Music in video games is key. Just like in a movie, the entire mood of what's unfolding around you in a game is very heavily determined by the kind of music that is playing.

There is absolutely no way I could pick a top ten (or top whatever) game soundtracks without being heavily influenced by nostalgia. For instance, I cannot seriously argue that Diablo has truly "great" music, although I will argue it has a delicious, ambient sort of a subtle "comes and goes" quality that makes the game absolutely fantastic and deep - and I'll argue that until you agree with me or one of us dies from exhaustion. Why? Because my never-gonna-budge opinion is based on countless 4 a.m. Saturday mornings when a young, fourth-grade me eagerly leapt out of bed to play the **** out of some Diablo before my parents could catch me with a game I wasn't supposed to own, and the music in many ways made those mornings what they were. The Arch Angel's Staff of Apocalypse didn't hurt, either. Seriously, 255 charges of a nuclear bomb attack still just wasn't enough sometimes. Err, where was I...

So where am I going with this? Well, I happened to find a pretty damn good list of fifty of the best video game soundtracks out there. Here's the link to the list itself, but I also wanted to pluck a few ones out that I especially agree with... and make a top ten of my own.

For starters, some excerpts from the list (excerpts are italicized; my commentary is not):

#47. - Star Control II Soundtrack

Few soundtracks can so perfectly enforce an atmosphere unto a game as that of Star Control II's. The best part of it is the haunting melody that plays while your ship is exploring each of the intricate galaxies. It makes you feel lonely, as if all hope is lost. It's really a unique feeling to have such a strong feeling from a video game, and it wouldn't be possible without that track. The rest of the music is quality too, but this lone song is what makes the soundtrack so special.

HELL YES! As soon as I saw this, I knew I was dealing with somebody who had a clue. Star Control II is one of the very best games of all time. It still has a rabid fan base to this day (it came out in 1992, okay?), and I'm one of them. I won't rehash every part of the plot, but it's a pretty epic save-the-universe kind of thing. Also, you can legally download the freeware copy now if you're so inclined; search for The Ur-Quan Masters. What? I'm not going to link everything for you.

#24. - Final Fantasy VI Soundtrack

One of the more overrated game soundtracks, Final Fantasy VI features some very lush and surprisingly orchestrate music. The world map theme is above and beyond anything I thought possible on a cartridge, and Atma Weapon's theme is one of the creepiest battle themes I've ever heard. This one is a definite fan favorite, and while I don't altogether agree with it's enthusiasts, there's undeniable quality in these compositions.

I don't agree with his lukewarm enthusiasm by any stretch, but he was right to include it - even if it needs to be pushed up at least a dozen slots (at a bare minimum, ahead of Panzer Dragoon for the love of God).

Before you all collectively crap your pants, chill; VII made the list well ahead of VI. I'll needlessly take this opportunity to declare that Final Fantasy VI (also known as III in the United States) was the best Final Fantasy game ever made, tied with Final Fantasy Tactics. Whenever you're done laughing at me, scroll away.

Okay. Truth be told, a lot of the approximately 456 Final Fantasy titles in the series made the cut on this list, and there's a very good reason for it: even with nostalgia pushed aside, there is real orchestral quality music packed into each of these games. No joke - orchestras routinely pick up this stuff after it's released in the game itself, not the other way around.

Yeah, you can find any fifth-rate middle school pep band hacking through Super Mario, but let's not fool ourselves, okay? We really are talking a different league here.

#9. - Chrono Trigger Soundtrack

Chrono Trigger was designed by a dream team of sorts, and such a legendary project deserves an equal soundtrack. There's no room for me to argue when someone claims this to be the best, or even most memorable soundtrack of all time. It's absolutely fantastic and every single song is entirely fitting to the game. There are few that are better, or even on the same level as this soundtrack.

Once again, amen and hallelujah. Chrono Trigger easily makes my top ten games of all time in general and the music is outstanding.

Ok, time for my list. There are some similarities to what I've just posted (big surprise).

Craig_o's Top 10 Video Game Soundtracks

10. Final Fantasy Tactics
9. Civilization IV
8. Star Control II
7. Bioshock
6. Final Fantasy VI
5. Fallout 3
4. Chrono Trigger
3. Diablo II
2. Mass Effect
1. Command & Conquer: Red Alert

In my way of thinking, it's more of what the music does for the game than anything else.

And just how the hell did they skip Command & Conquer, anyway?