A great soundtrack can add tons of depth and excitement to a game, sometimes even becoming its defining feature. Whether it be through masterfully-written orchestral scores or Top 10 hits, game designers put a lot of thought into crafting the perfect soundtrack.
While most games go down the route of emotionally powerful scores - like Halo and Breath of the Wild - other games go down a different path, incorporating rock and punk hits that give games a grungy and badass attitude, separating them from the pack and making them stand out. Best of all, these soundtracks make the game tons of fun to play.
Twisted Metal 4 (1999)
During the late 90s and early 2000s, Twisted Metal was a popular series that pitted players against each other in arena-style deathmatches. The twist was that this combat all happened in vehicles. Armed with various missile-firing automobiles, Twisted Metal was a demolition derby like no other.
The fourth game in the series was decked out with a hard rock soundtrack that featured popular Rob Zombie hits like 'Dragula' and 'Superbeast', as well as music by Cypress Hill, One Minute Silence, and more. Best of all, the Twisted Metal 4 disc could be inserted into a CD player to play the soundtrack.
SSX on Tour (2005)
The fourth installment in the SSX series decided to deviate away from the franchise's already-built style and head in a more grungy and raw direction. The bright, glossy colors were replaced with a more edgy, angsty, and rough appearance, making the game look more like the popular skateboarding series of the time.
SSX on Tour was also infused with an excellent punk and rock soundtrack that featured new (at the time) and classic bands like OK Go, Goldfinger, Iron Maiden, Queens of the Stoneage, Def Leppard, and more. In total, the soundtrack consisted of 41 songs, which could all be individually selected by players.
Quake (1996)
During the height of Nine Inch Nails' fame, the band's lead, Trent Reznor, was tapped to orchestrate the soundtrack for a new first-person shooter that the developers hoped could rival Doom and become a hit. The game, Quake, did indeed go on to become a massive success and has since been considered one of the best first-person shooters without multiplayer ever made.
Part of its success was due to the rock-centric, yet atmospheric and horrifying soundtrack composed by Reznor. Since the game's release, Reznor has gone on to compose numerous soundtracks, including for Disney's Soul, as well as The Social Network, for which Reznor won an Oscar.
Burnout Paradise (2008)
During the 2000s, Burnout was one of the most prominent racing franchises out there. Its most popular installment was 08's Burnout Paradise, which was hailed for its crisp graphics and large, open world.
Paradise was also praised for its varied soundtrack, which had everything from Debussy's 'Clair De Lune' to 'Girlfriend' by Avril Lavigne. But the soundtrack's main focus was punk and rock and featured hits by Guns N' Roses, Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, and more.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (2000)
Considered by many to be one of the greatest video games ever made, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 was an absolute phenomenon. It was universally hailed by critics and gamers (it even holds an astonishing 98 rating on Metacritic) and went on to sell millions of copies. In 2020, a remake of the original Tony Hawk game was released, 20 years after its initial launch.
Once again, it was met with rave reviews and went on to sell millions. One thing the game is known for is its 90s-centric punk rock soundtrack that featured artists like Bad Religion, Rage Against the Machine, Anthrax, and more.
Skate 2 (2009)
Throughout the 2000s, tons of skateboarding games were released, all trying to find the success that Pro Skater did. Most ended up being released to tepid reviews, but one franchise, Skate, was able to hold its own.
Skate 2 is widely considered the best game in the series, and thanks to being released some 9 years after Pro Skater, it benefited from better graphics and more powerful hardware. It also benefited from an excellent soundtrack that included Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Judas Priest, and more.
Sunset Overdrive (2014)
Sunset Overdrive became a sleeper hit, gaining a cult following which eventually turned into widespread praise as the years went on. It's now regarded as one of the best Xbox exclusives ever. It's a third-person action game where players must save their city from a nefarious soda company.
Wacky guns, outlandish enemies, and bright colors all made Sunset Overdrive popular. It also had an excellent soundtrack comprised of original songs by indie punk bands like Meat Market, Boats, and Cheap Time, which all helped solidify the game's underground and gritty vibe.
Brütal Legend (2009)
Combining action and adventure with RTS elements, Brütal Legend transports gamers into a world heavily inspired by hard rock. The game is both an ode to, and a spoof of, rock music, and players must fight off a supernatural race with...a guitar.
Naturally, being so heavily inspired by rock means that the game also has a kickass soundtrack and featured tons of bands, including Kiss, Megadeath, Motley Crue, Slayer, and Tenacious D (Jack Black also provided the voice for the game's protagonist).
Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
The Grand Theft Auto franchise has always been known for its wide selection of music that players can access on the game's various radio stations. From classical to hip hop and even talk radio, the games provide a little bit of everything.
In Grand Theft Auto V, players can access tons of great rock and punk songs through stations like Channel X, Vinewood Blvd., and Los Santos Rock Radio. From rock artists like Queen, Steve Miller Band, and Robert Plant, to punk favorites like Black Flag and Agent Orange, GTA 5 has an endless array of great choices.
Crazy Taxi 1 & 2 (2000 & 2001)
Crazy Taxi is considered one of the best Dreamcast games ever and proves how unique the console truly was. In the game, players had to drive passengers to their destinations on time...which usually required jumping off ramps, plowing through pedestrian parks, and careening full-speed into oncoming traffic.
Adding to the game's mayhem was its soundtrack that featured The Offspring and Bad Religion. Zooming through San Francisco-inspired streets in a retro taxi cab while blasting 'Way Down the Line' is what made Crazy Taxi become one of SEGA's most recognizable and memorable titles ever.