Why We Need More Soundfont Music

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Alright, so here’s another super underrated corner of music that I think deserves way more love: soundfont music.

If you’re not familiar, soundfont music is when someone takes the soundfont—basically the instrument set—of a video game (or other media), and then recreates a song in that style. It’s like taking a regular track, converting it into MIDI, and then making it sound as if it came straight out of, say, Pokémon, Undertale, or Super Mario 64. Suddenly, it’s like your favorite song just got added to a whole new soundtrack.

And honestly, this stuff is amazing. There’s something so fun about hearing a song you already know but reimagined through the lens of a totally different world. It’s creative, it’s nerdy in the best way possible, and it always makes me go, “Dang, this works way too well.”

The crazy thing is, soundfont covers are even less mainstream than 8-bit renditions. You really have to dig to find them, and that’s a shame. Because when done right, they can completely flip how you think about both the original song and the game it’s being styled after.

So yeah, I’m putting it out there: we need more soundfont covers. A lot more. Let’s get this niche art form into the spotlight where it belongs.

Jaime is an aspiring writer, recently published author, and scientist with a deep passion for storytelling and creative expression. With a background in science and data, he is actively pursuing certifications to further his science and data career. In addition to his scientific and data pursuits, he has a strong interest in literature, art, music, and a variety of academic fields. Currently working on a new book, Jaime is dedicated to advancing their writing while exploring the intersection of creativity and science. Jaime is always striving to continue to expand his knowledge and skills across diverse areas of interest.

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