XVGM Radio

Many of today’s indie and AA developers know their retro. That’s why there’s an abundance of amazing games available for modern platforms which channel the games of our pasts. Thankfully, game composers of the current era haven’t forgotten the roots of VGM either, as the amount of modern games which rely on catchy melodies, punchy … Read more "Episode 111 – Modern Retro Game Music"

Music touches all aspects of the soul. It’s a large part of what makes us human. In tough times or happy moments and everything in between, music can be therapy in many ways and video game music is no different. On today’s episode, we sit down for a chat with Norihiko Hibino and listen to … Read more "Episode 110 – Musical Therapy: An Interview w/ Norihiko Hibino"

It’s that time of year again! It’s January in a new year and as always with XVGM Radio, we bring in the big guns: NikoTengoku! Our old pal and honorary third co-host Niko joins us once again to ring in 2024 with a somber note: Emotional VGM. Whether the moments in the games touched our … Read more "Episode 109 – Emotional Damage VGM w/ Niko Tengoku"

In 1994, video game system manufacturers were just starting to shift into the realm of 3D-based video game consoles thanks to the fifth generation. But one company decided to continue building upon the legacy of 2D in the mid-90s with their final console release: NEC. The PC-FX was host to 62 games which utilized 2D … Read more "Episode 108 – The NEC PC-FX"

Though Halloween season is over, we’re still playing with gore! XVGM Radio sits down with VGM composer Jason Létourneau to discuss his music in the 8-bit modern retro classic, Infernax. Hear us grill Jason to learn about his process and how some of our favorite modern VGM composers helped him early in his game composing … Read more "Episode 107 – Infernax w/ composer Jason Letourneau"

They’reeeee bacccckkkkkk! The XVGM Radio boys are back for another haunting year of SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOKY songs to celebrate the holiday season! Join Mike and Justin on their 5th annual Spookyfest, complete with crowds cheering them on, buying Poltergust 4000 vacuums and gettin’ their sour pukes on! Two special Patrons make requests, the guys try their best … Read more "Episode 106 – Spookyfest 2023"

Continued from Episodes 99 and 102, Mike and Justin close out the musical history of the developer, Natsume Co. Ltd. After the split between Natsume Co. Ltd. and Natsume Inc, Natsume Co. Ltd. would continue to work on developing games, mostly on the Super NES and eventually handhelds like the Game Boy Color. Here is … Read more "Episode 105 – The Musical History of Natsume Part 3"

Wayforward’s Shantae on the Game Boy Color was the swansong release on the handheld and the beginning of a franchise in the making. Now, Shantae has not only blossomed into a 5 (soon to be 6) game series, but can be widely considered Queen of the indie game scene. One particular stand out in this … Read more "Episode 104 – Shantae Tunes"

PING! BLAM! DING-DING-DING-DING! CH-CHUNK! Pinball certainly has some exciting sounds. Video pinball brings the experience of pinball home to consoles, PCs or on the go. But what rarely gets discussed by video pinball aficionados is how great the music is in these games. Today, we’re getting our flippers ready to beam 11 exciting tracks up … Read more "Episode 103 – Video Pinball VGM"

Continued from Episode 99, Mike and Justin hit the dusty trail of Natsume’s musical history for a second time to uncover the North American-based publishing (and sometimes development) side of the company. Splitting from Natsume Co. Ltd. in 1995, Natsume Inc. began publishing a wide variety of games mostly in North America. From tales of … Read more "Episode 102 – The Musical History of Natsume Part 2: Natsume Inc."

Step into the world of Elevator Action Returns: A place full of guns, explosions and most importantly…elevators! Justin and Mike climb back into the world of Taito’s in house band, Zuntata; more specifically Yasuhisa Watanabe’s stellar soundtrack for this exciting sequel to the original arcade classic, Elevator Action. From funk elements to jazz and light … Read more "Episode 101 – Elevator Action Returns"

WE DID IT! 100 EPISODES OF XVGM RADIO! We’re still thrilled to be able to bring you engaging topics and themes, a wide variety of VGM related guests and of course, fun wacky times with a dash of game music knowledge. Thanks so much for listening to our little show! In celebration, we decided to … Read more "Episode 100 – Request Hotline"

It’s Technostasy! Since 1987, Natsumi, a company created by ex-Konami employees, has been one of the best developers from the 8 and 16 bit eras of gaming. However, their history has been muddled by confusing ownership and history to the common fan. Today on XVGM Radio, Mike and Justin uncover the truth behind Natsume’s story … Read more "Episode 99 – The Musical History of Natsume (Part 1)"

Star Fox 64 is sometimes viewed as the evolution in the Star Fox franchise’s musical journey. But with this more cinematic orchestral vision, the sounds of a more popular style of music has disappeared. But with musician Ro Panuganti’s prowess, Arwing Odyssey is born. A Progressive Metal thematic voyage through most of Star Fox 64’s … Read more "Episode 98 – Arwing Odyssey w/ Ro Panuganti"

New Year! New Episode! Starting off 2023, our 5th year as a podcast, we’re joined once again by our good pal, NikoTengoku! The Super Famicom (or as we know it outside of Japan, the Super NES) is host to a COLOSSAL list of excellent game soundtracks, but the Japan exclusive stuff usually gets overlooked. Niko … Read more "Episode 97 – Super Famicom Japan Exclusives w/ NIKOTENGOKU"

Matt Creamer (AKA Norrin Radd) has been one of our favorite guests (and composers) for some time now, but he’s been holding back from us. He’s unleashed his final musical form in the mold of Slayin’ 2’s original soundtrack and it is A BANGER/ROCKER! Now it’s time for you to feast your ears on over … Read more "Episode 96 – Slayin’ 2 with composer Matt Creamer"

It’s well known that Sony’s Playstation 2 dominated sales during the 6th generation of gaming. However, this was also during the era where Sony attempted to take on the task of toppling Nintendo’s handheld juggernaut abilities. Enter the Sony Playstation Portable, Sony’s first major foray into the handheld market. Many games from the PS2 were … Read more "Episode 95 – PS2/PSP VGM Memories"

It’s that spooooooooooky time of year again! Celebrate Halloween with the video game music podcast hostesses with the mostestes….that’s a word. Justin and Mike host Spookyfest each year and now that they’re back to their normal outdoor festival activity, you’re in for a fright of a good time! From discussions of Peanuts characters becoming VGM … Read more "Episode 94 – SpooOOookyfest 2022"

Marvel Comics’ X-Men series is a franchise that means a lot to millions all over the planet. In the 90s, it was the pinnacle of X-citing, engaging storytelling coupled with a major media boost thanks to the comics, collectible cards, Saturday morning cartoons and of course, video games. On today’s episode of XVGM Radio, Mike … Read more "Episode 93 – X-Men Game Music w/ Carlos from Heroes Three"

Indie composers of video games are leading the way with their creativity, ingenuity and hunger to create the next wave of classics. One such composer is Nicole Marie T, who we had the pleasure of interviewing. From her love and appreciation of Sega to her evolution into a Sony fan, Nicole’s video game upbringing shines … Read more "Episode 92 – Nicole Marie T Composer Interview"