Each generation of Pokémon games brings a new region, with new characters, Pokémon, and areas to explore. Catching Pokémon, battling other trainers and collecting badges requires traveling to towns dotted around each region. Throughout their travels, players will find that some of the catchy themes that play throughout each route may get stuck in their heads.
The route themes in each Pokémon game often perfectly reflect the position that the player is in while hearing them. Usually, soft and light in the beginning of the game to reflect the low-level Pokémon they encounter, gradually building to louder, energetic themes as the stakes become higher later in the game. Inevitably, there are certain tracks that outshine others in regards to how catchy they are, and also the environment in which they are heard.
10 Route 3 (Kanto)
In the original Pokémon entries (Red, Blue, Yellow), there are technically only four unique route themes that play throughout the game. As such, many routes have the same theme. The Route 3 theme (which plays frequently throughout the middle portion of the game) is the top theme in the Kanto region because it perfectly captures the mood of the player's position in the game.
Many may recognize this theme as it has appeared many times throughout the Pokémon franchise, especially in the animated series. The theme has a more serious tone than Route 1, hinting to the player that more powerful challenges are awaiting.
9 Route 8 (Kalos)
The big, loud instruments used in the Route 8 theme of the Kalos region in Pokémon X & Y are perfect for a route that feels so large. As Route 8 runs along a huge cliff overlooking the ocean, the instruments emulate a feeling of vastness that aligns with that image.
The player must hop over many cliffs and paths in this route, and the upbeat theme matches the process. This is an example of a route theme that aligns extremely well with where it is heard in the game.
8 Route 6 (Galar)
There is only one word needed to summarize this track: bagpipes. The theme plays along Route 6 in Pokémon Sword & Shield, a cliff-side route with intense sunlight that requires climbing up many ladders.
As such, the theme establishes a feeling of a big undertaking occurring, and the bagpipes are both a unique and effective way of producing this tone.
7 Route 113 (Hoenn)
Route 113 in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald stand out among other route themes due to how perfectly it reflects the environmental effect that it is played during. The route is adjacent to Mt. Chimney, covering the entire area in ash.
The theme almost seems to remove itself from the motif of reflecting the journey of the player, and rather specifically encompasses the environment instead in a (super) effective way. It stands out from other route themes because it isn't exactly happy and upbeat, but still feels appropriate as a route theme.
6 Route 4: Summer (Unova)
This track is unique in that it is also the intro theme when starting a new save file in Pokémon Black & White. This track excels so much in how it reflects the overall region of Unova.
Unova's entire soundtrack is also unique in the Pokémon series, as many of the tracks have slight variations depending on the season in which the player hears it. The Summer version of Route 4 is the superior version, with it's energetic horns throughout that provide an exciting tone for the player.
5 Route 209 (Sinnoh)
Many are quick to point out how much Route 209 sounds as though it sampled Green Day's 21 Guns with the trumpets in the beginning (in reality, Pokémon Diamond & Pearl actually came out before 21 Guns was even recorded).
Even without this similarity, however, Route 209 is a Sinnoh region standout, heard by many players who would use their bikes to travel through Route 206, Solaceon Town and 209 to quickly hatch eggs.
4 Route 38 (Johto)
As previously mentioned, when it comes to route themes, a point that is commonly brought up about how well it encompasses the overall region. Route 38 is that theme in of the Johto region. With a build-up that leads to a both serious and slightly upbeat tone, it fits perfectly for the middle of the journey and has a melody with similar motifs to the overall Johto soundtrack.
As this route is a popular spot for the 3 legendary beasts Entei, Raikou and Suicune to appear in, it may be familiar to many players who frequented the area to try and catch them.
3 Route 119 (Hoenn)
While listening to the track of Route 119 in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, it is hard not to be genuinely impressed with how the capability of the Gameboy Advance is stretched to achieve the multitude of layers that the track has.
The track has so many exciting moving parts, and seamlessly loops so it never feels like it's getting old. This is easily one of the most classic route themes in entire franchise.
2 Route 10 (Alola)
Pokémon Sun & Moon boast a fully orchestrated soundtrack, and Route 10 does not shy away from showing it off.
Listening to the song on its own without even playing the game takes you on a journey of its own, with parts that sound like it could be a boss battle theme, and a violin that really drives home that classic Pokémon feeling.
1 Route 206 (Sinnoh)
Route 206 is the second Sinnoh theme to appear on this list, and is the definitive example of an excellent route theme in a Pokémon game. The theme is energetic, has an exciting build-up, represents the Sinnoh region perfectly, and really drives home the mood of adventure.
The theme is so great that a slight variation of it is also used for the Mystery Zone area of Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, which is accessed when a player somehow glitches out of a barrier in the over world.