Diggin' in the Carts

From humble beginnings to worldwide recognition, Japanese video game music has inspired a generation. Meet Junko Ozawa, responsible for developing the 'Namco sound', as well as iconic Nintendo composer Hirokazu Tanaka.

Thanks to advanced technologies during Japan's 'Bubble Era', companies like Konami and Sunsoft were able to push video game music to the next level by creating thicker sounds and creatively combining different musical genres.

While the race to claim market share between Sega and Nintendo was a tight one, the Sega system had access to an FM synth, which introduced new sound possibilities. With it, Yuzo Koshiro produced the masterful Streets of Rage soundtrack.

The drama and emotion in Japanese role-playing games have inspired some of the most iconic melodies in video game history. As a result, Nobuo Uematsu’s melodies from Final Fantasy have transcended video games, appearing in orchestral renditions.

The arrival of 32-bit systems removed musical limitations and allowed composers to express exactly what they wanted. While this ended the chiptune era, people around the world recognise the importance and contribution of Japanese 8-bit music.