ReMix: Super Mario Bros. 'Bowser is Pissed'
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- Game: Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo, 1985, NES)
- ReMixer(s): PriZm
- Composer(s): Koji Kondo
- Song(s): Castle BGM
- Posted: 2005-03-12, evaluated by the judges
Bowser is apparently pissed, or so sayeth newcomer PriZm, aka Pascal Jette, who gives us a turbo version of the infamous boss's theme from his first major appearance all the way back in SMB. Pascal says:
"This is an IDM / metal mix of Super Mario Bros Castle theme as requested by Evil_Ice. I was surprised that nobody took a shot at ReMixing this one, but I gotta admit it was kinda hard, since the actual song is three measures long and that it's hard to fit in anything original."
Given the brevity of the material, which everyone and their respective grandmothers should be acquainted with, PriZm does a good job getting maximum mileage out of what's available and filling the gaps with some breakbeat magics and creative augmentation. There's some REALLY cool tradeups later on in the mix, including a rock portion where one can envision 80's hair band members storming bowser's flat with massive riffage and questionable fashion taste, but let's begin at the beginning: a deceptively quiet, tense little orchestral intro leads us into the pickup at 0'11" where some gurgling wavestation-style wave sequenced synth bass undulates under d'n'b. Gotta commend Pascal on timbral variety for his drums - there's several kicks, snares, and myriad other hits, claps, and effects utilized, and everything's mutating pretty constantly, with a multitude of chopping and fills. It'd be a fun drum track to listen to isolated in its entirety, which is rarely the case, even on appropriate, hiqh-quality drum tracks. The shift at 2'47" with the "hyah" and screaming electrics turns an already above-average track into something truly inspired and memorable. If you wanna hear how to turn such a basic motif into over four minutes of music, this is where the mix - and Pascal - really shine. Binnie and Larry were a bit concerned with arrangement and production, respectively, but the majority liked what Pascal had done. There's some question as to whether pieces this short can be successfully mixed without arrangements becoming mostly original, but I think Jette does a great job of keeping the original around in one form or another and building around it. I feel like I could recognize the source material if I was played any 20 second excerpt, for example. Nowshky summarized my sentiments almost exactly:
"I think i'm on the analoq side of things here. There is an obvious (And successful) attempt at re-envisioning the original and makes it an interesting ride for a full 4+ minutes. Larry whined about realism, but realism is only really necessary when one is partaking in a "realistic" genre. Orchestral? yes. Rock n Roll? Probably. But off-the-wall dnB-esque electronic offerings? Nope. Very nice work with the processing overall, both with the volume/stutter FX, the panning, and overall synth programming. The same riff is basically repeating through the entirety of the tune, but it's so warped and transmogrified that it doesn't get boring for a second. This would be enough to get through already, but then some of the sickest guitar I've heard in a long time comes by to say hello."
Solid stuff that really grew on me after repeated listens. It doesn't have the strongest of intros and thus doesn't make the best first impression, but picks up after about ten seconds and never lets go. Different style, different approach, but still solid results from Mr. Jette, whose first mix gives Bowser something to be proud, not pissed, about.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the I think this remix captures the feeling of a Bowser Castle level perfectly. It starts off a bit softer and then builds up to the final confrontation very well, with lots of little level obstacles in the way. (The beginning of the castle is never as intense and stressful as the final conflict.) I think my favorite part is at 2:48 where the metal band shows up - I could see this at the point in level 8-4 of the original SMB where you get to the Hammer Bro right before taking on Bowser himself. The tension is building until you confront the Koopa King himself, and then that ending! I couldn't think of a better way to end this song than with the NES sound effects of the bridge going down.
This is an excellent piece to listen to while working out. You can almost feel the heat from the fireballs zooming over your head as you race down the stone corridors. In any case, this is a great audio tour of an old-school Mario game castle level, not to mention just a great piece of music.
- Lovely Peach on January 9, 2009
(She likes it!)
- Liontamer on September 2, 2008
Alexzander wrote: I downloaded this mix back when it first came out, left the site for about a year, got a new computer, came back and re-downloaded a ot of the old stuff from my old system, and I'd have to say that this is still one of my absolute favorites. It's awesome, anyone who can make this kick-ass a pece out of three measured of looped idiocy. Id have to say bowser is overly pissed, yes. Download it NOW!I agree to that good sir
- Dr.d on December 10, 2006
- Alexzander on October 29, 2006
Steele wrote: I'm listening to this, and, maybe it's the final fantasy addict in me, but i swear i'm hearing a bit of "ff7: Those who fight (ac version)" in there too, after 2:46... the repeating guitar rift sounds just like a bit of it o_o
Coincidence?
Well I'm not sure where you're going with this, but that was all unintentional. The only song I've borrowed from (apart from the obvious castle theme) is Flight of the Bumble Bee.
And by the way, thanks to all of those who have commented on this song.
- PriZm on July 28, 2006
Coincidence?
- Steele on July 28, 2006
This setup sucks for heavy distortion rhythm, but is damn cool for leads.
- PriZm on July 27, 2006
- Geoffrey Taucer on July 27, 2006
Geoffrey Taucer wrote: wait a sec... did I hear "flight of the bumblebee" in there?
EDIT: also, prizm, what exactly did you use for that lead? I love the tone.
Yes you did hear a snippet of bumblebee :P
What lead ? Do you mean da guitarz ? Or the lead synth that plays in the backdroung ? If that's the case, then it's some synth in Reason, can't remember which.
- PriZm on July 27, 2006
EDIT: also, prizm, what exactly did you use for that lead? I love the tone.
- Geoffrey Taucer on July 26, 2006
- Mariofreak on July 26, 2006
Thanks PriZm for this much needed remix.
- Trentdaddy on July 7, 2006
Amazing and really Atmospherical... It's a great Remix of the old version, i never knew about a remix could be so perfect. There is only one way to describe it: [b]W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L[/b]. :D . What i really loved was the easy going start an then went totally in to a Electric Guitarr and Drum n' Bass style. It's a great remix, and one of my personal favorites.
- Carbo the Hedgehog on May 3, 2006
- Metsuo on March 11, 2006
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