Since the website is no longer online, I thought it would be a shame to let these interviews slide into the void, so we’ve decided to give them new life here on OSV. But it’s a big first step and it’s the first one necessary before we ever see them actually offer a record for sale or license out the audio to another label.We’re back with another “ Blast to the Past” interview where we’re spotlighting classic interviews that I conducted while writing for Music4Games. We all know how many movies and tv shows would be chomping at the bit to use that tune to represent video games as a whole, but for what purpose and to illustrate what narrative? Or agenda? Nintendo likes having complete control over how their content/IP is represented, and that kind of control isn’t something they’ve ever given up before, not until this week’s deal with iTunes. Let’s say they publish the classic overworld theme here from Super Mario Bros. And maybe pair it with an unflattering image of an ethnic plumber. Sony could put a version of this song in their game as well. That said, I’m sure their main issue isn’t that fans are offering up their interpretations of their favorite tunes but rather the possibility that now, let’s say. I hope this isn’t a deterrent to Nintendo. Now that Nintendo has offered “Jump Up, Super Star” for sale in the US iTunes Store (a first for them? I’m almost positive) there are now a number of totally legal cover versions also on the market and nothing can be done about it. I’ve been importing them for almost 20 years.

Precisely this - there are certain aspects of US copyright law that make publishing music here very unnatractive to Nintendo, whereas they’ve never had an issue with it in Japan, in fact their game soundtracks are released on CD there somewhat regularly.

Super mario galaxy ost vinyl