Powerful Mario (theme)

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"Powerful Mario"
"Powerful Mario" in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
The image for "Powerful Mario" from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island on Nintendo Music.
Image from Nintendo Music
Composed by:
Koji Kondo
Key C major
BPM 120
Time signature 2
4
First appearance Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (1995)
Latest appearance Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2025)
Arrangement of
"Invincibility BGM" (Super Mario Bros. )

"Powerful Mario"[1] is a musical theme composed by Koji Kondo for Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island , where it plays when Baby Mario becomes Superstar Mario, when playing Mini Battles, and in certain sub-areas. The main melody is an arrangement of "Invincibility BGM" from Super Mario Bros. , and it introduces a countermelody that would later reappear in Super Mario 64 and numerous later games. The countermelody is similar to the opening of "Keynsham", a track from the British band Bonzo Dog Band's eponymous fourth album, released in 1969.

History[edit ]

Yoshi franchise[edit ]

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island[edit ]

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island marks its first appearance.

Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3[edit ]

In Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 , the main melody of the theme uses a different instrument from the original Yoshi's Island arrangement.

Icon of an audio speaker. パワフル赤ちゃん
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Yoshi Touch & Go[edit ]

In Yoshi Touch & Go , a MIDI-esque arrangement plays when Baby Mario collects a Super Star in Time Attack mode, which speeds up when the invincibility is about to wear off.

Icon of an audio speaker. Super Baby
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Yoshi's New Island[edit ]

Yoshi's New Island uses a ukulele arrangement that plays the countermelody on glockenspiel.

Icon of an audio speaker. STAGE STAR (2 channels)
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Icon of an audio speaker. STAGE STAR (4 channels)
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Super Mario series[edit ]

Super Mario 64[edit ]

In Super Mario 64 , an arrangement is used for Wing Mario and Vanish Mario and plays when a character rides or swims with a Koopa Shell. This arrangement is titled "Powerful Mario" in the official soundtrack and the Nintendo Music app, and returns for the same purpose in Super Mario 64 DS . Additionally, it also plays when Mario has Super Star invincibility in New Super Mario Bros. and in Super Mario Maker while wearing the Mario costume.

Icon of an audio speaker. Powerful Mario[1]
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Super Mario 64 DS[edit ]

Super Mario 64 DS introduces arrangements of "Powerful Mario" for while the player character is riding Hoot and while Mario has Floating Power. The minigames Bounce and Pounce and Bounce and Trounce use another variation as background music, where an electric piano takes over for both the melody and countermelody. This arrangement returns in New Super Mario Bros. for the latter minigame, as well as Balloon Racing, Jumping Brothers, and Jumping Sudden Death, and in the gallery of the Nintendo DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games . The minigame arrangement that returns in New Super Mario Bros. is titled "Balloon Racing" in the Nintendo Music app.

Icon of an audio speaker. Owl Fly
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Icon of an audio speaker. Balloon Mario
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Icon of an audio speaker. Balloon Racing
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Super Mario Galaxy[edit ]

Super Mario Galaxy uses an arrangement for Rainbow Mario, which accelerates over time to reinforce that the power-up is temporary. It is titled "Rainbow Mario" in the official Super Mario Galaxy Original Soundtrack album and the Nintendo Music app.

Icon of an audio speaker. "Rainbow Mario"[2]
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Super Mario Galaxy 2[edit ]

Super Mario Galaxy 2 uses a slightly updated version of Super Mario Galaxy's arrangement with added cymbals.

Icon of an audio speaker. Rainbow Mario
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Super Mario Run[edit ]

In Super Mario Run , a techno arrangement plays after obtaining a Super Star in Remix 10 mode. The theme incorporates the countermelody originally heard in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.

Icon of an audio speaker. Invincibility BGM (Remix 10)
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Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga[edit ]

In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga , a MIDI-esque arrangement titled "It's My Turn" is used during the Star 'Stache Smash minigame.

However in the game's remake, an arrangement of "Do It Now!" from Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is used instead.

Icon of an audio speaker. It's My Turn[3]
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Paper Mario series[edit ]

Paper Mario: Sticker Star[edit ]

In Paper Mario: Sticker Star , a jazzy arrangement that plays the main melody on saxophones and the countermelody on an organ is used for standard Super Star invincibility. Another arrangement is integrated — alongside the game's title theme — into the music track for the final part of the fight with Bowser, and plays the main melody on a different instrument and the countermelody on a xylophone.

Icon of an audio speaker. Super Star
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Icon of an audio speaker. Bowser Battle (Final Phase)
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Paper Mario: The Origami King[edit ]

As with the previous two Paper Mario games, Paper Mario: The Origami King introduces a new arrangement based on Paper Mario: Sticker Star's arrangement but with instruments commonly heard in many heavy metal songs. This arrangement is used for when Mario collects a Super Star.

Icon of an audio speaker. "Super Star"[4]
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Super Mario Party Jamboree[edit ]

An "X" icon with sound waves, used to indicate missing media files. It has been requested that more audio and/or video files related to this article be uploaded. Specifics: Taking Down Impostor Bowser
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In Super Mario Party Jamboree , an arrangement titled "Taking Down Impostor Bowser" is played during the final attack on Impostor Bowser in Bowser's Kaboom Squad.

Gallery[edit ]

List of Super Mario appearances[edit ]

Games[edit ]

Work Year Type Title Credits
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island 1995 Original "Powerful Mario" Koji Kondo
Super Mario 64 1996 Arrangement "Powerful Mario" Koji Kondo
Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 2002 Arrangement Taiju Suzuki
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga 2003 Arrangement "It's My Turn" Yoko Shimomura
Super Mario 64 DS 2004 Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) Koji Kondo
Arrangement Kenta Nagata
Yoshi Touch & Go 2005 Arrangement
New Super Mario Bros. 2006 Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) "Super Star"[1] Koji Kondo
Past arrangement (Super Mario 64 DS) "Balloon Racing"[1] Kenta Nagata
Super Mario Galaxy 2007 Arrangement "Rainbow Mario" Mahito Yokota
Super Mario Galaxy 2 2010 Arrangement Mahito Yokota
Paper Mario: Sticker Star 2012 Arrangement
Yoshi's New Island 2014 Arrangement Masayoshi Ishi
Super Mario Maker 2015 Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) Koji Kondo
Super Mario Run 2017[a] Arrangement
Paper Mario: The Origami King 2020 Arrangement
Super Mario 3D All-Stars 2020 Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) "Powerful Mario" Koji Kondo
Past arrangement (Super Mario Galaxy) "Rainbow Mario" Mahito Yokota
Super Mario Galaxy 2025 Past arrangement (Super Mario Galaxy) "Rainbow Mario" Mahito Yokota
Super Mario Galaxy 2 Past arrangement (Super Mario Galaxy 2)
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Past arrangement (Super Mario Galaxy) "Rainbow Mario"
Past arrangement (Super Mario Galaxy 2)
  1. ^ Added as downloadable content

Albums[edit ]

Work Year Type Title Credits
Super Mario: Yossy Island Original Sound Version 1995 Original パワフル赤ちゃん ("Powerful Baby") Koji Kondo
Super Mario 64 Original Soundtrack 1996 Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) "Powerful Mario" Koji Kondo
Nintendo 64 Original Soundtrack Greatest Hits 1996 Past arrangement (Super Mario 64) "Wing Cap Mario" Koji Kondo
Super Mario Galaxy Original Soundtrack 2008 Past arrangement (Super Mario Galaxy) "Rainbow Mario" Mahito Yokota

References[edit ]

Recurring themes
Donkey Kong franchise Donkey Kong "Hammer BGM" • "Round 1 BGM"
Donkey Kong Jr. "Round 1 BGM"
Donkey Kong (NES) "Title BGM"
Donkey Kong Jr. (NES) "Title BGM"
Donkey Kong Country "Aquatic Ambiance" • "Bonus Room Blitz" • "Cave Dweller Concert" • "Cranky's Theme" • "The Credits Concerto" • "DK Island Swing" • "Fear Factory" • "Forest Frenzy" • "Funky's Fugue" • "Gang-Plank Galleon" • "Ice Cave Chant" • "Life in the Mines" • "Mine Cart Madness" • "Northern Hemispheres" • "Simian Segue" • "Theme" • "Treetop Rock" • "Voices of the Temple"
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest "Crocodile Cacophony (K. Rool's Theme)" • "Funky the Main Monkey (Funky's Theme)" • "K. Rool Returns (Title Theme)" • "Lockjaw's Saga (Lockjaw's Locker)" • "Run, Rambi! Run! (Parrot Chute Panic)" • "Snakey Chantey (Rattle Battle)" • "Stickerbush Symphony (Bramble Blast)" • "Token Tango (Bonus Level)"
Donkey Kong 64 "DK Rap"
Donkey Kong Country Returns "Jungle Hijinxs" • "Mine Menace"
Mario Bros. series Mario Bros. (NES) "Title BGM"
Wrecking Crew series Wrecking Crew "Bonus Phase" • "Golden Hammer" • "Phase BGM"
Super Mario series Super Mario Bros. "Castle BGM" • "Ending" • "Ground BGM" • "Invincibility BGM" • "Underground BGM" • "Underwater BGM"
VS. Super Mario Bros. "Gyōmu-yō Mario Namae-ire"
Super Mario Bros. 2 "Boss BGM" • "Ending" • "Final Boss BGM" • "Ground BGM" • "Please Select Player" • "Title BGM" • "Underground BGM"
Super Mario Bros. 3 "Airship BGM" • "Athletic BGM" • "Bros. Battle" • "Ending" • "Fortress BGM" • "Fortress Boss" • "Ground BGM" • "King of the Koopas" • "Music Box" • "P Switch BGM / Toad's House" • "Slot Game BGM / Memory Game BGM" • "Throne Room" • "Underwater BGM" • "Warp Zone" • "World 1 Map (Grass Land)" • "World 2 Map (Desert Land)" • "World 3 Map (Water Land)" • "World 4 Map (Giant Land)" • "World 5 Map (Sky Land) - On the Ground" • "World 5 Map (Sky Land) - In the Sky" • "World 6 Map (Ice Land)" • "World 7 Map (Pipe Land)" • "World 8 Map (Dark Land)"
Super Mario Land "Birabuto Kingdom BGM" • "Easton Kingdom BGM"
Super Mario World "Bowser BGM" • "Donut Plains (Map Screen)" • "Ending" • "Forest of Illusion (Map Screen)" • "Ground BGM" ("Athletic BGM" · "Bonus Game BGM" · "Castle BGM" · "Ghost House BGM" · "Underground BGM" · "Underwater BGM") • "Koopalings BGM" • "P Switch BGM" • "Rescuing Princess Peach" • "Special World (Map Screen)" • "Star World (Map Screen)" • "Title BGM" • "Valley of Bowser (Map Screen)" • "Vanilla Dome (Map Screen)" • "Yoshi's Island (Map Screen)"
Super Mario 64 "Big Boo's Haunt" • "Bowser's Road" • "Bowser's Theme" • "Dire, Dire Docks" • "File Select" • "The Final Battle" • "Hazy Maze Cave" • "Lethal Lava Land" • "Main Theme" ("Cool, Cool Mountain" · "Opening" · "Slider") • "The Merry-Go-Round" • "Metal Mario" • "Peach's Castle" • "Piranha Plant's Lullaby" • "Staff Roll" • "Stage Boss" • "Title Theme"
Super Mario Sunshine "Boss Battle" • "Isle Delfino" ("Ricco Harbor" · "Staff Credits") • "Secret Course"
New Super Mario Bros. "Castle Theme" • "Ground Theme" ("Athletic Theme") • "Mario Vs. Luigi - Final Results" • "Mega Mario" • "Switch On!" • "Tower Theme"
Super Mario Galaxy "A-wa-wa-wa!" • "Aquatic Race" • "Attack of the Airships" • "Battlerock Galaxy" • "Beach Bowl Galaxy" • "Buoy Base Galaxy" • "Catastrophe" • "Cosmic Comet" • "Deep Dark Galaxy" • "Dino Piranha" • "Egg Planet" • "Enter Bowser Jr.!" • "Enter the Galaxy" • "Final Battle with Bowser" • "The Galaxy Reactor" • "Gateway Galaxy" • "Gusty Garden Galaxy" • "Help!" • "The Honeyhive" • "Ice Mario" • "Ice Mountain" • "King Bowser" • "King Kaliente" • "Kingfin" • "Luma" • "Major Burrows" • "Megaleg" • "Melty Molten Galaxy" • "Overture" • "Peach's Castle Stolen" • "Purple Comet" • "Rosalina in the Observatory" ("Family") • "Space Athletic" • "Space Junk Road" • "The Star Festival" • "Super Mario 2007" • "Super Mario Galaxy" • "A Tense Moment" • "The Toad Brigade" • "Waltz of the Boos"
New Super Mario Bros. Wii "Airship Theme" • "Bonus Area" • "Bowser Jr. Battle" • "Castle Theme" • "Coast Theme" • "Desert Theme" • "Forest Theme" • "Ghost House Theme" • "Koopaling Battle" • "Lava Cave / Underground Ruins Theme" • "Lava Theme" • "Title Theme" • "Toad House Minigame" • "Underground Theme" • "Underwater Theme"
Super Mario Galaxy 2 "Bowser Jr.'s Fiery Flotilla" • "Bowser's Galaxy Generator" • "Cloudy Court Galaxy" • "Digga-Leg" • "Fated Battle" • "Melty Monster Galaxy" • "Puzzle Plank Galaxy" • "Slimy Spring Galaxy" • "Starship Mario" • "The Starship's Journey" • "Super Mario Galaxy 2 Trailer Theme" ("Sky Station Galaxy" · "Wild Glide Galaxy") • "Teleporter Melody" • "Yoshi Star Galaxy"
Super Mario 3D Land "Beach Theme" • Castle Theme [conjectural] • "Main Theme" • "Snow Course" • "Victory Parade" • World 2-3's theme [conjectural]
New Super Mario Bros. U "Ground Theme" ("Athletic Theme")
Super Mario 3D World "A Boss Approaches" • "Beep Block Skyway" • "Captain Toad Goes Forth" • "Chainlink Charge" • "Piranha Creeper Creek" • "Super Bell Hill"
Super Mario Maker "Flying Battleship Theme" • "Title"
Super Mario Odyssey "Fossil Falls" • "Jump Up, Super Star!" • "New Donk City"
Dr. Mario series Dr. Mario "Chill" • "Fever" • "Game Over" • "Selection Screen" • "Title Screen" • "Vs. Game Over"
Mario Kart series Super Mario Kart "Awards Ceremony (1st – 3rd Place)" • "Battle Mode" • "Bowser Castle" • "Donut Plains" • "Ghost Valley" • "Koopa Beach" • "Mario Circuit" • "Rainbow Road" • "Super Mario Kart Title Screen"
Mario Kart 64 "Battle Arenas" • "Choco Mountain" • "D.K.'s Jungle Parkway" • "Frappe Snowland" • "Kalimari Desert" • "Koopa Troopa Beach" • "Luigi Raceway" • "Mario Kart 64 Title Screen" • "Moo Moo Farm" • "Rainbow Road" • "Results (1st – 4th Place)" • "Staff Credits" • "Toad's Turnpike"
Mario Kart: Super Circuit "Bowser Castle" • "Peach Circuit"
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! "Baby Park" • "GCN DK Mountain" • "Luigi Circuit" • "Peach Beach"
Mario Kart DS "Cheep Cheep Beach" • "Figure-8 Circuit" • "Luigi's Mansion" • "Peach Gardens" • "Tick-Tock Clock" • "Waluigi Pinball"
Mario Kart Wii "Coconut Mall" • "Daisy Circuit" • "Grumble Volcano" • "Wii Maple Treeway" • "Moo Moo Meadows" • "Mushroom Gorge" • "Rainbow Road" • "Wario's Gold Mine"
Mario Kart 7 "DK Jungle" • "Music Park" • "Neo Bowser City" • "Piranha Plant Slide" • "Rainbow Road" • "Toad Circuit"
Mario Kart 8 "Bowser's Castle" • "Cloudtop Cruise" • "Mario Circuit" ("Mario Kart Stadium") • "Mario Kart 8 Title Screen" • "Rainbow Road" • "Twisted Mansion"
Mario Party series Mario Party 9 "Good Job!"
Yoshi series Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island "Athletic BGM" • "Bowser" • "Flower Field BGM" • "Goal!" • "Opening Melody" • "Powerful Mario" • "Yoshi's Island"
Yoshi's Story "Yoshi's Song" ("Yoshis on the Beach") • "Yoshi's Story!" • "Yoshi's Tale"
Wario franchise Wario Land 3 "Out of the Woods"[conjectural]
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! "Pyoro: Stage" • "Sci-Fi (Dribble & Spitz) - Drifting Away" • "Title" ("Reality (Dr. Crygor) - Stage")
WarioWare: Twisted! "Mona Pizza"
WarioWare: Touched! "Ashley's Theme"
Luigi's Mansion series Luigi's Mansion "Title Theme (Humming)" ("Professor E. Gadd's Lab")
Mario vs. Donkey Kong series Mario vs. Donkey Kong "Mini Mario Stage"[conjectural] • "Title Theme"
Super Smash Bros. series Super Smash Bros. Melee "Rainbow Cruise"
Other The Legend of Zelda "Magic Whistle Melody" • "Overworld Theme"
Mario Paint "Gnat Attack: Level 1" • "Save & Load"
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars "Beware of Forest Mushrooms" • "Bowser's Keep" • "Hello, Happy Kingdom" • "Super Mario House"
Miscellaneous "Galop infernal" • "Mute City" • "Title BGM" (Excitebike) • "Totakeke's theme"
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island / Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
Characters and species YoshisBaby MarioBaby LuigiBaby BowserItem BalloonKamekStorkPoochyHuffin PuffinLiquid liftMelon BugMuddy BuddySupport Ghost
Worlds Welcome To Yoshi's IslandWorld 1World 2World 3World 4World 5World 6
Items Regular items Blue watermelonCoinGreen ShellGreen watermelonKeyRed coinRed ShellRed watermelonSpecial FlowerStarSuper StarYoshi's egg (Flashing Egg · Giant Egg · Red Egg · Yellow Egg)
Special Items 10-Point Star20-Point StarAnytime EggAnywhere POWMagnifying GlassSuper Blue WatermelonSuper Green WatermelonSuper Red WatermelonWinged Cloud Maker
Objects ! BlockArrow blockArrow CloudBalloon (Mini Battle)Balloon (platform)BeanstalkBombBreakable blockBubbleBucketChomp RockCoin BlockCorkCountdown PlatformCracked blockCurrentDonut LiftDotted-Line BlockEgg BlockEgg PlantExpansion BlockFalling stone blockFlatbed FerryFlipperGoal RingHard BlockIce BlockIcicleMakeshift surfboardMessage BlockMiddle RingMorph bubbleMoving blockPaddle wheelPinwheelPostPotPOW BlockRed-and-yellow bridgeRed balloonRolling rockSeesawSki LiftSnowballSoft rockSpinning LogSpinning wheelSpotted platformSpring ballSquishy blockSwitchTeeter-totterTulipTumblerWarp PipeWinged CloudYoshi Block
Bosses Burt the BashfulSalvo the SlimeBigger BooRoger the Potted GhostFroggyNaval PiranhaMarching MildeHookbill the KoopaSluggy the UnshavenRaphael the RavenTap-Tap the Red NoseBaby BowserBig Baby Bowser
Enemies Aqua LakituBanditBaron von ZeppelinBarney BubbleBeach KoopaBig BooBig MildeBig Shy GuyBlow HardBoo BalloonBoo BlahBooBoo GuyBoo Man BluffBouncing Bullet BillBowling GoonieBubble DayzeeBullet BillBumptyBurtCactus JackCaged GhostChain ChompClawdaddyCloud DropCoin BanditCrazee DayzeeDancing Spear GuyDangling GhostDizzy DandyDr. FreezegoodEggo-DilFangFat GuyFishing LakituFlamer GuyFlightless GoonieFlightless Skeleton GoonieFlopsy FishFly GuyFlying WigglerFrog PirateFuzzyGargantua BlarggGeorgette JellyGoombaGoonieGreen GloveGreen ToadyGrim LeecherGrinderGruntGustyHarry HedgehogHefty GoonieHootie the Blue FishHot LipsIncoming ChompItsunomanika HeihōJean de FilletKaboombaKamekKamek's ToadiesKoopa TroopaLakituLantern GhostLarge MildeLava BubbleLava DropLittle MouserLittle Skull MouserLoch NestorLunge FishMace GuyMace PenguinMildeMock UpMufti GuyNeedleNep-EnutNipper PlantNipper SporePara-KoopaPiro DanglePiscatory PetePokeyPreying MantasRavenRaven (mini)Red BlarggRed Bullet Bill aRelay HeihōSanbo FlowerShark ChompShy-GuyShy-Guy on StiltsSkeleton GoonieSlimeSlime DropSluggerSluggySnifitSolo ToadySpear GuySpiked Fun GuySpookySpray FishStretchTap-TapTap-Tap the GoldenThunder LakituTrain BanditWall LakituWhirly Fly GuyWild PiranhaWild Ptooie PiranhaWoozy GuyZeus Guy
Obstacles Ball 'N' ChainBall and chainCannonballFire-BarLavaSpikeSpiked ballSpiked weightThornTurtle Cannon
Mini Battles Gather CoinsPopping BalloonsThrowing BalloonsWatermelon Seed Spitting Contest
Bonus Challenges Flip CardsScratch and MatchDrawing LotsMatch CardsRouletteSlot Machine
Music "Athletic BGM" • "Big Boss BGM" • "Bowser" • "Flower Field BGM" • "Goal!" • "Opening Melody" • "Powerful Mario" • "Stage Boss" • "Stage Start" • "Yoshi's Island"
Miscellaneous Countdown TimerYoshi's Island
Adaptations Super Mario (Super Mario: Yoshi Island 1 · Super Mario: Yoshi Island 2 · Super Mario: Yoshi Island 3 ) • Super Mario-kun (Volumes: 14 · 15)
Further info Gallery (SNES · GBA) • GlitchesMario Bros. aA Magical Tour of Yoshi's Island Baby Mario's A-Maze-ing Game Message Block hintsMultimediaNintendo Music (soundtrack) • Nintendo Power - Play it Loud! Original Soundtrack Volume 1 Pre-release and unused contentQuotes • Staff (SNES · GBA) • Super Mario: Yossy Island Original Sound Version Text changes aThe Music ManWendy's treatsYoshi's Island Slider