Tell me an original song/soundtrack that has several official arranged versions, but the original is still superior for one reason

[Denjin Bomber]

In my case, it's the vocal song Geki! Teikoku Kagekidan from the game Sakura Wars, the reason why the original version of the song is superior is because of the orchestral vocals that make the song more impactful (I would also say that the instruments in the original are better, but the main point of the original for me is the incredible orchestral vocals).

Another vocal song I also want to mention is an INCREDIBLE vocal/arranged version of the theme Blue Mary's Blues from the album Real Bout Special Arranged Sound Trax. This arranged vocal song also has another versions, like one from NEO-GEO DJ Station Live '98, but the instruments don't seem to have the same feel of the more real-like instruments as on this album.

 

[bjork]

Nobody's version of the ducktales moon music ever beat the original

 

[Denjin Bomber]

Nobody's version of the ducktales moon music ever beat the original

Absolute truth

 

[ArkenDev]

My pick would be the original Persona 3's OST, various tracks have been arranged and remixed several times over the years. Through movies, spin-offs, an arrangement album or an anniversary album, and more recently with the release of Persona 3 Reload which remakes the entire OST.

Despite all of that, I think the original PS2 OST still triumphs over all of them. My reason being is that the OG OST was already perfect enough as it was and adding more to it is doing a bit too much.

 

[Hourai]

The soundtrack of Kono Yo no Hate de Koi o Utau Shoujo YU-NO's modern rerelease is kinda crap. It's fine, but it just tries to emulate the PC-98 OST without understanding why it was so good. Thankfully, the game does have the option to use the original, but that's kinda the story of the remake's life. Just a worse version of the 98, or the perfect chimera English Windows fan-made version (which combined the best aspects of all three versions prior to the official remake).

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

Castlevania alone gives me so many options

-Clockwork (III, FC, CoTM, Judgement)
-The Sinking Old Sanctuary (Bloodlines, Legacy of Darkness, CoTM, Vampire Survivors)
-Moon Fight (X68000, Chronicles, Dracula X Chronicles)
-Vampire Killer (like every Castlevania game ever)
-An Empty Tome (Order of Ecclesia, Judgement, Harmony of Despair, Vampire Survivors)
-Simon’s Theme (Super Castlevania IV, X68000, Bloodlines, DXC album only, Chronicles, Portrait of Ruin, The Arcade, Harmony of Despair)

I’d say Tower of Dolls if the Judgement version wasn’t growing immensely on me

 

[Deleted member 3339]

Megami Tensei has had several classic songs remixed and rearranged throughout the years, Valhalla from Megaten 1 from what Ive seen has alot of remixes ranging from the Boss theme from Shin Megami Tensei to 2D Field from Devil Summoner 1.

If I had to choose 1 song from the vast library of Megaten music where the original is better I would have to choose this song

 

[Denjin Bomber]

The soundtrack of Kono Yo no Hate de Koi o Utau Shoujo YU-NO's modern rerelease is kinda crap. It's fine, but it just tries to emulate the PC-98 OST without understanding why it was so good. Thankfully, the game does have the option to use the original, but that's kinda the story of the remake's life. Just a worse version of the 98, or the perfect chimera English Windows fan-made version (which combined the best aspects of all three versions prior to the official remake).

I had never heard of this game until I saw your comment, and I listen to the original PC-98 soundtrack with the other modern re-releases and indeed, the original PC-98 version is much better.

And just from your mention about the arrangements trying to emulate the PC-98 soundtrack, I remembered that HORRIBLE track from Sonic Forces that tries to emulate the Mega Drive music style, but the music is very irritating

 

[FrootyLoopsSamurai]

The original version of Tales of Phantasia on the Super Famicom had the best version of its soundtrack imo. The music was rearranged for the Playstation port, and the music there just lacks the punch of the original. The instrumental samples sound washed out. The arrangements aren't bad at least. Then there was a GBA port, the only official release outside of Japan, and almost everything about that port sucked ass. The song I'm using as an example here has had other arrangements but still don't really hit the mark.

SFC

PSX

GBA (lol)

 

[Viviana Santos]

The remixed soundtrack of the Persona 2 duology is quite good overall, but unfortunately some of the songs (especially the dungeons ones) are much worse than the PS1 originals.

---

A good example is the song GOLD, which is by far one of Innocent Sin's best songs, which in the original PS1 version is an incredibly atmospheric song. But unfortunately, the PSP remaster completely removed the atmosphere of the original song.

 

[partymembervii]

gloria jones' tainted love will never be topped, soft cell got nothin on this

Post automatically merged: Apr 21, 2025

The remixed soundtrack of the Persona 2 duology is quite good overall, but unfortunately some of the songs (especially the dungeons ones) are much worse than the PS1 originals.

---

A good example is the song GOLD, which is by far one of Innocent Sin's best songs, which in the original PS1 version is an incredibly atmospheric song. But unfortunately, the PSP remaster completely removed the atmosphere of the original song.

that changed sonic identity is jarring, makes me wish there was a music restoration hack like there is for the original persona

 

[Viviana Santos]

that changed sonic identity is jarring, makes me wish there was a music restoration hack like there is for the original persona

In the Persona 2 duology PSP remasters, you can switch to the original PS1 music in the options menu.

 

[jiyuuboyetsvi]

Not really what you asked for but,

I will always take the chance and opportunity to sing the praises of the Nier Gestalt and Replicant Piano Soundtrack. That album is by far and away the best version of the original Nier game's music. I love the way the pianos are mic'd up, the physicality of it all. It's GORGEOUS.

 

[Antilocal123]

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

The soundtrack of Kono Yo no Hate de Koi o Utau Shoujo YU-NO's modern rerelease is kinda crap. It's fine, but it just tries to emulate the PC-98 OST without understanding why it was so good. Thankfully, the game does have the option to use the original, but that's kinda the story of the remake's life. Just a worse version of the 98, or the perfect chimera English Windows fan-made version (which combined the best aspects of all three versions prior to the official remake).

Ryu Umemoto so goated that any and all attempts to remake his music go up in flames (see Desire’s original soundtrack vs the re-releases)

Here’s Reflector for an example

 

[Hourai]

Ryu Umemoto so goated that any and all attempts to remake his music go up in flames (see Desire’s original soundtrack vs the re-releases)

Here’s Reflector for an example

Oh, wow. That is such a royal downgrade it hurts. That is horrific, what the hell. In flames is a completely accurate way to describe that.

 

[Deleted member 3339]

The remixed soundtrack of the Persona 2 duology is quite good overall, but unfortunately some of the songs (especially the dungeons ones) are much worse than the PS1 originals.

---

A good example is the song GOLD, which is by far one of Innocent Sin's best songs, which in the original PS1 version is an incredibly atmospheric song. But unfortunately, the PSP remaster completely removed the atmosphere of the original song.

I always preferred the psx soundtrack for Persona 2 especially Club Zodiac but i have to say The PSP version of snail mountain is insanely good.