Nerd Post: The Five Best Video Game Music Renditions
Orchestrated video game scores have been on the market for years, but I’ve lately come across more and more creative interpretations of famous game music themes. I love listening to these. They bring back memories of the game, but also take the memorable melodies into exciting territory. New twists and turns become new musical works of art. Below the jump are among the best renditions I’ve yet heard. I chose some of these not only for their outstanding performances, but also and especially for their originality, creativity of interpretation, and compositional technique. And because they were on YouTube. Submissions of others are welcome in the comments.
Five: Metal Gear Solid 2 & 3 (Eminence Symphony Orchestra)
Four: At Zanarkand – Final Fantasy X (Tour de Japon)
Three: Skyrim (Peter Hollens & Lindsey Stirling)
Two: Secret of Mana Medley (Symphonic Fantasies)
One: Chrono Trigger & Chrono Cross Medley (Symphonic Fantasies)
You somehow did a post like this without:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj5XqJGS0Yo&feature=related
I thought of including it, although I like the Distant Worlds concert version better, and I didn’t see that on YouTube.
Personally I think I like the Grand Finale version best:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkEKRoIOX4o
*whistles ‘Snow Cherries from France’*
I’m partial to more jazzy renditions of game themes – see Neskvartetten’s Zelda stuff or the Estradasphere’s rendition of the SMB2 theme.
Another favorite is the Minibosses and their more metal-ish interpretations of NES themes.
so hurt you did not include this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5st0b3ln5U
even people who have not played the game more than likely know who’s theme song this is.
(also can you hear this and not look for a buster sword to take him down? I Know I cant)
Sorry, Russell. It is a great piece.