Award-winning composer and musician Jon Batiste, a self-proclaimed lifelong gamer, recently shared his insights on the lasting impact of video game music, particularly highlighting the scores of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Street Fighter II. Batiste, known for his work with numerous A-list artists and his tenure as bandleader on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, sees deep connections between his musical endeavors and his passion for gaming.
Batiste's history with Nintendo dates back to the NES era, with early experiences playing games like Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros. He describes gaming as a way to organize his thoughts and find inspiration. His appreciation for game music deepened with titles like Sonic the Hedgehog and Final Fantasy VII, and later, the intricate compositions of Yoko Shimomura in Street Fighter II.
Discussing Ocarina of Time, Batiste elaborated on the sonic qualities that make its soundtrack so impactful. He pointed to the deliberate use of alternating major and minor chords without sevenths, creating a wistful, simple, and ancient feeling that mirrors the act of imagination. He views the score as a suite where themes are interrelated yet distinct, citing "Song of Storms" as a personal favorite. Batiste noted that this relationship between gameplay and music is something he experienced from a young age, often translating game themes to instruments after playing.
When the conversation turned to Street Fighter II, Batiste addressed the popular internet phenomenon of "Guile's Theme" being paired with various videos. He attributes its enduring appeal to its momentum and ability to immediately draw the listener in, describing it as an "immediate announcement" with its brass and bass call-and-response. Batiste feels the tempo and structure evoke the archetypal themes of '80s action-hero movie protagonists, suggesting that composer Yoko Shimomura likely drew inspiration from this trope.