Metal Gear Solid Composer Releases Satoru Iwata Tribute Song

A musical duo including Metal Gear Solid composer Norihiko Hibino released a new tribute song to the late Nintendo president and CEO Satoru Iwata today. The composer pays tribute through a piano and saxophone medley inspired by Earthbound.

“The passing of Nintendo president and CEO Satoru Iwata had a profound effect on me," said Scarlet Moon Records producer Jayson Napolitano. "He wasn't simply some suit running a company, but was truly passionate about videogames, and knowing he was putting on a smile for all of us around the globe while he was most certainly suffering broke my heart.”

The tribute song is a cover of the Onett theme from Earthbound, known in Japan as Mother 2.

Hibino and pianist AYAKI, known in duet performances as Gentle Love, are selling the song for $1 to collect on Nintendo licensing fees and distribution. All additional proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society in Iwata’s memory. Iwata passed away on July 11, 2015 due to a growth in his bile duct. Iwata worked on the original Earthbound as a programmer before becoming president of HAL Laboratories and then president of Nintendo in 2002. You can read a comprehensive look back on his life and career here.