Pokémon Music - All Rival Battle Themes from the Core Series

Here's every rival battle theme from the core series Pokémon games!
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Timestamps:
Kanto (Blue/Trace)
00:00: Red/Green/Blue/Yellow Champion Battle
02:25: FireRed/LeafGreen Champion Battle
04:50: Let's Go, Pikachu!/Eevee! Champion Battle
Johto (Silver)
07:18: Gold/Silver/Crystal Version
09:29: HeartGold/SoulSilver Version
Hoenn (May/Brendan & Wally)
11:44: May/Brendan (Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald Version)
13:52: May/Brendan (Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire Version)
16:05: Wally
Sinnoh (Barry)
17:30: Diamond/Pearl/Platinum Version
19:38: Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl Version
Unova (Cheren/Bianca, N, & Hugh)
21:46: Cheren/Bianca
23:26: N (Black/White Version)
25:44: N (Black/White Final Battle)
29:06: N (Black 2 / White 2 Version)
31:24: Hugh
Kalos (Shauna, Serena/Calem, Tierno, & Trevor)
33:43: X/Y
Alola (Hau & Gladion)
35:43: Hau
37:43: Hau (Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon Champion Battle)
41:00: Gladion
Galar (Hop, Marnie, Bede, & Klara/Avery)
43:34: Hop
46:45: Hop (League Semifinals)
50:01: Marnie
52:45: Marnie (League Semifinals)
55:46: Bede
58:30: Klara (Sword: The Isle of Armor)
1:00:28: Avery (Shield: The Isle of Armor)
Paldea (Nemona & Arven)
1:02:12: Nemona
1:04:25: Nemona (Champion Arrangement)
1:07:22: Arven
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Silvuddy's Notes:
- Kanto: The Kanto games technically don't have a track in the rival battle theme archetype, but I felt that since the Champion themes are so tied to Blue/Trace, they were worth including to round out having at least 1 rival theme per generation. I did exclude the PWT, World Champion, and Battle Legend remixes though, since those definitely fall under the category of Champion theme remixes.
- Johto: The first true rival battle theme! Very fitting for Silver's intense vibe, especially with the remake version's addition of electric guitar. This version also changes one of the sections to a triplet feel not heard in the original; cool touch!
- Hoenn: RSE started the trend of rival themes being more happy go-lucky rather than cool and serious. The ORAS version capitalizes on the more realistic instruments included while still using synths somewhat characteristic of the original style. Wally also gets his own theme in the remakes, though it's really just a short rock remix of his encounter theme.
- Sinnoh: Barry's theme is also in the fun and bouncy category of rival battle music. The mallet percussion instruments make the music a bit childlike, fitting for Barry's immature demeanor. Even though you can finally fight the other rival, Dawn/Lucas, in BDSP, they still don't get their own battle theme.
- Unova: For the first time we get two primary rivals who share a battle theme. N is also essentially a rival, as he challenges the player multiple times throughout the journey while in a sense going on his own journey. The trend of climactic battle arrangements that would be revisited later on actually started with N. Hugh acts as the sequels' rival, with his own theme stylistically reminiscent of Silver's.
- Kalos: X and Y have a whopping 4 rivals at once, all sharing this music. Shauna and Serena/Calem are definitely the main ones as they also have starters, with similar roles to Bianca and Cheren respectively.
- Alola: Sun and Moon are the first games not to have a rival with the starter that beats yours, but Gladion also serves as a secondary rival, with his Silvally using the type strong against your starter. Hau's theme fills the role of happy, fun rival themes (and receives a wicked cool Champion Title Defense remix in USUM!), while Gladion's fits the cool, groovy archetype.
- Galar: Sword and Shield also have a ton of rivals; Hop is the main one equivalent to Hau or Shauna, with the fun and friendly music, while Bede and Marnie are secondary rivals with the cool, serious themes. Klara and Avery join as extra rivals for the Isle of Armor DLC, each with unique music.
- Paldea: Nemona is the main rival from SV, complete with a fun theme plus a climactic arrangement. However, Arven also somewhat fills the role, fighting alongside you much like rivals from games past. Penny technically would too, however you don't fight her multiple times in the main story like other rivals, and her music fits more as a team boss battle theme.
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Hope you enjoyed! Subscribe for more Pokémon music uploads to listen to in the background, or just for fun!
(All music obtained from downloads.khinsider.com/, Mixeli, Bliitzit, and NintendoMelody. Please check them all out!)
#pokemon #pokemonmusic #nintendomusic

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

Join my Discord server to chat with fellow Pokémon music fans! discord.com/invite/ufzASmdQEw

[@Lloydproductions4171]

Hugh’s theme is extremely underrated

[@SaltheSalleyface]

Kanto (Blue/Trace) 00:00: Red/Green/Blue/Yellow Champion Battle 02:25: FireRed/LeafGreen Champion Battle 04:50: Let's Go, Pikachu!/Eevee! Champion Battle Johto (Silver) 07:18: Gold/Silver/Crystal Version 09:29: HeartGold/SoulSilver Version Hoenn (May/Brendan & Wally) 11:44: May/Brendan (Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald Version) 13:52: May/Brendan (Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire Version) 16:05: Wally Sinnoh (Barry) 17:30: Diamond/Pearl/Platinum Version 19:38: Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl Version Unova (Cheren/Bianca, N, & Hugh) 21:46: Cheren/Bianca 23:26: N (Black/White Version) 25:44: N (Black/White Final Battle) 29:06: N (Black 2 / White 2 Version) 31:24: Hugh Kalos (Shauna, Serena/Calem, Tierno, & Trevor) 33:43: X/Y Alola (Hau & Gladion) 35:43: Hau 37:43: Hau (Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon Champion Battle) 41:00: Gladion Galar (Hop, Marnie, Bede, & Klara/Avery) 43:34: Hop 46:45: Hop (League Semifinals) 50:01: Marnie 52:45: Marnie (League Semifinals) 55:46: Bede 58:30: Klara (Sword: The Isle of Armor) 1:00:28: Avery (Shield: The Isle of Armor) Paldea (Nemona & Arven) 1:02:12: Nemona 1:04:25: Nemona (Champion Arrangement) 1:07:22: Arven

[@SunnyNTidk]

Let's be honest none cared about Blue until he got his theme then everyone somehow loved him still hgss silver theme slaps asf

[@hal0thief404]

I never played sword and shield but the battle music gave me goosebumps. Just the idea of integrating the large audience into the music as you battle it out with your opponent to see who gets to comes on top. While the thousands of spectators cheer for you in a coordinated manor. Absolutely magnificent, might I say.

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

It is definitely a good spine tingling sensation!

[@Shockwave377]

I played that game about four different times just because one of the daycare centers is right outside the first gym so I can just hatch whatever team I want to use and have a blast playing the game

[@squirlis1189]

Bianca and cheren's theme made me grin. Brings back so many fond memories of playing pkmn black on my nds as a kid

[@zephyr1a]

No matter how long ago I played Sword/Shield's story, I will always *feel* Hop slamming his pokeball against his hand.

[@dahomie253]

And stupid sound effect that came with it. Good times :)

[@123silverslash]

i love arven so much, i wish you got to fight him more than just right at the beginning and right at the end, even just a "I gotta make sure you're ready for this." type battle halfway through would have really helped.

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

I totally agree! Especially since he gets his own theme, its a shame he gets battled so few times. Almost made me think he wan't technically a rival (even Bulbapedia thinks so!) but let's be honest, he's one of the best rivals we've ever had.

[@richardtreanton8168]

1 fact about the rivals: Blue: He became Kanto's first Champion Silver: His father is Giovanni as revealed in the Manga Brendan/May: Their father is the proffessor ingame Barry: He often used "Thud". Cheren: Became a Gym Leader Bianca: Became a Professor Hugh: Hates Team Plasma Shauna/Tierno/Trevor: Is friends of you Caleb/Serena: Are different gendered versions of you Hau: His grandfather is one of the kahunas ingame Hop: His brother is Champion Nemona: Youngest Trainer to become the Champion

[@MiniAssassin17]

Where do we see Bianca as a professor?

[@Dantheman2690]

Pokémon black and white 2 have you played it?

[@MiniAssassin17]

@@Dantheman2690 BW2 are some of my all time favorite games in the series. Bianca is Prof. Juniper's *assistant* in those games.

[@Dantheman2690]

@@MiniAssassin17Same the story is the peak of the Pokémon company

[@Squydward]

For me, my personal fav list would be 1. May/Brendan (RSE>ORAS) 2. Nemona (Champion arrangement) 3. Arven (song sounds so Black and White-esque, idk how else to put it) 4. N (Both normal and champion fights, they're so high energy) 5. Blue (FR/LG arrangement) 6. Silver 7. Barry (DPPt>BDSP) 8. Cheren/Bianca 9. Bede 10. Marine 10. Hau (champion or Rival, either or) 12. Hugh 13. Hop 14. Gladion 15. Kalos Rival

[@4shfur]

Gosh, no matter how many times I hear it, Hop's theme always gets me hyped up!! He may not have been a very challenging rival, but he was an endearing character to me, and his theme is a total banger!! Marnie's and Bede's themes are also just as upbeat and fun, i love all three

[@fernandez9775]

No matter how much i like the others, Hop's Semifinal theme gave me goosebumps and awakened a fire in me

[@patrix._111]

thanks for this kind a vid... hear it so often .. :) ♥

[@GottWaffe]

Barry is the best! I remember naming him Galdino back when I was a kid in my first playthrough of Platinum, took me 20 years to know his name was Barry

[@AxciemG]

Barry's theme slaps

[@tommyrosilio4491]

Hau’s theme is so underrated I love the funk guitars

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

For those interested, my personal tier list: 10. May/Brendan (ORAS Version) 9. N (BW Final Battle) 8. Nemona (Both Versions!) 7. Arven 6. Hop (League Semifinals) 5. Hau (USUM Title Defense) 4. Hugh 3. Bede 2. Gladion 1. Silver (HGSS Version)

[@thercn5316]

Wait where's blue?

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

@@thercn5316 I omitted him since his theme is really more of a champion theme, and I wanted a clean 10

[@thercn5316]

@@SilvuddyPkmnMusic oh alright understandable, but if you were to include him where would he be?

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

@@thercn5316 Uhh at that point I’d probably have to switch to just a graded tier list haha. It’s an A+ tier theme, so under my S rankers like Bede and Silver’s theme, but alongside Hop’s League Semis and Hau’s Title Defense

[@Ale-nw4mb]

Wally is sad😢

[@Powerate]

Rival themes of Black/White hit different after discovering PokèRogue

[@riverresident4769]

16:05 “Gallade’s Galladite is reacting to Wally’s Mega pendant.”

[@SedyTo]

Wallys theme makes me tear up

[@LeviathanGamer799]

Wow, it just makes me bored

[@teiuq1614]

*Flashbacks of losing Pokemon nuzlocke intensify*

[@juliomedina5809]

7:18 El mejor rival se hace presente The best rival is present

[@Orridy0n]

You can hate Gen 5 all you want, it had one of the best OST`s in all of the series tho

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

Straight facts

[@LeviathanGamer799]

You can hate Gen 9 all you want, it had one of the best OST`s in all of the series tho (and is legitimately good, definitely my favorite Pokémon game by far)

[@Xerox_24]

No one hate gen 5 lil bro

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

@@Xerox_24 Genwunners would beg to differ

[@Tenisinspector8341]

@@Xerox_24you clearly didn’t see the hate it got when it released back in 2012-13

[@thejackattack6349]

Blue's FRLG theme takes the cake by a mile

[@mastergamer551]

Nemora is a superboss trainer. Assuming if you actually fought her superboss team. Not the tournament team. She has level 80's and higher.

[@sixzero2733]

what? u dont fight her after the tournament wdym

[@cenceraepaige3272]

Yeh!

[@LeviathanGamer799]

@@sixzero2733you do now, he just predicted the future

[@ExtremeAce]

If I had to make a tier list of their themes: S - Silver, Hugh, N (Champion, B2/W2), Gladion A - Hop (League), Bede, Arven, Hau (Champion), N B - Cheren/Bianca, Hau, May/Brendan, Barry, Klara C - Marnie, Nemona, Hop, Wally D - XY, Avery Just sharing my personal opinions, not meant to be taken in an offensive way 😌

[@Krampamastyle]

Fire red & leaf green theme is probably the hardest ever.. they cooked

[@jakem4361]

Barry and Silver definitely the best themes imo

[@LeafsAreBetter]

Barry has spared you. He will no longer fine. 😊😊

[@hikaru9624]

I should see if i can get my hands on ultrasun sometime. Why does its ost go so hard?

[@aricente]

Haus champion theme has to be top 5 somgs in the franchise for me

[@Ash.A.ValtA1122]

Bede , Marnie , Nemona and Arven , Penny are my favorite rivals

[@saucymongoose7246]

Arven and Penny aren't rivals

[@Ash.A.ValtA1122]

@@saucymongoose7246 i consider them as my rivals , cause like u battle them at the end

[@saucymongoose7246]

@michaellee3355 Rivals are those who are competing against each other. Through most of SV, you're actively helping Arven and Penny. They're your friends but aren't rivals.

[@LeafsAreBetter]

Barrys gonna fine you for that💰💰

[@lycanrocmare6345]

All of them flat and boring in my opinion. Only good thing they've got is their designs. Excluding Marnie and Nemona, they're the worst.

[@Gameplayer-el7of]

Sun and Moon and ultra sun and moon has the best soundtrack ever

[@ConnorEverything1997]

have never played it, will never play it but its hard to argue against violet and scarlet not being the best. They freaking popped off

[@XxsoulxX072]

Hop have the best theme.

[@Daniel-xr3nn]

I just realised that showdown uses pretty much all the rival themes

[@Ntctheseus]

Hello! Are these the music used in Pokemon showdown?

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

Some of them are!

[@Terapagos3000]

penny is also a rival.

[@kinorey0261]

When is this going to be updated with Kieran’s and Carmine’s battle themes?

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

Some day... not sure exactly when but obviously these will all be updated as soon as it makes sense to do so.

[@LeviathanGamer799]

Probably when Gen 10 comes

[@TheNewNotmokunKaiser]

In Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald it's Brendan or May (Player's Choice)

[@BigSteveEpisode2]

Am I the only guy who had a massive crush on Shauna and May as a kid?

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

Son, believe me… you are not alone 🫡

[@BigSteveEpisode2]

@@SilvuddyPkmnMusic W

[@raveastjennifersandy9220]

Do you know? Gladion's battle theme has a same tune as Escape/Fugitive theme from Pokemon Mystery Dungeon (Red/Blue) Rescue Team(DX)

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

I see why you think that but it’s not the same lol. The rhythm is slightly different and the lowest pitch of that motif is not as low as the part you’re thinking about in Gladion’s theme. Also, the tone of each one is completely different thanks to vastly different chord progressions, tempo, and supporting instrumentation, so I would be hesitant to call it a reference.

[@PANTHERESSDARK]

barry is my favorite but i’m biased bc i had a hyper blonde boy as a childhood best friend and diamond was my first pokémon game

[@azayaka-blue]

4:49

[@sonatawashere]

You forgot peoni, he’s considered a rival too.

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

I think he fits more of the same role as Mustard in the Isle of Armor, though I definitely considered including him. You also don’t rebattle him more than once outside of optional rematches, unlike other rivals who you’re forced to battle multiple times.

[@sonatawashere]

@@SilvuddyPkmnMusic Ah true, thought you battled him more than once besides rematches.

[@bigrockerending7711]

My rough personal ranking (from least to most favorite): (not gonna include the Champion themes) -Silver (HGSS > GSC) -Avery -Hop -Klara -May/Brendan (ORAS > RSE) -Nemona -Bianca/Cheren -Bede -Barry (DPPt > BDSP, I think) -N (BW > B2W2) -Hau -Wally -Hugh -XY Friend Squad -Marnie (Champion Cup > Normal) -Hop - Champion Cup -N - BW Decisive Battle -Arven -Gladion

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

Based Gladion #1

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

Can’t believe you put Silver below Avery though that’s just blasphemy 😂

[@bigrockerending7711]

@@SilvuddyPkmnMusic Being honest, barring some exceptions, I've always been iffy on Johto's soundtrack. Silver and Avery MIGHT be interchangeable though, thinking about it a bit more.

[@LeafsAreBetter]

Barry is happy with your decision 😁😁

[@LeviathanGamer799]

I love Hop’s theme, why you gotta do this to me 💀

[@PabThe1st]

Yo the timestamps are uh, all wrong?

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

You’re totally right, I forgot to change them when copying over my template! Fixing them momentarily…

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

All fixed, thank you for the reminder! Apologies for the confusion 😅

[@PabThe1st]

@@SilvuddyPkmnMusic aye that's alright

[@claudiamorris7075]

Everyone knows that silver in hgss is best!

[@TylersGamingHub]

Umm where's Penny or Arven? I consider them more rivals than Nemona.

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

I’ve included Arven! His theme is at 1:07:22. I chose not to include Penny for reasons listed in the description; though I too consider her to be a form of rival, her theme doesn’t quite fit the archetype, and she also isn’t encountered in the same manner as other rivals throughout the series.

[@TylersGamingHub]

@@SilvuddyPkmnMusic Oh Nemona's photo was covering it!

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

@@TylersGamingHub Yep, that's all haha. The format I use keeps only whoever's theme is present in the foreground.

[@scarvio9]

​@@SilvuddyPkmnMusic I didn't think Penny as a rival, she was more like a anti-villian type of boss to me. But you do technically battle her like a rival so it seem fair.

[@SilvuddyPkmnMusic]

@@scarvio9 I think she’s only a rival in the sense that rivals have more so been converted to “friends” ever since Generation 6 (and arguably Gen 5), with only one maybe two characters who verbally state their role as your rival. Penny certainly becomes your friend at the end of the story, and she fills the same role as Arven and Nemona in her respective storyline, being the main student to interact with the player during that arc as well as the final challenge before it’s completion.

[@josephhollon4786]

Nemona best rival in my opinion

[@SAMSUPER69]

🤢🤢🤢

[@MADEXEN-]

XD

[@who3584]

My guy... Hugh?

[@hikaru9624]

She's an alright rival. There are definitely better rivals than her in my opinion but I can see why people like her as said rival.

[@LeafsAreBetter]

Don’t underestimate Barry. Hell fine you.

[@remnant24]

Tier list: S: Marnie A: Silver B: May C: Barry, Blue D: Wally, Gladion, Nemona, Hop E: Arven, Avery, Klara F: Hugh, Cheren, Bede, Friends, Hau, N

[@LeafsAreBetter]

You are menace for putting N in F and Marnie in S. Marnie is mid at best.

[@remnant24]

@@LeafsAreBetter Clearly not since I put it at S. It's S at best.

[@n00bmaster13]

L list

[@remnant24]

@@n00bmaster13 You're free to ignore mine and make your own. Never thought my taste would offend so many people, but it's good to know I have that power.

[@n00bmaster13]

@@remnant24 what power lmao, i just said L list, don’t get how that’s offensive

[@kursed1771]

Hop's theme is a disgrace, so bad.

[@TopOfAllWorlds]

WHAT?!?! HOTTEST TAKE OF ALL TIME?!?!

[@LeafsAreBetter]

It’s not that bad. It has its ups and downs. Don’t just shame him like that.

[@lycanrocmare6345]

It gets boring fast. I don't think it's bad, but easy to get tired of listening to.

[@MyNaymIsSnek1526]

(ssslowly and menacccingly advancccesss towardsss you with my knife