Beware of Boos! – Music Monday – October 19, 2026

We’ve talked about haunted mansions, we’ve talked about zombies and skeletons…but now we’re going to talk about ghosts! The most unsettling piece of video game music I remember growing up belonged to a small little game on the Super Nintendo. This track integrates the main theme of its game but does so in a way that sounds super foreboding and like something is out there to get you. I of course am talking about the Ghost House Theme from Super Mario World.

You come upon a Ghost House and as you walk up as Mario, you get this really creepy rhythm followed by the glissando and falling of an instrument sounding like moans as you walk in the house. As you enter the house, a version of the Mario World theme plays, but it’s different. It’s in a minor key and gives you a feeling like you are never going to escape.

Koji Kondo does an amazing job with this track, and then they have a sped-up version of this track. The urgency to get out starts, the panic sets in, and you’re rushing trying to find the exit as you loop around the ghost house.

I realized as I was writing this that the Ghost House theme has a variation in Super Mario Kart in the Ghost Valley levels. It’s not exact but has the same intro at least.

There are also some great remixes of the game too! People definitely get the creepy vibe! Check those out here:

Do you enjoy the Ghost House theme? Do you have a favorite ghost-themed piece of music? Let me know in the comments or let’s talk about it on Discord!