BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast

RPGera
  • 4.9 (67)
  • Video Games
  • Updated Weekly

BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast is a video game music and discussion show where we never play the same track more than once... or at least try not to! Every Wednesday and several Sundays, Bryan & Bedroth (and Kyle once a month) from RPGera present a selection of VGM for your listening pleasure based on a theme, series, composer, individual game, or an eclectic mix with Radio Hour to close each month! We also have A Musical Review, which is our version of reviews for new release games. Bedroth also presents BGMania B-Sides twice a month, which is a smaller focus on a particular game. We hope you’ll join us on this musical adventure. Trust us.. this is not your typical VGM-related podcast!

  1. 3d ago

    Composer Appreciation: Nobuko Toda

    Episode #426 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth shine a spotlight on the career of Nobuko Toda, a composer whose work has quietly shaped some of gaming's biggest franchises while rarely receiving the recognition afforded to many of her contemporaries. After studying at Berklee College of Music and joining Konami in the early 2000s, Toda became an integral part of the company's music team, contributing to everything from Metal Gear and Pro Evolution Soccer to lesser-known projects that showcased her incredible versatility. Throughout the episode, we explore the many sides of Toda's career, from her early Konami years through her later work. Along the way, we celebrate a composer whose music can be intimate, unsettling, heroic, reflective, and exhilarating, often within the span of a single soundtrack. From iconic franchises to hidden gems, this Composer Appreciation episode is dedicated to an artist whose contributions to video game music deserve far more attention than they've traditionally received. 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 Entry Gate from Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker [Nobuko Toda, 2010] Into the Light from Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 [Nobuko Toda, 2009] Evolution '11 from Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 [Nobuko Toda, 2010] We are One '11 from Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 [Nobuko Toda, 2011] Assault from Senritsu No Stratus [Nobuko Toda, 2011] Sneak Attack from NightCry [Nobuko Toda, 2016] Hero Jeanne's Theme from Monster Retsuden Oreca Battle [Nobuko Toda, 2012] Ashes from Remothered: Tormented Fathers [Nobuko Toda, 2018] Store from Quiz Magic Academy VII [Nobuko Toda, 2010] The Tower -Boss 1- from Quiz Magic Academy VIII [Nobuko Toda, 2011] Conspiracy from Metal Gear Acid [Nobuko Toda, 2004] Flight from Metal Gear Acid 2 [Nobuko Toda, 2005] Imprisonment from Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops [Nobuko Toda, 2006] Top of the World -Two Hearts Never Lonely- from Remothered: Tormented Fathers [Nobuko Toda feat. Federico Villaruel, 2018] LINKS Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu Facebook: BGManiaPodcast X: BGManiaPodcast Instagram: BGManiaPodcast TikTok: BGManiaPodcast YouTube: BGManiaPodcast Twitch: BGManiaPodcast PODCAST NETWORK Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast Listening Religiously

    2h 14m

  2. 5d ago ·  Bonus

    BGMania B-Sides: Beyond the Labyrinth

    BGMania B-Sides #48 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bedroth shines a spotlight on Beyond the Labyrinth, the Nintendo 3DS dungeon crawler developed by tri-Ace and published by Konami. Despite never receiving an official release outside of Japan, the game has developed a reputation among soundtrack enthusiasts thanks to its remarkable score, which blends sweeping orchestral arrangements, haunting melodies, and a sense of mystery that perfectly complements its fantasy setting. Beyond the Labyrinth may be a relatively obscure title, but its music is anything but forgettable. Composed by the legendary Motoi Sakuraba, the soundtrack showcases many of the qualities that have made him one of the most celebrated composers in video game music, from intricate compositions and dramatic flourishes to moments of surprising beauty and restraint. Whether you're already familiar with the game or discovering it for the first time, there's plenty here to appreciate as we explore a soundtrack that deserves far more attention than it has received. 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 Labyrinth of Mist from Beyond the Labyrinth [Motoi Sakuraba, 2012] Lilac Mist from Beyond the Labyrinth [Motoi Sakuraba, 2012] Return to Mind from Beyond the Labyrinth [Motoi Sakuraba, 2012] Decayed Edge from Beyond the Labyrinth [Motoi Sakuraba, 2012] Stray from Beyond the Labyrinth [Motoi Sakuraba, 2012] Beyond the Labyrinth from Beyond the Labyrinth [Motoi Sakuraba, 2012] Profusion of Flowers from Beyond the Labyrinth [Motoi Sakuraba, 2012] Ask for Light from Beyond the Labyrinth [Motoi Sakuraba, 2012] Triangle Shines from Beyond the Labyrinth [Motoi Sakuraba, 2012] End-Title Roll from Beyond the Labyrinth [Motoi Sakuraba, 2012] LINKS Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu Facebook: BGManiaPodcast X: BGManiaPodcast Instagram: BGManiaPodcast TikTok: BGManiaPodcast YouTube: BGManiaPodcast Twitch: BGManiaPodcast PODCAST NETWORK Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast Listening Religiously

    40 min

  3. May 27

    Radio Hour, Volume 87

    Episode #425 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan closes out the month of May 2026 with another eclectic mix in Radio Hour, Volume 87! Back to normal this month with 14 tracks for your listening pleasure. We're covering a wide variety of moods and genres with this one, so there's sure to be something for everyone. Vocal tracks, slow gorgeous pieces, new releases, Nintendo charm, Mega Man excellence, it's all here. Strap in and enjoy! 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 Fuse Man Stage Theme from Mega Man 11 [Marika Suzuki, 2018] Firstborn from Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred [Ted Reedy feat. Asja Kadric & Uyanga Bold, 2026] Chasing the Koopalings 1 from Super Mario Bros. Wonder + Meetup in Bellabel Park [Shiho Fujii & Yuka Usui, 2026] Dead Air from Directive 8020 [Blood Red Shoes, 2026] Main Theme from Elementallis [Raúl Sangonzalo, 2026] Rogentia Volcano from Elementallis [Raúl Sangonzalo, 2026] Aether Temple from Elementallis [Raúl Sangonzalo, 2026] Scud from The Need for Speed Special Edition [Saki Kaskas, 1996] Friends from Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure [Wataru Ishibashi feat. Ayako Shibazaki, 2004] The Penguin from LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight [Simon Withenshaw, 2026] Station Core from A.R.E.S. Extinction Agenda [Hyperduck, 2010] Roller Mobster from Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number [Carpenter Brut, 2015] Eryth Sea -Night- from Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition [Manami Kiyota, 2020] First Light from 007: First Light [David Arnold feat. Lana Del Rey, 2026] LINKS Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu Facebook: BGManiaPodcast X: BGManiaPodcast Instagram: BGManiaPodcast TikTok: BGManiaPodcast YouTube: BGManiaPodcast Twitch: BGManiaPodcast PODCAST NETWORK Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast Listening Religiously

    1h 11m

  4. May 24 ·  Bonus

    Musical Review: Saros

    Bonus Episode #69 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan reviews Saros, the latest PlayStation 5 exclusive now available from Housemarque, the Finnish studio behind Returnal. Set on the hostile, shape-shifting planet Carcosa under an ominous and ever-present eclipse, the game follows Arjun Devraj, a Soltari Enforcer sent to investigate a lost off-world colony who arrives with his own deeply personal reasons for being there. This Musical Review covers the fast-paced combat loop and roguelite progression systems built around Carcosa's eclipse cycles, the game's striking environmental design and cinematic presentation, the multi-phase Overlord boss encounters that rank among the best the genre has to offer, and an honest look at the story's ambitious but uneven narrative and the emotional distance created by its complicated lead character. The episode also dedicates a full segment to the original score, how the dark, atmospheric, and cinematically driven music supports the tension and isolation of Carcosa at every turn, and what it contributes to moments where the writing alone doesn't quite carry the weight. 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 Sun is Forever from Saros [Sam Slater feat. Shards, 2026] Shattered, Rise from Saros [Sam Slater, 2026] Prophet from Saros [Sam Slater, 2026] Depth Charge from Saros [Sam Slater, 2026] All That Remains is Desecrated from Saros [Sam Slater, 2026] Architect from Saros [Sam Slater, 2026] Shepherd from Saros [Sam Slater, 2026] Fenestra Rosacea from Saros [Sam Slater, 2026] Priestess from Saros [Sam Slater, 2026] Love Ruins from Saros [Sam Slater, 2026] King from Saros [Sam Slater, 2026] Memori from Saros [Sam Slater, 2026] Crowned by Collapse from Saros [Sam Slater, 2026] Reputations from Saros [Daniel Avery, 2026] LINKS Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu Facebook: BGManiaPodcast X: BGManiaPodcast Instagram: BGManiaPodcast TikTok: BGManiaPodcast YouTube: BGManiaPodcast Twitch: BGManiaPodcast PODCAST NETWORK Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast Listening Religiously

    1h 36m

  5. May 20

    April Showers, May Flowers

    Episode #424 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Bedroth are celebrating the season with an episode built entirely around flowers... or at least flower names. From soft and reflective themes to energetic idol tracks, strange late-night vibes, and even a few pieces carrying a little danger underneath the petals, every selection on today’s playlist features a different flower in the title. Along the way, we’ll be wandering through everything from visual novels and city builders to platformers, cyberpunk dystopias, puzzle games, and early-2000s Square weirdness. Some tracks feel warm and comforting like the first clear morning after a week of rain, while others drift into darker territory where the flowers probably grow under neon signs instead of sunlight. Turns out video game music has a surprisingly deep garden to pull from... No? Okay, I'll see myself out. 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 Iris from FLOWERS [MANYO, 2016] Tulip -M@ster Version- from THE iDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS [Kakeru Ishihama feat. Yuko Iida, Ru Thing, Haruka Yoshimura, Asami Takano & Kotomi Aihara, 2011] Daffodil -Ginny's Theme- from Koibumi Romantica [Kensei, 2009] Pansy Town from Kururin Paradise [Atsuhiro Motoyama, 2002] Morning Glory from Cities: Skylines II [King Major, 2023] Lilac's Theme from Freedom Planet 2 [Leilani Wilson, 2022] Stadium -Daisy Cruiser- from Mario Super Sluggers [Ayako Yamaguchi, Masashi Sugiyama, Nobuhiro Ohuchi & Kazuyuki Fujita, 2008] Lily from Stellar Blade [seibin & Youngjee Lee feat. Miyo Takashiro, 2024] Bluebonnet from DYE [Danny Stracener, 2017] Kaldea Orchid from The Bouncer [Noriko Matsueda & Takahito Eguchi, 2000] White Sunflowers from Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time [Kazuya Izumi feat. Kouki Miyata, 2000] Salvia from Alice Gear Aegis [Nakayama Raiden, 2018] Dirty Roses from Cyberpunk 2077 [OnenO & Perilous Futur, 2020] Al-Di-La -Bergamot Version- from Nights: Journey of Dreams [Tomoya Ohtani & Naofumi Hataya, 2007] LINKS Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu Facebook: BGManiaPodcast X: BGManiaPodcast Instagram: BGManiaPodcast TikTok: BGManiaPodcast YouTube: BGManiaPodcast Twitch: BGManiaPodcast PODCAST NETWORK Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast Listening Religiously

    2h 27m

  6. May 17 ·  Bonus

    BGMania B-Sides: Neon White

    BGMania B-Sides #47 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bedroth dives headfirst into the stylish chaos of Neon White, the blisteringly fast first-person action platformer from Angel Matrix that somehow manages to blend speedrunning obsession, visual novel storytelling, and heavenly demon-slaying into one package. Beneath all of the neon-soaked spectacle and twitch-heavy gameplay is a soundtrack that practically refuses to sit still. This episode arrives courtesy of listener Derek, whose request gives us the perfect excuse to spend some time with one of the most immediately recognizable modern indie soundtracks out there. The music comes from Machine Girl, whose aggressive electronic style gives Neon White its pulse-pounding identity, but the soundtrack also knows when to pull back and let atmosphere take over. 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 Glass Ocean from Neon White [Machine Girl, 2022] Vainglorious Chorus from Neon White [Machine Girl, 2022] Sin to Win! from Neon White [Machine Girl, 2022] Hellion from Neon White [Machine Girl, 2022] The World to Come from Neon White [Machine Girl, 2022] Heaven Central Authority -Mikey's Theme- from Neon White [Machine Girl, 2022] Heavenly Delight from Neon White [Machine Girl, 2022] Millennium Escalator from Neon White [Machine Girl, 2022] Mechanical Halo -Green's Theme- from Neon White [Machine Girl, 2022] Holy Ground from Neon White [Machine Girl, 2022] LINKS Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu Facebook: BGManiaPodcast X: BGManiaPodcast Instagram: BGManiaPodcast TikTok: BGManiaPodcast YouTube: BGManiaPodcast Twitch: BGManiaPodcast PODCAST NETWORK Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast Listening Religiously

    56 min

  7. May 14

    Spotlight: Mewgenics

    Episode #423 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bryan and Kyle are stepping into the bizarre, unpredictable, and occasionally completely unhinged world of Mewgenics, the long-awaited cat-breeding RPG-simulation hybrid from Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel. After years of delays, redesigns, and total reinventions behind the scenes, Mewgenics has finally emerged as one of the strangest games in quite some time. Rather than focusing heavily on the soundtrack this week, the conversation leans much more into the experience of actually playing the game itself: the overwhelming amount of mechanics thrown at the player, the weird sense of humor, the endless experimentation, and the constant feeling that the game is either moments away from brilliance or complete collapse. It’s a fascinating mix of strategy RPG combat, absurd cat management, and rogue-like unpredictability that somehow manages to feel both incredibly ambitious and completely exhausting at the same time. 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 Mewgenics Theme from Mewgenics [Ridiculon, 2026] Eatin' Rats from Mewgenics [Ridiculon, 2026] Flush from Mewgenics [Ridiculon feat. Geoff Pearlman, 2026] Crystalline Dreams from Mewgenics [Ridiculon feat. Kristin Slipp, 2026] Chumbucket Kitty from Mewgenics [Ridiculon feat. Chandler Travis, 2026] Lonesome Road from Mewgenics [Ridiculon feat. Freddi Price, 2026] Alone In The Dark from Mewgenics [Ridiculon, 2026] Down With The Devil from Mewgenics [Ridiculon feat. Eric McFadden, 2026] So High from Mewgenics [Ridiculon feat. Spencer Day, 2026] Brush Your Teeth from Mewgenics [Ridiculon feat. Anna Chan, 2026] Mom I Really Hate You from Mewgenics [Ridiculon feat. Kami Lyle & Tallulah Bossi, 2026] Taser Paws from Mewgenics [Ridiculon feat. Carla Kihlstedt, 2026] Dig Your Own Grave from Mewgenics [Ridiculon feat. Tianna Esperanza, 2026] Future Meets The Past from Mewgenics [Ridiculon feat. Freddi Price, 2026] LINKS Patreon: https://patreon.com/bgmania Website: https://bgmania.podbean.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/cC73Heu Facebook: BGManiaPodcast X: BGManiaPodcast Instagram: BGManiaPodcast TikTok: BGManiaPodcast YouTube: BGManiaPodcast Twitch: BGManiaPodcast PODCAST NETWORK Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast Listening Religiously

    1h 53m

  8. May 6

    Jaleco

    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 Dave's Theme from Maniac Mansion [David Warhol, George Sanger, David Hayes & Dave Govett, 1988] Main Theme from Avenging Spirit [Studio O.K., 1991] Down in the Sewers from Brawl Brothers [Atsuyoshi Isemura & Hajime Uchida, 1992] Bubble Builder Shanty from Super Bubble Pop [Jeremy Taylor, 2002] Naval Battle -Stage 4- from E.D.F.: Earth Defense Force [Tsukasa Tawada, 1991] BGM 02 from Soldam [Takahiro Ogata, 1993] Dolf Theme from Tuff E Nuff [Yasuhiko Takashiba & Suguru Ishida, 1993] Naoki's Theme from Psychic 5 [Shinichi Sakamoto, 1987] Remlia Castle from The Astyanax [Toshiko Tasaki, 1989] Unknown Track from Bases Loaded '96: Double Header [Takahiro Ogata, 1995] Edit Mode from Tetris Plus [Iku Mizutani, 1996] Battle on the Holy Plane from Dragon Seeds [Kenichi Arakawa & Ryo Yamazaki, 1998] Battle Music 2 from Lowrider [Kazuaki Miyaji, 2002] 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 Facebook: BGManiaPodcast X: BGManiaPodcast Instagram: BGManiaPodcast TikTok: BGManiaPodcast YouTube: BGManiaPodcast Twitch: BGManiaPodcast PODCAST NETWORK Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast Listening Religiously

    2h 10m
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4.9
out of 5
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About

BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast is a video game music and discussion show where we never play the same track more than once... or at least try not to! Every Wednesday and several Sundays, Bryan & Bedroth (and Kyle once a month) from RPGera present a selection of VGM for your listening pleasure based on a theme, series, composer, individual game, or an eclectic mix with Radio Hour to close each month! We also have A Musical Review, which is our version of reviews for new release games. Bedroth also presents BGMania B-Sides twice a month, which is a smaller focus on a particular game. We hope you’ll join us on this musical adventure. Trust us.. this is not your typical VGM-related podcast!

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