Why were the JP and US soundtracks so different?

[Consul]

So, I never played this game when it originally released, however I got it recently and didn't even know there was a difference in soundtracks. While playing through a second time as tails, (After I had found out about the alternate soundtracks) I decided to change it to the US one, since the JP was set as default, and I honestly didn't expect much to be different, but wow, was there really a need to add an entirely different soundtrack for another audience?

[zion.]

i have no idea

[zion.]

the japan one is creepy
the boss theme is wors though

[Consul]

Originally posted by Shadic:

the japan one is creepy
the boss theme is wors though

Not really? The US one is a lot creepier tbh, the boss music and game over would have scared me as a child, and even unnerves me now.

[NT9X]

If memory serves, the reason behind the OST difference is that the American branch of SEGA aimed for a different mood and tone while releasing it for the Western market, and completely rewrote the music as a result.

[SkullsKnight]

if you have played sonic.exe and hear the game over screen, it sounds like close to the one from sonic cd us version music.

[Citronvand]

Wasn't the US soundtrack incomplete? For example only the Present and Future, but the Past used the JPN/PAL soundtrack, something like that.

[Steev]

Originally posted by Citronvand:

Wasn't the US soundtrack incomplete? For example only the Present and Future, but the Past used the JPN/PAL soundtrack, something like that.

Yep. Until I heard the Japanese version's soundtrack years later, I always thought it was weird how different the past music sounded compared to the present and two different future soundtracks of each stage, which all shared a theme. The interesting thing about the past soundtracks is that it wasn't redbook audio like the other tracks. This meant I could put the Sega CD game into a music CD player and listen to the present and future music like any other CD track, but the past music was nowhere to be found.

I personally loved the US soundtrack because it was the first version I heard. I played the hell out of the game on my Sega CD and at one point had mastered getting all the monster generators, Metal Sonic holograms, and time stones. One of these days I'll replay it with the Japanese soundtrack, but right now I'm reliving my teen years and playing through the game with the American soundtrack again.

[litbolt]

According to one of the two composers for the US verison, Spencer Nilsen: "My impression was that the American marketers at Sega Of America wanted something a little more musically rich and complex, along with a theme song that they might get some mileage out of, while trying to promote the game."

[Mite]

Originally posted by Edward The Hazardous:

If memory serves, the reason behind the OST difference is that the American branch of SEGA aimed for a different mood and tone while releasing it for the Western market, and completely rewrote the music as a result.

Europe is not western, confirmed.

[Arpeggio Pegasus]

Is it bad if I like "Sonic Boom" (ending version) more than "Cosmic Eternity" ?

[Arpeggio Pegasus]

Originally posted by Mite:

Originally posted by Edward The Hazardous:

If memory serves, the reason behind the OST difference is that the American branch of SEGA aimed for a different mood and tone while releasing it for the Western market, and completely rewrote the music as a result.

Europe is not western, confirmed.

It was one of the rare times when we got the Japanese stuff instead of the American one.

[Gamephreak5]

Originally posted by ThatSaltyButtonMasher:

Is it bad if I like "Sonic Boom" (ending version) more than "Cosmic Eternity" ?

Nope. Cosmic Eternity is AWFUL compared to the Sonic Boom credits theme. In fact, I'd say the Sonic Boom intro is way better than You Can Do Anything as well.

[Arpeggio Pegasus]

Originally posted by Gamephreak5:

Originally posted by ThatSaltyButtonMasher:

Is it bad if I like "Sonic Boom" (ending version) more than "Cosmic Eternity" ?

Nope. Cosmic Eternity is AWFUL compared to the Sonic Boom credits theme. In fact, I'd say the Sonic Boom intro is way better than You Can Do Anything as well.

I like both intros. You Can Do Anything sounds more anime-ish, which fits with the cutscenes's art style (it's Toei Animation after all); while "Sonic Boom" has a better orchestration.

I don't dislike Cosmic Eternity neither, but yeah it's clearly not as good as Sonic Boom's ending version.

[Gresh11990]

Originally posted by Gamephreak5:

Originally posted by ThatSaltyButtonMasher:

Is it bad if I like "Sonic Boom" (ending version) more than "Cosmic Eternity" ?

Nope. Cosmic Eternity is AWFUL compared to the Sonic Boom credits theme. In fact, I'd say the Sonic Boom intro is way better than You Can Do Anything as well.

are you ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ insane? the sonic boom ending theme is ♥♥♥♥ except for the guitar at the end.

[Dark Redshift]

Originally posted by Gamephreak5:

Originally posted by ThatSaltyButtonMasher:

Is it bad if I like "Sonic Boom" (ending version) more than "Cosmic Eternity" ?

Nope. Cosmic Eternity is AWFUL compared to the Sonic Boom credits theme. In fact, I'd say the Sonic Boom intro is way better than You Can Do Anything as well.

Cosmic Eternity is better in this version of CD as well as the Xbox and ios ports as the cheesy lyrics were edited out, same for Sonic, you can do anything. I think that version is just as good as Sonic Boom.

Same with both OSTs as the Japanese one is awesome as usual and the US one makes me think of Pro Pinball: Timeshock.