Atari Stories

About Atari Stories

Our Atari stories are a slice of our personal histories. From sitting on shag carpeting surrounded by wood paneled walls playing our 2600's to joining our first BBS with an Atari 8-Bit computer, our Atari Stories are an integral part of our gaming life, our generations & the collective gaming world. In this series, I'll explore those stories & delight in them. Join us.

Publisher

Ballistik Coffee Boy

Category

leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Sept 2023

Latest episode

4 Oct 2025

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Oct 2025

   Atari Stories #13: The BUSHNELL Files! Articles about Nolan Bushnell, Vol 3 (Oct-Dec 2025)

   On this episode of Atari Stories, the podcast all about Atari & it's stories, we continue on with Volume 3 of The Bushnell Files, including articles & interviews with one of the world's most prominent & valued entrepreneurs, Nolan Bushnell, also founder of Atari! In this episode, we read articles from Michael Cavicini, Sequoia & Games Related. These outline Nolan's later years from 2011 until now, detaling investments in education and gaming intertwined, the end of his robotics dreams & how he sees his legacy years later. Enjoy! Check me out on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@ballistik_coffee_boy Articles: Games Related Interview (2012): https://gamesrelated.com/gamesrelated-interview-nolan-bushnell/ Sequoia Interview (2014): https://www.sequoiacap.com/article/nolan-bushnell-spotlight-original-gamer/ Michael Cavacini (2021): https://michaelcavacini.com/2021/10/23/a-conversation-with-atari-and-chuck-e-cheese-founder-nolan-bushnell/ *** Send your own ATARI STORIES to ataristories@outlook.com to be featured in a special Christmas episode! Thanks so much! Subscribe, Like & Comment! Thanks for listening ! BCB *** Musicians featured: Tony Longworth (Theme song - Intro & Outro), Otis McDonald, Anno Domini Beats, King Canyon & Telecasted from YouTube's Creative Commons sound library. Check them out! *** Extras: Atari Newsline: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/atari-newsline-the-podcast-by-ballistik-coffee-boy/id1811930267 on Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DD6ED97qqAkRbXd9DF1Bc?si=a347a548cdd84b1b *** Atari Stories Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7egdzioB0iYFtREP1X8flU?si=c6adba3322d74a95 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/atari-stories/id1829328540 *** The Atari VCS Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dD5uRZ9cKr8U63WB0bmwx?si=1780844bf7484535 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-atari-vcs-podcast/id1833687444 *** Add me on X! https://x.com/ballistikcoffee Join my #Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/ballistikcoffeeboy/ Visit my Website for all the latest! https://www.ballistikcoffeeboy.com/ *** Special note to Nolan: Thank you Nolan for all your entrepreneurial spirt & drive that contributed so heavily to the gaming industry that we know & love today. The industry owes a huge gratitude to this man. Thank you for all you did & continue to do! - BCB

2. 

   28 Jun 2025

   Atari Stories #12: The BUSHNELL Files! Articles about Nolan Bushnell, Vol 2 (Jul-Sep 2025)

   On volume 2 of 'The Bushnell Files,' I continue on with 3 more unique stories about entrepreneur, founder of Atari & Chuck E' Cheese, Nolan Bushnell. Pong. Chuck E' Cheese. uWink. Nolan started many companies & innovated everywhere he walked. These articles span several decades & it's interesting to catch up with him on his timeline when I randomly pick a few stories! First up is an article from 'Video Games' magazine from 1982. Next up is a popular 'Wired' Magazine article from 2005 titled 'The Player,' and, lastly, we read a Nolan Bushnell interview over on Kikizo Archives, from April 2, 2009. Afterwards, we'll discuss. Subscribe, Like & Comment! Thanks for listening! BCB *** VIdeo Games magazine, August 1982 article https://vgpavilion.com/mags/1982/08/vg/nolan-bushnell/ Wired Magazine interview, 'The Player' from October 2005 https://www.wired.com/2005/10/bushnell/ Kikizo Archive Interview from April 2009 https://games.kikizo.com/features/nolan-bushnell-interview-april-2009-p1.asp *** Got a story you want to submit? Make sure it's an ATARI story & send the MP3 or text email to be read to: ataristories@outlook.com I'll read your submission on the air if it's family friendly and focuses on Atari. Thanks!

3. 

   21 Jun 2025

   Atari Stories #11: The BUSHNELL Files! Articles about Nolan Bushnell, Vol 1 (Apr-Jun 2025)

   On this episode of Atari Stories, I begin a year-long series titled "The Bushnell Files!" Kind of like the X-Files but without the alien babies or UFO's or cattle abductions. In this series, I read random articles about Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari. These span anywhere from the 70's-80's-90's-00's and current times. This time, I take a look at an article from Success Magazine in 1983, 'The Return of King Pong!' Next up is 'Back to the Garage' in Metro Active magazine from 1999. Next up is Spiegel Online's "No Acid Was Ever Used At Atari" article. Let's read em & discuss em! Nolan is definitely an interesting figure in not just Atari history but gaming history as a whole. Enjoy! Subscribe, Like & Comment! Thanks for listening! BCB *** Spiegel Online: "No Acid Was Ever Used at Atari" (2007) https://www.spiegel.de/international/interview-with-atari-founder-nolan-bushnell-no-acid-was-ever-used-at-atari-a-512798.html Success, 1983: "The King of Pong" (nolan bushnell interview) (1983) https://archive.org/details/successfeb83/page/n17/mode/2up Metro Active / "Back to the Garage" (1999) https://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/09.16.99/cover/bushnell1-9937.html

4. 

   6 Mar 2025

   Atari Stories #10: "Sex, Pong & Pioneers: What Atari Was Really Like, According to Women Who Were There." 2018 Kotaku Article / Jan-Mar 2025

   On this episode of Atari Stories, I read you an article on Kotaku.com titled "Sex, Pong & Pioneers: What Atari Was Really Like, According to the Women Who Were There." By Cecilia D'Anastasio from 2018. According to this article, there was some wild sexism going on and perhaps while Nolan Bushnell, reportedly, turned a blind eye & set the lax 70's "free-wheeling" culture in place. This is the author's own take on the story, and stay tuned for my own at the conclusion of this article. Do you feel we can judge things that happened 40 years ago through today's lens? What does Nolan have to say? Subscribe, Like & Comment! Thanks for listening! BCB ** Article Referenced: "Sex, Pong & Pioneers" by Cecilia D'Anastasio https://kotaku.com/sex-pong-and-pioneers-what-atari-was-really-like-ac-1822930057 Arcade-Museum Thread: https://forums.arcade-museum.com/threads/article-working-women-at-classic-atari.501969/ ** Visit www.ballistikcoffeeboy.com for all the latest on my various YouTube & Spotify episodes & ventures. Go play some freakin' Atari ! Send your own Atari Stories to my email: ataristories@outlook.com! You can type your story for me to read on the air (make it family friendly) or you can send me an mp3 file of your own audio feedback. Just include what 'handle' or name you want to go by and if I can say the state or country in which you live. Thank you! BB

5. 

   24 Dec 2024

   Atari Stories #9: It's a Holly, Jolly Atari Christmas! (Christmas Atari Stories by Yorkies TV & fellow listeners) / Dec 2024

   On this #Christmas themed edition of #AtariStories, I share 4 listener stories, including one by #YouTube content creator #YorkiesTV (aka Andrew) & 3 podcast listeners, spanning from Canada to Indiana! Plus: BCB gives some advice on living a more stress-free 2025. Bonus: BCB's favorite new Atari+ game of 2024, that you can buy from Atari today for your 2600 or 7800+! You'll wanna hear this! Submit your Atari stories to: ataristories@outlook.com Deadline for Feb/Mar 2025 episode if Feb 15, 2025! Music courtesy of DJ Williams & Tony Longworth Thank you for listening! Subscribe for more Atari awesomeness today! Happy Holidays!! BCB

6. 

   17 Nov 2024

   Atari Stories #8: The Joy of Atari Podcasts! (My Favorites: Into The Vertical Blank, Atari Bytes, 5200 & 7800 Podcasts & More! Part 2) (Oct-Nov 2024)

   On this episode of #AtariStories, I continue on with "The Joy of #Atari #Podcasts"! In part 2, I discuss some more of my faves! (In no particular order!) These include: #IntotheVerticalBlank, #AtariBytes, #Atari5200 Podast, #Atari7800 #Podcast & The Official #AtariGames Podcast! I talk about some of the latest episodes, personal insights & more! What are some of your favorite Atari podcasts? Let me know! Also, send me your #Christmas #Holiday episode Atari Stories! Send them to: ataristories@outlook.com by December 15, 2024 @ 12p MST! Thanks for listening! Subscribe, Like & Comment! **** Links: * Official Atari Games Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/official-atari-games-podcast/id1585430874 * The Atari 7800 Game by Game Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-atari-7800-game-by-game-podcast/id958792862 *Into The Vertical Blank (Atari podcast): https://intotheverticalblank.com/into-the-vertical-blank-podcast/ *The Atari 5200 Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-atari-5200-podcast/id979016544 *Atari Bytes: https://ataribytes.libsyn.com/ *** See you in a month!~! Ballistik Coffee Boy

7. 

   11 Aug 2024

   Atari Stories #7: The Joy of Atari Podcasts! (My Favorites: Ferg, Lynx Handycast, Antic, Shinto's Jaguar Podcast & More! Part 1) (Jul-Sep 2024)

   On this episode of #AtariStories, I dig into #AtariPodcasts & discuss the immense joy they have brought into my life! These range from Ferg's Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast to Inverse Atascii: the Atari Productivity Software Podcast to Antic: Atari 8-Bit Computer Podcast to Shinto's Atari Jaguar Podcast & Mark Little's amazing Atari Lynx Handycast, and more! (This is part 1 of a 2 part series) Thanks for listening! ** Subscribe, Like & Comment! See you in October! BCB

8. 

   4 May 2024

   Atari Stories #6: "The History of ATARI" (IGN 2014/2022 Article by Keza Macdonald (April-June 2024)

   On this episode of #AtariStories, I read a great #article about the #history of #Atari by #IGN, written by #KezaMacdonald. In this article, we'll hear about Atari's triumphs and downfalls, and how it became an early pioneer of the home #videogame and #arcade market. *** Article Link: IGN Presents: the History of Atari - IGN (https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/20/ign-presents-the-history-of-atari) Send your OWN Atari Stories to: ataristories@outlook.com as an MP3 File or text that I can read on the air (just let me know how to reference you if I read it.) Subscribe, Like & Comment! Thanks for listening! BCB

9. 

   6 Mar 2024

   Atari Stories #5: Atari.IO Atari Memories! Plus: First Atari Falcon & ST Computers, My 7800 Story & More! (Jan-Mar 2024)

   On this episode of Atari Stories (#5, for those of you counting), I recall some personal stories, read listener Atari stories & also peruse the Memories section at Atari.IO, where members have posted their Atari stories for the past 8-10 years or so. Which ones will I pick? Tune in to find out! Some great stories here, including: first Falcon computer, Atari 2600 stories on Christmas Day & a cute story about getting the wrong pack in game! Leave your listener feedback for episode #6, which will most likely air sometime this Summer! You can email the audio file or just your text (and how you want to be referred to, handle or real name) to: ataristories@outlook.com *or* ballistikcoffeeboy@outlook.com! *** Thanks 4 Listening! Subscribe to this podast today to show your FREE support! What's YOUR Atari Story? BCB

10. 

    28 Nov 2023

    Atari Stories #4: The Holiday Edition! Festive Christmas Atari Stories by Tony Longworth, myself & Listeners!

    On this episode of Atari Stories, I share holiday stories from listeners Roberta & Joe (JJ), myself, and Tony Longworth, Atari fan & musician! The stories range from opening up new Atari 2600's on Christmas Day to playing the Atari 5200 as a little kid, to unwrapping an Atari 7800, thinking it would be a NES. Enjoy the holidays with this special, festive episode! Spread the cheer, share your joy, and make the world a BETTER place. It starts with YOU! (Hosted by Ballistik Coffee Boy) *** Check me out on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF5173sAIQV9F1oiw02apiw Check out Tony Longworth! (Atari musician & fan!) His main page is here: https://linktr.ee/tonylongworth To provide feedback for the Jan/Feb 2024 episode (by Jan 15, 2024), email me at ataristories@outlook.com! Music in the episode provided by: Tony Longworth, DJ Williams & Kevin MacLeod Thanks for listening! Have a wonderful holiday! BCB

11. 

    24 Oct 2023

    Atari Stories #3: The Halloween Episode! Festive Stories, Family Traditions, Spooky Neighbors & More!

    On this Halloween themed episode of #AtariStories, I introduce to you spooky gaming related Halloween stories from three listeners - Grace, Vic & Shane, as well as recall some of my own favorite Halloween stories. These include: going to a fun Halloween carnival at school when I was 7, finding ill-fated old Atari gold in my closet during an electrical storm in '88, getting so much candy one Halloween it lasted my big Sis and I a whole year & finally, a super scary story about a wacky neighbor in a tiny trailer in east Texas in the mid 80's with a terrifying secret that has remained a mystery, some 38 years later. Thanks for listening! Share your Atari Stories with me at: ataristories@outlook.com! *** Theme Music by Tony Longworth All other music was obtained royalty-free from pixabay.com Future episodes will air once per month. Deadline for audio is typically around the middle of that next month's podcast. For instance, the deadline for the next is Nov 15, 2023. Hosted by Ballistik Coffee Boy from YouTube! Recorded 10/24/23

12. 

    13 Sept 2023

    Atari Stories #2: Stories from AndyVGR & my Local Atari Gaming Buddies, Adam & Rick

    On this episode of Atari Stories, I read a story sent in by AndyVGR about growing up with his Atari in 1988 after he discovered an old family 2600 in a wooden crate at the age of 4. Plus: my local gaming buddies, Adam (from the 'Bally Alley Astrocast') & Rick discuss how they got into Atari, some other memories about meeting gaming buddies, getting into Atari Home Computers, and more! AndyVGR on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndyVGR/about Bally Alley Astrocast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bally-alley-astrocast/id1120803134 BallyAlley.com https://ballyalley.com/ Subscribe & Leave Feedback. Email all feedback & stories to: ataristories@outlook.com Thank you so much! Theme music: "Chillwave" by Tony Longworth Visit Tony Longworth on Bandcamp: https://tonylongworth.bandcamp.com/album/free-music-for-everyone

13. 

    6 Sept 2023

    Atari Stories #1: Intro. Stories: My First Atari 2600, Pac-Man Fever!

    On this first episode of Atari Stories, I give you a little intro to the show & then tell some personal stories: First up, my first Atari 2600 story, followed by my obsession with Pac-Man with the 2600 version of the game came out. Let me know your Atari Stories! Send them (in MP3 format or in email/text format) to: ataristories@outlook.com. I'll read or play your story on a future episode with your permission. Thanks for listening! (Hosted by Ballistik Coffee Boy; Music by Tony Longworth)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 10 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

19

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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