How to Download Video Game Music for Free
Video game music, or OST (original soundtrack), is the recorded music that accompanies and enhances the visual content of a video game. It can range from simple chiptunes to orchestral scores, from licensed songs to original compositions, from retro classics to modern hits. Video game music can evoke various emotions, create immersive atmospheres, and stimulate creativity.
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Many people enjoy listening to video game music outside of playing games, either for nostalgia, relaxation, or inspiration. Some people also use video game music for their own projects, such as podcasts, videos, or games. But where can you find and download video game music for free? And how can you use it legally and ethically?
In this article, we will explore some of the best sources of video game music online, both streaming and downloadable. We will also provide some tips and resources on how to use video game music for your own projects. Whether you are a fan of video game music or a creator looking for some tunes, this article will help you discover the wonderful world of video game soundtracks.
The best streaming music services for video game soundtracks
If you want to listen to video game music without downloading anything, streaming is a convenient option. There are many streaming platforms that offer a variety of video game soundtracks, both original and remixed. Here are some of the best ones:
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Spotify: Spotify is one of the most popular streaming services in the world, with over 70 million tracks and podcasts. It also has a large collection of video game soundtracks, from AAA titles like Assassin's Creed Valhalla to indie gems like Celeste. You can browse by genre, mood, platform, or composer, or check out curated playlists by Spotify or other users. Spotify is free with ads, or $9.99 per month for premium features like offline listening and ad-free playback.
Apple Music: Apple Music is another leading streaming service, with over 75 million tracks and radio stations. It also boasts a rich selection of video game soundtracks, including exclusive releases like Transistor and The World Ends With You. You can search by keyword, artist, album, or genre, or explore editorial recommendations and playlists. Apple Music costs $9.99 per month, or $14.99 per month for a family plan that supports up to six members.
YouTube Music: YouTube Music is a streaming service that leverages the vast library of YouTube videos. It also offers access to official albums and singles, as well as user-generated content like covers and remixes. You can find plenty of video game soundtracks on YouTube Music, from mainstream hits like Final Fantasy VII Remake to niche titles like Hollow Knight. You can also watch music videos related to video games, such as trailers, gameplay footage, or fan-made animations. YouTube Music is free with ads, or $9.99 per month for ad-free listening and background play.
Amazon Music Unlimited: Amazon Music Unlimited is a streaming service that offers over 70 million tracks and podcasts, including a wide range of video game soundtracks. You can find music from popular franchises like Halo, The Legend of Zelda, and Sonic the Hedgehog, as well as original and indie games like Ori and the Blind Forest and Stardew Valley. You can also create your own playlists, or listen to stations based on genre, mood, or activity. Amazon Music Unlimited costs $9.99 per month, or $7.99 per month for Prime members.
Here is a table that compares the features of these streaming services:
Service
Price
Video game music collection
Other features
Spotify
$9.99/month (free with ads)
Large and diverse, from AAA to indie games
Offline listening, ad-free playback, podcasts, playlists, social sharing
Apple Music
$9.99/month ($14.99 for family plan)
Rich and exclusive, from mainstream to niche games
Radio stations, editorial recommendations, music videos, lyrics, integration with Apple devices
YouTube Music
$9.99/month (free with ads)
Huge and varied, from official to user-generated content
Music videos, background play, covers and remixes, YouTube Premium benefits
Amazon Music Unlimited
$9.99/month ($7.99 for Prime members)
Wide and comprehensive, from popular to original games
Podcasts, stations, Alexa voice control, Prime Music benefits
The best sites to download free video game music
If you prefer to download video game music for offline listening or personal use, there are also many sites that offer free video game music downloads. However, you should be careful about the quality and legality of the music you download, as some sites may contain low-quality files or infringe on the rights of the original creators. Here are some of the best sites to download free video game music:
OC ReMix: OC ReMix is a community of video game music fans and artists who create and share their own remixes of video game music. It has over 5,000 remixes of music from over 1,000 games, spanning various genres and styles. You can download individual tracks or full albums for free, or support the site by donating or buying merchandise. You can also join the forums, submit your own remixes, or participate in contests and events.
VGMusic: VGMusic is one of the oldest and largest sites for video game music downloads. It has over 30,000 MIDI files of music from various platforms and generations of video games. You can browse by system, genre, or game title, or search by keyword. You can also upload your own MIDI files, request songs, or join the discussion boards.
Zophar's Domain: Zophar's Domain is a site dedicated to emulation and preservation of video game music. It has over 10,000 files of music in various formats, such as NSF (Nintendo), SPC (Super Nintendo), PSF (PlayStation), and GBS (Game Boy). You can download the files and play them using an emulator or a player program. You can also find information on video game music formats, tools, and history.
Khinsider: Khinsider is a site that offers free downloads of video game soundtracks in MP3 format. It has over 50,000 albums of music from various consoles and genres of games. You can browse by alphabet, category, or popularity, or search by name. You can also request songs, rate albums, or join the community.
Newgrounds Audio Portal: Newgrounds Audio Portal is a section of Newgrounds.com that features user-submitted audio content. It has over 500,000 tracks of music in various genres and styles, including many original and fan-made video game music. You can browse by genre, rating, or date, or search by keyword. You can also upload your own music, review tracks, or join the forums. You can download the tracks for free, or support the artists by donating or buying their merchandise.
Here is a table that compares the features of these sites:
Site
Type of music
Format of music
Other features
OC ReMix
Remixes of video game music
MP3, FLAC, OGG
Forums, contests, events, merchandise
VGMusic
MIDI versions of video game music
MIDI
Forums, requests, uploads
Zophar's Domain
Original sound files of video game music
Various (NSF, SPC, PSF, etc.)
Emulators, players, tools, information
Khinsider
Official soundtracks of video game music
MP3
Requests, ratings, community
Newgrounds Audio Portal
User-submitted audio content, including video game music
MP3
Uploads, reviews, forums, merchandise
How to use video game music for your own projects
Video game music can be a great source of inspiration and creativity for your own projects, such as podcasts, videos, or games. However, before you use video game music for your own purposes, you should be aware of the legal and ethical implications of doing so. Here are some things to consider:
License and permission: Video game music is protected by copyright laws, which means that you need to obtain a license or permission from the original creators or owners of the music before you use it. Depending on the type and source of the music, you may need to pay a fee, give credit, or follow certain restrictions. You can check the terms and conditions of the music you want to use, or contact the creators or owners directly.
Attribution and citation: Even if you have a license or permission to use video game music, you should always give proper attribution and citation to the original creators or owners of the music. This is not only a legal requirement, but also a sign of respect and appreciation for their work. You can include the name of the game, the composer, the publisher, and the source of the music in your project, or provide a link to their website or social media.
Transformation and modification: If you want to use video game music in a way that changes or modifies it, such as editing, remixing, or sampling, you should make sure that your transformation or modification is substantial and original enough to qualify as fair use. Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. However, fair use is not a clear-cut rule, and depends on factors such as the purpose, nature, amount, and effect of the use.
If you are unsure about the legality or ethics of using video game music for your own projects, you should consult a lawyer or an expert before proceeding.
Tips and resources on how to find, edit, and remix video game music
If you are interested in using video game music for your own projects, here are some tips and resources on how to find, edit, and remix video game music:
Find: To find video game music that suits your project, you can use the streaming services and download sites mentioned above, or search online for other sources. You can also browse forums, blogs, podcasts, or YouTube channels that feature video game music reviews, recommendations, or analysis. You can also ask other video game music fans or creators for suggestions or feedback.
Edit: To edit video game music for your project, you can use various software tools that allow you to cut, trim, fade, loop, mix, or adjust the volume, pitch, tempo, or effects of the music. Some examples of free and easy-to-use tools are Audacity, WavePad, and MP3 Cutter. You can also find tutorials online on how to use these tools.
Remix: To remix video game music for your project, you can use various software tools that allow you to create your own versions of video game music by adding, removing, or changing elements of the original music. Some examples of free and powerful tools are LMMS, FL Studio, and GarageBand. You can also find tutorials online on how to use these tools.
Conclusion
Video game music is a fascinating and diverse form of art that can enrich your gaming experience and inspire your creativity. Whether you want to listen to video game music for fun, relaxation, or motivation, or use it for your own projects, there are many sources and tools available online that can help you find and download video game music for free. However, you should also respect the rights and efforts of the original creators and owners of the video game music, and follow the legal and ethical guidelines when using it.
We hope this article has given you some useful information and tips on how to download video game music for free. If you are interested in learning more about video game music, you can check out some of the links and resources below. Happy listening and creating!
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers related to video game music:
What is the difference between video game music and video game sound effects?
Video game music is the recorded music that accompanies and enhances the visual content of a video game. Video game sound effects are the sounds that represent the actions and events that occur in a video game, such as explosions, footsteps, or voices. Video game music and sound effects work together to create a realistic and immersive gaming environment.
What are some of the benefits of listening to video game music?
Some of the benefits of listening to video game music are:
It can improve your mood, reduce stress, and increase happiness.
It can boost your concentration, memory, and productivity.
It can stimulate your imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
It can enhance your appreciation and understanding of different cultures, genres, and styles of music.
What are some of the challenges of creating video game music?
Some of the challenges of creating video game music are:
It has to match the tone, theme, and genre of the video game.
It has to adapt to the dynamic and interactive nature of the video game.
It has to balance between originality and familiarity.
It has to meet the technical and budgetary limitations of the video game.
What are some of the best video game soundtracks of all time?
This is a subjective question that depends on personal preference and taste. However, some of the video game soundtracks that are widely regarded as classics or influential are:
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Chrono Trigger
Halo: Combat Evolved
BioShock
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
How can I learn more about video game music?
There are many ways to learn more about video game music, such as:
Reading books, articles, or blogs about video game music history, theory, or analysis.
Watching documentaries, interviews, or lectures about video game music production, composition, or performance.
Listening to podcasts, radio shows, or playlists that feature video game music reviews, discussions, or recommendations.
Joining online communities, forums, or groups that share video game music news, opinions, or resources.
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