Mario and Sonic @ the 2020 Tokyo Olympics OST Review

    

Summary

Finally! Finally, the last Olympic game! And for now, the last of the games OSTs.  

Like with Rio, Tokyo uses more cultural influence, though not to the same degree, being more traditional than that one. Generally the music fun and modern mix. 

This game has only 1 and a half remixes for Sonic. Dream Racing is remixed from Sonic Forces, but when you make something super synthetic that already was...it looses its original appeal.

A new edition to the series were classic-inspired "64" events. I hate to say it, but they really should have followed Sonic Color's example. While Color's "Gameland" music could be annoying, but still it still had spunk and charm. This game's attempt at going retro sounds irritating and bland.  

Best Song: Boxing

Runner-Up (s): Main Theme, 4x100m Relay, Javelin Throw, Sport Climbing, Skateboarding, Karate, Rugby Sevens, Table Tennis

This has a lot of fun, dance-like energy while also hinting at an eastern-type sound. Sounds cool.   

 

Worst Song:  Volleyball (64)

Runner Up (s): 100m, Swimming, Badminton, Archery, Dream Racing, New Record, Results, Award Ceremony, Tower Climb, General, Joy, Chapter Intro, All 64 except special, Vault, Judo, and Serious

I get that it's supposed to sound primitive. But overall, the "64" levels don't fair too well, sounding pretty crude for something made in 2019. Kayaking and Volleyball are the more annoying ones. 

 

Final Ranking: D

The event music is good, pretty unique. The main theme is okay, but the lack of remixes is a large disappointment. After the previous games, I'd expect no less than 3 mixes. Also, what prevents this game from a higher rank is the 64 portion. I get that it's supposed to sound like an old game. I get that. But It's not catchy, they have nothing really to offer. 

It's good, but after 5 other games spanning across ten years, expectations are higher. 

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.  

Mario and Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games OST Review

Summary

The music of Mario and Sonic @ the 2014 Winter Olympics had some interesting points. This title embraces more classical music and generally keeps a romanticized vibe, though it has its cool additions to keep it modern and fresh.

This time around I found the main theme fairly boring, as with many of the others. The events were really built up and could be fun. Still, it feels so focused on being an Olympic title it seems to forget its a Mario vs Sonic title. 

The rival themes appear to be reused from previous Olympic games. 

The Sonic music choices are odd. Diamond Dust, Blizzard Peaks, and Cool Edge make sense, but why beach themes like Windy and Ripply and Seaside Hill? 

About half or less are remixed, and the other half is reused either from its original game, Sonic Generations, or Smash.      

The ones remixed are: Sweet Mountain, Splash Hill, Blizzard Peaks, Route 99, Leaf Forest, Neo Green Hill, Speed Highway, Diamond Dust (Genesis), and Flying Battery.   

As much as I hate Splash Hill Zone's music, the version 2 remix is admittedly awesome.

Best Song: Neo Green Hill

Runner-Up (s): Downhill Skiing, All Finger Skating, All Finger Skating Double, Blizzard Peaks, Flying Battery, Diamond Dust, Route 99 

WOW. I knew Sonic Advance music could sound great. This version is a slower, more relaxed, Sonic Unleashed-ish version of the beach level. And it may be a beach one, but it was most impressive. 

Worst Song: Delfino Plaza (Main Street)

Runner Up (s): Melody & Answer (all), Legends Showdown (all), Winter Sports Championship Race (all), Delfino Plaza (Market Street), Splash Hill Ver 1 & 3, Sweet Mountain  

Annoying, overly horny, and whimsical in a bad way. 

Final Ranking: D

Overall this OST meets expectations. Aside from those few remixes, though, it doesn't stand out from any of the other Olympic titles or from Sonic games in general.  

Mario and Sonic @ the Olympic Games OST Review

Summary

When the Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games music began, it did not seem as through as the 2012 version (which I recently listened to). Even though its main themes seemed weaker, surprisingly the events' music seemed fun and more carefree.   

Best Song: Athletics: 400m 

Runner-Up (s): Athletics 100m, Throw, Vault, Aquatics 100m, Shooting, Fencing, Dream Platform, Dream Table Tennis, Dream Boxing (DS), Replay

This is a fun, speedy track that really caught my attention right away. This upbeat rush seems cheery enough for Mario yet edgy enough for Sonic. Seems like the sort of thing they should be aiming for. 

Worst Song: Trophy Get

Runner Up (s): Title, Options, Channel Menu

A short, bland thing that doesn't do much.

Final Ranking: C

Pretty interesting that while the main theme did not seem as strong, the collection of different music for the various events seemed more energetic, fun, and unique. 

Mario & Sonic @ the 2012 Olympic Games OST Review

Summary

Mario and Sonic at the 2012 Olympic Games is better than what I was expecting. However it seems to jump around in style. Sometimes it sounds very traditional (it even uses some classical songs) and sometimes it's more of a "modern" jam. 

Best Song: Beach Volley Ball

Runner-Up (s): Rivals (all), Remixes (all), Football, 4x100 Meter Relay, Uneven Bars Max, Options

This, like a lot of tracks, falls for what I'm calling Colors Syndrome (sounding like the 2010s). However, the bit in question is fairly cheery and not really annoying, and the percussion in this one gives a really nice beach-day ambience. 

Worst Song: Canoeing 

Runner Up (s): Tag, Equestrian, Hammer, Trampoline, Badminton 

WAY too many horns. It sounds like an intro to some 70s show where they'd pull away from a shot of a city. 

Final Ranking: D

It's not bad. There are a lot of tracks but they don't jump out as too special, they just kind of fit. I guess, being Mario/Sonic, they had to be more considerate of both franchises' tastes. Though it's pretty good, they overuse the main theme.