Saturday, December 25, 2021

Merry Christmas 2021!


I'm sorry this is so late, time got away from me this year. Sarah and I wish you peace, health, and happiness this holiday season. I love each and every one of you and I am eternally grateful to you all. A better group of friends I could not have asked for. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, have a safe and happy 2022. We will see you very soon. As always, thank you so much for listening.


Photo courtesy of Dan Beicke (R)

Sunday, December 12, 2021

Podcast Update



It's been awhile since you heard from me, I'm sorry about that. I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving and Hanukkah, and are currently enjoying the Christmas season. The Oscar's Trash Race episode was supposed to come out before Thanksgiving. You may have noticed it is not yet out. Unfortunately, it will still be awhile before you hear it. It has been a bad month, and I just cannot seem to concentrate on doing the research for the show. I always have the best of intentions and then I get distracted. Perhaps due to lack of sleep; that's been rampant this past month. I was hoping that if I bought new accessories for my old CPAP mask, I would sleep better, but no. I know a lot of my problems are due to my weight, but I'm always tired and not in the mood to exercise or cook something healthy. Lots of grilled cheese and ramen, it tastes good but not the best for you. Also, our new kitty Ruby has a growth on her spine that causes her limbs not to function properly. Surgery may not be an option because the growth is so close to her brain, but she is on a medication that is helping quite a bit. But I have been worried sick about her, she still falls down a lot and it is both hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. But she is a trooper and a sweetheart so I'm clinging to that. 

A few days ago Mike Nesmith passed away. I did not know Mike Nesmith of course, but I know his music very well, and all musicians put themselves into their music in many ways, so I knew him that way. He is very important to me, and I don't know for sure, but I think the Monkees preceded the Beatles in my life due to the fact that they were on television and I watched them when I was very young. Some people think it's silly to grieve over famous people, but I do not, and his death affected me greatly. That's another reason why I haven't felt like doing anything this weekend.

I know I don't need to explain all of this, you all have said numerous times that the show comes out when it comes out, and that's okay. Please tell me how you guys can think that so I can too :)  I have decided to stop tearing myself up about it and try to enjoy the rest of the month, and I hope you understand. The first episode for January, Private Eye, will be out on the 12th I think. I have some days off coming so I should be able to get Oscar out after Christmas and before Private Eye. I am not canceling the Christmas show, but I do need submissions! It doesn't have to be about games anymore, but if it is, that's great. Anything you'd like to share would be wonderful, I always enjoy recording the Christmas shows with Sarah. If you have a Christmas (or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa) submission, please send it to 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by December 16th.

I love each and every one of you. Please enjoy the rest of the year and I will talk with you very soon. Thank you for listening!

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

1006, Demolition Herby!

Hello there, thanks for joining me today to talk about the final released Telesys game, Demolition Herby. There's also a few interesting tidbits about the end of Telesys, as well as a few prototypes that we'll cover in a future show. I hope that you enjoy it. Coming up next, the first of many Sesame Street character games from Atari, Oscar's Trash Race. If you have any feedback for the Grouch, please send it to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net by November 14th. 

My Extra Life stream is coming up this weekend, Friday and Saturday from 8PM to 8AM EST. Fingers crossed. if you'd like to donate, you can do that here. Thank you so much!

As always, I thank you very much for listening.

Demolition Herby on Random Terrain

Telesys Prototype thread on Atari Age

Short Is'Action entry on GDRI

Impossible Game article by Leonard Herman

Telesys article March 16 1983, Arizona Republic

The Store (Kandyman Sales) Atari ad, July 16 1983 Wichita Eagle

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

112-008, Frankenstein's Monster!

Happy Halloweeeeeeeeeeen almost! We end Spooky Season on the podcast with the great Frankenstein's Monster by Data Age. If you haven't played this because you think all Data Age games are garbage, you have been misled. I urge you to give this a try, it is one of the best on the system. Up next we will give thanks for Demolition Herby by Telesys! If you have thoughts on this one, please send them to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by November 1st. I haven't played this in years so I don't remember it, but it was recommended in the Video Game Update newsletter, so I am excited to try it out. Enjoy the rest of the Spooky Season and thank you for listening!


Frankenstein's Monster on Random Terrain

Frankenstein's Monster on Atari Protos

Video Game Update April 1983 on Atari Compendium

Aracde Express May 8 1983

1985 Wichita Eagle profile of George Jabara/Kandyman Sales Part 1

1985 Wichita Eagle profile of George Jabara/Kandyman Sales Part 2

Video Games magazine September 1983

Atari Internal CES Review document June 1982

KMS web site

jlun2 TAS of Frankenstein's Monster

Frankenstein's Monster homebrew on the TI-99

Brian from Albuquerque's Youtube page

France Gall - Frankenstein

Sunday, October 10, 2021

Skeleton+ by Eric Ball!


Boo there! Thanks for being patient with me once again. It's spooky season and that means spooky games! We begin with Skeleton+,  a homebrew game by Eric Ball from way back in 2002. It's a lot of fun and I hope you are able to try it out! Next up is the amazing Frankenstein's Monster by Data Age, which was kind of their final released game. If you have feedback or thoughts on Frankenstein's Monster, please send them to 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by October 18th. No need to summarize the game, I'll take care of that. Only 4 more episodes until the Christmas special! That seems weird. But maybe not, I did buy egg nog this week. Thank you all for listening!


Initial Skeleton WIP thread on Stellalist

Skeleton complete on Stellalist

Skeleton 1.1 release on Stellalist

First Skeleton+ thread on Atari Age

Enhanced Skeleton+ thread on Atari Age

Final Skeleton+ thread on Atari Age

Eric Ball's intro thread on Atari Age

Eric Ball's first 2600 demo

Hozer Video website

Order Skeleton on Packrat Games

Order Skeleton on Atari Age

F n Z Show and Far Cry Z podcasts/videocasts

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

99006, Sir Lancelot!

Good morrow gentle Swain! Alright, enough of that. This week we are looking at Sir Lancelot by Xonox, maybe a Joust tipoff but it's a lot of fun! Next month is October already, sheesh. We'll be celebrating all month with S C A R Y games! First up will be the Homebrew game Skeleton+ by Eric Ball, followed by the wonderful Frankenstein's Monster by Data Age. I'm really looking forward to these games, and I hope you are too! iIf you have feedback for either game, please send it to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com. I will need feedback for Skeleton+ by October 4th, and October 18th for Frankenstein's Monster. Thanks so much for listening!

Sir Lancelot on Random Terrain

Xonox Press Kit on Atarimania

Xonox on GDRI

Gordon Martin and Associates on GDRI

Sir Lancelot manual on Atari Compendium

Kurt Howe Memorial thread on Atari Age


Sunday, September 12, 2021

CX 26100, Bugs Bunny!

Long time no see doc! *smak* This week we are discussing the prototype/reproduction game Bugs Bunny, originally from Atari. This Bob Polaro/Alan Murphy collaboration was shelved in the 80s and finally saw limited release at the late, lamented Philly Classic in 2002. It's a beautiful game that I hope you will seek out and try. Coming up next is Sir Lancelot by Xonox. If you have feedback for this guy, please send it to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by September 21st at 10 PM EST. You get a smidge more time for this one, then hopefully I'll get back on track and stay that way. HA HA HA HA. Thank you again for all the kind words about the Space Shuttle episode, and thank you so much for listening.

Bugs Bunny on Atari Protos

Bob Polaro's web page

Bob Polaro interview by Sarah Szefer

Bob Polaro interview by Al Backiel

Alan Murphy on Artstation

Atari Promo Video 1983 Bugs Bunny Footage

Photos from Philly Classic 3/Bugs Bunny release

Atari2600.com Bugs Bunny Press Release

Atari Compendium Easter Egg page

Easter egg thread on Atari Age

Video Dames 0 by Kate Willaert

Porno Hustlers of the Atari Age by Kate Willaert on Kotaku

Sunday, September 5, 2021

AZ-033, Space Shuttle!

The day many of you have been waiting for (and waiting and waiting, sorry about that) is finally here. Today is the finale of the Summer of Shuttles, and I am covering Space Shuttle by Activision. I'm not a simulator fan at all, so I hope I have done this game justice and I hope you enjoy the episode. Coming up pretty quick since I want to keep my schedule is the prototype game Bugs Bunny by Atari. I said in the episode to get me your feedback by the 10th, but let's change that to the 11th at 10PM EST, because when I recorded the episode I thought it would go out on the same day. You can send your feedback to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com. Thank you again for your patience, and as always, thank you for listening.

Space Shuttle on Random Terrain

Space Shuttle on Atari Protos

Electronic Fun article February 1984

Video and Computer Gaming Illustrated article January 1984 (yes, there is no page 75)

Video Game Update article November 1983 (Atari Compendium)

Computer Chronicles episode February 1984

Space Shuttle manual on Atari Age

Space Shuttle Pilot patch on Digital Press

Space Shuttle Commander patch on Digital Press

STS 3 page on Spacefacts

AA thread with Nukey Shay's fuel and docking hacks

Barbara Morgan watches the Challenger 1986

Space Shuttle Operator's Manual by Kerry Mark Joels

Antic Interview 420 with Brenda Laurel

Space Camp home page

Space Camp Movie on Youtube

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

50040, Shuttle Orbiter!

Hello and welcome to the Summer of Shuttles! (It's only a month.) First up we are talking about the Avalon Hill game Shuttle Orbiter, which I enjoyed but found a little frustrating. Lots of great feedback as usual, I hope you enjoy the episode. Coming up next is the one a lot of you have been waiting for, Space Shuttle, a Journey Into Space, by Activision. My attitude towards simulation games precedes me, but I will give this a fair shake. I just can't promise I will be able to figure it out. If you have feedback for Space Shuttle (I know you do), please send it to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by AUGUST 21ST. I'm going to need all the time I can get for this one. I'm sure the description of the game will be rather long, so no need to summarize the gameplay in your feedback, I just want your thoughts and/or memories of the game. Thank you so much for listening!



Shuttle Orbiter on Random Terrain

Phosphor Dot Fossils - Shuttle Orbiter

STS-7, second Challenger flight on Wikipedia

Woodgrain Wonderland - Shuttle Orbiter review

Shuttle Orbiter on The Log Book

35th Anniversary of the Challenger disaster from NASA


Sunday, July 25, 2021

4363, Spitfire Attack!

Hello everyone! Sorry about the delay, but now here is the Spitfire Attack episode for you, by Milton Bradley. We also discuss the Flight Commander controller that came with it. I never had one but we do have a few listeners who did, which is exciting! Also exciting is what's coming up next month, the Summer of Shuttles! I will be covering Shuttle Orbiter by Avalon Hill and Space Shuttle by Activision. If you have feedback for either of these games, please send it to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com. I will need the Shuttle Orbiter feedback by August 9th, and the feedback for Space Shuttle by August 21st. I'm expecting a bit for Space Shuttle 😂

As always, I thank you for your patience, and for listening. Please stay safe and stay cool.


Dennis Debro's Spitfire Attack mod

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

010-10, Tapper!

Hey there, this week I am covering the amazing port of Tapper, the Bally Midway arcade game programmed by Beck Tech for Sega. Please check this game out if you haven't, it is well worth your time. Coming up next on the show is the Milton Bradley game Spitfire Attack, which was packaged with the Flight Commander controller. If you have any feedback on Spitfire Attack, please send it to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by July 19. I'm not quite sure what will happen after that, I want to get back on the opposite week schedule so I may take some time off. I will let you know for sure in the next episode.

Tomorrow (July 8th) is national Video Game Day! Play something will ya!

Thank you all so much for listening, it means so much to me.


Swordquest Fireworld Contest Rom thread on Atari Age

Tapper on KLOV

Root Beer Tapper on KLOV

MGA Tapper Patent

Tapper on Atari Protos

February 1984 Tapper newspaper article

December 1984 Sears ad

Steve Beck's web site

Tom Sloper interview on Atari Compendium

Tom Sloper interview on GDRI

Arcade USA Ataricade 2600 - Tapper

No Swear Gamer 535 - Tapper

No Swear Gamer Tapper gameplay

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

CX 2699, Taz!

Hi there! This episode is all about Taz by Steve Woita for Atari. Taz was converted to PAL as the game Asterix, which we already covered, and I really should have put them together. Oh well, there's some great feedback this episode. Next up will be the amazing Tapper by Sega. If you have any feedback for Tapper, please send it to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by 6PM EST on July 6th. Thanks so much for listening and enjoy your 4th of July holiday if you're in the United States!

Taz on Random Terrain

Taz on Atari Protos

Taz mention in May 1984 issue of Electronic Games

Steve Woita's web site

Steve Woita interview on Atari Compendium

Jerome Domurat interview on Atari Compendium

No Swear Gamer Taz Easter Egg

NSG 361 Taz

JVGS Atari 2600 High Scores page

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

3125, Surf's Up!

It's almost summer, and that means it's time for surfing! I think you may have to look elsewhere though, because this week we are covering Surf's Up by Amiga via Video Soft. Surf's Up was made for the Joyboard controller but never came out. Was that a good thing? YOU make the call! Coming up next is a summer rerun Taz by Atari! If you have thoughts on Taz, please send them to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by June 20th. Thanks so much for your patience, and for listening.

THE DREAM IS ALIVE

Surf's Up on Atari Protos

Surf's Up on Atari Compendium 

Surf's Up on Atarimania

Surf's Up kerfuffle on Stellalist, 1998

Surf's Up eBay thread from 2006 on Atari Age

Amiga Power Play Arcade carts on Atari Protos

Amiga 1982-1984 on Atari Gaming HQ

Gregdeg Games Surf's Up world record

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Alfred Challenge by Ebivision!

Hey everyone, this week on the program we have a very early homebrew and the first from Ebivision, Alfred Challenge! It's a very difficult game but one I personally enjoyed. Mrs. Ferguson the Librarian also makes an appearance in this episode! Congratulations to the winners of the PlusCart and the Edladdin Super 78 controller from the episode 200 contests. I haven't notified them yet so I want it to be a surprise. Don't worry, I picked the winners before I started talking about the game. You WILL have to wait a little longer to hear the countdowns though, sorry about that. Next up on the show is the unreleased prototype called Surf's Up by Amiga. If you have feedback for Surf's Up or any game I've already covered, please send it to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com. Thank you all for entering the contests, and of course, for listening.

Igor Barzilai's web site

2003 Interview with Eric Bacher by Good Deal Games

2000 Interview with Eric Bacher by Scott Stilphen

Current location of Classic Ebivision site

Best Electronics disclaimer

Alfred Challenge on Videogame Homebrew wiki

Eric Bacher's company, Brainwave GRC

Igor Barzilai's Tarot Artisinal site

ZeroPage Homebrew Alfred Challenge playthrough #1

ZeroPage Homebrew Alfred Challenge playthrough #2

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

708-111, Cosmic Corridor!

Hello! This week on the show we are looking at the Zimag game Cosmic Corridor, which most likely began life as Space Tunnel by Bit Corp. If you want to know what Hindi movie soundtracks and jail time have to do with Cosmic Corridor, I hope you'll give the episode a listen. Coming up next is the homebrew game Alfred Challenge, programmed by Eric Bacher for Ebivision. If you have feedback for Alfred Challenge, please send it to 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by May 17th. Don't forget to send your entries for the PlusCart and Super 78 controller contests! Send in your bottom 5 2600 games for the PlusCart, and your top 5 7800 games for the Super 78 controller. You can include both lists in the email, please put Contests in the subject line. Thanks so much for listening!


Cosmic Corridor on Random Terrain

Zimag/Emag thread on Atari Age

Amarjit Singh Anand obituary on Hindi Movies Songs website

LA Times story on Amarjit Singh Anand (Paywall, sorry)

Zimag catalogs on Atarimania

No Swear Gamer 530 - Cosmic Corridor

No Swear Gamer Cosmic Corridor playthrough

Thursday, April 22, 2021

PB 5550, Q*Bert's Qubes!

Welcome to episode 200, where we are talking about the Parker Brothers arcade port Q*Bert's Qubes, via James Wickstead and Associates. Thank you all so much for helping me get this far. To help me celebrate, Doug and Ed are giving away another PlusCart and an Edladdin Super 78 controller respectively. To win the PlusCart, just send me your BOTTOM 5 Atari 2600 games. To win the Super 78 controller, please send me your top 5 7800 gamesfoodfight. Email your entries to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by May 16th, and please put CONTESTS in the subject line. You can put both entries into one email. I'll announce the winners in the May 19th show and then someday do the countdowns 🙄

Thank you all so much for listening to this weird thing that I am doing. It means a lot to me and I am very grateful for the community that has grown around this podcast. There is a lot more to come, so I hope you will stay tuned. Thank you all!


Q*Bert's Qubes on Random Terrain

Q*Bert's Qubes on KLOV

Computer Entertainer May 1985 on Atari Compendium

Atari Archive Kid Vid article 2/13/85

Scott Stilphen's interview with Todd Marshall, LOTS of great links here

Q*Bert's Qubes on Atari Protos

Thunktronix store on Etsy

Arcade USA Q*Bert's Qubes

No Swear Gamer 689 - Q*Bert's Qubes

No Swear Gamer - Q*Bert's Qubes gameplay

Brian Fulton blog post about Top Dog Arcade and Zack Periwinkle's in PA

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

1043, Condor Attack!

Hi there! Today's game is a bit late, is it worth waiting for? Have a listen to Condor Attack by Ultravision and find out for yourself. Big thanks go to Rob @Atarispot on Twitter, who helped me with the research into this game and company. Next up is the big 200th episode, which will feature Q*bert's Qubes by Parker Brothers and a PlusCart contest courtesy of Doug. But first, I need a vacation. The 200th episode will be out on April 21st, so if you have feedback for Q*bert's Qubes, please get it to me by April 18th. I hope you all have a wonderful Passover and Easter, and I thank you very much for listening.


Condor Attack on Random Terrain

Arcade Express October 10 1982 on Atari Compendium

Video Game Update November 1982 on Atari Compendium

Irving Rill obituary

Leonard Herman's Video Game Business cards

Condor Attack longplay by RickyC

InfoWorld January 17 1983 issue

Ultravision on the Video Game Console Library site

Thunktronix on Etsy, Purveyors of Fine 8-Bit Crafts

Eric talking about me and the podcast (in French) on No Two Mornings Are Alike on Radio Canada

Harry and Nick's RCA Studio 2 Game by Game Podcast

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

CX 2697, Mario Bros.!

Happy Mar10 Day everyone! Today we are taking a look at Mario Brothers, the Nintendo arcade game ported by Atari. Lots of opinions and info in this one, it seems like a simple game but there's a lot of nuance to it. I really hope that you enjoy listening to it. Next up will be Condor Attack, the first game I am covering from Ultravision. If you'd like to tell me your thoughts on Condor Attack, please send them to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by March 21st and I will get them into the show. We are almost to 200 episodes! If you're thinking there will be a celebration when we get to 200, I'm sorry, you would be incorrect. Thank you so much for listening and helping me get this far.

Mario Bros. on KLOV

Mario Bros. on Random Terrain 

Mario Bros. on Atari Protos

Mario Bros. Easter egg page on Atari Compendium

A Better Mario Bros. thread on Atari Age

Game Machine magazine July 15, 1983

Atari inter office memo mentioning Mario Bros. Sales, November 1983

Return of Mario Bros. hack on Atari Age

Harry's Mario Bros. Tips and Tricks video

Mario Bros. on Arcade USA

Mario Bros. on No Swear Gamer

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

7-005, Marauder!

Welcome to the show! This week we are looking at Marauder, by Tigervision. It's a pretty rare and expensive game, but worth the play if you have the means. I really enjoyed it. Coming up next is the Atari game Mario Brothers, yet another terrific Dan Hitchens arcade port. If you have any feedback for Mario Brothers, please get it to me by the end of the day on March 7th. I will tell you all about the game, no need to repeat that stuff, just tell me what you think of it. you can send all feedback to 2600gamebygame@gmail.com. Thank you so much for listening!


Marauder on Random Terrain

Paul Stinson Studio web site via Wayback Machine 

Laine Nooney's blog post on Sierra artwork

Laine Nooney at MAGFest 2020

A New Marauder homebrew/hack by More Work Games

A New Marauder on Atari Age

Sunday, February 14, 2021

VC 2001, Gopher!

Hello there, this week's once again late entry is all about Gopher, by US Games. Coming to you from the Wickstead Design Associates arm of US Games, Gopher is a pretty fun title. I hope that you enjoy the show. Next up will be Marauder by Tigervision. If you have any feedback for Marauder, please send it to 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by the end of Monday the 22nd. I hope you all are well, thank you for your patience and for listening.


Gopher on Random Terrain

February 1983 Video Game Update on Atari Compendium

Todd Marshall interview on Atari Compendium

Henry Will Notebooks on Atari Age

James Wickstead Design Associates web site

Greg Degeneffe's high score video on Twin Galaxies

No Swear Gamer 565 - Gopher

No Swear Gamer gameplay video

Sunday, January 31, 2021

AZ - 032, Pressure Cooker!

This week, a little late, I am discussing the wonderful Activision game Pressure Cooker, by Garry Kitchen. If you haven't played this one, you really owe it to yourself to try it. Coming up next is Gopher by US Games. It's not about the Ship's Purser on The Love Boat, but that would probably be a cool game. Please send feedback on Gopher to 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by 6 PM EST on Tuesday, February 9th. I have an appointment on Wednesday morning so I have to have the show done in a more timely manner. Also, please don't forget the contest Doug is sponsoring to win a PlusCart that he made! There have been a lot of entries so far, I hope to get more. Send me an email with PlusCart as the subject, and in the body, tell me your 5 favorite 2600 games. I'll announce the winner on the Gopher episode. Also, check the links below to see the contest video that Doug posted on his YouTube channel. Thank so much Doug! I hope you all are doing well, or at least better than I, and I thank you very much for listening.

Doug's Pluscart contest video

Pressure Cooker on Random Terrain

Pressure Cooker on Atari Protos

Garry Kitchen's writings on Medium

Garry Kitchen's web site

Eugenio's interview with Garry Kitchen on Retro Video Gamer

Batteries Not Included By Josh Folan with Garry Kitchen

Wilson Oyama's Pressure Cooker high score video

Pressure Cooker patch on Digital Press

Warren Chang's art on Gallery 30 South

Interview with Warren Chang by Walter Ryce

Sunday, January 17, 2021

Tooth Protectors!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope the new year finds you well and hopeful. We are starting this year off with Tooth Protectors, the mail away advergame sponsored by Johnson and Johnson and put together by Camelot Marketing Services Group and Diversified Software Development. I hope that you enjoy the episode. Coming up next on the show is Pressure Cooker by Activision. If you have any feedback for Pressure Cooker, please get it to me by January 24th at the end of the day. Also, our friend Doug has built a Plus Cart that he is giving away on the show! If you would like to enter the contest to win, please send me an email listing your top 5 Atari 2600 games. Put Plus Cart in the subject line and send it to 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by February 7th. I will pick a winner and announce the top games as chosen by you on the February 10th episode. I think we have a good year coming up, thank you for coming on this journey with me, and thank you for listening.


Please donate to the Stella Emulator project here

Tooth Protectors on Random Terrain

Diversified Software Development on GDRI

Michael Doherty's resume on Usenet, 1997

Game-a-Tron arcade games on KLOV

Joseph Lancellotti obituary

Atari Age Tooth Protectors order form thread

Atari Age 2006 Tooth Protectors eBay sale thread

Marc Oberhauser's blog on Atari Age

Sesame Street Kids Just Love To Brush

Yo Gabba Gabba Brush Brush Brush by Of Montreal

Fonzie brushes his teeth