The Atari 400 was a games machine masked as an entry-level computer computer. When it was released in 1979, it could play Atari’s killer-app “Star Raiders” just as well as it’s more serious, older brother the Atari 800. At the same time, the Atari 400 acted as a gateway for many kids to the world of programming. In this episode we explore how we were first introduced to the Atari 400, the first few amazing games we played on it, and how it sparked dreams of being a computer programmer. The story in this episode was written and produced by Steve Fulton with music from Tony Longworth.
Show Notes
Gamasutra “Atari 1971-1977” :Gamasutra - The History of Atari: 1971-1977
Gamasutra “Atari 1978-1981” :Gamasutra - Atari: The Golden Years -- A History, 1978-1981
Antic Pix Ten - 10 great games (atarimagazines.com)
Miner 2049er History (archive.org)
An interview with Bill Hogue from 1983 - Atari 8-Bit Computers - AtariAge Forums
ANTIC The Atari 8-bit Podcast: ANTIC Interview 94 - Bill Hogue, Miner 2049er (libsyn.com)
Written,edited, Produced by Steve Fulton and Jeff Fulton
Branding by Daryl Litts
The song “Everything Changes But It All Stays The Same” by Tony Longworth used by permission.
In part 2 of our discussion with Steve Golson, we cover the glory of the Ms. Pac-Man, arcade game, and fate the lay ahead...
We salute Asteroids 40th anniversary with a discussion of how things have changed since 1979, and with a rebroadcast of the story "Escape To...
Right before the Atari VCS, Star Wars toys, and Lego hit big in the 70's there was the 1977 Sears Wish Book. It's like...