7 of the best game soundtracks to get you out of bed in the morning

Video game soundtracks are perfect to wake up to. After all, the music you choose to start the day with can make a huge difference to your mental state first thing in the morning, so choosing one’s alarm sound carefully is an important decision — especially in what we’ve come to euphemistically refer to as “These Trying Times”.

With that in mind, here’s seven top video game soundtrack picks that will get you up and about in no time — and in a suitable mental state to face the day.

OVERDOSE (Blue Reflection)

Blue Reflection is one of Koei Tecmo and Gust’s most overlooked games, but those who know… well, they know. And with the recent announcement that there’s an anime spinoff on the way, that gives me the perfect opportunity to celebrate this game and its incredible soundtrack.

Most of Blue Reflection’s soundtrack is pleasantly chilled out and relaxed. But any time battle themes show up, composer Hayato Asano combines gentle acoustic instrument sounds with energetic electronic beats to create something altogether unique and distinctive. And ideal to wake up to.

Doki Doki While You Work (Gal*Gun 2)

The Gal*Gun series has some delightfully energetic soundtracks, and the main “working” themes heard in the main shooting levels are the perfect thing to wake up to. Gal*Gun 2’s is a personal favourite.

These tracks combine high-tempo beats to get the blood pumping with a pleasantly happy melody to put you in a good frame of mind for the morning’s business — whether that’s dealing with your tax return or fending off the unwanted attentions of the local lovelies.

The Measure of Our Reach (Final Fantasy XIV)

Got a hard day’s conquering and pillaging ahead of you but struggling to build up the motivation you need to make those all-important first steps? Let the Garlean Territorial Anthem for Gyr Abania and Surrounding States help.

This track, although technically attributed to the “villains” of the piece in Final Fantasy XIV, captured the imagination of the community when it was first heard in the Stormblood expansion. And you can’t tell me you don’t want to leap out of bed to the sound of that chorus.

I Devote Myself to Sprouts (Senran Kagura Bon Appetit)

What could be better than leaping out of bed for a delicious and healthy bowl of beansprouts? Absolutely nothing… well, if you’re Yomi from Homura’s Crimson Squad, that is.

For the rest of us, this piece of music from the excellent Meteorise-developed Senran Kagura rhythm game spinoff Bon Appetit will probably provide sufficient motivation to get us up and about.

Dokidoki Kokoro Flavor (Nekopara vol. 2)

If you prefer your mornings with a nice bit of sugary sweetness, the opening theme to popular visual novel Nekopara volume 2 should sort you right out.

The Nekopara visual novels are some of the most cheerful pieces of popular media out there, and so most of the pieces of music from their soundtracks are great to wake up to. This one has always been a personal favourite, though.

Space Jam (Barkley Shut Up and Jam Gaiden)

WARNING: This song is canon. But while it’s looking increasingly likely we’ll never see the proposed sequel to this completely free masterpiece of interactive entertainment, that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to enjoy its magnificent genius.

This piece should get you up, about and ready to slam jam. Or at the very least in the mood to play Tales of Game’s Studios Presents Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden, Chapter 1 of the Hoopz Barkley SaGa once again.

If you were curious, the chiptune on which this song is based (the bit that isn’t Space Jam, obviously) is called Funky Star by Quazar.

I’m a Beast (Dungeon Travelers 2)

This awesome dungeon crawler from Sting and Atlus is one of the best games on the Vita — and if anyone is listening, the western audience is crying out for a localisation of its sequel Dungeon Travelers 2-2, perhaps for Nintendo Switch.

In the meantime, we can at least enjoy this fantastic theme, heard on the game’s title screen. Its energetic rhythms and wailing electric guitar melody are sure to put you in a fine mood for the day ahead — whether or not monster girls are involved.

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What video game tracks would you set as your alarm tone? Let us know in the comments or via the usual social channels!

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