Welcome to Critical Hit, where we celebrate and lament all things videogame music, audio design, and the ways our favourite games make our ears tingle.

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Videogame music is ridiculously good, a behemoth that encompasses just about every damn genre out there. Orchestral, rock, metal, pop, hip-hop—you name it, there’s absolutely a composer out there who has penned something absolutely fire within that genre.

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But despite the stellar bangers that so many videogames are putting out, it still feels like they’re mostly contained within the gaming zeitgeist. Which means that whenever I end up hearing tracks in the real world, I get some of the most insane whiplash imaginable.

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I remember a helluva long time ago watching some random British television show with my Mum—maybe some kind of home improvement show, it was a long time ago okay? My memory is terrible—and being completely bamboozled by the inclusion of music from The Sims 2. Turns out I’m not the only one who’s had that experience, as a Reddit post from six years ago shows that The Sims music appears in all kinds of random television shows. America’s Next Top Model, German home improvement shows, kids baking shows. It’s everywhere!

For me, the absolute weirdest place I’ve heard videogame music, though, is my local pub of all places. I’d popped in for a chill Sunday afternoon pint and a bite to eat, only to get to the bar, turn to my partner and ask: ‘Wait a second, is this L.A. Noire???’ Sure enough, the buttery-smooth jazz number was the main theme for L.A. Noire. Which is an excellent choice for a low-key weekend vibe, don’t get me wrong. But it was also the last place I ever expected to hear anything like it.

But what about you? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you heard videogame music in an unexpected place? Maybe it was at a dentist’s office, or in a hospital, or perhaps even at a fancy restaurant. Whatever the case may be, we’d love to hear about it.

For those who may be wondering, videogame music is more diverse than ever, with an incredible range of genres and styles to choose from. From the sweeping orchestral scores of games like The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy, to the pulsating electronic beats of games like DJ Hero and Dance Dance Revolution, there’s something for everyone.

And it’s not just the music itself that’s impressive—it’s also the way it’s used in games to enhance the overall experience. From the way a well-placed melody can make a player feel a sense of wonder and awe, to the way a driving rhythm can get a player pumped up and ready to take on a challenge, videogame music is an integral part of what makes games so special.

So the next time you find yourself in a situation where you hear videogame music in an unexpected place, don’t be afraid to ask someone if they know where it’s coming from. You might be surprised at just how widespread videogame music has become.