Tag: Music - Page 12
News Nintendo Underdogs Reorchestrated Will Give Fan-Favourite "Hidden Gems" The Symphonic Treatment
Using high-quality MIDIs to imitate a live orchestra
Nintendo soundtracks include some of the most celebrated pieces of video game music in the long history of the industry. From the ubiquitous theme of the original Super Mario Bros. to the waterworks-inducing tones of Koji Kondo's wholly epic The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time score, nostalgia...
Video Nintendo Approves of this Mario Kart Song
For the First Time in Forever, for you Frozen fans
It's a well-known fact that, aside from the occasional multi-platform game that many will happily ignore, Mario Kart 8's 30th May arrival is the closest major release for the Wii U. One consolation is that there is an enticing line-up of eShop games, but retail titles can still arguably get the...
News Pokémon Diamond & Pokémon Pearl: Super Music Collection Available Now on iTunes
Prince will not be happy
In recent weeks and months Game Freak has been releasing rather impressive soundtrack albums on iTunes for various titles in the Pokémon franchise. Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, the DS titles, have now been covered with the arrival of Pokémon Diamond & Pokémon Pearl: Super Music Collection on the download store. For...
Video Manami Matsumae Performs Her Awesome Mighty No. 9 Theme Song
Tune those retro ears
Update: Unfortunately the live performance video and the related source article have been taken down. Below is another version of the theme tune in the meantime... [ Original Article: The release of Mighty No. 9 may still be over a year away on multiple platforms — including the Wii U and 3DS eShop stores — but we can...
Ninterview Smooth McGroove On A Life In Game Music
"I'm used to people calling me Smooth McGroove when they meet me"
If we say we're interviewing Max Gleason from Oklahoma, you may wonder what exactly we're talking about. If we say we've posed some questions to Smooth McGroove, however, there's a good chance that you already subscribe to his YouTube Channel, or will be doing so shortly. Gleason,...
Month Of Kong Tropical Freeze Composer David Wise On Working With The Ape Again
A Rare breed of composer
As we all know, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze launched this month on the Wii U, and comes with a glorious soundtrack composed by former Rare staffer and original Donkey Kong Country music-maker David Wise. We got chance to sit down and chat with Wise recently, and he shared a few thoughts on what it was like working...
Soapbox Nintendo Soundtracks - Where Are They?
Kerry wonders why Nintendo's not wired for sound
I’ve recently (finally) got around to playing Fire Emblem: Awakening, and like all other beings with functioning ears after the first few battles I decided the soundtrack was incredible; so I took off into the wilds of the internet to try and buy a copy for myself. The joy of hearing such wonderful...
Weirdness Samus Aran's Metroid Backstory Re-imagined as a Love Song
Samus does Glee
It seems that a number of Metroid fans quite like Samus Aran to be a largely silent, steely-eyed killer. Or, at least, they don't want her to be an emotionally unstable — swerving from distant monotone narration to being frozen by childhood trauma — young bounty hunter daft enough to slowly burn to death until given permission to...
Weirdness Listen To The Super Mario Theme On A 3,000 Year Old Chinese Instrument
A bit trickier to play than a warp whistle, probably
Doodoo doo do dooo do, dah! - It's the Super Mario theme! Known across the globe and endlessly catchy, this tune has been played on every instrument under the sun, as well a few renditions that should barely count. Hearing a cover version is certainly nothing new, but allow us to present one just...
News Majora's Mask "Time's End" Music Beautifully Reimagined by Rozen
Epic
It's unsurprising that The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is treasured by many Nintendo gamers, with the calls for a remake persisting on a yearly basis. For those that do hope for that day, and that remastered visuals will also be accompanied by a sweeping orchestral soundtrack, this new EP from musician Rozen should capture the imagination...
News Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire Soundtrack Now Available On iTunes
HM-Surf rock Hoenn
The poké-occupation of iTunes continues this week as the digitally remastered soundtrack from GBA titles Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire hits Apple's music store. The album features 109 tracks from the games, composed by series icons Junichi Masuda, Gō Ichinose and Morikazu Aoki. Every single musical cue is included, so it makes...
News This Final Fantasy IV Medley Rocked A Whole Crowd Of Fans
Mega potions in the air like you just don't care
Final Fantasy IV is known as one of the most highly regarded RPGs of all time, and for good reason. Interesting characters, a classic battle system and an engaging plot all helped set it apart, but what stood out most for many players was its truly masterful soundtrack. Nobuo Uematsu's timeless score...
Weirdness An Album You Can Remix On Your Game Boy Advance
Making music with an old friend
The charming blips and scratching synth of chiptune soundtracks has never really lost its appeal among gamers and musicians alike, with many examples of retro sounds being used in new projects even today. From Anamanaguchi to I Fight Dragons, there's plenty out there to discover, and now electronic pop maestro Doctor...
Weirdness Famicom Cartridges Turned Into Chiptune Harmonicas
Because some of you will just never stop blowing into them
The idea has been sitting right under our noses (where our mouths are) the entire time: we blow into cartridges; we blow into harmonicas. Why not merge the two together? Finally, we have the technology — or at least someone creatively wily enough to use it. The gadgeteer(s) at Ugoita...
Video This Awesome Gerudo Valley Violin Cover Brings the Heat
Desert thieves, for strings
We last checked in on violin virtuoso Taylor Davis after she released an inspiring medley of songs from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Since then, Davis has traded her Sheik outfit for a Goron Tunic, bringing her talents to an arrangement of the famed Gerudo Valley theme. The video hits the trifecta: a stirring...
News Listen To This Awesome Street Fighter II Rock Opera
An epic six years in the making
What started as a throwaway joke between friends has now concluded as something much, much more; a fully-fledged rock opera extravaganza. In 2007, Texan indie group Man Factory got together and decided that there was enough referential material in the Street Fighter series to knock together a garage rock album telling...
News Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver Soundtrack Available For Download
Additional soundtracks coming later this year
Video game music is perhaps one of the most cherished and appreciated aspects of a game’s reputation. Titles in franchises such as The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario are loved not solely for their gameplay, but for their connection to the player through wit, charm, and music; some of the most beloved...
News Shin Megami Tensei IV Soundtrack Released Next Month
Four discs crammed full of incredible music
Atlus has just announced that Shin Megami Tensei IV, which scored a fantastic 9/10 in our review, will finally see its wonderful soundtrack released in Japan on 26th February. Even better is that this isn't some half-hearted "best of" or "selection" CD, but all 112 tracks spread across four CDs and...
News The Rockman X Sound Box Album Set Includes Four Tracks Cut From Mega Man X
And now you can listen to them for free
Years from now we may refer to "doing a Capcom Anniversary", with a knowing wink and nudge. For example, in a parallel universe Nintendo didn't celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Zelda franchise by releasing Skyward Sword with a special CD and a game plot right at the beginning of the timeline, but sold us...
News Pokémon Composer Leaves Game Freak for Independent Quest
Possibilities for the Poké-future still open
Shota Kageyama, a composer for recent Pokémon titles including X &Y and Black & White, has announced via Twitter that he has left developer Game Freak to pursue independent music. Kageyama's tweet has been translated and reported by
Video This New Harmony of Heroes Smash Bros. Album Trailer Sets the Scene
Let's play spot the franchise
Earlier this year we told you about Harmony of Heroes, a Smash Bros. fan album from the same group that led the Harmony of a Hunter Metroid music projects. Like those albums, when this offering arrives in 2014 it'll be a free download, with a dedicated website to be setup soon. As a number of months had passed since...
Competition Winners The Twelve Days of Animal Crossing Christmas
And now Christmas has started...
Not too long ago we launched our 12 Days of Christmas Animal Crossing competition in collaboration with Nintendo UK. The big N kindly provided the lyrics for a new version of the famous song and we asked you — our lovely readers — to sing your hearts out in front of a camera. And you know what? A surprising...
News Adventure Time Video Game Soundtrack Available Now
Available to stream on SoundCloud
Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON'T KNOW! may flutter between a wonderful homage to the series and a slightly disappointing sequel, but one thing's for sure, the musical score is up to scratch and is no doubt something you'll want to listen to when the game comes to an end. So you'll be glad to hear...
News Nintendo Confirms a New Orchestral Zelda Concert That's Coming to London
Symphonic Legends tickets go on sale soon
The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo's most revered franchises, and like any game series that's developed over many years it's established a range of iconic moments, characters and ideas. Music is a major part of the appeal, of course, with dedicated fans often eager to be swept away by their favourite...
News Soundtrack for Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Released on iTunes
Kanto allegro
Looking for a soundtrack to emphasize a day spent roaming through tall grasses or being challenged to battle by everyone you make eye contact with? Game Freak has released a new option on iTunes for your listening pleasure. Pokémon FireRed & Pokémon LeafGreen: Super Music Collection hit the iTunes music store today, joining its...
News Check Out Another Legendary Zelda Violin Medley
From Taylor Davis, who's released a "Melodies of Hyrule" album
We do enjoy examples of Nintendo gaming culture in action here at Nintendo Life, and these often come in the form of musical arrangements and tributes. With The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds currently gracing stores around the world, popular YouTube musician Taylor Davis —...
Weirdness The Fresh Prince Meets Super Mario In This Toe-Tapping Mash-Up
I looked at my (Mushroom) kingdom, I was finally there
With the release of Super Mario 3D World almost upon us, what better way to celebrate than combine the lyrics of classic TV show Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air with the Wii U game's infectious soundtrack? That's exactly what one resourceful soul has done — you can witness the result below. If you're...
Interview KORG M01D Creator Nobuyoshi Sano Talks About Making Sweet Music On The 3DS eShop
Detune's Sano talks about turning 3DS consoles into music-making tools
To celebrate the release of KORG M01D on the 3DS eShop and the publication of our review, we present to you an exclusive interview with its creator Nobuyoshi Sano, conducted by dedicated fan Graham Ellaby. Since its launch in December 2010 on the Nintendo DS, KORG M01 has...
News A Super Mario 3D World Soundtrack is Coming to Club Nintendo in Japan
Oh, and it has awesome cover-art
We've commented, throughout our coverage so far, that Super Mario 3D World has a terrific soundtrack performed by a live Big Band / orchestra. Gamers in Japan will have a chance to pick up an official soundtrack as a Club Nintendo reward, which is sure to cause enormous outpourings of envy from, well, everyone else...
News Pokémon X & Pokémon Y: Super Music Collection Now Available on iTunes
Includes 212 tracks as promised
Way back in August we brought you the happy news of a 212 track Pokémon X & Y soundtrack to arrive after the games were released; while Japanese fans can look forward to the lovely physical release (above) on 13th November, it's now available for the rest of us to download on iTunes. In truth, some of those...
News Nintendo to Release Special 30th Anniversary Album of Famicom Music
And it looks to be a Japan exclusive
Amazon Japan has added a new product listing for Nintendo FAMICOM MUSIC, an upcoming music album to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Nintendo's breakthrough games system, the Famicom — or Nintendo Entertainment System as we know it in the West. Due to release on 4th December, the album is being produced by...
News SNES Generation Album Merges 16-Bit Sounds With Modern Game Music, and is Awesome
The Wind Waker's 'Outset Island' with Link to the Past sounds, oh my...
We do like a bit of top-notch video game music here on Nintendo Life, and a new retro-infused album by Alex Roe has been serenading our ears. The album SNES Generation takes modern games and recreates their music with sounds and samples from equivalent Super NES titles, with...
News Nintendo's At It Again With Its Musical Zelda Easter Eggs
A Link Between Worlds theme hides a secret
As you all know, The Ballad of the Goddess from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is in fact just Zelda's Lullaby played backwards. If you're just discovering this for the first time, We'll give you a minute to let you come to terms with it. ... Done? OK, then catch your breath and prepare to be dazzled...
News Nintendo Confirms Live Orchestration in Super Mario 3D World
So our ears have not deceived us
We've been fortunate enough to spend some time, recently, with Super Mario 3D World, which we've rather enjoyed so far. In our preview last week we also said the following to reassure those with a taste for orchestral music in their Mario games, a practice that hit its peak in the Super Mario Galaxy games. There's...
Hands On An Evening With Wii Karaoke U By Joysound
Take On Mii
Nintendo has previously stated that one of its main objectives with the Wii U is to provide experiences that can’t be done on other video game systems. In addition to this rather admirable quest, the company has also been keen to emphasise the fun that can be had with the system in local multiplayer. So far it hasn't had a great deal...
News UK Band Union J Is Changing Its Name To "Union XY" To Mark The Launch Of Pokémon X & Y
X Factor stars dressed up as Pikachu to make the announcement
Remember when we reported yesterday that UK boy band Union J would be promoting Pokémon X & Y? It turns out that the act — which rose to fame on TV talent show The X Factor — is changing its name to "Union XY" to celebrate the launch of the highly-anticipated title. The news was...
Video Proof That Pokémon + Dubstep = Not Quite As Bad As It Sounds
When Lindsey Stirling & Kurt Hugo Schneider team up, it's super effective!
Classically-trained violinist Lindsey Stirling is no stranger to video games — she's already done several performances based on the themes from famous titles, and has even smashed a few pots dressed as Link from
News UK Boy Band Union J Sign Up To Promote Pokémon X & Y
Following in the footsteps of fellow X Factor stars One Direction
It has been revealed that UK act Union J will be working with The Pokémon Company International to promote the forthcoming Pokémon X & Y. In you're from outside of the United Kingdom, you may well be wondering who Union J are. Billed by many in the music industry as the next...
News Former Nintendo Composer Dedicates Retro Remixes to Hiroshi Yamauchi
Super Mario Land and Metroid both given special new tracks
Earlier this week former Nintendo President Hiroshi Yamauchi passed away at 85 years of age. He'd led the company from 1949 to 2002, overseeing a revolution as Nintendo became the world's leading video game console manufacturer. By leading Nintendo to such success in the industry,...
News Capcom Collaborates with Musicians on Mega Man Tribute Albums
A remix album and and all new rock tracks
This Mega Man anniversary year may have lacked a new title in the franchise — aside from a sanctioned PC fan-game — but has included plenty of memorabilia and soundtrack releases. Some examples have been rather good, such as neat little figurines, while others — such as this Rush tissue pouch in Japan...
News The Harp Twins Strike Again With A Whimsical Mario Medley
The harp-playing duo are in another castle
Long-time fans of Nintendo Life will no doubt recall Camille and Kennerly — better known on YouTube as The Harp Twins — and their spine-tingling rendition of Ballad of the Goddess from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. The girls were kind enough to speak
News Video Games Live Will Be Releasing Its Third Album After Kickstarter Success
Music to our ears
Video Games Live has been touring around for a good few years, performing some of gaming's greatest ever themes and ballads using a range of different musical instruments. It was created by industry veteran Tommy Tallarico, and the team set up a Kickstarter campaign a month ago in an attempt to acquire the funding for its third...
News Chiptune Artist Dj CUTMAN Releases Zelda: Link's Awakening Tribute Album
A link to the ghetto blast
Dj CUTMAN is a name you'll probably be familiar with if you follow the world of chiptune music, and he's just launched another album packed with retro-tinged tunes updated in a modern style. Taking inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, MeowMeow & BowWow is a collaboration between Dj CUTMAN and fellow...
Review Chrono Trigger Symphony: Volume 1 by The Blake Robinson Synthetic Orchestra
A timeless classic
Chrono Trigger is rightly remembered for being one of the best games to ever grace the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Even now, players around the world come back to it over and over again – no doubt partly thanks to both the recent Nintendo DS and iOS ports. But if there’s one element of Chrono Trigger that’s truly...
Video This Piano Medley of Zelda, Kingdom Hearts, Pokémon and Mario Soothes the Soul
Because game music and pianos are cool
The idea of someone filming themselves playing video game music on an old — and rather out-of-tune — piano may not be overly-exciting on paper, but it's oddly wonderful. We post various videos of game music, animation and live-action fan creations, and the latest to catch our attention has a rather...
News Pokémon X & Y Soundtrack Features 212 Tracks
Gotta listen to 'em all!
During the Pokémon Video Game Championships last week, series producer Junichi Masuda announced Pokémon X & Y would be getting a soundtrack released on iTunes shortly after the launch of the two games. The Pokémon Company has now confirmed it will contain a whopping 212 tracks and will last for over three and a half...
News Killer Instinct's Music Gets the Cover it Deserves
Supreme Victory
We often share some of the best fan content that we find, whether they're short films portraying scenes from games, memorable pieces of art or top-notch music covers. The band On Being Human brings us the latter, and last year we shared a terrific Super Metroid rock cover that seemed like the perfect alternative soundtrack to the...
News The Chrono Trigger Symphony: Volume 1 Arrives on 22nd August
Blake Robinson's Synthetic Orchestra returns
You may be quite familiar with the name Blake Robinson by now, especially if you're a fan of video game music. Using software and tools that he's meticulously developed, Robinson produces orchestrations of iconic video game soundtracks that, arguably, take the source music to another level. He's produced...
News Pokémon X & Y Soundtrack Coming This November
Unlike the game, it's download-only
The Pokémon series is well revered around the world not only for its gameplay but also its charming music and now the Pokémon Company has revealed a soundtrack to Pokémon X & Y will be made available on iTunes in November, shortly after the release of the games. It was announced earlier via the official...
Interview Anamanaguchi On Making Sweet Chiptune Music And Loving Final Fantasy
Meow, m-m-m-meow
In case you didn't know, Anamanaguchi is an American chiptune indie rock band made up of hackers and producers born and raised on the Internet from New York City. They make — and we quote — "loud, fast music with a NES from 1985." September sees the release of their new album Endless Fantasy worldwide, so we thought it would be...
