KOJI KONDO / The Legend of Zelda: 25th Anniversary Symphony Soundtrack (2011)

The 25th Anniversary recording enabled Koji to present some of his most well-known themes played by a full symphonic orchestra. With such a huge library of music to draw from, it made sense to medley a large part of it, the majority of which comes from Ocarina of Time, and Twilight Princess. Sadly. the more sinister Majora's Mask is largely ignored. It ends with a track from Skyward Sword, the only Zelda game (to date) to feature an actual symphonic score in-game.
It's fun to hear familiar themes in a different form, but I still prefer the original recordings, they had a simplistic beauty that gets occasionally smothered by the grandeur of a large scale orchestra.

Songs of Note: Gerudo Valley; The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Medley

4 harp strings and heart strings plucked out of 5

KOJI KONDO / The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Original Soundtrack (2000)

Like the previous game soundtrack, Ocarina of Time (1998), the music of Majora's Mask was reliant on the N64's limited sound capabilities, but Koji once again managed to tease out some beautifully haunting themes that perfectly capture the environments they were designed to represent. It's possible the limitations actually worked in his favour, forcing him to be extra creative.
There are also familiar themes presented differently, reflecting the darker nature of the game. Its simplistic beauty is something that is fading from today's games.

Songs of Note: Chamber of Voices; Freed Souls

5 events undone out of 5

KOJI KONDO / The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Original Soundtrack (1998)

Musical score from the N64 game. If you've played LoZ: OoT, then you'll probably already be in love with much of its music. Hearing it again will flood you with memories of characters and locations, and make your hands itch to pick up a controller. The music was reliant on the N64's limited sound capabilities, so some concessions had to be made. It's not orchestral CD quality, it's MIDI files that to some ears may sound flat by today's standards. Nevertheless, Koji's skill produced audio that's bursting with emotion, danger, pastoral beauty and unbridled fun. It's not an exaggeration to say that I absolutely adore it.
If you've not played the game, should you care? Probably not. Shame on you.~

Songs of Note: Hyrule Field Main Theme; Lost Woods

5 stories of heart and courage out of 5