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The composer of both ''[[Pikmin (game)|Pikmin]]'' and ''[[Pikmin 2]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s '''music''' is Hajime Wakai. [[Pikmin 3]]'s soundtrack was composed and arranged by Asuka Hayazaki, Atsuko Asahi, and Hajime Wakai.


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== ''Pikmin'' ==
Every [[area]] has a very different musical theme. The music changes depending on the time of day, specifically, during most of the day, the normal tune plays. But once the lights start to fade, and it's time to round up all Pikmin, the music changes to a calmer mood of what it once was.


The '''music''' in the [[Pikmin (series)|''Pikmin'' games]] plays a big role in the general ambiance feel. This is due to the fact that the music is programmed to change dynamically according to what's happening at the moment. Each area has its own theme, and if a player approaches an enemy, for instance, the game increases the volume of the drum MIDI tracks, which are responsible for making the song more upbeat to reflect the ongoing battle. In addition, most [[cutscenes]] have their own track, that replaces the previous track for the duration of the cutscene.
On [[Challenge Mode]], the music that normally plays for the current level is sped up, as well as the darker remix noted above.


In ''[[Pikmin (game)|Pikmin]]'', when confronted with the [[Beady Long Legs]] or the [[Emperor Bulblax]], the game will change to play their corresponding unique theme, while all other [[Enemy#Boss|bosses]] do not make the song change. In ''[[Pikmin 2]]'', however, almost all bosses use the common boss theme.
Sometimes, when near an enemy creature, more percussion and occasional brass are added to the song. This is a good way to notice that you could be in danger. A great example of the music change is in the [[Distant Spring]].


Music in caves is often minimalistic and appears to be chosen according to the difficulty and kind of [[hazard]]s and [[Enemy|beasts]] that await the Pikmin and [[leader]]s. In [[rest sublevel]]s, an unique soft melody plays. When [[The Key]] has been delivered in [[Challenge Mode (Pikmin 2)|''Pikmin 2'''s Challenge Mode]], a rather weird theme plays for the rest of the sublevel. All levels in [[2-Player Battle]] use the same theme.
[[Strawberry Flower]] released a Pikmin-themed song, [[Ai No Uta]], along with the release of Pikmin, and later a number of other Pikmin-themed singles and albums.


The composer of the music for ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2'', and presumably also ''[[Pikmin 3]]'' is mainly Hajime Wakai, though other artists such as Kazumi Totaka have also contributed.
The soundtrack for Pikmin 1 is called [[Pikmin Worlds]].


==Variations==
== ''Pikmin 2'' ==
{{ToDo|Can someone more musically-inclined fix some of the terms used here? Also, check if the Burgeoning Spiderwort variation, the obstacle variation, and the treasure carrying variation are mutually exclusive.}}
''Pikmin 2'' features distinctive music in both the overworld areas and [[cave]]s. Music in caves is often minimalistic and appears to be chosen according to the difficulty and kind of hazards and [[:category:enemies|beasts]] that await the Pikmin and [[Captain]]s. In rest areas, a recognizable soft melody plays.


In all games, the most variating pieces of music are the [[area]] themes. When [[Day#Sunset|night]] is starting, the music changes to a calmer remix of the default theme; this is the most recognizable change in area themes. The other notable variation happens when the player is near an [[Piklopedia|enemy]]. The default theme gains the addition of more bass instruments, mostly drums, and slightly increases in volume in order to add some more action to the music. This change can be used by the player to detect enemies in the vicinity.
Music in ''Pikmin 2'' plays as a number of different variations depending on a few variable factors. It varies when [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] interfere with beasts or when they carry a [[treasure]], for example; and the tempo decreases as the active Captain loses life. When either [[Captain Louie|Louie]] or the [[President]] is the active Captain, the music often has a time signature of 6/8 or 9/8, instead of 3/4 or 4/4 with Olimar. Above ground, the music also changes depending on the time of the day, much like in the first Pikmin game.


In ''Pikmin'', the only other variation comes in the form of a rise in tempo in [[Challenge Mode (Pikmin)|Challenge Mode]]. ''Pikmin 2'' introduced several more variations to the overworld area and cave themes:
For the advertising of ''Pikmin 2'', another song from Strawberry Flower, [[Tane no Uta]], was used.
*When the player is near an enemy, only one bass instrument is added to the theme. The full "enemy" variation mentioned above occurs when the enemy is being battled against.
==''Pikmin 3''==
*When near a [[Burgeoning Spiderwort]], some slow strings can be heard in the background. Because there are no Burgeoning Spiderworts in caves or in the [[Valley of Repose]], this variation cannot be heard in such places, and it's currently unknown if such variations were even composed for those themes.
''Pikmin 3'''s music goes for having a more natural, simple, but atmospheric affect rather than having melodically strong tunes.
*When Pikmin are working on an obstacle, such as a [[bridge]] or a [[gate]], near the player, the theme gains some timpani and some trumpets.
*When carrying a [[treasure]] near the current leader, a generally high-pitched wind instrument like a flute is added, in order to add cheerfulness to the song.
*When playing as [[Louie]] or [[The President]], the metric modulation will often change to a more swung style. With Olimar, the time signature is in 4/4 or 3/4, but with the alternate leader, it's 6/8 or 9/8.
*When the current [[leader]]'s [[HP]] is below half, the song is slowed down to 70%.
*When the current leader gets hit, the audio becomes garbled momentarily.
*If so many Pikmin are massacred in an event that at the end, only 9 or less remain, the main instrument will not play some of its notes. This can happen even if the initial amount was 10, but does not happen at all in [[cave]]s.


In light of this information, it can be concluded that, theoretically, there is a total of 512 versions for the overworld area themes in ''Pikmin 2'': (normal + night) &times; (near enemy + battling enemy) &times; Burgeoning Spiderwort &times; obstacle &times; treasure &times; Louie &times; low HP &times; garbled &times; Pikmin massacre.
Every area in ''Pikmin 3'' has a total of 6 music variations: Morning, Morning Work, Work, Afternoon, Evening, and Weather. The "Weather" variation is shared by all the regions except the [[Formidable Oak]] and the [[Distant Tundra]], which have their own unique themes when Weather is active. All cave areas share the same soundtrack. 


==''Pikmin 2'' boss theme==
Unlike in the past two games,''''' '''Pikmin 3'' does not have an extra variant of each song that changes when an enemy is nearby. Instead, a continuous tampani and cowbell beat is overlayed with the normal music to signify enemies in the vicinity.''' '''''Pikmin 3'' does, however, have unique music variants for when Pikmin are preforming tasks such are building bridges or carrying spoils.
There is a "general" boss theme in ''[[Pikmin 2]]'', that's used when battling against bosses. The exceptions are:
*The [[Giant Breadbug]], that has no boss theme, though the [[sublevel]] it's found on has a unique theme.
*The [[Waterwraith]], which has its own, non-dynamic theme, although it does change to a secondary theme upon reaching the second phase of the fight.
*The [[Titan Dweevil]] has its own theme.


For all other bosses, the theme is comprised of several sub-themes, that change dynamically according to some of the boss' actions:
All bosses share the same theme except for the [[Vehemoth Phosbat]] and the [[Plasm Wraith]], which both have unique themes. All minibosses share a remixed version of ''Pikmin 2's'' boss theme.
*There is a main introduction theme, that plays when a boss appears.
*Most of the time, when the boss is not performing its main attack, the theme is the default boss battle theme.
*When the boss is getting ready to attack, a tense preparation theme plays, with the most emphasis given on the strings.
*When performing a long attack, the theme changes to a more ''bellicoso'' composition in which the French horns and the brasses play alternately, at a fast pace.
*When performing a short attack, one of four themes plays. These are picked in order each time the corresponding attack is used. These themes sound similar to the long attack theme, but each part is composed to sound appropriate individually.
*When performing a special move that's not necessarily an attack, a theme that increases in tone plays.
*When the boss dies, a climatic finale theme plays. The Waterwraith has a variation of this theme, that breaks halfway through and serves as the introduction to the theme for the second phase of the battle.


All bosses that use the this theme have the introduction play when they appear, the default theme play when not specified otherwise, and the climatic finale play when they die. As for the remaining themes, those only play during certain actions of certain bosses. The following table pinpoints when each theme plays for each boss:
For every official trailer of the game, [[Mission Mode]]'s main theme was used.
{| class="wikitable"
! !! Attack preparation !! Long attack !! Short attack !! Special move
|-
! [[Empress Bulblax]]
| Shaking Pikmin off || Rolling || ||
|-
! [[Burrowing Snagret|Burrowing]] / [[Pileated Snagret]]
| || || Unearthing || Burrowing
|-
! [[Beady Long Legs]]
| || || || Shaking Pikmin off
|-
! [[Emperor Bulblax]]
| || || Tongue swipe || Jumping
|-
! [[Man-at-Legs]]
| || Firing || || Shaking Pikmin off
|-
! [[Ranging Bloyster]]
| || || Mouthpart attack || Shaking Pikmin off
|-
! [[Segmented Crawbster]]
| || Rolling || || Swipe
|-
! [[Raging Long Legs]]
| Shaking Pikmin off || Stomping || ||
|}
 
===Waterwraith's theme===
The [[Waterwraith]] has a unique boss fight theme, one that's more focused on strings and brass, reflecting the creature's otherworldly nature.
 
The main part of the theme plays when the Waterwraith is rolling around, whether it can be fought (Purple Pikmin are in the army) or not. When the boss' rollers are destroyed, a fanfare similar to the main boss defeat fanfare plays, except that halfway through, it changes into a warped version of the main boss theme. This version continues during the section of the fight in which the creature is harmless and without its rollers.
 
Whenever it swipes Pikmin away when cowering, a variant of the "special move" theme plays, but stylized to the current theme's warped nature. Finally, when defeated, the main boss defeat fanfare plays.
 
===Titan Dweevil's theme===
Much like the main boss theme, the Titan Dweevil theme is quite dynamic, and changes depending on the stages of the battle, and the creature's attacks.
 
*There are five main battle themes. When a [[treasure]] is detached from the creature's body, the next theme is used from there on out. These are only used when the boss is not attacking.
**The first theme (all treasures still attached) is consisted mostly of brasses, strings and a few drums.
**The second theme (one treasure detached) adds an organ and a marimba.
**The third theme (two treasures detached) removes the organ and marimba and adds a honky tonk and a harp.
**The fourth theme (three treasure detached) reuses the marimba, honky tonk and harp, and adds basses, a tom and a calliope.
**The fifth and final theme (only [[King of Bugs|Louie]] remaining) is mostly focused on the French horns, the bass and the strings, and is all-around slightly less aggressive.
*When the creature is preparing to attack, a tense theme plays, that increases in tone, and is consisted of a marimba and several brasses and strings.
*When the [[Flare Cannon]] is being used, a theme consisted mostly of brasses and strings playing in two long tones.
*When the [[Shock Therapist]] is being used, a rather melancholic theme plays, featuring the organ and some French horns.
*When the [[Monster Pump]] is being used, a theme plays that's mostly recognized by its zigzagging harp.
*When the [[Comedy Bomb]] is being used, a theme with the organ and a bass play, with the main strings and the bass increasing in tone gradually.
*When the boss is defeated, the strings quickly play a high-pitched note that's held for a couple of seconds.
 
==Music outside the main games==
[[Strawberry Flower]] released a Pikmin-themed song, ''[[Ai No Uta]]'', along with the release of ''Pikmin'', and later a number of other ''Pikmin''-themed singles and albums. The ''Pikmin'' OST is called ''[[Pikmin Worlds]]''. For the advertising of ''Pikmin 2'', another song, ''[[Tane no Uta]]'', was used.
 
In the stage that represents the ''Pikmin'' franchise in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', [[Distant Planet]], a collection of songs can play:
*''Main Theme (Pikmin)'', the [[Menu#Title screen|title screen]] from ''Pikmin''.
*''World Map (Pikmin 2)'', a remix of the [[Menu#Area selection|area selection screen]]s in ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2''.
*''Stage Clear / Title (Pikmin)'', a remix of the [[Day#Sunset|day end]] theme and the title screen from ''Pikmin''.
*''Forest of Hope'', the normal theme and "enemy" variation theme for the [[Forest of Hope]].
*''[[Ai no Uta]]''
*''Ai no Uta (French Version)'', shorter version of ''Ai no Uta'', in French (needs to be unlocked).
*''[[Tane no Uta]]'' (needs to be unlocked).
*''Environmental Noises'', a collection of animal and insect noises.
*''Title (Big Brain Academy)'', the title screen from ''Big Brain Academy''.
 
==Secrets==
''Pikmin 2'' features a small collection of secrets regarding the music.
 
One of the most hidden [[easter eggs]] in the franchise is the rendition of ''Totaka's Song'' in ''Pikmin 2''. This can be heard when a cave is completed for the first time; the player must wait for around two minutes on the treasures salvaged screen.
 
When Pikmin are following the current captain, they will occasionally hum some assorted songs, and one of them resembles the title theme of the game. In addition, if there are 20 Pikmin of each [[Pikmin family|type]] in the party, they'll sing a portion of ''Ai no Uta''.


== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[Strawberry Flower]]
*[[Strawberry Flower]]
*[[:Category:Audio]] &ndash; music on the wiki
[[Category:Audio]]
 
[[Category:Pikmin 1]]
[[Category:Audio| ]]
[[Category:Pikmin 2]]
[[Category:Music| ]]
[[Category:Pikmin 3]]

Revision as of 20:27, July 14, 2014

The composer of both Pikmin and Pikmin 2's music is Hajime Wakai. Pikmin 3's soundtrack was composed and arranged by Asuka Hayazaki, Atsuko Asahi, and Hajime Wakai.

Pikmin

Every area has a very different musical theme. The music changes depending on the time of day, specifically, during most of the day, the normal tune plays. But once the lights start to fade, and it's time to round up all Pikmin, the music changes to a calmer mood of what it once was.

On Challenge Mode, the music that normally plays for the current level is sped up, as well as the darker remix noted above.

Sometimes, when near an enemy creature, more percussion and occasional brass are added to the song. This is a good way to notice that you could be in danger. A great example of the music change is in the Distant Spring.

Strawberry Flower released a Pikmin-themed song, Ai No Uta, along with the release of Pikmin, and later a number of other Pikmin-themed singles and albums.

The soundtrack for Pikmin 1 is called Pikmin Worlds.

Pikmin 2

Pikmin 2 features distinctive music in both the overworld areas and caves. Music in caves is often minimalistic and appears to be chosen according to the difficulty and kind of hazards and beasts that await the Pikmin and Captains. In rest areas, a recognizable soft melody plays.

Music in Pikmin 2 plays as a number of different variations depending on a few variable factors. It varies when Pikmin interfere with beasts or when they carry a treasure, for example; and the tempo decreases as the active Captain loses life. When either Louie or the President is the active Captain, the music often has a time signature of 6/8 or 9/8, instead of 3/4 or 4/4 with Olimar. Above ground, the music also changes depending on the time of the day, much like in the first Pikmin game.

For the advertising of Pikmin 2, another song from Strawberry Flower, Tane no Uta, was used.

Pikmin 3

Pikmin 3's music goes for having a more natural, simple, but atmospheric affect rather than having melodically strong tunes.

Every area in Pikmin 3 has a total of 6 music variations: Morning, Morning Work, Work, Afternoon, Evening, and Weather. The "Weather" variation is shared by all the regions except the Formidable Oak and the Distant Tundra, which have their own unique themes when Weather is active. All cave areas share the same soundtrack. 

Unlike in the past two games, Pikmin 3 does not have an extra variant of each song that changes when an enemy is nearby. Instead, a continuous tampani and cowbell beat is overlayed with the normal music to signify enemies in the vicinity. Pikmin 3 does, however, have unique music variants for when Pikmin are preforming tasks such are building bridges or carrying spoils.

All bosses share the same theme except for the Vehemoth Phosbat and the Plasm Wraith, which both have unique themes. All minibosses share a remixed version of Pikmin 2's boss theme.

For every official trailer of the game, Mission Mode's main theme was used.

See also

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