Codex History of Video Games with Mike Coletta and Tyler Ostby Codex History of Video Games with Mike Coletta and Tyler Ostby

Episode 375 - Frogger (1981)

Sep 14, 2026 · 37m

Summary

Mike and Tyler explore the 1981 arcade classic Frogger, discussing its gameplay, scoring, and cultural legacy. They investigate conflicting accounts of its development, including a debunked origin story and newly confirmed Konami staff credits. The hosts also address the game's mysterious kill screen and share personal nostalgia, while wrapping up with updates on their current gaming projects.

Topics discussed

Introduction and nostalgia for Frogger Personal stories and the Game Boy Color version Release dates and historical discrepancies Platform ports and the Game.com website oddity Best ways to play and sales figures Gameplay genre, controls, and scoring Plot summary and the original advertisement Detailed mechanics and Softline magazine review The violent nature of the game and magazine culture Conflicting origin stories: Hashimoto vs. Harima Confirmed staff list and Konami's lack of credits Gremlin's skepticism and the San Diego playtest Pop culture references in Seinfeld and The Wizard High scores and the mystery of the kill screen Legacy and influence on Crossy Road World's largest Frogger and future classic arcade episodes What the hosts are playing: Final Fantasy 9 and VII Slay the Spire on mobile and BlizzCon news Outro and call to action for listeners
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