Bowser's Theme (Super Mario 64)
- Not to be confused with Bowser's Road.
- This article is about the musical theme from Super Mario 64. For the theme from Paper Mario: Color Splash, see The Giant Arises. For other uses, see Bowser (disambiguation).
| "Bowser's Theme" | |
|---|---|
| "Bowser's Theme" in Super Mario 64 | |
 Image from Nintendo Music | |
| Composed by: Koji Kondo | |
| Key | D minor |
| First appearance | Super Mario 64 (1996) |
| Latest appearance | Mario Kart World (2025) |
"Bowser's Theme,"[1][2] originally known as "Koopa's Theme,"[3] is a musical theme composed by Koji Kondo for Super Mario 64, where it plays when the player fights Bowser in Bowser in the Dark World and Bowser in the Fire Sea. The theme's title originally used Bowser's Japanese name, despite the soundtrack releasing in the West physically in 1996 and in Super Mario 3D All-Stars in 2020. This was corrected in the Nintendo Music app in 2024. In subsequent games and other works in the Super Mario franchise, this theme is often used as a leitmotif for Bowser.
Reuses[edit]
The following list does not include ports or remakes of Super Mario 64.
| Game | Description |
|---|---|
| Minecraft | "Bowser's Theme" is one of the several themes that can play in the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack. |
| Super Mario Odyssey | "Bowser's Theme" can briefly be heard during the cutscene when Mario captures Bowser at the end of the game, which features the artwork of Mario swinging Bowser from Super Mario 64 as one of Bowser's past memories. |
Arrangements[edit]
|
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Super Mario series[edit]
Super Mario 64[edit]
Super Mario 64; its Nintendo DS remake, Super Mario 64 DS; and its Nintendo Switch port, Super Mario 3D All-Stars, feature two additional arrangements of "Bowser Theme."
An arranged excerpt of "Bowser Theme," titled "Koopa's Message" in the game's official soundtrack and "Bowser's Message" in the Nintendo Music app, plays when Mario first enters the Mushroom Castle at the beginning of the game and whenever he tries to enter an inaccessible door.
An arrangement of the first four notes of "Bowser's Theme" played on a church organ is incorportated in the theme used for the final battle against Bowser. It is titled "Ultimate Koopa" in the official soundtrack and "The Final Battle" in the Nintendo Music app.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii[edit]
In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, an arrangement of "Bowser's Message" plays if two Bowser or Bowser Jr. panels are flipped over in Power-up Panels.
Super Mario Odyssey[edit]
In Super Mario Odyssey, an electric guitar arrangement of the main riff of "Bowser's Theme" is included in "Break Free (Lead the Way)." An 8-bit arrangement of "Break Free (Lead the Way)" can be heard exclusively through the Music List by fulfilling at least three of Jammin' Toad's requests.
The English version of "Break Free (Lead the Way)" returns in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where it can play in any Super Smash Bros.-series and Super Mario-series stage.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder[edit]
In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, an electric-guitar arrangement of the first four notes of the main riff of "Bowser's Theme" plays in the opening when Bowser transforms into Castle Bowser. The theme that plays in the final boss battle with him also incorporates elements of Bowser's Theme.
Mario Tennis series[edit]
Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)[edit]
In the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Tennis, an arrangement of "Bowser's Theme" plays in the Bowser Stage mode and in the Bowser Court.
Mario Tennis (Game Boy Color)[edit]
In the Game Boy Color version of Mario Tennis, an arrangement of "Bowser's Theme" plays in the Two-on-One minigame.
Mario Power Tennis[edit]
In Mario Power Tennis and its Wii port, New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis, an arrangement of "Bowser's Theme" plays in Bowser's trophy celebration.
Mario Tennis Open[edit]
In Mario Tennis Open, an arrangement of "Bowser's Theme" plays in the Bowser's Castle court.
Mario Tennis Aces[edit]
In Mario Tennis Aces, a medley arrangement of "Bowser's Theme" and "Bowser's Road" plays in the final boss battle against Bowcien.
Mario Kart series[edit]
Mario Kart: Super Circuit[edit]
- Main article: Koopa Castle Course
In Mario Kart: Super Circuit, an arrangement of "Bowser's Theme" plays in Bowser Castle 1, Bowser Castle 2, Bowser Castle 3, and Bowser Castle 4. It is much faster than the original theme and adds a chugging bassline. The second half of the arrangement also features a unique melody. It is titled 「クッパキャッスルコース」 (Kuppa Kyassuru Kōsu, "Koopa Castle Course").[4]
 クッパキャッスルコース - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart: Super Circuit | File info 0:30 |
Mario Kart World[edit]
In Mario Kart World, an arrangement of "Bowser's Theme" can play in Free Roam.
Mario Golf series[edit]
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour[edit]
In Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, an arrangement of "Bowser's Theme" plays in Bowser Badlands.
Mario Golf: Super Rush[edit]
Part of the Bowser Highlands theme from Mario Golf: Super Rush is loosely based on "Bowser's Theme."
Mario Party 10[edit]
In Mario Party 10, an arrangement of "Bowser's Theme" plays in amiibo Party mode when Bowser's amiibo is being controlled.
| Bowser's Theme - The arrangement heard in Mario Party 10 | File info 0:30 |
Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge[edit]
In Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge, multiple arrangements of "Bowser's Theme" play during all the levels in Fire Ride Fortress.
Gallery[edit]
Image for "Bowser's Message" from Super Mario 64 on Nintendo Music
Image for "The Final Battle" from Super Mario 64 on Nintendo Music
Image for "Prologue: Creation of Castle Bowser" from Super Mario Bros. Wonder on Nintendo Music
Image for "Bowser's Here!" from Super Mario Bros. Wonder on Nintendo Music
Image for "Castle Bowser Battle" from Super Mario Bros. Wonder on Nintendo Music
List of Super Mario appearances[edit]
Games[edit]
| Work | System | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario 64 | Nintendo 64 | 1996 | Original | "Bowser Theme"[1] | Koji Kondo |
| Arrangement | "Bowser's Message"[1] | ||||
| Arrangement | "The Final Battle"[1] | ||||
| Mario Tennis | Nintendo 64 | 2000 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| Mario Tennis | Game Boy Color | 2000 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| Mario Kart: Super Circuit | Game Boy Advance | 2001 | Original | 「クッパキャッスルコース」 (Kuppa Kyassuru Kōsu)[4] | Minako Hamano |
| Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour | Nintendo GameCube | 2003 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| Mario Power Tennis | Nintendo GameCube | 2004 | Arrangement | ||
| Super Mario 64 DS | Nintendo DS | 2004 | Original | "Bowser's Theme"[1] | Koji Kondo |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) | "Bowser's Message"[1] | ||||
| Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) | "The Final Battle"[1] | ||||
| New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis | Wii | 2009 | Past arrangement (Mario Power Tennis) | ||
| New Super Mario Bros. Wii | Wii | 2009 | Arrangement | ||
| Mario Tennis Open | Nintendo 3DS | 2012 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| Mario Party 10 | Wii U | 2015 | Arrangement | "Bowser's Theme" | |
| Minecraft: Wii U Edition | Wii U | 2015 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge | Nintendo 3DS, Wii U | 2016 | Arrangement | James Phillipsen | |
| Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition | Nintendo Switch | 2017 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition | New Nintendo 3DS | 2017 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Super Mario Odyssey | Nintendo Switch | 2017 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Arrangement | "Break Free (Lead the Way)" | Naoto Kubo | |||
| Minecraft | Nintendo Switch | 2018 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Mario Tennis Aces | Nintendo Switch | 2018 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Nintendo Switch | 2018 | Past arrangement (Super Mario Odyssey) | "Break Free (Lead the Way)" | Naoto Kubo |
| Super Mario 3D All-Stars | Nintendo Switch | 2020 | Original | "Bowser's Theme"[1] | Koji Kondo |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) | "Bowser's Message"[1] | ||||
| Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) | "The Final Battle"[1] | ||||
| Mario Golf: Super Rush | Nintendo Switch | 2021 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| Super Mario Bros. Wonder | Nintendo Switch | 2023 | Arrangement | ||
| Mario Kart World | Nintendo Switch 2 | 2025 | Arrangement |
Albums[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario 64 Original Soundtrack | 1996 | Original | "Koopa's Theme" | Koji Kondo |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) | "Koopa's Message" | |||
| "Ultimate Koopa" | ||||
| Nintendo 64 Original Soundtrack Greatest Hits | 1996 | Original | "Bowser's Theme" | Koji Kondo |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) | "Ultimate Bowser" | |||
| Super Mario Odyssey Sound Selection | 2017 | Past arrangement (Super Mario Odyssey) | "Break Free (Lead the Way)" | Naoto Kubo |
| "Break Free (Lead the Way) Japanese Version" | ||||
| Super Mario Odyssey Original Soundtrack | 2018 | Past arrangement (Super Mario Odyssey) | "Break Free (Lead the Way)" | Naoto Kubo |
| 「Break Free (Lead the Way) 日本語バージョン」 (Bureiku Furī (Lead the Way) Nihongo Bājon) | ||||
| 「Break Free (Lead the Way) カラオケ」 (Bureiku Furī (Lead the Way) Karaoke) | ||||
| 「Break Free (Lead The Way) 8bit版」 (Bureiku Furī (Lead the Way) 8 Bitto-Ban) |
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | クッパのテーマ[1] Kuppa no Tēma |
Bowser's Theme |
