Underground Theme
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| "Underground Theme" | |
|---|---|
The Underground Theme from Super Mario Bros. | |
| Composed by: Koji Kondo | |
| First appearance | Super Mario Bros. |
| Latest appearance | The Super Mario Bros. Movie |
The "Underground Theme" is a recurring musical theme in the Super Mario franchise composed by Koji Kondo, first heard in underground areas in Super Mario Bros. The original theme is a short, looping tune played in 3/4 time and lasting approximately 11 seconds long, and it plays in every underground level in the game. In composing the theme, Kondo said, "It was really concentrated on the space between the notes, and using a few notes to create that feeling of being underground -- that sort of creepy atmosphere is something I really focused on."[1] Super Mario Bros. designer Shigeru Miyamoto has stated that the theme was an "even more perfect fit" than the Ground Theme.[2] Like the Ground Theme, the Underground Theme has seen many reuses and arrangements in later Super Mario games and media.
The theme shares a similar melody with the instrumental "Let's Not Talk About It" from Lee Ritenour's second Friendship album, released in 1979.
Reuses[edit]
The following list does not count ports and remakes (such as Super Mario Bros. Deluxe) of Super Mario Bros.
| Game | Description |
|---|---|
| Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels | This game reuses the soundtrack from Super Mario Bros. |
| WarioWare: Twisted! / WarioWare Gold | The Underground Theme plays in the second level of the Super Mario Bros. boss microgame, which changes tempo depending on how fast the player is playing. |
| WarioWare: Touched! | An excerpt of the Underground Theme plays in the Super Mario Bros. microgame where the player is required to collect coins. |
| Itadaki Street DS | The Underground Theme plays in the Amida Dokan minigame. |
| Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii) | The Underground Theme is playable in the gallery. |
| Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker 2 | The Underground Theme plays in Underground-themed levels of the Super Mario Bros. style. |
| Super Mario Odyssey | The Underground Theme, titled "Projection Room: Underground" in the Music List, plays in the secret area of the replica of World 1-1 from Super Mario Bros. found inside New Donk City's Projection Room. |
Arrangements[edit]
Super Mario series[edit]
Super Mario Bros. Special[edit]
In Super Mario Bros. Special, the Underground Theme plays in underground levels at a slower tempo than the original similar to the Ground Theme.
 Underground Theme | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario Bros. (Game & Watch)[edit]
In 1986, a short arrangement of the theme was made for Super Mario Bros. (Game & Watch, Crystal Screen series). This arrangement would reappear unchanged for the Special Edition (1987) and New Wide Screen (1988) versions.
| Underground Theme - The arrangement heard in Super Mario Bros. (Game & Watch) | File info 0:04 |
Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]
In Super Mario Bros. 3, an arrangement of the Underground Theme plays in underground areas and bonus rooms. It also plays in the main levels of Dark Land; the game's Ground Theme is completely absent from that world. This version is the first to use a 4/4 time signature and add a percussion beat at the start of the theme (which carries through the rest of the theme), both traits which would go on to be reused in many of the later arrangements.
This version is reused in Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Maker 2 in Super Mario Bros. 3-styled Underground levels, as well as in Paper Mario: Color Splash in the Super Mario Bros. 3 portion of Green Energy Plant, though it is given an echo effect if Mario flips into 3D.
| Underground Theme | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario All-Stars[edit]
For the respective underground levels in Super Mario All-Stars, rather than both the original and Super Mario Bros. 3 versions receiving 16-bit arrangements, a single arrangement of the latter is instead used for Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels and Super Mario Bros. 3.
| Underground Theme | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario 64[edit]
In Super Mario 64, an extended arrangement plays in cave areas, including Hazy Maze Cave, Wet-Dry World, Wiggler's cave of Tiny-Huge Island, Behind the Waterfall, the pyramid in Shifting Sand Land, and the igloo in Snowman's Land. New notes were added in this arrangement, and the introduction is a longer, unique melody. The theme's main melody is played on bass guitar. This arrangement also uses a haunting vocal track for certain areas in lieu of the bass guitar, specifically for the Hazy Maze and Underground Lake in Hazy Maze Cave, and for the downtown area in Wet-Dry World. Outside these two courses, the arrangement incorporates both the bass guitar and vocal tracks for the other locations.
In Super Mario 64 DS, this arrangement returns in all areas in which it was present in the original game, and is also used in Goomboss Battle, albeit with some of the instrumentation altered.
| Hazy Maze Cave (N64) | File info 0:30 |
| Hazy Maze Cave (DS) | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario Advance[edit]
In the Mario Bros. remake featured in Super Mario Advance, a fast-paced arrangement appears as one of the two regular stage themes, first playing in Phase 5. The arrangement uses the NES bass sound for the main melody. The Mario Bros. remake and its arranged music return in all three of the later Super Mario Advance games.
| Stage Theme 2 | File info 0:29 |
Super Mario Sunshine[edit]
Multiple arrangements are featured in Super Mario Sunshine. The first is heard on Delfino Airstrip when Mario first arrives, played on strings and piano. A techno arrangement plays when Mario chases down Shadow Mario. The first six notes played on an electric guitar can be heard when Shadow Mario reveals his face during the cutscene where the Grand Pianta Statue appears. Another arrangement plays when using manholes.
| Delfino Airstrip | File info 0:30 |
| Shadow Mario | File info 0:30 |
| Underground - The theme when using manholes. | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3[edit]
An updated version of Super Mario Bros. 3's arrangement was created for Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, having less reverberation and more bass guitar-sounding instrumentation for the main melody.
| Underground Theme | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario 64 DS[edit]
In Super Mario 64 DS, an arrangement resembling Super Mario Bros. 3's version (albeit without the introduction) plays in the minigames Coincentration, Intense Coincentration, and Hide and Boo Seek, which returns in New Super Mario Bros. for the same minigames as well as Whack-a-Monty, and in the Nintendo DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games in the gallery under the same name as the former minigame. The main melody is again played on bass guitar.
| Coincentration | File info 0:19 |
New Super Mario Bros.[edit]
In underground levels of New Super Mario Bros., a new arrangement of Super Mario Bros. 3's version includes additional percussion, as well as vocals that cause enemies to hop slightly when played. A chiptune version of the Underground Theme can also be heard approximately three minutes into the credits music.
| Underground Theme | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario Galaxy[edit]
In Super Mario Galaxy, three arrangements were arranged by the game's main composer Mahito Yokota. The first, titled "Space Athletic" in the game's original soundtrack, is a slower-paced, techno arrangement that plays on several galaxies and planets, including Flipswitch Galaxy, Sand Spiral Galaxy, and the interiors of Battlerock Galaxy, Dusty Dune Galaxy's pyramid, and Dreadnought Galaxy.
The second, officially titled "Interlude", is a much slower-paced, eerie arrangement that plays in areas such as the first area of Ghostly Galaxy and Deep Dark Galaxy, as well as before the boss fight with Dino Piranha and Fiery Dino Piranha after breaking their eggs. This version only uses the theme's first four measures.
The third, titled "Cosmic Comet", is a fast-paced techno arrangement that mixes in the Ground Theme from Super Mario Bros. and Shadow Mario's theme from Super Mario Sunshine. The Underground Theme is used as the bassline for the song, which plays in Cosmic Comet and Fast-Foe Comet missions.
| Space Athletic | File info 0:30 |
| Interlude | File info 0:30 |
| Cosmic Comet | File info 0:30 |
New Super Mario Bros. Wii[edit]
Another arrangement based on Super Mario Bros. 3's version plays in underground levels in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, which also resembles New Super Mario Bros.'s version, incorporating vocals. Additional percussion can be heard if a player is riding Yoshi. This arrangement is reused in New Super Mario Bros. 2, New Super Mario Bros. U, New Super Luigi U, Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition, and Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Maker 2 in New Super Mario Bros. U-styled Underground levels. In New Super Mario Bros. 2, a woodblock is added if Mario/Luigi is in his Raccoon form, and in New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U, the Baby Yoshis vocalize to the theme if players are carrying them.
An arrangement also plays in underground volcano levels in World 8. This rendition also returns in New Super Mario Bros. 2 in World 6-A, New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U in Soda Jungle-5 and Peach's Castle-3, and in Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition.
| Underground Theme | File info 0:30 |
| Underground Theme (Lava) | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit]
In Super Mario Galaxy 2, a techno arrangement of the Underground Theme plays on rhythm-based galaxies and planets, including Beat Block Galaxy (the song's namesake in the official soundtrack), Flash Black Galaxy, the gravity-shifting room of Flipsville Galaxy, the final area of Upside Dizzy Galaxy, and the interior of the Undergrunt planet of Battle Belt Galaxy; with elements of the level (such as the Beat Blocks and gravity) changing in time with the music.
A fast-paced arrangement of the first part of the theme can also be heard in the music that plays in Flip-Swap Galaxy and Flip-Out Galaxy, alongside the leading melody.
The "Cosmic Comet" arrangement also returns, this time being slightly higher-key with additional notes at the start of the song. It plays during the Clone Comet mission "The Shadow Lining" and the Double Time Comet mission "Turning Turning Double Time".
| Beat Block Galaxy | File info 0:30 |
| Flip-Swap Galaxy | File info 0:30 |
| Cosmic Clone | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario 3D Land[edit]
Super Mario 3D Land uses a variation of "Space Athletic" from Super Mario Galaxy for underground levels, adding ascending notes at the start of the theme and extra percussion. The "Cosmic Comet" arrangement also returns, playing whenever a Cosmic Clone is encountered. It is mostly unchanged from its Super Mario Galaxy 2 rendition, albeit with most of the fading cosmic synth pads removed.
| Underground Theme | File info 0:30 |
New Super Mario Bros. 2[edit]
In New Super Mario Bros. 2, a snippet of the Underground Theme is incorporated into the credits music.
Super Mario 3D World[edit]
Super Mario 3D World's arrangement, again playing in underground levels, is directly based on its predecessor's rendition, except with descending notes at the start instead of ascending, and additional drums.
| Underground Theme | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario Maker[edit]
In Super Mario Maker, in addition to the Underground Theme and its respective arrangements reappearing as the default background music of the Underground course theme in all styles except Super Mario World, the music for editing such a course in the Course Maker are original, more ambient arrangements, each using multiple tracks that fade in and out randomly to create a dynamic mix. This returns in Super Mario Maker 2.
| Underground Theme (Edit) (Super Mario Bros. style) | File info 0:30 |
| Underground Theme (Edit) (Super Mario Bros. 3 style) | File info 0:30 |
| Underground Theme (Edit) (New Super Mario Bros. U style) | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario Run[edit]
A new arrangement of the Underground Theme is used for underground levels in Super Mario Run.
| Underground Theme | File info 0:30 |
| Underground Theme (Coin Rush) | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario Odyssey[edit]
In Super Mario Odyssey, another arrangement based on "Space Athletic", titled "Subterranean 1" in the Music List and "Underground Power Plant" in the official soundtrack, plays in several secret areas as well as in the Underground Power Plant in the Metro Kingdom. This version uses a different introduction and backing instrumentation. It also received an 8-bit variation for when Mario is in an 8-bit section of said secret areas.
Another, quieter version of the Underground Theme, heavily based on its Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker rendition, appears in the game, titled "Subterranean 2" in the Music List. It can be heard in the underground area of Jaxi Ruins in the Sand Kingdom, the secret Puzzle Part room in the Lake Kingdom, and the secret wooden block room in the Snow Kingdom.
| Subterranean 1 | File info 0:30 |
| Subterranean 1 (8-Bit) | File info 0:30 |
| Subterranean 2 | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario Maker 2[edit]
In Super Mario Maker 2, like in Super Mario Maker, the Super Mario 3D World-style underground level theme, which uses the Underground Theme arrangement from that game, features a more ambient version of the arrangement with multiple fading tracks while in editing mode. In addition, music box versions of the respective Underground Themes play during nighttime levels of underground-themed levels in the Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, and New Super Mario Bros. U styles.
| Underground Theme (Edit) (Super Mario 3D World style) | File info 0:30 |
| Underground Theme (Night) (Super Mario Bros. style) | File info 0:30 |
| Underground Theme (Night) (Super Mario Bros. 3 style) | File info 0:30 |
| Underground Theme (Night) (New Super Mario Bros. U style) | File info 0:29 |
Super Mario Bros. Wonder[edit]
In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, two arrangements that incorporate the Underground Theme's main motif appear in the game. One of them plays in underground levels and areas, and reduces the main motif to three notes, sounding similar to the Delfino Airstrip theme from Super Mario Sunshine. The other, quieter, arrangement plays in darker levels such as Swamp Pipe Crawl, Light-Switch Mansion, and Another Uncharted Area: Swaying Ruins. For both themes, if the player character is in their Elephant form, the lead instrument will be changed into brass horns, reminiscent of an elephant trumpeting.
The last few notes of the Underground Theme can also be heard mixed into one of the Wonder Effect themes, which plays during more chaotic Wonders such as the Flying Battleship ones, or when the player is being chased by a dark clone.
Super Mario DIC cartoons[edit]
Various arrangements of the Underground Theme can occasionally be heard in episodes throughout The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! and The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars[edit]
In Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, the music that plays in the Pipe Vault is an arrangement of the Underground Theme. It was arranged by Yoko Shimomura, and in the official Japan-only soundtrack, it is titled 「土管からコンニチハ」 (Dokan kara Konnichiwa, "Hello from the Earthen Pipe"). Another version of the song plays as Mario chases the Axem Rangers through Barrel Volcano, titled 「オノレンジャー参上」(Onorenjā sanjō, "The Axem Rangers Burst In").[3]
| 土管からコンニチハ | File info 0:30 |
Mario Party series[edit]
Mario Party[edit]
The original Mario Party has two arrangements of the Underground Theme: one titled "Option House Theme" that plays in the Option House, and one titled "The Room Underground" that plays in the mini-games Bombsketball, Pipe Maze, Whack-a-Plant, and Key-pa-Way.
| Option House Theme | File info 0:30 |
| The Room Underground | File info 0:30 |
Mario Party 3[edit]
Part of the Creepy Cavern theme from Mario Party 3 consists of an arrangement of the Underground Theme.
Mario Party 6[edit]
In Mario Party 6, an arrangement of the Underground Theme titled "Really Long Road" plays in Endurance Alley between the first 30 mini-games.
| Really Long Road | File info 0:30 |
Mario Party Advance[edit]
In Mario Party Advance, an arrangement plays in the minigames Bob-OOOM!, Floor It!, Switch Way?, Go-go Pogo, and Sort Stack.
| Mini-Game Theme 7 | File info 0:30 |
Mario Party 7[edit]
In Mario Party 7, three different arrangements titled "Tough Luck", "Tough Luck Reprise", and "The Tough Luck Remix" play in King of the River; they are themselves arrangements of the Mario Party 6 arrangement. Additionally, the first six notes can be heard in the Neon Heights theme.
| Tough Luck | File info 0:30 |
| Tough Luck Reprise | File info 0:30 |
| The Tough Luck Remix | File info 0:30 |
Mario Party 8[edit]
During the introduction of the Mario Party 8 minigame Grabby Gridiron, a techno arrangement of the Underground Theme's first six notes can be heard.
Mario Party DS[edit]
In the Mario Party DS minigame Boogie Beam, the music, named "Strike a Pose", is an arrangement of the first six notes of the Underground Theme. The theme is also quoted in the Bowser's Pinball Machine theme.
| Strike a Pose | File info 0:05 |
Mario Party 9[edit]
In Mario Party 9, an arrangement plays in Choice Challenge.
| Choice Challenge | File info 0:30 |
Mario Party: Island Tour[edit]
An arrangement known as "Basement Battle" plays in the Mario Party: Island Tour minigame Amp My Style/Beat the Buzz.
Mario Party 10[edit]
In Mario Party 10, an arrangement of the Underground Theme known as "Going Deep" plays in the minigames Blooper Blastoff, Bouncy Bounty, and Pipe Sniper.
| Going Deep | File info 0:30 |
Super Mario Party[edit]
In Super Mario Party, during a game of Sound Stage, an arrangement of the Underground Theme plays during the tutorials of all the minigames.
Mario Party Superstars[edit]
The Option House from Mario Party returns in Mario Party Superstars, along with a new rendition of its theme, titled "Setting the Scene".
| Setting the Scene | File info 0:30 |
Mario Golf series[edit]
Mario Golf for the Nintendo 64, Mario Golf for the Game Boy Color, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, and Mario Golf: Advance Tour all have arrangements of the Underground Theme that play when on the green with an under-par putt.
| Underground Theme - Under-par putt theme from Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour | File info 0:30 |
Mario Golf: World Tour[edit]
In Mario Golf: World Tour, an arrangement plays when on the green with a par or bogey putt. This arrangement is reused in the golf portion of Mario Sports Superstars for the same purpose.
| Par Putt | File info 0:19 |
Paper Mario series[edit]
Paper Mario[edit]
In the music for Toad Town Tunnels in Paper Mario, the Underground Theme is played on sine synthesizer. This piece is not featured in the game's official soundtrack.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door[edit]
The music for the Palace of Shadow plays the Underground Theme, and also incorporates the castle theme from Super Mario World.
Super Paper Mario[edit]
In Super Paper Mario, the song "Nostalgic Underground", which plays in the underground portion of Chapter 3-1 (itself based on World 1-2 of Super Mario Bros.), is a techno arrangement of the Underground Theme, which samples the original theme and the percussion from "Underground Room".
| Nostalgic Underground | File info 0:30 |
Paper Mario: Sticker Star[edit]
The music that plays in underground areas of Paper Mario: Sticker Star, such as the one in Hither Thither Hill, is an arrangement of the Underground Theme. The theme is played on saxophone and accordion, while an oboe can be heard in the background.
| Underground Theme | File info 0:30 |
Paper Mario: Color Splash[edit]
In Paper Mario: Color Splash, an arrangement plays in Indigo Underground. This arrangement adds a trap beat in the background, while the theme itself is played on flute and piano. Additionally, a sitar arrangement, titled "Snifit Hideout" in the Prisma Museum's music gallery, plays in the underground section of Mustard Café. In the Super Mario Bros. 3 section of Green Energy Plant, if Mario flips into 3D in an underground section, the music is given an echo effect.
| Indigo Underground | File info 0:30 |
| Snifit Hideout | File info 0:30 |
| Underground (Flipped) | File info 0:30 |
Paper Mario: The Origami King[edit]
In Paper Mario: The Origami King, an arrangement plays in Graffiti Underground. Another is heard earlier in the game, while in the dungeon of Peach's Castle.
| Graffiti Underground | File info 0:31 |
| Peach's Castle - Underground | File info 0:30 |
Luigi's Mansion[edit]
A portion of the Underground Theme plays when Mario tries to recover from being launched by the Ghost Portrificationizer. The first six notes can be heard partway through Luigi's Mansion's credits music.
| Dazed Mario | File info 0:23 |
| Credits | File info 0:30 |
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
Super Smash Bros. Melee[edit]
In Super Smash Bros. Melee, the Underground Theme is interspersed throughout the music for Princess Peach's Castle (which is an arrangement of the Ground Theme from Super Mario Bros.), with the first six notes played in the introduction and bassline, and the final notes played towards the end of the song. The song was arranged by HAL Laboratory composer Shogo Sakai, and returns in Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Rainbow Cruise, in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U for Mushroom Kingdom U and Super Mario Maker, and in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for every Super Mario-franchise stage.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Underground Theme received its own dedicated arrangement arranged by HAL Laboratory composer Kentaro Ishizaka. The song is a techno-based arrangement with echoed dripping noises that can be heard in the background. The song plays in the World 1-2 variation of Mushroomy Kingdom, and returns for the same stage in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and any Super Mario-franchise stage in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. For the latter, it is also featured in Piranha Plant's character trailer.
A heavy-metal arrangement also plays towards the end of "Ground Theme 2 (Super Mario Bros.)" (arranged by Masaaki Iwasaki), which plays in the World 1-1 variation of Mushroomy Kingdom. This arrangement does not return in later installments.
| Underground Theme (Super Mario Bros.) | File info 0:30 |
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U[edit]
An arrangement of the Ground Theme, Underground Theme, and castle music from Super Mario Bros., arranged by Tetsuya Shibata and titled "Ground Theme / Underground Theme", appears in both Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, playing on Golden Plains and Mushroom Kingdom U respectively. The Underground Theme is heard during the song's latter half, and is played on electric guitar. This arrangement returns in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the Underground Theme can be heard at the end of the arrangement "Super Mario Bros. Medley" (arranged by Kondo), and halfway through the arrangements "Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels Medley" (arranged by Bandai Namco composer Katsuro Tajima) and "Egg Planet" (arranged by Nobuko Toda).
Mario & Luigi series[edit]
All arrangements in the Mario & Luigi series were arranged by Yoko Shimomura.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga[edit]
In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, an arrangement of the Underground Theme plays in cave areas, including the Mysterious Mine Carts minigame, the Beanbean Castle Sewers and Guffawha Ruins. This version adds a beat after the theme's first iteration, and the first four bars are repeated once each time.
| Underground | File info 0:29 |
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time[edit]
In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, another arrangement plays in Peach's Castle Dungeon as well as in Gritzy Caves.
| Underground | File info 0:30 |
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam[edit]
In Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, the Underground Theme's first six notes were arranged into the song "Holding Hands in the Darkness", which plays in Doop Doop Dunes Grotto and the Mount Brrr caves. The melody is played on piano.
| Holding Hands in the Darkness | File info 0:30 |
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions[edit]
The arrangement from the original game received an updated arrangement in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, and is now known as "Climbing" in the Music List.
Donkey Konga[edit]
In Donkey Konga, part of "Super Mario Theme" is a jazz arrangement of the Underground Theme.
| "Super Mario Theme" - 11 second snippet of "Super Mario Theme," featuring an arrangement of the Underground Theme | File info 0:11 |
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix[edit]
In Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix, the song "Where's the Exit?" is an arrangement of the Underground Theme. Additionally, the music heard when Mario and Toad are inside the cavern of the mountain in World 4, as well as the minigame Note Pickup has the theme's main motif played on bass guitar.
| Where's the Exit? | File info 0:30 |
Tetris DS[edit]
In Tetris DS, a slightly uptempo arrangement of the original Underground Theme (retaining its 3/4 time signature) titled "Basement Tetris" in the music menu plays in levels 3 and 7 in single-player Standard mode, which are based on World 1-2 from Super Mario Bros.
| Basement Tetris | File info 0:30 |
Mario vs. Donkey Kong series[edit]
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis[edit]
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, an arrangement plays in Magnet Mania's levels. While the Mini Marios are inactive, only the percussion is audible; after they begin to move, the music plays in full. This arrangement is reused for Magnet Mania's levels in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem![edit]
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!, two new arrangements based on the previous installments' version play in Secret Storage's levels. The first one uses the same tempo and plays in Area X-1 and every second level after it, while the second one is slightly uptempo and plays in every other level.
Both arrangements return in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars for Crumbling Cavern's levels, though they have less reverberation. The first plays in Level 4-1 and every third level after it, while the second plays in Levels 4-3, 4-6, and 4-8.
| Secret Storage A | File info 0:30 |
| Secret Storage B | File info 0:30 |
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars[edit]
A third arrangement was also created for Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars, playing in Levels 4-2 and 4-5. This arrangement uses double bass for the main melody and cowbell for percussion.
| Crumbling Cavern | File info 0:30 |
Mario Strikers Charged[edit]
In Mario Strikers Charged, part of the song for the stage The Vice features the Underground Theme as part of its bassline.
| The Vice | File info 0:40 |
Mario Super Sluggers[edit]
A portion of the Underground Theme is sampled as part of the bass throughout the staff credits music of Mario Super Sluggers.
| Staff Credits | File info 0:30 |
Wario Land: Shake It![edit]
A cut track exists in pre-release versions of Wario Land: Shake It! for a level known as "Plumber's Cave"; it was also posted on the official site as a soundtrack sample. The track is a disco-inspired arrangement of the Underground Theme, played on acoustic bass and featuring samples of retro sound effects.
Art Style: PiCTOBiTS[edit]
The Underground Theme, arranged by chiptune band YMCK, is featured in Art Style: PiCTOBiTS under the name "Super Mario Bros. Part 2". In this arrangement, the melody is initially incomplete but builds itself as the puzzle is completed. An arranged excerpt of it is also featured in the game's credits.
| Super Mario Bros. Part 2 | File info 0:30 |
| End Credits - Underground Theme | File info 0:14 |
WarioWare series[edit]
WarioWare: D.I.Y.[edit]
In WarioWare: D.I.Y., a short arrangement in 4/4 time without percussion plays in the microgame Paratroopa.
WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase[edit]
In WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase, an arrangement in 4/4 time resembling that of Super Mario Bros. 3, albeit with the first six notes repeated three times in the same key, plays in the downloadable Weekly Games microgame 1-UP.
WarioWare Gold[edit]
In WarioWare Gold, a slightly uptempo version of one of the Underground Theme's Course Maker tracks in Super Mario Maker plays in the Super Mario Maker microgame in levels taking place underground. Additionally, in Sneaky Gamer, 5-Volt may hum the Underground Theme if she is nearby.
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games[edit]
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games features a techno arrangement of the Underground Theme with electric guitar, arranged by the Sega Sound Team; this version returns in Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Despite being based on the original version from Super Mario Bros. version, it is labeled in-game as being the music for Coincentration from Super Mario 64 DS.
Mario Kart series[edit]
Mario Kart 7[edit]
In Mario Kart 7, the Underground Theme is interspersed into the music for Piranha Plant Slide, which also incorporates the Ground Theme from Super Mario Bros. The course and arrangement return in Mario Kart Tour.
| Piranha Plant Slide | File info 0:30 |
Mario Kart 8[edit]
In Mario Kart 8, the Underground Theme's main motif can be heard on bass guitar in the music for the underground portion of Super Bell Subway (titled "Super Bell Subway (Underground)" in the official soundtrack and arranged by Atsuko Asahi). Piranha Plant Slide and its music also return, though with slight alterations and rearranged by Ryo Nagamatsu.[4]
| Super Bell Subway (Underground) | File info 0:30 |
| 3DS Piranha Plant Slide | File info 0:30 |
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker[edit]
In Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, a slow-paced, ambient arrangement of the Underground Theme, somewhat resembling "Interlude" from Super Mario Galaxy, plays before and after the mine cart ride in Mine Cart Tunnel Throwdown, as well as in the room the player enters when they get a Game Over. A version of this arrangement was used for Super Mario Odyssey, titled "Subterranean 2" in that game's Music List.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie[edit]
In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the Underground Theme is arranged multiple times in the score, which was composed by Brian Tyler. A slow arrangement at a similar tempo to "Interlude" from Super Mario Galaxy plays in the track "The Warp Pipe" when Mario and Luigi investigate Brooklyn's sewers. The main melody of the theme can be heard in "Press Start", and the descending notes at the end of the theme play in "Welcome to the Mushroom Kingdom" when Mario reaches the Brick Block bridge while on his way with Toad to Peach's Castle. A more direct arrangement of the theme is featured in the credits theme, "Level Complete", alongside other Super Mario themes; this arrangement incorporates the whistle heard in the Toad Brigade's theme from Super Mario Galaxy. Bowser also plays the Underground Theme on his piano with Kamek after the latter interrupts his song. A piano arrangement of the first six notes plays when Luigi is shown locked in a cage in the film's final trailer.[5]
On the Super Mario Bros. Plumbing website, one of the reviewers is named "dunnadunnadunna", a vocal interpretation of the main melody of the Underground Theme.[6]
Other arrangements[edit]
An advertisement for the Nintendo Cereal System in 1989 featured a version of the Underground Theme.[7]
Appearances in other media[edit]
In the Japan-exclusive Just Dance Wii and the Wii version of Just Dance 3 (in which the song is downloadable content), the song "Just Mario" (whose artist is simply credited as "Ubisoft meets Nintendo") is a medley of remixes of the Ground Theme, invincibility theme, and Underground Theme. The song returns in the Nintendo Switch version of Just Dance 2018, albeit with the themes fully arranged instead of remixed.
In Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition, a techno arrangement plays in Mushroom Battles.
Pushmo World contains a medley consisting of the "Ground Theme", "Underground Theme", and "Underwater Theme" from Super Mario Bros.
List of Super Mario appearances[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Bros. | 1985 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Super Mario Bros. Special | 1986 | Arrangement | |
| Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels | 1986 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| VS. Super Mario Bros. | 1986 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Super Mario Bros. 3 | 1988 | Arrangement | Koji Kondo |
| The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 | 1990 | Arrangement | Michael Tavera |
| Super Mario All-Stars | 1993 | Arrangement | Soyo Oka |
| Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars | 1996 | Arrangement | Yoko Shimomura |
| Super Mario 64 | 1996 | Arrangement | Koji Kondo |
| Mario Party | 1998 | Arrangement | Yasunori Mitsuda |
| Super Mario Bros. Deluxe | 1999 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Mario Golf (Nintendo 64) | 1999 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba |
| Mario Golf (Game Boy Color) | 1999 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba |
| Paper Mario | 2000 | Arrangement | Yuka Tsujiyoko |
| Mario Party 3 | 2000 | Arrangement | Ichiro Shimakura |
| Super Mario Advance | 2001 | Arrangement | |
| Luigi's Mansion | 2001 | Arrangement | |
| Super Smash Bros. Melee | 2001 | Arrangement | Shogo Sakai |
| Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 | 2001 | Past arrangement (Super Mario Advance) | |
| Super Mario Sunshine | 2002 | Arrangement | |
| Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 | 2002 | Past arrangement (Super Mario Advance) | |
| Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 | 2003 | Arrangement | Taiju Suzuki |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario Advance) | |||
| Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour | 2003 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba |
| Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga | 2003 | Arrangement | Yoko Shimomura |
| Donkey Konga | 2003 | Arrangement | |
| Mario Golf: Advance Tour | 2004 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba |
| WarioWare: Twisted! | 2004 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Mario Party 6 | 2004 | Arrangement | |
| Super Mario 64 DS | 2004 | Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) | Koji Kondo |
| Arrangement | Kenta Nagata | ||
| WarioWare: Touched! | 2004 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Mario Party Advance | 2005 | Arrangement | |
| Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix | 2005 | Arrangement | |
| Mario Party 7 | 2005 | Arrangement | |
| Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time | 2005 | Arrangement | Yoko Shimomura |
| Tetris DS | 2006 | Arrangement | |
| New Super Mario Bros. | 2006 | Arrangement | |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario 64 DS) | Kenta Nagata | ||
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis | 2006 | Arrangement | Lawrence Schwedler |
| Super Paper Mario | 2007 | Arrangement | |
| Mario Strikers Charged | 2007 | Arrangement | |
| Mario Party 8 | 2007 | Arrangement | Yoshihiro Tsukahara |
| Super Mario Galaxy | 2007 | Arrangement | Mahito Yokota |
| Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii) | 2007 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Mario Party DS | 2007 | Arrangement | |
| Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Nintendo DS) | 2008 | Past arrangement (Super Mario 64 DS) | Kenta Nagata |
| Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Nintendo DS) | 2008 | Past arrangement (Super Mario 64 DS) | Kenta Nagata |
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl | 2008 | Arrangement | Kentaro Ishizaka ("Underground Theme (Super Mario Bros.)") Masaaki Iwasaki ("Ground Theme 2 (Super Mario Bros.)") |
| Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Melee) | Shogo Sakai | ||
| Mario Super Sluggers | 2008 | Sampled in an arrangement | BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment |
| WarioWare: D.I.Y. | 2009 | Arrangement | |
| WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase | 2009 | Arrangement | |
| New Super Mario Bros. Wii | 2009 | Arrangement | |
| Super Mario Galaxy 2 | 2010 | Arrangement | Mahito Yokota |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! | 2010 | Arrangement | Lawrence Schwedler |
| Super Mario 3D Land | 2011 | Arrangement | |
| Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games | 2011 | Arrangement | |
| Mario Kart 7 | 2011 | Arrangement | |
| New Super Mario Bros. 2 | 2012 | Past arrangement (New Super Mario Bros. Wii) | |
| Paper Mario: Sticker Star | 2012 | Arrangement | |
| New Super Mario Bros. U | 2012 | Past arrangement (New Super Mario Bros. Wii) | |
| New Super Luigi U | 2013 | Past arrangement (New Super Mario Bros. Wii) | |
| Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games | 2013 | Past arrangement (Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games) | |
| Super Mario 3D World | 2013 | Arrangement | |
| NES Remix | 2013 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| NES Remix 2 | 2014 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario Bros. 3) | |||
| NES Remix Pack | 2014 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario Bros. 3) | |||
| Mario Golf: World Tour | 2014 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba |
| Mario Kart 8 | 2014 | Arrangement | Ryo Nagamatsu ("Piranha Plant Slide") Atsuko Asahi ("Super Bell Subway (Underground)") |
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS | 2014 | Arrangement | Tetsuya Shibata |
| Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) | Kentaro Ishizaka | ||
| Ultimate NES Remix | 2014 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario Bros. 3) | |||
| Super Smash Bros. for Wii U | 2014 | Arrangement | Koji Kondo ("Super Mario Bros. Medley") Katsuro Tajima ("Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels Medley") Nobuko Toda ("Egg Planet") |
| Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS) | Tetsuya Shibata | ||
| Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Melee) | Shogo Sakai | ||
| Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker | 2014 | Arrangement | |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars | 2015 | Past arrangement (Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!) | Lawrence Schwedler |
| Arrangement | James Phillipsen | ||
| Mario Party 10 | 2015 | Arrangement | |
| Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition | 2015 | Past arrangement (New Super Mario Bros. Wii) | |
| Super Mario Maker | 2015 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario Bros. 3) | |||
| Past arrangement (New Super Mario Bros. Wii) | |||
| Arrangement | |||
| Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam | 2015 | Arrangement | Yoko Shimomura |
| Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games | 2016 | Past arrangement (Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games) | |
| Paper Mario: Color Splash | 2016 | Arrangement | |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario Bros. 3) | Koji Kondo | ||
| Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS | 2016 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario Bros. 3) | |||
| Past arrangement (New Super Mario Bros. Wii) | |||
| Past arrangement (Super Mario Maker) | |||
| Super Mario Run | 2016 | Arrangement | |
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | 2017 | Past arrangement (Mario Kart 8) | Ryo Nagamatsu ("Piranha Plant Slide") Atsuko Asahi ("Super Bell Subway (Underground)") |
| Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions | 2017 | Arrangement | Yoko Shimomura |
| Super Mario Odyssey | 2017 | Arrangement | Naoto Kubo |
| Past arrangement (Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker) | |||
| Original | Koji Kondo | ||
| Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Nintendo Switch / Nintendo 3DS) | 2018 | Past arrangement (Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker) | |
| WarioWare Gold | 2018 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Arrangement | |||
| Vocalization | Cristina Vee | ||
| Luigi's Mansion (Nintendo 3DS) | 2018 | Past arrangement (Luigi's Mansion) | |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | 2018 | Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Melee) | Shogo Sakai |
| Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) | Kentaro Ishizaka | ||
| Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS) | Tetsuya Shibata | ||
| Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. for Wii U) | Koji Kondo ("Super Mario Bros. Medley") Katsuro Tajima ("Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels Medley") Nobuko Toda ("Egg Planet") | ||
| New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe | 2019 | Past arrangement (New Super Mario Bros. Wii) | |
| Super Mario Maker 2 | 2019 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario Bros. 3) | |||
| Past arrangement (New Super Mario Bros. Wii) | |||
| Past arrangement (Super Mario 3D World) | |||
| Past arrangement (Super Mario Maker) | |||
| Paper Mario: The Origami King | 2020 | Arrangement | |
| Super Mario 3D All-Stars | 2020 | Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) | Koji Kondo |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario Sunshine) | |||
| Past arrangement (Super Mario Galaxy) | Mahito Yokota | ||
| Super Mario Bros. 35 | 2020 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. | 2020 | Original | Koji Kondo |
| Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury | 2021 | Past arrangement (Super Mario 3D World) | |
| Mario Party Superstars | 2021 | Arrangement | |
| Mario Kart Tour | 20221 | Past arrangement (Mario Kart 7) | |
| The Super Mario Bros. Movie | 2023 | Arrangement | Brian Tyler |
| Super Mario Bros. Wonder | 2023 | Arrangement |
1 - Added as downloadable content
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 地下BGM Chika BGM |
Underground BGM |
References[edit]
- ^ Nutt, Christian (December 10, 2014). The Super Mario Maestro speaks: Koji Kondo on composing classics. Gamasutra. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
- ^ Iwata Asks : Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary : To Save Memory. Nintendo. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
- ^ SUPER MARIO RPG ORIGINAL SOUND VERSION. VGMdb. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
- ^ Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack credits
- ^ Illumination (March 9, 2023). The Super Mario Bros. Movie | Final Trailer. YouTube. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
- ^ Super Mario Bros. Plumbing
- ^ VHSDemos (October 15, 2017). Nintendo Cereal System Commercial (1989). YouTube. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
