Pokémon Music - All Elite Four Battle Themes from the Core Series

Here's every Elite Four* battle theme from the core series Pokémon games!

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Timestamps:

Indigo (Kanto & Johto)
00:00: Red/Green/Blue/Yellow Version
01:52: FireRed/LeafGreen Version
03:53: Let's Go, Pikachu!/Eevee! Version

05:45: Gold/Silver/Crystal Version
08:07: HeartGold/SoulSilver Version

Hoenn
10:29: Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald Version
12:32: Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire Version

Sinnoh
14:34: Diamond/Pearl/Platinum Version
17:35: Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl Version

Unova
20:36: Black / White / Black 2 / White 2

Kalos
23:28: X/Y

Alola
28:04: Sun / Moon / Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon

Galar*
30:05: Sword/Shield Bede's Interruption
32:48: Sword/Shield League Finals

Paldea
39:30: Scarlet/Violet

*See Silvuddy's Notes
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Silvuddy's Notes:

- Indigo (Kanto & Johto): Before unique Elite Four themes became a standard in Ruby & Sapphire, all Pokémon League officials save for Champions shared the same battle theme, meaning Gym Leader and Elite Four battles had the same music (though only Lance used the theme in RBY). In this sense, these themes were really just the typical "RPG boss themes" of these games. They get your pulse pounding all the same though!

- Hoenn: This is the first truly unique Elite Four theme in the series. The theme certainly brings a different tone than the Gym Leader battle theme from the same games. While not 100% in the intimidating category, there is definitely a good balance of intimidation and triumph, perfectly fitting for the final test of strength before the Champion.

- Sinnoh: Diamond and Pearl once again returned to reusing the Gym Leader battle theme for the Elite Four, however with the slight adjustment of pitching the theme down slightly for the Elite Four. It's a minor change, but hey, at least it's something. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl actually change the theme a bit more, adding an electric guitar in addition to the pitch change for some extra menace.

- Unova: Assumedly following the fan demand for unique Elite Four themes to return, Black and White brought us this masterpiece. The thumping, dark electronic beat in this theme really sets the tone while fighting this particularly dark Elite Four group. There's actually a really cool callback to the Hoenn Elite Four theme at the very end of the loop (such a shame they didn't keep doing these for every Elite Four theme)!

- Kalos: Much like the Gym Leader battle theme for X/Y, the Elite Four music is a subdued electronic track for a long stretch before introducing a main melodic motif. No Elite Four track is complete without some electric guitar, so of course it delivers pretty damn well once the main melody comes in. I think a lot of people (myself included!) didn't give this one enough credit when it came out, but it actually grows on you!

- Alola: Despite the lack of Gym Leaders in Alola, there is a brand new Elite Four to face! Their theme keeps in line with X/Y's somewhat subtle, dark tone at the start, eventually leading to a big impact. This theme is significantly shorter than its predecessor, however. I don't know if it's just me, but this one seems to fall kind of under the category of horror music with such dissonant strings and brass, oddly flowing synths, and dark ostinato bass... definitely the creepiest Elite Four theme.

- *Galar: Sword and Shield lacks a true Elite Four, but it still makes up for it with four tough, type-specialized battles leading up to the fight against Champion Leon. In this case, just before the Pokémon League finals, Bede interrupts to challenge you for one last fight. Following this, fights against 3 Gym Leaders in the finals fill the rest of those roles. The new theme that accompanies these rematches fits the vibe of the other Elite Four themes with grooving synths and electric guitar, so it definitely deserved to be included here even if it is just a remix of the regular Gym Leader theme.

- Paldea: Scarlet and Violet brought us back to standard with another true Elite Four. This one is a bit unique with its sporadic time signatures and dynamically changing intro sequence, though it combines elements of every Elite Four theme before it: synths both subtle and emphatic, chugging guitar, brass hits, and a tad of creepy intensity. There's actually a funny glitch from the first version of the game where the ethereal intro section would play indefinitely, and you'd never get to hear the true theme!
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(All music obtained from https://downloads.khinsider.com/, Mixeli, Bliitzit, and NintendoMelody. Mixeli also provided the refined art of Rika on their Twitter. Please check them all out!)

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