Bowser (Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island theme)
| "Bowser" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| "Bowser" in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island | |||
Image from Nintendo Music | |||
| Composed by: Koji Kondo | |||
| Genres | Heavy metal, speed metal | ||
| Key | D minor | ||
| First appearance | Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (1995) | ||
| Latest appearance | Mario Kart World (2025) | ||
| |||
"Bowser"[1] is a musical theme composed by Koji Kondo for Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, where it plays during the final boss battle against Big Baby Bowser. In contrast to the jazz influence of most of the soundtrack, "Bowser" features a heavy metal and speed metal sound with elements of progressive rock, reminiscent of Deep Purple.
History[edit]
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island / Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3[edit]
| It has been requested that at least one audio and/or video file related to this section be uploaded. Specifics: The Game Boy Advance arrangement Please upload music, sound effects, voice clips, or any videos for this section. See the help page for help getting started. |
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island marks the first appearance of "Bowser". It is also included in the official albums Super Mario: Yossy Island Original Sound Version, Play it Loud! Original Soundtrack Volume 1, and Nintendo Sound Selection Vol.2: Loud Music.
In the Game Boy Advance remake of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3, an arrangement of "Bowser" arranged by Taiju Suzuki plays for the same purpose as in the original game.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]
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In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the "Spring/Summer" variant of the game's arrangement of "Athletic BGM" from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, which can play in the Yoshi's Island stage, quotes "Bowser" before the loop. It is titled "Obstacle Course" in the game's sound test.
Mario Kart World[edit]
In Mario Kart World, a progressive metal arrangement of "Bowser" can play on the route from Toad's Factory to Bowser's Castle in the Lightning Cup, on VS Race routes coming from Airship Fortress, Wario Shipyard, Dry Bones Burnout, and Bowser's Castle during any time of day, and on any VS Race route during nighttime.
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Other appearances[edit]
Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary Live[edit]
The "Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary Live" concert series featured a live big band jazz medley arrangement of "Airship BGM" from Super Mario Bros. 3, "Bowser's Road" from Super Mario 64, "Final Battle with Bowser" from Super Mario Galaxy, "Bowser's Highway Showdown" from Super Mario 3D World, and "Bowser" from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.
List of Super Mario appearances[edit]
Games[edit]
| Work | System | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | 1995 | Original | "Bowser"[1] | Koji Kondo |
| Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 | Game Boy Advance | 2002 | Arrangement | Taiju Suzuki | |
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Wii | 2008 | Arrangement | "Obstacle Course"[2] | Shota Kageyama |
| Mario Kart World | Nintendo Switch 2 | 2025 | Arrangement | "Bowser"[3] |
Albums[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario: Yossy Island Original Sound Version | 1995 | Original | 「クッパ」 (Kuppa) | Koji Kondo |
| Play it Loud! Original Soundtrack Volume 1 | 1996 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Nintendo Sound Selection Vol.2: Loud Music | 2004 | Original | 「クッパ」 (Kuppa) | Koji Kondo |
| Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (Nintendo Music) | 2024 | Original | "Bowser" | Koji Kondo |
Live performances[edit]
| Event | Year | Location | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary Live | 2015 | Osaka International Convention Center, Osaka, Japan and Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo, Japan | Arrangement | Super Mario Special Band |
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Note(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | クッパ Kuppa |
Bowser | [1] |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Nintendo Music
- ^ Super Smash Bros. Brawl sound test
- ^ Mario Kart World pause menu