RE-VGM

On September 20, 1996, Atlus released a game that would be a start of their subseries to Megami Tensei: “Revelations: Persona”. It follows the exploits of a group of high school teenagers given the power of Persona, the ability to call upon entities to cast spells and fight against the demons that have invaded their town and high school. As stated by their guide Philemon, there are many Personas that may be in every person; some merciful, some vengeful; some kind, some cruel.

This week, we’ll be taking a walk through the story of the game as we listen to tracks, along with their covers and remixes. We’ll also talk about the two branches of the game, one of which was not made accessible in the North American release unless you use cheats.

Sit back and enjoy some nostalgia for the first game in the Persona series.

Track Listing

Intro & BGM: “Opening” – composed by Hidehito Aoki

“Battle – Awakening” – composed by Kenichi Tsuchiya

“[Remix] Revelations: Persona – Awakening Theme (Megami Ibunroku Persona)” – remixed by rail gun

“Normal Battle” – composed by Kenichi Tsuchiya

“Battle (Arranged)” – arranged by Achilles Damigos, from the album “Megami Ibunroku ~PERSONA~ Original Soundtrack & Arrange Album”

“Velvet Room” (Aria of the Soul) – composed by Shoji Meguro

“The Poem of Everyone’s Soul (Cover of Velvet Room Theme)” – covered by CatHatFiddle

“SEBEC Above Ground” – composed by Hidehito Aoki

“Persona (PSP) SEBEC ~PSX Cover” – covered by To nin

“Snow Queen” – composed by Hidehito Aoki, Kenichi Tsuchiya

“Snow Queen (Arranged Version)” – arranged by VerMeer (Tonika Ichinose / Takao Kondo), from the album “Megami Ibunroku ~PERSONA~ Original Soundtrack & Arrange Album”

Outro: “Satomi Tadashi Pharmacy – Techno Pop Arrange” – composed by Misaki Okibe, vocals by Yuko Kobayashi, from “Megami Ibonroku Persona:Digital Collection”

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Muhahahah!!! It’s the 13th of Friday, which means it’s another freaky Friday episode for the show. There have been three previous episodes (#15,#51, and #92) and this marks the forth one to celebrate Friday the 13th, its mystique, its fascination, and its fear concerning this specific day. One of these days, there will be an episode about the franchise.

For now, this week’s episode will be discussing the bad randomness of video games, known by gacha players as RNG. Whether is programmed or human-induced, sometimes a random moment can make your experience less than pleasant to the point of utter frustration. We’re going to hear tracks from three of those games: four masked turtles on a mission, an alien invasion of worldly proportions, and kart racing at this best worst. We’ll also hear some covers and remixes to follow.

May Lady Luck be in your favor, lest she turn up her nose and spite you…

10 Video Games That Punish You for Being Unlucky

“Chase” – composed by Giorgio Moroder, from the movie “Midnight Express” (YT, Spotify)

Track Listing

“Title Theme” – [Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES)] – composed by Jun Funahashi (NES)

“Title Theme [HD Remake]” – remade by zr0

“Geoscape 1” (Adlib version) – [XCOM: Enemy Unknown] – composed by John Broomhall

“XCOM UFO Enemy Unknown – Geoscape (Epic Modern Cover)” – covered by Everrune

“Bowser’s Castle” – [Super Mario Kart] – composed by Soyo Oka

“Bowser Castle – Super Mario Kart Remix” – remixed by Wario Man 64

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Do you remember when you last read a book? High school, because of summer reading? College, because of an English assignment? At work, because, well, the boss thought it was a good idea to build teamwork?

This Friday, we’re celebrating National Read a Book Day, a time to consider reading one of your favorites books (at least a section of it) or a new one that caught your eye at the bookstore or library. It doesn’t have to be in print, and you could consider joining a book club in person or online.

But, what do books have to do with video games?

There’s a genre of video games called visual novels (VNs) in which you’ll read through lots of dialog and narrative description. At times, you make actively make a choice for the protagonist, which cause the story to branch off or end abruptly. For this week’s episode, we’ll be listening to tracks from visual novels: a literature club gone wrong, a town beset by murdering vampires, and a train mystery during a birthday party. There will also be covers and remixes to follow each track.

So, sit back in your chair and cozy up to a favorite or new visual novel…

National Read a Book Day

Visual Novel Database

Best Visual Novel Games (Metacritic)

Track Listing

“Doki Doki Literature Club” – [Doki Doki Literature Club] – composed by Dan Salvato

“Doki Doki Literature Club! Main Theme [ROCK COVER]” – covered by Lufca

“Tsukihime” – [Tsukihime] – composed by KATE (aka Keita Haga), from the album “EVER AFTER ~Music from “Tsukihime” Reproduction~

“Tsukihime JH remix” – remixed by James Harris (aka Daisuke Nagata), from the album “EVER AFTER ~Music from “Tsukihime” Reproduction~

“Saloon Car” – [The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog] – composed by Joel Corelitz, Troupe Gammage

“Saloon Car [Trizic REMIX] – remixed by Trizic

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Here we are at the end of month, and that usually means it’s time for our monthly special episode of “On Stage Now”, and for the month of August we are featuring GlitchxCity.

GlitchxCity has been creating covers and remixes since 2011. While most of her music is from the Pokemon series, she also has music from other popular video games. On a rare occasion does GlitchxCity have a collaboration with other musicians, such as insaneintherainmusic.

No wallflowers here, so get ready to stand up and dance to the music of GlitchxCity.

GlitchxCity (YT, Instagram, X, Twitch, Spotify, Apple Music, BC, SC, Patreon)

Track Listing

“Pokemon Black and White: N’s Castle Bridge Symphonic Remix” – [Pokemon Black and White] – composed by Shota Kageyama

“Pokemon Gold and Silver – Legendary Beast Battle Theme (Remix v.II)” – [Pokemon Gold and Silver] – composed by Junichi Masuda

“The Legend of Zelda – Song of Storms (Remix)” – [The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time] – composed by Koji Kondo

“Pokemon Red and Blue – Pokemon Mansion (Remix)” – [Pokemon Red and Blue] – composed by Junichi Masuda

“Overwatch – King’s Row Remix” – [Overwatch] – composed by Derek Duke

“Pokemon Diamond and Pearl – Eterna Forest” – [Pokemon Diamond and Pearl] – composed by Hitomi Sato

“Pokemon Sword and Shield – Chairman Rose Battle Theme (Remix)” – [Pokemon Sword and Shield] – composed by Go Ichinose

“Pokemon Legends: Arceus – Origin Form Dialgo and Palkia Battle Theme (Remix)” – [Pokemon Legends: Arceus] – composed by Junichi Masuda

“Pokemon Gold and Silver – Union Cave w/ Hotline Sehwani (Lofi Remix)” – [Pokemon Gold and Silver] – composed by Junichi Masuda

Outro: “Pokemon Black and White – Global Terminal (Remix)” – [Pokemon Black and White] – composed by Hitomi Sato, remixed by GlitchxCity

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The taped-up glasses, the plain buttoned-up shirt, a pair of pants held up by suspenders, and a smile with an overbite showing. All these combine to form the common image of a nerd. They’re socially awkward, speak through their nose and use large words, and may walk funny. Yet, they are devoted a subject matter or interest that some may perceive as obsessive. However, gone are the days when a nerd was considered a social pariah in school and at work; now they’re embraced lovingly and sometimes considered attractive.

Today, we’re celebrating “Find Your Inner Day”, a day based on a hashtag that was meant to encourage people to exercise their nerdiness, whether it’s books, computers, and even video games. We’ll be listening to tracks from video games that some (I personally believe) are nerds about: a world of monsters that must be caught, a fighting sport of fast reflexes, and a place of immense creativity. There will also be covers and remixes to follow each track.

So don’t be shy and set yourself free in all things nerd…

Track Listing

“Pallet Town” – [Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow] – composed by Junichi Masuda

“Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow – Pallet Town [Remix]” – remixed by Qumu

“Character Select” – [Street Fighter II] – composed by Yoko Shimamura

“Street Fighter II Character Select Theme Remix (SFV Mix)” – remixed by Richard Beats

“Sweden” – [Minecraft] – composed by C418

“Minecraft Soundtrack/C418 – Sweden (Synthwave Remix)” – remixed by Jay1985

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What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear amusement park? The booths and the prizes big and small? The exhibits? The animal shows? Or perhaps it’s the sight and sound of a wooden or steel structure that dominates the landscape. It has a line of connected cars that race along a guided track that winds its way up, down, and sometimes loops around. It has various nicknames: The Cyclone, The Big Dipper, The Matterhorn, Montezuma’s Revenge. Yes, I’m talking about roller coasters, and we’re celebrating National Roller Coaster Day on August 16th.

For this week’s episode, we’ll be featuring tracks from video games that have roller coasters: two Tycoon titles and a title that’s one a planet. We’ll also hear any remixes and covers following each original track.

So, sit down, strap in, pull down the bar, and hold on tight, as we weave our way along the winding track of vertigo and G-forces.

Track Listing

“Flight of Fantasy/Fantasy Style” – [RollerCoaster Tycoon] – composed by Allister Brimble

“Whimsyland [Flight of Fantasy]” – remixed by Darksim, feat. General Grunt

“Urban Style” – [RollerCoaster Tycoon 2] – composed by Allistr Brimble

“Urban Style | RCT2 Remix” – remixed by Steven Emfore (Mush)

“You, Me & Gravity” – [Planet Coaster] – composed by Jim Guthrie & JJ Ipsen

“You, Me and Gravity [Trance Remix]” – remixed by EIR

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Rack ’em and line ’em up! Make sure your cue stick is straight and the tip is smooth. Pick your shots and make them count, because if you miss the pocket or sink the cue ball, that’s a penalty.

We’re celebrating, on August 9th, National Billiards and Pool Day, the table top sport played with a rack of colored balls and a cue stick. The term “billiards” first appeared in the 15th century to describe the indoor version of croquet. As the sport became popular after adding pockets, people started placing wagers and bets in a pool, which is where the word “pool” originated; billiards is a general term for a table sport played with balls and a stick, and pool is sub-term for a billiards game played with pockets.

For this week’s episode, we’ll be listening to tracks from a couple of billiards and pool simulation games: a regular billiards simulation and a pool game played on the moon. There’s also covers and remixes to follow each original track.

So, line up your shots and strike your cue stick hard, so that the cue ball can pocket one or more colored balls…

National Billiards & Pool Day

What’s the Difference Between Pool and Billiards

Track Listing

“Whispers” – [Side Pocket] – composed by Rick Fox

“Jax’s Classic VG Remixes: Whispers (Side Pocket)” – remixed by Jax Music

“The Lounge” – [Side Pocket] – composed by Rick Fox

“Side Pocket (SNES) – The Lounge MIDI Cover (YMF715)” – covered by Vyothric

“Game Theme” – [Lunar Pool] – composed by Masatomo Miyamoto

“Looser Tool” – remixed by Harmsing

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Sometimes, when you’re in the mood to unwind and relax, you want to reach into the chest, wade through the mounds of ice, and grab one of your favorite beer can or bottle. After popping it open, you take a slow slip of your brew, enjoying its flavor and taste. You let out a sigh after taking the last gulp and settle into your chair.

For this week’s episode, we’re celebrating International Beer Day, a day to celebrate this honored beverage, crafted to near perfection, served at your favorite restaurant or brewery, and enjoyed and shared among friends. It’s a chance to thank those beer technicians of their work and the staff who serve it, consider a beer from a different country, and share a mug or a pack with other people.

We’ll be listening tracks from video games that have beer, whether it’s part of the story or game mechanics; we’ll also hear any covers or remixes of these tracks.

So, grab a can or bottle of your favorite beer and take a listen to these tracks.

“Beer in Video Games”

International Beer Day

“Celebrate International Beer Day with These Tasty Brews”

Track Listing

Intro & BGM: “Oh Sussana” – [Tapper/Root Beer Tapper] – composed by Stephen Foster, arranged by Rick Hicaro

“Windy & Co.” – [Conker’s Bad Fur Day] – composed by Robin Beanland

“Windy & Co. – Conker’s Bad Fur Day [REMIX]” – remixed by NoteBlock

“Max Payne 3 Theme” – [Max Payne 3] – composed by Health

“Max Payne Theme Cover” – covered by SquidPhysics

“Horseplay” – [Red Dead Redemption] – composed by Bill Elm, Woody Jackson

“Red Dead Redemption Remix – Friends and Foe (Horseplay Remix)” – remixed by Kalel Purkis

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Welcome to the fourth and final special episode for The Masters of VGM event.

The name Rika Muranaka instantly brings up one of the most popular and beloved video game franchises, Metal Gear. For almost 20 years, Muranaka has written and produced the music for Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear series, starting with Metal Gear Solid and on to Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes. With a background in jazz music, her tracks are memorable to all who have played the series. In addition to video games, she has also composed music for commercials, the Japanese government, and demos for multimedia companies from Japan. It has been also said she created interest in video game music after bringing in Harry Gregson-Williams.

Yes, we’ve got a couple of tracks from the Metal Gear series, along with a track from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night; we’ve also got covers and remixes of these tracks to follow.

I hope you enjoyed this and the previous three episodes of Master of VGM, and be sure to visit the website to listen to other podcasts that have participated in the event last month in June.

Track Listing

“I Am the Wind” – [Castlevania: Symphony of the Night] – vocals by Cynthia Harell

“I am The Wind” – covered by John David & Lee David

“The Best Is Yet To Come” – [Metal Gear Solid] – vocals by Aoife Ni Fhearraigh

“The Best Is Yet To Come – Metal Gear Solid Remix” – remixed by Enzo Satera

“Can’t Say Goodbye to Yesterday” – [Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty] – vocals by Carla White

“Can’t Say Goodbye to Yesterday – Metal Gear Solid 2” – covered by ViolinistBAKA

Outro: “Esperadonte (Que Quieres De Mi?)” – [Silent Hill] – composed by Rika Muranaka, vocals by Vanesa Quiroz

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Here we are, week 3 of Master of VGM, and our third episode focuses on Miki Higashino.

Miki Higashino is a Japanese video game composer who is known for her work in the Suikoden series (Gensouisuikoden). She was born on January 1st in Osaka, Japan. At an early age, she learned to play piano and often listened with classic music with her father. She often sang church music while in middle and high school. Higashino later enrolled in college in the composition department. She applied for a position as a part-time composer for Konami, and thus began her career in video game music.

As usual, there’s three original tracks composed by Higashino: a fighting game established the genre, a spin-off of Gradius, and mutant turtles fighting to save their master. We also have any covers and remixes to follow each track.

I hope you’re enjoying this and the previous episodes of Masters of VGM.

VGMO: Miki Higashino Interview: Retired Fan Favourite Speaks

May 2000 Higashino

Track Listing

All original tracks are composed by Miki Higashino

“Fight Theme” – [Yie Ar Kung-Fu]

“Yie Ar Kung Fu – Vichede (Electronic Guitar Version)” – covered by Vichede

“Starfield” (TG-16)

“Salamander/Life Force – Starfield Remake” – remixed by nostArtia

“Donatello’s Stage” (Sega Genesis) – [Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters]

“Donatello Theme (Genesis)” – remixed by F1NG3RS

Outro: “Fu-Fa” – [pop’n music 15 ADVENTURE] – composed by Miki Higashino

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