With the 8th generation of Pokemon coming to a close, fans can look back and be satisfied with what the generation has had to offer. While it may be remembered as one of the most divisive generations, one thing fans can agree on is that the quality of music has remained consistent.
It could be argued that the quality of music has improved given the fact that the composers now are not limited by the hardware of handled consoles. So let's take a look back at some of the best tracks Pokemon Sword & Shield and Legends Arceus have had to offer for the 8th generation.
10 Galar Mines
Dungeons are and have been a staple of RPGs of all kinds and the Pokemon franchise has had plenty. Many veterans of the series will no doubt know that dungeons often have some of the best music and the Galar Mines is no different. Composed and arranged by Go Ichinose, the track is on the shorter side, but effective in its use and manages to not feel repetitive at all.
Incorporating a mix of synth and techno beats, it may seem like an odd choice for a place in a naturally created location, but it makes sense thematically. It illustrates how the mines came to be thanks in part to the intervention of humans and the advances found thanks to technology. On top of this, the track also offers an eerie and mysterious vibe which is also perfect for a dungeon of this kind.
9 Battle! (Eternatus) - Phase 3
For the first time in a mainline Pokemon game, players have a boss battle that isn't just a normal battle, but a unique scripted boss fight with a unique set of Pokemon to use and amazing music to accompany it. Of course, Go Ichinose is behind the composition and arrangement on this one and went above and beyond to create a unique track for this occasion.
Coming off the heels of the more ominous and foreboding tracks from the previous two phases in the fight with Eternatus, Phase 3 switches to a more heroic and hopeful tune to show the tables have turned in favor of the heroes. Keen-eared listeners will also be able to hear the howls of Zamazenta and Zacian as the track plays which is a nice touch to the final fight of the game.
8 Battle! (Bede)
Rivals are a staple of the Pokemon franchise with Sword & Shield providing three new ones for players to battle against throughout the game. Rivals battle themes have historically been great throughout the history of the franchise and Go Ichinose made sure that streak did not end in the 8th generation.
Whether intentional or not the track is fast-paced and high energy which is an interesting juxtaposition to the otherwise cold and confident demeanor of the rival Bede. Of course, the electric guitar riff that comes in at about a minute into the track is a highlight and feels well utilized to not overpower the other instruments and beats.
7 Battle! (Pokemon Wielder Volo)
Legends Arceus samples and remixes a lot of tracks from the original Diamond and Pearl games to amazing effects. This time around Battle! (PokemonWielder Volo) heavily samples bits from the Champion Cynthia Theme to create an amazing track that captures the atmosphere and importance of the moment.
Composed by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose, the track heavily utilizes pianos to illustrate how grandiose this battle will be. Thanks to the amazing arrangement by Hitomi Sato the track further incorporates other instruments such as the flute to also create a feeling of intensity without the need for fast-paced beats or tunes. A very fitting track to the final boss of the game.
6 Circhester
With the plethora of fast-paced, intense, or even ominous battle themes across the Pokemon games a peaceful and soft track is always a welcome surprise. While these types of tracks are by no means rare, many don't always have the same memorable attributes the battle themes do, but that is not the case for Crichester.
Composed by Minako Adachi, the track does a wonderful job of capturing the peaceful and beautiful ambiance of the environment. This appears to be intentional as the town is described as a "peaceful city situated in a cold mountainous part of the northeastern Galar region." These are the kinds of tracks that will make players stop and listen just a bit longer.
5 Battle! (Origin Dialga / Origin Palkia)
Pokemon fans know most battle themes are going to deliver at least good tracks, however, legendary Pokemon battle themes almost always deliver "epic" unique tracks that are often some of the best of the entire generation. Junichi Masuda returns to compose a more original track for Legends Arceus in the form of Battle! (Origin Dialga / Origin Palkia).
Initially, the track seems to be very similar to the Diamond and Pearl original, but almost immediately strays away from that by using stronger beats, a few techno-like tunes, and less traditional instruments. The theme is surprisingly upbeat despite the player being face-to-face with literal deities of time and space.
4 Slumbering Weald
Early route themes in Pokemon games have a lot to live up to, especially with the legacy of some tracks like Route 1 and Route 101. Despite the high bar Slumbering Weald seems to have done just that thanks to the composition and arrangement done by Go Ichinose.
While it starts quite soothing and peaceful before slowly incorporating the howls from the two box legendary Pokemon and even some very subtle chanting in the background. The description won't do a track such as this justice as it is truly one of the best experiences Sword and Shield will offer to any player who sticks around to hear it.
3 Sonia's Theme (Sword & Shield)
Sonia was already capturing the hearts of Pokemon fans before the game was even released with her appealing character design, but few were ready for the character to have an equally amazing theme. Thanks to the composition and arrangement by Minako Adachi fans have been treated to what might be the best "Poké-Professor" theme in the franchise.
The track has a very cheerful vibe that matches Sonia's positive and adventurous personality. The theme is also significant to Sonia's storyline throughout the game as the character searches for a purpose before following in the footsteps of her grandmother to become a Pokemon Professor. It's poetic, thematically significant, and most of all...fitting.
2 Battle! (Gym Leader)
Gym Leader themes in the Pokemon games are always good and very few fans would likely disagree. Sword and Shield looked to alter the gym leader formula slightly by creating a spectacle around them thus tasking Minako Adachi to create a track to compliment this. What was created is one of the most "hype" and addicting tracks in the franchise.
From the start, the track immediately goes for high intensity and fast-paced approach to give players the feeling of being in an arena or concert. The cherry on top is the inclusion of the crowd chanting to make it, so immersive one would be forgiven for believing they are actually in an arena with hundreds of spectators cheering.
1 Battle! (Marnie) & Final Battle! (Marnie)
Marnie has become one of the most popular characters in the Pokemon franchise due to her extremely appealing design and relatable character development. However, no one could predict the character would one of the most exciting and memorable battle themes in the franchise's history. The best part is fans have Minako Adachi to thank for both versions of the character's theme.
It might be a cop-out to not pick one, but both tracks are so similar whether someone chooses one or the other is a matter of personal preference. The guitar, electric piano, synth beats, and everything else in-between are used wonderfully here to create what very well might be the best track in the 8th generation of Pokemon games.