1. Keep Moving Forward
   KlevarKoopa
2. Ninja Roids Stage 4-2
   hoboka
3. Like a Ninja
   TheVideoGamer

Another great round you guys! I had to go with Klevar for this one.

KlevarKoopa - This one is well arranged with some great drums, and a good solid bassline,. There is lots of changes to keep it interesting and a lot of great dynamics as a whole. If there were to be problems, it was that the drums were overtaking some of the sounds a bit. I could sense everything trying to get into the front, but the drums were taking up the space. Also the main melody synth is a bit lacking, wasn't bright or present. Some of the sounds felt a little closer to the original chiptune style, which is good if your going for the style, but it didn't feel like an actual arrangement. On the whole though, you have a great dynamically mixed source tune, with some great sounds.

Hoboka - I am a fan of how you slowly morph this 8-bit goodness of the original into something bigger and grander. This showcases the creativity in the mixing, without going off into something completely different, aka keeping it grounded in the original style. The drums are good, and it shows especially in the intro, but maybe no so much in the ending. As we listen, a lot of the sounds really layer on top of each other, so we get to a point where everything is just loud. Some of the synth's can be abrasive too. The ending section was nice, because it almost contrasted the intro, but everything was too loud, eating up all the drums. Still though, it's a nice creative tune with a lot of good elements, while still keeping it locked in the original groove.

1. Like a Ninja
   TheVideoGamer
2. Ninja Roids Stage 4-2
   hoboka
3. 
   

Honestly, this one was tough; I liked the approaches that both of you took here.

Like a Ninja (TheVideoGamer): I love 80s synths / instrumentation - I can never hear enough
of them! I liked your variations, and the production was clean. Overall it was really enjoyable, and great job!
Ninja Roids Stage 4-2 (hoboka): Haha, I like the title! I liked the ambience you had in
the background - it definitely gave the song a different feel. In addition, I liked the unique instrumentation mashup you had here. Overall, it was very enjoyable and interesting!

1. Keep Moving Forward
   KlevarKoopa
2. Ninja Roids Stage 4-2
   hoboka
3. Like a Ninja
   TheVideoGamer

TheVideoGamer and KlevarKoopa: Both of you have a very narrow stereo image in your submissions. Consider panning stuff, adding delays, etc, to give your pieces more width and more interest.

Everyone: Great job. I had a really hard time ranking these and really I could see any of these in first place. Alas, I had to make a choice.

KlevarKoopa: Sounds very retro/80's. Good intro. You definitely bring out the "you're almost there, keep going!" feeling, but there's a couple places you could improve that: First, there's a part with a nice sort of electric guitar voice in there and where the drums dop out except for the bass drum. I think you could have put a hi hat pattern in there too to help maintain the energy. Then in the next part where the drums are completely gone it could use a high pitched synth pad part to fill things out, maintain interest, and provide contrast with what you just removed. Then when the drums come back in the bass is gone. Don't take out the bass! Drums without bass is just sad, and I say that as a drummer, heh. That's all pretty minor though. Nice key changes at the end. I think the first of them could have used a riser (a simple reverse cymbal swell would work fine) going into when the drums come back in.

hoboka: I feel the main hook should take center stage at the beginning. As it is it has a weird voice and it's pretty buried under the rhythm part. You do let the hook take center stage at the halfway point the song with a different voice but I felt the first half should be like that too. I can feel the excitement building in the second half of the song and I like that a lot. After listening to everyone's entry a few times I feel the second half of your song is the strongest part out of everything submitted in this contest (even though I still hear that lead voice from the first half...). The effects you have everywhere are great and make excellent use of the stereo field. This is also the best mixed of the entries. The lead from the first half drags this one down to second place for me though.

TheVideoGamer: Solid take on the source. The lead voice is a little off for me for some reason. It makes me think of someone puffing up their cheeks and making "thhhpt" noises with their mouth. Hard to describe, lol. It's really not that bad, I just can't think of another way to describe it. Cool drum fill break part. Great change up going into the second half of the song. Very original and a standout moment among all the entries.

1. Like a Ninja
   TheVideoGamer
2. Keep Moving Forward
   KlevarKoopa
3. 
   

Pretty close for me. Love the retro feel of "Keep Moving Forward". But I also love the Streetfighter vibe that "Like a Ninja". Nice entries both!