The Library of Congress has selected the original Doom soundtrack for preservation in the National Recording Registry, recognizing its cultural impact alongside albums from Weezer, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé. id Software's demon-slaying score joins 25 other titles being inducted for 2026.

Composer Bobby Prince created the metal-infused soundtrack before Doom's levels were even finished, working within the technical constraints of 1993 sound card drivers. Prince's innovative use of MIDI allowed sound effects to cut through the music by assigning them to different frequencies.

The eclectic collection spans metal, techno, and ambient influences that defined the gaming experience for millions of players. With this addition, the registry now preserves 700 titles representing diverse musical genres and historical significance.

This recognition validates video game music as culturally significant art, cementing Doom's influence on both gaming and popular culture for future generations to study and appreciate.