Kotaku: Game Music

Fallout 3's Tunnel Snakes Rule, and So Does This Amazing Classic Remix

Kirk Hamilton — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:45:00 EST

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Who could forget the Tunnel Snakes, the dorkiest, least menacing group of post-apocalyptic greaser wanna-be gangsters to ever grace a role-playing game? I sure couldn't. And who could forget this classic video, which though it's a few years old, still holds up remarkably well? More »

Gameplay and Story Are Exactly Like Music and Lyrics

Kirk Hamilton — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST

Look, okay. Let's press "pause" on the debate. You know the debate I'm talking about, right? That endless disagreement in the video game world about gameplay versus story. More »

This Noble Theme Will Get You in the Mood for Psychic Heroism

Kirk Hamilton — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:15:00 EST

Look, no one really knows what's going on with this whole Notch-Tim-Schafer-Psychonauts 2 thing. But that doesn't mean we can't sit back and listen to what might be my single favorite piece of music from the original Psychonauts! More »

Get Five Amazing Game Soundtracks For as Little as $1

Kirk Hamilton — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:45:00 EST

Hey, why should indie game developers get to have all the bundling fun? Game composers should get to experience the joy of bundling too. I'm glad to see that they finally are. More »

Plants vs. Zombies' Best Music Meets Shredding Finger-Style Guitar

Kirk Hamilton — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST

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I adore the music to PopCap's Plants vs. Zombies. I bought the soundtrack from composer Laura Shigihara, and I still listen to it pretty regularly. More »

The Cheesy, Joyous Music of the Ace Attorney Series

Kirk Hamilton — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST

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I really like the Ace Attorney games - I like the characters, the situations, and I like the games' uncommon good humor. I like solving crimes, I like the silly judge, and I like seeking justice. I like how Maya likes hamburgers. More »

Even Birds Can Get the Super Mario Theme Stuck in Their Heads

Evan Narcisse — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:40:00 EST

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Koji Kondo created an earworm of epic proportions when he wrote the theme music for Super Mario Brothers more than 20 years ago. The tune's become one of the most recognizable pop culture jingles of the last 40 years, to the point where tropical birds feel the need to sing it out loud. The feathered soloist could use a little practice but this rendition should still conjure up images of mystery blocks and warp pipes in listeners' heads. More »

Check Out an Orchestral Bioshock Concert in LA on May 9th

Mike Epstein — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EDT

If you're going to be in LA on May 9th, you might want to swing by UC Northridge and check out the Media Composition and Studio Ensemble. They'll be playing the music of Bioshock composer Gary Schyman. [Get Tickets] More »

EA to Release Three More Game Soundtracks for Download

Owen Good — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST

Over the next month EA Recordings will roll out soundtracks for three of the publisher's big upcoming releases, releasing music for Mass Effect 2, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and Dante's Inferno via digital download. More »

Reaping Beauty — the Video

Owen Good — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:40:00 EST

Also on Kotaku Talk Radio today, Fahey introduced us to "Reaping Beauty," rapper MC Lars' shout-out to Bayonetta. Well, here's the accompanying music video, and it's slam full of gameplay. More »

Final Fantasy XIII Summons Epic Soundtrack

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:20:00 EST

Square Enix has revealed its plans to drain even more hard-earned yen from the Final Fantasy fanatic, announcing the official Final Fantasy XIII original soundtrack. It comes in two pricey flavors, one more deluxe and limited than the other. More »

Namco Bandai Launches Namco Sounds On iTunes

Mike Fahey — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT

The music of Pac-Man, SoulCalibur, and Xevious are now waiting to be nestled gently within your iPod, courtesy of Namco Bandai's newly-launched iTunes music label, Namco Sounds. More »

Video Games Live Volume One Impressions

Mike Fahey — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:40:00 EDT

Ever since my initial experience with the concert tour during GDC 07, I've been a big fan of the Video Games Live concert series. The combination of classic video game tunes played by a symphony orchestra and classic gaming imagery, both shared with a couple thousand fellow gamers is something that everyone should try to experience at least once. That having been said, I was a bit skeptical regarding a CD release of the music from the event. How could a measly 10-track disc compare to the massive gaming music event? It can't really, but it can give you a better appreciation of the music. Hit the jump for brief, track by track impressions of the Video Games Live Volume One CD. More »

EA Game Soundtracks As DLC?

Leigh Alexander — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:20:00 EDT

Downloadable music has made music-specific games, like Rock Band, essentially self-renewing, as new tracks to play are popping up all the time. But when MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo talked to EA music guru Steve Schnur (we talked to him, too), he asked him when we'll see the ability to change up the soundtracks of other games with DLC. More »

Sierra Debuts Oakenfold's Bourne Soundtrack Live

Mike Fahey — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:40:27 EDT

Sierra and Yahoo! are teaming up to present the debut of the original soundtrack for their upcoming The Bourne Conspiracy game tomorrow at Winter Music Conference 2008 in Miami, Florida. World-renowned trance DJ and producer Paul Oakenfold will be performing the soundtrack live in concert at Miami's Mansion club, along with members of the Florida Classical Symphony and a special appearance by hip hop artist Cee-Lo.

"It was a rewarding experience to score The Bourne Conspiracy video game — I have always been a fan of the series and the pace of the game is an ideal match for my musical tempo and style," said Paul Oakenfold. "I look forward to premiering the soundtrack during "The Bourne Sessions" at WMC."

Yahoo! will be airing the event live tomorrow night at both Yahoo! Live and Sierra's own http://www.bournesessions.com/. As a big fan of Oakenfold's work, I will feel really bad on Wednesday when I realize I completely forgot about this. More »

Lair Score Wins IFMCA Award

Mike Fahey — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:00:07 EST

The International Film Music Critics Association have announced their 2007 award winners, and this year sees the debut of their Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media award, which recognizes the increasing importance of music in gaming and gaming as an entertainment medium. This year's winner is John Debney for the wonderful score to Lair for the PlayStation 3. While I didn't spend much time with the game myself, the music did indeed stand out, to the point where I thought it was a bit wasted on the game. If you'd like to hear this award-winning music without having to shell out $59.99 for a game hardly worth $59.99, then hit up iTunes, where the whole shebang can be yours for $9.99. More »

Red Steel On iTunes

Mike Fahey — Mon, 21 May 2007 14:20:52 EDT

Were you intrigued by Red Steel but wanted to bypass all of the bad bits and only deal with what was enjoyable about the game? Well now you can. Tom Salta's soundtrack for the game is now available for download via iTunes, with an actual CD set to hit stores likely to carry such things next Tuesday, May 29th. The musical styles are all over the place, but in a very cohesive sort of way, if that makes any sense. Salta does good work, especially for a guy who makes his own head the centerpiece of his website. More »

Lost Odyssey Footage at Play! San Jose

Mike Fahey — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:20:26 EDT

Tired of looking at the same damn Lost Odyssey trailer footage over and over again? Then you need to make your way to San Jose California for the Play! A Video Game Symphony performance on May 26th. The concert will feature the debut of brand new Lost Odyssey footage, as well as a fresh look at Mistwalker's other Xbox RPG, Blue Dragon. More »

Monkey Island Music Day

egauger — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 23:20:05 EDT

Joystiq announced Monkey Island Music Day, which of course put an obligatory warmth in me scurvy little heart. More »

The Return of Acapella Game Tunes

egauger — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 19:20:46 EDT

We at Kotaku seem obsessed with the infinitely varied renditions of game themes produced by our fellow nerds. We seem this way because we are this way. Wanna make something of it? Huh? More »

Concert Cellist Taps Inner Gamer With Zelda Medley

Michael McWhertor — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 23:29:16 EDT

This is one of those times I wish my parents hadn't raised me bereft of music appreciation and training. While performing Legend of Zelda melodies from various games on the cello might not be the noblest of musical pursuits, it's still pretty damn easy on the ears. From the titular cellist: More »

Compose Your Own Hauntingly 8-bit Arias

egauger — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 19:40:40 EDT

This one was sent in by Peter, who was immediately sent his Kotaku Scout Starter Kit and "game music" merit badge. The YCMK Magical 8bit Plug is an apparently mind-blowing plugin for all sorts of programs that lets you rock out, NES power ballad style. Says Create Digital Music: More »

Guy Wearing Wolf T-Shirt Grades Your Video Game Music Quiz

egauger — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 20:40:26 EDT

Think you have the sack to listen to tunes from possibly obscure games, guess the titles, and get graded on it? I warn you, this guy is a hardass as well as a Werewolf: the Apocalypse LARPer: More »

Game Music Fan Works His Organ For Twenty Minutes

Michael McWhertor — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 12:30:06 EDT

No, you haven't errantly landed on sister site Fleshbot. This is, however, a hot, man-on-pipe organ solo performance video of one game music lovin' altar boy doing the ten-finger shuffle to some of gaming's greatest hits. From Koji Kondo's Super Mario World castle theme, to The Legend of Zelda's dungeon tunes, even wandering into dreaded anime territory, he runs the gamut of nerd tunes. There's really nothing to see here, so just listen. More »

Jamming With Contra

egauger — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 19:40:51 EDT

Extremely hardcore gamer Chris "Vertexguy" Kline wants the whole world to see him melt his own face with a solo so intense, the cat walked by his bedroom during his recording session and literally turned inside out. With his mother knee-deep in cat intestines, pounding angrily on the door, he becomes the rock god he always wanted to be. And we're his witnesses. Party on, Chris. More »

Top 50 Game Ending Songs

egauger — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 17:40:06 EDT

I poked around on FlymingOmelette.com for a while but can't really determine the purpose of the site. It seems to be one of those old-fashioned "homepages", complete with circa-1996 neon-on-black colorscheme, flaming GIF text, and a vague feeling of claustrophobia. More »

Mario & Zelda Big Band Live On Google Video

Michael McWhertor — Sat, 18 Mar 2006 13:49:49 EST

Wow. This is the must-seeiest of must-see's. Featuring almost 2 hours worth of orchestral performances of your favorite and most obscure Nintendo background music tracks, this video also features appearances from Nintendo legends like Shigeru Miyamoto and Koji Kondo, among others. More »

It's a Dissertation On Mario Songs?

lsmith — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 13:40:19 EDT

Patrick Dell convinced Missouri University to give him $3000 for his study on video game music and its effects on gamers. Four Color Rebellion directs readers to the story about Dell in the Columbia Missourian. I'd be interested in checking out the finished product, if anyone gets a copy or if it surfaces, someone tip us to it. More »