Nintendo Unveils Breath of the Wild Soundtrack Box Set
▼ Summary
– Nintendo is releasing a vinyl box set of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild soundtrack, available for pre-order.
– This marks Nintendo’s first physical soundtrack release for sale in the United States, breaking from its previous strict policies.
– The 8xLP deluxe version includes 130 tracks, blue and gold splatter vinyl, archival artwork, and a blue rigid board slipcase.
– Prior to this release, Nintendo had only made video game soundtracks available on vinyl in Japan.
– The soundtrack was composed by Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata, Hajime Wakai, and Soshi Abe for the game.
For the first time ever, Nintendo is releasing a physical video game soundtrack for sale in the United States, fulfilling a long-standing wish of many fans. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild soundtrack is being offered as a deluxe 8xLP box set, which becomes available on June 19. This special edition is distributed through Nintendo and Laced, with pre-orders currently open at Rough Trade.
The comprehensive box set includes eight records pressed on blue and gold splatter vinyl. Each individual sleeve showcases archival artwork, and the entire collection is housed within a sturdy blue rigid board slipcase. All 130 tracks from the game have been specially mastered for this release, presenting the full musical breadth composed by Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata, Hajime Wakai, and Soshi Abe. For collectors seeking a more condensed version, a 2xLP set is also an option.
This move is notable because Nintendo has historically limited its official vinyl soundtrack releases to the Japanese market. Separately, Nintendo Switch Online members can access Nintendo Music, an application that streams soundtracks and songs from various Nintendo titles.
The tracklist for the deluxe box set is extensive, covering the many moods and locations of Hyrule. It begins with iconic pieces like the “Main Theme” and “A Sheikah Tower Emerges,” setting the stage for adventure. Exploration tracks such as “Overworld (Day),” “Galloping (Day),” and “By the Water” capture the feeling of traversing the vast landscape. The collection also features the tense atmospheres of “Omen of the Blood Moon” and “The Blood Moon,” alongside memorable location themes for “Kakariko Village” and “Hateno Village.”
Significant story moments and character themes are well-represented. Listeners will find “Sidon’s Theme,” the elegant “Zora’s Domain,” and the dramatic scores for the Divine Beasts, including “Vah Ruta, Divine Beast of Water.” The set includes the thrilling “Guardian Battle” music and the epic confrontations with bosses like “Stone Talus” and “Waterblight Ganon.” Soothing melodies from “The Stables” and “Lurelin Village” provide a calm counterpoint to the more intense battle themes, offering a complete auditory journey through the game.
(Source: Pitch Fork)
