A Study on Winter-Themed Video Game Music

Since I made a post on the best World 1 music in video games, this time, I'll be writing about winter-themed levels in video games, more specifically the music. Instead of making a top 5, I'll be taking the winter-themed songs from all the games in my video game music playlist that have winter themes and writing a little about each one. If there's multiple winter themes in a game, I've picked only one track to represent all of them.

Freezeezy Peak (Banjo-Kazooie--1998)-Freezeezy Peak is GOD TIER! (And also very difficult to spell, as I've just found recently.) It's probably my favorite world in Banjo-Kazooie and tied with Treasure Trove Cove as my favorite world theme. It's something about the brass and the bells that elevate the track to the next level. Actually, be prepared for a lot of bells. From the first notes, you'll be immediately put in the Christmas spirit.

Prehistoric Realm-Level 1 (Glover--1998)-Technically, the Prehistoric Realm isn't a winter level. Level 1 can be classified more as an "ice age" level, but that doesn't stop this track from being one of the best in the soundtrack. It doesn't sound as Christmas-y as the other tracks on this list, but something about it still feels cold and icy while also sounding calm and pensive at the same time like the Atlantis themes, which I've praised before.

Hailfire Peaks Icy Side (Banjo-Tooie--2000)-The Hailfire Peaks theme has two variations, one for the fire side and one for the ice side. When compared to the fire side with the very present deep saxophone sounds, the xylophone and the sound of the wind make it sound kind of empty. I might like Banjo-Tooie better as a whole, but I still prefer Freezeezy Peak's theme. Nevertheless, the Hailfire Peaks theme is one of the first themes I think of when I think of the Banjo-Tooie soundtrack.

Eskimo Roll (Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex--2001)-This is the only Wrath of Cortex song on my video game playlist, but it goes SO HARD. The echo of the bells makes it sound like you're in an icy cave (which I assume is what they're going for), and the strings are *chef's kiss*. It's in minor key, too, I think, which adds suspense to the theme. It fits 'cause I've heard that this level is incredibly hard.

Everwinter (Blinx the Timesweeper--2002)-Now THIS is a winter theme! I've mentioned this song before, and I'll mention it again. Everwinter from Blinx the Timesweeper is amazing in every sense of the word. It's got those bells we love so much and an echoing synth that resembles the sound of a winter wind, and it's just as techno and high-energy as the rest of the Blinx soundtrack.

Blizzard Castle (Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg--2003)- This was the track I cited as the "one track that slaps" in my article "Video Game Soundtracks With That One Track That Slaps." It's definitely gentler than the rest of the Billy Hatcher soundtrack and some of the songs on this list, going for a more cheerful "snow day" feel than the "harsh frozen wasteland" in, say, Eskimo Roll or Everwinter.

Freezing Furnace (Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge--2003)-I played this song and laughed. I guess I can't blame it. This is a GBA game, and handheld systems haven't always been on the same level as full-on consoles. This sounds cheesier than Freezeezy Peak and Hailfire Peaks, and the GBA quality isn't helping its case, either. I might fight someone over Spiral Mountain sounding better in this game than in the original, but this track just doesn't shine.

Iceberg Lab (Crash Twinsanity--2004)-I wish I had heard about Twinsanity's soundtrack before. It is SO GOOD! And the whole thing is a capella, too. This song doesn't give me winter vibes, but it's in an iceberg lab, so I'll include it. It's very calm and laid-back but also sounds very weird, which could describe this soundtrack, this game, and this entire franchise. I'd also recommend listening to Slip Slide Icecapades.

Paradise Suspense 2 (Rayman Origins--2011)-TECHNICALLY Gourmand Land is a food level, but it has a hot-and-cold thing going on, so I'll include it. I really like the sound of the ice clinking in the glass because hello! Ice level! The composers for Rayman Origins are really creative in that aspect. The track also has that "spy" sound with the trumpets, which I don't know why, but go off. I also really like the fast-paced drum beats.

Snowdin Town (Undertale--2015)-I like this track. The Undertale soundtrack has a ton of bangers, and while I don't consider this one of them, I still like it. Again, we hear those bells and plucked strings, nailing the "peaceful friendly snow town" feel that it's going for. It also has some motif from some track I can't remember the name of, and we all know how much Toby Fox loves his motifs.

Battle-Powdered Peaks (Miitopia--2017)- Whoever came up with the idea for putting an electric guitar in an ice theme is a certified genius. I didn't realize it before, but an electric guitar is kind of a "cold" instrument, and it actually blends well with the Bells Because Winter. And also drums? Like, rock and roll drums? Ice Rock Music is my new favorite genre of music. TL;DR: Miitopia is my favorite video game soundtrack of all time.

Cocoa (Friday Night Funkin'--2020)-I'll admit Week 5 isn't my favorite week in FNF, but this is Friday Night Funkin', where all the songs are great. The first track, Cocoa, is nice and slow, something I definitely can't say about some songs. The bells and the hip-hop drum beats FNF is known for give the feeling of sitting by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa, thus the name. Also, can I just say how nice Mom and Dad's voices sound together?