Ten of the Very Best Songs in Super Mario Galaxy 2

Back in 2007, I was quite impressed by the orchestrated music heard in Super Mario Galaxy, which made an already amazing game even more spectacular. I was hoping that the soundtrack of Super Mario Galaxy 2 would be just as wonderful. Not only was I not disappointed, but when I heard the game's music, I was practically blown away. Nintendo managed to outdo themselves with even more orchestrated tunes, and once more, the soundtrack as a whole was a masterpiece. I compiled a list featuring ten of my favorite tracks from Super Mario Galaxy, and now, it is time for me to do the same thing for the sequel. Here are the ten songs from the game, in no particular order, that I feel are the cream of the crop...

Throwback Galaxy: I was amazed that Nintendo would recreate Whomp's Fortress, one of the most well-known levels of Super Mario 64, and go as far as to remix the original music. The tune is as upbeat as ever, and has a jazzy sound to it that is quite catchy. It is one of those tunes that would make you want to get up and dance if you were not too busy hunting for the elusive Power Stars. It makes me wish that more levels from Super Mario 64 could have been remade, if only to hear equally great remixed tracks.

Hurry! (heard in some Speed Run challenges): I thought the Speedy Comet music from the first game was awesome, but this tune surpasses it by leaps and bounds. The fast tempo combined with the dramatic-sounding mission give you a true sense of urgency as you try to reach the goal before time expires. The tune gets more epic as it plays, with the last section in particular being a great example of what an orchestrated masterpiece should sound like. Given that these speed runs can be tricky at times, you may find yourself replaying them a lot, but at least that will give you more chances to hear what I consider to be the definitive speed run song.

Sky Station Galaxy: This was often heard in the trailers and commercials for the game, and with good reason. Even more so than the Good Egg Galaxy tune from the first game, this song gives the first galaxy of the game an epic feel. The first section is particularly memorable, sounding like something that you would hear on the outset of a grand adventure, which also describes the first level perfectly. Even as the song becomes more serene, you still get the sense that it gives a great first impression of the soundtrack as a whole. This song was stuck in my head even before I first played the game on account of it being used in all of those trailers, which makes me wish that Nintendo would use awesome music directly from the games in their commercials more often.

Beat Block Galaxy: Another familiar Mario tune-specifically, the underground theme from the original Super Mario Bros. game-receives a pretty sweet remix and becomes part of a wonderfully innovative feature. While short, the song is as memorable now as it was 25 years ago, and the new upbeat mix is catchy. Even better is that in the levels that it plays in, something happens after every eight beats. In Beat Block Galaxy, for example, some blocks vanish, and some reappear, following the eighth beat. This is a great example of using music in a game to help you complete the challenge, and is one more reason why Nintendo continues to impress with their extraordinary ideas.

Bowser Jr.'s Fiery Flotilla: The levels in which you confront Bowser's bratty son finally get their own music, and once again, the Mario Galaxy Orchestra does not disappoint here. One would expect the music to fit such a malicious child, and indeed, as the woodwinds and strings play, you can just imagine Bowser Jr. preparing to try and finish you off when you reach him. Particularly memorable is the middle portion onward, as it gives you the sense that a lot is at stake. Bowser Jr. should have had his own level music in the original game, especially if Nintendo can make it sound as amazing as this tune.

Bowser's Lava Lair: Those of you who thought that Koopa's Road was an amazing tune before have not heard this incredible remix. The song has now been given the full orchestrated treatment which makes it sound more epic than it ever was. Added to the mix is a choir, heard during the later portions of the song, which gives the song a truly dramatic feel, which is fitting given that you are heading after the one who swiped the Power Stars and abducted Peach. All major boss levels should have a song as amazing as this one, and if Nintendo was hoping to create a song with such an epic feel to it as you make your way to Bowser's chamber, they succeeded in a big way.

Yoshi Star Galaxy: As you get acquainted with Yoshi for the first time in this game, you get to hear some typically happy music that fits him, and the level, quite well. With the blaring saxophones and fast tempo, you get another tune that gets stuck in your head rather quickly. Of course, the song becomes even more delightful while riding on Yoshi, as you get a drum beat to accompany it just like in Super Mario World. The song is so catchy that I would love to replay the level's missions if only to hear more of it.

Haunty Halls Galaxy: For this level, Nintendo brings back another song familiar to longtime Mario fans. This time, it is the haunted house music from Super Mario World. On the Wii, the song sounds even creepier than before, which is fitting since you are dealing with Boos and other spooky creatures. While not quite as dramatic as the haunted house tune from the original Super Mario Galaxy, it is still nice that Nintendo would bring back a song not heard in any Mario game in years. It makes me wish that the Mario Galaxy Orchestra would remix every single Mario song in existence.

Spin Dig Galaxy: As you get used to the new drill power up item, you get to listen to some pretty jazzy music. This is still another upbeat tune that is so catchy, you will be humming it long after you turn off the game. Once again, the saxophone music is put to good use, and even if it takes you forever to adjust to using the drill, the tune as a whole is so memorable, you will not mind repeated attempts at a challenge. Plus, you could almost dance to the music if you wanted to, which makes me wish that Nintendo and Konami would create a sequel to Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix that would enable you to do just that.

Tall Trunk Galaxy Slide: I will admit that the slide challenges in this galaxy are tricky, but at least we get to hear this remix of Rainbow Ride from Super Mario 64. It sounds as fast and cool as ever, and in the Rolling Coaster Galaxy, it changes tempo depending on how fast or slow you move while on the ball. In fact, in that galaxy, getting to hear the amazing song is pretty sweet even as you will most likely try to complete that level's missions again and again. If remixes like this one can sound great, imagine what epic remixes Nintendo could do if they decide to make a third Super Mario Galaxy game. I can just imagine all the amazing possibilities.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 has such great use of orchestrated music as can be proved by the examples listed above. I still wish that Nintendo would use orchestrated music more often if they can make it sound so amazing and epic. They just might do that, as the next Zelda game is being considered to have an orchestrated score. As for the music, listen to it any way you can, whether you play the game or listen to every song on YouTube, as it is one more example of why Nintendo tends to make memorable soundtracks. Here's to hoping that if Nintendo makes a third Super Mario Galaxy game for either the Wii or its successor, they will continue the trend of creating epic orchestrated tunes and inspire me to write about them, as well.