Coin Detected

Coin Detected

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Coin Detected episodes

  • Tron - 1982 - Bally Midway

    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.

    42 min
  • Pole Position - 1982 - Namco

    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.

    36 min
  • BurgerTime - 1982 - Data East - Bally Midway

    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.

    27 min
  • Zaxxon - 1982 - Sega

    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.

    31 min
  • Joust - 1982 - Williams

    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.

    38 min
  • Robotron - 1982 - Williams

    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.

    33 min
  • Dig Dug - 1982 - Namco

    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.

    41 min
  • Centipede - 1981 - Atari

    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.

    38 min
  • Qix - 1981 - Taito

    Qix, Taito's abstract strategy-action game from 1981, was built on dual-processor hardware, innovative area-claiming mechanics, and a completely original concept that stood apart from traditional arcade genres. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became a cult favorite that helped launch a new subgenre in arcade gaming.

    24 min
  • Gorf - 1981 - Bally Midway

    Gorf, Bally Midway's genre-blending space shooter from 1981, was built on a multi-mission design, synthesized speech, and a talking villain that mocked players in real time. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became a cult favorite of the golden age of arcades.

    29 min

About Coin Detected

From the publisher's feed

A deep dive into the golden age of video arcade games. Each episode unpacks the history, development, and cultural legacy of a single arcade classic from the 1980s. Whether it was a blockbuster or a…