Rainbow Road (Mario Kart World theme)

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"Rainbow Road"
"Rainbow Road" in Mario Kart World
Thumbnail for "Rainbow Road" from Mario Kart World used for Nintendo Music
Image from Nintendo Music
Composed by:
Unknown
BPM 158
Time signature 4
4
Appears in Mario Kart World (2025)
Quotes from
"Rainbow Road" (Super Mario Kart)
"Super Bell Subway" (Mario Kart 8)
Quoted by
"Staff Credits" (Mario Kart World)

"Rainbow Road"[1][2] is a musical theme in Mario Kart World, where it plays when racing on the course of the same name.

History[edit]

Mario Kart World[edit]

See also: Staff Credits (Mario Kart World theme)

Mario Kart World features the first appearance of "Rainbow Road". The theme is divided into five different tracks that play on different parts of the course and have distinct transitions between each of them. The in-game pause menu does not distinguish these tracks from each other, referring to all of them as simply "Rainbow Road"; however, they are separated and given unique names in the Nintendo Music app.

The first section of the course plays the main version of the theme, which is simply titled "Rainbow Road" on the Nintendo Music app. It introduces the main motif of the theme in the A section, which is played on an EWI (resembling the synthesizer used in "Rainbow Road" from Mario Kart 64 and "Rainbow Road" from Mario Kart Wii). The B section consists of a string section that loosely quotes "Super Bell Subway". When the theme loops for the first time, it plays a repeat of the A section, but rather than playing the main motif, it plays a different melody, before going to the B section and looping back to the start. When the player crosses the checkpoint into the second lap, the main instruments of the theme are muted, and after the bar that is playing on the moment ends, it transitions to the second lap theme.

The second section of the course plays a calmer arrangement in 2
2
time, with harp and saxophones underlining the main melody. When reaching the checkpoint, the music changes to an outro without drums, and when it ends, the next theme plays. There are five distinct outros to this theme. It is titled "Rainbow Road (On the Water)" on the Nintendo Music app.

The third section of the course plays a techno arrangement that starts with a 4
4
looping bar with repeated bass drum beats that will loop indefinitely until the player reaches the space station, which will cause the theme to start playing. The intro starts with four bars of a repeating synth melody, which is followed by the main motif playing on a synthesizer. After the intro, the theme quotes "Title Theme" in call and response with an electric guitar melody. It is titled "Rainbow Road (Space Station)" on the Nintendo Music app.

At the end of the third lap, before the checkpoint, the music fades to an ambient track. It features a faint drum beat, mechanical sound effects and a constant shimmering sound effect reminiscent of the sounds that play at the beginning of Rainbow Road from Mario Kart 64 playing. It is titled "Rainbow Road (Final Lap Intro)" on the Nintendo Music app.

The final lap of the track plays a more grandiose arrangement, with a horn section harmonizing alongside the string section, and incorporates "Title Theme" in the B section and "Staff Credits" from Super Mario Kart at the end. It is titled "Rainbow Road (Finale)" on the Nintendo Music app.

When racing on the route from Peach Stadium to Rainbow Road, a pastiche of the theme with EWI solos plays, which transitions into "Rainbow Road" once the course is reached. This is the only route in the game with a fixed theme (rather than the various arrangements that normally play on routes and in Free Roam). It is titled "To Rainbow Road" on the Nintendo Music app. This is also the only course intro theme in the game with a unique name in the in-game pause menu, as other courses' intro themes that play when approaching them are not distinguished from the main course theme.

A faint arrangement of the main motif plays at the very end of the theme that plays in the cutscene where the Special Cup is unlocked, titled "Special Cup Appears" on the Nintendo Music app.

An arrangement of the main motif plays at the end of the intro cutscene for the Special Cup, titled "Opening (Special Cup)" on the Nintendo Music app.

The main motif of this theme is incorporated into an arrangement of the Victory Lap theme that plays only during the victory lap of the Special Cup, titled "Victory Lap (Rainbow Road)" on the Nintendo Music app.

This theme is incorporated into an arrangement of the Results Screen theme that plays at the results screen of any race in Rainbow Road, titled "Results Screen (Rainbow Road)" on the Nintendo Music app. It is arranged with similar instruments to Rainbow Road.

An arrangement of the main melody of "Rainbow Road" is incorporated at the end of the theme that plays during the game's staff credits and is a medley of various themes from the game. It is titled "Staff Credits" on the Nintendo Music app.

Icon of an audio speaker. Rainbow Road (Lap 2 Intro) - The remix heard in Mario Kart World
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Icon of an audio speaker. Rainbow Road (On the Water) - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart World
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Icon of an audio speaker. Rainbow Road (Space Station) - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart World
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Icon of an audio speaker. Rainbow Road (Final Lap Intro) - Plays in the glider ramp before the fourth section of Rainbow Road
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Icon of an audio speaker. Rainbow Road (Finale) - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart World
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Icon of an audio speaker. To Rainbow Road - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart World
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Icon of an audio speaker. Special Cup Appears - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart World
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0:09
Icon of an audio speaker. Opening (Special Cup) - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart World
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0:30
Icon of an audio speaker. Victory Lap (Rainbow Road) - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart World
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Icon of an audio speaker. Results Screen (Rainbow Road) - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart World
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Help:Media fileHaving trouble playing?

Gallery[edit]

List of Super Mario appearances[edit]

Work System Year Type Title Credits
Mario Kart World Nintendo Switch 2 2025 Original "Rainbow Road"[1]
Remix
Arrangement "Rainbow Road (On the Water)"[1]
"Rainbow Road (Space Station)"[1]
Pastiche "Rainbow Road (Final Lap Intro)"[1]
Arrangement "Rainbow Road (Finale)"[1]
Pastiche "To Rainbow Road"[1]
Arrangement "Opening (Special Cup)"[1]
"Special Cup Appears"[1]
"Results Screen (Rainbow Road)"[1]
"Victory Lap (Rainbow Road)"[1]
"Staff Credits"[1]

Names in other languages[edit]

"Rainbow Road"[edit]

Language Name Meaning Note(s) Ref.
Japanese レインボーロード
Reinbō Rōdo
Rainbow Road [1]
Chinese (Simplified) 彩虹之路
Cǎihóng zhī Lù (Mandarin)
Chói'hùhng jī Louh (Cantonese)
Rainbow Road [1]
Chinese (Traditional) 彩虹之路
Cǎihóng zhī Lù (Mandarin)
Chói'hùhng jī Louh (Cantonese)
Rainbow Road [1]
Dutch Regenboogbaan Rainbow Track [1]
French Route Arc-en-ciel Rainbow Road [1]
German Regenbogen-Boulevard Rainbow Boulevard [1]
Italian Pista Arcobaleno Rainbow Track [1]
Korean 무지개 로드
Mujigae Rodeu
Rainbow Road [1]
Polish Tęczowa Droga Rainbow Road [2]
Portuguese Estrada Arco-Íris Rainbow Road [1]
Russian Трасса Радуга
Trassa Raduga
Rainbow Track [1]
Spanish Senda Arco Iris Rainbow Trail [1]
Thai เรนโบว์โร้ด
Reenboo Róot
Rainbow Road [2]

"To Rainbow Road"[edit]

Language Name Meaning Note(s) Ref.
Japanese レインボーロードへ
Reinbō Rōdo e
To Rainbow Road [1]
Chinese (Simplified) 前往彩虹之路
Qiánwǎng Cǎihóngzhīlù (Mandarin)
Chìhnwóhng Chóihùhngjīlouh (Cantonese)
Heading to Rainbow Road [1]
Chinese (Traditional) 前往彩虹之路
Qiánwǎng Cǎihóngzhīlù (Mandarin)
Chìhnwóhng Chóihùhngjīlouh (Cantonese)
Heading to Rainbow Road [1]
Dutch Naar de Regenboogbaan To the Rainbow Track [1]
French Vers la Route Arc-en-ciel Towards the Rainbow Road [1]
German Zum Regenbogen-Boulevard To Rainbow Boulevard [1]
Italian Alla Pista Arcobaleno At The Rainbow Track [1]
Korean 무지개 로드로
Mujigae Rodeuro
To Rainbow Road [1]
Polish Ku Tęczowej Drodze Towards Rainbow Road [2]
Portuguese (Brazil) Para a Estrada Arco-Íris To the Rainbow Road [1]
Portuguese (Europe) Em Direção à Estrada Arco-Íris Towards Rainbow Road [1]
Russian К Трассе Радуга
K Trasse Raduga
To Rainbow Track [1]
Spanish (Latin America) A la Senda Arco Iris To the Rainbow Trail [1]
Spanish (Europe) Hacia la Senda Arco Iris Towards the Rainbow Trail [1]

"Rainbow Road (On the Water)"[edit]

Language Name Meaning Note(s) Ref.
Japanese レインボーロード(水上)
Reinbō Rōdo (Suijō)
Rainbow Road (On The Water) [1]
Chinese (Simplified) 彩虹之路(水上)
Cǎihóngzhīlù (Shuǐshàng) (Mandarin)
Chóihùhngjīlouh (Séuihseuhng) (Cantonese)
Rainbow Road (On The Water) [1]
Chinese (Traditional) 彩虹之路(水上)
Cǎihóngzhīlù (Shuǐshàng) (Mandarin)
Chóihùhngjīlouh (Séuihseuhng) (Cantonese)
Rainbow Road (On The Water) [1]
Dutch Regenboogbaan (op het water) Rainbow Track (on the water) [1]
French Route Arc-en-ciel (sur l'eau) Rainbow Road (on the water) [1]
German Regenbogen-Boulevard (Auf dem Wasser) Rainbow Boulevard (On the Water) [1]
Italian Pista Arcobaleno (sull'acqua) Rainbow Track (on the water) [1]
Korean 무지개 로드 (물 위)
Mujigae Rodeu (Mul Wi)
Rainbow Road (On The Water) [1]
Portuguese Estrada Arco-Íris (Na Água) Rainbow Road (On The Water) [1]
Russian Трасса Радуга (на воде)
Trassa Raduga (na vode)
Rainbow Track (on the water) [1]
Spanish Senda Arco Iris (sobre el agua) Rainbow Trail (on the water) [1]

"Rainbow Road (Space Station)"[edit]

Language Name Meaning Note(s) Ref.
Japanese レインボーロード(宇宙ステーション)
Reinbō Rōdo (Uchū Sutēshon)
Rainbow Road (Space Station) [1]
Chinese (Simplified) 彩虹之路(太空站)
Cǎihóngzhīlù (Tàikōngzhàn) (Mandarin)
Chóihùhngjīlouh (Taaihkūngjaam) (Cantonese)
Rainbow Road (Space Station) [1]
Chinese (Traditional) 彩虹之路(太空站)
Cǎihóngzhīlù (Tàikōngzhàn) (Mandarin)
Chóihùhngjīlouh (Taaihkūngjaam) (Cantonese)
Rainbow Road (Space Station) [1]
Dutch Regenboogbaan (ruimtestation) Rainbow Track (space station) [1]
French Route Arc-en-ciel (station spatiale) Rainbow Road (space station) [1]
German Regenbogen-Boulevard (Raumstation) Rainbow Boulevard (Space Station) [1]
Italian Pista Arcobaleno (stazione spaziale) Rainbow Track (space station) [1]
Korean 무지개 로드 (우주 정거장)
Mujigae Rodeu (Uju Jeonggeojang)
Rainbow Road (Space Station) [1]
Portuguese Estrada Arco-Íris (Estação Espacial) Rainbow Road (Space Station) [1]
Russian Трасса Радуга (космическая станция)
Trassa Raduga (kosmicheskaya stantsiya)
Rainbow Track (Space Station) [1]
Spanish Senda Arco Iris (estación espacial) Rainbow Trail (space station) [1]

"Rainbow Road (Final Lap Intro)"[edit]

Language Name Meaning Note(s) Ref.
Japanese レインボーロード(ファイナルラップ イントロ)
Reinbō Rōdo (Fainaru Rappu Intoro)
Rainbow Road (Final Lap Intro) [1]
Chinese (Simplified) 彩虹之路(最后一圈 序曲)
Cǎihóng zhī Lù (Zuìhòu Yī Quān Xùqǔ) (Mandarin)
Chói'hùhng jī Louh (Jeui'hauh Yāt Hyūn Jeuihkūk) (Cantonese)
Rainbow Road (Final Lap Overture) [1]
Chinese (Traditional) 彩虹之路(最後一圈 前奏)
Cǎihóng zhī Lù (Zuìhòu Yī Quān Qiánzòu) (Mandarin)
Chói'hùhng jī Louh (Jeui'hauh Yāt Hyūn Chìhnjau) (Cantonese)
Rainbow Road (Final Lap Prelude) [1]
Dutch Regenboogbaan (laatste ronde - intro) Rainbow Track (last lap - intro) [1]
French Route Arc-en-ciel (dernier tour - intro) Rainbow Road (final lap - intro) [1]
German Regenbogen-Boulevard (Letzte Runde – Intro) Rainbow Boulevard (Last Lap – Intro) [1]
Italian Pista Arcobaleno (ultimo giro - intro) Rainbow Track (last lap - intro) [1]
Korean 무지개 로드 (파이널 랩 인트로)
Mujigae Rodeu (Paineol Raep Inteuro)
Rainbow Road (Final Lap Intro) [1]
Portuguese Estrada Arco-Íris (Introdução à Última Volta) Rainbow Road (Introduction to the Last Lap) [1]
Russian Трасса Радуга (финальный круг — вступление)
Trassa Raduga (finalnyy krug — vstupleniye)
Rainbow Track (final lap — introduction) [1]
Spanish Senda Arco Iris (última vuelta - introducción) Rainbow Trail (last lap - introducction) [1]

"Rainbow Road (Finale)"[edit]

Language Name Meaning Note(s) Ref.
Japanese レインボーロード(フィナーレ)
Reinbō Rōdo (Fināre)
Rainbow Road (Finale) [1]
Chinese (Simplified) 彩虹之路(终曲)
Cǎihóngzhīlù (Zhōngqǔ) (Mandarin)
Chóihùhngjīlouh (Jūngkéui) (Cantonese)
Rainbow Road (Finale) [1]
Chinese (Traditional) 彩虹之路(終曲)
Cǎihóngzhīlù (Zhōngqǔ) (Mandarin)
Chóihùhngjīlouh (Jūngkéui) (Cantonese)
Rainbow Road (Finale) [1]
Dutch Regenboogbaan (finale) Rainbow Track (finale) [1]
French Route Arc-en-ciel (final) Rainbow Road (finale) [1]
German Regenbogen-Boulevard (Finale) Rainbow Boulevard (Finale) [1]
Italian Pista Arcobaleno (finale) Rainbow Track (finale) [1]
Korean 무지개 로드 (피날레)
Mujigae Rodeu (Pinalle)
Rainhow Road (Finale) [1]
Portuguese Estrada Arco-Íris (Final) Rainbow Road (Finale) [1]
Russian Трасса Радуга (кульминация)
Trassa Raduga (kulminatsiya)
Rainbow Track (culmination) [1]
Spanish Senda Arco Iris (final) Rainbow Trail (finale) [1]

References[edit]