What was the first videogame song that you ever heard?
PC Gamer has launched “Critical Hit,” a new column dedicated to exploring video game music, audio design, and sound in gaming. The column will examine video game soundtracks spanning diverse musical genres including orchestral, rock, pop, and hip-hop compositions. Written by a lifelong gamer who began playing as a child on early platforms like the Sega Mega Drive, the column uses personal gaming history as a lens for deeper analysis. The author reflects on how early exposure to video games became a formative gateway to appreciating and understanding various musical styles. Critical Hit aims to celebrate and critique the musical and auditory elements that define gaming experiences, examining both the artistic vision and technical craft behind memorable soundtracks. The column explores how game audio shapes player memories, emotional engagement, and the cultural significance of interactive entertainment.