ago
I agree with Gavo you wont get much better than Gerudo Valley
Monkeym - 19 days 6 hours ago
I agree with many, Gerudo valley should have been higher up on the list. Also I would have liked to see the song of storms on the list.
xxkevmanxx - 13 days 23 hours ago
I have to say Dragon Roost is the best...
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