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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: December, 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?).

Dec 30, 2018

HAPPY NEW YEAR! You could ring in 2019 watching a ball drop, while drenched in expensive champagne and kissing your favorite person. OR...

...you could crack open whatever was on sale and come on out to the movies. Tuxedo is optional.

This week on episode 153, we're reviewing the 1982 action hit sort of action-y flop MEGAFORCE. This is the movie which inspired the MEGAFORCE game. (See episode 129). Who is "we"? Well, making his first appearance on ATARI BYTES, it's FERG! That's right, Robert Ferguson of the Atari 2600 Game By Game Podcast stops by to talk with me about this movie. I wonder if he'll ever come back. 

So put on your blue headband and pilot your flying motorcycle into the cargo plane that is this movie. You probably won't be sorry.

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

Thanks to Mike Mann for his "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme.

Atari Bytes show notes, episodes and more here.

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

You can support the show financially on our Atari Bytes Patreon page here. Thanks in advance. 

Christmas is over, but Santa is a jolly old elf for all seasons. And in my novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, he quits! He befriends a famous author with emotional problems and a multiple alien abductee. In this Santa story for adults, the three men learn about friendship, about themselves and - wait for it - save Christmas as we know it. Here's on of the many places you can order it. 

My annual review written in the style of classic children's book "Goodnight Moon" is up! Check out GOODNIGHT, 2018! on the blog.

Dec 23, 2018

Ho - Ho - HO...ly cow! It's the Christmas episode of ATARI BYTES!

In episode 152, we set aside the egg-nog-drenched game console to wish you all a joyous holiday season. To thank you for your support throughout the year, please enjoy the world debut of my original poem 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE ATARI CHRISTMAS.

Now go ask Santa to stop using the Pac-Man cart as a coaster for his milk. And the E.T. cartridge is not a cookie plate.

Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring", "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", and "Oh, Christmas Tree". 

Thanks to Mike Mann for his "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme.

Atari Bytes - show notes, social media and more. 

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

Support the show on the Atari Bytes Patreon.com page here.

Want to keep the holidays going for a bit, at least in your own brains? Check out my Santa Claus novel FOR ADULTS. It's called IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, available wherever you like to order books, such as this place. 

Dec 9, 2018

Much like the unnamed karate-practitioner in Broderbund's 1988 port of KARATEKA for the Atari 7800, my moves are lightning fast and totally ineffectual. But we both look great with bare feet. Bunions are in now, right?

Why is Mr. No Name - let's call him "Ed" - storming the castle of evil warlord Akuma? Why does Akuma leave his doors unlocked? Is the lovely, Princess Mariko longing to be saved by...Ed...or is she doing just fine on her own, thank you?

We'll take a flying drop kick into episode 150, roundhouse the deets on this game and then, as the story within the game lies convulsing on the floor, we'll FINISH HIM

(Note to self, less coffee before writing the show notes for next episode.)

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

Thanks to Mike Mann for his "Mad Mike Hughes Theme". 

Atari Bytes show notes, episodes, and social media.

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

Patreon - You can support Atari Bytes financially here. 

Zazzle.com - the Atari Bytes merchandise store is here. If you have suggestions for items you'd like to see, let me know.

You can order my novel IN THE ST. NICK IN TIME pretty much anywhere you want (support your indie book stores!), but here's a common location. And don't forget to leave a review!

Dec 2, 2018

Episode 149 offers up GOPHER, a 1982 U.S. Games title for those among us who long to bash in the brains of a furry little creature with a shovel. 

In the game, you are a farmer defending your carrot patch from relentless gophers stealing your crop. You are armed with a shovel which you wield with merciless glee. Sometimes you actually use to fill in the holes the gopher leaves, but, mostly, you're all about the bonking. Who doesn't love to bonk their pocket gopher now and then?

So what's this week's story about? I, too, am scared to imagine...

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

Thanks to Mike Mann for his "Mad Mike Hughes" theme.

Atari Bytes show notes and more.

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

You can, if you're able, support the show financially on our Atari Bytes Patreon page here. Thanks!

If you're so inclined, check out my novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, a sort of Santa Claus story for ADULTS. Humor, gun play, and St. Nick in an existential crisis. Hope you enjoy! Here's one of many places you can order it. 

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