Vinyl is back. It’s been back for a while, honestly, but some records just hit different when they’re spinning on a platter. If you’ve spent any time at all traversing the post-pandemic ruins of America with Joel and Ellie, you know the music isn't just background noise. It’s the soul of the game. That’s why The Last of Us LP remains one of the most sought-after pieces of gaming memorabilia ever pressed to wax. It isn't just about owning a physical copy of a soundtrack; it’s about how Gustavo Santaolalla’s sparse, haunting Ronroco notes feel when they have actual physical room to breathe in a needle’s groove.
Most people don't realize how much the medium changes the vibe. Digital files are compressed. They’re clinical. But when you drop the needle on a track like "All Gone (No Escape)," the warmth of the vinyl adds this layer of grit and desperation that perfectly mirrors the game's tone. It’s raw. It’s dirty. It sounds like survival.
The Physicality of the The Last of Us LP
You can’t talk about this record without talking about Mondo. For years, Mondo was the gold standard for high-end, artistic vinyl releases, and their treatment of the original game's soundtrack—and subsequently the Part II releases—set a bar that few others have cleared. They didn’t just slap the box art on a sleeve. They commissioned Olly Moss and Jay Shaw to create something that looked like it belonged in a gallery.
The original 4LP box set is the holy grail.
It’s heavy. It’s substantial. When you hold it, you feel the weight of the story. This specific The Last of Us LP collection includes every single track from the 2013 game and the Left Behind DLC. We’re talking about a massive sprawl of music that covers everything from the frantic, percussive panic of "The Last of Us (Astray)" to the quiet, devastating beauty of "The Choice." Because the game relies so heavily on silence and negative space, the "hiss" and "pop" of a record actually enhance the experience. It makes the world feel older. More fragile.
Then there’s the color. Mondo is famous for their "splatter" and "swirl" variants. You might find a copy that looks like a blood-stained bandage or a translucent green that evokes the overgrown foliage of a reclaimed Seattle. It’s tactile. You aren't just clicking "play" on a Spotify playlist that's going to be interrupted by a notification from your boss. You’re committing to an hour of focused listening.
✨ Don't miss: Appropriate for All Gamers NYT: The Real Story Behind the Most Famous Crossword Clue
Why Gustavo Santaolalla Chose the Ronroco
Santaolalla is a genius. There’s no other word for it. Before he ever touched a video game, he was winning Oscars for Babel and Brokeback Mountain. When Neil Druckmann approached him, Santaolalla wasn't interested in a traditional orchestral score. He didn’t want the "epic" swells that most AAA games use to tell you when to feel sad or excited.
He chose the Ronroco, a small Andean string instrument.
It’s a cousin of the Charango. It has this unique, tinny, yet deeply resonant sound that feels ancient. On The Last of Us LP, the Ronroco is the star. Because it’s a plucked instrument, the transients—the sharp start of the note—are incredibly clear on vinyl. Santaolalla also used a lot of unconventional percussion. He’d hit things that weren't instruments. He’d use detuned guitars. He’d let the strings buzz against the frets. In a digital format, sometimes those "mistakes" get smoothed over by compression algorithms. On a high-quality LP, they stand out. You hear the fingers sliding across the metal strings. It’s intimate. It feels like Gustavo is sitting in the corner of your room, playing through the apocalypse just for you.
Tracking Down the Different Variations
Buying a The Last of Us LP in 2026 isn't as simple as walking into a Target. Well, sometimes it is, but those are usually the standard black reissues. If you want the "good" stuff, you have to know where to look.
- The Mondo 4LP Box Set: This is the one with the Olly Moss art. It’s out of print mostly, but it pops up on Discogs and eBay. Expect to pay a premium. It’s the definitive version for collectors.
- The 2LP "Volumes": Mondo later broke the soundtrack down into Volume 1 and Volume 2. This is a bit more accessible. If you only want the "main" themes, Volume 1 is your best bet.
- The Part II Soundtrack: This one features a collaboration between Santaolalla and Mac Quayle. Quayle brought the synth-heavy, industrial tension for the combat sequences, while Gustavo handled the emotional beats. The vinyl for Part II often features incredible gatefold art by Tula Lotay.
- The HBO Series Soundtrack: Don't confuse the game LPs with the show’s vinyl. While the music is similar, the TV soundtrack has different arrangements and a slightly more polished, cinematic feel. It’s great, but it’s a different beast.
Prices fluctuate wildly. A "Near Mint" copy of the original box set can easily clear $500. Is it worth it? If you’re a fan of the series, yeah. It’s an investment in a piece of cultural history. The Last of Us changed how people view storytelling in games, and this LP is the physical manifestation of that shift.
🔗 Read more: Stuck on the Connections hint June 13? Here is how to solve it without losing your mind
The Sound of Silence and Static
There is a specific misconception that vinyl is always "better" quality. Technically, a high-bitrate FLAC file is more accurate. But accuracy isn't the point of The Last of Us LP. The point is the character.
When you listen to "The Way It Was" on a turntable, the low-end frequencies of the bass notes have a certain "thump" that’s hard to replicate digitally. It’s felt in the chest. Also, because you have to manually flip the record every 15 to 20 minutes, it forces you to engage with the music. You can't just put it on in the background while you fold laundry. Well, you can, but the ritual of it—cleaning the dust off, carefully dropping the tonearm—makes the emotional payoff of the music much higher.
Honestly, the best way to hear it is on a mid-range setup. You don’t need a $10,000 audiophile rig. Just a decent pair of bookshelf speakers and a turntable that won't chew up your grooves.
What to Watch Out For When Buying
Discogs is your friend. But be careful. "Bootlegs" exist, though they’re rarer for gaming soundtracks than they are for 70s rock. The real danger is "grading" inflation. A seller might list a record as "Mint," but when it arrives, it’s covered in hairline scratches because they didn't use anti-static inner sleeves.
Always ask for photos of the corners of the jacket. The Last of Us LP box sets are notorious for "seam splits"—that’s when the heavy records slide around during shipping and poke a hole through the top of the cardboard sleeve. If you’re buying from a private seller, ask them to ship the records outside of the jacket to prevent this. It’s a pro move that saves a lot of heartbreak.
💡 You might also like: GTA Vice City Cheat Switch: How to Make the Definitive Edition Actually Fun
Also, keep an eye on labels like Milan Records. They’ve taken over a lot of the distribution for Sony’s gaming soundtracks recently. They often do "re-pressings," which is great news if you don't want to pay scalper prices. A re-pressed black vinyl version sounds just as good as a limited-edition splatter version, and it'll only cost you $35 instead of $300.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Collector
If you’re ready to start your collection, don't just dive into the most expensive listing you see. Be smart about it. The market for gaming vinyl is volatile.
- Check Discogs Price History: Look at what the The Last of Us LP has actually sold for in the last six months. Don't go by the "asking price." People ask for crazy numbers; look at the "Last Sold" data.
- Join the "VinylCollect" Subreddit: People often post "Restock Alerts" there. This is how you catch a retail-price drop before the bots get them.
- Invest in Inner Sleeves: If you manage to snag a copy, ditch the paper sleeves it comes in. Get some MoFi or Hudson Hi-Fi polyethylene sleeves. They prevent scratches and stop static buildup.
- Listen to Volume 2 First: Everyone wants Volume 1 for the main theme, but Volume 2 has some of the most experimental and interesting tracks Santaolalla ever did for the series. It’s often cheaper and arguably a more interesting "listen" from start to finish.
The music of The Last of Us is about what remains when the world ends. It’s about the small, human moments in a vast, uncaring wilderness. Having that music on a physical, analog format just makes sense. It’s a tangible connection to a story that destroyed us all emotionally. Grab a copy, turn off the lights, and just let the Ronroco take you back to the woods outside Jackson. It’s worth every penny.
Next Steps for Your Collection
To ensure your investment stays in top condition and you get the best sound possible:
- Vertical Storage Only: Never stack your LPs on top of each other. The weight will warp the bottom records over time. Stand them up like books on a shelf.
- Get a Carbon Fiber Brush: Dust is the enemy of the Ronroco’s delicate notes. Give the record a quick swipe before every play to keep the audio crisp.
- Monitor "Play Sony" and Mondo Socials: They occasionally announce "Anniversary Editions." With the third game likely on the horizon in the next few years, or more seasons of the show, new pressings are almost a certainty. Patience usually pays off in the vinyl game.