Note: I opted out of choosing the main theme. I just don’t like it that much, mainly because it feels very generic, and just a new “main theme” for a Mario game. The only games with main themes that truly broke the norm were SMG (Good Egg), and SMG2 (Sky Station). This one just feels like “Been there, done that”


Honorable Mention(s):

Athletic 2. Didn’t quite make the list, but oh well. This is a catchy song that is certainly one of the better songs in the game, but it just doesn’t compare to the greats. I just don’t think jazz was the right choice here, as full orchestration would have been better. Do not get me wrong though, jazz can work really well with Mario. Not a huge complaint, but it does keep it off of the list.

Tank theme. This theme is pretty good, although it does have one problem – the Harpsichord. The horn and trumpets provide a great level of epicness to the song, giving it the spot here. It had the makings to be something really unique and awesome, but it still just barely fell short. It is still a great song though.

Boss Battle/Hisstocrat Battle. I cannot choose between these two boss themes, as they are both really good. To specify, the boss theme is the Moltley Bossblob theme, and the Hisstocrat theme is self explanatory. The Hisstocrat theme is a really jazzy, really catchy tune that is just awesome, stylish, and unique. I also like the Bossblob battle theme equally as much, for being very reminiscent of the King Kaliente/Glamdozer themes, and it’s just a good boss theme in general. But still, both of these songs lack the amazing compositions that these next 10 songs provide.

#10 – Hands on Hall. This song came to me as a bit of a surprise, as it felt very unique to me. But it was still catchy as all hell, with a great trumpet riff combined with a very good flute-like instrument. It was different, yeah, but it certainly worked and provided a great environment. The Japanese feel felt right at home, despite the Mario universe never delving this deep into its true home territory.

#9 – Bowser Castle. Not only is this theme really epic, but it is a re-orchestration of the SM3DL version. This is how it was meant to sound, and it sounds great. Not as groundbreaking or as epic as the Road to Bowser orchestration from SMG2, but it passes as a solid Road to Bowser with the intensity and the weight you would expect. It’s just a shame that it isn’t as catchy as the classic Road to Bowser.

#8 –Savannah – while it might not be one of the most memorable tracks in the game, this one is notable for feeling “ALIVE!”. Every aspect of this song just makes me think I am in a great animal kingdom, and parts of it remind me of the Lion King. The trombone solo near the end is also super catchy. Really, this track provides some amazing alive atmosphere.
#7 – Beach theme. Wow. This is one of Nintendo’s best beach themes. It’s both relaxing and catchy, and the instrumentation is damn-near perfection. It uses some unique instruments combined with light jazz to give us a really solid beach theme. The tune, while catchy as it is, may be just a bit “too much” for a beach theme, as it is the Athletic 2 theme (which almost made this list). That is the only thing keeping it back from a higher spot. The underwater version is nice, but I am not including it.

#6 – Pufford Peaks. If any tracked screamed “GALAXY!!!”, it would be this one. It sounds like a direct mashup of Cosmic Cove and Space Junk. It might not be as good as those two tracks (one section of this song has pretty much the same chord progression as Cosmic Cove, and uses similar instruments), it certainly is a great nostalgic track, and brings plenty of quiet, peaceful atmosphere to the levels that it plays on.

#5 – Athletic 1. More specifically, the Double Cherry Pass Athletic. This one is catchy, it has a great melody, and fantastic background. This is one of the game’s best tracks hands-down, and I can’t really see much wrong. Unfortunately, I prefer other tracks over this one, simply for more atmosphere/intensity. But do NOT get me wrong, this song will put a smile on your face because it is just so goddamn catchy.

#4 – Train Theme. This theme was just spectacular. Here are the 4 themes that I am just in love with. This train theme managed to blend the pace and feel of a train, while providing some SMG “epic” magic that many tracks are lacking. The result is a really motivational track that really feels like full orchestra, when so many other songs lack the full orchestra. It could have been longer, sure, but this is music magic in play.

#3 – World Star. For sure the best World Map theme, this manages to take the otherwise generic and upbeat main theme, and convert it into a somber, peaceful violin solo accompanied by some piano and other synth. What we get is a really nice conversion of SM3DW’s upbeat and catchy style to SMG’s peaceful and ambient magic. Really, you might not even realize that the main theme is the melody because it feels so different. And that is why this composition is so good. It is familiar, yet VERY different.

#2 – Ghost House. The best haunted Nintendo theme ever, even beating Ghostly Galaxy. It takes what was good about Ghostly, and adds much better instruments, and a better tune. The violin and oboe just make this song come alive. And I am not even kidding when I say that this song literally sends chills down my spine. Just beware though – you might want to stay in the ghost house forever because of this song! It’s THAT good!

#1 – Battlefield. This is the theme that plays in levels such as “Lava Lake” and “Cosmic Cannon Cluster”. It doesn’t play much, but when it does, HOLYYYYY SHIT! This is the most hardcore Mario song that has ever been made. It doesn’t lost it’s classic feel though, as the trumpet part and bass feel distinctively Galaxy, but that Guitar part… wow. It just makes me pumped up in a way that not even the best SMG track could do. This is a matter of opinion, but this song affects my mood more than any other song in the game. Just make sure you turn the volume up on these levels when the song comes on!