Retro Review: Aztech Sound Galaxy Nova 16 Extra Pt.3

12th April 2023

I was reminded this week that I totally forgot to complete my review of the Aztech Sound Galaxy Nova 16 Extra card, so looking through my archives it was apparent that I had taken numerous audio recordings from the card, but hadn't got around to writing up a Part 3, so here it is!

To test the audio quality, I chose these games:-

• Descent (Interplay)
• Dune (Virgin Games)
• Star Wars: Dark Forces (LucasArts)
• Duke Nukem 3D (3D Realms)
• Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi (Origin Systems)
• King's Quest VII: The Princeless Bride (Sierra Online)
• Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (Westwood Studios)

Descent Interplay	Downloads:
Dune Virgin Games	Downloads:
Star Wars: Dark Forces LucasArts	Downloads:
Duke Nukem 3D 3D Realms	Downloads:
Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi Origin Systems	Downloads:
King's Quest VII: The Princeless Bride Sierra Online	Downloads:
Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty Westwood Studios	Downloads:

Conclusion

The audio samples above demonstrate that this is a pretty standard OPL3 card. Overall the output is good but feels a little 'flat' compared to its rivals. Still, at the price point these cards sold for it would have been a bargain, and unless you were a serious PC gaming audiophile, it's hard to be too critical.

There's almost no difference between this, the first of Aztech's 2nd-gen cards, and others like the Sound Galaxy Pro-16 II. When compared to something like an ESS ES1868 AudioDrive (also a SB Pro 2.0-compatible card), I personally prefer the AudioDrive which seemed to have better trebles in my tests.