When Scott Pilgrim Vs The World: The Game was first released, it was both unlike and very much like any and all games that came before it. Everything about the project was devoted to creating a nostalgic aura that resembled older “beat-em-up” titles like River City Ransom and Streets Of Rage. Regardless of these clear inspirations, the title still had a very profound identity. The homages and references sprinkled throughout Scott Pilgrim Vs The World: The Game eventually morphed into an experience that felt like the ultimate amalgamation of the sum of its parts. Simply put, Scott Pilgrim Vs The World is a brilliant video game.
While the game certainly had a long and grueling hiatus, the announcement of the re-release of the title has brought happiness to the gaming world. Surely Scott Pilgrim Vs The World: The Game Complete Edition will be a fantastic way for old fans to reconnect with Scott and the crew while also providing newcomers with an incentive to engage themselves with this wacky world. One of the details that make this game so special is the little references and easter eggs sprinkled throughout the title. While these homages are highly praised, many often forget the masterful soundtrack by chip-tune band Anamanaguchi has housed many easter eggs of its own.
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World: The Game throws homages at the player constantly and the soundtrack is no exception. The first obvious form of references comes in the literal names of some of the songs. The song titled Skate or Live, for example, is a reference to the skateboarding game Skate or Die. Other references in the titles include the song titled Rox 300, which is most likely a reference to Max 300, a song well known for being in Dance Dance Revolution. Also, when the game is paused, a melody very much like the one from Battletoads’ pause menu plays.
Scott Pilgrim’s Easter Eggs Are Even In The Music
While many of the song titles reference retro games, many of the sounds within the songs have striking resemblances to this era of video gaming as well. In the song Technoman, a sound effect that sounds shockingly similar to one from Sonic The Hedgehog 3 plays. This sound is the same as one of Robotnik’s. The percussion in many of the songs is also very similar to what was heard in many NES titles. Rather than having actual drums, Anamanaguchi opts to have a more 8-bit ambiance and while it is noticeable, it does aid many of the tracks. Also noticeable is the small musical track which plays before the player fights Lynette and Envy. This clip sounds strangely similar to the short interlude that plays in Super Mario Bros which informs the player time is running out.
All of these small details within the songs’ names, and the songs themselves, add greatly to the identity of the game. Anamanaguchi truly created a fantastic soundtrack, one of the many aspects which helped Scott Pilgrim Vs The World: The Game claim the “cult classic” position it currently occupies.
