Best Arcade Games Podcasts (2025)

1
The House Of The Dead - Episode 138 2:24:01

4d ago2:24:01

2:24:01

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 lif…

1
Area 51 - Episode 137 2:24:45

18d ago2:24:45

2:24:45

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 mod…

1
Arcade Obscura (4P Beat ‘Em Ups) - Episode 136 2:17:44

2M ago2:17:44

2:17:44

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.…

1
Battle Circuit - Episode 135 2:27:53

2M ago2:27:53

2:27:53

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 t…

1
Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom / Shadow Over Mystara - Episode 134 2:34:50

2M ago2:34:50

2:34:50

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 an…

1
Metamorphic Force - Episode 133 2:37:54

3M ago2:37:54

2:37:54

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…

1
Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder - Episode 132 2:01:53

3M ago2:01:53

2:01:53

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 o…

1
Captain Commando - Episode 131 1:59:29

4M ago1:59:29

1:59:29

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 g…

1
Crime Fighters / Vendetta - Episode 130 2:19:49

5M ago2:19:49

2:19:49

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 va…

1
Gauntlet - Episode 129 2:18:24

5M ago2:18:24

2:18:24

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 t…

1
Choplifter - Episode 128 1:48:25

6M ago1:48:25

1:48:25

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?…

1
Virtua Tennis - Episode 127 1:53:14

6M ago1:53:14

1:53:14

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 epi…

1
Ninja Baseball Bat Man - Episode 126 1:44:21

7M ago1:44:21

1:44:21

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…

1
Arcade Obscura (LaserTimeDisc) - Episode 125 2:20:05

9M ago2:20:05

2:20:05

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 p…

1
Space Ace - Episode 124 1:33:55

9M ago1:33:55

1:33:55

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…

1
Cliff Hanger - Episode 123 1:30:58

9M ago1:30:58

1:30:58

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. Wil…

1
Mad Dog McCree- Episode 122 2:11:14

10M ago2:11:14

2:11:14

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 sharpshoo…

1
Dragon's Lair - Episode 121 1:42:27

11M ago1:42:27

1:42:27

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 a…

1
Metal Slug - Episode 120 2:31:36

11M ago2:31:36

2:31:36

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…

1
Neo Geo 1997 - Episode 119 2:31:24

12M ago2:31:24

2:31:24

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 …

1
Neo Geo 1996 - Episode 118 2:33:34

12M ago2:33:34

2:33:34

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 Te…

1
Neo Geo 1995 - Episode 117 2:13:26

1y ago2:13:26

2:13:26

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 E…

1
Neo Geo 1994 - Episode 116 3:00:06

1y ago3:00:06

3:00:06

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, Ae…

1
Podcast 197 – Arkanoid: Revenge Of Doh 1:47:30

1y ago1:47:30

1:47:30

DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE: Savage biscuit chomping Yellow dust Hamster conversions NUTella weirdly containing nuts Shaite Aight Eggs on top of the Goose Layers of lasers Archie Meedees LINKS: Arkanoid 2 : Revenge of Doh Flyer Arkanoid 2 : Revenge of Doh Flyer Arkanoid 2 : Revenge of Doh Strategy (Strategy Wiki) Archer Maclean’s Atari Experiments At…

1
Arcade Obscura (Beast Mode) - Episode 115 1:41:15

1y ago1:41:15

1:41:15

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 w…

1
Centipede - Episode 114 1:39:06

1y ago1:39:06

1:39:06

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 …

1
Podcast 196 – Insector X 1:42:31

1y ago1:42:31

1:42:31

DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE: Murderous diarrhea with good old E.coli (yay) Who the F is Lord Owen of Clun? Non visual unseen problems Hazlenut disremberance Lorry bumpin’ fun Swindon/ Sweden? Same place? It’s all bloody fish LINKS: Insector X Flyer (front) Insector X Flyer (back) Insector X (HG101) Pico 8 New Raly X Retro Play Shop (Mexico City) Revi…

1
Joust - Episode 113 2:19:33

1y ago2:19:33

2:19:33

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 ‘F…

1
Trog - Episode 112 1:41:43

1y ago1:41:43

1:41:43

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 cloac…

1
Podcast 195 – Burger Time 1:46:50

1+ y ago1:46:50

1:46:50

DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE: Knob twiddling Raw Turkey Haunted Holley CST Monitors? Staring into the distance and dribbling Bowl Anecdotes Ever Ready Ready Brek The Wimpy Walkaway Double Bags of Gravy Wonky Beards Cock eyed and cack handed **test** LINKS: Burgertime Flyer (Midway Front) Burgertime Flyer (DECO) Burgertime Flyer (Sweden) Burgertime Str…

1
Primal Rage - Episode 111 2:05:17

1+ y ago2:05:17

2:05:17

Welcome to Urth! It’s like Earth but in the future and all the continents look like a dinosaur skull burping fire. This is the world of stop-motion dinosaurs, peetalities, and human volleyball. This is the world of Primal Rage. Why is the Tiger R-Zone the superior arcade port console to play Primal Rage on? How was a stealthy musician involved in t…

1
Bubble Bobble - Episode 110 1:59:04

1+ y ago1:59:04

1:59:04

Now, it is beginning of a fantastic story! Let’s make a journey to the Cave of Monsters! Good luck! In this beastly episode we will visit with Bub and Bob as we become the best Bubble Bobble bubble blowers on the block! Is Bubble Bobble the ultimate introvert shaming game? What is a potato party? How much money did Jarrod find in his newly acquired…

1
Mappy - Episode 109 2:00:57

1+ y ago2:00:57

2:00:57

We’re back and we have a doctor’s note for our absence. So let’s continue our Beast Mode series by exploring the ultimate game of cat and mouse with Namco’s Mappy! Why did Pastblaster just pick up two new meowkies of his own? What ever happened to Micro Machines icon, Motormouth John? How did a Journey discussion make its way into this episode? Wha…

1
Podcast 194 – Blue Print 1:22:45

1+ y ago1:22:45

1:22:45

DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE: Stuffing Adele in a Berzerk cabaret cabinet Not a lot of stuff happens does there? Round tumblestorms TRAINS! Pervy Trevor Who wants to collect bananas? LINKS: Blue Print Flyer Front Blue Print Flyer Back Blue Print JP Front Blue Print JP Back Arcade Artshop GAME ART / PICTURES OF THINGS: SCORES: TEN PENCE HIGH SCORE LEAG…

1
Podcast 193 – Lock ‘n’ Chase 1:32:36

1+ y ago1:32:36

1:32:36

DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE: Pie & Gravy muffling audio Very thanks RegyouLARly LINKS: Lock n Chase Flyer Lock n Chase Flyer GameFaq Guide Retrohut Glasgow Barrowlands (Facebook page) A Handheld History Book Shaun’s Arcade Video – Dave & Buster’s Chicago Biscuit Rap Video GAME ART / PICTURES OF THINGS DRUNK GARRY SCORES: NAME – POINTS – SCORE Dave Re…

1
Frogger - Episode 108 1:51:52

1+ y ago1:51:52

1:51:52

We’re going Beast Mode in this new miniseries by starting off with a “g*ddamn kids game!” It’s time to play the Konami developed and the Sega/Gremlin released Frogger. How did a “cross the road” joke turn into this super successful arcade game? Who was the heroine responsible for bringing Frogger to the States? What unfortunate series of events led…

1
Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon - Episode 107 2:45:14

1+ y ago2:45:14

2:45:14

Fighting evil by moonlight, winning love by daylight, never running from a real fight, she is the one named Sailor Moon. The final episode of the fourth Listeners’ Choice miniseries is going full shoujo with the short-lived Gazelle’s Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon. How did a fateful encounter with a cat lead to the reawakening of a millenia old moon pr…

1
Podcast 192 – Check Man 1:36:29

1+ y ago1:36:29

1:36:29

DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE: Super heavy tough cotton thing Cloning in a shed Can’t see the dark for the clouds Banging and janking tables Deconstructed biscuits Get on yer vespa lads, someone needs a pepporoni. Machines of war battalion LINKS: Checkman Flyer (JP) Checkman Killscreen Video Berzerk ‘recharged’ Mappy on Pico 8 Gary Whittingham Intervie…

1
Superman - Episode 106 2:31:14

1+ y ago2:31:14

2:31:14

Our Listeners’ Choice miniseries continues with the penultimate episode! It’s a bird… It’s a plane… But is it a good game? It’s Taito’s Superman! Why is Superman fighting the Elephant Man? How do we know geography wasn’t the Taito development team’s strong suit? What does Muhammed Ali have to do with this game? How cheap were the prices for the wor…

1
City Connection - Episode 105 1:32:30

1+ y ago1:32:30

1:32:30

It’s time for the 4th annual Listeners’ Choice miniseries! And we’re excited to search the world for our perfect man with listener RaymondTheFrog as we explore Jaleco’s City Connection. How did Clarice, the punky teenage protagonist, get replaced by a no-name blonde smoker dude on the NES port? Did Jarrod just receive a newly minted nickname? Why i…

1
Podcast 191 – Alligator Hunt 1:34:03

1+ y ago1:34:03

1:34:03

DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE: Sparkly lighty-up boards, Biscuits with rings and spikes, Ovens full of gooses Videoing stationary ovens, Small Elephants, Milking a crab LINKS: Play Alligator Hunt in your Browser Monaco GP Drop In Board Replacement PaulHamX (Pico 8 Dev) on Twitter CraftedbyKealy GAME ART / PICTURES OF THINGS FLYER New Arcade Controller!…

1
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles : Turtles in Time - Episode 104 2:45:52

1+ y ago2:45:52

2:45:52

Growing up in a glass bowl with chameleons, lizards, and tadpoles, it hardly enters your mind that there’s something better than this. But pizza power - a flying saucer food delight. Pizza power, oh, that’s what makes us feel alright! Time is up for the Cartoon miniseries as we explore the questionable history that is TMNT: Turtles in Time. When di…

1
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero - Episode 103 2:29:34

1+ y ago2:29:34

2:29:34

Sound Boy makes its triumphant return! Since it’s nearly our 4th birthday it’s fitting we talk about the Cartoon arcade game that puts cake on full display - Konami’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. What is the devastating truth behind the origin of this game? Is this the first arcade game based on a doll? How many times is “Yo Joe!” uttered in thi…

1
Podcast 190(1) – Timber 1:42:18

1+ y ago1:42:18

1:42:18

***IF YOU’RE HAVING TROUBLE DOWNLOADING #190, TRY THIS ALTERNATIVE*** STUFF & NONSENSE:PUNCH ‘EM IN THE GOOLIES AND RUN AWAY! STEP WIVES BAGELS! CRUMBLE IN YER GOB LINKS: Timber Flyer (front) Timber (back) New Wave Toys Replicades Pico 8 Scramble (no longer available) Minionsoft GAME ART: FLYERS CNC Wood Router Examples SCORES: NAME – PTS – SCORE E…

1
Podcast 190 – Timber 1:42:18

1+ y ago1:42:18

1:42:18

STUFF & NONSENSE:PUNCH ‘EM IN THE GOOLIES AND RUN AWAY! STEP WIVES BAGELS! CRUMBLE IN YER GOB LINKS: Timber Flyer (front) Timber (back) New Wave Toys Replicades Pico 8 Scramble (no longer available) Minionsoft GAME ART: FLYERS CNC Wood Router Examples SCORES: NAME – PTS – SCORE Eastwood 71 -10 -250,705 Aid Skyway73 -9 -248,005 Rygarr -8 -243,170 Sa…

1
Cadillacs and Dinosaurs - Episode 102 2:16:23

1+ y ago2:16:23

2:16:23

We were too late to throw some poop into the Caddy, hop in the two-seater, and evacuate from the impending hurricane so why not record an episode of the show? And this time we’re not even talking about a Konami property! We’re headed into the future to talk about Capcom’s Captain Planet meets Jurassic Park beat ‘em up, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs! By w…

1
Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa - Episode 101 2:22:49

1+ y ago2:22:49

2:22:49

After a brief hiatus we are back to continue the Cartoon miniseries with another Konami title. If you’re not a fan of bovine puns that get milked for all they’re worth then this may not be the episode for moo. We are discussing the super punctuated Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa! Is this the spiritual successor to Sunset Riders? Which Macaulay C…

1
Podcast 189 – Thunderhoop 1:46:29

1+ y ago1:46:29

1:46:29

STUFF & NONSENSE: BRONTE SISTERS DINOSAURS DAGGERS AND DAFFODILS 5 EYED COMPUTERS SHAUN’S MUSIC GAZEBO PERSONSVILLE, CHICAGO INSIGNIA SOCK POWDER BUBBLY SLUDGE MAN LINKS: Thunder Hoop Flyer Thunder Hoop Flyer 2 Super Sized Arcade Cabinets (Arcade Heroes) Part 1 Super Sized Arcade Cabinets (Arcade Heroes) Part 2 Space Tactics Moving Screen! Token Ta…

1
Episode #84 - Rollin' Hotdogs 2:11:44

1+ y ago2:11:44

2:11:44

In this episode, we answer some listener email about bronze age games, hear about what arcades we have visited lately and go over some long awaited updates. Enjoy! If you would like to connect with us, you can do so via Instagram, Email or call us at 503-766-2263 and leave us a voicemail. Show Links Bugtrap - 20 Pin IC Tester…

1
The Simpsons - Episode 100 3:21:26

2y ago3:21:26

3:21:26

We're rolling over the episode count to triple digits and pulling out all the stops. For our hundredth episode we are covering THE cartoon arcade game - The Simpsons. And who better to talk Simpsons than with guest Chris Antista! What characters appear in the arcade game that never have appeared in the cartoon? Was Brian Dennehy really Bigfoot? Is …

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