5 Further Rare Crossover Motif Melodies

by Lerako on Aug 1st, 2012

With our audiophiles hard at work scrutinizing minute details in chiptunes, it was rather inevitable that the next iteration of the Rare Crossover Motif Melodies would rear its symphonic head once again for our listening pleasure. As with the previous offerings, this list details certain melodies that have found their way from one Rare title to another, forgoing all ventures into chronology and relevance. If you’re familiar with the original composition, it can be quite a treat to see a favorite tune popping up unexpectedly in another Rare title, perhaps remixed and retooled for the better. Whatever the case may be, you’ll find each choice Rare composition below complete with newfangled audio players that will allow you to listen to both songs back to back. Open two windows and play both at once to convince yourself of the striking similarities – or turn on all of the songs at once and just start screaming and screaming. These are 5 Further Rare Crossover Motif Melodies.

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#5. A FAMILIAR KONG QUEST FOUND IN A POCKET SIZED PICKLE

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With his celebrated birthday bash ruined by a gatecrashing acorn, his girlfriend held captive inside a volatile mineshaft, and a second-rate skunk stealing his identity, Conker has certainly had better days – and what better way to cope when things go pear shaped than play a bit of Game Boy? Leave Conker to idle long enough and he’ll do just that. While the start-up ping is a bit of nostalgia induced joy, it comes a steady second to the proceeding chiptune that sounds strikingly similar to one heard in Donkey Kong Country. While the song may have originated on the SNES, it seems that Conker is playing the aforementioned Donkey Kong Land – which the squirrel spends all his time trapped inside of a Bonus Room. Look for the exit, stupid squirrel…

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#4. TINY’S TAG TAKES THE TERRIBLE TICKER TOWER TRADEMARK TUNE

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Dark, gloomy and foreboding, your prospects of future happiness are much like Ticker Tower found at the peak of Mumbo’s Mountain. While most interiors of Banjo-Kazooie feature a retooled level theme to suit their mood, the Tower tune was a tune all of its own, originally set to be the overworld theme of Mumbo’s Mountain, but was changed at the last minute. Proving that you just can’t keep a catchy tune down, it found itself in the darkness of the tower during Banjo-Kazooie, and tucked away in pseudo-successor Donkey Kong 64 waiting to be found. If you’ve managed to rescue Tiny Kong from within Angry Aztec you’ll be able to call her for assistance inside the Tag Barrel. A quick listen to her theme with a keen ear will reveal a jazzy Ticker Tower remix, tailor-made for teensy tiny characters in mind!

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#3. A SWEEPING PASTORAL AND ORCHESTRAL SCORE TO MATCH VEHICULAR HOMICIDE

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During the time that Banjo-Kazooie was considered a hybrid instrument that would earn you tilted glances, the Banjo team was hard at work on a title called Dream. The nautical adventure stared a boy named Edison who is unknowingly shoved into adventure when his girlfriend is taken captive. While this adventure would eventually become the familiar oddball story that we all know and love, the music crafted around Edison and his world would eventually be used in Viva Piñata where it would be orchestrated to full emotional effect. Meanwhile, with Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts marking the duos 10th anniversary, it seemed only right to pay tribute to the Dream that inspired the entire adventure. Listen to Nutty Acres and you’ll hear as the humble beginnings of Dream evolve into the melodies of Banjo-Kazooie.

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#2. TAKING ARROGANCE TO NEW HEIGHTS, K. ROOL IS ON A JADED PLATEAU

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While the first Donkey Kong Land title featured a number of remixes from the original Donkey Kong Country adventure, venturing into new areas like the Big Ape City and Chimpanzee Clouds would require fresh and equally excellent music credit to Rare composer, Graeme Norgate. While the central riff found in the Bad Boss Boogie tune was originally created for Norgates band at the time, they felt the sound wouldn’t fit; so he decided to show them that it could, twice. Give Rare‘s bombastic sandbox romp, Blast Corps. a spin and you’ll stumble upon the familiar Bad Boss Boogie tune waiting for you in Jade Plateau. Significantly upgraded from its chiptune roots, stopping the cruiser couldn’t be easier when you’re backed with this fantastic rejigged hoedown score. Go on, have a dance to the nuclear fallout!

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#1. THE RIGHT TO REMAIN VIOLENT, IF LEFT TO HIS OWN DEVICES

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While most ties have been severed between the cheery Pocket Tales adventure and its Bad Fur Day successor, Conker is still tempted on playing some Game Boy on the same machine he’s had from his youth. Outgrowing the allure of Donkey Kong Land however, the squirrels newest love is equally gritty Killer Instinct which provokes some colorful commentary. Listening in will reveal the theme tunes belonging to Jago and Sabrewulf from Killer Instinct 2, with an iconic title theme to match. Not to be outdone, the Live & Reloaded remake of Bad Fur Day saw Conker extending his playtime with a fictitious Xbox handheld console. Listening through the distortion of the portable speakers revealed the themes for Cinder, Riptor, Spinal and T.J. Combo among others. Conker prefers Orchid’s showy finisher we’re sure…

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