A victory theme, sometimes referred to as a flourish, or a fanfare, is a short, recognizable melody that plays during a character's victory pose in the Results screen after they win a Match. For example, if Mario wins a match, an orchestral cover of the fanfare played at the end of each level in Super Mario Bros. plays.
Characters from the same universe typically share victory themes; however, certain characters such as Meta Knight and Dark Pit, have distinct victory themes separate from their respective universe's.
Mario characters
Protagonists
The victory theme for Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser (pre-3DS/Wii U), Dr. Mario, and Daisy is a cover of the jingle that plays when Mario or Luigi grab the flagpole and clear a level in Super Mario Bros. It has since become one of the many recurring themes throughout the Mario franchise.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Super Smash Bros. version | |
Melee version | |
Brawl & 3DS/Wii U version | |
Ultimate version |
Antagonists
Debuting in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, it is a heavy metal rendition of the "Stage Clear" jingle reserved for Bowser, Bowser Jr., and Piranha Plant. Stylistically, it is similar to the "Level Clear" jingle for Bowser's sidequests in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
3DS/Wii U & Ultimate version |
Rosalina & Luma
A victory theme reserved exclusively for Rosalina & Luma, it is a remix of the first notes of the title screen theme to Super Mario Galaxy. It is also used as the "Level Clear" jingle in the game, after Mario or Luigi successfully obtain the level's Power Star.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
3DS/Wii U & Ultimate version |
Donkey Kong characters
Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong
The victory theme for Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong is an orchestral rendition of the victory jingle from Donkey Kong Country, which plays whenever the bonus game is completed or after defeating a boss.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Super Smash Bros. version | |
Melee version | |
Brawl, 3DS/Wii U, & Ultimate version |
King K. Rool
This victory theme is a small excerpt of the opening notes to "Gang-Plank Galleon" from Donkey Kong Country. It is exclusively reserved for King K. Rool, as the song is his boss battle theme.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
The Legend of Zelda characters
Origin
The victory themes for all Zelda characters. In the version used pre-Brawl, it is an orchestral cover of a small excerpt of the series' recurring Overworld theme. An excerpt of the "Item Obtained" jingle then follows to end the fanfare.
For the victory theme used post-Brawl, it is an orchestral cover of the jingle that plays whenever Link acquires a piece of the Triforce in The Legend of Zelda. A new cover is used in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but has been rearranged to be much shorter.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Super Smash Bros. version | |
Melee version | |
Brawl & 3DS/Wii U version | |
Ultimate version |
Metroid characters
Samus and Zero Suit Samus
The victory theme for Samus and Zero Suit Samus. It is an orchestral cover of the recurring "Item Obtained" jingle that first debuted in the original Metroid, which plays whenever Samus acquires a new addition to her Power Suit and after defeating Ridley and Kraid.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Super Smash Bros. version | |
Melee version | |
Brawl, 3DS/Wii U, & Ultimate version |
Ridley and Dark Samus
Debuting in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, it is an intense rendition of the "Item Obtained" jingle reserved exclusively for Ridley and Dark Samus.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Yoshi
Origin
Yoshi's victory theme combines the main melody of the title theme to Yoshi's Story, and the short jingle that plays after Yoshi has eaten 30 fruits in a level. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the jingle is cut to make the overall theme shorter.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Super Smash Bros. version | |
Melee version | |
Brawl & 3DS/Wii U version | |
Ultimate version |
Kirby characters
Kirby and King Dedede
The victory theme for Kirby and King Dedede is an abridged version of the recurring "Kirby Dance" fanfare that plays whenever Kirby and his allies clear a level or defeat a boss. Though the full-length theme debuted in Kirby's Dream Land, the rendition heard in Smash is inspired by the fanfare's version in Kirby's Adventure.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Super Smash Bros. version | |
Melee version | |
Brawl, 3DS/Wii U, & Ultimate version |
Meta Knight
Debuting in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the victory theme reserved exclusively for Meta Knight is a heavy-metal rendition of the "Kirby Dance" fanfare performed in quadruple meter.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Brawl, 3DS/Wii US, & Ultimate version |
Star Fox characters
Origin
The victory theme for Fox, Falco, and Wolf is an orchestral cover of the first notes of the title theme to Star Fox 64, as well as the theme that plays whenever Team Star Fox completes a level.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Super Smash Bros. version | |
Melee version | |
Brawl, 3DS/Wii U, & Ultimate version |
Pokémon characters
Origin
The victory theme for all Pokémon characters is a small excerpt of the recurring title theme to the Pokémon video games, which debuted in Pokémon Red & Blue. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the fanfare has been shortened to omit the final notes of the song.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Super Smash Bros. version | |
Melee version | |
Brawl & 3DS/Wii U version | |
Ultimate version |
Mother/EarthBound characters
Origin
The victory themes for Ness and Lucas throughout the Smash series have been different sections of the Eight Melodies, a recurring series of notes (especially in the first two games of the EarthBound series) that Ninten and Ness and their respective parties must gather to defeat Giygas. In the first Smash Bros. and Melee, the victory theme is the last four melodies, while in Ultimate, it is a new rendition of the last two melodies.
For Brawl and 3DS/Wii U, their victory theme instead is a sped-up rendition of "Mother Earth", the title theme to EarthBound Beginnings (ironically the one game in the series that does not have a playable representative).
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Super Smash Bros. version | |
Melee version | |
Brawl & 3DS/Wii U version | |
Ultimate version |
Captain Falcon
Origin
Both of Captain Falcon's fanfares are the themes used for completing an F-Zero race. For the first theme used pre-Brawl, it is a remaster of the finishing fanfare from F-Zero X, while the theme used post-Brawl is a rock remaster of the fanfare from F-Zero GX.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Super Smash Bros. version | |
Melee version | |
Brawl, 3DS/Wii U, & Ultimate version |
Ice Climbers
Origin
An orchestral remaster of the jingle that plays when one of the Ice Climbers manages to grab the Condor at the end of the bonus stage in Ice Climber. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the theme is abridged to cut out the mini flute solo.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Melee version | |
Brawl version | |
Ultimate version |
Fire Emblem characters
Marth, Roy, and Ike
The victory theme for Marth, Roy, and Ike (as well as Lucina, Robin, and Corrin pre-Ultimate) is an orchestral rendition of an excerpt from the recurring "Fire Emblem Theme", which debuted in Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the theme has been slightly sped-up.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Melee version | |
Brawl & 3DS/Wii U version | |
Ultimate version |
Lucina, Robin, and Chrom
Debuting in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the victory theme reserved exclusively for Lucina, Robin, and Chrom is an intense remix of a short excerpt from "Id (Purpose)", one of the recurring leitmotifs of Fire Emblem Awakening.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Corrin
Debuting in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the victory theme reserved exclusively for Corrin is a sped-up orchestral rendition of a small excerpt of "Lost in Thoughts All Alone", the main theme of Fire Emblem Fates.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Byleth
Debuting in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the victory theme reserved exclusively for Byleth is a horn-based arrangement of the first notes of the chorus to "The Edge of Dawn", the theme to Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Mr. Game & Watch
Origin
As Game & Watch systems lacked any form of music, both of Mr. Game & Watch's fanfares are original compositions that consist of a melody backed by beeping noises a Game & Watch system typically makes. Both themes are meant to stylistically match "Flat Zone" and "Flat Zone 2", both of which are also original compositions.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Melee version | |
Brawl, 3DS/Wii U & Ultimate version |
Kid Icarus characters
Pit and Palutena
The victory theme for Pit and Palutena is a small excerpt of the title theme to the original Kid Icarus, mainly done with horns. This fanfare would later be remade for Kid Icarus: Uprising, which plays after completing a match in Together Mode.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Brawl, 3DS/Wii U, & Ultimate version |
Dark Pit
Debuting in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, the victory theme reserved exclusively for Dark Pit is a small excerpt of his theme song from Kid Icarus: Uprising.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
3DS/Wii U & Ultimate version |
Wario
Origin
Wario's fanfare is an original track that stylistically is meant to match the usual sound and tone of the soundtracks to the WarioWare games. The melody would later be repurposed for the song "Stonecarving City" in Wario Land: Shake It!.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Brawl & 3DS/Wii U version | |
Ultimate version |
Snake
Origin
Snake's victory theme is a small excerpt of the main theme to Metal Gear Solid. In the game, it plays after completing VR Training or (most infamously) when Snake has been caught and resulting in a Game Over, making its use as a victory theme rather ironic.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Brawl & Ultimate version |
Sonic the Hedgehog
Origin
Sonic's victory theme is directly taken from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), which itself is an orchestral rendition of the "Level Clear" jingle from Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Brawl & 3DS/Wii U version | |
Ultimate version |
Olimar and Alph
Origin
Olimar and Alph's fanfare is a sped-up excerpt of the title theme to Pikmin with accompanying wildlife sound effects.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Brawl, 3DS/Wii U & Ultimate version |
R.O.B.
Origin
R.O.B.'s victory theme is an upbeat remix of the jingle that plays when starting Memory Mode in Stack-Up, one of the two games R.O.B. is compatible with. The fanfare adds a short drum lead-in and plays the first few notes twice.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Brawl, 3DS/Wii U & Ultimate version |
Animal Crossing characters
Origin
The victory theme for Villager and Isabelle is a sped-up rendition of the first few notes for the title theme to the original Animal Crossing.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
3DS/Wii U version | |
Ultimate version |
Mega Man
Origin
Mega Man's victory theme is a hard rock remix of the title theme to Mega Man 2. It is meant to stylistically match the "Mega Man 2 Medley" track.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
3DS/Wii U & Ultimate version |
Wii Fit Trainer
Origin
This fanfare is a remix of the main theme for Wii Fit; it is often used as a jingle for various menu options such as selecting a save file.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
3DS/Wii U & Ultimate version |
Little Mac
Origin
Little Mac's victory theme is an orchestral rendition of the victory theme that was first used in the original Punch-Out!! after he successfully knocks out the opponent.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
3DS/Wii U & Ultimate version |
Mii Fighters
Origin
As the Mii Fighters are considered original characters, both of their fanfares are short excerpts of the main melody of the theme to Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, and the chorus of "Lifelight" from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Both are sped-up intense remixes of their respective themes.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
3DS/Wii U version | |
Ultimate version |
Pac-Man
Origin
Pac-Man's fanfare is a remix of the jingle that plays when starting a new game in Pac-Man. It is also used as the "Level Clear" jingle in Pac-Man World 2.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
3DS/Wii U & Ultimate version |
Xenoblade Chronicles characters
Shulk
Shulk's fanfare is a small excerpt of "You Will Know Our Names" from Xenoblade Chronicles, where it plays when fighting against a unique monster.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
3DS/Wii U version | |
Ultimate version |
Pyra and Mythra
Much like Shulk, Pyra and Mythra's fanfare is an excerpt of the main guitar riff from the track "Battle!!" from Xenoblade Chronicles 2, which is the game's standard battle theme.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Duck Hunt
Origin
The victory theme for Duck Hunt is a chiptune/orchestral-hybrid rendition of the jingle that plays before starting a new game of Duck Hunt.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
3DS/Wii U version | |
Ultimate version |
Ryu and Ken
Origin
Ryu and Ken's victory theme is a synth-heavy remaster of the victory theme from Street Fighter II: The World Warrior and its subsequent versions, updates, and ports.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
3DS/Wii U & Ultimate version |
Final Fantasy characters
Cloud
Cloud's fanfare is a remaster of the victory theme heard throughout the Final Fantasy series, though the one used is appropriately taken from the variant heard in Final Fantasy VII. The theme is unique in that it continuously plays, replacing the usual "Results Display Screen" theme.
In Tournaments in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, only the opening notes will play, omitting the looped section.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
3DS/Wii U & Ultimate version | |
Tournament mode version in 3DS/Wii U |
Sephiroth
Sephiroth's fanfare is the final notes of his theme song, "One-Winged Angel"; specifically the version taken from the score to the film Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. Afterwards, a single droning 19-second note plays, followed by silence. The theme also played after completing the Sephiroth Challenge, though lacking the note.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Bayonetta
Origin
Bayonetta's fanfare combines the first few notes of "Let's Hit the Climax!" and the jingle that plays upon completing a verse in the first Bayonetta. A woman saying "Forever..." can be heard at the end.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
3DS/Wii U & Ultimate version |
Inklings
Origin
The Inklings' fanfare is a ska remix of the victory jingle that plays after winning a Turf War or Ranked Battle in the Splatoon series. It is meant to stylistically match the "Splattack!" remix.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Simon and Richter
Origin
Simon and Richter's victory theme is a chiptune/metal-hybrid remix of the "Stage Clear" jingle from the original Castlevania.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Joker
Origin
All of Joker's victory themes are directly ripped from 3 recent entries in the Persona series; specifically "Triumph" from Persona 5, "Period" from Persona 4, and "After the Battle" from Persona 3.
Much like the music changing the aesthetic of Mementos, the victory themes from Persona 3 and 4 will only be used if music from the corresponding game played on the stage.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
"Truimph" (Persona 5) | |
"Period" (Persona 4) | |
"After the Battle" (Persona 3) |
Hero
Origin
The victory theme of the Hero is the final notes of the Dragon Quest series' recurring "Overture" theme directly taken from Theatrhythm Dragon Quest.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Banjo & Kazooie
Origin
Banjo & Kazooie's fanfare is a remaster of the jingle that plays after the pair collect a Jiggy in Banjo-Kazooie.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Terry
Origin
Terry's fanfare is a hard rock rendition of "Results Are Everything", the victory theme from Fatal Fury: King of Fighters.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Min Min
Origin
Min Min's fanfare is a vocal flourish of "ARMS Grand Prix Official Theme Song", with the vocals being sung by Ribbon Girl.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Steve and Alex
Origin
Steve's fanfare is the Achievement notification sound taken directly from Minecraft: Java Edition.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Kazuya
Origin
In a series first, Kazuya lacks a victory fanfare, as Tekken itself has never had one. Instead, the announcer from Tekken 7, Josh Keller, will be heard saying "Kazuya Mishima wins" - a recording specifically made for Ultimate.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Sora
Origin
Sora's fanfare is a short snippet of "Hand in Hand", the second battle theme song for Traverse Town from the first Kingdom Hearts game. This arrangement was made by Yoko Shimomura, the composer for the Kingdom Hearts series.
Audio
Victory Theme | Description |
---|---|
Ultimate version |
Trivia
- Sonic, Bayonetta, Joker, Hero, Steve and Alex, and Sephiroth's fanfares are the only ones that are direct rips, though some feature slight modifications:
- Sonic's is slightly sped-up in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Bayonetta's are simply two mini arrangements combined into one, thus making it the more unique of the six
- "Triumph" does not loop the whole song like it does in Persona 5. Instead it only continuously plays the fourth part of the track.
- "Advent: One-Winged Angel" adds an original droning note at the end.
- Sephiroth's fanfare is currently the only one to come from a film
- Fire Emblem has the most fanfares, at 4. Mario and Persona follow close behind, at 3 each.
- Ganondorf, Wolf, and King Dedede are the only antagonists who do not have their own special victory theme.
- Lucina, Robin, Chrom, Corrin, Bayonetta, Min Min, and Sephiroth's fanfares are the only ones to have vocals.
- Bayonetta's is the only one to be in English.
- Chrom is the only fighter to have the fanfare changed in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Prior to version 3.0.0, he shared his victory theme with Marth, Roy and Ike. Chrom switched to Awakening victory theme afterwards.
- Cloud and Joker's fanfares are the only one that loop.
- Final Fantasy and Persona are also the only third-party universes to have more than one victory theme.
- Cloud, Bayonetta, Simon & Richter, Sephiroth, Kazuya's fanfares are the only ones to be heard in their respective reveal trailers.
- Kazuya is the first and only fighter in the series to not have a fanfare.
- Sora's fanfare is the only one with a known arrangement composer, being Yoko Shimomura.