Koji Kondo, the renowned composer and sound director behind some of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises, will be inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) Hall of Fame at the 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards ceremony. The event takes place on February 15th, 2024, at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas and will be livestreamed by IGN at 8:00 PM PT.
As shown in the tweet from AIAS, Kondo is being honored. Kondo acknowledged the support of colleagues, fans, and customers who have contributed to his long and successful career in game music development.
“I am deeply thankful for being selected by D.I.C.E. for this important award. It is a true honor to be recognized in this way, and I am extremely humbled. Thanks to the help from the many people surrounding me and the support from our customers and fans, I was fortunate enough to be involved in game music development for decades. I am grateful for everyone who helped and supported me. I will continue my efforts in the music and sound aspects of development to hopefully make everyone’s game experience even more enjoyable in the years to come.”
Koji Kondo
Kondo’s career with Nintendo spans nearly four decades, beginning in 1984. He quickly established himself as a key figure in shaping the sonic identities of iconic titles like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, both for the Famicom and Nintendo Entertainment System. His instantly recognizable melodies and playful sound effects have become deeply ingrained in video game history and popular culture.
Beyond his early work, Kondo’s contributions extend to numerous other Nintendo classics, including The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario Sunshine, New Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Galaxy, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Super Mario 3D World, and most recently, Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Currently, he serves as Senior Officer of the Entertainment Planning & Development Division at Nintendo.
Kondo joins a prestigious group of game creators who have received the AIAS Hall of Fame distinction, including Tim Schafer, Ed Boon, Connie Booth, Bonnie Ross, Todd Howard, Hideo Kojima, and Tim Sweeney. His induction celebrates his enduring influence on the video game industry and the lasting impact of his music on players worldwide.
