• Tron - 1982 - Bally Midway
    Nov 14 2025

    Tron, Bally Midway's multi-game sci-fi shooter from 1982, was built on MCR II hardware, a glowing joystick, and a set of four distinct gameplay challenges inspired by the Disney film. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most visually striking and culturally iconic arcade games of its era.

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    41 mins
  • Pole Position - 1982 - Namco
    Oct 21 2025

    Pole Position, Namco's Formula One racing simulation from 1982, was built on groundbreaking dual 16-bit processors, a real-world Fuji Speedway track, and immersive cockpit controls. This episode covers how it was developed, the custom hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most influential arcade games of all time.

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    36 mins
  • BurgerTime - 1982 - Data East - Bally Midway
    Oct 10 2025

    BurgerTime, Data East's quirky maze action game from 1982, was built on fast-paced ladder-and-platform gameplay, oversized burger ingredients, and a chef armed with nothing but pepper. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most beloved and distinctive arcade hits of the golden age.

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    26 mins
  • Zaxxon - 1982 - Sega
    Sep 29 2025

    Zaxxon, Sega's pioneering isometric space shooter from 1982, was built on innovative angled perspective graphics, altitude-based gameplay, and fuel management mechanics. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most visually groundbreaking and influential arcade games of the early 1980s.

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    30 mins
  • Joust - 1982 - Williams
    Sep 16 2025

    Joust, Williams' groundbreaking action game from 1982, was built on innovative physics, two-player simultaneous gameplay, and a quirky medieval theme of knights riding flying ostriches. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most enduring and influential arcade games of the golden era.

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    38 mins
  • Robotron - 1982 - Williams
    Aug 28 2025

    Robotron, Williams' groundbreaking twin-stick shooter from 1982, was built on dual joystick controls, overwhelming swarms of enemies, and relentless single-screen action. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most influential and enduring arcade games of the eighties.

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    32 mins
  • Dig Dug - 1982 - Namco
    Aug 15 2025

    Dig Dug, Namco's underground action game from 1982, was built on dynamic digging mechanics, unique enemy designs, and clever risk-reward scoring. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most iconic and enduring titles of the golden age of arcade gaming.

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    41 mins
  • Centipede - 1981 - Atari
    Aug 14 2025

    Centipede, Atari's vibrant insect-blasting shooter from 1981, was built on colorful raster graphics, a distinctive trackball controller, and an unpredictable swarm of enemies that kept players on their toes. This episode covers how it was developed by Ed Logg and Dona Bailey, the clever programming and hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used to chase high scores, and how it became a cultural icon of the golden age of arcades.

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    38 mins