PixelTunes Radio VGM Podcast

Download Episode 111: “10th Anniversary Reunion” here!

On January 28th, 2014, the very first episode of PixelTunes Radio was released into the world. Ed Wilson and Mike Levy shared a passion for video game music, comedy, and voice acting, creating a perfect storm for an engaging and long-running podcast series. Now, exactly ten years later, Mike and Ed have reunited once again to bring a bit of the old PTR magic back! This brand new episode is full of PixelTunes memories, some of their favorite tracks they’ve played over the run, and a ton of classic skits with commentary and behind-the-scenes stories. Whether you’re a die-hard PTR fanatic or are just getting familiar with the show, this reunion for the ages is guaranteed to get you laughing, crying, and overwhelmed with nostalgia.

**Stay PixelTuned till the very end of the show for a brand new skit, featuring a special announcement from our hosts!**

The Tracklist:

Format: Game Title (System, Year) – Track Title – Composer(s)

1 – Mick & Mack: Global Gladiators (GEN, 1993) – “Storyline” – Tommy Tallarico

2 – Serious Sam Advance (GBA, 2004) – “Menu Theme” – Matt Simmonds (4MAT)

3 – Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest (SNES, 1995) -”Stickerbrush Symphony” – David Wise

4 – TMNT 3: The Manhattan Project (NES, 1991) – “Scene 8” – Yūichi Sakakura, Tomoya Tomita, Kōzō Nakamura

5 – Soldam (Arcade, 1992)  – “VS. Mode” – Yasuyuki Suzuki, Atsuyoshi Itsemura

6 – Elemental Master (GEN, 1990) – “Until the End of the Earth (Stage 3)” – Toshiharu Yamanishi

7 – Ghouls n’ Ghosts (C64, 1989) – “Title” – Tim Follin

8 – Bushido Blade 2 (PS1, 1998) – “The Spirit of Samurai” – Ryuji Sasai

9 – The Adventures of Mighty Max (GEN, 1994) – “Ending Theme” – Matt Furniss

10 – Moto-X (SNES, 2023) – “Title Theme” – Tim Follin, Geoff Follin

11 – Daffy Duck: The Marvin Missions (SNES, 1993) – “20,000 Martians Under the Sea” – Jim Hedges

Download Episode 110: “Saigo no Free Picks” here!

It’s a free picks show, and also a special “Thank You” episode! This one may be a little emotionally intense though, so make sure to have some tissues handy while you listen. Find out the meaning behind the title of the show, and what the PTR guys will be up to in the future!

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The Tracklist:

Format: Game Title (System, Year) – Track Title – Composer(s)

1 – Looney Tunes: Carrot Crazy (GBC, 1998) – “Treasure Island”- Alberto Jose Gonzalez

2 – Barunba (PCE, 1990) – “Fortress (Area 5)” – Makiko Ito, Hiroshi Nishikawa

3 – Ms. Pac Man’s Maze Madness (DC, 2000) -”CleoPactra” Jon Holland

4 – Quattro Sports BMX Simulator (NES, 1993) – “Title Theme” – Gavin Raeburn

5 – Hi No Tori Houhou Hen (FC, 1987) – ”Stage 3” – Kinuyo Yamashita, Iku Mizutani, Hidenori Maezawa

6 – Snipperclips Plus (Switch, 2017) – “Silly Science B” – Calum Bowen

7 – Foreman For Real (SNES, 1995) – “Tournament” – Chris Jojo, Paul Tonge, Suddi Raval

8 – Super Bomberman R (Switch, 2017) – “Online Battle 2” – Seima Iwahashi, Daisuke Kikuta

9 – Radiant Historia Perfect Chronology (3DS, 2018) – “Edge of Green” – Yoko Shimomura

10 – Streets of Rogue (PC, 2017) – “Ghetto Libretto” – Craig Barnes

11 -X-Men VS Street Fighter (Arcade, Saturn, PS1, 1996) – “Theme of Rogue” – Yuki Iwai, Yuko Takehara

12 – Super R-Type (SNES, 1995) – “A Submerging Titan” – Takushi Hiyamuta

Outro – Mega Man X (SNES, 1993) – “Ending” –  Setsuo Yamamoto, Makoto Tomozawa, Yuki Iwai, Yūko Takehara, Toshihiko Horiyama

Download Episode 109: “BATMAN” here!

Ever dance to VGM in the pale moonlight? Mike and Ed heed the call of the Bat-Signal and swing into action with a utility belt full of awesome tunes! Join them as they explore the history of the Dark Knight, delve into both obscure and classic Batman games, and spin some incredible music from Naoki Kodaka, Barry Leitch, Jake Kaufman, and more!

Thanks to Dan Bisciglia, Ben Dishman, and Joe Dunbar for submitting PixelChat questions. Send YOUR questions for us to answer at [email protected]!

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The Tracklist:

Format: Game Title (System, Year) – Track Title – Composer(s)

1 – Batman, the Caped Crusader (C64, 1988) – “In-Game Theme” – Fred Gray

2 – Batman: The Movie (ZX Spectrum, 1989) – “Stage 5 – The Cathedral” – Matthew Cannon

3 – Batman (Amiga, 1989) – “Title Screen” – Matthew Cannon, Jonathan Dunn

4 – Batman: The Video Game (NES, 1990) – “Stage 1 and 5” – Naoki Kodaka, Nobuyuki Hara

5 – Batman (TG-16, 1990) “Stage 4” – Nobuyuki Hara

6 – Batman: Return of the Joker (NES, 1991) – “Stages 1+6” – Nobuyuki Hara, Naoki Kodaka, Shinichi Seya

7 – Batman Returns (Sega CD, 1992) – “Act 2, Driving Stages 1-5, & Driving Acts Intro” – Spencer Nilsen

8 – Batman: The Animated Series (GB, 1993) – “Mr. Freeze Level” – Yoshiyuki Hagiwara, Yuko Kurahashi

9 – Adventures of Batman & Robin (SNES, 1994) – “Joker’s Funhouse” – Jun Funahashi, Masanari Iwata, Masahiko Kimura, Kayo Fujitani, Harumi Uekō, Masahiro Ikariko, Kazuhiko Uehara

10 – Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (PS1, N64, 2000) – “Stage 1” – Unknown

11 – Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu (GBA, 2003) – “Clayface” – Barry Leitch

12 – Batman: The Brave and the Bold (DS, 2010) – “Catwoman Boss Level” – Jake Kaufman

Download Episode 108: “Isometric Jamz” here!

It’s time to look at video game music from a whole new perspective! In today’s episode, Mike and Ed select their tracks exclusively from games that use an isometric viewpoint.  Prepare your ears for tunes spanning the history of the video game industry, with some well-known titles mixed in with a few that may surprise you!

Thanks to Jay Jorgenson, Ben Dishman, and Josh Battin for submitting PixelChat questions. Send YOUR questions for us to answer at [email protected]!

Thanks also to Internetakias1 on YouTube for the Clarification Corner segment!

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The Tracklist:

Format: Game Title (System, Year) – Track Title – Composer(s)

1 – Last Ninja 2 (C64, 1988) – “Central Park” – Matt Gray

2 – Biker Mice From Mars (SNES, 1994) – “Fortress” – Nobuyuki Akena, Hideto Inoue

3 – Lunar Knights (DS, 2007) – “Guild Hideout” – Hiroe Noguchi, Masashi Watanabe, Masanori Akita, Akihiro Honda, Shuichi Kobori, Nobuko Toda, Yuichi Tsuchiya, Yasuhiro Ichihashi, Tsutomu Watanabe, Tomoharu Nakano, Rie Yamatani, Yutaka Shimoyama, Rie Nakano, Hideyuki Suzuki, Kazuki Muraoka

4 – Sonic 3D Blast (Genesis, 1996) – “Rusty Ruin Zone Act 1” – Tatsuyuki Maeda, Jun Senoue, Masaru Setsumaru, Seirō Okamoto

5 – Assault Android Cactus (PS4, Xbox1, PC, Linux, Mac, 2015) – “Cactus” – Jeff van Dyck

6 – Snake, Rattle & Roll (NES, 1990) – “Levels 5 and 8” – David Wise

7 – Solstice (NES, 1990) – “Ending” – Tim Follin

8 – Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (SNES, 1996) – “Rose Town” – Yoko Shimomura

9 – Pac-Mania (Arcade, 1987) – “Pac Man’s Park” – Junko Ozawa, Yoshito Tomuro, Yuriko Keino

10 – Battle Chasers: Nightwar (PS4, 2017) – “Mana Surge” Clark Powell, Jesper Kyd

11 – Bastion (PC, 2011) – “Twisted Streets” – Darren Korb

12 – Front Mission (SNES, 1995) – “Take the offensive” – Yoko Shimomura, Noriko Matsueda

Download Episode 107: “The Music of the PC-98” here!

The PC-98 series of computers wasn’t really meant to play games. Ironically, it became the system with one of the most robust collections of it’s time. Packed with the option of two fantastic FM-synthesis soundchips, there was no shortage of incredible music for this unassuming beige box. In this episode, Mike and Ed explore some of the best music the PC-98 has to offer!

After recording this episode, we discovered that the first song we play (attributed to “unknown”) was in fact composed by Ryu Umemoto.

WARNING: Due to the adult nature of the games in this episode, there are some descriptions of mature content. While we strive to keep it in PG-13 territory, you may not want to listen with your kids or grandma.

 Thanks to Trevin Hughes, , Chris Murray, and Key Glyph for submitting PixelChat questions. Send YOUR questions for us to answer at [email protected]!

Join our Facebook group to check out extra content from this episode!

The Tracklist:

Format: Game Title (Publisher, Year) – Track Title – Composer(s) [Sound Chip]

1 – Rall III: Kakusei-hen (Fairy Dust, 1994) – “Battle 1 – Winning Expectation” – Ryu Umemoto [OPN]

2 – Ningyō Tsukai 2 [Metal & Lace 2] – (Forest, 1996) – “VS J Mantis” – Hideki Higuchi [OPNA]

3 – Rhyme Star (Starcraft, 1994) “World 12“ – Takeshi Abo [OPNA]

4 – Zatsuon Ryoiki (D.O, 1994) – “Introductory Scene – Highway” – Ryuuichirou Fujisawa, Hiro Tachibana [OPN]

5 – Possessioner (Queen Soft, 1994) “Labotech/Dr. Lashmar” – Hiroaki Sano, Masahiro Kajihara [OPN]

6 – Cross Changer (Ucom, 1994) – “Action 1” – Suzunosuke Himekiri [OPNA]

7 – Virgin Angel – (Crystal Soft, 1995) “Virgin Angel’s Theme 2 – Staff Roll” – Sen Shibata [OPNA]

8 – Night Slave (Melody, 1996) – “Hard Rushing” – Yuki Nakayama (PANDA) [OPN]

9 – Silent Mobius: Case Titanic Reproduction (Gainax & D4Enterprise, 1990) “Silent City” – Masahiro Kajiwara, Hiroe Suga [OPN]

10 – Waku Waku Mahjong Panic! 2 (Four-Nine & Excellents, 1996) – “Totsugeki” – Kazumichi Moegi [OPNA]

11 – Trouble Outsiders – (Petit, 1996) “A Battle With Destiny” – Shiori Ueno [OPNA]

12 – Amy to Yobanaide [Don’t Call me Amy] (C’s Ware, 1995) – “Tomomi-kun” – Ryu Umemoto [OPNA]

Download Episode 106: “4th Anniversary w/ Ryu and Snake” here!

PixelTunes is officially 4 years old! Woohoo! Ed makes his return to the show and celebrates with Mike and special guest Ryu Hayabusa. Ryu’s picked some excellent VGM to share with the guys today, and things get VERY interesting as the episode progresses. Listen in for some wacky antics and lots of the great VGM that PTR is famous for!

Thanks to Chris Murray, Scott Mcelhone, Ariel Schneider, Henrik Andersson, and Dan Bisciglia for submitting PixelChat questions. Send YOUR questions for us to answer at [email protected]!

Join our Facebook group to check out extra content from this episode!

The Tracklist:

Format: Game Title (System, Year) – Track Title – Composer(s)

1 – Dragon Skills (Wii U, 2016) – “World 3 – Graveyard” – Simon Osterhold (Sim Productions)

2 – Pizza Pop! (FC, 1992) – “Stage 3 – Motorcycle Ride” – Junya Kozakai

3 – Ninja Battle Heroes (3DS, 2014) – “BGM01” – Unknown

4 – Goemon Mononoke Sugoroku (N64, 1999) “Party Time” – Hajime Takai, Tomoaki Hirono

5 – Guardian War (3DO, 1994) – “Shop” – Yasufumi Fukuda, Yukiharu Urita

6 – Lupin Sensei: Pandora no Isan (FC,1987 ) – “Stage 1 – Mansion” – Haruhisa Udagawa, Kumi Hanaoka

7 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES, 1989 ) – “Airport/Overworld 2” – Jun Funahashi

8 – Metal Gear (MSX2, 1987) – Red Alert” – Iku Mizutani

9 – Tomb Raider: Legend (GCN, PS2, Xbox, 2006) – “Bolivia 4B” – Troels Brun Folmann

10 – Winback (N64, PS2, 1999) – “Multiplayer 2” – Kaori Nakabai, Keiji yamagishi, Tsutomu Hirasawa

11 – Daytona Championship USA (Arcade, 2017) – “Let’s Go Away [New Version]” – Takenobu Mitsuyoshi

12 – Savage (Amiga,1989) – “Savage Remix” – Kevin Collier