Rutgers University Club for Video Game Music powers up with renditions of classic video game songs

On November 15, the Rutgers University Club for Video Game Music (RUCVGM) hosted an intimate but delightful little concert in Schare Recital Hall, located in the Stephanie Morris Marryott Music Building. 

For years, video game music, and arguably the entire gaming medium, has never been credited for being one of modern art's most complex forms. It's a shame since there's an argument to be made that the medium functions as the ultimate synthesis of every other known art form: painting, film, sculpting and of course, music. So having a club like this on campus, with the sole intention of celebrating and recreating such an underappreciated facet, feels like a luxury.

Their small performance began with a beautiful rendition of a track from "Overcooked 2," which set the tone well with a lovely piano and trumpet arrangement. Immediately, it became clear that this small group of amateur musicians had the chops to command attention, immersing the audience in the delightful whimsy and moderate panic that "Overcooked 2" is known for. 

Once their piece concluded, they politely bowed and walked off stage, followed by two violinists who launched into a rendition of David Wise's classic "Donkey Kong Country" soundtrack.

Hearing these songs unburdened from the Super Nintendo Entertainment System's (NES) bit-crushed and synthesized shackles really showed just how complex and intricate these original compositions were. There was such a pure sense of glee laced into each note that not only showed how masterful the original composition was but also demonstrated how skilled the musicians were. 

Each of these segments was fun to listen to, but the show really hit its stride once the club performed tracks from "The Legend of Zelda" series, known for having exemplary music ripe with classical arrangements. 

They started with a melody from "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" music, and quite frankly, hearing a live pianist play the "Kokiri Forest" theme felt like a transcendent experience.

But, that's not all the club had up their sleeve. Any "Zelda" fan knows that a performance of the best video game soundtracks wouldn't be complete without a rendition of Koji Kondo's original compositions on the NES, and RUCVGM did not disappoint. 

Their violin arrangement wonderfully rendered the original "Dungeon Theme" as this concoction of tension and adventure, capturing the first game's distinct feeling while amplifying its compositional prowess. This particular arrangement had an eerie sense of suspense that constantly kept building, akin to old horror movie scores, now that the NES's beeps and boops have been replaced with a proper string section.

But, the true highlight of the entire show was when they dove into the song "The Legendary Hero" from "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker," which contained an impeccable, pitch-perfect cover of the game's main theme. The rousing melody, timeless progression and stellar arrangement made this an utter joy to hear live on stage. At that point, the slight itch to boot up a Nintendo console morphed into an outright hypnotic urge, inspiring you to immerse yourself in those vast worlds again. 

If there's one thing that this concert displayed, it's that the illusion of gaming is held together by various components: gameplay, cutscenes and story. But, all those facets pale in comparison to the sheer emotionally manipulative power of music. 

There's a sincerity interwoven in each of the club's performances that comes from a genuine passion for these games and the feelings they instilled in the players. Through this concert, you watch as RUCVGM shows just how underappreciated the genius of these compositions are while demonstrating how important they are in bringing a virtual world to life. 

So if you're a gamer who loves watching people perform, you owe it to yourself to see RUCVGM play live.