Theres a rumour among Earthbound fans that the games lengthy absence from Europe, as well as a download or re-release further afield, was due to numerous samples and motifs in the games soundtrack getting a little too close to their inspiration for comfort. Nintendo isnt saying, of course, but enthusiasts have put together lengthy videos comparing Earthbounds score to famous artists. Whether you spot the homages or not, Earthbounds soundtrack will do a lot to surprise you, whether its the ethereal alien weirdness during the meteorite crash that starts the game or a lilting flute melody in a snow-covered city. Its the action sequences and battles where the game really lets loose, making use of samples and pitch bend effects to supply the proceedings with anything from classic rocknroll to mid 90s electronica that sounds like someone trapped The Prodigy in your SNES. The SNES had a fantastic sound chip, designed by PS3 architect Ken Kutaragi, and while Earthbounds soundtrack may not be as technically impressive as Donkey Kong Countrys nor as sweeping as Final Fantasys, its as much a celebration of American culture as anything else about the game. Besides, even the more experimental pieces fit surprisingly well when youre fighting a barf monster in a battle to the death.
