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Dolphin Shoals (theme)

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"Dolphin Shoals"
"Dolphin Shoals (Underwater)" in Mario Kart 8
"Dolphin Shoals (Sea Depths)" in Mario Kart 8
"Dolphin Shoals (On the Sea)" in Mario Kart 8
The second half of "Dolphin Shoals (On the Sea)" in Mario Kart 8
Dolphin Shoals in Mario Kart 8
Image from Nintendo Music
Composed by:
Atsuko Asahi
BPM 138
Time signature(s) 4
4
First appearance Mario Kart 8 (2014)
Latest appearance Mario Kart World (2025)

"Dolphin Shoals"[1] is a musical theme composed by Atsuko Asahi for Mario Kart 8 and its Nintendo Switch port, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, where it plays in the course of the same name. It has three variations that it dynamically alternates between depending on which portion of the course the highest-placed human player is in.

CompositionEdit

“We made the background music for this course completely change to try to get across the dynamic shifts in the landscape, with that liberating feeling of emerging from the water onto dry land. Kazuki Kasuta's sax is a perfect fit for the seaside vibes, and makes for great driving music.”
—Liner notes for "Dolphin Shoals (On the Sea)" in the Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack
“On this track we used a nylon-stringed acoustic guitar to give it a gentle feel. We then added the samba rhythms, which I think fit that tone perfectly. The musical arrangement for the depths of the ocean adds a touch of mystery to proceedings.”
—Liner notes for "Dolphin Shoals (Underwater)" and "Dolphin Shoals (Sea Depths)" in the Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack

All versions of "Dolphin Shoals" are listed in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's Music as follows:

  • The version that plays when viewing Highlight Reels, titled "Dolphin Shoals (On the Sea)" in the Nintendo Music app, features jazzy, upbeat instrumentation and a saxophone as the lead. It also includes an entirely new and improvised section with a saxophone solo.
  • The version that plays when racing on the first portion of the course, titled "Dolphin Shoals (Underwater)" in the Nintendo Music app, features more calm and soothing instrumentation and the melody on a steel pan. It is also transposed down by a note, and does not feature any key changes.
  • A more ambient version of "Dolphin Shoals (Underwater)," titled "Dolphin Shoals (Sea Depths)" in the Nintendo Music app, plays when racing in the cave section of the course.
  • The version that plays when racing on the anti-gravity section above the giant whirlpool is identical to "Dolphin Shoals (On the Sea)," except it loops before the solo section begins.

In the Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack and Nintendo Music app, "Dolphin Shoals (On the Sea)" is listed after "Underwater" and "Sea Depths," with its race course variant being completely absent.

HistoryEdit

Mario Kart seriesEdit

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 DeluxeEdit

  It has been requested that more audio and/or video files related to this section be uploaded. Specifics: Final lap variant and its frontrunning version
Please upload music, sound effects, voice clips, or any videos for this section. See the help page for help getting started.

Mario Kart 8 marks the first appearance of all four versions of "Dolphin Shoals," and features five additional remixes. They return in the Nintendo Switch port, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

On the final lap, a faster variant of "Dolphin Shoals (On The Sea)" with added whistles plays for the entire course.

An additional, looping drum set beat is layered on top on every race course version when the player is driving at full speed and in first place.

  Dolphin Shoals (Underwater / frontrunning) - The frontrunning version of the "Underwater" variant of "Dolphin Shoals"
File info
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  Dolphin Shoals (Sea Depths / frontrunning) - The frontrunning version of the "Sea Depths" variant of "Dolphin Shoals"
File info
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  Dolphin Shoals (On The Sea / frontrunning) - The frontrunning version of the "On The Sea" variant of "Dolphin Shoals"
File info
​
Help:Media file • Having trouble playing?

Mario Kart WorldEdit

  It has been requested that more audio and/or video files related to this section be uploaded. Specifics: All arrangements
Please upload music, sound effects, voice clips, or any videos for this section. See the help page for help getting started.

Mario Kart World features four arrangements of "Dolphin Shoals."

The theme that plays in the results screen when finishing a race in first place features an entirely new section after waiting for about 5 minutes and 43 seconds, which incorporates a loose quote of "Dolphin Shoals (On The Sea)."

An expanded and reharmonized arrangement of "Dolphin Shoals (On The Sea)" can play on the route from Salty Salty Speedway to Dino Dino Jungle, any VS Race route, and in Free Roam. It features a bridge before the "solo" section that resembles "Rito Village (Day)" from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

A vaporwave arrangement of "Dolphin Shoals" can play exclusively in Free Roam.

An arrangement of "Toad Harbor" that can also play exclusively in Free Roam quotes "Dolphin Shoals (On The Sea)."

Other appearancesEdit

Super Nintendo WorldEdit

  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.

At the Super Nintendo World theme park, a brief arrangement of "Dolphin Shoals (Underwater)" plays in the underwater cave section of Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge with the Unagi.

List of Super Mario appearancesEdit

GamesEdit

Work System Year Type Title Credits
Mario Kart 8 Wii U 2014 Original "Dolphin Shoals (On the Sea)"[1] Atsuko Asahi
"Dolphin Shoals (Underwater)"[1]
"Dolphin Shoals (Sea Depths)"[1]
 
Remix  
 
 
 
 
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintendo Switch 2017 Original "Dolphin Shoals (On the Sea)"[1]
"Dolphin Shoals (Underwater)"[1]
"Dolphin Shoals (Sea Depths)"[1]
 
Past remix (Mario Kart 8)  
 
 
 
 
Mario Kart World Nintendo Switch 2 2025 Arrangement  
 
 
 

AlbumsEdit

Work Year Type Title Credits
Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack 2015 Original "Dolphin Shoals (Sea Depths)" Atsuko Asahi
"Dolphin Shoals (On Dry Land)"

Other mediaEdit

Work Year Type Title Credits
Super Nintendo World 2021 Arrangement Dani Donadi[2]

GalleryEdit

Names in other languagesEdit

"Dolphin Shoals (Underwater)"Edit

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ドルフィンみさき（海中）[1]
Dorufin Misaki (kaichū) 		Dolphin Cape (under the sea)
Chinese (simplified) 海豚海角（海中）[1]
Hǎitún Hǎijiǎo (Hǎizhōng) 		Dolphin Cape (In the sea)
Chinese (traditional) 海豚海角（海中）[1]
Hǎitún Hǎijiǎo (Hǎizhōng) 		Dolphin Cape (In the sea)
Dutch Dolfijnenparadijs (onder water)[?] Dolphin Paradise (underwater)
French Lagon Tourbillon (subaquatique)[1] Swirl Lagoon (underwater)
German Delfinlagune (unter Wasser)[1] Dolphin Lagoon (underwater)
Italian Laguna Delfino (sott'acqua)[1] Dolphin Lagoon (underwater)
Korean 돌핀 케이프(바닷속)[1]
Dolpin Keipeu (badatsok) 		Dolphin Cape (under the sea)
Portuguese Lagoa do Golfinho (debaixo de água)[1] Dolphin's Lagoon (underwater)
Russian Дельфиньи отмели (под водой)[1]
Del'fin'i otmeli (pod vodoy) 		Dolphin Shoals (underwater)
Spanish Cala Delfín (bajo el agua)[1] Dolphin Cove (under the water)

"Dolphin Shoals (Sea Depths)"Edit

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ドルフィンみさき（深海）[1]
Dorufin Misaki (shinkai) 		Dolphin Cape (deep sea)
Chinese (simplified) 海豚海角（深海）[1]
Hǎitún Hǎijiǎo (shēnhǎi) 		Dolphin Cape (deep sea)
Chinese (traditional) 海豚海角（深海）[1]
Hǎitún Hǎijiǎo (shēnhǎi) 		Dolphin Cape (deep sea)
Dutch Dolfijnenparadijs (diep in de zee)[?] Dolphin Paradise (deep in the sea)
French Lagon Tourbillon (profondeurs)[1] Swirl Lagoon (depths)
German Delfinlagune (Meeresgrund)[1] Dolphin Lagoon (seabed)
Italian Laguna Delfino (profondità marine)[1] Dolphin Lagoon (sea depths)
Korean 돌핀 케이프(심해)[1]
Dolpin Keipeu (simhae) 		Dolphin Cape (deep waters)
Portuguese Lagoa do Golfinho (profundezas)[1] Dolphin's Lagoon (depths)
Russian Дельфиньи отмели (в глубинах моря)[1]
Del'fin'i otmeli (v glubinakh morya) 		Dolphin Shoals (in the depths of the sea)
Spanish Cala Delfín (fondo marino)[1] Dolphin Cove (seabed)

"Dolphin Shoals (On The Sea)"Edit

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ドルフィンみさき（海上）[1]
Dorufin Misaki (kaijō) 		Dolphin Cape (at sea)
Chinese (simplified) 海豚海角（海上）[1]
Hǎitún Hǎijiǎo (hǎishàng) 		Dolphin Cape (maritime)
Chinese (traditional) 海豚海角（海上）[1]
Hǎitún Hǎijiǎo (hǎishàng) 		Dolphin Cape (maritime)
Dutch Dolfijnenparadijs (boven water)[1] Dolphin Paradise (above water)
French Lagon Tourbillon (à la surface)[1] Swirl Lagoon (on the surface)
German Delfinlagune (über Wasser)[1] Dolphin Lagoon (over Water)
Italian Laguna Delfino (sul mare)[1] Dolphin Lagoon
Korean 돌핀 케이프(바다 위)[1]
Dolpin Keipeu (bada wi) 		Dolphin Cape (on the sea)
Portuguese Lagoa do Golfinho (no mar)[1] Dolphin's Lagoon (no sea)
Russian Дельфиньи отмели (на воде)[1]
Del'fin'i otmeli (na vode) 		Dolphin Shoals (on the water)
Spanish (NOA) Cala Delfín (en el mar)[1] Dolphin Shoals (on the sea)
Spanish (NOE) Cala Delfín (tierra firme)[1] Dolphin Shoals (firm land)

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am Nintendo Music
  2. ^ Dani Donadi. Profile. Linkedin. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
[Edit]
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