Info

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.
RSS Feed
2023
December
April
March
February
January


2022
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2021
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2020
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: September, 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?).

Sep 30, 2018

This week's episode is dedicated to tennis great Serena Williams, who was beaten recently by a young upstart. Serena, if you're listening (and reading those show notes), you are welcome to come play TENNIS from Activision with me anytime. I assure you, you will have no trouble beating me.

That's right, in episode 140, we're playing the 1981 Activision (squee!) game TENNIS. "What's this one about?" you ask. Then I ignore you because, really, that should be self-evident. 

We're talking about this sports game, Bert & Ernie, the origins of the cliché "Tennis, anyone?", and the curvature of space/time. Also, we've got a nice little short fiction piece about boys growing up in the early 1980s...until things take a turn...

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 his "Mad Mike" update theme.

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

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - the show that meets all your Snoopy needs

Please consider support the show on our Patreon page which you can do here. 

Sep 23, 2018

"Wouldn't you rather play a nice game of chess?" - Joshua, the WOPR US defense computer, speaking to Matthew Broderick in "Wargames".

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Matthew Broderick, though I think that was in a different movie.

Anyway, this week, we're playing the 1979 Atari stalwart VIDEO CHESS. You thought you knew chess, but you haven't lived until you've seen rooks and bishops and whatnot rendered in digital form. It's gonna get CRRRAZZY up in here! How can I ever make a story from this game? No, seriously. HOW?

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" theme.

Atari Bytes show notes, episodes, social media here

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

Patreon - Please consider supporting the show on our Patreon page to help us keep the pod-lights shining. 

Sep 16, 2018

Sometimes, the setups for these blurbs write themselves.

Are you ready?

Here we go.

This week's game is Atari's 1988 offering for the 7800 console CRACK'ED. Join us to find out if this game is all it's CRACKED up to be.

Low-hanging fruit, friends. Or low hanging eggs, we should say. And we have to protect them from snakes and relentless birds. Seriously, Hitchcock's movie "The Birds" has nothing on this game.

And why are the eggs in the trees? And in the sewer? And UNDER THE FLIPPIN' SEA FOR CRYING OUT LOUD???

So many questions, so little time. We'll ignore most of them and instead, make lots of egg-related puns. It would be egg-cellent if you joined us!


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

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

Atari Bytes - show notes, social media and more. 

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my Snoopy intensive podcast. Climb inside the doghouse full of strips, TV specials, merchandise, the very mind of Charles Schulz himself.

The Atari Bytes Patreon page is out there, should you be inclined to financially support this show. Thanks in advance. 

Sep 9, 2018

This week, we're battling the flagship of the Galagan fleet on ATARI BYTES, the flagship of all the podcasts on the Internet.*

*Might not be the actual flagship.**

**The podcast is mostly just tolerated.

We're playing the 1987 Atari 7800 port of Namco's legendary GALAGA. The. Best. Game. Ever. Okay, that's debatable, but as much as has been said about the virtues (and some deficits) of the game, has anyone ever speculated about what was ticking off the Galagan Fleet? What it was like to be drafted into the Intergalactic Warrior Fleet? No. No. They haven't. Until now.

So jump into your flight suit, squirt some space meatloaf into your maw and strap in for the space battle of all space battles. 

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

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, episodes, social media, fudge. (Maybe) 

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Get a monthly feast of all things Snoopy, Charlie Brown and Charles Schulz himself. 

You can donate to the Atari Bytes Patreon page here. 

The Atari Bytes Zazzle merch store is still up should you wish to partake here.

Sep 2, 2018

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the podcatcher…

ATARI BYTES Episode 136 SHARK ATTACK (formerly known as LOCHJAW) is circling ever closer to its prey - I mean its listener - offering you a unique take on this 1982 Apollo game. 

This week's story could feature sharks...but that's a little on the nose, don't you think? We might go with a "My Dinner With Andre" type think piece instead.

Or maybe not. You'll just have to listen and find out!

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

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

Atari Bytes - shownotes, episodes, social media

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - all things Peanuts in just one monthly podcast. 

The Atari Bytes Patreon page is right here, should you wish to financially support the show.

1