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If Zelda’s mix of exploration, memorable melodies, and changing moods is what you love, try Journey for spacious atmosphere, Chrono Trigger for melodic nostalgia, Final Fantasy VI for 16-bit drama, Super Mario Odyssey for playful variety, or NieR: Automata for a vocal-led, cinematic sound. These are mood-based starting points, not an objective ranking.
Choose your next soundtrack by mood
GameSpot’s soundtrack guide highlights five distinct directions for listeners moving on from Zelda. The descriptions below focus on what sets each score apart, so you can choose by atmosphere and musical texture rather than by a single best-to-worst list.
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For spacious exploration: Journey
Austin Wintory’s score is a natural first stop if you like music that gives exploration room to breathe. GameSpot describes understated ambient melodies that respond dynamically to the player’s actions and build into an emotional arc. It favors atmosphere and gradual development over a constant run of bold themes.
For melodic nostalgia and melancholy: Chrono Trigger
Yasunori Mitsuda’s original synth score moves between upbeat tunes and more melancholy passages. Its melodic focus makes it a good choice when you want a strong collection of recognizable themes with a wider emotional range than a purely playful soundtrack.
#1 Best Overall
For dramatic 16-bit variety: Final Fantasy VI
This score offers a more theatrical contrast of sounds: organ, quiet strings, and forceful battle music. Choose it when you want a soundtrack that can shift from restrained passages to high-impact drama while retaining the distinctive sound of its 16-bit era.
For playful stylistic changes: Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is the lighter, more stylistically varied pick. Its upbeat tracks include the big-band jazz of “Jump Up, Super Star,” making it a good fit if you want something energetic and bright rather than a sustained cinematic mood.
Rank #2
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For vocals and cinematic drama: NieR: Automata
Pick this one for a more dramatic, vocal-led sound. GameSpot points to orchestral arrangements, ambient passages, and vocal and instrumental layers that give the score a broader, more cinematic texture.
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Quick comparison
| Soundtrack | Best fit | Notable texture |
|---|---|---|
| Journey | Spacious exploration and a gradual emotional arc | Understated ambient melodies that respond to play |
| Chrono Trigger | Memorable melodies with contrasting moods | Original synth score; upbeat and melancholy tunes |
| Final Fantasy VI | Dramatic, varied 16-bit music | Organ, quiet strings, forceful battle music |
| Super Mario Odyssey | Playful energy and stylistic variety | Upbeat tracks and big-band jazz |
| NieR: Automata | Cinematic drama and vocals | Orchestral arrangements, ambient passages, vocal and instrumental layers |
Where to listen, and what to check first
Nintendo soundtracks
Nintendo Music is Nintendo’s official game-music service. Nintendo’s current service page, accessed in 2026, lists over 250 hours of music across more than 130 titles. Listening is available on smartphones and in a browser; mobile users can download tracks for offline listening. A Nintendo Account and Nintendo Switch Online membership are required, and Nintendo lists a seven-day free trial. The catalog focuses on Nintendo music, so it is not the place to look for the Square Enix scores on this list.
Square Enix soundtracks
SQUARE ENIX MUSIC’s On Stream page lists Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger/Chrono Cross, and NieR among its catalog series. The page’s over-7,300-track figure applies to its Japan catalog as of September 2024. Square Enix cautions that both streaming services and track availability vary by region and platform, and service charges may apply. Check your local service for the specific album rather than assuming every release is available everywhere.
Check current platform listings
GameSpot’s guide also reported Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music availability for some selections, but its platform listings are roughly six years old. Treat them as leads, not confirmation: search the soundtrack title in your region and check that the result is the album or edition you want.
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 would rather own a physical Zelda soundtrack than move to a different series, Nintendo announced a Breath of the Wild collection in 2026: an eight-LP edition with 130 tracks and a double-LP edition with 34 tracks. The announcement listed prices of $194.99 and $49.99, respectively; those were announcement-era prices, and current stock, pricing, and retailer availability may differ. This is a Zelda collectible, not a recommendation for a non-Zelda soundtrack.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
