Koji Kondo, renowned composer for The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros. franchises, is set to join the elite roster of inductees at the Academy of Interactvie Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame at the upcoming D.I.C.E. Awards.

At the ceremony on Thursday, February 15, at 8 p.m. PT/11 p.m. ET in Las Vegas, Nevada, Kondo will be presented with this prestigious award, an event that will be a testament to his outstanding contribution to the gaming world.

“I am deeply thankful for being selected by D.I.C.E. for this important award,” Kondo expressed in a press release, “It is a true honor to be recognized this way, and I am extremely humbled. Thanks to the help from the many people surrounding me and the support from our customers and fans, I was fortunate enough to be involved in game music development for decades. I am grateful for everyone who helped and supported me.”

Following this induction, Kondo remains dedicated to enhancing the gaming experience for gamers by continuing his work in music and sound aspects of game development.

Praising Kondo’s contribution, Meggan Scavio, president of AIAS, expressed that his musical work is timeless and impactful, captivating multiple generations of fans worldwide.

Regarded as a pop culture phenomenon, Kondo has been delighting industry fans for over 39 years with his recognizable sounds and songs.

Koji Kondo, who was born on August 13, 1961, in Nagoya-City, Aichi-prefecture, Japan, joined Nintendo in April 1984 after graduating from Osaka University of Arts. His roles at Nintendo included sound programming, music, and sound effects for the company’s biggest franchises, Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.

Throughout his illustrious career, Kondo has composed music for several iconic titles including The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario Sunshine, New Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Galaxy, and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, among others. At present, he serves as the senior officer of Nintendo’s entertainment planning and development division.

This prestigious recognition will place Koji Kondo alongside other industry luminaries such as Ed Boon, Tim Schafer, and Hideo Kojima, to name a few.

For a deep dive into the world of the celebrated composer and his music, readers can check out Game Informer’s interview with Koji Kondo from last year, and explore the upcoming Legend of Zelda orchestral concert that Nintendo plans to upload to YouTube next month. Also, Game Informer’s review of Super Mario Bros. Wonder offers further insight into his masterful compositions.

What’s your favorite Koji Kondo song? Let us know in the comments below!