Explore every episode of the podcast BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Listen: Lovish | 04 nov. 2026 | 02:27:50 | |
Episode #448 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth embark on a Blind Listen through the soundtrack of Lovish, the delightfully absurd 8-bit action-adventure from LABS Works that follows Sir Solomon on his quest to rescue Princess Tsuna from the clutches of the Devil Lord. With a quirky sense of humor, old-school charm, and a kingdom full of bizarre surprises, this is one fairy tale that definitely doesn't play by the rules. Behind all the pixelated chaos is composer Matt Kap, delivering an energetic collection of chiptune melodies, retro rock influences, and infectious hooks that feel ripped straight from a forgotten Saturday afternoon with your favorite NES games. From heroic anthems and playful kingdom themes to frantic battles and unexpected musical detours, there's plenty for the guys to sink their ears into. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Musical Review: Control Resonant | 02 nov. 2026 | 01:47:00 | |
Bonus Episode #82 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews Control Resonant, the long-awaited sequel to 2019’s Control. It comes from Finnish studio Remedy Entertainment, which self-published it with co-financing from Annapurna, and it’s out now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Seven years after his sister Jesse pulled him free from the Hiss, Dylan Faden wakes from a coma with a shapeshifting weapon called the Aberrant lodged in his chest. Jesse is nowhere to be found, and the Hiss is loose across a Manhattan that’s folding in on itself, with streets peeling up the sides of buildings and the skyline hanging upside down overhead. What does Control look like once Jesse steps aside and the Bureau’s troubles spill out into the city? Bryan follows that thread across all eight segments. He sizes up Dylan as the series’ new lead, roams the warped zones and Gravity Anomalies of paranatural Manhattan, and puts the Aberrant’s melee-focused combat and its towering Resonant boss fights to the test. He spends time with Zoe De Vera, Dylan’s Bureau handler, explains why the game’s stiff facial animations kept pulling him out of big moments, and makes the case that the Sinkhole escape stands toe to toe with the Ashtray Maze. Then it’s time to pull on the tinfoil hat for a deep dive into the Remedy Connected Universe and where Alan Wake might fit next. The soundtrack gets a full segment of its own, as Bryan unpacks Petri Alanko’s fragile, experimental score, the six original songs of Zoe’s Mixtape, Apocalyptica’s opening track “Upperhand,” and the surprising absence of Old Gods of Asgard. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Radio Hour, Volume 92 (Halloween 2026 Special) | 29 oct. 2026 | 01:05:20 | |
Episode #447 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan wraps up October 2026 with another eclectic mix in Radio Hour, Volume 92! It's our annual Halloween special! Just like usual, we've got a terrifyingly fun episode packed with scares, ghouls, black cats, and of course, the undead. Enjoy the holiday being on a Saturday this year, and as always, stay safe if you're out celebrating. Happy Halloween! Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Spotlight: Castlevania: Belmont's Curse | 25 oct. 2026 | 01:49:23 | |
Bonus Episode #81 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Kyle return to the shadowy world of Castlevania with Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, a gothic adventure that resurrects the legendary Belmont bloodline and brings the series' signature blend of supernatural horror, relentless action, and labyrinthine exploration back into the spotlight. Armed with the iconic Vampire Killer whip, the guys venture into a world crawling with nightmarish creatures, deadly secrets, and the unmistakable atmosphere that has made Castlevania one of gaming's most beloved franchises. There's more than a little bad blood to go around as they sink their teeth into the game's challenging combat, satisfying exploration, intricate environments, memorable boss encounters, and the delicate balance between honoring the series' legacy and carving out something new. Along the way, they discuss the highs and occasional frustrations of the adventure, how it stacks up against other entries in the franchise, and whether this latest chapter delivers the experience longtime fans have been waiting for. Naturally, the conversation wouldn't be complete without a look at the game's haunting soundtrack, including its fresh musical ideas and a reimagined Castlevania classic, before the duo puts the final stake in their review with their closing thoughts and scores. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Asylums & Sanatoriums | 22 oct. 2026 | 02:36:54 | |
Episode #446 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth are signing the intake forms, snapping on the hospital bracelets, and checking themselves into the gloomiest wards in gaming for an episode all about Asylums & Sanatoriums! From the locked halls of Mount Massive to the crooked spires of Thorney Towers, we’re keeping spooky season going inside the institutions horror games can’t stop dragging us back to, where the doors only lock from the outside, and nobody’s sure what’s real anymore. Visiting hours are over, and the gate just clicked shut behind you. This week’s all about the places nobody checks out of easy: flickering corridors, padded rooms, rusted gurneys, and the kind of quiet that makes you wonder who’s listening on the other side of the door. Sometimes the asylum is a crumbling building on a hill, and sometimes it’s the one you carry around in your own head. Pull up a chair in the dayroom, dim the lights, and try to make it out before the night shift starts its rounds. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| H.P. Lovecraft | 15 oct. 2026 | 02:37:06 | |
Episode #445 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth are dusting off a forbidden tome, lighting a single candle, and peering into the cosmic unknown with a tribute to the master of weird fiction himself: H.P. Lovecraft! From the sunken city of R’lyeh to the gothic streets of Yharnam, we’re exploring games inspired by the Providence author whose sleeping gods, secret cults, and unknowable horrors have been creeping into video games for decades. Somewhere between the first track and the last, you’ll freeze alongside the crew of a doomed North Sea oil rig, hack through a cursed jungle in search of a mound that should’ve stayed buried, hum along as Cthulhu himself crashes the Christmas carols, go on a very questionable date with the Black Goat of the Woods, and drift across a cosmic sea where the sky seems to stare back. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Musical Review: Silent Hill: Townfall | 12 oct. 2026 | 01:52:20 | |
Bonus Episode #80 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews Silent Hill: Townfall, the first full-length entry in the series played entirely in first person, from Scottish studio Screen Burn Interactive and co-published by Konami and Annapurna Interactive, out now on PlayStation 5 and PC. It’s 1996, and Simon Ordell wakes up in the cold water beside the docks of St. Amelia, a fog-covered island town off the Scottish coast with no one left in it. He has an IV bag hooked to his arm, a hospital wristband with his name on it, and a battered portable TV that keeps picking up voices who seem to know exactly who he is. What happens when Silent Hill leaves its own town behind and washes up on a Scottish shore? Bryan chases that question across all eight segments. He wanders the stone streets and abandoned homes of St. Amelia and digs into the tangled connection between Simon, the nurse Zoe Ellis, and the mysterious Richard. He tunes in to the CRTV, the series’ iconic radio reimagined as a pocket television, and explains why the game’s forced stealth sections and its hidden ending system tested his patience. The longest segment asks whether Townfall needed the Silent Hill name at all. And the soundtrack gets a full segment of its own, as Bryan explores composer Pilotpriest’s dark, ambient take on the series and the dynamic score he built with the sound team at Arrival. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Ghostbusters | 08 oct. 2026 | 02:25:10 | |
Episode #444 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, spooky season is here, and Bryan and Bedroth are kicking off October by strapping on the proton packs, gassing up the Ecto-1, and answering the call for New York's most famous paranormal exterminators: the Ghostbusters! From a Commodore 64 title screen that came with its own bouncing-ball sing-along all the way to Spirits Unleashed, we're busting through more than forty years of games built around the franchise that made catching ghosts look like the coolest job on the planet. We'll march the Statue of Liberty through Manhattan, check into a hotel you'll want to check out of early, wander an abandoned subway long after the last train's gone, poke around a rusty old factory with the Extreme crew, and come face to face with a certain marshmallow the size of a skyscraper. So keep your PKE meter close, don't cross the streams, and leave the porch light on, because October on BGMania is just getting started! Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Musical Review: Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter | 05 oct. 2026 | 01:26:39 | |
Bonus Episode #79 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter, Nihon Falcom's full remake of the beloved Trails in the Sky SC and the direct follow-up to 2025's Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, published in the West by GungHo Online Entertainment America and out now on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. It's a story-driven RPG that picks up seconds after one of the genre's cruelest cliffhangers, as senior Bracer Estelle Bright sets out across the Kingdom of Liberl with nothing but Joshua's harmonica and a stubborn refusal to let him go, only to find the shadowy society of Ouroboros pulling strings in every corner of the country. Two games, one girl, and a goodbye that refused to stay final. That's the heart of this Musical Review, and Bryan treats 1st and 2nd Chapter as the single giant story they were always meant to be. He follows Estelle's growth from bubbly rookie to the person holding a whole kingdom together, the slow-burn romance two RPGs spent building, and a supporting cast where Scherazard, Agate, Tita, Kloe, Zin, Olivier, and newcomer Kevin all get arcs of their own. He sizes up the Enforcers of Ouroboros, from Loewe to the unsettling little Renne, then gets into the hybrid combat, the new Brave Rush team attacks, those brutal Enforcer Boost boss fights, and a Liberl packed with Bracer requests, fishing, poker, and cooking with your companions. And of course, he spends plenty of time with Falcom Sound Team jdk's reimagined soundtrack and explains why the music is a big part of why this remake hits as hard as it does. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Radio Hour, Volume 91 | 30 sept. 2026 | 01:01:28 | |
Episode #443 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan wraps up September 2026 with another eclectic mix in Radio Hour, Volume 91! Buckle up for what might be the longest track title in BGMania history, a Zeta Gundam legend lending her voice to a brand-new retro anime adventure, the Gummi Bears game Disney never made, and a Majora's Mask arrangement sent in by the person who arranged it. Plus a three-track spotlight on Another Eden Begins, the time-traveling RPG from the mind behind Chrono Trigger. We close the night by checking into a very suspicious inn, because spooky season starts tomorrow and I couldn't wait. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Spotlight: Marvel's Wolverine | 28 sept. 2026 | 02:11:41 | |
Bonus Episode #78 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Kyle unsheathe their claws and dive into Marvel's Wolverine, Insomniac Games' long-awaited take on one of Marvel's most iconic and vicious heroes, putting Logan front and center in an adventure that trades Spider-Man's acrobatics for adamantium, regeneration, and a whole lot of blood. Claws aren't the only things coming out as the duo breaks down Wolverine's brutal combat, progression and abilities, memorable environments, massive encounters, and the cast of familiar mutants and villains standing in Logan's way. We'll also dig into what works, what keeps the game from reaching the heights of Insomniac's best, and the surprisingly strong emotional core provided by Logan and Jean Grey, before wrapping things up with their final thoughts and scores. David Fleming's original soundtrack follows the journey through the game, from the defining sounds of Logan, Sabretooth, Omega Red, and the Sentinels to the quieter themes surrounding Jean and Logan's relationship. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Blind Listen: Flamecraft & Wingspan | 24 sept. 2026 | 02:26:52 | |
Episode #442 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth are answering a request straight from composer Paweł Górniak himself as we settle in with the cozy fantasy world of Flamecraft! With its soundtrack coming in at just eight tracks, we decided to expand the musical journey by pairing it with another of Górniak's wonderfully relaxing scores, 2020's Wingspan, for an episode dedicated to the composer's warm, melodic, and unmistakably inviting sound. We'll wander through bustling market squares alongside tiny artisan dragons, uncover the secrets of a cozy guild, and join a parade before trading fire and fantasy for wide-open meadows, rustling treetops, and endless blue skies. Along the way, we'll dig into what makes Górniak's music work so beautifully in both worlds, from the playful charm of Flamecraft to the peaceful sense of space and freedom found throughout Wingspan. Find somewhere comfortable, watch the clouds drift by, and don't mind the dragons tending the shop. This week, we're slowing things down and letting the music do the flying. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Musical Review: The Blood of Dawnwalker | 21 sept. 2026 | 01:18:19 | |
Bonus Episode #77 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews The Blood of Dawnwalker, the debut RPG and the opening chapter of a brand new saga developed by Rebel Wolves and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, out now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. It's a dark fantasy open-world action RPG set in Vale Sangora, a plague-choked valley tucked into the 14th-century Carpathian Mountains, where you play as Coen, a young man turned into a Dawnwalker, human by day and vampire by night, who has thirty days to pull his captured family back from the grip of the ancient vampire lord Brencis. Here's the catch with a first game from a studio full of Witcher 3 veterans: everyone walks in already comparing it to the last thing they made. This Musical Review is about where Dawnwalker stops borrowing and starts becoming its own thing. Bryan works through the thirty-day structure that turns time into a resource you spend rather than a clock you race, the day-and-night split that swaps grounded swordplay and blood magic for claws and predatory speed after dark, and the way exploring Vale Sangora and the silver city of Svartrau changes character depending on the hour. He digs into Coen's story and his bond with the family at the center of it, the narrative sandbox where choices close doors you can't reopen, and the big question of whether this feels like its own world after all that shared DNA. And of course, he spends real time with the soundtrack and butchering the composers' names, breaking down how it builds the game's medieval Gothic identity across the human side and the vampire side. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Dungeons & Dragons | 17 sept. 2026 | 02:27:22 | |
Episode #441 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth grab a fresh set of dice, argue over who gets to be the party's healer, and descend into the sprawling, dungeon-crawling, dragon-hoarding world that started it all: Dungeons & Dragons! From the earliest computer RPGs that ever dared to put a spellbook on a screen to modern MMORPG expansions, we're adventuring through a theme that basically wrote the rulebook for fantasy gaming as we know it. Roll for initiative, because you're gonna need it. We'll haggle in a castle shop, sneak through a hall built for the senses, ride a dragon into the sunset, get ambushed in the dark more than once, crash a vampire's nightclub, and end things with a knock on the door from a certain god of secrets as spooky season creeps ever closer. So grab your character sheet, sharpen your +1 dagger, and try not to split the party, because this one's a long campaign and we're just getting started. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Musical Review: Onimusha: Way of the Sword | 14 sept. 2026 | 01:21:04 | |
Bonus Episode #76 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews Onimusha: Way of the Sword, the long-awaited franchise revival developed and published by Capcom, out now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. As the first mainline entry since Dawn of Dreams in 2006, it drops you into a dark fantasy version of Edo-era Kyoto twisted by a corrupting force called Malice, where a young, hot-headed Miyamoto Musashi is killed, dragged back to life, and saddled with the Oni Gauntlet, a demonic artifact that keeps him breathing only as long as he keeps feeding it souls. Twenty years is a long time to leave a series on the shelf, and this Musical Review is all about whether the wait was worth it. Bryan gets deep into the razor-sharp swordplay built around parries, deflects, and the signature Issen counter, the soul-fueled progression that shapes Musashi around your own playstyle, and the eerie stretch of temples, mountain paths, and hidden laboratories you cut through along the way. He works through Musashi's story and his gauntlet-bound partnership with Shizuka, the memorable cast of allies and villains reimagined from real history and folklore, and the bigger question of whether this actually feels like Onimusha after two decades away. And of course, he spends plenty of time with the score from Marika Suzuki, Nozomi Ohmoto, Kota Suzuki, and Tomoki Kameyama, breaking down how it fuses traditional Japanese sound with horror and dread. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Mine Cart Madness | 10 sept. 2026 | 02:22:31 | |
Episode #440 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth hop into the nearest questionable-looking mine cart, release the brake, and immediately regret every decision that led them here. From haunted ruins and glowing mushroom caves to muddy swamps, abandoned factories, ancient shipyards, and whatever OSHA nightmare Donkey Kong has waiting underground, we're taking a ride through one of gaming's most beloved traditions: the mine cart. We'll race canaries, dodge Ganados, help Nancy Drew make an escape, survive a few tracks that probably haven't been inspected since 1995, and somehow even bring a tiny dog along for the ride. So keep your hands and feet inside the cart, lean into the turns, and whatever you do, don't look down! Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Musical Review: Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy | 07 sept. 2026 | 01:09:27 | |
Bonus Episode #75 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, the standalone prequel from Asobo Studio and publisher Focus Entertainment, out now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass. Set fifteen years before A Plague Tale: Requiem, you play as Sophia, a young plunderer who flees a Venice heist gone wrong and sails toward Minotaur Island, a place that's been calling to her since childhood. What she finds is a sprawling labyrinth of ancient ruins, deadly soldiers, and a buried curse tangled up in Minoan myth. Across this Musical Review, Bryan digs into the bold shift from Amicia's fragile stealth toward Sophia's agile, sword-in-hand combat, the light-bending puzzles powered by a stolen Minoan sphere, and the slow descent from sunlit Mediterranean beauty into genuine horror beneath the island. He gets into Sophia's story and her bond with Leni, the way the game reframes what longtime fans thought they understood about the Macula, and whether A Plague Tale still works with its original siblings off the stage. And of course, he spends plenty of time with the returning Olivier Derivière and his haunting Greek and Cypriot choral score, one of Bryan's favorite composers working today, breaking down how the music carries so much of the game's ache and dread. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Composer Appreciation: Michiru Yamane | 03 sept. 2026 | 02:19:33 | |
Episode #439 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth have a long overdue one. We're finally highlighting the career of Michiru Yamane, a composer whose name has become inseparable from gothic grandeur even as her catalog stretches far beyond the castle walls she's best known for. After studying composition at Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, where she built her thesis around Bach, Yamane joined Konami in 1988 and spent over two decades there, composing for more than forty games. From tiny handheld chips and loud arcade cabinets to the orchestral heights of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, she proved again and again that a classical foundation could bend to almost any hardware, genre, or mood. We're tracing the full arc of Yamane's journey, from one of her earliest credited jobs in 1990 all the way to the Castlevania theme that launched her legend. Along the way, we stop in on lush RPG worldbuilding, a beat-'em-up that never left Japan, a jazz-soaked fighting game, an indie love letter to the exact genre she helped define, and the freelance era that saw her wandering happily outside her comfort zone. From haunted halls to lounge-jazz curtain calls, this Composer Appreciation episode is dedicated to an artist whose fingerprints are all over the medium, whether you realized it or not. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. Feedspot's Top 39 Best Video Game Music Podcasts Discussed on the Show: https://podcast.feedspot.com/video_game_music_podcasts/ EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Radio Hour, Volume 90 | 27 août 2026 | 01:16:25 | |
Episode #438 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan closes out August 2026 with another eclectic mix in Radio Hour, Volume 90! This time around, there's a remastered legend of an opener that needs no introduction, a boss theme from a game that wrecked my confidence and lived to tell about it, a Uematsu deep cut hiding inside a game series that refuses to take itself seriously, and a three-track spotlight on a fighting game soundtrack that's quietly one of my favorites of the year. Fall's knocking, so let's send the summer off loud. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Musical Review: Duskfade | 24 août 2026 | 01:11:24 | |
Bonus Episode #74 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews Duskfade, the throwback 3D action-platformer from Spanish studio Weird Beluga and publisher Fireshine Games, out now on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. In a clockwork world called Tearfeld that's been dropped into endless night by a mysterious Clock Tower, you play as Zirian, a young workshop apprentice who grabs his grandfather's clock-hand blade, teams up with a mechanical bird named Cuckoo, and sets out to rescue his sister and get time moving again. This Musical Review takes a long look at the momentum-driven platforming and the way jumps, grappling, gliding, and rail grinding chain into something joyful, the combat and imaginative boss battles, the storybook realms that stretch from leafy forests to drowned depths to floating heights, and the earnest coming-of-age story sitting underneath all that color. Bryan spends plenty of time on the game's proud Kingdom Hearts inspiration, the Spanish folklore woven into its world, and above all the sweeping, wistful score from composer Rafa del Olmo, breaking down how its recurring melodies and shifting moods do so much of the heavy lifting in capturing that particular PS2-era magic. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Exploring the Solar System | 20 août 2026 | 02:43:27 | |
Episode #437 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth board a spacecraft and blast off on a grand tour of the solar system. From the scorched rock of Mercury baking next to the Sun, out through the ruins of Venus and the god of chaos himself, past the red dust of Mars and the doomed little moon circling it, all the way to the frozen edge of everything and back again. Strap in for a journey that runs the whole emotional spectrum, from full-throttle rock and pulse-pounding chaos to sparse, lonely, gorgeous atmospheres drifting somewhere far past Neptune. So grab your headphones, mind the artificial gravity, and come explore the solar system with us. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Spotlight: Beast of Reincarnation | 17 août 2026 | 02:19:31 | |
Bonus Episode #73 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Kyle venture into Beast of Reincarnation, Game Freak's bold step beyond Pokémon into a somber, post-apocalyptic action RPG that pairs a cursed young outcast named Emma with her Blight-touched dog, Koo, on a journey across a ruined Japan in the year 4026. Across the conversation, the duo digs into the game's parry-driven combat and its clever fusion of real-time swordplay with turn-based commands, the emotional bond at the heart of Emma and Koo's partnership, the haunting world and its comparisons, and the technical rough edges that split players and critics down the middle. The guys also weigh in on Game Freak proving there's far more to the studio than monster-catching, before wrapping things up with a deep appreciation for the game's stunning, dual-natured soundtrack. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Blind Listen: Splatoon Raiders | 13 août 2026 | 02:20:03 | |
Episode #436 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth wash up on the shores of the Spirhalite Islands for a Blind Listen through the soundtrack of Splatoon Raiders, the first-ever Splatoon spin-off. This one trades the series' catchy, funky hooks for something stranger and saltier... an abrasive, atmospheric score credited to a fake label of sea creatures and salt puns, sounding at times like it was cobbled together by the fish themselves. It's divisive, it's an acquired taste, and it had Bryan wrestling with it the whole way through... right up until Deep Cut grab the mic and remind everyone why these games always stick the landing. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| FM Towns & FM Towns Marty | 05 août 2026 | 02:40:27 | |
Episode #435 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth dust off two of gaming's most fascinating oddities: the FM Towns and the FM Towns Marty. If you've ever wanted to hear what happens when a Japanese computer decides it wants to be an arcade machine... well, today's your lucky day. The guys dive into a library packed with enhanced ports, forgotten exclusives, gorgeous CD audio, and enough FM Towns weirdness to make you wonder why the rest of the world wasn't paying attention. They also inevitably spend way too much time talking about hardware that roughly seventeen people have actually seen in person. Whether you're a longtime FM Towns fanatic or just here because you thought "Marty" was someone's cousin, you're in for one wonderfully obscure ride! Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Radio Hour, Volume 89 | 30 juil. 2026 | 01:08:57 | |
Episode #434 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan wraps up the month of July 2026 with another eclectic mix in Radio Hour, Volume 89! Another month, another grab bag of new releases, forgotten oddities, and picks I can't fully explain but absolutely stand by. We've got a couple of fresh soundtracks I've been sitting with, a listener submission so gloriously strange I can't stop thinking about it, a Mega Man opener that surprises exactly nobody, and a mini-spotlight doubling as a little review of a game I enjoyed and wanted to shake by the shoulders in equal measure. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Musical Review: Denshattack! | 27 juil. 2026 | 01:13:28 | |
Bonus Episode #72 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews Denshattack!, the off-the-rails arcade platformer from Barcelona studio Undercoders and publisher Fireshine Games, out now on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. Set in a near-future Japan flattened by climate disaster, the game follows Emi, a ramen delivery driver who trades her quiet route for the underground world of train tricking and ends up leading a rebellion against the Miraido corporation, one gravity-defying kickflip at a time. This Musical Review digs into the combo-chaining trick system and medal-based progression, the sixty-plus stages that wind from the sun-washed tracks of Kyushu to the snowfields of Hokkaido, the wild boss encounters and set pieces that refuse to play it safe, and the cel-shaded pop-art presentation that gives the whole thing an identity you could spot from across a room. The episode also hands a full segment to the game's staggering all-star soundtrack, led by Tee Lopes alongside a lineup of more than twenty composers and vocalists including Sean Bialo, Andrew One, Richard Jacques, Ryo Nagamatsu, Shoji Meguro, Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, Harumi Fujita, Lotus Juice, Ironmouse, and many more, and how its blend of funk, synthwave, and vocal anthems drives every moment forward without ever losing its cohesive spirit. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Rainforests & Amazon | 23 juil. 2026 | 02:31:01 | |
Episode #433 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth put on their explorer hats and take a trip down to the Amazon. Grab your machete and bug spray! From lost cities and hidden gold to survival horror where the jungle waits you out, the rainforest has never been one single thing. We'll go from a dinosaur-infested Amazon speedway to a Sierra cue that nobody heard for thirty years, through helicopter raids, a Rio street party, and one goodbye that tends to leave people misty-eyed. Don't get lost! Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Randomizer IV (Avenger Tribute) | 16 juil. 2026 | 02:25:59 | |
Episode #432 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth present the annual Randomizer episode, this year with a very special twist. Bryan's best friend and beloved companion of the last 12+ years unfortunately suddenly passed away on July 2nd. Randomizer IV is completely dedicated to his life and memory. Run free and rest easy, Avenger. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Blind Listen: Star Fox Remake | 09 juil. 2026 | 01:46:09 | |
Episode #431 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth are back with the monthly Blind Listen, this time focusing on the recently released Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, Star Fox. A remake of the Nintendo 64 version, which itself was a reboot of the Super Nintendo version, this latest entry tells the same tale of Fox all over again, now with updated visuals and an impressively redone soundtrack. As a special bonus for the Blind Listen this month, the guys decided to make this a comparison episode, so the Nintendo 64 and Switch 2 versions of the tracks are being featured! Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Spotlight: The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales | 05 juil. 2026 | 01:57:49 | |
Bonus Episode #71 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Kyle explore The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, Square Enix's ambitious new HD-2D action RPG that blends real-time combat, exploration, and time-travel into an epic adventure spanning a thousand years. Throughout the episode, the duo shares their thoughts on Elliot's journey across multiple eras, the satisfying blend of action and puzzle-solving, the memorable cast of characters, and the game's beautifully crafted world as it evolves through history. They also discuss how The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales expands the possibilities of the HD-2D style beyond traditional turn-based RPGs, before closing out the conversation with a celebration of the game's outstanding soundtrack. Note: This episode was recorded before the news broke about physical discs and games going away in January 2028, so the discussion we have that stems off a side-conversation on Grand Theft Auto VI is purely coincidental, but very timely. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Non-Mario Kart 'Kart' Racers | 01 juil. 2026 | 02:14:08 | |
Episode #430 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth are taking a hard left turn away from the Mushroom Kingdom and diving headfirst into the wide, wonderful, and occasionally chaotic world of non-Mario Kart kart racers. From Diddy Kong Racing to Crash Team Racing, from a Bloodborne-inspired gothic nightmare to a Muppet-filled trip to Fraggle Rock, we're celebrating the kart racing genre's rich history beyond Nintendo's juggernaut. Join us for some laps around the tracks! Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| BGMania B-Sides: The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth | 28 juin 2026 | 01:41:07 | |
BGMania B-Sides #50 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today marks the final chapter of the B-Sides series as Bedroth is joined by Executive Producer Jeff for a special crossover episode with their podcast, Listening Religiously. Together, they dive into The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, the acclaimed roguelike inspired by one of the Bible's most infamous stories. Equal parts game discussion, soundtrack appreciation, and theological conversation, this finale explores how Edmund McMillen's modern classic blends fast-paced gameplay, haunting music, and provocative religious symbolism into one of the most unforgettable indie games ever created. As the B-Sides series comes to a close, Bedroth couldn't have chosen a more fitting game or a more fitting guest to celebrate everything the format has represented. From Ridiculon's unsettling and atmospheric score to the game's countless Biblical references and themes of faith, sacrifice, and family, this episode serves as both a farewell to B-Sides and a unique meeting point between two podcasts that share a passion for meaningful discussion through different lenses. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Radio Hour, Volume 88 | 24 juin 2026 | 01:17:58 | |
Episode #429 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan closes out the month of June 2026 with another eclectic mix in Radio Hour, Volume 88! As we hit the halfway point of the year, we have an incredible show to get us all across that checkpoint. Plenty of new releases as usual this month, but we've also got some really deep cuts, a banger of a listener submission from an unusual source, and a mini-spotlight on a game that's just itching to make me cry. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Spotlight: Mina the Hollower | 21 juin 2026 | 01:56:49 | |
Bonus Episode #70 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Kyle venture into the dark, gothic world of Mina the Hollower, the long-awaited action-adventure from Yacht Club Games. Inspired by classic Game Boy Color adventures while incorporating modern design sensibilities, Mina the Hollower combines fast-paced combat, exploration, puzzle-solving, and a surprisingly deep narrative into one of 2026's most celebrated releases. Throughout the episode, the guys discuss their experiences with Mina's underground burrowing mechanics, the game's atmospheric world design, memorable boss encounters, and how Yacht Club Games successfully stepped out from the shadow of Shovel Knight to establish an entirely new franchise. Of course, they also spend time highlighting the game's excellent soundtrack by Jake Kaufman and special guest Yuzo Koshiro, which perfectly captures the tension, mystery, and adventure found throughout Tenebrous Isle. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Nintendo Switch 2 First Year Retrospective | 17 juin 2026 | 02:41:12 | |
Episode #428 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth look back at the first year on the market for the Nintendo Switch 2. From blockbuster exclusives and surprise indie hits to memorable soundtracks and unforgettable moments, we're celebrating the system's first anniversary with a retrospective packed full of music from some of our favorite Switch 2 releases. Join us as we revisit the games that defined the console's launch window, discuss the titles that kept us (mainly Bryan) coming back throughout the year, and spotlight some of the tracks and composers who helped make the Switch 2's debut year so much fun. We'll also be looking ahead a bit to what's in store for year two! Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| BGMania B-Sides: Terranigma | 15 juin 2026 | 01:02:20 | |
BGMania B-Sides #49 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bedroth turns his attention to Terranigma, the beloved Super Nintendo action RPG developed by Quintet and published by Enix. Requested and curated by Executive Producer Xancu, this episode celebrates one of the most cherished hidden gems of the 16-bit era. While Terranigma never received an official North American release, its ambitious storytelling, memorable world-building, and emotional soundtrack have earned it a passionate following among RPG fans for decades. As the penultimate installment of the B-Sides series before it reaches its conclusion with Episode #50, this episode serves as both a tribute to a remarkable game and a reminder of the many overlooked soundtracks that have found a home on the show. Composed by Miyoko Takaoka and Masanori Hikichi, Terranigma's music effortlessly captures the wonder of creation, the weight of loss, and the excitement of exploration through a diverse collection of melodies that remain just as powerful today as they were in 1995. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Blind Listen: Yoshi and the Mysterious Book | 10 juin 2026 | 02:07:46 | |
Episode #427 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth present the first ever proper "Bedroth Blind Listen", or more simply, Blind Listen. This format has been explored previously on the show, most recently to kick off this year during our focus on the Octopath Traveler 0 episode, but we're fully committing to it now as a very regular theme. To begin, Bryan has brought Yoshi and the Mysterious Book for Bedroth to react to, a game that he recently finished and enjoyed the hell out of. Composed solely by Kumi Tanioka, this soundtrack has a nice mix of styles while keeping it very rooted in the Yoshi and Nintendo universe. Let us know what you think of this concept if it's the first time you're hearing this format! Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Composer Appreciation: Nobuko Toda | 03 juin 2026 | 02:14:07 | |
Episode #426 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth shine a spotlight on the career of Nobuko Toda, a composer whose work has quietly shaped some of gaming's biggest franchises while rarely receiving the recognition afforded to many of her contemporaries. After studying at Berklee College of Music and joining Konami in the early 2000s, Toda became an integral part of the company's music team, contributing to everything from Metal Gear and Pro Evolution Soccer to lesser-known projects that showcased her incredible versatility. Throughout the episode, we explore the many sides of Toda's career, from her early Konami years through her later work. Along the way, we celebrate a composer whose music can be intimate, unsettling, heroic, reflective, and exhilarating, often within the span of a single soundtrack. From iconic franchises to hidden gems, this Composer Appreciation episode is dedicated to an artist whose contributions to video game music deserve far more attention than they've traditionally received. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| BGMania B-Sides: Beyond the Labyrinth | 01 juin 2026 | 00:40:28 | |
BGMania B-Sides #48 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bedroth shines a spotlight on Beyond the Labyrinth, the Nintendo 3DS dungeon crawler developed by tri-Ace and published by Konami. Despite never receiving an official release outside of Japan, the game has developed a reputation among soundtrack enthusiasts thanks to its remarkable score, which blends sweeping orchestral arrangements, haunting melodies, and a sense of mystery that perfectly complements its fantasy setting. Beyond the Labyrinth may be a relatively obscure title, but its music is anything but forgettable. Composed by the legendary Motoi Sakuraba, the soundtrack showcases many of the qualities that have made him one of the most celebrated composers in video game music, from intricate compositions and dramatic flourishes to moments of surprising beauty and restraint. Whether you're already familiar with the game or discovering it for the first time, there's plenty here to appreciate as we explore a soundtrack that deserves far more attention than it has received. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Radio Hour, Volume 87 | 27 mai 2026 | 01:11:20 | |
Episode #425 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan closes out the month of May 2026 with another eclectic mix in Radio Hour, Volume 87! Back to normal this month with 14 tracks for your listening pleasure. We're covering a wide variety of moods and genres with this one, so there's sure to be something for everyone. Vocal tracks, slow gorgeous pieces, new releases, Nintendo charm, Mega Man excellence, it's all here. Strap in and enjoy! Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Musical Review: Saros | 24 mai 2026 | 01:36:20 | |
Bonus Episode #69 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews Saros, the latest PlayStation 5 exclusive now available from Housemarque, the Finnish studio behind Returnal. Set on the hostile, shape-shifting planet Carcosa under an ominous and ever-present eclipse, the game follows Arjun Devraj, a Soltari Enforcer sent to investigate a lost off-world colony who arrives with his own deeply personal reasons for being there. This Musical Review covers the fast-paced combat loop and roguelite progression systems built around Carcosa's eclipse cycles, the game's striking environmental design and cinematic presentation, the multi-phase Overlord boss encounters that rank among the best the genre has to offer, and an honest look at the story's ambitious but uneven narrative and the emotional distance created by its complicated lead character. The episode also dedicates a full segment to the original score, how the dark, atmospheric, and cinematically driven music supports the tension and isolation of Carcosa at every turn, and what it contributes to moments where the writing alone doesn't quite carry the weight. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| April Showers, May Flowers | 20 mai 2026 | 02:27:02 | |
Episode #424 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth are celebrating the season with an episode built entirely around flowers... or at least flower names. From soft and reflective themes to energetic idol tracks, strange late-night vibes, and even a few pieces carrying a little danger underneath the petals, every selection on today’s playlist features a different flower in the title. Along the way, we’ll be wandering through everything from visual novels and city builders to platformers, cyberpunk dystopias, puzzle games, and early-2000s Square weirdness. Some tracks feel warm and comforting like the first clear morning after a week of rain, while others drift into darker territory where the flowers probably grow under neon signs instead of sunlight. Turns out video game music has a surprisingly deep garden to pull from... No? Okay, I'll see myself out. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| BGMania B-Sides: Neon White | 17 mai 2026 | 00:56:25 | |
BGMania B-Sides #47 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bedroth dives headfirst into the stylish chaos of Neon White, the blisteringly fast first-person action platformer from Angel Matrix that somehow manages to blend speedrunning obsession, visual novel storytelling, and heavenly demon-slaying into one package. Beneath all of the neon-soaked spectacle and twitch-heavy gameplay is a soundtrack that practically refuses to sit still. This episode arrives courtesy of listener Derek, whose request gives us the perfect excuse to spend some time with one of the most immediately recognizable modern indie soundtracks out there. The music comes from Machine Girl, whose aggressive electronic style gives Neon White its pulse-pounding identity, but the soundtrack also knows when to pull back and let atmosphere take over. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Spotlight: Mewgenics | 14 mai 2026 | 01:52:47 | |
Episode #423 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Kyle are stepping into the bizarre, unpredictable, and occasionally completely unhinged world of Mewgenics, the long-awaited cat-breeding RPG-simulation hybrid from Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel. After years of delays, redesigns, and total reinventions behind the scenes, Mewgenics has finally emerged as one of the strangest games in quite some time. Rather than focusing heavily on the soundtrack this week, the conversation leans much more into the experience of actually playing the game itself: the overwhelming amount of mechanics thrown at the player, the weird sense of humor, the endless experimentation, and the constant feeling that the game is either moments away from brilliance or complete collapse. It’s a fascinating mix of strategy RPG combat, absurd cat management, and rogue-like unpredictability that somehow manages to feel both incredibly ambitious and completely exhausting at the same time. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Jaleco | 06 mai 2026 | 02:09:36 | |
Episode #422 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth are diving headfirst into the wonderfully strange and somehow endlessly entertaining catalog of Jaleco for this year’s annual studio showcase. For a lot of retro fans, Jaleco became practically inseparable from the phrase “Jaleco Junk,” thanks to a library packed with everything from solid hidden gems to absolute trainwrecks that felt tossed onto store shelves at the last possible second. But buried inside all of that chaos was music that often had no business going as hard as it did. We’ll be highlighting a huge mix of tracks from across Jaleco’s catalog, some attached to games that people still remember fondly, others tied to titles that are memorable for completely different reasons. Whether the games themselves were masterpieces, disasters, or somewhere in between, the soundtracks frequently brought an energy and personality that stuck with us all these years. Expect plenty of nostalgia and more than a few laughs along the way this week. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Musical Review: PRAGMATA | 04 mai 2026 | 01:14:05 | |
Bonus Episode #68 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews PRAGMATA, Capcom's first original franchise in eight years. Set aboard a lunar research station called the Cradle, PRAGMATA follows Hugh, a spacefarer left stranded after everything goes sideways, and Diana, a young android with no memory of what happened to the facility or its people. Together, they have to fight their way through a station that has turned hostile and find a way back to Earth. This Musical Review covers the full game across eight segments, including the environmental design and atmosphere of the Cradle's varied sectors, the story's themes of connection and survival, the inventive dual-character combat system built around exploration and real-time hacking, and the progression systems that give the experience its backbone. The episode also dedicates a full segment to the original score by Yasumasa Kitagawa of the Capcom Sound Team, how the music handles the tension between the game's cold sci-fi setting and its deeply human core, and where it excels and where it falls just slightly short. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Radio Hour, Volume 86 | 29 avr. 2026 | 01:23:48 | |
Episode #421 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan closes out the month of April 2026 with another eclectic mix in Radio Hour, Volume 86! We've got a slightly extended Radio Hour this month due to a mini-review being included for People of Note in the middle. I just couldn't choose three songs from this game. Every single one of them deserves to be listened to and appreciated. Besides that, we have a ton of new releases, some really fun listener submissions, and Bedroth, as usual, takes us in some very different directions. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| BGMania B-Sides: Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II | 26 avr. 2026 | 00:28:15 | |
BGMania B-Sides #46 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bedroth turns the spotlight toward Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II, the 1989 NES follow-up that leans harder into its dark fantasy tone while expanding on the original game’s scope. It’s a strange, ambitious sequel for its time... one that mixes platforming with a heavier emphasis on exploration and atmosphere, all wrapped in that unmistakable late-80s Nintendo-era design philosophy. This episode comes your way thanks to listener Heat00veride, whose request gives us a great excuse to revisit more work by David Wise. The soundtrack reflects that shift in tone almost immediately. At the same time, it never loses that classic NES identity, with sharp, memorable hooks cutting through the darker textures. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Psychedelic Trips, Part 2 | 22 avr. 2026 | 02:30:14 | |
Episode #420 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth celebrate 4/20 with Episode #420 two days after 4/20. It was almost perfectly aligned! Psychedelic Trips, Part 1 was back on 4/22/2021 before Bedroth officially joined the show. Come hang out with the guys as they explore additional games that weren't featured back then that all have something trippy about them, whether it's the visuals, the music, or just the overall vibe. Unfortunately, we're not high or tripping during this episode, but we'll make you feel like YOU are by taking you on this journey. Have fun! Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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| Musical Review: Replaced | 20 avr. 2026 | 01:24:15 | |
Bonus Episode #67 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews Replaced, the long-awaited debut from Sad Cat Studios, finally out on April 14, 2026 on PC and Xbox Series X/S and available day one on Xbox Game Pass. Set in a dystopian alternate-1980s America where nuclear catastrophe handed total control to a shadowy organization called the Phoenix Corporation, the game puts you in the role of REACH, an artificial intelligence accidentally trapped inside a human body, navigating a decaying world of corruption, organ harvesting, and hard questions about identity and autonomy. This Musical Review breaks down the full experience across eight segments, covering the game's stunning hand-crafted pixel art, its slow-burn narrative built around the Disposals and the secrets of Phoenix City, the free-flow combat system and how it evolves across ten chapters, and the friction that comes with some of the platforming and control responsiveness. The episode also dedicates a full segment to the synth-driven original score by Igor Gritsay and aygad, featuring vocal performances by Marina Thorik, and how the music works alongside the world to create something atmospheric and genuinely affecting. Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike. EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS
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