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]

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• Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast
• Listening Religiously