barSILENCE: A Video Game Music Podcast

[Episode 46] This month, barSILENCE is buzzing as we bump to the bass of the soundtrack to Buck Bumble on the Nintendo 64! The now-infamous main theme has taken on a life of its own, reaching a meme-like status that has followed the game ever since its 1998 release. Backed by the technical pedigree of Argonaut Software, composer Justin Scharvona channeled the London Speed Garage scene so authentic...

[Episode 45] This month, barSILENCE takes to the skies with the chilled-out and grooving soundtrack to Kaze No NOTAM on the PlayStation. This game's uniquely dégagé experience lets you hot air balloon at your own pace, drifting wherever the wind takes you. As you float through these low-poly worlds, it’s backed by an excellent vaporwave-adjacent soundtrack that’s more about vibes than momentum, an...

[Episode 44] This month, barSILENCE embraces winter as more than just cold days and long nights with an all-new playlist of frosty video game music. In this year's Winter Mix, we're listening to 25 tracks from games released between 1994 and 2018. Each of these selections captures the quiet of snow-covered mornings and the icy sounds that make winter feel like a season of possibility and new begin...

[Episode 43] This month, barSILENCE returns to the macabre for a third edition of Halloween Haunts! An unexpected letter has arrived, summoning us to the fortress of darkness and forgotten echoes known as Château Agonisant. Its call cannot be ignored, and this dark invitation has shaped every track in this year’s haunting mix. As you step through the gates, the playlist unfolds, pulling you deeper...

[Episode 42] This month, barSILENCE is blasting through the colorific tube-sliding action of Tempest 2000 on the Atari Jaguar! Jeff Minter’s legendary reimagining of the 1981 classic is a hypnotic, fast-paced game built for the new millennium with vibrant colors, particle effects, and creative level designs. Add a rave-ready soundtrack packed with high-energy techno and sci-fi voice samples, and y...

[Episode 41] This month, barSILENCE is blasting off into the outer space battlefields of Defender 2000 on the Atari Jaguar. Released in 1996, Jeff Minter’s Defender 2000 put a darker, futuristic spin on the arcade classic. It also featured an awesome, breakbeat and techno-infused soundtrack by Alastair Lindsay that was perfectly crafted for the new millennium. Grab your ship and get ready to save...

[Episode 40] This month, barSILENCE is powersliding through the iconic, energetic, and incredibly fun soundtracks to the console Mario Kart games. The Mario Kart series hit the track in 1992 and has remained one of Nintendo’s most iconic and best-selling franchises. Whether it was the leap into 3D with Mario Kart 64, the two-character strategy of Double Dash!!, or Mario Kart Wii’s motion controls...

[Episode 39] This month, barSILENCE is dashing across rooftops and slicing through the shadows with the pulse-pounding beats of Shinobi and Nightshade for the PlayStation 2. 2002’s Shinobi introduced us to the relentless, vengeance-driven Hotsuma, and 2004’s Nightshade passed the blade to Hibana, a fierce ninja with her own score to settle. With blazing speed, brutal difficulty, a sleek near-futur...

[Episode 38] This month, barSILENCE is behind the decks for a mixtape-style episode, spinning tracks from games that showcase hip-hop’s undeniable influence on gaming history. Hip-hop and video games are two cultural powerhouses that have inspired each other for decades. This episode celebrates that intersection of beats and bits, from classic 16-bit grooves to hip-hop artists stepping in as compo...

[Episode 37] This month barSILENCE is taking off into the high-tech futuristic world of Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere! Released in Japan in 1999 and internationally in 2000, this ambitious entry in Namco’s legendary flight-combat series pushed the PlayStation to its limits and had an awesome cyberpunk-infused narrative, stunning visuals, and one of the most experimental soundtracks in the series. Co...

[Episode 36] This month barSILENCE is stepping into the ring with the hard-hitting genre-blending soundtracks of Tobal No. 1 and Tobal 2! In 1996, Squaresoft’s first PlayStation title, Tobal No. 1, was a stunning showcase of talent, featuring character designs by Akira Toriyama, and a star-studded composer lineup led by the legendary Yasunori Mitsuda. A year later, the Japanese-exclusive Tobal 2 t...

[Episode 35] This month, barSILENCE is soaring to new heights with the unbelievably fun soundtracks of Nintendo’s Pilotwings series! From the 16-bit skies of the Super Nintendo to the 3D landscapes of the Nintendo 3DS, we’re earning our wings to the funky, laid-back, and groovin’ tunes that define these light-hearted flight simulators. Let’s take to the skies, earn those licenses, gold medals, and...

[Episode 34] This month, barSILENCE is stepping into a frosty winter wonderland with a playlist of 24 incredible video game tracks that perfectly capture the crisp chill of frost-covered mornings, the sparkle of snow beneath a pale sky, and the quiet magic of a world transformed by ice and cold. Hopefully this becomes the perfect soundtrack for your winter adventures throughout the season! Happy H...

[Episode 33] This month, barSILENCE is going on a journey to the Mana Tree while we listen to the incredible soundtrack of Secret of Mana for the Super Nintendo! Squaresoft's groundbreaking action RPG from 1993 still stands the test of time thanks to the outstanding graphics, interesting story, and its unforgettable soundtrack. This soundtrack is still one of the best that the Super Nintendo has t...

[Episode 32] This month barSILENCE is discovering the secrets of the fog-laden town of Silent Hill with a carefully curated tribute playlist featuring the haunting and atmospheric soundscapes created by Akira Yamaoka! The Silent Hill series, known for its psychological horror and unsettling storytelling, is elevated by Yamaoka’s unique blend of dark ambient soundscapes, industrial noise, and trip-...

[Episode 31] This month barSILENCE is headed to the Xbox Live Arcade to listen to the high energy neon-drenched beats of the Geometry Wars series! Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved and its sequel, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, were groundbreaking titles that helped define the modern twin-stick shooter genre. Known for their simple yet addictive gameplay, fast-paced action, and vibrant visuals, these...

[Episode 30] This month barSILENCE is taking you back to the arcade glory days of the mid-90s cranking up the ultra-unforgettable soundtracks of Killer Instinct and Killer Instinct 2! These games marked Nintendo’s triumphant return to arcades at the height of the fighting game craze. With Rare’s jaw-dropping graphics outrageous characters and a killer combo system that redefined the genre both Kil...

[Episode 29] It’s warm outside, the weather is perfect, and barSILENCE is greeting summer with a special Beach Day Mixtape episode! Come soak up the sun with this perfectly crafted video game music playlist for your ultimate beach day getaway. From tropical island tunes to relaxing seaside melodies, this mixtape captures a slice of summer and those perfect pixelated paradises that only gaming can...

[Episode 28] This month on barSILENCE we’re Fighting in the Streets of Wood Oak City as we listen to the legendary soundtracks of Streets of Rage and Streets of Rage 2 on the Sega Genesis. These early '90s beat'em-ups set the standard for the genre with their stellar gameplay but even more so with their groundbreaking and innovative soundtracks! Tune in and listen to knockout tunes from these icon...

[Episode 27] This month on barSILENCE, we're returning to the streets of Ridge City once again, revving our engines and drifting through the incredible soundtracks of Rave Racer from the arcade and Rage Racer on the PlayStation! Get behind the wheel of the raving sounds of 1995's arcade perfection, Rave Racer, featuring the final Ridge Racer soundtrack by Shinji Hosoe, Nobuyoshi Sano, Ayako Saso,...

[Episode 26] This month barSILENCE is waggling our Wii-motes to the music of a few of the Channels on the Nintendo Wii! In the mid-2000s, the Nintendo Wii system music made sure that every game and non-game on the "little system that could" was a fun time for all ages! Get ready for a nostalgia-packed, motion-controlled, and chillaxing tour of the music from ten of the best Nintendo Wii...

[Episode 25] This month barSILENCE heading to Planet Bomber with the incredible planet and genre-hopping soundtrack to Bomberman Hero for the Nintendo 64 by Master of VGM, June Chikuma. This versatile mix of Breakbeat, Drum & Bass, Acid House, and Trip Hop music come together perfectly in this soundtrack that has become legendary among fans of the game, and remains one of the very best on the...

[Episode 24] This month barSILENCE is gearing up for a sonic showdown featuring the electrifying and industrofunky soundtrack of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 on PC! We’re listening to the musical genius of Frank Klepacki as we groove to this adrenaline-pumping and hard-hitting soundtrack that accompanies this best-selling real-time strategy game from Westwood Studios. Released in 2000, Comma...

[Episode 23] This month barSILENCE is breaking the speed of sound with the incredible beats of the first two Extreme-G games on the Nintendo 64! If you are a fan of futuristic racers, this long-dormant series is worth heading back to for its incredible sense of speed, awesome weapons, and cyberpunk futurism. Tune in for some of the absolute best trance, drum and bass, and jungle tunes that this ro...

[Episode 22] This month barSILENCE is welcoming the return of winter with another chilly playlist filled with the frostiest video game music out there! Let’s make our way through snowy forests and fields of silvery white while we listen to the extraordinary way video game music perfectly captures the experience of an icy landscape. Happy Holidays everyone! Listen to more Winter VGM: Winter Mix 1 T...