Episode #422 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth are diving headfirst into the wonderfully strange and somehow endlessly entertaining catalog of Jaleco for this year’s annual studio showcase. For a lot of retro fans, Jaleco became practically inseparable from the phrase “Jaleco Junk,” thanks to a library packed with everything from solid hidden gems to absolute trainwrecks that felt tossed onto store shelves at the last possible second. But buried inside all of that chaos was music that often had no business going as hard as it did.

We’ll be highlighting a huge mix of tracks from across Jaleco’s catalog, some attached to games that people still remember fondly, others tied to titles that are memorable for completely different reasons. Whether the games themselves were masterpieces, disasters, or somewhere in between, the soundtracks frequently brought an energy and personality that stuck with us all these years. Expect plenty of nostalgia and more than a few laughs along the way this week.

Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike.

EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS

1. Dave's Theme from Maniac Mansion [David Warhol, George Sanger, David Hayes & Dave Govett, 1988]
2. Main Theme from Avenging Spirit [Studio O.K., 1991]
3. Down in the Sewers from Brawl Brothers [Atsuyoshi Isemura & Hajime Uchida, 1992]
4. Bubble Builder Shanty from Super Bubble Pop [Jeremy Taylor, 2002]
5. Naval Battle -Stage 4- from E.D.F.: Earth Defense Force [Tsukasa Tawada, 1991]
6. BGM 02 from Soldam [Takahiro Ogata, 1993]
7. Dolf Theme from Tuff E Nuff [Yasuhiko Takashiba & Suguru Ishida, 1993]
8. Naoki's Theme from Psychic 5 [Shinichi Sakamoto, 1987]
9. Remlia Castle from The Astyanax [Toshiko Tasaki, 1989]
10. Unknown Track from Bases Loaded '96: Double Header [Takahiro Ogata, 1995]
11. Edit Mode from Tetris Plus [Iku Mizutani, 1996]
12. Battle on the Holy Plane from Dragon Seeds [Kenichi Arakawa & Ryo Yamazaki, 1998]
13. Battle Music 2 from Lowrider [Kazuaki Miyaji, 2002]
14. Lovely Star from Game Tengoku: The Game Paradise! [Noritaka Ubukata feat. Miki Takahashi & Saotomo Korogi, 1995]

LINKS

• Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania
• Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/
• Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu
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• Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast
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Bonus Episode #68 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews PRAGMATA, Capcom's first original franchise in eight years. Set aboard a lunar research station called the Cradle, PRAGMATA follows Hugh, a spacefarer left stranded after everything goes sideways, and Diana, a young android with no memory of what happened to the facility or its people. Together, they have to fight their way through a station that has turned hostile and find a way back to Earth.

This Musical Review covers the full game across eight segments, including the environmental design and atmosphere of the Cradle's varied sectors, the story's themes of connection and survival, the inventive dual-character combat system built around exploration and real-time hacking, and the progression systems that give the experience its backbone. The episode also dedicates a full segment to the original score by Yasumasa Kitagawa of the Capcom Sound Team, how the music handles the tension between the game's cold sci-fi setting and its deeply human core, and where it excels and where it falls just slightly short.

Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike.

EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS

1. Thoughts from PRAGMATA [Yasumasa Kitagawa, 2026]
2. The Beginning from PRAGMATA [Yasumasa Kitagawa, 2026]
3. Dawn from PRAGMATA [Yasumasa Kitagawa, 2026]
4. Toughness from PRAGMATA [Yasumasa Kitagawa, 2026]
5. False City Dweller from PRAGMATA [Yasumasa Kitagawa, 2026]
6. Saturations from PRAGMATA [Yasumasa Kitagawa, 2026]
7. The Captive Girl from PRAGMATA [Yasumasa Kitagawa, 2026]
8. Promise from PRAGMATA [Yasumasa Kitagawa, 2026]
9. Moon Runner from PRAGMATA [Yasumasa Kitagawa, 2026]
10. Recall from PRAGMATA [Yasumasa Kitagawa, 2026]
11. Touch Your Heart from PRAGMATA [Yasumasa Kitagawa, 2026]
12. Showtime from PRAGMATA [Yasumasa Kitagawa, 2026]
13. Dissonant Harmony from PRAGMATA [Yasumasa Kitagawa, 2026]
14. Memories Are You from PRAGMATA [Yasumasa Kitagawa feat. YU-KA, 2026]

LINKS

• Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania
• Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/
• Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu
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• Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast
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Episode #421 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan closes out the month of April 2026 with another eclectic mix in Radio Hour, Volume 86!

We've got a slightly extended Radio Hour this month due to a mini-review being included for People of Note in the middle. I just couldn't choose three songs from this game. Every single one of them deserves to be listened to and appreciated. Besides that, we have a ton of new releases, some really fun listener submissions, and Bedroth, as usual, takes us in some very different directions.

Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike.

EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS

1. Good Mouse from MOUSE: P.I. For Hire [Caravan Palace, 2026]
2. Cuor non si Spaura from Vampire Crawlers [Yoko Shimomura, 2026]
3. World 4 from Trip World [Tsutomu Ishida, Masayuki Iwata & Atsushi Mihiro, 1992]
4. Glessing Way! from Ys IX: Monstrum Nox [Yukihiro Jindo, 2019]
5. That One Song from The Mortuary Assistant [Cody Pawlak, 2022]
6. Taillight from Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 4 [Yuzo Koshiro feat. Emi Evans, 2011]
7. Morose from Tevi [3R2, 2023]
8. Going on Tour from People of Note [Jason Charles Miller & Jason Wishnov feat. LEXXE, Griffin Burns, Joe Zieja & Alex Boniello, 2026]
9. Mashup from People of Note [Jason Charles Miller & Jason Wishnov feat. LEXXE & Jason Charles Miller, 2026]
10. Imposter from People of Note [Andrew Aversa feat. Amanda Angeles, 2026]
11. Power Chord from People of Note [Jason Charles Miller & Jason Wishnov feat. Joe Zieja, 2026]
12. Sorry, Girl from People of Note [John Torkington & Jason Wishnov feat. Griffin Burns, Kylen Deporter, Jensen Trani & Geoff Bisente, 2026]
13. Arc Nemesis from People of Note [Jason Charles Miller & Jason Wishnov feat. LEXXE & Alex Boniello, 2026]
14. Mii Maker from Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream [Toru Minegishi, Shinobu Nagata, Reika Nakai & Kairi Hamada, 2026]
15. SURVIVE from Screamer [WAGAMAMARAKIA, 2026]
16. I Am Farewell Itself, I Am Life from OPUS: Prism Peak [Kevin Penkin feat. Sarah Àlainn, 2026]
17. Game Over from Bomb Jack [Alberto Jose González, 1992]

LINKS

• Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania
• Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/
• Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu
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• Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast
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BGMania B-Sides #46 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bedroth turns the spotlight toward Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II, the 1989 NES follow-up that leans harder into its dark fantasy tone while expanding on the original game’s scope. It’s a strange, ambitious sequel for its time... one that mixes platforming with a heavier emphasis on exploration and atmosphere, all wrapped in that unmistakable late-80s Nintendo-era design philosophy.

This episode comes your way thanks to listener Heat00veride, whose request gives us a great excuse to revisit more work by David Wise. The soundtrack reflects that shift in tone almost immediately. At the same time, it never loses that classic NES identity, with sharp, memorable hooks cutting through the darker textures.

Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike.

EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS

1. Title from Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II [David Wise, 1989]
2. Ground Level from Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II [David Wise, 1989]
3. Shop from Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II [David Wise, 1989]
4. Sky from Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II [David Wise, 1989]
5. Underwater from Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II [David Wise, 1989]
6. Wind Elemental from Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II [David Wise, 1989]
7. Water Elemental from Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II [David Wise, 1989]
8. Fire Elemental from Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II [David Wise, 1989]
9. Earth Elemental from Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II [David Wise, 1989]
10. Icefire Mountain from Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II [David Wise, 1989]

LINKS

• Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania
• Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/
• Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu
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PODCAST NETWORK

• Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast
• Listening Religiously

Episode #420 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth celebrate 4/20 with Episode #420 two days after 4/20. It was almost perfectly aligned!

Psychedelic Trips, Part 1 was back on 4/22/2021 before Bedroth officially joined the show. Come hang out with the guys as they explore additional games that weren't featured back then that all have something trippy about them, whether it's the visuals, the music, or just the overall vibe. Unfortunately, we're not high or tripping during this episode, but we'll make you feel like YOU are by taking you on this journey. Have fun!

Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike.

EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS

1. Thank Fuck You Stood on My Heart from Dujanah [Jack King-Spooner feat. Beh Sbresni, 2017]
2. Shop from Waterworld [Dean Evans, 1995]
3. Continuum from Acid Tetris [Chris Emerle, Scott Emerle, Liam Hesse, Jon Dal Kristbjornsson & Bobby Tamburrino, 1998]
4. The Upper Decks from Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands [Patrick Henaghan, 2023]
5. Hello Universe from Genesis Noir [Skillbard, 2021]
6. Instant Gratification from Ultros [Ratvader, 2024]
7. If Dreams Remain... from Mr. Sleepy Man [Devin Santi, 2026]
8. In the Shadows There Is Beauty from Hidden Treasures in the Forest of Dreams [Jordan Guerette, 2022]
9. Lost in Lights from Lumines Arise [Hydelic, 2025]
10. Soothe from Color Zen [Steve Woodzell, 2014]
11. Industrial Code from Funky Panic Attack [juicce, 2024]
12. The Banks of the River Are Lined with Gold from The Artful Escape [Johnny Galvatron & Josh Abrahams, 2021]
13. Godmachine Boss Battle from Everhood 2 [Cazok, 2025]
14. Sea of Serendipity - The Lums' Dream -Glou Glou- from Rayman Origins [Christophe Héral, 2011]

LINKS

• Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania
• Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/
• Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu
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• Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast
• Listening Religiously

Bonus Episode #67 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews Replaced, the long-awaited debut from Sad Cat Studios, finally out on April 14, 2026 on PC and Xbox Series X/S and available day one on Xbox Game Pass. Set in a dystopian alternate-1980s America where nuclear catastrophe handed total control to a shadowy organization called the Phoenix Corporation, the game puts you in the role of REACH, an artificial intelligence accidentally trapped inside a human body, navigating a decaying world of corruption, organ harvesting, and hard questions about identity and autonomy.

This Musical Review breaks down the full experience across eight segments, covering the game's stunning hand-crafted pixel art, its slow-burn narrative built around the Disposals and the secrets of Phoenix City, the free-flow combat system and how it evolves across ten chapters, and the friction that comes with some of the platforming and control responsiveness. The episode also dedicates a full segment to the synth-driven original score by Igor Gritsay and aygad, featuring vocal performances by Marina Thorik, and how the music works alongside the world to create something atmospheric and genuinely affecting.

Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff, & Mike.

EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS

1. A Place to Call Home from Replaced [Igor Gritsay & aygad, 2026]
2. Ash from Replaced [Igor Gritsay & aygad, 2026]
3. Crushing Bones from Replaced [Igor Gritsay & aygad, 2026]
4. Dusk from Replaced [Igor Gritsay & aygad feat. Marina Thorik, 2026]
5. Endless Meadow from Replaced [aygad, 2026]
6. Great Power, Great Responsibility from Replaced [Igor Gritsay & aygad, 2026]
7. Lab Rat from Replaced [Igor Gritsay & aygad, 2026]
8. Milky Way from Replaced [Igor Gritsay & aygad, 2026]
9. Prayer of the Damned Ones from Replaced [Igor Gritsay & aygad, 2026]
10. Rust from Replaced [Igor Gritsay & aygad feat. Marina Thorik, 2026]
11. Second Chance from Replaced [Igor Gritsay & aygad, 2026]
12. Solving a Problem from Replaced [Igor Gritsay & aygad, 2026]
13. Stay Away from Replaced [Igor Gritsay & aygad, 2026]
14. Void from Replaced [Igor Gritsay & aygad feat. Marina Thorik, 2026]

LINKS

• Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania
• Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/
• Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu
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• Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast
• Listening Religiously

Episode #419 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth take a deep dive into their High School years to celebrate the year that was in 2001.

For our annual retrospective into a prior year before this show existed, the guys explore what was honestly a very pivotal year for our industry. Not only did we see the Nintendo Gamecube, Game Boy Advance, and original Xbox release, but we had the beginning of a game and franchise that really defined an entire generation of gamers... Halo: Combat Evolved. Not to mention the plethora of other heavy hitters that released in 2001.

Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike.

EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS

1. Prologue from Golden Sun [Motoi Sakuraba, 2001]
2. Halo from Halo: Combat Evolved [Martin O'Donnell & Michael Salvatori, 2001]
3. Kiss Me Sunlights from Zone Of The Enders [Masumi Ito feat. Heart of Air, 2001]
4. The Shoku Gi Battle from Kessen II [Reijiro Koroku, 2001]
5. Que Que from Dr. Mario 64 [Seiichi Tokunaga, 2001]
6. Don Weazo from Conker's Bad Fur Day [Robin Beanland, 2001]
7. The Steel Samurai from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney [Masakazu Sugimori, 2001]
8. Yuna's Theme from Final Fantasy X [Nobuo Uematsu, 2001]
9. Live and Learn from Sonic Adventure 2 [Jun Senoue feat. Crush 40, 2001]
10. Asteroids -Arranged Version- from Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader [John Williams/Chris Hülsbeck, 1980/2001]
11. Data Jack -Time Attack- from Bejeweled Deluxe [Peter Hajba, 2001]
12. X vs Zero from Mega Man X5 [Naoto Tanaka, 2001]
13. Final Destination from Super Smash Bros. Melee [Hirokazu Ando, 2001]
14. Shadow Hearts from Shadow Hearts [Yoshitaka Hirota feat. Hiroko Kasahara, 2001]

LINKS

• Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania
• Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/
• Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu
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PODCAST NETWORK

• Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast
• Listening Religiously

Episode #418 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Kyle have a deep dive discussion on Pokémon Pokopia, the recently released Nintendo Switch 2 life-sim that's been turning heads across the gaming world since its March launch.

Just two people who love games pulling the curtain back on one of the most talked-about Pokémon releases in years. We'll cover everything from the game's post-apocalyptic premise and its surprisingly emotional core, the Animal Crossing-inspired soundtrack, to how a collaboration between Game Freak and the team behind Dragon Quest Builders 2 produced something the franchise has never quite attempted before. Expect honest impressions, plenty of weird tangents, and more than a few thoughts on what this game means for Pokémon going forward.

Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike.

EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS

1. Title Screen from Pokémon Pokopia [Hiromu Akaba & Jieun Kim, 2026]
2. Withered Wasteland -Day- from Pokémon Pokopia [Hiromu Akaba & Jieun Kim, 2026]
3. Fuchsia City -Rainy Day- from Pokémon Pokopia [Hiromu Akaba & Jieun Kim, 2026]
4. Bleak Beach -Day- from Pokémon Pokopia [Hiromu Akaba & Jieun Kim, 2026]
5. Vermilion City -Night- from Pokémon Pokopia [Hiromu Akaba & Jieun Kim, 2026]
6. Rocky Ridges -Day- from Pokémon Pokopia [Hiromu Akaba & Jieun Kim, 2026]
7. Pewter City -Day- from Pokémon Pokopia [Hiromu Akaba & Jieun Kim, 2026]
8. Party Theme from Pokémon Pokopia [Hiromu Akaba & Jieun Kim, 2026]
9. Sparkling Skylands -Night- from Pokémon Pokopia [Hiromu Akaba & Jieun Kim, 2026]
10. Saffron City -Rainy Night- from Pokémon Pokopia [Hiromu Akaba & Jieun Kim, 2026]
11. Pokémon Center -Day- from Pokémon Pokopia [Hiromu Akaba & Jieun Kim, 2026]
12. Dream Island -Dragonite Doll- from Pokémon Pokopia [Hiromu Akaba & Jieun Kim, 2026]
13. Final Song from Pokémon Pokopia [Hiromu Akaba & Jieun Kim, 2026]
14. Ending Credits from Pokémon Pokopia [Hiromu Akaba & Jieun Kim, 2026]

LINKS

• Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania
• Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/
• Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu
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PODCAST NETWORK

• Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast
• Listening Religiously