Opinion: Nintendo Music celebrates the songs, but not the artists

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As someone who has grown up with Nintendo games and their iconic music, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment at the lack of artist credits in the Nintendo Music app. It’s like finding your favorite cake in the fridge, ready to eat, only to find out it was baked by an anonymous baker.

Video game music is a surefire way to drum up comforting feelings of nostalgia. It does exactly what music should. It stirs up emotions, it creates atmosphere, and it helps mold memories. Super Mario Bros. is remembered for its overworld theme, Donkey Kong Country set a mood with Aquatic Ambience, and Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario World 2 brought forth a land of imagination with a number of incredible songs. The Nintendo Music app surprised everyone earlier this week and reminded the gaming public of the power that music could have. However, it still takes the human mind, heart, and soul to create something that has such a lasting effect on audiences and the app sadly falls short in giving those artists the credit they deserve.

The Nintendo Music application is truly outstanding, featuring songs categorized by title, console, series, character, and custom playlists. Some tunes even have an ‘extended play’ feature, allowing them to continue for up to an hour without interruption. Similar to top-tier music apps, it can keep playing even when your mobile device is locked. Each track comes with a screenshot, providing insight into the song’s origin. It certainly helps in setting the perfect atmosphere. Regrettably, the app does not provide information about composers, musicians, or artists, which is disappointing for those who have dedicated so much effort to their craft.

As I’m grooving to Float Islands on my music app, I can’t help but feel a tad bummed out. There’s no clear credit for the composer or the artist responsible for this track, and as someone who appreciates good music, it would be awesome to give props where they’re due.

— Nider 🌊🌌 aka Ina (@NiderQueen) October 31, 2024

It’s not hard to understand that many dedicated Nintendo fans have expressed strong disapproval due to the absence of artist credits in recent releases. Notably, Ina ‘Nider’ Almacen, who worked on the soundtracks for Mario vs. Donkey Kong and F-Zero 99 this year, voiced her disappointment. This issue has resonated with both fans and content creators, as they appreciate the significant role Nintendo composers play in shaping video games.

For people like me who have followed the gaming industry for nearly the entirety of their lives, music artists and composers are synonymous with their craft. Koji Kondo has been creating incredible soundtracks since the dawn of the Nintendo Entertainment System and a no-brainer inductee into the Shacknews Hall of Fame. While Donkey Kong Country was marketed as a graphical leap forward for the Super Nintendo, it was David Wise’s soundtrack that helped bring DK’s jungle to life. Pokemon wouldn’t be what it is today without the music of Junichi Masuda. More recently, The Super Mario Players and voice actress Kate Higgins were the ones who livened up Mario’s world like never before with Jump Up, Super Star from Super Mario Odyssey. For people who have followed these artists, it’s dismaying to click on Track Information for any of the songs in the Nintendo Music app and come up with no creator information.

A multitude of cover artists have been influenced by these composers, and today, a new wave of game composers acknowledge them as key inspirations for entering the industry. Unfortunately, many people remain unaware of these influential artists. However, platforms like Nintendo Music serve as an educational tool to introduce these artists and express appreciation for their contributions that have touched millions of fans. For those unfamiliar with names such as Kondo or Wise, this is an opportunity to learn about them, appreciate their work, and potentially discover more of their creations.

Hey there, fellow gamer! As a full-time employee at a Japanese gaming company, let me share some insights. While I’m primarily a game designer, I suspect it’s similar across all creative roles. Here, not receiving credit is somewhat commonplace, which might be surprising in other industries.

— Kaihatsu (@KaihatsuYT) October 31, 2024

It could very well be that none of this was done with ill-intent or oversight. Kaihatsu, a YouTube creator from Japan, explains this phenomenon as a cultural norm. In his professional experience with a Japanese company, he notes that credit for artists is rarely given beyond the credits section. This practice, in part, is attributed to maintaining an air of mystery around the artist and also because in Japanese business culture, individual works are considered the property of their employer.

That has the potential to lead to a greater argument, one that involves artist royalties, and it’s one that goes slightly outside my field of expertise. For most of these artists and for those upset by their lack of acknowledgment, however, this isn’t about money. It’s about giving those artists, who have had a profound influence on so many people through their work, their flowers. It’s about teaching new listeners their name and maybe if they decide to go into music themselves, they can cite those artists as the ones who made them want to do it.

Nintendo, being primarily based in Japan, sometimes finds itself isolated from global trends, which can work for or against them. For instance, they might produce unique content that sets them apart, but they may also lag behind on issues like esports. One such example is the release of Nintendo Music across different regions. While it’s understandable if Nintendo Japan wants to protect the image of their artists, it would be great if Nintendo America and Europe could collaborate more, allowing these artists to get due credit for their meticulously crafted work that has become synonymous with our beloved pastime. The musicians who create music associated with our favorite hobby deserve at least this recognition for their efforts.

In this piece, the opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and might not align with the collective viewpoints of the entire Shacknews team.

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2024-11-01 22:27