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Game music of the day: Super Mario World

GR's ongoing tribute to the beloved world of videogame music

Words: on July 22, 2010
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Game: Super Mario World

Song: Sub Castle BGM

Composer: Koji Kondo

       
Above: Sub Castle BGM from Super Mario World

In Super Mario World, the music definitely sets the tone for each level, whether it's a playful and quick romp with Mario's cape or a quiet tiptoe through an echoing cave. Today we celebrate a recurring track that should get credit as the primary factor in making each koopaling's sub-castle so tense and foreboding. The sub-castle levels were some of the most memorable in SMW, and this BGM is what triggers all that nostalgia.

While this is a great track on its own, I also picked it as an excuse to draw attention to one of my favorite Overclocked remixes of all time, "Monstrous Turtles!" by zircon, which draws from both the Sub Castle BGM and Map 5 (Forest of Illusion) tracks from Super Mario World.

       
Above: Monstrous Turtles! by zircon. Download it here 

Zircon is a maniac, and this remix is incredible because it brings out the best parts in the original track while still asserting its own style - it complements the original without overpowering it. I'd definitely recommend checking out his other remixes too if you like this one.

When you hear this song, which sub-castle does it bring to mind first? It's hard not to think of punching koopas as you climb across the grates in Iggy's castle, but Lemmy's castle in Vanilla Dome with those teleporting magicians is a close second. Which koopaling's castle was your favorite?

Jul 22, 2010

Game music of the day: Turbo Turtle Adventure 
Space Station by Carl Larsson

 

 

Game music of the day: Kirby's Dream Land 
Credits music by Jun Ishikawa

 

 

Game music of the day: Super Castlevania IV 
Prologue by Masanori Adachi and Taro Kudou

Related

Platforms:

Wii

Topics:

Game music

22 comments

  • philipshaw - July 23, 2010 10:53 a.m.

    All the music in this game is great but you picked thanks for picking my favorite track in the game and not going with a obvious played to detah mario song. That remix is awesome, it's like what would happen if Muse or A7X done Mario music

  • Hotdiddykong - July 23, 2010 6:53 a.m.

    Ah yes, the struggles of the castle were so annoying! Remix kicks Ass!

  • Modroneman - July 23, 2010 4:25 a.m.

    Very nice!

  • goochbiscuit - July 23, 2010 3:09 a.m.

    The door that opens at the beginning of the castle levels always sounded like a fart to me lol

  • vigeoman - July 23, 2010 1:27 a.m.

    this brings back so many memories

  • batman5273 - July 23, 2010 12:53 a.m.

    what an absolutely bad ass remix!!

  • TheWebSwinger - July 23, 2010 12:25 a.m.

    *sniff* Gets me every time.

  • screwball08247 - July 22, 2010 11:46 p.m.

    Oh, memories. </3

  • DrDevious - July 22, 2010 10:34 p.m.

    Wow! Ironically, a week ago or so, I listened to tokyo elevator and heard that remix and totally geeked out. I got it immediately. So great to see its a game music of the day! I love this game to death. A few months after I was born, my sisters got it, and I was raised learning how to beat bowser

  • Tenfey - July 22, 2010 9:24 p.m.

    Always sinister.

  • Thuperman - July 22, 2010 9:22 p.m.

    Damn that remix was good!! This is my favorite Mario game there is. I love how when you beat all the levels in the star world the koopas turtles faces would all change to marios face

  • sweetzombiejesus - July 22, 2010 9:18 p.m.

    Man, this music brings back so many memories.

  • juicenpancakes - July 22, 2010 9:17 p.m.

    I read/listened to this article about an hour and a half ago. And, for the past hour and a half, I've been playing the new file I have just created in Super Mario World. This music brought back so many memories I just had to revisit it. Great choice Miss Gudmundson.

  • Strangleme - July 22, 2010 9:13 p.m.

    Holy shit !!! Excellent fuckin' choice Ms. Gudmundson!! I've always loved this music from Super Mario World. I have also been obsessed with the OC Remix version. Ever since Mr. Elston mentioned OC Remix in a past TalkRadar, I've been all over that sight and this was one of the first remixes I came across. I've been making everyone I know listen to it. Truly excellent remix.

  • WonsAuto - July 22, 2010 8:59 p.m.

    @BlindMarksman -- No. You would be wrong, but no (if only because it's my favorite, too).

  • BlindMarksman - July 22, 2010 8:35 p.m.

    Would you guys hate me if i say Super Mario World is the best mario game of all time?

  • TheDicksOfDanAmrich - July 22, 2010 8:20 p.m.

    I love this game.

  • Metroidhunter32 - July 22, 2010 8:15 p.m.

    I never really relized how huge an impression this made on me when I played the game. Thank you for picking this one.

  • ArcaneGhost - July 22, 2010 7:59 p.m.

    I'm with number1hitjam here. Hated the levels, liked the song. reCAPTCHA: wangled listening. It's got THAT right. Whatever wangled means. :)

  • EnragedTortoise1 - July 22, 2010 7:53 p.m.

    Vanilla dome, because I can't f*cking get past it! URRRGH!

Showing 1-20 of 22 comments

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