
From the beeps and boops of chiptunes in the 80s to the fully orchestrated, cinematic soundtracks of today, video game music is a flourishing genre that deserves to be celebrated. Join our hosts Anjuli Dodhia, Connor Henricksen and Devin Gay as they take you on a journey through the world of video game music and share their experience as music lovers and gamers. Video games are for everyone and so is the music, so whether you’ve been playing them all your life or you’ve never even picked up a controller, there’s something here for you.
New episodes air every week, Fridays at 3 PM and repeating Saturdays at 6 PM on our classical service, or listen here.
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Mobile GamesA full library of games that you can play anywhere, anytime, is right there in your pocket, with sountracks that rival any big-budget console game.
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The GrabbeningThere’s so much great music out there, and sometimes it doesn’t quite fit into an episode. Listen to more of our favorite music that’s too good to leave on the cutting room floor.
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Developer Highlight: Supergiant GamesListen to music from indie studio Supergiant Games, whose award-winning games have equally amazing soundtracks created by their in-house composer, Darren Korb.
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Lena RaineA celebrated composer and Pacific Northwest native, Lena Raine’s melodies have graced some of the most beloved and inspirational indie games of the past decade.
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April Fools SpecialListen to the music of developer Riot Games and their perennial smash-hit League of Legends, the most-watched esports game and one of the most popular online games on the planet.
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Fund Drive SpecialWhat do video games and public radio have in common? Something that NWPB relies on to keep shows like this on the air: the support of an enthusiastic community!
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Springtime SpecialThe snow is melting, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and cheerful tunes are playing, all in these games that remind us of Springtime.
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Radio TunesListen to the music of developer Riot Games and their perennial smash-hit League of Legends, the most-watched esports game and one of the most popular online games on the planet.
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Indie OdditiesMusic from cult-classic games that are a little bit odd and all the greater for it. Passion-projects like Judero, Hylics, Baba Is You, and Pizza Tower prove that artistry and creativity thrive in indie games.
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The Legend of ZeldaFollow along as the simple themes and synthesized melodies of the earliest games in The Legend of Zelda series grow and evolve into the fully orchestrated pieces of today.
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League of LegendsListen to the music of developer Riot Games and their perennial smash-hit League of Legends, the most-watched esports game and one of the most popular online games on the planet.
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LGBTQIA+ PrideA selection of music from games that provide both representation and self-expression, celebrating the video game community’s support and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ gamers.
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Games set in the PNWFeaturing music from a variety of games that take place in the Pacific Northwest, spanning genres from murder mystery to hiking and driving to… another murder mystery.
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Winter SpecialMusic for the winter season, maybe some tunes that evoke the holidays, maybe some that just feel like cold snowy weather.
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Grab Bag SpecialSome of the music we wanted to play, that wouldn’t fit into any other episode, as well as previews of music from games we will feature in the future.
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Composer Highlight: Toby FoxShowcasing the compositions of Toby Fox, celebrated indie developer whose debut game Undertale skyrocketed him (and his music) to worldwide fame.
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NWPB’s Staff FavoritesThe staff at NWPB chimes in with some of their favorite video game tunes, including tracks from a wide variety of games through the decades.
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Games We Played in 2020Video games released in the year 2020 that we played while stuck at home during the pandemic. Featured games include Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Doom (2016), Half-Life Alyx, Bugsnax and Stardew Valley.
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Composer Highlight: Austin WintoryCelebrating the works of composer Austin Wintory, whose work on the game Journey was the first video game soundtrack to be nominated for a Grammy.
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Series Highlight: Super Mario Bros.A look at the music of the Super Mario Bros. franchise through the years, a series that is emblematic of the shift from simple chiptunes to orchestral soundscapes and beyond.
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Indie DarlingsIndependently developed games that had a big impact on the gaming community. Featured games include Hollow Knight, Outer Wilds, Rimworld, and Stardew Valley.
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Halloween SpecialA selection of songs from the games we like to play on Halloween, with a focus on the sillier side of spooky, as well as a few tracks from some true horror masterpieces.
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Composer Highlight: Borislav SlavovA look at the works of Borislav Slavov, with special attention to his compositions for the critically acclaimed and widely beloved role playing game Baldur’s Gate 3.
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Series Highlight: MinecraftA deep cave-dive into the music of Minecraft and how it has evolved since the game’s original full release over a decade ago.
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Pacific Northwest Independent GamesMusic from small, independent game developers in the Pacific Northwest, including Cyan, Fullbright, Extremely OK Games, Bay12 Games, Hopoo Games and ConcernedApe.
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Pacific Northwest AAA Video GamesMusic from big-budget games made by big-name developers in the Pacific Northwest. Highlighted developers include Bungie, Sucker Punch and Valve.