Capcom’s been building momentum forStreet Fighter 6by showing off all the neat content it’ll have in advance. The open-world maps, create-a-fighter, arcade hubs, and party modes have all been tantalizing. That’s not to mention the standout new characters and gameplay that’s been exciting the casual and hardcore markets.
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Capcom’s also showcased the character’s musical themes, taking things in a jazzy, RnB direction that’s quite catchy. The series has dabbled in a variety of genres and sounds over the decades, with some tracks standing out over others. How willSF6compare toStreet Fighter’s best tunes?
10Street Fighter 2: Guile’s Theme
Street Fighter 2blew its predecessor away in every department, including music. It helped that it was largely composed by future video game music legend Yoko Shimomura. Before she worked on theKingdom Heartsgames orFinal Fantasy 15, she was responsible for all but 3 tracks in this revolutionary fighting game. This includes Guile’s Theme: an enduring classic known for its triumphant horns and twinkling backing chorus.
In a soundtrack filled with classics, Guile’s Theme has a passionate sound that few other games can beat. Fans and non-fans alike would turn it into a meme, suggesting it could fit every scene in every media in every situation. Even next to its remixes, likeSF4’smoody electro beats, orSF5’s guitar-tastic take, the original fromWorld Warriorholds up 30+ years later.
9Super Street Fighter 2: Cammy’s Theme
Yoko Shimomura’s work would endure throughout the series. But for 1993’sSuper Street Fighter 2, Isao Abe and Shun Nishigaki would remix her work with the CPS2 arcade hardware and give the New Challengers their own tunes.Fei Long’s tracksounds like it came straight from a kung fu film, and Deejay’s was jazzy enough.
Neither has the soul of Cammy’s Theme, a dreamy tune that fits both her vibrant Castle stage and her enigmatic character. The synth saxophone is beautifully played, as are the backing piano chords that lead into it. Like Cammy herself, the smooth but dramatic sound fit in better with the classic character tunes than the other New Challengers’ themes.
8Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo: Akuma’s Theme
Super Street Fighter 2 Turbois thedefinitive version of the game. But musically, it’s not all that different from the non-Turboversion. It wouldn’t be noted if it didn’t have its own perks. It came with an extra character and an underrated remixed soundtrack on one of its lesser-known ports.
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The 3DO version used the same tunes from the Japan-only FM Towns computer version, and they are a delight for the ears. Especially with Akuma’s Theme. Its heavy gongs, tense strings, and howling woodwind section are as intimidating as the Raging Demon himself. Its chords alone could tell players that they’re in for a challenge, provided they last long enough in the match to hear it.
7Street Fighter Alpha: Guy’s Theme
When Capcom finally moved pastSF2, they ended up making a prequel! This time,Alphahad a big musical team where Abe and Nishigaki were joined by Setsuo Yamamoto, Yuko Takehara, Naoshi Mizuta, and Naoaki Iwami. Their new work produced some solid work too, like Adon’s loud, bombastic theme, and Birdie’s schmoozy beats. Even so, the game’s best song actually comes from another series.
The Bushin ninja Guy, star ofFinal Fightand tutor ofSF6’sKimberly, made his fighting game debut inAlpha. His theme was taken fromFinal Fight’sfirst level but was given a more uplifting, heroic vibe with its rising horns and funky bass line. It became a more vibrant, headbop-worthy jam that made a welcome return in the sequel.
6Street Fighter Alpha 2: Sakura’s Theme
The title may sayAlpha 2, but it’s more of anAlpha Redux, as the first game was more of a cleaned-up demo of what they had planned forAlpha 2. This might be why the game kept most ofAlpha 1’s music and graphics. So, Guy could’ve stolen the show in both games if it weren’t forAlpha 2’s breakout star. Capcom had big plans for Sakura, the shoto-admiring schoolgirl.
She made it on the game’s cover, got her own manga spin-offs, and a beautiful stage theme. The sweet piano and woodwind intro leads into an energetic horn melody that’s full of life, with a neat call-and-response bit that adds a cherry on top of the game’s happiest tune. It’s guaranteed to bring a smile to any listener’s face.
5Street Fighter EX+ Alpha: Precious Heart
TheEXseries has a funny place in the fandom. Its gameplay was stodgy compared to the 2D games, yet its features like the Trial Mode and Guard Breaks would influence later games likeSF4.The original characters like Skullomania and C.Jack weren’t as popular, but they became cult favorites in their own right. What isn’t in dispute is its music. Shinji Hosoe, Takayuki Aihara, and Ayako Saso’s works hit their peak in the first game’s PS1 port.
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The soundtrack is full of worthy listens that show a variety of tones and styles. However, Sakura wins out again with ‘Precious Heart’, a saxophone-guitar combo that sounds like the intro to a1990s shojo animeabout a fighting high schooler. The amount of passion and soul it possesses is infectious, making it hard to put down once it starts playing.
4Street Fighter Alpha 3: The Road
Aside from Isao Abe,Alpha 3saw a new team of composers behind the soundtrack. Hideki Okugawa, Tetsuya Shibata, and Takayuki & Yuki Iwai took things in a more techno-industrial direction. It’s been divisive with fans, with many preferringAlpha2’s softer melodies. Even so, the grungier sounds fit characters like Guy, Zangief, Birdie, and Rolento like a glove. That’s not mentioning Bison and Shin Akuma’s intimidating tracks.
However, it’s Ryu’s theme that managed to appeal to naysayers and yaysayers alike. Known as ‘The Road’, its electro harmonies and beats have a rising, valiant sound that has a steely focus. Yet it sounds as hot to the touch as Ryu’s sunkissed valley stage. The Hadōken slinger usually has rather mellow, placid music, so ‘The Road’ stands out as one of his few fiery, heroic tracks.
3Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike: You Blow My Mind
3rd StrikeblewNew Generationand2nd Impactout of the water so hard that it’s easy to forget some of its cast had different tunes in those games. Nonetheless, Hideki Okugawa’s work here hit a sweet spot. Its mix of hip-hop and drum ‘n bass made theSF3games’ audio a unique experience.
His earlier theme for British boxer Dudley, ‘Leave Alone’, had sweet beats and a sophisticated air. But it would be superseded in3Sby ‘You Blow My Mind’, which retains that formal atmosphere with more refined beats and a gentle intro. Then it turns into an active electro dance number that brings the funk while keeping things classy.
2Ultra Street Fighter 4: Cody’s Theme
After a decade of being consigned to compilations and crossovers, theStreet Fighter 4games brought the series back into the spotlight. While Japanese band Exile and Flo Rida would take care of the games’ intro themes, Hideyuki Fukasawa would sort out the stage tracks and character themes. Admittedly, they can be a bit of a mixed bag. Some tracks pass through the ears without leaving an impression.
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Others, like the Snowy Railyard and Airfield stages produce much more memorable melodies. Cody returns fromAlpha 3with a new theme that fits his ex-con street tough vibe more than his original tune. It has a thrumming hip-hop beat and synth woodwind sound that suits an actual ‘street fighter’ like Cody. Its samples would even be reused for his oldFinal Fightbuddy Mike HaggarinMarvel Vs Capcom 3(“Turn the beat back!”).
1Street Fighter 5: Karin
Fukasawa came back forStreet Fighter 5,and was joined by Masahiro Aoki, Keiki Kobayashi, Takatsugu, Wakabayashi, Zac Zinger, and Steven McNair. A lot of thingswent wrong with the game’s launch, but luckily the music wasn’t one of them. The returning characters got remixes of their old themes, which range from sublime (Guile) to subpar (Juri). But some, likeAlpha 3’sKarin, got new themes anyway.
HerSF5theme goes for the same high-class airs as Dudley’s theme, except it goes in a lounge jazz direction. With the smooth strings, fancy woodwind, and horn chorus it’s the kind of tune that would be played at big money balls or fashion shows. In other words, the kind of locales a billionaire’s daughter like Karin would strut her stuff at. It’s both a good listen and a fitting character theme.
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