The VGM Jukebox

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 environment and play a couple of their own track choices. 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!

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.

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?

Josh and Emily are back in the dungeon, which means that they have their own selections to share with you this week, and who knows, maybe one of them will need the assistance of a certain haunted karaoke machine. This is the first episode Josh and Emily recorded since the LMH live recording, so you can expect a redux of that very chill event. Also, we talk about the recent release of comments into the feed, in the Great Comment Section Debacle of 2018, and once again, we imagine a new video game, this time involving a certain unevolved Pokemon. You want some great jams? Join us in the dungeon with the least reasonable attributes of all!

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!

ATTENTION STUDENTS AND FACULTY: We hope you remembered to bring a sack lunch to the auditorium today, because we're going on a field trip! This month Wicked Sephiroth is presenting his thesis on the music of Final Fantasy, and he's decided to take a more peripatetic approach to teaching. That's right: We're going on a chronological trek through tunes from nearly twenty different Final Fantasy games. We'll be visiting overworlds, underworlds, battlefields, kingdoms, islands... the whole works. Wicked Sephiroth's educational philosophy also lets the landscapes do all the talking here, so saddle up on a chocobo (provided by the University at no extra gil), soak in the scenery, and ponder inwardly on the auditory evolution of this classic series. Kweh kweh!

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!

We're back in the dungeon! I think... Or some kind of sweet prison? Join us as we do some more collecting in the Pointless Jewel Zone. We'll hear about Emily's new digs, Josh's favorite new podcast, and the end of our podcast in July. How was that for a segue? Yes, this is sad news, but, we're not finished yet, and as happily often happens, we get some great contributions from our patrons: a banjo rendition of Big Event Golf from Bad Dude Shane, and a VGM Karaoke from ZaCH! You have made this podcast a reality and our hearts are forever changed, so come on in and get comfy again in this episode of the VGM JUKEBOX!

Welcome to the Pointless Jewel Zone, where patron Carlos has taken over all the music recommendations for the entire Act 1! Through his selections, we learn about Russian massages, Ferraris towing dump trucks, and the cultural association between vampires and pianos. If these tracks seem especially well-curated, it shouldn't come as a surprise; Carlos beat the Mixxmaster Quizxx after all! So let's all do it Carlito's way, as we go in-depth with this very special patron. Who knows, maybe you'll learn something about yourself, and even earn your degree, on this week's VGM JUKEBOX!

Hey remember that time when you guys almost made us cry like a hundred times? Well that episode is back, but now it's just the music and the dedications for you to reflect on and enjoy. Take a bite of this doubly nostalgic episode as we ponder just who exactly is cutting those onions. Or are they just bananas?

Well heroes, you've managed to find your way back to KeyGlyph's domain despite her lair's unlisted address -- and this time you're demanding a faceoff! Our resident boss may not understand exactly what you're trying to prove, but she does think she sees a spark in your soul that could amplify your powers to legendary proportions... if they're pushed to the limit. Will she help you unlock some incredible new ability, or will she just smash you into a smoking crater for the game over? There's only one way to find out. Equip your best gear, look deep inside your heart, and face your KBOS destiny! DISCLAIMER: The opening includes a minor swear. Make sure your kids understand final bosses aren't good role models.

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!

It's the Uncertain Breeze Dungeon and Josh and Emily are finding their own music recommendations in the midst of a precarious situation. Emily finds a hidden musical gem in an otherwise terrible experience, Josh reveals his physical music moment, and we get a very special visit from the baby Hakama who comes bearing an excellent VGM Karaoke. Special thanks goes out to Ed Wilson of Pixeltunes Radio for ripping the music for today's episode. These jams are rare! And we would be remiss not to thank you, dear patron for following along. So what are we standing here for? Let's go!