Hammer BGM

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

"Hammer BGM"
"Hammer BGM" in the arcade version of Donkey Kong
Image from Nintendo Music
Composed by: Yukio Kaneoka
Key	B-flat major
First appearance	Donkey Kong (arcade) (1981)
Latest appearance	Donkey Kong Bananza (2025)

"Hammer BGM" is a simple, short theme composed by Yukio Kaneoka for Donkey Kong, where it plays whenever Mario is using a Hammer in 25m and 50m.

History

Donkey Kong series

Donkey Kong

In addition to its appearance in the original arcade version of Donkey Kong, the first version of the theme also plays when a character uses a Hammer in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Hammer BGM - The arrangement heard in the arcade version of Donkey Kong

File info ​

Help:Media file • Having trouble playing?

ColecoVision

The ColecoVision version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of "Hammer BGM" that uses slightly different chiptune instrumentation and is transposed to a lower key. Like in the original, it can be heard whenever Mario is using a Hammer.

Atari 8-bit Family

The Atari 8-bit family version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of "Hammer BGM" very similar to the original. It was created by Brad Fuller and uses slightly different chiptune instrumentation. Like in the original, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

Nintendo Entertainment System

The Nintendo Entertainment System version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of "Hammer BGM" created by its original composer, Yukio Kaneoka. It is transposed to a higher key. Like in previous versions, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer. This version has gone on to be reused in several later games, often interchangeably with the original arcade version.

This arrangement is reused in the Family Computer Disk System version of Donkey Kong, as well as Donkey Kong-e, the e-Reader port of the game, and Classic NES Series: Donkey Kong, the Game Boy Advance port of the game. It is also used for when a character is using a Hammer in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.

Hammer BGM - The arrangement heard in the NES version of Donkey Kong

File info ​

Help:Media file • Having trouble playing?

VIC-20

The VIC-20 version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of "Hammer BGM" that plays in a much more uneven rhythm than the original and uses different chiptune instrumentation. Like in previous versions, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

Commodore 64 (Atarisoft)

The Atarisoft-developed version of Donkey Kong for the Commodore 64 features an arrangement of "Hammer BGM" very similar to the original, but it is slightly slower and the rhythm of the notes is slightly more uneven. It is played in a slightly low pitch, compared to the original. Like in previous versions, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

Coleco Adam

The Coleco Adam version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of "Hammer BGM" very similar to the ColecoVision arrangement, as it uses the same chiptune instrumentation but without the elongated notes. It can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

Commodore 64 (Ocean Software)

The Ocean Software-developed version of Donkey Kong for the Commodore 64 features an arrangement of "Hammer BGM" that uses much different chiptune instrumentation and is slightly faster than the original. It is transposed to three semitones lower than the original. Like in previous versions, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

MSX

The MSX version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of "Hammer BGM" very similar to the original that uses different chiptune instrumentation. It is transposed to E major, although it is played in a slightly high pitch. Like in previous versions, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

Amstrad CPC

The Amstrad CPC version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of "Hammer BGM" that uses much harsher chiptune instrumentation than the original and is transposed to a higher key than the original. Like in previous versions, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

Atari 7800

The Atari 7800 version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of "Hammer BGM" that uses slightly different chiptune instrumentation and is transposed to F major. Like in previous versions, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

Donkey Kong (Game Boy)

In the Game Boy title Donkey Kong, a slightly different chiptune arrangement of the NES arrangement of "Hammer BGM" created by Taisuke Arai plays when Mario is using a Hammer.

Hammer BGM - The arrangement heard in Donkey Kong (Game Boy)

File info ​

Help:Media file • Having trouble playing?

Mario vs. Donkey Kong series

Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! each feature different arrangements of "Hammer BGM". All of them were created by Lawrence Schwedler and are similar to each other. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!'s version is reused in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!, Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move, and Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars.

Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge features its own arrangement of "Hammer BGM". Despite its similarity to the arrangements in previous games in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series, this arrangement was created by James Phillipsen instead of Lawrence Schwedler.

The Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong features a new arrangement of "Hammer BGM" that uses a less compressed square synthesizer as its instrument. Lawrence Schwedler is credited for this arrangement of the theme as well.

Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix

Main article: Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla

Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix features a medley arrangement that includes "Hammer BGM" along with several other themes and sound effects from Donkey Kong titled "Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla".

Super Smash Bros. series

Every game in the Super Smash Bros. series uses the song.

In Super Smash Bros., a modernised arrangement of "Hammer BGM" plays when a character is using a Hammer. This arrangement returns in Super Smash Bros. Melee for the same purpose; however, unlike in the original, it does not cause the stage music to reset. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the Hammer item plays a direct reuse of "Hammer BGM" from the NES version of Donkey Kong. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, it uses the original arcade version of the theme instead.

In addition to the Hammer item, "Hammer BGM" also appears as part of the series' arrangement of Donkey Kong's opening theme. This arrangement first appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and reappears in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's "Donkey Kong/Donkey Kong Jr. Medley" also contains an arrangement of "Hammer BGM".

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker and its 3DS and Switch ports feature an arrangement of "Hammer BGM" that plays whenever Captain Toad is using a Super Pickax.

Tetris 99

In Tetris 99 a remix of "Hammer BGM" plays when there are 10 or less players remaining while the Donkey Kong theme is in use.

Mario Kart World

In Mario Kart World, an arrangement of "Hammer BGM" plays in the final section of DK Spaceport.

Donkey Kong Bananza

In Donkey Kong Bananza, a medley arrangement of "Round 1 BGM" and "Hammer BGM", titled "2D Challenge Course #4" in the Music Player, plays in Arcade Country.

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	ハンマーBGM Hanmā BGM	Hammer BGM