I played this back in the day with my Apple and Mockingboard. I still think the Dungeon music is the best dungeon theme in any game. It just sound cavernous and drippy, as a dungeon should.
It sounds just a bit wonky here from the Apple version compared to the C64 version. But I agree, it's one of the best dungeon-delving songs of all time.
+IndianaBones The two versions sound surprisingly similar to me, though, which I guess was the goal at the time. _Ultima IV_ is different in this regard, with the Apple II and C64 versions of the soundtrack sounding quite distinct from one another. I guess Kenneth Arnold (maybe with some help from Chuckles) decided to use more of the SID chip's synthesizer features this time around, such as different waveforms and filters.
@@rbrtck There is actually almost no difference between the music engines used in the C64 versions of Ultima III and Ultima IV. They both exclusively use the SID's sawtooth waveform with none of the chip's special features. I suspect the main reason the C64 version of Ultima IV sounds so different from the Apple II version is that the latter was designed to play up to six voice channels (depending on the Mockingboard model), whereas the C64 SID is limited to 3 voices.
Not to nitpick, but this music is missing the part from the underground where the whirlpool takes you. (it comes after the exodus castle music). I recall it a little bit, was trying to play on piano and see how well I recalled it. You might be a super nerd from the 80's if you have any idea what I am talking about!
I started my journey through the worlds of Lord British on the NES, but when these went freeware I went back and played them the way they were meant to be. Can't say I regret my choice.
I still hear this soundtrack in my head sometimes even when playing a modern game. Like the "town song" (#2, love to know if thats a real song?) when i go into town in World of Warcraft
I'm all about the NES port of this game's music (probably because it was the first RPG I ever played, and holds a lot of nostalgia for me), but damn, I'm also loving these Ken Arnold compositions!
Not quite a complete soundtrack though. The tune from the island of Ambrosia is missing. th-cam.com/video/HwLsD_r2HXY/w-d-xo.html Also, I think there was a variation of it when the player is actually in one of the shrines
I was messing around with a few emulated version of Ultima 3 for the c64. Many versions including the gold have terrible sound. The music is fine but without the various sound effects you feel wanting. Before and after combat that sound sets the stage. The spell sounds, the damage, the failed magic/gremlins, walking on lava, the forcefields and the end game. The music is just blaring over it and if you turn it off.. there is no sound. Rather frustrated at that. Looks like the c64 need ultima 3 Platinum edition now.
True, but by early '80s standards, six minutes was like an hour's worth of music today, when you consider diskette-space limits and such. Still pretty spectacular, though.
This was the late 70s man (early 80s) ... right! You know ... we didn't have short attention spans like you kids today you know ... back then I mean .. we could just sit and stare at a candle for THREE HOURS and you know ... have OUR MINDS BLOWN you know? Like eating an orange? That was like taking a trip thru a citrus mountain ...
@@suchiuomizu I do strongly recommend those fan made patches. They really make the PC/DOS versions feel complete. Ultima isn't Ultima without the music.
Yeah -- don't get me wrong, this is some absolutely fantastic music that Ken Arnold composed, but that NES music just takes it to a whole other level of immersion.
![ILLSLICK X YOUNGOHM - We're The same [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yUJNkobYR0E/mqdefault.jpg)
Oh man, I played this game endlessly on my Apple //e in the 1980s. This music sounds exactly like it did on my Mockingboard. Thanks for the memories.
The number of hours I spent playing this game and listening to this music... this takes me SO far back. :)
I haven't played this game in about 25 or 30 years and I'll be doing something at work and I'll just start humming this music all day long
Haha same
*totally* -- all the time, it's nuts!
10 year old me still remembers every single note of these great songs. Amazing to hear them again. Thank you.
Yeah, I'll still get The Wanderer in my head from time to time
I think about them often myself.
I've played the Commodore-64 version several times. It's good to know it sounds great in both formats, it shows Ken Arnold was an excellent composer.
This is the best version on youtube by far
I’m 99% sure Ultima III was one of the things early teen me put my 10,000 hours in on.
What a soundtrack, what a unique game, memories of the beloved 1980s when being a teenager ! Thank you for sharing !
The Wanderer theme is stuck in my brain for the last 40 years.
Same here
I played this back in the day with my Apple and Mockingboard. I still think the Dungeon music is the best dungeon theme in any game. It just sound cavernous and drippy, as a dungeon should.
Loved the Mockingboard. It was almost hypnotic when you played it, that sing-songy rhythm to it.
It sounds just a bit wonky here from the Apple version compared to the C64 version. But I agree, it's one of the best dungeon-delving songs of all time.
+IndianaBones The two versions sound surprisingly similar to me, though, which I guess was the goal at the time. _Ultima IV_ is different in this regard, with the Apple II and C64 versions of the soundtrack sounding quite distinct from one another. I guess Kenneth Arnold (maybe with some help from Chuckles) decided to use more of the SID chip's synthesizer features this time around, such as different waveforms and filters.
@@rbrtck There is actually almost no difference between the music engines used in the C64 versions of Ultima III and Ultima IV. They both exclusively use the SID's sawtooth waveform with none of the chip's special features. I suspect the main reason the C64 version of Ultima IV sounds so different from the Apple II version is that the latter was designed to play up to six voice channels (depending on the Mockingboard model), whereas the C64 SID is limited to 3 voices.
Not to nitpick, but this music is missing the part from the underground where the whirlpool takes you. (it comes after the exodus castle music). I recall it a little bit, was trying to play on piano and see how well I recalled it. You might be a super nerd from the 80's if you have any idea what I am talking about!
Such a grand adventure!
I think this got burned into my brain after months of playing.
It got burned into mine after just an hour of my dad playing XD it's great.
It gets burned into your head just like the Ik being burned onto the screen
Geniuses all involved in this
Good chills listening to this. Brings me back to the good days of childhood
I started my journey through the worlds of Lord British on the NES, but when these went freeware I went back and played them the way they were meant to be. Can't say I regret my choice.
We got U4 when I was in the 5th grade, fell in love with it. It's awesome to hear a previous editions music. I'm sure U3 was amazing.
I play this on guitar to warm up ALL THE TIME
Ahhh memories wish they had this in uo
Alle Gefühle kommen wieder rauf, bestimmt 1000 Stunden gezockt.
I still hear this soundtrack in my head sometimes even when playing a modern game. Like the "town song" (#2, love to know if thats a real song?) when i go into town in World of Warcraft
Evocare! Still remember the password. Loved this game!
West 8, South 35 and await the Dawn!
Spoiler!
Timeless. 😍
And just like that, I am 8 years old again awaiting the adventure.
I love this game
I love the Mockingboard sound. These links are the freaking shit, thank you so much MetalMidget!!!
That intro music.... .how wish I played this game.....
Thank you so much for that ! 👍
Thank you, kind human
35 years ago, I couldnt get this on Apple II+ clone mono speaker :(
I'm all about the NES port of this game's music (probably because it was the first RPG I ever played, and holds a lot of nostalgia for me), but damn, I'm also loving these Ken Arnold compositions!
Not quite a complete soundtrack though. The tune from the island of Ambrosia is missing. th-cam.com/video/HwLsD_r2HXY/w-d-xo.html Also, I think there was a variation of it when the player is actually in one of the shrines
1:02 best part
OH FUQ YEAH!
ça ne nous rajeuni pas !!! j'ai adoré ces jeux
Love it. Love sol moons death. All else fails!
Anyone remember, "She's got to be at 999!"
PS: "Report thy victory!"
I was messing around with a few emulated version of Ultima 3 for the c64. Many versions including the gold have terrible sound. The music is fine but without the various sound effects you feel wanting. Before and after combat that sound sets the stage. The spell sounds, the damage, the failed magic/gremlins, walking on lava, the forcefields and the end game. The music is just blaring over it and if you turn it off.. there is no sound. Rather frustrated at that. Looks like the c64 need ultima 3 Platinum edition now.
What's hilarious is that the whole soundtrack is six minutes long.
True, but by early '80s standards, six minutes was like an hour's worth of music today, when you consider diskette-space limits and such. Still pretty spectacular, though.
Yeah, most OSTs back then were a minute long or less (one exception is Interstellar Laser Fantasy for Laserdisc).
This was the late 70s man (early 80s) ... right! You know ... we didn't have short attention spans like you kids today you know ... back then I mean .. we could just sit and stare at a candle for THREE HOURS and you know ... have OUR MINDS BLOWN you know? Like eating an orange? That was like taking a trip thru a citrus mountain ...
Although it wouldnt bump the length up much, the tune for the secret island (through the whirlpool) is missing
Hmm... theme of Lord British, theme of Time Lord and Ambrosia... lacked
my digital copy of ultima 3 doesnt have any music. in fact only ultima 6 and 7 have it.
@El arrejoladero del Jornalero Or Apple, like the video says. But yeah, no music on the PC/DOS Ultimas prior to 6, unless you use fan made patches.
@@suchiuomizu Atari had it too.
@@suchiuomizu I do strongly recommend those fan made patches. They really make the PC/DOS versions feel complete. Ultima isn't Ultima without the music.
Pirates of the Caribbean Theme!!! kkkkkkkkkkk
I much prefer the music from the NES port of this classic RPG especially the menu music/King theme!!!
Yeah -- don't get me wrong, this is some absolutely fantastic music that Ken Arnold composed, but that NES music just takes it to a whole other level of immersion.
Great music, although I prefer the soundtrack to the NES version. 😉
How can people honestly tell me this sounds better than the NES port's soundtrack?
Axel Voss Because it honestly does. :)
Yeah, it does.
Composition + atmosphere. Nobody's denying that from a technical standpoint the Nes is superior