History Main / ThemeMusicPowerUp

*** When Doc Ock makes his reappearance on the bridge, his Music/DannyElfman theme [[https://youtu.be/MBv-9-dN5oQ?t=36 plays]].
*** Likewise whenever Norman is in his Green Goblin persona his menacing Danny Elfman theme [[https://youtu.be/fj2m0VSrhX4?t=11 blazes]], [[spoiler: especially when [[https://youtu.be/fj2m0VSrhX4?t=152 tormenting]] MCU Spidey and Aunt May at the apartment.]]
*** Electro while reforming his body has his Dubstep score from ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'' [[https://youtu.be/QT6k8niuWQQ?t=54 kick in]] as he's attacking Peter.
*** [[spoiler: When [[https://youtu.be/Y00BRbZa60Y?t=182 Raimiverse Peter steps through Ned's portal]], the beautiful Elfman Spider-Man theme plays.]]
*** [[spoiler: When all three Spider-Men start working in tandem in the climax, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw2TWb0xRag&ab_channel=StrangerThings the main heroic score]] of the movie blazes.]]

* Franchise/{{Danganronpa}}

** In the final case of [[VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc the first game]], this trope comes into play. Specifically, during the final Nonstop Debate, where [[spoiler:Makoto has to rally the other survivors to prevent them from crossing the DespairEventHorizon]]. For most of the debate, the standard music plays, but once [[spoiler:Yasuhiro, Aoi, Genocide Jill, and Byakuya have all been rallied and Kyoko’s silence becomes breakable, the Danganronpa theme starts up, and persists for the scene afterwards. It does temporarily stop for [[FinalBoss Junko’s Bullet Time Battle]], but once she’s beaten, the theme returns as the survivors all agree to vote for the end of the DeadlyGame]].
** VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony uses one [[spoiler:for the BigBad]]. Upon being backed into a corner, [[spoiler:Tsumugi proceeds to reveal that in fact, the cast are in an ImmoralRealityShow [[MetaSequel based upon the popular video game series Danganronpa]], leading to Danganronpa theme starting up as she explains how the series moved from video games to a reality show because of how popular it became in-universe]].

* Exaggerated in ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}''. [[spoiler: In the last phase of the final boss, the music goes from a dubstep reprise of the first level's music to a pop cover of what is essentially the theme song of ''the entire Inkling race'', courtesy of the Squid Sisters.]]

* This occurs at least once in each chapter of ''VideoGame/LiveALive'', usually using that particular chapter's battle music. A notable example is during the Mecha chapter's giant robot Buriki Daioh (whose theme music is acknowledged by an NPC saying "Start the music!" whenever the player tries to activate it). Also notable is that the game's main theme is used as the battle music for the final chapter, making nearly every battle a Theme Music Power Up.
** Also inverted in one chapter. [[spoiler:Whenever you play as [[TheWoobie Oersted and somehing awful happens to him]], he has a flashback of sorts and a loud droning noise is heard. By the end of the chapter where [[FallenHero he reanounces humanity and becomes the demon king Odio]], the droning returns, but eventually becomes a song. The song name? "The Demon King Odio," which has been used frequently in the game up to this point as the boss themes..]]

** In the beginning of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening'', you're harmless and must make your way to the beach by pushing enemies around with your shield. Find your sword, though, and after a brief cue the music switches to the ''Legend of Zelda'' main theme.

* ''VideoGame/StarFox'' has Star Wolf's theme which remain pretty much the same (just with different instruments) throughout the series. You can't have a Star Wolf theme without Star Wolf team after all!
** Including a Mariachi Band in ''VideoGame/StarFoxAssault'' and ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros. Brawl''.
* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' uses this by ''default''. The music that plays during any unit's Attack animation is often its series theme song. Same for the non-BadassNormal characters in the OriginalGeneration games, until the remake gave everybody their own. In all SRW games, they will also play the trope completely straight at appropriate moments in the plot, and will play an entire game's theme song when some ''serious'' beatdown is about to commence. Through the Alpha and OG series', Elzam Branstein's "Trombe!" is so badass, overrides almost all other theme music (even bosses), and results in much ass-kicking. Particularly from Alpha 3 onwards, there is the option to change the unit's battle music, with exceptions (such as "Goldion Hammer" and "Goldion Crusher", which only play during their attacks--their badass attacks). In addition, the Sound Force from ''Anime/{{Macross 7}}'' literally defeat enemies by singing at them--and can also power up your other units with their music.
** Though, of course, that was rather the ''point'' of Sound Force. Up to and including powering the WaveMotionGun of the show by the end.

** Sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of how '''''TROMBE!''''' I am.

*** And, in the spirit of SRW, ''VideoGame/BattleMoonWars'' does the same thing. Villains will always override songs with their own themes when they are engaged, and several characters have their multiple themes. For example, Shirou's default music is the one used for VisualNovel/FateStayNight characters, but when using Nine Lives Blade Works, it changes into a remix of Emiya.
* Speaking of song overriding, the ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'' games have Lu Bu, the greatest warrior of the Three Kingdoms, whose rock theme takes over from the stage's music whenever he is fought. His equivalent in ''VideoGame/SamuraiWarriors'' is Honda Tadakatsu of the Tokugawa. The latter series also offers a more conventional example in that a TriumphantReprise of the main theme will often start playing at the turning point of a battle.
* In the best scene in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros. Brawl'''s Subspace Emissary, after [[spoiler:Ganondorf and Bowser's gigantic Subspace Battleship shoots down the heroes' recovered Halberd, the heroes escape in their personal fighters to the ThemeMusicPowerUp.]] The music being [[OminousLatinChanting Dramatic Latin Chanting]] doesn't hurt.

* The final boss battle in ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' is accompanied by a remix of ''Burn My Dread'', the game's theme tune. It's appropriate for this trope because [[spoiler:as the battle progresses, the Main Character [[CombinedEnergyAttack powers up his final ability]]]].
** Pretty much all the music in ''Persona 3'' was awesome, but ''every'' version of ''Burn My Dread'' has the ability to either rock you in the face or [[PlayerPunch punch you in the soul]]. The version in the final battle is incredibly tense, but also uplifting, with the slow rise of the chorus in the background and the solid, rhythmic hip-hop lead vocals creating this eternal escalator of pumped-upness. [[spoiler:And once you've played that scene, you'll never be able to hear it without hearing Shinji helping you out.]]

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds'' does this for its overworld themes three times. A [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LevdcF9Aqkg happy, upbeat tune]] for the prologue, which gets upgraded to the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jux1PCGJb1Y standard overworld theme]]... until Link gets the Master Sword, and then it's taken [[UpToEleven Up To Eleven]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTww6juWsAM an even more heroic and glorious version]] plays. Then, the Lorule theme starts out with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYc_Vosp9_Y a theme]] that may sound disappointing after the Dark World theme from ''A Link To The Past'', but once Link has rescued all the sages, it, too, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4ZEYeanOW4 gets an upgrade]] to scratch that epic music itch.

* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' plays its leitmotif of "Proof of a Hero" in the final stretches of its [[TheDreaded extremely dangerous beasts]], such as Zorah Magdaros, Safi'jiiva, Lao-shan Lung, Gogmazios, Ahtal-Ka or Fatalis, usually after siccing the [[ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice Dragonator]] on them. Once it starts up in any capacity, it's no longer you fighting the monster; it's the monster fighting ''you.'' If the monster has their own boss theme, "Proof of a Hero" is ''your'' boss theme.

* ''Film/MortalKombat'' has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAwWPadFsOA the signature badass techno beat]] performed by The Immortals, even detractors of the film cannot deny that the soundtrack ''kicks ass''. The song has also cemented its place in the franchise well beyond the movies.

* The FinalDungeon of ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' uses an OrchestralBombing arrangement of the main theme, which incorporates either the NCR's or the Legion's {{leitmotif}}, depending on which faction you are supporting, and powers up a step further when you engage the FinalBoss.
** Other incidences include the leitmotif that plays if the Mysterious Stranger perk is taken and he shows up during a battle, and companion ED-E's battle theme whenever it notices and engages an enemy.
* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'': After all the [[GottaCatchEmAll pendant hunting]], you reach the forest to pull [[InfinityMinusOneSword The Master Sword]] from its resting place. Cue the powerful [[OrchestralBombing "Legend of Zelda" theme music]] as Link and sword opens up a new dimension of whoopass. Even after 20 years, that's still a great moment to play.
** And let's not forget [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7qfVeKWmhk this wonderful piece]] from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds'' when Link gets the Light Arrows.
** Cone to think of it, A Link Between Worlds does this for its overworld themes not just once or twice, but THREE TIMES. A [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LevdcF9Aqkg happy, upbeat tune]] for the prologue, which gets upgraded to the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jux1PCGJb1Y standard overworld theme]] . . . until Link gets the Master Sword, and then it's taken [[UpToEleven Up To Eleven]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTww6juWsAM an even more heroic and glorious version]] plays. Then, the Lorule theme starts out with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYc_Vosp9_Y a theme]] that may sound disappointing after the Dark World theme from A Link To The Past, but once Link has rescued all the sages, it, too, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4ZEYeanOW4 gets an upgrade]] to scratch that epic music itch.

** In the first series a hauntingly [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbG1hlbFw8Y awesome track]] plays when Lister learns he is the SoleSurvivor of the crew after a Radiation Leak and signals that show has now really began. The theme reurns in "[[Recap/RedDwarfSeasonIIBetterThanLife Better Than Life]]" as Lister, Rimmer and Cat enter the Artfacial Reality Game.
** In "[[Recap/RedDwarfSeasonVIGunmenOfTheApocalypse Gunmen of The Apocalypse]]" the boys get a very badass [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrLEPpBIHWI western theme]] as they mowsy on into town as cowboys to help Kryten defeat a computer virus. The theme returns gloriosuly at the end of the episode (and contiunes into the credits) when they managed to get control of Starbug back again JustInTime as crashes into a lava moon before flying off back into space complete with a sunset and collective "YEEHAW" from the Dwarfers.

** The final part of the final boss theme in ''VideoGame/KirbyAndTheForgottenLand'' is a remix of the Invincible Candy theme, with snippets of the game's main theme thrown in, going as hard as [[spoiler: the truck Kirby is using to ram the boss with]], proving that you can power-up a power-up that already makes you invincible.

* ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' has dozens of awesome music tracks for bosses and the like, but here's the real standouts.
** After getting wrecked by Vergil in ''[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening DMC3]]'', Dante gets a HeroicSecondWind the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DReUg3OY2Us track "Temen-Ni-Gru Dive" starts]] as Dante discovers his new strength and skydives town the EvilTowerOfOminousness. "Whatever Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger" indeed.
** In the same game the epic track "Vergil 2" [[https://youtu.be/09IpDe7V8ZE?t=44 plays]] when Dante confronts his EvilTwin a second time. Fittingly this track has become Vergil's theme music for other games e.g ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3''.
** In ''[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry4 DMC4]]'' Nero's theme "The Time Has Come" [[https://youtu.be/sO8br0CTRo8?t=230 plays]] during the CreativeClosingCredits.
** ''[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry5 DMC5]]'' has Casey Edwards's excellent "Devil Trigger" [[https://youtu.be/g_2VZvi0fQ0?t=39 as the main theme]], with a remixes version titled [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULWRuDzHmoA "Silver Bullet"]] for the FinalBattle.
** Vergil in the [[UpdatedRerelease Special Edition]] of ''[=DMC5=]'' has his own theme song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jrg9KxGNeJY "Bury the Light"]] also by Casey Edwards which has become much loved since it's debut. The track will blaze whenever Vergil is DemonSlaying in game.

** After getting wrecked by Vergil in ''[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry3 DMC3]]'', Dante gets a HeroicSecondWind the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DReUg3OY2Us track "Temen-Ni-Gru Dive" starts]] as Dante discovers his new strength and skydives town the EvilTowerOfOminousness. "Whatever Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger" indeed.

** ''[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry5 DMC5]]'' has Casey Edwards's excellent "Devil Trigger" [[https://youtu.be/g_2VZvi0fQ0?t=39 as the main theme]], with a remixes version titled "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULWRuDzHmoA Silver Bullet]]" for the FinalBattle.
** Vergil in the special edition of ''[=DMC5=]'' has his own theme song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jrg9KxGNeJY Bury the Light]]" also by Casey Edwards which has become much loved since it's debut. The track will blaze whenever Vergil is DemonSlaying in game.

** ''Film/AvengersEndgame'': [[spoiler: The Avengers's theme kicks in as the heroes are using the TimeTravel machine but more memorably the track "[[https://youtu.be/VUTEl1CoHVM?t=28 Portals]]" plays when all the every previously dusted heroes along with the army of allies arrive to aid the Avengers and match Thanos's Black Order. The music builds to higher crescendo as the two armies start charging towards each other]].
** ''Film/SpidermanFarFromHome'' in the FinalBattle, the main theme blazes as [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MGlOAPT9agk Spidey turns the tide of battle]].

*** And then again in ''Shadowbringers,'' [[spoiler:when [[Fusion Dance the ghost of your alternate universe self merges with you]] to break the Lightwarden's curse for the final showdown with Emet-Selch.]]

** ''[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry5 DMC5]]'' has Casey Edwards's excellent "Devil Trigger" [[https://youtu.be/g_2VZvi0fQ0?t=39 as the main theme]] which returns for the FinalBattle.

** ''Film/IronMan'' had great fun with this with Music/RaminDjawadi soundtrack, playing the driving guitars of the hero's theme, at one point the music beats are [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHU49CD0TOs in sync with him hammering his suit together]] ''it's epic''.

** ''Film/TheIncredibleHulk'' invokes this twice, [[https://youtu.be/pfgmvMHc4us?t=77 first]] when Bruce was HulkingOut at the university and [[https://youtu.be/0BA7HtigRR4?t=102 second]] when Bruce willingly falls out of the plan into ground as normal [[RaisedHandOfSurvival but a green fist emerges from the rubble]] and his theme kicks in.

* ''Series/TheIncredibleHulk1977'': Tense music when Dr. Banner is HulkingOut, and then when Hulk kicks ass.

8 ''WesternAnimation/MegasXLR'' has the instrumental of "Chicks Dig Giant Robots" play during the final battle in "Rearview Mirror, Mirror Part 2". [[https://youtu.be/Cumc7AoEONs?t=28 Every inch as epic as it sounds.]]

** In ''[[Franchise/StarWars Obi-Wan]] vs. [[Manga/{{Naruto}} Kakashi]]'', twice when the ninja overpowers the Jedi by burying him the ground or performing a Genjutsu on him, the main beat of Yate’s “Force Lightning” kicks in [[spoiler: as Kenobi counters it with TheForce and eventually finishes Kakashi by [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe cutting him in half]] with his lightsaber.]]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI3LsvusVoE Ballad of revolt]], written by Norwegian composer Harald Sæverud, first performed at the great festival concert right after the end of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, in august 1945. This music became an instant hit, because Sæverud had conceived this idea during the German occupation, getting a bit testy when he saw some German barracks on his way home. When this music was performed, the audience boiled over with rage, remembering what they had just been through.

* The fifth season finale of ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' (not counting the ''last''-last episode) has a particularly stirring version of the show's theme playing during the final battle with the Brotherhood of Evil.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Thundercats}}'', Lion-O got to trigger his own theme music when he powered up the Sword of Omens. Ta-ta-TAA! And not only did he get to start kicking ass, but all the other Thundercats, no matter where or how captured/restrained they were, could see the Lion-signal, hear the roar, and naturally break free.

* In the first episode and first two season finales of ''WesternAnimation/XMen'', a particularly rousing take on the show's theme backs up the heroes in the final battle. Then the third season started applying it to roughly every other fight they got into, and it kind of lost its potency.
** An interesting variation occurred when the team made a guest appearance in ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries'', in the episode "The Mutant Agenda". [[LetsYouAndHimFight Spider-Man invades the X-Mansion looking for Professor Xavier, only to be captured by its defenses and confronted by the X-Men.]] Spidey's motif plays briefly as he breaks free, only to swiftly change to the X-Men theme when the mansion goes on lockdown.

* The ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' direct-to-video movie, "Bender's Big Score" has the climactic battle with the theme playing the background.