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: 2023

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?).

Dec 24, 2023

Happy holidays!

ATARI BYTES returns from hiatus with episode 331, the annual holiday special. We take a break from games and story writing to catch up on some movies. And we've made it all the way to 1985! So that movie-catching is coming along great!

Earlier this year, we played the Sesame Street inspired game "Cookie Monster Munch", so it seemed like we should do a Sesame Street inspired movie. So, from 1985, we've got FOLLOW THAT BIRD. Big Bird has moved away! Oh no! What is the gang going to do?!?!

Take a break from the relatives and give a listen! 

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Support the show at patreon.com

carnivalofgleecreations.com

Apr 16, 2023

We're getting down to the last few days of tax time in America as this episode goes out. Why not relieve some of that mathematical stress with a podcast! In 330, we're playing the 1982 game TAX AVOIDERS, the intense adventure of tax sheltered investments. 

Then once you've listened to this episode...go back and listen to some of the other 329 - for the first time! Or again! - because ATARI BYTES is taking a little hiatus. But keep is in your feed and hearts. We'll be back!

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

Support the show at patreon.com

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

www.carnivalofgleecreations.com for info about the podcast, about IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, and books by me that can belong to you.

D20 or Die!

Apr 2, 2023

Peanut butter and jelly. Laverne and Shirley. And now Atari and Muppets.

All great things that belong together. In episode 329, we're playing COOKIE MONSTER MUNCH for the 2600. This 1983 joint effort by Atari and The Children's Computer Workshop is a showcase for Cookie Monster. (I was more of a Grover man, myself. But Cookie is pretty cool.) But is it a tasty confection or a stale day old paper weight?

Bad Poetry Corner: Don't Let the Cookie Crumble

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Support the show at patreon.com here.

Go to carnivalofgleecreations.com for all your podcast and book reading needs.

The Jim Beard and Becky Books Facebook page

Mar 19, 2023

In 328, we build on the massive tower of gaming experiences we've had on this show with MASTER BUILDER from Spectravision, 1983. Does it stand tall and proud or all come tumbling down?

Listen and find out!

ORIGINAL SHORT STORY: Building Up Expectations

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

carnivalofgleecreations.com 

Support the show at patreon.com here.

Jim Beard and Becky Books

Mar 5, 2023

327 features the 1983 prototype KICKMAN from CBS Electronics, based on the arcade game, which also wasn't that popular. Why didn't it work out? One guess....

No, not that. It's balloons! This game is full of 'em. 

And even in 1983, they knew to stay away from balloons. Why didn't we listen?

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme

Support the show at patreon.com here. 

carnivalofgleecreations has all the info you need about this show, my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and books written by me that can be owned by you.

Feb 19, 2023

By 1988, the 2600 was feeling a bit long in the tooth. But once in a while, it could still enthrall the gamer of the day. 

So, does DARK CHAMBERS from Sculptured Software enthrall or enrage? Throw open the chamber door on this episode and see what happens. 

Bad Poetry Corner: HEART BEAT ON DARK CHAMBER DOORS

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Support the show at patreon.com here. 

carnivalofgleecreations.com has all the info about this show, my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and about books written by me that can be owned by you. 

 

Feb 5, 2023

In 1982, Canadian-based department store chain Zellers  thought it would be fun to take a break from selling washers and socks and whatever and instead program Atari games. Why? Dunno. But I played one. It's called Donkey Kong. No, wait. Sorry! It's called INCA GOLD. You'll understand why I was confused after episode 325.

Original Short Story: GOLD STANDARD

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme.

Support the show at patreon.com here.

carnivalofgleecreations.com has everything you need to know about this show, about IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and about my books. 

 

Jan 22, 2023

Is Answer Software's 1983 title GAUNTLET the answer to all our gaming needs? Hold your water and listen to episode 324. Raise a glass to not spilling a glass. No, really. Look, just listen to the episode. Thanks!

Original Short Story: UNDAUNTED GAUNTLET

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Support the show at patreon.com here. 

carnivalofgleecreations.com has all you need about ATARI BYTES, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, and about books written by me that can be owned by you. 

 

Jan 8, 2023

Episode 323 is a bargain. I mean, not like cheap socks or 2-for-1 toasters like you could get at Zellers in Canada in the 1980s. (I'm just guessing about that.) But in this episode, we're playing TIME WARP, one of two games Zellers developed in 1983 all on its own for the 2600, maybe in aisle 3 between the winter coats and MC Hammer parachute pants. And the episode is ABSOLUTELY FREE!

No coupon required. You're welcome.

Original Short Story: The Terminal. The Eternal. And the Guy Who Counts Time.

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.

All you need to know about this show, ATARI BYTES, my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, and books written by me that can be owned by you can be found at https://www.carnivalofgleecreations.com/

Support the show at patreon.com here.

 

1