ATARI BYTES

Question: What's lower than a snake's belly? Answer: Your mood after playing SSSNAKE, 1982, from Data Age. Sorry. Spoilers! It's got a bad reputation, but is SSSNAKE really as bad as we've heard? And, even if it is, can we shove our forked tongue into the meat of the story within the game to shed some literary goodness into your podcast-listening mechanisms? Man, I hope so. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Atari Bytes - episodes, social media and more It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Admit it...you love Snoopy too! Please consider plugging some quarters into the Atari Bytes Patreon page here.

In 1982, movie-goers were embracing a new, post-apocalyptic, motorcycle and explosion fueled popcorn movie. What was it? That's right: Road Warrior. But a few people misread their ticket stubs and wandered into the 20th Century Fox motorcycle and explosion-fueled popcorn movie MEGA FORCE. Make that a very few people. Well, one, actually. The film's star Barry Bostwick's mother, we think. Few people know Barry's mom was a huge Atari fan too, so the 1982 game MEGA FORCE, and by extension episode 129 of Atari Bytes, was born. The game is mostly notable for blowing up a young Bryon Cranston in the commercial. Seriously, go look it up on YouTube. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring", "Volatile Reaction" and "Killers". Atari Bytes - Show notes, episodes, social media, etc. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. Get a deep dive into Snoopy's doghouse and everything else in Peanuts Town here. Consider supporting the show financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon page. You can do that thing here. Thanks in advance.

This week in episode 128 of ATARI BYTES, it's the Three Little Pigs (curly) tale LIKE NEVER BEFORE. We're playing the 1982 Konami/Stern Electronics game POOYAN. That means "pig" in Japanese. See, you learned something. Congratulations, you! Mama Pig is on the rampage. Not in Rampage, mind you, though the idea of a giant pig smashing buildings is a good one. The wolves have taken her little piglets. This aggression will not stand. Join her as she takes down each and every Canus Lupus with her trusty bow. How a pig shoots an arrow with hooves is not for mere mortals like us to ask. 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 cupcakes. I'm lying about one of those things. Go see which one! It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. For all things Peanuts - from the strip to the merchandise to the animated efforts to Schulz himself. It's all there. You can help keep the lights on at the show with a donation on the Atari Bytes Patreon page here. Thanks to those already doing and to the rest of you in advance!

Now that the sun has set on our trip to the gaming past/future during Intellivision month and my Sears Tele-Games is back in it's lonely, dusty corner (to be fair, most corners in my house are dusty), we return to the present in episode 127 with the Activision (squee!) title FREEWAY from 1981. What could be better than getting out on the highway for a little road trip? Well, mowing down some poultry while you're at it, of course! But in this game, you get to channel your inner birdie, playing as the Gallus gallus domesticus trying to cross the road. Thing is, ten lanes of traffic don't give a feathery fig if you actually make it. Keep your feathery head down and keep moving! In this week's story, we actually try to answer the question: Why did the chicken cross the road? Thanks to Aretha Franklin! I couldn't have done this week's story without her. Here's the article about using Raspberry Pi to bring Doctor Who's K-P back to life. Thanks to Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring". Atari Bytes show notes and more It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Please consider helping to keep the lights on here at the podcast by making a donation on our Patreon page here.

In episode 126, Intellivision Month comes to an end. *SOB* Does the epic conclusion of this Atari Bytes experiment bowl a strike or land in the gutter? The question is apt, because this week we're playing SUPER VIDEO ARCADE BOWLING from Mattel, 1980. After we enjoy some pin action and virtual chili cheese fries, we enjoy this week's story inspired by the game featuring the first appearance of BOBBY PINS: GALACTIC BOWLER. So refill your beverage, disinfect your rental shoes and chalk your palms. IT'S TIME TO BOWL! 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 links and more It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Get your monthly fill of Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the mind of Schulz himself! AB_Pod_Store - that's where you can find "Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts, mugs and much more on Zazzle.com Go to the Atari Bytes page on Patreon here to make a donation to help keep the lights on at this here podcast. Thanks!

The grassy outfield. The roar of the crowd. I've got my cap and cup. Put me in, Coach. I'm ready to game! Take me out to the ball game. Take me out to the...game room? Intellivision month continues on Atari Bytes episode 125 with Mattel's Major League Baseball (aka "Super Video Arcade Baseball", aka "Big League Baseball", aka just, you know, "Baseball") It's a dandy 1979 title even my dad would play when I was a kid. 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, social media, episodes, etc. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Join us for a deep dive into the comic strips, TV, movie and merchandise from the beloved Peanuts juggernaut. The Atari Bytes AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com is where you can get "Go play some old games. They've missed you" mugs, shirts and so much more. Support the show financially at our Atari Bytes page on Patreon to help keep this show running.

Intellivision Month continues on episode 124 with ASTROSMASH, which, contrary to what you might think, does NOT include the Hulk in an astronaut suit smashing lunar modules. The 1981 Mattel game is like a cross between Asteroids and Space Invaders, taking elements from both - especially the laser blasts. Why would they do this? And what is motivating the laser battery commander (aka you) to act? Not to give anything away, but we think it's the NEED TO DANCE! What do we mean by that? Listen to find out! Here's the Atari Times article comparing Atari and Intellivison. Here's a link to that Venture Beat article about Tommy Tallarico's plan to bring back Intellivision. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Pinball Spring" and "Take a Chance". Atari Bytes - show notes, social media links, episodes and more It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Get your Snoopy fix here. Pick up "Go play some old games" shirts, mugs and more at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com here. Patreon.com - Go to our Atari Bytes page on Patreon to support the show financially.

Order up! Ever go to a burger joint expecting the familiar, tasty bacon double with crispy onion rings you love, only to find out they've changed the menu to some sort of tofurky burger or something? Then you're all worried, but discover it's pretty tasty too? Episode 123 is kind of like that. This month, our nice Atari 2600, story-based podcast has been overrun by Intelevision bandits. They even ate all my onion rings! Now, every Sunday in June, we're featuring an Intelevision title. We kick things off with the iconic BURGERTIME from Bally Midway. Compared to the Atari port (which we covered on the podcast WAY back in episode 25!), does the Intelevision port stack up like your favorite bun full of meat, or more like trying to stack the ketchup packets at the bottom of the bag? And what, exactly, is Chef Peter Pepper up to this time? Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Oppressive Gloom". Atari Bytes - show notes, episodes, social media and so much more. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Love the Peanuts comics, TV shows, movies and merchandise? So do we! We cover it all on this podcast, which drops on the 15th of every month. AB_Pod_Store - That's our store on Zazzle.com where you can get "Go play some old games" mugs, shirts and more. Want to donate to the show? Thanks! Here's the Patreon.com page where you can do just that.

The star power driving the nuclear fission that is this week's episode, 122, of the podcast is off the (radiation) charts There's me, of course. But we've also got Jane Fonda! Michael Douglas! Jack Lemmon! Oh, and some super naughty Muppets! Okay, technically, none of those people is on the show. They're all in the 1979 movie China Syndrome. A "China syndrome" is a theory that an exploding nuclear reactor could punch a hole through the Earth from North America to China. This theory inspired the 1982 Spectravision game of the same name. Because there's nothing kids love more than nuclear physics. Oh, there's no Muppets actually on the show either. There's still me, though, and I'm pretty sure I'm not a Muppet. No matter what my eighth grade teacher said. We'll take the atoms floating around this game reactor and smash them together to unleash the story energy within. Or something. Beware the Atari Mushroom Cloud awaits. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring". Atari Bytes - episodes, show notes, social media, on and on and on It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Anything you want to know about the Peanuts strip, films, TV, merchandise. We do it all. Get your "Go Play Some Old Games" mugs, shirts and more at our store AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com here. Please consider supporting the show financially on our Atari Bytes Patreon.com page here. Thanks in advance.

In space, can anyone hear you fall into a cavern? The 1982 Games by Apollo shooter with the most Five-PM-On-A-Friday-Trying-To-Get-Out-Of-The-Office title ever, SPACE CAVERN is our focus this week in episode 121. Where is this cavern? Is it just floating in space? Is that even possible? Instead, is it on a planet and, if so, shouldn't the game be called "Planet Cavern" or maybe just "Cavern"? What is an electrosauri? Why does it want to kill us? All these questions (and more) will be answered in this week's story (or not).* *Which is to say, probably no questions will be answered.** **And more will probably be generated. Such is life. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Springs" and "Reformat"? Atari Bytes - show notes, episodes, social media, etc. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Have a need to know about Snoopy and friends in any form - strip, TV, film or merchandise? We've got you covered. AB_Pod_Store is our merchdise store on Zazzle.com - get yer "Go play some old games" mugs and stuff here. Here's a link to the Atari Bytes Patreon page. Please consider supporting the show financially if you are able.

What up, moms of the world! What better way to celebrate on the day in which we honor the mothers in the world who do so much for us than by putting on headphones and ignoring them while we listen to podcasts? This week, on episode 120, we're checking out I WANT MY MOMMY from Zimag. It's a game deliberately targeted to the under-eight-year-old set. We assume that's chronological age, not maturity level. Will this game delight us or leave us weeping for OUR mommies? In this week's story, WHY exactly do we want our mommies? The mystery awaits... 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, links, social media, episodes and more can be found here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! If it exists in the Peanuts universe, we talk about it on this show. Check it out. AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com - get her "Go play some old games, they've missed you." shirts, mugs and more here. Patreon.com - Please consider supporting Atari Bytes financially to offset some of our costs here.

On episode 119 of ATARI BYTES, there's magic all around us. *Waits patiently for my Dr. Strange cape to wrap itself around me. Nothing happens. I sigh heavily and move on.* We're playing the 1983 Mythicon game SORCERER. The wizards fight the sorcerer - you - for the treasure Pitfall Harry apparently left behind. We'll take Harry's leftovers. We're not picky. You could wonder why, if you're a sorcerer, you can't just conjur your own treasure. But perhaps it's best not to ask so many questions. The plot in this week's story doesn't just have holes. It has craters. Bring your climbing equipment. Here's a link to the complex.com 50 greatest Saturday morning cartoons we talked about. 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 It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. Interested in some aspect of the Peanuts universe? We probably cover it. Pick up "Go play some old games" shirts, mugs and more at our Zazzle.com AB_Pod_Store here. Please consider support the show at our Patreon page here.

Hollywood has unleashed monsters on an unsuspecting country. No, I don't mean predatory Hollywood executives. We're talking, of course, about the 2018 Duane Johnson blockbuster movie "RAMPAGE", based on the beloved 1986 arcade game. An evil corporation loses it's "gene-editing" sample. A wolf, a crocodile and a gentle, though foul-mouthed (tsk)(via sign language), gorilla named George grow to thirty feet tall and go on a, well, on a RAMPAGE to Chicago. As one does. This week, on episode 118, we're taking a break from playing games and making up stories about them to watch a MOVIE based on a game and analyze its story. Let someone else do the work for once. We're busy eating popcorn.* *And Junior Mints.** **I was hungry. Stop judging. I'm pretty sure Duane Johnson will be calling any day now to be on the podcast after he hears this episode. Oh, and in the episode, I shamelessly beg creamy, refreshing Junior Mints to sponsor the show. Junior Mints, call me! 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, social media, episodes and more It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Get your Snoopy fix here. Check out "Go play some old games" mugs and more at our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store Support the show financially on our Atari Bytes Patreon page here.

I just flew in from Milwaukee and boy are my arms tired.* *I didn't actually fly. I drove.** **My arms are fine. Thanks for asking. I just came back from the 2018 Midwest Gaming Classic where I had a great time at the Atari Bytes table talking to current listeners and lots of potential new listeners. If you are one of those new listeners, welcome to the party! I also picked up some great new games from the various vendors selling their wares, played some great arcade games and met a slew of well-known gaming people from the guys at the "Guys, Games and Beer" podcast to legends Billy Mitchell and Walter Day, and from game designers like Jeff Lee to Brian Colin. This was my first time at MGC and the "Pie Factory" guys, Jim and Sean, were invaluable to making my experience awesome. Thanks, guys! On episode 117, I talk about my time at MGC. AND...I read some of the "mad lib" style stories visitors to the AB table at MGC wrote for me. One lucky writer might win an ATARI BYTES t-shirt, like the one I wore at MGC. (Not the SAME shirt, mind you. That would be gross.) WHO WILL IT BE?????? Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Atari Bytes show notes, social media, episodes and more on our site here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Your one stop source for all things Peanuts. Check out Atari Bytes "go play some old games" shirts, mugs and more at AB_Pod_Store, our Zazzle.com store here. Please consider supporting the show financially as you are able on our Atari Bytes Patreon page here.

A political hot button issue is the state of America's infrastructure. Our bridges, roads and buildings are crumbling before our eyes. It's a national crisis. And, yet, our politicians do nothing. What the liberal media WON'T tell you about, though, is the plague of mutated dinosaurs, werewolves and gorillas that are single-handedly (triple-handedly?) devouring our great cities and pooping the rubble into those devastated roads. The Atari 7800 port of the 1986 Bally Midway arcade classic RAMPAGE, our focus in episode 116 of ATARI BYTES, puts you in the role of those mutant monsters. Sure, politicians squabble while our buildings crumble, but they lack the style of an irradiated werewolf. Except you-know-who. From Vermont I think? It's just a rumor, but everyone hears the howling. Just sayin'. (In related news: I was once in a band called Dino Poop Rubble.) Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Atari Bytes show notes, social media and so much more! It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up "Go play some old games" shirts and more in our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store You can support the show financially on our Patreon page here.

As you emerge from your chocolate Easter bunny sugar coma, let episode 115 of ATARI BYTES spool soothing wake up game info into your ear holes. Back in 1980-81-ish, we imagine, the folks at Activision had this new space battle game, sort of a top-down Missile Command with alien invaders and ground forces and lots of laser battles. "What should we call it?" someone asked. They came up with lots of cool options, but couldn't agree on one. It was getting to be 5 o'clock and the production team wanted to get to the bar, so someone said, "Screw it. Let's just call the thing LASER BLAST and get out of here." And so they did. And now we're playing the most generically named video game since "Combat". But the story within the game is UNIQUE and EXCITING! At least, we think so. Hope you do too. 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, social media and episodes! It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. All the Snoopy, all the time. AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com - Here's where you can get "Go Play Some Old Games" shirts and more. Patreon.com - You can support the show financially here!

Here, in episode 114, there be monsters! In Froggo's 1987 treasure-hunting adventure SEA HUNT, it's raining gold doubloons. The pieces of eight are scattered like our dreams on the ocean floor as you, fearless skin diver, harpoon man-eating fish and sea monsters to get to a sunken Spanish galleon. Is the game a treasure chest or a bucket of chum? Whatever the answer, the story within might be the key to Davey Jones' locker...and his heart. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Atari Bytes - show notes, episodes, social media and stuff... It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. Get your Snoopy fix here, every month. AB_Pod_Store - that's our store on Zazzle.com where you can get "Go play some old games" shirts and more... Please consider supporting the show financially on our Patreon page here.

Hey, Pinheads! Don't biff the bumpers, just nudge the podcast machine - DON'T TILT! - and check out this week's kick-out hole of an episode before it goes down the drain. Obviously, this week's episode is all about golf. Kidding! Don't do a panic flip. Now, let me do a lazarus ball to get these show notes back on track. This week, on episode 113, we're playing VIDEO PINBALL, Atari's 1980 port of it's own 1978 coin-op machine. Is the game (and the story therein) a house ball or a gobble hole? Insert your quarters where indicated and let's find out. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Atari Bytes episodes, social media, show notes and more here... It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. Get your Snoopy fix here, every month. You can get "Go play some old games, they've missed you." shirts nd more at our Atari Bytes Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store here. Consider supporting the show financially on our Patreon page here. Here's the Mental Floss article where we got the pinball slang used in the episode.

Sorry! No show this week. We've gone fishin'... Just kidding! In episode 112, we've gone fishin' AND we're doing a show. How is this possible? Well, obviously we're playing the 1980 Activision (squee!) game FISHING DERBY. So is playing this game like landing a lunker or is it the one that got away? And why, we wonder, are these fish derby-izing? Unlike the typical fish story, we actually check the facts on this one. Pull up a bucket of chum and join us! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". 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. AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com - pick up "Go play some old games" shirts here. Patreon - support the show financially on the Atari Bytes page here

We could have phoned in this week's episode, #111 to be specific. We could have tossed Encounter at L-1 at you. Maybe even L-2 with nary a thought. Encounters L-3 and 4? Probably good enough. But we here at ATARI BYTES believe that any encounters below L-5 are for chumps, which is why we've got for you: ENCOUNTER AT L-5 from Data Age, 1982. No need to thank me. But what do we find on our Encounter at L-5? Tune in to find out... Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring, "Gustav Sting" and "No Frills Salsa". Atari Bytes show notes and much more It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com for "Go play some old games" shirts and more Patreon.com - You can support the show financially here

Episode 110 of the podcast is silent...but DEADLY. That is to say, we're playing DEADLY DUCK, the 1982 20th Century Fox game. It's sort of like waterfowl nested inside a Space Invaders game and QUACKED everything up. Also, there are brick-wielding crabs and dragonflies armed with bombs. Because why not? What story could I possibly make out of this? Hope I don't lay a (duck) egg on this one. Listen to find out if I do. 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, social media and so much more. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - my other show. Get your Snoopy fix here. The AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com for show shirts and more You can also support the show financially on our Patreon page here.

Ding-Ding! In the left corner, weighing in at episode 109, it's BOXING by Activision, 1980. In the right corner, weighing in at...well, he's working on it. Gotta get back on that treadmill. It's PODCASTER BILL. Gentlemen...fight! Dirty tricks and junk-punching totally okay. Our salute to the Olympics concludes this week with an Activision game. We do love us some Activision here on the podcast. Does this game disappoint? Listen and find out. Then hang around the ring for this week's story devoted to the "sweet science"... Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring". Atari Bytes - episodes, social media and more It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Get your fix of all things Snoopy here. Zazzle.com store at AB_Pod_Store - get your "go play some old games" shirts here Patreon - If you can, support the show financially on our Atari Bytes page on Patreon

Our salute to the Olympics continues this week in episode 108. Like all elite Olympic athletes, I've got a beer and a pocket full of nachos (I hope those are nachos). Why? Because we're going BOWLING! The 1978 Atari version that is. You might argue bowling is not an actual Olympic sport. I submit to you that, as with doughnuts being a health food, in my reality Olympic bowling darn well is a thing. In this week's story: what mystery and intrigue lurks at the other end of the lane? Grab your balls and join us! 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, social media, episodes, puppies and chocolates (guess which one is a lie) It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - get all your Snoopy needs met here. Zazzle.com - AB_Pod_Store - that's my store with "Go Play Some Old Games" shirts and more Patreon - support the show financially here

As the episode rolls out, the 2018 winter Olympics are underway. The competition! The pageantry! The steroid scandals! To celebrate, we're leaping off the ski jump into the future to play the 1985 game WINTER OLYMPICS from Epyx FOR THE ATARI 7800!!! If the story WITHIN the game we've come up with can be believed (it can't), the drama and intrigue on the ski jump, bobsled, speed skating rink and biathalon (biathalon? Really?) is NOTHING compared to the thrilling adventure going on behind the scenes. Good thing our old friend, Steve Stetson, superspy, is on the case. So cinch up your leotard, grab a bowlful of steroids and join us at the medal ceremony that is this episode! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat", "Pinball Spring", "Volatile" and "Killers". Atari Bytes - show notes, episodes, social media and more here It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. The AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com - pick up show merchandise here. Patreon - you can support the show on our Atari Bytes page here

This week on the podcast, we're going commando! Aren't you glad this is an audio podcast? Of course, we're actually referring to this week's game COMMANDO RAID, a 1982 game from U.S.Games, a division of Quaker Oats. The odor of heavy artillery fire and oatmeal hangs heavy in the air. In this week's story within the game, we wonder: in the war between the humans and androids, are there any winners? R.I.P. Mort Walker Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Atari Bytes episodes, show notes, social media here It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. Get your Snoopy fix here every month. Pick up Atari Bytes "go play some old games' merchandise and other stuff in our Zazzle.com store here. AB_Pod_Store Please consider supporting the show financially on Patreon. Thanks!

When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are...though retro gamers get preferential treatment. Am I right??? Well, we wished upon a star and we got episode 105 of Atari Bytes - STAR VOYAGER, the iMagic game from 1982. We wanted to be 6"1", with a chiseled physique and good cheekbones. But this is a good consolation prize. I've still got some Ranch Doritos in the kitchen, so it's all good. In STAR VOYAGER, you travel among the stars protecting star ports from the treaty-breaking Zakorans. Be careful, or the only wish you'll be making is to not have your atoms scattered among the stars. In this month's story, we imagine Jimminy Cricket in a space helmet singing to space Pinocchio. We might have been heavily medicated when we recorded this. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Atari Bytes show notes, episodes, social media and what-not can be found here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Get your Snoopy fix! Show notes, episodes and social media links here. Get Atari Bytes mugs, shirts and more at our store AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com here. If you can, please support this show financially on Patreon here.

If they only knew. If only Elliott and those soft-hearted scientists knew. In 1982, extra-terrestrials invaded Earth - by leaving a so-homely-he's-cute alien being to wander the planet, seeking only to feed his addiction to sugary snacks and flowers. This horror was chronicled by some brave journalist named Steven Spielberg in the documentary "E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial". Our government finally caught the would-be conquerer of Earth. Phew! Crisis averted! But then...they let him go... And as a result, a fate worse than the destruction of Earth crashed down on us. The same year, Atari self-destructed by way of a pretty bad E.T. game that everyone hated, single-handedly destroying the video game industry. Earth went on a-spinnin', but life as we know it was over. At least, I think that's how it happened. This month, as we mark two years since this podcast launched, episode 104 of ATARI BYTES picks through the wreckage to try and figure out why E.T. was the...man? thing? to bring Earth to its knees. Why, E.T.? WHY?????? Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Atari Bytes - show notes, episodes, social media links and on and on. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Here's the episodes for all your Snoopy and Charlie Brown needs. Check out "Go play some old games, they've missed you" shirts and mugs and more at our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store here. Please consider helping out with the production costs of this show, by supporting us financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon page here. Thanks! Here's that Den of Geek interview with Howard Scott Warshaw Unearthed 'E.T.' Atari Games Sell for $108,000 at Auction

In 1978, Atari was all set to unleash upon the world another maze game. But then someone said, "We can do better. We can make this maze game something more...something with higher stakes. We can turn an ordinary maze game into a SUPER maze game of chases. We could make this game...a game of COPS AND ROBBERS! We have the technology." And MAZE CRAZE was born. And it, in turn, begat this podcast episode a mere forty years after that. Funny how fate works. 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 oh, so much more It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. Check out episodes here. Check out the Atari Bytes shirts and more at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com If you can, please support the production of this podcast on our Patreon page here.

We can thank the 1981 arcade game VANGUARD, and the 1982 Atari port we're talking about this week, for giving us many firsts: the "continue" feature, four-direction shooting, multi-direction stage scrolling, and invincibility power-ups. But can VANGUARD give us the love we so desperately need? Failing that, how about egg rolls? I feel like some egg rolls... 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 more It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! The Atari Bytes merchandise store is at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Please consider supporting the show financially on our Atari Bytes Patreon page here.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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

The bomber in Activision's 1981 game KABOOM! is mad. How do we know? The exclamation point in the title, obviously! That doesn't stop him from dropping bombs with cartoony lit fuses though. What are you supposed to do? Call the bomb squad? Flee the scene? Nope. Just get out you buckets of water and start fielding those explosive pop flies. Miss one and bucket water won't be only thing splattered all over the computer landscape. Why is all this happening? We'll blow the lid clean off this mystery. Join us! 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 more It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Please consider supporting the show financially on our Atari Bytes Patreon page here. You can get show-inspired mugs, shirts, tote bags and more at our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME - my novel about three men thrown together during the holidays, one of which is Santa himself. It's a sort of Santa Claus story for adults. Here's one of the many places you can get it.

In the Spectravision B-movie pirate serial THE CHALLENGE OF NEXAR...*Show notes interrupted by a note passed to the host by the editor* What? THE CHALLENGE OF NEXAR is an Atari game?** **Yes. Yes, it is. From Spectravision, 1982. But I thought Spectravision was a format 1950s TV was presented in.*** ***You're fired. Also, there are no pirates in it. Anyway, I guess this is a game where you fly through some sort of colorful space vortex thing and shoot space saucers that look less like saucers and more like an unnamed licensed property, the name of which, in Pig Latin, is Rsta Swar Eti Rfighte. Classic Arcade Machines Make a Comeback $100 a Pop If you like my podcast: first, thanks! Second, consider checking out my writing! My novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, a sort of Santa Claus story for adults (it even has guns and naughty words!) is available wherever you like to get books. Here's one of those places. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring". Atari Bytes social media links, show notes, episodes and more here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Find Atari Bytes mugs, shirts, stickers, bags, etc. at our Zazzle.com store here AB_Pod_Store Please consider supporting the show financially on our Patreon page. You can do that here. I am thankful for all of you.

Feeling claustrophobic? Like the walls are moving in on you? No, you're not coming down from one too many espresso shots. You just have SQUEEZE BOX fever! And you know what they say about fevers: starve a cold and feed a fever, right? Like, maybe, you could feed it some Quaker oats, which would be appropriate since a division of that company, U.S. Games, released SQUEEZE BOX in 1982. And it's our focus in episode 94. In the game, you're a prison inmate, desperate to escape as the walls literally squeeze in on you. Don't worry, though, this isn't one of those lame prisons where you have to make due with turning a spork into a shank. In this prison, you have your own gun. Why? Dunno. But we'll make something up! 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, social media links and so much more. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show. Get all your Snoopy news here. Please consider supporting the show financially on our Patreon page here. Thanks in advance! Pick up cool Atari Bytes shirts, mugs, totes, stickers and more at our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store here. The holiday season is upon us. If you'd like to check out my novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, please do! Here's one place you can do that. This Santa Claus story for adults is available anywhere you buy books and makes a great physical and/or digital stocking stuffer!

As Jimmy Buffett sang, "I like mine with lettuce and tomato. And hot dogs. And ice cream. And pickles. Not the purple ones though. Eatin' my pickle in paradise!" (Parrotheads send your angry emails now.) The 1982 Telesys game FAST FOOD recalls a more innocent era - high calorie snacks. Parachute pants. Urkel. We know the mission in the game is to gobble as much food as you can (We Americans do love our excessive consumption!) and we know WHAT to eat. (Hold the purple pickle!). But do we know WHY we eat? 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 more. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Got a hankering for some Peanuts? This show has you covered! Find show merchandise - bags, mugs, shirts, stickers, blankets, etc. at our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store Support the show financially on our Patreon page. Thanks in advance!

This week's episode of ATARI BYTES, number 92 for those keeping score, is all about Benjamin Franklin. Well, not really. But thanks to this week's co-host, my kid Henry, there is a long digression from talking about the 1983 Data Age game FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER to talk about the mechanics of the founding father's famous key-on-a-kite-string experiment. Just a little extra info for you, our faithful listeners, at no extra charge. You're welcome. Getting back to the game, what lurks in the creepy depths of Dr. Frankenstein's castle? Any why is it so angry? How big is its power probe exactly? Can we do NOTHING about this unsightly green wall it hides behind? No tricks, only treats in this Halloween episode! 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 and more. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! You can support Atari Bytes financially on our Patreon page here. Pick up cool shirts, mugs, stickers, blankets, totes and more at our Atari Bytes store on Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store.

EPISODE 91: SPACE JOCKEY, 1982, from U.S. Games, looks a lot like a game made by a company that mostly just makes oatmeal. 'cause it is! But we're playing it anyway. Why so much space? Who, exactly, is this "jockey" of which the game speaks? Are YOU the jockey? Am I the jockey? There's not a single horse in this thing, so why do we even need a jockey. I'm so confused. Thanks this week to Speck for the use of (a portion of) the song "I Don't Care Anymore". Thanks also to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring". Check out that cool Atari cake (that someone needs to get me RIGHT NOW!) here. Atari Bytes show notes, links and more. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Zazzle.com - AB_Pod_Store has many great shirts, mugs and more. Please consider supporting the show on our Patreon page here.

Way back in episode 12, we covered the Atari 2600 classic POLE POSITION. Now that you've been circling the block in your Formula I racer all this time, we're finally ready in episode 90 to hit the track (or should I say tracks? There's FOUR of them this time.) again in the Atari 7800 ProSystem pack-in game POLE POSITION II from Namco, 1983.* *If you need to make a potty stop first, I totally understand. Get me a Snickers while you're in the gas station.* *This week's episode sponsored by M&M Mars** **No, it's not. I can dream though. Here's the TV Guide article about the blue sky rangers I talked about in the show. My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat", and "Pinball Spring". Atari Bytes episodes, show notes and more here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up Atari Bytes shirts, mugs, stickers, mouse pad, whatever, here at our AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Please consider supporting the show financially so that we can keep the lights on around here. Go to our Patreon page here.

Last week on the podcast, in KEYSTONE KAPERS, our beat consisted of the back alleys and mean streets of Keystone where Harry Hooligan made his mischief. This week, in Spectravision's 1983 adventure PLANET PATROL, our beat is, well, the whole darn planet. It's like when, after the sitcom "Gilligan's Island" ended, the castaways ended up in the cartoon "Gilligan's Planet". Yeah. Exactly like that. 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 so much, much more here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up cool merchandise at our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store here. Support the podcast financially here on Patreon. Here's the Mental Floss article about the popularity of retro gaming we talked about in the show.

Leapin' Lizards! Sorry, that's Annie. Is there an Annie Atari game? Anyway, leapin' leprechauns! In the 1983 Activision (We love us some Activision on the podcast) game KEYSTONE KAPERS, Harry Hooligan is on the loose, plundering Southwick's. Arguably, the store deserves it, given it leaves huge bags of money sitting all over the sales floor, but Keystone Kelly, finest kop on the force, is determined to bring in his man. The keystone kops are an elite law enforcement unit here to protect you from villainy, even if they can't spell very well. So, slap on the thumb cuffs and then use one of your free fingers to hit "play" on this crime-busting episode! 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 and more here! It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up Atari Bytes mugs and shirts and such on Zazzle.com AB_Pod_Store here. Support the show financially if you can on Patreon.com page here.

This week's episode drops on September 24, which is also the birthdate of Muppet creator Jim Henson (9/24/36 - 5/16/90) and is dedicated to his memory. Doctor Who, Star Wars, Peanuts and Muppets pretty much sum up my childhood preoccupations (with a sprinkle of "Dukes of Hazzard" and "Superfriends" for color) The game we're playing this week is the 1982 Atari children's title (the last of the line) PIGS IN SPACE, based on the recurring sketch from the 1970's iconic series THE MUPPET SHOW. And really, for one price of admission, you're getting THREE games in one! The crew of the Swinetrek - Captain Link Hogthrob, first mate Miss Piggy, and Dr. Strangepork - are here to save the universe from ridiculousness. Lord knows somebody should. It's time to start the music, it's time to light the lights. it's time to get things started on the ol' podcast tonight! My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of this songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring". Atari Bytes show notes and more are available here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up Atari Bytes shirts, mugs and more in our AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com here. Support the show financially on Patreon here.

You barely have time to adjust your athletic supporter before ATARI BYTES episode 86: SUPER CHALLENGE FOOTBALL is thrust upon us. Is this game super and/or a challenge? Discuss. In this week's story, this rag-tag team just needs some 21st century motivation... The articles we referenced this week: Monopoly in the Park ; Atari Planned to incorporate ColecoVision in 1983 My 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 so much more here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown! - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up Atari Bytes gear in our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store here. Support the show at our Patreon page here.

Quick! Name every pool/billiards - related movie you can! There's "The Hustler", "The Color of Money", and, uh, there's a great pool scene in "The Cat From Outer Space" (What's that, you ask? The title says it all. Go check it out. Sandy Duncan and Ken Berry at their finest. Trust me.) And, of course, the game of pool reduced River City to a radioactive, rubble-strewn Hellscape in "The Music Man". So with that pop culture pedigree, we couldn't resist checking out iMagic's 1982 TRICK SHOT this week for the show. Does the game scratch on the break or bank the eight ball to glory? Chalk up your cues and come join us to find out! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring". Atari Bytes episodes, show notes and much more here! It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Support the show financially at our Patreon page here! Check out Atari Bytes mugs and shirts here, our AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com And don't forget to like us on Facebook and Instagram and follow us on Twitter @ataribytes

Classic '80s detective series "Magnum P.I." was supposed to end ****SPOILER HORN FOR THIRTY YEAR OLD SHOW**** with Magnum dying from multiple gunshot wounds, the last shot of the episode being Magnum walking up to the pearly gates with a contented smile on his face. That finale was actually aired. But then CBS convinced Tom Selleck to return to the show and Magnum survived. What does any of this have to do with this week's game, the 1986 Atari space odyssey SOLARIS? Absolutely nothing. Except for this. SOLARIS was a follow up to STAR RAIDERS that came out in 1986, the dregs of Atari's end of days - it was about as dead as Magnum on that ER exam table - just before the NES really started to stomp all over all other gaming consoles. SOLARIS allowed Atari, instead of dying, to sit up once more and gasp, "I want a pint of stout". Seriously, you need to go find "Magnum, P.I." on Netflix. 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 so much more here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown. Hey, that's my other show! Check it out here! Consider supporting the show financially on our Patreon page here. Pick up cool Atari Bytes mugs and shirts and more at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com.

A running gag in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" finds the knights riding on imaginary horseback. What does that have to do with JOUST, the 1982 Atari port of the Williams Electronics arcade classic? Absolutely nothing, except that both involve knights. Also, I just realized as I type these notes, the Python story and my backstory for the game both involve catapulting four-legged creatures - cows for them, horses for me. I could be the next generation Python! See ya, suckers! In JOUST, you are thrust into a world of airborne jousts over fire pits, but that's not the weirdest part: everyone insists on calling the ostrich you ride a buzzard. It's clearly not. Learn your birds, people! Here are links to the articles I mentioned in the news segment of the episode: Chuck E. Cheese is phasing out its animatronic bands; Atari partners with LGBT Media to Make More Inclusive Games; Kit Kat accused of copying Atari game Breakout; Real life Mario Kart has life in Missouri. 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 and so much more here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up show mugs and shirts at our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store Support the show financially on our Atari Bytes Patreon page here.

This week on episode 82, like the Phoenix of old, the podcast rises from the ashes, says "Ow! That's hot!", then jumps into the cooling waters of Taito's 1980 classic PHOENIX (well, the 1982 Atari 2600 port anyway) about what happens when the mythological bird from ancient Greece goes bad. We also say "hi" to Ferg from Atari 2600 Game by Game. A lot. Oh, and we learn more about sting ray tails than you'd ever want to know. Yes, really. And when I say "we", I mean it. For this week, the studio is a wee bit crowded... The Digital Antiquarian article about "Adventure" can be found here. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Pinball Spring" and "Take a Chance". Atari Bytes show notes, episodes and more. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Check it out here! Check out sweet, sweet Atari Bytes merch at our AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Support the show financially on our Patreon page here.

In episode 81, we DIG deep into yet another game and leave no stone, worm, or dog turd unturned until we've DUG up the truth about the 1982 Namco classic DIG DUG. If we hit the center of the Earth, we'll tell Jules Verne you said "hi". Grab a motor-powered shovel and join us! 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 more here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey, that's my other show! Find it here! Support the show on our Patreon page here. Check out Atari Bytes merchandise in our AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com here. The Newsweek article about time travel can be found here. DON'T FORGET TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THIS SHOW!