ATARI BYTES

Dec 23 2023 331 ep. 39 mins 381
ATARI BYTES Podcast artwork

Remember those classic Atari 2600 games? They were sure 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 made those robots go berserk? Me too? ATARI BYTES is more than a game review podcast. It's an exploration of the games to divine what exactly the story within the game is. And if we can't find those answers, we'll make 'em up.

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331: FOLLOW THAT POD

Dec 23 2023 86 mins  
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

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

Apr 15 2023 36 mins  
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! - becau

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

Apr 01 2023 43 mins  
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

328: MASTER OF NONE (Master Builder for the 2600)

Mar 18 2023 34 mins  
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 Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Hidden Agenda", "Take a Chance" and "P

327: GET YOUR KICKS! (Kickman for the 2600)

Mar 04 2023 40 mins  
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 Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chan

326: SLAM THE CHAMBER DOOR! (Dark Chambers for the 2600)

Feb 18 2023 32 mins  
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 Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his

325: GO FOR THE GOLD! (INCA GOLD for the 2600)

Feb 04 2023 36 mins  
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 Kevin McLeod at

324: RAISE A GLASS TO GAUNTLET! (2600)

Jan 21 2023 37 mins  
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 Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Springs".

Ep 323 TIME WARP (2600)

Jan 07 2023 35 mins  
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 FR

322: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Dec 24 2022 100 mins  
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 slaps