Earthbound

Chip Music

Ubiktune Universe Grows New Stars

March 20, 2012 | Brenna Wilkes | 3 Comments Share this Ubiktune Universe Grows New Stars

We’re only halfway through March of 2012, but Ubiktune has been busy making every month like Christmas with several new releases. 2011 was Ubiktune’s greatest year to date, but it seems they are already well on their way to eclipse their own success even further.

Currently Ubiktune has a slew of new artists showcasing their talents for the chiptune world to listen at large. Of the latest releases, beyond the fantastic releases of Shnabubula’s NES Jams, C-Jeff’s Preschtale and Jake “Virt” Kaufman’s FX4 (All of which Audun will take a closer look at later this week!), we’ve also been treated to a taste of nostalgic bliss with I Miss You – Earthbound 2012, and it’s interesting use of the Earthbound soundfont in the entire album’s creation to give an appropriate heartfelt and evoking feel with various well known artists graciously lending their talents. Maxo released his first completed album, FAKEBIT 2012, with interesting pop style and change-ups in rhythm and pace to give it a unique sound. (“Contexts From Last Night” sounds fairly reminiscent of Starlight Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog for you Sonic lovers). 7bit Date: Robot Love combines the “primitive” video game natures with a slight hip-hop and electronic jazz fusion that will make you find yourself tapping your foot to courtesy of Beek. If you’re looking for something that strays from traditional chiptune style, subPixel’s The Wave combines live instrumentation renditions and chiptune versions on the same EP for dual-listening experiences, showcasing the strength of the compositions in both live and electronic enviroments.

Check it all out on Ubiktune.com and hear for yourself, and check back here for the reviews of NES Jams, Preschtale and FX4!
Game Music

Professor Sakamoto’s Game Music Show: Earthbound and Chrono Trigger

May 27, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 11 Comments Share this

Three freaking hours of game music on the piano. I have no idea who this guy is, but this video is pretty awesome. While he plays a whole lot of stuff I can’t identify (again, there’s three hours of it), I did pick up on the first track from an Idol game that was also featured on the recently reviewed EXTRA albums, as well as some Chrono Trigger a little ways in, and an impressive arrangement of “Polyanna (I Believe in You)” from the Mother series at the 107:45 mark.

What’s more, this guy has apparently been recording more shows since then (this one was recorded on May 8). The most recent episode is much more manageable at just under 40 minutes in length, but still, that’s a lot of game music to absorb! There’s a lot of great music here that you may not be familiar with, and all the narration is in Japanese, unfortunately, but it’s worth digging through.

What do you think of Professor Sakamoto’s live piano performances? Think he’s on to something?

[Thanks Dale!]
Doujin, Game Music

Mustin Needs A Pair Of Lenses: Vision Quest Available Now

April 1, 2010 | Audun Sorlie | 3 Comments Share this

Like the mighty men Bruce Lee, Baxter Stockman and the blue Power Ranger kid, Mustin also suffers from the common problem of poor eyesight. With the many doctor appointments needed, and the purchase of glasses and contact lenses, bills are quickly stacking up on this talented man’s desk and no Obama bill is there to help him just yet. That’s why us fans are here to help out!

Vision Quest is a 5 track EP made to collect funds to acquire the much needed vision aid, and it’s sold for the attractive price of $4.95 US. The mini album consists of vocal arrangement tracks from Streets of Rage 2, Earthbound, Street Fighter 2, Bust-A-Groove and He-Man. All the vocals are performed by well known arrangement artists, including our very own Dale North, who does an awesome performance of “Natural Playboy” that nearly surpasses the original track.

So go to BandCamp and help out a man who has given us so many great moments.
Game Music

Family Classics: pia-com I – PianoXComputer Game Review

March 8, 2010 | Audun Sorlie | 2 Comments Share this

You know what my favorite instrument is? Acoustic guitar. But my other favorite instrument is piano and that’s why we’re here today. Right before Christmas times came rollin’ in, Dog Ear Records released a little treat by the name pia-com I – PianoXComputer. The premise was simple, a collection of Famicom classics arranged on piano by Keita Egusa, who’s piano skills have been showcased in videogames before. I’m always eager to hear more piano albums and quickly became excited as the news came in on this album.

Piano arrangement albums aren’t exactly a new idea when it comes to videogame music, but it seems there’s always a bit more prestige to them, being classical and all. It might be the elegance of the piano, or the over reliance on metal and rock in the Western arrangement communities, but whenever a piano album comes out, it seems fans are just a tad more excited than usual.

So is this album worth getting excited for? Find out as we take a look! (more…)
Doujin

Smashing Crispy Goodness: Bacon EP Available For Free

February 20, 2010 | Audun Sorlie | 2 Comments Share this

The Smash Bros, the dream team arrangement band with often not so dreamlike output, released Bacon EP at MAGFest 7 to great response. The CD had outstanding production values, clever arrangements and a good mix of fan favorites to satisfy most game music fans out there. Plus, it was one of my top 5 doujin / arrangement projects of 2009 last week. The release was limited in its run along side virt’s Kwakfest album, and over time the pressing ran out, and now it’s finally sold out.

But fear not if you haven’t gotten your hands on it, ’cause the Smash Bros have decided to release the EP for free on their website, and on top of that, they threw in a new bonus track as well! For the convenient price FREE, you can now hear Midee, Prozax, Norg, Ailsean and virt tear through classics such as Life Force, Earthbound, Final Fantasy, Castlevania and Actraiser. I used to walk my dog to this CD and it made simple trips to the park as epic as an afternoon dump after Taco Bell and donuts, a deadly combination I know all too well.

Grab the Bacon EP at TheSmashBrothers.com.
Demoscene

Eat Your Space Calories: Experimental Bit Pop Reminiscent of Earthbound and Sonic

September 2, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this

Well, here’s another shameless plug for Mephtik Netlabel. I hope you don’t mind, as we just released an awesome bit pop disc called Space Calories. Ariel Gross (Sleem, Funkymuskrat, sp00) serves up seven amazingly bizarre creations with funky basslines, groovy synths, computerized vocals, and what sounds to be some Earthbound and Sonic the Hedgehog influences.

Does the handle “Funkymuskrat” look familiar? It might. Ariel posted some masterful remixes of Sonic the Hedgehog’s “Green Hill Zone,” Chrono Trigger’s “Memories of Green,” and F-Zero’s “Mute City,” all of which are some of my favorite remixes of all time, and in constant rotation on my iPod. I highly recommend seeking them out!

Join us on this epic gastrointestinal journey in space after the jump. (more…)