Top 5 Rare 8-Bit Renditions
At the risk of sounding like Cranky Kong mid-reflection, there’s just something about the bleeps and bloops that made up the music for much of Rare’s library on the NES and Game Boy that sends us reeling into fond memories and nostalgia. While in the Ultimate days of the ZX Spectrum you were lucky to wind up with a single looping theme at all, the Nintendo Entertainment System was also somewhat restricted, with limits to the tinny sounding riffs in their library. Still, as with any artist dealing with a marginalized palette, the musicians at Rare have used their talents to compose impressive themes that stick with us to this day. What really sends us spiraling into a bit of 8-bit induced fanatics is when a melody is pulled from one of Rare’s more modern fare and an 8-bit remix is constructed from it. The following items on this list are arranged pieces that are based on other works, and have a superior theme that it draws from, but with these 8-bit remixes we pay tribute to their rocking riffs and tunes of bleeps and bloops. This is the Top 5 Best Rare 8-bit Renditions.
#5. K. ROOLS ACID PUNK – DONKEY KONG LAND
Unlike its spiritual successors, Donkey Kong Land found itself reaching into unique terrain that its 16-bit counterpart hadn’t ventured, with its setting taking place on a offshoot location of DK Island. A welcome change to this new formula were the brilliant 8-bit renditions by Graeme Norgate that introduced several new songs to the series, with our top choice going to the boss theme: K. Rool’s Acid Punk. While this tune was nowhere to be found in the original Donkey Kong Country or its sequels, it would eventually find a home in Blast Corps with the theme for Jade Plateau. Under the mundane conditions set by this list we’re contractually obliged to meet, its technically an 8-bit Rendition of a secondary Rare theme… in an odd paradox sort of sense…
K.Rool’s Acid Punk – Donkey Kong Land
#4. GAME BEAR COLOR – BANJO-KAZOOIE
It goes without saying that Banjo-Kazooie has one of the most ambitious and memorable scores on the Nintendo 64, and it wastes little time getting started from the title screen as it throws you amidst a hoedown performing the signature Banjo-Kazooie theme. The theme is reiterated and remixed throughout the Bear and Birds adventure, but our favorite finds itself in the third file selection screen which features the duo playing a bit of Game Boy. While the sounds of Donkey Kong Land sound off in the distance, a homage perhaps to composer Grant Kirkhope’s early efforts before the Bear and Bird launched him into stardom. Whatever the case may be, we love this tinny remake and will often wander over to File 3 just to hear it…
Banjo’s 8-Bit Break – Banjo-Kazooie
#3. BRAMBLE BLAST – DONKEY KONG LAND 2
With Donkey Kong Land 2 branching away considerably from the wayward route of Donkey Kong Land, the second in the series took to recreating the gameplay and stages from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest. That being the case, Donkey Kong Land 2 also took on the gargantuan task of recreating the entire soundtrack of its composed counterpart into 8-bit form. With newcomer Grant Kirkhope given the job of converting Dave Wise’s tunes, the likes of Klomp’s Romp, Hornet Hole and Head Hot-Bop never sounded so good on the go, with Bramble Blast’s retooled mix that will have you lost in your own memories; leaping into thorny bits of barb like the good ol’ days in Donkey Kong Country 2…
Stickerbrush Symphony – Donkey Kong Land 2
#2. PELAGIC II – PERFECT DARK GBC
Following the release of Perfect Dark on the Nintendo 64, the portable prequel starring Carrington Institute’s budding agent-in-training was leaps and bounds ahead of its time with full-fledged voice acting, built-in Rumble Pak, and IR Link that come straight from the future. While much of the title was silent to accentuate the sounds of gunfire and intrigue, Grant Kirkhope returned to the Game Boy to recompose several iconic tunes from the original Perfect Dark title. Complete any mission in the Game Boy version and you’ll be treated to a particularity rocking rendition of Pelagic II; a sweeping score that was originally attributed to a Deep Sea Research Facility in the Pacific Ocean. This is one you’ll want to play over and over again for the reward in itself.
Victory Theme/Pelagic II – Perfect Dark GBC
#1. KLUNGO – BANJO-KAZOOIE: NUTS & BOLTS
After beating Klungo harder than he was initially knocked about with an ugly stick in Banjo-Tooie, the final confrontation ended with the loyal minion ditching Grunty to make ssstupid gamesss. It took nearly 8 years for his efforts to come to fruition in Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts in the form of his own Arcade game, Klungo Sssavesss teh World. While he’s been credited with creating the entire game himself, the composer of Klungo’s fantastic old school remix that plays throughout is David Clynick, based on the original work by Grant Kirkhope. The game can get quite frustrating with ill-timed jumps and deviously placed enemies, but you’ll grin and bear the whole rigmarole if it means hearing just a bit more tune before you barrel into a bottomless chasm.
Klungo’s Arcade Aggravation – Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
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