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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: October, 2017

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?).

Oct 29, 2017

This week's episode of ATARI BYTES, number 92 for those keeping score, is all about Benjamin Franklin.

Well, not really. But thanks to this week's co-host, my kid Henry, there is a long digression from talking about the 1983 Data Age game FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER to talk about the mechanics of the founding father's famous key-on-a-kite-string experiment. Just a little extra info for you, our faithful listeners, at no extra charge. You're welcome.

Getting back to the game, what lurks in the creepy depths of Dr. Frankenstein's castle? Any why is it so angry? How big is its power probe exactly? Can we do NOTHING about this unsightly green wall it hides behind? 

No tricks, only treats in this Halloween episode!

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

Atari Bytes show notes, episodes and more.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!

You can support Atari Bytes financially on our Patreon page here.

Pick up cool shirts, mugs, stickers, blankets, totes and more at our Atari Bytes store on Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store.

Oct 22, 2017

EPISODE 91: SPACE JOCKEY, 1982, from U.S. Games, looks a lot like a game made by a company that mostly just makes oatmeal. 'cause it is! But we're playing it anyway. 

Why so much space? Who, exactly, is this "jockey" of which the game speaks? Are YOU the jockey? Am I the jockey? There's not a single horse in this thing, so why do we even need a jockey. I'm so confused. 

Thanks this week to Speck for the use of (a portion of) the song "I Don't Care Anymore".

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

Check out that cool Atari cake (that someone needs to get me RIGHT NOW!) here. 

Atari Bytes show notes, links and more.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!

Zazzle.com - AB_Pod_Store has many great shirts, mugs and more.

Please consider supporting the show on our Patreon page here.

Oct 15, 2017

Way back in episode 12, we covered the Atari 2600 classic POLE POSITION. Now that you've been circling the block in your Formula I racer all this time, we're finally ready in episode 90 to hit the track (or should I say tracks? There's FOUR of them this time.) again in the Atari 7800 ProSystem pack-in game POLE POSITION II from Namco, 1983.*

*If you need to make a potty stop first, I totally understand. Get me a Snickers while you're in the gas station.*

*This week's episode sponsored by M&M Mars**

**No, it's not. I can dream though.

Here's the TV Guide article about the blue sky rangers I talked about in the show.

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

Atari Bytes episodes, show notes and more here.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!

Pick up Atari Bytes shirts, mugs, stickers, mouse pad, whatever, here at our AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com

Please consider supporting the show financially so that we can keep the lights on around here. Go to our Patreon page here. 

Oct 8, 2017

Last week on the podcast, in KEYSTONE KAPERS, our beat consisted of the back alleys and mean streets of Keystone where Harry Hooligan made his mischief. This week, in Spectravision's 1983 adventure PLANET PATROL, our beat is, well, the whole darn planet. It's like when, after the sitcom "Gilligan's Island" ended, the castaways ended up in the cartoon "Gilligan's Planet". Yeah. Exactly like that. 

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

Atari Bytes show notes and so much, much more here.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!

Pick up cool merchandise at our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store here.

Support the podcast financially here on Patreon.

Here's the Mental Floss article about the popularity of retro gaming we talked about in the show.

Oct 1, 2017

Leapin' Lizards! 

Sorry, that's Annie. Is there an Annie Atari game?

Anyway, leapin' leprechauns! In the 1983 Activision (We love us some Activision on the podcast) game KEYSTONE KAPERS, Harry Hooligan is on the loose, plundering Southwick's. Arguably, the store deserves it, given it leaves huge bags of money sitting all over the sales floor, but Keystone Kelly, finest kop on the force, is determined to bring in his man. The keystone kops are an elite law enforcement unit here to protect you from villainy, even if they can't spell very well.

So, slap on the thumb cuffs and then use one of your free fingers to hit "play" on this crime-busting episode!

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

Atari Bytes show notes, episodes and more here!

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!

Pick up Atari Bytes mugs and shirts and such on Zazzle.com AB_Pod_Store here.

Support the show financially if you can on Patreon.com page here.

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