Podouken
A PODCAST FOR ARCADE LOVERS. From the owners of 100+ arcade and pinball cabinets, and the proprietors of a real-life arcade comes PODOUKEN, a brand new podcast that takes a deep dive into the world of video arcade games, and explores the history, story, strategy, art, music, restoration, preservation and fun of arcade games.
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Big Buck Hunter - Episode 141
06/04/2025
Big Buck Hunter - Episode 141
Woo-wee! There’s no avoiding it any longer. While these games don't rank highly on our personal lists, we must talk about one of the most influential and long-lasting series in light gun arcade games, Big Buck Hunter. Do we represent the snobby gaming community? How did appealing to the “Bubba factor” make this popular game series thrive? What is the connection between the hosts, Big Buck Hunter, and the Florida State University football team? Who’s that I hear… is it… could it be… Sound Boy?! Our listener questions in this episode ask us to forecast what arcade game will have the largest legacy 50 years from now, what’s a question a first-time arcade buyer should ask, and our favorite twist or innovation in a light gun game. Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions that could be included in a future episode: You can also like, comment, and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we post our listener question segments and additional content:
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Time Crisis - Episode 140
05/21/2025
Time Crisis - Episode 140
ACTION! We put the pedal to the metal in our light gun miniseries with Namco’s Time Crisis. Seek cover as we explore the entire series starting with V.S.S.E. agent Richard Miller and ending with whatever Time Crisis 5 was. Did Namco’s attempt to top Sega’s Virtua Cop succeed? Is Time Crisis 2 the most complete light gun game experience? What are the most addictive roguelikes? Does Wild Dog, leader of Wild Dog, own a wild dog? With the Krispy Kreme/Pac-Man donut partnership it seems like a good time for us to identify which arcade character we think would make the best flavor for a donut. We also answer: if the last video game we played were turned into a pinball machine, what would it be like, and what gameplay features would it have? Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions that could be included in a future episode: Speaking of Pac-Man donuts, you can check out our review of them exclusively on the Podouken YouTube channel:
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Lethal Enforcers - Episode 139
05/07/2025
Lethal Enforcers - Episode 139
Welcome to the hardboiled streets of 90s Chicago where a crime wave is at an all time high. It’s up to you, officer Don Marshall, and you, Unnamed Female, to fight crime with as many bullets as possible. Then travel to the Wild West to also fight crime with as many bullets as possible. This is Konami’s Lethal Enforcers arcade series. How was a knee-burning, motion-sensing game responsible for adding another arcade to the Lethal Enforcers family? Do you know all the words to the Hey Dude theme song? Is the Justifier the best possible name for a light gun peripheral? Was this game an inspiration for a certain scene in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight? We are asked what our favorite gun design is from arcade light guns (and our least favorite) and perhaps the question that Rob has been waiting his entire life to answer: who would win in the ultimate showdown between Aliens versus Predator versus RoboCop versus Terminator. Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions that could be included in a future episode: You can also like, comment, and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we post our listener question segments and additional content:
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The House Of The Dead - Episode 138
04/23/2025
The House Of The Dead - Episode 138
Step into the rotting halls of Curien Mansion, where bullets fly and the undead just won’t stay down. With cinematic flair, branching paths, and enemies that lurch ever closer, this horror-themed arcade shooter became one of the best in the light gun genre. Welcome to Sega’s The House of the Dead. How did a broom help bring a terrifying boss to life? What are the worst words used in place of “zombies”? Why didn’t they check the barn for Sophia at the beginning of the season? How did this blood-soaked game play resurrect zombie pop culture worldwide? But enough questions! Do you want some answers? We identify our favorite arcade-related merchandise (that aren’t the games themselves), try to think of what games we look cool playing (hint: the answer is none), and discuss the most ambitious projects to recreate arcade hardware. Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions that could be included in a future episode: You can also like, comment, and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we post our listener question segments and additional content:
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Area 51 - Episode 137
04/09/2025
Area 51 - Episode 137
We draw on a new miniseries that is all about light gun games. And we start with getting to the truth behind the biggest conspiracy of them all: Area 51. How did this game save Atari Games (at least temporarily)? Was every CiCi’s Pizza contractually obligated to have an Area 51 game in their arcade? How did a bodybuilder from a theme park and a model next door neighbor become arcade icons? What do we actually believe is in Area 51. We answer questions about the origins of Arcade Obscura and get graphic as we describe our most gruesome arcade-related injuries. Don’t like those questions? Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions that could be included in a future episode: You can also like, comment, and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we post our listener question segments and additional content:
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Arcade Obscura (4P Beat ‘Em Ups) - Episode 136
03/12/2025
Arcade Obscura (4P Beat ‘Em Ups) - Episode 136
It’s the end to our longest miniseries ever as we put our last quarter in the Four Player Beat ‘Em Up miniseries (sniffle) with an Arcade Obscura. Each host brings their choice for a 4 player brawler that we think is obscure or underrated. Jarrod brings us a Sega arcade game with a hot 90s topic that may not be the best player but sure is a looker. Rob gets cheeky with his obscure pick that is probably the closest we’ve ever gotten to getting Streets of Rage in the arcades. Adam gives us a super deep game with a cheap price tag and a history all to its own. The listener questions answered in this episode include what arcade or pinball is our hardest to keep working, an obvious trap question given to jinx us, and a scientific approach for the worst movie with the best pinball game based on it. Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions that could be included in a future episode or tell us why we’re wrong to rank your favorite Capcom beat ‘em up dead last: You can also like, comment, and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we post our listener question segments and additional content:
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Battle Circuit - Episode 135
02/26/2025
Battle Circuit - Episode 135
In the year 20XX, a battle for world domination now begins!! The last featured episode of the 4 Player Beat ‘Em Up miniseries aptly finishes with Capcom’s last 2D arcade beat ‘em up, Battle Circuit. Is this the closest we’ll ever get to a Cowboy Bebop arcade game? How did an eight-player racing game turn into this four-player beat ‘em up? Who has the worst Elvis impression? Which Capcom system had the best games: CPS1 or CPS2? In lieu of listener questions we felt inspired to do a Podouken Ranks on the twelve Capcom 2D beat ‘em ups starting with Final Fight and ending with Battle Circuit. Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions that could be included in a future episode or tell us why we’re wrong to rank your favorite Capcom beat ‘em up dead last: You can also like, comment, and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we post our listener question segments and additional content like Podouken Picks:
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Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom / Shadow Over Mystara - Episode 134
02/12/2025
Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom / Shadow Over Mystara - Episode 134
Welcome to the D&D world! We’re expanding the lore with not one, but two Dungeons & Dragons arcade games made by Capcom! Tuck in for an in-depth episode about the Known World, why the Record of Lodoss War is more than an anime, and the rare example of how a consultant can actually help a company as we talk about Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom and its superb sequel, Shadow Over Mystara. Why aren’t there steamboats in the Known World? Does Past Blaster really think Shadow Over Mystara is the best beat ‘em up ever? What character names are on Capcom’s naughty list? How many buttons is too many buttons? We only answer one question this episode but it allows us to share our thoughts on the Fantastic Four movie trailer and some other upcoming super superhero movies. Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions that could be included in a future episode: You can also like, comment, and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we post our listener question segments and additional content:
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Metamorphic Force - Episode 133
01/29/2025
Metamorphic Force - Episode 133
Let’s go BEAST MODE with Konami’s Metamorphic Force! It’s the best X-Men meets Altered Beast arcade beat ‘em up that takes place on the island of Dr. Moreau where everyone is made out of water balloons that you’ll ever play. Guaranteed. What were the working conditions for copywriters at Konami USA’s headquarters? How much snow does it take to shut down a Florida city for multiple days? Why should your safe search be on when Googling one of Metamorphic Force’s bosses? Which regional version of this arcade game is the best? Rob spills the deets on his biggest arcade and pinball bulk purchase ever and Adam defends the destruction of a Captain America cabinet. We also answer listener questions like if we’ve had any interesting food-related incidents in the arcade and which arcade games have the most unpleasant sideart? Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions that could be included in a future episode: Check out our YouTube channel for our listener question segments and additional content:
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Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder - Episode 132
01/15/2025
Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder - Episode 132
A barbarian, halfling, dwarf riding a giant, and centauress walk into a bar. It’s not just the setup for a joke but also a fantastic beat ‘em up that Sega has criminally done very little with. Let’s delve into the history of Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder! Do we have a reverse Splash situation happening in this game? What was the name of that one event on American Gladiators where they put that thing in the bigger thing? How did Jarrod score a Revenge of Death Adder PCB? Has anyone listened to the new Demon Skol record yet? Get ready for a lightning round of listener questions as we begrudgingly agree on our Mount Rushmore of arcade characters, determine if dwindling health is a feature or a bug, and pick a game world to live in. Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions that could be included in a future episode: Check out our YouTube channel for our listener question segments and additional content:
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Captain Commando - Episode 131
12/18/2024
Captain Commando - Episode 131
Return to Metro City in the distant future of… 2026 to fight crime with a video game mascot, his ninja friend, an alien mummy, and a reincarnated supergenius baby. No, this isn’t some crazy fever dream, it’s one of Capcom’s most popular 90s beat ‘em ups - Captain Commando! Is Captain Commando a true sequel to Final Fight? What arcade board system grossed the most? Will Rob get cancelled for his opinion on a beloved Christmas movie? Do we have video evidence of Captain Commando kidnapping a group of kids (yes!)? ‘Twas the episode before Christmas and all through the studio, we answer listener questions like what is the cutest arcade character and our favorite Christmas video. Join the Podouken Discord and ask questions with care, that soon could be included in a future episode by clicking here: Check out our YouTube channel for our listener question segments and some additional content:
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Crime Fighters / Vendetta - Episode 130
12/04/2024
Crime Fighters / Vendetta - Episode 130
Are you tough enough to take on the sleaziest underground characters imaginable in order to rescue several beautiful girls? That’s not us asking. That’s Konami trying to entice arcade goers to play their first four-player beat ‘em up (and largely failing). We take the humanic weapons out for a spin in the largely forgotten Crime Fighters and its vastly improved sequel Vendetta. How did Crime Fighters lay the groundwork for Konami’s much more successful games? Who thought it was a good idea to include some very problematic enemies? Why is this game so different between regions and player versions? How much did Vendetta steal from Final Fight who in turn stole from Crime Fighters? We talk about our visit to Free Play Florida and answer some listener questions (both of them by the same person): what are our favorite arcade joysticks and buttons, and if Podouken had its own brawler what would be our individual abilities (and who would be the fourth character)? Join the Podouken Discord and ask questions that could be included in a future episode by clicking here: Check out our YouTube channel for our listener question segments which are coming from our backup recording location this time (hey Busker, no busking):
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Gauntlet - Episode 129
11/20/2024
Gauntlet - Episode 129
Welcome to Podouken - formerly an arcade history podcast, now rebranded as one of the vast multitudes of D&D podcasts. Let’s roll a d20, hope that our history modifiers are high, and talk about Atari Games’ four player hack ‘n slash, Gauntlet. How did a game about Dungeons & Dragons inspire this game about Dungeons & Dragons? Is Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (or M.O.M.) a good movie? Do focus groups provide anything of value? Why did we wait 128 episodes to discuss four player beat ‘em ups?! We’re going the distance with our listener questions which include how far we would drive for our dream cabinet and makes us get all introspective about what we would like Podouken to be remembered for. You can join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions for a future episode by clicking this completely safe link: You can also check out our YouTube channel for new content (or old content but with 100% more visuals):
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Choplifter - Episode 128
11/06/2024
Choplifter - Episode 128
Run! Go! Get to the choppa! Then load up some hostages in your helicopter and take them to the nearest USPS for express priority shipping back home. In the final Listeners’ Choice 5 miniseries episode we’re flying the unfriendly skies of the Brøderbund and Sega classic game Choplifter! How did this game make its way from the Apple II to the arcade? What simple foreign puzzle game did Brøderbund pass on? Is the United States Postal Service the ultimate spy cover story? Did our special guest record from a submarine sonar station? Our questions this episode include defining some often-used terms like “kneebasher” and identifying what arcade game based toy we would want that no one else would. Do you have a question? You can join the Podouken Discord by following this link and ask away in the episode questions channel: The new listener questions segments are also available on our YouTube channel: Thanks to Ross (aka FrozenFear on the Podouken Discord) for the Listeners’ Choice game nomination!
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Virtua Tennis - Episode 127
10/23/2024
Virtua Tennis - Episode 127
Are you the best tennist? Well then, slap on your Citizen watch, drink a fresh bottle of Evian, and prove it on Sega’s virtua carpet courts against tennis legends like Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Mark Phillipoussis. Lets Power Smash it with Virtua Tennis! Wanna hear the most annoying sound in the world? Should we have a Real Arcade Wives of Podouken episode? What are our controversial takes on Pickleball and will those takes alienate some of our listeners? Our questions this episode include some doozies like asking us to come up with Podouken pickup lines and what top 80s or 90s IP would we love to see turned into an arcade or pinball game. Want your questions answered in a future episode? You can join the Podouken Discord by following this link and ask away in the episode questions channel: The new listener questions segments are also available on our YouTube channel: Thanks to Matt (aka Momsecretrecipe on the Podouken Discord) for the Listeners’ Choice game nomination!
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Ninja Baseball Bat Man - Episode 126
10/09/2024
Ninja Baseball Bat Man - Episode 126
It was the best Batman game in arcades. It may have been the best baseball game in the arcades. It wasn’t the best Ninja game in arcades but two out of three ain’t bad. For the first episode of our Listeners’ Choice (part 5) miniseries (and our 5th year anniversary episode) we’re going to discuss the most known unknown game out there - Irem’s Ninja Baseball Bat Man. How did this intoxicating combination of words come to be (and why is it so irresistible to say out loud)? Which of Mr. SNK’s kids had the best rebrand of Ninja Baseball Bat Man? Does an alligator lose its tail? How was Past Blaster’s trip to Japan? We answer this episode’s listener questions: which games had the biggest crowds when we were growing up, and what arcade game did we discover for the first time through M.A.M.E.? Want your questions answered in a future episode? You can join the Podouken Discord by following this link and ask away: News! The listener questions segments are now available on our YouTube channel: Thanks to Kevin (aka Bull on the Podouken Discord) for the Listeners’ Choice game nomination!
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Arcade Obscura (LaserTimeDisc) - Episode 125
08/14/2024
Arcade Obscura (LaserTimeDisc) - Episode 125
It’s time to power down the LaserTimeDisc miniseries before it starts overheating with an Arcade Obscura. The hosts each pick a LaserDisc arcade game that they feel is either obscure or underrated (or both)! None of the hosts know what the other person’s picks are so it always causes some interesting… situations. Did it finally happen? Did we all pick the same game? Why is “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” required reading for this episode? Did we discover the origins of Rainbow Road or a bad acid trip? Why did the first wave of LaserDisc arcades really fail? Since this is our last episode before our hiatus (we’ll be coming back in October 2024) we answer what our four favorite Podouken episodes are. We also want to hear your picks on the Discord server! Plus it’s time for round 5 of the Listeners’ Choice. Hop on the Future Episodes channel and nominate a game you’d like to hear us cover. You can join the Podouken Discord (where all the action happens) by following this link:
/episode/index/show/podouken/id/32569737
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Space Ace - Episode 124
07/31/2024
Space Ace - Episode 124
Defender of justice, truth, and the planet Earth. Ace is being attacked by the evil Commander Borf. Struggle with Dexter to regain his manhood. Destroy the Infanto-Ray. Defeat the evil Borf. Be valiant, space warrior, the fate of Earth is in your hands in the Don Bluth animated, RDI programmed, and Cinematronics produced Space Ace! Is Space Ace the best laserdisc arcade game? What The Simpsons voice actor first lent her voice to one of the game’s characters? Who is “the strongest man… in the world?” By beating the game do you commit mass xenophobic infanticide?! The listener questions this episode include what arcade games we’d like to see in an e-Olympics event and what claim to gaming fame have we performed but can’t prove? Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions, which could be included in a future episode, by following this link:
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Cliff Hanger - Episode 123
07/17/2024
Cliff Hanger - Episode 123
So you’re telling me there was a LaserDisc arcade game… made by popular pinball manufacturer Stern… in 1983… featuring the film directorial debut of Hayao Miyazaki… based on the popular Lupin the III anime… called Cliff Hanger… that is not related to the Sylvester Stallone movie? Yes we are, and we’re going to talk all about it in this episode. Will Count Dreyco strike the first blow? Will the princess be forced to marry someone she can’t stand? Will Cliff get stuck in a trapdoor for the rest of his life? Did you realize before this moment that all these questions are lifted directly from the arcade’s attract mode and arcade flyer? What, you want more questions? How about some listener ones: do you have advice or suggestions for indie game developers who want to make arcade-oriented titles, and which arcade game first entry is superior to its sequel(s)? Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions, which could be included in a future episode, by following this link:
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Mad Dog McCree- Episode 122
06/26/2024
Mad Dog McCree- Episode 122
Well howdy, Stranger. Do you think you’re tough enough to take on the Mad Dog? Why don’t you take a seat over yonder as I tell the tale of a hit LaserDisc full motion video game that took the arcades hostage in the early 90s. This is the tale of Mad Dog McCree. How did a law enforcement simulator company in New Mexico end up being the new sharpshooter of the arcade? Did Jarrod find the perfect specimen of a rooster in a Wal-Mart parking lot? Is the world ready for Mad Dog McThree: Boot Shootin’ Boogie? What’s our favorite Jeff Bridges quote? Listener questions this week include asking how the secret sauce is made for deciding what games we talk about and naming an arcade game and PCB that we could never part with. Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions, which could be included in a future episode, by following this link:
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Dragon's Lair - Episode 121
06/12/2024
Dragon's Lair - Episode 121
Time to spin up a new arcade miniseries with the Laser(Time)Disc! The first game is a fantasy adventure where we become a valiant knight on a quest to rescue the fair princess from the clutches of an evil dragon. Sure, it’s a tired formula, but this one has animation from Don Bluth! We are entering the Dragon’s Lair. Hey kids, do you want to hear about the history of the analog optical disc format known as LaserDisc? What Dragon’s Lair scene is the most obvious cash grab? Are birds the closest thing we have to angels? How much did Don Bluth and his studio charge to animate the prototype of the game? We respond to two listener questions: is there a game we thought we were good at but after seeing a pro play it felt like walking away, and what is an underrepresented game genre in the arcade? Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions, which could be included in a future episode, by following this link:
/episode/index/show/podouken/id/31709107
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Metal Slug - Episode 120
05/29/2024
Metal Slug - Episode 120
We finish our second round of the Neo Geo 4 Slot miniseries with the ultimate retrospective on the MVS Metal Slug series which include Metal Slug: Super Vehicle-001, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug X, Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4, and Metal Slug 5. Will Jarrod be able to keep it together with the conclusion of this Neo Geo miniseries? What were our thoughts on the first season of X-Men 97 (contains high-level discussion which may enter spoiler territory)? Why did Pastblaster mutilate a never before opened Metal Slug 4 kit? Why are the Mars People so… jiggly? We also talk about our arcade, Flippin’ Great Pinball, which was recently hit by an EF-2 tornado. While we received major damage, many of our business neighbors received much worse including complete destruction of their buildings. You can contribute to a fund that will benefit the businesses affected using this link:
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Neo Geo 1997 - Episode 119
05/15/2024
Neo Geo 1997 - Episode 119
Let’s be honest, 1997 wasn’t our favorite year due to a trio of horrible deaths, songs like “MMMBop” ruling the radio, and George Lucas unleashing Greedo shooting first upon the theater-going public. But that doesn’t mean the Neo Geo games of that year weren’t awesome! We assemble our 4 slot with a duo of puzzle games in Money Puzzle Exchanger and Magical Drop 3, the return of another samurai fighter in The Last Blade, and the run ‘n gun stylings of Shock Troopers. Did we purposely plan our Neo Geo 1997 episode to come out within hours of the last episode of the first season of X-Men 97? Why can’t Jarrod quit puzzle games? Why can’t Rob quit samurai fighting games? Does this episode contain more mispronounced Japanese names than all other episodes combined? We get asked the mother of all dad question: what are our summer grilling ideas? Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions, which could be included in a future episode, by following this link:
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Neo Geo 1996 - Episode 118
05/01/2024
Neo Geo 1996 - Episode 118
It’s 1996 - maybe the best year ever - where we got the Macarena (plus some actual good music), “draw me like one of your French girls'' entered the popular vernacular, and the worst console controller was released. It also might have also been the best Neo Geo release year as we show with our 4 slot selections of Neo Mr. Do!, Neo Drift Out: New Technology, Twinkle Star Sprites, and Ghostlop (AKA Ikaruga JezzBall). What Nintendo console is our favorite? How do we identify the difference between Arrival and The Arrival? Why does Rob enjoy music with honkers? Once again we must ask, does Jarrod’s game really fit the theme of the episode? The question for this episode asks us what PCB or coin-op game we would never sell and we quickly identify who among us has a price. Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions which could be included in a future episode by following this link:
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Neo Geo 1995 - Episode 117
04/17/2024
Neo Geo 1995 - Episode 117
Travel back to the year 1995 when we all found out who shot Mr. Burns, Apollo 13 came out so that all future movie trailers can use James Horner’s music for their dramatic themes, and Calvin & Hobbes sled off into the snow one final time. Reminisce as the Podouken crew assembles their Neo Geo 4 slot with their picks of 1995 with Savage Reign, Far East of Eden: Kabuki Klash, Pulstar, and Puzzle de Pon! Why are this year’s MVS releases an attack of the clones? How did this episode become so… suggestive? Did we just stumble upon the secret inspiration of Naruto? Was the return of Time-Boy a success? The questions this week include which arcade character do we think has the most rizz (which required our old asses to look up the definition of “rizz”) and what game is at the top of our bucket list to play on dedicated hardware? Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions which could be included in a future episode by following this link:
/episode/index/show/podouken/id/30858803
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Neo Geo 1994 - Episode 116
04/03/2024
Neo Geo 1994 - Episode 116
Welcome to the year 1994 where the White House launched a website with unintended results, the Mandela effect kicked into high gear, and the most-watched car race ever was televised. Let’s dust off an old miniseries, clean out the slots, and assemble the Neo Geo 4 slot with the Podouken picks for 1994 with Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy, Windjammers, Aero Fighters 2, and Zed Blade. What beloved childhood show just came back and why is the crew so psyched about it? Is up, right, left, up, right a cheat code or the directions on how to find Adam and Rob’s first business? Who did Pastblaster fall in love with in this episode? The question this week deals with our thoughts on restoring arcades and how they affect the value. Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions which could be included in a future episode by following this link:
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Arcade Obscura (Beast Mode) - Episode 115
03/20/2024
Arcade Obscura (Beast Mode) - Episode 115
It was fun while it lasted but it’s time to retire the Beast Mode miniseries in the best way possible - with an Arcade Obscura! Each host brings their pick of an obscure or underrated arcade game that (mostly) fits the theme. What obscure arcade game is so divisive it has Rob yelling into the microphone? How does Adam take the purest sport in the world today, and Texas’s national pastime, and turn it into some kind of game?! Did Jarrod once again subvert the miniseries rules with his game selection? We answer the important questions like what’s our favorite screen clearing move, and what are the games we put enough money into to finish back in the day. Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions which could be included in a future episode by following this link:
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Centipede - Episode 114
03/13/2024
Centipede - Episode 114
From one sentence in a notebook to a hundred digital legs, we talk about Atari’s second best selling game ever and one of the highest-grossing in arcade history, Centipede. What makes Centipede so appealing to female players? How did Space Invaders lead Dona Bailey from Cadillacs to Atari? Why was there a delay in releasing this episode and is our excuse good enough for forgiveness? How did the first Atari World Championships spotlight that women could be better than men at video games? The excellent listener questions for this episode ask us to insert our choice for the most deserving creature that has never been featured into a video game, and if our lives depended on having to 1cc an arcade game what would it be? Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions which could be included in a future episode:
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Joust - Episode 113
02/21/2024
Joust - Episode 113
Hear ye, hear ye! His Majesty King Williams invites you to witness the magnificent tournament in ye Land of Molten Magma and Stoned Clouds where brave knights shalt ride their bird and shalt fight with lance. It is long past time to talk about one of the best arcade games ever made… Joust! Who are you playing as in this game? How did the popular ‘Fire’ button get replaced with another four-letter ‘F’ word? What is the “Rob Throb” (and why should we never talk about it again)? How many Joust cocktail tables did Williams really make? Questions for this week include how we would suggest modernizing classic arcade games from the 80s and if we had to eat the concept of an arcade game which would be the most delicious? Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions which could be included in a future episode:
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Trog - Episode 112
02/07/2024
Trog - Episode 112
Long, long ago in the land of Og there lived a one-eyed caveman by the name of Trog, and in that land there lived four friends: Rex and Bloop, Spike and Gwen. Let’s control some colorful claymation dinos and grab some eggs in Bally/Midway’s Trog - in PLAYmation! Why was the original game much different than the Trog that we got? Exactly who’s cloaca did all these eggs come from? Is this the first arcade game to use claymation? What comic strip character did Jack Haeger base the titular character on? Listener questions this week put us in a moral quandary on whether we should give advice on converting a Neo Geo cab and the other asks us if the traditional arcade is ever going to come back - and we have some thoughts on that. Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions which could be included in a future episode:
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