Crazy how time flies, huh? Katamari Damacy, that lovable game where you play as the Prince of the Cosmos, rolling all over the world in a great big ball, turns 10 years old today.
It’s interesting to think back on that time of my life, where I lived carefree in college and listened to that game’s rad soundtrack while driving all over Tallahassee. Who else has fond memories of Katamari Damacy?
I promise I’m not trying to make weekly videos a theme, but it was hard to resist the idea of showing you guys these two music-themed videos. And seeing as how one is related to Bioshock Infinite, a game that many of you are pumped about, and the other is related to Journey, which I feel has one of the best gaming soundtracks of all time, I didn’t think you all would mind.
The first video is a brief clip of two of Bioshock Infinite’s actors, Troy Baker and Courtnee Draper, singing an old spiritual song that appears in the game, Will the Circle Be Unbroken. This is a classic song, and I love the time period that it establishes Columbia in. It’s a lovely duet, and it’s pretty cool that it appears in the game.
Continue reading This Week’s Videos: Journey and Bioshock Infinite Music
In keeping with “What We’re Playing” Monday, I thought I’d throw up some examples of Hotline Miami’s phenomenal soundtrack. Part of what makes the 2D shooter so much like crack is the fact that the music so infectious and hypnotic, evoking that iconic 1980s synth sound of a bright but dark Miami. In some ways, the violence of the game coupled with a kicking soundtrack almost makes it feel like Drive: The Game — which isn’t a bad thing at all.
This first track, Miami, by Jasper Byrne, can be found at the end of our most recent podcast.
Continue reading Sick Tunes: The Soundtrack of Hotline Miami
This might be the coolest thing I have seen in a long time, but that might also just be the fanboy in me talking. Radiohead is my favorite band and OK Computer is my favorite album of all time. I also happen to have a fondness for 8-bit NES music. Apparently, someone out there named Quinton Sung saw into my soul and with a flash of inspiration, he recorded OK Computer and Kid A in glorious 8-bit. It’s pretty awesome to listen to, especially “Let Down”, which sounds like a Final Fantasy theme. Take a listen to OK Computer below and hit the link at the bottom to listen to Kid A. What say you? What other albums would you like to hear get the 8-bit treatment? GO!
[youtube width=”500″ height=”325″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxLnu4PhQNQ[/youtube]
Source: ateaseweb
This is happening right now, and you should take advantage of it: Amazon is offering “The Greatest Video Game Music” on sale for only $2.99. This is a compilation of popular video game songs recorded by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and I will say that it is kind of rad.
If you’re hesitant to part with your money, here’s a list of tracks:
1. Advent Rising: Muse
2. Legend of Zelda: Suite
3. Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2: Theme
4. Angry Birds: Main Theme
5. Final Fantasy VIII: Liberi Fatali
6. Super Mario Bros: Theme
7. Uncharted – Drake’s Fortune: Nate’s Theme
8. Grand Theft Auto IV: Soviet Connection
9. World of Warcraft: Seasons of War
10. Metal Gear Solid: Sons of Liberty Theme
11. Tetris Theme (Korobeiniki)
12. Battlefield 2: Theme
13. Elder Scrolls: Oblivion
14. Call of Duty 4 – Modern Warfare: Main Menu Theme
15. Mass Effect: Suicide Mission
16. Splinter Cell: Conviction
17. Final Fantasy: Main Theme
18. Bioshock: The Ocean on his Shoulders
19. Halo 3: One Final Effort
20. Fallout 3: Theme
21. Super Mario Galaxy: Gusty Garden Galaxy
22. Bonus Track: Dead Space: Welcome Aboard The U.S.G. Ishimura
So yeah. I’ve already jumped on top of this offer. Anybody else joining?
Source – Amazon
In what is looking like hyperbole week here at GamerSushi (See Mitch’s post about the canceled Avengers game), I am taking a similar stance with this video of Mario tunes all mashed together with some of the most nostalgia inducing visuals you will ever see: this video is a work of pure genius and the creator should be carried on the shoulders of geeks for all time.
If you don’t believe me, just watch. And do me a favor: leave a note in the comments exactly how far into the video it took your jaw to drop or the goosebumps to form on your pale, nerdy flesh.
[youtube width=”500″ height=”310″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-DaJGGDoNI&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
Am I right? Doesn’t this just make you want to play all the Mario games back to back? Nintendo should hire this guy and find him a position just doing tributes for their various franchises.
What say you?
“Hey, Anthony, did you hear about the new Final Fantasy game for the 3DS?”
“No, why? If it’s another stupid Crystal Chronicles, don’t even tell me. I can’t live with the disappointment.”
“It’s not. It’s actually a rhythm game, sort of like Elite Beat Agents, but with Final Fantasy characters and music. It’s called Theatrhythm.”
(Stunned silence) “Is there a video?”
“Why, yes, right here…”
[youtube width=”500″ height=”310″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XURvzvibLD8[/youtube]
“Oh…my…GOD! Did you see Ultros from Final Fantasy VI? And the awesome boss theme? And the dance scene from FF VIII? And that annoying song from FF XIII that somehow makes me still want to go back and play it? Why is this the first game for the 3DS I MUST HAVE???”
“Because you’re a sick and twisted FF fanboy who’s iPod is filled with this crap already.”
“Fair enough.” (Throws wallet at PC)
So…what do you guys think? Am I a moron for thinking this might actually be cool? Or is it just the nostalgia of that sweet FF music that is calling to me?
We have to be setting some kind of record for ourselves now with multiple weeks of podcasting in a row. Why someone hasn’t given us an achievement or a multiplier score for these consecutive releases is still a puzzle to me, but that’s another strike against life in the ongoing debate of life vs. video games. You hear that, life? Get your act together.
Episode 19 of the podcast is yet another one without our kindly old Web master Jeff James, and I think the podcast shines because of it. OK, not really, that was kind of mean. Anyway, this podcast had a number of technical issues which I doubt you’ll notice thanks to Nick’s editing, but it’s just another symptom of trying to do a podcast with people that live all over the continental U.S. and beyond.
While there wasn’t much actual news for us to dive into, we still covered a healthy array of topics, including video game soundtracks, Dead Space 2’s hardcore mode, Mass Effect 3’s new composer, Magicka and more. Nick also drops in with a game of Either/Or that produces some humorous conversation. Go Beard!
Anyway, check out the podcast. Listen. Rate. Enjoy. We all know how this goes. Continue reading The GamerSushi Show, Ep 19: Axed
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It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of game music, mainly Square Enix games, naturally. I’ve shared my favorite moments in game music with you several times, but I’ve never asked you, dear reader, what game music moves you. The reason for my asking is Eddy and I have both been on a game soundtrack kick, but we didn’t realize the other was doing it also until yesterday.
Eddy has been uber-productive at work while listening to the Final Fantasy VII soundtrack, no doubt rocking to One-Winged Angel and Jenova, if he has any sense. Meanwhile, across the country, I’ve been jamming with the Chrono Cross soundtrack, drifting away on memories of a game played 10 years ago. Which is why we think game soundtracks are so awesome to listen to. In a way, it allows you to replay and revisit those awesome moments in your head. Frankly, there’s nothing like it.
So, that being said, what game soundtracks do you like to listen to when you want to set a certain mood, such a nice stroll down memory lane or something to pump you up before a night out on the town? Are there any hidden gems we need to listen to? Speak now!
Nintendo has a lot of great franchises under their belt, and all of them have instantly memorable themes. Perhaps the most iconic of these, besides the Mario over-world theme, is the music from the Legend of Zelda of series. Ocarina of Time seems to be a veritable gold mine of classic songs, and at a recent gathering called Nintendo World, Ninty assembled a bunch of musicians to play a jazzed up version of the many songs found in Zelda.
Pretty wicked, if you ask me. Also, I really appreciate the saxophone player’s Street Fighter-themed dress shirt. Two more awesome mash-ups after the jump! Continue reading Nintendo Busts Out Jazz Renditions of Classic Themes
I have made plenty of snarky remarks in the past about the nature of the Internet and how it gravitates towards certain viral videos. One of the trends that I dislike is the way everyone clamors over every single cover of the original Super Mario Bros. theme. It’s completely lost any magic it once had for me.
However, this is something different. This is one dude (Diwa de Leon) covering a medley of Super Mario Galaxy’s excellent original score. Yes, he voices/plays all the instruments himself. And yes, I’m impressed. You should be, too.
I’ll be honest: half the reason I am posting this video is to make sure someone didn’t spike my food with a concentrated dose of LSD because I am clearly seeing unnatural things. The new ad for Def Jam Rapstar, the hip hop based karaoke game, features Hulk Hogan, his daughter the failed pop star, Brooke Hogan and Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart, hanging out, playing some Def Jam Rapstar and making me wonder what manner of crack the marketing team that thought this one up is smoking.
Video below, but be warned: it features a daughter shaking her ass for her father and said father flashing his old man junk, although, in an act of kindness, it’s censored.
Still with me? Okay, try to breathe, we can get through this together. Seriously, what demographic are they aiming for here??? This has to be the worst ad for a video game I have ever seen in my life. Hulk Hogan lives in my area and I vow to you, if I ever see him, (and it has happened) I will get some answers.
However, the question remains: are you going to buy Def Jam Rapstar now? Does this ad make you want to give up on video games forever? Or are you incapable of speech right now? Snap out of your comas and comment!
Funny how quickly the big releases sneak up on us, huh? Here I am enjoying Halo: Reach and Minecraft and suddenly several games are out that I want to sink some time into. Not sure how it happened really, but there you go.
If you’re unaware, today marks the release of three of fall’s most anticipated titles. Together, Fable III, Force Unleashed II and Rock Band 3 form a triumvirate of gaming, a three headed Cerberus to close out the month of October with a bang. Personally, I’m itching to play Force Unleashed II the most out of these, with Rock Band 3 as a close second because of that sweet keyboard.
I thought I’d let you guys vote on these three games yourselves. What say you?
Loading ...For this week, I wanted to go back to the single song format, simply because I am tinkering with how I want to do this going forward. Plus, some songs are good enough to warrant their own post and I think this is one of them.
Within The Giant plays pretty late in Final Fantasy IV and the song is good enough that I always stop so as to prevent any random encounters and let the music play. It fits the mood so well and it is this odd mixture of somber and epic that I can’t help but get immersed in the fact that my characters are driving forward in a desperate fight to save the world. Truly one of my all time favorites.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq3Xo84PxsA[/youtube]
I don’t think I could have picked two more completely opposite games for this week’s music post, but hey, random can be good, right?
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, hailed by many as the greatest Star Wars game of all time, had a rousing score that didn’t merely insert old John Williams tracks, but tried to re-create the feel of the original movies soundtracks. I think it succeeded admirably and I chose the main theme to demonstrate.
Donkey Kong Country was the revival of the original Nintendo platformer, but updated to reflect the (at the time) modern aesthetics of the 16-bit generation. It’s not as pretty to look at these days, but the music was always memorable and just hearing the theme song got my nostalgia working into overdrive.
Which theme song do you like better?
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Main Theme
Donkey Kong Country – Theme Song
Loading ...16 Bit era music is still my favorite, so I thought two side-scrolling games pitted against each other might be a fun change. Also, Metroid: Other M is coming out this month on the 31st, so I wanted to do something to commemorate it.
Super Metroid’s Lower Norfair is a deeply atmospheric song, a slow burn, with a ticking noise in that plays throughout, heightening the tension as you descend deeper and deeper to the labyrinth of Norfair.
New Junk City, from Earthworm Jim is one of those tracks I love that slowly builds layer upon layer of new instruments, all the while getting catchier and catchier. The funky riff is perfect for a level called New Junk City and I love the bass solo that comes later.
So which one wins this week, kids?
Super Metroid – Lower Norfair
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98RdRDaOsNg[/youtube]
Earthworm Jim – New Junk City
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgh2nhx2pW0[/youtube]
Loading ...While we’re on the topic of leaks, it seems that a couple of days ago some unscrupulous visitor to GameCom 2010 decided to grab a cell phone video of Rock Band 3’s set list and share it with the world. Well, Harmonix has decided to strike back with a rebuttal video, and…wait, in the background, is that what I think it is?
Rock Band 3 Setlist OFFICIAL Comment from Harmonix on Vimeo.
Well played, Harmonix, well played. Full set list is after the jump: Continue reading The Rock Band 3 Team Reveals the Set List
Time for some more juicy gaming music goodness. This week, we have the two biggest FPS franchises in the world, squaring off.
Less than an hour ago, I finally finished the fight and completed Halo 3. During my many runs of the final level, I came to know this song rather well, as it plays during the mad dash you make at the end. Through many retries, I finally managed to best it, but it wasn’t so bad because the music was kind of kick ass. An epic song that honestly was the part I liked most about that last level.
On the other hand, Modern Warfare 2, for all its heights and lows, has some pretty good music, too. Whenever this song plays before an online match, it gets me pretty pumped up. Crunchy metal guitars mixed with orchestral music? Count me in!
So which do you prefer out of these two songs?
Halo 3 – Greatest Journey
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34cGnonnTiA[/youtube]
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – Going Loud
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPj5iEoEIeY&feature=related[/youtube]
Loading ...Two games that focus on shooting alien scum. Two great pieces of music. What more could you ask for?
Contra, a game I have played numerous times, is a classic run-and-gun shooter that is only for the hardest of the hardcore. Precision and memorization are key in this game and this song kicks the game with an intensity that few games can match.
Gears of War is a 3rd-person, cover-based shooter that draws you in with firefights that never exactly play out the same way and a brutality that can make an unwary onlooker gag. Not sure where this song plays during the game, but it is memorable, that
s for certain.
So which you do you prefer?
Contra – Stage 1
Gears of War – Locust Infestation
Loading ...For this week’s music post, I thought I would change things up a bit and put two pieces of music up and let you guys vote which ones you prefer. If this sort of thing becomes popular, then maybe I will do some sort of tournament one day, but don’t get your hopes up.
Today’s selections are Bloody Tears from Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest for the NES and Cursed Places from Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies for the DS. Bloody Tears is a song that appears in most Castlevania games, but its entry in this game was highly memorable, in my opinion.
It’s no secret that I have been playing DQ IX and this song is the first one that really jumped out at me, so much so that I would go into a town just to hear the music play. When I saved the town from the plague that had been ravaging it, the music changed to a bouncier theme and I was pretty upset. Thankfully, I found it online, so let me know what you guys think and vote now! VOTE NOW! VOTE NOW!
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest – Bloody Tears
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
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