Ground BGM (Super Mario Bros. 3)
| It has been requested that more audio and/or video files related to this article be uploaded. Specifics: All arrangements; sheet music excerpt Please upload music, sound effects, voice clips, or any videos for this article. See the help page for help getting started. |
| "Ground BGM" | |
|---|---|
| "Ground BGM" in Super Mario Bros. 3 | |
Image from Nintendo Music | |
| Composed by: Koji Kondo | |
| Key | C major |
| BPM | 150 |
| Time signature(s) | 2 2 (with swung eighths) |
| First appearance | Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988) |
| Latest appearance | Hello, Mario! (2025) |
"Ground BGM,"[1] also known as the "Ground Theme,"[2] is a musical theme composed by Koji Kondo for the ground levels in Super Mario Bros. 3. It is a reggae composition, featuring a backbeat rhythm on woodblock and timbales that is played through PCM audio samples.
Reuses[edit]
The following list does not include ports or remakes of Super Mario Bros. 3.
| Game | Description |
|---|---|
| WarioWare: Twisted! | An excerpt "Ground BGM" plays in the Super Mario Bros. 3 microgame. |
| Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii) | "Ground BGM" is included as a playable track that can be heard in the music gallery. |
| Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS | "Ground BGM" plays during ground-themed levels in the Super Mario Bros. 3 style. |
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Super Smash Bros. for Wii U | "Ground BGM," now titled "Ground Theme (Super Mario Bros. 3)," can play in the Peach's Castle (64) stage in the latter game and the Super Mario Maker stage in both games. It was released as downloadable content alongside the stages on September 30, 2015. |
| Paper Mario: Color Splash | "Ground BGM" plays in some of the 2D portions of the Super Mario Bros. 3-like world in the Green Energy Plant. |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | "Ground BGM" is included in the medley track "Ground Theme - Super Mario series," which can only be played on the Super Mario Maker stage and switches Ground Themes depending on the stage's style. It is the only Ground Theme in this track that is not available as a standalone track in the Sound Test and My Music. |
| Super Mario Maker 2 | "Ground BGM" plays during ground-, desert-, and forest-themed levels in the Super Mario Bros. 3 style. |
| WarioWare: Move It! | An excerpt of "Ground BGM" plays in the Super Mario Bros. 3 microgame. |
Arrangements[edit]
Super Mario series[edit]
Super Mario Bros. 3 (Nelsonic Game Watch)[edit]
In Super Mario Bros. 3 for the Nelsonic Game Watch, a short arrangement of the theme can be heard at the start of each game.[3]
Super Mario All-Stars[edit]
In Super Mario All-Stars, as well as Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World and Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition, an arrangement of "Ground BGM" is included in the game's remake of Super Mario Bros. 3, where it plays in all of the same levels as the original.
| File info 0:30 |
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]
In Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, the Game Boy Advance remake of Super Mario Bros. 3, an arrangement of "Ground BGM" plays in all of the same levels as the original game. This arrangement using timbales instead of bongos before the transitional ones.
| File info 0:30 |
New Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]
In New Super Mario Bros. 2, a brief arrangement of "Ground BGM" can somtimes play in the loading chime.
Super Mario Maker[edit]
In Super Mario Maker, an ambient arrangement of "Ground BGM" using eight tracks that fade in and out randomly to create a dynamic mix plays while editing Super Mario Bros. 3-style ground-themed courses in the Course Maker. This arrangement is reused for the same purpose in Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS and Super Mario Maker 2.
| File info 0:30 |
Super Mario Run[edit]
In Super Mario Run, an arrangement of "Ground BGM" is incorporated in the music that plays in Remix 10.
Super Mario Maker 2[edit]
In Super Mario Maker 2, a music box arrangement of "Ground BGM" plays during the nighttime version of ground-themed levels in the Super Mario Bros. 3 style. Moreover, with the newly added Desert and Forest themes retaining the original "Ground Theme" as in the Desert Land and Pipe Land levels of the original game rather than introducing unique themes, two new arrangements for editing courses in the respective themes were introduced, 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.
| File info 0:30 |
| File info 0:30 |
| File info 0:30 |
The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]
An arrangement of "Ground BGM" is a recurring background track in The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, as the show is based on Super Mario Bros. 3. This arrangement is also used for the main menu screen on the show's complete series DVD box set.
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
Super Smash Bros. Melee[edit]
| Super Mario Bros. 3 Theme | |
|---|---|
| Game(s) | Donkey Konga 2 |
| Length | 2:13 |
| Difficulties | ★★★★★★ (Solo) / ★★★★★★★ (Duet) |
| ★★★★★★ (Solo) / ★★★★★★★ (Duet) | |
| ★★★★★★ (Solo) / ★★★★★ (Duet) | |
| Cost | 580 |
Super Smash Bros. Melee features a rock/jazz/reggae medley arrangement (done on a Roland Sound Canvas SC-8850) of "Ground BGM" and "World 1 Map (Grass Land)," titled "Super Mario Bros. 3." This arrangement prominently features brass, keyboard, and electric guitar. This arrangement returns in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, now titled "Super Mario Bros. 3 (Melee)," where it can play in the Yoshi's Island stage, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, now titled "Ground Theme (Super Mario Bros. 3)," where it can play in the Yoshi's Island stage and the Super Mario Maker stage, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where it can play in any Super Smash Bros.-series and Super Mario-series stage.
This song was later included as a playable song in the European version of Donkey Konga 2, where it was titled the "Super Mario Bros. 3 Theme." It plays only once and does not loop.
| File info 0:30 |
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a medley arrangement of "Ground BGM," "Course Clear," and "World 1 Map (Grass Land)," titled "Ground Theme - Super Mario Bros. 3," can play in any Super Smash Bros.-series and Super Mario-series stage. This arrangement blends acoustic and chiptune-inspired instrumentation.
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix[edit]
- Main article: Hammer Dance
In Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix, a ska arrangement of "Ground BGM," titled "Hammer Dance," is a playable song.
| File info 0:30 |
Tetris DS[edit]
In Tetris DS, an arrangement of "Ground BGM," titled "Mario Tetris 3," plays in levels 4, 5, and 6 in Marathon mode.
| File info 0:30 |
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games[edit]
The Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games features a tropical arrangement of "Ground BGM" played on the melodica with steel drum accompaniment. This arrangement returns in Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and the Wii U version of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Paper Mario: Color Splash[edit]
In Paper Mario: Color Splash, the original version of "Ground BGM" plays in some of the 3D portions of the Super Mario Bros. 3-like world in the Green Energy Plant. When Mario flips, it seamlessly shifts to a more ethereal, echoing arrangement.
| File info |
Mario Kart World[edit]
In Mario Kart World, an arrangement of "Ground BGM" can play in Free Roam.
Other arrangements[edit]
Super Mario World[edit]
The Super Mario World album includes a jazz arrangement of "Ground BGM" composed by Soichi Noriki and performed by the Mario Club Band, titled "Go! Go! Raccoon Mario."
Super Nintendo World[edit]
An arrangement of "Ground BGM" is featured at Super Nintendo World, where it plays in the 1-UP Factory.
Gallery[edit]
Icon for "Hammer Dance" in Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix
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 | ||
| Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | 1994 | Past arrangement (Super Mario All-Stars) | ||
| Super Smash Bros. Melee | Nintendo GameCube | 2001 | Arrangement | "Super Mario Bros. 3" | 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 (European version) | Nintendo GameCube | 2005 | 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" | |
| Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games | Wii | 2009 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Wii | 2008 | Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Melee) | "Super Mario Bros. 3 (Melee)" | Shogo Sakai |
| Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition | Wii | 2010 | Past arrangement (Super Mario All-Stars) | ||
| Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games | Wii | 2011 | Arrangement | ||
| New Super Mario Bros. 2 | Nintendo 3DS | 2012 | Arrangement | ||
| Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games | Wii U | 2013 | Past arrangement (Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games) | ||
| Super Smash Bros. for Wii U | Wii U | 2014 | Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Melee) | "Ground Theme (Super Mario Bros. 3)" | Shogo Sakai |
| 20151 | Original | "Ground Theme (Super Mario Bros. 3)" | Koji Kondo | ||
| Super Mario Maker | Wii U | 2015 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Arrangement | |||||
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS | Nintendo 3DS | 20151 | Original | "Ground Theme (Super Mario Bros. 3)" | Koji Kondo |
| Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games | Wii U | 2016 | Past arrangement (Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games) | ||
| Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS | Nintendo 3DS | 2016 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario Maker) | |||||
| Super Mario Run | Android, iOS | 20172 | Arrangement | ||
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Nintendo Switch | 2018 | Original | "Ground Theme - Super Mario series" | Koji Kondo |
| Arrangement | "Ground Theme - Super Mario Bros. 3" | Masafumi Takada | |||
| Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Melee) | "Ground Theme - Super Mario Bros. 3 (Melee)" | Shogo Sakai | |||
| Super Mario Maker 2 | Nintendo Switch | 2019 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario Maker) | |||||
| WarioWare: Move It! | Nintendo Switch | 2023 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Mario Kart World | Nintendo Switch 2 | 2025 | Arrangement |
1 - Added as downloadable content on September 30, 2015
2 - Added in the 3.0.4 update on September 28, 2017
Film and television[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 | 1990 | Arrangement | Michael Tavera |
Albums[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Famicom Graffiti: Nintendo Cartridge Edition | 1990 | Arrangement | 「MEDLEY III(マリオブラザーズ~スーパーマリオブラザーズ~スーパーマリオブラザーズ3)」 (MEDLEY III (Mario Burazāzu ~ Sūpā Mario Burazāzu ~ Sūpā Mario Burazāzu 3)) |
|
| Game Music Graffiti - Nintendo Complete Works Collection | 1990 | Arrangement | 「MEDLEY III(マリオブラザーズ~スーパーマリオブラザーズ~スーパーマリオブラザーズ3)」 (MEDLEY III (Mario Burazāzu ~ Sūpā Mario Burazāzu ~ Sūpā Mario Burazāzu 3)) |
|
| Super Mario World | 1991 | Original | 「地上BGM」 (Chijō BGM) | Koji Kondo |
| Arrangement | "Go! Go! Raccoon Mario" | Soichi Noriki | ||
| Super Smash Bros. Melee: Smashing...Live! | 2003 | Arrangement | "Smash Bros. Great Medley" | Shogo Sakai |
| Game Sound Museum: Super Mario Bros. 3 | 2004 | Original | 「地上BGM」 (Chijō BGM) | Koji Kondo |
| Famicom Sound History Series: Mario the Music | 2004 | Original | 「地上BGM~ワーニング~地上BGM ハリーアップ!」 (Chijō BGM ~ Wāningu ~ Chijō BGM Harī Appu!) | Koji Kondo |
| Happy! Mario 20th - Super Mario Sound Collection | 2005 | Original | 「地上BGM」 (Chijō BGM) | Koji Kondo |
| The 30th Anniversary Super Mario Bros. Music | 2015 | Original | 「地上BGM」 (Chijō BGM) | Koji Kondo |
Other media[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Nintendo World | 2021 | Arrangement |
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 地上BGM[1] Chijō BGM |
Above-ground BGM |
Notes[edit]
- On the Nintendo Music app, "Ground BGM" is labeled as "Selects," classifying it as one "of the very best tracks from the Nintendo Music library," originating from Super Mario Bros. 3. "Ground BGM" shares this title with "World 1 Map (Grass Land)" and "Athletic BGM."
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Nintendo Music
- ^ Super Smash Bros. series Sound Tests
- ^ Sly DC (November 28, 2015). Nelsonic Super Mario Bros. 3 Game Watch (0:09). YouTube (English). Retrieved December 1, 2023.