The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the 2023 sequel to Breath of the Wild (2017), developed and published by Nintendo through its Entertainment Planning & Development (EPD) division. It keeps the open-world structure of its predecessor while adding the sky islands and Depths beneath Hyrule, and its score expands on the earlier game’s ambient, exploration-driven sound with new themes for the Sky, Depths, and Zonai ruins.
Quick Facts
| Game | The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom |
| Release date | May 12, 2023 (game); July 31, 2024 (official soundtrack) |
| Developer / Publisher | Nintendo EPD / Nintendo |
| Composers | Manaka Kataoka, Maasa Miyoshi, Masato Ohashi, Tsukasa Usui, with sound director Hajime Wakai |
| Soundtrack length | 344 tracks across 9 discs (Special Edition adds a bonus USB disc) |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch |
Who composed the Tears of the Kingdom soundtrack?
The score was written by a returning Zelda team: Manaka Kataoka, the series’ lead composer since Breath of the Wild and known for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate; Maasa Miyoshi, who also worked on Ring Fit Adventure; and Masato Ohashi and Tsukasa Usui, both making their series debut. Sound director Hajime Wakai, a longtime Nintendo veteran, contributed additional music and oversaw the game’s audio design. The full 344-track score wasn’t released commercially until July 2024, more than a year after the game launched, reflecting how much music Nintendo recorded for the sequel’s larger map.
Notable Tracks by Scene
| Track | Where You’ll Hear It |
|---|---|
| Title Theme | Main menu / game open |
| Lookout Landing / Basecamp | Central hub after the prologue |
| Hyrule Castle Sky | Approaching the floating Hyrule Castle |
| Ganondorf Castle Battle | Final battle buildup |
| Demon King Ganondorf (Full Power) | Final boss phase |
| Fire Temple / Water Temple / Wind Temple / Thunder Temple | The four regional dungeons |
| Gerudo Village Above Ground (Morning/Day/Evening/Night) | Time-of-day variations in Gerudo territory |
| Kakariko Village (Morning/Day/Evening/Night) | Time-of-day variations in Kakariko |
| Mipha’s Court / Sidon’s Theme | Zora storyline moments |
| Dragon | Encountering the Divine Dragons |
This is a curated sample of the score’s most recognizable cues — the full commercial release runs to 344 tracks, including regional variations for every time of day in each village and combat stings for individual enemy types.
Where to Stream
Selections from the score can be found by searching “Tears of the Kingdom” on Apple Music and Spotify, with the full 9-disc physical release distributed through Nintendo’s Japanese online store. You can also hear the complete score used in-game on the A2Z Soundtrack streaming guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the Tears of the Kingdom soundtrack?
Manaka Kataoka, Maasa Miyoshi, Masato Ohashi, and Tsukasa Usui composed the score, with sound director Hajime Wakai contributing additional music.
How many tracks are on the official soundtrack?
The official soundtrack, released July 31, 2024, contains 344 tracks spread across 9 discs, plus a bonus USB disc in the Special Edition.
Is the Tears of the Kingdom soundtrack on Spotify or Apple Music?
Select tracks and fan-uploaded compilations are available on both platforms, though the full official release is primarily distributed as a physical Japanese import.
Is the score different from Breath of the Wild?
Yes — while it keeps Breath of the Wild’s minimalist, piano-led exploration theme, Tears of the Kingdom adds new orchestral material for the Sky Islands, the Depths, and the Zonai civilization.
Related reading: Browse more TV soundtrack guides or see what’s new on the A2Z Soundtrack streaming hub.