Memorable Themes

The music of Street Fighter II almost became synonymous the characters and the countries they represent. From Chun-Li to Guile to E. Honda, these themes have been carried over across time and other games like Marvel vs. Capcom and Puzzle Fighter. In the core Street Fighter games they were mostly absent, but made their return in Street Fighter IV as rival themes. Here’s some themes that I remember well from my childhood.

Besides the main Street Figther II theme, to some Ryu’s theme has come to represent the series. Almost from the start the theme sounds very heroic. You know how you listen to songs for the chorus. This whole theme sounds like a chorus, never letting up until the loop. Compared to the others’, this is a rather triumphant theme. Well, except for maybe…

While some have regarded Ryu’s Theme as the bootstrapped Street Fighter theme, quite a few people see this as the theme of The United States of America. Other themes kinda sound tongue-and-cheek, playing on the elements presented in a given culture (like Chun-Li’s national riffs and Dhalsim’s sitar). The U.S. did have three themes, Balrog’s 90s dance-like theme and Ken’s hard rock theme and this one. But of the three, this was what many considered to represent America, or at least how Japan saw America in the 90s.

This theme has a bit of nostalgia going for it. While you could play in the stage in 2-player mode, actually getting to M. Bison, the final boss of the game, and hearing this was almost like hearing your looming doom. As hectic as it may sound, the bells give it a very somber mood. The theme starts at the stage, and you see this cloaked figure. Before you even have a chance to analyze who this guy is, he throws his cloak off and goes into fighting stance. You’re about to get your ass kicked.

Since the debut of Street Fighter II, it has seen many revisions, including Street Fighter II Turbo (which I did play), Street Figghter II Championship Edition, New Challengers (which added Dee Jay, Fei Long, Cammy, and T. Hawk), and the ultimate version, Super Street Fighter II Turbo (which got an HD remake over a decade later). This started a string of updates that Capcom became known for, and irked some that felt cheated. But there’s no denying that Street Fighter II was a cultural phenomenon and helped reinvigorate the arcade scene for one more decade.

Before I go, would you like some pound cake?