Now you can have 8 hours of Mario Kart music, on loop

Nintendo finally ventures into music. The gaming giant has launched a new music streaming platform for mobile devices, accessible with a Nintendo Switch Online membership, which means that for current subscribers, the service is free. The app offers a unique experience, allowing users to explore the entire musical catalog of Nintendo games, from retro gems like Donkey Kong to the most recent and highly anticipated productions such as The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. It’s not just about listening to complete soundtracks but about customizing the musical experience with the ability to create playlists and discover curated ones inspired by the most iconic characters, from Yoshi to Link. One of the most interesting features is the ability to put tracks on loop or extend continuous listening up to 60 minutes. This detail is perfect for those who use music as background while studying or working, maintaining immersive focus without interruptions. The app also allows blocking specific game soundtracks to avoid spoilers, showing how Nintendo has considered the needs of its most attentive and passionate fans.

One of the most distinctive elements of Nintendo titles is, without a doubt, the quality of their soundtracks. Melodies from levels of Super Mario Bros. or the battle music in Pokémon have become an integral part of the collective memory of millions of players. The ability to evoke specific emotions and memories has made Nintendo soundtracks a cultural phenomenon, so much so that users often use them as daily background music, preferring them to commercial music. On YouTube, compilations like the relaxing music of Animal Crossing have accumulated millions of views, far surpassing the popularity of many traditional playlists. Fans have long wondered when Nintendo would decide to make its official soundtracks available on major streaming platforms. Until now, their absence has left room for covers and podcasts where original tracks were uploaded by users without authorization.

However, the response from the community has not been entirely enthusiastic. The criticisms are not so much about the service itself as about the expectations generated by the announcement. Many fans eagerly awaited the presentation of the much-rumored Nintendo Switch 2 or the announcement of new major titles for the holiday season. Despite this, Nintendo Music has recorded one million downloads in its first week of launch, a remarkable figure considering that the app is only accessible through an existing subscription. These numbers show that, despite initial doubts, the appeal of Nintendo’s soundtracks remains strong, a testament to their ability to connect past and present, leveraging nostalgia and innovation. It remains to be seen how this service will evolve; the Japanese multinational has already stated that the current catalog is just the beginning, and over time, they will upload all soundtracks from the '80s to today.