History DarkReprise / VideoGames

* In the {{Edutainment}} game ''Redhook's Revenge'', one of the jingles that plays for disaster spaces and incorrect answers to trivia is a somber reprise of the game's title theme.

** Exclusive to the remake of ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiBowsersInsideStory'', Dark Fawful's battle theme is a slower arrangement of the Fawful and Cackletta battle theme from ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiSuperstarSaga Superstar Saga]]''. Symbolically, this shows that Fawful has surpassed Cackletta as a threat and diabolical mastermind.

** Crocodile Isle's theme from ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong64'' is an ominous reprise of the game's DK Isles theme.

* In ''VideoGame/ChildOfLight'', [[https://youtu.be/Byz6960tWxQ "Aurora's Theme"]] has the LonelyPianoPiece arrangement [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm3tBq7cCcE "Final Breath"]] when she says goodbye to her friends before entering the Temple of the Moon that houses the MagicMirror supposedly leading back home. The context becomes even sadder when you find out that [[spoiler:[[TheMole Norah/Nox]] was leading Aurora into a trap]].
** On the subject, [[https://youtu.be/-QvzoTieeac "Path of the Eclipse"]] is a dark, sinister reprise of Aurora's Theme, played while [[spoiler:Nox coldly reveals that she was EvilAllAlong who [[FalseFriend had only pretended to care for Aurora for her own benefit]]. Oh, and Nox's mother is revealed to be the BigBad, who's also present at the scene]].

** And in ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryReturns'' they give Mine Cart Madness a dark''er'' reprise in the form of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqYlMjO2B70 Roasting Rails]].

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' has the final boss music, "[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin The Final Battle]]", that includes remixed segments of "Main Theme" (the world map music) and "[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin The Airship]]".

** The Aria sung by Celes in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' is played again when Celes [[spoiler:attempts suicide after Cid's death]].
*** Additionally, Locke and Setzer's themes are reprised in "Forever Rachel" and "Epitaph", which play in [[spoiler:flashbacks to the deaths of their respective love interests]].

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'''s final boss theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PjEN-zFlDQ "The Battle For Freedom"]] contains both a Dark Reprise of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3vT3hp0U5w "Theme of the Empire"]] as well as a TriumphantReprise of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ7YS6MQl2M "Theme of Final Fantasy XII"]] (the theme of [[LaResistance the Resistance]]), battling against each other for dominance.

** You know [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwUig18llPo that little jingle]] that plays whenever you win a battle in most of the ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' games? Well, it, naturally, features in the ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' games whenever the character you're playing as wins a fight. However, if you're playing as one of the [[VillainTeamUp Warriors of Chaos]], a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10RoWVAaDf0 different variation]] plays, with a real 'evil has prevailed' feel to it.
*** There's a similar-sounding "Tango of Tears" remix of the victory fanfare in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', for when you lose a chocobo race.

* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnvvFeuwPOE Necropolis theme]] from ''Videogame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic V'' is a twisted and sinister remix of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d6nglHDOEA Haven theme]]. Fitting, since in the portion of the game's story mode where you control the necropolis faction, the Griffin Empire falls under the control of the necromancer Markal.
** This is later explained in Heroes of Might and Magic VI, where it is revealed that the necromancers were once a part of the Griffin Empire, so the similarity in the music makes sense.

*** This game also includes Green Greens in [[spoiler:Queen Sectonia's]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY0VaczU-IM battle theme]]. [[RecurringRiff They just love]] [[BootstrappedTheme Green Greens]].

** The theme for the final phase of the last boss of ''VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies'' is an intense rock mash-up of Song of Supplication and a twisted version of Green Greens. The latter bit is extra appropriate when considering that [[spoiler: Void Termina's core spends much of the fight sporting a ''Kirby face'' for some reason.]]

** ''VideoGame/KirbyAndTheForgottenLand'': "Enter the Fiery Forbidden Lands", the theme for most levels in Redgar Forbidden Lands, is an intense minor-key remix of both the game's main theme and "Running Through the New World".

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass'' also does this with an extremely dramatic and tense remix of [[spoiler:Linebeck's theme]] used for the final battle, where [[spoiler:Link is forced to [[FightingYourFriend fight him]] after he is [[DemonicPossession possessed by Bellum]]]].

** Part of Dreams Dreams is also incorporated into Wizeman's boss theme in the first game.

* In ''VideoGame/{{OFF}}'', Hugo's theme - [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b3Ff84GobY "The Race of a Thousand Ants"]] - is fast-paced, cheerful, and reminiscent of a child's music box. A [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlc6JFq_T7M darker, slower version of the tune]] plays in the endgame as [[spoiler:the protagonist bludgeons the defenseless child to death]].
** If you thought that version was creepy, in the fan-made sequel [[VideoGame/{{HOME2013}} HOME]], the creepiness factor is taken up a notch in a remixed version titled [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkXX14gCVqk&list=PLTmvDPWQWsr79PLhkvABD0abe-gXeVpEg&index=14 "Empty Stare"]], which becomes primarily The Witness', aka [[spoiler:Edna]]'s theme, which is fitting given her darker characterization and [[spoiler:her connection to Hugo]]. And they up the creepiness factor ''further'' with the [[spoiler:battle theme]] version, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mte-H6mKtjg&list=PLTmvDPWQWsr79PLhkvABD0abe-gXeVpEg&index=24&pbjreload=10 "Nowhere to Begin, yet Everywhere to End"]], which, while similar, is further darkened by eerie, dissonant sounds.

* As you play through ''VideoGame/OneShot'', you'll frequently hear the "Puzzle Solved" theme as you, well, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin solve puzzles]] and get Niko closer to returning home. Towards the end though, you hear [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J80Q1QD6o3Y a more melancholy take on the theme]] just after you learn that [[spoiler:Niko won't be able to return home without dooming the world they're currently trapped in, and vice versa. You'll have to break the news to Niko and choose the right thing to do]].
** This also happens earlier in the game with the "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsyDYqcU_5E Distant]]" theme. In its original form, the song is a calm, wistful track you hear as you see Niko's dreams of returning home. Later on though, [[spoiler:The Entity severs your communications with Niko as they enter the Tower]]. The theme is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgySM-D0aH8 replayed at a slower pace]] to fit the solemn mood.

** In ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'', the track [[https://youtu.be/2hmfefcYsK4 Awakening]] plays whenever someone first [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin awakens]] to their Persona, while [[https://youtu.be/R5uSzq6hfOw Willpower]] plays in the battle immediately afterwards. The later theme is also played [[spoiler: when Shadow Sae goes berserk after being caught cheating again and goes OneWingedAngel]], and both themes are played [[spoiler: when Goro unleashes Loki.]]

** A weird example: in ''VideoGame/PokemonUltraSunAndUltraMoon'', all of the [[spoiler:evil team leaders]] get remixed versions of their songs from the previous games. These were pretty much all dark tracks to begin with, as befitting of the characters who used them. While the remix of [[spoiler:Archie and Maxie's shared theme]] isn't too bad, the remixes of [[spoiler:[[OmnicidalManiac Cyrus's]], [[OffingTheOffspring Ghetsis's]] and Lysandre's themes]] are downright ''twisted'', taking the most ominous and scary parts of their themes and amping them all up as far as they can go. Rather fittingly, [[spoiler:these are also [[TriumphantReprise Triumphant Reprises]], because these are all versions of these villains who ''[[TheBadGuyWins won]]''. Given the scope of their plans, this is very bad.]]
*** And another one: Lunala's and Solgaleo's theme in Sun and Moon was an upbeat, lively one bordering on sounding more like a rival theme, just with reminders here and there that you're still fighting a [[OlympusMons borderline deity]] [[spoiler:which is actually rather fitting given their relationship to the player]]. Cut to [[spoiler:Ultra Necrozma's]] theme, which is a sinister, twisted, even depressing and disheartening version that makes it '''''VERY obvious''''' what kind of enemy you're facing. Also makes sense given that [[spoiler:Ultra Necrozma ''forcefully'' absorbed Solgaleo or Lunala to take its form, becoming one of the strongest Pokemon ''in the entire franchise'', and that's not even considering its aura-boosted stats! Not to mention that your friend is, in a way, fighting you against its own will, and possibly even acutely aware of this.]] And this is supposedly a kid's game.

* The final stage and boss of ''VideoGame/{{RefleX}}'' features a darker arrangement of "Final Hour", the stage 1 theme of ''VideoGame/{{Kamui}}''. [[PreviousPlayerCharacterCameo Speaking of]] [[MeleeATrois Kamui...]]

** Also, the first game has "Not Tomorrow", played when Lisa dies, which is a dark reprise of its title theme.

*** ''Sonic & Knuckles'' also has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvskEyw-hzA the theme of the first act of Sandopolis]], which plays outside under the sun, which is rather happy; whereas the theme of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQTb46RLW0g second act]] is darker, as you are now trapped inside a pyramid, ie an giant tomb, with terrifying ghosts on your trail...

** Also, in ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'', the main theme, "Endless Possibilities", has a more sinister, orchestrated remix as Perfect Dark Gaia's theme.

** Also, the ending music of the first ''Galaxy'' game, which is a dark reprise of the "Comet Observatory" theme, which is played when Rosalina says goodbye to Mario/Luigi after helping her save the universe (and Peach, which Mario/Luigi is concerned) from [[BigBad Bowser]] and flying away to another part of the galaxy.

* The orchestral theme for ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' is uplifting and triumphant. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhgDibw7vB4 The lyrical version Lifelight]]...isn't; the lyrics basically [[ExpositoryThemeSong describe the plight of the heroes in the story mode]] ''World of Light'', wherein the entire universe has been wiped out by [[BigBad Galeem]], all of the main characters have been captured to be used to make clones called Puppet Fighters, and everyone else has been turned into body-less entities forced to possess said puppets. It's not ''entirely'' dark as [[HopeSpringsEternal there's a noticeable hopeful tone within it]], but altogether it's still a pretty somber song. However, there's actually ''more'' Dark Reprises ''to'' the Dark Reprise, in the form of [[spoiler: the ominous and glorious theme for Galeem, the sinister and intimidating theme for Dharkon, and the absolutely epic theme for both of them at once.]] Finally, there's a sombre piano rendition of "Lifelight" that plays if you get a Game Over during Classic Mode.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}} 2'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mUH2BSgZFk Devil's theme]] is an even darker rendition of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWpIl0AOR38 Kazuya's already dark theme.]] (Only in the UsefulNotes/PlayStation port, though; the arcade version uses a single arrangement for both Kazuya and Devil)

** Also, "Ghost Fight" has a sinister remix in "DUMMY!" Ghost Fight plays when you're fighting Napstablook, a [[TheWoobie woobie]] ghost that doesn't really want to fight you, while Dummy plays when you're fighting the mad Dummy, who's a JerkAss ghost possessing a training dummy that wants to fight you for some ([[VideoGameCrueltyPotential probably]]) imagined slight against the training dummy from the ForcedTutorial.
*** "Spider Dance" is also a remix of "Ghost Fight", which is kind of a mix of horror and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patter_song patter beat]] (appropriate, since it's a tune about an insane spider woman who wants to eat you, because you didn't pay up for spider-based food).
** Perhaps the most iconic example is Flowey's theme. When you're introduced to him, the track [[https://youtu.be/83jGCWCcBzc Your Best Friend]] plays, which is a simple, cheery chiptune song. When Sans asks you questions about him, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQDiDDb1_9k a sinister version of the harmonics]] [[LonelyPianoPiece on a piano]] plays behind. [[spoiler: However, Flowey has ''another'' theme. [[https://youtu.be/eOqq5kNBVoM You Idiot]] is a scary DroneOfDread that only plays when Flowey is being legitimately threatening.]]
*** Think it can't get worse than that? [[spoiler: [[EldritchAbomination Omega Flowey's]] theme is a dark, frantic reprise[=/=] remix of both of those songs, and plays during what's easily the most terrifying part of the game. Its title? '''''[[https://youtu.be/eUcThHVbrXY Your Best Nightmare]]''''']].

* In the Genesis and UsefulNotes/PCEngine versions of ''VideoGame/{{Valis}}: The Phantasm Soldier'', a slow sad version of "The Wilderness" plays during Reiko's death cutscene. The GameOver music is a dirge-like rendition of "Flash of Sword", [[Level1MusicRepresents the Stage 1 theme]].

* In ''VideoGame/TheAngryVideoGameNerdAdventures'', the stage select theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YDhQQsun6k "Welcome to Game Land"]], is replaced by [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6okeAX0LQw "Welcome to Glitched Game Land"]] once the final stage is unlocked, and [[FinalBoss Fred Fucks]]' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjhrEL2c0mo introductory music]] is a slow, ominous version of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9InIQ5MZnI boss theme]].

** Samus's victory theme is the item acquisition theme from ''VideoGame/{{Metroid}}''. Ridley and Dark Samus use the same tune, but it's play in minor key, which makes it sound much more sinister.

** City of Tears' theme is a peaceful track consisting of a harp and a OneWomanWail, accompanying the Knight in their exploration of the always raining city. Soul Sanctum's theme is a minor variant which replaces the harp with an OminousPipeOrgan, and the boss variant has timpanis and percussive male choirs.

* In ''VideoGame/HollowKnight'':

* ''[[VideoGame/ScottPilgrim Scott Pilgrim Vs The World The Game]]'' has a dark reprise of the Scott Pilgrim anthem when fighting [[EvilTwin Nega Scott]].

* Every stage in ''VideoGame/{{Guacamelee}}'' has a normal theme and a eerier "[[DarkWorld World of the Dead]]" remixed theme. The themes are much more echoing and sound distant at times, such as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2anE5IKTwU Pueblucho]] going from a peaceful band playing in the streets to a much more distant feeling in the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOn23hn6flc World of the Dead]], as if the band's music still fills the air in the afterlife.

* ''VideoGame/{{B3313}}'': In certain areas of the castle, the beautiful Peach's Castle music from the [[VideoGame/SuperMario64 original game]] is replaced with a minor key version. There's also a floor that plays a version that's in major key, but very slowed down and low pitched enough for it to count. The file select is also in minor key.

** Samus's victory theme is the item acquisition theme from ''VideoGame/Metroid''. Ridley and Dark Samus use the same tune, but it's play in minor key, which makes it sound much more sinister.