Radiohead’s OK Computer is widely regarded as one of the most influential and groundbreaking albums of the 1990s, blending rock, electronica, and dystopian themes into a sonic masterpiece. But what if the album was made entirely with sounds from a Nintendo 64 console?
That’s the question that a YouTuber named On4word asked himself, and decided to answer by creating OK Nintendo 64, a full N64 SoundFont reworking of Radiohead’s third album. Using sounds from various N64 games such as Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Goldeneye 007, and more, On4word recreated each track of OK Computer with remarkable accuracy and creativity.
The project took him about six months to complete, and he released it on his YouTube channel and Bandcamp page on June 13th, 2023. The album has received positive feedback from Radiohead fans and N64 enthusiasts alike, who praised On4word’s dedication and skill.
On4word explained that he used a software called Polyphone to create instruments using custom samples from N64 games. He then used FL Studio to arrange and mix the tracks, using MIDI files from the original songs as a reference. He also added some effects such as reverb and distortion to make the songs sound more realistic.
The result is a fascinating and nostalgic tribute to both Radiohead and N64, two icons of the late ’90s culture. On4word said that he chose OK Computer because it was his favorite Radiohead album, and that he wanted to challenge himself by using different games for each song. He also said that he was inspired by other YouTubers who made similar projects using SoundFonts.
OK Nintendo 64 is not On4word’s first attempt at reimagining Radiohead’s music with video game sounds. Earlier this year, he released In Rainbows Super Mario 64 Edition, which used sounds exclusively from Super Mario 64 to recreate Radiohead’s seventh album. He also made covers of other songs by artists such as Nine Inch Nails, Tame Impala, and Gorillaz using N64 sounds.
On4word said that he plans to continue making music with video game sounds, and that he has some ideas for future projects. He also said that he hopes that his work will inspire other people to be creative and have fun with music.
You can listen to OK Nintendo 64 on YouTube or download it for free (or pay what you want) on Bandcamp.
About the artist
On4word is a YouTuber and musician who makes music with video game sounds. He started his channel in 2019, and has since gained over 10,000 subscribers and over 1 million views. He is a fan of Radiohead, video games, and SoundFonts, and likes to combine them in his projects. He uses software such as Polyphone, FL Studio, Audacity, and Photoshop to create his music and videos. He lives in Canada and enjoys playing guitar, piano, drums, and bass.