Voices in Brass #11: Video Game Music!

The Game Brass and The Legend of Zelda: Bringing 8-Bit Epics to Bold Brass Life

Hello, brass enthusiasts! Today in Voices of Brass, we turn our ears toward a place where fantasy, nostalgia, and musicianship collide: the world of video game music. Like me, if you grew up hearing the triumphant fanfare of The Legend of Zelda on the NES, you already know how iconic Koji Kondo’s score is. But what happens when that 8-bit classic is reimagined for a full brass ensemble?

Enter The Game Brass—a powerhouse brass collective of performers, arrangers, and gamers who are redefining what brass can do in the world of video game music. Today we’re spotlighting their majestic, cinematic take on the Legend of Zelda Main Theme, breathing new life into one of gaming’s most enduring melodies.

I was fortunate enough to meet the core brass quintet members at the Video Games and Music Convention in Minneapolis, MN very recently.

🎧 Watch the performance here:

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Bringing Pixels to Polyphony

At its core, The Legend of Zelda main theme is a bold, adventurous melody, originally constrained by the sonic limitations of the NES sound chip. But in this arrangement, The Game Brass liberates the tune, letting it soar across the full range of brass colors—from sparkling trumpet fanfares to heroic horn lines, thunderous tuba grounding, and rich trombone harmonies.

What’s striking is how the ensemble maintains the spirit of the original while elevating it with expanded harmony, dynamic shifts, and counterpoint. It feels like walking into Hyrule for the first time all over again—but now with the sound of a full brass battalion behind you.

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The Role of Brass in Game Music: Then and Now

Brass has long played a vital role in video game scoring, especially in the transition from chip tunes to orchestral soundtracks in the late ‘90s and 2000s. But in this arrangement, the brass ensemble becomes the entire orchestra—a self-contained force that can deliver everything from sweeping cinematic arcs to punchy rhythmic ostinatos.

The tuba and bass trombone provide a solid, grounded feel, much like a rhythm section in a big band or action score. The horns and euphonium add warmth and adventure. Meanwhile, the trumpets deliver those memorable melodic peaks that stick in your head for days.

This is brass at its most versatile—honoring the past while showcasing the medium’s ability to adapt and inspire across genres.

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Championing Game Music as Legitimate Repertoire

The Game Brass isn't just arranging for fun—they're advocating for video game music as serious, performable brass repertoire. Their work invites us to think of game scores not just as nostalgia trips, but as vibrant sources of creative and educational material.

These arrangements have huge potential in schools, recitals, and community ensembles—bridging generations of musicians and audiences alike. And by choosing game music, they're also creating space for new kinds of composers and storytelling to enter the brass world.

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Final Thoughts

The Game Brass’s arrangement of The Legend of Zelda main theme is more than a tribute—it’s a declaration. It says that video game music belongs in the concert hall, on recital programs, and in the evolving story of brass music. It invites players and listeners alike to explore how far our instruments—and imaginations—can go.

Stay tuned for more entries in Voices of Brass, where we spotlight the diverse voices, genres, and innovations shaping today’s brass landscape. Have a favorite game score or brass arrangement you'd like featured? Let me know in the comments or send a message—I’d love to include your suggestions!