When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are...though retro gamers get preferential treatment. Am I right???
Well, we wished upon a star and we got episode 105 of Atari Bytes - STAR VOYAGER, the iMagic game from 1982. We wanted to be 6"1", with a chiseled physique and good cheekbones. But this is a good consolation prize. I've still got some Ranch Doritos in the kitchen, so it's all good.
In STAR VOYAGER, you travel among the stars protecting star ports from the treaty-breaking Zakorans. Be careful, or the only wish you'll be making is to not have your atoms scattered among the stars. In this month's story, we imagine Jimminy Cricket in a space helmet singing to space Pinocchio. We might have been heavily medicated when we recorded this.
Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat".
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If they only knew.
If only Elliott and those soft-hearted scientists knew.
In 1982, extra-terrestrials invaded Earth - by leaving a so-homely-he's-cute alien being to wander the planet, seeking only to feed his addiction to sugary snacks and flowers. This horror was chronicled by some brave journalist named Steven Spielberg in the documentary "E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial". Our government finally caught the would-be conquerer of Earth. Phew! Crisis averted!
But then...they let him go...
And as a result, a fate worse than the destruction of Earth crashed down on us.
The same year, Atari self-destructed by way of a pretty bad E.T. game that everyone hated, single-handedly destroying the video game industry. Earth went on a-spinnin', but life as we know it was over.
At least, I think that's how it happened.
This month, as we mark two years since this podcast launched, episode 104 of ATARI BYTES picks through the wreckage to try and figure out why E.T. was the...man? thing? to bring Earth to its knees. Why, E.T.? WHY??????
Atari Bytes - show notes, episodes, social media links and on and on.
In 1978, Atari was all set to unleash upon the world another maze game. But then someone said, "We can do better. We can make this maze game something more...something with higher stakes. We can turn an ordinary maze game into a SUPER maze game of chases. We could make this game...a game of COPS AND ROBBERS! We have the technology."
And MAZE CRAZE was born. And it, in turn, begat this podcast episode a mere forty years after that. Funny how fate works.
Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring".
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We can thank the 1981 arcade game VANGUARD, and the 1982 Atari port we're talking about this week, for giving us many firsts: the "continue" feature, four-direction shooting, multi-direction stage scrolling, and invincibility power-ups.
But can VANGUARD give us the love we so desperately need?
Failing that, how about egg rolls? I feel like some egg rolls...
Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring".
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It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!
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Please consider supporting the show financially on our Atari Bytes Patreon page here.
As 2017 slinks off the stage wiping from it's jacket bits of rotten tomato, we prepare to usher in a new year full of promise and, of course, Atari games. The (root beer) taps are open. Let's celebrate!
And celebrate we do with Bally Midway's 1983 root beer (*wink*) -slinging party TAPPER. Cheers!
Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat".
Pick up Atari Bytes mugs and more at our AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com
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My 2017 year-in-review "GOODNIGHT, 2017!" is up at my oft-neglected blog here.
Don't forget to please check out my book IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, a sort of Santa Claus story for adults. It's never too late to start on next year's Christmas spirit.
Egg the nog, yule the log and send Rudolph to guide Santa through the fog. It's CHRISTMAS EVE!
Oh, and it just happens to be episode 100 of this here podcast thingy.
So what does all this mean for this week's ATARI BYTES episode?
I dunno. Let's find out together! Happy holidays, everyone!
Links:
Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and, this week, "Happy Happy Game Show".
Atari Bytes - show notes, social media and more
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. Get your Snoopy fix here every month.
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Here's one of the places you can pick up my novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, a sort of Santa Claus story for adults, ALL YEAR 'ROUND! And if you've already bought the book, thanks! Don't forget to go where you ordered it and leave a review!
So, here's what I think happened:
In 1982, game company Parker Brothers wanted to make another video game. One of the designers had her heart set on making a space battle game. Another designer really wanted to make a game that said something about the nuclear arms race and the dangers of nuclear waste. The designers waged all out war, each entrenched in their positions. Until Mr. Parker Brother said, "Work together or you're fired."
And, thus, REACTOR was born.
Those designers compromised to merge their ideas and create something new. Does the premise, flying your space ship inside a nuclear reactor and fighting evil photons and neutrinos, make any sense? We find out in episode 99. (Spoiler: No)
But there was no way they were going to mix their chocolate and peanut butter. Some principles just can't be compromised.
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 and more
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Get your Snoopy fix here.
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Patreon - please consider financially support the show on our Atari Bytes page here
My holiday novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME is still available. In fact, you can get this Santa Claus story for adult anytime! Click here for one of the places you can do that.
ATARI BYTES STRIKES BACK...
...With another episode. Number 98 to be specific.
This week, in honor of the oncoming cinematic blockbuster STAR WARS EPISODE VIII: THE LAST JEDI, we're playing the game based on episode II of the original Star Wars trilogy, which *actually* was episode V of the overall story.
Hey, wake up. This is nerdery at it's finest.
Anyway, we're playing STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Is it a good time or do we need the Force just to get through the thing? And by storming ice planet Hoth, what exactly are those AT AT's playing at at?
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 and much more
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. Get your Snoopy fix here.
Pick up Atari Bytes shirts, mugs, bags and more at our Zazzle.com store, AB_Pod_Store
Build a better mouse trap and the world will beat a path to your door.
Well, that's assuming they can find the door. It's like a maze out here. Hasn't anyone heard of Google Maps?
This week on episode 97 we're playing Exidy's 1981 game MOUSE TRAP (Well, specifically we're playing Coleco's later Atari port of said game) and then we'll dissect the motives of the titular mouse. Is it really all about the cheddar?
Crowd around your podcaster apparatus to listen, but on your way grab a big, gooey bowl of cheese fondue and some delectable items to dip. Or a trowel with which to apply the cheese directly to your skin. You do you.
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 and more here.
"Mad" Mike Huges Cancels Rocket Launch to Prove Earth is Flat
The bomber in Activision's 1981 game KABOOM! is mad. How do we know? The exclamation point in the title, obviously!
That doesn't stop him from dropping bombs with cartoony lit fuses though. What are you supposed to do? Call the bomb squad? Flee the scene?
Nope. Just get out you buckets of water and start fielding those explosive pop flies. Miss one and bucket water won't be only thing splattered all over the computer landscape.
Why is all this happening? We'll blow the lid clean off this mystery. Join us!
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 and more
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!
Please consider supporting the show financially on our Atari Bytes Patreon page here.
You can get show-inspired mugs, shirts, tote bags and more at our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store
In the Spectravision B-movie pirate serial THE CHALLENGE OF NEXAR...*Show notes interrupted by a note passed to the host by the editor*
What? THE CHALLENGE OF NEXAR is an Atari game?**
**Yes. Yes, it is. From Spectravision, 1982.
But I thought Spectravision was a format 1950s TV was presented in.***
***You're fired. Also, there are no pirates in it.
Anyway, I guess this is a game where you fly through some sort of colorful space vortex thing and shoot space saucers that look less like saucers and more like an unnamed licensed property, the name of which, in Pig Latin, is Rsta Swar Eti Rfighte.
Classic Arcade Machines Make a Comeback $100 a Pop
If you like my podcast: first, thanks! Second, consider checking out my writing! My novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, a sort of Santa Claus story for adults (it even has guns and naughty words!) is available wherever you like to get books. Here's one of those places.
Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring".
Atari Bytes social media links, show notes, episodes and more here.
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!
Find Atari Bytes mugs, shirts, stickers, bags, etc. at our Zazzle.com store here AB_Pod_Store
Feeling claustrophobic? Like the walls are moving in on you? No, you're not coming down from one too many espresso shots. You just have SQUEEZE BOX fever!
And you know what they say about fevers: starve a cold and feed a fever, right? Like, maybe, you could feed it some Quaker oats, which would be appropriate since a division of that company, U.S. Games, released SQUEEZE BOX in 1982. And it's our focus in episode 94.
In the game, you're a prison inmate, desperate to escape as the walls literally squeeze in on you. Don't worry, though, this isn't one of those lame prisons where you have to make due with turning a spork into a shank. In this prison, you have your own gun. Why? Dunno. But we'll make something up!
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 links and so much more.
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. Get all your Snoopy news here.
Please consider supporting the show financially on our Patreon page here. Thanks in advance!
The holiday season is upon us. If you'd like to check out my novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, please do! Here's one place you can do that. This Santa Claus story for adults is available anywhere you buy books and makes a great physical and/or digital stocking stuffer!
As Jimmy Buffett sang, "I like mine with lettuce and tomato. And hot dogs. And ice cream. And pickles. Not the purple ones though. Eatin' my pickle in paradise!"
(Parrotheads send your angry emails now.)
The 1982 Telesys game FAST FOOD recalls a more innocent era - high calorie snacks. Parachute pants. Urkel. We know the mission in the game is to gobble as much food as you can (We Americans do love our excessive consumption!) and we know WHAT to eat. (Hold the purple pickle!). But do we know WHY we eat?
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 and more.
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Got a hankering for some Peanuts? This show has you covered!
Support the show financially on our Patreon page. Thanks in advance!
This week's episode of ATARI BYTES, number 92 for those keeping score, is all about Benjamin Franklin.
Well, not really. But thanks to this week's co-host, my kid Henry, there is a long digression from talking about the 1983 Data Age game FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER to talk about the mechanics of the founding father's famous key-on-a-kite-string experiment. Just a little extra info for you, our faithful listeners, at no extra charge. You're welcome.
Getting back to the game, what lurks in the creepy depths of Dr. Frankenstein's castle? Any why is it so angry? How big is its power probe exactly? Can we do NOTHING about this unsightly green wall it hides behind?
No tricks, only treats in this Halloween episode!
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 and more.
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!
You can support Atari Bytes financially on our Patreon page here.
EPISODE 91: SPACE JOCKEY, 1982, from U.S. Games, looks a lot like a game made by a company that mostly just makes oatmeal. 'cause it is! But we're playing it anyway.
Why so much space? Who, exactly, is this "jockey" of which the game speaks? Are YOU the jockey? Am I the jockey? There's not a single horse in this thing, so why do we even need a jockey. I'm so confused.
Thanks this week to Speck for the use of (a portion of) the song "I Don't Care Anymore".
Thanks also to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring".
Check out that cool Atari cake (that someone needs to get me RIGHT NOW!) here.
Atari Bytes show notes, links and more.
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!
Zazzle.com - AB_Pod_Store has many great shirts, mugs and more.
Please consider supporting the show on our Patreon page here.
Way back in episode 12, we covered the Atari 2600 classic POLE POSITION. Now that you've been circling the block in your Formula I racer all this time, we're finally ready in episode 90 to hit the track (or should I say tracks? There's FOUR of them this time.) again in the Atari 7800 ProSystem pack-in game POLE POSITION II from Namco, 1983.*
*If you need to make a potty stop first, I totally understand. Get me a Snickers while you're in the gas station.*
*This week's episode sponsored by M&M Mars**
**No, it's not. I can dream though.
Here's the TV Guide article about the blue sky rangers I talked about in the show.
My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat", and "Pinball Spring".
Atari Bytes episodes, show notes and more here.
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!
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Last week on the podcast, in KEYSTONE KAPERS, our beat consisted of the back alleys and mean streets of Keystone where Harry Hooligan made his mischief. This week, in Spectravision's 1983 adventure PLANET PATROL, our beat is, well, the whole darn planet. It's like when, after the sitcom "Gilligan's Island" ended, the castaways ended up in the cartoon "Gilligan's Planet". Yeah. Exactly like that.
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 and so much, much more here.
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!
Pick up cool merchandise at our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store here.
Support the podcast financially here on Patreon.
Here's the Mental Floss article about the popularity of retro gaming we talked about in the show.
Leapin' Lizards!
Sorry, that's Annie. Is there an Annie Atari game?
Anyway, leapin' leprechauns! In the 1983 Activision (We love us some Activision on the podcast) game KEYSTONE KAPERS, Harry Hooligan is on the loose, plundering Southwick's. Arguably, the store deserves it, given it leaves huge bags of money sitting all over the sales floor, but Keystone Kelly, finest kop on the force, is determined to bring in his man. The keystone kops are an elite law enforcement unit here to protect you from villainy, even if they can't spell very well.
So, slap on the thumb cuffs and then use one of your free fingers to hit "play" on this crime-busting episode!
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 and more here!
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!
Pick up Atari Bytes mugs and shirts and such on Zazzle.com AB_Pod_Store here.
Support the show financially if you can on Patreon.com page here.
This week's episode drops on September 24, which is also the birthdate of Muppet creator Jim Henson (9/24/36 - 5/16/90) and is dedicated to his memory. Doctor Who, Star Wars, Peanuts and Muppets pretty much sum up my childhood preoccupations (with a sprinkle of "Dukes of Hazzard" and "Superfriends" for color)
The game we're playing this week is the 1982 Atari children's title (the last of the line) PIGS IN SPACE, based on the recurring sketch from the 1970's iconic series THE MUPPET SHOW. And really, for one price of admission, you're getting THREE games in one! The crew of the Swinetrek - Captain Link Hogthrob, first mate Miss Piggy, and Dr. Strangepork - are here to save the universe from ridiculousness. Lord knows somebody should.
It's time to start the music, it's time to light the lights. it's time to get things started on the ol' podcast tonight!
My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of this songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring".
Atari Bytes show notes and more are available here.
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!
Pick up Atari Bytes shirts, mugs and more in our AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com here.
You barely have time to adjust your athletic supporter before ATARI BYTES episode 86: SUPER CHALLENGE FOOTBALL is thrust upon us. Is this game super and/or a challenge? Discuss. In this week's story, this rag-tag team just needs some 21st century motivation...
The articles we referenced this week: Monopoly in the Park ; Atari Planned to incorporate ColecoVision in 1983
My 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 and so much more here.
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown! - Hey! That's my other show!
Pick up Atari Bytes gear in our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store here.
Quick! Name every pool/billiards - related movie you can! There's "The Hustler", "The Color of Money", and, uh, there's a great pool scene in "The Cat From Outer Space" (What's that, you ask? The title says it all. Go check it out. Sandy Duncan and Ken Berry at their finest. Trust me.) And, of course, the game of pool reduced River City to a radioactive, rubble-strewn Hellscape in "The Music Man".
So with that pop culture pedigree, we couldn't resist checking out iMagic's 1982 TRICK SHOT this week for the show. Does the game scratch on the break or bank the eight ball to glory? Chalk up your cues and come join us to find out!
Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring".
Atari Bytes episodes, show notes and much more here!
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!
Support the show financially at our Patreon page here!
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Classic '80s detective series "Magnum P.I." was supposed to end ****SPOILER HORN FOR THIRTY YEAR OLD SHOW**** with Magnum dying from multiple gunshot wounds, the last shot of the episode being Magnum walking up to the pearly gates with a contented smile on his face. That finale was actually aired. But then CBS convinced Tom Selleck to return to the show and Magnum survived.
What does any of this have to do with this week's game, the 1986 Atari space odyssey SOLARIS? Absolutely nothing. Except for this. SOLARIS was a follow up to STAR RAIDERS that came out in 1986, the dregs of Atari's end of days - it was about as dead as Magnum on that ER exam table - just before the NES really started to stomp all over all other gaming consoles. SOLARIS allowed Atari, instead of dying, to sit up once more and gasp, "I want a pint of stout". Seriously, you need to go find "Magnum, P.I." on Netflix.
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 and so much more here.
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown. Hey, that's my other show! Check it out here!
Consider supporting the show financially on our Patreon page here.
Pick up cool Atari Bytes mugs and shirts and more at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com.
A running gag in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" finds the knights riding on imaginary horseback. What does that have to do with JOUST, the 1982 Atari port of the Williams Electronics arcade classic? Absolutely nothing, except that both involve knights. Also, I just realized as I type these notes, the Python story and my backstory for the game both involve catapulting four-legged creatures - cows for them, horses for me. I could be the next generation Python! See ya, suckers!
In JOUST, you are thrust into a world of airborne jousts over fire pits, but that's not the weirdest part: everyone insists on calling the ostrich you ride a buzzard. It's clearly not. Learn your birds, people!
Here are links to the articles I mentioned in the news segment of the episode: Chuck E. Cheese is phasing out its animatronic bands; Atari partners with LGBT Media to Make More Inclusive Games; Kit Kat accused of copying Atari game Breakout; Real life Mario Kart has life in Missouri.
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 and so much more here.
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show!
Pick up show mugs and shirts at our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store
Support the show financially on our Atari Bytes Patreon page here.
This week on episode 82, like the Phoenix of old, the podcast rises from the ashes, says "Ow! That's hot!", then jumps into the cooling waters of Taito's 1980 classic PHOENIX (well, the 1982 Atari 2600 port anyway) about what happens when the mythological bird from ancient Greece goes bad.
We also say "hi" to Ferg from Atari 2600 Game by Game. A lot.
Oh, and we learn more about sting ray tails than you'd ever want to know. Yes, really.
And when I say "we", I mean it. For this week, the studio is a wee bit crowded...
The Digital Antiquarian article about "Adventure" can be found here.
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, episodes and more.
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Check it out here!
Check out sweet, sweet Atari Bytes merch at our AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com
In episode 81, we DIG deep into yet another game and leave no stone, worm, or dog turd unturned until we've DUG up the truth about the 1982 Namco classic DIG DUG. If we hit the center of the Earth, we'll tell Jules Verne you said "hi".
Grab a motor-powered shovel and join us!
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 and more here.
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey, that's my other show! Find it here!
Support the show on our Patreon page here.
Check out Atari Bytes merchandise in our AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com here.
The Newsweek article about time travel can be found here.
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