The release of ActRaiser by Quintet and published by Enix in 1990 marked a pivotal moment in video game history, particularly in the realm of sound design.
Debuting on the Super Famicom (known internationally as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System), ActRaiser stood out for its innovative blend of action-platforming and god simulation—a formula that would later earn it a devoted following and, decades afterward, a Nintendo Switch remake.
However, it’s the title’s exceptional music, crafted by Yuzo Koshiro, that continues to resonate deeply within the industry. Even among giants of video game music, ActRaiser’s soundtrack commands respect.
Nobuo Uematsu, one of the most lauded composers in the gaming world and best known for his iconic work on the Final Fantasy series, candidly acknowledged the profound impact of ActRaiser’s audio craftsmanship during a 2010 interview.
As he reflected on the launch period following the Super Famicom’s debut, Uematsu recalled the immediate comparison between ActRaiser’s audio achievements and his near-completed work on Final Fantasy IV: "In terms of audio quality, ActRaiser’s sound design truly set a new benchmark that we felt unable to match,” he remarked, recalling his reaction alongside sound programmers at Square.
Uematsu went on to share how the team, upon hearing Koshiro’s work, experienced a moment of awe that prompted them to revisit and overhaul much of Final Fantasy IV’s sound direction.
Despite their efforts, he noted, the final output still felt inferior to ActRaiser, which he described as a title that excelled exceptionally in its sound design. This acknowledgment from Uematsu provides a remarkable example of professional humility and underlines ActRaiser’s influence on peers—even those recognized as pioneers themselves.
Further illustrating this admiration, Yuzo Koshiro recounted in a 2019 Red Bull Music Academy interview an anecdote about Uematsu growing a beard during this period as a lighthearted gesture reflecting his determination to meet ActRaiser’s high audio standards.
Koshiro humorously explained that Uematsu pledged not to shave until he could produce sounds matching ActRaiser’s, a vow that inadvertently led to the composer's now-trademark facial hair. Over three decades later, ActRaiser’s original soundtrack remains a high-water mark for the industry, frequently cited in retrospectives about innovative Nintendo projects and celebrated during events such as Nintendo Direct showcases.
It also paved the way for more ambitious, orchestral scores throughout the SNES and Nintendo Switch eras.
The mutual respect and motivation shared between Koshiro and Uematsu continue to inspire new generations of game composers, further establishing ActRaiser’s legacy within both Nintendo’s storied history and the broader game development community.
Debuting on the Super Famicom (known internationally as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System), ActRaiser stood out for its innovative blend of action-platforming and god simulation—a formula that would later earn it a devoted following and, decades afterward, a Nintendo Switch remake.
However, it’s the title’s exceptional music, crafted by Yuzo Koshiro, that continues to resonate deeply within the industry. Even among giants of video game music, ActRaiser’s soundtrack commands respect.
Nobuo Uematsu, one of the most lauded composers in the gaming world and best known for his iconic work on the Final Fantasy series, candidly acknowledged the profound impact of ActRaiser’s audio craftsmanship during a 2010 interview.
As he reflected on the launch period following the Super Famicom’s debut, Uematsu recalled the immediate comparison between ActRaiser’s audio achievements and his near-completed work on Final Fantasy IV: "In terms of audio quality, ActRaiser’s sound design truly set a new benchmark that we felt unable to match,” he remarked, recalling his reaction alongside sound programmers at Square.
Uematsu went on to share how the team, upon hearing Koshiro’s work, experienced a moment of awe that prompted them to revisit and overhaul much of Final Fantasy IV’s sound direction.
Despite their efforts, he noted, the final output still felt inferior to ActRaiser, which he described as a title that excelled exceptionally in its sound design. This acknowledgment from Uematsu provides a remarkable example of professional humility and underlines ActRaiser’s influence on peers—even those recognized as pioneers themselves.
Further illustrating this admiration, Yuzo Koshiro recounted in a 2019 Red Bull Music Academy interview an anecdote about Uematsu growing a beard during this period as a lighthearted gesture reflecting his determination to meet ActRaiser’s high audio standards.
Koshiro humorously explained that Uematsu pledged not to shave until he could produce sounds matching ActRaiser’s, a vow that inadvertently led to the composer's now-trademark facial hair. Over three decades later, ActRaiser’s original soundtrack remains a high-water mark for the industry, frequently cited in retrospectives about innovative Nintendo projects and celebrated during events such as Nintendo Direct showcases.
It also paved the way for more ambitious, orchestral scores throughout the SNES and Nintendo Switch eras.
The mutual respect and motivation shared between Koshiro and Uematsu continue to inspire new generations of game composers, further establishing ActRaiser’s legacy within both Nintendo’s storied history and the broader game development community.
