Capcom’s been building momentum for Street Fighter 6 by 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.
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 will SF6 compare to Street Fighter’s best tunes?
10 Street Fighter 2: Guile’s Theme
Street Fighter 2 blew 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 the Kingdom Hearts games or Final 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, like SF4’s moody electro beats, or SF5’s guitar-tastic take, the original from World Warrior holds up 30+ years later.
9 Super Street Fighter 2: Cammy’s Theme
Yoko Shimomura’s work would endure throughout the series. But for 1993’s Super 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 track sounds 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.
8 Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo: Akuma’s Theme
Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo is the definitive version of the game. But musically, it’s not all that different from the non -Turbo version. 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.
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.
7 Street Fighter Alpha: Guy’s Theme
When Capcom finally moved past SF2, they ended up making a prequel! This time, Alpha had 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 of Final Fight and tutor of SF6’s Kimberly, made his fighting game debut in Alpha. His theme was taken from Final Fight’s first 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.
6 Street Fighter Alpha 2: Sakura’s Theme
The title may say Alpha 2, but it’s more of an Alpha Redux, as the first game was more of a cleaned-up demo of what they had planned for Alpha 2. This might be why the game kept most of Alpha 1’s music and graphics. So, Guy could’ve stolen the show in both games if it weren’t for Alpha 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.
5 Street Fighter EX+ Alpha: Precious Heart
The EX series 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 like SF4. 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.
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 a 1990s shojo anime about a fighting high schooler. The amount of passion and soul it possesses is infectious, making it hard to put down once it starts playing.
4 Street Fighter Alpha 3: The Road
Aside from Isao Abe, Alpha 3 saw 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 preferring Alpha 2’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.
3 Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike: You Blow My Mind
3rd Strike blew New Generation and 2nd Impact out 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 the SF3 games’ 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 in 3S by ‘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.
2 Ultra Street Fighter 4: Cody’s Theme
After a decade of being consigned to compilations and crossovers, the Street Fighter 4 games 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.
Others, like the Snowy Railyard and Airfield stages produce much more memorable melodies. Cody returns from Alpha 3 with 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 old Final Fight buddy Mike Haggar in Marvel Vs Capcom 3 (“Turn the beat back!”).
1 Street Fighter 5: Karin
Fukasawa came back for Street Fighter 5, and was joined by Masahiro Aoki, Keiki Kobayashi, Takatsugu, Wakabayashi, Zac Zinger, and Steven McNair. A lot of things went 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, like Alpha 3’s Karin, got new themes anyway.
Her SF5 theme 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.