Ground BGM (Super Mario Bros. 3)

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"Ground BGM"
"Ground BGM" in Super Mario Bros. 3
The image for "Ground BGM" from Super Mario Bros. 3 on Nintendo Music
Image from Nintendo Music
Composed by:
Koji Kondo
Genre Reggae
Key C major
BPM 150
Time signature 2
2
(with swung eighths)
First appearance Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988)
Latest appearance Hello, Mario! (2025)
Arranged in
"Hammer Dance" (Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix)
Quoted by
"Main Theme" (Super Mario 3D Land)

"Ground BGM",[1] also known as "Ground Theme"[2] or "Main Theme",[3] is a musical theme composed by Koji Kondo for Super Mario Bros. 3, where it plays in the ground levels. It is a reggae composition, featuring a backbeat rhythm on woodblock and timbales that is played through PCM audio samples.

History[edit]

Super Mario series[edit]

Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]

Super Mario Bros. 3 marks the first appearance of "Ground BGM". It is also included in the official albums Super Mario World, Game Sound Museum: Super Mario Bros. 3, Famicom Sound History Series: Mario the Music, Happy! Mario 20th - Super Mario Sound Collection, and The 30th Anniversary Super Mario Bros. Music.

"Ground BGM" plays in the following levels:

Super Mario All-Stars[edit]

In the SNES remake of Super Mario Bros. 3 in Super Mario All-Stars, as well as its reissues Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World and Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition, an arrangement of "Ground BGM" plays for the same purposes as in the original game.

Icon of an audio speaker. Ground BGM - The arrangement heard in Super Mario All-Stars
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Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]

In the Game Boy Advance remake of Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, an arrangement of "Ground BGM" based on the Super Mario All-Stars arrangement plays for the same purposes as in the original game. This arrangement uses timbales instead of bongos before the transitional ones. It also plays in the following levels in World-e:

Icon of an audio speaker. Ground BGM - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
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Super Mario 3D Land[edit]

Main article: Main Theme (Super Mario 3D Land)

In Super Mario 3D Land, the second half of the theme that plays in the ground levels is based on the second half of "Ground BGM".

New Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]

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In New Super Mario Bros. 2, a brief arrangement of "Ground BGM" can somtimes play in the loading chime.

Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS / Super Mario Maker 2[edit]

In Super Mario Maker, Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS, and Super Mario Maker 2, the original version of "Ground BGM" plays in Super Mario Bros. 3-style ground-themed levels. In Super Mario Maker 2, it also plays in Super Mario Bros. 3-style desert and forest-themed levels.

An ambient arrangement of "Ground BGM" plays while editing Super Mario Bros. 3-style ground-themed levels in the Course Maker. In Super Mario Maker 2, two different ambient arrangements of the theme play while editing Super Mario Bros. 3-style desert and forest-themed levels respectively in the Course Maker, with the former prominently featuring the harmonica, banjo, and pan flute in its instrumentation, while the latter prominently featuring marimba, pan flute, pizzicato strings, and tuba. All three arrangements use eight tracks that fade in and out randomly to create a dynamic mix.

Exclusively in Super Mario Maker 2, a music box arrangement of "Ground BGM" plays in the nighttime version of Super Mario Bros. 3-style ground, desert, and forest-themed levels.

Icon of an audio speaker. Ground Theme (Edit) - Super Mario Bros. 3 - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Maker
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Icon of an audio speaker. Desert Theme (Edit) - Super Mario Bros 3 - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Maker 2
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Icon of an audio speaker. Forest Theme (Edit) - Super Mario Bros. 3 - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Maker 2
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Icon of an audio speaker. Ground Theme (Night) - Super Mario Bros. 3 - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Maker 2
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Super Mario Run[edit]

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In Super Mario Run, a medley arrangement of "Ground BGM" from Super Mario Bros., "Ground BGM" from Super Mario Bros. 3, "Easton Kingdom BGM" from Super Mario Land, "Ground BGM" from Super Mario World, and "Underground BGM" from Super Mario Bros. 2 plays in Remix 10.

Super Mario Bros. 3 (Nelsonic Game Watch)[edit]

In Super Mario Bros. 3 for the Nelsonic Game Watch, a brief arrangement of "Ground BGM" plays at the start of each game.[4]

The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]

In The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, an arrangement of "Ground BGM" arranged by Michael Tavera is featured in various episodes of the show. It is also used for the main menu screen of the show's complete series DVD box set.

Icon of an audio speaker. Ground BGM - The arrangement heard in The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3
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Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Melee[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. Melee, a rock/jazz/reggae medley arrangement of "Ground BGM" and "World 1 Map (Grass Land)" from Super Mario Bros. 3 arranged by Shogo Sakai can play in the Yoshi's Island stage. It also plays during the staff credits in Classic Mode and Adventure Mode after completing them as Mario. It is titled "Super Mario Bros. 3" in the game's sound test.

Icon of an audio speaker. Super Mario Bros. 3 - The arrangement heard in Super Smash Bros. Melee
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Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, "Super Mario Bros. 3" from Super Smash Bros. Melee can play in the Yoshi's Island stage. It is titled "Super Mario Bros. 3 (Melee)" in the game's sound test.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the original version of "Ground BGM" can play in the Peach's Castle and Super Mario Maker stages, which were added as downloadable content on July 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015 respectively. Exclusively in the Wii U version, "Super Mario Bros. 3" from Super Smash Bros. Melee can play in the Yoshi's Island stage. Both the original theme and the Super Smash Bros. Melee arrangement are titled "Ground Theme (Super Mario Bros. 3)" in the game's sound test. Both games also feature "Style Switch: Ground Theme", which is exclusive to the Super Mario Maker stage and switches between the original versions of the ground themes of the games available in Super Mario Maker, including "Ground BGM" from Super Mario Bros. 3.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

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In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a medley arrangement of "Ground BGM", "Course Clear", and "World 1 Map (Grass Land)" from Super Mario Bros. 3 arranged by Masafumi Takada and "Super Mario Bros. 3" from Super Smash Bros. Melee can play in any Super Smash Bros.-series and Super Mario-series stage. They are titled "Ground Theme - Super Mario Bros. 3" and "Ground Theme - Super Mario Bros. 3 (Melee)" respectively in the game's sound test. The medley arrangement blends acoustic and chiptune-inspired instrumentation.

"Style Switch: Ground Theme" from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U also returns, now titled "Ground Theme - Super Mario series". It is the only theme in the game to only be present on the My Music menu of certain stages from a series, as its odds can only be adjusted for the Super Mario Maker stage. However, the medley can also randomly appear on Super Smash Bros.-series stages.

Donkey Konga 2[edit]

Super Mario Bros. 3 Theme
Game(s) Donkey Konga 2 Europe
Length 2:13
Cost 580
Difficulties
Solo Monkey ★★★★★★
Chimp ★★★★★★
Gorilla ★★★★★★
Duet Monkey ★★★★★★★
Chimp ★★★★★★★
Gorilla ★★★★★

Exclusively in the European version of Donkey Konga 2, "Super Mario Bros. 3" from Super Smash Bros. Melee is included as a playable song. It is titled "Super Mario Bros. 3 Theme".

WarioWare series[edit]

WarioWare: Twisted![edit]

In WarioWare: Twisted!, an excerpt of "Ground BGM" plays in the microgame Super Mario Bros. 3.

WarioWare: Move It![edit]

In WarioWare: Move It!, an excerpt of "Ground BGM" plays in Level 3 of the microgame Super Mario Bros. 3.

Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix[edit]

Main article: Hammer Dance

Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix features a ska arrangement of "Ground BGM" as a playable song. It is titled "Hammer Dance".

Icon of an audio speaker. Hammer Dance - The arrangement heard in Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix
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Tetris DS[edit]

In Tetris DS, an arrangement of "Ground BGM" plays in levels 4, 5, and 6 in Marathon mode. It is titled "Mario Tetris 3" in the game's Music menu.

Icon of an audio speaker. Mario Tetris 3 - The arrangement heard in Tetris DS
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Mario & Sonic series[edit]

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games[edit]

In the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, the original version of "Ground BGM" can be unlocked in the Music Gallery after completing four categories.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games[edit]

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In the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, a tropical arrangement of "Ground BGM" played on the melodica with steel drum accompaniment can be chosen as the background music for events. It is titled "Main Theme: Super Mario Bros. 3" in the game's sound test. This theme also incorporates an arrangement of "Player Down" from Super Mario Bros. 3 approximately 55 seconds in.

Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games[edit]

In Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, the arrangement of "Ground BGM" from Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games can once again be chosen as the background music for events. It is titled "Main Theme: Super Mario Bros. 3 (Remix)" in the game's sound test.

Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games[edit]

This section needs Mario & Sonic improvement. Specifically:

  • Add sound test information.

In the Wii U version of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the arrangement of "Ground BGM" from Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games can once again be chosen as the background music for events.

Paper Mario: Color Splash[edit]

In Paper Mario: Color Splash, the original version of "Ground BGM" plays in some portions of the Super Mario Bros. 3-like world in the Green Energy Plant. When the player flips, the theme seamlessly shifts to a more ethereal, echoing remix.

Icon of an audio speaker. Ground BGM (Flipped) - Super Mario Bros. 3 - The remix heard in Paper Mario: Color Splash
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The Super Mario Bros. Movie[edit]

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In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, an arrangement of "Ground BGM" is incorporated in the track "It's a Dog Eat Plumber World", which plays during the scene of Mario and Luigi visiting the Brooklyn couple's apartment. It was arranged by Brian Tyler, and it is also included in the film's official soundtrack.

Mario Kart World[edit]

In Mario Kart World, a reggae arrangement of "Ground BGM" can play in Free Roam during the day. This arrangement takes elements from the Course Maker arrangement from Super Mario Maker.

Icon of an audio speaker. Ground BGM - 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 jazz arrangement of "Ground BGM" arranged by Soichi Noriki and performed by the Mario World Band. It is titled "Go! Go! Raccoon Mario".

Super Smash Bros. Melee: Smashing...Live![edit]

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In the Super Smash Bros. Melee: Smashing...Live! album, a live orchestral arrangement of "Ground BGM" is incorporated in the "Smash Bros. Great Medley".

Super Nintendo World[edit]

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At the Super Nintendo World theme park, an arrangement of "Ground BGM" can play in the 1-UP Factory.

Gallery[edit]

List of Super Mario appearances[edit]

Games[edit]

Work System Year Type Title Credits
Super Mario Bros. 3 Nintendo Entertainment System 1988 Original "Ground BGM"[1] Koji Kondo
Super Mario Bros. 3 Nelsonic Game Watch 1990 Arrangement
Super Mario All-Stars Super Nintendo Entertainment System 1993 Arrangement Soyo Oka
Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World Super Nintendo Entertainment System 1994 Past arrangement (Super Mario All-Stars) Soyo Oka
Super Smash Bros. Melee Nintendo GameCube 2001 Arrangement "Super Mario Bros. 3"[5] Shogo Sakai
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 Game Boy Advance 2003 Arrangement Taiju Suzuki
WarioWare: Twisted! Game Boy Advance 2004 Original Koji Kondo
Donkey Konga 2 Nintendo GameCube 2005[a] Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Melee) "Super Mario Bros. 3 Theme" Shogo Sakai
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix Nintendo GameCube 2005 Arrangement "Hammer Dance"
Tetris DS Nintendo DS 2006 Arrangement "Mario Tetris 3"[6]
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Wii 2009 Original "Ground BGM"[7] Koji Kondo
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Wii 2008 Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Melee) "Super Mario Bros. 3 (Melee)"[8] Shogo Sakai
Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition Wii 2010 Past arrangement (Super Mario All-Stars) Soyo Oka
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games Wii 2011 Arrangement "Main Theme: Super Mario Bros. 3"[9]
New Super Mario Bros. 2 Nintendo 3DS 2012 Arrangement Kenta Nagata
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games Wii U 2013 Past arrangement (Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games [Wii]) "Main Theme: Super Mario Bros. 3 (Remix)"[10]
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Wii U 2014 Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Melee) "Ground Theme (Super Mario Bros. 3)"[11] Shogo Sakai
2015[b] Original "Ground Theme (Super Mario Bros. 3)"[11] Koji Kondo
Super Mario Maker Wii U 2015 Original Koji Kondo
Arrangement
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Nintendo 3DS 2015[b] Original "Ground Theme (Super Mario Bros. 3)"[12] Koji Kondo
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Wii U 2016 Past arrangement (Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games [Wii])
Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS Nintendo 3DS 2016 Original Koji Kondo
Past arrangement (Super Mario Maker)
Super Mario Run iOS, Android 2017[c] Arrangement
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2018 Original "Ground Theme - Super Mario series"[13] Koji Kondo
Arrangement "Ground Theme - Super Mario Bros. 3"[13] Masafumi Takada
Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Melee) "Ground Theme - Super Mario Bros. 3 (Melee)"[13] Shogo Sakai
Super Mario Maker 2 Nintendo Switch 2019 Original Koji Kondo
Past arrangement (Super Mario Maker)
Arrangement
WarioWare: Move It! Nintendo Switch 2023 Original Koji Kondo
Mario Kart World Nintendo Switch 2 2025 Arrangement "Ground BGM"[14]
  1. ^ Exclusive to the European version, which released on June 3, 2005
  2. ^ a b Added as downloadable content on September 30, 2015
  3. ^ Added in the 3.0.4 update on September 28, 2017

Film and television[edit]

Work Year Type Title Credits
The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 1990 Arrangement Michael Tavera
The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2023 Arrangement "It's a Dog Eat Plumber World"[15] Brian Tyler

Albums[edit]

Work Year Type Title Credits
Famicom Graffiti: Nintendo Cartridge Edition 1990 Arrangement 「MEDLEY III(マリオブラザーズ~スーパーマリオブラザーズ~スーパーマリオブラザーズ3)」
(MEDLEY III (Mario Burazāzu ~ Sūpā Mario Burazāzu ~ Sūpā Mario Burazāzu 3))
Game Music Graffiti - Nintendo Complete Works Collection 1990 Arrangement 「MEDLEY III(マリオブラザーズ~スーパーマリオブラザーズ~スーパーマリオブラザーズ3)」
(MEDLEY III (Mario Burazāzu ~ Sūpā Mario Burazāzu ~ Sūpā Mario Burazāzu 3))
Super Mario World 1991 Original 「地上BGM」 (Chijō BGM) Koji Kondo
Arrangement "Go! Go! Raccoon Mario" Soichi Noriki
Super Smash Bros. Melee: Smashing...Live! 2003 Arrangement "Smash Bros. Great Medley" Shogo Sakai
Game Sound Museum: Super Mario Bros. 3 2004 Original 「地上BGM」 (Chijō BGM) Koji Kondo
Famicom Sound History Series: Mario the Music 2004 Original 「地上BGM~ワーニング~地上BGM ハリーアップ!」
(Chijō BGM ~ Wāningu ~ Chijō BGM Harī Appu!)
Koji Kondo
Happy! Mario 20th - Super Mario Sound Collection 2005 Original 「地上BGM」 (Chijō BGM) Koji Kondo
The 30th Anniversary Super Mario Bros. Music 2015 Original 「地上BGM」 (Chijō BGM) Koji Kondo
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2023 Past arrangement (The Super Mario Bros. Movie) "It's a Dog Eat Plumber World" Brian Tyler

Other media[edit]

Work Year Type Title Credits
Super Nintendo World 2021 Arrangement Dani Donadi[16]
Nintendo Music 2025[a] Original "Ground BGM" Koji Kondo
  1. ^ Added on March 9, 2025

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Note(s) Ref.
Japanese 地上BGM
Chijō BGM
Ground BGM [1]

Notes[edit]

  • On the Nintendo Music app, "Ground BGM" is labeled as "Selects", classifying it as one "of the very best tracks from the Nintendo Music library", originating from Super Mario Bros. 3. "Ground BGM" shares this title with "World 1 Map (Grass Land)" and "Athletic BGM".

References[edit]