10 Video Game Covers That Will Brighten Your Day
1) “Super Mario Bros/Jump Up, Super Star” by Experience Points
We’ve all heard this theme song a hundred times, but Experience Points, hailing from Edmonton, Canada, manages to make it fresh again with some tasty jazzy solos and an immaculate transition to Super Mario Odyssey’s “Jump Up, Super Star.” Their take on the classic tune is respectful to the original but also livens up the tune with the backing of the drums and the bass guitar. This will make you go wahoo during a tough day, and it’s criminally underviewed so give it a listen.
2) “Mario Raceway (Mario Kart 64)” by Insaneintherainmusic
There’s nothing like a rush of nostalgia from the Nintendo 64 era. Insaneintherainmusic is known for his high-quality covers of classic video game tunes, but this saxophone-forward version of “Mario Raceway” takes it to another level. It captures the vibrancy of the original game, and he brings so much energy to the piece with a wild solo that will blow you away. Any fan of Mario Kart should check this out, especially if they need to brighten their day with Insaneintherain’s infectious optimism for the song.
3) “Calm Before The Storm (Final Fantasy X)” by Box Monkey Studios
In our COVID-ridden environment, it’s important for us to take a breather and perhaps escape to another world. “Calm Before The Storm” allows you to do that with a simple, but beautiful melody that carries the player through the mystical Macalania Woods. Box Monkey Studios perfectly plays this track with the guitar as a baseline, pairing it with the uniquely sounding mandolin for the main melody. The sound mixing is excellent as these two instruments come to life with this video. You truly feel the mystical nature of this track by Nobuo Uematsu in this underrated cover.
4) "Lifelight (Super Smash Bros Ultimate)” by the 664 Member Orchestra from The 8-Bit Big Band
With everyone staying at home in May, we were flabbergasted when The 8-Bit Big Band organized this 664 member Orchestra version of Super Smash Bros Ultimate’s main theme. It’s awe-inspiring to see so many people come together to work on this song, especially in a turbulent year like 2020. It felt very human in a totally out-of-touch world. That alone will brighten your day, but this version of “Lifelight” itself will move you to action with its grand sounding strings section, big brass instruments, and impressive percussion. Well done to Charlie Rosen for arranging 664 musicians’ work; it must have been an Ultimate task!
5) “Animal Crossing New Horizons Theme (Ska Version)” by Ska Tune Network
Ska has the innate ability to make anyone’s day better. You can’t resist moving to the beat by nodding your head or shaking your hips from side to side. You have no other option than to be happy. Likewise, a game that has helped us through 2020 is Animal Crossing New Horizons, so it only makes sense that this genre and the game has come together. Ska Tune Network lightens up the theme with cool rhythms, an upbeat tempo, and wonderful riffs with the guitar and trumpet.
6) “Clock Tower (Marvel vs. Capcom 2)” by Mewmore
If Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was remade for modern systems, this is how the “Clock Tower” theme would sound like. This track by Mewmore would remind Capcom fighting game players of the good old days before eSports, ugly character models, and mediocre pricing models took over. This delicious remix doesn’t ruin the spirit of the original, it elevates it. It highlights the piano and the bass of the track while adding a sick electronic beat.
7) “You Will Know Our Names (Xenoblade Chronicles)” by Dr. Pez
Arguably one of the best battle themes of all time, “You Will Know Our Names” from Xenoblade Chronicles delivers a powerful punch of sick guitar riffs and a wonderful cavalcade of brass that will make anyone’s day better. What makes it even more awesome is that there’s a build-up of momentum to a crescendo of bliss. I wasn’t even a fan of the game before, and I loved this track. Dr. Pez, Marc Papeghin, Ashiko, and HatTrax all give a great performance on this outstanding track. Everyone should know your names, gentlemen!
8) “Life Will Change (Persona 5)” by Charles Ritz & Friends
This funk/disco take on the Persona 5 battle theme “Life Will Change” should be on the Phan-Site’s radar. The synthesized talkbox adds a cool element to the song, Jayhan’s voice is boisterous, the percussion is on-point, the brass gives the main melody justice, and the guitarists build a strong base to the track. An already upbeat song about overcoming challenges as the Phantom Thieves is given a great treatment by Charles Ritz and his friends! This song is also part of the Cry of the Planet album, which is helping the Minnesota Freedom Fund.
9) “First Steps (Celeste)” by The Noble Demon
Celeste is one of the most impactful games of this generation, and that’s partially thanks to Lena Raine’s emotionally powerful soundtrack. The Noble Demon did a wonderful job with a cover of this song for GameGrooves’ newest album, Her Theme: A Tribute to Women in Gaming, which supports Girls Make Games. The piano takes center stage with a string of notes that inspire Madeline to move forward. With this arrangement, Evelyn Lark brought in some violin and bass sections that bring this piece of music to life. Go listen to this song and support the album!
10) “Kerwan-Metropolis (Ratchet & Clank)” by Triforcefilms
To finish this list off, let’s go with a childhood favorite, the “Kerwan-Metropolis” theme from the original Ratchet & Clank. This busy, futuristic city in the PS2 platformer has an equally frantic theme that keeps changing up the main theme. It energizes you with its catchy theme that will stay in your head for days. This acapella take on the song by Triforcefilms is super creative with how it interprets the music with some impressive mouth sounds and a very deep bass line. It even got recognized by the developer of Ratchet & Clank, Insomniac Games!
Chris Penwell
Chris Penwell is a writer and podcaster who loves to talk about video game music. His favorite soundtracks are from the Kingdom Hearts series, Celeste, Beyond Good & Evil, Gravity Rush, and Final Fantasy X. You can check out his hilarious gaming podcast Active Quest every Monday!