Psycho Soldier (song)

Psycho Soldier is a 1986 song for the game of the same name and is the first vocalized song in video game history. The song is also one of the main character themes for Athena Asamiya and continues to follow her in The King of Fighters series. When the game Psycho Soldier was released internationally, a different set of lyrics was composed to localize the title. This song was also used to advertise the Athena NES port.

The Japanese version is sung by Kaori Shimizu and the original lyrics were composed by Eikichi Kawasaki. It was covered by Reiko Fukui in The King of Fighters '94, Tamao Sato in The King of Fighters '96, and Yukina Kurisu in The King of Fighters '97. The identity of the singer for the English version used in the international release of Psycho Soldier remains unknown. Haruna Ikezawa would cover the song in The King of Fighters XV.

The band, From the Ashes, rearranged the English version and posted it online.

Another cover of the song was included in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as part of Challenger Pack 4, which added Terry Bogard as a playable character alongside Fatal Fury and other SNK content to the game. This version is arranged by Yuzo Koshiro and has both a Japanese and English version (the first time the song was sung in English officially since Psycho Soldier's US release), both versions sung by Kotera Kanako. The two remixes are identical in background music, though as the Japanese version features more lyrics, the English version features a saxophone solo in place of the second verse, and a reprisal of the first verse in place of the third verse.

Lyrics Japanese Version English Version

Releases

 * Psycho Soldier Music Cassette
 * Game Sound SNK
 * SNK Original Best
 * Legend of Game Music 2 ~ Platinum Box
 * Athena the Music
 * The King of Fighters 94 Original and Arranged Soundtrack (Psycho Soldier "K.O.F. Version")
 * The King of Fighters 96 Original and Arranged Soundtrack (Psycho Soldier REMIX '96)
 * The King of Fighters 97 Original and Arranged Soundtrack (Psycho Soldier REMIX '97)

Credits

 * The Psycho Soldier Page