Pac-Man Fever Takes Over the 1980s

Pac-Man Fever Takes Over the 1980s

Author: Jamie Logie | 1980s Pop Culture & Nostalgia April 29, 2026 Duration: 50:23

Pac-Man was a solution to a major problem. That problem? The video game industry mainly attracted teenage males; no one else was really setting foot in arcades. Game designer Toru Iwatani believed he had created the right idea to change all that.

Not only did he change the world of video games, but his creation ended up creating an absolute pop culture phenomenon. Pac-Man was such a hit when it first hit arcades in late 1980 that it turned the entire entertainment industry on its head. 


Step back into a world of neon, synth-pop, and big hair with Everything 80s. Hosted by Jamie Logie, this podcast is a deep, affectionate dive into the decade that shaped modern pop culture. It’s less a formal history lesson and more like rifling through a time capsule with a friend who remembers every detail. Episodes explore the films, television, music, and toys that weren't just entertainment-they were the shared language of a generation. You’ll hear specific discussions on everything from the rise of MTV and the cinematic magic of John Hughes to the toy-box revolutions of Transformers and the fantasy realms of He-Man. The conversation naturally spans the iconic, like Michael Jackson’s Thriller era, to the foundational moments of home gaming with Nintendo. This isn't just about listing favorites; it's about understanding why these cultural artifacts from the 1980s still resonate so powerfully today. For anyone feeling a pull of nostalgia or a curiosity about the era's lasting impact, this podcast offers a consistently engaging and insightful listen. Tune in to rediscover the sounds, stories, and sensations that defined an unforgettable ten years.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Everything 80s
Podcast Episodes
Mr. T: From Bouncer to Prime Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:53
The story of Mr. T is as much the story of the 1980s as during a rapidly changing time of pop culture, he touched all aspects of entertainment. The big screen, the small screen, radio, home video, and even our toy shelve…
A Look Back at 1989 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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As the clock counted down on December 31st, 1989, it brought one of the most remarkable decades of the 20th Century to a close. A decade that--when it came to pop culture--may have been one of the most significant in his…
He-Man & the Masters of the Universe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:32
It was a gigantic risk... a brand-new character and product line set to launch alongside some of the most popular toy brands in history. How would this new character--that no one knew anything about--be able to stand out…
How Black Sitcoms Shaped the 1980s [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:20
As we close out Black History Month, today we look back at 10 of the most groundbreaking Black sitcoms of the 80s. These shows not only helped define the decade but also had a huge impact on pop culture and changed telev…
The History & Controversy of Joe Camel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:40
If you were around in the late 80s, he seemed impossible to miss... An anthropomorphic cartoon camel that quickly became one of the defining spokes characters of the decade--but one that came with endless controversy. Th…
10 Forgotten Video Games From the 1980s [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:10
Not everything could be a hit... Even though the 1980s gave us some of the best video games of all time, there were others that just slipped by the wayside--and some of them deserve better than that. Today we will look b…
Chernobyl: A Disaster in the Making [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:25
It was just supposed to be a regular safety test... but in the early morning hours of April 26th, 1986, something went terribly wrong... For those opposed to nuclear energy, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident was…
Ewoks & Droids: Star Wars on Saturday Mornings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:30
I've got a bad feeling about this... that was the thought that crept into people's minds back in November 1978. They were about ten minutes into the Star Wars Holiday Special--and it wasn't exactly what they had hoped fo…
The 1980s Cola Wars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:56
It's a battle that's been going on for well over a century featuring two of the biggest brands of all time. But in the 1980s--the war really heated up... Today we look back on the battle between Coke and Pepsi during a t…
33 Things You Missed in Back to the Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:01
No matter how many times you've seen it--you've probably never seen the whole thing... This is a deep dive into the original Back to the Future to cover specific moments, Easter eggs, and many hidden things that may not…