324: RAISE A GLASS TO GAUNTLET! (2600)

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 inspired movie. So, from 1985, we've got FOLLOW THAT BIRD. Big Bird has moved away! Oh no! What is the gang going to do?!?! Take a break from the relatives and give a listen!  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Hidden Agenda", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring". Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Support the show at patreon.com carnivalofgleecreations.com

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! - because ATARI BYTES is taking a little hiatus. But keep is in your feed and hearts. We'll be back! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs Reformat, Pinball Spring, Take a Chance of Hidden Agenda.  Support the show at patreon.com Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. www.carnivalofgleecreations.com for info about the podcast, about IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, and books by me that can belong to you. D20 or Die!

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 day old paper weight? Bad Poetry Corner: Don't Let the Cookie Crumble Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat", "Pinball Spring" and "Hidden Agenda".  Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Support the show at patreon.com here. Go to carnivalofgleecreations.com for all your podcast and book reading needs. The Jim Beard and Becky Books Facebook page

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 "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. carnivalofgleecreations.com  Support the show at patreon.com here. Jim Beard and Becky Books

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 Chance", "Reformat", "Pinball Spring" and "Hidden Agenda". Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme Support the show at patreon.com here.  carnivalofgleecreations has all the info you need about this show, my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and books written by me that can be owned by you.

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 songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring", and "Hidden Agenda".  Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Support the show at patreon.com here.  carnivalofgleecreations.com has all the info about this show, my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and about books written by me that can be owned by you.   

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 Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat", "Pinball Spring", and "Hidden Agenda".  Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme. Support the show at patreon.com here. carnivalofgleecreations.com has everything you need to know about this show, about IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and about my books.   

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".  Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Support the show at patreon.com here.  carnivalofgleecreations.com has all you need about ATARI BYTES, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, and about books written by me that can be owned by you.   

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 FREE! No coupon required. You're welcome. Original Short Story: The Terminal. The Eternal. And the Guy Who Counts Time. 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. All you need to know about this show, ATARI BYTES, my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, and books written by me that can be owned by you can be found at https://www.carnivalofgleecreations.com/ Support the show at patreon.com here.  

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 slapstick! As usual, we have a friend dropping by for movie time. It would be great if it was Santa Claus, but we got someone even better! Jeff Fulton from "Into the Verticial Blank" joins me on the quest to find the tree at the end of the world. Or, you know, a quest to talk about a movie which is way easier. I hope you and yours have a great end of the year. Talk to you again in 2023! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat", "Pinbal Spring" and "Jingle Bells".  Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme. Support the show at patreon.com www.carnivalofgleecreations.com has all the info you need about this podcast, my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, and about books and other things I've written.