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Artwork for The Legend of SwordQuest

The Legend of SwordQuest

iHeartPodcasts
Swordquest
Atari
Earthworld
Video Games
Jack Tramiel
The Great Gatsby
Andy the Goose
Pizza
Franklin Mint
Commodore
Ready Player One
The Strong Museum Of Play
Saturday Night Live
Gene Fleming
World War II
Armed Services Editions
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Ilario Mario Fabrini
Velvalee Dickinson
Fireworld

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes16Foundeda year ago
Categories
DocumentaryLeisureVideo GamesSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Legend of SwordQuest

Latest Episodes

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Superman is everywhere this summer, but today's bonus episode has nothing to do with James Gunn or David Corenswet. Let's go back to the beginning, when young Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster first conjured up the character. Superman may have never seen ... more

Today, Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon is considered a classic. The deceptively complex children’s book has been passed down for generations. But if the New York Public Library had gotten its way, you’d have never even heard of it.

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Although American schoolchildren still recite The Pledge every morning in nearly every classroom, we still aren't sure who actually wrote it. And all these years later, the long-accepted story is showing some cracks.

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Subscribe to Very Special E... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Rob Reiner
Famous director, known for films such as Spinal Tap and A Few Good Men
Independent
Episode: Very Special Episodes: JFK's Forgotten Summer in Journalism (w/Rob Reiner)
Carol Spinney
The original puppeteer for Big Bird
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Episode: VSE: Big Bird's Diplomatic Mission to China
Zhu Ming
A child who watched Big Bird in China and later portrayed Big Bird in the Chinese adaptation
Episode: VSE: Big Bird's Diplomatic Mission to China
Cooper Wright
Producer for the Chinese version of Sesame Street
Sesame Workshop
Episode: VSE: Big Bird's Diplomatic Mission to China
Mykal Riley
Former Alabama basketball player who made a game-changing shot during the SEC tournament
University of Alabama
Episode: VSE: How a Three-Point Shot Saved Thousands of Lives
Freddie Riley
Mykal's father and supporter throughout his basketball journey
Episode: VSE: How a Three-Point Shot Saved Thousands of Lives
Phil Pearson
University of Alabama assistant basketball coach who commented on Mykal's play
University of Alabama
Episode: VSE: How a Three-Point Shot Saved Thousands of Lives
Jessica Corgi
A family member of Gene Fleming and caretaker of Andy's legacy.
Episode: Very Special Episodes: The Improbable Life and Mysterious Death of Andy, the Sneaker-Wearing Goose
Connie Crawford
A Vassar College student who submitted a unique postcard entry to host SNL.
Student at Vassar College
Episode: Very Special Episodes: Live From New York, It's Your Grandmother

Hosts

Zaron Burnett
Host of Very Special Episodes, exploring unique stories and cultural moments.
Dana Schwartz
Host of Very Special Episodes, offering insightful commentary on cultural narratives.
Jason English
Host and Executive Producer, contributing expertise and engaging storytelling in various episodes.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 257 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 States4 months ago
  • Really good!!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AJPally
    United States4 months 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 States6 months ago
  • What an Awesome Story

    Brings me back to my Atari playing days!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Redwings51
    United States7 months 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
    7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Critics note the overall production quality could use improvement, particularly regarding pacing and transitions.
The podcast invokes nostalgia, making it an enjoyable trip down memory lane for those familiar with '80s culture.
Listeners appreciate the detailed research and engaging storytelling that captivates them.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
VSE: How Gatsby Went From Total Flop to Great American Novel
Q: Did you guys see the 2013 Leonardo DiCaprio movie version of this?
Yes, I liked it and found it enjoyable.
VSE: How Gatsby Went From Total Flop to Great American Novel
Q: Do either of you have any relationship with this book?
Yes, I love it and think it's one of the greatest American novels.
Very Special Episodes: The Improbable Life and Mysterious Death of Andy, the Sneaker-Wearing Goose
Q: Will you be finishing the bronze statue of Andy?
Yes, Jessica plans to finish the statue to honor Andy and her grandfather.
Bonus Episode: The Landfill
Q: What happened to the majority of the retrieved games?
The games were either sold, with a portion of the profits going into community projects in Alamogordo or donated to various museums.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Legend of SwordQuest

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

Exploring the intriguing history surrounding a series of contests related to a classic Atari game, this podcast captivates listeners by unraveling a mystery deeply rooted in '80s pop culture. The narrative revolves around the missing prizes of SwordQuest, blending interviews, personal anecdotes, and thorough research to shed light on the controversy and the cultural impact it had on a generation of gamers. The host presents a compelling treasure hunt that not only seeks to uncover the fate of the prizes but also reflects on broader themes of nostalgia, community, and the evolving landscape of gaming. Each episode thoughtfully delves into various connections—from the motivations of contest creators to the experiences of players—ultimately we... more

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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. Hoax!
2. Behind the Bastards
3. WHAT WENT WRONG
4. You're Wrong About
5. Radiolab

How many episodes of The Legend of SwordQuest are there?

The Legend of SwordQuest launched a year 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. Rob Reiner
2. Carol Spinney
3. Zhu Ming
4. Cooper Wright
5. Mykal Riley
6. Freddie Riley
7. Phil Pearson
8. Jessica Corgi

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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