Koopa's Theme

"Koopa's Theme" is the musical theme composed by Koji Kondo for Super Mario 64 that plays when fighting Bowser in Bowser in the Dark World and Bowser in the Fire Sea. The theme's title uses Bowser's Japanese name, despite the soundtrack releasing in the West both physically in 1996 as well as in Super Mario 3D All-Stars in 2020.

Reuses
The following list does not include ports or remakes of Super Mario 64.

Super Mario 64
In addition to the original theme, Super Mario 64 features a short arrangement of "Koopa's Theme", "Koopa's Message", consisting of the first four notes of the main riff of "Koopa's Theme" followed by Bowser's laugh, which plays when Mario first enters the Mushroom Castle at the beginning of the game and whenever he tries to enter an inaccessible door. The same four notes played on church organ are also heard at the beginning of "Ultimate Koopa", the theme used for the final battle against Bowser.

This arrangement returns along with the original theme in Super Mario 64 DS and Super Mario 3D All-Stars.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii
In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, an arrangement of "Koopa's Message" plays if two Bowser or Bowser Jr. panels are flipped over in Power-up Panels.

Super Mario Odyssey
In Super Mario Odyssey, an electric guitar arrangement of the main riff of "Koopa's Theme" is included in "Break Free (Lead the Way)". An 8-bit arrangement of "Break Free (Lead the Way)" can be heard exclusively through the Music List by fulfilling at least three of Jammin' Toad's requests.

The English version of "Break Free (Lead the Way)" returns as a playable track in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where it can be played on any Super Smash Bros.-series or Super Mario-series stage.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder
In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, an electric-guitar arrangement of the first four notes of the main riff of "Koopa's Theme" plays in the opening when Bowser merges with Prince Florian's castle.

Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)
In the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Tennis, an arrangement of "Koopa's Theme" plays in the Bowser Stage mode, as well as during matches on the Bowser Court.

Mario Tennis (Game Boy Color)
In the Game Boy Color version of Mario Tennis, an arrangement of "Koopa's Theme" plays during the Two-on-One minigame.

Mario Tennis Open
In Mario Tennis Open, an arrangement of "Koopa's Theme" plays during matches on the Bowser's Castle court.

Mario Tennis Aces
In Mario Tennis Aces, a medley arrangement of "Koopa's Theme" and "Koopa's Road" plays during the final boss battle against Bowcien.

Mario Kart: Super Circuit
In Mario Kart: Super Circuit, the theme heard in Bowser Castle 1, Bowser Castle 2, Bowser Castle 3, and Bowser Castle 4, titled 「クッパキャッスルコース」 (Kuppa Kyassuru Kōsu, Bowser Castle Course) in the compilation soundtrack Nintendo Sound Selection Vol.2: Loud Music, is an arrangement of "Koopa's Theme". It is much faster than the original version and adds a chugging bassline. The second half of the arrangement also features a unique melody.

Mario Kart DS
In Mario Kart DS, a new version of the arrangement heard in Mario Kart: Super Circuit with different instrumentation plays in.

Mario Kart Wii
In Mario Kart Wii, a new version of the arrangement heard in Mario Kart: Super Circuit with slightly different instrumentation can be heard in.

Mario Kart 7
In Mario Kart 7, a new version of the Mario Kart: Super Circuit arrangement with slightly different instrumentation can be heard in. Additional percussion is added to the instrumentation when the player is driving at top speed while in first place.

The former arrangement returns in Mario Kart Tour, where it can be heard in GBA Bowser's Castle 1, GBA Bowser's Castle 2, GBA Bowser's Castle 3, GBA Bowser's Castle 4, and RMX Bowser's Castle 1.

Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour
In Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, an arrangement of "Koopa's Theme" plays in Bowser Badlands.

Mario Golf: Super Rush
Part of the Bowser Highlands theme from Mario Golf: Super Rush is loosely based on "Koopa's Theme".

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
In the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, an arrangement of the version of "Koopa's Theme" from Mario Kart: Super Circuit plays during Dream Ice Hockey.

Mario Party 10
In Mario Party 10, an arrangement of "Koopa's Theme" plays in amiibo Party mode when Bowser's amiibo is being controlled.

Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge
In Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge, multiple arrangements of "Koopa's Theme" plays during all the levels in Fire Ride Fortress.