Since the inception of theSuper Marioseries in 1985, the series has been a smash hit. Its vivid iconography and creative game design have charmed countless gamers, making it one of the most profitable video game series of all time. One element of these games that is less outwardly notable but contributes greatly to the series' success is the music.
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Nintendo has utilized the skill of video game composers Koji Kondo, Mahito Yokota, and others to create the Super Mario soundscapes that are ubiquitous in popular culture, so catchy that even non-gamers are familiar with some of them. Mario’s music has fluctuated over the years, but these scores have remained charming and melodic.
10Super Mario Bros. 3 - Classic, But Funky
The fourth main Super Mario platformer after Super Mario Land, Super Mario Bros. 3 saw the introduction of the Tanooki power-up and the Koopalings as main villains alongside Bowser. The NES, while a successful console, came with audio limitations, resulting in this game’s simple chiptune synth tracks.
Despite these restrictions, this game introduced several iconic songs that would be reused and remixed later in the series including both of its Overworld themes, Airship Theme, and Koopa Kid Battle. Slightly funkier and more percussive than its predecessors, this game’s music hits the mark.
9Super Mario Sunshine - Mario Hits The Beach
Launched in 2002 for the GameCube,Super Mario Sunshinesees our titular hero onvacation to the peaceful Isle Delfino. Though perhaps not as renowned as other 3D titles, Sunshine was the first game to introduce the FLUDD system, Toadsworth, and Bowser Jr.
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With the GameCube’s heightened audio capabilities, Sunshine’s soundtrack utilizes real instruments such as accordions and wooden chimes to capture the beach atmosphere and differentiate this locale from previous games. The thick horns in Ricco Harbor and the woodwinds in Bianco Hills gives this soundtrack a surprising amount of diversity. It’s an odd one for the series, but a memorable one nonetheless.
8New Super Mario Bros. Wii - The New 2D Evolution
New Super Mario Bros. Wii, launched in 2009, was the Wii’s first 2D Mario platformer. While this game does not exactly seem pioneering, many of its aspects (including the soundtrack) are remasters of the 2006 New Super Mario Bros for the DS, there are points where the game showcases individuality.
This game saw the introduction of simultaneous co-op play for 2D Mario platformers and items like the Propeller Mushroom and Penguin Suit. Its music is light-hearted, memorable, and detailed. It’s the little nuances like the small popping ‘DAH’ vocals for the Overworld theme and chimed twinkles for the Underwater theme that raise this soundtrack above its predecessor.
7Super Mario Bros. - An Icon Is Born
This is the game where it all began. We were introduced to our dynamic plumbing brothers in 1985 for the NES with Koji Kondo’s first set of hits. Despite the limitations of the technology in the ’80s, every single track within this score is recognizable and iconic from the Overworld music (which is one of the most recognizable tunes in the world), to the spooky Underground theme, to the waltz-like Underwater piece, and the dreadful Castle music.
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There is no debating the cultural significance of this game and the music within it. It is doubtless that Koji Kondo’s work in this game served as the blueprint for Mario’s future soundscapes, as iterations of these songs are used in work today and likely tomorrow.
6Super Mario World - Make Some Noise For Yoshi
Super Mario Worldintroduced a non-linear map, the ability to save, and most importantly,Mario’s trustworthy steed and friend Yoshi. Launched in 1990 for the SNES, Super Mario World served as the next step in the evolution of the Mario sound beyond the simple synths of the NES era.
Several noteworthy tracks feature here including its signature Overworld and Athletic themes, as well as the spooky Ghost House, the relaxed Wandering the Plains, and the terrifying Evil King Bowser theme. This soundtrack branches out in terms of complexity as well, with alternate versions of the score playing when riding Yoshi. No other score would be worthy of our favorite green dinosaur.
5Super Mario 64 - Moving To New Dimensions
Super Mario 64needs no introduction. Launced on the N64 in 1996, the first 3D Mario game expanded Mario’s moveset and allowed you to explore Peach’s castle, leaping into paintings to explore vibrant worlds and collect Stars.
Super Mario 64 features the first realistic-sounding soundtrack for the series, branching out of chiptune synths into strings and horns, setting the stage for the evolution of Mario soundtracks beyond the Super Mario World style. The mellow electronic organ within Dire Dire Docks, the regal strings of Inside the Castle Walls, the infamous quick strums of banjo for the Slider theme, and the bombastic horns of the Main Theme make this soundtrack one for the history books.
4Super Mario 3D World - Strike Up The Band
This rendition of our mustachioed marvel sets him firmly in the modern era with a fresh and clean modern sound. Similar to the case of New Super Mario Bros. Wii,Super Mario 3D Worlddid not introduce the jazz/big-band sound to the series, but perfected the formula established in Super Mario 3D Land.
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It also introduced clear pipes, the Cat Bell, and the Double Cherry as Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Blue Toad explore the Sprixie Kingdom. Modern-day staples like the smooth brass of Super Bell Hill, the clumsy whistle of Captain Toad Goes Forth, and speedy strings of Double Cherry Pass make this soundtrack outright danceable.
3Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Out Of This World
Mario’s second galactic adventure brought out the big guns.Super Mario Galaxy 2 launched on the Wiiin 2010 and follows its predecessors footsteps to a tee, sticking with a grand orchestral sound.
Galaxy 2 introduced Yoshi to the Galaxy mix as well as some new power-ups like the Cloud Mushroom and countless new planets to explore. From the fluttering woodwinds and pizzicato of Starship Mario to the synthetic harp of Star Cove, and from the jovial fiddle and guitar in Puzzle Plank Galaxy to the triumphant horns of Sky Station Galaxy, this soundtrack captures a universe of emotion and style.
2Super Mario Odyssey - Our Hat Is Off To You
Super Mario Odyssey takes the best aspects of Galaxy and 3D World into a fusion of orchestra and big-band. Launched in 2016 for the Nintendo Switch, Odyssey sees Mario on a global journey to save Peach, introducing the Cappy gimmick to temporarily possess enemies.
Odyssey features a vivid world full of different music: the dusty guitar and flute of Tostarena, the compressed ’70s rock electric guitar of Steam Gardens, and the ambient twinkling synth of Honeylune Ridge. This game also marks the first vocal main theme for a Mario game, ‘Jump Up, Super Star!’. The score for this game is so good, there is a dedicated in-game Jammin' Toad with headphones constantly listening to its tracks.
1Super Mario Galaxy - A Universal Success
Mario’s first adventure into space takes the cake with an epic orchestral soundtrack that has yet to be rivaled. Super Mario Galaxy follows Mario’s encounter with Rosalina and the Lumas, using Sling Stars to catapult himself to Bowser’s planetary stronghold. While Galaxy 2 saw success following this game’s coattails, it was this 2007 Wii game that wrote the book on fully orchestrating Super Mario.
Each song is beautifully crafted with synthetic galactic accents. Galaxy’s successes are evident with each track: the gentle flute waltz of Rosalina’s Observatory, the syncopated percussion of Purple Comet, the gorgeous and soaring strings of Gusty Garden Galaxy, the quiet piano of Family. Without a doubt, this soundtrack is fitting of a trip around the universe.
