The Mega Drive sound chip was never supposed to do what Thunder Force III does with it. Technosoft basically weaponized the YM2612 here, and this collection gives you both the Genesis and arcade versions side by side. "Venus Fire" is one of the hardest opening stage tracks in any shmup, period.
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Then "The Grubby Dark Blue" drops into this moody underwater vibe that still somehow keeps your adrenaline up. "Back to the Fire" and "King Fish" just shred. The arcade arrangements add some punch but honestly the Genesis originals have this raw FM crunch that nothing else replicates.
If you've ever wondered why people won't shut up about 16-bit Technosoft, start here.