Explore every episode of the podcast BitNote

We deal with a set of games that take chances on new ideas, and wrap up with Shenmue. All In by Stephen Barton from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare by Infinity Ward; Forest Falls Zone: Act 1 by Chris Rezanson from Sonic Rivals by Backbone Entertainment and Sega Studio USA; Godot ~ The Fragrance of Dark-Colored Coffee by Noriyuki Iwadare from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations by Capcom; and Departure of Hope by Osamu Murata from Shenmue by SEGA

We look at one game series that ended, and another that just had its newest continuation. The Gym by Thomas Regin from Blackwell Epiphany by Wadjet Eye Games; Fade by Alyssa Cristina “A.C” Menes (vocals by April-Ann Tass) from Blackwell Epiphany by Wadjet Eye Games; Title Theme and Sky Music by Rob Lord from Just Cause by Avalanche Studios.

I look at game that takes 3 time periods as its inspiration, examine a mini apocalypse and take about the rises and falls of city building games. Disco Incinerator by Mark Clark used in Roundabout by No Goblin LLC; Main Menu by Frey Vladimir (aka MoozE) from S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl by GSC Game World; Dirge For The Planet by Firelake from S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl by GSC Game World; Main Theme by Jonne Valtonen and Jani Laaksonen from Cities: Skylines by Colossal Order.

Some seasonal video game music to help you celebrate the season. Ice Mountain Zone Act 1 by Tatsuyuki Maeda and Yutaka Minobe from Sonic Advance by Sonic Team and Dimps; A Merry Payday Christams by Simon Viklund, vocals by Pete Gold from Payday 2 by Overkill Software (then taken over and development continued as part of Starbreeze Studios); It's Not Supposed to be Snowing by Lifeformed from Dustforce by Hitbox Team; Deck the Zones, Jingle Coins, Jingle Stars, It Came Upon a Time so Clear by Robby Duguay.

We continue the story of a ghost, and somehow end up in a hellish musical? Rosa's Theme and Jamie's Song by Thomas Regin from Blackwell Deception by Wadjet Eye Games; Main Menu by Malcolm Kirby Jr. (I assume) from by Saints Row: Gat out of Hell Volition and High Voltage Software; When I Find Love by Larry E. Gates II (Music by), Steve Jaros (Music and Lyrics by), Ariel Gross (Music by), Austin Wintory (Arrangement orchestrated and produced by), performed by the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Dirk Brosse with vocals by Travis Willingham, Kate Reinders, Daniel Dae Kim and Natalie Lander all from Saints Row: Gat out of Hell Volition and High Voltage Software; and Lava Reef Zone Act 1 by Sachio Ogawa, Tatsuyuki Maeda, Jun Senoue and/or Howard Drossin from Sonic and Knuckles by Sega/STI

The best way to help ghosts is with a ghost, right? Ashes, NYU and Storm - The Rain Came Tumbling Down Mix by Peter Gresser from Blackwell Legacy by Wadjet Eye Games; Intro Theme and The Brown's Duet (alternate, unused) by Thomas Regin from Blackwell Unbound by Wadjet Eye Games; In the Wrong Place by Thomas Regin from Blackwell Convergence by Wadjet Eye Games; I Can See Into Forever (vocal) [ Sammy Allen (feat. Hypnogaja)] from Blackwell Convergence by Wadjet Eye Games.

Sometimes technology helps, sometimes technology is all we have. First Light and Guardians by Inon Zur from Crysis by Crytek Frankfurt; Primordia by Nathaniel Chambers, Cycles by Kim Boekbinder (arrangement by Nathaniel Chambers) from Primordia by Wadjet Eye Games and Wormwood Studios.

In which we cover a recently released Irish made video game, and the music that goes with it; then talk about Deadpool for some reason. This is the Guild of Dungeoneering by Steve Gregan (also Frankie Lane, Jason Farrell, Barry Keatley)(based on traditional 'Follow Me Up To Carlow') and Destiny by Steve Gregan from Guild of Dungeoneering by Gambrinous; Main Menu music by Julian Soule from Deadpool by High Moon Studios.

Game music, or vaguely related to video game music? Celestial Fantasia by Seth "Beatfox" Peelle; Code Lyoko - A World Without Danger by Julien Lamassonne (Interprete in English by Noam Kaniel); "From the Ground Up" by Laura Shigihara inspired by Minecraft by Mojang; Sonic Electronic by Emerald Hill, Spike Shellcraker & Oscar Oberheim from Sonic the Hedgehog music album (1996).

In which we deal with two awesomely fun low resolution games. Crazy Dave (intro), Watery Graves (fast) and Zombies on Your Lawn by Laura Shigihara from Plants Vs. Zombies by PopCap Games; Police Headquarters, I Will be There (ft Louiza Sofianopoulou) by Nikolas Sideris from Resonance by XII Games, published by Wadjet Eye Games.

We celebrate the 150th episode of BitNote by playing whatever I want to play; so business as usual then! Star Light Zone (ACT 7 LUVhouse mix) by Megawolf77 (original by Masato Nakamura (and Dreams Come True) from Sonic the Hedgehog by SEGA/Sonic Team); Origin Awaken Theme Of Heroes by Szk from Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 9: Gain Ground (2004) by Sega & 3D Ages; Mind Over Metal by JP Neufeld (Guitars by Matt Wiesen and Brian James) from Solar 2 by Murudai; All Star originally by Smash Mouth, remade by Balloon303 in Mario Paint by Nintendo.

In which explore one way of dealing with regrets, and then decide to do something that likely to cause regret. To The Moon - Main Theme by Kan R. Gao from To The Moon by Freebird Games; Everything's Alright by Laura Shigihara from To The Moon by Freebird Games; Chica by MandoPony (inspired by Five Nights at Freddy's and its fandom).

In which we feel the future. Concept of Love, Funky Dealer, Like It Like This Like That, Oldies But Happies by Hideki Naganuma from Jet Set Radio Future by Sega/Smilebit; "Aisle 10 (Hello Allison) [feat. DJ Shortkut]" by Scapegoat Wax played in Jet Set Radio Future by Sega/Smilebit.

Cyborg enhacing the world's population can have drastic societal and cultural changes, but first a 90s throwback! Wonderman by Right Said Fred; Icarus, Opening Credits and Singapore Ambient (Part 2) by Michael McCann from Deus Ex: Human Revolution by Eidos Montreal; and The New Black Gold by Miracle of Sound (inspired by Deus Ex:Human Revolution).

Is it really that evil, the answer may not surprise you. Ingredients Level, Candy Order Level, Jelly Level by Johan Holmström from Candy Crush Saga by King; Candy Crush Soda Saga Theme by Johan Holmström from Candy Crush Soda Saga by King; and The Moon by Hiroshige Tonomura and Yoshihiro Sakaguchi from DuckTales by Capcom.

We invade privacy and explore what happens when one big computer system has everyone's data. Jackson's Safety, Bunker, Helicopter Chase and Escape from Chicago by Brian Reitzell (additional by Peter Connelly, David Kristian, and Pavel Maximytchev) from WATCH_DOGS by Ubisoft.

We pay our respects to a great man, and talk of the continuation of a game series made by another. Rainbow Road by Kenta Nagata from Mario Kart 64 by Nintendo; Tomato Conveniance Store by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, Yuzo Koshiro, Takeshi Yanagawa, Osamu Murata and/or Ryuji Iuchi from Shenmue by SEGA.

Also, who do you call when you want a man to do a hit? Say Goodbye by Timothy Lamb (AKA Trash80 or Tresk) and JemGirl; Main Title (Extended Version), Jungle Exploration and Dark Jungle by Jesper Kyd from Hitman: Codename 47 by IO Interactive.

The forth iteration is always the best time to introduce space insects. Drunken Whaler by Copilot Strategic Sound + Music (based on sea shanty Drunken Sailor) from Dishonored by Arkane Studios; and The Swarm and Red Faction by Brian Reitzell from Red Faction: Armageddon by Volition

Remember the destruction. Storm by Dan Wentz from Red Faction by Volition, Inc.; and Main Theme (Defiance) by Tim Wynn, Oppression Ambience by Jake Kaufman, Raison Varner and Dan Wentz from Red Faction: Guerrilla by Volition Inc.

In which I talk about an underrated Wii game and then consider fantastical genocide. Boss and Story Mode Menu by Naoyuki Sato and Michiru Yamane from Eledees/Elebits by Konami; Castlemania, Bar Fight and Got Any Credits by Chris Rickwood from Orcs Must Die! by Robot Entertainment.

In which I cover the 2012 documentary movie: Indie Game: The Movie. Proof Of Something, Trust, Harsh Tags Pt 1 and Sympathetic Syntax by Jim Guthrie from Indie Game: The Movie by James Swirsky and Lisanne Pajot.

In which I play some truly relaxing and chilled out game music. Dream Hill (Green Hill Zone remix) by Classroom Battles based on Green Hill Zone theme Masato Nakamura from Sonic the Hedgehog by Sonic Team; Cider Time, 9-bit Expedition and The Magnetic Tree by Lifeformed (Terence Lee) from Dustforce by Hitbox Team; and Lobby by Hideaki Kobayashi and Fumie Kumatani from Phantasy Star Online by Sonic Team.

Last look ot the iDIG Music Festival, focusing on two important people. Tommy Tallarico talks about Video Games Live performing in China; Tommy Tallarico performs Earthworm Jim music at Video Games Live in Dublin (music composed by Tommy Tallarico, Earthworm Jim by Shiny Entertainment); Malach by Eimear Noone from World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor by Blizzard Entertainment, performed by the YouTube Orchestra and conducted by Eimear Noone.

I dive into the Irish gaming scene bringing you news of Irish video games in development, and chat to some of the developers. Games covered: Floaty Ball by Good Man Lads (interview with Paul Bluefood and Danny Moffatt); The Little Acre by Pewter Games (interview with Christopher Conlan); The Darkside Detective by DoomCube; Gunsport by Necrosoft Games (interview with Shane Marks); Super Sword Sword Shield by Snozbot; Guild of Dungeoneering by Gambrinous (interview with Colm Larkin and Steven Gregan [also composer of Noir, which I play]); and Portalnauts by James Doyle.

In which I play some great excerpts from the game music festival that happened right here in Dublin, the iDIG Music Festival. Baba Yetu performed by the Triforce Quartet, composed by Christopher Tin from Civilisation IV by Firaxis Games; Interview with Grammy award winning game music composer Christopher Tin; and Blizzard composer Russell Brower talks about an emotional encounter with a fan after being asked what his favourite composition is.

In which I didn't play the game but I saw the stream, and why exactly should you never buy a console at launch? Slipping Away originally by Jacob Miller, Matt Naylor and Steven Stern, also by VideoBlocks & Paris Music from Tormentum - Dark Sorrow by OhNoo; Game Launch Rock! (YT) by Brent "brentalfloss" Black; Music by Shoichi Koike from Polarium by Mitchell Corporation; Aquarium Park Act 1 by Tomoya Ohtani from Sonic Colours by Sega.

In which I prepare everyone for the iDIG Music Festival. Baba Yetu (feat. Soweto Gospel Choir) and Hamsafar (feat. Sussan Deyhim) by Christopher Tin, Baba Yetu originally from Civilisation IV by Firaxis Games; Tetris Opera, based on the poem "Korobeiniki" by Nikolay Nekrasov, arranged by Greg Cox, from Video Games Live (Level 3), popularised by Tetris by Bullet Proof Software; Zelda 25th Anniversary Overture composed by Koji Kondo, Arranged by Laura Intravia from the Zelda series by Nintendo performed in from Video Games Live (Level 3).

In which we play as an assassin, and an entrepreneur. Wrenhaven River by Voodoo Highway, and Honor for All by Jon Licht & Daniel Licht from Dishonored by Arkane Studios; Closed, Wandering Fairy and Theme (vocals by Sora Yuizuki) by Team m_box, Araibear, Sarumotto, Niya from Recettear: An Item Shop’s Tale by EasyGameStation (localised by Carpe Fulgur).

In which we discover a not-so secret world and play royalty free music. Think of Tomorrow by Leitbur; In Golden Light by Simon Poole from The Secret World by Funcom; Wallpaper by Kevin MacLeod; and Cromlech Court by Graeme Norgate from Blast Corps by Rare.

In which we interview video game and movie composer, Howard Drossin. Return to the Toxic Caves by Howard Drossin (remix of Toxic Caves by Howard Drossin from Sonic Spinball by Sega Technical Institute) from the album Virtual Sonic; Ten Thousand Knives by Roadkill based on Howard Drossinmusic from Comix Zone by Sega Technical Institute; Bow Down by Howard Drossin from Afro Saumrai by Namco Bandai Games.

We go from Sega nostalgia to open world shenanigans to post apocalpytic Moscow. Sky Sanctuary ~ Work It Out (Sanctuary Falls) by Audissi Studios ( Richard Jacques, Pete Jones, Edward Blakeley, Marc Sylvan ) originally Sky Sanctuary (by Howard Drossin, Tokuhiko Uwabo (Bo), Sachio Ogawa, Yoshiaki Kashima (Milpo), Masaru Setsumaru, Tatsuyuki Maeda, Tomonori Sawada, Masayuki Nagao, Jun Senoue from Sonic and Knuckles by Sonic Team) also originally Back in Time (by Richard Jacques [originally sung by TJ Davis] from Sonic R by Sonic Team and Traveller's Tales) from Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed by Sumo Digital; Just Cause 2 Theme by Mats Lundgren & Anders Ehlin from Just Cause 2 by Avalanche Studios; and Main theme by Alexey Omelchuk from Metro:Last Light by 4A Games.

In which we take the plunge. Adventure Begins, Ice Caves C, Mines Egg, and Lobby from Eirik Suhrke from Spelunky by Derek Yu.

In which I take a little too long to figure out the relevance of a school's name and another game gets the drop on us. Love for my Insane Lover, Mirrorball Madhouse and Lewis Legend Boss Battle by Akira Yamaoka from Lollipop Chainsaw by Grasshopper Manufacture; Clotho by Tokuhiko Uwabo from Columns by SEGA.

In which I recap the history of a British game dev Bizarre Creations. A New Day, What U Need and Wrapped in Black by Hideki Naganuma from Sonic Rush by Sonic Team and Dimps; Red Line and It Doesn't Really Matter (vocals by TJ Davis) by Richard Jacques from Metropolis Street Racer by Bizarre Creations.

In which we talk with Irish games music composer Eimear Noone, discuss the upcomming Dublin International Game Music Festival, and celebrate Christmas with music from How the Saints Saved Christmas. Malach Main Theme, Malach Battle and Shadowmoon Rising by Eimear Noone from Warlords of Draenor expansion from World of Warcraft by Blizzard Entertainment; and DubstepChristamsGun and North Pole by Malcolm Kirby Jr. from How the Saints Saved Christmas DLC from Saints Row IV by Volition

In which we listen to music that was made to be played in a car radio, in a video game. Volcano Valley Zone Act 2 by Jun Senoue, Tatsuyuki Maeda, Masaru Setsumaru, Seirou Okamoto from Sonic 3D Flickies Island (Mega Drive) by SEGA; Club Paris, I Can Still Believe (vocals by TJ Davis), Fallen Angel (vocals by unknown) and Low Lights by Richard Jacques from Metropolis Street Racer by Bizzare Creations.

In which I revisit VVVVVV and go back to the start of a major game series. Potential for Anything and Pushing Onwards by Magnus 'souleye' Pålsson from VVVVVV by Terry Cavanagh;Theme Of Tara by Iku Mizutani, Shigehiro Takenouchi and Motoaki Furukawa from Metal Gear by Konami.

In which we go to war! Forest and Outerspace by Bjorn Lynne (remixed by Oliver Wood and Jay Waters), Worms Reloaded by Team 17; Downed Plane, Sniper Combat and Truth Revealed by Elia Cmiral from Spec Ops: The Line by Yager Development.

I do a Let's Play of Depression Quest. Depression Quest by Zoe Quinn, Patrick Lindsey and Isaac Schankler (music).

In which we chill out. Main Theme from 'The Sporting News Baseball' by K-Byte (partly on Take Me Out to the Ballgame by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer, and the other part used by Canadian Sketch group LoadingReadyRun); Lullaby by _ghost, Afternoon Snooze by Alec Holowka from Crayon Physics Deluxe by Kloonigames; The Shape of Things to Come and Forecast Fire by High Skies from Osmos by Hemisphere Games.

In which I play video game music made by a Eurovision Song Contest contestant. bahamas, volley3, sidney, jingle-defaite, Victory by Jean Baudlot from Beach Volley by Ocean France; Security, Circuitry and You, Cold Halls and Footfalls by Ryan Ike, Main Theme (Melancholia) by John Robert Matz from Gunpoint by Tom Francis.

In which we celebrate All Hallows' Eve with music from spooky videogames! Who is Herbert? and Pure Suite by Olivier Derivière (performed by Children choir of the Opéra national de Paris) from ObsCure by Hydravision Entertainment; The Suspended Doll, Infants, The Palace of Insane, The Theme of Alexia Type 2 and End Credits (COMPLETE Version) by Takeshi Miura, Hijiri Anze and Sanae Kasahara from Resident Evil Code: Veronica by Capcom.

In which I am excited after getting Klonoa 2, and play music from it! Title Screen and The Lost Temple from Rick Dangerous by Core Design; Going to Lunatea by Kanako "P" Kakino, Stepping Wind (vocals by Kumiko Watanabe) by Kanako "P" Kakino, "Moonlight Museum Ver.1" (Maze of Memories) by Hiromi Shibano, Traveler by Asuka Sakai from Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil by Namco.

In which I show how one game can have two completely different soundtracks. Rusty Ruin Act 2, Panic Puppet Act 1 by Jun Senoue, Tatsuyuki Maeda, Masaru Setsumaru and Seirou Okamoto from Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (MegaDrive version) by Traveller's Tales and Sonic Team; Rusty Ruin Act 2, Panic Puppet Act 1 and You're My Hero (vocals by Debbie Morris) by Richard Jacques from Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Saturn version) by Traveller's Tales and Sonic Team.

In which I fail at not having a theme. Main Plaza by Ryo Nagamatsu from Nintendo Land by Nintendo; The Moon & The Prince by Akitaka Tohyama (vocals by Kenji Ninuma & Fumina [chorus]) from Katamari Damacy by Namco; Kingdom of Ixa'taka theme by Yutaka Minobe and Tatsuyuki Maeda from Skies of Arcadia by Sega; Credits by Yutaka Minobe and Tatsuyuki Maeda from Sonic Advance by Sonic Team and Dimps.

In which we roll on from Katamari Damacy and refuse to let our spirits be dampened. "Lonely Rolling Star" (LONELY ROLLING STAR) by Yoshihito Yano (vocals by Saki Kabata), and Roll Me In by Hideki Tobeta (vocals by Yui Asaka & Mika Sato [chorus]), from Katamari Damacy by Namco; Enjoy's Water, Pixel Bear and Granular Anatomy by Arnaud Noble from Puddle by Neko Entertainment

In which we remaster the past, then roll things up. Bridge Zone Classic - Sonic Generations Remix by NicoCW from Bridge Zone theme by Yuzo Koshiro from Sonic the Hedgehog (8 bit) by Ancient; Que Sera Sera by Asuka Sakai & Natsuki Isaki (vocals by Charles Kosei), Katamari of Love ~ Ending Theme by Yoshihito Yano & Akitaka (vocals by Shigeru Matsuzaki) from Katamari Damacy by Namco.

In which I finally get around to talking about the great Minecraft. calm1 and hef3 by Daniel "C418" Rosenfeld from Minecraft by Markus "notch" Persson and Mojang.

In which we present a humble proposition. Sounds Like It's Going To Bundle (Main Humble Bundle Theme Song) by John Graham from Humble Bundle; Med Sci 1 and Ops 2 by Eric Brosius, Josh Randall, Ramin Djawadi from System Shock 2 by Irrational Games and Looking Glass Studios.