Just about anyone who’s held a controller knows the Super Mario Bros theme by composer Koji Kondo. Even if you have never played the original game from 1985, you probably know it, and I bet most of you can hear it in your heads while reading this.
The Super Mario Bros theme is iconic and has been inducted into the National Recording Registry as part of 25 songs added for 2023. This is significant as it’s the first time any video game music has been recognized in this capacity. The Super Mario Bros theme joins classics from the likes of Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Queen Latifah.
According to the National Recording Preservation Board (NRPB):
“The depth and breadth of nominations received highlights the richness of the nations audio legacy and underscores the importance of assuring the long-term preservation of that legacy for future generations.”
This is a huge milestone for gaming. Over the years, video games have been scapegoated for all sorts of horrendous things, including inciting violence. Some stigmas will never change, but maybe we’re at a point where video games can be accepted as an art form, even if it’s just the soundtracks.
Hopefully, this induction will lead to more video game music being preserved in the future. Now, where can I register a vote for the Halo theme song?
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