How Super Smash Bros. Music Sets a Tone for the Series

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
  • In this video I take a look at the overall tone that gets set throughout (most of) the Super Smash Bros. series' music. There are a LOT of similarities between the music of Melee, SSB4, and the new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate theme, and some interesting differences between these games and the music of the original Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. So, I thought I'd explore that a little bit.
    PATREON: / 8bitmusictheory
    TWITTER: / 8bitmusictheory
    DISCORD: / discord

Komentáře • 1,1K

  • @Kobozo375
    @Kobozo375 Před 6 lety +2068

    I take smash bros more seriously than my health how dare you

    • @_Snowflame
      @_Snowflame Před 6 lety +42

      Kobozo
      If Melee, I empathize.

    • @coastersplus
      @coastersplus Před 6 lety +129

      So does Sakurai :(

    • @henrygutierrez3243
      @henrygutierrez3243 Před 6 lety +51

      coastersplus It's funny, upsetting, and inspiring all at the same time.

    • @glint8824
      @glint8824 Před 6 lety +20

      Yeah! Smash Bros is no joke!
      (Except for almost everything about Brawl)

    • @glint8824
      @glint8824 Před 6 lety +4

      Found the Brawl fan.

  • @8bitMusicTheory
    @8bitMusicTheory  Před 6 lety +2447

    The worst part is that I didn't even question 'Squidling' for one second

    • @Chris-mc2dt
      @Chris-mc2dt Před 6 lety +287

      To be fair, squidling makes more sense than inkling when compared to octoling

    • @thecrystalfox2450
      @thecrystalfox2450 Před 6 lety +62

      Can you please make a short video talking about the piece fountain of dreams from smash Bros melee that would be awesome 👍

    • @Brunosky_Inc
      @Brunosky_Inc Před 6 lety +104

      As a punishment you'll now have to cover Splatoon music! =P

    • @KairuHakubi
      @KairuHakubi Před 6 lety +4

      I think that song encapsulates everything I dislike about smash bros remixes. like let's take a classic piece and miss the point as hard as we possibly can

    • @Tom-101
      @Tom-101 Před 6 lety +6

      Was about to comment in my anger haha, it's fine they'll forgive you if you make a video on their game.

  • @nerdcedric
    @nerdcedric Před 6 lety +751

    I think the reason Brawl's music was darker and more serious is because Brawl, as a game, was darker and more serious compared to other Smash games. You can tell they wanted the characters to look grittier. This was likely to match the additions of Snake, Zero Suit Samus, and and the fantastical story mode with villains like Ridley that are genuinely threatening. It was also planned to be the last game of the series, so they wanted to make it more epic and drop the whole cartoon vibe. It took itself seriously. I think that's why fans of the Smash series think Brawl had the best music, because the fans got used to the ridiculousness and it wouldn't be out of the ordinary for them to give a serious vibe to it. Brawl may have not had the most fitting music for the series as a whole, but I do think it represents it's own game the best, and to me, Ultimate music over the Brawl intro seems so off.

    • @hdog9046
      @hdog9046 Před 6 lety +3

      I think it's the only smash bros game to be rated T.

    • @Sly_Maverick_31
      @Sly_Maverick_31 Před 5 lety +2

      @@hdog9046
      Melee was also rated T.

    • @theillusionist1494
      @theillusionist1494 Před 5 lety +1

      Well.

    • @yayababatoto
      @yayababatoto Před 5 lety +3

      I loved the art of Brawl... then I saw toon link...

    • @aaronokemaysim7310
      @aaronokemaysim7310 Před 5 lety +19

      It wasn't planned to be the last game. Sakurai just said that he was making the game _like_ it was the last game.

  • @VGMusicExplorers
    @VGMusicExplorers Před 6 lety +1297

    Well, Brawl is also the only game with an "epic" story mode. That might be the reason for a more serious main theme.

    • @tragic_solitude7992
      @tragic_solitude7992 Před 6 lety +17

      VGMusic Explorers I was thinking that too.

    • @anomaly395
      @anomaly395 Před 6 lety +67

      VGMusic Explorers I think it was more grand and epic because it was intended to be the last Smash game in the series, and they wanted to have an epic ending.

    • @kingajman4149
      @kingajman4149 Před 6 lety +5

      Smash Ultimate might have a story mode

    • @michaelscott993
      @michaelscott993 Před 6 lety +19

      @@kingajman4149 I hope so. I'm not huge into fighting games, but ssbb was one of my favorite games ever when I was younger and it was was because of the subspace emissary.

    • @theillusionist1494
      @theillusionist1494 Před 5 lety +11

      Mikey Scott well um

  • @bluetannery1527
    @bluetannery1527 Před 6 lety +1979

    Brawl music is fucking. God. It’s just so beautiful

    • @imstupid7614
      @imstupid7614 Před 6 lety +68

      AUDI FAMAM

    • @CocoaBeans101
      @CocoaBeans101 Před 6 lety +126

      If only the mechanics were as good as the music

    • @WideMouth
      @WideMouth Před 6 lety +144

      Cocoa Beans at least it’s story mode was lit.

    • @reydesonic
      @reydesonic Před 6 lety +42

      The Bramble Blast remix was made in Brawl right?
      Cuz it sounds so beautiful and it may be why.

    • @ocass66
      @ocass66 Před 6 lety +11

      ILLIUS

  • @cortster12
    @cortster12 Před 6 lety +780

    I've been making music for nearly eight years now and I just never was able to get into music theory... which explains why I can never do what i want in my music. Your videos makes music theory seem fun an interesting, and I think they may be motivating me into taking my knowledge of music (or lack thereof) to the next level!

    • @SongbirdOfficial
      @SongbirdOfficial Před 6 lety +39

      Bose-Einstein If you want to learn music theory and explore some more traditional music, there's a channel called 12 tone that has done tutorials for beginners as well as a lot of explanations of popular music and what it uses to be catchy or set its tone. I haven't watched all of his videos yet, but they seem fun and interesting so far.

    • @Hirochicken
      @Hirochicken Před 6 lety +7

      Bose-Einstein I feel you there! As some one who likes to just fart around on beat making programs, I am always inspired with new ideas and techniques after watching one of these videos.

    • @ochzer
      @ochzer Před 6 lety +7

      I know, right? I've been "making" music for 4 years now and just recently, as I bought a keyboard and had to learn about music, feel like I'm getting somewhere.
      I don't think it's easy, but having a grasp at music theory and knowledge on some classical pieces *really* gives you an idea of what music is made of.

    • @SpeedySPCFan
      @SpeedySPCFan Před 6 lety +4

      Music theory is awesome. If you get someone who does a good job at explaining it to help you, it can be awesome learning new concepts and ideas that let you really expand your musical knowledge.

    • @kennyr1161
      @kennyr1161 Před 6 lety +5

      My highschool had me take a music theory class i loved it

  • @supahstarclod
    @supahstarclod Před 6 lety +358

    The smash series has an incredibly vast number of songs, it's really impressive how you can cover the generalities of the soundtrack in just 10 minutes. Nicely done!

    • @klop4228
      @klop4228 Před 6 lety +14

      He really only touched on the original music, of which there's not that much. Most of the tracks are remixes from other games

    • @theoneonyoutube4925
      @theoneonyoutube4925 Před 6 lety +2

      klop422
      Still pretty impressive that he was able to condense the information from multiple main themes into all of ten minutes.

  • @jonasgibadlo4290
    @jonasgibadlo4290 Před 6 lety +91

    I think the Brawl theme does fit, considering the much darker theme of sub space emissary

  • @Pioxys
    @Pioxys Před 6 lety +312

    *Smash 64 Music=* Sets the tone of expanding one's imagination (my personal favorite)
    *Melee Music=* Sets the tone of the new age, where Nintendo's greats gone competitive. (A great classic)
    *Brawl Music=* Sets the tone of a grand adventure with said Nintendo greats. (Very fitting for the subspace saga)
    *Sm4sh Music=* Sets the tone of a new event among gaming's all stars (my least favorite out of the bunch)
    *Smash Ultimate=* Sets the tone as the title itself. It's gaming all stars & Sakurai's GRAND FINALE!

    • @chaos_blue1089
      @chaos_blue1089 Před 5 lety +9

      Lifelight= ALRIGHT, LET'S DO THIS!

    • @noakinn
      @noakinn Před 5 lety +4

      Tristan Wong lifelight is smash ultimate, just with vocals.

    • @zackmash851
      @zackmash851 Před 5 lety +3

      nothing will ever beat that bumping, bass driven CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER beat from original smash.

    • @SmoothTurtle840
      @SmoothTurtle840 Před 5 lety

      Pioxys Brawl was supposed to be his Grand Finale

    • @connordarvall8482
      @connordarvall8482 Před 5 lety +2

      Okay, I think Ultimate is Sakurai's 3rd grand finale in a row.
      Edit: in a series of 5.

  • @Bankai2169
    @Bankai2169 Před 6 lety +422

    Well, I’m setting the tone early by SMASHING the like button! These videos give me ULTIMATE happiness

    • @vilhelm6134
      @vilhelm6134 Před 6 lety +6

      Bankai2169 you are a horrible person. Everyone: the person UP there TILTed me.

    • @chaos_blue1089
      @chaos_blue1089 Před 5 lety +1

      They aren't horrible. If their LIFE is just like making these jokes, it seems deLIGHTful.

    • @FedEx867
      @FedEx867 Před 5 lety +1

      Stop

  • @mushroomdude123
    @mushroomdude123 Před 6 lety +144

    Not sure how accurate this is, but I think Ultimate’s theme is sort of a fusion of Melee/Brawl/Smash Wii U’s openings.
    Like, I feel as if it borrows aspects from all 3 in some fashion.

    • @jphdez15
      @jphdez15 Před 6 lety +16

      mushroomdude123 that's exactly what I was thinking!!!, specially considering that Smash Ultimate is bringing back every character in the series.
      I think it's kind of a way to make a homage of the entire series, so that's why it's taking parts of each previous piece of music

    • @djangorainbow
      @djangorainbow Před 6 lety

      It most definitely is

    • @lozofmusic6977
      @lozofmusic6977 Před 6 lety +9

      I had the same feeling. I made an 8-bit medley of those themes and while I worked on it, I was really surprised, how well these themes fit together. In case of Ultimates Theme: The intro reminded me of Melee, in a later part, there's a string referencing Brawl (just before the song switches to the mellow part) and the overall style seems similar to Smash 4.

    • @alejandrob5091
      @alejandrob5091 Před 6 lety

      mushroomdude123 especially in Zelda and sheiks part

    • @jphdez15
      @jphdez15 Před 6 lety +1

      Lozof Music I just heard your work! Nice! Yeah I feel too that overall it's like smash 4 and for example the choral part I feel like it's a reference to brawl and when there's a calm violin it's similar to melee too (when Zelda and Sheik show up as also said in the comments)

  • @emmbeesea
    @emmbeesea Před 6 lety +634

    Oh yeah, implied Dorian.
    Keeps Minor from getting too dark.
    Smash music is iconic.

    • @mohamedashrefbenabdallah2545
      @mohamedashrefbenabdallah2545 Před 6 lety +8

      Can we substitute with Dorian chords in minor?

    • @MisterAppleEsq
      @MisterAppleEsq Před 6 lety +3

      +Red Yes.

    • @spookums5499
      @spookums5499 Před 6 lety +6

      Emm Bee Sea are you the person I constantly see in the comments of siIvagunna videos?

    • @emmbeesea
      @emmbeesea Před 6 lety +6

      Lafayette De Reinhardt | indeed.

    • @LouisSerieusement
      @LouisSerieusement Před 6 lety +1

      thanks I was thinking the same but was not sure because he only spokes about lydian later in the video, I was confused XD cheers :)

  • @darknarga2000
    @darknarga2000 Před 6 lety +31

    What do we learn kids ?
    A minor key with a classical switch from tonic to dominant is always nice and epic

  • @jayglenn837
    @jayglenn837 Před 6 lety +579

    Whadya mean "Brawl isn't the most fondly-remembered Smash game?" Memorable, awesome music and a story mode are just some of the qualities that will make Brawl my favorite Smash game for a long time.

    • @notalex8003
      @notalex8003 Před 6 lety +133

      It's infamous due to competitive reasons.

    • @koumakyo
      @koumakyo Před 6 lety +152

      Totally Satire The competitive community, despite how prolific they seem, is a vocal minority.

    • @FamilyTeamGaming
      @FamilyTeamGaming Před 6 lety +100

      It depends. Not only was Brawl considered a bad game for competitive play (a huge contrast to its predecessor Melee, which is a very popular competitive game to this day), gameplay-wise, a lot of it hasn't aged so well. Subspace Emissary is fondly remembered for its concept, but not really for its execution. The gameplay itself is also kind of lacking in the eyes of some people, the game is very floaty, it's very slow paced, combos are next to non-existent due to grotesquely low hitstun (13 frames to cancel any hitstun with airdodge, 25 to cancel with moves, compared to even Smash 4's 43 for airdodge and 47 for moves) and giant SDI multipliers making it easy to pop out of almost all multihit moves.
      Kind of going back into the competitive subject, these facts all add up into making Brawl arguably the most unbalanced Smash game to date - only a very select few characters in the game can be considered good, with a large majority of them being very bad, either because they're victims of the engine and had the potential to be good otherwise (Mario, Zelda/Sheik) or are just straight up badly executed (Pokémon Trainer with the stamina and type effectiveness mechanic).
      Brawl is still arguably the best Single Player experience in the series, but it is a game that undeniably has a lot of technical issues.

    • @sak4933
      @sak4933 Před 6 lety +50

      Brawl is definitely the MOST fondly remembered, based on the reception I've seen it get from most people in general. The competitive scene may favor Melee, but that's pretty much the only group that seems to remember/remotely care about Melee at all these days. And even they are split between Melee and 4! I'm very curious about how Ultimate will be percieved in the end.

    • @FamilyTeamGaming
      @FamilyTeamGaming Před 6 lety +28

      Hmm, it's not necessarily the case. There is quite a bit of overlap, but a lot of players either play only Melee or only Smash 4.
      I don't know how fondly remembered Brawl would really be in the grand scheme of things. Most casual players I know moved on from Brawl many years ago and now play Smash 3DS if they still play Smash to begin with. Although it's the casual players that bring in the sales numbers, it's the competitive scene that keeps games alive and thriving for years on end, making every event they're in big as if it were their release date. And on that end, Brawl ended up with a lot of dirt in its name.

  • @thedekuseed4965
    @thedekuseed4965 Před 6 lety +68

    Brawl definitely has the best theme in the series, atleast from a pure melodic standpoint.

    • @finnmarr-heenan2397
      @finnmarr-heenan2397 Před 6 lety +5

      Brawl had best music and single player .

    • @AustinPowerz-bn5ry
      @AustinPowerz-bn5ry Před 3 lety +1

      Easily the best theme. I was pissing myself like an excited dog when they first announced it back before its 2008 release.

  • @ministermouse4491
    @ministermouse4491 Před 6 lety +15

    Brawls theme gets stuck in my head more often than I'd like to admit for having not played it in like 6 years

  • @dawk7
    @dawk7 Před 5 lety +33

    So... how about that "Lifelight", the Ultimate song with lyrics? Real talk, this video is the first thing that came to mind once the lyrics kicked in. The contrast between the dramatic scene of the new story mode intro, the shining-ray-of-light-during-the-darkest-moment feeling of the lyrical song... paired with the visuals, and the situation itself. Things like the silly reactions of the characters.
    Nintendo back at it again, man. These guys really know how to string your feelings from all angles.

    • @Uglynator
      @Uglynator Před 5 lety +3

      Exactly this. I wanted to ask about the same thing.

  • @maaxorus
    @maaxorus Před 5 lety +17

    I feel like Brawl was the most serious of the bunch, which is also reflected in the visual design: the colours were less saturated and the character models showed as much texture as possible.

  • @AceStarThe3rd
    @AceStarThe3rd Před 6 lety +146

    Fantastic video

  • @willbyrd5354
    @willbyrd5354 Před 6 lety +26

    I get so excited every time I see one of your videos in my sub box

  • @lozofmusic6977
    @lozofmusic6977 Před 6 lety +20

    I wanted to make an 8-bit cover of Ultimate's Theme, but quickly decided to make an entire main theme medley since I thought, the songs fit well together. I did notice some hints at different themes, but your video showed me much more interesting similarities - like the chord progressions - that I didn't even notice after working for hours with them. Your videos always manage to teach me a lot!

  • @modeseven8100
    @modeseven8100 Před 6 lety +14

    Smash64 does have a main theme though, its repeated in the credits music.
    My heart is sinking from how you pushed it aside when its main theme influenced Melee greatly.

  • @LimeGreenTeknii
    @LimeGreenTeknii Před 6 lety +112

    I feel like the Brawl theme being darker was a subconscious way of pleasing the hardcore fans. Remember when this game came out: It was on the Wii, and hardcore fans were getting turned off by all the shovelware by third parties and the more childish games by Nintendo. Even if it was a coincidence, it sure was at least fitting.

    • @georgewilson7432
      @georgewilson7432 Před 6 lety +4

      Childish games like Mario Galaxy.

    • @theoneonyoutube4925
      @theoneonyoutube4925 Před 6 lety

      George Wilson
      Mario Galaxy is beautiful.

    • @georgewilson7432
      @georgewilson7432 Před 6 lety

      I was being sarcastic.

    • @kidcat3000
      @kidcat3000 Před 6 lety +4

      Hmm, wasnt that when Zelda got a T rating?

    • @samsonfgc3472
      @samsonfgc3472 Před 5 lety +3

      Its somewhat ironic how brawl was pointedly made as hostile as possible towards the hardest core players (the competitive community) in spite of the presentation.
      I don't mean to get into the black hole of happiness that is the melee vs brawl debate that this comment might cause, so to stop it before it starts, melee was made without many real thoughts towards competitive play. It wasn't deliberately friendly, even though it ended up that way. Brawl, on the other hand, removed all of the intentional and unintentional reasons why melee was so friendly towards competitive play and then kept going, deliberately adding elements that made it hostile to competitive play. Those are facts. They are what my comment is based on. Don't argue with them. If you do, you are wrong. I love brawl, casual brawl is great, but competitive brawl is not.

  • @MsErfwe
    @MsErfwe Před 6 lety +116

    Hmm I'm also curious about how music from each character's original game gets rearranged to fit the tone of whatever smash game it's being used in! (They *are* orchestrated differently, right?)

    • @8bitMusicTheory
      @8bitMusicTheory  Před 6 lety +135

      Oooh smash vid pt. 2

    • @MisterAppleEsq
      @MisterAppleEsq Před 6 lety +7

      That would be fun to watch.

    • @Jona69
      @Jona69 Před 6 lety +6

      I would love more on smash :D

    • @RainbowLizardOne
      @RainbowLizardOne Před 6 lety +4

      I've always got the impression that they just got a bunch of big video game composers, had them take whatever music they wanted remixed and had them do whatever, but I could be wrong.

    • @XXmatt18XX
      @XXmatt18XX Před 6 lety

      8-bit Music Theory plzzzzzz

  • @NormalGayBro
    @NormalGayBro Před 4 lety +5

    The Brawl theme I think it's wonderful in how serious it is. Like it *IS* hilarious and *THAT'S* what I like about it. They have a whole friggin chorus singing in Latin. Like, that's amazing!!

  • @oliviapg
    @oliviapg Před 6 lety +111

    Can you do a video about Celeste's music? It has some amazing tunes that really set the tone of the game and inspire you to push forward

    • @michaelnishiguchi3176
      @michaelnishiguchi3176 Před 6 lety +6

      GoldenGaming12621 I've been hoping for a Celeste video as well. It's s
      sooo good!

    • @QuarrelsomeLocalOaf
      @QuarrelsomeLocalOaf Před 6 lety +3

      Completely unrelated to the game and its OST, but "Celeste" is also a killer French black metal band if you're into that kinda thing. lol

    • @the1zeldafan609
      @the1zeldafan609 Před 6 lety

      YUSSSS

    • @oledakaajel
      @oledakaajel Před 6 lety

      I think he's intentionally avoiding Celeste for some reason. He probably doesn't want to analyse the music too much

    • @SamUnderStars
      @SamUnderStars Před 6 lety

      Please do.

  • @ponocni1
    @ponocni1 Před 5 lety +8

    It kinda makes sence that brawl would be "darker" then rest of the entries when you consider subspace emmisary. That shit was in context of SSB really dark.

  • @dogman15
    @dogman15 Před 6 lety +27

    6:03 - this melody also appears in one of the Kirby games, but I can't remember which one right now. Same composer, though - Jun Ishikawa.

    • @marcw.4077
      @marcw.4077 Před 6 lety +3

      Kirby super star, great cave offensive in save points

    • @dogman15
      @dogman15 Před 6 lety

      Which track played it in Brawl?

    • @marcw.4077
      @marcw.4077 Před 6 lety

      Dogman15 oops I'm wrong this one is in Melee not Brawl

    • @dogman15
      @dogman15 Před 6 lety +2

      Yes, that melody first appeared in Kirby Super Star by Jun Ishikawa (according to you), and then Jun used it again in the main theme of Melee's opening video, revised slightly. But then the theme from Kirby Super Star was heard again in one of the tracks featured in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and I don't have the time right now to do the research on which one or other details.

    • @TheViolaBuddy
      @TheViolaBuddy Před 6 lety +7

      It's Butter Building.

  • @FinalGamerJames
    @FinalGamerJames Před 6 lety +6

    I think you managed to perfectly pinpoint exactly why I love Smash Bros. so much with that Serious Humour note. Excellent stuff.

  • @Michirin9801
    @Michirin9801 Před 6 lety +28

    Goddamnit, even though I'm not into Smash, Brawl's music gives me the chills... I can't help it, it's bloody great!

  • @DawnDashi
    @DawnDashi Před 6 lety +37

    "squidling"

  • @pedrogomezid
    @pedrogomezid Před 6 lety +4

    The ‘emotional’ part of Melee’s Opening still sends shivers down my spine

  • @giulytsme
    @giulytsme Před 6 lety +41

    Now i love Smash music even more! Thank you! ♡

  • @MEnne12719
    @MEnne12719 Před dnem

    anybody wanna mention how these are some of the most inspiring music theory videos online? I personally just can't find better ways to learn music theory than by analyzing videogame music, and this channel does it flawlessly. Great video!

  • @khdayskh1314
    @khdayskh1314 Před 6 lety +168

    Honestly when you showed the Brawl clips with new music, I didn't find it fitting at all. I think it shows the amount of effort that was put into renewing the tone of the series for Brawl, and that they actually succeeded with recementing it. At least with me.

    • @aggressivebuttonmasher5486
      @aggressivebuttonmasher5486 Před 5 lety

      It's the tone he wants you to focus on I believe

    • @ChunkyTheClown
      @ChunkyTheClown Před 5 lety +4

      Especially the part with Samus looking at her suit. It didn’t fit at all. Ike didn’t really do anything so I guess it fit there and Wario is Wario but even he appeared more menacing than normal, so I still vote for the original track. I’d argue that Smash 4’s theme could POSSIBLY work better if the visuals were re-cut to fit it, but there was just too much effort put into making it unique for such a simple change to sound better than the original track.

  • @zachrodan7543
    @zachrodan7543 Před 3 lety +1

    I can't believe how well lifelight fits the brawl intro cutscene. all those emphatic frames line up nicely with the high points of the musical phrasing perfecty

  • @BacunNG
    @BacunNG Před 6 lety +22

    Hell yes, Smash music is always the best

  • @RobinLSL
    @RobinLSL Před 6 lety +4

    Great analysis as always! I really like how you pointed out the "energetic and serious, but not too much" atmosphere and how the Brawl theme kind of failed at that. I find it really cool that the themes of Melee, 4 and U are linked with those harmonic progressions.
    Oh, and... tiny mistake at 8:38, you forgot the natural on the C!

  • @WillowTheCrisp
    @WillowTheCrisp Před 6 lety +4

    Love love LOVE this. Wonderful job as always, and never a bad thing to keep the hype train going for Ultimate.

  • @freeklukas5397
    @freeklukas5397 Před 6 lety

    this is a real gem on youtube. Watch it, watch it again. Watch it again. then became a patreon. Please keep this up.The best channel on youtube ever!

  • @KyvannShrike
    @KyvannShrike Před 6 lety +18

    .... why didn't I know Uematsu wrote Brawl's theme....

  • @stephenbaillargeon5619
    @stephenbaillargeon5619 Před 6 lety +1

    If there was a part 2 to this video discussing just the orchestration, I'd be so excited. As it is, this was really good and I always feel inspired to compose whenever new videos come out on this channel.

  • @Richmo_
    @Richmo_ Před 6 lety +10

    Brawl was also made in the early 2000's; the Earth's emo phase.

    • @sebastianw.7254
      @sebastianw.7254 Před 5 lety

      It's not necessarily an "emo" theme, though

    • @setesh1294
      @setesh1294 Před 4 lety +1

      @@sebastianw.7254 it's more gothic.

    • @N12015
      @N12015 Před 2 lety

      Late 2000's aka early gen 7. It just takes itself so seriously that it's kinda absurd. How many R.O.B died in that game?

  • @ChrisLiusamus
    @ChrisLiusamus Před 6 lety +1

    The funny thing is 8:30 reminds me of those dreaded bach chorale exercises and yet it was done beautifully. I also think the difference between brawl and melee/ultimate/4 really goes to show how much that raised 7th changes the tone in a minor piece. In fact I think dorian mode typically sounds medieval too but I never really got that vibe from smash tbh. Great video though! I love music theory and video game soundtracks can be so good- hearing analysis on it is really cool

  • @RainbowLizardOne
    @RainbowLizardOne Před 6 lety +43

    I think the comic seriousness angle with brawl is kind of the point of the whole entire game, as well as just that song, and it works really really well from that angle. Conversely, I really don't like the interchangeable, generic High Energy Action Themes that kind of drain away the unique identity from smash 4 and ultimate.

    • @LilyTengoku
      @LilyTengoku Před 6 lety +9

      rainbow_lizard They aren't interchangeable. The Ultimate theme sounds more epic and orchestral while Smash for 3DS and Wii U sounds far more whimsical. The instruments matter too.

    • @burp2019
      @burp2019 Před 2 lety

      saw Brawl's theme put over Ultimate and it just fits

  • @a_Fax_Machine
    @a_Fax_Machine Před 6 lety +1

    Thanks for including the "Smashing... Live!" version of Fountain of Dreams at the end of the video. That albums is one of my favorite arrangements ever.

  • @mRidley508
    @mRidley508 Před 5 lety +6

    You better do this for Lifelight lol

  • @aamadeo28
    @aamadeo28 Před 6 lety

    Hey! One thing I really like that you did with this video was showing some of the "alternatives" for how the music could have been written. (When you talked about straightening out the 16th notes, for example.) For me, it really helps highlight the choices that the composers made, and the intuition behind those decisions. So thanks!

  • @linkVIII
    @linkVIII Před 6 lety +11

    Something about the wii u theme I really don't like. Glad the game let's you even select menu music.

    • @Lightning-gg5iu
      @Lightning-gg5iu Před 6 lety +1

      linkviii What, Wii u theme is sick

    • @JC19021
      @JC19021 Před 5 lety +1

      I have the same feeling about Ultimates and you can’t change it without being WOL.

  • @waifuluver2727
    @waifuluver2727 Před 6 lety

    this is honestly the absolute best video you have ever done. i can tell that you have lots of passion for the subject. great job!

  • @MikeBachful
    @MikeBachful Před 6 lety +7

    Did u always understand music so well or did u learn how to recognize music patterns and stuff like this over time?
    Because i straight up cant notice alot of the similarities and musical themes you talk about lol

    • @r0berito
      @r0berito Před 6 lety +3

      MikeBachful Some people are more analytical than others, observant, interested in patterns etc, but in the end I'm pretty sure Mr. 8 Bit has some years of music education both behind and, hopefully for us, ahead of him. I've barely played any of the games but I love all the videos

    • @Roxfox
      @Roxfox Před 6 lety +5

      Understanding is always something that comes with time. You can't understand something unless you're willing to sit down and meticulously take it apart because you're just that curious about what makes it tick. And even then, the first few times, all you get is random pieces that you don't know what to do with. The context comes with experience and education. Pick apart enough things and you'll begin to notice what they have in common, and in the context of how the pieces are used, you will start to figure out why. That's how you can start to get an actual understanding of why music works the way it does, and how composers use their techniques as means to an end. Or anything else, for that matter!
      The only thing that arguably comes naturally is the curiosity and the motivation to act on it.

  • @mattbarker97
    @mattbarker97 Před 6 lety

    Honestly you are one of my absolute favorite CZcams channels ever. And I don't have a clue what you're talking about 90% of the time. Keep it up man!

  • @SJrad
    @SJrad Před 6 lety +16

    Brawl ost is so good

  • @munzutai
    @munzutai Před 6 lety +1

    To have one of my most favorite music related channels cover one of my most favorite game series of all time is almost too much for me to handle. Thank you so much for this.

  • @Mystik3eb
    @Mystik3eb Před 6 lety +6

    So you think Nobuo's piece goes too far to land the serious humor? I think I agree...though I still love it.
    ...also, this is dumb, but my buddys and I always sang "I'll be the Maaaarth..." to the opening lines of the main melody. Now you always will, too. You're welcome.

    • @Edmond_Dantès64
      @Edmond_Dantès64 Před 6 lety +1

      No thx I prefer the original lyrics. Come on it's so cool that they are in latin!

    • @cephalonblue5991
      @cephalonblue5991 Před 5 lety

      Dan Scannell let me change that for you.
      (All)
      I eat a log. Me be blue. So was it a bee. And I chased by Salami.
      Call me papa. Me be me. Weak red head. And there’s meat next to me.
      (Female voice)
      I throw up minigolf
      (Guy singing)
      I am only five years
      (Male Choir)
      Despacito
      (Female Choir)
      Three foreman
      (All)
      They are the peoples feeding OMELETS!! IN HELL!

  • @gusandy
    @gusandy Před 6 lety

    I recently became a Patron! I love me some Music Theory! (I'm a Music Ed Major) I'm super excited to have access to your transcriptions! I also can't wait to support you more than just being a subscriber on CZcams! I am looking forward to watching more of your videos!

  • @Tsicky
    @Tsicky Před 6 lety +26

    Mee-Lee?!?!
    I’m dead😂

    • @Ghst-kr2uk
      @Ghst-kr2uk Před 6 lety

      Micah why? That’s how you say it isn’t it?

    • @someguy2350
      @someguy2350 Před 6 lety +1

      Gh0st I can't tell if you're joking or not.

    • @leerv.
      @leerv. Před 6 lety +2

      It rhymes with "May Day", just in case you weren't joking. Like the other person said, it's hard to tell. :P

  • @Fanchen
    @Fanchen Před 6 lety

    I'm so in love with this channel. There's lots to relate to and learn from.

  • @oles9196
    @oles9196 Před 6 lety +43

    I like the Brawl theme the most. Its so dramatic and its like Fight or die this is no fricking this is WAR!
    The other ones, espacialy U and Ultimate are like lets have a Party and that doesnt fit in my Opinion. Let Nintendo have his edgy Fighting Game.

    • @qwerp3
      @qwerp3 Před 6 lety +11

      I prefer Wii U's and ultiamtes step back from the gritty look of brawl.

    • @TheUnicornslayer
      @TheUnicornslayer Před 6 lety +8

      wii u was the least memorable theme and just downright mediocre

    • @qwerp3
      @qwerp3 Před 6 lety +7

      4 C I would say 64's was least memorable.

    • @pukmin4498
      @pukmin4498 Před 6 lety +7

      SoulHealingBeats Blackdemon Expect that smash brothers isn't a edgy fighting game.

    • @anomaly395
      @anomaly395 Před 6 lety +2

      SoulHealingBeats Blackdemon I agree, I adore the epic and grand, dramatic tone they gave Brawl, it gave the game such an epic fashion which was phenomenal. Now it's just lighthearted and cheery, ugh.

  • @aes602
    @aes602 Před 6 lety +1

    Brawl's theme is probably my favorite, honestly. Also, I think it helps to accentuate the absurdity more than the other themes. It's so "over-the-top" epic sounding... and smash bros is all about being over-the-top. It sounds the best at any rate, and it's the theme that I have the fondest memories of.

  • @joshuajames1291
    @joshuajames1291 Před 6 lety +2

    I've never clicked on a notification that fast

  • @UltimateTS64
    @UltimateTS64 Před 6 lety

    Ima be honest and say I never really understand the stuff in these videos but I'm so intrigued by them and I learn a lot, even if I don't remember it that much. Keep up the good work

  • @TheMarionick
    @TheMarionick Před 6 lety +8

    My top 5 Smash Bros themes:
    5: 64
    4: Melee
    3: Wii U
    2: Ultimate
    1: Brawl

  • @chuckchuk14
    @chuckchuk14 Před 6 lety

    I really love how you are now PLAYING your theoreticals so we can hear them. Such as in 2:52 where you play how it WOULD be without the consistent base. That REALLY REALLY helps and I always wished you did that on some of your older videos so I'm so happy to see you do that now! That's great! Thanks for that! :) and please keep doing it! It helps immensely.

  • @YingwuUsagiri
    @YingwuUsagiri Před 6 lety +5

    We found one! We found another one saying Mealy. Maylay.

  • @jgfence123
    @jgfence123 Před 6 lety +2

    It’s funny, the whole jump between serious and like lofty ethereal sounds. I always knew it was there but never identified it to myself except for the fact every time I hear it for the first time when I listen to any of the main songs I picture sheik playing on her lyre harp thing in the melee opening

  • @Idazmi7
    @Idazmi7 Před 6 lety +120

    In other words: a tone like a Marvel Movie.

    • @bradmurray1736
      @bradmurray1736 Před 6 lety +42

      Idazmi7 no a marvel movie is set up seriously but is under cut with humor in smash the humor is the the fact that it treated seriously

    • @Idazmi7
      @Idazmi7 Před 6 lety +4

      +Brad Murray
      Close enough.

    • @DoYouLiekMudkipz_
      @DoYouLiekMudkipz_ Před 6 lety +9

      More like Marvel movies have a tone similar to Smash since Smash predates the current MCU.

    • @Idazmi7
      @Idazmi7 Před 6 lety

      +Do you liek Mudkipz
      True that.

    • @shrimpchris6580
      @shrimpchris6580 Před 6 lety

      Except not bad

  • @Dripple-zk9mf
    @Dripple-zk9mf Před 6 lety

    I wanted to make a video like this before I knew this one existed. This is way better than anything I could've came up with. Good job

  • @henrygutierrez3243
    @henrygutierrez3243 Před 6 lety +7

    I was just reviewing the Smash themes and this went exactly through my head. I still love to death Melee's theme while honestly disliking Brawl's. I don't dislike the music itself, heavens no, I dislike the overall tone it tries to set for the game. I remember the first time I heard the song for the game. It was jarring. I felt a mix of hype and excitement, but it all also felt off somehow. I'm sure that this is where people will start to call me a Melee fanboy, and while to an extent I am, I can also take a step back and look at it's flaws as well. Brawl's tone is too serious. It's too melodramatic. Every time I hear it's main theme I change the song because it simply feels off with the game, and quite frankly doesn't fit at all. Again, it's a beautiful track to listen to, just not with a smash game (honestly would fit right in in a fire emblem game). As for why I like Melee's track so much, well, it just fits. It's never too dramatic, too intense, and no one part of the song overstays its welcome. The theme is constantly going places which is something that can't be said of the Smash 4 and Smash Ultimate themes. They have 1 part that they constantly focus on while throwing in small bits to add a bit more drama. Melee's theme has one major dramatic bit and it carries much more of an impact for it. Melee's theme encapsulates just what smash is: a fun, cartoony, fighting game with our favorite childhood characters where everyone can have a good time. It's not serious (which is ironic since Melee became the most competitive smash of them all).

    • @unsureprobablymaybe3527
      @unsureprobablymaybe3527 Před 2 lety

      I think you're a melee fanboy, brawls music fits and is miles ahead of generic smash4 and cringe anime english op smash ultimate

  • @thehypist2587
    @thehypist2587 Před 6 lety +1

    Super Smash Bros. has such great music, no wonder it's such an amazing franchise. Great work on the vid!

  • @AIRdance777
    @AIRdance777 Před 6 lety +3

    Alright, which of the smash themes are your guys' favorites?
    I think the intro to Melee is easily top 10 videogames intros of all time

    • @Lightning-gg5iu
      @Lightning-gg5iu Před 6 lety +2

      CriticalCrass I really like Smash 4, especially when the guitars kick, and the drums start going crazy

    • @justbny9278
      @justbny9278 Před 6 lety

      CriticalCrass brawl

    • @videogameprof
      @videogameprof Před 6 lety

      kinda difficult. id have to put brawl's as my least favorite. i cant seem to play it off the top of my head. not saying i dislike it though. it takes smash as seriously as i do.

    • @COCmcGameSupport
      @COCmcGameSupport Před 6 lety

      Brawl even though melee is the better game

  • @kinggordoproductions6203

    8:22 Yep, same here...
    Also I love how you ended with "Fountain of Dreams" in the background; that piece was literally what first got me into music. Love you're videos!

  • @LoneOtaku158
    @LoneOtaku158 Před 6 lety +26

    9:34 Brawl isn’t fondly remembered because competitive players complained about how it wasn’t Melee. Brawl is actually better than Melee in every way when it comes to the goofy 4-player fun it was designed to be.
    Besides, this is the same community that won’t let you play on Final Destination; it has to be _omega_ Final Destination.
    Competitive Smash is a parody of itself.

    • @videogameprof
      @videogameprof Před 6 lety +9

      eehhh, id say you could the same amount of goofy stuff in both games, in a more adept player's opinion, melee felt better than brawl. (smash 4 feels better than brawl too.). as for the omega final destination thing, there is a point in the stage that the stage becomes so bright it will create silhouettes of the characters and quickly fade to white in a split second. split seconds are crucial in fighting games. it's just the communtiy trying to be as fair as possible.

    • @FamilyTeamGaming
      @FamilyTeamGaming Před 6 lety +8

      ...What?
      First of all, there's no difference between Final Destination and Omega Final Destination. Sadly, both of them turn characters into silhouettes at one point.
      Second, what do you have against competitive anyway? Most competitive players don't actually dismiss casual play, a lot of the ones you see doing that don't even play the game to begin with. If anything, I see more casuals bashing competitive. Way more.

    • @LoneOtaku158
      @LoneOtaku158 Před 6 lety +2

      FamilyTeamGaming It’s mostly competitive Melee I don’t like. It’s literally the same three stages (Final Destination, Battlefield, Battlefield with moving platformd) and the same few characters (Marth, Jigglypuff, Fox/Falco) every time! It’s personally boring to watch.

    • @FamilyTeamGaming
      @FamilyTeamGaming Před 6 lety +2

      Final Destination, Battlefield, DL64, Fountain of Dreams and Stadium all see quite a lot of use. Fox, Falco, Marth, Sheik, Jigglypuff and Peach all tend to have representation in tournaments, and the rest of the Top 12 (Samus, Falcon, Pikachu, Doc, Luigi, Yoshi) do see use by some players that make it decently far into most tournaments. That's nearly half the cast.

    • @gogglebrains
      @gogglebrains Před 6 lety +6

      Totally agree. To each his own Smash Bros preference, and I can totally see why the competitive scene doesn't prefer Brawl, but as a non-competitive normie it was basically just an upgrade across the board. My friends and I didn't look back and Brawl was our go-to for years.

  • @brycetaylor5444
    @brycetaylor5444 Před 5 lety

    man ive been looking for a channel to nerd out to about music theory and i’m so glad i finally found it

  • @ericb5328
    @ericb5328 Před 6 lety +28

    INKLING! not squidling. Frick!!

    • @SquidInkPizza
      @SquidInkPizza Před 6 lety +1

      Eric B
      Mhm

    • @elrondo_6730
      @elrondo_6730 Před 6 lety +12

      Watch your language sir

    • @ericb5328
      @ericb5328 Před 6 lety +6

      Big Smoke my bad. I lost control

    • @Gamesforus1
      @Gamesforus1 Před 6 lety +4

      Eric B
      But aren't octolings technically inklings since they use ink

    • @chasebrazil2011
      @chasebrazil2011 Před 6 lety

      Gamesforus But aren't sharks a species of dolphin because they do the same thing and look generally very similar?

  • @gatfatf
    @gatfatf Před 6 lety +1

    Look of terror? Friend, that's *bloodlust*

  • @howard_blast
    @howard_blast Před 6 lety +7

    Disappointed that we didn't get to hear more on Smash Bros for N64. Best soundtrack of the series by far.

    • @braintrope4736
      @braintrope4736 Před 6 lety +1

      Libido Kamen Wait, really? I find it hard to think that N64 has the best soundtrack when it has the least original tracks and least amount of tracks in general by far. Is there something about the sound of the game that appeals to you specifically?

    • @howard_blast
      @howard_blast Před 6 lety +4

      Personally, I feel it has the most aesthetic definition to it. It has a very vast atmosphere to it while at the same time having a sort "underground" feeling. Take this short chime for example: czcams.com/video/x9WEXzFjXD0/video.html Extremely articulate. I don't feel that future installments had this thematic concentration.

    • @braintrope4736
      @braintrope4736 Před 6 lety

      Libido Kamen Ah, I see (or hear, I guess) what you mean. I personally prefer Brawl's original music, but I can definitely see why you'd prefer N64.

    • @howard_blast
      @howard_blast Před 6 lety +3

      Brawl definitely had a lot of great originals and remixes.

    • @lozofmusic6977
      @lozofmusic6977 Před 6 lety +1

      I miss Meta Crystal :,(
      But, yeah, I do like the 64 soundtrack a lot, too. All songs together are homogenous, which makes it much more interesting to listen to the entire soundtrack, while in other installments you'd just look for your favourite remix.
      That's probably the reason, why I made an 8-bit album for this game, and not for any other game yet.

  • @potentialPizza8
    @potentialPizza8 Před 6 lety

    Shit, love your channel, and did NOT expect you to open up your point with one of my favorite plot points from one of my absolute favorite manga. Awesome!

  • @Mathematrix7
    @Mathematrix7 Před 6 lety +5

    Ultimate theme doesn’t fit over brawl because brawl had a darker, more serious aesthetic. I wish the new games were darker and more serious like melee and brawl

    • @Hero_2222
      @Hero_2222 Před 6 lety +1

      Voyager Why would smash be dark and realistic?

  • @givecamichips
    @givecamichips Před 3 lety +1

    I think Smash 64's Final Destination theme has a little of what you wanted: It's in minor, it's rocking the i-bVII-i progression, and it's pretty dramatic. But, the arrangement and little flourishes in the flute/bells keep it from being dark. They keep it in toy land, as opposed to the later games' trophy land.

  • @gena1384
    @gena1384 Před 6 lety +17

    But don't let that distract you from the fact that Waluigi isn't in Smash

    • @kurag5198
      @kurag5198 Před 6 lety

      It would be nice if he was but honestly I couldn’t care less about that right now

    • @Nipponing
      @Nipponing Před 6 lety

      gena138 Good

    • @BitchChill
      @BitchChill Před 6 lety

      I don't care about Waluigi and I'm glad he didn't make it

    • @kurag5198
      @kurag5198 Před 6 lety

      If you don’t care about him then why are you glad he’s not in?

    • @BitchChill
      @BitchChill Před 6 lety

      C.A.G Jr Because his fanbase

  • @HaitaniMasayuki
    @HaitaniMasayuki Před 6 lety +1

    Would like to see more of all the "medley" potential of all the Smash games' main themes. It feels that some of them are like amped up versions of previous iterations. Like how Melee's main theme feels like Smash64's "Result theme" but maxed out. :D

  • @bearyboy9088
    @bearyboy9088 Před 6 lety +102

    Sry, but Smash Bros. is always serious and will always be serious

    • @kurag5198
      @kurag5198 Před 6 lety +61

      Your telling me a pink puffball fighting a dog and a bird on a Mario shaped planet is serious,are you feeling well

    • @edsantosIsMusic
      @edsantosIsMusic Před 6 lety +15

      *you're, not your

    • @kurag5198
      @kurag5198 Před 6 lety +36

      Not to be rude but I really don’t care

    • @IDK-gd6uk
      @IDK-gd6uk Před 6 lety +5

      Beary Boy
      Funny joke.

    • @Dingus_Khaan
      @Dingus_Khaan Před 6 lety +10

      This is serious business.

  • @SoulEssence
    @SoulEssence Před 6 lety +1

    Aw man, this stuff is so cool. Just seeing the basic foundation for a music piece even though I don't even understand it...it's so neat. I love these videos so much...even though I have little interest in this general subject, so thank you so much, 8bit. I wish I understood animation better so that I could explain it in a way that non-animators would find neat. Or genuinely interesting and engaging.

  • @intheairex
    @intheairex Před 6 lety +37

    8-bit Music Theory called Brawl theme trash My disappointment is immeasurable and my day ruined

    • @Catmomila
      @Catmomila Před 6 lety +47

      +InTheAir He didn't though?

    • @intheairex
      @intheairex Před 6 lety +6

      Gaspoov I disagree with the statement that Brawl’s theme music doesn’t fit the game. Smash and hyperbolic opinions go hand in hand with each other.

    • @swagar
      @swagar Před 6 lety +37

      He said it was "an incredibly strong composition", "so satisfying to listen to from beginning to end", and described the bridge as "one of the most beautiful eight bars of music I've ever heard".
      What video were you watching?

    • @BeeFizzle
      @BeeFizzle Před 6 lety +4

      lol yeah he complimented the piece , and what he didnt like was how it fit with the game itself

    • @jasonstroude1414
      @jasonstroude1414 Před 6 lety

      Briar Foley It didn't. Brawl was high key garbage

  • @andrewgerardo2349
    @andrewgerardo2349 Před 6 lety +1

    Brawl has the best theme gets me soooo pumped especially the cutscene from sub space with the ships flying out to the canon soooo cool!

  • @TeaquestSagas
    @TeaquestSagas Před 6 lety

    I never knew that I needed music theories in my life, but you tought me otherwise. Brilliant channel, I'm loving everything I've seen so far!

  • @simonvanroij4182
    @simonvanroij4182 Před 6 lety

    Every now and then I find a video and I want to press the like button every 30 seconds just to realise I already have. Good job man love all this

  • @lulimdying720
    @lulimdying720 Před 6 lety

    now that you point out the music coincidences with Melee and Smash4 makes even more sense now that we know that Ultimate is basically using core elemente of Melee and Smash4 in its gameplay, and well, the music
    i really love your videos

  • @maluse227
    @maluse227 Před 6 lety

    Honestly this channel is a godsend for composers everywhere, just the chord progression info alone is amazing inspiration. Thank you for making probably the best music theory channel on youtube.

  • @josephjoseph1264
    @josephjoseph1264 Před 6 lety

    Yes!! I was so hyped for this when I saw the notification! I'm surprised you didn't comment on dramatic quartal harmony.

  • @SpikeykoaLa44
    @SpikeykoaLa44 Před 6 lety

    Man I love your analyses. You're right to the point and you don't overanalyze music without understanding theory and context like a ton of other music-analysis-type CZcamsrs do. I really appreciate that.

  • @SF24_Joker
    @SF24_Joker Před 7 měsíci +1

    Personally while I understand what you're saying about Brawl's contrasting tone to the rest of the series, I think it's tone absolutely fits for Brawl specifically, as a lot of the tone in the game in general was designed to be a bit grittier than the games before it, a tone that was walked back on in later installments which is why we see their music returning to a tone more similar to the style we find in Melee.

  • @jonathanevans4623
    @jonathanevans4623 Před 6 lety

    The best, as always. In this video I also appreciate the mild digress to lighting, mechanics, and other things in Smash that make it so wonderful, and how the music ties it all together. You're the man!

  • @gmansuyama
    @gmansuyama Před 6 lety +1

    6:03 and 8:25 always facinated me as a kid. I loved the way they sounded and I would rewatch the intos just to hear it. Thanks for doing an analysis on the music of one of my favorite game series!

  • @sunder5686
    @sunder5686 Před 5 lety

    please do a video completely for the outro of this one!!
    FOUNTAIN OF DREAMS.
    im watched all your videos in two. love you. gods work.

  • @CortlandtMatthews
    @CortlandtMatthews Před 6 lety

    Great video! I think the real charm of the Brawl music lies in something you touched on earlier in this video. There’s an element of camp in scoring the heightened drama of the subspace emissary, even though these are still a child’s figurines. The brawl soundtrack is one of my favourites in the series because it really embraces the absurd

  • @monami165
    @monami165 Před 6 lety

    I always knew there were something amazing behind every iteration of smash themes but I couldn't pinpoint it until this video! Thank you so much @8-bit Music Theory!!!

  • @gamerfreak5665
    @gamerfreak5665 Před 6 lety +2

    Wow, I had no idea Uematsu composed Brawl's theme. I'm not surprised, after his fantastic work with Final Fantasy.

  • @ktvx.94
    @ktvx.94 Před 6 lety

    Great vid! I can't believe how strongly similar those tracks are, and I never noticed! I feel like I could make a Smash piece now lol.