Orchestrated soundtrack confirmed for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Are we finally going to get an orchestrated soundtrack for a Zelda game? The answer to that question is a resounding yes.

At E3 2011, there were hints that Skyward Sword would be fully orchestrated, but Shigeru Miyamoto never provided an official confirmation. In the latest edition of Iwata Asks, however, not only does it reveal that Super Mario Galaxy composer Mahito Yokota is working on the soundtrack, but it also contains a nugget that Nintendo decided to include orchestrated music in Skyward Sword after E3.

Yokota: I’ve been steeped in The Legend of Zelda this past year.

Iwata: Stepped in Zelda?

Yokota: I only worked on The Legend of Zelda. Two games at the same time!

Iwata: Huh? Two at the same time? I didn’t know that!

Yokota: One was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and the other is The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

Iwata: After development of Super Mario Galaxy 2 ended?

Yokota: Yes. That’s about the time. At the E3 last year, when we were going to exhibit The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for the first time, we talked about using orchestral music. But (Shigeru) Miyamoto-san said it wasn’t necessary.

Iwata: We were going to have attendees of last year’s E3 try out the new game’s operability, so he said orchestral music wasn’t necessary right away.

Yokota: Right. Then, toward the end of summer break, they finally decided to put in orchestral music and I joined the development team.

Iwata: You’re sort of the orchestration director for the Legend of Zelda music, aren’t you?

Yokota: Yes. I was in charge of the orchestral songs for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess as well.