Two chess instruction games are on the way from Ubisoft - a mobile version for the Nintendo DS and a PC version.
Chessmaster: The Art of Learning for the DS and Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition for the PC are scheduled for an October release.
"Barkley Gaiden co-creator Eric “CBoyardee” Schumaker called the title theme of The Chessmaster “the song that legitimized chess.” Laser Time Podcast referred to it as “the soundtrack to a vaudevillian ******ed character in a cartoon walking slowly down to the bus stop.” In other words, it’s the greatest videogame song of all time.
Join VGdrum The Chessmaster as he makes his triumphant return to YouTube with a videogame music drum cover of the bass-heavy title theme from The Chessmaster, one of the finest Super Nintendo tunes in existence." - Pixelitis Staff
As a fan of videogame music, Pixelitis’ Patrick Kulikowski is well versed in the different emotions that can come from a simple arrangement of beeps and boops. So when he started assaulting Andrew Martins and Lowell Bell with the musical stylings of Chessmaster for the Super Nintendo, there were mixed reactions of mild amusement and utter disdain.
However, with Lowell finally taking the time to leave his igloo in the frozen wilds of Calgary, the trio made it a news-filled affair, with over an hour of audio goodness. Everything from the next PlayStation controller to Bungie’s Destiny was up for discussion.
So what are you waiting for? Go wrestle a bear, throw on a hockey jersey and take a shot of maple syrup in honor of our bearded Canuck. Oh, and be sure to hit the play button below and/or subscribe to us on iTunes. We’re on Stitcher Radio, too.
(Editor’s note: From Drakkhen to Paperboy, everyone’s got at least one videogame tune stuck in their heads. Enter Liner Notes: a Pixelitis feature in which our writers discuss their favorite videogame music.)
"Don’t worry. I haven’t gone off my rocker and decided to dedicate a feature to fishing game soundtracks. Rather, I’d like to delve into a phenomenon known as the SNES bass.
Much like how Konami’s sound team had its own signature “orchestral hit” in its early 90s videogame music, several composers utilized a slap bass sound that’s become synonymous with the sounds of early 90s SNES titles.
The slap bass sample in question is taken from a Korg M1, the same keyboard used for the theme to Seinfeld composed by Jonathan Wolff. Oftentimes, detractors (read: 90s Sega kids) will use these instances of bass guitar as a source of derision for the SNES’ sound chip. Indeed, the bass sample is an acquired taste. Some may dismiss it as laughably cheesy, and it very well may be in some cases, but that’s not to say that the sample can’t be found in some fantastic videogame tunes.
So bear with me. I’m going to make a case for the SNES bass."
- Patrick Kulikowski
