21 
1 
Download MP3 
The Mario death jingle comes from Nintendo's Super Mario Bros., released in 1985, with music by Koji Kondo. The short descending tune plays every time Mario loses a life, so generations of players learned to associate it with instant failure. As gameplay clips moved onto YouTube and social media, editors began dropping the jingle over real-life blunders, sports misses and meme fails. It endures because almost everyone recognises it immediately, making it a universal shorthand for a comedic game over. Alongside the Mario Jump sound, it ranks among the most quoted game audio cues online.
About this sound
The iconic death jingle from Nintendo's classic Super Mario games, played when the hero loses a life. Creators use it for fails, game overs and funny mistakes.
This is the instantly recognisable jingle that plays when Mario dies in the classic Super Mario games, a short descending melody that slides down in pitch before a flat final note. Lasting about three seconds, it pairs a sad little tune with the image of Mario tumbling off screen, and every gamer knows exactly what it means. Hearing it triggers an immediate feeling of failure, but in a lighthearted, nostalgic way, which is why it lands so well in comedy edits. It turns any small mistake into a miniature game over moment.
