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Not to be confused withBowser's Road.

This article is about the musical theme fromSuper Mario 64. For the theme fromSuper Mario World, seeBowser BGM.

"Bowser's Theme,"^[1] originally known as "Koopa's Theme,"^[2] is the musical theme composed byKoji Kondo forSuper Mario 64 that plays when fightingBowser inBowser in the Dark World andBowser in the Fire Sea. The theme's title originally used Bowser's Japanese name, despite the soundtrack releasing in the West physically in 1996 and inSuper Mario 3D All-Stars in 2020. This was corrected inNintendo Music in 2024.

Reuses

The following list does not include ports or remakes ofSuper Mario 64.

Arrangements

Super Mario series

Super Mario 64

In addition to the original theme,Super Mario 64 features a short arrangement of "Bowser's Theme", "Bowser's Message", consisting of the first four notes of the main riff of "Bowser's Theme" followed by Bowser's laugh, which plays when Mario first enters theMushroom 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 "The Final Battle", the theme used for the final battle against Bowser.

This arrangement returns along with the original theme inSuper Mario 64 DS andSuper Mario 3D All-Stars.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

InNew Super Mario Bros. Wii, an arrangement of "Bowser's Message" plays if two Bowser orBowser Jr. panels are flipped over inPower-up Panels.

Super Mario Odyssey

InSuper Mario Odyssey, an electric guitar arrangement of the main riff of "Bowser'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 theMusic List by fulfilling at least three ofJammin' Toad's requests.

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

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

InSuper Mario Bros. Wonder, an electric-guitar arrangement of the first four notes of the main riff of "Bowser's Theme" plays in the opening when Bowser transforms intoCastle Bowser. The theme that plays during the final boss battle with him also incorporates elements of Bowser's Theme.

Mario Tennis series

Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)

In theNintendo 64 version ofMario Tennis, an arrangement of "Bowser's Theme" plays in the Bowser Stage mode, as well as during matches on theBowser Court.

Mario Tennis (Game Boy Color)

In theGame Boy Color version ofMario Tennis, an arrangement of "Bowser's Theme" plays during theTwo-on-One minigame.

Mario Tennis Open

InMario Tennis Open, an arrangement of "Bowser's Theme" plays during matches on theBowser's Castle court.

Mario Tennis Aces

InMario Tennis Aces, a medley arrangement of "Bowser's Theme" and "Bowser's Road" plays during the final boss battle againstBowcien.

Mario Kart series

Mario Kart: Super Circuit

InMario Kart: Super Circuit, the theme heard inBowser Castle 1,Bowser Castle 2,Bowser Castle 3, andBowser Castle 4, titled 「クッパキャッスルコース」 (Kuppa Kyassuru Kōsu, Bowser Castle Course) in the compilation soundtrackNintendo Sound Selection Vol.2: Loud Music, is an arrangement of "Bowser'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 inMario Kart: Super Circuit

File infoMedia:MKSC-Music-BowserCastle.oga ​

クッパキャッスルコース - The arrangement released inNintendo Sound Selection Vol.2: Loud Music

File infoMedia:GBABowserCastle SoundSelectionV3.oga ​

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Mario Kart DS

InMario Kart DS, a new version of the arrangement heard inMario Kart: Super Circuit with different instrumentation plays inGBA Bowser Castle 2.

GBA Bowser Castle 2 - The arrangement heard inMario Kart DS

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Mario Kart Wii

InMario Kart Wii, a new version of the arrangement heard inMario Kart: Super Circuit with slightly different instrumentation can be heard inGBA Bowser Castle 3.

GBA Bowser Castle 3 - The arrangement heard inMario Kart Wii

File infoMedia:MKW-Music-GBA-BowserCastle3.oga ​

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Mario Kart 7

InMario Kart 7, a new version of theMario Kart: Super Circuit arrangement with slightly different instrumentation can be heard inGBA 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 inMario Kart Tour, where it can be heard in this track as well asGBA Bowser's Castle 2,GBA Bowser's Castle 3,GBA Bowser's Castle 4, andRMX Bowser's Castle 1. This arrangement is titled "GBA Bowser's Castle 1" on theNintendo Music app.

GBA Bowser Castle 1 - The arrangement heard inMario Kart 7

File infoMedia:MK7 GBA Bowser Castle 1.oga ​

GBA Bowser Castle 1 (Frontrunning) - The remix heard inMario Kart 7

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Mario Golf series

Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour

InMario Golf: Toadstool Tour, an arrangement of "Bowser's Theme" plays inBowser Badlands.

Mario Golf: Super Rush

Part of theBowser Highlands theme fromMario Golf: Super Rush is loosely based on "Bowser's Theme".

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

In theWii version ofMario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, an arrangement of theGBA Bowser Castle version of "Bowser's Theme" fromMario Kart: Super Circuit plays duringDream Ice Hockey.

Mario Party 10

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

Bowser's Theme - The arrangement heard inMario Party 10.

File infoMedia:MP10 Bowser's Theme.oga ​

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Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge

InMini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge, multiple arrangements of "Bowser's Theme" play during all the levels inFire Ride Fortress.

List ofSuper Mario appearances

Games

Albums

Names in other languages

References

• Recurring themes
• Super Mario 64

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• Pages with audio files
• Articles with unsourced foreign names