There’s a never-ending list of chiptune plugins and software apps out there. But you might like the convenience of Kontakt more than standalone plugins. That, or you’re just curious to see what’s out there.
We’ve looked into several Kontakt libraries for video game music. From chiptune bleeps to retro synths and sample libraries, here are the best ones.
Quick Look: The Best Kontakt Libraries for Chiptune & Retro Video Game Music
Super Audio Cart includes sounds from 15 classic game consoles and computers spanning several decades. It's the most comprehensive library of retro game samples ever assembled.
Super Audio Boy is the demo version of Super Audio Cart. As the name suggests, it comes with an expansive collection of Game Boy sounds.
Enjoy the blips and bloops of these 8-bit drums and sound effects. All sampled from an original Game Boy unit for Kontakt and SFZ players. Completely free to use!
A free Kontakt chiptune instrument with over 30 patches. Everything was sampled from a real Commodore 64 computer. Plus, it comes with other filters and envelope controls to help customize your sound.
A vintage sample library from the '80s and '90s, reborn for a new generation of producers and composers! Everything was meticulously sampled from a real Emulator II keyboard.
Remastered samples from the original E-MU Proteus line. It's perfect for fans of '80s and '90s pop music, film scores, and game soundtracks.
1. Super Audio Cart — Best All-In-One Chiptune Library
Super Audio Cart is the ultimate chiptune sample library. Created by Impact Soundworks and OC ReMix, it comes with thousands of samples from 15 classic gaming systems:
- 8-bit consoles like the NES, Game Boy, Atari 2600, and Sega Master System
- 16-bit consoles like the SNES and Sega Genesis
- Vintage computers like the Commodore 64, Amiga 500, and Microsoft MSX
It’s easily the most comprehensive collection of vintage game sounds you could ever find. Plus, it includes built-in effects and sound design tools for creating new and unique instruments.
Check out our full Super Audio Cart review to learn more about it.
Super Audio Cart includes sounds from 15 classic game consoles and computers spanning several decades. It's the most comprehensive library of retro game samples ever assembled.
2. Super Audio Boy — Free Game Boy Kontakt Library
Super Audio Boy is a free Game Boy sample library from Impact Soundworks. Think of it as the demo version of Super Audio Cart.
As the name suggests, Super Audio Boy only comes with Game Boy samples. Other than that, it has all the same features as the full version.
If you’re not sure about getting Super Audio Cart, give Super Audio Boy a try and see if you like it.
Super Audio Boy is the demo version of Super Audio Cart. As the name suggests, it comes with an expansive collection of Game Boy sounds.
3. Commodore 64 Sessions Deluxe — Free C64 Kontakt Library
Commodore 64 Synthesizer Sessions Deluxe is a free Kontakt instrument by the folks at Rhythmic Robot Audio and Bedroom Producers Blog. It comes with 30 patches — all of them were sampled from a vintage Commodore 64 computer.
It’s simple to use, and you’ll immediately feel inspired by the chiptune sounds it produces. On top of that, it comes with a set of filters for interesting sound design options.
Learn more about this library in our Commodore 64 Sessions review.
A free Kontakt chiptune instrument with over 30 patches. Everything was sampled from a real Commodore 64 computer. Plus, it comes with other filters and envelope controls to help customize your sound.
4. Game Boy Drum Kit — Free 8-bit Drums & SFX
If all you need are some 8-bit drums and sound effects, look no further than the Game Boy Drum Kit by Bedroom Producers Blog.
It’s a delightfully simple Kontakt library with 64 samples. The sounds include kicks, snares, arpeggios, and other pulses. All of them are extremely gratifying to use.
Enjoy the blips and bloops of these 8-bit drums and sound effects. All sampled from an original Game Boy unit for Kontakt and SFZ players. Completely free to use!
5. Emulator II OMI Universe of Sounds — Retro Sample Library
Some ‘90s game consoles like the SNES and N64 used sample-based audio instead of synth oscillators. And one of the more prominent sample libraries composers used was OMI’s Universe of Sounds.
These sounds have appeared in games like Super Mario 64, Final Fantasy VI, and Super Metroid. They’ve also been used in other pop songs and film scores throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s.
A vintage sample library from the '80s and '90s, reborn for a new generation of producers and composers! Everything was meticulously sampled from a real Emulator II keyboard.
6. E-MU Proteus Legacy — Retro Sample Library
Proteus Series sound modules were staples in electronic music studios during the ‘90s and early 2000s. And thanks to Digital Sound Factory, those original samples have been preserved.
E-MU Proteus Legacy brings six classic sound modules together: Proteus 1, Proteus 2, Proteus 3, Planet Phatt, Orbit, & Vintage Keys.
Sounds from these libraries formed the musical backbone to beloved game soundtracks like GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, and Metroid Prime.
Remastered samples from the original E-MU Proteus line. It's perfect for fans of '80s and '90s pop music, film scores, and game soundtracks.
Discover More Chiptune Plugins & Software
We love video game music, so we’ve put together the ultimate list of chiptune plugins, VSTs, software apps, and sample packs available today. These products give you everything you need to create nostalgia-fueled video game music.
