Forever Sound Version

By Forever Sound Version

Technology Games & Hobbies Music Video Games

What's Forever Sound Version about?

Forever Sound Version is a video game music podcast from out of Newcastle upon Tyne that explores classic tracks and deep cuts from the 8-bit home computers and consoles onwards!

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Forever Sound Version episodes:

02.05.2021
Episode 70 – Pinball on the Amiga by Digital Illusions
This episode is dedicated to three very similar games with very similar names, but all teeming with quality – Pinball Dreams, Pinball Fantasies, and Pinball Illusions! This trio of Amiga classics delivered a ton of banging four-channel tunes courtesy of...
08.27.2020
Episode 69 – A Number Between Sixty-eight and Seventy
This episode is dedicated to the sexy, flirty, and sometimes naughty side of video games and video game music. Superstar special guest The Diad and I draw from titles on platforms as diverse as Sega Saturn, Commodore Amiga, and PC-FX...
08.13.2020
Episode 68 – VGM for Hope
2020 is turning out to be a tough year for a lot of us, so I think that some music which inspires hope for the future is in order. For this episode, I am joined by my good friend The...
02.19.2020
Episode 67 – Mega Drive Mayhem
To many, the FM synth-driven sound of the Sega Mega Drive simply is the sound of video games, as its run of success in the early 1990s delivered countless brilliant original titles in addition to some very convincing arcade ports....
12.19.2019
Episode 66 – Best of 2019
In a first for Forever Sound Version, John and I get into what we consider to be the best game soundtracks of the year! 2019 has yielded lots of very interesting titles, which in turn have given us some very...
11.22.2019
Episode 65 – Kart Racing
Coming at you faster than a blue shell on the final lap of Koopa Troopa Beach, Forever Sound Version is back with a focus on music from kart racing titles! This hugely popular subgenre of racing games was introduced –...
08.30.2019
Episode 64 – Game Boy Advance Showcase
Forever Sound Version returns with a focus on one of Nintendo’s massive success stories – the Game Boy Advance. This system’s sound quality may leave a lot to be desired at times, but there is still a great abundance of...
03.13.2019
Episode 63 – VGM Battle! 5
The four horsemen are back. Michael, Ross, Joe, and John (who brought the trophy along with him – eventually…) fill a fridge with beers and then empty it gradually on a Saturday afternoon while engaging in musical combat. It’s the...
03.04.2019
Episode 62 – Time for Tea with Rhythm and Pixels
Put the kettle on, because Rhythm and Pixels are coming over and they want some tea! I’m joined by Rob and Pernell to talk about all things tea while listening to some great video game music picks from titles like...
02.04.2019
Episode 61 – Sounds of the Strikes
In the 1990s, the Strike series was like the video games equivalent of a hit action movie franchise, with bad guys seeking world domination, daring missions, and loads of big explosions. I loved these games when I was a kid...
01.17.2019
Episode 60 – An AY Odyssey
It may not have been the most sophisticated of sound chips, but in the right hands, the AY was capable of producing some fantastic 8-bit game music. Join me as I explore some classic tunes – as well as some...
12.19.2018
Episode 59 – Banger Racing Bangers: Destruction Derby
Conventional racing games are fun, but deep down, we all have that urge, that appetite for destruction… why race cars when you can smash them up?! In 1995, Studio 33, Reflections, and Psygnosis came out with Destruction Derby, one of...
12.05.2018
Episode 58 – Only in Japan: Super Famicom Exclusives
This is the first episode of Forever Sound Version since I returned from my trip to Japan, where I bought my very own Super Famicom. So… here’s an episode dedicated to Japan-only Super Famicom games! There will be RPGs! There...
10.24.2018
Episode 57 – Commodore 64 in the 21st Century
If you’ve been listening to Forever Sound Version for a while, you’ll probably be aware of my love for the Commodore 64. This home computer was one of the most important platforms of the 8-bit era, but its games library...
10.12.2018
Episode 56 – Tunes of Doom
It revolutionised the world of PC gaming, and then launched a prolonged assault on the world of console gaming, thrilling players with its blood splattered action and exciting soundtracks… It’s the DOOM series! I am joined by Rob to enjoy...
09.28.2018
Episode 55 – The Sounds of Spindizzy Worlds
Fire up your GERALD, because it’s time to get into a spin… with Spindizzy Worlds! Lock in and discover a wide variety of jams from the Amiga, PC-98, X68000, and SNES versions of this challenging game.
08.29.2018
Episode 54 – VGM Battle! 4
The Forever Sound Version VGM Battle Supreme Champion trophy is up for grabs once again, as John, Ross, and Joseph bring beer, vodka, and some great VGM picks to my living room for a big Saturday afternoon showdown! This time,...
08.20.2018
Episode 53 – Exploring the Amiga CD32
Amigaaaaaaa…. CD32?! Yes, as the CD media format began to assert itself on the console market in the early nineties, Commodore was prepared to flex its muscles with a new toy: the powerful Amiga CD32. While this platform’s life was...
08.08.2018
Episode 52 – FSV’s Second Birthday
No cake, no balloons, but eight excellent VGM tunes. It’s Forever Sound Version’s second birthday, so put on a pointy hat and come celebrate with me!
07.30.2018
Episode 51 – Amiga Showcase
Amigaaaaaaaaah! Born in America, but raised in Europe, the Commodore Amiga is a very important platform in the world of game music, with its vast software library yielding a massive number of great sample-based tunes. This episode, while not pretending...
07.13.2018
Episode 50 – The Sound of Neo Kobe City: A Snatcher Special
Hideo Kojima may be known best as the brains behind the legendary Konami series Metal Gear, but he had other things going on in the late eighties… In this episode I discover Snatcher, a post-apocalyptic detective adventure game that boasts...
06.26.2018
Episode 49 – LucasArts Mix
LucasArts is a hugely important name in the world of point-and-click adventure games, with an abundance of classic titles under its belt. I didn’t know a ton about these games until recently, so I invited super special guest Robert Hunter...
06.15.2018
Episode 48 – Back to Back with the Diad
Here’s something special, a free picks episode in which I team up with one of my VGM podcasting heroes – the Diad! Join us as we crank the ‘tude up to 11 and jam on some deep cuts from adult...
05.11.2018
Episode 47 – Streets of Rage Slamdown
I’ve been looking forward to this one! Chris jumps into the Forever Sound Version guest seat for the first time since his appearance on my Sonic the Hedgehog focus episode to jam on some truly top-notch tracks from the Streets...
04.30.2018
Episode 46 – Real-Time Strategies
At last! A guest appears on Forever Sound Version once again! Ross visits my house to jam on some diverse and often quite breathtaking compositions from Real-Time Strategy titles. So, plug in your mouse, and please go and see a...
04.16.2018
Episode 45 – Manami Matsumae Mix
In this episode I celebrate the work of Manami Matsumae – a fantastically talented Japanese composer whose VGM career spans four decades. So, I’ve managed to pick out tracks from the years 1987, 1989, 1990, 1997, 2001, 2010, and 2016!...
03.28.2018
Episode 44 – Tunes of the “Nth” Dimension: A Zool Party
It was the early 1990s, and Nintendo and Sega were going head to head in a 16-bit battle of the mascots, but what about the world of home computers? What about the Commodore Amiga? Meet Zool: the Amiga’s platforming ninja...
03.06.2018
Episode 43 – NES Showcase
Ah, the NES... I never had one! My part of the world mostly revolved around 8-bit home computers until the 16-bit consoles arrived on the scene, so I have had to get into NES music without the nostalgia dimension. Curious?...
02.20.2018
Episode 42 – Rallying Ragers
Rallying is a motorsport that has always fascinated me, which I think is largely down to titles such as V-Rally and Colin McRae Rally, a pair of first-rate driving sims from the fifth generation of video games. It turns out...
02.05.2018
Episode 41 – Get a Load of This
Back in the Commodore 64’s heyday, the lengthy tape loading times meant that computer games enthusiasts needed something to nod their heads and tap their feet to as their screens flickered with raster bars and intro screens. Thus, the ‘loader’...
01.22.2018
Episode 40 – CD Audio Trailblazers
Everyone knows about the Sony Playstation and Sega Saturn, but what about those other CD-based video game systems? In this episode I take a deep dive into the world of early Redbook audio VGM, covering platforms such as the FM...
01.08.2018
Episode 39 – D&D: Warriors of the Eternal Sun
It’s the first episode of 2018 – let’s go an adventure! In this episode I get stuck into the rocking tracks of Dungeons & Dragons: Warriors of the Eternal Sun, a Sega Mega Drive exclusive from 1992. Expect crunching drum...
12.18.2017
Episode 38 – Surfin’ the Meganet
For the final episode of 2017 I dip into something a bit unusual – games released via Sega’s Meganet service, a means of downloading Mega Drive software via a dial-up connection that was available in Japan in the early nineties!...
12.05.2017
Episode 37 – VGM Battle! 3
You wanted the best; you got… the third instalment of Forever Sound Version’s VGM battle series! For this special extra-long episode I’m joined by John, Michael T, and Joseph for a good old Saturday afternoon listening party in my living...
11.21.2017
Episode 36 – Fighting Fire with Water
Fire is dangerous and should be treated with respect! In this episode I cover tracks composed for firefighting games – a very interesting niche theme in the world of video games that has inspired a lot of imagination and creativity....
11.06.2017
Episode 35 – SNES Spectacular
The early to mid-nineties was what I consider to be the golden age of console gaming, with Nintendo’s sleek grey wonder, the SNES, leading the way creatively and commercially in tandem with the Sega Mega Drive. Lock in and enjoy...
10.24.2017
Episode 34 – Spooky Scary Special
This week, ‘Scary’ Michael is joined by ‘Spooky’ Rob to bring you a very special Halloween-themed episode! In true Forever Sound Version fashion we’ll be enjoying tracks from classic games including Resident Evil and Super Mario World as well as...
10.09.2017
Episode 33 – RPG Deep Cuts
The RPG genre is an incredibly fertile source of VGM, with sprawling and varied soundtracks to match the lengthy and oftentimes cinematic nature of the games, so it’s about time I made an episode dedicated to it! RPG connoisseur and...
09.25.2017
Episode 32 – Rocking the Roland MT-32
The Roland MT-32 was a powerful pre-General MIDI sound module for PC that offered game composers a ton of different voices to make music with. Lock in and enjoy some of my picks from DOS game soundtracks played on the...
09.11.2017
Episode 31 – Classic Action Movies
I need your clothes, your boots, and your motorcycle…! The golden age of action movies gave us a ton of licensed games with a wide variety of styles represented in their soundtracks. Join me as I put on a bullet...
08.25.2017
Episode 30 – Metal Slug on the Neo Geo
Metal Slug is one of my all-time favourite arcade franchises for its frenetic and gleefully over the top run and gun action. As a kid, I was always powerless to resist the allure of the ‘Big Red’ Neo Geo cabinets...
08.08.2017
Episode 29 – FSV’s First Birthday
Forever Sound Version is one year old! To reflect on a solid twelve months of VGM discovery, here’s a retrospective episode featuring some of my favourite tracks from the first 28 episodes, as well as some special guest picks from...
07.27.2017
Episode 28 – Back to the Old School with Rhythm and Pixels
There’s no school like the old school, and for this episode, I’m joined in the classroom of game music by Rob and Pernell from the excellent Rhythm and Pixels VGM podcast! Join us as we jam on some great picks...
07.18.2017
Episode 27 – VGM Battle! 2
It’s back!! The Forever Sound Version Battle Series returns, and this time, there’s an actual real trophy to be won! I’m joined by John, Michael T, and super special last-minute guest Ross to slug it out to see who will...
06.26.2017
Episode 26 – PS1 Playlist
Stuart is back in the Forever Sound Version guest seat to help me honour one of our favourite consoles of all time – the original Sony Playstation! Fast tracks, slow tracks, tracks from RPGs, tracks from sports games… we have...
06.12.2017
Episode 25 – NBA Jams
It’s time for Forever Sound Version’s first ever sports games focus – and it’s on the NBA! There are no airballs on this episode as we charge through some great tracks from franchises such as Midway’s frenetic arcade-oriented NBA Jam...
05.16.2017
Episode 24 – An Atari 8-bit Family Affair
Turn your POKEY up to 11! It’s time to rock out with some top drawer rippers from the Atari 8-bit family of computers. They may not have been able to set the world alight like the Commodore 64 and NES...
04.25.2017
Episode 23 – Sonic the Hedgehog in the 1990s
I’m joined by Chris Machell to cover some top drawer jammers from the Sonic the Hedgehog games of the 1990s! With the enduring popularity of the original 2D Sonic titles in the world of retro gaming, it’s easy to take...
04.11.2017
Episode 22 – Rob Hubbard on the Commodore 64
This episode marks the first time that Forever Sound Version focuses on a single composer, and who better to start with than the legendary Rob Hubbard? This British musician has worked across a number of platforms, but his best-loved work...
03.27.2017
Episode 21 – Game Boy Showcase
It helped raise a generation of gamers, and cemented Nintendo’s status as a force to be reckoned with on the world stage – it’s the Game Boy! Join me as I dig out my blocky old white Game Boy (which...

What's Forever Sound Version about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Forever Sound Version episodes:

Episode 70 – Pinball on the Amiga by Digital Illusions

Episode 69 – A Number Between Sixty-eight and Seventy

Episode 68 – VGM for Hope

Episode 67 – Mega Drive Mayhem

Episode 66 – Best of 2019

Episode 65 – Kart Racing

Episode 64 – Game Boy Advance Showcase

Episode 63 – VGM Battle! 5

Episode 62 – Time for Tea with Rhythm and Pixels

Episode 61 – Sounds of the Strikes

Episode 60 – An AY Odyssey

Episode 59 – Banger Racing Bangers: Destruction Derby

Episode 58 – Only in Japan: Super Famicom Exclusives

Episode 57 – Commodore 64 in the 21st Century

Episode 56 – Tunes of Doom

Episode 55 – The Sounds of Spindizzy Worlds

Episode 54 – VGM Battle! 4

Episode 53 – Exploring the Amiga CD32

Episode 52 – FSV’s Second Birthday

Episode 51 – Amiga Showcase

Episode 50 – The Sound of Neo Kobe City: A Snatcher Special

Episode 49 – LucasArts Mix

Episode 48 – Back to Back with the Diad

Episode 47 – Streets of Rage Slamdown

Episode 46 – Real-Time Strategies

Episode 45 – Manami Matsumae Mix

Episode 44 – Tunes of the “Nth” Dimension: A Zool Party

Episode 43 – NES Showcase

Episode 42 – Rallying Ragers

Episode 41 – Get a Load of This

Episode 40 – CD Audio Trailblazers

Episode 39 – D&D: Warriors of the Eternal Sun

Episode 38 – Surfin’ the Meganet

Episode 37 – VGM Battle! 3

Episode 36 – Fighting Fire with Water

Episode 35 – SNES Spectacular

Episode 34 – Spooky Scary Special

Episode 33 – RPG Deep Cuts

Episode 32 – Rocking the Roland MT-32

Episode 31 – Classic Action Movies

Episode 30 – Metal Slug on the Neo Geo

Episode 29 – FSV’s First Birthday

Episode 28 – Back to the Old School with Rhythm and Pixels

Episode 27 – VGM Battle! 2

Episode 26 – PS1 Playlist

Episode 25 – NBA Jams

Episode 24 – An Atari 8-bit Family Affair

Episode 23 – Sonic the Hedgehog in the 1990s

Episode 22 – Rob Hubbard on the Commodore 64

Episode 21 – Game Boy Showcase