The arcade original of Trouble Witches just hits different. This 2009 board has that raw arcade PCB sound where every synth voice is fighting for space and winning. The Stage01 track pushes this relentless gallop that sets the tone for the whole cabinet.
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"Terrible strain!" as a boss theme does exactly what the name promises. But the shop themes are the real surprise, these cozy little interludes that feel so out of place in a shmup and that's why they work. Even the event demos between stages have their own composed pieces instead of recycled loops.
If you care about arcade shmup music history, this whole soundtrack deserves your attention.