Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast #80 - Math Gran Prix & Basic Math by Atari

Hi there Mathletes! This week we are looking at two math-based games for the VCS, Math Gran Prix and Basic Math (aka Fun With Numbers). I hear your rapturous applause, thank you so much. Next week will be Alien and Mega Force by 20th Century Fox, and don't forget Strudders' Score Contest! See here for more details. Afterwards I will be looking at Chopper Command and Starmaster by Activision; Assault and Great Escape by Bomb; Raiders of the Lost Ark by Atari; Okie Dokie and Stell-A-Sketch by Bob Colbert; Rabbit Transit and The Official Frogger by Starpath, and Hangman and Road Runner by Atari. If you have any feedback on any of these games or any of the games I've already covered, please send it to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. Thank you so much for listening!

Pythagorean Links

Alan Miller interview on 2600 Connection
Math Gran Prix YouTube review
Atari 1980 catalog
Sears Math manual
Beanie Baby Bash  by Jim Goebel
Michael Current's Atari Timeline
OTR Playlist on the Throwback Network
Jimmy G's podcast - The Side Project Live

Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast #79 - Fire Fighter & Sky Patrol by Imagic

I apologize for the delay, I ran out of space on Libsyn. I will make sure it doesn't happen again.

Hello once again, today I talk about the Imagic games Fire Fighter and Sky Patrol (which went unreleased in the 80s). Also, Strudders is giving away copies of Alien and Mega Force in a contest on my show! You can check out the details at the link below. Next week I'll be looking at Basic Math (Fun With Numbers) and Math Gran Prix, both by Atari. The next episode will be on the aforementioned Alien and Mega Force by 20th Century Fox. Listen to the show for more details as to why there are not more games mentioned here. Your favorites are coming, don't worry. Thank you so much to everyone for all of your support for my Extra Life marathon, I made $500 for the Johns Hopkins Children's Center and almost made it the entire 24 hours. Thank you for listening!

Pertinent Links

Strudders Score Contest! Win Alien and Mega Force! The games, not the movies!
Sky Patrol on Atari Protos
Sky Patrol on 2600 Connection
Sky Patrol mockup box
Sky Patrol mockup cart label
Brad Stewart interview by Scott Stilphen
The No Swear Gamer - Fire Fighter video
Bill Grubb and Dennis Koble interview, Video Games magazine (scroll down, scans will open in new window)

Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast #77 - Swordquest: EarthWorld by Atari

This week, the Swordquest saga continues with Swordquest: Fireworld. Two games left in the series, and only one was actually made. It will be coming up soon. Well, soon in the grand scheme of things. Next week I'll be talking about Sssnake and Airlock by Data Age. Upcoming games will include Fire Fighter and Sky Patrol by Imagic; Math Grand Prix and Raiders of the Lost Ark by Atari, Mega Force and Alien by 20th Century Fox; Star Raiders and Fun With Numbers (Basic Math) by Atari; Assault and Great Escape by Bomb; and Chopper Command and Starmaster by Activision. If you have any feedback regarding these games or any others that I've covered already, please send it to 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. I will read it or play it on the show. Thank you for listening!

Inflamed Links
Swordquest Archive of Adventure: FireWorld
FireWorld contest photos
Swordquest Revisited (overview of entire contest)
FireWorld comic uninked! (PDF file)
Kabbalah Tree of Life
Give this guy a medal.
FireWorld at Atari Protos
FireWorld walkthrough
FireWorld contest photos
Robert Ruiz FireWorld solution
Michael Rideout interview
Mark's Pepsi Invaders cart

Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast #70 - Haunted House & Yar's Revenge by Atari

Today I look at two of my favorites for the 2600, Haunted House and Yars' Revenge. There's a lot to talk about, and now that I've finished recording I forgot to mention the Kids Stuff records. Yars' Revenge had an LP and a book and 45, each having some exclusive content. Like Asteroids, the LP is online but I could not find the 45. Now that's 2 videos I have to make, maybe Willie! will give me some pointers. :) Next week it's Barnstorming and Grand Prix by Activision! Seems like it's been awhile for Activision on my little show here. After that, it will be Death Trap and London Blitz by Avalon Hill; Swordquest: Earthworld by Atari; Edtris 2600 and Sound X by Ed Federmeyer; AD&D Treasure of Tarmin and Burgertime by M Network (I may add another game here, as Tarmin was not released and remains unavailable), and Frogger and Amidar by Parker Brothers. If you have any feedback or memories you'd like to share for any of these games, or if you're getting caught up with my show and want to talk about a game I've already covered, please send it to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net, in written or audio format. I love hearing from you! Thank you all so much for listening!

Haunted Links

Haunted House Easter Eggs
How to Beat The Home Video Games: Yars' Revenge
Willie's awesome Haunted House Video
Willie's Yars' Revenge video (featuring Clutch Cargo as Yar)
Yars' Revenge Kid Stuff album
Mystery Mansion (Haunted House prototype)
Howard Scott Warshaw interview by Scott Stilphen
HSW Keynote at Electronicon, 1997, filmed by Scott Stilphen (this is part 1 of 5, the other parts will show on the right)
HSW on Matt Chat (part 1 of 2, see above)
HSW's Once Upon Atari site
HSW's personal site
HSW's books on Amazon
Original Steve Hendricks Haunted House artwork (scroll down)
Hiro Kimura's web site
Brian's Yars' Revenge review

Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast #68 - Blackjack, Casino, and Slot Machine by Atari

This week's episode talks about Blackjack, Casino, and Slot Machine by Atari. I apologize for the delay, I am still trying to get over being sick. Thankfully, my dad should be getting out of the hospital on Friday, and again, I thank you all for your patience and your well wishes. It really does mean a lot to me. Next time, since I am a 12 year old boy at heart (as I mention in this episode and should be readily apparent), episode 69 will be about Custer's Revenge, Beat 'Em and Eat 'Em, and Bachelor Party. These are the three Mystique adult games that cause a lot of controversy and at least one lawsuit when they were originally released. I will have a warning at the beginning of the episode and it will also be labeled explicit in iTunes. I realize this will be offensive to some. I don't want to leave these games out because they are part of the game library, so if you are offended by this kind of material or if you listen with your kids, please skip this episode and come back for the Haunted House and Yar's Revenge episode right after this one. As always, if you have any feedback, please send it to me at 2600gamebygame@comcast.net. I am thinking that episode 69 will probably not be out until the 13th; hopefully after that I can go back to once a week, because all of this stuff is driving me crazy. Thank you for listening everyone, see you next time!

Pertinent Links

Bob Whitehead interview by Scott Stilphen
Ryan's Atari 2600 site
Player/Missile podcast
Zerbinator Land

Atari 2600 Game by Game # 30 - Gangster Alley & Planet Patrol by Spectravision

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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Atari 2600 Game by Game # 29 - Basketball & Football by Atari

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 Podcastleand 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 at2600gamebygame@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 
Stream the Show on the Retro Junkies web site! Facebook page
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Atari 2600 Game by Game # 28 - Tac-Scan & Sub Scan by Sega

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

Atari 2600 Game by Game # 27 - Encounter At L-5 & Warplock by Data Age

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

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Atari 2600 Game by Game # 26 - Breakout & Home Run by Atari

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

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Atari 2600 Game by Game # 25 - Skiing & Bridge by Activision

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 to2600gamebygame@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

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Atari 2600 Game by Game # 24 - Basic Programming & 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 to2600gamebygame@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 

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Atari 2600 Game by Game # 23 - Space Jockey & Sneak n' Peek by U.S. Games

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
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Direct Download

Atari 2600 Game by Game # 22 - Star Voyager & Atlantis by Imagic

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 to2600gamebygame@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 
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Atari 2600 Game by Game # 21 - 3-D Tic-Tac-Toe & Stellar Track by Atari

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 
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Atari 2600 Game by Game # 20 - Worm War 1 & Beany Bopper by 20th Century Fox

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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Atari 2600 Game by Game # 19 - Championship Soccer & Backgammon by Atari

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

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