'80s Arcade Action Games Get Live Metal Tribute With Defenders of the City

Southern California's favorite VGM heavy metal band Super MadNES strikes back with 14-track '80s action arcade tribute covering TMNT, Robocop, Double Dragon, and Ninja Gaiden

SEATTLE - May 2, 2025 - Game music heavy metal band Super MadNES is thrilled to release their fourth studio album, Defenders of the City, an explosive tribute to '80s arcade action games and Judas Priest-style heavy metal. Continuing their tradition of cleverly themed albums, Defenders of the City pays tribute to classic arcade heroes from TMNT, Robocop, Double Dragon, and Ninja Gaiden, putting listeners back into the shoes of iconic defenders Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, Robocop, Billy, Jimmy Ryu Hayabusa, and Robocop. Inspiration is drawn from the likes of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Rainbow, and Accept. While console versions of these games have enjoyed many arrangements over the years, Super MadNES takes great pleasure in covering these amazing-yet-neglected arcade soundtracks. Defenders of the City has enjoyed two single releases with a music video to "Fire!" below. The album is available on digital and streaming as well as CD and cassette tape. Physical items can be bundled with Super MadNES shirts on Bandcamp. Defenders of the City is available today:


Defenders of the City Digital, CDs, Tapes, and Shirts on Bandcamp


“Defenders of the City is our ultimate tribute to classic heavy metal music and '80s retro videogames," notes Super MadNES's arranger and drummer, Nico Saavedra. "We believe this material and release to be the most representative of Super MadNES as a band, as a live act, and as an entity showcasing the energy and passion we have towards Judas Priest-style heavy metal and '80s arcade retro gaming.”


The full track list for Defenders of the City is as follows:

 

1. Shadow Solider (Ninja Gaiden Arcade)
2. Chasing Him Until the End (Ninja Gaiden Arcade)
3. The Last Fight (Ninja Gaiden Arcade)
4. Prime Directives (Robocop Arcade)
5. The Future of Law Enforcement (Robocop Arcade)
6. Part Man, Part Machine, All Cop (Robocop Arcade)
7. Cleopatra's Theme (Double Dragon III Arcade)
8. Streets of U.S.A. (Double Dragon III Arcade)
9. Cursed Magic (Double Dragon III Arcade)
10. Double Dragon + The City Slums (Double Dragon Arcade)
11. TMNT Theme (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade)
12. Fire! (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade)
13. The Technodrome (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade)
14. Shredder + NES Theme (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade)

Produced, Arranged, and Mixed by: Nico Saavedra
Mastered by: Grant Henry
Artwork by: Ben Hosac
 

 

About Super MadNES

Super MadNES is a Los Angeles-based live tribute band covering retro videogames and traditional '80s heavy metal music. They're known for creating riff-oriented guitar and synth arrangements to classic NES, SNES, and arcade soundtracks. 

Since 2016, the band has released four full-length albums, built a strong following, toured throughout several states in the US, received press praise by major renowned music magazines, newspapers, and sites such as Decibel Magazine, GameSpot, Los Angeles Daily News, OC Weekly, and performed at major gaming events such as MAGFest, Anime Expo, Game On Expo, BitGen Gamer Fest, MAGWest, Retro City Festival, Replay FX, Classic Games Fest, and California Extreme. 

The band continues to grow in popularity and has enjoyed a successful run of headlining shows including this Sunday, May 4th in Los Angeles, CA at their “Defenders Album Release Show” being held at Harvard & Stone. They cover classic videogames including Castlevania III, Batman NES, Robocop, TMNT, Double Dragon, Ninja Gaiden, and Mega Man X along with an action-fueled pixelated visual show. 

Learn more: https://www.supermadnes.com
Follow Super MadNES on Instagram
 

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