Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass (Switch eShop)
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 brought us the biggest soundtrack of the series so far — Future Redeemed, the DLC expansion for the base game, brings us a very small selection, along with some returning songs from previous games. But it doesn't matter, because every single new song makes an impact. Playing on fan's knowledge of the previous games while also creating a jazzier sound for this prequel DLC, Future Redeemed stands as a reminder that the Xenoblade series is top-notch in almost every single department, including music.
Recommended tracks: 'New Battle!!!", 'Cent-Omnia Region (Day)', 'Yesterdale (Night)'
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Venba (Switch eShop)
Venba is a game that celebrates South Indian cuisine and Tamil culture, and the latter extends itself to the beautiful Tamil film industry inspirations that composer Alpha Something draws from. This is a synesthetic journey through a culture that many of us may not be familiar with; a look into the lives of an immigrant family and a mother who wants to keep hold of her roots. And while Venba is a short game, its story, visuals, and music will leave a lasting impact.
Recommended tracks: 'Chellakutty', 'Thulludhadi Valasu', 'Raasa'
Super Mario RPG (Switch)
We've already seen Yoko Shimomura return to her SNES Square roots before with 2022's Live A Live remake, and in 2023, the legendary RPG composer has done it again. Super Mario RPG's rearranged soundtrack is utterly glorious — a full symphonic reimagining of the original 1996. Iconic songs have been given a whole new lease of life with these updated arrangements, and not a hair is out of place. Oh, and if you're not as fond of the 2023 renditions, you can swap back to the SNES originals in-game. What's not to love?
Recommended tracks: 'Fight Against a Somewhat Stronger Monster', 'Rose Town', 'And My Name's Booster', 'The Merry Mary Bells Ring'
Vampire Survivors (Switch eShop)
Okay, we're being a little naughty with this one — Vampire Survivors is technically a port, but it was in early access for so long before fully releasing in late 2022. So please, give us this one, okay?
We think that, if you give any of the game's music a listen, you'll forgive us. Vampire Survivor's music nails the brief perfectly — this is music to switch your brain off too and obliterate thousands of undead and magical creatures. We all know of the game's infamous Castlevania-inspired visuals (at least back in Early Access), the plenty of the tracks take cues from the greats, too.
Recommended tracks: 'Copper Green Intent', 'When the Clouds Drown', 'Song of Mana', 'Forest Night Fever'
The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure (Switch)
Falcom delivered us three games in the Trails series — two mainline, and one spin-off — in 2023, and Trails to Azure is the clear winner on all fronts. Its soundtrack is no exception, bringing that Falcom Sound Team jdk flare with your expected mix of high-octane, epic boss music, exciting dungeon tracks, and some beautiful tearjerkers. Fitting for Azure, which is probably one of the most emotionally intense games in this long-running series. Perhaps we'll see Trails on 2024's list with Daybreak?
Recommended tracks: 'A New Daily Life', 'A Barrier to Get Over', 'Mystic Core', 'Unfathomed Force'
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line (Switch)
Is this one cheating? Well, this author thinks probably, but this is the only way she can get Final Fantasy XVI on this list, so hey?
Seriously, though, it's basically impossible to have a list of the best Switch soundtracks of the year and ignore Theatrhythm Final Bar Line, which brings together over 380 Final Fantasy songs, plus some additional Square Enix bangers from Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, and Bravely Default. And plenty of the game's original compositions — like the ProfiCards Menu music and the Battle Arrange Medley — are fantastic. We just wish the Pixel Remaster music was here — which deserves a special shoutout.
Recommended tracks: 'THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE Special Battle Arrange Medley (Various)', 'To Sail Forbidden Seas (Final Fantasy XVI)', 'Museum (Valse Di Fantastica from Final Fantasy XV)'
Trombone Champ (Switch eShop)
Did you know that the official soundtrack for Trombone Champ is called 'Wow I Might Refer To This As Tooting'? No? Well, now you know why it's here.
Look, original tracks like Trombóne Fuerte are fun and all, but we promise our versions of Strauss' 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' or 'Auld Lang Syne' are better than anything else you'll hear all year. Wait... where are you going?! Stay here!
Recommended tracks: Oh come on now...
Those are our picks for the best Nintendo Switch soundtracks of 2023. As we mentioned above, we tried to stay away from ports — though Vampire Survivors' full release on other consoles last year meant we were feeling a bit cheeky with that one.
Anyway, if it's an amazing video game ports or remasters with great soundtracks you're after, here are a few honourable mentions:
- Persona 3 Portable
- Persona 4 Golden
- Metroid Prime Remastered
- Outer Wilds
- Red Dead Redemption
- Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster
What are your favourite video game soundtracks from 2023? Make sure you vote in our poll and tell us in the comments below!
But wait! Don't forget to check out our Game of the Year Staff Awards and our upcoming reader-ranked Best Switch Games of 2023 list to have your say.
Comments 23
Do Super Mario Bros. Wonder has any songs? Like the ones featured in Super Mario Odyssey, for example.
Very nice to see Trails music get some appreciation even if Azure technically came out over a decade ago. Super Mario RPG had my favorite soundtrack for how much it elevates the original tracks, but props also need to go to Gravity Circuit's blood-pumping eurobeat-inspired score that captures a lot of the same vibes as the Mega Man X soundtracks.
Yoko scores again with the Mario RPG remake, literally and figuratively. Mario Wonder's soundtrack surprisingly doesn't stand out to me outside of the athletic and flying battleship themes.
Not mentioning Future Redeemed's final boss music is a crime. It was an amazing callback to the final boss of Xenoblade 1 and a great set of tracks in its own right. Listening to Memory's End->Zanza the Divine
->Redeem the Future->Redeem the Future - Finale
->The God-Slaying Sword is a near-religious experience, and not just because of all the unintelligible chanting.
Colgera might have the best theme in all of Zelda. That part with the Rito village theme is just perfect.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have their issues in terms of performance, but the soundtrack consistently fired on all cylinders. I’m aware the base game came out last year, but the DLC was a 2023 release and that part of the game in particular had some great tracks, especially the Indigo Disk. The remastered tracks from Gen 5 were particularly amazing.
@Croctopus Did they bring her back?! Or did someone else transcribe?
@Poodlestargenerica No, not actual songs. The music levels come the closest. Those are standouts too but once again I was surprised at how average Wonder's soundtrack is. At least there's no more "bah bah" but that alone isn't enough to score highly for me.
@Vyacheslav333 I thought it was made clear Yoko was back to re-arrange?
@thesilverbrick I would personally disagree, I felt that much of the music from both the base game and the DLC was annoyingly repetitive. Although I think that the Gen V battle themes were remade decently, I feel that the various BW tracks shoehorned into the Terrarium BGM were mixed in poorly - it feels forced and really unnatural, like yes, I get it, this is in Unova. Legends Arceus was a much better example of subtly remixing Gen IV tracks (granted, I’m sure development of that game had a much higher budget and definitely had a longer time cycle than Indigo Disk). I’m actually unsure if Toby Fox was responsible for the Terrarium’s music, but I’ve felt ever since the Battle Tower theme he composed for Sword and Shield that his compositions for Pokémon do not fit, and I am really not a fan. His Undertale and Deltarune OSTs are fantastic, but I personally wish Game Freak would drop him. I understand I’m in the minority with that opinion, though.
With that said, the Academy music is also a rare banger in Scarlet & Violet. If that’s a Fox track, then that’s a redeeming quality.
Great to see videogame soundtracks get more attention.
I bought the Octopath Traveler 2 soundtrack today on cdjapan. Loved the first one. Might even get the game eventually.
glad to see some Cassette Beasts appreciation! definitely my favorite VGM soundtrack of the year!
Persona 5 Tactica OST is amazing!!
Standout tracks include "Got Your Tail", "Fall Out" and "Truth Or Dare".
Little Goody Two Shoes was my favorite by far, all of its tracks are extremely hummable and boast a lot of variety. Truly an under appreciated gem.
The remastered Ghost Trick soundtrack and Gravity Circuit are sorely missing from this list
@Croctopus Well, that sucks. Japanese versions of songs from Super Mario Odyssey are awesome. Seems like Nintendo don't like two things in their video games – voice acting and songs.
Sonic Frontiers has been criminally overlooked in the discussion for best soundtrack of the year! I didn't even play the game before I stumbled over this lush and extremely varied OST - and am hooked ever since.
There's some nu metal tracks that are not everyone's cup of tea, I'm sure (I love even those), but the epic level and boss tracks are just great. And so are the more electro dance tracks of the challenge stages. Check it out, can't recommend it enough!
Edit: Just realised the game was released in 2022 already. 🙈 Well okay, it was robbed last year then!
@Privatkatze what is Sonic Frontiers
Lots of good ones here. For me, the most notable are Persona 3 Portable, 4 Golden, and 5 Tactica, We Love Katamari, Ghost Trick, and Mario RPG.
@Revolution_Falls A video game with an outstanding soundtrack, that's all I know.
In the realm of Yoko Shimomura’s RPG remasters, I picked up Live a Live and the music is so good. Do yourself a favor and listen to the soundtrack, or better yet buy the game, it’ll change your life.
@JakedaArbok Megalomania, the Live-A-Live boss track, RULES
Didn't need to think too much about this one before voting. Has to be Octopath Traveler II.
Would like to give a shout out to the soundtrack for “born of bread”. Some good stuff in there!
Some highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEQs89QY8IU&list=PLJEpbVuy7WkNLsXaawfg8iovL-85AflOJ&index=53
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAREo7dBvvk&list=PLJEpbVuy7WkNLsXaawfg8iovL-85AflOJ&index=11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3Gw4C3sKE4&list=PLJEpbVuy7WkNLsXaawfg8iovL-85AflOJ&index=75
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