Hudson Game Music
Bomberman (Arranged Version)
Nuts & Milk (Arranged Version)
Binaryland (Arranged Version)
Championship Lode Runner (Arranged Version)
Star Soldier (Arranged Version)
Hudson Game Music was the third release by G.M.O. Records, a subsidiary of Afla Records that was set up by Yellow Magic Orchestra for releases of game music soundtracks. Nearly all of the label’s early releases were compilations for specific developers, most likely because games at the time didn’t have enough music on their own to fill a complete album.
Most of the early releases by G.M.O. featured only one or two “arranged” (or remixed) versions and instead focused on pure audio rips from the games themselves. The Hudson Game Music release is a bit different as its entire B-side is dedicated to arranged versions, with nearly every game from the A-side getting a proper arranged version on the B-side. I don’t know if this was because Hudson didn’t have enough games of note to fill an album, or because G.M.O. wanted to showcase arranged versions, it’s hard to say.
Some of these titles are pretty damn obscure. Of course, I know Bomberman and Lode Runner (albeit not in its “Championship” variation), and I have a vague recollection of Star Soldier, but I know Nuts and Milk by name only, and have never even heard of Binaryland. A quick YouTube search of both confirms that I’ve never played either.
These arrangements were all done by Yoshihiro Kunimoto, who did a ton of arranging and remixing for a lot of early game music releases by GMO Records. He also worked with a few legends of Japanese music, including Jun Togawa and Denki Groove. He certainly knows what he’s doing here, all of these arranged versions are pretty damn great. The standout for me is the manic take on the Bomberman theme, a sample-heavy remake that also features a rad guitar solo. The Nuts and Milk track is a bit more sedate, but builds off the game’s simple melody in some fun ways, while the Binaryland theme is oddly re-imagined as a string quartet piece (with some synth overdubs) that makes it sound a bit like a lullaby. Championship Lode Runner is the sparsest of the bunch: a dreamy re-working that’s bookended with music box-esque takes on the tune, while Star Soldier is probably the most standard of the group, but that’s not a bad thing; it’s a fully synthed out remix that would fit alongside most 16-bit shooters, and with so much synth-bass. Love the synth-bass. Need more synth-bass.
According to the Video Game Music Database, Hudson Game Music was released on vinyl and cassette on July 25, 1986, with the CD version coming out exactly one month later. That would make it the fifth GMO title to be released, between Konami Game Music Music Vol. 1 and Capcom Game Music. It’s exceedingly rare to find these days, I’ve never even seen a CD copy. This rip is from the vinyl edition. Unlike other early G.M.O. releases, the Hudson Game Music vinyl edition was a picture disc. And yes, that certainly does look cool, it doesn’t do wonders for audio quality. Thankfully, I think my vinyl restoration software did a pretty good job of cleaning it up. Hope you dig it.
Will you make the Aside available as well or just the Bside? Thank you
okay, this is getting way to nerdy right now. I mean, did you ever meet anyone above 16 who is interested in game music ?
Yes. I’m sorry the music I’m providing for free with no obligation to you at all isn’t to you liking.
The A-side is literally just audio rips from the games and is actually quite boring.
Thanks for the response Lost. I am surprised that Zoomquist would make that comment. He is clearly out of touch and unappreciative.