Ground BGM (Super Mario Bros. 3)
| "Ground BGM" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| "Ground BGM" in Super Mario Bros. 3 | |||
 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 | It's Me, Mario! Stop Motion Shorts ("Coin Jam", 2026) | ||
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"Ground BGM",[1] also known as "Ground Theme",[2] "Ground Background Music",[3] "Main Theme",[4][5] or "Overworld Theme",[6] 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 / Super Mario All-Stars / Super Mario Advance 4: 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:
In the Super Nintendo Entertainment System remake of Super Mario Bros. 3 in Super Mario All-Stars, an arrangement of "Ground BGM" plays for the same purpose as in the original game. This arrangement has short flute-like runs in the first half after the end of the motifs of the melody, but it is otherwise faithful to the original.
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 purpose 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:
 Ground BGM - The arrangement heard in Super Mario All-Stars | File info 0:30 |
| Ground BGM - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario 3D Land[edit]
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".
| Main Theme - The pastiche heard in Super Mario 3D Land | File info 0:30 |
New Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]
In New Super Mario Bros. 2, a brief arrangement of "Ground BGM" can sometimes 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.
| Ground Theme (Edit) - Super Mario Bros. 3 - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Maker | File info 0:30 |
| Desert Theme (Edit) - Super Mario Bros 3 - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Maker 2 | File info 0:30 |
| Forest Theme (Edit) - Super Mario Bros. 3 - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Maker 2 | File info 0:30 |
| Ground Theme (Night) - Super Mario Bros. 3 - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Maker 2 | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario Run[edit]
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.[7]
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; however, it plays at a slightly high pitch.
| Ground BGM - The arrangement heard in The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 | File info 0:30 |
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
Super Smash Bros. Melee[edit]
In Super Smash Bros. Melee, a rock/jazz/reggae arrangement of "Ground BGM" arranged by Shogo Sakai can play in the Yoshi's Island stage. It also plays during the staff credits after the player completes Classic Mode, Adventure Mode, or All-Star Mode as Mario. It is titled "Super Mario Bros. 3" in the game's sound test. This arrangement also quotes "World 1 Map (Grass Land)" from Super Mario Bros. 3 approximately 43 seconds in.
| Super Mario Bros. 3 - The arrangement heard in Super Smash Bros. Melee | File info 0:30 |
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. This version of the arrangement has slightly different instruments than in other Super Smash Bros. games.
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 games' sound tests. The Wii U version also features a track titled "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, an arrangement of "Ground BGM" arranged by Masafumi Takada that blends acoustic and chiptune-inspired instrumentation can play in any Super Smash Bros.-series and Super Mario-series stage. It is titled "Ground Theme - Super Mario Bros. 3" in the game's sound test. This arrangement also quotes "Course Clear" and "World 1 Map (Grass Land)" from Super Mario Bros. 3 near the end.
"Super Mario Bros. 3" from Super Smash Bros. Melee also returns and can play in the same stages as the new arrangement. It is titled "Ground Theme - Super Mario Bros. 3 (Melee)" in the game's sound test.
"Style Switch: Ground Theme" from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U also returns and can play exclusively in the Super Mario Maker stage and any Super Smash Bros.-series stage. It is titled "Ground Theme - Super Mario series" in the game's sound test.
Donkey Konga 2[edit]
| Super Mario Bros. 3 Theme | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game(s) | Donkey Konga 2 
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| Length | 2:13 | ||||||||||||||||
| Cost | 580 | ||||||||||||||||
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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. It is titled "Super Mario Bros. 3: Level 3" in the Nintendo Music app.
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix[edit]
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix features a ska arrangement of "Ground BGM" as a playable song. It is titled "Hammer Dance".
| Hammer Dance - The arrangement heard in Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix | File info 0:30 |
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.
| Mario Tetris 3 - The arrangement heard in Tetris DS | File info 0:30 |
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]
In the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, a tropical arrangement of "Ground BGM" (specifically the "Hurry Up!" version) 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 arrangement also quotes "Player Down" from Super Mario Bros. 3 approximately 55 seconds in.
| Main Theme: Super Mario Bros. 3 - The arrangement heard in Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games | File info 0:30 |
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]
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. It is titled "Overworld Theme: Super Mario Bros. 3 (Remix)" in the game's sound test.
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.
| Ground BGM (Flipped) - Super Mario Bros. 3 - The remix heard in Paper Mario: Color Splash | File info 0:30 |
The Super Mario Bros. Movie[edit]
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In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a brief arrangement of "Ground BGM" arranged by Brian Tyler plays when Mario and Luigi visit the Brooklyn couple's apartment. It is titled "It's a Dog Eat Plumber World" in the film's official soundtrack.
Mario Kart World[edit]
In Mario Kart World, a reggae arrangement of "Ground BGM" based on the arrangement from the "Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary Live" concert series can play in Free Roam during the day. It is fully titled "Ground BGM (Super Mario Bros. 3)" in the Nintendo Music app.
| Ground BGM (Super Mario Bros. 3) - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart World | File info 0:30 |
It's Me, Mario! Stop Motion Shorts[edit]
In the It's Me, Mario! Stop Motion Shorts episode "Coin Jam", a brief arrangement of "Ground BGM" plays when Mario realizes that Toad is buried inside the pile of coins.
Other appearances[edit]
Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, 3, Hop! Step! Jump![edit]
The Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, 3, Hop! Step! Jump! album features a medley arrangement of various themes from Super Mario Bros. 3 arranged by Ikuro Fujiwara, including "Ground BGM". It is titled "Super Mario Bros. 3 —Nonstop Special Dance Version—".
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]
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 Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary Live[edit]
The "Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary Live" concert series featured a live big band jazz medley arrangement of "Ground BGM", "Athletic BGM", "World Clear", "World 1 Map (Grass Land)", "Fortress Boss", and "Ending" from Super Mario Bros. 3. The arrangement of "Ground BGM" takes elements from the Course Maker arrangement from Super Mario Maker.
| Super Mario Bros. 3 Medley - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary Live | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario Orchestra Concert[edit]
The "Super Mario Orchestra Concert" series featured a live orchestral medley arrangement of several musical themes from Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3, including "Ground BGM".
Super Nintendo World[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: The arrangement Please upload music, sound effects, voice clips, or any videos for this section. See the help page for help getting started. |
At the Super Nintendo World theme park, an arrangement of "Ground BGM" plays inside the 1-UP Factory.
Gallery[edit]
Image for the "Hurry Up!" version on Nintendo Music
Icon for "Hammer Dance" in Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix
Image for "Super Mario Bros. 3: Level 3" from WarioWare: Move It! on Nintendo Music
Image for "Ground BGM (Super Mario Bros. 3)" from Mario Kart World on Nintendo Music
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"[8] | 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"[9] | |
| Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games | Wii | 2007 | Original | "Ground BGM"[10] | Koji Kondo |
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Wii | 2008 | Arrangement | "Super Mario Bros. 3 (Melee)"[11] | Shogo Sakai |