Video games, by nature, involve the player in an audio-visual experience. The former half of that experience manifests itself partially in the form of music. In the gaming industry, more and more effort is being put into the kinds of tunes you hear while playing a game; some developers even go so far as to have vocal songs featured in their games. The list below celebrates the ten best of those songs, hand-picked based on creativity, connection to the games they originate from, and appeal. Now, put in those earbuds and let's get rolling!

10. "Live and Learn" from "Sonic Adventure 2"

Performed by: Crush 40

You need a special kind of musical accompaniment when you're battling a giant laser-shooting lizard in space. Seeing as how the final boss of "Sonic Adventure 2" is such a creature, "Live and Learn" is entirely appropriate. The song's edgy contribution to the "Sonic" universe amps up the excitement of the game's final boss; you'll likely be head-banging while trying to fight for the fate of Earth. As fast and hard-hitting as the Blue Blur himself, "Live and Learn" makes for a powerful and memorable finale.

9. "Still Alive" from "Portal"

Performed by: Ellen McLain

"Still Alive" is a silly but endearing number, sung delightfully in-character by Ellen McLain as the sadistic and sarcastic AI GLaDOS. GLaDOS sings about how, despite being epically dismantled by the player, she's not mad; she's simply going to pick herself up and go try to kill someone other than you for a change. While the prospect of that is horrifying, we can at least respect GLaDOS for her persistence. This tongue-in-cheek song is right at home in the unorthodoxy that is "Portal."

8. "Indestructible" from "Street Fighter IV"

Performed by: EXILE

"Indestructible" is very much a fight song, which is really the only kind of song you should have as the theme for a fighting game. The pop-rock hybrid manages to excite and empower, forecasting nothing short of an epic battle ahead. For a song intended to help usher in the return of "Street Fighter," this is absolutely essential. "Indestructible" is a great main theme that hits hard like a Super Combo.

7. "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?" from "BioShock Infinite"

Performed by: Courtnee Draper

Admittedly, this one's somewhat cheating, as this is a cover of a hymn that's existed since the early 1900s. What makes this cover of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?" so special, however, is the way in which it connects to the context of "BioShock Infinite." On one level, it speaks to the religious themes explored in the game; on another, it acknowledges the motif of cycles and cyclical causality that serves as an even larger thematic point. What was once a hymn now means something else within the context of "BioShock Infinite." Carried by the stellar performance of voice actress Courtnee Draper, this cover is a creative and effective one.

6. "Sins of the Father" from "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain"

Performed by: Donna Burke

The main theme of "Metal Gear Solid V" was in the works several years before the game was even released--an indication, perhaps, of the amount of effort put into it. "Sins of the Father" moves like a cinematic story, starting from a haunting, quiet beginning and gradually building to a thunderous, ominous end. Singer Donna Burke knocks it out of the park with her powerful vocals, and the song's lyrics and grim melody feel meaningful to the game's thematic focus on revenge. Dramatic and ambitious, "Sins of the Father" is a powerhouse of a song to have in a video game.

5. "Never More" from "Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4."

Performed by: Shihoko Hirata

"Never More," the ending theme of "Persona 4," could best be described as uplifting yet bittersweet. It's a beautifully written song about the permanence of relationships; couple that with the gut-punch ending of the game--which sees the protagonist leaving his newfound friends and loved ones--and you have yourself a tear-jerker. With its affable and upbeat melody, it not only imparts its powerful message, but also manages to be very catchy in the process. A sad but wonderful ending theme, "Never More" reminds players that no matter where people go or how the times change, the bonds we forge with others never fade away.

4. "Jump Up, Super Star!" from "Super Mario Odyssey"

Performed by: Kate Higgins

When you think of a "Mario" game, you usually think of a colorful adventure with a plethora of locales to explore. "Jump Up, Super Star!" understands this very well, expressing in song form the intrepid and endlessly creative soul of the "Super Mario" series. The jazzy orchestra and sound is wholly unexpected for a "Mario" title, yet very much appreciated, as it gives the song an identity the likes of which is uncommon. This whimsical and fun song will have you humming and toe-tapping for days, or at the very least make you want to jump back into "Super Mario Odyssey."

3. "Tomorrow Is Mine" from "Bayonetta 2"

Performed by: Keeley Bumford

Bayonetta is vivacious, alluring and deadly--a description that "Tomorrow Is Mine" absolutely nails in lyrical form. The theme of the titular Umbra Witch is infused with an aggressive yet graceful spirit, effectively reflecting the hack-and-slash combat of "Bayonetta 2." The song does a great job of reinforcing that Bayonetta really isn't the kind of girl you want to piss off, testifying to the kind of power she wields. "Tomorrow Is Mine" takes female empowerment to deliciously new heights, satisfying the ear with an infectious tune.

2. "Life Will Change" from "Persona 5"

Performed by: Lyn Inaizumi

"Persona 5" is a treasure trove of musical goodies, from battle themes like "Last Surprise" or "Rivers in the Desert" to more subdued themes like "Beneath the Mask." This entry, however, stands far and away as my favorite in the entire soundtrack, due to its strong connection to the game's story and themes. It is a wonderful anthem for the Phantom Thieves, bursting with rebellious energy and bottomless charisma. It does a great job of making the player feel as empowered and fearless as the main characters; you likely won't be scared of the upcoming dungeon boss, but instead feel more than ready to smash its face in with supernatural powers.

1. "Snake Eater" from "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater"

Performed by: Cynthia Harrell

One of the most fondly remembered opening themes in all of gaming, "Snake Eater" is a fantastic, original theme that helps distinguish "Metal Gear Solid 3" from the other installments of the "Metal Gear" series. "Snake Eater" possesses a James Bond-like soul in its use of orchestra and dramatic vocals, using ambiguous lyrics to hint at some of the core story elements of the game. It is compellingly enigmatic, tying in very well to the game's high-stakes espionage and Cold War setting. "Snake Eater" is a boisterous, bold theme that will make you want to sneak around in the jungle--and maybe even eat a tree frog, as one lyric suggests.

The world of video games is full of other songs that are worth a listen. While they may not necessarily win Grammys every year, video game songs are without a doubt crucial to modern gaming and in many cases are as well-executed as the gameplay itself.