The Nostalgic Thrill of Mario Kart 64 Joins Nintendo Music

18 July 2025
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7 min.
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The Nostalgic Thrill of Mario Kart 64 Joins Nintendo Music

Summary:

Nintendo’s official music-streaming app just slipped another banana peel of excitement under our ears. The latest update drops the complete Mario Kart 64 soundtrack—32 tracks and roughly an hour of power-sliding memories—into the growing Nintendo Music catalog. Free for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers on iOS and Android, the app lets fans relive Rainbow Road’s shimmering tones or the carefree whistle of Moo Moo Farm wherever they roam. This summary unpacks the app’s expansion since its October 2024 debut, explains how the new Extended-Playback Collection keeps your favorite tunes looping seamlessly, and explores why Kenta Nagata’s compositions still fire up our competitive spirits after nearly three decades. Strap in as we explore what makes this update special, how to get the most out of Nintendo Music on mobile, and what soundtracks might be warming up on the starting grid next.

The Revival of Mario Kart 64’s Iconic Soundtrack on Nintendo Music

On July 15 2025, Nintendo punched the accelerator on nostalgia by adding the complete Mario Kart 64 soundtrack to Nintendo Music. Thirty-two tracks—spanning the jubilant title fanfare, Luigi’s Raceway’s breezy trumpet lines, and Rainbow Road’s dreamy synths—now sit snugly in the app’s library. Clocking in at just over an hour, the release invites fans to relive every bead of sweat from tight last-lap showdowns wherever they please. Because Nintendo Music remains an exclusive perk for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, the update effectively rewards the service’s 41-million-strong membership with another gaming classic at zero extra cost. Whether you’re revisiting old rivalries on the bus or letting the iconic countdown jingle fuel your gym session, the new drop proves Nintendo’s commitment to growing the service one cherished cartridge at a time.

A Quick Recap of Nintendo Music’s Journey Since Launch

It feels like yesterday—October 2024, to be exact—when Nintendo quietly launched Nintendo Music on iOS and Android. The app started modestly with 25 game albums and a promise to expand. Early impressions praised the spoiler-prevention toggle and slick game-themed browsing, yet critics noted a limited library and no desktop client. In the months since, Nintendo has steadily patched those gaps, sprinkling in soundtracks from The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Kart, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Each new drop has nudged the catalog wider while maintaining the company’s stance of hosting its music in-house rather than on mainstream platforms. It’s a slow-and-steady approach, but one that keeps fans checking the app with every notification ping, wondering which beloved tune will surface next.

How the New Update Enhances the Listening Experience

At first glance, “more tracks” might sound like a basic addition, yet the Mario Kart 64 update subtly tweaks the listening experience. Because Nintendo skipped curated playlists this round, the entire album arrives intact, preserving track order so the music mirrors an actual Grand Prix’s ebb and flow. Meanwhile, the Extended-Playback Collection lets you loop race themes seamlessly—a small but crucial detail when you’re lost in a Rainbow Road trance. These loops are encoded to avoid the jarring fade-outs common on fan rips, delivering an arcade-cabinet feel through your headphones. The update also streamlines buffering on lower-bandwidth connections, meaning Moo Moo Farm’s jaunty fiddle won’t stutter when your train dives into a tunnel. Little touches like these turn what could have been a simple catalog bump into a meaningful quality-of-life upgrade.

Breaking Down the 32 Newly Added Tracks

Ever wondered why Choco Mountain’s baseline sticks in your head for hours or why Rainbow Road’s melody feels like a gentle victory lap? Here’s the track list in all its glory: fan favorites like Luigi’s Raceway, Koopa Troopa Beach, and Royal Raceway sit alongside menu jingles and fanfare cues. Each piece showcases the Nintendo 64’s early 3D-era sound chip, where compressed samples had to work overtime to convey excitement. Listen closely and you’ll spot clever touches—subtle bongos hidden beneath Toad’s Turnpike traffic hum or the gentle swing rhythm propelling Frappe Snowland. Hearing these tracks outside the game highlights Nagata’s knack for layering complexity beneath catchy hooks; suddenly, a time-saving shortcut tune sounds like a miniature jazz ensemble. And with Nintendo’s lossless option toggled on, every gliding synth pad pops with fresh clarity, inviting long-time fans to pick out details that CRT speakers once buried.

Spotlight on Composer Kenta Nagata’s Musical Influence

Kenta Nagata was barely in his mid-twenties when he penned Mario Kart 64’s entire score, yet the soundtrack’s staying power rivals Nintendo’s most veteran composers. Drawing on ska, jazz, and techno influences, Nagata crafted themes that loop cleanly in ninety seconds but never become tiresome. Think of Luigi’s Raceway as a musical handshake—inviting, upbeat, and meant to cue friendly competition—while Bowser’s Castle dials up pipe-organ drama to mirror spiked thwomps. His playful motifs even resurface in later series entries, proving their foundational role in Mario Kart’s identity. Modern remasters retain most of his original samples, so firing up the 2025 mobile release feels like sliding a dusty cartridge into a mint-condition N64. In a gaming landscape packed with orchestral epics, Nagata’s bright brass hits and cheeky xylophone runs remind us that simplicity, when executed with flair, can be downright timeless.

The Extended-Playback Collection: What Makes It Special?

Imagine Rainbow Road stretching on forever—no three-lap limit, just neon stars blazing past your mental windshield. That’s essentially what the Extended-Playback Collection delivers. Hand-picked by Nintendo’s audio team, select tracks receive bespoke edits that loop seamlessly for up to ten minutes. The approach transforms short menu cues into chill-out beats for work sessions and turns frantic race themes into high-octane workout soundtracks. The subtle cross-fade between loops removes any audible splice, making it tough to tell where the track restarts. It’s an understated feature, yet one that sets Nintendo Music apart from rips on YouTube, where ad breaks or abrupt cuts break immersion faster than a rogue blue shell.

Listening on the Go: iOS and Android Functionality Tips

Downloading the app is straightforward—search “Nintendo Music” on the App Store or Google Play, sign in with your Nintendo Account, and you’re set. But unlocking its full potential takes a few swipes. First, enable the “High-Quality” toggle under Settings to stream at maximum bitrate; the difference on good headphones is night and day. Next, build custom lists by tapping the heart icon on any track—Apple-Music-style favorites automatically populate a personal playlist. Planning a flight? Flip the “Offline Download” switch on an album to store it locally; 32 Mario Kart 64 tracks weigh in at roughly 120 MB in high quality, so even a budget phone has room. Finally, explore the “Character Filter” to surface tracks featuring your favorite racer—yes, Rainbow Road qualifies as a Yoshi-themed hit. These tricks keep the tunes spinning even when your Switch is docked at home and your commute calls for toe-tapping company.

Why Nostalgia Hits Differently with Mario Kart 64

Nostalgia isn’t just memory—it’s sensory teleportation. The second Rainbow Road’s glittering arpeggios sparkle through your earbuds, you’re transported to sleepovers crowded around a chunky CRT, glaring at split-screen rivals and vowing revenge after their last-second lightning strike. Mario Kart 64 represents a sweet spot in gaming history: 3D visuals felt futuristic, couch co-op reigned supreme, and friendships were forged (or frayed) on virtual asphalt. Hearing those melodies in 2025 layers decades of personal stories over each note. It’s why a single trumpet stab in Koopa Troopa Beach can yank a grin onto your face during a rainy commute. Nintendo understands this emotional alchemy, and by curating soundtracks with careful fidelity, the company lets us bottle that feeling and take it everywhere—no console required.

Community Reactions and Early Reviews of the Update

Within hours of the update, Reddit threads lit up with screenshots of Rainbow Road playing in the gym and excited debates over which soundtrack should drop next (Double Dash!! leads the polls). Fans praised the clean loop edits and expressed relief that Nintendo finally filled a key gap in the Mario Kart catalog. Criticism? Some users still want cross-game playlists and composer credits baked into the UI. Gaming outlets echoed the enthusiasm; MyNintendoNews called the release a “nostalgic victory lap,” while Nintendo Life provided a full track list and noted the album’s 1-hour-10-minute runtime. It’s clear the community’s appetite for curated retro music hasn’t waned, and every addition turns the app into a stronger home for Nintendo’s rich audio heritage.

What Could Come Next for Nintendo Music’s Library?

History shows Nintendo rarely stops at one kart when it can unleash a whole line-up. With Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart 64 secured, fans speculate that GameCube cult-favorite Double Dash!! or handheld gem Mario Kart Super Circuit might slide into the app next. Beyond the racetrack, GoNintendo’s update log hints at a pattern: weeks without a drop often precede multi-album surprises. That means late-summer additions could include everything from Metroid Prime’s atmospheric synths to the breezy strums of Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Nintendo is also experimenting with seasonal playlists—imagine a spooky October mix starring Luigi’s Mansion and Majora’s Mask. One thing’s certain: if the company keeps up this clip, Nintendo Music could evolve into a definitive archive, preserving decades of interactive music history in lossless quality for future generations.

Conclusion

Mario Kart 64’s arrival on Nintendo Music isn’t just an extra hour of tunes; it’s a reminder that game music can travel with us long after the last lap. By polishing loops, honoring original compositions, and improving mobile playback, Nintendo turns a 1996 soundtrack into a 2025 lifestyle soundtrack—ready for workouts, workdays, and whimsical walks alike. If this update signals the future, Switch Online members can look forward to an ever-growing jukebox where every track unlocks a playable memory. See you at the next starting line.

FAQs
  • Is Nintendo Music free?
    • It’s free to download, but streaming requires an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
  • How do I find the Mario Kart 64 album?
    • Open Nintendo Music, tap “Game Series,” scroll to “Mario Kart,” and select “Mario Kart 64.”
  • Can I download tracks for offline listening?
    • Yes—toggle “Offline Download” on the album page to store songs locally.
  • Does the update include any playlists?
    • Only the Extended-Playback Collection, which loops selected tracks seamlessly.
  • What devices support Nintendo Music?
    • iOS and Android smartphones or tablets running iOS 15 / Android 11 or later.
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