#8 - Choco Island

This theme lands in last place because, out of all the songs in the game, it’s the one I remember the least. Obviously, I listened to it again before ranking, but even then, it just feels forgettable. It’s not a bad song—there’s just nothing that really grabs me. It’s kind of bland and doesn’t stand out compared to the rest of the soundtrack.

#7 - Koopa Beach

Like Choco Island, this one falls into the “forgettable” category, though it does have a slightly stronger identity. It has that classic beachy vibe, which makes it a bit more memorable, but overall, it’s still not the most exciting track in the game.

#6 - Donut Plains

Now we’re getting into songs that are actually memorable! Donut Plains has a charming melody, and I really like the little whistle sounds—they add a cute touch. That said, while it’s a good track, it doesn’t hit quite as hard as the ones ranked above it.

#5 - Vanilla Lake

This is one of those cases where I hate the track itself, but the music is actually really good. It has a festive, almost Christmas-like sound, and I’ve always found it underrated. It’s weird saying this because Vanilla Lake as a track is frustrating, but the song? Easily Top 5 material.

#4 - Rainbow Road

Every Rainbow Road theme is a banger, and even though this is one of the weaker ones, it still holds up. It has that grand, final-race feel, making it a fitting end to Super Mario Kart. I also love how later games remixed this track, but that’s not part of my ranking—just something I wanted to mention!

#3 - Mario Circuit

The very first track in the Mario Kart series—and it starts with a bop. You really can’t go wrong with this theme. Say what you want about how often Mario Circuit tracks get reused, but the song itself still slaps. One thing I appreciate is how later remixes keep the spirit of the original intact. Again, I’m not factoring that into my ranking, but I just love that detail.

#2 - Ghost Valley

This might be a hot take since I’ve seen this theme ranked lower elsewhere, but I’ve always loved Ghost Valley. For one, it’s a callback to Super Mario World, which is a nice touch. But beyond that, the song just nails the eerie, spooky vibe. There’s something about it that gives it a unique atmosphere—I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it just works.

#1 - Bowser’s Castle

Much like Rainbow Road, I feel like every Bowser’s Castle theme is a banger, and this one is no exception. It perfectly captures the dark, menacing energy you’d expect from Bowser. Plus, just like Ghost Valley, it references Super Mario World by incorporating elements of the final boss theme, which I love. This one easily takes the top spot.

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And there you have it—my ranking of all the Super Mario Kart Nitro track themes! No retro tracks here, just the original songs from this game. Let me know your thoughts on my ranking, and check back tomorrow when I post my rankings for Mario Kart 64!


Ranking every Mario kart track song starting with super Mario kart