5. Rainbow Road
Mario Kart series
Is it a cop out to choose a series of themes rather than just one for this spot? Rainbow Road and its music are among the most iconic traditions of the entire Mario Kart series. I couldn’t just pick the music from one particular version, because they each build and remix one another. While the racetrack was in the original Super Mario Kart, the modern Rainbow Road theme as we know it started with Mario Kart 64, and the classic melody has shown up in some form in pretty much all Mario Kart games to follow.
I have to say that the best version of the Rainbow Road theme is probably the most recent one from Mario Kart 7. It’s got the classic riff from the Nintendo 64 game, the structure of the Double Dash version, and the spacy feel from the Mario Kart Wii variant all wrapped up into one awesome racing theme.
Great list, Kyle! I’m a little sad to see that this wasn’t on the list, though! ;) (or the Bowser’s Lava Lair version from Super Mario Galaxy 2!)
Couldn’t agree more about Wind Garden, though. Easily the best Mario song ever composed. Hearing Super Mario 64‘s Main Theme in Super Mario Galaxy 2 was also one of my favourite moments in the entire game, so I’m very pleased to see that at number three too! :)
(PS: is it weird that I’m also quite partial to the Mario Paint theme? Probably…)
Hmm, got to say i didnt like your list that much, i tought it will be just super mario (main series) music. But, i have to agree with you on the number one spot. For music lovers that particular track is just mind blowing. Gusty garden is my favourite levwl of the galaxy series, and i think that the music is the main reason why i keep coming back for more. Hands down the greatest mario theme ever.
Why would you list other Mario games besides the main Mario titles? Mario Kart and RPG outings shouldn’t be lumped in also. You could seriously have a top ten list from just Galaxy 1 and 2, so this list is very short sighted.
I wanted to go for variety here, otherwise it could have just ended up as a Top Ten overworld theme list! I also couldn’t forget about the RPGs which are near and dear to me and have great music that is even better than the main series at some points.