Today, December 6th, marks what would have been late Nintendo President Satoru Iwata’s 56th birthday. To commemorate the occasion, and celebrate the man, OverClocked ReMix, the organization “dedicated to the appreciation and promotion of video game music as an art form”, has released a new album in tribute.
Titled “Heart of a Gamer: A Tribute to Satoru Iwata“, the album features six tracks from eight artists arranging themes from eight soundtracks of games developed or contributed to by Satoru Iwata.ย The album was organized by director Gerry “The Damned” Wheatley. It features artwork, of Iwata surrounded by characters of games he worked on, by Davy “Odai” Owen. Heart of a Gamer is available for free download here. The selection of game soundtracks for the album includes Super Smash Bros. Melee, Kirby’s Adventure, Rollerball, Earthbound, andย Pokemon Gold Version.
“Whether in front of a computer monitor or a boardroom of investors, Iwata’s love of games were what came first,” observed director Gerry Wheatley. “His devotion to his company was never truer when, in financial trouble, he took a pay cut to make sure his employees were safe. When his colleagues were in need, he lent his time and skill to save their games. He wasn’t just another name in the credits. He was truly part of the team.”
Heart of a Gamer is Gerry Wheatley’s second directorial effort for OC ReMix. His first directed album was released in 2011 Titled Pokรฉmon: The Missingno Tracks. It, also, honored a game franchise critically influenced and assisted by Satoru Iwata.
The album was made by fans, for fans and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any publisher or developer. The album was produced to help promote video game music, the Nintendo and HAL Laboratory sound team’s’ amazing compositions, and the talented musical and visual artists that contributed to this project.
What do you think about the tribute album? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
