Recently, Nintendo surprised its fans by unveiling a new app called Nintendo Music, designed specifically for Android and iOS devices. This app arrives on the heels of another quirky release, the Nintendo Alarmo, a themed alarm clock. These launches come as fans eagerly await news about the anticipated Switch 2, with rumors of its hardware specifications and release date circulating for months now.
Opening the app gives a familiar feel, resembling the look and functionality of popular music platforms like Spotify. It has all the standard features one might expect, including playlists curated by Nintendo. There are some delightful extras too, such as a spoiler filter for songs from specific games and an option to extend certain tracks by up to an hour, rather than simply looping them.
For many of you, the decision to download and try out this app might already be made. If you own an Android or iOS device and have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership, even if it’s just a free trial, you’re all set to dive into the world of Nintendo Music.
However, let’s address some glaring issues.
Firstly, it’s puzzling why Nintendo decided to create a standalone app rather than just making its soundtracks available on established services like Spotify. Many other developers and publishers already follow this approach, and it’s convenient for users who prefer having all their music in one place. While official Nintendo soundtracks are a welcome addition, not everyone is excited about needing a separate app and subscription to access them, especially when they enjoy other musical genres and social features on existing platforms.
Moreover, for over twenty years, dedicated fans have taken it upon themselves to share Nintendo OSTs on YouTube and other online spaces. Nintendo’s timing with this app feels late, and it curiously omits composer and artist details for each track, only listing game titles. In contrast, fan-uploaded OSTs have consistently included this information.
Given Nintendo’s past actions of copyright-striking fan-uploaded OSTs, this move to introduce Nintendo Music makes a bit more sense. However, by doing so, some aspects important for game preservation seem lost, even though Nintendo, of all entities, should have easy access to full composer details.
Lastly, the app’s current soundtrack selection is surprisingly small. While it technically spans all Nintendo consoles, only 23 soundtracks are included, leaving many classic OSTs absent. The promotional trailer even suggests the presence of the Super Mario 64 OST, yet it’s nowhere to be found.
Considering Nintendo’s vast library of iconic games and soundtracks, the long wait for a service like this, and the fact they introduced it as a standalone app, it’s reasonable for fans to expect a more comprehensive library right off the bat.
So, the pressing question remains: when will The Legend of the Seven Stars soundtrack finally make its debut?
