The jingle comes from Super Mario Bros, released by Nintendo in 1985 for the NES, where it played after Mario lost his final life. Composed as part of the game's iconic chiptune score, its brief falling melody became one of the most recognised failure sounds in gaming. As retro clips and memes spread online, creators lifted the sound from its console roots and began using it for any real life flop, and its instant nostalgia keeps it popular decades later.