Album Review — Super Street Fighter II Turbo Original Soundtrack

To be honest, when I first saw the cover, a wave of nostalgic ecstasy hit me. The little icon-style drawings of all the characters immediately brought back my old stories. I’m not even old enough to have lived through the true arcade era, yet this game spans generations — kids from the 2000s grew up playing it as much as those before them.

This album feels special to me. It still carries a huge influence in the game music industry and in our memories. Almost everyone recognizes Guile’s Theme the moment it plays. If you’ve ever played Street Fighter and chosen a main character, I’m sure you found your favorite theme as well. To me, Street Fighter isn’t just a game — it’s a musical sensation.

What I find fascinating is how carefully the game polished even the smallest details. Each character was designed to represent a nation, and their music reflected the popular sound of that nation at the time. For example, since disco was big in America back then, Guile’s Theme carries that influence.

What makes this particular album stand out is how the tracks interact with each other. Because the game is built around specific matchups, the music was arranged to mirror that. It gives every fight more energy and excitement, with each track kicking off in a way that pushes you right into the action.

Moreover, when it comes to its influence, the number of covers of Guile’s Theme is astonishing. Even classical ensembles have performed it countless times.

You can find endless versions online, but I believe its enduring popularity comes from something deeper: the emotions it gives us, the attention to detail in its composition, and the way it was crafted with such care. Even after all these years, it remains a true classic — continuing to inspire both new musicians and the world of game music. It is, without a doubt, the timeless legacy of Street Fighter II.

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