The Best Video Games with 90s Techno Music

I rank the best video games with 90s techno music. From classics like Sonic the Hedgehog to lesser known games like Rez, these are the best of the best.

What is Techno Music?

As the name suggests, Techno music is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in the mid-1980s. This genre is characterized by a fast tempo, repeating melodic phrases, and often-distorted synthesizer sounds. Techno music is often used in video games to create an intense or futuristic atmosphere.

Origins of Techno Music

Techno music is a type of electronic dance music that emerged in the mid-1980s. The genre is characterized by a repetitive four on the floor beat and a synthesized melody. Techno is widely considered to be one of the most influential genres of electronic music.

The origins of techno music can be traced back to the city of Detroit, Michigan in the United States. In the early 1980s, a group of musicians and producers began experimenting with electronic music instruments and sounds. These pioneers included Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, who later became known as the Belleville Three.

The Belleville Three were influenced by a wide range of musical styles, including disco, funk, and European electronic music. They created their own unique sound by combining these influences with new technologies like drum machines and synthesizers. The result was a futuristic and surreal brand of dance music that quickly gained popularity in Detroit nightclubs like the Music Institute and Club Space Terrace.

In the late 1980s, techno music spread to Europe, where it was embraced by rave culture. European techno artists like Sven Vath, Jeff Mills, and Richie Hawtin took the sound in new directions with their innovative productions. By the early 1990s, techno had become one of the most popular genres of dance music in the world.

Characteristics of Techno Music

Techno is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid-to-late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno in reference to a specific genre of music was in 1988. Many styles of techno now exist, but Detroit techno is seen as the foundation upon which a number of subgenres have been built.

Characteristics of Techno Music:
-Repetitive beats
-Sturdy bass lines
-Synthesizer melodies and effects
-Lack of vocals

Best Video Games with Techno Music

The best video games with techno music are the ones that make you feel like you’re in the future. When you’re playing a game with techno music, it makes you feel like you’re in a world where anything is possible. It’s the perfect genre of music for video games because it’s so upbeat and energizing.

Rez

Rez is an on-rails shooter video game developed by United Game Artists under the direction of Tetsuya Mizuguchi, and published by Sega. It was released in Japan for the Dreamcast on November 22, 2001, and in North America and Europe for the PlayStation 2 on February 12, 2002. Rez is commonly described as a “rail shooter”; however, it incorporates elements of virtual reality, music, and trance music.

The player controls the “Avatar”, a being that hacks into the mainframe of “Eden”, a worldwide computer network that has been taken over by a hostile AI known as “ZA/UM”. The objective of the game is to reach the center of Eden and defeat ZA/UM. The player’s avatar takes the form of a wireframe polygon that can be customized with different colors and shapes. As the player progresses through the game, they unlock new colors and shapes.

The game features five stages, each with its own unique theme and music. The music in Rez is dynamically generated based on the player’s actions; as such, it is considered an important part of the gameplay experience.

In 2015, Rez was included in The Guardian’s list of “The 100 best games ever”. In 2020, it was included in Time’s list of “The 100 Greatest Video Games of All Time”.

Wipeout

Wipeout is a 1995 racing game developed by Psygnosis and published for the PlayStation. The game is set in the year 2052, where players compete in the F3600 anti-gravity racing league. It features tracks set around futuristic cities and jurisdictions, and allows players to pilot a variety of gravcraft. The game’s soundtrack was composed by a number of techno artists, including The Chemical Brothers, Leftfield, and Orbital.

Tron 2.0

Tron 2.0 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Monolith Productions and published by Buena Vista Interactive in 2003. The game is a sequel to the 1982 film Tron, whose franchise rights were bought by Monolith Productions some time before the game’s development.

The storyline of Tron 2.0 occurs after the original film, with Alan Bradley’s son Jet Bradleyinhackers fighting against a powerful computer program infecting and taking control of his father’s company, ENCOM International. Along with his isotope-stabilized sidekick Mercury, Jet makes his way into cyberspace to battle the forces of the program Ma3a, uncovering her plans to take over the Internet and other computer networks worldwide.

Techno music plays a big role in this game, with various remixes of classic tunes from the movie as well as original songs composed for the game itself. The music helps create an immersive and futuristic atmosphere that compliments the action and visuals perfectly.

Jet Set Radio

Jet Set Radio is a game that was released in 2000 for the Sega Dreamcast. The game takes place in the futuristic city of Tokyo and consists of spraying graffiti all over the place to gain street cred. The game’s soundtrack is heavily influenced by 90s techno music, with songs from artists such as Fatboy Slim, Basement Jaxx, and Mr. Oizo.

Einhänder

Einhänder is a 1997 shoot ’em up video game developed and published by Square. The game’s title is German for “one-handed”, referring to the game’s minimalist control scheme where the player uses only one button and the directional pad to play. The game was re-released in 2007 on the PlayStation Network.

Einhänder follows the story of a nameless pilot fighting for the Empire against rebel forces using advanced fighter jets armed with various weapons and abilities. The pilot’s quest takes him across the galaxy to different planets and through a variety of environments.

The game is noted for its techno music, which was composed by Kenichi Matsubara and Nobuo Uematsu.

Why Techno Music is Good for Gaming

Techno music can create an atmosphere of suspense, making the player more invested in the game. It can also help players focus on the task at hand and block out distractions. In addition, techno music can make the game feel more exciting and fast-paced.

It’s Exciting

Techno music is the perfect background music for gaming. It’s exciting and uplifting, but not so distracting that it takes away from the game itself. The best part about techno music is that it can be enjoyed by gamers of all ages. Whether you’re a diehard fan of 90s techno or a more recent convert, you’ll find that this type of music enhances your gaming experience.

It’s Energizing

Techno music is known for being high energy and intense, which makes it the perfect genre of music to get you pumped up for gaming. The fast tempo and driving beats of techno can help to get your blood flowing and your adrenaline pumping, making it easier to get into the zone and focus on your game. Whether you’re playing an action-packed first-person shooter or a fast-paced racing game, adding some techno music to your playlist can help you get into the right mindset for gaming.

It Creates an Immersive Atmosphere

Techno music can transport you to another world. It’s the perfect soundtrack for gaming because it can create an immersive atmosphere that pulls you into the game. The best video games with 90s techno music use this to their advantage, making you feel like you’re part of the game.

This is most evident in racing games. The fast-paced nature of techno music gets your heart pumping and makes you feel like you’re driving at high speeds. The best racing games with 90s techno music make you feel like you’re in a high-stakes race, and the music is a big part of that.

Other genres of games can also benefit from techno music. First-person shooters often have intense moments where every second counts, and having the right soundtrack can make those moments even more adrenaline-pumping. Techno music is also good for puzzle games as it can help you focus on the task at hand.

In general, techno music is good for gaming because it creates an immersive atmosphere that enhances the experience. Whether it’s a fast-paced race or a tense shootout, the right techno track can make the game even more exciting.