Mario’s Maestros: A Glimpse at the Top Video Game Musicians

Video game composers have it rough. Not only do they attempt to create memorable, game-defining tunes that refuse to leave our heads, they also have to make sure that those songs still hold up after they’re repeated over and over. And to top it all off, they do so without the benefit of widespread recognition; it’s unlikely any game musician will ever have the household name power of someone like John Williams or Hans Zimmer. But when these dedicated men and women succeed, their creations permeate the fabric of popular culture so completely that the entire entertainment industry takes notice.

The following are five of the biggest shakers in the video game music scene. Some you have probably heard of, others most likely not; yet all of them have contributed greatly to the success of their respective series.

-Koji Kondo (Super Mario Bros. series, The Legend of Zelda series)

Kondo has created some of the most memorable pieces not just in terms of video games, but in regards to all entertainment. Almost every cell phone in existence has the Super Mario Bros. theme in its ring tone list, and the Legend of Zelda theme is just as hummable today as it was back in the ’80s. Kondo supposedly wrote multiple versions of the original Mario theme to make sure it correctly matched the game’s tempo and the sounds of jumping and coin-collecting. That kind of commitment has made Kondo a god among video game composers.

-Michiru Yamane (Castlevania series)

Never before has the quest to kill Dracula been both creepy and balls-to-the-wall rockin’ at the same time. Yamane’s music supercharged the atmosphere of the Castlevania series, filling the player with dread while keeping a solid backbeat and throwing in the occasional electric guitar riff. Anyone who has jumped when that out-of-nowhere Medusa head comes flying onto the screen knows exactly what I mean (yeah, I’m a wuss). Yamane’s score to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is still considered one of the best video game soundtracks around, so do yourself a favor and check it out.

-Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy series)

A man whose mustache is nearly on par with his music, Uematsu has contributed tunes to the Final Fantasy universe since its first installment. Even in the times before CD-quality orchestrations, one of his greatest talents has been injecting genuine emotion into his compositions (which is no small feat considering the electro-beeps that dominated the NES’s “music”). Now that symphonies can be tapped for Uematsu’s visions, it’s hard to keep the tears from rolling when your favorite mage bites the dust.

-Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono series, Xenogears)

In 1995, Mitsuda stormed onto the scene as the lead composer of Chrono Trigger, crafting one of the best soundtracks to any game, period. Near the end of Trigger’s development, he was hospitalized with a stomach ulcer that was reportedly birthed by Mitsuda’s overambitious work ethic. That obsession shines through in his more modern soundtracks as well; his distinct mix of Celtic, Indian and Caribbean music styles have helped him become one of the go-to composers for experimental, emotionally charged compositions.

-Kow Otani (Shadow of the Colossus)

Otani has only dabbled in the game world, the majority of his work dedicated to TV and film. Yet what little he has created for gamers has left a lasting impact: Shadow of the Colossus still stands as one of the most artistically prominent video games in existence. Paired with the beautiful-yet-minimalist landscapes, Otani’s haunting score creates a world that feels genuine, a land steeped in longing and regret. Play this game (right now), then celebrate as its theme echoes throughout your mind for weeks afterward.

So they may not be Mozart or Chopin, but these composers have certainly done a lot for music in the gaming community. So next time you play a great game, listen close and appreciate what they’ve done for us.