Yasunori Mitsuda is the composer of the music for Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, and probably more soundtracks. AnimeNation is one store that specializes in this sort of thing. The one I would get would be the three-cd set.
However, a word of warning. Bootleg CDs (along with DVDs) from either Hong Kong or Korea are still pretty rampant. It appears that AnimeNation sells legit CDs (I’m basing that on what I know about the catalog numbers used, and the fact that I get a hit using that catalog number at CDJapan. Also on the fact that the prices in both places are about the same.) It is possible that both are selling the same version of a bootleg CD, but I doubt it. Another possibility–if AnimeNation is actually selling bootlegs–would be really good copies of the original, or that the bootleggers have become less blatant. Without being able to see a physical disc, I am inclined to give AnimeNation the benefit of the doubt.
Anyway, my point is you can’t tell for sure without first buying something from a domestic online retailer or getting lots of testimonials from people (I would suggest the forums at Anime On DVD, as people there really, really hate bootlegs.) However, once you have gotten your order or are at a brick-and-motor store, stand in the mall, etc., there are a couple really easy indicators. Bootleg CDs in general can be harder to detect just by description than bootleg DVDs, but a dead giveaway is if the CD is marked either EverAnime or S&M (which has a full name, but I don’t remember it.) For that matter, almost anything marked either Anime or Anime will be a bootleg, with the exception of AnimeTrax, which is run by ADV and is a legit company. Most other giveaways require the physical item, such as shoddy printing.
The thing is, unlike the HK bootleg DVDs, these things are good quality. Before I knew about bootleg CDs, I had already picked up CDs for Chrono Cross, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Serial Experiments Lain, and Ghost in the Shell. The printing on all of them looks good (I believe it’s pretty much a direct rip of the album cover and insert), even including an obi, and I don’t hear any problems with audio quality. If it wasn’t for AoD, I would never have known these were boots. So, basically, do the right thing and buy the offical CDs. They may cost a bit more, whether you order from Japan or a legit company here in the US. Or, if you’re looking for anime soundtracks, look at AnimeTrax or Pioneer Music (which might be renamed along the lines of Geneon Music soon, I’m not sure) for a legit domestic release.
All right. Now that all’s that out of the way, I would suggest playing Chrono Cross. It’s on the PS1 and it’s cheap now. Lots of gameplay.
Also, if this is the kind of music you like, at least to some degree, also go look up Nobuo Uematsu’s stuff. He’s best known for his work on the Final Fantasy series.
