ATARI BYTES 271 revisits an old friend. A twitchy, large-nosed, profanity-obsessed friend who just won't just hold still for goodness sakes. We all have a friend like that. If you're not sure about that, it's probably you.
It's Q*BERT'S QUBES, the 1983 follow-up to the adorable arcade-er (I'm trying to make that a word. Help me out. I'll be rich!). Is the game fun cubed, or just for squares, man?
This week's short story: NOT THE CUBES YOU EXPECTED
Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme.
www.carnivalofgleecreations.com has all the show notes, social media, info you need about ATARI BYTES here, and about my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.
Guys, if life has taught us nothing else, we all should know by now that we must pick up our balls.
This is especially true in Atari's 1983 let's-stick-it-to-em-and-see-how-mad-they-get, QUADRUN, our focus for ATARI BYTES episode 270. Tune in to find out just how frustrated this game makes me.
This week's short story: CAGE FREE
Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.
www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is where you should go for show notes, episodes and social media for this show, ATARI BYTES, here and for my other show, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, here.
In episode 269 of the ATARI BYTES podcast, we play SOLAR FOX, the 1983 CBS Electronics port of Bally/Midway's 1981 arcade game. Much like Icarus, we fly a wee bit too close to the sun, but do we get burned? Listen and find out!
This week's short story: THE SOLAR FOXES REBOOT
The ComicVine piece about the "Solar Fox" comic ad.
Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.
www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is your one-stop-shop for all things related to this show ATARI BYTES here, and my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.
ATARI BYTES episode 268 is bubbling over with tasty goodness. We're playing PEPSI INVADERS, a 1983 cartridge created by Atari to cheer up sad Coca-Cola sales people sad about losing the "cola wars" to Pepsi. This episode is both sugar and caffeine free, so you'll just have to rely on my dulcet tones to keep you awake. Sorry.
This week's short story: THE COLA WARS BUBBLE OVER
Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.
www.carnivalofgleecreations.com has all your info, episodes and social media needs for this show, ATARI BYTES, here, and for my other show, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, here.
Support the show on our ATARI BYTES patreon project here. Thanks!
In 1979, Twentieth Century Fox unleashed an iconic sci-fi movie called ALIEN.
In 1982, Atari released the game version, in the maze style of iconic game Pac-Man.
In 2021, the podcast ATARI BYTES did an episode about ALIEN, episode 267. It was...wait for it...iconic.
THIS WEEK'S SHORT STORY: BAD POETRY CORNER - WHEN PERSEVERANCE RAN OUT
Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.
www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is where you can go for info about my work, including ATARI BYTES here and my other podcast, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.
We're back to cram more square pod pegs into your round ear holes. It's another cubist's delight in 266 with RUBIK'S CUBE 3D. The three "D"s are "delightful", "delicious" and "de-wonderful", to borrow from an old song.
Or are they?
Tune in this week to find out. With this 3D, there are no glasses required. Or pants.
Short Story: 3D-NYED
Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.
www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is your stop for info, show notes, episodes of ATARI BYTES here and my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.
Support the show by subscribing here on patreon.com and you could get bonus stuff! No, really!
ATARI BYTES episode 265:
Back in the 1970s, Hungarian inventor Erno Rubik, we assume, decided to see if he could drive people insane. He designed a cube consisting of a bunch of smaller cubes of many colors. He said, "Here, take this cube. Mess up the colors, then put them right again." Of course, he probably said it in Hungarian. But that makes it no less insidious. The Rubik's Cube was born.
Then in 1982, Atari put out the trademark-friendlier "Atari Video Cube", redubbed in 1983 "Rubik's Cube", translating Erno's quest for insanity to our TV screens.
And that's why the world is the way it is today.
SHORT STORY: Love Cubed and Lubed.
Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.
www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is where you need to be for show notes, social media, episodes and more for this show, ATARI BYTES, here and for my other show, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, here.
Support the show by subscribing on the ATARI BYTES page on patreon.com here.
On episode 264 of ATARI BYTES, we went back to the beginning; a bit of a palate cleanser after the disturbing "Porky's" last week. We take a look at PONG, the game that started it all. The original came out in 1972 with an Atari port in 1975. For my fifteen-year-old on the field report, it may as well have come out in the Pleistocene.
Kids, man.
This week's short story: PING PRAWN
Engadget.com "Atari Pong Review (1976)
Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.
www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is where you need to be for info, show notes and episodes for ATARI BYTES here and for my other podcast, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.
In 1981, 20th Century Fox released a little family film called "Porky's" about a precocious lad named PeeWee with a knack for revenge against strip clubs and putting his privates where they probably shouldn't be. THEN, they made the obvious brilliant marketing move of turning that movie into an Atari game.
In episode 263, we play PORKY'S...because listener Patrick told us to. We're still a little mad about it. No shower scenes in the episode though...or are there? Plug your peepholes and earholes and give a listen.
THIS WEEK'S BAD POETRY CORNER - BOOBS: A POEM
Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.
www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is where you should go for show notes, social media and info about this show ATARI BYTES here and about my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.
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 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.
Support the show on the ATARI BYTES page at patreon.com and get bonus content and episodes early!
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 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.
You can support show on the ATARI BYTES page on patreon.com here.
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 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.
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 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 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 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.