The Super Mario franchise took the world by storm and then never stopped. How did these classic games get to be so successful? Part of the reason is composer Koji Kondo and the music he wrote for the series. Even generally, video game music is a quintessential aspect of any gaming experience, just the same as with movies and streaming series. When it comes to Super Mario, that's especially true, and gamers have Koji Kondo to thank.
Between the "Main Theme" from Super Mario Bros., "Overworld Theme" from Super Mario Bros. 3, and "Beware the Forest Mushrooms" from Super Mario RPG, Mario and Luigi have been exploring worlds for quite some time along to some really good classic video game sounds. In honor of The Super Mario Bros. Movie debuting in April 2023, here is a look at seven of the best Mario theme songs from the entire series.
7 Ending Theme From Super Mario World (1990)
This theme's lower notes walk the music along, whereas the top notes, the synthetic horn sounds, are skipping and hopping along by contrast. The musical tone and ambiance are reminiscent of a 1950s diner, roller skates, and milkshakes. "Ending Theme" from Super Mario World evokes happiness, simplicity, and sunshine. A good way to end a game, for sure.
This theme is not only quality but also fairly popular, and it is worth including on any gaming playlist, especially of just Mario music. It's the inherent happiness in the musical choices of the composer, Koji Kondo, the flighty higher notes with its playful rhythm. Even though this song sounds like "Mr. Sandman" by The Chordettes, it's still good.
6 Muda Kingdom From Super Mario Land (1989)
"Muda Kingdom" from Super Mario Land is a super fun musical theme. The higher notes are played as chords (two or more notes played at the same time), and this adds a more full and complete sound. Meanwhile, the lower notes maintain a steady rhythm throughout the song. This theme screams "adventure."
Repetition in musical accompaniment is any sidescroller's best friend, and that's definitely true with this theme. A bouncy, happy-go-lucky merry-go-round is what this song sounds like, playful and adventurous. Based on the Bermuda Triangle and complete with alien spaceships, Muda Kingdom is the second world in Super Mario Land, and this is that awesome theme song.
5 Main Theme From Super Mario Galaxy (2007)
Similar to music one might hear in the soundtrack to a country Western movie, "Main Theme" from Super Mario Galaxy sounds like flying. The orchestral rendition is spectacular and complete with horn sounds, flute sounds, and percussion, with the instruments rising in note and action. There's a champion behind this theme, one who is robust and surely going to save the day, and it's him, Mario.
The "Main Theme" here includes tender moments as well as ones that communicate triumph, making it clear that the Mario of this game has matured and has some personality. With a release date of 2007, Super Mario Galaxy continued to pave the way for the continuous success of the Mario franchise, and this crisp and modernized background music was a good addition.
4 Overworld 1 Theme From Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988)
The "Overworld 1 Theme" from Super Mario Bros. 3 is a delightful and recognizable musical tune. The percussion is really what makes this theme stand out because there are several drum sounds present creating a rhythm reminiscent of the Caribbean. As a player, one can almost hear Mario running and jumping for coins.
When Super Mario Bros. 3 was released in 1988 in Japan and North America in 1990, the game further demonstrated the power of the Mario franchise. Now there were a series of games, each with additional features, and the ubiquitous character of Mario at the center, and his brother, Luigi. The casual island melody and rhythms are not to disappoint with "Overworld 1 Theme."
3 Library Piano From Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (2013)
Released for Nintendo 3DS, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon includes some high-quality music, considering that "Library Piano" indeed sounds like the recording of the piano, and not a bunch of synthesizer sounds. It is a special treat to have a Mario franchise game that includes such beautiful electronic piano music.
It may not be a complete coincidence that this musical number is reminiscent of Ghostbusters, ever so slightly, and also the Inspector Gadget theme, considering that the game includes ghosts and clever gadgets and discovery. The deliberate and mischievous playing of each note, and the simple left hand playing the bass line on the first and third beats, are similar to ragtime. Despite being a fairly short track, "Library Piano" has a lot going on.
2 Beware The Forest Mushrooms From Super Mario RPG (1996)
"Beware the Forest Mushrooms" from Super Mario RPG is a delightful song. If frolicking through an enchanted medieval forest could be abbreviated into a short piece of synthetic video game music, this song would be a good representation to that effect. Add a wood nymph playing the flute and characters from A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare, and that's what kind of fun this sounds like.
Many songs from Super Mario RPG follow a similar tone and quality, though there's much variety in themes and styles as well, and that's what makes this soundtrack so successful. With "Beware the Forest Mushrooms" specifically, players can enjoy a song that's fun, easy to remember, and switches things up, all at the same time. This particular track delivers on all accounts.
1 Main Theme From Super Mario Bros. (1985)
It should come as no surprise that the "Main Theme" from Super Mario Bros. takes the lead in a discussion of the best Mario themes. It's classic, reliable, and fun. The static sounds in the song remind gamers of old televisions they had to hit the sides of. The whimsical melody and "dada-da-dada-da--da" that players know so well make this music theme an easy classic.
Nevertheless, why should people care about video game music? Do composers get the recognition they obviously deserve? The "Main Theme" from Super Mario Bros. serves as a reminder that modern video game music, retro songs like from Tetris, and everything in between, all add significantly to the ambiance of any player's experience. Mario helped to pave the way for that reality.