The original Doom soundtrack joins ‘our national playlist’ in the US Library of Congress
The original Doom soundtrack, composed by Bobby Prince, has been officially inducted into the United States Library of Congress National Recording Registry. The soundtrack is among 25 recordings designated today as “audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”
This honor represents a significant milestone for video game music, acknowledging Prince’s groundbreaking work as a culturally and historically important contribution to American audio heritage. The Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry works to preserve what it describes as “our national playlist” for future generations, emphasizing the essential role that music and recorded sound play in daily life and national identity.
The recognition of the Doom soundtrack underscores the growing appreciation for video game compositions as legitimate cultural artifacts worthy of preservation alongside traditional musical forms. Bobby Prince’s compositions for the original 1993 game established many conventions for video game audio design that continue to influence the medium today. The soundtracks combined heavy metal elements with synthesized instruments to create an immersive, intense atmosphere that became iconic in gaming culture. This official recognition validates video game music as part of America’s broader cultural heritage and emphasizes the importance of game preservation efforts.