Written by Heather Hale
I can't count the number of
times I have kicked back on my subway ride to work or school and listen to old
videogame music (namely the Chrono
Trigger soundtrack, but I digress...). Listening to the soundtracks of
our favorite games brings us back to the fun and adventure we experienced while
playing, bringing the same kind of nostalgia to those songs as the first song
you slow danced to, or other songs that marked a memorable event in your life.
Although simplistic, 8-bit musicians back in the day used their limited means
to create unforgettable songs packed with character where today's videogame
music cannot match.
The first time I ever heard Nintendo sounds being used in a song was Beck's
song Girl back in the day,
and rumors of an entire Nintendo music album circulated, that I don't think
ever came to fruition. Then, a few years back, my sister introduced me to the emerging
chiptunes music scene. This was particularly exciting for me because I was
about to move to New York, where many of the events take place. The first show
I ever attended was the Babycastles/Showpaper Gallery in Midtown and it was one
of the coolest events I have ever been to. Watching throngs of nerds gathered
around homemade arcade cabinets to the sound of reinvented Nintendo anthems I
felt as if I'd finally found a good niche in the big city. A generally laid
back and friendly crowd, I felt comfortable enough to dance the night away on
the small dance floor as I saw Knife
City perform for the first time.
The thing about the Chiptunes music scene is that it's one of those super
specific, probably wouldn't have happened any other time than now sort of
things. It's a great way for every kid who once held a Gameboy as if it were
their most cherished possession, to relive their childhood gaming fun through
music as an adult (+ alcohol which is always good). The idea of legitimate
musicians taking the same challenge as the videogame designers of Yore, and limiting
their scope to try to create the most inventive music possible, using a plastic
hand-held device once home to their old Pokémon game is an admirable mission in my mind. The result is
a surprising wide scope of genres and sounds, from the addictively dancey Bit Shifter to the weirdly trancey
sounds of Starscream; the
Chiptunes movement has produced a thriving fanbase that feeds off their need
for nostalgia with a new twist.
Video GameGirlfriend (aka Heather) is a freelance video game writer and gamer. Check out more of Heather's article at videogamegirlfriend.tumblr.com.
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