It’s time for a special episode of “On Stage Now”, and our first musician to start off 2026 is Nestalgica.

Hailing from Sweden, he’s a one-man band that covers all music from Nintendo. The proof is in the 17 years of videos from his YouTube channel that showcase his talent. There are a few tracks in which he collaborates with other musicians.

And honestly, that’s all I’ve got on him, but don’t let that dissuade you from listening a collection of his works on this episode, so put on your headphones and prepare to rock the world of video game music!

Nestalgica (YT, FB, IG, X, Twitch, Spotify, Apple Music, BC, Deezer, Last.fm, Patreon)

Track Listing
All tracks performed by Nestalgica are covers of the original VGM

“Mega Man 2 Medley” – [Mega Man 2] – composed by Takashi Tateishi, Manami Matsumae

“Batman: Return of the Joker cover (Game Boy)” – [Batman: Return of Joker] – composed by Manami Matsumae

“Bubble Bobble Them” – [Bubble Bobble] – composed by Zuntata

“Fester’s Quest – Boss Battle” – [Fester’s Quest] – composed by by Nobuyuki Hara, Naoki Kodaka

“Nintendo World Cup – Match 1-3”- [Nintendo World Cup] – composed by Kauo Sawa

“Metal Slug 3 – Desert theme” – [Metal Slug 3] – composed by Playmore Sound Team

“Splatoon – Splattack! (Main theme)” – [Splatoon] – composed by Toru Minegishi, Shiho Fujii

“Mystic Quest – Battle Theme [METAL COVER]” – [Mystic Quest] – composed by Ryuji Sasai

“Mega Man 2 – Metal Man Theme [METAL COVER]” – [Mega Man 2] – composed by Takashi Tateishi

“Castlevania – Heart of Fire” – [Castlevania] – composed by Kinuyo Tamashita

“Snake’s Revenge – Jungle Infiltration” – [Metal Gear – Snake’s Revenge] – composed by Tsutomo Ogura

“Batman: The Video Game (NES) – Stage 1 Theme (Streets of Desolation)” – [Batman: The Video Game] – composed by Naoki Kodaka

“ENEMY BASE – Contral (Feat. Stefan Norlin)” – [Contra] – composed by Kazuki Muraoka

“STARMAN THEME/WING CAP THEME” – [Super Mario Bros.] – composed by Koji Kondo

“ULTRAKILL – Altars of Apostacy (incl. “Hall of Sacreligious Remains”)” – [Ultrakill] – composed by Arai “Hakita” Patala

“BLADES OF STEEL – Menu Theme/Game Start” – [Blades of Steel] – composed by Shinya Sakamoto, Kazuki Muraoka, Atsushi Fujio, Kiyohiro Sada

Outro: “Ballad of the Wind Fish | Rock Cover (Link’s Awakening)” – [The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening] – composed by Kazumi Totaka, Minako Hamano, Kozue Ishikawa – covered by Nestalgica

YouTube playlist

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Today on January 16th, we are celebrating “National Appreciate a Dragon Day”, in honor of one of the most popular and mystical creatures of lore, the dragon. They have been a part of many historical and current cultures since 4500 B.C., when they were carved as images onto jade and pottery in China. There are mentions of dragons in literature, such as St. George, Beowulf, and The Hobbit. In movies and anime, there are dragons in movies (Mushu from “Mulan”, Shenon from the Dragon Ball series, Haku from “Spirited Away”). With its long tail, majestic wings, and ferocious claws, and fearsome face, the dragon is a creature that is appreciated by all.

For this week’s episode, we’ll be playing tracks from video games that feature dragons: a purple and spunky dragon saving the Kingdom, a great wyrm of the end of days, and a collection of high dragons during an Inquisition. We’ve also got covers and remixes to follow.

Enjoy these tracks and feel a sense of appreciation for this creature of lore…

“National Appreciate a Dragon Day”

“Appreciate a Dragon Day”

“Puff the Magic Dragon” (song)

Dragon’s Dogma – The Dragon

Dragon Age: Inquisition – Dragon Hunter

Track Listing

Intro and BGM: “Puff the Magic Dragon”, composed by Peter Yarrow and Leonard Lipton, performed by Peter, Paul, and Mary

“Title Screen” – [Spyro the Dragon] – composed by Stewart Copeland

“Spyro 1 Main Theme – lestrag Remix [Spyro the Dragon]” – remixed by lestraigVGM

“Into Free ~Dangan~” – [Dragon’s Dogma] – composed by Takahiro Matsumoto, lyric by Shane Gaalaas and Koshi Inaba, performed by B’z

“Dragon’s Dogma – Into Free (Dangan)” – covered by RyoX

“Theme” – [Dragon Age: Inquisition] – composed by Trevor Morris

“Dragon Age: Inquisition Theme “Epic Rock” Cover” – covered by LittleVMills

YouTube playlist

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Some days, it’s a peaches and cream and everything seems all right. Other days, things are going horribly wrong and the world seems against you. When it becomes too much or the goals seem too far away, you’re ready to throw in the towel and call it quits.

Today we’re celebrating Quitters Day, a time when most people, after getting themselves hyped up for their new year’s resolutions, start to fall back and eventually drop their efforts. A fitness app called Strava noted from user data that, while people set their exercise goals at the start of the new year, by the second Friday of January, their activity levels drop dramatically. So, Quitters Day was created to bring awareness of how fast motivation can fade and that it’s a common struggle that most face after the first rush of excitement wears off; it’s a good time to stop a moment and adjust your plans as needed, perhaps some small goals.

For this week’s episode, though, we’ll be listening to tracks from video games I’ve played in which I struggled hard, sometimes to the point of just giving up and never finishing the game: a young boxer climbing the ranks to meet the World Champion, a son of a father seeking revenge from a ninja duel, and two amphibious dudes fighting their way to rescue their buddy and the Princess. Along with these original tracks we’ve got covers and remixes.

Enjoy and just take a breather before you bury that controller into a wall…

Quitters Day

Track Listing

“Fight Theme” – [Mike Tyson’s Punch Out!!] – composed by Yukio Kaneoka, Akito Nakatsuka, Kenji Yamamoto

“Mike Tyson’s Punch Out (Synthwave Remix)” – remixed by Galactic Beatz

“Act 4 Part 2” – [Ninja Gaiden] – composed by Keiji Yamagishi, Ryuichi Nitta

“Stage 4-2 (The Amazing Ryu) goes harder | Ninja Gaiden | Unbreakable Determination Metal Version” – covered by Lame Genie

“Turbo Tunner Part 2” – [Battletoads] – composed by David Wise

“Darkman007 – 2021 – Metaltoads (Battletoads Cover NES) – 05 – Turbo Tunnel” – covered by Darkman007, from the cover album “Metaltoads (Battletoads Cover)”

Outro: Audio clip from “Rocky Balboa”

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Happy New Year, everyone!

A new year, which means new possibilities. This means it’s a perfect time, especially today, to celebrate National Science Fiction Day, on January 2nd. Also the birthday of Isaac Asimov, this day is about all things science fiction, works of media that takes a hard look at technology mixed in with fantasy. Whether it was cyberpunk or steampunk, magic mixed with mechanical wonder, there was lots to imagine and possibly more to bring to reality. Authors, including Asimov, such as Jules Vernes, Ray Bradbury, H.G. Wells, and Kurt Vonnegut also write within the genre, about traveling across the world or through time, living in a dystopian society, or being abducted by aliens for their “zoo”.

This week, we’ll be playing tracks from video games inspired by works of a science fiction writer or involved the writer along with their works: a young woman who awakens to the powers of her own mitochondria, a monster hunter with supernatural powers, and a soldier dealing a nuclear fallout in Russia. Following each track is a cover or remix.

Have fun with these tracks and perhaps consider doing something science fiction related today…

“National Science Fiction Day”

Parasite Eve (the novel)

Dimitry Glukhovsky Reddit AMA thread

Track Listing

“Plosive Attack” – [Parasite Eve] – composed by Yoko Shimomura

“Parasite Even – Plosive Attack (Remake)” – remade by James Chin

“Main Menu” – [The Witcher] – composed by Adam Skorupa, Pawel Blaszczak

“The Witcher 1: Main Menu – (Remix/Warm up composition 2016)” – remixed by Fylip

“Main Menu” – [Metro 2033] – composed by Alexei Omelchuk, Georgiy Belograzov

“Metro 2033 Theme – Synthwave Remix” – remixed by Jadove

YouTube playlist

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Gamers have been criticized and scrutinized for lots of things. They’re not strong, have no realistic perceptions, narcissistic, and not dating material. They seem to be frivolous with their money, spending it on video games, consoles, accessories, and figures. Also, online controversies have divided people, distracting from the fun of gaming.

However, gamers can also be generous with our money. While not reported on most familiar news outlets, there are charities which use video games to bring awareness to a cause and implore gamers to donate. They have livestream sessions of people playing certain games and collaborations with organizations with tie-ins to a game.

For this week’s episode, I’ll be showcasing several video games that have a tie-in with a charity or donation drive as I play tracks from them: a Fiery Lioness with a heart for children, a campaign in the name of democracy, and a game inspired by real-life racing horses. Of course, we’ve got covers and remixes to follow.

Hopefully I can change a few minds about how people see gamers, not as those who sit at their desk or chair staring at a screen while pressing some buttons or moving a stick; that gamers are willing to open their wallets for a passionate cause…

“Empowering Generosity: How a Plot in a Chinese Game is inspiring Gamers to Give Back”

“Helldivers players saved the children, so Arrowhead Game Studios is making a donation to the Save the Children charity”

“Gacha games and their communities/companies that have a done acts of philathropy” (Reddit)

Charity Organizations and Donations:
Child’s Play Charity
Extra Life
Stack Up
Project Hope
Save the Children (International)
Nice Nature Memorial Donation

Track Listing

“Fervent Flame” – [Genshin Impact] – composed by HOYO-MiX

“Dehya Theme Music EXTENDED – Fiery Lioness | Genshin Impact” – remixed by tnbee

“A Cup of Liber-tee” – [Helldivers 2] – composed by Wilbert Roget II

“Helldivers II Main Theme – A Cup of Liber-Tea – Epic Orchestral Cover” – covered by Karu

“Winning the Soul” – [Umamusume: Pretty Derby] – composed by Makoto Miyazaku; vocals by Azumi Waki, Machino, Rika Kinugawa, Asuza Tadokoro, Akari Kito, Sumire Uesake, Hiyori Niita, and Yurina Amami

“Winning the Soul – Umamusume: Pretty Derby | Full Cover Band” – covered by The Recovery System

YouTube playlist

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Merry Christmas, everyone! I present to all the listeners my gift for 2025: an episode that recaps all the Christmas tracks that have been showcased and counted down since Day One. For those just joining in, this is a tradition of mine since I started the podcast in 2022. Christmas is my favorite holiday of all time and what a great way to celebrate with video game music that is Christmas-themed.

Enjoy all this music and be safe out there…

Track Listing

Day One:
“Winter NiGHTS (Hey, Dreamer)” – [Christmas NiGHTS into dreams] – remixed by Level 99

Day Two:
“Video Game Xmas EP – Deck the Bros” – [Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door] – remixed by Tee Lopes

Day Three:
“Super Mario’s Sleigh Ride – [Super Mario World] – remixed by The OneUps

Day Four:
“Daze Before Christmas = Nintendo Snes” – [Days Before Christmas] – covered by Kaktus

Day Five:
“Christmas in the Village (Silver Bells)” – [Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals] – remixed by Dale North

Day Six:
“Genshin Impact: Elogia Cinerosa x Carol of the Bells” – [Genshin Impact] – remixed by rurunoyoru

Day Seven:
“All I Want for Chipmas is You” – [Splatoon] – covered by Chirpy Chips

Day Eight:
“Frost Moon Terraria Remix” – [Terraria] – remixed by Noteblock

Day Nine:
“Arctic Mayhem” – [Battletoads] – remixed by Black Ace

Day Ten:
“Snowman – Earthbound/Mother Remix [Nintember]” – [Earthbound] – remixed by FennecWitch

Day Eleven:
“Snowflakes in Her Hair [Snowpoint City]” – [Pokemon Diamond] – remixed by Blue Magic

Day Twelve:
“Stardew Valley Winter Music LoFi | Nocturne of Ice” – [Stardew Valley] – remixed by Save Point Beats

Day Thriteen:
“[piano] Ragnarok Online – Christmas in The 13th Month” – [Ragnarok Online] – covered by LilyPichu

Day Fourteen:
“Chocobo’s Happy Christmas” – [Final Fantasy] – covered by PacificPoem

Day Fifteen:
“White Palace – Hollow Knight | Piano Trio” – [Hollow Knight] – covered by Pixel Partitas

Day Sixteen:
“Snowball Park – Super Mario 3D World [Cover Arrange]” – [Super Mario 3D World] – arranged and covered by PortmanTone

Day Seventeen:
“Persona 4 Golden – Snowflakes” – [Persona 4 Golden] – covered by Lacey Johnson

Day Eighteen:
“By the Flame [Flamesgrace, Guiding Light] – [Octopath Traveler] – remixed by Rozovian

Day Nineteen:
“A Brief Respite [Snowdin Town]” – [Undertale] – remixed by RebecceETripp and Docjazz4

Day Twenty:
“Small Steps” – [Celeste] – remixed by Emunator

Day Twenty-One:
“Hearth and Home [Staff Roll]” – [Skies of Arcadia] – remixed by Juke

Day Twenty-Two:
“One Wintersday Night [The Great Toymaker]” – [Guild Wars 2] – remixed by DusK

Day Twenty-Three:
“The Polar Express [Take the Snow Train]” – [NiGHTS into dreams] – remixed by DCT

Day Twenty-Four:
“Christmas Eve [Toy Day] ‘13 (Orchestral)” – [Animal Crossing] – remixed by Hyuga

Day Twenty-Five:
“Merry Little Christmas [Dreams Dreams]” – [NiGHTS into dreams] – remixed by Dale North

YouTube playlist

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Today we’re celebrating National Emo Day, a day dedicated to an interesting subculture that started as a music genre and spread onto fashion and a lifestyle. While most people may mock or scratch their heads, emo is rather simple. It’s having a personal connection that transcends logic. The music is melodic, with lyrics that evoke an emotional connection. The fashion is contrarian to the mainstream, with thick-rimmed glasses, button-down shirts, graphic tees, tight jeans, and Converse shoes. The style tends to be bold, with spiky hair, bangs that covers one of the eyes, and black fingernails. While perceived as being alienating, angst, and resentful of people, emos are introspective and sensitive.

For this week’s episode, we’ll be playing tracks from video games that feature an emo protagonist or main character: a transfer high school student who can summon Personas, a hedgehog with an attitude after being revived from a deep stasis, and a teenage boy who finds himself in a game with Reapers. We’ve also got covers and remixes to follow, all collaborations with the Keytar Kween herself, Lacey Johnson.

Prepare to let your emotions go free…

National Emo Day

Emo subculture

Persona 3 Protagonist

Shadow the Hedgehog

Neku Sakuraba

Track Listing

“Burn My Dread” – [Persona 3] – composed by Shoji Meguro

“Persona 3 – Burn My Dread” – covered by Lacey Johnson, with Theology

“I Am… All of Me” – [Shadow the Hedgehog] – composed by Johnny Gioeli, arranged by Jun Senoue

“I Am… All of Me – Shadow the Hedgehog REMIX” – remixed by Noteblock, with Lacey Johnson

“Someday” – [The World Ends With You] – composed by Takeharu Ishimoto

“Someday (The World Ends With You)” – remixed by GaMetal, with Lacey Johnson

YouTube playlist

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After such an interesting episode about Krampus, I thought I would take a deeper dive into Christmas traditions in other parts of the world. I could have done multiple episodes on this, but I decided to choose three of them for now, one of with which I’m already familiar.

For this week’s episode, we’ll take a look at three Christmas traditions with (hopefully) a video game to match: A talking Pokemon, a brother’s gift to his sister, and getting close to the Colonel. There’ll also be remixes and covers to follow each track.

Sit back and learn about some interesting traditions…

“Beware the Yule Cat, Iceland’s Child-Eating Christmas Monster”

“The Yule Goat: A Quintessential Nordic Christmas Symbol”

Gälve Goat (Wikipedia)

Gävleboken (YouTube livestream)

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Jorvik Yule Goat Mystery Goat

Japan’s KFC Tradition Explained

Track Listing

“Team Rocket’s Hideout” – [Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow] – composed by Junichi Masuda

“Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow – Team Rocket Hideout Acapella” – covered by Smooth McGroove

“Main Theme” – [Assassin’s Cred: Valhalla] – composed by Sarah Schachner, Jesper Kyd

“Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Music Orchestra – Official Main Theme Remix” – remixed by Valhalla Music

“Main Theme” – [I Love You, Colonel Sanders!] – composed by Hexany

“KFC Dating Sim – “I love you, Colonel Sanders! (Main Theme) ft. Guitar SVD”” – remixed by Dacian Grada

YouTube playlist

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