Monday, February 16, 2009

SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Super Mario Edition

We finished off Mega Man for now, so let's move onto a new video game franchise. What better franchise to examine than Super Mario Bros.? This week we'll begin listening to the 2D console games starting with the one that started it all!

V251. Super Mario Bros. Main Theme

If you've been with me for awhile, then you know when I list a song that has been heard over and over again countless times that I usually try to mix it up. It's no different with this installment kicking off a ten track listen to the various tracks of mainline Mario games. This is the theme that even someone who hasn't picked up a controller in years could probably hum flawlessly. It's the main theme of Super Mario Bros, but not the original version. It's the smooth jazz rendition as heard on the Super Mario World Live concert CD. Enjoy.



V252. Super Mario Bros. 2 Main Theme

Hey, gang. We just finished off Super Mario Bros. (well, we did if you listen to these in order, and if not, SHAME ON YOU! *shakes fists uncontrollably*), so the next logical step is to head to Super Mario Bros. 2. By now the history of the American version and Doki Doki Panic has been brought up so many times that this is no longer an interesting story of how it came to be. We know the story already. Stop telling it to us! Here's the essential main theme of the game-- Super Mario All-Stars style!

P.S. I'd love to see Wart in a game again.




V253. Super Mario Bros. 3 - Waterfront

This is a special dance arrangement CD, officially licensed and published by Nintendo of Japan, arranged and performed by the Akihabara Electric Circus. The CD celebrated its 20th anniversary on December 15th of last year. The track we'll be listening to features two well-known Super Mario Bros. 3 themes, the underwater and land levels songs.



V254. Super Mario World - Staff Roll

We move onto Super Mario World which is one of my favorite games of all time as you know if you've been following my blog for awhile. No fancy arranged versions or anything like that. This is the bona fide original SNES staff roll theme. It was catchy to me as a kid, and it's catchy to me as an adult... who still acts like a kid.



V255. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island - Athletic (Game Music Concert Version)

This will be our final look on the 2D side of mainline Mario games with Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island-- or just Yoshi's Island if you prefer the JPN title. This song is an orchestral version of the Athletic theme from Yoshi's Island performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic back in the mid 90s.

For those wanting the original and Smash Bros. versions, check this volume out.



Next week we'll enter three-dimensions as we explore the myriad of music in Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and many more! You won't want to miss this!

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