hey guys. Thinking about Sonic CD again. Does anyone know WHY the soundtrack was changed for the American release? Also, has anyone else noticed how squished 'CD' looks on the title screen?
Becasue even then Sega was trying to fuck sonic up but this might help http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_the_Hedgehog_CD#Music
Jesus, I can't believe I didn't consult Wikipedia. Although, I've probably read that before actually.. ..any one know anything more in-depth?
Thank goodness they changed the soundtrack. The japanese musics are so ugly. Horrible to listen to. And don't even fit the stages, imho. =P
Wow, I think you are the first person to think that, Rogue. I first played it with the US soundtrack. I didn't mind it. Some tracks were really nice. Stadust and the 'water stage' to name a couple. But the Japanese.. it really captures the feel of 'Sonic' in my opinion.
Oh not really. I remember some people liking the US one more, too. =) At least you didn't used some "I WANTZ TEH JAPANEZE ANYTHING IN MY SONIK GAEM" like some people generally say to defend the japanese soundtrack. Have these people listened the american soundtrack? It's BEAUTIFUL. Reading this wiki thing, I really think some otakus got angry with the change at the time. Oh, come on... This "gamefan" review is pathetic. Well, tastes are tastes. That's more Sonic music to me. And is good to listen. The jap one becomes annoying very fast. And, about the title screen, it always looked weird to me. The colors, that golden thing, I don't know. What "squished" means btw. =D
I like both Sonic Boom and Sonic Warrior. To me, the American one sounds a bit cheesy- examples, the stage end music, and the speed up music. Flicking through it again now, I certainly do think it has its merits. My main criticism I would level at it, is that the 'Good Future' and 'Bad Future' mixes are poor. Oh, and Its kinda weird how the Past music remained the same in both versions, dontcha think? And by squished, I mean squashed. Like, cramped. As if they forgot to add it, and then just jammed it in!
SonicCD had/has a style of its own, it was really cool (and sometimes weird) back then About the music, well how many otakus you knew back in the very early 90s? back then you were a god among nerds if you had a copy of Akira, and dunno you guys but I couldnt find any manga in my local comic store. People wasnt so much into japanese culture, and SEGA which had already decided to make the animation series in the US (instead of the kickass anime from Toei) did the same with CD and took all the J-pop songs away.
Well. For me the japanese title screen is ugly, the invincibility which is almost the same is horrible, the super sneakers is really, really annoying, the boss theme is not sonic in any way (that's robotnik laughing?), and the last boss, looks like they re-used it in a nights boss. Japanese "Palmtree Panic" should have been named "Palmtree Party" (Uhh! Yeahh!!). The zone clear is nice, the special stage one too, you can do anything is alright, but doesn't fit the movie, doesn't fit nothing. The stages are all good. But the racing against Metal Sonic, which for me is the best part of the game, is simply ruined in the japanese soundtrack. (That sounds silly considering that the japanese came first, but you can understand) I think I can tell about any track. The US soundtrack gives me chills anytime I listen to it. (And I've done it a lot) But, you know, it's a matter of tastes. I like the past musics. They look very different, of course because they are from the japanese one. (maybe they are the better ones of the japanese soundtrack lol, jk =D) The fact is, I love the US one. And I am grateful for it's existence. The japanese is interesting, but is ugly to listen, just that (worst part being the stardust speedway, of course). But, more important, we can have both. =)))
eh, I agree on the invincibility/speed up actually. Palmtree Panic is my favourite happy tune. I don't actually have a complete comparison between them, with regards to the US suiting of the levels.. My JP is all labeled, but my US is all as 'Track 1', 'Track2' and so on, and I don't think it is in order. So I can't really tell what is what for detailed level comparisons. That would be interesting actually- to know what you think of each track for each level, comparing both versions in terms of feel. I think it's really interesting to hear an opinion basically the flipside of my own. Thats if you are interested in discussing of course!
Of course, why not. When I get in the mood... I mean, I generally don't listen to music when doing other things. I sit down just to listen. =P What you want to know exactly? Just talk about them? Like which one is annoying like the super sneakers one? Or any other simple adjective I can fit with my engrish... And for the names, well, I don't know if you have the game, but the discs are identified by the Media Player. =D
I have only ever heard a few songs off of the US version, and I like what I heard. Any place (other the "obtaining" the games) I could possibly hear both versions in their entirety?
There are a few websites around that actually have all of the tracks as downloads. I'm not giving out any links but they're easy to find.
Tbh, Youtube has them all up. Rogue, is English a second language for you, then? I'll start us off with a couple of tracks Each title is a link to the track on youtube. Palmtree Panic Present - JP I think this is an amazing track. It really fits the bright scenary and blue skys- the first stage in a Sonic always seems to be lush scenary. 1.15 onwards is amazing. I think. Kind of symbolises the start of an adventure, hyperactivity, and fun. I love it. Palmtree Panic Present - US I do not mind this version so much. I think it still fits the theme very well, but does lose some of its 'hyperactivity'. I like how the JP versin starts the game with a very fast pace; urgency. Palmtree Panic Good Future - JP I also think this is amazing. Very very similar to the first track, but it has a punch-the-air kind of feel. Again, the fast tempo and really upbeat nature suit the style of this first stage with its happy, hopeful tones. Palmtree Panic Good Future - US I think this is boring and dull. Quiet in tone, almost ambient. ALmost feels like it should be the 'past' music. I don't think it conveys any feeling of success in creating a good future. Palmtree Panic Bad Future - JP Through and through amazing. Retains the urgency with shrill beats and warped trumpet. I love the skipping 'Yays'. The piano 0.55 onwards is fantastic. Brash, loud, still exciting. This wraps up an amazing trio of JP tracks that I think are fantasically composed, and produce a feel for this Sonic game that really fits how I saw Sonic in the 90s. Palmtree Panic - Bad Future US A mystical, tribal feel. But I don't think it fits the theme of the bad future stage. I think it is dull, and most of all, unmemorable! Collision Chaos - Present JP This extends on that upbeat feel. Catchy rhythm, and a nice melody towards the end. A good track. Collision Chaos - Present US I don't mind this at all. A very different feel to the JP version, but I do think it fits the stage, and it has its merits Collision Chaos - Good Future JP Love it love it love it. I love the tone and feel of the JP music so much; so much experimentation with sound and melodies. Such a 90s feel! It really captures the feelings that Sonic music produced for me when I was little. Collision Chaos - Good Future US I think this is more of a successful change than for Palmtree Panic. But again, I don't find it memorable. It is very quiet and mainly ambient. It is compotent, but it does not belong in a Sonic game. Again.. dull and forgetable. I don't seek to put it on repeat, and I can't even remember the tune after it has finished. I do like the little electric guitar riff part though. Collision Chaos - BAd Future JP You know what I'm going to say already - love it. The tone changes just enough, and adds just enough extra sounds to produce a different feel for ths stage. The 'beeping' noises in the background, most audible at the very beginning, do give it a robotic/futuristic/machine feel that I would expect from a bad future (in context of a Sonic game heh). Especially love the vocal 'grunts' at the end! On a side note- the past music is amazing. Tidal Tempest - Present JP This is where my opinions change somewhat. This intial present music, I do like, and I do think it fits the stage. 0.56 onwards is the highlight of the track. I don't think you could question that it fits the aquactic theme for certain, and it also fits in with the tone of the overall soundtrack. But it doesn't excite me, and it doesnt urge me to listen to it again, like the rest of the JP soundtrack does. Tidal Tempest - Present US I think this is really good- I respect the JPs fit and finish, but I think this is one of the shining points of the US soundtrack. This is the first track where that I feel is memorable. I love and adore the vocals, and I really think it fits the 90s Sonic feel, too. I can imagine, if I had this game when I had my Mega Drive, this music would have that haunting effect that sticks in your head. Like a treat for my younger self for reaching this far in the game. Great track. Tidal Tempest - Good Future JP Thrusts the melody into the limelight, introduces some twinkling. I find this a bit dull. Again, it fits the theme, but I don't think it is outstanding as a piece of music on its own. Tidal Tempest- Good Future US Wow, a US future that has some personality! I like it. Unlike the JP soundtrack, which uses the same basic template and melody for all of the tracks for each stage, this is totally different compared to the present version. I like the continuity, an d change of 'feel' that the JP version achieves even by using the same melody. But this is quite good. Tidal Tempest - Bad Future JP This is a total departure from the previous Tidal Tempest JP tracks. I like it. I think it is good bad future music. But I don't think it fits with the previous two. I do like the ending bit though. Tidal Tempest - Bad Future US I can't make my mind up about this one. One one side, it feels kinda nondescrip.. ambient.. but on the other side, I think it produces a good tone for the bad future stage. And thats me done for now. I didn't have as much analysis as I thought I would, but hey. What are your opinions?
