Epic Beats In Not-So-Epic Games

We've all been burned by a game that promised the world but delivered frustration instead. But sometimes, even the worst games can have a saving grace—an epic soundtrack! The tunes don't fix the gameplay, but they leave a lasting impact by creating a mood that makes us overlook everything else, even if it's for a brief moment. So, in this list, we'll explore 20 awful games that still managed to create killer soundtracks.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 - Just Bad Games by Rerez

1. Bubsy 3D (1996)

Bubsy 3D is a meme legend for its blocky graphics and weird movement. The twist? Matt Berardo and Chris Stevens made music that was actually atmospheric. They layered sounds, music, and those wild voice clips using ADPCM.

PlayStation - Bubsy 3D (1996) by The VideoGames Museum

2. Sonic R (1997)

This game might have been a disaster in terms of gameplay—think clunky controls and a Sprint button that made no one feel speedier. But Richard Jacques' soundtrack is pure electric Euro-pop energy that became an instant fan favorite.

Sonic R playthrough ~Longplay~ by FCPlaythroughs

3. Genji: Days Of The Blade (2006)

This one dropped a unique fusion of traditional Japanese instruments mixed with orchestral flair. Jamie Christopherson nailed the emotional tone, which is impressive given the gameplay's repetitive combat and mediocre AI. 

Genji: Days of the Blade - PS3 Gameplay (2006) by JohnGodgamesHD

4. Xenosaga Episode II (2004)

While Xenosaga Episode II's convoluted story and slow pacing left players frustrated, Yuki Kajiura's soundtrack shone through with emotional depth. Tracks like Fatal Fight and Sweet Song became fan favorites, cutting through the narrative chaos.

The First Hour of Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse (2005) 4K by BavarianConsoleGamer

5. Final Fantasy Mystic Quest (1992)

Meant to ease RPG newcomers into the genre, this game ended up being too basic for many. Nevertheless, the soundtrack by Ryuji Sasai and Yasuhiro Kawakami went full throttle by featuring tracks like Battle 1 and Boss Battle that survived well past the game's lifespan.

SNES Longplay [156] Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest (Part 1 of 4) by World of Longplays

6. Enter The Matrix (2003)

Enter the Matrix (2003) took a shot at merging orchestral and electronic sounds, courtesy of Erik Lundborg and Don Davis. The game couldn't quite capture the movie's intense vibe through its gameplay, but the music pulled double duty by reusing those slick motifs from the films.

Longplay of Enter the Matrix by LongplayArchive

7. Shaq Fu (1994)

What Shaq Fu lacked in quality combat and a coherent premise, it made up for in funky beats. With a soundtrack composed by Delphine Software's in-house team, the hip-hop and synth fusion became a beloved aspect of the game, earning it a quirky cult following.

Shaq Fu - 1994 - Super Nintendo - Gameplay by VICIOGAME Retro Games

8. Rogue Warrior (2009)

Rogue Warrior is basically a cautionary tale for speedrunners and anyone with a swear jar. It was super short and packed more profanity than plot, yet the audio side featured some tough-as-nails industrial rock and ambient tension, thanks to Mark Rutherford. 

Rogue Warrior (2009) PC (Gameplay / Walkthrough) by Paulo Costa

9. Lair (2007)

Everyone remembers Lair for one thing: motion controls that never listened. But the music? That was the real dragon-rider's reward. John Debney teamed up alongside the London Symphony Orchestra and bagged the IFMCA award for Best Original Score in games. 

Lair | Full Game | No Commentary | PS3 | 2K by ComkriTV

10. Star Wars: Masters Of Teras Kasi (1997)

This one kicked things off with some serious promise in the music department—the magic of John Williams. While the controls were sluggish and animations stiff, the soundtrack retained that iconic cinematic punch you'd expect from the Star Wars universe. 

Star Wars: Masters of Teras Kasi (PS1) Playthrough - NintendoComplete by NintendoComplete

11. Unlimited Saga (2002)

Despite being a mess of confusing RPG mechanics, Unlimited Saga's orchestral score by Masashi Hamauzu was widely celebrated. It was often regarded as one of the finest in gaming and marked the beginning of his journey to compose Final Fantasy XIII.

Unlimited Saga Gameplay -- PS2 by insomnia GIMANIA

12. Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013)

The game's AI was laughable, and the misleading trailers had fans expecting something much more impressive. That said, Kevin Riepl, who also composed for Gears of War, created an intense orchestral score that borrowed heavily from the iconic Aliens films.

Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013) - PC Gameplay 4k 2160p / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD

13. Quest 64 (1998)

Quest 64 has a reputation for its bland combat and minimal story, ultimately making it an easy target for criticism. However, the game excelled in its soundtrack. Masamichi Amano's Celtic-inspired melodies were performed with live orchestration, a rare feat for N64 games.

Quest 64 (N64) - HD Longplay | No Commentary by Longplay Library

14. Rambo: The Video Game (2014)

If you could get past Rambo: The Video Game's dated graphics and on-rails gameplay, the soundtrack was a treat. Adapted from Jerry Goldsmith's iconic score, it retained the emotional and action-driven themes by earning praise even from disappointed fans.

Rambo: The Video Game (2014) PC Complete Playthrough - NintendoComplete by NintendoComplete

15. Too Human (2008)

With its repetitive mechanics and clunky controls, this game was a letdown for many. But on the musical front, it offered something really interesting. Steve Henifin's score mixed Norse mythology with electronic elements. The music was so good that it scored rave reviews.

Too Human - Xbox 360 Gameplay (2008) by JohnGodgamesHD

16. Revolution X (1994)

Shooting CDs at enemies was a bizarre concept in Revolution X, with the soundtrack being the true highlight. Featuring Aerosmith's iconic hits like Dude Looks Like a Lady and Walk This Way, the music overshadowed the gameplay and became the highlight of Revolution X.

Revolution X 1994 PC by Hall of First Person Games

17. Deadly Premonition (2010)

The soundtrack of Deadly Premonition thrived despite the game's clunky controls and odd pacing. Featuring jazz, ambient, and horror elements, Life is Beautiful became a fan favorite, ultimately proving how powerful music can be, even with gameplay flaws.

Deadly Premonition - Chase Sequence at 4k 60fps by PeteyMcPickle

18. Hellgate: London (2007)

Hellgate: London had more than its fair share of issues, from a buggy launch to poor balance. Yet, the hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack that was composed by Cris Velasco and Sascha Dikiciyan helped enhance the game's otherwise forgettable experience.

Hellgate: London (2007) (PC) (Flagship Studios) by Demiath

19. Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor (2012)

Yoshikazu Takayama's military-inspired orchestral themes brought a cinematic intensity that made this game a little more bearable. Despite being infamous for its near-unplayable motion controls, the soundtrack of Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor was a triumph.

Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor - Basic Training by Paul Granstaff

20. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 (2015)

Pro Skater 5 was hyped, but hit the ground face-first with bugs and bland play. Thankfully, the music rocked: punk, hip-hop, and legends like Anti-Flag and Atmosphere. Even reviewers who bailed on the gameplay couldn't stop vibing to the tracks.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 - E3 2015 Gameplay [HD 1080P/60FPS] by GamersPrey