Pixelated Audio

Hole Chaser with Masahiro Kajihara – PA66

Some games are just flat-out terrible and destined to never to see overflowing love from the gaming world (but that’s okay). This describes Hole Chaser for the PC-8801 perfectly. If you were to pass over this game because of its graphics or because of the erotic storytelling you would be missing out on one truly amazing soundtrack by Masahiro Kajihara. In this episode of Pixelated Audio we’re making sure that this music isn’t forgotten and can receive some of the love it deserves plus an interview the composer!

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:26:11 — 116.4MB)

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Red Alarm – PA65

In the 90’s saying Nintendo consoles sucked would get you some new bruises on the at recess. Within 10 years they wrapped up the NES, blew our minds with the Super NES, and followed that with Nintendo 64. You could be thinking to yourself, “Maybe if I mentioned the how bad the Virtual Boy sucked my would-be playground attackers might leave me alone.” But seeing as how the system has been a sore subject for Nintendo fanboys (and girls) since its debut, they might even hit you harder.

Today we have the music from Red Alarm by T&E Soft to prove that no matter what you’ve heard about this system, it doesn’t mean it didn’t have some cool music with awesome stereo effects.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:48:19 — 182.4MB)

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Journey to Silius – PA64

In this episode we (once again) have composer Naoki Kodaka in all his Sunsoft glory with Journey to Silius (aka [rʌf] World) for the NES/Famicom. This game has all the signs of what makes an NES title remembered as “classic.” And it’s dark visuals, gritty sound, and revenge-focused story draw their own highlights in the ocean of titles on the platform.

Join us as we take an in-depth look at the game, the composition, and it’s unbelievably heavy DPCM low-end pumping through the NES APU.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (133.5MB)

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Illusion Blaze with Seung-Hwan Ro – PA63

Retro gaming and game audio tends to get associated with US, Japan, and Europe because of the shear volume of games and media. So, we thought to ourselves, why not look at some other countries take on game music.

Illusion Blaze (일루젼 블레이즈) was released in 1994 for Korea on the PC and was developed by Family Production. Their games were mostly composed by a duo known as D.A.C. that was producing a mix of rock and electronic music into a unique balance of “destructive harmony.” So, join in as we dip into Korean gaming history, Family Production, and chat with Seung-Hwan Ro of D.A.C. Continue reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (170.8MB)

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Expansion Pack XV: Namco C352 with ctr – PA62

Namco was known for their extravagant arcade systems and over-the-top designs, however, they also had one of the most impressive sound chips in the early 90s. The 32-voice C352 and it’s driver “Quattro” were both innovative and polished but more importantly, they were utilized by an amazing roster of composers.

Guest-hosting the show, ctr (from our affiliate site vgmrips.net) joins in to discuss his latest playback and logging tool QuattroPlay which has been released today alongside the show!

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:06:36 — 179.7MB)

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Astaroth: The Angel of Death – PA61

Imagine, if you will, a game that’s from an Amiga developer heavily influenced by the English rock band Sisters of Mercy. Add in some truly insane music coupled with artwork that’s both sexy and demonic in the style of an 80’s heavy metal album cover (sporting a naked demon right on the title screen). The game you would get is Astaroth: The Angel of Death developed by Eldritch the Cat with music by none other than Jochen Hippel.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:40:53 — 154.9MB)

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