SNES

1990

8 Sample Channels

Another sample-based system (similar to the Amiga), but with more channels. Nintendo shipped developer kits with sampler libraries so composers could create music quickly. The system only had 64 kilobytes of audio RAM though, so samples needed to be relatively short.

Donkey Kong Country 2

Rare, 1995

Composer David Wise was inspired by the Korg Waveform, and sampled from this synthesizer often, creating the unique sound of the Donkey Kong series.

Donkey Kong Country 2 cover art.

Chrono Trigger cover art.

Chrono Trigger

Square, 1995

With 8 channels of samples, Chrono Trigger shows how composers could create a complex, orechestrated sound by sampling many instruments at once.

The ultimate goal for me in making music, or at least one of the main goals for me, is to create memorable melodies. That goal is there regardless of the tools we have.

Koji Kondo

Mega Man X

Capcom, 1993

Mega Man X represented a reboot of long-standing franchise known for its fast, upbeat music. But with a more serious, mature take on this legacy brand a new sound came with it - one that illustrated the SNES’ amazing audio capabilities.

Mega Man X cover art.