Marred in 90s era video game controversy, Konami’s Lethal Enforcers series, along with Mortal Kombat, Night Trap, and several other games, had ironic targets on their backs for their innovative, realistic (at the time) graphics involving firing a fake plastic gun at the screen, killing human targets. Years later, the series is best known for pushing buttons in the North American political atmosphere, which is a shame because it SHOULD be known for their amazing soundtracks! Today on XVGM Radio, Justin and Mike go a few rounds with some Lethal Enforcers 1 and 2 tunes, comparing the versions and picking which ones they like the best after their heavy analyzing. Well worth the price of admission, you’ll be firing in quarters like crazy into your phone to reload more amazing tunes full of orchestra synth hits, SNES Midi guitar, along with tons of comparison to other Konami OSTs. This episode has its target set on you, time to hit play!

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Intro a – Lethal Enforcers (ARC – 1992) “Rolling Badguys (Stage 1)” Kenichiro Fukui

Product placement and advertising in video games is a wild, wacky thing. Today on XVGM Radio, Mike and Justin are joined by fellow VGM podcast CRT Soundsystem, where Reese and Tom bring some unique tracks to the mix! The hosts chat about Redline, Fast food chicken preferences, and gamer munchies. The Americans on the podcasts (Mike, Justin and Reese) learn about the aisle of American junk food in Ireland’s grocery stores courtesy of Tom. There’s a Pop Tarts flavor discussion as well as a full on M&Ms breakdown of the characters based on the websites. Is the brown M&M really just Bayonetta? Who’s got the best taste in Pop Tarts on these shows? Is the Frosted Flakes mascot Irish in Ireland? Find out more on this super silly episode of XVGM Radio!

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Intro – Pepsi Man (PS1, 1999) “Pepsi Man Theme Song” James Shimoji

Free Picks…the very definition of randomness. Every 20 episodes, Mike and Justin think back to stuff they’re playing, or perhaps pick a track suggested by our Discord members (Thanks ElectricBoogaloo for this month’s pick!) What follows is an episode full of tongue twisters, caller requests from questionable callers and Justin goes all in on Destiny discussion. One COULD call this a “Squeakuel” but it’s best to call it Free Picks 6: The Search For 5!

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Intro (J) – Kidou Senshi Z-Gundam – Hot Scramble (FC – 1986) “Mizu no Hoshi e Ai wo Komete (Main BGM – For Us To Decide)” Neil Sedaka

Released in 1987, the Sharp X68000 would lead the way for Japanese computer systems, ending its reign around 1996. Utilizing the Yamaha YM2151 sound chip would make the computer sing some of the best FM synthesis based VGM ever released. Today on XVGM Radio, we’re joined by our third host NikoTengoku to spotlight just a taste of the amazing tunes on this system. Niko falls in love with developer Exact, Mike goes on about songs sounding simple then praises the most simplistic song picked for the show, and Justin takes a call from…EVIL NIKO?! Oops, ALL BANGERS on this one! It’s all on this super fun, super rockin’ episode of XVGM Radio!

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Intro – Magical Shot (1991) “Soul” Hideya Nagata, Masashi Harada

Multiplayer games can create some of the most memorable times for gamers but what few people talk about is their music. Today on XVGM Radio, Mike and Justin focus on the Party Game genre (with a few examples that fit further into the multiplayer aspects.) The guys chat about the mountain that is One Piece’s anime series (and their lack of interest in it,) Smash Bros memories, their favorite muppets…and….Kermit 1v1ing their producer Janine in the alley?! This is sure to be an episode to remember! Gather all your friends and let’s chat about some party game VGM!

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Intro – Super Smash Bros. Melee (GCN – 2001) “Final Destination” Tadashi Ikegami, Shogo Sakai, Takuto Kitsuta

Returning to the topic of Natsume’s musical history, Mike and Justin revisit one last time for a sort of epilogue on the history of Natsume via Tengo Project. Formed from an offshoot of Natsume Co. Ltd in the mid to late 2000s, Tengo Project is a small team of Natsume’s original staff who have been revisiting the company’s past to remake or create sequels to some of their most famous games. From Ninjas to shrine maidens and even a sort of wild, wild west, Tengo Project’s games have captured a snapshot of the past while recreating it for a modern era. Today, the XVGM Radio guys listen to some incredible music from Hiroyuki Iwatsuki as well as Iku Mizutani, in an era where both Natsume composers revisit their legendary past.

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Intro – Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn (SWI/PS5/PC/XBOX – 2024) “Stage 1” Iku Mizutani

Greetings boils, ghouls and everyBOOdy in between! Welcome to another SPOOOOOOOOKYFEST 2024! Each year, Mike and Justin get together for an “outdoor festival” that everyone can go to and enjoy some spooky halloween tunes! From horror movie based IPs with insanely creepy swamp tracks to bad William Shatner impressions, this episode is chock full of tricks AND treats that’ll keep you coming back to the festival for years to come! Enjoy a glass of rotten worm punch and rock out to some Baroque style jams from the Sharp 68000. Here’s SPOOKYFEST 2024!

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Intro – Spirits and Spells/Castleween (GCN/GBA, 2003) “The Shrouded Cemetery & the Crypt” Michel Golgivit, Olivier Rabat

We’ve covered the Mario RPG games and their music WAY back on Episode 29 but today, we’re revisiting one of the best Paper Mario games out there: Paper Mario and the Thousand Year Door. Recently, it received a remaster on the Nintendo Switch and while the original soundtrack is an option in this new version, a brand new redone soundtrack has some major differences from the original. To discuss the game and the music comparisons, we’ve brought in a Thousand Year Door expert: Justin’s wife Ariel Schneider! Hear each song and get the breakdown, as well as some fun discussions on the wacky cast of characters in this game! All on the 115th episode of XVGM Radio!

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GCN – 2004 Composed by Yoshito Hirano, Yuka Tsujiyoko

Intro – “An Awfully Long Time Ago…”

Justin comes in with a jump off the top rope! BOOM! Mike goes down, and it’s ONE-TWO-11? Yes, 11 tracks of excellent wrestling music from video games are coming your way on this super-charged episode of XVGM Radio! Hear the guys chat about their Wrestling game (and Wrestling TV) experiences. Plus an extra special appearance by a few pals of XVGM Radio in a super silly commercial, all on the 114th episode!

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Intro – Tag Team Wrestling (NES – 1986) “Track 1” Unknown Composer

There’s two things that don’t get the recognition they deserve when it comes to video games: Game Boy Advance soundtracks and licensed games. Today on XVGM Radio, Mike and Justin build up a musical tale to combat this inaccurate statement with a GBA soundtrack from a licensed game that rocks! Robots, based on the CGI family friendly flick, has a soundtrack sure to get your gears spinning. As an added bonus, the XVGM Radio guys interview the composer, Ian Stocker. Find out fun facts about the creation of the soundtrack, hear discussions about Garfield, hot dog nicknames and so much more on this stellar episode of XVGM Radio!

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Intro – “Intro Movie”