Coin Rejects - Classic Arcade Podcast

This episode is a listener feedback extravaganza! We discuss common, and uncommon, two-player simultaneous games, recap a super-secret (or maybe not-so-secret) arcade trip and talk about which games we can actually play all the way to the end. Plus, we share our gameroom updates. Enjoy!

This is a special, out-of-sequence Game of the Episode episode. We were invited to the Digital Jazz Arcade by our friend Sam McNear to play Midway’s Jr. Pac-Man which was released in 1983. Along the way, we talk about Sam’s history with arcade games and high-score chasing, discover the game’s original working title and learn some helpful strategies from a top player himself. Enjoy!

Rev your engines and protect your radiator because this month we are playing Demolition Derby by Bally Midway and released in 1985. Enjoy!

We got another update and feedback episode for you. We hear from our friend, Island Pirate, talk about styles of point scoring in games and our ever enjoyable game room updates. Enjoy!

This month we play the 1979 classic, Galaxian. Was this the first color game? Is this a Bronze Age game? Who of us is the worst Galaxian player? Listen and find out. Enjoy!

What is the color of your favorite game’s back door? Where would a good destination for a potential Reject-a-palooza be? Why would buttons crunch when you push them? Some or all of these questions may be answered in this episode. Plus our ever entertaining game room updates. Enjoy!

Run, coward! This episode we talk all about the tauntingly, difficult Sinistar by Williams. We talk about the gameplay, graphics, controls and the ever elusive cockpit version of the game. The big question is, which one of us gave this classic a coins down? Enjoy!

This is the Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2025 wrap-up episode. Hear about what games held up at the show, which of our games got a 9+ million point high score and which game monitor blew up. Also listener feedback and our ever entertaining gameroom updates. Enjoy!

Can you get to paradise? We sure try in this episode, where we play and talk about the Williams/Vid Kidz classic 1983 game, Blaster. Hear about what console this game was originally targeted for, whether or not Geech likes this game and vampire cats. Enjoy!

In this episode, we hear about Dave from Buffalo’s legendary haul, talk about this year’s CAX that Brian and Ian attended and we talk about the PSE KLOV thread and the rare, prototype game that was revealed to the community. All this, updates and a little tangent where to talk all about CEDs. Enjoy!

In this episode, we talk about and play the Bally Midway classic from 1983, Discs of Tron. We talk about the different cabinets, our gameplay strategies and all the cool details that this game has to offer. Enjoy!

In this episode, we have emails and voicemails and game room updates. Hear about game pickups that might not have been worth the trip, our Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show wrap up and what spinner games we think are the best. All this and more. Enjoy!

In this episode, we talk about and play the Sega/Gremlin classic from 1980, Carnival. We talk about all the firsts that this game gives us, how to score the most points while playing and which one of us hates the music. Enjoy!

In this episode, we’re joined by Anthony, co-owner of the iconic local arcade Ground Kontrol. We dive into what it takes to run a successful arcade, the future of Ground Kontrol, and what it's like balancing the roles of both collector and operator. Plus, we share our latest game room updates and read listener emails. Enjoy!

In this episode, we discuss the 1981 Sega Gremlin classic, Astro Blaster. We talk about all the different ROM versions, if the bonuses were actually bugs and even get into a little history of Sega Gremlin. Enjoy!

In this episode, we talk about the unfortunate incident that led to all of our recording gear being stolen and everyone in the community that reached out and helped us recover. We discuss what qualities of different manufacturers we each admire and would want in a mashed-up arcade game. We also talk about the strategies of arranging games in our arcades. All this and our updates. Enjoy!

In this episode we welcome a special guest, Russell (aka crazyclimber80). Our game of the episode is the 1980 classic Pac-Man. We are playing the turbo version, cause who has the time to wait around for the normal speed game. Enjoy!

In this episode, we give you a complete run down of the Portland Retro Gaming Expo and welcome guest host Chris (aka geech on KLOV). We also talk about deals gone bad. Enjoy!

Join us as we go ape spit playing and discussing 1989’s Toki by TAD Corporation. Is it a platformer or is it a beat ‘em up? How would an ape in the middle of the jungle procure a football helmet? Does Ian give this game a Coins Up™? All of your questions will be answered by the end of this episode. Enjoy!

In this fine episode, we field some listener feedback, discuss the upcoming Portland Retro Gaming Expo and clue you in to our recent updates in our game rooms. Enjoy!

In this episode, we are mounted on our fanciful birds of prey as we play Joust as our game of the episode. Find out Ian’s top three Williams games, what our strategies were while playing and if Jordan gives the game a Coins Up™ even with all the flapping. Enjoy!

In this episode, we field our awesome listeners’ questions and comments. We take our first stab at a calendar of upcoming events, talk about our trip to the Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show and discuss all things that attract us about attract modes. All this and our gameroom updates. Enjoy!

It is our game of the episode episode and the game is Millipede. Hear about the growths, all the bugs, Conway’s Game of Life and our scores and rates of this arcade classic. Enjoy!

In this update/feedback episode, we talk about Brian and Jordan’s trip to Galloping Ghost, rotating Tapper handles, when to let conversions lie and more. All this and our always exciting game room updates. Enjoy!

This month we are talking all about Reactor. And you can’t talk Reactor without talking about it’s designer and programmer, Tim Skelly. Join us as we talk about all aspects of the game and find out who takes second place in the challenge as Jordan reigns supreme on one of his favorite games. Enjoy!