Tag: soundtracks

PHB Series, Pop 5

Pop 10: Best Poptropica Soundtracks 🎶

LJ

Funny story: I started drafting this list over 8 years ago, but for various reasons—from procrastination, to getting sidetracked, to even forgetting about it—I never managed to complete it. Until now!

Howdy-doo Poptropicanos!🤟 LJ here, and today I’m thrilled to present my selection of the top 10 soundtracks from Poptropica! Or shall I say “pop” 10? All of these amazing tracks were composed by the talented Jeff Heim, who was the musical genius behind Poptropica for years—hats off to him!

It was honestly quite challenging to compile this list, especially with so many outstanding soundtracks in the game. Trust me, narrowing it down to just 10 was no easy feat. Anyway, let’s jump right in and enjoy some wonderful music!

#10) Monster Carnival Main Theme

This piece of music perfectly encapsulates the essence of the words “Monster” and “Carnival.” The fusion of creepy and whimsical elements is executed perfectly. I once knew how to play this tune on the keyboard after being inspired by a fellow Poptropican’s piano rendition, but I have since forgotten, unfortunately. 😅

#9) Poptropolis Main Theme

This track is sure to energize anyone for an intense tribal competition! 💪 I’m glad this one was chosen as the primary theme for Poptropolis Games compared to the other tracks that were featured on the island (though they’re great in their own right too!). I really like its triumphant, glorious, and powerful tone. I can totally imagine this one echoing at the Olympics in real life.

Balloon Boy: No, you won’t recognize anybody in one of these hot-air balloons.

#8) A Free Poptropican

This represents the first entry (among several on this list) that embodies the distinctive “Poptropica sound” in my ears. I can’t exactly describe what that sound is, but all I know is that I feel an immediate urge to hop aboard my blimp and set off on a grand adventure just by listening to this one! That’s what Poptropica is all about! 😀

#7) Genie Dance

This track can still be heard today in the free desktop version of the game on Jade Scarab Island (originally heard in the 3rd episode of Arabian Nights Island). Its repetitive quality is what I find makes it so catchy and unforgettable that I had to put it on this list. Plus, it stands out due to its prevalent middle eastern sound. The way the song builds in speed with each reiteration almost makes me want to dance. It’s an awesome one indeed. 🙌

In Spired: I can see my house from here.

#6) Action Adventure

This track couldn’t be more appropriately titled, as it reflects the splendor of an epic poem or a fantasy action movie. 😁 My favorite part starts at the 49-second mark, where a sound similar to a piccolo emerges, really elevating the overall impact of this one for me.

#5) Night Theme

Although Night Theme may not have the same level of grandeur as some of the other tracks on this list, it speaks to my soul which I believe is what truly matters. This piece makes me feel as if I were drifting in the cosmos, meditating among a sparkle of fireflies, and flowing with the current of a delicate stream all at once. Does that make any sense? 😝 I love how dreamy, yet mysterious this one sounds. 😌

Amore: When the moon hits your eye like a big camel’s eye.

#4) Super Power

This is another one that showcases the quintessential “Poptropica sound”. I first heard it in a 2016 trailer for the game, and I was immediately captivated, thinking, “This sounds really cool!”. 😱 I feel like this one is quite complex and elaborate featuring a variety of upbeat and melodious components. “Super Power” serves as a strong testament to Jeff’s talent in music composition.

#3) Mythology Main Theme

The main theme of Mythology brings back a wave of nostalgia. In 2016, it was certainly my favorite, and I can clearly see why. Mythology Island has always ranked among my top islands in Poptropica, and I distinctly remember hearing this track during every playthrough, which may contribute to a slight bias. 😉 Nevertheless, the sounds of the flute, horns, and lyre transport me to the realm of ancient Greece which is well inspired.

Olympus has Risen: We’ve always had our heads in the clouds.

#2) Mega Fighting Bots

This piece is nothing less than exceptional! It carries an epic quality that mirrors the awesomeness of the Mega Fighting Bots in Poptropica. I think the energetic and dramatic tones are ideally suited for a boss battle. I can confidently say that this is my favorite boss battle theme and a strong second place overall. (Shoutout to their battle intro theme! That one is great as well.) 🤩

#1) Poptropica Overture

Poptropica Overture is undoubtedly the hallmark track of Poptropica. I mean, it’s the very tune that everybody encountered while both logging in and exploring Home Island at one point in time. Jeff truly outdid himself with this piece, as it is one of the finest compositions I’ve ever heard. 😍 I’m enamored with the tune, the atmosphere, and pretty much every other aspect of it. Each moment of this ethereal, melancholic melody is heaven to my ears, and the outro is especially beautiful. Not going to lie; I’ve felt a surge of emotions while listening to this one, as it resonates like an echo, reminding me of all of the cherished moments I’ve enjoyed within the Poptropica community and during my time playing the game. 🥹 The slowed + reverb version on YouTube is just as enchanting and quite addictive too. Let’s give a well-deserved round of applause for Poptropica Overture! 👏

One Stop Shop: Say hello to our bundle of joy.

I really went in, didn’t I? Well, my love for Poptropica can hardly be put into words and the soundtracks are no different. Big thanks to you if you made it all the way through this post. See you guys next time. Pop on! 🍀

Monkey Wrench Island, Pop Petitions

Pop Petition: Bring Monkey Wrench back 🙈

Purple Paw

Hi there, Poptropicans!

As you may have gained from the title of this post, I’m here to discuss a Poptropica island that, although it had lots of great potential, is often overlooked by fans, and was even erased from the map altogether two years ago. Yes, I’m talking about Monkey Wrench.

Monkey Wrench was the tutorial island released in 2016.

It’s easy to see why this island is so frequently forgotten, as it was only a tutorial island; incomparable to greater classics such as Astro-Knights or Skullduggery. But, even though it was only invented to teach new Poptropicans how to play, I still felt that Monkey Wrench was quite a bit more than that. To better understand what I’m on to, take a look at the following reasons for why I think Monkey Wrench should be brought back.

One of the biggest things that made me get so attached to this short but sweet island is the lore it provided. You’re probably wondering what I mean; Monkey Wrench didn’t give us a full, thoughtful story to think over, unlike other islands that centered on their storytelling. But it did give us something I never expected to have a real answer for, least of all from a tutorial island; where the iconic Poptropica blimp came from.

Who knew that the great Poptropica blimp would come from a pack of monkeys?

I’m sure many of us wondered how one of Poptropica’s most well-known features, the golden blimp, came to sit on Home Island the moment we created our Poptropican avatars. And it was a big surprise when the answer to this longstanding question came in the form of a tutorial island! Besides, learning where your blimp comes from is a perfect introduction to Poptropica. In my opinion, Monkey Wrench succeeded all expectations of what a tutorial should be.

You may still be slightly doubtful about how important Monkey Wrench really was. I know one thing that bothered a lot of players about this island was how many game controls were taught during it, interrupting the experience; but, after all, Monkey Wrench is a tutorial. If it didn’t teach you how to control your avatar, speed up the dialogue, and use items from your backpack, that would have ruined the whole point. (Although I do think it would be interesting to see Monkey Wrench expanded into a full island.)

Another reason why I think Monkey Wrench should return is the amount of design that went into it. The visual scenery, character design, and audio soundtracks were all amazing, and I don’t think such beautiful work should go to waste so quickly. A couple of my favorite scenes from Monkey Wrench include Amelia’s airplane soaring over the majestic Poptropican sea during the Flying Ace Race, as well as all of the lush tropical scenery on Crusoe’s island.

And the visual design isn’t the only ‘wow’ factor in this island; I truly mean it when I say Monkey Wrench’s soundtracks were some of the best in Poptropica. (You can listen to them on SoundCloud.) Each music piece sets the mood perfectly, with the right amount of action, calm, and fun. Not to mention that there were at least four separate soundtracks created all for this one smaller island!

And we haven’t even reached the character design yet. The Red Baroness, Monkey Wrench’s main villain, had a spectacular outfit going, and I was always very intrigued by her. If only Monkey Wrench could be returned to the map and possibly expanded on, it would give us a chance to delve deeper into her back story; and find out just where she got to when her plane crashed in the ocean! Does the great Red Baroness live on?

After all that, Poptropica’s current tutorial island, Snagglemast, pales in comparison to Monkey Wrench. While Monkey Wrench provides story, suspense, scenery, music, and even an explanation for Poptropica’s iconic blimp, Snagglemast gives us a much shorter quest of collecting coins from across the small island. Let’s not forget that the tutorial is also very important because it’s most new players’ first impressions of Poptropica. If the tutorial island is made carelessly, than new players probably won’t want to stay around for long.

Although I had already played Poptropica for a time before Monkey Wrench was released, I would have been glad if Monkey Wrench were my first impression of the game, because it truly shows what Poptropica is all about; storytelling. Even though Monkey Wrench’s story is short and doesn’t reach as deep as other, bigger islands, it still has a small amount of lore, and that’s what counts. Whereas if a new player plays Snagglemast as their first island, they would most likely think Poptropica was nothing more than several short fetch quests.

To conclude: if the Creators are reading this post, I hope you’ll take into consideration what I’ve said. Monkey Wrench will always hold a special place with me, and it would be all for the better if it returns someday.

~💜🐾

Ghost Story Island, Lunar Colony Island, Store

Creepy costumes and chords from out of this world 🎻

Gentle Dolphin

Greetings, Poptropicans! Today, we’ll be looking at the latest store update and listening to some new island soundtracks. Let’s get started!

Another store rotation brings a unique gallery of items, including six new Halloween-themed outfits: Chillin’ Chills, Bit Dark, October Shade, Lemon Shark, Bubblegum Unicorn, and Fuzzy Monster. The store currently boasts 47 items, 21 of which are members-only.

Update: this store lineup received seven more items after the writing of this post, bringing the total to from 40 items to 47 items. They are the Dance-a-corn Costume, Fairytale Costume, Headless Costume, Inflatable Rex Costume, Cozy Cocoa, Witch’s Brew, and Autumn Scarves.

The items available for purchase are the following:

  • Costumes: Stylin’ Outfit*, Cool Outfit*, Chillin’ Chills, Bit Dark, October Shade, Lemon Shark, Bubblegum Unicorn*, Fuzzy Monster, Dance-a-corn Costume, Fairytale Costume, Headless Costume, Inflatable Rex Costume, Cozy Cocoa, Bride of Frankenstein*, and Frankenstein*
  • Followers: Elephant, Noodle Guy*, Dolphin*, Deer, Charlie the Chocomonkey*, and Atlantis Drone
  • Powers: Binary Rain*, Fireworks*, Cinnamon Fire Flavor Pop Gum, Meteor Shower*, Bobblehead*, Torch, and Electrify
  • Pranks: Sticky Notes, Witch’s Brew, Sneezing Powder, 8-Bit Birthday Pixel Pig Power, Inside Out Power*, and Love Potion* (this item is absent in the Flash version)
  • Miscellaneous: Party Popper*, Flamingo Floatie*, Watermelon Purse*, Drone Flying Follower*, Popsicles*, Hover Scooter*, School Backpack, Notebooks, Marshmallow Roaster, Hiking Boots, Silly Streams, Balloons*, and Autumn Scarves

Items marked with a * are members only.

In other news, Poptropica composer Jeff Heim uploaded three new Pop soundtracks to Soundcloud! (Thanks to MaryannTheConqueror for the news) The titles of these songs hint at two classic island remasters in the works: Lunar Colony Island and Ghost Story Island.

Our first song is “Lunar Colony”, an obvious nod to Lunar Colony Island. The wondrous orchestra fits the theme of exploring an unknown territory, such as the moon.

Next, we have two songs for Ghost Story Island. The first of these two is “Ghost Story Main Theme”. This eerie tune is the perfect piece for walking down the foggy streets of Hemlock Harbor and learning about the town’s tragic past.

The second Ghost Story Island song— and the final of the three new songs—is called “Fiona’s Theme”. The first half sets up a spooky atmosphere, and the second half plays the melody of Fiona’s Song (the song you play on the violin in Ghost Story Island). A wonderful track full of ambience and nostalgia!

It’s a pleasant surprise that these songs were released so suddenly. Perhaps work on remastering the classic islands began earlier than we expected. It gives us some assurance that these fan-favorite islands are not forgotten and will stick around after the end of Adobe Flash.

We at the PHB hope that you join us for more spooky fun this month. We have artistic events like Poptober and Community Creations, as well as our annual PHB Halloween costume contest!

Thank you for reading, and have a good day!

—Gentle Dolphin 🐬