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

Super Mario World was the first Mario adventure on the Super Nintendo and the “official” beginning of the 16-bit era – Sega has never quite been able to keep up with Nintendo’s popularity. It’s understandable why: the console had superior graphics, technology – we had to wait until Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to have saving options – but also music. The arrangements, even for SM W, were quite realistic.

Even though it has fewer overworld themes than Super Mario Bros. 3, they are still good. They loop very quickly (within 15 seconds) but they all feel appropriate. Yoshi’s Island sounds light, showing that this world is relatively easy. The overworld theme (where you can see the rest of the map) is nice and relaxing, and even has a slow jazz beat to it. You can feel the vastness of the world you face. Vanilla Dome is dark and mysterious; a perfect fit for this underground world. You could swear you can hear the “sparkling” from the walls during the track. The Forest of Illusion does have a little mystery feel to it with its slow tempo. You know you will get lost if you’re not careful. And there is the Valley of Bowser, which sounds VERY dark and also upbeat, matching that dark and creepy place where lightning strikes more than you care to count.

There are also two bonus worlds, which was a nice improvement. The Star Road, a slower version of the invincibility theme, sounds dreamy. It even features trumpet-like arrangements that were quite modern for the time. And if you can go through that zone, you will land in the Special zone, which features an Easter egg if you’re patient (three loops or so): the Super Mario Bros. 1 Overworld theme. I still prefer the original one, but this “exotic version” (with Jamaican drums) was an interesting homage a mere 5 years after the original release.

Of course, you also have to go through level in you want to progress through the game. It might just be me but they all sound like “remixes” of overworld; if it’s the case it’s a downgrade from Super Mario Bros 3, which used only original material. Anyway, Overworld is your ordinary zone where there isn’t too much jumping to do. It is FAR more elaborate than what the NES had to offer and has a nice exotic touch with its Jamaican drums. You will notice heavy drums in the second loop; that’s what the track sounds like when you ride Yoshi. His drum loop get even better Underground, where the track sounds kind of empty when you’re on your own. Nevertheless, its quietness is perfect for an underground level; it adds a good touch of mystery – in the game you could even hear the echo of whatever sound that was produced, which was well thought of. Athletic, your classical “you need to jump everywhere” level, sounds more hyperactive than its Mario 3 version with its upbeat piano. It gets even more hyperactive if you ride Yoshi. Speaking of your green steed, his drums spoil the Underwater levels a little. When you swim alone the track is a slightly upbeat waltz that sounds very relaxing.

However, since Yoshi is a scary cat, you won’t hear his drums in Ghost House or Castle Levels. The former is very slow and quiet, as if it were meant to scare you with very low-tone brass. The various decrescendos even sound like ghosts “shouting” at you. The latter is also quiet (at least in the start) which is unusual for such a theme. Fortunately it gets louder about mid loop, and then makes up for the first part of the loop with more upbeat background arrangements, while the main part sounds like a better version of the Airship theme in Mario 3.

Finally, like Mario 3 you have two distinct boss themes. Castle Boss isn’t as “loud” as in Mario 3 but is nevertheless upbeat with its background drums that show you that you are in no ordinary fight. It’s even more obvious when you fight Bowser. I loved the slow, solemn introduction that fit the screen perfectly (Bowser slowly coming down in his machine). It then explodes with a very upbeat drum track in the background with synth effects that are perfect for a final fight.

In short if you liked Mario games on the Nintendo you will love Super Mario World. Its music was quite impressive for the time; hell even the concluding music was good, something that’s worth talking about in my case since I generally don’t care about them. Like Bowser it was well in-synch with what was happening on-screen (Mario, the Princess and Yoshi going back to Yoshi’s house with the eggs, followed by the “cast and crew” of all the monsters you had to face).