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Vinyl - LPs and other disc-based music - is making a comeback in a big way, possibly in direct proportion to the quantity of hipsters. But regardless of the trend's origins, we're jumping on the bandwagon.
And that's because companies like Data Discs and iam8bit are working with game developers and their publishers to immortalise top game soundtracks in wax, complete with stunning special edition artwork.
We've been drooling at our desks discovering just how beautiful they can be. Here are our 15 favourites in no particular order, because nothing this beautiful should be ranked.
THE LAST OF US
We didn't think we could love The Last of Us' soundtrack any more, but then Mondo announced last year it would release just four of these ridiculously pretty 180-gram LP boxed sets. Featuring art from Olly Moss (that guy who helped make Firewatch so pretty) and Jay Shaw, this limited release really captured the beauty of the soundtrack, in all its acoustic-guitar-and-Southern-drawl glory.
Listen to the Main Theme from The Last of Us
MONUMENT VALLEY
If you haven't experienced ustwo's stunning mobile puzzler Monument Valley yet, then you've been missing out. But, anyone who has had the pleasure will know that the game's almost hypnotic instrumental soundtrack is half of its appeal. Thankfully, online retailer iam8bit is releasing a double vinyl album with original art and printed LP sleeves. Plus you get an eight-page story booklet and a download code for the digital soundtrack.
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Listen to the Monument Valley soundtrack
STREET FIGHTER 2
If you love a soundtrack that's full of '80s guitar synths, then the Street Fighter 2 tunes will be right up your street. We particularly love Ryu's theme, just because it makes us feel like we could take on the entire world.
The limited edition vinyl from Brave Wave features translucent coloured vinyls with art prints directly taken from the Capcom archive. It's quite the work of art. It includes remasters of both the CPS-1 and CPS-2 versions of the arcade game.
Check out the full Street Fighter 2 album preview
UNCHARTED: THE NATHAN DRAKE COLLECTION
The lovely people over at iam8bit are basically making all the game-related vinyls of our dreams. Like this Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection vinyl that spreads across three unique LPs, all with their own art from We Buy Your Kids.
The Uncharted soundtracks are much more of a full orchestral affair than the other games on this list so far, but it's atmospheric, powerful and the perfect accompaniment to cooking up a storm.
Listen to 'Nate's Theme 3.0' from Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
THE BANNER SAGA
Stoic's Viking-themed RPG The Banner Saga has one of those soundtracks that give you chills. It's a beautiful score from Austin Wintory thanks to its powerful strings and brass combinations. The folks over at iam8bit (again, the beauties) have created this stunning vinyl with art from Arnie Jorgensen, which comes with two LPs and a digital version of the soundtrack too.
Listen to 'We Will Not Be Forgotten' from The Banner Saga
JOURNEY
Still one of our top PlayStation titles ever, Journey is one of those games that deserves to be immortalised in a stunning vinyl edition like this. Yes, it's the guys and gals over at iam8bit again, but the soundtrack spreads itself over two LPs with glorious Journey artwork by Mark Englert.
Like The Banner Saga, the Journey soundtrack is composed by Austin Wintory and is just as atmospheric, but in more of a joyous, heart-warming way.
Listen to the full Journey soundtrack
HOTLINE MIAMI 2: WRONG NUMBER
You might want to move quickly if you want to grab yourself this seriously impressive and slightly hallucinogenic press of the Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number soundtrack. It's on its third and final pressing over at iam8bit.
We're particularly enamored with that inside spread – just look at that tiger. The soundtrack is very much more clubbing anthems than instrumental Sunday chillouts, but it sure does get you moving.
Listen to the full Hotline Miami 2 soundtrack
FTL: FASTER THAN LIGHT
If you want to be transported to a space rave, then you need to listen to Ben Prunty's celebrated FTL: Faster than Light soundtrack. It has the strange power of calming us down during a stressful day at work and simultaneously making us want to dance around the room arms flailing.
The vinyl, another classic from iam8bit, features stunning artwork by Leif Podhajsky, complete with eye-like detailing on the LPs themselves.
Listen to the full FTL: Faster than Light soundtrack
SHENMUE
Moving away from iam8bit just for a minute, Data Discs has a wonderful press of the original Shenmue soundtrack from the Sega days. It's a collection of some rather ear-soothing Asian-inspired orchestral music.
The tracks have been remastered specifically for vinyl and the case features artwork from the original game.
Listen to 'Sedge Tree' and 'Dawn' from the Shenmue soundtrack
MEGA MAN
One of the most recognisable names in console gaming has also made his way to vinyl. Hot Topic has released Mega Man: Best of Mega Man 1-10 as a celebration of Mega Man's adventures to date since 1987.
The tracks have been hand picked by the Capcom Sound Team, and unsurprisingly the vinyl is currently sold out. However, keep those beady eyes peeled if you want to listen to the glorious '80s beats.
Listen to 'Dr Wily's Castle' from Mega Man 2
SHINOBI 3
Another classic from the Data Discs is this remastered version of the Shinobi 3 soundtrack. The artwork sourced from the Sega archives is absolutely stunning and we can't get enough of that bass-driven 8-bit music from the days of the Sega Mega Drive.
Listen to 'Ninja Soul' and 'Solitary' from Shinobi 3
PERFECT DARK
Until the launch of Rare Replay last year, we'd almost forgotten how awesome Perfect Dark was. This vinyl edition of the soundtrack was launched to celebrate Rare's 30th anniversary and comes complete with two LPs and artwork by Marco D'Alfonso.
It riffs off the fact that Joanna Dark is a total badass, hence all those bullet holes.
In terms of music style, the Perfect Dark soundtrack is very much all about the beats and the bass.
Listen to the full Perfect Dark soundtrack
GUILD WARS 2: HEART OF THORNS
Our favourites over at iam8bit have also put their time into making this glorious vinyl press of Guild Wars 2.
Designed by Cory Schmitz, it features original artwork for the game for each disc, the sleeves and the inner spread. It might look a little simplistic from the outside, but the further you delve the more magnificent it gets.
And what's a better way to set the mood and sync yourself up on a Monday morning than powerful battle music like the main theme?
Listen to the Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns soundtrack
SUPER HEXAGON
If you've played Super Hexagon, you'll know the feeling of seeing "Game Over. Begin" over and over again. Thankfully though, the high-speed soundtrack is less stressful than its game, thanks to its impressive electro beats.
We love the custom clear sleeve of the Super Hexagon vinyl though, which allows the discs within to line up with the artwork on the exterior – all designed by Cory Schmitz.
Listen to the full Super Hexagon soundtrack
STREETS OF RAGE 2
What more could you want from a vinyl press of the Streets of Rage soundtrack? Blood-spattered LPs, a mid-battle cover and a pair of lithographic prints? Yes, yes and more yes.
The folks at Data Discs are doing it all right with its special edition vinyl remastering of the 1996 classic soundtrack.
You've only got to listen to two seconds of the Streets of Rage 2 soundtrack in order to organise a '90s themed house party in its honour.
Listen to 'Go Straight' and 'Never Return Alive' from Streets of Rage 2 soundtrack
