The Funkiest Video Game Soundtracks Of All Time

Ever since James Brown told us that poppa had a brand-new bag, funk music has been making folks shake their groove thangs across the globe. Whether it’s the shuffles of the syncopated beats, the thump of the slap bass, or the rhythmic wah-wahs of the guitar, funk finds a way to make you feel the music. Even the world of video games is not immune to such infections of the funk.

In fact, throughout the years, a number of video games have found inspiration for their soundtracks in the compositions of bands like Earth, Wind and Fire and Parliament Funkadelic. There’s really no end to the list of games that have chosen to compliment their visuals with down-low and dirty beats. It makes sense though, since it’s such a driving and upbeat genre of tunes.

However, not all video game soundtracks have the same levels of funk in their bones. Some just bring it harder than others. Still, there are a number of funk-infused soundtracks that fans of the music genre should make sure they get on their playlists.

10 Interstate ‘76

Low Riders

Not a lot of people remember Interstate ‘76, but it was a funkafied car combat game in the style of the Twisted Metal Series. It swapped out evil clowns for disco balls and vintage muscle cars, which gave the game a much lighter tone overall. It also features one of the most amazing funk soundtracks to ever grace home consoles. We’re talking full-on 1970s, Tower of Power type of grooves here.

While Interstate ‘76 was a fine enough game, it basically showed up to party for a bit and faded into the pages of gaming history. However, its funky fresh songs are still as groovy as ever and definitely worth a listen.

9 Crypt of the Necrodancer

Dead Man's Party

If you’ve spent any time bobbing your head along to the beats of Crypt of the Necrodancer, you know just how lowdown dirty and funky its beats can get. This rhythm meets roguelike games mashup is known for its unique gameplay that has you keeping tempo as you explore its randomly generated dungeons.

The music of Crypt of the Necrodancer is upbeat and made to keep you motivated while breathing intensity into the atmosphere. It mixes a modern electro-funk soundtrack with an extremely addictive gameplay loop that will have you grinding on the dance floor for hours.

8 Streets of Rage 2

A Real Beat Down

It’s not hyperbole to say that the Streets of Rage 2 game was just the right game with just the right soundtrack at just the right time. Sega’s second installment in its iconic beat-em-up arrived on the Genesis in 1992 just as Techno music was starting to find its way into the mainstream. The game’s soundtrack combined many elements from the new style and combined it with some of the dirtiest funk grooves to ever be put in a game.

The Streets of Rage 2 soundtrack is still talked about as one of the greatest of all time, and it doesn’t take long to figure out why if you give it a listen. Don’t be afraid to add it to your playlist.

7 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Arcade)

Pizza Funkadelic

Hands-down, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game has a truly perfect soundtrack on every level. I’d describe it as a jazz fusion funk genre mix of elements. It’s chock-full of insane, driving, pumping drum beats and some of the craziest keytar scale solos to ever be put in a video game.

It superbly complimented the arcade hack-and-slash action and had the same cool factor as the turtles themselves. Our heroes in a half-shell deserve only the finest of tunes to get down to as they take on Krang and Shredder and Konami delivered.

6 Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove

Kick Out the Jams

You would hope that the video game starring two aliens from the planet Funkotron would deliver the funk. Fortunately, Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove did just that. There’s so many insane slap bass grooves in this game, that you might think you’re in a Seinfeld-themed opening. It harkens back to the low down grooves of the 70s P-Funk era and never looks back.

Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove may be the most unapologetically funky game on this entire list. After all, that’s what the entire series of games has been about. If you’re a fan of old-school funk music, it’s a must-listen.

5 Jet Set Radio

Fighting the Power

Funk isn’t always about having a good time… okay, maybe it is. But, it can also be the soundtrack to a revolution. At least that seems to be the sentiment behind the soundtrack to Jet Set Radio. This classic video game is about using graffiti and rollerblading to take down the powers that be bleeds funk from its soul.

Whether you’re talking about the colorful characters like Gum and Beat or the equally colorful music, JSR is a game that has funk written all over it. Its funk shows through in its unique gameplay as well, making it a one-two combo that’s off the funkometer.

4 Dance Dance Revolution

Funky Feet

Over the years, there’s been so many iterations of Dance Dance Revolution that it can be hard to keep them all straight. But, whether we’re talking future funk, city pop, J-Pop or anything in between, DDR has literally kept bodies moving. The well-known rhythm game series has a massive catalog of tunes that range across a number of genres, but I personally think it’s the high-power funk grooves that keep people coming back for more.

While there are a lot of rhythm games that you could throw on this list, DDR none of them really have the pedigree that it has. You could spend an entire lifetime getting down to the funky fresh playlists of DDR’s many installments.

3 Space Channel 5

In Space, No One Can Hear You Funk

There’s no denying that Space Channel 5’s intrepid main character and intergalactic news reporter Ulala is one of the funkiest main characters to ever exist. When you add in a funky situation like a Morolian invasion and a jammin soundtrack, you’ve got a formula for one of the greatest rhythm games ever.

In a lot of ways, Space Channel 5 was the quirky culmination of a lot of the retro disco vibes that became popular in the mid to late 1990s. If you want to have a funky time when you’re gaming, definitely be sure to check this one out.

2 Persona 5

A JRPG Funk Odyssey

Before you even start playing Persona 5, its title screen hits you with some lo-fi, jazzy funk, and it just gets funkier from there. While there are plenty of other kinds of musical styles represented in this game, the funky jams seem to stand out the most. While battling through Tokyo with Joker and his crew makes for an extremely enjoyable JRPG experience, having a perfect soundtrack with plenty of funk has helped to cement it as a masterpiece and maybe the best entry in the series.

Persona 5’s soundtrack features driving bass lines, percussive organ parts and drums that are right in the pocket that are bound to get your body moving as you play. Its jams have become nearly as iconic as the game itself and has become a favorite among VGM influencers online.

1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Hitting the Blue Note

Just listen to the level music for Hydrocity Zone and tell me that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 isn’t the funkiest game soundtrack you’ve ever heard. While the 16-bit Sonic games have always had a treasure trove of tasty funk melodies, 3 had a little something. That was in no small part to the uncredited but now fully confirmed contributions of Michael Jackson to some of the game’s compositions.

In many ways, Sonic 3 is a peak example of the series' overall funk influences throughout the years. I always thought that the fresh jams Sonic brought were a cool contrast to the more classical compositions of the then-rival franchise of the Mario Bros. games as well. Just another reason to appreciate this classic funk soundtrack.