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Posts with tag kojikondo

SMG video update: Powerups, galaxies, and a live orchestra


The Super Mario Galaxy media frenzy continues with a bucketful of new videos. Naturally, we're emptying that bucket over your head, partly to douse you with fresh movies, but mostly for comedic effect.

You'll find the streaming clips in the Japanese site's powerups and galaxies sections, yelling out with orange word balloons, "New!" You can watch them past the post break, too. Also on the list of updates for today, the third volume of Iwata Asks (Super Mario Galaxy edition) has some great footage of a live orchestra recording one of the game's songs while Koji Kondo and Shigeru Miyamoto watch, an overturned tea table likely nearby. According to the interview, 28 tracks in all have been recorded by the orchestra.

It's likely just us -- in fact, we're sure of it -- but there's something about Super Mario Galaxy's main theme that reminds us of the Perfect Strangers opening credits, particularly the part where the song crescendos, "Staaanding tall!" Also, the action-platformer's music makes us break out into the "Dance of Joy" whenever we hear it, causing us to jump into the arms of anyone nearby. It's really quite embarrassing for everyone involved.

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GDC 07: Koji Kondo and the art of interactive music


Koji Kondo, famed composer for Nintendo, spoke to a packed auditorium at this year's Game Developer's Conference. Before the session began, giddy members of the audience snuck up to Kondo-san, a copy of Zelda or Mario in hand, asking for an autograph.

To answer the question, "what are the main points of game music?," Kondo-san showcased the retro NES favorite Super Mario Brothers. By looking at how Mario jumped, and ran, Kondo-san was able to think about the rhythm intrinsic to the game playing experience. The length of Mario's jump can be exemplified by a eighth note: when a composer thinks of these kinds of attributes, music becomes part of the gameplay itself. If a game's soundtrack doesn't bother coordinating to the rhythm of game, Kondo explained, the game's soundtrack might as well come from an unrelated room next door.

A second element to good game music is balance: thinking about left and right stereo balance is certainly one thing, but thinking about the game as a whole is crucial. Music can tell a story, especially when referencing familiar themes: when Mario picks up the Metal Hat in Super Mario 64, the music will play homage to the original invincibility theme from the NES Super Mario Bros. Through music alone, players will be able to understand how powerful Mario has become.

Continue reading GDC 07: Koji Kondo and the art of interactive music

Nintendo composer rockin' the GDC

None other than legendary Nintendo composer, who has worked on many a Mario and Zelda game, Koji Kondo is set to perform during Video Games Live! at the conclusion of this year's GDC (Game Developer's Conference). This is to take place on March 9th of this year and will be joined by video game pianist Martin Leung, as well as a full-on orcestral performance of tunes from past LucasArts titles such as Monkey Island, Outlaws and a little-known title by the name of Grim Fandango.

Of course, with the promise of a keynote from Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, this makes this year's GDC one that any Nintendo fan will hate to miss.

Watch movies on your Wii!

This Month's New Games

Name Date
King of Fighters: Orochi Saga
Nov 25
Ultimate Band
Nov 25
Mushroom Men
Dec 2
Iron Chef America Dec 5
Rock Band 2
Dec 16
Ultimate Shooting Collection
Dec 16
Neopets Puzzle Adventure
Dec 30

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