In episode 59, we’re going to the movies! Our guest this month is actor Brandon Ford Green. We’re talking about his 2017 movie “Good Grief”, which he wrote, directed and appears in. Interesting title, Brandon. And the group of adult friends gathering together for a funeral look awfully familiar. Hmmm. We’ll ask Brandon about that. We also talk about “The Snoopy Show” episode 3, another random strip of the month and a “Peanuts by Schulz” short called “Novel Idea”.  It’s a feast for your earholes! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incomepetech.com... Read More

In 1979, Twentieth Century Fox unleashed an iconic sci-fi movie called ALIEN. In 1982, Atari released the game version, in the maze style of iconic game Pac-Man. In 2021, the podcast ATARI BYTES did an episode about ALIEN, episode 267. It was…wait for it…iconic. THIS WEEK’S SHORT STORY: BAD POETRY CORNER – WHEN PERSEVERANCE RAN OUT 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... Read More

We’re back to cram more square pod pegs into your round ear holes. It’s another cubist’s delight in 266 with RUBIK’S CUBE 3D. The three “D”s are “delightful”, “delicious” and “de-wonderful”, to borrow from an old song.  Or are they? Tune in this week to find out. With this 3D, there are no glasses required. Or pants.  Short Story: 3D-NYED 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... Read More

ATARI BYTES episode 265: Back in the 1970s, Hungarian inventor Erno Rubik, we assume, decided to see if he could drive people insane. He designed a cube consisting of a bunch of smaller cubes of many colors. He said, “Here, take this cube. Mess up the colors, then put them right again.” Of course, he probably said it in Hungarian. But that makes it no less insidious. The Rubik’s Cube was born. Then in 1982, Atari put out the trademark-friendlier “Atari Video Cube”, redubbed in 1983 “Rubik’s Cube”, translating Erno’s quest for insanity to our... Read More

Guess what! There’s new Peanuts content on our TV’s! Well, those of us who have Apple TV+, but it’s still pretty exciting! “The Snoopy Show” debuted on February 5 and this month on episode 58 of IT’S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, we watch and discuss the first two episodes of the six-episode season one. Is the show a tasty, televisual meal of jelly beans and toast or the bitter disappointment of a pulled-away football? We also take a few minutes to talk about one of our favorite characters as Marcie undergoes a character study. AND…another “Peanuts by... Read More

On episode 264 of ATARI BYTES, we went back to the beginning; a bit of a palate cleanser after the disturbing “Porky’s” last week. We take a look at PONG, the game that started it all. The original came out in 1972 with an Atari port in 1975. For my fifteen-year-old on the field report, it may as well have come out in the Pleistocene.  Kids, man. This week’s short story: PING PRAWN Engadget.com “Atari Pong Review (1976) Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs “Take a Chance”, “Reformat” and “Pinball... Read More

In 1981, 20th Century Fox released a little family film called “Porky’s” about a precocious lad named PeeWee with a knack for revenge against strip clubs and putting his privates where they probably shouldn’t be. THEN, they made the obvious brilliant marketing move of turning that movie into an Atari game.  In episode 263, we play PORKY’S…because listener Patrick told us to. We’re still a little mad about it. No shower scenes in the episode though…or are there? Plug your peepholes and earholes and give a listen. THIS WEEK’S BAD POETRY CORNER... Read More

In ATARI BYTES episode 262, we’re playing the 1983 Tigervision port of Taito’s 1980 arcade cabinet POLARIS. Defend your nuclear sub from withering attacks by destroyers, dive bombers and ever increasing frustration. Is the game a hit or miss – ile? Sorry. This week’s short story: DOWNTIME 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 Thanks to @M_Carp for the “What Game is Henry Playing... Read More

ATARI BYTES episode 261 is off the hook. Off the chain. Off the books. And occasionally off the rails. We’re playing the 1989 Atari/Axlon title OFF THE WALL. The objective is to smash the brick wall to get to the dragon. Maybe they should have called it THROUGH THE WALL. But no one asked me. What other failings does the game suffer through lack of consultation with me? Listen to find out! This week’s short story: OFF THE WALL Atari Poop article about “Off the Wall”.  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs “Take a Chance”,... Read More

At some point, whatever governing body governs auto racing said, “What if we made up a racing sport where the drivers do everything we tell them not to do?” The initial idea – Murder Car – was scrapped. But the monster truck rally – complete with smashing cars, wheelies, jumping off ramps and wanton attacks on venerable Plymouth autos – was born. In episode 260,from 1990, we’re playing the Atari title MOTORODEO. Roll your fat tires on over and give a listen. This week’s short story: Bad Poetry Corner: Where the Monster Trucks Park Thanks to Kevin... Read More