Podouken

In this ground-breaking episode we dig into a family tree that spawned not one, but two NAMCO classics. We discuss Mr. Driller and use geological genealogy to trace his origins to Dig Dug. Along the way we start spilling some arcade collecting stories that include how Jarrod first met Adam and Rob. Is an "arcade sense" a real thing and if not what is causing this tingling? What is the worst named video game console? Who emerged victorious in the saga of the Bit Wars? Also in this darkest timeline: Neo Geo slippers for ants, leather bondage meets video games,

Mr. SNK goes stalking, and Armageddon (but not the one you think).

Bustin' makes us feel good as we explore the origins of Taito's Puzzle Bobble (or Bust a Move). We try to make sense of the Bubble Bobble family tree which includes a long, lost ancestor. Why was this MVS cart one of the most bootlegged Neo Geo games? What about Bub and Bob made them so attractive to the fairer sex? What reasons are given for popping all these bubbles? Where do Bub and Bob fall on the Kingdom Animalia spectrum? Also included for your pleasure: stuttering, Young MC, attract modes played at the Gates of Hell, Snood, and forbidden initials.

It's all downhill from here as we roll with Marble Madness. We discuss the Doogie Howser of arcade games who at the age of 18 created a major arcade hit for Atari and went on to do a whole lot more in the video game industry. How hard does this soundtrack slap? Why has this world record score held up for over 35 years? Is marble racing the new sport that will save us in this post-COVID world? All that plus the real-life Mortal Kombat tournament that never was, why having the right ball sack is very important, Tiger King, Phil Collins, and we give names to the nameless Marble Madness enemies.

Strap in for our most profane episode yet (or not, as we'll explain). It's time to talk about Gottlieb's biggest arcade hit - Q*bert! Find out how this game by Warren Davis and Jeff Lee became a pop culture sensation. How did this isometric exercise become so @!#?@! good? What are some alternative uses for 9-inch floppy disks? Are air fryers magic? Also on this episode we discuss the Superman II game that never was, how Wal-Mart is responsible for giving us fishing and candy cabs, Mr. Boston, Apollo 11, and squid balls.

The pieces have fallen into place for our new miniseries and we're facing a Soviet invasion! Tetris breaks through the Iron Curtain to take hold of American and Japanese cultures, but in very different ways. Find out how Tetris has affected all of our lives in this Giant-sized episode! What Tetromino do you identify as? What caused arcade suicides to skyrocket? Why are we so obsessed with Crane Game Toreba? Also in this episode: Dr. Pepper Studio, Chuck E. Cheese game theory, and why Rob will not be taking his Tetris exams this year.