Bowser's Theme

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"Bowser'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

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

Super Mario series

Super Mario 64

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

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 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

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 series

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.

Audio.svg クッパキャッスルコース - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart: Super Circuit
File infoMedia:MKSC-Music-BowserCastle.oga
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Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

Mario Kart DS

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.

Audio.svg GBA Bowser Castle 2 - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart DS
File infoMedia:MKDS-Music-GBA-BowserCastle2.oga
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Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

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 GBA Bowser Castle 3.

Audio.svg GBA Bowser Castle 3 - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart Wii
File infoMedia:MKW-Music-GBA-BowserCastle3.oga
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Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

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 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 this track as well as GBA Bowser's Castle 2, GBA Bowser's Castle 3, GBA Bowser's Castle 4, and RMX Bowser's Castle 1.

Audio.svg GBA Bowser's Castle 1 - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart 7
File infoMedia:MK7 GBA Bowser Castle 1.oga
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Audio.svg GBA Bowser's Castle 1 (Frontrunning) - The arrangement heard in Mario Kart 7
File infoMedia:MK7_GBA_BowserCastle1_Frontrunning.oga
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Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

Mario Golf series

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 GBA Bowser Castle 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.

Audio.svg Bowser's Theme - The arrangement heard in Mario Party 10.
File infoMedia:MP10 Bowser's Theme.oga
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Help:Media • Having trouble playing?

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.

List of Super Mario appearances

Games

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

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

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese クッパのテーマ[?]
Kuppa no Tēma 		Bowser's Theme

References

  1. ^ a b c Super Mario 64 Original Soundtrack
  2. ^ a b Nintendo Sound Selection vol.2 Koopa <Loud Music>. VGMdb (English). Retrieved September 2, 2023.
[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 Bowser's Road • Bowser's Theme • Peach's Castle • 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]
Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS
Playable characters Mario • Yoshib • Luigic • Warioc • Red Yoshic • Blue Yoshic • Yellow Yoshic
Forms Wing Mario • Metal Mario/Metal Wario • Vanish Mario/Vanish Luigi • Fire Powerc • Balloon Marioc • Mega Marioc
Non-playable characters Lakitu Bros. • Princess Peach • Toad • Toads • Bob-omb Buddies • Koopa the Quick • Hoot • Penguins • Baby Penguins • Mother Penguin • Big Penguin • Snowman • Rabbits • MIPSa • Glowing rabbitsc • Dorrie • Ukkikis
Enemies Amp • Bob-omb • Boo • Bookend • Bub • Bubba • Bullet Bill • Bully • Chain Chomp • Chair • Chuckya • Clam shell • Flame thrower • Fly Guy • Fwoosh • Goomba • Goombette • Grand Goomba • Grindel • Heave-Ho • Klepto • Koopa Troopa • Lakitu • Mad Piano • Manta Ray • Money Bags • Monty Mole • Moving Bar • Mr. Blizzard • Mr. I. • Piranha Flower • Piranha Plant • Pokey • Scuttle Bug • Skeeter • Small Koopa Troopa • Small Piranha • Snufit • Sparky • Spindel • Spindrift • Spiny • Spiny bomb • Sushi • Swoop • Thwomp • Tox Box • Unagi • Unshelled Koopa • Whomp
Obstacles Blaster • Casket • Cold water • Current • Endless stairs • Falling pillar • Fire bar • Fireball • Flamethrower • Hidden smasher • Ice block • Iron ball • Lava • Moving sand • Pendulum • Pit • Quicksand • Rolling rock • Slide Box • Spiked orb • Strange toxic cloud • Tornado • Water bomb • Water tide • Whirlpool • Wind
Bosses Big Bob-omb • Whomp King • Bowser • Big Boo • Big Mr. I. • Big Bully • Eyerok • Chill Bully • Wiggler • Goombossc • King Booc • Chief Chillyc
Items and power-ups 1-UP Mushroom • Blue Coin • Bubble • Crate • Crazed Crate • Jumbo Star • Key • Koopa Shell • Luigi Keyc • Luigi's capc • Mario's cap • Mario's Keyc • Metal Capa • Mushroomc • Power Flowerc • Power Star • Red Coin • Silver Starc • Spinning Heart • Vanish Capa • Wario Keyc • Wario's capc • Wing Capa • Wingsc • Yellow Coin • Yoshi Eggc
Objects ★ door • Arrow Lift • Arrow Sign • Big Star Door • Block • Blue Coin Block • Brick pillar • Bubble ring • Butterfly • Cannon • Cap Block • Cap Switch • Cloud House • Conveyor belt • Crystal Tap • Falling Block • Flipping block • Gondola • Key Door • Lift • Log • Magic carpet • Mushroom • Paddle wheel • Painting • Pole • Purple Switch • Pyramid platform • Rainbow Cruiser • Rotating bar • Secret • Seesaw • Semi-visible block • Shrinker Pipe • Sign • Square • Stake • Star Marker • Star Spherec • Star Switch c • Swing • Tapering platform • Track • Treasure Chest • Tree • Warp pipe • Warp Point • Wire net • Wired platform • Work Elevator • Yellow block
Locations First floor and mezzanine Bob-omb Battlefield • Whomp's Fortress • Jolly Roger Bay • Cool, Cool Mountain • Bowser in the Dark World • The Princess's Secret Slide • The Secret Aquarium • Tower of the Wing Cap • Sunshine Islesc • Goomboss Battlec
Basement and courtyard Big Boo's Haunt • Hazy Maze Cave • Lethal Lava Land • Shifting Sand Land • Dire, Dire Docks • Bowser in the Fire Sea • Cavern of the Metal Cap/Behind the Waterfall • Vanish Cap Under the Moat/The Secret Under the Moat • Big Boo Battlec • Battle Fortc
Upper floors and tower Snowman's Land • Wet-Dry World • Tall, Tall Mountain • Tiny-Huge Island • Tick Tock Clock • Rainbow Ride • Bowser in the Sky • Wing Mario Over the Rainbow/Over the Rainbows • Chief Chilly Challengec
Other Castle Grounds • Mushroom Castle • Princess's room • Courtyard • Rec Roomc • Switching roomsc
Moves Backward Somersault • Crawl • Crouch • Dive • Double Jump • Egg Throwc • Flutter Kickc • Fly • Jump • Kick • Long Jump • Pound the Ground • Punch • Scuttlec • Side Somersault • Slide • Slide Kick • Spin Jump • Stomp • Swallowc • Sweep Kick • Swim • Swing and Flingc • Triple Jump • Wall Kick
Gameplay elements Completion • Letter • Mario's face • Missions • Power Meter • Switch Cap Course
Minigamesc Luigi Lucky Stars • Mario Slot • Memory Master • Memory Match • Mushroom Roulette • Pair-a-Gone • Pair-a-Gone and On • Picture Poker • Super Mario Slot
Mario Bounce and Pounce • Bounce and Trounce • Connect the Characters • Mario's Slides • Shell Smash • Shuffle Shell • Sort or 'Splode • Trampoline Terror • Trampoline Time
Wario Bingo Ball • Bob-omb Squad • Coincentration • Giant Snowball Slalom • Intense Coincentration • Lakitu Launch • Psyche Out! • Slots Shot • Snowball Slalom
Yoshi Boom Box • Hide and Boo Seek • Loves Me...? • Mix-a-Mug • Puzzle Panel • Puzzle Panic • Tox Box Shuffle • Wanted! • Which Wiggler?
Musical compositions "Super Mario 64 Main Theme" • "Slider" • "Peach's Castle" • "Bowser's Road" • "Bowser's Theme"
Further info Gallery (DS) • Glitches (DS) • Media (DS) • Original soundtrack • Pre-release and unused content (DS) • Quotes • Staff (DS)
a Exclusive to Super Mario 64
b Present in both games, but has different roles in each
c Exclusive to Super Mario 64 DS
Retrieved from "https://www.mariowiki.com/index.php?title=Bowser%27s_Theme&oldid=4470762"