Sonic Song Selections

Last time, we started looking at music remixes inspired by the most recognizable video game series around. Now it's time to crank up the Blast Processing, violate our consoles with bulky plastics, and jack in our headphones for the other contender of the 16-bit wars, Sonic the Hedgehog.

If Sega had won the console wars.

Sonic the Hedgehog set the stage for a new chapter in gaming. The gameplay was innovative for its time (“Holy what? Loop-de-loops?”), the graphics were pretty, and it wasn't Nintendo. It doesn't hurt that the music is still regarded as some of the best in video game history.

No really. I cannot stress enough how cool this music is. The original Sonic the Hedgehog game had admirable music with a variety of themes, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ramped up the music (and everything else in the game, for that matter) masterfully, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 had music composed for it by Michael Jackson himself. I couldn't make that up if I wanted to. Check out the comparison of the music from Sonic 3 with some of Michael Jackson's songs; it's compelling stuff.

Before I dive into my picks from OC ReMix, I would like to share one of my favorite Sonic renditions... from a Nintendo game. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Sonic the Hedgehog crossed the once insurmountable console boundary to battle the most iconic characters Nintendo had to offer. Because each character in the game joined the battle with their own recognizable themes, this game is chock full of amazing remixes.





Of some interest, the Angel Island arrangement was contributed to Super Smash Bros. Brawl by Jun Senoue, who is no stranger to Sonic soundtracks. He is probably best known as the guitarist for the band Crush 40 (which is notable for its work in Sonic Adventure 2). Depending on whether or not you still think Ray-Bans and Rubik's Cubes are cool, this may or may not be a good thing.

We're not done with Sonic 3 yet. The music in Sonic 3 was remarkable because each zone was divided into two different acts – each with their own variant on the level theme. I've included music samples from both acts in the Hydrocity Zone (both in one YouTube video) to show how this was used to great effect.



I had a hard time choosing my preferred remix of Hydrocity Zone because a couple of the songs on OC ReMix represent it very well. However, Walk on Water takes full advantage of both versions of the Hydrocity Zone theme. The transition at 2:40 pushed me over the edge. (I still suggest checking out Down to the Hydrocity's Nightclub though.)



My favorite remixes are a result of taking a song that is forgettable and turning it into something altogether different. The Marble Zone theme isn't bad, but it's boring. It probably doesn't help that the entire level is composed of pushing blocks and walking. Walking. In a Sonic game.

“He's the fastest thing aliiiiive!”

Turns out I've just been listening to it the wrong way. This arrangement manages to take a stony song and squeeze out epic juice.





This next song comes from arguably the best game in the Sonic series, Sonic and Knuckles. The Sky Sanctuary Zone theme accompanies a pivotal point in the game, and the triumphant finale reprises this song. It deserves the soft, melodic performance it receives here.





And now it's time to turn the speakers over to the persistent Dr. Robotnik. I like to imagine him listening to this next tune with his own over-sized headphones while cramming furry little critters into tin cans with appendages, humming along.





This next remix is genius, and it nails the dread that should accompany any death-machine Robotnik threatens Sonic with. The heavy riffs are completely justified here.





There are loads of good Sonic remixes that I left out. OC ReMix has entire albums dedicated to Sonic games, such as Hedgehog Heaven. And while you're busy with that, I'll be pulling out remixes for another legendary blue champion.

Musical Mario Medley

I've already commented that video games don't get nearly enough love. That goes double for video game music. Working with nothing but beeps and boops, the musicians of old-school gaming blasted our systems with some of the catchiest music around. And if it sounds good being spat out of a clunky sound chip, imagine what these songs would sound like coming out of actual instruments.

Enter OverClocked ReMix (OC ReMix), the standard for re imagined video game tunes. These guys are professional, talented, and maybe a little OCD (you can't spell OCD without OC), and it shows. For the next few updates, I'll be sharing my favorite songs and why they should be your favorites too. I think I'll be able to include enough variety so that you're bound to like something.

With all of these music samples, I will first provide the original song being remixed. I highly recommend listening to the original tracks before taking in the remixes. Anyone can throw some notes together, but the real genius is when someone can take a song and completely redefine it while keeping it recognizable.

Most of my updates will tackle one game series at a time. Some games just have too much good music to be sharing a post! Let's start this out the right way, with Super Mario Bros. (and continue my streak of unintentionally mentioning Mario in every single post I have written to date)!

With any major release comes the hype; fueled by previews, promises, and pinheads. It's well known that Mario delivers, and Super Mario Galaxy 2 is no exception.

An exception.

But of all the rampant speculation before release day, what really had me excited was the music. What follows is not from OC ReMix (the rest will be), but from the halls of Nintendo itself. Again, I recommend first listening to the original Super Mario 64 version, and then the product of multiplication by awesome.





Aw geez, why didn't anyone think of this sooner? The truth is, the secrets of Mario plus big band music have been known for quite some time.





Maybe I've shown my hand too soon, because it's going to be hard to top that. How about some more then?





I can just picture these pieces wailing away at some fancy social function. You know, the kind of places where people would shrivel up and die if they knew they were listening to music from (gasp) a video game?

Here's a tune from a source that needs no introduction (and yet I'm providing one anyways). I would love to sneak this next track amidst Mozart and Bach at a summer wedding reception on a green lawn.





Is it getting stuffy in here? Let's loosen up a bit. The Underworld theme for Super Mario Bros. 2 is infamous for being repetitive and is synonymous with nail-biting frustration.

Mostly because of this guy.

This remix stretches the limited material into something else altogether.





And finally we have Bros with Dix (clean out your head, that's short for Dixie). A lot of songs are combined here, and transition quite well. There's a chance you won't recognize the first tune. But don't worry! I've included this most obscure example with the remix. It's nice to see that even the Game Boy gets some attention.





If you want more Mario remixed goodness, there's even more to be had at OC Remix. The next installment will be sooner than usual, and we'll focus on another iconic game series. I'm always listening for the next catchy tune, so let me know if there's a remix I just gotta hear.

Gluttony, Thy Name is Luma

Super Mario Galaxy 2 introduces us to Hungry Lumas who eat coins. Yep, cold hard cash is a snack. When you can transform into a planet, what won't you eat? (Click image to enlarge.)

It's only a matter of time.

We have been warned.