**Nintendo’s Latest Music Application: A Prelude to Harsher Actions Against Third-Party Music Uploads?**
Nintendo has earned a reputation for its memorable video game soundtracks, ranging from the joyful melodies of *Super Mario Bros.* to the immersive tunes of *The Legend of Zelda*. Yet, fans have historically faced challenges in discovering legitimate ways to enjoy these cherished tracks beyond the games themselves. That has changed with a recent announcement. In an unexpected turn of events, Nintendo has unveiled a new music application for smartphones, presenting a selected assortment of its most well-known soundtracks as a benefit for subscribers of Nintendo Switch Online. While this development is certainly appreciated by fans, it may also indicate a heightened emphasis on Nintendo’s measures against third-party music uploads.
### The Nintendo Music App: A Fresh Resource for Subscribers
The newly introduced [Nintendo Music app](https://www.nintendo.com/us/switch/online/nintendo-switch-online/nintendo-music/) grants access to a vast array of tracks from Nintendo’s rich catalog, reflecting decades of game releases. From the 8-bit soundscapes of *Super Mario Bros.* (1985) to the grand orchestral pieces of *Pikmin 4* (2023), the app provides an extensive selection of music for fans to relish. Although the current tracklist is still growing, Nintendo has committed to regularly adding more songs, just as it has progressively expanded its classic game library available through Nintendo Switch Online.
The app enables users to curate custom playlists, select from predefined playlists inspired by moods or characters, and even link with their Nintendo account to feature music from games they’ve recently engaged with. For those apprehensive about spoilers, the app also includes a feature to bypass music from games they haven’t finished. Moreover, tracks can be looped for prolonged listening sessions, rendering it a practical tool for background music during work or downtime.
### A History of Takedowns: The GilvaSunner Incident
While the Nintendo Music app is a positive advancement, it simultaneously raises questions about the future of fan-uploaded Nintendo music on platforms like YouTube. Nintendo has a longstanding reputation for stringently safeguarding its intellectual property, with music being no exception. One particularly significant case involved the well-known YouTube channel GilvaSunner, which had been sharing Nintendo soundtracks for years. Even though it did not monetize its content, GilvaSunner encountered a barrage of [DMCA takedowns](https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2020/12/09/nintendo-music-youtube-copyright-strikes/) from Nintendo in 2019, resulting in the removal of numerous tracks.
By 2022, the scenario intensified when Nintendo made takedown requests for more than 2,200 additional tracks uploaded by GilvaSunner. This ultimately compelled the channel’s creator to [shut down the channel](https://mynintendonews.com/2022/02/02/gilvasunner-has-had-another-2200-take-downs-from-nintendo-and-after-11-years-is-deleting-youtube-channel), expressing, “At this point, it’s really not worth it to keep the channel up any longer.”
At that moment, many fans voiced their discontent with Nintendo’s heavy-handed tactics, particularly given the absence of an official avenue for enjoying its music. Yet, with the introduction of the Nintendo Music app, the company now has a direct financial motivation to safeguard its music catalog, as the app is being pitched as an incentive to draw more subscribers to Nintendo Switch Online.
### The Future of Fan Uploads: Are More Takedowns Coming?
The timing of the Nintendo Music app’s introduction is significant, as it corresponds with a trend of Nintendo releasing formal music offerings soon after issuing DMCA strikes. For instance, in 2022, Nintendo released the [Pokemon DP Sound Library](https://twitter.com/Pokemon/status/1488889958505062400), a modest compilation of musical pieces from *Pokemon Diamond and Pearl*, shortly after targeting fan-uploaded Pokemon music on YouTube.
Considering this background, it’s plausible that the launch of the Nintendo Music app will be followed by additional takedowns of fan-uploaded Nintendo music across various platforms. Numerous YouTube channels currently feature unedited versions of Nintendo tracks, with some attracting millions of views. These uploads, which frequently consist of rips from GilvaSunner’s original channel, could soon meet the same destiny as their forerunners.
Nevertheless, not all fan uploaders are retreating. For example, the *Metroid Database* recently highlighted on social media its [extensive collection](https://metroiddatabase.com/music-all-games/) of *Metroid* soundtracks, while taking a stand against the limited array of *Metroid* tracks offered in Nintendo’s new app. This stance indicates that certain fans are unwilling to solely depend on Nintendo’s official resources, particularly if they feel
