Task: Explore the Atari Protos Website to Learn about Unreleased or Rare Software and Games for Atari 8-Bit Computers and Game Consoles Needed: Web Browser Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction One of the really fun things to do with Atari computers and game consoles is to
Read morePurchase Caverns of Mars for the Atari 2600 (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase Caverns of Mars for the Atari 2600 Needed: Caverns of Mars Cartridge, Atari 2600 / 2600+ / 7800 / 7800+ Time: 10-15 mins Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction I am not a
Read moreRead the Book “Adventure” on the Atari 2600 by Jamie Lendino
Task: Read the Book “Adventure” on the Atari 2600 by Jamie Lendino Needed: Web browser for ordering Time: 3-6 hours to read Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction Jamie Lendino is one of my favorite
Read moreWatch the Ataventure Demo by DMA for the Atari 2600 (5-10 mins)
Task: Watch the Ataventure Demo by DMA for the Atari 2600 Needed: Ataventure binary, Atari 2600 with SD-card device or Stella emulator Time: 5-10 minutes Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction The Atari 2600 VCS
Read morePurchase a SpectraVideo CompuMate to Extend the Functionality of Your Atari 2600 Game Console (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase a SpectraVideo CompuMate to Extend the Functionality of Your Atari 2600 Game Console Needed: CompuMate SpectraVideo, Atari 2600 Time: 10-15 mins Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction The Atari 2600 was a pioneer
Read morePurchase and Play the New Alien Abduction Game for the Atari 2600 (30-60 mins)
Task: Purchase and Play the New Alien Abduction Game for the Atari 2600 Needed: Web Browser, Atari 2600 Console or Emulator Time: 30-60 mins Introduction I have previously posted about the new Circus Convoy game for the Atari 2600 that was developed and produced by
Read moreUpdate the Firmware on Your Atari 2600+ (5-10 mins)
Task: Update the Firmware on Your Atari 2600+ Needed: Atari 2600+, web browser Time: 5-10 minutes Introduction I have previously posted about the modern Atari 2600+ console that plays original 2600 and 7800 cartridges through emulation. I nice feature is that it can be connected
Read moreLearn to Program Games for the Atari 2600 in 6502 Assembly Language (1-3 months)
Task: Learn to Program Games for the Atari 2600 in 6502 Assembly Language Needed: Web browser, Compiler and Emulator Software Time: 1-3 months Introduction A few years ago, I decided to take the plunge and write a game called Gene Medic for the Atari 2600.
Read morePurchase an Atari 2600+ (5-10 mins)
Task: Purchase an Atari 2600+ Needed: Web browser Time: 5-10 minutes Introduction The recent history of the company called Atari is one many of us choose to ignore due to poor decisions about what products to develop and market. However, the recent release of a
Read morePurchase a RetroHQ GameDrive SD Card Device for the Atari 7800 (5-10 mins)
Task: Purchase a RetroHQ GameDrive SD Card Device for the Atari 7800 Needed: Web browser, Atari 7800 Console Time: 5-10 minutes Introduction I have previously posted about the Atari 7800 game console that should have been the successor to the Atari 2600. RetroHQ has developed
Read morePurchase a Synthcart for the Atari 2600 (5-10 mins)
Task: Purchase a Synthcart for the Atari 2600 Needed: Web browser, Atari 2600 console, two keyboard controllers Time: 5-10 mins Introduction One of the earliest homebrew cartridges for the Atari 2600 I can recall being offered for sale at Atari Age is the Synthcart by
Read moreWatch the “Stella at 20” Atari 2600 Retrospective (1-3 hours)
Task: Watch the “Stella at 20” Atari 2600 Retrospective Needed: Web Browser Time: 1-3 hours (or more) Introduction The Atari 2600 was launched in 1977 and enjoyed many years of success. For its 20th anniversary in 1997, a group of former Atari employees got together
Read morePlay Pitfall! on an Atari 8-Bit Computer or Video Game Console (30-60 mins)
Task: Play Pitfall! on an Atari 8-Bit Computer or Video Game Console Needed: Emulator, SD Card Device, or Cartridges and Original Hardware Time: 30-60 mins for watching several videos Introduction I first played Pitfall! when it came out in 1982 at a friend’s house on
Read morePurchase and Play the New Circus Convoy Game for the Atari 2600 (30-60 mins)
Task: Purchase and Play the New Circus Convoy Game for the Atari 2600 Needed: Web Browser, Atari 2600 Console or Emulator Time: 30-60 mins Introduction The homebrew scene has been active for years developing new games for the Atari 2600. Many of these are really
Read morePurchase an Atari 2600 VCS Game Console (15-30 mins)
Task: Purchase an Atari 2600 VCS Game Console Needed: Web Browser Time: 15-30 mins Introduction The Atari 2600 Video Computer System (VCS) was my first gaming console. We purchased our 2600 in 1980 or 1981 and then upgraded to an Atari 400 computer a year
Read moreListen to the Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast (1-2 hours)
Task: Listen to the Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast Needed: Web browser Time: 1-2 hours Introduction If you are like me you can’t get enough Atari. Podcasts are one way to satisfy the Atari itch. I have previously posted about the Antic, Floppy Days,
Read morePurchase an Evercade Retro Handheld Console (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase an Evercade Retro Handheld Console Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction Playing Atari games on modern handheld devices has a lot of appeal. I have been particularly excited about the cartridge-based Evercade handheld device which was released in 2020. I got one
Read moreConnect an Atari 2600 to a TV via an RF to Coaxial Cable Adaptor (10-15 mins)
Task: Connect an Atari 2600 to an TV via an RF to Coaxial Cable Adaptor Needed: Web browser, RF to Coaxial Cable Adaptor Time: 10-15 mins Introduction The Atari 2600 outputs a Radio Frequency (RF) modulated TV signal which can be quite difficult to convert
Read moreDisplay a Digital Photo on an Atari 2600 (10-15 mins)
Task: Display a Digital Photo on an Atari 2600 Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction I am always amazed at the modern software tools people have created to expand the capabilities of the Atari 8-bit computers and consoles. I recently posted about the coding
Read moreExplore the 8-Bit Workshop Web Page (10-15 mins)
Task: Explore the 8-Bit Workshop Web Page Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction This is a must browse web page with some amazing resources for those interested in programming and game development for the Atari 8-bit consoles including the 2600, 5200, and 7800. Other
Read morePlay Frogger on the Atari 8-Bit Computers and Consoles (10-15 mins)
Task: Play Frogger on the Atari 8-Bit Computers and Consoles Needed: Web browser, Emulator Time: 10-15 mins Introduction I have about a dozen Atari games I love to play over and over again for decades and decades. Frogger is definitely on that list for both
Read moreExplore Atari Advertisements in Retail Christmas Catalogs (10-15 mins)
Task: Explore Atari Advertisements in Retail Christmas Catalogs Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction If you grew up in the United State in the early 1980s the Christmas catalogs from Sears, J.C. Penney, and other department stores were the bomb. We all spent days
Read moreWatch the Documentary “Once Upon Atari” (2 hours)
Task: Watch the Documentary “Once Upon Atari” Needed: Web browser Time: 2 hours Introduction The Atari story from start to finish is an amazing one. Particularly interesting are the stories from the early days of Atari which stem from a very free and open management
Read moreExplore Atari Software and Games on Atari Mania (10-15 mins)
Task: Explore Atari Software and Games on Atari Mania Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction It can be challenging to find comprehensive and safe sources of Atari software and games online. The Internet Archive is certainly one of my favorites. Another go-to source is
Read more