ReMix:Super Mario Bros. "Super Star" 3:15

No matter how many arrangements we end up posting during this special event, is it really a Mario Month if you don't include representation for the most popular Mario themes of all time?? Alright, no more delay, let's continue the celebration with Neon X (Martin Höglund) combining Koji Kondo & Super Mario 1's Starman and World 1-1 themes into minor key yet bright and affirming electronica!

"A little uplifting synthwave mixup I did featuring the star theme and overworld theme. Actually kind of cool to mix two themes in one song, much more options and elaboration friendly. Have many ideas on these themes and this piece contains a small fragment of them. Cheers!"

I wouldn't say this is really synthwave like Neon X did, but who among us hasn't partaken in too many Magic Mushrooms from the Mario series? :-) Neon's already gotten meaningful attention for this arrangement due to it (and a whole host of Martin's other tracks) being used within Skilloz' extensive discussion of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's "Blue Yourself" world record history (40 minutes dedicated to speedrunning breakdowns, and well worth the watch!). We're happy to welcome this piece to OCR with unanimous qualified yet quality endorsements from the judges panel, starting with MindWanderer respecting X's game:

"It may be called "Super Star," but the meat of this remix is the SMB1 main theme in a minor key. I can't say I've ever heard an upbeat key-changed take like this. Some classic EDM that just works.

It's a one-trick pony, really, but it's a really good trick, and it's explored to the fullest. You clearly had a vision in mind, and absolutely realized that vision."

On the flip side, MW also argued that the star theme "wasn't utilized", but it served as the initial base to build upon, and Neon then used it from :55-on to anchor and serve the track as a regular background element while the Overworld theme took point. With the changes in the melodies providing that transformative touch, listeners shouldn't end up feeling shortchanged. While the overall panel did cite ear fatigue from Neon's dense textures not easing up (I disagree due to 1:37-1:50) and had feelings on the second half's extended loops and fadeout, handling these themes in this way absolutely worked regardless, with Chimpazilla also on board:

"Wow, what a unique take on some really old and well-known (and remixed to death) themes. I agree totally with MW on his comments. The changed harmonic structure of this mix from the original is really super cool. I also really like the dead-stops with one simple sfx as the bridge to the next section. [...] The arrangement is so creative and I think people are going to really like this one."

I've frequently stressed in interviews that I never have and never will give up or throw up my hands when encountering tried & true video game soundtrack standards getting attention yet again, because the VGM arrangement community has always proven its collective ability to come through with fresh approaches. Martin's now delivered with a half-dozen ReMixes, and this one's easily his most iconic and accessible pair of source tune choices, not only made memorable through the minor key variations of both themes blending together, but comfortable original countermelodic additions that click well alongside energetic percussion.

The piece continues on as it fades, but that's easily explained: your Starman's still got staying power, so keep on running and go rescue the princess!! ;-)