Overview

Here comes yet another remake for a new generation. Most were already aware that the original Kirby Super Star for the Super Nintendo had some excellent original music on it. Do these remakes for the DS' Kirby Super Star Deluxe soundtrack do it justice? The tracks do indeed retain their charm, but mostly because they were not drastically changed in the first place. Some may have become stiff in translation, while others may rise to the top more than ever before. In the end there's no reason for this not to be the ultimate Kirby Super Star rendition. And since this is the only release of these melodies, I will treat them as original to the album world. Alongside the remakes are a couple final bonus tracks to look forward to in case you want something more than just remakes.

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Most of these tunes are mildly upgraded compared to the original game, but I would consider them almost a port overall. They don't take advantage of the DS speakers really, but it ends up being mostly appropriate for Kirby music anyways. The sound team discarded most filler music or combined them into medleys, which is definitely a good thing. However, they left in a couple scenario themes that don't fit. The first track that I found worth listening to was the "Together with the Spring Breeze" title theme. This is the intro music to Spring Breeze and, ever since I first heard it in the game, I have wished that it would last longer. It really has much potential in the realm of Kirby music. Luckily it goes straight to the famous "Green Greens" on the next track. Green Greens was the original theme for the classic Kirby's Dreamland. This tune is a classic in itself and has obviously been inspiration for future Kirby music. In fact, a large amount of tracks on this album take after Green Greens; some even share similar phrases and themes.

The other famous Kirby tune is the Gourmet Race theme on track 12, which originated on the original Kirby Super Star. "Crash! Gourmet Race" is definitely a highlight on this album and chances are that you have heard this theme hundreds of times already. It's interesting in that it kept all the Kirby charm along with a minor key and some almost Russian sounds. There are surprisingly many notable minor themes used for minor purposes, such as "Underground Forest Area", "Great King Dedede's Theme", and "The Battleship Halberd". All these pieces have very original melodies and attention to detail; it's great to see this style work so well on a Kirby album. The boss themes themselves aren't the strongest, though they work for in-game music very nicely. A lot of them sound the same, but they are obviously well crafted after multiple listens. I find the boss themes to be a love/hate kind of style. Some may think "loud and repetitive" and some will think "fun and energetic".

Many of the tracks that I haven't mentioned consist of the classic Kirby peppiness. "Candy Mountain" is a great example of one of these peppy tracks. The formula basically takes a simple catch theme and then it kind of flows it over a very fast beat. It is a formula that has proven to work at times, and thankfully has not been overdone this time. You'll find just enough of these tunes to satisfy your peppy needs, but not enough to overwhelm. This is why I am grateful on how the contrasting minor tunes fit in so well. It makes for great variety, which is something that any Kirby albums needs.

The bonus stage medley arrangement is undeniably cute and innocent. It's almost like a couple of little children got together and started playing Kirby music with a recorder (or ocarina) and some pots and pans. It makes made more sense when I realized it was the HAL Laboratory staff playing the music. It's a great medley that covers all of the best music in the game. Don't miss this one because it definitely is a big highlight of the album. The other bonus tracks are pretty good too. The second arranged medley can get annoying as it features the boss music played in an electronic style for five minutes. The final track is a magical remix of a part of the staff roll and it turned out to be a very nice arrangement. All these tracks will give the album extra worth for Kirby fans and average listeners alike.

Summary

Overall this soundtrack is really more of a port, but being the first album release of Kirby Super Star, I can say this is a Kirby soundtrack that is not to be missed. It's one of the most influential and fitting soundtracks for the Kirby series. Although there are great melodies, variety and attention to detail, this album still can get a little too poppy and fast-paced to be perfect. As long as you pick up this album taking it for what it is — 16-bit style Kirby music — then there is no doubt that you will be satisfied.

Overview

There's a brand new instrument in Kirby music! Yes, the composers have added bass guitar to all your favorites this time around in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror Sound Plus. It may have been because it's an easy instrument to replicate on Nintendo's Game Boy Advance, but either way it gives an interesting feel to these Kirby themes. Some start to even sound a bit like Castlevania themes! This album has some or the most original material of any Kirby game (with exception to the "plus" part). Sadly enough, most of these pieces have never been heard again in another Kirby game. This is a one-time show for now, so let's see what it has to offer. Oh, and the "plus" in the title represents the numerous bonus fully orchestrated tracks in the final section. Any Kirby fan is in for treat whether they liked Kirby & The Amazing Mirror or not.

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The Kirby & The Amazing Mirror tracks featured from the start of the album are all new tracks to the Kirby series. On one hand, most tracks are pretty forgettable. On the other hand, a few may grow on you over time. This album contains many themes that are surprisingly uncatchy compared to other Kirby theme. They all have a retro Super Nintendo feel to them, and as I jokingly mentioned, with extra bass guitar. It's no joke though. Every theme has a Game Boy Advance bass guitar sound in it, some more than others. There's nothing wrong with the bass guitar, but the way it sounds in this album doesn't really suck me into the music.

The overworld theme "Forest & Natural Area" has a strong march essence yet is also a fast-paced flowing theme. It's probably one of the weakest Kirby overworld theme ever composed, however. I think one of the most normal Kirby themes would be "Castle and Building Area", but it's definitely a little too usual and not a highlight of this album. In fact, there are no real highlights at all on the beginning half of the album. Most of these themes are overshadowed by the second half of the album.

Starting with the track called "Waddle Dee", there is a lovely variety of fully orchestrated Kirby tracks. They range from cute orchestrated medleys of the Kirby victory song to full-fledged arrangements of "Green Greens" and "Fountain of Dreams" similar to the arrangements of the album called Smashing Live. All of these songs are amazingly fun to listen to and I'd say they are pretty much a Kirby fans dream. "Waddle Dee" and "Ultimate Iron Man" are crisp, clear, and adorable to say the least. They are very short, but they charm the ears between more serious tracks, and I would not call them filler at all. There is a very nice electric guitar / organ remix of "Dedede's Race" that was composed very nicely.

"Fountain of Dreams" is one of the most amazing pieces of classical video game music to ever grace the earth. I'm sure so many people are overly familiar with the theme already, but try to listen with fresh ears if possible. It's an amazing arrangement, and I just love the oboe and clarinet runs and the brass section calls. All this music is a great addition and makes owning the Kirby & the Amazing Mirror soundtrack even more enjoyable. It could even be considered "Best of Kirby" album material.

Summary

It's obvious that Kirby & the Amazing Mirror Sound Plus is worth it even if it's just for the ending tracks. Some might find pleasure in the new Kirby tunes, although not the strongest batch ever composed. Most will probably only enjoy the ending tracks, and there's nothing wrong with that.