Hammer (theme)

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"Hammer"

"Hammer" in the arcade version of Donkey Kong
Composed by:
Yukio Kaneoka
First appearance Donkey Kong (arcade) (1981)
Latest appearance Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch) (2024)

"Hammer"[1] is a simple, short theme composed by Yukio Kaneoka for the arcade version of Donkey Kong. It can only be heard whenever Mario is using a Hammer in 25m and 50m.

Reuses[edit]

The following list does not include ports or remakes of Donkey Kong.

Game Description
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate The original version plays whenever a character is using a hammer.

Arrangements[edit]

Donkey Kong series[edit]

Donkey Kong[edit]

ColecoVision[edit]

The ColecoVision version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of the Hammer theme that uses slightly different chiptune instrumentation. Like in the original, it can be heard whenever Mario is using a Hammer.

Atari 8-bit Family[edit]

The Atari 8-bit family version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of the Hammer theme very similar to the original that uses slightly different chiptune instrumentation. Like in the original, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

Nintendo Entertainment System[edit]

The Nintendo Entertainment System version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of the "25m Theme" that is transposed to a higher key. Like in previous versions, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer. This version has gone on to be reused in several later games, often interchangeably with the original arcade version.

This arrangement is reused in the Family Computer Disk System version of Donkey Kong, as well as Donkey Kong-e, the e-Reader port of the game, and Classic NES Series: Donkey Kong, the Game Boy Advance port of the game. It is also used for when a character is using a Hammer in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U.

Audio.svg Hammer - The arrangement heard in the NES version of Donkey Kong
File infoMedia:DK NES Hammer Theme.oga
Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?
VIC-20[edit]

The VIC-20 version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of the Hammer theme that plays in a much more uneven rhythm than the original and uses different chiptune instrumentation. Like in previous versions, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

Commodore 64 (Atarisoft)[edit]

The Atarisoft-developed version of Donkey Kong for the Commodore 64 features an arrangement of the Hammer theme very similar to the original, but it is slightly slower and the rhythm of the notes is slightly more uneven. Like in previous versions, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

Coleco Adam[edit]

The Coleco Adam version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of the "25m Theme" very similar to the ColecoVision arrangement, as it uses the same chiptune instrumentation but without the elongated notes. It can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

Commodore 64 (Ocean Software)[edit]

The Ocean Software-developed version of Donkey Kong for the Commodore 64 features an arrangement of the Hammer theme the uses much different chiptune instrumentation and is slightly faster than the original. Like in previous versions, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

MSX[edit]

The MSX version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of the Hammer theme very similar to the original that uses different chiptune instrumentation. Like in previous versions, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

Amstrad CPC[edit]

The Amstrad CPC version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of the Hammer theme that uses much harsher chiptune instrumentation than the original. Like in previous versions, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

Atari 7800[edit]

The Atari 7800 version of Donkey Kong features an arrangement of the Hammer theme that uses slightly different chiptune instrumentation and is transposed to a higher key. Like in previous versions, it can be heard when Mario is using a Hammer.

Donkey Kong (Game Boy)[edit]

In the Game Boy title Donkey Kong, a slightly different chiptune arrangement of the "25m Theme" plays when Mario is using a Hammer.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong series[edit]

Mario vs. Donkey Kong[edit]

Mario vs. Donkey Kong features an arrangement of the Hammer theme that uses slightly different chiptune instrumentation.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis[edit]

Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis features an arrangement of the Hammer theme that uses slightly different chiptune instrumentation and is very similar to the version from Mario vs. Donkey Kong.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again![edit]

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! features an arrangement of the Hammer theme that is similar to the version from Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis.

This version is reused in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!, Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move, and Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars.

Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge[edit]

Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge features an arrangement of the Hammer theme that is very similar to the versions from previous games in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)[edit]

The Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong features a new arrangement of the Hammer theme that uses a less compressed square synthesizer as its instrument.

Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix[edit]

Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix features a medley arrangement that includes the "Hammer" along with several other themes and sound effects from Donkey Kong titled "Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla".

Audio.svg Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla - The arrangement heard in Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix
File infoMedia:DDRMM Moustache Barrel and Gorilla.oga
Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?


Super Smash Bros. series[edit]

Every game in the Super Smash Bros. series uses the song.

Super Smash Bros.[edit]

In Super Smash Bros., a modernised arrangement of the Hammer theme plays when a character is using a Hammer. This arrangement returns in Super Smash Bros. Melee for the same purpose; however, unlike in the original, it does not cause the stage music to reset.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl features an arrangement of the Hammer theme as part of the song "Opening (Donkey Kong)" along with Opening (Donkey Kong) and 25m Theme". This arrangement returns in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, where it can also be played on 75m, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, now formatted as "Opening - Donkey Kong", where it can be played on any Super Smash Bros.- and Donkey Kong-series stage.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate features an arrangement of the Hammer theme as part of the song "Donkey Kong/Donkey Kong Jr. Medley" along with various other themes from the two games.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker[edit]

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker and its 3DS and Switch ports feature an arrangement of the Hammer theme that plays whenever Captain Toad is using a Super Pickax.

List of Super Mario appearances[edit]

Games[edit]

Work System Year Type Title Credits
Donkey Kong Arcade 1981 Original Yukio Kaneoka
ColecoVision 1982 Arrangement
Atari 8-bit Family 1983 Arrangement Brad Fuller
Nintendo Entertainment System 1983 Arrangement Yukio Kaneoka
Commodore VIC-20 1984 Arrangement
Commodore 64 (Atarisoft) 1984 Arrangement
Coleco Adam 1984 Arrangement
Commodore 64 (Ocean Software) 1986 Arrangement
MSX 1986 Arrangement
Amstrad CPC 1986 Arrangement
Atari 7800 1988 Arrangement
Donkey Kong Game Boy 1994 Arrangement Taisuke Araki
Super Smash Bros. Nintendo 64 1999 Arrangement
Super Smash Bros. Melee Nintendo GameCube 2001 Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros.)
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Game Boy Advance 2004 Arrangement Lawrence Schwedler
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix Nintendo GameCube 2005 Arrangement "Moustache, Barrel, and Gorilla"
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis Nintendo DS 2006 Arrangement Lawrence Schwedler
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Wii 2008 Arrangement "Opening (Donkey Kong)"
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! Nintendo DSi 2009 Arrangement Lawrence Schwedler
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! Nintendo DS 2010 Past arrangement (Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!) Lawrence Schwedler
Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move Nintendo 3DS 2013 Past arrangement (Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!) Lawrence Schwedler
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Wii U 2014 Arrangement
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Wii U 2014 Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) "Opening (Donkey Kong)"
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars Wii U, Nintendo 3DS 2015 Past arrangement (Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!) Lawrence Schwedler
Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge Wii U, Nintendo 3DS 2016 Arrangement James Phillipsen
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS 2018 Past arrangement (Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker [Wii U])
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2018 Arrangement "Donkey Kong/Donkey Kong Jr. Medley"
Past arrangement (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) "Opening - Donkey Kong"
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch 2024 Arrangement Lawrence Schwedler

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ハンマーBGM[2]
Hanmā BGM
Hammer BGM

References[edit]

  1. ^ Super Smash Bros. Melee Sound Test
  2. ^ Game Sound Museum ~Famicom Edition~ 02 Donkey Kong. VGMdb (English). Retrieved May 15, 2024.