A musical transition into the proper mood The bleakness wraps the characters both visually and musically. Leaving subtlety aside, the super villain’s lair, which is usually located at the end of the world, is here… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Bridge to Gruntilda’s Lair
Life affirming tunes Of course ever since the days of arcades, gamers have had the need to notice when their characters get harm and then when something good, like replenishing health, happens. In many video… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Collect Extra Honeycombs / Extra Life
Deep south bear When it comes to the music of the main gameplay levels of Banjo-Kazooie—or any other mascot platform for that matter—There is less emphasis on the cultural connotations since the mission statement for… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Spiral Mountain
Once upon a time And so the fable begins in a most sinister and mysterious fashion, way more than what the subject matter calls for. A story based on the fairest of them all trope… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Overture
A more spacious underground Link set out on his most adventuresome quest yet. Or so does promise the title card at the beginning of the black sheep from the Zelda series. And it is a… Read More »Inside The Score – Zelda II: The Adventure of Link – Palace / Temple / Dungeon
Sublime profundity Who is to say that the weird harmonic language of Grant Kirkhope is only suited to be in the service of wackiness or the playfully sinister style? The man can clearly reach for… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Tooie – Atlantis
Decadence at its finest Our trope of drunken, evil clowns is back playing their wacky cabaret music in some back alley in order to complete the trilogy of decayed, grungy industrial complex levels in the… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Tooie – Grunty Industries
Progressive forebodingness What’s Up readers! There are 316 days left till Halloween so getting in the mood for celebration here is Luigi’s Mansion (OK, maybe the name Luigi is trending and I just got a… Read More »Inside The Score – Luigi’s Mansion – Main Theme / Mansion Theme
The power of large numbers Continuing on with our communist agenda here is now the Pikmin series which exemplifies how you can accomplish all of your party goals as long as you are willing to… Read More »Inside The Score – Pikmin – Main Theme / Title Screen
Mediterranean paradiso Benvenuti a Plaza Delfino! Where Mario will finally get the chance to reconnect with his Italian ancestry. Perhaps they even decided to visit some relative or Mario wants to show Princess Peach where… Read More »Inside The Score – Super Mario Sunshine – Delfino Plaza
The lost gems from the East In true hip fashion we can also delve into the deep cuts of the discography from Koji Kondo in order to uncover hidden gems and having the rare treat… Read More »Inside The Score – Shin Onigashima – Neighboring Village / Fourth Chapter
Dark whimsy The return to Banjoland is not a pleasant one for the bear and the bird. The tone and atmosphere has shifted, twisted slightly; everything feels more somber, dirtier and larger than life. The… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Tooie – Isle O’Hags