ReMix: Super Mario Galaxy 'Meteorites and Rabbits'

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Super Mario Galaxy

Check it out - our first Super Mario Galaxy ReMix! This also happens to be our first ReMix from "newcomer" jmr, aka Jeffrey Roberts, who's actually been registered on our forums since way back in April of 2002. He writes:

"Didn't plan on submitting this one, but after re-listening to and tweaking the PRC version, I felt it was a strong enough piece for me to at least attempt submitting it. I wouldn't be surprised if the arrangement is a sticking point. I'll admit it's fairly conservative at times, but the majority of the backing parts (especially in the latter half) are original. Either way, I hope you all enjoy it."

SMG has one of the best current-gen soundtracks out there, and stands as a shining example that song-based scores, with plenty of original melodies, are still appropriate and still resonate with gamers. I sometimes play this game JUST to hear the music, though I confess to my utter lameness in still not having beaten it - you try running this site, working full time, going to school, and planning for a wedding, and see how much gaming time you can manage :) The specific source here is NOT one of Kondo's tracks, and is actually by Mahito Yokota, who worked on the Kessen series as well as DK: Jungle Beat. Roberts did keep his arrangement fairly close, both melodically and in overall tone, to the original, but made some creative & pretty well executed changes and additions to the accompaniment. Larry writes:

"I had the opportunity to listen to this in the Austin airport on the way back from a business trip, and this was a nice transporting arrangement. I definitely understand Jeff's hesitation on the arrangement being conservative, but I think the overall mood was different enough and the new backing parts added another original level to this."

I agree; not every mix has to reinvent the source material to succeed. It's awesome when artists *do* find completely new directions to take a given piece, but it's also rewarding to hear mixes that stay in the same general vicinity while changing other internal elements up. In this case, the artist has definitely maintained the spacey, floating sensation Kondo and Yokota achieved with their combination of orchestral elements, bell pads, and theremin-esque synths. The rising and falling piano line has been replaced with pizzicato strings, which add an even lighter, buoyant feel, and the overall instrumentation changes all really serve to enhance the strength of the original melody, which is left intact. Not a ground-breaking mix, and not a perfect mix, but definitely a solid mix, and hopefully the first of many from jmr AND the first of many from Super Mario Galaxy's brilliant soundtrack!

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Just beautiful. Relaxing to the max, with a hint of mystery from the space-like ambiance. A must download.

- Cash and Change on November 8, 2011
Ah, relaxing, easy going and peaceful. It really does give off that "floating through space" feeling that seems to be key in this game and music. The vibe is just so smooth and natural. I'm glad the first SMG ReMix turned out to be enjoyable and solid. Hopefully the rest of the game gets some love, cause the soundtrack opens up so many possibilities for sweet mixes like this one.

- Crulex on December 23, 2010
Let it be known: Mario Galaxy has one of the very, very best videogame soundtracks of all time. It is a masterpiece. Thank God someone has done a remix!
This is wonderful. Perfectly captures the euphoric, spacey feeling that makes Galaxy the awesome experience it is. More please!

- The Radical Sifu on April 5, 2010
Awesome song, really takes me back

- Universe-X on February 14, 2010
Sounds like it'd be appropriate for both Halloween or a trip into space. Maybe Halloween in space? Guess it's the theremin.
Also, I really like the quiet strings around 2:30.

- Martin Penwald on December 16, 2009
Excellent work. Just like everyone here, I love Mario Galaxy's soundtrack because it manages to be just as catchy as 16-bit VG music despite using a full orchestra. On that note, remixing tracks may be a bit intimidating.
Such a good job in capturing the mood of the original, jmr. The mixture of orchestral sounds and space synths are just as haunting. We really need more Mario Galaxy remixes for this site, not to mention space music genre. I think this is the first remix to feature the latter.

- SwordBreaker on December 16, 2009
I've recently started replaying Super Mario Galaxy recently so the source is at least semi-fresh in my mind, and I have to admit I like this better than the source. While it has the same mood as the original, it does liven it up some. It's still calming and evocative of space as ever, and its quite an interesting listen. While it does have a habit of causing the listener to place it at a lower mental awareness, there's a lot of variation of the sound scape here, plenty of changes in dynamics and speed. The ending is a little wimpy though, just quickly fading out with no resolution...
All in all, I like it and totally recommend it.

- 42 on December 14, 2009
Appropriate for the source, beautiful track. Has a bit of an old record feel to it, all that's missing is the reduced sound quality and the noise. :D SMG has some great music, this track represents the soundtrack well.

- Rozovian on December 13, 2009
This is absolutely scrumptious. I really like how close to the original it originally is and then kind of makes its own way from there. Very relaxing, wonderfully out-of-this-world and enjoyable. Almost reminds me of william orbit.

- Hy Bound on December 8, 2009
A conservative take on the source, but it's super relaxing. Despite the rawness of the violin solo part, I dig the track.
Congrats on being posted, and I am excited to hear what you've got for us next! :-)

- OA on December 8, 2009
Simply stunning. I heard this back before it was posted and was blown away then, and am blown away now.
There's a lot of subtleties going on here that really add up to a sound-picture that's soothing and inventive. I still think you need to build a Theremin and I'll buy it off of you, but listening to this makes me think you'd be a lot more effective in using it. String work is superb, and I can't wait to hear how you tackle your next song.

- Level 99 on December 8, 2009
This has to be my favorite remix arrangement this year. It really is so peaceful.
Great work.

- metalsnakejuice on December 8, 2009
While this song doesn't scream ACTION or INTENSE like you might want it to, this song excels in something that makes me feel at peace. It makes me feel floaty, weightless, like I'm just blissfully drifting through space. I give this remix two thumbs up just for that.

- MechaFone on December 6, 2009
Beautiful track, BEAUTIFUL reinterpretation. Very very well done.

- Less Ashamed Of Self on December 6, 2009
YES, SUPER MARIO GALAXY!!!
Best Mario game in the world!
Ok, enough with non-relevant opinions.
REALLY glad that jmr did this ReMix right. Super Mario Galaxy has a very, VERY strong soundtrack. It's tough to make something as good as Super Mario Galaxy better, or even just as good.
Gorgeous spacy feel, very relaxing and pleasant.
Downloaded as soon as I saw Super Mario Galaxy.
No regrets after the matter.

- Igami on December 6, 2009