Aquatic Ambiance
| "Aquatic Ambiance" | |
|---|---|
| "Aquatic Ambiance" in Donkey Kong Country | |
 Image from Nintendo Music | |
| Composed by: David Wise | |
| Key | C minor |
| First appearance | Donkey Kong Country (1994) |
| Latest appearance | Donkey Kong Bananza (2025) |
"Aquatic Ambiance"[1][2] is a musical theme composed by David Wise for the underwater levels in Donkey Kong Country.
Composition[edit]
The bassline was the first element of "Aquatic Ambiance" that Wise composed, which was the result of eight waveforms being played in sequence while he was experimenting with the SNES sound chip's capabilities. He used a vocal sample combined with a harp sample, the latter of which he would change slightly, to create the arpeggios at the start of the theme.[3] A harp glissando and reverberated piano are also present in the theme.
Wise had written the theme not specifically for the underwater levels, but simply with the aim of making it "sound nice." He describes the theme as "sad and uplifting at the same time,"[3] and stated that it was inspired by a recently failed relationship, elaborating, "As much as I'd wanted the relationship to work — I always felt as though I was drowning."[4]
History[edit]
Donkey Kong Country series[edit]
Donkey Kong Country[edit]
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It has been requested that at least one audio and/or video file related to this section be uploaded. Specifics: The GBA arrangement Please upload music, sound effects, voice clips, or any videos for this section. See the help page for help getting started. |
Aquatic Ambiance first appears in Donkey Kong Country. It plays in Coral Capers, Clam City, Croctopus Chase, and Poison Pond.
This version of the theme is included in DK Jamz, Super Donkey Kong Game Music CD Jungle Fantasy, and Donkey Kong Country Trilogy albums.
In the remake for the Game Boy Advance, an arrangement of "Aquatic Ambiance" plays in all underwater levels, just like in the original game.
Donkey Kong Country 3 (Game Boy Advance)[edit]
In the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 3, an arrangement of "Aquatic Ambiance" is incorporated into the theme that plays during the game's opening cutscene and title screen, "Intro Tune 1" and "Intro Tune 2".
 Title - The "Aquatic Ambiance" section of the arrangement heard in Donkey Kong Country 3 | File info 0:30 |
Donkey Kong Country Returns[edit]
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In Donkey Kong Country Returns, its Nintendo 3DS port, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, and its Nintendo Switch port, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, an arrangement of "Aquatic Ambiance," titled "Aquatic Ambiance Returns" in the music gallery, plays while riding the whale in Blowhole Bound.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze[edit]
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and its Nintendo Switch port of the same name feature five arrangements of "Aquatic Ambiance."
The first arrangement, titled "Mangrove Cove Underwater," is set in C-sharp minor and plays in the underwater section of Mangrove Cove.
A second arrangement, titled "Aquatic Ambiance Returns," plays in the deeper underwater section of Deep Keep, the entire underwater section of Current Capers, and the entirety of Shoal Atoll. This arrangement sounds closer to the original version of "Aquatic Ambiance." Though it shares a title with the arrangement from Donkey Kong Country Returns, it is a completely unique arrangement.
A third arrangement is set in B minor and plays in the underwater section of Trunk Twister.
The fourth is a medley arrangement of "Aquatic Ambiance" and "Lockjaw's Saga" from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, which plays in the underwater sections of Irate Eight and Rockin' Relics.
A fifth arrangement is set in F minor and plays in the underwater sections of Panicky Paddles.
| Mangrove Cove Underwater - The arrangement heard in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze | File info 0:30 |
| Aquatic Ambiance Returns - The arrangement heard in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze | File info 0:30 |
| Trunk Twister Underwater - The arrangement heard in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze | File info 0:30 |
| Irate Eight Underwater - The "Aquatic Ambiance" section of the arrangement heard in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze | File info 0:30 |
| Swing Juice Underwater - The arrangement heard in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze | File info 0:30 |
Donkey Kong Land[edit]
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It has been requested that at least one audio and/or video file related to this section be uploaded. Specifics: The arrangement Please upload music, sound effects, voice clips, or any videos for this section. See the help page for help getting started. |
In Donkey Kong Land, a chiptune arrangement of "Aquatic Ambiance" plays in Reef Rampage and Nautilus Chase. This arrangement returns in the Game Boy Color remake of Donkey Kong Country, where it plays in all underwater levels.
Donkey Kong Bananza[edit]
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It has been requested that at least one audio and/or video file related to this section be uploaded. Specifics: The arrangement Please upload music, sound effects, voice clips, or any videos for this section. See the help page for help getting started. |
In Donkey Kong Bananza, a sinister arrangement of "Aquatic Ambiance" played on electric guitar is incorporated in "New Donk City," which plays during King K. Rool's takeover of the city before the final battle.
List of Super Mario appearances[edit]
Games[edit]
| Work | System | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong Country | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | 1994 | Original | "Aquatic Ambiance"[2] | David Wise |
| Donkey Kong Land | Game Boy | 1995 | Arrangement | ||
| Donkey Kong Country | Game Boy Color | 2000 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Land) | ||
| Donkey Kong Country | Game Boy Advance | 2003 | Arrangement | "Aquatic Ambiance"[5] | David Wise |
| Donkey Kong Country 3 | Game Boy Advance | 2005 | Arrangement | ||
| Donkey Kong Country Returns | Wii | 2010 | Arrangement | "Aquatic Ambiance Returns" | |
| Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D | Nintendo 3DS | 2013 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country Returns) | "Aquatic Ambiance Returns" | |
| Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze | Wii U | 2014 | Arrangement | "Mangrove Cove Underwater" | |
| "Aquatic Ambiance Returns" | |||||
| Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze | Nintendo Switch | 2018 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze [Wii U]) | "Mangrove Cove Underwater" | |
| "Aquatic Ambiance Returns" | |||||
| Donkey Kong Country Returns HD | Nintendo Switch | 2025 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country Returns) | "Aquatic Ambiance Returns" | |
| Donkey Kong Bananza | Nintendo Switch 2 | 2025 | Arrangement | "New Donk City"[6] |
Albums[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DK Jamz | 1994 | Original | "Aquatic Ambiance" | David Wise |
| Super Donkey Kong Game Music CD Jungle Fantasy | 1995 | Original | 「水中レベル WATER MUSIC」 (Suichū Reberu WATER MUSIC) | David Wise |
| Donkey Kong Country Trilogy | 1996 | Original | "Aquatic Ambiance" | David Wise |
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| French | Aquatic Ambiance[7] | - | |
| German | Tiefsee-Träumerei[8] | Deep-sea Reverie | |
| Italian | Melodia Subacquea[9] | Underwater Melody | |
| Spanish | Acústica Rústica[10] | Rustic Acustic |
Notes[edit]
- On the Nintendo Music app, "Aquatic Ambiance" is labeled as "Selects," classifying it as one "of the very best tracks from the Nintendo Music library," originating from Donkey Kong Country. "Aquatic Ambiance" shares this title with "Theme" and "DK Island Swing."
- In the hidden Sound Player from the Game Boy Advance version of Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong dances at different speeds for each theme, depending on the music's tone and tempo. "Aquatic Ambiance" is a notable exception, as he dances unexpectedly energetically despite the theme's calming tone and slow tempo.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ Nintendo Music
- ^ a b DK Jamz
- ^ a b Driver, D. (August 6, 2023). The Most Emotional Video Game Music in the Unlikeliest of Places. IGN. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ King, D. (November 19, 2024). The Man Behind the Legendary Donkey Kong Country Soundtracks. The New York Times. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance) Sound Player
- ^ Donkey Kong Bananza Sound Test
- ^ Sound Player (2003). Donkey Kong Country. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (French).
- ^ Song-Player (2003). Donkey Kong Country. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German).
- ^ Juke Box (2003). Donkey Kong Country. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (Italian).
- ^ Juke Box (2003). Donkey Kong Country. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (Spanish).
- ^ Supper Mario Broth (@MarioBrothBlog) (November 26, 2024). In the hidden sound test in the GBA version of Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong dances at different speeds for each track, mostly befitting the tone of the music. An exception is the peaceful Aquatic Ambiance track, for which Donkey Kong dances unexpectedly energetically.. X (English). Retrieved July 20, 2025.
