They key's for the notes are very similar. Famicom start up is in F while Paper Mario is in B-flat. While there are differences in Key's. (where the song's first note is and there being a 2 and 1/2 step) The notes that each key use are very similar. The main difference being that F uses E natural and B flat uses E flat. (the key of F starts at F and goes F-G-A-Bflat-C-D-E back to F)
Famicom start up uses the fifth note in its key to start the song (in this case being C). The Fifth note is typically a very strong sound in a key. Then jumps from C to F to B flat. Making two P4 jumps. (P4 is the same as the first two notes in amazing grace P4=Perfect 4= 2 and a half steps on a piano) P4 isn't as powerful of a sound as a P5 (Starwars theme dun-dun-dun-DUUUUN-DUUUNN if that helps hahaha P5= 3 and 1/2 steps) it is one of the most audible and recognizable jumps in music theory.
Paper Mario starts off with a P5 Starting at B-flat (which was used to end the 2 P4 jumps that was made in Famicom) and then goes to F where the the first P4 of Famicom ended. They use similar notes. Also they both use minors. When Famicom sounds like its going up... I guess is the best way to put it hahahaha. The song uses a note outside of the key to emulate it. It uses an E flat.(another note that is native in B-flats Key) and Paper Mario uses a G-flat when it sounds like its going down. That one has nothing to do with the key of F hahaha. Just a technique that specific song uses in the second section of the song.
I know this is all really complicated. Took me a while to decipher the similarities between the two. If I wanted to spend the rest of my week on this I could find out what the chord structure and progressions are for each song to find even more similarities/ differences and where those structures (while comprised of different notes) are within their respective key. Basically finding that a jump from C to E to G sound the same as a jump from A flat to C to E flat. Just in a different pitch. Just in a different Key signature.
I did not expect to have a so much detailed proof, but I'm glad you told me this now.
Because if I got this right, the song from a global perspective follows a very similar melody, but the pitch and the notes used aren't the EXACT same, but made in the same purpose.
So, I'm going to ask you a question to clear me any doubts on this:
Do you think that they would do the main theme of TTYD based on this melody in a complete different way while stil keeping the core structure as a base?
Because there is an easter egg about the famicom startup in TTYD. I found it weird since the GC BIOS already has an easter egg about it. Then I actually realised that they would sounds similar and to think that we believe in you mario main melody being based on NES beeps, that's quite amazing in inspiration.
Which is why I'm curious tough. While I'm there, this one should be even more obvious but more intriguing.
This:
Would be similar to this?
This one, I swear if you tell me I was right...that would be VERY interesting.