Music in Pikmin 4

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The music of Pikmin 4 accompanies every part of the game, from menu screens to areas to Dandori Battles.

Leitmotifs

These are small gestures that reappear throughout the game suggesting ideas or setting moods.

The "Hocotatian motif", denoting Captain Olimar, Caves, or other miscellaneous instances.	The "Pikmin motif", denoting Pikmin themselves.
The "success motif", denoting a success or setting a victorious mood.

Menus

Title screen

Title screen
External links	Link
Internal name	Unknown

The music for a title screen has the important role of establishing what the musical style of a game will be, as a listener's first impressions of a soundtrack are likely to be made here; the title screen of Pikmin 4 immediately demonstrates its brand new emphasis on ambience and subtlety, which are two regularly occurring themes throughout rest of the game. This piece is almost entirely solo piano, with an occasional strike of a large standing bowl for bass; the piano is also notably cinematic in style and very high-fidelity. A high-pitched fanfare played by this piano briefly introduces the title of the game, and then begins the main looping section of the piece in a 6/8 time signature. While the chords are mostly consonant, occasional out-of-key notes add an uneasy feel to the piece. A minute into the loop, a delicate performance of the Pikmin 2 motif can be heard.

Cutscenes

Red Pikmin discovered

Red Pikmin discovered
External links
Internal name	Unknown

Heard when the first Red Pikmin is plucked. In Pikmin 4, each new type of Pikmin that is discovered will introduce itself with its own variation of the Pikmin 2 motif. Each version of the discovery theme is identical in structure, with various acoustic instruments like clarinet, violins, and a shaker making up the accompaniment (a glockenspiel also helps invoke the Pikmin as a whole). The motif, however, will be played on a instrument that is characteristic of the Pikmin it is associated with. Red Pikmin, for example, use a synthesizer for their theme.

Ice Pikmin discovered

Ice Pikmin discovered
External links
Internal name	Unknown

Heard when the first Ice Pikmin is discovered. This arrangement of the Pikmin 2 motif is played in a high-register on synth bells, indicating the frosty nature of the Ice Pikmin.

Yellow Pikmin discovered

Yellow Pikmin discovered
External links
Internal name	Unknown

Heard when the first Yellow Pikmin is discovered. Accenting this Pikmin's electrical capabilities is the sound of a singing Tesla coil, playing the Pikmin 2 motif.

Blue Pikmin discovered

Blue Pikmin discovered
External links
Internal name	Unknown

Heard when the first Blue Pikmin is discovered. As with the other Pikmin types, this arrangement of the track features an instrument that is characteristic of Blue Pikmin and the water they inhabit. This instrument is a synthesizer with a low-pass filter and vibrato; the vibrato invokes a sort of gargling or bubbling, while the filtering of higher frequencies mimics how sounds become muffled when underwater.

Purple Pikmin discovered

Purple Pikmin discovered
External links
Internal name	Unknown

Heard when the first Purple Pikmin is discovered. This arrangement of the Pikmin 2 motif is played on timpani, an instrument that is also used as the sound effect for the Purple Pikmin's thud in Pikmin 2.

White Pikmin discovered

White Pikmin discovered
External links
Internal name	Unknown

Heard when the first White Pikmin is discovered. This version of the theme uses a synthesizer that is wind-like, invoking the airiness of the toxic gas that White Pikmin boast an immunity to.

Rock Pikmin discovered

Rock Pikmin discovered
External links
Internal name	Unknown

Heard when the first Rock Pikmin is discovered. This version of the theme is played on a metallic drum, reflective of the Rock Pikmin's tougher appearance.

Winged Pikmin discovered

Winged Pikmin discovered
External links
Internal name	Unknown

Heard when the first Winged Pikmin is discovered. This version is scored with a piccolo, fitting for the tiny Winged Pikmin. Their ability to fly is also referenced with an ending trill.

Glow Pikmin discovered

Glow Pikmin discovered
External links
Internal name	Unknown

Heard when the first Glow Pikmin is discovered during a night expedition. This variant of the Pikmin discovery theme takes an uneasy turn due to the unique circumstances it takes place in, though a glockenspiel is kept in this version since the Glow Pikmin are still a very helpful type of Pikmin. A theremin is also present, playing upon their ghost-like appearance.

New Pikmin type discovered

New Pikmin type discovered
External links
Internal name	Unknown

Heard right after any of the Pikmin discovery themes. A simple, quirky waltz on pizzicato violins plays and loops during the Rescue Corps members' discussion on the newly discovered Pikmin, with some brief references to the Pikmin 2 motif on an alto recorder.

Enter cave

Enter cave
External links
Internal name	Unknown

Heard when a cave is entered. A new rendition of the equivalent theme in Pikmin 2, it is a new arrangement of the Hocotate motif, also setting an adventurous mood for exploration.

Areas

Rescue Command Post

Rescue Command Post
External links
Internal name	Unknown

The theme of the Rescue Command Post is one with short snippets of melody which sets the mood to prepare for an expedition and talk with the rescued castaways.

Sun-Speckled Terrace

Sun-Speckled Terrace
External links	Link
Internal name	Unknown

The base layer of the Sun-Speckled Terrace's theme is very sparse, with various piano notes, some of which are repeated for a while or have a delay effect. There are several additional layers that can be added on top in various conditions.

Blossoming Arcadia

Blossoming Arcadia
External links
Internal name	Unknown

The Blossoming Arcadia's theme is quite cLalming and peaceful. Mostly in a slow triple meter, this piece hangs around F major and features lush strings above bouncy mallet percussion, with flutes playing a simple supportive ostinato between the two. It can be compared musically to Pikmin 1's Forest of Hope and Pikmin 3's Garden of Hope. There are several additional layers that can be added on top in various conditions.

Serene Shores

Serene Shores
External links
Internal name	Unknown

The music of the Serene Shores uses lots of space and is more textural rather than melodic. It plays in a moderate 12/8 time with what sounds like a shekere accenting the second beat of every measure. There are several additional layers that can be added on top in various conditions.

Hero's Hideaway

Hero's Hideaway
External links	Link
Internal name	Unknown

Hero's Hideaway's theme is very lively, with various piano notes, pots and pans clanging, and an accordion, some of which are repeated for a while. There are several additional layers that can be added on top in various conditions, like when battling Moss.

Giant's Hearth

Giant's Hearth
External links	Link
Internal name	Unknown

The music of the Giant's Hearth theme consists of a guitar, sounding like a western desert theme. There are several additional layers that can be added on top in various conditions. It bears a strong resemblance to the theme of The Forest Navel.

Primordial Thicket

Primordial Thicket
External links	Link
Internal name	Unknown

The theme of the Primordial Thicket combines low woodwind sounds with both pitched and non-pitched percussion to drive motion forward. A bright-sounding aerophone carries the tune above the other instruments. There are several additional layers that can be added on top in various conditions.

Bosses

Olimar's boss battle

Olimar's boss battle
External links	Link
Internal name	Unknown

This theme can be heard when battling any of the bosses during Olimar's Shipwreck Tale and is first heard when fighting the Porquillion at the top of the Hero's Hideaway with Olimar at the start of the game. Just like the mid-boss theme from Pikmin 3, this track is a new arrangement on the boss battle theme from Pikmin 2. The cues remain the relatively similar from Pikmin 3 to Pikmin 4, however more research must be done.

Area boss battle

Area boss battle
External links	Link
Internal name	Unknown

So far, this theme has only been heard when battling the Porquillion at the top of Sun-Speckled Terrace. This theme features a fast collection of drum-like sounds, seemingly from classic Japanese percussion instruments, with a bell-like melody playing in the background at some point. It comes with a "boss defeated" cue when the health of the creature reaches zero. It is unknown if this track is featured anywhere else in the game. (You can hear the music during the battle)

Area boss battle (Drumline Cadence)

Area boss battle (Drumline Cadence)
External links	Link
Internal name	Unknown

So far, this theme has only been heard when battling a mini-boss (Like the Snagret). This theme features a fast collection of drum-like sounds, seemingly from classic Japanese percussion instruments, with certain music playing in the background matching the setting of where you battle. It comes with a "boss defeated" cue when the health of the creature reaches zero.

Cave boss battle

Cave boss battle
External links
Internal name	Unknown

So far, this theme has only been heard when battling the Tusked Blowhog at the last sublevel of Hectic Hollows. It is played by several bongos and deep-sounding drum instruments. It also plays a "boss defeated" cue when the enemy is defeated. It is unknown if this track is featured anywhere else in the game.

Groovy Long Legs Theme

Groovy Long Legs Theme
External links	Link
Internal name	Unknown

This theme can be heard when battling the Groovy Long Legs at the last sublevel of Below-Grade Discotheque. It is played by techno noises and an air-horn. It also plays a "boss defeated" cue when the enemy is defeated. There are several additional layers that can be added on top in various conditions. Uniquely, it is the only boss theme that plays when engaging a boss in the Piklopedia, lending credence to the theory that it is being played by the Groovy Long Legs itself.

Giant Breadbug Theme

Giant Breadbug Theme
External links	Link
Internal name	Unknown

So far, this theme can only be heard when battling the Giant Breadbug at the last sublevel of Plunder Palace and is a remixed version of its theme from Pikmin 2. It is played by distorted music and something that sounds like the Giant Breadbug. It also stops playing after the 2 bosses are defeated unlike in Pikmin 2 whereas it keeps playing even if the Giant Breadbug has been defeated.

See also: Music in Pikmin 2#Giant Breadbug.

Waterwraith

See also: Music in Pikmin 2#Waterwraith.

As in its appearance in Pikmin 2, the Waterwraith has a unique dynamic boss theme. All cues are remixed versions of the ones present in Pikmin 2 except the vulnerable theme, which has been replaced with a more abstract theme.

Waterwraith appears

Waterwraith appears
External links	(At 00:06) Link
Composer	Kazumi Totaka
Internal name	Unknown

A remixed version of the theme in Pikmin 2. Heard when the Waterwraith first appears in the story mode of Pikmin 4, played in the background of an introductory cutscene. Like Pikmin 2, the cutscene begins with the normal Pikmin 2 boss battle intro, but then lapses into a looping music bed as Collin warns of the Waterwraith's threat. This bed contains echoing textures of dissonant marimba, percussive underpinnings from a gong and bell, and most importantly, atonal drones from a double bass with extension. The combined effect sounds quite alien, like the mood set by the Waterwraith.

Waterwraith attacks

Waterwraith attacks
External links	(At 00:40) Link
Composer	Kazumi Totaka
Internal name	Unknown

A remixed version of the theme in Pikmin 2. When the Waterwraith appears in the Engulfed Castle on sublevels 1-4, the music changes drastically. In 5/4 time signature and including a full string section and brass stabs, the soundtrack is reminiscent of thriller soundtracks with #9 chords and tri-tones in the bass. The music now conveys a great intensity and sense of urgency, and is not dynamic since there is no way to attack the Waterwraith at that time.

Waterwraith vulnerable

Waterwraith vulnerable
External links	Link
Internal name	Unknown

A new theme that replaces the vulnerable theme heard in Pikmin 2. When the Waterwraith appears on the Engulfed Castle's final sublevel, the normal boss theme plays as long as the Waterwraith has its rollers; the special attack cue chimes in whenever the Waterwraith shakes Pikmin off. But when the rollers are defeated, the music suddenly shifts to an abstract theme with chimes signaling that the threat of this boss has been nullified. The theme seems to slightly reference the Plasm Wraith's theme from Pikmin 3.

Ancient Sirehound

Final Boss Theme

Final Boss Theme
External links	Link
Internal name	Unknown

So far, this theme has only been heard when battling the Ancient Sirehound at the last sublevel of Cavern for a King. It is played mainly by an electric guitar and intensely graduates the farther you are in the battle. It also plays a "boss defeated" cue when the enemy is defeated.

Final Boss Theme (Ice Phase)

Final Boss Theme (Ice Phase)
External links
Internal name	Unknown

So far, this theme has only been heard when battling the Ancient Sirehound at the last sublevel of Cavern for a King. It is played mainly by an electric guitar and adds onto the first phase.

Final Boss Theme (Electricity Phase)

Final Boss Theme (Electricity Phase)
External links
Internal name	Unknown

So far, this theme has only been heard when battling the Ancient Sirehound at the last sublevel of Cavern for a King. It is played mainly by an electric guitar and adds onto the second phase.

Final Boss Theme (Fire Phase)

Final Boss Theme (Fire Phase)
External links
Internal name	Unknown

So far, this theme has only been heard when battling the Ancient Sirehound at the last sublevel of Cavern for a King. It is played mainly by an electric guitar and adds onto the third phase.

Final Boss Theme (Gloom Phase)

Final Boss Theme (Gloom Phase)
External links
Internal name	Unknown

So far, this theme has only been heard when battling the Ancient Sirehound at the last sublevel of Cavern for a King. It is played mainly by an electric guitar and adds onto the fourth phase.

Final Boss Theme (Vulnerable)

Final Boss Theme (Vulnerable)
External links
Internal name	Unknown

So far, this theme has only been heard when battling the Ancient Sirehound at the last sublevel of Cavern for a King. It is played mainly by an electric guitar, drums, a xylophone and intensely graduates the farther you are in the battle.

Olimar's Shipwreck Tale

Serene Shores (Olimar)

Serene Shores (Olimar)
External links
Internal name	Unknown

The theme for Serene Shores during Olimar's Shipwreck Tale is reminiscent to The Distant Spring's main theme from Pikmin (game), using similar instruments to play similar parts from The Distant Spring in combination with the Serene Shores theme, as if both songs are being mixed together. This is likely because of how Olimar's Shipwreck Tale is essentially a retelling of the first game and each area is a different version of the original location (The Sun-Speckled Terrace is The Forest of Hope, the Serene Shores is The Distant Spring, and the Blossoming Arcadia is supposed to be The Forest Navel but that is only because they are both the second area if you don't include The Impact Site).

Hero's Hideaway (Olimar)

Hero's Hideaway (Olimar)
External links	Link
Internal name	Unknown

This area theme reuses many sounds from the its main story mode counterpart; it even uses a melody similar to the one heard during the game's initial tutorial with Captain Olimar.

Minor jingles

Obstacle removed

Heard when an obstacle, such as a gate or bridge, is overcome. It is similar to the same jingle in previous games, filling a similar purpose.

Trivia

• The Pikmin in the group may randomly sing either a long theme without a distinguishing melody, or a short theme with a distinguishable melody. Among the short themes with melody, the Pikmin can sing themes from areas from past games. So far, the Pikmin have been spotted singing the Awakening Wood, Perplexing Pool, and Waterwraith battle themes from Pikmin 2 and the Garden of Hope theme from Pikmin 3, plus a theme with a melody that doesn't seem to align with any previous area theme. In overworld areas, Pikmin can seemingly sing a short tune while there are uncollected treasures in the area, though it is unknown if they can sing long tunes. Inside of caves, Pikmin seemingly can only sing long tunes if there is still uncollected treasure in the current sublevel, and then only sing short tunes after all of the treasure has been collected from the sublevel. It is yet unknown how many Pikmin are required to be in the group for them to sing something.