These Russians Are Crazy! Soviet and Russian Classical Music in Asterix and the Power of the Gods (1995)
Asterix and the Power of the Gods, Core Design’s take on the famous Gaulish hero for the Sega Mega Drive, hides a fascinating surprise within its soundtrack. While the main score is credited to British composer Nathan McCree, several tracks borrow unmistakably from the Russian classical canon, with pieces by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Alexander Borodin making appearances in 16-bit form.
These inclusions give the game’s otherwise lighthearted platforming adventure a peculiar gravitas. Hearing orchestral themes by two of Russia’s most celebrated composers in the middle of a comic book adaptation is both unexpected and strangely fitting, reinforcing the sense of history and empire that frames the clash between Caesar’s legions and the indomitable Gauls.
Marches and Dances of Empire
Among the soundtrack’s highlights are unmistakable borrowings from the Russian classical tradition. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture appears in miniature form, its thunderous finale famously written to commemorate Russia’s defense against Napoleon’s invasion. Even in its brief Mega Drive rendition, the triumphant chords resonate as a symbol of resistance against empire—an apt echo of the Gauls’ eternal defiance of Rome.
Another Tchaikovsky piece, the Marche Slave of 1876, was originally composed in solidarity with Slavic soldiers fighting against Ottoman rule. With its martial rhythms and urgent patriotism, the march underscores themes of rebellion and unity. In the game, it becomes a striking parallel: an oppressed people facing down an overwhelming imperial power through courage and wit.
Aram Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance from the 1942 ballet Gayaneh injects manic energy into the soundtrack. Written during the Second World War, its frenzied tempo and galloping strings have become emblematic of both Soviet vigor and comedic chaos in Western popular culture. In Asterix, the piece heightens the sense of slapstick danger while evoking the thrill of battle.
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Procession of the Nobles from his opera-ballet Mlada (1890) lends pomp and pageantry to the soundtrack. The work was intended to accompany a grand stage spectacle, and even in chiptune form, it conveys a sense of ceremony and imperial majesty—a clever choice in a game preoccupied with Rome’s grandeur and the small Gauls who dare oppose it.
Two works by Sergei Prokofiev also make their way into the game. The first, Troika from his Lieutenant Kijé Suite (1934), evokes the imagery of a brisk Russian sleigh ride. Originally composed as film music under the Soviet regime, it carries a playful yet slightly ironic edge. The second, Montagues and Capulets from his ballet Romeo and Juliet (1935), is one of his most famous pieces, instantly recognizable for its ominous, stomping rhythm. Both add a theatrical weight to the soundtrack, with Montagues and Capulets in particular underscoring dramatic showdowns with a sense of tragic inevitability.
Cultural Weight in a Comic World
Including this wide array of Russian and Soviet music in a video game adaptation of Asterix may appear whimsical, but it demonstrates the adaptability of these compositions. The grandeur of Tchaikovsky, Khachaturian, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Prokofiev elevates the quest of the Gauls, transforming lighthearted platforming into a drama infused with cultural resonance. Each borrowed piece carries its own history of resistance, ceremony, or spectacle, aligning surprisingly well with the themes of conquest and defiance that underpin the story.
Conclusion: Gauls, Rome, and Russia’s Echo
The inclusion of Russian and Soviet classical works in Asterix and the Power of the Gods reflects how 1990s developers drew freely from the public domain to enrich their games. Yet here the choices are not arbitrary. These compositions, rooted in struggles against empire, patriotic fervor, or theatrical grandeur, mirror the Gauls’ underdog fight against Rome. In an unlikely setting, the voices of Tchaikovsky, Khachaturian, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Prokofiev resound across 16-bit battlefields, turning comic adventure into operatic defiance.
Asterix and the Power of the Gods
Country: 
United Kingdom
Initial release: April 1995
Platform: Sega Mega Drive
Composer: Nathan McCree (with adaptations of Tchaikovsky and Borodin)
Genres: Platform
Developer: Core Design
Publisher: Sega
About: Asterix and the Power of the Gods is a platform game loosely based on the comic Asterix and the Chieftain’s Shield. Beyond its solid action and puzzle elements, the game stands out for its soundtrack, which incorporates Russian classical themes. Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances and Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slave resound through the Mega Drive’s sound chip, bringing a sense of operatic grandeur to the adventures of the small Gaul against mighty Rome.
References
- Wikipedia: Asterix and the Power of the Gods
- Borodin, A. (1890). Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances. St. Petersburg.
- Tchaikovsky, P. I. (1876). Marche Slave. Moscow: Russian Musical Society.
- Tchaikovsky, P. I. (1880). 1812 Overture. Moscow: Cathedral of Christ the Saviour dedication.
- Khachaturian, A. (1942). Gayaneh. Moscow: Soviet State Music Publishing. (Includes Sabre Dance).
- Rimsky-Korsakov, N. (1890). Procession of the Nobles from Mlada. St. Petersburg.
- Prokofiev, S. (1934). Lieutenant Kijé Suite. Moscow: Soviet State Publishing. (Includes Troika).
- Prokofiev, S. (1935). Romeo and Juliet. Moscow: Bolshoi Theatre premiere. (Includes Montagues and Capulets).
- Brown, David. Tchaikovsky: The Man and His Music. Pegasus Books, 2007.
- Wiley, Roland John. Tchaikovsky. Oxford University Press, 2009.
- Frolova-Walker, Marina. Stalin’s Music Prize: Soviet Culture and Politics. Yale University Press, 2016.
- Abraham, Gerald. Rimsky-Korsakov: A Short Biography. Oxford University Press, 1945.
- Nestyev, Israel V. Prokofiev. Stanford University Press, 1960.
- Morrison, Simon. The People’s Artist: Prokofiev’s Soviet Years. Oxford University Press, 2009.
- Taruskin, Richard. Defining Russia Musically. Princeton University Press, 1997.
- Game credits: Asterix and the Power of the Gods (1995, Sega Mega Drive). Core Design / Sega.
- Cirrus Retro. “Asterix and the Power of the Gods Soundtrack.” cirrusretro.com
- Archive.org. “Asterix and the Power of the Gods (Mega Drive) Music.” archive.org