Bowser's Keep (theme)

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"Bowser's Keep"
"Bowser's Keep" in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Mario finding last 4 10-Coins in the iron ball action course of Bowser's Keep of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
Composed by:
Yoko Shimomura
First appearance Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996)
Latest appearance The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)
Quotes from
"King of the Koopas" (Super Mario Bros. 3)
“My aim for this song was to invoke that typical "evil villain's lair" atmosphere you encounter in RPGs, while also creating something that still felt musically at home in the Mario universe.”
Yoko Shimomura, Liner notes for "Bowser's Keep (First Visit)" in Super Mario RPG Original Sound Box
“It's virtually the same as the first visit to Bowser's Keep but the second half features elements of his battle theme from Super Mario Brothers 3.[sic]
Yoko Shimomura, Liner notes for "Bowser's Keep (Second Visit)" in Super Mario RPG Original Sound Box

"Bowser's Keep"[1] is a musical theme composed by Yoko Shimomura for Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, where it plays in the location of the same name. There are two versions of the theme: the first version plays in Bowser's Keep at the beginning of the game, while the second version plays in Bowser's Keep after heading back from Nimbus Land. They are titled "Bowser's Keep (First Visit)" and "Bowser's Keep (Second Visit)" respectively. The second version adds a new section that quotes "King of the Koopas" from Super Mario Bros. 3.

History[edit]

Super Mario RPG[edit]

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars[edit]

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars marks the first appearance of "Bowser's Keep". Both versions of the theme are also included in the official albums Super Mario RPG Original Sound Version and Super Mario RPG Original Sound Box.

Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)[edit]

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In the Nintendo Switch remake of Super Mario RPG, orchestral arrangements of "Bowser's Keep (First Visit)" and "Bowser's Keep (Second Visit)" play for the same purposes as in the original game. If the music is set to the "Classic" setting, the original versions of the themes will play instead. The new orchestral arrangements are also included in the official albums Super Mario RPG Original Soundtrack, Super Mario RPG Original Sound Box, and Super Mario RPG Original Sound Vinyl Box.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie[edit]

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Please upload music, sound effects, voice clips, or any videos for this section. See the help page for help getting started.

In The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, an arrangement of "Bowser's Keep" arranged by Brian Tyler plays when Bowser is painting in his miniature castle. It is titled "A Master Artist at Work" in the film's official soundtrack.

List of Super Mario appearances[edit]

Games[edit]

Work System Year Type Title Credits
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Super Nintendo Entertainment System 1996 Original 「クッパ城(其ノ壱)」 (Kuppa-jō (Sono ichi))[2] Yoko Shimomura
「クッパ城(其ノ弐)」 (Kuppa-jō (Sono ni))[2]
Super Mario RPG Nintendo Switch 2023 Original "Bowser's Keep (First Visit)"[1] Yoko Shimomura
Arrangement
Original "Bowser's Keep (Second Visit)"[1]
Arrangement

Film and television[edit]

Work Year Type Title Credits
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie 2026 Arrangement "A Master Artist at Work"[3] Brian Tyler

Albums[edit]

Work Year Type Title Credits
Super Mario RPG Original Sound Version 1996 Original 「クッパ城(其ノ壱)」 (Kuppa-jō (Sono ichi)) Yoko Shimomura
「クッパ城(其ノ弐)」 (Kuppa-jō (Sono ni))
Super Mario RPG Original Soundtrack 2025 Past arrangement (Super Mario RPG [Nintendo Switch]) 「クッパ城(其ノ壱)」 (Kuppa-jō (Sono ichi)) Yoko Shimomura
「クッパ城(其ノ弐)」 (Kuppa-jō (Sono ni))
Super Mario RPG Original Sound Box 2025 Past arrangement (Super Mario RPG [Nintendo Switch]) 「クッパ城(其ノ壱)」 (Kuppa-jō (Sono ichi)) Yoko Shimomura
「クッパ城(其ノ弐)」 (Kuppa-jō (Sono ni))
Original 「クッパ城(其ノ壱)」 (Kuppa-jō (Sono ichi))
「クッパ城(其ノ弐)」 (Kuppa-jō (Sono ni))
Super Mario RPG Original Sound Vinyl Box 2025 Past arrangement (Super Mario RPG [Nintendo Switch]) 「クッパ城(其ノ壱)」 (Kuppa-jō (Sono ichi)) Yoko Shimomura
「クッパ城(其ノ弐)」 (Kuppa-jō (Sono ni))
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2026 Past arrangement (The Super Mario Galaxy Movie) "A Master Artist at Work" Brian Tyler

Names in other languages[edit]

"Bowser's Keep (First Visit)"[edit]

Language Name Meaning Note(s) Ref.
Japanese クッパ城(其ノ壱)
Kuppa-jō (Sono ichi)
Bowser's Castle (First Time) [2]

"Bowser's Keep (Second Visit)"[edit]

Language Name Meaning Note(s) Ref.
Japanese クッパ城(其ノ弐)
Kuppa-jō (Sono ni)
Bowser's Castle (Second Time) [2]

References[edit]