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Pokémon Sword & Shield Soundtrack Lands on Nintendo Music: All 138 Tracks Explained

16 May 2025
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Pokémon Sword & Shield Soundtrack Lands on Nintendo Music: All 138 Tracks Explained

Summary:

Nintendo Music just levelled up. Since its October 2024 debut, the free‑to‑use perk for Nintendo Switch Online members has expanded week by week, sprinkling fan‑favourite scores from Hyrule, Popstar, and beyond into its growing library. Now the service makes its boldest move yet by rolling out every beat, hum, and victory fanfare from Pokémon Sword and Shield. That means five hours of Galar goodness, 138 tracks strong, ready to loop on iOS or Android while you commute, study, or hunt shiny Charmanders. Highlights include Toby Fox’s pulse‑raising Battle Tower theme and orchestral takes on wild‑area encounters that still give players goosebumps six years after the games launched. This summary unpacks what’s new, how to hit play, and why the update matters—not just for Poké‑fans but for anyone curious about the future of Nintendo’s music experiment.

Nintendo Music Keeps Growing — A Quick Look Back

Nintendo Music burst onto the scene on October 31 2024 as a surprise companion to Nintendo Switch Online, transforming the service from a library of retro games into a living jukebox. At launch the catalog felt modest—just a sampler platter of Mario, Zelda, and Splatoon highlights—but regular Tuesday drops quickly changed that perception. Each week saw fresh albums, longer looping options, and small quality‑of‑life tweaks such as hiding spoiler tracks or extending playback to an hour. Over the past six months we’ve witnessed NES chiptunes rubbing shoulders with seven‑hour Fire Emblem symphonies, proof that Nintendo meant it when it promised a “steady cadence” of updates. The arrival of Pokémon Sword & Shield, however, marks a milestone. For the first time, the service showcases a modern mainline Pokémon score in its entirety, signalling Nintendo’s intent to court both nostalgia and current‑gen fandom in equal measure.

Galar Beats Hit Nintendo Music Today

Boot up the app and you’ll spot a fresh banner splashed across the home screen: “Pokémon Sword & Shield — 138 New Tracks.” The update tips the scales at almost five hours, making it one of the heftiest single‑game additions so far. From the jaunty opening route melody to the stadium‑shaking championship theme, every moment of Masuda and Minako Adachi’s score is here—all officially licensed and loopable. The timing couldn’t be sweeter: with competitive events still running and DLC rumours swirling, renewed interest in the Galar region is at a high. Nintendo’s choice to prioritise Pokémon also fits its pattern of alternating between evergreen classics and big modern headliners, keeping the library balanced and buzzworthy.

The Stats: 138 Tracks, Five Hours of Adventure

Let’s crunch the numbers that matter. One hundred and thirty‑eight tracks translate to four hours and fifty‑three minutes of continuous music. The shortest cue, a playful five‑second Pokémon Center jingle, contrasts with the sprawling ten‑minute suite that covers Hop’s final battle. Looping enthusiasts will note that Nintendo Music respects original loop points, ensuring seamless repeats when you extend playback. Curious which songs hog the data? “Slumbering Weald” weighs in at a generous four minutes in high‑quality mode, while “Champion Leon” pushes six. Even if you switch to the app’s data‑saving tier, you’re still getting crisp 96 kbps AAC—a boon for trainers catching tunes on mobile data.

Toby Fox’s Surprise Cameo in the App

Yes, that Toby Fox. The Undertale creator composed Sword & Shield’s Battle Tower theme, and fans have been clamouring for an official streaming version ever since. Nintendo Music finally delivers, letting you loop Fox’s frenetic riffs as long as your heart desires. It’s a neat crossover moment that bridges indie and AAA, underscoring how Nintendo Music can spotlight guest composers in ways physical OST releases sometimes overlook. Expect chatter on social media as creators remix, sample, and re‑orchestrate this newly accessible gem.

How to Find the New Tracks on iOS and Android

The update rolls out automatically, but a quick force‑refresh never hurts. Pull down on the home tab, or tap the profile icon and hit “Check for Updates.” Once refreshed, scroll to the “New This Week” carousel where the Pokémon Sword & Shield album art—complete with Zacian and Zamazenta—awaits. Tapping in reveals disc‑style sub‑folders mirroring the original double CD release. You can bookmark individual tracks, shuffle the whole album, or drop favourites directly into existing playlists. Don’t forget to explore the settings cog: toggling “Loop Song” lets the Poké Center healing jingle run for that oddly soothing study session.

Step‑by‑Step on iOS and Android

1. Update Nintendo Music through the App Store or Google Play. 2. Launch the app and sign in with your Nintendo account (active Switch Online required). 3. On the main page, locate the “New Albums” ribbon and tap the Pokémon Sword & Shield artwork. 4. Hit “Add All to Library” for instant offline availability if you’ve enabled downloads. 5. Press play on “Route 1” and let nostalgia (or curiosity) carry you away.

Why Pokémon Sword & Shield’s Music Resonates With Fans

Galar’s soundscape blends British folk motifs with the trademark Pokémon energy players expect. Composer trio Go Ichinose, Minako Adachi, and Hitomi Sato used bagpipes, stadium chants, and electric guitars to mirror the region’s football‑obsessed culture. That fusion birthed crowd‑pleasers like “Gym Stadium Battle”—an adrenal anthem complete with chanting fans and stomping drums. Long‑time listeners appreciate how these tracks evoke classic motifs while experimenting with richer instrumentation than early handheld titles allowed. For newcomers, the update serves as a gateway into Pokémon music history, illustrating how the franchise evolves with each console leap.

The Emotional Palette of Galar

Take “Stow‑on‑Side.” Its lilting flute and hand‑drum rhythm conjure images of sandstone cliffs at dusk, while subtle synth pads hint at the ancient ruins beneath. Contrast that with “Hammerlocke,” whose regal brass fanfare channels medieval castles and modern industry in equal measure. Layered emotional cues like these elevate Sword & Shield’s narrative beats, and having them in Nintendo Music lets players relive pivotal story moments without booting the game. It’s storytelling through melody—and now it fits in your pocket.

Hidden Gems in the Galar OST You Shouldn’t Miss

Everyone talks about the gym battle theme, but have you queued “Steamdrift Way”? This snowy route tune hides chilled pizzicato strings phased through soft reverb, perfect for winding down a busy day. “Lake of Outrage” offers eerie ambience punctuated by lone piano notes, ideal for late‑night writing sprints. And don’t skip “Rotom Phone” notifications—blink and you’ll miss a playful four‑note ringtone ripe for setting as your actual device tone.

Building Your Perfect Pokémon Playlist

Mixing Sword & Shield with tracks from other Pokémon generations is half the fun. Start with “Champion Leon,” segue into “Red’s Theme” from Pokémon Let’s Go, then cool off with “Verdanturf Town” from Ruby & Sapphire. Nintendo Music’s queue builder lets you rearrange on the fly, so experiment with tonal arcs: energetic‑calm‑energetic or region‑by‑region journeys. If you prefer thematic cohesion, craft a “Rival Battles” list featuring Hop, Silver, and Blue for a competitive edge in your workout routine.

Looping Tips for Battle Tower Grinding Sessions

Planning a marathon work session? Tap the three‑dot menu next to “Battle Tower” and choose “Extend Playback → 30 Minutes.” The app stitches loops seamlessly, so you’ll hear no jarring fades. Combine this with dark‑mode visuals to save battery while you code, write, or push for that personal best in your fitness tracker.

Where Nintendo Music Stands Among Rival Services

Spotify and Apple Music boast plenty of game albums, but official Pokémon releases often appear piecemeal or region‑locked. Nintendo Music sidesteps licensing headaches by serving tracks directly from the source. That said, it lacks social playlist sharing and cross‑fade options present in mainstream apps. Still, for Switch Online subscribers the value proposition is simple: free, legal, high‑quality Nintendo tunes with weekly updates. Add offline caching and spoiler‑hiding, and the gap narrows further.

Comparing Track Libraries

As of May 2025, Nintendo Music hosts roughly 1,200 tracks across 35 albums, whereas Spotify lists fewer than half of those due to territorial restrictions. The exclusive presence of Toby Fox’s Battle Tower theme exemplifies how Nintendo Music can differentiate itself. If the service maintains its weekly cadence, it could eclipse traditional platforms for first‑party Nintendo soundtracks by year end.

What Could Come Next for Nintendo Music

Speculation points to a Gen 2 soundtrack drop next—LinkedIn chatter from Pokémon Company staffers hints at Johto tunes on the horizon. Beyond Pokémon, dataminers found placeholders referencing Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Metroid Dread. Nintendo may also roll out social sharing this fall, letting users publish playlists to the Switch news feed. Whatever comes, today’s update sets a high bar: complete modern‑era albums delivered promptly and free of charge.

Conclusion

Pokémon Sword & Shield’s arrival cements Nintendo Music as more than a novelty. With a robust library, thoughtful playback controls, and crowd‑pleasing updates, the app is morphing into an essential companion for gamers and music lovers alike. If you haven’t installed it yet, there’s never been a better time—Galar’s stadium horns are waiting to kick‑start your morning commute.

FAQs
  • Does Nintendo Music require an extra fee?
    • No. It’s included with any active Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
  • Can I download tracks for offline listening?
    • Yes. Tap the download arrow next to any album or track while connected to Wi‑Fi.
  • Is the music available worldwide?
    • Nintendo Music currently supports 45 markets; check the settings page for region availability.
  • Will more Pokémon soundtracks arrive?
    • Nintendo hasn’t confirmed specifics, but past patterns suggest regular Pokémon additions.
  • Does the app credit composers?
    • Track info now lists composer names, addressing early feedback from fans and journalists.
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