The Library of Congress has added the original 1993 Doom soundtrack to the National Recording Registry, placing one of gaming’s most recognizable scores alongside major pop, rock, and cultural recordings.
In its latest announcement, the registry highlighted Bobby Prince’s soundtrack for its lasting role in video game history. The music helped define the tone of Doom, a game that became a landmark in the first-person shooter genre and influenced how soundtracks could shape the feel of interactive entertainment.
The 2026 class also includes Taylor Swift’s 1989, Beyoncé’s Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), Weezer’s Blue Album, and The Go-Go’s Beauty and the Beat. The selection shows the wide range of recordings now being preserved, from mainstream pop and rock albums to video game music and historic audio.
Each year, the registry selects recordings considered culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. The inclusion of Doom reflects how video games have become part of the broader story of American sound and popular culture.
