Tenology: Weak Remixes from Super Smash Bros.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has taken up a lot of my time this month so I thought I'd better write a blog post about the music throughout the series. However, since I've already written about some of my favourite Smash Bros. remixes in the past, this blog post is dedicated to some of the less impressive tunes made specifically for games in the Super Smash Bros. series.
Yes, even though the majority of songs are great, there are a couple of tracks that either contain Axls or just completely get it wrong. I've also added a few tunes that might be good but could've been even better if they just changed a few things around, since there aren't a huge amount of terrible Smash Bros. tracks.


1. Tal Tal Heights - Legend Of Zelda (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)

This track probably should've been on Bridge Of Eldin but meh, Pirate Ship's fine I guess

I like the Tal Tal Heights theme but boy, was I disappointed with this remix. First of all, the synth and electronic sound effects make it sound like it belongs in Star Fox, not Legend Of Zelda. Second, the actual tune from Tal Tal Heights features in a very small portion of the actual track. Most of the melody is the standard Legend Of Zelda theme reworked and some jazzed up key changed bollocks. Overall, it's not a great tune for those who were looking forward to hearing a proper remix of Tal Tal Heights compared to the naff 8-bit original.


2. Main Theme (Metroid) - Metroid (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)

Easily the best Metroid stage in Smash...although Frigate Orpheon's good too

I've started this blog post off with some of the better bad remixes, if that makes sense. The Rock version of the Metroid theme contains a pretty sweet guitar solo, an appropriately used synth melody and a great arrangement throughout. However, there is one glaring Axl that prevents it from being a song I frequently listen to in-game; that cringe-worthy vocal intro. "SAMUS IS UNDER FIRE! SHE'S SENT AN EMERGENCY DIRECTIVE! JOIN THE FIGHT!". Oh man, it just sounds so out of place and unintentionally dorky. It ruins an otherwise awesome rerecording.


3. Magicant / Eight Melodies - Earthbound (Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U)

Still beats New Pork City!

I've never really cared for the Smash Bros. remixes of Earthbound music, although I've never given much time to the original music from Earthbound either. However, despite being a cute little stage, Magicant contains one of the more boring tracks to fight to in Smash Bros history. Smiles And Tears isn't that much better but this definitely feels like the less interesting track, especially when you consider that better remixes of Earthbound music to fight to DO exist! This stage needed a more upbeat track, similar to how Temple contained the spicy Fire Emblem tune as well as the slower Zelda one.


4. Flat Zone 2 - Mr. Game And Watch

Feed 'em to the lions!

The original Flat Zone melody from Super Smash Bros. Melee was kooky and neat for the odd stage but this shrill, awful attempt at using Game & Watch sounds to create a catchy melody is fucking terrible. You know how Mr. Game & Watch has that loud, annoying phone ringing noise as two taunts? Imagine that as a whole song but with some bland musical accompaniments thrown in too. Yeah, you're better off with the various Dr. Mario remixes here.


5. Rosalina In The Observatory / Luma's Theme - Mario

So many great tracks missing from this stage...

Ready to stop caring about what I have to say? Here goes: I don't like Mario music. The Ground Theme, the Underwater Theme, Super Mario World music, I don't like any of it. Consequently, I was really excited to hear great tunes from Super Mario Galaxy on this stage...until they ruined this one. I like the original versions of Rosalina In The Observatory from Super Mario Galaxy, even when they become grander and grander after obtaining more stars throughout the game. However, this remix sounds TOO grand and over the top. The use of brass for the main melody makes it sound like circus music rather than a cosmic waltz, although I can't fault them for trying to make the original music more appropriate for Smash Bros.


6. Pac-Man (Club Mix) - Pac-Man

Rest in Peace, Pac Maze

Just...why? Why does this tune exist? We already have a great Pac-Man remix, why does it need a Club Mix? OK, they needed two tunes for the Pac Maze stage in the 3DS Smash Bros but you had the Pac-Man's Park / Block Town tune that would've worked a hell of a lot better! Maybe they just wanted another melody that contained iconic tunes from the original Pac-Man but they could've done better than a shitty Club Mix, although perhaps I'm biased due to my musical taste.


7. Saria's Song / Middle Boss Battle - Legend Of Zelda

Another Zelda entry? Pfft, and I call myself a fan!

I've talked about how Smash Bros keeps awkwardly blending great tunes from The Legend Of Zelda with boss battle themes and it Never. Sounds. Good. Song Of Storms was great until Ganondorf's Theme was shoehorned in, Ballad Of The Goddess was awesome until Ghirahim's Theme was pointlessly crammed in and now Saria's Song, a lovely tune that sounds pretty naff in this remix alone, has been tainted by the synthy mess of the Middle Boss Battle theme from Ocarina Of Time. Just a truly shit piece of music.


8. Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! Medley - Freakyforms

Rest in Piss, Miiverse

There are some great little Nintendo titles to pick music from (still waiting for some Professor Layton tunes, even if Nintendo don't necessarily own the rights to a game that has only ever appeared on Nintendo consoles) but this definitely isn't one of them. It sounds like a worse version of the music from Tearaway but at least it improves a little once the guitars come in. It's just a shame that to get there, you have to listen to plinky plonky noise totally out of place on a Smash Bros fighting stage.


9. Main Theme (New Super Mario Bros.) - Mario

Yup, new Mario Bros music fucking sucks

Remember earlier on when I talked about how much I hate music from Mario Bros platformers? Yeah, this is a good example of why. Ignoring the silly sound effects and boring instrumentation, the thing I hate most about the music in New Super Mario Bros. (and other variants) is the "BA-BAAA" vocals throughout. A bunch of original Mario tracks in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U contain these annoying little vocal "BA"s and I fucking hate them. I don't know why, I just can't stand them and hate the songs that contain them. Fortunately, it's easier for me to convince people that this tune sucks because the rest of the music isn't great either.


10. The Roost - Animal Crossing

Oh hey again, Sonic and Lucario!

Whilst it's not godawful like some of the remixes on this post, The Roost doesn't belong in a Smash Bros game. In fact, even the game's director (Masahiro Sakurai), when commenting on how music for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was chosen based on how good they are to fight to, cited The Roost as a piece of music that didn't fit the gameplay...and yet it was brought back for Super Smash. Bros Ultimate! It's a nice tune to listen to but if it had to have some use in-game, it should've been used as part of a medley or during a rest section in the game's Adventure Mode or something other than a stage track.


COMING SOON: Probably a blog post about my favourite pieces of music from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, although not until the new year.

Tenology: My Favourite Tracks From SSB Wii U

Don't worry, this won't be the only blog post I do this month.
In November, Super Smash Bros for Wii U was released and was met with mostly positive reviews. Whilst I think the game would've been better as a single title rather than split across 3DS & Wii U resulting in two full priced titles that on their own are only OK, this blog post isn't about me reviewing it. It's about my 10 favourite songs from the game, similar to a post I did a while ago about Super Smash Bros Brawl.
In terms of the game's soundtrack, I personally believe Brawl had a greater collection of original songs and that if this game didn't include most of Brawl's better tunes then the soundtrack would've been a bit of a letdown. However, it's now time to look at the 10 original songs from Super Smash Bros for Wii U that I have set to max on My Music:


10. Gear Getaway - Donkey Kong

Fun idea, meh execution

I'm not entirely sure why this song needed rerecording for Smash Bros as it sounds pretty damn similar to the original anyway. The Donkey Kong track I included in the SSBB post was indisputably improved by rerecording it whereas this track sounds like an unused version, rather than a sparkly new one. Either way, it's a cool little jungle tune that's equally fun to Smash to.

9. Pac-Man's Park/Block Town - Pac-Man

Somewhere, in Activision's dungeon, Crash is curled up in a ball crying

The main reason this remix is only at number 9 is because of the Block Town part. Kinda ruins the Pac-Man's Park intro that was used in Pac-Man's character trailer, if you ask me. However, it's still a great tune full of nostalgic sound effects and rocking guitars. Just a shame it doesn't fit the stage it's assigned to as well as other tracks.

8. Trophy Rush - Super Smash Bros for Wii U

It took the Internet about half a minute to work this technique out

A zany, wacky piece of music that goes on just a little bit too long to prevent it from being higher on this list. However, it takes the theme for Smash Bros Wii U (which is my personal favourite out of all four games) and toys with it gloriously, resulting in a frenzied yet composed piece of music fit for a match, a minigame, teaser trailer or hype-generating background music at E3.

7. Pedal Glider - PilotWings

Wonder what's going through the mind of the pilots during all of this

At number 7, we have quite a calm remix that takes the original Reggae-inspired tune and turns it into awesome lift music. Some of you might think this isn't great fighting music and perhaps you'd be right BUT give it a minute or so and this soothing melody introduces some synth to the mix, giving it little bit more of a dynamic feel. It's not action packed and it's clearly not what I would call the best track but as far as unlockable songs go, it was a neat surprise.

6. Air Man Theme - Mega Man

I could probably do a Tenology post of the best Air Man remixes too

I remember hearing this in the My Music section of the 3DS version & getting a little bit more excited for the Wii U game, if only for the greater music collection. Mega Man 2 is well known for having a lot of awesome tunes, even if they are 8-bit. However, hearing the revamped version of the Air Man level with guitars, keyboards and drums a-plenty makes it all the better. Bonus points for making this sound like even more of an aerial-battle anthem!

5. Ballad Of The Goddess/Ghirahim's Theme - Legend Of Zelda

Continuing the theme of uninspired LoZ stages

Another brilliant tune from the Legend Of Zelda series remixed into a perfect fighting song yet ruined slightly by the needless attachment of an antagonist theme, see also Song Of Storms and the truly terrible Saria's Song/Middle Boss Battle. Fans of Skyward Sword will remember the moment in the game when you first start shredding the Ballad Of The Goddess after acquiring the Goddess Harp in what has to be the single worst use of the Motion Plus controls in the entire game, if not history. The harp melody Link plays can be heard in the string arrangement during this track & if I had to pick a favourite moment/reason why this song is number 5, that would be it. I like it a lot.

4. Minor Circuit Theme - Punch Out!

Just a man and his will to survive...

Suppose I should mention that I do slightly prefer the original from Punch Out Wii although this remix does have a few cool additions. For example, the "Oh yeah!"'s that crop up every now and then. However, this polished Rock remix of the Minor Circuit theme is obviously gonna be great brawling music, considering it came from a fighting game and has been beefed up for another fighting game! I definitely feel like working out to this song...well, I would if I ever felt like working out. Ever.

3. Battle! Trainer (Pokemon X/Y) - Pokemon

Why the hell weren't you Mewtwo?

Ignoring the fact that this song is mapped to my favourite stage in the Wii U version & was used in Greninja's announcement trailer after a Smash Bros Nintendo Direct which kicked all kinds of ass, everything about it rocks! The fluttering scales, the stabbing strings, the general excitement of it all really. Unlike most of the other songs in the game, I haven't tired of this one yet. I can still bang it on repeat and listen to it for a lengthy period of time which is one of the key qualities of top notch game music.

2. The Valedictory Elegy - Baiten Kaitos

Or should it be "valedictory elegy" without caps? Don't care either way.

I'm still not sure if I prefer this remix or the original from Baiten Kaitos Origins overall. What I do know is this is easily my favourite song to listen to whilst fighting on Gaur Plains, even if it is the only one that doesn't come from the game linked to the stage. The high pitched violin might sound annoying at first but once you get used to it and appreciate what is easily the game's most "epic" piece of music, you'll find you can't fight without it.

1. Mega Man 2 Medley - Mega Man

This guy, am I right?

At first, I was disappointed they mixed the Mega Man 2 opening music with Dr Wily Stage 1-2 but I guess it's better to have a piece of music with a sensible length rather than shorter tracks that lose appeal quicker. So what can I say about this tune, other than I've bugged the crap out of my girlfriend by playing it so often? Well, the synchronised mix of heavy guitars and classic synth gives it a fresh yet simultaneously nostalgic quality whilst the heavy chugging and punchy beat in the background adds the mechanic element of Mega Man. I mean, that's what I would say if I was trying to sound well informed. Truth is it's just fucking great. It has everything a good fighting song should have and is entirely responsible for me checking out more music from the Mega Man series.


Sorry for another video game post but it was either this or me ranting about the new Guitar Hero game, which I'll probably do at some point this year or the next. Stay tuned for another post before May that won't be about video games...although it may be ranting still.

Tenology: My Favourite Tracks From SSBB

Another Tenology post? Oh goody, more of my opinions!
It's OK though because this post isn't designed to be so...well, hostile. These aren't 10 things that annoy me or are gonna come with a rant. They're 10 musical tracks that I have arranged into a descending order of my favourites. Yep, this time it IS an appropriate use of "Top 10"...but I'm still calling it a Tenology because music and stuff.
So what's the topic?
VIDEO GAMES!

Yes, since it's the month of E3 (or rather WAS the month, since E3 finished about a week or so ago), I decided to look into video game music again. And no, I'm not gonna be as heavy with criticism as I was for my GTA post.
Since the highlight of E3 for many gamers was the new Smash Bros for WiiU and 3DS, I've decided to look at the last game in the series, Super Smash Bros Brawl for the Wii. It had hundreds of different songs covering Nintendo's sizable selection of games from the 80's to the 00's, all designed to be used as battle anthems for Nintendo's mascots and memorable characters to duke it out to.
Some tracks were taken straight from the games (such as the songs from Sonic The Hedgehog games) but a lot of them were fresh new re-imaginings of songs from old Nintendo titles. To make the choice easier for myself (since there are so many awesome tunes in that game!), I chose to only include newly recorded songs for this list. So no Sonic Boom or Douche-Man, although those would rank near the top if I could include them.
Right then, on with the list!

10. Go K.K. Rider! - Animal Crossing

"FREE BIIIIIIIRRD!!!"

Coming in at 10 is a heroic little number that features a singing dog in the middle and yes, I can sing along to his lyrics perfectly and there is no shame in that if you can too! Granted I've never played an Animal Crossing game so I know nothing about where this comes from but hey, doesn't stop me from liking it!
I shouldn't have to justify why I like any of these tunes but fuck it, I'll do it anyway. I love the general melody and for bonus points, it sounds like something epic that would play as someone flies into battle on a dragon..you know, until the dog starts singing.

9. Tetris Type A - Tetris

Come on, we all made a custom Tetris stage once we knew this song was in the game, right?

So how could they possibly make the iconic Tetris Type A theme any better? By injecting it with a touch of Russia, of course! Now it sounds like something that would play in a magnificent ballroom...you know, until the dog starts singing.
BUT WAIT! There is no dog! Only this delightfully kooky remix that has been set to play on a stage based around a haunted mansion. Very nice indeed!

8. World Map (Pikmin 2) - Pikmin

Yeah, sure, just fight on my head why don't you.

Based on what I'd heard, I didn't think it'd be possible to make fighting music from the Pikmin series...and for the most part, I was right. However, this tune works surprisingly well on the battlefield. The reason I like it? Probably the combination of string instruments and percussion throughout the track.

7. Boss Battle - Super Smash Bros. Melee

Fuck you, Porky!

A remix of the Main Menu theme from the last Super Smash Bros game that also doubles up as an awesome tune for Boss battles. From the first few notes, I fell in love with this tune and despite hearing this tune several hundred times due to my continued efforts in Boss Battle mode on Intense difficulty (Again, fuck you, Porky!), I still haven't tired of hearing it.

6. White Land - F-Zero

"Shit, jumpjumpjumpjumpjumpjumpFUCK, too late!"

To be honest, as a fan of Rock/Metal, most of the F-Zero tunes are awesome to me. I also like Shotgun Kiss and Fire Field but my Re-Records Only rule means White Land takes number 6 in my list. I don't know about you but I always like hearing electric guitars shredding away on a Nintendo game (one of the reasons I'm excited for Hyrule Warriors, coming out this year!) so combined with a fast tempo, this track is definitely one I love to hear...you know, until the dog starts singing....OK, I'll stop doing that now.

5. Flower Field - Yoshi

Seasons changing was pretty and all but it's not like it actually did anything significant...other than be pretty, of course

It's not a fighting tune, you're right there. However, it oozes cuteness, especially when you know it's a Yoshi tune. The Yoshi stage itself is pretty shit and the rest of the music isn't great BUT when I unlocked this song, I was playing on it all the time! Along with most of the other tracks on this list, it's also a decent improvement on the original track from the game it came from. In this case, Yoshi Touch & Go, I believe.

4. King K.Rool / Ship Deck 2 - Donkey Kong

What is it with Donkey Kong stages and them always being more deadly than they appear?

Starts off as a jolly pirate shanty. Nice, nice. But wait, what's this? Keep listening, keep listening...
BOOM! HEADBANGER RIFF! MORE GUITAR!
Definitely one that kicks ass whilst you're kicking ass. Just a shame it feels quite short...and the stage it's isn't great either.

3. Song Of Storms - Legend Of Zelda

There's a special place in Hell for whoever added that fucking cannon to this stage

I'm a huge fan of Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time and quite frankly, I bet I could find 10 songs that would beat all of the ones mentioned so far in this list. However, this version of the classic "Windmill Hut" song with backing band and GUITARRRRRR definitely got me excited to play the game when I first heard it. The only reason it's not higher is because of the way it goes into Ganondorf's Castle...although the use of Serenade of Water at the end was very nice.

2. Corneria - StarFox

See, if this stage had gravity effects to match the space travel, THEN it might have been better!

Another track on a mediocre stage that got me excited to play it once I unlocked it. Far more fun to fight to than the Space Armada or Star Wolf tunes and whilst it's not a straightforward improvement on the original Corneria tune (which I think has a better drum beat), it definitely earns its place in this list.
So what's at number one? Well, if you're reading this you've probably already read it due to scrolling too far. Hasn't helped that I made the letters for the song names big...but if you haven't read it, then iiiiiit's...

1. Ocarina Of Time Medley - Legend Of Zelda

Been a while since I played LoZ:TP but surely there was a better stage idea than just flat and, every now & then, a big hole?

Yeah, this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who's played SSBB because this medley is fucking perfect.
No, shut up, it's perfect. Not hearing anything else about it.
It can't be improved, it is 10/10.
Epic feel from the guitars and strings, excellent to fight to, fantastic combination of a variety of tunes from Ocarina of Time and the stage it's used on, whilst not a stage from Ocarina Of Time, is definitely one that has replay value for more purposes than just the song.
Oh, and those final dramatic notes! Have you ever landed a Falcon Punch on the last note? I have.
It's. Awesome.


So that's my Tenology for anyone who's into the Smash Bros series. Special thanks to GilvaSunner for providing most of these tunes without my permission, although I guess he uploaded them to Youtube without permission too so it evens out. He also has a load of other Nintendo soundtracks on his channel if you like video game music so definitely worth checking out!
What music has the new Smash Bros game got to offer? Well, based on the fansite that's collected songs used in various trailers for the game, it's already shaping up to be an exceptional musical offering. I'm already hyped for the Zelda, Mega-Man, Pokemon, Kid Icarus and Donkey Kong related music and that's only a fraction of the songs that'll make the final cut! WOOOO! Bring on the Smash!