Video Game Grooves Video Game Grooves

Blog Link: http://videogamegrooves.com/2022/05/21/episode-95-mega-man-legends-across-the-worlds-chrono-cross-wayo-piano-collection



Spring has sprung, and like may flowers so have we! This episode is a tiny salute to game series that took a hard left turn but wound up right where they were always meant to be. Our exemplars this week begin with the cult favorite Mega Man Legends from Ship to Shore Media. We look back at this trailblazer of 3D storytelling from before the likes of Metal Gear Solid, and we appreciate its "Saturday morning anime" vibe. The music, too, is a fun little grab-bag of music from disco to classical to synthy cartoon rock or swing, and it's all pretty ahead of its time. We also dive into our first piano arrangement album with Across the Worlds: Chrono Cross Wayô Piano Collection, which is a multi-artist adaptation of a game that still divides fans of the "Chrono series" today. We appreciate the emotional range of the piano, and the daring of a piano arrangement album in general to augment or approach a favorite score with nothing but the instrument and someone to play it. We also examine the time and place of Chrono Cross, and whether or not it is actually a sequel to the universally-acclaimed Chrono Trigger.



We continue our discussion with some reflections on game series that changed creative direction, and how the story, aesthetic, and music either benefited or suffered. And finally, we look at all the new releases that have come out in the past few weeks, along with some non-release news that might save you a few bucks on your next vinyl order! Join us to laugh, love, and learn.



Outro: "La tresor interdit" - Across the Worlds: Chrono Cross Wayo Piano Collection, by Benyamin Nuss



Twitter – @vg_grooves, @jeremy_lamont, @ajohnagnello



Mushbuh artist Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mushbuh/



Video Game Grooves Episode 8 (Super Castlevania IV, Hero of Time)

http://videogamegrooves.com/2017/07/25/episode-8-super-castlevania-iv-hero-of-time/



Ace Attorney 20th Anniversary (Laced Records)

   https://www.lacedrecords.co/collections/ace-attorney/products/ace-attorney-20th-anniversary-limited-edition-x6lp-boxset

Trek To Yomi (Devolver Store)

   https://merch.devolverdigital.co/products/trek-to-yomi-deluxe-double-vinyl

Ghostwire Tokyo (Laced Records)

   https://www.lacedrecords.co/collections/ghostwire-tokyo/products/ghostwire-tokyo-deluxe-double-vinyl

   https://www.lacedrecords.co/collections/ghostwire-tokyo/products/ghostwire-tokyo-limited-edition-x4lp-boxset

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Extraction (Laced Records)

   https://www.lacedrecords.co/collections/6-siege/products/tom-clancys-rainbow-six-extraction-deluxe-double-vinyl

A Monster's Expedition (iam8bit)

   https://www.iam8bit.com/collections/a-monsters-expedition-earlier-adventures/products/a-monsters-expedition-earlier-adventures-2xlp-vinyl-soundtrack

Phantasy Star (Ship To Shore PhonoCo.)

   https://shiptoshoremedia.com/collections/featured/products/phantasy-star

Art Of Rally (Mana Wave Media)

   https://manawave.co/products/art-of-rally-2xlp

Heart Of The Woods (Very Ok Vinyl)

   https://www.veryokvinyl.com/products/heart-of-the-woods-official-soundtrack

Banana Jamz 2 (Cartridge Thunder)

   https://cartridgethunder.com/collections/new-releases/products/banana-jamz-2

Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator (Serenity Forge)

   https://store.serenityforge.com/products/space-warlord-organ-trading-simulator-2xlp-vinyl-soundtrack

Kingdom: Two Crowns - Norse Lands (ByNorse)

   https://bynorsestore.com/products/kalandra-kingdom-two-crowns-norse-lands-extended-soundtrack-12-black

Attack Of The Petscii Robots (The8BitGuy)

   https://www.the8bitguy.

Blog link: http://videogamegrooves.com/2022/04/24/episode-94-street-fighter-alpha-2-skullgirls



No fighting game soundtrack left unfeatured! At least, that seems to be our motto, but can you blame us? We just can't pass up these pristine pressings of pugilistic polyphony! This week, Anthony takes us back to class and demonstrates the musical evolution of the Street Fighter series with Street Fighter Alpha 2. We listen to some of the riffs on the classic SF2 themes, and we're introduced to some new ones that fit seamlessly into the pantheon of music... but what are we left humming? Then we take a jog on the jazzy and jiggly side with Skullgirls, jamming to Michiru Yamane and Vincent Diamante's homage to the 1940s, while the gameplay recalls Marvel vs Capcom 2. The game's interesting history and ambitious art and music are front and center for appreciation. We may throw down a few gauntlets in this episode. Ready? Fight!



We press on to discuss the "genre" considerations of listenability and vinyl pressing. Why have fighting games been regularly featured on VGG, and what types of games seem to be missing? We also catch you up on the latest releases and announcements! Could international currency exchange work in your favor this week? Mmmmmaybe.



Outro: "Guy Theme" - Street Fighter 2 Alpha, by Setsuo Yamamoto, Syun Nishigaki, Tatsuro Suzuki



Twitter – @vg_grooves, @jeremy_lamont, @ajohnagnello



Links:

Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition Vinyl (Square Enix US) (Square Enix JP)

   https://store.na.square-enix-games.com/en_US/product/725855/chrono-cross-the-radical-dreamers-edition-vinyl

   https://store.jp.square-enix.com/item/SQEX_10936.html

Final Fantasy Chocobo and Friends (Square Enix US)

   https://store.na.square-enix-games.com/en_US/product/725858/chocobo-and-friends-select-tracks-from-the-fantasy-series-compi-vinyl-set

Final Fantasy 9 (Square Enix US)

   https://store.na.square-enix-games.com/en_US/product/726993/final-fantasy-ix-vinyl

Needy Girl Overdose (Frontier Works, Amazon JP)

   https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B09WYJYL5K/



Deathloop (Limited Edition X4LP Boxset) (Laced Records)

   https://www.lacedrecords.co/products/deathloop-original-soundtracklimited-edition-x4lp-boxset

Deathloop (Deluxe Double Vinyl) (Laced Records)

   https://www.lacedrecords.co/collections/vinyl/products/deathloop-original-soundtrack-deluxe-double-vinyl

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (Laced Records)

   https://www.lacedrecords.co/products/tiny-tina-s-wonderlands-limited-edition-deluxe-double-vinyl

Far Cry 6 (Laced Records)

   https://www.lacedrecords.co/products/far-cry-6-limited-edition-deluxe-triple-vinyl

Mercenary Kings (Yetee Records)

   https://theyetee.com/products/mercenary-kings-soundtrack

Streets Of Rage 4: Mr. X Nightmare (Brave Wave)

   https://limitedrungames.com/collections/all-soundtracks/products/streets-of-rage-4-mr-x-nightmare-vinyl-soundtrack

Umurangi Generation (Stumpy Frog Records)

   https://www.stumpyfrog.com/

About That... Paradise Killer B-Sides (Black Screen Records)

   https://blackscreenrecords.com/collections/paradise-killer/products/about-that-paradise-killer-b-sides

Eastward (iam8bit)

Standard: https://www.iam8bit.com/collections/eastward/products/eastward-2xlp-vinyl-soundtrack

Board game: https://www.iam8bit.com/collections/eastward/products/eastward-2xlp-limited-edition-board-game

Unpacking (Limited Run Games)

   https://limitedrungames.com/collections/all-games/products/unpacking-2lp-vinyl-soundtrack

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn Of Ragnarök (Lakeshore Records)

   https://www.lakeshorerecordsshop.com/product/assassin-s-creed-valhalla-dawn-of-ragnarok-original-game-soundtrack

Blog post: http://videogamegrooves.com/2022/03/25/b-side-erik-elsom-magic-map-studio/







Welcome to our next B-side conversation, this time with Erik Elsom from Magic Map Studio about King's Quest V: Songs of Serenia. This crowdfunding project currently on offer at Qrates ("crates") is a reimagining of Sierra Online's touchstone point-and-click adventure game. In this conversation, we talk to Erik about his history with point-and-click adventures, and with the personal relationship he has with the music of that genre and time. We discuss the tight-knit community (which has already produced a handful of similar albums based on the Space Quest franchise) and its involvement with the project, as well as how he adds his own touch to the process of reimagining such well-loved music from Mark Seibert and Ken Allen.



The Qrates project ends in 1 week. Hear samples and pledge here:

https://qrates.com/projects/25365-king-s-quest-v-songs-of-serenia



Magic Map Studio

https://magicmapstudio.com/

Blog link: http://videogamegrooves.com/2022/03/16/episode-93-king-of-fighters-98-sayonara-wild-hearts



We are back, and this time our social relations link is tight and powerful. Jeremy and Anthony finally tackle the labyrinthine world of SNK fighting games, and we dig allllll the way in with King of Fighters '98 by Brave Wave. We learn what it means to fight in the Dream Match, how KOF invented the "city pop" vibe, and what would Jeremy do to the shrimp cocktail bar at the party on the album cover. We move it along to a more electro-pop vibe with Sayonara Wild Hearts from iam8bit. This tarot-themed relationship recovery magical girl simulator is full of some bops, and we may bend the rules just a bit to give you a full taste of it, as we talk about the best ways to consume such a thing.



We cover the newest releases and preorders that are available to wreak havoc on your bank account, although this time the slate is merciful. We then observe recent moves in the game publisher space by Square Enix to give the people what they (musically) want, and discuss what that might mean for game music broadly, vinyl releases, and what other publishers may be watching.



Outro: "ESAKA?" - King of Fighters '98, by Hideki "sha-V" Asanaka*



Twitter – @vg_grooves, @jeremy_lamont, @ajohnagnello



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xpdud47G0s



Links:



Viewtiful Joe 2 (Ship To Shore PhonoCo.)

   https://shiptoshoremedia.com/products/viewtiful-joe-2

Risk Of Rain 2: Survivors Of The Void (Black Screen Records)

   https://blackscreenrecords.com/collections/all-releases/products/risk-of-rain-2-survivors-of-the-void

Stardew Valley 1.4 & 1.5  (Fangamer)

   https://www.fangamer.com/collections/stardew-valley/products/stardew-valley-1-4-1-5-vinyl-soundtrack

Zeldawave II (Midwest Collective)

   https://marblepawns.bandcamp.com/album/mm

Genesis Noir (iam8bit)

   https://www.iam8bit.com/products/genesis-noir-2xlp-vinyl-soundtrack

A Plague Tale: Requiem (Focus Home Entertainment)

   https://store.focus-entmt.com/us/product/720474/a-plague-tale-requiem-collector-s-edition

Elden Ring (Bandai Namco US) (Bandai Namco UK) (Bandai Namco EU)

US: https://store.bandainamcoent.com/elden-ring-the-vinyl-collection/

UK: https://store.bandainamcoent.eu/uk/product/719395/elden-ring-the-vinyl-collection-limited-edition

EU: https://store.bandainamcoent.eu/eu/product/719394/elden-ring-the-vinyl-collection-limited-edition

Diablo II: Resurrected (iam8bit)

Collector's Edition: https://www.iam8bit.com/collections/diablo/products/diablo-3xlp-boxset

Standard Edition: https://www.iam8bit.com/collections/diablo/products/diablo-2xlp-vinyl-soundtrack

Doshin, The Giant (Silent River Runs Deep) (Ship to Sore PhonoCo) (Black Screen Records)

   https://diskunion.net/portal/ct/detail/1008448990 (proxy required)

   https://shiptoshoremedia.com/collections/featured/products/doshin-the-giant

   https://blackscreenrecords.com/products/doshin-the-giant

Skeler Boy Kickstarter (ManiacBoyStudio)

   https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/skelerboy/skeler-boy-part-ii-for-game-boy-cartridge-and-pc/description

King's Quest V - Songs Of Serenia (arrangement) (Two Guys Records)

   https://qrates.com/projects/25365-king-s-quest-v-songs-of-serenia













Image Gallery

Blog link: http://videogamegrooves.com/2022/02/28/episode-92-demons-souls-astro-bot-rescue-mission



We have returned, just in the nick of February, with a wildly schizophrenic show that his the boundaries of human emotional response. Ryan Huff from One Run Records joins us again but we're not sure he knew what he was getting into this time... We decided February was a fine time to look back at Demon's Souls from Milan Records, and work our way through the trauma. This game may have launched not one but two genres of media: "souls-like" games and "souls-like" music! Composer Shunsuke Kida gets way out of his regular discography to bring us intense-Latin-choir-ala-Dante-Alighieri, and quiet understated themes of quiet and dark reflection. Some of what we discuss is hearsay (because we're bad at the game) and some of it is grammatical. (No, we do not finally solve the apostrophe thing.) Next, we swing to the far opposite side of the mood spectrum with Astro Bot Rescue Mission from Fangamer. Kenneth CM Young brings forward his experience with completely joyful games like LittleBigPlanet to make even the darkest moments of Astro Bot colorful and adorned with blinky digital eyes. We discuss Sony's relative success of using pack-in games to demonstrate new tech functions in a way that rivals or even surpasses Nintendo. We stop short of singing the praises of Astro's Playroom, which is not yet on vinyl... but we will bide our time.



New releases and news bring up the middle section, with a quick solo dash through the newest vinyl your money can buy (links below), and we all reflect on the relative benefits and drawbacks of the now-biannual Record Store Day. Questions have arisen whether it helps or harms independent record store owners. We also observe that it doesn't tend to touch video game releases, and whether that's a good or a bad thing. We also discuss whether it might be better for RSD to take a break for a year, so the world might be mended (So the world might be mended). What do you think?



Outro: "Follow Me (Into The Storm)" - Astro Bot Rescue Mission, Kenneth CM Young



Twitter – @vg_grooves, @jeremy_lamont, @ajohnagnello, @onerunrecords



Links:

Russian Subway Dogs (Very Ok Vinyl)

    https://www.veryokvinyl.com/products/russian-subway-dogs

Guild Wars 2: End Of Dragons (iam8bit)

   https://www.iam8bit.com/products/guild-wars-2-end-of-dragons-vinyl-soundtrack

GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon (Ship To Shore PhonoCo.)

https://shiptoshoremedia.com/collections/featured/products/getsufuma-den-undying-moon

Wallachia: Reign Of Dracula (PixelHeart)

https://www.pixelheart.eu/produit/wallachia-reign-of-dracula-ost-vinyle-2lp/

Samorost 2 (Amanita Design)

   https://merch.amanita-design.net/collections/frontpage/products/samorost-2-soundtrack-by-floex-double-vinyl

Martha Is Dead (Wired Productions)

   https://shop.wiredproductions.com/products/martha-is-dead-official-soundtrack-vinyl

Lumote: The Mastermote Chronicles (Wired Productions)

   https://shop.wiredproductions.com/collections/lumote-the-mastermote-chronicles/products/lumote-the-mastermote-chronicles-vinyl-soundtrack

Evil Dead: The Game (Boss Team Games)

   https://boss-team-games-store.myshopify.com/products/test-evil-dead-the-video-game-collectors

Call Of The Sea (Raw Fury)

   https://www.amazon.de/-/en/MER-CALLJOURNEYPS5/dp/B09NCMXT3B/

Neo (Friday Night Funkin' mod) (Turtle Pals Tapes)

   https://www.turtlepalstapes.com/product/neo-vinyl-pre-order

$ S.E.B. (Diggers Factory)

   https://www.diggersfactory.com/vinyl/244694/bastien-agussol-seb-original-game-soundtrack

Affinity Sorrow (Second Dimension)

   https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/seconddimension/affinity-sorrow-a-true-16-bit-turn-based-rpg-adventure/description

Show Notes: http://videogamegrooves.com/2022/01/31/episode-91-final-fantasy-viii-battletoads-smash-hits/



We're back for 2022, perhaps a little bit sleepy, but hibernation can do that to you. Jeremy, Anthony, and Caleb are kicking off the new year with a giant spiked boot and a cool Squall Leonhart necklace. (Yeah, we know.) We are ready to return to the days of slow MIDI beats to study to with Final Fantasy VIII from Square Enix, extracting a few thematic elements from the generally well-liked Uematsu score, and putting them on the turntable for all to see. Redbook audio? Who needs it?? And who in the Final Fantasy universe is the Vin Diesel analog from The Fast and the Furious? We move it along to a much earlier (and also much later) era with Battletoads: Smash Hits from iam8bit. We discuss a bit of the origins of the franchise with David Wise's not-actually-heavy-metal leanings in the 80s, and run through the weird and warty history up to Battletoads (2020). David Housden expertly weaves many metal threads together into a simultaneously self-aware but genuinely great metal album... along with some calliope music.



We look at the new releases that have come out or been announced in January, and the list is not too bad and generally pretty encouraging! We also put down some predictions for 2022, including production and industry matters, the kinds of releases we expect to see, and we toss a few out-loud wishes into the podcasting ether to see what comes back to us.



Outro: "Balamb Garden" - Nobuo Uematsu, Final Fantasy VIII



Twitter – @vg_grooves, @jeremy_lamont, @ch3records



Caleb's other prediction is that game music vinyl labels will be releasing a lot of other kinds of "merch" this year. We shall see.



Links:



Guilty Gear (Channel 3 Records) (sold out)

   https://ch3records.com/products/guilty-gear

Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection (Limited Run Games)

   https://limitedrungames.com/collections/neo-frontpage/products/valis-the-fantasm-soldier-collection-3-lp-soundtrack

Cris Tales (Black Screen Records)

   https://blackscreenrecords.com/products/cris-tales

Bämeräng (Black Screen Records)

   https://blackscreenrecords.com/collections/all-releases/products/bamerang

Ys Origin (Wayô Records)

   https://www.wayorecords.com/en/vinyls/754-ys-origin-vinyl-collector.html

Dead Cells Volume 2 (Laced Records)

   https://www.lacedrecords.co/collections/dead-cells/products/dead-cells-volume-2-original-soundtrack

Yooka-Laylee And The Impossible Lair (Fangamer)

   https://www.fangamer.com/collections/yooka-laylee/products/yooka-laylee-vinyl-soundtrack-impossible-lair

Shadow Dancer: The Secret Of Shinobi (Data Discs)

   https://data-discs.com/products/shadowdancer

Syberia: The World Before (Decca Records)

   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QCY1MCX

Arknights: Journey Of Hope (Yostar) (requires proxy; sold out)

   https://yostarshop.com/view/item/000000000161

Martha Is Dead (Wired Productions)

   https://shop.wiredproductions.com/products/martha-is-dead-official-soundtrack-vinyl

Chocobo & Chill (GameChops)

https://gamechops.bandcamp.com/campaign/chocobo-chill

Duke Duke Dance Party (Duke Nukem arrangement) (Qrates)

   https://qrates.com/projects/25478-duke-duke-dance-party













Image Gallery