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: December, 2017

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 31, 2017

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

If you can, support the show financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon page.

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.

Dec 24, 2017

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. 

Zazzle.com - pick up cool show merch in our store AB_Pod_Store.

Atari Bytes Patreon - Our Patreon page is here. Consider supporting the show if you can.

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!

Check out my year-in-review, GOODNIGHT, 2017!, here. It's written in the style of classic children's book GOODNIGHT MOON, by Margaret Wise Brown (my apologies)

Dec 17, 2017

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.

Zazzle.com - Get cool mugs, shirts, totes and more at my Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store

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.

Dec 10, 2017

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.

Here's a place where you can pick up my novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, a sort of Santa Claus novel for adults.

Pick up Atari Bytes shirts, mugs, bags and more at our Zazzle.com store, AB_Pod_Store

Please consider helping with the production costs of this podcast by supporting the show financially on our Patreon page.

Dec 3, 2017

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.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. Go there for your Charlie Brown and Snoopy fix.

It's the holidays! Check out the t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, stickers and more at our absurdly named Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store here.

If you can, consider supporting the show financially on our Patreon page here to help offset some of the web hosting and other costs. Thanks!

Also, since the holidays are upon us, do please check out my novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, a sort of Santa Claus story for adults. One of the places you can get it is here. Please do leave a review to help others find the book!

"Mad" Mike Huges Cancels Rocket Launch to Prove Earth is Flat

1