Top 10: Yoko Shimomura’s Epic Video Game Soundtracks Revealed!

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Summary

  • Yoko Shimomura revolutionized the gaming industry with her beautiful soundtracks, earning her a prestigious BAFTA award.
  • Shimomura’s best works include Parasite Eve, Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, and the entire Kingdom Hearts franchise.
  • Her diverse range as a composer is shown in iconic works like Street Fighter 2, Super Mario RPG, and Final Fantasy 15.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got to say, the video game world is home to an endless array of gifted musicians who’ve crafted some truly epic soundtracks, and I’m proud to count Yoko Shimomura among them. Ever since the late 80s, this iconic Japanese composer has been shaking up the industry with her stunning melodies. It’s no wonder that she was recently bestowed a BAFTA award, recognizing her extraordinary career.

Few gamers realize that Yoko Shimomura has been behind some of the most recognized and impactful music pieces across all gaming platforms, raising a significant question: Which one among her impressive body of work stands out as her best video game soundtrack? While music creation is often a collaborative effort, this list will focus on titles where Yoko Shimomura is acknowledged as the sole composer.

8. Parasite Eve

A Dark Horror Game With A Creepy, Atmospheric OST

Parasite Eve, initially based on Hideaki Sena’s novel with the same title, is an RPG developed by Squaresoft in 1998. Unlike most of their releases, this game has a distinctive feel due to its eerie atmosphere and third-person gameplay, which resemble those found in horror games. Notably, Yoko Shimomura, herself, was commissioned to compose the haunting background music for this chilling tale.

Parasite Eve stands out as one of Shimomura’s most unique compositions. Unlike her typical works that are often light-hearted and joyful, this soundtrack leans more towards creating a tense and ominous ambiance, interspersed with fast-paced tracks for the action sequences. Notable pieces from this collection are “Out of Phase” and “Wheel Of Fortune.” Regrettably, Shimomura did not return to score the music for Parasite Eve 2.

7. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story

A Bouncy, Catchy OST For A Colorful RPG

Yoko Shimomura, on her own, created the music for every game in the Mario & Luigi RPG series (with the exception of 2024’s Brothership). Her work is highly praised and many fans believe that the soundtrack for Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story stands out as one of her finest compositions to date.

In another lively, vibrant RPG featuring the Mario brothers, it’s no surprise that the majority of its background music aligns perfectly with the overall feel. Among the tunes that stand out are “They’re Pretty Tough,” “Should We Be Careful?,” and “Fawful.” However, the track that truly shines is “In The Final,” a grandiose final boss theme. Shimomura drew upon her extensive background in RPG composition, and it shows effectively.

In this RPG starring the Mario brothers, the music matches the game’s energetic vibe, with catchy tracks like “They’re Pretty Tough,” “Should We Be Careful?,” and “Fawful.” But what truly sets it apart is the epic final boss theme, “In The Final,” which showcases Shimomura’s expertise in RPG music.

6. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

A Heartwarming, Melancholic OST For The Nintendo DS

Yoko Shimomura is most recognized for her self-composed soundtracks within the acclaimed Kingdom Hearts series. In particular, she was the solo composer for Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, an action RPG that chronicles the sad tale of Roxas. Her work in this game was exceptional.

Approximately half of this soundtrack comprises tunes from previous Kingdom Hearts games, skillfully reworked using the DS’s audio palette. Yet, it’s brimming with fresh, original songs that intensify its poignant scenes, such as “At Dusk” and “Musique pour la tristesse de Xion.” The climactic boss theme, “Vector to the Heavens,” is among Shimomura’s finest compositions. She managed to reinterpret many of these melodies with an orchestra for Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix, and they resonate even more beautifully now.

5. Street Fighter 2

One Of The Most Legendary Fighting Game OSTs Ever Made

Street Fighter 2 significantly altered the landscape of fighting games permanently. Interestingly, numerous fans might not know that the game’s music was composed by Yoko Shimomura, who was part of Capcom at the time and later moved to Squaresoft a few years after. This renowned composer played a crucial role in creating some of the most iconic tunes ever produced for a fighting video game.

Street Fighter 2 is recognized for two key aspects: its diverse roster of memorable playable fighters from various global regions, and its swift battle mechanics. Composer Yoko Shimomura skillfully embodied these traits through a lively soundtrack filled with unique themes reflecting the characters’ cultural backgrounds. Notably, characters like Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Guile, and numerous others have their iconic musical themes thanks to the talents of Yoko Shimomura.

4. Super Mario RPG: Legend Of The Seven Stars

One Of The Most Distinctive OSTs In The Mario Franchise

It is likely that Yoko Shimomura was selected to create the music for the Mario & Luigi series due to her previous work on the soundtrack for Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, which was the first role-playing game in the Mario franchise. Given that this project was a collaboration between Squaresoft and Nintendo, Shimomura’s experience made her an ideal candidate. However, this assignment presented a significant challenge as she had to rework some classic tunes from Mario and Final Fantasy composed by Koji Kondo and Nobuo Uematsu respectively.

In a unique musical style unlike any other in the gaming industry during its time, the soundtrack of Super Mario RPG is renowned for its extensive collection of one-of-a-kind songs. This game’s sound was exceptionally distinctive. Notable tracks from it that remain etched in memory include:

Luckily, Shimomura came back to compose the music for the 2024 remake of Super Mario RPG, offering a choice between the latest renditions and the original tunes from its 1996 debut.

3. Final Fantasy 15

One Of Shimomura’s Most Ambitious Projects

Yoko Shimomura, who had been working for Squaresoft and Square Enix for a considerable period, only got the chance to compose music for a Final Fantasy game after 28 years. This was because she was the main composer for the 2016 release of Final Fantasy 15, which was overseen by one of her frequent collaborators, Tetsuya Nomura. Given their shared history, this wasn’t surprising as the project bore many resemblances to Kingdom Hearts.

For nearly a decade, this open-world action RPG was meticulously crafted, making it one of her most grandiose endeavors. With an orchestra at her disposal, Shimomura composed a captivating, high-quality soundtrack that amplified Noctis’ journey, adding depth to its memorable, thrilling, and poignant moments. The game boasted numerous remarkable tracks tailored to each unique situation, such as “Apocalypsis Noctis,” “Valse Di Fantastica,” “Somnus,” and many more. It’s a pity she didn’t contribute more music to the Final Fantasy series, as the soundtrack for FF15 ranks among her most outstanding career achievements.

2. Kingdom Hearts

Cemented Her As One Of The Industry’s Best Composers

Back in the 2000s, I found myself drawn into an extraordinary adventure with Kingdom Hearts, a one-of-a-kind action RPG that blended the magic of classic Disney animation with the depth of Final Fantasy. As a gamer, it was fascinating to traverse levels inspired by timeless Disney films. Yoko Shimomura, the chosen composer for this project, had an immense challenge on her hands – she needed to encapsulate the spirit of both Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy, a task that required a true musical maestro.

It’s clear as day that she excelled in creating this soundtrack. The title theme for the game, “Dearly Beloved,” is not only stunningly beautiful but also iconic to the point it cements her position among video game composers of legendary status. However, that was just the start, as Kingdom Hearts boasts an abundance of original music that never fails to impress. The world’s background music is consistently catchy, while the combat music heightens each encounter with a sense of excitement. Even the original songs from the PS2 versions were impressive, but she reworked them for the Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix, and the orchestral remasterings sounded even more stunning.

1. Kingdom Hearts 2

An Excellent Sequel With One Of The Best Video Game OSTs Ever Made

Two years following the debut of “Kingdom Hearts”, Square and Disney unveiled “Kingdom Hearts 2”. For this game, Yoko Shimomura was appointed as the composer yet again. This sequel surpassed its predecessor in every aspect: the battle sequences, the boss fights, the narrative. Given the enhanced quality of the game, it was essential that the soundtrack matched up. Not only did Shimomura meet these expectations, but she crafted one of the finest soundtracks of her professional career.

In a nutshell, the music in Kingdom Hearts 2 spans a wide range. It includes touching and sorrowful themes for characters like “Roxas,” as well as cheerful and lively tunes for various Disney realms such as “A Day in Agrabah.” However, what truly stands out are the numerous battle themes. These skillfully blend the tension of each encounter with the high emotional drama, enhancing the thrilling boss battles. Notably, when Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD Remix was launched in 2014, Yoko Shimomura rearranged all these songs into orchestral pieces.

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2025-04-16 03:35