Koopa's Theme
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| "Koopa's Theme" | |
|---|---|
"Koopa's Theme" in Super Mario 64 | |
| Composed by: Koji Kondo | |
| First appearance | Super Mario 64 (1996) |
| Latest appearance | Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023) |
"Koopa's Theme"[1] 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[edit]
The following list does not include ports or remakes of Super Mario 64.
| Game | Description |
|---|---|
| Minecraft: Wii U Edition / Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition / Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition / Minecraft | "Koopa's Theme" is included as a part of the music for the Super Mario Mash-up. |
| Super Mario Odyssey | "Koopa's Theme" can briefly be heard during the cutscene when Mario captures Bowser at the end of the game. |
Arrangements[edit]
Super Mario series[edit]
Super Mario 64[edit]
In addition to the original theme, Super Mario 64 features a short arrangement of "Koopa's Theme", "Koopa's Message",[1] 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",[1] 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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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 transforms into Castle Bowser. The theme that plays during the final boss battle with him also incorporates elements of Koopa's Theme.
Mario Tennis series[edit]
Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)[edit]
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)[edit]
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[edit]
In Mario Tennis Open, an arrangement of "Koopa's Theme" plays during matches on the Bowser's Castle court.
Mario Tennis Aces[edit]
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 series[edit]
Mario Kart: Super Circuit[edit]
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.
 クッパキャッスルコース - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart: Super Circuit | File info |
Mario Kart DS[edit]
In Mario Kart DS, a new version of the arrangement heard in Mario Kart: Super Circuit with different instrumentation plays in GBA Bowser Castle 2.
| GBA Bowser Castle 2 - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart DS | File info |
Mario Kart Wii[edit]
In Mario Kart Wii, a new version of the arrangement heard in Mario Kart: Super Circuit with slightly different instrumentation can be heard in GBA Bowser Castle 3.
| GBA Bowser Castle 3 - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart Wii | File info |
Mario Kart 7[edit]
In Mario Kart 7, a new version of the Mario Kart: Super Circuit arrangement with slightly different instrumentation can be heard in GBA Bowser's Castle 1. 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.
| GBA Bowser's Castle 1 - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart 7 | File info |
| GBA Bowser's Castle 1 (Frontrunning) - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart 7 | File info |
Mario Golf series[edit]
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour[edit]
In Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, an arrangement of "Koopa's Theme" plays in Bowser Badlands.
Mario Golf: Super Rush[edit]
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[edit]
In the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, an arrangement of the GBA Bowser Castle version of "Koopa's Theme" from Mario Kart: Super Circuit plays during Dream Ice Hockey.
Mario Party 10[edit]
In Mario Party 10, an arrangement of "Koopa's Theme" plays in amiibo Party mode when Bowser's amiibo is being controlled.
| Bowser's Theme - The arrangement heard in Mario Party 10. | File info |
Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge[edit]
In Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge, multiple arrangements of "Koopa's Theme" plays during all the levels in Fire Ride Fortress.
List of Super Mario appearances[edit]
Games[edit]
| Work | System | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario 64 | Nintendo 64 | 1996 | Original | "Koopa's Theme" | Koji Kondo |
| Arrangement | "Koopa's Message" | ||||
| Arrangement | "Ultimate Koopa" | ||||
| Mario Tennis | Nintendo 64 | 2000 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| Mario Tennis | Game Boy Color | 2000 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| Mario Kart: Super Circuit | Game Boy Advance | 2001 | Arrangement | 「クッパキャッスルコース」 (Kuppa Kyassuru Kōsu) | Minako Hamano[2] |
| Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour | Nintendo GameCube | 2003 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| Super Mario 64 DS | Nintendo DS | 2004 | Original | "Koopa's Theme" | Koji Kondo |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) | "Koopa's Message" | ||||
| Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) | "Ultimate Koopa" | ||||
| Mario Kart DS | Nintendo DS | 2005 | Arrangement | Shinobu Tanaka | |
| Mario Kart Wii | Wii | 2008 | Arrangement | ||
| Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games | Wii | 2009 | Arrangement | ||
| New Super Mario Bros. Wii | Wii | 2009 | Arrangement | ||
| Mario Kart 7 | Nintendo 3DS | 2011 | Arrangement | ||
| Mario Tennis Open | Nintendo 3DS | 2012 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| Mario Party 10 | Wii U | 2015 | Arrangement | "Bowser's Theme" | |
| Minecraft: Wii U Edition | Wii U | 2015 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge | Nintendo 3DS, Wii U | 2016 | Arrangement | James Phillipsen | |
| Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition | Nintendo Switch | 2017 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition | New Nintendo 3DS | 2017 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Super Mario Odyssey | Nintendo Switch | 2017 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Arrangement | "Break Free (Lead the Way)" | Naoto Kubo | |||
| Minecraft | Nintendo Switch | 2018 | Original | Koji Kondo | |
| Mario Tennis Aces | Nintendo Switch | 2018 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Nintendo Switch | 2018 | Past arrangement (Super Mario Odyssey) | "Break Free (Lead the Way)" | Naoto Kubo |
| Mario Kart Tour | Android, iOS | 2019 | Past arrangement (Mario Kart 7) | ||
| Super Mario 3D All-Stars | Nintendo Switch | 2020 | Original | "Koopa's Theme" | Koji Kondo |
| Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) | "Koopa's Message" | ||||
| Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) | "Ultimate Koopa" | ||||
| Mario Golf: Super Rush | Nintendo Switch | 2021 | Arrangement | Motoi Sakuraba | |
| Super Mario Bros. Wonder | Nintendo Switch | 2023 | Arrangement |
Albums[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario 64 Original Soundtrack | 1996 | Original | "Koopa's Theme" | Koji Kondo |
| Nintendo 64 Original Soundtrack Greatest Hits | 1996 | Original | "Bowser's Theme" | Koji Kondo |
| Nintendo Sound Selection Vol.2: Loud Music | 2004 | Past arrangement (Mario Kart: Super Circuit) | 「クッパキャッスルコース」 (Kuppa Kyassuru Kōsu) | Minako Hamano[2] |
| Super Mario Odyssey Sound Selection | 2017 | Arrangement | "Break Free (Lead the Way)" | Naoto Kubo |
| "Break Free (Lead the Way) Japanese Version" | ||||
| Super Mario Odyssey Original Soundtrack | 2018 | Arrangement | "Break Free (Lead the Way)" | Naoto Kubo |
| 「Break Free (Lead the Way) 日本語バージョン」 (Bureiku Furī (Lead the Way) Nihongo Bājon) | ||||
| 「Break Free (Lead the Way) カラオケ」 (Bureiku Furī (Lead the Way) Karaoke) | ||||
| 「Break Free (Lead The Way) 8bit版」 (Bureiku Furī (Lead the Way) 8 Bitto-Ban) |
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | クッパのテーマ[?] Kuppa no Tēma |
Bowser's Theme |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Super Mario 64 Original Soundtrack
- ^ a b Nintendo Sound Selection vol.2 Koopa <Loud Music>. VGMdb (English). Retrieved September 2, 2023.
