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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, 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?).

Jun 24, 2018

In episode 126, Intellivision Month comes to an end. *SOB*

Does the epic conclusion of this Atari Bytes experiment bowl a strike or land in the gutter?

The question is apt, because this week we're playing SUPER VIDEO ARCADE BOWLING from Mattel, 1980. After we enjoy some pin action and virtual chili cheese fries, we enjoy this week's story inspired by the game featuring the first appearance of BOBBY PINS: GALACTIC BOWLER.

So refill your beverage, disinfect your rental shoes and chalk your palms. IT'S TIME TO BOWL!

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, social media links and more

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Get your monthly fill of Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the mind of Schulz himself!

AB_Pod_Store - that's where you can find "Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts, mugs and much more on Zazzle.com

Go to the Atari Bytes page on Patreon here to make a donation to help keep the lights on at this here podcast. Thanks!

Jun 17, 2018

The grassy outfield. The roar of the crowd. I've got my cap and cup. Put me in, Coach. I'm ready to game! Take me out to the ball game. Take me out to the...game room?

Intellivision month continues on Atari Bytes episode 125 with Mattel's Major League Baseball (aka "Super Video Arcade Baseball", aka "Big League Baseball", aka just, you know, "Baseball") It's a dandy 1979 title even my dad would play when I was a kid. 

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, etc.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Join us for a deep dive into the comic strips, TV, movie and merchandise from the beloved Peanuts juggernaut.

The Atari Bytes AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com is where you can get "Go play some old games. They've missed you" mugs, shirts and so much more.

Support the show financially at our Atari Bytes page on Patreon to help keep this show running.

Jun 10, 2018

Intellivision Month continues on episode 124 with ASTROSMASH, which, contrary to what you might think, does NOT include the Hulk in an astronaut suit smashing lunar modules. 

The 1981 Mattel game is like a cross between Asteroids and Space Invaders, taking elements from both - especially the laser blasts. Why would they do this? And what is motivating the laser battery commander (aka you) to act? Not to give anything away, but we think it's the NEED TO DANCE!

What do we mean by that? Listen to find out!

Here's the Atari Times article comparing Atari and Intellivison.

Here's a link to that Venture Beat article about Tommy Tallarico's plan to bring back Intellivision. 

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, social media links, episodes and more

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

Pick up "Go play some old games" shirts, mugs and more at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com here.

Patreon.com - Go to our Atari Bytes page on Patreon to support the show financially. 

Jun 3, 2018

Order up! Ever go to a burger joint expecting the familiar, tasty bacon double with crispy onion rings you love, only to find out they've changed the menu to some sort of tofurky burger or something? Then you're all worried, but discover it's pretty tasty too? Episode 123 is kind of like that.

This month, our nice Atari 2600, story-based podcast has been overrun by Intelevision bandits. They even ate all my onion rings! 

Now, every Sunday in June, we're featuring an Intelevision title. We kick things off with the iconic BURGERTIME from Bally Midway. Compared to the Atari port (which we covered on the podcast WAY back in episode 25!), does the Intelevision port stack up like your favorite bun full of meat, or more like trying to stack the ketchup packets at the bottom of the bag? And what, exactly, is Chef Peter Pepper up to this time?

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

Atari Bytes - show notes, episodes, social media and so much more.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Love the Peanuts comics, TV shows, movies and merchandise? So do we! We cover it all on this podcast, which drops on the 15th of every month.

AB_Pod_Store - That's our store on Zazzle.com where you can get "Go play some old games" mugs, shirts and more.

Want to donate to the show? Thanks! Here's the Patreon.com page where you can do just that.

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