It was with Halloween in mind, likely, that a certain, random thought popped into my head upon starting up Super Mario Bros. Wonder: “What will the ghost theme be this time?” The Mario Bros. series isn’t known for being particularly scary (though Big Penguin could argue with that, ha!), but it has a penchant for haunted houses filled with Boos. Yes, those cute, ghostly enemies that prefer “weeping angel”-style attacks; they approach when Mario’s back is turned, and freeze when he’s looking. Of course, boos aren’t the only oddity to be found in the many haunted houses Mario has had to traverse. While his brother, Luigi, may lay claim to being an actual “ghost hunter,” Mario’s been dealing with these spooky spots since Super Mario World, which bring us to today’s post-Halloween musical theme!

This original Ghost House theme by Koji Kondo might have been the first “scary” music I ever encountered in a game, or maybe it was just the most memorable. Super Mario World is loaded with great, emotive music that makes a lasting impression, especially when you hear its music over and over again. Yes, I played an awful lot of SMW growing up, and its music has been living in my head ever since. What’s awesome about the Ghost House theme is that it feels ominous without the sense of dread. The minor, syncopated rhythm playing over an extremely slowed-down version of the game’s original theme is just creepy enough to highlight the fact that Mario is entering a place that’s not quite right. The game’s Ghost Houses are about the paranormal, and they are filled with delightful secrets hidden behind all the inhabiting Boos. The theme music strings players along, driving them into the shadows to find the light.

SMW’s Ghost Houses are all puzzles – it’s up to the player to figure out the paths from entrance to exit – and the theme reflect this, too. The high-pitched beat, along with the drawn-out melody sounds a little disorienting. Is up down? Is left right? Is out in?? Anything goes in a Ghost House! And the Boos will do everything they can to make the puzzle to freedom even more puzzling. They follow the music’s ghostly aura, floating about in waves and patterns so long as Mario’s back in turned.  Once he sees them, the game of “peek-a-boo” begins, which you can hear as the music crescendos and decrescendos like the ebb and flow of water.

In the world of Mario Bros. games, there are creepier theme songs, ones that accompany legitimately scary enemies and stages, but the haunted houses in Super Mario World are my pick for being the series’ spookiest (or maybe spoopiest) locations. The meandering, menacing theme song goes a long way in keeping them at the top of my list. I’m not far enough into Super Mario Bros. Wonder to know if any Ghost Houses await, but if it does have them, I’ll be sure to listen in.

Lede image taking from Episode 3 of Virtual Bastion playthough of Super Mario World.