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Sometimes all you need is a strong, sweeping piano to convey everything in a song

Ever since the SNES and Genesis, games have been able to have synthesized instruments in their soundtracks. Then, as time went on, real instruments and orchestras were able to be used in games thanks to CD roms. Game music had evolved. Nowadays composers can do whatever they want in their game music. But sometimes simplicity can be more profound than giant sweeping orchestras or powerful jazz numbers. Sometimes all you need is a piano.

And that's exactly what we're looking at today: solo piano themes. The piano can convey any feeling; it can play it loud and crazy, or be quiet and sensitive. For this reason the piano is very effective in games. The following 8 themes use only piano; no drums or violins are heard in the background, nothing. Just piano. How many games have had solo piano themes? A lot more than you would think. Just relax now and enjoy these beautiful piano themes from some of the most beloved soundtracks in gaming.

Reminiscence--Thoughts Not Extinguished from Chrono Cross (composed by Yasunori Mitsuda)

Chrono Cross has one of the most beautiful soundtracks ever, and this song is simply one of many touching themes. It's slow, heart-warming, and hopeful. It's the perfect reflective song, making you stop and think about life. Solo piano was a perfect choice for this one. Mitsuda is a true musical genius.

Sleepless City from Final Fantasy IX (composed by Nobuo Uematsu)

This song simply proves that Nobuo Uematsu can do anything. This song is a piano rag theme for one of the cities in the game. It sounds like Scott Joplin himself is playing the song, but it was composed by the famous Japanese FF composer. This is not as impressive as the complete opera Uematsu composed for FF6, but it's still impressive.

Piranha Plant's Lullaby [piano version] from Super Mario 64 (composed by Koji Kondo)

The incredible first 3D Mario game actually had a solo piano song in it. Piranha Plant's Lullaby is a calm and beautiful theme, but it's even better in piano form. It's extremely simple, but often the simple things in life are the best things. This theme may be the only solo piano theme to appear in an N64 game. It also ends instead of looping. Bravo, Mr. Kondo!

Awakening to a World Protected from Arc Rise Fantasia (composed by Yui Makino)

The piano is a very central instrument in Arc Rise Fantasia, often carrying the melody. In this song, though, the piano is all alone, yet excels in performance. The song begins slowly, then builds to a hopeful theme before ending. It's short, sweet, and to the point.

Gentle Rain from Mother 3 (composed by Shogo Sakai)

It's surprising to find solo piano music in a GBA game, yet Mother 3 has several of them. Out of all of them, Gentle Rain sticks out the most. Its melancholy tune is truly inspiring, made even more impactful by the solo piano, which gives off a feeling of loneliness. It's depressing yet hopeful, giving off a range of emotions with a single instrument.

Theme of Mana from Legend of Mana (composed by Yoko Shimomura)

Legend of Mana also uses the piano to great effect in its soundtrack. This particular song is a solo piano piece of the main theme, which is a great theme. It's a little dark, mysterious, and exciting. The piano only lends itself in making the song more mysterious. Those bass piano notes can do wonders when it comes to being mysterious.

Piano Medley from Metroid Other M (composed by Kuniaki Haishima)

Say what you will about Metroid Other M, but the game has a great soundtrack, being fully orchestrated, yet maintaining the Metroid feel. This song is simply beautiful. I'm not sure if Haishima actually came up with this song, but he's credited with the ost. This solo piano piece is very sorrowful, feeling lonely and isolated. A true masterpiece.

To Zanarkand from Final Fantasy X (composed by Nobuo Uematsu, Junya Nakano, and Masashi Hamazu)

This is possibly the greatest solo piano piece to ever be placed in a game. It's the main theme for FFX, and for some reason the composers decided to not have it fully orchestrated, which is a first for the series. But the piano does wonders! The song is reflective, lonely, and slightly mysterious, the perfect combination as you wander the world, looking for your homeland of Zanarkand. It's simply beautiful. As always, this FF main theme is perfect.