Major Nintendo Composer Has Left the Company

by

Major Nintendo Composer Has Left the Company

Key Takeaways

  • Yasuaki Iwata has recently confirmed that he left Nintendo in July 2023.
  • Iwata contributed to the compositions and arrangements in games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Animal Cross: New Horizons.
  • Iwata indicates that he has been working on new projects since his departure.

As a dedicated gamer with years of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a tinge of sadness knowing that Yasuaki Iwata, the brilliant mind behind some of my favorite Nintendo Switch soundtracks, has left the company. His work on games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Animal Crossing: New Horizons have brought countless hours of joy to me and countless others.

Yasuaki Iwata, a well-known composer for several hit Nintendo Switch games, has decided to move on from his role at Nintendo. However, this change doesn’t signal the end of Iwata’s music journey, as it turns out he’s already working on new projects elsewhere.

In my gaming world, I, like Iwata, found my first credits with Nintendo for crafting the melodious tunes in two Wii U masterpieces – “Super Mario 3D World” in 2013 and “Mario Kart 8” in 2014. After that, I dedicated myself to projects destined for the Nintendo Switch, and my musical notes can be found resonating across the vast landscapes of “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” the tranquil vistas of “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” and many more.

It appears that players won’t find Satoru Iwata’s name in the credits of future Nintendo games, as he has officially parted ways with the company. In fact, Iwata himself announced his departure in July 2023, describing it as a move towards new opportunities.

Zelda: Breath of the Wild & Animal Crossing: New Horizons Composer Leaves Nintendo

Though the details about the fresh path he’s taken are still unclear at this point, it’s clear that Yasuaki Iwata has been engaged in new ventures since departing from Nintendo. These could potentially involve creating music for games outside of Nintendo, or perhaps even working on a personal album. Regardless, fans might not have to ponder about Iwata’s post-Nintendo endeavors for too long, as he expresses his intention to reveal some of his new projects in the coming months.

Until then, players can enjoy Iwata’s work when visiting towns, Divine Beasts, and Kass in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Fans will also hear Iwata’s work any time they start up Animal Crossing: New Horizons, as he composed and arranged the game’s main theme, and at various points throughout the day. So too, Iwata’s music can be heard when racing on a variety of courses in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, including Donut Plains 3, Toad’s Turnpike, and Royal Raceway.

Instead of taking out their Nintendo Switches each time they wish to hear Yasuaki Iwata’s compositions, players now have an alternative. Some of his music can be found on the new Nintendo Music app. For those not familiar, this app is accessible to current members of Nintendo Switch Online, and it offers a diverse selection of Nintendo music playlists. While exploring multiple playlists is suggested for fans of video game music, Iwata enthusiasts might prefer to focus on playlists such as Hyrule Life and Break Time.

Read More

2024-11-06 22:23