Video Games Live composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall

live on stage. The hall opened at 7pm sharp for some pre-game fun including a Guitar Hero tournament, entering a draw to win a Nintendo DSi, and time to take photos with cosplayers.

The event opened with the cosplay contest won by Mario and some humorous video clips. Tommy Tallarico, director of Video Games Live came out to give a brief intro to how it all began saying that when he first mentioned the idea of composing video game music live on stage everyone

Talented video games pianist Martin Leung

thought he “was completely crazy”. However, this turned out to be quite contrary and the show has been a huge success since its debut in 2005.

Tommy Tallarico got video game creator Ralph Baer via Skype to talk to the audience and share some thoughts. Footage from Baer’s groundbreaking development, Pong was played on screen. Baer created Pong back in 1969, which led to the birth of one of the world’s leading industries in entertainment and culture.

The orchestra directed by Jack Wall opened with music from all-time favorite Metal Gear Solid with some live action to go with it. The famous Snake hideout – a cardboard box appeared on stage and shortly after popped out the talented pianist Martin Leung. Other segments included music from

Adorable Laura Intravia plays the flute as Link

Kingdom Hearts, Shadow of the Colossus, the Super Mario Series, Final Fantasy and Halo. Two new segments played for the first time making their breakthrough in New York were Mega Man and Chrono Trigger/Cross.

Let’s not forget the Legend of Zelda segment where gifted, beautiful, and even funny Laura Intravia came on to the stage as Link with fairy companion Navi. Intravia opened the Zelda segment playing the flute with

My Katamari Cousin Daisy Cosplay

well-known tunes from the game. Leung came back to give us more Mario and even played requests shouted from the audience right on the fly. Tallarico jammed on his guitar as Guitar Hero tournament champ awed us with a fascinating level expert performance on the big screen.

Video Games Live overall was a wonderful experience for me. I had a lot of fun, and got to re-live some of the most unforgettable moments from my favorite games. I recommend everyone to go sometime, as Tallarico put it best – there’s a lot more to video game music than just “bleeps and bloops”.

Michelle Perl as Samus Aran

Check out videos of Video Games Live in New York @YouTube

Me & My Katamari Screenshot

Me & My Katamari introduces an array of new features (at least compared to the original Katamari Damacy), such as allowing the gamer the choice of picking different cousins to roll the Katamari and accessorizing them to personal choice. Even better, snapshots can be taken in some areas to capture the moment. The soundtrack consists of those from the previous titles, bringing a sense of nostalgia. However, the player can choose what tune plays before they enter a level.

Unlike the first Katamari Damacy (I say first because Me & My Katamari is also referred to as Katamari Damacy on its official site http://www.katamariforever.com/ ) where the prince is assigned to rebuild the stars in the sky, his duty is now to rebuild islands for animals. The game also has more levels than the first Damacy. The graphics are great, note I am speaking for the flavor of the Katamari series. It just wouldn’t be Katamari if we load the game with uber detail and it’s box-i-ness makes it what it is. The environments are colorful and the game has great replay value. You owe it to yourself to try this title out. Whether or not you have played Katamari before, although for those who have you’ll appreciate the new editions, this game is fun, challenging yet not overwhelming, and great for anyone to get their hands dirty with. I’ll let you in on a little secret, the ending’s the best part.

The Breakdown:

Graphics – 4 out of 5

Replay Value – 5 out of 5

Story Line – 3 out of 5

Originality – 5 out of 5

Challenge – 3 out of 5

Music – 5 out of 5

Rating – 4.17 out 5