Video game cover music has become quite the sub genre. Type the name of a video game you like into YouTube’s search engine and there’s a good chance somebody’s got a video of themselves playing a tune from the soundtrack.

But long before this phenomenon hit, video game covers were few and far between. One of the earliest examples was Mr. Bungle’s version of the Super Mario Bros stage 1-1 music which they performed at their live shows during the 90’s. At the turn of the century, a Massachusetts band called the Minibosses dedicated to performing NES* (and only NES) games self-released their debut self-titled album. Using only two guitars, bass and drums, they were able to capture the essence of chip-based electronic music with live instruments. The recordings were fairly lo-fi and the tone was nothing special, but the band had put out the blueprint for countless other bands to follow in their footsteps.

In 2005 they released Brass, featuring re-recordings of some of their older arrangements (Castlevania, Mega Man 2) as well as a few new additions. (Super Mario Bros. 2, Punch-Out, Kid Icarus). The quality of the recordings easily eclipse their early material while retaining their lo-fi feel. The Contra jungle theme has an excellent groove to it while the Ikari Warriors level music is fiery and intense. The Metroid medley which acts as album closer is both eerie and grandiose.

Anyone interested in video game cover music would be well-served to give the Minibosses, and Brass in particular, a listen. They’re a fine example of a live band doing NES music justice.

*Nintendo Entertainment System – the original “Nintendo” from 1985.