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{{game icons|p=y|p2=y|p3=y|p4=y|hp=y|pb=y|pa=y}} | {{game icons|p=y|p2=y|p3=y|p4=y|hp=y|pb=y|pa=y}} | ||
[[File:Pikmin 2 Theme.png|thumb|250px|Sheet music of a motif occurring throughout the series.]] | [[File:Pikmin 2 Theme.png|thumb|250px|Sheet music of a motif occurring throughout the series.]] | ||
'''Music''' in the [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' series]] accompanies every part of each game, from ambient music during gameplay and [[menu]]s, to pre-rendered cutscene scores, to minor jingles for small events. The style is quite unique and extremely varied across the games, featuring many different instruments and textures that reflect the game environments on [[PNF-404]] and beyond. Most notably, much of the music is dynamic: gameplay events and parameters can add or subtract elements from the music. For example, entering [[combat]] will | '''Music''' in the [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' series]] accompanies every part of each game, from ambient music during gameplay and [[menu]]s, to pre-rendered cutscene scores, to minor jingles for small events. The style is quite unique and extremely varied across the games, featuring many different instruments and textures that reflect the game environments on [[PNF-404]] and beyond. Most notably, much of the music is dynamic: gameplay events and parameters can add or subtract elements from the music. For example, entering [[combat]] will bring a new intense percussion track into the mix, and the passage of [[Day#Sunset|sunset]] thins the music down to a quiet, peaceful rendition. [[Boss]]es in the games have their own themes, and [[Canon|non-canonical]] game modes (such as [[Challenge Mode (Pikmin)|Challenge Mode]] or [[Bingo Battle]]) have a different, less serious compositional style, to reflect the different structures and styles of gameplay. Overall, music gives the games more character and interest, and can even help direct the player's attention to important in-game elements. | ||
The music in the series is most often synthetic, using either samples of real instruments or synthesizers mimicking them and producing other sounds. The games feature the work of several different composers: | |||
*''[[Pikmin (game)|Pikmin]]'', composed by Hajime Wakai. | |||
*''[[Pikmin 2]]'', composed by Hajime Wakai and Kazumi Totaka. | |||
*''[[Pikmin 3]]'', composed by Asuka Hayazaki, Atsuko Asahi, and Hajime Wakai. The additional music in ''[[Pikmin 3 Deluxe]]'' was composed by Soshi Abe and Babi. | |||
*''[[Pikmin 4]]'', composed by Asuka Hayazaki, Kenta Nagata, and Soshi Abe. | |||
*''[[Hey! Pikmin]]'', composed by Kento Hasegawa and Masato Kouda. | |||
*''[[Pikmin Bloom]]'', composed by Masato Kouda{{cite web|https://twitter.com/mtocoda/status/1455126250905686019|Twitter post|Twitter}}. | |||
Although Hajime Wakai has not actively worked on recent ''Pikmin'' titles, his work can be considered some of the most influential to the series. | |||
==General information== | ==General information== | ||
The music that accompanies gameplay in the main games is dynamic, meaning that certain conditions of the game can add or subtract elements from the music. Most commonly, if an [[enemy]] is near or combating the leaders and Pikmin, the music will add an intense track of percussion and other instruments to its mix, further engaging the player in the combat. At [[Day#Sunset|sunset]], the music will subtract elements to become higher in register, thinner in texture, and calmer in mood, suggesting the approaching end of the day's events and complexity. As the games progress, this dynamism in the music becomes more and more a part of gameplay; after [[Pikmin (game)|''Pikmin'']], new mixes are added when Pikmin are carrying spoils (a high-register accompaniment suggesting success) and performing tasks like removing [[obstacles]]. While still an aesthetic addition, a beneficial consequence of this dynamic music is its ability to organize the psychology of gameplay. It can not only adjust the mood of a theme to reflect the efficiency and intensity of a day, but even direct the player's attention to something, and help categorize the many actions that Pikmin perform over the course of a day. | The music that accompanies gameplay in the main games is dynamic, meaning that certain conditions of the game can add or subtract elements from the music. Most commonly, in the main games, if an [[enemy]] is near or combating the leaders and Pikmin, the music will add an intense track of percussion and other instruments to its mix, further engaging the player in the combat. At [[Day#Sunset|sunset]], the music will subtract elements to become higher in register, thinner in texture, and calmer in mood, suggesting the approaching end of the day's events and complexity. As the games progress, this dynamism in the music becomes more and more a part of gameplay; after [[Pikmin (game)|''Pikmin'']], new mixes are added when Pikmin are carrying spoils (a high-register accompaniment suggesting success) and performing tasks like removing [[obstacles]]. While still an aesthetic addition, a beneficial consequence of this dynamic music is its ability to organize the psychology of gameplay. It can not only adjust the mood of a theme to reflect the efficiency and intensity of a day, but even direct the player's attention to something, and help categorize the many actions that Pikmin perform over the course of a day. | ||
Generally, the gameplay music of the ''Pikmin'' series has quite an avant-garde style, with many non-tonal progressions and harmonies that make themes more complicated and interesting. At times, a theme may be intended to be so complex that its streams of information cannot all be followed at once, directing the player's attention completely to gameplay rather than scenery. At other times, the music stands aside for gameplay by being serene or simple, playing more of an ambience to the environment than a theme to Pikmin's actions. | Generally, the gameplay music of the ''Pikmin'' series has quite an avant-garde style, with many non-tonal progressions and harmonies that make themes more complicated and interesting. At times, a theme may be intended to be so complex that its streams of information cannot all be followed at once, directing the player's attention completely to gameplay rather than scenery. At other times, the music stands aside for gameplay by being serene or simple, playing more of an ambience to the environment than a theme to Pikmin's actions. | ||
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==''Pikmin''== | ==''Pikmin''== | ||
{{see|Music in Pikmin|t1=Music in ''Pikmin''}} | {{see|Music in Pikmin|t1=Music in ''Pikmin''}} | ||
''[[Pikmin (game)|Pikmin]]'' has a soundtrack that generally reflects the small scale of the Pikmin and grows in texture and variation as more [[Ship part|parts]] of the [[S.S. Dolphin]] are recovered. Enemies and sunset can bring about dynamic changes, but the music is often meant mainly to score the natural scenery of the [[areas]] with an array of natural instruments. Contrastingly, themes about [[Captain Olimar]] and his ship are generally synthesized, to suggest their alien nature. ''Pikmin'' has the most melodically-driven soundtrack of the series, but few of its melodies or gestures become motivic. | ''[[Pikmin (game)|Pikmin]]'' has a soundtrack that generally reflects the small scale of the Pikmin and grows in texture and variation as more [[Ship part|parts]] of the [[S.S. Dolphin]] are recovered. Enemies and sunset can bring about dynamic changes, but the music is often meant mainly to score the natural scenery of the [[areas]] with an array of natural instruments. Contrastingly, themes about [[Captain Olimar]] and his ship are generally synthesized, to suggest their alien nature. ''Pikmin'' has the most melodically-driven soundtrack of the series, but few of its melodies or gestures become motivic. | ||
==''Pikmin 2''== | ==''Pikmin 2''== | ||
{{see|Music in Pikmin 2|t1=Music in ''Pikmin 2''}} | {{see|Music in Pikmin 2|t1=Music in ''Pikmin 2''}} | ||
''[[Pikmin 2]]'' has perhaps the most varied soundtrack of all the games, thanks to its [[cave]]s. Cave themes are the first and only instance of [[Randomization|randomly]] structured music in the series, and ''Pikmin 2'' has [[Music in Pikmin 2#Caves|25 different minimalist themes]] with which to score each sublevel. This game also introduces in-game cutscenes, which have eclectic pre-rendered scores; and new complements to the music, triggered by conditions such as carrying [[treasure]] or playing as a particular [[leader]]. The music is generally more ambient in this game, but introduced in the cutscenes are new [[Music in Pikmin 2#Leitmotifs|leitmotifs]] that become very popular in this game and the next. | ''[[Pikmin 2]]'' has perhaps the most varied soundtrack of all the games, thanks to its [[cave]]s. Cave themes are the first and only instance of [[Randomization|randomly]] structured music in the series, and ''Pikmin 2'' has [[Music in Pikmin 2#Caves|25 different minimalist themes]] with which to score each sublevel. This game also introduces in-game cutscenes, which have eclectic pre-rendered scores; and new complements to the music, triggered by conditions such as carrying [[treasure]] or playing as a particular [[leader]]. The music is generally more ambient in this game, but introduced in the cutscenes are new [[Music in Pikmin 2#Leitmotifs|leitmotifs]] that become very popular in this game and the next. | ||
==''Pikmin 3''== | ==''Pikmin 3''== | ||
{{see|Music in Pikmin 3|t1=Music in ''Pikmin 3''}} | {{see|Music in Pikmin 3|t1=Music in ''Pikmin 3''}} | ||
''[[Pikmin 3]]''{{'s}} soundtrack has a much more atmospheric and often experimental mood to it, though new melodic motifs and some from ''Pikmin 2'' give it contextual stability. The music's dynamism now occurs regardless if the trigger is on-screen, making the music more effective as a gameplay tool. Afternoon time and variations in weather also provide new parameters for changing the music. Compared to the previous games, ''Pikmin 3'' uses much more advanced sound technology, allowing new instruments to score the high-definition scenery; particularly, unique synthesizer sounds are very prominent in this soundtrack. Quite a few themes in this game are re-orchestrations of ''Pikmin 2'' themes, giving the game itself a more modernized mood while establishing its reference point in the series. | ''[[Pikmin 3]]''{{'s}} soundtrack has a much more atmospheric and often experimental mood to it, though new melodic motifs and some from ''Pikmin 2'' give it contextual stability. The music's dynamism now occurs regardless if the trigger is on-screen, making the music more effective as a gameplay tool. Afternoon time and variations in weather also provide new parameters for changing the music. Compared to the previous games, ''Pikmin 3'' uses much more advanced sound technology, allowing new instruments to score the high-definition scenery; particularly, unique synthesizer sounds are very prominent in this soundtrack. Quite a few themes in this game are re-orchestrations of ''Pikmin 2'' themes, giving the game itself a more modernized mood while establishing its reference point in the series. | ||
==''Pikmin 4''== | ==''Pikmin 4''== | ||
{{see|Music in Pikmin 4|t1=Music in ''Pikmin 4''}} | {{see|Music in Pikmin 4|t1=Music in ''Pikmin 4''}} | ||
''[[Pikmin 4]]''{{'s}} soundtrack is highly ambient, much more so than any other game in the series. Its main area themes in particular feature music that is very fragmented and sparse in melodic information, though the themes for cutscenes, [[bosses]], and side modes are more in spirit to what is heard in previous games. | ''[[Pikmin 4]]''{{'s}} soundtrack is highly ambient, much more so than any other game in the series. Its main area themes in particular feature music that is very fragmented and sparse in melodic information, though the themes for cutscenes, [[bosses]], and side modes are more in spirit to what is heard in previous games. Every single type of enemy will now bring about a unique dynamic change to the music; each will add an instrument that is characteristic of the creature, possible in part by the soundtrack's more minimalistic approach. Motifs established in ''Pikmin 2'' also reappear in some cutscenes, further tying in the many returning features from that game, such as the reintroduction of multi-floored [[caves]]. | ||
==''Hey! Pikmin''== | ==''Hey! Pikmin''== | ||
{{see|Music in Hey! Pikmin|y1=Music in ''Hey! Pikmin''}} | {{see|Music in Hey! Pikmin|y1=Music in ''Hey! Pikmin''}} | ||
''[[Hey! Pikmin]]''{{'s}} soundtrack is very different to those of the other games in the series, reflecting how its gameplay is also very different. It features melodically-driven themes featuring a large variety of synthesized sounds, often featuring audio effects like reverb. [[Area]] themes each have 2 versions: a main version for the "front side" of the area, and a secondary version, always more ambient and atmospheric, for the "back side", though these themes don't share a structure; in fact the soundtrack lacks any dynamic elements. Every [[menu]] and boss has a unique theme, giving the soundtrack a wide range of styles and tone colors, and while there are few consistent elements throughout the soundtrack, most themes do reflect the calm nature of the game. | ''[[Hey! Pikmin]]''{{'s}} soundtrack is very different to those of the other games in the series, reflecting how its gameplay is also very different. It features melodically-driven themes featuring a large variety of synthesized sounds, often featuring audio effects like reverb. [[Area]] themes each have 2 versions: a main version for the "front side" of the area, and a secondary version, always more ambient and atmospheric, for the "back side", though these themes don't share a structure; in fact the soundtrack lacks any dynamic elements. Every [[menu]] and boss has a unique theme, giving the soundtrack a wide range of styles and tone colors, and while there are few consistent elements throughout the soundtrack, most themes do reflect the calm nature of the game. | ||
==''Pikmin Bloom''== | ==''Pikmin Bloom''== | ||
{{see|Music in Pikmin Bloom|y1=Music in ''Pikmin Bloom''}} | {{see|Music in Pikmin Bloom|y1=Music in ''Pikmin Bloom''}} | ||
''[[Pikmin Bloom]]''{{'s}} soundtrack is small but diverse. It features several different styles of music to accompany its menus, activities, and events. In general, its soundtrack is very light and positive-sounding, reflecting its genre as a mobile game. Some of its music comes from ''Hey! Pikmin''{{'s}} soundtrack. | ''[[Pikmin Bloom]]''{{'s}} soundtrack is small but diverse. It features several different styles of music to accompany its menus, activities, and events. In general, its soundtrack is very light and positive-sounding, reflecting its genre as a mobile game. Some of its music comes from ''Hey! Pikmin''{{'s}} soundtrack. | ||
==Music outside the main games== | ==Music outside the main games== | ||
===Promotional material=== | |||
{{see also|Promotional material}} | |||
[[Strawberry Flower]] released a Pikmin-themed song, ''[[Ai No Uta]]'', along with the release of ''Pikmin'' (which sold more copies than the game itself), and later a number of other ''Pikmin''-themed singles and albums. The ''Pikmin'' OST is called ''[[Pikmin World]]''. For the advertising of ''Pikmin 2'', another song, ''[[Tane no Uta]]'', was used. In most trailers for ''Pikmin 3'', the game's own [[Music in Pikmin 3#Mission Mode (Levels 1-10)|Mission Mode theme]] was used. | |||
===''Pikmin Adventure''=== | ===''Pikmin Adventure''=== | ||
{{see|Music in Pikmin Adventure|t1=Music in ''Pikmin Adventure''}} | {{see|Music in Pikmin Adventure|t1=Music in ''Pikmin Adventure''}} | ||
In the Wii U game ''[[Nintendo Land]]'', a ''Pikmin''-themed attraction called ''[[Pikmin Adventure]]'' features several re-orchestration of themes from the first two games, as well as new compositions inspired by those. While the structures of these derivative compositions are quite true to the originals, their instrumentation is much more frivolous, reflecting the friendly, lighthearted mood of ''Nintendo Land''. | In the Wii U game ''[[Nintendo Land]]'', a ''Pikmin''-themed attraction called ''[[Pikmin Adventure]]'' features several re-orchestration of themes from the first two games, as well as new compositions inspired by those. While the structures of these derivative compositions are quite true to the originals, their instrumentation is much more frivolous, reflecting the friendly, lighthearted mood of ''Nintendo Land''. | ||
===''Super Smash Bros.'' series=== | ===''Super Smash Bros.'' series=== | ||