If there's three things in this life that I'm a huge sucker for, it's JRPGs, video game music, and a great engaging combat system. One of my favorite types of music to listen to while I'm working, cleaning my house, doing laundry, etc. is JRPG battle themes. Those songs are specifically designed to hype you up and build your adrenaline so you can keep pushing on in until the battle's over and you move on to the next one. Having played a ton of JRPGs and mindlessly browsed YouTube for the best of the best of battle themes, I've curated what I think is a list of my top 10 favorite battle themes that definitely won't change next week (who are we kidding?!), in no specific order.
I'm going to do my best to limit to each entry to one song per franchise - so only one Final Fantasy and only one Shin Megami Tensei (including Persona), as insanely difficult as that's going to be. Also, only NORMAL battle themes on this list - no boss battles. I'll slap them all down below - playlist style.
Before we dig in, grab your headphones - or if you're brave enough, just blast the songs from your phone or laptop speakers like a true VGM fanatic.
Gale Force
Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan
Composer Yuzo Koshiro went all the heck out with this track. Marking the series' grand debut on the 3DS, Etrian Odyssey IV boasted improved graphics, moving enemy models, airship sections, and a bombastic soundtrack.
Right as battle starts, you're reeled in by those sweet guitar licks. The inclusion of trumpets, probably 50 violins, and the synthesizer in the background make this track feel like the composers wanted this to be as grand as they could possibly make it - and it totally shows.
This song is such a morale booster that I think I'm way more productive when it's playing.
Battle -Da'at-
Shin Megami Tensei V
Limiting myself to just one Shin Megami Tensei track was such a tough choice. I mean, Persona, right? But then SMT IV and Nocturne have great industrial metal soundtracks as well. Ultimately I chose this song because I just cannot get enough of it and listen to it on an almost daily basis.
The percussion in this song is INSANE. Well, every part of it is insane - from the vocal chants, the catchy bass line, and of course the guitar riffs that tie it all the hell together. I was so psyched when this game was finally released after many, many years of development, and I'm so glad that the soundtrack didn't disappoint one single bit.
Battle 1
Final Fantasy IX
Seeing as how I've replayed Final Fantasy IX so damn many times, this theme is etched into the walls of my brain. So much so that I always hear the little beeps and boops of the battle system alongside the music - like when a party member's turn finally comes or the sound that's made when you cast a spell.
I always get goosebumps when I first hear that opening guitar riff. Oh my god it's so good. Well, better go replay this game again.
Isaac Battle Theme
Golden Sun
All these years later and I'm still baffled by how they managed to pack such a dynamic and multilayered soundtrack into a Game Boy Advance game. My man Motoi Sakuraba really knew what he was doing and pushed that little handheld to the absolute limits.
The most prominent instrument you'll hear is the bass, which runs all the goddamn way through the track and never, ever stops. The synth riffs always catch, giving me goosebumps through the entire track. Kudos to this game and Motoi and Camelot.
Do Your Best!
Breath of Fire III
No doubt the best keyboard work out of any track in this post. They pounded that thing from beginning to end until it had nothing left to give and I'm so happy they did. Whenever I'm listening to this song, I find myself humming right along to it.
Let's not forget the bass line, which is incredibly catchy.
Come On!
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
This game was my first step into Mario RPG territory and is still one of my favorites to come back to every now and again. And this soundtrack, composed by the legendary Yoko Shimomura, stands out among nearly any other Mario game for how catchy and upbeat it feels the entire way through the game.
This song in particular hypes you up immediately, giving you a real kick in the pants around the 30 second mark. If my life had a battle theme, this is what it would be.
Yokohama Crackhouse
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
For a game about normal people wandering through Yokohama and beating people up, I didn't expect the battle theme (or the entire soundtrack for that matter) to be so insanely good. Composer Hidenori Shoji made sure that every battle felt like a violent showdown, even if it was just homeless people attacking with pigeons and umbrellas.
This game was my first foray into the Yakuza games and has since gotten me to dive deeper into the soundtracks of the rest of the series.
Arise Within You
Parasite Eve
While this song isn't at upbeat as all the rest in this post, it's still very energetic and catchy, while also making you feel calm and collected as you dispose of the mutated threats in front of you.
Once again, Yoko Shimomura shows that she knows she's doing and has made a battle theme that completely fits the survival-horror genre, while still feeling like an RPG in some regards.
Battle Against a Weird Opponent
Earthbound
Earthbound has dozens of battle themes, one for each type of enemy, and so this was another difficult choice. But it all came down to the drums and bass. I can't help but tap my foot along to this song every time.
This song totally nails the vibe of "fighting a weird enemy", especially with the droning at the very beginning.
Battle 1
Chrono Trigger
This song fits the combat system of Chrono Trigger so goddamn well. Battles are so snappy and quick, and it almost feels like each part of the song was meant for a different part of combat. With the 7 second mark being when you're waiting for the ATB gauges to charge, and then finally making your move just a few seconds after that.
Yasunori Mitsuda is one of my favorite composers not only for this soundtrack, but anything else he's ever done. Not only does this song match the tone and pacing of battles, it also never feels out of place no matter what time period you're visiting in the game.
That's all for now! Let me know in the comments what your favorite Battle tracks are.
PEACE OUT.
