Into The Vertical Blank : Generation Atari

S5:e8 75th Episode Free For All! In this episode, Steve and Jeff catch up on the state of their Arcade 1Up and AtGames systems, and  discuss  their current gaming and media time killers. They also discuss the state of the ST and 7800 ports they are working on and  bring Ballistik Coffee Boy in for a further discussion of the latest additions to his home arcade.    Show notes: AtGames Legends Takes Over My Home office! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcE4LkA874o   Arcade1up Atari Centipede Legacy Overview and Review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQRH_mLoe1Y&t=7s   Atari XP "Aquaventure" Standard Edition Cartridge Shipped **NOT WORKING** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPc96yRccCs   Atari Makes Good On Atari XP Cartridge Mishap https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB1f49hP7wU&t=118s   Two Brothers and their Atari ST https://www.oldschoolgamermagazine.com/two-brothers-and-their-atari-st/   BCB #72: Ridge Racer 5-in-1 Home Arcade by Arcade1Up (Gameplay & Overview) And: History of the Games https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1UVyTILAUU&t=656s   Recorded, Mixed, Edited and Produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton   Music : Uncanny Valley – Tony Longworth : support Tony’s Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth   Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/    Branding by Daryl Litts   Find us here:   http://intotheverticalblank.com   Itch.io:  https://intotheverticalblank.itch.io/   FB: https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank   Twitter: https://twitter.com/Atari_VB_Pod   Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@intotheverticalblank

Steve recently won a small hometown writing contest with a story about Star Wars in 1977.  With the prize money he purchased an item he’s had his eye on for almost 2 years: The Arcade 1Up Atari Legacy Centipede cabinet. In this episode we go deep into the Arcade 1Up product, discuss its strengths and weaknesses and the invite Brian Bolding (AKA Ballistik Coffee Boy) in to talk about the Arcade1Up products, retrocades, gatekeepers, and our shared love for the 80’s.    Watch the video version of the Arcade1Up machine here: Arcade1up Atari Centipede Legacy Overview and Review - YouTubeRead Steve’s original Star Wars story here: EasyReader (onlinedigitaleditions.com) Brian’s channel Ballistik Coffee Boy - YouTube Recorded, Mixed, Edited and Produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton Music : Uncanny Valley - Tony Longworth : support Tony's Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/  Branding by Daryl Litts Find us here: http://intotheverticalblank.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank Twitter: https://twitter.com/Atari_VB_PodYoutube: Into The Vertical Blank - YouTube  

S5:e6 Atari ST Halcyon Days of 1989 Part 3: Atari ST Gaming Gems Our favorite 1989 Console Style Games for the ST We had an ST when most of the other kids near us had various consoles. We knew our machine could play superior RPGs, Simulations, and Adventure titles, but how did it hold up against the 8 and 16 bit console games of the day?  Some ST console-like games were as good, some were not. We've chosen 20 console style games from 1989 for the ST to highlight and talk a little about, but before we get to those we’d like to highlight, let's first look at a list of the top 10 games in all genres from 1989, based on our ratings.  To make these lists we played every single game that has a 1989 release date in Atari Mania’s database, and ranked them based on Sound, Graphics, Game Play and Addictiveness,  usings scores of 1-10, then averaged those scores to come up with a rating.  The following list is how the numbers worked out for a top 10. It’s all subjective + math, but we did play all of the games from the year to be certain we were ranking them against their contemporary competition.  Videos for this Podcast:Atari ST Gaming Gems #6 1989 Top 10https://youtu.be/dCBzOatNAng Atari ST / STE Gaming Gems: Vol 7 -  Top Console Style Games from 1989 https://youtu.be/rZ0qsS42av0   Games discussed in this episode: Interphase    RVF Honda   Gauntlet 2  Midwinter  Seven Gates of Jambala (The)  Ultima V - Warriors of Destiny  Kick off Extra Time  SimCity .  Xenon 2 .  Stunt Car Racer  New Zealand Story  Super Wonderboy  Pipe Dream/Pipe Mania  Robocop  Blood Money  R-Type II  Rick Dangerous  Strider  Ivanhoe  Batman The Movie  Baal  Atomic Robo-Kid  JUG  Onslaught  Switchblade  Commando  Hawkeye 

This episode is about  the early 1980's Junior High computer lab. A wonderous place where Bank Street Writer and Sands of Egypt were loaded from 5 1/4 inch floppy disks,  LOGO and BASIC were viable programming options, and where kids like us could find a place of our own.   The story this time is about the computer lab, and also about how sometimes you don't understand the affect teachers have on your life until decades later. Recorded, Mixed, Edited and Produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton Music : Everything Has Energy - Tony Longworth : support Tony's Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/ Find us here: http://intotheverticalblank.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank Twitter: https://twitter.com/Atari_VB_Pod

In this episode Steve and Jeff turn calendar to 1989 and discuss what it was like gaming on the Atari ST back then. They list and discuss close to 50 games that they purchased and played that year. for the Atari ST Computer. Games Mentioned in this Episode:  Action Fighter (Firebird) - Sega Arcade Port Airborne Ranger (Microprose) - Military Sim Axel’s Magic Hammer (Gremlin) - Multi Screen Platformer BAAL (Psyclapse) -  Arcade Platformer / Shooter Bad Company (Logotron) 3D first person fly / drive and shoot Ballastix (Psyclapse) - Sports Marble game BattleHawks 1942 (Lucasfilm) - Battle / Air sim Blasteroids (Mirrowsoft/Imageworks) - Atari Coin-op Conversion Blood Money (Psygnosis) - Hor / Vert Scroll and blast Bloodwych (Mirrowsoft/Imageworks) - RPG 3D Breach (Omnirend) - Squad Strategy . Combat Captain blood (Mindscape) - Adventure /Arcade 2D Commando (Elite) - Capcom Arcade Conversion Darius + (Edge / Softek) - Horizontal Shooter - Arcade conversion Demon’s Winter (SSI / EA) - RPG 2D Double Dragon II (Virgin) - Arcade Scrolling Beat-em-up Dragon Spirit (Domark) - Namco Vertical Scroller Conversion Fighter Bomber (Activision) - Air Combat Sim Forgotten Worlds (ARC / US Gold) - Capcom Horizontal Scroller shooter US GOLD Giants - 1943 The Battle of Midway, Gauntlet II, Out Run, Street Fighter. Hard Drivin’ (Domark) - Atari Arcade Conversion Hostages (Infogrames) - Police Simulation  Hound of Shadow (EA) - Graphic Adventure License to Kill (Domark) Shoot’em Up Misc Lost Dutchman Mine (Magnetic Images / Innerphase) - Adventure Arcade 2D

s5:e3  Xenon 2 and the Atari ST Halcyon Days of 1989 Part 1 Steve and Jeff are joined by Tony Longworth to discuss Xenon 2: Megablast for the Atari ST, in the first of a multi-part series on 1989 Atari ST gamesPart 2 will be be a discussion of 50+ games from 1989 that Steve and Jeff purchased in the USA and Part 3 will be a survey of some of the hidden gems of the 1989 Atari ST Library Notes: Tony’s new album - Godless Universe Random Pain  https://tonylongworth.bandcamp.com/album/godless-universe-random-pain  Atari Mania Xenon II http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-st-xenon-ii-megablast_10904.html Mobygames Xenon II https://www.mobygames.com/game/atari-st/xenon-2-megablast Recorded, Mixed, Edited and Produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton Music : Into the Vertical Blank - Tony Longworth : support Tony's Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/ Find us here: http://intotheverticalblank.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank Twitter: https://twitter.com/Atari_VB_Pod

From 2020 for Atari's 50th Anniversary: Our Top-50 Games From Atari.

S5: E1 - Generation Atari In this opening episode for season 5, after a tumultuous season 4,  inspired by some feedback, we reaffirm just why we are here and what we mean by “The Vertical blank” and “Generation Atari. BCB #36 - "The Atari Generation" (Delving "Into the Vertical Blank.")https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tRdFWpt3L0&t=1180s “Video Games For The ‘Basest Instincts Of Man’”  Jan, 28, 1982 (New York times Subscription required)Opinion | VIDEO GAMES FOR THE 'BASEST INSTINCTS OF MAN' - The New York Times (nytimes.com) Not mentioned in the episode but a good resource on this subject is “The Atari Age:The Emergence Of Video Games In America” by Michael Newman Atari Age: The Emergence of Video Games in America (The MIT Press): Newman, Michael Z.: 9780262536110: Amazon.com: Books   Recorded, Mixed, Edited and Produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton Music : Into the Vertical Blank - Tony Longworth : support Tony's Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/ Find us here: http://intotheverticalblank.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank Twitter: https://twitter.com/Atari_VB_Pod

S5: E1 - Generation Atari In this opening episode for season 5, after a tumultuous season 4,  inspired by some feedback, we reaffirm just why we are here and what we mean by “The Vertical blank” and “Generation Atari. BCB #36 - "The Atari Generation" (Delving "Into the Vertical Blank.")https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tRdFWpt3L0&t=1180s “Video Games For The ‘Basest Instincts Of Man’”  Jan, 28, 1982 (New York times Subscription required)Opinion | VIDEO GAMES FOR THE 'BASEST INSTINCTS OF MAN' - The New York Times (nytimes.com) Not mentioned in the episode but a good resource on this subject is “The Atari Age:The Emergence Of Video Games In America” by Michael Newman Atari Age: The Emergence of Video Games in America (The MIT Press): Newman, Michael Z.: 9780262536110: Amazon.com: Books   Recorded, Mixed, Edited and Produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton Music : Into the Vertical Blank - Tony Longworth : support Tony's Patreon music https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/ Find us here: http://intotheverticalblank.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank Twitter: https://twitter.com/Atari_VB_Pod

Clocking in at almost 3 hours, this episode is a remastered super-cut of Into The Vertical Blank Season 3, Episode #1, #4 and #6 (2020) that cover April 3, 1982: Atari Pac-Man Day and it's lasting effects on the company. Yep, this one is all about Atari VCS Pac-Man, but so much more as well. It features a discussion with the late Curt Vendel, in one of his final interviews, speaking very very passionately about what we all believed to be "Atari's Biggest Mistake". Written, edited, produced and hosted by Steve And Jeff FultonMusic by Tony LongworthBranding by Daryl Litts Rest In Peace Mr. Vendel, we miss you very much

In this episode, the brothers discuss recent Christmas, the latest Atari recharged  releases and then bring on their brother from another mother (and father) Tony Longworth to discuss the Jeff Minter Classic, LLamatron for the Atari ST.  They also disuss the Jeff Minter Documentary, Heart of Neon, and play a new Tony track made for the film.  Discussion Video Version: https://youtu.be/D1E45ePl6rU with Music Video by Heart of Neon Film maker, Paul Docherty Notes:  Heart of Neon: https://www.heartofneon.com/ Buy a Jeff Minter Game or swag here:  http://www.minotaurproject.co.uk/Minotaur/theshop.php ST Section of the Llamasoft site: http://www.llamasoftarchive.org/oldsite/llamadloads2.html#AtariST Atarimania Llamatron Page: http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-st-llamatron_31157.html Tony’s LLamatron Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxqqSSUMelI Recorded, Mixed, Edited and Produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton Music : Perpetual Darkness - Tony Longworth : You can download this exclusive track by supporting Tony's Patreon music campaign @: https://www.patreon.com/tonylongworth Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/ Find us here: http://intotheverticalblank.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank Twitter: https://twitter.com/Atari_VB_Pod

S4:E12 Xmas 1984 : BBS: Demented and Sad, But Social In  this episode, Steve and Jeff discuss Christmas 1984. Tramiel had purchased Atari but the Fulton brothers were oblivious and just wanted a modem to call BBSs and download public domain software. They also discuss Atari Writer, Printers, Gateway to Apshai, and a few magazines from December of 1984. Steve’s story goes over this time in detail and the events surrounding it. The boys discuss what really happened to the Atari 8bits and video games during the USA Video Game crash during this time period by going through ads from various local newspapers at the time.   Notes Local Ads on the ITVB site: https://intotheverticalblank.com/2021/12/29/december-1984-computer-and-game-advertisements/ Recorded, Mixed, Edited and Produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton Music : Oceans of Neon – Tony Longworth : Patreon: Tony Longworth is creating free music for everyone | Patreon Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/ Find us here: http://intotheverticalblank.com Into the Vertical Blank: Generation Atari | Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank Into The Vertical Blank Pod Cast – Twitterhttps://twitter.com/Atari_VB_Pod

In this episode Steve and Jeff discuss the Atari ST role-playing games listed in Atarimania.com from 1987, and also briefly go into the 1986 ones they discussed in S4:E10.  They also discuss the latest news that interests them. This all leads into a story by Steve that weaves their home experience growing up with playing a game of Phantasie on the Atari ST.  Show Notes: AtariMania Games List http://www.atarimania.com/pgelstsoft.awp?system=S&type=G&year=1987&genre=4&step=25 Games Discussed in this Episode: AutoDuel (Origin)  Casque des Forgerons (Le) (Coconuts) Eden Blues (Ere Informatique / Atari Italia)  Maitre des Ames (Le) [Advertised/MIA] (Ubi Soft) Phantasie II 1.0 (Strategic Simulations, Inc.) Phantasie III  (Strategic Simulations, Inc.) Quest (Pyramide) Rings of Zilfin (Strategic Simulations, Inc.) Roadwar 2000 1.0 (Strategic Simulations, Inc.) ST Larn 12.0 (no publisher) Wizard Warz (Go! / US Gold) Wizard's Crown (Strategic Simulations, Inc.) Ultima II Ultima III Atari XP : https://atarixp.com/ Champ Games Qix: https://champ.games/qix Gamestop T-shirts: https://www.gamestop.com/search/?q=Seven%20Squared&prefn1=brand&prefv1=Seven%20Squared Atari ST Droid Special Edition: https://www.bitmapsoft.co.uk/product/droid-definitive-collection/ Jaguar Kings of Edom: https://songbird-productions.com/product/kings-of-edom/ Credits Recorded, Mixed, Edited and Produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton

S4:E10: Atari  ST Games the Early Years In this Episode, we cover the Atari ST, released in 1985 and what we consider to be the best "launch" titles for the system release in 1985 and 86. Of course these are not necessarily Launch Titles as computers rarely have them, but our favorite early years ST games. We have gone  through all of the Atari ST games released before 1987 using the excellent atarimaina.com database. We consider the first 18 months of the ST’s life as the launch period before most of the big games started being developed and huge European software houses began to flood the market with games. This is the list of games we recommend that the new Atari should re-release on a pack for the VCS and re-make as new games if possible.  We purchased our 520 ST in January of 1987 and had access to most of these titles. It would be another year before we would  start getting a lot of new UK and European games, and we’ll cover those later, but these are what we feel are the best in various genres for the ST during our pivotal move from 8 to 16 bit gaming.  There are more we could add to the list and your list might vary. Let us know if  if we missed any of your favorites. Recorded, Mixed, Edited and Produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton Music : Don’t Go Into The Woods – Tony Longworth : Patreon: Tony Longworth is creating free music for everyone | Patreon Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/ Find us here: http://intotheverticalblank.com Into the Vertical Blank: Generation Atari | Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank Into The Vertical Blank Pod Cast – Twitterhttps://twitter.com/Atari_VB_Pod Notes: Atarimania,com ST Games Database:

Charley Chuck has been found!  Atari announced recently that there will be a 21st century new console update for the game Food Fight!  In this episode we track down Interview with Andrew Marsh of Mega Cat to talk about their plans for the game, and also about what it means to make “retro” games in the year 2021   Recorded, Mixed, Edited and Produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton Music : And The Sun Still Shines Above The Clouds - Tony Longworth : Patreon: Tony Longworth is creating free music for everyone | Patreon Theme by Brian TravisTitle: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAPhttp://www.briantravisband.com/ Find us here: http://intotheverticalblank.com–Into the Vertical Blank: Generation Atari | Facebook –Into The Vertical Blank Pod Cast - Twitter Notes:   News Of Game:  Atari Announces Modernized Food Fight Remake Featuring Online Multiplayer ... 2021-07-29 (pr-inside.com)   Mega Cat: Creative First Video Games – Mega Cat Studios   Mega Cat Evercade Mega Cat Studios 1 - Evercade Info Central