Round 1 BGM (Donkey Kong)
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| "Round 1 BGM" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| "Round 1 BGM" in the arcade version of Donkey Kong | |||
 Image from Nintendo Music | |||
| Composed by: Yukio Kaneoka | |||
| Key | B flat major | ||
| First appearance | Donkey Kong (arcade) (1981) | ||
| Latest appearance | Donkey Kong Bananza (2025) | ||
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"Round 1 BGM",[1] also known as "25m BGM"[2] or the "25m Theme",[3] is a simple five-note musical theme composed by Yukio Kaneoka for the arcade version of Donkey Kong. The theme is derived from[citation needed] the bassline to "The Ballad of John and Yoko", a 1969 song by English rock band the Beatles, itself similar to the bridge of "Splish Splash". It can be heard only in the 25m level in the original arcade version, but it is sometimes used in other levels in later ports of Donkey Kong.
History[edit]
Donkey Kong series[edit]
Donkey Kong[edit]
Yukio Kaneoka's original version of the theme first appears in the arcade version of Donkey Kong. It reappears in all of the game's many ports, with the Atari 2600, Intellivision, TI-99/4A, MS-DOS, Apple II, and ZX Spectrum ports directly reusing the original version. Other versions differently arrange the theme for different hardware, featuring different instrumentation and sometimes other changes.
- The ColecoVision version sustains its notes for longer. It also plays the theme on 75m and 100m in addition to 25m.
- The version in the port for Atari 8-bit computers uses slightly different instrumentation.
- The Family Computer version is in a higher key.
- The VIC-20 version has a less even rhythm and plays the theme in all four levels.
- The version in Atarisoft's Commodore 64 port is slower and with an uneven rhythm.
- The Coleco Adam version is similar to the ColecoVision version, but with shorter notes.
- The version in Ocean Software's Commodore 64 port is faster than the original.
- The MSX version has slightly different instrumentation.
- The Amstrad CPC version has harsher instrumentation.
- The Atari 7800 version is in a higher key.
Among these, Family Computer is the most prolific, being reused for the same purpose in the Nintendo Entertainment System, Family Computer Disk System and Famicom Box versions of Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong-e, the e-Reader port of the game, and Classic NES Series: Donkey Kong, the Game Boy Advance port of the game.
 Round 1 BGM - The arrangement heard in the Famicom version of Donkey Kong | File info |
Donkey Kong (Game Boy)[edit]
In the Game Boy title Donkey Kong, a slightly different chiptune arrangement of "Round 1 BGM", created by Taisuke Araki, plays in 25m and 75m in the Construction Site.
WarioWare series[edit]
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$![edit]
In WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, an arrangement of "Round 1 BGM" plays in the Donkey Kong microgame, simply titled "Donkey Kong" on Nintendo Music. It uses chiptune instrumentation very similar to the Nintendo Entertainment System version of Donkey Kong, though its final note right before the microgame ends is higher than the previous note rather than lower.
| Donkey Kong - The arrangement heard in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! | File info |
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", "Title BGM" from Donkey Kong, and "Title BGM" from Donkey Kong Jr. It is simply titled "Donkey Kong".
| Donkey Kong - The arrangement heard in WarioWare: D.I.Y. | File info |
WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase[edit]
In WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase, the Donkey Kong microgame features the arrangement of "Round 1 BGM" heard in the Nintendo Entertainment System version of Donkey Kong, but its tempo has been altered to correspond with the ticking of the bomb.
| Donkey Kong - The arrangement heard in WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase and WarioWare Gold | File info |
WarioWare Gold[edit]
The Donkey Kong microgame reappears in WarioWare Gold, featuring the same arrangement of "Round 1 BGM".
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix[edit]
- Main article: Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla
In Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix, a medley arrangement of "Round 1 BGM", "Hammer BGM", "Title BGM", and several other themes and sound effects from Donkey Kong, created by U1-ASAMi and titled "Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla", is a playable track.
Tetris series[edit]
Tetris DS[edit]
Tetris DS features multiple arrangements of "Round 1 BGM".
A full arrangement of "Round 1 BGM" titled "Tetris DK" plays in Standard Lv. 13, the game's Donkey Kong–themed Standard Level.
A medley of "Game Start" and "Round 1 BGM" very similar to the arrangements heard in the NES version of Donkey Kong titled "DK Push" plays during the Push mode, which is based around elements from Donkey Kong.
An arrangement of "Round 1 BGM" plays at the end of the game's credits theme, "CongraTetris", along with arrangements of "Ground BGM" and "Invincibility BGM" from Super Mario Bros.
| Tetris DK - An arrangement heard in Tetris DS | File info |
| DK Push - An arrangement heard in Tetris DS | File info |
Tetris 99[edit]
In Tetris 99, a medley arrangement of "Level Start" and "Round 1 BGM", created by Teruo Taniguchi, plays on Theme 11 "Donkey Kong" until 10 players remain. A sped-up version of the arrangement plays when 50 players are remaining.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis[edit]
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, an arrangement of "Round 1 BGM" plays on the results screen after the player completes a level. Another arrangement plays in the roof and DK's Hideout's levels, which also incorporates "DK Island Swing". Both arrangements were created by Lawrence Schwedler.
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
Several arrangements of "Round 1 BGM" are available in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. In the former two games, they can play on 75 m, while Super Smash Bros. Ultimate allows them to play on any Super Smash Bros.– and Donkey Kong–series stage.
The original Kaneoka arrangement of the theme appears in all three of the aforementioned games. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it is listed as "25m BGM", while Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate list it as "25m Theme".
Super Smash Bros. Brawl also introduces two arrangements, the first of which is simply titled "Donkey Kong" and also features a brief arrangement of "Game Start" and various sound effects from the arcade version of Donkey Kong. It was arranged by Hirokazu Tanaka. This arrangement would later reappear in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
The second arrangement is included in the arrangement of "Title BGM", titled "Opening (Donkey Kong)". The track also includes the "Level Start" jingle and Hammer BGM. It is primarily based on the NES version of Donkey Kong. It was arranged by Shota Kageyama, who would later go on to compose for games in the Pokémon series. It appears in the same games as the first arrangement. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, this track's name is reformatted as "Opening - Donkey Kong".
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate features a medley arrangement titled "Donkey Kong / Donkey Kong Jr. Medley" arranged by Yusuke Takahama. It features arrangements of "Round 1 BGM" and several themes from the original Donkey Kong and its sequel Donkey Kong Jr. It uses "Game Start", "Hammer BGM", "Hurry Up!", "Round 1 and 2 Clear", "Round 3 BGM", and "Round 3 Clear" from Donkey Kong and "Game Start", "Round 1 BGM", "Round 4 BGM", "Round 4 Clear (All Clear!)", and "Round Clear Clear" from Donkey Kong Jr. The overall track has a fast-paced, orchestral/electronic hybrid style and extrapolates heavily on the original melodies, with "Round 1 BGM" serving as the basis.
Nintendo Land[edit]
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It has been requested that at least one audio and/or video file related to this article be uploaded. Specifics: Upload the Course 1 & Course 3 arrangements as separate files. Please upload music, sound effects, voice clips, or any videos for this article. See the help page for help getting started. |
In Nintendo Land, a brief arrangement of "Round 1 BGM" plays when the player approaches the gate for Donkey Kong's Crash Course and when selecting the attraction on the main menu.
A much longer mashup arrangement of "Round 1 BGM" and "Title BGM" (specifically the "Cranky's Theme" version from Donkey Kong Country) plays in Course 1 and Course 3 of the attraction. The Course 1 version features "Round 1 BGM" played with chiptune and bongos with "Title BGM" played on the xylophone. The Course 3 version adds string and woodwind instrumentation.
Both arrangements were created by Ryo Nagamatsu.
| Donkey Kong's Crash Course Gate - The arrangement heard in Nintendo Land | File info |
| Courses 1 & 3 - The arrangement heard in Nintendo Land | File info |
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker[edit]
In Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker and its Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS ports, the background music for the level Retro Ramp-Up incorporates "Round 1 BGM" as the backing melody along with Simmons toms, while the main melody is a chiptune arrangement of "The Toad Brigade".
| Retro Ramp-Up - The arrangement heard in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker | File info |
Super Mario Odyssey[edit]
- See also: Jump Up, Super Star!, Break Free (Lead the Way)
Super Mario Odyssey features several arrangements of "Round 1 BGM". In "Jump Up, Super Star!", the "Odyssey, ya see" bridge section uses an arrangement of "Round 1 BGM" played on the bass and brass instruments as a backing bassline. The bassist of the band can also be heard playing the arrangement when Mario first finds him.
The version of "Break Free (Lead the Way)" heard during the ending cutscene of Super Mario Odyssey also features an arrangement of "Round 1 BGM". This full version is titled "Honeylune Ridge: Escape" in-game.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle[edit]
In the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC for Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, "Round 1 BGM" plays when the player finds a stone structure resembling the 25m stage where a Rabbid is jumping over barrels that another Rabbid is throwing while imitating Donkey Kong's movements.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie[edit]
"Round 1 BGM" can be heard in the background when Giuseppe plays an arcade game called Jump Man (which is heavily based on Donkey Kong) at Punch-Out Pizzeria.
Mario Kart World[edit]
In Mario Kart World, the music tracks that play on DK Spaceport are based around "Round 1 BGM". Since the track is divided into sections, the first five sections of the track all have different themes that incorporate "Round 1 BGM"'s melody in some form. The first section theme (also used for Knockout Tour) incorporates "Round 1 BGM" into its main melody. The theme that plays in the second section starts off by playing just the main melody with a baritone saxophone and the original chiptune sound, with a later addition of synths. The later three sections of the theme keeps the main melody in the background as a bassline played by the baritone saxophone, with the key shifting up a minor third with each section. The entire track is titled "DK Spaceport" in the game's pause menu.
An arrangement of "Round 1 BGM" also plays on the intro cutscene for the Mushroom Cup when DK Spaceport is shown, where the baritone saxophone plays the melody with the root note being F, outlining an IV chord relative to the composition's tonic of C.
| DK Spaceport - The theme that plays in the first section of the course | File info |
| DK Spaceport - The theme that plays in the second section of the course | File info |
| DK Spaceport - The theme that plays in the third section of the course | File info |
| DK Spaceport - The theme that plays in the fourth section of the course | File info |
| DK Spaceport - The theme that plays in the fifth section of the course | File info |
Donkey Kong Bananza[edit]
"Round 1 BGM" is featured several times in Donkey Kong Bananza. A medley arrangement of "Round 1 BGM" and the "Hammer BGM" theme, titled "2D Challenge Course #4" in the Music Player, plays in Arcade Country. It is also incorporated into "Breaking Through (Heart of Gold)" as a countermelody towards the end of Pauline's "Kong Bananza" vocals. During the cutscene at the end of Great Harmoneel's Windpipe, Pauline scats the melody of "Round 1 BGM" as the first inspiration of her new song.
Other arrangements[edit]
Captain N: The Game Master[edit]
In the Captain N: The Game Master episode "The Lost City of Kongoland", an arrangement of "Round 1 BGM" with a unique counter melody composed by Michael Tavera can be heard in the opening scene.
The Game Awards 2017[edit]
"Jump Up, Super Star!", including the "Round 1 BGM" bridge section, was performed live during The Game Awards 2017 by the Game Awards Orchestra and Kate Higgins as part of a medley of music from the games nominated for Game of the Year.[4]
Gallery[edit]
Image for "Donkey Kong" from WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! on Nintendo Music
Icon for the "Donkey Kong" record in WarioWare: D.I.Y.
Image for "Retro Ramp-Up" from Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker on Nintendo Music
List of Super Mario appearances[edit]
Games[edit]
| Work | System | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong | Arcade | 1981 | Original | "Round 1 BGM" | Yukio Kaneoka |
| Atari 2600 | 1982 | ||||
| Intellivision | |||||
| TI-99/4A | 1983 | ||||
| MS-DOS | |||||
| Apple II | |||||
| ZX Spectrum | 1986 | ||||
| ColecoVision | 1982 | Arrangement | |||
| Atari 8-bit computers | 1983 | Brad Fuller | |||
| Family Computer | Yukio Kaneoka | ||||
| Commodore VIC-20 | 1984 | ||||
| Commodore 64 (Atarisoft) | |||||
| Coleco Adam | |||||
| Commodore 64 (Ocean Software) | 1986 | ||||
| MSX | |||||
| Amstrad CPC | |||||
| Atari 7800 | 1988 | ||||
| Nintendo Entertainment System | 1986 | Past arrangement (Family Computer) | Yukio Kaneoka | ||
| Family Computer Disk System | 1988 | ||||
| Famicom Box | |||||
| e-Reader | 2002 | ||||
| Game Boy Advance | 2004 | ||||
| Donkey Kong | Game Boy | 1994 | Arrangement | Taisuke Araki | |
| WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! | Game Boy Advance | 2003 | Arrangement | ||
| Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix | Nintendo GameCube | 2005 | Arrangement | "Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla" | |
| Tetris DS | Nintendo DS | 2006 | Arrangement | ||
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis | Nintendo DS | 2006 | Arrangement | Lawrence Schwedler | |
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Wii | 2008 | Original | "25m BGM" | Yukio Kaneoka |
| Arrangement | "Donkey Kong" | Hirokazu Tanaka | |||
| "Opening (Donkey Kong)" | Shota Kageyama | ||||
| WarioWare: D.I.Y. | Nintendo DS | 2009 | Arrangement | "Donkey Kong" | |
| WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase | Wii | 2009 | Arrangement | ||
| Nintendo Land | Wii U | 2012 | Arrangement | Ryo Nagamatsu | |
| Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker | 2014 | Arrangement | "Retro Ramp-Up" | Mahito Yokota | |
| Super Smash Bros. for Wii U | Wii U | 2014 | Original | "25m Theme" | Yukio Kaneoka |
| Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) | "Donkey Kong" | Hirokazu Tanaka | |||
| "Opening (Donkey Kong)" | Shota Kageyama | ||||
| Super Mario Odyssey | Nintendo Switch | 2017 | Arrangement | "NDC Festival" | Naoto Kubo |
| "NDC Festival (Japanese)" | |||||
| "NDC Festival (8-Bit)" | |||||
| "Honeylune Ridge: Escape" | |||||
| "Honeylune Ridge: Escape (Japanese)" | |||||
| "Honeylune Ridge: Escape (8-Bit)" | |||||
| Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle | Nintendo Switch | 2018[a] | Original | "Round 1 BGM" | Yukio Kaneoka |
| Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker | Nintendo Switch | 2018 | Past arrangement (Wii U version of the game) | "Retro Ramp-Up" | Mahito Yokota |
| Nintendo 3DS | |||||
| WarioWare Gold | Nintendo 3DS | 2018 | Original | "Round 1 BGM" | Yukio Kaneoka |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Nintendo Switch | 2018 | Original | "25m Theme" | Yukio Kaneoka |
| Arrangement | "Donkey Kong / Donkey Kong Jr. Medley" | Yusuke Takahama | |||
| Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) | "Donkey Kong" | Hirokazu Tanaka | |||
| "Opening - Donkey Kong" | Shota Kageyama | ||||
| Tetris 99 | Nintendo Switch | 2019 | Arrangement | Teruo Taniguchi | |
| Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition | Nintendo Switch | 2024 | Past arrangement (Family Computer) | ||
| Mario Kart World | Nintendo Switch 2 | 2025 | Arrangement | "DK Spaceport" | |
| Donkey Kong Bananza | Nintendo Switch 2 | 2025 | Arrangement | "2D Challenge Course #4" | |
| "Breaking Through (Heart of Gold)" |
- ^ Added in the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC released on June 26, 2018
Film and television[edit]
| Work | Year | Type | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain N: The Game Master | 1990 | Arrangement | Michael Tavera | |
| The Super Mario Bros. Movie | 2023 | Original | Yukio Kaneoka |
References[edit]
- ^ Nintendo Music
- ^ Super Smash Bros. Brawl Sound Test
- ^ Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Sound Tests
- ^ The Game Awards (December 7, 2017). The Game Awards 2017 Orchestra and Game of the Year Winner: Zelda (03:11). YouTube (English). Retrieved September 9, 2024.
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