BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast

BGMania B-Sides #44 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bedroth takes us into the pixel-crafted world of Tiny Thor, a retro-inspired platformer that blends classic 16-bit charm with surprisingly modern design sensibilities. What starts as a colorful, almost playful journey quickly reveals itself to be a tightly tuned experience, where precision, momentum, and mastery of Thor’s iconic hammer become the key to ...

Episode #415 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth return to one of gaming’s most iconic starting points with Green Hill Zone Forever, celebrating the music of the iconic Sonic the Hedgehog area. Bright skies, checkerboard hills, and that unmistakable sense of speed... Green Hill Zone isn’t just a level, it’s a feeling, and its music has carried that energy across decades of Sonic history.

Fro...

Bonus Episode #65 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews Scott Pilgrim EX, the brand-new beat 'em up from Tribute Games that dropped on March 3, 2026 across PC and consoles. An unofficial sequel positioned after the events of the Netflix animated series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, the game features an original story co-written by franchise creator Bryan Lee O'Malley and sends Scott Pilgrim, Ramona Flo...

Episode #414 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and returning special guest Kyle step into the Care Center to have an in-depth discussion and review analysis on the recently released Resident Evil Requiem. The latest game in this crazy successful series from Capcom, Requiem explores the story of newcomer Grace Ashcroft and the returning Leon Kennedy as they become entangled in a new investigation conne...

BGMania B-Sides #43 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bedroth explores Embers of Mana, a newly released ROM hack of Final Fantasy Adventure created by friend of the show and longtime listener OK Impala. Built on the bones of the classic Game Boy action RPG that helped launch the Mana series, Embers of Mana reimagines the experience with fresh ideas, clever design twists, and a renewed appreciation for the w...

Episode #413 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth celebrate one of the most quietly essential careers in the history of video game music with a Composer Appreciation spotlight on Inon Zur. Born in Israel and classically trained from an early age, Zur initially built his career in film and television before being persuaded to score his first game... and never looked back. Over the decades that...

Bonus Episode #64 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews God of War: Sons of Sparta, the surprise same-day release from Sony's February 2026 State of Play, a 2D Metroidvania prequel developed by Mega Cat Studios in collaboration with Santa Monica Studio. Set during Kratos' youth at the Spartan Agoge, the game follows a teenage Kratos and his brother Deimos as they venture beyond Sparta's walls on a...

Episode #412 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan closes out the month of February 2026 with another eclectic mix in Radio Hour, Volume 84!

Just because it's the shortest month of the year doesn't mean Radio Hour is any less packed with what you'd expect. We're going all over the place with this episode, from early PC-98 and Amiga releases, to a modern reimagining of a JRPG classic, a fan-made ROM hack b...

BGMania B-Sides #42 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bedroth drops into Risk of Rain 2, the relentless roguelike shooter that turns isolation and chaos into an ever-escalating fight for survival. What starts as a quiet landing on an alien world quickly spirals into overwhelming waves of enemies, towering bosses, and that constant ticking pressure to move faster before the difficulty swallows you whole.

The...

Episode #411 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth take a nostalgic trip down memory lane to relive the magic that was brick-and-mortar rental stores.

The guys brought tracks from games that they have specific rental stories to tell, spread across the years of walking down those aisles, scanning shelves and box arts, and trying to figure out what the hell they wanted to play that weekend. Join...

Bonus Episode #63 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth vibe with the incredible soundtrack to the recently released Lumines Arise. Huge thank you to Enhance Games and Hydelic for sponsoring this episode and making it possible.

Lumines Arise is a visually stunning puzzle game in the vein of Tetris Effect with top-notch presentation, visuals, and, of course, music. The guys discuss their time s...

Episode #410 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth are back with BGMania After Dark 2 just in time for Valentine's Day. Only this year, the guys are diving into the world of dirty and suggestive track titles.

Whether intentional or accidental, these track titles are unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. Fair warning, listener discretion is advised for this episode. Grab your headphones, may...

BGMania B-Sides #41 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bedroth steps into Escape from Ever After, a recently released indie title that twists classic fairy tale imagery into something far more eerie, introspective, and emotionally charged. What begins as a familiar storybook setup slowly unravels into a dreamlike escape, where whimsy and unease exist side by side and nothing quite feels as safe or predictabl...

Episode #409 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth hit the slopes for a Winter Olympics themed episode.

From the SEGA Genesis to modern extreme sports titles, we're covering everything from speed skating and figure skating to biathlon, cross-country skiing, and mountain descents. Grab your skis, strap on your snowboard, and get ready to chase that gold medal.

Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@g...

Bonus Episode #62 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan explores The Vessel, a massive derelict spaceship where nature and technology collide in MIO: Memories in Orbit, the atmospheric Metroidvania from French indie studio Douze Dixièmes. As the nimble android MIO, players traverse overgrown corridors and industrial ruins to restore the ship's lost memories before total shutdown.

This Musical Review dives...

Episode #408 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan closes out the month of January 2026 with another eclectic mix in Radio Hour, Volume 83!

We're starting the new year of Radio Hour with tracks spanning courtroom drama, retro shooters, tactical RPGs, free-to-play goodness, and skateboarding through the Underworld!

Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, f...

BGMania B-Sides #40 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bedroth drops into Tetris Battle Gaiden, the Japan-exclusive Super Famicom spin-off that takes Tetris in a wildly unexpected direction, trading pure abstraction for colorful characters, elemental themes, and head-to-head puzzle combat that feels equal parts playful and intense.

Packed with bright melodies, bouncy rhythms, and a surprising amount of perso...

Episode #407 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth spotlight Octopath Traveler 0, the newest entry in Square Enix's beloved HD-2D series.

Yasunori Nishiki returns as composer, delivering new tracks that capture the game's themes of loss, revenge, and restoration. From Wishvale's destruction to ring-bearing villains, we explore battle themes, character leitmotifs, and an emotional vocal ending.

Episode #406 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth delve into the emotional power of ballads throughout gaming history.

From satirical power ballads to heartbreaking laments, and interactive folk songs to sweeping orchestral endings, we're covering the full spectrum of vocal storytelling. Whether it's karaoke confessions, ending credit tearjerkers, or sirens serenading you during boss fights, ...