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Featured, Game Music

Gift From Heaven: Symphonic Legends Report

September 30, 2010 | Audun Sorlie | 6 Comments Share this

September rolled around again and it was now time for me to begin my journey to Cologne once again, in what has become a new tradition to me over the last few years. A tradition that leaves me with more wonderful memories and heartfelt moments with each year that passes. Last year the German hot spot offered the world Symphonic Fantasies which celebrated 4 different franchises from game juggernaut Square Enix. The concert and its subsequent CD release was hailed worldwide as one of, if not the finest symphonic event ever dedicated to video games. With such praise and respect, the excitement when WDR announced they would be holding an event this year was astronomical. What would they be performing this year?

The answer turned out to be Nintendo. The kid inside me sprung into the air upon hearing this as the company and games that I grew up with would now be performed live by an orchestra, some games for the very first time. I loaded up my music player with Super Mario Bros, Super Metroid and Fabio’s After Dark poem CD, which was for reasons that may never be spoken of.

So join me as I travel back to one of the most beautiful cities in Europe for another unforgettable event! (more…)
Game Music

FANTASY COMES ALIVE! Sakimoto To Appear In Concert April 30th

March 24, 2010 | Audun Sorlie | 2 Comments Share this

“FANTASY COMES ALIVE!” is a new concert which will run its first show on April 30th at the University Cultural Centre Hall in Singapore, and promises to pack a mean punch. It will be directed by Adrian Tan, a talented honorary student of the hosting university who previously worked on Passion with Eminence in Australia and the concert will consist of works from both video game music and anime. Some of the works you can expect is My Neighbor Totoro, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Granado Espada, Final Fantasy and Super Mario Bros.

While those titles alone makes up for a great evening, they’ve also booked non other than Hitoshi Sakimoto to be in attendance and present some pieces. We spent loads of time with Sakimoto at GDC, so it’s a great joy to see him further highlighted and honored for his talents through these concerts.

Tickets range from $20 to $50 and can be purchased at SISTIC if you are in the area. 2 shows are so far scheduled, 30th April, and May 1st. For more info visit FANTASY COMES ALIVE!
Game Music, Reviews

New Super Mario Bros. Wii: A Warp Pipe to 1985 – 1995 (Game Review)

February 27, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this

This game really came out of left field at E3 2009. I distinctly remember the playful samba music coming from the speakers above the floor along with the multitude of smiles and laughs coming from the people lining the kiosks. The game was released at the end of 2009, and has sold a slew of copies, so I guess it’s obvious that Nintendo knew right from the start that it had something big on its hands.

As we’re not likely to see a soundtrack release for the game based on our interview with New Super Mario Bros. Wii Sound Director Kenta Nagata, I thought it’d be appropriate to take a look at the game and its music in a review. While there was a lot of marketing that went into the multiplayer aspects of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, it was also designed to work as a single player game, and I think fans of the Mario series will be pleased not only with the game design, but also with the fan service Nintendo provides with countless throwbacks to past Mario games including Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and Super Mario 64.

Hit the jump to find out what we thought in our review of New Super Mario Bros. Wii. (more…)
Game Music

Super Mario Bros. Theme: OneUps Style!

February 24, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 3 Comments Share this Super Mario Bros. Theme: OneUps Style!

Mustin cracks me up. He sent us a link to the above video yesterday of OneUps guitarist William Reyes (damn that guitar is cool) and keys/sax player Anthony Lofton performing this awesome, lullaby-esque arrangement of the Super Mario Bros. theme. While it’s mostly sweet and relaxing, the questionable camera angles and facial expressions are almost as entertaining. And the ending!

Okay, enough of me talking about it. Watch and listen to the video above and let us know what you think!
Gear

Instrument Envy: Custom Made Koopa Troopa Guitar

January 8, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this

I remember Dale posting about a crazy-ass guitar from Japan that came with a built-in sword, some gruesome eyeballs, and a terrible color scheme. While this custom made Koopa Troopa guitar isn’t nearly as bizarre, it’s certainly cool, and would have fit right in with the bands that performed at MAGFest last week.

What I don’t really understand about this one is the guitarist’s comments about it:

Just to clear this up. The guitar is right handed. I play it so the Koopa is on its back (its been stomped). When it is on a guitar stand its walking about. Just pretend Mario jumped on the Koopa Troopa and chose to hold it for too long so its escaping.

It still looks like it’s walking and not crawling out of its shell when it’s on its back! Sounds like a lame explanation to me. Regardless, I think it’s awesome! What do you guys think?

[via Destructoid]