There are certain songs in my life that, no matter when, where, or even why I hear them, have a much more powerful impact on me than songs I might love. To put it another way, listening to these songs provides an experience rather than a reaction. I like to refer to these as “songs…
The original Pokémon games were released close to the end of the Game Boy’s lifespan, but for many people, these titles are truly inseparable from their memories of the handheld. Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version are classics of their genre — a genre they basically created — and started the worldwide phenomenon that has shaped the childhoods of…
Dungeon themes in Zelda games are usually outshone by the series’ more uplifting melodies. Similarly, the original Zelda games often lurk in the shadows of their more contemporary counterparts. But a recently released classical guitar medley throws a much deserved spotlight on the dungeon themes from the first three Zelda installments. They brilliantly capture the…
Perhaps it’s because I played clarinet in band class for eight years, but I’ve always found myself enamored with skillful woodwind playing. I understand how much practice, time and effort goes into learning and performing a song. I also obviously have a strong passion for writing and Zelda, as I’m writing this article here now.…
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker celebrated its 16th birthday recently, which means we’ve had 16 years of Toon Link and his expressive antics, 16 years of gorgeous seas filled with adventure, and 16 years of some of the most charming music in the series. Among these amazing songs is the overture that plays at…
In 1998, the world was given one of the most revolutionary games ever: Ocarina of Time. Everything about this title would change how not only Zelda games but other games would evolve in time to come. To me, however, I think the best thing about this game is its outstanding soundtrack, and to this day…
The latest Zelda installment, Cadence of Hyrule, came completely out of left field for most of us, myself included. But I’m a huge fan of Crypt of the NecroDancer’s addictive gameplay and kickass soundtrack, so this was the mashup I never knew I wanted. When the Cadence of Hyrule trailer dropped way back when and we learned…
Sometimes I come down with the Monday blues, and I use music to help me get out of a funk. There’s nothing more relaxing than Patti Rudisill‘s cover of Hateno Village, featuring Doug Perry. Hateno Village is one of my favorite locations in Breath of the Wild, and when I found this cover I knew I…
Just when you think a Zelda shop theme can’t get any better (case in point: Ocarina of Time’s shop), Beedle’s theme comes along and steals the spotlight with its super catchy beat. Honestly, like the endless waves of the Great Ocean, The Wind Waker has a constant flow of upbeat music. One minute you’re sailing through…
Do you know how I always talk about the accordion being my favorite instrument? Well, there’s another one pretty close to it in my list of favorite instruments: the cello. But while I don’t own an accordion, I do actually own a cello, which I’m still not very good at but I keep on practicing.…
Two weeks ago, American football fans endured the lowest-scoring, seemingly longest-lasting Superbowl ever. There is a general consensus that the most exciting aspect of the game was the halftime musical performance. Halftime is usually a time where fans get up to stretch their legs and grab a snack, but sometimes, halftime features a show you…
To be honest, Phantom Hourglass is one of those games in the series that didn’t make quite an impression to me. I did play it many years ago, and I kind of liked the touch controls, the settings, dungeons, and especially how creative the boss battles were with the controls and items. It is a good…
Music is at the heart of every Zelda game. The themes of overworlds, dungeons, and character leitmotifs are ones that become permanently etched in our thoughts so that years after we’ve played the game, the memories and stories attached to those songs can be recalled in just a few notes. “Midna’s Lament” does this to…
There’s really not much to complain about in Breath of the Wild, though everyone has their little nitpicks of what could have been done better. There’s the rain and the 900 tedious Korok seeds, but my personal silly quibble is with the silent menu screen. For years we were serenaded on the select screen with…
I still remember the first moment I found Rito Village in Breath of the Wild. I’d been wandering about for some time around the western portion of the map and I saw a bundle of what looked like buildings in the distance. Excited to find a new town (admittedly, I wanted to see possible new…
