Loz

Loz is the professional name associated here with Koji Kondo, a composer born in Osaka, Japan. He develops an early interest in music, spending time as a child humming tunes and making short melodies, then begins working towards a career in music at 17 while studying largely in his spare time and holding a part-time job.

Work with Nintendo

He notices a newspaper advertisement from Nintendo seeking composers for game music and takes up the opportunity. He becomes closely associated with the company and remains there as game sound technology develops from the limitations of Famicom-era 8-bit sound, where he works within three available instrument channels, to later CD-quality audio.

Style and influences

Kondo’s music is described as rooted in classical composition with strong jazz influences. As a child, he admires the composer of The Pink Panther. His work is noted for simple, memorable melodies that are designed to stay in the listener’s mind.

Selected game music credits

His credits include music for Super Mario Bros., Soccer, Kung Fu, and Family BASIC in 1985; The Legend of Zelda and Nazo no Murasamejoh in 1986; Ice Hockey in 1988; The Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Super Mario USA (also known as Super Mario Bros. 2), and Super Mario Bros 3 in 1988; Super Mario World and PilotWings in 1990; The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past in 1991; and Super Mario Kart with Soyo Oka and Taro Bando in 1992.

He also works on The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening in 1993; StarFox with Hajime Wakai in 1993; Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island in 1995; Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars with Nobuo Uematsu and Yoko Shimomura in 1996; Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble in 1996; Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64 in 1996; StarFox 64 also known as Lylat Wars, with Hajime Wakai in 1997; The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in 1998; Super Smash Bros. with several others in 1999; The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask in 2000; Mario Tennis in 2000; Wave Race: Bluestorm in 2001; Star Fox Adventures in 2002; Super Mario Sunshine in 2002; Super Smash Bros. Melee with several others in 2002; and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker in 2003.