Main Theme (New Super Mario Bros.)
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| "Main Theme" | |
|---|---|
The compressed version as heard in-game The source quality version of the "Main Theme" in New Super Mario Bros. | |
| Composed by: Koji Kondo | |
| Key | C major |
| First appearance | New Super Mario Bros. (2006) |
| Latest appearance | Mario Strikers: Battle League (2022) |
The "Main Theme"[1] is a musical theme composed by Koji Kondo[2] and used in ground courses in New Super Mario Bros. that has become a recurring theme in the Super Mario franchise, particularly in the New Super Mario Bros. series. It has a 2/4 time signature played at 100 beats per minute in C major.
It is the first theme heard in-game that gives a gameplay effect to the "paah" vocals, which were previously sampled in Super Mario 64. This would become a recurring game mechanic throughout the New Super Mario Bros. series.
Reuses[edit]
The following list does not include ports or remakes of New Super Mario Bros.
| Work | Description |
|---|---|
| Mario Party: Star Rush | It is one of the selectable songs in Rhythm Recital. It is referred to as the "Overworld Theme". |
Arrangements[edit]
Super Mario series[edit]
New Super Mario Bros.[edit]
New Super Mario Bros. includes three additional arrangements of the "Main Theme". The theme heard while Mario and Princess Peach walk together during the opening is a swing arrangement of the first two measures of the "Main Theme"'s melody. It is played on the vibraphone with acoustic guitar harmony accompaniment. The melody segues into a mysterious augmented chord with stacked major seconds as Mario and Peach notice the thundercloud forming over Peach's Castle.
The athletic theme is an uptempo swing arrangement of the "Main Theme" that features clarinet, muted trumpet, xylophone, piano, trombone, and acoustic bass. The B section of the arrangement adds a new melody played on a square synthesizer.
One section of the credits theme features an arrangement of the "Main Theme" played on steel drum in the treble range with a whistled counter-melody, staccato square synthesizer, and the drum kit featured throughout the rest of the piece. This transitions into a fuller version played on electric organ with brass accompaniment, then into the "Underground Theme" from Super Mario Bros.
 Athletic Theme - The arrangement heard in New Super Mario Bros. | File info 0:30 |
New Super Mario Bros. Wii[edit]
New Super Mario Bros. Wii features several arrangements of the "Main Theme" throughout the game. An arrangement of the "Main Theme" titled "Ground Theme"[3] plays on ground levels like in New Super Mario Bros. The rhythm of the hook and opening section is changed. The latter replaces the square-wave sixteenth notes with a staccato electric organ that continues in the background throughout the A section. The orchestra hits that accompany the "paah" vocals in the original version are replaced by clapping rhythms. When the player is riding a Yoshi, additional cuíca and shaker percussion is added to the instrumentation.
An arrangement of the first two measures of the "Main Theme"'s melody plays at the end of the opening cutscene while Mario, Luigi, Yellow Toad, and Blue Toad are chasing Bowser's airship. The leitmotif is played on synthesized brass, leading to a dominant chord and timpani roll.
Similar to New Super Mario Bros., the athletic theme is an arrangement of the "Main Theme", though the piano, clarinet, xylophone, and square synthesizer from the original athletic theme have been replaced with accordion, banjo, and muted electric guitar, making it a bluegrass/country arrangement.
The theme heard in snow courses is a Christmas/winter arrangement of the "Main Theme" played on French horn, strings, sleigh bells, and snare drum fills. It also reintroduces the acoustic guitar from the New Super Mario Bros. original. Like the "Ground Theme", additional cuíca and shaker percussion is added to the instrumentation when the player is riding a Yoshi.
The theme heard in the first phase of the Bowser battle is based on the first two measures of the "Main Theme"'s melody.
The credits theme, titled "Staff Credit Roll",[3] quotes and reharmonizes the "Main Theme" as well as the "Ground Theme" from Super Mario Bros.
The Bowser battle arrangement is reused for the same purpose in New Super Mario Bros. 2.
| Opening - The arrangement heard in New Super Mario Bros. Wii | File info 0:05 |
| Ground Theme - The arrangement heard in New Super Mario Bros. Wii | File info 0:30 |
| Athletic Theme - The arrangement heard in New Super Mario Bros. Wii | File info 0:30 |
| Snow Theme - The arrangement heard in New Super Mario Bros. Wii | File info 0:30 |
| Bowser Battle - The arrangement heard in New Super Mario Bros. Wii | File info 0:30 |
| Staff Credit Roll - The arrangement heard in New Super Mario Bros. Wii | File info 0:30 |
New Super Mario Bros. Wii Coin World[edit]
New Super Mario Bros. Wii Coin World features a more relaxed arrangement of the "Main Theme" based on the arrangement heard in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. The main melody is doubled on accordion and piano, and the melody of the section before the loop is played on trumpet. In addition to new instrumentation, this arrangement uses a different paah sample than New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
While it does not include the actual melody, the game's ending theme features the same basic chord progression as the "Main Theme".
| Grass Overworld - The arrangement heard in New Super Mario Bros. Wii Coin World | File info 0:29 |
| The End - The arrangement heard in New Super Mario Bros. Wii Coin World | File info 0:30 |
New Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]
New Super Mario Bros. 2 uses arrangements of the "Main Theme" for its ground, athletic, snow, and credits themes heavily based on the arrangements heard in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. All of these arrangements double the melody with a capella vocals.
The ground, athletic, and snow themes add woodblock instrumentation when the player is in Raccoon form, and the melody is doubled on a bell synth arpeggiator when a Gold Ring is active.
The standard ground arrangement returns as a playable track titled "Ground Theme (New Super Mario Bros. 2)" in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, where it can be played on the Mushroom Kingdom U and Super Mario Maker stages, as well as in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, now formatted as "Ground Theme - New Super Mario Bros. 2", where it can be played on any Super Smash Bros.- and Super Mario-series stage.
| Ground Theme - The arrangement heard in New Super Mario Bros. 2 | File info 0:30 |
| Athletic Theme - The arrangement heard in New Super Mario Bros. 2 | File info 0:30 |
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]
Super Smash Bros. Brawl features a tropical-styled arrangement of the "Main Theme" and level clear jingle from New Super Mario Bros. arranged by Shogo Sakai. It has a bossa nova-type beat with acoustic guitar, steel drums, and saxophone. It is titled "Main Theme (New Super Mario Bros.)" and can be played on the Delfino Plaza stage.
The arrangement returns in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, where it can be played on the Delfino Plaza and Super Mario Maker stages, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, now formatted as "Main Theme - New Super Mario Bros.", where it can be played on any Super Smash Bros.- and Super Mario-series stage.
| Main Theme (New Super Mario Bros.) - The arrangement heard in Super Smash Bros. Brawl | File info 0:30 |
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS[edit]
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS features an arrangement of the New Super Mario Bros. 2 athletic version of the "Main Theme" titled "Athletic Theme / Ground Theme (New Super Mario Bros. 2)". It was arranged by Yusuke Takahama and can be played on the Golden Plains and Super Mario Maker stages.
This arrangement also appears in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, where it can be played on the Mushroom Kingdom U and Super Mario Maker stages, and returns in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, now titled simply "Athletic Theme - New Super Mario Bros. 2", where it can be played on any Super Smash Bros.- and Super Mario-series stage.
| Athletic Theme / Ground Theme (New Super Mario Bros. 2) - The arrangement heard in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS | File info 0:30 |
Mario & Sonic series[edit]
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games[edit]
The Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games features an arrangement of the "Main Theme", specifically the New Super Mario Bros. athletic version, as a playable track.
This arrangement returns in the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, and the Wii U version of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games[edit]
The Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games features an arrangement of the New Super Mario Bros. Wii "Ground Theme" version of the "Main Theme" as a playable track.
This arrangement returns in Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and the Wii U version of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Mario Party 10[edit]
In Mario Party 10, a brief orchestral arrangement of the introduction and first four notes of the melody of the New Super Mario Bros. Wii Ground Theme version of the "Main Theme" is one of three music tracks that are chosen to play at random in the Steal the Beat minigame, alongside the Super Mario Bros. "Ground Theme" and Super Mario World "Ground Theme". The arrangement is titled "Contemporary Theme".
| Contemporary Theme - The arrangement heard in Mario Party 10 | File info 0:08 |
Super Nintendo World[edit]
An arrangement of the "Main Theme" is featured as part of the background music of Super Nintendo World.[4]
Mario Strikers: Battle League[edit]
A rock arrangement of the "Main Theme" is used in Mario Strikers: Battle League as one of the themes for the Mushroom Hill stadium.
| Mushroom Hill 1 - The arrangement heard in Mario Strikers: Battle League | File info 0:30 |
Other arrangements[edit]
New Super Mario Bros. Wii: Simplified Piano Solos[edit]
The New Super Mario Bros. Wii: Simplified Piano Solos book features two solo piano arrangements of the "Main Theme": a full arrangement titled "Ground Theme", and a partial arrangement included in "Staff Credit Roll".
LINE[edit]
The Super Mario's Relaxing Life LINE sticker set features a brief arrangement of the "Main Theme" that plays over a sticker of a Goomba saying thanks.
| Main Theme - The arrangement heard in the LINE sticker | File info |
Nintendo Live 2023[edit]
Nintendo Live 2023 in Seattle, Washington, USA featured a live performance by the Super Mario Super Big Band of themes from various Super Mario games, including the "Main Theme."[5]
List of appearances[edit]
Games[edit]
| Work | System | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo DS | 2006 | Original | "Main Theme"[1] | Koji Kondo |
| Arrangement | |||||
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Wii | 2008 | Arrangement | "Main Theme (New Super Mario Bros.)" | Shogo Sakai |
| Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games | Wii | 2009 | Arrangement | ||
| New Super Mario Bros. Wii | Wii | 2009 | Arrangement | "Ground Theme"[3] | Kenta Nagata[3] |
| "Staff Credit Roll"[3] | Ryo Nagamatsu | ||||
| Arrangement | |||||
| New Super Mario Bros. Wii Coin World | Arcade | 2011 | Arrangement | ||
| Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games | Wii | 2011 | Arrangement | ||
| Past arrangement (Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games) | |||||
| New Super Mario Bros. 2 | Nintendo 3DS | 2012 | Arrangement | 「地上BGM」 (Chijō BGM)[6] | |
| Past arrangement (New Super Mario Bros. Wii) | |||||
| Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games | Wii U | 2013 | Past arrangement (Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games) | ||
| Past arrangement (Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games) | |||||
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS | Nintendo 3DS | 2014 | Arrangement | "Athletic Theme / Ground Theme (New Super Mario Bros. 2)" | Yusuke Takahama |
| Super Smash Bros. for Wii U | Wii U | 2014 | Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) | "Main Theme (New Super Mario Bros.)" | Shogo Sakai |
| Past arrangement (New Super Mario Bros. 2) | "Ground Theme (New Super Mario Bros. 2)" | ||||
| Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS) | "Athletic Theme / Ground Theme (New Super Mario Bros. 2)" | Yusuke Takahama | |||
| Mario Party 10 | Wii U | 2015 | Arrangement | "Contemporary Theme" | |
| Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games | Wii U | 2016 | Past arrangement (Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games) | ||
| Past arrangement (Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games) | |||||
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Nintendo Switch | 2018 | Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) | "Main Theme - New Super Mario Bros." | Shogo Sakai |
| Past arrangement (New Super Mario Bros. 2) | "Ground Theme - New Super Mario Bros. 2" | ||||
| Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS) | "Athletic Theme - New Super Mario Bros. 2" | Yusuke Takahama | |||
| Mario Strikers: Battle League | Nintendo Switch | 2022 | Arrangement |
Albums[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario History 1985-2010 | 2010 | Original | "Main Theme" | Koji Kondo |
| SUPER MARIO BROS. 25th Anniversary Special Sound Track PRESS START Edition | 2010 | Arrangement | 「New スーパーマリオブラザーズ Wii 〜PRESS START 2010より〜」 (New Sūpā Mario Burazāzu Wii 〜 PRESS START 2010 Yori 〜) |
Takeshi Hama |
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U: A Smashing Soundtrack | 2015 | Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS) | "Athletic Theme / Ground Theme" | Yusuke Takahama |
| The 30th Anniversary Super Mario Bros. Music | 2015 | Original | 「地上BGM」 (Chijō BGM) | |
| Past arrangement (New Super Mario Bros. Wii) | 「地上BGM」 (Chijō BGM) | |||
| Past arrangement (New Super Mario Bros. 2) | 「地上BGM」 (Chijō BGM) | |||
| 「アスレチックBGM」 (Asurechikku BGM) |
Other media[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Super Mario Bros. Wii: Simplified Piano Solos | 2010 | Arrangement | "Ground Theme" | Kenta Nagata |
| "Staff Credit Roll" | Ryo Nagamatsu | |||
| LINE | 2017[7] | Arrangement | ||
| Super Nintendo World | 2021 | Arrangement |
Live performances[edit]
| Event | Year | Location | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Live 2023 | 2023 | Seattle Convention Center, Seattle, Washington, USA | Arrangement | Super Mario Super Big Band |
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italian | Tema principale[8] | Main theme |
References[edit]
- ^ a b Super Mario History 1985-2010 (Soundtrack CD) - Track 7
- ^ SUPER MARIO HISTORY 1985-2010 Soundtrack CD. VGMdb (English). Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e New Super Mario Bros. Wii: Simplified Piano Solos
- ^ Universal Studios Hollywood (February 17, 2023). LIVE STREAM: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ Press Event (03:21). YouTube (American English). Retrieved February 25, 2023.
- ^ Hitbox Hero (September 3, 2023). Nintendo Live 2023 - Super Mario Super Big Band uncut full show (30:19). YouTube (English). Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ The 30th Anniversary Super Mario Bros. Music
- ^ Ganos, Lauren (October 19, 2017). Super Mario’s Relaxing Life | Line Sticker Showcase. Nintendo Wire (English). Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ Super Mario All-Stars - 25th Anniversary Edition | Wii | Giochi | Nintendo IT. Nintendo (Italian). Retrieved August 18, 2024.
