ATARI BYTES

It took five years (or so) of podcasting, but I finally got my wish. In episode 256, we're playing the 2006 homebrew TOYSHOP TROUBLE. It's a game I've heard about for years and finally got to experience. But is it a wonderful surprise under my gaming tree or a giant lump of coal in my stocking? Tune in to find out. Also, weirdly, we give a shout-out this week to beer from Athletic Brewing Company....

In 1982, men of vision went to work for a company called "Men-A-Vision" - which seems appropriate - and made a game called AIR RAID, a sort of cross between "Missile Command" and "Space Invaders" (it seems to me) where you must defend Manhattan from flying helicopters, UFO's and...giant pretzels? Sure, let's say that. The game didn't sell well, and is a much sought after collector's item now. Kind...

You know that mildly frustrated feeling of waiting for an elevator; that eagerness for something to happen? Well, now you can feel that for the entire half hour and change of a podcast episode! In episode 254, we're playing ELEVATOR ACTION, the unreleased 1983 port of Taito's popular arcade game. Unreleased that is, until (we assume) in a 2001 late night, trench coat-wearing exchange in a dark par...

Episode 253: FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING: JOURNEY TO RIVENDELL. As the sun rises on Hobbiton, you find yourself on the podcast road seeking the one episode to rule them all. At last, you have found it! Don't lie! You have it! I put it up here! What has it gots in its pockets, precious!?!?!? Yes, that's a "Hobbit" reference to tell you about a "Lord of the Rings" thing. Go ahead and rat me out to Gandal...

In ATARI BYTES episode 252, we play the the 1981 Apollo game INFILTRATE; a game which feels like it should have an exclamation point at the end of its name, but doesn't. But is that the only disappointment? Listen and find out. Also, I mention how much I like Lego. I mean, Christmas is coming... THIS WEEK'S SHORT STORY: ENTERING S.H.E.I.L.A.: A STEVE STETSON, 1980's SUPERSPY, ADVENTURE Thanks to K...

Looney Tunes fans rejoice! In episode 251 of ATARI BYTES, we're playing Atari's 1983 offering TAZ, featuring the tornadic glutton, the Tasmanian Devil. Whether you think the game is brilliant or garbage or brilliant garbage, nothing compares to one particular line in the instruction manual. I promise you this line has never appeared before or since. I won't spoil it here. Tune in to experience the...

MMMMMMMMM! There's some tasty gaming going on in ATARI BYTES ep 250. MMMMMMMMM! as in "M NETWORK" that is! We're playing the 1982 flight simulator AIR RAIDERS. Is the game a dogfight utopia or just a dog? This week's short story: CORPORATE AIR RAIDERS Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Sean Co...

Episode 249 of ATARI BYTES is going to the dogs.  We're playing powerhouse gaming publisher Purina's maze game... Hold on...*checks notes* Yep, PURINA. Ok...see, in 1983 Purina ran a deal where you could send in proofs of purchase (kids, go ask your parents) from bags of dog food and get an Atari game called CHASE THE CHUCK WAGON. Spectravision did the programming. Such as it is. But we'll get int...

I know Halloween is coming, but after all the chaos of this year, politically, culturally and pandemically, it would be great if the game in episode 248 is a quiet, relaxing affair. Let's see...what have we got this time? THE EARTH DIES SCREAMING, 20th Century Fox, 1983. Well, crap.  This week's short story: ALL OVER BUT THE SCREAMING Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons...

Episode 247 revs its podcast engine to soar over the pond of other podcasts, leaving them in the dust as we fly down the dirt roads of the Internet. Yee-haaaah! From 1984, we're playing Atari's developed, but unreleased, DUKES OF HAZZARD, inspired by the classic TV show "I Love Lucy".  Just kidding. Or am I? Tune in to find out. This week's short story: THE DUKES OF HAZARDS Thanks to Kevin McLeod...

In episode 246 of ATARI BYTES, that wascally wabbit is up to his old tricks...rejecting junk food for carrots. how un-American! We're playing Atari's 1983 unreleased game BUGS BUNNY. I don't know what bugs the bunny, but will this game bug you? This week's short story: DANGLING A CARROT  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Pinball Spring", "Take a Chanc...

ATARI BYTES episode 245 is a bounty of riches we, much like Robin Hood, bestow upon you, the poor listener. We're so sorry.  Just kidding! But you will indeed be Merry Men (and Women!) as we play the 1983 Xonox game ROBIN HOOD. Then we go all medieval on an original short story titled "ROB 'N' HOOD".  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance",...

Lords and ladies! The dragon XONOX did in the year of our lord 1983, gift upon the gaming kingdom SIR LANCELOT. And now  in episode 244, we knights of the podcast realm, must evaluate its worth. Also, we gather in the great hall to hear the royal storyteller share another glorious tale. This one is titled KNIGHT AND DAY. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his son...

Covid. Deaths. Hurricanes. Wildfires. Murder Hornets. Near misses with asteroids. And now, 2020 brings down upon us the worst of all...DEMON ATTACK! Okay, actually 1982 brought this and it's an Atari game courtesy of iMagic. It's our topic on episode 243 of the podcast. No podcasters were possessed by actual demons in the making of this episode. ...Or were they???? This week's short story: KING DE...

Sometimes, you're so excited about an Atari game, only to get shafted. Then there's episode 242 featuring 1984 Activision mine rescue adventure H.E.R.O. We still get shafted...But in a good way!  This week's short story: We Do Need Another Hero Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Pinball Spring" and "Take a Chance".  Thanks to Sean Courtney...

ATARI BYTES episode 241... In 1983, Twentieth Century Fox developed a prototype for "Revenge of the Apes" which BORE NO RESEMBLANCE TO the movie franchise "Planet of the Apes" *eye-crossing wink wink* Then someone shoved it into a box for some alligator-based game and forgot about it for twenty years when it was rediscovered. This is not unlike the premise for the "Planet of the Apes" movie, actua...

Gyrus, with one "s", is a ridge on the surface of the brain. Or at least it will be, until this week's ATARI BYTES episode 240 BLOWS YOUR MIND! ...to the tune of Tocata and Fugue in D Minor. We're playing Parker Brothers' 1983 port of GYRUSS. The extra "S" is for "SPIFFY"! Maybe. You don't know.  This week's short story: TOPPER CAN'T SPIN Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative comm...

ATARI BYTES episode 239 has the weight of the world on its shoulders. Bet you wish you'd worked out a little more, huh? We're playing Atari's 1982 ode to the law of attraction (in physics, not a dating app): GRAVITAR. Ignore the gravity of this situation at your peril. This week's short story:  USING YOUR HEAD Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a...

Stressed out worrying about how your kids are going to get educated this fall? We've got you covered! In episode 238, we're playing one of the original nine from 1977 FUN WITH NUMBERS, a game that does away with that pesky fun part to focus on the exciting world of math. (Accountants rejoice!). No virus-filled schools or boring video conferencing necessary. Pants are optional.  This week's Bad Poe...

Is that an icicle in your pocket or you just playing a super chilly game? This week in episode 237 of ATARI BYTES, we've got the1983 Activision game FROSTBITE. Will it get a frosty reception? Does the game bite? Or will the whole experience be a winter wonderland? This week's short story: THE COLD SHOULDER Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chan...

With all the stress and worry in the world right now, it'd be great in ATARI BYTES episode 236 to play a relaxing little game. Maybe "Concentration" or "Surround". Something low stress. Let's see what we've got... *Reads production notes* FRONT LINE...Coleco 1984...Soldiers. Jungle warfare. Tanks. Anti-tank missiles.... Well, crap.  I'll be over here in a fetal position.  This week's short story:...

If Kermit the Frog and Michigan J. Frog from Looney Tunes were amphibian stars, episode 235 of ATARI BYTES features that frog who desperately wanted to be in show business, but never caught a break. We're playing FROG POND, Atari's 1982 game for kids that never got released. Sorry, froggie.  This week's short story: POND-CAST Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of hi...

This week in episode 234 of ATARI BYTES, it's clear Atari in 1989 was really out there. How else to explain the premise of FATAL RUN: a scared, sick and dying world waits desperately for the delivery of a vaccine that will save them. I mean, how crazy is that?!?! This week's short story: VACCINE VALENTINE Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chanc...

As the once mighty ship 2600 slipped beneath the waves of the gaming ocean, Atari tossed out a few last games for the iconic, but now obsolete, system. Episode 233's game is one of them. We're playing DOUBLE DUNK, a 1989 basketball game; one of only two basketball games Atari made, evidently. Is it clear from playing this game why that might be? Or did Atari miss it's b-ball calling the way I miss...

ATARI BYTES episode 232 CRACKPOTS from Activision (1983) is a cracking good time. Pot is optional.  This week's short story: BEAT DOWN IN PRIME TIME 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 all the info, episodes, social me...