Episode 3 – Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

About game/music

This is “Episode 3” from action puzzle game Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2014 WiiU/2018 Switch), developed by Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo.
The composers of the game are Mahito Yokota and Naoto Kubo.

The story is that Toad and Toadette found the Power Star during their expedition, but it was stolen by a giant bird Wingo, including Toadette who tried to protect it, and he set out to find them.
In the game, the player searches for Power Stars hidden in a miniature-like setting, using various items placed around the stage and switching perspectives.

This music is played at the stage selection screen in Episode 3, where the story reaches its climax.

Analyzing

bar 1~8

• Tonic Pedal
  • The base is fixed to I.
  • The sound is controlled and stable, and has a bit of complexity. There is a suppressed elation.
  • other example are below.
    • Boat Buds – A Short Hike
    • Mountain Level/Yogurt Yard – Kirby’s Adventure
    • Song of Mana ~Opening Theme~ – Legend of Mana
      • it may not be called a pedal point because it is so short.
    • Rainbow Road – Mario Kart 7
    • Destination Unknown – Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
    • Clear Breeze – Skullgirls
    • The Cursed Ship – Ragnarok Battle Offline

bar 13~16

• IV-V-iii-vi, or variants (other TABs include this)
  • Very popular chord progression in Japan, called “王道進行”. It means “popular” or “typical”.
  • examples;
    • Re-Tail – Animal Crossing: New Leaf
    • Dogcheck – DELTARUNE Chapter 1
    • Melodies Of Life～Final Fantasy – FINAL FANTASY IX
    • Phoenix Highway – Freedom Planet 2
    • Rainbow Resort – Kirby’s Adventure
    • Ripple Field 1 – Kirby’s Dream Land 3
    • Grass Land – Kirby’s Epic Yarn
    • Apt.102 – Kirby’s Epic Yarn
    • Abandoned Beach – Kirby and the Forgotten Land
    • A Home For Flowers (Empty) – OMORI
    • Challenge Go Go! – Pocket Card Jockey
    • Jazz Racing Jam – Pocket Card Jockey
    • Slateport City – Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
    • Route 104 – Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
    • Rustboro City – Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
    • Hearthome City – Pokémon Diamond/Pearl
    • Route 203 – Pokémon Diamond/Pearl
    • National Park – Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver
    • Cianwood City – Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver
    • Route 26 – Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver
    • Accumula Town – Pokémon Black/White
    • Route 2 – Pokémon Black/White
    • Lacunosa Town – Pokémon Black/White
    • Floccesy Town – Pokémon Black2/White2
    • Castelia City – Pokémon Black2/White2
    • Battle! (Island Kahuna) – Pokémon Sun/Moon
    • Route 10 on Ula’ula Island – Pokémon Sun/Moon
    • Wedgehurst – Pokémon Sword/Shield
    • Battle! (Hop) – Pokémon Sword/Shield
    • Wyndon – Pokémon Sword/Shield
    • Cobalt Coastlands – Pokémon Legends: Arceus
    • Purity of your smile – Ragnarok Online
    • Seaside Hill – Sonic Heroes
    • Dear My Friend – Sonic Unleashed
    • End Of The Summer – Sonic Runners
    • Guest Book – Tomodachi Life
    • Shop – UNDERTALE
    • Oh! One True Love – UNDERTALE
  • examples in minor key (in this case, bVI-bVII-v-i);
    • Blooming Villain – Persona 5
    • Battle! (Rival) – Pokémon Black2/White2
    • The Battle at the Summit! – Pokémon Sun/Moon
    • Battle! (Ultra Necrozma) – Pokémon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon
    • Battle! (Bede) – Pokémon Sword/Shield
    • Battle! (Battle Tower) – Pokémon Sword/Shield
    • Battle! (Arven) – Pokémon Scarlet/Violet
    • Battle! (Zero Lab) – Pokémon Scarlet/Violet
    • Magical Snow Day – Sonic Runners
    • Desire Drive – 東方神霊廟 ~ Ten Desires.
    • Illusionary White Traveler – 東方天空璋 ~ Hidden Star in Four Seasons.
    • The Great Fantastic Underground Railway Network – 東方虹龍洞 ~ Unconnected Marketeers.