Video games have definitely come a long way and that’s evident by the success of Video Games Live. Starting over four years ago, Video Games Live has toured all over the world playing music from classic video games ranging from Mario, Medal of Honor and Tomb Raider. Now Video Games Live is getting a big push in the mainstream arena as a PBS special is scheduled to air later this summer.
Featuring music from Zelda, Halo, Final Fantasy and Castlevania, the Video Games Live special will be an absolute joy to watch if you enjoy video game music. Clocking in at 90-minutes, the show will feature never before televised performances which are enhanced by video footage from the various games.
Set to coincide with the airing of the PBS special is a Blu-ray/DVD of the program which includes interviews, documentaries and even commentary from the composers. But the VGL goodness doesn’t stop there as a CD will also be released featuring 16 tracks from the show. Both the Blu-ray/DVD and CD will be available exclusively via PBS until November 1, so I suggest everyone grab a copy before they’re sold out.
Having attended two Video Games Live concerts I’m extremely excited to see the special. The show is amazing and seeing an orchestra perform tunes from Sonic and God of War is simply delightful since it’s an entirely new experience. With a huge mainstream spotlight such as PBS it’s nice to see Video Games Live get even more recognition as it certainly deserves it.
The Video Games Live PBS special will begin airing on July 31 and air on PBS stations across North America throughout August 2010. If you live in the Bay Area or Northern California you’re lucky as PBS station KQED will air the VGL special on June 7th at 7:30pm.
