Awesome Music / The Legend of Zelda

The Music of Legend

The Legend of Zelda's Awesome Music. You surprised that there's a lot of it here? We aren't. Neither are these guys.

The franchise has spawned some of the most iconic and beloved musical compositions in the entire video game medium. Koji Kondo is the man responsible for the music in this series, and he personally composed most of the best known themes, especially those created in the first entries. However, other composers like Toru Minegishi, Hajime Wakai, Kenta Nagata, Asuka Ota, Mahito Yokota, or Manaka Kataoka, among others, have worked on the series as well, delivering some truly memorable tunes.

Here you have some of them.

In-game tracks

Recurring themes

The Legend of Zelda Main Theme

The Main Theme of the series, which is usually used as the Overworld music in most games, and eventually also became Link's own theme as well. Even in games where it's not prominently featured, the main riff of the melody usually appears in some fashion. And even if it doesn't, the Overworld theme will always follow a similar style.

One of the most iconic melodies in video game history, with tons of different versions and renditions to boot.

• The main theme goes all the way back to the first game in the series, where it has two memorable appearances.
  • It's the first song you hear in the Title Screen. Those who played it on the Famicom Disk System, which included an extra sound chip, were treated to this embellished version.
  • And then we have the melody that started it all^note Truth is, Kondo composed this version first. See the trivia page for details.
• After being absent in The Adventure of Link, the Main Theme came back with A Link to the Past, which established its state as the musical icon of the series.
  • The 16-bit era was heralded in with this new arrangement of the classic Overworld theme. This is one the most popular renditions.
  • It appears yet again in the Staff Credits, in a slower, more solemn and reflective version.
• Link's Awakening used it once again, proving it also kicks ass in handheld form.
  • The game starts off with a glorious rendition in the title screen.
  • The main riff is also used as the basis for the game save file selection screen.
  • And if you name Link as "ZELDA" (all caps), you have this awesome version as a small surprise.
  • It also has a prominent appearance in the Overworld Theme, albeit with some minor modifications at the end of the loop.
• The main theme was conspicuous by its absence from Ocarina of Time, apart from a riff that's suspiciously similar to the original theme. Fastforward to 2011, and Mahito Yokota decided to make up for it by giving it a stellar appearance in the remake for 3DS in the extended Staff Credits theme, this time performed by an orchestra^note On top of that, it appears at the point in the melody where the aforementioned similar riff appears in most recordings of the "Hyrule Field Theme", including the official soundtrack release. Coincidence?.
• After its absence in Ocarina of Time, Nintendo decided to bring it back in Majora's Mask.
  • For its first appearance, Kondo and Minegishi look like they wanted to tease the fans a bit. At first the overworld, "Termina Field", seems to re-use Hyrule Field's theme from the previous game... before the snare drums kick in for a brilliant, march-like rendition of the main theme. It sounds even better when orchestrated.
  • The main riff is also used to congratulate the player after finishing a dungeon.
  • The "Staff Credits" theme features a variation of the main riff at one point, a practice that would become common place in later instalments.
• The Oracle games reused the renditions from Link's Awakening, but also created new versions of their own.
  • The "Past Overworld" theme from Oracle of Ages.
  • It's also used at the Game Over screen.
  • The "Epilogue" theme, which does some minor variations on the "Overworld" theme.
  • And last, but not least, it's used as the basis for the "Staff Credtis" theme.
• In The Wind Waker, Nintendo decided to give it an additional function: being Link's musical leitmotif.
  • The first sample was "The Legendary Hero", right at the beginning of the game, and starting a new era for this theme.
  • The main riff is also used in a mysterious tone in "To Hyrule".
  • Also an appearance at the end of "Ganondorf on Forsaken Fortress" (with some variations to fit the scene it sounds in).
  • "Hero of the Winds" makes a weird, yet interesting variation. It basically makes small variations of the beginning of the main theme, but without using the main riff. Sounds subdued, but epic!
  • The main riff, used once again as Link's leitmotif, makes a brief, yet significant appearance at the very beginning of "Ganondorf Battle First Half".
  • During the Final Battle, the main riff also has a subdued, but significant appearance during the third movement. What's interesting is that it's mixed up with Ganondorf's theme, reflecting the duel between him and Link.
  • The glorious "Staff Roll" theme also features it as Link's leitmotif (albeit with some variations) during its second movement. The main riff appears once again towards the end, right before transitioning to "Zelda's Theme" to wrap the medley up.
• It even appeared in the original Four Swords game for Game Boy Advance.
  • The Title Screen, which is basically an update of the version from Link's Awakening. And sounds glorious!
  • Also used as the Staff Credits theme.
• The Minish Cap brought it back once again:
  • Its "Overworld theme.
  • Small snippets of it can also be heard thoughout the "Staff Credits" theme.
• Four Swords Adventures momentarily brought the Main Theme back to the flavour from the 16-bit era.
  • The Title Screen theme, being a rather subdued, but effective rendition.
  • The Overworld theme, which at first seems to be recycled from A Link to the Past... until you reach the end of the loop and you see some additions to make it different.
  • "Invincibility", offering a rather amusing variation.
  • Again, the "Staff Credits" theme feature snippets here and there for great effect.
  • Western audiences didn't get to see it, but the Japanese version exclusive Tetra's Trackers mode also featured the main riff on its opening scene.
• Then there's Twilight Princess. Albeit it's not particularly prominent, the Main Theme also makes some small, but stand out appearances here and there:
  • If you played the Wii version, the main riff would be the first thing in the game you hear via the game's channel.
  • Then you have the Overworld theme, where the main riff has a brief, yet glorious appearance at the end of the main loop.
  • Also appears at the moment when Link is revealed to be new incarnation of the Spirit of the Hero (another example of the melody being used as Link's own leitmotif).
  • One of the subtlest ones: the main riff also appears at the beginning of the victory fanfare after the battle at Eldin Bridge.
  • And finally, the theme appears fully-fledged in the Staff Credits. Like in The Wind Waker, the main riff also appears towards the end, albeit this time, rather than transitioning to "Zelda's Theme", both leitmotifs are kind of mixed together.
• Phantom Hourglass is one of the games that uses the Main Theme the least, but still it has two stellar appearances:
  • At the beginning of the game, during the recap of the events from The Wind Waker. A snippet is also heard when Link tries to board the Ghost ship to save Tetra.
  • Also in the multiplayer Battle Mode, which also features some snippets from the "Hyrule Field Theme" from Ocarina of Time, for good measure.
• Spirit Tracks, unlike its predecessor, used the Main Theme much more prominently:
  • The Title Screen opens up with a small variation of the main riff.
  • When Link gets his iconic green clothes, you know his leitmotif is bound to appear!
  • And yet once again in "Zelda Ready to Fight". An uncommon place to use this theme, but still works magnificently!
  • "Before the Final Battle" features some snippets mixed up with the Overworld theme, setting up the mood for the final confrontation just perfectly.
  • "Link catches Zelda", which shows this theme can also work for comedy.
  • As per usual in the series at this point, the main riff also appears a couple of times during the "Staff Credits" theme.
  • The same for the post-credits final scene, mixed up with the main riff of the Overworld theme. A perfect musical wrap up for the game.
• Skyward Sword was not only the first game in the series that featured this theme with an orchestra^note other than the extended Staff Credits for the 3DS remake of Ocarina of Time, but also gave it some quite interesting uses:
  • The most interesting use comes with the "Song of the Hero". If that doesn't get your blood pumping, you spend the second act of the game busting your ass to collect pieces of the final song, and each time you do, the Dragon belts some unrecognizable lyric. Then, as you learn the fourth part and celebrate... WHOOSH. Your harp is gone, and instead of simply congratulating yourself for a job well done, you are surrounded by the Dragons as they put it together for you, revealing it to be one of the most glorious, iconic themes in video game history. DAMN.
  • And the theme also appears in its original form in the "Staff Credits theme.
• A Link Between Worlds, being a direct sequel AND a spiritual sequel to A Link to the Past, uses it to a similar, yet magnificently updated manner:
  • For starters, the "Overworld" theme, which gets, not one, but two renditions.
  • The intro sequence also shows some variations of the main riff in "A Kingdom's Legend.
  • Another variation at the beginning of the game with "Hyrule at Peace.
  • The main riff once again appears in a subdued manner in the Mini Game theme.
  • In the Milk Bar you get the chance to hear renditions of multiple themes throughout the series performed with a flute and a guitar. Of course, the "Main Theme" is the first one you can hear.
  • As per usual, the theme also appears a couple of times during the last minute of the "Staff Credits" theme.
• Breath of the Wild broke a lot of conventions in the series, but the use of the Main Theme wasn't one of them. Although the composers were still pretty selective, they knew exactly when and how to use it at just the right moments for the maximum effect.
  • Before the game was even released, Nintendo gave a taste of the Main Theme while wrapping up the Nintendo Switch 2017 presentation trailer. Some people reported to have wept while watching the trailer, and there's little doubt that the music was one of the biggest factors.
  • Now in the game itself, if you ride a horse during the night, the Main Theme beautifully appears like an echo from a distant past. Certainly fitting, on several levels.
  • It appears once again in "10,000 Year Legend", the melody that accompanies the legend of the Calamity Ganon. The leitmotif appears when the story tells the part of Link and Zelda appearing to fulfill the reincarnation cycle and seal Ganon away.
  • In the memory where Link save Zelda from the Yiga clan, the game accentuates Link's heroism with his theme.
  • The final memory uses Link's leitmotif once again, coming right after Zelda's during the moment in which Zelda cries holding Link's near-dead body. A beautiful yet heartbreaking way of showing their bond in music form.
  • Once you collect all of Link's memories, the game rewards you with his theme once again. Just the perfect way to symbolize that Link is whole again and ready to face his destiny.
  • If you complete all of Kass' side missions and you go to talk to him again at Rito Village, he'll delight you with the complete version of the song that his old master taught him, which was meant for the legendary hero's ears only. Of course, the song fittingly includes Link's leitmotif in the final movement.
  • The theme makes a glorious appearance in "Hyrule Castle (Exterior)". Just like the rest of the piece, it so epic that you can't help but to the get chills. The Final Battle is around the corner, and hearing the main theme popping up sure as hell puts you in the right mood. A neat touch this theme has is that Link's leitmotif appears at the exact same point of the score in which "Zelda's Theme" appears in the "Interior" version of this theme.
  • It's blink-and-you'll-miss-it, but Link's leitmotif briefly follows up Zelda's in "Ganon Vanquished. Again, a fine touch to emphasize their mutual connection.
  • The Main Theme opens up the Staff Credits, and then once again to wrap it up.
  • If you get the true ending, the composers delight you with a beautiful variation of the Main Theme that spans the whole cinematic and gives this celebrated game one hell of a musical send off. Prepare to get chills!
• The Hyrule Warriors spinoff has its own set of examples:
  • First, there's the epic orchestral version.
  • Then there's the classic remix, with an additional 8-bit twist as a homage to the series' origins.
  • Lastly, being a Warriors game, of course there's a metal version.
• The Main Theme has also had stellar appearances in games outside of the Zelda franchise:
  • How about the nice Tetris DS remix?
  • The version of the main theme from the GameCube version of SoulCalibur 2 is the best version evereverever.
  • The Super! Smash! Brothhheeeerrrrs! ...versions. Even the synthesized one from the first game is awesome!
  • Donkey Konga has this really nice jazz version.
  • When Sonic Lost World got its Zelda DLC, guess which theme the hedgehog starts out with?

Zelda's Theme

The main heroine also has one of the most beautiful, iconic themes in the franchise associated to her. Just like Link, her theme was bootstrapped to her after its first appearance in A Link to the Past. Now it's one of the most beloved melodies by the fandom, and it's just as prominent in the series as the Main Theme itself. In some games it's even MORE prominent.

One small clarification, although the official title is "Zelda's Theme", it's better known among fans as "Zelda's Lullaby". So don't be surprised if you see that title in some of these linked videos.

• Zelda's iconic theme debuted in A Link to the Past. Although in this game it was associated to the Seven Maidens in general, the first time you hear it is when you first meet Zelda at the beginning. That was one of the most memorable moments in the entire game, and the music fits just perfectly, hence why people associated it with her above the others.
• Zelda doesn't appear in Link's Awakening, but her theme does in the ghost's house.
• Ocarina of Time was the game where this theme truly found its footing:
  • The first appearance was when you first meet her. Yet again, one of the most memorable moments in the entire game, an another reason why this melody is so beloved. It was also later on reused for Majora's Mask during her brief cameo.
  • Remember when we said this theme is better known among fans as "Zelda's Lullaby"? Well, you can thank this little ocarina tune for that. By far, the most remembered song you could play with the ocarina. And considering you read that title every time you played it (which was, by far, the most often out of all the ocarina songs), no wonder it stuck with players more than the official title from the original theme.
  • Her theme makes one more comeback in its original form when you meet her again as an adult.
  • And finally, the ending and the Staff Credits, where her theme completely steals the show and wraps up one of the most acclaimed games of all time. Anyone left wondering why fans love this theme so much?
  • All the more reason why Mahito Yokota used it for opening up the orchestrated theme for the extended credits in the 3DS remake.
• Zelda's Theme from the Linked Adventure of Oracle of Ages/Seasons is... a completely different melody. But still, it's a beautiful piece for the Princess of Hyrule, given when the hero meets her for the first time, and when you rescue her in the true ending.
• The Wind Waker came back to the original melody, and although it wasn't nearly as prominent as in Ocarina of Time, it still left its mark:
  • The new rendition, which appeared right at The Reveal, cementing the moment in every player's psyche even further.
  • Zelda's also has a stellar appearance in the magnificent "Staff Credits" theme, of which it forms the third movement. And also, it's the riff that wraps up the melody, putting a perfect final bow to one of the best themes in the entire series. Like the appearance of Link's leitmotif, this would also become another common practice in the Staff Credits music for later installments.
• Even in the often ignored Four Swords for GBA this theme has its chance to shine.
• Ditto for The Minish Cap, which used it more prominently than any other handheld game up to that point.
  • The game starts off strong with Zelda's leitmotif, albeit this time by using the composition from the beginning of the "Staff Credits" theme from Ocarina of Time. Which only makes it even more beautiful!
  • It also gave a kind of continuity nod to Zelda II's ending which fitted the mood for its scenes perfectly.
  • And yet another one, this one in a kind of sad note, to wrap the sweet-sour ending.
  • As for its appearance in the "Staff Credits", this time it appears around half way through, with a build up that will throw shivers through your spine.
• Four Swords Adventures gave also a couple of neat 16-bit like renditions.
  • The straight leitmotif, like the Overworld theme, also seems to be recycled from A Link to the Past... until you reach the second half of the loop and realize it has a couple of more instruments to differentiate it a bit.
  • It appears once again in the ending, giving an emotional final note to the players' journey.
  • And finally, in the "Staff Credits", it joins forces with the Main Theme for wrapping up the game once more.
• "Twilight Princess", which uses it more prominently in a leitmotif fashion than previous installments, also managed to keep it fresh thanks to some really smart and surprising music design choices.
  • Starting off with the gloriously orchestrated movie demo music that appeared after the title screen if you didn't actually start the game. It's a testament to this theme's awesomeness that it got an official orchestrated version inside an actual game before the Main Theme itself!
  • Of course, when you first meet the actual princess, her leitmotif makes a return. This time it has a slightly somber tone compared to previous renditions, but that makes it all the more fitting in this story.
  • "Sacrifice", where it's mixed up perfectly with "Midna's Theme" to twist the knife in one of the most tearful moments in the game.
  • What else can this theme do to stay awesome? Well, how about being howled by Wolf Link?
  • Near the end of the game, this theme pulls the rug from under us with "Puppet Zelda", the most twisted version of the theme ever. And for good reason giving the scene where it sound.
  • Which is followed by this little snippet that surely makes the player breathe with relief when it appears.
  • Shortly afterwards, we get this sweet rendition.
  • Right before the Final Battle, Zelda's theme gives us a morale boost with a bombastic rendition.
  • And finally, Zelda's and Link's leitmotifs get mixed together to wrap up the Staff Credits music once again.
• In Phantom Houglass it also got a couple of stand out moments:
  • Starting off with the beginning of the game, during the recap of the events from The Wind Waker.
  • Also a new rendition of the original score makes a brief, yet memorable comeback.
• In Spirit Tracks, since Zelda is Promoted to Playable, her leitmotif is specially prominent:
  • The main rendition of course shines the second it starts playing.
  • And then there's... this... which is exactly what you'd expect from a sequence that involves sneaking around the castle courtyard and avoiding guards. It would have been right at home in Ocarina of Time, too.
  • During one specific scene, we get this soothing version (more so than usual, at least).
  • There's also this adorably awkward version, which shows its comedic potential.
  • This rendition sounds in a scene that starts off adorable... and ends up being hilarious!
  • Right before the final showdown, Zelda's and Byrne's respective leitmotifs get mixed up in a vaguely epic (if a touch repetitive) version.
• Zelda's Theme makes a comeback in Skyward Sword, with a full orchestra backing it up, which surely will bring tears to any Zelda's fan's eyes. Surprisingly enough, though, this is the only rendition of Zelda's leitmotif in the entire game, which was extremely rare in the franchise at this point. Unless you count "Ballad of the Goddess" (AKA "Zelda's Theme" backwards) and its multiple iterations, of course.
• A Link Between Worlds went back to use this theme prominently:
  • The traditional version gets another lovely rendition.
  • In the Milk Bar we can get another beautiful version with flute and guitar.
  • Then we have "Zelda's Portrait", which gives us the most ominous rendition of the them yet. That organ surely is spooky!
  • The theme makes a gloriously epic comeback in the Final Battle.

Ganon's Theme

The main antagonist also had to have his own theme. Just like Zelda, he got it in A Link to the Past, albeit he's the only one of the main three that didn't get it via bootstrapping. A really haunting piece of music that sends chills to anyone's spine, worthy of a nemesis that threatens Hyrule throughout millennia.

• Ganon's Castle in OoT. Foreboding architecture? Check. Ominous pipe organs? Check. One hell of a confrontation at the top? You betcha.
• The Twilight Princess version of Hyrule Castle. Starts creepy, but as you progress, more and more elements of Ganon's theme are woven in until you reach the highest reaches of the castle, at which any trace of the Hyrule Castle theme has been completely consumed by Ganon's theme. Then, when Link and Midna finally reach Ganon, he rises from his throne as an awesomely arranged version of the original Legend of Zelda's Ganon intro plays.
• In A Link Between Worlds, Lorule Castle's theme winds up adding in Ganon's theme... in a Triumphant Reprise. Let that sink in for a moment.
• Breath of the Wild has the Blight Ganon battle themes. All four of them. They are all different renditions of the same piece using different instrumentation, starting out very intimidating and evolving into one of the most epic versions of Ganon's Theme ever. Then, there's the Calamity Ganon battle theme, a slower and even more epic version of the theme.
• With the return of Ganondorf in Tears of the Kingdom, a new and more intimidating version of his iconic theme is played during the battle with the Demon King reborn. This time it adds a Japanese aesthetic befitting his more samurai appearance in this game.

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The Legend of Zelda (1986)

• The Nintendo-published Pictobits includes a badass remix of Death Mountain (the final dungeon from the original game) by Japanese Chiptune band YMCK. After the original song plays for a bit, it speeds up and morphs into what can only be described as 8-bit metal, complete with a makeshift guitar solo.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

• The prologue. Deride the game all you want, this is still a beautiful tune.

• The Palace Theme. If beeps and boops aren't your thing, here's the Smash Bros. Melee Remix.
• The Great Palace Theme, and again, a Smash Bros. remix of it.
• The Overworld Theme. As tough as the game is, this is a pretty nice rework of the original overworld theme.

A Link to the Past

• This little ditty plays at the title as the Triforce comes together. Ocarina of Time uses it in a more subtle choral form for the moment when the Triforce was created AND the moment when the Sages help Link enter Ganon's Castle. Wind Waker uses it when a certain princess key to the Triforce is revealed.
• The opening demo is the song that DEFINES LttP. The melancholy feel of it foreshadows the mood of the game perfectly.
• The File Select theme became a recurring track for file select screens, its haunting, almost sombre beauty reeling the player into the game before it even begins properly.
• Hyrule Castle, which eventually became one of Zelda's recurring riffs. From the opening cymbal crash, to the swooping string figure backed by percussive trumpets and drums, to a climax that brings the strings and brass together before the energy ebbs and the melody moves to the lower strings, every note practically screams, "Hurry, Link! Only you can save Zelda now!"
• The Light World dungeon music starts with a haunting figure in lower strings before giving way to an insistent rhythm in the upper strings, just perfect for trekking into an unfamiliar dungeon. The track got an awesome violin and piano remix for the Zelda-centered DLC in Sonic Lost World.
• The ethereal, string-led Lost Woods theme is perfect for the mysterious, fog-enclosed forest, and may make you wish you didn't have to draw the Master Sword, because after that point, this song is gone forever.
• You got the Master Sword! Now go smite evil with it! Appropriately, on its most essential level, this is a remix of the "You Got (Insert Important Item Name Here)" tune.
• The Boss Clear Fanfare. Nothing says complete victory like this song, especially when you kill the final boss to get the Master Sword or free Zelda to break into Ganon's tower.
• The Dark World theme is one of the game's most instantly familiar themes, its catchy melody and lively yet slightly sinister atmosphere making for the perfect accompaniment for a trek through the grimly transformed Golden Land.
  • And the orchestrated version is even better.
  • And the official 25th year anniversary orchestra remix? This theme gets better every time!
  • When you first stumble into the Dark World without the Moon Pearl, you get this creepy little track.
• The other Dark World theme (Hidden Mountain and Forest), and its Brawl remix, its almost marchlike atmosphere really conveying how much is now at stake following Agahnim drawing Link into the Dark World.
• The music for the final boss battle with Ganon is relentless and terrifying, everything a final boss battle track should be.
• The three tracks that play over the end of the game convey a perfect sense of achievement and finality.
  • The Triforce Chamber. After beating the piss out of Ganon, to hear this song tells you that you have finally arrived where you need to be.
  • Expanding on that, the music played over the ending cutscene right before the credits, is just fantastic. Heroic to accompany the king's return to Hyrule, reverent to accompany the priest's revival, light and tripping to accompany the ocarina player's return, and finally triumphant to accompany Link returning the Master Sword to its resting place, it fits every scene in the montage perfectly.
  • The credits music starts out soft as the pieces of the Triforce spin on screen, but as the sun rises in the background, the main Zelda theme slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, begins to take shape, seeing the game out in an atmosphere of majesty and victory.

Link's Awakening

• The Ballad of the Wind Fish, and the remix that plays with all eight Instruments. And now with the remake, a new version with official lyrics.
• This game's take on the main theme is unique, too - and definitely very good. It even got a Brawl remix, which also mixes in a little...
• Tal Tal Heights. Probably the most popular tune from the game.
  • There's a pretty awesome piano rendition of Tal Tal Heights here.
  • The funny thing is, you don't actually hear this song in Tal Tal Heights, but in the Tal Tal Mountain Range instead.
• Damn near all of the dungeon tracks in this game are catchy, and usually very sinister and oppressive:
  • Tail Cave starts out slowly but turns much more dynamic.
  • The BGM for Bottle Grotto is a spooky tune that fans of Super Mario World might find somewhat familiar...
  • Key Cavern opens with an in-your-face Scare Chord and then switches to Ominous Music Box Tune.
  • Angler's Tunnel is probably the least impressive of all the dungeon tunes, just being a sped-up version of the cave theme (where the first three dungeons were more elaborate variations), but it's surprisingly catchy. The remake also gave it a much needed upgrade.
  • Catfish's Maw is very unsettling.
  • The hypnotic and melancholy Face Shrine, which is almost evocative of Baroque music in its style. The remake's version combines the original chiptune with dark and somber orchestral strings to convey the dramatic emotional weight of The Reveal.
  • The ominous Eagle's Tower.
  • The last dungeon, Turtle Rock, is a neverending slog of labyrinthine corridors and lava, and the music backs up the feeling of hopelessness and despair.
  • From the Updated Re-release, the Color Dungeon's haunting remix of a Zelda 1 theme.
• Combining the awesomeness of the Face Shrine and the Ballad of the Wind Fish, there's the Southern Shrine, a perfect music for The Reveal that the island is All Just a Dream. The remake only makes it even more beautiful yet emotional sounding.

• The sheer joy distilled into Manbo's Mambo!
• The Sword Search music. An awesome song to start the game. A little disappointing it's only played at the beginning before being overtaken by the overworld theme.
• The opening sequence. The buildup to the entrance of the main Zelda theme tune gets the player suitably fired up for another epic adventure with Link.
• Nightmare Battles, a resounding and somewhat sinister Final Boss theme, which fits as you are in a fight for your life against literal nightmares. Not only is it given an imposing remix in the remake, DethI finally receives a foreboding yet rather melancholic final battle theme.

Ocarina of Time

You don't get a 9 out of 10 from Pitchfork, much less be the first video game OST they've ever reviewed, unless you did a damn good job.

• The Hyrule Field theme. It's not the overworld theme, but it isn't a bad alternative, and it contains elements of the series's main overworld theme. The theme is made up of various shorter segments, and which one plays at what point depends on whatever Link is doing at the time.
• The Lost Woods, a.k.a. "Saria's Song". This guy has a video teaching you to play it on the violin. And it is AWESOME.

• Has there ever been a catchy melody quite like the Song of Storms? It's also featured remixed in this Brawl medley.
  • The windmill guy couldn't forget the song and neither can anyone else. So much so that it has been in at least four Zelda games.
  • Even more awesome in metal form.
• The Gerudo Valley theme, good enough to be featured unaltered in Brawl, and awesome enough to get its own epic track on the 25th Anniversary Soundtrack that came with Skyward Sword. It gets an even more awesome arrangement in Nintendo Land.
• Temple of Time. A rare case of Un-Ominous, Relaxing Chanting. Especially the part that plays when you open the Door of Time! If pure awesomeness could be converted into 21-second music clips...
• Even if it's only about 30 seconds long, there's gotta be some love out there for Sheik's Theme. Combined with the dialogue, it just works really well
• The Forest Temple. If ever there was a track in a video game that makes you scared of discovering just what's behind the next corner, it is this.
• The original chanting in the Fire Temple, before it was altered in later editions to respect the sensibilities of Muslims. The revised version isn't bad itself, though it's kind of atmospheric for a temple in which it's possible to burn to death even with a tunic that negates convection.

• If you can, try to trigger the cutscene where you learn the Requiem of Spirit just as the sun sets. It fits the music. And on the flipside, the Prelude of Light is ideal for playing at sunrise.

• The end credits. Ten minutes of pure bliss and magnificence.
• Goron City. It's the perfect Goron theme, and welcome in every game that's featured it since.
• The title theme. Listen to the very beginning of the flute melody in the title theme. You only need to listen to the first 20 seconds. Sound familiar? Oh, yes it does!

• Nintendo released a CD called Hyrule Symphony, which was a series of orchestral versions of the Ocarina Of Time music. It also includes a medley of all the main themes from the previous titles. Here, just listen.
• The Shadow Temple theme. Dark, eerie, and frightening, yes. But that's also what makes it downright awesome. Definitely shows a grittier part of the game. The Shadow levels are large... but it's like the music itself is trying to trap you and sap your willpower.
• The quiet, echoing flutes that play in the Great Deku Tree are very soothing.
• And the steel drum-centric Zora's Domain theme captures the grace of its inhabitants quite well.

• No list of Awesome Zelda Music is complete without Ocarina of Time's signature song The Song of Time regardless of how short it is.
• The new orchestrated medley played at the remake developer's part of the OOT 3D end credits. Being done by the same guy that gave us Super Mario Galaxy's awesome soundtrack, it's not only an incredible way to end an awesome remake, but it gives us a good look at how Skyward Sword's orchestrated soundtrack will play out.
• This guy plays fleshed out versions of the ocarina songs on a real ocarina and puts some accompaniment to it. Anyone who played the game who watches this will feel their heart swell with nostalgic joy, and then the Manly Tears come at the end when he does the song of time.
• The Marcus Hedges Trend Orchestra's 2016 Ocarina of Time Symphony. Every track you ever loved is fully fleshed out and even brief tunes like Sheik's theme are made into whole pieces.
• Nobody likes that owl (Kaepora Gaebora), but his music certainly is quite catchy. Do you understand?
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  Yes
• The credits music combines multiple themes over a nice scenic view of Hyrule along with a celebratory party at Lon Lon Ranch. It gives such a bittersweet feeling now that the game is over. Link has saved Hyrule, but the adventure is now done and Link's future is uncertain.
• The Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly theme is a vaguely foreboding yet catchy track. It's accompanied by groans and a heartbeat in the background, creating the perfect organic atmosphere for Link’s strange journey through the bowels of the giant deity.
• The Ice Cavern theme is a fairly minimalistic, yet clean and soothing track with a vague wind in the background. It really makes you feel the subzero temperatures of the cavern.

Majora's Mask

• The title theme starts out as a slower, more calming remix of Clock Town, but becomes more and more ominous as it goes on - by the end it's become kinda scary.
• The Song of Healing's soothing powers are not limited to the video game world.
  • As well as the even more soothing yet sinister (when played by itself without ambient sounds from the watermill that appears alongside it in the actual game) version heard in the Clock Tower.
  • And who would think a song like that could sound sinister?
  • It's scary as hell when played during the Ben Drowned videos, but the reversed Song of Healing deserves a place here.
  • There were tears shed when the cutscenes played after playing the song for Darmani and Mikau.
  • The piano version of the reversed Song of Healing seems much less creepy and more soothing due to the lack of distortions resulting from normally reversing a song, though when it's reversed back into the Song of Healing, it becomes even scarier than the distorted version reversed Song of Healing, thus becoming the true Song of Unhealing.
• Ah, Clock Town, the theme of which gradually morphs from cheerful to... disturbing. Its theme is at its most sedate on the First Day, but gets a little busier on the Second Day. And then it's the Third Day, when civilization is beginning to break down in stark gibbering terror as the moon gets lower and lower in the sky. Which leads to...
• The Last Day. An evocative mixture of awe and dread, conveying a sense of unreality in the face of annihilation, and at the same time a serene acceptance of the inevitable. Nightmare Fuel AND a Tear Jerker in musical form. It's even better in-game with the clock tower's echoing bells going off every few seconds.
• Never fear, your ol' pal Kaepora Gaebora is here to trap you in some exposition when you select the wrong response.
• The Pirates' Fortress. Beginning with sinister strings punctuated by snare drums and timpani and moving on to a solemn trumpet melody over a synthesised clarinet accompanying figure, it is the perfect music to infiltrate a heavily guarded fortress, conveying just the right balance of tension and adventure.
• The Astral Observatory theme is beautiful and ethereal, but also sad in some ways.
• The Deku Palace music, and its orchestrated remix, which perfectly encapsulates the whimsy and malice within.

• Although it's the Link's Awakening song In Name Only, "Ballad of the Windfish" as it appears in Majora's Mask: Link's four selves playing in perfect harmony, each of which contributes an indispensable part of the whole.
• Romani Ranch. It's Lon Lon Ranch without the synthesized vocals.
• The Snowhead Temple theme. Take the sound of a cold wind blowing, add some eerie, minimalist synthesised keyboards over the top, and you have the ideal accompaniment for the frigid trek through the game's second dungeon.
• Say what you will about the Great Bay Temple, the game's obligatory water level, but the music complements the atmosphere gloriously, full of ebb and flow and heavy use of echo that conveys a powerful audio picture of the dungeon's deep water and strong currents.
• The Stone Tower Temple, its martial main melody equal parts solemn dignity and resolute determination. And when you flip the temple upside down, the various melodies and countermelodies shift up or down by octaves to "flip" the music end over end as well.
• Also in Ikana, there's the music for the Ancient Castle of Ikana. And at the end of Ikana Castle, when you learn the Elegy of Emptiness... When it's sung by the Skeleton King, it sounds so lonely and sorrowful.
• The Majora's Mask's boss battle music fits the race-style battle with Goht perfectly. And, somehow, the deep groans Goron Link makes when he's hit by Goht's lightning also blend with the music.
• And the Oath to Order, especially when you play it at the end to summon the Four Giants. Then there's the orchestrated version.
• Surely Majora has a good track to his name? Yes, and nice and creepy at that.
• And at the end, some awesome credits music. This one as well. And in the remake, this beautiful composition ending with the main theme.

• The Bremen Mask March may just be a simple ocarina figure, but it's so catchy that it's easy to see why the baby Cuccos are irresistibly drawn to Link as he plays it.

Oracle games

• The Dancing Dragon Dungeon from Oracle of Seasons. Just begs for a jazzy remix.
• Also from Oracle of Seasons, the mildly sad theme of Tarm Ruins.
• And the Sea of No Return from Ages. You can only hear it once in Seasons, but it compensates by offering you the Pirate's Gigue anytime you want.
• And the ending themes, both are variations on the overworld theme.
• The Skull Dungeon from Ages is catchy and melodic, even while remaining melancholy and somber in tone. It's evocative of Russian folk music to the point where it wouldn't sound out-of-place in Tetris.
• And Nayru's Song, also from Ages. Her career as a singer may be only a cover for her true role as the titular Oracle...but that doesn't stop her from being damn good at it.
• The theme of Horon Village in Oracle of Seasons should remind you of something...Zelda's theme.

• Sadness. Perfectly captures the feeling of sorrow, destruction, and despair that sets over the lands of Holodrum and Labrynna when the Oracles are kidnapped.
• The Temple of Seasons theme. So mystical...
• From Ages, the Moonlight Grotto, with a unusually "heavy" opening that almost sounds like a rock guitar riff.
• Who knows where or when the Cut Song would have played, but damn if it isn't impressive.
• Symmetry City's theme is cheery and catchy, but the melancholy remix that plays in the past is far more poignant.

The Wind Waker

• The Legendary Hero which opens the game while the legend of the Hero of Time is told. Awesome.
• Aryll's theme is heard within the Outset-island theme (along with the old Kokiri-forest theme), during her kidnapping and in both of her appearances in the Forsaken Fortress. It is also, as one might assume, a key component of Aryll's Kidnapping. Absolutely heart wrenching when the main theme peters out around 0:54.
• While it isn't the Overworld theme, the sailing music isn't bad to listen to, which is good, because you'll be hearing a lot of it. And then it gets cursed, and a familiar and ominous leitmotif is mixed in with it...
• Dawn is no slouch, either. It's always smile-worthy to hear it in the middle of sailing.
• Dragon Roost Island. Also Medli's Awakening, with this theme played softly with a guitar.
• The battle with Molgera. So good, it was reused in Brawl without changing a single note of the original arrangement.
  • The Ganon's Tower version of Molgera is pretty neat too.
  • While we're on the subject, Ganon's Tower's Jalhalla battle theme had something the original didn't. It's already reminiscent of an Ominous Music Box Tune, but the distortion makes it sound far more appropriate for the ghostly boss it accompanies.
• Tower of the Gods, and the boss battle Gohdan is one of the more original sounding boss themes in the series, and certainly creates the feeling that a fight against a futuristic, mechanized being is being made.
• Also, the Wind and Earth Sage's respective prayers. The game's theme song incorporates both.
• Laruto's theme has some nice melancholy to it, while Fado seems to be cheerful even in death. And of course, both sages' themes are rearrangements of "The Legendary Hero". Yeah!!

• Farewell, Hyrule King. A melancholy piano arrangement of the now-classic Hyrule Castle music.
• Before Tetra switched to having Zelda's characteristic theme for a leitmotif, she and her crew shared this awesome music for a theme, which pretty much sums up everything you need to know about Miss Tetra's bumbling Pirates: So fitting.
• The miniboss theme. The Western sounding tune makes it.
• The musical nods to previous Zelda games' music are Awesome Music in themselves:
  • Outset Island and Forest Haven (Kokiri Forest, Ocarina of Time)
  • Windfall Island (Kakariko Village, multiple games)
  • Hyrule Castle (same, A Link to the Past)
  • Inside Forest Haven (Saria's Song, Ocarina of Time)
  • Phantom Ganon battle (final boss battle, A Link to the Past with part of the Ganondorf battle from Ocarina of Time)
  • Hero of the Winds. Recognize this? Yes, it's the first games title screen, remixed! How awesome can you get?!
• The dang victory theme really makes you feel like you accomplished something.
• Grandma's theme. Depressingly awesome.
• The Snake Form from the Puppet Ganon fight evokes the battle of a legendary Pokémon.
• Or how about the game demo theme? A really cool mix of the Great Sea theme and the classic Zelda theme.
• The fantastic Epilogue music is really inspiring, mixing Journey (The music you hear when you first depart from Outset) with the classic series theme.
• Say what you will about the Fairy Queen, but her version of the fairy fountain theme is several kinds of awesome.
• The Earth Temple theme, with its rhythmic drum and the didgeridoo. There's also the boss of the Earth Temple Jalhalla's theme, being a fun carnival music-like song to contrast the dark tone of the Earth Temple.
• The fight against the Helmaroc King gets this gem, perfect for getting revenge on the bird that kidnapped your sister.
• And the best for last: The Staff Credits music. This one is all the game's musical awesomeness concentrated into a song. This theme is not only arguably the best of the entire game, or even the entire franchise. It's probably one of the best melodies in video game history.

Four Swords Adventures

• Lake Hylia certainly gives off that adventurous spirit that Hyrule Field is typically known for giving off. Notable in that it's the music for the game's first level.
• The Kakariko Village renditions of the Village of the Blue Maiden. When you first enter the level, the tune is eerie and off-kilter, encompassing the mystery of the wizards and the vanishing villagers. After you solve the mystery, remedy the town's troubles, and beat Shadow Link, the tone switches to an upbeat and cheery tune just before you confront the barrier.
• The wintry remix of the Dark World theme, played in world 7, has a lot of mystery and suspense and makes you feel like you're in a snowbound land.
• As usual in the series, the Staff Credits theme is absolutely stellar. This game has one of the most upbeat in the entire franchise.

The Minish Cap

• Minish Woods, a calm, quaint, and mysterious piece appropriate for the location.
• Mt. Crenel, an obvious homage to A Link to the Past's Dark World (with bits of the original NES and Ocarina of Time overworld themes thrown in as well for good measure).
• Rainy Mt. Crenel, which is an homage to the Falling Rain theme from A Link to the Past.
• The Hyrule Castle theme never sounded as brooding as it did here...
• Cloud Tops, easily one of the most epic themes in the franchise. And how about the triumphant remix from the credits?
• The original Zelda's underworld music is used again in Minish Cap for the Royal Crypt. It's also used in the Color Dungeon.
• Take an Ominous Pipe Organ, give it a driving rhythm, add a little Harpsichord of High-Class Evil, and you get Vaati's theme.
  • Do all of the above, add the main theme back in, make it even more awesome, and you get Vaati's final battle theme.
  • His first two forms are no slouches in the music department, either.
• The Temple of Droplets. A soothing ambient theme to keep you from Rage Quitting this Slippy-Slidey Ice World full of Block Puzzles and Goddamned Insects.

• The Palace of Winds. A spine-chilling composition for an awesome dungeon.
• Castor Wilds, an oppressive mix of the main theme for a swamp level. But the real awesomeness comes in...
• The Wind Ruins. Take the Castor Wilds, give it a driving beat and a few more instruments, and add in the flute theme from the very first Zelda game and you get this masterpiece.

Twilight Princess

• The hauntingly beautiful title screen music.
• Faron Woods is a calming and wonderfully enchanting track that perfectly fits the lush and laid back forest.
• The first time you go into the field and you hear this.
• And there's also a beautiful remix of the main theme for the Fishing Hole area.
• Ilia's Theme and the triumphant reprise that plays when she regains her memories.
• Also the Horseback battle music and the King Bulblin battle theme.
• Twilight Princess also had Midna's Lament, the beautiful and sad music that plays when Midna is cursed by Zant.
• The Zora Queen, Rutela. So beautiful and haunting and poignant and... perfect. It is, appropriately enough, a remix of the Serenade of Water from Ocarina of Time.
• The Temple of Time showed up again—completely unaltered—in Twilight Princess... not just Awesome Music, but a Moment of Awesome as well.
• It's short, but the Master Sword theme. Mixing the original theme with the new theme...beyond words.
• Stallord is an awesome boss, especially since the music is strangely familiar...

• Snowpeak itself. Very simple, but very eerie remix of the main theme.
• The battle against Blizzetta, specifically phase two of it. Even better since, like all boss fights, the music changes if you get the upper hand in the fight.
• As said above, there's this little ditty that plays whenever you expose a boss' weak point, and constantly cries out for more (da-da-da-da da da da!). Remixed in Spirit Tracks!
• The Hidden Village theme, which, like the Molgera music, is fitting enough to appear in Brawl without being remixed at all.
• The actual battle with Zant. The same (twilight remix) theme plays throughout, gradually getting more complex, while combined with the themes of each boss Zant copies. It gets faster and crazier with every phase, mirroring Zant's mental state: relatively calm at first, but more frantic as you kick his ass, before descending into utter insanity.

• The Twilight Realm. Haunting, otherworldly, beautiful.
• The first theme of the final battle. The sheer eeriness of hearing that rendition of Zelda's Theme.
• Then comes the second theme, A.K.A. Beast Ganon's battle music. That eerie twist in the music and the chanting make you feel like you're trapped in Ganon's hell.
• And afterwards comes the Horseback Battle with Ganon. With all that epic movement going on, the suspense makes you worry if you're gonna fall off Epona and get trampled by Ganondorf's ghost riders.
• The final battle against Ganondorf in Twilight Princess is also particularly awesome, and also manages to use Ganon's regular theme in there as well.
• Going Down the Rapids, a relaxing piece that blends strangely well with shooting pottery with high explosives.
• Hidden Skill Training, a heart-pumping mix of brass and drums.

• The wolves' singing some of the most classic tunes in the whole series, as well as the all-new "Ballad of Twilight", it's all as hauntingly beautiful as the view of Hyrule when they're singing them. A highlight of the entire game is playing the haunting, addicting melody of Requiem of Spirit in a wolf's voice.

• Lake Hylia during the day has the absolutely lovely music, as befits the scenery.

• Sacred Grove theme. Just the perfect blend of ominous, ethereal, and blissful tones giving the impression that one get get lost forever in their dreams of the forest. Also a huge layer of nostalgia. Doubly incredible because it's the exact same as Saria's Song, but the piano in the back changes the tone from light and cheery to sombre and pensive.
• The music when you fight Armogohma evokes a Giant Spider stomping around insanely well. And then when you complete the first phase of the battle, it becomes Funny Music as well.

• During most Boss Fights, when the enemy's weak point is exposed, an amazingly triumphant tune plays.
• When a fragment of the Fused Shadow or Twilight Mirror is uncovered, a gorgeous, yet haunting theme plays.
• Fyer's cannon theme is both hilarious and one of the most awesome earworms in the whole series.
• Ook's Theme which is the very first miniboss theme sets the stage for many of the above songs. And it gets remixed for part of the Zant fight.
• Our Children Taken is a beautifully depressing song. Its music-box tune paired with the somber oboe, strings, and guitar just has that lost feeling; lost innocence, lost lives, lost everything. Like life was at its peak, then just slipped right through your fingers.
• The music for the Twilit Bloat fight increases the tension that comes from having to fight a giant swimming invisible bug on a handful of tiny rafts.

Phantom Hourglass

• Ciela, Spirit of Courage is a wondrously upbeat track that is bound to put you in a good mood.

• The three phases of Bellum. Plus his own theme.
• Also the credits theme. You can hear a bit of Link to the Past's ending theme, which is even more awesome.
• The triumphant music that plays in pretty much every game when you get an important item is always pretty cool. Phantom Hourglass especially.

Spirit Tracks

• The trailer theme, which, as many expected, turned out to be the overworld theme, is just way beyond awesome!
  • Here's the release trailer, so you can listen to it yourself, but careful, it contains spoilers.
  • For those who hate spoilers, the short version of the trailer has already been awesomely orchestrated by ZREO.
  • And of course, the whole song here. It's still every bit as awesome as it was in the trailer.
• Spirit Tracks, unlike its predecessor, used the Main Theme much more prominently:
  • The Title Screen opens up with a small variation of the main riff.
  • When Link gets his iconic green clothes, you know his leitmotif is bound to appear!
  • And yet once again in "Zelda Ready to Fight". An uncommon place to use this theme, but still works magnificently!
  • "Before the Final Battle" features some snippets mixed up with the Overworld theme, setting up the mood for the final confrontation just perfectly.
  • "Link catches Zelda", which shows this theme can also work for comedy.
• The File Select track. Yes, it's the fairy fountain theme again, but there's something inexplicably awesome about the 'backbone' of the track that the other versions lack.
• The Spirit Flute's leitmotif is one of the recurring riffs throughout the game, and it definitely earns that position.
• Every time Link plays one of the duets with a Lokomo includes some fantastic melodies, particularly the finale, when Link, Zelda, and every Lokomo in the game join in to play the main theme. Here's the finale. Also, the links to the Lokomo duets, which are short but awesome.
• Chancellor Cole's theme is the perfect mixture of disturbing and regal-sounding.
  • Speaking of the good chancellor, there's, quite possibly, the sweetest fifteen seconds of Spirit Tracks, when Malladus possesses Cole.
  • The track when Malladus notes his possession of Cole is equal parts awesome and Oh, Crap!.
  • There's also the version of his theme that plays while defending Zelda in one of the final boss phases. Yes, it was already awesome; this is just continuing the trend.
• While Byrne's is just as awesome as you'd expect for the series' new resident Ensemble Dark Horse.
  • His boss battle music is pretty durn catchy, too.
  • Byrne Helps Out, a remix of Byrne's theme with a bit of Zelda's Lullaby thrown in. Absolutely great.
• The progressive theme of the Tower Of Spirits, which starts off as just mysterious wind blowing through the tower at the bottom, but as you ascend the spiraling staircase, a musical track starts to emerge. With each level you clear, the vocal accompaniments and various instruments start building onto the song into the background, beginning with just the bare bones of xylophonic tinkling until it gradually evolves into an ancient-sounding chorus, bell chimes, drum tapping, and finally, a very courageous trumpeting climax at your back to spur you on when you make it to the top.
• The song that plays when you first chart a course through any given realm is often overlooked— since it transitions so perfectly into the overworld theme, which has already been listed— but it's catchy enough to earn a spot here, too.
• This track, which plays near the beginning of the game on the world map, when Link is still a trainee engineer, as well as later in the game during the Goron target range mini-game.
• Sword Training and Intense Sword Training are both jaunty tracks that suit the minigame they accompany perfectly.
• Cursed Overworld a remix of the overworld theme, which plays in the Snow and Fire Realms before their respective Temples are cleared, does a great job of conveying a sense of urgency. You definitely feel like you're in a place that's been thrown into disarray, and that it's imperative to set things right again.
• Linebeck's Theme makes a return for his descendant, Linebeck III.
• Underwater is a nice, soothing track, to boot.
• The Goron Village music; it's not quite the Goron City music, but the feel is largely the same. It's a nice change of pace once the latter gets old, though.
• While it doesn't quite measure up to Wind Waker's, the miniboss theme isn't half bad, either.
• Stagnox's theme. It helps that it gets a remix in Skeldritch's theme.
• Cragma's theme is a very good remastering of Fraaz's theme, with heavy, pounding drums and cymbals instead of castanets. Then there's the track in his second form.
• Some of the tracks from after a boss is defeated are noteworthy, as well— like The Force Gem Awakens and Restoring the Spirit Tracks (which may or may not be 'Restoring the Tower of the Spirits' instead. It's hard to tell with some of the track names.)
• Demon Train!
  • The remix of the Dark Train theme right before the Demon Train battle is pretty neat.
  • The real awesome only starts once you get the Invincibility Power-Up. REVENGE, SWEET REVENGE!!
• The short track that accompanied Byrne's Heel–Face Turn and Heroic Sacrifice. Beware—the title of this song contains spoilers in and of itself.
• The Sacred Duet and the Final Battle: Malladus. What's especially amazing how they connect. You the player, controlling Link, collaborate with Zelda to play The Spirit Flute's leitmotif, and then every Lokomo in the game joins in. The result is an epic lead into the track for the final battle. Here is the combined result of it all.
• The two songs that play in the final cutscene before the credits, Saying Goodbye and Lokomo's Farewell, are both very somber, bittersweet, and give a strong feeling of closure and finality.
• The credits. It's the overworld theme mixed with even more awesome than before— including a build-up perfectly suited to the game itself and a bit of the series' main theme thrown in for good measure. What's not to like? And then there is the post-credits final scene, mixing up the Zelda Main theme with the main riff of the Overworld theme. A perfect musical wrap up for the game.
• There's also Invincibility from battle mode. Short, sweet and oh-so-satisfying. Battle mode also brings a rendition of Linebeck's theme. Not quite as epic as the original, but infinitely more cheerful.

Skyward Sword

• This is the first Zelda with a fully orchestrated soundtrack. Considering that Super Mario Galaxy already got the orchestral treatment to its own awesome results, that alone is a sign that the music is awesome.
• The main theme: The Ballad of the Goddess. The 25th Anniversary version is even better. It's no surprise that that it's arranged by the same guy as the Super Mario Galaxy games.
  • Remixed into the lovely Message From the Goddess.
  • But those maniacs weren't content to stop there. You've heard what "Ballad of the Goddess" is normally. Listen to it backwards.
  • It also received a kickass rock remix for the fourth installment of Super Smash Bros.
• The theme that plays inside Skyview Temple is very foreboding and atmospheric.
• Ghirahim's theme, both the regular version and the intense and whimsical battle version. And when a choir that's basically Ominous Latin Chanting minus the Latin is added...
• The "Romance" theme, Zelda's and Link's Leitmotif in this game, subtly evokes Zelda's Theme in a manner similar to the main theme, and it's absolutely beautiful.
• The music played in the opening could very well double as a Scary Music.

• Every version of the harp songs that Link plays in the game probably counts. Rather than go for quantity, the dev team definitely went of quality with those.
• Zelda's Lullaby becomes a more emotionally charged piece in this game - especially when you hear it in-game for the first time.
• The Silent Realms, true to their name, have eerily calm ambient remixes of their normal-world counterparts. That is, until the Guardians start coming after you.
  • The Goddess' Silent Realm especially stands out.
  • Though the Guardian theme is thrilling in its own right.
• And here's the flying music. An epic song that you would expect for the "exploration" portion of the game.
• This theme for Moldarach and Koloktos is one of the most epic boss battle themes in the series, as is this one for Scaldera and Tentalus.
• The music for water-themed things has a general soothing East Asian vibe that will immediately dispel any bad memories Zelda fans have had of past water dungeons. First, there's Faron's theme, and then there's the Ancient Cistern, which some fans have even labelled the best dungeon music in the series.
• Fi's theme - whether Following Fi, Fi's Main Theme, Fi's Farewell, or Fi's Gratitude - is a beautifully melancholy song.
• Groose's theme is a deliciously pompous tune that perfectly suits Groose. It becomes surprisingly awesome when it gets mixed in with the battle music for the Imprisoned to signify his involvement. Also has a very emotional take: "Dejected Groose".
• The battle music against the Imprisoned is epic, especially with the awesome percussion that is added in through Variable Mix, and when Groose's theme gets mixed in.
• No better track to fight against an army of Bokoblins in a race to save Zelda.
• The way the Bazaar theme bends to fit each little area is magical.
• The credits theme is an absolute triumph. It really imparts the feeling of having simultaneously finished and begun a Legend. And if the earth-shatteringly epic intro fanfare didn't wet your eyes already, just try to hold those Manly Tears back when the Main Theme kicks in.
• The file selection theme starts out quite reminiscent of previous versions of the same song, what with the characteristic harp solo, but when complementary strings come in halfway, it keeps you hooked.
• The theme to Lanayru Mining Facility can be rather boring, but activate the Timeshift Stone, and you get this.
• The Lanayru Sand Sea was more in the past. And the music reflects this.

• The Crimson Loftwing theme is perfect for that gangly bird.
• Present at Peace blends several of the game's main musical motifs together in a peaceful yet triumphant manner that signifies the result of Link's development as a hero. You've saved the world, Link. Now go see Zelda. You've earned it. Unfortunately, that means nothing to Ghirahim.
• The Goddess Sword presents a somber beginning to a grand journey. It also returns at the Gate of Time to start off a new chapter.
• This theme was originally planned to be the standard battle theme. Apparently, the revelation occurred that the theme was way too epic to play every time a Bokoblin showed up, so they gave it to a boss instead. Which boss? Levias◊, the colossal, possessed, flying whale. It works.
• Sky Keep, the Very Definitely Final Dungeon, has a very eerie and divine-sounding atmospheric track, befitting an upside-down tower housing the goddamn Triforce as its main item. It's unfortunately also a Long Song, Short Scene, since only the first room uses it, while the other rooms are based on the other dungeons in the game, so it gets replaced by each respective theme from the previous dungeons.

A Link Between Worlds

• Hilda's Theme is essentially Zelda's Lullaby with the notes upside down to match the Lorulean Triforce. The song still has a light sound along with a somber tone, which perfectly describes the princess.
• Hyrule at Peace plays right at the beginning of the game after Link has just woken up and got called to work by Gulley. It really sets the mood for the upcoming adventure.
• The first three snippets of music to be revealed were Hilda, Ravio, and Yuga's themes, all carrying the torch of awesome music long established by the series.
• The minigame theme, which plays, among other times, when you do the Cucco dodging minigame and the race. It's incredibly festive and epic.
• Yuga's second battle theme, an awesome battle music accompanied by Ominous Latin Chanting for good measure.
• Lorule Castle starts simple, but as you progress, it gets more and more complex and sounds like something out of Super Mario Galaxy. The perfect music for a castle siege. The latter parts of the song mix in Ganon's theme. In addition, playing the song backwards will reveal a section with the Hyrule Castle Theme!
• "Hidden Mountain and Forest", while no longer playing in the Skull Woods, gets an extended version on Lorule's Death Mountain.
• Unlike the dungeons in the first act of the game (excluding Hyrule Castle), all the dungeons after you start searching for the sages have their own unique theme, sometimes being both beautiful and creepy at the same time. They include Dark Palace, Swamp Palace, Desert Palace, Skull Woods, Thieves' Hideout, Turtle Rock and Ice Ruins. On another note, all of the Lorule dungeons actually have the same melody. They just sound so different you won't even notice the first time.
• There is also battle theme during the first phase of the battle against Yuga Ganon, which is a rearrangement of his battle theme from A Link to the Past. It even does some Retraux by starting out exactly how it sounded on the SNES console before gradually transitioning into epic orchestral.
• The absolutely epic and nostalgiagasmic Lorule Overworld theme, which takes the Dark World theme from A Link to the Past and makes it even more amazing. And once you've rescued all the seven sages and claimed the Triforce of Courage, it gets the most heroic, Triumphant Reprise ever, which may also be the most heroic-sounding overworld theme period.
• The StreetPass battle theme, surprisingly remixing Zelda II's dungeon theme to amazing effect. It also gets a triumphant major-key victory version.
• "Leaving Lorule" and "Beautiful Lorule", both of which play just before the end credits, yet are very different songs. The former is very somber, leading up to what seems like a Bittersweet Ending, while the latter is a Triumphant Reprise of Hilda's Leitmotif for when Link and Zelda's Selfless Wish restores Lorule's Triforce.

Tri Force Heroes

• The game's main theme. Those who enjoyed the realistic instrumentation of A Link Between Worlds can rest easy; this soundtrack satisfies right from the get-go.
• The Zelda series has many water dungeons with gorgeous songs, and now, the theme to the Riverside Area, a mesmerizing tune in its own right, can be added to the list.
• The Hinox battle theme fits the tone of a minecart chase very well, merging several different musical styles together and still working.
• The Sky Realm's theme somehow makes something coherent out of an 11/8 time signature and even incorporates the Woodlands theme near the end.

Breath of the Wild

• The main theme, for starters. It breaks a lot of conventions. But apart from the objective differences such as instrumentation, it is beautiful and mixes a triumphant brass and strings section with a haunting melody that acts as a Leitmotif for most of the game.
• The piano and choir music playing at the Sheikah towers is very soothing and refreshing, perfect for looking out over the breathtaking landscape of Hyrule. This is Scenery Porn in pure musical form.
• When Impa's legend gets to Ganon, the first measures of Ganon's Theme is played on a pipe organ. This then segues into the most epic rendition of the main theme ever. It's the main theme on a goddamn pipe organ with a goddamn choir. It cannot possibly get any more epic than that.
• What better music to play at Death Mountain than the music from the original Zelda's dungeon of the same name?
• The battle theme that plays during the first phase of Dark Beast Ganon's boss battle manages to simultaneously sound triumphant and intimidating, since it remixes the main theme song of the game alongside Ganon's classic Leitmotif.
• Hyrule Castle's theme. Both Outside and Inside variations. It combines the Hyrule Castle theme with parts of the Ballad of the Windfish, the Main theme/Song of the Hero, and Ganon's Message into a triumphant "take back the castle" theme. And the Inside version features Zelda's Lullaby. On top of that, both versions gain extra drumbeat during combat, making them sound like epic military marches.
• Link's Memories might be short enough to qualify as a jingle, but its gentle and mysterious melody encapsulates how it feels to uncover one of Link's lost memories.
• The theme that plays on top of some mountains is a very soothing, atmospheric piece. The feeling a being on top of a peak has never been captured so well in a song. It also helps that it was the song that played at the very beginning of the E3 2016 trailer.
• The Guardian battle theme, particularly the first three seconds of cascading piano notes, certainly lets you know that you'd better run. Their Shrine counterparts, the Guardian Scouts, have their own battle theme, which is memorable in its own right. And then the latter got an epic remix for the final boss of the Champions' Ballad DLC.
• Daruk's theme, also known as the song that plays in the Life in the Ruins trailer, is just incredible.
• Mipha's Theme is gentle and beautiful, but also heartbreakingly sad, fitting Mipha's personality.
• Revali's Theme might seem a bit of a lighthearted song for such an abrasive character, but the woodwind and string instruments, along with the soaring melody, perfectly express the feeling of flying gently through the air.
• Hateno Village's theme is beautiful, and perfectly captures the feeling of arriving somewhere cozy after a long voyage.
• The Temple of Time theme. It's one of the most subtle pieces of Zelda music ever. If you listen REALLY closely, you'll realize it's a slowed down version of the Song of Time.
• All four of the Divine Beasts' themes during the assaults launched on them:
  • Vah Rudania, as alien as the Divine Beast scaling Death Mountain. The variant that plays should its sentries detect you adds a tense air to the scenery.
  • Vah Medoh, ominous and foreboding with a heroic touch to it, perfect for a battle above the skies as you work in tandem with a local Rito archer to destroy the generators to Medoh's force field.
  • Vah Ruta, a beautiful dramatic piece suitable to its perpetual rainfall as you and Prince Sidon fight through its own Cryonis powers and avenge Mipha.
  • Vah Naboris, exotic and fast-paced to set the tone surrounding it, namely, Riju assisting you in avoiding Naboris' thunderbolts and closing in on it to reach its interior.
• And after that, the themes that play inside the Beasts are pretty amazing. Every terminal you activate adds another piece to the song, which culminates in a triumphant tune as you get ready to face against a Blight Ganon.
  • Vah Ruta uses somber piano to reflect Mipha's graceful nature and the serenity of water. The first section, especially, is an excellent example of the composers' understanding and control of chord progressions.
  • Vah Medoh has an airy feeling, which perfectly reflects being miles in the air.
  • Vah Rudania uses sitar and choir to represent the scorching, desolate interior of Death Mountain.
  • Vah Naboris uses pounded piano keys, plucked strings, and a minor scale to reflect Urbosa's power, the mystery of the desert, and the cryptic nature of the divine beast.
  • The Final Trial from the Champions' Ballad DLC is the Shrine music, made significantly more somber and foreboding by adding piano keys, bass strings, and ominous vocals. And like the Divine Beasts before it, it also gets more added to it the more terminals you unlock, filling in percussion, woodwinds, and even more strings—all coming together to form a haunting yet dramatic and truly beautiful song.
• After you've defeated a Blight Ganon and taken back control over a Divine Beast, this immensely epic piece plays while the Champion maneuvers the Beast into position. It practically screams "We are coming for you, Ganon!" with absolute focus and determination.
• The Molduga music. The song comes in two distinct phases. The first takes place when you begin the battle, and is tension given musical form—perfect for being hunted in the desert by a creature who could eat you in one bite. The second phase, which kicks in once you've landed a hit on the beast, keeps the tension but adds in a triumphant (and catchy!) string melody which perfectly reflects the situation. And as a bonus, parts of it seem to be an homage to another famous Sand Worm boss with great music in the franchise: Wind Waker's Molgera.
• For anyone who has fond memories of Wind Waker, it can be difficult to not shed a tear when a light, country-style remix of Dragon Roost Island makes up the music for the Rito Village. The version at night is even slower and calmer version of the same theme.
• The music at the shrine of Horse God Malanya, the Great Fairy that can bring back horses killed in battle, is a beautiful and soothing combination of the classic Great Fairy theme and Epona's Song.
• Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017 Trailer Music is a big epic orchestral piece that combines the danger and adventure of any great Zelda title, making the fanbase even more hyped for this game than they had ever been before. It was such a disappointment that it was not in the actual game, but there was much rejoicing when it was finally included in the 2018 soundtrack release.
• The lovely Korok Forest theme, with the medieval-esque pipes contrasting against every other piece heard throughout the game — perfectly setting the tone for encountering the ancient Deku Tree and the Master Sword.
• Everytime one of the three dragons (Dinraal, Farosh and Naydra) flies near your location, their majestic leitmotif plays. The erhu featured in this track soothes your ears and encapsulates the oriental feel of these dragons. When you first meet Naydra at the top of Mount Lanayru, however, a somber version of the dragon's theme plays instead, hinting at the corruption that you need to get rid of.
• Tarrey Town's theme evolves as you progress through the "From the Ground Up" questline, adding several instruments and motifs to the mix as the town's population increases. Just like the town itself, hearing the motif go from a barebones mix to one bristling full of life and energy is nothing short of satisfying.
  • The basic theme is a slow oboe solo backed by a piano and conga accompaniment.
  • As soon as Greyson and Pelison move in, a bombastic trombone is added to the track, representing the Gorons.
  • Once Rhondson is added to the roster, Tarrey Town adds a dulcimer that plays part of Gerudo Town's theme.
  • When Fyson moves in, the theme is updated yet again, this time adding a clarinet that plays part of Rito Village's theme on two separate occasions.
  • The theme is almost complete with addition of Zora priest Kapson, replacing the rudimentary piano accompaniment with a serene guitar arpeggio not unlike the undercurrent in Zora Domain's theme.
  • The final version, "Tarrey Town - Married", comes about after Hudson and Rhondson are married and the town's population fills itself with Hylians, bringing with them the bagpipes from "Hateno Village". Additionally, violins now complement the undercurrents that were once supported by just a piano.
• The Hinox's battle theme, which features a frantic mix of exotic percussions, chief among them the mbira, and a brass bombardment that hits as hard as the nearby tree that the Hinox is likely to grab and throw at you.
• "Maze Forest", which exclusively plays in complex labyrinths such as Typhlo Ruins, the Lomei Labyrinths, and the Lost Woods. The dynamics of the the piano notes are exaggerated at irregular intervals, disorienting you as the volume goes up as if to falsely tell there was something around the maze's corner.
• Kass' theme is a supremely suave accordion number that the Rito minstrel plays whenever you find him near gorgeous landmarks, which is usually a dead giveaway for a Shrine sidequest. If you find him near a stable, he'll instead play a rendition of Lon Lon Ranch's theme.
• Once in a blue moon, Mount Satori will bask in Heavenly Blue light, despawning all hostile creatures near it and causing a massive animal migration towards it. As you approach the mountain during that time, an eerie motif projects both mystery and dread at once, with the feeling cementing itself when you arrive at the top of the mountain and find what's unequivocally the biggest secret in the game.

Age of Calamity

• "Overlooking Hyrule", a beautiful rendition of the game's main theme that's played when on the map. After Calamity Ganon awakens, "Overlooking Hyrule" is replaced with the "Amid the Calamity" variation, which is far more somber to hit home the fact that everything is at stake; it also has a subtle Musical Nod to the Hyrule Castle theme from Breath of the Wild.

• "The Knight Who Seals the Darkness" and its second iteration, two rousing renditions of The Legend of Zelda Main Theme played when Link first draws the Master Sword.
• "With Power Awakened", a powerful and soaring theme where the piano and violins celebrate Zelda finally unlocking her hidden powers, and promptly proceeds to disable, in one go, all four of the Blights. This theme is a reprise of "Zelda's Awakening" from Breath of the Wild, and is an apt theme for one of the battles which was the turning point for both Link and Zelda in the original game.
• "In Dire Need" plays when the Hyrulean forces are mounting a rescue to save the champions from the Blight Ganons. The theme conveys a sense of urgency, appropriate considering you are on a Timed Mission. What really sells this track is the music variation when you manage to put one of the bosses into their weakened state, celebrating your character turning the tables in their favor (even more so if you play the respective champions from the original timeline when doing so).
• Rescue Operation is an epic battle theme with just a pinch of nostalgia mixed in.
• "Revali, Ace Archer and Aviator" takes Revali's theme from Breath of the Wild and transforms it into a truly glorious and whimsical rendition, which plays when you first fight against Revali before he joins the Champions. Even though it's technically a boss theme, it has such uplifting flourish and grace that suits Revali's prowess and skill perfectly, and gives the feeling of soaring through the air. You're not fighting an enemy here, but you are fighting someone who deserves to be taken seriously!
• "A Quiet Moment", a soothing and elegant piece that plays during touching moments in between battles. Elusive as these scenes are, this music highlights the simple joys and moments of respite the characters are able to enjoy. This theme playing during the Secret Ending makes the touching reunion with Terrako even sweeter.
• "Searching the Lost Woods" takes a short, minimalistic, atmospheric piece from Breath of the Wild, then slowly and gradually builds upon it until it culminates in a battle theme that, while certainly tense, never loses the mystery and intrigue of the original song.
• "Push Forward" makes incredible use of strings in its melody that tug at the heartstrings, giving a sense of hope that the forces of good will prevail.
• "Mortal Struggle beneath a Blood Moon" is full of tension and urgency, serving as the perfect musical Mood Whiplash after the heroic "Push Forward" during the penultimate story mission. Its more dramatic enemy outpost variation, which adds a full orchestra and choir, is especially awesome. You can feel the terror and chaos unfolding as the Hyrulean forces realize that their slain enemies have just risen from the dead and now have them surrounded.

Tears of the Kingdom

• In contrast to Breath of the Wild's melancholy theme, the main theme is a bombastic and uplifting piece that features several subtle nods to classic Zelda themes and combines a Western orchestra with a Chinese erhu to create a worthy Spiritual Successor to "Ballad of the Goddess".
• The theme of Ganondorf's final form, the Demon Dragon, combines the main Tears of the Kingdom theme, Ganondorf's theme, Zelda's theme and the theme of the dragons into a truly spectacular medley that perfectly sets the stage for the highly cinematic final battle of the game.
• The boss of the Wind Temple, Colgera, is fought in an icy blizzard miles above the Rito frontier. Your only companion is the brave young Rito Tulin, as well as this suitably epic theme that reaches new heights (pun intended) at around the 3:30 mark, complete with a nod towards Molgera's theme.
• The approach and dungeon themes throw in elements of the previous game's Vah Medoh approach theme, Revali's theme and the Rito Village theme (which in turn takes its melody from Wind Waker's Dragon Roost Island), as well as a unique theme foreshadowed by the Song of the Stormwind Ark.
• Stable Trotters' Serenade is a beautiful little medieval number from a traveling music troupe. There's no question as to why it drew the Great Fairies back out of hiding.
• "Dive to the Depths" is mostly an atmospheric piece that gradually builds tension and unease, but it ends with a huge brass sting upon emerging from a chasm into the open Depths to really warn the player about what they're getting into.
• After toppling into the Depths during the previous game, Master Kohga pops back up in this game with a delightfully grungy metal remix for his battle theme, while still retaining some of the traditional Japanese instrumentation of his original battle theme. Fits perfectly for a charmingly quirky recurring miniboss kitted out with various Zonai vehicles to run you over with.
• The new Hyrule Castle theme established by the previous game is remixed in this game, stripping away the thick texture, mighty organ and rhythmic thumping of marching feet and replacing it with low strings, intermittent brass and pulsing snare drums. Particularly considering the greater use of the A Link to the Past Hyrule Castle theme and Ganondorf's theme from Ocarina of Time, Hyrule Castle feels much less of a triumphant, bombastic final fortress to climb and more of a corrupted, empty, intimidating ruin where you are not welcome.
• Gloom's Approach, the road in the Depths towards the final battle with Ganondorf, is in part so intimidating due to the deeply unnerving, discordant music accompanying your descent. Making your way through pitch-black caves crawling with monsters and coated with pulsing red Gloom, with your ears filled with nightmarish rumbling sounds, intermittent whispers, and cultish vocal chanting which just keeps building and building? Screw being a conventional final dungeon theme, this sounds like you're descending into Hell.

CD-i Games

• Who would have expected the The Legend of Zelda CD-i Games to have awesome music? If only the games were as good as the soundtrack...
• Just outside Duke Onkled's palace. It's great for that kind of situation, considering that the palace is one of the most important places plotwise.
• The Overworld Theme from Zelda's Adventure, a rousing, upbeat piece which sadly went unused in the final game due to programming difficulties.

Symphony of the Goddesses / Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Symphony

• The opening medley. Hello, Spirit Tracks overworld, Dragon Roost Island, and Dark World theme. (Among others.)
• Kakariko Village, with some Twilight Princess thrown in for flavor.
• The Wind Waker symphonic movement lives up to its name; it will move you.
• Why hello there, Gerudo Valley.
• The Great Fairy's Fountain sounds absolutely marvelous.
• Wind Waker doesn't get all the fun. Say hello to the symphonic movement for Twilight Princess. That final half minute is the most powerful on the CD.
• The main theme to end all main themes gets its own medley.
• Skyward Sword offers up the Ballad of the Goddess.
• From Symphony of the Goddesses, we have Majora's Mask Medley. The big, dramatic finale with "The Final Hours" and "Oath to Order" is enough to bring tears to the eye, especially if you are fortune enough to see it performed live in concert.

Others

• While not in-game, the medley played by an orchestra at Nintendo's 2011 E3 conference for Zelda's 25th Anniversary was intended as a preview of how high quality Skyward Sword's orchestrated soundtrack will be. Listen to a cleaned up version here.
• Anvil of Crom/Riders of Doom from Conan the Barbarian (1982), which has undergone The Elfman Effect by being the BGM of several Zelda trailers from Ocarina of Time onwards. But probably the most epic usage was in the E3 2004 Twilight Princess trailer, which set the Darker and Edgier tone quite nicely.
• The Legend of Zelda cartoon has a tense orchestral version of the first game's dungeon theme, played on violins. Their version of the main theme is also good, though somewhat muffled by dialogue in the opening.
• Hyrule Warriors has enough for its own page.
• The SEGA sound team provided their own remix of the Overworld theme and the Light World Dungeon theme from A Link to the Past for the Zelda-themed DLC stage in Sonic Lost World. Like most music for the Sonic the Hedgehog series, both sound absolutely incredible.
• Mario Kart 8 also features a downloadable Zelda-themed level with a glorious big band remix of the overworld theme and Zelda's Lullaby composed by the Mario Kart Band.

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