ReMix:Kid Icarus "Megalo Kid March" 2:29

By Nixdorux

Arranging the music of one song...

"Stage 1"

Primary Game: Kid Icarus (Nintendo , 1986, NES), music by Hirokazu Tanaka

Posted 2003-12-20, evaluated by the judges panel


From newcomer Nicolas Ferranti comes a cool, short but well-developed orchestral Kid Icarus ReMix, made with Logic and an E-Mu Virtuoso 2000, a sound module dedicated completely to symphonic/orchestral sounds. I've been interested in seeing what a piece made entirely using this module would sound like, and it's pretty good, although it certainly helps that Nicolas has a good ear for dynamics and varied instrumentation. Recent judge addition GrayLightning enthused:

"Quality arrangement and instrument usage throughtout. The middle soft section with the harp and glockenspiel is particularly strong. I'd consider this a primer for those wanting to get into traditional orchestra on how to do it right."
While the brass timbres are less convincing, as one judge noted, this is highly excusable especially in light of the excellent, very dramatic orchestration and the relative scarcity of amazingly convincing brass sounds. I think the tradeoffs between clarinet and flute and solo/ensemble dynamics work especially well, and the whole piece has a feeling of heroic suspense and kinetic energy. Short but emphatic and constructed with focus and direction, this is a great little gem of an orchestral ReMix that adeptly takes the source material and breathes new life into it - good stuff, great first mix, hope to hear more.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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XPRTNovice
on 2013-12-12 10:02:16

This really shows the kind of skill the arranger has for being able to elicit that kind of emotion and realism from a not-hollywood-quality sample set. I think it's almost better that way - it gives it a really neat feel that would be ruined by real instruments. I really enjoyed this.

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Rayquaza
on 2013-11-20 20:41:35

This song reminds me a lot like "Avien's Brinstar".

After all, it was Tanaka who composed the original tunes from both games.

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Bejack
on 2013-08-23 05:24:36

Really enjoyable piece of orchestral music here! The only thing I did not enjoy at around 2:24 was those plucked strings? (really hoping that's the right term) This brings back good memories of a game that was too hard for me when I was a kid :)

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Emunator
on 2009-12-03 19:09:50

Can't say this one caught my interest much. It all felt too thin and amateurish. It's nice to hear this theme getting a more modern treatment, and it sounds like the remixer had some okay ideas but I don't really think this offers anything that the Brawl orchestrated version of the theme didn't. Sorry :-(

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Bahamut
on 2009-11-08 06:32:37

I'm not familiar with the original source, but I can't say this caught my ears terribly much. The orchestration is too minimal IMO to really stand out.

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DragonAvenger
on 2008-12-09 21:53:04

This is very well orchestrated, bravo. Catchy, cute, bombastic, expressive. Brass samples are the biggest drawback, but it's generally a no-win situation in finding something good. The ending is particularly suitable. Nice work.

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Moo2u
on 2007-04-30 00:23:12

I'm actually surprised that there isn't more replies to this remix. It's incredibly well done! I'll admit, I've never played Kid Icarus, but I really with I had. The game looks like an amazing cross between Mario, Metroid and Zelda, and with Pit appearing in the next Smash Brothers I'm sure we'll be hearing more from him.

The remix is heroic and simply suggestes adventure with every note! By all acount this should be a classic Nintendo theme. It's just so brilliant and catchy, and this remix shows how great this original music is and has potential to be. Here's hoping this theme is featured in Smash Brothers Brawl!

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OA
on 2006-12-18 13:44:57

I loved the Kid Icarus soundtrack, and this song does it justice.

The huge buildup at the beginning was expected, but afterwards, the harp and woodwinds was not, and a welcome turn.

The bassoon(?) is particularly expressive, though the brass that comes in later isn't completely convincing. I think the issue is that it's too rigid, and especially so, when the rest of the piece is so carefully constructed. The percussion is sparse, but builds tension when needed, and though I was hoping for a huge Wagnerian swell at the end, the ending was good in it's own right.

The handling of the source is a little more relaxed than I was hoping for overall, but it still sounds good and is recommended.

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Krendall
on 2004-04-13 11:57:50

Exactly how I expected this to sound in a non-MIDI setting. Great job, man. Keep up the good work!

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progressive
on 2004-01-12 22:25:14

I think I just wet my pants... short and sweet.

---progressive19

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Chrono
on 2004-01-07 23:06:52

Where are all the other reviewers for this mix?!

This is a really great mix, no doubt. Kid Icarus is awesome, and so is this remix. Great job.

9/10.

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Rucianu
on 2003-12-27 00:17:15

Quite impressive. Bombastic in some places, subtle in others...if Kid Icarus were on a new platform, I would expect nothing less of this caliber (spelling?) music. Bravo, jolly good.

9/10

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CubeNES
on 2003-12-21 16:51:58

EXCELLENT!!

About a 9/10

Good stuff. Orchestrated remixes are my favorites.

- CubeNES

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The Instrument of GAWD
on 2003-12-20 18:17:23

i'm glad that someone finally remixed the first level BGM of Kid Icarus. i've posted a request for it maybe twice. anyway, i'm digging the mellowiness of this peice. and on some level it reminds me of some tracks from Final Fantasy 9. probably just me thinking that tho.

all in all, great work!

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woekitten
on 2003-12-20 17:49:31

I like it. I always loved the level music in Kid Icarus (Well, level 1, anyway ... I could never get past it), and orchestrated NES music, when well done, can turn out really cool. My only complaint has already been addressed (the 'belivability' of the insturments falls a bit at the 1:25 mark), but it's a pretty minor issue.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Kid Icarus (Nintendo , 1986, NES)
Music by Hirokazu Tanaka
Songs:
"Stage 1"

Tags (1)


Genre:
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Additional:
Time > Duration: Short

File Information


Name:
Kid_Icarus_Megalo_Kid_March_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
2,464,833 bytes
MD5:
0668cbfc6da3ea62ab67d4f16994c30c
Bitrate:
128Kbps
Duration:
2:29

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