XVGM Radio
Music
About
XVGM Radio is a VGM podcast, done in the style of a radio show. It was established in 2018 with one simple mission in mind: to bring an awesome & eclectic mix of Video Game Music to your ears! Each episode will bring you new music, new topics, and hopefully show you something you may not have heard, or might not have thought to listen to otherwise. With co-hosts Mike Levy, Justin Schneider, Ed Wilson, & NikoTengoku, you’ll hear from game music composers, fellow VGM lovers and podcasters as well as musicians within the scene. Join the guys (and their producer, a Metroid named Janine,) as they take game music podcasting to a whole new level (complete with caller requests from game characters mixed with ones from Patreon members plus….silly commercials!) XVGM Radio….Where the Bits Keep Comin’! We release shows (episodes) on a monthly basis – usually on the middle-most Wednesday.
Episodes
- Episode 133 – Dragon Quest I, II and III with Ryan and Cam
Ryan and Cam join XVGM Radio to discuss the Dragon Quest I, II, and III games, also known as the Erdrick Trilogy. They cover the NES originals and other ports, with a focus on the soundtracks by Koichi Sugiyama.
- Episode 132 – Basketball VGM Hall of Fame
XVGM Radio celebrates March Madness by featuring video game music from basketball titles like NBA Jam and NBA Live. Hosts Mike and Niko share personal stories and discuss the featured tracks.
- Episode 131 – The Music of Shinji Hosoe
XVGM Radio hosts Mike and Ed discuss the video game music of Shinji Hosoe, noting his ability to compose across genres like techno, jungle, and chiptunes. They highlight tracks from various games, including Ibara and Mega Man Network Trans…
- Episode 130 – Wii Would Like to Listen
XVGM Radio Episode 130 celebrates the Wii's 20th anniversary with hosts Mike, Justin, Ed Wilson, and NikoTengoku. The episode features music from the Wii, discusses composer information, and shares stories about launch day experiences.
- Episode 129 – Super Scope Games
XVGM Radio Episode 129 focuses on the music from Super Scope 6 games, including titles like Operation Thunderbolt, Terminator 2: The Arcade Game, Battle Clash, Metal Combat, and Yoshi’s Safari. The episode features co-podcaster Rayjkayj an…
- Episode 128 – Same Song, Different Arrangement: Phantom Breaker BattleGrounds Ultimate
This episode of XVGM Radio focuses on the music from Phantom Breaker Battle Grounds Ultimate. It includes discussion of the soundtrack, gameplay, and announcements regarding changes to the show, featuring guest appearances. Track listing i…
- Episode 127 – Spookyfest 2025!
Episode 127 of XVGM Radio celebrates Spookyfest 2025 with 11 Halloween-themed music tracks. The hosts discuss Mike's survival horror backlog, Justin's fascination with Vampire Survivors, and the game The Slormancer. The episode includes mu…
- Episode 126 – Human Entertainment: The Musical History
XVGM Radio discusses the audio history of Human Entertainment, detailing its formation in 1987, its transition to creating original IPs, the establishment of a development school, and its eventual bankruptcy in 1999. The episode features a…
- Episode 125 – Cue Ball Sports VGM
XVGM Radio Episode 125 focuses on video game music from cue ball sports. Hosts Mike and Justin discuss tracks from games including Hardcore Pool, Pool Paradise, Side Pocket, and Lunar Pool, covering pool, billiards, and snooker titles.
- Episode 124 – Mega Man Battle & Chase Soundtrack Spotlight
XVGM Radio explores the Mega Man Battle & Chase soundtrack, a game known for its unique sound despite a missed North American release. The episode includes discussions on the game, interviews, and fan input.
- Episode 123 – Prison City w/ composer Matt Creamer
Composer Matt Creamer returns to XVGM Radio to discuss his soundtrack for the game Prison City. Creamer, who describes himself as a "puzzle solver," explains his methods for creating classic NES-style music and shares his influences.
- Episode 122 – Lethal Enforcers I & II (Same Song, Different System)
XVGM Radio hosts Justin and Mike explore the soundtracks of Lethal Enforcers 1 and 2. They compare musical versions across different systems, focusing on elements like synth hits and MIDI guitar, and discuss the games' controversial histor…
- Episode 121 – Product Placement VGM w/ CRT Soundsystem
XVGM Radio episode 121 features hosts Mike and Justin joined by Reese and Tom from CRT Soundsystem to discuss product placement and advertising in video games. They share music, discuss fast food preferences, and break down M&M's character…
- Episode 120 – Free Picks 6: The Search for 5
XVGM Radio
- Episode 119 – The Sounds of the Sharp X68000
This episode of XVGM Radio focuses on the Sharp X68000 computer, released in 1987, and its significant FM synthesis sound. Featuring music from various games including Lightning Soldier and Geograph Seal, the discussion touches upon develo…
- Episode 118 – Party Games Music
On XVGM Radio, hosts Mike and Justin discuss the music of party games, referencing titles such as Super Smash Bros. Melee, Ball Jacks, One Piece: Pirates’ Carnival, Jackbox Party Pack 2, Muppets: Party Cruise, Pac Man V.S., and Game & Wari…
- Episode 117 – The Music Of Tengo Project
XVGM Radio discusses the music of Tengo Project, a team formed from Natsume’s original staff who create remakes and sequels of classic games. The episode features music by Hiroyuki Iwatsuki and Iku Mizutani from titles such as Shadow of th…
- Episode 116 – Spookyfest 2024!
Episode 116 of XVGM Radio, titled Spookyfest 2024, features host selections of Halloween-themed video game music, including tracks from Clock Tower, Splatterhouse 3, and a Patreon pick from LittleBigPlanet PSVita.
- Episode 115 – Same Song, Different System: Paper Mario The Thousand-Year Door
XVGM Radio Episode 115 revisits Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, comparing its original soundtrack to the newly released remastered version. Guest Ariel Schneider, an expert on the game, joins hosts Mike and Justin to discuss the music…
- Episode 114 – Wrestling Game Music
XVGM Radio Episode 114 features music from wrestling video games. Hosts Mike and Justin discuss their experiences with wrestling games and TV shows. The episode includes a commercial featuring other podcast hosts and a track listing from g…
- Episode 113 – Robots GBA/DS Spotlight with Composer Ian Stocker
XVGM Radio features a discussion on the Game Boy Advance soundtrack for the licensed game Robots, including an interview with composer Ian Stocker. The episode covers the soundtrack's creation and includes related conversations.
- Episode 112 – High Score Jamz
XVGM Radio episode 112 compares high score screen music from video games, contrasting Eastern and Western composers. The discussion covers musical influences from prog rock, funk, and new wave, featuring tracks from Amiga, arcade, 16-bit,…
- Episode 111 – Modern Retro Game Music
Justin and Mike explore modern video games that feature music styles inspired by 8-bit and 16-bit retro soundtracks. The episode includes a track listing of various indie and AA games that utilize classic FM tones and melodies.
- Episode 110 – Musical Therapy: An Interview w/ Norihiko Hibino
In this episode of XVGM Radio, host Mike interviews composer Norihiko Hibino. They discuss music as therapy, Hibino's influences including John Coltrane, his experiences at Konami, and his album "Jazz Resort, Vol. 2." The conversation also…
- Episode 109 – Emotional Damage VGM w/ Niko Tengoku
Niko Tengoku returns to XVGM Radio for an episode focused on emotional video game music (VGM). The hosts, along with a Patreon request, select 11 tracks intended to evoke sadness and touch listeners, including music from Paper Mario: The O…
- Episode 108 – The NEC PC-FX
This episode of XVGM Radio discusses the NEC PC-FX, a 1994 console that emphasized 2D animated content and Japanese games. The hosts analyze the console's music, which utilized redbook audio and a sound chip similar to the PC-Engine.
- Episode 107 – Infernax w/ composer Jason Letourneau
XVGM Radio features an interview with composer Jason Létourneau discussing his musical contributions to the game Infernax. The episode covers his creative process and inspirations, referencing classic games like Castlevania 2.
- Episode 106 – Spookyfest 2023
XVGM Radio presents its 5th annual Spookyfest, with hosts Mike and Justin playing spooky video game songs. The episode includes patron requests, impressions, and stories related to the holiday.
- Episode 105 – The Musical History of Natsume Part 3
This episode concludes a three-part series on Natsume Co. Ltd.'s musical history, focusing on their Super NES and Game Boy Color game music. Composers like Iku Mizutani, Kinuyo Yamashita, and Hiroyuki Iwatsuki are featured, with a look tow…
- Episode 104 – Shantae Tunes
This episode of XVGM Radio features hosts Mike and Justin discussing the music of the Shantae video game series, highlighting tracks by composer Jake Kaufman. They cover tunes from the first five games, note Kaufman's absence in the newest…
- Episode 103 – Video Pinball VGM
XVGM Radio episode 103 focuses on video pinball game music. Hosts Mike and Justin discuss tracks from systems like Genesis and PlayStation, share a commercial, and invite listener feedback via email or social media.
- Episode 102 – The Musical History of Natsume Part 2: Natsume Inc.
This episode of XVGM Radio explores the musical history of Natsume Inc., the North American publishing arm that separated from Natsume Co. Ltd. in 1995. The discussion covers their focus on handhelds, publishing deals, and collaborations w…
- Episode 101 – Elevator Action Returns
This episode of XVGM Radio focuses on the soundtrack for Elevator Action Returns by Yasuhisa Watanabe of Zuntata. The discussion highlights the music's funk, jazz, and light rock influences.
- Episode 100 – Request Hotline
XVGM Radio celebrates its 100th episode with a listener request hotline, featuring music submitted by fans. The hosts discuss the show's origins and naming, and showcase a diverse selection of game music spanning different eras.
- Episode 99 – The Musical History of Natsume (Part 1)
XVGM Radio’s Episode 99 delves into the musical history of Natsume, a developer founded by ex-Konami staff. The episode focuses on the period from 1987 to 1995, exploring soundtracks from NES, Game Boy, Super NES, and a PC Engine game, and…
- Episode 98 – Arwing Odyssey w/ Ro Panuganti
XVGM Radio hosts Mike and Justin interview musician Ro Panuganti about his progressive metal album, Arwing Odyssey, which arranges music from Star Fox 64. They compare his modern thematic arrangements to the original tracks and discuss the…
- Episode 97 – Super Famicom Japan Exclusives w/ NIKOTENGOKU
XVGM Radio’s 5th anniversary year begins with a discussion of Super Famicom Japan exclusive game soundtracks, featuring guest NikoTengoku. The episode includes picks of 10 tracks, humorous commentary, and the introduction of new segments.
- Episode 96 – Slayin’ 2 with composer Matt Creamer
XVGM Radio Episode 96 features composer Matt Creamer discussing the original soundtrack for Slayin' 2. The episode highlights over a dozen tracks that blend modern and retro video game music, with discussions on inspirations and a giveaway…
- Episode 95 – PS2/PSP VGM Memories
XVGM Radio Episode 95 revisits memories of the PlayStation 2 and PSP era, touching on games like Castlevania and Mega Man. The hosts also discuss their experiences and interactions with listeners via email, Facebook, and Discord.
- Episode 94 – SpooOOookyfest 2022
XVGM Radio hosts Mike and Justin present their annual Spookyfest Halloween episode, discussing video game music. The episode includes discussions on Count Duckula, industrial music, and a track list featuring games like Frankenstein, The M…
- Episode 93 – X-Men Game Music w/ Carlos from Heroes Three
XVGM Radio episode 93 features Mike, Justin, and guest Carlos from Heroes Three Podcast discussing music from 90s X-Men video games. They share nostalgic memories, discuss favorite tracks, characters like Psylocke, and the personal impact…
- Episode 92 – Nicole Marie T Composer Interview
XVGM Radio interviews video game composer Nicole Marie T, discussing her influences from Sega to Sony and her creative process. The episode features music from Ghoulboy, Robozarro, Mina and Michi, and Nevergrind Online.
- Episode 91 – Masters of VGM
In Episode 91, XVGM Radio
- Episode 90 – Nostalgic Themes
In Episode 90 of XVGM Radio, hosts Mike and Justin delve into nostalgia for the 80s and 90s, recalling retro television, cartoons, and their video game counterparts. They discuss theme song composers and share personal anecdotes, including…
- Episode 89 – The Best & Worst of Gems Driver Songs (w/ specia guest Dya)
This episode of XVGM Radio discusses the Sega Genesis GEMS Driver, examining its creation, importance to Western composers, benefits, and drawbacks. Special guest Aaron Hickman (DYA) joins hosts Justin and Mike to analyze the GEMS driver a…
- Episode 88 – April Fools!
This XVGM Radio episode, released on April Fools, features hosts Mike and Justin sharing personal stories and secrets. Topics include Mike's music career and Justin's pet rock collection, accompanied by music from various video games.
- Episode 87 – Super Nintendo: ORCHESTRATED with Orchestral Fantasy
Andrew Thompson, creator of Orchestral Fantasy, joins XVGM Radio to discuss his project of re-orchestrating Super Nintendo game music with real instruments, comparing these versions to the originals.
- Episode 86 – Dances with Nikos!
NikoTengoku returns to XVGM Radio for Episode 86 to discuss and play a variety of dance music. The episode features tracks from multiple video game soundtracks and includes discussions and jokes.
- Episode 85 – Dimo’s Quest CD-i Spotlight
In this episode of XVGM Radio, hosts Mike and Justin conduct a "blind listen" of the soundtrack for the Philips CD-i game Dimo's Quest. They discuss the music composed by Joris De Man while reacting to tracks they have not previously heard.
- Episode 84 – Yakuza Games w/ Alex From A VGM Journey
Alex Messenger from A VGM Journey guest hosts on XVGM Radio to discuss the Yakuza game series with hosts Justin and Mike. The episode covers the hosts' experiences with the franchise and features music from the Yakuza games.