It's wonderful to see the love for video game music in our current Nintendo Life Video Game Music Festival; it'll rightly celebrate all sorts of audio and soundtracks across varied games and genres. When the right music combines with an outstanding game, there is arguably no more satisfying experience in entertainment; the fusion of storytelling, visuals, audio and player agency make gaming truly unique.
For this little article I'm focusing on one specific vibe and style, however — orchestral game music.
I'm rather biased in this case, with a history that prompts me to immediately swoon when I hear sweeping strings, depth from brass and woodwind, and driving rhythm from the percussion. Once upon a time, you see, I planned to be an orchestral musician, and was almost good enough on the French Horn to apply to colleges and pursue that dream; I ultimately opted instead for literature and writing, but it was a decision that could have gone either way.
When I was growing up, that sort of music and the unique sounds of a full orchestra working in perfect harmony didn't feature much in video games. This was primarily down to technological reasons, but even as CD-ROM technology began to emerge — that's in the '90s, for those doubting my advance towards middle-age — many game studios still weren't inclined to hire orchestral musicians and put that level of production and the associated financial investment into their game soundtracks. That is also fine — synthetic sounds, chiptune, etc., can sound amazing.
I distinctly remember, though, the moment I started playing Super Mario Galaxy on Wii and a live orchestral track kicked in. It was one of the first times I'd heard music with those sounds in a game. I know it was far from the first game to have orchestral music, it was just one of my first (and Mario's too, come to that). Yes, the game itself was — and still is — magical, innovative and brilliantly designed, but the music, like all good soundtracks, embedded itself in the experience. The grandeur and sheer exuberance of the gameplay was elevated by that powerful brass section blasting out a simple sequence. Playful violin sections gave Mario's hop, skip and jump a little extra vigour.
Skyward Sword's music is central to its appeal... that act of flying on a Loftwing is more magical given the dramatic orchestral tones that accompany it
Another unbelievably good soundtrack from Nintendo, which I've been getting re-acquainted with recently, is The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. It was a major anniversary release on Wii and Nintendo went all in with an orchestral soundtrack for the first time in that series, too, even making it a key part of its marketing at the time.
This was towards the end of a golden era in which Wii and DS systems flew off shelves, and Nintendo was also preparing the first of its 'Symphony of the Goddesses' music tours of Zelda music. By this point audio standards in games were going to a whole new level, and in some respects Nintendo was simply keeping up with other major publishers that were embracing bigger-budget music productions.
Skyward Sword's music is, in my opinion, central to its appeal. As you soar above the clouds the visuals and gameplay are enjoyable, of course, but that act of flying on a Loftwing is more magical given the dramatic orchestral tones that accompany it. My favourite music in the game is hardly used at all, but when I heard it playing through the HD re-release I immediately started to smile — a light sunbeam of a track that emphasizes the friendship shared by Link and Zelda.
What soundtracks like that also demonstrate to a wider audience is that, given a full orchestra and recording time, composers that have made their careers in gaming — people who have had to work with unique technical restrictions and requirements for decades — are every bit as creative and talented as those in film, television or indeed modern orchestral performance music.
No longer is game music unfairly considered to be a simplistic accompaniment to the action, it's now a fundamental part of the experience and more widely respected in popular culture
Many of us know this as fans of video games; most reading this will likely have special places in their hearts for specific game soundtracks, orchestral, chiptune, midi, or whatever. Yet we've gradually seen broader popular culture embrace and accept this, too. No longer is game music unfairly considered to be a simplistic accompaniment to the action, it's now a fundamental part of the experience and more widely respected in popular culture and other more niche groups. Classic FM, for example, has a section on its website dedicated to VGM and regularly plays music from games — much to the chagrin of classical 'purists', we're sure. Then again, crusty purists in any field of interest usually benefit from a kick in their complacency.
And no, I'm not for one moment advocating that orchestral soundtracks are better by virtue of their method of recording and sound, they're just one very welcome sound that we hear in modern gaming. For me on a personal level, though, as someone that once dedicated a lot of my life to live music, it's always a thrill to play a game with that distinct accompaniment. I think of the dozens of musicians, following their conductor and creating a special sound, all so that my in-game actions can feel that bit more impactful, dramatic or, perhaps, soulful.
So, whenever a game developer decides that the right sound for their experience is a live orchestra, it makes me smile.
Let us know your thoughts on orchestral VGM soundtracks below, and be sure check out the other Nintendo Life VGM Fest articles in our season of music-focused interviews and features.
Comments 62
I watched the Mario Bros. Movie last night. Dreadful, BUT, when an orchestrated rendition of the Super Mario Bros. theme played I come close to weeping, it was such a beautiful rendition, the best I've ever heard. It was such a wonderful arrangement. Being the only thing from the game in that movie is what made me weep.
I agree, Orchestral music is great, I love listening to herlock sholmes's theme and an orchestral version of undertales CORE theme when I write and I also love this theme:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtP_mALCz54
Live orchestra has that "boom" but in terms of actual sound I prefer something more synth-ey.
No....no....no....
NOTHING can beat chiptunes! So many cools songs with such limited creative space imo!
Cool little piece. I recently beat FF12 zodiac age with the Orchestral OST on for most of it. Simply awesome, thought it worked perfectly and im definitely not bias toward orchestral osts myself looking at my video game music playlists. Pleasant surprise
@Noid I love the edge with chiptunes imo some many indie artists that can do cool songs out there!
If you are being ambitious yeah I will listen to something like this but majority of the time I love the retro stuff 😊😊👍
Sonic Unleashed did it, but it's not my cup of tea, I think the guitar shredding/rockin' sound of SA1 is much more suitable for a fast-paced action game.
There's also the case of some tunes sounding worse orchestrated, like the epic Secret of Mana intro.
@AlienX excatly some songs just don't work well with orchestrated imo
Sonic generations has a great track tho!
One of the things I definitely want to do when finished with Uni, is attend one of those Final Fantasy Distant Worlds concerts.
Uematsu accomplished so much when his hardware was more limited during the NES, SNES and PS1 eras of the games and hearing so many of those tracks like Dancing Mad, Battle on the Big Bridge, Omen, One Winged Angel and JENOVA Complete completely reorchestrated on my Spotify from the albums, fully transforms those songs and sound incredible. I love chiptune music when done right, but damn the orchestral sound is something else
I'm glad you finally realized that midi isn't a orchestra.
Nah, Cadence of Hyrule has the best soundtrack of the Switch Zelda games for me!
I don't mind game music using real instruments either but Orchestral pieces generally feels generic to me like any random film score. Not a fan.
Video game orchestration's fun because they can throw electric guitars in with the orchestra, or mix chiptune and synth beeps and boops with regular instruments, and you just don't get that sound much!
@huyi Chiptune is overrated. So many game creators use it and I'm betting none have grew up with or like NES games.
It's a tune that's become oversaturated in the indie-game scene and that's mostly because of how easy it is to make.
Where's any Genesis/Megadrive sounding music, what about SNES, what about old midi sounding music in games that they could use nowadays?
There's not much creativity when it comes to that sort of stuff, it comes off like they don't know much about old school game music and only stick to stereotypical 8-bit music.
There's such a wide variety of tunes to choose from but they legit don't know about any of them.
As someone who actually did go and pursue French Horn as a career, I couldn't agree more! I love chiptune too, but the tracks from Skyward Sword that use the full orchestra are unparalleled.
Also, you dodged a bullet not going into this field, it can be rough 😅
@TheFrenchiestFry this is why the streets of rage soundtrack is so legendary, even donkey kong on the snes is history, the composers worked so hard to get the quality sound with what they had at the time and i was amazed when i found out about donkey kong and what they did to get the music out on the snes, they are magicians! work their magic
I was lucky enough to attend the Symphony of the Goddess tour for the 25th Zelda anniversary. Even going in with high expectations, I was blown away and deeply moved by the performance.
Now don't get me wrong... I've attended my fair share of live chiptune performances, too. Its just a very very different vibe.
I like my video game music to sound like video game music, orchestral music CAN sound good but quite often I find that it sounds extremely samey and loses the punch that chiptune has, like for a very recent example I really don't like the remixes in the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster, so many of the remixes feel like they totally lost their identity.
Then there's all the AAA games with their movie esque scores which do nothing for me, I need a clear rhythm in my music.
@russell-marlow that is the problem you have, it's the indie devs who oversaturate the industry with chiptune garbage because they don't know what the hell they are doing, they are in it for the cash, not for a good retro experience like 20 years ago imo
i hated when indie devs went crazy over the 16 bit craze and just oversaturated the digital market with retro stuff just because with no reason, i got the hate but the history of it just shows, look at how bad the psn store is with "retro" stuff, not messing to it, just there because it has retro graphics, no substance!
I find game music more impactful, most of the time. Orchestras are great, too. I played in orchestras for years, lol. But, still. There's something magical about the sound of early game music, especially from the 80's and 90's.
@Expa0 the retro goodness is lost, yeah it may speak volume but at the same time the reason why it's there is lost!
Four words:
Streets of Rage 2
@nessisonett exactly! END TOPIC!!!!! 😍😍🥰🥰
:: awakens from nap in a fluster :: huh.. HUH WHAT … who said something about Dark Souls?!
This should be renamed hot take.
I’m pretty sick of games trying to be like movies with “epic” orchestra and what not. As a music producer and someone who grew up with the incredibly 90s/2000s music in games I miss it. This was one of the biggest complaints I had with castlevania: lords of shadow. Ruined the entire cultural vibe
I think the first orchestral music I heard in video games was in Super Smash Bros. Melee. That orchestral rendition of Fountain of Dreams is top notch. You know it's great if I'm still singing its praises nearly 20 years later!
I value real instruments over computerized sounds. Whether that be a full orchestra or just a small ensemble of instruments, that's fine with me. As an oboist, when I hear a MIDI oboe or English horn it breaks my heart. The instrument is so beautiful. Have the real one in your music, please.
For those who are worried about the timbre in comparison to the old MIDIs or whatever they call it, you'd probably be amazed with the timbre that instruments can create that can give a very similar vibe.
Just listen to this. This is actually a Medieval piece and it's performed on period double reed instruments. But it reminds me of Gameboy/Gameboy Color music. It's really fascinating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h4avhGb_ag
I think double reeds and old windcap (crumhorn, cornamuse, etc.) instruments actually give off a similar vibe. I'm not just saying this because I play double reeds. Lol. Also, I think the harpsichord and some other instruments could work.
Sometimes full orchestras can sound INCREDIBLE in games. Shadow of the Colossus and Mario Galaxy are two of my favorite soundtracks, for example.
HOWEVER... most of the time, I find symphonic soundtracks in games (or movies) to be forgettable. It's almost like the composers are so excited to have all these instruments at their disposal, that they forget to create incredible MELODIES.
I say this as someone who loves classical music, BTW. But in general I would take the digital soundtracks of Axiom Verge, Donkey Kong Country 2, Metroid Prime, or Jet Force Gemini any day over most orchestra music I've heard in video games.
@sketchturner God of War and Shadow's soundtracks are IMMACULATE. I love the usage of vocals in the former so much
@sketchturner The Elder Scrolls games have great soundtracks too, way more hummable than most orchestral soundtracks. You have a point though about most being essentially background music and largely forgettable.
Speaking of videogame music I just ran into this one. Someone made a sevs genesis rap for its recent anniversary and the last chorus made my head explode.
https://youtu.be/B3H9QrNUWsU
@nessisonett had a friend who was there when i played ES skyrim and gta SA on PC and they both love the soundtrack from ear and loved it, no dedication required, it was solid LOL
I remember discovering one of the "Orchestral Game Music Concerts" on Napster (ahem, elder Millenna-who?) and having my mind blown that Japan had done orchestral re-arrangements of video game music, in the early 1990s, no less. Through subsequent avenues and websites, I realized that commercially sold game soundtracks and their arrangements wasn't just a niche, it had been a major industry in Japan since the 1980s. It's been twenty plus years and I'm still collecting albums from across the decades.
Normally I prefer midi and chiptune soundtracks. I find that a lot of the time, orchestral music in video games comes off as soulless and messy if done incorrectly. Take the orchestral versions of One Winged Angel from FFVII for instance. Personally when I listen to these, I don't enjoy them as much as the original. To me, they lack the punch and weight that the original had. These renditions aren't necessarily bad, they just sound...off. This goes for a lot of modern games that use orchestral music, ironically there's more instruments playing, but the songs sound more empty. Of course if done correctly orchestral soundtracks can be amazing. As mentioned in the article, Mario Galaxy and Skyward Sword are two examples of great orchestral soundtracks imo.
Great article! Can't disagree, especially with those examples. I love me some chiptune, but the orchestrated tracks in Galaxy and Skyward Sword are tough to beat.
Nah, a lot of vg orchestral music loses something in translation, and becomes bland and generic. Not all of it mind you, but a lot of it does, and I grew up listening to a lot of well orchestrated movie soundtracks.
@Beep_Beep @Tempestryke I don't want to be too much of a Japanophile/essentialist here, but I've personally found the Japanese orchestral soundtracks and arrangements to be consistently better than American and European ones. The "Western" composers and arrangers often go for a wall of sound, more is more approach, and their Japanese counterparts feel more melodic and motif-oriented to me, in a way that better complements a story. Though it's a matter of personal taste of course, and I do still love a great number of American/European works, like Skyrim or anything by Kirkhope.
@BoilerBroJoe the only satisfaction when I played dragon quest XI directors cut on pc with the soundtrack not the midi version but the proper region, that was a exception!
Only reason I put up with it was because of the region difference, pal version deserved they prioritise with the way square treats the EU, FACTS!
Depends on the music. Secret of mana, Sonic, Mario, donkey Kong are all some of my fav video game soundtracks ever. However metal gear solid 2/3 is prob my fav video game theme ever. That and the orchestrated kingdom hearts theme.
@Noid
I've been really enjoying synth style music lately
@AG_Awesome I have metal gear on my phone for that same reason! 🎶🎶🎶
@BoilerBroJoe I loved discovering those albums too. I think I remember about 15 years ago or so the CDs were selling for over $100 each!
Orchestral: Oh yes, how nice. This brings back memories, so wonderfully executed, yes.
Chiptune: KOKORO EXPLODES IN RETRO DELIGHT
Not to diminish his work on Streets of Rage, but Yuzo Koshiro’s soundtrack for ActRaiser were the earliest definitive arrangements I heard that really made me appreciate how orchestral sounding MIDI music could be. Still one of my favorite VG soundtracks to date.
Test 😊🙂
To be honest, I like both styles. And when it fits the game it's used in, either can be great.
i love spent severals hours hearing orchestral arragment of my favorite games or games that is orquestred.
The Zelda orchestrated album they put out when they initially released skyward sword was gorgeous. Still some of my favorites.
Going even further back and only a slight step down-- the melee orchestrated CD that came out forever ago was a lot of fun
Dragon Quest XI is a great example. Many people hated the midi soundtrack, but I personally loved the orchestral version.
It really depends.
Imo it is overdone with orchestral and epic Music, it has become so blend.
It has to be done as in a well written Story, it needs it Lows and Highs.
Only Highs dosen't work
Orchestral is great, but don't downplay chiptune music like that. Chiptune music holds a power that orchestral just can't really match in some cases.
It really depends on a lot of things honestly. I've heard more orchestral versions of chip tune songs that sound awful. I know people kept saying Zelda and Mario, but I feel those work because they are composed so well. Though chiptune can sound bad or samey when donevwrong. Like a lot of American made Genesis games.
I listen to orchestral renditions of video game music as my music of choice when working.
I don’t, however, think it always fits in a game. Especially older games or games in that style. Everyone seems to be adding orchestral music to SNES games with the SD2SNES and its MSU, and it just sounds wrong, and honestly, silly.
Something much more fitting for 8-bit/16-bit games would be like the VRC6 chip music on the Famicom version of Castlevania 3. It fits the game but has much more oomph.
Also just to add to my above comment, I think a soundtrack like the remake of Wonder Boy III Dragon’s Trap is again much more fitting than a full orchestra. I’m not sure if it was actually done by an orchestra, certainly it was a large group of musicians. But it uses instruments that fit the game, so didn’t have the typical ‘orchestral’ sound to it.
One of the best modern soundtracks in my opinion.
I just can't sit down and enjoy an orchestrated album with the same passion I have for "regular" tracks. There's too much audible information in them.
Love me a good orchestra, but
Go Team Electric Guitars and Acoustic Drums played at Maximum Volume!
Orchestral music can be nice but if a game follows the recent Japanese trend of having an electric guitar in there, then I'm personally not a fan and would much rather have chiptune. If you do enjoy that though then more power to you.
Etrian Odyssey with Yuzu Koshiro is an example of a series that has gone down this road.
Chiptunes are so fascinating specifically because they have such harsh restrictions. Sure, a composition sounds great when you have 12+ different physical instruments being played by professional musicians with limitless technique. But what if you had to play that same song with only 4 instruments, minimal phrasing, and make it just as interesting? It's like painting a Dali but you can only use 4 colors. The creativity that arises out of restriction is what keeps me coming back.
Thankfully we get to have multiple versions of so many tracks within the VGM genre nowadays. OC ReMix has been a tremendous resource within the remixed/reimagined VGM space for decades. YouTube is filled with piano arrangements, jazz ensemble arrangements, rock/metal arrangements; you name it. You even have people like Smooth McGroove bringing a huge library of acapella to the table. And as technology improves, you can get a pretty convincing "orchestra" sound without having, you know, a full orchestra at your command, and fans have made tons of "orchestrated" arrangements to supplement what hasn't been done by the big studios.
We are definitely in the golden age of VGM.
Before the Internet, heck, before YouTube, it was hard being a gaming soundtrack enthusiast.
You could import a costly album or go my route and plug your console into a tape deck and hit record. We are so lucky to have the amazing online resources of today! Symphonic concerts are a joy
Chip tunes are more simple, that means I can recall it easier.
I find that I can remember and hum along to simple tracks.
Zelda, Mario, Sonic, Blaster Master, Contra, NHL94, Blades of Steel, Rush'n Attack, Castlevania, are just a few that come to mind, but they all have easy to remember tunes that I can recall.
Once video game music got orchestrated, although very nice, I had a harder time humming along. The music was typically much longer and more complicated.
I remember hearing Panzer Dragoon for the first time and thinking how awesome it was, but I cannot hum that orchestrated song like I can the original Legend of Zelda or NHL 94
i personaly think orchestra is not better than chiptune or synthetic music. it's just a stylistic choice. you also wouldn't say that guitar is better than piano because it's not.
but for some reason many people think orchestra is better. usually those people are not very experienced in music.
take for example the ff7 remake. most orchestrated songs lose some of its edgy dynamic that they had as chiptune songs. the soundtrack is still mainly excellent but it lacks the special vibe and dynamic the original had.
that is a good observation i think. good comment .
@huyi I don't remember there was a time the market was "oversaturated" with 16-bit games, because that's very specific and there are plenty of games that might look like that on surface level because any game with a retro pixelated aesthetic can be called that.
Anyways, chiptune music is very easy to make and I don't think any of the devs of those indie games are aware of other forms of "retro" music that go beyond just 8-bit sounding. It really sucks because people who like retro games in general do come off as fake fans, in my opinion.
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