Castle BGM (Super Mario World)

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"Castle BGM"
"Castle BGM" in Super Mario World
The image for "Castle BGM" from Super Mario World on Nintendo Music.
Image from Nintendo Music
Composed by:
Koji Kondo
Key F Dorian (first half); C minor (repeating bars)
BPM 104
Time signature Common time
First appearance Super Mario World (1990)
Latest appearance The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)
Arrangement of
"Ground BGM" (Super Mario World)
Quoted by
"Castle Theme" (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)

"Castle BGM",[1] also known as simply "Castle",[2] is a musical theme composed by Koji Kondo for Super Mario World, where it plays in the castle levels. It is a slower-paced, more foreboding arrangement of "Ground BGM" from the same game.

Composition[edit]

"Castle BGM" is a slow arrangement of "Ground BGM" that flattens most instances of the mediant and leading tone to put the melody in the Dorian mode. The theme is transposed to C minor for the repeating bars.

History[edit]

Super Mario series[edit]

Super Mario World / Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2[edit]

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Super Mario World marks the first appearance of "Castle BGM", and it returns in the port of the game included in Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World for the same purpose. It is also included in the official albums Super Mario World, Nintendo Super Famicom Game Music, Happy! Mario 20th - Super Mario Sound Collection, and The 30th Anniversary Super Mario Bros. Music.

In the Game Boy Advance remake of Super Mario World, Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2, an arrangement of "Castle BGM" plays for the same purpose as in the original game.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii[edit]

Main article: Castle Theme (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)

In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, the theme that plays in the castle levels quotes "Castle BGM" approximately 26 and 42 seconds in.

Icon of an audio speaker. Castle Theme - The arrangement heard in New Super Mario Bros. Wii
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Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS / Super Mario Maker 2[edit]

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In Super Mario Maker, Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS, and Super Mario Maker 2, the original version of "Castle BGM" plays in Super Mario World-style castle-themed levels. Additionally, the theme that plays in Super Mario World-style airship-themed levels is based on "Castle BGM". This arrangement is played on brass and string instruments with a timpani and orchestral percussion as the accompaniment. For both themes, additional bongo percussion is added to the instrumentation whenever the player rides a Yoshi.

Ambient arrangements of "Castle BGM" and the airship arrangement play while editing Super Mario World-style castle-themed and airship-themed levels respectively in the Course Maker. Both arrangements uses eight tracks that fade in and out randomly to create a dynamic mix.

Exclusively in Super Mario Maker 2, music box arrangements of "Castle BGM" and the airship arrangement play in the nighttime versions of 'Super Mario World-style castle-themed and airship-themed levels respectively.

Icon of an audio speaker. Castle Theme (Edit) - Super Mario World - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Maker
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Icon of an audio speaker. Castle Theme (Night) - Super Mario World - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Maker 2
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Icon of an audio speaker. Airship Theme - Super Mario World - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Maker
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Icon of an audio speaker. Airship Theme (Edit) - Super Mario World - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Maker
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Icon of an audio speaker. Airship Theme (Night) - Super Mario World - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Maker 2
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Super Mario World television series[edit]

An arrangement of the second half of "Castle BGM" can be heard throughout various episodes in the Super Mario World television series, generally in scenes relating to the Koopalings. It appears to be composed using only the original game's right speaker, evident by the fact that the arrangement's intro lacks a few notes from the original theme's intro.

Mario Teaches Typing series[edit]

Mario Teaches Typing[edit]

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In Mario Teaches Typing, an arrangement of "Castle BGM" plays in the advanced level, Mario's Tunnel of Doom.

Mario Teaches Typing 2[edit]

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In Mario Teaches Typing 2, an arrangement of "Castle BGM" plays in the advanced level, Mario's Tunnel of Doom. This arrangement has a new, extended part of the melody.

Super Mario Bros. Mushroom World[edit]

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In Super Mario Bros. Mushroom World, an arrangement of "Castle BGM" is one of the several themes that can play during gameplay.

Mario Discovery Series[edit]

Mario is Missing![edit]

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The Super Nintendo Entertainment System and PC versions of Mario is Missing! both feature two arrangements of "Castle BGM":

  • An arrangement of the first half of "Castle BGM" plays in Bowser's Castle.
  • An arrangement of the second half of "Castle BGM" plays during boss battles.

In the Nintendo Entertainment System version of Mario is Missing!, a chiptune arrangement of "Castle BGM" plays in Bowser's Castle. It is the only version of Mario is Missing! to feature only one arrangement of "Castle BGM", as the theme that plays during boss battles is instead an original composition.

Icon of an audio speaker. Bowser's Castle 1 - The arrangement heard in the SNES version of Mario is Missing!
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Icon of an audio speaker. Bowser's Castle 2 - The arrangement heard in the SNES version of Mario is Missing!
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Icon of an audio speaker. Boss Battle - The arrangement heard in the SNES version of Mario is Missing!
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Icon of an audio speaker. Bowser's Castle - The arrangement heard in the NES version of Mario is Missing!
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Mario's Time Machine[edit]

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System version of Mario's Time Machine features two arrangements of "Castle BGM":

  • A mashup arrangement of "Castle BGM" and "Vanilla Dome (Map Screen)" from Super Mario World plays in the game's title screen.
  • An arrangement of the first half of "Castle BGM" is one of two themes that can play in Bowser's Castle, the other being an arrangement of "Ghost House BGM" from Super Mario World.

The PC version of Mario's Time Machine features two arrangements of "Castle BGM":

  • A brief medley arrangement of "Koopalings BGM" and "Castle BGM" from Super Mario World plays at the end of the opening cutscene.
  • An arrangement of "Castle BGM" is one of two themes that can play in Bowser's Museum, the other being an arrangement of "Ghost House BGM".
Icon of an audio speaker. Title - The arrangement heard in the SNES version of Mario's Time Machine
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Icon of an audio speaker. Bowser's Castle 1 - The arrangement heard in the SNES version of Mario's Time Machine
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Icon of an audio speaker. Opening - The arrangement heard in the PC version of Mario's Time Machine
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Icon of an audio speaker. Bowser's Museum 1 - The arrangement heard in the PC version of Mario's Time Machine
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Paper Mario series[edit]

Paper Mario[edit]

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In Paper Mario, the theme that plays in Toad Town Tunnels quotes "Castle BGM" approximately 34 seconds in. It is included in the track "Toad Town Variations" in the official Paper Mario Game Music Soundtrack CD album.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door[edit]

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In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, the theme that plays in Palace of Shadow quotes "Castle BGM" approximately 25 seconds in. It is likewise titled "Palace of Shadow" in the Nintendo Music app.

Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, a medley arrangement of "Castle BGM" and "Fortress Boss" from Super Mario Bros. 3 arranged by Yusuke Takahama can play in the Luigi's Mansion stage. It also plays when encountering False Peach and/or Zelda in The Subspace Emissary. It is titled "Castle / Boss Fortress (Super Mario World / SMB 3)" in the game's sound test. This arrangement was originally able to be played in the Delfino Plaza stage,[3] but in the final game, it cannot play in that stage.

Icon of an audio speaker. Castle / Boss Fortress (Super Mario World / SMB 3) - The arrangement heard in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
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Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, "Castle / Boss Fortress (Super Mario World / SMB 3)" from Super Smash Bros. Brawl can play in the Luigi's Mansion and Super Mario Maker stages.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, "Castle / Boss Fortress (Super Mario World / SMB 3)" from Super Smash Bros. Brawl can play in any Super Smash Bros.-series and Super Mario-series stage. It is formatted as "Castle / Boss Fortress - Super Mario World / SMB 3" in the game's sound test.

WarioWare: Get It Together![edit]

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In WarioWare: Get It Together!, an arrangement of "Castle BGM" plays in level 3 of the Super Mario World boss microgame. This arrangement uses higher-quality samples, but it is otherwise near identical to the original.

Illumination film series[edit]

The Super Mario Bros. Movie[edit]

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The Super Mario Bros. Movie features two brief arrangements of "Castle BGM" arranged by Brian Tyler, both of which are also included in the film's official soundtrack.

The first arrangement plays during Mario's first run through the Training Course. It is titled "World 1-1".

The second arrangement is incorporated in the theme that plays during the staff credits approximately 1 minute and 34 seconds in. It is titled "Level Complete".

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie[edit]

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In The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, a brief arrangement of "Castle BGM" is incorporated in the theme that plays during the staff credits approximately 56 seconds in. It is titled "1up" in the film's official soundtrack.

Mario Kart World[edit]

In Mario Kart World, a groove metal arrangement of the second half of "Castle BGM" can play on VS Race routes coming from Airship Fortress, Wario Shipyard, Boo Cinema, Dry Bones Burnout, and Bowser's Castle during the day. It is fully titled "Castle BGM (Super Mario World)" in the Nintendo Music app.

Icon of an audio speaker. Castle BGM (Super Mario World) - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart World
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Other appearances[edit]

Super Mario World album[edit]

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The official Super Mario World soundtrack album features a medley arrangement of "Underground BGM", "Ghost House BGM", and "Castle BGM" from Super Mario World arranged by Soichi Noriki and performed by the Mario World Band. It is titled "Mario! Stay Alert!"

Nintendo Live 2023[edit]

Nintendo Live 2023 in Seattle, Washington, USA featured a live performance of themes from various Super Mario games, including an arrangement of the "Castle BGM" portion of "Level Complete" from The Super Mario Bros. Movie, perfromed by the Super Mario Super Big Band.[4]

Gallery[edit]

List of Super Mario appearances[edit]

Games[edit]

Work System Year Type Title Credits
Super Mario World Super Nintendo Entertainment System 1991 Original "Castle BGM"[1] Koji Kondo
Super Mario Bros. Mushroom World Pinball 1992 Arrangement
Mario is Missing! MS-DOS 1992 Arrangement Rob Wallace
Mario is Missing! Super Nintendo Entertainment System 1993 Arrangement
Mario is Missing! Nintendo Entertainment System 1993 Arrangement
Mario's Time Machine MS-DOS 1993 Arrangement Rob Wallace
Mario's Time Machine Super Nintendo Entertainment System 1993 Arrangement Mark Knight
Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World Super Nintendo Entertainment System 1994 Original "Castle BGM"[1] Koji Kondo
Mario Teaches Typing PC 1995 Arrangement
Mario Teaches Typing 2 PC 1996 Arrangement
Paper Mario Nintendo 64 2000 Arrangement "Toad Town Variations"[5] Yuka Tsujiyoko
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 Game Boy Advance 2001 Arrangement
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Nintendo GameCube 2004 Arrangement "Palace of Shadow"[6]
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Wii 2008 Arrangement "Castle / Boss Fortress (Super Mario World / SMB 3)"[7] Yusuke Takahama
New Super Mario Bros. Wii Wii 2009 Arrangement Shiho Fujii
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Wii U 2014 Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) "Castle / Boss Fortress (Super Mario World / SMB 3)"[8] Yusuke Takahama
Super Mario Maker Wii U 2015 Original Koji Kondo
Remix
Arrangement
Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS Nintendo 3DS 2016 Original Koji Kondo
Past remix (Super Mario Maker)
Past arrangement (Super Mario Maker)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2018 Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) "Castle / Boss Fortress - Super Mario World / SMB 3"[9] Yusuke Takahama
Super Mario Maker 2 Nintendo Switch 2019 Original Koji Kondo
Past remix (Super Mario Maker)
Past arrangement (Super Mario Maker)
Arrangement
WarioWare: Get It Together! Nintendo Switch 2021 Arrangement
Mario Kart World Nintendo Switch 2 2025 Arrangement "Castle BGM (Super Mario World)"[10]

Film and television[edit]

Work Year Type Title Credits
Super Mario World 1991 Arrangement Michael Tavera
The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2023 Arrangement "World 1-1"[11] Brian Tyler
"Level Complete"[11]
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie 2026 Arrangement "1up"[12] Brian Tyler

Albums[edit]

Work Year Type Title Credits
Super Mario World 1991 Original 「城BGM」 (Shiro BGM) Koji Kondo
Arrangement "Mario! Stay Alert!" Soichi Noriki
Nintendo Super Famicom Game Music 1992 Original 「お城BGM」 (O-Jō BGM) Koji Kondo
Paper Mario Game Music Soundtrack CD 2001 Past arrangement (Paper Mario) "Toad Town Variations" Yuka Tsujiyoko
Happy! Mario 20th - Super Mario Sound Collection 2005 Original 「お城BGM」 (O-Jō BGM) Koji Kondo
The 30th Anniversary Super Mario Bros. Music 2015 Original 「お城BGM」 (O-Jō BGM) Koji Kondo
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2023 Past arrangement (The Super Mario Bros. Movie) "World 1-1" Brian Tyler
"Level Complete"
Super Mario World (Nintendo Music) 2025 Original "Castle BGM" Koji Kondo
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2026 Past arrangement (The Super Mario Galaxy Movie) "1up" Brian Tyler
Mario Kart World (Nintendo Music) 2026[a] Past arrangement (Mario Kart World) "Castle BGM (Super Mario World)"
  1. ^ Added to the album on July 6, 2026

Live performances[edit]

Event Year Location Type Title Credits
Nintendo Live 2023 2023 Seattle Convention Center, Seattle, Washington, USA Arrangement Super Mario Super Big Band

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Note(s) Ref.
Japanese お城BGM
Oshiro BGM
Castle BGM [1]

References[edit]