Music has been around since the dawn of man, and its close ties to culture have been well documented. We’ve captured music from singers and bands in vinyl records, cassette tapes, CDs, and eventually, digital form. Movie scores also have been honored in award ceremonies. However, where’s the recognition for video game music? Why isn’t it as widely available? This is why Nintendo’s new app for their music is a much-needed step in the industry.
Some of you may think my statement is hyperbole, but let’s take a step back and compare video game soundtrack availability versus “mainstream” music. If you want Taylor Swift’s latest album or take a trip down memory lane with Journey’s greatest hits, you can find and consume their music with ease. Are you a fan of movie scores? That also is easy to find and purchase in the media of your choosing.
Sure, video game music can be seen in the wild in vinyl, cassettes, CDs, and more; however, they are much less common. They are found in specialty stores, primarily online, such as Play-Asia, iam8bit, and Materia Store. If we look at streaming services, your best bet is on Youtube, Steam, and Spotify. Even with those options, not all OSTs are available nor available in its entirety. Sometimes, there are issues with copyrights as well.
Don’t get me started on recognition. Outside video-game specific award shows, video game OSTs haven’t been recognized until the 65th Grammy Awards. In 2023, the Grammys finally added Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media. The Grammys also have Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, but Journey was the only video game nominated–and that was in 2013.
This is where I circle back to the Nintendo Music app.
Is it the perfect app? No.
Is Nintendo the best example of all things video game perseveration? Heck, no!
However, Nintendo’s move to provide a dedicated space for music from their franchises for free (with a NSO membership) and zero commercials is an important one. You can listen to The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker from start to finish while you relax or bop to the tunes from Splatoon, direct from the source.
I can only hope this prompts a movement to provide better ways to house, preserve, and share music from the games we love. The Nintendo Music app can also act as a beacon, highlighting how video game music can be enjoyed. And in this way, it may prompt people to search for other video game music that they otherwise wouldn’t care to look for.
Have you tried the Nintendo Music app? Do you think we do enough to preserve and enjoy video game music? Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.
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Source: Nintendo, Wikipedia
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