Mario and Sonic @ the Winter Olympic Games OST Review

    

Summary

The first "Winter" Olympic Games, and the second of the "Mario and Sonic" series. As such, it was fairly experimental while keeping in with its winter theme. Some of the instrumentals are beautiful, pretty arrangements, others are funky and full of the spirit of competition. The range carries from atmospheric, classical, horns, guitars--and (what I guess I'm just gonna' call:) Proto-Sonic Colors.  

There are several remixes, mostly fan favorites like Seaside Hill, Radical Highway, and Sky Sanctuary (though since this is pre-Generations, I guess they deserve more credit with Sky Sanctuary). Luckily lesser-knowns such as the bonus special stage from Heroes and Egg Factory (Riders) both get a mix, however. 

Interestingly, "Open Your Heart" seems to be a remix of the Sonic Pinball Party version. 

The DS version does a good job of replicating the Wii version's music while also having it's own time to shine. In some cases the more "limited" sound makes the music retro and appealing. While it's hard to compete with a console's quality, this DS game isn't a total waste. 

Instrumental bits of "Endless Possibilities," "Knight of the Wind," and "Sonic Heroes" get mixed in a "Sonic Melody," and parts of "New Venture" and Angel Island are mixed with Mario songs as well. 

Best Song: Egg Factory

Runner-Up (s): Title, Main Menu, Alpine Skiing Downhill, Figure Skating (all), Bobsled, Ice Hockey, Curling, Sonic Heroes/Open Your Heart, Radical Highway, Bonus Challenge Stage from Heroes 1/2, Sky Sanctuary, Speed Skating 500mm (DS), Sonic Melody (DS)  Sonic/Mario Melodies (DS), Dream Curling: Bowling (DS) 

Of the Sonic remixes, Egg Factory wins. It's great to hear a less popular track and this modernized version somehow isn't annoying: it does the original justice.   

Worst Song: Freestyle Skiing: Monguls

Runner Up (s): Festival (all except Festival), Shops, Records/Ranking, Ski Jumping: Success, Freestyle Skiing: Ski Cross/Moguls, Speed Skating: 100mm/Short Track/Relay, Luge (DS), Adventure Tours: Mini Game/Ending (DS), Awards Ceremonies

While the funky DS version is salvageable, the main version is too much...too much horn, too much everything. 

 

Final Ranking: D

It's okay. While it was probably pretty fancy in its time, with the games since it seems inferior. Sochi, for example, is very similar but upgraded. The remixes are cool, but the regular events are kind of lost in the shuffle. It's something nice to listen to in December, but otherwise probably not worth it.