Top 100 JRPG Battle Themes

This list was initially compiled many years ago, around the end of the 2000s
I think I still agree with the list at large, and it holds up. Listening all the tracks to look for the links has been a trip down memory lane
It is a neat relic of 2000s JRPG fandom

EDIT (3/07/2023): So I saw some streamers doing a game about picking your favorite song among two options from a bracket, like a tournament, so I went to the website that hosted such games and made my own playlist with the top 100 from backloggd! I made it for me and my siblings to play as a family activity, but I can share it with you guys. I added many more songs there to reflect on what BGMs would probably go in an updated list. Feel free to play it: https://new.uwufufu.com/quiz/worldCup/649e4e0f1b2be9ff9f794dea/rank

100 Games

Persona 3
Persona 3
"Battle for Everyone's Souls"
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/lbhz0O0dAyk
Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra
Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra
"Hepatica - KOS-MOS"
Composer: Yuki Kajiura
Link: https://youtu.be/UGye3lBCrJ0
Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra
Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra
"The Battle of your Soul"
Composer: Yuki Kajiura
Link: https://youtu.be/aFo97Zg0nOQ
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
"How Wicked Ruler"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/KXIWG7YFy64
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
"Celestial Troupe"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/-ciVAvtq9lQ
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC
"Merciless Savior"
Composer: Wataru Ishibashi
Link: https://youtu.be/V1GhOzlGXQk
Baten Kaitos Origins
Baten Kaitos Origins
"Iconoclasm"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/eG6S_ZAP8Cw
Suikoden V
Suikoden V
"Battle to Recapture Sol-Falena"
Composer: Norikazu Miura
Link: https://youtu.be/txJv0hpJ6h8
Tales of the Abyss
Tales of the Abyss
"Finish the Promise"
Composer: Motoo Fujiwara
Link: https://youtu.be/Z3oHr0286_E
Tales of the Abyss
Tales of the Abyss
"Meaning of Birth"
Composer: Motoo Fujiwara
Link: https://youtu.be/yzjy09H47_w
Tales of Legendia
Tales of Legendia
"Seeking Victory"
Composer: Masaru Shiina
Link: https://youtu.be/mDXJ6e0klyw
Ys: The Oath in Felghana
Ys: The Oath in Felghana
"Chop!!"
Composer: Masaaki Kawai
Link: https://youtu.be/xTp8qHnE7sQ
The Legend of Heroes: A Tear of Vermillion
The Legend of Heroes: A Tear of Vermillion
"Wait, Eimelle..."
Composer: Hirokazu Matsumura
Link: https://youtu.be/I4QOXsrdKx8
Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song
Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song
"Decisive Battle - Saruin"
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/LFJu5FgSNQo
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
"Battle Against the Black Knight"
Composers: Yoshito Hirano, Saki Haruyama, Naoko Mitome, Atsushi Yoshida, Kanako Teramae
Link: https://youtu.be/gqrCmPga46w
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2
"Divine Identity"
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/7nWl5Rfftz8
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2
"Battle for Survival"
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/j_yq5VhWnC0
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
"Great Battle in the Vast Sky"
Composer: Koichi Sugiyama
Link: https://youtu.be/MQ_p4AJrG9k
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga
"Hari-Hara"
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/YdZ_2QwqwQQ
Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse
Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse
"Fatal Fight (Jin & Margulls)"
Composer: Yuki Kajiura
Link: https://youtu.be/YtA-iLt2rgw
Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana
Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana
"Duke of Stratosphere"
Composer: Daisuke Achiwa
Link: https://youtu.be/aF3qrY4Zg80
Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana
Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana
"Deceitful Wings"
Composer: Daisuke Achiwa
Link: https://youtu.be/Mg7W4xKTLNE
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
"Deep in Coma - Battle in Japan"
Composer: Yoshitaka Hiroka
Link: https://youtu.be/XDvpikHYSHM
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
"The 3 Karma - Decisive Battle"
Composers: Yoshitaka Hirota, Yasunori Mitsuda, Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/iPmRVBa0NF4
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Shadow Hearts: Covenant
"Astaroth - Battle with the Fallen Angel"
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/Ka4zVt9DwMo
Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean
Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean
"Vitriolic a Stroke"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/qDoBcqdPx-Y
Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean
Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean
"The True Mirror"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/O4FdfaRX8EM
Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim
Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim
"Ernst"
Composer: Wataru Ishibashi
Link: https://youtu.be/qnX-bjA_KE0
Tales of Symphonia
Tales of Symphonia
"Fatalize"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/65SuB4E9lSA
Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits
Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits
"Natural Selection"
Composer: Yuko Fukushima
Link: https://youtu.be/1CdNF410qsU
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
"The Incarnation of Devil"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/ca47GVRdhng
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
"The Divine Spirit of Language"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/0oGZn-K-gBo
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
"The Final Battle"
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/Gsnmdrs6uCg
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
"Last Boss Battle After Transformation"
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/VtT9TPfDpUM
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
"Running Fire"
Composer: Tenpei Sato
Link: https://youtu.be/3o0O4X28dZc
Pokémon Ruby Version
Pokémon Ruby Version
"Battle! Wild Pokémon"
Composer: Junichi Masuda
Link: https://youtu.be/6VeN2zQw8T4
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
"There is no regret"
Composer: Hitoshi Sakimoto
Link: https://youtu.be/8E9A1buawvU
Suikoden III
Suikoden III
"Path Destroyer"
Composer: Michiru Yamane
Link: https://youtu.be/oJ6znDxoPvw
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts
"Night of Fate"
Composer: Yoko Shimomura
Link: https://youtu.be/_JUlNMAklhs
Wild Arms 3
Wild Arms 3
"Gunmetal Action"
Composer: Michiko Naruke
Link: https://youtu.be/i_M4gUcrivw
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
"Last Battle"
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/N3sErgVX25w
Zwei!!: The Arges Adventure
Zwei!!: The Arges Adventure
"Demon Lord Vesper"
Composer: Atsushi Shirakawa
Link: https://youtu.be/JTqwGW5ZKYc
Dragon Quest IV
Dragon Quest IV
"Battle for Glory"
Composer: Koichi Sugiyama
Link: https://youtu.be/nCt0ARbgjmk
Golden Sun
Golden Sun
"Battle with Saturos"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/uh1svF7sR68
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X
"Fight with Seymour"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/33IR1eUUC08
Shadow Hearts
Shadow Hearts
"Imbroglio"
Composers: Yasunori Mitsuda, Yoshitaka Hirota
Link: https://youtu.be/lJfhsgsVaTo
Skies of Arcadia
Skies of Arcadia
"Battle 1"
Composer: Tatsuyuki Maeda
Link: https://youtu.be/PvIufgbDeZk
Skies of Arcadia
Skies of Arcadia
"Battle 2"
Composer: Tatsuyuki Maeda
Link: https://youtu.be/d5TNRQhJaSU
Grandia II
Grandia II
"FIGHT!! Ver. 3 - Middle Boss Battle"
Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare
Link: https://youtu.be/mCYO53OGydg
Grandia II
Grandia II
"FIGHT!! Ver. 4 - The Final Battle"
Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare
Link: https://youtu.be/HG-TnJOCuP4
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy IX
"Sword of Fury"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/QqNeaNWbZVw
Breath of Fire IV
Breath of Fire IV
"A Warring God"
Composer: Yoshino Aoki
Link: https://youtu.be/WROSWZowfFQ
Valkyrie Profile
Valkyrie Profile
"Confidence in the Domination"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/ertvporcCZI
Chrono Cross
Chrono Cross
"Between Life and Death"
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/RXeHpftvQb8
Chrono Cross
Chrono Cross
"Dragon God"
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/GLnW1gnuO-4
SaGa Frontier 2
SaGa Frontier 2
"Feldschlacht IV"
Composer: Masashi Hamauzu
Link: https://youtu.be/yPF-Uwt7Hj4
SaGa Frontier 2
SaGa Frontier 2
"Mißgestalt"
Composer: Masashi Hamauzu
Link: https://youtu.be/W_HiktqwoCc
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy VIII
"The Extreme"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/4DqPVakFkOw
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy VIII
"The Man with the Machine Gun"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/LeScjOTYl7g
Suikoden II
Suikoden II
"The Chase"
Composer: Miki Higashino
Link: https://youtu.be/Dw9SexDhQfM
Suikoden II
Suikoden II
"Gothic Neclord"
Composer: Miki Higashino
Link: https://youtu.be/fq2vAaU-Kng
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Star Ocean: The Second Story
"Stab the Sword of Justice"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/icR3VBLxXWY
Parasite Eve
Parasite Eve
"U.B."
Composer: Yoko Shimomura
Link: https://youtu.be/MURppPJVq5o
Xenogears
Xenogears
"Stage of Death"
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/jgVr_iVra2Y
Tales of Destiny
Tales of Destiny
"Lion, Irony of Fate"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/lVBqdu6vZps
Grandia
Grandia
"Battle #3"
Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare
Link: https://youtu.be/DysGnBO-Z0s
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics
"Ultema The Perfect Body!"
Composer: Masaharu Iwata
Link: https://youtu.be/jbpxYTP0WUg
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics
"Apoplexy"
Composer: Hitoshi Sakamoto
Link: https://youtu.be/zhGHO-bxXbs
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII
"J-E-N-O-V-A"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/G8eCJCcBelo
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII
"One Winged Angel"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/pzQE_7mn8ts
Wild Arms
Wild Arms
"Battle - Zeik"
Composer: Michiko Naruke
Link: https://youtu.be/iND_imtNr6A
Wild Arms
Wild Arms
"Critical Hit!"
Composer: Michiko Naruke
Link: https://youtu.be/twRv1qR6rVw
Dragon Quest III: Soshite Densetsu he...
Dragon Quest III: Soshite Densetsu he...
"Hero's Challenge"
Composer: Koichi Sugiyama
Link: https://youtu.be/zcuX5H2_is0

This is not what all battle themes should strive to be. This is what all battle themes are.
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete
"Battle Theme"
Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare
Link: https://youtu.be/xXMf3YYNZX8
Megami Ibunroku Persona
Megami Ibunroku Persona
"Battle - Mid Boss"
Composer: Kenichi Tsuchiya
Link: https://youtu.be/8RqBbrlziOo
Rudra no Hihou
Rudra no Hihou
"The Spirit Chaser (Surlent)"
Composer: Ryuji Sasai
Link: https://youtu.be/BPnFc-X3qhc
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
"Fight Against Smithy"
Composer: Yoko Shimomura
Link: https://youtu.be/ymM6MIzLxgw
Tales of Phantasia
Tales of Phantasia
"Fighting of the Spirit"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/gTPUtgGHAlg
Romancing SaGa 3
Romancing SaGa 3
"Battle 2"
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/Bm1jClJMT5U
Romancing SaGa 3
Romancing SaGa 3
"Four Noble Devils"
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/PPwyFlLNhVA
Romancing SaGa 3
Romancing SaGa 3
"Last Battle"
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/Kx7z3CNELGw
Trials of Mana
Trials of Mana
"The Sacrifice Part III"
Composer: Hiroki Kikuta
Link: https://youtu.be/OluPzMYygJM
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger
"Battle with Magus"
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/HyjNbPdhQRg
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger
"World Revolution"
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/TQG5YL8Vg4k
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
"Battle #2"
Composer: Yasunori Shiono
Link: https://youtu.be/6wWHZE14hP8
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
"Battle #3"
Composer: Yasunori Shiono
Link: https://youtu.be/BLIrE5ivseQ
Breath of Fire II
Breath of Fire II
"Dying Corpse"
Composer: Yuko Takehara
Link: https://youtu.be/3fcKi80M0L4
Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VI
"The Decisive Battle"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/8ksnA3Qjx5Q
Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VI
"Dancing Mad"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/g6UgxJtHIVY
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
"Defeat at a Blow"
Composers: Izuho Namata, Masaki Nakagaki
Link: https://youtu.be/iks0dqbuRzY
Romancing SaGa 2
Romancing SaGa 2
"The Seven Heroes Battle"
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/zkOZFZ1fG9s
Illusion of Gaia
Illusion of Gaia
"Clash of Light and Shadow"
Composer: Yasuhiro Kawasaki
Link: https://youtu.be/Swn_zQyU7Ug
Shining Force II
Shining Force II
"Battle 3"
Composer: Motoaki Takenouchi
Link: https://youtu.be/qunj0fbMi9Q
Secret of Mana
Secret of Mana
"Meridian Dance"
Composer: Hiroki Kikuta
Link: https://youtu.be/dXqTJcVR65Q
Breath of Fire
Breath of Fire
"Battle Theme 2"
Composers: Yasuaki Fujita, Mari Yamaguchi, Minae Fujii, Yoko Shimomura
Link: https://youtu.be/g05blrSr3ZQ
Final Fantasy V
Final Fantasy V
"Battle at the Big Bridge"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/jH-Pddk-_4w
Shin Megami Tensei
Shin Megami Tensei
"Battle"
Composer: Tsukasa Masuko
Link: https://youtu.be/fGCFGbvfNCQ
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy IV
"Battle Theme 2"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/FQYEF_TShPU
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
"The Strongest Foe"
Composer: Mieko Ishikawa
Link: https://youtu.be/yvAShxQrk64
Ys
Ys
"Final Battle"
Composer: Yuzo Koshiro
Link: https://youtu.be/c1eyt-5ubHw

1 Comment

Xator_Nova

11 months ago

Edited the description with the following addendum:
"So I saw some streamers doing a game about picking your favorite song among two options from a bracket, like a tournament, so I went to the website that hosted such games and made my own playlist with the top 100 from backloggd! I made it for me and my siblings to play as a family activity, but I can share it with you guys. I added many more songs there to reflect on what BGMs would probably go in an updated list. Feel free to play it: https://new.uwufufu.com/quiz/worldCup/649e4e0f1b2be9ff9f794dea/rank "
Xator_Nova

1 Comment

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