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00:00Welcome to Mojo Plays and today we are showcasing the 30 greatest songs from The Legend of Zelda.
00:16From the delightful chiptunes of old to the orchestral behemoths of the modern era.
00:21Be on the lookout for spoilers ahead.
00:30But before we dive in, we publish new content all week long, so be sure to subscribe and
00:36ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
00:39Kass's Theme, The Legend of Zelda, Breath of the Wild
00:43The wandering Rito Bard, Kass, became a fan favorite character from Breath of the Wild.
00:48Hearing his accordion while traveling not only signaled we'd learn a bit of history
00:52about this version of Hyrule, but it was also simply delightful to listen to.
00:57The slow bounce made it easy to sway to, and the instrument of choice was unique even in
01:02the grand catalog of Zelda music, in the DLC.
01:12Kass's theme is undeniably romantic, but what made it even more special was hearing
01:17the complete version, which beautifully blended in the franchise's main theme.
01:29The strong link of music and character made his absence in Tears of the Kingdom one of
01:33its biggest mysteries.
01:42Kass's Theme, Zelda II, The Adventure of Link
01:50Other than the finale of The Great Palace, players hear this track whenever they enter
01:55one of Zelda II's dungeons, and it is far and away the best song in the game.
02:01Somehow, composer Akito Nakatsuka managed to create something that was perilous, exciting,
02:06and iconically catchy all in one tune.
02:10It's an impressive display for an 8-bit game, and certainly one of the most memorable from
02:14the NES era.
02:16Many may have heard it first in Super Smash Bros. Melee's beloved Temple Stage.
02:21That helped it to stand the test of time, since Zelda II is one of the lesser-loved
02:25entries.
02:26Still, this original version is truly remarkable.
02:34Ghirahim's Theme, The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword
02:43With his flamboyant demeanor, flair for theatrics, and surprisingly vicious dialogue, Ghirahim
02:50is one of the stronger aspects of Skyward Sword, and the music that accompanies the
02:54villain is just as captivating as he is.
02:57The combination of simple but deep piano notes with the organ delivering the main melody
03:02is both sinister and pompous.
03:05You can tell it's meant to invoke danger, but it's just so much fun that you can't
03:10help but be enraptured by it.
03:12It also gets a great transformation during the several times you fight him, picking up
03:17the tempo with snappy percussion and sharp, intoxicating strings.
03:27Hyrule Field Theme, The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess
03:32The overworld theme is important to get right
03:41in any Zelda game, and Twilight Princess absolutely gets it right.
03:46It captures the thrill of adventure perfectly, with an appropriate ensemble of horn, woodwind,
03:52and string instruments.
03:54Even the percussion, a simulated snare drum, is a quick-paced march that carries us forward.
04:00More importantly, the theme brings in motifs you can hear during other parts of the game,
04:05becoming an encapsulation of wonderful melodies.
04:08It never gets old, no matter how many times you hear it.
04:11That's a good thing, considering how much time you'll spend in Hyrule Field, its grandest
04:17representation at the time.
04:25Kulgara's Theme, The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
04:35There are multiple reasons why the Wind Temple became the favorite Tears of the Kingdom dungeon
04:40for many.
04:41One of them is the fight against Kulgara, an easy yet exciting clash in the sky that
04:46was paired with an extraordinary piece of music.
04:49The boss's theme simulates a blusterous blizzard, relying on high-pitched, quick-paced
04:54piano notes and strings.
04:56It's a flawless match to the frozen environment and features plenty of distinct melodies that
05:02would be enough to earn it praise.
05:04However, the moment in which it channels the Dragon Roost Island theme from Wind Waker,
05:09which itself was repurposed for Rito Village in Breath of the Wild, is amazing.
05:14As any Zelda fan will tell you, it sent literal shivers down our spines.
05:25Ballad of the Goddess, The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword
05:33The signature track of Skyward Sword stands out for a few reasons.
05:36Accompanying most marketing material for the game, the main version was a tremendous showcase
05:41for the first time the series used a full live orchestra.
05:45There's also the fact that it includes the notes of Zelda's lullaby backwards, a wonderful
05:50musical easter egg that Nintendo has utilized several times across the franchise.
05:55Then there's how it's used within the story.
05:57It's stripped down to Hylian vocals and a harp, performed by Zelda several times,
06:03making the easter egg far more meaningful than a secret for fans to discover.
06:08Whichever version you listen to, Ballad of the Goddess is a stunning theme for the origins
06:13of Zelda.
06:21Forest Temple Theme, The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time
06:29Of all the dungeons the series has to offer, the Forest Temple of Ocarina of Time is one
06:35of the most distinct.
06:36It always felt like it had its own personality, like it really was a historic lived in space
06:42that had just been reclaimed by nature.
06:45The music plays a huge role in defining it.
06:48The shaky percussion that almost sounds like wooden wind chimes, the ambient tones underneath,
06:54and the strange notes that comprise the main melody.
06:57We love everything about this piece.
06:59It's undeniably eerie, but at the same time it's hauntingly beautiful.
07:04It serves to pull you in, but also threatens with menace, making it one of many standouts
07:09in Koji Kondo's masterpiece of a soundtrack.
07:19Ballad of the Wind Fish, The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening
07:23Many musical themes of Zelda succeed as summations for each game's ideas and story concepts.
07:30The Ballad of the Wind Fish from Link's Awakening nails this.
07:33It's the song you'll hear Marin singing in Mabe Village, short and charming, yet with
07:38just enough sadness to give you pause.
07:46It's also the song Link plays in order to wake the Wind Fish from the dream that has
07:50created the game's setting and characters.
07:53Whether you prefer the Game Boy's simple version or the orchestral reimagining from
07:58the 2019 remake, one thing's for certain.
08:01It's a flawless connection between game and soundtrack, projecting feelings of loss and
08:06moving on.
08:16Mipha's Theme, The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild
08:20Each champion from Breath of the Wild feels unique in their own way.
08:29In the case of Mipha, her scenes make you feel pity and sorrow that someone so kind
08:35was struck down so viciously.
08:37Naturally, her musical theme only serves to reinforce those feelings.
08:41Consisting mostly of piano partnered with some light strings and a woodwind, it's
08:46impossible to listen to without your heart aching.
08:49It fits so well with a character meant to put you at ease, but also makes you feel the
08:53absolute loss of someone so loved by her people.
08:57Whenever we hear it, it's hard to keep from getting choked up.
09:05Demon Dragon, The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
09:14The final confrontation with Ganondorf in Tears of the Kingdom was glorious, and while
09:19the first two phases also come with incredible music, we are choosing to shine a light on
09:24his third.
09:25He transforms into the Demon Dragon.
09:28Even though it's the easiest phase, everything about this sequence is momentous, including
09:33the tremendous arrangement of music.
09:35It blends pieces from different sections of the game, such as Link's first dive during
09:40the intro, the game's main theme, and even Ganon's classic theme.
09:44Paired with the cinematic quality of fighting a demonic dragon high above Hyrule, with the
09:49light dragon there to assist you, the music is as strong of an emotional climax as we
09:54could have hoped for.
10:08Tau Tau Mountain Range, The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening
10:12It's incredible to think that this theme came from a Game Boy.
10:20The Tau Tau Mountain Range only becomes accessible towards the end of the game, housing the last
10:25two dungeons and the Wind Fish's egg.
10:27As the game ramps up for its finale, so too does the area's music.
10:37It features the beginning notes of the franchise's main theme, before blasting off into something
10:41entirely new.
10:43Upbeat and heroic, it carries you towards some of the toughest challenges in Link's
10:48And even though they are challenging, exiting a dungeon to hear this helps you never lose
10:52hope.
10:53It almost sounds like a blend of Zelda and Mega Man, which is undeniably cool.
11:02Realm Overworld, The Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks
11:14Even some of the less popular entries in the series still have fantastic music.
11:19Spirit Tracks has Link play a pan flute for several mechanics.
11:22As such, the instrument is heavily featured in its overworld track, pun intended.
11:27It's accompanied by string instruments like a guitar and violins, as well as an infectiously
11:32catchy beat that syncs up perfectly with your train's chugga-chuggas.
11:42It will make you want to spend all of your time in the overworld, riding across train
11:46tracks and tooting along with your whistle.
11:48Fate of the world be damned.
11:50Much like other overworld themes, it's joyful, adventurous, and perfectly captures the essence
11:56of Zelda.
12:04Fairy Fountain, Fairies
12:15We love the songs that make us want to set out on a quest, but the series also has music
12:19that makes us feel calm and serene.
12:21The Fairy Fountain theme is such a song, and it's appeared in most entries in the series.
12:26The main notes descend as they're plucked softly on a harp, sometimes piano, making
12:30the player feel immediately at ease.
12:41This feeling pairs with where you hear it.
12:43As soon as we hear those opening strums, we know we've discovered a worthwhile secret.
12:48Whether it be a regular fairy fountain or one that houses a great fairy, the theme embodies
12:52tranquility.
12:53It also plays on the file select screen.
12:56Sometimes it's nice to take a moment before jumping back in.
13:05Fi's Farewell, The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword
13:17Fi may not be the most popular companion in the series, but she does have a tremendous
13:21theme.
13:22When played on a woodwind instrument, it fits with the mysterious figure who draws
13:26Link to his destiny.
13:27However, it's during Fi's final moments when the theme becomes something much more.
13:44Beginning with soft piano notes, Fi's Farewell transforms her theme into something much more
13:49somber, yet somehow filled with hope.
13:51As Fi plans to sleep forever, the spirit takes a moment to thank Link.
13:55Through their journey, she has unexpectedly come to feel happiness for the first and only
14:00time.
14:01As the strings swell, our eyes well up.
14:03It's one of the sadder moments in the franchise, and the score fits it beautifully.
14:17Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild
14:31Breath of the Wild's clifftop moment is one of the best video game openings in recent
14:35memory.
14:36It's so great that it's mentioned every time any other game does something similar.
14:41Looking out over a Hyrule much more vast than any previous incarnation, it instantly made
14:46us want to explore.
14:54The opening piano notes as Link exits the cave will always give us chills, but the full
14:59theme is much longer.
15:00It brings together a plethora of instruments, from swooping strings to blaring horns.
15:06Few main themes capture the scope of a game the way this theme does.
15:10It would feel at home in any of Studio Ghibli's masterpieces, which is the highest compliment
15:14we can pay it.
15:25Mulgera The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker
15:37Mulgera is not the best boss fight in The Wind Waker, but its theme is some of the best
15:42boss music in the series.
15:44Quick percussion that includes clanging bells sets you up for a fight.
15:48A flute joins soon after, piping out high-pitched notes for a ridiculously catchy hook that'll
15:53be stuck in your head long after.
16:03As Link fights the massive beast, strings and horns join to bring a bit more peril.
16:08They never overshadow the central instrument, though.
16:11Mulgera's theme strikes a perfect balance between fun and intimidating, making the encounter
16:15much more memorable than it would have been otherwise.
16:18And it will make you want to hold off your attack just so you can keep listening.
16:29Song of Healing The Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask
16:41Majora's Mask takes a more personal look at the effects of its villain on regular citizens.
16:46Matching that sorrow and misery is one of its most important songs, the Song of Healing.
16:51Despite its short length and simple composition, the Song of Healing is gorgeously moving.
16:57Players hear it whenever they visit the unsettling Happy Mask Salesman, who teaches it to them
17:01on his piano.
17:10Not only is it nice to listen to, but it is a vital piece of the story.
17:14Link must play it to several lost and haunted NPCs, bringing them peace where once was only
17:19pain.
17:20While listening to it, you can feel negativity wash away and a peaceful quietness take its
17:25place.
17:39Midna's Lament The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess
17:50Midna from Twilight Princess is one of the most distinct companions Link has ever adventured
17:55with.
17:56So for a scene that threatened her demise, the soundtrack needed an appropriately emotional
18:00tune.
18:01Thankfully, composer Toru Minagishi and his team exceeded all expectations.
18:16While we never truly expected Midna to die by Zant's hand, it's a testament to the
18:20power of this scene that we forgot that belief.
18:23Link piano notes heighten the urgency as Link races through the storm and Midna desperately
18:28clings to life.
18:29The strings that fade in to join the piano tug at our hearts, emphasizing the bond that
18:34has built up between the two.
18:36It's a moody, atmospheric track that creates a standout moment in this entry.
18:46Song of Storms Various
18:59Multiple songs from Ocarina of Time are short, sweet, and to the point, but few of them burrow
19:04into your brain the way Song of Storms does.
19:07Just like the windmill it's found in, the track goes round and round, but it never outwears
19:12its welcome.
19:13It's catchy, lively, and, being played primarily through a phonograph, sounds unlike anything
19:18else in the game.
19:26It's also highly useful, cleansing in more ways than one.
19:30It can cause fairies to appear at certain spots in Hyrule, cure you of the blue bubble's
19:34curse, and bring peace to Sharp, a murderous spirit in Majora's Mask.
19:50Stone Tower Temple – The Legend of Zelda – Majora's Mask
20:03Each area of Termina is stranger than the last, which makes the Kana Canyon the world's
20:08weirdest.
20:09It's a land home to malevolent spirits, undead soldiers, and a cursed family.
20:13To save them all, Link climbs to the twisted Stone Tower Temple.
20:18Its theme matches perfectly with the Kana Canyon's history.
20:21The timing of its beat and its moaning vocals capture the feeling of an endless army, marching
20:26forward even in death.
20:28And yet, it's just as catchy as most other songs across the franchise.
20:41The bassline bounces along as the ocarina's notes puncture the forlorn tone.
20:46It's somehow both unnervingly dark and playfully jaunty, making it one of the series' most
20:51unique dungeon themes.
21:00Gerudo Valley – The Legend of Zelda – Ocarina of Time
21:15Koji Kondo is an absolute musical genius, and he's the reason Ocarina of Time's music
21:20stands out all these years later.
21:22One of his crowning achievements, at least within Ocarina, is the Gerudo Valley theme.
21:27The track invokes and was clearly inspired by Spanish music.
21:39The flamenco guitar and accompanying horns make it sound like something you'd hear
21:43alongside the masked Zoro.
21:45Other than being one of the standout songs on the soundtrack, it also helps its area
21:50stand out.
21:51Outside of the Pirate Fortress, Gerudo Valley is somewhat drab in its design and color scheme.
21:55But every time this track greets us, none of that matters.
22:05Title Theme – The Legend of Zelda – Ocarina of Time
22:17For the first 3D Zelda, one might have expected to hear the victorious main theme over its
22:22title screen.
22:23But Ocarina of Time took a more subdued approach.
22:26One of its key threads is the loss of childhood and innocence.
22:29Link gives up his childhood, skipping seven years to become the hero Hyrule needs, and
22:34the opening track flawlessly encapsulates that.
22:46Sweeping Piano is joined by the titular Ocarina, which adds much more meaning to the recorder's
22:51tune from the NES game.
22:53By now, the title theme of Ocarina embodies nostalgia and a longing for the past on two
22:58fronts.
22:59For Link himself, and for those that grew up playing this game.
23:11The Legend of Zelda – The Wind Waker
23:22Ocarina of Time isn't the only entry with an incredible title screen theme.
23:27Instead of a tune that focuses on Link losing his sister, it instead focuses on the call
23:31of adventure and the joy of the unknown.
23:34It instantly hits you with a Celtic vibe thanks to its instrument choices, but it also has
23:38a clever connection to the story.
23:40Both melodies the track consists of are songs of the Sages.
23:56Realizing the connection made the music nerd in all of us sing with delight.
24:00Each game puts us in the shoes of the hero, but Wind Waker was the first to make us feel
24:04like an explorer in uncharted territory.
24:07So it's great that the first music we hear captures that feeling.
24:16Clock Town – The Legend of Zelda – Majora's Mask
24:28Despite a terrifying moon threatening death from above, the citizens of Clock Town never
24:33stop their hustle and bustle.
24:35For a town teeming with life, Nintendo required a tune that was just as lively as the setting.
24:40Clock Town's theme is happy, springy, and fits well with the busy NPCs, most of which
24:45have their own schedules to keep.
24:47That's just the first day.
24:48The song changes its pace and instruments for each of the three days within the loop.
25:00By the third day, with the moon having grown unnervingly close, the vibe is a bit less
25:05happy and a lot more frantic.
25:07It's a really clever way to have the hub world music reflect your point in the story.
25:16Zelda's Lullaby – Varius Although we spend the majority of each game
25:38with Link, the titular princess is always a strong-willed leader who's passionate
25:43about the safety of her people.
25:45She's usually shown to be immensely caring, warm, and ethereal.
25:49First appearing in A Link to the Past, Zelda's Lullaby is an exemplary display of Zelda's
25:54qualities.
25:55Slow, simple, and peaceful, it's one of the prettiest tracks Koji Kondo has given
26:06us.
26:07As the series, character, and music has evolved, Zelda's Lullaby has appeared in nearly every
26:12entry, but it's normally reserved for key scenes to show the princess' grace and love.
26:17Every time we hear it, it tugs at our nostalgia for the franchise and pulls us in for a tender
26:23embrace.
26:37Low Rule Castle – The Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds
26:52The final dungeon in this 3DS entry has one of the most incredible themes in the series.
26:57Beginning with quick strings and a playful woodwind, the castle's theme walks a fine
27:01line between whimsical and suspenseful.
27:04It simultaneously makes you want to bob your head while giving you the feeling that danger
27:08could strike at any moment.
27:17It has a couple of extra layers that make it even better.
27:21The deeper into the dungeon you go, the more instruments are added until it's a full-blown
27:25orchestra, giving the sense that it's carrying you towards a grand finale.
27:29Part of it is also the main High Rule Castle theme in reverse, which is a nice touch.
27:44The Dark World – Various A Link to the Past changed Zelda in a lot
27:53of great ways, such as being the first to have Link travel between two worlds.
27:58Despite the Dark World being corrupted by Ganon, its music is some of the catchiest
28:03in the game.
28:04Short horn blasts alongside a quick tempo and victorious strings get you ready for the
28:08new and dangerous area.
28:17It was a delight to hear it recreated in A Link Between Worlds for the Kingdom of Low
28:22Rule.
28:23A slightly quicker tempo, guitar in place of the horns, and an absolutely shredding
28:27violin breathed new life into the classic track.
28:30It's one of the best overworld songs the franchise has ever seen.
28:40Dragon Roost Island – The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker
28:52We had all gotten used to Gorons, Zora, and Dekus by the time the Rito were introduced.
28:57Nintendo gave the new race an awesome theme it knew would get stuck in our heads, making
29:02it so we wouldn't soon forget them.
29:04It brings similar vibes as the Gerudo Valley theme, but it incorporates a pan flute to
29:08deliver its central tune, which will have you whistling it long after.
29:16It's an evolution of Nintendo's ability to bring in different influences and bend
29:26them to match its world.
29:28It was a shame it was only heard in one location.
29:31That is, until Breath of the Wild.
29:33It was slowed down dramatically and played primarily on a harpsichord, giving it a more
29:38romantic feel for the Rito village.
29:49Saria's Song – Varius Plenty of Zelda songs are jolly, snappy tracks
30:01with simple hooks that can easily get lodged in your brain for days on end.
30:05Saria's Song is the best of that bunch.
30:08Ever since we ventured into the Lost Woods for the first time, we've been perpetually
30:12humming this song.
30:13Ocarina of Time even shows that it's impossible to hear it and not want to dance.
30:28Maybe getting lost in these woods wouldn't be so bad.
30:31It was reworked for Twilight Princess's Sacred Grove.
30:34With a slower pace, no percussion, and quick harp plucks underneath, the song gained an
30:38otherworldly feel to match its mysterious setting.
30:42Regardless of which version you prefer, there's no denying that Saria's Song is one of the
30:46franchise's most recognizable tracks.
30:53The Legend of Zelda Theme – Varius The main theme for the series is not only iconic
31:09within The Legend of Zelda, but the entire medium of gaming.
31:14Beginning with the first entry on the NES, the song has become recognizable to even those
31:18who have never played any installments.
31:20It is the perfect adventure theme, instilling a sense of triumph, exploration, and heroism
31:26in us whenever we hear it.
31:28It's been reworked to fit various overworlds and story beats, with The Wind Waker's The
31:32Legendary Hero being a particularly fantastic standout.
31:42It's honestly an astounding piece from Koji Kondo, but from his genius arose a connection
31:51between music and game unmatched by any other gaming franchise.
32:05Music from The Legend of Zelda is renowned by gamers the world over, and 30 entries only
32:10scratches the surface of the glory it has to offer.
32:13What are some of your favorite tunes from the series that we left off?
32:17Share your love in the comments, and be sure to subscribe to Mojo Plays for more great
32:21gaming videos every day.