Dec 012015
 

SMB_Cartog

Grab a map and some headphones for OverClocked ReMix’s FIIIIIFTY FIIIIIFTH concept album, which focuses on all the great overworld and map tunes from the Mario universe! That means tracks from Super Mario World, Mario 3, New SMB 2 and everything in between. Grab it over here for free! Continue reading »

Nov 122015
 

Yooka

If you’re a fan of Rare’s Bear & Bird duo then odds are you’ve been following the creation of Yooka-Laylee, the  Mighty Number 9 / Bloodstained-style spiritual successor to Banjo Kazooie. Numerous ex-Rare folks are on board, including Banjo’s original voice, level designers from the N64 days and several others who date back to the DKC days. But perhaps most relevant to VGMpire is the fact composer Grant Kirkhope is returning as well, and IGN has a quick sampling of some of the game’s tunes! Continue reading »

Nov 092015
 

BRELT

You may have seen my post over on LaserTime already, but in the off chance you don’t visit that fine, wonderful site on a regular basis, I’mma post today’s big update here, too. The tl;dr version is that you can now directly support the show through Patreon, and there’s a lot more everything on the way! Continue reading »

Sep 252015
 

IMG_0607

During a recent trip to Japan, I spent a fair amount of time perusing local game shops and retail chains in search of legit game music purchases. While I did indeed buy a lot while over there, I never did see the OST to the first Wild Arms, which had been on my mind since guest Patrick Kulikowski named one of its songs as his favorite back in VGMpire 100.

But then today I randomly came across that very album on Play Asia… which made me wonder, what other “top tracks” from that episode might be lurking about, ready for some of you FINE LISTENERS to pick up? Continue reading »

Mar 142015
 

PAXPanel

Somewhere around my 100th listen to the Tropical Freeze soundtrack, I started thinking about how game music has conditioned me to enjoy types of music I’d otherwise shrug off. Banjos, harmonized chants and even oboe solos were never on my list of ‘music I’d ever listen to,’ but thanks to VGM I’ve learned that hey, this stuff is great and I shouldn’t write off any instrument or genre. Continue reading »

Dec 122014
 

OCR15

Further proof I’m gettin’ old – a cuhraaaazy idea like a dedicated home for professional-grade video game remixes is now 15 years old. Launched in 1999, OC ReMix (note the intercapped “R” folks) has since grown into a nearly household name within the games industry. From its numerous free tracks to official soundtracks to composer interviews, it’s definitely a place to bookmark if you enjoy game music culture in the slightest. Continue reading »

Nov 082014
 

AKANE_Set

Remember World 1-2, the ensemble-cast album featuring new jams from Keiji Yamagishi (Ninja Gaiden), Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill) and Manami Matsumae (Mega Man)? The folks who put that fine piece o’ work together (Brave Wave y’know) have just released a new solo album featuring even more notable names from the VGM-verse. Continue reading »