How to Write Hero Music with Heart

FINALLY, an actual 8-bit soundtrack on 8-bit Music Theory! Kid Icarus has a great score, and I think the music would be as well remembered today as Metroid's music is if the game itself had more of a legacy. Let's dive into how the soundtrack straddles the line between head-strong and heartfelt!

0:00 - Kid Icarus
1:23 - Heroic vs Emotional
1:58 - Underworld Theme
5:42 - Descending Bassline
7:27 - Sky Palace Theme
8:41 - Title Screen Theme
10:29 - Credits Theme
12:32 - Outro

#kidicarus #gamemusic #8bitMusicTheory

[CarbonRollerCaco]

That Hip nailed the music for both the original Metroid and Kid Icarus, two "developing lone hero" platformers with a strong mix of optimistic and threatening vibes throughout despite being polar opposites in story theming and gameplay structure, shows his versatility in crafting music befitting energetic adventure even before he started creating the Japanese vocal themes for the Pokémon anime. Mad respect.

[MyRegularNameWasTaken]

5:00 this tactic of having perfectly diatonic melodies and then adding in wild unexpected harmonies that throw those for a loop is SO common in John Williams' music, as well. I often see it as a defining factor of his pieces, though apparently Tanaka uses it just as often.

[magtea]

7:27 realizing they reused this theme at the beginning of the second aurum brain song in uprising as the centurions save you makes that moment hit so much harder

[superbulletwill]

It's funny you covered this game because lately Kid Icarus has been on my mind. I love both the graphics and the music of Icarus. I just wish it was a little less tedious to play.

[patton]

me before starting the video: This is great, finally I can make some great chiptune.
me after watching the video: yep, this completely flew over my head.

[neufena]

I wasn't expecting to hear "The Girl I Left Behind Me" while listening to this!

[eggomylego]

This is literally the exact video I needed today. Just this morning I was sitting in my chair pondering, "What makes Kid Icarus music Kid icarus music" and then you answer my question in the first two minutes. Thanks!

[knasigboll]

what the hell, I had no idea the kid icarus soundtrack went this hard

[MyRegularNameWasTaken]

Don't act like the pun at 13:01 with a life heart on-screen wasn't intentional

[elibrainstorm]

If only I had this video 2 years ago! I was trying to arrange for a whole college orchestra, and I had to do a lot of it by ear. It was a fantastic achievement for me, but this would've helped.
I really appreciate this video because Underworld is what really made me appreciate video game music as an art form and a powerful tool for conveying heartwarming yet bittersweet emotions.
It also helped me with my own mental health and gave me reasons to be thankful I'm alive and keep going.

[GengaJupite]

Just happened to be relistening to the Kid Icarus Uprising soundtrack over the past few days and then this popped up. I know you talked about Wrath of the Reset bomb in one video but I'd love to hear more about Uprising's music!

[BeatleJWOL]

Pointing out it's got a similar melody (at least at one point) to the Dragon Quest overture had me rolling. It really does!

[vampiracowboy]

9:28 saying no surprise while showing a song with the same radiohead's no surprises chords is genius

[micahrobbins]

Kid Icarus is one of the most underrated gems in existence

[sadib]

4:52 This better not be the only video you ever bring up Dragon Quest. Although, you don't want to risk summoning Sugiyama's ghost.

[ilalui]

thanks a lot for covering this game, it's one of my favourites for nes!
it's always interesting watching your vids

[SofaCitySweetheart]

Thank you so much for this, I think this is my favorite vg soundtrack of all time... which is saying a lot! I've always thought it was criminally underrated, so thanks for shining a light on it. Looking forward to getting the transcriptions!

[crestofhonor]

Kid Icarus Uprising is one of my favorite Nintendo soundtracks

[AaronTrimbleMusic]

That soundtrack might’ve been overlooked, but this amazing video will not be! ❤ 🔥

[HyperNova]

This calls for a video about BATTLE OF OLYMPUS.