Top 10 video game soundtracks of 2023

Music has always been an essential part of the gaming experience; therefore, video game developers always place great importance on the soundtrack selection for each game. Gaming experts at SecureCheats have compiled a list from the IMDB of the 50 most popular video games. Spotify data was then found for 29 of the games; as every game soundtrack has a different number of songs, the data was limited to the most streamed top ten songs per soundtrack for an accurate picture. The study also analyzed earnings of the top ten songs of every game soundtrack through the Spotify royalty calculator.

1. Grand Theft Auto V

Placing first on the list is the highly popular Grand Theft Auto V. As one of the highest-selling video games of all time, it is no surprise GTA places number one with the top ten songs, having 305,040,570 plays on Spotify, earning $725,996 altogether. The soundtrack features hip-hop royalty, such as A$AP Rocky and Tyler the Creator. A$AP Rocky’s ‘R-Cali’ song alone has 69,414,348 streams through Spotify.

2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the second most popular video game soundtrack, with the top ten songs receiving 258,680,379 plays on Spotify. The action role-playing game has beaten many strong contenders to take second position on this list, released in 2011; it received critical acclaim upon release and was generally well received by critics. The top ten songs of the soundtrack earn $615,659 alone through Spotify royalty earnings. The most popular song on the soundtrack is ‘Secunda’, which has 44,064,048 streams alone.

3. The Last of Us

The Last of Us ranks third on the list. Naughty Dog developed the 2013 action-adventure game, and its top ten soundtrack songs have 179,433,743 streams, earning $427,052 through Spotify royalties. The Last of Us is one of the most popular video games, so much so that HBO turned it into a popular TV series, which became an award-winning show. The most popular song on the official soundtrack is ‘The Last of Us’ with 60,843,559 plays alone. Gustavo Santaolalla features on every song in the official game soundtrack.

4. Death Stranding

Death Stranding places fourth on the list, with 137,811,743 plays for the top ten songs on the official game soundtrack. The top ten songs earn $327,991 through Spotify royalties, ‘Don’t Be So Serious’ by artist Low Roar has 23,424,933 plays alone on Spotify.

5. Red Dead Redemption II

"Red Dead Redemption II" boasts the fifth most popular gaming soundtrack. The top ten songs from this soundtrack have garnered an impressive total of 117,199,242 plays, resulting in substantial Spotify royalties amounting to $278,934.20. Among these tracks, the most streamed song stands out as "Unshaken," capturing the hearts of listeners and remaining a firm favorite with Red Dead Redemption II fans.

6. Spider-Man: Miles Morales

"Spider-Man: Miles Morales" is a popular action-adventure video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The video game has claimed the sixth spot as the most popular gaming soundtrack, solidifying its place among players and music enthusiasts. Its top ten songs have resonated, accumulating a remarkable 107,394,097 streams on platforms like Spotify. This impressive feat has translated into substantial earnings, with Spotify royalties amounting to $255,597.95.

7. God of War

God of War places seventh on the list, with 90,414,836 plays for the top ten songs on the official game soundtrack. The top ten songs earn $215,187.31 through Spotify royalties, with ‘God of War’ by artist Bear McCreary has 39,252,588 plays alone on Spotify.

8. Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption, the well-loved 2010 action-adventure game from Rockstar Games, takes eighth place. The top ten songs from the soundtrack have gathered 64,278,207 million plays on Spotify, earning $152,982.13 in royalties, showing how players connect with the audio and the immersive nature of the game.

9. The Last of Us Part II

"The Last of Us Part II" secures the ninth position on the list, boasting an impressive 57,571,980 plays for the top ten tracks featured in its official game soundtrack. The collective performance of these songs translates to earnings of $137,021.31 in Spotify royalties.

10. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Call of Duty Modern Warfare rounds up the list, placing in tenth position with 50,105,956 plays for the top ten songs on the soundtrack. Through the top ten songs, the game earns a combined $119,252.18 in Spotify earning royalties.

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from SecureCheats has stated: "Music has always been an essential part of gaming, and as an artist, to have your music on a video game can increase the popularity of your streaming numbers. To no surprise, GTA V placed first in the ranking, not only due to the popularity of the game but also the fact that the soundtrack also features popular artists such as A$AP Rocky and Tyler, the creator. It’s interesting to see some recent releases, such as Spider-Man: Miles Morales, place on the list even ahead of the original Marvel’s Spider-Man video game release. Some franchises are also so popular that more than one of their video games features on the list, such as Red Dead Redemption and The Last of Us."