Video games don’t just look better than ever, thanks to imaginative art directions and cutting-edge graphics; they also sound fantastic. With some of the best talent in the industry composing new soundtracks, it’s sadly too easy for some of these superb albums to fly under your radar.
To keep track of the best that 2026 has to offer, we’re collecting the best video game soundtracks available and listing them below alongside official channels like Spotify, YouTube, and Tidal so that you can listen to them yourself. And if those games also have a snazzy vinyl that you can add to your collection? You can bet your axe we’ll also include a link for that modern-day art.
We’ll update this list regularly throughout the year, so check back often to see what’s been added. While you’re here, you might also want to check out our list for the best games of 2026.
Cairn
By Martin Stig Andersen, The Toxic Avenger, and Gildaa
Why should you climb a mountain? Because it’s there. Why should you listen to the Cairn soundtrack? Same reason, but also because it perfectly complements the game, giving the entire experience an awe-inspiring feel as you grasp for an out-of-reach handhold. Just like Cairn, the soundtrack is calm, meditative, and full of audio elements that add a cosmic flair to this mountaineering adventure.
Where to listen:
- YouTube
- Spotify
- Apple Music
Esoteric Ebb
By Anders Bach, Kristian Paulsen, and Brian Batz
Usually, a video game soundtrack has a common theme that carries through each of its tracks, uniting them into a single album. The score for Esoteric Ebb is an exception to that rule, as it effortlessly shifts between genres and motifs, constantly surprising and delighting your senses with its eclectic mix. One song might evoke images of a faraway land during Arthurian times, and another track might sound perfect for a 16-bit beat-’em-up, making this album a treasure trove of audio treats that reflect the game’s tabletop inspirations. If you’re interested in the game and the soundtrack, Steam offers both as a bundle deal.
Where to listen:
- YouTube
- Spotify
- Bandcamp
Marathon
By Ryan Lott
Marathon’s soundtrack e is a magical sample of electronic music that captures the sense of mystery at the heart of the game. There’s an ethereal quality to these tunes, and with a distinctive arrangement that’s already spurring several mesmerizing remixes within the growing Marathon community, we’re hoping the rest of the score is as bold and energetic as what we’ve been treated to so far. It’s a blend of propulsive rhythms, electronic textures, and experimental sound design that makes for an unforgettable score.
Where to listen:
- YouTube
- Spotify (Vol 1)
- Spotify (Vol 2)
- Apple Music (Vol 1)
- Apple Music (Vol 2)
Mewgenics
By Ridiculon
You’d expect a soundtrack for a video game about genetically engineered cats being sent to do battle against strange enemies to be suitably weird, and Ridiculon doesn’t disappoint on this front. The Mewgenics score combines a punchy, folksy sound with the inner workings of a cat’s mind, and as you’d guess, those finger-snappin’ thoughts typically translate to milk and murder. An ode to the absurdity of Mewgenics, Ridiculon’s Matthias Bossi and Jon Evans have crafted a surreal soundtrack to enjoy for one of 2026’s best games.
Where to listen:
- YouTube
- Spotify
- Apple Music
Mixtape
By various artists
Every game on this list (so far) has made it on the strength of its original soundtrack. Mixtape is the exception with its selection of licensed tracks, not because they’re expertly curated, but because they’re the exact kind of needle-drops that remind you why music is such a powerful force in our lives. It’s the raw emotion of these songs juxtaposed against the coming-of-age story that works so well, effortlessly blending a heartfelt story with the kind of music that makes you want to pump your fist in the air. From Joy Division to Silverchair, Mixtape’s choice of music is a greatest hits album dedicated to teenage rebellion and freedom, expertly paired with a touching coming-of-age story.
Where to listen:
- YouTube
People of Note
By Big Giant Circles
When we look back at 2026, it’s going to be clear just how good the year was for fans of rhythmic video games. People of Note is a great example, as it brings that stadium energy to your screen that only a handful of megastars are capable of generating. It’s the grandest of music, energetic beats designed to get your blood pumping and your body moving in a turn-based RPG format. The visuals and audio are top-notch, pairing together like a fine wine and cheese combo for your ears.
Where to listen:
- Spotify
- Bandcamp
- YouTube Music
- Apple Music
Scott Pilgrim EX
By Anamanaguchi
A new Anamanaguchi soundtrack is always cause for celebration, but when the band is putting its considerable talents toward a Scott Pilgrim project? That’s a reason to bring the house down. The band returns to Toronto for a whopping 71-song soundtrack, and as you’d expect, the score is a fist-pumping collection of punchy tracks that fuses nostalgic sounds with enough energy to knock the highlights out of your hair.
Where to listen:
