The best music in games are often the songs we don’t immediately notice; the downtempo melodies that intertwine with our memories of an imaginary place. Battle themes offer an easy emotional pull: often anxiety and terror powered by frantic percussion. But the understated music that soundtracks undiscovered forests and underwater worlds fuels the rush of exploring mystical places from the comfort of your couch. The repetitive nature of gaming—the game’s replay value—can ensure that multiple attempts at a level or multiple trips through a notable area will sear the song in your brain. When they’re grating, they’re really grating. But over the years, composers and artists have found a way to craft some of the most sublime music many people have never had the joy of hearing. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most notable ambient and downtempo music in video game history.

Koji Kondo: "Ice Cavern" [from "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (1998)]

Koji Kondo is one of the most familiar names in video game music, having scored early NES games like "Punch Out!!" (his first work as a composer) and a wide swath of notable titles from the "Mario" and "Legend of Zelda" series. Among his most underrated compositions is "Ice Cavern" from "Ocarina of Time", a brief, minimal loop that accentuates the cold desolation of the game’s icy mini-dungeon. "Ice Cavern" is a hollow wind blowing beneath twinkling keys falling sporadically like icicles breaking off a roof in succession. It’s a barren piece, best played loud to feel the bass-filled rumble of that cavernous wind.

Hirokazu Tanaka: "Moonside Swing" [from "Earthbound" (1994)]