Coin Rejects - Classic Arcade Podcast

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!

There is a lot to cover in this episode. We talk about our preferences on music in arcades, our thoughts on rotary joystick games, what we really think of arcade game locks and what the pros and cons are of taking games to shows? All this, our updates and more. Enjoy!

In this episode, we talk about and play the 1981 classic Ms. Pac-Man. We go through the art package, graphics, cabinet and all that great stuff. Ian breaks down his strategies on playing this game. Also, we talk a lot about the development of the game and GCC’s history and involvement. Enjoy!

In this episode, we delve into the hilarious, and sometimes deeply troubling, cult classic film Hollywood Zap. Released in 1986, this movie is a wild ride packed with outrageous characters, improbable plot twists and some sweet taters. Oh yeah, there are a few classic arcade games in there too. Join us as we critically dissect this b-movie. We also respond to listener email and give an update on what is going on in our own arcades. Enjoy!

Join us as we explore the twisting, turning tunnels of Namco's 1982 classic, Dig Dug. We will discuss the cabinet design, art package, graphics, sound and everything in between. We have a little sidebar on our thoughts on patterns in games and let you know how we did in our high score challenge. Enjoy!

Welcome to our bi-monthly update episode. This time around we talk about EM pins/games, test rig setups and what make a good arcade nowadays. We also do a little wrap-up on our experience at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo. All that and our game room updates. Enjoy!

Join us as we try to help Bub and Bob rescue their girlfriends from Baron Von Blubba in the Cave of Monsters. That's right, our game of the episode is Bubble Bobble. Enjoy!

In this episode, we field many listener questions including which of our games would earn the most in a public location. We go over what went down at CAX 2023, talk a little about the upcoming Portland Retro Gaming Expo and give you some updates on our arcades. Enjoy!

In this episode we visit the Ian's prototype HouseCade and play 1983's Mario Bros. by Nintendo. We learn Mario and Luigi's last name, liken this game to a classic Williams title and go over all the things we like (and dislike) about this title. Enjoy!

In this episode, we answer some listener email about bronze age games, hear about what arcades we have visited lately and go over some long awaited updates. Enjoy!

On this 'game of the episode' episode, we discuss the Atari 1986 skateboarding game 720º. Listen to who got the most frustrated playing the game and the differing opinions between the rejects. Outro music by Metronome the City. Enjoy.

Would you buy a 4’ stack of marquees at $1 a pop? Will modern large games be collectible and/or affordable in the future? What do we think of modern console games? How about those shitty overpriced Atari PCB replicas? Find out what we really think. Enjoy.

Emerging from the depths like a wolf in the sea, we are back with an unscheduled ‘Game of the Episode’ as we dive into the Midway arcade game Sea Wolf. We take the game through its paces and talk about all the good and bad features of the game. Do we all give it a Coins Up™? Listen and find out. Enjoy!

In this snow-bound episode, we return to the Cabaret Kingdom and delve into the zany arcade game that is Parodius Da! Ian gives us an in-depth lesson on the game’s strategy and we talk all about the sound, graphics and gameplay. Hear about our cold-start challenge scores and see if anyone dares to give this 90s Jamma game a ‘coins down’. Enjoy!

In this episode, we finally address the question ‘When is enough enough’ in terms of collecting arcade games. Is there ever an end? We hope not. We also have a full round of game room updates including one reject with an epic pickup story. All this and the game of the episode reveal for next time. Enjoy!

This month we take a deep dive into Marble Madness. Hear our thoughts and our quibbles with this 1984 System 1 classic. Enjoy!

It’s an update episode! We field some feedback from our listeners. We talk about what went down at PRGE. We also address the popularity of repro cabinets. And, of course, update you on our game rooms and projects. Enjoy!

This month we play the weird and the wacky Bally Sente game Snacks'n Jaxson. Hear about our strategies, how Jordan acquired this game and our thoughts on this obscure 1984 classic.

In this episode, we discuss how to safely buy a game on the internet. We hear from our listeners via email and voicemail. And we go over what has been happening in our arcades since last time. Spoiler Alert: Jordan’s been busy. Enjoy!

In this episode, we take on the Midway Manufacturing Co. 1980 classic, Space Encounters. Hear our takes on the game and our strategies on gameplay. Did anyone give this game a Coins Down™? Did anyone have a seizure from the intense strobe light? Listen and find out. Enjoy!

In this episode, we respond to all of our lovely listener’s feedback. We talk about what games are rites of passage for all collectors. And we fill you in with what has been going on in our own arcades. Enjoy!

In this episode we play The Glob as the MAME of the Episode. We cover the strategy (or lack there of), sound, graphics and also learn the name of the eponymous Glob. We also learn about the storied history of the game and all the different versions that are available to play. Enjoy!

In this episode, we get an earful from listeners about our new format, talk about the state of the hobby, talk about upcoming shows and give you our game room updates. We also throw in a healthy dose of shit talk on repro games and Arcade 1ups. Enjoy!

In this episode, we play the 1984 Sega game, Flicky. We talk about the alternate names for the game, which popular game franchise Flicky appears in and what game the programmers were seeking to beat while making the game. Enjoy!

In this mega-update episode, we field some listener feedback. Jordan takes a trip to an arcade, Brandon takes a trip to an arcade, Brian buys the hardware store out of a certain part and Ian gives us the lowdown on the new version of Tubular. This and so much more. Enjoy!

In this episode, we go behind enemy lines with Choplifter. We are dedicating the whole episode on playing and discussing this 1985 Sega classic. Enjoy!

In this episode we brave the jungle and discuss Sega’s 1983 classic, Congo Bongo. We talk about arcade shows, restoration tools and how many times certain titles have passed through our collections. All this and our gameroom updates. Enjoy!

In this episode, we play the mysteriously named Zzyzzyxx by Cinematronics. We discuss some listener feedback on scary games and beginner cabinets to collect and restore. Try to troubleshoot wiggly vectors and give you updates on our arcades. Enjoy!