"Haltmann Works Co. HQ" is a late-game theme fromKirby: Planet Robobot composed by Hirokazu Ando that, in most versions, serves to amp up Kirby as he travels through the final leg of his journey to overthrow theHaltmann Works Company. By and large, it is a heavily reoccurring arrangement of "The Noble Haltmann".

Composition[edit]

"Haltmann Works Co. HQ" is an urgent theme which uses the first four notes of "The Noble Haltmann" a number of times with various improvisations filling the in-betweens. It is then followed by "Re: Green Greens" and a particular spin on "Bright Spinning Planet", with the motif version of "Haltmann Works Co. HQ" quietly sneaking into the very end of the track before it loops back.

"Pink Ball Revolution" is similar in several ways to "Haltmann Works Co. HQ" and even intertwines its motif. However, it features much more fury as opposed to the quiet urgency of "Haltmann Works Co. HQ". The track opens with a fast "The Noble Haltmann" on an electric guitar, after which "Bright Spinning Planet" comes in rapidly just ahead of "Haltmann Works Co. HQ". "Re: Green Greens" arrives again, followed by a reprise of something between "The Noble Haltmann" and "Haltmann Works Co. HQ". "Bright Spinning Planet" and "The Noble Haltmann" return simultaneously, a little quieter, before the track loops from the first instance of "Bright Spinning Planet".

"Combat Evaluation Program" is a fairly straightforward remix of "Haltmann Works Co. HQ", with the only major difference being what instruments are used. The name of this theme references the Japanese and Korean descriptions forThe True Arena, which refer to the mode as a program to decide the strongest fighter on the planet.^[1][2]

Game appearances[edit]

Kirby: Planet Robobot[edit]

"Haltmann Works Co. HQ" first plays inAccess Ark - Stage 1 after entering the Access Ark itself. It plays in various locations throughout theAccess Ark after this. In theJukebox, it is track 081.

The theme has two major arrangements:

• "Pink Ball Revolution" — theRobobot Armor theme forAccess Ark - Stage 5, as well as the music for the fourth phase of the battle withStar Dream. It also plays briefly during the cutscene "HEARTLESS MACHINE", in whichStar Dream Soul OS inhalesKirby when he attempts to defeat it the same way he defeated Star Dream before. In the Jukebox, this can be found as track 096. Its main distinction is the presence of "Bright Spinning Planet" and absence of the third section.
• "Combat Evaluation Program" — the main boss battle theme inThe True Arena replacing "VS. The Wicked Company", track 146 in the Jukebox.

The first and third sections of "Haltmann Works Co. HQ" also appear throughout the game as motifs, the first presenting one of the major variations of "The Noble Haltmann". The following tracks include the motifs of "Haltmann Works Co. HQ":

• "Bright Spinning Planet" — the title theme and track 001, features the first section of "Haltmann Works Co. HQ" as its second section before moving on to its own variant of "The Noble Haltmann". The third section motif is also hinted at immediately before.
• "First Contact" — the opening cutscene theme and track 002, it includes the first two phrases of "Haltmann Works Co. HQ"'s "The Noble Haltmann", while the third is derived from "Flight of Azure" instead.
• "Pink Ball Activate!" and its arrangements "Outlaw Driver" and "Final Takeoff" — themes for theRobobot Armor,Wheel Mode and the cutscene "Please...Get Him...!", tracks 009, 044 and 090, respectively. These tracks have a short version of the third section's motif, aligning with their melody's rhythm.
• "Loading..." — theme for the areas before bosses in their respective stages and track 027. This variant of "Haltmann Works Co. HQ" is comparable to that of "Vagrant Counting Song of Retrospection" (detailed below) in that the second rising interval is wider.
• "Mother's Intuition" — thepause screen theme and track 057, a more placid version of "Haltmann Works Co. HQ" that becomes its own motif with further variations.
• "Vagrant Counting Song of Retrospection" and "Vagrant Keepsake of Oblivion" — final boss themes for the third phase ofStar Dream and the second half ofStar Dream Soul OS' fourth phase, respectively, tracks 095 and 155. They develop upon "Bright Spinning Planet" and have additional uses of both motifs from "Haltmann Works Co. HQ".
• "Memories (I'll Never Forget You)" —staff credits theme and track 099, features a full quotation of the third section of "Haltmann Works Co. HQ" near the end.

The following auditory will only feature examples of "Haltmann Works Co. HQ", as examples of "The Noble Haltmann" can be foundhere.

Team Kirby Clash Deluxe[edit]

InTeam Kirby Clash Deluxe, the original version of "Combat Evaluation Program" plays during the Tough-rank quests against theIce Dragon,Blocky,Mr. Frosty,Bonkers andTelepathos.

Kirby Star Allies[edit]

InKirby Star Allies, the original version of "Combat Evaluation Program" plays during the Planet Towara section ofExtra Planet γ. It can also be found as track 100 in the game'sJukebox.

The original version of "VS. Star Dream," which includes "Haltmann Works Co. HQ" as a leitmotif, accompanies the Robobot MemoriesCelebration Picture and can also be listened to in the Jukebox as track 149.

Additionally, the music featured forSusie's battle withMorpho Knight inGuest Star ???? Star Allies Go! and Soul Melter (EX) ofThe Ultimate Choice, "A Deus Ex Machina from Childhood", is an orchestral remix of "Vagrant Counting Song of Retrospection" and "VS. Star Dream", both of which contain "Haltmann Works Co. HQ" as a leitmotif. Notably, the motif is used as a transitioning point between both themes, making for a smooth transition. The track can be found as track 183 in the Jukebox.

Super Kirby Clash[edit]

InSuper Kirby Clash, a remixed version of "Combat Evaluation Program" with added instrumentation over-top the original piece plays for the Tougher-rank quests againstWhispy Woods,Venom Kracko andPyribbit. In addition, the original version fromKirby: Planet Robobot remains unused in the game files.

A remixed version of "A Deus Ex Machina from Childhood" is used for the Super-rank quest againstPres. Parallel Susie, once again incorporating the "Haltmann Works Co. HQ" leitmotif.

Other appearances[edit]

"Haltmann Works Co. HQ" and "Combat Evaluation Program" both appear on theKirby: Planet Robobot Original Soundtrack as Disc 2, Track 12 and Disc 2, Track 35 respectively. "Pink Ball Revolution" appears on the same album as Disc 2, Track 25.

Names in other languages[edit]

Haltmann Works Co. HQ[edit]

Pink Ball Revolution[edit]

Combat Evaluation Program[edit]

References

• Music in Kirby: Planet Robobot
• Music in Team Kirby Clash Deluxe
• Music in Kirby Star Allies
• Music in Super Kirby Clash

• Articles which list Japanese names