Just in time for the Holidays, Josh and Emily get into the spirit and decorate the bar. But what would a bar be without patrons, and this time, they are joined by The Diad and Wicked Sephiroth to help consolidate the cheer with their own track selections and memories. But, you probably have some questions, such as: How did they get here? Where is the Devil's Course? What is up with that spooky Christmas tree? Is this song speeding up?  Find out the answers to all this and more on this very special VGM Jukebox reunion episode!

Ep. 116: Snow Day Spectacular III

In the wake of last week's festivities, Emily and Josh somehow find themselves back in the Spa Zone. That's right, it's one of those super chill credit levels where you can feel free to wander around, lay on the floor with the lights out, or whatever. So join them for one last hurrah (at least before the Christmas get together) as they watch Haju get a manicure, a Mech getting a massage, damsel flies in high resolution, and as they share all those feelings that have been a part of this beautiful show that you made possible. Stay tuned for the graduation ceremony for ALL of their recommending patrons and be reminded how much you mean to them, and always will.

Ep. 115: Vehicular Exfoliation

Well everyone, it's the second-to-last episode of The VGM Jukebox.  To be on the brink of such an ending is bittersweet, but that doesn't mean we're not gonna party it up tonight!  After Josh and Emily get their extra-dimensional situation sorted out, listen in on a band of fellow patrons who've come together in the overworld and created a loving tribute to the entire VGMJB community.  But that's not all: Josh and Emily are also keeping the bar open after hours for the Penultimate Podcast Patron Party, where even more surprises, laughs, karaokes, and stellar tunes will be had.  To say this episode is brimming with magical moments doesn't even begin to cover it.  Our story is happy ending, so let's celebrate ourselves and the cosmic connections between us all.  You won't want to miss it!

Ep. 114: Penultimate Podcast Party

Earlier this year Emily was in the throes of a particular difficult migraine situation when she put out a call to the VGM Jukebox community.  "Please share some feel-good VGM medicine," she wrote -- and within minutes, the responses started pouring in.  The deluge of musical affection did indeed have healing properties, and now Emily wants to reflect this potent magic back on you through the power of mixtapes.  Whether you decide to save this dose for a difficult day or choose to rip open the packaging right away, here's hoping it works for you like it worked for her!  And of course, thanks to all the patrons who sent their love in that thread:  Jay, Spritz, Ed, Mike, Carlito, Daniel, Ben, Jordan, Ken, Calvin, Pernell, Alex, and John.  Your kindness meant so much, and it always will.

Mixtape: Healing Magic

The summery feelings continue as Josh and Emily wander into the Oceanic Rhythm Zone, but they have little time to enjoy the waves before they're pulled into their final boss rush adventure!  Patron Atom Edge waits patiently at the end of the stage, supplying the heart-pumping tunes for the journey and revealing the details of his own backstory as they progress.  Will Josh and Emily avoid the wrath of his Zantetsuken sword?  Can the blade really split a person's soul on the dimensional level?  And did Emily just get herself uninvited from Mega Man X's wedding?  Jump into the impossible freeze frame image and reverse-blink your way through the episode to find out!

Ep. 113: Balance of Intensity

ATTENTION STUDENTS AND FACULTY: Whether you attended JT's dissertation last spring to provide moral support, expand your horizons, or take advantage of the free food, we all left the auditorium wishing we had a little more mahjong in our daily lives. To help satisfy this yearning, JT has compiled all the amazing mah-jams from his presentation into one uninterrupted mixtape. If you want to examine the pure beauty and flow of these compositions without commentary, drop by the office and pick up a copy! Essays on the resulting existential quests of mind and spirit are not required, but always encouraged. Comment below if the mahjong spirit moves you.

KJNG: The Mixtape

Josh and Emily are back in the Overworld, and there is a LOT of time travel going on. First, Josh and Emily's recording session gets botched, so they travel to the future to finish it. Then, one of our time traveling patrons arrives with a final recommendation. Next, one of our selections today involves a music programmer going back in time to reimagine Zelda as it might have been if Koji Kondo was not predestined to write the theme we all know and love. Finally, our last selection is from a game that makes you feel like you're using a PC in the 90s. It's all pretty crazy. Don't get lost in the time stream as you find us on this week's episode.

Ep. 112: Hidden Jam

The Spotless Summer Zone doesn't seem to have a dungeon, so it would only be right to invite a couple patrons join us to enjoy the peaceful environment and play a couple of their own track choices. As they jam out, Josh and Emily reignite the disco backlash, enjoy the spelling of krazy with a K, and discuss the joys of using their imaginations. But all is not fair in the land, the end of the episode has Josh and Emily trying to solve a real-world internet issue that ends the episode early. Don't worry, we'll pick up our conversation next week, but until then, come on in; the water is hot!

Ep. 111: Mechwater

Josh and Emily are in the Spotless Summer Zone, which means they have no game objectives. So, they summon the Messenger to take over the jukebox while they get to know the amenities. Join them on a pool chair, as they witness a moshpit of the undead, a hockey game played by ninjas, and a coworker finding the secret to immortality. Then, hold onto your seats as Emily updates us on her Summer Games Challenge. Order a smoothie, or pick its fruit--relaxation is the name of the game on this episode of the VGM Jukebox.

Ep 110: Something to Stand on

How would you like to hear music analysis based on entirely erroneous information? Hi, we're Josh and Emily and this is the third act of the Unreasonable Attribute Zone. Here we do things like: pitch 80s action shows; give Halloween safety tips; and talk about ToeJam and Earl at great length. This is, as usual, all served on top a bed of piping hot jams. Stick around for a package unopening and maybe some kind of bonus track?

Ep. 109: A Drive in Common

The VGM Jukebox is a place to share and talk about Video Game Music.

The VGM Jukebox is the best VGM podcast out there, and possibly the best podcast ever.  Not only do Josh &amp; Emily play great video game tracks from all generations of games, but they offer something few other podcasts do: a sense of community. 

The main premise of the show is that listeners send in suggestions/requests, often with poignant or hilarious personal anecdotes. These are shared on the show; this listener curated, shared nostalgia is a wonderful thing to behold, and to be a part of. 

It’s now been a few years since Josh and Emily called it a day with the show. They’ve both moved on to different projects, but I still keep VGMJB in my subscribed list. In my heartcanon, they’ll return someday to the lounge (or dungeon), accompanied by Cookie, HaJu, Carrotman, and their assorted Boos.  We’ll all sit around the Jukebox and talk about death, Karaoke, and Tuxedo Boys. Won’t you come along?

The greatest gaming music show.

Great Podcast

The VGM Jukebox

It's the Unreasonable Attribute Zone where Josh and Emily acquire some implausible characteristics from the tunes they listen to. Interestingly, all of the Act 1 attributes come from one source, WICKED SEPHIROTH, who is cashing in his Boss Parade certification for another great patron-takeover.  Witness the accumulation of accoutrements as Josh and Emily discuss topics like Turtle Power in music, gibberish vs. lyrics, anime adaptations of historic events, and the live-taping of LMH. Plus, as has become somewhat of a tradition, Josh and Emily imagine a new game mechanic, this time capitalizing on downloadable content. Wicked Sephiroth has got a lot more than just Final Fantasy on his mind, so join us for another musical adventure on this week's episode!

Ep. 107: AKA Donuts

How do you become a good person? No, not in real life- in video games of course! Join us for a very important discussion of unnecessarily ethical choices that Josh and Emily have been making in their current games. They also talk about the freedom of video game composers, simulations of simulations, and Pokemon. Yes, unfortunately, they talk a lot about those things of which all must be caught... but they also play some great tunes recommended by you, THE PATRONS. We are closing out the zone this week, which means we're finally about to find out what these Pointless Jewels really do. So don't just sit on the edge of your seat, add this episode of the VGM JUKEBOX to your collection today!

Ep. 106: The Light of a Different Sun

It's the third and final act of Uncertain Breeze, and its time to ask just who is this breeze and where it is he is going. Along the way, we play even more great tunes. Josh shares memories of hanging out in arcades and what Sega meant in them. Emily talks about her time in a Bonus Level where her character could actually receive damage. So unfair! They also talk about whether mechs are cooler than real-life F14 Tomcats, how parents discussed TurboGrafx 16 with other parents, and things that are sad and creepy at the same time. That sounds like fun doesn't it? Join us on this episode and see how the breeze speaks to you!

Ep. 103: Closer to the Original

Join patron JT as he defends his dissertation by taking us on an excursion to an alternate world, a better world, where the radio airwaves are filled with the sounds of mahjong VGM. We proudly present you with KJNG (K-jong) radio. Through the magic and beauty of mahjong, KJNG mends broken hearts and heals wayward souls. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wish this was a real radio station. If JT can't convince you that mahjong VGM is the best music on the planet, then perhaps one of the many other personalities in his head will. Along the way you'll meet a lonely vampire who laughs at his own jokes, a wizened old sensei who follows the way of mahjong, and an excited Rastafarian who loves that 8-bit reggae sound. Plus, many of your favorite characters from the jukebox bar will be there, like Haju, Carrot Man, and even Hakama. Slap your tiles down on the table and get ready for a mahjong experience you'll never forget!

Thesis Defense: KJNG with JT

Josh and Emily are almost out of the Breakable Mist Zone, but there's one more act to go! Will they make it to the exit in time? Do blood stained ice shards form a beautiful crystal when stacked? Are they even doing this right? Tune in for the answers to these and many more questions, including: Why do hockey players fight? What is the Dreamcast Sound? And does it really matter? Also... one more thing... Josh wants to start a book club, but he didn't say the right name for the author. The name is Ian Bogost and the book is called Play Anything, if you want to follow along. Anyways... get over here. It's the VGM Jukebox.

Ep. 100: Hunderd

Josh and Emily are in a whole new zone! They traverse this delicate landscape with some great listener-recommended tunes playing in their headphones (they must have some really long headphone cords). Join them as they recount days sifting through garbage, feeling like you are the video game character, and playing the Sega Nintendo. Plus, J and E discuss their experiences with the latest additions to their game libraries. Animite is still at the rest stop, but we're at the party with the most crushable dude. You're welcome to join us, so come on in!

Ep. 98: The Sega Nintendo

Josh and Emily are in the January Zone dungeon! How will they get out? Probably by playing a couple sweet tunes and talking about the Beatles, The legacy of the Legacy Music Hour, Memes about VGM, and a what new games they're playing. This is a new mid-month format, so we hope you enjoy it as we make our way back to the bar and all of our patron recommendations in time for next week.

Ep. 96: Twisted Frequencies

Do you ever feel that as a fan of VGM, you are growing ever closer to your childhood dreams? Well, get ready for another parade from the past as we meet a band who gives themselves haircuts between song sections, a student of Definitely Darryl, and a dad who has figured out the absolute best way to militarize his children against the Axis powers. In addition to that, you will notice the beginnings of a slight change in format that VGMJB will be experiencing in the new year, so keep your ears peeled for the details. But hey, your ears will already be peeled, won't they? This is the VGM Jukebox, after all!

Ep. 95: Chill Even Harder

Join Junko Tamiya, Tamayo Kawamoto, Kumi Yamaga, Harumi Fujita, and Manami Matsumae during their Famicom days at Capcom. They discuss life's greatest mysteries like artistic motivation, the consequences of marriage, and where to get the best deals on eel bowls.

Capcom Girls, Ep. 1: Junko Needs to Sleep

Josh and Emily start this episode off with a brand new segment, which has yet to be named. As they read your testimonials and listen to your recommendations, they find themselves inspired to converse about in-game nostalgia, brain-spas, sitting indian style in the middle of the playground, and that's just over the first two tracks. Emily tries to imagine the future of gaming, and whether or not she will be able to beat her grandchildren at video games. Of course, we can't tell the future, but we can sure speculate! That's just one of the things we do at the here at the VGM Jukebox!

Ep. 88: Babies Get the Bubble

Josh and Emily have got your spooky track recommendations, and we're here to amp up the fear factor this Halloween season. Emily has her necromancy powers back leading to a potentially scary situation. But, will they end up on the fun side of scary or somewhere more satanic? Don't worry, whatever situation you're in, Emily's idea of a main boss is to be here for your enjoyment. So we hope you, dear patron, enjoy this spooky-type episode of The VGM Jukebox! Boo!

Ep. 87: On the Shoulders of Giants

Josh has been hard at work on the VGMJB MagMax mech, so why don't you hop on in for a joyflight?  Join him and Emily as they cruise through space discussing the Great Gatsby (again), the beauty of collections, the potential within new possibilities, and their appearance on "that other podcast." This episode is sure to take you to the moon and back, so get ready to go to warp... on The VGM Jukebox!

Ep. 84: Too Adventurous for the Moon

Ever wish there were five of you?  Josh and Emily do, and they're already locking in what each clone's specialization would be.  Jump in, ponder along, and also consider the effect of memories on musical enjoyment, the dual destinies of Josh and Jake Kaufman, Aretha Franklin's vocals, and tiny 8-bit worlds that go on forever.  There's also a bit of a shakeup in Josh and Emily's usual overworld adventures.  How permanent is it, and what will it mean for our intrepid heroes?  Only time -- and perfectly roasted marshmallows -- will tell.

Ep. 67: Five of Me

A little over a month ago Josh and Emily fulfilled their Patreon promise of streaming their suppers together on Twitch -- and, of course, they listened to some excellent VGM along the way.  Although the audio situation in the livestream itself was a bit garbled, now you can relive the magical dinnertime experience (or create your very own) with this special release of their Mukbang Mix!  This mixtape is exactly what they were listening to as Josh powered through his Del Taco buffet and Emily showcased her childhood gaming memorabilia.  Enjoy digesting these tasty food-related jams in their pure form!

Mukbang Mix

A few weeks ago the patrons were tasked with submitting the cutest, bubbliest video game tunes they could think of... and they delivered! Join Josh and Emily as they play the entries in the Bubble Bauble Challenge and hand out awards for each one. But wait, wasn't Emily supposed to be on vacation this month? Technically yes, but when she and Josh wound up serendipitously running into each other in California under totally random and definitely unplanned circumstances, they couldn't turn down the opportunity to record their first live episode of VGMJB. If you can manage the hum of traffic in the background and the bizarre recording quality, you won't want to miss it either!

Ep. 51: Bubble Bauble Challenge

Full disclosure: This episode was recorded on Election Day, so Josh was not sure whose crown he would soon be polishing (it's his job). But despite their enthusiasm about the democratic process, Josh and Emily imagine an entirely new political system -- one in which we replace our current economy with the construction of a single giant robot. Don't worry though, dear patron, its design will be realistic and practical. Stick around for Shiny Pokémon talk, as Emily reveals the depths of her mysterious commitment to palette-swapped mon. And stay strapped-in for the long-awaited return of the Carrot Man. It should go without saying, but of course this will all be served on a bed of piping hot jams. Yeah, you got it, it's the VGM Jukebox!

Ep. 44: Under a Groove

This week we enter a safe space as Josh continues to explore his Japanese half, Emily admits her weirdest video game character crush, and both hosts solve the mystery of Link's continual incarnation in each Legend of Zelda game. Also, the Halloween VGM Music Box Contest is nigh! Emily plays a clip of a VGM music box arrangement and it's up to YOU to figure out which Halloweeny game it's from. The first patron to call it on any VGMJB social media channel wins -- so get listening, and start guessing!

Ep. 42: Safe Space

This week Josh and Emily discuss some of their favorite methods of self care, including such things as building Gundam models and IKEA furniture, because they're nerds. But more importantly, we finally get an official answer to the burning question of Emily's character class. Is she a necromancer, or is Josh just a conspiracy theorist? Place your bets!

Ep. 41: Self Care

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