video game music
Pikachu steals show at MLB opener, baseball stars introduced at Tokyo Dome with Pokémon music【Video】
Observations from two users on Twitter have sparked a discussion of Dragon Quest influences past and present.
With the unfortunate passing of Nintendo president and CEO Satoru Iwata this past week, thousands of kind words and tributes have been posted online to thank a wonderful man for all his hard work. An outpouring of beautifully drawn pictures from gamers around the world honored his memory. The tributes were not limited to words and art though, as a video game musician who worked with Iwata on a number of projects released a remix of the Balloon Fight theme song for his close and dearly missed friend.
Great stories make great games. But when all is said and done, when you have finished the game, saved the world and beaten down the bad guy, the thing that sticks with you the most is the music. Especially in roleplaying games, a grandiose soundtrack will elevate your game from memorable to unforgettable. There has been a trend in the past decade or so to perform live symphonic versions of famous video game music. These concerts have been incredibly popular around the world, but how would you like to hear the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra whisk you away to a fantasy world? Now, you don’t have to wait for their next concert!
Fan covers of video game music are nothing new by this point, but that doesn’t make them any less awesome. We’ve seen metal covers, beautiful acoustic covers, and NES cartridge harmonicas, but rarely have we seen someone so dedicated to conveying every sound in a game.
Using nothing more than two pianos, this niconico video user plays both the in-game audio and the sound effects. As one commenter put it, “This was so amazing, I almost forgot to comment!”







7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Mr. Sato accosts award-winning actor Hideaki Ito【Interview】
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s smallest Toshogu Shrine: A tiny wonder with a big samurai connection
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Kyoto tea store collaborates with local winemaker to create deliciously green matcha white wine
Is that restaurant in Tokyo with the giant mecha crab sign any good?
Gacha machine backpack is Japan’s hottest new fashion statement
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Japan’s smallest Toshogu Shrine: A tiny wonder with a big samurai connection
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Kyoto tea store collaborates with local winemaker to create deliciously green matcha white wine
Is that restaurant in Tokyo with the giant mecha crab sign any good?
Gacha machine backpack is Japan’s hottest new fashion statement
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Is Starbucks Japan’s new sakura matcha Frappuccino a green tea lover’s dream?
Taste-testing Japan’s three biggest convenience stores store-brand cup ramen【Taste test】
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
That time our boss almost killed Mr. Sato with a ginormous, unBEARable assignment【Photos】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements