We are a record label and distributor based in Chicago, IL. Whether you are looking to release a soundtrack on vinyl, introduce your music to a new audience, or expand distribution, we would love to explore what we can create together.

  • Correspond in English

    For English communication, please contact our director jack@cartridgethunder.com

    Jack Pochop
    代表取締役/Director
    ミュージック セールス/Music Sales and Licensing

  • Correspond in Japanese

    For Japanese communication, please contact our project manager rema@cartridgethunder.com
    Rema Shimamura

Cartridge Thunder Business Partnerships

If You Are a Game Company or Producer

We are interested in working with game companies, developers, publishers, and producers on:

  • Officially licensed vinyl and CD soundtrack releases
  • Soundtrack releases coordinated with a new game release, remake, remaster, anniversary, or other promotional campaign
  • North American and international distribution opportunities
  • Reissues of soundtracks that have been unavailable physically for many years
  • Projects that introduce Japanese game music and other unique catalogs to new audiences

Some of our favorite in-house releases have included our officially licensed SEGA soundtracks: Virtua Fighter and Comix Zone. During the production of Virtua Fighter, we had the pleasure of interviewing legendary game creator Yu Suzuki, who is also included in the liner notes for that release.

From licensing, mastering, production, distribution, and promotion, we can work with you to determine the right approach for your title and audience.

If You Are an Artist or Composer

We want to collaborate with artists and composers to produce physical editions of their music.

Whether you are an established composer with an extensive catalog or an independent artist exploring a physical release for the first time, possible collaborations include:

  • Vinyl and CD releases of your music
  • Physical releases of game, anime, film, and other soundtrack work
  • Reissues/remasters and archival releases
  • Distribution of existing international releases for North American audiences
  • Collaborative releases with game companies, publishers, and other rights holders

If you have a project, catalog, or unreleased material that you think could be a good fit, we would love to speak with you.

If You Are a Record Label or Rights Holder

We are always interested in connecting with labels and rights holders looking for new ways to bring their catalogs to listeners and collectors.

Potential opportunities include:

  • Licensing titles for new vinyl or CD editions
  • North American distribution
  • Exclusive editions for the North American market (unique vinyl colors, for example)
  • Reissues/remasters of catalog titles
  • Joint releases and other collaborative projects
  • Introducing specialized catalogs to new retailers and audiences

We are particularly interested in music with strong connections to games, anime, film, and other entertainment properties, as well as distinctive catalogs with dedicated fan communities. We are open to all kinds of music.

If You Are a Retailer or Distributor

If you are a record store, specialty retailer, online retailer, or distributor, we can explore:

  • Wholesale purchasing opportunities
  • Access to Cartridge Thunder releases
  • Distribution of select imported titles from Japan and Europe
  • Preorders and upcoming-release information
  • Limited and exclusive releases (unique vinyl colors for existing titles, for instance)

We welcome inquiries from both independent stores and larger retail partners.

Have Something Else in Mind?

Not every great collaboration fits neatly into one category.

If you are a game developer, publisher, musician, composer, label, retailer, event organizer, or simply have an idea that you think would be a good fit for Cartridge Thunder, we want to hear it.

Tell us about your project, your music, or what you would like to accomplish. We are always open to discussing new ways to bring great music and memorable physical releases to fans.

Let's Make Something Together

Do you have a soundtrack you want to release, a record you want to distribute, or a catalog you want to introduce to a new market? Get in touch with us and tell us what you have in mind.

*Pictured: Our Ape Escape 4XLP box set at Disk Union Shibuya (created in partnership with Far East Recording)

Releases from Our Label

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We bring the utmost level of passion and quality to our products and releases. We are interested in producing and offering quality releases from all over the world, to everyone.

*Pictured: Soichi Terada performing at Disk Union ROCK in Shibuya, Tokyo, on June 29th, 2025. This event celebrated the release of the Ape Escape Originape Soundtracks 4XLP box set.

SHOP THE LATEST

In December 2025, Soichi Terada played WWW Shibuya to celebrate the release of our Ape Escape 3 box set (Cartridge Thunder released this box set in partnership with Mr. Terada's Far East Recording). The event was organized and captured by Photo by Miyu Terasawa @mieuxxx_ (Instagram).

SHOP APE ESCAPE 3

We worked with Sega of Japan to officially license Virtua Fighter, Virtua Fighter 2, and Virtua Fighter 3tb on vinyl. Each release features interviews with series creators.

SHOP VIRTUA FIGHTER

From time-to-time, we produce films based on our interests. This includes promotional material for our releases as well as separate projects unrelated to commercial endeavors.

CT on YouTube

Below are reviews from real Cartridge Thunder customers.