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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, 2019

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 30, 2019

This week, I'm swinging in on a vine as Planet Funk Con sinks into the quicksand below and I land on the other side to record a podcast. The episode, unfortunately, is just me screaming as I am crushed by a rolling log. 

I recorded episode 179 after attending Planet Funk Con where much fun was had. (Hello, new listeners!) This week marks the end of Intellivision Month for the podcast. (Stop cheering!) We close on a high - and not just because of those vines. We're playing PITFALL! for the Intellivision gaming system. Did David Crane have any new tricks up his sleeve for this version?

No. No he didn't. But we had a good time anyway. 

This week's short story is: LOG ROLLIN'

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

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Atari Bytes - show notes, social media and what not.

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

Support the show financially (please) on our Patreon page here.

Pick up shirts and mugs at AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com

If you're so inclined, pick up a copy of MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS in e-book and print wherever you like to order books. Here's one place you can do just that.

Jun 23, 2019

This week on the podcast we LOCK in episode 178 and CHASE down another game as Intellivision month avoids the Atari cops to continue for another week. 

My surprise co-host and I are playing the Mattel 1982 edition to the Intellivision line LOCK 'N' CHASE. Does this Pac-Man wannabe maze game steal our hearts or leave us locked in a cold dungeon of disappointment?

This week's short story comes to us from Bad Poetry Corner: DEADLOCKED.

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

Atari Bytes show notes and what not.

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

Thanks the Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme.

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "storytime" theme.

Pick up shirts and mugs in the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com

Consider supporting the show financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon page here.

You can order the print or e-book of MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS many places. Here's one of them.

Jun 16, 2019

So, is Intellivision month on ATARI BYTES continuing in episode 177?

You BET it is!

In 1979, Mattel gambled on a game based on the thing kids love most: casino gambling. This week's title is ROULETTE. Place your bets. When the ball drops on this episode, will you be in the audio chips or the gaming gutter?

This week's original short story is: SPIN IT, BOB!

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 the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme.

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Atari Bytes show notes and what not.

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

Check out the merchandise store AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com

Consider supporting the show financially on the Atari Bytes page on Patreon.com

Pick up MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS in e-book or print wherever you like to order books! Here's one option!

Jun 9, 2019

YAH, HORSEY! YAH!

ATARI BYTES Episode 176 comes down the stretch with the second entry in our annual "Intellivision Month" - HORSE RACING, Mattel, 1980. Pull off your blinkers, grab hold of your podcatcher's irons and coax that filly into the backstretch to break maiden on this latest episode! It's a breeze!

Oh, and, for you Henry groupies: He's on this week!

This week's original short story: "Ghost Horses"

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

Atari Bytes show notes and what not

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

Pick up shirts and mugs at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com

Support the show financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon page

Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes Update Theme"

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Order MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS wherever you like to order books.

Jun 2, 2019

Do you like gladiator movies?

I only ask because when you watch a gladiator movie, it's astounding how these brave, bold warriors insist on lining up in straight lines and running at each other, expecting that they won't be mowed down. Still, you have to cut the gladiators some slack. They lived centuries ago and had limited technology.

Which makes it even more stunning that the futuristic alien invaders in Intellivision's SPACE ARMADA, Mattel, 1981, aren't any smarter. In episode 175, we're kicking off our 2019 INTELLIVISION MONTH with this close cousin to the iconic Atari "Space Invaders". Does it live up to its inspiration - not to mention gladiators? Do any of us really?

On that note, this week's original short story is: "Space Letters from the Space Front Lines...In Space". 

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

Atari Bytes show notes and what not

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

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme.

Pick up shirts at mugs at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com 

Please consider becoming a subscriber to the show on Patreon.com. Thanks!

You can pick up a collection of short stories inspired by the games in this show and told in a wide variety of genres from sci fi to contemporary fiction to 19th century erotic literature. It's MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS. Here's one place you can do that.

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