Composer Profile - Koji Kondo

Welcome to a new series of videos where I talk about video game composers. This time, I take a look at the life and career of Nintendo's most notable composer, Koji Kondo; who's made music for Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda series, and Yoshi's Island. I intend to make a new installment once a month so keep an eye out for when that happens.

Links to the videos mentioned above
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[PianistTanooki]

While you pointed out that Kondo last composed solely by himself for Ocarina of Time, he was still main composer for Majora's Mask and Super Mario Sunshine. After that, he had a *very* small role in the games following Sunshine, composing only one or two compositions for each game (and usually rather minor ones at that). The music you included from Wind Waker was composed by Kenta Nagata, and the 3D World theme was done by Mahito Yokota.

Also, you touched on Star Fox, the original… but he actually composed a lot of the main themes for Star Fox 64, like the very famous one we all know! You even omitted Star Fox 64 from that list of games he wrote music for.

[manuu.]

What a legend! He created some of the most beautiful masterpieces of our time.

[fangsabre]

Koji Kondo is the man behind the music of my childhood. The beautiful melodies of Zelda have irrevocably colored what fantasy and adventure mean to me

[mrmusicguy]

Truly the greatest composer of this era.

[MalabarTheGreat]

I am absolutely amazed that Mr. Kondo never received classical training. He is wonderful at developing themes. Genius of a man!

[Disturber]

My all time favourite musician ! Who has written more songs that defined our childhood

[budgetguitarist]

Great video! I can't think of a more historically significant video game music composer. What a mark to leave on the world. The NES imposed harsh limitations and Kondo was head and shoulders and waist and ankles above his NES composer contemporaries.

[modernmusette]

This video is incredibly well done! Would love to see more composer profiles in the future. 😀

[YourTRANQUILITY]

I absolutely love this channel, I can't explain with words how much I like this channel. I just love it.

[qu]

Amazing! Still my favorite composer after all these years.

[DannyHauger]

Thanks for making this!! I learned a lot.

[floatingdoor]

Fantastic video. You have my sub. Keep up the great work.

[mattronimus]

From now on....who's your favorite musician...

Me: koji kondo

[rupertcornelius]

this would be a GREAT series... please make MORE!

[lordkiza]

Sometimes with life a redo button would be amazing ill never get to meet such an amazing artist. Let alone have an amazing conversation with him.

[Halopedian]

Loving your vids man, instant sub. Keep em coming

[Kamer.Sounds]

Great kickstarter to the legend, thanks!

[MusicalYoshi]

Hey! Thanks for the vid! Great quality and was pretty insightful. Kondo is my favourite composer and my biggest music inspiration, whose technique is often reflected within my own music. Catchy melodies are his focus, because catchy melodies create better memories for gamers.
Here are some composers with whom I'm familiar who you may want to discuss : Yuka Tsujiyoko (Paper Mario, Fire Emblem), Yoko Shimomura (Mario RPG, Kingdom Hearts), Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy) Jeremy Soule (Elder Scrolls).

note: you had a misspelling at lei(t)motif and Mahito Yokot(a), who is Kondo's Galaxy orchestrator. Other than that, pretty solid. I'm subbed and look forward to other composers you'd discuss!

[EricPeelMusic]

Wow, what? Only 3000 views on this!? Thanks for the nice little documentary!

[maforo]

This man is a legend. The greatest Mario soundtracks were all composed from him . The most memorable and iconic. The modern Mario games don’t have great or memorable music. He’s a genius.