Best Rob Ottoman Podcasts (2025)

1
Tron - 1982 - Bally Midway 41:14

Play Pause

3h ago41:14

41:14

Tron, Bally Midway's multi-game sci-fi shooter from 1982, was built on MCR II hardware, a glowing joystick, and a set of four distinct gameplay challenges inspired by the Disney film. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most visually striking and cultural…

1
Pole Position - 1982 - Namco 35:53

16d ago35:53

35:53

Pole Position, Namco's Formula One racing simulation from 1982, was built on groundbreaking dual 16-bit processors, a real-world Fuji Speedway track, and immersive cockpit controls. This episode covers how it was developed, the custom hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most influential arcade games …

1
BurgerTime - 1982 - Data East - Bally Midway 26:08

29d ago26:08

26:08

BurgerTime, Data East's quirky maze action game from 1982, was built on fast-paced ladder-and-platform gameplay, oversized burger ingredients, and a chef armed with nothing but pepper. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most beloved and distinctive arcad…

1
Zaxxon - 1982 - Sega 30:29

1M ago30:29

30:29

Zaxxon, Sega's pioneering isometric space shooter from 1982, was built on innovative angled perspective graphics, altitude-based gameplay, and fuel management mechanics. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most visually groundbreaking and influential arca…

1
Joust - 1982 - Williams 37:48

2M ago37:48

37:48

Joust, Williams' groundbreaking action game from 1982, was built on innovative physics, two-player simultaneous gameplay, and a quirky medieval theme of knights riding flying ostriches. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most enduring and influential arc…

1
Robotron - 1982 - Williams 32:20

3M ago32:20

32:20

Robotron, Williams' groundbreaking twin-stick shooter from 1982, was built on dual joystick controls, overwhelming swarms of enemies, and relentless single-screen action. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most influential and enduring arcade games of th…

1
Dig Dug - 1982 - Namco 40:47

3M ago40:47

40:47

Dig Dug, Namco's underground action game from 1982, was built on dynamic digging mechanics, unique enemy designs, and clever risk-reward scoring. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most iconic and enduring titles of the golden age of arcade gaming.…

1
Centipede - 1981 - Atari 37:42

3M ago37:42

37:42

Centipede, Atari's vibrant insect-blasting shooter from 1981, was built on colorful raster graphics, a distinctive trackball controller, and an unpredictable swarm of enemies that kept players on their toes. This episode covers how it was developed by Ed Logg and Dona Bailey, the clever programming and hardware behind it, the strategies expert play…

1
Qix - 1981 - Taito 23:51

4M ago23:51

23:51

Qix, Taito's abstract strategy-action game from 1981, was built on dual-processor hardware, innovative area-claiming mechanics, and a completely original concept that stood apart from traditional arcade genres. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became a cult favorite tha…

1
Gorf - 1981 - Bally Midway 28:32

4M ago28:32

28:32

Gorf, Bally Midway's genre-blending space shooter from 1981, was built on a multi-mission design, synthesized speech, and a talking villain that mocked players in real time. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became a cult favorite of the golden age of arcades.…

1
Tempest - 1981 - Atari 32:23

4M ago32:23

32:23

Tempest, Atari's groundbreaking vector shooter from 1981, was built on color vector graphics, a rotary spinner controller, and wildly original tunnel-based gameplay. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most unique and influential arcade games of its era.…

1
Scramble - 1981 - Konami 48:11

4M ago48:11

48:11

Scramble, Konami's side-scrolling shooter from 1981, was built on forced scrolling, fuel management, and multi-stage progression that gave players a real mission to complete. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became a foundational title in arcade history and a launching …

1
Galaga - 1981 - Namco 44:39

5M ago44:39

44:39

Galaga, Namco's fixed space shooter from 1981, was built on multi-CPU hardware, dual-fighter mechanics, and precise bullet logic that redefined the genre. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most iconic and widely collected arcade games of all time.…

1
Frogger - 1981 - Sega-Gremlin 34:22

5M ago34:22

34:22

Frogger, Sega/Gremlin's traffic-dodging arcade hit from 1981, was built on deceptively simple joystick controls, grid-based gameplay, and one determined frog. This episode covers how it was developed by Konami, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became a massive cultural and commercial success in arcades around t…

1
Donkey Kong - 1981 - Nintendo 37:35

5M ago37:35

37:35

Donkey Kong, Nintendo's genre-defining platformer from 1981, was built on character-driven storytelling, multi-screen level design, and clever hardware limitations. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most influential and successful arcade games of all ti…

1
Rally-X - 1980 - Namco 29:04

5M ago29:04

29:04

Rally-X, Namco's innovative maze chase game from 1980, was built on dynamic scrolling, a tactical radar, and fuel management. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became a foundational influence on future arcade titles.By Retro Rob

1
Battlezone - 1980 - Atari 33:23

5M ago33:23

33:23

Battlezone, Atari's immersive 3D tank combat game from 1980, was built on vector graphics, dual joystick controls, and a pioneering first-person perspective. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most innovative and influential arcade games of the golden ag…

1
Phoenix - 1980 - Amstar Electronics 39:20

5M ago39:20

39:20

Phoenix, Amstar Electronics' ambitious fixed shooter from 1980, was built on multi-stage gameplay, colorful alien birds, and one of the first arcade boss fights. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became a defining moment in early arcade innovation and one of the most clo…

1
Berzerk - 1980 - Stern Electronics 28:09

5M ago28:09

28:09

Berzerk, Stern Electronics' talking maze shooter from 1980, was built on randomized level design, relentless enemy pressure, and the unforgettable menace of Evil Otto. This episode covers how it was developed by Alan McNeil, the hardware behind its speech synthesis and fast-paced gameplay, the strategies expert players used to outlast its robotic h…

1
Missile Command - 1980 - Atari 34:13

5M ago34:13

34:13

Missile Command, Atari's iconic base defense arcade game from 1980, was built on raster graphics, a trackball controller, and a relentless doomsday theme that mirrored Cold War fears. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most emotionally resonant and unfor…

1
Defender - 1980 - Williams Electronics 29:27

5M ago29:27

29:27

Defender, Williams Electronics' side-scrolling space shooter from 1980, was built on intense rescue mechanics, blistering speed, and a control scheme that challenged even the most seasoned arcade veterans. This episode covers how it was developed by a rookie video game team led by Eugene Jarvis, the hardware and sound innovations that powered its c…

1
Tail Gunner - 1979 - Vectorbeam 50:40

5M ago50:40

50:40

Tail Gunner, Vectorbeam's defensive space shooter from 1979, was built on monochrome vector graphics, a reversed starfield effect, and first-person turret gameplay. This episode covers how it was developed in the final days of Vectorbeam, the unique hardware it ran on, the gameplay mechanics that challenged players, and how it earned a cult followi…

1
Lunar Lander - 1979 - Atari 24:50

5M ago24:50

24:50

Lunar Lander, Atari's gravity simulation arcade game from 1979, was built on precision vector graphics, realistic physics, and immersive analog controls. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became a foundational title in arcade history—even as its successor stole the spotl…

1
Fire Truck - 1978 - Atari 30:34

5M ago30:34

30:34

Fire Truck, Atari's cooperative driving game from 1978, was built on dual steering controls, analog sound, and black-and-white top-down visuals. This episode covers how it was developed by Wendi Allen and John Ray, the custom cabinet hardware behind it, the teamwork-driven gameplay, expert scoring strategies, and how it became one of the earliest c…

1
Wizard of Wor - 1981 - Midway 9:47

5M ago9:47

9:47

Wizard of Wor, Midway's monster-filled maze shooter from 1981, was built on early voice synthesis, intense two-player action, and clever dungeon design. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became a cult favorite in arcades with a lasting legacy in cooperative gaming.…

1
Galaxian - 1979 - Namco 28:42

6M ago28:42

28:42

Galaxian, Namco's groundbreaking space shooter from 1979, was built on true RGB color graphics, a scrolling starfield, and aggressive enemy dive attacks that pushed arcade visuals and gameplay to the next level. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became a massive global h…

1
Space Invaders - 1978 - Taito 46:44

6M ago46:44

46:44

Space Invaders, Taito's pioneering fixed shooter from 1978, was built on relentless enemy waves, innovative sound design, and a steadily increasing difficulty curve that created the blueprint for modern arcade gameplay. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became a global p…

1
720 – 1986 – Atari Games 28:22

6M ago28:22

28:22

720 (720° in the arcade), Atari Games' innovative skateboarding arcade game from 1986, was built on open-ended level design, distinctive joystick controls, and a high-energy soundtrack. This episode covers how it was developed, the custom hardware that powered it, the techniques top players used to master the challenges, and how it became a cult fa…

1
Pac-Man - 1980 - Namco 37:07

6M ago37:07

37:07

Pac-Man, Namco's genre-defining maze chase game from 1980, was built on colorful character design, simple yet challenging mechanics, and a unique enemy AI system. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most iconic and influential video games in arcade histor…

1
Asteroids - 1979 - Atari 44:01

6M ago44:01

44:01

Asteroids, Atari's breakout space shooter from 1979, was built on vector graphics, tight physics, and addictive gameplay. This episode covers how it was developed, the hardware behind it, the strategies expert players used, and how it became one of the most successful arcade games of all time.By Rob O