Hirohiko Takayama, game composer of Friday the 13th, Xexyz, and many other NES and Famicom titles, has honored NintendoPlayer.com with an exclusive interview just in time for Halloween.

Mr. Takayama, it is an honor to be able to speak with you. I am such a fan of your work. Thank you for agreeing to an interview.

Hi Michael. This is Hirohiko Takayama. Sorry for the late. And sorry, I think my english is not good.

What made you want to work in the video game industry, and how did you first start out composing game music?

Conscious of my first music at age 7. Music was the soundtrack of film and television and commercials. I was the child who heard a sound track. And I wanted to make film music in the future.

The reason that began work of game music is because I thought that there is not a difference in a game music and a film music.

What sort of equipment did you use to compose NES/Famicom soundtracks?

Instruments: SCI Prophet-5, YAMAHA DX7, Roland D-50 and more…

Computers: NEC PC9801, Roland MC-4, Roland MC-500

What was the most difficult thing about composing music for the NES/Famicom?

Many producers love game music. But I love film music.

Producers said "I want the game music!". I had a hard fight with that opinion every time.

How long did it typically take to compose an NES soundtrack like Friday the 13th?

I do not remember the events of very long ago. But I think probably about two to three days.

LJN, an American toy company, published Friday the 13th but they did not develop the game. I believe Pack-in-Video did? Do you remember the names of any of the people who worked on the game?

I do not remember that person. Developed company is the [Atlus]. Japanese company.
http://www.atlus.com/

What was it like working in Japan on NES games for an American company like LJN? Are there any funny or interesting stories or conflicts during the development of the LJN games (NFL Football, Gotcha!, The Karate Kid, Friday the 13th, etc.)?

I did not always have the consciousness that made game music. Because it was always an intention of film music. And, I do not conscious of a Japanese company or an American company.

If you could, please take me through a typical day working as a game composer back during the NES/Famicom days.

I don't remember. Sorry.

The game soundtrack to Friday the 13th is so moody and chilling. The melody that plays when you're inside of the cabins is one of the most haunting tracks on the NES. I credit your music for making that game so scary (it's the only NES game that has ever made me jump out of my chair)! Did you draw from any influences while composing the music for the game?

My favorite film music composers are Nino Rota, Ennio Morricone, Burt Bacharach, Francis Ray, Bernard Herrmann [Psycho composer for Alfred Hitchcock], Ryuichi Sakamoto. I think maybe I received influence from them.

I personally love Friday the 13th because it's so unique, but many people criticize the game for its difficulty and repetitiveness. How would you respond to the criticism and what is your opinion of the game?

I don't have any opinions.

You composed the music for Ghostbusters II on the Game Boy (a game very similar to New Ghostbusters II on the Famicom and the NES in Europe). It must have been fun remixing the famous theme song by Ray Parker Jr. What was it like working on that game? Were you a fan of the Ghostbusters?

I used to that theme music, because I received permission to use to theme music. I don't have any fondness for him and the movie.

I would get in trouble for not asking about your work on Xexyz after helping to create a tribute to the game. I absolutely love the music in Xexyz. How did you go about creating the soundtrack?

Until then, I preferred to use a taste of jazz and classical. However, I adopted a taste of rock for Xexyz.

You also worked on Sunman, which was once supposed to be a Superman game, for Sunsoft. What was that experience like? Do you know if there was any reason why the game was cancelled?

I don't know anything about the history has been canceled. I forgot what music. But I remember that was house music. Kenji Eno [best known for the survival horror series D] is the producer of this game.

Have you ever seen the hidden message before in the Famicom game, Erika to Satoru no Yume Bouken? Some of the music appears to be taken from the karate tournament level in The Karate Kid, another LJN game that you worked on. Your name is mentioned. Do you know the story behind this hidden in-game message? I believe the person who programmed it is named Hidemushi.

[A little background: A disgruntled programmer wrote a nasty series of rants inside of the game in which he goes after his fellow employees, accusing of them of such thing as sleeping with six men and then coming into work without showering; visiting Soap Lands; and having a larger collection of pornography than he does.]

I knew this message when many years after the sale of this game. I saw the message, however, I don't know other information.

What is the one NES/Famicom soundtrack you worked on that you're most proud of?

Panic Restaurant.

What is your favorite NES/Famicom soundtrack besides the ones that you have worked on?

I'm not interested in the game. I almost do not play games. So I do not remember.

Have you ever gone back and recorded your game music using real instruments?

I played the "theme of the bistro" (Erika to satoru no yumebouken) with my friend's Jazz band.
Maybe, theme of Xexyz and theme of Friday the 13th will be included in my next solo album.

Do you still compose game music for a living? What are your current music projects?

I have not make a game music right now. Now I'm making music for TV commercial, Video, WebSite and more. And, making my solo album.

http://itunes.apple.com/artist/hirohiko-takayama/id327534183

Official Website : http://www.aonmusic.com
Twitter : http://twitter.com/hirotkym