ReMix: Super Mario Bros. 2 'The DarK Underground'
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- Game: Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo, 1988, NES)
- ReMixer(s): DarK PurPLe
- Composer(s): Koji Kondo
- Song(s): 'Underground BGM'
- Posted: 2002-03-06, evaluated by djpretzel
Very compelling first submission from DarK PurPLe, changing a very short BGM into an extended ambient / experimental mix that really struck me the right way. It's minimalist, with a hovering chord playing throughout almost the whole piece, a bitchin' electric guitar, two resonant synth basses, and very minimal drums - kick and snare later, but a cool muted percussion bit with a great triplet in there. This is some of the msot hypnotic music I've heard, very easy to lose yourself in. It takes a while for the whole thing to sync in, but that's okay because at almost six minutes, the artist HAS awhile. I liked how this piece evolved - it's very edgy, builds nicely, and never drops into any cliches. You certainly can't dance to it (unless you call the acid-tripping-walk-around-the-room-with-your-hands-out-looking-at-the-ceiling-hippie-thing dancing), but it's perfect for turning the lights off, putting on some headphones, and achieving zen-like concentration. Like I said, very unique, and like anything unique, worth listening to at least once. Recommended.
Discussion: Latest 12 comments/reviews; view the Well, this one definitely takes me back.
Like I keep saying, it's hugely difficult to do ANYTHING with sources less than 8 measures long (in this case 6). But what Dark Purple did with the track was used the rhythm foundations of the source material to gradually build it in over time, its full colors finally being shown at 2:45. Sure, it may have come with the cost of repeating the riff almost vertabrim, not to mention going for a lazy fade-out ending without any form of building down, but it's still a good way to handle the source even if it's quite a dated idea.
It may not be the most well mixed track on the site, especially with the shrill loudness of the string pads throughout most of the song, but I still got to give credit to the synth guitar expression sounds really good for its time IMO. I'm still not a fan of them due to the weakness that they often provide when not done right, but as it is it's fine.
It's going to split people with its repetitive nature, ageing direction and somewhat painful production quality, but I still found it decent. I also remember his remastered cut at VGMix and liking it considerably more (does anyone still have it? It's not on the OCR Mirror :? ), so either way I felt firm with it.
- Rexy on December 10, 2011
Like I keep saying, it's hugely difficult to do ANYTHING with sources less than 8 measures long (in this case 6). But what Dark Purple did with the track was used the rhythm foundations of the source material to gradually build it in over time, its full colors finally being shown at 2:45. Sure, it may have come with the cost of repeating the riff almost vertabrim, not to mention going for a lazy fade-out ending without any form of building down, but it's still a good way to handle the source even if it's quite a dated idea.
It may not be the most well mixed track on the site, especially with the shrill loudness of the string pads throughout most of the song, but I still got to give credit to the synth guitar expression sounds really good for its time IMO. I'm still not a fan of them due to the weakness that they often provide when not done right, but as it is it's fine.
It's going to split people with its repetitive nature, ageing direction and somewhat painful production quality, but I still found it decent. I also remember his remastered cut at VGMix and liking it considerably more (does anyone still have it? It's not on the OCR Mirror :? ), so either way I felt firm with it.
- Rexy on December 10, 2011
Interesting take on the original - probably the thing that bothers
me most is that it could've been shortened in its repetitions to
keep things more interesting.
- Bahamut on September 11, 2009
- Bahamut on September 11, 2009
I always liked this mix. The lead is a little, and the pad is
excellent, and the filtered bass too. There a long intro where the
song doesn't develop at all, to the point where it would normally
feel repetitive, but it just gets you entranced, sort of, and I'm
glad to see this here on ocr for a change.
Once the drums come they don't really add anything, and at the same time the lead starts sounding really strange, lagging behind as it slides between its notes. Sounds a lot like me trying to play the ocarina in Zelda 5...
- Dafydd on December 23, 2008
Once the drums come they don't really add anything, and at the same time the lead starts sounding really strange, lagging behind as it slides between its notes. Sounds a lot like me trying to play the ocarina in Zelda 5...
- Dafydd on December 23, 2008
I've always enjoyed this mix. It's long, I'll grant that, but it's
not something that I stop and really focus on. Having it in the
background is hypnotic, in quite a good way. Larry is right, there
isn't anything else like this on OCR that I've seen, and it's worth
having.
- DragonAvenger on October 27, 2008
- DragonAvenger on October 27, 2008
I remember this one from way back. It was one of the first newly
posted tracks that I DLed after I was introduced to OCR. I was
still in my "download stuff only from games I know phase" before I
wised up many months later. I definitelyt played this on the radio
several times, because I remember the bass distorting through the
radio station's soundboard and having to compensate for it with
Winamp's EQ settings.
One subtle detail I never noticed with the electric guitar synth until just now was the really cool effect of trails of previous notes overlapping with new notes, something you don't catch until the sample is exposed from 3:17-3:39.
I loved the arrangement's slow burn approach. Spent many days just sitting back and letting this one loop. There's been nothing else like it on OCR. Especially being from a popular game like SMB2, this is criminally under-reviewed.
- Liontamer on May 14, 2007
One subtle detail I never noticed with the electric guitar synth until just now was the really cool effect of trails of previous notes overlapping with new notes, something you don't catch until the sample is exposed from 3:17-3:39.
I loved the arrangement's slow burn approach. Spent many days just sitting back and letting this one loop. There's been nothing else like it on OCR. Especially being from a popular game like SMB2, this is criminally under-reviewed.
- Liontamer on May 14, 2007
There is some cool stuff going on in this mix, especially the
distorted bass, and the guitar playing, but that chord that just
hangs forever smothers it completely. Sorry. :(
- OA on December 27, 2006
- OA on December 27, 2006
Hmm, I guess I'm the only one who loves this remix. I agree, the
first half of the song could have been shortened considerably, but
the thing to remember about this piece is the atmosphere. It's a
very trippy take on the underground theme from SMB2. It's not
something you would listen to actively; it's more accustomed to
background music while studying or chilling out. In any case, it
will always hold its place on my roster of classics.
In case you don't know, DarK has remastered the piece and posted it on vgmix. If you didn't like the original, you may not like the remastered version, but for all fans of the original, the update is some nice ear candy.
- MrBogus on January 30, 2005
In case you don't know, DarK has remastered the piece and posted it on vgmix. If you didn't like the original, you may not like the remastered version, but for all fans of the original, the update is some nice ear candy.
- MrBogus on January 30, 2005
EEP 8O .. Well, I don't really have much to add beyond what has
been said. That resonating sound that is being played throughout
the song is hella annoying. But beyond that it's not all that bad.
I do like that rapid-drill type soft sound I can hear in the back
ground.
Mh.... Don't believe I'm going to keep this one. A tad bit too repetative for me. :(
- Elex Synn on November 17, 2003
Mh.... Don't believe I'm going to keep this one. A tad bit too repetative for me. :(
- Elex Synn on November 17, 2003
This actually reminds me of a very old techno band called
"Kraftwerk". Now seeing as I like some "01|) 5|<00L" techno, I'm
very pleased to hear this kinda thing being played, as the one
kinda ambient thing is held out through the song in the back
reminds me alot of that older techno. *shrugs* I also love how it
kinda has the feel of older techno, but has the sound of newer
techno towards the middle of the song. Not much else to say aside
from the fact that I really like it!
-SS
- ShadowSleeper on March 27, 2003
-SS
- ShadowSleeper on March 27, 2003
/me likes it. Very thick and atmospheric. The guitar is perfectly
done IMO. But perhaps it IS just a tad to long and repetitive. But
you still have to download it! :)
- EmptyMy on September 23, 2002
- EmptyMy on September 23, 2002
Super Mario Bros. 2 'The DarK Underground'
This really ain't my cup of tea. The background chord is really annoying, and it takes far too long to develop (almost three minutes!) And I'm sorry, you can't make a repetative theme streatch 6 minutes just by adding and subtracting elements! So unfortunately, this mix really doesn't do it for me, and I can't recommend it.
- orkybash on May 26, 2002
This really ain't my cup of tea. The background chord is really annoying, and it takes far too long to develop (almost three minutes!) And I'm sorry, you can't make a repetative theme streatch 6 minutes just by adding and subtracting elements! So unfortunately, this mix really doesn't do it for me, and I can't recommend it.
- orkybash on May 26, 2002
