Actraiser was one of the first games released on the Super Nintendo system (SNES) back in 1991. It was a really good game, but a few hours of play and the game was finished. With a total time of thirty minutes forty seconds, Actraiser Symphonic Suite is one of the shortest CDs I have ever heard. Still, this one goes for the kill.

The composer, Yuzo Kushiro, did a fine translation from the true Actraiser original soundtrack to the symphonic one. The symphonic version really catches the "game feeling" found in the actual game. For example, the "Pyramid - Marana" track shows the mystic aspect of the pyramid with a gentle rhythm of strings and some well placed horns.

"Hitobito no Tanyio - Sasagemono" is in fact the city theme of the first city, Fillmore. The smooth slow moving violin arrangements with fast paced ones lend an interesting mix that, in this game, can be called simply "hope" because it represents the first step forward.

The battle themes are all put together in a medley named "Maju Arawaro - Kioteki - Satan" - fast paced pieces that catch the spirits around some of the greatest "old school" side-scrolling end of stage "boss" I've ever seen.

But I must admit that I don't understand these two little "Intermizzo" - they appear to be the same thing with the exception that one is performed on violin and the other with a harp. Seriously, what they're doing here remains a complete mystery to me and they are just annoying on the album. And, frankly, this is the only bad thing that I can find on this album.

Lastly, a funny thing can be heard in the last track of this album (a small thing that I did not notice the first time I listened to it)- a small reference to "Star Wars" with a short sample to the fanfare. Actraiser Symphonic Suite is a CD that, although short, is worth the heafty price tag that accompanies it on eBay.