What if the soundtracks of your favorite video games finally earned their place in a museum? The Video Games & Music exhibition, opening at the Philharmonie de Paris from April 2nd to November 1st, 2026, delves into the history and impact of video game music. From Pong to Final Fantasy, including classics like Super Mario and Zelda, this immersive journey at the Museum of Music (Paris 19th arrondissement) features 29 playable games and numerous interactive installations, tracing the evolution of a sound heritage that has become global.
Sometimes, just a few notes are enough to revive entire memories. The theme of Zelda, a melody from Final Fantasy, or the 8-bit sounds of Pac-Man instantly spark both personal and collective recollections. Designed as an "open world," the exhibition invites visitors to craft their own journey through five immersive landscapes — from the Legendary Orbit to the Electric Volcano — where vintage consoles, graphic artworks, instruments, archives, and audiovisual installations come together in a vibrant tapestry of gaming history.
The journey begins at the origins, in the laboratories of the 1960s and the first arcade rooms of the 1970s. During the era of Pong (1972), technical limitations led to a minimalist design: a few electronic signals were enough to evoke a particular atmosphere. Yet, these constraints gave rise to a distinctive, cult aesthetic that today is synonymous with the 8-bit universe and arcade culture.
The exhibition illustrates how, through ongoing technological advances—most notably the advent of the CD-ROM in the mid-1990s—video game music has evolved and expanded. Orchestral recordings, electronic influences, rock, jazz, and urban styles: VGM (Video Game Music) has become a true playground for experimentation. Renowned composers like Kōji Kondō (Super Mario, Zelda), Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy), and Masato Nakamura (Sonic) have helped shape a shared sonic universe that resonates on a global scale.
However, what sets this music apart is its interactivity: here, the player actively shapes the rhythm, intensity, and sometimes even the composition. The code becomes a living score, akin to a musical box or a mechanical organ, where every action alters the soundscape.
Whether you're a fan of 1980s arcades, a Just Dance enthusiast, or curious about immersive experiences like the one offered in Omikron with David Bowie, each room in the exhibition is designed to let you experience music with your body as well as your ears. Motion sensors, collaborative music games, and sensory installations invite visitors to engage in a true sound choreography. The diversity of the worlds presented illustrates the extraordinary visual and musical richness of the video game medium, which has become a privileged field of experimentation for composers.
At the same time, the big names in contemporary music—from Jean-Michel Jarre to Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, and the Wu-Tang Clan— are honored to show how the language of video games has infiltrated the global music scene. Not to mention the spaces dedicated to the demoscene and chiptune, which extend the 8-bit aesthetic into a universe that is both retro and futuristic. It's a way of illustrating how video game culture interacts with major artistic trends today.
Drawn from the very structure of video games, the exhibition unfolds across five immersive "biome" settings, expertly designed by La Sagna & Racine. Collaborating with artist Mounir Ayache and the graphic duo E+K, each space offers a unique visual and auditory atmosphere, encouraging visitors to explore freely.
Overall, 29 playable video games line the exhibition route. From pioneers like Simon (1978) to popular hits such as Guitar Hero, Dance Dance Revolution, PaRappa the Rapper, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Just Dance, the exhibition highlights the physical and social aspects of music in video games. It also features original artworks, vintage consoles, photographs documenting arcade culture, and works by artists like Invader and eBoy.
Curated by musicologist Fanny Rebillard and video game journalist Jean Zeid, the exhibition asserts that video game music is now a vital component of contemporary cultural heritage. From symphonic concerts and dedicated albums to remixes and collaborations with artists from rap and electronic music scenes—down to the presence of Daft Punk in Fortnite— it demonstrates how video game soundtracks have transcended the boundaries of gaming to become a significant part of today's musical landscape.
Looking for a cultural outing in Paris during the school holidays, or an original idea for a weekend with friends? The Video Games & Music exhibition has something for everyone: nostalgic parents, passionate gamers, curious visitors, and music-loving explorers will all find something to marvel at, experience, and share. Accessible to children and adults, gamers and non-gamers alike, it offers an intuitive discovery based on emotion, interactivity, and the joy of playing.
And if you enjoy new experiences that combine art, history, technology, and popular culture, then this exhibition is for you. Get ready to rediscovervideo games through the prism of sound and become the musical hero of this unique adventure! A true immersion in a medium that has become universal, now enjoyed by more than three billion players around the world.
Throughout June 2026, a variety of events will complement the exhibition: a free-entry forum, concerts such as Assassin’s Creed Symphonic Adventure, orchestral showcases featuring Final Fantasy, a lively Chiptunes Night, and a family-friendly experience centered around Just Dance.
By blending technology, music creation, and pop culture, the Philharmonie de Paris offers an immersive, interactive experience that highlights how these melodies—now enjoyed by over three billion players worldwide—have become an integral part of our collective memory. Want to take a look?
Dates and Opening Time
From April 2, 2026 to November 8, 2026
Location
Philharmonie de Paris
221 Avenue Jean Jaurès
75019 Paris 19
Access
Metro line 5 "Porte de Pantin" station
Official website
philharmoniedeparis.fr
More information
Tuesday to Thursday, 12pm to 7pm, Friday, 12pm to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 7pm. During school vacations (zone C): Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm (7pm during summer vacations). Closed on May 1st, December 25th and January 1st.
