Screaming guitar solos tearing through synth-pop hooks on PS2 hardware. The original Rumble Roses assembled a murderer's row of Konami composers: Akira Yamaoka, Michiru Yamane, Sota Fujimori, dj TAKA, and Des-ROW all contributing character themes.
Read more
"Yankee Rose" kicks things off with Teresa James belting over stadium rock production. "Benikage ~Crimson Shadow~" fuses traditional Japanese instrumentation with heavy metal in this way that shouldn't work but absolutely does.
"The Spirit of Hawk" channels nomadic folk rock energy. "Pluck the Roses!" is pure Yamaoka, industrial-tinged and menacing. Every fighter's theme nails their personality, from Becky's bubbly pop to Yasha's brooding darkness.
If you thought wrestling games couldn't have elite soundtracks, Konami's 2005 roster of composers proved otherwise.