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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: January, 2021

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?).

Jan 31, 2021

In ATARI BYTES episode 262, we're playing the 1983 Tigervision port of Taito's 1980 arcade cabinet POLARIS. Defend your nuclear sub from withering attacks by destroyers, dive bombers and ever increasing frustration. Is the game a hit or miss - ile?

Sorry.

This week's short story: DOWNTIME

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme

Thanks to @M_Carp for the "What Game is Henry Playing While We Podcast About a Different Game" theme.

www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is where you should go to find show notes, info, social media and what not for this show, ATARI BYTES, here and for my other show, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, here. 

The website also has info and links to places to pick up my books, like HELL'S CEREAL: VERY SHORT STORIES FORTIFIED WITH ESSENTIAL SYLLABLES here.

Support the show on the ATARI BYTES page at patreon.com and get bonus content and episodes early!

Jan 24, 2021

ATARI BYTES episode 261 is off the hook. Off the chain. Off the books. And occasionally off the rails.

We're playing the 1989 Atari/Axlon title OFF THE WALL. The objective is to smash the brick wall to get to the dragon. Maybe they should have called it THROUGH THE WALL. But no one asked me. What other failings does the game suffer through lack of consultation with me? Listen to find out!

This week's short story: OFF THE WALL

Atari Poop article about "Off the Wall". 

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme.

www.carnivalofgleecreations.com has social media, show notes and episodes for this show, ATARI BYTES here and my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here. 

The website also has info and some order options about my books, including, HELL'S CEREAL: VERY SHORT STORIES FORTIFIED WITH ESSENTIAL SYLLABLES. 

You can support show on the ATARI BYTES page on patreon.com here. 

Jan 17, 2021

At some point, whatever governing body governs auto racing said, "What if we made up a racing sport where the drivers do everything we tell them not to do?" The initial idea - Murder Car - was scrapped. But the monster truck rally - complete with smashing cars, wheelies, jumping off ramps and wanton attacks on venerable Plymouth autos - was born.

In episode 260,from 1990, we're playing the Atari title MOTORODEO. Roll your fat tires on over and give a listen.

This week's short story: Bad Poetry Corner: Where the Monster Trucks Park

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is your one-stop-shop for episodes, social media and info about this show, ATARI BYTES, here and my other podcast, IT'S  A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, here

The website also has info about books I've written, like HELL'S CEREAL: VERY SHORT STORIES FORTIFIED WITH ESSENTIAL SYLLABLES, as well as other stuff I've worked on. 

Go sign up on the ATARI BYTES page at patreon.com here to help keep the lights on in the podcast studio. Patrons can get access to episodes early and even get BONUS CONTENT. Thanks!

Jan 10, 2021

Don't worry about that penguin riding a sea otter reciting the works of Robert Frost (the penguin is doing the reciting. Not the otter. That would be stupid. Everyone knows otters are haiku creatures.)

They're here to tell you that ATARI BYTES episode 259 has arrived. We're playing ACID DROP, produced by Salu Ltd. in 1992. This was the last commercially released 2600 game, which leaves us wondering: why bother?

This week's short story: ACID TRIPPED

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme

www.carnivalofgleecreations.com has info, social media and episodes for this show, ATARI BYTES, here and for my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.

The website also has info about books I've written, including HELL'S CEREAL: VERY SHORT STORIES FORTIFIED WITH ESSENTIAL SYLLABLES, and links to just some of the places you can order them.

Supporters of ATARI BYTES on patreon.com here can get access to episodes EARLY and possibly BONUS content. Thanks for helping keep the lights on in the podcast studio.

Jan 3, 2021

The skies over ATARI BYTES episode 258 glow bright orange with fire as fierce dragons sweep into view. We're playing the 1983 iMagic title DRAGON FIRE. Is the game more Puff than Smaug? Is the action hot or will we just get burned?

This week's short story: DRAGON FIRED

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Thanks to @M-Carp for the "What Game is Henry Playing While We Podcast About Another Game" theme.

"Hell's Cereal: Very Short Stories Fortified With Essential Syllables" Goodreads.com book giveaway

www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is your place for show notes, info, episodes for this show, ATARI BYTES here, and for my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.

The website also has info about my books and some places you can order them, like HELL'S CEREAL: VERY SHORT STORIES FORTIFIED WITH ESSENTIAL SYLLABLES.

Consider supporting the show financially at the ATARI BYTES page on patreon.com here. Subscribers at different levels get stuff. Access to episodes early! BONUS content!

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