Nintendo is shutting down the Pokémon Sound Library later this week, just three months after the service was launched.
As reported by Eurogamer, the Pokémon DP Sound Library – which lets content creators download and legally use sound effects and music from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl – will cease to exist as of May 31.
The move is quite unexpected as Nintendo heavily promoted the Sound Library when it launched in February, even collaborating with Japanese performer and DJ Alan Shirahama to have a single released that solely used Pokémon music.
Though not confirmed to be related, the service was also launched shortly after Nintendo removed several videos from video game music YouTube channel GilvaSunner, prompting its owner to delete the channel completely. The Pokémon Sound Library was therefore seen as a viable, safe, and completely legal way for Nintendo fans to enjoy otherwise hard-to-find music.
No reason for the shutdown was given, with the Sound Library now simply displaying a message that states users can no longer stream or download sounds after 2am PT on May 31.
Users who have already downloaded files from the website can continue to use them as long as that use adheres to the Sound Library’s terms and conditions, though it’s currently unclear if these will change following the website’s closure.
The Sound Library has 149 different tracks and sound effects from the original 2006 versions of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl but doesn’t feature any of the updated music from last year’s remakes, and fans can continue to download these files until the service closes.
We’ve contacted The Pokémon Company for comment.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer who occasionally remembers to tweet @thelastdinsdale. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.