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
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
"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.
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.
1
"Dancing Mad"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/g6UgxJtHIVY
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/g6UgxJtHIVY
2
"Divine Identity"
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/7nWl5Rfftz8
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/7nWl5Rfftz8
3
"The Sacrifice Part III"
Composer: Hiroki Kikuta
Link: https://youtu.be/OluPzMYygJM
Composer: Hiroki Kikuta
Link: https://youtu.be/OluPzMYygJM
4
"World Revolution"
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/TQG5YL8Vg4k
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/TQG5YL8Vg4k
5
"Decisive Battle - Saruin"
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/LFJu5FgSNQo
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/LFJu5FgSNQo
6
"Battle for Everyone's Souls"
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/lbhz0O0dAyk
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/lbhz0O0dAyk
7
"Battle at the Big Bridge"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/jH-Pddk-_4w
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/jH-Pddk-_4w
8
"Dragon God"
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/GLnW1gnuO-4
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/GLnW1gnuO-4
9
"FIGHT!! Ver. 4 - The Final Battle"
Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare
Link: https://youtu.be/HG-TnJOCuP4
Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare
Link: https://youtu.be/HG-TnJOCuP4
10
"Battle #2"
Composer: Yasunori Shiono
Link: https://youtu.be/6wWHZE14hP8
Composer: Yasunori Shiono
Link: https://youtu.be/6wWHZE14hP8
11
"Battle 2"
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/Bm1jClJMT5U
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/Bm1jClJMT5U
12
"Confidence in the Domination"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/ertvporcCZI
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/ertvporcCZI
13
"The Extreme"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/4DqPVakFkOw
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/4DqPVakFkOw
14
"Astaroth - Battle with the Fallen Angel"
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/Ka4zVt9DwMo
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/Ka4zVt9DwMo
15
"Merciless Savior"
Composer: Wataru Ishibashi
Link: https://youtu.be/V1GhOzlGXQk
Composer: Wataru Ishibashi
Link: https://youtu.be/V1GhOzlGXQk
16
"How Wicked Ruler"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/KXIWG7YFy64
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/KXIWG7YFy64
17
"Stage of Death"
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/jgVr_iVra2Y
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/jgVr_iVra2Y
18
"Battle for Survival"
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/j_yq5VhWnC0
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/j_yq5VhWnC0
19
"Four Noble Devils"
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/PPwyFlLNhVA
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/PPwyFlLNhVA
20
"Battle with Magus"
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/HyjNbPdhQRg
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/HyjNbPdhQRg
21
"One Winged Angel"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/pzQE_7mn8ts
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/pzQE_7mn8ts
22
"The Strongest Foe"
Composer: Mieko Ishikawa
Link: https://youtu.be/yvAShxQrk64
Composer: Mieko Ishikawa
Link: https://youtu.be/yvAShxQrk64
23
"Hepatica - KOS-MOS"
Composer: Yuki Kajiura
Link: https://youtu.be/UGye3lBCrJ0
Composer: Yuki Kajiura
Link: https://youtu.be/UGye3lBCrJ0
24
"Gothic Neclord"
Composer: Miki Higashino
Link: https://youtu.be/fq2vAaU-Kng
Composer: Miki Higashino
Link: https://youtu.be/fq2vAaU-Kng
25
"Battle #3"
Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare
Link: https://youtu.be/DysGnBO-Z0s
Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare
Link: https://youtu.be/DysGnBO-Z0s
26
"Demon Lord Vesper"
Composer: Atsushi Shirakawa
Link: https://youtu.be/JTqwGW5ZKYc
Composer: Atsushi Shirakawa
Link: https://youtu.be/JTqwGW5ZKYc
27
"Battle Theme 2"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/FQYEF_TShPU
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/FQYEF_TShPU
28
"Mißgestalt"
Composer: Masashi Hamauzu
Link: https://youtu.be/W_HiktqwoCc
Composer: Masashi Hamauzu
Link: https://youtu.be/W_HiktqwoCc
29
"The Divine Spirit of Language"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/0oGZn-K-gBo
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/0oGZn-K-gBo
30
"Chop!!"
Composer: Masaaki Kawai
Link: https://youtu.be/xTp8qHnE7sQ
Composer: Masaaki Kawai
Link: https://youtu.be/xTp8qHnE7sQ
31
"The Decisive Battle"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/8ksnA3Qjx5Q
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/8ksnA3Qjx5Q
32
"Last Battle"
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/N3sErgVX25w
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/N3sErgVX25w
33
"Celestial Troupe"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/-ciVAvtq9lQ
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/-ciVAvtq9lQ
34
"Natural Selection"
Composer: Yuko Fukushima
Link: https://youtu.be/1CdNF410qsU
Composer: Yuko Fukushima
Link: https://youtu.be/1CdNF410qsU
35
"Battle #3"
Composer: Yasunori Shiono
Link: https://youtu.be/BLIrE5ivseQ
Composer: Yasunori Shiono
Link: https://youtu.be/BLIrE5ivseQ
36
"Fatalize"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/65SuB4E9lSA
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/65SuB4E9lSA
37
"Sword of Fury"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/QqNeaNWbZVw
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/QqNeaNWbZVw
38
"Fatal Fight (Jin & Margulls)"
Composer: Yuki Kajiura
Link: https://youtu.be/YtA-iLt2rgw
Composer: Yuki Kajiura
Link: https://youtu.be/YtA-iLt2rgw
39
"Stab the Sword of Justice"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/icR3VBLxXWY
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/icR3VBLxXWY
40
"Last Battle"
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/Kx7z3CNELGw
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/Kx7z3CNELGw
41
"Last Boss Battle After Transformation"
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/VtT9TPfDpUM
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/VtT9TPfDpUM
42
"J-E-N-O-V-A"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/G8eCJCcBelo
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/G8eCJCcBelo
43
"Battle 1"
Composer: Tatsuyuki Maeda
Link: https://youtu.be/PvIufgbDeZk
Composer: Tatsuyuki Maeda
Link: https://youtu.be/PvIufgbDeZk
44
"The Battle of your Soul"
Composer: Yuki Kajiura
Link: https://youtu.be/aFo97Zg0nOQ
Composer: Yuki Kajiura
Link: https://youtu.be/aFo97Zg0nOQ
45
"Great Battle in the Vast Sky"
Composer: Koichi Sugiyama
Link: https://youtu.be/MQ_p4AJrG9k
Composer: Koichi Sugiyama
Link: https://youtu.be/MQ_p4AJrG9k
46
"The Incarnation of Devil"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/ca47GVRdhng
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/ca47GVRdhng
47
"Ultema The Perfect Body!"
Composer: Masaharu Iwata
Link: https://youtu.be/jbpxYTP0WUg
Composer: Masaharu Iwata
Link: https://youtu.be/jbpxYTP0WUg
48
"Finish the Promise"
Composer: Motoo Fujiwara
Link: https://youtu.be/Z3oHr0286_E
Composer: Motoo Fujiwara
Link: https://youtu.be/Z3oHr0286_E
49
"Meridian Dance"
Composer: Hiroki Kikuta
Link: https://youtu.be/dXqTJcVR65Q
Composer: Hiroki Kikuta
Link: https://youtu.be/dXqTJcVR65Q
50
"Feldschlacht IV"
Composer: Masashi Hamauzu
Link: https://youtu.be/yPF-Uwt7Hj4
Composer: Masashi Hamauzu
Link: https://youtu.be/yPF-Uwt7Hj4
51
"The True Mirror"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/O4FdfaRX8EM
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/O4FdfaRX8EM
52
"The Final Battle"
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/Gsnmdrs6uCg
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/Gsnmdrs6uCg
53
"U.B."
Composer: Yoko Shimomura
Link: https://youtu.be/MURppPJVq5o
Composer: Yoko Shimomura
Link: https://youtu.be/MURppPJVq5o
54
"Fight Against Smithy"
Composer: Yoko Shimomura
Link: https://youtu.be/ymM6MIzLxgw
Composer: Yoko Shimomura
Link: https://youtu.be/ymM6MIzLxgw
55
"Between Life and Death"
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/RXeHpftvQb8
Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Link: https://youtu.be/RXeHpftvQb8
56
"The 3 Karma - Decisive Battle"
Composers: Yoshitaka Hirota, Yasunori Mitsuda, Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/iPmRVBa0NF4
Composers: Yoshitaka Hirota, Yasunori Mitsuda, Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/iPmRVBa0NF4
57
"Seeking Victory"
Composer: Masaru Shiina
Link: https://youtu.be/mDXJ6e0klyw
Composer: Masaru Shiina
Link: https://youtu.be/mDXJ6e0klyw
58
"Gunmetal Action"
Composer: Michiko Naruke
Link: https://youtu.be/i_M4gUcrivw
Composer: Michiko Naruke
Link: https://youtu.be/i_M4gUcrivw
59
"Iconoclasm"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/eG6S_ZAP8Cw
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/eG6S_ZAP8Cw
60
"The Spirit Chaser (Surlent)"
Composer: Ryuji Sasai
Link: https://youtu.be/BPnFc-X3qhc
Composer: Ryuji Sasai
Link: https://youtu.be/BPnFc-X3qhc
61
"Ernst"
Composer: Wataru Ishibashi
Link: https://youtu.be/qnX-bjA_KE0
Composer: Wataru Ishibashi
Link: https://youtu.be/qnX-bjA_KE0
62
"The Man with the Machine Gun"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/LeScjOTYl7g
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/LeScjOTYl7g
63
"FIGHT!! Ver. 3 - Middle Boss Battle"
Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare
Link: https://youtu.be/mCYO53OGydg
Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare
Link: https://youtu.be/mCYO53OGydg
64
"Fighting of the Spirit"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/gTPUtgGHAlg
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/gTPUtgGHAlg
65
"There is no regret"
Composer: Hitoshi Sakimoto
Link: https://youtu.be/8E9A1buawvU
Composer: Hitoshi Sakimoto
Link: https://youtu.be/8E9A1buawvU
66
"Deep in Coma - Battle in Japan"
Composer: Yoshitaka Hiroka
Link: https://youtu.be/XDvpikHYSHM
Composer: Yoshitaka Hiroka
Link: https://youtu.be/XDvpikHYSHM
67
"Battle to Recapture Sol-Falena"
Composer: Norikazu Miura
Link: https://youtu.be/txJv0hpJ6h8
Composer: Norikazu Miura
Link: https://youtu.be/txJv0hpJ6h8
68
"Vitriolic a Stroke"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/qDoBcqdPx-Y
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/qDoBcqdPx-Y
69
"Battle with Saturos"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/uh1svF7sR68
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/uh1svF7sR68
70
"Dying Corpse"
Composer: Yuko Takehara
Link: https://youtu.be/3fcKi80M0L4
Composer: Yuko Takehara
Link: https://youtu.be/3fcKi80M0L4
71
"Deceitful Wings"
Composer: Daisuke Achiwa
Link: https://youtu.be/Mg7W4xKTLNE
Composer: Daisuke Achiwa
Link: https://youtu.be/Mg7W4xKTLNE
72
"Clash of Light and Shadow"
Composer: Yasuhiro Kawasaki
Link: https://youtu.be/Swn_zQyU7Ug
Composer: Yasuhiro Kawasaki
Link: https://youtu.be/Swn_zQyU7Ug
73
"Path Destroyer"
Composer: Michiru Yamane
Link: https://youtu.be/oJ6znDxoPvw
Composer: Michiru Yamane
Link: https://youtu.be/oJ6znDxoPvw
74
"Critical Hit!"
Composer: Michiko Naruke
Link: https://youtu.be/twRv1qR6rVw
Composer: Michiko Naruke
Link: https://youtu.be/twRv1qR6rVw
75
"Final Battle"
Composer: Yuzo Koshiro
Link: https://youtu.be/c1eyt-5ubHw
Composer: Yuzo Koshiro
Link: https://youtu.be/c1eyt-5ubHw
76
"Imbroglio"
Composers: Yasunori Mitsuda, Yoshitaka Hirota
Link: https://youtu.be/lJfhsgsVaTo
Composers: Yasunori Mitsuda, Yoshitaka Hirota
Link: https://youtu.be/lJfhsgsVaTo
77
"Wait, Eimelle..."
Composer: Hirokazu Matsumura
Link: https://youtu.be/I4QOXsrdKx8
Composer: Hirokazu Matsumura
Link: https://youtu.be/I4QOXsrdKx8
78
"Fight with Seymour"
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/33IR1eUUC08
Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Link: https://youtu.be/33IR1eUUC08
79
"Meaning of Birth"
Composer: Motoo Fujiwara
Link: https://youtu.be/yzjy09H47_w
Composer: Motoo Fujiwara
Link: https://youtu.be/yzjy09H47_w
80
"Duke of Stratosphere"
Composer: Daisuke Achiwa
Link: https://youtu.be/aF3qrY4Zg80
Composer: Daisuke Achiwa
Link: https://youtu.be/aF3qrY4Zg80
81
"The Chase"
Composer: Miki Higashino
Link: https://youtu.be/Dw9SexDhQfM
Composer: Miki Higashino
Link: https://youtu.be/Dw9SexDhQfM
82
"Apoplexy"
Composer: Hitoshi Sakamoto
Link: https://youtu.be/zhGHO-bxXbs
Composer: Hitoshi Sakamoto
Link: https://youtu.be/zhGHO-bxXbs
83
"Battle 2"
Composer: Tatsuyuki Maeda
Link: https://youtu.be/d5TNRQhJaSU
Composer: Tatsuyuki Maeda
Link: https://youtu.be/d5TNRQhJaSU
84
"Running Fire"
Composer: Tenpei Sato
Link: https://youtu.be/3o0O4X28dZc
Composer: Tenpei Sato
Link: https://youtu.be/3o0O4X28dZc
85
"Battle for Glory"
Composer: Koichi Sugiyama
Link: https://youtu.be/nCt0ARbgjmk
Composer: Koichi Sugiyama
Link: https://youtu.be/nCt0ARbgjmk
86
"Hari-Hara"
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/YdZ_2QwqwQQ
Composer: Shoji Meguro
Link: https://youtu.be/YdZ_2QwqwQQ
87
"Night of Fate"
Composer: Yoko Shimomura
Link: https://youtu.be/_JUlNMAklhs
Composer: Yoko Shimomura
Link: https://youtu.be/_JUlNMAklhs
88
"Battle Theme"
Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare
Link: https://youtu.be/xXMf3YYNZX8
Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare
Link: https://youtu.be/xXMf3YYNZX8
89
"Lion, Irony of Fate"
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/lVBqdu6vZps
Composer: Motoi Sakuraba
Link: https://youtu.be/lVBqdu6vZps
90
"Battle 3"
Composer: Motoaki Takenouchi
Link: https://youtu.be/qunj0fbMi9Q
Composer: Motoaki Takenouchi
Link: https://youtu.be/qunj0fbMi9Q
91
"Battle Theme 2"
Composers: Yasuaki Fujita, Mari Yamaguchi, Minae Fujii, Yoko Shimomura
Link: https://youtu.be/g05blrSr3ZQ
Composers: Yasuaki Fujita, Mari Yamaguchi, Minae Fujii, Yoko Shimomura
Link: https://youtu.be/g05blrSr3ZQ
92
"Battle - Mid Boss"
Composer: Kenichi Tsuchiya
Link: https://youtu.be/8RqBbrlziOo
Composer: Kenichi Tsuchiya
Link: https://youtu.be/8RqBbrlziOo
93
"Battle! Wild Pokémon"
Composer: Junichi Masuda
Link: https://youtu.be/6VeN2zQw8T4
Composer: Junichi Masuda
Link: https://youtu.be/6VeN2zQw8T4
94
"Battle Against the Black Knight"
Composers: Yoshito Hirano, Saki Haruyama, Naoko Mitome, Atsushi Yoshida, Kanako Teramae
Link: https://youtu.be/gqrCmPga46w
Composers: Yoshito Hirano, Saki Haruyama, Naoko Mitome, Atsushi Yoshida, Kanako Teramae
Link: https://youtu.be/gqrCmPga46w
95
"Battle - Zeik"
Composer: Michiko Naruke
Link: https://youtu.be/iND_imtNr6A
Composer: Michiko Naruke
Link: https://youtu.be/iND_imtNr6A
96
"The Seven Heroes Battle"
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/zkOZFZ1fG9s
Composer: Kenji Ito
Link: https://youtu.be/zkOZFZ1fG9s
97
"Battle"
Composer: Tsukasa Masuko
Link: https://youtu.be/fGCFGbvfNCQ
Composer: Tsukasa Masuko
Link: https://youtu.be/fGCFGbvfNCQ
98
"A Warring God"
Composer: Yoshino Aoki
Link: https://youtu.be/WROSWZowfFQ
Composer: Yoshino Aoki
Link: https://youtu.be/WROSWZowfFQ
99
"Defeat at a Blow"
Composers: Izuho Namata, Masaki Nakagaki
Link: https://youtu.be/iks0dqbuRzY
Composers: Izuho Namata, Masaki Nakagaki
Link: https://youtu.be/iks0dqbuRzY
100
Xator_Nova
10 months ago
"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 "