Tag: Music - Page 8
Video Mega Man Inspired Rock Band "The Protomen" Release Short Film
It's going to make you explode into neon-coloured smoke
I've been listening to The Protomen's music for the generous half of a decade, dreaming of the day when the concepts created would be able to breathe visually. The day has come, and it's a great one. For those unfamiliar, The Protomen are a band that's been around for 13 years. Most...
Music Behold the Majesty of The Legend of Zelda 30th Anniversary Concert CD
Japan gets all the best stuff!
Remember CDs? They were those shiny discs you can still play in most car stereos. We jest, the Japan-exclusive The Legend of Zelda 30th Anniversary Concert CD looks seriously cool. Out on 15th February 2017, this lovely 2-disc release will set you back ¥3,000 (around £20 / $25) plus tax; Amazon Japan is listing it...
News There's Another Famicom Chiptune Cart Coming Next Year
8bit Music Power Final to contain 18 tracks
The idea of someone releasing a chiptune album on a Famicom cartridge might seem strange if it hadn't happened once already, but that doesn't make the impending launch of 8bit Music Power Final any less exciting or unique. Riki is the developer and Columbus Circle is the publisher, and the cart will hit...
News The Ocarina of Time Soundtrack is Getting an Orchestrated Vinyl Release
One for the ages
One of the most odd, yet satisfying, things to emerge from the 25th Anniversary of the Legend of Zelda was the Symphony of the Goddesses. This traveling orchestra took fans on a sonic journey through all of Link's past adventures, with many classic soundtracks getting a live, orchestrated reproduction. It seems that the symphony...
Music Hero Muzik Vol. II Blends Chrono Trigger With Hip Hop, and Does It Brilliantly
Produced by K-Murdock with contributors like Mega Ran and Sammus
Gaming attracts some incredibly talented creators, and we enjoy keeping track of some musicians that show their love for games through their projects. A new album is now out to celebrate Chrono Trigger - it's called Hero Muzik Vol. II. Produced by K-Murdock with a broad range of...
Video You Really Need To See Miyamoto Jamming The Super Mario Theme With The Roots
We demand a world tour
As you'll no doubt already know, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime appeared on The Tonight Show last night to demo Super Mario Run and the forthcoming Nintendo Switch console to an understandably over-excited Jimmy Fallon. Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto was also in attendance, and at one point joined the house...
News Composer Koji Kondo Talks Super Mario And Zelda In Freshly Translated 2001 Interview
"The jumping sound was even used on a TV quiz show"
Some of Nintendo's most iconic tunes were created by Koji Kondo, making the Japanese composer one of the most listened-to artists in the world - even if people don't necessarily know his name. A 2001 interview with Kondo - taken from Game Maestro Vol. 3 - has been freshly translated into English...
News The Pokémon Sun and Moon Soundtrack is Beginning to Roll Out on iTunes Globally
Keep your eyes peeled
While the titular Pocket Monsters may be the stars of the Pokémon franchise, the music has certainly been a nice plus in the games. Many a classic track has been crafted over the years, and the Pokémon Sun and Moon soundtrack fits in well with this lineage. For those of you that would be interested in listening to the...
Music Rayman Soundtrack Could Get a Jazz/Rock Reimagining in New Album
Led by the original composer
It's relatively common for enthusiasts for remix and remaster classic game soundtracks, but occasionally the originally composers take up the challenge. That's the case with a current Kickstarter campaign being led by Rémi Gazel, the composer for the original Rayman. His goal is to raise funds for a soundtrack album...
Music Nintendo Tunes Played On Japanese Instruments Sound As Cool As You'd Expect
Famikoto confirm 4th live performance in Japan
We all know that video game music is some of the most dramatic, striking and downright beautiful around, but nothing can prepare you for the utter magnificence of hearing your favourite Nintendo tunes being played on traditional Japanese instruments. Say hello to Famikoto, a group of musicians who use...
News 8Bit Music Power Book Available To Pre-Order Now
Music to our ears
Long-time readers of the site will know that we covered the incredible 8Bit Music Power Famicom release a while ago and came away very impressed indeed. Essentially a chiptune album in cartridge form, it contained tracks from the likes of Hiroaki Sano, Keishi Yonao and Masahiro Kajihara and has unsurprisingly gone on to become...
News An Intriguing Tale of How The Legend of Zelda's Iconic Opening Song Almost Never Happened
It could have been Ravel's Boléro
The main theme for The Legend of Zelda's opening crawl on NES is embedded in gaming and popular culture, reimagined and remixed countless times. Like many much-loved parts of gaming it has a slightly complicated history, which is nicely summarised in a recent official interview. Translated from a feature series...
News Nanoloop Mono Turns Your Old Game Boy Into A Synthesiser
For all your old-school bleep and bloop needs
It is not news the Game Boy is the weapon of choice for many chiptune artists, nor that nanoloop is one of the most recognized names for software that makes the Game Boy "sing" to your desires. But now the company is taking things a step further and is releasing a cartridge that turns your old DMG model...
News Mondo Music Releasing Super Castlevania IV Vinyl Soundtrack Next Year
"What music they make!"
Pop culture reissue company Mondo has revealed that it is releasing a limited edition vinyl soundtrack for Konami's legendary SNES hit Super Castlevania IV next year. Mondo - which creates limited edition posters, vinyl soundtracks, collectibles and clothing "inspired by our favorite movies, TV shows, comics and more" - has...
News Classic Game Music Gets a Jazzy Twist in New Game+ Album
From OverClocked Records and jazz fusion band Materia
Retro games are continually celebrated in different ways around the web, giving classic material a new lease of life. Plenty of talented fans do this through music, and a new album brings a classy twist to iconic tracks. New Game+ is a collaboration between OverClocked Records and 'jazz...
Feature Musical Memories and Cosplay at The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses
The full Zelda experience at the recent Glasgow concert
The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses tour once again set sail for UK shores this week, and for the first time in its history it landed in Glasgow. The tour has been going since 2012, after the Symphony of the Goddesses CD was released with Skyward Sword, but the Symphony had...
News Super Turrican Gets The Ultimate Digital Audio Treatment
MSU1 magic again, Chris Huelsbeck approved
To be honest the regular Super Turrican soundtrack is stunning as is, with Chris Huelsbeck using the Super Nintendo's Sony SPC700 sound chip to deliver a unique take on his iconic synthpop compositions and even managing to make it one of the very few SNES games to use Dolby Surround in the process...
News Tribute Album 64 Offers a Whole Lot of Retro Music Remixes for Free
Put on some headphones
Classic gaming consoles are rightly celebrated by retro fans, and with the 20th Anniversary (for North America) of the Nintendo 64 having passed recently, a group of talented musicians teamed up to produce a meaty collection of remixed tracks - Tribute Album 64 is absolutely packed with music, and it's free. Brought together...
News The FAST Racing NEO Soundtrack is Now Available to Buy
DRM-free and pay what you want
FAST Racing NEO, a standout Wii U eShop release in late 2015, got a little more enticing this week with the release of the NEO Future Pack DLC, with a price of $4.99 / €4.99 / £4.20. The gameplay is naturally a major part of the appeal, but another strength of this game (and various others by Shin'en Multimedia) is...
News Unreleased Game Boy Color RPG Infinity Gets Unexpected Soundtrack Release
A unique situation
Usually video game soundtracks are released because a game becomes a commercial success and the demand therefore exists for such a product, but in the case of the unreleased Game Boy Color RPG Infinity - which we reported on a while back - the situation is a little different. Originally intended for release over 15 years ago, the...
News Metroid Composer Shares Personal Note About the 30th Anniversary
Also, a cool Metroid montage track
The Metroid series has always been known for crafting an effective atmosphere, there's just no other game that manages to capture that same sense of creepy isolation. Environment design plays a large role in this, but the soundtrack also contributes in no small way. Considering that we just passed the 30th...
Video Exploring The Funky Inspiration for the Super Mario Bros. Underground Theme
Time to dig out a record from 1979
The music in Super Mario Bros. is just about as iconic as it gets in gaming, with gamers of various ages and types familiar with the soundtrack. The underground theme is one of the most well-known, with a funky bass beat kicking it off. Our buddies from The Centre for Computing History in Cambridge (England)...
Video Enjoy The Famous Pokémon Theme in Twenty '90s Styles
Brilliant work from 10 Second Songs
YouTube may host some dross that prompts a weary shake of the head from cynics like this writer, but it also has some amazing content. When creative and talented individuals turn their skills to honouring popular culture and gaming, the end results can be amazing. This video from 10 Second Songs certainly...
Random Influential Music Publication, Pitchfork, Showcases 'Musical Gems' from the Nintendo 64
Quite right, too
It's common for sites like this one to write with great fondness about platforms like the Nintendo 64, but an article we've seen doing the rounds on social media shows that publications in various genres have an appreciation for gaming's contributions to various areas. Pitchfork, one of the largest and most influential publications...
Video Almost 20 Years On, The Guy Who Sang The Original Pokémon Theme Has Still Got It
Still the very best
Even if you've resisted the urge to download Pokémon GO to your smartphone and make a fool of yourself in public, there's a good chance that if you were to hear the opening notes of the iconic Pokémon TV show theme then you wouldn't be able to stop yourself joining in. It's a classic theme that even those who have never watched...
News Junichi Masuda on the Process of Composing Music for Pokémon
Gotta make sure it's not too Loudred
Music in the Pokémon games is something that's nearly as iconic as the titular monsters themselves, with many memorable tracks being produced over the series' long run. After all, who could ever forget the sweet relief of hearing that Pokémon Center tune, or the anticipation that starts building once you enter...
Video Take a Look at the Awesome Splatoon - Squid Sisters Concert from Japan Expo 2016
Here's hoping Nintendo inks in more concert dates
Splatoon's success isn't just judged on unit sales, which are nevertheless impressive on the Wii U, but by its broader cultural impact. It's a new Nintendo IP that, it's safe to say, has struck a chord with the public and is likely to become a regular part of Nintendo's library in the future. Along...
News Etrian Odyssey V to Offer FM Sound Source Music as Paid DLC
It's that man Yuzo Koshiro once again
With Etrian Odyssey V heading to the 3DS in Japan in August, hype is starting to build for the latest in the much-loved franchise. We're still waiting for word of localisation to the West, but it's nevertheless interesting to follow the game's progress as it works towards the Japanese release. The latest update...
News Super Audio Cart Brings Classic Samples To Modern Musicians
Music to our ears
If you're a fan of retro game music - either as a listener or a creator - then you'll be interested to learn that Impact Soundworks has teamed up with OverClocked ReMix to release Super Audio Cart, a library packed with classic samples dating all the way back to the '70s. Used in conjunction with the Kontakt music making package,...
News Fans Petition Nintendo To Name Zelda NPC After Deceased Singer Christina Grimmie
Already has 25,000 signatures
The world of music recently lost Christina Grimmie, who was tragically shot during an autograph signing session after a concert and later died from her wounds. Fans are now petitioning Nintendo is name an NPC in the forthcoming Legend of Zelda title after the singer, who was self-confessed fan not only of the series,...
News Splatoon's Squid Sisters Confirmed for Live Concert in Paris
So fresh!
We know that Splatoon has been a big hit for Nintendo and the Wii U, with impressive sales and a notable impact on popular culture in Japan, especially. The game is everywhere in Nintendo's homeland, with a substantial range of merchandise and even live concerts. Nintendo's been slow to roll out merchandise to the rest of the world, but...
Music Relax and Enjoy a Twilight Princess Orchestral Medley
Perfect for an evening listen
This year is the 30th Anniversary year of The Legend of Zelda, and so far we've had Twilight Princess HD on the Wii U to get into the spirit. Though the next full entry in the series isn't coming until 2017, we can expect fans to step up and produce some top-notch tributes. One example is from RebeccaETripp, who...
Exclusive Learn More About the Affordable Space Adventures Soundtrack, Now Available for Free
Nicklas Nygren introduces the album
Affordable Space Adventures is, in this writer's opinion, one of the finest download-only titles on the Wii U eShop. It's a rare example in which the GamePad is used brilliantly, and as it's part of the current Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle there's no excuse for Wii U owners not to try it. Beyond its clever...
Random There's Nothing Smoother Than Super Smash Bros. Set To A Jazz Drum Solo
Nice
Super Smash Bros. is pretty great as we all know, and Jazz - while not to everyone's tastes - is a musical genre which has its fair share of fans. However, fuse the two together and you've got something so smooth it puts a baby's bottom to shame. Performed by Andrew Barhite and "composed" by Adam Lindgren (AKA Armada), this awesome freeform...
News The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses Tour Adds Extra Dates in the UK
More masterful music
The snappily titled The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses - Master Quest has proven to be a notable success for Nintendo, with the touring ensemble and officially approved music being a hit worldwide. It's now been completing annual tours for a few years, losing little momentum in the process. Such is its popularity...
Music This Harp-Based Rendition Of Zelda's Lost Woods Tune Is Deliciously Twee
The Harp Twins are back
We're big fans of Camille and Kennerly here at Nintendo Life. Better known as The Harp Twins, these talented siblings are keen gamers and have produced many adaptations of famous gaming tunes - you might recall their excellent Ballad of the Goddess and
Music Miitomo Grooves Could Be The Soundtrack To Your Summer
Mii amigos
If you want to be the coolest Mii on the street you're going to need some fresh beats. With this in mind, the chiptune artist DJ Cutman has just released a new album to celebrate Nintendo's mobile hit, Miitomo. Entitled Mii Tomo Grooves, this is a fan-made tribute to the music of Miitomo and is not endorsed by Nintendo. Hence the space...
Music Let This Musical Tribute To Xenoblade Chronicles X Gently Massage Your Eardrums
Mech some sweet music
Nintendo Life contributor Gonçalo "Shiryu" Lopes isn't just great at digging up classic Super Famicom games - he's also a keen music-maker and long-time fans of the site will know that he has produced many a fine tribute album in his time. He's back with NLA Blues, an "original music tribute album to Nintendo Wii U's...
Video Chill Out to This Taylor Davis Cover of Zelda's Lullaby
Originally on the Melodies of Hyrule album
Taylor Davis has established herself as a hugely popular musician, amassing over 1.2 million YouTube subscribers and completing tours in North America and Europe. The violinist has made her name with original tracks and licensed covers and arrangements of music from popular culture, including tracks from...
Video Check Out This Banging Banjo-Kazooie Final Battle Theme Drum Cover
Not a banjo in sight thankfully
Banjo-Kazooie is a beloved N64 platformer from the legendary developers at Rare, aside from being a great game, it had an equally great soundtrack by the ever talented Grant Kirkhope. We recently featured a video of Mat Ombler drummer from the metal band Demoraliser doing a drum cover of the Mario underground theme,...
News Synthwave Artists Celebrate N64's 20th Anniversary with Free Music Compilation
Two decades "synth" Nintendo's 64-bit powerhouse released
This June marks an important occasion in Nintendo history: the 20th anniversary of Nintendo's first 3D home video game system, the Nintendo 64, which released in Japan on 23 June 1996. To mark this momentous occasion, a group of artists has released a free unofficial synthwave compilation of...
Video Here's What A DJ Battle On Game Boys Looks (And Sounds) Like
Live from the Niche Nights ChipBattles event
Game Boy modder and chiptune master Joe Heaton is here to give us an official on-the-floor report from an amazing musical event - enjoy! On February 12th 2016, Niche Nights hosted the first ever ChipBattles event at Fab Cafe in Manchester. This is a brand new event within the scene of "Chiptune" music,...
Video Steam Powered Giraffe Answer Fan Questions on SteamWorld Heist and Its Soundtrack
We support the statement that top hats are the best
SteamWorld Heist is a game with many qualities, and one of these is most certainly the soundtrack. Image & Form teamed up with US band Steam Powered Giraffe, a neat three-piece group that performs and writes music in the steampunk aesthetic. The band has now hosted an episode of Image &...
Chipping away
In the world of music vinyl is currently enjoying something of a resurgence, with the antiquated audio format coming back from the dead to take pride of place in any self-respecting hipster's living room. While it's unlikely that this trend has anything to do with the release of RIKI's 8Bit Music Power, parallels can nevertheless be...
News Pokémon Reorchestrated Has Its YouTube Channel Taken Down Due to Third Copyright Strike
Music is still available and licensed elsewhere
Fan-made content produced as tributes to iconic gaming franchises are a mainstay of web culture, including the all-conquering YouTube. As reported recently, however, the Pokémon Reorchestrated channel had received copyright 'strikes' and see its Kanto Symphony playlist removed. This week The Pokémon...
Music Chronicles of Time, a 75-Track Tribute to Chrono Trigger, is Out Now
Over 200 artists contributed
Tribute albums play a notable part in the enthusiast gaming scene as talented musicians get together to celebrate their favourite games. Often not-for-profit ventures, they help breath new life into classics while tapping into lovely, fuzzy nostalgia. Chronicles of Time seems to tick all of those boxes - it's a 75-track...
Music Rozen Celebrates Valentine's Day With a New Legend of Zelda EP
Orchestrated beauty
The soundtracks from Nintendo games often draw in the talents of musical composers and arrangers, with iconic themes reproduced in various styles. We have a few favourites in this area on Nintendo Life, one of them being Rozen; he creates orchestral re-arrangements for various franchises, and in his latest project he's returned...
Random Beware Cuteness Overload With This Dancing Hatsune Miku Nendoroid
Go on, smile
We'll get to more 'serious' concerns in other articles, but there are always slightly pointless but delightfully charming things on the web if you get past all of the doom and gloom. For example, is it possible to resist a smile when watching a singing, dancing Hatsune Miku Nendoroid? It seems that Japanese company iDoll wants to test...
Video Paying Tribute To Secret Of Mana's Superlative Soundtrack
iRetroGamer tips the hat to one of the very best
Secret of Mana is unquestionably one of the best SNES RPGs ever made, and a huge part of the game's appeal comes from Hiroki Kikuta's gorgeous soundtrack, which still sounds amazing even today. Our friends over at iRetroGamer have put together a video which celebrates the musical legacy of this...
Weirdness Watch an Actual Live Splatoon Squid Sisters Concert From Japan
Get your glow sticks in the air!
Splatoon is not only a fun game, but it's also succeeded in getting some of its characters and quirks into popular culture - well, Nintendo culture. The Squid Sisters are a part of this, with their bizarre voices, dancing and singing being part of the game's charm. In Japan, though, these things can go from being...
