After many complaints over the abomination that is the soundtrack/arrangement for the four NSMB games, I started listening to some of the NES and SNES Mario soundtracks while studying for exams. I have come to one unanimous conclusion.
KOJI KONDO IS A GOD
Kondo has composed the greatest and most popular video game music of all time, most notably the Super Mario and Legend of Zelda games.
Here is his resume. Kondo composed the entirety of the soundtracks for the following titles:
16 games, 16 incredible scores.
However, Kondo's work didn't stop there. Since the release of his last solo score, Ocarina of Time, in 1998, Kondo has continued to work at Nintendo, composing for games in collaboration with other composers at EAD.
However, there has been much confusion over which tracks exactly Kondo himself has composed for these newer games, and which were composed by his co-workers. In fact, I've ever seen people claim Kondo composed tracks for Wii Sports and the Wii Menu/Wii Shop Channel, which simply isn't true. There doesn't seem to be a source on the Internet for detailing each and every track the man has composed.
So that's what this thread is for. After much research, and scouring through many interviews, I have an incomplete list of every track the greatest video game composer of all time has composed since his last solo score, Ocarina of Time (besides SF64!). If you guys can fill in any blanks, please don't be shy!
Star Fox 64 (1997)
Kondo composed a sizable chunk of the Star Fox 64 soundtrack, alongside Hajime Wakai. Kondo's contributions include:
Opening
Title Screen
Select
Map
VS Select
Start Demo 1
Start Demo 2
Bill's Theme
Cat's Theme
Mission Accomplished
Mission Complete
Player Down
Game Over
All Clear
Staff Credits
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (1999)
Despite borrowing heavily from the Ocarina of Time soundtrack, there are many fantastic new tracks in Majora's Mask. Kondo composed the entire album with the exception of three songs:
Battle
Mini Boss
Boss Battle
which were composed by Toru Minegishi.
Super Mario Sunshine (2002)
Kondo composed some of the catchier tracks on the Sunshine soundtrack:
Delfino Plaza
Secret Course
Bianco Hills
Ricco Harbor
Gelato Beach
Staff Roll
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (2003)
Surprisingly, Kondo's role with Wind Waker was quite small. From my research, I have only been able to confirm one track that he definitely composed for the game:
Grandma's Theme
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004)
From what I could gather, the majority of the FSA soundtrack consists of remixes from previous Zelda titles. Kondo has a credit as composer, does anyone know if he composed any new tracks for this game?
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)
Once again, my research has let me down. The massive soundtrack for Twilight Princess was composed by Toru Minegishi, Asuka Ota and Koji Kondo, however, I can't seem to find which tracks Kondo composed himself.
Although this track didn't make it into the actual game, Kondo composed the music that played during the second Twilight Princess trailer. A beautiful piece.
New Super Mario Bros. (2006)
Everyone's favorite! Kondo composed the one and only main theme for the game:
BAH BAH
In case you can't stand the BAHs, Kondo performed it on the piano. Sounds a lot nicer
Don't worry, he redeemed himself with this next one...
Super Mario Galaxy (2007)
If you haven't bought the album yet, what are you waiting for? Super Mario Galaxy is a masterpiece, and the fully orchestrated score is no exception. In my opinion, the best soundtrack of the generation, and one of the greatest ever made.
Kondo only composed two songs for Galaxy:
Good Egg Galaxy
Comet Observatory
My two favorite pieces from the game! The other tracks were composed by Mahito Yokota, who did a brilliant job.
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009)
From what I've gathered, Kondo only composed one song for Spirit Tracks:
Ending Theme
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010)
This one. Buy this soundtrack too. Do it now.
They somehow managed to improve on one of the greatest games ever made. Did they improve on the soundtrack? Quite possibly.
Kondo was more involved with Galaxy 2's score, with 4 new compositions this time around:
Yoshi Star Galaxy
Starship Mario
Koopa Jr's Fortress
Green Star
This list doesn't include some incredible Super Mario 64 and Super Mario World remixes. Great stuff.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011)
Kondo has stated in an interview that he only composed one song for Skyward Sword:
Legend of Skyloft (Intro Music)
Super Mario 3D World (2013)
According to the official soundtrack, Konjo composed two tracks for 3D World:
Chain-Link Charge
Sunshine Seaside
Other Tracks (Various Games, Various Years)
In a recent interview, Kondo revealed that he composed one track for Pilotwings on the SNES, the Helicopter theme.
Pilotwings - Helicopter
And that's it! So far. Again, if anyone could help me fill in the blanks, it would be greatly appreciated.
Kondo is a pretty cool guy.
What's your favorite Kojo Kondo track?
KOJI KONDO IS A GOD
Kondo has composed the greatest and most popular video game music of all time, most notably the Super Mario and Legend of Zelda games.
Here is his resume. Kondo composed the entirety of the soundtracks for the following titles:
16 games, 16 incredible scores.
However, Kondo's work didn't stop there. Since the release of his last solo score, Ocarina of Time, in 1998, Kondo has continued to work at Nintendo, composing for games in collaboration with other composers at EAD.
However, there has been much confusion over which tracks exactly Kondo himself has composed for these newer games, and which were composed by his co-workers. In fact, I've ever seen people claim Kondo composed tracks for Wii Sports and the Wii Menu/Wii Shop Channel, which simply isn't true. There doesn't seem to be a source on the Internet for detailing each and every track the man has composed.
So that's what this thread is for. After much research, and scouring through many interviews, I have an incomplete list of every track the greatest video game composer of all time has composed since his last solo score, Ocarina of Time (besides SF64!). If you guys can fill in any blanks, please don't be shy!
Star Fox 64 (1997)
Kondo composed a sizable chunk of the Star Fox 64 soundtrack, alongside Hajime Wakai. Kondo's contributions include:
Opening
Title Screen
Select
Map
VS Select
Start Demo 1
Start Demo 2
Bill's Theme
Cat's Theme
Mission Accomplished
Mission Complete
Player Down
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
All Clear
Staff Credits
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (1999)
Despite borrowing heavily from the Ocarina of Time soundtrack, there are many fantastic new tracks in Majora's Mask. Kondo composed the entire album with the exception of three songs:
Battle
Mini Boss
Boss Battle
which were composed by Toru Minegishi.
Super Mario Sunshine (2002)
Kondo composed some of the catchier tracks on the Sunshine soundtrack:
Delfino Plaza
Secret Course
Bianco Hills
Ricco Harbor
Gelato Beach
Staff Roll
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (2003)
Surprisingly, Kondo's role with Wind Waker was quite small. From my research, I have only been able to confirm one track that he definitely composed for the game:
Grandma's Theme
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004)
From what I could gather, the majority of the FSA soundtrack consists of remixes from previous Zelda titles. Kondo has a credit as composer, does anyone know if he composed any new tracks for this game?
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)
Once again, my research has let me down. The massive soundtrack for Twilight Princess was composed by Toru Minegishi, Asuka Ota and Koji Kondo, however, I can't seem to find which tracks Kondo composed himself.
Although this track didn't make it into the actual game, Kondo composed the music that played during the second Twilight Princess trailer. A beautiful piece.
New Super Mario Bros. (2006)
Everyone's favorite! Kondo composed the one and only main theme for the game:
BAH BAH
In case you can't stand the BAHs, Kondo performed it on the piano. Sounds a lot nicer
Don't worry, he redeemed himself with this next one...
Super Mario Galaxy (2007)
If you haven't bought the album yet, what are you waiting for? Super Mario Galaxy is a masterpiece, and the fully orchestrated score is no exception. In my opinion, the best soundtrack of the generation, and one of the greatest ever made.
Kondo only composed two songs for Galaxy:
Good Egg Galaxy
Comet Observatory
My two favorite pieces from the game! The other tracks were composed by Mahito Yokota, who did a brilliant job.
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009)
From what I've gathered, Kondo only composed one song for Spirit Tracks:
Ending Theme
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010)
This one. Buy this soundtrack too. Do it now.
They somehow managed to improve on one of the greatest games ever made. Did they improve on the soundtrack? Quite possibly.
Kondo was more involved with Galaxy 2's score, with 4 new compositions this time around:
Yoshi Star Galaxy
Starship Mario
Koopa Jr's Fortress
Green Star
This list doesn't include some incredible Super Mario 64 and Super Mario World remixes. Great stuff.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011)
Kondo has stated in an interview that he only composed one song for Skyward Sword:
Legend of Skyloft (Intro Music)
Super Mario 3D World (2013)
According to the official soundtrack, Konjo composed two tracks for 3D World:
Chain-Link Charge
Sunshine Seaside
Other Tracks (Various Games, Various Years)
In a recent interview, Kondo revealed that he composed one track for Pilotwings on the SNES, the Helicopter theme.
Pilotwings - Helicopter
And that's it! So far. Again, if anyone could help me fill in the blanks, it would be greatly appreciated.
Kondo is a pretty cool guy.
What's your favorite Kojo Kondo track?