BGMania B-Sides #40 of BGMania: A Video Game Music Podcast. Today on the show, Bedroth drops into Tetris Battle Gaiden, the Japan-exclusive Super Famicom spin-off that takes Tetris in a wildly unexpected direction, trading pure abstraction for colorful characters, elemental themes, and head-to-head puzzle combat that feels equal parts playful and intense.

Packed with bright melodies, bouncy rhythms, and a surprising amount of personality, Tetris Battle Gaiden’s soundtrack leans into upbeat synths, jazzy progressions, and arcade-sharp hooks that keep the energy high without ever feeling stressful. Each character theme adds its own flavor, turning familiar falling blocks into a lively musical showdown where competition feels expressive and endlessly replayable rather than cold or mechanical.

Email the show at bgmaniapodcast@gmail.com with requests for upcoming episodes, questions, feedback, comments, concerns, or any other thoughts you'd like to share! Special thanks to our Executive Producers: Jexak, Xancu, Jeff & Mike.

EPISODE PLAYLIST AND CREDITS

1. Title Screen from Tetris Battle Gaiden [Tomoyuki Hamada, 1993]
2. Haunted House from Tetris Battle Gaiden [Tomoyuki Hamada, 1993]
3. Genial Sunshine from Tetris Battle Gaiden [Tomoyuki Hamada, 1993]
4. Spiritual Beauty from Tetris Battle Gaiden [Tomoyuki Hamada, 1993]
5. Tiny Little Concert from Tetris Battle Gaiden [Tomoyuki Hamada, 1993]
6. The Art of Ninja from Tetris Battle Gaiden [Tomoyuki Hamada, 1993]
7. Samurai Temple from Tetris Battle Gaiden [Tomoyuki Hamada, 1993]
8. Pompous Opponent from Tetris Battle Gaiden [Tomoyuki Hamada, 1993]
9. The Last Battle from Tetris Battle Gaiden [Tomoyuki Hamada, 1993]
10. Credits from Tetris Battle Gaiden [Tomoyuki Hamada, 1993]

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PODCAST NETWORK

• Very Good Music: A VGM Podcast
• Listening Religiously