Dwelling of Duels: Party Month

This was a month full of both deep cuts and poorly justified source choices, but it was still a fun a month. Sadly, it was also a month where my spare time was extremely limited, so I didn’t go out of my way to research the games that interested me. So, there’s probably a ton of references that went completely over my head. I apologize in advance if that makes my reviews a tad harsher (and shorter) than usual.

On the flip side, I get to meet two Dwellers in person this weekend! I couldn’t be more excited about this meetup. But that’s a story for another time. Remember to visit the Dwelling of Duels website and lets get into the reviews!

Reviews

A Nightmare on Elm Street – Save Me

When this started playing in the listening party I thought we were getting the shitpost entries first, but then I remembered this game had in fact a four player mode. This was a pretty interesting cover, but I would have liked it better in a horror-themed month. Specially because of the source and added lyrics.

Danny Sullivan’s Indy Heat – Foot to the Floor

Classic DoD? For a source and game that I know nothing about, this managed to grab my attention through most of the track. Loved the slight change in tone after the second minute mark, but I’m sad it doesn’t last. I believe the execution and overall sound quality could be better.

Diddy Kong Racing – Party Animals

This is simply amazing. True to the source, while adding tons of character through sound design, an exceptional arrangement and masterful execution. Loved the instrument choices and improv as well. I can’t be objective about Diddy Kong Racing, but I don’t need to. In my opinion, this entry is just the best this month had to offer, both in terms of quality and personal preference.

Dragon’s Crown – Memories to be Told

Breathtaking piece, really well executed. I love this style of dark and intense piano pieces. I’m not familiar with the source, but through their interpretation, I can tell anon’s heart was poured into this. Thank you for this anon!

Fuzion Frenzy 2 – Fuuuuuzion FRENZY!

Exceptional sound quality and vocals. I think this is one of the references I didn’t get at all. Also, not really my style of pop / electronic music, but I can tell that a lot of care was put to achieve this.

Getter Love!!: Chō Renai Party Game Tanjō – Ayumi Takes a Short Nap

Ayumi’s drowsiness is contagious! Lovely and beautifully executed. Loved the music box and reverb effects, they add some neat sound design to the track. No idea about the source though, or how it fits the theme.

Jack Nicklaus’ Turbo Golf – Fore Player

Nice guitar tone, but the rest of the instruments are not up to par, in my opinion. The wind instrument (whatever it is) makes it a bit more interesting, but I would have liked it to get more time in the spotlight. Again, I have no idea about the source.

M.U.L.E. – M.U.L.E. Party

This anon likes retro games, but sadly, this also goes over my head. The desire to pay homage to the source is more than evident, so I can asume all the instrument choices, computer voice and sfx are more than deliberate. Sounds like a great tribute, but I was unable to fully enjoy it from my lack of familiarity.

Mario Kart 64, Nintendo Land – Time Warp

This starts off as an excellent throwback, I love the Mario Kart sources and really enjoyed the synths and arrangement. The reference and lyrics when we shift towards Nintendo Land went over head, so I’m not sure if this medley was really justified.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Waiting to Party in the Wi-Fi Lobby

I didn’t play Mario Kart 8’s online mode much, so I don’t really remember this source. But this was another fun entry with some very nice sample choices and some surprises up its sleeve. The guitar and synth exchange when the pase ramps up is specially good. The overall atmosphere feels like a nice trip through outer space.

Mario Party 2, Diddy Kong Racing – Friday Night In 1999

This is a medley I can get somewhat behind, because I love the sources. However, I don’t think they have too much in common, and the arrangement suffers from it. It sounds arbitrarily sectioned, instead of well integrated. Great playing, and I would have slided all the way to the right if it hadn’t been a medley.

Mario Party 2 – Hands Off My Stars!

This treads shitpost territory, but it does so beautifully. I think you can immediately relate to the original lyrics if you played the early iterations of Mario Party. As always, all my praise to the vocalist, who manages to elegantly pull off such silly lyrics. A somber waltz about friendships torn apart by unfair game mechanics. This one of the tracks that fits the month’s theme best.

Mario Party 2 – In Space, No One Can Hear You Party

The quality in this entry is just on another level. Loved the epic arrangement, that really takes the source above and beyond. I fully enjoyed the proggy synths and orch hits. The shredding guitar was also perfectly integrated with the more melodic instruments. Simply put, an amazing journey.

Mario Party 3, Super Mario Party – Ne joue pas à mario party avec les gitans

This starts off as a quirky little cover, with a nice acoustic guitar. However, while in tone with the intended gypsy style, didn’t quite do much for me. But! The second half is where it’s at: folkloric, mysterious and very well executed. Some very interesting instruments choices and vocals. I would have rated this higher if not for the first half.

Mario Party – Put the lime in the koopa shell and drink it all up

Another highlight of the month for me. This is really faithful to the original source, but takes it to a whole other level with the arrangement, execution and style. Loved the Yoshi and Mario Paint sfx thrown in. Laid back and fun, I love how this anon manages to make every instrument sound great in the mix and lets each one have some time in the spotlight. Probably collaborative effort.

Mary-Kate and Ashley: Sweet 16 – Licensed to Drive – Like, Literally Slaying

Like, literally a shitpost, haha. As far as thrash metal goes, this gets top marks. Well produced and with a very nice guitar solo. Even the growl vocals are bearable for me, and I’m really not a death metal guy.

Overcooked – UnderCooked ReMix

Amazing sound design and execution all around. It’s really up there with the rest of the highlights from this month, and it’ll probably be a favorite among DoDers. Hats off to you anon, this sounds extremely polished and professional, while remaining fun and very much in tone with the month’s theme. Great title too! Gives me a good idea of who this anon might be.

Perfect Dark – Carrington Unplugged

Anon must really like Perfect Dark, since I can think of at least a dozen themes that would have been a better fit for this (including October’s upcoming theme). It’s a pretty straightforward acoustic cover with some great guitar playing and percussion, and I love Perfect Dark. But with so many other great entries this month, I thinks this sounds simple in comparison.

Pictionary – The Good, The Bad, and The Dignity

Anon probably missed their chance to participate in Tornado of Solos, and gives us a rather cinematic and bombastic Pictionary cover. Loved the sax and percussion to bits! but I think the mix is off for some reason. Maybe some of the instruments clash with the reverb in the accompaniment.

Super Smash Bros Melee – Smash those Records!

Excellent concept behind this one, and amazing tone and effect choices for the synths. With an excellent and inspired performance, anon gives us one of his best solo tracks yet, in my opinion. Varied, playful and proggy, with added twists and turns. A new record indeed!

Super Smash Bros Ultimate – The Light of Life

A somewhat straightforward but cool cover. I might be wrong, but the percussion sounds sampled to me. I wasn’t a big fan. The vocals however were spot on, and I enjoyed the guitar. The reverb, chorus and sampled orchestral bits prevent me from fully enjoying it, though.

Super Spike V’Ball – T_HANKxWILSON420_V_BALL

Hey, I got this reference! It’s a Tom Hanks movie, haha. And I wouldn’t know this source if it wasn’t for the excellent version by Leandro Abreu. The game sounds like it fits the theme well, but I wouldn’t know. This entry however is chill af. Loved the guitar tone and synth bass to bits. All the synths really, and the bass too. This is definitely getting an award.

The Jackbox Party Pack 3: Tee K.O., The Jackbox Party Pack 4: Monster Seeking Monster – Gonna Buy the T-shirt When We’re Done Playing

Another horror month candidate! Reminded me of Banjo Kazooie’s Mad Monster Mansion. Very atmospheric and with some very fitting vocals. I have no idea about the source whatsoever.

WarioWare: Get It Together! – Penny Punked a Pack of Party Poppers

This is great if you like pop-punk. Not exactly my kind of music, but I can recognize the commitment. My lack of familiarity with the source doesn’t help either.

AWARDS

Mr. Mega Mixtape’s Awards

These will get highlighted in The Mix, our podcast’s “best of the month” episode.

Party Animals (Diddy Kong Racing)
Put the lime in the koopa shell and drink it all up (Mario Party)
Smash those Records! (Super Smash Bros Melee)

🎉 “Fight For Your Right (To Party!)” Awards

These entries made the most of this theme.

Hands Off My Star! (Mario Party 2)
UnderCooked Remix (Overcooked)
M.U.L.E. Party (M.U.L.E.)

🚀 “Where No Dweller Has Gone Before” Awards

These entries will take you on a journey.

In Space, No One Can Hear You Party (Mario Party 2)
T_HANKxWILSON420_V_Ball (Super Spike V’Ball)
Waiting to Party in the Wi-Fi Lobby (Mario Kart 8 Deluxe)

💤 “Music To Relax To” Awards

Could have been candidates for “Mimir Month”.

Ayumi Takes a Short Nap (Getter Love!!)
Memories to be Told (Dragon’s Crown)
Carrington Unplugged (Perfect Dark)

🤯 “I Can’t Believe It’s Video Game Music” Awards

Have your family or friends listen to this, they will never guess it’s VGM.

Like, Literally Slaying (Mary-Kate and Ashley)
Fuuuuuzion FRENZY! (Fuzion Frenzy 2)
Penny Punked a Pack of Party Poppers (Wario Ware)