Pokemon Winds and Waves: behind the scenes of the soundtrack

Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have released a new behind-the-scenes video for their upcoming game, Pokemon Winds and Waves, due out in 2027. The video focuses on one of the game’s most essential elements: the music. The franchise has always placed a strong emphasis on music, and this production looks set to deliver once again.

The use of an orchestra

For Pokemon Winds and Waves, a full orchestra was brought in to record the game’s main theme. The session was handled by the Tokyo-based NHK Symphony Orchestra. Known for its high quality, the orchestra delivered an impressive performance that blends classical elements with the familiar sounds fans expect from Pokemon. The new music begins with its own original compositional touch before evolving into the iconic Pokemon theme.

That original theme was composed by Junichi Masuda in 1996 and has since been remixed and reinterpreted many times, but the core sound remains instantly recognizable. Music has always been one of the cornerstones of the Pokemon franchise and is essential to the experience of the games.

The 10th generation

Pokemon Winds and Waves marks the franchise’s 10th generation and is a direct follow-up to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. That means players can look forward to new starter Pokémon: the Grass-type Browt, the Fire-type Pombon, and the Water-type Gecqua. This is the first time a mainline pair of games will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, offering a new experience for players moving on from the original Switch.

The release of this new generation also comes at a time when the franchise is growing bigger and more complex. Music remains crucial in that evolution, with a mix of old and new elements designed to appeal to longtime fans.

Key composers and talent

Throughout Pokemon’s history, several composers have helped shape the games’ musical identity. Alongside Junichi Masuda, who continues to play an important role, more recent generations have also worked with talent such as Go Ichinose, who contributed music to the ninth generation as well. Outside artists like Ed Sheeran, who wrote a song for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and Toby Fox, the creator of Undertale, are examples of the series’ move toward broader musical diversity.

This collaboration with outside talent shows how important music is to the Pokemon experience and how far the franchise has come. Fans can look forward to a mix of familiar tunes and new melodies to carry them through an adventurous journey.

Future expectations

The behind-the-scenes video has already drawn positive reactions on platforms like YouTube and social media, giving fans a taste of the musical elements that will appear in the game. Even though there is still more than a year to wait, fans are optimistic and speculating about the new Pokémon that may be introduced in Winds and Waves. Some have even created designs for Shiny versions of the starters, further fueling curiosity and anticipation.

It seems Nintendo and The Pokemon Company are deliberately taking their time with information, building suspense along the way. But the first video already offers a glimpse of the level of care and creativity players can expect from these new titles. It promises to be an exciting new chapter for the beloved franchise.