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After reading your comment I had to check out the situation in the case of Donkey Kong Country, since that series has some of the most impressive SNES soundtracks in my opinion. While they did an impressive job, there is still a distinct difference between the two systems.

GBA: https://youtu.be/UlTgFb0qbxQ

SNES: https://youtu.be/_4EjGXRDOH0

edit: They added some interesting didgeridoo-like sound effects to "Forest Frenzy" though

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Picked out a particular song to make the comparison easier: Gang-Plank Galleon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlTgFb0qbxQ&t=2191s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4EjGXRDOH0&t=3663s

Pretty stark difference, IMO. GBA version sounds shrill, all the note envelopes seem messed up, the variations in emphasis & phrasing in the SNES version are gone, etc. SNES version is also in stereo.

Odd, the SNES music is clearly more sophisticated but I'm pretty sure I prefer the GBA track. I don't like the sound of the SNES instruments.

But then I've also never cared for the DKC soundtrack.

You might like 'Kong in Concert', which is a series of arrangements using the DKCountry soundtrack. I was hooked on it back when it came out, apparently 17 years ago. Way to make me feel old.

https://dkcproject.ocremix.org

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