20 Electronic Tracks that Defined Video Gaming

For anyone born after 1990 gaming culture would have been a huge part of your childhood. In the early 90’s we saw the introduction of The Gameboy & Genesis consoles then in 1995 the Playstation, Nintendo 94 and Sega 32X were born. Since then technology has evolved at such formidable speeds the current speed will never be slower.

During this time another counter culture was sweeping through the youth in the UK, Europe & America at even greater speed. Electronic music and the Acid house era. The huge popularity of dance music was not limited to illegal raves, convoy parties and pirate radio as it quickly became the soundtrack to some of the most recognizable games to date.

Artists such as Sasha, Paul Van Dyk & Orbital have all contributed music to various games. Even now the likes of Dixon, Solomun & The Black Madonna are following their lead.

In homage to the music that has come before. Our childhoods and our love of all things electronic we have compiled our list of 20 of the best electronic tracks that have defined a generation of gamers.

1. Sasha – Auricom

Game: Wipeout 3 Special Edition
Year: 1995
Developer: Psygnosis

From Pulse to XL to Fusion, there’s literally no Wipeout title that falls anything short of spectacular, when it comes to the soundtrack. Wipeout is one of the first games that introduced gamers to the likes of The Prodigy, Fluke, Orbital and Sasha.

2. Deadmau5 – “Galaxanoids”

Game: Sound Shapes
Year: 2012-2013
Developer: Queezy Games

Not necessarily the most well-known game but musically one of the most impressive. You act as a tiny icon, rolling along through each level of the game. While utilizing your environment and varying platforms, you create the soundtrack with everything you touch. Deadmau5 and Beck are two of the game’s main composers. Each artist composed their own music and designed their own levels in the game, making the personalization that much more enjoyable to the player.

3. Rez – Protocol Rain

Game: Rez Protocol Rain
Year: 2001
Developer: United Games Artists

Rez is without a doubt one of the most captivating musical experiences on a games console. Each track is a built-up, by a gradual evolution into some of the most driving and high-energy Electronic music you will hear in a title. Different drums and synths can be achieved by accurately hitting targets on the screen. You’re basically creating your soundtrack with your own accuracy.

4. Paul Oakenfold – ‘See It’

Game: Frequency
Year: 2001
Developer: Harmonix, SCEA

Frequency is in a class all by itself. With a very similar feeling to Rez, Frequency is a massive compilation of some of the best Electronic music you can hear in a title. You’re in an octagonal tunnel, hitting buttons that correspond with the sounds needed to create your very own remix of the song that’s playing. Paul Oakenfold, Dub Pistols, Orbital, Q-Bert and BT all have a place in this collection.

5. Random Factor – ‘Convergence’ (Dixon)

Game: Grand Theft Auto V
Year: 2013
Developer: Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto has always championed a variety of music through its various Radio Stations. The latest instalment allows players to set up and run a nightclub. Then dance and drink in VIP areas or maintain operations in management offices. In typical GTA fashion, the game features a radio station, Los Santos Underground Radio (LS-UR), which will be programmed with exclusive mixes from Solomun, Dixon, Tale Of Us & The Black Madonna.

6. Christopher Lawrence – ‘Rush Hour’ (Need For Speed Underground 2 Soundtrack)

Game: Need For Speed Underground 2
Year: 2004
Developer: Electronic Arts

The Need For Speed series doesn’t just have a strong reputation behind it, it’s got one of the most diverse soundtracks of any racing game out there. Each version has an eclectic mix of Hip-Hop, Ambient, Electronic and Indie Rock tunes. Electronic Arts came at us armed with adrenaline-fueled tracks by Fluke, Cirrus, Paul Van Dyk.

7. Streets of Rage – Fighting In The Street

Game: The Streets Of Rage
Year: 1991
Developer: Kyoji Kato

Just Blaze, a hip-hop producer best known for his work with Jay Z, said that the music to Streets of Rage in the ‘90s would still work at a techno rave today.