Game music of the day: Street Fighter Alpha 2 - Sakura's theme
GR's ongoing tribute to the beloved world of videogame music
Welcome to GamesRadar's daily blast of all things pertaining to the ever-growing field of game music. Each post will introduce new sounds, games, composers and fan-made remixes of gaming's greatest aural achievements.
April 29, 2010
Game: Street Fighter Alpha 2, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
Song: Theme of Sakura
Composer: Setsuo Yamamoto and Shun Nishigaki
Above: Sakura's theme from her debut in Street Fighter Alpha 2
While anyone can enjoy the universal appeal of Sakura's lively melody, itcan be most trulybe appreciatedbythose who love the character herself, because it fits so perfectly with Sakura's personality. Just like Sakura, her theme is energetic and sincere. It gives it 100%, without any gimmick or pretense. True fans know thatwhatmakes Sakura special is that there isn't anything special about her -she'sjust an average girlwho fought her way to the top through pure hard work and determination.
Since Alpha 2, Sakura's theme has appeared inalmost every gameshe's been in,from SuperGem Fighter Mini Mixto Street Fighter IV. The strong melody is what makes Sakura's theme stand out, so it's difficult to pickwhich particular arrangement is the best, but I fell in love with this song when I unlocked thevocal version from Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo.
Above: Vocal track from Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, "I Want You to Know" (lyrics and translationhere)
Above: Sakura is a kind person, but she shows no mercy in battle. Also, Chun-Li is a crybaby
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