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Koji Kondo
Birthdate:
August 13, 1960
Birthplace:
Nagoya, Japan

Koji Kondo (近藤 浩治)

Music Composer

Having been with Nintendo since the NES era, Koji Kondo has produced music for some of the greatest games in history and is one of gaming's most venerable and prolific composers. His music can be heard throughout the Zelda and Mario series (including his only Square work in Super Mario RPG, a collaboration with Yoko Shimomura and Nobuo Uematsu).

Fans and critics alike cite his greatest talent being his ability to craft melodies that while catchy and pleasant upon first listen, remain enjoyable even when looped over long periods of time and played through inferior sound equipment. His songs are certainly memorable; the title theme song to Super Mario Brothers retains its iconic status 20 years after its initial release. Not unknown in the musical community, Mr. Kondo can count talent such as Paul McCartney among his fans. Kondo's music has been cited as being as integral to the Nintendo style as the game design of Shigeru Miyamoto.

Companies
Nintendo

Creditscredited in 3 publications

Games

 ⇑⇓		 platform release ⇑⇓ role
Super Mario RPG (credits)snes13 May 1996USAMusic
In collaboration with Yoko Shimomura and Nobuo Uematsu.
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Albums

 ⇑⇓		 release ⇑⇓ role
Mario Basket 3on3 Original Soundtrack (credits)18 Oct 2006Composer 
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Hyrule Symphony (credits)27 Jan 1999Composer 

News

  • Traversing "Distant Worlds"
    distantworlds.pngNorth River Road is a path I regard with fondness, for is was inside the Rosemont Theater, located on this bustling boulevard, that I first met with what had up until recently been the definitive experience in my video-game-themed concert outings: the world premiere of "PLAY! A Video Game Symphony" on May 27, 2006. For me, it was a true spectacle unlike any before it, featuring an assortment of wonderful musical pieces from blockbuster video game titles performed by a full orchestra and choir, led by Grammy-Award-winning music director Arnie Roth. Memories of Akira Yamaoka's electric guitar screeching the sounds of Silent Hill, Koji Kondo's New Super Mario Bros. piano solo, and Angela Aki performing "Kiss Me Good-Bye" and "Eyes On Me" still, to this day, glisten freshly in my mind with deep affection. Indeed, it was a show to reckon with. Nearly two years later, on March 1, 2008, I was fortunate enough to return to this street and adjacent performance hall for the North American debut of "Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY." Full Article
    news article 14 Mar 2008 by Eddy ↑ 16 ↓ no new comments discuss permalink permalink
  • Eiji Aonuma reflects upon the history of Zelda
    eiji_aonuma_tn.jpgEiji Aonuma, Producer of Software Development for Nintendo, has been the creative director of the Zelda series since The Ocarina of Time. In his Game Developers Conference lecture "Twilight Reflections in the Hourglass," Aonuma described the evolution of the series and his current project for the NDS: Phantom Hourglass. . GDC 2007
    news article 12 Mar 2007 by Jeriaska ↑ 2 ↓ no new comments discuss permalink permalink
  • Koji Kondo paints interactive musical landscape
    kondo_tn.jpgKoji Kondo's lecture delivered at the Game Developers Conference described the evolution over the years of the interactive component of his game music. Isolating examples from the original Super Mario Bros. to Zelda: Twilight Princess, the composer described ways interactive media provide an entirely different approach to communicating with the listener than what is possible with film or television. GDC 2007
    news article 11 Mar 2007 by Jeriaska ↑ 11 ↓ no new comments 4 commentss permalink permalink

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