Streets of Rage Composer Yuzo Koshiro Explains the Musical Message Behind Iconic Sega Soundtracks

The legendary Streets of Rage series, originally developed for Sega's Mega Drive/Genesis, is recognized not only for its gripping action gameplay but also for its transformative music.

Renowned composer Yuzo Koshiro, along with Motohiro Kawashima, shaped the unique soundtracks for Streets of Rage, Streets of Rage 2, and Streets of Rage 3, leaving an indelible mark on video game music history.

Their work would later extend to Streets of Rage 4, accompanied by talented names such as Olivier Deriviere and Tee Lopes. Koshiro is a prolific figure in the industry, and Streets of Rage endures as one of his seminal achievements.

Over the decades, fans and journalists have frequently approached him to uncover the inspirations behind these iconic compositions.

In a recent social media statement, Koshiro addressed the often-raised question about his influences, offering an insightful perspective into his creative mindset during the development of Streets of Rage. He explained that the number of tracks and artists that inspired him was so vast that he found it difficult to pinpoint particular songs.

"What I really want people to understand is that the music itself was a message," Koshiro clarified.

"I invested my passion into every track, hoping Western audiences would sense just how inspired I was by the era's popular music trends." He elaborated that unmistakable brass and string elements, as well as the innovative use of sampled beats and bass lines—techniques prevalent in club scenes and DJ culture—shaped the soundscape.

The early 1990s saw the emergence of club genres like house and techno, which played a vital role in defining the musical direction of Streets of Rage.

Koshiro stated that his goal was to authentically recreate the dynamic energy of these genres within the technical limits of the Mega Drive and Genesis audio hardware. Beyond merely crafting memorable soundtracks, Koshiro emphasized his desire to pay tribute to the diverse artists and genres that fueled his vision.

He noted, "It wasn’t just about creating cool tracks.

I aimed to honor the music and culture that inspired me, and I am thankful to SEGA for enabling me to share these sounds with players worldwide, especially in the West." The Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, with its distinctive FM synthesizer, became an unlikely vehicle for the global spread of cutting-edge club music influences through gaming. Today, the influence of Koshiro’s work is recognized far beyond the confines of Sega’s classic beat ’em up series.

With SEGA now developing a new entry in the Streets of Rage franchise and Koshiro himself completing Earthion—a new shoot 'em up project leveraging original Mega Drive hardware and targeting current-gen platforms such as the Nintendo Switch—his impact on both retro and contemporary game development remains profound.

As Streets of Rage’s legacy continues, it stands as a testament to how video game music can transcend the medium and deliver a message embraced by fans worldwide.

Streets of Rage Yuzo Koshiro Mega Drive Genesis Earthion Sega