Title BGM (Donkey Kong)

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"Title BGM"
"Title BGM" in the NES version of Donkey Kong
Thumbnail for "Title BGM" from Donkey Kong for Nintendo Music
Image from Nintendo Music
Composed by:
Yukio Kaneoka
Key F major
First appearance Donkey Kong (Nintendo Entertainment System) (1983)
Latest appearance Donkey Kong Bananza (2025)
Arranged in
"Theme" (Donkey Kong Country)
"Cranky's Theme" (Donkey Kong Country)
Quoted by
"Donkey Kong Court" (Mario Tennis) (Nintendo 64)
"Title Theme" (Mario vs. Donkey Kong)
"Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla" (Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix)
"Breaking Through (Heart of Gold)" (Donkey Kong Bananza)

"Title BGM"[1] is a musical theme composed by Yukio Kaneoka for the Nintendo Entertainment System version of Donkey Kong, where it plays in the game's title screen. This theme is often paired in later arrangements with "Game Start" from the same game. This theme is often used as a leitmotif for Donkey Kong in subsequent games and other media in the Donkey Kong and Super Mario franchises.

History[edit]

Donkey Kong[edit]

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Though not present in the original arcade version of Donkey Kong, the Nintendo Entertainment System version of the game marks the first appearance of "Title BGM", and it returns in the e-Reader and Classic NES Series ports for the same purpose.

In the Atari 7800 version of Donkey Kong, an arrangement of "Title BGM" that uses a different chiptune soundfont due to hardware differences plays for the same purpose as in the NES game.

Donkey Kong Country series[edit]

Donkey Kong Country[edit]

Main articles: Theme (Donkey Kong Country), Cranky's Theme

Donkey Kong Country features two arrangements of "Title BGM" arranged by David Wise, both of which develop into their own original melodies for the second half.

An arrangement of "Title BGM" plays in the game's title and main menu screens. It is titled "Theme" in the Nintendo Music app.

An arrangement of "Title BGM" plays in Cranky's Cabin. It is titled "Cranky's Theme" in the Nintendo Music app.

Icon of an audio speaker. Theme - The arrangement heard in Donkey Kong Country
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Icon of an audio speaker. Cranky's Theme - The arrangement heard in Donkey Kong Country
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Donkey Kong Country 3 (Game Boy Advance)[edit]

Exclusively in the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 3, a music box arrangement of "Title BGM" plays in the Game Over screen, replacing the ominous music box theme from the original version of Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! It is titled "Game Over" in the game's sound test.

Icon of an audio speaker. Game Over - The arrangement heard in the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 3
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Mario Tennis series[edit]

All arrangements in the Mario Tennis series were arranged by Motoi Sakuraba.

Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)[edit]

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Main article: Donkey Kong Court (theme)

The Nintendo 64 version of Mario Tennis features two arrangements of "Title BGM".

A medley arrangement of "Title BGM", "Game Start", and "Round Start BGM" from Donkey Kong plays in the Donkey Kong Court. It is titled 「ドンキーコングコート」 (Donkī Kongu Kōto, "Donkey Kong Court") in the official Mario Tennis 64 Original Soundtrack album.

A brief medley arrangement of "Title BGM" and "Game Start" from Donkey Kong plays during Donkey Kong's trophy award cutscene. It is titled 「トロフィー 授与 ドンキーコング」 (Torofī Juyo - Donkī Kongu, "Trophy Award - Donkey Kong") in the Mario Tennis 64 Original Soundtrack album.

Icon of an audio speaker. ドンキーコングコート - The arrangement heard in the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Tennis
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Mario Power Tennis / New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis[edit]

In Mario Power Tennis and the Wii port, New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis, a medley arrangement of "Title BGM" and "Game Start" from Donkey Kong plays plays during Donkey Kong's trophy award cutscene.

Icon of an audio speaker. Trophy Award - Donkey Kong - The arrangement heard in Mario Power Tennis
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Mario vs. Donkey Kong series[edit]

Mario vs. Donkey Kong[edit]

Main article: Title Theme (Mario vs. Donkey Kong)

In Mario vs. Donkey Kong, a mashup arrangement of "Title BGM" and "Ground BGM" from Super Mario Bros. arranged by Lawrence Schwedler plays in the game's title screen.

Icon of an audio speaker. Title Theme - The arrangement heard in Mario vs. Donkey Kong
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Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem![edit]

In Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!, an arrangement of "Title BGM" arranged by Lawrence Schwedler plays in the results screen after completing a level. It is in the key of G major and adds additional instrumentation every time it repeats. The first time is played only on brass instruments with the main melody played on the trumpet, the second repetition adds snare drum percussion, the third repetition removes the trumpet and adds concert flute trills, and the fourth and final repetition adds the trumpet playing the main melody back into the mix.

Icon of an audio speaker. Results - The arrangement heard in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!
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Donkey Konga 3[edit]

Donkey Kong
Artist Yukio Kaneoka
Game(s) Donkey Konga 3
Length 0:18
Difficulties
Famicom

Donkey Konga 3 features the original version of "Title BGM" as an extremely short playable song available in the Famicom Room. It is simply titled "Donkey Kong".

Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix[edit]

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Main article: Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla

Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix features a medley arrangement of "Round Start BGM", "Game Start", "Round 1 BGM", "Hammer BGM", and "Title BGM" from Donkey Kong as a playable song. It is titled "Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla".

Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, a medley arrangement of "Title BGM", "Game Start", "Round 1 BGM", and "Hammer BGM" from Donkey Kong arranged by Shota Kageyama can play in the 75 m stage. It is titled "Opening (Donkey Kong)" in the game's sound test.

Icon of an audio speaker. Opening (Donkey Kong) - The arrangement heard in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
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Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, "Opening (Donkey Kong)" from Super Smash Bros. Brawl can once again play in the 75 m stage.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, "Opening (Donkey Kong)" from Super Smash Bros. Brawl can play in any Super Smash Bros.-series and Donkey Kong-series stage. It is formatted as "Opening - Donkey Kong" in the game's sound test.

WarioWare: D.I.Y.[edit]

“Donkey Kong rules. So does this!”
In-game description

In WarioWare: D.I.Y., one of 9-Volt's records is a medley arrangement of "Round 1 BGM" and "Title BGM" from Donkey Kong and "Title BGM" from Donkey Kong Jr. It is simply titled "Donkey Kong".

Icon of an audio speaker. Donkey Kong - The arrangement heard in WarioWare: D.I.Y.
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Nintendo Land[edit]

In Nintendo Land, the original version of "Title BGM" plays in the setup screen for Donkey Kong's Crash Course.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle[edit]

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The Donkey Kong Adventure DLC for Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle features two arrangements of "Title BGM" arranged by Grant Kirkhope.

An arrangement of "Title BGM" plays during battle preparations.

An arrangement of "Title BGM" is incorporated in the theme that plays during mid-boss battles.

Icon of an audio speaker. Midboss Melody - The arrangement heard in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
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Donkey Kong Bananza[edit]

An "X" icon with sound waves, used to indicate missing media files. It has been requested that at least one audio and/or video file related to this section be uploaded. Specifics: Both arrangements
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Main article: Breaking Through (Heart of Gold)

Donkey Kong Bananza features two arrangements of "Title BGM".

A lullaby arrangement of "Title BGM" plays when Donkey Kong and Pauline sleep on a bed.

A reharmonized arrangement of "Title BGM" sung by Pauline is included as the bridge in the song "Breaking Through (Heart of Gold)".

Other appearances[edit]

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)[edit]

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In The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), a brief arrangement of "Title BGM" arranged by Brian Tyler is incorporated in the track "Drivin' Me Bananas". This arrangement is not present in The Super Mario Bros. Movie itself, as "Take On Me" plays instead.

Gallery[edit]

List of Super Mario appearances[edit]

Games[edit]

Work System Year Type Title Credits
Donkey Kong Nintendo Entertainment System 1983 Original "Title BGM"[1] Yukio Kaneoka
Donkey Kong Atari 7800 1988 Arrangement
Donkey Kong Country Super Nintendo Entertainment System 1994 Arrangement "Theme"[1] David Wise
"Cranky's Theme"[1]
Mario Tennis Nintendo 64 2000 Arrangement 「ドンキーコングコート」 (Donkī Kongu Kōto)[2] Motoi Sakuraba
「トロフィー 授与 ドンキーコング」 (Torofī Juyo - Donkī Kongu)[2]
Donkey Kong-e e-Reader 2002 Original "Title BGM"[1] Yukio Kaneoka
Classic NES Series: Donkey Kong Game Boy Advance 2004 Original "Title BGM"[1] Yukio Kaneoka
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Game Boy Advance 2004 Arrangement Lawrence Schwedler
Mario Power Tennis Nintendo GameCube 2004 Arrangement Motoi Sakuraba
Donkey Konga 3 Nintendo GameCube 2005 Original "Donkey Kong" Yukio Kaneoka
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix Nintendo GameCube 2005 Arrangement "Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla"
Donkey Kong Country 3 Game Boy Advance 2005 Arrangement "Game Over"[3]
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Wii 2008 Arrangement "Opening (Donkey Kong)"[4] Shota Kageyama
New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis Wii 2009 Past arrangement (Mario Power Tennis) Motoi Sakuraba
WarioWare: D.I.Y. Nintendo DS 2009 Arrangement "Donkey Kong"[5]
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! Nintendo DS 2010 Arrangement Lawrence Schwedler
Nintendo Land Wii U 2012 Original Yukio Kaneoka
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Wii U 2014 Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) "Opening (Donkey Kong)"[6] Shota Kageyama
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Nintendo Switch 2018[a] Arrangement Grant Kirkhope
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2018 Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) "Opening - Donkey Kong"[7] Shota Kageyama
Donkey Kong Bananza Nintendo Switch 2 2025 Arrangement "Breaking Through (Heart of Gold)"[8]
  1. ^ Added in the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC on June 26, 2018

Albums[edit]

Work Year Type Title Credits
Mario Tennis 64 Original Soundtrack 2000 Past arrangement (Mario Tennis [Nintendo 64]) 「トロフィー 授与 ドンキーコング」 (Torofī Juyo - Donkī Kongu) Motoi Sakuraba
Game Sound Museum: Donkey Kong 2004 Original 「タイトルBGM」 (Taitoru BGM) Yukio Kaneoka
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2023 Arrangement "Drivin' Me Bananas" Brian Tyler

Other media[edit]

Work Year Type Title Credits
Nintendo Music 2025[a] Original "Title BGM" Yukio Kaneoka
  1. ^ Added on July 21, 2025

Names in other languages[edit]

"Title BGM"[edit]

Language Name Meaning Note(s) Ref.
Japanese タイトルBGM
Taitoru BGM
Title BGM [1]

"Game Over"[edit]

Language Name Meaning Note(s) Ref.
French Game Over - [9]
German Game Over - [10]
Italian Game Over - [11]
Spanish Fin del juego End of the game [12]

References[edit]