This time we present a double-long, double-wide, twin-brother-scale episode of all-out Christmas madness! First, we have an audio review of "The Atari 50th Anniversary Celebration", followed by a knock-down-drag-out discussion of international scale of its merits with Tony Longworth from the UK. Then we pull out all the stops and feature a full hour-long interview with one of the main men behind the stunning Atari 50th Celebration, Mike Mika. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will never look...
Dec 16, 2022•2 hr 7 min•Season 5Ep. 10
S5:e9 USA v. England Anco v. Sensible Association Footie Special In this episode the brothers bring on brother from another country and mother, Tony Longworth to discuss Anco Kickoff vs Sensible Soccer on the ST, the World Cup and Welcome to Wrexham. Kickoff 2 http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-st-kick-off-ii_37007.html https://www.mobygames.com/game/atari-st/kick-off-2 Sensible http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-st-sensible-soccer-european-champions-1992-3-season-edition_23549.html https://...
Nov 30, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 5Ep. 9
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 Overvie...
Nov 06, 2022•1 hr 33 min•Season 5Ep. 8
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 A...
Oct 17, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 5Ep. 7
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 befor...
Sep 25, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 5Ep. 6
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. All music, video production. writing and game play by Jeff Fulton with he...
Sep 07, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Season 5Ep. 5
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...
Aug 14, 2022•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 4
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 games Part 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-univers...
Jul 04, 2022•50 min•Season 5Ep. 3
From 2020 for Atari's 50th Anniversary: Our Top-50 Games From Atari.
Jun 28, 2022•1 hr 47 min•Season 5Ep. 2
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' ...
Apr 21, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 5Ep. 1
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". All music, video production. wr...
Apr 02, 2022•2 hr 45 min•Season 4Ep. 14
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.heartofne...
Feb 04, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Season 4Ep. 13
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 game...
Dec 29, 2021•1 hr 25 min•Season 4Ep. 12
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 Di...
Nov 29, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 4Ep. 11
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 mos...
Oct 27, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Season 4Ep. 10
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 everyon...
Aug 29, 2021•59 min•Season 4Ep. 9
There is new information regarding the whereabouts of one Charlie Chuck, the star of Atari's 1984 coin-op, Food Fight. We will be revealing what we know and have a special interview in the next episode. But for now, refresh your memories of the full mystery with a remastered version of the classic lead-off episode from Season 2 of "Into The Vertical Blank": The Disappearance Of Charlie Chuck. Recorded, Mixed, Edited and Produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton Branding By Daryl Litts Additional Music b...
Aug 14, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In the 80's we sold all of our Atari 800 discs and lost all of our youthful programs BASIC programs and creative output forever. Or so we thought. A few weeks ago we discovered a lost "treasure": an audio tape from 1984 that we never remembered recording of us using one of our programs. With the help of musician Tony Longworth, we embarked on quest to plumbs the depths of this computer audio ephemera, the Pokey audio chip and how it was the cornerstone of much of the Atari "Into The Vertical Bla...
Jul 18, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 7
In this episode we have a great story about the Atari 8 bit computers from Tony Longworth (and also his song "Star Raiders"...we should have just called this the Tony Longworth episode!), some Atari retro news, and a discussion about the Atari 8bit computers games we feel are ripe to be re-released and/or remade for Atari's new VCS, which had finally seen general release this week. Written, edited, produced by Steve Fulton, Jeff Fulton and Tony Longworth Branding by Daryl Litts Music "Star Raide...
Jun 20, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Season 4Ep. 6
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...
May 08, 2021•52 min•Season 4Ep. 5
This is not a regular episode. Today we talk about our sister Mari (Marz) who passed away at her home in early April. Marz was our older sister, teacher and protector and also our game playing companion. We talk about grief and how sometimes memories of life events are intertwined with games in ways we just don't fully understand. We also have a very nice story contribution from Tony Longwoth and of course a new Tony Tune and new from the Into The Vertical Blank Scene. Notes: Atari 7800 Space Du...
Apr 28, 2021•1 hr 21 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Last week we caught up with David Crane, Garry Kitchen and Dan Kitchen from Audacity Games to chat about the old Atari days, Activision, Absolute, Skyworks, the tragedy of digital obsolescence, their new venture Audacity games and their spectacular new Atari VCS game, Circus Convoy. See full video version of the interview here: (1) Audacity Games Interview: David Crane, Dan Kitchen and Garry Kitchen - YouTube Produced by Jeff and Steve Fulton Branding By Daryl Litts Music " Dance With Me" by Ton...
Apr 05, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Season 4Ep. 3
An episode jampacked with Atari VCS goodness! First a story about the allure (and danger) of Atari VCS programming in modern times. Then a playthrough and history of the original 9 VCS 1977 launch titles. Also memories of Combat! from Tony Longworth. and a discussion and reaction of the brand new VCS game Circus Convoy from Audacity games. Features "The Atari VCS Almost Killed Me" by Steve Fulton Written edited, produced by Steve And Jeff Fulton Branding by Daryl Litts Music : Ether and Eyes Tur...
Mar 13, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 4Ep. 2
To start off the 4th season, we chose four games to play and discuss : Early Atari Coin-ops, Avalanche, Fire Truck, Super Bug, and Dominos. We also discuss a very early Electronic games magazine article on “Games we hope we’ll never see”. They were mostly wrong. Starting with this episode we will also have a companion video with us live discussing the games and items that need more visual evidence. Live Game Play and discussion video The video for this episode is: https://youtu.be/1Apns1Bq5IU Wr...
Feb 14, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 1
S3:E25; 1981 - Atari VCS Christmas For the 2020 Christmas episode we go back 39 years to 1981 and talk about how it felt to want, and ultimately, get, an Atari VCS that year. We have a story from Steve about our twin scheming and planning to get a VCS, and then we have a discussion about our top-10 VCS games available at the end of 1981. We hope these memories and stories help you have a good holiday in 2020 no matter what you celebrate or what your situation might be. Merry Christmas and Happy ...
Dec 23, 2020•1 hr 43 min•Season 3Ep. 25
As we we prepare for the 2020 Chirstmas episode of Into The Vertical Blank, here is a supercut of three Christmas stories from past seasons told for the first tiem, in Chronological order: -The Best @*#! Christmas Ever (1983) -Atari 7800 Christmas (1986) -The Christmas Train (1982-2011)
Dec 20, 2020•1 hr 48 min•Season 3Ep. 24
S3: E23. Why we are Thankful for STOS: The Game Creator In this episode the brothers talk about the creation of their one and only completed Atari ST game (“Zamboozal Poker Dice”) and the tools that helped them complete it: the Mandarin / JawX Software products under the STOS banner. Come along for the ride as they discuss the old days of making games on their favorite 16 bit computer. Written, Edited, Produced by Steve Fulton and Jeff Fulton Branding by Daryl Litts Additional music - “Outside T...
Nov 21, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 23
In this episode Steve and Jeff cover the Wii Haunted House port from 2010, and also make their list of the top 27 things that scare Atari Fans (or at least scare Steve and Jeff). They also feature an Easter egg from their past and a fantastic Tony Longworth tune. Listen here or on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify. Steam Store Haunted House: https://store.steampowered.com/app/9960/Haunted_House/ Credits Written, Edited, Produced by Steve Fulton and Jeff Fulton Branding by Daryl Litt...
Oct 30, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 22
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 an archive of everything "cool" before things got real. Every year in September or October, the Sears Wish Book would arrive in the mail, and our job was to circle the things we wanted for Christmas. In this episode we dive into the top-50 weird and wonderful products from the 1977 Sears Wishbook (plus some extras) You can follow along in the links below: Wishbook Pages To Follo...
Oct 19, 2020•1 hr 34 min•Season 3Ep. 21
In this episodes we take you back to an era when arcades in the shape of rockets and castles ruled the land, and TV shows like CHiPs ruled the airwaves. Most every kid who grew-up in the Golden Age of video games had a favorite place to play games. For us, it was Castle Park in Redondo Beach, CA. In this episode we have a story about Castle Park named "Ode To Castle Park", and we do something brand new: We recap an entire episode of the TV show CHiPs. Season 6, episode 13 of the show CHiPs was f...
Oct 04, 2020•1 hr 29 min•Season 3Ep. 20
