Top Five Zelda Dubstep Remixes of All Time

The Legend of Zelda has some of the best music in the video game industry, and the music has played a pivotal role in the series from the beginning. However, some people just don’t enjoy orchestral music and would instead prefer a song with a tricked out melody and a kicking bass. Thankfully, fans have taken it upon themselves to remix classic Zelda tunes into something more people can enjoy. Here, we’ve chosen our top five favorite Zelda remixes of all time.

5. Kaepora Gaebora Theme by None Like Joshua (ft. Rikki of the Side Quest)

This lands on our top five because of the fantastic lyrics as well as the remix of the song itself. The original song was fitting of the strange bird that shows up to help Link through his quest, but in this version, a catchy beat and sassy back-and-forth between characters make it incredibly enjoyable to listen to. I also really liked the reference to the Kaepora Gaebora being the reincarnation of Rauru, which was artfully slipped in for a great effect. Additionally, the remix itself has a good bass and nicely placed sound bites from the game. Plus, the artists seem to be having a great time making this mix.

4. Song of Storms by Kronodigger

The first time I heard this song, I was absolutely blown away. The drop was incredible because it’s unexpected, led in by an orchestral opening, which is hard to pull off. In fact, it’s difficult to pull off this kind of remix with real instruments against a synthesized beat and accompaniment. Still, Kronodigger manages to do it so well it’s grabbed our top four spot. My favorite thing about this mix, however, is the clarinet performance. Not only does the sound work beautifully with the mix, but it’s a real clarinet, not a computer-generated sound, It fits right into the mix, providing a nice contrast to the mechanical dubstep sounds. I think the usage of the clarinet really adds to the song, providing a nice legato flow that matches the rain theme. He also used the percussion to create a rain-like feel, which I absolutely loved.

Also, if there are any clarinetists out there, I’m sure you were as impressed as I was at the flutter tonguing at 2:08. Flutter tonguing is extremely difficult for most, and to do it for that long is incredible. Actually, the overall clarinet performance left me speechless. He plays those notes so fast and so flawlessly that my mind was absolutely blown.

3. Mini-Boss Theme from The Wind Waker by dj-Jo

This remix is one of those that you would put on when you’re trying to get something done. With the bass and the percussion, it’s one of those songs that motivates you to power through whatever you’re doing, though it’s also enjoyable to listen to when you’re just jamming out. The bass drops and usage of scratches are definitely what lands this remix at our top three spot. Once the bass drops the first time, the feel of the music changes, with the melody on the upbeats after a bass hit. That’s what really makes this song enjoyable to listen to; it can get your head bobbing without you even realizing it. Plus, the character sounds are included at pivotal points in the song, which definitely enhances the listening experience. The most notable example of this is the Wizzrobe laugh right before the second drop, which makes the drop a lot better. After the second drop, there’s a pattern of three bass hits after each phrase that begin on an upbeat, which changes the pace of the song a bit so it doesn’t get too repetitive. Overall, I think it would be a whole lot easier to defeat that pesky Wizzrobe if this was playing in the background instead of the original.

2. Song of Storms by Will & Tim

Some songs just have to be judged by how well they can make your car shake when you’re listening to music. This is one of those remixes that you can feel about as well as you can hear when you’re driving down the highway. Normally, when people try to make remixes that have that kind of bass, something else is sacrificed. This song is a big exception to that, which is why it takes our number two spot. Not only does it lead in with an orchestral opening, but the bass drops so hard I’m pretty sure my neighbors felt it the first time I listened to this. This is another song that uses character sounds expertly, like right before the bass drops or before the melody is passed from bass to treble after the second drop (which is also a great part of this song). Another one of my favorite things about this remix is the addition of glitches and scratches as part of the accompaniment rather than the main melody. It really accents certain parts of the remix nicely but without shoving it in your face or taking over the melody. The rain at the end is also a nice touch, though I’m sure if this remix was played instead of the original, Hyrule would have another Great Flood.

1. Midna’s Lament by dj-Jo

You don’t just make dupstep remixes of piano solos. Especially when the original song has no percussion. Midna’s Lament is one of the most tragically beautiful songs in all of Zelda history, and a lot of that tragedy is portrayed in the original song by a legato melody with a lot of push and pull in the tempo. You have to be a dubstep king to pull off a good remix, and you have to be a dubstep god to preserve the emotion despite heavy dubstep accompaniment playing in the background. Somehow, dj-Jo reaches that level of remix expertise, creating an incredible remix with the hard-core mix of a good dubstep song combined with the beautifully tragic melody of Midna’s Lament. Again, dj-Jo is able to artfully place character sounds at pivotal points in the song, making the listening experience insanely good. This is absolutely my favorite dubstep remix of all time, and it earned its place as the number one Zelda dubstep remix of all time.

Did you enjoy these remixes? What are some of your favorite Zelda remixes? Let us know in the comments below!