These days it seems to me that every game manages to get its original soundtrack published. Some games don't deserve it- trust me- but obviously some gems do deserve it, and Actraiser is one of theses rare gems along with classics such as Falcom and Castlevania CDs.

When Actraiser came out in the summer of 1991, the game in term of sound was far better than other Nintendo made games of the same period, although I must admit that some of the themes on Simcity where good, I'm referring to the "Town" and the "Capital" one. But in the same lead, Actraiser themes used something that aside of the shy, yet lively piano theme used in a level in Super Mario World (track number 54 of the second disk of "Super Mario World" disk set) were unknown to the Super Nintendo player so far: real instruments samples. Take for example the few opening notes of the first track "Opening" that are played with English horn along with drums.

The themes stick to their context like glue. Yuzo Koshiro really succeeded into capturing the mood of the game. For example, "Filmoa" which is the first stage of the Fillmore area. That very interesting and lively theme is here to give a warning to the player; I'm here to keep you awake... and to take you down whenever you let your guard down. The piece number ten, "Pyramid - Marana," in the same way offers what "Filmoa" put a tight setting of a forbidden place where danger awaits you further down the way.

Yuzo Koshiro also uses intrument samples that represent the area. For example in "Pyramid - Marana," Yuzo Koshiro use a flute sample that is fairly common to hear in Eastern parts of the world such as Egypt. While in "North Wall," Koshiro uses a harp sample, an instrument common in the mountains of Greece. So this CD is pure gold bars, and everyone should listen to this soundtrack that really earn its place in the exceptionnal CD list.