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Legend of Zelda: Needs A Subtitle Previewed

1up.com continues its ramp-up to E3 feature rampage with a preview of the next Legend of Zelda title. They discuss not only the upcoming game but some classic moments from the series' past as well. From the article: "Koji Kondo: Yes, as I recall, in the very first Legend of Zelda, in the very opening title screen, we used to use the classical music of 'Bolero,' because that tempo was perfectly matched with the speed of the opening screen rolling. But I remember it was just before, when we really had to complete the final ROM for reproduction, they told me that unfortunately the copyright of that music hadn't expired yet, so I had to compose a completely new piece of music that night. I recall that I did it within one day. You know, 'da-da-da-da' -- that was done in just one day." Witty story name gleaned from toastyfrog's blog.

44 comments

  1. Bolero? by republican+gourd · · Score: 2, Informative

    I didn't recognize it offhand. Here is a midi:

    http://www.ettnet.se/~tradare/mid/bolero.mid

    It is kind of Zelda-esque.

    1. Re:Bolero? by frikazoyd · · Score: 2, Informative

      He means this Bolero. It was written for a ballet, and was inspired by the generic "bolero" type of music in spanish tradition.

      The "Bolero of Fire", I guess, is supposed to be reminiscent of the traditional Spanish style of music (not the musical piece you provided a link to). But the original "Bolero" by Ravel (that you linked to) is the one that they were going to put at the front of "The Legend of Zelda" as the theme, except it wasn't public property yet. That's actually pretty interesting, considering that video game music is now its own movement.

    2. Re:Bolero? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I didn't recognize it offhand. Here is a midi:

      You've never seen any version of "The Nutcracker" or heard any music from it? I never seen the actual ballet. However there has to be a half dozen cartoon versions of it, and most cities has some group doing it around Christmas time. This has to be the most commonly selected music to put on commercials for any live performance. IIRC, it is played during a part when the toy soldiers "march" (really do a march like dance).

    3. Re:Bolero? by republican+gourd · · Score: 0

      I've seen it. Thing is though, if a musical piece doesn't reference swans or sugarplums, I just zone right the fuck out.

    4. Re:Bolero? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thing is though, if a musical piece doesn't reference swans or sugarplums, I just zone right the fuck out.

      No offense, but that is one sentence I never expected to see on Slashdot, much less the Games section. ;)

  2. Re:Milking Sequels by FlipmodePlaya · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I don't really see anything wrong with sequels themselves, what exactly are you criticizing? There's nothing inherently better or worse about a member of a franchise as compared to an original title, even if you feel that a disproportionate amount of sequels are of poor quality. Nintendo in particular has a very good reputation with its sequels, they tend to be received as well made and innovative: not 'cookie-cutters'. Take for instance games like Mario Kart DD and Super Smash Brothers Melee, both anticipated to be remakes of their N64 versions with prettier graphics. They ended up being significantly evolved from their earlier versions, and (check Gamerankings if you wish) were very well reviewed.

  3. So helpful... by still_sick · · Score: 4, Funny

    You know, 'da-da-da-da'

    Oh yeah, THAT song. So much better than that other song, 'da-da-do-da'.

    --
    ...Also, I didn't know Buggalo could fly.
    1. Re:So helpful... by Wyrmw00d · · Score: 0

      The death penalty should reach far beyond crime and punishment. Trial execution beginning with inmate #585332

  4. Re:Milking Sequels by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 1

    If consumers buy them - what's the problem? People enjoy Zelda, Mario, and the Madden franchises.

    --
    I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
  5. Re:Milking Sequels by Bozzio · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Personally, I enjoy sequels. It gives the game developers a chance to improve on their original product (good or bad). Think of Street Fighter II! The first Street Fighter was total crap, but the second one brought to life a whole culture of gaming!

    Another benefit is being able to enjoy more work from the developers themselves (not just the game as a whole). For example, I follow the castlevania series for it's music. Hell, I follow ALOT of Konami games for their music. Listening to Club Kukeiha's work spanning several Konami titles and sequels is pretty neat!

    I'm just ranting now... but sequels can be more to people than just the same "hero" on the screen again. It's nice to see the developers, composers, graphic artits' work again.

    --
    I just pooped your party.
  6. A one and a two and a... by aztektum · · Score: 3, Funny
    Link! He come to town
    Come to save the princess Zelda
    Ganon put her away
    Now the children don't play
    But they will when Link saves the day
    Hallelujah!

    Now Link, fill up your hearts
    So you can shoot your sword of power
    And when you're feeling all down
    The fairy will come around
    So you'll be brave
    And not a sissy coward

    Now Link has saved the day
    For Ganon is in his grave
    So now Zelda is free
    And now our hero shall be
    Link, I think your name shall go down into history

    --
    :: aztek ::
    No sig for you!!
    1. Re:A one and a two and a... by PhosterPharms · · Score: 0

      Just in case no one recognizes this, it's the lyrics to System of a Down's cover of the Legend of Zelda theme song. You can hear it in an amusingish flash video here.

    2. Re:A one and a two and a... by Dwedit · · Score: 3, Informative

      The song is by Rabbit Joint, NOT System of a Down.

    3. Re:A one and a two and a... by PhosterPharms · · Score: 1

      My apologies, I'd always seen it tagged as System of a Down.

  7. Re:A one and a two and a....shoot me by Wyrmw00d · · Score: 0
  8. Bolero seen again... by Lord+Pillage · · Score: 3, Interesting

    If anyone recalls in Ocarina of Time one of the songs you had to learn as grown-up link was the Bolero of Fire. It would transport you to the fire temple.

    --
    try { Signature mysig = new CleverAttempt(); } catch(NonCleverSignatureException e) { postanyway(); }
    1. Re:Bolero seen again... by Bozzio · · Score: 1

      The opening music is also very reminiscient of Satie's first Gymnopédie. Chew on THAT one :)

      --
      I just pooped your party.
  9. Re:Milking Sequels by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yeah, I know what you mean, sequals suck.

    Once this guy game me something for my computer about a penguin or something. It compleatly sucked. I didn't even have any graphics or anything. And you could't use the mouse or anything, you had to type things in line by line.

    And I checked online it it's got tons of sequals, with really lame names. Like one's about a Red Hat, like who's going to buy that, and another is called Apache. I downloaded that one (yeah, illegal I know, I'm such a pirate) cause I thought I'd get to blow shit up in a helicopter. Man, what a waste, the file was huge and there was no action. How lame is that?

  10. Re:Milking Sequels by NanoGator · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "Somewhere between Capcom, Nintendo and EA. They are dictating to the industry that it's ok to sell the sequels for 10+ years."

    At least Nintendo is dicating "Despite being a sequal, don't make it a rehash of the original."

    Before you angrily hit reply, compare Sonic the Hedgehog 1, 2, and 3 to the first 3 Mario games. Perfect example.

    In any event, a game doesn't have to be a sequal to be a snoozer. Plenty of me-too Quake or Street Fighter killers have been made.

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  11. Re:Milking Sequels by Bozzio · · Score: 1

    wait... are you saying Mario 1, 2, and 3 are very similar? As far as I can remember Sonic 1, 2, and 3 WERE very similar, but the first three Mario weren't.

    Mario 2 US wasn't even originally a mario game! It's just an adaptation of Doki Doki Panic. And Mario 3 was one of the most innovative games in VG history! (Mario 2 Jap was not all that original, but had several changes over Mario 1. See the "Lost levels" game on "Mario All Stars")

    Well, looking back at your post, you MUST mean that the first 3 Sonics were in fact dissimilar.. otherwise you, sir, are a MAD MAN!

    --
    I just pooped your party.
  12. Re:Milking Sequels by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He meant that the first three Sonic games offered very little change in graphics and content while the first three Mario games show that just because a game is a sequel it doesn't have to be a "rehash."

  13. Re:Milking Sequels by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    nevermind... I simply misread your post about 10 times before getting it right.

  14. What they don't tell you... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is that Koji Kondo wanted to use Bolero because even after 8 years he was still infatuated with Bo Derek in 10.

  15. Screenshots by Jmechy · · Score: 3, Informative
  16. Re:Milking Sequels by krakelohm · · Score: 1

    Yup, I think you just proved his/her point.

    --
    You are all a bunch of idots.
  17. You know what by Odocoileus · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It makes one wonder how many games, and movies could have been better if not for the restrictions imposed by the really long lasting copyright law.

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    ...
    1. Re:You know what by Gothic_Walrus · · Score: 1
      Or worse.

      I'd take the original Zelda's soundtrack over other copyrighted music any day.

      If that copyright hadn't been there, it would never have been written. And that would be a damn shame.

      --
      Goo goo g'joob.
    2. Re:You know what by rabbot · · Score: 1

      I'm glad this happened. I'm sure most other Zelda fans are as well.

  18. Re:Milking Sequels by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How could you leave Square-Enix off that list?

    Final Fantasy 12. Dragon Quest 8. 'Nuf said.

  19. Ravel's Boléro? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ravel Boléro's is widely considered to be the most frighteningly erotic piece of music ever written. How the hell did they think that would fit with the Zelda lore?
    I mean, that's like Wind Waker having Put It In Your Mouth as the main theme.

    1. Re:Ravel's Boléro? by AuMatar · · Score: 1

      Umm, I like classical music and all, but how the hell can something without words be considered erotic? Its music, not a song.

      --
      I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
    2. Re:Ravel's Boléro? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, it can't be erotic, it can't be aggressive, it can't be calm. Really, music can *never* create an atmosphere.

  20. Theme song? by Taulin · · Score: 1

    Wait, but the opening song was the same tune as the song that plays during the game. Unless he wrote that too, then all he did was make a dramatic version of the main game tune.

    1. Re:Theme song? by WaterBreath · · Score: 1
      No, there was a short tune that played at the title screen, before the story started rolling up the screen. This served as a prelude to, and segued into, the actual overworld theme song, which began to play when the story started rolling.

      That title tune was not anywhere else in the game.

  21. Most of it is the same, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ..but the opener starts different - slow like, remember? He says in the interview that it didn't take too long to come up with because most of it was the overworld theme.

  22. *Sigh* by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No one on slashdot recognizes pop culture references over 15 years old unless they involve crappy sci-fi.

  23. Classical? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ravel was not a classical musician. So many people get this wrong. Classical music comes from roughly 1725-1823. Think Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven.

    Ravel, on the other hand, falls into the Impressionist and later, the Expressionist movements. A lot changes in 200 years, believe it or not.

    1. Re:Classical? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Unfortunately, you and I are among the 5% or so of the population that is aware of that and we are forced to communicate with the rest from time to time.

    2. Re:Classical? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Unfortunately, you and I are among the 5% or so of the population that is aware of that and we are forced to communicate with the rest from time to time.

      Well, fuck. How on Earth do you endure dealing with us undereducated masses?

  24. Re:Milking Sequels by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I dunno...ask Microsoft that.

  25. Bolero vs Zelda by Elranzer · · Score: 1

    "Yes, as I recall, in the very first Legend of Zelda, in the very opening title screen, we used to use the classical music of [Ravel's] 'Bolero,' because that tempo was perfectly matched with the speed of the opening screen rolling. But I remember it was just before, when we really had to complete the final ROM for reproduction, they told me that unfortunately the copyright of that music hadn't expired yet, so I had to compose a completely new piece of music tthat night. I recall that I did it within one day. You know, 'da-da-da-da' -- that was done in just one day." -- Koji Kondo

    I wonder if Kondo ever imagined, back then, that more Americans and Japanese these days would recognize his Zelda title screen song over Bolero...