(The link got confused in iTunes as one of my shownotes links pointed to the Katamari mp3. Sorry for the re-post!)
(and iTunes still didn’t pick up the right file. So one more time…)
Even if you’re not a video game geek (like me), you’ll find something to appreciate tonight, as songs from popular video games are performed using non-virtual instruments, in styles like classical piano, heavy metal, rock and ragtime jazz. It’s a fitting tribute to Koji Kondo, who wrote most of this amazing music. Here’s what’s on the show tonight:
| Title (with link to iTunes, if available) | Artist | Album (with link to Amazon.com, if available) | Original Artist |
| Super Mario Brothers 1 | Martin Leung | Website | Super Mario Brothers (NES) |
| Legend of Zelda Theme | Minibosses | Website | The Legend of Zelda (NES) |
| Fortress Theme | The Advantage | Website | The Legend of Zelda (NES) |
| Brinstar (Metroid Metal) | Stemage | Website | Metroid (NES) |
| Super Mario Bros. 2 – Overworld | The Advantage | Website | Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES) |
| The Mario Medley | Video Game Cover Band | Website | Super Mario Brothers (NES) |
| End Credits, Course Clear, and Death – Game Over | XOC (Jason Cox) | Website | Super Mario World (SNES) |
| Green Hill Zone | Alex | Website | Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Genesis) |
| Katamari Damashii | Corey vs. Corey | File link on BoingBoing | Katamari Damacy (PS2) |
| Yellow | Moondabor/Something Awful NEScover | Website | Coldplay |
42 minutes | 
You, sir, are now officially my hero! I had considered suggesting a video game cover show, but didn’t think it’d fly. Yay you!
Hate this show? LOVED this show!
It was really something to hear these covers, some of which originals I’ve probably heard hundreds of times in the course of a misspent gaming youth.
I was having a totally crappy morning until I listened to your show, but now that’s completely turned around. Thanks Brian, you rock!
You should have played the University of Wisconsin Redefined Nintendo medley that Joey played on the last episode of Acappella U – it’s awesome.
I’ve heard half of these before, as I am a fan of game music covers; never thought I’d hear it on coverville but I’m very glad you shared this. I enjoyed it immensely 😀
I very nearly sent you the XOC link when it was released 6 months ago, it’s one of my favourites. However there are a few others I like:
* The Metroid Prime soundtrack (not covers, but very cool nonetheless)
* I have a couple of links to cool videos of people performing covers, I’ll send those via email as the comment filter won’t let them through.
Hey, it’s just like a second Groundhog day episode. My ipodder keeps downloading the same Coverville, over and over and over….
My only issues with the show would be that 1) You missed the The Rabbit Joint cover of the Zelda 1 theme, complete with (new) lyrics, 2) You reminded me that that NESCover version of Coldplay really proves how much Coldplay sounds like elevator music, and 3) You missed the perfect opportunity for an MC Frontalot/mc chris uncovered gem!
Ned? Ned Ryerson? Don’t tell me you don’t remember me, ’cause I sure as heckfire remember you!
So what’s going on? I noticed that Acappella U, previously mentioned on other Coverville episodes… closed with a video game acappella cover. And then on Jawbone’s website, one of the most recent posts is a picture of a lego creation entitled the Katamari Blockacy, which is yet another video game throwback. Coincidink? I don’t think so. Is there a podcast conspiracy?!?! Or something more sinister??? Has the Nintindo uprising begun? (Mom was right, those things did have secret messages!!!)
you left out these guys as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arqfs683esY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf1cnHTT3jY
but great stuff!
Check out OverClocked ReMix. It is a site devoted to covers of video game songs.
I haven’t listened to the show yet, but I’m a little disappointed that nothing by Ailsean made it. He’s done a lot of very good remixes, but my favorite is “Terra in Black“. It’s based on music from Final Fantasy 6 (released as Final Fantasy 3 in the US).
I’ll also second the vote for MC Chris as an uncovered gem.
If you ever go back to this topic, it’d be great to move on to some of the vocal opening/end-credit themes that started appearing the PlayStation era, featuring bands like the Spoony Bards. The One Ups also do some really nice work covering Yasunori Mitsuda‘s themes from Xenogears and Chrono Cross.
aha that Yellow cover version is excellent isn’t it? Played Advantage, that NES cover and Katamari Damacy on Radio Clash in the past – both Katamari soundtracks are amazing; best game music ever.
Been really getting into Minibosses and finding more Advantage tracks – weird timing.
And od course you must have heard of virt – played one of his game acapellas before (Bubble Bobble) – going to play his Star Wars one on the next show…weirdly just listened to your old acapella III show…very different to that!
P.S. comments are closed on Show 165 but I cannot believe you played Eilert Pilarm…I was listening all the way through thinking – no he won’t play Eilert – and then you did! Class!
Genius!
Remember “Mike Tyson’s PunchOut?” Here’s a performance of the music by some Japanese school band- complete with actors acting it out! If you remember this video game, you’ll love this!
http://www.ownagevideos.com/page.php?id=684