Music is an adaptive art that applies not only to movies and shows but also video games. Over the years video game music has evolved from the 8-bit beeps of the Nintendo Entertainment System to full-blown orchestral scores on par with large-budget Hollywood films. The following 10 games have proved that music from video games can be on par with, or even better than, music from non-interactive mediums.

Note: Games with licensed soundtracks (i.e. Rock Band, Madden 10, etc.) not listed.

10. Afro Samurai (PS3, 360)

This picture is awesome. End of story.

Based off the popular anime series, Afro Samurai boasts a game-exclusive soundtrack of top-notch rap fused with traditional Asian instruments produced by The RZA. A magnificent melding of two musical worlds, each track is album-worthy and gives off a feeling of cool that few games have been able to demonstrate. Even though some tracks tend to repeat themselves too often, the repetition does little to diminish the overall musical quality.
Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWI0F66MgwY

9. Halo 2 (Xbox, PC)

He shoots things.

The second entry of Bungie's flagship series utilized a massive orchestra to deliver a deep musical experience unlike any FPS before its time. From the rock version of its original theme to the soft orchestral score accompanying the title screen, no aspect of the experience was spared its glorious music.

Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXLNB2K-YA0

8. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)

Nice doggie, nice doggie!

Ocarina of Time, arguably the greatest of the Zelda series, contained an excellent soundtrack beneath all the questing and spider killing. Not only did the composer-made music excel in setting the mood for each area, the possibility of allowing the player to make their own music via the ocarina opened up endless hours of enjoyment.

Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SovM_ExoVg

7. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PS1, PSP, PSN)

Metal.

Castlevania as a whole is an excellent Gothic-themed series that has exceeded in producing excellent titles over the years (with some exceptions). However, Symphony of the Night stands out as one of the best side-scrolling entries with its superb gameplay, design, and music. With a combination of Gothic overtones, angelic choruses, and all-out cheesy rock music; Symphony of the Night belted a soundtrack that still holds its own today.

Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkL9ZTlWsZk

6. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis)

A blue hedgehog and a two-tailed fox...Yes, makes perfect sense.

Sonic's Genesis years are by and far his most memorable. With fast-paced gameplay ahead of its time, Sonic bewildered us all and tested our reflexes like never before. The music for these games was not only peppy but also panic-inducing at one point. In fact, its not hard to say that the underwater warning music is one of the scariest tracks in video game history. Don't believe it? Listen to the sample to see how terror on the Genesis felt.

Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RDsAUUEgn4

5. Half-Life 2 (PC, 360, PS3)

Antlion Smash!!!

The second (and arguably best) entry of the Half-Life series had many elements headed in the right direction for what is one of the greatest FPS games of all time. One of those aspects was the subtle soundtrack of mainly techno music as well as other genres that peaked during battles and throughout certain sections of the game. Nearly every track is pulse-pumping and greatly enhances an already superior game.

Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yapk7PTNDw

4. Resident Evil 2 (PS1, N64, PC)

Zombie Survival Tip #383: Avoid zombie massages

Resident Evil holds a special place in gaming history as one of the earliest zombie-based horror games of modern gaming. Albeit most of the scares Resident Evil games relied on were of startle nature, the music also gave a special dash of nervousness when needed. The second installment improved upon the soundtrack of the first in many ways while also preserving the general feeling of tension the games forced upon the player.

Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5GutEmcsO8

3. Final Fantasy VII (PS1, PC)

Not to mention that it also had excellent cover art

Up until VII came out in the late 90s, Final Fantasy had been confined to using considerably limited space in NES and Super Nintendo Cartridges which made the music too unrealistic to receive much applause from anyone other than fans of the series. However, the transfer to a disc-based format opened new doors for composer Nobou Uematsu, allowing him to utilize full orchestras to produce some of the most memorable pieces in gaming. Anyone who has played Final Fantasy VII will be able to recall most of the pieces upon hearing them.

Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9LrE6dRHn8

2. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)

Nice poker face

The debut of Snake on the PS3 was nothing short of a masterpiece, especially the soundtrack. Longtime Metal Gear Solid composer Harry Gregson-Williams pulled out all the stops for this magnificent entry by utilizing not only a traditional orchestra but also guitars, tribal drums, and electronic instruments. Every piece is spot-on with the mood of each situation, leaving no noticeable flaws. In sparsely noted occasions, pieces from past games were used to remind dedicated players of previous titles while managing to not feel like a recycling effort by the composer.

Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k3n5me4Rns

1. Silent Hill 2 (PS2, Xbox, PC)

There was a SUBTITLE here. It's gone now.

Oppressive, lonely, despair, and fear are samples of the many tricks to Silent Hill's trade. However, music is one of the main driving forces behind each facet of the series. Games of this psychological series have always been a bit left from center in terms of presentation but none have strayed so far from normal as the second entry in the series. Akira Yamoaka used a unique method of utilizing music for scares by not having it always in the background. In fact, there's barely any music at all to be had in this game but, as one famous saying goes, less is more. The instances where music is present usually can cause so much anxiety that players will start to panic and leave areas via the fastest route possible, even if there are no monsters present.

Cutscene music was also superb in its use of hip-hop, cIasscal music, and drumbeats of well...carnal nature.

Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYaEMf_4qwY