Title BGM (Donkey Kong)
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| "Title BGM" | |
|---|---|
| "Title BGM" in the NES version of Donkey Kong | |
Image from Nintendo Music | |
| Composed by: Yukio Kaneoka | |
| Key | F major |
| First appearance | Donkey Kong (NES) (1983) |
| Latest appearance | Donkey Kong Bananza (2025) |
"Title BGM"[1] is a musical theme composed by Yukio Kaneoka for the title screen in the NES version of Donkey Kong. This theme is sometimes paired in later arrangements with "Game Start," the opening theme from the same game. In subsequent games and other works in both the Donkey Kong franchise and the Super Mario franchise, this theme is occasionally used as a leitmotif for the Donkey Kong series and even Donkey Kong himself, though not as frequently as "DK Island Swing" from Donkey Kong Country.
History[edit]
Donkey Kong (NES)[edit]
While not present in the original arcade version of Donkey Kong, the title screen theme appears in the NES version, the e-Reader port Donkey Kong-e, and the Classic NES Series port.
"Title BGM" also appears in the Atari 7800 port of Donkey Kong, but it uses a different soundfont due to hardware differences.
Donkey Kong Country series[edit]
Donkey Kong Country[edit]
- Main article: Cranky's Theme
In Donkey Kong Country, an arrangement of "Title BGM" with an additional, original melody for the second part of the theme, titled "Theme" in the game's official soundtrack and the Nintendo Music app, plays in the title screen. This arrangement returns in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and its Nintendo Switch port of the same name, where it is played on a phonograph in the secret exit of Canopy Chaos.
Another arrangement of "Title BGM" titled "Cranky's Theme" plays in Cranky's Cabin. Both arrangements were arranged by David Wise.
The Game Boy Color remake and Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country each contain distinct arrangements of the title screen theme.
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Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest[edit]
In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, an arrangement of "Theme" from Donkey Kong Country by the same composer, David Wise, titled "Steel Drum Rhumba (Option Screen)" in the game's official soundtrack and the Nintendo Music app, plays in the file select screen.
The Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 2, an arrangement of "Steel Drum Rhumba" plays in the file select screen, just like in the original game.
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Donkey Kong Country 3 (Game Boy Advance)[edit]
In the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 3, a music box arrangement of "Theme" plays in the "Game Over" tune, replacing the ominous music box theme from the original SNES version.
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Donkey Kong Country Returns[edit]
In Donkey Kong Country Returns, its Nintendo 3DS port, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, and its Nintendo Switch port, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, an arrangement of "Theme" from Donkey Kong Country, titled 「ドンキーコングリターンズ」 (Donkī Kongu Ritānzu, "Donkey Kong Returns") in the game's official soundtrack, plays in the title screen. This arrangement returns in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, titled "Donkey Kong Country Returns," where it can play in the Kongo Jungle 64 stage, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where it can play in any Super Smash Bros.-series and Donkey Kong-series stage.
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Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze[edit]
In Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and its Nintendo Switch port of the same name, an arrangement of "Title BGM" that combines elements of the Donkey Kong original and "Theme" from Donkey Kong Country plays in the opening cutscene.
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Donkey Kong Land 2[edit]
In Donkey Kong Land 2, a chiptune arrangement of "Steel Drum Rhumba" from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest arranged by Grant Kirkhope plays in the file select screen.
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Mario Tennis series[edit]
Arrangements in the Mario Tennis series were arranged by Motoi Sakuraba.
Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)[edit]
The Nintendo 64 version of Mario Tennis features two arrangements of "Title BGM."
A medley arrangement of "Title BGM," "Game Start," and "Round Start BGM" from Donkey Kong plays in Donkey Kong Court. It is titled 「ドンキーコングコート」 (Donkī Kongu Kōto, "Donkey Kong Court") in the game's official soundtrack.
A brief medley arrangement of "Title BGM" and "Game Start" plays during Donkey Kong's trophy celebration. It is titled 「トロフィー 授与 ドンキーコング」 (Torofī Juyo - Donkī Kongu, "Trophy Award - Donkey Kong") in the game's official soundtrack.
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Mario Tennis (Game Boy Color)[edit]
In the Game Boy Color version of Mario Tennis, a chiptune arrangement of the Donkey Kong Court theme from the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Tennis plays in the Banana Bunch minigame and on the Jungle Court.
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Mario Power Tennis[edit]
In Mario Power Tennis and its Wii port, New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis, a medley arrangement of "Title BGM" and "Game Start" from Donkey Kong plays during Donkey Kong's trophy celebration.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong series[edit]
Mario vs. Donkey Kong[edit]
Mario vs. Donkey Kong features two arrangements of "Title BGM" arranged by Lawrence Schwedler.
A mashup arrangement of "Title BGM" and "Ground BGM" from Super Mario Bros. plays in the title screen.
The second credits theme incorporates an arrangement of "Opening," initially on its own before then adding elements of "Ground BGM."
Both arrangements are in turn rearranged in remake for the Nintendo Switch.
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Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis[edit]
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis features two arrangement of "Title BGM" arranged by Lawrence Schwedler.
A swing jazz mashup arrangement of "Title BGM" and "Ground BGM" from Super Mario Bros. plays in the title screen.
An arrangement of the second credits theme from the first Mario vs. Donkey Kong, including the "Title BGM" portion, plays in the staff credits.
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Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again![edit]
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! features two arrangements of "Title BGM" arranged by Lawrence Schwedler.
A jazz arrangement of "Title BGM" and "Ground BGM" from Super Mario Bros. plays in the title screen. It is similar to the arrangement heard on the title screen of Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, though this version is slightly slower.
An arrangement of the second credits theme from the first Mario vs. Donkey Kong, including the "Title BGM" portion, plays in the staff credits.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem![edit]
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! features two arrangements of "Title BGM" arranged by Lawrence Schwedler.
A marching band mashup arrangement of "Title BGM" and "Ground BGM" from Super Mario Bros. in the key of E♭ major plays in the title screen. The main melody is played on trumpet with flute, tuba, snare drum and cymbal accompaniment. It also includes a new extended melody not heard in previous Mario vs. Donkey Kong games.
An arrangement of "Title BGM" plays in the results screen after completing a level. It is in the key of G major and adds additional instrumentation every time it repeats. The first time is played only on brass instruments with the main melody played on the trumpet, the second repetition adds snare drum percussion, the third repetition removes the trumpet and adds concert flute trills, and the fourth and final repetition adds the trumpet playing the main melody back into the mix.
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Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars[edit]
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars, a mashup arrangement of "Title BGM" and "Ground BGM" from Super Mario Bros., arranged by James Phillipsen, plays in the title screen. The main melody is played on the violin rather than the trumpet. This arrangement returns in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, titled "Title Theme - Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars," where it can be played on any Super Smash Bros.-series and Super Mario-series stage.
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Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge[edit]
In Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge, a mashup arrangement of "Title BGM" and "Ground BGM" from Super Mario Bros. arranged by James Phillipsen plays in the title screen.
Donkey Konga 3[edit]
| Donkey Kong | |
|---|---|
| Artist | Yukio Kaneoka |
| Game(s) | Donkey Konga 3 |
| Length | 0:18 |
| Difficulties | ???????? |
| ???????? | |
| ???????? | |
In Donkey Konga 3, the original NES version of "Title BGM" appears as an extremely short playable song available in the Famicom Room.
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix[edit]
- Main article: Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla
In Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix, a medley arrangement of "Title BGM" and several other themes and sound effects from Donkey Kong, titled "Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla," is a playable song.
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, an arrangement of "Title BGM," titled "Opening (Donkey Kong)" and arranged by Shota Kageyama, can play in the 75 m stage. The arrangement also includes arrangements of the "Game Start" jingle, "Round 1 BGM," and "Hammer BGM." This arrangement returns in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, where it can play in the same stage, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, now formatted as "Opening - Donkey Kong," where it can play in any Super Smash Bros.-series and Donkey Kong-series stage.
In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, an arrangement of "Donkey Kong Country Returns" from the game of the same name, titled "Donkey Kong Country Returns (Vocals)" and arranged by Kenji Yamamoto, can play in the Kongo Jungle 64 stage. This arrangement adds an electric guitar and vocals similar to those heard in Grassland Groove in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze to the instrumentation. This arrangement returns in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where it can play in any Super Smash Bros.-series and Donkey Kong-series stage.
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WarioWare: D.I.Y.[edit]
- “Donkey Kong rules. So does this!”
- —In-game description
In WarioWare: D.I.Y., one of 9-Volt's Records is a medley arrangement of "Round 1 BGM" and "Title BGM" from Donkey Kong and "Title BGM" from Donkey Kong Jr., simply titled "Donkey Kong."
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Nintendo Land[edit]
The original version of "Title BGM" is reused in Nintendo Land for the setup screen of Donkey Kong's Crash Course.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle[edit]
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle features two arrangements of "Title BGM" in the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC.
An arrangement of "Title BGM" plays during battle preparations.
An arrangement of "Title BGM" is incorporated in the mid-boss battle theme.
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The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)[edit]
In The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), arrangements of various versions of "Title BGM" from multiple Donkey Kong games are incorporated throughout the track "Drivin' Me Bananas," arranged by Brian Tyler. The track begins with an arrangement of the backing melody from "Donkey Kong Country Returns" from the game of the same name, an arrangement of the original melody of "Title BGM" can be heard about halfway through, and the track ends with an arrangement of the second part of "Theme" from Donkey Kong Country. This arrangement is not present in The Super Mario Bros. Movie itself, as "Take On Me" plays during the scene instead.
Tetris 99[edit]
Donkey Kong Country Returns' arrangement of "Title BGM" appears in Tetris 99's Donkey Kong Country Returns HD theme as the music for when there are between 50 and 11 players.
Donkey Kong Bananza[edit]
- Main article: Breaking Through (Heart of Gold)
In Donkey Kong Bananza, a lullaby arrangement of the first two bars of "Title BGM" plays when Donkey Kong and Pauline are sleeping on a bed.[2] Moreover, a reharmonized arrangement of "Title BGM", with the melody sung by Pauline, is included as the bridge in the song "Breaking Through (Heart of Gold)."[3]
Gallery[edit]
Image for "Theme" from Donkey Kong Country on Nintendo Music
Image for "Cranky's Theme" from Donkey Kong Country on Nintendo Music
Image for "Steel Drum Rhumba (Option Screen)" from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest on Nintendo Music
Icon for the "Donkey Kong" record in WarioWare: D.I.Y.
List of Super Mario appearances[edit]
Games[edit]
| Work | System | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong | Nintendo Entertainment System | 1983 | Original | "Title BGM"[1] | Yukio Kaneoka |
| Donkey Kong | Atari 7800 | 1988 | Arrangement | "Title BGM"[1] | |
| Donkey Kong Country | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | 1994 | Arrangement | "Theme"[4] | David Wise |
| "Cranky's Theme"[4] | |||||
| Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | 1995 | Arrangement | "Steel Drum Rhumba (Option Screen)"[5] | David Wise |
| Donkey Kong Land 2 | Game Boy | 1996 | Arrangement | Grant Kirkhope | |
| Mario Tennis | Nintendo 64 | 2000 | Arrangement | 「ドンキーコングコート」 (Donkī Kongu Kōto)[6] | Motoi Sakuraba |
| 「トロフィー 授与 ドンキーコング」 (Torofī Juyo - Donkī Kongu)[6] | |||||
| Mario Tennis | Game Boy Color | 2000 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| Donkey Kong Country | Game Boy Color | 2000 | Arrangement | ||
| Donkey Kong-e | Game Boy Advance e-Reader | 2002 | Original | "Title BGM"[1] | Yukio Kaneoka |
| Donkey Kong Country | Game Boy Advance | 2003 | Arrangement | ||
| Classic NES Series: Donkey Kong | Game Boy Advance | 2004 | Original | "Title BGM"[1] | Yukio Kaneoka |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong | Game Boy Advance | 2004 | Arrangement | Lawrence Schwedler | |
| Donkey Kong Country 2 | Game Boy Advance | 2004 | Arrangement | "Steel Drum Rhumba"[7] | |
| Mario Power Tennis | Nintendo GameCube | 2004 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| Donkey Konga 3 JP | Nintendo GameCube | 2005 | Original | "Donkey Kong" | Yukio Kaneoka |
| Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix | Nintendo GameCube | 2005 | Arrangement | "Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla" | |
| Donkey Kong Country 3 | Game Boy Advance | 2005 | Arrangement | "Game Over"[8] | |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis | Nintendo DS | 2006 | Arrangement | Lawrence Schwedler | |
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Wii | 2008 | Arrangement | "Opening (Donkey Kong)"[9] | Shota Kageyama |
| New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis | Wii | 2009 | Past arrangement (Mario Power Tennis) | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| WarioWare: D.I.Y. | Nintendo DS | 2009 | Arrangement | "Donkey Kong" | |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! | Nintendo DSi | 2009 | Arrangement | Lawrence Schwedler | |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! | Nintendo DS | 2010 | Arrangement | Lawrence Schwedler | |
| Donkey Kong Country Returns | Wii | 2010 | Arrangement | 「ドンキーコングリターンズ」 (Donkī Kongu Ritānzu)[10] | |
| Nintendo Land | Wii U | 2012 | Original | Yukio Kaneoka | |
| Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D | Nintendo 3DS | 2013 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country Returns) | 「ドンキーコングリターンズ」 (Donkī Kongu Ritānzu)[10] | |
| Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze | Wii U | 2014 | Arrangement | ||
| Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country) | David Wise | ||||
| Super Smash Bros. for Wii U | Wii U | 2014 | Arrangement | "Donkey Kong Country Returns (Vocals)"[11] | Kenji Yamamoto |
| Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) | "Opening (Donkey Kong)"[11] | Shota Kageyama | |||
| Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country Returns) | "Donkey Kong Country Returns"[11] | ||||
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars | Wii U, Nintendo 3DS | 2015 | Arrangement | James Phillipsen | |
| Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge | Wii U, Nintendo 3DS | 2016 | Arrangement | James Phillipsen | |
| Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze | Nintendo Switch | 2018 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U)) | ||
| Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country) | David Wise | ||||
| Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle | Nintendo Switch | 2018[g 1] | Arrangement | Grant Kirkhope | |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Nintendo Switch | 2018 | Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) | "Opening - Donkey Kong"[12] | Shota Kageyama |
| Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country Returns) | "Donkey Kong Country Returns"[12] | ||||
| Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. for Wii U) | "Donkey Kong Country Returns (Vocals)"[12] | Kenji Yamamoto | |||
| Past arrangement (Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars) | "Title Theme - Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars"[12] | James Phillipsen | |||
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong | Nintendo Switch | 2024 | Arrangement | ||
| Donkey Kong Country Returns HD | Nintendo Switch | 2025 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country Returns) | 「ドンキーコングリターンズ」 (Donkī Kongu Ritānzu)[10] | |
| Tetris 99 | Nintendo Switch | 2025[g 2] | Past arrangements (Donkey Kong Country Returns) | ||
| Donkey Kong Bananza | Nintendo Switch 2 | 2025 | Arrangement |
- ^ Added in the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC on June 26, 2018
- ^ Added in the 45th Maximus Cup on February 13, 2025
Albums[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DK Jamz | 1994 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country) | "Theme" | David Wise |
| The Original Donkey Kong Country 2 Soundtrack | 1995 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest) | "Steel Drum Rhumba" | David Wise |
| Donkey Kong Country Trilogy | 1996 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country) | "Theme" | David Wise |
| Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest) | "Steel Drum Rhumba" | |||
| Game Sound Museum: Donkey Kong | 2004 | Original | 「タイトルBGM」 (Taitoru BGM) | Yukio Kaneoka |
| Donkey Kong Returns Original Sound Track | 2011 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country Returns) | 「ドンキーコングリターンズ」 (Donkī Kongu Ritānzu) | |
| The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2023 | Arrangement | "Drivin' Me Bananas" | Brian Tyler |
Other media[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Music | 2024 | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country) | "Theme" | David Wise |
| 2024[g 1] | Past arrangement (Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest) | "Steel Drum Rhumba (Option Screen)" | David Wise | |
| 2025[g 2] | Original | "Title BGM" | Yukio Kaneoka |
Names in other languages[edit]
- Title BGM
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | タイトルBGM[1] Taitoru BGM |
Title BGM |
- Theme
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| French | DK Theme[13] | - | |
| German | DK-Thema[14] | DK Theme | |
| Italian | Tema DK[15] | DK Theme | |
| Spanish | Tema de DK[16] | DK's Theme |
- Game Over
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| French | Game Over[17] | - | |
| German | Game Over[18] | - | |
| Italian | Game Over[19] | - | |
| Spanish | Fin del juego[20] | End of the game |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f Nintendo Music
- ^ Press Start Australia (July 1, 2025). NEW Donkey Kong Bananza 4K/60 FPS Gameplay Footage (No Commentary). YouTube. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
- ^ Nintendo of America (June 18, 2025). Donkey Kong Bananza Direct 6.18.2025. YouTube. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ a b DK Jamz
- ^ The Original Donkey Kong Country 2 Soundtrack
- ^ a b Mario Tennis 64 Original Soundtrack
- ^ Donkey Kong Country 2 (Game Boy Advance) Music Player
- ^ Donkey Kong Country 3 (Game Boy Advance) Music Player
- ^ Super Smash Bros. Brawl Sound Test
- ^ a b c Donkey Kong Returns Original Sound Track
- ^ a b c Super Smash Bros. Wii U Sound Test
- ^ a b c d Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 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).
- ^ Musiques (2005). Donkey Kong Country 3. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (French).
- ^ Musik-Maschine (2005). Donkey Kong Country 3. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German).
- ^ Jukebox (2005). Donkey Kong Country 3. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (Italian).
- ^ Reproductor (2005). Donkey Kong Country 3. Nintendo of Europe GmbH (Spanish).