Life in the Mines
| "Life in the Mines" | |
|---|---|
| "Life in the Mines" in Donkey Kong Country | |
 Image from Nintendo Music | |
| Composed by: David Wise | |
| First appearance | Donkey Kong Country (1994) |
| Latest appearance | Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (2025) |
"Life in the Mines"[1][2] (known as "MOVING PLATFORMS" in Japanese soundtracks) is a musical theme composed by David Wise for Donkey Kong Country, where it plays in the levels Winky's Walkway, Trick Track Trek, Tanked Up Trouble, and Platform Perils.
History[edit]
Donkey Kong Country[edit]
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Donkey Kong Country marks the first appearance of "Life in the Mines". It is also included in the official albums DK Jamz, Super Donkey Kong Game Music CD Jungle Fantasy, Super Donkey Kong Original Sound Version, and Donkey Kong Country Trilogy.
In the Game Boy Color remake of Donkey Kong Country, a chiptune arrangement of "Life in the Mines" plays for the same purpose as in the original game.
In the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country, an arrangement of "Life in the Mines" plays for the same purpose as in the original game.
Donkey Kong Country Returns[edit]
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It has been requested that at least one audio and/or video file related to this section be uploaded. Specifics: All three arrangements Please upload music, sound effects, voice clips, or any videos for this section. See the help page for help getting started. |
Donkey Kong Country Returns, the Nintendo 3DS port, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, and the Nintendo Switch port, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, features three arrangements of "Life in the Mines" that play in various levels in the Factory world.
A faithful arrangement of "Life in the Mines" plays in the level Cog Jog. It is titled "Life in the Mines Returns" in the game's music gallery. The machinery noises in the background are made much more prominent than in the original theme.
Two different arrangements of "Life in the Mines" play in the level Switcheroo, depending on whether the red platforms or the blue platforms are active. Both arrangements are similar to "Life in the Mines Returns", except the background machinery noises are replaced with a techno-inspired beat.
List of Super Mario appearances[edit]
Games[edit]
| Work | System | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong Country | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | 1994 | Original | "Life in the Mines"[2] | David Wise |
| Donkey Kong Country | Game Boy Color | 2000 | Arrangement | ||
| Donkey Kong Country | Game Boy Advance | 2003 | Arrangement | "Life in the Mines"[3] | |
| Donkey Kong Country Returns | Wii | 2010 | Arrangement | "Life in the Mines Returns"[4] | |
| Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D | Nintendo 3DS | 2013 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country Returns) | "Life in the Mines Returns"[4] | |
| Donkey Kong Country Returns HD | Nintendo Switch | 2025 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country Returns) | "Life in the Mines Returns"[4] | |
Albums[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DK Jamz | 1994 | Original | "Life in the Mines" | David Wise |
| Super Donkey Kong Game Music CD Jungle Fantasy | 1995 | Original | "MOVING PLATFORMS (MINE AREA)" | David Wise |
| Super Donkey Kong Original Sound Version | 1995 | Original | "MOVING PLATFORMS" | David Wise |
| Donkey Kong Country Trilogy | 1996 | Original | "Life in the Mines" | David Wise |
| Donkey Kong Country (Nintendo Music) | 2024 | Original | "Life in the Mines" | David Wise |
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Note(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | MOVING PLATFORMS | - | [1] | |
| French | Life in the Mines | - | [5] | |
| German | Zwielichtige Minen | Shady Mines | [6] | |
| Italian | Vita in Miniera | Life in the Mine | [7] | |
| Spanish | Vida en las Minas | Life in the Mines | [8] |
Notes[edit]
- The description of the Frog (alt color) fossil in Donkey Kong Bananza references the name of this song: "Unlike most frogs, this one abandoned the comfort of its native ponds for the dank dangers of a life in the mines."
References[edit]
- ^ a b Donkey Kong Country (Nintendo Music)
- ^ a b DK Jamz
- ^ Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance) sound test
- ^ a b c Donkey Kong Country Returns sound test
- ^ Sound Player (2003). Donkey Kong Country. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (French).
- ^ Song-Player (2003). Donkey Kong Country. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German).
- ^ Juke Box (2003). Donkey Kong Country. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (Italian).
- ^ Juke Box (2003). Donkey Kong Country. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (Spanish).
