First post in years is a Sonic-related thing, well, I should say, DUH. Before I get into things, here's a little story, to help understand my motivations, and the title.Back when I was 8 or 9, around the time my youngest sister was born, my parents got our first computer. We got several games with it - I can't really remember all of them, but the one I remember the most is Sonic CD. As everyone knows; I have always been a HUGE Sonic fan, even back then, and I KNEW I was lucky as hell to find the PC version of Sonic CD back then, especially where I live. It swiftly became one of my favourite Sonic games, mostly because of the soundtrack. So like most people, I grew up with the American soundtrack.
Fast forward a few years, to where I managed to find Sonic & Knuckles Collection - a collection of the Sonic 3 series, with a bonus Sonic Screensaver on it. My Genesis was on the Fritz at the time, so I got it for the games, and the screensaver WAS a bonus. The screensaver itself, had files for music from Sonic 1, 2, 3, &K, and CD (the Japanese version.) I was a little confused about this new Sonic CD music I was hearing, but it didn't take long to put 2 and 2 together. While I could never really think of Sonic CD without the American soundtrack, I started to warm up to the Japanese soundtrack, and there are several songs I enjoy.
There have always been flame wars on the internet over which ost is better for years (as I understand it). Fans of both soundtracks come from everywhere, and, of course, will defend their preference to the death. Amusingly, this can sometimes break the fanbase up just as much as Shadow, the 4Kids actors, Silver.... You know everything Sega screwed up in the years between Adventure 2 and Unleashed. With Sonic arguments I usually take a neutral standpoint and argue both sides (except when it came to the 4kids actors...), but the Sonic CD ost argument I've never been able to do that with.
Now, most recently, I've been considering putting together a little list of which songs from which soundtrack are the best. This came to me because of a couple things. First there's the re-release of Sonic CD on PSN and Xbox Live. While I'm mad as all hell that it's not getting a Wii Virtual Console release, I'm actually intrigued by the fact that it's pretty much the debut of the Japanese soundtrack in America. Although I'm sure I'd feel ripped off if there wasn't an option to switch between the two. The second thing that brought this on was a feature in Sonic Generations. You can change the music in levels first of all, and then my surprise when I unlocked a remix of the American version of the Stardust Speedway, and immediately supplanted the Japanese version used in the Metal Sonic fight. Both worked just as well the way the fight played out, it's like the developers thought SPECIFICALLY of that.
Now, most recently, I've been considering putting together a little list of which songs from which soundtrack are the best. This came to me because of a couple things. First there's the re-release of Sonic CD on PSN and Xbox Live. While I'm mad as all hell that it's not getting a Wii Virtual Console release, I'm actually intrigued by the fact that it's pretty much the debut of the Japanese soundtrack in America. Although I'm sure I'd feel ripped off if there wasn't an option to switch between the two. The second thing that brought this on was a feature in Sonic Generations. You can change the music in levels first of all, and then my surprise when I unlocked a remix of the American version of the Stardust Speedway, and immediately supplanted the Japanese version used in the Metal Sonic fight. Both worked just as well the way the fight played out, it's like the developers thought SPECIFICALLY of that.
So that really got me thinking. What if you could do that kind of thing with this Sonic CD re-release? What songs would I choose to play in which stages?
That's what this "Sonic CD Fusion" thing is all about. I decided to fuse the Japanese and American soundtracks into what song works best for what level. There might be a bit of favourite-ism especially in the close decisions, but I played each version of the song, with the levels in mind, and imagined what felt more natural. I went over EVERY track too, so without further adieu, here's my list;
Note: The Past Music is the same regardless of soundtrack.
Title Song - Japanese. The shortened Sonic Boom always kinda annoyed me as a title song, it just didn't sound right cut down like that. Meanwhile a shortened Sonic - You Can Do Anything sounds more like a genuine Sonic title theme.
Opening Movie - American "Sonic Boom." The Animated movie in the intro syncs up almost perfectly with Sonic Boom. I was listening to the full version of Sonic - You Can Do Anything, and it just didn't do anything for me.
Palmtree Panic
Overall, I just like the sound of the American versions better. The music fits the look of the zone better, especially in the future versions which look VERY futuristic (with the bio-mechanical trees) and the future songs manage to capture that better. The cheering in the japanese version gets annoying too.
Collision Chaos
Maybe it's because I'm fed up with the American version, but I find I enjoy the Japanese Present song better, especially with the zone in in mind. Same goes for the Good Future Japanese song and especially because it portrays the good future better - the American version is too much like the bad future song. The guitar in the American version of the bad future, however, just sounds amazing, and the song makes the future sound like everything went to hell.
Tidal Tempest
This would be a little more fair if the American version of the present theme wasn't so damned addicting. It's that BEAT, even when I'm playing I can't help but want to dance to it. It also manages an appropriate instrumentation and style for a Sonic water level. Both good future mixes really don't sound super level appropriate, so the Japanese mix wins out cause it's a bit better both as a song and it wins in inches for how it fits. The Japanese bad future mix sounds most appropriate for both look of the zone, and for how the zone plays; considering the first half is a chase level before the boss, and it's great chase music.
Quarz Quadrant
I'm going to have to agree with like everyone on the internet for this one. Present QQ sounds MUCH better on the Japanese ost. It fits the level better, and the overall sound is just great. Both Future mixes go to the American version, although I'm pulling slight personal bias here, I fell in LOVE with these songs a long time ago. The B mix does sound a lot more fitting for sure, like Collision Chaos, it sounds like the future is indeed bad.
Wacky Worckbench
Present Goes to the American version for how Industrial it sounds - perfect for this level. Good Future goes to the American version because it has the same industrial sound as present, and manages to sound more advanced with it, but still (if not more) somewhat upbeat. Bad Future meanwhile... actually sounds BAD in the Japanese version compared to the American (same applause I gave to Collision Chaos and Quartz Quadrant.)
Stardust Speedway
This goes to the American version for much the same reason Palmtree Panic did. It just sounds better with the level design; it sounds like a speedway song, and the Japanese version doesn't. The Bad Future was probably the CLOSEST decision, however. The Japanese version does manage to sound like a speedway song, but the American version still wins out.
Just for posterity here's the Sonic Generations mix of the bad future.
Just for posterity here's the Sonic Generations mix of the bad future.
Metallic Madness
Okay I wasn't sure how to call this at all. Both versions of every mix sound awesome. In the end I picked Amercian for Present and Good Future because of the industrial sound, and because of how eerie they sound too. While the eerie-ness is at times out of place style-wise, the songs as a whole capture the "last level" and specifically the "Robotnik's Base" feel the best. Also the Japanese good future song sounded way too different, way too happy, and the American good future manages to play up the "good" without losing the sinister. Japanese bad future reminds me of Scrap Brain Zone plus 11, and that's why I chose it. Especially the Robotnik voice in the music taunting Sonic throughout the level. It's like the American versions of the two other mixes - captures the "last level" feel much better.
"Boss" - American. It's creepy as hell, mechanical, really intense (almost too intense for the pinball boss at least) and it SCREAMS "Robotnik is a serious threat" and "This boss WILL kill you."
"Final Fever" - Japanese. Not just because the composer was lazy and used the same damn tune for both boss songs in the American version (though considering the last boss was barely even a "final boss" it kinda works either way.) What I like about this song is that it just sounds like a Final Boss song, it's a shame it was wasted here.
Speed Up - American. While it maybe isn't as fast tempo-wise, it just sounds faster. The guitar in it has a really good way of wanting you to move fast, and same goes for the percussion.
Invincible - Japanese. This was super close. Honestly. They both sound like the best invincible songs in the SERIES. The Japanese version wins out for being a shorter mix of the title theme (which is a classic staple of older Sonic games), and for that countdown at the end.
Special Stage - American. I can chalk this decision up to personal bias from nostalgia, and falling in love with the song (as I had the Quartz Quadrant Future Songs). Also, there's a certain... Alien element to the american version that makes it sound out of this dimension and therefore GREAT for the special stages.
Ending Song - American "Sonic Boom." This again might be a bit of personal bias. The Soft Rock version of Sonic Boom used as the ending to the American version just sounds really cool, it's a nice slow song to wrap up a game, and the instrumentals are wonderful. There's also the fact that try as I might, I CAN'T bring myself to enjoy Believe in Yourself, so there might be some personal bias there too.
Other Stuff:
Little Planet (the Sonic Boom Instrumental) sounds much better for the Time Attack Menu. Meanwhile the Japanese version of Little Planet, sounds great for the DA Garden default music. The Game Over song for the American version is automatically better because there's a slight hint of nightmare fuel in the maniacal laughter, and it sounds like Robotnik is laughing at you for sucking. The American Zone Clear song just generally sounds better than the Japanese one.
So, I've got the Sega CD version of Sonic CD lying around, and there are instructions out there on how to rip and burn Sega CD games. I'm thinking of burning myself a new copy, but substituting the Japanese songs that I like better.
These are my personal choices for the best songs. I'd like to hear others. I would not like to start an argument.
Until next time!
Until next time!
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