The ultimate retro game,Super Mario Bros.is up there as one of the best of all time, and its success spawned a franchise that is still going strong all these decades later.Mariois arguably the most mainstream video game franchise of all time, in the sense that even people who have never touched a controller are likely to know about Nintendo’s legendary mascot.
The originalSuper Mario Bros.game would not be the same without its musical themes, composed by Koji Kondo. Many people have most of the game’s levels memorized and choreographed, knowing exactly at which moment to jump or duck; consequently, they likely also have all the stages' musical themes lodged in their brains forever. Which tracks from this classic game are still as fantastic as ever?
5Castle Theme
There are times when all someone needs is to feel the tension in the lead-up to a final confrontation, and this track delivers just that. The ominous low notes bring a mysterious tone to the “Castle Theme,” a track found in the final stage ofSuper Mario Bros.Some of the song’s higher notes are erratic, while the middle notes of this synthetic symphony are played again and again, staccato and deliberate. The message of the music declares that players should get Mario out of danger at once, and gamers are familiar with this cadence.
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Indeed, gamers know they have to be careful or else they will get hit with fireballs, or worse, when they hear the “Castle Theme.“That’s what this particular musical theme offers. The song is always performed at a fast tempo as if Mario is jumping up and down in lava. To be honest, there isn’t much variation here, but each note combines perfectly to create an identifiable track.
4Ending Theme
This musical theme is reminiscent of carnival rides and fairgrounds, although it is fairly repetitive as well. That said,it’s important to acknowledge a variety of musical themes in games. This song has a whimsical quality, especially compared to otherMariothemes. Since the ending of a video game can signify great accomplishment, hard work, and effort for a gamer, it makes sense that the ending theme of a fun game would have a fun-sounding musical end.
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This theme leaves no doubt that the game is over. It accomplishes a goal as a piece of music; not all music has to be ornamental. Koji Kondo has composed many successful theme songs for theMariofranchise, and “Ending Theme,” while ubiquitous, is certainly one of them. The music goes around and around, just like a carousel, signaling the end.
3Underground Theme
“Underground (Hurry)” brings a certain rhythm to the gameplay ofSuper Mario Bros. The imagery of the sound suggests that Mario might be tip-toeing, but very quickly, and it perfectly fits the game’s underground sections. In fact, this theme is so popular that it has been brought back in most of the franchise’s sequels. Players will hum along to themes like this one long after the credits are done. It’s amazing the impact that music can have on a gaming experience.
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Whether music has a slow or fast pace, a steady or syncopated rhythm, determines what experience listeners will have with that particular piece of music. That means when music is paired with a certain game, movie, or show, media consumers start to have very tailored experiences. That’s true no matter the context and remains true even with a musical theme like this one. The hurried tempo of the song tells players: go quickly before time runs out.
2Underwater Theme
This isn’t the only musical theme fromSuper Mario Bros.that sounds like a whimsical carnival, but it’s certainly the best of that variety. “Underwater Theme” suggests ballroom music, and its quickened pace encourages movement and gameplay. Reminiscent of a polka or line dance, this particular theme includes several synthetic sounds, with the lower notes sounding almost like a snorkeler or scuba diver.
The music is accompanied by Mario’s underwater sound effects, and these two elements combine beautifully and really highlight Koji Kondo’s brilliance.This song sounds like it would be playing in the background while guests of a fair compete for prizes by blowing water from toy guns into fish or plates.
1Overworld Theme
The “Overworld Theme” is by far the most recognizable of allMariothemes. This musical composition has been fillingMarioplayers with retro gamer delight since the game’s original release. With a melody that bounces and tumbles, representing the series in regular classic gaming fashion. It’s anexcellent theme and worth listening to more than once.
While this musical theme is repetitive, that’s okay; in fact, it helps make the song even more memorable. The synthetic musical sounds of the electric keyboard don’t disappoint. When it comes to iconic video game songs, this one takes the cake, and the “Overworld Theme” is basically synonymous withSuper Mario Bros.
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