10 Unforgettable Video Game Theme Tunes

While we all, regardless of our ages, will have our favourite TV show themes and favourite signature tunes from movies, there's only really a generation or two who are likely to have some favourite video game themes, given the nascent nature of the art form. Though the likes of Pong have of course been around for decades, it wasn't really until the 1980s that video games began to become more sophisticated as far as the audio-visual experience goes, resulting in not only some iconic visuals but also some immensely memorable songs and sounds. The themes recounted in this list has persevered through the last few decades, through countless sequels and remakes, to persist as perfect examples of how to craft a memorable, catchy theme song that'll be cherished and recounted for decades. Here are 10 unforgettable video game theme tunes.

10. Grand Theft Auto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYy69qOJWoM Though the original Grand Theft Auto theme "Joyride" was attributed by all video game literature to a rap group called Da Shootaz, the tune was actually composed in-house by DMA's Craig Conner. It is instantly associated with the original game, not only for its memorable refrain featuring the game's title, but its catchy lyrics that totally encompassed the style and tone of the game. There's nothing like loading the game up and getting psyched by having this theme playing over the menu screen and then during the game too. So popular was the tune that it ended up being featured in GTA3, and frankly, we'd love it if the song popped up again in the impending GTAV. With darkly hilarious lyrics ("Stop the violence from the police, that's what my dad used to say, but now he's deceased!"), pounding drums and a killer bass-line, this felt so modern at the time of release, and has aged considerably better than most of the theme tunes on this list, even if it's not quite as iconic as most of them.
 
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Frequently sleep-deprived film addict and video game obsessive who spends more time than is healthy in darkened London screening rooms. Follow his twitter on @ShaunMunroFilm or e-mail him at shaneo632 [at] gmail.com.