Thought it would be fun to discuss some of our favorite music tracks from the video games. Mainline or Spinoff, whatever you connect most with! I know that there are some (most?) of you that do not play the games, so these may be new to you! Comment your favorites below, and if you want, include some memories you attribute to each track!
Pokémon Center Night in Diamond/Pearl/Platinum Pokémon Center (Night) - Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum - YouTube
Such great memories of spending time here with my best friend trying to figure out which Pokémon we could hack into our games with his Action Replay.
End Credits Gold/Silver/Crystal Pokemon Silver/Gold/Crystal- Ending - YouTube
In the gen 2 games, if you want to level up your pokemon you have to battle the E4 a lot since the levels are so low (in the 40’s-low 50’s iirc). So this is definitely a memorable music track. I love how the track really makes you feel like you accomplished something. A great track to end your journey.
Dewford Town Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald- Dewford Town - YouTube
I’ve played Emerald too many times to count. Every time I get to Dewford I just sit and listen to it. This song SLAPS. Starts slow, but 0:45 be vibin’.
I heard it so many times as a kid, because it took me like 20+ tries to beat evice. Think I was like 6 years old at the time and had a trash team filled with pokemon I liked including a level 60 plusle, and the rest of my pokemon were in their 40s.
My favorites are mostly in gen 3 and gen 5. I can’t remember specifics in gen 5 but some of the town themes and battle themes (specifically legendaries and elite 4 I believe) I remember being solid. For gen 3 I like a lot of the Team Aqua/Team Magma music, especially the battles with Archie and Maxie, ESPECIALLY the versions from the remakes. I think the Deoxys battle theme is my favorite song in any Pokémon game, especially the eerie intro. I think the original is probably better than the remakes.
An honorable mention is the Arceus battle theme from gen 4. It’s pretty unique for Pokémon, especially because of how sparse it is sonically.
Outside the main series games, the battle theme for Primal Dialga in Mystery Dungeon is legendary, but I honestly prefer the Palkia battle theme in the post game.
I have about 50 songs from Pokemon in my YouTube “best video game music” playlist, so it’s hard to choose. I think BW have the most great tracks. If I had to pick 3 though, they would be:
Just wanna point everyone towards Insaneintherainmusic on youtube (and streaming platforms of course)!
He makes the most incredible jazz-arrangements of video game music, and soundtracks from pokemon is a huge part of his discography. Currently doing a project he is calling ‘The Year of Sinnoh’, which means gen 4 arrangements throughout the whole year
You’ve probably all come across him at some point, but oh man, he is worth diving deep into!
Excellent choice man! Hard to choose but my favorites are probably Fossil Falls, Wii Channel Theme, Rosalina’s Comet Observatory, Coconut Mall, Rainbow Road (Year 7) and ofc Thomas The Tank Theme.
Damn, can’t list everything Carlos is truly a genius
This one always knocked it out of the park for me. I remember changing to the radio station as a kid going “whatt the !?!!!” and it was such a cool surprise and to this day my favorite part about the gen 2 games.
and of course, another all time favorite sound is encountering some of my favorite legendaries ever:
Carlos is truly a genius
?!!!” and it was such a cool surprise and to this day my favorite part about the gen 2 games.