Atari Bytes

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 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. Support the show at patreon.com here.  The website www.carnivalofgleecreations.com has all you need about this show, ATARI BYTES, my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and about books I've written that you can own for your very...own.  

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 Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Mining by Moonlight".  Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Support the show at the ATARI BYTES page on patreon.com and get...stuff! www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is your one stop shop for all things about ATARI BYTES, my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, and about books written by me that YOU CAN OWN. 

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 There's a robotic voice emanating from my blocky, outdated gaming console!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 Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Change", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme. Head over to carnivalofgleecreations.com for all the info you need about ATARI BYTES, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, books written by ME that can be owned by YOU, and so much more! Support the show on the ATARI BYTES page at patreon.com.  

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 www.carnivalofgleecreations.com for info about this show, ATARI BYTES, and about my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN.  Support the show on patreon.com here.

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 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 www.carnivalofgleecreations.com to find more about this show ATARI BYTES, and my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN. While you're there, check out books by ME that you can own for your ownselves. You can support the show at patreon.com here. 

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 Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of "Pinball Spring", "Take a Chance", and "Reformat".  Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Go to www.carnivalofgleecreations.com to find out more about ATARI BYTES, my other podcast IT'S  A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and about books I've written, including "2nd Duck on the RIght & Other Very Short Stories".  Support the show at patreon.com 

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 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. Head to www.carnivalofgleecreations.com for info about ATARI BYTES, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and about books by ME, like 2nd Duck on the Right & Other Very Short Stories". Support the show at patreon.com!

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 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. Support the show here at patreon.com www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is your one stop for info about ATARI BYTES, my other podcast IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, and about books written BY ME, like 2nd DUCK ON THE RIGHT & OTHER VERY SHORT STORIES.

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 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. Support the show at patreon.com www.carnivalofgleecreations.com has all the info you need about ATARI BYTES, my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and also about books that I've written! Which you can own very your, uh, very own! Including 2nd DUCK ON THE RIGHT AND OTHER VERY SHORT STORIES.

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 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 is your one stop for info about this show, ATARI BYTES, about my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and about books I've written that you CAN OWN! Like 2nd DUCK ON THE RIGHT AND OTHER VERY SHORT STORIES. Support the show at patreon.com here.

Do you remember the 1970's cartoon "Gilligan's Planet", where the castaways travel from the island to outer space? No? Well, you should. It was...something. The 7800 game BALLBLAZER, which we played in episode 301, is a little like that. It's like transporting a soccer game from the stadium to space. "Ted Lasso" in an astronaut helmet maybe. So, is the game a ball or should all copies be set ablaze? Listen to find out! (To the extent my opinion means anything.) Short Story: WHEN BLAZER MET SLACKS: CRIMES OF FASHION 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 info about ATARI BYTES here, about my other podcast IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here, and books I've written like 2ND DUCK ON THE RIGHT & OTHER VERY SHORT STORIES here.  Support the show on patreon.com and get bonus STUFF!

ATARI BYTES is 300 episodes old! If it were years, we'd be older than America! ATARI BYTES deserves some respect as the country's elder. I'm going to stop paying taxes. We're taking a break from the video games and story-fying to play a good, old-fashioned video game. This time, it's Buffalo Games' 2021 SPACE INVADERS: THE BOARD GAME. But is this board game boring? Tune in to find out. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring".  THanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.  Head over to the website here for info about this show, ATARI BYTES, my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, and info about books I've written, like 2nd Duck on the Right and Other Very Short Stories. Support the podcast on patreon.com. 

So, I think I've only had to re-record ATARI BYTES 299, featuring ASSAULT from 1983, once due to technical glitches. But I've seen enough science fiction to know I could be caught in some sort of time loop. This could be my 8,000th recording. Is the game worth eternity in this one moment? Well, it was made by a company called Bomb. Hmmm. Short Story: A Salt Story Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinbal Spring" and "Reformat". Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. www.carnivalofgleecreations.com has info about this show ATARI BYTES here, about my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here and about books I've written, like 2nd Dog on the Right & Other Very Short Stories here.  Support the show at patreon.com   

The Moon God gets a bad rap.  Sure, in QUEST FOR QUINTANA ROO, the 1984 game from Sunrise Software, the Moon God wants to kill you. But, I mean, in the game you are plundering the Moon God's ancient temple.  On the upside, all this unpleasantness did bring about episode 298 of ATARI BYTES! Bad Poetry Corner: The Quest Chooses Us Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat".  Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is where you need to be for show notes for this show ATARI BYTES here and for my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.  The website also has all sorts of info about my books! Go pick one! Thanks! Head over to patreon.com to support the show and get access to special stuff!

Any old show could give you mutants, but how many can offer you COMMUNIST mutants? 2021 had Covid spinoffs, insurrections and climate upheavals. 2022 has communist mutants. Seems about right. In episode 297, we played the 1982 weirdly named Starpath game COMMUNIST MUTANTS FROM SPACE. Because with a title like that, how could we not? Short Story: A MUTANT BY ANY OTHER NAME Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat".  Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme. Check out the ATARI BYTES page at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com for more info about this show here and about my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.  The website also has info about books I've written here.  You can help keep the lights on in the podcast studio by going to the ATARI BYTES page on patreon.com here to sign up. 

It's the last episode of 2021! And in honor of our laziness tradition, for the last episode we put away the games and rest our story-thinking brains, and kick back with a movie. This time, we're watching the 1983....cult?...classic KRULL, which inspired the Atari game eagle-eared listeners will remember we talked about in episode 295 Was KRULL a krully good movie or krully bad? Listen to find out. And also so I don't have to do as much research  in keeping with tradition, I have a guest for this episode! Screenwriter and patreon supporter Patrick McCarthy joins me for the...fun? Again, listen to find out! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat".  www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is your one stop for stuff about this podcast ATARI BYTES and my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN. The website also has info about books I've written like 2nd DUCK ON THE RIGHT & OTHER VERY SHORT STORIES here. Support the show at patreo

ATARI BYTES episode 295 is all about KRULL, Atari's adaptation of the 1983 sci-fi movie...classic?...of the same name. The game, like the movie, has you, the hero, trying to defeat The Beast, with a star-shaped "glaive", save the princess and defend the galaxy.  So, is this game a five-pointed romp, or a pointless exercise, times five? We'll find out. Original Short Story: FIRE HORSE Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Pinball Spring", "Reformat" and "Take a Chance". Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime Theme. www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is where you should go to find info for this show, ATARI BYTES, here and for my other podcast, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.  The website also has info about books I've written that can be yours for your very own or to give to others! Really! Go here! Become a patreon.com "Atari Bytes" supporter here and you could get bonus content and other goodness!  

Commavid knew what it was doing. I mean, they went out of business, but they knew a good basis for a game. Cake! People really only like two things: kittens and cake. I know, people SAY they like other things, but this is actually about it. Unfortunately, "Kitten Walk" doesn't roll of the tongue as easy as "Cakewalk", so Commavid went with that for its 1983 game. And we're playing it in ATARI BYTES episode 294. Pass a fork! Short Story: JACK & JILL Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. www.carnivalofgleecreations.com has everything you need to know about this show ATARI BYTES here, and about my other show "IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN" here.  The website also has info about books I've written, like 2nd DUCK ON THE RIGHT AND OTHER VERY SHORT STORIES here, along with links to a few places you can order them.  Check out the new 2nd DUCK book trailer here - like and s

Birds of a feather listen to podcasts together. Or alone. Whatever. You do you. In episode 293, from 1982, we're playing one of the few Ultravision titles, CONDOR ATTACK. Does the game soar above the rest, or was I a dodo for playing?  Here's hoping you don't get dive bombed while listening... Short Story: ATTACKED 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 is where you need to be for show notes, episodes and more for ATARI BYTES here and for my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.  The website also has info about books I've written, like 2nd DUCK ON THE RIGHT AND OTHER VERY SHORT STORIES here.  Support the show by subscribing at whatever level works for you at patreon.com here. 

Whoaaaaa! You're reading this show note (possibly) on Halloween, about an episode released on Halloween, featuring a game called "Halloween", inspired by the movie "Halloween". Spooky! Which is appropriate because in episode 292, we're playing the Wizard Video 1983 title "Halloween". If you enjoy sprite decapitations and 8-bit child murder in a Skittles-colored house, this is the game for you. If not, blame Patreon supporter Patrick McCarthy who suggested this.  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for "Storytime" theme.  www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is where you need to be for all the info and notes you could ever want for this podcast ATARI BYTES here and my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here.  The website also has info about books that I've written, including the brand new (very) short story collection 2nd DUCK ON THE RIGHT