Sonic CD - Present Music Ranked, Worst to First
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 พ.ค. 2024
- This is something I've been wanting to do for a while. It was a lot of work to make this video, so it might be a while before the follow-up videos are done.
0:00 Intro
1:07 Number 14
2:48 Number 13
4:44 Number 12
6:30 Number 11
8:03 Number 10
9:43 Number 9
11:38 Number 8
13:39 Number 7
15:05 Number 6
16:55 Number 5
18:52 Number 4
20:48 Number 3
22:23 Number 2
23:48 Number 1
25:32 Outro - เพลง
Click here for the complete series playlist:
th-cam.com/play/PL03nkEZaQd7aaFRIRsXDt9PQfc_WYXEyr.html
This serie is so NICE
Quartz Quadrant is the god of the Sonic CD Present OST category. Ngl the music was actually suited for a Present theme.
Collision chaos sounds like a slightly more advanced version of the DR1 track "box 15"
Quartz Quadrant Present JP is the king of ALL 90s Sonic tracks. No contest.
It's legit such a good theme
It's ASTOUNDING
AMAZING!
It sounds too much like good future though. I'd say Green Hill, Spring Yard, Chemical Plant, Ice Cap, and Rusty Ruin (both versions) are peak classic soundtracks.
@@vividcolorandrichaudio6134 Quartz Quadrant Good Future already does that.
Fun fact: the us soundtrack has an album. It’s not just the regular songs though, its the Full version of the songs, the best examples would be wacky workbench (that’s the name but it’s actually the good future) and tidal tempest. Also the album features 4 songs from sonic spinball
Absolutely love the Boom album. If we factor in the tracks as they are there rather than in game, my list looks much like KMS's but with Tidal Tempest's tracks switched, and Wacky Workbench gunning to possibly steal second place. WW US on the Boom album is to die for!
Oh and the album version of PP Bad future us really improves it
Fantastic list.
Quartz Quadrant-Present (JP) is probably one of, if not my favrouite classic Sonic Songs ever.
It’s mine👀
Top 3 for me!
That "HEY!" was right on sync to when sonic loses his rings
9:33
Yes, I re-typed the comment
Incredible video, I really love see the discussion of music quality in Sonic CD. Honestly, I believe that the most effort that Naofumi Hataya and Masafumi Ogata put in this game is present in past and present songs (Tidal Tempest is my favorite song in JP version), but Spencer Nilsen catch the intense atmoshphere of bad future almost perfectly (except for Wacky Workbench lol).
I completely agree with everything you said!
Japan and us of tidal tempest is my favorite
I still think wacky workbench bad future us is pretty good, it sounds desolate and hopeless which fits quite well imo
chucklevision did we listen to the same track? I don’t know about you, but hearing a female chorus say “Hawaii” a bunch of times isn’t very menacing. Even the guitar part doesn’t pull its weight. I don’t know what it is, but still
@@thecooloshawott5201 I don't think they're saying "Hawaii". It sounds more like "A-a-away".
The US soundtrack is not bad... the problem is that being based mostly in the ambience of the levels, makes some zones in the game feel somewhat empty compared to the JP OST, which makes justice to it's design, name, and ambience all at the same time. This is noticed while comparing the other time periods in the US OST, to how they sound in the JP OST.
Tidal tempest us is good though
This is.. pretty wrong when you take into account some of the songs. Tidal tempest us and quartz quadrant I'd argue fit more towards the attitude and really the whole stage itself rather than "ambience". Even if you want to argue so, the songs are far from being empty.
@@Tendo987 Yes, is good, but the IS is mostly a 50/50 chance
@@Tendo987 it's a pretty chilled out song but tbh it would better music in the menus.
I enjoy it just not as a level theme
@@ihatestags yeah but most of the usa is just not good
Honestly, Stardust Speedway US is under appreciated. I really like how it feels serious but not too serious and overall fits the whole zone.
That is my favorite track out of all zones and both versions. Not a lot of people gives it a chance.
Top 4 for me, holy sh1t, it betrays the JPN one by a long way... Its so ambiental and fits good the city's scenario
It’s my favorite sonic cd present track
Yes
Even though JP Stardust has some of my favourite tracks in the franchise, US Stardust is absolutely WILD and massively replayable.
The thing that makes me love the jp quartz quadrant present theme is the fact that they remix the good future theme instrumentals in with the bad future theme instrumentals and same goes for the good future part of the song
I had to come back here after seeing Alex Yard's Quartz Quadrant Music Theory. He pointed out how the Present music breaks down into two sections: Section A with the drums/keyboard and Section B with the accordion/keyboard. He pointed out that Section A is also the basis for the Bad Future while Section B is also the basis for the Good Future in the JP. He made a lot of good points in that video. I do think that one could also argue that the two sections of the Present Music can correspond with the Background. Section A (which usually starts playing by the time you get to the last part of the level) seems to more accurately represent the inside of the cave at the beginning and the end where Section B represents the outside part across the middle. I welcome discussion on this.
24:40 I like how this section is used in the good future, but instead of being overly peaceful and happy like it is in good future, it has a feel of urgency, as if it's meant to remind you of the peace you're fighting for.
7:21 Can we just talk about how perfectly timed this is?
Haha! I didn't even do that intentionally 😅
21:27 as well ;)
Notice how both of those perfectlt timed moments happend in Wacky Workbench? That just shows how good of a zone it is.
@@taraj3884🧔🏿♀️
@@bertrum2010 the hell do you mean by fhat
When that horn melody erupts in the last section or quartz quadrant I got unexplainable chills
Ah yes, a fellow Stardust Speedway Present US and Wacky Workbench Present US enjoyer. 👏
I like both soundtracks, but I generally prefer the US one. Yeah, Classic Sonic music is known for being incredibly catchy and/or upbeat, but I also really like how they went with a more atmospheric/rock approach in the US soundtrack. You could say the US soundtrack could possibly be a precursor to the Adventure & Modern Era Sonic music with all of the rock and/or atmospheric based tunes heard in them.
I can understand Collision Chaos Present US being in last. It’s usually kind of an outcast track to most people compared to everything else. I think what they were going for was some kind of “punk” style. Not really sure what to call it. Like some kind of somewhat grungy casino-ish (maybe) punk feel (ESPECIALLY the Future tracks). I also kinda get the feeling of near uncontrollably *colliding* with bumpers and stuff could be potentially reflected in the beat/percussion. Literally putting the *Collision* in Collision Chaos (like how the JP version reflects the upbeat bouncy *Chaos* of Collision Chaos).
I’d also like the note that there’s a CD Album called *Sonic The Hedgehog Boom* that features the US OST of Sonic CD, and some Sonic Spinball remix arrangements. The Sonic CD tracks in the album are like extended versions that can have additional instruments or even entire sections that didn’t end up in the actual game. It breathes more life into the US OST. I remember for example, Quartz Quadrant Present US has an additional guitar riff/vocal part that’s not heard in-game. There’s also Wacky Workbench Good Future US being much longer with an entire section that wasn’t included in the game. I’d be cool to check out the album if you haven’t already.
I always thought that Wacky Workbench from the US version was done exceptionally well, and I'm glad you picked it as your favorite from the US soundtrack.
I like how in QQPrJP the brass and piano sound like they're switching the mechanical and organic parts of the cavern part of the song respectively (just like level itself) while the accordion represents the feel of the outside sections.
This video brought back a wave of nostalgia for me, anyone else?
me
Me
Madlad put QQ JP at first place. You've got my respect mate
Wacky workbench us present is my favorite version of any wacky workbench song so I’m glad to see it ranked high.
Excellent ranking King Meteor! Love your videos. Wacky Workbench (US) is one of the most unique and catchy songs in the whole game and really stands out. As a child I got to this stage and was like, "Wtf.... this is some crazy weird hyper beat with women singing in the background." I know Sonic games have weird goofy unorthodox music (like the bonus stage from S3&K), but Wacky Workbench really took it to a new level.
Great video👍 I agree on alot of your opinions. However I don't agree with Stardust Speedway JP it's so iconic and it's like 3rd for me, but I like how someone likes the US Stardust Speedway soundtrack more, I definitely also agree with Quartz Quadrant JP being first, it's so magical!
It's weird but I think the US and Japanese boss themes could almost switch places in the timeline and nobody would bat an eye
Another W upload from King Meteor Studios.
I love that background for the intro! I want that as a wallpaper...
I liked your placements for the most part, except for a few (personal preferences, of course).
I can't wait for Part 2!
EDIT: That ad break was too clean.
Thanks for noticing the ad break! I wish more TH-camrs telegraphed their ad breaks (I got the idea from Frank James). It seems like so many TH-camrs just let the algorithm place ad breaks at random spots. I can't tell you how many times I've been watching video and then an ad just starts playing right in the mid-- *ad plays*
Relatable. I hate it even more when it's a climactic moment or a fun- *ad*
I know as much music theory as a brick, but Collision Chaos US feels ambiental to me. I'm not sure if the tone is dark enough to be considered more of a bad futuresque theme (honestly Wacky Workbench JP is worse on that aspect), but it has this feel of leaving a familiar happy place like Palmtree Panic to enter a more dangerous zone. But still is near the start of the journey, so that's why it sounds kinda ambiguous and ambiental?
Besides that, my personal ranking of the present themes are pretty similar to yours. You'll want to hit me with a train though, I'm not a fan of both of Tidal Tempest themes. I'll give you the JP one sounds more fitting tho, but i always thought the US one sounds like something that could be on an adult movie, lol
Can't wait to see the follow up video!
On Tidal Tempest US: I do like the JP version better overall, as I do think it suits the level better and is a more interesting song overall. I think ranking it low on the list makes sense.
But, I do love how it pairs with the Bad Future US music. The happy lady singers now only do these weak groans and a section of gasps. I love that track, and knowing how it twists that kinda bland cheerful song into one of the most sinister tracks in the game really adds to it.
So I like Tidal Tempest US as kinda an “accessory” to another track lol
Just clicked on the vid preparing for shots fired. I get the music from both Soundtracks is polarizing, but keep in mind it is one person's perspective. We may not agree on what we like best/least, but I'm happy to hear different opinions.
I have to disagree with #14. Yes, the song isn't organized, but that's why I love it so much. It's more of an emotion than a melody. And the guitars are used in a way that I haven't heard in any other song.
but it's boring!
@@gamemois nah
@@arthurgamerpro6585 i find it boring!
@@gamemois this not boring
@@arthurgamerpro6585 yes it is
it has nothing special!also i hate those slap bass!
Agree with the 2 best ones, basically Quartz Quadrant Present is my 3rd fav song from the game (also 3rd counting both soundtracks) and Metallic Madness is EPIC!
Really good video. As someone who knows next to nothing about chords and music theory, you explained everything so well I could fully understand what you're talking about. Long live Sonic CD
Hey man great videos! I've always watched your Sonic CD ranking videos since the original US Vs JP comparison videos. I just wanted to tell you a little headcannon i have of the US soundtrack in terms of the narrative of the game. Ever noticed how after Collision Chaos but before Metallic Madness. Almost all of the US tracks consist of the female vocals? In my mind I like to think that after Collision Chaos Sonic has Amy's kidnapping in his head when he continues through the game. Thinking about rescuing Amy and the female vocals representing her. After Stardust Speedway is over, The female vocals stop. So in my mind Sonic is thinking about Amy for almost the whole game and that the female voices reflect this.
I never thought of it that way. And I've been playing this game for years. 🤔
Dude, I’m surprised to see you on this platform after gracing us with expertly crafted midis on VGMusic! Awesome job on not just composing music, but also discussing game music, too!
I think Collison Chaos (JP) is rated too low, but I respect our difference in opinion.
Ikr!!
Something that I love of Jp Quartz Quadrant is how the first half gives an inside-environment, like if you was taking a tour or working at the quartz mine; while the other half gives a calm, happy atmosphere, suiting perfectly with the outside environment of the level
Quartz Quadrant Present of JP is such a masterpiece
i recently watched your old series and when i saw this in my reccomended, i was so surprised yet happy
time to watch!
Honestly, completely agree with your sentiments regarding number 14. What leaves me wanting more from it was that it was arranged to accentuate the Bad Future music, which is no more obvious than on the Sonic Boom album that featured extended mixes of the tracks and combined them. As much as I love it, it will always feel like the first suite of a larger musical piece.
Same can be said for a lot of the US tracks, some are fantastic, but others leave me wanting more - which in some cases you do get outside the constraints of the game's music loops - and the tracks featuring additional flourishes and lyrical backing suffer the most when it comes to my go-to when I want to listen to them.
And funnily enough, my sentiments with 11 are the same as 14, because I tried blending that zone's tracks into a full medley and it felt like it NEEDED that to reach its potential. As such, there are a lot of points I agree with on this list, as well as the placements but for my own reasons.
Your top five is NEAR IDENTICAL to what I'd pick, with number 1 actually being my ringtone at the moment, and for darn good reason.
This is AWESOME vid! I'll gladly wait the next one!
I somewhat agree on many points, but would disagree on some other. Like the number 13. I would place it at least at 10th place, because the ambiance of the level, imho, was captured just PERFECTLY.
The WW(US) was never my favorite, i'll say, but i guess your position did somewhat changed my opinion. Stull wouldn't be even in my personal top 5, but definetly - at top 10.
And, ofcoure, MM(JP) is one of the best present themes for a level.
All'n'all - this is a GREAT video, and i'm hoping more people will see this.
Thanks to this video I have grown a liking for the US soundtrack
Collision Chaos present US walked so Collision Chaos bad future US could run
This gives me so much nostalgia
Quartz quadrant jp has a nice touch if you hear closely to it and it’s that you can hear the good future in the background
Something interesting I remember hearing way back in like 2012 was a SONIC CD remix attempt where they married the US and the JP soundtracks together into one and it came off sounding quite unique. Merging the best aspects of each track together so that each one sort of covers the other's flaws seemed like a pretty novel idea.
There were four similar remixes from what I remember, this is just the one I was able to find after searching again; if anyone is curious: th-cam.com/video/_yTp6Izalm8/w-d-xo.html
Those are amazing! I mean, sometimes they get a little into cacophony territory, but there are some interesting ideas on some of these videos. I wish more people do more of those.
I've made a playlist i've made of the ones i liked if you're interested.
th-cam.com/play/PLN5PgDGhz6MM9fZmdsU09AR9ZUah1mVbK.html
Always liked the US version of Stardust Speedway. Cash Cash and Jun Senoue remixed it in 2013, (even though they didn't do the Good Future version as well)
14. Collision Chaos (US)
13. Tidal Tempest (US)
12. Palmtree Panic (US)
11. Wacky Workbench (JP)
10. Collision Chaos (JP)
9. Quartz Quadrant (US)
8. Metallic Madness (JP)
7. Metallic Madness (US)
6. Wacky Workbench (US)
5. Tidal Tempest (JP)
4. Stardust Speedway (JP)
3. Palmtree Panic (JP)
2. Quartz Quadrant (JP)
1. Stardust Speedway (US)
This is my opinion btw.
Really cool that you have Quartz Quadrant JP as your #1! Funny enough, that and its US counterpart are tied for 1st for me
The US Ver. Deserves #2
hey man can I just say first of all, I really like this series and have watched each vid at least 2 times now :D (while naturally I don't agree with all your choices) I can see where you're coming from with a lot of it, however for CC and TT US, I must vehemently disagree! I find CC present sets such amazing atmosphere, especially with the pink sky and the bass slaps are there to signify the pinball flippers and TT, I find it really fits the water level, granted maybe not a water level like hydrocity zone or something else, but something like TT where in the background you can sort of see ruins, I find it fits really well for the semi laid back chill vibe it has, just my opinion, again really cool series man :D have a nice christmas
My personal top :
Top 14 : Quartz Quadrant US : This is the only song that I not really like. I like rock, but it doesn't suit the level at all, and it doesn't sound interesting to listen. Hell, it doesn't suit for anything whatever in what time period you are.
Top 13 : Collision Chaos US : From this point, I like all the song. This one might be a bit simple, but I like this atmosphere for a bad future theme.
Top 12: Metallic Madness JAP : This rank might be surprising to some of you. I actually can't know why I put this song that low, there's something that makes it less enjoyable to listen compared to the others. I highly prefer the mania remixes. I think this one makes the atmosphere too crazy, which i'm not a big fan.
Still like the song, though.
Top 11 : Tidal tempest JAP : I like the intro and the main theme. It fits the level, but sounds a bit too generic to me.
Top 10 : Collision Chaos JAP : I like the theme and the funky atmosphere. But I honestly don't know what to say more lol.
Top 9 : Wacky Workbench JAP: I love the intro so much, then it follows with a cool theme that suits the level. Sounds cool, but Idk what to say more. It's top 9 just for the intro.
Top 8 : Palmtree Panic US : This theme fits the atmosphere so good. It also feels like i'm on a vacation on a cool island.
Top 7 : Palmtree Panic JAP : Same thing with the US version, but feels more cheerful, which makes it cooler to listen.
Top 6 : Stardust Speedway US : I really like the atmosphere of this one. It's so calm, cool, and catchy. But at this point, I *really* like all the songs, so it begins to be tough to rank.
Top 5 : Wacky Workbench US : Man this one is so good. It catches more the atmosphere for a good future theme though. But man, i really like this song.
Top 4 : Metallic Madness US : Yeah, *way* above the JAP version. Why? This one has a peculiar atmosphere that I love so much for a final level. You might think this doesn't suit for a final Sonic level, I highly dissagree with that. This sounds calm, and it feels really dangerous, and it doesn't sound too crazy like the jap version.
Top 3 : Tidal Tempest US : Aww man, you broke me when you put this one that low. The atmosphere is so freaking good. The guitar in the intro, the nice sounds through the song. The nice "la la dooo" in my hears. I love it so much man.
Top 2 : Stardust Speedway JAP : This one is one of my favourite. This song just want to make you dance, it's sooooo funky. Bro, this is so good.
Top 1 : Quartz Quadrant JAP : Something that we both agree on, this song is a blast man. This song gets better every second until the eargams. This is... Man, I don't have my words.
Welp, that's it. I hope you have a good day.
I missed this series
My personal ranking:
14: Palmtree Panic (US)
13: Collision Chaos (US)
12: Wacky Workbench (JP)
11: Tidal Tempest (US)
10: Tidal Tempest (JP)
9: Stardust Speedway (US)
8: Wacky Workbench (US)
7: Collision Chaos (JP)
6: Palmtree Panic (JP)
5: Metallic Madness (JP)
4: Metallic Madness (US)
3: Quartz Quadrant (US)
2: Stardust Speedway (JP)
1: Quartz Quadrant (JP)
I feel you on the North American track for Tidal Tempest. I hated it so much when I was younger, whenever I had to play that stage, I would find a ‘Past’ sign ASAP just to avoid having to listen to it.
Quartz Quadrant is where I disagree with you. I always felt like the Japanese music was too laid back for the busyness of the stage. QQ is in many ways like a cross between a mine and a factory. Thus, I always felt like the American soundtrack was a much better fit.
It feels like I'm the only one who likes Tidal Tempest US. While I'm a fan of the US soundtrack now I used to dislike it, and it was this piece that made me rethink my view. I started my journey to liking the US soundtrack from there.
Funny, I had the same experience as you. After Collision Chaos's "disappointing" (in quotes because I love it now) music, it took a few seconds for me to immediately love Tidal Tempest Present. And everything went uphill from there.
YES IT RETURNS
I disliked Metallic Madness US for ages, but it's starting to grow on me with its optimistic, yet menacing tone.
The present theme has a "this won't be easy, but you can do it!", while the Good Future theme (which I still don't really like and just sounds weird) says "You almost won, but don't underestimate Robotnik!"
Meanwhile, the supreme Bad Future theme goes "I know this looks bad, but you haven't lost yet!" (honestly, this only makes me want it to play the JP theme regardless during act 3)
Anyway, will you include your own US Past themes? Of the originals, The only three that really have something special for me are: Collision Chaos with its distorted choir part, Metallic Madness because how evil it sounds even in the past, and of course Wacky Workbench because it just sounds so good.
Also, the raggae part in Wacky Workbench US really sounds like a riff from a lost song The Police never recorded.
oh boy, my favorite present music has been ranked at the bottom.
QQ present is a legit masterpiece
My ranking:
Quartz quadrant
Stardust speedway
Tidal tempest
Metallic madness (US)
Stardust speedway (US)
Collision chaos
Metallic madness
Collision chaos (US)
Wacky workbench
Quartz quadrant (US)
Wacky workbench (US)
Palmtree panic (US)
Palmtree panic
Tidal tempest (US)
You say the mania remixes don’t hold a candle to the original tracks, but there is one thing which I think does. That saxophone in MM act 2 in sonic mania is addicting man! (Also they turned Robotnik into a rapper and he’s really good)
Quartz Quadrant's would work well for Collision Chaos I think. It gives off the feeling of bouncing around all over the place which is what that level is all about.
good video keep it up
Fun thing I noticed:
Stardust Speedway Present(USA) is more fast paced than its JP counterpart. You can find it out while listening the drums in each one and you'll notice the drums on SS US are much faster than the drums in SS JP! Another reason why Stardust Speedway Present (USA) fits the fast pace of the level
7:20 perfectly timed
#1 Quartz Quadrant JP
#2 Collision Chaos JP
#3 Tidal Tempest JP
#4 Wacky Workbench US
#5 Palmtree Panic JP
#6 Metallic Madness JP
#7 Stardust Speedway US
#8 Stardust Speedway JP
#9 Palmtree Panic US
#10 Metallic Madness US
#11 Tidal Tempest US
#12 Quartz Quadrant US
#13 Wacky Workbench JP
#14 Collision Chaos US
I don't get the US soundtrack's obsession with bongos.
I actually like them in Collision chaos US, though
And guitars.
LET'S GO!!! SOMEONE RECOGNISED QUARTZ QUADRANT JP!!! AND IT'S NUMBER 1, YESSSSS!!!!!
What music software do you use? I've been considering making my own music, and I like the instruments you use for your remixes.
I use Reaper as my DAW. For instruments, I mainly use the Korg M1 VST (which is not free) these days, but in the past I've largely used the Arachno and SGM soundfonts (which I still use for some stuff, mainly drums)
@@km_studios Thanks!
Hot take: I think Tidal Tempest US is the best Present music.
I have seen several people praise that song, so it definitely has its fans
@@km_studios When is part 2 coming out?
@@nickytembo4112 I don't know. I haven't even started making it yet, and this video took about a week
@@km_studios Maybe next week
I personally love jo wacky workbench for some reason
What happens here is…
Wacky Workbench U.S. describes how is the factory.
Wacky Workbench JP describes YOUR experience with the factory.
That's the idea! XD
In my opinion, most JP tracks are much superior than US tracks. My very favorite from Present is Metalic Madness JP and Wacky Workbench US
For me it’s
15 collision chaos us
14 quartz quadrant us
13 wacky workbench jp
12 wacky workbench us
11 metallic madness us
10 tidal tempest jp
9 metallic madness jp
8 collision chaos jp
7 dubious depths
6 quartz quadrant jp
5 palmtree panic jp
4 stardust speedway us
3 tidal tempest us
2 stardust speedway jp
1 palmtree panic us
US: Palmtree
JP: Panic
US: Collision
JP: Chaos
US: Tidal
JP: Tempest
JP: Quartz Quadrant
US: (Generic rock music)
JP: Wacky
US: Workbench
US: Stardust
JP: Speedway
US: Metallic
JP: Madness
seeing the us version of stardust in front of the jp version made me cry ngl
Chill! After all the US version fits more(For me)! Why I say this? Simple, if you listen to the drums in each one, you'll notice the drums on SS US are much faster than the drums in SS JP! I'm just a novice on music, so please don't dislike this! I just wanted to reveal which one is faster
Huh, my own ranking is actually much different. Here's what I've got:
14. pp us (not a fan of tropical motif here)
13. ww us (seems way too happy)
12. pp jp (yet again, tropical motif, it's somehow lacking the quirkiness of other jp present tracks)
11. qq us (groovy, but way too repetitive)
10. ss us (good track on its own, but I'd like something more energetic)
9. mm us (nice idea for a track that realy makes it "metallic", but yet again, little difference in track itself)
8. qq jp (it's a good track, there is just nothing special in it for me)
7. cc us (really difficult to explain, I guess the style of music fits with the bumpiness of the level?)
6. mm jp (very atmospheric)
5. ww jp (also fits atmosphere very well, and I like techo vibes of it)
4. cc jp (fits the atmosphere, energetic and as bumpy as the level itself)
3. ss jp (i don't think this one needs an explanation)
2. tt us (groovy and soothing at the same time, I like high pitched dings in this one and it really feels like underwater palace)
1. tt jp (now 'that's' a winner, it has watery and soothing feels, and at the same time there is that little bit of worry in the main motif; overall I just like how much layers this track has and how beautiful it is)
Here's mine:
14. TT US (It honestly kinda bores me, and it doesn't fit the stage. How they went from this to the Godly Bad Future theme is beyond me)
13. CC US (I don't really like how sparse and lacking melody it is. Again the future themes (both of them this time) are way better
12. PP US (It would be higher if it wasn't the first zone in the game, it just pep you enough for the journey to come)
11. QQ US (Lacks melody and, as mentioned, doesn't really fir the stage)
10. TT JP (Way better than the US version but still isn't very good)
9. WW JP (Kinda hard on the ears with its chaotic and unmelodic nature, but it fits the stage really well)
8. MM US (Though it lacks the intensity of the Japanese version, it has its own way to set the finale)
7. PP JP (A fun tropical romp for the first zone)
6. SS JP (Though it's repetitive, you cannot ignore how deliciously dancey it is)
5. SS US (If I had to rank the zones for all their themes collectively, Stardust Speedway would easily get the top spot, with the only slightly weak track for me would be GF JP)
4. WW US (A true groovy work of art, only now do I realize how really great it is)
3. CC US (I really love the groove in this one too. In general, the CC tracks from one versionare kinda thematically similar to the WW tracks from the another side of the Pacific)
2. MM JP (Nothing left to add)
1. QQ JP (Truly a masterpiece)
@@asmodeus58XX I guess everyone has their own headcannon on what fits and which track is the most interesting. Both our ratings and the one in the video seem pretty different
The last CC is obviously supposed to be the Japanese one.
A youtuber called HyperSonic has been wondering if he could make extended versions of your US past remixes.
@King Meteor Studios I have to say that both the US and JP/EUR soundtracks of Sonic CD have their unique styles, depending on how each composer provided the music for the game in both territories.
The US soundtrack was mostly based on 80s Pop and Rock music, Heavy Rock, Tropical, like in the case of "Palmtree Panic" and sometimes, R&B.
While the JP one, despite some of the themes being much more melodious, pleasent and sometimes, overworldly than the ones in the US soundtrack, is more based, mostly on electronic music from the 90s, including EDM, Trance, Techno, House, Synthpop, Hip-Hop, Bossa Nova and especially, Jazz.
My rankings (excluding the US soundtrack, because reasons):
7. Collision Chaos - Don't get me wrong, I like the song, but, in my opinion, it doesn't pale well compared to the rest of the Present tracks. But the major 7th chords make the song sound like a dream!
6. Palmtree Panic - I used to love this song, but, like in the case of King Meteor himself and Stardust Speedway JP, I've experienced diminishing returns with this song. But the kids saying "yay" and the applause in that one section feel like the climax of the first zone in the game!
5. Wacky Workbench - I honestly did not expect to rank it as high as I did. It might sound repetitive, but the real burst of something interesting is when the first musical motif plays, but with a different percussion pattern. The weird noise in the background does bring down the song a little bit for me though.
4. Quartz Quadrant - Despite the triumphant (and calm) nature of the song, just like Palmtree Panic, I've been experiencing diminishing returns with this song.
3. Metallic Madness - Great organ section? Check. Great start to Eggman/Metal Sonic's rapping career? Check. SC-55 drums? Check.
2. Stardust Speedway - The more I listen to this song, the more I feel like I'm in Hollywood. Is it a good or a bad thing? You decide. also its gonna get funky-
1. Tidal Tempest - It is a very calm song, just like all songs for water levels should've been. The hopeful, calming and tense nature of the song (mainly due to minor major 7th chords) deserves a special place in my heart. You might be asking "where?". I know exactly where. At the bottom of my heart.
More coming soon (but just like here, the US soundtrack will be excluded, because, despite first playing the American Sonic CD, I didn't really enjoy the soundtrack very much, thus, the US soundtrack demotivated me from even going forward. Also, I'm not really into rock-and-roll, and so, the only song from the US soundtrack that I really like is Sonic Boom, specifically the version that plays in the opening).
Quartz Quadrant Present US always sounded very Phineas and Ferb-like. Funny how both had songs by Bowling For Soup.
Yessss I absolutely agree with the number 1 pick!!! I love it so much oh my God. I have this friend of mine who isn't a sonic fan at all, but he loves the CD soundtrack and THIS TRACK BLEW HIS FUCKING MIND!!!
Tbh mixing tidal tempest present US and JP versions actually sounds calming yet water appropriate. Both were missing some elements that the other had.
The two versions are fine on their own. But together. Chef's kiss.
Btw. I think the perfect instrumentals for wacky workbench has to have the fun chaos element but also sound good. For the present the Japanese one is good. but add more fun techno sounds and perfect. The past theme id leave the Japanese version alone, for the bad future theme Japan went overboard but the US had the relaxing feel. Id go with the US metallic madness as a base. For the good future id go with the US present theme because it went for the fun element.
Quartz Quadrant US sounds like something out of Phineas and Ferb lmao
Its my idea or the Collision Chaos Present (JP) has a printer sound in the background?
you should redo your comparison series cuz its been years and itd be interesting to see how its changed
surprised to see Tidal Tempest US and Quartz Quadrant US so low, they're one of the few US songs I even like for some reason lol
I agree with number 1 of this list and the number 1 of the past video where I came from
22:23 YAH MY JAM! 😍
Listen to Quartz Quadrant Good Future US and then listen to Wacky Workbench Present US; you'll notice that they have the same drums; also if you pay attention to a certain part of WW Present US, you can faintly hear vocals that sound like the vocals in QQ Good Future US. This proves that the present themes of Quartz Quadrant and Wacky Workbench were somehow switched during production.
Idk why, but I liked Wacky Workbench Present JP a LOT, despite hating the level itself
Nobody speaking about the intro?
Also, agree with the 2 last ones, but I prefer USA instead of JPN on CCZ but is true that is sounds dark and ominous for a present, but I semi-disagree with "It sounds more like a bad future than JPN Bad Future track"
13:29 BOOOOOOOO!!! I have YT PREMIUM!!!
On god, qq jp hits hard 🤩
Man I wanted to see what grown up Meteor sounded like.
I sound the same. I was 21 when I made that soundtrack comparison series
@@km_studios Really? I thought you were a teenager when you made that.
@@tntsonic7482 me too I thought he was like 14/15
@@km_studios can we please hear your voice in the next vedio
9:00 exactly what I thought each time I listened. I could picture aliens inhabiting this weird city.
all my favorite present songs are low, I am coming >:}
17:57
I love the Tragic Part ngl
13:30 Why exactly are those ad break cutscenes necessary?
I thought it would be courteous to let my viewers know when I've scheduled mid-roll ads. I can't tell you how many times I've been watching a video and an ad would suddenly start playing right in the middle of someone's sentence or something
2:20 lol I have to say that, though I do thoroughly enjoy Collision Chaos Bad Future (JP), it could be well argued that the US Present sounds darker and more sinister than that.
I really like the Quartz Quadrant US track except the vocal samples. I feel like they bring it down a bit. Not a fan of Stardust Speedway JP or Tidal Tempest US but Metallic Madness US, Tidal Tempest JP and Collision Chaos US are really nice.
My Ranking:
14: US Tidal Tempest
13: US Collision Chaos
12: JPN/PAL Quartz Quadrant(Don't Get Mad At Me, It's Just My Opinion)
11: US Wacky Workbench
10: JPN/PAL Collision Chaos
9: JPN/PAL Tidal Tempest
8: US Palmtree Panic
7: JPN/PAL Palmtree Panic
6: JPN/PAL Stardust Speedway
5: JPN/PAL Metallic Madness
4: JPN/PAL Wacky Workbench
3: US Metallic Madness
2: US Quartz Quadrant
1: US Stardust Speedway
King meteor when you finish ranking the songs us and jp from Sonic cd do also with the songs from Sonic 3d blast (genesis and Saturn) because I've never seen anyone ranked the songs from that game (Sorry for the bad english, i'm Brazilian and i'm still learning english)
Yeah great idea it's true, both soundtracks are so amazing!
I'm not surprised at #14
I dont understand what they were going for with Collision Chaos US. Bouncy pinball zone as dark depressing track with only the slap bass matching the zone theme. Bizarre.