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Nintendo Music Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Concept Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Austin, TX · On-site

$125K - $144K/yr

Access to Nintendo discounts RETRO STUDIOS: Founded in 1998, Retro Studios is a wholly owned ... Our home base is Austin, Texas, a vibrant city known for its creative energy, live music, stunning ...

Working hand-in-hand with Nintendo, we craft award-winning titles for the company's cutting-edge ... Our home base is Austin, Texas, a vibrant city known for its creative energy, live music, stunning ...

New

Concept Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Austin, TX · On-site

$125K - $144K/yr

Access to Nintendo discounts RETRO STUDIOS: Founded in 1998, Retro Studios is a wholly owned ... Our home base is Austin, Texas, a vibrant city known for its creative energy, live music, stunning ...

Graphics Engineer (Retro Studios)

Austin, TX

$138K - $171K/yr

Working hand-in-hand with Nintendo, we craft award-winning titles for the company's cutting-edge ... Our home base is Austin, Texas, a vibrant city known for its creative energy, live music, stunning ...

Working hand-in-hand with Nintendo, we craft award-winning titles for the company's cutting-edge ... Our home base is Austin, Texas, a vibrant city known for its creative energy, live music, stunning ...

Graphics Engineer (Retro Studios)

Austin, TX · On-site

$138K - $171K/yr

Working hand-in-hand with Nintendo, we craft award-winning titles for the company's cutting-edge ... Our home base is Austin, Texas, a vibrant city known for its creative energy, live music, stunning ...

Working hand-in-hand with Nintendo, we craft award-winning titles for the company's cutting-edge ... Our home base is Austin, Texas, a vibrant city known for its creative energy, live music, stunning ...

Working hand-in-hand with Nintendo, we craft award-winning titles for the company's cutting-edge ... Our home base is Austin, Texas, a vibrant city known for its creative energy, live music, stunning ...

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Showing results 1-20

Nintendo Music information

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How much do nintendo music jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for nintendo music in the United States is $21.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $23.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Video Game Music Composer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Video Game Music Composer, you need a solid background in music theory, composition, and audio production, often supported by a degree in music or sound design. Familiarity with digital audio workstations (DAWs), music notation software, and middleware like FMOD or Wwise is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and strong collaboration skills help composers stand out when working with development teams and adapting to a game's evolving needs. These abilities ensure that the music enhances gameplay, strengthens emotional impact, and aligns with the overall vision of the project.

What is Nintendo music?

Nintendo music refers to the soundtracks and musical compositions featured in video games developed or published by Nintendo. These include iconic themes from franchises like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Pokémon. Nintendo music is known for its memorable melodies, creative use of limited hardware, and influence on video game culture. Composers such as Koji Kondo and Junichi Masuda have contributed to its enduring popularity, with many tracks being remixed, performed in concerts, and cherished by fans worldwide.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working on music composition for Nintendo games?

Professionals creating music for Nintendo games often face the challenge of balancing creativity with strict technical limitations, such as file size and hardware capabilities, especially for legacy systems. Additionally, they must ensure that their compositions enhance gameplay without distracting players and can adapt seamlessly to interactive elements within the game. Collaboration is key, as music teams frequently work closely with game designers, sound engineers, and producers to align the soundtrack with the game's atmosphere and narrative. Meeting tight production deadlines and incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders are also common aspects of the role.

What is the difference between Nintendo Music vs Video Game Composer?

AspectNintendo MusicVideo Game Composer
CredentialsOften requires music production skills, experience with Nintendo platforms, and sometimes formal music educationRequires music composition skills, formal music education, and experience in game scoring
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with Nintendo development teams, works in studios or remote settingsWorks independently or with game studios, often in studio or freelance settings
Industry UsageSpecific to Nintendo titles and franchisesApplicable across various gaming companies and projects

Nintendo Music typically refers to the specific soundtracks created for Nintendo games, often involving in-house or specialized composers familiar with Nintendo's style. Video Game Composers have broader roles across multiple platforms and companies, focusing on creating music for various games. While both roles require strong musical skills and knowledge of game development, Nintendo Music is more specialized within Nintendo's ecosystem, whereas Video Game Composers work across the industry.

Infographic showing various Nintendo Music job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,983 per year, or $21.6 per hour.
CONTRACT - Associate Game Designer (NST)

CONTRACT - Associate Game Designer (NST)

Nintendo

Redmond, WA • On-site, Remote

Other

Posted 9 hours ago


Nintendo rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

93rd of 186 rated software companies


Job description

Nintendo Software Technology Corporation
 
Nintendo Software Technology Corporation, based in Redmond, Washington , is a wholly owned subsidiary of the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of video games, Nintendo Co., Ltd., headquartered in Kyoto, Japan.  Nintendo Software Technology's mission is to design, develop and deliver the very best video games. We conduct research, use state-of-the-art equipment and review methods of operation so that we may continually improve the quality of the games that we produce. Each person employed at Nintendo Software Technology Corporation is a valued team member and is encouraged to participate in our efforts to create the highest quality games. 

Nintendo is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment in service to one another, our products, the diverse consumers we represent, and the communities we call home. We do all of this with kindness, empathy and respect for each other.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Nintendo Software Technology is a tight-knit game development studio located in Redmond, WA. As part of the Nintendo family, we're passionate about creating games designed to surprise and delight our customers. 

As a Designer, you will have a desire to contribute and implement, play-test, and refine game design features, with consideration to gameplay. Proven experience with level design for gameplay is needed. If this sounds like you, we would love to see your resume

  • Implements design specifications into playable prototypes using various software tools.
  • Able to quickly revise implementation based on changes required to continue iterating on design concepts.
  • Assists in designing prototypes to iterate concepts into a more complete idea.
  • Assists and maintains game play mechanics within a game.
  • Creates areas of a user-interface design and maintains assigned product localization with the direction of senior designers and above.
  • Communicates ideas with various product development personnel to solicit feedback and ensure support during product development.
  • Within a team, provides input into defining creative vision and technical specifications for assigned project.
  • Writes and maintains assigned design documentation
  • Works closely with senior designers and above to attain constructive feedback and direction.
  • Applies professional expertise to review, analyze and test products under development as a contributing member of a production team to ensure delivery of Nintendo's high standard of quality and timeliness.

SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS

  • 0-2 years of level design for video games or relevant experience. 
  • Understanding of interactive software methodologies, production pipelines and Nintendo quality standards.
  • Proven proficiency with commercial 2D/3D game editor. (E.g. Unity, Unreal, etc.)
  • Basic PC skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Undergraduate degree in Game Design, Computer Science or equivalent
  • Studies in music, art, films, television / broadcasting, and multimedia a plus.

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be considered. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

This position is hybrid in Redmond, WA. Hybrid positions require regular onsite work following the schedule and guidelines for their division. This position is not open to fully remote status at this time.