The Coin Jam Podcast

Our co-host Chance will be joining us live on location from the 8-bit Roundup at the 2026 Calgary Stampede. This pop-up classic video game & pinball arcade is turning back the clock with a collection of classic arcade games from the early ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s - featuring a mix of both modern and vintage pinball favorites. Think Pac-Man, Galaga, and more! It’s the perfect retro escape to chill...

Not-so-hot take: you can't play Centipede or Missile Command with a joystick. Tempest isn't Tempest without a spinner. Twin-stick shooters like Robotron: 2084 demand TWIN STICKS. And even Pac-Man and Donkey Kong with an 8-way restrictor gate is a big NO-NO. Let's talk about why your favorite classic arcade video games just aren't the same without the correct original authentic cont...

Have you always wanted to get into the hobby of repairing & restoring classic arcade video games, but never knew where to start? Well, you're in luck, because we've got all the answers! In this episode, we'll cover the basics of repairing all the electronics inside an arcade machine, including the power supply, monitor, and game PCB -- plus some tips & tricks! (Topic suggested...

It's so simple. "Jump button makes Jumpman jump." And now Liam knows. Plus, after years of searching, K' finally scores the 235th highest rated pinball machine of all time. Also, let's talk about the weirdest & most unique arcade game controls... and why it's so difficult to replicate the experience of "the real thing." Welcome to The Coin Jam Podcast, a sho...

A1U is dead. Now what happens for those of us in the classic coin-operated arcade enthusiast community? Also, let's talk about the weirdest & most unique arcade game controls... and why it's so difficult to replicate the experience of "the real thing." Welcome to The Coin Jam Podcast, a show about repairing, restoring, and collecting classic coin-operated amusement machines....

Welcome to The Coin Jam Podcast, a show about repairing, restoring, and collecting classic coin-operated amusement machines. We cover everything from #arcade video games and #pinball machines, to jukeboxes, redemption games, and more. If you've ever wanted to listen to a group of guys ramble on about multimeters, Molex connectors, desoldering tools, CRT monitor chassis, bondo, and blown fuses....

And bad mistakes, I've made a few... Welcome to The Coin Jam Podcast, a show about repairing, restoring, and collecting classic coin-operated amusement machines. We cover everything from #arcade video games and #pinball machines, to jukeboxes, redemption games, and more. If you've ever wanted to listen to a group of guys ramble on about multimeters, Molex connectors, desoldering tools, CRT...

Let's violate the most sacred policies of the KLOV forums and nearly all Facebook Groups by discussing how to deal with sellers who list arcade games & pinball machines at absurdly high prices. We'll analyze strategies to convince them they priced it wrong and talk about price policing among collectors. Welcome to The Coin Jam Podcast, a show about repairing, restoring, and collecting...

Wait, Charlie actually got *rid* of some games?! Welcome to The Coin Jam Podcast, a show about repairing, restoring, and collecting classic coin-operated amusement machines. We cover everything from #arcade video games and #pinball machines, to jukeboxes, redemption games, and more. If you've ever wanted to listen to a group of guys ramble on about multimeters, Molex connectors, desoldering to...

Our co-host Chance will share a recap of how everything went down with the 8-bit Roundup at the 2025 Calgary Stampede. And I'm fairly confident we'll figure out other stuff to chat about too! Welcome to The Coin Jam Podcast, a show about repairing, restoring, and collecting classic coin-operated amusement machines. We cover everything from #arcade video games and #pinball machines, to juke...

Our co-host Chance (together with Josh from The Canadian Arcade) will be joining us this time live on location from the 8-bit Roundup at the 2025 Calgary Stampede. This pop-up classic video game & pinball arcade is turning back the clock with a collection of classic arcade games from the early ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s - featuring a mix of both modern and vintage pinball favorites. Think Pac-Man,...

Opinions are like belly-buttons... everybody's got one! And this is the episode where we share ours! We'll rank the best and worst of all different kinds of games: vector games, laserdisc games, conversion kits, unique experiments, EM pins, modern pins, and a whole lot more. I'm confident you'll all agree with every single one of our rankings and there won't be any controversy...

In this episode, we welcome the infamous mecha onto the show as a special guest for a surefire slobberknocker! In addition to being an official "Well-Known Member" of the KLOV forums, mecha has spent his entire life in & around the coin-operated amusements industry. Expect mecha to share his expertise around repairing power supplies, monitors, Williams/Midway hardware, and telling us...

Sometimes, you've just gotta make that tough call... You go a little overboard picking up a garage-full of projects that you swear you'll get around to restoring someday. But even with the best of intentions, it's easy to get overwhelmed, run out of space (or money!), or just to see your priorities shift when you get enamored with the *next* must-have pickup. In this episode, we'll...

We've all been there... second in line to score the deal of a lifetime... for a game you've been hunting for YEARS... The crushing disappointment is enough to break your heart. Or, you finally DO score that holy grail... only to discover it's really not all that it's cracked up to be... and there's a very good reason why it's so rare (hint: the game STINKS and was a market...

I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying! In this episode, we talk about the ups and downs of the hobby... remembering just how exciting those first few game pickups were, letting go of games you're sentimentally attached to, what happens when a particular machine becomes impossible to save, how to stay motivated, and more. I'm getting all choked up just thinking about this stuff... Welcome t...

So how was YOUR year?? Welcome to The Coin Jam Podcast, a show about repairing, restoring, and collecting classic coin-operated amusement machines. We cover everything from #arcade video games and #pinball machines, to jukeboxes, redemption games, and more. If you've ever wanted to listen to a group of guys ramble on about multimeters, Molex connectors, desoldering tools, CRT monitor chassis,...

It's all fun and games at home all alone with your private collection... but what happens when COMPLETE STRANGERS start playing your arcade & pinball machines? Whether you're operating games on location in public or simply inviting "normal people" over to your house for an arcade party, we'll talk about how things change when the great unwashed masses get their hands on your stuff! Welcome to...

In this episode, we welcome special guest Ben Avary onto the show! Ben has an enormous amount of experience restoring and painting arcade & pinball machines. Charlie is currently neck-deep in re-stenciling his Ms. Pac-Man arcade cabinet artwork, so hopefully Ben will be able to lend some advice and suggestions, as well as sharing strategies on clearcoating and restoring pinball playfields. Wel...

You've seen the SHOCKING video... now come listen to the behind-the-scenes inside story on how it all went down. The trials and tribulations... the emotional rollercoasters... the political machinations of small-town local government... ALL WILL BE REVEALED! With very special guest, Tayllor Lucas (aka Dillweed)! https://www.youtube.com/@thedillestweed2644 Welcome to The Coin Jam Podcast, a show ab...

Sometimes all it takes is a post-tropical depression and a bit of shoddy work by a homebuilder to ruin your day... and you priceless collection of classic arcade games! Plus, projects that became so FRUSTRATING you had to just walk away... Welcome to The Coin Jam Podcast, a show about repairing, restoring, and collecting classic coin-operated amusement machines. We cover everything from #arcade vi...

Pickups gone wrong... and somebody's got a milestone birthday... just a couple of reminders that all we are is dust in the wind... Welcome to The Coin Jam Podcast, a show about repairing, restoring, and collecting classic coin-operated amusement machines. We cover everything from #arcade video games and #pinball machines, to jukeboxes, redemption games, and more. If you've ever wanted to l...

But wait, is that round-trip or each way?? How far is TOO FAR? What's the farthest you'd be willing to go for that one "grail" game on your wishlist? And what do you do when you get there? We'll share some epic stories about some epic roadtrips to pickup some epic games, and we'll want to hear from YOU too! Welcome to The Coin Jam Podcast, a show about repairing, restorin...

Let's discuss all the hot button topics that get Chance in trouble... featuring a very special guest appearance by Space Sam from Retrobotics! Welcome to The Coin Jam Podcast, a show about repairing, restoring, and collecting classic coin-operated amusement machines. We cover everything from #arcade video games and #pinball machines, to jukeboxes, redemption games, and more. If you've ever...

How do you figure out fair prices for classic arcade machines, and what kind of leeway do you give in negotiations? How do you determine what you're willing to pay for a machine, and how does cosmetic damage, restoration status, and missing parts factor into that? And what about shipping parts and whole games? Do you know how to ship internationally, how to package things properly, tips for ch...