Breezy, lighthearted SNES instrumentation that completely disguises how brutally difficult this game actually is. Umihara Kawase's soundtrack has this relaxed, almost seaside feel across every stage. "River - Downstream" bounces along with this cheerful melody that makes you forget you just failed the same rubber fishing line swing forty times.
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"Sea - Wharf" has a slightly moodier tone, more contemplative, like the game briefly acknowledging the struggle. Then "Sky Blue" closes everything out with this warm vocal track that feels like a reward for surviving. The PS1 versions fill things out a bit more but the SNES originals have that clean, bright sample quality.
If you've been grappling with this cult classic platformer, the music is half the reason to keep going.