First post, by Shreddoc
- Rank
- Oldbie
I'm slowly making my way through various retro computing experiences, which I could not afford back in the 80's and 90's. I'm in the midst of the Roland SC-55, and also starting to explore the MT-32.
I didn't have many difficulties compiling a Short List (as opposed to Long List) of games to work through, to experience the very best of the SC-55. However, I am finding it more challenging to narrow down a list of Must Have MT-32 Experiences, so to speak.
Initial Starting List
This is [was] the one real success for my list, so far. Iconic, nostalgic, and the MT-32 gives the game an incredibly rich sounding set of timbres to play it's well-composed and atmospheric tunes through. Monkey Island 1 is also good of course, though I'd count it as the lesser experience musically. Iirc there are scenes of MI1 which don't have any background music at all.
Also on the Lucasfilmarts side of things, I guess Fate Of Atlantis is another given for flagship MT-32 greatness, alongside it's aforementioned SCUMM-iMuse cousin MI2.
As mentioned, Loom wasn't originally MT-32 - it needed a patch to add support. Still, I can't go past the music of Tchaikovsky, transcribed and arranged for the Roland MT-32/LAPC-1 by George "The Fat Man" Sanger! And in a game based around music. For those reasons it gets special inclusion in my list, but I can see how it's arguable.
As one might say in the retro confessions thread, "I don't play these much". So, while I'm aware that (until they switched to primarily GM at some stage) they are a rich mine of well-regarded MT-32 soundtracks, it wouldn't be unfair to say that I'm mainly looking to compile a list beyond "all Sierra titles between years xxx and xxx".
Having said that I'd be very happy to hear specific recommendations of "xxx and xxx are typically regarded as the best Sierra MT-32 soundtracks".
The following Sierra shortlist is courtesy of member Spikey - cheers!
Spikey also mentions: "The good news is, for most of the titles I mentioned, you can download digital soundtracks, or MIDI's for the MT-32, if you don't want to play the games".
- Leisure Suit Larry 3
- King's Quest V
- Police Quest 1 (VGA)
- Space Quest 4
- Eco Quest 1
- Willy Beamish
- Laura Bow 2
More User Contributions
leileilol and SuperDeadite* highly recommend this. *"These days, X68000 hardware is insanely expensive, but emulators do support real MIDI output, and it's worth the hassle to setup for sure. Konami truly went all out on the custom patches for this game".
See https://youtu.be/GO2E4U3pkuM
Pierre32 thinks this is a good 'un!
Pierre32 reports "The score is nothing life changing, but it's a solid military theme that is right at home on the MT-32. In conjunction with SB sound effects and this game being the excellent all-round package that it is, it's a great experience and should be on the MT-32 owner's list."
DaveJustDave says: "Definitely silpheed. that was the only reason i've always wanted an MT-32. Thexder 2 Firehawk sounds great on the roland too."
"Both have an interesting err.. "fascinating" musical score. 😀", says Jo22.
(note: use 2nd generation MT-32 for proper results)
Spikey says "As for Sierra Japanese imports, they're all pretty great on the MT-32, although Sorcerian has weak points. The other 3, Silpheed, Zeliard and Thexder Firehawk are great. Not in my top 10, but still great."
newtmonkey and Dominus recommend this game : they add that, while it doesn't use custom patches, it shows off a very impressive contrast compared to the OPL music, and that with a CM32 or 64 you get some extra water sound effects.
Dominus is well into these.
Salient reckons: "For 'unmissable' MT-32 experiences I must add TFX and Utopia: The Creation of a Nation."
Partials, a.k.a. specific game sections where the MT-32 experience is awesome
Humans - Main Theme
Nova 9 - Introduction
Silpheed - Introduction
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What else needs to be on this *MT-32 Absolutely Unmissables Shortlist*???
I will edit this post over time.
