Mahito Yokota

Infobox musical artist
Name=Mahito Yokota


Img_capt= Yokota in 2007
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Occupation=Musician, composer
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Label= Nintendo, Koei
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Mahito Yokota is a Japanese composer of video game music. Yokota is most known for being in charge of the composition for "" and his collaboration with Koji Kondo for the "Super Mario Galaxy" soundtrack. [cite web | author= | date= | url=http://www.music4games.net/Features_Display.aspx?id=186 | title=Music4Games Interview with Koji Kondo and Mahito Yokota | publisher=Music4Games | accessdate=2008-03-11]

During development, Mahito Yokota, who was in charge of the composition of music, originally wanted "Galaxy" to have a Latin style of music and even had 28 tracks completed for the game. The reason for this was in previous Mario games, Latin percussion instruments were used, such as steelpans, bongo drums, and congas. For "Galaxy"'s theme, Yokota used Latin instruments and a synthesizer to create sci-fi sounds. The song was approved by Yoshiaki Koizumi, the game's designer, but when he presented it to Koji Kondo, Kondo told him that his song was no good. Three months later, Yokota presented three different styles of music to Shigeru Miyamoto. One piece had an orchestral sound, one was a mix of orchestral music and pop music, and the last was pop music. Miyamoto chose the orchestral piece, which was written by Koji Kondo. From then on, "Galaxy"'s soundtrack would be composed for a symphony.

"Super Mario Galaxy" went on to receive rave reviews and was rated the best video game of 2007 by various gaming sites. [cite web | author= | date= | url=http://www.music4games.net/Features_Display.aspx?id=187 | title=Music4Games Super Mario Galaxy Audio Journal | publisher=Music4Games | accessdate=2008-03-11]

Video game soundtracks

*"Kessen" (2000)
*"Kessen 2" (2001)
*"Crimson Sea" (2002)
*"Dynasty Warriors 4" (2003) (composed three pieces)
*"" (2004)
*"" (2006) (composed only the teaser music)
*"Super Mario Galaxy" (2007) (with Koji Kondo)

References

External links

* [http://www.squareenixmusic.com/composers/nintendo/yokota.shtml Square-Enix Music Online's Biography on Mahito Yokota]
* [http://www.music4games.net/Features_Display.aspx?id=186 Interview with Music4Games]