N64 Rainbow Road (theme): Difference between revisions

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{{classic title}}
{{classic title}}
{{Media missing}}
{{media missing|more=yes|[[Super Nintendo World]] arrangement}}
{{Theme infobox
{{Theme infobox
|title={{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}
|title={{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}
|composer=[[Kenta Nagata]]
|composer=[[Kenta Nagata]]
|file=[[File:MK64-Music-RainbowRoad.oga]]<br>"{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road" in ''Mario Kart 64}}''
|file=[[File:N64RainbowRoad SoundSelectionV3.oga]]<br>The source quality version of "Rainbow Road" in ''Mario Kart 64'' from ''[[Nintendo Sound Selection Vol.3: B-Side Music]]''<br>[[File:MK64-Music-RainbowRoad.oga]]<br>The compressed version as heard in-game
|key={{wp|E major}}
|key={{wp|E major}}, {{wp|A major}}
|first_appearance=''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' ([[List of games by date#1996|1996]])
|first_appearance=''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' ([[List of games by date#1996|1996]])
|latest_appearance=[[Super Nintendo World]] (2021)
|latest_appearance=[[Super Nintendo World]] (2021)
}}
}}
"'''{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}'''"<ref name=MK8>''[[Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack]]''</ref> is the theme from ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' for [[N64 Rainbow Road|the course of the same name]] composed by [[Kenta Nagata]]. The theme and elements from it have been integrated into the themes of almost every [[Rainbow Road]] course in the mainline ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series since ''Mario Kart 64''{{'}}s debut, missing only in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''.<ref name="8-bit Music Theory">8-bit Music Theory (March 20, 2018). [https://youtu.be/E0Ux3ULOuAU "The Musical Evolution of Rainbow Road"]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved July 3, 2023.</ref>
"'''{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}'''"<ref name=MK8>''[[Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack]]''</ref> is the theme from ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' for the [[N64 Rainbow Road|course of the same name]], composed by [[Kenta Nagata]]. The theme and elements from it have been integrated into the themes of almost every [[Rainbow Road]] course in the mainline ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series since ''Mario Kart 64''{{'}}s debut, missing only in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''.<ref name="8-bit Music Theory">8-bit Music Theory (March 20, 2018). [https://youtu.be/E0Ux3ULOuAU "The Musical Evolution of Rainbow Road"]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved July 3, 2023.</ref>


==Composition==
==Composition==
"{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" debuted in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' for the [[N64 Rainbow Road|Rainbow Road]] course, originally titled simply "'''Rainbow Road'''" in the ''[[Mario Kart 64 Race Tracks]]'' soundtrack album. It is a dramatic arrangement in key of {{wp|E major}} divided into two main sections with a static chugging bassline and {{wp|Triad (music)|triadic}} {{wp|chord (Music)|chord}}. The theme repeatedly features an extended I - ♭VII - I {{wp|chord progression}}, which has gone on to be established as a recurring {{wp|motif}} in "Rainbow Road" themes throughout the ''Mario Kart'' series.
"'''Rainbow Road'''", as originally titled in the ''[[Mario Kart 64 Race Tracks]]'' soundtrack album, debuted in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' for the [[N64 Rainbow Road|Rainbow Road]] course. It is a dramatic arrangement in key of {{wp|E major}} divided into two main sections with a static chugging bassline and {{wp|Triad (music)|triadic}} {{wp|chord (Music)|chord}}. The theme repeatedly features an extended I - ♭VII - I {{wp|chord progression}}, which has gone on to be established as a recurring {{wp|motif}} in "Rainbow Road" themes throughout the ''Mario Kart'' series.


The theme also shares some elements with "[[SNES Rainbow Road (theme)|{{classic|SNES|Rainbow Road}}]]". Like the ''Super Mario Kart'' theme, "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" begins with a Isus {{wp|chord (music)|chord}} to I {{wp|chord progression}}. Also like "{{classic|SNES|Rainbow Road}}", the melody of the theme is based on jumping and walking between the 1st and 5th notes of the chord.<ref name="8-bit Music Theory"></ref>
The theme also shares some elements with "[[SNES Rainbow Road (theme)|{{classic|SNES|Rainbow Road}}]]". Like the ''Super Mario Kart'' theme, "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" begins with a Isus {{wp|chord (music)|chord}} to I {{wp|chord progression}}. Also like "{{classic|SNES|Rainbow Road}}", the melody of the theme is based on jumping and walking between the 1st and 5th notes of the chord.<ref name="8-bit Music Theory"></ref>
{{Media table
|file=MK64-Music-RainbowRoad.oga
|title=Rainbow Road
|description=The arrangement heard in ''Mario Kart 64''
}}


==Arrangements==
==Arrangements==
===''Mario Kart'' series===
===''Mario Kart'' series===
====''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''====
====''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''====
The theme heard on ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]''{{'}}s iteration of [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart: Super Circuit)|Rainbow Road]] features the I - ♭VII - I chord progression motif in the key of {{wp|D major}} throughout the theme. However, this version is much {{wp|funk|funkier}} and the chord progression occurs much quicker than the ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' original.<ref name="8-bit Music Theory"></ref>
The theme heard on ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]''{{'}}s iteration of [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart: Super Circuit)|Rainbow Road]] features the I - ♭VII - I chord progression motif in the key of {{wp|D major}} throughout the theme. However, this version is much {{wp|funk|funkier}}, and the chord progression occurs much quicker, than the ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' original.<ref name="8-bit Music Theory"></ref>


{{Media table
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The last section of the theme for ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''{{'}}s [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!)|Rainbow Road]] features a direct quote from the second section of "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}", now in the key of {{wp|C major}}. Additionally, this arrangement has a very similar overall tone to the ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' original and features the extended I - ♭VII - I chord progression motif throughout.<ref name="8-bit Music Theory"></ref>
The last section of the theme for ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''{{'}}s [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!)|Rainbow Road]] features a direct quote from the second section of "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}", now in the key of {{wp|C major}}. Additionally, this arrangement has a very similar overall tone to the ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' original and features the extended I - ♭VII - I chord progression motif throughout.<ref name="8-bit Music Theory"></ref>


This arrangement returns in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', titled "Rainbow Road (''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'')", where it can be played on the [[Mario Circuit (Super Smash Bros. for Wii U)|Mario Circuit]] stage, and in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', now titled "Rainbow Road - ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''", where it can be played on any ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]''-series and ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]''-series stage.
This arrangement returns in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', titled "Rainbow Road (''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'')", where it can be played on the [[Figure-8 Circuit|Mario Circuit]] stage, and in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', now formatted as "Rainbow Road - ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''", where it can be played on any ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]''- and ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]''-series stage.


{{Media table
{{Media table
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====''Mario Kart 7''====
====''Mario Kart 7''====
The theme heard on the ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' iteration of [[3DS Rainbow Road|Rainbow Road]] sees the return of the chugging bassline from the original "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}". Similar to ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', the second section of this theme features a direct quote from "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}", this time in the key of {{wp|E major}}.<ref name="8-bit Music Theory"></ref>
The theme heard in the ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' iteration of [[3DS Rainbow Road|Rainbow Road]] sees the return of the chugging bassline from the original "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}". Similar to ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', the second section of this theme features a direct quote from "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}", this time in the key of {{wp|E major}}.<ref name="8-bit Music Theory"></ref>


When the player drives on the moon section of [[3DS Rainbow Road|Rainbow Road]], a softer, more ethereal arrangement of the course's theme can be heard.
When the player drives on the moon section of [[3DS Rainbow Road|Rainbow Road]], a softer, more ethereal arrangement of the course's theme can be heard.


''Mario Kart 7''{{'}}s "Rainbow Road" also returns in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'', titled "Rainbow Road (''Mario Kart 7'')", where it can be played on the [[Rainbow Road (stage)|Rainbow Road]] stage, in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', where it can be played on the [[Mario Circuit (Super Smash Bros. for Wii U)|Mario Circuit]] stage, and in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', now titled "Rainbow Road - ''Mario Kart 7''", where it can be played on any ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]''-series and ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]''-series stage.  
''Mario Kart 7''{{'}}s "Rainbow Road" also returns in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'', titled "Rainbow Road (''Mario Kart 7'')", where it can be played on the [[Rainbow Road (stage)|Rainbow Road]] stage, in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', where it can be played on the [[Mario Circuit (Super Smash Bros. for Wii U)|Mario Circuit]] stage, and in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', now formatted as "Rainbow Road - ''Mario Kart 7''", where it can be played on any ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]''- and ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]''-series stage.  


The arrangement of ''Mario Kart 7''{{'}}s "Rainbow Road" is also reused in ''Mario Kart Tour'' for the same course with its introduction in the [[Holiday Tour (2019)|2019 Holiday Tour]].
''Mario Kart 7''{{'}}s "Rainbow Road" is also reused in ''Mario Kart Tour'' for the same course with its introduction in the [[Holiday Tour (2019)|2019 Holiday Tour]].


{{media table
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The theme heard in the ''Mario Kart 8'' [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart 8)|iteration of Rainbow Road]], titled simply "Rainbow Road" in the original soundtrack, once again utilizes the I - ♭VII - I chord progression motif. Every phrase of the first section of the theme begins with a I - ♭VII progression. However, this motif is made more subtle by the tonic bass pedal and the fact that the ♭VII chord doesn't resolve back to the I chord immediately afterward.<ref name="8-bit Music Theory"></ref>
The theme heard in the ''Mario Kart 8'' [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart 8)|iteration of Rainbow Road]], titled simply "Rainbow Road" in the original soundtrack, once again utilizes the I - ♭VII - I chord progression motif. Every phrase of the first section of the theme begins with a I - ♭VII progression. However, this motif is made more subtle by the tonic bass pedal and the fact that the ♭VII chord doesn't resolve back to the I chord immediately afterward.<ref name="8-bit Music Theory"></ref>


Like other courses in ''Mario Kart 8'' and ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', additional percussion is added to all of these arrangements when the player is in first place during the race.
Like other courses in ''Mario Kart 8'' and ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'', additional percussion is added to all of these arrangements when the player is in first place during the race.


The arrangements of "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" and "Rainbow Road" both return in the base game of ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''. ''Mario Kart 8''{{'}}s "Rainbow Road" also returns in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', titled "Rainbow Road (''Mario Kart 8'')", where it can be played on the [[Mario Circuit (Super Smash Bros. for Wii U)|Mario Circuit]] stage, and in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', retitled "Rainbow Road - ''Mario Kart 8''", where it can be played on any ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]''-series and ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]''-series stage.  
All of these arrangements return in the base game of ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''. ''Mario Kart 8''{{'}}s "Rainbow Road" also returns in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', titled "Rainbow Road (''Mario Kart 8'')", where it can be played on the [[Mario Circuit (Super Smash Bros. for Wii U)|Mario Circuit]] stage, and in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', now formatted as "Rainbow Road - ''Mario Kart 8''", where it can be played on any ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]''- and ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]''-series stage.  


This arrangement of "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" is reused in the [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit)|Rainbow Road]] course in ''[[Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit]]''.
This arrangement of "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" is reused in the [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit)|Rainbow Road]] course in ''[[Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit]]''.
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====''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''====
====''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''====
''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' sees the return of ''[[Mario Kart 7]]''{{'}}s Rainbow Road, now titled {{classic-link|3DS|Rainbow Road}}, along with a new arrangement of the course's theme in Wave 3 of the [[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]] DLC, once again featuring a direct quote from "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" The arrangement includes the standard version heard in the majority of the course as well as the ethereal arrangement heard in the moon section. Additional percussion is also added to both of these arrangements when the player is in first place during the race.
''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' sees the return of ''[[Mario Kart 7]]''{{'}}s Rainbow Road, now titled {{classic-link|3DS|Rainbow Road}}, along with a new arrangement of the course's theme in Wave 3 of the ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]]'' DLC, once again featuring a direct quote from "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}". The arrangement includes the standard version heard in the majority of the course as well as the ethereal arrangement heard in the moon section. Additional percussion is also added to both of these arrangements when the player is in first place during the race.


{{media table
{{media table
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===''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''===
===''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''===
In ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'', a brief arrangement of "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" can be heard in the theme that plays on the [[World 9 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 9]] map.
In ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'', a brief quote from "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" can be heard in the theme that plays on the [[World 9 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 9]] map.
 
{{media table
|file=NSMBW World 9 - N64 Rainbow Road.oga
|title={{Conjectural|World 9}}
|description=The "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" section of the track heard in ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''
|length=0:13
}}


===''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS''===
===''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS''===
''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' includes a medley arrangement of "Rainbow Road" from ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', and ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'' titled "Rainbow Road Medley". It can be played on the [[Rainbow Road (stage)|Rainbow Road]] stage. The first section of this arrangement includes the excerpt of "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" heard in ''Mario Kart 7''.
''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' includes a medley arrangement of the "Rainbow Road" themes from ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', and ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'' aptly titled "Rainbow Road Medley". It can be played on the [[Rainbow Road (stage)|Rainbow Road]] stage. The first section of this arrangement includes the excerpt of "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" heard in ''Mario Kart 7''.


The arrangement returns in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', where it can be played on the [[Mario Circuit (Super Smash Bros. for Wii U)|Mario Circuit]] stage, and in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', where it can be played on any ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]''-series and ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]''-series stage.
This arrangement returns in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', where it can be played on the [[Mario Circuit (Super Smash Bros. for Wii U)|Mario Circuit]] stage, and in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', where it can be played on any ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]''-series and ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]''-series stage.
 
{{media table
|file=SSB4 Rainbow Road Medley - N64 Rainbow Road.oga
|title=Rainbow Road Medley
|description=The "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" section of the track heard in ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS''
|length=0:29
}}


===''Paper Mario: Color Splash''===
===''Paper Mario: Color Splash''===
In ''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]'', an arrangement of "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" can be heard when [[Luigi]] drives [[Mario]] and [[Huey]] on Rainbow Road to [[Black Bowser's Castle]]. The arrangement is titled simply "Rainbow Road" in the [[Prisma Museum]].
In ''[[Paper Mario: Color Splash]]'', an arrangement of "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" can be heard when [[Luigi]] drives [[Mario]] and [[Huey]] on Rainbow Road to [[Black Bowser's Castle]]. This arrangement is titled simply "Rainbow Road" in the [[Prisma Museum]].


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====''Mario Kart 64 on Club Circuit''====
====''Mario Kart 64 on Club Circuit''====
A {{wp|funk}} arrangement of "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" simply named "'''rainbow'''" is included in the album ''[[Mario Kart 64 on Club Circuit]]''. The arrangement is arranged and performed by the Dance-Matics and mixes funk instrumentation with samples from the original arrangement as well as game sound effects and character voice samples.
A {{wp|funk}} arrangement of "{{classic|N64|Rainbow Road}}" simply named "'''rainbow'''" is included in the album ''[[Mario Kart 64 on Club Circuit]]''. The arrangement is arranged and performed by the Dance-Matics and mixes funk instrumentation with samples from the original arrangement as well as game sound effects and character voice samples.
{{media table
|file=MK64oCC Rainbow.oga
|title=rainbow
|description=The arrangement heard in ''Mario Kart 64 on Club Circuit''
|length=0:29
}}


====''F-Zero X''====
====''F-Zero X''====
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|Arrangement
|Arrangement
|
|
|Shinobu Nagata
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''
|[[Wii]]
|2008
|Past arrangement (''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'')
|"Rainbow Road (''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'')"
|Shinobu Nagata
|Shinobu Nagata
|-
|-
|''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''
|''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''
|[[Wii]]
|Wii
|2009
|2009
|Arrangement
|Arrangement
Line 294: Line 316:
|Ryo Nagamatsu
|Ryo Nagamatsu
|}
|}
{{footnote|note|1|Added in Wave 3 of the [[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' – Booster Course Pass]] on December 7, 2022}}
{{footnote|note|1|Added in Wave 3 of the ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass]]'' on December 7, 2022}}
{{footnote|note|2|Added in the [[Holiday Tour (2019)|2019 Holiday Tour]] on December 17, 2019}}
{{footnote|note|2|Added in the [[Holiday Tour (2019)|2019 Holiday Tour]] on December 17, 2019}}
===Albums===
===Albums===

Latest revision as of 09:10, June 17, 2024

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"N64 Rainbow Road"

The source quality version of "Rainbow Road" in Mario Kart 64 from Nintendo Sound Selection Vol.3: B-Side Music

The compressed version as heard in-game
Composed by:
Kenta Nagata
Key E major, A major
First appearance Mario Kart 64 (1996)
Latest appearance Super Nintendo World (2021)

"N64 Rainbow Road"[1] is the theme from Mario Kart 64 for the course of the same name, composed by Kenta Nagata. The theme and elements from it have been integrated into the themes of almost every Rainbow Road course in the mainline Mario Kart series since Mario Kart 64's debut, missing only in Mario Kart Wii.[2]

Composition[edit]

"Rainbow Road", as originally titled in the Mario Kart 64 Race Tracks soundtrack album, debuted in Mario Kart 64 for the Rainbow Road course. It is a dramatic arrangement in key of E major divided into two main sections with a static chugging bassline and triadic chord. The theme repeatedly features an extended I - ♭VII - I chord progression, which has gone on to be established as a recurring motif in "Rainbow Road" themes throughout the Mario Kart series.

The theme also shares some elements with "SNES Rainbow Road". Like the Super Mario Kart theme, "N64 Rainbow Road" begins with a Isus chord to I chord progression. Also like "SNES Rainbow Road", the melody of the theme is based on jumping and walking between the 1st and 5th notes of the chord.[2]

Arrangements[edit]

Mario Kart series[edit]

Mario Kart: Super Circuit[edit]

The theme heard on Mario Kart: Super Circuit's iteration of Rainbow Road features the I - ♭VII - I chord progression motif in the key of D major throughout the theme. However, this version is much funkier, and the chord progression occurs much quicker, than the Mario Kart 64 original.[2]

Audio.svg Rainbow Road - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart: Super Circuit
File infoMedia:MKSC-Music-RainbowRoad.oga
​
Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

Mario Kart: Double Dash!![edit]

The last section of the theme for Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'s Rainbow Road features a direct quote from the second section of "N64 Rainbow Road", now in the key of C major. Additionally, this arrangement has a very similar overall tone to the Mario Kart 64 original and features the extended I - ♭VII - I chord progression motif throughout.[2]

This arrangement returns in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, titled "Rainbow Road (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!)", where it can be played on the Mario Circuit stage, and in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, now formatted as "Rainbow Road - Mario Kart: Double Dash!!", where it can be played on any Super Smash Bros.- and Mario Kart-series stage.

Audio.svg Rainbow Road - Mario Kart: Double Dash!! - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
File infoMedia:MKDD-Music-RainbowRoad.oga
​
Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

Mario Kart DS[edit]

The theme for Rainbow Road in Mario Kart DS once again features the I - ♭VII - I chord progression motif from "N64 Rainbow Road", this time in the key of D major. This version also includes a slightly modified I - ♭VI - ♭VII - I chord progression.[2]

Audio.svg Rainbow Road - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart DS
File infoMedia:MKDS-Music-RainbowRoad.oga
​
Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

Mario Kart 7[edit]

The theme heard in the Mario Kart 7 iteration of Rainbow Road sees the return of the chugging bassline from the original "N64 Rainbow Road". Similar to Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, the second section of this theme features a direct quote from "N64 Rainbow Road", this time in the key of E major.[2]

When the player drives on the moon section of Rainbow Road, a softer, more ethereal arrangement of the course's theme can be heard.

Mario Kart 7's "Rainbow Road" also returns in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, titled "Rainbow Road (Mario Kart 7)", where it can be played on the Rainbow Road stage, in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, where it can be played on the Mario Circuit stage, and in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, now formatted as "Rainbow Road - Mario Kart 7", where it can be played on any Super Smash Bros.- and Mario Kart-series stage.

Mario Kart 7's "Rainbow Road" is also reused in Mario Kart Tour for the same course with its introduction in the 2019 Holiday Tour.

Audio.svg Rainbow Road - Mario Kart 7 - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart 7
File infoMedia:MK7 Rainbow Road Theme.oga
​
Audio.svg Rainbow Road - Mario Kart 7 - The version of the arrangement heard on the moon in Mario Kart 7
File infoMedia:MK7 Rainbow Road Planet Theme.oga
​
Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

Mario Kart 8[edit]

Mario Kart 8 features N64 Rainbow Road as a retro course along with a new arrangement of the course's theme, retitled "N64 Rainbow Road" in the game's original soundtrack. This arrangement is more orchestral than the original version and prominently uses trumpets for the theme's main melody.

The theme heard in the Mario Kart 8 iteration of Rainbow Road, titled simply "Rainbow Road" in the original soundtrack, once again utilizes the I - ♭VII - I chord progression motif. Every phrase of the first section of the theme begins with a I - ♭VII progression. However, this motif is made more subtle by the tonic bass pedal and the fact that the ♭VII chord doesn't resolve back to the I chord immediately afterward.[2]

Like other courses in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, additional percussion is added to all of these arrangements when the player is in first place during the race.

All of these arrangements return in the base game of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Mario Kart 8's "Rainbow Road" also returns in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, titled "Rainbow Road (Mario Kart 8)", where it can be played on the Mario Circuit stage, and in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, now formatted as "Rainbow Road - Mario Kart 8", where it can be played on any Super Smash Bros.- and Mario Kart-series stage.

This arrangement of "N64 Rainbow Road" is reused in the Rainbow Road course in Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit.

Audio.svg N64 Rainbow Road - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart 8
File infoMedia:MK8-Music-N64-RainbowRoad.oga
​
Audio.svg N64 Rainbow Road - The version of arrangement heard while in first place in Mario Kart 8
File infoMedia:WiiU N64 RainbowRoad Frontrunning.oga
​
Audio.svg Rainbow Road - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart 8
File infoMedia:MK8-Music-RainbowRoad.oga
​
Audio.svg Rainbow Road - The version of arrangement heard while in first place in Mario Kart 8
File infoMedia:WiiU_RainbowRoad_Frontrunning.oga
​
Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[edit]

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sees the return of Mario Kart 7's Rainbow Road, now titled 3DS Rainbow Road, along with a new arrangement of the course's theme in Wave 3 of the Booster Course Pass DLC, once again featuring a direct quote from "N64 Rainbow Road". The arrangement includes the standard version heard in the majority of the course as well as the ethereal arrangement heard in the moon section. Additional percussion is also added to both of these arrangements when the player is in first place during the race.

Audio.svg 3DS Rainbow Road - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
File infoMedia:Switch 3DS RainbowRoad BCP.oga
​
Audio.svg 3DS Rainbow Road - The version of the arrangement heard on the moon in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
File infoMedia:Switch 3DS RainbowRoad Moon BCP.oga
​
Audio.svg 3DS Rainbow Road - The version of the arrangement heard while in first place in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
File infoMedia:Switch 3DS RainbowRoad Frontrunning BCP.oga
​
Audio.svg 3DS Rainbow Road - The version of the arrangement heard while on the moon and in first place in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
File infoMedia:Switch 3DS RainbowRoad Moon Frontrunning BCP.oga
​
Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

New Super Mario Bros. Wii[edit]

In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, a brief quote from "N64 Rainbow Road" can be heard in the theme that plays on the World 9 map.

Audio.svg World 9 - The "N64 Rainbow Road" section of the track heard in New Super Mario Bros. Wii
File infoMedia:NSMBW World 9 - N64 Rainbow Road.oga
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Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS[edit]

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS includes a medley arrangement of the "Rainbow Road" themes from Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart DS, and Mario Kart: Super Circuit aptly titled "Rainbow Road Medley". It can be played on the Rainbow Road stage. The first section of this arrangement includes the excerpt of "N64 Rainbow Road" heard in Mario Kart 7.

This arrangement returns in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, where it can be played on the Mario Circuit stage, and in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where it can be played on any Super Smash Bros.-series and Mario Kart-series stage.

Audio.svg Rainbow Road Medley - The "N64 Rainbow Road" section of the track heard in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
File infoMedia:SSB4 Rainbow Road Medley - N64 Rainbow Road.oga
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Paper Mario: Color Splash[edit]

In Paper Mario: Color Splash, an arrangement of "N64 Rainbow Road" can be heard when Luigi drives Mario and Huey on Rainbow Road to Black Bowser's Castle. This arrangement is titled simply "Rainbow Road" in the Prisma Museum.

Audio.svg Rainbow Road - The arrangement heard in Paper Mario: Color Splash
File infoMedia:PMCS Rainbow Road.oga
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Super Nintendo World[edit]

An arrangement of "N64 Rainbow Road" plays during the Rainbow Road section of the Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge attraction in the Super Nintendo World theme park area.

Other arrangements[edit]

Mario Kart 64 on Club Circuit[edit]

A funk arrangement of "N64 Rainbow Road" simply named "rainbow" is included in the album Mario Kart 64 on Club Circuit. The arrangement is arranged and performed by the Dance-Matics and mixes funk instrumentation with samples from the original arrangement as well as game sound effects and character voice samples.

Audio.svg rainbow - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart 64 on Club Circuit
File infoMedia:MK64oCC Rainbow.oga
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F-Zero X[edit]

F-Zero X features a rock arrangement of the theme, titled simply "Rainbow Road" in the Nintendo Sound Selection Vol.2: Loud Music album, that can be heard in the Rainbow Road course when using the Nintendo 64DD, itself based on the Rainbow Road course from Mario Kart 64.

Audio.svg Rainbow Road - The arrangement heard in F-Zero X
File infoMedia:FZX Rainbow Road.oga
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List of Super Mario appearances[edit]

Games[edit]

Work System Year Type Title Credits
Mario Kart 64 Nintendo 64 1996 Original "Rainbow Road"[3] Kenta Nagata
Mario Kart: Super Circuit Game Boy Advance 2001 Arrangement
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Nintendo GameCube 2003 Arrangement Shinobu Nagata
Mario Kart DS Nintendo DS 2005 Arrangement Shinobu Nagata
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Wii 2008 Past arrangement (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!) "Rainbow Road (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!)" Shinobu Nagata
New Super Mario Bros. Wii Wii 2009 Arrangement
Mario Kart 7 Nintendo 3DS 2011 Arrangement
Mario Kart 8 Wii U 2014 Arrangement "Rainbow Road"[1] Shiho Fujii
"N64 Rainbow Road"[1] Ryo Nagamatsu
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Nintendo 3DS 2014 Arrangement "Rainbow Road Medley" Ryo Watanabe
Past arrangement (Mario Kart 7) "Rainbow Road (Mario Kart 7)"
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Wii U 2014 Past arrangement (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!) "Rainbow Road (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!)" Shinobu Nagata
Past arrangement (Mario Kart 8) "Rainbow Road (Mario Kart 8)" Shiho Fujii
Past arrangement (Mario Kart 7) "Rainbow Road (Mario Kart 7)"
Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS) "Rainbow Road Medley" Ryo Watanabe
Paper Mario: Color Splash Wii U 2016 Arrangement "Rainbow Road"
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintendo Switch 2017 Past arrangement (Mario Kart 8) "Rainbow Road"[1] Shiho Fujii
"N64 Rainbow Road"[1] Ryo Nagamatsu
20221 Arrangement
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2018 Past arrangement (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!) "Rainbow Road - Mario Kart: Double Dash!!" Shinobu Nagata
Past arrangement (Mario Kart 7) "Rainbow Road - Mario Kart 7"
Past arrangement (Mario Kart 8) "Rainbow Road - Mario Kart 8"
Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS) "Rainbow Road Medley" Ryo Watanabe
Mario Kart Tour Android, iOS 20192 Past arrangement (Mario Kart 7)
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Nintendo Switch 2020 Past arrangement (Mario Kart 8) Ryo Nagamatsu

1 - Added in Wave 3 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass on December 7, 2022
2 - Added in the 2019 Holiday Tour on December 17, 2019

Albums[edit]

Work Year Type Title Credits
Mario Kart 64 Race Tracks 1997 Original "Rainbow Road" Kenta Nagata
Mario Kart 64 Original Soundtrack 1997 Original 「レインボーロード」 (Reinbō Rōdo) Kenta Nagata
Mario Kart 64: Greatest Hits Soundtrack 1997 Original "Rainbow Road" Kenta Nagata
Mario Kart 64 on Club Circuit 1997 Arrangement "rainbow" Dance-Matics
Nintendo Sound Selection Vol.2: Loud Music 2004 Past arrangement (F-Zero X) "Rainbow Road" Taro Bando
Nintendo Sound Selection Vol.3: B-Side Music 2005 Original 「レインボーロード」 (Reinbō Rōdo) Kenta Nagata
Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack 2015 Arrangement "Rainbow Road" Shiho Fujii
"N64 Rainbow Road" Ryo Nagamatsu

Other media[edit]

Work Year Type Title Credits
Super Nintendo World 2021 Arrangement

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack
  2. ^ a b c d e f g 8-bit Music Theory (March 20, 2018). "The Musical Evolution of Rainbow Road". YouTube. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  3. ^ Mario Kart 64 Race Tracks
[Edit]
Recurring themes
Donkey Kong series Donkey Kong Game Kaishi • 25m Theme • Hammer • Opening
Donkey Kong Jr. Game Start
Donkey Kong Country series Donkey Kong Country Simian Segue • Cranky's Theme • Aquatic Ambiance • Bonus Room Blitz • DK Island Swing • Gang-Plank Galleon • Forest Frenzy • Treetop Rock • Fear Factory
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest Stickerbush Symphony
Donkey Kong Country Returns Mine Menace
Mario Bros. series Mario Bros. Game Start A • Title BGM
Super Mario series Super Mario Bros. 1-Up • Course Clear (Power Up) • Ending • Ground BGM (Game Over · Player Down) • Hurry Up • Castle BGM • Invincibility BGM • Underground BGM • Underwater BGM • World Clear
VS. Super Mario Bros. Business-Use Mario Name Entry
Super Mario Bros. 2 Player Select • Ground Theme • Underground Theme • Boss Theme
Super Mario Bros. 3 Airship Theme • Athletic Theme • Dark Land • Demon King Bowser • Enemy Course • Fortress • Fortress Boss • Ground Theme • Map 1 World • Map 2 World • Map 3 World • Map 4 World • Map 6 World • Spinning Slots • Toad House • Underwater Theme • Warp Zone Theme • Restored Fanfare • Lose a Life • Game Over
Super Mario Land Main Theme
Super Mario World Ending • Ground Theme (Athletic Theme • Bonus Men BGM • Castle • Obake Yashiki BGM) • P Switch • Star World • Title • The Evil King Koopa, Bowser • Fortress Boss
Super Mario 64 Inside the Castle Walls • Koopa's Road • Koopa's Theme • Super Mario 64 Main Theme (Slider) • Merry-Go-Round
Super Mario Sunshine Isle Delfino (Ricco Harbor)
New Super Mario Bros. BGM Tride • Main Theme • Mega Mario • P Switch
Super Mario Galaxy Egg Planet • Gusty Garden Galaxy • Overture • Rosalina in the Observatory • The Toad Brigade
Super Mario 3D Land Ground Theme • Beach Theme
New Super Mario Bros. U Ground Theme
Super Mario 3D World Super Bell Hill
Super Mario Odyssey Jump Up, Super Star!
Dr. Mario series Dr. Mario Chill • Fever
Mario Kart series Super Mario Kart Mario Circuit • SNES Rainbow Road • Super Mario Kart
Mario Kart 64 Luigi Raceway • Moo Moo Farm / Yoshi Valley • Kalimari Desert • N64 Rainbow Road
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! GCN Yoshi Circuit
Mario Kart DS DS Waluigi Pinball
Mario Kart Wii Wii Coconut Mall • Luigi Circuit/Mario Circuit
Yoshi franchise Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island Athletic BGM • Flower Field BGM • Opening Melody
Yoshi's Story Yoshi's Song • Yoshi's Story
Luigi's Mansion series Luigi's Mansion Main Theme
Wario franchise WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! WarioWare, Inc. • Dr. Crygor • Pyoro
WarioWare: Touched! Ashley's Theme
Other Totaka's Song • Le Galop infernal d'Orphée aux Enfers
[Edit]
Mario Kart 64
Drivers Lightweights Peach • Toad • Yoshi
Middleweights Mario • Luigi
Heavyweights D.K. • Wario • Bowser
Courses Mushroom Cup Luigi Raceway • Moo Moo Farm • Koopa Troopa Beach • Kalimari Desert
Flower Cup Toad's Turnpike • Frappe Snowland • Choco Mountain • Mario Raceway
Star Cup Wario Stadium • Sherbet Land • Royal Raceway • Bowser's Castle
Special Cup D.K.'s Jungle Parkway • Yoshi Valley • Banshee Boardwalk • Rainbow Road
Battle Mode Big Donut • Block Fort • Double Deck • Skyscraper
Enemies and obstacles Baby Penguin • Bat • Boulder • Bus • Cactus • Car • Cargo truck • Chomp • Chubby • Crab • Ghost • Giant Egg • Lava • Mini Bomb Kart • Penguin • Piranha Plant • Porcupine • Snowman • Thwomp • Train
Background species Big Cheep Cheep • Boo • Bowser Statue • Cheep Cheep • Lakitu • Moo Moo
Items and objects Item Box items Banana • Banana Bunch • Boo • Fake Item • Green Shell • Lightning • Mushroom • Red Shell • Spiny Shell • Super Mushroom • Super Star • Triple Green Shells • Triple Mushrooms • Triple Red Shells
Other Dash Panel • Hot-air balloon • Kart • Pipe Frame • Ramp • Trophy
Techniques Hop • Mini-Turbo • Rocket Start • Slide • Slipstream • Spin-Turn
Miscellaneous Castle Grounds • Driver's Points • Finish line • Gallery • Glitches • Mario Kart 64: Greatest Hits Soundtrack • Mario Kart 64 on Club Circuit • Mario Kart 64 Original Soundtrack • Mario Kart 64 Race Tracks • Media • Pre-release and unused content • Sponsors • Staff
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