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.

331: FOLLOW THAT POD 12/24/2023

331: FOLLOW THAT POD 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 Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/29213183

330: 'CAUSE I'M THE TAX AVOIDER, MAN (Tax Avoiders for the 2600) 04/16/2023

330: 'CAUSE I'M THE TAX AVOIDER, MAN (Tax Avoiders for the 2600) 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. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/26527776

329: ME WANT COOKIE! ER...EPISODE. NO, DEFINITELY COOKIE! (Cookie Monster Munch for the 2600) 04/02/2023

329: ME WANT COOKIE! ER...EPISODE. NO, DEFINITELY COOKIE! (Cookie Monster Munch for the 2600) 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 Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/26373270

328: MASTER OF NONE (Master Builder for the 2600) 03/19/2023

328: MASTER OF NONE (Master Builder for the 2600) 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 Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/26233773

327: GET YOUR KICKS! (Kickman for the 2600) 03/05/2023

327: GET YOUR KICKS! (Kickman for the 2600) 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 Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/26088255

326: SLAM THE CHAMBER DOOR! (Dark Chambers for the 2600) 02/19/2023

326: SLAM THE CHAMBER DOOR! (Dark Chambers for the 2600) 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 Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/25958985

325: GO FOR THE GOLD! (INCA GOLD for the 2600) 02/05/2023

325: GO FOR THE GOLD! (INCA GOLD for the 2600) 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 Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/25806699

324: RAISE A GLASS TO GAUNTLET! (2600) 01/22/2023

324: RAISE A GLASS TO GAUNTLET! (2600) 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 Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/25653888

Ep 323 TIME WARP (2600) 01/08/2023

Ep 323 TIME WARP (2600) 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 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 /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/25480767

322: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!! 12/25/2022

322: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!! No Christmas content really this episode, but it's dropping on Christmas Day, so...MERRY CHRISTMAS! Hope you and yours have a lovely day and joyous holiday season! Here at the podcast, we're relaxing with a movie as is our tradition for the last episode of the year. This time, it's the 1963 classic JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS. Ancient Greek Gods! Skeletons with swords! Goat-based slapstick! As usual, we have a friend dropping by for movie time. It would be great if it was Santa Claus, but we got someone even better! Jeff Fulton from "Into the Verticial Blank" joins me on the quest to find the tree at the end of the world. Or, you know, a quest to talk about a movie which is way easier. I hope you and yours have a great end of the year. Talk to you again in 2023! Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/25367796

321: A BIT OF AUDIO COAL IN YOUR HOLIDAY STOCKING 12/04/2022

321: A BIT OF AUDIO COAL IN YOUR HOLIDAY STOCKING Ok, look. It's the holiday season. And while we all try to be good, if you're like me, you stumble a bit. We probably all deserve a bit of coal in our holiday stockings. Just think of episode 321 as your penance before the Big Guy brings your presents. This episode, we're talking about the 1982 Hanna-Barbera animated special "Christmas Comes to Pacland". Yep, that's a thing HB made. Must have lost a bet. And now it's a thing for us to talk about. So, let's get it over with. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime Theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/25215957

320: CIRCUS CONVOY (2600) 11/23/2022

320: CIRCUS CONVOY (2600) While you gulp down the last of the pumpkin pie, give episode 320 a listen. We're clowning around with one of Audacity Games' 2021 debuts CIRCUS CONVOY. Does the game barrel down the highway of fun? Or does it stall out in a ditch somewhere? BAD POETRY CORNER: OVER THE BIG TOP Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/25107525

319: MONKEY TIME! 11/13/2022

319: MONKEY TIME! As a kid in the arcade, I found Sega's 1983 title CONGO BONGO...interesting. So, of course, when I got hold of a copy of the game for the 5200, I had to try it. And now in episode 319, I have. That's a thing I've done. What did I think? Well, you'll have to listen and find out. SHORT STORY: THE BONGO BASTARDS Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime Theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/24938226

318: MIDNIGHT MUTANTS (7800) 10/30/2022

318: MIDNIGHT MUTANTS (7800) On this Halloween Eve...eve, we've got an awesome treat. No, not candy. No, not money. No, not world peace in our time. Look, it's another podcast episode, ok? Episode 318 is MIDNIGHT MUTANTS for the 7800. Is it a tasty confection or a bitter pill? And why is Grampa Munster here?!?! Bad Poetry Corner: MIDNIGHT MUTANTS - A POEM Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime Theme". is where you need to go for all things related to ATARI BYTES, my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and about books I've written that you can possess. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/24802740

317: AIRLOCK (2600) 10/16/2022

317: AIRLOCK (2600) In 1982, did Data Age got a LOCK on the submarine adventure genre? Or does this game suck the AIR out of gaming fun? We're playing AIRLOCK. Well, mostly we're cursing AIRLOCK. There's a nice story though... SHORT STORY: AIRLOCKED AND LOADED - A STEVE STETSON, 1980's SUPERSPY ADVENTURE Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/24684744

316: NO ESCAPE! (2600) 10/02/2022

316: NO ESCAPE! (2600) With the game NO ESCAPE!, episode 316 is escapist fun you can't escape from! Well, you could just not listen, I suppose. But you wouldn't do that, would you? Would you?!?!? We're playing this 1983 title from iMagic. Goddesses! Guys named Jason! Getting stoned! It's all here! Original Short Story from Me: Yourself and Nowhere to Go From There - A Play So. Many. Exclamation. Points. Thanks to Sean Courtey for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/24494115

315: RUSH HOUR (2600) 09/18/2022

315: RUSH HOUR (2600) Beep! Beep! Move it...to episode 315 of ATARI BYTES! We're playing CommaVid's unreleased 1983 title RUSH HOUR. Honk if you love games! Bad Poetry Corner: GET OUT OF MY WAY! Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/24403632

314: FROG DEMO (2600) 09/04/2022

314: FROG DEMO (2600) This episode croaks on arrival. In 314, we're "playing" (Sort of) CommaVid's unreleased demo for something maybe called FROG that the programmer dug out of an old box after twenty years and chucked out to the masses without a care...much like this podcast is produced. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/24180672

313: STRONGHOLD (2600) 08/21/2022

313: STRONGHOLD (2600) Does episode of 313 get a strong hold on your heart as we play Commavid's 1983 space game STRONGHOLD? Listen and decide for yourself! Original Short Story: THE INEVITABILITY OF HISTORY Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/24050217

312: TUNNEL RUNNER (2600) 08/07/2022

312: TUNNEL RUNNER (2600) In episode 312, we've got tunnel vision, focused only on bringing you a doozy of an episode! This time, it's the 1983 CBS Electronics game TUNNEL RUNNER, a ground-breaking, immersive 4D experience. Okay, actually, they call it it 3D. We added the fourth D for "DAMN!" Original Short Story: TUNNEL VISION Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/23842166

311: COSMIC SWARM (2600) 07/24/2022

311: COSMIC SWARM (2600) Call the Orkin man! (Gratuitous Orkin Man shout out. Send me a check.) In episode 311, I'm sorry to tell you, you've got termites. And not just any termites. Giant, space-faring, killer nest-building termites. It's COSMIC SWARM, the 1982 title from CommaVid. Termites all over the darn place. And you, friend, must destroy them. Fight that creepy crawling feeling you're experiencing right now thinking about giant bugs and get to work. Bad Poetry Corner: BATTERED BY THE COSMIC SWARM Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/23772263

310: WABBIT (2600) 07/10/2022

310: WABBIT (2600) Episode 310 is going to the dogs...er, rabbits. We're playing Apollo's 1982 title WABBIT for the 2600. The bunnies are on a fluffy rampage! So grab your carrots...er, joysticks and join us! This episode's original short story: THE CABAL Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/23598971

309: SPACE SPARTANS (INTELLIVISION) 06/26/2022

309: SPACE SPARTANS (INTELLIVISION) In ATARI BYTES 309, I hear voices. This is nothing new, but this time, I know the voices are coming from outside my own head. Probably. We're closing out Intellivision Month on the podcast by playing the 1982 Mattel title "Space Spartans" with - holy crap! - the "Intellivoice" voice synthesizer module. Is the game fun? Who cares! There's a robotic voice emanating from my blocky, outdated gaming console! Short Story: WHAT'S THE POINT? Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme. Support the show on the ATARI BYTES page at patreon.com. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/23503175

308: SPACE HAWK (INTELLIVISION) 06/12/2022

308: SPACE HAWK (INTELLIVISION) Episode 308 of ATARI BYTES is a blast! A GAS blast, specifically! It's true! In SPACE HAWK, your gas is the only thing that can save the universe. Tell you significant other to stop complaining. The 1982 Mattel title SPACE HAWK is for the Intellivision console. Why an Intellivision game on an Atari-based podcast? Well, it's our annual INTELLIVISION MONTH! If you have thoughts about this title or Intellivision, send them to me. If you're blasting gas, keep it to yourself. 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. Go to /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/23334842

307: COUNTERMEASURE (5200) 05/29/2022

307: COUNTERMEASURE (5200) Does the 1983 nuclear terrorism game COUNTERMEASURE for the 5200 measure up to the quality you've come to expect from this podcast? Counter point: Don't sweat it. The podcast is free. Short Story: MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE...TO THE BONE Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/23220632

306: A SINI-STAR IS BORN (2600) 05/15/2022

306: A SINI-STAR IS BORN (2600) Let ye who is without Sin-istar, cast the first pod. Well, fortunately for us, we DO have this episode's game SINISTAR, the 1984 Atari 2600 port prototype of the arcade game. Is the game a heavenly delight or sinfully awful? Count your luck stars and join us. Bad Poetry Corner: THE SINN SISTERS HOST A BRUNCH Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/23107559

305: QIX (5200) 05/02/2022

305: QIX (5200) The 5200 love-fest continues in 305 with QIX. This 1982 puzzling, strategizing, flashy lights game is a keeper...of addictive frustrations. SHORT STORY: QIX-SAND Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/22936925

304: SPACE DUNGEON (5200) 04/17/2022

304: SPACE DUNGEON (5200) In episode 304, you're joining the podcast at an historic moment...the debut of our brand-new (refurbished) ATARI 5200 CONSOLE (Thanks, Jose!) We launch into the stratospheric heights of new game possiblities by falling into the dungeon, the SPACE DUNGEON, to be specific. The 1983 Taito arcade port is my focus in this one...until my cameraman wrestles away control of both joysticks from his old man. Kids, man. SHORT STORY: HOME SWEET HOME Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/22788755

303: SCRAPYARD DOG (7800) 04/03/2022

303: SCRAPYARD DOG (7800) Throw this ATARI BYTES episode on the junk heap. Episode 303 is going to the SCRAPYARD DOG (For the 7800, Atari, 1990). Is this game doggone fun or just one for the dogs? SHORT STORY - BAD POETRY CORNER: DOGGED Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/22644530

302: SUPER HUEY (7800) 03/30/2022

302: SUPER HUEY (7800) WE'RE BACK, BABIES! After a scary week while my computer was in the computer hospital getting a hard drive transplant and other upgrades, we're back! And that's not the only reason we're flying high! In 302, we're playing SUPER HUEY for the 7800. Was it worth the wait for this episode? Now boarding to find out... Short Story: SUPER, HUEY Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme. /episode/index/show/ataribytes/id/22617533

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