SEGA console with the best overall soundtracks?

[Leynos]

I don't think I need to post any examples as I trust people here are familiar enough with enough games on each system to have an idea. But feel free to post some examples if you want.


While I love the Dreamcast, I have to say it's the SEGA Saturn. It has so many great ones and the ability to listen to many of them on a CD player helps get a better idea. I not only love the music but the synth or whatever you call it sound of many CD-based games of that era. SEGA's first-party knocked it out of the park as usual for them but even getting to Shmup games, RPGs and stuff like Bulk Slash. Policenauts and Snatcher. It's honestly amazing. Grandia has one of the best themes for an RPG on top of its great OST. Panzer Dragoon's theme and music are just out of this world. I could go on forever.

I'd rank Genesis not far behind Saturn and Dreamcast 3rd and Master System last but not least. I'm one of the few that likes Master Systems sound more than NES despite growing up with an NES.

[Black_Tiger]

Best to Least Best:

Mega Drive
SMS
Saturn
Dreamcast

SMS is my favorite though.

System generated chip sound is infinitely better than derpy sample shifting or pre-rendered music. The SMS and MD both have PSG and FM. That's about as good as it gets.

They also benefit from having games from the 80's and early 90's. Before game music tried to be more like film soundtracks.

[gamevet]

The Saturn has some of my most loved video game music. I didn’t have a CD player in my car, so I ripped the Red Book audio (Galactic Attack) from the CD and put it on a tape. When I made a YouTube video from my visit to the National Video Game Museum, I opened it up with a song from that game. I also, absolutely loved the music from (all of the Capcom fighter's music was gold) Street Fighter Alpha 2; It just rocks. And a huge nod to the music from Panzer Dragoon.

And who doesn't love the music from Daytona?






I have to give the nod to the the Dreamcast at number 2. The soundtrack for Phantasy Star Online is amazing. Crazy Taxi has some pretty rockin’ jams from the likes of The Offspring and a few others. And who doesn’t love the music from Skies of Arcadia?



I have a love/hate relationship with the Genesis sound hardware. It could produce some amazing tunes, like those from Dragon’s Fury, Herzog Zwie and Lightening Force; Technosoft just owned it. SEGA also had some amazing tunes with Phantasy Star II, Streets of Rage and the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It also had a lot of duds, like the music for Super Thunderblade, Street Fighter II: CE and Virtua Racing.

It's hard to believe that such a soundtrack could come from the Genesis hardware.

[ComradeOj]

I'll vote Genesis/MD as my top.

That system is host to both the greatest 16-bit bangers, but also a few ear shredding abominations. I guess you have to take the bitter with the sweet. Still, the YM2612+PSG can create some amazing tracks that still hold up today. Overall though, I would say the Genesis has the best soundtrack of any SEGA console.

[Team Andromeda]

Saturn for me.

Just does not get any better than this

[Iced Snowman]

I'm going with the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive.

[Alianger]

MD/GEN
(X/Y Board)
(System 16 variants)
SMS (prefer PSG to FM here overall)
Saturn
MCD
(Multi PCM)
(OutRun)
GG
DC
(Hang-On)
32X
(System 18)
(System Multi 32)
(System 32)
SG-1000

Arcade boards in parenthesis. That said I'm still not that familiar with the DC's library.

[WarmSignal]

Genesis. The first 3 Sonic OSTs are some of my all-time favorite video game music.

[zyrobs]

The H1 board seems to have the best track record, 100% of its games had great soundtracks (it had one game).

[cleeg]

Saturn, hands down. Some bangers there, personal faves being Panzer Dragoon, Virtua Fighter, and Sega Rally.

[Joe Redifer]

This was a tough choice to me as I love a lot of the music on the Saturn. The Genesis barely edges it out.

[cleeg]

Thunderforce IV on the MD is a massive highlight. The thing I love about that era of gaming, in particular reference to sound, is the big difference in characteristics between the hardware types: you really can debate about your favourite game versions.

MK being a great example, as the MD soundtrack is very different but equally excellent in comparison to its counterparts, really nailing the vibe whilst sounding unique and playing to the MD's strengths.