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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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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?).

Jun 28, 2020

As Intellivision Month draws to a close in episode 231, prepare to be swept off your feet by the enchanting tale of "Beauty & the Beast"! Soak up that Disney Magic!

*checks notes*

Sorry, not the Disney movie. Okay, we cover the times fairy tale from....

*squints at some scribbles in notes*

Sorry again. Actually, we're playing iMagic's 1982 game "Beauty & the Beast" which seems to bear no relation to either of these two. The real question, though: is this game a BEAUTY or a BEAST?!?!?

THIS WEEK'S SHORT STORY: QUARANTINE'S MONSTER - A Bad Poetry Corner Haiku-Off.

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 for ATARI BYTES episodes, social medial and more. While you're there, check out IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, a monthly show dedicated to all things in and around the iconic "Peanuts" comic strip. 

The website also has information about books I've written and links to some of the places from which you can order them. 

Subscribe to ATARI BYTES on Patreon.com and you could get access to episodes early! You could even get bonus content!

Get "Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts and mugs at www.zazzle.com/ab_pod_store

 

Jun 21, 2020

Intellivision month rolls on in episode 230 like a poker chip off the chest of a gambler who has passed out after a sound thrashing by Lady Luck.

We're playing Mattel's LAS VEGAS POKER & BLACKJACK from 1979. What are the odds that this is a good episode? Well, we're keeping our cards close to our vest. We've managed to bluff our way through 230 episodes so far...

THIS WEEK'S SHORT STORY: WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS ISN'T GOING TO CLEAN ITSELF

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

You can find ATARI BYTES show notes, social media and episodes here and for the monthly IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, dedicated to all things Snoopy and "Peanuts" here at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com 

The website also has info about books I've written and links to some of the places you can buy them. 

Subscribe to the ATARI BYTES Patreon project at patreon.com and you could get access to episodes early! And BONUS content!

Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts and mugs at www.zazzle.com/ab_pod_store. 

Jun 7, 2020

Any old episode could give you swords.

Any old episode could give you serpents.

But this week in episode 228, to launch INTELLIVISION MONTH 2020, we're giving you SWORDS AND SERPENTS.  I know! How can we afford such generosity?

Does this 1982 iMagic sword and sorcery (and serpent) title win the treasure or deserve to die in a fireball? 

THIS WEEK'S SHORT STORY: STUCK

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

www.carnivalofgleecreations.com has show notes, episodes, social media and more for ATARI BYTES here and for the monthly podcast dedicated to all things Charles Schulz and the iconic comic strip "Peanuts" IT'S  A PODCAST, CHARLE BROWN here.

The website also has info about books I've written, like MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS here.

Become a subscriber to the podcast on Patreon.com and you could get access to episodes EARLY. You could even get bonus content. 

Check out "Go Play Some Old Games. They've Missed You." shirts and mugs in the ATARI BYTES store on zazzle.com.

 

May 31, 2020

ATARI BYTES episode 227 explores a concept many of us in this pandemical age in which we live may have forgotten: commuting from one place to another. That place, specifically, is outer space. We're guessing social distancing is a bit easier up there. And if you sneeze, you just splatter the inside of your own helmet instead of the other commuters.

We're playing Activision's 1984 ode to the soul-crushing time-suck that is the commute: COSMIC COMMUTER. Whatever else can be said, at least we know the experience will be...stellar.

This week's short story: THE COMMUTANTS

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.

You can find ATARI BYTES show notes, social media, episodes and more here on www.carnivalofgleecreations.com and the same stuff for my other podcast, IT'S  A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.

Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." mugs and shirts at www.zazzle.com/ab_pod_store 

Become a subscriber to ATARI BYTES on the Patreon.com page. If you do, you could get episodes early! Even BONUS CONTENT! The commute over to Patreon is totally worth it!

Please consider picking up one of my books, like MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS or the novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME. The website has info and links to some places you can do that.

May 24, 2020

The game this week on ATARI BYTES is an unreleased prototype. The episode is not.

Or is it?

We're playing COMBAT TWO, announced by Atari in 1982 for a 1984 release that never happened. Yet, here it is.

Maybe the show has never happened either. Maybe never happened. Or you. Maybe everything is an illusion.

Anyway...happy listening!

This week's short story: COMBAT, COMBAT EVERYWHERE

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

www.carnivalofgleecreations.com has info, show notes, episodes and more for this show, ATARI BYTES, here and for my monthly podcast IT'S  A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.

The website also has info and links to some places to order my books, like MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS. 

Support the show by becoming an ATARI BYTES subscriber on Patreon.com. Get episodes early! Get BONUS content!

Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts and mugs at www.zazzle.com/ab_pod_store

Apr 26, 2020

ATARI BYTES episode 222. Three of the same digit in the episode number. Three names for the same game. Coincidence?

Yes. Yes, it is.

We're playing homebrew "ATARI CLIMBER" in our continuing effort to alphabetically work our way through the Flashback 9. Or maybe we're playing "Climber". Or perhaps "Climber 5". 

Does the game reach the highest heights or sink to the lowest lows? Climb on up and grab a seat...

THIS WEEK'S SHORT STORY: JACOB'S OTHER LADDER

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

You can fine info, social media and episodes for ATARI BYTES here and for IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here on www.carnivalofgleecreations.com 

Become an ATARI BYTES Patreon subscriber here. You could get episodes EARLY. You could get BONUS content. Craziness!

Check out my books, including MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS.

Get "Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts and mugs at www.zazzle.com/ab_pod_store.

Apr 12, 2020

THE CARNIVAL IS IN TOWN!

In episode 220, we flagrantly defy stay-at-home orders to go to the carnival. Okay, not really. But we are playing Sega's 1980 Atari 2600 game CARNIVAL. Grab a corn dog, do something involving butter, and take  a spin on the tilt-a-whirl. Just don't hug a carney. Social distancing, friends.

This week's short story: SECOND DUCK ON THE LEFT

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.

You can find show notes, social media and info about ATARI BYTES here  and about my other podcast, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here on www.carnivalofglee.com

Get info on the website about books I've written, like MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS.

Support the podcast by becoming a subscriber on the ATARI BYTES page on Patreon.com here. Get episodes EARLY! Get BONUS episodes! Madness! Exclamation points!

Pick up "Go Play Some Old Games. They've Missed You." shirts and mugs. www.zazzle.com/ab_pod_store

Mar 29, 2020

So, in 1981, Atari was wanting to do a follow up to the hugely popular ASTEROIDS. What to call it? Asteroids II? Boring. Asteroids Again? Kind of whiny. And it doesn't play up the goal of improving on the original. Asteroids Better? Better what? Asteroids Mediocre?

*sigh*

Kenny from janitorial services walked by with a broom in one hand and a ham sandwich in the other. "Call it 'Asteroids Deluxe', he said and kept on walking.  

And a legend was born, one day to appear in episode 218.

This week's entry in Bad Poetry Corner: ODE TO ASTEROIDS DELUXE

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. 

You can find info, show notes and episode links for ATARI BYTES and the monthly deep dive into the iconic "Peanuts" comic strip and related stuff IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com 

Become an ATARI BYTES subscriber on Patreon.com and you could get episodes EARLY or maybe even BONUS content!

Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts and mugs at zazzle.com/ab_pod_store

The website www.carnivalofgleecreations.com also has info and purchase links for books I've written, like MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS.

Mar 15, 2020

Until now, I think the "newest" Atari game I had talked about on the show was from, like, 1988. Episode 216, though, is breaking new ground...by revisiting old ground. 

In 2007, AtariAge produced ADVENTURE II, a loving tribute to the iconic ADVENTURE as a cartridge you could actually buy and hold in your hands, I, however, played it on the Flashback 9, which came out a couple years ago. Castles! Vaguely (okay, now so vaguely) duck-like dragons! Chalices! It's all here!

This trip through the decades is exhausting. Kick back with my original short story: FATE'S FATE. 

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is your one stop shop for ATARI BYTES info, social media, and episode links here. All that same stuff for my other podcast IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN is there too. What's that? Only the finest (and only the only) monthly podcast devoted to ALL THINGS related to the iconic "Peanuts" comic strip and related properties. (And we do mean "all things".)

Did you know I write books too? I do! Go the website here to find out about those titles and some of the places you can order them, if you're so inclined. Thanks!

Become a subscriber to the show on Patreon.com. Different subscription levels unlock different rewards. Get episodes early! Get bonus episodes! Thanks!

Pick up "Greetings, Fellow Blockheads" shirts and mugs on zazzle.com/ab_pod_store 

Mar 1, 2020

In episode 214: GOLF, we consider Atari's answer to the question: How can we take a game designed for walking around outside in nature and make it less healthy?

We also say goodbye to daredevil Mad Mike Hughes.

This week's short story: PEANUT PUTTER BUTTER

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Find show notes, episode links, social media and more at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com here for ATARI BYTES and here for the monthly devotion to all things in and around the Peanuts comic strip IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN.

The webiste also has info about books by William Pepper, including MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS.

Become a subscriber on the ATARI BYTES Patreon page here and help keep the lights on in the studio. 

Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts and mugs on zazzle.com/ab_pod_store

Feb 23, 2020

If sports is a metaphor for human competition, auto racing is a metaphor for life as a whole: going round and round as fast and loud as possible, consuming as many resources as possible, without actually getting anywhere. 

Exhibit A: this week in ATARI BYTES episode 213, we're playing Atari's 1977 contribution to automotive sports INDY 500. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines and perhaps you'll outrun the futility of existence without crashing into the inevitability of the finish line that awaits us all.

This week's short story: ANATOMY OF VROOM: A POEM

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 Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme.

Show notes, episode links, social media for ATARI BYTES here. Same stuff for the monthly exploration of the "Peanuts" comic strip, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.

The website also has info and links to just some of the places you can order books by your host. For example, MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS.

Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts and mugs at zazzle.com/ab_pod_store. 

Become a subscriber and help keep the lights on in the podcast studio by signing up at the Atari Bytes Patreon page. Get episodes early! Get bonus episodes! Good stuff!

Feb 16, 2020

On episode 212 of ATARI BYTES, we learn that maybe not all board games need to make the jump to the TV screen.

To be fair, our discussion of Atari's 1979 BACKGAMMON adaptation could be colored by the flu and flu-related weariness bombarding the podcast studio while putting the episode together. But we're not sure that excuses everything...

This week's short story: GET BACK, GAMMON!

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

Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme.

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

You can find show info, social media and links for ATARI BYTES on www.carnivalofgleecreations.com here and the same for the monthly devotion to ALL things related to the iconic comic strip "Peanuts" IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.

Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts and mugs on zazzle.com/ab_pod_store here.

Support show by becoming a subscriber on the ATARI BYTES Patreon project here. 

Go here for info and links to some of the places you can order books written by your host, like MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS.

Feb 9, 2020

Episode 211 of ATARI BYTES asks you, the listener, to test your MEMORY and remember back to a time long ago. CONCENTRATE and get ready to MATCH the fun you had with Hunt & Score in episode 192 as we get ready to play CONCENTRATION this week; the same game, by another name.

I know. You're not sure you can handle so much excitement in such a short time. It'll be okay. 

This week's short story: PERFECT MATCH

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

Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme.

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Get show notes, episodes, social media and more for ATARI BYTES on www.carnivalofgleecreations.com

Also find show notes, episodes, social media and more for the monthly discussion of all things related to Peanuts comics here on www.carnivalofgleecreations.com 

Get "Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts and mugs. 

Support the show by subscribing on the Atari Bytes page on Patreon here. Get episodes early! Got BONUS content! 

Feb 2, 2020

Episode 210 of ATARI BYTES is a science lesson. Did you know fire is sentient and can move around at will? It can! But fear not, you can defeat it with a hammer.

Also, gorillas hate you. Also barrels. But mostly you.

That's right! We're playing iconic game DONKEY KONG this week! But, Bill, you say, you done did that! Yes, yes, I did (ep. 37). But this time...it's for the 7800!!!!!! Please try to control yourselves.  Does Jumpman have the same spring in his step this time? Is he springier? We'll find out.

THIS WEEK'S STORY: DONKEY DESTINY

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

Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme.

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Find show notes, info and links to episodes for ATARI BYTES here. And for the monthly discussion of all things related to the legendary Shoopy-rific comic "Peanuts" IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.

Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." stuff at AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com here.

Become a supporter of the show by subscribing on Patreon.com. You could get episodes early! You could get BONUS episodes! You could keep the lights on in the podcast studio so I don't stumble around and hurt myself. 

Find info about books I've written and just some of the places you can order them on www.carnivalofgleecreations.com here. 

Jan 26, 2020

Episode 209! We're having so much fun in Atari future that we're hanging around to play FIGHT NIGHT from 1988 for the Atari 7800. You know it's a good game because the words in the title rhyme. That's how they grade games, right?

So is this one a knock out or one of those matches where the fighters just exhaustedly hug each other until the ref pulls them apart? Spit in your bucket and left hook punch the "play" button to find out.*

*ATARI BYTES not responsible for damage to your listening device.

This week's story comes from Bad Poetry Corner: THE SWEET SCIENCE IN A WORLD THAT HATES SCIENCE - A POEM

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

Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme.

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

On www.carnivalofgleecreations.com find ATARI BYTES episodes, social media and more here. Find IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN episodes, social media and more here.

Bill's books: MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS and IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME. Find info and just a few links to sellers on www.carnivalofgleecreations.com

Become an ATARI BYTES subscriber to support the show financially on the Patreon project here. Get episodes early! Get bonus episodes!

"Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts and mugs at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com.

Jan 19, 2020

Episode 208 of ATARI BYTES finds us hanging out with the 7800 Pro System once again. It's so pretty in this futuristic world. The sun high and gorgeous. Lush vistas spread out before us. Hey...what's that squirming around over there...Oh, no! It's...

CENTIPEDE! We thought we left you behind on the 2600. But no...the fight against the angry arthropds continues in this 1987 port of the classic arcade-er (a word I just created. Cool, no?). Not to mention, scorpions, spiders and your own self-doubt at your ability to survive. Revisit this classic and your own failings all at the same time!

This week's short story: CENT IMPEDED

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

Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme.

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Find show notes, info, social media and episodes at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com for ATARI BYTES here and for my monthly podcast about all things related to Snoopy and friends from the "Peanuts" comic strip IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.

Support the show by becoming a subscriber on Patreon.com here. Get episdes early! Get BONUS episodes! Thanks!

Your podcast host is an author too! Check out books he's written and just some of the places you can order them here. 

Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." stuff at zazzle.com/ab_pod_store here.

Jan 12, 2020

Go suck an egg!

Sorry...meant go lay an egg.

No, that's not right. 

Oh! Right. In episode 207, we're playing the 1987 Atari 7800 port of JOUST where, astride a fierce ostrich (yep) you do battle with knights on buzzard-back (really), scrambling (heh!) to keep the buzzard eggs from hatching into new enemies. I swear, that's what this game is. 

This week's short story: THE INFINITE CIRCUS

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

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

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Get more info, social media and episodes of ATARI BYTES and my other podcast IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.

Get info and links to some of the places you can order my novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME or the short story collection MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS here. 

Become a subscriber on the ATARI BYTES Patreon page here. Get epsisodes early! Get bonus episodes!

Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." stuff at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com here.

Jan 5, 2020

In episode 206, we're playing the 1983 game SORCERER'S APPRENTICE. The game was inspired by the Mickey Mouse "Sorcerer's Apprentice" segment of the iconic 1940 Disney masterpiece "Fantasia"....oh, and some poem by Wolfgang von Goethe. But mostly Mickey.

This week's short story: THE SORCERER'S RETIREMENT

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

Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme.

Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.

Find social media, episodes and more about ATARI BYTES here and about my other show, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, the monthly discussion of all things related to the Peanuts comic strip and related stuff here on www.carnivalofgleecreations.com 

Your host is a writer too! Find out about books he has written, like IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME and MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS, including some of the places you can order them at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com too.

Support the show financially by becoming a subscriber on Patreon.com here. Get episodes early! Get bonus content!

Pick up "Go Play Some Old Games. They've Missed You." shirts and mugs here at the AB_Pod_Store on zazzle.com 

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