How-To Geek
Awesome Orchestral Versions of Video Game Music (Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Chrono Trigger)
Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VII are, without question, two of the best console role playing games of all time. Here’s a bunch of videos of an orchestra playing modern versions of the music from these retro video games.
These videos are all from Play! A Video Game Symphony, which is a group that tours around the world playing the songs from retro video games with a full orchestra—and I’ve not only personally been to see them before, but I highly recommend the experience. Seriously, if you get the chance, go!
Note: if you’re reading this in a feed reader or email client, you will probably have to click through and read the actual article to see the videos.
Final Fantasy VII
The first two videos are both from Final Fantasy VII, one of the most popular console video games ever, and it’s also got a great soundtrack.
Chrono Trigger
These two videos are both from Chrono Trigger, one of my favorite games of all time, and considering it was on the SNES, it had really amazing music. How many endings did you beat?
Kingdom Hearts
The very popular Kingdom Hearts series put Disney characters along with regular RPG characters from other Square games.
Secret of Mana
This game was like a combination of Legend of Zelda and an RPG—loads of fun.
Compilation Video
The video here shows a compilation from Kingdom Hearts, Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, and Final Fantasy VII.
Chrono Trigger + Gameplay
The last video is also Chrono Trigger, but it shows the video gameplay instead of the orchestra. Sweet!
What are your favorite retro video games?
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Comments (10)
Programmer by day, geek by night, The Geek, also known as Lowell Heddings, spends all his free time bringing you fresh geekery on a daily basis. You can follow him on Google+ if you'd like.
- Published 08/29/10
I saw them when it came to Salt Lake City , it was awesome!
very informative article.
:O When were they in Salt Lake? Crap
Anyways, I love this, it’s amazing!
Only mistake in the article.
The first video?
It has Final Fantasy VI music too, the Phantom Forest. Either the first or the second also has a V song.
this is what makes me proud to be a gamer.
I’m whatching this because of Chrono Cross.
Damn, that was A GAME.
I get no sound with the orchestral videos Can anyone suggest a reason please? I have no sound problems otherwise. Thanks. Bob1001
I really like the Zelda and Dragon Quest music. Those are really good and I recommend it to everyone.
Wow!!! Thanks for posting this. I have and love most of these game soundtracks, and these are some of the best orchestrations I’ve ever heard of them. I might just have to go find this group and go see them.
I have always thought that the music from Banjo and Kazooie would make a great symphony.
The videos have nothing to do with Play!. Those are recordings from the German Symphonic series (except for the last clip, Chrono Trigger + Gameplay).
Check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphonic_Game_Music_Concerts