Late, but not too late.
[collapse=Windy Hill Zone]
Track:
Windy Hill Zone (Act 1)
Source: Sonic Lost World (Wii U/3DS, 2013)
Reason: Confirmed. And obvious.
Track:
Wonder World
Source: Sonic Lost World (Wii U/3DS, 2013)
Reason: Confirmed (Unfortunately; I dislike Lost World's soundtrack)
Track:
Open Your Heart
Source: Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast, 1998)
Reason: Confirmed. Besides, you gotta have something from the first true 3D Sonic game.
Track:
Live and Learn
Source: Sonic Adventure 2 (Dreamcast, 2001)
Reason: Confirmed, in the 3DS version, and an obvious returner otherwise. A huge fan-favorite. Essentially the
de facto theme of the series at this point.
Track:
Sonic Heroes
Source: Sonic Heroes (GameCube, 2003)
Reason: Confirmed long ago in Sonic's reveal trailer. I wouldn't have chosen the song normally (instead opting for other music from
Heroes), but it is rather catchy, and I think it fits the stage well, as Windy Hill closely resembles the opening areas of
Sonic Heroes. It's important to represent the game, since Sega uses it as a base for the modern incarnation of the Sonic series, and it was Sonic's first original appearance on a Nintendo home console.
Track:
Green Hill Zone
Source: Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis, 1991)
Reason: I really shouldn't have to explain this.
Track:
Special Stage
Source: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis, 1992)
Reason:
Sonic 2 is one of the most beloved games in the franchise, so it's due its musical representation. The special stages from that game are particularly notable and iconic. This zany tune is my pick for a "Right There, Ride On" replacement, with its wacky instrumentation and fast tempo. A remix would be fantastic.
Track:
Lava Reef Zone (Act 1)
Source: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Genesis, 1993)
Reason: It's hard to pick from so many beloved classic tunes. I chose Lava Reef Zone to represent the Michael Jackson-inspired
Sonic 3 soundtrack, as I think the stage could use some more "serious" beats to contrast the whimsy of the other instrumental tracks and the narm of the vocal songs.
Track:
Rooftop Run
Source: Sonic Unleashed (Wii, 2008)
Reason: A fresh new fan-favorite, and it's easy to see why. The song inspires a whimsical sense of speed, yet also contains elements that suggest peace and harmony: perfect for the setting of the stage. I went with the original from
Sonic Unleashed here.
Generations' Modern remix is my least favorite version of the tune. I think the original has the most unique and pleasant instrumentation.
Track:
Planet Wisp (Act 1)
Source: Sonic Colors (Wii/DS, 2009)
Reason:
Sonic Colors is, in many ways, the quintessential "Nintendo" Sonic game. It was exclusive to the Wii and DS, and launched the aesthetic and tonal style of the modern Sonic franchise. It takes more than a few cues from Nintendo's roster of platformers, and its, well
colorful expression means that many youngsters who know Sonic on Nintendo today probably think of
Colors first. In my opinion, Planet Wisp is the musical piece that most stands within this game's soundtrack. Foregoing the rock guitars and techno-inspired electronic instruments for a simple piano melody, the piece is emblematic of much of what makes Sonic games what they are. It's neither entirely melancholy or cheerful, evocative of the nature/industry clash at the forefront of the series' grounding theme, yet it is certainly more subdued than the typical Sonic music. The greenery and nature of the level it originally accompanied are echoed in Windy Hill's design, and I think it was a disservice to use yet another vocal song instead of this piece in the actual game. Yes, I realize Reach for the Stars was mandatory. I don't care. I'd rather not win with that song on my list.
[/collapse]
[collapse=Pac-Land]
Track:
Pac-Man's Park/Block Town
Source: Pac-Mania (Arcade, 1987)
Reason: The Pac-Man franchise's official theme song these days, it's an amazing remix that's already been confirmed.
Track:
PAC-MAN
Source: Pac-Man (Arcade, 1980)
Reason: Confirmed new remix. I love the vaudeville sound in this remix. Fits the quaint little town in the Pac-Land stage perfectly.
Track:
PAC-MAN (Club Mix)
Source: Pac-Man (Arcade, 1980)
Reason: Confirmed new remix.
Track:
Pac-Man Cup
Source: Mario Kart Arcade GP (Arcade, 2005)
Reason: The Pac-Man Cup theme is an absolute joy of an electronic composition that incorporates the original
Pac-Land theme. Said theme played throughout the entire game in
Pac-Land, so it's mandatory to have its theme on this stage in some form. The game it comes from is historically relevant for marking an important partnership between Namco and Nintendo, and for bridging the Pac-Man and Mario worlds for the first time, which ultimately culminated in it being fully realized in Smash later on.
Track:
King Galaxian
Source: Pac-Man World (PlayStation, 1999)
Reason: The game marked the first full-fledged 3D adventure for our yellow hero, so it's only appropriate we give it some musical representation. This final boss theme is a spacey and sinister piece which incorporates the tune of the famed
Galaga theme. As a sister franchise to Pac-Man, Galaga is already represented in Smash Bros. as an item and in Pac-Man's moveset, so this track would be a nice way to kill two birds with one stone: representing
Pac-Man World and
Galaga alike.
Track:
B-Doing Woods
Source: Pac-Man World 2 (GameCube/GBA, 2002)
Reason: It's really between this and Pac-Village for the most liked PMW2 tracks (of which there are many), but I think Pac-Village is a little too slow-paced for the relatively quick scrolling on this stage. B-Doing Woods has a catchy, original beat that also incorporates the encompassing Pac-Man World 2 main theme, which is also the basis for Pac-Village's theme. Explanation aside, I think the bombastic drums and happy little melody typify the Pac-Man "style" of music quite well.
Track:
Cleopactra
Source: Ms. Pac-Man Maze Madness (N64/GBA, 2000)
Reason: Pac-Man World's sister game is often forgotten, but if it's known for one thing, it's this amazingly catchy synth track that perfectly captures that 80s feel which the Pac-Man brand is so well-known for. Its steady supporting rhythm matches up well with the scroll-pace of the stage, and I ultimately think that the overall "sound" is too perfect a representation of the series to not include.
Track:
Championship BGM 1
Source: Pac-Man Championship Edition (XBLA, 2007)
Reason: The
Championship series is renowned for its astounding house/rave/trance music, which give a modern uplift to the electronic melodies heard in the Pac-Man games of yore. The first release in the series - probably the most played and familiar of the bunch - gives us an excellent sample with its basic background music, which plays throughout gameplay and was featured in every
Championship release thereafter. It has arguably the most accessible melody of the series' tracks, and its exposure probably makes it the most recognizable piece as well, so I chose it as my obligatory
Championship music pick.
Track:
Chapter 1 Theme
Source: Pac-Pix (DS, 2005)
Reason: A happy little ditty from an overlooked but notable early DS release, the basic Chapter 1 music from
Pac-Pix has a fitting tempo and comparably appropriate sound for a nice stroll through town...so it fits like a glove on this stage! It has a nice little transition section as well, which, in a well-composed remix, could be timed to match up with the end goal/return home breaks in the stage.
Track:
Classic Namco Medley
Source: Various Namco arcade games
Reason: Pac-Man's also here in Smash to represent the other retro Namco titles he's so often associated with. Let's give them all chance to shine with a classic Namco medley, which I propose in the same spirit as the Famicom medleys already featured in Smash (although having all of the music be remixed would be welcome as well). I linked to an example of what a Namco medley could sound like, as featured in
Taiko no Tatsujin, but I'm not necessarily requesting that exact piece be used in Smash.
[/collapse]
Will probably add to this later.