I remember when I was a kid my bros and I got DK64 used and the game file was up to frantic factory/gloomy galleon. Once we got down what we were supposed to be doing and started progressing through the game I remember absolutely loving the soundtrack from fungi forest and this ice caves because us kids felt like we had discovered something new and never before seen or heard. I know it’s not much to most anyone but for me this song kinda signifies kid me pushing myself to find more. Really great work! Love this channel already!
This hits hard!! So many memories with my best friend. We tried for 3 years end this game as children, at the final door with the two coins, we never could. 17 years later returns in Wii U. I'm so happy that, after all, with the very same best friend, we finished Donkey Kong 64. Thank you
Thanks! Glad it feels like an HD Remake! Was worried the fretless bass wouldn't hold up like an upright but it tuned out nice and even Grant liked it!!
It's criminal that you don't have more subscribers. This is amazing! Little production thought from an audio engineer: your bass would sound way better without so much reverb. Generally you want the upper mids and highs to be very reverby, and the lower / bassy instruments to be dry: reverb in the lows just makes things sound very boomy and muddy. Pro tip!
I agree that Crystal Caves was unique in the game. The level was my favourite mostly because of the enchanting music but also because it was such a beautiful place, all semi dark but full of shining crystals. Many people hated the stage but I absolutely adored it.
Hi Nico - Excellent instrumental on Crystal Caves from Donkey Kong. DK64 on the N64 was definitely a favorite of mine from years ago, and your performance definitely brought back many great memories. Keep up the great work!
Thanks! The lines feel quite nice to play; just some of Grant's awesomeness (he saw this on twitter and liked the fretless bass!!) I took some of the pizz lines down an octave since there wasn't too high of a chance I'd make the really high notes sound as nice as I wanted haha
Beautiful cover! As I've said before in the comments sections of both your Fungi Forest and Crystal Palace videos, I'm doing a 365 Days of Music challenge, and...I picked this one for another day. I should probably diversify my selection, but I'm so excited about finding these covers that I want to keep using them! And besides, it was really fitting for today in its own way. Anyway, the comment I wrote for it is below: **Day 138:** "Donkey Kong 64 - Crystal Caves (cover)" My sister and I finally got around to playing some Donkey Kong 64 after listening to the recent Nico Mendoza stuff I found. And did we go to Crystal Caves? No! We went to Fungi Forest and Creepy Castle! And we were *glad* we didn't have to go to Crystal Caves! It's not our favorite level, even though it really isn't bad. It's a little bland, it can be challenging, it's very easy for us to get lost, it's pretty dark...but there are a lot of fun missions there, and it's still very nostalgic. The boss is amazing, too. Something I like about Crystal Caves is how unique it is. It has some undertones of snow/ice world, but it's really more about crystals and being underground than having a bunch of snow and frost everywhere. The water isn't frozen over or anything. And while you see plenty of underground/cave *levels* and *sections* in Nintendo games (with many of them in DK64, actually), I feel like it's not that often that you see an *entire world* dedicated to an underground cave. Maybe I'm wrong. This song is blissfully peaceful, almost lullaby-like, exuding grace and elegance and fragility that fits the simplicity of the area and the glamour of the crystals. As with Fungi Forest, this arranger does a wonderful job capturing the original sound and feel of this track while making it come to life with live-recorded instruments. Particularly impressed with the use of the xylophone at 1:04, which sounds almost *exactly* like how I remember the original track sounding. The muted sound of it is just...perfect. Amazing attention to detail here. This is definitely one of my favorite motifs in DK64, and it's fun hearing the different spins Grant Kirkhope takes with it throughout the level...as he does with many other motifs in the game. If you want a game soundtrack where you can learn about how to alter leitmotifs, take notes from this one!!
Great writeup! Crystal Caves does have its quirks for sure. This is such a good track from Grant, and I am glad he chose an instrumentation I could do on my own.The tone of that xylophone feels like it was built for N64!
In my opinion, this is the best music track in Donkey Kong 64.
cap. this is fire but theres so many better tracks
Creepy castle is the best
I like that one too. But remember, it's my opinion.
In my opinion, it is too
for me very hard choice between this and Fungy forest 🍄
I remember when I was a kid my bros and I got DK64 used and the game file was up to frantic factory/gloomy galleon. Once we got down what we were supposed to be doing and started progressing through the game I remember absolutely loving the soundtrack from fungi forest and this ice caves because us kids felt like we had discovered something new and never before seen or heard. I know it’s not much to most anyone but for me this song kinda signifies kid me pushing myself to find more.
Really great work! Love this channel already!
I know that feeling exactly! I remember unlocking Fungi Forest and Crystal Caves for the first time so vividly and loving the opening cutscene
This hits hard!! So many memories with my best friend. We tried for 3 years end this game as children, at the final door with the two coins, we never could. 17 years later returns in Wii U. I'm so happy that, after all, with the very same best friend, we finished Donkey Kong 64.
Thank you
Oh my God I'm tearing up right now, you nailed it so perfectly that I can almost see my childhood memories happening in front of my eyes 😭❤❤
This is literally flawless, an almost 1:1 HD remake of the original. Very impressive tonal range on this one, well done!
Thanks! Glad it feels like an HD Remake! Was worried the fretless bass wouldn't hold up like an upright but it tuned out nice and even Grant liked it!!
Man was expecting the part where the falling rocks fall down. But honestly this was amazing!
I could possibly cover that in the future!
This is awesome! My brother LOVES Donkey Kong 64. I know he appreciates this.
Oddly enough, it's such a peaceful theme for a rather complicated stage.
A stage this frustrating needed calming music 😂
So much work in this ! I'm surprised it doesn't have more views. I love this song and your cover is awesome
Thanks so much!
実は原曲垂れ流してんのかってくらい編曲と楽器選定の再現度が高過ぎる
It's criminal that you don't have more subscribers. This is amazing!
Little production thought from an audio engineer: your bass would sound way better without so much reverb. Generally you want the upper mids and highs to be very reverby, and the lower / bassy instruments to be dry: reverb in the lows just makes things sound very boomy and muddy. Pro tip!
Sure this music sounds relaxing and serene. But when the giant viking in the sky starts having a tantrum, you better take cover!
This is incredible man
Thanks! Yeah, the harmony outline is so nice!
Nico, you’ve done such a terrific job arranging this video game piece!
Thanks! It really fell into place nicely
I agree that Crystal Caves was unique in the game. The level was my favourite mostly because of the enchanting music but also because it was such a beautiful place, all semi dark but full of shining crystals. Many people hated the stage but I absolutely adored it.
So many good memories exploring this level!
i love crystals so i enjoyed it, but i *still* get lost trying to navigate it tbh
It's my favorite DK64 level. Probably because of the atmosphere.
Outstanding
10/10 quality
you deserve more subscribes
Thanks!
Beautiful !😍
Hi Nico - Excellent instrumental on Crystal Caves from Donkey Kong. DK64 on the N64 was definitely a favorite of mine from years ago, and your performance definitely brought back many great memories. Keep up the great work!
Thanks! Glad you liked it! This game in particular really brings it back
Nice! I love the Pizzicato strings, such a great sound. This is really nicely orchestrated.
Thanks! The lines feel quite nice to play; just some of Grant's awesomeness (he saw this on twitter and liked the fretless bass!!) I took some of the pizz lines down an octave since there wasn't too high of a chance I'd make the really high notes sound as nice as I wanted haha
Wow, this is so perfect! Deserves 10x the views
Love it. Brings me back
Earthquake every 5 min, this level was a nightmare when I was a kid
Wow...just wow 🙌🏾!! Amazingly done!!
Sounds like im 4 years old again
littlespace?
Bro......
A beautiful magical ambiance, great take on it Nico, happy to see that theme which is not often covered
Thanks! It's the only full ensemble cover I could find, so I'm honored to have this up!
Just like the original
Excelentemente interpretado, realmente un hallazgo haberte pillado.
Wow this is so beautifully done, I love it so much!! 💙
Beautiful cover! As I've said before in the comments sections of both your Fungi Forest and Crystal Palace videos, I'm doing a 365 Days of Music challenge, and...I picked this one for another day. I should probably diversify my selection, but I'm so excited about finding these covers that I want to keep using them! And besides, it was really fitting for today in its own way. Anyway, the comment I wrote for it is below:
**Day 138:** "Donkey Kong 64 - Crystal Caves (cover)"
My sister and I finally got around to playing some Donkey Kong 64 after listening to the recent Nico Mendoza stuff I found. And did we go to Crystal Caves? No! We went to Fungi Forest and Creepy Castle! And we were *glad* we didn't have to go to Crystal Caves! It's not our favorite level, even though it really isn't bad. It's a little bland, it can be challenging, it's very easy for us to get lost, it's pretty dark...but there are a lot of fun missions there, and it's still very nostalgic. The boss is amazing, too.
Something I like about Crystal Caves is how unique it is. It has some undertones of snow/ice world, but it's really more about crystals and being underground than having a bunch of snow and frost everywhere. The water isn't frozen over or anything. And while you see plenty of underground/cave *levels* and *sections* in Nintendo games (with many of them in DK64, actually), I feel like it's not that often that you see an *entire world* dedicated to an underground cave. Maybe I'm wrong.
This song is blissfully peaceful, almost lullaby-like, exuding grace and elegance and fragility that fits the simplicity of the area and the glamour of the crystals. As with Fungi Forest, this arranger does a wonderful job capturing the original sound and feel of this track while making it come to life with live-recorded instruments. Particularly impressed with the use of the xylophone at 1:04, which sounds almost *exactly* like how I remember the original track sounding. The muted sound of it is just...perfect. Amazing attention to detail here.
This is definitely one of my favorite motifs in DK64, and it's fun hearing the different spins Grant Kirkhope takes with it throughout the level...as he does with many other motifs in the game. If you want a game soundtrack where you can learn about how to alter leitmotifs, take notes from this one!!
Great writeup! Crystal Caves does have its quirks for sure. This is such a good track from Grant, and I am glad he chose an instrumentation I could do on my own.The tone of that xylophone feels like it was built for N64!
Excelente trabajo, se agradece escuchar trabajos de tan buena calidad :D
Es de lo mejor que he visto en RUclips!!! Y no exagero!!
Excelente trabajo amigo!
Thanks!
That is outstanding performance 🎭 I enjoyed it.
you forgot the earthquake
Ngl I could sleep to this
Truly beautiful thank you!
Eres un genio. Me transportaste 23 años atras cuando tenia 10. Capo!
Wow❤
This is so good! Well done
Thanks!
I’m patiently waiting for Creepy Castle and Hideout helm and if you can make a DK64 playlist :)
Coming later this year!
this is fucking gorgeous
Thanks!!
Hell yeah dude
El final me hizo llorar
This is amazing
Thanks!
@@NicoMendozaMusic (Imitates the DK menu guy) Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmmmmmmmmmmme Exteeeeeeeeeeeeended!
Nico! This is wonderful 😎🥰
This was beautiful. 👍
Thanks! This track is a beautiful score to a beautiful level
Ahhhh que hermoso!!
wow
Beautiful 😃
Wonderfull ! 😮 Such a beauty 🎶
Thanks!
amazing
I really really want to get your take on Creepy Castle and Hideout Helm!
👀
@@NicoMendozaMusic😮
HELL YEAH!!! I love this song!!!!!
Thanks buddy!! Need to have you play keyboard/accordion or 2nd violin on something of mine real soon!
Perfeito. A música que me fez largar o controle e ficar apenas ouvindo.
10/10 cover
Thanks!
That fretless bass 😍
Thanks!
Somebody should show this to Grant Kirkhope.
He saw it on Twitter!
Deserve more views
Thanks!
Thank you ♥️
Well done!
Thanks!
Esto es alucinante 😮👏
Será que banjo-kazooie y dk 64 tengan el mismo compositor ? Música muy bella. Explota al máximo el xilófono, melofono y marimba.
Yeah, he wrote for both games! Definitely a common instrumentation for both
👏👏👏👏👏
❄️
New subscriber and I loved the music
Thanks!! Glad you did
@@NicoMendozaMusic Where's the exteeeeeeeeeeeeended version?
Me sentí como un niño de 10 años saliendo del colegio corriendo a encender el nintendo
That is so awesome same to same I love it. can you do music fo boss fights please?
Thanks! Definitely in the future :)
You're a good man
Thanks!
good
DK approved. OK!
Rifado
Based.