280 episodes

The 2600 Game By Game Podcast will delve into the history, gameplay, and personal stories of every game made for the Atari 2600.

The Atari 2600 Game By Game Podcast Ferg

    • Leisure
    • 4.9 • 98 Ratings

The 2600 Game By Game Podcast will delve into the history, gameplay, and personal stories of every game made for the Atari 2600.

    Pitfall II by Activision

    Pitfall II by Activision

    AB-035, Pitfall II: The Lost Caverns!  1
    Happy New Year! If I can still say that when it's almost Groundhog Day. I hit a snag right out of the gate, which seems to be typical now. But, Pitfall II by Activision is finally available, and it's a doozy. The part about the game and its history etc. is twice as long as it usually is, I had a lot of fun researching this game. And of course, playing it. It's one of my favorites. I hope that you enjoy the episode. Coming up next is the super rare game Gamma Attack, by a tiny company called Gammation. Not as much history on this one, but what I've seen so far is very interesting. if you have any thoughts on this game, or even if you have a copy, I would love to hear about it. Please send them to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by February 7th. Thanks so much for your patience, and thank you as always for listening.
    Pitfall 2 on Random Terrain
    Pitfall 2 on Atari Protos
    David Crane interview by Scott Stilphen
    DPC Chip patent
    Explanation of DPC chip by David Crane on Atari Compendium
    Atari Compendium article about "Super Chips," including the DPC chip
    UK Activision Fun Club Newsletter Summer 1984 from Atari Compendium
    Pitfall 2 patch
    Pitfall 2 patch accompanying letter
    Get MattBuc's repro Pitfall 2 patch here!
    Pitfall! Masked Menace Mess
    Pitfall! Raiders of the Lost Shark
    Pitfall 2 The Lost Caverns on KLOV
    Pitfall 2 Arcade playthrough by Old Classic Retrogaming 
    Super Pitfall 30th Anniversary Edition NES patch
    Chris and Adam's Pitfall articles on Orphaned Games

    • 2 hr 34 min
    Mean Santa by Tim Duarte and John K Harvey

    Mean Santa by Tim Duarte and John K Harvey

    Boy oh boy, it's been a rough year. This episode featuring Mean Santa by Tim Duarte and John K. Harvey almost didn't come out for Christmas. I am truly very sorry about how this year has gone, I need to change a lot of behaviors in the coming year. Regardless of what holiday (if any) you celebrate, I hope it is was a joyous and peaceful time. I am grateful to and for all of you and I do not deserve you. I will see you in 2023 where we will start the year with Pitfall II by Activision. Thank you for listening.
    The Mean Santa Journey on Experienca Odyssey
    ROM and Source Code for Free on Atari Age
    2600 Connection Issue 100 thread
    2600 Connection Mean Santa Sales Announcement on the Wayback Machine
    Original YouTube video of game footage, posted August 10 2009
    Tim Duarte's web page
    John K. Harvey's web page via Wayback Machine
    Order Mean Santa from Tim Duarte
    Willie! plays Mean Santa on the Odyssey 2

    • 1 hr 2 min
    Merry Christmas 2022

    Merry Christmas 2022

    It's been a bad year for me and podcasting, I'm sorry I haven't put that much out this year. I also have not been looking forward to Christmas, but today with the help of a friend, I got a boost of Christmas spirit! I'm going to try and extend it through next year the best I can. Thank you for sticking with me for so long. I love you all and I wish you the happiest of holiday seasons. Thank you for listening 💗💚

     

    • 1 hr 6 min
    Gauntlet by Answer Software

    Gauntlet by Answer Software

    Welcome to the show! In this episode I will tell you what I know about Gauntlet by Answer Software. Other than how to play, it's not much; although I am very confident in telling you that this is NOT a port of the Atari arcade game Gauntlet. I can also tell you that despite what you read on the internet, the arcade Gauntlet was partially inspired by the 8 bit computer game Dandy, written by John Palevich. It was not inspired by Atari's console game Dark Chambers, which came out 3 years after Gauntlet. Dark Chambers was also inspired by Dandy. With that pedantry out of the way, I do hope you enjoy the episode. Coming up next is the last game for the year, Mean Santa, a homebrew game designed by Tim Duarte (founder of the 2600 Connection newsletter), and programmed by John K Harvey. The rom has been released for free, and you can get it here if you'd like to try it out. If you'd like to send feedback containing your thoughts on the game and not how to play it, which I cover every episode, please send them to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by November 28th. I will post an updated list of upcoming games to your right (if you're not on a phone) very soon. To all who celebrate American Thanksgiving, I wish you a safe and healthy-ish holiday. I am very thankful for all of you, and I thank you for listening.
    You can donate to my Extra Life campaign until December 31st!
    Gauntlet on Atari Age
    Gauntlet on Random Terrain
    Answer Software catalog on Atarimania
    April 1983 Video Game Update newsletter on Atari Compendium
    Al Backiel's writeup on the PGP-1 on Digital Press
    Gauntlet thread on Atari Age

    • 1 hr 2 min
    Master Builder by Spectravideo

    Master Builder by Spectravideo

    I am back this week to discuss a Spectravideo game, after 7 years! This game is called Master Builder, and I really hope you enjoy the episode. Coming up next will be Gauntlet by Answer Software. If you have thoughts on Gauntlet, you can send them to me at 2600gamebygame@gmail.com. Please just tell me your thoughts, I'll take care of the rest. The last game for the year is Mean Santa by John Harvey and Tim Duarte. If you have feedback for Mean Santa, I'll need it by November 28th. Finally, if you have any video game Christmas memories (it doesn't need to be Atari 2600, but please keep it to video games), I will be doing another Christmas show this year, provided I get enough submissions. Please get those to me by December 16th. Tune in to YouTube this weekend at 8 pm on November 4 and 5 to watch me play games badly for Extra Life. I don't know why you would want to watch that, but I'm glad you do.
    Thank you as always for your kindness, and for listening.
    Donate to my Extra Life campaign here!
    Master Builder on Random Terrain
    Columbia Video Game Club thread on Atari Age
    Columbia Video Game Club magazines on Digital Press
    Ace Moon Gaming channel plays Master Builder, very well

    • 59 min
    Cookie Monster Munch by Atari

    Cookie Monster Munch by Atari

    Long time no see! Today's episode is about the Atari and Children's Computer Workshop collaboration, Cookie Monster Munch. I loved Cookie Monster when I was a kid (I still do), and I also love cookies, but most cookies actually stay in my mouth, unlike some other monsters I could name. I hope that you enjoy the episode and that it was worth waiting for. Next up will be the very rare Master Builder by Spectravideo. Apparently my episodes covering Spectravideo games are also pretty rare. If you have feedback for Master Builder that does not include its history or how to play it, please send it along to 2600gamebygame@gmail.com by October 31st. On November 4th and 5th, I will once again be participating in Extra Life, to benefit the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Hopefully I will have my streaming ability together by then. If you would like to donate to the kids, please see the link below. Thank you once again for your patience, and for listening.
    Donate to my Extra Life campaign
    Cookie Monster Munch on Atari Protos
    Cookie Monster Munch on Random Terrain
    Gary Stark's web site
    Gary Stark's YouTube page
    UPI article on CMM by Kenneth Clark, Feb 1983
    Sharon Lerner on MuppetWiki
    Joystick conversions of Cookie Monster Munch and Big Bird's Egg Catch by Omegamatrix

    • 1 hr 32 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
98 Ratings

98 Ratings

DreamVmu ,

Great Retro Goodness

I love your podcast Ferg! Every Episode is a Joy to Listen to! Thank you for adding some goodness to my world!

Retroalias ,

The Ultimate Gaming Podcast!

This is a great retro gaming podcast by a super passionate host! In fact, his stories are so awesome that even non gamers would enjoy this show. I also really enjoy the accessibility of the show along with the frequent community submissions.

It sets a high water mark for podcasts and I look forward to many more great episodes down the road!

YourPalPuddy ,

Best 2600 Podcast Out There

Ferg puts a lot into the production of these episodes. Great content and sound effects are on point!

I thought I knew about most VCS carts, but I’ve learned there were so many I’d never heard of.

Just wish he’d do a few more each month.

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