Many GameXplain videos in the last few years have featured custom intros covering certain game series, all created by Jan Neves, known for 3D animation.  Most of these intros had royalty-free or public domain jingles.  Starting last year, I began composing original jingles for some of these intros in various game styles: Mario Kart, Pokémon, and Zelda—specifically Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.  It's highly recommended to check the full context on YouTube in the link below.

Used in many of the Booster Course Pass analyses for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the Mario Kart jingle captures the elements of classic and modern course fanfares and race finish tunes.  The Pokémon jingle takes inspiration from the Evolution/Trade theme in the franchise.  The Zelda (Sheikah Slate) jingle embraces the atmospheric piano and orchestral instruments associated with the soundtracks of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.  Please enjoy the intro jingles from the set.  There may be more of these to come!

Intro Jingles on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOqLC2UHm3U

Visit GameXplain's channel on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/GameXplain

Disclaimer:
All graphics and audio represented here are copyright of GameXplain.
Intro animations were created by Jan Neves.  (https://www.youtube.com/Jan3d)

GameXplain - Intro Jingles (Set 1): Mario Kart, Pokémon, and Zelda (Sheikah Slate)

At long last, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has arrived.  This discussion theme for all GameXplain videos relating to the main Zelda series and official spinoffs has been in the works on and off over the past two years.  It's finally done in time for the release of the long-awaited sequel of Breath of the Wild!

Starting with inspiration from the Sun's Song, this piece has original content representing the mainline entries of The Legend of Zelda as a whole, including Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.  But this is followed by orchestral rock and dance sections to cameo the styles of Hyrule Warriors and Cadence of Hyrule respectively.  It concludes with more familiar Zelda phrasing and the classic GameXplain tune played on ocarina.  Please enjoy this adventurous arrangement!

Visit GameXplain's channel on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/GameXplain

Disclaimer:
All graphics and audio represented here are copyright of GameXplain.
Zelda's Hylian Shield GameXplain Logo was created by Tom Arnold (https://twitter.com/RaginTombo)
Original GameXplain Discussion Theme was written by Alexis C.  (https://soundcloud.com/acham)

GameXplain - Zelda Discussion Theme

My Enhanced Nintendo MIDI collection consists of MIDI files I sequenced and routed through my Yamaha Motif ES8 keyboard, utilising its rather nice-sounding General MIDI samples. The staff view was played with Cakewalk Express and the presentation was recorded with CamStudio. All instruments use the standard MIDI patches unless otherwise noted. To follow the notes in the sequence and to ensure the best sound quality, viewing full screen in 720p (HD) is strongly advised.

Played directly on the title screen of Yoshi's Story, this well-known theme recently made a comeback in remixed form for Yoshi Lake in Mario Golf: World Tour.  Originally written for the SoundBlaster AWE32/AWE64 soundfont in 1998, the singing Yoshis simply couldn't be recreated well.  The bottle blow seemed like a good substitute for the melody, so that change seemed to make for a decent transcription.  However, plans changed when some ideas hit me.

Much like other sources for arrangements, this song felt like it could use some additional instruments.  At first, I tried out some conga beats and an original bass line, but the refrain seemed wide open for piano improv.  Some whimsical vibraslap strikes seemed in order, too.  With all of these elements combined with the iconic Yoshi singing and complementary bottle blow harmony, the song feels more complete, happy, and tropical.  Maybe this is what the song could sound like if it were a part of the upcoming Yoshi's Woolly World!


Track Details:

1: Yoshis
2: Bottle Blow
3: Piccolo
4: Bright Acoustic Piano
5: Vibraphone
6: Marimba
7: Finger Bass
8: Drums

Disclaimer:
Yoshi's Story is copyright of Nintendo.

Enhanced Game MIDIs: "Yoshi's Story (Arranged)" (Title Theme) from Yoshi's Story

My Enhanced Game MIDI collection consists of MIDI files I sequenced and routed through my Yamaha Motif ES8 keyboard, utilising its rather nice-sounding General MIDI samples. The staff view was played with Cakewalk Express and the presentation was recorded with CamStudio. All instruments use the standard MIDI patches unless otherwise noted. To follow the notes in the sequence and to ensure the best sound quality, viewing full screen in 720p (HD) is strongly advised.

The Hen House within the Tal Tal Mountain Range is where this whimsical country melody plays in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening.  The Cucco Keeper who resembles Luigi resides here with several chickens (Cuccos), seeking to experience flight with the legendary Flying Rooster.

This MIDI was sequenced originally in 1999, but it was never released because of dissatisfaction with the instrumentation.  At first, my enhancement approach was to select better instruments and release the simple tune, but inspiration struck again once I identified the chord progression as that of many 1950s rock ballads.  I wanted to blend that idea with a little country for a new arrangement, but over time, the rock ballad element became more like a tap-dancing style.

Disclaimer:
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is copyright of Nintendo.

Enhanced Game MIDIs: "Hen House (Arranged)" from Zelda: Link's Awakening

Many GameXplain videos in the last few years have featured custom intros covering certain game series, all created by Jan Neves, known for 3D animation.  Most of these intros had royalty-free or public domain jingles.  Starting in 2022, I began composing original jingles for some of these intros in various game styles.  This second set features short compositions inspired by Paper Mario, Metroid, and Sonic.  Each jingle here is presented with music only first, and then repeating with sound effects for full context.

First used for content relating to the remake of The Thousand-Year Door, the Paper Mario jingle takes style cues from early Paper Mario titles.  The Metroid jingle is reminiscent of the themes from Metroid's Brinstar and the theme of Super Metroid, with some instrumentation from Metroid Prime series, made in advance for upcoming Metroid Prime 4 videos.  The Sonic jingle is a love letter to the classic Sonic the Hedgehog series with its new jack swing style—complete with FM synthesis samples—in combination with rock guitar akin to that in modern Sonic games.  Please enjoy the intro jingles from this set.  There may be even more of these to come!

Intro Jingles on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLiKOedLmxA

Visit GameXplain's channel on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/GameXplain

Disclaimer:
All graphics and audio represented here are copyright of GameXplain.
Intro animations were created by Jan Neves.  (https://www.youtube.com/Jan3d)

GameXplain - Intro Jingles (Set 2): Paper Mario, Metroid, and Sonic

Cool Bits, GameXplain's video game trivia series, is back after its five-year hiatus!  And with its return is the debut of a new theme that was in the works for the past decade.  This one has quite the story behind it.  In December 2014, I pitched the idea of creating an original theme for Cool Bits to replace the Groovy Mandolin royalty-free theme, accompanied by an uninitialised substitution for the sound effect used at the time.  A couple of melody ideas were developed during this process.  Sadly, nothing really nailed the appropriate flavour, so I had to shelf the theme for a while.  But over the next few years, I dabbled with revamping it by transcribing it over to WarioWare D.I.Y.'s Record MakerMatic to establish a chiptune base.  The theme improved a lot from there, and I much more recently brought it back over to Cakewalk.  After significant refinement and expansion, it developed into what it is now.

The piece starts with an arrangement of Groovy Mandolin for its intro, but it soon transitions into an original melody.  Interestingly enough, this chosen melody was used in GameXplain's discontinued podcast, Real Talk, after being imagined for Cool Bits first, but this association now ties the motifs for GameXplain practically into musical lore.   Ever since being transferred from chiptune form, the composition stayed almost purely synth, with an accoustic piano as the exception.  It also retained the swung note flow.  Together, the catchy sound is the 'Cool' and the digital elements are the 'Bits'.  Imagine that!  If this is well-received, I may upload the WarioWare D.I.Y. version also upon request.  Please enjoy this theme that was ten years in the making!

Visit GameXplain's channel on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/GameXplain

Disclaimer:
All graphics and audio represented here are copyright of GameXplain.
Cool Bits logo was created by Tom Arnold.  (https://x.com/RaginTombo)

GameXplain - Cool Bits

My Enhanced Game MIDI collection consists of MIDI files I sequenced and routed through my Yamaha Motif ES8 keyboard, utilising its rather nice-sounding General MIDI samples. The staff view was played with Cakewalk and the presentation was recorded with OBS Studio. All instruments use the standard MIDI patches unless otherwise noted. To follow the notes in the sequence and to ensure the best sound quality, viewing full screen in 1080p (HD) is strongly advised.

After a full decade hiatus, another entry to the series has been completed!  Effectively tying for longest in duration with the first Treasure Trove Cove medley, this set covers the themes for all nine worlds for both the NES installment and the remake heard in Super Mario All-Stars (SNES), with DJ-style transitions between each.  The versions heard in Super Mario Advance 4 (GBA) were too close to the latter to justify separate representation.  Some shortcuts were taken when transcribing the percussion, so related panning and pitch deviate from the sources.   All world themes were amongst my oldest MIDIs, dating back to October of 1996.

Chapters:

0:00 - World 1: Grass Land (NES)
0:28 - World 1: Grass Land (SNES)
0:57 - World 2: Desert Land (NES)
1:06 - World 2: Desert Hill (SNES)
1:15 - World 3: Water Land (NES)
1:41 - World 3: Sea Side (SNES)
2:06 - World 4: Giant Land (NES)
2:32 - World 4: Big Island (SNES)
2:55 - World 5: Sky Land (NES)
3:10 - World 5: The Sky (SNES)
3:27 - World 6: Ice Land (NES)
3:40 - World 6: Iced Land (SNES)
3:55 - World 7: Pipe Land (NES)
4:11 - World 7: Pipe Maze (SNES)
4:26 - World 8: Dark Land (NES)
4:43 - World 8: Castle of Koopa (SNES)
5:00 - World 9: Warp Zone (NES)
5:22 - World 9: Warp Zone (SNES)


Track Details:

1: Banjo, Charang Lead, Strings Ensemble 2, Brass Section, Chorused Piano, Recorder
2: Banjo, Charang Lead, Strings Ensemble 2, Brass Section, Recorder
3: Banjo, Honky-tonk Piano, Strings Ensemble 2, Brass Section, Chorused Piano
4: Honky-tonk Piano, Charang Lead, Recorder, Strings Ensemble 2
5: Finger Bass, Slap Bass 2, Brass Section, Strings Ensemble 1
6: Bass & Lead, Halo Pad
7: Bass & Lead, Halo Pad
8: Synth Bass 2
9: Synth Tom
10: Drums


Disclaimer:
Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario All-Stars, and Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 are copyright of Nintendo.

Enhanced Game MIDIs: "World Medley" from Super Mario Bros. 3

This is a special record release for WarioWare D.I.Y. on the Nintendo DS.  The Record Maker interface is limited, so not all song data can be accurate. Please keep this in mind when rating or commenting.  Since the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service has been discontinued, this record cannot be provided in WarioWare form at this time.  I apologise for the inconvenience!

Most records I created were with complete songs in mind.  However, a few were made specifically for others people's microgames by request.  The medley of songs is a compilation of the single-phrase (two-measure) pieces sequenced for that very purpose.  The exception is the Underground theme from Super Mario Land, which was a single-phrase bonus I whipped up years ago.  There may be more special WarioWare D.I.Y. record releases in the future.

Featured Songs:

0:00 - "Main Theme" from Super Mario Bros.
0:04 - "Overworld Theme" from The Legend of Zelda
0:08 - "Death Mountain" from Zelda: A Link to the Past
0:12 - "Athletic Theme" from Super Mario Land 2
0:16 - "Battle Theme" from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
0:20 - "Guessing Game House" from Zelda: A Link to the Past
0:24 - "Dark Rooms" from Luigi's Mansion
0:28 - "Sector X (Long Microgame)" from Star Fox/Starwing
0:32 - "Sector X (Short Microgame)" from Star Fox/Starwing
0:36 - "Starman Theme" from Super Mario Bros.
0:40 - "Hen's Nest" from Wario Land 2
0:44 - "Sword Search" from Zelda: Link's Awakening
0:48 - "Palace Theme" from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
0:52 - "Bowser Battle" from Super Mario Bros. 3
0:56 - "Town Theme" from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
1:00 - "Pipe Maze" from Super Mario Bros. 3
1:04 - "Dungeon Theme" from The Legend of Zelda
1:08 - "Athletic Theme" from Super Mario Bros. 3
1:12 - "Fortress Theme" from Super Mario Bros. 3
1:16 - "Battle Theme" from Paper Mario
1:20 - "Hammer Bros. Battle" from Super Mario Bros. 3
1:24 - "Underground Theme" from Super Mario Land

Disclaimer:
All game series and related characters represented are copyright of Nintendo.

WarioWare D.I.Y. Records: "Microgame Medley" from Various Nintendo Series

The music represented here is an example of some of the original compositions that I wrote in the late 90s in MIDI format. Similar to my Enhanced Game MIDIs, these works use general MIDI samples from my Yamaha Motif ES8 workstation keyboard. Although they were polished for presentation with expression and mixing tweaks, these songs overall maintain the Super Nintendo-inspired composition style that I produced years ago.

This catchy tune is one of a few different area themes that I wrote for Azhavela, a cancelled game that was being developed by Mark Jordan and a few others from RPGamer.  Azhavela was inspired by a text-based, fantasy adventure MUD (Multi-User Dungeon) on IRC by the name of Zhai'helleva, meaning "Wind to Thy Wings" in the Tayledras language of the Valdemar Saga novels.

You would hear this music in Malone, the rainy, tropical continent with several key sites, two of which had themes of their own I created.  Please check the YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq1ocDJAJpc) for the story.  Originally, this was part of a diverse set of loops I composed in 1996 to demonstrate my ability to write for a friend's game, with simple, four-chord progression was an idea from my best friend at the time.  Inspired by South American flavours, I included acoustic guitar and pan flute.  The name, Quedar, came from my lack of understanding of Spanish at the time, with intention of translating the slang phrase 'What Gives?'.  But I more recently realised that it can mean to stay in a location when travelling.  This meaning kind of fits for its updated role for Azhavela in 1998, when rain was added to suit the environment.  In 2001, the rain was removed from the track and repurposed again for an MMO game at the time, but I retained the rights.  With that in mind, I decided to restore it to its previous incarnation.   Many small tweaks were made for this enhancement, such as diverse velocities in the drums and proper strumming for the guitar, but the sequencing philosophy from 1998 was retained.

Disclaimer:
Story concept by Mark Jordan

"Quedar" ~Vintage Original~ from Azhavela

This is a special record release from WarioWare D.I.Y. on the Nintendo DS.  The Record Maker interface is limited, so not all music data can be accurate. Please keep this in mind when making a judgment on it.  Since the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service has been discontinued, this record officially cannot be provided in WarioWare form anymore.  Only a downloadable MP3 may be provided on SoundCloud.  I apologise for the inconvenience!

Cool Bits, GameXplain's video game trivia series, came back late last year after its five-year hiatus!  And with its return was the debut of a new theme that had been in the works for a decade.  Its development has quite the story behind it, so I recommend reading about it in the source video below.  This chiptune version was part of the process in creating the theme, and I liked it enough to polish and release it as a bonus record.  It may even feature in a future Cool Bits episode!  Please enjoy!

Disclaimer:
Original Cool Bits theme is copyright of GameXplain.

Listen to the original Cool Bits theme, also written by yours truly!
https://soundcloud.com/peachtoadstool/gamexplain-cool-bits

Visit GameXplain's channel on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/GameXplain

WarioWare D.I.Y. Records: "Cool Bits (8-Bit)" from GameXplain

The music represented here is an example of some of the original compositions that I wrote in the late 90s in MIDI format. Similar to my Enhanced Game MIDIs, these works use general MIDI samples from my Yamaha Motif ES8 workstation keyboard. Although they were polished for presentation with expression and mixing tweaks, these songs overall maintain the Super Nintendo-inspired composition style that I produced years ago.

I made several MIDIs in the 1990s for a virtual world called Dreamscape: the first and last remaining zone in a vintage metacommunity called VZones (formerly WorldsAway).  Dreamscape features a fantasy atmosphere inspired by Greek mythology.  It is the land of the god of dreams, Morpheus, and its central area of interest is the City of Phantasus on the Island of Kymer.   Unlike music for Second Kingdom, the compositions written for Dreamscape all share a common melody—a leitmotif—and are entirely unofficial.

This western theme from July of 1996 represents Bar-L Bar, a saloon that was well-known for its house Red Eye.  The intro for the piece takes cues from an old western tune that many may recognise, but the rest is completely mine.  Some adjustments were made to the composition to improve its flow and balance using the same writing philosophy that I had in the 90s.  Amongst these changes are the improved guitar chord strumming techniques and the softening of some jarring hits, as well as some smaller tweaks.  Please enjoy this classic!

Disclaimer:
Dreamscape was a trademark of Fujitsu Ltd.
Second Kingdom was a trademark of Stratagem Corporation.
VZones is a trademark of VZones Ltd.
Content in screenshots were copyright of Fujitsu Ltd.

"Bar-L Bar" ~Vintage Original~ from Dreamscape

Melodies of Gaming is my musical analysis series that explores reimagined songs in official game titles, with the first 8 episodes hosted on GameXplain.  And this piece serves as both the opening theme and ending theme by sampling the A and B sections.  It's a jazz fusion with some inspiration from both a chord progression shown by a music instructor from nearly 30 years ago, and some flair from a JRPG.  In addition, the percussion takes cues from one of the sample heavy beats of the Roland FA workstation keyboard.  An older version of the composition was used for episodes 1-8, but now it has better balance and a new bassline.  Please enjoy this music in its complete form!


Melodies of Gaming on GameXplain:

➤ Episodes 1-8: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZLCn6eOKOyEEwI90huJKOFu9VsRxcJCC

Theme of Melodies of Gaming

My Enhanced Game MIDI collection consists of MIDI files I sequenced and routed through my Yamaha Motif ES8 keyboard, utilising its rather nice-sounding General MIDI samples. The staff view was played with Cakewalk and the presentation was recorded with OBS Studio. All instruments use the standard MIDI patches unless otherwise noted. To follow the notes in the sequence and to ensure the best sound quality, viewing full screen in 1080p (HD) is strongly advised.

In 2006, I was assigned as a music composer for a project titled Z2E (Zelda II Enhanced), a dream to recreate Zelda II with 16-bit graphics and custom features, not to be confused with the 2022 project by Hoverbat.  The town theme was the first I aimed to enhance as a MIDI, and with some playing around on the keyboard, a crude bossa nova surfaced.  The team and I discussed the direction, and we figured it would work for a specific town, namely the Harbour Town of Mido, which is directly by the sea that separates two major landmasses in Hyrule.  I continued with the project a bit with the seaside settlement in mind.  The project since came to a halt, but I just couldn't let this soothing remix go to waste.

While Mido partially inspired this remix, it is also quite possible that the online golf game, PangYa, may have also influenced the arrangement.  And despite its similarities to the town theme reference in 'Blood of Ganon' by virt (Jake Kaufman), I was completely unaware of its existence until recently.  Aside from the bossa nova and bolero flavours, a bit of a Hawaiian added to the otherwise Latin mix with the presence of lap steel, along with a cameo of Indoors, otherwise known as Inside House.  Please enjoy this long-awaited remix!

Track Details:

1: Flute
2: Accordion
3: Marimba
4: Nylon Guitar
5: Guitar Noise
6: Lap Steel Guitar
7: Strings Ensemble
8: Acoustic Bass
9: Latin Percussion
10: Drums

Disclaimer:
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is copyright of Nintendo.

Enhanced Game MIDIs: "Mido Harbour" ~Remix~ from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

This spacy theme was written exclusively for The Bit Beacon Broadcast, a gaming podcast hosted by Kodax (Taylor Greene), where a wide variety of topics relating to the game industry are discussed, with occasional guests like Ravenheart from Studio Ravenheart.  In fact, Ravenheart created the podcast logo, including the Metroid-esque mascot called the Space Crustacean.

The composition started as just pulsing chords and melody.  Beeps and boops were added upon request, and then a bass was added for better balance.  Before the most recent update, all of the layers were live performances with almost no polish.  However, I always wanted to add some sort of high strings or pads.  And so now, the polished version has pads, along with some unexpected percussion!  Please enjoy!


The Bit Beacon Broadcast:
https://shows.acast.com/bitbeacon

The Bit Beacon Website (Archive):
http://www.the-bitbeacon.com/

Disclaimer:
All graphics and audio represented here are copyright of The Bit Beacon.

The Bit Beacon Broadcast Theme

The music represented here is an example of some of the original compositions that I wrote in the late 90s in MIDI format. Similar to my Enhanced Game MIDIs, these works use general MIDI samples from my Yamaha Motif ES8 workstation keyboard. Although they were polished for presentation with expression and mixing tweaks, these songs overall maintain the Super Nintendo-inspired composition style that I produced years ago.

This peaceful tune is one of a few different area themes that I wrote for Azhavela, a cancelled game that was being developed by Mark Jordan and a few others from RPGamer.  Azhavela was inspired by a text-based, fantasy adventure MUD (Multi-User Dungeon) on IRC by the name of Zhai'helleva, meaning "Wind to Thy Wings" in the Tayledras language of the Valdemar novel series.

You would hear this music in Saviour's Villa, the water shrine dedicated to a fallen hero that is struck periodically with lightning.  The scroll above tells the story.  Inspired by elegant Final Fantasy themes, I filled the piece with harp, strings, choir, and piano.  I also wanted to add rain and thunder effects using applause and timpani respectively, considering the shrine's presence in the rainforest continent of Malone.   Originally, the MIDI was called Medea's Requiem because of the hero's deceased status.  But it was renamed later, since the composition really didn't have the signature elements of the church mass genre.  In 2001, the track was unintentionally used for an MMO game at the time, but I retained the rights.  Many small tweaks were made for this enhancement, such as diverse velocities in the drums with less percussion at the end, a bit more choir with minimal fade effects to prevent abrupt cuts, some adjustments to the ways the harp and music box play, and the removal of most thunder throughout, but the sequencing philosophy from 1998 generally was retained.

Disclaimer:
Story concept by Mark Jordan

"Medea's Sonata" ~Vintage Original~ from Azhavela

After GameXplain's Real Talk podcast ended in 2020, a rebranding was in the works.  Unfortunately, this new podcast series never came into fruition, but it could in the future.  Reflecting a more relaxing vibe, a new image with a sofa, Mario plush, and arcade cabinet in the background was made.  For the theme, I explored a few ideas with The Easy Allies Podcast theme by FantomenK as a very loose inspirational reference.  The results in early 2021 were three pretty different approaches, all using the official GameXplain Discussion Theme leitmotif.

This is what became the official theme for the unreleased GameXplain Lounge Podcast.  Rather than the usual GameXplain themes that extend over a minute in duration or a loop, this one was more inspired by radio jingles, akin to those I made for NintenDaan's unreleased Double Dash Radio.  It may be the most chill of the three ideas, blending traditional jazz instruments with digital sound.  Please enjoy!


Visit GameXplain's channel on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/GameXplain

Disclaimer:
All graphics and audio represented here are copyright of GameXplain.
Logo image for the GameXplain Lounge Podcast was designed by Tom Arnold.
Original GameXplain Discussion Theme was written by Alexis C. on SoundCloud.  (https://soundcloud.com/acham)

GameXplain Lounge Podcast Theme (UNRELEASED)

This is a special record release from WarioWare D.I.Y. on the Nintendo DS.  The Record Maker interface is limited, so not all music data can be accurate. Please keep this in mind when making a judgment on it.  Since the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service has been discontinued, this record officially cannot be provided in WarioWare form anymore.  Only a downloadable MP3 may be provided on SoundCloud.  I apologise for the inconvenience!

After GameXplain's Real Talk podcast ended in 2020, a rebranding was in the works.  Unfortunately, this new podcast series never came into fruition, but it could in the future.  Reflecting a more relaxing vibe, a new image with a sofa, Mario plush, and arcade cabinet in the background was made.  For the theme, I explored a few ideas with The Easy Allies Podcast theme by FantomenK as a very loose inspirational reference.  The results in early 2021 were three pretty different approaches, all using the official GameXplain Discussion Theme leitmotif.

In response to the positive feedback given from the 8-bit arrangement of Cool Bits while it was in development, I decided to try an alternate theme in chiptune form for the podcast.  Rather than copying the approach of the official jingle, I wanted to give my first blues idea that I had for some time a new spin.  This alternate theme is arguably a bit more like the reference material given.  Please enjoy!


Disclaimer:

Original GameXplain Discussion Theme was written by Alexis C. on SoundCloud.  (https://soundcloud.com/acham)

Visit GameXplain's channel on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/GameXplain

WarioWare D.I.Y. Records: "Lounge Podcast (Alt)" from GameXplain

(This track is outdated!  Please check the latest version reflecting Splatoon 2 here: https://soundcloud.com/PeachToadstool/Splatoon-2-Ink-It-Up-Opening)

As Yoshiller from YouTube would say: Hello, humans!  After meeting "The Guy with the Yoshi Hat!™" at E3 this year, we teamed up to create new intro for his Splatoon video series, "Ink It Up!" including a new opening theme!

This lyrical composition was created using the Roland Fantom FA-06 in conjunction with Cakewalk Express and the Vocaloid3 Editor.  Combining a classic American talk show theme style (maybe) with J-pop inspired by anime, this piece reflects the high energy of Splatoon with the Japanese influences of the game's design.  I wrote lyrics in Japanese to reflect those qualities and had some very famous Vocaloids perform the song.  Yoshiller and I collaborated on the subtitles presentation to give that fansubbed anime vibe.  I hope you all enjoy it!

Be sure to watch the fully animated opening!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xDKPnVHUg8


**********************FEATURED SONGS*********************

Chorus of Calamari County
Splatfest!
Main Theme


*************************SINGERS*************************

Hatsune Miku
Megurine Luka
Kagamine Rin
Kagamine Len

Tako Luka (Octopus Luka) as Ika Musume (Squid Girl)


**************************LYRICS*************************

日本語：


貴方の武器を選んでください。
これは縄張り BATTLE です。

☆ でゲソ？！ ☆

カラーインクで由果を塗りまして。 頑張れ！

☆ OK! ☆

青、PINK や緑なあ！
どの TEAM が勝つのだろうか？

貴方は子だ！

君はイカだ！

さあ、行きましょう！


Romaji:


Anata no buki o erande kudasai.
Kore wa Nawabari BATTLE desu.

☆ De Geso?! ☆

KARA- INKU de yuka o nurimashite. Ganbare!

☆ OK! ☆

Ao, PINK ya midori naa!
Dono TEAM ga katsu nodarou ka?

Anata wa ko da!

Kimi wa ika da!

Saa, ikimashou!


English:


Please choose your weapon.
This is a Turf War (Territory Battle).

☆ De Geso?! ☆

Plaster the floor with coloured ink.  Go for it!

☆ OK! ☆

Blue, pink, and/or green!
Which team will win?

You're a kid!

You're a squid!

Well then, let's go!


************************CREDITS**************************

Yoshiller is the awesome creator of the "Ink It Up!" series.  Check out his channel here!
https://www.youtube.com/user/Yoshiller2?&ab_channel=Yoshiller

Jetz is the talented artist for the custom character artwork.  His works can be seen here!
https://www.youtube.com/user/CVAnimation?&ab_channel=CVAnimation

Splatoon is copyright of Nintendo.

[OLD VERSION!] "Splatoon - Ink It Up! Opening 2" ~Remix~ from Yoshiller's Series, "Ink It Up!"

As Yoshiller from YouTube would say: Hello, humans!  Two years have passed since the start of "Ink It Up!", Yoshiller's Splatoon series.  Now the series is back again for Splatoon 2, complete with an updated version of the theme!

This lyrical composition originally was created using the Roland Fantom FA-06 in conjunction with Cakewalk Express and the Vocaloid 4 Editor.  Combining a classic American talk show theme style (maybe) with J-pop inspired by anime, this piece reflects the high energy of Splatoon with the Japanese influences of the game's design.  I wrote lyrics in Japanese to reflect those qualities and had some very famous Vocaloids perform the song.  Yoshiller and I collaborated on the subtitles presentation to give that fansubbed anime vibe.

New to the theme are the rockin' overdriven guitar, middle section with remixed elements of Inkoming and Color Pulse, English lyrics announcing the return, and overall improvement in sound quality.

I hope you all enjoy the reprise!


**********************FEATURED SONGS*********************

Chorus of Calamari County
Splatfest!
Main Theme
Inkoming
Color Pulse

*************************SINGERS*************************

Teal: Hatsune Miku
Dark Pink: Megurine Luka
Light Yellow: Kagamine Rin
Dark Yellow: Kagamine Len

Pink: Tako Luka (Octopus Luka) as Ika Musume (Squid Girl)


**************************LYRICS*************************

日本語：


貴方の武器を選んでください。
これは縄張り BATTLE です。

☆ でゲソ？！ ☆

カラーインクで由果を塗りまして。 頑張れ！

☆ OK! ☆

青、PINK や緑なあ！
どの TEAM が勝つのだろうか？

貴方は子だ！

君はイカだ！

さあ、行きましょう！


Romaji:


Anata no buki o erande kudasai.
Kore wa Nawabari BATTLE desu.

☆ De Geso?! ☆

KARA- INKU de yuka o nurimashite. Ganbare!

☆ OK! ☆

We are back!  We are back!  We're back again!
We are back!  We are back!  We're back again!

Ao, PINK ya midori naa!
Dono TEAM ga katsu nodarou ka?

Anata wa ko da!

Kimi wa ika da!

Saa, ikimashou!


English:


Please choose your weapon.
This is a Turf War (Territory Battle).

☆ De Geso?! ☆

Plaster the floor with coloured ink.  Go for it!

☆ OK! ☆

Blue, pink, and/or green!
Which team will win?

You're a kid!

You're a squid!

Well then, let's go!


************************CREDITS**************************

Yoshiller is the awesome creator of the "Splatoon 2 - Ink It Up!" series.  Check out his channel here!
https://www.youtube.com/user/Yoshiller2?&ab_channel=Yoshiller
Chris Szczesiul is the talented artist for the custom character artwork.  His works can be seen here!
https://twitter.com/ChrisSzczesiul

Special thanks go to Timaeus from OverClocked ReMix for his help in determining some audio engineering.

Splatoon 2 is copyright of Nintendo.

Yoshiller's Splatoon 2 Series, "Ink It Up!"

"Splatoon 2 - Ink It Up! Opening" ~Remix~ from Yoshiller's Splatoon 2 Series, "Ink It Up!"

This is my 19th record release for WarioWare D.I.Y. on the Nintendo DS. The Record MakerMatic interface is limited, so not all song data can be accurate. Please keep this in mind when rating or commenting. This, like all of my records, is free to import. If you would like a copy of this record, please contact me and provide your friend code and we may arrange a transfer through the DS (2880-2005-6398) or Wii (1523 9184 3204 7077).

Shantae—a whimsical Game Boy Color title starring an Arabian-style half-genie protagonist—inspired this catchy tune.  In 2007, when I scheduled a visit to WayForward Technologies, the developers of Shantae, I just had to compose a layered song for the occasion.

This record is a sequence of that song I wrote in 2007.  Some changes were made from the classic version, including the addition of original percussion.  I generated this transcription to encourage those from the WarioWare D.I.Y. communities to follow my original and OverClocked ReMix music on YouTube.  This record was created also to promote (unofficially) the upcoming Shantae: Risky's Revenge for the DSiWare, which features music by the original Shantae composer, Jake Kaufman (virt).

Shantae'esque Classic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPIFqYONI5A

Disclaimer:
Shantae is a trademark and copyright of Matt Bozon and WayForward Technologies.

Visit the Shantae: Risky's Revenge website!  http://riskysrevenge.shantae.com/

Visit our WarioWare D.I.Y. Chat Room!  http://crispyyoshi.hostei.com/chat.html

WarioWare D.I.Y. Records: "Shantae'esque" (Original Song)

This is my 22nd record release for WarioWare D.I.Y. on the Nintendo DS. The Record MakerMatic interface is limited, so not all song data can be accurate. Please keep this in mind when rating or commenting. This, like all of my records, is free to import. If you would like a copy of this record, please contact me and provide your friend code and we may arrange a transfer through the DS (2880-2005-6398) or Wii (1523 9184 3204 7077).

For the 25th Anniversary of Super Mario Bros., I compiled various Super Mario invincibility themes, all based on a familiar tune.  Some may wonder what happened to the Powerful Mario (Wing Cap) theme from Super Mario 64 or the Rainbow Star theme from Super Mario Galaxy, but these specific renditions were omitted because the version from Yoshi's Island covers the melody concept pretty well and the sequencing space is limited.  To link the themes, most have some degree of remixed transitional phrases.  Happy 25th, Super Mario!

Disclaimer:
All related Super Mario titles are copyright of Nintendo.

Visit our WarioWare D.I.Y. Chat Room!  http://crispyyoshi.hostei.com/chat.html

WarioWare D.I.Y. Records: "Go, Mario!" ~A 25th Anniversary Tribute~ from the Super Mario Series


This is my 27th record release for WarioWare D.I.Y. on the Nintendo DS. The Record Maker interface is limited, so not all song data can be accurate. Please keep this in mind when rating or commenting. This, like all of my records, is free to import. If you would like a copy of this record, please contact me and provide your friend code and we may arrange a transfer through the DS (2880-2005-6398) or Wii (1523 9184 3204 7077).

Also called "Eleka's Will" from Phosphora's Japanese name, this remix was conceived from the energetic music from a later chapter in Kid Icarus: Uprising.  See below the SPOILERS warning for more details.  The retro style somehow feels inspired by the classic Rockman (Mega Man) series.

~SPOILERS START~

~

~

The source music is found in Chapter 14: Lightning Battle, when battling on the ground at the Thunder Cloud Temple.  "Phosphora, the Lightning Flash" is the main opposing threat of the chapter and serves as a high-ranking officer in the Forces of Nature.  The name "Eleka's Will" coincides with the decision to go 8-bit chiptune, being that digital sound fits the electric element that Phosphora represents fairly well.

~

~

~SPOILERS END~

Disclaimer:
Kid Icarus: Uprising is copyright of Nintendo.

Visit our WarioWare D.I.Y. Chat Room!  http://crispyyoshi.hostei.com/chat.html

WarioWare D.I.Y. Records: "Phosphora's Will" ~Remix~ from Kid Icarus: Uprising

This is my 26th record release for WarioWare D.I.Y. on the Nintendo DS. The Record Maker interface is limited, so not all song data can be accurate. Please keep this in mind when rating or commenting. This, like all of my records, is free to import. If you would like a copy of this record, please contact me and provide your friend code and we may arrange a transfer through the DS (2880-2005-6398) or Wii (1523 9184 3204 7077).

This is a shuffled arrangement of the catchy ska that plays above water in the seaside stages in Super Mario 3D Land.  A few instruments not covered by the interface were substituted with 8-Bit instruments.  While this may seem unsuited for a winter release in the Northern Hemisphere, this is quite fitting for a summer release in the Southern Hemisphere!  This is the first WarioWare D.I.Y. record of the year.  I wish you all a great 2012!

Disclaimer:
Super Mario 3D Land is copyright of Nintendo.

Visit our WarioWare D.I.Y. Chat Room!  http://crispyyoshi.hostei.com/chat.html

WarioWare D.I.Y. Records: "Beach Theme (Arranged)" from Super Mario 3D Land

My Enhanced Game MIDI collection consists of MIDI files I sequenced and routed through my Yamaha Motif ES8 keyboard, utilising its rather nice-sounding General MIDI samples. The staff view was played with Cakewalk Express and the presentation was recorded with CamStudio. All instruments use the standard MIDI patches unless otherwise noted. To follow the notes in the sequence and to ensure the best sound quality, viewing full screen in 720p (HD) is strongly advised.

My Enhanced Game MIDI collection consists of MIDI files I sequenced and routed through my Yamaha Motif ES8 keyboard, utilising its rather nice-sounding General MIDI samples. The staff view was played with Cakewalk Express and the presentation was recorded with CamStudio. All instruments use the standard MIDI patches unless otherwise noted. To follow the notes in the sequence and to ensure the best sound quality, viewing full screen in 720p (HD) is strongly advised.

The beach and "The Salty Hippo" (pirate ship) themes of this medley of the second world of Banjo-Kazooie were sequenced in 1998.  I added the third part, the outdoors underwater theme, in 2003.  Polishing this piece was a challenge, especially the kalimba, which sounds distinctly different compared to the in-game sample.  A little known fact about Treasure Trove Cove is that the original song during development was quite different (see below).

[Treasure Trove Cove Beta: http://www.grantkirkhope.com/betabanjokazooie.html ]

Disclaimer:
Banjo-Kazooie is copyright of RARE, Ltd.

Enhanced Game MIDIs: "Treasure Trove Cove" ~Medley A~ from Banjo-Kazooie

My Enhanced Nintendo MIDI collection consists of MIDI files I sequenced and routed through my Yamaha Motif ES8 keyboard, utilising its rather nice-sounding General MIDI samples. The staff view was played with Cakewalk Express and the presentation was recorded with CamStudio. All instruments use the standard MIDI patches unless otherwise noted. To follow the notes in the sequence and to ensure the best sound quality, viewing full screen in 720p (HD) is strongly advised.

In 2006, I was assigned as a music composer for a project titled "Zelda II Enhanced," a dream to recreate Zelda II with 16-bit graphics and custom features.  The town theme was the first I aimed to enhance as a MIDI, and with some playing around on the keyboard, a crude bossa nova surfaced.  The team and I discussed the direction, and we figured it would work for a specific town, namely the Harbour Town of Mido, which is directly by the sea that separates two major landmasses in Hyrule.  I continued with the project a bit with the seaside settlement in mind.  The project since came to a halt, but I just couldn't let this soothing remix go to waste.

While Mido partially inspired this remix, it is also quite possible that the online golf game, PangYa, may have also influenced the arrangement.  Aside from the bossa nova and rumba/rhumba flavours presented here, other calmly tropical genres may feature in the final product.  The full remix will come at a later date, so for now, please enjoy this preview of my work in progress (WIP).  Look out for a possible name change, too, such as "Coast of Mido" or another beach-inspired title.

Disclaimer:
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is copyright of Nintendo.

Enhanced Game MIDIs: "Mido Harbour" ~REMIX TEASER~ from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

This is my 29th record release for WarioWare D.I.Y. on the Nintendo DS. The Record Maker interface is limited, so not all song data can be accurate. Please keep this in mind when rating or commenting. This, like all of my records, is free to import. If you would like a copy of this record, please contact me and provide your friend code and we may arrange a transfer through the DS (2880-2005-6398) or Wii (1523 9184 3204 7077).

Inspired by the Spanish flair of Dark Pit's theme, this is a Latin fusion remix of the flight theme for Chapter 6 in Kid Icarus: Uprising.  Rather than following the guidelines of salsa rhythm, the percussion plays by its own rules, much like Dark Pit.  It is a Latin freestyle beat with a hint of salsa in the arpeggios to give that recognisable flavour.


Disclaimer:
Kid Icarus: Uprising is copyright of Nintendo.

Visit our WarioWare D.I.Y. Chat Room!  http://crispyyoshi.hostei.com/chat.html

WarioWare D.I.Y. Records: "Pittoo Salsa" ~Remix~ from Kid Icarus: Uprising

This remix enhances and expands upon Cranky's Dojo from Donkey Kong Country 3 on the Game Boy Adavnce.  It is one of the 77 remixes featured in the DKC3 OverClocked ReMix album, "Double the Trouble!"  Cranky's Mojo is found on Disc 4: Track 4.  Please download for best quality!

If you like this remix, please share with those who may enjoy listening.  Also, check out other remixes from the "Double the Trouble!" album!

Background:

Late in Summer 2010, a well-respected OCR community member informed me of the DKC3 album project and suggested that I contact Emunator, despite the fact that all of the tracks were reserved at the time. I was told that a track likely would be dropped, and in this case, it was Cranky's Dojo. It was an excellent opportunity that I was honoured to seize, especially since I had no posted ReMixes on the site.

I selected the Roland Fantom X6 workstation keyboard to remix the track, and began compiling various samples from Roland's World Collection and Complete Orchestra expansion boards. Being a past MIDI transcriber, I wanted to sequence Cranky's Dojo accurately and build from there. My initial WIP was nothing more than a transcription of the source with an improvised synth lead, but the director accepted it. This simple recording was the beginning of a long line of ideas for the remix I dubbed "Cranky's Mojo."

My original plan was to have a bit of a dance section and mix in a Chinese-Japanese refrain, but the dance part became sort of a synth rock hybrid. While performing a trumpet solo improv overlay on Yoshi's "Tropical Island" from Mario Party, I got the idea of using the sample for a jazzy section of the piece, and it was then that I realised I would separate my remix into movements. A new chord progression for the source melody came to mind and I went on to use it for the aforementioned East-Asian part of the arrangement.

After many hours of labour, I was quite pleased with the results. A moody first movement, an upbeat rock section with a lot of source, an Oriental part, and a 1940s sassy swing made this remix very dynamic. However, it had much room for improvement.

An opportunity arose to enhance Cranky's Mojo, which the director for the album approved. With some advice, I implemented a richer piano arrangement for the opening movement, a more realistic rock drumline using Yamaha Motif ES8 keyboard samples, and a myriad of smaller refinements. The outcome of the extra effort feels much more polished than the previous recordings.

Many thanks go to Bahamut, Nutritious, Emunator, Cody Wedel, DragonAvenger, Flexstyle, and all those who helped make this possible.

Song Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJCWt6oWDjQ
"Double the Trouble" Remix Album: http://dkc3.ocremix.org/

Disclaimer:

Customised Screenshot by Cody Wedel
Transitions and visual stylisation by Peach

Donkey Kong Country 3 is copyright of Nintendo and RARE, Ltd.

"Cranky's Mojo" ~Remix~ from the Donkey Kong Country 3 OCReMix Album, "Double the Trouble!"

Let's get together for an island getaway!  Departure is scheduled for 20 March 2020, so now's a great time for an official Animal Crossing arrangement of the GameXplain Discussion Theme!  This music initially featured in the discussion video that followed the New Horizons Nintendo Direct on 20 February 2020.

The first part of the song captures the folk feeling of the classic installments, which transitions into a tropical vibe.  The latter part has a strong focus on bossa nova—a beloved style referenced throughout the series, including the anime.  It's almost like the composition starts in the forest and then takes you on a trip for a tour of the islands.  Even a special guest makes an appearance!  Please enjoy this relaxing arrangement!

Visit GameXplain's channel on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/GameXplain

Disclaimer:
All graphics and audio represented here are copyright of GameXplain.
Animal Crossing animation was created by Jan Neves.  (https://www.youtube.com/Jan3d)
Original GameXplain Discussion Theme was written by Alexis C.  (https://soundcloud.com/acham)

GameXplain - Animal Crossing Discussion Theme

My Enhanced Game MIDI collection consists of MIDI files I sequenced and routed through my Yamaha Motif ES8 keyboard, utilising its rather nice-sounding General MIDI samples. The staff view was played with Cakewalk Express and the presentation was recorded with CamStudio. All instruments use the standard MIDI patches unless otherwise noted. To follow the notes in the sequence and to ensure the best sound quality, viewing full screen in 720p (HD) is strongly advised.

This sinister march can be heard while venturing in the castle of Lord Exdeath (X-Death) in Final Fantasy V.  In 1998, I sequenced the basic MIDI by request for the home page of a classic RPGamer regular.  Nearly 15 years later, I noticed the composition could sound good with a snare, so I added one without intention to keep it.  However, I liked the new drumline to the point where I wanted to implement it.  So, to create a fuller arrangement, a sorprano flute and synthetic choir were added along with the snare after the first loop.

Disclaimer:
Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy V Advance are copyright of Square-Enix.

Enhanced Game MIDIs: "Exdeath's Castle (Arranged)" from Final Fantasy V

Here's some original music from Carpoon, a downloadable Windows game being developed by Tom Arnold from GameXplain!  In Carpoon, you control a pick-up truck and harpoon escaping cars sentenced to recycling by car crusher, towing them to their doom!  The game can be played in both single player and local multiplayer for competitive demolishing action.  This theme features on the map for The Autoworks, which takes place in an automobile factory with an assembly line and molten steel.  There are two versions of this music: one for normal gameplay, and one for when the timer has less than 30 seconds remaining.

Inspired by industrial rhythms, this composition was written as a catchy electronica piece with jazz blues and even classical elements mixed in.  The piano, saxophone, and strings that accompany the digital and unorthodox percussive instruments help to achieve that.  Much like with the other tracks, the guitar fret slide towards the beginning and mute trumpet simulate the sounds of a revving engine and beeping car horn.  Its more serious-sounding undertones are intended to give the track the feeling of a final or decisive stage in this otherwise light-hearted and whimsical game.  Have fun listening!

Visit the Carpoon official site to download and play the game!
https://tombo.itch.io/carpoon

Disclaimer:
Carpoon and all imagery presented are copyright of Tom Arnold.  All rights reserved.

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