Thanks to the widespread popularity of companies like Sony and Nintendo, video games have become closely associated with Japan’s national identity. During the opening ceremony and Parade of Nations at the Tokyo Olympics, a playlist of classic video game music provided the backdrop for the procession.
Reported by Japanese news outlet NikkanSports, the ceremony showcased tracks from various games:
- Dragon Quest: ‘Introduction: Lotto Theme’
- Final Fantasy: ‘Victory Fanfare’
- Tales of Series: ‘Sley’s Theme – Guru’
- Monster Hunter: ‘Proof of Hero’
- Kingdom Hearts: ‘Olympus Coliseum’
- Chrono Trigger: ‘Frog Theme’
- Ace Combat: ‘First Flight’
- Tales of Series: ‘Royal Capital-Dignified’
- Monster Hunter: ‘Wind of Departure’
- Chrono Trigger: ‘Robo’s Theme’
- Sonic the Hedgehog: ‘Star Light Zone’
- Winning Eleven: ‘eFootball walk-on theme’
- Final Fantasy: ‘Main theme’
- Phantasy Star Universe: ‘Guardians’
- Kingdom Hearts: ‘Hero’s Fanfare’
- Gradius: ’01 ACT 1-1′
- NieR: ‘Song of the Ancients’
- Saga Series: ‘Makai Ginyu Poetry-Saga Series Medley 2016’
- Soul Calibur: ‘The Brave New Stage of History’
The incorporation of well-known titles like Final Fantasy and Sonic the Hedgehog was expected, along with the iconic Dragon Quest theme, a beloved RPG series in Japan. The playlist also included surprises such as NieR and Chrono Trigger.
Then the victory theme to Final Fantasy pic.com/v4JtskVcx8
— Stephen Stapczynski (@SStapczynski) July 23, 2021
Interestingly, it remains unclear who decided to incorporate this music, as both the event’s creative director and composer resigned recently for separate reasons. Despite the uncertainty, the decision to include video game music added a unique touch to the event, possibly as a spontaneous choice given the circumstances.