Composers & Soundtracks

Music

Capcom’s classic era produced some of the most celebrated music in gaming history. Profiles grouped by era, with verified credits from VGMdb and VGMPF.

1984 – 1988

The Arcade Era

Arcade · NES Early Era

Ayako Mori

1942 (NES, 1986) · Ghosts ‘n Goblins (NES, 1986)

Ayako Mori composed Capcom’s earliest NES soundtracks, including the iconic Ghosts ‘n Goblins theme - a haunting march that perfectly captures the game’s gothic graveyard atmosphere. The theme has been referenced in popular culture extensively and remains the audio identity of the Ghosts ‘n Goblins franchise.

Sources: VGMPF - Ghosts ‘n Goblins (NES) · 1942 (NES)

Soundtrack sample - see Videos for full longplay audio.

NES 1988

Junko Tamiya

Bionic Commando (NES, 1988) · Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers (NES, 1990)

Junko Tamiya composed two distinctly different Capcom NES soundtracks: the gritty, militaristic Bionic Commando score and the bright, upbeat Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers music. The ability to work across such different tonal registers marks her as one of Capcom’s more versatile NES composers.

Sources: VGMPF - Bionic Commando (NES)

1987 – 1993

The Mega Man Era

NES · Mega Man 1 (1987)

Manami Matsumae

Mega Man (NES, 1987) · Credited as “Chanchacorin Manami” (JP)

Manami Matsumae’s debut work, the original Mega Man soundtrack, established the sonic character of the franchise. Cut Man’s theme, Guts Man’s industrial march, and the Wily Castle music each demonstrate her skill at writing melody within the 2A03’s constraints.

Sources: VGMPF - Mega Man (NES) · Wikipedia: Manami Matsumae

Mega Man 1 NES longplay - World of Longplays (OST heard in context of gameplay)

NES · Mega Man 2 (1988/1989)

Takashi Tateishi

Mega Man 2 (NES, 1988) · Credited as “Ogeretsu Kun” (JP)

Widely considered one of the greatest NES composers. Tateishi’s Mega Man 2 score - Dr. Wily Stage 1, Air Man, Metal Man, and more - has an enduring presence in gaming culture that few 8-bit works match. See the Flagship page for a full analysis of the soundtrack.

Sources: VGMPF - Mega Man 2 (NES) · VGMdb - vgmdb.net

Mega Man 2 NES longplay - World of Longplays (OST heard in context of gameplay)

NES · Mega Man 3 (1990)

Yasuaki Fujita

Mega Man 3 (NES, 1990) · Credited as “Bun Bun”

Yasuaki Fujita composed a Mega Man 3 soundtrack that many fans consider a strong contender for the best in the NES series. Snake Man, Spark Man, Gemini Man, and the Dr. Wily castle themes are fan favourites noted for their rhythmic complexity and harmonic inventiveness.

Sources: VGMPF - Mega Man 3 (NES)

NES · DuckTales (1989) & Chip ‘n Dale (1990)

Harumi Fujita

DuckTales (NES, 1989) · Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers (NES, 1990)

Harumi Fujita’s Moon Stage theme from DuckTales is one of the most beloved pieces of NES music - instantly recognisable, joyful, and with a melodic sophistication that transcends its hardware origins. The DuckTales Remastered (2013) soundtrack update, performed live, demonstrated how well the original composed material translated to full orchestration.

Sources: VGMPF - DuckTales (NES) · Wikipedia: Harumi Fujita

1991 – 1994

The Street Fighter Era

SNES · Street Fighter II (1991)

Yoko Shimomura

Street Fighter II (1991, main composer) · Final Fight (1989, co-composer)

Yoko Shimomura’s Street Fighter II character themes are among the most widely recognised pieces of video game music ever composed. Each of the eight fighters was given a theme that reflected their nationality and personality: Guile’s militaristic march, Ryu’s calm meditation, Chun-Li’s bouncing Oriental theme, M. Bison’s menacing march.

Shimomura left Capcom for Square in 1993, where she composed Final Fantasy XV, Kingdom Hearts, and many other landmark works. She is one of the most celebrated composers in the history of video game music.

Sources: VGMdb - Street Fighter II soundtrack · Wikipedia: Yoko Shimomura

Street Fighter II SNES longplay - World of Longplays (OST heard throughout)