When someone mentions bats, it goes one of two ways: they are feared and looked at with disgust, or they are admired and thought to be cute. Most people see bats as as nuisance, believed to be blood hungry and spread diseases. Some even think that they morph into vampires. However, those that know appreciate these creatures of the night for their contribution.

Today on April 17th, we are celebrating International Bat Appreciation Day, a day to appreciate bats and see that they help humans. Bats navigate their environment by echolocation, listening to the echoes of their sounds. As insectivores, they consume lots and lots of insects, including those that carry diseases. Bats are help pollinate plants, similar to butterflies and bees. There are some states that have a state bat, recognizing their existence and contribution.

For this week’s episode, we’re playing tracks from video games that have bats: a batty circus star rescuing his girlfriend, an mysterious person who can morph into a bat during a fight, and a reporter for a planet in danger from a robotic army. There’s also covers and remixes to follow these tracks.

Time to enjoy these tracks and learn a thing or two about these creatures of the night…

International Bay Appreciation Day

Aero the Acro-Bat

Bloody Roar 2 – Jenny Burtory

Freedom Planet 2 – Maria Notte

Track Listing

“Title” – [Aero the Acro-Bat] – composed by Rick Fox (Fox Productions)

“TDR Nightcore Original – Aero the Acro Bat Remix” – remixed by TDR Nightcore

“Want Some More?” – [Bloody Roar 2] – composed by Takayuki Negishi

“Bloody Roar 2 Jenny Theme Cover” – covered by Yunior Rodriguez

“Dragon Valley” – [Freedom Planet 2] – composed by Leilani Wilson

“Freedom Planet/Freedom Planet 2 – Dragon Valley [Synthwave Remix by Kusero]” – remixed by Kusero

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Let’s tee up with our bag of clubs and balls and celebrate Golfer’s Day, on April 10th.

Golfer’s Day simply celebrates the sport of golf, with its roots going back to Scotland during the late Middle Ages. It was initially an aristocratic activity but a royal charter established in 1552 allowed townspeople in St. Andrews to play in the links. This day also happens to be date that the Professional Golfer’s Association (PGA) was established back in 1916; that means this year the PGA is celebrating its 110 anniversary.

For this week’s episode, we’re going to play tracks from golf video games: one of the first golf video games endorsed by a professional golfer, a game was exclusive to the company brand, and an online golf game with a funny name. We’re also playing covers and remixes with these original tracks.

Whether it’s the front 9 or the back 9, enjoy these tracks as you make your way to the 19th hole.

Golfer’s Day

Lee Trevino’s Fighting Golf (Mobygames)

Neo Turf Masters

PangYa!

Track Listing

“Japan Course” – [Lee Trevino’s Fighting Golf] – composed by Lee Aran (Aran Lee Shige) [Sound maker]

“Lee Trevino’s Fighting Golf – ‘Japan’ EWI Cover ft. InstantTrain” – covered by Soundole

“Baden National Golf Course – Germany” – [Neo Turf Masters] – composed by Takushi Hiyamuta

“Neo Turf Masters – Germany Course (Felix O.’s Jazz House Rework)” – remixed by Felix O.

“Daydream” – [Pangya!] – composed by Justy (Hyunjun Kim)

“Justy – Daydream [from PangyYa! OST] (USW Remix, Intro Edit)” – remixed by Undine Soundworks

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Marie Kondo is famous for one question when cleaning out one’s items: Does this spark joy in my life?

Video games may not be the first thing that sparks joy for most people, but they are beloved for those that play them, either to completion to until they are no longer viable. It was a certain cutscene or dialogue that touched our minds and hearts, a character that was personally relatable, or a story which became ingrained in memory. It was also the people encountered online that encouraged, cheered, and lifted you up in your low moment. These are what sparked the joy in gaming.

This week, we’re celebrating National Inspiring Joy Day by talking about some stories of joy and playing some tracks for certain video games: a Elder Tauran residing in Thunder Bluff, a CS2 gamer who was lifted after being wrongfully kicked out of a match, and a shire to a brother who passed away. There’s also covers to follow each of these tracks.

As you listen to these tracks, think about the games you’ve and sparked joy…

National Inspiring Joy Day (National Today, National Day Archives)

“Touching Stories Behind the Excitement in Gaming World”

Ezra Chatteron (WoWpedia)

Bear – In Memory of Taylor (Nexus Mod)

“The internet redeems itself by rallying around bullied deaf and blind ‘Counter-Strike’ player”

“The Remarkable Life of Iblin” is an Ode to Connection and Gaming

Track Listing

Intro: “Joy To the World” – composed by Hoyt Axton, performed by Three Dog Night

“The Tauren” – [World of Warcraft] – composed by David Arkenstone

“World of Warcraft – Mulgore Planins (Tauren Theme)” – covered by Dryante

“Main Theme” – [Counter-strike 2] – composed by Mike Morasky

“COUNTER-STRIKE2 – MAIN THEME (GUITAR COVER)” – covered by iBodom

“Far Horizons” – [The Elder Scrolls V: Skryim] – composed by Jeremy Soule

“Far Horizons (on Saxphone) ft. Lucas King” – covered by That Saxy Nerd

Outro: “Kyou mo Uraraka Que Sera Sera!” – [Umamusume: Pretty Derby] – composed by Yugo Sasakura, lyrics by Erica Masaki, performed by Yukina Shuto (CV for Haru Urara)

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March is almost over, but it will roar like a lion with this month’s featured remixer for On Stage Now: Vetrom.

Vetrom, according to their pages, is “just a person that loves music…” and “Love music!” That passion definitely shows in their YT channel, showcasing over 10 years of cover remixes of music from video games, TV, movies and mainstream music; there’s also some original compositions sprinkled among the list. Vetrom has been featured in several episodes in the past: #27, with a remix cover of Fire Emblem: Three Houses theme; #72, doing a remix cover of “Doomsbane (Path of Yaksha)” from Genshin Impact, #95, a remix cover of “Give Me!” from Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE; #201, a remix of “60% Fantasy – Passion” from Zenless Zone Zero.

Prepare to listen to Vetrom’s passon for music with these remix covers…

Vetrom (YT, X, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, BC, SC, Patreon)

Track Listing

“Heartache – Instrumental Mix Cover” – [Undertale] – composed by Toby Fox

“Underground Trial – Remix Cove” – [Danganronpa] – composed by Masafumi Takada

“Kass’ Final Song – Instrumental Mix Cover” – [The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild] – composed by Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata

“Hate – Instrumental Mix” – [Undertale] – composed by Toby Fox

“Battle! Marnie – Remix Cover” – [Pokémon Sword and Shield] – composed by Minako Adachi

“Battle Galar Champion Cup (Elite Four)” – [Pokémon Sword and Shield] – composed by Junichi Masuda, Go Ichnose, Minako Adachi

“Eula: Flickering Candlelight (Dance of Aphros) – Remix Cover”- [Genshin Impact] – composed by Yu-Peng Cheng

“Battle! Sada & Turo – Remix Cover” – [Pokémon Scarlet and Violet] – composed by Toby Fox, Minako Adachi, Junichi Masuda, Go Ichinose, Hiromitsu Maebe, Teruo Taniguchi, Hitomi Sato

“Furina: All the World’s a Stage (feat. BlueBow) – Remix Cover” – [Genshin Impact] – composed by HOYO-MiX

“The Golden Touch (Aventurine Trailer) – Remix Cover” – [Honkai: Star Rail] – composed by HOYO-MiX

Outro: “RE Discussion HEAT UP – Remix Cover” – [Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair] – composed by Masafumi Takada

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The stars are a sight to behold on a clear, dark night. The constellations they form have their own backstory, and somehow, they seem to have some involvement with people’s lives. As such, astrologists and readers of fate have interpreted these stars in relation to a person and their personality.

Today, we’re celebrating Astrology Day, on March 20th, dedicated to showing the positive aspect of astrology and stir an interest in the stars and planets. This day coincides with the start of the spring equinox, the start of the astrological year when the Sun enters Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac. It’s also a time for reflection and renew, refreshment and beginnings.

For this week’s episode, we’re playing tracks from video games that feature or use astrology in some form: a war between two factions as seen by a certain individual, a Holy Queen attempting to bring the Golden Age, and a traveler’s companion who reads the stars. We also have covers, remixes and arrangements along with these original tracks.

Sit back, look up, and admire the shiny stars and ponder how they may affected your life…

Astrology Day (Days of the Year)

Final Fantasy Tactics: Zodiac Signs and Compatibility

Final Fantasy Tactics Zodiac Compatibility

Virgo Versus the Zodiac (TV tropes)

Genshin Impact: Mona (Fandom)

Final Fantasy Tactics Soundtrack Remastered+

Track Listing

“Formation Screen” – [Final Fantasy Tactics] – composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto

“Final Fantasy Tactics Formation Theme – Metal Remix” – remixed by ToxicxEternity

“The Fire Moth” – [Virgo Versus the Zodiac] – composed by Elektrobear

“The Fire Moth – Virgo Versus The Zodiac | Piano” – covered by Pixel Partitas

“Surge of Prophecies” – [Genshin Impact] – composed by Yu-Peng Chen

“Genshin Impact OST – Surge of Prophecies Mona’s Theme – Piano Arrangement” – arranged by MrLint

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Well, look here. It’s another Friday the 13th, the second one for 2026, in fact.

That means we’ll be looking into some mysterious and superstitious things, and for this week’s episode, it’ll be related to St. Patrick’s Day.

Normally, St. Patrick’s Day is all about luck and the Irish. People wear green, ornate themselves with a four-leaf clover, and hopefully find an Irish woman to kiss for luck. It’s a day to honor a 5th-century Christian missionary who was traveled to Ireland for evangelism. Oh, and of course, it’s a time to see some rivers and beers turn green.

However, we’re going to look at some unlucky things that could happen, in or out of St. Patrick’s Day. We’ve got some video game tracks to help us segue into this discussion (a lone girl who can summon creatures, a weapon of holy power, and a woman with extraterrestrial powers), along with covers to follow.

Time to get lucky and hopefully avoid some unfortunate circumstances…

St. Patrick’s Day

“The Luck of the Irish”

“20 St. Patrick’s Day Traditions That Will Bring You Luck – Or Just a Whole Lot of Fun”

“Rydia’s Theme” – [Final Fantasy IV] – composed by Nobuo Uematsu

“Final Fantasy IV – Rydia’s Theme Cello and Piano” – covered by Israfelcello

“Stalker” / “Stage 04” – [Castlevania] – composed by Konami Kukeiha Club

“Castlevania – Stalker” – covered by Nestalgica

“Welcome to Fyrestone” – [Borderlands] – composed by Jesper Kyd

“Manhack – Welcome to Fyrestone (Borderlands Metal Cover)” – covered by Manhack

YouTube playlist

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Today, on March 6th, we are celebrating National Dress Day. It was founded by fashion and dress designer of formal wear Ashley Lauren, she wanted to “draw attention to the beauty of dresses, reliving and celebrating the memories that happen while wearing them.” One can wear their favorite dress that day or attempt the 100-Day Dress Challenge (wear the same dress for 100 days). This is also a great excuse to buy a dress to add to your collection.

I’m sure you’re wondering what do dresses have to do with with video games. Sure, they function as armor that can be equipped, but dresses can be a function of game mechanics.

For this week’s episode, we’re featuring video games that use dresses as a game mechanic by playing their original tracks: a trio of treasure hunters exploring the world of Spira, a hero from Hyrule utilizing their fashion sense, and a group of adventures that are dressed for success. We’ve also got covers and remixes along with these original tracks.

Pick your best threads and strut them on the catwalk like the gamer you are…

National Dress Day

Final Fantasy X-2: Dresspheres

The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes: Outfits

Trials of Mana: Costumes

Track Listing

“Real Emotion (FFX-2)” – [Final Fantasy X-2] – composed by Kazuhiro Hara, arranged by h-wonder, lyrics by Kenn Kato, performed by Jade from Sweetbox

“REAL EMOTION Final Fantasy X-2 Cover” – covered by Lacey Johnson

“Woodlans” – [The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes] – composed by Ryo Magamatsu

“Tri Force Heroes: Woodlands Orchestral Arrangement” – remixed by The Nobel Demon

“Where Angel Fear to Tread” – [Trails of Mana (remake of Seiken Densetsu 3)] – composed by Hiroki Kikuta

“Seiken Densestsu 3 – Where Angels Fear to Tread (Synthwave mix)” – remixed by Flashburn

YouTube playlist

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Time for our monthly special episode of “On Stage Now”, where we feature a musician or group of musicians and play their works of video game music.

For February, we’re featuring 8-Bit Big Band, a jazz orchestra founded by Charlie Rosen in 2017. Composed of between 25 to as much as 65, this group plays arrangements of video game music. Earlier, they won their 2nd Grammy award for “Best Arrangement, Instrumental, or A Cappella” for their track “Super Mario Praise Break”. It’s an arrangement of instrumentals from Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Galaxy, and Super Mario World. Their 1st Grammy was from 2022 for “Best Arrangement, Instrumental, and Vocals” for “Meta Knight’s Revenge”.

Let’s give it up for 8-Bit Big Band!

8-Bit Big Band (Personal Website, YT, IG, X, Spotify, Patreon)

8-Bit Big Band (Wikipedia)

Track Listing

“Athletic Theme from Yoshi’s Island – Big Band Swing Version” – [Yoshi’s Island] – composed by Koji Kondo

“Still Alive – Frank Sinatra Big Band Swing Version” – [Portal] – composed by Johnathon Coulton

“Tetris Theme – Contempory Big Band/Classical Fusion Version” – [Tetris] – composed by Nikolay Nekrasov and Alexander N. Chernyavsky, arranged by Hirokazu “Hip” Tanaka

“Geruda Valley – Orchestral Jazz Big Band Version” – [The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time] – composed by Koji Kondo

“Jump Up Super Star! – Full Big Band/Strings cover ft. Grace Kelly” – [Super Mario Odyssey] – composed by Naoto Kubo

“Snake Eater – Big Band Version ft. Tiffany Mann” – [Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater] – composed by Norihiko Hibino

“You Wouldn’t Know – Portal Big Band Version ft. Benny Benack III” – [Portal] – composed by Johnathon Coulton

“Beneath the Mask from Persona 5 – Full Big Band Version ft. Aisha Jackson” – [Persona 5] – composed by Shoji Meguro

“No More What Ifs from Persona 5: Royal – Full Big Band Version ft. Martina DaSilva” – [Persona 5: Royal] – composed by Shoji Meguro

Outro: “Megalovania – Extra HEAVY Big Band version” – [Undertale] – composed by Toby Fox

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