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ATARI BYTES

Remember those great Atari 2600 games? I have fond memories of playing classics like Pitfall or Yar's Revenge or River Raid. In this podcast, I take another look at the games, but as a writer, not a gamer. When I think of these games now, I see writing prompts; taking inspiration from the game plots or maybe even the titles to create original short stories. But this isn't simply fan fiction. The stories, more often than not, spin-off into some weird places in all kinds of genres. Sometimes funny, occasionally serious, always unique.
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Now displaying: June, 2016

Remember those great Atari 2600 games? Sure, they were fun to play, but didn't you ever wonder why they sent a plumber to take out Donkey Kong? What Yar was seeking revenge against? What the Defender was defending or why those robots went Berserk? Me too! ATARI BYTES is a game review podcast like no other. We review not just the game play, but the STORY within these classic games. We take a BYTE out of the story (get it?) and see if that story BYTES us back (now do you get it?).

Jun 26, 2016
EPISODE 23: SURROUND

This week we look at Atari's 1978 game SURROUND.

Yep, there it is.

This...strategy game, I guess? pits you against the computer or your opponent to see which one of you can paint lines on the screen faster to box the other player in. The graphics are rudimentary; the gameplay simple (though addictive). There are no characters, dialogue, back story or even stakes. PERFECT for a story-based, game review podcast.

I must have been crazy to pick this one. Clearly I'm unwell. Have pity and give it a listen. Thanks!

The Atari Party sponsored by the XEGS Podcast.

Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons license to his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring".

Atari Bytes

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown

Our Zazzle.com AB_Pod_Store for cool Atari Bytes merchandise

The Atari Bytes Patreon page

 

Jun 19, 2016
EPISODE 22: KOOL-AID MAN

SUMMERTIME! AND THE LIVING IS EASY!  The gameplay, on the other hand...not so much.

KOOL-AID MAN, 1983 from Mattel Electronics, is our focus this week. This game is basically the video equivalent of my six-year-old after a Tootsie Roll. The Thirsties are running around ruining your pool party by drinking all the water. Kool-Aid Man is running around like a maniac trying to stop them. It's like you and your kid at your kid's birthday party. The sugar rush keeps the game going until all at once it's over and you just feel a little light-headed and tired. Drink up!

My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons license to his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring."

Bill Kendrick at the XEGS Podcast told us about the Atari Party.

Atari Bytes

Support the show on our Patreon Page.

Find cool Atari Bytes merchandise at Zazzle.com. Type in "Atari Bytes" or go to our store AB_Pod_Store

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown!

Jun 12, 2016

This week on the podcast, we're MAD!  No, we're not angry. That's MAD as in Mutually Assured Destruction - the Cold War thory that no country would fire nuclear missiles at another country because that would bring about a counter attack and no one on the planet would survive. In the game, on Zardon, the planet in question, you control a small arsenal of missiles to fend off of an interplanetary air attack. Will you be able to defend your planet's right to exist?

LINKS:

Atari Bytes

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown

The Atari Party

Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for the creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring".

The Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store

The Atari Bytes Patreon page

Jun 5, 2016
EPISODE 20: FIRE FIGHTER

Maybe you can't yell "FIRE!" in a crowded theater, but you can yell it all you want in Imagic's 1982 game FIRE FIGHTER, which is our focus on this week's episode.

You can stop yelling now.

This is an intense (ish) game of man against the elements (well, one element - namely FIRE) battling against time to rescue a desperate victim.

Okay, seriously, you can stop yelling now. Sheesh.

More info about the Atari Party here.

The Atari Bytes website.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown

The Atari Bytes Patreon Page

Our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store

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