Super Mario Bros: Koji Kondo's 8-Bit Masterpiece [Twenty Thousand Hertz]

This episode of Twenty Thousand Hertz originally ran in August
2025.


Kirk's 2020 episode of Strong Songs about the music of Super
Mario


TWENTY THOUSAND HERTZ SHOW NOTES:


This episode was written & produced by Casey
Emmerling.


From the springy jump sound to the iconic Overworld Theme, the
sound of Super Mario Bros. is instantly recognizable. With just
five lo-fi audio channels and 40 kilobytes of space, composer
Koji Kondo created a soundscape full of unforgettable melodies.
In this episode, we explore how Kondo’s playful instincts,
rhythmic trickery, and love of jazz fusion defined the sound of
Mario. Featuring Kirk Hamilton of Strong Songs and Thomas of
Thomas Game Docs.

MUSIC FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE

Rocker Jr. - Shake [B]IT
DJARTMUSIC - 8 Bit Console from My Childhood
moodmode - Game 8-Bit On
XtremeFreddy - Bit Beats 1
moodmode - Level VII
Wesley Slover - Analog Jam 1103
Space_Cat - Light It Up
moodmode - Level VI
William Benckert - Dance of the Pixel Birds


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