2013 Wrap Up

Hi everyone, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year! This has been a great year for me, and one of the reasons is that I finally started this podcast and met so many of you online. I am very grateful for all of your positive comments and feedback, thank you so much. Again, no games today, just a quick wrap-up of the year and what you can expect next year (hint: podcasts about Atari 2600 games). I also inserted something you might be interested in, which is kind of fun and kind of depressing for me to listen to. Next week I'll be talking about Xonox and their games Ghost Manor and Spike's Peak. Upcoming games will include Turbo and Venture by Coleco, Maze Craze and Video Checkers by Atari, He-Man and Locomotion by M-Network, Cosmic Ark and No Escape! by Imagic, and Dodge 'Em and Missile Command by Atari. I know we're all out of practice, but if you have any stories or memories about any of these games that you'd like to share, please send them to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. You can also post them on Facebook or (less likely if you have a long story) Twitter. I encourage you to also send them as audio submissions! I love getting those.

To thank you for a really wonderful year, I am having a spur of the moment contest. You can win a complete in box (CIB) copy of Starmaster by Activision. In this episode, I talk about my most downloaded show, which I also mentioned on FB and Twitter. The first person who can tell me my second most downloaded show will win the game, and maybe even receive it in the same month! You can enter through email, Facebook or Twitter. If no one guesses by Sunday January 5, I'll put it back in the hopper for a future contest. Thank you so much to everyone for listening, I cannot express that enough, it means the world to me. I hope to bring you many more episodes featuring your favorite and not-so-favorite games for the Atari 2600 in the coming years!

Atari 2600 (and VCS) Christmas Memories!

As I have been mentioning, this episode features your Christmas memories of the Atari 2600! I didn't get any Hanukkah or Kwanzaa submissions, so we'll just go with Christmas. There's some great stories here, thanks to everyone for contributing and for listening! Thanks especially to Ryan who let me use his Christmas photo from 1978! Next week will be a short episode containing a surprise, I won't be discussing any games. Think of it as a end of year wrap-up show. Merry Christmas everyone!

CX 2633, Night Driver, and CX 2634, Golf!

Still feeling a bit under the weather, but I did manage to get this week's episode featuring Night Driver and Golf out this week. Thanks for your patience! Next week is the Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa memories show, you can send me your memories to be read on the show by December 20th. The games will resume on January 8th with Ghost Manor and Spike's Peak by Xonox. You can send any stories and feedback to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Whatever Holiday you celebrate, I hope that it is merry and happy and safe, and that you can play some Atari 2600! Thank you all for listening!

Pertinent Links

Night Driver on KLOV
Odyssey 2 Computer Golf!
Favorite Atari 2600 Games of FocusRS: Night Driver!
Night Driver post on The Retroist site
Atari fonts on Atari Age. You can download them!
Atari Inc. - Business is Fun by Marty Goldberg and Curt Vendel

Show postponed due to illness, I am very sorry.

Hi guys, I am unable to get the show out this week due to my being sick, and I really can't fit it in anywhere on my schedule until next week. The Night Driver and Golf episode will come out next Wednesday, followed by the Holiday memories episode the following week. I was planning on taking the week after Christmas off to be with my wife, who is off from school. I feel bad about that now, but I still want to spend time with her. There will be an episode on New Year's Day, but it won't have any Atari games in it. It will be a short episode and hopefully interesting to you. The month of December is one of the reasons I was hesitant to start my podcast, I am busy at work and this year has been extra crazy with extra-curricular activities. Which is probably why I'm sick in the first place. Anyway, I hope you understand and I apologize to you all. I will see you next week.

AG-009, Freeway, and AG-010, Kaboom!

No, this is not a rerun. I was just so happy that I finally got the paddles to work with Stella so I could record sounds from paddle games, and I corrected what in my opinion was a horrible oversight in the Circus Atari episode. Anyway. This episode is about one of the greatest paddle games ever, Kaboom!, and Freeway. I can't say enough good things about Kaboom. Next week I'll be looking at Night Driver and Golf by Atari, followed by Ghost Manor and Spike's Peak by Xonox, Turbo and Venture by Coleco, and Maze Craze and Video Checkers by Atari. Sandwiched in between there will be, let's just call it the holiday memories show at this point. If you have any stories or memories of any of these games, please send them to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. For the holiday memories show, please get those in by the 20th so I can put it together over that weekend. Thank you everyone, hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving, and mazel tov!

Pertinent Links

Good Deal Games interview with David Crane
Freeway patch
Bloody Human Freeway on Atari Protos
Avalanche at KLOV
Kaboom Easter Eggs on 2600 Connection
Wow.
How To Beat The Home Video Games - Kaboom!
Favorite Atari 2600 Games of FocusRS - Kaboom!
Favorite Atari 2600 Games of FocusRS - Freeway!
Kaboom patch
2004 Activision Keynote Address at CGE

CX 2632, Space Invaders!

Happy Hanukkah and Thanksgiving everyone! Let us celebrate and give thanks for the mighty Space Invaders, savior of the Atari VCS (later the 2600). We'll talk a little about the arcade game, the 2600  programmer Rick Maurer, and a whole lot about the different packaging variations. One thing I didn't mention in the podcast was my assumption that Atari had an iron grip on the US console rights for Space Invaders for many years. It came out on many systems in Japan, but didn't see any kind of US release until the 90s. That's pretty amazing. Next week, I'm going back to the Activision well with Freeway and one of my very favorites, Kaboom. Hopefully I can get my USB paddle adapter to work so you can hear my amazing prowess at this game! I am good at some games! As always, send your stories and memories to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Also, please send me your Christmas and Hanukkah Atari related memories by December 20th, there will be a special Christmas show released (he says) on December 24th. I am thankful for all of you! Enjoy your holidays!

Pertinent Links

Space Invaders on KLOV
Excerpts from James Hague's interview with Rick Maurer
Pepsi Invaders page at Atari Protos site
Coke Wins article at Digital Press Archives
2005 CGE Keynote Address: Jerry Lawson
2004 CGE Keynote Address: Atari 2600 Programmers (with Rick Maurer) mp3
Feb 2012 World Coin News article by Mark Fox disproving the yen shortage thing (I also forgot to mention this on the show, dammit!)
Now You're Playing With Podcast's Comic Sans Invaders shirt
Favorite Atari 2600 Games of FocusRS - Space Invaders
Double bullets trick on Youtube
How To Beat The Home Video Games - Space Invaders

RC100-X 02, Pooyan, RC101-X 02, Strategy X, & RC102-X 02, Marine Wars!

This episode deals with Konami's entire released output for the Atari 2600, Pooyan, Strategy X, and Marine Wars. I tried not to be too heavy handed with the editing, because it was taking forever. I hope that it's still an enjoyable listen! I heard some mistakes during editing that I couldn't go back and fix: I said NTC where I should have said NTSC; I misused the words "diatonic" and "chromatic;" I forgot to mention the islands in Marine Wars that block you from hitting the ships; and lastly, Gakken released the PAL versions of these games. Next week is a big one: Space Invaders! I forgot to mention on the show that I am working on Wednesday next week, so the show may be released later on Wednesday instead of early in the AM. If you can, please send your stories to me as early as possible next week. Upcoming games include Freeway and Kaboom by Activision, Night Driver and Golf by Atari, Ghost Manor and Spike's Peak by Xonox, and Turbo and Venture by Coleco. Send your stories and memories of these games to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Also, please send in your Atari-related Christmas stories! Listen to the episode for full details, but please have those in by Friday, December 20th. Thank you all so much for listening, I am very grateful to all of you!

Pertinent Links

Pooyan at KLOV
Strategy X at KLOV
Favorite Atari 2600 Games of Focusrs - Pooyan!

7-001, King Kong, & 7-002, Jawbreaker!

King Kong and Jawbreaker are two games that I was pretty unfamiliar with prior to this episode. I only own 3 out of the 10 Tigervision games, they are pretty rare. I wasn't pleasantly surprised by both of these games for the most part! I hope you'll give them a try. Next week I'll be talking about the 3 Atari 2600 games made by Konami, Pooyan, Strategy X, and Marine Wars. On Thanksgiving Eve (I hope), I'll be looking at the first killer app for the Atari 2600, Space Invaders! I am expecting a lot of feedback for that show, you can send that to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. I love hearing your stories, please keep sending them in! Thanks to all of you who have done so so far, and of course I thank you for listening and making my show so much fun for me to do! I am very happy that you are enjoying this as much as I am.

Pertinent Links

Tiger Electronics page at Handheld Museum
John Harris interview by James Hague
John Harris interview (about the AmigaDE OS) by Boing Attitude
Paul Slocum's 2600 Music and Sound Programming Guide
Atari 2600 Console Repair Tutorial on Youtube

CX2630, Circus Atari, and CX 2631, Superman!

This week's extra large episode deals with Circus Atari and Superman, another two of my favorite games for the Atari 2600. (I have a lot of favorite games.) Big giant extra special thanks this week to John Dunn, Susan Jaekel, and Mike Lorenzen for graciously sharing their memories of their time with Atari! It was very cool hearing from all of them! Next week I'll be doing King Kong and Jawbreaker by Tigervision. If you have any memories of these games that you'd like to share with the class, please send them to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Please check out the episode for more upcoming games, I am running late and don't want to type them all. As always, thank you for listening, I hope you enjoy it!

Pertinent Links

Exidy's Circus
Bally-Midway's Clowns
James' interview with Jerry Lawson
John Dunn Interview by RH Ball
John Dunn's Algo Art website
Susan Jaekel's website
Atari art article by Andrew Webster
Superman map by Maurice Molyneaux
Favorite Atari 2600 Games of Focusrs - Circus Atari
Texas Chainsaw Massacre on Atari Protos
Nurmix' post about the TCM prototype

007, Halloween, and 008, Texas Chainsaw Massacre!

This special Halloween episode deals with the very rare games Halloween and Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the only games released by Wizard Video, which was previously a video cassette distributor. Big, big thanks to Rob O'Hara for helping me fit into my costume! Thanks to all of you for listening, I hope you enjoy this episode!

Pertinent Links

Wizard Video web site
Activision 10 in 1 Plug and Play unit review

AG 007, Tennis, & AG 008, Laser Blast!

This week's episode is a fond look at 2 early Activision games, Tennis and Laser Blast. Lots of feedback for these two, plus another audio submission from Rob O'Hara! By the way, I know it's Willy Higinbotham, I had already put the mic away when I caught it in editing. Thank you Willy for video games! Next week I'll be looking at Circus Atari and Superman, two more of my childhood favorites. Upcoming games include King Kong and Jawbreaker by Tigervision, Pooyan, Strategy X, and Marine Wars by Konami, Space Invaders, Night Driver, and Golf by Atari, Ghost Manor and Spike's Peak by Xonox, and Turbo and Venture by Coleco. Please send your stories and memories of these games, any game I've already covered, or anything you'd like regarding the 2600 to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. I love reading your emails! Thank you so much for continuing to download, listen to and enjoy the show!

Pertinent Links

David Crane interview by Chris Bienik
Now You're Playing With Podcast
Classic Console Gamernews podcast
Favorite Atari 2600 Games of Focusrs: Laser Blast

CX 2628, Bowling, and CX 2629, Sky Diver!

This week's episode goes into two more of my favorite early Atari games, Bowling and Sky Diver. There's three audio submissions today, I think that's a record! Next week I'll be looking at Tennis and Laser Blast by Activision. Upcoming games include Circus Atari and Superman by Atari. King Kong and Jawbreaker by Tigervision, Pooyan, Strategy X and Marine Wars by Konami, Space Invaders by Atari, and Karate and Spiderdroid by Froggo. If you have any stories about these games that you want me to read on the podcast, please send them to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Thanks for listening, I really appreciate it! You guys are awesome!

Pertinent Links

Owen Rubin's web site
Sky Diver on KLOV
Sky Diver on Owen Rubin's site
Cannonball on Owen Rubin's site
Focusrs' Youtube video about Bowling

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PB 5060, Death Star Battle, & PB 5065, Ewok Adventure!

This episode is about two more Parker Brothers Star Wars games, Death Star Battle and Ewok Adventure. I didn't mention this in the episode, but the reason that an unreleased (by the company) prototype (Ewok Adventure) is included in the show is because it was assigned a part number. This will be the same for all companies that have prototypes with part numbers, as long as they have since been discovered. Did that make any sense? Also, please continue to bear with me as I try to break away from using a script. I need to practice, and I'm sorry I have to practice on you. It will get better.

Next week I'll be looking at Bowling and Sky Diver, both by Atari. Upcoming games include Tennis and Laser Blast by Activision, Circus Atari and Superman by Atari, King Kong and Jawbreaker by Tigervision, Pooyan, Strategy X, and Marine Wars by Konami, and the original killer app for the 2600, Space Invaders. Send your thoughts and memories of these games to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Thanks so much for listening!

Impertinent Links

My guest spot on Throwback Reviews
My guest spot an Adventure Club
Kevin Horton's list of bankswitched 2600 games
Kevin Horton's Atari 2600 mappers
Atari Age's Ewok Adventure page
Video Game Pricecharting's Ewok Adventure page
Scott Stilphen's 2001 interview with Larry Gelberg

1001, Coconuts, & 1002, Cosmic Creeps!

In this week's episode I talk about the 3rd party company Telesys, and two of their games, Coconuts and Cosmic Creeps. Both are enjoyable games, but there's not a whole lot of info available for this company. I certainly make up for that in listener emails! Also, I am trying to get away from having a script for my shows, because it is extremely time-consuming to write and I don't read as well as I would like. This week's show is virtually script free; please bear with me on this, in order to get better I have to practice, and it will get better, it's just going to take some time! I hope you understand and can get past my stammering that I didn't edit out of this episode. Next week I'll be doing two more Star Wars games, Death Star Battle and Ewok Adventure. After that it's Bowling and Sky Diver by Atari, Tennis and Laser Blast (paging Rob O'Hara) by Activision, Circus Atari and Superman by Atari, King Kong and Jawbreaker by Tigervision, and all three of the Konami games, Pooyan, Strategy X and Marine Wars. Please send your thoughts and memories of these games or anything you'd like relating to the 2600 to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Text or audio, your choice, but try to keep it clean; I had a lot of people working blue this week! Well, not really. Thank you all so much for listening and have a great week!

Pertinent Links

Newspaper article on game violence mentioning Telesys, from 1982
Earl Green's Escape Pod podcast
S1500's Classic Console Gamernews podcast
Chris' Classic Gaming Webcast on Youtube
James' People Playing Atari on Youtube

CX 2626, Miniature Golf, & CX 2627, Human Cannonball!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these two games this week! Not everyone feels the same as I do, and that's okay. To each their own. No audio submissions, but lots and lots of emails! And I even remembered all of them this time! Go me! Join me next week as I discuss Telesys and two of their games, Cosmic Creeps and Coconuts. Upcoming games include Star Wars Death Star Battle and Ewok Adventure by Parker Brothers, Bowling and Sky Diver by Atari, Tennis and Laser Blast by Activision, Circus Atari and Superman by Atari, and King Kong and Jawbreaker by Tigervision. If you’d like to send me stories about any of these games, you can send them in text or mp3 form to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. You guys rock, thank you for listening!

This week I appeared on episode 19 of the Throwback Reviews podcast, and we talked all about the Atari 2600 of all things. You can check the show out here. I had a hard time getting used to listening to myself talk while I edit. Listening to yourself talk with other people is even weirder.

Pertinent Links

Cannon Man thread on Atari Age
FocusRS' Favorite Games of the Atari 2600 - Human Cannonball
Craig's blog about his trip on the Pacific Crest Trail 

SA-201, Gangster Alley, & SA-202, Planet Patrol!

In this week's episode I talk about Spectravision (later Spectravideo) and two of their early games, Gangster Alley and Planet Patrol. Guy Hutchinson has sent another great audio submission, and I am once again under coffee's big delicious thumb. Next week, two of my favorite games from kidhood, Miniature Golf and Human Cannonball. Upcoming games include Coconuts and Cosmic Creeps by Telesys, Star Wars Death Star Battle and Ewok Adventure by Parker Brothers, Bowling and Sky Diver by Atari, Tennis and Laser Blast by Activision, and Circus Atari and Superman by Atari. You can send your memories of these games or anything related to the Atari 2600 to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Also, as I mentioned in the show, send me the list of games you had as a kid if you remember, and also let me know if you find any 2600 games out there in the big bad wild. Or on eBay, that's cool too. Thanks for listening!

Pertinent Links

Syd Bolton's Watara Supervision Homepage
Hyperlync's web site
How To Beat The Home Video Games 2: Gangster Alley
Favorite Atari 2600 Games of FocusRS Episode 12: Planet Patrol

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CX 2624, Basketball, & CX 2625, Football!

This week's episode details two of Atari's sports games that kinda sorta resemble the sport they're based on, Basketball and Football. Lots of stories and comments, Strudders' Score, and another audio submission from Guy Hutchinson! Also, please go to 1 More Podcastle and vote for the A-Team! Details are in the episode. Next week I'll be looking at Gangster Alley and Planet Patrol by Spectravision. Upcoming games include Miniature Golf and Human Cannonball by Atari, Coconuts and Cosmic Creeps by Telesys, Star Wars Death Star Battle and Ewok Adventure by Parker Brothers, Bowling and Sky Diver by Atari, and Tennis and Laser Blast by Activision. You can send your memories of these games, or any memories you want to share about your experiences with the Atari 2600, to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Thanks so much for listening!

Pertinent Links

Atari Basketball on KLOV
Atari Football on KLOV
Atari Football manual
Focus RS' Basketball video on Youtube 

001-01, Tac-Scan, & 002-01, Sub Scan!

In this week's episode I profile the first two Sega games for the Atari 2600, Tac-Scan and Sub Scan. This is just as confusing as Data Age's Airlock and Warplock, but those weren't in the same show. In this episode is a new Strudder's Score and an audio submission from Mr. Guy Hutchinson, podcaster extraordinaire. Here's a protip: if you run out of time to write a script for your show, don't think you can just use your notes and improvise, it ain't gonna happen. Next week I'll be looking at Football and Basketball by Atari. Hopefully I'm just going to look at them not actually play them, but I may be expected to do that. Upcoming episodes will include Gangster Alley and Planet Patrol by Spectravision, Miniature Golf and Human Cannonball by Atari, Coconuts and Cosmic Creeps by Telesys, Star Wars Death Star Battle and Ewok Adventure by Parker Brothers, and Bowling and Sky Diver by Atari. You can send emails or mp3s containing your wonderful stories for any or all (recommended) of these games to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Thank you all for listening!

Pertinent Links

Tac/Scan on KLOV
Deep Scan on KLOV

Depth Charge on KLOV
William Culver (Arcade USA, FocusRS) on Youtube
Retro Junkies Super Show
Genesis Gems podcast
Turtle Flakes podcast
Adventure Club Podcast Network

DA 1001, Encounter At L-5, & DA 1002, Warplock!

This week's extremely late episode deals with the early Data Age games Encounter At L-5 and Warplock. I'm sorry you had to wait so long for this lackluster episode. But there is an audio submission from Kevin, so it's not all bad. Next week's also delayed episode will be about Tac-Scan and Sub Scan, by Sega. Yes, it's the same Sega. Upcoming games include Basketball and Football by Atari, Gangster Alley and Planet Patrol by Spectravision, Miniature Golf and Human Cannonball by Atari, Coconuts and Cosmic Creeps by Telesys, and Star Wars Death Star Battle and Ewok Adventure by Parker Brothers. If you have stories for any of these games, please send them to me in text or mp3 form, 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. I read every submission on the show and I really love hearing from you! Thanks for listening!

Pertinent Links (Yes, that's it)

Data Age Press Photo on eBay
Listen to the Data Age Mindscape on Atari Age
Kevin's Computer Space website
William's Arcade USA on Youtube

CX 2622, Breakout, and CX 2623, Home Run!

This week's episode is about the early Atari games Breakout and Home Run. I received another audio submission this week, I love getting those so please keep sending them in! Next week I'll be discussing Warp Lock and Encounter At L-5 by Data Age. It may be a short show, there's not much info out there about Data Age. Upcoming games include Tac-Scan and Sub Scan by Sega, Basketball and Football by Atari, Gangster Alley and Planet Patrol by Spectravision, Miniature Golf and Human Cannonball by Atari, and Coconuts and Cosmic Creeps by Telesys. You can send your stories and memories of these games in text or audio form to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Thank you for listening!

Pertinent Links
Breakout on KLOV

Pilgrim in the Microworld by David Sudnow
Brad Stewart interview by Scott Stilphen
Cliff Spohn at Fine Art America
Kevin's Computer Space Fan website
Adventure Club Podcast Network
Atari commercial featuring Breakout

AG 005, Skiing, and AX 006, Bridge!

This week's episode deals with Activision's Skiing and Bridge. Please note that I screwed up the production number of Bridge in the show, it should be AX 006. I totally missed that in the list and just noticed it now when I checked what the numbers were for the blog title. In this episode I got two great audio submissions from Shinto and Rob O'Hara, and I got some constructive criticism from James. Instead of recording at night this time, I recorded after I woke up, so if you're reading this James, please let me know if this made any difference! I think I sound a lot more awake, I'm sure that my wife will let me know too.

Next week's episode will be about Breakout and Home Run by Atari. If you have any stories or memories of these games, please send them along to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. You can send text or audio, and all of them get on the show. Upcoming games include Encounter at L5 and Warplock by Data Age, Tac-Scan and Sub Scan by Sega, Basketball and Football by Atari, Gangster Alley and Planet Patrol by Spectravision, and Miniature Golf and Human Cannonball by Atari. Thanks for listening!

Pertinent Links

Glossary of Bridge terms on Wikipedia

Bridge "How Your Partner Bids" manual at Atari Guide
Focus On the Prize video for August on Youtube
Arcade USA videos on Youtube
You Don't Know Flack podcast
Now You're Playing With Podcast
Oklahoma Video Game Expo
Mismatched Activision games thread on Atari Age

CX 2620, Basic Programming, and CX 2621, Video Olympics!

This week's torturously long episode deals with Basic Programming and Video Olympics. Not my favorite ever. Be sure to check out Hugues Johnson's Basic Programming site, it's much better than this episode. Next week I'll be talking about Activision's Skiing, which I really love, and Bridge, which I have absolutely no idea about, so that should be another great episode. Upcoming games include Breakout and Home Run by Atari, Encounter at L5 and Warplock by Data Age, Tac-Scan and Sub Scan by Sega, and Basketball and Football by Atari. You can send your stories and memories of these games to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net, and I'll read them on the show. Thanks for listening!

Pertinent Links

Pong
Pong Doubles
Quadrapong
Superpong
Rebound
Goal IV 
Hugues Johnson's web site
The Retro League Podcast

VC 1001, Space Jockey, & VC 1002, Sneak n' Peek!

This episode is the first regarding U.S. Games, featuring the passable Space Jockey and the absolutely horrible Sneak n' Peek. The less said the better. There's some nice emails and an audio submission from Earl Green. Next week I'll be trying to talk about Basic Programming and Pong- er, Video Olympics by Atari. Upcoming games include Skiing and Bridge by Activision, Breakout and Home Run by Atari, Encounter at L5 and Warplock by Data Age, and Tac-Scan and Sub Scan by Sega. If you have any stories regarding these games, or anything about the Atari 2600, you can send them 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Thanks for listening!

Pertinent Links
Article about U.S. Games purchase by Quaker Oats (PDF download)
Now You're Playing With Podcast
Retro Gaming Roundup Podcast
You Don't Know Flack Podcast
The Escape Pod podcast at the Log Book
Genesis Gems Podcast

IA 3201, Star Voyager, and IA 3203, Atlantis!

This week it's back to some fun games with Imagic's Star Voyager and Atlantis! I also talk a little about the Amiga prototype Power Arcade carts, and the company Xante. Also we have two audio submissions, keep those coming in, they're great! Next week I'll be talking about US Games’ Space Jockey and Sneak and Peek. Upcoming games include Basic Programming and Video Olympics by Atari, Skiing and Bridge by Activision (as of July 28 2013, Skiing is one of the special games in a two week run on the Atari Age high score club, check out the link below. This show will be on the last day you can submit scores for Skiing, as well as Time Warp and Sky Jinks), Breakout and Home Run by Atari, Encounter at L5 and Warplock by Data Age, and Tac-Scan and Sub Scan by Sega. Please send your stories for these games or anything related to the 2600 to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Thanks so much for listening!

Pertinent Links
Atlantis 2 on Atari Age
Enterprise TV show: The Making of Atlantis, 1982
Bob Smith interview from Retrogaming Roundup podcast episode 47 (starts at 31:12)
Colony 7 on KLOV
Amiga Power Arcade carts at Atari Protos
Atari Age 2600 High Score Club
The Log Book by Earl Green

CX 2618, 3-D Tic-Tac-Toe & CX 2619, Stellar Track!

This week's episode makes me wonder why the heck I took on this project in the first place. It was a rough week, the Stellar Track manual kicked my butt. Like Beavis said, you gotta have stuff that sucks if you wanna have stuff that's cool. Genius. Next week should be better, it will be Atlantis and Star Voyager by Imagic! Upcoming games include Space Jockey and Sneak n Peek by US Games, Basic Programming and Video Olympics by Atari, Skiing and Bridge by Activision, Breakout and Home Run by Atari, and Encounter at L5 and Warplock by Data Age. I'd love for you to send me your stories about these games, I read all of the submissions on the show! Send them to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. As always, thanks so much for listening!

Pertinent Links

The Retro Junkies website
Benj Edward's interview with Carol Shaw on Vintage Computing
Carol Shaw's website, from archive.org
Qubic on Board Game Geek
Earl Green's The Log Book website
Wrath of Khan soundboard

11001, Worm War 1, and 11002, Beany Bopper!

It's episode 20 and I'm talking about 20th Century Fox games for the first time. I wish I was smart enough to have planned that. Today's games are Worm War 1 and Beany Bopper, both really fun games, I hope you had a chance to try them out. Next week will be Atari's Stellar Track and 3D Tic Tac Toe. Stellar Track is a text adventure on the 2600, so that should be totally awesome! Upcoming games include Star Voyager and Atlantis by Imagic, Space Jockey and Sneak n Peek by US Games, Basic Programming and video Olympics by Atari, and Skiing and Bridge by Activision. Any stories or memories you have of these games can be sent to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net, and I'll read it on the show. Thanks so much for listening, see you next time!

Pertinent Links

Scott Stilphen's interview with David Lubar
David Lubar's website
Worm War 1 commercial
Genesis Gems podcast

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CX 2616, Champoinship Soccer (Pele's Soccer), & CX 2617, Backgammon!

This week's episode features 2 more Atari games, Championship Soccer and Backgammon. Also I get another visit from Mrs. Ferguson the Librarian! Next week I'll be looking at 20th Century Fox and their games Beany Bopper and Worm War 1. Upcoming games include  3D Tic Tac Toe and Stellar Track by Atari , Star Voyager and Atlantis by Imagic, Space Jockey and Sneak n Peek by US Games, and Basic Programming and Video Olympics by Atari. If you have any stories about any of these games or just about the 2600, you can send them in text or mp3 form to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Thank you all for listening!

Steve Wright's website
Stella Programming Guide by Steve Wright (download)
Championship Soccer Manual
Backgammon manual
Backgammon Bugs on Atari 2600 Connection, by Scott Stilphen
Backgammon manual proof on eBay

AR 4000, Phaser Patrol, & AR 4101, Communist Mutants From Space!

Episode 18 covers two of the first 4 games available for the Starpath Supercharger, Phaser Patrol and Communist Mutants From Space! The Supercharger is a very cool add-on for the 2600 that allows you to load games into your 2600 via cassette tape. Upcoming shows include the games Worm War I and Beany Bopper by 20th Century Fox; 3D Tic Tac Toe and Stellar Track by Atari; Star Voyager and Atlantis by Imagic, and Space Jockey and Sneak n Peek by US Games. Please send me your stories for these games, either in an email or an mp3 file. You can send these to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Thank you all so much for listening!

Pertinent Links

Supercharger Page at Stella Wiki
Dennis Caswell's web site
Mat Allen's interview with Dennis Caswell
Dennis Caswell reading his poem "Epiphanette"
Communist Mutants From Space t-shirt on eBay
Interview with Stephen Landrum from 2600 Connection, issue 14 (not available online)

MT 4313, Star Strike, and MT 4317, Adventures of Tron!

Welcome back! This week's episode deals with M Network and two of its games, Star Strike and Adventures of Tron. Special thanks this week to Star Strike programmer David Akers for offering us insight into his game! Also thanks to Strudders for sending the only email this week, I edited out the thank you by mistake. I got distracted by my ingenious M Network stacking solution. Sorry Rob! :(

Next week I'll be looking at the Starpath Supercharger and two of the games released for it, Phaser Patrol and Communist Mutants From Space. In two weeks, it's Pele's Soccer and Backgammon by Atari. If you have any stories or comments for these games, please send them to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Thank you for listening!

Pertinent Links
NOTE: I had a bunch of links for the Intellivision Lives website, but none of them are working now. I'll check back later this week and add them if the site is back up.

Klax on KLOV
Escape From The Planet Of The Robot Monsters on KLOV
Match 5 from Classic Game Publishers
Hal Finney's website
Scott Stilphen's interview with Hal Finney on Digital Press
Hal Finney's post on Bitcoin Talk Forums
Now You're Playing With Podcast
No Quarter podcast
ANTIC the Atari 8 Bit podcast

Just a Reminder!

Hello everyone,

As I mentioned on last week's show, there won't be a new episode until next week, June 23. That episode will deal with Star Strike and Adventures of Tron by M-Network. If you have any stories for these games or any memories of the Atari 2600 in general, please send them to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net.

The response to the show so far has been extremely gratifying! I thank you all very much for listening, and please tune in next week for more fun! :)

CX 2614, Steeplechase, & CX 2615, Demons To Diamonds!

This weeks episode features two early 80s paddle games from Atari, Steeplechase and Demons to Diamonds. Steeplechase was a Sears exclusive that did not have an Atari counterpart. I also debut a new segment, so please let me know how you like it! I think it will be a once in awhile segment. Next week I'm on vacation, so the next 2 games, M Network's Star Strike and the Adventures of Tron, will be discussed on June 23rd. You have 2 weeks to send me stories about these games or anything else related to the Atari! Send everything to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. I read all submissions on the show, because people like that. I host my own podcast and I still get a thrill when I am mentioned on someone else's podcast. Thanks for listening and enjoy the beginning of summer!

Pertinent Links

Scott Stilphen's Jim Huether interview
Ken Horowitz's Jim Huether interview
Nick Turner's website
Alan Murphy's website
Steeplechase on KLOV
Rob O'Hara's website

CX 2613, Adventure by Atari!

This week's episode is all about my favorite video game of all time, Adventure, created by Warren Robinett. LOTS of great listener stories and memories this week, thanks for sending them! I also get a little ranty about E.T. and the Alamagordo landfill. Sorry about that. Next week's show will be about Demons to Diamonds and Steeplechase, both by Atari (although Steeplechase was a Sears exclusive). If you have any stories for these games, or any stories about the 2600 in general, or even if you're a new listener and you have a story about a game I've already covered, send them to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. As always, thank you so much for listening!

Pertinent Links

Interview with Warren Robinett by James Hague
Interview with Warren Robinett by A. Merrill
Colossal Cave Adventure on Wikipedia
Adam Clayton's letter to Atari about Adventure on Atari Compendium (PDF download)
Scott Stilphen's Adventure Easter Eggs and Glitches page on Atari Compendium
Adventure on Robot Chicken
Adventure on Homestar Runner (Hover over the email button. Are there actual sketches too? Let me know!)
News story about Alamagordo excavation
You Don't Know Flack
I See Robots blog
Gameboy Database

M8793, Gorf, & M8794, Wizard of Wor!

This week's episode is about CBS Toys/Video Games/ Electronics and their first two games for the 2600, Gorf and Wizard of Wor. I also talk a tiny tiny bit about Roklan Software and I received two audio submissions this week! I would love to get more of those! Next week's show is dedicated to Adventure by Atari. I would love to know how you found out about the secret room and the dot (Spoilers)! You can send your stories to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net in written or audio form. Thank you so much for listening!

Pertinent Links

Gorf on KLOV 
Wizard of Wor on KLOV
2600 Gorf Glitches
Alex Leavens thread on Atari Age
The Gameboy Database
Retro Junkies podcast
The Log Book, featuring the Escape Pod podcast
Wasted Seconds podcast
Throwback Reviews podcast

AP 1001, Skeet Shoot, & AP 2001, Space Chase!

In this episode I look at Games by Apollo and two of their games, Skeet Shoot and Spacechase. These games are, well, not the greatest. Bear with me, the next few weeks will be dealing with better games. Next week is CBS Electronics' Gorf and Wizard of Wor, and in 2 weeks, it's Adventure! Send your stories and memories to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Thank you so much for listening!

Pertinent Links

Ed Salvo interview by Scott Stilphen
Ernie Runyon interview by Scott Stilphen
Arnie Katz's Monogrammed Space Chase footage
PM Magazine segment on Games by Apollo

CX 2611, Indy 500, & CX 2612, Street Racer!

This week's games are by Atari and are two of the original launch titles, Indy 500 and Street Racer. I was very fortunate to be able to contact Indy 500 programmer Ed Riddle this week, and he graciously answered my questions about his life and Indy 500. Thank you Mr. Riddle! Next week the focus is on Games By Apollo and their games Skeet Shoot and Space Chase. Please send me your stories of these games or any 2600 memories you'd like to share and I'll read them on the show. Thanks for listening!

Pertinent Links

Indy 800 at KLOV
Ed Riddle's Self And Other website
Interview with Ed Riddle and other Macintosh team members by Daniel Terdiman
"It Ain't Easy" by the Rich Gritty Band (Ed Riddle is in the white yachting hat in the back)
Larry Wagner's programming notes for the 2600 launch titles at Digital Press
Larry Kaplan Interview by Scott Stilphen
Ben's I See Robots blog
Rob and Landon's Retro Junkies Super Show podcast
Rob O'Hara's You Don't Know Flack podcast

AG 003, Checkers, and AG 004, Fishing Derby!

This week's episode deals with two of Activision's first four releases, Checkers and Fishing Derby. There aren't a lot of sounds in this episode because both games have little sound, and it seemed silly to add in variations of the same sounds. Next week I'm going back to Atari to discuss Indy 500 and Street Racer, both launch titles. Upcoming games include Gorf and Wizard of Wor by CBS games; Star Voyager and Atlantis by Imagic; Star Strike and Adventures of Tron by M-Network, and Adventure by Atari. If you have any stories or memories of these games that you would like to share, please send them in text or mp3 format to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. You can click the link above to listen, or subscribe on iTunes or stream on Stitcher. Thank you for listening!

Pertinent Links

Al Backiel's Interview with Alan Miller on Digital Press
Keith Stewart's Interview with Alan Miller on the Games Blog of the Guardian
Buy CGE Adventures from Retrogaming Roundup
Retrogaming Roundup Podcast
Adventure Club Podcast
You Don't Know Flack Podcast
I See Robots page
Batman and Robin

#2451, Donkey Kong, & # 2454, Zaxxon!

This week I get into Coleco games for the first time with Donkey Kong and Zaxxon. Finally the show has reached double digits! Chewie can listen now!

Next week I go back to Activision with Checkers and Fishing Derby. Yep, you read that right. Your portable mp3 player will melt when you play the next episode! Upcoming games include Indy 500, Street Racer, Skeet Shoot, Space Chase, Wizard Of Wor, Gorf, Star Voyager, Atlantis, Star Strike, and Adventures of Tron. You can send me your stories and memories of these games to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. I love hearing them and I will read them on the show, and tens of other people will hear them! Thanks for listening!

Pertinent Links

Donkey Kong on KLOV
Zaxxon on KLOV
Bank Shot at Handheld Museum
Wildfire at Handheld Museum
Garry Kitchen's web site
2600 Connection interview with Garry Kitchen
Retro Video Gamer interview with Garry Kitchen
2600 Donkey Kong Pauline sprite hack

CX 2609, Defender, and CX 2610, Warlords!

In episode 9 we go back to Atari for two of their more popular games, Defender and Warlords. Next week I'll be talking about Coleco's Donkey Kong and Zaxxon. Upcoming games include Checkers, Fishing Derby, Indy 500, Street Racer, Skeet Shoot, Space Chase, Wizard Of Wor, Gorf, Star Voyager, and Atlantis. If you have any stories or memories of any of these games and would like to hear them on the show, please send them to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. You can send a message or an mp3. If you go with an mp3, please try not to use any built in microphone, and be aware that I may edit it. Thank you for listening!

Pertinent Links

Defender on KLOV
Warlords on KLOV
Liberator on KLOV
Bob Polaro interview by Al Backiel
Bob Polaro Interview by Sarah Szefer
Bob Polaro Interview on Retro gaming Roundup
Carla Meninsky interview by Will Nicholes
Atari Force Headquarters
Atari Mini Comics on Atari Age
Warlords Easter Eggs
Defender Stamp

PB 5000, Jedi Arena, and PB 5050, The Empire Strikes Back!

In this week's episode I discuss 2 Star Wars games from Parker Brothers, Jedi Arena and The Empire Strikes Back. You can also hear our first mp3 story submission from Rob "Flack" O'Hara! Coming up next week will be two big games from Atari, Warlords and Defender. Upcoming games include Donkey Kong, Zaxxon, Checkers, Fishing Derby, Indy 500, Street Racer, Skeet Shoot, Space Chase, Wizard of Wor, and Gorf. Please send your stories (text or voice but please try to avoid built-in mikes) about these games or any other Atari 2600 memories that you want to share to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. You can listen to the show at Stitcher or on Podcast Pickle if you so desire. If you like the show, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thank you very much for listening!

Pertinent Links

Parker Brothers Toy Fair 1982 video
Rex Bradford interview by Scott Stilphen
Rex Bradford's web site
History Matters web site
Mary Ferrell Foundation
Rex Bradford's book on Amazon
Playing By Different Rules by Ellen Wojahn on Amazon
Sam Kjellman's Distillation System patent
Making of The Empire Strikes Back by Jamie Russell
Kabobber article by Adam Milecki
Jedi Arena TV commercial

IA 3000, Trick Shot, &IA 3200, Demon Attack!

This week's subjects are the first Imagic titles that I'm discussing, Trick Shot and Demon Attack. You can listen to the episode here. I was fortunate enough to be in contact with Nick Turner, who designed Super Breakout, which I discussed last week. I couldn't get it into last week's show, so Mr. Turner's bio appears this week. I extend my heartfelt thanks to him for answering my questions!

Next week I will spotlight two Star Wars games from Parker Brothers, Jedi Arena and The Empire Strikes Back. Upcoming games include Warlords, Defender, Indy 500, Street Racer, Donkey Kong, Zaxxon, Checkers, and Fishing Derby. If you'd like to send me a story or your memories about any of these games, or anything related to the Atari 2600, please send it to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. I would love to read it on the show. Thanks for listening!

Pertinent Links

Interview with Bill Grubb and Dennis Koble, Video Games magazine, 1982

Frog Pond on AtariProtos.com
Nick Turner's website
Dominos at KLOV
Blockade at KLOV
Avalanche at KLOV
Sprint 2 at KLOV
Digital Press - Perfect score in Trick Shot
Interview with Rob Fulop
Rob Fulop's website
Demon Attack Glitches/Bugs (Pictures)

CX 2606, Slot Racers, CX 2607, Canyon Bomber, & CX 2608, Super Breakout!

In this episode we go back to games produced by Atari, and we look at out first two paddle games (Canyon Bomber and Super Breakout) and our first 4 KB game (Super Breakout). You can get the episode here.

Next week I'll be looking at Imagic games for the first time, Trick Shot and Demon Attack. Upcoming games include Defender, Warlords, Star Wars Jedi Arena & Empire Strikes Back, Donkey Kong, Zaxxon, Indy 500, and Street Racer. If you have any stories or memories for any of these games that you'd like to share with the class, please send them to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Thanks for listening!

Pertinent Links

Canyon Bomber on KLOV
Super Breakout on KLOV
Warren Robinett's web page
Interview with Warren Robinett
Another interview with Warren Robinett
Video interview with Warren Robinett from Get Lamp documentary
Retro Gaming Roundup podcast

AG-001, Dragster, and AG-002, Boxing!

This week I start the Activision library with Dragster and Boxing, two of the first 3rd party video games. Ever. You can listen to the episode here. You can also subscribe on iTunes, where very nice listener Ruprocks gave me a 5 star review! Thank you Ruprocks!

When I listened back to the episode I realized I forgot to give out Rob O'Hara's web site. Take a walk over there, you can find his great podcast You Don't Know Flack there, as well as his two books, Commodork and Invading Spaces, as well as his blog. You can also find him blogging at the Retroist site, which is where he gave my show a big boost. Thanks Rob!

Next week I'll be doing 3 Atari games, Canyon Bomber, Slot Racers, and Super Breakout. Upcoming games include Trick Shot, Demon Attack, Warlords, Defender, Star Wars: Jedi Arena, and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes back. Please send me your stories, memories, impressions, or anything relating to these games at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Any submission I receive will be read on the podcast! That's exciting, right? Thanks so much for listening!

Pertinent Links

Earl Green's Log Book 
History of Activision
Activision Patches and Letter at Digital Press
Picture of Activision Foam Inserts at Atari Age (Go to Post #5)
Drag Race at KLOV
Boxing at KLOV
ACTIPLAQUE!!

CX2604, Space War, & CX2605, Outlaw!

This episode features a discussion (more of a lecture, really) about Space War and Outlaw for the Atari 2600. Not the greatest games ever, we will get to those eventually, I'm not giving up! Next week's games are Activision's Dragster and Boxing. Upcoming episodes will feature Slot Racers, Canyon Bomber, Super Breakout, Defender, Warlords, and Imagic’s Trick Shot and Demon Attack. Please please please, if you have any stories or memories about any of these games that you would like to share, send them to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net, and I will read them on the podcast. I would love to hear more stories, so if you want to send me an mp3 to play on the podcast, do that! I reserve the right to edit it, but I won't do a hatchet job on it. Also, please keep it clean, my young niece and nephew listen (I think) and I want to keep it clean for them.

You can find me on Twitter and on Facebook as well as here, please tweet or leave comments or whatever you like at those locations. Thank you all so much for listening, I'm having a great time doing this!

Pertinent Links

Spacewar on Wikipedia
Atari Space Combat label (scroll down and click for a larger pic)
Atari Space Combat thread on Atari Age
G4TV interview with David Crane
HiRes magazine profile on David Crane, Jan 1984
Gunfight on KLOV
Atari 2600 FAQ on Atari 2600 Connection (hope you have better luck)
Doug McCoy's blog page
Rob O'Hara's web page
Earl Green's The Log Book web page

CX2602, Air-Sea Battle & CX2603, Star Ship!

This week’s show covers Air Sea Battle and Star Ship, two of the Atari 2600 launch titles. You can subscribe on iTunes or listen to the episode here. I hope you enjoy it!

Next week I’ll be covering Space War and Outlaw, both by Atari. In the coming weeks I’ll be talking about Slot Racers, Defender, Canyon Bomber, Super Breakout, and I’ll also branch out into Activision’s first two games, Dragster and Boxing. Please send me your stories, I would love to read them on the podcast!

Be sure to check out the Atari 2600 Video Game Variations site, with pictures of some of the label variations discussed in this episode. As always, thank you for listening!

PERTINENT LINKS

You Don’t Know Flack podcast
The Retro League podcast
A Rebel’s Cause Radio, JCW’s podcast
Star Ship Technical Easter Egg
Starship 1 on KLOV
Anti Aircraft (II) on KLOV
Larry Kaplan Interview
Bob Whitehead interview
Lunar Lander Wikipedia page

CX2601, Combat!

Episode 2 is now out, where I discuss the game Combat! You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, or you can listen to the episode here.

I have a page up for the podcast on Facebook, which you can like here. Please? I also now have a Twitter account for the podcast (which I didn’t have when I recorded this week’s episode), I think that actually may be an easier way to disseminate information than the blog or Facebook, but I will keep all three updated. You can follow me at Twitter here.

After recording the Combat episode, I came to the conclusion that it would be better for me to do two games an episode, unless it’s a really big game. I will do that starting next week. The game I announced on the podcast is Air-Sea Battle, but I will also do Star Ship. So if you have any stories or memories about either of these games that you would like to share with the class, please send them along to me right here.

Pertinent Links

Racing The Beam, by Nick Montfort and Ian Bogost

Combat Machine Code (within Combat in Context, by Nick Montfort, scroll about halfway down)

Tank at KLOV

Jet Fighter at KLOV

Digital Press Interview with Joe DeCuir

Atari History Museum Interview with Joe DeCuir

Steve Fulton article on the early history of Atari

Larry Wagner resume

Larry Wagner's Combat design notes

Larry Wagner's programming notes for the 9 launch titles

Thanks for listening!

Now on iTunes!

I thought this might take longer, but iTunes has approved the podcast. Please go here to subscribe if you are an iTunes user. After I have a few episodes under my belt, I will try to get it placed on a few more podcast aggregators (is that the right word?), such as Podcast Pickle and Stitcher, which were kindly suggested to me by Rob O'Hara. Thanks Rob!

As for the podcast itself, I am extremely grateful for the response it has gotten so far. I am very excited to start delving into the games and giving all of you quality in every episode. Thank you so much for your comments and for listening!

Episode 1 - Introduction

Hello and welcome to the 2600 Game By Game Podcast! This first episode is an introduction to the particulars of the podcast and myself. I am hoping that this will be the first of many, many podcasts because there are many, many Atari 2600 games. I hope that you will enjoy it.

Each week on the podcast we will discus an Atari 2600 game (or games). I will announce next week's game and I encourage you to send me your memories and stories related to the game that I may read them on the podcast. The first game we will delve into will be Combat (CX 2601), so if you have any stories to tell, please send them to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. General feedback can also be sent to this address and is much appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you! And as always, thanks for listening!

Episode 1 - Introduction

Links mentioned on the show:

You Don't Know Flack podcast

The Retroist podcast

The Retrobits podcast