The Ongaku

SQ Chips boots up an assortment of chiptune game arrangements

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SQ Chips boots up an assortment of chiptune game arrangements
Part of Square Enix's "SQ" series of arrangement albums, the SQ Chips compilation introduces and assortment of lo-fi electronic renditions of role-playing game themes, harkening back to the era of 8-bit and 16-bit game consoles. First published in September of 2011, the compact disc release is available for purchase domestically through CDJapan.

The participation of high profile game composers is represented on several tracks in SQ Chips. Music from the compilation includes "Blinded by Light" (Final Fantasy XIII) arranged by Hidekazu Tanaka of Monaca, "Near the Water" (Final Fantasy XII) remixed by Mitsuto Suzuki, and "Skullpion" (Brave Fencer Musashi) reinterpreted by Yasuhiro Yamanaka. Also participating are popular chiptune musicians known for performing game-inspired songs at Tokyo music venues.

DJ OMKT & MJ cover the main theme and "Character Medley" from Chrono Trigger. Hige Driver arranges "Battle 2" from Final Fantasy III and a medley of themes from Final Fantasy Legend II. Sexy-Synthesizer arranges multiple music tracks: "Shevat, the Wind is Calling" from Xenogears, "Meridian Festival" from Secret of Mana, "Final Battle" from Adventure of Mana and an ending medley from the Super Famicom Final Fantasy trilogy.

Novoiski & DJ OMKT Novoiski & DJ OMKT ~ Chrono Trigger "Medley" SQ Party Level 3 at Studio 2.5D

Hige Driver Hige Driver ~ SaGa 2 "Medley" SQ Party Level 3 at Studio 2.5D

An SQ Chips crossfade trailer can be viewed on Youtube, courtesy of the publisher. The digital release is streaming on Apple Music.


From the product page:
Timeless classics given the chiptune treatment! Titles from the FINAL FANTASY and Mana series are represented, as well as hit games like Xenogears and Chrono Trigger.
Apple Music - SQ Chips (Digital) / SQ Music Collections

CDJapan - SQ Chips CD