Tag Archives: Video Game Composers

GAME MUSIC, MUSIC

Intro to Amiga Chiptunes: Four Amiga Chiptune Artists Worth Checking Out

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The Amiga is one of the most enduring computer platforms out there. Although its been around as long as the NES, its often overlooked as a source of amazing games and awesome chiptunes. This might be due to the fact that its not a console but more of a computer. Which, at that time, had a higher price and more technical delivery, many people have forgotten a whole generation of amazing artists who’ve created music for this awesome machine. Here’s four artists you need to check out.Amiga_Music_Xtd_Compilation_2

The Amiga definitely has a smoother sound than the NES or Gameboy and its ability to load samples and manipulate them really helps push the limits of what it sounds like. We’ll look at some straight-up music makers and 2 killer game soundtrack composers that bring out the best in the Amiga.

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ALBUMS, Features, GAME MUSIC, MUSIC

David Wise is back! Let’s Look Back at Games He Worked On

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davidwiseSaxophonIn some really exciting news regarding E3, Nintendo announced that fan favorite composer David Wise has returned to his roots and is now composing the music for the also announced Donkey Kong Country Returns Tropical Freeze. For those who are not following me at the moment, David Wise is the chap that created the music for the Donkey Kong Country trilogy of games back in the Super Nintendo era. He joined Rareware back in 1985, with him being the only composer until the arrival of Robin Beanland, Graeme Norgate, and of course, Grant Kirkhope. All those memorable tunes in the Donkey Kong Country games were created by this fellow; Jungle Hijinx, Aquatic Ambience, Stickerbrush Symphony and, my personal favorite, Forest Frenzy.

 

Donkey Kong Country – Forest Frenzy | David Wise

That being said, the last Donkey Kong Country game he composed was released in 1996 and, other than the ports of the DKC series to the Game Boy Advance, he hasn’t been doing much more Donkey Kong work. So, what has David Wise been up to in the period between the DKC trilogy and his upcoming soundtrack for Tropical Freeze? People say he doesn’t really get enough work but, actually, he has had plenty of work; it just hasn’t reached the popularity levels that Donkey Kong did. This piece of writing, however, is going to shed some light onto what he has been working on before his glorious return to the Donkey Kong franchise.

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