Ranking EVERY Super Mario Soundtrack

Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @domainie   Music is one of the most underrated parts of what makes a video game special. A great soundtrack can completely change how a game feels, turning simple gameplay into a memorable experience that sticks with players for decades. Nowhere is this more true than in the Super Mario series. From the earliest 8-bit chiptunes on the NES to the sweeping orchestral performances of the modern era, Mario’s music has shaped not just the franchise itself but video game music as a whole. In this video I am ranking every single mainline Super Mario game by its soundtrack, giving credit where it is due and explaining why each game’s music lands where it does. We start at the very beginning with Super Mario Bros., where Koji Kondo’s legendary overworld theme became the single most recognizable video game tune in history. Even with its limited scope, that soundtrack defined an entire generation of platformers. From there, we look at the Game Boy experiments of Super Mario Land and Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, which took the Mario sound in bold and sometimes strange directions under the limitations of handheld hardware. These early scores may have been technically simple, but their melodies are still remembered and remixed to this day. The series evolved quickly with Super Mario Bros. 3, a landmark soundtrack that gave every world its own distinct theme and proved that the NES sound chip could produce an incredible variety of moods and styles. Super Mario World then expanded on that foundation with warm, full 16-bit audio that remains a fan favorite. The credits theme in particular is often cited as one of the best in the series. As the technology grew, Mario music grew with it, culminating in the jump to 3D with Super Mario 64. This soundtrack brought a new atmospheric depth to the series, with tracks like Dire, Dire Docks and Bob-omb Battlefield showing just how much range Mario music could have. The GameCube era gave us Super Mario Sunshine, a bold tropical departure that leaned on steel drums, acoustic guitars, and a beach-inspired soundscape that perfectly fit Isle Delfino. The Wii era followed with Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2, which redefined Mario music forever with fully orchestrated scores recorded with live musicians. Galaxy’s Gusty Garden Galaxy theme has become one of the most beloved pieces of video game music ever written, and Galaxy 2 built on that orchestral foundation with even more variety and energy. These two soundtracks are widely regarded as the peak of Mario music and among the greatest in gaming history. The handheld and New Super Mario Bros. era is also important to discuss. The DS, Wii, and Wii U entries all leaned on a similar musical identity, full of bright brass and cheerful energy. While sometimes criticized for being repetitive, they still delivered catchy tunes that became instantly recognizable, complete with the famous “bah” vocal sample. The 3DS entry Super Mario 3D Land and the Wii U’s Super Mario 3D World took a different approach. 3D Land blended 2D and 3D styles into something playful and light, while 3D World leaned heavily on a jazzy big band style that set it apart from every other Mario game. Super Bell Hill, the opening theme, is one of the best first-level tracks in the entire series. Recent years have kept the tradition alive with fresh takes. Super Mario Odyssey delivered an eclectic mix of musical styles to match its globe-trotting adventure, highlighted by the now-iconic Jump Up, Super Star. Bowser’s Fury surprised fans with a heavier, rock-influenced soundtrack that shifted dynamically during gameplay, showing how much creativity still exists within Mario’s music. And finally, Super Mario Bros. Wonder brought new life to 2D Mario soundtracks with experimental instrumentation and dynamic shifts that broke free from the safe formulas of the New Super era. This ranking covers it all. From the earliest experiments on the NES and Game Boy to the grand orchestral heights of Galaxy and the experimental freedom of Wonder, I am ranking every single mainline Mario soundtrack without skipping any. Whether you grew up with the classic overworld theme, spent hours exploring Delfino Plaza, or were blown away by Gusty Garden Galaxy, this video is a celebration of how Mario’s music has grown, changed, and defined entire generations of gaming.