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... Read More

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... Read More

This month, episode 21 of the podcast is unofficially the month of the VanPelts. In 1981’s “Someday You’ll Find Her, Charlie Brown”, Linus is in his familiar role as the best, but ultimately clueless as everyone is in Peanuts Town, friend to Charlie Brown. The two boys stalk, er, search for the beautiful girl our man Chuck fell in love with after seeing her briefly during a “honey shot” on TV in the crowd at a football game. Will they find her? Will she fall in love in return? Will she prosecute? Tune in to find out! Next, the three VanPelt siblings – Linus,... Read More

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”... Read More

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,... Read More

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... Read More

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,... Read More

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... Read More

Should old acquaintance be forgot?  No way! There’s a party in Peanuts Town! First up this month, from 2003, the Van Pelt’s youngest sibling Rerun just wants a dog for Christmas in the appropriately titled I WANT A DOG FOR CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN. Could Spike be the answer to his canine dreams? Maybe, IF Rerun can survive the rides on the back of Mom’s bike and, in a frighteningly timely B-plot, allegations of harassment of a little girl with pigtails. Yes, really. Merry Christmas! The second half of our double-header finds Charlie Brown ringing in the new year burdened with... Read More

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... Read More