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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIf Zelda’s mix of exploration, melody, and atmosphere is what you want more of, start with Journey for spacious, emotionally shifting music or Chrono Trigger for memorable melodies that move between buoyancy and melancholy. For a different flavor, try the dramatic 16-bit range of Final Fantasy VI, the playful variety of Super Mario Odyssey, or the vocal-led sound of NieR: Automata. These are mood-based recommendations, not an objective ranking.
Choose a soundtrack by the feeling you want
Zelda soundtracks can pair quiet exploration with strong themes and moments of drama. The picks below offer related pleasures without simply repeating that formula. GameSpot’s descriptions are editorial judgments; the useful way to compare these scores is by mood, sound, and musical variety.
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| Soundtrack | Best starting point if you want | Musical character |
|---|---|---|
| Journey | Spacious exploration and an emotional arc | Understated ambient melodies that shift dynamically with the player’s actions |
| Chrono Trigger | Strong melodies with contrasting moods | Yasunori Mitsuda’s original synth score moves between upbeat tunes and melancholy |
| Final Fantasy VI | A more dramatic, varied 16-bit sound | Organ, quiet strings, and forceful battle music |
| Super Mario Odyssey | Playful energy and stylistic variety | Upbeat tracks, including the big-band jazz of “Jump Up, Super Star” |
| NieR: Automata | Drama, vocals, and layered arrangements | Orchestral music, ambient passages, and vocal and instrumental layers |
For a calm, cinematic journey: Journey
Choose Journey if you like music that gives quiet spaces room to breathe rather than filling every moment with a prominent tune. GameSpot describes Austin Wintory’s score as dynamically tied to what the player does, with understated ambient melodies and an emotional arc. It is the closest pick here for listeners drawn to the feeling of traveling through a landscape while the music gradually gathers meaning.
For melodic variety and a touch of melancholy: Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger is a good choice when you want clearly shaped tunes rather than a mostly ambient backdrop. Its original synth score, principally composed by Yasunori Mitsuda, moves between upbeat material and more melancholy passages. That contrast gives the soundtrack a changing emotional palette while keeping melody at the center.
#1 Best Overall
For classic 16-bit drama: Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VI offers a broader dramatic range: organ and quiet strings sit alongside forceful battle music. Pick it if you want sharper shifts in intensity and the distinctive sound of a 16-bit RPG score, rather than the spacious restraint of Journey.
For playful, shifting styles: Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is the lighter option. Its music varies in style, with upbeat tracks and the big-band jazz of “Jump Up, Super Star” as a standout example. It suits a listening mood that calls for color and momentum instead of sustained melancholy or cinematic weight.
Rank #2
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For vocals and a more dramatic sound: NieR: Automata
Try NieR: Automata if you want voices to be part of the score’s identity. Its soundtrack combines orchestral arrangements and ambient passages with different vocal and instrumental layers, making it the most overtly dramatic and vocal-led choice in this group.
Where to listen
Nintendo music: Nintendo Music
Nintendo Music is Nintendo’s official game-music service. Nintendo’s current service page, accessed in 2026, describes a catalog of over 250 hours across more than 130 titles. Listening is available on smartphones and in a browser; mobile users can download tracks for offline listening. Use requires a Nintendo Account and Nintendo Switch Online membership, and Nintendo lists a seven-day free trial. The catalog is focused on Nintendo music, so it is not the place to look for Square Enix scores such as Chrono Trigger or NieR: Automata.
Square Enix music: check regional services
SQUARE ENIX MUSIC’s On Stream page lists series including Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger/Chrono Cross, and NieR. The page reports over 7,300 tracks for Japan as of September 2024. It also warns that catalogs vary by region and streaming platform, and that service charges may apply. Treat the series list as a starting point, not a guarantee that a particular album is available where you live.
Verify the album in your country
Streaming catalogs change, and a guide published roughly six years ago by GameSpot named Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music for some of these picks. That dated platform list is a lead to check, not reliable current availability advice. Search for the specific soundtrack in your preferred service and confirm the album and region before relying on it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If you want Zelda on vinyl instead
For listeners who want to stay with Zelda and collect physical media, Nintendo announced two Breath of the Wild vinyl collections in 2026: an eight-LP edition with 130 tracks and a double-LP edition with 34 tracks. Nintendo’s announcement-era prices were $194.99 and $49.99, respectively; current prices, stock, and retailer availability may differ. These are Zelda collectibles, not alternatives to the non-Zelda soundtracks above.
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