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Artwork for The Legend of SwordQuest

The Legend of SwordQuest

iHeartPodcasts
Swordquest
Atari
Cabbage Patch Kids
World War II
Colombo Crime Family
John F. Kennedy
Very Special Episodes
1983
Steagles
Podcasting
Andy the Goose
Pledge Of Allegiance
Christmas
NFL
Thanksgiving
NASA
Nancy Reagan
Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers
Winter Olympics

What started as a promotion for a new Atari game would become one of the most controversial moments in ‘80s pop culture, with a central mystery that’s consumed fans for decades: what happened to the missing SwordQuest prizes?

To unlock the biggest mystery in video game history, host Jamie Loftus is going on a treasure hunt 40 years in the making.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes16Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureDocumentarySociety & CultureVideo Games

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Artwork for The Legend of SwordQuest

Latest Episodes

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Recent Guests

Vincent Conair
Microsoft font designer behind Comic Sans
Microsoft
Episode: How a Dog Talks: The Surprising Redemption of Comic Sans [from Very Special Episodes]
Dave Combs
Self-appointed typography police, advocate for font usage
Independent typography advocate
Episode: How a Dog Talks: The Surprising Redemption of Comic Sans [from Very Special Episodes]
Thrandy Hudgens
Biology PhD student studying dyslexia
University of St. Andrews
Episode: How a Dog Talks: The Surprising Redemption of Comic Sans [from Very Special Episodes]
Thomas Finney
Typography expert
Independent
Episode: How a Dog Talks: The Surprising Redemption of Comic Sans [from Very Special Episodes]
Terrence Weinsrill
Executive Creative Director, Monotype, designer of Comic Sans update
Monotype
Episode: How a Dog Talks: The Surprising Redemption of Comic Sans [from Very Special Episodes]
Jenna Sinclair
Fan fiction writer and passionate advocate
Star Trek KS fandom
Episode: Searching for Soshern: The Forbidden Star Trek Fanfiction [from Very Special Episodes]
Mika Valtteri
Finnish writer who provided battlefield narration
Self (writer/reporter)
Episode: The White Death [from Very Special Episodes]
Jessica Korgie
Granddaughter of Gene Fleming, key storyteller and steward of Andy's legacy
Personal storyteller/Andy's legacy advocate
Episode: The Mysterious Death of Andy the Sneaker-Wearing Goose [from VSE]
Rebecca E. Marshall
Filmmaker who recorded Agafia's story for The Forest in Me (2024)
Rebecca E. Marshall / The Forest in Me
Episode: The Family Who Vanished Into Siberia for Over 40 Years [from Very Special Episodes]

Hosts

Dana Schwartz
Host of Very Special Episodes; widely linked with IHeart Podcasts
Jason English
Executive producer / host; co-host in the series
Zaron Burnett
Co-host; participant in multiple episodes; varied affiliations

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 275 ratings
  • A story almost as mysterious as the host

    Look, I don’t know if she really did kill those guys in Grand Rapids, but I absolutely loved this podcast! One of the wildest stories in video game history. Would be cool to see it in video form for sure!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Johnny Fishsticks
    United Statesa year ago
  • Really good!!

    Listened to this with my son on the way to school. He loved it. Thanks

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AJPally
    United Statesa year ago
  • Reads like a mystery novel

    So well written , this presentation is an electronic page turner !!! So many interesting characters involved that are real , not a Hollywood Screenwriters invention …and don’t forget the bonus chapter… may be the best of them all !!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    vernest
    United Statesa year ago
  • What an Awesome Story

    Brings me back to my Atari playing days!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Redwings51
    United Statesa year ago
  • An awesome deep dive into video game obscura. Even people who don't care about video games would find this fascinating. This is the kind of journalism the podcast world needs more of.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    biguglyrobot
    a year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Productions blend archival detail with engaging interviews; needs fewer ad breaks.
Narration keeps listeners hooked, making history feel accessible.
The host delivers with compelling storytelling and strong pacing.
Guests and experts add credible context and depth to wild stories.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Mysterious Death of Andy the Sneaker-Wearing Goose [from VSE]
Q: Does that mean that you already know?
Yes, I do know who was responsible for Andy's death, but I'm choosing to keep that information private for now.
A Very Special Mini-Mailbag
Q: Do you three have any control over which ads run in the show? Second part, are there any products that you love so much that you would endorse for free?
The hosts explain that they don't manually approve every ad; some categories are blocked, and ads are selected based on various factors like location and listening history, with a positive note about endorsing products they genuinely like.
The Olympic Prison [from Very Special Episodes]
Q: How did the local press initially react to the Olympic Prison?
Initially, the local press was mostly supportive, focusing on the economic benefits, but attitudes shifted as public opinion turned against the project due to environmental and community concerns.
The Olympic Prison [from Very Special Episodes]
Q: What concerns did local residents have about the Olympic Prison?
Local residents were worried about civil rights, environmental impact, and the economic implications of housing a federal prison after hosting the Olympics.
VSE: David Chase's Lost 'Wonder Years' Episode
Q: Why was David Chase's episode so edgy that it never aired on TV?
David Chase's script involved themes that were deemed too dark for the show, including the ghost of Holden Caulfield visiting Kevin Arnold.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Legend of SwordQuest

What is The Legend of SwordQuest about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners are drawn to in-depth, narrative-driven explorations of iconic pop-culture mysteries and historical curiosities, often grounded in gaming, media history, and niche fandoms. Episodes blend archival reporting, expert context, and firsthand accounts to unpack complex stories, from missing prize lore in a legendary arcade saga to early digital culture clashes and behind-the-scenes design debates. The show likely appeals to curious, detail-oriented audiences who enjoy long-form storytelling, deep dives into provenance, and interviews with designers, historians, and fans. A standout trait across episodes is the blend of meticulous research with vivid, character-driven storytelling, making it a compelling listen for those who crave conte... more

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How many listeners does The Legend of SwordQuest get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Legend of SwordQuest?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Legend of SwordQuest:

1. Buried Bones - a historical true crime podcast with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes
2. Dr. Death
3. American Scandal
4. Ridiculous History
5. Crimes of the Times

How many episodes of The Legend of SwordQuest are there?

The Legend of SwordQuest launched 2 years ago and published 16 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Legend of SwordQuest?

Recent guests on The Legend of SwordQuest include:

1. Vincent Conair
2. Dave Combs
3. Thrandy Hudgens
4. Thomas Finney
5. Terrence Weinsrill
6. Jenna Sinclair
7. Mika Valtteri
8. Jessica Korgie

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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