Best Official Video Game Orchestrated Events

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Summary

  • Nintendo orchestrates iconic game music into accessible concerts.
  • 20th-century franchises like The Legend of Zelda are showcased in orchestrated concerts.
  • Sony follows suit with ‘PlayStation In Concert’ featuring iconic PlayStation OSTs.

As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in virtual worlds, I can confidently say that these orchestral concert experiences are like stepping into a symphony of nostalgia and innovation.

Some gamers might consider a video game’s soundtrack as just an added feature to their gaming experience. However, numerous others develop strong emotional bonds with the original soundtracks (OST) of their preferred series. These OSTs can be found on platforms like Spotify, and some developers like Nintendo possess such robust musical libraries that they can sustain standalone applications. Remarkably, many franchises have had their OSTs performed by renowned orchestras around the globe.

Video game music now extends far beyond just console systems, encompassing everything from popular symphonic arrangements in major franchises that can be easily accessed, to exclusive events whose recordings are eventually made available to the general public.

8. Nintendo Live 2024 Concert | The Legend of Zelda

A Truly Accessible Performance Of Some Of Nintendo’s Greatest Tracks

Among Nintendo’s properties, it could be said that The Legend of Zelda franchise is exceptionally active in having its music performed in an orchestrated setting. While many of its scored events are typically limited to anniversary celebrations, a significant number of fans of this series may not have had the opportunity to enjoy the transition of the classic game’s soundtrack from an in-game score to a concert hall performance.

2024 saw the debut of a movie that spotlighted The Legend of Zelda Orchestra’s extraordinary skills, making it an unmissable experience for franchise enthusiasts like me. This cinematic marvel not only played music spanning the series’ illustrious history – from the inaugural “The Legend of Zelda” to the latest “Tears of the Kingdom” – but also offered a closer look at the performance through exceptional camera angles, providing us fans with an unprecedented peek into the intricate details and grandeur that were once confined to exclusive events, all thanks to Nintendo’s generous invitation.

7. 10th Anniversary Concert | The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

An Elder Scrolls-Themed Multimedia Montage Of Orchestra & Gameplay

Over the years since its launch, Bethesda’s status has gone up and down, but The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim continues to be a significant cultural reference point not just for the RPG genre, but for video games in general. Given this, it’s hardly shocking that fans were treated to the ‘Skyrim 10th Anniversary Fan Celebration & Concert’, an event designed to honor the iconic game itself.

Although some fans regretted the blend of pre-arranged music with commemorative performances by gamers, a one-hour concert free from alterations was also released simultaneously. By playing themes ideal for putting players in a mindset to fight dragons and aid villagers, Bethesda and the London Symphony Orchestra didn’t just create an effortless tribute to the music of Skyrim, but they honored the community that propelled it to its current lofty status.

6. 25th Anniversary of Love and Courage | Fire Emblem

The Quarter-Century Event Celebrating Nintendo’s Tactical RPG Franchise

In a period when the Nintendo Switch offers numerous games for gamers to immerse themselves in, it was the launch of “Fire Emblem: Awakening” that significantly increased its popularity and effectively revived the series. Although Fire Emblem had considerable acclaim in Japan and minimal appeal in the West until quite recently, it’s worth noting that Fire Emblem is arguably just as iconic a Nintendo franchise as Super Mario Bros. or The Legend of Zelda.

Yet, no place demonstrates the affection for this classic turn-based tactics series more vividly than during events like the ’25th Anniversary of Love and Courage’ Fire Emblem concert. This event, performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, featured 17 songs distributed across five suites of music. The Fire Emblem franchise was honored through a series of developer talks and musical performances. Tracing back from its early days on the Famicom to its resurgence on the 3DS, the Fire Emblem franchise may have faced challenges in the past, but it undoubtedly aimed for a bright future.

5. PAX West 2023 Super Big Band | Super Mario Bros.

A Jazz-Inspired Performance Of Mario’s Most Recognizable Tracks

In the Mario series, the focus on gameplay creates a feeling of solidity and smoothness for Nintendo’s iconic plumber, but this doesn’t mean that the Mushroom Kingdom lacks the emotional touches found in other games. From straightforward yet effective storylines to some of the catchiest music in video gaming, Mario isn’t behind when it comes to expressing emotion.

It’s not shocking at all, considering the remarkable success of soundtracks like those from Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario Odyssey. Consequently, it’s no wonder that the jazz orchestra style used in these games has made its way to live performances. At PAX West 2023, the Super Mario: Super Big Band orchestra showcased their unique big band interpretation of the chiptune tunes and classic melodies from previous Mario games. Moreover, they also played some pieces from transmedia projects like the highly successful Super Mario Bros. Movie.

4. Symphonic Evolutions Concert | Pokemon

The Generation-Spanning Celebration Of Nintendo’s Pocket Monsters

Despite being over 25 years old and featuring contemporary RPG adventures on Nintendo’s latest hardware, the Pokemon series has managed to captivate players with its original GameBoy scores. This enduring appeal is not limited to merchandise like plush toys and board games; it extends to special events like the ‘Pokemon Symphonic Evolutions’, an orchestrated tour that started traveling globally in celebration of the franchise’s upcoming 20th anniversary in 2016.

The Symphonic Evolutions tour presented an unprecedented level of grandeur, with fresh interpretations of familiar tunes and visuals displayed above the orchestra. This tour significantly elevated the orchestral score (OST) of the series in a manner seldom achieved before or after. The concert was split into seven distinct segments, each reflecting the seven generations of Pokémon games at that time. Essentially, the Symphonic Evolutions show serves as an auditory chronology of the series, taking us from “Red & Green” to “X & Y”.

3. Smashing Live! | Super Smash Bros. Melee

The Orchestral Culmination Of Super Smash Bros.’ Cross-IP Endeavors

While Nintendo’s cross-franchise fighting series, Super Smash Bros., showcases the developer’s remarkable creativity, its most significant function might be serving as a playable timeline of the video game industry. Featuring characters, stages, music, and collectibles spanning from gaming’s early days to the latest trends; a Super Smash Bros. title offers a platform for franchises that are often too specialized for more extensive representation to shine.

In 2002, the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra played tracks from the soundtrack of Super Smash Bros. Melee for the first time, which included popular themes from franchises like Star Fox, Pikmin, and Metroid. Since then, music from The Legend of Zelda and Pokemon has been performed numerous times. However, the ‘Smashing…Live!’ concert stands out as a unique orchestral performance that pays tribute to gaming in a way that seems exclusive to Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. series.

2. Distant Worlds – Final Fantasy

An Uber-Successful Multimedia Event That Has Lasted Decades

As a die-hard movie buff and fan of epic stories, I can confidently say that no other franchise is as perfectly primed as the almost four-decade-old JRPG series, Final Fantasy, to one day fill stadiums with an orchestrated extravaganza. After all, the series celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2007, and ever since, the ‘Distant Worlds: Final Fantasy’ event has been enchanting audiences for close to two decades with their unique blend of orchestral melodies and vocal harmonies.

Showcasing a synchronized mix of high-definition gameplay scenes and cinematics spanning various ‘Final Fantasy’ video games and movies in tandem with the orchestra’s performance, ‘Distant Worlds’ serves as a vibrant tribute to the series’ rich history. With performances held worldwide and numerous music releases across CDs and Vinyl records, the ‘Distant Worlds: Final Fantasy’ concert remains a powerful testament to its enduring popularity.

1. PlayStation In Concert – Various

A Hardware-Spanning Success That Sony Is Attempting To Replicate

While many are eagerly awaiting Sony’s upcoming event, ‘PlayStation: The Concert’, it’s important to note that this isn’t the first time the popular soundtracks from some of PlayStation’s biggest games have been played live. In fact, a concert with a similar name, ‘PlayStation In Concert’, took place in 2018 and featured nearly 20 minutes of music performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

During the upcoming Sony performance, there’s a lot of buzz about their latest first-party games like The Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, and Horizon: Forbidden West. However, ‘Playstation In Concert’ didn’t just showcase these new titles. It also highlighted some classic Sony IPs and several notable third-party games such as Crash Bandicoot and Resident Evil. The variety and breadth of games in the ‘PlayStation In Concert’ lineup is impressive, setting a high bar that Sony aims to match or surpass in the coming days.

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2024-12-24 14:35