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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: February, 2018

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?).

Feb 25, 2018

Ding-Ding! In the left corner, weighing in at episode 109, it's BOXING by Activision, 1980. In the right corner, weighing in at...well, he's working on it. Gotta get back on that treadmill. It's PODCASTER BILL.

Gentlemen...fight! Dirty tricks and junk-punching totally okay.

Our salute to the Olympics concludes this week with an Activision game. We do love us some Activision here on the podcast. Does this game disappoint? Listen and find out. Then hang around the ring for this week's story devoted to the "sweet science"...

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

Atari Bytes - episodes, social media and more

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Get your fix of all things Snoopy here.

Zazzle.com store at AB_Pod_Store - get your "go play some old games" shirts here

Patreon - If you can, support the show financially on our Atari Bytes page on Patreon

Feb 18, 2018

Our salute to the Olympics continues this week in episode 108. Like all elite Olympic athletes, I've got a beer and a pocket full of nachos (I hope those are nachos). Why? Because we're going BOWLING! The 1978 Atari version that is. 

You might argue bowling is not an actual Olympic sport. I submit to you that, as with doughnuts being a health food, in my reality Olympic bowling darn well is a thing.

In this week's story: what mystery and intrigue lurks at the other end of the lane? 

Grab your balls and join us!

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, social media, episodes, puppies and chocolates (guess which one is a lie)

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - get all your Snoopy needs met here.

Zazzle.com - AB_Pod_Store - that's my store with "Go Play Some Old Games" shirts and more

Patreon - support the show financially here

Feb 11, 2018

As the episode rolls out, the 2018 winter Olympics are underway. The competition! The pageantry! The steroid scandals! To celebrate, we're leaping off the ski jump into the future to play the 1985 game WINTER OLYMPICS from Epyx FOR THE ATARI 7800!!!

If the story WITHIN the game we've come up with can be believed (it can't), the drama and intrigue on the ski jump, bobsled, speed skating rink and biathalon (biathalon? Really?) is NOTHING compared to the thrilling adventure going on behind the scenes. Good thing our old friend, Steve Stetson, superspy, is on the case. 

So cinch up your leotard, grab a bowlful of steroids and join us at the medal ceremony that is this episode!

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

Atari Bytes - show notes, episodes, social media and more here

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

The AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com - pick up show merchandise here.

Patreon - you can support the show on our Atari Bytes page here

Feb 4, 2018

This week on the podcast, we're going commando!

Aren't you glad this is an audio podcast?

Of course, we're actually referring to this week's game COMMANDO RAID, a 1982 game from U.S.Games, a division of Quaker Oats. The odor of heavy artillery fire and oatmeal hangs heavy in the air.

In this week's story within the game, we wonder: in the war between the humans and androids, are there any winners?

R.I.P. Mort Walker

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

Atari Bytes episodes, show notes, social media here

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. Get your Snoopy fix here every month.

Pick up Atari Bytes "go play some old games' merchandise and other stuff in our Zazzle.com store here. AB_Pod_Store

Please consider supporting the show financially on Patreon. Thanks!

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