https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0kPBtHp6FM

Already with Super Mario Bros 1 and 2 I found video game music to be interesting and catchy. But it really was with Super Mario Bros 3 that the interest “took off.” Our father rented an NES during Easter Holidays (a few years in a row) and we would play. Although I never quite mastered the gameplay – I am more of an RPG guy – I found the music very interesting. Once in grade 4, during a free afternoon in the gymnasium, I would just stare at a classmate playing the game the game so I could listen the music.

This interest starts strong right when you begin playing with the Grass Land theme. Even though it only loops after 14 seconds, it is still very upbeat and joyful. Even the 8-bit track in the background is enjoyable. The Giant World is also very interesting. It’s an upbeat version of the Water Land (which was quite annoying) that, like Grass Land, is joyful and will uplift your mood. The ground part of Sky Land doesn’t have very elaborate arrangements, but I liked the drums. Ice Land is probably the most appropriate of them all, with its Christmas-like music with bells. It even sounds a little mysterious, as if you were in an ice cave. Finally Dark Land REALLY sounds dark. The background arrangements have a quick tempo while the main arrangements sound very dark and scary. I don’t think an orchestra could ever do it justice.

The interest just keeps growing when actually playing the game. Overworld is joyful and relax, just like a walk in the part. Although the loop ends a little dryly, I still love the track after all these years. But my all-time favorite for the game has to be Athletic. The second part of the loop has that feeling that you are floating in the air – or rather, that you have huge gaps to jump, like worlds 1-4 and 1-6. Underground was also made well. It’s a high-tech version of the Mario 1 track; the drums in the background are perfect for “snowy” levels like world 1-5. And Underwater too was excellent; it really set the standard of what such situations (even in RPGs) should sound like. It’s a slow waltz with an interesting echo that just sounds magical.

Boss levels too were done well. The Fortress sounds dark and mysterious, and its numerous pauses help create the perfect ambiance. The arrangements at the end of the loop are even quieter to add to the mystery. The airship, however, wasn’t as good. It IS the perfect ambiance for this end-of-world level, but the first part just sounds too underwhelming next to the background drums that gave it the perfect mood. Fortunately it gets redeemed quickly with Boss Battle, an upbeat track that was MUCH BETTER than in Mario 2. The main track is an upbeat version of the fortress, while the background “flute” seems to add a good touch of “desperation” to show that you are facing a strong enemy. And the Bowser Battle is even better with its louder drums and high-pitch “flute” you can hear once per loop.

Finally, even the tracks you don’t hear so often are enjoyable. Sky Land / Bonus Level feels very magical, like you truly are floating in the sky. It’s the water theme without the echo, really. Mini-game, while quite upbeat, still sounds appropriate for a game – it’s like you’re in a poker tournament. Toad’s house sounds like a game show where you have to choose one of three doors. But fortunately, you have nothing to lose here – although constantly getting a mushroom can get annoying. Finally the world and fortress clear tracks, even though they are so short, sound VERY triumphant. You really feel like you have accomplished something grand.

In short Super Mario Bros. 3 should be part of any video game music library – more so than the Super Mario All-Star version. It was one of the best 8-bit soundtrack ever composed and, despite so many short loops, will get stuck in you head very easily.