Just a few days ago, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) announced that legendary composer Koji Kondo would be honored at the 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards ceremony this year. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his massive contributions to video game soundtracks, Kondo said in a press release:
“I am deeply thankful for being selected by D.I.C.E. for this important award. It is a true honor to be recognized in this way, and I am extremely humbled.”
“Thanks to the help from the many people surrounding me and the support from our customers and fans, I was fortunate enough to be involved in game music development for decades. I am grateful for everyone who helped and supported me. I will continue my efforts in the music and sound aspects of development to hopefully make everyone’s game experience even more enjoyable in the years to come.”
Koji Kondo’s impact on the gaming industry
Meggan Scavio, president of AIAS, said, “Koji Kondo’s musical work is timeless and impactful, spanning multiple generations of fans across the world. For over 39 years, he has delighted all of us in the industry with sounds and songs that are recognized by so many fans and became a pop culture phenomenon. We are honored to be able to induct Kondo-san into the Hall of Fame.”
Nintendo fans will need no introduction to Kondo’s work as it has been featured in every generation of Nintendo hardware. His first credited work comes from the arcade title Punch-Out!! And he would go on to create the themes for Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Pilotwings. While his output has slowed down in recent times, he was responsible for a good majority of the soundtrack for Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
Where to watch the 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards
Those who wish to see Kondo’s induction ceremony can either attend the 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards event or watch the livestream by IGN. The event will take place on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 8 p.m. PT. You can buy tickets on Dicesummit.org and follow the AIAS’s socials for more information.
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Written by Peter Glagowski
Peter has been a freelance gaming and film critic for over seven years. His passion for Nintendo is only matched by the size of his collection.
