Podouken

Remember, the Force will be with you, always. The vector series continues with one of the best arcades to ever do it - Atari's Star Wars.

What very Star Trek name did Star Wars originally go by before Atari gained the license from Lucasfilm? How did a focus group give us one of the top arcade grails ever? Did we discover a hidden and somewhat obscene new arcade cabinet format? How many parcels make up a parsec?

Ready we are to answer questions like what is our "white whale" of a game, do we pause for refreshments when recording an episode, and which of the three of us are responsible for the most edits? Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions that could be included in a future episode: discord.gg/k5vf2Jz

You can also like, comment, and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we post content like the new Rankdouken episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@podoukenpodcast2716.

Welcome to.....NOT Podouken, but Rankdouken. The internet's dumbest named ranking thing. In this episode, we take a listener request to rank......Fruits! 
 
Rankdouken is normally a YouTube exclusive show, be sure to check out our channel for more video contant such as Listener questions, and occasional game play sessions.
Due to travel and life, Podouken missed an episode release, but will be back on our next scheduled upload date!
 
For now, enjoy our bonus show, Rankdouken!

Hell is empty, and all the devils are here. Any good miniseries must include the best game of that genre, so let's discuss Dave Theurer's gorgeous vector Atari game, Tempest.

If Tempest was a steak what cut would it be? Why does this episode leave Rob breathless? Was the Cranberries Doors and Windows the best video game of 1995? Did Tempest birth the most popular arcade-based urban legend?

We answer your most pressing questions like, have we played Arcade Paradise or similar arcade operator simulators, what's our advice on staying cool, and would we rather be paid $1 million or earn $1,000 for every hotdog we eat. Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions that could be included in a future episode: discord.gg/k5vf2Jz

You can also like, comment, and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we post content like the new Rankdouken episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@podoukenpodcast2716.

Have fun storming the castle! We circle back with Cinematronics to see what they cooked up to compete with Atari's Asteroids - the beautiful vector classic Star Castle.

Did this game's life begin as a game about the beginning of life? How did Atari's failure to port this Star Castle lead to one of their biggest hits? If arcade games rose up to kill humans based on what the game was about, what would be the most terrifying game to die by? Why did Star Castle show up in so many films?

Questions answered this episode include how we decide what games make the cut for our arcade, do we have any games that we'd never put in there, and what tips do we have for buying pinball games in today's market. Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions that could be included in a future episode: discord.gg/k5vf2Jz

You can also like, comment, and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we post content like the new Rankdouken episodes (so far we've ranked burger places and Nintendo consoles. What could be next?): https://www.youtube.com/@podoukenpodcast2716.

Atari treads new ground with their first terrestrial vector arcade offering, Battlezone!

Was this the first game with true military applications? How did constant complaining lead to getting credited in one of the best arcade games made? What genius idea did Pastblaster's wife have to witness the Gumball 3000 rally for free? Was Battlezone the original Virtual Boy (but better in every way)?

This episode's listener questions include what animal behavior makes us question reality; and what fast food/arcade promotion would we like to see and what food would we like to see them sell? Join the Podouken Discord and ask your own questions that could be included in a future episode: discord.gg/k5vf2Jz

You can also like, comment, and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we post content like the new Rankdouken episodes (what started as an April Fool's joke now is its own thing): https://www.youtube.com/@podoukenpodcast2716.