That video game music has been championed is fantastic! I find it fascinating how these sonic landscapes, originally designed to accompany our digital adventures, now possess their very own existence and value. Consider, for a moment, the pure, unadulterated joy we derive from the sounds of "Pac-Man." The simple yet catchy melody as that yellow sphere eats up those dots and its accompanying waka-waka sounds has transcended mere gameplay! It now lives in a realm of its own, bringing nostalgia and pure fun to anyone who hears it. This goes just beyond mere entertainment! These sounds function as cultural artifacts.

Then there's the 8-bit brilliance of "Tetris," a tune as catchy as it is hypnotic. The ever-increasing tempo as the blocks fall feels almost like a kind of auditory representation of our anxiety. This also functions as a soundtrack for the increasing complexity of modern life. Another standout has to be "Super Mario Bros." The opening theme, an ode to fun, instantly transports anyone who ever spent an afternoon with that Nintendo console back to that specific moment in their life!

Let us not neglect "The Legend of Zelda," with its iconic melodies that evoke vast lands and epic quests! Its themes carry a weight that surpasses the confines of the game itself. It is like hearing parts of the classical music we'd expect from a much grander source, with the music reflecting the bravery and vulnerability of Link. The chirping notes in "Frogger" as the amphibian attempts to cross the road or the simple, almost monotonous beeping in "Pong" form part of a history of sound that have informed a generation! I also think of the almost surreal and dreamlike themes of "Myst." Its complex sounds go beyond a score, making that place almost mystical and strange at the same time. The futuristic, dystopian sounds of "Deus Ex" cannot be excluded, either. They create an amazing world by being dark, mysterious, and tense at the same time. And finally, let’s not forget the upbeat disco sound of “Space Invaders,” which forms another iconic part of aural history.

These aren’t mere background music! These are artistic statements. They are, as the author writes, entirely deserving of our admiration! This goes beyond mere entertainment. They are artifacts of cultural significance that have shaped our memories and collective experience.