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)