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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: September, 2016

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?).

Sep 25, 2016
EPISODE 36: DEFENDER

Well, we wanted to find signs of alien life, and now we're being conquered by our new alien overlords. Yet another reason why interaction with the outside world is a bad thing.

In Atari's 1982 space adventure DEFENDER, you are all that stands between the invading hordes and civilization as we know it. Don't worry! We believe in you!*

*Podcaster writes farewell letter to his fellow humanoids.*

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

Atari Bytes notes

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown

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Sep 18, 2016
EPISODE 35: OINK!

"Animal Farm" was a freakin' petting zoo compared to what's going on in this game.

This week's focus is Activision's (!) 1983 game Oink! It's an adaptation of the "Three Little Pigs" story that lets you work out your very understandable porcine hostility in a light-hearted romp where you kill a bunch of pigs with halitosis, apparently.

Join us, won't you?

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

Atari Bytes

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown

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Sep 11, 2016
EPISODE 34: REALSPORTS FOOTBALL

It's autumn and you know what that means. Yep, time to sit on the couch by the fire getting drunk on spiced rum.

But autumn also means FOOTBALL! If video games do nothing else, they provide a fine substitution for physical activity outside in the sunshine amongst other humans. This week's game - REALSPORTS FOOTBALL, a 1982 Atari game - is no exception.

So, suit up and get out on the field. Let the gridiron smooth out the wrinkles in your athleticism. No need to thank us.

Atari Bytes site

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown

The Zazzle.com Atari Bytes store AB_Pod_Store

The Atari Bytes Patreon Page

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

Sep 4, 2016
EPISODE 33: OTHELLO

Atari's 1981 adaptation of the classic board game OTHELLO is our focus this week on the show. Apparently, we were really desperate. This is a fine strategy game, but flipping black or white tiles from one color to the other doesn't exactly scream character and plot. So tune in, if for no other reason than to witness the audio trainwreck. Good luck, me.

Atari Bytes show notes

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown

The Atari Bytes Patreon page

Zazzle.com Atari Bytes store AB_Pod_Store

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

 

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