# Inferior hardware, superior soundtrack **URL:** \ **Category:** Video Games\ **Created:** [April 12, 2022, 8:27am UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680 "2022-04-12T08:27:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![retroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/retroman/32/25205_2.png) [@retroman](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/retroman)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2022, 8:27am UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/1 "2022-04-12T08:27:26Z")
This thread is dedicated to games that were released on multiple platforms, but sounded the best on inferior hardware. This happened more often than one might think, thanks in no small part to the Commodore 64 and its marvelous SID chip. Let’s get started, shall we? Here’s the main theme from the arcade version of Commando. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qX0rW4bKp3U/maxresdefault.jpg "Commando (Arcade) Main Theme") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX0rW4bKp3U) That boring ditty doesn’t exactly make you want to put on your dancing shoes, am I right? Wait until you hear the Commodore 64 rendition of that tune by the legendary Rob Hubbard! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qrQuR1LHAVI/hqdefault.jpg "Rob Hubbard - Commando [C64]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrQuR1LHAVI) He turned everything up to eleven, transforming a once-dreary soundtrack into an epic and energetic face-melter of a tune. So, do you guys have any examples of games that sounded the best on inferior platforms? ---
**Author:** ![Yakumo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/yakumo/32/1538_2.png) [@Yakumo](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/Yakumo)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2022, 10:16am UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/2 "2022-04-12T10:16:02Z")
This will be an interesting thread. I’d like to include things like Daytona but I feel that’s cheating since the Saturn port runs CD audio tracks. ---
**Author:** ![Glowsquid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/glowsquid/32/8110_2.png) [@Glowsquid](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/Glowsquid)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2022, 6:54pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/3 "2022-04-12T18:54:48Z")
arcade: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/bC4NCDd_mAI/hqdefault.jpg "Zero Wing (Arcade Music) 02 New Day For Me ~Stage 2 Legrous~") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC4NCDd_mAI) genesis: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/leHyfjTtypk/hqdefault.jpg "Zero Wing OST - Legrous (Stage 2)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leHyfjTtypk) ---
**Author:** ![retroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/retroman/32/25205_2.png) [@retroman](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/retroman)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2022, 4:22pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/4 "2022-04-13T16:22:27Z")
I never realized the Saturn soundtrack was different from the arcade version. Off to YouTube I go to compare them 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![retroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/retroman/32/25205_2.png) [@retroman](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/retroman)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2022, 4:28pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/5 "2022-04-13T16:28:52Z")
That’s a great tune! Haven’t heard that one before. And I agree that the Genesis version sounds superior. ---
**Author:** ![Danexmurder](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/danexmurder/32/3014_2.png) [@Danexmurder](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/Danexmurder)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2022, 5:58pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/6 "2022-04-13T17:58:21Z")
Wow, what a difference. This track rules on console. ---
**Author:** ![retroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/retroman/32/25205_2.png) [@retroman](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/retroman)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2022, 6:03pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/7 "2022-04-13T18:03:31Z")
Let’s listen to another Capcom game! It’s a somewhat obscure one this time: LED Storm (also known as Mad Gear and Rally 2011 LED Storm). Here’s the arcade soundtrack: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoG6ZcV6xVg) It’s certainly not a _bad_ soundtrack, but it also doesn’t really get the blood pumping. A bit unremarkable, if you ask me. Now, when this game got ported to home computers its soundtrack was completely replaced with different tunes. And it was a change for the better! Just listen to the amazing tracks composer Tim Follin concocted for the C64 and the Amiga: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/dfx1eD3DyOA/hqdefault.jpg "Led Storm (C64) - music #1.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfx1eD3DyOA) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Fof1FdGkn5M/hqdefault.jpg "Led Storm (C64) - music #2.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fof1FdGkn5M) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/nfGVGaYo_to/maxresdefault.jpg "Tim Follin - "L.E.D Storm (Amiga)" Full Soundtrack [Oscilloscope View]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfGVGaYo_to) ---
**Author:** ![retroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/retroman/32/25205_2.png) [@retroman](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/retroman)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2022, 11:13am UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/8 "2022-04-14T11:13:12Z")
Classic shoot 'em up R-Type is up next! Here’s the arcade soundtrack: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/zxzxHijruzI/maxresdefault.jpg "Irem R-TYPE Soundtrack") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxzxHijruzI) And here’s the Commodore 64 version: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VA2XKE088Q) I think the SID renditions of the arcade tunes are more fun to listen to. On top of that, a new title theme was composed by Chris Huelsbeck and it’s wonderful! ---
**Author:** ![retroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/retroman/32/25205_2.png) [@retroman](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/retroman)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 8:04am UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/9 "2022-04-15T08:04:33Z")
Does anyone know if the Sega Mega Drive is inferior to the hardware Data East used for Atomic Runner? Arcade [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/WORaRQbjyCI/hqdefault.jpg "Chelnov: Atomic Runner (OST Arcade) - Chelnov Theme") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WORaRQbjyCI) Sega Mega Drive [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/2lpdwZFA60k/hqdefault.jpg "Atomic Runner - Soundtrack - Stage 1 (SEGA Mega Drive)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lpdwZFA60k) Not only does the music sound better on Sega’s 16-bit console, the graphics are also superior. ---
**Author:** ![retroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/retroman/32/25205_2.png) [@retroman](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/retroman)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2022, 10:23am UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/10 "2022-04-17T10:23:59Z")
Did you think I was done gushing over the SID chip? Think again! Here’s another soundtrack I prefer on the good old Commodore 64. It’s Turbo OutRun! Arcade [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/xb1Zz3ye9Hc/hqdefault.jpg "［AC］ターボアウトラン（TURBO OUTRUN）BGM集") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb1Zz3ye9Hc) Commodore 64 [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BWe2s8HAF2A/maxresdefault.jpg "SID music: Turbo Outrun full OST (SIDFX 6581 mono🎧Dolbyfied)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWe2s8HAF2A) The arcade version sounds like generic rock music, but the C64 version is bubbly and bouncy, thanks to having maestro Jeroen Tel on the keys. Also, the intro features an epic arrangement of Magical Sound Shower! ---
**Author:** ![raskulous](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/raskulous/32/11773_2.png) [@raskulous](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/raskulous)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2022, 12:57pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/11 "2022-04-17T12:57:10Z")
The SID really was something else back then. It’s crazy how good some of the music is. Rob Hubbard was magical with it, any there are so many good composers that really made that SID shine. ---
**Author:** ![Glowsquid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/glowsquid/32/8110_2.png) [@Glowsquid](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/Glowsquid)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 3:33pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/12 "2022-05-01T15:33:29Z")
Another Arcade vs Genesis [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/V_8gxTJ2EDQ/hqdefault.jpg "Midnight Resistance (Arcade) -- Home, Disappointment and Counterattack") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_8gxTJ2EDQ) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/5bsVuo0JOyg/hqdefault.jpg "Midnight Resistance OST - Hope, Disappointment & Counterattack​") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bsVuo0JOyg) ---
**Author:** ![retroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/retroman/32/25205_2.png) [@retroman](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/retroman)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 4:43pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/13 "2022-05-01T16:43:42Z")
I don’t think I’ve heard that track before, but the Sega version definitely sounds cooler. Great find! ---
**Author:** ![Tchiko](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/tchiko/32/27219_2.png) [@Tchiko](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/Tchiko)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 12:31pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/14 "2022-05-02T12:31:24Z")
I’m impressed by the SFC Super Street Fighter 2 soundtrack (it differs from the US SNES version), really good stereo sound. Very charming and I think I prefer it over the arcade (from what I hear cause I don’t have the arcade cabinet to really compare). ---
**Author:** ![retroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/retroman/32/25205_2.png) [@retroman](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/retroman)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 12:51pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/15 "2022-05-02T12:51:35Z")
I didn’t know the SFC soundtrack differed from the SNES version! Gotta give it a listen sometime. ---
**Author:** ![harborline\_765](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/harborline_765/32/5947_2.png) [@harborline\_765](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/harborline_765)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2022, 1:10pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/16 "2022-05-06T13:10:39Z")
I’ve got a soft spot for Naxat Soft’s Game Boy version of Snow Bros.’ soundtrack over the other versions [(GB)スノーブラザーズ・ジュニア/Snow Brothers-Soundtrack - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BX9ucTl3pU) The punchiness really suits the tunes ---
**Author:** ![retroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/retroman/32/25205_2.png) [@retroman](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/retroman)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/17 "2022-05-06T17:24:47Z")
I compared it to the arcade soundtrack and I have to agree with you: the Gameboy version _does_ sound more pleasant to listen to! ---
**Author:** ![matt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/matt/32/13124_2.png) [@matt](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/matt)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2022, 7:57pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/18 "2022-05-06T19:57:49Z")
LED Storm (Tim Follin tune) Amiga 6/10 [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/hADyaTnVYhg/hqdefault.jpg "Tim Follin - “LED Storm (Amiga) - Title Theme” [Oscilloscope View]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hADyaTnVYhg) ZX Spectrum 11/10 [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9b9XjxK2RJc/hqdefault.jpg "LED Storm Music (ZX Spectrum) - Title Theme") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b9XjxK2RJc) ---
**Author:** ![retroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/retroman/32/25205_2.png) [@retroman](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/retroman)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2022, 10:07pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/19 "2022-05-06T22:07:00Z")
Never knew the Speccy was capable of churning out such banging tunes. Sounds great! Only a 6/10 for the Amiga version, though? That’s blasphemy! 🧐 ---
**Author:** ![matt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/www.retrogameboards.com/matt/32/13124_2.png) [@matt](https://www.retrogameboards.com/u/matt)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2022, 10:10pm UTC](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680/20 "2022-05-06T22:10:25Z")
I’m more of a chip tune synth fan than sampled mod tunes. [Next page](https://www.retrogameboards.com/t/inferior-hardware-superior-soundtrack/2680.md?page=2)