Chotto matte and wait a minute, what's this? Are there really lights on inside the ol' VGMJB bar tonight? Looks like Josh and Emily are marking the 10th anniversary of The VGM Jukebox by opening the doors again! Come snag your favorite chair and get transported places as they share tunes that capture the spirit of the old days, the newer days, and the wide range of everything in between. J&E will need your patience as they relearn the biorhythms of everything from publishing episodes to flipping coins properly, and a good handful of their tracks aren't even from video games. It's going to be an unusual evening, to say the least! But if you stay a while, let us know what you've been up to these past seven years, and what tunes and memories have stayed connected to your hearts.

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 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!

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!

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!

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!

Aloha from Uncertain Breeze Zone, Act I. Here, an almost imperceptible current of air guides us to our recommendations. Along the way we find out about all the things that Emily has never heard of: things like counter tiles, Blue Apron, and being cold in California. And Josh still has a lot to learn too, like how to move your body in the 90's. Along the way we talk about Emily's move, Josh's plans, and the times in their lives when they had a physical reaction to music. So, umm... What are you doing over there? Submit to the wind and join us on this week's episode.

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!

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.

Josh and Emily are in the Breakable Mist Dungeon to play a couple tunes of their own choosing. This is a very important episode for VGM historians, as Josh presents new publications in his field, revising the legend of Yumi Kinoshita. Meanwhile, Emily shares her analysis of earfeel and melody. Special thanks is due to Brent Weinbach of the Legacy Music Hour and to the VGM Podcast Fans Facebook group for spearheading our latest research. Also, a big thank-you to St. John for stopping by with Hakama to take the art of VGM Karoake to new levels of intensity and intrigue. Feel free to take notes on this one as there may be a quiz at the end of the semester, here on the VGM JUKEBOX.