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The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is perhaps the most compelling argument yet for "Video Game as Concert Piece." As a game, it is a smartly designed interlocking series of puzzles, an ever-more-complex world filled with hidden secrets and challenging combat that unfolds with a uniquely Zelda-y sense of joyous excavation. But as a concert piece... oh, boy. More »
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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 »
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The Play For Japan initiative has done a lot to help raise funds for those affected by last month's earthquake and tsunami, but Play For Japan: The Album will be giving a lot back to you in return. More »
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From the Republic of Turkey comes this wonderful impromptu rendition of the Super Mario Bros. theme song, a familiar tune in an unfamiliar place. More »
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Today in Japan, the 3DS got its first update. Much of the update is typical firmware stuff, fixing bugs and improving the network connection. But there was also a special treat included. More »
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It's a musical edition of the daily Speak-Up on Kotaku today, as commenter Harrier entertains us with more than 25 minutes of Mario piano music, played nonstop and without the aid of sheet music. More »
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Once upon a time, Nintendo made its home consoles in Japan, and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto was not a millionaire. Here is a look back on that time. More »
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Video games aren't just about the games, the story or the graphics. Oh, no. Music is so incredibly important. And often, long after you have finished playing, it sticks around, lingers in the back of your brain. More »
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"Kimigayo," Japan's national anthem, has its supporters and haters. Adopted in 1868, the song is really a 10th century poem that contains this controversial line: "May the Emperor's reign last forever." Well, since the Emperor is now a figurehead, some Japanese question whether "Kimigayo" should be the national anthem. Other don't really give a hoot! While discussing Nintendo's super composer Koji Kondo, colleague Nobuo Uematsu jokingly hit upon this solution: More »
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When Nintendo's own maestro Koji Kondo took to the stage at this years GDC in March it was a packed house. During the hour-long presentation Kondo talked about the importance of sound and music in games from Super Mario to the Legend of Zelda. More »
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A taxi deposits me outside of the Nob Hill Masonic Center around 5 p.m. last Friday. Originally I was supposed to arrive closer to 6:00, but a last minute email from my sponsor for the event, Dream Authentics, sent me into a flurry of preparation seldom seen in my otherwise relatively laid back life. Tonight, on the last day of the 2007 Game Developers Conference, I would be attending the Video Games Live concert, with special guest Koji Kondo, the legendary composer for Super Mario Bros. and Zelda. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=243919&view=rss&microfeed=true The Video Games Live concert happened last night in San Francisco and unlike most GDC related events I was actually able to attend. The legendary Koji Kondo was on hand to play some of his famous tunes on the piano and it was amazing. This little video clip was taken at a rehearsal earlier in the day before the hall was packed with people. More »
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The Game Developers Conference is still a week and a half away, and already I am looking forward to it ending, if only for the special Video Games Live performance scheduled for March 9th, featuring legendary Zelda and Mario composer Koji Kondo, one of the biggest, most influential names in video game music. What Kondo did with only 4 channels of sound on the original NES rivals what most mainstream musicians today can muster with a full band. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=238714&view=rss&microfeed=true Obligatory info about this clip: the "Mario & Zelda Big Band Live" concert took place back in 2003 at Tokyo's Nihon Seinenkan Hall. The DVD recording was included in Japanese game mag Nintendo Dream. Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo composer extraordinaire Koji Kondo put in appearences. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=187669&view=rss&microfeed=true 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 »
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My ringtone might be the Lupin The Third theme, but chances are yours ain't. If the Billboard Hot Ringtones ranking is any indication, it's probably Koji Kondo's Super Mario Brothers Theme, which is standing tall at #1. The song's been on the charts for a whopping 87 weeks, beating out Henry Mancini's The Pink Panther Theme. Anyone out there in Kotakuland got gaming ringtones? Brian Ashcraft More »
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Kotaku reader Daniel K. sent us in this mysterious photograph of a flamboyant man dressed entirely in gaudy leopard print duds hanging out with Koji Kondo at E3. Do you recognize him? Who is he? One of our on-site editors probably knows, but they are all sucking their thumbs whilst embryonically nuzzled in a booth babe's tequila-filled womb right now. More »
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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 »
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