Pokémon DP Sound Library to Shut Down on May 31

In an unexpected move that has many fans scratching their heads, Nintendo will be shutting down the Pokémon DP Sound Library on May 31, just three months after it launched in February of this year.

The library enables content creators to legally download and use music and sound effects from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and was heavily promoted when it launched. Nintendo collaborated with a number of Japanese artists and DJs to celebrate, who all created singles using tracks and sound effects available in the library.

Much to the chagrin of many, many Nintendo fans, the vast majority of music from classic and older Nintendo titles isn’t available for legal download or streaming nor are physical albums available to purchase. Dedicated fans have been uploading the music to YouTube for years, risking the litigious wrath of Nintendo copyright-striking their uploads and demanding they be taken down. The same month that Pokémon DP Sound Library launched, Nintendo went after the YouTube account GilvaSunner, who spent over a decade uploading demonetized videos of Nintendo OSTs to their channel. Nintendo took down 3500 videos, which caused GilvaSunner to delete their YouTube channel entirely.

Given how infrequently Nintendo releases original soundtracks (especially here in the US), it’s doubly frustrating that a rare instance of Nintendo launching an official, legal way to listen to and download some of their game music was so short lived. As of the time of writing, Nintendo still hasn’t issued a statement on their reason for shutting down the library.

Fans have until 9:00 am UTC on May 31 to continue to listen, sample, and download from Pokémon DP Sound Library.

Source: IGN